I was so excited to receive an early copy of this one before season 2 comes out on Netflix. I love the juxtaposition of the books witj the movies and what each adds/takes out.

I really liked the development of Cole's character in this sequel. I had mixed feelings about the way that Jackie's character evolved but I did appreciate the raw portrayal of grief displayed.

I'm hoping for more to come from this believed series.

There's a certain nostalgia to this series that I love - I'm glad we got a sequel, especially to provide the show with guiding source material. Of course, it's very much YA - but highly enjoyable for what it is, and an extension of a story many of us know and love.

Thanks Netgalley and Sourcebooks fire for a ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This second book was a long a waited read, while I loved the first one more it was great to read about Jackie and the Walter family again. There was a lot of things that happened between different members of the Walter family. There was also a lot of drama that happened for different characters throughout the book. I did love the relationship you get to see between Jackie and multiple other people. Jackie's relationship with each of the Walter's is specific for each person. I loved getting to see Jackie become more apart of the family. While Jackie and Cole are constantly back and forth I do love them together, and hope that they are end game. I can't wait to read the next book and to also see the new season of the TV show based on this series.

What a great sequel to this series!

“Are you saying yes?”
“I-yeah.” I whispered. “I think I am.”
“Then I’ll be your someone, Jackie.”

I will admit, there were several times I was yelling at Jackie in my head. It made me upset that she was almost sabotaging herself into not allowing herself to be happy. I think her grief was deeper than I could even comprehend.
I think while Cole did have some immature moments, especially when Jackie initially asked for space and then flirting despite Jackie’s ask for boundaries, he ended up having a mature look at things towards the end. I enjoyed reading his letter to Jackie. His recognition of their connection of losing a big part of themselves when they met, I think, is what makes them so good together. They understand that grief of the past. They relate to the loss, the fear.
It is the classic, crazy back and forth world that is teenage love and this book completely embodies it. There were times the back and forth drove me a bit crazy, but that’s teenage love sometimes! ESPECIALLY loved the ending! <3
Thank you, NetGalley! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. <3

Had to DNF this one! The writing is so childish!! Al thought I am grateful for the opportunity to review I will have to put a stop to reading because it put me in a massive slump

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Ali Novak for providing me with the arc of this book!

Ali Novak’s highly anticipated sequel to the bestselling book My life with the Walter boys does not disappoint.
After a summer away from the Walter family, Jackie is back to start a new school year. While she’s been away things have definitely changed in the Walter house. Alex has a new girlfriend, Cole has moved away, and Nathan is acting all weird and closed off.
A fun and satisfying sequel to a great first book. I loved to see the fun moments in coffee shops but also the deeply emotional moments of grief. I felt like I got to know Jackie as a main character a bit more, and understood her thinking I can’t wait to see this book adapted for the next season of the TV show.
While I enjoyed this book and would recommend, I did find some parts to be a bit repetitive and I couldn’t understand why Jackie was going back and forth so much about wanting to be with Cole.

Rating: 3/5 stars
Reading Age: 14+

First and foremost, thank you to Ali Novak, Sourcebooks Fire and Netgalley for an advanced copy of My Return to the Walter Boys in exchange for an honest review.

Summary
Jackie Howard returns to the Walter ranch after a summer away, still reeling from her goodbye kiss with Cole Walter. She hoped the space would help, but nothing could have prepared her for how hard it would be to keep her distance from him—or how complicated things would become. With Cole working in town before leaving for college and Jackie navigating her future, emotions run high. The Walters have become like family, but her feelings for Cole threaten to upend everything. As old flames rekindle and personal growth is put to the test, Jackie must decide whether she’s ready to face the next chapter.

Short and Sweet Opinion
This book gave me a nostalgic kick, since I originally read the first on Wattpad—but it didn’t quite live up to what I hoped for. It was decent, and I loved being back with familiar characters, but the execution fell flat. The drama felt forced, and the plot lacked the growth or resolution I expected. It read too much like its Wattpad roots without the polish I wanted in a published sequel.

In Depth Opinion
Coming back to the world of the Walter boys hit me right in the feels—I was obsessed with Cole Walter waaaay back in Ali's Wattpad days. I was excited to return to this story, but I think I built the sequel up more in my head than what was actually delivered. There was definitely something comforting about seeing familiar characters again, but the writing felt like it hadn’t evolved much past its Wattpad origins.

The dynamic between Jackie and Cole had potential, but the drama between them sometimes felt a little overblown. Jackie was clear about needing space for her own healing, and it was frustrating to see Cole respond in such an immature way. While their push and pull created plenty of tension, it often came at the expense of respectful communication or meaningful growth. That said, there were glimpses of the chemistry that made readers fall for them in the first place, and it was nice to see how much they still meant to each other—despite all the missteps.

Some of the side characters didn’t get as much time as I would’ve liked (Danny especially!), and a few plot points felt unresolved or like missed opportunities. But even with its flaws, the book had heart. It was genuinely fun to return to the Walter household and feel the chaos of a big, loving family again. Jackie’s internal voice remains relatable, and there were some really sweet moments that reminded me why I fell for this story in the first place. It’s not a perfect sequel, but it still scratched that nostalgic itch.

The follow up to My Life with the Walter Boys did not disappoint! I am a Cole girlie, and I really loved how he grew in this book. The story was well done and still very sweet.

How fun to revisit this family and these characters after years away from them. I have been a fan of all of Ali Novak's books, so I was excited to see where the story was going to go next. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Jackie returns to the Walter ranch after a summer in NY and faces the drama with Cole and the rest of the Walter family.

Unfortunately this book just fell flat for me. I didn't feel like the sequel developed the characters well. Jackie's grief felt brushed over and not real. The drama between her and Cole felt like it was too manufactured. I did enjoy her getting to know a few of the other Walters better, but overall it felt like there was a lot left unexplained and underdeveloped.

My Return to the Walter Boys is the second book in the series and picks up where we last saw Jackie leaving to spend the summer in New York. Now that the summer is over, Jackie returns to the ranch that is full of mischief, chaos, and some real love drama. Needing to come to terms with her feelings for Cole is Jackies first priority but she needs to make sure she doesn’t hurt the family that she has grown to love so much.
This is a cute, quick fun read that is sure to put a smile on your face!
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for my ARC.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I’ve been waiting for this book for so long and I’m so glad we finally have a sequel! I love these characters and the author did not disappoint in delivering a great story. Jackie is such an interesting character to me whom I love so much. This book is written really well and I enjoyed every moment.

Upon seeing this sequel, I was SO excited to see what happened with Jackie and the ranch!! And let me tell you, I wasn't disappointed - it was plenty of that same nostalgic, feel-good romcom energy from the first!

I thought Novak did a great job with this sequel, and she is a PRO at setting the scene and building a fictional world! It was easy to get lost in the description and envision myself there without it being too dragged out or taking away from the characters and main storyline. That being said, I felt like the plot was missing something...tension? Suspense? Everything flowed well but I found myself losing interest at times as there was no buildup or conflict that added to the plotline.

Overall, this was a cute, quick, and enjoyable read that made for a great sequel! Thanks so much for the ARC!

Ali Novak has done it again! My Return to the Walter Boys was the perfect follow up. I loved it! Pick it up now!

I enjoyed the first book in this series and was looking forward to reading the sequel. It didn't disappoint!

In this book, Jackie has returned to Colorado after spending the summer in New York, away from the Walter family and, in particular, away from Cole Walter. Will anything be the same when she returns or will time and distance have changed everything? When she returns for the new school year, Jackie finds many things have changed, including the attitudes of several of the Walter boys. The family dynamics are no longer the same and she needs to get to the bottom of what is going on with a number of the boys she now thinks of as family. She also has to face Cole who she purposely has kept at a distance over the summer.

A wonderful sequel which does justice to the continuing story, about a busy, loving family doing their best to work through all the issues that life throws their way. I loved that in this sequel, some of the characters path wasn't smooth which often reflects the reality of blended families. A great read.

Thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for the chance to read and review this book

3.5/5

Returning to the chaos, charm, and emotional whirlwind of the Walter household felt like diving back into a sun-drenched summer memory—equal parts nostalgic and unpredictable. Ali Novak’s sequel doesn’t just revisit familiar faces, it deepens them, and lets us sit with the messy, honest realities of growing up, grieving, and figuring out what (and who) we want.

Let’s talk Jackie. She’s a rollercoaster this time around—sometimes frustrating, sometimes relatable, but always real. Her grief and emotional whiplash aren't just plot devices; they’re part of her healing process. It’s not clean or linear, and that’s the point. Sure, there were moments I wanted to grab her by the shoulders and ask, “Girl, what do you actually want?” But the back-and-forth with Cole felt emotionally grounded. She’s not just navigating romance—she’s learning how to feel safe again. And speaking of Cole—this boy. A little older, a little wiser, and still utterly smitten. He’s grown since book one, taking more responsibility and showing a softer, more thoughtful side. Was I lowkey waiting for him to put up more of a fight when Jackie returned from New York? Absolutely. But even so, he brought the quiet kind of swoon that YA dreams are made of.

What really stood out in this sequel was the glow-up in worldbuilding. The scenes had this golden, almost cinematic quality to them—like snapshots of a summer you never had but wish you did. The vibes? Immaculate. Plus, side characters like Isaac and Nathan got the love they deserved, making the story feel bigger than just Jackie and Cole.

My one gripe? I wanted more tension. More stakes. More “oh no they didn’t” moments. The emotional beats were there, but the plot could’ve used a few extra curveballs to really keep me on edge. Still, My Return to the Walter Boys feels like catching up with old friends—chaotic, emotional, a little confusing, but ultimately worth the trip. Whether Novak was writing this as a natural continuation or subtly syncing with the show’s upcoming season, I’m just glad we got more of this world.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC!

After watching the first series, I knew I had to read the books. I'm content with how the book sorts out problems that the Walter family has. It definitely gives more insight into the other characters. I can easily say that Cole is a ride or die character. HAHA. Some of Jackie's fears were a little back and forth and seemed more childish than before, but I think it makes sense for a teenager.
I live for the mischief that the boys get into! I hope that I handle my kids' trouble as well as George and Katherine handle the Walter clan's. I have to say, one of my favorite aspects of the books is just to see how they punish the kids for a multitude of problems.
I really hope there is a book 3 because this book didn't seem quite finished. I'm really excited to see how the tv show puts this book into film.

I read "My Life with the Walter Boys" when it first came out, so a long time ago. This book does a good job of continuing the story, but I found that Jackie and Cole were somewhat immature and didn't communicate effectively. I loved revisiting some of the other characters, though, 3.25 stars for nostalgia!

rating 4 ⭐️

yes yes yes! this book definitely fed me more with the romance and more character stories and i loved jackie so much more this book. i love where this book leaves off it left me feeling very content.

honestly comparing this book and book one…cole in this book can GET IT ANYDAY. he’s so gentle and sweet to her. and does he have attitude sometimes…sure but that’s so relatable 😭

the only thing that got me was how finicky jackie was about what she wanted but i get it. doesn’t mean it didn’t irritate me though lmao. anywho i absolutely loved this. it was such a fun and refreshing read and a great continuation to something i started SO LONG AGO.