COME BACK TO ME by Sharon Sala is the newest installment in her Blessings Georgia series. Welcome back to Blessings for those following this series. And a hearty welcome to those newcomers. Although I must admit that COME BACK TO ME doesn't give readers a very welcome feeling for this small town. The sins or missteps of youth are center stage in COME BACK TO ME. Sharon Sala's story centers around two young people whose futures are scripted by events peripherally related to them. But that didn't stop the snowball of anger, accusations and regrets driving what appeared to be a permanent wedge between two people destined to be together. Everyone knew it and yet no one handled this young love with the kid gloves deserved. Instead they were unintended victims of hatred and spite. Small towns are magical when it comes to having each other's back. But what happens when a tragic event occurs and all eyes turn toward one person as the guilty party. The verdict was in before the fire was out and Aidan Payne and his family became instant outcasts of their once beloved hometown of Blessings. Although facts proved George Payne innocent the damage was done. A virulent rumor spread with a life of its own. And in the ashes were the Payne's so with regrets they moved leaving behind their hometown Blessings, Aidan's grandfather Preston and Phoebe Ritter -- the love of Aidan's life. Fast forward twenty years and Aidan is back in Blessings to settle Preston's estate. Aidan has a good life in New Orleans but it appears as if Blessings had stayed much the same as when he left. But had it? Phoebe has raised her son Lee now a college student. She has had a difficult life. The one truly joyous part of Phoebe's life is Lee. Together they managed with some assistance from Preston, Aidan's grandfather. For the past twenty years she has endured innuendo -- single unwed mother nonsense -- from her hometown. Phoebe's personal life stalled with Aidan's abrupt departure. It seems as though she has been waiting for him to come back to her. Now Aidan is back but Phoebe knows it is temporary. In the ensuing time Aidan will have the pleasure of meeting Lee, the son he never knew existed. Phoebe and Preston had an agreement that Aidan not learn of Lee unless he actually asked about Phoebe. Hard not to love Lee and Aidan is immediately taken with this amazing young man who flourished under Phoebe and Preston's love and care. Phoebe is careful to guard her heart against any hope for a renewed relationship with Aidan. He is enjoying his time with Lee but that doesn't necessarily translate into a future for the two of them. Blessings truly needs to get its act together. Lots of fences to mend. Phoebe is no longer that doormat for her mother or the town. Aidan realizes he has to win back her trust and love and learn that he is back for Lee and for her. There is quite a storyline in COME BACK TO ME. At COME BACK TO ME's core is a still unsolved crime and Sharon Sala is determined to have that resolved. The supporting cast of COME BACK TO ME is some of the most colorful and candidly unlovable characters ever written. Sharon Sala makes sure to let us know where our allegiance should go. Great story written with care and thought.

Book Summary

After a crime pitted their families against each other, high school sweethearts Phoebe Ritter and Aidan Payne were forced to say a tearful goodbye. Phoebe stayed behind in Blessings, Georgia, while Aidan and his father left town for good.

Twenty years later, after the death of his grandfather, Aidan comes home to Blessings—only to discover he has a nineteen-year-old son. Aidan is hurt, but thrilled to meet Lee. And as Aidan and Phoebe spend more time together, they realize their old feelings are as strong as ever. But with a complicated past riddled with drama and betrayal, can they truly forgive and forget?