Returning Your Love by Lynn Burke (Pippen Creek book 1)

Lynn Burke's latest novel ups the angst, the pining and the heat in Returning Your Love.

From the blurb:

A Best Friends to Lovers Romance by USA Today Bestselling Author Lynn Burke

Career-ending injury.

The most dream-crushing words I’ve ever heard. Goodbye NFL’s Rookie of the Year title I fought for since I was a kid, hello return to my small-town origins and wallow in unrequited love. Seeing my best friend Chaz married and trying for a baby will hurt worse than any torn ACL.

But things have changed since I escaped Pippen Creek—Chaz flounders beneath financial burdens and emotional turmoil instead of living his happily ever after.

Friendship takes precedence over longing, and I gladly take on the roles of comforter and supporter since those who have the right to love him out loud only see his failures. However, the more time I spend with Chaz, the harder it is to hide my feelings.

In a moment of mutual weakness, unexpected passion ignites.

Secret betrayal is a poisonous infection, but a twist of fate uncovers even more truths that further wound us both.

Will forgiveness allow us to survive traumatic grief and overcome guilt? Or will too much honesty end the other dream of always that has owned my heart since childhood?

Returning Your Love is a dreams crushed and wishes come true HEA between a nudist enthusiast and a secret bisexual. There are forehead kisses, pinkie holding, and deep discussions beneath the stars. These pining best friends will put you through the wringer and hang you out to dry, so pack tissues for this angsty ride!

Pippen Creek is an Elite Escorts MM spin-off. Jamie appeared in Five Days, book 5.

This story deals with content that may be triggering. A detailed warning can be found on the author's website.

Heather's Review:

Our introduction to Pippen Creek is a slow burn, best friends to lovers story that piles on the pining, the angst and the guilt... there is trauma (and if you are triggered by anything you'll want to read the trigger warning: https://www.authorlynnburke.com/returning-your-love.html.

I was sucked into the slow burn drama and I read this book cover to cover in one sitting... so much going on in their lives, new and old traumas, toxic family, the guilt and more,,, this book also lays out the scenarios for books 2 and 3... which intersperses with Chaz and Jamie's story.

This book is a lot, but the hard won HEA is so worth the pain.  I can't wait for the rest of the Pippen Creek series!

Returning Your Love is currently available as an e-book and paperback and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited Subscription