When her father is found in a coma after suffering a heart attack, Philadelphia divorce attorney, Julia Hughes-Humphries, returns to Friendship, the small western Pennsylvania hometown she’s avoided for five years. A literal run-in at the hospital reunites her with the man she’s vowed to steer clear of, her childhood best friend, Thad Tanner. The same best friend who dumped her and their … friendship five years earlier.
Newly divorced Thad has devoted all of his time to building his security consultation business and creating a stable life for his son, Max. When he bumps into Julia—the woman who had his back until his stupidity got in the way—he has an opportunity to fix what he screwed up. He won’t let anything, not even the feelings he’s denied his entire life, interfere with their renewed friendship.
The more time they spend together, the more they’re reminded of their chemistry and compatibility, and the sizzle between them becomes harder to ignore. With Thad suddenly as her source of support and comfort, can Julia learn to trust him again? Thad is determined to prove he can be what Julia needs, but she isn’t the only one discouraged by doubts and restricted by responsibilities. Can their relationship survive as hidden truths are revealed, and secrets escape the shadows of the past?
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RATING 4.5 STARS
Returning to Friendship is book one in the Friendship series by Chantal Mer. This is the second book I’ve read of Chantal’s and also her debut book! I’m just in love with her writing. This is the story of two people that definitely took the long road to finding their happy ever after.
Julia Hughes-Humphries is a divorce attorney in Philadelphia, PA. Julia grew up in the little town of Friendship, about five hours away as an only child of her parents who are both doctors. Julia has been best friends since Kindergarten with Thad Tanner. A man she might have hidden feelings for that are definitely more than just friendship feelings over the years. But after Thad married Sarah, their friendship suffered. Thad just cut her off, causing a pain she still feels. When Julia receives a phone call saying her beloved father has suffered a heart attack and is in a coma, she has to rush home to the town she hasn’t been back to for five years. And she knows that she will have to face Thad while she’s there, and all the feelings she has tried to forget.
Thaddeus (Thad) Tanner never should have married Sarah. And now the marriage is over. But even though they are divorced, they are both dedicated to their three year old son, Max. When Thad hears about Julia’s father’s heart attack, he knows his Jules will come back to Friendship. This is his chance to make things right between them. He never should have let their friendship die. Thad has always felt so much more for Julia than just friends. But he could never risk letting her know. So he would continue to keep those thoughts to himself and try to salvage their friendship. Try to earn her forgiveness.
“With this man by her side, she’d make it through the day.”
While Julia’s relationship with her mother is strained to say the least, she was very close to her father. Seeing him in such a state is hard to accept. Julia needs Thad by her side for support and is so grateful to have him there. But those old feelings are still there.
“Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith and trust another person completely.”
The more time Julia and Thad spend together, the closer they become and it becomes impossible for either of them to ignore what they are feeling, what they want. But her father being ill isn’t the only issue plaguing these two. Secrets are revealed and old hurts fester. As things progress, it felt like they both are bombarded on every side with one thing after another as they are trying to also navigate their feelings for each other.
“He was Godiva truffles. He was a sumptuous glass of red wine. He was a romantic walk on a moonlit beach. He was divine.”
While failure to communicate isn’t one of my favorite conflicts, I couldn’t help but to love these two. They both needed each other desperately and I loved the bond they shared. And of course, little Max is adorable. This is a beautifully written story of two people that have loved each other since they were five years old. It just took them a little longer than most to finally recognize it and find their happiness together. I loved the epilogue! It gave me the perfect closure I needed. I look forward to the second book in this series, Xander’s story, Running From Friendship. I was very intrigued by him and look forward to getting to know him.
“He craved her. He required her.”