Going back is not taking steps back…

Synopsis

Sometimes the only way forward… is to go back.

When Rowan Bellamy’s marriage collapses in spectacular style, she retreats with her two children, Bella and Theo, to the last place she ever wanted to return—her windswept Cornish hometown of Port Agnes. Taking the headteacher role at the local primary school is the easy part. Facing village gossip, curious neighbours, and old flames? Not so much.

Especially when one of those flames turns out to be Nathan Lark — the boy who broke her heart and the man who now has a reputation as bruised as her own. With his young nephew Leo a pupil in Rowan’s school, she and Nathan are thrown into each other’s lives once more. And whether she likes it or not, the chemistry between them is impossible to ignore.

As salty sea air begins to soothe old wounds and Port Agnes slowly feels like home again, Rowan must decide if she’s brave enough to let go of the past and open her heart one more time.

My review

Rowan never thought that the lack of passion in her marriage would end in a terrible discovery and the actual end of her marriage. Not being able to stay at the place that was her home for a long time, Rowan decides to take her children Bella and Theo and move back to her hometown, Port Agnes. She is ready to start again, with a new job as headteacher in the local school and rekindling friendships with old friends, and making new ones. But picking up the pieces of her life is not that easy, especially as in villages like Port Agnes, curious and gossiping neighbours are common. And when Rowan crosses paths with Nathan Lark, tings get even more complicated. Because Nathan is Rowan’s old flame, but with him being Leo’s uncle, a pupil of Rowan’s school with special needs, their paths cross more than it normally would. But despite the chemistry and sparks flying around between them, Nathan has a bad reputation and even has spend some time at his Majesty’s pleasure. Both Rowan and Nathan are still coming to terms about how their lives have turned out to be, so the last thing on their mind should be the sparks between them. But that is easier said than done…

Whenever I start reading a book of this wonderful author, I know that real life is being put on hold. House chores, cleaning, even sleeping, it can all wait because I have this book to read! 😊

Marriages that end aren’t a rarity anymore in the current world. And while it is always a sad thing, it can happen… So while I knew that Rowan’s marriage wouldn’t make it, I was still a bit shocked at the true reason.

Shocked, but also a bit sad. Because without giving anything away, we see how people cannot be their true selves, and have to pretend for ‘the bigger picture’. And nobody shouldn’t be able to not be their real selves, life is too precious to put on a mask and pretend.

What also saddened me, was reading how Rowan loves her husband, but how there isn’t any passion in their marriage. Of course, with the shocking revelation, it makes sense why that is lacking. But it saddened me as Rowan never got to feel that real passion, that deep love, those fireworks that spark with every touch, with every kiss.

Another thing that saddened me, was reading how Rowan feels that she cannot stay at the place that has been her home for so long. I know that her move is necessary for the storyline, but still 😊. It angers me how people are afraid of the gossiping, bad looks and looks of pity, even if Rowan in this case has done absolutely nothing wrong.

It broke my heart a little bit, reading how not only Rowan but also Bella and Theo need to adjust to their new lives in Port Agnes. Especially as the children don’t know the real reason of the move and the split of their parents (yet).

Starting over is not easy, adapting to not only a new life, but also returning back home, where a lot has stayed the same, but at the same time, a lot has changed too. Rowan is obviously doing the best she can in the situation she finds herself in, always putting her children first.

But not only as parent we see what kind of person Rowan is, also as a headteacher and a person in general, we see that she has a caring heart, wanting to help wherever she can, always having the right priorities.

The right priorities, even if that means putting her own feelings aside. Feelings concerning Nathan Lark…

Nathan… what a man that he is!

As an uncle he would move earth for Leo, there is not one thing he wouldn’t do for his nephew. And seeing their relationship was so heartwarming… Not only Nathan’s relationship with Leo, but also with his own brother, Will. I know how it feels having a great bond with your sibling, so I could understand and I could recognize the connection the two brothers have.

It is not a secret at the start of the book that Nathan has made a mistake in the not so far away past, but also that he has paid for it. And it angered me reading how some people are still condemning him. Especially as the committed crime is in my opinion not a that terrible one. And with the circumstances, it was even understandable…

Both Rowan and Nathan are not ready to give in to their feelings, with everything that has happened recently in their own lives. And with both not coming completely clean, there is always a certain level of trepidation.

On the other hand, it was so sweet to see how they are ‘forced’ spending even more time together because Theo and Leo become instant best friends! 😊

It needs to be said, my heart broke reading about Leo, but I also admired his mindset. It cannot be easy being restricted like he is, and knowing what the future may bring. But his positivity is something to truly admire! Leo for sure is an inspiration!

This is not only a story about second chances, but it also like the title says it, about letting go of the past. The past can be a burden, as we see with Rowan and Nathan. And there are and always will be people that will never let us forget about mistakes that we have made. The past shouldn’t be allowed to hold us back. Yes, we should learn from the past and from the mistakes, but it shouldn’t be a reason of not starting to live again, to love again, to allow love again.

Jo Bartlett not only captivated me with this wonderful story, she also brought me joy with it, she inspired me and made me believe in the good of people again.