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The Coming Home Place
Handsome rancher James Kagan had closed his heart when his childhood sweetheart died, and beautiful Elizabeth Beck had lost everyone on the journey from Tennessee to California, but they discover that the only place they truly belong is in each other's arms.
469 pages, Paperback
First published July 26, 1994
12 people are currently reading
607 people want to read
About the author
Mary Spencer
74 books30 followersThis author also writes under the name Susan Spencer Paul.
When I was a senior in high school, everyone in my graduating class was asked to fill out a questionnaire supposing where we'd be in ten years' time, what we'd be doing and what our accomplishments would be. I put down that I would be a published author and have written the Great American Novel. I was joking, of course, but I really did want to be a writer. Unfortunately, it was ten years before I actually got the opportunity to put pen to paper, after the birth of my first daughter. I had given up my job as a secretary to be a stay-at-home-mom, and found the long hours of baby sleep time to be a big change from my former busy days. To pass the time and break my increasing addiction to the Home Shopping Network, I at last sat down and took a stab at pursuing that old high school dream. Sixteen years have passed since then and I've had the great joy of writing several romances and seeing them published. I may never get around to writing the Great American Novel, but it doesn't really matter. I'm writing books that I love and having the time of my life doing it, and that's an accomplishment that this former high school senior is perfectly content with.
As for the more specific information, I live in a great small town in the Los Angeles suburbs, am married to a wonderful guy, Paul, and have three gorgeous, brilliant (can you tell I'm just a tad bit biased?), fabulous daughters, two terribly spoiled (by me) dogs, and a pampered, long-suffering cat.
When I was a senior in high school, everyone in my graduating class was asked to fill out a questionnaire supposing where we'd be in ten years' time, what we'd be doing and what our accomplishments would be. I put down that I would be a published author and have written the Great American Novel. I was joking, of course, but I really did want to be a writer. Unfortunately, it was ten years before I actually got the opportunity to put pen to paper, after the birth of my first daughter. I had given up my job as a secretary to be a stay-at-home-mom, and found the long hours of baby sleep time to be a big change from my former busy days. To pass the time and break my increasing addiction to the Home Shopping Network, I at last sat down and took a stab at pursuing that old high school dream. Sixteen years have passed since then and I've had the great joy of writing several romances and seeing them published. I may never get around to writing the Great American Novel, but it doesn't really matter. I'm writing books that I love and having the time of my life doing it, and that's an accomplishment that this former high school senior is perfectly content with.
As for the more specific information, I live in a great small town in the Los Angeles suburbs, am married to a wonderful guy, Paul, and have three gorgeous, brilliant (can you tell I'm just a tad bit biased?), fabulous daughters, two terribly spoiled (by me) dogs, and a pampered, long-suffering cat.
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October 21, 2025
California 1888
Seventeen year old Elizabeth lost her whole family on a wagon trip from Tennessee to California.
She then got kidnapped by a band of Mexican outlaws.
James Kagan had to marry her in order to save her.
James was a handsome 27 year old rich rancher. Elizabeth was grateful to him but she did not wish to be a burden, she asked him to take her to the nearest town.
James asked her to stay with him as a wife. It would only be a business arrangement, a job, to keep his house, look after him and give him children, even though, he said, they did not love each other.
Elizabeth was a mystery to him. She was so well spoken and interesting to talk to but she was illiterate. She was quiet and reserved and very sad and frightened.
Elizabeth thought James the handsomest man she'd ever set eyes on. He was charming and kind and caring.
Should she marry him?
James told her that he was engaged to be married to a Maggie, a lifelong neighbour, and he had loved her since he was 17 for 10 years.
She was killed two months earlier in a train crash in Denver.
He said there wasn't a woman on this earth who could ever take Maggie's place in his heart.
SPOILERS
So he took Elizabeth to his lovely home on the ranch and James promised her that they would be happy together.
Elizabeth would have his house in perfect condition, his meals cooked to perfection and she was quiet and reserved and a prude.
James thought how different she was from his beautiful, tempestuous, passionate Maggie.
One day he took Elizabeth on a picnic by the riverbank. They started making love but at some point James realised that was the place he and Maggie made love many times.
Angry he took Elizabeth forcefully, uttering Maggie's name.
This hurt Elizabeth's feelings as she was in love with him, but she never said anything about it.
Afterwards James was remorseful.
Apart from that unfortunate event, James was very kind and caring towards Elizabeth and had a great passion for her, almost to the point of obsession.
He was jealous of his best friend Nathan, who was smitten with Elizabeth and she liked him very much.
Elizabeth was pregnant and James was thrilled. She had a son.
Soon after the birth Elizabeth overheard James talking to the baby in the nursery.
What she heard broke her heart but never confronted him about it.
"You are a good looking boy. Got your mama's pretty black hair and her pretty black eyes. It should have been blond and your eyes should have been blue, like Maggie's. She probably would have looked like an angel to you, if she'd been your mama. She looked like one to me son. She would have been your beautiful mama and we both would have loved her so much."
The baby died at six months.
James was devastated but Elizabeth's feelings were frozen. She was in a shuttered, uncommunicative state.
They were living like zombies for months but bit by bit they were making their way back to where they used to be.
It was Elizabeth's 19th birthday and James took her to town and bought her a heart shaped necklace from the jeweler and Elizabeth loved it.
James dragged her from store to store, buying things for her.
They were both happy and loving.
The stagecoach had arrived at the Hotel and James and Elizabeth, still some distance away, watched.
A woman stepped out of the coach and Elizabeth thought she was the most startlingly beautiful woman.
James next to her was frozen.
He started toward the woman who was surrounded by many of the town's people.
James and the woman were now embracing and kissing with a passion.
Mesmerised James, led the woman into the hotel.
People then turned their eyes on Elizabeth.
Time passed, the people dispersed and Elizabeth stood alone on the sidewalk praying that James would soon reappear.
As the hours passed the tears began.
At last someone felt sorry for her and took her back to the ranch.
James woke up in the middle of the night naked. Maggie was naked next to him.
When realisation hit him, he went to the window. Elizabeth was not there.
He'd seen Maggie coming out of the coach and the shock was so great that his mind seemed to have gone right out of his body.
He was in a dreamlike state and the shock, love and desire had pushed sense out of James.
And even then he could barely recall what had happened.
He now asked Maggie where she'd been these two years.
She told him that she had lost her memory and they identified a dead woman as herself.
Now she came back and they could get married.
He told her he never stopped loving her but he had married.
Maggie got mad hearing this.
James had forgotten how unpleasant her temper was.
James told Maggie that Elizabeth's been a good wife and he did not want to hurt her, even though he'd shamed her in front of the whole town this day.
He would not divorce Elizabeth. She was his wife.
Maggie told him that she would leave and James made it clear to her that he would not let her leave him again. He wanted them to remain friends.
Maggie promised she'd stay until he'd decide what to do.
When James arrived home and Elizabeth saw the sadness in his eyes, she knew this was the start of an ending for them. From a lifetime filled with endings, Elizabeth knew this.
He confessed that he broke one of their wedding vows.
He've been with another woman.
He was sorry and it was not to happen again.
She told him he needed to make a decision.
Each evening James would leave the house and he would return in the night or even early morning hours. He spent his nights with Maggie at her house, not making love to her, but being with her, talking and laughing, reminiscing, playing cards, sometimes going for the wild, half drunken midnight rides they used to enjoy in the past.
They would have dinner and they would drink for hours, like they used to.
Maggie would try to seduce him but he was determined to keep his wedding vows.
But much as he loved Maggie, yet he didn't desire her as he ones had.
He loved Maggie, but he wanted Elizabeth too.
He wanted to make love to Elizabeth but he could not bring himself to touch her after his betrayal, out of guilt and anger.
Elizabeth never complained about his absences and that made him angry and frustrated.
He wanted and needed her so much and she never seemed to care about his evening activities.
But James was wrong about Elizabeth.
Every night she cried herself to sleep.
Three weeks after Maggie's return back from the dead, James returned back home late at night totally drunk. Slurring and mumbling he told Elizabeth that Maggie said she was going to leave him because he was married to a cold bitch, and said many more hurtful things all the while throwing and breaking things.
The next day James woke and he could not find Elizabeth anywhere.
He went crazy.
Maggie came looking for him but he ignored her.
Elizabeth came back from town and James rushed to apologise for the night before.
He didn't mean a word of what he told her the night before.
Elizabeth told both James and Maggie that she'd been to a lawyer in town and filed for a divorce.
She was going to pack and leave.
James strongly protested, said he was not going to let her leave. She was his wife.
"Let her go" Maggie said.
"Like hell l will. I am not letting her go Maggie. "
Elizabeth left as James kept pleating with her to stay.
Elizabeth found refuge in an abandoned jail and took a job at the General store in town.
James and Maggie left for San Francisco. A few months later they returned back.
Things had been bad between them for months.
Maggie was still so wild, so free spirited. It was the reason why he had ones loved her so deeply.
But he'd grown, and he'd changed and now James craved more than what Maggie had to offer.
'When l was a child, l did childish things, but now l'm a man, and l've put away childish things '.
Maggie was one of his childish things.
He loved her but he wondered how he'd conjured her into an image of perfection while he'd been married to Elizabeth.
When James thought Maggie gone he'd let himself forget those things about her that made him crazy.
Like her wilfulness and her selfishness and her quick tempered, violent fury.
And she made love like a whirlwind.
When he'd been 18, that appealed to him, but now, a man of 30, he wanted something different.
And yet, he loved Maggie.
She'd been his friend, his partner in crime, his confidant, his lover.
He and Maggie were going to get married. She was insisting on it.
When James and Maggie entered the General store, James had the shock of his life.
Elizabeth used to always wear loose fitting, unflattering clothes that she made herself.
He now saw a woman wearing a tight fit dress exposing her beautiful voluptuous body.
She was so beautiful. His Elizabeth!
He got jealous and possessive.
Elizabeth told him that Nathan asked her to marry him.
James got mad.
James confronted Nathan. He was very jealous.
At the end James conceded, he was glad Nathan loved her. He did not want Elizabeth to be alone, she was a good wife and a good person.
She deserved someone who loved her.
A whole lot of situations had occurred but l want to keep the story as short as possible, so I'll skip events.
James's US Marshall brother did an investigation into Maggie's two missing years, and as a result she was pressured to confess the truth.
She told James that after the train crash she met and married an elderly millionaire and waited for him to die so she could return back to James, the great passion of her life.
The Mexican outlaw that got James and Elizabeth married, got caught and was to be hanged.
Elizabeth was regularly visiting him, bringing him food and talking to him.
He was the one who told James that Elizabeth loved him.
James never believed that Elizabeth ever loved him.
James kidnapped Elizabeth and took her to a barn.
With tears in his eyes he told her that he loved her.
"I was a rotten husband. It wasn't just Maggie, it was everything. I feel ashamed and l regret the way l treated you. You were a child, been through hell and l kept demanding that you be everything that l wanted you to be. I loved you then and I love you now."
"You told me over and over that you loved Maggie."
"I did love Maggie but l loved you too, more. Maggie was my friend, the first woman l ever loved but you Beth, l don't just love you, l need you. Maggie and l knew since her return back, that things weren't the same between us. I was glad when l knew she was alive but not because l had the love of my life back like l thought, but because l had my friend back. But when you left me Beth, l felt like l'd lost everything. Beth, are you going to marry me again and give me another chance to make you happy?"
"You understand my condition for marriage sir?"
"Yes, ma'am. No swearin', no drinkin', regular churchgoing and no foolin' around."
"James, during our first marriage, l let you go to another woman because l truly believed you loved her. But if we wed again, sir, l warn you, quite truthfully, that if you so much as look at another woman, I'll skin you alive! So help me God, l will!"
Seventeen year old Elizabeth lost her whole family on a wagon trip from Tennessee to California.
She then got kidnapped by a band of Mexican outlaws.
James Kagan had to marry her in order to save her.
James was a handsome 27 year old rich rancher. Elizabeth was grateful to him but she did not wish to be a burden, she asked him to take her to the nearest town.
James asked her to stay with him as a wife. It would only be a business arrangement, a job, to keep his house, look after him and give him children, even though, he said, they did not love each other.
Elizabeth was a mystery to him. She was so well spoken and interesting to talk to but she was illiterate. She was quiet and reserved and very sad and frightened.
Elizabeth thought James the handsomest man she'd ever set eyes on. He was charming and kind and caring.
Should she marry him?
James told her that he was engaged to be married to a Maggie, a lifelong neighbour, and he had loved her since he was 17 for 10 years.
She was killed two months earlier in a train crash in Denver.
He said there wasn't a woman on this earth who could ever take Maggie's place in his heart.
SPOILERS
So he took Elizabeth to his lovely home on the ranch and James promised her that they would be happy together.
Elizabeth would have his house in perfect condition, his meals cooked to perfection and she was quiet and reserved and a prude.
James thought how different she was from his beautiful, tempestuous, passionate Maggie.
One day he took Elizabeth on a picnic by the riverbank. They started making love but at some point James realised that was the place he and Maggie made love many times.
Angry he took Elizabeth forcefully, uttering Maggie's name.
This hurt Elizabeth's feelings as she was in love with him, but she never said anything about it.
Afterwards James was remorseful.
Apart from that unfortunate event, James was very kind and caring towards Elizabeth and had a great passion for her, almost to the point of obsession.
He was jealous of his best friend Nathan, who was smitten with Elizabeth and she liked him very much.
Elizabeth was pregnant and James was thrilled. She had a son.
Soon after the birth Elizabeth overheard James talking to the baby in the nursery.
What she heard broke her heart but never confronted him about it.
"You are a good looking boy. Got your mama's pretty black hair and her pretty black eyes. It should have been blond and your eyes should have been blue, like Maggie's. She probably would have looked like an angel to you, if she'd been your mama. She looked like one to me son. She would have been your beautiful mama and we both would have loved her so much."
The baby died at six months.
James was devastated but Elizabeth's feelings were frozen. She was in a shuttered, uncommunicative state.
They were living like zombies for months but bit by bit they were making their way back to where they used to be.
It was Elizabeth's 19th birthday and James took her to town and bought her a heart shaped necklace from the jeweler and Elizabeth loved it.
James dragged her from store to store, buying things for her.
They were both happy and loving.
The stagecoach had arrived at the Hotel and James and Elizabeth, still some distance away, watched.
A woman stepped out of the coach and Elizabeth thought she was the most startlingly beautiful woman.
James next to her was frozen.
He started toward the woman who was surrounded by many of the town's people.
James and the woman were now embracing and kissing with a passion.
Mesmerised James, led the woman into the hotel.
People then turned their eyes on Elizabeth.
Time passed, the people dispersed and Elizabeth stood alone on the sidewalk praying that James would soon reappear.
As the hours passed the tears began.
At last someone felt sorry for her and took her back to the ranch.
James woke up in the middle of the night naked. Maggie was naked next to him.
When realisation hit him, he went to the window. Elizabeth was not there.
He'd seen Maggie coming out of the coach and the shock was so great that his mind seemed to have gone right out of his body.
He was in a dreamlike state and the shock, love and desire had pushed sense out of James.
And even then he could barely recall what had happened.
He now asked Maggie where she'd been these two years.
She told him that she had lost her memory and they identified a dead woman as herself.
Now she came back and they could get married.
He told her he never stopped loving her but he had married.
Maggie got mad hearing this.
James had forgotten how unpleasant her temper was.
James told Maggie that Elizabeth's been a good wife and he did not want to hurt her, even though he'd shamed her in front of the whole town this day.
He would not divorce Elizabeth. She was his wife.
Maggie told him that she would leave and James made it clear to her that he would not let her leave him again. He wanted them to remain friends.
Maggie promised she'd stay until he'd decide what to do.
When James arrived home and Elizabeth saw the sadness in his eyes, she knew this was the start of an ending for them. From a lifetime filled with endings, Elizabeth knew this.
He confessed that he broke one of their wedding vows.
He've been with another woman.
He was sorry and it was not to happen again.
She told him he needed to make a decision.
Each evening James would leave the house and he would return in the night or even early morning hours. He spent his nights with Maggie at her house, not making love to her, but being with her, talking and laughing, reminiscing, playing cards, sometimes going for the wild, half drunken midnight rides they used to enjoy in the past.
They would have dinner and they would drink for hours, like they used to.
Maggie would try to seduce him but he was determined to keep his wedding vows.
But much as he loved Maggie, yet he didn't desire her as he ones had.
He loved Maggie, but he wanted Elizabeth too.
He wanted to make love to Elizabeth but he could not bring himself to touch her after his betrayal, out of guilt and anger.
Elizabeth never complained about his absences and that made him angry and frustrated.
He wanted and needed her so much and she never seemed to care about his evening activities.
But James was wrong about Elizabeth.
Every night she cried herself to sleep.
Three weeks after Maggie's return back from the dead, James returned back home late at night totally drunk. Slurring and mumbling he told Elizabeth that Maggie said she was going to leave him because he was married to a cold bitch, and said many more hurtful things all the while throwing and breaking things.
The next day James woke and he could not find Elizabeth anywhere.
He went crazy.
Maggie came looking for him but he ignored her.
Elizabeth came back from town and James rushed to apologise for the night before.
He didn't mean a word of what he told her the night before.
Elizabeth told both James and Maggie that she'd been to a lawyer in town and filed for a divorce.
She was going to pack and leave.
James strongly protested, said he was not going to let her leave. She was his wife.
"Let her go" Maggie said.
"Like hell l will. I am not letting her go Maggie. "
Elizabeth left as James kept pleating with her to stay.
Elizabeth found refuge in an abandoned jail and took a job at the General store in town.
James and Maggie left for San Francisco. A few months later they returned back.
Things had been bad between them for months.
Maggie was still so wild, so free spirited. It was the reason why he had ones loved her so deeply.
But he'd grown, and he'd changed and now James craved more than what Maggie had to offer.
'When l was a child, l did childish things, but now l'm a man, and l've put away childish things '.
Maggie was one of his childish things.
He loved her but he wondered how he'd conjured her into an image of perfection while he'd been married to Elizabeth.
When James thought Maggie gone he'd let himself forget those things about her that made him crazy.
Like her wilfulness and her selfishness and her quick tempered, violent fury.
And she made love like a whirlwind.
When he'd been 18, that appealed to him, but now, a man of 30, he wanted something different.
And yet, he loved Maggie.
She'd been his friend, his partner in crime, his confidant, his lover.
He and Maggie were going to get married. She was insisting on it.
When James and Maggie entered the General store, James had the shock of his life.
Elizabeth used to always wear loose fitting, unflattering clothes that she made herself.
He now saw a woman wearing a tight fit dress exposing her beautiful voluptuous body.
She was so beautiful. His Elizabeth!
He got jealous and possessive.
Elizabeth told him that Nathan asked her to marry him.
James got mad.
James confronted Nathan. He was very jealous.
At the end James conceded, he was glad Nathan loved her. He did not want Elizabeth to be alone, she was a good wife and a good person.
She deserved someone who loved her.
A whole lot of situations had occurred but l want to keep the story as short as possible, so I'll skip events.
James's US Marshall brother did an investigation into Maggie's two missing years, and as a result she was pressured to confess the truth.
She told James that after the train crash she met and married an elderly millionaire and waited for him to die so she could return back to James, the great passion of her life.
The Mexican outlaw that got James and Elizabeth married, got caught and was to be hanged.
Elizabeth was regularly visiting him, bringing him food and talking to him.
He was the one who told James that Elizabeth loved him.
James never believed that Elizabeth ever loved him.
James kidnapped Elizabeth and took her to a barn.
With tears in his eyes he told her that he loved her.
"I was a rotten husband. It wasn't just Maggie, it was everything. I feel ashamed and l regret the way l treated you. You were a child, been through hell and l kept demanding that you be everything that l wanted you to be. I loved you then and I love you now."
"You told me over and over that you loved Maggie."
"I did love Maggie but l loved you too, more. Maggie was my friend, the first woman l ever loved but you Beth, l don't just love you, l need you. Maggie and l knew since her return back, that things weren't the same between us. I was glad when l knew she was alive but not because l had the love of my life back like l thought, but because l had my friend back. But when you left me Beth, l felt like l'd lost everything. Beth, are you going to marry me again and give me another chance to make you happy?"
"You understand my condition for marriage sir?"
"Yes, ma'am. No swearin', no drinkin', regular churchgoing and no foolin' around."
"James, during our first marriage, l let you go to another woman because l truly believed you loved her. But if we wed again, sir, l warn you, quite truthfully, that if you so much as look at another woman, I'll skin you alive! So help me God, l will!"
October 29, 2020
This was a wonderful MOC story with one glaring exception: the hero. He is one of the most stupid, clueless and self-centered dunderheads to grace a romance page. With the exception of the now toothless slut-shaming Barney, there is not one male character that isn’t more worthy of winning the long-suffering and misunderstood heroine. This includes the H’s hunky part Native American best friend, his Grizzly Adam-ish US Marshall brother, and especially the charming bandito that hands off the underage heroine to this chump in the first place.
Double skillet wham as the H flounces around California with his heinous floozy childhood sweetheart but still goes dog-in-the-manger over his now ex-wife.
P.S.
Is it just me, or does the H on the cover look like David Bowie?
Double skillet wham as the H flounces around California with his heinous floozy childhood sweetheart but still goes dog-in-the-manger over his now ex-wife.
P.S.
Is it just me, or does the H on the cover look like David Bowie?
February 7, 2017
I'm torn on a 5 for the impact of the writing and the pull of the story and a 1 or 2 for the sheer depressing torment she puts the reader through. There is an HEA, but my head hurt from crying by the time I got there. Going to come down in the middle with a 3
March 26, 2011
Did'nt liked the book at all,James keeps treating Elizabeth so badly hurts her everytime,taunts her,always keeps comparing her to his love of life"Maggie" and even says it in front if Elizabeth it should have been Maggie God how i wanted to really smack Elizabeth how can she even continue staying with the Selfish GFN Mean rude James and if all this not enough when Maggie arrives he leaves Elizabeth in middle of the road sleeps with her and comes home next day conveniently says sorry and Elizabeth forgives him(my mouth was left open" but i applaud her for taking the decision of divorce first and leaves
James is not a good guy. I spent the entire book, except for the last 2 chapters (when he finally wises up) really not liking him. It's hard to recommend a romance novel when you don't care for the "main guy". James is grieving for his fiance who died in a train crash. He then decides that he needs a wife, so he opportunistically weds Elizabeth (who is in dire straits and very vulnerable). He tells her that he'll never love her, but he wants her to sleep with him and give him children....nice! Although he appreciates her cooking and cleaning, he NEVER treats her as anything else than a hired hand, and thus she ACTS that way. If you throw in some verbal abuse, a rape scene, and an adultery scene...you have all you need to know about this "hero".
His best friend Nate is another story. I loved him and was hoping he'd end up with Beth because he deserved her a lot more and loved her a lot more than James did! I especially loved the scenes with Nate and Beth together which were much more romantic and touching...the gifts he brings her, the way he wants her opinion on his house. Nate was the better man...FOR SURE! Unfortunately, I wanted him for Beth so I don't know if I care enough to read the next book Fire and Water (his brother Matt's book) to see if Nate find love himself.
Very disappointed in Beth for choosing wrong and James for being a really big jerk!
I don't recommend this book
James is not a good guy. I spent the entire book, except for the last 2 chapters (when he finally wises up) really not liking him. It's hard to recommend a romance novel when you don't care for the "main guy". James is grieving for his fiance who died in a train crash. He then decides that he needs a wife, so he opportunistically weds Elizabeth (who is in dire straits and very vulnerable). He tells her that he'll never love her, but he wants her to sleep with him and give him children....nice! Although he appreciates her cooking and cleaning, he NEVER treats her as anything else than a hired hand, and thus she ACTS that way. If you throw in some verbal abuse, a rape scene, and an adultery scene...you have all you need to know about this "hero".
His best friend Nate is another story. I loved him and was hoping he'd end up with Beth because he deserved her a lot more and loved her a lot more than James did! I especially loved the scenes with Nate and Beth together which were much more romantic and touching...the gifts he brings her, the way he wants her opinion on his house. Nate was the better man...FOR SURE! Unfortunately, I wanted him for Beth so I don't know if I care enough to read the next book Fire and Water (his brother Matt's book) to see if Nate find love himself.
Very disappointed in Beth for choosing wrong and James for being a really big jerk!
I don't recommend this book
July 23, 2019
The Coming Home Place has the most jaw-dropping scene of marital infidelity I've ever read. It's a combination of outrageous behavior, understandable motivation, casual cruelty, and implausible deniability that leaves me stunned. Even reflecting on it, I'm not sure I feel anything about it other than its concussive impact.
Fortunately, other cheating spouse romances have provided me a framework to process that impact.
On a final note: this heroine is the biggest martyr to walk the earth since Agnes of Rome. Her lack of self-worth is heartbreaking, but there's something comically pathetic about the extremes she puts herself through while everyone is begging her to make less self-sacrificing choices.
I know. It's a lot of neg for 4 stars. IMPACT, I tell you. Impact.
Fortunately, other cheating spouse romances have provided me a framework to process that impact.
On a final note: this heroine is the biggest martyr to walk the earth since Agnes of Rome. Her lack of self-worth is heartbreaking, but there's something comically pathetic about the extremes she puts herself through while everyone is begging her to make less self-sacrificing choices.
I know. It's a lot of neg for 4 stars. IMPACT, I tell you. Impact.
June 9, 2020
RE-read
I read this many years ago when clearly, I was clueless about life, because I don’t remember it being so tragic and depressing. :) First published in 1994, The Coming Home Place is an emotional tale set in 1888 California, where two broken and very different people find themselves in a marriage of convenience. Elizabeth Beck (Beth) a 17-yr-old orphan, and James Kagan (Jim) a 27-yr-old rancher agree to enter an arranged/business/marriage. Beth is desperate w/ no family, home, or money, and Jim is closed off emotionally because he lost his one true love (his fiancée Maggie) in a train crash.
There are enough reviews out there if you’re desperate for spoilers, but if you’re interested in reading… I’d recommend going in fairly blind. Although, keep in mind, this is historical fiction; life was much harder, and the dynamics of women and men are quite different. There are several negative reviews out there regarding Jim, so I will clarify in case any are on the fence. Jim isn’t perfect, but he’s not abusive or cruel in any way. There's no violence, and the most hurtful things are not spoken directly to Beth, she overhears. There's also a cheating situation, I don’t want to ruin for other readers (if you peek, you’ll get a MAJOR spoiler) so I’ll just say…. If you look at this as black/white or right/wrong, then I'd skip it.
Neither MC is super endearing. Beth comes off uptight, cold, and has one of the worst cases of martyr complex I’ve ever read. Jim is gruff, emotionally stunted, and hung up on his dead ex. Most of their issues are due from lack of communication which was frustrating at times. The first half of the book is pretty smooth sailing; the couple has some hiccups but nothing major. Around 45% there are back to back shockers that set the plot in a different direction. If you find things moving slow, just hang on.
Bottom Line- I enjoyed this one, but it put me through an emotional spin cycle. I would recommend to anyone that enjoys the HR/BR genres. (historical romance/ bodice ripper)** I read on openlibrary.org
I read this many years ago when clearly, I was clueless about life, because I don’t remember it being so tragic and depressing. :) First published in 1994, The Coming Home Place is an emotional tale set in 1888 California, where two broken and very different people find themselves in a marriage of convenience. Elizabeth Beck (Beth) a 17-yr-old orphan, and James Kagan (Jim) a 27-yr-old rancher agree to enter an arranged/business/marriage. Beth is desperate w/ no family, home, or money, and Jim is closed off emotionally because he lost his one true love (his fiancée Maggie) in a train crash.
There are enough reviews out there if you’re desperate for spoilers, but if you’re interested in reading… I’d recommend going in fairly blind. Although, keep in mind, this is historical fiction; life was much harder, and the dynamics of women and men are quite different. There are several negative reviews out there regarding Jim, so I will clarify in case any are on the fence. Jim isn’t perfect, but he’s not abusive or cruel in any way. There's no violence, and the most hurtful things are not spoken directly to Beth, she overhears. There's also a cheating situation, I don’t want to ruin for other readers (if you peek, you’ll get a MAJOR spoiler) so I’ll just say…. If you look at this as black/white or right/wrong, then I'd skip it.
Neither MC is super endearing. Beth comes off uptight, cold, and has one of the worst cases of martyr complex I’ve ever read. Jim is gruff, emotionally stunted, and hung up on his dead ex. Most of their issues are due from lack of communication which was frustrating at times. The first half of the book is pretty smooth sailing; the couple has some hiccups but nothing major. Around 45% there are back to back shockers that set the plot in a different direction. If you find things moving slow, just hang on.
Bottom Line- I enjoyed this one, but it put me through an emotional spin cycle. I would recommend to anyone that enjoys the HR/BR genres. (historical romance/ bodice ripper)** I read on openlibrary.org
August 1, 2014
If you value your sanity, do not read this book. It will only give you heartburn. The hero -- if you can even call him that -- is a first-class douche. He was horrible to the heroine. He left her standing on the street, on her birthday while he got "reunited" with his first love who came back from the dead!! And the heroine didn't have a backbone. She just took every vile thing the hero did and took him back in the end!!
July 6, 2023
One of THOSE heroes: ow is an arsehole so I’ll choose the heroine instead. 🤢
Typical down on her luck boring h. 🙄
Typical down on her luck boring h. 🙄
July 6, 2009
do like intense and poignant stories and this book seemed exactly my kind of thing. It does have an older feel to it but that is not what bothered me the most.
When the story opens James Kagan is forced by a band of Mexican outlaws to marry a young girl they found on the road trying to dig a grave for her dead father. While they may be outlaws their leader has a somewhat twisted sense of honour and knowing a young girl alone would be easy prey for every man with less than honourable intentions he decided to force someone to protect her.
She is Elizabeth Beck and she has just lost her whole family while travelling west. She doesn't want to be a burden to James and after they leave the outlaws camp she tells him she intends to find work and support herself, however James has just lost is fiancée in a train accident and finds that Elizabeth may be the company he so desires to have on his now empty house. He can't love her but he will protect her and support her if she will keep his house and bear his children.
From the beginning it feels that both Elizabeth and James have different ideas about what their relationship is. While Elizabeth feels she was given a job, and so her main priority is to have the house spotlessly clean, the food on the table on the right time, etc etc James feels she is a cold woman because she never seems to care about anything except work. One of the main problems in their relationship is that James is still pining for his dead fiancée and in one scene in particular he has an unforgivable attitude. It's no wonder Elizabeth doesn't feel comfortable enough with him and so none of them realizes what the other is feeling and hoping for and they both find it easier to speak to James' friend Nathan than with each other. I found it very difficult to like James, even when we see that he would like to make something more of his relationship with Elizabeth he is always so oblivious to her feelings and so convinced that he is the right that it is rather annoying.
There's a pivotal scene in the middle of the book but I hesitate to mention it here as it constitutes a huge spoiler. At the same I suppose what matters is how they go from there towards the HEA. Suffice to say that if James behaviour had not been up to par till then it gets worse. I could accept it if he had gone home to beg Elizabeth's forgiveness to never do it again, it is also clear that the other person involved is not a saint and while I could see James was not ready to see that I couldn't understand why didn't he put a stop to what was going on and again gone back to beg Elizabeth's forgiveness. I could understand how divided he must have felt even after he realised he did love Elizabeth (although it took him a long time to get there) and when he realised that she loved him (strangely enough he spends half the book thinking she doesn't when everyone can see that she does) but there really is no excuse for him having left her all alone when the coach arrives and not having spent the next week (month? year?) making up for it. Fans of poignant scenes will love this one.
Although I don't usually like love triangles (and this book has two) that wasn't what bothered me the most. However this is one of those books where readers will be divided in the end regarding who should Elizabeth have stayed with (and unfortunately it doesn't seem like Spencer wrote a book for the other man). What really bothered me was that after he realises he has no future with the other woman James doesn't rush into trying to conquer Elizabeth that he loves, he keeps living with the other woman while she is still in town for a couple of month till in the last few chapters he decides to won her back. Well it's one of those cases of too little too late. But of course, she loves him and that's that.
So while I did love the book's intense feelings and distressing scenes (right up my alley that part) I really wasn't that happy with James and his behaviour and that's why I'm lowering my grade. There is a book about James' brother and I guess I'll just have to find it to see what happened to the characters after this story ends. Oh and one final world for the outlaw that brings them together in the beginning, he does appear again and I get the feeling he would have made a pretty good hero if he hadn’t found himself on the wrong side of the law one time too many.
Grade: 4/5
When the story opens James Kagan is forced by a band of Mexican outlaws to marry a young girl they found on the road trying to dig a grave for her dead father. While they may be outlaws their leader has a somewhat twisted sense of honour and knowing a young girl alone would be easy prey for every man with less than honourable intentions he decided to force someone to protect her.
She is Elizabeth Beck and she has just lost her whole family while travelling west. She doesn't want to be a burden to James and after they leave the outlaws camp she tells him she intends to find work and support herself, however James has just lost is fiancée in a train accident and finds that Elizabeth may be the company he so desires to have on his now empty house. He can't love her but he will protect her and support her if she will keep his house and bear his children.
From the beginning it feels that both Elizabeth and James have different ideas about what their relationship is. While Elizabeth feels she was given a job, and so her main priority is to have the house spotlessly clean, the food on the table on the right time, etc etc James feels she is a cold woman because she never seems to care about anything except work. One of the main problems in their relationship is that James is still pining for his dead fiancée and in one scene in particular he has an unforgivable attitude. It's no wonder Elizabeth doesn't feel comfortable enough with him and so none of them realizes what the other is feeling and hoping for and they both find it easier to speak to James' friend Nathan than with each other. I found it very difficult to like James, even when we see that he would like to make something more of his relationship with Elizabeth he is always so oblivious to her feelings and so convinced that he is the right that it is rather annoying.
There's a pivotal scene in the middle of the book but I hesitate to mention it here as it constitutes a huge spoiler. At the same I suppose what matters is how they go from there towards the HEA. Suffice to say that if James behaviour had not been up to par till then it gets worse. I could accept it if he had gone home to beg Elizabeth's forgiveness to never do it again, it is also clear that the other person involved is not a saint and while I could see James was not ready to see that I couldn't understand why didn't he put a stop to what was going on and again gone back to beg Elizabeth's forgiveness. I could understand how divided he must have felt even after he realised he did love Elizabeth (although it took him a long time to get there) and when he realised that she loved him (strangely enough he spends half the book thinking she doesn't when everyone can see that she does) but there really is no excuse for him having left her all alone when the coach arrives and not having spent the next week (month? year?) making up for it. Fans of poignant scenes will love this one.
Although I don't usually like love triangles (and this book has two) that wasn't what bothered me the most. However this is one of those books where readers will be divided in the end regarding who should Elizabeth have stayed with (and unfortunately it doesn't seem like Spencer wrote a book for the other man). What really bothered me was that after he realises he has no future with the other woman James doesn't rush into trying to conquer Elizabeth that he loves, he keeps living with the other woman while she is still in town for a couple of month till in the last few chapters he decides to won her back. Well it's one of those cases of too little too late. But of course, she loves him and that's that.
So while I did love the book's intense feelings and distressing scenes (right up my alley that part) I really wasn't that happy with James and his behaviour and that's why I'm lowering my grade. There is a book about James' brother and I guess I'll just have to find it to see what happened to the characters after this story ends. Oh and one final world for the outlaw that brings them together in the beginning, he does appear again and I get the feeling he would have made a pretty good hero if he hadn’t found himself on the wrong side of the law one time too many.
Grade: 4/5
February 18, 2017
H is still in love with his dead lover. He rapes the h. On the h's birthday, he sees that his dead lover isn't actually dead...and he proceeds to ditch the h outside in the rain and go cheat on her by shacking up in a hotel with his lover. And the whole town is witness to this humiliation because the h sits around and waits outside on a bench for him. Eventually, someone takes pity on her and volunteers to take her home. h wants him to be happy so she leaves him...and he just takes it and goes off with his lover. I don't believe for ONE SECOND that he spent months with her and remains celibate. Noooope, ain't buying it. He only comes back when the h might be moving on with someone else.
December 2, 2018
This is not a 3-star book. It's a 1-star romance and a 5-star train wreck. I'm glad I read it because it's really up there in the list of awful. If you decide to see what all the hubbub is about and you are the sensitive type, READ THE EXISTING REVIEWS, which prepare you for what you're going to deal with.
October 26, 2025
5 stars - Read Mar 23, 25
AMAZINGLY EPIC.
I read this one on Internet archive. I wasn't sure if I'd love the western/ranch theme but it didn't really revolve around that so it did't matter at all.
The story starts when James, the MMC, on the way back from going to his fiancee's funeral, gets forced into marriage to a young female 10 years younger than him in order to save her from bandits. He is still heart broken from his fiancee's death, with her death preceding their wedding by 3 weeks. It was a bit of a business arrangement between the two of them - she would take care of him and give him children, and he would take care of her financially and keep her safe. It goes through the first two years of their life - their ups and downs and learning to care for one another all the while with James feeling heart broken about his lost love. THEN something happens that turns their world upside down. The rest of the story was full of angst and disgust (at least, by me, the reader) and total groveling and heart break. It was amazing. I read this in pretty much one sitting. I could not stop reading.
James was an oblivious idiot and personally, did not deserve Elizabeth, even in the end. There was OM and OW drama and I loved every minute of it. That being said, not sure I can reread this anytime soon, as it was so painful at certain parts. I don't think my heart could take it again right now.
Highly recommend this if you're looking for an angsty "tear your heart out" read with all the feels. I LOVED IT. Thanks again Lydias's Romance, my GR friend, for yet another awesome rec!
AMAZINGLY EPIC.
I read this one on Internet archive. I wasn't sure if I'd love the western/ranch theme but it didn't really revolve around that so it did't matter at all.
The story starts when James, the MMC, on the way back from going to his fiancee's funeral, gets forced into marriage to a young female 10 years younger than him in order to save her from bandits. He is still heart broken from his fiancee's death, with her death preceding their wedding by 3 weeks. It was a bit of a business arrangement between the two of them - she would take care of him and give him children, and he would take care of her financially and keep her safe. It goes through the first two years of their life - their ups and downs and learning to care for one another all the while with James feeling heart broken about his lost love. THEN something happens that turns their world upside down. The rest of the story was full of angst and disgust (at least, by me, the reader) and total groveling and heart break. It was amazing. I read this in pretty much one sitting. I could not stop reading.
James was an oblivious idiot and personally, did not deserve Elizabeth, even in the end. There was OM and OW drama and I loved every minute of it. That being said, not sure I can reread this anytime soon, as it was so painful at certain parts. I don't think my heart could take it again right now.
Highly recommend this if you're looking for an angsty "tear your heart out" read with all the feels. I LOVED IT. Thanks again Lydias's Romance, my GR friend, for yet another awesome rec!
May 14, 2020
The Coming Home Place is on every cheating list as a must read.
I actually read this when it was new. I knew the story every step of the way and though I don’t remember my initial read, I probably loved it in the belief that true love prevails, but the adult me sees something very different. It’s an overwhelming story with a martyr heroine and a very weak man.
She has strength and backbone, but still a martyr that actually deserved better than a selfish, pathetic man/boy. Even after knowing he was wrong and made wrong choices, he continued down a path of self destruction because he had what he thought he always wanted.
Her childhood and lack of education stifled her, she married him knowing it was a business arrangement but this is romance and she’s going to fall in love. He believes his true love is gone forever, dead and buried, he won’t, can’t love again. Tragedy strikes, their business arrangement is falling apart and his true love is back from the dead. It’s inevitable, he’s going to cheat, he’s weak, he’s selfish, he’s clueless.
And when she’s had enough and can’t be humiliated anymore she leaves and finds herself, but never to the point that she moves on, there’s friendships and a new love interest, but really she’s giving him what he wants. His freedom to be with the his first love. Only he doesn’t really want her, and doesn’t realize he’d moved on, fell in love with his wife until it’s beaten over his head by everyone around him. He’s a fool and she may be a bigger one by not moving on without him.
Ultimately, she deserved better.
I actually read this when it was new. I knew the story every step of the way and though I don’t remember my initial read, I probably loved it in the belief that true love prevails, but the adult me sees something very different. It’s an overwhelming story with a martyr heroine and a very weak man.
She has strength and backbone, but still a martyr that actually deserved better than a selfish, pathetic man/boy. Even after knowing he was wrong and made wrong choices, he continued down a path of self destruction because he had what he thought he always wanted.
Her childhood and lack of education stifled her, she married him knowing it was a business arrangement but this is romance and she’s going to fall in love. He believes his true love is gone forever, dead and buried, he won’t, can’t love again. Tragedy strikes, their business arrangement is falling apart and his true love is back from the dead. It’s inevitable, he’s going to cheat, he’s weak, he’s selfish, he’s clueless.
And when she’s had enough and can’t be humiliated anymore she leaves and finds herself, but never to the point that she moves on, there’s friendships and a new love interest, but really she’s giving him what he wants. His freedom to be with the his first love. Only he doesn’t really want her, and doesn’t realize he’d moved on, fell in love with his wife until it’s beaten over his head by everyone around him. He’s a fool and she may be a bigger one by not moving on without him.
Ultimately, she deserved better.
May 24, 2012
I spent the entire time I was reading this book fighting the urge to throw it against the wall. I can't believe what this man got away with doing to her. Yes, I understand it was a different time and place, and this girl was incredibly young and naive. But to take him back after all he did to her while they were married? He was absolutely horrible to her. The rape at the river (Yes, I considered it rape), leaving her alone for hours in public while he was screwing his "true love", and getting drunk and calling her all kinds of terrible things... how do you forgive that? In my opinion, she should have married Nathan (I think that's the friends name). He was a good man, who really loved her, and deserved better than what he got. I don't think I can forgive Mary Spencer for never giving us his happily every after in a story. The one "secondary" character in my long history of reading books that I truly loved and felt deserved happiness, never got it. And it sucks.
April 11, 2012
Oh god I absolutely hated, hated, HATED this book. You have a doormat, spineless, prude of a wife and a cruel, cheating, self centered, jackass of a husband. The only thing I liked about this book was Nathan who was a sweetie pie.
September 3, 2014
I loved and hated this book! But it's one of the best cheating/angst/unrequited book I've ever read.
The Hero.. he's a moron, cruel and really.. you just want to stab him in the heart! The heroine is no better.. such a spineless doormat that you either want to hug or fuckin kill her for being such a weak person.
The love triangle/unrequited love was heartbreaking.. this book has so much angst it moved me emotionally.
I don't know how many times I've re-read this but it still triggers me in so many ways... hahaha.. it never gets old!
Highly recommend this to all the masochist readers out there! :D
The Hero.. he's a moron, cruel and really.. you just want to stab him in the heart! The heroine is no better.. such a spineless doormat that you either want to hug or fuckin kill her for being such a weak person.
The love triangle/unrequited love was heartbreaking.. this book has so much angst it moved me emotionally.
I don't know how many times I've re-read this but it still triggers me in so many ways... hahaha.. it never gets old!
Highly recommend this to all the masochist readers out there! :D
January 5, 2021
I was asked about this one this morning by a GR friend so I went to my dead tree library (in my stupid attic, which was actually really warm ~ I think we need new insulation ~ but I digress) and found it. I'm anal about the Dewey Decimal Classification System. I'm in my 40's, not gonna tell you which end of my 40's 🤐 but old enough to have bought these new, read (my favorite trope) and forget. What I do remember; it's well written (I don't keep unless they are), the H is weak, the h a bit of a martyr, it's a MOC and it suffers from THE BIG MISUNDERSTANDING. Many, many, many big misunderstandings. Maybe more accurately labeled miscommunication. It could have been a hundred pages less and you wouldn't have missed anything. I'd have to reread to give a more detailed review but I do remember enough to know you need to be in the mood for a good mad to read. That's the beauty of it though, you do get a really good mad, sad and angsty yearning out of it. So if you even like, much less love this trope like I do, it's definitely worth your time.
I was also asked about The Obedient Bride and I love this one, but while I was up there I found The First Snowdrop. Both are Historical Romance and both deal with MOC's and cheating. Both well written and accurate. So much so that I did sit down this morning with The First Snowdrop to reread (I'm in CA, we're under house arrest, and I'm not making fun bc our hospitals are so filled with suffering, but it's hard for all of us and I'm escaping by reading). I joined GR so late and have read so many books that I haven't reviewed a lot of my paperbacks. I need to rectify that.
I was also asked about Moonshadow, your'e going to have a hard time finding this one. Written in the early 80's and clearly an ode to Gone With The Wind. It is NOT in anyway a contemporary novel; do not read if you have any triggers for slavery and the disgusting views of the American Civil War because our MC's have those views, which makes them very unsympathetic in my view. DO NOT READ if that is hurtful to you, I can't stress that enough. I sat down last night and skimmed after I was asked about it and will write out passages for you if you are still interested in reading it. I don't believe in censorship or judgmental views about people who decide to read ANY book. So opposed I don't even want comments under my reviews to have a hint of judgment of any reader. It bothers me. But if I'm being honest, this book bothered me for the political views it held. It wasn't a literary achievement like GWtW. Also, the cheating was really in the background, the love of the plantations was the main focus. It induced no rage in me last night, maybe it did when I was a teen bc I AM a big lover of GWtW. Also, French culture is huge in this book (which does differentiate from GWtW). I'm sick of typing GWtW. I think I'm going to copy and paste this review to Moonshadow bc I've reviewed both books here, ugh.
I was also asked about The Obedient Bride and I love this one, but while I was up there I found The First Snowdrop. Both are Historical Romance and both deal with MOC's and cheating. Both well written and accurate. So much so that I did sit down this morning with The First Snowdrop to reread (I'm in CA, we're under house arrest, and I'm not making fun bc our hospitals are so filled with suffering, but it's hard for all of us and I'm escaping by reading). I joined GR so late and have read so many books that I haven't reviewed a lot of my paperbacks. I need to rectify that.
I was also asked about Moonshadow, your'e going to have a hard time finding this one. Written in the early 80's and clearly an ode to Gone With The Wind. It is NOT in anyway a contemporary novel; do not read if you have any triggers for slavery and the disgusting views of the American Civil War because our MC's have those views, which makes them very unsympathetic in my view. DO NOT READ if that is hurtful to you, I can't stress that enough. I sat down last night and skimmed after I was asked about it and will write out passages for you if you are still interested in reading it. I don't believe in censorship or judgmental views about people who decide to read ANY book. So opposed I don't even want comments under my reviews to have a hint of judgment of any reader. It bothers me. But if I'm being honest, this book bothered me for the political views it held. It wasn't a literary achievement like GWtW. Also, the cheating was really in the background, the love of the plantations was the main focus. It induced no rage in me last night, maybe it did when I was a teen bc I AM a big lover of GWtW. Also, French culture is huge in this book (which does differentiate from GWtW). I'm sick of typing GWtW. I think I'm going to copy and paste this review to Moonshadow bc I've reviewed both books here, ugh.
July 31, 2010
How much pain should one person endure? I mean, seriously, the author just went above and beyond reaping it on this poor heroine. I just wanted to throw the book down and yell, "Enough!"
April 3, 2025
This was so good that I'm now looking up at Mary Spencer's other works!!
This is NOT cheating-safe and would have many modern readers triggered. If you can handle it, there is some great angst in here. For me, there was enough subtext that the hero is in love with the heroine, but I didn't like what transpired when he abandons her on the street. That was brutal, and I teared up multiple parts during the novel.
Both of the leads have a case of loving their partner so much that they end up becoming deeply insecure about it. The big misunderstanding but done right. The hero is a golden charmer, easy-going and adventurous. The heroine is beautiful but quite traumatized, going numb is her trauma response, and she had a religious upbringing. He believes she could never love him because she is so independent and cold. Meanwhile, she believes he could never love her and for her to show affection would not be something he'd want.
The hero is grieving the tragic death of OW when he is taken by the men of a famous bandit. The bandit, at first, can't believe his men nabbed the hero of all men, but still pursues his course of action.
It was quite a magical set-up. It had this fairy tale vibe where the hero is told he can leave with a beautiful woman only if he intends to marry her. The hero is, at first, confused but sees the heroine, almost as though in a vision. I loved the romanticization of the heroine's abundant cascades of long, black hair lol. The hero agrees only to help the heroine. He decides on the sham marriage but will take her to where she needs to go.
After discovering that her family had all passed away on the trip from their home in Tennessee to Los Angeles, the hero decides to offer a marriage of convenience. It turns out the hero lives in the countryside, homeowner of a spacious cattle ranch.
This story was believable in the H+h's misunderstandings and mutual attraction. The heroine is a solemn creature. She grew up in poverty and in a religious upbringing. Her starchiness gave her a backbone, lent her some maturity, and provided some humour. The hero appreciates her starchiness and although he doesn't get her on a deeper level, it's clear he finds her adorable.
What I enjoyed about the story is that their relationship grows, breaks down, grows, and breaks down. I liked seeing them come together and fall apart and try again. It's pretty rare to see realistic portrayals of a couple having a major heartbreak and learning how to deal with it. Slowly, one makes an offering. The other recognizes, and makes their own offering...
The OW drama was intense though and I wish the hero groveled for his actions. It was clear the OW was a depiction of a rich person who wanted to enjoy her life. They had a strong bond because they both were free-spirited children who grew up into adults that liked to party. She wasn't a good person, but she wasn't mean-spirited. She was selfish, but didn't have grudges. Sure, she got her barbs in on the heroine, but she provided camp fun. I wasn't surprised the heroine invited the OW to their wedding at the end.
There were about 3 devastating actions the hero does wrong to the heroine related to cheating angst. The hero feels bad for all the actions but we don't get much grovel or explanation. I think only 1 of the actions the hero explains himself, but the other 2 are swept under the rug. In another incident, after the heat of the moment, the hero turns away to cool down and when he turns back, he sees the heroine has left him. It gets his back up again and he decides not to explain himself.
This book reminded me in some aspects of Natasha Blackthorne's Regency Risks duet, as it features a heroine who is unable to express herself. However, Regency Risks is a historical erotica.
This is NOT cheating-safe and would have many modern readers triggered. If you can handle it, there is some great angst in here. For me, there was enough subtext that the hero is in love with the heroine, but I didn't like what transpired when he abandons her on the street. That was brutal, and I teared up multiple parts during the novel.
Both of the leads have a case of loving their partner so much that they end up becoming deeply insecure about it. The big misunderstanding but done right. The hero is a golden charmer, easy-going and adventurous. The heroine is beautiful but quite traumatized, going numb is her trauma response, and she had a religious upbringing. He believes she could never love him because she is so independent and cold. Meanwhile, she believes he could never love her and for her to show affection would not be something he'd want.
The hero is grieving the tragic death of OW when he is taken by the men of a famous bandit. The bandit, at first, can't believe his men nabbed the hero of all men, but still pursues his course of action.
It was quite a magical set-up. It had this fairy tale vibe where the hero is told he can leave with a beautiful woman only if he intends to marry her. The hero is, at first, confused but sees the heroine, almost as though in a vision. I loved the romanticization of the heroine's abundant cascades of long, black hair lol. The hero agrees only to help the heroine. He decides on the sham marriage but will take her to where she needs to go.
After discovering that her family had all passed away on the trip from their home in Tennessee to Los Angeles, the hero decides to offer a marriage of convenience. It turns out the hero lives in the countryside, homeowner of a spacious cattle ranch.
This story was believable in the H+h's misunderstandings and mutual attraction. The heroine is a solemn creature. She grew up in poverty and in a religious upbringing. Her starchiness gave her a backbone, lent her some maturity, and provided some humour. The hero appreciates her starchiness and although he doesn't get her on a deeper level, it's clear he finds her adorable.
What I enjoyed about the story is that their relationship grows, breaks down, grows, and breaks down. I liked seeing them come together and fall apart and try again. It's pretty rare to see realistic portrayals of a couple having a major heartbreak and learning how to deal with it. Slowly, one makes an offering. The other recognizes, and makes their own offering...
The OW drama was intense though and I wish the hero groveled for his actions. It was clear the OW was a depiction of a rich person who wanted to enjoy her life. They had a strong bond because they both were free-spirited children who grew up into adults that liked to party. She wasn't a good person, but she wasn't mean-spirited. She was selfish, but didn't have grudges. Sure, she got her barbs in on the heroine, but she provided camp fun. I wasn't surprised the heroine invited the OW to their wedding at the end.
There were about 3 devastating actions the hero does wrong to the heroine related to cheating angst. The hero feels bad for all the actions but we don't get much grovel or explanation. I think only 1 of the actions the hero explains himself, but the other 2 are swept under the rug. In another incident, after the heat of the moment, the hero turns away to cool down and when he turns back, he sees the heroine has left him. It gets his back up again and he decides not to explain himself.
This book reminded me in some aspects of Natasha Blackthorne's Regency Risks duet, as it features a heroine who is unable to express herself. However, Regency Risks is a historical erotica.
February 10, 2020
I am on a GR review roll, as this is my second review ever. I love this book - that wasn't emphatic enough - I LOVE THIS BOOK. A wonderful, wonderful heroine - I think in some other reviews she is depicted as a Mary Sue type, but I found her unwavering goodness so admirable. She comes to the table accepting all as they are, and thus even when we are disappointed in the hero and in other characters, she never is. It is an emotional roller-coaster, but this book got me hooked on the angst of cheating (never ever thought I'd say that), and solidified my love of the angst when the hero thinks he is in love with the OW (of course to realize he was a fool). One of my favorite romance novels - Five star read, if I could give it ten stars I would
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July 22, 2019THIS SHIT IS A SORRY. EXCUSE. OF. A. BOOK. (If I were this author I would be ashamed to have written such a ridiculous nonsense of this kind.)
May 20, 2010
I read a lot. I've read hundreds and hundreds of romance novels, and there definitely have been some keepers, some unforgettable reads, some very forgettable reads, and some books that are just plain bad. This is DEFINITELY not one of the "bad" books that I've read, but it is DEFINITELY not a keeper and is one that I would hesitate to even recommend.
James is not a good guy. I spent the entire book, except for the last 2 chapters (when he finally wises up) really not liking him. It's hard to recommend a romance novel when you don't care for the "main guy". James is grieving for his fiance who died in a train crash. He then decides that he needs a wife, so he opportunistically weds Elizabeth (who is in dire straits and very vulnerable). He tells her that he'll never love her, but he wants her to sleep with him and give him children....nice! Although he appreciates her cooking and cleaning, he NEVER treats her as anything else than a hired hand, and thus she ACTS that way. If you throw in some verbal abuse, a rape scene, and an adultery scene...you have all you need to know about this "hero".
His best friend Nate is another story. I loved him and was hoping he'd end up with Beth because he deserved her a lot more and loved her a lot more than Jim did! I especially loved the scenes with Nate and Beth together which were much more romantic and touching...the gifts he brings her, the way he wants her opinion on his house. Nate was the better man...FOR SURE! Unfortunately, I wanted him for Beth so I don't know if I care enough to read the next book Fire and Water (his brother Matt's book) to see if Nate find love himself.
Very disappointed in Beth for choosing wrong and Jim for being a really big jerk!
James is not a good guy. I spent the entire book, except for the last 2 chapters (when he finally wises up) really not liking him. It's hard to recommend a romance novel when you don't care for the "main guy". James is grieving for his fiance who died in a train crash. He then decides that he needs a wife, so he opportunistically weds Elizabeth (who is in dire straits and very vulnerable). He tells her that he'll never love her, but he wants her to sleep with him and give him children....nice! Although he appreciates her cooking and cleaning, he NEVER treats her as anything else than a hired hand, and thus she ACTS that way. If you throw in some verbal abuse, a rape scene, and an adultery scene...you have all you need to know about this "hero".
His best friend Nate is another story. I loved him and was hoping he'd end up with Beth because he deserved her a lot more and loved her a lot more than Jim did! I especially loved the scenes with Nate and Beth together which were much more romantic and touching...the gifts he brings her, the way he wants her opinion on his house. Nate was the better man...FOR SURE! Unfortunately, I wanted him for Beth so I don't know if I care enough to read the next book Fire and Water (his brother Matt's book) to see if Nate find love himself.
Very disappointed in Beth for choosing wrong and Jim for being a really big jerk!
August 7, 2016
Read this again and left it in midst. I read it because I wanted to post a review but now, I want to delete the story from my own mind.
Not recommended. The heroine is degraded and insulted to no end. The hero, I wish I could go inside the story and slap some sense into the man.
Not recommended. The heroine is degraded and insulted to no end. The hero, I wish I could go inside the story and slap some sense into the man.
October 23, 2025
yet another book with mmc having his cake and eating it too, i don't give time writing this but the things he said and done to her was disgusting.
October 18, 2014
This type of story is an acquired taste. Although, this has been one of those few novels that actually possessed a plot and not just two characters falling in lust and love. I honestly found the hero (James), the heroine (Elizabeth) and the side characters (only Nathan and Maggie) very annoying however, their faults made them feel real to me. Despite this I have like the story very much and decided that it deserves a 5 star rating.
Let me start off with the Characters:
1. James - I thought I would hate him as the reviews stated that he was a cheating scumbag which he was. However, to my surprise, He actually admitted it to the heroine. I value honesty in a person, it takes courage and bravery to admit one's faults. Because of this, I did not hate him as much. The thing is he has been in love with Maggie (ex-lover, not the heroine) for so long he couldn't believe himself that he wasn't. Her apparent "death" did not allow He and Maggie to have the one final closure.
Their lack of closure (which I believe is a fundamental part of moving on from relationships) made me forgive James wholeheartedly. This reminded me of one of our local (Filipino) movie Starting Over Again. One of the most unforgettable lines from that said movie is this
I think this summarizes James and Elizabeth's love story. Theirs started with friendship and clouded with so much misunderstanding and lack of communication. Add to that is the interference of people who in the first place should not have been part of a two-way relationship.
2. Elizabeth - the thing with her is she's like a very close book with a lock to boot. There were times in the book where I find her lack of expression, and her constant refusal, irritating. There as been many times in the book were she has been asked by the hero to dance with him, to eat in a restaurant with him but she as refused them so adamantly. This wouldn't have been a problem for as she not accepted the same thing from Nathan, which I would fault with er young age. However, what I do like about her is her quiet acceptance, calm demeanor, humility and strength.
3. Nathan - I know I'm suppose to love him since after all he was being such a kind loving person to Elizabeth but taking advantage of Elizabeth's broken heart did not endear him to me. He has been friends with James for twenty years. Despite the insistence of James that he is not in love with Elizabeth, actions speak louder than words. Honestly, he should be the first one to realized his best friend is in love with his wife all along. But he's been blinded by his own heart to ever help these two to patch their relationship together.
4. Maggie - She is the person I hated the most in this story. She is vain, selfish and spoiled. I could not fathom why she could just used another person whom she claims to have such deep and long history with. She has realized that their is nothing between her and James but she just keeps on pushing an pushing and pushing that I wished I just pushed her to the nearest cliff instead.
Story:
It was like watching a Telenovela with all those twists and heartaches that made me cry often and laugh at the same time. The saddest was when their baby died but their show of grief was so real, that it made me cry, too.
I will probably read this again and I hope some would try this out as well. (I don't think everyone will like it though, just as I said, it's an acquired taste)
Let me start off with the Characters:
1. James - I thought I would hate him as the reviews stated that he was a cheating scumbag which he was. However, to my surprise, He actually admitted it to the heroine. I value honesty in a person, it takes courage and bravery to admit one's faults. Because of this, I did not hate him as much. The thing is he has been in love with Maggie (ex-lover, not the heroine) for so long he couldn't believe himself that he wasn't. Her apparent "death" did not allow He and Maggie to have the one final closure.
Their lack of closure (which I believe is a fundamental part of moving on from relationships) made me forgive James wholeheartedly. This reminded me of one of our local (Filipino) movie Starting Over Again. One of the most unforgettable lines from that said movie is this
"Ours began in a most unexciting way, as friends. Now, our love may be quiet and boring but it is sure. With the right amount of trust and love, and even an allowance for mistake. I love him Ginny and in love, there is no fear."
- Patty, Starting Over Again [this scene was after the confrontation of Ginny (past and first love) and Patty (the new love) when Ginny and the hero slept together.]
I think this summarizes James and Elizabeth's love story. Theirs started with friendship and clouded with so much misunderstanding and lack of communication. Add to that is the interference of people who in the first place should not have been part of a two-way relationship.
2. Elizabeth - the thing with her is she's like a very close book with a lock to boot. There were times in the book where I find her lack of expression, and her constant refusal, irritating. There as been many times in the book were she has been asked by the hero to dance with him, to eat in a restaurant with him but she as refused them so adamantly. This wouldn't have been a problem for as she not accepted the same thing from Nathan, which I would fault with er young age. However, what I do like about her is her quiet acceptance, calm demeanor, humility and strength.
3. Nathan - I know I'm suppose to love him since after all he was being such a kind loving person to Elizabeth but taking advantage of Elizabeth's broken heart did not endear him to me. He has been friends with James for twenty years. Despite the insistence of James that he is not in love with Elizabeth, actions speak louder than words. Honestly, he should be the first one to realized his best friend is in love with his wife all along. But he's been blinded by his own heart to ever help these two to patch their relationship together.
4. Maggie - She is the person I hated the most in this story. She is vain, selfish and spoiled. I could not fathom why she could just used another person whom she claims to have such deep and long history with. She has realized that their is nothing between her and James but she just keeps on pushing an pushing and pushing that I wished I just pushed her to the nearest cliff instead.
Story:
It was like watching a Telenovela with all those twists and heartaches that made me cry often and laugh at the same time. The saddest was when their baby died but their show of grief was so real, that it made me cry, too.
I will probably read this again and I hope some would try this out as well. (I don't think everyone will like it though, just as I said, it's an acquired taste)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2023
"Don't speak of Maggie," James warned through set teeth. "She and Elizabeth have nothing to do with one another. I don't even want them mentioned in the same breath. I always have and always will love Maggie. Nothing’s going to change that. Ever. Elizabeth is simply my wife--the woman who's going to take care of me and my home and my kids. She's only my wife, Nate. Not my love, not my sweetheart, not my anything else. It's an arrangement between us. Love doesn't have a thing to do with it."
The Coming Home Place by Mary Spencer is a novel that has a LOT going for it, and by a lot, I really mean, a LOT! First published in July of 1994, told in the third person from dual perspectives of both the hero and heroine, Ms. Spencer brings to readers a remarkable historical romance with a ton of angst that certainly leaves you with one hell of a reading experience.
James Kagan is a man who believes that having lost his fiancée, no other creature alive could suffer as much as he has and continues to, that is until he is "forced" to marry 17 year old Elizabeth Marie (Beth). Beth is traumatized by the loss of her family members one by one, and she had been all alone when she was found, digging a hole to bury her father, the sole remaining member of her family.
James enters into marriage with Beth with his eyes wide open, perfectly confident in his belief when it comes to what he wants from a wife. Viewing Beth to be plain unlike his beautiful fiancée to whom he vows would always belong his heart, James is clear about what he seeks; a wife to continue his family name. He explains to Beth that he has no intention of courting anyone else to seek their hand in marriage as he does not have any love left to give.
Beth has no doubts about what she has to offer when it comes to marriage with the handsomest man she has ever set her eyes on. Knowing that someone as illiterate, plain, and unaccomplished as her is unworthy of the attention of someone like James, Beth agrees to the marriage on three conditions; that he does not swear inside their home, they attend church every Sunday, and that he be faithful to her even if he does not love her.
As these two embark on the tough road that is a marriage of convenience, James learns that he desires his new wife like crazy, something that drives him wild and also makes him feel guilty about the fact. For Beth, she has a tough time setting aside what she was taught about the marriage bed and how it was supposed to be about a woman just doing her rightful duty which goes against allowing herself to enjoy the physical aspects of her relationship with James.
As the story continues and delves deeper into the emotions and the entwined lives of James and Beth, there are moments that makes you hate James for the abominable way that he treats Beth. One particular scene stands out, where James lashes out and makes use of what Beth offers with callous disregard for her emotions that made me really question as to what kind of hero he would turn out to be in the end. But in a strange way, I also understood that for James, that moment had been fraught with him fighting his inner demons, the ones that makes him feel like he is betraying his deceased fiancée by reveling in the heady desire that his wife invokes in him.
When Beth bears him a child, there is more heartache that follows, which perhaps was the last straw for me when it came to James. Beth is a martyr of the highest order if you ask me, always quietly going about her life, doing her best to give her husband a comfortable life, and never asking for anything in return from the man who promised to be bound to her in sickness and health, in the good and the bad times. Such was the lived reality of many women during those times, and even today, and that is a glaring fact that stands prominent.
It is of course when the beloved fiancée makes a comeback from the dead that Beth finally realizes that there is no place in James' life for her, and as she does everything else, chooses to leave quietly. What follows is probably the reason why I did not end up hating James as the male lead, and fell more in love with Beth for recognizing her own worth, aided along by those who actually love her for who she is and what she has to offer.
James learning the hard way what he actually gave up on and finally wising up to the true gem of a woman he married was why he redeemed himself to some extent. I should not complain much because I am a lover of a true angst fest, and James being James was the reason why this book proved to deliver so well on that score.
What I appreciated the most was how Ms. Spencer explores the complexity of the emotions that run rampant in both the leads. Even as I hated James during certain moments, I also understood where was coming from. His past which involves having a woman since he was sixteen years old, and being in a relationship that addressed his physical and emotional needs had set the bar high for him. With Beth, even though he desires her like crazy, because James holds pieces of himself back, the same is true for Beth, which shortchanges their marriage for both of them, which could have truly being magnificent a union if otherwise.
But then again, some lessons have to be learnt the hard way, and if things were that easily worked out, I would not have enjoyed this as much as I did, minus the angst factor. Even with James being the character that frustrated me to no end, this book ended up being one that made me think deeply, feel just as much, and made me ponder about human psychology and the intricacies of the emotions of the broken.
Recommended for those who love frustrating heroes and are not turned off by realistic story lines that pushes your comfort zones as a romance reader.
Final Verdict: The Coming Home Place delivers an emotionally complex and multi-faceted tale that moves you in ways you never thought possible, delivering a spellbinding read!
Rating = 4/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
September 30, 2017
DOS ESTRELLAS. Le doy dos estrellas porque a pesar de todo me mantuvo entretenida y porque Nathan Kirkland fue el mejor personaje de éste libro.
March 7, 2025
Много сладка история, като се изключи нерешителния и мрънкащ герой. То бива колебливост, но това неговото ме накара да си помечтая героинята да избере другия, който беше чудесен и много по-достоен.
3,5⭐️
3,5⭐️
November 5, 2022
5+ Stars
This book took me by storm. This angsty, trainwreck-y romance became an instant favorite. I never once felt compelled to skim-read, and that's an achievement, because lately, my patience is extremely limited. There was no filler, dullness or repetitiveness here. This is almost 500 pages of epicness (I'm totally making up words now). There are aspects of this book that had me running to one of my bookish groups. Sometimes to share my giddiness; sometimes to squee or swoon dramatically; sometimes to cry from happiness or heartache; sometimes to gripe; and at one point, to ask if anyone had an oxygen tank. I'm not sure how I survived that angsty AF moment; my heart was in my throat. So what did I think about this book? I loved it. Even the parts I didn't love, I loved, if that makes any sense. In the end, I wouldn't change a thing. The writing was simply STELLAR.
I won't dissect this book...Honesty, I just don't have the words to explain why I loved it as much as I did. This is such a multifaceted story. And certainly not for the faint of heart. I read my friends' reviews, and I might not completely agree with every one of their takes, but Jac K's review comes close to my thoughts on this book and its characters.
In regards to the heroine, Elizabeth, I'm surprised she didn't ruin the book for me. She and I wouldn't be friends in real like, that's for sure. She was uptight, such a puritan. At one point, I felt just as frustrated with her as the H was. More, actually. And she was a martyr. Ugh, I can't stand those in romance books. And yet, I still cared about her. I felt for her very much.
"Perhaps you enjoy playing the martyr, like some heroine in a tragic novel, but that will quickly grow old, I assure you. There is no need to be so foolish.” Page 352 (Maggie/OW)
About James. My feelings for him were like a roller coaster ride of emotions. I can't say I ever hated him, though, even when I should have. Sometimes I absolutely loved his reactions, while other times, his behavior, words, and thoughts obliterated me. But mostly, he was...obliviously stupid. I agree with one of my favorite secondary characters in the book, Señor Bandido (that's not really his name).
Page 440
"You are the stupidest hombre I ever met, James Kagan. It is a sad thing to know such a stupid man before one dies. To know that such a stupid man exists in the world.”
“Madre de Dios!” he muttered. "Estupido. Idiota. Never in all my life have I known such a fool. May Dios strike me dead now to spare me from having to listen to this idiota.” 👏🏼
If ever there was a poster child for miscommunication, it was the main characters in this book. Many of their troubles were a result of this particular flaw in their relationship. Luckily, James eventually sees the light and they both get their HEA. He loved her madly, deeply and forever. It was wonderful 🥰
One last note regarding the secondary characters. Nate, James' best friend, was the best OM I have ever read. He was marvelous.
I read this in Open Library. I'm including some quotes and notes in this review for future reference.
“When I was a child, I did childish things, but now I’m a man, and I’ve put away childish things.” Page 332 - James contemplates on how he has outgrown Maggie (OW).
Side Note: Even before the author destroyed the OW's character, the H had already recognized what he felt for her was only friendship and nothing more. He had decided he would not marry her. He loved Elizabeth.
Bookmarks:
148 - River scene. James behaves abhorrently. 💔
182 - Elizabeth overhears what James tells the baby. 😤 😭 💔
229 - OW comes back from the dead 😱 💔 I couldn't breath.
272 - Elizabeth tells James she wants a divorce. 👏🏼
350 - James sees Elizabeth again. He cannot handle how beautiful she is. 💖
This book took me by storm. This angsty, trainwreck-y romance became an instant favorite. I never once felt compelled to skim-read, and that's an achievement, because lately, my patience is extremely limited. There was no filler, dullness or repetitiveness here. This is almost 500 pages of epicness (I'm totally making up words now). There are aspects of this book that had me running to one of my bookish groups. Sometimes to share my giddiness; sometimes to squee or swoon dramatically; sometimes to cry from happiness or heartache; sometimes to gripe; and at one point, to ask if anyone had an oxygen tank. I'm not sure how I survived that angsty AF moment; my heart was in my throat. So what did I think about this book? I loved it. Even the parts I didn't love, I loved, if that makes any sense. In the end, I wouldn't change a thing. The writing was simply STELLAR.
I won't dissect this book...Honesty, I just don't have the words to explain why I loved it as much as I did. This is such a multifaceted story. And certainly not for the faint of heart. I read my friends' reviews, and I might not completely agree with every one of their takes, but Jac K's review comes close to my thoughts on this book and its characters.
In regards to the heroine, Elizabeth, I'm surprised she didn't ruin the book for me. She and I wouldn't be friends in real like, that's for sure. She was uptight, such a puritan. At one point, I felt just as frustrated with her as the H was. More, actually. And she was a martyr. Ugh, I can't stand those in romance books. And yet, I still cared about her. I felt for her very much.
"Perhaps you enjoy playing the martyr, like some heroine in a tragic novel, but that will quickly grow old, I assure you. There is no need to be so foolish.” Page 352 (Maggie/OW)
About James. My feelings for him were like a roller coaster ride of emotions. I can't say I ever hated him, though, even when I should have. Sometimes I absolutely loved his reactions, while other times, his behavior, words, and thoughts obliterated me. But mostly, he was...obliviously stupid. I agree with one of my favorite secondary characters in the book, Señor Bandido (that's not really his name).
Page 440
"You are the stupidest hombre I ever met, James Kagan. It is a sad thing to know such a stupid man before one dies. To know that such a stupid man exists in the world.”
“Madre de Dios!” he muttered. "Estupido. Idiota. Never in all my life have I known such a fool. May Dios strike me dead now to spare me from having to listen to this idiota.” 👏🏼
If ever there was a poster child for miscommunication, it was the main characters in this book. Many of their troubles were a result of this particular flaw in their relationship. Luckily, James eventually sees the light and they both get their HEA. He loved her madly, deeply and forever. It was wonderful 🥰
One last note regarding the secondary characters. Nate, James' best friend, was the best OM I have ever read. He was marvelous.
I read this in Open Library. I'm including some quotes and notes in this review for future reference.
“When I was a child, I did childish things, but now I’m a man, and I’ve put away childish things.” Page 332 - James contemplates on how he has outgrown Maggie (OW).
Side Note: Even before the author destroyed the OW's character, the H had already recognized what he felt for her was only friendship and nothing more. He had decided he would not marry her. He loved Elizabeth.
Bookmarks:
148 - River scene. James behaves abhorrently. 💔
182 - Elizabeth overhears what James tells the baby. 😤 😭 💔
229 - OW comes back from the dead 😱 💔 I couldn't breath.
272 - Elizabeth tells James she wants a divorce. 👏🏼
350 - James sees Elizabeth again. He cannot handle how beautiful she is. 💖
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2021
I have not read many reviews. I might be repeating another. Some were disappointed in how meek Elizabeth was but she had just lost everyone she loved, was kidnapped and forced to marry a stranger. A stranger who married her to save her but was very honest to say he loved Maggie, who died recently. The marriage was between a man who wanted fun and a girl who had no idea how to have it. She is such a lovable person. I felt every pain she did, knowing she loved a man who still yearned for another. He was headstrong in all the wrong ways. He would not let himself love her even though she was the best thing that had ever happened to him. His friends could see it. In fact one of them fell in love with her. There is a long story of misunderstandings and a lot of sorrow. It is still a wonderful book.
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