Throwback by Maurene Goo is a fun rom-com with mother-daughter drama with time travel.

Throwback has Back to the Future vibes with a Freaky Friday slant. Samantha gets sent back to 1995 after an epic fight with her mom, unable to get back to her own time until she completes a mystery mission… all while her grandmother is having a health crisis. No pressure, right?!

This fun YA book has loads of 90s references for older readers, while the fish out of water trope appeals to all readers. This trope delivers some funny moments, from learning to use the bus and live without internet to some heartbreaking ones, like enduring overt racism and sexism.

What makes this book stand out to me is the strong representation of intergenerational relationships. Sam thinks she’s open minded, but finds her perspective of her mother and grandmother’s relationship is actually quite rigid.

Themes include finding oneself, opening perspectives, and shifting generational priorities. But along the way, there are plenty of laugh out loud hi-jinx, interesting characters, and time travel obstacles to overcome.

It’s interesting, because most of the characters aren’t particularly likable right off the bat. Both Sam and Priscilla are stubborn, rigid, and unwilling to walk a mile in the others shoes. Yet seeing them learn to open up to one another and undo generational toxic cycles together made the overall tone hopeful.

Maurene Goo’s Throwback is available now. You can purchase it from Bookshop.org here. Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org. I will earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you click through and make a purchase.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Zando Young Readers for an advanced e-arc such that I could share my honest opinions.