Back to Her Future

by Cary J. Hansson

Maryam Saylan has learned to look out for number one. Abducted at fourteen from England by her Turkish father and forced to marry a man twice her age, she’s divorced thirty years later and working a lucrative but unconventional job in Dubai. But the hardened survivor reels from her dad’s stunning deathbed confession… she was never abandoned by her mom. Discovering her mother wrote dozens of letters that were returned unread, a furious Maryam tracks down a childhood friend in London to get answers. And welcomed by her old group as they attend an Eighties weekend and rock to George Michael, she struggles to reconnect while forgotten memories and shocking revelations open unhealed wounds. Will tearing through the layer of painful secrets finally bring Maryam peace? Beautifully and boldly written, Cary J Hansson merges history, everyday circumstances, and aching tragedy into an unforgettable narrative. And with brutal honesty accompanied with wry wit, she takes readers on a heart-wrenching journey of healing and self-discovery. Back to Her Future is the compelling first novel in The GenX Series of women’s contemporary fiction. If you like scarred but resilient heroines, nostalgic interludes, and transformative epiphanies, then you’ll love Cary J Hansson’s emotional tale.

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook

332 pages, ebook

First published November 1, 2023

About the author

I'm a fifty something mum of three, an ex-dancer, actress, waitress, cleaner, TV presenter, double-glazing sales rep, fax machine operator. You name it and I’ve cleaned it, served it, sent it or sold it.

I write stories about ordinary people, living lives of extraordinary courage and I can promise only two things: no knights in shining armour and no flying cars. My fictional characters save themselves, as in the end we all must do.

A Midlife Holiday is my debut. Here's what people are saying:

“I haven’t devoured a book in one sitting for a long time but I literally could not put this down. It shouldn’t be so rare (or refreshing) to read about the lives of middle-aged women, but it is. Cary J Hansson handles her subject matter with authenticity, providing some seldom heard (yet much-needed) commentary on midlife. The book is compulsively readable ... funny, brutally honest, extremely relatable and a perfect summer read." SouthAsia Magazine

"A fantastic page-turner filled with humor, life lessons, and enlightenment. The book has a beautiful storyline interpreted by well-developed characters. It was also realistic and unpredictable. I am nowhere near fifty, but the midlife crisis is real. The author was also spot-on with friendships. Sustaining friendships isn’t easy, let alone managing them for three decades. " Readers Favorite

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

***AUDIO BOOK VERSION***
Back to Her Future is an emotional and heartfelt story about family trauma, friendship, and rediscovery.
We follow Maryam, who receives a call from her brother to tell her their father is dying. Maryam returns to Turkey to say her goodbyes and, upon hearing a shocking confession, then travels to London to reunite with her childhood friends Alma and Sammy.
Maryam was abducted when she was a teenager and forced into an arranged marriage to a man twice her age by her father. Her devoted mother was left behind in England, and Maryam was lead to believe she no longer cared about them. After connecting with her old friends Alma and Sammy, she goes to an 80s weekend in Blackpool, where shocking secrets come to light, and the women reconnect on a whole new level.
The narrator was absolutely perfect for this story and had a very easy-to-listen-to voice and calming tone. The story and themes are very well written and handled.
Some of the topics in this story may be triggering to some, so do check trigger warnings.

[Melanie Lafortune · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meryam is kidnapped at 14 by her father and taken to his home country of Turkey where she marries a man twice her age. These events change the course of the lives of 4 women. When her father is dying he finally confesses that he has been lying to her and that her mother had written her several letters that he sent back unopened. The news has her questioning so many things. She then travels to London to see her old friend Alma and they along with another friend Sammy embark on a journey of discovery and lots of 80s nostalgia. The story alternates between letters from Meryam’s mom and present day. The story isn’t the easiest to listen to because of some of the revelations that occur but it was well written. Thank you to Net Galley and Dreamscape Select for the advanced copy of the audiobook

[Kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Narrated by Lisa Armytage ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Story by Cary J. Hansson ⭐⭐⭐⭐

WOW!

What a powerfully heartbreak story. To me this is just a story but sadly this is the reality of some women still around the world.

[Brianna Hart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly thought this was an unusual friendship until we got further in. Then I realized that they were just kids who loved their friends until they were ripped apart. They all lost a piece of each other and it’s so sad they all suffered until they could put the pieces back together. Truly a story of forgiveness and new chances.

🌀Synopsis
Maryam receives a confession from her father on his deathbed. Their long lost mother had written to them for years after they left her. Maryam had convinced herself that she hadn’t loved them and had taken a career path with a heavy conscience of guilt. When she hears this, she decides to return to London and to her best friend Alma.
Alma has also lived a troubled life since Maryam left. Especially after she walked into the bathroom where Maryam’s mother had killed herself. When Maryam first returns Alma feels like she is a shadow, like she had been those years ago.
Together they walk through the past and help each other see it with a new clarity. They find a way to get through the things that happened and let the truth finally come out so they can forgive each other and themselves.

[Ritu Bhathal · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are all flawed.
We, our parents, and our children will be too.
The thing is, some of our flaws will inevitably hurt those we love, even if that is not the desired effect.
Back To Her Future is a deep story of culture, identity and the need to conform.
Meryam is estranged from her whole family, yet on his deathbed, her father calls for her. He imparts a secret buried thirty-odd years previously that impacts everything Meryam's adult life was built on.
I don't want to go into detail. Still, the story deals with the sometimes stifling expectations of certain cultures, the necessity of conforming when moving to different countries, and the need to maintain one's culture.
She's been through hell as she grew up, but Meryam is unaware of certain reasons behind the decisions that shaped her future.
As she goes on a journey of discovery, she rekindles friendships lost many decades before and learns some upsetting truths.
Sensitively done.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! It is rare that I begin a review with such an expression but on this occasion there is no other word which will do. This is a fantastic novel and was easily a five star read for me.

If you would like to read my full review please visit my blog at:

https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogsp...

[Natalie "Curling up with a Coffee and a Kindle" Laird · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this audiobook.
It has some references to secrets and holding back when the characters reunite after many years, and this kept me engaged and listening avidly. The narrator does a stellar job with the accents and voices of each character so it's easy for listeners to follow.

[Antoniette · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an emotional roller coaster of a book!

This is the story of Meryem, Alma, and Sammy, childhood friends who find themselves suddenly reunited after 30 long years. The story starts for us when Meryem's father reveals a long kept secret, but their story starts long before that. Little by little, the reader comes to know more about each of the women and of Sonia and Cathy, the mothers of Meryem and Alma. Eventually, the circumstances that tore Meryem from them unexpectedly at age 14 are revealed.

I enjoyed this audiobook so much more than I expected to. This book has so much more depth than its blurb lets on. The narration was excellent. I look forward to the author's next release.
4.5 stars, rounded up.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for allowing me early access to the ARC audiobook edition of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Jennifer Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved and was heart sick over this story. The cover and title do this novel a disservice. This is not a light easy going story about missed opportunity by choice. It is about a life that was stolen and the grief and tragedy that ensues.

Maryam’s father is dying and his dying wish is for her forgiveness. She refuses to give it after finding out he deliberately kept correspondence from her mother from her. Abducted by her father at 14 and married off to an older man by 16; Maryam has resented her mother for not intervening. Returning to the UK, she reunites old friends while searching for information about her mother. In one weekend she finds out more than she could ever hope and discovers her lost identity in the process.

I would absolutely recommend this novel. The audio production was fabulous as well. Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for allowing me to listen to this novel in exchange for my honest review.

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very powerful story for me. It is a tale of heartbreak and hope, friendships and mothering. I'm not sure I could do it justice with a review.
I borrowed it via Hoopla in the audio format. The narrator, Lisa Armytage, was superb. The accents and voices of both male and female characters were extremely well done.

Easily my favorite book of 2024!

[Collette Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! First one from this author - I’ll be back!

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this story! Profound depiction of resilience and loving care in friendships with a ton of 80’s nostalgia, complete w a George Michael impersonator. The author playfully named each chapter a Wham or George Michael song, but this comedic flair doesn’t take away from the much deeper story that gives the slogan “Choose Life” a whole new meaning.

[Diane Nagatomo · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Maryam Saylan’s father is dying, he confesses that he had returned all the letters her mother had sent after he had taken his children away from England and back to Turkey. Maryam refuses to forgive him. After all, he had taken her from the life she had known from birth and arranged a marriage with a man twice her age. Now divorced, she is living on her own in Dubai, but she decides to go to England to see if her best friend, who had lived downstairs, might know what had happened. She reconnects with her and other schoolfriends and agrees to go with them on an 80s nostalgia weekend. Maryam and her two best friends have secrets they are unwilling to share with each other, but as the weekend progresses, the secrets peel away like the layers of an onion.

This is a fabulous book, and it only took me two days to finish. “Back to Her Future” by Cary J. Hansson (and narrated by Lisa Armytage) is a strong five stars! I can’t wait to read more books by this author. Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC. My opinion is my own.

[Sharon Valler: Live Love Read Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly emotional story of womanhood stripped bare.

Fourteen year old Meryem and her brother were abducted from London and their mother, by their father and taken to Turkey.

Years later and Meryem is living in Dubai, when her brother calls her to return to Turkey to see their father on his deathbed. A shocking confession sends Meryem back to London and her old friends, Alma and Sammy.

The three women embark on a journey of rediscovering themselves, their friendship and what it means to be a woman, in a man’s world.

3.5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Cary J. Hannson and Dreamscape for an ARC in return for an honest review.

[Bhuku · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was devastating - it managed to turn suicide and prostitution into strength for the women in the book, because at least they were choices. It was heartbreaking to read how few choices women can have, how absolutely a cruel man can knock the lives of multiple women off course, destroy them.

Premise - an abusive man kidnaps his children when he learns his wife plans to divorce him. He moves them out of London, back to Turkey. The story follows the return of the daughter to London many years later, after the deaths of both parents, her escape from an arranged marriage, etc.

The ending is semi-hopeful, but it was still sad to me because while Meryam is free of guilt and at peace with being a sex worker (and making absolute bank doing it), that doesn’t change that it’s a dangerous profession that keeps her fate in the hands of men (even if in a more empowered way than it had been before) whereas she once could have done anything she wanted. She had so much potential, was the brightest in her class, etc. and now her choices are down to this.

Separately, there is SO much vomit in this book. I get if one character reacts to stress/emotional pain by vomiting, but all of them do! My goodness, I got a little queasy reading this.😅

📚 Series or Standalone: standalone
📚 Genre: literary fiction
📚 Target Age Group: adult
📚 Cliffhanger: no

✨ Will I Reread: probably not, just too sad
✨ Recommended For: fans of ‘ 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World’ by Elif Shafak

💕 Characters: 4/5
💕 Writing: 5/5
💕 Plot: 4/5
💕 Pacing: 4/5
💕 Unputdownability: 3/5
💕 Enjoyment: 4/5
💕 Book Cover: 4/5

Thanks, NetGalley and Hansson for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Rina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

Abducted by her own father as a teenager from England to Turkey, thirty years later Meryem is finally free to live life on her own terms. Divorced and wealthy, a whispered confession from her dying father sets her on a path back to London and her childhood friends, Alma and Sammy, with whom she embarks upon an impromptu 80s nostalgia weekend. The women, once so close, struggle to reconnect as forgotten memories and shocking revelations surrounding Meryem's abduction, tear open unhealed wounds.

This was such a unique book, with a deep, harrowing premise I hadn’t encountered anywhere else. It zoomed in on an event caused by a cultural clash, which had a collateral impact on multiple lives and families across generations.

I was prepared for a heartbreak going in, knowing the premise about Meryem, but I totally wasn’t prepared for the impact it had on Meryem’s mother. My heart was decimated, and I was sobbing through some gutwrenching scenes.

Cary always writes exceptional stories featuring older characters, and this was no exception. The audiobook was once again narrated by none other than Lisa Armytage from Neighbours. Her voice delivered Cary’s words perfectly (just like her previous books).

I loved the female friendship element in this one so much. And true to its title, of course we got a lot of nods to the 80s’ ‘Back to the Future’, which is one of my all-time favourite movies ever. I’d recommend you all to pick up this book, and discover Cary’s amazing writing.

(Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review)

See my bookstagram review.

[Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

This was a well written and impactful women's fiction that provided a glimpse into the ill treatment of women in rural Turkey. I knew very little about the living conditions of women in this region, so it was quite eye- opening. I also thought the characters were well developed and the plot heartbreaking.

At age 14, Maryam was kidnapped by her father and taken from her mother in the UK to his home village in Turkey. While living there, she was treated as a second-class citizen, not allowed to go to school, and forced to marry a man twice her age at 17.

Now, as a grown woman, divorced and living independently in Dubai, she returns to Turkey to see her dying father. She discovers that her mother did not completely abandon her as she was told her whole life but rather wrote letters to her, which were sent back by her father. She is livid and upset, so she decides to go back to the UK to learn more about her deceased mother. While there, she reconnects with her teenage best friend Alma, who has secrets and guilt of her own.

My only complaint with this book was that it was difficult to buy into Maryam and Alma's close relationship after so many years of not having contact. Losing contact at such a young age seemed unlikely that one could just show up out of the blue 20+ years later and pick up where they left off.

However, I enjoyed the banter between the characters, and Maryam was flawed but likable. I became emotionally attached to her and grew to care about her. There were some tears shed at the end.

A poignant audiobook that was well performed. The narrator used a broad range of voices,
which brought the story to life.

Thank you #NetGalley for an audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Back it Her Future
Stars: 4 X 5
Author: Cary J Hanson @caryjhansson
Publisher: Dreamscape Select @dreamscape_media Hanssen Publishing
Thank you to @netgalley for this Audio ARC

Maryam is a 40ish divorced mother of two who lives in Dubai and is fairly well off.
‘Maryam arrives at her dying father’s house in Turkey to say goodbye. Unbeknownst to her and her brother her father confesses that he stole them from their mother in England and that she had sent letters to each them for years and he returned them unopened. Maryam finds this u forgivable and leave. She decides to head to England to see if she can reconnect with her teenage best friend Alma and Alma’s mother who had been her mother’s best friend. As Maryam arrives in England she has no idea what Alma will do when she contacts her. Unfortunately for Maryam, Alma’s mother has already passed but Maryam and Alma decided to meet up. They also meet up with Sammy, Alma’s current best friend and a teenage friend and Maryam’s too. As the three women reconnect it takes a bit for Maryam and the girls to get to know each other again. It isn’t easy but they do end up becoming friends again. There is are many ups and downs and secrets that end up being revealed. There is a lot to be learned from each other and about each other. The are lots of laughs and tears shed. Ultimately in the end the friendship is still there even with all scars from the past.

The book was very good even with the difficult topics that are covered such as prostitution and suicide. This is definitely a book about self discovery, friendship and forgiveness.

[Bukcrz · Rating 3 out of 5]

O where to start....as a whole the book was written well.
Maryam...I cannot say enough how much I admire her and even suspect that she might not be just a book character but somewhere out there right now are several women going through the hell she has been through. Her culture was shown to me clearly without the tug to judge - in my inexperienced opinion.
Sammy...the scared but still fighting survivor once again showed me that not all fight happens during a health problem. One still needs to fight to live long after the scars heals.
Alma...is a successful career woman who views her life as small. I would pick her as my bestie anytime!
Three women in their forties, all have demons to vanquished and all have a lot of good to offer to their own corner of the world. I love that their reunion was not that instant coming together again like the past decades did not happen. Even in the stilted moments they are very human and relatable.
So overall, the story is a good one.
Now, the bouncing point-of-view of four women, I can deal with. Then add the constant flashback scattered throughout the book, it is very jarring to me. For most reader, this might be a non-issue but to me it is like a nail on a chalkboard with the constant interruption. Again, this is a personal preference issue so I am putting it out there as an fyi.
Thanks to netgalley for providing the audiobook.

[Rebecca S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 out of 5 stars

This novel is well done! Generation X'ers will appreciate the nostalgia of Back to the Future, George Michael, and other 1980s references throughout, but the story itself tells a compelling tale of three middle-aged women who were friends as teenagers before one was taken away. Moving from the present to the past, and moving from the perspective of one character to another, this novel shows the journey of women who have struggled and suffered in different ways, and have emerged strong and resilient. The book includes well-developed characters, an interesting story arc, and moments both heart-wrenching and heart-warming -- with 80s music to boot! The audio book is expertly narrated, with characters' personalities showing through. One thing that did bother me was the inconsistency on the characters' ages. The math did not add up, if the characters were born in 1971 and were 44 years old, but George Michael (who died in late 2016) had already passed. Overall, a worthwhile read/listen!

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher and Dreamscape Select for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

[Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did enjoy very much this audiobook, while the story seemed simple it wasn’t what it looked like… three different women that were friends in the past, and because of their life choices, life path, or even choices that weren’t made by themselves, they drifted away. Its a very sad story, but at the same time it ends with high hopes for the future.

I was lucky enough to be given the audiobook to listen, and Lisa Armytage did a terrific job bringing the book to life, the different women we got to listen through this book, all had different voices and a different ring to their part, I love when someone reading a book does this, it makes the story feel so much more alive.

I really recommend this book, it was a sad story, and there were some revelations that I was dreading we were going that way, and in the way they became true, but that is life, what can one say…

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Select, Hansson Publishing, for the free AAC and this is my honest opinion.

[Amy Kubal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars.

This book was a heart-wrencher. There were times when it made me cry, made me angry and made me smile. Maryam, at age 14 is taken back to Turkey by her father. When her father is on his death bed he tells her that her mother had written her letters that he never gave her. Maryam returns back to where she grew up to find out what really happened to her mother. While back she's reunited with friends from the past. This book takes on a journey through the lives and struggles of three women, each who have had their own struggles and hardships. It's a story of strength, struggle, resilience, and friendship.

The audio narration was really great, although the "laugh/giggle" was something I found super annoying. Overall this was a good book - something different than my usual go-to reads and if Hansson writes more books with these characters, I will be there for them.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC audio of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Rebecca Goss · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Meryem's father is dying, he asks for forgiveness. It is a big ask when he took his children from their mother in England and forced Meryem into isolation until she was married off to the highest, much older bidder at 16. Her life didn't seem to improve for a long time and she made choices that might not be popular. When she returns to England to find out more about the mother that she had assumed did not want her, it is an opportunity to explore previous friendships and how her abduction changed all their lives. As much as part of me hated her father, another part recognized that in many ways he was a product of his cultural codes. It was beautifully written with an in depth look at women's friendships past and future and how such relationships foster perseverance and give hope. I read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Title: Back to Her Future
Series: The Gen X Series #1
Author: Cary J. Hansson
Audiobook Narrator: Lisa Armytage
Publisher: Dreamscape Select-Hansson Publishing
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Pub Date: March 5, 2024
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pages 326

When Maryam Saylan was fourteen she and her siblings were kidnaped by her father as punishment to her mother when he learns she plans to divorce him.
Maryam was forced to marry a man twice her age.
Many years later she returns to London and finds her father is dying. He begs her for forgiveness. She refuses.

Narrator Lisa Armytage did a fantastic performance of all the characters. She totally drew me in making the characters come to life.

Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Select – Hansson Publishing for this Advanced Audiobook.
Audiobook Publishing Release Scheduled bot March 5,. 2024.

[Nyra Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back to Her Future by Cary Hansson
A Journey of Rediscovery and Truth
Meryem has always been a fighter. Her life took a crazy turn when she was kidnapped as a teenager from England and taken to Turkey. After thirty long years, she finally broke free. Now, divorced and wealthy, Meryem is living life on her own terms, working a high-paying job in Dubai. However, a whispered secret from her dying father flips her world upside down and sends her on a mission to uncover the truth about her past.
Back to Her Future by Cary Hansson is a moving tale of resilience, friendship, and the quest for truth. Through Meryem’s journey, we are reminded of the power of facing our past and the healing that comes from confronting the truths that shape our lives. It is a story of redemption, forgiveness, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship that can withstand even the most shocking revelations.

[Sally Cowling · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Meryem was 14 she moved suddenly  to rural Turkey with her father and younger brother Emin, leaving behind her mum, best friends and ĺife as she knew it in London.

30 years later her dying  father tells her something about her mother that he had hidden from her, which prompts her to revaluate what she knew about her past.

Mery decides to  go back to England to find out more and catches up with some of her old friends. However can they still relate to each other or have they changed too much since they were teens?

The storyline covers some difficult topics but they are dealt with quite sensitively. A fab read showing the bonds of childhood friendship and the strength of women, dealing with a multitude of social, cultural and health challenges.

[Sarah Faichney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cary J Hansson has done it again! ‘Back to Her Future’ is a gorgeously heartwarming rendition of enduring female friendship, in the face of years-long separation and adversity. I also thought the book was excellent on forgiveness and judging other people.

The audiobook narration by Lisa Armytage is first class. Few people write middle-aged female friends as well as Hansson. She really gets it. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Miriam, Alma and Sammy. I also loved going back through time to find out more about their past. I flew through the audiobook and, as always, I look forward to whatever Cary J Hansson does next. 

[Nichola Gorji · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review. This story left me with so many mixed emotions, sad, heartbreaking, joyful and funny in parts. A real delve into the cultural differences that exist and the enormous impact that these differences have. A story about loss, love, family and friendship that I totally adored. Excellent character development and I loved the dynamics between the friends. This story really made me think and it will stay with me for a while. Highly recommended. 5 stars

[Nichola Gorji · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review. This story left me with so many mixed emotions, sad, heartbreaking, joyful and funny in parts. A real delve into the cultural differences that exist and the enormous impact that these differences have. A story about loss, love, family and friendship that I totally adored. Excellent character development and I loved the dynamics between the friends. This story really made me think and it will stay with me for a while. Highly recommended. 5 stars

[Macy · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Meryams father is dying he finally confesses that he has been lying to her for the entire of her life. What she learns is life altering and has her questioning everything. She begins her journey back where she started in London to try to try to find her happy and place in the world. Not the easiest listen, but a good one.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for a fair and honest review.