Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Family Ties #1

The Way Home

Rate this book
There's a whole new generation of female readers -- women who are committed to family values and high moral standards. Capture this audience with Love Inspired "RM" books, a series of contemporary inspirational love stories.This aggressively growing market means more profit for you!

A high-profile journalist living a glamorous life has left her Christian upbringing behind; a hardworking attorney lives modestly and attends church. These two people view life from opposite ends, but end up somewhere in the middle. Together they discover what's most important in life -- love and faith in God.

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1, 2000

318 people are currently reading
341 people want to read

About the author

Irene Hannon

126 books3,028 followers
Irene Hannon, who writes both contemporary romance and romantic suspense, is the author of more than 65 novels. Her books have been honored with three coveted RITA awards from Romance Writers of America (the “Oscar” of romance fiction) and she is a member of that organization's elite Hall of Fame. She has also received a Career Achievement award from RT Book Reviews for her entire body of work. Other awards for individual books include National Readers' Choice, HOLT Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, Retailers Choice, Booksellers' Best, and Reviewers' Choice from RT Book Reviews. She is also a two-time Christy award finalist.

Millions of her books have been sold worldwide, and her novels have been translated into multiple languages.

A former corporate communications executive with a Fortune 500 company, Irene now writes full time. To learn more about Irene and her books, visit www.irenehannon.com.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
281 (59%)
4 stars
127 (27%)
3 stars
54 (11%)
2 stars
4 (<1%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
886 reviews6 followers
July 9, 2025
She seemed to have it all—
except a way home.

Broadcast journalist Amy Winter has her sights set on a network job, and the sports-star trial she’s been assigned to cover for her Atlanta station might be just the thing to get her noticed by the corporate bigwigs. If she can persuade prosecuting attorney Cal Richards to cooperate with her coverage. But the man is more tight-lipped than a CIA agent.

Cal has no time for pushy journalists who prefer sensationalism over substance. And Amy is beyond pushy. Case in point—finagling her way into a date with him. When their paths cross in a different setting, however, his opinion of her begins to change…and his feelings start to deepen. But the dream he’s kept close to his heart doesn’t align with her career ambitions, creating a major roadblock to romance.

Can these two strong, determined people find a way to reconcile their divergent ambitions and build a future together, or will their blossoming love vanish like a Smoky Mountains mist?

In this RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award winner, bestselling author Irene Hannon shares a tender story about the power of love to change lives and the importance of discovering what really matters.

My comments:

I really enjoyed this story, Cal and Amy were wonderful Characters and I really liked how they grew and learned together. As usual this was a wonderful story by this author and I'm looking forward to more. I'm already reading the second book in this series now. Once the brides series comes out on Audible i'll read that in order as well. There is not one book i've read by this author that I have not enjoyed.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
2,363 reviews165 followers
November 25, 2024
4.5 stars
"Cal, there's a woman on the phone who says she won you in an auction. Is she a nut, or is there something you haven't told me?"

It was a bold move, broadcast journalist Amy Winter would be the first to admit. . . . . .but purchasing a date with the tight-lipped prosecutor Cal Richards might give her an advantage in the high profile trial she was covering .. . . or not. Determined to make a name for herself in order to secure an anchor spot, Amy was willing to walk out on a limb. The question was . . . would it hold her?

She just wouldn't go away. Cal Richards was known through-out the Atlanta area for refusing interviews, but Amy Winter had not read "the memo" which read . . . back off. When Cal realizes that Amy is the one who paid an enormous amount of money to his favorite charity for an evening in his presence, well . . . . .how hard could it be? Thankfully, he had no idea.

This charming, but deeply meaningful not-really friends-to-more-than-just-friends trope is filled to the brim with everything that makes a story sing off the page! (right, Gram?). . . . all the way home.
Profile Image for Beth Westcott.
Author 6 books30 followers
March 27, 2025
Cal Richards and Amy Winter clash when they first meet. They soon discover they have more in common than they first thought. Cal, a successful prosecutor with the DA's office in Atlanta, Ga., gave up his dream to please his father. Amy aims to become a broadcast news anchor and achieve acclaim in her chosen career. These two strong characters with integrity are discovering that success may mean something different. This is a love story that has two people searching to fulfill their dreams and find a way to make love work in their diverging directions in life. Believable plot, authentic characters.
2,249 reviews12 followers
June 5, 2025
The Way Home

Amy and Cal have a sweet story. Amy is a journalist covering a court case Cal is prosecuting as the assistant prosecutor. He has a strict no comment to all journalists, even the persistent ones like Amy. But when they meet in a different setting he finds Amy fascinating. The problem is he is a mountain man by heart who longs for the peace and quiet he finds away from the city, but she wants the city life and notoriety. Their hearts tell them they are right for each other, but their brains tell them they need to be apart. Will the heart get what the heart wants?
Profile Image for Angel Graham.
Author 1 book33 followers
April 2, 2025
I call bullshit!

No way, in ATLANTA, GEORGIA... That a reporter was able to get pass a police barricade at a hostage situation... To be the only one to grab the child walking out the daycare door. Maybe, maybe, in a small town, but not in a town where this occurs often enough that they have protocols for it. Then, she has concussion, and ER says go home and sleep, take two aspirin for pain...No need,for anyone to spot you...I had A mild concussion once...I couldn't leave until someone to drive, and stay with me!

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Amy Hagerup.
Author 7 books7 followers
April 3, 2025
I truly enjoyed this book. It was beautifully crafted, thoughtfully polished, and carried a compelling storyline. The characters felt authentic and easy to connect with, each facing challenges in their careers that left them feeling stuck with few options for change. Finding a middle ground wasn’t easy, and yet both were willing to give up something important. I really appreciated how they navigated their way through it all!
722 reviews
April 15, 2025
Success comes at a price

Amy is a successful journalist on her way up the ladder, but at the cost of no personal life. Cal is a successful lawyer in Atlanta but hates the city life. When their lives intersect, neither thought they had anything in common however sparks fly. But can they make their different directions in life work? An enjoyable read reminding us that money and fame come at a cost we may not be willing to pay.
594 reviews6 followers
October 8, 2025
The road less traveled?

This is a sweet love story about two high profile workaholics who suddenly take a look at their lives and try to make sense of who they are and what, and to whom, their obligations are. Their journeys are difficult as they struggle to go through their travels in the best direction possible to reach their unknown destinations. Their journeys are enlightening and memorable. This is a wonderful read.
1,046 reviews11 followers
March 29, 2025
Excellent book

This book was a pleasure to read. Well written, well edited, and a great storyline. The characters were believable and likeable. They each had careers that had, for them, major drawbacks., but had no other trajectory for change. A compromise was hard to reconcile, though each was willing to sacrifice something. I loved the way they worked it out!
25 reviews
April 14, 2025
Great read!

This story captivated me from the beginning. I got so involved with the characters that I continued reading all evening until I finished the book.

I could feel the emotions and envision the scenery. The twists and turns and surprises kept me wondering what was around the next corner.
211 reviews2 followers
May 6, 2025
an Amazing Love Story

Love and commitment that is Christ centered endures. Two people with different goals and life’s perspectives meet and eventually fall in love. When a career and lifestyle change enter their lives, both of them must weigh the cost of moving forward together or moving apart from each other.
R. Fody
May 2025
Profile Image for Brenda Bishop.
Author 1 book13 followers
January 3, 2026
ANOTHER GREAT STORY BY IRENE HANNON
Cal and Amy are both strong, independent and hard-working people. Both well advanced along their career paths. Amy wants to continue to climb the ladder but Cal is considering giving up the noise and bright lights of the city. In this story, the author focuses on career-driven and highly successsful individuals, and highlights the pros and cons of striving for promotion and prestige. Plus, she draws our attention to life values, and contrasts building up ourselves, our finances, our titles with building up relationships and helping others. Lovely ending.
582 reviews4 followers
February 6, 2017
This is a beautiful story, and so well crafted. It deals with priorities, faith, hope, and love. The main characters, Cal and Amy, are worlds apart in goals and lifestyle; however, they learn there is more to life than work and money.
114 reviews
June 23, 2018
Great love story

The characters are not allowed to be fake. They define genuine emotions and struggles. Life is truly about our choices. The characters face some very difficult situations and decisions.
514 reviews1 follower
February 20, 2022
I liked the way he respected her decision to make her own choices

It was a pretty straight plot not a lot of ups and downs or twists. The coincidences were convenient, but then God can work that way sometimes.
4 reviews
January 29, 2025
Reading bliss!

I gave this book 5 stars because it’s beautifully written as all Ms. Hannon’s books are. It holds the lows of tension between lovers, and the highs of joy and bliss. I found it difficult to put down. Sylvia Stewart.
82 reviews1 follower
March 26, 2025
I enjoy Hannon's books. They are clean, sweet, and mostly realistic. I enjoy the journey. I don't like the skipped time, but understand the reason for it. Skipping weeks or months in the story seems weird to me though.
221 reviews
April 8, 2025
Beautiful novel!

Irene Hannon did a great job in this book. Amy Winter was a journalist. Cal Richard’s was an attorney. The two meet and it is bad vibes on both sides. The book is great! Jeanette Stracner
Profile Image for Amanda.
1,010 reviews
May 25, 2025
I really enjoyed seeing how two people with such major differences and a huge initial dislike of each other grew to become friends and fall in love. How they worked through those issues was interesting and realistic.
1,653 reviews
August 27, 2025
Libby. Listened it. Any high powered newspaper reporter trying yo make a big name for herself meets assistant district attorney. Bough powered case did not give interviews lays for a date to try to get info. Good book. Fun love story give and take in relationships.
Profile Image for Sharon Rudolph.
2,139 reviews
January 31, 2025
Good book

This was a sweet book! I really enjoyed the storyline and I hope they will continue in the next book. The characters were fun, they grabbing attention
Profile Image for Amanda.
Author 40 books993 followers
April 27, 2025
The term "oldie but goodie" definitely applies to this book. It may be an encore edition, meaning it's one of her older books, but it's also one of her best.
Profile Image for Debby.
1,941 reviews5 followers
May 31, 2025
A bit frustrating at the end, I thought Amy should have made a decision much quicker! Another lovely story.
Profile Image for Paula Hein.
88 reviews
August 19, 2025
Enjoyed the well-developed characters, well-paced storyline and the relatability of the whole thing. I will read this author again.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.