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Chesapeake Diaries #6

The Long Way Home

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As the only child of a wealthy investment manager, Ellie Chapman has never known anything besides a life of perfect privilege. But her years of good fortune come to an abrupt end when her father is exposed for swindling billions of dollars from innocent investors in a massive Ponzi scheme. And just like that, Ellie loses everything: money, job, home—even her fiancé, who's jailed as her father's partner in crime. With no job prospects on the horizon, no cash, and her family name in tatters, Ellie has only one place to go.
Sleepy St. Dennis, Maryland, is hardly where Ellie intends to stay, however. Keeping her identity a secret, she plans to sell the house her late mother left her in the small town and use the proceeds to move on with her life. Unfortunately, her ticket to a new beginning is in dire need of a laundry list of pricey improvements, many of which she'll have to do herself. And until the house on Bay View Road is fit to be sold, the sole place Ellie will be traveling is the hardware store. But as the many charms of St. Dennis—not to mention Cameron O'Connor, the handsome local contractor who has secrets of his own—begin to work their magic, what begins as a lesson in do-it-yourself renovations might just end up as Ellie's very own rejuvenation.

432 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 29, 2013

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About the author

Mariah Stewart

88 books1,528 followers
Mariah Stewart is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of forty-one novels and three novellas and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal. She is a RITA finalist in romantic suspense and the recipient of the Award of Excellence for contemporary romance, a RIO Award for excellence in women's fiction, and a Reviewers Choice Award from Romantic Times Magazine. A three-time winner of the Golden Leaf Award presented by the New Jersey Romance Writers, Stewart was recently awarded their Lifetime Achievement Award (which placed her in their Hall of Fame along with former recipients Nora Roberts and Mary Jo Putney — very excellent company, indeed!)

After having written seven contemporary romance novels, Stewart found true happiness writing murder and mayhem. She considers herself one lucky son of a gun to have landed the best job in the world: getting paid for making up stories. At home. In sweats and J. Crew flip flops. Could life be sweeter?


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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
Profile Image for Linniegayl.
1,365 reviews32 followers
October 16, 2025
Continuing a reread (via audio) of this series I read years ago. This is definitely one of my favorites so far, which I didn't expect when it started. Perhaps because the book features a heroine who arrives in town as the book begins, and a hero who rarely appeared in any of the previous entries. The book focuses mostly on the two of them, with far less time on page of the many other past heroes and heroines from the series.

Profile Image for Julie .
4,250 reviews38k followers
February 21, 2013
The Long Way Home: The Chesapeake Diaries is the 6th in the Chesapeake Diaries series. This book was released in Janurary 2013. This a women's fiction/contemporary romance novel and can be read as a stand alone.

Ellie's father and former fiance have been imprisoned for defrauding countless people out of their life savings and retirements. Now Ellie is forced to deal with the fall out. She lived in the lap of luxury all her life, but now the SEC has taken everything she ever owned and all her friends turned their backs on her except for Carly.
So, now Ellie has come to claim an old house in St. Dennis that belonged to her great aunt Lilly and Ellie has inherited from her mother. The will states Ellie must live in the house for six months before she can sell the house and it's contents.
So, Ellie moves in and starts to work fixing up the house so she can sell it as soon as the six months is up.
Cameron has lived in St. Dennis all his life. He had a special bond with Lilly and always planned on owning her house one day. So, for the last twelve years he has taken care of the property. Now he finds out the house had been purchased and he's furious. But, when he learns of the circumstances he visits Ellie and works out a deal that when she gets ready to sell, it will be to him. In the meantime, Cameron has agreed to help Ellie fix the place up.
Ellie keeps her identity secret from the people in St. Dennis for fear of being judged for her father's crimes. But, Cameron knows that something isn't right about Ellie. The facts just don't add up. So, he sets out to discover what secrets she keeps.
As Cameron and Ellie work on the house, Ellie begins to feel a bond with her great aunt and her mother that she had never had the chance to feel before. She also starts to feel a bond with Cameron.

This is a story about fresh starts, growing up emotionally , healing and forgiveness.
Cameron has had a very hard time himself and understands that Ellie needs time to deal with her pain. The kind folks in St. Dennis embrace Ellie despite her father's sins and her lack of faith in humanity.
There is a slight paranormal story going on in the background.
The story is slow moving and and it drags in some places. There just wasn't all that much happening. There was a big plot twist that took place toward the last part of the book, but that still didn't get the story rolling along any faster. The romance was about a 2.5 on the steam level and pretty slow moving.
I did like the ultimate conclusion. Family, love, healing, and the peace the characters finally get leaves us with a postive feeling.
I would recommend this book for those that like women's fiction with a mature romance and a fair amount of drama.
Overall I would grade this one with a C.
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC
Profile Image for Gail.
Author 25 books216 followers
May 23, 2016
Nice book, considering it has no conflict. A novel really needs at least a little bit. There's lots of backstory conflict, stuff that happened before the beginning of the book that still affects the characters, but no actual conflict within the story. This is the one about the daughter of a guy who committed huge fraud and all her friends but one deserted her, most everything she owned got confiscated except for this big house her mom left her. Mom died years ago, so I have no idea why she's just now learning about the house -- maybe she knew but never did anything with it till now. Anyway, she comes to town to live in the house for six months as required by her mom's will, and fix it up so she can sell it when the time is up. The hero is a contractor who always intended to buy the house and is mad someone else got there first, because the heroine is hiding who she is because of her felon father. But he forgives her quickly. That's the thing -- every time someone gets mad about something, it's very easily resolved. By one conversation or just thinking for a little bit. It's a lovely way to live. I try to live that way myself, but it can make for ... books that leave one wishing for a bit more something to sink one's reading teeth into. I did enjoy it. But conflict in the actual story would have been nice.
Profile Image for Sharon Chance.
Author 5 books43 followers
February 16, 2013
"The Long Way Home" is the sixth book in Mariah Stewart's "The Chesapeake Diaries," and continues the story of the quaint town of St. Dennis, Maryland and it's residents.

This was my first time reading Mariah's books in this series, but I easily caught up with the back story of the previous novels and quickly fell in love with the personable characters and the intriguing storylines that have been and are featured. This is a fast-moving story that keeps your attention from the very first paragrah to the very last sentence.

It's light, it's fun, it's romantic! The perfect book to enjoy during the long winter days! I highly recomend this novel for those who enjoy contemporary romance!
Profile Image for Nora-adrienne.
918 reviews171 followers
August 30, 2015
I read the reviews on this book and was happy to find it in my local library. I spent 3 days reading it while sitting in the waiting room in the sub-basement of a hospital in Brooklyn. My FIL is undergoing radiation treatment for cancer. This book kept my mind busy and entertained.


I loved the book.
Profile Image for Shelley Lawrence.
2,048 reviews102 followers
November 23, 2019
3.75 stars
The Long Way Home, the 6th book in the Chesapeake Diaries series, was yet another enjoyable and feel-good addition to this delightful series. I find the town, the characters, the friendships and relationships so enchanting. I appreciate the realistic, yet hopeful plots with authentic and varied life problems and issues inspiring to read about. These are stories that draw you in and uplift you, and who doesn’t need that?

The Long Way Home, focuses on Ellie Ryder, who has a personal past, unbeknownst to her, that is tied to an old home bequeathed to her in the costal town of St. Dennis. After coping with the mortification of her father and fiancé’s very public embezzlement schemes which ruined countless people, including herself, Ellie finds herself rebuilding her life, and it begins in the small Maryland town of St. Dennis, where she is set to restore and then sell her grandmother’s home. As she does so, she discovers a few surprises and long held secrets along the way, and learns that sometimes the best in life, comes out of the worst situations.
Profile Image for Kim Reads (Read Your Writes Book Reviews).
1,475 reviews143 followers
January 28, 2013
Reviewed on: http://readyourwrites.blogspot.com

For Read Your Writes Book Reviews

Mariah Stewart is one of my favorite authors. I’ve read all of her books in The Chesapeake Diaries series. I can tell you that if you’ve never read her before, you’re missing out. You don’t have to read the first book or any of the other books in the series to understand the characters in this book. In addition to being a contemporary romance author, Ms. Stewart is also a romantic suspense novelist. She manages to add a little unexpected shock to the backgrounds of her characters. This statement is no less true for the main characters in The Long Way Home.

The Long Way Home focuses on Cameron O’Connor, a local boy turned construction company owner and Ellis (Ellie) Ryder Chapman, a woman who has lost everything and has a heritage she doesn't know about.

Cameron has lived in St. Dennis pretty much his entire life. His life’s dream is to one day purchase and own the house at 1 Bay View Road. For Cameron, this house holds precious memories of good times he had as a child, when everything else around him was dark and chaotic.

Ellis has come to St. Dennis, the last place she ever thought she’d go, because she has no choice. Ellis’s one and only job has been heading the public relations department for her father’s company. The same company which no longer exists, since her father, Clifford Chapman, and ex-fiance, Henry stole money from the people who invested with the company and were sent to prison. Since everything Ellis owned was obtained with money from the investment company, the Feds have taken EVERYTHING. Ellis has lost her father, fiance, home, car, jewelry and money.

Because of her father's scheme, Ellis has also lost the people she thought were her friends, all except for one, Carly Summit. When Ellis arrives in St. Dennis, she decides to say her name is Ellie Ryder and that she purchased the house from the Lynley Sebastian estate. Lynley Sebastian was actually her mother, who grew up in St. Dennis and left Ellis the house and it's contents in her will. The catch being that Ellis has to live in the house and can not sell the house or its contents for six months.

Cameron is sent to make sure Ellie is okay and help her see what repairs she needs to do to the old and long vacant house. As part of their repair agreement, Ellie offers to let Cameron have first dibs on the house when she's ready to sell it. As time goes by, Cameron becomes torn as to what is more important to him. The house with it's cherished memories or the woman he realizes he's falling for.

The Long Way Home is full of surprises. When Ellie first arrived in St. Dennis, she had no desire to meet and get to know the people there. However, with St. Dennis being the small, friendly town it is, she didn't really have a choice. It seems some of the elders in town knew exactly who Ellie really was, the minute they laid eyes on her. Cameron himself figured out who she was. It isn't until a new arrival comes to town that Ellie has the strength and courage to own up to who she really is.

I like to call Mariah's books sweet romances, because the language is clean and intimate moments are mentioned but the details are left out. As always with the books in this series, you get a happy ending, with a little drama and discovery thrown it. The Long Way Home is about discovering your past and the legacy you come from. It's about forgiving yourself and knowing that you aren't responsible for the actions of others. It's about discovering that if you just give people a chance, you will allow yourself to finally find your true home.

Source: Edelweiss
Profile Image for Karen.
1,089 reviews13 followers
February 12, 2013
Another good addition to this series. I love the friendliness of the town which keeps me coming back again and again. Ellie finds more than love with the sweet hero in St. Dennis. She finds home and connection to her mother and her mother's side of the family.
Profile Image for Donna.
12 reviews
August 17, 2024
Having read the other books in The Chesapeake Diaries, I was anxious to read this one. I have to say that it didn't disappoint. Reading one of this series is like catching up with friends. Reading about Ellie's journey had me rooting for her all along the way. Can't wait for the next one.
Profile Image for Emily Burns.
284 reviews4 followers
February 28, 2025
Oh Ellie 🤍

My heart hurt with your story ! But the growth you overcame through this book was just amazing! And Cam was just the best addition for her !

Actually so was the nice little twists at the end of the book!
Profile Image for Harshal.
31 reviews12 followers
October 27, 2020
The long way home by Mariah Stewart will always be special for me. It's the sixth book in the Chesapeake series. But I started with this and though there is a connection between all the books, you don't necessarily have to read it in the right order to understand the story. It can be read as a stand alone novel. It continues the story of the quaint town of St. Dennis, Maryland and it's residents.This was my first time in this series reading Mariah 's books, but I easily caught up with the back story of the previous novels and quickly fell in love with the pleasant characters and the interesting stories that were and are featured. This is a fast-moving tale that holds your attention from the first to the very last sentence. I was instantly in awe with this novel.
The Long Way Home focuses on Ellie Ryder, who, unknown to her, has a personal history that is connected to an old home she left in the coastal town of St. Dennis. Ellie finds herself rebuilding her life after dealing with the mortification of her father and fiancé's very public embezzlement schemes that destroyed countless people, including herself, and it starts in the small Maryland town of St. Dennis, where she is set to restore and then sell her grandmother's home. She notices a few surprises and long-held secrets along the way as she does so, and discovers that sometimes the best in life comes out of the worst scenario.
This book is highly recommend for contemporary romance fans.
Profile Image for Sue Negrillo.
634 reviews8 followers
November 2, 2022
Love her writing!
Back to St Dennis, Chesapeake bay. Inherited a house in St Dennis where her great aunt lived and her mother spent time. Her father goes to prison she loses everything all she has is what her mother left her. Her dad didn’t like to spend time here, she learns a lot of her family and the art work in the mansion was her great GMA and worth millions. Her plan is to work on the house and flip it. She Mets the handyman Cam who has been keeping things working for yrs. He want to buy the house as we find out that Lilly saved his life and took him in as a child. Ellie and Cams relationship moves just at the right spend. Ellie finds out she has a step sister that the mother was killed in an accident and is going to foster care if she doesn’t step up. So Gabi comes to stay with Ellie, together they spend the holidays and Ellie realizes that it’s the best holidays that it’s not what you buy or get, but sharpening it with loved ones.
672 reviews9 followers
August 27, 2019
Book 6 of the Chesapeake Diaries: This story was about Ellie Ryder aka Ellis Chapman, who has arrived in St. Dennis to take care of the home she inherited when her mother died. Ellie's father was the head of a Ponzi scheme, of which Henry, her fiancé, was also implicated. She has to live in the house for 6 months before she can sell it and the contents. She needs to update it, so Jesse, her lawyer, calls on Cam O'Connor to help her out. And then the love story begins.
1,517 reviews2 followers
March 20, 2017
I seem to be reading this series backwards. But no matter what order you read them, it's a good series of stories taking place in St. Dennis, Maryland. In this story Ellie Chapman has been received a devisating blow. Her father and fiancé have both been convicted of a massive Ponzi scheme. The authorities have taken everything Ellie owned, her home, her car, her jewelry, and her money. She has only one place to go and that's to the house her mother left to her in St. Dennis. She tries keeping her identity a secret, and plans to fix up and sell the house and move on with her life. However, the house, the town folks, and a handsome local contractor have begun to work their magic on Ellie. She may have to change her plans. A good story. 
Profile Image for Sarah.
853 reviews
January 20, 2018
An enjoyable, light, contemporary romance -- a novel with a cozy feeling where there is minor conflict but everything works out in the end. Everything was perfect in the book (the food, the rescue dog, the boyfriend, the house, the stores, the people... everything!), which occasionally mildly annoyed me, but mostly was an enjoyable escape from reality.
Profile Image for Carmen Nuland.
121 reviews1 follower
April 7, 2019
I liked this story of Ellie and Cam. I could tell it was part of a series, but I didn't feel like I had missed much by not reading the previous books first. Fade-out love scenes that happen way too quickly (IMO) considering they haven't discussed the truth yet. I also could have done without Grace's diary references to consulting her Ouiji board.
Profile Image for Alice.
1,286 reviews
January 21, 2021
I read this series, in order, over the past month or so, through the lonely holidays in 'Covid 19 world'. It is a wonderful series-- 12 books each with a lovely romance, some mystery and magic. The characters are great and each story has its own theme, if you will, which made them so interesting as new friends were introduced to others in their small town on the beautiful Chesapeake.
1,710 reviews
July 17, 2022
This is definitely going to be the last book in this series that I read. Just as in the last book, there is a sexual relationship outside of marriage and more unnecessary description of that. There was also some offensive profanity. I do not recall these items from the early books and so, if this is the way the series is going to go, I am done with this series.
Profile Image for Michaela Osiecki.
Author 1 book31 followers
September 24, 2017
Well...I feel like Miss Stewart kind of redeemed herself with this one. The pacing (up 'til the end anyways) was realistic and flowed well - and I liked how the buildup to the relationship was gradual enough to be realistic....though the ending was INCREDIBLY rushed.
Profile Image for Carol Maciej-Weber.
128 reviews
May 7, 2024
I liked this book. It had a familiar feel to it and I realized that I’ve read one of the other books in the series before. I like the characters and the small town feel of the book. I would be interested in the others sometime.
1,178 reviews3 followers
July 3, 2017
This was an enjoyable story as far as family drama goes, but the romance was completely skimmed over. It made the book way too easy to put down.
Profile Image for Carol Rankin.
348 reviews3 followers
January 10, 2018
The Long Way Home

Fantastic story with lots of surprises. Characters are full of love and action. Great ending. A terrific story well done.
26 reviews1 follower
May 26, 2018
Lots of twists and turns

New characters to the series and interesting backgrounds. And just when you think it’s done it keeps going and going
3 reviews
October 15, 2018
Great read

Interesting characters. The setting is romantic and sounds beautiful and the plot interesting. I couldn't put it down until the very end.
Profile Image for Rosella McGuire.
5 reviews
October 6, 2018
Long way home

This was a heartwarming story about a woman caught in bad circumstances not of her making. It was a fast read that never slacked. Loved all the characters.
2,685 reviews
October 16, 2018
Life has been perfect, then an incident occurs that causes almost everyone to defriend the main charcter. What a lesson on life.
Profile Image for Amanda.
275 reviews5 followers
November 13, 2018
I like how I got small updates on characters from previous books in the series while I read this book. I find myself trying to predict who future couples in the series might be too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews

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