If I Could Go Back by Briana Johnson: Review

Welcome to my review of If I Could Go Back by Briana Johnson! I’m not one to usually care about comps, but this book being comped to Jas Hammonds’ We Deserve Monuments is what led me to request it, and I’m so glad I did.

Cover of If I Could Go Back by Briana Johnson

Title: If I Could Go Back
Author: Briana Johnson
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publisher: Peachtree Teen
Pub Date: 05/06/2025

Description

An achingly compassionate and beautifully empathetic novel exploring the intersections of race, mental health, and the meaning of family—perfect for fans of Robin Benway’s Far from the Tree and Jas Hammonds’ We Deserve Monuments.

For Aaliyah Campbell, family is everything. Her cousin Ivy is her best friend and track costar, and Grandpa Joe is her rock. He may be crotchety and dramatic, but he’s raised Aaliyah since she was a toddler. Still, Aaliyah can’t stop thinking about what’s missing—her parents.

When Aaliyah secretly contacts her mom, Lena, she risks upsetting the family who’s always been there for her. But Grandpa Joe refuses to explain why her parents gave her up and, without answers, Aaliyah cannot silence the anxious voice telling her she’s never been good enough.

Aaliyah is hardly surprised when Lena ghosts her, though she’s shocked when her dad, Quincy, steps up instead. Quincy turns out to be immature but surprisingly fun to hang out with. And when the rest of the family finds out they’re in contact, old secrets will finally be forced into the light.

Aaliyah Campbell is a champion for young Black girls coping with anxiety and depression, and a voice for all teens navigating the messy process of learning how to advocate for ones’ self. Through honest storytelling and a voice that oozes humor and heart, Briana Johnson’s memorable debut explores sensitive topics with authenticity and compassion.

Review

If I Could Go Back was a strong debut novel, and I eagerly await whatever the author writes next. I finished the book in three hours as it has the perfect pacing for YA, which I think a lot of teens will appreciate. The content itself pulls at the heartstrings, and I quickly became invested in Aaliyah’s journey to reunite with her birth parents. It was a journey filled with ups and downs as Aaliyah’s focus was more on keeping others happy than making herself happy.

I think for many of us who have an absent parent, there are times of being perfectly content and never thinking about them, and then there are times where the what if’s won’t leave your mind, and you desire answers, no matter what you have to do to get them. I don’t think everyone will understand why Aaliyah went through the lengths she did, especially since her own family wasn’t always on board in the story, but I really felt for her. And while I don’t have generalized anxiety, I do have a panic disorder, so I really loved that representation and seeing how it affected Aaliyah in her everyday life, and why it made it so hard for her to shake this need for reunion.

One thing I really appreciated about the book was the portrayal of an abusive relationship with the man being the one abused. It allowed for some very vulnerable conversations between him and the main character while also showing tangible ways to support someone being stalked and struggling to escape the cycle of abuse.

I did not get through the book without shedding a few tears, so a story that can make me cry is always going to end up on my recommendation list. While adults can surely get something out of this book, I truly feel like this is a book that can help a lot of teens recognize their own feelings and struggles.

*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a finished copy. All opinions are my own.*

Author

Photo credit: DeVarion Hill

Briana Johnson is a young adult author and Chicago native. She spent her twenties living everywhere except Chicago but has returned to the Windy City because everywhere else is too expensive. She currently lives on the North Side with her sister. A graduate of the University of Maryland-Global Campus with a degree in Computer Network and Cybersecurity, Briana travels the U.S. as a Systems Analyst. When she isn’t writing or working, she enjoys seeing all the beauty the world has to offer. If I Could Go Back is her debut novel.