Review: Return to Me by Justina Chen

Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Released: 2013

Pages: 352

Source: Publisher

Rating: 3.5/5

Synopsis:

Rebecca is ready to set out on her own; she’s preparing to attend Columbia University to study architecture. Her future is bright, and she has it all figured out. She intends to join the family business once she graduates; it’s practically set in stone. Everything is falling into place, until her mother announces that everyone is moving with her. Her A-typical mother has everything scheduled, and organized. Lists upon lists have been made. Their family home will be sold, her father will start a new job, and everyone will be together. Rebecca is shocked, and heartbroken. Not only is she leaving her boyfriend behind, she won’t have a home to come back and visit him. Her father tells her that some relationships are worth the fight, but Rebecca soon learns that her father had his own reasons for making that statement. Her life is hit with one storm after another.

Review:

Return to Me was by first read by Justina Chen. I enjoy the plot and thought it was an emotional read. Rebecca has a lot on her plate and her overbearing and protective mother isn’t helping the situation. It’s one thing to go to college, it’s another to sell the only home she’s ever known, everything is happening at the same time for Rebecca. Her father’s secret is revealed and her mother crumbles. Rebecca doesn’t know what to do, who to trust or how to make everything go back to normal.

Chen introduces her readers to flawed characters. There’s no clear cut good or bad person in this book. Everyone reacts for their own reason. Initially her mother seems too controlling but when she finds out her husband has been keeping big secrets, her walls begin to come down. Her trust self begins to emerge. Rebecca begins to question her life plans, and wonders if she’s looking to please herself or those around her.