The Moon and Back: A friends-to-lovers, second-chance romance

by Ginger Scott

Johnny Bishop crashed into my life like a hurricane. Not once, but twice. The first time, we were teenagers. He was the star quarterback destined to save our small town's high school team. I was the music nerd desperate to shine, but always falling short. Until him. Johnny was good at football, but he was great at music. And when I realized we shared a love of performing, I fell for his charm. I drank in his words and was hypnotized by the way he sang. I was never fully in the spotlight with him, but the way he held onto me and kept me close felt good enough. His star was bright enough for both of us, and his dreams were worth all the risks, even if they were my dreams first. But when he left our town--leaving me in it--the damage in his wake was devastating. I spent a decade trying to piece together my broken heart. A decade trying to avoid his music, a nearly impossible feat considering he was selling out arenas and piling up Grammys. While he tore through city after city, I built a quiet life as a music teacher in my hometown. I'd made peace with the fact that a now famous rockstar once held my hand and told me he loved me. But when he shows up unannounced, begging for help, I’m sucked right back into his gravitational pull. I want to hate him. I want to punish him for turning his back on me. But I can’t when he’s so broken. And the more time we spend in our present talking about our past, the more I start to wonder if maybe Johnny left to save us all from the storm. Maybe that story about me and the famous rockstar has a lot more story to be told.

What to
✔️Second chance
✔️Friends to lovers
✔️Coming of age
✔️Football
✔️Small town
✔️Rock star

Genres: Second Chance, Romance, Friends To Lovers, Sports, Contemporary, Second Chance Romance, Contemporary Romance

442 pages, Paperback

Published October 6, 2023

About the author

Ginger Scott is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal and Amazon-bestselling author from Peoria, Arizona. She was also nominated for both the Goodreads Choice and Rita Awards. She is the author of several young and new adult romances, including bestsellers The Moon and Back, The Varsity Series, The Hard Count, This Is Falling and Wild Reckless.

A sucker for a good romance, Ginger's other passion is sports, and she often blends the two in her stories. She has been writing and editing for newspapers, magazines and blogs for a hella long time. She has told the stories of Olympians, politicians, actors, scientists, cowboys, criminals and towns. For more on her and her work, visit her website at http://gingerscottbooks.com.

When she's not writing, the odds are high that she's somewhere near a baseball diamond, either watching her son field pop flies like Bryce Harper or cheering on her favorite baseball team, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ginger lives in Arizona and is married to her college sweetheart whom she met at ASU (fork 'em, Devils).

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Reviews

[Jennifer Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Stars ⭐️

[Corinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

If ever there was a book that showcased how talented and amazing Ginger Scott is, it's This one. Although, her back list is pretty freaking amazing too.

I spent today completely immersed and enraptured by this journey. Through intimate and intricate past and present chapters this YA master proves again she can hold her own in adult romance as well.

I was drawn in, completely destroyed and put back together again. As an avid romance reader this kind of book is my drug. If Ginger is the author I will always happily partake.

I'm excited for any reader who gets their hands on this one. You will not be disappointed.

I read this book as an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Jenny Lovez Bookz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars...This was cute, it was written to be a slow burn & angsty. It was a bit drawn out tho and I didn't get the full emotional feelings from it but it was still very well written. I wish we would've gotten some chapters in Johnny's POV.

Second chance romance with past & present chapters. Will check out more from this author

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute

Cute but way drawn out. I didn't get the emotional connection I was hoping for. A couple of smiles, a few cringes, even some sighs but not the drop the book and scream book because I'm on fire. Just lukewarm hot cocoa. Good but not my favorite.

[Kristiej · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first Ginger Scott book but it for sure will not be my last one.This book is so good and it was so hard to put down. The Moon And Back is a sweet emotional second chance romance. One chapter is the present and the next is the past. I like the way Ms Scott has written it.

Brynn and Johnny met in high school. She was in the school band hoping to be drum major. She was kind of nerdy but nerdy is rather of cool in their high school.
Johnny was the quarterback. He was new and revitalized the team with his skill. Brynn showed him the ropes so to speak and was excited at his amazing musical talent including an amazing singing voice. She knew it’s his future.

There is a real connection between the two and they fell deeply for each other. But Johnny’s father was a monster. A former football star himself, Johnny didn’t dare let his father know of his involvement with music. His father wouldn’t hesitate to lay a beating on Johnny. But exciting things were starting to happen for Johnny and Brynn was so happy for him. But one night Johnny just up and left without telling anyone. He goes on to become an amazingly famous and talented rock star. Brynn is left devastated. She hasn’t heard a word from him for ten years.

We start learning the story in the alternate chapters. As well as becoming wildly popular, Johnny has become an alcoholic and drug addict. He finally reaches out in anguish for Brynn, although she wants him to go to hell, she had made a pledge when young to help should he need her. The present time chapters are just as compelling as the past time ones. Brynn has to help Johnny despite her anger and her pain while dealing with the fact she never stopped loving him.

The story is told almost completely from her POV and normally I prefer duo POV, in this case it works as we slowly learn the mystery as to why Johnny left and what are his feelings for her now.

Both Brynn and Johnny are such wonderful and believable characters. My heart hurt for both of them. I also love the secondary characters, his best friend, her father. His father has a small but menacing role and while we don’t see much of her, Johnny’s mother is crucial.
This is another book I want to read again and it’s voice will stay inside me.

[BookAddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, I’ve crawled out from under my safe little rock, taken a chance on a new-to-me writer's words, and become a fan for life. I love this gifted wordsmith's writing so much that I’ve immediately started on her back catalog. Johnny and Brynn are one of those couples who bulldozed their way into my heart and have permanent homesteading rights there.

This story is told from Brynn's point of view, alternating between their blooming young love of the past and the troubled rebuilding of their relationship in the present. While it is a rock star romance, it's devoid of the stereotypical groupies and promiscuity and focuses on Johnny's struggle with demons of the past that take him down the road of substance abuse.

I loved seeing their early life, how Brynn and Johnny became friends, and her introducing the football quarterback to music, his true calling. It's funny, how one person or a single moment can profoundly change the course of one’s life. And when Johnny returns to town in all his messy, inebriated glory, Brynn sets aside her wounded heart and keeps her promise from years ago to be there for him.

This romance is an emotional one – raw, messy, devastating, and heartbreaking. But these two being reunited and Johnny's growth of healing, forgiveness, and peace is only part of the story. Somewhere along the way, Brynn finds her place apart from Johnny, and her work with one of her students, in particular, is evocative, sagacious, and glorious.

I luxuriated in this one, soaking up the words, wallowing in the depths of emotion, and feeling my heart soar among the clouds. The writing is beyond-words amazing, and the emotions have formed my heart into something new. There's an analogy between one of my favorite songs and the relationship between Brynn and Johnny that's stunningly beautiful. And the use of glass art and its symbolism is exquisitely poignant and fed my artist's soul.

This story can’t simply be classified as a rock star or second chance romance, because it's so much more. Never have I read either of these tropes and been so magnificently moved or had my heart made so full. This masterful, extraordinary, unparalleled read is easily one of my all-time favorites that I’ll return to again and again. Guard your heart, grab the tissues, and dive in, because this phenomenal romance is one you absolutely won’t want to miss!

[Marilla ☘︎]

Soft dnf/maybe later.
just couldn't get into this. I think maybe the past to present aspect got to me.

[Whit · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a captivating and emotional journey!

Ten years ago, best friends Johnny Bishop and Brynn made a promise to be there for each other, no matter what. Now Johnny needs rehab for his substance abuse problems and Brynn is determined to keep her part of the bargain..

The problem I had was how ten years prior, EVERYONE was so powerless when his famous, football star, father was beating the crap out of Johnny when Johnny was still in high school. Where the hell were the cops and Child Protection Services? How could they look the other way because of this man's fame? Honestly, I was also afraid for Johnny's mother, as well..

Hopefully what goes around, comes around and Mr. Forrester will get just what he deserves. (He doesn't deserve the title of father, so I inserted the creep's name).

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional and Heart Wrenching

This book is more than just a rock romance. It’s a book about love, heartbreak and second chances. Johnny and Brynn had something good until Johnny smashed it all apart. Now years later its Brynn he turns to yet again to help him when he needs it most. What a great soul crushing heart healing book that made me feel everything that the author served up.

[Hopelessly Addicted To Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

The storyline of this book crept up on me slowly but when it did it grabbed me by the throat and didn't let go. This is a rock star book with a difference, we do get some of the usual themes but it is much more character driven than some I've read previously. The story of Johnny and Brynn is told in both past and present and we get both perspectives. I enjoyed learning about their younger friendship and the way it changes until one day despite their plans Johnny leaves. My favourite part is when he returns needing help and we get to the heart of this gut wrenching emotional story. This is a romance but it is so much more. Family, friendships and love all wrapped in a story that broke me then healed me in the best way possible.

[Heather McDearman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a hard one for me to rate. It wasn’t bad but it could have been more. It was definitely a slow burn. I think some parts to the story weren’t necessary(like her sleeping with Teddy??), they didn’t necessarily add anything to it. Then the big build up wasn’t much of a build up. He supposedly helped murder his father and we just kinda glance over it? And then on top of that she took him back so easily and he didn’t really ever give a great reason as to why he left. I know why he said he did but there wasn’t a lot of interaction between the characters in the present parts. I needed more chemistry.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great journey! This book once again highlights Ms. Scott's ability to build a world that envelops the reader and helps them feel like they're living within the pages. The feelings in this story were beautiful, raw, almost overwhelming...in the best possible way. Going back in time to see Brynn and Johnny's beginnings help me better understand how their present could be so difficult but also so inevitable. The ups and downs of this story kept me glued to the pages and to this incredible romance. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up today!

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

”you make me boulder than any storm I might face” 🥹

[AJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

A beautifully heartfelt story that has both a sweet YA romance and a second-chance-rockstar-romance, this book had me hooked from start to finish.

Brynn and Johnny met in their senior year of high school. He was new to the school, and a football star, she was a band geek with dreams of being drum major. They appeared to be opposites, but from their first meeting there was a spark between them and they quickly became good friends, and then more. While Brynn introduced Johnny to her love for music, her family offered him support and a reprieve from his difficult home life, and they fell in deep, all-consuming love. They were it for each other, until he suddenly left town and cut off all contact.

Ten years later, Brynn is the music teacher at her old high school, and Johnny is a famous rock star. They haven’t seen each other since he left town almost a decade ago, and Brynn has tried her hardest to move on with her life without the man who still owns her heart. But when he hits emotional rock bottom and has nowhere else to turn, he shows up in town asking Brynn for her help.

In alternating chapters between past and present we get to watch Brynn and Johnny’s story unfold. The past is sweetly romantic, with all of the wonder and hope of young romance, but dramatic as we learn about the difficulties of Johnny’s life. In the present, I could absolutely understand Brynn’s anger at his sudden reappearance, her frustration at his refusal to tell her why he left the way he did, and the painful re-opening of old wounds as she continues to grieve the loss of the boy she loved and the dreams that they once shared. But it seems that Johnny, full of remorse, still hasn’t quite let go either.

“I’m not me without you, Brynn Fisher. Not even close.”

It’s dramatic and emotional, and there’s a lot to navigate for the former high school sweethearts as they are suddenly thrust back into each other’s lives. There are so many questions, and some heartwrenching confessions to be made, and as Johnny’s dark past is slowly uncovered in more detail, it leads to more questions about the reason he left and what those dark days could mean for their future.

This is such a beautifully emotional story, with lots of feels, lots of intensity, and fantastic character dynamics. From friendships, parental relationships, and of course the romantic relationship, Scott creates great interplay between her characters, and I enjoyed all of the different aspects of the story. The book is written entirely from Bryn’s POV, and while I’m used to reading books with dual timelines written in alternating chapters, for some reason I can’t quite pinpoint, this book felt a little disjointed at times. And I think the whole concept of a drum major, and the detail of that storyline, was a little bit lost on me as a non-American, and while I got the gist of what was happening, I did zone out a little during those detailed scenes. But their love of music, and Johnny’s music in particular, is really beautifully woven through their story.

When weakness needs an angel, she’ll come with a song…
Showing you how much you’re worth and how much they were wrong.
Lightning strikes a thousand times, but never where you hope.
So let the shelter that she gives to you be bolder than the storm.

For me, it was all about the romance, and I loved the chemistry, the tension of the situation, and the intensity of Brynn and Johnny’s feelings for each other. Watching them come back into each other’s lives and slowly reconnect while trying so hard to keep their emotions under control, every little step forward was a win, and there are some beautiful moments between these two – from meaningful looks, shared memories and brief touches to nights in each other’s arms and their passionate reconnection.

It’s a slow burn as they come back together, but worth it for the wonderfully swoony ending which is SO satisfying after so much build up and emotion, and I finished this book with a pounding heart and a smile on my face. And just to note - the bonus epilogue is gold, and had me laughing out loud. I definitely recommend clicking on the link in the back of the book to experience the quick glimpse into their future together.

A gorgeous read. 4 stars.

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

The Moon and Back was exactly what I've come to expect from Ginger Scott: an emotionally compelling, addictive read with just the right amount of angst. I was immediately sucked into Brynne's life and her relationship with Johnny over the years. Second chance romances don't work for me a lot of the time because I am usually more interested in the present than the past. That wasn't the case for this book. The past chapters accented the present chapters and helped build the story in a way I both loved and appreciated. 

Brynne and Johnny's relationship was complicated. It didn't matter what timeline I was reading, there were things pushing them apart while they were trying to hang onto each other. Sometimes it was outside forces, sometimes it was themselves. Nothing was simple with the secrets and feelings they were keeping from each other. Getting to know Brynne and Johnny in the past was important to this story because it showed how they developed a friendship and love for each other. It showed the struggles they each faced. The present was all about getting back to that friendship and love while also answering some big questions. Everything that was revealed in these chapters gave new insight into the past, reshaped Brynne's understanding of everything, made her fall more in love, and brought them back together. When all was said and done, I was left feeling happy for Brynne and Johnny. They deserved to be happy after everything they had been through.

I don't know if this review is even making sense at this point. This is a hard book to review without giving too much away. If there was anything I wanted you to take away from reading this review, it would be that I loved The Moon and Back. Ginger Scott is an excellent storyteller who knows how to weave emotion into her romances to truly make you feel like you're in the story. If you enjoy second chance romances involving fallen rockstars or childhood sweethearts with a little bit of angst and grit, you need to read this book. 

You can find this review and others like it at A Novel Glimpse .

[Sarah~Book Obsession Confessions · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a soul stirring story written so beautifully and delicately! My heart feels so full, the author has a gift for telling deep, glorious stories without being heavy handed or cliche.
Johnny and Brynn’s story goes between past and present, 11 years apart. The time transitions are smooth and slowly reveal a heartfelt story of love, musical passion, pain and sacrifice.
There’s so much depth to the characters, both the main and secondary. It’s such a full story, I can’t say enough about how skillfully the characters are portrayed and how the story gives so much.
Brynn and Johnny’s teenage romance is built on real friendship shared passion and deep trust. I adore both the light, sweet moments as well as the painful, heart-rending ones.
This story touched my soul, made me smile, it reminded me that there are good people; I reveled in the wonderful characters and cheered for every win they had. There is pain, fear and sadness in the story. It never overwhelms even at its most serious, but it still packs a gut punch.
The story is one that is an experience, deeply moving and it left me feeling so much. I could keep telling my favorite parts and raving about this book….. I think if you enjoy emotional, smart storytelling you should dive headfirst into this amazing book.
This is my favorite book by this author and she’s written some 5 star beauties. I will not forget these characters or the emotional impact of their tragic and sublime story.
This is my favorite book of the year.

[Gina *loves sunshine* · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not the most patient reader - so I will state that this moved slow for me in the first 25%. Football meets marching band was an odd combo, but I slowly slowly fell for the whole storyline. If you have an interest in high school band you definitely need to read this as I can't think of any other romance read that really brings this topic to light - I ended up falling in love with all of it...because Ginger Scott is really good at bringing out all the feels and emotions, life stuff and a bit of humor!!! 4.5 stars!!!

[Holly Annaleisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever read a story that kept you so engrossed that when it ended, you sat in silence for a few moments, awestruck at what you had just read? Well that was this book for me.

What a beautifully written and emotionally charged story. This is a second chance romance, but it is so much more; the plot weaves you back and forth between the past and the present. In the past, we see the start of Johnny and Brynn's relationship: the popular star quarterback with a devastating home life and the wallflower band geek who end up building such a strong bond due their love of music and performing.

The emotional connection between these two was so intense that I was choking up in tears throughout the whole thing. In the present, we witness Johnny, who is now a global sensation but a drug-addled depressed mess battling some dark demons of his own, the ultimate rockstar, and Brynn, who is teaching in her hometown, share a heartbreaking reunion.

The angst, the love, the family bonds. I cannot express how much I loved this book. Absolutely incredible. This is a book that everyone should read at least once. This couple were ripped apart for many reasons, and finally finding their way back to one another was such a rollercoaster ride. I guarantee your heart will swoon and break all at the same time.

This author's writing flow was superb and the way she hooks her audience and keeps them wanting more even as the story comes to a close is outstanding. An incredibly gifted author with so much love in her writing that you can feel it radiating off the page.

Thank you to the author and Wordsmith Publicity for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5
Ginger Scott can write. The prose flows, the structure holds, and the emotional beats are set up to hit hard. But the execution? A mess.

My problem is simple: Brynn deserved better. What’s packaged as a love story feels more like one long cycle of Johnny taking, intruding, and destabilizing everything in her life. In high school, he pulled her into music: something sacred and hers, only to abandon her without a word. Years later, he shows back up in rehab, moves into her home without regard for her boundaries, and even inserts himself into her professional space as a teacher, the one world she had that wasn’t tangled up with him. That isn’t romance. That’s selfishness.

Even just the fact that he would show up and ruin anything she has with other guys because he thinks she belongs to him but he can do whatever he wants.

Johnny’s character is presented as broken and haunted, but instead of making me root for him, it just made me angry. His pain doesn’t excuse how he constantly consumes Brynn’s stability for his own survival. What the book paints as intensity and devotion often read to me as cruel and invasive. I couldn’t understand why Brynn, a capable and smart woman, would still be so caught up in someone who never truly respected her space.

The writing is fine, the pacing works, but the relationship at the core felt toxic and one-sided. For me, that killed the heart of the story. Brynn deserved more than nostalgia and a man who never learned to give as much as he takes.

[Sarah (lou_reads_romance) · Rating 5 out of 5]

No words! I literally have no words big enough or worthy of explaining how unbelievably amazing this book is….
From the very first chapter to the end of that hilarious epilogue I was totally and absolutely captivated by these characters, their world and this authors amazing skill bringing it all together into something really quite beautiful.

Written entirely from Brynn’s point of view we are taken on a journey of friendship, first love, companionship, heartbreak and deep connection. Of finding that one person who is your everything. It was a really lovely change to read from one point of view and I have to say I think it made the story even better…Brynn is such a wonderful person, her heart is over flowing with understanding and admiration for her friend Johnny while at the same time keeping it real with her sarcasm and wit.
Johnny is ‘that guy’. The one with the magnetism and charm for days, everyone wants to be in his orbit. But underneath there is so much more to this enigmatic guy and he chooses Brynn, the sassy, beautiful band geek to be the one he bares his soul to. They have an instant connection, wonderful, playful banter…an enviable relationship.
Ms Scott has very cleverly interwoven the past and present, bringing us the drama of their senior year and then where they both are ten years later.

My chest ached throughout this epic tale, I cried, laughed and swooned as we got to know these remarkable characters and everything they had endured both together and alone.
It’s not the heat, although that is perfect, it’s the intimacy, the connection and the feeling this amazing story brought to my heart….
You must read this!!!

[Andrea Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew! This book.. I mean, wow! Just WOW! SO EMOTIONAL AND AMAZING! I was drawn in right from the beginning. Brynn and Johnny go through it in this book! And I am so happy with the ending! Ginger Scott is an amazing writer. The character development and the relationships that are built...it was told with such compassion and understanding. I felt like I was Brynn at times trying to figure out who and what I wanted out of my life. The trips to the past and present were seamlessly woven in, and you really got to the heart of how much they were connected. Going through treatment and finding himself and his way back to Brynn was done so perfectly. I was just so absorbed into this story! It is seriously one of my favorite books this year! It's just so absolutely heartfelt and amazing! I TOTALLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have been four stars but the past/present chapters are not my favorite style. Otherwise our rock star had a tough life but oh, so talented.

[J · Rating 1 out of 5]

This just didn't work for me. I started skimming large parts of it. I wish the people that didn't like it would have taken the time to write reviews.

I should have DNF as soon as I wasn't feeling it. I just didn't understand why I should care. It took too long to rehash the past. I didn't understand why she didn't just move on. Oh, I guess technically she did, for a brief moment in time, that just seemed like a weird random thing to throw in. And talk about weird... the whole reason he left.

Honestly, she seemed more of a pathetic lead. Like in the beginning, doing things she *really* didn't want to, but was basically forced into it. What a great message. Oh because she made a promise? What garbage.

The red glass... are you kidding me?!

I wouldn't recommend this to anyone.


Adding: I can't say that I liked any of the characters. They all had issues, intentional or not, I'm not sure. It's hard to explain why I didn't like .... Johnny. I just didn't. It was hard to care when you didn't have all the info from the past and it took too long to get required info. Why did she feel like she had no choice but to help? Why did he feel like she should be there for him after all that time? Why was her friend, that she was barely talking to, forcing her to take Johnny in? Why did no one care about her mental health?

***

36% in. I've been debating whether to keep going since 20% in. Right now it's just keeping my reading streak alive.

The main female.... ugh. She's getting on my nerves. I don't understand why she's acting the way she does in "present time" because the "past time line" isn't far enough along! I'm REALLY questioning the use of the past/ present when it's been basically alternating by chapter. I think the past should be a couple of chapters at least before switching back.

[I’m a Paula too… Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The moon and back…

This is such a good book. I really enjoyed reading this one and it might end up being a keeper for me. I’m glad I got to use KU to read it and decide if I want to read it again.

This story is about a band nerd girl and the rockstar boy she loves. She has wonderful parents and he has a nasty father but a wonderful mother. The girl encourages him to put music first in his life, rather than the sports his father wants. Stuff happens and he ends up leaving town without her and not coming back for about ten years.

She has an ill fated marriage in the meantime and he does the rockstar effect-boy thing. Plus lots of alcohol and drugs. Let’s face it, he has turned into a serious addict. So now ten years later he’s hit rock bottom, he comes back to have her support him. As in get him into rehab.

So, my reaction to this setup wasn’t overly emotional. Having addiction in the family, this isn’t a favorite trope. The ten years was too long a separation. So the fact that it’s well written pushed it to 4 stars.

I will check out some of her other works… this was good enough for me to look further.

[Sewster · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book as the closest thing to Ghosted (Darhower) that I’ve read yet, but not quit as good. The mc’s knew each other for a year before he left and don’t see each other for a decade. Im not convinced that’s enough time (especially at 17/18) to build a love that lasts. Im also disappointed for our FMC that all we know about her romantic history during that time is that she married a con artist and had a ONS with a friend. That’s it? Depressing. Meanwhile, we are led to believe Johnny slept with everything that moved, including famous, beautiful women.

I appreciated reading a flawed FMC. She had serious issues with envy, but this made her a more relatable character. I’ve run into several seemingly perfect FMCs lately, so it was nice to get a break from that.

I feel like some questions were overlooked. Like… how is Brynn going to fit into his life? How bad of a manwhore was he and is Brynn confident that’s behind him, especially if/when he goes on tour? Why the heck did it take 3 years for him to propose? Why did he never call during that decade… not even once?

[Hannah Montana · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was finally getting to some angst and then it was over thirty pages later.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ginger Scott never fails to make me feel. She flawlessly uses her YA chops to give us the back story while still making us feel their real adult issues. I could not put it down.

[MJLovestoRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Moon and Back is truly beautiful. From those very first words, Ginger Scott gives us the ultimate second-chance romance that is as gutwrenching as it is hopeful . Brynn Fisher as our narrator gives us the whole story of her ill-fated love for Johnny Bishop. The boy who stole her heart at 17 and the one who proceeded to break it just as easily. We get to visit the past when these two first met as football star and future drum majorette and the friendship that blossomed into so much more even it was never meant to last. But as we get to experience all the heartache and joy as Brynn is now face-to-face with the man, the world-renowned rock star, who has come home to their small town in the desert, I couldn't help but feel wildly anxious for her and how she might be able to save him from himself once more.

Talk about angst for days. Not to mention feels. Oh, yeah, this book has it all for the taking. I loved Brynn and her capability to find the strengths in others, whether it's her current music students or the boy she never quite forgot. She is beyond selfless yet her heart wants to forever be selfish with Johnny. Her vulnerability, whether it's when she was 18 and seemingly forgotten by the love of her life or now as a 28 year old woman and suddenly remembered, it's wonderfully-written and broke me more than once.

And Johnny Bishop. The man has more demons than anyone should have to contend with but it was incredible to see him own up to all of his mistakes and go from leaning heavily on Brynn to being able to shoulder some of their shared burdens. All that he endured at the hands of his despicable excuse for a father was hard to read but Scott manages to allow these memories to be somewhat easier to digest allowing the reader to fully glean the whys of Johnny in the present. He's such a tender kind of soul and it was beyond heartbreaking to know he fell so many times in the past 10 years, rich and powerful rock star or not. Inside he was still that 17 year old, hopelessly in love with the girl he always thought was too good for him and trying to be everything to everyone, his devoted mom and close friends like Teddy included.

The second-chance both Johnny and Brynn should claim for themselves is a long and winding road. I understood Brynn's hesitance to give herself fully to Johnny, still having those deep-seated doubts he'd leave her high and dry and broken once more. But Scott does an incredible job of portraying Brynn's fears and allowing Johnny to soothe them in his own unique way as the book comes to a close. I was a swooning fool as the best grand gesture ever gives these two the fighting chance they deserve. Hearts, including my own, were bursting with joy with an epilogue and bonus scene both making me chuckle and sigh at the battle Johnny and Brynn may have finally won.

When looking for a storyline that will grip you fiercely from page one until the very last words, grab this book. It's Ginger Scott at her very best and your soul will be happily filled with the kind of romance that is both raw and magnificent. One that is hard to put down yet filled me with hesitation more than once to continue when I knew the hard stuff was approaching. It's touching, soulful and intense but the hard-won HEA is worth every single moment.

The Moon and Back is sure to be at the top of many best-of lists for 2023 and is very deserving of a huge 5+ stars!

[Wendy LeGrand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ginger brings all the feels in this story. An emotionally charged, second chance love story done only the way Ginger could do it.

Brynn and Johnny were a couple in high school and were partners in the school marching band. She knew his talent was going to skyrocket him to stardom one day, she just thought she would be alongside him when it happened. Left in the dust of his departure, she's spent the past ten years trying to move on with her life. Now Johnny's back, calling in "the promise" they made each other all those years ago. Can she handle it?

Second chance stories are such a love/hate for me. The reason the person leaves has got to totally make sense to me as to why they left, and why it wasn't possible for their other half to go with them, or even stay in contact with them. It took quite a while in this story for that specific reason why Johnny left Brynn behind to be revealed, and I will say, after all we learn through the past POV's, it was plausible, even if I didn't agree with it. I think Johnny's behavior during the ten-year absence is what I had the most trouble with, because dude, you left the love of your life behind and then proceeded to act like the typical drugged up rock star with parties and groupies and all the yukky stuff I hate. Brynn had no clue what she had done to deserve Johnny just up and leaving with no word.

There's a lot to unpack between these two characters. Brynn was a character that I never really warmed up to, based on her personality traits and the way she handled many of the interactions between her and Johnny in present day. But, I have to acknowledge that people who have suffered the type of heartbreak she did, it is to be expected. It wasn't only that she lost Johnny, but she lost out on being there front and center to help him accomplish his dreams, to celebrate with him, to collaborate with him. She was denied the future she thought she was getting, and that's a bitter pill to be forced to swallow.

I loved the supporting cast of characters, especially Johnny's mom, and Teddy. It was run to go back to my high school years and experience Friday night football games again with the band taking the field at half time. And I really enjoyed all of the musical aspects of the story, especially seeing how students in the arts vie for positions in band, how they prepare to apply to musical colleges, how artistic everyone is!

After finally getting the whole story behind why Johnny left, knowing what he went through with his father during his youth, culminating in his teenage years, my heart totally went out to him and his mother. And Brynn and her family did endear me with how completely they accepted Johnny into their home without any reservations or judgement, never making him feel uncomfortable.

The ending was wonderful, it brought many happy tears to my face. And the bonus scene? Pure delight! I got a real good chuckle out of it. Bravo, Ginger!

[Shell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brynn & Johnny

Time lost between two people meant to be together usually bothers me more. This book, however, starts out the first chapter in the present. The second chapter jumps back to when the MCs meet and starts to work towards their impending break in their path. Each following chapter rotates back and forth between present and past. So as the author takes you apart she is also simultaneously piecing you back together. You are always equal parts in one time as you are in the other.

Johnny’s character is likable. As the story unfolds you can find peace in his imperfect decision. He made the choice that a kid his age, under his circumstances, thought was his only choice. The writer doesn’t really give you an in depth look at what he was like in the years he was gone and I think that protects your image of the kid you fall for through Brynn’s eyes in the past chapters and you don’t really need to know just how broken he was to appreciate seeing his pieces come back together during the present chapters.

I’ve read some reviews that didn’t like Brynn’s character. I thought she was written well. Even though hurt she makes choices to help Johnny. Unlike some romance books I didn’t feel like she was at all written as stubborn and unreasonable just to make the book/plot stretch out or give it more angst. For the most part she works with Johnny and doesn’t treat him bad. I actually liked her character and I tend to not like FMCs. I thought she was realistic and not OTT.

I liked the pacing of the book especially since it flips back and forth. Of course, I liked the present chapters the best. Some reviews say there are long and unnecessary parts. I didn’t find those parts. I actually read this book in one evening so I guess I felt it flowed pretty well.

The book is written in just Brynn’s POV. Which is the perfect voice to tell the story in. Again I think it protects us from over seeing Johnny’s brokenness and helps us just love him through Brynn’s eyes. Don’t worry, though, you get to glimpse through Johnny’s eyes (heart) in the end and it’s worth the wait.

Ps. The bonus epilogue makes ya laugh - don’t forget to sign up for it.