Return to Me

Roxy Burke left home vowing to become a country-western star. Now she's back---dreams shattered, inheritance squandered, her life messed up. Her father tenderly embraces her, but her sister Elena harbors resentment and and anger. Even more problematic is Roxy's former boyfriend, Wyatt, a rebel-turned-Christian, is now engaged to Elena! Can they each accept God's grace?

Roxy Burke left her family vowing to become a country-western star. Now she’s home—dreams shattered, her life a mess. What no one could have predicted is the effect the return of this prodigal has on her family. It’s not just Roxy who needs the healing power of grace.

Robin Lee Hatcher is the author of over fifty novels, including her latest release Return to Me and Catching Katie, named one of the Best Books of 2004 by Library Journal. Winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, two RITA Awards for Best Inspirational Romance, and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin lives in Idaho.

Read the back of Return to Me by Robin Lee Hatcher and, like me, you might groan. Another modern-day version of the Prodigal Son, this current version following Roxy Burke’s journey home after an unsuccessful attempt at making it in the music world of Nashville. However, this journey hardly ends at the front door, as Roxy’s return creates turbulence for the rest of her family, especially her sister Elena. While Roxy easily finds forgiveness from her father, her older sister Elena’s response is less than welcoming.

Despite the initial groan from the well-known theme of the story, I was quickly drawn in by the easy-going language and frequent, fast-action flashbacks. Pictures of the sisters’ earlier lives create life-like characters and an understanding of their motivations and personalities. The close relationship of the sisters in their youth when contrasted with their strained relationship at Roxy’s return is heartbreaking. An added twist in the relationship comes from Wyatt, Roxy’s former boyfriend, now Elena’s fiancée. The stress from that situation was enough to keep me on edge and turning pages.

Roxy, though arrogant and frustrating in many of the flashbacks, undergoes a transformation that makes her character easy to like, both by the reader and the other characters in the story. It is Elena, however, who is the more complex character. Despite the fact that she is the “good” sister who has been hurt by Roxy’s actions, her unforgiving nature and harsh treatment of her sister makes her easy to dislike. At the same time, she is the character I found myself relating to most in the story. The honesty of her response to her sister and the picture of her trying to justify her actions to herself is exactly something I would do. I can appreciate Elena because I can see myself in her, as much as I’d rather point the finger and judge.

Even if, like me, you hesitate when you first pick up the book, you will have a hard time putting it down. With characters you can relate to, and a plot that keeps you turning pages, Return to Me is a unique version of an old story. – Bethany Wheeler, Christian Book Previews.com

Average Rating:

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Reviewed by Anita Batey (Scottsboro, AL), August 07, 2007

For anyone who considers themselves a prodigal daughter, this book will touch you deeply. I have already given it to a friend to read

Reviewed by Michelle (Arizona), July 31, 2007

(My review as seen in ACFW's E-zine, the August edition.) Return to Me by Robin Lee Hatcher is a powerful example of the ideal Christian fiction novel. It parallels the story of the prodigal son and was so engaging that I finished the story in one day. I just couldn’t put it down. I identified with Roxy despite her many flaws. Roxy’s change of heart when she discovered Christ in an unlikely setting reminded me of my own personal experience. I remember the same still, small voice calling out to me until I finally gave my heart to the Lord. Of course, Roxy’s older sister Elena decided Roxy needed to experience additional consequences for her sin. Like what Roxy had naturally suffered as a result of squandering her inheritance hadn’t been painful enough, and not realizing, of course, all that her sister had already lost because of her poor choices. I’ve never seen a better example of how self-righteousness wounds new believers and destroys relationships and trust. Return to Me is also a wonderful illustration of the emotional and spiritual fallout resulting from manipulative rejection, and the believer’s need for a close walk with the Lord in order to resist pride and jealousy when new Christians succeed where they may have struggled. Thus the spiritual arc of the characters comes across as very genuine, especially when it comes to the older sister’s attitude. There are some gritty situations in this story, but nothing I wouldn’t let my teenager read. Overall, it’s a fabulous example of the regrets people experience as the result of poor choices, and the subsequent struggle to forgive one’s self. The author concludes by portraying the Scripture that refers to all things being possible through Christ Jesus. I highly recommend this story because of the life-changing lessons within.

Reviewed by J. Gayle Kretschmer (Fernley, Nevada), July 25, 2007

Return To Me by Robin Lee Hatcher is the story of two sisters in love with the same man--or are they? Your typical triangle on the surface, but this complicated "Love me, love me not, three-way relationship is not. Roxy leaves her family to seek fame in Nashville, TENN, while Elena stays home to continue being the dutiful daughter, waiting for Roy's former wild guy,Wyatt, now reformed, to forget Roxy and love her. What are Wyatt's real feelings and who will he choose? Does he, in fact, get a choice? He hasn't seen Roxy for seven years. Nor have her family. When she returns home, broke and ashamed, doubts fly all over the place as to where his affections really lie. The story is good but I found myself liking Roxy more than I did Elena until the very end of the book. Roxy was honest to a fault, Elena, in spite of her devotion to God, seemed shallow in some places. But perhaps this is the way Robin Hatcher wants us to see her. To realize that devout Christians can "slip" too. The ending? Expected, but as it should be. To end the story any other way would have been disappointing.

Reviewed by Deborah Raney (Kansas), June 22, 2007

Kept me guessing how it would turn out till the very end. A wonderful story, wonderful reflection of the story of the prodigal son, with a message that will touch people from all walks of life! I'd waited a long time for this book to finally come out, and it was definitely worth the wait! Robin Lee Hatcher remains one of my favorite authors.

Reviewed by Catherine Martin (Fort Gratiot Michigan), June 18, 2007

There is a little Roxy in each of us, and we can always hope for grace to be extended. Robin Lee Hatcher tells a wonderful story that is an encouragement to readers. She reminds us that as we receive grace, so must we extend the same to others. Readers will enjoy characters that remind them of themselves and others....the situation that Roxy and family find themselves in, may be similar to that in our own families, and as with all Robin's books, a biblical lesson is set before us. Great read! A must for the summer. Thank you once again Robin Lee Hatcher for another wonderful book.

Reviewed by Paula Oliver (Mountain Home, AR), June 16, 2007

WOW!! This book is deserving of all the superlatives I've seen in other reviews, and then some! I've read many retelling of the Prodigal Son, but never one that captured my heart as this one did. Not only did it touch my heart, it made me think. Like others have said, we all tend to identify most closely with one particular character in the story, but Robin has a knack for helping readers relate to all the characters. Please don't miss this one- it is a must!!!

Reviewed by Mary E Lenaburg (Fairfax, Virginia), June 14, 2007

"What about grace?" In "Return to Me" Robin Lee Hatcher creates yet another twist on the age old story of the prodigal child. What a wonderful question to ask ourselves when we are being jealous and self-righteous or when we feel life is unfair. I completely identified with Roxy's story of making bad choices and having to live with the consequences. She needed grace and through the course of this wonderful book you witness this journey of personal growth and searching for an answer to what was missing in her life. Finally she comes to believe in God's never-ending grace, love and mercy. What I loved most though was her sister Elena's journey. How many time have I been jealous and uncertain of those I love? How many times have I questioned their judgment because I "didn't approve" or understand, leading to my own anger and resentment? "What about grace?" is what we should all ask ourselves every time we are faced with those feelings and doubts. I want to thank Robin for giving me such a wonderful tag line for my life. I will be forever grateful to this skilled author for being brave enough to bare her characters souls to daringly ask the question and to be able to see the answer unfold in some wonderful storytelling. I could not put this book down and I recommend it highly. What a wonderful redemptive tale. Thanks again Robin. I can't wait for the next book.

Reviewed by Mary Lee Piner (Ocean Springs, MS), June 14, 2007

When I received Return to Me, I could not put the book down. People would try to talk to me and all I could say was huh huh. This book is very absorbing. It is a great book to follow along with.

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