This was a tear jerking, awfully sweet and incredibly well written love story. It was my first book from Melissa Weisner and I am definitely going to be buying and reading anything else she has written out there. Great for fans of Brittany Cherry or Ashley Posten.
Gabe and Annie form a friendship when they are 21 and 16 years old and their relationship they shares stands the tests of time, family events, heartbreaking moments and lots of tension. The ending of the book felt a bit rushed but was a happily ever after nonetheless. There was no third act break up which I always appreciate.
My only deterrent was that the book is told from a third person perspective and that always takes me a while to adjust to.
Overall, amazing story and I would read this book again.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this novel; all opinions expressed are my own.

3.75 !

What a warm story... A slow burn romance with a ton of character development and REAL life situations!
The pace of this book was so good.. I enjoyed every bit of growing up with these characters.
IMO, every part of their journey was realistic especially Anna's story involving her home life. (don't want to get into spoilers)
To top it off, the ending of this book... was chefs kiss! There were a couple lines that really just wrapped it up by pulling at your heart strings!

The only thing this book was missing for me was a little bit of depth. The plot and storyline were fantastic, I just wanted to be a little more sad at times or to care just a little bit more.

This book was absolutely amazing. I was on such a Rollercoaster ride with all my emotions being taken along for this ride. It was so good! I could not stop reading this. Still thinking about it days later. Perfect book!
I just reviewed It All Comes Back to You by Melissa Wiesner. #ItAllComesBacktoYou #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

Just put this book on your TBR now- you’ll love it. This book will pull at your heart strings and long for the love of Gabe and Anna. A slow burn romance, second chance love. Anna is doing anything to get a better life for herself. While a junior in high school she takes a college class and meets Gabe. They form an unlikely friendship. I really love how the story progresses slowly through their life. I really felt captivated within the first few chapters. I just loved this story and how it pulled you into their world. I felt so many emotions of love, longing, sadness, happiness. Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! It All Comes Back To You by Melissa Wiesner is an emotional page turner. Anna, a gifted high school student, is taking a college course when she’s paired up with Gabe, a college student, for a course project. What she didn’t know at the time was that he would change the direction of her life just by being his easygoing, caring self. Over the years, their friendship grows but a secret from Anna’s past keeps her from fully trusting him. Will she find it in herself to trust him and share the truth about her past? The author did a great job of developing the characters in a way to allow us to glimpse the dynamics in a typical American middle class family. Though i wasn’t totally surprised by the ending, I was quite engaged with the story up until the very end. Overall, well written and I would recommend it to others.

Melissa Weisner is fast becoming an auto-buy author. And I've only read or listened to 2 books by her. THAT is how good she is.
The characters, the emotion, and the drama are all swept up in a story you adore being in. I don't know how she does it. The plot doesn't waver, the characters are so real and complex it's like she's writing an autobiography.
The narrator, Kate Handford is fabulous. She was so easy to listen to. I was gripped by the story and the emotion she put into the performance with the drama she was describing.
Fans of womens fiction with a heart- you will love this author.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

What a roller coaster of a book and I was here for it!!

At 16, Anna works hard to put herself through college. She meets Gabe when they are paired together to work on a class project. Even though they are so different from each other, they for a beautiful friendship that form into a romance.

There are lots of secrets though. We follow them throughout the years and see how they both grow.

This story was incredible. I loved the dual pov, friends to lovers, slow burn, everything! This was a book that I couldn’t put down and thought about for days afterwards!
I can’t wait to read what’s next from Melissa Wiesner!


📘: It All Comes Back to You by Melissa Wiesner
🗓️: August 22, 2023

Thank you to NetGalley, Melissa Wiesner, and Bookouture for this ARC!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*Reviewed on NetGalley and Goodreads.

I found this to be a slow burn which is enjoyable for me! The characters are unique and well rounded. There a bit of cheese but that comes hand i hand with romance novels IMO. the writing flowed well, the chapters short and easily digestible. I found some of the sub plots a bit far fetched but only one sub plot made me cringe. This novel was marketed for fans of colleen Hoover and I can see why!

Gabe and Anna couldn't be more different from each other. Gabe comes from a wealthy, close-knit, loving family, and Anna comes from a single parent family with a toxic home situation.
They get partnered for a college assignment, and they clash in the best way.

This book kept me gripped from beginning to end!
Even though Anna is only 16 at the start of the book and Gabe is 21, their friendship blooms ( only friends!!) I love how Gabe became like a brother-friend to her. The found family aspects were absolutely gorgeous.
Anna's story was heartbreaking, but her resilience, perseverance, and strength were absolutely amazing.

Despite so many obstacles, she still manages to make something of herself. I understood Gabe's side and why he did what he did and could sympathise with both sides.

The ending was amazing and warmed my heart. And I adored this and can see why Melissa says it’s the book of her heart.

IT ALL COMES BACK TO YOU: 5/5

Captivating!!!!
A slow-paced read with a gripping plot that made me feel things! You'll want to carry this book with you forever because it contains so many valuable teachings. In a few ways, I identified with Anna. Guarded, a home with a single parent, and overcoming challenges are just a few to name.

Anna is a 16-year-old who, despite her circumstances, is driven to succeed. She doesn't realize how much her life will change until she meets Gabe. My heart was broken several times while reading this story, but each time it was quickly mended. This story developed over the course of 15 years. An intensely conflicted but ultimately rewarding journey. If you enjoy Colleen Hoover's work or contemporary romance in general, you must read this.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture <3

EXCERPT: Summer, Present Day
Dr. Anna Campbell had spent the last decade and a half trying not to go home. But just beyond those airport exit doors loomed Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - the city she'd spent her childhood trying to escape.
For courage, Anna gripped the gold pendant that had hung around her neck for the past two decades, rubbing her thumb on the delicate lines etched on the surface. She wasn't a scared, desperate kid anymore, and this trip was her chance to finally find the answers she had spent half her life chasing.
To finally put the past behind her for good.
Anna squared her shoulders and followed the other weary travelers off the escalator, hesitating as they veered toward baggage claim or out the sliding doors, where friends and family would pick them up. She didn't have any bags. All of her belongings fit in the pack on her back, and nobody was coming at this late hour to get her. So, instead, she scanned the overhead signs for one that would point her to the Uber stand.
She was about to head out the doors when a low voice, from somewhere behind her, called out, 'Can somebody call a doctor?'

ABOUT 'IT ALL COMES BACK TO YOU': Anna works two jobs to get herself through college and never, ever talks about her family. It’s easier to keep her distance from everyone until she can finally leave her old life behind. That is, until chance throws her together with Gabe …

Gabe is top of the class, in a fancy fraternity, and has a big, perfect, warm-hearted family. He is everything Anna is not. Their connection is undeniable. His silver-blue eyes pierce right through her, and he makes her laugh in ways she never thought possible. But Anna would do anything to stop Gabe from discovering her darkest secret, and the real reason she goes home every night to a cold, silent apartment…

When Gabe and his family get close to the truth, Anna runs, vowing to never see them again. But forever is a long time…

Years later. Tragedy brings Anna back to the town she grew up in—a place she escaped a decade ago. When Gabe wraps his strong arms around her, it’s like finally finding home.

But when the truth comes out after all these years, will both their worlds come crashing down? Gabe is the one person Anna trusts but what if he has secrets, too? And how much pain can two hearts endure, before they are torn apart forever?

MY THOUGHTS: I want to move in with the Weatherall family! They are the family I always wished I had. The family that thinks family is the most important thing on earth; the family that loves one another, no matter what; the family that makes time for one another, no matter what. Yep, that family. It's not the sort of family that Anna is from or is used to. It both enchants and terrifies her in equal measures.

Now, before we go any further, the book blurb gives no idea of the scope of this novel. It is not a light and fluffy romance. It is a story with depth and heart. It is a story of families, and the carelessness of maternal love, the pull of drug addiction, and the unconditional and ever hopeful love of the child.

I loved Anna and Gabe's friendship. It was always there, whether was accepting of it or not. Frequently it was not. She is unused to having someone to rely on, to fall back on, to having a friend; someone who wants nothing from her in return. Yet, despite Anna's upbringing, she is a woman with a big heart.

It All Comes Back to You had my emotions all over the place. At one point, I remarked that I felt my heart had been trampled by a herd of buffalo. I cried: tears of rage; tears of joy; tears of sadness. I laughed, sometimes as I cried.

There are a lot of lessons to be learned from this tale. They are never delivered in a preaching manner, but gently and succinctly.

It's impossible not to love Anna. She is resourceful and independent. Determined. But she is also vulnerable. She is stubborn and doesn't trust others. She has no idea of her own worth.

It All Comes Back to You is beautifully written. It is a compelling read that I had difficulty putting down. This was my first book by Melissa Wiesner. It won't be my last.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

#ItAllComesBacktoYou #NetGalley

I: @melissawiesnerauthor @bookouture

X: @Melissa_Wiesner @Bookouture

#contemporaryfiction #familydrama #friendship #romance

THE AUTHOR: Melissa Wiesner’s mother didn’t allow her to watch much TV as a child and instead, made her play with paint, colorful pipe cleaners, random bits of fabric, and other crafty things. This set Melissa up for a lifetime of creative pursuits, and it was only a matter of time before things took a bookish turn.

A night owl, Melissa began writing novels when her early-to-bed family retired for the evening. She is the author of emotional women’s fiction and romantic comedies. Along with her charming husband and two adorable children, Melissa splits her time between the big city of Pittsburgh, PA and rural West Virginia.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of It All Comes Back to You by Melissa Wiesner for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Melissa Wiesner's "It All Comes Back to You" is an exquisite book that left an indelible mark on my heart. The intricately woven narrative, characterized by its seamless pacing and the profound growth of its characters, resonated with me on a deeply emotional level. The story introduces us to Anna, a determined young woman working tirelessly to support her college education, and Gabe, a bright and affable individual from a loving, close-knit family. Their undeniable connection, set against the backdrop of contrasting backgrounds, unfolds in ways that are both heartwarming and poignant.
I have switched between the ebook and audiobook version and the narrator was just amazing in bringing to life these characters and their story. You could easily get immersed in the storyline and feel all their emotions whether there was happiness or sadness involved; and the story surely had both in spades.
"It All Comes Back to You" is not merely a romance; it's a profound exploration of personal growth, the intricacies of human connections, and the unspoken secrets that shape our lives. As the years pass and circumstances change, the story leads us back to the town where it all began, where tragedy reunites Anna and Gabe. Their emotional reunion feels like finding solace in a long-lost home.
As secrets unfold and truths come to light, the emotional intensity of the narrative only deepens.
Melissa Wiesner has masterfully crafted a tale that embodies the complexities of love, resilience, and the human spirit. "It All Comes Back to You" is an unmissable journey that resonates long after the final page.

I’ve been on a great streak lately because this is another fantastic book! Yes, it is a romance book, but there is so much more to it than that. We meet Anna when she’s 16. She’s strong and determined. But also, very fragile in a way. It is so easy to root for her; I wanted nothing more than for her life to be better. As time goes by and her relationship with Gabe and his family strengthens, she figures out her way in life. It made me proud of this fictional character! I loved Gabe’s family. They are loud, rambunctious, and full of laughter. I wanted to be part of that family because that type of family is something that I never had.

As this book takes place over MANY years, you can feel the tension and love between Gabe and Anna. Were there some things that each of them did that was questionable? Yes. Did I wonder why Anna may have acted a particular way? Yes. I would love to speak with the author to find out why those choices were made. But in the end, my heart was full of love and I wanted more of Gabe and Anna. Please give me more!

This is one of my favorite books of 2023.
I absolutely loved Anna & Gave so much!
This book definitely gave me Colleen Hoover, Emily Henry & Katherine Center vibes. Do not sleep on #MelissaWiesner.

Thank you, Thank you, Melissa Wiesner, Bookouture, & netgalley for my ecopy! All opinions are my own.

Anna & Gabe what an absolute epic Love Story, in all honestly it’s probably the best I’ve read and I read an hell of a lot of romance novels.

This is written in the style that everybody is So Hyped for right now, think Colleen Hoover, Tillie Cole & Lucy Score. That’s the kind of ride you’re in for when you pick this book up.

It started 15 years ago when Anna & Gabe met at a college when they had to be paired together for a special project Anna was 16 and Gabe was 21 , the book covers from that point right up until the present day.

I’ve not put this down all day, I had to finish every last page, i was so emotionally invested in these characters I didn’t want it to end and I just wish we had an epilogue or a book 2 in the works because I need so much more from Anna & Gabe.

If you love an emotional, page turning read please get this book it’s FREE on Kindle Unlimited.

I simply adored this book. A moving story about how a seemingly tough, cool fraternity boy befriends the struggling young high schooler and against all odds, their friendship lasts a lifetime. Anna and Gabe were simply put - - the couple I couldn't help but pull for. And every barrier possible seemed like it came between them and the most inopportune times. Granted, sometimes they only had themselves to blame but it was still disappointing.

Gabe was a successful college student who goes on to be an equally successful adult with high level achievements in his field. But no matter what, he's still missing something. He's a solid family man and always has been. His parents and siblings have always come first - - along with his friend Anna who he's always considered to be like a younger sister until the day he realizes it's more.

Anna is brilliant and way beyond her years with her academic achievements which enables her to achieve the financial security that eluded her as a young woman. But no matter how successful she becomes, she still misses the mother that isn't around and can't help but sometimes be consumed by it. And tucked in there with all that confusion are the feelings she's always harbored for Gabe....the ones that are more romantic than sisterly...and that really doesn't feel right...or does it?

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The audio version of this book was extremely enjoyable for me. I liked the narration and felt immersed in the storyline. Top notch! 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for the early copies of both the ebook and audiobook. I voluntarily chose to read/listen to and review them both and the opinions contained within are my own.

It All Comes Back to You by Melissa Wiesner is about a teenage girl named Anna who works her remaining childhood away to make a great life for herself while searching for her mother. A wrench is thrown into her plans when she's partnered to work with a cocky frat boy, Gabe, on an important school project. She later learns who the real Gabe is, which turns out, he wasn't just a cocky frat boy. Through out the course of their lives, they are pulled apart and brought back together again and again and Anna unexpectedly gains a family in the process.

The author took me on an emotional roller coaster through the main character Anna's life and her relationship with Gabe. This story had me crying and laughing. The character banter was good. The pacing was good.
This story touched topics on drug, mental, and physical abuse, homelessness, abandonment, friends to lovers, new found family and more!

My only annoyance was Anna not letting her herself get close to Gabe, and constantly running away it seemed. But it does make sense for that to happen in the story because of everything Anna goes through. And there's a loose thread with Anna's secret that I wish was tied up. Although, it would have been irrelevant to the main story line anyways.

What a rollercoaster read this was. Every possible emotion in one story made it an amazing read. I absolutely loved it .
Many thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read the ARC

#ItAllComesBackToYou #NetGalley
Wow!!!
Anna works two jobs to get herself through college and never, ever talks about her family. It’s easier to keep her distance from everyone until she can finally leave her old life behind. That is, until chance throws her together with Gabe… Gabe is top of the class, in a fancy fraternity, and has a big, perfect, warm-hearted family. He is everything Anna is not. Their connection is undeniable. His silver-blue eyes pierce right through her, and he makes her laugh in ways she never thought possible. But Anna would do anything to stop Gabe from discovering her darkest secret, and the real reason she goes home every night to a cold, silent apartment…
When Gabe and his family get close to the truth, Anna runs, vowing to never see them again. But forever is a long time… Years later. Tragedy brings Anna back to the town she grew up in—a place she escaped a decade ago. When Gabe wraps his strong arms around her, it’s like finally finding home. But when the truth comes out after all these years, will both their worlds come crashing down? Gabe is the one person Anna trusts most: but what if he has secrets, too? And how much pain can two hearts endure, before they are torn apart forever?
Loved it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me an advance copy.

An emotional rollercoaster! I loved how warm Gabe’s family was and the mfc was such a good example of a strong person!