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papertraildiary's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the more unique reads I’ve had this year! Mitali crafted a gorgeous story about finding the power in ourselves. Katina King, a jiujitsu champion, has just moved to Boston, searching for anonymity and closure after she was sexually assaulted at her high school. Robin Thornton knows he was adopted from an orphanage in India, but without knowing anything else about his past, he’s concerned about how to look towards the future. The two meet in an after-school church group, but don’t start to become close until they go on a trip to India to help victims of human trafficking. While the topics are intense, Mitali handles them with care through her beautiful writing. While sometimes the story focuses on the two becoming friends, it is really about them coming to terms with their lives and figuring out what they want to do with the power that they’ve had all along, which was smart and necessary. I could have done without the church stuff (especially as it was soon after I accidentally read a Christian novel) but it wasn’t preachy, and I could accept it for what it was. I still highly recommend this!
wise1librarian's review against another edition
This has woven several elements - family, mental health, community, violence between two characters. This book is a good mix of issues and a strong, heartfelt story with strong female characters and sensitive male characters.
sherylv's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
jwinchell's review against another edition
4.0
This is a charming story of 2 young people who have a lot to unpack so that they can get on with the goodness of their lives. Told in alternating perspectives, Kat and Robin/Ravi undertake a derive trip to India to help young girls who have been trafficked. I’d never read a book about this topic, and I think this book will bring greater awareness about trafficking to young people. There are solid characters and successful arcs to both of their stories. I wasn’t fully bought in, maybe because the set up happened rather quickly.
blogginboutbooks's review against another edition
4.0
There's a lot to love about FORWARD ME BACK TO YOU, even if I didn't end up actually loving it. It's chock-full of warm, likable characters. It's set mostly in vibrant, colorful India. It teaches valuable lessons about friendship, service, understanding, and strength (in different forms). I also like that it focuses on people of all ages who are religious without being fanatical or weird and that themes of faith, goodness, and Christlike love are woven through the story in a way that is natural and normal, not cheesy or preachy. Also, the characters learn life lessons in ways that are interesting, but realistic.
Because of all these elements, the novel is engaging. However, it got really long for me, especially in the middle where not a lot is happening. I got bored. The action does pick up toward the end, but I think 100 pages could have easily been chopped from the story to make it tighter and more engrossing. All in all, though, I liked this one. I just didn't love it.
Because of all these elements, the novel is engaging. However, it got really long for me, especially in the middle where not a lot is happening. I got bored. The action does pick up toward the end, but I think 100 pages could have easily been chopped from the story to make it tighter and more engrossing. All in all, though, I liked this one. I just didn't love it.
sandlerpage's review against another edition
3.0
2.5. Way too trite, not particularly well-written. A cool and important concept, just not the best execution. But fantastic cover art.
dhee_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Great prose, characters, themes and tone. There are so many great friendships in this book. They go above and beyond to care, support and protect each other.
Highlights: Both our protagonists try help others when they cannot help themseves.
Highlights:
Spoiler
Kat reaching out to Ravi in the taxi will always stay with me. It's so sweet given the demons she was wrestling with. It's such beautiful way to take on Ms. Dee's advice.glendareads39's review against another edition
5.0
This is a powerful, challenging, and well-written novel by Mitali Perkins. The story deals with sexual assault, abandonment, identity and human trafficking. She tells stories of courage and strength with diverse characters. The beginning of the story starts with the aftermath of Katina's sexual assault. Ravi searching for his birth parents in India. Told in different perspectives, Katina and Ravi take a mission trip to India to help young girls who have been victims of human trafficking. This book will bring awareness on the human trafficking problem, which continuing to be a heavy human rights issue around the nation and world.