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The Way Home
Morgan Starr is tired of saving the world.
Presumed dead after jumping into an alien portal, Morgan fought tooth and nail to return to a world forever changed. Free from the horrors that she lived through under the alien king, Vrelk, she’s determined to reconnect with her little sister and put all things Vyalcaron behind her.
Amidst the wreckage of the life she once knew, Gideon Blake becomes her anchor. Tension sizzles between them the closer they get until the spark ignites their friendship into something more — a force neither of them can deny.
Only Vrelk refuses to let Morgan go without a fight.
As the true intentions for Morgan’s return become clear, she needs to decide what future she’s fighting for. But will Gideon be able to trust her once he learns Vrelk’s hold on Morgan continues?
Or will she have to make the ultimate sacrifice one last time to prevent another alien invasion?
Presumed dead after jumping into an alien portal, Morgan fought tooth and nail to return to a world forever changed. Free from the horrors that she lived through under the alien king, Vrelk, she’s determined to reconnect with her little sister and put all things Vyalcaron behind her.
Amidst the wreckage of the life she once knew, Gideon Blake becomes her anchor. Tension sizzles between them the closer they get until the spark ignites their friendship into something more — a force neither of them can deny.
Only Vrelk refuses to let Morgan go without a fight.
As the true intentions for Morgan’s return become clear, she needs to decide what future she’s fighting for. But will Gideon be able to trust her once he learns Vrelk’s hold on Morgan continues?
Or will she have to make the ultimate sacrifice one last time to prevent another alien invasion?
454 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 26, 2024
4 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Sanchez
12 books214 followersNicole Sanchez can't believe she has the occasion to write an author biography.
She has been writing short stories from a young age, and is excited to be publishing her debut novel, Central Park Collision, a contemporary romance.
She has a lot of tricks up her sleeve, so be sure to hit the follow button to see all she has to offer!
When she's not writing, she can be found training for her next Disney Race or lounging around the parks.
She lives in New Jersey with her adoring husband and two cats, Chip and Harvey.
WEBSITE:
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FACEBOOK READER GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/22611...
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She has been writing short stories from a young age, and is excited to be publishing her debut novel, Central Park Collision, a contemporary romance.
She has a lot of tricks up her sleeve, so be sure to hit the follow button to see all she has to offer!
When she's not writing, she can be found training for her next Disney Race or lounging around the parks.
She lives in New Jersey with her adoring husband and two cats, Chip and Harvey.
WEBSITE:
INSTAGRAM:
TIKTOK:
FACEBOOK READER GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/22611...
BOOKBUB:
AMAZON:
TWITTER:
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 29, 2024
This book was absolutely amazing. Took me by complete surprise and I was so absorbed in it, I couldn’t put it down. Literally read it in one day. I first want to say that I am not normally a sci-fi romance reader. I can’t even remember the last time I read something that was sci-fi, but this was more sci-fi light and I absolutely loved it and will start looking for more similar.
The characters were absolutely incredible and relatable and I fell in love with them instantly. Morgan is the epitome of bad ass heroine who saves the world over and over again never putting herself first. When she came home, she was a totally different person and I loved watching all of them get to know these new identities and how they all work together. Morgan’s story was touching, inspiring and absolutely beautiful.
Gideon has easily become one of my favorite boyfriends. There are literally no complaints about him, he is perfect. I was obsessed with how he had so many regrets about not saying how he felt and didn’t make the same mistakes again. Finally a hero that learns from his past and doesn’t make the same mistake. His loyalty and love for Morgan was incomparable. No matter what she wanted from him, he was buy her side and would never not be there with her. That type of love and loyalty was incredibly refreshing. I just absolutely loved him and I want more.
This story is full of friends to lovers, found family, second chance romance, and just finding your place again when your life/your whole person is different.
I cannot say enough how much I love this book and how highly I recommend it. This has easily become my favorite book of Nicole Sanchez.
The characters were absolutely incredible and relatable and I fell in love with them instantly. Morgan is the epitome of bad ass heroine who saves the world over and over again never putting herself first. When she came home, she was a totally different person and I loved watching all of them get to know these new identities and how they all work together. Morgan’s story was touching, inspiring and absolutely beautiful.
Gideon has easily become one of my favorite boyfriends. There are literally no complaints about him, he is perfect. I was obsessed with how he had so many regrets about not saying how he felt and didn’t make the same mistakes again. Finally a hero that learns from his past and doesn’t make the same mistake. His loyalty and love for Morgan was incomparable. No matter what she wanted from him, he was buy her side and would never not be there with her. That type of love and loyalty was incredibly refreshing. I just absolutely loved him and I want more.
This story is full of friends to lovers, found family, second chance romance, and just finding your place again when your life/your whole person is different.
I cannot say enough how much I love this book and how highly I recommend it. This has easily become my favorite book of Nicole Sanchez.
July 28, 2024
First off, I’m not a Sci-Fi reader but when I heard Nicole was writing one - I knew I had to read it. I had never read about the“Underworld” until I read Nicole’s series (Games of Gods), so I knew Nicole was going to do an awesome job with aliens. And did she ever!
You will laugh, you will sigh, you will cry, you will swoon, and you will root for the good guys.
Morgan saves the world by jumping into a portal during an alien invasion. Three years later she is “allowed” to come back to Earth.
Everyone thought Morgan had died and she was hailed a hero.
Morgan has a lot to figure out - with her friends, family, the government, and Vrelk, the King of Vyalcaron; and trying to acclimate to being gone for three years.
Seth is Morgan’s fiance before the alien invasion. Seth shows his true colors when she is planning to attempt to save the world. Just wait until Morgan comes back to Earth.
Sarina is Morgan’s best friend. Enough said.
Dory is Morgan’s sister and Morgan is saving the world for her little sister.
Gideon is Morgan’s friend. It was always the four of them (Morgan, Seth, Sarina, and Gideon) growing up before the invasion. Gideon was the first to find Morgan when she returned to Earth. When others didn’t believe it was really Morgan, he was right there with her.
We can’t forget about General McBride, IYKYK; and Barbara (Gideon’s mom). Barbara stole Chapter 19 “ . . . but Barb has a rolled up magazine that she starts to hit her son with. “What were you thinking? This poor girl has been through enough!”
I could not put this book down. I was on edge more than once waiting for the other shoe to drop. Without giving away too much, I thought I had one scenario figured out but NOPE, there was another twist!
Nicole is such a masterful storyteller. You will not be disappointed, The Way Home contains plenty of steam, friends to lovers, found family and second chance romance.
Some of my favorite quotes:
“In its place is a king with a wrought iron headboard. My first thought looking at it is how easy it would be to grab while Gideon . . .” - Morgan
“Evidently, . . . before bros does not extend after assumed death.” - Morgan
“With all these emotions I’m dealing with after coming home, I do not have it in me to think about my newfound attraction to one of my best friends.” - Morgan
“I wanted to come and see you all so if they did disappear me to some government black site, at least I would know you were all okay.” - Morgan
“And then you were standing in the house, covered in your . . ., looking like you walked out of a video game, armed to the teeth. I decided in that moment, as I held you against me, that I wasn’t going to blow this. That I wasn’t going to let you slip through my fingers again.”
“He will steal me away in the night like the King of the Underworld.”
You will laugh, you will sigh, you will cry, you will swoon, and you will root for the good guys.
Morgan saves the world by jumping into a portal during an alien invasion. Three years later she is “allowed” to come back to Earth.
Everyone thought Morgan had died and she was hailed a hero.
Morgan has a lot to figure out - with her friends, family, the government, and Vrelk, the King of Vyalcaron; and trying to acclimate to being gone for three years.
Seth is Morgan’s fiance before the alien invasion. Seth shows his true colors when she is planning to attempt to save the world. Just wait until Morgan comes back to Earth.
Sarina is Morgan’s best friend. Enough said.
Dory is Morgan’s sister and Morgan is saving the world for her little sister.
Gideon is Morgan’s friend. It was always the four of them (Morgan, Seth, Sarina, and Gideon) growing up before the invasion. Gideon was the first to find Morgan when she returned to Earth. When others didn’t believe it was really Morgan, he was right there with her.
We can’t forget about General McBride, IYKYK; and Barbara (Gideon’s mom). Barbara stole Chapter 19 “ . . . but Barb has a rolled up magazine that she starts to hit her son with. “What were you thinking? This poor girl has been through enough!”
I could not put this book down. I was on edge more than once waiting for the other shoe to drop. Without giving away too much, I thought I had one scenario figured out but NOPE, there was another twist!
Nicole is such a masterful storyteller. You will not be disappointed, The Way Home contains plenty of steam, friends to lovers, found family and second chance romance.
Some of my favorite quotes:
“In its place is a king with a wrought iron headboard. My first thought looking at it is how easy it would be to grab while Gideon . . .” - Morgan
“Evidently, . . . before bros does not extend after assumed death.” - Morgan
“With all these emotions I’m dealing with after coming home, I do not have it in me to think about my newfound attraction to one of my best friends.” - Morgan
“I wanted to come and see you all so if they did disappear me to some government black site, at least I would know you were all okay.” - Morgan
“And then you were standing in the house, covered in your . . ., looking like you walked out of a video game, armed to the teeth. I decided in that moment, as I held you against me, that I wasn’t going to blow this. That I wasn’t going to let you slip through my fingers again.”
“He will steal me away in the night like the King of the Underworld.”
July 26, 2024
Really enjoyed this SciFi Romance! Morgan is a badass FMC and Gideon Blake is just top tier book boyfriend material. I love Nicole’s books and this one is no different. I guessed one of the big reveals, which always makes me happy! There’s great build-up to the climax of this book and Nicole always does a fantastic job making the payoff worth all the wait and anticipation. Also the friends to lovers in this book is *chefs kiss*
Check trigger warnings.
Check trigger warnings.
August 12, 2024
The Way Home begins with an alien invasion and the heroine sacrificing herself to save the world.
3 years after throwing herself through an alien portal Morgan Starr makes it back home to earth. But being back home isn't all sunshine and roses. Her friends have changed, her family has changed but most of all Morgan has changed.
The story of her 3 years on an alien world comes out slowly throughout the book as she rebuilds her relationships with her friends and sister.
I adore the love story that blooms between Morgan and her best friend Gideon. They are a couple that build each other up and whose strengths lift each other up.
This book tackles some difficult subjects like trauma and PTSD and I love that all the characters eventually work through it in a healthy manner by utilizing professionals instead of leaning on the bad "love and good sex will fix everything" trope.
If you want a sci-fi romance with a badass FMC and her thoroughly smitten and equally badass boyfriend, and you like friends to lovers and found family tropes, definitely give The Way Home a try!
3 years after throwing herself through an alien portal Morgan Starr makes it back home to earth. But being back home isn't all sunshine and roses. Her friends have changed, her family has changed but most of all Morgan has changed.
The story of her 3 years on an alien world comes out slowly throughout the book as she rebuilds her relationships with her friends and sister.
I adore the love story that blooms between Morgan and her best friend Gideon. They are a couple that build each other up and whose strengths lift each other up.
This book tackles some difficult subjects like trauma and PTSD and I love that all the characters eventually work through it in a healthy manner by utilizing professionals instead of leaning on the bad "love and good sex will fix everything" trope.
If you want a sci-fi romance with a badass FMC and her thoroughly smitten and equally badass boyfriend, and you like friends to lovers and found family tropes, definitely give The Way Home a try!
July 24, 2024
Thank you to Nicole Sanchez for the chance to read an advanced copy of The Way Home!
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
-found family
-friend to lovers
-trauma + healing
-protective MMC
-badass heroine
-he falls first
If you’re wanting to dive into sci-fi, but the genre scares you, add this one to your TBR! It’s very light sci-fi and I feel like it’s a great introduction into the genre.
When I read the synopsis, I knew that I NEEDED an ARC of this. Nicole had me at “alien portal” and “alien invasion”. I was honestly hooked from page 1. I didn’t want to stop reading AT ALL. When my kindle wasn’t in my hand I was constantly thinking about this world and these characters. I was completely immersed while reading the entire time, so much so that I felt like I was a character in the story.
Morgan Starr is a complete badass. She is now one of my favorite heroines. She is the definition of selfless and just wants the people she loves to be ok. I loved that I was in her head the entire time while reading because I really enjoyed her inner monologue.
Gideon Blake is EVERYTHING. He’s very protective and will do anything for the people he loves. He was born to be a caretaker and excels at being a safe space for everyone around him. And I love him so much.
And the tension between these two is 10/10 🥵
This book is absolutely amazing! I wish I could read it again for the first time! 👽
Trigger warnings: history of SA, dubcon/noncon, infertility, breath-play (not on page)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
-found family
-friend to lovers
-trauma + healing
-protective MMC
-badass heroine
-he falls first
If you’re wanting to dive into sci-fi, but the genre scares you, add this one to your TBR! It’s very light sci-fi and I feel like it’s a great introduction into the genre.
When I read the synopsis, I knew that I NEEDED an ARC of this. Nicole had me at “alien portal” and “alien invasion”. I was honestly hooked from page 1. I didn’t want to stop reading AT ALL. When my kindle wasn’t in my hand I was constantly thinking about this world and these characters. I was completely immersed while reading the entire time, so much so that I felt like I was a character in the story.
Morgan Starr is a complete badass. She is now one of my favorite heroines. She is the definition of selfless and just wants the people she loves to be ok. I loved that I was in her head the entire time while reading because I really enjoyed her inner monologue.
Gideon Blake is EVERYTHING. He’s very protective and will do anything for the people he loves. He was born to be a caretaker and excels at being a safe space for everyone around him. And I love him so much.
And the tension between these two is 10/10 🥵
This book is absolutely amazing! I wish I could read it again for the first time! 👽
Trigger warnings: history of SA, dubcon/noncon, infertility, breath-play (not on page)
August 3, 2024
Read!
Loved it! Not at all what I was expecting! Morgan is such a bada$$ and goes through so much! And Gideon is such a great guy and so supportive!
Loved it! Not at all what I was expecting! Morgan is such a bada$$ and goes through so much! And Gideon is such a great guy and so supportive!
July 26, 2024
The Way Home is the story of Morgan Starr after she returns to Earth after jumping into an alien portal 3 years prior.
You learn about how life as she knew it has changed for both the good and the bad.
You do get glimpses into what she endured and went through during those 3 years on an alien planet.
I loved the little twists that played out throughout the book.
I was a fan of Morgan, Gideon, Dory, Marla, and Cheryl.
This is a must add to your summer reading list!
You learn about how life as she knew it has changed for both the good and the bad.
You do get glimpses into what she endured and went through during those 3 years on an alien planet.
I loved the little twists that played out throughout the book.
I was a fan of Morgan, Gideon, Dory, Marla, and Cheryl.
This is a must add to your summer reading list!
July 12, 2024
*I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review*
This book is described as “sci-if lite” and I literally love that. It is exactly what it felt like and so if that genre isn’t necessarily your favorite, I think you would still enjoy this book. Seth pissed me off royally and I wanted to hit him in the head multiple times. But Gideon? WE STAN GIDEON. There were some twists in this book that I didn’t see coming but they worked so well.
This book is described as “sci-if lite” and I literally love that. It is exactly what it felt like and so if that genre isn’t necessarily your favorite, I think you would still enjoy this book. Seth pissed me off royally and I wanted to hit him in the head multiple times. But Gideon? WE STAN GIDEON. There were some twists in this book that I didn’t see coming but they worked so well.
June 23, 2024
Light sci-fi + he falls first + friends to lovers!
Morgan has fought her way back to Earth for three years after jumping through an alien portal to save the world.
Presumed dead, living with PTSD, and coming back to drama, the only thing she wants to do is focus on time lost with her younger sister.
Her best friend Gideon becomes an anchor for her, and tension & chemistry between them grows. The problem: the alien king, Vrelk, refuses to let Morgan go.
Read if you love…
✨light sci-fi
👽aliens
✨forced proximity
👏🏼protective MMC
✨caretaking
💪🏼badass FMC
✨he falls first
🫶🏼friends to lovers
When Nicole asked if I could proofread this one, I was very up front in that sci-fi is not my genre but would be okay proofreading it. I’m so grateful I did because I LOVED THIS! I could not put it down & found myself on the edge of my seat multiple times dying to know what was going to happen!
There are aliens involved, but it’s sci-fi light and Earth-based. As weird as it was initially to me, I was genuinely fascinated by what we learned about the aliens and their planet, and I wanted to know more!
The drama Morgan came home to was chaos but kept me hooked in how it would all play out. I adored Morgan’s sister and her girlfriend.
But let’s be real. Gideon Blake must be protected at all costs. I adore him.
✨Representation: PTSD
‼️Content: death; violence; injury/injury detail; sexual assault, past, talked about; parental abandonment
Morgan has fought her way back to Earth for three years after jumping through an alien portal to save the world.
Presumed dead, living with PTSD, and coming back to drama, the only thing she wants to do is focus on time lost with her younger sister.
Her best friend Gideon becomes an anchor for her, and tension & chemistry between them grows. The problem: the alien king, Vrelk, refuses to let Morgan go.
Read if you love…
✨light sci-fi
👽aliens
✨forced proximity
👏🏼protective MMC
✨caretaking
💪🏼badass FMC
✨he falls first
🫶🏼friends to lovers
When Nicole asked if I could proofread this one, I was very up front in that sci-fi is not my genre but would be okay proofreading it. I’m so grateful I did because I LOVED THIS! I could not put it down & found myself on the edge of my seat multiple times dying to know what was going to happen!
There are aliens involved, but it’s sci-fi light and Earth-based. As weird as it was initially to me, I was genuinely fascinated by what we learned about the aliens and their planet, and I wanted to know more!
The drama Morgan came home to was chaos but kept me hooked in how it would all play out. I adored Morgan’s sister and her girlfriend.
But let’s be real. Gideon Blake must be protected at all costs. I adore him.
✨Representation: PTSD
‼️Content: death; violence; injury/injury detail; sexual assault, past, talked about; parental abandonment
June 20, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
So my SciFi cherry has officially been popped. I absolutely loved this book. Nicole has a very talented way of not only making you fall in love with the main characters, but also the side characters as well. I loved Morgan so much. She is such a strong character, having sacrificed so much to endure the safety of her loved ones. Just when she thinks she’s getting a second chance after years of suffering, she isn’t easily let go of.
I loved Gideon. He is definitely my favorite Nicole MMC thus far. The way he supports Morgan in every endeavor, with every decision, is something everyone should feel from their partner. And boy, does he have a filthy mouth. 🥵
If you like:
Best friends to lovers
Aliens
Alien invasions
Dirty talk
And more
Then you will love this book! 🖤
🌶️🌶️🌶️
So my SciFi cherry has officially been popped. I absolutely loved this book. Nicole has a very talented way of not only making you fall in love with the main characters, but also the side characters as well. I loved Morgan so much. She is such a strong character, having sacrificed so much to endure the safety of her loved ones. Just when she thinks she’s getting a second chance after years of suffering, she isn’t easily let go of.
I loved Gideon. He is definitely my favorite Nicole MMC thus far. The way he supports Morgan in every endeavor, with every decision, is something everyone should feel from their partner. And boy, does he have a filthy mouth. 🥵
If you like:
Best friends to lovers
Aliens
Alien invasions
Dirty talk
And more
Then you will love this book! 🖤
June 30, 2024
Review upcoming. For now, just read it! 😍
August 3, 2024
I wasn't planning on writing a review for this book and simply let my rating speak for itself, but ultimately I felt that would be a disservice to anyone interested in reading this for one specific reason:
While there is a content warning for SA, dubcon/ noncon at the beginning of the book, I do not think it accurately covers just how pervasive the abuse is. It is also handled with little to no care and in addition to that there is so much unnecessary trauma added to the character for absolutely no reason whatsoever. Years of torture and abuse and suffering from not only lung cancer but forced infertility does not make a strong MC.
While I'm at it, other things that didn't sit well with me:
- gaping plot holes though there isn't much plot to speak of
- THREE men are lusting after this one not-very-special girl? What is this, 2008?
- The book sits under the guise of being feminist while not being very feminist at all. (See below for a spoiler on this.)
While there is a content warning for SA, dubcon/ noncon at the beginning of the book, I do not think it accurately covers just how pervasive the abuse is. It is also handled with little to no care and in addition to that there is so much unnecessary trauma added to the character for absolutely no reason whatsoever. Years of torture and abuse and suffering from not only lung cancer but forced infertility does not make a strong MC.
While I'm at it, other things that didn't sit well with me:
- gaping plot holes though there isn't much plot to speak of
- THREE men are lusting after this one not-very-special girl? What is this, 2008?
- The book sits under the guise of being feminist while not being very feminist at all. (See below for a spoiler on this.)
August 13, 2024
Great book, awesome blend of action, romance, and suspense! Morgan is an absolute badass FMC, and the family that she has built around her is an awesome part of the story.
This is one of those books that's hard to put down, I highly recommend it for sci-fi lovers as well as anyone who is a fan of an action-packed romance.
Sci-Fi Lite
Friends to Lovers
Action
Romance (2-3 out of 5 spice)
This is one of those books that's hard to put down, I highly recommend it for sci-fi lovers as well as anyone who is a fan of an action-packed romance.
Sci-Fi Lite
Friends to Lovers
Action
Romance (2-3 out of 5 spice)
September 6, 2024
Incredible
Nicole, usually I don't like science fiction, but when it comes from you with a friend's to lovers trope going on, you make me love it.
We have a true found family book with risks or should I say attempts of alien invasions with an alien king who believes he is in love.
Nicole, usually I don't like science fiction, but when it comes from you with a friend's to lovers trope going on, you make me love it.
We have a true found family book with risks or should I say attempts of alien invasions with an alien king who believes he is in love.
August 22, 2024
4.03 / 5 - sci fi romance is not my thing but this is the best one I read so far and I’m not just saying that because the mfc’s name is morgan
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews