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The Boyfriend Backtrack
If they say that life flashes right before your eyes when you die, do you also get a flashback of your exes when your perfect boyfriend is proposing to you? At least that's the case for Regina Cortez. There's her dramatic high school boyfriend, her first college crush, the irresistible heart breaker, and the ever elusive one. By backtracking to her past, will Regina make it to 'I Do'? Or will she just keep running away?
Unknown Binding
First published October 3, 2014
5 people are currently reading
361 people want to read
About the author
Dawn Lanuza
17 books216 followersDawn Lanuza writes contemporary romance, young adult fiction and prose poetry. She has two first loves – music and writing – and is lucky enough to surround herself with them. She currently lives with her family and a very loved cream toy poodle.
She sometimes blogs at dawnlanuza.com.
She sometimes blogs at dawnlanuza.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
September 27, 2015
you can also read my review here
Ahh. Ex-Boyfriends. It can be..
Most are..
But the most important thing is..
Regina just got engaged! But instead of that happy feeling that most women usually gets, a strange thing happened to her during the proposal. All of her ex boyfriend's faces flashed through her. And with the help of her bestfriends and fate.. she was convinced that she has some past issues to deal with to be able to move forward.
First of all, I love this concept. I've been looking for a book like this since forever. I mean, this thing can happen you know. What if.. your ex boyfriendsss haunts you the day you're about to get married? Or in Regina's case, when your current boyfriend just proposed to you.
Some of Regina's ex boyfriend's are kind of a jerk.. which make them so real. So authentic. I swear, I've met them before! They can be your ex boyfriend for all I know. The point is, Dawn Lanuza's characters are well developed and absolutely relatable. Made the book more plausible.
The banters between Regina and her bestfriends are hilarious. It makes me miss mine. *sniff sniff* ANYWAY, I was entertained by their teasing and touched by how they stand with each other. Throughout the book I felt like I was just with them.
I guess my only complain is how I feel like the ending was kind of.. rushed. I'm happy to what happened in the end. But I was honestly deprived too. I want more moments of Regina and.. the swoon worthy guy.
But overall, I love everything about The Boyfriend Backtrack. The songs, the girls cuteness scale, Regina's witty comebacks.. I adore this book so much. Everybody should read a book like this once in a while. Its not that heavy, but not that light either that you'll get that MEH feeling. Its a mix of both. The Boyfriend Backtrack is a light read that deals with heavy topics about relationships.
Ahh. Ex-Boyfriends. It can be..
Most are..
But the most important thing is..
Regina just got engaged! But instead of that happy feeling that most women usually gets, a strange thing happened to her during the proposal. All of her ex boyfriend's faces flashed through her. And with the help of her bestfriends and fate.. she was convinced that she has some past issues to deal with to be able to move forward.
First of all, I love this concept. I've been looking for a book like this since forever. I mean, this thing can happen you know. What if.. your ex boyfriendsss haunts you the day you're about to get married? Or in Regina's case, when your current boyfriend just proposed to you.
Some of Regina's ex boyfriend's are kind of a jerk.. which make them so real. So authentic. I swear, I've met them before! They can be your ex boyfriend for all I know. The point is, Dawn Lanuza's characters are well developed and absolutely relatable. Made the book more plausible.
The banters between Regina and her bestfriends are hilarious. It makes me miss mine. *sniff sniff* ANYWAY, I was entertained by their teasing and touched by how they stand with each other. Throughout the book I felt like I was just with them.
I guess my only complain is how I feel like the ending was kind of.. rushed. I'm happy to what happened in the end. But I was honestly deprived too. I want more moments of Regina and.. the swoon worthy guy.
But overall, I love everything about The Boyfriend Backtrack. The songs, the girls cuteness scale, Regina's witty comebacks.. I adore this book so much. Everybody should read a book like this once in a while. Its not that heavy, but not that light either that you'll get that MEH feeling. Its a mix of both. The Boyfriend Backtrack is a light read that deals with heavy topics about relationships.
August 10, 2017
THE BOYFRIEND BACKTRACK HAS MURDERED ME. IT’S THE PERFECT ROMANCE BOOK FOR A POOR UNFORTUNATE SOUL LIKE ME. I mean, it was just so good I can’t help but to cry at the near end. Yes, I’m totally that girl who cries over movies and books. Don’t sit near me, I’m very mushy.
The plot is literally about Regina, who suddenly had a war flashback of her exes during her boyfriend’s proposal. In result, she and her friend revisited her previous relationships. It was all about reminiscing and confronting your past. This book is just so nostalgic for me, I started listening to Kiss Me by Sixpence None The Richer which followed by There She Goes. That’s like a déjà vu moment for me, because a couple of chapters later The La’s There She Goes was mentioned. It played a significant role in the story. I don’t even know why I’m saying that except The Boyfriend Backtrack gives me that iconic vibe from 90’s where everything were romanticized. It was the era that defined my notions of epic romance. It encompasses that feeling and time frame. It’s like watching a classic rom-com like Serendipity; I don’t care if you like or hated the movie, but it has an impact.
The Boyfriend Backtrack is about second-chance romance / friendship to lovers. You can’t never go wrong with that. Lanuza is hands down joining my favorite romance authors.
June 25, 2018
The Boyfriend Backtrack has overnight become one of my all-time favorite romance novels. The elegant and easy to get through writing and the mix of the friends to lovers and second chance romance tropes makes the book a hit. The main character of the novel is Regina, who after her boyfriend Kevin proposes, gets a flashback of all of her exes. This leads to a journey where Regina meets all of her exes again, in order to figure out what she wants and who her one true love is. Regina is an artist, a lover of France, and an amazing protagonist to follow.
"I’m a bit of a Francophile. But that, of course, is rooted in my love for the French post-impressionist painters: Van Gogh, Seurat, and Cézanne."
What made The Boyfriend Backtrack such a fun read is that when Regina end up meeting her exes again – one after one – after her boyfriend proposes, we also get flashback scenes of how she first met them all. The story becomes a love letter to the loves that have been and the lessons learned, a love letter that comes with a map the leads Regina straight to the one that got away – her one true love. All through this, Regina has her two best friends – Jules and Leslie – by her side. This female friendship trio is honestly just the best. These women are all unique and different yet always have each other’s backs and support through thick and thin, and that is something I love and appreciate.
Even though this is a love story, and it sure is a great one, this book ends up being about more than just Regina’s love life. On her metaphorical journey through time and space, Regina realizes that in the past years she has lost touch with her passions and herself, and because of that, it becomes a story of Regina finding herself, her art, and who she is without a boyfriend in her life. This is something I think a lot of readers will love about this book.
"We were in the moment, with Thomas and Micah, with the booze and the stories, but we made a little world on our own, under that table."
If you’re in search of a romance novel with both depth and the ability to make you smile unlike all else, The Boyfriend Backtrack is for you. This book has a soft hero, amazing supportive female friendships, two of my favorite tropes, and on top of it all, it is easy to read. All of that makes it a must-read for romance lovers, at least in my book.
A note I’d like to add: if you enjoyed The Boyfriend Backtrack or just think you will enjoy it and want to read more by Dawn Lanuza then I highly recommend The Hometown Hazard. The book is a great follow up to The Boyfriend Backtrack and is about Jules – one of the best friends of Regina. It is a mystery romance novel and a great read. However, it spoils certain events in The Boyfriend Backtrack so read that one first.
"I’m a bit of a Francophile. But that, of course, is rooted in my love for the French post-impressionist painters: Van Gogh, Seurat, and Cézanne."
What made The Boyfriend Backtrack such a fun read is that when Regina end up meeting her exes again – one after one – after her boyfriend proposes, we also get flashback scenes of how she first met them all. The story becomes a love letter to the loves that have been and the lessons learned, a love letter that comes with a map the leads Regina straight to the one that got away – her one true love. All through this, Regina has her two best friends – Jules and Leslie – by her side. This female friendship trio is honestly just the best. These women are all unique and different yet always have each other’s backs and support through thick and thin, and that is something I love and appreciate.
Even though this is a love story, and it sure is a great one, this book ends up being about more than just Regina’s love life. On her metaphorical journey through time and space, Regina realizes that in the past years she has lost touch with her passions and herself, and because of that, it becomes a story of Regina finding herself, her art, and who she is without a boyfriend in her life. This is something I think a lot of readers will love about this book.
"We were in the moment, with Thomas and Micah, with the booze and the stories, but we made a little world on our own, under that table."
If you’re in search of a romance novel with both depth and the ability to make you smile unlike all else, The Boyfriend Backtrack is for you. This book has a soft hero, amazing supportive female friendships, two of my favorite tropes, and on top of it all, it is easy to read. All of that makes it a must-read for romance lovers, at least in my book.
A note I’d like to add: if you enjoyed The Boyfriend Backtrack or just think you will enjoy it and want to read more by Dawn Lanuza then I highly recommend The Hometown Hazard. The book is a great follow up to The Boyfriend Backtrack and is about Jules – one of the best friends of Regina. It is a mystery romance novel and a great read. However, it spoils certain events in The Boyfriend Backtrack so read that one first.
April 9, 2017
Actual rating: 3.5.
Read
July 25, 2018A very enjoyable second-chance romance--in fact, lots of second chances, most of them bad ideas--as newly engaged Regina tries to understand her feelings by working through her backlist of ex boyfriends. Funny, emotional, fast-paced novel that focuses on Regina's shift from trying to find the right guy to realising she has to sort herself out. The appalling wannabe rockstar is particularly entertaining; the ultimate hero is an absolute cinnamon roll.
October 24, 2015
Review originally posted on Sab The Book Eater
Timing.
People can have good or bad timing. Lately I've been feeling the same way with books. I seem to keep starting books but have trouble finishing them in one go. I crack open one book, get some chapters in, leave it, then head on to the next. It's not like the books are bad or uninteresting. I'm just not feeling any of them at the moment. And this is where timing comes in.
I know we've all been through this: we come across a book that we can relate to on so many levels that you fall in love with it instantly. You love it not really for the story or the writing or the characters. No. It's more than that. You love it because this is you in a book.
Well at least that's how I felt reading The Boyfriend Backtrack. Perhaps the book and I just had perfect timing because I've been "dealing" with something the past few weeks so I was more than glad to come across a book that described how I was feeling. Or Dawn Lanuza's honest writing got to me. Maybe it was both.
That's the thing with this book; it paints you a picture that you don't often find in love stories. Usually we get either ends of the spectrum in romances: the ultra shy girl who comes out of her shell in the end or the fearless lover who freely expresses herself. But what about the girl in between? The girl who's confident enough to meet guys and go on dates but can't bravely handle confrontation and having to do "the talk" with someone? What about the girl who cruises along and pretends she's happy with something (or someone) until she can't take it any longer? What about the girl who simply can't deal right now but says I'll get to it when I have to... eventually? I'm probably making the protagonist, Regina, sound rather unappealing right now but trust me when I say this, she is as real is it can get. And that is precisely what made the book so enjoyable for me.
In less than 200 pages, Lanuza tells a story about a girl who I'm pretty sure a lot of readers will be able to relate to. Her relationships are the stuff of contemporary romances, that is to say we're treated to the right amount of feels (otherwise known as kilig, to Filipinos) which is expected of books in the same genre. I'm talking about the meet-cute, the rush, the chase, the falling apart, the getting back together — they're all in there. But what hooked me the most was Regina herself and her growth as the story progressed. She would avoid voicing out and acting on how she truly feels if she could. She reminds me a lot of myself in this way. I'm not always courageous. I don't always do what I know I should do in certain situations. I don't always have valid reasons for my avoidance. It's not always easy to be honest to other people, and I think it's even more difficult to do so with yourself. I don't think there are enough books that are this honest about these things. The writer tells it like it is. It's not frilly. It's not overly romanticized. It's simple but it has an impact, especially to women who can relate to Regina on such a personal level such as myself (I'm a woman?!). *winks*
What's amazing is that even though Regina's passiveness was bordering annoying at times (I'm pretty sure I'm more annoying but it's different if you're reading about a fictional character's problems), there was still enough room for growth and it didn't seem so sudden once she turned things around. None of it felt forced, even though you can practically see the ending as soon as the book starts. The predictability did not take away the entertainment factor, trust me. The light humor in the present c/o Regina's friends and the fun flashbacks to her college days (and boyfriends) balanced the drama out perfectly. Overall, I think the story flowed smoothly from start to finish. A definite page-turner.
So... what's the verdict on this one? I pretty much gushed about it (in a low-key way) so you just know that I'm gonna be pimping this book out to contemporary romance junkies every chance I get! Get a copy and dive right into it. You will not regret it.
Timing.
People can have good or bad timing. Lately I've been feeling the same way with books. I seem to keep starting books but have trouble finishing them in one go. I crack open one book, get some chapters in, leave it, then head on to the next. It's not like the books are bad or uninteresting. I'm just not feeling any of them at the moment. And this is where timing comes in.
I know we've all been through this: we come across a book that we can relate to on so many levels that you fall in love with it instantly. You love it not really for the story or the writing or the characters. No. It's more than that. You love it because this is you in a book.
Well at least that's how I felt reading The Boyfriend Backtrack. Perhaps the book and I just had perfect timing because I've been "dealing" with something the past few weeks so I was more than glad to come across a book that described how I was feeling. Or Dawn Lanuza's honest writing got to me. Maybe it was both.
That's the thing with this book; it paints you a picture that you don't often find in love stories. Usually we get either ends of the spectrum in romances: the ultra shy girl who comes out of her shell in the end or the fearless lover who freely expresses herself. But what about the girl in between? The girl who's confident enough to meet guys and go on dates but can't bravely handle confrontation and having to do "the talk" with someone? What about the girl who cruises along and pretends she's happy with something (or someone) until she can't take it any longer? What about the girl who simply can't deal right now but says I'll get to it when I have to... eventually? I'm probably making the protagonist, Regina, sound rather unappealing right now but trust me when I say this, she is as real is it can get. And that is precisely what made the book so enjoyable for me.
In less than 200 pages, Lanuza tells a story about a girl who I'm pretty sure a lot of readers will be able to relate to. Her relationships are the stuff of contemporary romances, that is to say we're treated to the right amount of feels (otherwise known as kilig, to Filipinos) which is expected of books in the same genre. I'm talking about the meet-cute, the rush, the chase, the falling apart, the getting back together — they're all in there. But what hooked me the most was Regina herself and her growth as the story progressed. She would avoid voicing out and acting on how she truly feels if she could. She reminds me a lot of myself in this way. I'm not always courageous. I don't always do what I know I should do in certain situations. I don't always have valid reasons for my avoidance. It's not always easy to be honest to other people, and I think it's even more difficult to do so with yourself. I don't think there are enough books that are this honest about these things. The writer tells it like it is. It's not frilly. It's not overly romanticized. It's simple but it has an impact, especially to women who can relate to Regina on such a personal level such as myself (I'm a woman?!). *winks*
What's amazing is that even though Regina's passiveness was bordering annoying at times (I'm pretty sure I'm more annoying but it's different if you're reading about a fictional character's problems), there was still enough room for growth and it didn't seem so sudden once she turned things around. None of it felt forced, even though you can practically see the ending as soon as the book starts. The predictability did not take away the entertainment factor, trust me. The light humor in the present c/o Regina's friends and the fun flashbacks to her college days (and boyfriends) balanced the drama out perfectly. Overall, I think the story flowed smoothly from start to finish. A definite page-turner.
So... what's the verdict on this one? I pretty much gushed about it (in a low-key way) so you just know that I'm gonna be pimping this book out to contemporary romance junkies every chance I get! Get a copy and dive right into it. You will not regret it.
December 19, 2014
Ahhhhhh this book made me feel so giddy! Couldn't put it down! Full review to come soon. :)
----
UPDATE: Dec 19, 2014
Originally posted at Geeky Chiquitas
I'm always supportive of the local publishing industry and would grab at any chance to review or participate in a book tour for a book written by a local author. There's just something completely refreshing about reading a book that hits so close to home - it's just a wonderful, wonderful feeling. The Boyfriend Backtrack surely made me feel that, and I sincerely enjoyed reading it. Towards the end, I came to know the characters of the story as not just people part of a book, but actual, real, live people who could be my friends or someone I know, maybe because of how much I found myself connecting to the book.
Though I wasn't a fan of all the copy-editing issues or some of the cliche scenes and lines, I am indeed a sucker for happy endings and best friend romances so I managed to overlook those tiny faults. I can't really say who Regina ends up with in the end (read the book to find out!) but I was shipping them so hard right from the moment the guy makes an appearance (and man, does he make an appearance). I loved how Regina grows up throughout the book and how she finally faces her fear of confrontation, by finally tying up all those loose ends from so long ago. I did admire her with her decision to find herself towards the end of the book, and that is something I would like for myself as well. The ending of the book is one of the cheesiest, but sweetest endings I've ever read, and honestly, an ending I would want to happen to myself (yes I love cheese too).
To wrap things up, The Boyfriend Backtrack is one of the nicest and sweetest books I've ever read, and is perfect to read with a cup of coffee on a rainy day, and the perfect playlist with throwback love songs from college. This one effortlessly put a smile on my face after reading it and I highly recommend it for people who love love and reading about love.
----
UPDATE: Dec 19, 2014
Originally posted at Geeky Chiquitas
I'm always supportive of the local publishing industry and would grab at any chance to review or participate in a book tour for a book written by a local author. There's just something completely refreshing about reading a book that hits so close to home - it's just a wonderful, wonderful feeling. The Boyfriend Backtrack surely made me feel that, and I sincerely enjoyed reading it. Towards the end, I came to know the characters of the story as not just people part of a book, but actual, real, live people who could be my friends or someone I know, maybe because of how much I found myself connecting to the book.
Though I wasn't a fan of all the copy-editing issues or some of the cliche scenes and lines, I am indeed a sucker for happy endings and best friend romances so I managed to overlook those tiny faults. I can't really say who Regina ends up with in the end (read the book to find out!) but I was shipping them so hard right from the moment the guy makes an appearance (and man, does he make an appearance). I loved how Regina grows up throughout the book and how she finally faces her fear of confrontation, by finally tying up all those loose ends from so long ago. I did admire her with her decision to find herself towards the end of the book, and that is something I would like for myself as well. The ending of the book is one of the cheesiest, but sweetest endings I've ever read, and honestly, an ending I would want to happen to myself (yes I love cheese too).
To wrap things up, The Boyfriend Backtrack is one of the nicest and sweetest books I've ever read, and is perfect to read with a cup of coffee on a rainy day, and the perfect playlist with throwback love songs from college. This one effortlessly put a smile on my face after reading it and I highly recommend it for people who love love and reading about love.
January 6, 2016
(Closer to a 4.5 than an actual 4, but we can't do half stars, boo!)
The Boyfriend Backtrack is a very engrossing read. It presented a likable main character in Regina. You don't have to be a Regina to relate to her. Although sometimes, you'll wish you were Regina because, "HEY, THOSE BOYS/EXES, amirite?"
And the moments: The way Dawn captured certain (spoilery) moments was just so pretty and bursting with feels. E.G. that moment that was dramatized in the #romanceclass podcast and that bit during the exhibit.
Extra: The use of music is a nice touch---it adds a little extra to those who know the songs, but it doesn't detract from the story if you don't.
The Boyfriend Backtrack is a very engrossing read. It presented a likable main character in Regina. You don't have to be a Regina to relate to her. Although sometimes, you'll wish you were Regina because, "HEY, THOSE BOYS/EXES, amirite?"
And the moments: The way Dawn captured certain (spoilery) moments was just so pretty and bursting with feels. E.G. that moment that was dramatized in the #romanceclass podcast and that bit during the exhibit.
Extra: The use of music is a nice touch---it adds a little extra to those who know the songs, but it doesn't detract from the story if you don't.
September 11, 2017
"Maybe it's not always like the movies, you know? No perfectly-scored moments or anything like that."
She looks sorry for me, "you used to believe in those things."
This is my second book by Dawn Lanuza and I'm definitely a fan now.
The Boyfriend Backtrack was a lot of fun and reminded me of why I love love and how happy endings simply fill me up with so much hope. Read this book and fall in love with Regina and her relatable story. <3
"I guess when you choose someone you completely love, then it's worth it."
She looks sorry for me, "you used to believe in those things."
This is my second book by Dawn Lanuza and I'm definitely a fan now.
The Boyfriend Backtrack was a lot of fun and reminded me of why I love love and how happy endings simply fill me up with so much hope. Read this book and fall in love with Regina and her relatable story. <3
"I guess when you choose someone you completely love, then it's worth it."
December 17, 2014
There's a thin line between love and hate and I think, I'm standing either above or below that line.
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
December 31, 2018
This review can also be found at Diary of a Book Maniac.
I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Words just completely left me. This is my 3rd attempt to write this review now. I guess The Boyfriend Backtrack is one of those books that’ll leave you speechless. Not because of how good it is (not that I’m saying that it’s not) but because this novel gave me the close to accurate representation of what love is. I’ve read my fair amount of contemporary books but The Boyfriend Backtrack is the most accurate among them all. It was able to present to me different faces of love that would really happen in real life. It’s the kind of love that I always see my friends go through (because not having a boyfriend since birth can make you a keen observer).
My words might not make sense to you because I myself am having a hard time putting into words my thoughts about this book. In this book, Regina’s boyfriend proposes to her and during that proposal she had a flashback of all her exes. Now this is where it gets hard to explain without spoiling you the book so I’ll keep it as short and vague as I can. All I can say is that Regina went through different kinds of relationship. There’s this long distance relationship, the toxic kind of relationship (toxic because it’s the kind of relationship that would feel like you’re drowning), the one that will leave you cheated, name it and Regina had that experience. And that my friends, is among my reasons why I like this book. Because I’ve been in those situations, only as an observer. Haha. You can say that I’m that single girl who’s surrounded by in-a-relationship people, I’m that friend who listens to her friends rant over their boyfriends, and I’m that friend who gives love advice to her friends despite the lack of experience to back it up. In other words, I’m that friend that Regina wishes to be in her squad to give her unbiased opinion regarding her love problem. Good thing she has Jules and Leslie.
Despite my lack of experience in love, I could actually relate to Regina, the protagonist of the story. She’s that kind of main character that you wish to befriend with, or in my case, to live in her head. The book was narrated in Regina’s POV. And that’s one of the reasons why I like this book so much. I really enjoyed the narration of this book so much. In fact, I was supposed to read 2 chapters of this book yesterday but I ended up reading the whole thing because the narration hooked me among other things.
I also liked Regina’s friends! They’re a good combination. Leslie is an act-first-before-thinking kind, she’s that kind of character that will make you think of rainbows and unicorns and yoga guy. Ha. Spoiler. :D While we have Jules, who’s uptight and the kind of friend who think things through first before doing anything. Reading the scenes in the book with them was really an enjoyable experience. They’re like a breath of fresh air for Regina.
Let’s talk about the romance in this book, shall we? Well, it’s not as swoony as I want it to be. Though it did have its moments but I’ve read better swoony books before. Maybe because I was rooting for the wrong couple? And I’m not even talking about Regina and one of her exes, I’m pertaining to one of her friends and Regina’s ex. I won’t tell who because that might spoil you. But yes, maybe it’s because I was more focus in seeing how those two will progress that I somehow overlooked the main couple in this book. I hope the author will write a story about the couple that I’m rooting for in the future (Hi Ms. Dawn! I know you know who I’m talking to *wink*)
For someone who was left speechless, this is quite a lengthy review. Heh. :D Anyway, if you’re looking for a light and fun read, then The Boyfriend Backtrack is the perfect book for you.
I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Words just completely left me. This is my 3rd attempt to write this review now. I guess The Boyfriend Backtrack is one of those books that’ll leave you speechless. Not because of how good it is (not that I’m saying that it’s not) but because this novel gave me the close to accurate representation of what love is. I’ve read my fair amount of contemporary books but The Boyfriend Backtrack is the most accurate among them all. It was able to present to me different faces of love that would really happen in real life. It’s the kind of love that I always see my friends go through (because not having a boyfriend since birth can make you a keen observer).
My words might not make sense to you because I myself am having a hard time putting into words my thoughts about this book. In this book, Regina’s boyfriend proposes to her and during that proposal she had a flashback of all her exes. Now this is where it gets hard to explain without spoiling you the book so I’ll keep it as short and vague as I can. All I can say is that Regina went through different kinds of relationship. There’s this long distance relationship, the toxic kind of relationship (toxic because it’s the kind of relationship that would feel like you’re drowning), the one that will leave you cheated, name it and Regina had that experience. And that my friends, is among my reasons why I like this book. Because I’ve been in those situations, only as an observer. Haha. You can say that I’m that single girl who’s surrounded by in-a-relationship people, I’m that friend who listens to her friends rant over their boyfriends, and I’m that friend who gives love advice to her friends despite the lack of experience to back it up. In other words, I’m that friend that Regina wishes to be in her squad to give her unbiased opinion regarding her love problem. Good thing she has Jules and Leslie.
Despite my lack of experience in love, I could actually relate to Regina, the protagonist of the story. She’s that kind of main character that you wish to befriend with, or in my case, to live in her head. The book was narrated in Regina’s POV. And that’s one of the reasons why I like this book so much. I really enjoyed the narration of this book so much. In fact, I was supposed to read 2 chapters of this book yesterday but I ended up reading the whole thing because the narration hooked me among other things.
I also liked Regina’s friends! They’re a good combination. Leslie is an act-first-before-thinking kind, she’s that kind of character that will make you think of rainbows and unicorns and yoga guy. Ha. Spoiler. :D While we have Jules, who’s uptight and the kind of friend who think things through first before doing anything. Reading the scenes in the book with them was really an enjoyable experience. They’re like a breath of fresh air for Regina.
Let’s talk about the romance in this book, shall we? Well, it’s not as swoony as I want it to be. Though it did have its moments but I’ve read better swoony books before. Maybe because I was rooting for the wrong couple? And I’m not even talking about Regina and one of her exes, I’m pertaining to one of her friends and Regina’s ex. I won’t tell who because that might spoil you. But yes, maybe it’s because I was more focus in seeing how those two will progress that I somehow overlooked the main couple in this book. I hope the author will write a story about the couple that I’m rooting for in the future (Hi Ms. Dawn! I know you know who I’m talking to *wink*)
For someone who was left speechless, this is quite a lengthy review. Heh. :D Anyway, if you’re looking for a light and fun read, then The Boyfriend Backtrack is the perfect book for you.
March 18, 2018
This is the first Pinoy chicklit book that I read. (I usually read YA fiction by international authors)
When I first saw this on a bookstore, my first thought was, “What an interesting title.” After I read the synopsis, I told myself that I’m going to give this book a try. Besides, it’s nice to try a “new” book. And it’s written in English so it’s a plus point. So, I went home with my newly purchased book.
I’m gonna give you a brief description about this book: funny and romantic. Although there was a heartbreaking part (at least for me, I don't know if other readers find it heartbreaking) but it wasn't depressing. Now I’m gonna give you my full review and I’ll try to avoid writing some spoilers:
Writing style: it took me some time to adapt to the author’s writing style. It’s different from my usual reads, but, it’s not a problem at all.
Concept: The concept is unique and appealing. We don’t always get to find books like this. The sudden images of exes that popped in Reg’s mind while Kevin was proposing to her was weird but it might actually happen in real life! Who knows?
Friends: I love the friendship of Regina, Jules and Leslie. I think of them as #friendshipgoals. I won’t be elaborating much about this. But I like them.
Flashbacks: There were times that I was confused with the flashback because I tried computing the year, or Regina’s age when a certain incident happened (lol). But, I love the flashbacks.
Boys: I love the fact that the boys in the book have their distinct personalities. I find some parts of the story with a certain guy hilarious, some are annoying and some are romantic. This book gave so many feelings!
Ending: Oh. My. God. I love the ending. I really like what happened in the story—the backtrack, the plot twist, and how things turned out. Although, while reading the book, I really don’t know how the story will end. It’s sort of hard to predict.
P.S. Thinking about the “Hogwarts”, “Wallpaper” and “Devil Woman” still makes me laugh. Who else laughed at these? Anyone?
When I first saw this on a bookstore, my first thought was, “What an interesting title.” After I read the synopsis, I told myself that I’m going to give this book a try. Besides, it’s nice to try a “new” book. And it’s written in English so it’s a plus point. So, I went home with my newly purchased book.
I’m gonna give you a brief description about this book: funny and romantic. Although there was a heartbreaking part (at least for me, I don't know if other readers find it heartbreaking) but it wasn't depressing. Now I’m gonna give you my full review and I’ll try to avoid writing some spoilers:
Writing style: it took me some time to adapt to the author’s writing style. It’s different from my usual reads, but, it’s not a problem at all.
Concept: The concept is unique and appealing. We don’t always get to find books like this. The sudden images of exes that popped in Reg’s mind while Kevin was proposing to her was weird but it might actually happen in real life! Who knows?
Friends: I love the friendship of Regina, Jules and Leslie. I think of them as #friendshipgoals. I won’t be elaborating much about this. But I like them.
Flashbacks: There were times that I was confused with the flashback because I tried computing the year, or Regina’s age when a certain incident happened (lol). But, I love the flashbacks.
Boys: I love the fact that the boys in the book have their distinct personalities. I find some parts of the story with a certain guy hilarious, some are annoying and some are romantic. This book gave so many feelings!
Ending: Oh. My. God. I love the ending. I really like what happened in the story—the backtrack, the plot twist, and how things turned out. Although, while reading the book, I really don’t know how the story will end. It’s sort of hard to predict.
P.S. Thinking about the “Hogwarts”, “Wallpaper” and “Devil Woman” still makes me laugh. Who else laughed at these? Anyone?
December 27, 2014
Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
I am not a big fan of the cover but I am a huge fan of the book.
The Boyfriend Backtrack is far from what I expected. I greatly enjoyed the unique plot and the great storytelling. I don't usually read books this short because I often find them rushed and just not enough to satisfy my craving for books. But I'm really glad that I gave this book a go.
I LOVE the premise of the book. Regina had just taken a huge leap in her life by saying "yes" to her boyfriend's marriage proposal and her mind just thought that this would be a great time to remind her of all the ex-boyfriends (the good and the bad) she had. Regina is a likable and relatable protagonist. She's independent, funny and a smartass. And although she seems a bit cynical to me at times, I could see through some of the flashbacks that she has been a dreamer and a passionate artist once. I get that about her. We always have this big dreams while growing up and we think that nothing can stand in our way of reaching them but somehow in the end it doesn't always turn out the way we thought it would. And then we lose sight of those dreams and often lose ourselves in the process. I felt like Regina felt that way. She made her choices based on what she knows is right and not on what she feels is right. And I'm glad that in the end things turned out for the best for her and everyone.
I love reading about Regina's ex-boyfriends. I think we all had our very own Dirk, Josh and Chase. It felt real and relatable. And meeting them and reading about them was so much fun!
The Boyfriend Backtrack is a fun and believable story. I think most people could relate to what Regina is going through. We're confused most our life and we're lucky if we find what we're looking for but with a little nudge from fate and our loyal, supportive friends and we might just find ourselves in the right track.
This was a highly enjoyable book. Recommended!
I received a copy of the book to read and review.
I am not a big fan of the cover but I am a huge fan of the book.
The Boyfriend Backtrack is far from what I expected. I greatly enjoyed the unique plot and the great storytelling. I don't usually read books this short because I often find them rushed and just not enough to satisfy my craving for books. But I'm really glad that I gave this book a go.
I LOVE the premise of the book. Regina had just taken a huge leap in her life by saying "yes" to her boyfriend's marriage proposal and her mind just thought that this would be a great time to remind her of all the ex-boyfriends (the good and the bad) she had. Regina is a likable and relatable protagonist. She's independent, funny and a smartass. And although she seems a bit cynical to me at times, I could see through some of the flashbacks that she has been a dreamer and a passionate artist once. I get that about her. We always have this big dreams while growing up and we think that nothing can stand in our way of reaching them but somehow in the end it doesn't always turn out the way we thought it would. And then we lose sight of those dreams and often lose ourselves in the process. I felt like Regina felt that way. She made her choices based on what she knows is right and not on what she feels is right. And I'm glad that in the end things turned out for the best for her and everyone.
I love reading about Regina's ex-boyfriends. I think we all had our very own Dirk, Josh and Chase. It felt real and relatable. And meeting them and reading about them was so much fun!
The Boyfriend Backtrack is a fun and believable story. I think most people could relate to what Regina is going through. We're confused most our life and we're lucky if we find what we're looking for but with a little nudge from fate and our loyal, supportive friends and we might just find ourselves in the right track.
This was a highly enjoyable book. Recommended!
I received a copy of the book to read and review.
August 4, 2017
Read full review HERE! :)
Regina was a very relatable character, for me anyway. She was described as 'flighty' because of her tendency to run away from her problems and any type of confrontation especially with her exes. Aside from that, she reminds me of how scared I am to actually pursue my dreams just because it seems too impractical. But even though you cannot completely relate with her, you cannot help but still root for her.
The plot is what actually drew me in upon seeing it for the first time. I just haven't encountered a story with this kind of storyline before which made me more excited to see something this refreshing. The men in Regina's life made things...interesting and got me flying through the pages (as I see these men reflect...people from my not-so-distant past who pops into my life right now)
I loooove the sisterhood between Regina, Leslie, and Jules. They are really, really #goals! 'Nuff said. Aside from her girl friends, it was nice that Regina was actually surrounded by people who loved her so - her workmates and of course, her family (well, her sister anyway. I wished that the issue between her and her parents was more spread out, though.)
And of course, I saved the best for last. THAT ENDING!!! <3 The resolution was cute and sweet and swoon-worthy - like their history together. Each of their scenes - flashbacks and linear included - actually made me feel *feels*.
Five stars for Dawn Lanuza's The Boyfriend Backtrack! :)
January 11, 2016
The Boyfriend Backtrack is the kind of fun read you would want to recommend to girlfriends who may (or may not) have a string of interesting exes to look back at over an afternoon cup of coffee. It reads like a lighthearted movie that has humor, a pretty soundtrack, and moments that’ll make you go “Oof, that kinda stings.”
What Drew Me In
The synopsis. A flashback of your exes while your current flame is proposing to you? Well . . . something’s clearly wrong in that picture, and I wanted to know what it was!
(It’s also interesting to note that, as with All’s Fair in Blog & War, I also got attracted to The Boyfriend Backtrack‘s digital covers–check it out on Amazon. Beautiful, right?)
What Made Me Stay
The exes. No, seriously. Each ex represented a time in Regina’s life and allowed us access to the episodes she’d gone through from Dirk, to Josh, to Thomas. They all had their different charms, and I probably would’ve fallen for Josh (because Greek god looks + basketball), but the way Lanuza wrote Dirk’s scene made him my favorite. He’s probably an unhealthy choice for a boyfriend, true, but I loved what he stood for, and I must admit feeling teary eyed reading that scene. (Is that weird? Did anyone else feel emotional there? No? Ok.)
Bonus points for Jules and Leslie, for being #goodfriends.
[ Full review on Tara Tries to Write. ]
What Drew Me In
The synopsis. A flashback of your exes while your current flame is proposing to you? Well . . . something’s clearly wrong in that picture, and I wanted to know what it was!
(It’s also interesting to note that, as with All’s Fair in Blog & War, I also got attracted to The Boyfriend Backtrack‘s digital covers–check it out on Amazon. Beautiful, right?)
What Made Me Stay
The exes. No, seriously. Each ex represented a time in Regina’s life and allowed us access to the episodes she’d gone through from Dirk, to Josh, to Thomas. They all had their different charms, and I probably would’ve fallen for Josh (because Greek god looks + basketball), but the way Lanuza wrote Dirk’s scene made him my favorite. He’s probably an unhealthy choice for a boyfriend, true, but I loved what he stood for, and I must admit feeling teary eyed reading that scene. (Is that weird? Did anyone else feel emotional there? No? Ok.)
Bonus points for Jules and Leslie, for being #goodfriends.
[ Full review on Tara Tries to Write. ]
July 20, 2015
I love it! I can really relate to the characters. Well done!
February 13, 2018
The Boyfriend Backtrack by Dawn Lanuza was the last book from the Romance Class stack I read. I truly believe books have this way of calling you especially when it holds answers or messages to pass on. Lanuza's book did just that, I can usually read this genre in a day however this one took a week as I lingered and paused every few chapters with anxiety and silent agreement that such feelings exist in people even when relationships or lives seem close to perfect.
The main character, Regina, backtracks all the men she was involved with as her current boyfriend asks her hand in marriage. I used to think these things happen only in movies but as I read page after page, my irritation towards Regina formed a connection with myself, there is cold feet but there is also the whole universe including the love that you have been longing for trying to tell you to think things through ...to be sure. Marriage sounds great when you just finished watching a lot of beautiful vows and wedding videos. This book talks about the inner thoughts of brides-to-be and humanizes what it takes to be committed, this includes the vulnerability and fears as well as the courage to choose happiness.
Lanuza's words are filled with self doubt that grew into a woman who braved her past to be her present thanks to great friends during the whole process. I think this may be one of my favorite books from the Romance Class collection as I could feel my heart shatter in so many moments but then put it back together more beautifully than it was before breaking.
The main character, Regina, backtracks all the men she was involved with as her current boyfriend asks her hand in marriage. I used to think these things happen only in movies but as I read page after page, my irritation towards Regina formed a connection with myself, there is cold feet but there is also the whole universe including the love that you have been longing for trying to tell you to think things through ...to be sure. Marriage sounds great when you just finished watching a lot of beautiful vows and wedding videos. This book talks about the inner thoughts of brides-to-be and humanizes what it takes to be committed, this includes the vulnerability and fears as well as the courage to choose happiness.
Lanuza's words are filled with self doubt that grew into a woman who braved her past to be her present thanks to great friends during the whole process. I think this may be one of my favorite books from the Romance Class collection as I could feel my heart shatter in so many moments but then put it back together more beautifully than it was before breaking.
August 11, 2021
Actual rating: 4.5
My kilig levels were truly off the charts, even when the LI was only mentioned in passing. THE IMPACT.
That being said, pick up this book if you love life re-evaluations, looking back, and second chance romances. Trust me, it's the good dose of kilig that you need.
My kilig levels were truly off the charts, even when the LI was only mentioned in passing. THE IMPACT.
That being said, pick up this book if you love life re-evaluations, looking back, and second chance romances. Trust me, it's the good dose of kilig that you need.
Read
December 13, 2015Originally seen on Anette The Wicked:
There are those exes who make you question why the heck did you even date them in the first place.
There are those who are so unforgettable that they leave destruction in their wake (aka YOU)
No matter the cause, exes are a constant reminder of our past, even if we so desperately want to forget them. This is why Adele, Taylor Swfit, and Ed Sheeran exist. This is why partying till you drop exist. This is why a makeover exist. Exes. They are one of the topics you and your friends constantly talk about. Exes.
The Boyfriend Backtrack starts with a proposal. Regina is doing well. She has a stable job, a place of her own and a boyfriend. That's what most twenty-somethings wish to have. She and her boyfriend share the same love for photography. Kevin is a nice guy, really, the kind of guy you bring home to Mom and to those horrible family reunions. Sure, he travels a lot but then he would always come home and spend his time with Regina.
When Kevin popped the question, Regina said yes. Just when you think all is right in the world because she uttered that three letter word, well, hold your horses. Regina had flashbacks of her exes. ALL OF THEM. If I were Regina, it's pure torture. I mean, here you are, about to embark on the next chapter of your life and certainly, exes are the least of your concerns.
Most of Regina's exes were jerks...legit jerks. Like, there's Dirk, who wrote a song about Regina and called it "Devil Woman". I mean, really? Then there's Thomas...don't even get me started on that guy because he's such a -- the D-word -- and I swear to God, like, all of my exes are like him. Hah.
It was good fun. Reading The Boyfriend Backtrack was like reading my history of exes, not that they were many okay but the whole thing was pretty bad. It was so real and that's what I love about this book. I also love the relationship between Regina and her two friends, Leslie and Jules. Even if they don't see each other on a daily basis, they are a tight knit group of girls.
But there is one ex that Regina never had. Chase Sevilla. How do I begin to explain just how perfectly lovable Chase Sevilla is? *dreamy sigh* He's a dreamboat. I swear. I just...ugh. Why can't he be real? I have no idea. Technically, they didn't "date". But they kissed once. No, wait, twice. All of a sudden, both of them fell off of the face of the earth after that.
The Boyfriend Backtrack will make you want to rethink your relationship choices, both old and new. It will make you want to go out with your girlfriends or guy friends and have a drink and talk about how fate, love, and all those things are so fickle. I'd like to think that exes, even if thinking about them annoys us, makes us a better person, one way or another.
There are those exes who make you question why the heck did you even date them in the first place.
There are those who are so unforgettable that they leave destruction in their wake (aka YOU)
No matter the cause, exes are a constant reminder of our past, even if we so desperately want to forget them. This is why Adele, Taylor Swfit, and Ed Sheeran exist. This is why partying till you drop exist. This is why a makeover exist. Exes. They are one of the topics you and your friends constantly talk about. Exes.
The Boyfriend Backtrack starts with a proposal. Regina is doing well. She has a stable job, a place of her own and a boyfriend. That's what most twenty-somethings wish to have. She and her boyfriend share the same love for photography. Kevin is a nice guy, really, the kind of guy you bring home to Mom and to those horrible family reunions. Sure, he travels a lot but then he would always come home and spend his time with Regina.
When Kevin popped the question, Regina said yes. Just when you think all is right in the world because she uttered that three letter word, well, hold your horses. Regina had flashbacks of her exes. ALL OF THEM. If I were Regina, it's pure torture. I mean, here you are, about to embark on the next chapter of your life and certainly, exes are the least of your concerns.
Most of Regina's exes were jerks...legit jerks. Like, there's Dirk, who wrote a song about Regina and called it "Devil Woman". I mean, really? Then there's Thomas...don't even get me started on that guy because he's such a -- the D-word -- and I swear to God, like, all of my exes are like him. Hah.
It was good fun. Reading The Boyfriend Backtrack was like reading my history of exes, not that they were many okay but the whole thing was pretty bad. It was so real and that's what I love about this book. I also love the relationship between Regina and her two friends, Leslie and Jules. Even if they don't see each other on a daily basis, they are a tight knit group of girls.
But there is one ex that Regina never had. Chase Sevilla. How do I begin to explain just how perfectly lovable Chase Sevilla is? *dreamy sigh* He's a dreamboat. I swear. I just...ugh. Why can't he be real? I have no idea. Technically, they didn't "date". But they kissed once. No, wait, twice. All of a sudden, both of them fell off of the face of the earth after that.
The Boyfriend Backtrack will make you want to rethink your relationship choices, both old and new. It will make you want to go out with your girlfriends or guy friends and have a drink and talk about how fate, love, and all those things are so fickle. I'd like to think that exes, even if thinking about them annoys us, makes us a better person, one way or another.
April 13, 2015
*Also posted at Oops! I Read A Book Again*
*Playlist also posted alongside my review on my blog!*
Thank you to Dawn for the review copy! Having received one did not affect my views of the novel.
So, how do I approach this review? Let's just get the ~serious~ and ~technical~ (please stop me from using tildes) aspects of this novella before I get to the spazzing because THERE WILL BE SPAZZING.
(First, it was a bit weird to read this book at first because my best friend's name is Regina and I started reading this while I was lounging on her bed. #random)
Plot. I like the plot, you guys. I mean, your boyfriend proposes to you and then a montage of your previous boyfriends/not-boyfriends flash before your eyes. SO ROM-COM. What a bait for me.
Style. The Boyfriend Backtrack is narrated by Regina but the present is interspersed with non-linear flashbacks showing us her previous relationships. Which is amazing! Even though sometimes I get confused by the timeline (because it was so late in the night and my brain wasn't 100% functioning), I appreciate the nonlinearity because, memories don't come to you chronologically. I also like how we basically have an idea on who's a jerk and who's creepy but we're still waiting for Dawn Lanuza to dish out the actual story via flashbacks. So, while it's not frustrating because the reader is not 100% in the dark, you still anticipate and crave for the story.
Voice. I love Regina's voice and her ill-timed jokes. I can SO relate to her. Working to make a living but not loving your job. Wanting to pursue other things. Regina's so cynical and I love that! She also runs away from her problems and avoids confrontations and I could totally relate to her in those aspects. In fact, Regina's growth was one I really enjoyed reading about.
And now to ~THE FEELS~. (Darn it, tildes.) Guys, PERFECT ENDING FOR THE STORY. Perfect use of certain songs. Admittedly, I was pretty sure I'll give The Boyfriend Backtrack three stars (It was good but my investment in the story wasn't like my investment in four-star reads) until the bits near the end when Dawn wrote about perfectly scored moments in life. Because I've been thinking about that a lot! I always thought how it would be awesome to have background music playing in the key scenes of your life. Then, just, a certain guy Regina dated was so sweet and kind and just he hit all the right notes. I wouldn't spoil you guys but just, GIDDY FEELS.
I highly recommend The Boyfriend Backtrack for contemporary romance fans! It's a short read too and you'll read it in one go. Satisfying, this novel will give you giddy feelings and sad feelings but mostly I'm-getting-red-in-the-face-from-the-sweetness feelings. Eek!
*Playlist also posted alongside my review on my blog!*
Thank you to Dawn for the review copy! Having received one did not affect my views of the novel.
So, how do I approach this review? Let's just get the ~serious~ and ~technical~ (please stop me from using tildes) aspects of this novella before I get to the spazzing because THERE WILL BE SPAZZING.
(First, it was a bit weird to read this book at first because my best friend's name is Regina and I started reading this while I was lounging on her bed. #random)
Plot. I like the plot, you guys. I mean, your boyfriend proposes to you and then a montage of your previous boyfriends/not-boyfriends flash before your eyes. SO ROM-COM. What a bait for me.
Style. The Boyfriend Backtrack is narrated by Regina but the present is interspersed with non-linear flashbacks showing us her previous relationships. Which is amazing! Even though sometimes I get confused by the timeline (because it was so late in the night and my brain wasn't 100% functioning), I appreciate the nonlinearity because, memories don't come to you chronologically. I also like how we basically have an idea on who's a jerk and who's creepy but we're still waiting for Dawn Lanuza to dish out the actual story via flashbacks. So, while it's not frustrating because the reader is not 100% in the dark, you still anticipate and crave for the story.
Voice. I love Regina's voice and her ill-timed jokes. I can SO relate to her. Working to make a living but not loving your job. Wanting to pursue other things. Regina's so cynical and I love that! She also runs away from her problems and avoids confrontations and I could totally relate to her in those aspects. In fact, Regina's growth was one I really enjoyed reading about.
And now to ~THE FEELS~. (Darn it, tildes.) Guys, PERFECT ENDING FOR THE STORY. Perfect use of certain songs. Admittedly, I was pretty sure I'll give The Boyfriend Backtrack three stars (It was good but my investment in the story wasn't like my investment in four-star reads) until the bits near the end when Dawn wrote about perfectly scored moments in life. Because I've been thinking about that a lot! I always thought how it would be awesome to have background music playing in the key scenes of your life. Then, just, a certain guy Regina dated was so sweet and kind and just he hit all the right notes. I wouldn't spoil you guys but just, GIDDY FEELS.
I highly recommend The Boyfriend Backtrack for contemporary romance fans! It's a short read too and you'll read it in one go. Satisfying, this novel will give you giddy feelings and sad feelings but mostly I'm-getting-red-in-the-face-from-the-sweetness feelings. Eek!
October 31, 2016
"He's a huge warm blanket on a cold rainy day. A cup of chocolat chaud to cap off the night. He's comfort. He's solace. He's contentment. He's all the good things in this world.
It's been a while since I read a book and longer since I last wrote a full review. I had the worst slump partnered with busy life that I almost withdrew from the book world. When my friend gave me this book, I told her that maybe this is what would jumpstart my reading life back. It's thin, easy to read and it's a chick lit. I was pretty sure I'd breeze through it. But I was wrong. It took me weeks to finish it because of my busy schedule and when I came back it, boy it was a struggle.
It was a struggle but I assure you that it's not in a bad way. It's more of a struggle because I get a bit annoyed with how Regina decides on things and also because I can associate myself with her. It was like reading about yourself and as I went along, I can't help but also have a few realizations.
What I liked the most about it was the plot. The moment I read the blurb, there was an instant attraction and I can't wait to get to know more about Regina and the guys she dated (or almost dated) in the past. The presence of her two best friends and sister also made up for Regina's passiveness in life. Because of the book's length, I feel like I haven't really bonded with them that much but their presence still didn't feel lacking.
Normally, I avoid flashbacks because I tend to get confused with them but The Boyfriend Backtrack handled it pretty well. It was like having a movie play inside my head and it's actually funny how I can picture things out vividly as if I was really a movie.
What I loved the most about it was the use of songs. The moment Regina mentioned a song, I was itching to know what was it and the reveal was so... ugh. Can we have another room for my feels? The ending, while a bit cheesy, was something I cannot deny myself of. It was a magical timing and a perfectly scored moment- something we usually see in movies and for it to happen to Regina got me out of my bed and cheering for her.
The moment I finished reading, it got me thinking. And I think it's a good thing when a book does that to you. I just wish life has more magically-timed moments.
February 25, 2017
I really had a blast reading this book! It is way more fun to read a romance novel that focused on past relationships and how one person could cope with it. A very good filipino romance lit.
January 4, 2016
It would be easy to start this review with "it was a cute read!", which it is, but it's also more than that.
Let me start by saying I binged on romance novels during the holiday break and quickly discovered that I no longer respond as well as I used to urban contemporary romances with gabby girlfriends -- which is ironic, because that's what I started reading AND THEN writing when I began doing chick lit (and the reasons why I outgrew that trope are not to ding the authors of these reads, but just my personal preference.) Dawn Lanuza's The Boyfriend Backtrack has those elements -- the city setting, a lead character mulling a change in her life's direction, two fun best friends from college who are all up in her business.
But Dawn writes these elements in a captivating way that completely makes it her own. The pace is leisurely and introspective -- none of that frenetic rom-com pace. The best friends can be pushy, but in a way that belies their complete familiarity, care for and ease with the lead character, instead of just for comic effect or tension. The lead character's dilemma evolves throughout the book thoughtfully, and when she arrives at her resolution, the reader has gone through that journey with her, understanding it completely.
This book is also hilarious! From the bit about Hogwarts with the perfectly handsome ex to Devil Woman (oh my God every time that was mentioned I started giggling uncontrollably) to "I wasn't even in the top 3!", the sense of humor shines through the pages.
And oh, that last third just speaks to my music nerd heart. Loved this and highly recommend it for readers looking for cool, urban, contemporary romance reads beyond the expected.
Let me start by saying I binged on romance novels during the holiday break and quickly discovered that I no longer respond as well as I used to urban contemporary romances with gabby girlfriends -- which is ironic, because that's what I started reading AND THEN writing when I began doing chick lit (and the reasons why I outgrew that trope are not to ding the authors of these reads, but just my personal preference.) Dawn Lanuza's The Boyfriend Backtrack has those elements -- the city setting, a lead character mulling a change in her life's direction, two fun best friends from college who are all up in her business.
But Dawn writes these elements in a captivating way that completely makes it her own. The pace is leisurely and introspective -- none of that frenetic rom-com pace. The best friends can be pushy, but in a way that belies their complete familiarity, care for and ease with the lead character, instead of just for comic effect or tension. The lead character's dilemma evolves throughout the book thoughtfully, and when she arrives at her resolution, the reader has gone through that journey with her, understanding it completely.
This book is also hilarious! From the bit about Hogwarts with the perfectly handsome ex to Devil Woman (oh my God every time that was mentioned I started giggling uncontrollably) to "I wasn't even in the top 3!", the sense of humor shines through the pages.
And oh, that last third just speaks to my music nerd heart. Loved this and highly recommend it for readers looking for cool, urban, contemporary romance reads beyond the expected.
January 2, 2017
Okay. Well, I might not know how to review now so I'm just gonna start rambling my thoughts about this.
First, Yay for my first book of 2017!
It was special in a way that it made me look back on my college years, Regina's flashbacks to her uni days felt oddly familiar with those Open Houses and going out late to buy ice creams or booze at convenience stores.
Like Regina, I'm so absolutely scared of confrontations, and I would avoid it if I can, so sometimes I just kinda leave things be, uhh let things be fixed by itself, or let it break by itself, as long as I do not have to confront the person. (Which is bad, I'm working on it) :))
Also, I can relate because I might've met some of the Joshua's (very attractive, not very loyal) and Dirk's (REALLY INTENSE) of this world. I also kind of want to ask, where's my CHASE, because if I find him, I really promise to love him like I love tacos.
I also enjoyed the plot of the story, the montage of boyfriends while Kevin was proposing was enough to intrigue and reel me in. I really, really treasured the Regina/Chase scenes because they were not too many, and I kinda wanted to read more on the two of them, so I really loved the ending because Regina followed what she wanted, and when she was ready, Chase was there, and they kissed, and I'm so happy for them!
Overall, This is a great book, and I enjoyed reading it.<3
First, Yay for my first book of 2017!
It was special in a way that it made me look back on my college years, Regina's flashbacks to her uni days felt oddly familiar with those Open Houses and going out late to buy ice creams or booze at convenience stores.
Like Regina, I'm so absolutely scared of confrontations, and I would avoid it if I can, so sometimes I just kinda leave things be, uhh let things be fixed by itself, or let it break by itself, as long as I do not have to confront the person. (Which is bad, I'm working on it) :))
Also, I can relate because I might've met some of the Joshua's (very attractive, not very loyal) and Dirk's (REALLY INTENSE) of this world. I also kind of want to ask, where's my CHASE, because if I find him, I really promise to love him like I love tacos.
I also enjoyed the plot of the story, the montage of boyfriends while Kevin was proposing was enough to intrigue and reel me in. I really, really treasured the Regina/Chase scenes because they were not too many, and I kinda wanted to read more on the two of them, so I really loved the ending because Regina followed what she wanted, and when she was ready, Chase was there, and they kissed, and I'm so happy for them!
Overall, This is a great book, and I enjoyed reading it.<3
July 22, 2016
I loved the concept of this book but to be honest, didn't really have high expectations when I started reading it. I thought it would just be a cute, light read but oh boy... it was so much more than that.
The Boyfriend Backtrack was an enjoyable read and following Regina's journey to confronting her dilemma and flightiness, and finding what her heart really wants, has been inspiring. What I love the most about this book is how one could connect to each character and feel where they are coming from. Sure, they each had their fair share of flaws, but Dawn Lanuza created them to be unique and relatable that they end up captivating our hearts. Dawn writes in such a way that is thoughtful and humorous at the same time; the realness and hilarity of each scene made me want to jump right into my Kindle to be a part of it.
I'm not going to elaborate on the exes and their stories–that is for the readers to find out. What I can say is that you really can't judge a person without fully knowing them. I love the message of this book and the lessons it portrays which, I believe, is going to touch a lot of hearts. This is the first Dawn Lanuza book I have read, but I'm pretty much sure this is not going to be the last.
Oh, and did I mention that Chase is dreamy? 'Coz he is. He totally is. *insert all my giddy feels*
The Boyfriend Backtrack was an enjoyable read and following Regina's journey to confronting her dilemma and flightiness, and finding what her heart really wants, has been inspiring. What I love the most about this book is how one could connect to each character and feel where they are coming from. Sure, they each had their fair share of flaws, but Dawn Lanuza created them to be unique and relatable that they end up captivating our hearts. Dawn writes in such a way that is thoughtful and humorous at the same time; the realness and hilarity of each scene made me want to jump right into my Kindle to be a part of it.
I'm not going to elaborate on the exes and their stories–that is for the readers to find out. What I can say is that you really can't judge a person without fully knowing them. I love the message of this book and the lessons it portrays which, I believe, is going to touch a lot of hearts. This is the first Dawn Lanuza book I have read, but I'm pretty much sure this is not going to be the last.
Oh, and did I mention that Chase is dreamy? 'Coz he is. He totally is. *insert all my giddy feels*
December 26, 2015
Regina wasn't acting the way a newly engaged person should feel or act. But who knows right? We don't have a set of guide to those things. After her exes flashed through her mind while her fiance proposed to her, the universe and her best friends have conspired for her to meet the exes again. She didn't realize her patterns before but meeting Joshua, Dirk and Thomas made her realize a few things about herself and what she could do about the future.
The thing I love about this story is that I didn't know what would happen. What was the reason for meeting the exes again, the trip down tto memory lane. Everything was blurry- in a good way. I was getting fond of Kevin, even though he's always away but still hesitant as Reg isn't really acting head over heels/madly deeply in love with him.
I was rooting for Kevin all throughout the book but when I met Chase, Kevin who? The little moments with Chase. The round trip in Chase's car, the There She Goes, the tipsy moment on the side of the street. These scenes build how wonderful they are as a couple.
A perfect blend of sweet moments, deep thoughts and how to make your life without too much regrets.
The thing I love about this story is that I didn't know what would happen. What was the reason for meeting the exes again, the trip down tto memory lane. Everything was blurry- in a good way. I was getting fond of Kevin, even though he's always away but still hesitant as Reg isn't really acting head over heels/madly deeply in love with him.
I was rooting for Kevin all throughout the book but when I met Chase, Kevin who? The little moments with Chase. The round trip in Chase's car, the There She Goes, the tipsy moment on the side of the street. These scenes build how wonderful they are as a couple.
A perfect blend of sweet moments, deep thoughts and how to make your life without too much regrets.
July 23, 2018
Rounded up from 4.5 stars.
Oh my god, I am gushing all over this book! I was captivated by the plot, and I couldn't put it down as soon as I started reading it! It tells the story of Regina, and how her past loves have "caught up" with her after getting engaged. I love the quirky dialogues and the dynamics of the characters, and I love how Regina handled her situations well. The minor characters are also too easy to love, and I also love how they also had epiphanies on their lives just like Regina. It was oh so swoon-worthy, I couldn't stop gushing! It is light, fun and easy to read! And the ending, aaahhhh! I do not want to say anything more or I'll spoil it, but this is definitely on the list of my favorite Pinoy chicklit books of all time! I swear!
Oh my god, I am gushing all over this book! I was captivated by the plot, and I couldn't put it down as soon as I started reading it! It tells the story of Regina, and how her past loves have "caught up" with her after getting engaged. I love the quirky dialogues and the dynamics of the characters, and I love how Regina handled her situations well. The minor characters are also too easy to love, and I also love how they also had epiphanies on their lives just like Regina. It was oh so swoon-worthy, I couldn't stop gushing! It is light, fun and easy to read! And the ending, aaahhhh! I do not want to say anything more or I'll spoil it, but this is definitely on the list of my favorite Pinoy chicklit books of all time! I swear!
December 29, 2016
Full review over at The Bookaholic Blurbs!
Maaaaaan, if you need a refreshing read and a story you can 100% relate to, pick up The Boyfriend Backtrack. This book is a source of happy feels!
Maaaaaan, if you need a refreshing read and a story you can 100% relate to, pick up The Boyfriend Backtrack. This book is a source of happy feels!
January 31, 2015
Loved the story. Very much "kilig"!! Really enjoyed reading it. Full review to follow!
January 10, 2018
010917
It started as a slow read for me.
'The Boyfriend Backtrack' is my first book of Dawn Lanuza and actually my first contemporary romance book of a Filipino writer so it took a while before I get used to the writing style. After a few slow chapters, Ms. Lanuza got me though. She definitely got me with "His smile wasn't just an invitation. It cracked his whole world open." From there, the read went completely fast.
This was a story that was told a lot of times, I'm sure, but since this was a first Filipino contemporary romance for me, the feel of the story was different and I liked the difference. Also, even though it is a contemporary romance, I liked the relationships that Regina have with Les and Jules best. (Her relationship with Chase places second.) How many friendships can you have that will support you to hunt down your exes? And your non-ex?
I also liked how the stories of each of Reg's relationships with her exes were narrated. Despite the briefness, the significance of each person in her life was obvious to me. I would shamelessly admit that among her exes, Dirk wins me over with his 'penchant for melodrama.'
(More to write after a reread.)
xx
It started as a slow read for me.
'The Boyfriend Backtrack' is my first book of Dawn Lanuza and actually my first contemporary romance book of a Filipino writer so it took a while before I get used to the writing style. After a few slow chapters, Ms. Lanuza got me though. She definitely got me with "His smile wasn't just an invitation. It cracked his whole world open." From there, the read went completely fast.
This was a story that was told a lot of times, I'm sure, but since this was a first Filipino contemporary romance for me, the feel of the story was different and I liked the difference. Also, even though it is a contemporary romance, I liked the relationships that Regina have with Les and Jules best. (Her relationship with Chase places second.) How many friendships can you have that will support you to hunt down your exes? And your non-ex?
I also liked how the stories of each of Reg's relationships with her exes were narrated. Despite the briefness, the significance of each person in her life was obvious to me. I would shamelessly admit that among her exes, Dirk wins me over with his 'penchant for melodrama.'
(More to write after a reread.)
xx
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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