Review: Take Me Back (Give & Take 2.5 Novella) by Kelli Maine

Synopsis

In the bestselling tradition of Sylvia Day and E. L. James...

A Give & Take Novella

DESIRE THAT CAN'T BE DENIED

Rachael DeSalvo is haunted by the past. She's come home to her beloved Turtle Tear Island, where she looks forward to happy days and bliss-filled nights in the arms of Merrick Rocha. But when she finds a trunk full of old photo albums and handwritten notes, Rachael soon realizes that the island has not given up all its secrets . . .

For long before Rachael and Merrick made Turtle Tear Resort their home, this historic island was a haven for sensual, forbidden affairs. As Rachael and Merrick work to restore the grand hotel to its former glory, they will be caught in the perfect maelstrom of conflict and desire

4 Star review

“ I can’t stop thinking I’m going to wake up and find all of you gone.”

“It’s real, Merrick. Believe in us.”

While going through the rooms at the old plantation house, Rachael finds a trunk filled with antiques, notes and old photo albums. On a mission to find out the secrets of the island she becomes a bit obsessed with the story of Ingrid and Archibald. She has always felt a special connection with their story.

The history of the island used to be a haven for forbidden affairs. While restoring the old hotel to its former glory strange things begin to happen.  

“Merrick has never understood why he... well, how we came together like we did, but I know why.”

“Fate. He and I are supposed to carry on the tradition of Turtle Tear. Carry on what comes next.”

When Rachael starts to drop the ball on her duties and then starts sneaking around, Merrick has no choice but to send her home to Cleveland to clear her head.

“You’re right, I do get carried away sometimes when I immerse myself in a project I love.”

Caught between her obsession with Ingrid and her desire for Merrick, she needs to make a choice or risk losing it all.

Rachael and Merrick continue to figure things out. Like every relationship, there are ups and downs. Although Rachael is obsessed with finding with putting Ingrid’s ghost to rest, in doing so this also causes some major tension in her and Merricks relationship. Nothing about their relationship is conventional so they pretty much learn as they go and they manage to stay afloat. 

I have to say that reading a book in the 2^nd person takes a bit to get used to and it can be confusing. I would recommend reading Take first to truly understand Rachael and Merrick’s story. It is so unique and that is makes these stories more intriguing for me. 

Kelli Maine did a fantastic job making it realistic and not too farfetched with the paranormal aspect of this story a fun and entertaining read.