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The Way Back to Us

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The day my husband died, a piece of me died with him.
It was ripped away by the stone-faced officers sent to my doorstep.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I might get that piece back.
And I was right.

Because, while the man I've loved for nearly twenty years isn't as physically gone as I was led to believe, everything that made him who he was, is.

He's forgotten everything. The life we shared. The years of infertility we battled. Me.

If I want to save the family we worked so hard to build, I have to show him why he loved me. Why he chose me to be his wife. Why he should choose me again.

What's more... I have to tell him I'm pregnant and that he has to raise a child he doesn't know he wanted with a woman he can't remember loving.

But it's not long before I discover the missing piece I prayed for might not fit. And that I may not be able to fall back in love with the stranger my husband has become.

The Way Back to Us is a standalone Calloway Creek novel. It's a small town/second chance/surprise pregnancy/amnesia romance.



There may be topics in this novel that would be upsetting or painful for some. For a full list of TWs see the author's website.

396 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 29, 2025

891 people are currently reading
511 people want to read

About the author

Samantha Christy

44 books3,560 followers
Despite the fact that she is a romance writer, Samantha Christy's favorite television show of all time is The Walking Dead.

And contrary to the fact that her heroines drink things like wine and Cosmos, she prefers Bud Light.

She also loves fan mail and answers all of it.

She went to college and all that, getting a degree in something she never uses. She's also got a gaggle of kids (4) and a pretty decent husband.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
Profile Image for Julia Borazo.
374 reviews1 follower
January 2, 2026
My review – The Way Back to Us (With Dance Moms GIFs to help)
1,5

The premise of this book is genuinely interesting. We follow a married couple dealing with the fact that the husband loses his memory in a military accident. On paper, this already promises emotional depth, tension, and complexity.

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However, as the story unfolds, the execution falls short. The female main character is constantly hiding important truths from him, while the male lead swings between being a complete jerk and a decent guy — which could work, but ends up feeling inconsistent rather than layered.

The novel throws several heavy conflicts at the reader: memory loss, infertility, an unexpected pregnancy, emotional distance, and secrets from the past. These are huge issues, and for the first 40–50% of the book, they are treated as massive, almost insurmountable obstacles. But then, suddenly, most of these problems are resolved far too easily (often through brief moments of intimacy), a little bit unrealistic and emotionally unearned for me. 🙃

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Things become even more rushed when the secret pregnancy is revealed. His reaction is extreme, he runs away, and she quickly decides she doesn’t want him anymore because he’s “not the man she used to love.” (REALLY? the dude lost ALL his memories and this is what she decided to do?)

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The author then tries to balance this by saying she has changed too, but this idea is never properly explored.

Later, we discover even more dramatic elements: she finds a letter he wrote just before the accident, expressing his desire for a divorce because they were no longer the same people (PS: in the past, the wife was thinking about going to a sperm bank to seek for a dude that looked like her husband to finally get pregnant, CREEPY, right? the main problem was her immense dream to become a mother, witch btw was solved with the accidental pregnancy. THIS was my final straw). And the letter should have had enormous emotional weight — but instead, everything happens too fast, leaving no room for ACTUAL and genuine development or reflection.

Overall, I think the author has good ideas and strong themes, but the story desperately needed better pacing and deeper character development. The conflicts were complex and meaningful, yet their resolutions felt rushed and shallow. With more time spent developing the characters and allowing the emotions to breathe, this book could have been far more impactful (in my opinion 😌).


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This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jenny.
607 reviews16 followers
January 2, 2026
3.25

This book definitely kept me reading—I will say that. But honestly, I found Trevor to be such a jerk so much of the time.

There will be SPOILERS in this review

What I liked…the pacing was good. It kept me reading and I didn’t get bored (except for some of the letters). With the exception of their first reunion after his amnesia, they had good chemistry and I really liked that they ultimately fell in love all over again as different people. The ending in the book was very sweet.

What I didn’t like… like I said, Trevor acted like a spoiled brat a lot. There were a lot of letters from the past and many of them were overly long and repetitive. (There were only two letters that actually mattered in this story.)

Trevor and Ava were childhood sweethearts who seemed deeply in love. They had been going through years of heartbreak from infertility. Throughout this entire book, the “pre-amnesia Trevor” was put on a pedestal for how devoted he was to Ava. But towards the end, we come to find out through a last letter that Trevor wrote, (before his amnesia) that he was going to ask Ava for a divorce because he couldn’t handle the infertility heartbreak anymore. That REALLY bothered me. I know infertility is devastating, but leaving your wife because of it is even more devastating. Anyway, she forgave him right away—but I couldn’t. (Granted, he wasn’t the same guy anymore, but it really made me question his love for her “before”). He also didn’t know if he was “in love” with her until the very end of the book and he couldn’t say the words even though she did. To top it all off, there an extended epilogue that you can download that is supposed to be extremely emotional—-I found it to be utterly depressing. She should have just left the ending where it was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Debbie DiFiore.
2,768 reviews320 followers
January 6, 2026
I was disappointed at the end

I'm not going to say why but I just felt let down. It was a very good book but I just didn't really like the hero. I don't know who he was before but he never felt right to me. I teared up in the beginning but that is it. once the hero showed up in the story I was disconnected. She was a wonderful heroine and she definitely was strong! The epilogue was okay too but I just didn't like the hero. I can't put my finger on why. Still three solid stars.
Profile Image for Colorado.
843 reviews17 followers
January 4, 2026
Falling in love again after a wartime injury

Trevor is a military doctor and the victim of a traumatic brain injury after an explosion in a combat zone. After first being mistakenly reported as dead, he is reunited with his wife, Ava. However, his trauma has triggered amnesia and wiped away all memories of shared experiences. As far as Trevor is concerned, Ava is a stranger and, while he's finally home, she feels like he's a million miles away. Both have to figure out how to proceed together without knowing if Trevor's loss is permanent or temporary.

Their relationship is overshadowed by issues with infertility. Over the 10 years of their marriage, they had struggled to conceive. Ava becomes pregnant right before Trevor's return and that adds to the change and disorientation that Trevor is experiencing. (No cheating; IVF is involved.) The author shows the pain felt by someone who desperately wants to be a parent.

Ultimately, the story is hopeful - this couple has a LOT of ups and downs. Trevor and Ava begin to view their different relationship as new and exciting and to value the opportunity to experience things for the first time.
Profile Image for Julie Booklover.
2,151 reviews105 followers
December 30, 2025
4.5 stars

A beautiful story that will hit all of your emotions. Tug on your heart and root for Trevor and Ava as we take a raw, intense, angsty, journey of their lives.

Trevor and Ava have been together since high school, counting the days until his military discharge, to begin their lives. These days have not been easy as they have struggled with infertility.

Plans do not go as planned, and Ava thinks she has lost Trevor forever. In a way she has, because the man he is now does not remember her, their lives, and their struggles.

I absolutely loved this story, Ava and Trevor belong together. They can do this all again. I love that they are not perfect, they are real, it is life. We also get to see some of their past via letters written.

Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Profile Image for Soma.
556 reviews70 followers
January 11, 2026
A heartwarming story about love, loss and finding your way back to the love of your life. This book broke my heart in so many ways before putting it back together again.
Profile Image for Kristina Maysonet.
1,780 reviews36 followers
December 30, 2025
SHUT THE FRONT DOOR SAMANTHA! THIS IS MY NEW FAVORITE SAMANTHA BOOK. She really knows how to wreck our hearts and boy did she put us through it with this one.I have no freaking words for this book. You need to just go into this book with a box of tissues!

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑵𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒔: Ava & Trevor Criss
𝑺𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: Calloway Creek

If you have read the Calloway Creek series, then you are familiar with Ava & Trevor. Ava is friends with the girls and has been with Trevor since high school. They have been struggling to get pregnant for years, and it is made worse by Trevor’s frequent deployment. Just as Trevor is set to come home, there is a tragic accident. Now Trevor has no memory of who he is or who Ava is. He is left angry and having a hard time accepting this new normal. Ava is also having a hard time trying to get close to Trevor again, every step forward feels like a few steps back. This whole story is full of twists and turns with even more heartaches.

This is such an emotional journey and Samantha does such a great job with making all the emotions feel so raw and real. Trevor & Ava have to get to know each other all over again, and rediscovering each other may lead to falling back in love. Is it possible to fall in love with the same person all over again? I honestly don’t think I will ever be the same after reading this story.
Profile Image for Stefanie Simeone.
171 reviews22 followers
January 20, 2026
emotional

This story was very emotional. Ava and Trevor had to start over and date again to get to know each other. I could understand how tough it was for both of them. I skipped some of the sexy scenes as I didn’t think they were necessary. They were basically strangers. I was hoping for a different ending but still happy with it. I could have done without the bonus epilogue as it was depressing.
Profile Image for Carol.
3,595 reviews3 followers
December 31, 2025
The Way Back To Us

This story is truly amazing, full of feelings, drama and oh so many emotions. The lives are turned upside down, but Trevor and Ava's were the worst d/t a horrible event. Absolutely a must read! A beautiful, eye opening journey for a person to learn to deal with a new life, feelings, events and relationships, so to speak.
Profile Image for Jaimie.
1,659 reviews25 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
December 17, 2025
When Samantha said she was giving us Ava and Trevor's story, I was so excited... I knew this book would be amazing even before I opened it. This book deserves so much more than the five stars. I read this book with my heart in my throat and I felt it all through this story.

Ava and Trevor are true soulmates and I knew that even with them in the background of the other stories. But getting their story was something I didn't know I needed. To actually get to hear the struggles and experiences they have is something all together. Ava is the pillar of strength, she is the one holding it together for her relationship while Trevor is overseas. I loved the way she loved him unconditionally. Trevor would do anything to make Ava happy and that shows the kind of man he is. When they face their struggles together that makes their relationship stronger. Even when they face the unthinkable, they stick together.
I love these two together and I am so happy their story was brought to the pages.

This story does deal with sensitive subjects, but as always I feel like Samantha writes them with such care that it makes it easy to read. I love the way you get real problems with characters and not every character deals with it in the best way. Samantha has a gift of always giving us the best stories with all the feels. This one is a favorite that she has written.
Profile Image for Jackie Human.
166 reviews1 follower
January 1, 2026
Long anticipated beautiful story

I have been so looking forward to this book. I love all Samantha’s books and this was no different.
Samantha has a unique way of writing her stories. She doesn’t use unnecessary angst, but her books are a rollercoaster of emotions and this story was full of emotions, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and yes I cried big fat tears at times, especially the bonus epilogue which was a masterpiece that pulled the story together from start to finish.
This is Trevor and Ava’s story. I am not going to spoil the storyline, you really really need to read it. I will say this was a difficult thing for Trevor and Ava to deal with and Samantha wrote it with sensitivity and knowledge. The book is the perfect length, told from both persons points of view. I have no idea how Samantha pulls it all together in the end, I couldn’t see how things would work out for the best, but of course they do in the best HEA.
I cried all the way through the bonus chapter, it was powerfully written, hard to read but perfectly tied in with the story, and set some way ahead so as to be perfectly right for the story.
I loved the little insights into characters we have met in previous books, and I am very much looking forward to the next book which features Carter who we met in this book.
Thank you Samantha, even writing this has me tearing up again (in a good way) ❤️
Profile Image for Alicia Isinghood.
202 reviews
January 14, 2026
this story is a rare and beautiful masterpiece that touches the heart that reaches straight into your chest and squeezes. trevor and ava's relationship surpasses that of ordinary soulmates; it is a union that inspires unshakeable devotion, rendering their journey even more heart-wrenching. this book deserves every single star for it’s emotional intensity, its angst, and unflinching narrative.

it's an intensely emotional journey as they strive to discover whether the individuals they've become — separately and together — are still capable of choosing each other. it's complicated, painful, hopeful and so achingly human.

watching them rebuild — memory by memory, moment by moment — while deciding whether to fight together or walk away after spending their entire lives together, i couldn’t imagine myself in this type of situation. i felt every ounce of their grief, their longing, their confusion, and their courage.
Profile Image for Bookish.Midnight. and. black.
1,465 reviews74 followers
January 25, 2026
I love the memory loss trope but only if it makes sense and if it's angsty. this one was not but I like the writing and the epilogue.
Profile Image for Siham.
164 reviews7 followers
January 8, 2026
this is perfect for me as someone who loves marriage in trouble amd amnesia tropes 🤌🤌
so far, this year's books have been good to me
Profile Image for Krystal.
865 reviews3 followers
January 5, 2026
where do I even begin?

It has been a while since I have read an amnesia romance. The Way Back to Us will tug on your heart strings. Ava as a military wife is a lot stringer than she gives herself credit for. This story will capture your attention and you’ll want to finish it in one sitting. Each moment from the Ava getting the news to Trevor not remembering who he is to Ava seeing Trevor again will just want you to read more. There are highs and lows throughout their story. The ending is bittersweet and will leave you with a smile. However, The Way Back To Us could seriously cause a book hangover.
Profile Image for Sonia.
395 reviews1 follower
January 23, 2026
4.5 ****

The Way Back To Us shook my mind in the most wonderful way, I am sure I went through all the emotions a person can have while reading it. It didn't seem like a love story to me. It seemed like two people struggling physically and mentally to bring their lives back running in slow motion. And for some reason, I felt like that.

Ava was the main focus of the story to me. She is at the same time tired and hopeful, angry and soft, and that makes her very real. She is not faking her strength. She is simply doing her best to survive what most people would be broken by. I loved her for that. She deserved a whole army behind her.

Trevor was...more layers to him than I thought. Not in a way that really irritates, but more in a "I want to hug you and at the same time yell at you" kind of way. His life is a mess and it is very clear. I liked that the story did not force him to be the perfect, charming, or instantly desirable kind of guy. He is confused, scared and sometimes even unfair, and that made him feel like a real person. It was sad to see him trying to make sense of a life he cant remember.

Most of all, I loved how they were completely different and how awkward was everything between them. Nothing was done easily. Nothing was smooth. They were at the very beginning and it was obvious. Every moment of their connection was very special. I liked that the book didn't hurry them up or pretend that love has the magic to fix everything. It gave them the freedom to be messy.
Honestly, there were a couple of moments in the story that physically hurt me and I wanted to close the book and take a breath. But thats the main reason I kept reading. It was very real. I felt as if it was a reality that actual people could experience, not just characters in a novel.
They had the courage to stand for what was right at a time when most people would have given up. Through their pain, they kept choosing each other. And thats why the ending felt right. And that epilogue, though deeply emotional, brought tears to my eyes. Great reading!
Profile Image for Sabrina.
1,061 reviews30 followers
January 4, 2026
I expected this book to be sad and at times it was. It was also maddening to read. I was so pissed off at the FMC for at least half the book. The man had something traumatic happen to him and she is over here bombarding him with all this information, letters galore and pictures from their wedding. I understand that she was trying to spark his memory but damn girl he was only home for less than a day. Give the man a moment to breathe. I didn’t blame Trevor for acting the way he was. Ava is so keen on giving him all the info and showing him all the letters but doesn’t mention she took out a huge loan and got pregnant while he was gone. They had frozen embryos and had a good amount of them so while he was gone she did it in hopes to surprise him. When she finally told him, he was surprised alright. Down right pissed the fuck off. I also don’t blame him for that either. I was more annoyed with this book than anything else. I never felt that pull towards the couple and I really didn’t care if they were together in the end or not. All Ava ever wanted was to have a baby and she drove Trevor crazy about it. So much so that when she got Trevor’s stuff back from the military, she found a letter he had written her right before the accident saying he wanted to end things. Saying that she deserved better and blah blah blah. It’s probably great that Trevor 2.0 didn’t remember any of that. The ending jumps 20+ years in the future and THAT was super cute. Their daughter Jordan sitting in Trevor and Ava’s old booth flirting. When Trevor came into the café and saw them and asks what his daughter was doing talking to Finn, I laughed so hard. Finn is working under Trevor at the hospital. So cute! As far as this book goes, I guess I was expecting more. More emotions, more angst. I think I would have loved it if they realized at the end that he was never Trevor to begin with. I am sure readers would have a field day with that hahaha
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Amy.
1,503 reviews35 followers
December 21, 2025
“I’m nothing. No one. There is no Ava without Trevor. No me without him.”

The Way Back To Us is one of those rare, devastatingly beautiful stories that reaches straight into your chest and squeezes. Trevor and Ava aren’t just soulmates—they’re the kind of couple you root for with your whole heart, which makes their journey all the more gutting. This book deserves every single star for its emotional intensity, its angst, and the way it refuses to let you look away.

Trevor and Ava have been in love since childhood, counting down the days until his military discharge so they could finally build the life they’d been dreaming of. Years of infertility struggles have already tested them in ways no couple should have to endure, but their love has always been the one constant. Until the day Trevor comes home and doesn’t remember any of it—not their marriage, not their history, not the life they fought so hard to create.

“You may be the one with amnesia, but you’re definitely not the only one who has lost something.”

What follows is a heartbreakingly raw journey as they try to figure out whether the people they’ve become—separately and together—are still capable of choosing each other. It’s messy, painful, hopeful, and so achingly human.

My heart lived in my throat for most of this book. I felt every ounce of their grief, their longing, their confusion, and their courage. Trevor and Ava are incredibly strong characters, and watching them rebuild—memory by memory, moment by moment—while deciding whether to fight together or walk away was both poignant and devastating.

The Way Back To Us is an absolute gem, the kind of story that makes you FEEL everything and reminds you why true love stories matter.

Profile Image for Jo Cooper.
265 reviews4 followers
January 19, 2026
THE WAY BACK TO US by SAMANTHA CHRISTY ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Way Back To Us is a standalone novel in the CALLOWAY CREEK universe

When Ava Criss is told that her military husband was killed in the final days of his service her world implodes. Their hopes and dreams for the future gone in a heartbeat.

Imagine her joy when she’s informed that there was a mixup and he’s still alive, however the Trevor that returns home isn’t the Trevor she’s adored for over 20 years.

Following a traumatic brain injury, Doctor Trevor Criss has no history of his past, he doesn’t know who he is, where he lives, anything. And he certainly doesn’t recognise the beautiful woman in front of him who says they’ve been desperately in love for over two decades.

As the pair try to rekindle a relationship he has no memory of, they realise that the path ahead is likely long and painful and that’s not counting for the huge secret Ava is keeping from him….

—————————

Samantha Christy can do no wrong. This standalone story that links to the Calloway Creek series is delightful, though heartbreaking.

Trevor’s amnesia is traumatic for all and Samantha has written this so well that you can’t help but imagine if it were YOU with amnesia and how it would affect YOUR life.

There are a couple of interesting twists and turns throughout the story. There are open door spicy scenes but not too many and appropriate to the story

If you enjoy heartbreaking, emotional, small town Romance then dive in!

I enjoyed a paperback edition of this delicious book, with around 390 pages and excellent editing I highly recommend this book.


☕️ Small Town Romance
☕️ Second Chance
☕️ Close Proximity
☕️ Amnesia
☕️ Spicy
☕️ Surprise Pregnancy
230 reviews1 follower
January 19, 2026
Ok, I may have a new favorite❣😭🤧🥰

This was one of the best, well written amnesia, second chance romances!!! Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen I was proved wrong. This book was not predictable at all. But it captures your attention right way. If you the "Calloway Creek family," you will absolutely love this book! I know I'm just one person, but I only ever give my most honest opinions. I never do spoilers even though I read other reviews that have them.🤭 Because I think its important to write about how the book made you feel, right after closing that last page. You get this emotional high like you just experienced all the same feelings and lived the lives of the characters, for just a little while.

So, here is my honest opinion, I feel like this book was better than I hoped it would be. It was so real and raw. It was absolutely heartbreaking what this amazing couple went through. The ending wasn't rushed, I even took my time reading it, normally I scarf it down like a starving woman, lol. But I took my time with it because it was heavy, what was happening to the main characters was truly devastating. But with every twist and turn it got better and better. I always feel sad when reading a really good love story, but not today. I feel like I know how their life went, all the good years and even the bonus epiloge. It allowed me to feel a sense of completeness with Ava and Trevor's story, kinda like an old letter. I am so very glad this book got made, however it happened. Because this is the kind of book where you will carry this story with you through your own life, and I am so glad it was this one!🥰💌👨‍👩‍👧❣
Profile Image for Laurenreadingrecs .
619 reviews42 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
December 21, 2025
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tropes:
🩷high school sweethearts
🩺military doctor
🩷second chance at love
🩺secret pregnancy
🩷it’s always been you
🩺TBI/ Amnesia
🩷emotional

What an Epic story. When Samantha announced we were getting a story about Ava and Trevor I was pumped. I knew it would be an epic, amazing and emotional journey. And SAMANTHA DID NOT DISAPPOINT.

Ava and Trevor Criss were high school sweethearts, and true soulmates to each other since they were 13. We have seen bits and pieces of these two in previous books from Sam but these two were just everything. Ava is still in their hometown running their coffee business, Trevor is a doctor in the army.

Just before Trevor is returning home and ending his military career a terrible, life altering accident occurred. This is where the story really starts to unfold, Trevor has Amnesia due to the accident, he retained his medical and anything related to that but people, places, things are all foreign to him, even his wife and military history. Ava has her own secret that she’s not ready to reveal and can they find their way back to each other like they once had?

This is definitely an emotional journey between both characters as they both have to change, adapt and grow. A lot of Samantha’s stories can deal with sensitive issues so just be cautious going in. However like always she handles the topics in a beautiful way.

This one is right up there with Be my Reason as one of my top Samantha books. I’m secretly hoping down the line for Jordan n Finn Story but definitely recommend reading this emotional journey.

133 reviews2 followers
January 8, 2026
Love you once, love you twice, love you forever.

Oh boy, Trevor and Ava's story is emotional. Be sure to have tissues ready. Trevor is due to come home from serving in the military for many years, they plan to continue their quest of becoming parents. Ava has waited eagerly for this day, she can't help but get excited that Trevor is coming home to stay.
But things turn bad just days before he's due to fly back. Something no one saw coming least of all Ava!!
Ava has a shocking visit from to military officers, they have come to inform her that Trevor has died in combat. Her world is turned upside down. On the day of his funeral, Aha collapses at his grave side and her friends make her go to the hospital to get checked out. After having lots of tests, the doctor informs her she's pregnant!! She's happy and sad all at once because after IVF failing for them, money running out and not much hope of it happening again, here she is 6 weeks pregnant. With no husband to share the news with.
There are twists and turns to their story and it's far from straight forward. This story was nothing like I expected it to be, the shocks are shocking, the twists and turns are a massive rollercoaster but I loved it.
No spoilers from me, you'll have to trust me when I say this book has so many feels, you won't be able to put it down, it beautifully written and I strongly recommend it.
Enjoy!
Profile Image for Maureen.
1,343 reviews50 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
December 28, 2025
The Way Back To Us was right from the start a book that grabbed my attention. We read the story of Ava and her husband Trevor. For years Ava was dreaming of the day her husband would come home from his last mission so they could finally start their lives together. When the day is finally there, things end up going completely wrong. Ava thought she lost Trevor forever, and in some ways she does, but in other ways she gets even more than she ever thought possible.

This story was one I didn’t want to put down. Ava and Trevor’s story was so touching. I laughed, I cried and I couldn’t stop reading. I loved the setting in the small town of Calloway Creek. And although this book is a standalone, and can easily be read without reading the Calloway Creek series, I loved seeing some of the other characters again.

Not only was the chemistry between Ava and Trevor amazing, I also loved how this book wasn’t about this perfect couple. This story felt real because it had flaws and I loved that. I also loved how we get to read a bit about Ava and Trevor’s past, through letters they wrote each other throughout the years. How romantic is that?

The Way Back To Us is definitely one I’d recommend. If you’re into Contemporary Romance and love to feel lots of emotions while reading.. Then this book is perfect for you.
Profile Image for Nour &#x1f1f5;&#x1f1f8;&#x1f349;.
300 reviews36 followers
January 14, 2026
What an emotional book 🥹

I LOVED every second of it

Trevor is supposed to come back from the military after 24 days when he gets into an accident.
They inform his wife and parents that he died.

They do a funeral and are devastated.
Ava faints during the funeral and they rush her to the hospital. They do a blood test and she finds out she is pregnant. Ava now has a purpose to live for after Trevor’s “death”. Ava transferred the last embryos they had and took a loan without informing Trev (they had fertility issues)

Lo and behold, Trev is alive (mistaken identity due to switched uniforms) BUT he has amnesia.

Trev feels overwhelmed that everyone expects him to act like the old, perfect Trev and he runs away a lot. He decides to take things easy and step by step with Ava. She feels like telling him she is pregnant isn’t a baby step so she withholds the information.

When Trev figured out that Ava was pregnant 😢😢 that was very painful.

Also the twist of the letter that the old Trev wrote to Ava before returning?? I did NOT expect him to say that

Spoilers
Spoilers
Spoilers
Spoilers


He wanted to breakup cuz all Ava was thinking about was getting pregnant and they couldn’t. It put a damper on their relationship.



Also, Im super excited for Carter’s book and his son Christian.
Im also intrigued to go back and read Tag and Ava’s friend Maddie’s story.
754 reviews6 followers
January 5, 2026
Samantha Chrisy writes the books most authors avoid and she does them perfectly. She doesn’t hide the pain that the characters feel or any of the emotional intense situations that she writes because she knows they are real and people feel this every single day, not in a book but in real life. She gives us all hope in her words.

Trevor and Ava’s lives have been so consumed with military deployments and conception struggles. High school sweethearts, marriage, family and military, this is how it should have gone but they didn’t get so lucky. Struggling with conception and this wasn’t made easy with Trevor being deployed with the military, they were finally going to get this part down when Trevor came home since he was set to come home, until an explosion changed everything.

The Trevor that came home has no idea who he is or his life he had. The explosion caused a TBI and now he has amnesia. He remembers nothing about Ava or their plans for starting a family.
Ava is determined to make him fall in love with her again, but Trevor is struggling with the changes and fights her to entire way.

This story will give you so many different emotions so be sure to grab a blanket, pillow, and have Kleenexes close by!
Profile Image for Amy [Book Addict Reviews].
2,674 reviews181 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
December 25, 2025
I knew going into this book it would be an emotional one. From the previous books that have taken place in Calloway Creek there have been glimpses of Ava and Trevor’s relationship, life, and struggle to have a family. From the first chapter I was crying and that continued throughout this book and even the bonus epilogue (that really wrecked me).

My heart was shattered for Ava. The rollercoaster she went through was a crazy ride and something that completely changed her life. Her strength through it all was something I loved the most. I felt for Trevor, too. I can’t even imagine being in his shoes and experiencing what he did.

I loved getting the letters, the diary entries, but also the present and seeing these two navigate through their new life and finding themselves and each other again. The struggles and the emotions they both go through felt so real and raw at times. Their journey isn’t easy and it is emotional, but it is also extremely beautiful.

If you’re looking for a small town, second chance at love, small town, amnesia, secret pregnancy romance check this one out, but definitely have the tissues ready.
2,413 reviews59 followers
January 1, 2026
Having gotten to know Ava as a friend of the rest of the gang throughout the Calloway Creek books, I have been waiting and waiting for her book. Ava and Trevor's story was heartbreaking, and Samantha Christy gave one hell of a second-chance romance for this married couple.

Ava and Trevor are childhood sweethearts, and they are less than three weeks from him finishing up his military service when he dies in an IED explosion. Ava thought it was a blessing when she learned that, through a horrible case of mistaken identity, Trevor was actually alive — but the reality is that he has amnesia and no memory of her or their life together.

This story is not a lighthearted, feel-good romance. It is heavy and difficult to read at times because of the emotional toll their situation takes on both characters. As always, SC does a great job of handling the delicate subject material, and these two go on quite the journey as they try to figure out their new normal.

The Way Back To Us is angsty, raw, and emotional, and a beautiful story! I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
Profile Image for Sam Dawson .
109 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
December 18, 2025
Review


The Way Back To Us by Samantha Christy

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Wow. When it was announced we were going to get Ava's and Trevor's story I was so excited, I knew it was going to be an emotional and it certainly didn't disappoint.

We have seen snippets of these two and their struggles with Trevor being a medic in the army and Ava in Calloway Creek and their quest to have a baby. Just before Trevor is due to return home permanently and start his dream job a terrible accident occurs, this follows their story from that point.

Samantha always tackles sensitive issues so beautifully and she does this again with The Way Back To Us. From the very first page I was an emotional mess, but in a good way I have been holding out for this book. Trevor and Ava are soul mates and although through their struggles love each other unconditionally. Their love stands the test of time.

This is one of my favourite books of Samantha and I would recommend it to everyone.

Thank you again for allowing me the chance to be emerged in your world.
Profile Image for Anita Hickman.
630 reviews15 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
December 16, 2025
FIVE STARS AND BEYOND.

Today's the day I am going to be a person of few words.
Just know this. This story was beautiful, emotional and things I wish I had.
I am not going into a lot of detail because I want YOU the reader to experience it for the very first time.

Wow!! if that didn't sound like it came straight out the book.

The characters Ava and Trevor are holding a special place in my heart. The love they shared. The heartbreak they went through. I wish I had that.

Your probably saying "What" why would she want that.

I am going to tell you because the author, Samantha Christy made us believe in these characters. Made them so life like and so utterly real. I was drawn to them.
When you read this book. You feel it too.

Don't miss out. This is the one best books that I have ever by her. I know there will be more.
This ONE.will never leave my heart and my mind.

Thanks Again Samantha Christy for yet another amazing amazing book...
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