The Returned - Book Review

Jacob Hargrave was eight years old when he tragically drowned on his birthday in 1966. Decades later, his parents, Lucille and Harold, are confused and grateful when Agent Bellamy from the Bureau of the Returned accompanies their still eight year old boy to their home. Jacob is one of the many "Returned" coming back to visit those they love and left behind.

Is he really Jacob or a perfect facsimile of the boy they loved? Is it a miracle? A sign of the end? Chaos erupts as people around the world have various reactions and opinions on how to handle the "situation" and the Hargrave family, recently reunited, is caught in the center of the alternating turbulence, danger and joy.

I have been hearing glowing reviews of The Returned by Jason Mott from trusted online book friends. You can read their reviews *here* and *here*. I looked forward to reading it and wondered just what to expect. I've been involved in conversations where we tried unsuccessfully to determine the genre that would best fit The Returned. Since I don't really like labels anyway, I'll just say that The Returned defies all categories.

While full of intense action, The Returned by Jason Mott is ultimately very emotional and made me think and feel. How would you react to the return of a loved one? Do we live with regrets? Guilt? Have we moved on so much that their return would make our current lives uncomfortable? The characters in The Returned deal with the confusion, pain and grief of the death of their loved ones again as they struggle to heal and love.

With enchanting prose, unforgettable characters, intrigue and danger as well as thoughtful narrative, The Returned by Jason Mott is one novel you shouldn't miss this year.

The Returned by Jason Mott was published by Harlequin in August 2013.


** I received a complimentary copy of The Returned in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. No additional compensation was received. **