In The Way Back to Us, the third book in the Love Unplugged series by Jamie Howard, a second chance at love is a risk worth fighting for when the past catches up with you. Gavin MacCormack found the one. He fell in love. Hard. Until one night he ran out for some ice cream and came back to an empty dorm room, closets bare and nothing but a quick hand-written note saying, I’m sorry. Those two … sorry. Those two words taught Gavin the meaning of heartbreak. A feeling he never wants to encounter again. And as the lead singer of a Grammy award-winning band he’s had plenty of opportunities for casual, no-strings fun, which is just the way he likes it.
Dani Winters has had more names than birthdays. On the run with her father for nearly as long as she can remember, she’s lived her life by three rules–always plan for the worst, maintain a low profile at all costs, and never let anyone get too close. Except she broke that last rule once and her heart has never forgiven her.
One chance encounter changes everything. Seeing Dani resurrects feelings in Gavin he thought were long buried, and this time he’s not letting her disappear without getting some answers. But Dani’s life is the definition of complicated and she’s playing with fire by letting Gavin back in. When the time comes to run again, Dani needs to decide if a life without love is worth living, or if it’s time to stop running and fight.
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I haven’t read any of the previous books in this series, but it didn’t hamper my understanding of the gist of The Way Back to Us.
Back in college, Gavin found his soulmate, and his love was a beautiful thing until he came back to his dorm and a note from saying simply “I’m sorry.” Ouch. And yet, when he sees Dani years later, it’s as if his feelings never left him, weren’t lying dormant in his heart. He knew he had to have her in his life again, or at the very least, get some closure as to why she had run out on their love.
Normally second chances are one of my favorite kinds of romances, but here in The Way Back to Us, I felt a bit short rifted, mostly because of Dani. I never warmed up to her. She was cold and distant throughout most of the story, never opening herself up to anyone, not to Gavin and not to the reader. I loved Gavin, though. He’s all kinds of sweet and his love is the strongest kind that we all want for ourselves. I felt as if Dani wasn’t good enough for him, didn’t deserve his steadfast love. It’s why I had to 3 star this instead of 4. Aside from Dani’s character, though, I did like this one. It’s well-written, there’s a bit of suspense, and Gavin is a sweet, swoon worthy hero.
I am so crazy about this Love Unplugged series. Each book is perfectly addicting and gripping to read in its own right. They all technically work as standalones, but the return on investment is so much greater if you’ve been along for the ride since the beginning and – man, I am so glad I’ve been around since the beginning.
Gavin and Dani’s story felt a little darker than the previous ones. There was much more suspense – more questions than answers for the vast majority of the story. That said, as far as second-chance romances go? This one was tops. I could feel the burn between Gavin and Dani, my heart ached for them and cheered for them and basically put itself in the middle of all the dips and valleys they encountered on their way to happily-ever-after. I loved them. I loved how they cared for each other and that almost urgent need to be together, even when it seemed impossible.
I also loved catching up with the other couples. Like I said, this book would be fine as a standalone, but the secondary storylines basically expand upon the previous books and they were incredibly rewarding to me. The friendships between this group of friends is a complete delight to read. And – there’s at least one more story to tell here (I hope) and Ms. Howard has been dangling that carrot in front of us for a while now. I want to eat it up! I’m so hungry for it!
In all, another huge hit for me in this fantastic series. A little angsty, a little suspenseful – The Way Back to Us is a sexy, sweet and emotional read that is definitely not to be missed!
A little bit of mystery and suspense to go hand and hand with this fantastic second chance romance by Jamie Howard. The Way Back To Us is an entertaining continuation of Love Unplugged series, but I will note that each book can be read as a standalone. These stories of love that Jamie produces are addicting and worthy! With each book, the characters and storylines become better and better.
Gavin’s heart has already been shaken and taken by Dani back in college. Even though she left him high and dry, vanishing with no word, his heart held a soft spot for the beauty. Now, apart of a Grammy-award winning band, he catches a glimpse of her again and memories, emotions wreck havoc on his heart. Can Gavin have his love back and can he prevent her from running again? What happens when he figures out her secrets?
You can’t help but love hard with Gavin. His love shines off the pages and even though Dani’s character was hard to get to know, to like or care for; his affection makes you yearn for them to reconnect. With their relationship, I only wished there was a prologue of when their love took off. To be able to have a glimpse of what it was like for them in college.
Overall, this third installment was a joy to read. Jamie has a talented hand at writing, bringing her characters, plots and descriptions to the utmost highest standards. I believe there is one more couple in the series that deserves a HEA and I can’t wait to read their romance when the time comes.
4 Stars