NOTE: This is a second edition with major revisions. The book does still end on a cliffhanger.
My life was charmed. I had the best friends ever. We were known as the Fab Five and our futures were planned out.
In a flash, everything was taken from me. I don’t know how to live without them. I don’t want to.
I’m broken.
When I get to college, I see him.
Cameron Stone. Mr. Football. Mr. Popular. He’s … see him.
Cameron Stone. Mr. Football. Mr. Popular. He’s definitely hot, but on the inside he’s vile. He made my childhood a living nightmare. I don’t know why he hates me or why he’s suddenly being so nice to me. All the sweet talk in the world won’t work. I know better.
So, why am I listening?
more
Such An Emotive, Grief Filled & ‘Real’ Read!!
The Way Back To Me – A college romance: SECOND EDITION
I absolutely loved the original book of this story & this edition hasn’t changed my opinion at all!! The way the Author deals with the subject matter in this book is some of her best writing – it’s so real & raw, it’s only surpassed by her unbelievable writing in book #2 of this series, in my honest opinion!!
Liv has just graduated High School when she survives something truly horrific. Seeing her try to cope in those first days & weeks, even months before college starts, it’s absolutely heart breaking! Feeling her Parents distress at seeing their child in so much physical pain & especially her mental anguish, but also feeling their personal relief, they try to hide, as they attempt to support her, is so ‘real’!! My ‘Mum heart’ was squeezing so hard for them all.
Alexa & Cam know Liv from their Hometown, so they knew her ‘before’!! They both, in their own ways, are determined to help her find herself again, even if she’s forever changed by her experiences. The emotional toll we feel as Liv tries her best to carry on is like a gut punch! She’s so strong yet fragile, she’s becoming someone else from before, but is that necessarily such a bad thing? Her new group of friends, though small, is tight & protective, even the newest ones!!
The rewrites, I think, focused mainly around Cam & Liv – untangling them from how tight they were in the first edition. I know many didn’t like the twist in book #2 that surrounded them & I wonder if that’s what partly drove the Author in this direction with them? Personally, I LOVED what she did in the original books, I felt it was in keeping in with who each person was at their core – but that’s me!!
I really lost myself in this story, again. It’s a truly an emotive read. I bawled like a baby yet again It’s so painful – it broke me in places! This is an outstanding piece of fiction. The characters are so well written, honest, human & real, even the @ssholes ()
If outstanding storytelling, raw emotions, characters that seem so real they jump off of the page (not literally) & losing yourself for few hours to a wonderful, though heart breaking story, is your idea of a good time – this is the book for you!!
I can’t imagine you’ll ever regret it!!
Oh, I cannot wait to see what she brings to the Second Edition of Book #2
Debbie, 1970, UK
In one fatal moment, Olivia’s entire life changes. She has lost everything and now she is expected to leave everything behind and head off to college. Can Olivia find her way to deal with the what happened? Cameron Stone has been nothing but a bully to Olivia when they were in school together. Unbeknownst to her he has seen her at her worst. Now they are at the same college together. Can he make up the past to her and help her find the Olivia she used to be?
This was a great story with some great characters. Does end on a cliff hanger so you’ll want book 2 near by!
I love the way the author writes. She’s taken me on some wild rock star rides. But this one is completely different than those, though it does remind me a bit of a certain rock star’s story in that it is all dark and horrifying what this poor girl goes through.
Olivia bounces between being a strong woman who is just trying to get from day to day to a woman who realizes she’s lost everything and wonders why she even tries. And she’s got some friends who are trying so hard to hold her up as the world pushes against her in all of those ways it does when it’s attempting to crush you.
This story broke me, and it was difficult to read because it is so emotional. It’s a wonderful story and has a lot to offer. The characters are realistic from the friends who stick by her to the ones who aren’t as much friends as she would like to believe. I loved each moment as it swept me up and couldn’t wait to get into the next one in the series.
Anne Mercier’s writing has never been better. I have read just about everything she has written and haven’t come across anything that I haven’t loved. TWBTM is a story of profound loss, finding the strength to move on, and learning to lean on those close to us for the support to find yourself when coming to terms with living when all you want to do is curl up into a ball.
Olivia was living the perfect life. She had just graduated high school, was looking to going to college with her close friends and a love that she thought would last a lifetime. Until the car accident that took it all away.
Now she is struggling to find herself when she has no one to hold her up.
Cameron had spent years tormenting and bullying Olivia. He thought her always happy, a friend to everyone demeanor was fake. Faced with the new quiet, sarcastic, withdrawn Olivia, he has made it his mission to bring the rainbow back into Olivia’s life.
This book took me through so many emotions. From a tightness in my chest with feeling the emotions of the deep depression that Olivia has fallen to spurts of laughter at some of the sarcastic banter between Olivia and Cameron.
I read the original version almost exactly 1 year ago and then a re-read of this new version. I found the new version to be a smoother read as Anne Mercier was able to put some additional clarity to the story. The feelings were always there it just needed a little smoothing out.
Beautiful and perfect
I cannot tell you how many emotions were bought to the surface while re-reading The Way Back To Me and while I absolutely loved Olivia and Cam’s story the first time round, I love this version even more. It’s the same story, but more intense and emotional if that were possible. Again like last time, I can’t wait for the next book! 5 Stars.
After having read the original, I wasn’t sure if I was ready for a second edition. I really enjoyed the original. Let me just state, this new edition does not disappoint. Although things change, Anne Mercier still manages to make you laugh, love, and rip your heart to shreds all in one book.
As this edition still ends on a cliffhanger, I’m (im)patiently waiting for the next book.
Bravo to Anne for reworking a story that, although as good as it was, she felt she could make better. Mission accomplished.
wow total emotional wreck from the start, The inner turmoil that Olivia goes through is so well written i felt like i was actually there and just wanted to hug her. The blossoming friendship between Olivia and Alexa is so relatable as everyone has a friend they used to be close to, then parts ways and come back together again. I love the faux enemies to lovers aspect aswell between Olivia and Cam. I dont like cliffhangers as im totally impatient so i really cant wait to read the next book.
My heart hurt so much for Olivia. The fab five are no more. The person she thought would be her forever is gone as well.
Finding her roommate is from her hometown and the brother is her old HS bully takes the cake.
There IS a fine line between love and hate and She and Cam are crossing it. They have chemistry and passion. I love how Cam is more than what we thought. Hes caring and helped Liv through some tough times back home.
I love Sebastian, not sure where hes going to come in. I’d love to see where it would go with them but I’m #Team Cam right now. Even though hes acting a fool at the moment.
I loved how time has given Liv a chance to think and realize who she is and isnt. I think she will end up stronger than she already is.
Really excited to see how it all plays out now that Allison has shown back up.
Anne Mercier clearly has the talent to be “big” in the world of authors. Her creativity, character development, and story line flow keeps me reading any book she writes. I loved The Way Back To Me. My heart felt every angst feeling that Main character Olivia went through. I thought Anne did an excellent job portraying the emotions that a young dedicated friend would experience under the situations that Olivia did. The story takes the reader through Olivia’s first year of college. The ups and downs, the friendships that come, grow and then some that go. The book is part one of a duet with a cliff hanger. Great read! Read it now!
Wow. I mean I read the old version… I knew what was going to happen for the most part… I knew I was going to to cry but man… Olivia. Anne really captured her pain. Cameron is still the same jerk you can’t help but love and hope that he is able to help Olivia get over her guilt. And then there is still Sebastian there in the background that you can’t help but wonder about.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when Anne said she was going to make major changes as I’ve loved these characters but really I shouldn’t have even thought twice about it. The revisions definitely make for a smoother transition for what’s to come in book two and I can’t wait to read it so I can see Olivia get her HEA. Yes it still ends in a cliffhanger but there is so much anticipation that is there that is leaves you at the edge of your seat.
If you are on the fence getting this book again don’t be. It really is like a new book and you will once again fall in love with Olivia, Cameron, and Sebastian.
This book takes you through the feels from the minute you open it up! This is a well written story that tells the story of love, friendship, and how one mistake from a stranger can turn your world upside down. While reading this story, Olivia takes us on the adventure of heading off to college, after a tragic accident. She takes us through the pain of reliving the event when she daydreams and has nightmares. We are introduced to Cameron at the very beginning, when he saves Olivia from herself, for the millionth time. Cam has been saving her from herself while she grieves and gets through her recovery unbeknownst to Olivia. We are taking along the journey that Olivia goes through, with the help of Cam, her roommate, and friends.
I couldn’t put it down!! Well written story that had me turning the pages from the minute that I opened it up. I can’t wait for the next book in the series, and to see how the story ends!
From the very first sentence, Ms. Mercier takes us through Olivia’s journey in a soul crushing way. The devastation pours through the pages. Olivia’s life has been turned upside down and now she must move on, on her own. At college she is faced with Cameron Stone who pretty much hates her, but she can’t avoid him because of her roomate Alexa. Cam has a plan and it includes bringing Olivia back into herself, even facing that appearances may be deceiving. As Olivia comes more into herself, her bond with Cam and her friends grow and life doesn’t seem so bleak.
The updates and rewrites for this version allow you to be pulled in more and make the storyline cleaner. Olivia and Cam’s story is still heartfelt and amazing. There is just a sense of magic within this updated second version, that somehow wasn’t as magnified in the first version. I feel like the story impacted me more and I got a sense of reading this story for the first time again. I loved every minute and can’t wait to see how the second book gets updated/rewritten.
Wow! What an incredible and heart breaking story. The Way Back to Me is a prime example of Anne’s ability to write a range of characters. While we know her best for her sexy and often crazy rockstars, Olivia, Cam and their supporting cast of characters are intense and have a complexity to them that make you want to get to know them. Olivia is beautifully broken from a horrendous tragedy. Holding herself back so much that it leaves you rooting hard for Cam, the broody & womanizing jock jerk, hoping that she’ll let him save her the way he hopes he can. Despite his jerkish ways. I am so in love with this couple and their journey. I can’t wait to see where book two is going to take them.
Wow , what an emotional ride this book took me on. I loved all the happy and sad moments for these two characters. Anne did leave us with a cliffhanger but you all know book 2 will just blow us away.
Loved this book so much. If your looking for a rollercoaster of a book then this is it. I couldn’t put it down and i can’t wait for the rest of this series to come out. I will definitely be recommending it to friends.
New/updated Review 8/15/2019 due to major revisions done.
I was lucky enough to read the first round of The Way Back To Me and loved it then. NOW 2019 with it being overhauled-revised-changed up, I wish I could give it more stars. I didn’t think it could get any better, but Ms. Mercier has stepped up her game and delivered yet another amazing story.
If you know Mercier from her Rockstar series, this one takes on a whole another level. The emotional charge we get right from the start just takes you to that explosion of emotions that just grab you. Throught out the story we are lead through the healing, moving on ascept. Finding yourself in unexpected ways.
Olivia and Cameron’s story takes through the greiving process, and along with the college life. Things are what they always seeom to be and people are not what you judge them to be. Oh but wait, the ending is a cliffhanger and one that you want to scream and yell because you want more asap.
I’m not usually one to re-read books. Once I finish them I move on and typically don’t revisit. However, since Anne Mercier revamped her original 5-star story, I knew I had to give this one another go and boy am I glad that I did! The first edition of this book was amazing but this new one was even better if that’s possible. The Way Back To Me is a story that will destroy you, heal you then punch you in the gut once more. It’s not often that you can improve on perfection but Mercier sure did it with this one!
The Way Back To Me is emotionally heartbreaking but through the darkness, the light begins to shine again. Tragedy has a funny way of bringing the unlikeliest of people together and that’s exactly what happens when Olivia and Cam are faced with one another after being “enemies” in high school. Both harboring secrets and a past wrought with devastation, they begin to heal each other in ways neither expected. But will their past ever let them move forward?
Mercier keeps readers guessing as the story takes different twists and turns. Be prepared with tissues because you WILL shed tears. Olivia’s story is gut-wrenching and will rip your heart out. Brutal and raw, Mercier slays with her words. The story ends with a cliffhanger and I cannot wait to see what direction the second book goes in. 5 stars
Wow.
I always find it interesting when authors re do earlier books.
This author has just proven WHY it is a good idea.
This book seemed like a completely new book redone.
I was hooked from cover to cover.
The author has grown as a writer so much from when it was first written and it shows in the very best way.
This book will have you riding on a rollercoaster of emotions so buckle up, you’re in for one hell of a ride.
Definitely a must read!
This is a heart wrenching young adult romance. It makes you feel so many emotions and has you gasping at Anne’s words. Perfectly woven in is drama, angst and steamy sex scenes. Can’t wait to pick up in the cliffhanger with book 2!
I was actually blown away by the emtions this book brought out in me. It was truly one of my favorite reads this year! This book is just wow, I love when an author writes real in her book and this book is simply amazing. If you want a book that will make you cry, and laugh, get angry, get excited and stop and take a breath then this is your book.