This is a captivating tale that explores themes of redemption, self-discovery, and the profound impact of our past on our present lives. It is thought provoking, emotional, and beautifully written.
Many thanks to Goose Lake Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Returning To Hattie
By: Lynn Ellen

4 Stars

Derek Worthington is a rich property developer. His wealth as well as his social standing are what matter. To him and his family, most of them, anyway. When a sudden medical emergency gives him visions, his whole life changes. A change of heart is in the cards for Derek when his "past" and present collide in miraculous ways.

This story was a bit slow to start, but once it grabs you, it won't let go. The story follows loosely along 2 storylines. One past, one present. This story is simply captivating. I found this book to be intriguing and kept me reading. It had drama, romance, pain, and redemption. The characters were real and heartwarming. The emotions were very raw and real. You could feel the love and the pain with every page turn. It was really a beautifully fantastic and well written story.

I have to add, for those readers that need the warning, that the ending was amazing and may cause tears. *insert sniffle* You WILL need tissues.

*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Reviews

3,5 stars rounded up to 4.
I quite enjoyed this spiritual redemption story. The idea for the plot is interesting and it works well with the characters. The writing style could have been better but it was fine overall.

Derek became wealthy after humble beginnings. . Derek's attitude changes after his lot in life improves. Derek and his wife Jane have three children. Their two sons follow Derek's example and are quite haughty. Their daughter is a bit more reserved in her behavior as is Jane. Derek has a medical emergency and begins to recall a past life. He seeks help in recalling more information about his past life and his current behavior begins to change.
This was unbelievable on so many levels. The behavior of Derek and his sons was a hard sell. Adults behave this way? It was more than boorish. The author may have used a certain tv family as a blueprint to show how distasteful these people were, but it didn't stop there. The women in this book were treated poorly by the author. The mom and daughter were not given any depth. The maid Ruby came in during dinner to make a personal request. Yeah, that would happen.
Most of all, the past life flashes were so uninspiring. Derek was a poor black man named Charles in his past life. He and his acquaintances spoke a form of English I have never encountered. This was very hard to follow. Plus, the pastor and his wife had no problem with their daughter marrying a numbers runner. Charles and Hattie had to make their relationship happen. Charles's life was cut short, but their love was solid. This is what Derek remembers and feels poorly about not giving Jane.
Again, the women in this book were not portrayed positively. Jane gets the idea to reclaim her life after gathering some info from another woman in this book, and it seems she is willing to forgive even though she doesn't know the whole story. It feels like this needs to be fleshed out more. This could have been so much more than what we actually got. There had to be some point when Derek changed from caring husband to jerk. The therapist had to get close enough to Derek to become entangled in their lives beyond Jane's sessions.
Basically, I was sorely disappointed with this book. I was expecting a full-bodied story that I did not get. I'm glad that other readers enjoyed this story. It simply was not a pleasure to read for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Goose Lake Press for an e-arc in exchange for an unbiased review.

I really enjoyed the book. I would definitely recommend it and read it again.I enjoyed that the characters grew and found their own happy endings.

Returning toHattie, I I loved the idea, but not the writing. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

"Returning to Hattie" by Lynn Ellen promises a thought-provoking and emotionally charged narrative that explores themes of redemption, self-discovery, and the profound impact of one's past on their present life. The novel introduces readers to Derek Worthington, a man who has sacrificed personal relationships and compromised his values in pursuit of wealth and power.

The story takes a compelling turn when Derek survives a brain aneurysm and begins to experience vivid and recurring visions from a different time and place. This intriguing premise sets the stage for a journey of self-exploration as Derek decides to undergo a past life regression, leading to the revelation of his past life as Charles Richardson, a poor Black man from the 1940s.

The duality of Derek's character, his transformation from an arrogant and uncaring individual to someone grappling with the memories and experiences of Charles, is sure to captivate readers. The theme of reincarnation and the idea of carrying the weight of one's past actions into the present add depth to the narrative.

As Derek delves deeper into Charles's life and uncovers unexpected connections, the story promises to be a poignant exploration of identity, race, and the consequences of one's choices. It's likely to resonate with readers who appreciate character-driven stories that challenge us to reflect on our own lives and the impact we have on others.

"Returning to Hattie" appears to be a novel that offers both a compelling narrative and an opportunity for readers to contemplate the complexities of human existence, personal growth, and the possibility of redemption.