Nellie and Noah haven't seen each other in years as Nora Dahlia's Backslide opens. Their intertwined high school friend groups brought them together in 1990s New York City, and their tumultuous teenage relationship was full of adolescent awkwardness and intense first-love feelings. But when high school ended, their once-burning passion turned into searing hatred.
Two decades later, they are forced to spend a week together to celebrate the vow renewal of their childhood best friends, Cara and Ben, who have invited their closest friends to commemorate their love in Sonoma, Calif. The beautiful scenery, warm weather, and overflowing wine glasses sound to Nellie like the perfect week away from New York--if it weren't for Noah, now referred to as "he who must not be named."
Long-harbored anger from the events that turned their romance sour fills the pair's reunion with witty quips and snide remarks, but nostalgic moments, sweet gestures, and obvious lingering attraction make Nellie and Noah wonder if they can give each other another chance. Alternating perspectives and timelines capture the naïve volatility of young love and the complexities of adult relationships. Cara and Ben's festivities cause Nellie and Noah to confront their past and decide what--and whom--they want in their future. The celebration also rejoices in the platonic love of lifelong friendships that spanned awkward phases, heartbreaks, and growing up in New York. Nora Dahlia successfully combines the delicious suspense of a second-chance romance with the electrifying fun of an enemies-to-lovers relationship. --Clara Newton, freelance reviewer