REVIEW: Back To Us by Christi Barth

Back To Us by Christi Barth: I always enjoy a good first love reconnecting story, and this was no exception. After a misunderstanding in college, Piper breaks up with Ward. Years later they remain friends while hiding their feelings from one another.

I felt for Ward. One mistake in college cost him his pro football career. As if that’s not bad enough, a portion of his hometown hated him because of it. They looked down on him and, in one case, refuse to give him a loan to expand his distillery. This made him feel like a failure at times, despite the fact his distillery was doing all right.

Piper was a strong woman. Despite her father’s refusal to let her use family land to create her port line, but that doesn’t stop her. She’s determined to have her grandfather’s dream realized, even if it means taking Ward up on his deal of dating in exchange for the land. I liked that when she realizes she’s wrong, she can stand up and admit it.

Piper and Ward and had great chemistry together. It was clear from the get-go that they genuinely cared about each other. They also had an amazing group of friends who rooted for them to get their acts together and admit their feelings for one another.

This is the third book in the series. While it can be read alone, I would recommend reading the other two books first. They’re about Piper and Ward’s best friends Ella and Gray (book 1) and Casey and Zane (book 2). I have not read the previous books, and while I followed along with the story no problem, it felt like something was missing because I didn’t know the backstory of the other two couples.

Book Info:

Published: July 13, 2015 | Carina Press | Shore Secrets #3

Ward Cantrell always went for the long shot. But that recklessness cost him his college scholarship and his chance to play pro ball, and—worst of all—it ended his relationship with the girl next door. Neither the town nor the girl has ever forgiven him. Now he’s taking one last long shot by opening a boutique distillery on the family farm he inherited.
Piper Morrissey spent high school in Ward’s shadow, but she’s come into her own in the years since. Maintaining her spotless image, and that of her family’s winery, is priority number one. Nobody knows that she still yearns for her golden-boy ex. Or at least they didn’t—until Ward agrees to sell Piper the land she needs to start her precious port line. The caveat? She’ll need to date him for one month.

Ward hopes a month is all it’ll take to convince his former sweetheart that while he’s changed, his love for her hasn’t. But when the chance arises to thumb his nose at the town that turned its back on him, he can’t afford not to reject Piper’s offer. Will that make her reject him and his love—for good?