From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward, comes a new standalone novel.
It was the summer of my life.
I’d met the guy of my dreams.
Unfortunately, he was the son of my uppity employer¿and very much off-limits.
But Gavin was a rebel. He knew his mother would disown him if she found out about us; in his eyes, we just had to be careful.
He never treated me as his mother did-like hired … did-like hired help.
Instead, Gavin put me on a pedestal and loved me harder than I’d ever been loved in my life.
What a summer it was.
Until it all ended-badly.
I was never supposed to see Gavin again.
That didn’t stop me from thinking about him every day for ten years.
I knew little about his life now, just that he was an entrepreneur living an ocean away.
When a twist of fate had me working again in the very place our love affair started a decade earlier, I knew it was only a matter of time before I might see him again.
But I wasn’t prepared.
What if he hated me?
What if he loved someone else now?
I wasn’t prepared for all the unknowns.
And most of all, I wasn¿t prepared for today to be the day he came back.
more
Second chances are rare; made even less likely when secrets lurk and the heartbreak is so visceral. Yet, I’d never wanted two characters to find each other again more than I did while reading this story. Gavin and Raven stole my breath away with each tender moment, tentative smile, laughable jest, and stabbing emotional onslaught. The building of a bridge between their two worlds had me riveted with angsty nerves and swooning beats of the heart. Gavin is quite literally the embodiment of hope for what one wants in their other half. He is so gentle and kind, honest and refreshing, humorous and sexy. The development of feelings was so well-written that I simply never wanted to put the story down. I wanted to trace my fingers along so many lines, many times….the highlights feature became my favorite thing while using my kindle for this book. There are so many moments and quotes that I always wanted to go back to, the story was enchanting. Raven is such a stellar character as she is so filled with love and passion, a goodness that I never want to find lacking in a heroine. I wept many times throughout the story, the emotional upheaval it wrought was utter perfection. Grief, loss, and time leave marks on the heart and soul but these two characters stand together even when they’re apart. The trials these two face are real and true in every way and I could read their story again with zeal. The tragic moments, once eclipsed by hopeful ones, will leave you with a full heart. This is a must-read second chance romance!
The Day He Came Back reminded my why I love Penelope Ward’s book so much. This story was a beautifully written second chance romance. Raven and Gavin’s story was emotional, it was heartbreaking, it was beautiful and it was everything a second chance should be.
There was an instant connection between Raven and Gavin. They knew they only had the summer, that their relationship was forbidden but that didn’t keep them from spending time together. That is until everything came crashing down around them.
This story is told from both Raven and Gavin’s point of view and is split into two parts. Part One is their initial summer together. We learn the events of what happened during their short lived relationship. Part two is the future. Ten years later. The day Gavin came back.
The emotion in this book got to me. The sacrifices Raven made to protect everything. The slow burn. I LOVED every single moment of this story and of Gavin and Raven’s relationship.
Penelope Ward knocked it out of the park with this book. A MUST READ and one of my favorites by her!
I’m going to start by saying I was in tears the last 30% of this book. The two main characters are Gavin and Raven. Against all odd these two fall in love over the course of one summer. Unfortunately, there is a dark secret that keeps these two apart for 10 years. I love how Penelope took the time to delve into these characters. It made the ending that much sweeter.
It started so good, and I knew instantly I was in for a treat. Raven was great, I loved, that she was so strong and that she knew jujitsu. I have to admit, I cried some too, could not help myself, I mean the title already said a lot about the story, but still could help myself. Gavin was a great guy when he was young and in love. I caught myself looking at the the end of the site to see how much more I have to read and I really hated it when I realized I was halfway through already. The book was so good, that I am really tempted to start reading from the beginning, for me it was really emotional, even I never experience anything remotely in real life. Good job Penelope you did it again, love love love this book. For me it is always the thing, that you make them honest.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance free Reader Copy of this book.
Penelope Ward never fails to entertain with her stories. While I’ve read them all, and have my favorites, this one is definitely among the top.
Gavin and Raven bring us through their history and their future, holding you rapt with their story.
Meeting when they were young adults, their romance wasn’t something that everyone was happy about. When a rift is brought between them, it takes 10 years to find their way back and figure out whether anything can be salvaged.
Definitely a wonderful read that I didn’t want to put down!
5 Stars!
Raven Donatacci is a 20 yr. old girl from Florida. Her mom works as a housekeeper for the Masterson’s, a rich, powerful family in Palm Beach. They have two sons whose futures have already been mapped out for them. The oldest Gavin is enjoying his last summer home before law school when he lays eyes on the strikingly beautiful Raven. He couldn’t get her out of his head, and wanted to get to know her better. His parents had a plan for his life that didn’t include the girl from across the bridge. They tried to control and dictate his choices, but Raven had made a big impression on him in a short amount of time. They came from different worlds, but she saw the real him.
Raven has an unforgettable summer where she allows herself to get completely lost in Gavin. His kisses are addictive, and she can’t resist him or his smile. She knew his mother would never accept her, but she didn’t want their time together to end. Then everything spirals out of control. Sacrifices are made, secrets are kept, and she’s left heartbroken and with regrets.
Ten years later she finds herself back working at the Masterson’s, and coming face to face with the one that got away. The only guy she’s ever loved is back.
Gavin returns home from London for the first time in a year. He’s completely blindsided to see Raven again. All his old feelings come flooding back at the sight of her, and he realizes his heart never healed or forgot her. They were young when they fell in love, and their paths went separate ways. Neither is prepared to handle the unbreakable connection that still exists between them.
The Day He Came Back by Penelope Ward is a sexy, forbidden, standalone second chance romance about heartbreak and first loves. It’s a beautiful love story full of angst and emotion. I really loved this book, these characters, and adore this author’s writing!
This is second chance romance at its best! Penelope outdid herself with this one!
Gavin and Raven stole my heart!!! Penelope Ward is so amazing!!! What a brilliant, phenomenal author!!!! This book is beyond five stars!!!! Best love story of the year!!!!!
This is without a doubt, my favorite Penelope Ward book!! The Day He Came Back was so much more than I expected, I was so hooked and in love with not just the story but also these characters.
Gavin and Raven were AMAZING, these two have my heart. I loved how Gavin never went back on his feelings, he never pretended to be someone who he wasn’t. He knew who he was, what he wanted, and what he felt. Raven was as amazing as Gavin, I just love her so much. She was always so strong and just so sweet. The chemistry between these two was FIRE, I was crushing on them so hard. Gavin and Raven are GOALS, this os Penelope’s best book yet!!!
These two are goals, I loved this book so much. I read it expecting it to like it, but I ended up loving it so much. I didn’t want this book to ever end.
I made a mistake with this book and read the last half of it while on a plane. Thankfully, I had packed some tissues because Penelope Ward made me cry.
Second-chance romances tend to be emotionally fraught, so if you expect gobs of angst, you will be pleasantly surprised to find that Penelope Ward strikes the right balance between emotional tension and pubescent-like torment.
Gavin and Raven liked each other a lot ten years ago. Each thought that their relationship would stand the test of distance and time. When it ended, they were devastated, particularly the one who instigated the breakup.
Now, a decade later, their reunion both challenges and invigorates them. I appreciated that Penelope Ward didn’t fill those first moments of Gavin and Raven rediscovering each other with a lot of tortured anguish. Her respect for her characters’ feelings infuses this book, which makes Gavin and Raven all the easier to invest yourself in.
There is a moment, though, when Raven believes she has no second chance with Gavin, and it tore through me. I felt her sadness and loss, and in a life that had considerable sadness and loss, her pain was palpable. Hence the minor embarrassment of weeping on an airplane.
Fortunately, Penelope Ward includes some delicious sexy times. Gavin is the kind of guy you would spend the rest of your life pitting other men against and finding them wanting. He is a fabulous Hot Hero.
Gavin does make a critical decision that at first I struggled with understanding. As I kept reading, though, Penelope Ward helped me see why Gavin did what he did. I understood why he needed this certain thing and the purpose it served him.
This book also makes you appreciate nurses who work with patients suffering from Alzheimers and dementia. That they undertake this career, dear reader, should make us brim with gratitude.
I love a second chance romance, and Penelope Ward never disappoints!!
4.25 stars—THE DAY HE CAME BACK by Penelope Ward is a contemporary, new adult to adult stand alone, romance story line focusing on Gavin Masterson, and Raven, the daughter of the hired help.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Gavin and Raven) spanning ten years in the life, THE DAY HE CAME BACK is a second chance story line that follows the forbidden summer romance between twenty-one year old Gavin Masterson, and Raven, the only daughter the Masterson’s housekeeper. Gavin Masterson was home for the summer, having returned from Oxford University in London England. Looking forward to a little rest and relaxation Gavin will come face to face with Raven, a woman his mother refuses to acknowledge or accept. A secret summer romance ensues but in the end Raven is forced to push Gavin out of her life, and in doing so destroys any chance at happiness for our story line couple. Fast forward ten years wherein Raven is, once again, employed by the Masterson family, but an employment that sees Raven assisting the family when they need it the most.
Gavin’s mother Ruth is all about the money and Raven does not represent the wealth and power expected for her sons. Gavin knows his mother is a judgemental snob but he had no idea as to the extent of her vindictiveness, a vindictiveness that was about to destroy so many lives. Raven knew to get involved with Gavin could mean the loss of her mother’s job, but the heart wanted something more until Raven was forced to break the man that she loved, and in doing so broke her own heart. Coming face to face with Gavin ten years later meant facing the man with whom she was still in love but Raven would soon discover that Gavin had moved on with someone else.
The relationship between Gavin and Raven is one of immediate attraction; a forbidden romance between two young people whose lives were about to spiral out of control. A decade would pass but the love would remain, a love that would be tested when the truth was revealed. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.
We are introduced to Raven’s best friend Marni; Gavin’s parents Ruth and Gunther Masterson as well as Gavin’s troubled brother Weldon; and Raven’s mother Renata. Here’s hoping the author has plans for Weldon Masterson, a man who has been battling so many demons for a very long time.
THE DAY HE CAME BACK is a story of betrayal and revenge; wealth and discrimination; love and forgiveness; romance and love. The premise is emotional and captivating; the characters are colorful, energetic and broken; the romance is seductive, heart breaking and real. There are moments of angst and sorrow; happiness and love; acceptance and moving forward. THE DAY HE CAME BACK is an impassioned story of second chances and happily ever after.
A second chance romance between a couple who barely had a first chance. She was from the wrong side of the tracks and their relationship was strictly forbidden. Of course that didn’t stop them. After a heart breaking end to them, they are reunited after a decade apart. But is it too late to make amends? Do they even want to? These characters are great. Both are kindhearted and charming. Selfless, too selfless at times. There are some side characters that you will loath, others who bring some comic relief, and others yet who you will adore. It’s a sweet story with some hardships. There’s a little bit of angst. Some happy moments and some emotionally draining moments. It’s a well told/written story that is hard to put down. Alternates between POVs. There is just a small amount of sexual content.
Angst-y, emotional second chance…
Oh, young love… Gavin and Raven were from opposite sides of the money tracks and it was felt in every secretive glance, gesture and hidden meet up. Gavin was different from his family though. He looked at Raven and saw a beautiful woman he wanted to know. Unfortunately, his family made it clear that wasn’t going to happen. The slow build up to their relationship was full of discovery and a depth of emotion despite the tension surrounding them both. There’s nothing worse than family pressure, one way or the other, and it was coming from both sides. Until, it was all gone…
Their story was broken into the past and the present and, for me, the powerhouse came in the present. The feelings I knew were there between them, that maybe I didn’t get a chance to feel quite invested before, had my heart hurting and hoping along with them. The emotional hits began like there had been little time between them and that amped up the emotion-o-meter right away. They were in turmoil and so was I…
Great writing and characters I was totally invested in, meant that last page turn was bittersweet. But the ride was so, so worth it…
*I happily reviewed this story
Second chance is my FAVORITE!! And this standalone from Penelope delivers all the emotional book feels I was looking for! It’s an angsty, modern-day Cinderella and I am HERE FOR IT! You’re going to love it!
The Day He Came Back by Penelope Ward. When Gavin walks through the door, a person she hadn’t seen in over 10 years, all the pain, hurt and love came back. 10 years ago Raven decided for the summer she was goung to work with her mom as the help at Gavin’s house. He is there fir the summer till he goes off to law school. When Gavin sees Raven he is instantly taken with her. She is a breath of fresh air. There is one problem and that is his mother. Raven is beneath her and her son. Gavin and Raven try to fight their attraction but decide they would sneak around. When circumstances present themselves Raven has to make a choice that not only effects her and Gavin but others she cares about. A lovely story of love lost and the possibility of a second chance. A well told story that took me on a journey of everlasting love. A emotional story that had me going through several different stages. I also liked how the story started off in the present then went to the past and back to the present. Quite the journey. 4.5 stars. I would love a book about Gavin’s brother. There is something definitely there. Interesting characters.
Wow! What an amazing, tragic, heartwarming story! So much turmoil, heartbreak and pain, rounded out by true lasting love of epic proportions! These two were perfection together and gave me all the feels!! Loved her hilarious best friend and his brother as well! Such a beautiful second chance romance filled with hope and real joy!
4.5+ stars
This is a second-chance love story ten years in the making.
Ten years ago they met and shared an immediate connection. But Gavin Masterson was the oldest son of wealthy parents who happened to be the employer of Raven’s mother and herself. So Raven was the help and considered off-limits. But Gavin was young and not afraid to push for what he wanted. He was handsome, charismatic, and caring. And Raven found it hard to resist his charms. And he liked how real and honest she was. They were young and falling for each other until Raven was forced to make a hard decision and they split broken-hearted.
Ten years later, Gavin lives across the world and things have changed in their lives. But Gavin needs to come home to deal with some things. And they are about to come face to face again.
There are unresolved feelings, past pain, hidden truths, and situations that need attention. Gavin is trying to figure out how to juggle all the parts of his life while coming to terms with the past that was never fully addressed. I truly felt his conflict and struggle. And Raven is doing what she feels she needs to and is unsure of how much of the past to keep secret or to reveal. So it is a confusing and challenging reunion.
It is not an easy situation and requires a delicate balance. Their past and present are colliding and affect more than just the two of them. Gavin is not the typical rich boy. He has a good heart and truly appreciates Raven for being real. And Raven is loving and self-sacrificing. The side characters especially her friend, Marni and his brother, Weldon add humor, support, and drama to the mix. Their family history and dynamics play a big part in the story as well. I loved both Gavin and Raven and was rooting for them all the way.
This was an angsty, tension-filled, second chance, and star crossed lovers romance. It is told in dual points of view in past and present and is well organized to allow for maximum enjoyment of the story. This was more than a rich boy and poor girl, off-limits story. The families were intertwined and the characters had motivations that led to choices and consequences. Their feelings and connection felt real. It brought out all kinds of emotion and had me totally invested.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
What a beautiful story of second chances and true love! Raven is a nurse that has returned back to where she had her heart broken ten years ago; to take care of Gavin’s father. That mansion held so many memories between its walls. At least Gavin Masterson was no longer there. Until one day…he came back. They are from completely different backgrounds. Can they ever truly make it work? What really happened to break them apart in the first place? This is told in both the past and present tense so you find out how they met ten years prior. I was totally immersed in this story from the beginning. A very enjoyable, funny at times, sweet, emotional second chance romance! Major Swooning over Mr. Gavin Masterson!! Told in dual POV
There are lots of ways to embody romance, so many ways to tell about the trials and tribulations that a couple may endure to get to that perfect, blissful place that is all their own. “The Day He Came Back” is the veritable embodiment of such a story. Raven’s own life struggles that bring her world to meld so perfectly with Gavin’s is truly told in the best possible way! Penelope Ward weaves this story just so – she gives new meaning to “hurts so good”. The heartbreak endured by both of these characters made me so anxious to find out how this story would unfold. It has all the elements (and then some) that caused my heart to beat erratically, and had me adjusting my thermostat in search of a cooler temperature. Gavin is DEFINITELY my new favorite book boyfriend. In the same light, Raven is the best kind of female lead that you root for – strong, honorable, and unapologetically honest. This book left me utterly sated. It’s the kind of book that I found myself wishing a silver screen adaptation would be made of. No doubt, if you’ve never read a book by Penelope Ward – make this your first one. If you’re already a fan – the euphoria continues!