Back In Your Arms by Monica McCallan is a second chance, friends-to-lovers romance that shows us the choices of our past don’t dictate our future.
Seventeen years ago, Quinn McKinley left the town of Kingsford, running from a life she didn’t want. It was the hardest choice she had to make, leaving all she knew and the girl she secretly loved. But Quinn was desperate, so she sacrificed her heart in order to find the life she wanted to live. Now a successful real estate agent in New York City, she’s brought back to Kingsford on behalf of a client who wants to buy a property as a wedding gift to his wife. But it’s not just any property. It’s the house related to the girl she left behind, Sawyer. The same girl who still lives in Kingsford and hasn’t left Quinn’s heart one day since she drove away.
Sawyer Kent has spent her whole life in Kingsford. She’s enjoyed a peaceful existence working at the family antique store and tinkering with old machines. She and Quinn were close in high school, but then one day, Quinn does the unthinkable, and their friendship was ripped to shreds. It didn’t help matters that Quinn left town without so much as a ‘goodbye’ to Sawyer. Now she’s back, knocking Sawyer’s existence and heart off balance. It’s frustrating to see how well Quinn turned out, but Sawyer’s got bigger problems. Her heart still beats only for Quinn and she can’t lie worth a damn.
Will Sawyer and Quinn be able to move beyond the pain of the past? Or are the wounds too deep, and Quinn’s quest for her client, enough to keep them from realizing and experiencing that once-in-a-lifetime love?
Pros And My Favourite Parts
What I really liked about this story was how McCallan emphasized the choices Quinn and Sawyer made weren’t the wrong choices for either of them. Sure, there were regrets, but their decisions allowed them to grow and find parts of themselves that may have remained hidden had risks not been taken. Quinn left Kingsford for fear of being sidled with responsibility she wasn’t mature enough to handle. In doing so, she became successful, strong, resilient. Sawyer delve further into her family’s antique business and discovered her in restoration of old mechanical games. Through it she found intense focus and a trade outside of her family’s legacy, and her brother’s sub-par standards.
Each woman made a choice to let go. And in doing so, they were able to discover their true selves and will find their way back to each other.
Cons And Heads Up
I would’ve liked to have seen more of Shane. I know he’s Sawyer’s brother and really kind of a douche bag, but because he is such a point of contention between her and Quinn, having him around more would’ve made for interesting dramatic tension.
The Conclusion
This was a great story by McCallan. You’ll swoon, you’ll pull your hair out in frustration, and you’ll smile sweetly as Quinn reconnects not only with Sawyer but with her family and the people who are most important to her. All-in-all, a great story with a great cast. Definitely a good weekend read.
Excerpt from Back In Your Arms by Monica McCallan
Quinn stood near the entrance, dressed in an outfit that no one had any business looking that good in. Her simple navy blazer with matching tapered pants was cut perfectly for her figure, and a white silk shirt with navy polka dots contrasted the casual suit. Her blonde hair was down, tousled perfectly and falling below her shoulders. Sawyer had always loved her hair – shiny and magnetic, just like Quinn.
“You’re impressively on time,” Sawyer said when she reached Quinn, hoping her voice didn’t betray her.
“Being fashionably late isn’t really my thing anymore,” Quinn said with a sincere smile as she pulled open the door. “After you.”
Sawyer gave their name to the host…When she checked their names off the reservation list, Sawyer spoke up. “If you have anything at the bar, we’d love that.”
Quinn shot her a confused look but didn’t say anything.
When they situated themselves next to one another, Quinn tilted her body toward Sawyer. “Making reservations just to sit at the bar?”
“I like sitting at the bar. I made reservations in case it wasn’t free.”
Quinn looked contemplative. “I guess I’ve never seen you at a bar.”
And there it was, the central theme that was likely to permeate the entire night. “We knew one another for about four years before you left, so by my calculations, you’ve been gone longer four times than we were friends.”
“We did. A lot of living, though, didn’t we?”
“If you count constantly tipping our kayak and trying to drown me, then sure. Let’s call that living.”
Quinn laughed but didn’t look contrite…She leaned her elbow on the bar and turned her body toward Sawyer. “It’s really good, seeing you. I’d hoped we’d bump into one another when I came back.”
“I’m…” She stalled, looking for the right words. “It’s good to see you too.”
“But you aren’t necessarily happy to see me?”
God, she’d never been good at lying. “I’m conflicted.”
“About what?”
“We weren’t on the best of terms when you left. I’m not opposed to catching up, but I’m not really sure what I have to offer you. Nothing’s changed.”
An apologetic look flashed across Quinn’s face. “That was never about you. I hope you realize that.”
“I appreciate you saying that, but it was a long time ago.”
Quinn put her hand on top of Sawyer’s and squeezed it gently, capturing her attention. “We can reminisce about the past or talk about the present. Selfishly, I’m just really enjoying seeing you again.”
It was so easy to want to fall back into Quinn’s orbit. She exuded an energy that made Sawyer want to lean in and let herself go along for the ride.
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Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 9788758396636
Publisher: Indie Author
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