When her ex-boyfriend refuses to sell her his land unless she dates him for a month, an uncompromising winemaker learns that some bargains are worth making for a second chance at love.

Ward Cantrell’s never missed an opportunity to take the long shot. That recklessness cost him his college scholarship, his chance to play pro ball, and, worst of all, the girl next door. The town–and the girl–never forgave him. But now he’s taking one last long shot—opening a boutique distillery on the family farm he inherited.

Piper Morrissey’s high school boyfriend overshadowed her with his golden-boy glory. When his reputation tarnished, she dumped him. And made herself over so that she could shine. Maintaining her spotless image–and that of her family’s winery–is paramount. So it’s a problem when Ward agrees to sell the acres to start her precious port line..if she agrees to date him for one month.

Ward hopes a month is all it’ll take to convince his former sweetheart that he’s changed. Piper sees that the one thing that hasn’t changed is how much he loves her. But the chance arises to thumb his nose at the town that rejected him when a developer offers to buy his land for triple the price Piper offers. Suddenly, he can’t afford not to reject Piper’s offer. Will that make her reject his love–for good?

Titles in the Shore Secrets series include: Up to Me ~ All for You ~ Back to Us ~

Title:  Back to Us
Series:  Shore Secrets #3
Author:  Christi Barth
Published:  July 25, 2025
Publisher:
My Rating:  4 stars

Back to Us is the third (and final) title in the Shore Secrets series, bringing us Piper’s and Ward’s tumultuous relationship.  I have not yet read the earlier books in this series, and didn’t feel lost as what I needed to know was delivered within the dialogue or the narrative.  Oh, of course, I would have benefited from background knowledge, but it didn’t stop this story from being engaging or enjoyable. 

Piper and Ward are… well, complicated would be an understatement.  Part of a group of friends, high school sweethearts until Ward did something totally stupid and broke their relationship into pieces that Piper has no plan to put back together.  Years later, she’s still holding onto her hurt, and the townsfolk won’t let Ward’s past stay in the past, no matter what he does today.  They each need something from the other, and Ward has a rather ingenious way to ensure they both can get what they need.  Date him again for one month, and he’ll sell her the land she needs for her thwarted plans, and he’ll have the capital he needs as well.  Naturally, he’s hoping to prove himself worthy of her love once again, but he has no chance until he shows her that his love is in it for the long haul.  If she can forgive his younger self’s mistake, they’d have a future worth fighting for.  But, that’s a big “if”.

Back to Us by Christi Barth is well-written, emotional, funny, filled with dramatic moments, and friendships so tight that a whisper couldn’t come between them.  Both Piper and Ward have issues that need to be addressed, and watching them navigate their past, coming to terms with mistakes, and allowing love to blossom once again was an emotional journey.  I had fun with their story, enough so that I’ll go back to the beginning of the series for the other stories I missed.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

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