Please join me in welcoming Sara Palacios to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, Play It Back.

Ten years. Two hearts. One love story that never forgot how it began.

Ten years ago, Erin Campbell left Texas without saying goodbye to the only boy she’d ever loved.

Ten years later, he’s the biggest name in country music… and every song he’s ever written is about her.

After losing her mother at eighteen, staying meant facing a life she no longer recognized. So Erin left – her hometown, her grieving father, and Jake Ingram, her best friend, first love, and the future she’d always imagined.

A decade later, Erin has built a successful career as one of New York City’s most sought-after photographers, creating the life she always thought she wanted. But no amount of distance – or success – has been enough to silence the memories she left behind.

When her father needs surgery, Erin returns to Texas expecting to stay only long enough to help him recover.

Instead, she comes face to face with Jake.

The boy she left behind is now one of country music’s brightest stars, known for writing songs that have captivated millions. Fans have spent years wondering who inspired the heartbreak woven through every album.

Only Erin knows the answer.

As old memories resurface and long-buried truths finally come to light, Erin and Jake must decide whether the love they never stopped carrying is strong enough to overcome the heartache they never healed from – or whether ten years is simply too much time to ask two hearts to begin again.

Play It Back is a heartfelt second-chance romance about first love, grief, forgiveness, and finding your way home.

Because some love stories don’t end, they simply wait for you to come home.

Sara has shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy. 

*****beginning of extract*****

I’m kicking things off with an extract from the prologue of Play It Back. Interestingly, the prologue was quite literally the last part of the novel I wrote.

By that point, the manuscript had already gone through a pretty rigorous review process with a couple of beta readers, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. I wanted the opening to immediately put Jake, my MMC, on the page and give readers a glimpse of who he is, while also planting a few hints about what they could expect from the story ahead.

And this prologue did exactly that.

My favorite part? Honestly, all of it. But if I had to choose, it would be Jake Ingram fresh off his third tour, talking about some of his new music when he accidentally reveals a little more than he intended during an interview with journalist Timmy Collins. Suddenly, there’s a question about a heartbreak ballad everyone seems to love… and perhaps a certain someone who inspired it.

I hope you enjoy this little glimpse into Jake’s world.

COLLINS: How does it feel to wrap your third tour?

He leans back, considering.

INGRAM: It feels good. Real good. This album was different; took a few risks. I didn’t know how people would take it, but it connected. That’s all you can really ask for.

COLLINS: Any songs that stood out for you along the way?

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