The Same Backward as Forward by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - OPTIONAL

The Same Backward as Forward by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, 280 pages. Little Brown, 2026. $21

Language: R (100+ swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (sex implied); Violence: murders and deaths mentioned, man thrown to dogs mentioned

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

20yo Hannah is waiting for the day that her sister Kaylie turns 18 and the two of them can leave their hometown forever. Before that day, however, Tobias Hawthorne and his entourage sweep into town and now Kaylie and the entourage are dead from the fire that also destroyed the Hawthorne island mansion.  Hannah is summoned by her friend Jackson, a hermit fisherman.  Jackson has rescued Tobias and Hannah is determined to nurse him back to health if only to make him live with his guilt the rest of his life. Tobias wakes up with amnesia and only knows what Hannah tells him - which includes a new name. As “Henry” and Hannah spend more time together, they are drawn closer.  But what will happen to their intimacy when “Henry” regains his memories?

Barnes gives as part of the story from Hannah’s point of view and then the reader flips the book over to get the same story, plus more, from Tobias’s point of view.  You should definitely read them in that order. While I am an un-fan of enemies to lovers, I did like the backstory about Henry and about Avery’s mother - and the events leading up to Avery inheriting the Hawthorne fortune.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS