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Homecoming
Cory Wells-Richards left her cheating husband behind and headed straight back to tiny Faythe, Wisconsin, eager to create a new future for herself. First order of business, keep her promise to a dear friend and finish the renovation on the Victorian for dearly departed Tillie and find homes for her nine cats. How tough could that be? But when Tillie’s great-nephew shows up to help, it’s all she can do not to fall right back into his arms. She's been down that heartbreak road with him before, and coming off her recent divorce she's determined to guard her heart, no matter how sexy he looks with a hammer in his hand and his shirt off.
Jake is caught between a rock and a hard place. Well, between his party-hearty, successful big city life in Chicago and the sleepy hometown he was glad to see in his rear-view mirror at the tender age of 18. He plans to fulfill his promise to Tillie and help restore her house to get it ready to sell, then return to his comfortable life in Chicago. But how is he supposed to get any work done with pretty little Cory around doing her best to drive him crazy? Being in Faythe rekindles all those long forgotten memories, some bad and some good--including his desire for Cory, the one girl he couldn’t have.
As the sexual tension between Cory and Jake heightens and their emotional connection strengthens, will they let down their barriers long enough to find true love, or will the pain of the past keep them apart forever?
Jake is caught between a rock and a hard place. Well, between his party-hearty, successful big city life in Chicago and the sleepy hometown he was glad to see in his rear-view mirror at the tender age of 18. He plans to fulfill his promise to Tillie and help restore her house to get it ready to sell, then return to his comfortable life in Chicago. But how is he supposed to get any work done with pretty little Cory around doing her best to drive him crazy? Being in Faythe rekindles all those long forgotten memories, some bad and some good--including his desire for Cory, the one girl he couldn’t have.
As the sexual tension between Cory and Jake heightens and their emotional connection strengthens, will they let down their barriers long enough to find true love, or will the pain of the past keep them apart forever?
233 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2012
162 people are currently reading
818 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
March 22, 2016
This was a very good story. While the plot was a familiar one, the characters were very appealing and the author's writing style easy to follow and I liked the way she wrapped everything up at the end.
Jake had grown up with an abusive father and as a result, he spent as much time as he could with his Aunt Tilly. Once an adult, he became a successful businessman living in Chicago. He still made it back to visit his aunt but washed his hands of his father. When Tilly asks him to help her fix up her home, Jake plans on doing so but before he can get there, Tilly passes away. Her lawyer contacts Jake and asks him to come back for the reading of his aunt's will.
Jake arrives back in town to find his former love in residence at Tilly's house. Cory is a nurse whom Tilly hired to help take care of her and her nine cats. He's surprised to see her again. He'd walked away once, knowing he wasn't the one for her. Ever since, he's played the field, making sure not to get involved with anyone.
When they go to the lawyer's, Jake and Cory find out Tilly has left everything, including her house, to the two of them but in order to inherit they have to spend the next three months living there together while they fix it up. Neither one is happy with the arrangement but Cory agrees because she needs the money from the sale of the house in order to stay in Faythe. Jake feels more of an obligation to stay because Tilly had asked for his help to begin with. He feels guilty for not making time for her when she first asked and feels it's the least he can do to stay.
Of course it goes without saying that there's an attraction there even though both of them try to ignore it. When Jake invites Cory to attend a gala in Chicago pertaining to his work, she agrees. The two of them end up making love although they insist nothing can come of it. However, they don't count on Cory's best friend, Sara, needing their help. Sara has a young daughter, Molly. Her husband Ted's nephew, Mitch, is visiting. When Sara comes down with a bad case of the flu and Ted's sister is suddenly rushed into surgery, Ted has to go to her. He asks Cory to take Mitch and Molly until Sara gets back on her feet. During this time, Jake really pitches in to help and it's almost like Mitch and Molly are their children and the four of them are a family. Jake begins to think about having a life with Cory. Every time he does, he remembers his own childhood, his father's treatment of him, and wonders if he has it in him to be a father, himself.
While in Faythe, Jake has reconnected with his dad. But the old man has Alzheimer's and is living in a special home for people suffering from the disease. He goes to see him and has mixed emotions when one time his dad berates him and treats him much like he did when Jake was growing up. The next time his dad doesn't know him. It's not until his father starts talking to him as a stranger and mentions Jake and his mom. During that time he admits he didn't know how to show his love for his son and treated him badly. He advises Jake not to do the same, to find a good woman and hang on to her and any kids they might have.
Once I started this book I didn't want to put it down. I really liked Cory and the way she knew to give Jake his space as he figured things out on his own. She didn't pressure him into doing something he didn't want to do. Instead, she did what she could to keep things simple between them even though she was falling for him. Jake was a little more complex with the things he was dealing with and although I could empathize with him, he also frustrated me with the way he used his past as an excuse not to get involved. Thank goodness he finally saw the light and came to his senses! Really enjoyed this one and would definitely recommend.
Jake had grown up with an abusive father and as a result, he spent as much time as he could with his Aunt Tilly. Once an adult, he became a successful businessman living in Chicago. He still made it back to visit his aunt but washed his hands of his father. When Tilly asks him to help her fix up her home, Jake plans on doing so but before he can get there, Tilly passes away. Her lawyer contacts Jake and asks him to come back for the reading of his aunt's will.
Jake arrives back in town to find his former love in residence at Tilly's house. Cory is a nurse whom Tilly hired to help take care of her and her nine cats. He's surprised to see her again. He'd walked away once, knowing he wasn't the one for her. Ever since, he's played the field, making sure not to get involved with anyone.
When they go to the lawyer's, Jake and Cory find out Tilly has left everything, including her house, to the two of them but in order to inherit they have to spend the next three months living there together while they fix it up. Neither one is happy with the arrangement but Cory agrees because she needs the money from the sale of the house in order to stay in Faythe. Jake feels more of an obligation to stay because Tilly had asked for his help to begin with. He feels guilty for not making time for her when she first asked and feels it's the least he can do to stay.
Of course it goes without saying that there's an attraction there even though both of them try to ignore it. When Jake invites Cory to attend a gala in Chicago pertaining to his work, she agrees. The two of them end up making love although they insist nothing can come of it. However, they don't count on Cory's best friend, Sara, needing their help. Sara has a young daughter, Molly. Her husband Ted's nephew, Mitch, is visiting. When Sara comes down with a bad case of the flu and Ted's sister is suddenly rushed into surgery, Ted has to go to her. He asks Cory to take Mitch and Molly until Sara gets back on her feet. During this time, Jake really pitches in to help and it's almost like Mitch and Molly are their children and the four of them are a family. Jake begins to think about having a life with Cory. Every time he does, he remembers his own childhood, his father's treatment of him, and wonders if he has it in him to be a father, himself.
While in Faythe, Jake has reconnected with his dad. But the old man has Alzheimer's and is living in a special home for people suffering from the disease. He goes to see him and has mixed emotions when one time his dad berates him and treats him much like he did when Jake was growing up. The next time his dad doesn't know him. It's not until his father starts talking to him as a stranger and mentions Jake and his mom. During that time he admits he didn't know how to show his love for his son and treated him badly. He advises Jake not to do the same, to find a good woman and hang on to her and any kids they might have.
Once I started this book I didn't want to put it down. I really liked Cory and the way she knew to give Jake his space as he figured things out on his own. She didn't pressure him into doing something he didn't want to do. Instead, she did what she could to keep things simple between them even though she was falling for him. Jake was a little more complex with the things he was dealing with and although I could empathize with him, he also frustrated me with the way he used his past as an excuse not to get involved. Thank goodness he finally saw the light and came to his senses! Really enjoyed this one and would definitely recommend.
March 4, 2016
This was a sweet read... the two main characters were childhood sweehearts and life took over so they split up... only to be reconciled back in their hometown years later- however both wanting different things. But does their love overule their material wants...? You'll have to read it to find out lol.. ;) If you want a gentle, non-angsty story and just a break from a read that has got your riled up... this will soothe you :) Enjoy!
October 20, 2013
I wanted to give 3.5 stars, almost a 4 but not quite. Sweet story, good romance, the only thing I would have liked was a better explored resolution of Jakes's "change of heart" at the end, it seemed a little abrupt; and maybe some exploration of Cory's reaction to said change of heart. Some parts of the story seemed overly-explained, then the ending seemed rushed, like the author was in a hurry to finish. Still, I liked it, and would read more by this author.
December 27, 2013
I loved this story! Jake has finally got some time to visit his aunt only to find out that she passed away and now his old girlfriend from high school is living in her house. His aunt was the town matchmaker and even from the grave she makes her final match of getting Jake and Cory back together. This is a story of small towns second chances and cats! Nine of them to be exact. Jake has been a city boy climbing the corporate ladder and it takes some time back in the small town for him to realize where he really wants to be. Loved the ending.
March 12, 2016
LIFE HAS A WAY OF MOVING ON FOR EVERYONE AND NOT STANDING STILL WAITING FOR YOU. POOR JAKE LEARNED A COSTLY LESSON ABOUT PUTTING THINGS OFF TILL TOMORROW OR NEXT WEEK MAYBE NEXT YEAR. I LOVE CATS, YOU COULD CALL ME A CAT PERSON, THEY ARE SUCH MYSTERIOUS CREATURES. I LOVE THE SAYINGS AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH CHAPTER ABOUT CATS, THEY WERE OH SO TRUE. I HOPE JAKE AND CORY HAS GOTTEN A TELEPHONE AND INTERNET SERVICE NOW. I JUST DIDN’T KNOW WHY THAT WASN’T RIGHT AWAY, SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON TOP LINE OF HER TO DO LIST. ;D
March 6, 2016
Enjoyable, light read. A predictable plot but sometimes that is exactly what is needed. Comfort reading at its best.
I WOULD have given this five stars but for the fact that it ended at 71% on my Kindle - JUST when I was expecting another goodly chunk of story. I hate it when that happens - there I am wondering what the author has in store for me, when the story just..... ends.
I WOULD have given this five stars but for the fact that it ended at 71% on my Kindle - JUST when I was expecting another goodly chunk of story. I hate it when that happens - there I am wondering what the author has in store for me, when the story just..... ends.
June 1, 2020
I really wanted to like this book. What made me buy it: It takes place in Wisconsin, in Door County. But... It's a fictitious town that would be right about where Juddville is. Only the details of the town do NOT mesh with the realities of Door County. My god, there is a factory in Faketown! Ain't no factories in the real Door, most of these towns on the bay side (Green Bay that is) don't have space for a factory. They are built against bluffs, and the unincorporated towns only have maybe 2 blocks of house/stores, in both breadth and depth. Obviously, I was banging my head against those problems a lot. Next, this is a 'she inherited the house, and he is helping her fix it up' trope. The story is mostly just the two of them, which breaks my 'there must be more than two people in a romance' rule.
Evan in a time of pandemic there are too many books to read, to waste time being bored by a book. Maybe I'll pick it up again, when I need some warm weather in my story.
Evan in a time of pandemic there are too many books to read, to waste time being bored by a book. Maybe I'll pick it up again, when I need some warm weather in my story.
August 29, 2019
Second Chances
Cory and Jake were high school sweethearts. Jake ran for the big city after high school. Cory went to college but really loved the country life. Tillie is Jake's aunt. She has left the house to them after her death. They are to fix it up and sell it. Can they rekindle the love they had before life tore them apart?
Cory and Jake were high school sweethearts. Jake ran for the big city after high school. Cory went to college but really loved the country life. Tillie is Jake's aunt. She has left the house to them after her death. They are to fix it up and sell it. Can they rekindle the love they had before life tore them apart?
August 15, 2024
Tillies surprise
Cory and Jake finds themselves in the !Middle of remaining Tiles old Victorian home in three !months ti!e for it to go up for sale You WI
L find this story to be one you don't want to stop reading.
Cory and Jake finds themselves in the !Middle of remaining Tiles old Victorian home in three !months ti!e for it to go up for sale You WI
L find this story to be one you don't want to stop reading.
September 2, 2017
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
March 5, 2016
Homecoming is one of those rare books that make you smile long after the last page has been turned. It is a sweet romance with just a little spice, and many unusual circumstances that make you keep reading to find resolution. Set in Wisconsin, the usual nuances of small town living are in place, making it seem very real. What is unusual is the story is about a house and a woman who died before the book begins. The inheritance of the house hinges on the owner’s caretaker/nurse of the past year and the owner’s nephew fixing up the house in a few months and finding homes for her nine cats. It sounds like a lovely Victorian home, but anyone who has lived in an older home can tell you it is difficult to “finish” fixing up a house, let alone do it in four months! Nurse Cory is determined to do it, and wants to use her share of the sale proceeds to buy a small house and stay in the town permanently. Nephew Jake is a Chicagoan with an exciting job there and a luxurious apartment and lifestyle there. He does not intend to stay there past his two-week vacation let alone three months to work on the house. It is the town he grew up in from age 10 until high school graduation, and his fondest memory was leaving.
Without being overly sweet or sappy, Ms Wellington has told the story of two high school “special” friends who meet up again under such unusual circumstances. There were so many issues dealt with throughout the book, that it seemed real. Their thoughts, problems, and dreams became real, and I raced to the end to find out what happened. This is a book I want to share with friends. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants an escape from daily responsibilities-at least for a couple hours!
Without being overly sweet or sappy, Ms Wellington has told the story of two high school “special” friends who meet up again under such unusual circumstances. There were so many issues dealt with throughout the book, that it seemed real. Their thoughts, problems, and dreams became real, and I raced to the end to find out what happened. This is a book I want to share with friends. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants an escape from daily responsibilities-at least for a couple hours!
September 8, 2013
This story is based in Door County in a non existent village. Since I had just returned from a visit to Door County it was especially fun to read. The plot is a little trite. Cory returned to her home town a year or so ago and took care of Tillie to the end of her life. Then Jake comes back to visit his aunt Tillie and learns she has died. Cory and jake go to the reading of the will and learn they are to live in the house to repair it for and then can share the money from the sale. There are some twists and turns, but ecentually Cory and jake rekindle their acquaintance and romance develops. It is a "nice" story.
March 6, 2016
Not gripping, but worth reading nonetheless.
I wish I could give this book five stars, but no can do. The plot was well thought out, the characters (except for one, the best friend of the heroine) were believable. There were just many inconsistencies for me. I won't list them as I detest spoilers. Also, some of the dialogue was just a bit off. However, I WILL give this author another try. I did enjoy most of the story. I appreciated that the author allowed a relationship to develop before sending the main characters to bed The single sex scene was not gratuitous.. That was a huge plus.
I wish I could give this book five stars, but no can do. The plot was well thought out, the characters (except for one, the best friend of the heroine) were believable. There were just many inconsistencies for me. I won't list them as I detest spoilers. Also, some of the dialogue was just a bit off. However, I WILL give this author another try. I did enjoy most of the story. I appreciated that the author allowed a relationship to develop before sending the main characters to bed The single sex scene was not gratuitous.. That was a huge plus.
April 16, 2016
First time
I really enjoyed the story of Jake and cory's.I hope to read more of your books.There are authors that I have never heard of so when I find a new one I give that authors book a try,and so for I have read some great books and you are among the best of the best new authors I have read so far,any friends and family members that knows me and how much I love to read know I don't recommend books unless they are really good,not o.k. but good.I'll recommend your book to everyone I know. I'll be on the lookout for more of your books.You keep writing and I will keep reading.
I really enjoyed the story of Jake and cory's.I hope to read more of your books.There are authors that I have never heard of so when I find a new one I give that authors book a try,and so for I have read some great books and you are among the best of the best new authors I have read so far,any friends and family members that knows me and how much I love to read know I don't recommend books unless they are really good,not o.k. but good.I'll recommend your book to everyone I know. I'll be on the lookout for more of your books.You keep writing and I will keep reading.
November 29, 2012
Amazon offered this as a free download for Kindle, so I didn't have high expectations. However I found this story to be very enjoyable and touching, reading it in one sitting. Cory and Jake were high school friends before life intervened and they went off on different paths. Circumstances surrounding Jake's Aunt Tillie ultimately bring them both together again, and as they work through Tillie's last request to rehab her home for sale, they come to grips with their past, present and maybe even their future.
August 11, 2013
Jake and Cory knew each other as teenagers, and found each other again later in life when they came together to fix up Jake's Aunt Tillie's house after her death. Her will stated that once the renovation was completed it should be sold and they could share the proceeds. However, Aunt Tillie, a matchmaker of note, actually had ulterior motives for the request. A nice heart-warming little love story - the ending is inevitable, but really when you read a book like this you want it to end this way.
August 12, 2013
Enjoyable read, a bit different from the mainstream romance. Despite the overall light tone, and some of the typical tropes, it manages to touch very serious themes with respect, tact and competence.
Characters are well rounded, feelings are given the time to build up and relationships to unfold.
The (one) sex scene is pivotal to the plot, though I might have done with less detail. On the other hand, the ending is rushed, and I wish the author had invested in it for several more pages, to keep the pace with the rest of the story.
All in all, i think I'll be reading more from this author.
Characters are well rounded, feelings are given the time to build up and relationships to unfold.
The (one) sex scene is pivotal to the plot, though I might have done with less detail. On the other hand, the ending is rushed, and I wish the author had invested in it for several more pages, to keep the pace with the rest of the story.
All in all, i think I'll be reading more from this author.
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March 9, 2016Humorous & Sweet Hometown Romance
Cory & Jake finally meet again under somewhat less than ideal circumstances many years after their high school fling ended. Funny that they were really put together by 2 different matchmakers - Tillie this time around and one of their high school teachers previously! Both characters were interesting, and despite there only being 1 steamy scene there was a ton of chemistry and a great build up to it. I appreciated how they balanced each other out & embraced each other's flaws, coming together for a picture perfect HEA.
Cory & Jake finally meet again under somewhat less than ideal circumstances many years after their high school fling ended. Funny that they were really put together by 2 different matchmakers - Tillie this time around and one of their high school teachers previously! Both characters were interesting, and despite there only being 1 steamy scene there was a ton of chemistry and a great build up to it. I appreciated how they balanced each other out & embraced each other's flaws, coming together for a picture perfect HEA.
March 28, 2016
A second chance with extra twists
I enjoyed this book with the story of a couple getting a second chance at love. They met in high school, but each went their own way. Years later they get together in their quest to fix up a
house left to them by Jake's aunt and Cory's friend and former patient. Jake has had his problems with his father and a learning disability. They come together, working on the house and learning how well they fit together. The secondary characters are lovable and add a lot to the story. I enjoyed this and recommend it highly.
I enjoyed this book with the story of a couple getting a second chance at love. They met in high school, but each went their own way. Years later they get together in their quest to fix up a
house left to them by Jake's aunt and Cory's friend and former patient. Jake has had his problems with his father and a learning disability. They come together, working on the house and learning how well they fit together. The secondary characters are lovable and add a lot to the story. I enjoyed this and recommend it highly.
September 15, 2013
This book was definitely a true gem that I am so glad I found. This was the first book I have read by this author and i can tell you that it won't be the last. She has a way of pulling you into the story and you feel like you are a part of it. I rarely find myself so emotionally into the characters when i read, that I actually feel their pain or joy and can be brought to tears. I definitely recommend this book and look forward to reading more of her work. :)
December 6, 2012
Nice, easy read, although the end didn't sound very real to me. Jake was used to his high stress job in Chicago as an advertising executive, so it didn't feel probable that he could adjust to small town life. I like books about high school sweethearts when the guy was a bad boy and it didn't disappoint in that aspect, Jake is everything you like in a bad boy.
August 15, 2013
I got this book through the Kindle app. I generally do not read romances like this, but it was unexpectedly pretty good. I kind of knew how it would end early on, but I enjoyed the details and tease the author takes the reader on. It's a pretty quick read and a good book to break away from long reads or any genre. I would be interested in reading another book by Janet Wellington.
May 1, 2015
In Homecoming ~ a Wisconsin reunion, the two strong main characters make this novel interesting from start to finish. Jake is compassionate, successful and willing to help others and sexy too. The beautiful, friendly and strength of Cory matches Jake perfectly. Real life situations keep the beautiful love story of these two and make it into a great novel.
March 8, 2016
I love meddling old people stories even if it is from the grave. And this book did not disappoint in that department. When a trouble kid leaves his home town years before he thought he had left everything behind and that nothing would be the same when he returned. unbeknownst to him his loving aunt upon her passing had other ideas.
April 1, 2016
Life Is Full Of Surprises
Homecoming reminded me of Mt. Airy and The Andy Griffiths Show.
It all felt real. I don't want to give you any spoilers. There is just one romance scene for only mature readers.
You will find it is a relaxing and easy- reading book.
Hope you will enjoy it as much as I have.
Homecoming reminded me of Mt. Airy and The Andy Griffiths Show.
It all felt real. I don't want to give you any spoilers. There is just one romance scene for only mature readers.
You will find it is a relaxing and easy- reading book.
Hope you will enjoy it as much as I have.
December 6, 2016
HOMECOMING, a Wisconsin Reunion Romance
The love story of Cory and Jacob. After Tillie, Jack's grant aunt, die, she left her home to Jack and Cory under the condition that they live in and repair the house for three month. Can they find love or will they go their separate easy. You love it.
The love story of Cory and Jacob. After Tillie, Jack's grant aunt, die, she left her home to Jack and Cory under the condition that they live in and repair the house for three month. Can they find love or will they go their separate easy. You love it.
August 21, 2013
I so enjoyed this book. The characters were real (loveable, interesting, frustrating and very human). The author pulled together many elements from our society that affect our everyday life, but did it in a way that made the book engaging.
September 23, 2013
This was an extremely enjoyable story to read. Definitely some sad moments past and present, though overall a sweet story of a possible second chance at love. Match making from the heavens even, just too cute. :)
March 10, 2016
2-3 stars. I don't normally read romance, so I'm trying not to be too hard on this book. It was ok...sweet, but predictable. The ending just sort of happened; it was rather abrupt, particularly bc it appeared I had only read 71% of the book? Weird, but whatever
March 7, 2016
Amazon review
Excellent book. I'm a dog person rather than a cat person but thought it was cute anyway. Really loved the story. Definitely identified with the learning problem as I have known several kids who have had or have this problem.
Excellent book. I'm a dog person rather than a cat person but thought it was cute anyway. Really loved the story. Definitely identified with the learning problem as I have known several kids who have had or have this problem.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews