Advanced Reader Copy Review: Backward Motion by Sydney Rutherford

ARC provided by Netgalley and this review is my honest opinion. My thanks to Netgalley and the Author for the opportunity to review.

Book Review

Backward Motion by Sydney Rutherford is Book one in the CrossRoads series. Sam returns home to Oakdale to put himself back together following several very painful setbacks and soon meets his future boss/former school friend, Connor when he applies for an admin job. The two quickly reconnect and develop a close friendship which becomes something deeper. Oakdale carries a lot of memories of past wrongs/ pain for both as well as an uncertain future, because while Sam is out and Connor is not and that brings further complications.

I really enjoyed reading this story and the writing and world building was so immersive I almost felt as though I was part of their friendship group. My heart really hurt for Sam as he struggled with anxiety and the fall out from the loss of a high-pressured job and leaving an abusive relationship. Meeting Connor was such an important step for Sam’s journey as it helped him to see what a healthy relationship looked like and see how a loving and non-toxic connection worked. The mental health representation was really well written and his journey through therapy and his progress fit well into the storyline, but it wasn’t his whole story or character arc. Similarly, Connor was just such a good person, his care and attention towards Sam was really touching. He had never left Oakdale and seeing him struggle with his past and present and navigate a difficult relationship with his father really added to the emotional depth of the story. I liked the fact that at different times during the story and Sam and Connor leant on the strength of the other and it wasn’t one sided. Both grew as individuals and as couple and while there were bumps along the way, their happy ending was hard fought and well earned. As a couple they had a strong connection and good chemistry with moderate spice.

I adored Sam’s mum and their mutual friend Brian, and it was clear that Sam and Connor, had a really good support network in Oakdale, which it helped to ground the small -town setting. Sydney Rutherford is a new to me author and I look forward to reading more of this series.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.4