COME HOME TO ME

COME HOME TO ME                            LIZ TALLEY

Summer Valentine has returned to Moonlight, South Carolina, a very different woman from the naive wallflower who left years before. These days she’s straightforward and savvy, determined to do right by her son, David—even if that means cashing in her struggling music career in Nashville and returning to the town that drove her away. Sure, she took a fall. But at least she now knows where she stands…

Despite her anger over the past, Summer believes David deserves a relationship with his father, Hunter “Hunt” McCroy. Though Hunt’s illustrious career has faded, the privilege still protects him from his worst mistakes.

Someone else is back in Moonlight too: Rhett Bryan, the golden boy of Hollywood, who’s taking stock of his own life after a tragic accident. As his rekindled friendship with Summer quickly deepens, she must reconcile the painful history that ties her to both men—one she’s finally forgiven, one she’s afraid to love—to claim healing and happiness. 


MY REVIEW:
          This was an intense book.  The characters were so complicated and wonderfully flawed.  You will find yourself at times saying “What?” out loud or at least I did. 😉 Then, cheering or laughing and tearing up all of a sudden.  So, all I can say is buckle up.  You need to be aware that a sexual assault will occur during a date.  This author handles it with just enough info to make the point and make you the reader uncomfortable enough to know how real this has become.
     What I love most is how the author chooses to take the assaulted character through as a fighter, not as a victim.  Has her go through the explaining to her old friend the growth cycle she has had to go through for herself and for her son.  She shows the sad truth of how the assault could often times if reported, make the victim be made into the target again. 
     Yet, Summer upon choosing to keep the child and raise it was still shunned, called names, and other things.  As well as her family due to the actions of the boy who wouldn’t take responsibility, so his parents having money and power slowly made it hard for her and her family.
     Hunter is the star pitcher and a son of privilege and wealth.  But he just got dumped by his longtime girlfriend right before senior prom.  Not happy and not planning on going to the prom, Rhett, a boy Summer has been tutoring tells his girlfriend.  Who comes up with the idea to do a makeover on Summer the geeky overweight girl and make her into a swan for the prom so Hunter to star pitcher can take her.
     Didn’t go so well.  Throughout I wanted to like Hunt I did.  But he kept surprising me.  Even makes me tear up.  He sees himself in a different light.  Amazing transformation with him compared to the high school version.  Well, played out on the author’s part of how to present this character in a new light.
     On the other hand, Rhett goes from being a cool guy to a guy who used Summer in a different way.  One so his girlfriend could say, “Look how I turned a sow into a swan,” and Two, so his boy Hunt could have a date to the prom guaranteeing a party at Hunt's house after the prom. 
     The heart-wrenching event that drives him home will gut you.  Yet, again he uses Summer and runs off to LA. Where he leaves a note to explain.  I found myself disliking him almost as much as Hunt although his finish was sweet.
     Grampy is a hoot and David is a handful who needed a wake-up call because he was becoming very cocky and disrespectful to Summer.  What happened was a ‘Come to Jesus moment’ for sure.  No person should have to go through but if it works all the better.

     You will go through a lot of different emotions as you read this book.  But I will tell you what.  You will not want to stop turning those pages once you start.  You will get a HEA, but know that in order to get it pain, heartache, and tears come first.  I give this: 5++++ stars.  Provided by netgalley.com.  Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com.

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