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When two former sweethearts cross paths again, could it be a second chance for love?

Mary Sue wants to bake and make people happy with her sweet treats. She’s tried love and it didn’t end well. Cooper wants a fresh start where he can leave his painful memories behind.

Mary Sue runs the immensely popular bakery in Connor’s Grove. She is content with her life—that is, until she hears that Cooper’s back in town. He’s the one that got away, but she isn’t sure whether she can endure another round of heartbreak if she lets him back into her life. Plus, a teenager in need just dropped into her life. She’ll focus on the teenager and baking for now. Does the unexpected reappearance of her ex-husband throw a wrench in things?

Cooper returns to Connor’s Grove to get away from painful memories. His hometown has always been a safe refuge. As the new fire chief, he plans to concentrate on building his fire crew and reacquainting himself with the small town. Will running into his ex-girlfriend make him reevaluate what he really wants?

Turns out, Mary Sue lives just down the block from Cooper’s rental house, and they slip back into their old friendship as if the years never passed. When Dylan, the teenager without a family, needs a place to live, Cooper opens his home to him. Both Mary Sue and Dylan help save Cooper from his loneliness.

Is Cooper ready to rekindle a romantic relationship with Mary Sue? Or has time taken an irreversible toll on their feelings?

Book 10 in the Connor Brothers series of small-town, clean and wholesome romances. It’s a blend of humor, romance, and life’s second chances. Fans of Hallmark movies and romantic comedies will love this delightful, touching tenth book in the series. This novel may be read as a stand-alone.

195 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 4, 2021

10 people are currently reading
39 people want to read

About the author

Leah Busboom

63 books172 followers
Leah Busboom wanted to become an author since the day she learned how to read! She specializes in the Romance genre because she loves a good story with a happy ending. Her books are known for their heartwarming stories; intriguing characters and hilarious real life situations that will make you want to laugh out loud.

Leah currently lives in Colorado with her wonderful husband, her "Blue Bomber" bicycle and a hundred bunny rabbits that roam free in the neighborhood.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Ashlee.
468 reviews14 followers
September 16, 2021
Return back to Connor's Grove with the story told in Return to Me. This time sweet Mary Sue, who has been faithfully running the bakery featured from the very start of the Connor Brothers series is getting her own story. And let me just say, Leah Busboom once again does not disappoint in her storytelling. Honestly I didn't know how much I needed Mary Sue's story until I read this book and I'm so glad we got it.

Return to Me is a sweet story of second chances for a couple who dated in high school, broke up when Cooper went to college, and went on to live separate lives for several decades. Then after the death of his wife, Cooper moves back to Connor's Grove when he becomes the new fire chief and he then reconnects with Mary Sue.

This isn't your "typical" romance novel as the leading man and lady are of a mature age (in their 40s as opposed to 20s or early 30s). I don't typically read romance novels with "older" characters (not fully sure why. Maybe because there isn't many that I know of?) but I will say I highly enjoyed this one. While Mary Sue had some really bad luck in her romantic life, I was happy to see she wasn't still single just because she was pining for Cooper. She had her own journey that led her to their second chance. Also, I absolutely loved the storyline involving Dylan because I do have a heart for foster kids and we have considered one day in the future adopting an older foster child before they're in danger of aging out, like what happened to Dylan.

While you don't need to read the rest of this series before Return to Me, it definitely helps give you perspective on some of the backstories of some of the characters. I even read the first four books again to get reacquainted with Mary Sue so I could more fully appreciate her story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and I'm leaving an honest and voluntary review.
Profile Image for Ann.
2,662 reviews3 followers
September 18, 2021
This is a well written sweet clean second chance romance that was a joy to read. If you like Hallmark movies you will love this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Christi.
1,209 reviews37 followers
November 6, 2021
Return to Me is such a sweet read!! The Connor Brothers series has me falling more and more in love, and I am a sucker for a good second chance romance, especially when there are two characters that couldn’t be more perfect for each other!

Mary Sue is a woman that in whom I find a kindred spirit. I too had someone I cared for deeply leave me brokenhearted at a young age and we were able to reconnect years later, but sadly the outcome was not quite as charming as Mary Sue and Cooper's. I appreciated that their story wasn't just about them, but included Dylan, an unlikely character that gave the story more depth and again connected me as I too have a teenage son named Dylan.

Cooper is a one of those swoon characters that no only swept Mary Sue off her feet, but mine also. Though he did make a bonehead decision at the beginning, all seemed to work out as it should, and he grew up to be a man that any girl would be lucky to call her own. I love that this is a clean romance with characters that are more mature in age. I too am in my 40's and I get tired of reading the same old troupes that have young, seemingly perfect characters. The flaws in all the characters are apparent, giving the story a more realistic feel, and once again drew me in even deeper.

I am a huge fan of Leah Busboom and her writing, her talent of drawing in a reader in the simplest of ways, and bringing the world of Connor's Grove alive, is always something that amazes me. I have truly become vested in these characters and this charming world, and love that Leah has decided to branch out to other characters in Connor's Grove, going beyond the Connor family.

Return to Me is a calming read that gives you all the Hallmark feels, and was exactly what I needed during this tumultuous time in my life. I really need to go back and read the other books in this series as, in my opinion, this series continues to get better and better.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I read through Kindle Unlimited. All views and opinions are completely honest, and my own.
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.9k reviews369 followers
September 21, 2021
Will Things Work Out for Everyone ? . . .

Mary Sue owns Conner’s Grove Bakery which she has worked hard at to make it successful. When Cooper returns to town, he is the new Fire Chief and his rental house is right down the street from where Mary Sue lives. The two of them had been high school sweethearts who broke up when he went to college. Once they saw each other again, they were comfortably drawn back together. When Dylan, a teenager, needs a job, Mary Sue hires him for the early morning before school to clean the baking pans. Then he comes back after school to help with everything else.

As things seem to be going well for Mary Sue, her ex-husband Gerald shows up at the bakery to pick up a fishing rod he had left 3 years ago after their divorce. She had suggested he come to the bakery to get it rather than to her home. He tried to get free pastry from her, but she told him he had to pay so he left. On his next drop in, he shoved a paper at her. He was taking her to court to argue that he deserved half of her bakery which had been losing money when they were married but was now obviously successful. He accused her of deliberately failing so he wouldn’t get his “share”.

Then Dylan, who had been sleeping on a friend’s couch, after having aged out of the foster program, now found himself with nowhere to live, so Cooper offers to take him in. By now, Cooper knew how he felt for Mary Sue and he wants to create a family life that includes the three of them. He asked Mary Sue to marry him. And they would ask Dylan if he would allow them to adopt him. Will Mary Sue accept the proposal? Will Dylan want to be an official part of the family and finally have his forever home?

This is a sweet second chance romance. There was so much happening, with the potential for many different outcomes. Grab your copy and see if there is a HEA and if Mary Sue can protect her bakery from Gerald’s greedy hands.
Profile Image for Carolyn Vandine West.
915 reviews38 followers
September 16, 2021
4 1/2 stars. not quite the 5 but loved this story. Cooper and Mary Sue have been a thing for a long time during high school. But when Cooper goes to college and sees life outside of the small town of Connor's Grove he thinks over the commitment he has with Mary Sue. He dumps her, well the story says it a little kinder, but that's what he did. Now he has returned to Connor's Grove as the new fire chief, widowed and moving forward. Ten years have passed and both married, Cooper's wife died and Mary Sue was divorced. She is now running the local bakery and is settled for the most part.
I liked how she didn't sit around feeling sorry for herself when she lost her love. But now that Cooper is back in the picture where will things go? She hired a young man down on his luck after aging out of the foster care system. Even though he is only 18 and still in high school, he has nothing to his name but 2 garbage bags with his clothes. He is eager to help at the bakery and needs the money it is heartwarming to see Mary Sue take him under his wing.
I wish I had found this series earlier since this is part 10. I received an e-copy of this book from the author through Book Funnel. I am voluntarily leaving my opinion of this book.
Profile Image for Dora Hiers.
Author 75 books124 followers
October 1, 2021
Leah Busboom is one of my new favorite authors! With every book, she climbs higher on my “must read” list.

Return to Me is a delightful romantic story. It’s clean, free of curse words and sex, implied or otherwise, which I appreciate. After college and shattered dreams separate them, new Fire Chief Cooper and bakery owner Mary Sue reconnect. I just love how these more mature characters react to this second chance at love.

“You shouldn’t dwell in the past, wishing for a redo with Cooper; let those feelings go, move along, and take advantage of getting a second chance with him.” Isn’t that awesome?

Dylan, the foster teenager who aged out of the system when he turned eighteen, added so much depth to the story and to the main characters. I love how both Mary Sue and Cooper accepted him and how the author lovingly weaved him into the story.

A teenager, a fire, and a love that spanned years made this clean second chance romance impossible to put down! If you enjoy Hallmark movies, you’ll want to snatch up this book now!

Disclaimer: I received an advance reader copy of Return to Me from the publisher. Other than the free copy of this ebook, I was not compensated, and this review represents my fair and unbiased opinion.
887 reviews9 followers
September 10, 2021
Second chance, not a do-over romance

If you are looking for a book with all the feels, look no further. Ms.Busboom has crafted a heart-touchingly sweet story around bakery shop owner Mary Sue Smythe; the town's new fire chief Cooper Reed, her old sweetheart; and a teenage boy named Dylan who has aged out of the local foster system before he has graduated high school.

Mary Sue has been part of Connor's Grove all her life. But the movie-perfect life she had dreamed of abruptly ended when her childhood sweetheart, Cooper, left for college and never came home.

You don't get do-overs in life or in love. But maybe you can have a second chance to get to know an old friend in a whole new way. Not all families are by birth. Can Mary Sue and Cooper forge a relationship as mature adults and create the home and family they both long for?

I received an ARC copy of this story from BookFunnel and voluntarily chose to share my review.
73 reviews
September 16, 2021
My favorite take-away from this story – “We don’t get redoes, but we do get second chances.”
Cooper and Mary Sue (Suzy) were teenagers in love. Then not – when Cooper went off to college and discovered more sophisticated girls. Ten years later he married one of them and once more Mary Sue’s heart was broken.
Eighteen years later and after his wife died, Cooper returns to his hometown as their new fire chief. Now the ball is in Mary Sue’s court – will she give Cooper a second chance?
This is a delightful story about love and second chances for both adults and children. It is clean, the characters are well written, and I enjoyed reading about the situations that occur in this small town.
I received this book from the author and I am willingly writing this review. Great work, Leah!
2,728 reviews20 followers
September 21, 2021
I could not turn the pages fast enough in this story. It was a beautifully written romantic story of two high school sweethearts who are brought back together in their forties. I really liked Mary Sue and Cooper. They seemed like the perfect couple to get a second chance.
My heart went out to eighteen year old Dylan, who showed up at Mary Sue's bakery one day. His story will touch your heart too as it unfolds.
This book also brought tears to my eyes, which to me is a sign of a great story. There was something special about the small town of Connor's Grove. I liked how everyone came together to help one of their own in the story too.
I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
5,665 reviews63 followers
October 7, 2021
Widowed, Cooper returns to his hometown as the new fire chief. Divorced, Mary Sue runs the town bakery. Dylan is a young man who aged out of foster care and is in need of help to get started on a future. Loved how the three forge a family bond with support and love. The banter, slang words and fun they have was terrific. The wrinkle in their lives is her ex and his issues that cause problems. The storyline was heartwarming and puts a smile on your face. Great ending.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
19 reviews
March 30, 2023
Delightfully Realistic Characters and Themes

In a world where divorce is a frequent and recurring experience, this book incorporates a new degree of realism in the author's storytelling. In a world where children have to find their own way after being essentially abandoned, this book skillfully incorporates the story of a youngster who joins a new family. In a world where emotional and spiritual death triumphs too often over emotional and spiritual life, this book movingly portrays new life and a new family.
Profile Image for Ellen Hogan.
680 reviews8 followers
September 13, 2021
Cooper return’s to Conner’s Grove as the new fire chief. Mary Sue his high school sweetheart is now the owner of Conner’s Grove Bakery. This is a sweet second chance romance. The book takes us from when they were in high school to the present day, along with glimpses into the years in between. Loved the addition of Dylan into the mix. A good addition the the Conner Brother’s series.

I was given this advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
994 reviews
September 14, 2021
A good clean second chance romance: Cooper and Mary Sue were high school sweethearts until he came back after starting college and abruptly ended the relationship to leave the area. After they both have gone through marriage which ended in death for Cooper's wife and divorce for Mary Sue, Cooper comes back to town as the new fire chief. Will they get over the abrupt breakup and have a second chance?
I really enjoyed this story/series and would recommend it.
5,033 reviews32 followers
September 21, 2021
Loved this second chance romance with high school sweethearts Cooper and Mary Sue who get split up when he goes to college leaving her behind. Years later he moves back to their town after his wife died from cancer and runs into Mary Sue at the bakery that she owns. Great romance story but also add a little sweet side story when they take a foster child (Dylan) under their wing after he ages out of the system.
Profile Image for Debbie Eyre.
6,026 reviews116 followers
September 26, 2021
This is a sweet second chance romance! A fantastic well written story in which we meet Cooper as he goes back to his hometown and rekindles his romance with his high school sweetheart Mary Sue who owns the local bakery. We see them back in the day then some years in between as we come up to present day. There’s romance, there’s tension, there’s a selfish ex husband who wants to cause trouble and a teenager who just needs a break and a helping hand. Just fantastic!
Profile Image for Cherie Melbourne.
1,432 reviews15 followers
April 21, 2022
Return To Me

Leah Busboom's stories are always like a breath of fresh air to me. I've read a lot of the Connor series, but not all, so this story made realise I have about 3 books to catch up with the series.
Like all the stories that Leah writes, her characters stole my heart and I particularly love Dylan, he brought something extra special that made me laugh and she'd a tear for him.
Mary Sue and Cooper were a great fit and it was a pleasure to read their second chance.
Profile Image for Tanya Thrasher.
103 reviews
March 23, 2023
5 Awesome Amazing stars!!

Loved, Loved, Loved, this story! This story, like all her other stories, is fun, intriguing, and unexpected. I loved Dylan's character. I loved the small town. Mary Sue & Cooper's characters are a hoot as well. I highly recommend this and any of Leah Busboom's books! Definitely take a look...You won't be disappointed. Another new author for my collection! Yeet! (Lol! You have to read the book to understand this slang!! Lol!)
1,503 reviews8 followers
September 21, 2024
Moving Forward

I love the small town dynamics, and that Mary Sue is a delightful fixture in the Connor brothers books. I loved the fact that ahee and Cooper had history, and she was willing to forgive him and move forward. Dylan was a delight the minute he showed up. How I wish all foster kids could find a forever family. Except for a stupid ex, this whole story was so encouraging and heartwarming!
Profile Image for casvec.
7,458 reviews75 followers
September 21, 2021
After years, Cooper has returned to town as the new fire chief. He finds his high school sweetheart owns the town's bakery. This sweet story takes you through the ups and down Cooper and Mary Sue went threw since high school.

Perfect addition to the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
140 reviews1 follower
October 14, 2021
Even Sweeter

I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Cooper and Mary Sue’s path didn’t quite follow their high school plans. Cooper broke Mary Sue’s heart after he entered college. When his dad retired Cooper returned home to become the Fire Chief. Mary Sue ran the best bakery for miles around. Can they overcome their past mistakes and try for a second chance at love?
1,618 reviews15 followers
March 11, 2025
Loved the story. They were too young with him going to college and her still in high school. But they really cared and respected each other. Later, both married but neither had children. Her bakery became legendary, and his father was retiring as fire chief. That brought back to their small town as he replaced his dad as chief. Thru many interactions, there friendship grew
84 reviews1 follower
September 8, 2021
This was a delightful and sweet book about Mary Sue and Cooper and second chances. High school sweethearts that ended up going different directions. Twenty eight years later, wow!
Loved the town and the characters.
Just really enjoyed this book.
Profile Image for Brenda.
278 reviews8 followers
September 10, 2021
Highly recommend reading this book and this author. This book had a great story line. Wonderful characters and the book flowed easily and I was able to read it in one evening.

I received an ebook and I am voluntarily leaving my review.
Profile Image for Barbara.
19.4k reviews8 followers
September 23, 2021
Book ten in the Connor Brothers series, this is a second chance story for baker Mary Sue and fire chief Cooper Conner. I enjoyed seeing both of them get their happy ending. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
151 reviews1 follower
November 8, 2021
Finding love again


I didn't understand how Mary Sue just picked up and went along with Copper. He just lost his wife2years ago and just fell back in love with her. I wasn't impressed
81 reviews1 follower
April 17, 2022
Return to Me

I especially loved this story line as I too found love almost 9 years after I lost my husband and found a 2nd. Chance at love ❤️ Which lasted 26 years before he too passed! My faith is what got me through it 🙏 and keeps me going!
2,413 reviews17 followers
September 12, 2021
This is a great second chance at romance story. Dylan was a fun addition to the story. You never know what your future will hold. This is a super sweet, clean romance.
Profile Image for Deb.
267 reviews15 followers
September 12, 2021
Clean second chance romance. Loved the story line and the characters!
191 reviews
April 1, 2022
Love these

Being older than this couple even I enjoyed reading it. I am glad there was no conflicts. We have enough in our daily lives
156 reviews2 followers
July 1, 2023
Excellent reading

Loved the story and all the characters in the book. It is a clean romance book yet one I wanted to read through to know the ending.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews