The Way Back

By: Hannah Rae

Narrated by: Chris Kerrigan

Philadelphia, PA

“When you know, you know” is how Piper had rationalized her rushed engagement when she broke the news over the phone. Now, only a few months later, Jane is packing her bags and heading west to partake in festivities leading up to her cousin’s wedding.

Radio Park, OR

It’s not that Ansel doesn’t approve of his daughter’s fiance; it’s just that Piper and Max have been dating for less than a year. The decision to marry seems rushed. These worries would typically prove a distraction to Ansel, but he’s been a bit preoccupied by the compass tattooed on his right wrist. The needle, impossibly, continues to spin.

Moonglow, NC

Jonny has the ring and the girl, but no matter how hard he tries, he can’t seem to form the words “Will you marry me?” The reason for this, he realizes, is because he’s unable to forget the woman he met all those years ago while passing through Denver. The problem? With the exception of knowing her hometown (Radio Park) and her first name (Piper), he has very little to go on. Nevertheless, these trivial details are enough to persuade Jonny to purchase a plane ticket and head west.

Will Jonny and Piper’s paths intersect… and if so, what direction will they take?

©2022 Hannah Rae Meeson (P)2024 Hannah Rae Meeson

Such a fun read!

The thing that sets this book apart from others is the music. Never have I listened to an audiobook with an actual song incorporated into the background. It was so cool! I mean, I've now listened to the song multiple times and actually have it memorized; I catch myself whistling its tune at random times throughout the day and I desperately want to see Flannel Lobster in concert... Alas, they are fictional.

Since I'm familiar with Hannah Rae's other books, I know there are other Flannel Lobster songs (and novels about the band!) out there. That being said, I WANT THE MUSIC! If Rae keeps writing the lyrics and Chris Kerrigan gives them a melody..? OMG. Can someone please release a Flannel Lobster Greatest Hits album at some point?! PLEASE?!?!

Bottom line: This book was super fun. It's short, it's happy, and it's sing-alongable. Well worth the credit.

Hannah Rae! 20 Stars YES!

When it’s right, you know! But what if you’re just trying to convince YOURSELF that it’s right, because he or she, wants it to BE, even if THEY have to change YOU, to make it so… Somehow, you have to find … “The Way Back”. This is Piper and Jonny. Both in relationships with people not completely on board with the nuts and bolts of “them”. Accommodations and compromises have caused each to lose bits and pieces of themselves. They each recall a time when they shared a special … interlude … and wonder what might have been … if only … and that is ALL I’m giving away! Trust this fabulous author! You will not be disappointed! The story is mesmerizing as it smoothly plays out, perfectly clear, perfectly balanced, and beautifully lyrical! The way the two “sub plots” masterfully interweave and form a sort of magical dance as the story progresses is astoundingly engaging, entertaining and engrossing! I won’t give up how it resolves, that wouldn’t be right, but I will tell you that it was a magical ride and I enjoyed every single curve along the way! The characters are wonderfully human! I had a few I loved and a few I wanted to hang out with! A certain group of musicians comes to mind … but I digress. I loved listening to the goings on with Piper’s family! Their dynamic was interesting, entertaining, and beautifully REAL, as was the very different dynamic of Max’s family. All of the characters are realistically HUMANIZED by believable strengths, flaws, and personalities that show clearly through beautifully written, emotional, heartfelt, and true to life dialogue. The challenges they face are those that face us all, and I could identify easily. The scene setting was fantastic and provided any additional information necessary without getting in the way of the story. The icing on a truly magnificent cake was the narration! Beautifully clear, emotionally perfect, voicing choices consistent throughout AND musically brilliant! This performance, writing and narration was an outstanding and astounding five stars across the board. I laughed, cried and LOVED! It was right and I knew it!

Couldn’t stop listening!

I listened to this on my flight to Florida, and even though I should have been socializing with friends and family around the pool, I intentionally isolated myself for a couple hours just so I could hear the ending of this one. I loved it! The characterization was excellent, the setting was well-described, and the plots came together so beautifully. I highly recommend this one. Plus, it has MUSIC!!!

Incredibly beautiful, immersive and original story

In “The Way Back” by Hannah Rae, I quickly found myself immersed in a story that felt both original and captivating. The concept of a chance encounter between two people creating such a significant impact was genuinely intriguing. This novella moves at a brisk pace, offering a quick read without sacrificing its depth.

One aspect I truly appreciated was the author’s skillful weaving of several side stories, each serving as a puzzle piece that contributed to the overall narrative. These side stories not only enriched the main plot but also gave us a deeper insight into the characters and their backgrounds in an organic manner.

I was also particularly charmed by how music played a significant yet elegant role in the narrative—it added a lovely touch that enhanced the immersive experience tenfold. The characters themselves were incredibly relatable, making it even more enjoyable to follow their respective journeys.

That said, there were a few little things that didn’t quite sit right with me. I found Johnny’s treatment of his girlfriend, Alex, particularly troubling. It felt like a real disservice to their relationship for him not to be honest, especially since he came across as such a decent and wholesome person otherwise. This dishonesty just didn’t seem to fit with his character and left me feeling unsettled.

Additionally, while the story was undeniably beautiful, engaging, and exceptionally original, it lacked that final “wow” factor that could have elevated it to the next level. Despite these minor drawbacks, I’m incredibly glad I read “The Way Back,” and I think others will appreciate its unique charm as well.

I was provided a complimentary free copy of this book from author (Hannah Rae) @heyheyhannahrae in exchange for providing my honest review. All opinions expressed are voluntary and my own.

—
For additional book reviews and book-related content, please consider following me on Instagram and TikTok @readaholicliv

Music!

I listen to lots of audiobooks - almost 100 last year alone - but this one has original music! The song lyrics, written by the author, were set to music and recorded - with a band - by the narrator. This was so unexpected and such fun!

The characters are well-developed and I cared so much about what happened to them. The setting is vivid and the description of the eateries in Radio Park is amazing. How I wish that I could have dinner at The Library...

Here's hoping that there will be more audiobook collaboration between Hannah Rae and Chris Kerrigan in the near future.

Original background music!

Another great Hannah Rae novel about love and finding where you belong! This time narrated by Chris Kerrigan who also helped bring Flannel Lobsters music to life to play throughout the story, which is a very unique and fun touch. Definitely worth the listen as always!

Love, Love, Love This Audiobook!

The Way Back was such a fast and fun listen! Rae’s characters were so enjoyable, friendly, and real! I was captivated by their personalities. The town of Radio Park made me want to plan a visit right away! The restaurants and shops were so fun and unique! As you listen to the story, you will find yourself struggling to find a good place to pause. You will be so caught up in Johnny’s adventure to reconnect with Piper that you can’t stop listening.

The Way Back’s production was also brilliant! I loved the small details that Chris Kerrigan added to his narration. I loved Johnny’s accent and the way the characters’ individual thoughts sounded. Also, the original song within the book was amazing! I found myself dancing along with the characters as I listened! It was such an enjoyable experience!

Melodic effect of Chris’ narration.

Love the way Chris deliver’s each character- he definitely captures their essence. Flannel Lobster performance is a perfect ending !