The Lookback

The Birch Creek Ranch #8

by B.E. Baker

Amanda Saddler has lived a long and happy life. She’s not ready to die or anything melodramatic, but she’s long since given up on finding her fairytale ending.

But when her adoptive granddaughter Emery picks up a box that was delivered to her doorstep, some new stories from the past come to light. Amanda Saddler may have spent her life pining for her neighbor, Jed Brooks, but that’s not the only man she ever knew.

Emery doggedly asks after a man from an old photo, who turns out to be the man Amanda Saddler stayed with when she left town for a few months. When that same man calls Amanda’s phone, of course Emery answers and invites him to come for a visit.

Can Amanda Saddler reconcile the wrongs in her past to set her story right in the present, or is it too late for her to find her happy ending alongside a man who has always wanted a place in her heart?

Genres: Fiction, Romance

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 15, 2024

About the author

Bridget loves her husband (every day) and all five of her kids (most days).

She’s a lawyer but does as little legal work as possible. She has three quarter horse geldings, a Holsteiner (jumping) horse, and she spends too much time riding and not enough time writing. (Or too much time writing and not enough time riding, depending on your perspective!)

B.E. Baker is the romance/women's fiction penname for Bridget E. Baker, who also writes fantasy, end of the world, and dystopian books that add a little magic to the world.

Please sign up for Bridget's fantasy or romance newsletters on her website at www.BridgetEBakerWrites.com or click Follow on her bio above to get notices and updates when she releases new books!

Reviews

[Tammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last book in the Birch Creek Ranch series and I'm really going to miss it. I've enjoyed getting to know these characters. In this final installment, we finally get Amanda Saddler's backstory, and in true B.E. Baker fashion, we find out that what we thought we knew isn't exactly how things happened. I found it refreshing to read about a romance between a couple of 80 year olds instead of the much younger couples we usually read about. I also thought it was a very sweet story, and I enjoyed the bits of humor that were sprinkled throughout it.

Amanda's story isn't the only one in the book though. We get more of Helen and David, and although I still don't really like Helen, I liked the fact that she grew as a person in this book. All the other characters I came to love in the series are also present, but in smaller doses. Overall, I think this was a good ending to the series.

Thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC of this book.


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[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sad that with this book the Birch Creek Ranch Series is over, the setting feel so familiar by now and all the characters fell as friends. But all the good things come to an end and with The Lookback we got a fitting one, with closure for everyone.
The book has it all, romance, heartache, love, sadness and of course family, and all the family interactions that you find in every family, blood related and chose ones.
You'll laugh a lot with some of the situations, for me especially the one with the dentures, epic one.
Amanda Sadler was always a special character for me, loved her personality, wit, her cackle, and especially the way she chose her family and the way she always tried to make the best for all of them, But we never really knew her, deeply, and that's why I enjoyed this book so much, because it gives us a front row to her life, past and present and helps us understand her personality and behaviour.
I loved this series, B.E. Baker is one of my favorite writers, I will read anything that she writes and recommend her books to everybody.

[Bekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Birchcreek Ranch: The Lookback
An amazing ending to this heart warming and sometimes heart wrenching series. I may have shed some tears while reading this one but it was the perfect end that tied it all together in a satisfying bow. I feel like I got to know these characters so well. I felt like I was on the journey of life with them and I love when it when I get swept away in a book that way. Mandy's story was exactly what I needed and that is exactly why you need to read this epic conclusion! And if you loved this series go read the Finding Home series by B.E. Baker. You'll fall in love with those characters too and then maybe you won't miss Birchcreek Ranch as much. You can come back and thank me later for that rec. 😘😊❤️❤️❤️

[Charlie Sandino · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really sweet read that I enjoyed so much. The book is the last in the Birch Creek Ranch Series written by the author. The storytelling and characters were really good and it was okay to read the book as a "stand alone" not having read the previous books in the series. The story takes Amanda Saddler down memory lane recalling her long life, and as how she remembers it. Her life had been rich in events and people around her. It was also very nice to follow Helen and David their story as well as the other characters. The story takes the reader for twist and turns and it's simply a book you just want to continue reading. The ending was very sweet and I enjoyed it. I'm grateful for the ARC that I was given, and happy to have gotten the chance to read and review this new author.
Thank you! Charlotte N

[Kassandra Tallarico · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how the author, Bridget Baker, concludes this series in a way that unexpectedly connects the story to another one of her series, while also giving a conclusion to each characters story. Throughout the series, you may wonder about Amanda Saddlers past, and Bridget brings her story to life in this book, while continuing the story of the other main characters. Don't miss out on this wonderful story, and if you finish it, you may have the opportunity to get a surprise chapter at the end. 😉 And if you want to see how it connects to one of her fantasy series (under her pen name Bridget E. Baker), check out her horse shifter series "The Russian Witch's Curse".

[Michaela | Reading in the Heartland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good conclusion to this Women’s fiction saga series. Is there ever a perfect way to end a long saga series? Of course not. We’ve grown close to all of these characters and just want more of their lives. This series took us through ups and downs. HEAs, family, friends, enemies, and more. My only down side was that we had definitive proof of premarital relations. Other books hinted around at things and you could imagine it either way. This is a fully closed door, sweet romance series though. It tackled some tough topics. I’m excited to move onto her fantasy pen name and catch up with some of these characters after a handful of books.

[Branalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, this is the last book in this series and it may stand alone ok but you’ll get so much more out of it if you read them all in order!

Second, total honesty here, I was a little put off at the beginning because it changed the way I had imagined the relationship between two characters. BUT I was won over by the end and I ended up loving it!

It wraps up the loose ends of the many storylines through this series beautifully and I still think this is one of the best series this author has written!

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

An OK ending to this series based in a small town in Utah. This book had two main story-lines. The main one (based on the title) was about Amanda and her younger years and the boys in her life. It was actually a bit irritating as the teens were all a bit silly and it ended up having ramifications decades into the future. The other story-line was about Helen and her developing relationship with David. I thought this was the more enjoyable part of the book as the reader got to know more about Helen and she even ended up as a character you could like.

[Charnet L Koch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lookback was a great ending to a wonderful series! It was a slow start for me on this book for reasons I can't even identify. I enjoyed seeing how all the characters progressed. I came away with a whole different take on Mandy than I had gotten in all the other books. The part looking back at the school competition was a bit confusing. Otherwise, a genuinely enjoyable read. I will miss them all! I highly recommend. #lovethehumor #Family

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

B.E. Baker has done such a beautiful job of bringing The Bequest series to an end with this book. I know it was more intended to be mostly about Amanda Saddler, I loved that we still got a few chapters from our beloved heroines. It was fun to find some Easter eggs to another series from Bridget E. Baker also. I feel we got good closure from all our main characters. Definitely recommend to is book and the series as a whole!

[Brandi Sartin lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sad this series is ending! It was a great way to wrap up the series. You get to hear about Mandy while she was in high school and her friend triangle with Tommy and Jed. You get to see if Helen will marry David. Then there’s Donna and Will with the babies. Abigail is still the superwoman and there for everyone. Amanda is finding her footing with Eddie and parenting older teens. There are a few surprises too.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so happy to have had the opportunity to read The Lookback and this series, as an ARC reader. The characters will become your family and their stories will keep you entertained. All the familiar characters are back and we get more insight into their pasts and their futures. This series will not disappoint.
I was given a copy of this book by the author for an honest review.

[Natasha Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a finale to the series. I've loved the entire series. Some serious plot twists in this one. A few examples of how assumptions can change the course of our lives. I love how real the characters are, and how they've grown over time through the books. This one is mostly about Mandy, but quite a bit to add to Helen's story and wraps up some of the other storylines.

[Muriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't Stop Reading

I love that these people became a family, even though some were not related. Sometimes the most loving families aren't biological, but chosen. This series should be required reading for anyone who struggles to survive in a dysfunctional family. I'm sorry the series has ended, because I felt like I was one of their chosen ones.

[Diane Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy for Mandy and Helen! I really enjoyed this series, the characters and the plot of this book. Just love a happily ever after for all involved. Not doing a synopsis, never do. If you like family that's not so perfect, but is, this is the series for you. Looking forward to reading more from this talented storyteller.

[Margaret Lonergan · Rating 5 out of 5]

my true opinion

Have read the whole series and sad to see it end but it all worked out so beautifully ! I seem to feel that the entire story meshes with my favourite things in life! Horses family and happy togetherness ! A good story line can be exciting even without the boring sexual details that seem to be the modern trend ! Well done B.E.Baker !

[Echo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life isn't perfect and sometimes it's the imperfections that make it work. This family that mostly chose each other is proof of that. The ending for these characters was everything Bridget's fans needed and expected. Loved this book and this series from beginning to end!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! I really enjoyed reading Mandy's story. I liked the flashbacks into her life to understand where she was coming from. I enjoyed seeing all the other characters and what they were doing. Sad to have the series come to an end.

[Kari Slade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Wrap Up!

Many finds her happily ever after, and Helen turns out to be a cream puff. There are some wonderful surprises in the final book of the Birch Creek Series. If you don't already love these characters, you will after reading this book.

[Barbara Casparian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Birch Creek Ranch

I enjoyed tis series. Thank you for sharing your talents with your readers.

I recommend these books to anyone who likes humor, love and a few twists and turns along the way.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lookback is a beautiful ending to a series that pulled me in from the start. The development of the characters, especially Helen’s growth, was lovely to see. I loved how this particular book showed us young Mandy, and the conclusion was everything I wanted.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful series full of charming characters and interesting events that made each book very entertaining. The last book in the series tells us how our favorite characters are doing, how their children are growing and if they have found true romance and so much more.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Enjoyed This Series

This is an amazing series encompassing a family built on loving and real relationships more than blood alone. The characters are very well written and relatable on many levels. I will miss so much continuing on with their lives.

[Denice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story, such a great way to end the series, so enjoyed each and every character and how their personalities and lives changed and grew throughout the series. I highly recommend this book and series.

[Ruth Angelique DeWitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad

It is with great regret that I've completed this series. It was AMAZING! I consumed this last one in record breaking time.... I loved them and enjoyed every word. Thank you.

[Emmie King · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good end to the series! I really enjoyed getting to know more of Mandy's backstory, and the way everyone's life moved forward. Such a perfect feel good story.

[Mellyssa Kinsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful end to a great series. I thoroughly enjoyed this series.

[Connie Glasgow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love that this final Birch Creek Ranch book came out when I needed some happy and wrap up for the whole family & community Great series - I will continue to read BE Bakers sstories

[Marsha Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have absolutely loved the Birch Creek series! Please don't let these characters fade away! We need more!

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so sorry to see this series end. This was a wonderful final book, however. I recommend the series wholeheartedly.