Book Review! Back to You by Natalie-Nicole Bates

Disclosure: I received a copy of the book mentioned for the purpose of review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Synopsis

On the surface, Lynsey Reznor seems to have it all. She is beautiful, brilliant, and a successful true-crime writer who has been living the past decade in Miami. But what Lynsey lacks is what she needs the most—a family.

After the death of her mother, and yet another failed relationship, Lynsey makes an impulsive decision to return to her hometown of Unity. But Unity will present its own bittersweet memories, most notably, her first love, Nick Lincoln.

Twenty years ago, Nick broke teenager Lynsey’s heart when he decided to marry another. He had his own private reasons—reasons he never explained to Lynsey. Now she is back, along with a chance to reclaim her love. But Lynsey wants answers from him that he may never be able to give out of duty and guilt.

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My thoughts

This is a very short, quick read. It literally took me a quick morning to complete the entire read. It started off really good but seemed to lack a focus as time went on. Well, that isn’t entirely true. I think the focus may have been my issue. I hate the “I need to have a family” and “I’m searching for a husband” kind of women. I felt that Lynsey was portrayed by the author as a strong, level-headed women from the beginning. Her desire to be married by the year’s end and family shortly after went against that portrayal in my mind.

I was so frustrated with Lynsey and Nick. How can two people want each other so much but not get it at all when they see each other? Lynsey seemed to make herself at home with Nick (hugging and kissing him) yet couldn’t see that he loved her??? At the same time, she was more than willing to seek out another man to keep her company but loved Nick? It just bugged me. Add in Nick’s sister, whose life was a complete trainwreck, and the story had a lot going for it.

My complaint is that the story itself could have been so much longer and more in-depth. Delving into the history of Nick and Lynsey would have helped. You get a brief glimpse of what they were like both with and without each other, but it could have been so much more. I think that more would really help this story.

As it is, I gave it 3 stars. While I think there could be more to the story itself, what is there was entertaining and the characters interesting.

About the author

Natalie-Nicole Bates is a book reviewer and author.

Her passions in life include books and hockey along with Victorian and Edwardian era photography and antique poison bottles. Natalie contributes her uncharacteristic love of hockey to being born in Russia.

She currently resides in the UK where she is working on her next book and adding to her collection of 19th century post-mortem photos.