Review: Love me Back By Michelle Lynn
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 30, 2013
My Take on this Journey:Love Me Back, by Michelle Lynn, was told by the main character, Maddy Jennings. This was the story of her torment over which of the Basso brothers she should choose to be with. Trent was her childhood boyfriend, who she loved dearly, but Trent was a piece of work. The novel goes back and forth between the present day, where Maddy is going back to her small hometown in Chicago to be at the week long festivities before the wedding of her brother, Jack to his fiancé Lindsay. It has been two years since she has been back home, and is full of fear and angst about the decisions, and confrontation she is going to have to face once she is there, between Trent and his Older brother Gabe. Gabe has been in love with Maddy for a very long time. He is there for her every time she needs him, and just waits for any leftovers he can get from her. Maddy has a non-existant relationship with her absentee mother, and leans on her friends parents for love, role models, and support, throughout her life. The Basso brothers are the towns catch. Everyone wants a Basso brother of their own. They are gorgeous, with big blue mouth watering eyes. Maddy has a best friend, Ian, that helps her through her problems, and is a great friend to her. Maddy is a do-right girl, always wanting to please others, worrying about what her decisions will do to the Basso brothers, and family, if she makes the wrong decision, even if she isn't happy in the end. She has a problem with self worth, and feeling she isn't deserving of being happy, especially at someone else's expense.The primary and secondary characters in this novel are well developed, and well rounded. This is a throw back novel, that will be very nostalgic for older readers, and well paced. While growing up, Maddy has a best friend named, Kenna. Endless hours are spent playing games, such as mash. The girls choose their favorite everything, guy, car, house, etc. It took me back to my days of innocence, and played a big part in Love Me Back. This novel made me wish for my younger years, and all the awkward and exciting moments a person goes through, filled with all their firsts, to becoming an adult eventually. The first flutters of what us girls think of as real love, when our hearts are so sure, that this guy is the one they are going to marry, even if they are just 11. The broken hearts we all go through, over and over again, like it's the end of the world! I got caught up in the nostalgia of it all, including the indecisiveness of Maddy, which could be maddening at times, The reader will find themselves wanting to scream and yell when she repeatedly makes the bad decisions. Especially frustrating is the part of Maddy that never does what she feels she wants in her own heart, but I felt it was a part of the growing up process, and being able to see things for what they really were. This book leaves the reader hanging from the beginning, going from present to past over and over again, till they finally find out what Maddy's decision finally is. This had all the elements of small town life. It was unpredictable at times, frustrating, surprising, and scandalous. Ms. Lynn has written such a sensitive and memorable love triangle. The story with all the elements necessary to give it's readers a substantial background, and picture of all of it's characters, and scenarios that are happening as they are played out.This novel was wonderful, heartwarming, tearful, and dramatic. I enjoyed, Love Me Back, immensely. Especially the fact that Maddy didn't turn into her mother, even though many fall into that exact replication they don't want to be when they're grow up. Both of the Basso brothers were swoon-worthy, each in their own way. Yet, Gabe stood out for me, and was irresistible. The reader will find themselves rooting for the underdog. This was fast paced and edge of your seat drama, as you find out all the details and little secrets as they are revealed.I give, Love Me Back, 4.5 Nostalgic, Innocent, Soul Searching, Ultimate Loving Stars!flag