Back to Me

How to start other than saying I LOVED this book!!! I am a chronically ill ADHD girlie so I saw bits of myself represented in both main characters. Katie Duggan once again wrote a loving, safe story that feels like a validating hug. And I love her for it!

Both Jo and Hunter are fat queer girls with brains that work different than what is considered the norm. And that made them very compassionate and understanding of each other. So so lovely! 'Back to me' is really a story about learning to show yourself the kindness you show other loved ones.

Fake dating is one of my favourite tropes, and this story did not disappoint! I loved the reason for the fake dating. It was not to make an ex jealous or to get financial security or to get family to back off. They decided to fake-date to show her ex she had moved on. And I really loved that. Especially since Hunter is such a protective person and really gave the nasty ex a run for her money. Yaaay!

It was never labled as emotional abuse, but in my opinion Jo was emotionally abused by her ex. She was made to feel small, an inconvenience. She was belittled and disregarded. There was no love there, only manipulation. Jo really got hurt in their relationships and is still emotionally healing with the help of therapy amongst other things. She works really hard to get back to the person she was before her nasty relationship, 'back to me' so to speak. It shows how well the title fits!

Hunter is also growing and healing. Also in therapy. I love it when a book speaks so positive about therapy!! Hunter was disowned by her family after coming out and is grappleing that loss yet also celebrating the freedom of finally being able to be herself. Her loud, excited, protective, sapphic self. The relationship she forms with Jo and her family was really nice to see and I'm so happy she found safe people who love her for who she is!
Her ADHD was also portrayed so well!! The special interests, the hyperfocus, the struggle with a lack of structure. Her creativity and bluntness. Also I laughed so hard (because I relate so much) when she spoke out of turn to disrupt someone because she was so excited to speak about a special interest and then realised it was not the right moment and let them continue on speaking. None shamed her for her behaviour and they celebrated her instead, as they should! Her family did not handle her ADHD well tho. It was mentioned but there were never given concrete comments about what they'd say to her in the past. So it was acknowlegded that not everyone handles ADHD traits well, but overall the tone was very positive and uplifting without dismissing the struggles of having a neurodivergent brain.

Jo has type 1 Diabetes and was made to feel like an inconvenience by her ex. Like it was such a bother for other people SHE has diabetes. And also belittled like she could not take care of herself. But she can perfectly manage her own health conditions. That does not mean she always should do it alone. This also applies to her Major Depressive Disorder, she has one lower period on page and lets Hunter take care of her because there is trust, love and understanding. The caretaking scenes were really kind, caring and hopeful. On page she also has one alarmingly low (bloodsugar), she was awake enough she could have managed on her own, but she felt safe enough to let Hunter take care of her. And I loved that. There was enormous growth there!! And it really shows how the right partner will want to hold your hand through hard/low moments. Will want to take care of you because they love you. It gives readers a new perspective if they also see or saw themselves as an inconvenience. Like they have to do the hard stuff alone because they dont want to be a bother or burden. But having health conditions does not make you a burden or any less lovable. 'Back to me' showcases that beautifully!

Omg I loved this book! Absolutely devoured it in a day.

•WLW romance
•Second chance
•Forced proximity
•Fake dating
•Grumpyish/Sunshine
•Mental Health representation
•Diabetes representation
•Plus-size MC

🎶These are a few of my favourite thingsss🎶

And honestly, it was also downright sexy🔥
Highly recommend this sapphic romance 🏳️‍🌈