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Band Of Sisters #2
Coming Home
Five women became fast friends when their husbands were deployed to Afghanistan. But as they welcome the soldiers home, what should be a joyful time soon becomes painful. Kim, who had a baby while her husband was away, knows how to be a mother but has forgotten how to be a wife. Nora, accustomed to taking care of herself during the long years of her husband’s absence, resents having to forfeit her independence. Jess’s already troubled marriage turns dangerous, while Brenda struggles to manage her husband’s psychological trauma. And Marianne faces her crushing loss, compounded with worry over wayward children. Each woman must draw upon her bond of friendship and faith to find the strength, courage, and insight needed to move forward, proving that even the hardest of trials cannot break this loyal band of sisters.
238 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
3 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Annette Lyon
81 books307 followersAnnette Lyon is a USA Today bestselling author, an 9-time recipient of Utah’s Best in State medal for fiction (three times for novel-length works and five times for short fiction), and a Whitney Award winner for BAND OF SISTERS. She's the author of over a dozen novels, at least that many novellas, a cookbook, a popular grammar guide, and over a hundred magazine articles.
She’s a founder and regular contributor of the Timeless Romance Anthologies line of sweet romance stories, which she served as editor for its first three years. She's also one of the four co-authors of The Newport Ladies Book Club series. She graduated cum laude from BYU with a degree in English.
Annette is represented by Jill Marsal of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
Her first suspense novel, Just One More, releases 2023 through Scarlet Suspense.
She’s a founder and regular contributor of the Timeless Romance Anthologies line of sweet romance stories, which she served as editor for its first three years. She's also one of the four co-authors of The Newport Ladies Book Club series. She graduated cum laude from BYU with a degree in English.
Annette is represented by Jill Marsal of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
Her first suspense novel, Just One More, releases 2023 through Scarlet Suspense.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
September 8, 2018
This book opened my eyes to the struggle families have rebuilding after their soldiers return home from war. I stand in awe of the sacrifice that our national heroes pay for us, and for the sacrifice their families--and particularly their wives--pay. Were I asked to go to war to protect the freedoms we have in America, I would; but I am so grateful that there are so many who choose the armed forces as their profession so I don't have to make that choice, and can instead do something I love (teaching).
December 21, 2024
Sweet stories, showing true struggles of marriage and scars left on the soldiers and their families who March into battle.
I thought it was Christian, ended up being Mormon. Was enlightening and saddening to learn more about this religion.
I also wanted more of Kim and Justin and I felt like it was the same scene over and over again with Marrianne… but then again life is repetitive especially when facing and breaking the hard. Perhaps I’m too picky.
I thought it was Christian, ended up being Mormon. Was enlightening and saddening to learn more about this religion.
I also wanted more of Kim and Justin and I felt like it was the same scene over and over again with Marrianne… but then again life is repetitive especially when facing and breaking the hard. Perhaps I’m too picky.
June 23, 2022
This book is the follow-up to "Band of Sisters" - their soldier husbands have come home from their year in Afghanistan - at least 4 of them came home alive. This story shows the struggles, problems, challenges of "re-entry" and trying to get back to "normal" life - but how do you "erase" the year that the wives went through which was hard but still vastly different than their husbands near death experiences. Life is hard for these families as they deal with all the struggles that come with their service. These 5 families had their struggles and yet they still banded together to help each other through the difficult times - they all learned - their stories didn't all necessarily end as "happily ever after" - but they learned how to make it their happy but helping each other. These families had the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives but it was still difficult. Again, I gained a deeper appreciation for these families and what they ALL go through that we might have the freedoms that we have. I'm grateful for their service, act of love and sacrifice. Great read.
February 3, 2022
I wasn’t sure I was going to read this book. I read the first book and liked it but didn’t feel particularly compelled to read the next one. However, I needed a book to read and this was available, so I picked it up. I would say that I enjoyed this book. . . But, that seems like the wrong sentiment with the heavy subject matter. . . Even still, I wanted to read and find out what happened to all of the characters. They felt very real in their struggles. I appreciated that there was a variety of challenges they each went through and that it wasn’t all rosy and rainbows. Despite that, there were a few things that didn’t quite hit the mark for me and left me wondering if the women in the story would really think and act certain ways. Towards the end, I really wanted to see some resolution to some of the issues. I thought the author did a good job of giving some resolution without tying everything up with a bow—which would have felt fake. Overall, I. Enjoyed this book. 4 stars.
November 20, 2018
This book was even more depressing than the first. It really gave me a glimpse to increase my appreciation for what military families go through. I like to think these examples were the extreme worst case scenario but I know it's not. I can understand how hard it is to have husbands gone and the challenge of integrating back in once they are home but with military there is a whole different aspect of them being in danger and trauma and the after effects. This book opened my eyes a little more to those realities. I felt like the beginning was well written but by the end I felt like it seemed really scattered, sort of, let's just get to Christmas and be done idea. Prob a good thing because by the end it was more of the same... It doesn't resolve a lot, it leaves a lot undone which is ok but just don't be prepared for much resolution...
June 30, 2017
This was another phenomenal book by Annette Lyon. I loved the first book and I think this book adds to it beautifully. It might be able to be read on it's own, but the first one is just so good I would recommend picking it up as well. The plot worked well and the characters were PHENOMENAL. I appreciated how real the characters, their struggles, and their responses to their struggles were. I think most of what I've read has been about what happens while spouses are away at war, and doesn't touch much on what happens after they come home from war, which can be it's own struggle and battle. She tackled a LOT of tough issues in respectful and inspiring ways. I'd rate it clean, PG, with great values.
September 12, 2017
This is about five women who became friends when their husbands were deployed to Afghanistan. They met weekly for that year and supported each other. When the husbands returned, what should be joyful soon became painful. There were a lot of things each had to go through and learn. Growing pains and problems, and joys. Interesting how our emotions work.
January 19, 2021
In book one, the wives of several servicemen become friends as they support each other through deployment. In this sequel, the Band of Sisters support each other as their husbands return and face many challenges as they adjust back to civilian life. Good read. Thanks to all who sacrifice so that the rest of us can be free!!!
May 10, 2021
This was hard for me. All the husbands have struggles when they come back from deployment. It felt to really to me. My son is on his first deployment. And all the issues were cleared up too fast at the end. I did not realize this was the second book in a series.
March 24, 2023
This was quite different from my usual read.
It had a heavy feel throughout the book, while it did end on a hopeful note. All in all, I feel that it was very true to life, which made it not really a "fun" book to read. The story was engaging and well written though.
It had a heavy feel throughout the book, while it did end on a hopeful note. All in all, I feel that it was very true to life, which made it not really a "fun" book to read. The story was engaging and well written though.
May 5, 2017
its super good it talks about how these military wives come together to help each other overcome there husbands and think of ways to help there husbands and families.
June 15, 2019
I'll admit it - I cried through most of this book. More feels than a Hallmark movie.
August 27, 2019
3 1/2 stars. This book helped me understand the unique concerns faced by families of deployed servicemen.
January 27, 2025
A sweet and emotional follow up to the first one
August 24, 2025
This book was really good. A group of women that became friends while their husbands were deployed have different struggles when their husbands come home. Rough at times but good.
January 11, 2013
Band of Sisters, the first book, was about five women whose husbands were deployed to Afghanistan. They formed a strong group of women to help each other while their husbands were gone. This novel showed the harsh reality of war, and the families left behind while a spouse is deployed. This book of friendship and strength won Author Annette Lyon a 2010 Whitney Award in General Fiction.
This second installment, Coming Home, shows the impact of war on the men, and how the families deal with their husbands and fathers now home from war. This book is realistic, as it explores many of the true-to-life issues that many of our service men and women live with.
One of the five women, Marianne, has become a widow, as her husband died while serving overseas. The novel shows the grief of the family, as they now have to live life forever without their husband and father.
Another woman, Brenda, has the heartache of finding out her husband has PTSD, and he goes from being severely depressed to out of control with his anger. With the PTSD he loses his job and his wife finds out she's pregnant.
Then poor Jessie, who didn't mind her husband being gone for a year, once again has to deal with his abusive and bullying nature. She also finds out about the many bad habits he picked up while he was deployed. Soon she fears for the safety of herself and children.
Kim, the youngest women of the group, is having a hard time adjusting to being a "wife". Newly married when she sent her husband off, she only knows how to play well the role of a Mom to her baby son who was born during the past year. Kim is having the harder time adjusting to having her husband home.
Nora, the older woman, who was the glue that held them together the past year, is having some growing pains having her husband there 24/7 underfoot. For many years she was independent, raising her children on her own as her husband was deployed. Now, he is trying to take charge of Nora's life.
What did I love about this book? I loved the characters even more than the first book. I felt like I was revisiting old friends. Annette does a wonderful job of creating characters that you can bond with, and care about. All of the women in the story struggled with the deployment being over. Coming Home showed how the trials weren't over for the families. It isn't always a happy read, but one where the women rise up and gather courage and strength from each other. I was truly inspired by these characters and the hard decisions they had to make. I could relate to many of the things they were going through; especially Marianne, the now single Mom.
If you haven't read the first Band of Sisters, I recommend that you do that first before reading Coming Home. You will be lost and not feel the deep impact of what is happening in the story.
Coming Home has a satisfying ending. Everything isn't truly perfect with all of the women and their families, but as in life, it never really is.
This second installment, Coming Home, shows the impact of war on the men, and how the families deal with their husbands and fathers now home from war. This book is realistic, as it explores many of the true-to-life issues that many of our service men and women live with.
One of the five women, Marianne, has become a widow, as her husband died while serving overseas. The novel shows the grief of the family, as they now have to live life forever without their husband and father.
Another woman, Brenda, has the heartache of finding out her husband has PTSD, and he goes from being severely depressed to out of control with his anger. With the PTSD he loses his job and his wife finds out she's pregnant.
Then poor Jessie, who didn't mind her husband being gone for a year, once again has to deal with his abusive and bullying nature. She also finds out about the many bad habits he picked up while he was deployed. Soon she fears for the safety of herself and children.
Kim, the youngest women of the group, is having a hard time adjusting to being a "wife". Newly married when she sent her husband off, she only knows how to play well the role of a Mom to her baby son who was born during the past year. Kim is having the harder time adjusting to having her husband home.
Nora, the older woman, who was the glue that held them together the past year, is having some growing pains having her husband there 24/7 underfoot. For many years she was independent, raising her children on her own as her husband was deployed. Now, he is trying to take charge of Nora's life.
What did I love about this book? I loved the characters even more than the first book. I felt like I was revisiting old friends. Annette does a wonderful job of creating characters that you can bond with, and care about. All of the women in the story struggled with the deployment being over. Coming Home showed how the trials weren't over for the families. It isn't always a happy read, but one where the women rise up and gather courage and strength from each other. I was truly inspired by these characters and the hard decisions they had to make. I could relate to many of the things they were going through; especially Marianne, the now single Mom.
If you haven't read the first Band of Sisters, I recommend that you do that first before reading Coming Home. You will be lost and not feel the deep impact of what is happening in the story.
Coming Home has a satisfying ending. Everything isn't truly perfect with all of the women and their families, but as in life, it never really is.
March 9, 2013
What a powerful book about a "band of sister" brought together to support each other with the common thread of guard deployment. The deployment is over and the men have returned, but not the men they left, some not at all and some with varying states of emotional distress...PTSD. The woman still have their weekly lunch dates to check on each other's reentry into having their husbands home. At first everyone is eager to put on a good front, but as situation make it harder to hide the problems, masks are taken off and reality surfaces.
Jessie comes to terms that her marriage with Tim is over, that he is not in a place to use repentance for his porn, or word of wisdom issues. She takes control of her life and takes the decision making of her life and that of her children back into her hands. She goes to counseling with their bishop and resolves that their is nothing left that she can do to change her husbands choices.
Nora has a hard time to adjusting to having her retired husband home and in her "business." After leaving to help with her daughter after the birth of a baby, she discovers that maybe her husband is as lost as she is in this adjusting process. She sees in her daughters example that she needs to allow her husband to feel that he can "help" her even if its not a necessity, but to know that he is wanted and needed. Her efforts to change her behavior allow the marriage to again flourish with love.
Brenda's husband, rick's return isn't what she had hoped. She expected her knight in shining armor to return taking some of the burden of raising their rambunctious, young boys, but instead she finds herself carrying the additional load of a husband going through PTSD. Getting to the point where Rick acknowledges his need for help is scary and then after it's the process of time. Brenda also gets the added blessing of an unexpected pregnancy and her husbands lost job to add to her worries.
Kim has overcome her fear of being a good mother, now she has to rearrange her schedule to allow Justin the time to learn his father role with their son Brian without being the overprotective hen. She has a hard time with being a wife and juggling her mother role. When justin makes the effort to rekindle their date night and romance it makes all the difference.
Marianne lost her husband brian before the year of deployment ended. Since then her two teenage daughter have been going off the deep end with cutting themselves, drugs, boyfriends, failed grades, and suicide attempts. She struggles with copping with the grief of her lost companion, but keeps going for the kids who need her.
In the end, a christmas get together reveals a quilt put together by Brenda with shirts and memorabilia of Brian for Marianne. Their support and love bring the woman together stronger than before.
Jessie comes to terms that her marriage with Tim is over, that he is not in a place to use repentance for his porn, or word of wisdom issues. She takes control of her life and takes the decision making of her life and that of her children back into her hands. She goes to counseling with their bishop and resolves that their is nothing left that she can do to change her husbands choices.
Nora has a hard time to adjusting to having her retired husband home and in her "business." After leaving to help with her daughter after the birth of a baby, she discovers that maybe her husband is as lost as she is in this adjusting process. She sees in her daughters example that she needs to allow her husband to feel that he can "help" her even if its not a necessity, but to know that he is wanted and needed. Her efforts to change her behavior allow the marriage to again flourish with love.
Brenda's husband, rick's return isn't what she had hoped. She expected her knight in shining armor to return taking some of the burden of raising their rambunctious, young boys, but instead she finds herself carrying the additional load of a husband going through PTSD. Getting to the point where Rick acknowledges his need for help is scary and then after it's the process of time. Brenda also gets the added blessing of an unexpected pregnancy and her husbands lost job to add to her worries.
Kim has overcome her fear of being a good mother, now she has to rearrange her schedule to allow Justin the time to learn his father role with their son Brian without being the overprotective hen. She has a hard time with being a wife and juggling her mother role. When justin makes the effort to rekindle their date night and romance it makes all the difference.
Marianne lost her husband brian before the year of deployment ended. Since then her two teenage daughter have been going off the deep end with cutting themselves, drugs, boyfriends, failed grades, and suicide attempts. She struggles with copping with the grief of her lost companion, but keeps going for the kids who need her.
In the end, a christmas get together reveals a quilt put together by Brenda with shirts and memorabilia of Brian for Marianne. Their support and love bring the woman together stronger than before.
May 24, 2014
My recommendation is to read the first book, it's pretty good and well written but definitely skip this one. This book is just riddled with problems.
In the first book, the husbands are deployed and it works well frankly because the author can avoid talking about intimacy and sex. She tries to skirt it here and completely fails to convey the true dynamics of marriage, the emotional, mental and spiritual connections. The book sounds like a 17 year old talking about marriage.
The book makes a big deal if a husband thinks his wife spends too much or differences in parenting styles. Then it tries to cover a dozen serious issues from PTSD to drug addiction to adolescent rebellion to lose of a parent to porn addiction and never gives any of them a serious consideration. There is only a couple of scenes that dive deep into those conflicts and the rest of the time she skims over them. A lot of things are just thrown in for fun and treated lightly.
So in summary, read the 1st and skip this one.
In the first book, the husbands are deployed and it works well frankly because the author can avoid talking about intimacy and sex. She tries to skirt it here and completely fails to convey the true dynamics of marriage, the emotional, mental and spiritual connections. The book sounds like a 17 year old talking about marriage.
The book makes a big deal if a husband thinks his wife spends too much or differences in parenting styles. Then it tries to cover a dozen serious issues from PTSD to drug addiction to adolescent rebellion to lose of a parent to porn addiction and never gives any of them a serious consideration. There is only a couple of scenes that dive deep into those conflicts and the rest of the time she skims over them. A lot of things are just thrown in for fun and treated lightly.
So in summary, read the 1st and skip this one.
January 28, 2013
4 1/2 stars
Reviewed for www.compassbookratings.com
Overall Review:
A few years ago I picked up a copy of Annette Lyon's Band of Sisters. I was instantly impressed by Lyon's strong characterization of five women who become close friends while their husbands serve together in Afghanistan.
In this gripping sequel, Lyon provides a straightforward, honest and raw look at what soldiers and their families deal with upon reentry. Readers will have a difficult time remembering Coming Home is fiction; Lyon has done impeccable research and her story flows easily. Tears frequently pricked my eyes at the depth of emotion I felt while enjoying this tale. Besides serving as a touching tribute to friendship, Coming Home renewed my appreciation for the countless sacrifices made for my freedom.
For full content analysis, go to www.compassbookratings.com
Reviewed for www.compassbookratings.com
Overall Review:
A few years ago I picked up a copy of Annette Lyon's Band of Sisters. I was instantly impressed by Lyon's strong characterization of five women who become close friends while their husbands serve together in Afghanistan.
In this gripping sequel, Lyon provides a straightforward, honest and raw look at what soldiers and their families deal with upon reentry. Readers will have a difficult time remembering Coming Home is fiction; Lyon has done impeccable research and her story flows easily. Tears frequently pricked my eyes at the depth of emotion I felt while enjoying this tale. Besides serving as a touching tribute to friendship, Coming Home renewed my appreciation for the countless sacrifices made for my freedom.
For full content analysis, go to www.compassbookratings.com
June 23, 2015
This is the sequel to Band of Sisters. When their husbands are deployed, this group of women band together to support one another. Despite their differences in age and education, they are able to become friends. This book picks up where the first book ends. The husbands--who survived the first book--are coming home. The ladies need each other's support while their husbands adjust to coming home--and especially the sister who's husband doesn't come home.
Overall, an ok story, but too heavy a subject matter for me to really enjoy. There is too much sadness and stress in every day life, so I read to escape. With family members who have been deployed, it hit too close to home to really read as fiction.
Overall, an ok story, but too heavy a subject matter for me to really enjoy. There is too much sadness and stress in every day life, so I read to escape. With family members who have been deployed, it hit too close to home to really read as fiction.
January 28, 2013
When you shed tears in the first chapter, you know you're in for it! Coming Home is a sequel to Band of Sisters, and continues the story of 5 military wives as they greet their husbands and welcome them home after a year's service overseas.
Strong, poignant characters bring to life the challenges that face military families as they readjust to home-life with their husbands. A realistic and compassionate look into the hearts of the women as they continue in their friendships and support each other no matter what.
Excellent women's fiction!
Strong, poignant characters bring to life the challenges that face military families as they readjust to home-life with their husbands. A realistic and compassionate look into the hearts of the women as they continue in their friendships and support each other no matter what.
Excellent women's fiction!
January 6, 2015
When you shed tears in the first chapter, you know you're in for it! Coming Home is a sequel to Band of Sisters, and continues the story of 5 military wives as they greet their husbands and welcome them home after a year's service overseas.
Strong, poignant characters bring to life the challenges that face military families as they readjust to home-life with their husbands. A realistic and compassionate look into the hearts of the women as they continue in their friendships and support each other no matter what.
Excellent women's fiction!
Strong, poignant characters bring to life the challenges that face military families as they readjust to home-life with their husbands. A realistic and compassionate look into the hearts of the women as they continue in their friendships and support each other no matter what.
Excellent women's fiction!
April 2, 2013
I had no idea what women go through when their husbands reenter life after military service. This story continues on with the five women from the first book and how they adjusted to this new phase of life. I think about every typical situation was covered. I loved the unlikely bond that these women formed, becoming as close as sisters, supporting one another in their times of need. Very powerfully written.
May 18, 2013
I liked this book; I really enjoyed some of the relationships and stories each of the women faced, but I felt it was too short to do their stories justice. Out of all of them, I felt that Jessie's was the most well done (although heartbreaking) and the last chapter had me bawling like a baby (good bawling). I would have given this 4 stars (I came close) if I could have connected with the writing more. I'm glad I read it, I do recommend it, but I didn't LOVE it...
September 16, 2014
The husbands (minus the one soldier killed by an RPG) have returned from their year of deployment and each couple has to deal with issues related to their husband's return. This book is as the previous one, filled with some great counsel for dealing with life's challenges. I really enjoyed these books. Great to have on hand when you need a good cry (yes, some very sad parts, but very beautiful books).
April 17, 2013
I LOVED this book. I enjoyed the first book, but this one was even better. I felt as though it was very "real" and that Annette Lyon did a fabulous job portraying the struggles that women face, especially women whose husbands have served in the military. I became so attached to the characters, and felt as though I could relate to each one in many different ways. Fabulous book.
May 10, 2013
This is the sequel to BAND OF SISTERS. In this book, the husbands come home from Afghanistan and face the many problems of readjusting to civilian life. The women also have trouble learning how to deal with a loss of the independance that they developed while their husbands were deployed. Through it all, they remain the closest of friends.
April 25, 2013
this was kind of a sad book. It is about some women who all have husbands who are in the army. The first book is about what happens while all the men are gone. This book is about all the problems when they come home and how to deal with them. I did like it, but it was sad.
April 1, 2013
This was a great book. It is the sequel to "Band of Sisters". It continues the story of the five women in the first book. They go through more trials and become closer. I really liked this book, as did my daughter.
March 11, 2013
Oh the Drama! While drama makes for a good read {I couldn't put it down}, it is not realistic that for so many major trials happen to this group of friends all at the same time period. It made me grateful for my very ordinary and uninteresting life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews