I’m the most hated guy on the planet right now.I went from being a Hollywood Heartthrob to a lying, cheating . . . well, you get the point.I did not cheat on my wife. I’m not that guy.The media and the angry jury of keyboard warriors have already decided that I did.I’ll be damned if I let the outside world ruin my marriage.But is it already too late?No, I’m going to sacrifice whatever it takes … late?
No, I’m going to sacrifice whatever it takes for the woman I love.
We broke each other, but I’m going to make it right . . . we’ll return to us.
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Return to Us is MORE than your normal Hollywood Elite story… Yes, you get the stardom, the tabloid rumors, the flashy cars and multiple houses, but this one… IT’S ABOUT MARRIAGE! SURVIVAL! WORK!
Return to Us is heart-wrenching and gripping story of a married couple, trying to make it work. The spotlight there only enemy. Fighting to stay strong for one another while creating a communication barrier that neither knew existed.
It’s rare that you find a book that makes you think about your own life, but Christy Pastore, walks you through the lives of Matthew and Tinley, experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions. You feel this book. The butterflies during dating, the heartache when they are apart, the loss, the betrayal, their truths! This book is EVERYTHING, every marriage is about.
Return to Us is a story of two famous people, trying to live an ordinary life and winning!
A must read!
Return to Us is an emotional story that takes you on a journey of real-life struggles. I loved that the main characters are married and the author gives us a look into the challenges. So many times the happily ever after ends at the married stage, but in life, growing and learning from a relationship, is constant. You get that in this novel. A romance that will tug at your heartstrings, show how a blossomed relationship can hit a ditch, and the commitment to choose the person in your life over and over again instead of giving up.
Matt and Tinley’s romance isn’t perfect, and that’s what I loved most. They work to regain the love they feel for one another and it is beautifully done. A wonderful closure to this series, and a group of characters I will definitely miss.
Return to Us by Christy Pastore is really an emotional story that will take the reader on one heck of a rollercoaster of journey emotionally, showing the struggles that go on in a marriage and the fight to make things work. It is a story told with such realism that I felt like I was right there the entire time. I truly felt so connected to the characters in this story and was so involved that I didn’t want the story to end for that is how great this ride was. There were challenges and fights and heartbreaks but at the same time there was hope, love and passion. This is the story of what really goes on inside a marriage, only this is a Hollywood marriage in trouble. I loved the angst and drama that was in this read. In Return to Us, we get Matthew and Tinley’s story. Tinley and Matthew are married at the start of this book and, as the blurb does tell you, this marriage is really struggling. Tinley grew up in the public eye and has withdrawn from it. Matthew is Hollywood’s current IT man. They had met when they were pursuing different things in their lives and due to that; they started their relationship which went into their marriage with a tension. They each were trying to do a balance of what they each want with the pressures of where they are in their lives, careers and marriage. Now they are at a breaking point when we start off their story. They are broken and trying hard to fight tooth and nail to save their marriage. But is their marriage worth saving? Or has the damage done already irreversible ?
This story takes along their entire relationship to give us an idea of how they got to this point of being literally steps from total devastation and the fight that takes place to prevent that break. I loved every heart wrenching moment , every tear, every sobbing breath, every angsty moment of this marriage. Tinley and Matthew are a couple that you will root for. Misunderstandings and Miscommunication are key troubles in this marriage but doesn’t every marriage have that? The reader will go thru the highs, the lows and everything in the middle during this book. There are several twists I didn’t see coming but wow! I have to say that Christy wrote such a captivating romance read which had me up all night reading and then going back and re-reading. The main characters are witty, sassy, intelligent and full of fire. There are moments of despair but doesn’t every marriage go thru that? I loved that I didn’t see Tinley and Matt as Hollywood but as real people who are suffering. They came across as friends and that is Christy’s best feature is how she can write her characters to come across as relatable, as people who connect no matter what. This story will move you and have you rooting for a positive outcome. Does Tinley and Matthew get their HEA? Only way to find out is to read this fabulous story in the Harbour Series.
My Rating: 4.8 stars *****
“I received an advanced copy of this book from the author at no cost to me.”
WOW. I absolutely loved this book. The chemistry, the emotions, the very real sense that these characters were not only characters, but my best friends. I was completely emotionally invested in this story, hooked by the excellent writing and beautiful narrative. An absolute must-read!
This book was different from my normal romance reads since the main couple are married and established. I really liked the fact that we got to see what happens after the “happily ever after” so to speak. Tinley and Matthew have been married for awhile but they hit a bump in the road. I have to applaud Matthew for being brutally honest no matter how hard he ripped our hearts out. Yes, I’m talking about mine as well. 😉
As the story progressed we see the backstory and present. I really liked how the author developed the story and the characters and the changes throughout their marriage. I am not married but I could see myself in this situation and I loved how relatable these characters were and you couldn’t help but want them to resolve their issues. This is the second book by Christy Pastore that I have read and I really enjoy her writing and story telling.
More Than Hollywood Magic!
How is this my first book by Christy Pastore? Her words cascade over the reader with insight, vigor, and solace. This love story is beautiful. Experiencing the characters’ unique perspectives is genuine and emotional.
Matt and Tinley are both successful and hard working. They are married and in the Hollywood spotlight. This book opens with a blow to their relationship and takes us on a nostalgic journey from their first meeting to present day. It reminds us that love is a verb. It is about action as much as connection. The amalgamation that is their relationship is tested. This story will make you smile, swoon, laugh, and cry. All the feels!
Miss Pastore’s writing style and character development evoked intrigue and empathy and hope and joy. I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
5 Bullseye Stars
Christy Pastore can write an awesome Hollywood story. The characters are real, the story is believable, you turn the page one after another sucked into the world they live in just like it’s happening in real time. This is the 3rd book in this series. All can be read as standalones. Yet as we all know; the stories work so much better if read as a series.
In Return to Us, we get Matthew and Tinley’s story. Matthew the actor and Tinley the childhood actor who left and has now come back into the acting scene. Having been in the profession for quite some time, they both know that the tabloids are their worst enemy. Stories get fabricated from ex-employees wanting to make a quick dollar, to photos that are clicked at the perfect time to ‘make it appear’ as something it is not.
While these two are so in love, it’s hard to read the headlines, see the photos, listen to programs all spewing stories that are not true. But when your husband and you finally get a break in filming, to spend some alone time, it’s pretty hard to take it when he tells you that he had wanted to ‘cheat’ with his latest co-star. He didn’t but…. hearing those words from the person who promised to love you forever, next to you, in front of you, above the ground and below the ground….it hurts.
What this couple goes through is what so many couples who are not in the ‘spotlight’ go through. It was good to read how real-life struggles happen to the Hollywood Elite and what they do to try to overcome.
Out of the 3 books in this series, Return to Us was my favorite! True love does exist and when you truly love each other like Matthew and Tinsley do, you try to work through your problems instead of immediately throwing in the towel. Or you perfect your ax throwing and truly go for the bullseye!!!
#BookBistroBlogApproved
this book touched me so deep I had to take the night and just let it all soak into my thoughts. I woke up this morning still on a book high as I call it, I read this book in a few hours. I couldn’t put it down, it consumed me from the first page all the way to the last. I could close my eyes and be in the same room as Matt and Tinley. I could and still can feel all the raw emotions they each had. being in a relationship going on 18 yrs, I know the ups and downs, I also know what it is like to want someone else other than whom you are with. I cried thru this book, I laughed, this is how I know this is an amazing book… when it touches me do deep that I feel every emotion as the characters do. this is a true love story, I read a lot of books and each always touching me in some way… but not do deep I have to take a full night to write a review. I am sad that the series is ending, but I am thankful it all at the same time. I will recommend this book to everyone who wants to read an amazing true to life love story with all the struggles that come with it. if I could give this book 10 stars I would.
I can’t believe this series is over! I have read all three books in the series and Return to Us is by far my favorite.
II couldn’t wait for an author to tackle a married couple and how to keep their marriage alive, strong, and safe from insecurities. Well Ms. Pastore tackled it with Return to Us. If you had the privilege to have read Bound to Me, Healed by You or even the Unscripted Series, you have already met Matthew and Tinley. If you didn’t read the books I just mentioned, that’s okay too, because this is a standalone.
The Prologue sets the tone of Return to us and it is broken in two parts. Matthew Barber is Hollywood’s action actor, Tinley Atkinson is the woman that left her soap opera many years ago, yet their paths crosses in LaLa Land. Matthew, he’s quickly smitten with the hot blonde. They meet again and the attraction is potent, but Tinley is ever the cautious woman for sure, until she finally gives into the attraction.
Part One is the getting to know each other and falling in love. You have two actors trying to make a relationship grow without the paparazzis and tabloids trying to ruin everything. After three years of marriage and some personal heartbreak for Tinley, the relationship takes on a very big u-turn. Can their love story have the fairytale happily ever after?
Just because the setting is about two actors, doesn’t make the story not believable. Remember, actors are real people, with real struggles. We always see all over TMZ or tabloids of rumors of infidelity, but are they true? Do they love making up stories so they can sell a magazine? There may be some “truth” but not everything is all black and white.
When you read Tinley’s chapters, pay close attention, there’s a lot of struggle on her part and made the story/plot line very important. Your heart will break, but it’s the advice of all and new friends that help Matthew and Tinley.
I hope you open your heart and mind, be. Can I say, that I loved seeing old friends from Ms. Patore’s previous books.
Tinley Atkinson is Hollywood royalty. Her life of late has been lived in the shadows until she meets him.
Matthew Barber is a Hollywood heartthrob. He has never been more sure than his desire for her.
The chemistry between the two characters is undeniable. Their romance is a roller coaster ride to not be missed. I liked the story line, though at times I was a bit confused at the timeline of some of the events. The characters were realistic and very likeable.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I will definitely be picking up the rest of this series and would recommend this book to a friend.
I’ll shamelessly admit Christy Pastore is one of my favorite writers; Return to Us does not disappoint! Rather than a new romance; she brings us the real work in a marriage to find the romance that once was!
Christy gives us insight into each character, writing raw, real feelings!! Matthew and Tinley’s emotion and heartache grab you; Christy weaves her vivid details onto every page always bring us back to love! Christy’s imagery; fabulous fun locations, stunning fashion sense & style, and the adult beverages…keep me coming back!! Well, that, & The Harbour ~
I really enjoyed Return to Us. It was an excellent addition to the Harbour Series. Christy Pastore did a great job creating lovable characters. I found myself captivated by their story and wishing I could read faster so I could find out how was going to end. If you’re looking for a book that will give you all the feels I would recommend me reading this book.
This book had me from the start. I loved the other books from the series and even though I didn’t want it to end I couldn’t wait to see how Christy would do it. Well she killed it. This was by far my most favorite book of the series. I felt every emotion while reading this story. Christy did an amazing job of giving us the back story, letting us see this couple fall in love. Being able to see the friendship they built before they married made me root for them even more when things went bad. There was a pure honesty in the way Matthew and Tinley fought for their marriage. It was raw and emotional. Just when you thought, here is where they will loose each other they found their way back again.
If you want a read that will make you feel all the feels I highly recommend this book.
Cheers to the Riot Club!
I love Christy’s way of pulling us into this world. Its like getting a true sneak peek into the life of our favorite celebrities. She manages to capture all the feels of what it is like to be a power couple, the worlds eyes watching and speculating on what they think is going on, yet not actually knowing anything.
Matthew and Tinley are a real life married couple trying to juggle their careers and fame and still maintain a loving relationship. All of their trials and heartache are kept hidden well from paparazzi but somehow all their vulnerablities keep popping up on the headlines. Since their careers seem to keep a certain amount of distance between them, its hard for them to reconnect and get back to that place where the only thing that mattered was each other.
We start their story with a devastating revelation. In times like this, the best thing to do is go back to the beginning. There we can really see the draw between the two and how they came to be. Its easy to form an opinion without all the facts.
Mattley’s story may be my favorite so far in the Harbour series because it was more relatable. Even though they are Superstars, their insecurities and marital problems make them mere mortals.
I really liked the timeline as well. It keeps up with the previous stories and getting to say “hello” to those characters (esp Grady) is a big bonus.
I can’t wait to see what else Pastore has in store for us.
Holy roller coaster of emotions!!!! gah this book was perfection!!!! I loved Tinley and Matt!! the story is so filled with emotions that one minute you will be sweating for the scorching hot moments and the next you will be crying because of the sadness that comes with it.. their story wasn’t perfect, but their struggles and the realness of it made it a perfect book with just the right amount of obstacles to overcome and give us the happy ending you root for until the very end!! best of the series for sure!!!
Please Note: For readers 18+ as this book does contain explicit sexual content and crude language.
Return to Us is the story of Matthew Barber (Hollywood’s Heartthrob) and Tinley Atkinson (America’s Sweetheart). Can Matthew and Tinley find love and happiness with the whole world watching and the tabloids dishing dirt? Will their path to love be deterred by a fork (or two) in the road? To be honest, I wasn’t sure I was going to like Matthew Barber from the beginning pages – but boy was I wrong! I fell more in love with him as the story progressed! A great book with great characters.
One of my favorite lines in this book, “The only thing I plan on wrecking darlin’, is your bed”.
A Toast to the Riot Club! To Ronan/Holiday – Alex/Ella – Grady/Harlow – Matthew/Tinley
May all your ups and downs stay between the sheets!
Side note: Still waiting to hear Matthew’s theory on Tom & Jerry
#soapythighs #mattleyforever #hellnomattina #itsfinallymattleyday
The Harbour Series:
Bound to Me (Book 1)
Healed by You (Book 2)
Return to Us (Book 3)
Return to Us was my favorite in the series, the perfect finale to the series. Christy Pastore wrote the real life struggles of love, beautifully. I was able to relate to so many parts of this story. I loved getting glimpses back and forth from the past to present as she took me on an emotional roller coaster. Just as I’d ask, what went wrong? The story would unfold and I’d learn more about their relationship. I fell in love with Matthew and Tinley.
4.5 stars
If you’ve read even one of my reviews, chances are you know I cry. I have tears and they are not afraid to show up. Return to Us will bring them welling in your eyes, tracking down your cheeks, and considering a second round. Whether I’m sensitive or not, that prologue had me on edge. The edge of nausea and heartache. I can’t explain other than to say 4 questions and 6 words had me wanting to vomit, hug Tinley, and rage all at the same time.
Did I mention this is my first Christy Pastore book? I have the others in the series but I couldn’t wait, something about Return to Us drew me in and wouldn’t quit. It’s beautiful. It’s sad. It’s filled with that spark…The one that makes you think love is eternal and nothing will ever get in its way. But if you get to that part of the book that oozes love, you already know that it isn’t exactly smooth sailing.
With a prologue that will hurt your heart, you know the bad is coming. You just can’t imagine getting there. With a romance like this doubt and denial are strong, but Mattley is stronger. (I always thought the celeb couple naming was annoying but when in Rome…)
Return to Us may be the third book in the series but these appear to be interconnected standalone. I may not have been up on all the hinted comments but it didn’t take away from the story at all. So if you are like me and too eager to wait, fear not. Return to Us will sweep you off your feet and restore your faith.
Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
It may have been insta love that attracted them to each other but it was real love that kept them together. After meeting well running into each other numerous times they finally get the chance to really meet. Love may not be enough to keep them together. They might have to fight, will they fight, for each other for more than a minute in time? They made a promise to each other and as the author takes us through it all going back and forth in time, we get to be apart of it.
No this isn’t like the previous books it is so much more, It’s about life and love and what it means to these two. Their story is one to bask in, become invested in because it’s what two people who feel their love is worth everything would do. I loved it, and felt it, all the way to my toes.
What comes to mind when someone says “Darlin”?…it will forever be #Mattley for me now.
Christy Pastore has a true talent for giving an amazing backstory for each and every one of her characters, and Return to Us doesn’t disappoint.
Tinley Atkinson is perfect: soap opera actress, beautiful blonde locks, blue eyes, famous mother, boarding school in Switzerland…what else could she possibly need?? Matthew Barber…her husband…but life gets in the way.
Return to Us is a beautifully crafted work of art that brings every aspect of the story to life as vividly as if you were the characters themselves. The laughter, the love, the pain…oh the pain…Matthew and Tinley’s pains brought me to tears.
Pastore works her magic with this one, and now I find myself Googling axe throwing and considering the benefits of such a hobby….pique your interest and give Return to Us a chance to pull you in to the East Harbour, beautiful darlins!