Review: Another amazing novella in the Give & Take series!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 4, 2013
Well hello Rachael and Merrick! As you are all very well aware, my love for the Give and Take series is a deep and overwhelming love (hehe) and these Rocha men are just heaven sent! When I found out that Take Me Back, the fourth book (second novella), was available via NetGalley, I ran straight to my computer and ordered up my copy! I sat down with my iPad and didn't put it down until I was completely done. That's what Kelli Maine does with all her books, she sucks you in and keeps you wanting more and more. Yes, I am admitting it.....Kelli and her books are my own version of an addiction...Anyway, I digress.Take Me Back picks up at the end of Taken By Storm and also brings back into focus our two main characters, Rachael DeSalvo and Merrick Rocha. They have all come back to Turtle Tear Island, the island purchased by Merrick for Rachael, and are finalizing all the renovation plans for their first major event at the hotel. At the same time, MJ and Maddie are working on cleaning out the plantation also originally inhabited by Archibald and Ingrid Weston, the original owners of Turtle Tear Island. During the renovation, a large truck of personal items is found and Rachael is amazed by all the history.However, Rachael soon becomes obsessed with The Weston's and believes the old stories that the plantation house is haunted by Ingrid's spirit, eager to get home to Turtle Tear Island. Here is where everything gets a little dicey. Rachael's obsession soon has her lying to Merrick, ignoring her responsibilities to the hotel and its upcoming event and almost checking out of reality. Merrick tries very hard to be understanding at first but eventually confronts Rachael about the obsession and the toll it is taking on what I can only describe as one of the most beautiful love stories sold (you have to read Taken first!!!).Watching Rachael and her obsession tear little rifts in her relationship with Merrick was so painful. I honestly was on the end of my seat waiting to see how this would all play out and how Merrick would handle the lies and dishonesty. Poor Rachael, I just want to give her a hug. She seems so desperate and at the same time realizes what she is doing to Merrick but can't seem to slow this train wreck down.All I can tell you is, read the novella....but....only after you have read the rest of the series or it will make absolutely no sense to you. Kelli Maine is like my own personal savior giving me novellas between each of the novels in the Give and Take Series. This was just another cherry on my already perfect Merrick cake!