Summary

Every great love starts with a story.

Seraphina Jacobs is a smart, inquisitive writer who, after financial difficulties and a failed relationship, finds herself back in her childhood home with her overprotective parents as landlords. She now spends her days working at the local newspaper and her nights watching Jeopardy with her parents on the couch. Seraphina is stuck in a well-worn rut. The only bright spot in her weeks are the Sunday visits with her grandfather, and listening to his stories about yesteryear.

August Gardner is tired. Tired of being dismissed by his five older sisters. After losing the battle to keep his mother out of an “old folks’ home,” he decides to move back to Michigan, hoping he can rescue his mother from a lifetime of bingo nights and magic shows. But to do that he needs to get his career on track, and he’s putting all his eggs in one basket by opening his own auto repair shop.

When Seraphina and August meet, what started out as a much-needed one-night stand turns into something neither of them expected. The two are falling for one another. But when Seraphina stumbles onto a big secret, it could stop the giddy free fall, sending them crashing to the ground. They say the truth can set you free but the truth also has the power to tear you apart.

Review

This was a lovely read. There’s a heavy emphasis on family which was incredible to read as the plot unraveled. I hadn’t known what to expect when I first started reading. I knew it would be a love story between Seraphina and August; however, I didn’t know how their story would unfond.

For the beginning, I was instantly drawn to August and Seraphina’s relationship. They had an instant connection. They both were down on their luck when they met, and dealing with heavy family situations. As they started hanging out they brought each other so much peace. As well as family secrets. Seraphina, like mentioned in the book was quite nosy, and honestly if I undercovered a secret like she had, I’m not sure what I would have done. It was a difficult situation, and I was a little scared how it would turn on in the end given how sensitive the topic was. However, August and Seraphina survived. And with their survival came love, a heartbreaking romance, a family secret, and a lesson on adult children's relationships with their parents.

Final Thoughts

Holding Back the Years tells a story that stays true to the idea that life is complicated, as well as love. It’s a beautiful book with a great romance and relationship.

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