very interesting YA work, would recommend. awesome vibes, felt like i was totally part of it. would recommend 4/5 stars

I liked reading this book. It was easy to get into Antonio's head and even though there was some poems, they added to the story.

This book takes place over 3 days and follows Antonio's release back into the 'real world' and how he deals with the people and situations that landed him in juvenile detention. While it is a difficult and frustrating weekend, Antonio is extremely lucky to have solid people in his corner that understand him and support him.

Thank you to Little, Brown Books and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.

Antonio has just been released from Zephyr Woods where he has spent the last year and a half for what he feels he is a crime he is only a little at fault for. Somehow he wound up with the majority of the punishment, but he's come to terms, he learned some important things from some amazing people at Zephyr Woods and now its his time to make amends, and to reunite with the one person who he has always been able to count on. Nothing goes as planned and instead of facing all the reasons he was put away to begin with, Antonio runs, just like he always has, but this time, maybe he is running towards something bigger than anyone ever could have imagined, instead of away.

I have read some really incredible YA Lit-Fic in the last two years. After months of reading murdery stuff, I was ready for something with feeling. Boy did I get it in picking No Going Back. I honestly don't think that Netgalley's description fully prepared me for Flores-Scott's writing.

The story begins with Antonio, or Tonio as his friends and family call him, preparing to re-enter society after his time in Zephyr Woods. You are filled with hope for his future as he tells his mentors what comes next and what his plans are. The chapters swap between current Antonio and past Antonio. The writing for the chapters that show glimpses into Antonio's life leading up to his incarceration is a bit jarring at first. It's not only the tense that changes, but the cadence. The past is written solely in verse. It won't take long for you to get used to the flow and sink into the story again though.

There came a point where I did have to put the book down and walk away from it for a bit. As a mother with teenagers, I wanted to hug this boy so hard but also lock him up again for all of the self harm he was doing. Self harm isn't always physical folks. Often times it can be done with destructive behaviors. Antonio became a ticking time bomb and the explosion was going to be this life he had so carefully begun to piece back together. I put the book down so that I could take a breath, I needed one just as bad as Antonio. You know a book is good when you are held so tight in it's fist that your emotions become entwined with the main characters.

No Going Back is intense, emotional, and at times difficult to read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for this tale of forgiveness, redemption, and healing. If you loved the lyrical writing styles of Clap When You Land or What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez, you will love No Going Back.

Thank you Netgalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"No Going Back" by Patrick Flores-Scott is an emotionally resonant coming-of-age story that explores themes of forgiveness and redemption. The book follows the main character, Antonio, as he struggles to navigate life after serving time in a youth detention center for a crime he committed. The book is filled with action, and the plot is very fast-paced, making this book excellent at grabbing readers’ attention, especially more reluctant readers. I think this book would do really well in high school English classrooms/libraries, especially for readers who enjoy books with action as well as poetry, which I thought was an unlikely but unique mix that worked really well throughout the book.

As stated, I really enjoyed the book’s unique structure, which includes a mix of prose and poetry and time-stamped chapters, as this structure really helps add depth and complexity to the storytelling. I was extremely engaged throughout the book due to not only the plot but also the structure. I also really enjoyed reading the poetry as I thought it was well-written and fit perfectly within the book. It took me a bit to get settled into this structure and for the plot to get going, but once I was invested, I found that I couldn’t stop reading.

Some of the plot developments were a bit unrealistic, such as the ending with the boat ride and crab cage, but it works if you go into this book expecting over-the-top action, almost like it’s an action movie. And even though some of these points were unrealistic, I still had so much fun reading them and they worked with the plot. The characters in this book are richly developed and authentically portrayed. Antonio's internal conflict and external pressures create a compelling perspective that will resonate with readers of all ages. Antonio's journey of self-discovery and redemption is both inspiring and thought-provoking. I really enjoyed learning more about Antonio’s perspective and seeing him grow throughout the book.

Overall, "No Going Back" is a powerful and compelling read that tackles difficult subject matter with sensitivity and grace. With its action-packed sequences and relatable characters, this book is bound to engage every kind of reader.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this story.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

This book was a rollercoaster. I was torn between hating all of the character to loving them and the journey's they were going on. (I don't think I ever really hated Grace/Tommy though). There was a lot in here to be upset about, from all the dumb mistakes I felt Antonio was making, to how people have treated him in the past, etc. The ending with the boat ride and the crab cage was the most unrealistic part of the whole thing in my opinion. It was also one of the most interesting parts too though. I thought I would see more of Maya in the story, especially since the synopsis talked about how she was one of the people Antonio wanted to apologize to the most. She wasn't in the story much at all though and when she was, I didn't like her. Especially after learning how she supplied a lot of the alcohol that Antonio was drinking. Proud of her for setting her boundaries though and trying to enforce them to the best of her ability despite what Antonio was doing. An unexpected character I ended up liking by the end of the story was Gary Jr. He really was trying to be a good friend and apologize to Antonio and I really think he made up for it in the end though the boys still have a long way to go. The story kind of leaves off on a cliff hanger though and I'm not sure if that's because this advanced copy is meant to end like that or if the final copy has a longer final chapter. Either way it was a very inspiring coming of age story about grief and acceptance and forgiveness that I enjoyed.

In "No Going Back," follow Antonio's race against time as he strives to turn his life around after being released from juvenile detention. With strict conditions to follow, including avoiding his father and meeting his parole officer, Antonio faces old temptations that threaten to derail his progress. Set over a single weekend, the story unravels Antonio's struggle for redemption, highlighting themes of resilience and the pursuit of freedom.

No Going Back" takes readers on a rollercoaster ride through the challenges of addiction and incarceration, shining a spotlight on their impact on both families and communities. While the book's raw portrayal of these issues is admirable, it could sometimes make it hard to fully connect or root for the characters. As someone familiar with addiction and recovery in my own family, I found the book's themes relatable, but some readers may be put off by the lived experiences of these characters and Antonio's own choices that can sometimes be difficult to root for. A teen reader would likely enjoy this book and the raw portrayal of difficult and often taboo topics, similar to the Ellen Hopkins books I read as a teen.

The book's short length and action-packed scenes keep the momentum going, while its unique blend of poetry and prose sets it apart from others in its genre. Overall, "No Going Back" is a whirlwind and great for a reluctant teen reader and I would recommend it for exposing YA readers to some really tough topics.

Short and filled with action sequences, this book will be a great choice for a reluctant reader. While the story can be hard to follow in the beginning, I think readers will get hooked into Anthony’s story and root for his success—even as odds are stacked against him. The mix of poetry and prose is also a selling point for this novel.

I didn't love this one, it was harder to follow. I thought the character development was ok, but it was hard to understand the relationships and character motivations.

WOW what a read! From the first page, I was immediately drawn to the writing style - the prose made this easy to follow and understand, making it a raw, authentic, and quick read. I appreciate how it showed the reality that life's problems aren't magically solved once Antonio was released from jail - if anything, it ended up being even harder. While I haven't experienced it myself, it felt like a pretty accurate depiction based on what some of my students have shared with me who have gone through something similar; while heartbreaking, I think it gives a voice to students who may be feeling alone. The poetic writing was a perfect fit for this one, and I think we could learn a lot by reading more books like this. Thank you so much for the ARC!

3.5. I really, really like the characters in this book. A lot, I think they fairly represent the impact that addiction and incarceration have on families and communities. I think it’s important, too, to point out that Antonio has a team, that is rooting for him every step of the way. Most teens do have that team, they just don’t feel like they do in the worst moments. But, I do think it’s a little crazy this whole, huge ‘adventure’ Antonio has in just one weekend. I know a lot can happen in a weekend, but it’s wild. Changing your life takes time, and fixing relationships that are broken takes time. It’s all more than the work of a weekend, you know? I know students will love the mixing of prose and poetry, as well as the time-stamped chapters. This book will definitely have readers, I just have mixed feelings about it as an adult.