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Title: Return to Me (The Burke Family Series #2)
ISBN: 0310258049
Author:
Robin Lee Hatcher
Publicate Date: 2007-06-01
Publish: 2007-06-01
List Price: $14.99
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $2.24
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $1.09
Amazon Merchant Price: $11.45
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Another fabulous book by Robin Lee Hatcher!!
Roxy Burke has messed up bad. With almost no goodbyes, she leaves her whole life in Boise for a new life in Nashville hoping to become the next big country star. Now, seven years later, she's squandered everything, especially her inheritance, and she's no country music star. She's had no contact with her family in Boise, but returning there is really the only choice that she has. Because of the lack of contact, Roxy is completely surprised when she finds that her older sister, Elena, is now engaged to Roxy's old boyfriend, Wyatt, and a wedding is about to take place.
Now, shift to the other side of the story. Elena can't believe all the attention that Roxy's getting now that she's home. She's the modern day prodigal son. She's completely messed up her life, while Elena has worked hard for everything she's ever gotten. Elena feels like no one's giving her any credit, and she's everything short of being flat out rude to her sister. And then, of course, she questions Wyatt if any of his former feelings for Roxy have returned now that she's back home.
I saw myself relating to Elena's feelings throughout this entire book. While there were times that I wanted to beat her upside the head, I knew she had to go through the phases that she did to come to a point of forgiveness. Robin is one of my favorite authors, and every time I read something by her, that book seems to become my new favorite! This book is no exception. I hope she continues with the series (A Carol for Christmas was the first), and maybe delve into Elena's future.
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2: Thoughtful Remix
Roxie and Elena, broken, misunderstood and desperate for the same thing --love -- choose different paths to get it. Elena, the good girl with the long list of do's and don't's, and Roxie, the rebel.
This modern reblending of the truths within the story of the Prodigal made me think and struggle with the reality of God's raw and generous grace, and the hearts that feel either unworthy or stingy.
Robin Lee Hatcher is a fine wordsmith and provided tension and multi-faceted characters. I especially liked the backstory as it unfolded in memorable events as seen through the eyes of Roxie and Elena as children. The struggle between sisters put me in a position to choose whom to root for and I couldn't decide because I understood how they each made the choices they did, and how much it cost them to do so. I was uncertain how the story would play out until the end so this was a quick read for me. Another book to blame a pile of unfolded laundry on.
Hatcher and women's fiction fans should find much to like in Return to Me.
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3: One of Robin's best books yet!
(My review as seen in ACFW's E-zine, the August edition.)
Return to Me by Robin Lee Hatcher is a powerful example of the ideal Christian fiction novel. It parallels the story of the prodigal son and was so engaging that I finished the story in one day. I just couldn't put it down. I identified with Roxy despite her many flaws.
Roxy's change of heart when she discovered Christ in an unlikely setting reminded me of my own personal experience. I remember the same still, small voice calling out to me until I finally gave my heart to the Lord. Of course, Roxy's older sister Elena decided Roxy needed to experience additional consequences for her sin. Like what Roxy had naturally suffered as a result of squandering her inheritance hadn't been painful enough, and not realizing, of course, all that her sister had already lost because of her poor choices. I've never seen a better example of how self-righteousness wounds new believers and destroys relationships and trust.
Return to Me is also a wonderful illustration of the emotional and spiritual fallout resulting from manipulative rejection, and the believer's need for a close walk with the Lord in order to resist pride and jealousy when new Christians succeed where they may have struggled. Thus the spiritual arc of the characters comes across as very genuine, especially when it comes to the older sister's attitude.
There are some gritty situations in this story, but nothing I wouldn't let my teenager read. Overall, it's a fabulous example of the regrets people experience as the result of poor choices, and the subsequent struggle to forgive one's self. The author concludes by portraying the Scripture that refers to all things being possible through Christ Jesus. I highly recommend this story because of the life-changing lessons within.
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4: Modern Day Prodigal
Robin Lee Hatcher has once again crawled into my heart in her latest novel Return to Me. Roxy is a prodigal daughter and sister. There's no way to excuse the life she lived away from her family, and now she's come home out of desperation. Her father welcomes her with open arms, but her sister isn't quite so happy, especially when she is now engaged to Roxy's ex boyfriend. Roxy needs to find love and be accepted not only by God but by her family. This novel brings to mind how all of us are to model unconditional love. An outstanding novel.
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5: Robin has written much better!
RETURN TO ME, by Robin Lee Hatcher is the story of two sisters and one man. Your typical triangle? Not on your life! Roxy, the wild one, leaves her home and boyfriend to find fame and riches in Nashville and is gone for seven years. Meanwhile, her sister Elena, the good one, waits for Roxy's old flame, Wyatt, to love her, now that he has turned Christian. Roxy comes home broke and ashamed, it seems, with lessons already learned. Elena resents her sister's appearance and her thoughts and actions are too much. Their father is ecstatic to see his youngest daughter again. Actually, I liked Roxy the best, I thought she was honest to a fault. I thought Elena was shallow in places, (very unchristian-like). I did not feel sympathy for her although I could understand some of her frustrations. Maybe this is how the author wants us to see her, to realize she still has a long way to go to be a true Christian. But I wanted the story to dig deeper. The ending, in my opinion, was predictable, but I would have been disappointed had it ended any other way. Finally, it gave Elena some credibility. I have read many of Robin's books that I liked, no loved, much more, but I did find the plot in this story a good one.
J. Gayle Kelly, author of The Watermelon Patch
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