Love Me Back - Michelle Lynn

 

 Blurb:

Growing up in small-town Belcrest, Maddy Jennings always thought she was destined to be with her childhood sweetheart, Trent Basso. Throughout the complicated road she has traveled with Trent, someone else has had a strong presence in Maddy's life. Trent’s older brother Gabe has always been someone she could count on, therefore neither of them can be blamed when lines blur from friendship to something more. However, promises made between brothers threaten to ensure that neither of them will have a permanent place in her life.
 

When Maddy returns to her hometown for her brother’s wedding, she is forced to face both Trent and Gabe for the first time in two years. While the two Basso brothers fight to win her heart, she is busy struggling with a past that won't seem to let her go. Whether she wants to or not, Maddy must decide to either forfeit her own happiness or forever tear a family apart.

Melinda's Review:

I received this book from the author for an honest review 

This story had me laughing, sitting on the edge of my seat, sobbing, shocked thinking never saw that coming, and at times wanting to crawl in the book and give whoever I was reading about a good shaking.  You begin the book when Maddy is 11 years old where the majority of the individuals are introduced.  Then you jump ahead to the present day where Maddy is 25 years old.  The book goes back and forth from present time to when Maddy and her friends were kids.  I love this setup because you get a little background a piece at a time while you are see things developing in the present time.   

We get to see Madeline (Maddy or Madgirl) Jennings, Mackenna Ross, Bryan Edwards, and Trent Basso grow up, go to college, fall in love, and start their carriers.  Things have not always been easy for the four of them.  They were pulled apart when Maddy had to move at the age of 12 because her Dad got a new job out of state.  Then reunited when her parents got a divorce and her and her mom returned when she was 15. 

Maddy and Trent’s on and off relationship took its toll.  After they left for college whenever Maddy needed someone to help her though a tough time in her life it was Gabe, Trent’s older brother, who was there to help her through it not Trent.  This caused a huge strain on the Basso family because both Trent and Gabe loved her and she loved both of them.  I was on the edge of my seat so many times because the book goes back and forth.  You would be reading about when they were kids and it seemed like you were going to be let in on a big secret and then you are flash forwarding to the present time.  Then you are reading present time and think you are going to get an answer to something and boom you are transported back to when they were younger.  Each time you go back to them being younger you get some answers or insight into why things are the way they are now.  I loved that I never knew what was going to happen.  Oh, I thought I did a few times and boy was I wrong, way wrong for that matter. 

I loved the back and forth from present to past format.  I liked Trent one chapter then hated him the next, loved Gabe one chapter and wanted to yell at him the next, Maddy… Maddy …Maddy I would think this is the chapter she is going to choose one then boom something happens and she can’t.  Oh the drama in this book kept me on the edge of my seat.  I had to keep going couldn’t put it down because I knew in the next chapter I was going to get the answers.  Thank you for writing a great story it was an emotional rollercoaster for me. I laughed, cried, held my breath, found myself staring at the pages in shock even re-reading a few parts because I couldn’t believe what just happened, and even said never saw that coming.  Oh and thank you for reminding me of the many times I played MASH as a kid.   I sure hope there are more books to come, because I really want to read more about all the “Littles” and “Big”.

About the Author: 

Michelle Lynn has always been a reader, but her passion has become a full-blown addiction since her husband bought her a Kindle for Mother's Day. She's pretty sure that he regrets this on a regular basis. Especially when she has it propped up next to the stove while she cooks, which often results in a burnt dinner. Or when he loses sleep because the glow from the screen wakes him up when he rolls over at three in the morning. He does agree, however, that she uses this gift more than any other he has ever gotten her. She joking counters that, because of some of the steamy novels she reads, he also benefits more from this gift than any other he has gotten her. ;)

Michelle moved around the Midwest most of her life, transferring from school to school before settling down in the outskirts of Chicago ten years ago, where she now resides with her husband and two kids. She developed a love of reading at a young age, which helped lay the foundation for her passion to write. With the encouragement of her family, she finally sat down and wrote one of the many stories that have been floating around in her head. When she isn’t reading or writing, she can be found playing with her kids, talking to her mom on the phone, or hanging out with her family and friends. But after chasing around twin preschoolers all day, she always cherishes her relaxation time after putting the kids to bed.