Home Away From Home

by Penny Frost McGinnis

Will Marigold and Johnny embrace love late in life? The day before Marigold Hayes turned fourteen, her mother died in a car accident and her father went missing. Her memory of standing on the porch and waving goodbye haunts her. After forty years of digging for clues to her dad's whereabouts and ignoring her personal life, the hope she might find him fades. Through the years, she has made friends, but no one significant until Johnny Papadakis. He has stood by her for nine years and helped search records of people alive and dead. For the last six months. he has more than hinted at marriage. As a fifty plus single woman, can she share her life with a man? Even one as wonderful as Johnny. As her love for Johnny grows, her sorrow from the relentless search for her father breaks her heart. She begs God to help her move forward with her life before she has no love left to give. As she decides to stop searching, three island visitors draw her attention away from Johnny and into one more search into the mystery of what happened to her dad. Who are the three visitors, and why are they nosing around about her life? Ten years ago, after his ex-wife pushed him away, Johnny Papadakis moved to Abbott Island and opened a Greek-American restaurant. In the midst of a difficult divorce, his ex-wife discouraged him from having a relationship with their daughter, Alexa. With a broken heart, he abides by her wishes and hopes someday his daughter will want to know him again. On the island, he has made friends, including Marigold. In the last year, he realizes he wants more than friendship from this lovely lady. After six months of dating, he asks her to marry him. She won't give him a definite answer, but he won't give up. Even as he loves Marigold and wants to marry her, he longs to reunite with Alexa. With Marigold's blessing, he visits his daughter and tries to reconnect. After the reunion, Alexa comes to Abbott Island and asks to move in with him. Even though he is not sure of her motives, his kind heart and the hope he has held on to for a decade welcomes her into his home. Will he balance work, his relationship with Marigold, and his daughter's arrival? Will Alexa welcome Marigold or see her as a hindrance to getting to know her father? Can Marigold and Johnny settle the past and move toward the promise of a blessed future?

291 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2023

About the author

Penny Frost McGinnis has lived in the world of books most of her life. From a small library shared with her cousins to a career working in libraries until retirement, she has developed a deep respect and love for the written word. An avid reader, Penny lives in southwest Ohio with her husband and their golden retriever, Rosie May. She embraces and enjoys her faith, family, fiber arts, and baseball. Her life’s goal is to encourage and uplift others through her writing.

Reviews

[Trudy Cordle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book!! Johnny meets Marigold when he moves to Abbott Island. He's divorced, and his ex-wife has custody of their daughter. He decides a move and a new restaurant might be what he needs. Marigold never married. She's been "stuck" trying to find her father for the past forty years. Johnny has fallen in love with Marigold, and Marigold finally admits to herself that she's in love with Johnny. She feels like she can't move on until she can lay the past to rest. Marigold finally realizes that God is in control, and she can trust Him to help her find peace and love whether or not she ever finds her father. Johnny's daughter decides to move to the island, and now he's not sure how Marigold will react, much less his daughter. The way God moves for these is so wonderful!!! A really great book to show love comes no matter your age, and God is ALWAYS at work in our lives!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.

[Kathleen Friesen · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Home Where She Belongs, the first Abbott Island book, I was excited to enjoy Marigold and Johnny’s story. The finished product was worth the wait. As lovely as one of Marigold’s crocheted blankets, this tale combines a forty-year-old mystery with the tender romance of these two 50-something people in a way that draws the reader into each scene and emotion.

The never-ending ache of missing her father and wondering what happened to him kept Marigold from risking her own chances of romance in her youth, but Johnny is persistent and patient. I loved watching their relationship grow from friendship to sweet romance, and I ached with the parties involved as the mystery was finally solved

The supporting cast of characters are realistic and likeable, and getting reacquainted with Joel and Sadie (from Home Where She Belongs) was a joy.

I was given an ARC by the author; all opinions are my own. I love Home Away From Home and award it five stars. Recommended!

[Jeanette Durkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book is amazing! The story line is unique and the setting is sublime! The imagery in the book really brought Abbott Island to life.The characters are realistic and relatable. Marigold is a strong and competent woman who is a little afraid to commit to more than friendship in a relationship. Johnny is swoon worthy! He's compassionate, loving and a good boss. He's eager to pursue more than friendship with Marigold but they both must come to terms with their hurtful pasts. I enjoyed every aspect of this book! It's so engaging that I read it in two days! My favorite aspect is the faith that is weaved expertly throughout the book! It was encouraging to read.
I was provided an ARC copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great follow up to Penny Frost McGinnis’s debut book “Home Where She Belongs”.

I liked getting to know more characters on Abbott Island and getting a small look into the lives of our old friends from book 1 in the series.

With a little mystery woven into the story, it kept me turning the page and reading past my bedtime.

A great book for those looking for a light read to keep you interested and to give you hope.

[Suzanne McNamara Eidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Home Away from Home" will warm your heart and rekindle the hope in others. We all journey through different seasons in our lives and this story reminds us of that. You can feel the joys, struggles and hope life can bring through Marigold and Johnny. Take a sunny vacation- pick up an Abbott Island Book and enjoy!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home away from Home is a sweet and charming story about a couple finding love in their later years. I love the patience Johnny has with Marigold. Marigold searching for answers from the past adds to the tale. I was drawn in and could not put it down. Read it in one day! I highly recommend this book. And if you haven’t read the first book, Home Where I Belong, I suggest you read it too!

[Sandra Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is told through multiple viewpoints. The villain had me shaking my head. Believable characters made me care about their journey. Unexpected twists kept me turning pages.

Surprises await the characters in this small-town island setting. The setting was one of my favorite parts, as I got to know other residents I might see in upcoming novels.

I’m enjoying this series.

[Bettie Boswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a wonderful read. A possible family reunion, an autumn romance, a beautiful setting to enjoy and take in island life, are all parts of this sweet book. I highly recommend this for your summer beach reads.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story with mystery about a missing father and love at an older age! Beautiful story and I hated to see it end.