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The Way Back
14 years ago, she left a piece of her heart in Scotland. Now she wants it back, if it’s not too late…
Then:
When Graeme MacKinlay moved from Scotland to Canada to attend university, he never expected to fall in love—not with the country, and certainly not with Abby Morton.
From the beginning, Graeme accepted that Abby wasn’t interested in anything more than friendship. He was willing to bury his feelings if it meant becoming close friends with her. But on a farewell holiday to Scotland, with goodbye looming, Graeme and Abby share a whirlwind romance—two impulsive weeks neither of them will ever forget.
Despite their promise that it wouldn’t change their friendship, nothing was ever the same between them. To Graeme, Abby will always be the one that got away…
Now:
Abby has spent her life chasing a sense of home and belonging—something she's only ever experienced once, on that fateful trip to Scotland fourteen years ago. With her thirty-fifth birthday on the horizon, Abby is unemployed, single, and living in her best friend’s spare bedroom. When her friends surprise her with a trip to Scotland to visit Graeme, Abby realizes history is repeating itself, but this time, she has a chance to get things right.
As she and Graeme explore his homeland once more, neither of them can deny that their feelings for each other are as strong as ever. But with two fragile hearts on the line, Abby isn’t sure if she’s brave enough to risk it all for something that already failed once before.
Can they fix what was broken and find their way back to each other? Or is what they shared meant to remain a beautiful memory?
Then:
When Graeme MacKinlay moved from Scotland to Canada to attend university, he never expected to fall in love—not with the country, and certainly not with Abby Morton.
From the beginning, Graeme accepted that Abby wasn’t interested in anything more than friendship. He was willing to bury his feelings if it meant becoming close friends with her. But on a farewell holiday to Scotland, with goodbye looming, Graeme and Abby share a whirlwind romance—two impulsive weeks neither of them will ever forget.
Despite their promise that it wouldn’t change their friendship, nothing was ever the same between them. To Graeme, Abby will always be the one that got away…
Now:
Abby has spent her life chasing a sense of home and belonging—something she's only ever experienced once, on that fateful trip to Scotland fourteen years ago. With her thirty-fifth birthday on the horizon, Abby is unemployed, single, and living in her best friend’s spare bedroom. When her friends surprise her with a trip to Scotland to visit Graeme, Abby realizes history is repeating itself, but this time, she has a chance to get things right.
As she and Graeme explore his homeland once more, neither of them can deny that their feelings for each other are as strong as ever. But with two fragile hearts on the line, Abby isn’t sure if she’s brave enough to risk it all for something that already failed once before.
Can they fix what was broken and find their way back to each other? Or is what they shared meant to remain a beautiful memory?
ebook
Published July 28, 2026
About the author
Marie Landry
30 books910 followersMarie Landry lives and writes in a cozy apartment in Ontario, Canada, surrounded by books and Funko Pops. An avid reader from a young age, she loves getting lost in characters’ worlds, whether they’re of her own making or someone else’s. She particularly loves stories with as much of an emphasis on self-discovery and friendship as on romance...but don’t leave out the romance!
When not doing bookish things, you can often find her taking pictures, cooking, scrolling Instagram (find her at @marielandry.author), daydreaming about frolicking through the Scottish Highlands, or listening to the same music she's loved since the '90s. She's an unapologetic nerd and fangirl, and that, along with her mental health advocacy, is often woven into her books.
Stay up to date with new releases, sales, promos, and other news by signing up for Marie's newsletter and be sure to follow her on BookBub so you never miss a new release!
When not doing bookish things, you can often find her taking pictures, cooking, scrolling Instagram (find her at @marielandry.author), daydreaming about frolicking through the Scottish Highlands, or listening to the same music she's loved since the '90s. She's an unapologetic nerd and fangirl, and that, along with her mental health advocacy, is often woven into her books.
Stay up to date with new releases, sales, promos, and other news by signing up for Marie's newsletter and be sure to follow her on BookBub so you never miss a new release!
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 4, 2026
Well, if I didn't already want to visit Scotland I definitely do now. I don't know what I love more. Landry's way of writing perfectly descriptive, make you feel like you're there, scenery. Or her fall head over heels for, green flag MMC's. I LOVED Graeme. That man had the patience of a saint to go with a heart of gold.
Abby had a rough start in life from a mom who abandoned her, to a grandmother that died leaving her in the foster system and then a group home it left scars and a wall around her heart. Though she let in the "Crew" her amazing friend group (who by the way deserve their own applause and soooo many good things said about them) that ends up including Graeme. But scared of being hurt - and wrecking the dynamics of the friend group that helps hold her together - she keeps him at a safe distance.
And can we talk about Graeme and Brodie's parents for a moment? The way they unconditionally welcome Abby, Drew and Fern to the family. There is just so much on top of the actual love story in this book that I could just rave on and on about. Orrrrr you could pick it up for yourself
Abby had a rough start in life from a mom who abandoned her, to a grandmother that died leaving her in the foster system and then a group home it left scars and a wall around her heart. Though she let in the "Crew" her amazing friend group (who by the way deserve their own applause and soooo many good things said about them) that ends up including Graeme. But scared of being hurt - and wrecking the dynamics of the friend group that helps hold her together - she keeps him at a safe distance.
And can we talk about Graeme and Brodie's parents for a moment? The way they unconditionally welcome Abby, Drew and Fern to the family. There is just so much on top of the actual love story in this book that I could just rave on and on about. Orrrrr you could pick it up for yourself
August 18, 2026
When Marie set out to write a love letter to Scotland with her latest romance, THE WAY BACK, she succeeded. I was as moved as I am with all of her books, plus I spent a fair amount of time swooning over Graeme. Hehe.
Abby and Graeme are lifelong friends who have always teetered on the precipice of becoming more than that. They did, once, during a magical two week fling in Scotland. The only problem? They didn't last as lovers and haven't been able to go back to being the friends they used to be. But with Abby headed back to Scotland and her friend group all experiencing life changes just as she's lost her job, she has to finally confront all she found and lost there.
Y'ALL. Let's talk about Marie's ability to write swoon-worthy men. Graeme is definitely one of them! He's SUCH book boyfriend material and with his point of view, we see his beautiful love for Abby. I laughed, I cried, I swooned, I swooned again. I felt the tug of their emotions--his beautiful vulnerability, her fears.
This book is SO good. Give it a try. You won't regret it.
Abby and Graeme are lifelong friends who have always teetered on the precipice of becoming more than that. They did, once, during a magical two week fling in Scotland. The only problem? They didn't last as lovers and haven't been able to go back to being the friends they used to be. But with Abby headed back to Scotland and her friend group all experiencing life changes just as she's lost her job, she has to finally confront all she found and lost there.
Y'ALL. Let's talk about Marie's ability to write swoon-worthy men. Graeme is definitely one of them! He's SUCH book boyfriend material and with his point of view, we see his beautiful love for Abby. I laughed, I cried, I swooned, I swooned again. I felt the tug of their emotions--his beautiful vulnerability, her fears.
This book is SO good. Give it a try. You won't regret it.
July 29, 2026
“Things get to be good. You deserve good things. Your job is to allow it and accept it… Whit’s fur ye’ll no go by ye”
Ahead of writing this, I pulled up my Flo app to check if my period was due… nope, two weeks away yet… so that means that my grudge against Marie Landry is sticking because she reduced me to an utter sobbing, wistful mess! (I mean all of this is in the most lovable, positive way!)
The Way Back is a slow burn love story between Abby and Graeme - meeting through their friends/brother in Canada, Abby and Graeme fall in love instantly but agree to be just friends. Over these years, they fight their deep feelings, unknowing that either feels the same until a trip to Edinburgh to see Graeme’s family and home country becomes the catalyst for their walls to come down. Abby’s fears and past trauma catches up with her and soon, their happily ever after slips out of their fingers. Graeme can only hope and wait for Abby to get the courage to know that they are meant to be, and meant to be in Scotland.
Firstly - Graeme is just completely perfect. From his looks, to his personality, his emotional maturity and his ability to be unbelievably sexy, we can’t help but instantly fall in love with him as soon as Abby does. Of course, the fact he is Scottish only adds to him being a total dream. Landry has certainly not helped my case of being painfully single and looking for a typical Scottish, auburn haired, book-boyfriend - how am I meant to find anyone who isn’t Graeme? He is certainly on par with Jamie Fraser and there feels a slight undercurrent of him reflected in the character - which anyone who isn’t insane will also love.
Abby works through a lot of her trauma of being a foster child. Through this, she met Drew, her platonic soulmate and best friend/sister. Together, they go through their past and support one another and, while this is a romantic book, the love between them is also something deep and beautiful. There’s a part of me that was emotional in an entirely other way for the bond that they have which is so full of love and understanding. The quote at the beginning (minus the scots) comes from Drew when she reassures Abby that the decision she is making is right, and it hit me right in the feels and the heart. It’s a sentiment I would love to be true in my own life or at least, for someone to reassure me with. With Drew, Graeme, Brodie (Graeme’s brother and partner to Drew, and reason Abby meets Graeme) and their other university friend Fern, The Crew are a family of friends that is just beautiful to behold. A group full of love and friendship that is rare and sought after as much as a romantic love story as perfect as Abby and Graeme’s is. Their easy welcome into Brodie and Graeme’s family is also heart warming, enveloping these two left behind little girls in stability and a family they always wanted.
What is also brilliant about this book is the description of Edinburgh. Edinburgh, the Highlands and generally Scotland is also the love of my life. While there are some areas they explore that I have to yet, some, and particularly Edinburgh, are described so well that you can’t help but be in love with it. You don’t need to know these places to fall in love with it, because Landry effortlessly describes it enough for you to. But there was a part of this that made my heart beat, as much as and in the same way my heart beat for Graeme, as she describes the city I know so well, all the way down to my soul. I could envisage walking along with them on their exact routes, with the minute details I could add from knowing it so well. When there’s a moment Abby walks into a witchy shop on Candlemakers row, I grinned to myself with knowing the EXACT shop that this is. With my annual trip to Edinburgh and travelling around Scotland in less than two weeks, it made me even more excited to walk the cobbles and steep hills.
The Way Back evokes many emotions in many different layers and will leave you with a bit of whiplash in the ways it pulls at you. It is a perfection of a book, for any Scotland, Scots lover and complete romantic. And, annoyingly for me, not only does it make me more depressed that Graeme doesn’t exist, but that the indecision I have of moving to Scotland gets weaker and weaker, as I see myself in Abby. Maybe I just need to take the leap like her… who knows if my own Graeme will appear in 2 weeks time to push me further into that leap!?
Ahead of writing this, I pulled up my Flo app to check if my period was due… nope, two weeks away yet… so that means that my grudge against Marie Landry is sticking because she reduced me to an utter sobbing, wistful mess! (I mean all of this is in the most lovable, positive way!)
The Way Back is a slow burn love story between Abby and Graeme - meeting through their friends/brother in Canada, Abby and Graeme fall in love instantly but agree to be just friends. Over these years, they fight their deep feelings, unknowing that either feels the same until a trip to Edinburgh to see Graeme’s family and home country becomes the catalyst for their walls to come down. Abby’s fears and past trauma catches up with her and soon, their happily ever after slips out of their fingers. Graeme can only hope and wait for Abby to get the courage to know that they are meant to be, and meant to be in Scotland.
Firstly - Graeme is just completely perfect. From his looks, to his personality, his emotional maturity and his ability to be unbelievably sexy, we can’t help but instantly fall in love with him as soon as Abby does. Of course, the fact he is Scottish only adds to him being a total dream. Landry has certainly not helped my case of being painfully single and looking for a typical Scottish, auburn haired, book-boyfriend - how am I meant to find anyone who isn’t Graeme? He is certainly on par with Jamie Fraser and there feels a slight undercurrent of him reflected in the character - which anyone who isn’t insane will also love.
Abby works through a lot of her trauma of being a foster child. Through this, she met Drew, her platonic soulmate and best friend/sister. Together, they go through their past and support one another and, while this is a romantic book, the love between them is also something deep and beautiful. There’s a part of me that was emotional in an entirely other way for the bond that they have which is so full of love and understanding. The quote at the beginning (minus the scots) comes from Drew when she reassures Abby that the decision she is making is right, and it hit me right in the feels and the heart. It’s a sentiment I would love to be true in my own life or at least, for someone to reassure me with. With Drew, Graeme, Brodie (Graeme’s brother and partner to Drew, and reason Abby meets Graeme) and their other university friend Fern, The Crew are a family of friends that is just beautiful to behold. A group full of love and friendship that is rare and sought after as much as a romantic love story as perfect as Abby and Graeme’s is. Their easy welcome into Brodie and Graeme’s family is also heart warming, enveloping these two left behind little girls in stability and a family they always wanted.
What is also brilliant about this book is the description of Edinburgh. Edinburgh, the Highlands and generally Scotland is also the love of my life. While there are some areas they explore that I have to yet, some, and particularly Edinburgh, are described so well that you can’t help but be in love with it. You don’t need to know these places to fall in love with it, because Landry effortlessly describes it enough for you to. But there was a part of this that made my heart beat, as much as and in the same way my heart beat for Graeme, as she describes the city I know so well, all the way down to my soul. I could envisage walking along with them on their exact routes, with the minute details I could add from knowing it so well. When there’s a moment Abby walks into a witchy shop on Candlemakers row, I grinned to myself with knowing the EXACT shop that this is. With my annual trip to Edinburgh and travelling around Scotland in less than two weeks, it made me even more excited to walk the cobbles and steep hills.
The Way Back evokes many emotions in many different layers and will leave you with a bit of whiplash in the ways it pulls at you. It is a perfection of a book, for any Scotland, Scots lover and complete romantic. And, annoyingly for me, not only does it make me more depressed that Graeme doesn’t exist, but that the indecision I have of moving to Scotland gets weaker and weaker, as I see myself in Abby. Maybe I just need to take the leap like her… who knows if my own Graeme will appear in 2 weeks time to push me further into that leap!?
July 6, 2026
I was EXTREMELY lucky to have the opportunity to ARC read The Way Back by Marie Landry, and as always with her writing, she did not disappoint. This was the most beautiful journey from start to finish and had me sobbing for literal hours 🤣
I genuinely don’t think I can put into words how impactful and beautiful this story was. This book left my heart so full it almost hurts ♥️
As soon as I saw that Marie had created another incredible piece of writing, I knew I had to apply for this ARC. But as soon as I saw it was set in Scotland, I had my heart set on it straight away. Scotland has always held a special place in my heart. I have friends and family there, and it has always been one of the most beautiful places to visit. The way Marie portrayed her love for Scotland, and the characters love for this incredible place, had my heart bursting with joy. Marie, I really hope you can return one day and experience that love all over again ♥️
You have the most beautiful FMC, Abby, who has experienced a lot of struggles and anxieties throughout her life. I absolutely loved watching Abby grow, learn to trust her own decisions and, let’s just say… “take that leap” 😉
Then you have a yearning MMC called Graeme, who has always known where his love and his home were 🤭. He’s definitely upped my standards massively…
This pair were one of the most beautiful, intense, and emotionally stressful couples I’ve ever read. They had me laughing one second and crying the next! It doesn’t help that I’m just an emotional wreck recently 😂
The friendships alone in this book deserve their own review. “The Crew” are just incredible. Drew and Brodie’s story was absolutely amazing to read, and their love was just 🤌🏼. I also absolutely loved Fern as a character too, she was just so much fun!
Marie, across the books of yours that I’ve read, I absolutely love how your romances are so raw and how you portray real-life complexities. I’ve read multiple romances that lack depth, and you’ve always managed to capture it so beautifully. I also absolutely loved the past POVs, it just made the reading experience feel so pure ♥️
This review is so long, so I do apologise, but I will be talking about this book for the rest of time, and I know I’ll be rereading it. This has genuinely become one of my comfort reads, and I can’t wait to return 🥹
Of course… here are some quotes I absolutely loved:
♥️ “I’ve missed experiencing the world through her eyes.”
♥️ “The three of you are part of the MacKinley Clan now.”
♥️ “Come on, Pumpkin Spice. Live a little.”
♥️ “What’s meant for you won’t pass you by.”
♥️ “This isn’t the end and it isn’t goodbye.”
♥️ “I love you, ghràidh. Then, now and always.”
♥️ “We’re home. This is where we belong, Abs. Where we all belong.”
♥️ “This family of ours is all I want. You are all I want.”
I genuinely don’t think I can put into words how impactful and beautiful this story was. This book left my heart so full it almost hurts ♥️
As soon as I saw that Marie had created another incredible piece of writing, I knew I had to apply for this ARC. But as soon as I saw it was set in Scotland, I had my heart set on it straight away. Scotland has always held a special place in my heart. I have friends and family there, and it has always been one of the most beautiful places to visit. The way Marie portrayed her love for Scotland, and the characters love for this incredible place, had my heart bursting with joy. Marie, I really hope you can return one day and experience that love all over again ♥️
You have the most beautiful FMC, Abby, who has experienced a lot of struggles and anxieties throughout her life. I absolutely loved watching Abby grow, learn to trust her own decisions and, let’s just say… “take that leap” 😉
Then you have a yearning MMC called Graeme, who has always known where his love and his home were 🤭. He’s definitely upped my standards massively…
This pair were one of the most beautiful, intense, and emotionally stressful couples I’ve ever read. They had me laughing one second and crying the next! It doesn’t help that I’m just an emotional wreck recently 😂
The friendships alone in this book deserve their own review. “The Crew” are just incredible. Drew and Brodie’s story was absolutely amazing to read, and their love was just 🤌🏼. I also absolutely loved Fern as a character too, she was just so much fun!
Marie, across the books of yours that I’ve read, I absolutely love how your romances are so raw and how you portray real-life complexities. I’ve read multiple romances that lack depth, and you’ve always managed to capture it so beautifully. I also absolutely loved the past POVs, it just made the reading experience feel so pure ♥️
This review is so long, so I do apologise, but I will be talking about this book for the rest of time, and I know I’ll be rereading it. This has genuinely become one of my comfort reads, and I can’t wait to return 🥹
Of course… here are some quotes I absolutely loved:
♥️ “I’ve missed experiencing the world through her eyes.”
♥️ “The three of you are part of the MacKinley Clan now.”
♥️ “Come on, Pumpkin Spice. Live a little.”
♥️ “What’s meant for you won’t pass you by.”
♥️ “This isn’t the end and it isn’t goodbye.”
♥️ “I love you, ghràidh. Then, now and always.”
♥️ “We’re home. This is where we belong, Abs. Where we all belong.”
♥️ “This family of ours is all I want. You are all I want.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2026
This is the most beautiful romance ever!
Sweet, sexy, full of yearning, and heart-warming, heart-breaking, and heart-mending all in one go! The characters are amazing - so well-rounded that they feel like real people rather than book characters - and the Edinburgh setting is so well-described that you'll feel like you're actually there!
This gorgeous story will make you swoon, laugh, cry, and fall in love, and if you don't already love Scotland and want to visit there, then you will after reading this book! This is such a special story and Marie's love of Scotland shines through every page - it's the ultimate love letter to a beautiful country!
If you're looking for your next romance obsession, don't hesitate to grab The Way Back!
Sweet, sexy, full of yearning, and heart-warming, heart-breaking, and heart-mending all in one go! The characters are amazing - so well-rounded that they feel like real people rather than book characters - and the Edinburgh setting is so well-described that you'll feel like you're actually there!
This gorgeous story will make you swoon, laugh, cry, and fall in love, and if you don't already love Scotland and want to visit there, then you will after reading this book! This is such a special story and Marie's love of Scotland shines through every page - it's the ultimate love letter to a beautiful country!
If you're looking for your next romance obsession, don't hesitate to grab The Way Back!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Marie Landry does it again. I was having a pretty spectacularly crap week and reading a couple chapters of this story every night literally made it all get better. Her love for Scotland pours out from every page and it felt like I was back there like when I travelled to Edinburgh in fall 2022. Graeme and Hannah are a feast for sore eyes and their chemistry and love story is incredible (thought I may have hated Hannah a little bit at certain points in the story XD ).
I loved the found family vibes between the Crew, loved the background of scotland and the overwhelming love from the MacKinlays. This was just what I needed, when I needed it.
I loved the found family vibes between the Crew, loved the background of scotland and the overwhelming love from the MacKinlays. This was just what I needed, when I needed it.
August 2, 2026
3.75/5
It took me a bit to get into the flow of the book due to the time jumps but once things started to fall into place I really enjoyed it. I loved that this book had a playlist and you bet I listened to it on repeat while reading. I’m from Edinburgh so seeing all of my favourite places being brought up was so heartwarming and it really makes me want to go explore more of my city and take a leaf out of Abby’s book.
This book really grew on me as it went on, I loved the found family aspect of it. It’s definitely one of my favourite tropes especially when it’s executed so well. Drew was definitely my favourite character what a legend.
“Whit’s fur ye’ll no go by ye.” 🩵
It took me a bit to get into the flow of the book due to the time jumps but once things started to fall into place I really enjoyed it. I loved that this book had a playlist and you bet I listened to it on repeat while reading. I’m from Edinburgh so seeing all of my favourite places being brought up was so heartwarming and it really makes me want to go explore more of my city and take a leaf out of Abby’s book.
This book really grew on me as it went on, I loved the found family aspect of it. It’s definitely one of my favourite tropes especially when it’s executed so well. Drew was definitely my favourite character what a legend.
“Whit’s fur ye’ll no go by ye.” 🩵
July 27, 2026
4.5/5
I received a review copy and these are my thoughts:
This was a beautiful second chance and a love letter to Scotland. Maria Landry delivers yet another emotional roller coaster with just enough angst to keep your heart pounding and your nerves on edge. Graeme and Abby weren’t exactly “right person, wrong time”, more right person and not the right emotional and mental place for the FMC (especially given her background and trauma) - the one that got away if you will. Abby needed the time and heartache to find her way to her most authentic self and then take a leap of faith and let Graeme catch her.
Graeme was such a delightful MMC. With his Scottish accent, he was steadfast and ever protective and caring of Abby, even after she broke both their hearts.
Abby and her best friend Drew, both grew up in the foster system and their bond was as strong as if they were blood-related. The whole found family was heartwarming. No character was left unsupported or cared for.
I adored the Scottish settings. I've never been to Scotland but it's been at the top of my "want to go" places for years and through Marie's writing, I felt as though I was there; walking the streets of Edinburgh or watching the sunset over Calton Hill. The gloomy and wet days against the backdrop of ancient buildings or the sun peaking through the clouds, illuminating breathtaking views. It made me long for something I have never experienced.
In the end, Graema and Abby's HEA - which had been years in the making, proved to be a satisfying one. They could never resist the pull between them, their chemistry was undeniable and their friendship and connection a deep one. Abby just had to find the courage to finally let herself be loved the way she deserved.
[Spice: 2.5/5]
I received a review copy and these are my thoughts:
This was a beautiful second chance and a love letter to Scotland. Maria Landry delivers yet another emotional roller coaster with just enough angst to keep your heart pounding and your nerves on edge. Graeme and Abby weren’t exactly “right person, wrong time”, more right person and not the right emotional and mental place for the FMC (especially given her background and trauma) - the one that got away if you will. Abby needed the time and heartache to find her way to her most authentic self and then take a leap of faith and let Graeme catch her.
Graeme was such a delightful MMC. With his Scottish accent, he was steadfast and ever protective and caring of Abby, even after she broke both their hearts.
Abby and her best friend Drew, both grew up in the foster system and their bond was as strong as if they were blood-related. The whole found family was heartwarming. No character was left unsupported or cared for.
I adored the Scottish settings. I've never been to Scotland but it's been at the top of my "want to go" places for years and through Marie's writing, I felt as though I was there; walking the streets of Edinburgh or watching the sunset over Calton Hill. The gloomy and wet days against the backdrop of ancient buildings or the sun peaking through the clouds, illuminating breathtaking views. It made me long for something I have never experienced.
In the end, Graema and Abby's HEA - which had been years in the making, proved to be a satisfying one. They could never resist the pull between them, their chemistry was undeniable and their friendship and connection a deep one. Abby just had to find the courage to finally let herself be loved the way she deserved.
[Spice: 2.5/5]
August 7, 2026
Such a sweet, tender book! Loved being transported to Scotland!
August 16, 2026
I absolutely loved this book and its characters! Loved the mix of POVs as well as the flashbacks/forwards in the timeline!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Way Back is a stunning book. I loved everything about it, especially the Scottish elements.
From the opening pages, it was clear that this would be a magnificent story of love, friendship and second chances. Told with a dual timeline, we follow Abby and Graeme as they drift between friendship and something more, both in the present day and fourteen years earlier. As the story evolves, we learn more about Abby’s past and her reluctance to trust in relationships. There are no spoilers from me, but prepare yourself for a perfectly handled sensitive backstory.
I really loved Abby’s character. I felt every layer of her connection to her best friend, Drew. Their shared past experiences provided a glimpse into a life that I knew only a little about. The strength of her friendships was unwavering, and I took real pleasure in learning about her desire for both love and independence.
Graeme is top-level book boyfriend material. His unwavering commitment to Abby was inspiring and the stuff of dreams. His willingness to accept even friendship despite his desire for more had me willing them to find their happiness together.
The Way Back has true depth. Boasting an impeccable cast of characters who each contribute to the feeling of chosen family, it’s impossible not to feel warmed yet slightly envious of their friendships. An additional layer is the author’s obvious love for Scotland. Seeing Edinburgh and the Highlands through Abby’s eyes was like reading a secret love letter to one of my favourite places. Despite the more serious theme surrounding Abby and Drew, this is an incredibly uplifting book which left me feeling both joyous and hopeful.
I’m already excited for the next offering from this wonderful author.
From the opening pages, it was clear that this would be a magnificent story of love, friendship and second chances. Told with a dual timeline, we follow Abby and Graeme as they drift between friendship and something more, both in the present day and fourteen years earlier. As the story evolves, we learn more about Abby’s past and her reluctance to trust in relationships. There are no spoilers from me, but prepare yourself for a perfectly handled sensitive backstory.
I really loved Abby’s character. I felt every layer of her connection to her best friend, Drew. Their shared past experiences provided a glimpse into a life that I knew only a little about. The strength of her friendships was unwavering, and I took real pleasure in learning about her desire for both love and independence.
Graeme is top-level book boyfriend material. His unwavering commitment to Abby was inspiring and the stuff of dreams. His willingness to accept even friendship despite his desire for more had me willing them to find their happiness together.
The Way Back has true depth. Boasting an impeccable cast of characters who each contribute to the feeling of chosen family, it’s impossible not to feel warmed yet slightly envious of their friendships. An additional layer is the author’s obvious love for Scotland. Seeing Edinburgh and the Highlands through Abby’s eyes was like reading a secret love letter to one of my favourite places. Despite the more serious theme surrounding Abby and Drew, this is an incredibly uplifting book which left me feeling both joyous and hopeful.
I’m already excited for the next offering from this wonderful author.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was DELIGHTED to get an ARC copy of The Way Back. I had hopes for this book knowing that the author loves Scotland as much as I do and it did not disappoint. Scotland was a character in its own right in this book, as it should be. I loved Abby and Graeme and all of their found and shared families. It was a true joy to watch thei love grow over the years. I especially enjoyed Abby's relationship with Drew. We all want a friendship like that and no one deserved it more. Having the opportunity to watch all the characters grow over the year was a privilege and made you care about them all the more. This book fed my soul as I haven't been able to get back to Scotland. If you love found family, pining, romance and the opportunity to fall in love with Scotland all over again - READ. THIS. BOOK.
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July 28, 2026THE WAY BACK is available now in ebook and paperback!
🥰Friends to lovers
🥹Second chance
⏳Dual timeline
✈️Set in Scotland and Canada
🏴Hot Scot MMC
🇨🇦Canadian FMC
🏠Forced proximity
🫠So. Much. Yearning.
🫶Found family
🔥Slow burn
🥰Friends to lovers
🥹Second chance
⏳Dual timeline
✈️Set in Scotland and Canada
🏴Hot Scot MMC
🇨🇦Canadian FMC
🏠Forced proximity
🫠So. Much. Yearning.
🫶Found family
🔥Slow burn
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