“This is the kind of book you suggest to your friends. The kind of story that sticks with you long after the last word.” – Dana from Random Chaos ★★★★★He never wanted to leave her. She never expected him to return.If Ariana Stanton has learned anything in life, it’s that men leave. She’s been taught this lesson well from the father she’s never met, who sends her a mysterious … never met, who sends her a mysterious letter once a year, to her ex-fiancé, who left her for another woman. So, when she meets the charming and seemingly perfect Jonah, she promises him they will never be more than friends. It’s a promise she can’t keep. But before he has a chance to leave her, she sends him away.
Dr. Jonah Adkinson has one regret–that he let Ariana remain convinced that love never lasts. But now, nine years later, the single dad is back in Pine Falls and on a mission: prove Ariana wrong. He’s determined to win over the love of his life. And this time he won’t let anything get in the way, not even her.
Now, not only does Ariana have to face the man she’s still in love with, but she must confront the mystery of her father’s letters, forcing her to reevaluate the past and her choices. But will it be enough to make her believe that, unlike the letter she’s always returned, Jonah is hers to keep?
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A gripping tale from the first page to the last. I loved it.
I love second chance romance and this one did not disappoint. I don’t have enough words to express all the feels. Jonah and Arianna are meant to be. Arianna is so sweet and I love her story. Jennifer Peel is so good at making you fall in love with every story
There is a reason I am so drawn to Jennifer Peel’s books. It’s the real emotional connection I always find with her characters and in her words. I know when I open a new book I am in for the most fantastic journey filled with wonderful characters and amazing chemistry. Jennifer Peel doesn’t shy away from hard topics that dig deeper emotionally.
Ariana is a complex character with a troubled past that will just tug at your heartstrings. Her perceived truth starts shifting when Jonah walks back into her life and brings some of his own troubles. There is an invisible cord that binds Ariana to Jonah and it sparks to life every time they are together. You can just feel the sparks and the longing between them. Ariana tries so hard to push it all away but that Jonah, wow, he is determined. And patient. Almost a saint, really. He really is out to prove something to Ariana and I loved every second of it.
I loved the secondary characters, I loved the letter aspect and how things unfolded with that. I loved seeing my old friends from the Not So Wicked series. I loved the sweet little girl that Jonah brings into Ariana’s life. I loved the all the “feels” that came with this book.
Every page, every word. LOVED IT.
Peel has another winner with this book! The characters are so engaging. The story has a little bit of everything, romance, steam, friendship, and even a bit of a mystery. Read this book! You won’t regret it!
Loved this book! Ariana and Jonah were great H and h! I loved little Whitney!! She was such a cute character! Jennifer Peel is a great author! She has another winner!!
Soooooo good, well great, no fantastic. From start to finish, I loved every character and emotion Peel conveyed through them. From the humorous touches to serious plot and I enjoyed becoming a part of their world. I cannot wait for Dani and Kinsley’s stories because they deserve their man just as much as Ariana. Getting a little glimpse of the “My Not So Wicked” crew was an added bonus because I loved them and that series so much! Every supporting character beings something extra which only makes me want more. 100% honest 5 star review!
Ariana Stanton feels that men always leave her and hesitates to return Dr. Jonah Adkinson’s love until she can understand and correct her insecurities. His patient, steadfast love and her wise therapist help her to discover her father, who sent her a letter once a year but which she returned at her now deceased mother’s insistence in the past. Having had a miserable childhood, she feels inadequate to be anyone’s wife or girlfriend. I listened to the CDs read by Nancy Peterson, who excellently portrays the roles of the different characters. The story is captivating and satisfying!
Story: 5 stars
Jennifer Peel’s books pull you in from the first moment. Her characters are damaged, raw, real and believable. As a reader/listener you find yourself drawn into the world of the main character.
Unlike most romance novels nowadays, there is only one viewpoint, not an alternating one. It makes the book that much more believable and tense, since you never truly know what the other person is thinking.
Jonah and Ariana are so perfect for each other and yet because of Ariana’s deep-seated fears and knee-jerk trauma reactions, they don’t end up together.
Years later, Jonah returns to her life divorce and with his little girl (who you will fall in love with!). Ariana finally goes to therapy and begins working really hard to heal. Ms. Peel takes her time as Ariana isn’t immediately “fixed” but has times when she reverts to her former ways of protecting herself by rejecting Jonah. (His family is awful, by the by…)
Wonderful surprises await as Ariana opens up to Jonah and her father and his family and allows love to be in her life…
I cried, I laughed, I worried and I was angry. This book takes you through the gamut of emotions. I feel that a large part of the connection for me was the narrator.
Narration: 5 stars
Nancy Peterson creates an atmosphere through her voice that pulls you in and doesn’t let you go. Her voicing of the main characters was amazing! Her voice is dreamily low for the men, normal-pitched but varied for the women, old-sounding for the grandparents, and ADORABLE as the little girl! (I think that kids’ voices are some of the most difficult to voice act believably and I couldn’t get enough of Whitney and her lisp!)
*poor, **ok, ***good, ****very good, *****something special
The book evoked so many emotions, but in a good way. I loved how I hugged the book with a big smile when I finished. I’m so glad to have discovered this author and this series! The manner in which she treated the drama of life is beautiful and inspiring. I love the as authenticity and connection I felt, the hope and the joy. Such a display of love! I feel like the author gave me a gift to cherish.
Was a really good book
A sweet story dealing the repercussions of childhood trauma.
Jennifer Peel has such a skill for writing deep, emotional romance & this book was no exception. Watching Ariana go on her own personal journey with Jonah at her side was impactful & beautiful. The perfect amount of romance & depth!
I completely related to Ariana in this story. She is looking for a tribe, people she can rely on throughout her entire life while shoving away anyone who gets too close. Once she realizes that not everyone will leave her, she opens up and finds true love, along with the family she never knew she had. Jennifer Peel drew me in, connecting the emotions until I could not put it down.
Jennifer Peel is a master of romance and emotion. I’m simply in awe of her talent.
Oh my heart! Jonah and Ariana have beautiful chemistry and even though the beginning is heartbreaking, I quickly became caught up in Ariana’s present-day transformation of healing and coming to life again as her close friends and grandma stage a bit of an intervention. Jonah’s sweet determination to not only reconnect with Ariana but win her heart and commitment was amazing, and through all the bumps in the road of emotional healing they discover how they fit in each other’s life again. I thought the personality and mannerisms of Jonah’s daughter were so interesting and really brought another layer of depth to the story as Ariana nurtures the inner child that yearns to creep out of the mold but doesn’t know how. Ariana’s difficult childhood, dysfunctional relationship with her mother, and the influence of her lack of father are explored as she relents to therapy and faces her fears with Jonah’s help. I loved the positive view of therapy and how the right therapist can be so helpful. I think it’s so important to overcome the stigma so that when the time comes in everyone’s life that they may need it, they will not feel ashamed to reach out and embrace the healing. There is a bit of a mystery with the unopened letters that keeps a sense of anticipation throughout the book, and I was satisfied with the resolution that came about. Another winner from this author that had me giggling, smiling, feeling the emotions, and wiping tears.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
This is such a great book!
It’s an incredible story that is
captivating & emotional.
Jennifer Peel, has done it again,
with her new series.
I loved Ariana, Jonah & Whitney.
It’s well-written & has wonderful characters with some intense
& incredible scenes. It will draw you in,
from the very beginning, & keep you reading till the end. Can’t wait for Book 2!
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
Another marvelously written book by Jennifer Peel. A story of a little girl dealing with abandonment issues growing up to be a woman who won’t love in fear of being abandoned or returning them back. This story evokes many emotions; anger, sorrow, passion, love and humor. It’s why I love Jennifer Peel’s stories; they draw you into them and they come alive.
I highly recommend her books.
9 years ago Ariana Stanton made one of the hardest decisions of her life. She let Jonah Adkinson go. She broke all her rules when she fell in love with him. But in her mind, she wasn’t enough for him. What mattered most was his happiness and if her past has taught her anything, it’s that she doesn’t have the ability to give him the love and happiness he deserves.
But now Jonah’s back and he’s ready to do what he should have done 9 years ago. Fight for Ariana. Fight for their love. Fight for their happiness. All these years, she’s been the only thing missing in his life. His life is not complete without her in it. He and his adorable daughter, Whitney, need her more than ever. Jonah is determined to prove to Ariana that she’s enough. Prove to her that she is loved and capable of loving in return. Prove to her that if anyone deserves a HEA, it’s them. Is it going to be easy? Absolutely not. Is it going to be worth it? You better believe it.
*dreamy sigh*
Have you ever picked up a book and knew from the very beginning that you were going to love it? Or been so captivated that you lose all track of time? Forget to eat? Or finish a book only to have it stay with you for days afterwards? If the answer to any of those questions are yes, then you know exactly how I felt while reading Return to Sender. One minute, I’m sitting in my big comfy chair in my room and the next I’m in Pine Falls getting lost in all things Ariana, Jonah and Whitney.
Oh how I adored those three! They quickly became favorites of mine. Their journey was definitely not an easy one. They had to learn to have patience, to love unconditionally, to have courage, to be understanding of each other, to have enough strength to make the necessary changes, to have faith and hope that everything will work out the way it should in the end.
Y’all! Ms. Peel has done it again! Just when I think I’ve found my favorite book by her, she releases another one and I fall in love all over again. I honestly can’t get enough of her books! I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next!
Another great read by Jennifer Peel. Can’t wait to read more in the series.
Heartbreaking backstory that really gets you rooting for Ariana. Jonas was the perfect man to stick in there during her therapy-wound lancing issues. Her friends and grandparents were delightful and well-drawn. Though I learned to like Whitney as a character, I found her a real stretch as a five-year-old. It was fun to see Ariana work with her to loosen up. Satisfying ending. You won’t be disappointed.