Like the title hints, this story is told backwards. I don't think I understood the story any better, but it was interesting to see "why" things happened or turned out after knowing how it ends. It was quick read and a little different than most stories I've read, but the characters didn't really stick to me, 2.5 stars. ( )

We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming for a public service announcement: Mutual emotional whining is not love, teenagers. Girls, violent boys are just that -violent- and dangerous, not misunderstood. Boys, no matter how heartbroken you may, it is no excuse to resort to hitting.

Rewind tells the story of Cady, Lucas, and Hope, three seniors whose entanglements with one another end in a bad prom night. The title of the book refers to Downer's usage of reverse chronological order as she switches between the perspectives of the three leads. The reverse storytelling seems like a contrivance however, merely intended to retconn a villain into the piece, and the none of the narrators really take off from the page to become believable characters.

Furthermore, the prose is often awkward, and Downer often makes novice writing mistakes- such as having to describe what each character is wearing in every scene. This gets old real fast. The not-so-'shocking' teenage antics seem ripped from bad teen soaps, despite the author's constant attempts to seem 'hip' and 'real' by name dropping brands left and right. The 'dark events' that surround the characters, for example, sexual manipulation and an alcoholic parent, are played for cheap emotional response rather than really understood or explored.

There are some good concepts touched upon here: the breakdown of friendships and the power games people play, but ultimately they are not delved into very well as the novel ultimately resorts to character stereotypes and overwrought backstories. I found the protagonists incredibly unlikeable, and the tale to be sending a very reprehensible messages about teenage 'love'.

**spoilers** The end of the novel, by focusing on Cady's hope of getting to know Lucas and Hope's (not very believable) plan, as well as the of the first chapter (Cady and Lucas reaching for one another)- seems to try and present this as a touching love story and Hope as a villain. When in fact, Lucas is a very disturbed young man- obsessive and violent- and Cady (a nice, if dumb, girl) doesn't deserve to be inflicted with his love. ( )

I think there will be high school girls who will love this book...probably the same ones who like the Gossip Girl books. The backwards telling of the story was both interesting and irritating. I admit that after I finished the book I went back and re-read the first chapter. ( )

Having had a crush on Lucas all year, Cady is hoping to dance with him at prom. To Cady's dismay, Lucas is entranced by Hope. Follow Cady back in time as she unravels this love triangle where neither girl wins. ( )