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This is the last of the three prequels for The Returned (see also The First and The Sparrow), which follows one of the returned after coming back from the dead.

Only in this short story, that doesn't really happy. The girl who disappeared 20 years ago and was probably murdered is not the main character by far. Instead we follow her boyfriend who's gotten on with his life, is married and has a child. When the girl returns he starts wondering what to do, stay with his wife of return to her?

Which I think is a very weird choice to make. They were teenage lovers after all, twenty years have passed, not to mention the fact that he has a complete family now. However, this is basically all that happens, and I think this one (of the three) is the least a good representative of The Returned. ( )

*Cross-posted on BookLikes and Wordpress.

A great idea poorly executed.

On paper, the effect of this Returnee's reappearance had the potential to be heart-wrenching as a 37-year-old man attempts to solve a life-changing dilemma: to continue with his present life with a wife and child, or leave them for his 17-year-old first love who disappeared, and was presumed dead, 20 years ago.

I really wanted to like it but the writing is rushed and choppy. The inclusion of his wife's affair was incongruous, over the top and seemed like it was added at the last minute to lessen any guilt Peter might feel if he decided to leave Samantha for Tracy.

The Choice ended logically, the way I thought it would, albeit in a rough and rushed manner. However, unlike in the other prequels, we experience nothing from the Returnee's perspective except the effect she has on her mother via her anxious phone calls to Peter.

From the quality of writing in [b:The Sparrow|18004691|The Sparrow (The Returned, #0.6)|Jason Mott|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1371197068s/18004691.jpg|25269016], I know [a:Jason Mott|6219675|Jason Mott|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1363694026p2/6219675.jpg] can do better. I just hope [b:The Returned|17182421|The Returned|Jason Mott|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1372089735s/17182421.jpg|21762912] embodies the skill I know he possesses. ( )

What happens when your marriage is on shaky ground and your first love returns from the dead? Mott explores those questions. The results are interesting and compelling. A short story prequel to the novel The Returned. ( )