SUMMER RETURN (RETURN TO ME #1)

He’ll never come back to stay, unless someone asks him to.

Funerals can bring people together who are best kept apart. Ethan Foster, home to mourn his sister-in-law, finds himself as unwelcome as ever in the town that once meant the world to him. For more than a decade he’s been saddled with a bad reputation – a drunk, a deserter – and he’s lived with it, will keep living with it, because the only way to clear his name is to share his secrets. But the secrets are not his to tell and their telling would destroy the family he loves and the woman he’s never forgiven himself for leaving behind.

Samantha O’Hara once loved freely, but now she doesn’t. Now she leaves before she’s left and keeps her vulnerabilities tucked away. But when Ethan Foster walks back into town, finally looking at her the way she always wanted him to, she finds her hard-won armour developing chinks. She can’t – won’t – have anything to do with any reinvention Ethan is going through. But maybe this isn’t a new Ethan... Maybe he’s the same Ethan she fell in love with all those years ago.

And maybe, just maybe, this time their love will be strong enough to make him stay.

"Tender and heartwarming... An amazing new Australian voice." Cathryn Hein, bestselling author of Heartland and Rocking Horse Hill

"A lovely, sweet, small town novella trilogy with rich, realistic characters and excellent writing." Juliet Madison, author of Fast Forward

“[T}his book has something for everyone: love, family, conflict, acceptance and forgiveness” – Goodreads

“You need to read this book” – Goodreads

'I would highly recommend this to book to others to read its a good read.' — Shadow Wolf, Netgalley

'Loved the story, it flowed.' — Niki Hawkes, Netgalley

'I loved this , such amazing writing and the story flows so well you will love everyone in it.' — Lianne James, Netgalley

'Loved it!!! I laughed & I cried reading this story.' — Shanna Rice, Netgalley

'Summer Return was a good book to have on hand while vacationing. The story was enjoyable and easy...The author did a great job with the characters and how they influenced the story.' — Yara Santos, Netgalley

'Loved this book' — Hayley Smith,Goodreads

'I enjoyed this book quite a lot. You see the characters change grow and learn not everything is as it seems. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author!' — Melanie Stanley, Netgalley

'I smiled, i cried, my heart ached and at some parts I even laughed out loud… I really enjoyed this book.' — Melody Havron, Netgalley

'This was a super easy super cute read! I adored the main characters and were rooting for both of them. It was great!' — Ariana Kilgore, Netgalley

Summer Return is a very well written book. I enjoyed the plot and the Australian setting. The author was new to me and I liked the writing style.' — Marcia Stewart, Netgalley

'Had great characters and a really great storyline which I enjoyed a lot. Can't wait to see what else this author brings out next.' — Melinda Swaine, Netgalley

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Originally published as Ask Me To Stay. Expanded and revised edition.

Ask Me to Stay (now titled Summer Return) - RWAus Romantic Novella of the Year (ELLA) Award finalist, 2014

Leonai (now titled Summer Return) - International 3-Day Novel Contest participant, 2011

OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES

GALLERY

Summer Return is based loosely on the Upper Hunter Valley town of Denman in New South Wales Australia. I visited there a number of times when my parents lived there, and I was inspired by the landscape, the wonderful feeling of the community, and oddly enough, the pressed tin metal ceilings of the old pub. For more information on the town visit here.

So proud! Ask Me to Stay, now titled Summer Return and expanded, was a finalist in the Romance Writers of Australia Romantic Novella of the Year 2014 Award.
Ethan Foster, carpenter and outcast.
The water tower. For all big thoughts and a bit of perspective.
"Find your hellos."
Father and son.
Who could refuse this face? Not Cal.

The Farmer's Arms, Cal's pub.
Denman, Victoria
Foster's Garage
Foster's Garage
Foster's Garage.