I am going to begin with I have not ready any of the Give & Take series. Such is the life of a reviewer. Sometimes you get the whole picture and sometimes only a quick bite. With that said, I will do my best to rate what I have in front of me. Take Me Back is a short novella at under 100 pages. Looks like the author likes to do novellas between each full book and seeing that this is listed as 2.5 this must be one of those interlude books.

I can’t quite put my finger on why I couldn’t connect with this story. I really don’t think my lack of having read the previous books is it. I think while it had heat, it just felt very lacking and detached. In addition, the voice of the story had my struggling to sort who was actually speaking. I’m not a fan of narratives that I find confusing. Is the whole series like this I wonder. While I do feel there was quite a bit of potential in Take Me Back, the delivery and voice just didn’t ring well with me. Maybe followers of the series will fair better than I did.

Stars: 2
I received this book from Netgalley. I was not compensated for the book other than the entertainment it provided. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I didn't know how the paranormal spin was going to work for Take Me Back but I absolutely loved it! This novella takes Rachael and Merrick down a road they thought they were already past. When the plantation that Merrick buys shows signs of being haunted by Isabelle, Rachael's connection is pulled towards her, causing her relationship with Merrick to start falling to pieces.

This is a great short story giving more background on the lives of those touched by Turtle Tear. And as with the books before makes me fall more for Rachael and Merrick <3 This series is a must read.

Interesting read and interesting characters and this little island. This was just OK for me.

This was an okay read for me. Maybe if I’d have read more of the series I’d have enjoyed it more. Some parts just isn’t click for me. Having said that I liked the storyline and may go back and read the series at a later date.

I won't be reviewing this title because I no longer have an interest in this book.

Average read
Okay characters
Average story
Sunday read or in between read

This is a bit of a ghost story with steamy romance. My rating 3.75.

I decided to try this novella to see if I might like the series. This story, taking place in the development time of a new relationship between Rachael and Merrick, has an almost gothic setting and feel – probably because of the ghost.

Merrick is apparently a bit older and a suave, experienced business man. He had interviewed Rachael to be project manager for the resort that he is renewing at Turtle Tear Island and the Weston Plantation. Rachael declined the job as it would take her away from her mother but Merrick returned and basically kidnapped her. All that was part of book 1, Taken, but the history was filled in enough in this novella to get the feel for the excitement, yet fragility, of their relationship.

Rachael has become obsessed with a ghost, Ingrid, a woman who lived in the time of the Civil War. Supposedly the ghost had made her wishes known – she wants to be returned from the plantation home to the Turtle Tear property. She continues to pour over letters and belongings in old trunks to try to find how to bring the ghost back from one property to the other. Merrick is frustrated with her distraction which is pulling her focus away from the 50th year wedding anniversary celebrations that she is supposed to be handling.

Rachael and Merrick have a very intense sexual chemistry but they are still feeling their way to complete trust and commitment in their relationship. Now Merrick feels ignored and betrayed but Rachael also feels betrayed by his withdrawal and refusal to see how important the ghost issue is to her heart. Will this disagreement break the fragile trust they have built?

The story is written in first person which was a bit awkward reading. There is a big focus on the passionate relationship and I would classify this as borderline erotica which I did not realize when I selected the title. The ghost story was interesting and was a good background for presenting the couple’s relationship problems. They were both stubborn-headed.

The novella is an entertaining, engaging and quick read. Although well written,this was a bit too edgy and therefore not my style. However, others you enjoy a sexy romantic intensity might like to try this series.

I picked this title up from NetGalley (review posted on blog in 2013).