The Way Back To You

The Way Back To You

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

Summary

Fall in love with the hilarious and heart-warming new novel of long lost loves and second chances, from the author of The Flip Side

'Chances are you will fall in love with this rom-com packed with wit, long lost love and second chances' COSMOPOLITAN'S BEST NEW BOOKS IN JUNE

'A charming story filled with wit and romance. I loved it' OLIVIA BEIRNE

'I literally couldn't put it down, beautifully written. A tale of pen pals, pretty French towns and sweet friendships - I loved it! LORRAINE BROWN

'A delightful read, full of warmth and humour' CAROLINE KHOURY
______

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

When Simon reconnects with his first love Sylvie - the French pen pal he never met - he is determined to not let her go again.

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

Deciding to seize this second chance, 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 . . .
______

'A joyful gem of a book that will have you cheering on its protagonist' CULTUREFLY

Praise for THE FLIP SIDE!

'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' 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

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.
Learn More

More from this Author

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more