Review: Come Back to Me by Jody Hedlund

Title: Come Back to Me

Author: Jody Hedlund

Publisher: Revell

Pages: 384

Length: 11 hrs, 5 mins

ISBN: 9780800738433

Publication Date: June 1st, 2021

About the Book:

The ultimate cure that could heal any disease? Crazy.

That's exactly what research scientist Marian Creighton has always believed about her father's quest, even if it does stem from a desire to save her sister from the genetic disease that stole their mother from them. But when her father falls into a coma after drinking a vial of holy water believed to contain traces of residue from the Tree of Life, Marian must question all of her assumptions. He's left behind tantalizing clues that suggest he's crossed back in time. Insane. Until Marian tests his theories and finds herself in the Middle Ages during a dangerous peasant uprising.

William Durham, a valiant knight, comes to Marian's rescue and offers her protection . . . as his wife. The longer Marian stays in the past, the more she cares about William. Can she ever find her father and make it back to the present to heal her sister? And when the time comes to leave, will she want to?

Bestselling author Jody Hedlund is your guide down the twisting waters of time to a volatile era of superstition, revolts, and chivalry in this suspenseful story.

My Thoughts:

Jody Hedlund is one of my favorite romantic authors. Her leading men are completely swoon worthy, her heroines are strong but not overbearing, and the settings transport you through time.

Come Back to Me had all of these fabulous traits, but we got a split time book with an amazing idea of time travel thrown in. 

Marian is a woman who is very science based and minded. She grew up in church, has had faith, but it has fallen back on her priority list. Her main desire is to find a way to help her sick sister. Her sister is battling an illness that their mother died from and she has lost her father to his science researching in finding the cure. With all of this, Marian is a woman who feels alone, but whole in her job. However, he world is thrown upside down with one phone call and she rushes off to England to try to save her dad, who is now in a coma with no known causes for an illness. 

Marian is thrown in to whirlwind trying to help her dad, trying to keep her sister from stress, and battling a strange man who is following her and determined to steal any and all information she may have on her dad's research. As she researches more, she sees what her father has been working on and realizes he has stumbled on something bigger then she could have ever imagined. Being the scientist she is, reading is never enough for her, so she has to try out her dad's research.

It is during this, we are fully introduced to William. He is a knight, ready to battle, make sure his family is safe, and his lands are looked after, but he is also haunted over his past and his brother. Trying to find peace and happiness is hard. Protection of those he loves is the most important. When Marian is introduced into his life, he is taken a back by her beauty and also his desire to protect her. His desire to protect her makes his go a long away and he marries her, but he still doesn't know much about this woman, just that he knows her personality is demeanor is completely different to that of any other woman in his time.

Following William and Marian along this story is captivating. Not knowing where the story will take you or how it will play out. It left me wondering what was going to happen next. 

Not to spoil anything, but the ending had me on the edge of my seat. I can't wait for book 2!

I read this book as an audio book and I will say it took me a little bit to get adjusted to the narrator, but as the story progressed, I honestly couldn't have thought of a better narrator for this book. Her tone and style never distracted from the story. The pace was well done.

This was a fabulous book!

5 out of 5

About the Author:

Jody Hedlund (www.jodyhedlund.com) is the bestselling author of more than thirty historical novels for both adults and teens, including Come Back to Me, and is the winner of numerous awards, including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Awards. Jody lives in Michigan with her husband, busy family, and five spoiled cats. She loves to imagine that she really can visit the past, although she's yet to accomplish the feat, except via the many books she reads.

Thank you to the publisher, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.