What do you think?
Rate this book
Return to Me #4
Returning Home
Clarissa wants nothing to do with her father – even in his death. But she can’t escape returning to Newport to settle her father's estate. The safe world she has established starts to crumble and secrets she has locked away threaten to be exposed. Meeting Griff, her father’s partner, provides the only peace and happiness in the darkness that suddenly surrounds her.
Griff has built his custom bike shop from nothing into a thriving success. After the sudden death of his silent partner, Griff finds himself in a fight to save his business from the grieving widow. But falling for his partner's headstrong daughter may cost Griff everything.
Brandi has become accustomed to certain amenities in her life - money and men. She refuses to allow the death of her philandering husband to inconvenience her comfortable lifestyle. Setting her sights set on her husband’s very young, very sexy partner, nothing will get in the way of what she wants - even if it means destroying Clarissa to get it.
Griff has built his custom bike shop from nothing into a thriving success. After the sudden death of his silent partner, Griff finds himself in a fight to save his business from the grieving widow. But falling for his partner's headstrong daughter may cost Griff everything.
Brandi has become accustomed to certain amenities in her life - money and men. She refuses to allow the death of her philandering husband to inconvenience her comfortable lifestyle. Setting her sights set on her husband’s very young, very sexy partner, nothing will get in the way of what she wants - even if it means destroying Clarissa to get it.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2014
6 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 28, 2014
I have read the first three books in this series and have loved all of the characters, especially Jake and Eve. Clarissa is Eve’s daughter and has had small parts in the previous books since she has been living in England for her photography business. Clarissa and Jake talked a lot on the phone and briefly met in a previous book and she felt that she had a father-figure in him. She was overjoyed when her mother found such a kind, loving man. We don’t know exactly why, but Clarissa refuses to see her father after her parent’s divorce.
With the death of her father and the estate to be dealt with, Clarissa returns to Newport. You can quickly tell how hesitant and nervous she is to return to her hometown. This book focuses on Clarissa and Griff, who had a business partnership with her father.
Griff has built his motorcycle business from the ground up with odds and ends of parts and working hard. As his business grew, Clarissa’s father, Brad Beckett, became interested in his work. Brad became a silent partner in the business and sent clients Griff’s way, due to the high-quality, custom-made motorcycles. At the reading of Brad’s will, Griff and Clarissa realize they will have to work together regarding his business.
I had a good idea of what secrets Clarissa kept locked away but it didn’t lessen how I viewed the tragedy of the painful situation. Griff was so good to Clarissa, never asking for the reasons behind her behavior or nightmares, and just offers to listen if she chooses to talk.
Unfortunately, Clarissa’s stepmother, Brandi, who I’ve hated from the first book, is still a horrible, unfeeling woman, and causes chaos wherever she goes. I want her to go DOWN as she deserves!
Clarissa and Griff develop a relationship and it is so sweet how she comes to trust him. Although with Clarissa’s issues, at times Griff is left to wonder what will happen between them. I loved Griff’s grandmother and how she took him in and made him behave, after not being cared for by his mother. He adored his grandmother, dropped by to see her often and she believed in his business. I lived with my grandmother during high school and I think back now at my grandmother’s age while my sister, and briefly a cousin, also lived with her. I don’t know how she managed with teenagers while in her mid-50s. Fortunately, family comes in a wide variety of ways. Griff can’t imagine living away from his grandmother, and Clarissa can’t wait to leave Newport.
I would have liked for more of Eve and Jake since I fell in love with them from the start. If you haven’t read The Return and The Return to Newport, you definitely should read them first, and they are my favorites of this series. The third book still focused on Jake and Eve but definitely had some suspenseful scenes with an arsonist and trying to gain custody of Jake’s daughter, Lauren. This fourth book focuses on Clarissa and, even though it is shorter than the previous books, Ms. Parks writes a moving story about a situation that happens all too often. I have looked forward to this book because I just knew there was more to the story about why Clarissa moved to England. I felt the sweetness of the beginning relationship between Clarissa and Griff, and also the sadness of what Clarissa had to endure. I have read several books by Ms. Parks and can highly recommend her work.
With the death of her father and the estate to be dealt with, Clarissa returns to Newport. You can quickly tell how hesitant and nervous she is to return to her hometown. This book focuses on Clarissa and Griff, who had a business partnership with her father.
Griff has built his motorcycle business from the ground up with odds and ends of parts and working hard. As his business grew, Clarissa’s father, Brad Beckett, became interested in his work. Brad became a silent partner in the business and sent clients Griff’s way, due to the high-quality, custom-made motorcycles. At the reading of Brad’s will, Griff and Clarissa realize they will have to work together regarding his business.
I had a good idea of what secrets Clarissa kept locked away but it didn’t lessen how I viewed the tragedy of the painful situation. Griff was so good to Clarissa, never asking for the reasons behind her behavior or nightmares, and just offers to listen if she chooses to talk.
Unfortunately, Clarissa’s stepmother, Brandi, who I’ve hated from the first book, is still a horrible, unfeeling woman, and causes chaos wherever she goes. I want her to go DOWN as she deserves!
Clarissa and Griff develop a relationship and it is so sweet how she comes to trust him. Although with Clarissa’s issues, at times Griff is left to wonder what will happen between them. I loved Griff’s grandmother and how she took him in and made him behave, after not being cared for by his mother. He adored his grandmother, dropped by to see her often and she believed in his business. I lived with my grandmother during high school and I think back now at my grandmother’s age while my sister, and briefly a cousin, also lived with her. I don’t know how she managed with teenagers while in her mid-50s. Fortunately, family comes in a wide variety of ways. Griff can’t imagine living away from his grandmother, and Clarissa can’t wait to leave Newport.
I would have liked for more of Eve and Jake since I fell in love with them from the start. If you haven’t read The Return and The Return to Newport, you definitely should read them first, and they are my favorites of this series. The third book still focused on Jake and Eve but definitely had some suspenseful scenes with an arsonist and trying to gain custody of Jake’s daughter, Lauren. This fourth book focuses on Clarissa and, even though it is shorter than the previous books, Ms. Parks writes a moving story about a situation that happens all too often. I have looked forward to this book because I just knew there was more to the story about why Clarissa moved to England. I felt the sweetness of the beginning relationship between Clarissa and Griff, and also the sadness of what Clarissa had to endure. I have read several books by Ms. Parks and can highly recommend her work.
December 1, 2014
Wow, this series just keeps getting better and better! I loved this book the best I think, and I've really enjoyed this entire series! This story focuses on Clarissa (Eve's oldest daughter). She houses some deep dark secrets which is why we haven't seen much of her so far in this series.
Clarissa is forced to return to Newport to deal with her father's funeral and will. Here she meets Griff, the hot heart-throb of a guy who builds custom motorcycles in his shop.....the shop Clarissa's dad was a silent partner in. At first, they don't get along, but spark's fly after they get to know each other. But whatever secrets Clarissa harbors puts her off of getting involved in any relationships.
Griff was sure that being friends with Rissa was going to be the cruelest torture known to man. Look but don't touch was especially hard when she was sitting across from him in a top that displayed soft delicate skin from one shoulder across her chest to the other.
And oh, Brandi is back!! The woman you love to hate, the evil widow/stepmom of Clarissa.
This is a great story of twists and turns! And I loved having Jake and Eve re-enter the story as well. I cannot wait for RSVP, coming soon, which will tie this series up in a big bow!! This is a wonderful series and I cannot recommend this enough!!
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Clarissa is forced to return to Newport to deal with her father's funeral and will. Here she meets Griff, the hot heart-throb of a guy who builds custom motorcycles in his shop.....the shop Clarissa's dad was a silent partner in. At first, they don't get along, but spark's fly after they get to know each other. But whatever secrets Clarissa harbors puts her off of getting involved in any relationships.
Griff was sure that being friends with Rissa was going to be the cruelest torture known to man. Look but don't touch was especially hard when she was sitting across from him in a top that displayed soft delicate skin from one shoulder across her chest to the other.
And oh, Brandi is back!! The woman you love to hate, the evil widow/stepmom of Clarissa.
This is a great story of twists and turns! And I loved having Jake and Eve re-enter the story as well. I cannot wait for RSVP, coming soon, which will tie this series up in a big bow!! This is a wonderful series and I cannot recommend this enough!!
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 2, 2014
This is hands down my favorite book in this series. The entire series is awesome, but this book really stuck with me.
We learned a lot about Clarissa in the previous books, or so we thought, turns out Clarissa is hiding a huge major life altering secret.
Coming back to Newport causes Clarissa to have to face her demons head on, and to learn to deal with them and Griff is there with her every step of the way that she will allow him to be.
Griff.................................................................Oh sorry got lost there for a minute daydreaming about Griff. Griff ohhh how I want a Griff, can someone find me one please? Griff, custom motorcycle builder, all around bad boy, total heartthrob.
At first Clarissa and Griff clash, BIG TIME, but in a very short amount of time they both start to chip away at each others hard exterior.
Just when everything is going right, BAM! out of nowhere Bimbo Brandi strikes and sets in motion events that will ultimately free Clarissa from her demons and bring her and Griff closer together, but she's just too much of a bimbo to realize that, but its ohhhhh so sweet when she realizes her scheme didn't quite work the way she wanted.
Bravo Al Parks and Thank You for such a great story!
We learned a lot about Clarissa in the previous books, or so we thought, turns out Clarissa is hiding a huge major life altering secret.
Coming back to Newport causes Clarissa to have to face her demons head on, and to learn to deal with them and Griff is there with her every step of the way that she will allow him to be.
Griff.................................................................Oh sorry got lost there for a minute daydreaming about Griff. Griff ohhh how I want a Griff, can someone find me one please? Griff, custom motorcycle builder, all around bad boy, total heartthrob.
At first Clarissa and Griff clash, BIG TIME, but in a very short amount of time they both start to chip away at each others hard exterior.
Just when everything is going right, BAM! out of nowhere Bimbo Brandi strikes and sets in motion events that will ultimately free Clarissa from her demons and bring her and Griff closer together, but she's just too much of a bimbo to realize that, but its ohhhhh so sweet when she realizes her scheme didn't quite work the way she wanted.
Bravo Al Parks and Thank You for such a great story!
October 29, 2014
OMG!I'm amazed at how each new book gets even better than the one before! ... The awesome Ms. Parks has done it once again!! ... This 4th book is my favorite of all, though I absolutely loved the first 3 books, too :) ... Wonderful character development throughout this story and the whole must read series, that will make you want to jump right into each book :) .... "Returning Home" is such a delightful story in contemporary Romantic fiction with drama and suspense thrown in for good measure, that I did not want to put it down :) ... This talented author knows how to write a fantastic story-line with characters you will love or hate, that keeps the reader engaged and the pages turning!! ... Run, don't walk to order all 4 of these books :) ... Even though they could stand alone, I strongly recommend reading these awesome books in order :) ... Yes, I was given this to read in exchange for an honest review, but I truly loved this book so I just bought a copy for a friend :) ... I can't wait for more from this future best selling author :)
November 4, 2014
Each book I've read from AL Parks has been a wonderful experience. Returning Home is my favorite book from this author....at this moment. The reason I added "at this moment" is because I have no doubt, that the next book I read from her will be even better. Not sure how AL Parks keeps getting better, but she does. Each book is better than the previous, which is astounding, because her previous three books in this series were all five star material.
Returning Home is a truly well written story with fully developed characters that you can't help but fall for. If you're looking for a book that will appeal to your emotions, provide you with drama, and make you fall in love with strong characters, then Returning Home is the right book for you. Even if you aren't looking for all that, still pick up this book. It's a must read!
Returning Home is a truly well written story with fully developed characters that you can't help but fall for. If you're looking for a book that will appeal to your emotions, provide you with drama, and make you fall in love with strong characters, then Returning Home is the right book for you. Even if you aren't looking for all that, still pick up this book. It's a must read!
August 30, 2015
I did enjoy this story, as I have the entire series. Again, I felt that this book was darker than the first two in the series. But always want to know back stories on the characters that I have read about in the previous books. This book is about Clarissa, Eve's oldest daughter. She is fighting against a secret she wanted no one, not even her mother to know about. She is in a town she hates, but finds love with the person she started out hating.
Secrets are exposed, lives are threatened-but love and family help Clarissa face her demons.
I look forward to reading more by This author in the future.
I was given a copy by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Secrets are exposed, lives are threatened-but love and family help Clarissa face her demons.
I look forward to reading more by This author in the future.
I was given a copy by the author in exchange for an honest review.
July 18, 2016
Loved getting Clarissa's story!! So much angst and heartbreak in her story, but she is strong! She is a survivor, but never knew that she may have to face the demons from her past. Meeting Griff, she never knew that she would find someone she can find love with. She has been lost for so long and trying to hide her pain from those she loved, but Griff is there and brings her back to life again! Beautiful story! Don't miss reading Clarissa's story, especially if you have read the first 3 in this amazing series!
November 1, 2014
This book was fantastic! AL Parks knocked it out of the park with this book. The characters were well written and so entertaining. I loved the main characters and rooted for them throughout the book. I was able to stay immersed in the story from the beginning to the end. I couldn't put this down. I wanted to know what was next and the plot was perfect. It was steamy and had a few spots of crazy stepmom.
I would recommend this series to everyone!
I would recommend this series to everyone!
July 21, 2015
This one's barely a three star. Didn't care for the subject matter, and didn't expect the main characters to veer away from Eve and Jake. In the end though, it was a light, quick read. Will have to add the final novella (RSVP: A Return to Me Christmas Novella) as it gets closer to Christmas.
October 29, 2014
Al Parks did it again
I think might be my favorite book yet. I just love Rissa and Griff. This story holds a lot of things in me. I can relate to the character. I still hate Brandi for what she did.
I think might be my favorite book yet. I just love Rissa and Griff. This story holds a lot of things in me. I can relate to the character. I still hate Brandi for what she did.
November 7, 2014
Great ending to this wonderful series!!! I absolutely could not get enough of Griff!!! Completely fell for him!!! Love, love, loved it!!!
November 13, 2014
review to follow
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews