USA Today Bestselling Author Ella Fox is back with the emotionally charged conclusion to The Retake Duet After tragedy struck, Shaelyn shut down. Can she withstand another?She was broken Shaelyn felt like the weight of the world was on her shoulders when she left Garrett, but she did it anyway because she believed it was the right thing to do.He was determined Even though he was broken without … thing to do.
He was determined
Even though he was broken without her, Garrett’s faith in Shaelyn and their love remained unshakable.
On the way down, they spiraled apart.
On the way back, they’ll discover that holding onto what matters most is essential.
On The Way Back is the conclusion of The Retake Duet. You must read book 1 before reading this
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Amazing conclusion to this duet. Garrett is definitely swoon-worthy and an amazing man.
I want to start by saying that there is a super triggering occurrence in this duet and I feel like any reader with triggers needs to reach out to me, the author, or another reader prior to reading this duet for more information. I know many readers with this trigger and there isn’t a warning at the beginning of the book so I wanted to make sure I mentioned that.
When we left off, Shaelyn and Garrett had just gone through something very emotional and they had just settled their divorce. This book is just as emotional as On The Way Down, except with this one we have a little more hope for this couple. On The Way Back was a sweet story of overcoming grief with a second chance romance that really hit you in the feels.
My heart was with Shaelyn and Garrett in this one. Shaelyn was going through so much and it broke my heart to watch her cope with everything she’s been through. But it was also such a relief to see her get the help she needed and work towards a happier future for herself. Garrett is still that sweet hero we fell for in book one. I love his persistence and true love for Shaelyn.
Because I loved these two so much, I wish there were so many more special moments between them throughout this duet. I love the sweet moments in a book between the couple where you can just see the love flowing through the pages, but I didn’t get that as much with this duet. I read how the characters felt and at times their words were powerful, but the overall scene at times just wasn’t set for me. There was also a significant occurrence in this book that was quite shocking to read about and I still don’t quite know if it added to the couple’s overall story. And what occurred after this moment didn’t seem as authentic to everything this couple had gone through.
From 80% into On The Way Down to the ending of On The Way Back felt a bit rushed to me. I left off missing some of the key moments I would’ve liked to see more into. I can’t say I didn’t enjoy this duet, because I did! I just wanted so much more out of it and I’m hoping to read some of Ella’s newer work to see if it’s a bit more well rounded.
This is the 2nd book in the Retake Duet. The story continues with Garrett and Shae. I’m so glad Garrett didn’t give up on Shae and fought for her. And Shae, when she cried and felt pain, I swear I felt that in my soul. When she finally found her feet and fought her way back to Garrett, I cheered her on.
Normally with anything I read or watch, I can usually pick up the bad guy or where the book is going. Ella…oh Ella was smart and threw a curveball at me that I missed and never saw coming. I can’t tell you, because that curveball is an important part of the story and its progression. All I can say is Ella did it wonderfully.
This book ends the story of Garrett and Shae and I appreciate how deep Ella dived into those feelings these two needed to experience to come through the dark and into the light.
I highly recommend this book also!
Happy reading.
“I choose you. I choose life. I choose love – our love – and I’m going to fight my way back to you.”
Oh my heart!! What a wonderful, beautiful, heart-wrenching story! My heart was breaking for both Garrett and Shaelyn. What a horrible thing to have to experience together, only to have it rip you apart.
After going through a life -altering and soul-crushing event, Shaelyn struggles to recover -to continue to live her life. Feeling that she is now only a shadow of the woman Garrett married, she makes what she believes to be the ultimate sacrifice. She pushes him away so he can go find someone else – someone that can give him what she no longer feels she can.
But Garrett is having none of that. She may think they’re over, but he knows they’ll never be over. He’s going to fight for her – for both of them. There is no life without her. Just when things are looking promising, another tragedy strikes that may tear them apart forever.
This book put my heart through an emotional wringer!! I was begging Shaelyn to call Garrett – just pick up the phone, Girl!! I loved the way Garrett never lost faith in her, or in the love they had for each other. Gah!! These two are amazing!! Pick up the duet if you haven’t read it yet. Have the Kleenex handy – trust me, you’re going to go through a box…..or two. Even though what this couple endured was at times difficult to read, I left the duet with a warm fuzzy feeling that can only come with an Ella Fox happily ever after. Totally recommend this duet to everyone!
On The Way Back is a beautiful, fantastic conclusion to the Retake Duet and I couldn’t have been more pleased with it. Everything about Garrett and Shaelyn’s emotional story is nothing short of amazing. There are a lot of twists and turns and my heart ached a few times but in the end, it was worse with it. I definitely recommend reading this duet.
(This Review concerns BOTH books of the Retake Duet)
5 ‘ Here Comes The Sun’ Stars
Whoaaaaa… What a LIFE IMPACTFUL/ALTERING story!!! You know those books that mark your life and you will never forget?! This duet is exactly that for me! Retake Duet just gave my heart the most intense of workouts. It is so much more than a romance! Garrett and Shae’s beautiful story is ALL about the journey, the healing, the passion and most of all the UNMOVING LOVE!!!
I have to start by saying that I was going to separate do a review for both books, separately, but at the end, I just couldn’t do it. Their journey is so impactful for me, and for that reason, I’m expressing in this review, my feelings for the duet as a whole, because that’s what it was, the story may have been split in two parts, but I read them back to back, and my overall feelings are for their story, their path, and all the emotions took root from the first chapter in book one and didn’t even end with the last word of the Epilogue. They will stay with me FOREVER!
Another reason for the combined review is the fact that I really don’t want to spoil anything about Garrett and Shaelyn’s story. I went in blind to read this and I am sooooooo thankful I did, the EMOTIONAL IMPACT of their journey is just unbeatable! Every moment was a surprise, every step was discovery, and every single emotion they felt, I felt it right along with them.
The very first book starts in a way that we immediately know that something happened that tore up and pushed them apart, going them to show us in a intricate and captivating way their love story from the very first moment they locked eyes. It’s a slow burn, but a deliciously realistic and close to heart way. Their blooming romance made me fall in love right along with them. So on On The Way Down, we see them fall in love, and get together, in a beautiful Holywood ‘Cinderella’ like scheme, that is very much my catnip. This fairytale though, is shaken to the core when tragedy, by the end of book one, strikes in the most heartbreaking of manners ( I SOBBED LIKE A BABY, AND I SELDOM CRY IN MY READS!), and their relationship is put to the test in every way.
That’s where we start on book two, On The Way Back. The title was absolutely SPOT ON! The second book truly was all about recovering and dealing with the aftermath of the tragedy, and most of all HEALING! OMG… The emotional charge, the conflict, the pain, the desperation, I felt every single one of those emotions along with Shae and Garrett. My heart was literally hurting for these two, so damn much! The issues discussed are so close to everyone’s heart in one way or another, I very much doubt this duet can be read without absorving and LIVING those emotions, right along with them. That’s how brilliant and masterfully Ella Fox wove them!
Ms. Fox crafted the very definition of the PERFECT romance hero, ultimate book boyfriend and my favorite EF male character – and I thought Mateo Cruz would hold that title forever, lol – in Garrett Riordan. He is EVERYTHING I want and search in my romance novels, and then some! Perfect in every way, his undying, unshakeable love and devotion thought this struggling and desperate journey was the stuff that fairytales – and romance books – are made of. Truly perfect!
And Shaelyn… Oh my heart… Even though she’s so young when they first meet, she indeed was an old soul in young body, mainly due to her sad past. She was created in such a realistic and natural way, that I couldn’t help but relate to her, I was literally cheering from her from the get go, and when the tragedy hits them, I was hurting so damn much for her. Not all was heartbreaking, and each victory I felt in my heart just as much. I really was living all the emotions trough her and that is the proof of how masterful the story telling is in this duet!
WHAT AN UNFORGETTABLE JOURNEY! I can honestly say I will never forget this story, these two, and specially their unwavering love! The Retake Duet will go straight to my list of top all time fav, EPIC LOVE STORY, romance novels. Yep, it’s right there in my list of literary masterpieces!!! The definition of a MUST READ! NOW! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
I have been waiting not-so-patiently for the conclusion of Shae and Garrett’s story. And it was a beautiful reunion. This is a heartbreaking story of a married couple facing one of the hardest things a husband and wife can face. But rather than deal with it together. Shaelynn breaks down and shuts Garrett out.
Not willing to give up on his wife or their life, Garrett fights with everything he has. When Shae eventually has a breakthrough, he’s there supporting her every step of the way… Even when they are on opposite sides of the country. But as Shaw is going through treatment, the unthinkable happens — and being torn apart forever is a very likely possibility — it makes her realize what she wants… Garrett back in her life for good.
I’ve been through what Shae has, and it was a realistic portrayal of what the husband and wife go through. I so appreciated how it wasn’t glossed over, but dealt with. And we saw how it affected both of them.
This was a wonderful conclusion to this duet. I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
Ella Fox made the wait for the conclusion of the Retake duet totally worth it. She dug deep into the characters and made me feel every emotion. It is a must read if you love to read about healing power of true love.
It is hard to talk about the story line in case you have not read the first book. Garrett and Shaelyn have suffered a great loss. And it broke Shaelyn. And after months of struggle when she was getting her pieces back together, another larger than life tragedy struck her. Can she overcome it? Will she realize life is too short to hold back her love?
I loved Garrett’s character. This story had lots of chapters from Garrett’s POV and I liked that a lot. He is an amazing man. Always supportive, protective and caring even when his own heart is breaking from all the hurt. Shaelyn’s character changed a lot through the book. I was captivated by the author’s expression of emotions. The heartbreaking grief and suffering touched my heart deeply. The love they had was trully real and amazing.
Ella Fox has put a lot of heartfelt intense emotions in On the Way Back. She has expertly and honestly took me through the journey of true love and survival after losing everything. I connected with the couple deep in my heart and that is a really important reason to call it a great read.
On The Way Back is the second book in the Retake Duet. Book One is On The Way Down and should be read prior to this one.
I adore this book and it was definitely worth the wait. I felt every emotion during the conclusion of Shae and Garrett’s journey to happily ever after. Their story was one of deep love that is tested in one of the worst ways a couple can imagine. It’s a story about never giving up on the one you love most in this world. It makes you believe that even in the worst of times as a couple, and even in this world, love wins. Sometimes I struggle with stories like this and I shed many tears, but every one spilled was worth it in the end. I definitely felt what the couple was going through and cheered them on throughout the journey. Wonderful job, Ms. Fox!!! 5 STARS!!!
I fell in love with Garrett as a hero in On the Way Down, and he proved why he deserved it in On the Way Back. His unwavering faith and refusal to give up on the woman he loves is exactly what I want in a hero. But it was Shaelyn who kept me captivated in this one because her emotions leap off the page.
This is the second and concluding past of Shaelyn and Garrett’s wonderful story. This is a beautifully written flawless story which is an emotional coaster ride from beginning to end, and is the perfect ending for this duet. I was intrigued and captivated throughout, and I look forward to reading more from this talented author, whose work I highly recommend for all readers.
To say I was excited going in is a huge under statement. The emotional investment I had in Garret and Shaelyn from book one left me anxious as to how this would play out. And Ella has totally blown this out of the water. Expect to cry and when I say cry I mean UGLY CRY.
When they lost their child Melody all I could think of was the absolute agony one must experience doing so. Knowing you had to deliver your baby and she was already gone would have totally shattered anyone.
Watching it happen in my mind as I read really doesn’t prepare you for the emotions you feel for our two leads. The compassion and care taken with the writing was an experience all on it’s own.
Garrett’s love for his wife is something out of a fairytale. Seeing his struggle as she withdrew into herself and unable to help her killed me. His commitment to Shaelyn was perfection. Reading his inner dialogue hit me. It made you want to offer comfort to him.
But it was Shaelyn who truly nailed it. Her inner thoughts on what happened and why, would be something I think anyone would feel. Her answer to atone for what she felt was her fault by divorcing Garrett showed her as a person who would selflessly lose any chance of happiness so he could go on was moving. Refusing any kind of therapy she leaves LA and Garrett behind.
With Shaelyn back in Vegas, and Garrett staying in a studio room he rented as he refused to go back to their house unless they were together, we watch and wait. Garrett is constantly in contact with Shaelyn. Emails that he never fails to send and tell her that he loves her.
As the months go by and slowly turns to a year, we see Shaelyn grow slowly stronger. She’s thinking about therapy and maybe it’s time. She knows she shouldn’t look forward to Garretts emails but she can’t lose that connection to him.
But when she does break finally it’s the start of them finding there way back to each other.
With Garrett by her side she finally makes the decision that it’s time to talk to someone. Finding her way to New York to begin the slow journey back to life she has her best friend Tia by her side. This is something she needed to do on her own without Garrett by her side.
But New York brings a whole new perspective to Shaelyn. She feels stronger each day, she talks with Garrett constantly about how she is feeling, he may not be with her but he’s there each step she goes through.
But when terror hits the heart of America we watch Shaelyn comprehend that life is too short, she will never forget losing her child but she now realises whats important. And that’s life, happiness and that is with Garrett by her side.
Again with the crying but that’s how much of an emotional journey you are on reading their story. You can’t help but connect on a deeper level with this story. Their story could be anyones.
Garrett’s unwavering faith in his vows and that he never lost hope and he never gave up on them was what just one of the things that I fell in love with.
An author can write a book that you fall in love with but when one writes a story that you feel and connect with, that’s what sets them apart for me as a reader