Back to You by Priscilla Glenn

From goodreads: 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?

What can I say about this book that will do it justice? I absolutely fell head over heels for this story and I didn’t want it to end. I tried to read each page as slowly as I could but it didn’t work. I devoured this book like a piece of Cadbury chocolate!! This is romance at its finest!!! This is a story about second chances and forgiveness. Back to You is told so beautifully that it made me believe again in the power of true love. It has instilled hope in the eyes of this jaded gal.

I was wrapped-up in the story of Lauren and Michael from page one and nothing about their romance made me cringe or even skim a page or two. I read every blessed word and their angst quickly became mine. Michael is a broken man who hasn’t had a fair shake at life which makes him a little dark and edgy. He does things that make you want to slap him one moment and then hug him the next. Priscilla Glenn takes a very broken individual who has made mistakes and gives him so many redeeming qualities that you can’t help but fall in love with him. You love him for that man that he was despite some of his actions but you love him more for the man he becomes. And Lauren was so perfect but not the kind of perfect that makes you roll your eyes but instead makes you want to be her. She’s patient, kind and forgiving. Even though she was all those things, she was not afraid to speak her mind and that’s the best combination for a heroine to have.

The story flows at the perfect pace and the flash-back sequences are woven with present day so gracefully that it’s not distracting one bit. There are moments that are so heart-breaking that I found myself holding my hand to my chest because that’s what this book will do, it will make you hold your chest so your heart doesn’t shatter. Yes, it’s that kind of story.

The writing is flawless, the characters are filled with depth  and you combine that with angst and love…all perfect ingredients for a beautiful book.  This story spoke to me in a way that touched my heart.

“And she couldn’t help but smile at the irony of the fact that the baddest boy in school could somehow always make her feel like the world was good.”

My final two cents:  beautiful.