THE LOVELY RETURN
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Carian Cole
Release Date: November 29, 2023
What if death doesn’t do you part?
They say be careful what you wish for. But on December 5, Alex Fox makes a wish in the midst of a devastating tragedy. Little does he know that his wish will come true.
Six years after that fateful day, a little girl wanders into Alex’s studio. With her quirky personality, endless questions, and adorable smile, Penny Rose becomes an enchanting yet bittersweet distraction.
Penny Rose is an odd girl—at least, that’s what her parents say. Penny herself doesn’t feel particularly odd; she simply feels misplaced. As if somehow, in some way, she is living in the wrong place… in the wrong life.
As the years pass, Alex and Penny develop a friendship. But it becomes harder and harder for them to ignore their undeniable chemistry, no matter how off limits it is. Alex believes he’ll never find love again, let alone fall for a girl half his age. But Penny is everything he could ever want or need. Not only is she caring, witty, and beautiful, but she accepts the past that haunts him.
Penny couldn’t be happier. She’s been head over heels for sexy, brooding artist Alex Fox for as far back as she can remember. But when her childhood dreams and visions start resurfacing again—dreams of a life with Alex way before they ever met—she starts to think they’re not dreams at all.
They’re memories.
Penny’s revelation to Alex threatens to tear them apart, making them question the impossible and unbelievable. Can love truly transcend time and death, giving them a second chance at their happily ever after? Or is Penny battling a broken mind that has led her down a path of heartbreaking delusion?
The heart is a compass, and for some reason, mine keeps leading me here.
I just finished and I’m in a haze. Loss for words. And I don’t think any words can do this book justice because this was one of the most beautiful, captivating, heart wrenchingly poignant, deeply romantic books I have ever read. It’s so different from what I usually gravitate to but being a huge Carian Cole fan, I added this to my TBR long before it had a blurb. And truth be told, I never did bother reading the blurb because I didn’t care, knowing I’d read her grocery list if Carian wrote it.
As much as I love an age gap romance, I was skeptical. Can I really buy into a romance when Alex first meets Penny when she’s six? But oh wow did I. The beautiful emotional pull these words had on me. This is a book for the true romantic because this book is the perfect story of undying love. A love that survives everything, even death.
It’s over 500 pages and yet I read it in a day, desperately grasping to the pages, with my heart in a vice, and tears in my eyes. It was just so beautiful. I’ve read reincarnation books before, and I sort of expected similar vibes here, but it was so much more. It was an emotional, captivating slow burn full of heart wrenching moments and moments of pure bliss. Penny and Alex’s love story is unlike anything I have ever read, and that’s saying something.
I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say this. This is a story of a one of a kind love that doesn’t die. Alex is a man who is impossible not to fall hard for. You love with him, you grieve with him, you heal with him. And Penny is the one who breathes life back into him. The story spans years and the pacing is impeccably crafted. Cole masterfully takes you through each milestone in the life of Penny and Alex. You experience everything right along with them; the pain, the confusion, the stolen glances, the forbidden love. It was beautiful. The development of their relationship is also impeccably written. It’s organic and raw and real and I fell so hard for them both.
I’m not usually a crier, but I cried tears of joy and pain as I finished. This is a story that will be rooted in my heart for years to come and simply unforgettable. These characters will be staying with me, their love will be staying with me, and this book is going straight to my top favorites list. It was worth every second of the wait and I cannot recommend it enough.
Carian Cole has a passion for the bad boys, those covered in tattoos, sexy smirks, ripped jeans, fast cars, motorcycles, and of course, the sweet girls who try to tame them and win their hearts.
Born and raised a Jersey girl, Carian now resides in beautiful New Hampshire with her husband and their multitude of furry pets. She spends most of her time writing, reading, and vacuuming.
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