The Day He Came Back

WOWZA!
It’s no surprise that Penelope Ward has just written another amazing book! The Day He Came Back is so powerful, captivating, emotional, beautiful, everything you need in a great book! I truly enjoyed every word! Don’t just add this book to your TBR, read it ASAP! You don’t want to miss this!!

I received an ARC of this book and am willingly giving my honest review.

Gavin and Raven couldn’t be any further from the other sides of the track. Gavin grew up in a privileged household. Finest schools, cars, life in general. Raven worked for Gavin’s family. Her mother a long time housekeeper for the family.

One summer changed it all for both of them. It was a summer of forbidden love – until it all got taken away.

Now 10 years later Gavin is back home and the last person he ever expected to see was the girl who broke his heart. Raven is just as surprised to see Gavin… all the secrets and all the lies are about to come to a head.

This book was emotional, angsty and pulled on your heartstrings in every direction. I loved Gavin from the moment we met him. Gavin and Raven together were magical. Another great book from Penelope!

The Day he Came Back was a sweet second chance romance. Gavin and Raven come from completely different backgrounds. Gavin comes from a family with money and there are certain expectations that he has to live up to. Gavin is the complete opposite of his elitist and judgmental mother and his pompous, egotistical younger brother, but Gavin is tired of the their lifestyle and how they treat others that don’t have money. When he first meets Raven he is taken by her beauty but he also loves how real and down to earth she is. Raven is a breath of fresh air and a welcome change from all of the stereotypical rich and materialistic girls Gavin has grown up with. Raven can’t help but question Gavin and his intentions, but once she is able to his true heart she sees what a kind, humble and respectful person he is. Even though Gavin’s mother has made it clear she would never approve of him dating Raven, they spend the whole summer getting to know each other, and they fall and fall hard. Both Raven and Gavin can’t imagine a life without one another and begin to plan a future together. But life gets in the way, and when cruel obstacles and loyalties drive them apart, they are both left shattered and heart broken. I enjoyed the chemistry between Gavin and Raven, but there were parts of the story that felt rushed. I was taken aback by a few of Raven’s secrets, secrets that felt a little misplaced in the story and left me confused. Not my favorite book by Penelope Ward, but a sweet story.

Great story and great characters.

Another wonderful story by Penelope Ward. Love and loss. Longing and heartbreak. Joy and laughter. Beautiful.

Two people from opposite lifestyles had a connection once they first met. However they will soon learn that a relationship between them is not in the books for them.

Gavin Masterson comes from a family where status is important. His family has plans for his future and if his mother has anything to say about it he will marry someone she will approve of to keep at their social standing.

Raven Donatacci is helping her mom work for the Masterson family when she unexpectedly meets Gavin after he overhears her talking smack about his little brother. That one unexpected encounter was a start of something neither one of them planned. The problem…they comes from two different sides of the track and getting close with the help is something that was unheard of according to his mother.

Gavin and Raven gets to knows each other and it was pleasant to see how their banter and little moments will give you the feels. The challenges and risk just to be around each other made the relationship grow into something more. However, good things does not come easily and Raven is suddenly face with a decision she has to make where it was one not to take lightly. It is what ultimately made or break what was looking to becoming something more.

Years later they meet again under similar circumstances but in an unconventional way sort of speak. The shocking surprise will have you at a lost for words but the chemistry between two people is still present. The truth of what happens years back comes in fruition when Gavin’s little brother reveals something and becomes a question on what will come out of the truth. However, times have change and the question if they are with someone comes to mind.

Getting over what has happened in the past is something that they need to face. It is whether or not it is enough regardless of how much time has gone by. This was a sweet read of possibilities that will have you heart hoping.

“I’d never dreamed that today— a random Wednesday— would be the day he came back.”

Penelope Ward is responsible for two of my fav books so usually when she releases something new I pay attention. I know with her I will get a angsty romance without the dark and twisted ways of some of my fav authors. After reading this one I can now add another fav of hers to the list!

“There is absolutely nothing you can do or not do that would make getting to have you anything less than the best experience of my life.”

Told in dual POV, this second chance romance takes place in two parts…..10 years ago and present day.
It asks the question…..
“How many times in life do you have a chance to undo your biggest regret?”
…..and shows that true love stands the test of time and circumstances. Its angsty and hot, uplifting and infuriating, sweet and heartbreaking. It does include a HEA but will have you desperately turning the page until you get there.

“Feel that. That’s what happens whenever I think about what you mean to me. When you said that about my mother and used the word hate, my heart went crazy, because that goes against everything it knows.”

A time-jumping second chance romance set in the uppity town of Palm Beach, The Day He Came Back introduces us to Raven (the “help”) and Gavin (the rich boy thats off limits). Working in his home for the Summer, Raven has no idea that the Masterson’s oldest son will become so much more to her over one sweet summer. Her mom warned her of the rules, Ruth (Gavin’s mom) will not allow either of her sons to fall in love with someone from across the bridge and Raven has no plans to be a summer fling left with a broken heart……her heart didnt care about the rules or her plans.

“Every second she looked in my eyes, she owned a little more of me.”

Gavin is home for the Summer, ready to start Yale in the Fall. He doesn’t expect the part time maid to be the most beautiful girl hes ever seen OR connect with her deeper than he has with anyone else. He knows the risks of loving her, he doesn’t care if his mom disinherits or disowns him. But its not just him she can destroy, especially when Raven’s own mom desperately needs the job that Ruth provides. And what happens when Ruth forces Raven to make a choice that has heartbreaking consequences no matter what.

“It’s interesting, because you’ve always reminded me of porcelain— first because of your skin, but also because porcelain is somehow tempting to touch, even though we know we can destroy it very easily. You never mean to break it, but sometimes it slips and breaks anyway. I’m afraid to break you.”

They fell in love and had their hearts broken in one summer ten years ago, they were supposed to move on. But fate has other plans when they bring them back together in the place it all happened…..but what happens when you get that second chance? Is the secret Raven’s been carrying around bring them back together or tear them further apart? Is it too late to rewrite the past?

“The girl you wanted more than anything at one time? She’s still here.”

When given a second chance with your first true love, it comes down to giving it another shot or getting closure and moving on. There is a HEA, but be prepared to sit on the edge of your seat getting there.

“Raven had the kind of beauty that made a man lose his mind, made him risk everything. That’s apparently what I was doing.”
Need an example of a selfless, brave and badass heroine? Well look no further because Raven is it. The amount of strength she shows in this book (both in the past and present) is admirable, the fact that the makes a choice that breaks her own heart in order to protect those she loves showcases just how selfless and strong she is. Even when she has the chance to come clean and place the blame where it rightfully should be, she selflessly holds back so she doesn’t tarnish a legacy or hurt someone else even though it means she could lose the one person she truly loves. I love that despite being from “across the bridge” she was never ashamed of who she was. She refuses to be treated less than just because she doesnt have the money others do. She is a little spit fire, and who doesnt want their heroine to be able to kick asses twice her size? I found myself at times wanting to scream at her to just come clean and spill the secret, but it made her such a better character to root for because she couldn’t bring herself to do it! She is definitely easy to root for and love, and is a new addition to my fav females list.

“Gavin was the one who got away. My heart had never healed, the space within it reserved for someone it couldn’t have, never allowing anyone else fully in.”
The thing about Gavin is he truly is a good guy….if you get your kicks from the cruel anti-hero types, well he isn’t your guy. He is down to earth and not afraid to spill his heart out. I mean he is willing to risk everything (being disowned and being penniless) just to be with Raven when they are younger. He never treats her like she is a maid or that she is lucky to have his attention. Now dont mistake that for him being boring…..he has a knack for dirty talk and can handle himself in between the sheets. His flirty ways resulted in some of my fav highlights from the book…..
“I might have to bite my lip on that one.”“Oh, but it’s so much fun when you don’t,” he said with a glimmer in his eyes.

Don’t look at me like that,” I said, though I loved the way he was looking at me. “Like what?”“Like you want to… eat me or something.”“I do. Very badly.”
These together? Because their connection doesnt start out sexually, its so beautiful to watch them truly fall in love. Its only after they have connected on that deeper level that it becomes physical. Their love story is one of my favs, its incredibly sweet and really one to invest in. The way they feel for each other (especially the things Gavin says to her) seriously gave me the goosies from time to time. This isnt full of sex, in fact it makes up very little of the book, but what we do get is hot and steamy and surprisingly the story wouldnt have been as special if it had included more. I LOVE them.

“Remember how I said this was my favorite place?”“Yeah?”“Well, you’re my favorite person.”

All in all, Penelope Ward hit another one out the park. She created a story that checked all my boxes for a second chance romance. She didn’t go to heavy or dark yet gave us enough tragedy to tug at our heart strings without shattering us into a million pieces.

“Can I tell you a secret? You’re the most beautiful girl in the world.”

If you are in a book hangover or need a read that is sure to make you feel good afterwards, give this one a shot. It is exactly what the doc ordered.

“I wasn’t meant to feel complete with anyone else. I was meant to be with you, Raven.”

Gavin and Raven were everything! This book delivered love,angst, loss and longing all in one.

I enjoyed the fact that this story is told in dual point of view. It gives a better insight into the characters and their mindset.

The supporting characters in this story are just as relevant as the main characters. Their stories all woven together to give you this amazing read.

I must say that I was glad to be able to see the growth of Weldon, Gavin’s brother. It was nice for them to finally truly be “family” to one another.

Another book from Penelope Ward that will stay with you after the last page. Definitely one for my signed paperback collection. Till the next time.

* A review copy was provided by the author *

~ 5 Ravin’s Improv Stars ~

I feel like all my reviews for Penelope Ward sound the same, but when you find that author that never disappoints and you will read anything she writes, then I just want to continue to brag about her books.

The Day He Came Back is Penelope’s latest standalone novel!! This book was amazing…It totally reminded me why I fell in love with her books. This story is what I have come to expect when I pick up one her stories. She always takes my heart on an emotional roller coaster. This one had me crying, laughing, yelling and even falling in love. I have always said that Jake and Nina (From Jake Undone & Jake Understood) are my all time favorite couple but Gavin and Raven are now a close second. I absolutely LOVED this couple.

Gavin and Raven’s story is a love story that spans over a decade. This is a second chance romance told in Dual POV. This story starts when Gavin is 21 yrs old and he meets a 20 yr old Raven, who works for his family. In the first part of this story we watch a sweet love blossom between two unlikely characters. Two people who are from two different worlds, but find a way to make it work. That is until it doesn’t and they are separated. Then it is ten years later and Gavin is coming home to see his ailing father. Little did he know walking back into his childhood home he would have to face a past he wasn’t ready to face. Can Gavin and Raven get past everything that happened years ago and find their HEA?? You will need to read this book to find out how Gavin and Raven’s story ends.

I will say that I normally love the secondary characters that Penelope writes into her stories, but this is the first time that it took me a long time to warm up to them. By the end I really liked Marni and Weldon and I liked watching their characters also grow in a better direction. I am actually now holding out hope that someday we will get a story for Weldon (Gavin’s brother).

I would recommend her books to all romance readers. She gives the reader a little bit of everything in her stories. Lovable characters, steam, angst, drama and even some unexpected twists. Her books are what I look for in a 5 star read. I know that I will be taken on a roller coaster ride with my emotions, but I also know that Penelope will put me back together in the end. I always have a smile on my face at the end of her books.

If you haven’t read a book by Penelope Ward all I can say is what are you waiting for. You need experience her emotional stories for yourself. Once you read one you will want to read them all!!!

Where does one begin to describe a masterpiece of words????
This book has so many emotions that I literally laughed out loud at times…and shamelessly shed tears…this book was EVERYTHING!!!

Gavin was so swoony that it hurt…Raven was so relatable that I honestly felt like I was experiencing every single feeling, action, and thought that she had.

When Penelope typed “The End” on this book…I hope she did a mic drop. She has completely blown me away…in the most amazing way.

Well played Mrs. Ward.