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Monica McCallan

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Back in Your Arms Kindle Edition

by Monica McCallan (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.6 2,629 ratings

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Seventeen years ago, Quinn McKinley left her small town of Kingsford for a shot at a happier life. Now a successful real estate agent in New York City, she’s brought back on behalf of a client, begrudgingly accepting her return home in order to close the deal of a lifetime.

Coming back opens doors she’s done her best to keep closed all these years, namely, how she felt about her childhood best friend, Sawyer Kent.

Sawyer’s spent her whole life in Kingsford, working at her family’s antique store and trying to make everyone happy. Quinn’s return is unexpected, knocking her routine existence more than a little off balance. She’s still frustrated at how Quinn left things between them, and even if she has all kinds of unresolved feelings, she’s got bigger problems to worry about right now.

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About the Author

Lori Prince is a classically trained actor with a BFA from Syracuse University. She has performed Off-Broadway as well as at top regional theaters, including The Denver Center, Alliance Theater Company, and PlayMakers Repertory Company, among others. She has also appeared on television in Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, and Are We There Yet? Her voice work includes various characters in the feature film Epic, as well as additional dialogue recorded for over fifty feature films and TV shows.

Monica McCallan was an enthusiastic fan of romance novels before she began writing them. She currently lives in Philadelphia with her partner and two tiny dogs. She cannot parallel park to save her life, enjoys playing pool a few times a week, and has enjoyed every second of the craft beer explosion these last few years.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09JN9VKKN
Publisher ‏ : ‎ (October 16, 2021)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 16, 2021
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 931 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ B09L4LKZ54

Best Sellers Rank: #21,207 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #59 in Lesbian Fiction
- #78 in Lesbian Romance
- #107 in Gay & Lesbian (Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
4.6 2,629 ratings

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Monica McCallan

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Monica McCallan was an enthusiastic fan of romance novels before she began writing them.

She currently lives in Philadelphia with her partner and two tiny dogs. She cannot parallel park to save her life, enjoys playing pool a few times a week, and has enjoyed every second of the craft beer explosion these last few years.

Wanna talk? You can find her on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/monicamccallan

Join the mailing list here for updates on new releases, sales, and giveaways: http://bit.ly/MonicaMcCallanLesfic

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5

2,629 global ratings

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Kindle Customer

Great character arcs, sweet story...but I'm petty.

Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2021

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One of my favorite things about this book is that both main characters have a fully developed character arc. They both go through a transformative process that allows them to ultimately find shared happiness. In many books one love interest is idealized and the other must learn, grow, and change. I enjoyed the realism of this book, because in real life, relationships are supposed to teach you something about life, love, and yourself. If those relationships are not pushing all parties involved to grow, they are often not lasting or worthwhile.
I personally love the "left small town and didn't look back until..." trope. I find it sweet and nostalgic and it provides so much for authors to work with as the reasons for people's actions and feelings can be different in a thousand versions. It's a trope that doesn't get stale because there's so much room for creativity within it.
The subplot with the family situation was sweet as well, though I wouldn't have minded a little more of that, and the sideplot conflict with the brother was handled far too maturely for my taste, I'm petty, I wanted to feel more vindicated on behalf of Sawyer. That situation was resolved however, and I guess it was resolved well. I just wouldn't have minded a little more of Shane's blood in the water/fuckery exposed. The main plot was quite satisfying, the writing superb, and the characters emotionally engaging.

4 people found this helpful

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EviStay

Fun. Sweet. Good. Oh so close to Great.

Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2021

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McCallan is a fantastic writer, and this story was a good read that doesn't fail to truly paint vivid pictures from the deeply introspective character arcs the protagonists go through individually , to the chemistry they share together. And it definitely makes you have a feel or two. Or three. Or five. Mission accomplished!

The only thing keeping it from 5 stars ate chunks of the story itself. Their romance, for me, felt difficult to get onto as a "second chance romance" because they never truly dated, and are finally giving love a shot a whole *seventeen years* later. Two decades pass and they talk about love and heartbreak from high school as if it were only months or weeks ago. Additionally, as cute as it is, they do hardly anything besides talk to each other, talk about the other to someone else and then think about each other. I found myself skipping entire paragraphs that reiterate the same information since page one. "Yes, Sawyer is passive. Yes, Quinn is a workaholic, lets keep moving forward."

But when Quinn and Sawyer do get together, be they spicy or sweet, those scenes shine and make each turn of the page absolutey worth it.

2 people found this helpful

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Cara Ramsey

A Lovely Second Chance Romance!

Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2023

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I loved the writing in this book and the portrayal of the characters. Quinn and Sawyer felt so alive and so right for each other. This book is the story of both of them discovering and admitting to themselves that they were always the right people for each other.

Kelli, as Quinn’s sister is a strong supportive woman whose forgiveness for Quinn makes Quinn’s homecoming easier. And Shane, as Sawyer’s scheming, lying, manipulative brother turns out to be the perfect villain in this story.

And of course we get a happy ending but how we get there wasn’t quite what I expected. All in all, a wonderful story, and a book I recommend.

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Brian

McCallan Did It Again

Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2022

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There is something about a Monica McCallan audiobook that I fall in love with again and again. I think it’s the whole thing – but I know that one of the best things in each of her books is her characters. Each one is perfect for their book, and with every new story, I think, “well, she’s done with writing perfect characters,” and somehow, she ends up writing even better ones.

Back in Your Arms had a lot going on inside of it other than a blooming second-chance love story. Quinn’s character was flawed and deeply hurt by something that happened deep in her past. But, coming back home to Kingsford in the Hudson Valley after 17 years was eye-opening. Meeting back up with Sawyer after all of those years should have been just another task in her planner, but, of course, the heart wants what the heart wants. Sawyer’s story was so freaking enjoyable. I hated seeing her struggle being a people pleaser, then I loved seeing her come into her own as she realized that if she didn’t take charge, she would be miserable forever. Each of their stories was perfect for this book, and their culmination was nothing short of perfect. McCallan did it again and made me fall in love all over, like Quinn and Sawyer.

Overall, when McCallan and Prince work together, I’m in. Proving point, I have 2 more books they wrote and performed coming up soon. Back In Your Arms was an adorable slow burn. A second chance sapphic novel that had me smiling throughout. Struggles and learnings throughout – McCallan will always be an author that I instantly pick up when I see new books from her. Especially audiobooks with Lori Prince.

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Home and Tech

another great McCallan story

Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2024

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I enjoyed the back story colliding with the current and how everything fell into place. Both main characters are likeable with their own personal struggles that you see play out.

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Susan Freeman

Great dialogues. Dragging plot.

Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2022

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This is not a bad book if the reader is Okay with endless emotional insecurities and confusion from adult women in their mid-thirties. I loved the synopsis and the plot itself but was disappointed by the emotional immaturity of one of the protagonists. Her doubts as a teenager are totally relatable, but the same script and poor behavior at 30 something, after 17 years living (and probably dating) in New York City? And the pattern drags to the final pages. I didn't like the experience of reading this book, but I am giving it three stars because the dialogs are as real as if they were happening in front of you. Body language and all, and good writing needs to be appreciated as a separate item. Great job there.

2 people found this helpful

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Prel

Easy, Enjoyable Read

Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2023

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If you’re looking for an easy, enjoyable read, this would be the book. Reading about each of their journeys and the reconnection had its humorous and heart tugging moments. I wish the book had more depth and length to it, maybe even an epilogue, but it doesn’t fall flat without those characteristics. The storyline is par for course with any romcom type story where the last few chapters is where the finale comes to play, in a bit of a rush.
4 stars nonetheless :)

One person found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

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Mariana Guerrero

2das oportunidades

Reviewed in Mexico on October 26, 2023

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Un libro super bonito, lleno de miedo, inseguridades, falta de comunicación porque cuando eres joven uno no sabe nada, luego aprendes a mostrar vulnerabilidad. Eso es lo que ambas protagonistas aprenden. Es fácil identificarse con ellas, una historia fácil de leer que te engancha desde el principio

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PK

Great characters, beautiful sapphic love story

Reviewed in Canada on December 20, 2021

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This was my first book by her, and I cannot wait for more! The story built beautifully and made it hard to put down. The characters POVs were never dragged on and had me rooting for them both! I found myself relating to both of them. I will be reading more of her work.

Patrícia S.P.

ya wanna feel good? Hear me out, that's your book!

Reviewed in Brazil on October 21, 2021

Verified Purchase

Sometimes young love is not supposed to be and revisiting it later in life seems so much more...right. So, the biggest sweetheart holding a torch for someone for years is just my number, sign me up!

Also I simply love when I dont need to hate one of the MCs in this kind of story, loving both is so much better. And if anyone here have something bad to say about them both, they gotta talk to me and I'll set them straight. humpf

But don't you worry if you need your fix of angst or the likes, it's there too, every time that person who shall not be named appeared I was raging, the unfairness, urgh!

S Wiseman

Lovely grown up romance

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 8, 2021

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This is a lovely book. Well written, with believable, thoughtful characters that you fall for right away.
The little bit of angst is enough to help the characters see the important things, and act on it.
The writing style is accomplished and I felt totally safe with this writer. I knew she had my back, and I could relax into the romance and trust the eventual outcome and that it would be achieved without too much silly plot high jinks.
Thanks Monica! <3

L.C.

When your past is the key to your future, you can’t close that door anymore

Reviewed in the Netherlands on October 25, 2021

Verified Purchase

Quinn McKinley seems to have all she has ever wanted in life: a steady and successful job, as a real estate agent in New York City, and money with anything that the latter can buy, such as expensive vacations, wines, furniture and so on. Quinn would never consider herself as a lonely person, more like someone who chose to be alone and is happy with it. Everything seems so calculated and controlled in her mind, but what she hasn’t really thought about is that, with all her running from one place to another, dealing with clients everyday and working overtime even at weekends, she has left little time to stop and really look at herself in the mirror and evaluate if what she sees reflected in the mirror is really herself. Her world will crumble piece to piece, when her boss assigns to her an important deal: helping a client buy a house in Kingsford, two hours’ drive from NYC. There’s only one problem: the house belonging to the Kent family, whom she knows very well, having been raised in Kingsford, a city she left 17 years ago for many reasons, leaving behind her teenage sister, her mother, and her long-time best friend Sawyer Kent. What happens after she steps in the city is something she would have never dared to dream.

This is the first book I’ve read by Monica McCallan and the reason why I chose it, it’s because immediately after the release, Twitter literally exploded with messages from other indie authors and even directors about it. I was so intrigued, because I didn’t know her, but the title itself draw me like catnip does to cats. So, this is a big thank you to all the people tweeting about it, the power of spreading the word.

I loved how Quinn and Sawyer complement each other in ways they didn’t even think it was possible, and I liked how the book deals with dilemmas that many of us have encountered in our lives: running away from what hurts you, finding who you really are, being able to stand up for yourself and take care of yourself, take a chance in life, take a leap of faith, forgive, forget, say the words you always wanted to say, in a way: Carpe Diem. If you get a chance at being truly happy, even if this would destroy who you are at the present, don’t turn away, don’t close that door. Embrace your insecurities and let someone finally take care of you. There’s no weakness or shame in sharing the burden of your life with someone who loves you unconditionally. You only need to give them the chance to do it.

I can relate a bit to Quinn, running away from a family situation that was starting to impact her true essence. Sometimes running away is the only solution to survive, to protect yourself from a domino effect. You can be sucked in and go down a dark spiral too. You carry a weight that fills you with anger, anger at the others and anger at yourself because you want selfishly to be happy. And all that hurt starts building up walls around you and you feel safe behind those walls. The only downside is that you also feel the loneliest person in this world, with no one to rely on. I literally melted when Quinn started to show her funny and flirty side, letting go of control and expectations. And I so much loved that the only person who could let her do that was Sawyer, such a sweet, geeky, dorky, clumsy, lovable, and caring character. Sawyer, on the other side, is the best friend that anyone could ever hope to find. Always there for you, no matter what, to the point she’d rather put other people’s happiness above hers. I fell in love with how she relates more with ancient machines rather than with people. Machines are straightforward, you know where each piece goes, while people are unpredictable and cannot be controlled.

I think the themes I liked the most of Back in Your Arms are the one of “Change” (If one day you realize you are not living a life that fulfils you, you need to do something about it. You need to change, and change is one of the scariest things people can do. But change is easier when you change together with the one you love, when you meet each other halfway. You take that jump and trust that things will be okay); and the recurrent theme of “Not being enough, not being worthy of someone” (it’s funny how sometimes we can underestimate ourselves so much, that we absolutely have no idea what the others see in us. How broken you might be, how hurt you might be, how apparently cold you might be, there will be always someone who can see right through you and sweep away all your insecurities. In Back in Your Arms these revelations are simply so heartfelt and beautiful to read. You’ll just end up sighing from so much love and romanticism.

Back in Your Arms is a plunge into the past, getting lost in the eyes of the one you never forgot, the one you thought got away, whose eyes are your home. It’s a fight to claim what you always wanted to be yours and only yours.

The only thing I may have wanted to see more of, was closure with Quinn's mother. I feel like she didn't have the chance to explain what happened to her, so the judgment on her character comes only from Quinn's eyes. But I adored Kelly, Ella and Luna and Belinda. I won't even mention the other Kent, as he doesn't deserve it!

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