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The Way Back To You

The Way Back To You

The funny and heart-warming story of long lost love and second chances

Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

The new novel from the author of The Flip Side!


Three friends. Two summers. One chance to find the way back to you . . .

When Simon Brown reconnects on Facebook with his first love Sylvie - the French pen pal he never actually met - he is determined that this time things will be different.

However, life isn't so straight-forward at sixty as it was at sixteen. His daughter's getting married, he's got difficult guests staying at his B&B, and his larger-than-life school friend, Ian, has abruptly waltzed back into his life.

Adamant that he can't let this second chance pass by, Simon sets off on a bike ride from Bristol to Bordeaux with Ian in tow, on the very same route they covered as teenagers in pursuit of love.

But although they now have better bikes, more acceptable haircuts, and Google Maps, some things never change, and it soon becomes clear that this trip will have even more bumps in the road than the first.

Is it ever too late to make up for past mistakes?

How far can one friendship be pushed?

And will Simon finally meet Sylvie?


Praise for THE FLIP SIDE!

'Takes the usual rom com formula and turns it on its head . . . refreshing, funny and heartwarming, we could not get enough of this' HEAT
'Utterly adorable and romantic. I feel uplifted!' GIOVANNA FLETCHER
'Utterly charming, funny and very relatable!' JOSIE SILVER
'A wonderful, feel-good gem of a book' THE SUN
'A funny, sparky read that feels fresh and modern . . . this book is fab' SOPHIE COUSENS
'Really sweet, warm hearted story with some very funny moments . . . Thoroughly enjoyed it and it was a lovely way to start the new year' CARRIE HOPE FLETCHER
'The ultimate rom-com' INDEPENDENT

© James Bailey 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022

Reviews

  • The Way Back To You had the ability to make me feel all warm and fuzzy but at the same time I literally couldn't put it down. I enjoyed the sense of intrigue around missed connections and impending weddings and the characters were complex and beautifully written. Please could we have a sequel so that I can find out where they all are in five years' time?! A tale of pen pals, pretty French towns and sweet friendships - I loved it!
    Lorraine Brown

About the author

James Bailey

James Bailey was born in Bristol, and currently lives and works in his home city. A graduate of King's College London, James has previously carried the Olympic Torch, made a speech at the House of Commons, and worked as a red-carpet reporter. The Way Back To You is his second novel. His debut, The Flip Side, has been published in eleven languages and optioned for TV. Find out more about James on www.JamesBaileyWrites.com, or on Instagram @JamesBaileyWrites.
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