Customer Reviews

Return to Me (The Burke Family Series #2)

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

(My review as seen in ACFW's E-zine, the August edition.)

Return to Me by Robin Lee Hatcher is a powerful example of the ideal Christian fiction novel. It parallels the story of the prodigal son and was so engaging that I finished the story in one day. I just couldn't put it down. I identified with Roxy despite her many flaws.

Roxy's change of heart when she discovered Christ in an unlikely setting reminded me of my own personal experience. I remember the same still, small voice calling out to me until I finally gave my heart to the Lord. Of course, Roxy's older sister Elena decided Roxy needed to experience additional consequences for her sin. Like what Roxy had naturally suffered as a result of squandering her inheritance hadn't been painful enough, and not realizing, of course, all that her sister had already lost because of her poor choices. I've never seen a better example of how self-righteousness wounds new believers and destroys relationships and trust.

Return to Me is also a wonderful illustration of the emotional and spiritual fallout resulting from manipulative rejection, and the believer's need for a close walk with the Lord in order to resist pride and jealousy when new Christians succeed where they may have struggled. Thus the spiritual arc of the characters comes across as very genuine, especially when it comes to the older sister's attitude.

There are some gritty situations in this story, but nothing I wouldn't let my teenager read. Overall, it's a fabulous example of the regrets people experience as the result of poor choices, and the subsequent struggle to forgive one's self. The author concludes by portraying the Scripture that refers to all things being possible through Christ Jesus. I highly recommend this story because of the life-changing lessons within.

Robin Lee Hatcher has once again crawled into my heart in her latest novel Return to Me. Roxy is a prodigal daughter and sister. There's no way to excuse the life she lived away from her family, and now she's come home out of desperation. Her father welcomes her with open arms, but her sister isn't quite so happy, especially when she is now engaged to Roxy's ex boyfriend. Roxy needs to find love and be accepted not only by God but by her family. This novel brings to mind how all of us are to model unconditional love. An outstanding novel.

Meet Roxy Burke, a wanna-be Nashville star who squandered her grandmother's inheritance and her one chance at stardom on fast living.
We join Roxy when she arrives on her father's doorstep broken-hearted, beaten and penniless.

Sound like a typical prodigal story to you? Not hardly.

Add in Robin's flare for romance along with a generous dose of sibling rivalry, unforgiveness, rejection and a love triangle to confound the most astute and what you'll have far surpasses a predictable prodigal story.

I especially enjoyed watching Roxy's transformation as she enters back into the life she left so many years ago. Robin knows how to make her characters come alive in all of their struggles and raw emotions. Expect the unexpected.

Add this one to your summer reading list, and you won't regret it!

Another story about the country music industry - which I LOVE. This one explores the dark side of the biz - what happens when you don't make it.

The message in this story really hit home with me. No, I've never tried to be a country music singer! I'm talking about the concept of grace - a concept that I struggle with. I could identify with Roxy's struggle to accept grace and Elena's struggle to give it. I also enjoyed Roxy's journey to Christ, as I've found myself asking a lot of the same questions that she did. The conflict between sisters Roxy and Elena was well written - I could feel the angst between them.

Roxie and Elena, broken, misunderstood and desperate for the same thing --love -- choose different paths to get it. Elena, the good girl with the long list of do's and don't's, and Roxie, the rebel.

This modern reblending of the truths within the story of the Prodigal made me think and struggle with the reality of God's raw and generous grace, and the hearts that feel either unworthy or stingy.

Robin Lee Hatcher is a fine wordsmith and provided tension and multi-faceted characters. I especially liked the backstory as it unfolded in memorable events as seen through the eyes of Roxie and Elena as children. The struggle between sisters put me in a position to choose whom to root for and I couldn't decide because I understood how they each made the choices they did, and how much it cost them to do so. I was uncertain how the story would play out until the end so this was a quick read for me. Another book to blame a pile of unfolded laundry on.

Hatcher and women's fiction fans should find much to like in Return to Me.

Fans of Robin Lee Hatcher's novels will be delighted by this modern day parable that stikes very close to home for many of us. Sometimes I can lose track of the Biblical accounts in the mire of the cultural elements. I don't understand killing the fatted calf or the importance of robes and rings but I desperately need to understand forgiveness and facing up to my mistakes. Translated into characters, decisions and dialogue that are all too familiar to us as modern day prodigals, this book takes the story of a "prodigal daughter" and gives it a twist. Enjoy!

Kept me guessing how it would turn out till the very end. A wonderful story, wonderful reflection of the story of the prodigal son, with a message that will touch people from all walks of life! I'd waited a long time for this book to finally come out, and it was definitely worth the wait! Robin Lee Hatcher remains one of my favorite authors.

I received a copy of Return To Me from Robin Lee Hatcher so that I could post a reveiw and I was remiss in doing so on the day she asked me to post it. However, let me say that this is one of the best books I have read that finds its basis in the story of the Prodigal. Robin has put her own touch on it and has made the story modern and one that we can all relate to. I think most of us have family members that will remind you of Roxie and her sister.
This is a "feel good" book and it is one that should be read by any and all.

WOW!! This book is deserving of all the superlatives I've seen in other reviews, and then some! I've read many retellings of the Prodigal Son, but never one that captured my heart as this one did. Not only did it touch my heart, it made me think. Like others have said, we all tend to identify most closely with one particular character in the story, but Robin has a knack for helping readers relate to all the characters. Please don't miss this one- it is a must!!!

If you love God and His grace, you'll love this book. If you've loved previous books by Robin Lee Hatcher, you'll love this book. Even if you don't know God and haven't read Robin's books I think you'll love this book. I read the back cover first and hoped I wouldn't always be thinking of the Biblical prodigal son while I was reading. But I became so involved with the characters that I didn't think about that at all until Roxy did in the story. All the characters seemed right: Elena-the older sister, Roxy-the wayward sister, Jonathan-the father, and Wyatt, the boyfriend. I understood them all and always wanted to see what would happen next and how it would happen. I debated on 4 or 5 stars but only because Robin's book, "The Forgiving Hour" still has first place in my heart.