Back to You by Chris Scully
Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA
Publication Date | June 12th, 2017
ARC from Netgalley
Book Blurb:
Journalist Alex Buchanan has come home to the remote British Columbia town he grew up in, but only because his estranged father is dying. For Alex, the homecoming holds a mix of memories, mostly bad. The only bright spot is reconnecting with Benji Morning, the childhood friend he never truly forgot. As boys, the strength of their bond had frightened Alex. But now that he’s confident in his bisexuality, he’s drawn back to quiet, soft-spoken Ben.
Ben isn’t the same boy Alex left behind, though. His life has been overshadowed by the disappearance of his sister two decades earlier, and now a new break in the case threatens to undo the peace he’s worked so hard to attain.
As Alex struggles to repair the relationship with his father before it’s too late, he finds himself caught up in a twenty-year-old mystery, a story he never expected, and a shocking truth that could affect his and Ben’s future together.
| Review |
I was hooked on Back to You from the very start. Going home and having past demons come back to haunt you is a premise that gets me every time. When Alex Buchanan returns home to say goodbye to his dying father, there are lot of unresolved issues still waiting for him, and it’s not long before he delves into them. But his boyhood friend, Benji, takes center stage as old feelings begin to flood Alex. Both of these men stole my heart – Ben with his caution and caring, and Alex with his stand-offish personality and unforgiveness towards his father. It was Ben who stole the show for me, which I find interesting since this story is told solely from Alex’s point of view. Despite a past that was more than enough to break anyone, Ben was able to find ways to cope and move on, and he just so kind to people. He was quick to remind Alex that they’d been just boys when they’d been separated, and that there was no blame to be cast at the fact that they’d fallen out of touch. I love the way their story progressed, their memories and the way they came to care for the men they’d become. I found their story to be so emotional, and Alex, especially, had a lot of issues to deal with before they could be together. The entire tone of the story was fairly dark with the town hit hard by the economy. It was a great backdrop, and added a layer of desperation to the story that really made it hit home. The mystery that cloaked the story was a bit predictable, but it didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the story. I did find the ending to be a bit rushed and would have liked more Ben and Alex time after they’d found their way back to each other, but it was a satisfying story regardless.
If you like a second chance love story about home and healing, I think this will be right up your alley. I really enjoyed Back to You, and I’m excited to read more from this author!
| Rating |
I think this is the 2nd review I have seen and both have been positive 🙂
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It was a book that was sure to hit you in the feels!
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Yes, you hit all the points that really struck me. Ben was such a shining light of hope that Alex really needed. I would have liked more time with them, too.
Thoughtful review, Angie!
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Thank you, Sophia.
Ben really was a scene stealer with his quiet ways. I loved him so much. They were a great offset to each other.
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This one sounds really good, and it has a really great cover. I may have to check this one out.
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The cover IS great, and I forgot to mention that in the review. Good thing it’s obvious! LOL
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It looks like a touching a great story there! thanks for sharing!
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It really was. 🙂
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Great review, this looks like a heartwarming tale.
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Thanks, Kim. I really enjoy this author.
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These characters sound wonderful. I am so glad that you enjoyed this one!
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Thanks, Carole! 🙂
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I just read another review of this somewhere in the last day or so and it was also positive. I agree that it would be nice to see more of what happens after- I often feel that way, I always want to know MORE… but otherwise this sounds really good!
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Sounds like a really sweet read. I love characters who have past demons as well. Great review. 🙂
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Thanks, Aleen! I love it when the demons rear their ugly heads.
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Wow sounds like the author did a great job! Yay for a good read 🙂
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It was a great read! 🙂
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