It All Comes Back To You by Melissa Wiesner is a book of love, family, friendship, and letting go. It's a story of found family, survival, and finding yourself.

Anna is barely surviving. She has secrets, and Gabe enters her life. Gabe gives her what she is looking for, but knowing what you need and accepting that you have found it are two different things. Anna becomes an integral part of Gabe and his family. Anna and Gabe are best friends, and this friendship turns into love, but secrets come between them. Will they ever overcome these secrets?

Spanning over since Anna is 16 years old until she is a doctor, this story is so real. I read this book in one sitting, and in some places, this story was my story. I hurt for Anna, and I cheered for her. Trauma is so real, and healing from trauma is not a smooth sailing. I appreciate the author's ending. The portrayal of the mother wound is so real in this book. Though it is a tough emotional story in some places, I enjoyed this book so much. This book is going to be one of my top reads this year.

Thank you, Bookouture, for this book.

CW: Abandonment, abuse, grief, and addiction

Oh this book! My dark thriller heart has been softened! I loved this and the characters that the author created.

I completely fell for Anna, such a strong character and enjoyed seeing her relationship with Gabe blossom.

Gabe and his family were so endearing, I loved how they immediately took her in as one of their own.

If you are looking for a heartwarming read, this is for you!

A lovely, very emotional story that had me gripped right from the start. I absolutely loved Gabe’s family dynamics and Anna’s heartbreaking story. Looking forward to more from this author
Thanks to Nethalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

Thank you Bookouture for inviting me to be part of the Books on Tour for “It All Comes Back to You”. Melissa Wiesner has done it again!
Anna and Gabe become friends when they are thrown together for a class project. Anna is poor and is warmly welcomed into Gabe’s family. Through many years and many missteps and miscommunications, you keep rooting for Anna and Gabe.
This book kept me awake longer than I should have allowed but you just don’t want to stop reading. I won't give away the ending but it is everything I had hoped for. Very good read! Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This is such a beautifully written emotional novel!

The story starts first with Anna who is trying to keep up with college by working two jobs and never really talking about her family. That is until she meets a handsome man named Gabe in one of the classes and she was assigned for a project with Gabe. Gabe and Anna instantly become good friends with Gabe introducing Anna to his family and making Anna feel like she was part of his family. But Anna's own mother left her with a promise that she had found a job in California and never returned back to Anna and Anna is determined to find what really happened to her mother.

This book was an emotional read. The main protagonist of the story was indeed Anna and her sheer determination and hard work helped her to achieve her dream of become a doctor. I do like the friendship between Gabe and Anna which eventually turned into a romantic relationship, I also like the style of author's writing as well that the author did a good job of making the reader feel like they are a part of the story as well. What really stands this book out is how realistic the whole story actually is, including the characters--hardships, loyalty, friendship seems like the main topic in the book. There were some heartbreaking moments but as a reader you wanted Gabe and Anna to have a happy ending. Overall, I highly recommend this book and it worth five stars!

Many thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Many thanks to Bookouture for making me a part of the blog tour. The review is entirely based on my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for an ARC of It All Comes Back to You by Melissa Wiesner for an honest review.

This was my first Melissa Wiesner book and I am so glad that I read this. This was a beautifully written story of Anna and Gabe. The first half of the book highlights Anna's struggles at home and how she was taking college classes at such a young age. The friendship between her and Gabe in the first half was growing and his whole family took Anna in.

The second half of the book had a different format. Every chapter was three years in the future. I felt this format rushed things. I did like seeing how Anna was growing and where her and Gabe's lives were going. The ending to me was very rushed, when it ended I was expecting more, either more chapters or an epilogue.

This is a slow burn with miscommunications that could have been resolved earlier in their friendship.

I won't lie to you, it was the cover that instantly pulled me in.

I am a sucker for a beautiful cover, a "cover snob" as we playfully joke amongst our "booksta" community. What I ended up getting was a book that would turn my world upside down and hit on every single emotion.

Where did the time go? I sat down with my book for just "a few chapters" before I had to start cooking. The next time I looked up, it was dark out and my husband was fast asleep next to me with an empty Ramen Noodle Cup (OOPS!)

I laughed, I cried, I hugged my husband a little tighter.

Melissa Wiesner, I can not wait to see what you come out with next, It All Comes Back to You, blew my mind and I still can't get over it.

This book is out TODAY!!!

5 stars <3

Check out this teaser :

An absolutely unforgettable and heart-shattering romance, perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover, Lucy Score and Carley Fortune, that asks: does keeping secrets destroy true love?

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?

It All Comes Back to You will make you laugh, cry with both joy and pain, and hold your loved ones tight.

Two broken hearts. Two terrible secrets.

It All Comes Back To You is a heartwarming romance book about Anna, her life, and her friendship with Gabe.

Anna, a 16-year-old girl, met Gabe in her economics class, where they were appointed as partners for a project. They became fast friends, and Gabe introduced Anna to his family.

Anna is smart and strong, but she’s also lonely. Anna is very careful; she wants to stay close and carry a secret with her. Anna was also stubborn, and she held herself back from the past too much.

Gabe is protective of Anna, and he wants Anna to live a good life. In the beginning, their relationship was platonic, but as the book progresses, they start developing romantic feelings for each other. I liked Gabe’s family; when Anna was alone and lost, they took care of her and treated her as a part of their family.

I liked how the plot progressed and showed how both Anna and Gabe lived their lives as adults. There were lots of time jumps.

This book was an absolutely captivating read with an engaging plot.

Recommended if you like Friends to Lovers, Found Family, and Slow Burn Romance.

An amazingly beautiful and heartfelt second chance romance. This book written by Melissa Wiesner has everything you could possibly ask for. This book brought me to tears. I can honestly say that I genuinely fell in love with Anna & Gabe. Such a roller coaster of emotions and a book that someone can very easily relate to. I would recommend this romance to anyone.

Gabe melted my heart the deeper I got into the story.
Anna was so fiercely independent but I wondered if she would ever let her defenses down.
All Gabe wanted to do was to love her and for years she ran. I was exasperated with her but it finally began to come together.
It’s a good lesson on persistence and consistent love.

.I had the incredible opportunity to dive into Melissa Wiesner’s latest masterpiece, and let me tell you, it was an absolute rollercoaster of emotions. From start to finish, the characters and storyline captivated my heart and left a lasting impression.

Meet Anna, an extraordinary young soul with a heartbreaking home life. Despite the challenges stacked against her, her determination and resilience shine through as she excels in her education. And then there’s Gabe, a character who stole my heart just as much as Dorothy did. The bond between Gabe and Anna is truly something special, as is the love and support from Gabe’s remarkable family.

Every aspect of this book is nothing short of remarkable. It evokes a range of emotions that will leave you breathless – from heart-wrenching moments that tug at your soul, to heartwarming scenes that fill you with hope and joy. Prepare yourself for a journey that will make you cry, laugh out loud, and experience ALL THE FEELS.

Melissa Wiesner’s storytelling prowess shines through in every page. This was my first encounter with her work, and I can wholeheartedly say that it will not be my last. Her ability to create multidimensional characters and weave a compelling narrative is truly a gift.

If you’re in search of a heartwarming, feel-good book that touches your soul and leaves you with a renewed sense of hope, look no further. Melissa Wiesner’s book is a treasure that will take you on a memorable journey of strength, love, and the power of the human spirit.

I loved this book! Really heart-warming and gave me all the feels.

From the initial horror of a college-aged boy being paired with a school-aged girl, for a project, grew a life-long friendship. The kind of once-in-a-lifetime connection between two people that will literally melt the hardest heart.

Melissa Wiesner's stunning writing covers so many major, modern day issues; Opioid addiction, child neglect, societal expectations and judgment, friendship, family, resilience and acceptance.

Gabe's family were utterly wonderful and it was ironic that Anna's career in medicine was the kind of work Gabe's father had hoped for him, Anna's strength and resilience in light of the life she led as a young teenage girl were inspiring and I was so invested in her and her hopes for the future. Her determination to find her Mum showed a love and loyalty that inevitably wouldn't be justified, and shows that blood isn't always thicker than water, when compared to the relationship she had with Gabe's family, something so many people can relate to, in reality.

I didn't feel the big "secrets" between Anna and Gabe were that much of a big deal. They were absolutely integral to the story, however not so much secrets as looking out for each other's well-being, certainly in Gabe's case.

A really great read! 4 star! Thanks to Netgalley, Melissa Wiesner and Bookouture for an ARC in return for my honest review.

This was my first book by this author and its definitely not going to be the last. I have felt all kinds of emotions!! I haven't cried while reading a book in quite a while, but reading this book I ugly cried!! I couldn't put this book down. Definitely recommend. Its well written and keeps you turning pages.

This book delivered just what it promised; emotional rollercoaster and a love story for the ages. The story is written so well, I felt like I was reading a bestseller. There was a lot of trauma and horrific circumstances. But also so much love. I love that this book was as much family and familial love oriented as romantic.

The main characters are wonderful. Anna’s experiences make it hard for her to accept help and trust people. Gabe is a saint. He’s such a good person and full of love. And his family is the best. Love all of them.

The story jumps through time and shows all the important stuff on Anna and Gabe’s journey. There’s a bit of a mystery in Anna’s past, which hovers over the story and Anna. The chapters are mostly short, which makes it easier to devour the book. And the story and the characters are so captivating that you want to keep reading.

Excellent story, made me cry.

It All Comes Back to You is the first book I have read by Melissa Wiesner.

What a heart-wrenching, leaky-eyed, emotional rollercoaster of a book.

I love Anna. I love her tenacity. Her spit-fire personality. The ways she doesn’t take any crap and jokes around with Gabe. I admire her resiliency, her can-do attitude, how her past doesn’t keep her from succeeding in the future.

Anna meets Gabe when she is a high school student who has been selected to enroll in an economic course at the local university. Gabe is a senior with his sights set on grad school.

After a rocky start, Anna and Gabe form a friendship. The duo head to Gabe’s family’s home every Sunday to work on their economics project and to eat Sunday dinner with the entire Weatherall clan.

Anna becomes close to not only Gabe’s siblings but also his mother and his father. Anna forms a very special bond with Gabe’s grandma.

The semester ends, but Anna and Gabe’s relationship is just beginning.

Throughout the story, Anna going away to college, Gabe finishing grad school, Anna working in the Middle East, and Gabe becoming a professor, Anna and Gabe always come back to each other.

I found myself cheering for their reunions and becoming a bit heart-broken during their times apart.

Anna deserves the best. She deserves a happily-ever-after. In the end, the entire Weatherall family is there to cheer her on when she finds it.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5771564532

I don’t often read the romance genre, maybe because I think it’s really difficult to pull a trope off with a fresh spin. But It All Comes Back to You manages to create characters you root for even though you suspect you know what the outcome will be.

Anna—brilliant, determined, resilient, guarded, and diligent despite her achingly sad childhood. Gabe—wealthy, self-confident, open, popular, and also intelligent. The two become partners on a college project and an unlikely friendship develops.

Gabe’s large, loving, loud, and generous family draws in Anna, who has no family. She tries to maintain a distance, but their love and acceptance win her over. They remain an important part of her life as Anna and Gabe go separate ways.

Over the course of Anna and Gabe’s relationship, they each carry secrets that could potentially destroy their friendship. But, as with most secrets, the truth wiggles out. Melissa Wiesner does an excellent job of maintaining the tension without being annoying. The book’s well-crafted, highly readable, and the characters are endearing.

Wiesner explores themes of “found” family, learning to trust, friendship that develops into love, and persevering despite hardship. Heartbreaking and heartwarming, this is a romance that offers satisfaction.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advance review copy.

Oh my gosh I loved this! I felt so many emotions. It shattered me! I cried so much, both in sadness and joy. SOOOOO GOOD!!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

4.5 stars rounded up!!

Instantly pulls you in to the world of Anna and Gabe!! They are thrown together on a college assignment and a friendship develops that changes both of their lives! Anna is from a not great home with secrets that unfold very well throughout the story. Gabe comes from a loving home and family, seems to have it all together, with his college frat boy life but little did he realize that he needed Anna in his life. You will be rooting for them the whole way, does take longer than you’d prefer for them to figure things out but the story is great along the wait. Gives you all the feels and love a book that has you thinking about the characters and story even when you aren’t reading! Highly recommend!

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for my electronic advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I really loved this book. Anna is sixteen and already in college. She meets Gabe in college. They strike up a friendship while working on a class project together.
Eventually secrets tear them apart for a time. This book had you hurting at times for both Gabe and Anna. The book also takes place over numerous ears about a 15/ year time line from start to finish. The book deals with several tropes:
Friends to lovers
Second chance romance
Heartbreak
Found family
There's also some darker themes of abuse, abandonment;
homelessness.
I really enjoyed this book. Received an advance copy from NetGalley for an honest review

3.5
Friends to lovers and second chance romance. Anna and Gabe meet during a college course and form a bond that spans over more than a decade. Gabe and his family help Anna realize the importance of opening herself up to love and family connection, while she battles demons from her past.

The story kept my interest throughout but I felt like it was missing something on a deeper level. I just didn’t connect with the characters as much as I anticipated.