The Way Back To You
The new novel from the author of The Flip Side!
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?
The Flip Side
To coin a phrase, Josh is suffering a quarter-life crisis. He just broke up with his long-term girlfriend, lost his job, and moved back home with his parents (shudder). Welcome to rock bottom in Bristol. As Josh starts questioning all his life choices, he has a mad thought: Maybe he would just be better flipping a coin. After all, careful planning has landed him homeless, jobless, and single.
What starts as a joke soon becomes serious and Josh decides to start putting his faith in the capriciousness of currency. He doesnโt have anything to lose. But when the chance of a lifetime and the girl of his dreams are on the line, will the coin guide him to a rich love life or leave him flat broke?
Reviews
“A wonderful, feel-good gem of a book.”
“Refreshing, funny and heartwarming, we could not get enough of this.”
“A quality romance novel...a thoroughly charming read.”
“The ultimate rom-com.”
About James
James Bailey lives and works in Bristol. He studied Hispanic Studies at King's College London and his proudest achievements are carrying the Olympic Torch, running the London Marathon and declaring in person his undying love for David Beckham. In 2018, he completed Curtis Brown Creativeโs โSix Month Novel Writing Courseโ. His debut novel The Flip Side was published in 2020, and The Way Back to You in 2022.
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James BaileyRT @MichaelJBooks: With Valentine's Day coming next week, we wanted to get you in the mood for romance with this bundle of love storieโฆ https://t.co/j4E2sqncEh -
James BaileyI'm looking forward to talking about THE WAY BACK TO YOU at the Clifton Literary Festival on Saturday 12th Novemberโฆ https://t.co/3554aDIqeV
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James BaileyRT @OrlaThomas: Enormously looking forward to speaking to @JBaileyWrites about his charming new book The Way Back To You at theโฆ https://t.co/THGbp23DRe
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James BaileyRT @AnthonyHorowitz: @JBaileyWrites The most prescient page I ever wrote.
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James BaileyLooking for a short, heart-warming, publishing story (featuring a famous author) to break up your day? Well you'rโฆ https://t.co/fURTMcqTU3