4 1/2 Stars!

Gavin and Dani dated in college and he was totally in love with her and then one day she just vanished. After that Gavin never let his heart get involved with anyone again. Years later Gavin is in a famous band and he only has one night stands. Then one day he accidentally runs into Dani ... his Dani! And all those old feeling come rushing back, but he knows he can't fall for her again because she will just leave ... again. Dani has been on the run her whole life ... her and her father. Even though they live separately, they are always in the same city and in contact every couple of weeks. But when Dani runs into Gavin, he brings back all her old feelings and she realizes that she is tired of living life alone, but she doesn't want to put Gavin in danger.

This is the first book that I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it. But I wish I had read the 2 previous books first because I felt like I wasn't getting the whole story. The characters from the first 2 books are in it quite a bit and I will have to go back and read them so I can get their stories. This is a sweet heartbreaking story about second chances.

I received an ARC copy courtesy of St. Martin's Press through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

"The Way Back to Us" is a really fantastic second-chance romance with hints of mystery. We follow Gavin and Dani in alternating first person points of view. Gavin and Dani had a passionate relationship back in college which ended when Dani disappeared without a word. Since then, Dani has been traveling around the country with her father, constantly watching over her shoulder. Gavin's band has become a hit, for which he writes and sings.

Everything is going to change when Dani and her father come to NYC. As they run into each other, they have to decide whether they can move forward- especially since their time is limited and Dani will have to leave eventually (she never stays anywhere for more than 6 months). However, as Gavin says, it's worth going to Hogwarts, even if you can't stay for very long.

As their relationship grows and we wonder about the mystery that keeps Dani constantly moving, the book completely sucks you in. I found myself unable to put it down as I became completely invested in Dani and Gavin. The second half is full of action and all sorts of events that I won't describe to avoid spoilers, but I will say that this is a heavily plot-driven romance. There are only a few hot and steamy scenes and the vast majority of the book focuses on their lives/events. I prefer it this way but I know some people prefer more intimate scenes, so I wanted to mention it.

Overall, it's a really fantastic and intense romance, and I'd love to read more from this talented author! There are so many great side characters that I would love to hear about in future books. Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.

A second chance romance with a hint of mystery. Gavin and Dani are complicated to say the least. But that is what made this story. The mysterious life of Dani is just that. I don't blame Gavin's friends at all for being protective of him. Just hold onto your seats as the truth behind Dani comes out. I love how Gavin embraces his second chance with Dani and doesn't want to let her go. When you know you know. As a first time read of Jamie Howard I plan on going back and reading the first 2 books and other works. The Way Back to Us drew me in and I was hooked.

Gavin MacCormick is the lead singer of a world-famous band, but before that, he was just a college kid doing his best to make a difficult relationship work. Dani Winters has lived a hard life, on the run and always changing her name to keep herself safe, but her relationship with Gavin was the best thing that happened to her -- until she had to leave him without saying goodbye.

Years later, Gavin’s still not over the one who got away, and he doesn’t understand what happened that Dani couldn’t leave him anything more than a hastily scribbled note. When Dani shows back up in town, the two of them try to make a go of it again, but Dani’s still not sharing any information about her past (or present) and Gavin’s trying his best to keep things casual.

Will Gavin and Dani work out the second time around or will all the secrets pile up and get in the way of a real relationship?

Let me start off by saying that I loved The Feeling of Forever, which is the previous book in Jamie Howard’s Love Unplugged series. I read about 120 books ago, so I actually remember very little of the plot and characters, but I do remember really enjoying it. That book featured Gavin’s bandmate Felix and his love interest Jules with Gavin as a sort of mysterious side character. I really enjoy it when a series explores a whole group of friends, so I was excited when I got an email from the publisher offering me an ARC of this book. The problem I had with it is that I like literally all of the couples better than Gavin and Dani.

And the problem doesn’t lie with Gavin. I thought he was great. He’d been trying to burn through his feelings for Dani by having meaningless one-night stands (and why wouldn’t he?) but once she reappeared, he was 110% dedicated to her. I loved how Gavin was so involved with his family and how everybody could come to him if they had a problem. He was just an all-around great character.

Dani, on the other hand, almost ruined the book for me. I didn’t like her, I didn’t understand her motives, and I couldn’t get over her secrecy and lies. I get that she lived this supposedly dangerous life, but if you’re going to bring someone into your life -- especially someone as high-profile as the lead singer of a world-famous band -- you need to tell them at least the bare minimum to keep them safe. Gavin was flying blind and while he was okay with it, I wasn’t. How is he supposed to defend himself from something he doesn’t understand? How do you just blindly trust the girl who broke your heart all those years ago? Clearly, Gavin is a better person than me.

I guess the biggest thing for me is that I didn’t realize that this would be romantic suspense. With the cover and the description (and even the title!), I thought it would be a cute contemporary and it just wasn’t. There’s a lot going on in my life right now and I definitely would not have sought out a book like this, with its secrets and lies and tragic pasts. Part of the blame definitely lies with me for not doing my research. In a different mood, I might have enjoyed this book more -- which I factored into my rating.

That said, I’m so curious about the possibility of Ben and Rachel that I can’t even think straight. Their book, when it finally comes, will be explosive and amazing and wonderful and I can’t wait.

Final rating: 2.5, rounded up to ★★★☆☆

I received a complimentary ARC of The Way Back to Us from the publisher (via Netgalley).

This novel was easily one of my most anticipated reads of the year. To say I was super duper excited to start this is an understatement of possibly epic proportions. 

It was nice to get some closure for Gavin. I was super curious to learn more about the girl who captured his heart and I was not disappointed in the journey to learn all about it.

Like The Feeling of Forever, this one has a romantic suspense vibe to it. Which was a little unexpected but kept me hooked and constantly coming up with new theories for what was happening. Of course, I was totally wrong so bonus points for that twist! But the whole premise gave this story a unique feel to it and I found it to be a refreshing take on the second chance romance.

My only complaint is that I wanted to see how these two fell in love. For me, it almost read like a sequel novel to their first book where they fell in love and this was the novel to wrap it all up to see if love can conquer all. Instead of being shown why they belong together we are told why they shouldn't be together. I'm a reader who likes to see those romantic moments where couples fall in love. It doesn't always work for me to be told why these two love each other as they battle the dramatic plot lines.

However, it did work here in a way. Obviously, these two make a great pair and I loved them together.  As I reader I definitely got why these two would fight everything to be together. In that aspect Howard succeeds in her writing. But I wanted a little bit of that "so called" first book of theirs because I'm a huge fan. I wanted to see them meet and establish what is a great relationship and partnership instead of seeing it already exist. We get little tidbits here and there but I craved more because I just loved these two characters so much.

I loved Gavin and Dani's story. I hate I missed the first two books in this series as these gang of friends is very entertaining and fun and I am sure their books were as well. I guess now I have 2 new books on my "to-be read" list.

Gavin's shock at seeing Dani as a server at a dinner he is attending sends the reader back in time to when Dani and Gavin were in college, carefree (so he thought) and in love. When Gavin wakes up to an empty bed and a simple note he is devastated and seeing Dani again brings back that pain but moreso the anger.

Dani had to leave and couldn't tell him why. She is on the run and can't bring Gavin into that dangerous world for his own safety. Ending up in his hometown Dani knows there is no way she can't seek him out.

This story was intriguing and imaginative. Both Dani and Gavin are characters you love and want to be together. Circumstances might not allow for a happy ending but they agree to enjoy the journey until it is fatefully over. Secrets come out and things might not be all Dani thought them to be. Is she in danger? Will she ever find peace and happiness? Will Gavin and Dani ever find their way back?

Gavin and Dani.
This is the first book I have read in the series.
It is a second chance romance.
It was okay.
Dani and Gavin were involved then Dani disappears, no explanation.
They meet again, Gavin is hurt but despite that they get involved again.
She can't explain why she left and obviously he wants answers.
They start seeing each other he makes it obvious he had one night stands which was understandable,he is lashing out as he's hurt and trying to hide how he feels but still.
She is a bit harder to get a read on, as a reader you are asking the same questions as Gavin even though we see extra things and know things he doesn't.
The secret was a good one, a bit unique, it's well written.
There is some good banter between couples from previous stories and a build up for Rachel and Ben who obviously have a future story coming.

I absolutely adored the first two books in this series, so I was ecstatic when the publisher emailed me to ask if I wanted to read and review the third one. I might have let out a little shriek of joy.

Gavin wasn't one of my favorite characters in the first two books, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book *wasn't* about him trying to overcome his commitment issues. From page 1, Gavin is focused on Dani, and that's how I like my romantic heroes to be. He came across as much more likable in this book than the first two. I loved seeing how much he cared about his family.

Dani took me a while to warm up to. But her soft spot for Gavin really made her more relatable, and I loved seeing the way she bonded with the other women.

Excellent writing, hot sex scenes, and an interesting plot that hasn't been done a thousand times. Highly recommended.

Really, I only have one issue: WHEN do we get Ben and Rachel's story???? (I'm dying for it, especially after reading this book.)

I read the second book of this series few months ago, i don't remember much about it but that's not a big deal. You can even read it as a standalone, but you see glimpse of Dani and Gavin in the second book, it mentioned shortly but you'll remember. This book explained their history and they story now.

Back then due to circumstance and other choices, Dani has to leave Gavin with no explanation for his safety. After moving around from one place to another she unintentionally meet again with Gavin, her former boyfriend, only to realize they still have feeling for each other, after all these years they never stop, it's all there waiting for them to do something about it. It's still not safe for them to be together, never safe according to Dani, but the connection is undeniable Gavin won't let this chance go into waste, not after all those years, he keeps pop up & spent time with Dani whenever he got the chance, Dani no matter how much she try to deny it she is enjoying and loving the time they spent together, both know what they're in to that they're in borrowed time until they come up with a better solution.

I like both main characters, Dani is closed off girl due to her traumatic & mysterious past but she's a nice girl, strong in her own way and she's caring. Gavin is attentive, caring, his family tend to lean on him when there's a problem and at times like that Dani's presence give him strength and soothe him. They're compatible for each other. I really enjoy their interaction with the gang and Gavin's family. The plot is good too, the little mystery and twist towards in the of the book, i'm satisfied with the ending.
Overall i really had a great time and enjoy reading this book.

If you're a fan of the Love Unplugged series, you were probably wondering what was up with Gavin and the red head at the party just like I was. Well, The Way Back to Us will answer all of your questions!

The Way Back to Us wasn't really what I was expecting. That was mostly because I didn't read the blurb before I started reading it. I was completely in the dark about Dani and her father, so it took a while for the story to unravel for me. I liked that, even though I did side with Gavin's friends' concern about Dani back in his life. It made it harder to like Dani at first, but it gave the story a lot of great mystery.

Dani and Gavin's relationship was a rocky one. There were so many uncertainties. I was amazed at how supportive Gavin was of Dani despite not knowing a lot of things. He gave her the benefit of the doubt when I might not have. I loved his devotion to her. And despite having a hard time liking her at first, Dani grew on me. She obviously loved Gavin, and felt torn by the need to follow her rules for life. Things might have been messy for them, but their love for each other really shined through.

The Way Back to Us was a fun addition to the Love Unplugged series. It wasn't my favorite book in the series (that spot is reserved for book 2 at the moment), but I still loved it. Jamie Howard is a phenomenal writer, and her stories always keep me wanting more. I can't wait to read the next book in this series!