Hallie Cavanaugh swore she would never go back to Paradise, Idaho, where she grew up. When her father, and abusive and all around vile man, passes away under questionable circumstances, Hallie is guilted into returning for the funeral and reading of the will. The will divides the estate among the survivors, but Hallie ‘s inheritance comes with a huge catch. She has to live in Paradise for 6 months in her father’s home and she is not allowed to have sexual relations with Jim Lawson  Jim, a veteran and deputy sheriff just wants to be left alone to raise his daughter.  Hallie ‘s return to Paradise brings up too much of his bad boy past. When someone starts to threaten Hallie though, Jim takes a personal interest in her safety.  Who is threatening Hallie? Can  Hallie and Jim resist temptation so that Hallie will inherit?
Watching Hallie take control and triumph over her evil and disgusting father was very satisfying.  Instead of running from her unpleasant memories of him, she confronts her fears and in turn empowers herself.  My favorite part of her transformation was when she gave away her father’s prized and very expensive F-150 to his cleaning lady when she learned the single mother needed reliable transportation. Old Henry was definitely spinning in his grave when Hallie did that. 
The chemistry between Hallie and Jim is electric.  These two  characters had a bit if a thing going on in high school until Hallie ‘s father forced Jim to leave town.  Unable to forget their one night stand, these two dance around the inevitable knowing it could cost Hallie millions of dollars . The sexual tension is so thick in parts of the book that it becomes palpable to the reader.
The suspense portion of the book was very enjoyable as well. What started out as harmless threats to Hallie quickly escalates. Jim tries desperately to take a back seat in the investigation but his alpha male side won’t let him stand idly by while his woman is threatened.  James dies a great job of teasing out who the threat is until the very last end and it wasn’t at all who I expected. 
Take Me Back is the fourth book in the Paradise, Idaho series by Rosalind James but it can be read as a standalone.  James has created an intriguing world of secrets and romance that will suck you into from the first sentence. Anyone who likes contemporary romance/romantic suspense will enjoy this book.

Basic story and basic writing. The book showed very little imagination. I wish I could have the hours I invested in reading this book back.

Generally, I love Rosalind James books.  It is with a heavy heart that I admit that Take Me Back missed the mark for me.  I didn't find it very romantic and I didn't find it very suspenseful either (I actually didn't really care who the "bad guy" was by the end of the book because I found the book annoying and a little boring.)  
  
For most of the book I just felt bad for Hallie.  She had the misfortune of having a moderately evil father and an emotionally neglectful mother.  Then the love of her life (Jim) doesn't seem to care much about her.  I didn't dislike Jim exactly, he just seemed to suffer from Head Up Own Ass Syndrome (HUOAS) from his teens on.  
 
I really disliked hearing about how much Jim loved his late wife Maya.  I'm happy that he dearly loved Maya, but it bugged me that he was able to walk away from Hallie so easily and move on to a new relationship.  Hallie was just someone he used to know while Hallie was left with a broken heart and seemed almost haunted by the loss of their relationship.  
 
I also found the book a lot longer than it needed to be.  The last 25% of the book seemed unnecessary and I kept hoping it would end.  I have enjoyed the other books in the Paradise, Idaho series and I will definitely read the next book.

Take Me Back is a murder mystery written in that grim, matter of fact voice that many mysteries seem to have.  This is a good story, although missing excitement.

Hallie Cavanaugh never planned to step foot back into Paradise, Idaho.  When her father suddenly dies, she is required to attend his funeral or else.  That was the way of her father - his way or no way.  She learned that all too well when she was younger.  Her mother divorced her father way back when, leaving her alone to face the full brunt of his ruthlessness.  Still, she went to see what it was all about, planning on returning to Washington as soon as it was over.

However, Henry Cavanaugh was even ruthless from his grave.  In order for her get her inheritance, she had to stay in Paradise, in his house, for six months straight.  That might be all fine and good except the will also stated she couldn't have sex with Jim Lawson for the said six months, among other things.  Well, she had no plans on doing that (again).  She remembered all too well what happened last time.

Jim Lawon, widower, father and deputy sheriff of Paradise, also had no plans on having sex with Hallie again.  He had only showed up for the will hearing because his half-brother Cole was required to attend.  Seeing Hallie again, even after all these years, brings back memories he'd rather forget.  He has a daughter now and can't afford to get tangled up with Hallie.  Except you can't always choose what your heart wants, even fighting hard against it knowing no good will come of it.  Yet when it becomes clear that Hallie's life is in danger, Jim will do everything in his power to make sure she's safe.

A mix of intrigue, romance and family drama, TAKE ME BACK has a bit of everything that keeps the pages turning.  Jim and Hallie's previous relationship plays a big part of who they are today.  Hallie's father wasn't a nice man, and there is a bit of intrigue as to how he died, who wanted him dead and then comes after Hallie.  (This is not a spoiler because it happens in the first chapter of the book.)  The story follows Jim and Hallie's rediscovery of each other as well as other secondary characters who support the storyline.   Each one is complex, with unique personalities and reasons for being in the story.  The sexual tension is quite palpable and the drama unfolds nicely to escalate into a climactic ending.  Overall, well written and full of little twists and plenty of action.

I have mixed feelings on this one so I'll start with the good.  The story is very good with a good mix of romance and suspense.  The writing is great and the characters are interesting and well developed.  Hallie Cavanaugh and Jim Lawson work well together and their history is intriguing.  The way Hallie's father manipulates her even from the grave is frustrating.  Even more frustrating is how Hallie let's it happen.  Yet I did like her and I liked her for Jim.  What I didn't care for in this was I thought the suspense part of it was a little too easy to figure out.  Most of the story I was reading it to confirm I was right.  Also, I thought this story was a little drawn out.  I found myself skimming a lot of the middle part of the story. Yet overall I did enjoy the story and would recommend this one to anyone who enjoys romantic suspense.

Romance, suspense, insecurity, greed, spite, heartbreak, resolution and love.
Many favourite moments in this book. Rosalind James delivers a cracking mix of romance and suspense that kept me turning the pages.
Insightful, emotional- did I mention a hot sheriff?
Lines that stick with me :
" You're ready to be his steady place in a hard world, just like he'll be that for you".  
I am thinking that would do for most of us in today's hard world.

I was sucked into the story from the first page and not a lot of authors can do that.  The reader will be happy with the characters and the setting.  The author did a wonderful job and will be looking for more books.

I really enjoyed this book, though I found myself wishing the heroine was a bit less "good". She was emotionally abused by her father and emotionally abandoned by her mother. She broke free from him and made a satisfying life for herself, but he's managed to reel her back to her hometown with a legacy that's hard to resist. 

I liked the way she handled that situation. I loved the hero and the way their story unfolded. The suspense part was the weakest for me. The escalation felt out of place, somehow. I needed more explanation or motivation for the actions of the villain.

4 Star Review of Take Me Back (Paradise, Idaho #4) by Rosalind James

Rosalind James has a talent for romantic suspense and book number four in this series was just as enjoyable to read as the previous books.

Hallie Cavanaugh left Paradise, Idaho behind a long time ago and hasn't been back; that is until the death of her father that brings her back for his funeral and the reading of his will.
The last thing she needs or wants is to encounter Jim Lawson, the deputy sheriff, the man who broke her heart fourteen years ago. 

All Jim, a widower, wants to do is his job, raise his daughter and avoid Hallie, the constant reminder of a bad boy past.  From the grave Henry Cavanaugh continues to manipulate his daughter. The terms of his will mean that Hallie gets the house and contents but to get her share of his fortunes she needs to spend six months in the house and not have a sexual relationship with Jim Lawson. Of course that is the difficulty as the sexual attraction between Jim and Hallie has not disappeared.

However, not everyone is happy that Hallie has returned to town to claim her inheritance, particularly the person that murdered her father Henry. When Hallie is threatened, Jim knows that he will do whatever he can to protect her.

Ms. James characters are always strong, particularly the women and Hallie was no exception.
I really liked her and Jim and it was great to read about their history as they try and navigate a future together.

Take Me Back was at times a gripping read; there were a few twists and turns that had me guessing but I eventually figured out who the villain was. Mystery, romance , suspense, it was all there and I look forward to reading more from Ms. James.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book through NetGalley from the publisher.

An enjoyable read with a great mix of happy, emotional and intense scenes. The storyline and relationships developed were different from many other books ive read.

Another DNF for me. TAKE ME BACK was my first Rosalind James book, and whilst the fourth entry in the Paradise, Idaho series, it can be read as a standalone. I want to point out that it’s not that the book is bad per se, but when I’m past 10 chapters in and neither the characters nor the plot have managed to grab me--such that I’m simply turning pages disinterestedly to see if I can get to the point where the story finally picks up--it’s time to stop and move on. Second-chance/reunion romances are an extremely tough sell for me, and TAKE ME BACK failed to get me invested in why hero Jim Lawson and heroine Hallie Cavanaugh broke up back in high school and haven’t spoken in 14 years, or rooting for them to resolve their differences and have their HEA. I’m a big suspense and thriller reader, and whilst TAKE ME BACK begins with the murder of cantankerous old arsehat (and town tyrant) Henry Cavanaugh, I felt no pressing need to discover who’d done it. It’s quite possible the tension ratchets up later in the book and doesn’t let up until the end, but a suspense book needs to grab you from the get-go and take you on a nonstop thrill ride.

**ARC received from Montlake via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Take Me Back is book #4 in Rosalind James' Paradise, Idaho series. Although it is fourth in the series it can definitely be read as a stand-alone novel with no problem. I've read nearly all of RJ's books and I think that the Paradise series is my favorite, and this book is the best so far, IMO. 

The story starts with the death of Henry Cavanagh, the richest and most disliked man in Paradise. His estranged daughter Hallie returns for the funeral even though she has had no contact with her father for the past five years. Wouldn't you know the first person she runs into is Jim Lawson, the twin brother of her best friend, who was also the high school crush who broke her heart years ago. Jim is a former army ranger and now a deputy sheriff, he's also widower with a young daughter. Although neither is willing to admit it at first there is still an attraction between them.

There are many twists and turns throughout the story. Starting with Jim's suspicion that Henry's death might not have been from natural causes. Then Henry's will reveals secrets about Jim's family, and in order to claim her inheritance, Hallie has to remain in town for six months. In the following weeks and months, things happen that show a threat to Hallie's safety and Jim finds himself getting closer to her in his need to protect her from harm.

RJ does a good job of keeping the reader guessing as to whom the villain is. By about halfway through I had my suspects narrowed down to two, and by three fourths of the way I knew who it was and it turned out I was right. Still enjoyed reading and trying to figure out the mystery. Loved the UST between the H/h and enjoyed seeing it resolved. The history of the two is revealed slowly throughout the book and it turns out to be much more that a teen crush gone bad, with most all of the heartache orchestrated by Hallie's father Henry. 

Once again RJ has ticked all the boxes in what I love in romantic suspense: strong hero, smart independent heroine, good supporting cast, twisty plot, sexual attraction, enough smutty goodness to be hot but not take over the story, and ultimately a happy ending.

I'd give Take Me Back 5 stars and would recommend it to readers of romantic suspense, or general contemporary romance readers.

Take me back is a good book. This is the first time I have read this author and I would read her again.  Hallie must go back and live in her hometown for six months to fulfill the terms of her Dad's will and inherit millions.  Just to be clear her Dad was not a nice man and his death may or may not have been accidental.  When she returns to her hometown she quickly reconnects with Jim.  Jim and Hallie have a lot of chemistry and a difficult past history. According to the will Hallie and Jim can't have a sexual relationship for six months. This proves to be a challenge for them.  The book has suspense in the mix. The person who "helped" with her Dads death wants Hallie gone or at the very least to violate the terms of the will so that she does not get the money.  I did not figure out the identity of this person until the very end of the book.   I thought this book drew me in and kept me wanting to read more to figure out what was going on.  I recommend reading this book.

4.5☆: Romantic suspense mixed with a second chance romance

Take Me Back is a romantic suspense mixed with a second chance romance. It’s action packed with drama from the beginning and right up to virtually the very end, evolving at a steady pace; I was completely drawn in to this book and eager to figure out where it was going to lead and there were some surprising events that I truly never would have predicted for when things hit their climax at the end of the book. While this is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone; I have personally only read one other book in this series but could follow along. 

From the moment we are introduced to Jim and Hallie, they are both very likeable and continue to be well developed characters who are re-introduced after tragedy brings them back into each other’s lives. There is a clear chemistry between the pair, albeit a bit feisty. Hallie is an independent, sassy woman who has been hurt by emotional issues in the past while Jim is a strong and sexy single dad Police Officer. Both have emotional pasts that have shaped who they are today but also have to face up to their history. I particularly loved the relationship between Hallie and Jim’s daughter, Mac, especially as the book advanced and they grew closer. 

Take Me Back is a well written romantic action suspense with a strong plot. The book has a good writing style, and flow, told mostly from Jim and Hallie’s perspectives, although, there is an odd few chapters told from an alternate perspective to help build the suspense of the book. There are some predictable parts to the plot and some twists thrown in that I didn’t expect. Rosalind James gets a good natural balance with the romance and the suspense, especially with moving along the relationship between the couple in a way that fit with the storyline perfectly. I’ll be truly honest and admit I struggled to get into this at the start and kept getting a bit confused, however, as the book progressed I settled into the book and followed along no problem and absolutely loved the sweet HEA. 

Overall, if you enjoy a good romantic suspense, definitely don’t hesitate to give this book a read!

A surprisingly sweet story that makes me want to read the other books in the series, I'd recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a great romance story. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

5 Stars*****

I absolutely loved this book! It was the perfect mystery romance book. It kept you guessing right till the end, the connection between the character's was perfect and realistic, the character development was great. I sometimes feel with mystery romances that you either get too much romance or too much mystery but this book was a brilliant blend of both, meaning both elements were right at the forefront the whole way through.

This book starts out with the murder of Henry Cavanaugh, a horrible, disliked man. But who is the killer? The way that Rosalind James wrote this book is clever. She introduces characters, give their background and history with Henry and what their motive for killing him would be, meaning the suspense right until the end was brilliant.

Jim Lawson, alpha male, gorgeous and the town's sheriff is one of the sheriff's on the case, while they investigate they must inform Henry's only daughter and Jim's childhood love that her father is dead.

Hallie Cavanaugh is the complete opposite to her father, kind hearted, charitable and overall people pleaser. Hallie comes back to the town of Paradise to hear the reading of her father's will, but she thought he had disowned her so was not expecting anything. The reading of the will is full of surprises, a surprise brother for Hallie, an unhappy uncle, an angry aunt, and a sudden millionaire teenager. So many emotions, and so many suspects.

In order for Hallie to receive her inheritance she must remain living in her father's house, and not have a sexual relationship with Jim for those 6 months. 

But with threats becoming more and more serious, the relationship between Jim and Hallie blossoms.

This book will grab you from the beginning, it'll keep you guessing until the end and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Good romance /mystery. Some interesting characters, and some not at all likable ones too. The ending seemed a bit rushed, but overall a good read!