The Way Home: NOT ALL LOVE IS WEAKNESS...

by Allison Kennedy

In The Way Home, the first installment of the Hearts of Holt Saga, Ame(Lia)
After a devastating loss shatters her world, Lia is thrust into a whirlwind of grief, uncertainty, and unrelenting questions. In a town where whispers spread like wildfire, she finds herself face-to-face with Christian Lawson, the former Major League all-star who once owned her heart. As their lives intertwine once more, unresolved feelings surface, sparking a passionate connection that neither can Ignore.

548 pages, Paperback

Published October 15, 2024

Reviews

[Courtney McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first page this book absolutely draws you in. The authenticity to the couples’ fight and eventual breakup leaves a knot in your stomach and immediately connects you to the female main character. When you meet the MMC, just be ready to be obsessed with your fictional boyfriend.

Throughout the book the character development has you feeling like you know this friend group. You can see how the friendships formed, you understand their histories and if you’re from a small town, you’ll recognize the intricate weaving of all kinds of relationships the FMC and MMC have to navigate.

The pacing is perfect, the thriller aspect keeps you hooked without feeling rushed or overly drawn out. The emotional beats hit just right, and the spice is the best kind of SPICY. Some scenes are so out of pocket and I mean that in the best way.

This is the kind of book that needs to be turned into a TV show. I would die to see the casting and to watch the story unfold over several seasons. I cannot recommend this book enough!!

[Casey Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story had (almost) everything I wanted! Romance, elements of crime and mystery/thriller, an intelligent and successful FMC, a golden retriever pro baseball player MMC, a group of friends that I would want to be in their inner circle…the list goes on! I love that Lia and Christian’s story is of redemption and growth—personally, emotionally, professionally, you name it. They encompass the idea that home doesn’t have to be a place, it can be a person (or two… oh hey Lucy 🤭).

The only critique I have is that I wish was a little more focus on the crime/thriller notion of the book. I was certainly invested in the characters—(and the spice 🌶️, don’t get me wrong) but the crime aspect is what hooked me at the beginning. It sounds like there will be a bit more of this in the coming sequel, so I will definitely be picking up the next one when it’s ready!

[Kate Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to start this book and it did not disappoint!! Drama, suspense, spice, and great character development…it has everything!!
I CANNOT wait for the next one!!

[Madison · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited to support a new author, but this book was a struggle for me. The plot had the potential to be amazing, but it really dragged. The suspense aspect felt forced, with the mystery kinda being a side quest that they addressed when the author needed filler. Speaking of filler, I did not need the excessive amounts of parties and date nights and work details that were scattered throughout the story. I felt like I was reading a diary where the main character was like “today I woke up and had my dreamy man make me a gourmet breakfast and then he went to work and I had meetings and we went to the grocery store to buy specific ingredients for gourmet dinner and then we didn’t eat because we were too busy acting like horny rabbits.” 🐇

I also feel like I didn’t get to know the characters until halfway through the book, as details of their backstories were sprinkled in here and there.

Lastly, the whole Lia-Christian-Lucy-Sam relationship was NOT necessary. That’s just me.

Floyd was my favorite character. 🦮

[Bre Bartell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allison Kennedy has knocked it out of the park (pun intended) with The Way Home. I was hooked from the first chapter. Her characters are incredibly well written, I truly felt like I was with them in all the drama in their small town. The strength and vulnerability that shined through with each characters story had me staying up all night to read through to the next chapter. **Spoilers ahead**
I absolutely loved the dynamics of Lia/Christian/Lucy/Sam! Nothing makes me happier than when an author pushes boundaries of most peoples expectations of “the norm” & she did amazing at making every interaction realistic & emotional while remaining incredibly sexy 🥵🌶️
I would recommend this book ten fold! & CANNOT WAIT until the second book!!

[Jenn Blevins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t 100% certain what to expect when I decided to order this book and let me tell you, I was VERY pleasantly surprised! Romance and murder mystery??! You’ve got everything in here! I loved the mystery and am hoping for more in the next one! I was so shocked at how quickly this book turned and took off! But the cliffhanger killed me at the end! I am so grateful I already have the second one! I felt like it was so easy to connect to the characters in the story and have a soft spot for all the ones you need to have a soft spot for! I’m really hoping to learn more about the side characters and can’t wait to jump into the next one!!! I definitely recommend!! You’ll cry, you’ll gasp, you’ll giggle, you’ll say “oh my 🥵”

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story started off strong with great characters and diving right into a terrible murder. Then the story seemed to be a bit all over the place bouncing from romance, to murder, and back to romance without putting much emphasis on the murders themselves. Definitely a big focus on the romance of the characters, which is great for a romance book, but slightly lacking for a murder/mystery plot. The ending leaves a good set up for book 2 to dive into the murder aspect of the series and hopefully will give some long awaited answers!

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I questioned this story from the beginning I didn’t under stand why Lia was being targeted after breaking up six years ago with Christian and dating then breaking up with Michael who then died. How small a town was this that they totally focused on Lia and why was she so torn apart by the terrible happenings? Also I had to start skimming the chapters to get through all the sex which seemed to fill quite a bit of the story. I’m going to move on to the next book with hope the sex is gone and the story is there.

[Backyard Bindings · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cover played me!!! The book was so steamy I was using it to fan myself 😂🔥. Such an intimate story about two people finding their way back to each other while confronting the issues that tore them apart. They must confront their current selves and learn how to unite to solve the gruesome crimes plaguing their small town. Not all love is weakness but that doesn’t mean it won’t break you.

The book was intimate, raw and painfully beautiful.

[jessandmaple · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one took me a while. And while I thought it was ok I truly think it could have been about 200 pages shorter. There was a lot of story that I didn’t think was needed. The best part of the book was the last 2 chapters. I will be reading book 2 just so I can get the rest of the story and because I’m invested at this point especially with the way it ended. I am hoping there is more mystery and thrill in the next book.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much happens in this story! Broken hearts, murder, mystery, small town, second chances, assault, love, and pain. And the ending!!! 😱 If you enjoy having your emotions being elated then tossed around and stomped on then this novel may interest you!

[Heather Ansaldo]

I can’t read this book because on my kindle or phone I can’t change the font size at all and it is way to small

[Savannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small town suspense, romance, character development? Yes, please and thank you. I devoured this book and felt so many feelings. I’m shocked this author isn’t a bigger deal, their writing is amazing!

[Laura palattella · Rating 3 out of 5]

🌟 3.25
This book was much longer than it needed to be, with a repetitive plot and a suspenseful start that quickly fizzled out. While I enjoyed the romance aspect, the relationship dynamics changed abruptly and didn't fit the story's vibe. The ending left things unresolved for a sequel, but I'm not sure I want to continue. Overall, I was excited for this book, but it just didn't live up to my expectations.