The Review

I always love a good YA romance, and Rewind to Us by Molly Morris checked all the boxes. The novel is a warm, summery story with just the right touch of magical realism. From the moment Dixie Mulligan arrives in California for her annual summer vacation to work at her Aunt Kate’s movie theater, she’s laser-focused on one mission: finally confessing her love to her best friend Sawyer. The only hitch? The last time she was supposed to see him—during his senior trip to New York—she made a mistake so big that she’s convinced she ruined everything between them. Luckily for Dixie, the Mulligan family has a secret: each member gets exactly one “Rewind” in their lifetime, a single opportunity to return to a crucial moment and change a decision they deeply regret.

First, I have to say how clever the entire premise is. No one in the Mulligan family knows why they were granted the ability to rewrite one sliver of their personal history, though any golfer might have a strong suspicion (cough Mulligan cough). The idea of being handed one reset button in life feels irresistibly hopeful. I’ll be honest—when I was in college, I would have paid good money for the chance to undo a particular moment with my high school crush. In hindsight, it’s probably for the best that fate intervened; he was later arrested for knowingly selling stolen bikes, which tracks considering he was a bit of a kleptomaniac even back then. Still, the fantasy of getting that “one more try” hits a universal chord, and Morris plays with that longing beautifully.

What elevates the novel even further is how grounded Dixie feels amidst the magical element. She’s earnest, messy, determined, and so authentically teenage that it’s impossible not to root for her. Morris balances humor and heart in a way that makes the story feel breezy without losing emotional weight. The California backdrop is sun-soaked and nostalgic, and the dynamic with Aunt Kate and cousin Bunnie adds genuine warmth. The magical realism never overpowers the narrative; instead, it gently heightens the stakes as Dixie wrestles with whether changing the past is worth the unknowns that come with it.

An area where the novel could have pushed further is in its exploration of the supporting cast. While Aunt Kate, Bunnie, and the rest of Dixie’s California circle are fun and memorable, some characters—especially Sawyer—could have benefited from deeper development earlier in the story. We learn a lot about him through Dixie’s rose-tinted perspective, but less from his own actions until later on. A bit more insight into his emotional landscape from the start would have made their connection feel even richer and raised the tension surrounding Dixie’s choice to use her Rewind.

And while the book does feature a significant twist near the end, I have to admit that it wasn’t entirely surprising. If you pay attention to Dixie’s scattered comments and her habit of dodging certain details, the breadcrumbs are definitely there. Morris plants subtle hints in Dixie’s internal monologue—moments where she hesitates or glosses over memories—that practically nudge attentive readers toward the truth. It’s not that the twist is ineffective; it’s that it’s telegraphed just enough that you can see it coming if you know what to look for. Instead of flooring me, it felt more like a satisfying confirmation of a suspicion I’d been forming all along.

Overall, Rewind to Us is a heartfelt blend of nostalgia, romance, and magical possibility. It’s the kind of story that makes you reflect on the choices that shape us—and the ones we wish we could take back. A charming, summery YA read that earns a solid four stars from me.

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Short Review (AKA TLDR)

Rewind to Us stands out as a warm, summery YA romance with a clever magical-realism concept that adds emotional depth without overwhelming the story. The writing balances humor, sincerity, and nostalgia, and Dixie’s voice feels authentically teenage—earnest, flawed, and easy to root for. The California setting adds a sun-soaked charm, and the family dynamics bring genuine warmth. The premise of getting a single chance to rewrite a moment of regret is both imaginative and universally resonant, giving the story a thoughtful edge beneath its breezy tone.

There are, however, a few areas where the novel could have pushed further. Some supporting characters, especially Sawyer, would have benefitted from earlier and deeper development to strengthen the emotional stakes. And although the book contains a major twist, it becomes somewhat predictable due to the subtle but consistent hints scattered throughout Dixie’s narration. While the reveal is still satisfying, it doesn’t come as a true surprise. Even with these minor drawbacks, the novel remains a heartfelt, charming YA read that lands solidly at four stars.