Back to You by Priscilla GlennPublished by: Self Published on October 20, 2012
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 328
Source: Purchased
Buy on Amazon • Book Details
Rating: ★★★★★
When Lauren Monroe first laid eyes on Michael Delaney back in high school, she had every reason to stay away from him; within minutes of their first encounter, his volatile actions confirmed his notorious reputation. But Lauren saw something in him that caused her to question his bad-boy persona, and against her better judgment, she took a chance. She had no way of knowing that the unlikely friendship they formed would become so important to her.
Or that it would end so painfully.
Eight years later, when Lauren begins her new job at Learn and Grow Day Care, Michael is the last person she expects to see. Refusing to revisit the hurt and confusion of their past, Lauren vows to keep her distance from him. But staying away from Michael proves to be more difficult than she thought, despite her lingering grief and her instincts for self-preservation.
As Lauren and Michael recall the friendship that changed them forever and the events that tore them apart, will they finally be able to heal? Or will the ghosts of Michael's past prove to be too much to overcome?
Oh my freaking god! Where do I begin. This book blew me away. I know it was going to be intense and romantic and sweet and heartbreaking.. but it was all that completely amplified! I read Back to You in one straight sitting—less than a full day. It was so good that I couldn’t stand to be parted from it!
This book alternates between three different time periods: Lauren and Michael’s reunion after eight years of no communication, their friendship and romance developing in high school, and the tragedies in Michael’s young life. But since it’s constantly switching back and forth, we don’t get all the answers until the very end when everything ties together. This was brilliantly done and masterfully crafted! Priscilla had me glued to this book, whipping through the pages as I desperately wanted to find out what happened in their relationship.
The romance in this story was unforgettable. It’s sweet, it’s passionate, it’s hesitant, it’s built on a solid friendship, and it knows no bounds. But it’s also about mistakes, regret, and second chances. I suppose in some ways it is about soul mates, but it’s done in a way that MAKES SENSE. It’s none of that “I look at you and immediately love you” crap. Their connection was built off of years of solid friendship, support, and love. That’s what made it incredibly beautiful, breathtaking, and heart-stopping. The intense emotion and love in this book brought me to tears for the entire last quarter of the book—but it was a mixture of sad and happy tears. I was so moved by their relationship that I was literally sobbing with happiness for them!
Back to You will take you on an insane journey. I feel like I’ve lived with these characters. I’ve grown up with them, I’ve watched them change and develop, I’ve seen who they’ve become. It makes me wish with all my might that this couple exists in the real world, because their relationship would just be so BEAUTIFUL. To see people overcome what they’ve suffered through and learn from their mistakes.. it’s something special.
Even though this book is sad in its own way, I feel like it’s also intensely happy, and that’s why I love it. There was less emotional wreckage and the end in particular is just pure bliss. The epilogue is honestly one of the most satisfying I have ever read. I was devastated when the book ended, pleasantly surprised when I saw there was an epilogue, and when I finally finished, I was left with the best feeling in the world. I cannot recommend this book enough! If you love a great romance with intense emotions, heart warming moments, and an ending that will make you scream to the heavens with happiness..this book is for you.
And if I can take only one thing away from Back to You: true love is out there, and it’s amazing.
The Verdict
Your reviews are insane. I feel my own heart swelling and breaking at the same time simply reading your review. I hadn’t heard of this one before but I absolutely had to snag a copy after your raving. I may even have to bump it way to the top of my TBR because I’m craving that emotion that you got from it. Well done review. : )
Thank you Jessie Marie!! I promise that Back to You is worth bumping up to the top! 😉 That’s actually what I did. Like most bloggers, I have a TBR pile a mile long. But Back to You sounded so good that I bumped it right to the top. And it was even better than I hoped for! 🙂
Well Ashley your enthusiasm for this has me drooling and I am just loving this new adult genre, since straight up YA romances don’t really appeal to me, this is going on my list. I love how you describe the author’s writing and eep the romance sounds delightful. I like that it travels back and forth in the characters lives, giving us more depth. Lovely review!
Um wow, it sounds amazing. I haven’t seen it around till now. But, but, the summary bored me. Is it really that good???? Your review makes me want to read it but the cover and blurb don’t. hmmmm.
The summary actually wasn’t the thing that lured me into the book either. I saw another passionate review for it and thought “Wow, if she loved this that much then it must be good!” There is still the possibility that it’s just not for you, but I’ll give you more of a breakdown just in case!
The book is divided up into three stories, as I explained in my review. The first story—when they were in high school—is really emotional and sweet because it’s about two unlikely people becoming friends (innocent girl and the bad boy), and then Lauren struggling with her feelings for Michael. She likes him as more than just a friend, but she doesn’t think Michael feels that way about her. So it’s kind of a cute little high school romance.
The second story is present time—8+ years later. We don’t know what happened with Michael and Lauren’s relationship, but we get the sense that it ended badly and they hadn’t spoken in 8 years. There’s a lot of tension between Lauren and Michael as they awkwardly try to become friends again. There is also a faint love triangle introduced, but for once, it’s not annoying AT ALL. Plus, the third character is a hot, sexy chiropractor *wiggles eyebrows*.
And the third story is flashbacks to when Michael was young.
The story is kind of told almost like a mystery romance. Because we feel all this tension between the characters but we don’t even know what happened between them. The stories jump back and forth between the time periods until it finally all comes together at the end!
It does sounds pretty good. It reminds me of a movie that came out not too long ago with Anne Hathaway. I can’t think of the name.
Romance and true love? Okay. I’m convinced! I will read this. 😀
Fantastic review!
Wow!!! I have never heard of this book and you made me want to get this ASAP!!!!! I loved you review darling. I’m hooked now. Must. Read. I love a good heartbreaking contemporary read every now and then and wow this sounds just breathtaking! Fabulous review Ashley….WOOT. 😀
Keep ’em coming!
XOXO, Inky