This was such a well-written story. This book follows various of years with a girl who’s trying to escape from her life and a guy who tries to save her. This book was so well thought out and I loved the way Wiesner brought this story to life. It was very heart-felting as the characters had to go through so much, especially the FMC. I loved the setting, the pacing, and the storyline. The storyline was well crafted with three parts that take place over many years. The povs are of Anna and Gabe.

Anna is the FMC who goes to college and has a job to keep tight ends met. Then there is Gabe who’s rid and the top of his class. Both become friends but secrets keep them apart. I loved each of their stories but mostly saw their relationship grow. They were so well written and I loved how much they cared about each other as they are different social classes. The side characters were also great and I really loved Gabe’s family in this book. The romance is age gap, best friends to lovers, second chance, and more. As much as I loved their relationship, I did hate the fact that Gabe kept calling Anna a kid knowing their relationship might go somewhere.

The ending was well done and I loved the happily ever after we got. The story was so well written and I read this book fairly quickly. This book is truly perfect for fans of Lucy Score and Carley Fortune. I totally recommend checking it out because it’s worth the read.

*this book was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*

I really enjoyed this book;. It follows Anna and Gabe. Anna is a high school student that is taking college courses because her goal is to be a doctor. She has no money and her mom is never around. Gabe is a senior in college that comes from a fairly wealthy family and his dad is a doctor. Anna and Gabe are assigned a project together in their class. Over time Gabe's family treats Anna as one of their own and they develop a strong friendship. This book follows them throughout their years, their ups and downs, betrayals and secrets. Gabe and Anna at times go years without talking to each other but when tragedy brings them back together, it's as if they fall back into where they left off. This book was a rollercoaster and the things that Anna has to go through to try to better herself and get to where she wants with little to no support is emotional. This book has some pretty heavy topics of drug addiction, and child neglect.

⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


I want to start out with saying as a Pittsburgh native I had a very special and dear connection to this book. Rarely does our city get to be the primary setting in a novel, so I absolutely loved that.

Now to the story- I absolutely loved the story. It was so beautifully written. Anna was such a heartbreaking and realistic portrayal of a child who has been abused and lived a life full of trauma. Gabe was the perfect golden retriever, who did this to you MMC. The Weatherall family was a beautiful example of a loving and accepting family. Anna’s relationship with each member was very endearing. The slow burn of Anna and Gabe’s beautiful friendship blossoming into unrequited love and then finally a fleshed out relationship was perfection- I truly felt the longing and anguish from both sides. My heart and stomach did flips many times throughout waiting for them to finally get together!

The mystery of Anna’s mom was horrendous and no child should ever have to endure what she did but it is very realistic to what many go through (did have to suspend some disbelief of her surviving on her own for over a year- but I am sure there are true life examples of this very thing happening)


All in all this book was heartbreakingly beautiful and I am so glad I was given an ARC by the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!


Tropes:
Found Family
Slow Burn
Friends to Lovers
Forced Proximity
Age Gap
Everyone Can See It
Mutual Pining
Who Did This To You

Melissa Wiesner has very quickly become and auto buy/read author for me. I couldn’t you this one down.

A love story spanning years of sadness and turmoil. Anna and Gabe are paired as project partners and develop a fast friendship. Lacking family structure, Anna clings to Gabe and his family as we learn about her troubled past.

I enjoyed this story and it was a very fast read for me. I loved the family dynamics of the Weatheralls.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the chance to read an eARC ahead of the paperback release in March 2025.

Finally, a book that took me out of my reading funk. I couldn’t put this one down once I started it and in less than 24 hours, I was finished. The story draws you in. I could relate so much to the main character of this book and her story. There were so many pieces of it that reminded me of my childhood and my goodness, it was heart wrenching. I absolutely loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me a copy of this book before it was published. This book took me forever to finish. I found it very boring, nothing interesting, so much useless info, not enough romance at all..just didn’t do it for me. Also the jump of years between the chapters was annoying. I did not enjoy it !

WOW just WOW....

This book put me through it!!!! I laughed, I cried, I felt all the emotions—anger, heartbreak, hope, and love. This story was beautifully written and had me hooked from the first page.

Anna’s journey is one of resilience, trauma, and healing. I was constantly rooting for her, feeling her struggles, and wanting nothing but happiness for her. And Gabe? Oh, Gabe!!! I absolutely fell in love with him and his entire family. Their warmth, their love—it all just felt so real. The contrast between Anna’s lonely, guarded world and Gabe’s open, welcoming one made their connection even more powerful!

I have major book hangover after this one!

After this book, I realized I am a Melissa Wiesner person 🤚 This was the third ARC/book I read by her. She so kindly gifted me The Second Chance Year and now I want to get my hands on It All Comes Back To You and Wish I Were Here

The storytelling was so nice. The plot was so unique I haven’t read anything like it tbh. It was such a beautiful slow burn I loved it. When they were kids, they acted as kids, and when they grew up, they acted like it and that’s when the feelings started to form and I was all in for it. Nothing was rushed, my girl Melissa took her time with this one and I’m so glad she did

Everything between Anna and Gabe felt so natural. Everything was just genuinely flowing between these two. There was a lot of character development and I like how they both allowed space for growth

Even with Gabe’s family involvement, it was really endearing to read. Anna annoyed me a bit with how she kept pushing Gabe away and not listening to him when he was just trying to help her or explain himself, but again I do understand her POV. Gabe’s grandmother was a big pivotal point in Anna’s life. I love how protective of Anna, Gabe’s parents were. Anna was one and the same as their kids and it was so cute

I also really liked the medical journey she went on. It was really interesting for me to read about. It’s a field I would be interested in perusing after my master’s. So in that sense I related to her

Gabe is such an understanding human. Always in her corner since day one. Their friendship was so amiable. These two were meant to be in each other’s lives. This story was what I needed. OH AND I was reading it when I was traveling around Europe with my man who’s also my bestest best friend so I loved that even more🤍

This is my 3rd Melissa Wiesner book & I have loved them all! 🥰 there is something about the way she tells these amazing heartfelt stories that just draw you in & you don’t want to put the book down.

An unforgettable and heart-wrenching romance about a woman haunted by her past and the man who could never let her go. It All Comes Back to You has friends to lovers, slow burn, found family, heart breaking moments & heart warming moments that will have you crying happy & sad tears.

Anna Campbell is just a 16 year old trying to get by in life & secure a full ride to college. She’s taking college classes in high school to speed up the process & that’s where she meets Gabe Weatherall. These two couldn’t be more opposite. Gabe has a big, loving family & Anna doesn’t have anything close to that. The two get partnered up for a class project & butt heads right away. Gabe is a senior in college & doesn’t want to work with a high school student. But as the two of them start to work on their project, Gabe notices things about Anna’s life that don’t seem safe. As Gabe pries deeper into Anna’s life, she wants to run away to keep all her secrets hidden. He slowly breaks down those walls & invites her into his family. These two continue to grow up as the best of friends as they navigate life, but they both have secrets they are keeping from the other. As they start to see each other as more than friends, the secrets start to come out.

I loved this story of Anna & Gabe! I really enjoyed how the story starts in the present & then flashes back to the very beginning & you get to see not only their story unfold, but Anna’s as well. She did not have an easy upbringing & it was hard to see what she went through & how it affected her thought process through life thinking she had to do it all on her own. Gabe is an absolute sweetheart! He had the best intentions & always cared for Anna. The found family in this book brought tears to my eyes, especially at the end!🥹

If you haven’t read a Melissa Wiesner book yet, you definitely need to pick one up! 🩷

Thank you to Melissa Wiesner & Booked with the Emily’s for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was beautiful! Melissa really brings your attention to the storyline by adding a little suspense to the plot. Which I loved. The ending had me almost sobbing with how beautifully it was written! 😅🥰

If you like a slow burn this is for you!! One of the slowest burns I have ever read. But the mystery and unknown of the rest of the story kept me going. Anna is in high school when her and Gabe get partnered in a college class. This story follows their friendship for 15 years. Included family drama, secrets and lost parents.

This book is such a good heart felt book i absolutely loved it, it will make you so emotional. You simply cannot put the book down. It’s the family you always wanted to have and couldn’t. I won’t go into detail but I definitely recommend this book.

The story was fun and lighthearted and I had a good time reading it.
This was a wonderfully written romance story.
I absolutely loved these characters and really enjoyed getting to know them.
A sweet, endearing and heartwarming read!

This book follows Anna and Gabe from their first meeting in school, through countless ups and downs in their lives, to the inevitable HEA they deserve in this wonderful friends-to-lovers story. Anna has a very difficult childhood and is on her own but she's stronger than anyone can see and she's determined to not only survive but have a better life. When Gabe comes into her world they begin a journey that neither of them could predict. I really enjoyed that during all of Anna's struggles Gabe is there to have her back and, even though they each have their secrets, I knew that they'd overcome them together. I loved that this was a slow-burn romance and that we were treated to watching as their love intensified inspite of the many obstacles put before them. I, of course, I absolutely adored Gabe's family...their interactions and their love for one another. Overall, this was a fantastic read with so many heartfelt moments and a very sweet romance.

Read If You Like:
- Romances featuring protagonists overcoming personal trauma
- Character-driven narratives with a focus on emotional healing
- Stories exploring themes of family secrets and personal growth
- Slow-burn romances that develop alongside personal journeys
- Contemporary settings with heartfelt storytelling

Anna juggles two jobs to finance her college education while keeping her family history a closely guarded secret. She maintains distance from others, focusing solely on her studies and work. But when she meets Gabe, a charismatic student with a supportive family, her carefully controlled life is disrupted. Their unexpected connection challenges Anna’s guarded nature and forces her to confront her past, opening the door to a future she hadn’t considered.

This is a poignant story of love and healing, exploring the complexities of family dynamics and the barriers we create to protect ourselves. The chemistry between Anna and Gabe develops naturally, with their relationship acting as a catalyst for individual growth. The novel thoughtfully addresses the impact of past trauma on present relationships, offering a nuanced look at overcoming personal hurdles.

With its authentic portrayal of emotional struggles and the transformative power of connection, this is a compelling read for those who appreciate stories of resilience and heartfelt romance.

Thanks forever for my ARC!

It All Comes Back To You by Melissa Wiesner is a book you need to add to your TBR list. I won’t say too much about the plot because you need to experience it for yourself, but I promise you this book will make you feel every emotion. The way it’s written is simply magical; you will experience everything that happens to the characters as though it’s happening to you. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

This book was everything to me. I laughed, I cried, I smiled, and yes, I even got angry. I felt every single emotion with each page I turned. If I could give this book 10 stars, I absolutely would it was such an emotional rollercoaster that left a lasting impact on my heart.
The way Wiesner crafted Anna and Gabe’s story is nothing short of extraordinary. Their bond is so beautifully written, that I couldn’t help but become fully immersed in it. There wasn't a single character I disliked—except Anna's mom, but even with her, I found myself feeling sorry for her. That’s the power of Wiesner’s writing.

I lost count of how many times I cried while reading this. I felt like I was living Anna’s life, experiencing her pain and her hope. And then there’s Gabe sweet, gentle, and unwavering in his support of Anna. Everyone needs a Gabe in their life. I can’t stress this enough: Gabe, his parents, and his siblings are an absolute testament to the power of love and family. The way they love Anna, stand by her, and never let her face anything alone is the heart of this story.

It All Comes Back To You is more than just a book. It’s a journey of resilience, second chances, and the healing power of love. If you're looking for a story that will take you through the highs and lows of life with characters who will steal your heart, this one is for you.

I didn't really feel or relate to the romance in this one. I was more interested in the main character's life and her job as an adult.

This packed an emotional punch. I liked how this was more about friendship until the end. You could tell they truly cared about each other. This is more character than plot driven.

I received an arc from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This book has a lot of reviews regarding how emotional it is and I didn't feel it. Maybe I am a robot but that aspect fell short for me. The idea of the story had some potential but the execution fell flat. The pacing was extremely slow going and dragged in many parts. The timeline was too long in my opinion and was drawn out, it took too long to get to any momentum. There were too many tropes used and the plot line was oh so predictable. Anna's constant back and forth irritated me to no end. Her lack of communication meant she lacked character development. Gabe came across as almost too perfect and had no depth whatsoever, he was very one-dimensional. Both of their behaviours were very frustrating.

The book was more feelings than storytelling making the story feel like a soap opera rather than emotional. The story felt like the same old, same old. Over all the book failed to deliver a compelling or original story. While it attempts to tug at the heartstrings, the slow pacing, frustrating characters, and predictable plot ultimately detracted from the overall experience. If you are looking for a unique romance novel, look elsewhere.