A conversation I was never supposed to hear.A bargain I had no right to make.A promise I couldn’t break, no matter the consequences.It cost me what I love most.Her.I know Eden thinks it’s all my fault.And it is.But it’s hers, too. Because she ran, vanished, before I had a chance to explain. Before I had a chance to tell her the one thing that could’ve saved us.Now she’s back and I’m determined to … saved us.
Now she’s back and I’m determined to make up for all the years we lost. Determined to win back the woman who’s always been mine…
Consequences be damned.
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Like many of her readers, I first fell in love with Eden and Jude during the #ChooseYourOwnRomance short story teaser that ran on the author’s Instragram earlier this year. Each week, I’d eagerly anticipate the next installment of this amazing story–wishing–desperately hoping for the moment this couple would overcome everything that occurred in the past and reunite forever. It was such a bittersweet moment when all my hopes for their happy ending came to fruition. For me, it meant that their story was coming to an end way too soon. So…
When Katy Ames later announced she’d written an extended version of Returning to Eden, wild horses couldn’t keep me from getting my hands on an ARC about one of my favorite couples! LOL! It was everything I’d hoped and imagined it would be. It never once lost that emotion and passion that drew me in from the very beginning.
First of all, second chance romances are at the top of my favorite tropes list. There’s something powerful about a couple who has a bit of a history and must prevail over the loss and pain they brought on themselves. Stories such as these hold a special place in my heart, and Eden and Jude’s emotional story are as special as they come.
Sacrifices were made. Hearts were crushed to bitter little pieces. Distance and time separated two people who were destined to be together from the moment they came into each others’ lives. My heart truly ached for Eden and Jude. Would it be too extreme to say that I might have, probably, sort of, kind of actually suffered little palpitations reading this story?! It was so agonizing knowing that what kept them apart all these years could have been resolved so long ago–if only Jude had discussed his plans… if only Eden had stayed and listened… if only Eden had better parents…if only, if only… But no matter the circumstances, whatever occurred in their lives, or whoever they were with–time and distance did nothing to diminish their love for each other. The pull between them was as strong as ever:
“Eden has always affected me on the most basic level. It’s elemental, a force of nature. I’m the withering plant, she’s the sun breaking from the clouds. Me, the earth, her, the quake that tears it quickly, violently apart.”
I could go on and on about how much I love this story, how much Eden and Jude have climbed into my heart, or how I felt their pain and anguish, or even how I breathed their passion, and–most of all–how much I truly love this author’s way with words:
I don’t know why she’s doing it, why she’s letting me in. But the pounding of my heart drowns out all of my questions, and we fall into a rhythm. Lips open, together, tongues touch, retreat, breaths halt, meld. The kiss feels endless. Perfect and forbidden…
“I didn’t know how to explain before, the overwhelming craving that hits me when I taste you… I used to think kisses were simple. Straightforward. Not always a means to an end, but not necessarily things to be savored either. But with you… Sometimes I think I could live off kissing you, the way your breathe fills me, and your little sighs satisfy me like nothing else can…”
Years ago, Eden felt betrayed, and rightfully so, but my heart absolutely broke for Jude–all he ever wanted was to make Eden happy, to make her dreams come true, to make sure she had and did everything she ever wanted–but in the midst of all his sacrificing, he didn’t quite realize that the one thing she truly wanted was him.
My favourite piece of work from Katy to date! Returning to Eden is a masterpiece of twists and turns. It’s the kind of story that unfolds bit by tantalizing, agonizing bit, leaving you desperate to get your hands on the whole picture. I was floored by how captivated this story kept me from start to finish; it’s definitely one of those can’t-put-it-down reads. Eden and Jude’s chemistry is off the charts to begin with, and I loved seeing it deepen and grow into a fierce and passionate bond as the past that joined them together was revealed to me. Be ready to get hit by a serious feels train when you dive into this one! It’s not a read to be missed, and I can’t wait to see what Katy follows it up with.
When Katy Ames started a “Choose Your Own Romance” story on her Instagram feed, I was immediately on board and looked forward to not only reading the weekly installments of Jude and Eden’s story, but also contributing to the direction and outcome of the story. So needless to say, I was ecstatic to see that their story was being released in novel form and I enjoyed the re-read and additions to the story, as well as the promise of more books featuring these characters to come! I’m such a fan of second chance romances and this is a superb one: full of angst and emotions and HEAT. Jude’s selflessness is something that has remained with me since the first time I read their story and it was just reinforced with this reread. He is without a doubt on my Top 10 Book Boyfriend list and believe me when I say that there is some stiff competition there (how could it not be with the number of books that I consume?)! 5 out of 5 wine glasses.
What if the life you thought you was based on not knowing the truth.
For 10 years Eden thought she was doing what was right by staying away and living in misery and heartbreak. When she if forced to come home cause of a death of her best friend.she wi have to face the past and the love her life and the source of all the pain. Will she be able to fix what was broken all the years ago?
Jude a really nice guy trying to the right thing. Did the one thing that he thought was right. When Eden comes back to face the past will he be willing to tell her everything to get back what they once had or will it stay in the past and leave them both broken?
What an amazing emotional heartbreaking read. With so much loss and misplaced hate. Thus pulled me in a didn’t let go till the end can’t wait for more .
Talk about a twist and one that you don’t see coming. She returns home. Well to the place she ran from years before. A tragic event has brought her there. This pain, anguish and torment as well is felt from every word the author writes. She doesn’t want to be there. This is a second chance romance, however that’s not what we get when this starts. We feel her pain. Witness the longing. Now we find out why. A deeply emotional read with plenty of steam will have you fanning over the resolution but hang on to your kindle for the reveal.
Great story from an author new to me through happenstance and one I have thoroughly enjoyed. Great characters, interesting and steam that will burn up your kindle.
Whew! I wasn’t sure they would manage to find their way. Jude and Eden were in love in high school. They are getting ready to leave for college when everything changes.
Eden has been on her own for years but now she’s come home when she finds out her friend Noah died. But Noah left something behind that will force Eden and Jude to face the past. And what a past? Great characters, overwhelming emotion and two people who are perfect for each other but have almost been destroyed by the past. Bring a tissue, this one will bring tears. (I voluntarily reviewed an ARC).
A second chance romance that is very emotional and suspenseful. So much time lost because of a misunderstanding. Eden and Jude’s story is quite unlike anything I’ve read and it’s hard to say much without being a spoiler. Let me just say that this is a great book that’s hard to put down once you begin. I read a reader copy and voluntarily chose to write a review.
I could not put it down once I started it and did not want it to end when I got there. This is not your straight forward second chance romance. It is a book about true love, making mistakes and fighting for what you want. Great character development, steamy sex scenes and twists and turns to really be able to sink into the book.
This book is wonderful, it will keep you from putting it down. Eden and Jude were best friends when they were young but something happens to turn their relationship. When this happens Eden leaves and doesn’t come home for years. Eden and Jude are given a second chance when she does come home.
While reading this I would go from emotion to emotion. I love when I get captured by the story and characters and am able to feel what they are feeling. I became invested and wanted them to have a happy ending.
The writing is absolutely wonderful and this story is heartbreaking. These characters lost so much time, caused by secrets. Eden and Jude make some questionable choices, but more so on his end. I loved that they are getting to know each other again and there laying everything out there with each other.
No more lies and a second chance. The heat from the intimate scenes are extremely hot! A must read!
Wow. Returning to Eden was my first Ames book and let me tell you, I’m in love with the writing. This emotional feels grabbing read was everything I needed in a second-chance romance. The characters, Eden and Jude were just so wonderfully created, complex and flawed in all the best ways. Their romance was all-consuming and yet they had to fight for it, which made the second-chance aspect so delicious. I read this baby in a day, putting it down wasn’t an option.
Returning to Eden is written in a unique way where my heart was grabbed by Eden and Jude’s story, and I couldn’t help but feel there pain and love along side of them. Great read!
Have you ever read a book that makes your heart pound, your stomach drop, and your eyes tear up all at once? That’s what this book did to me. Jude and Eden broke, so I broke with them. They hurt, so I hurt. They put themselves back together, so I felt whole again, too. The raw emotion in this book cuts deep, and the secrets trying to fight their way to the surface demand that you continue reading.
I adored Jude, Eden, and even Allie in this book. I wanted to find Allie’s dad and high-five him with a brick, and I honestly wanted to do the same to Eden’s mother. To know that some should-be-grown-and-mature adults allowed the lives of those they loved (or should have loved) to be torn apart to save face disgusted me, but that all made this story that much more compelling. The secrets, lies, and twists in this book kept me enthralled, even while my stomach was in my feet and I almost didn’t want to delve further into Eden’s heartbreak. Once all of the secrets were laid out for all to see, the love that Jude had for Eden, and the lengths he’d go to for her to have what he thought she wanted in life made for a beautiful, painful, gripping story.
Eden left her small town and very purposely never looked back. What follows is an unraveling of duel pasts- the one she believed, which acted as a catalyst for her avoidance of anything to do with the town… and the other narrative.
It was interesting, though a bit unsettling, to see the main character react the way that she did to the collision with her past, mainly because we have no idea of what to expect. She’s emotionally lost, badly burned, and distrustful to the point of maybe being paranoid. But we, as the readers, have no clue as to what happened, and have to read further to discover the details.
The lack of understanding of Eden’s past and present made it very difficult for me to relate to her as a strongly character-driven reader. This is told from dual POV, but I can’t really say anything about the other (main) character without causing a spoiler, so I won’t. Watching the pieces come together, including a twist that I didn’t see coming (which is extremely hard to accomplish, so bravo on that) was interesting, and there was definitely lots of steamy tension.
3.5-4.0 stars from me.