Our Way Back To Always by Nina Moreno | Audiobook Review

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before meets Morgan Matson in this effervescent romance about childhood best friends reconnecting that's full of sunny days, warm nights, first kisses, and mended hearts.

Luisa (Lou) Patterson grew up across the street from Sam Alvarez in the small, quirky town of Port Coral. They used to be inseparable—spending every holiday together, shooting silly YouTube videos, and rescuing stray cats. But then middle school happened, including the most disastrous (and embarrassing) serenade ever, and Lou and Sam haven't talked in the four years since. Sam is now the golden boy with plenty of friends, while Lou is an introverted romantic who's happy playing video games and writing fan fiction. But it's also the summer before their senior year, and life is knocking on Lou's door.

With her older sister having given up a scholarship to Princeton to have a baby and work at the local botanica, all of their mother's expectations are now riding on Lou's shoulders. She's retaking her SAT's, signed up for way too many AP classes, and her sights set on colleges with fancy names like Duke and Vanderbilt. But when she finds the bucket list she and Sam wrote together as kids, before Sam's father was diagnosed with cancer, she's shocked to see that she hasn't accomplished any of the goals she'd set for herself. Go to a party? Nope. Pull the greatest prank of all time? Still no. Learn how to be a really good kisser? Definitely not.

​Torn between the future that her mother, sister, and younger self planned for her, Lou sets out to finish the list, and in a stroke of destiny or fate, Sam decides to tag along. Still trying to stay afloat amid the grief of losing his father, Sam himself is staring down a future that feels all too close, and is coming far too fast. But with the bucket list to guide them, Sam and Lou might just be able to find a way through the future, and also a way back to each other.

Why Did I Listen To Our Way Back To Always by Nina Moreno?

In my mind, contemporary young adult books are always solid audiobook listens. Then when you throw in the fact that Our Way Back To Always by Nina Moreno features biracial main characters, I was sold. Of the grouping of audiobooks from Hachette Audio, this was the one I was the most excited to listen to. I love contemporary young adult books with romance and a focus on bucket lists.

What’s The Story Here?

Our Way Back To Always is about Luisa “Lou” Patterson and Sam Alvarez. The two were best friends four years ago. They are neighbors and used to make silly youtube videos and spend a ton of time together. That is, until Sam asks Lou to a dance with a serenade. She doesn’t know how to react and he ends up going with some other girl. So, they stop talking for four years. That is, until Lou needs a ride and everyone in her house is occupied.

Suddenly, Sam and Lou reconnect — and Lou unearths a bucket list she made with none of the items checked off. With the help of Sam and his friends, Lou begins to check off items. Meanwhile, she’s also so stressed out trying to get into good schools due to perceived pressure from her mother. You see, Louisa’s sister got a full ride to Princeton that she turned down because she got pregnant. But also, as you may have guessed, Our Way Back To Always also involves Lou and Sam finding their way back to each other romantically.

What Did I Think Of Our Way Back To Always?

I really liked this book. In fact, after reading it, I said out loud to myself that now I really need to read Don’t Date Rosa Santos. Luckily I have that one on my shelf, ready to go. I loved that Lou was not a perfect grade student and that she experiences college rejections. She’s not some magical perfect character. This felt true to life. I also just loved Sam, he was quite a sweetheart and a good kid. I could feel for him and his grief. Also! There is marching band in this book! On the whole, this was such a solid, well done lighter fare contemporary young adult read. And now I think I need to keep my eye out for new books by Nina Moreno.

How’s The Narration?

The audiobook of Our Way Back To Always features dual narration. Lu’s chapters are narrated by Natalia del Riego. Sam’s chapters are narrated by Adan Rocha. The audiobook is 7 hours and 57 minutes. I am still not listening to audiobooks sped up. Honestly, this was so well produced that I felt like I was always remembering to turn to and listen to it during chores. I found myself wanting to keep listening. If you need a good YA contemporary to listen to — this is the one.

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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