Ellie ran away into the heart of the Canadian Rockies in a bid to escape her past. Rescued from an uncomfortable situation by the rugged and reticent Jayce, she finds herself pulled into a world she thought was out of reach. The inn, with its echoes of her happiest times, beckons her to stay, even as she battles the temptation to flee. For Jayce, the inn is the problem that never ends, a reminder of neglected responsibilities.
Yet, amidst the renovation chaos, an undeniable and sometimes painful chemistry simmers between them, threatening to break through their carefully constructed defences. As the mountain’s allure deepens, Ellie and Jayce are forced to confront their fears and desires.
Nostalgia begins to lace itself with belonging, and between stormy nights, Halloween balls, that tantalizing magnetic pull of the mountain, and one bear-related disaster they'1l never live down, fate crashes through their walls in the most unexpected way.
I am a sucker for a small town romnce and Running to Home did NOT dissapoint. Set in the picturesque Canadian Mountains in the town of Lowstock Falls, you find the perfect backdrop for this warm and captivating love story. The author paints a picture for you that has you checking your passport and ready to book passage to Lowstock Falls. The romance and humor woven through the pages kept you wanting more, and the banter and fire between the main characters had you cheering for them from the first meet cute scene.
The chemistry between Ellie and Jayce is so genuine. Both have been through the wringer in love, but somehow find their way to each other as they heal and learn to trust again. It’s a beautiful journey or healing and learning to love again.
Ellie is full of sass and fire, and Jayce is taking no sh!t. They push and pull each other creating delicous tension throughout the story and when they get to the make up part…whew I was here for it!
The whole story is warm and swoony, with just the right amount of spice to keep you engaged. Now, lets talk about the spice…uh hello Ms. Lu, you know how to write a dang good spicy scene. Nothing is worse than building up to some good spice, only to cringe your way through it. That will not happen with this story. Lu nails the spice.
Do youself a favor and get your copy of this story ASAP, then get comfy and fall in love with Lowstock Falls and all the characters you meet along the way. I can’t believe this work of art was a debut. The bar is set high and I hav eno doubt future books will only get better.
I cannot wait for the next book, I miss the people and inn already.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Running to Home wrecked me quietly and then tucked me in afterward.
This book is warmth, grief, healing, and tension braided together so tightly I never stood a chance. It’s the kind of romance that feels lived-in. Two people carrying heavy emotional baggage, both convinced they’re just passing through each other’s lives, slowly finding comfort, desire, and safety in the same space. The setting hums with memory and longing, and the emotional beats land without feeling rushed or forced.
And yes, it is spicy. Not shock-value spice, but earned, charged, chemistry-forward scenes that hit harder because of the emotional intimacy built beforehand. The connection feels real. Messy. Tender. The kind where you’re rooting for them while also wanting to shake them gently and say “please stop lying to yourselves.”
By the end, I felt full in that quiet, satisfied way only a good romance delivers. Hopeful, soft, and a little wrecked. This is a story about starting over, choosing vulnerability, and finding home where you least expect it. I loved every second of it and will be thinking about these characters for a long time.
This romance beautifully captures two souls carrying past trauma and slowly realizing that love might be the answer they’ve been searching for. With intense yearning, possessiveness, and just the right amount of spice, it pulls you in and doesn’t let go.
Running to Home by Lu Langley is the kind of feel-good small-town romance that leaves you grinning like you’ve just been handed a free slice of peach cobbler at Mary’s diner. Lowstock Falls is exactly the sort of place I’d love to escape to. It’s a town where everyone knows your name, your business and still shows up with a casserole when life knocks you flat.
The heart of the story is Ellie and Jayce, two beautifully bruised souls who try very, very hard not to fall for each other… and fail spectacularly. Ellie, a Brit fleeing the wreckage left by an ex so toxic she quite reasonably christened him the ‘Little Pr*ck’, returns to Lowstock Falls searching for comfort and the memory of happier times with her dad. Jayce, the grumpy, retired hockey player with a heart he’s convinced is permanently off-limits, is still recovering from a devastating scam and the loss of his own father.
Ellie and Jayce’s first meeting—him swooping in after she’s cornered by the town’s resident creep—sets the tone perfectly: protective grump meets resilient sunshine with just the right spark.
When Ellie discovers that the inn she once loved is now a dilapidated relic in Jayce’s possession, the story really gets rolling. His offer for her to oversee the refurbishment isn’t just practical; it’s his thinly veiled excuse to keep her in Lowstock Falls. Bless him.
The chemistry between these two? Off. The. Chart. Spicy in all the right ways with scenes that practically crackle off the page. But beneath the heat, there’s a tender, slow rebuilding of trust - two people with battered histories learning to open the doors they thought they’d bolted shut for good.
What makes Running to Home shine is that it’s not simply about finding a place to live, but about discovering the person who feels like home. Ellie and Jayce break down each other’s walls brick by stubborn brick, healing in ways neither expected.
If you love small-town charm, emotional depth, and a generous helping of delicious spice, this book absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR. Highly recommend!
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Lowstock Falls once again! After reading Lu Langley’s novella, A Very Merry Lowstock Falls Christmas, I couldn’t resist diving back in to meet more characters from this charming Canadian mountain town.
Reading Running to Home is like drinking a warm cup of cocoa on a cold day; it warms the heart with romance, spice, and cosy small-town action. The cute setting and sharp banter gave me Gilmore Girls vibes, which is exactly the antidote to the cold weather at the moment.
The main characters, Jayce and Ellie, are three-dimensional, flawed human beings, both carrying relationship baggage, which gives the story real emotional weight. Jayce, the ruggedly handsome ex–ice hockey player, will definitely get your pulse racing. Ellie, meanwhile, is a feisty heroine recovering from a rough place and is easy to root for. The side characters are endearing, April the dog is adorable (always a win), and the spicy scenes deliver. All in all, Running to Home is a comforting, slow-burn romance with just the right amount of heat to warm you up on a cold winter’s day.
I don’t pick up straight romance often these days, which is why I was even more surprised (and delighted) that this story hooked me right away.
Ellie’s journey pulled me deep into her pain, her hope, and her fierce will to survive. She’s bold, self-reflective, and so much stronger than she gives herself credit for—I adored the thread of female empowerment running through her story.
And then there’s Jayce. His quiet strength and the way he shows up for her made me melt more than once. Honestly, a guy who actually works on himself? How could you not inhale that?
The book is funny, it’s emotional, and yes… there’s spice. (Not gonna lie, I had to grab a glass of water more than once.) From page one, I was rooting for them and cheering them on through every hurdle they had to tackle.
But the one who truly stole my heart? April. And that’s all I’m going to say—you’ll just have to read it to see why.
Running to Home is a heartfelt and captivating debut that pulls you in from the very first page. The Canadian mountain setting of Lowstock Falls is breathtaking, adding a spectacular backdrop to the warm and compelling atmosphere this book creates, while the Inn becomes a place you can’t help but want to escape to yourself.
The story strikes the perfect balance of emotion, humour, and spice. The chemistry between the characters is genuine and engaging, with just the right mix of tenderness and fire to keep you invested the whole way through. It’s the kind of romance that makes you smile, tugs at your heart, and keeps you turning pages long past bedtime because you just need to know what happens next.
A warm, swoony, and addictive read - an impressive debut from Lu Langley, and one that leaves you eager for more! I already can't wait for Book 2 ✨
Running to Home is a heartfelt and comforting story about grief, healing, and finding unexpected love when life feels broken.
Ellie is a British woman who has suffered several losses. She travels to Lowstock, Canada to revisit the Inn where she and her late father spent many magical vacations.
While in Lowstock, Ellie meets Jayce, and it's far from romantic. It quickly becomes clear that both characters carry emotional baggage.
Their story is slow-burning and reels you in. The build-up keeps you there, and the steam makes you yearn for more.
Running to Home delivers a heartwarming and spicy romance set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Canadian mountains. The chemistry between Jayce and Ellie is electric from the start, with a storyline that draws you in and keeps you hooked until the last page.
The cozy, rustic charm of the Lowstock Inn gives the romance a perfect place to unfold. It’s steamy and sweet, the kind of book that makes you want to escape into the mountains yourself!
Can’t wait for Book 2 - I need more of Jayce and Ellie!
Set in the Canadian mountains, Running to Home has a cosy, romantic vibe. There’s a lot to love here, and the mix of emotion, humour, and spice makes it hard to put down.
The chemistry between the main characters feels genuine, and both of them are written with depth and care. Ellie’s journey toward finding herself again is touching and real, and patient Jayce balances her perfectly.
It’s one of those books that’s easy to get lost in: beautifully written, spicy, and with a lovely emotional payoff at the end. An impressive debut.
Running to Home is a brilliant debut novel by Lu Langley. The setting was great, the plot was believable, and the chemistry between the two characters was heartfelt and honest. The book is spicy, but the story itself was more than that; the author got the balance right. If I had to complain about anything, it would be that I wanted more of April the Newfoundland! I'm looking forward to this author's next book.
Lu Langley’s debut novel Running to Home is an absolute hit-heartfelt, cozy, and perfectly spicy!
We follow Ellie, our lovable MFC, as she returns to the Canadian mountains she visited with her Dad. Fresh off the plane from Britain, she crosses paths with Jayce, a retired hockey legend (not that she knows it yet!), at a local watering hole. As she retraces her childhood memories, Ellie finds herself back at the charming Lowstock Inn she spent so much time exploring. Their chemistry? Instant and electric. The slow rehab of the Inn adds a fresh, creative twist I haven’t read before, and I adored every moment of it.
I completely fell in love with the cozy charm of the Lowstock Inn and it’s easy to see why Ellie did too. The story blends small-town steam, second chances, and genuine connection so beautifully. The buildup between Jayce and Ellie feels organic, and the spice definitely keeps the pages turning.
A warm, heartfelt debut that hits all the right spots!
This book is spicy and swoony with a whirlwind romance. Ellie is a British woman on a visa when she meets the man on her dreams. Through the force of love (and a boat load of inheritance money) she does everything in her power to stay with the man she loves.
If you’re into heartfelt small-town romances with a second-chance thread and just enough realism to make you nod while reading, this one deserves a spot on your shelf.
A steamy small town romance with lots of banter: this was a truly enjoyable read! If you're looking for fall vibes, a swoon-worthy and deliciously grumpy mmc who falls for a fiery and brave fmc, look no further... can't wait to read what happens next in Lowstock Falls!