Turn Back Time

The Full Circle Series Book 1

Romance - Contemporary
430 Pages
Reviewed on 10/19/2020
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

Author Biography

Annette G. Anders grew up in Germany with a love for books, music, and traveling. She always liked the idyllic world created by Astrid Lindgren and the heroines of Jane Austen, loves listening to ABBA, but also enjoys classical music. When she can’t travel, Annette explores the world through the eyes of her favorite writers.

Annette has worked for many years as an Executive Assistant in international research and business consulting institutions in Germany and Switzerland. In 1998, she and her husband moved to the United States, where they raised their son. Annette's debut novel, Turn Back Time, released in 2020, and she hasn't stopped writing since then.

Her favorite pastimes are reading, photography, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Annette looks forward to hearing from readers. Follow her on social media and stay in touch.

    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Turn Back Time is a work of fiction in the interpersonal drama, slice of life, and contemporary romance sub-genres, and was penned by author Annette G. Anders. Written as the opening novel in The Full Circle book series, this charming and heartfelt work explores the nature of life’s rare second chances and how we often struggle to believe in ourselves, no matter what stage of life we have reached. Protagonists Stella and David have loved and lost, and Stella has vowed to shake David off after he shattered her heart. Little does she know that David is still haunted by their break up, and a chance trip to France might be just the ticket to reunite them and put their ghosts to bed at last.

Author Annette G. Anders has crafted a truly charming romance and work of drama for mature reading audiences, one which commits itself to true realism in its depth of feeling, as well as the highs and lows that life delivers to us. One of the things which impressed me the most in this novel was the presentation of character, which takes center stage as we get to know the past and present of our central couple, as well as begin to hope for their future. The dialogue is witty and flows well to move the story forward, but it also has some truly raw moments of realism that will pluck at the heart-strings. Overall, I would highly recommend Turn Back Time as a must-read for fans of contemporary drama with much realism and accomplished prose.

Romuald Dzemo

Turn Back Time is a richly written contemporary romance that opens The Full Circle Series by Annette G. Anders. When David meets Stella, he knows she is the woman for him. The mutual attraction leads to love. But after two years, David shatters her heart with a letter from Budapest telling her: “I have to let you go.” After a year, she accepts an invitation from her friend, Naomi, to visit France. All she wants is to forget the memories and turn a new page in her life. Then in France, and in the most unlikely of circumstances, she meets David. This time, he looks remorseful; he wants her back. But can she take a second chance with the man who once shoved her off the cliff?

This is a story that any couple who has experienced a breakup and a comeback will adore. Annette G. Anders does a wonderful job in writing the characters and they feel real from the moment readers encounter them for the first time. The writing is filled with details that add color to the lives of the characters and depth to their personalities. The international setting is beautifully written and I enjoyed how the culture and atmosphere in the French cities are captured in the writing. The stream of consciousness is a skill the author uses to explore the psychological world of the characters and to build the internal conflict. Turn Back Time is delightful, balanced, and emotionally engaging; it is one of the most beautiful stories I have read on second chances.

Christian Sia

Turn Back Time by Annette G. Anders is the first book in The Full Circle Series, an engrossing story that features unforgettable characters and a wonderful adventure of two hearts. What first caught David’s attention when he met Stella was her off-key singing that insulted his ears, and the book, “Miracle at Philadelphia” that she was reading. An offer to buy her lunch to make up for startling her starts a romance that didn’t make the happily-ever-after phase. David broke her heart, and now she is moving on. While David is at the height of success in his career, he remains a lonely man in spite of the fame he has had. Then a year later, he meets Stella again, and this time he is determined to not let her go. But can he win her trust this time around?

A wonderful story about second chances and two people trying to mend a relationship that was once broken. While it is about taking second chances, Turn Back Time is filled with emotional energy and I loved the way Annette G. Anders explores the hearts of the characters. They are real and written into situations that readers encounter every day, so it is easy to root for the characters. I particularly enjoyed the lessons that David learns while experiencing loneliness; it is like he discovers the value of the woman he has loved only after losing her. Stella has a large heart and her journey towards compassion is beautifully written. Turn Back Time has strong lessons and the potential to keep readers awake.

Ruffina Oserio

Turn Back Time by Annette G. Anders is the first book in The Full Circle Series, an engaging story with a great plot and compelling characters. David and Stella first meet under very interesting circumstances. While he walks, enjoying his iced tea, he hears a woman singing but he gets irritated when she sings a wrong note. Getting close to her startles her and he offers to buy her lunch. He soon becomes the love of her life but eventually breaks her heart and her trust. Stella wants to move on and forget everything that has happened; she wants a new life, so she accepts her friend’s invitation for a trip to France. And then again she meets David, a year after their breakup. This time around, David wants to make things right. Can they give each other — or their love — a second chance?

Turn Back Time is a beautiful story that is believable; it is inspiring and I fell in love with the characters. The descriptions are wonderful and readers can easily imagine the setting, how the characters look, and what they feel. For instance, in the opening pages, I caught a glimpse, in my mind’s eye, of the slender brunette in a red sundress sitting on one of the benches under a canopy of lush green trees, her upper body swaying rhythmically as she sings. The writing is at times insightful. The novel teaches a powerful story about love, forgiveness, and second chances. Annette G. Anders has the gift of bringing to life characters that are emotionally rich and writing scenes that are intense. A gorgeous story with a lot to delight readers. I can’t wait for the next book in this enthralling adventure in love.

Gobi Jane

Turn Back Time is the first book in The Full Circle Series by Annette G. Anders, a beautiful story of love that explores the journey of two characters that fall in love, experience a breakup, and meet again when they least expect it. Will they give each other a chance to relive the magic they once experienced? It has been three years since Stella met David and a year since they broke up, and all she needs is to move on with her life. That is why she accepts an invitation from a friend to spend a week in France, but there she meets the one person she never expected to meet when she is focused on rebuilding her life: David. Can Stella forgive the man she loved ardently and who broke her trust? Will David be able to win the trust he once dashed away?

I was hooked from the moment I met the characters. They meet in an interesting way and I loved the way Annette G. Anders writes about the thoughts of David when he hears Stella singing. The initial reaction of Stella when David strikes up a conversation with her is very natural and their relationship builds in a way that feels natural too. Turn Back Time has a lot for readers — especially entertainment and inspiration. Most people have fallen in and out of love, and sometimes things don’t work because they refuse to accept second chances. In this novel, the author explores very strong and important questions. And in the heart of the story is the message that we can choose to walk past our hurts and embrace the beauty of love. It is told in an engrossing voice and in beautiful prose. The writing is confident —the kind of confidence David displays when he first meets Stella. Character development is stellar and the characters are genuinely flawed. Turn Back Time is a story that proves that we can always turn the page to where we left off, especially when we want to love and grow. I was immersed in this story and I bet that many readers will have the same experience.