Review - So Now You're Back by Heidi Rice
Blurb
Halle Best, TV's Domestic Diva, is proud of everything she's achieved. Halle took her passion for baking and built her media empire alone after her ex Luke walked out on her sixteen years ago, leaving her a single mum to their two-year-old daughter Lizzie in a dingy flat in Hackney. Now a bona fide celebrity success, she only speaks to Luke via her lawyer. But as he is threatening to write a tell-all book exposing some of Halle's deepest secrets, keeping him at arm's length won't be so easy anymore. When Luke suggests a getaway to work through their past, Halle thinks he's crazy; if they can survive two weeks together it will be a miracle. Yet reconnecting with her past, could be the only way to start her future.
Buy Link: Amazon
My Review
I couldn't resist reviewing this book, after all Heidi Rice is one of my favourite authors and one who inspired me to write. My only problem with Heidi's books are that I always find the end comes too soon (only because I can't put them down) so I was thrilled to discover that So Now You're Back is a single title!
I love nostalgic, first love stories and this one is no exception. Though this book seemed a little different in that I wondered how Luke, the hero, could possibly redeem himself having left Halle and his young daughter Lizzie, to never return. Usually there's some conflict to justify a wrong, but the author handled it perfectly - with honesty. Luke knew he'd stuffed up and accepted Halle's wrath. That's not to say you couldn't fall in love with him - I totally did. Plus there is some emotional background for Luke that makes his actions understandable, if not justified and knowing that Luke missed out on much of his daughters life was enough punishment.
What is great about this book is that there is not one romance story - but two! When Halle is forced, or rather conned, into spending time with Luke at a retreat to avoid having her past scrutinized by all, she has to leave her son in the care of Trey, the au pair. Lizzie their daughter is all grown up now. Grown up, surly and shows little interest in the career that takes her mother away from her. Lizzie doesn't take too well at being left with Mr. Perfect and her little brother, who is nothing but annoying. As Halle and Luke finally confront their pasts, Lizzie starts to question her behaviour too, finally confronting the fact that she has a crush on Trey.
This book has it all. Humour, emotion and definitely heat! The tense relationship between Halle and Luke certainly ups the heat level. And then there's the sweet. The blossoming romance between Lizzie and the very adorable Trey. Needless to say there are bumps in the road for both couples, but surely Luke can't mess up again - or can he?
A gorgeous read!
5 Butterfly Rating
*ARC received from NetGalley in return for honest review*
~ Tracey
