Coming Home for Fall

by Sage Parker

I didn’t realize empty nesting would feel so… empty.

66-year-old Callie Ward sits alone in her big Victorian house. Not long ago she could hardly hear herself think. Now, with her children grown and husband often away, the chaos is gone—and the quiet feels too big for one person.

So when her local charity asks if she can sponsor a young mother in need, she quickly agrees.

Soon the house is alive again with laughter and baby giggles. But just as Callie grows close to Sasha and baby Dot, her youngest daughter Mallory shows up jobless, heartbroken, and convinced the new houseguest is hiding something.

Sasha pushes back by asking questions that could expose a secret Callie and her husband have been hiding for twenty years...

Now, with the whole family coming home for Thanksgiving, one wrong conversation could unravel everything.


This is Book 1 of 6 in the Ferndale Secrets series. A warm and hopeful story of second chances and the complicated ties that hold families together.

79 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 23, 2025

Reviews

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book one and I'm totally hooked. This is going to be another page turner series, that always happens with Sage Parker books. I love her writing and stories. I can't wait to read more about Sasha and find out what secrets Callie and David have hidden away. This later in life, family drama is going to unravel into some very intersting, entertaining and enjoyable reading.

[Michelle Patton]

Coming Home for Fall by Sage Parker is the first novella in the Ferndale Secrets series. Callie and David are empty nesters who open their home to a single mom, hoping to help her get out of a shelter and find a fresh start.

I’m torn on how I feel about this one. In the beginning, it felt like too much story packed into a short novella, and I struggled to settle into it. By the end, though, I appreciated that it didn’t force a neat resolution and instead left things open for the next installment. I’m still not a big fan of the FMC—her dynamic with the mom staying with them feels a little pushy, and there’s a hint of marital strain that doesn’t quite fit the tone of the story so far.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t realize empty nesting would feel so… empty.

66-year-old Callie Ward sits alone in her big Victorian house. Not long ago, she could hardly hear herself think. Now, with her children grown and husband often away, the chaos is gone—and the quiet feels too big for one person.

So when her local charity asks if she can sponsor a young mother in need, she quickly agrees.

Soon, the house is alive again with laughter and baby giggles. But just as Callie grows close to Sasha and baby Dot, her youngest daughter, Mallory, shows up unannounced: jobless, heartbroken, and convinced the new houseguest is hiding something.

Sasha pushes back by asking questions that could expose a secret Callie and her husband have been hiding for twenty years...

Now, with the whole family coming home for Thanksgiving, one wrong conversation could unravel everything.

This contemporary starting over, second chance, clean and wholesome, later-in-life, women's fiction Christian inspirational small town romance is page-turning with exceptional world-building in Ferndale, and characters who are resilient, heartbroken, lonely, captivating, and realistic. Their journey is enthralling with coming home for Fall, Thanksgiving family drama/chaos, heartfelt emotions/emotional depth that will leave readers needing Kleenex/Puffs, love, and loss, heartwarming and hopeful story of second chances and the complicated ties that hold families together, one conversation could unravel everything with Ferndale secrets, empty nesting, intrigue, suspense that will leave readers on the edge of their seats with twists/turns, action, adventure, and more. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with coming home for fall and a second chance romance that is sure to transport readers into a world of love/loss, intrigue, second chances, hope, friendships, and more that is mysterious, inspirational, and unforgettable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Callie & David are looking forward to retirement. Children all grown & moved away, however Mallory keeps showing up to stay every now & then. She was a troubled child growing up & still hasn’t gotten over it yet! David has somewhat lighten his schedule & is usually home by 5:00, as he is training someone to take his place. Cassie is only teaching one class at the University on Tuesday nights & is available to the students by phone or online the rest of the time. With the children grown & away Cassie is feeling alone & bored. Callie is ask to help a young mother living in a shelter. She is so excited for the company & having a baby in the house again. Sasha is starting to relax & feel comfortable & David seems a little too fond of little Dot! You think there might be a little more to this arrangement?? Callie has yet to tell her three children about Sasha & Dot moving in & all of the are children & grandchildren are supposed to be coming in two weeks & Cassie hasn’t told them a thing. Cassie came home from the class she has on Tuesday night & went directly to the shower. David came in & ask her if she was expecting any because he heard a door close. He told her she would get it because Sasha was also in the shower. He said he had a call coming in, but he would get the door. She had just put shampoo on her hair when she heard a knock. She rushes to wash the shampoo out her hair & throws on her robe & rushes downstairs & Sasha wasn’t in the shower she was answering the door. Who is at the door? Who’s giving Sasha a hard time. She rushes to the door, oh it can’t be. Stayed for book two to find out who was at the door.

I received this ARC ebook for free & I’m giving my review of this book in my own words without any help from the author or the publisher.

[Megann · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are introduced to Callie and her husband David. David works long hours and her kids are all grown up and out of the house. She has a huge Victorian home and teaches. Her husband asked her to lower her stress levels and stop teaching full time so now she teaches one day a week. Lets face it, she is extremely bored, who wouldn't be. She still has David to take care of but it is not enough.
She finds out through a charity that there is a young 20 year old mother who was sleeping on the streets and has been at the shelter. She has a young infant daughter and they are trying to find a place where she can live until she gets back on her feet.
Callie jumps at the chance to have another young woman in the house and the child is just icing on the cake.
BUT, what will happen when the whole family comes home for Thanksgiving with all their problems and what about her youngest daughter who is a fly by night and could show up at anytime.
Per Callie's personality she figures she just puts that in the back of her mind to handle it when the time comes. BUT wait, the time is fast approaching.....

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Callie and her husband David a semi retired couple with grown children living away from home, find their huge victorian house very quiet and lonely. When Callie is asked to help a young mother with a baby she jumps at the chance. Even her husband David is excited. Sasha and her baby Dot move into their home and get settled and not long after Callie and David's daughter Mallory shows up at the door, jobless and no where to go. Sasha answers the door holding the baby and Mallory is full of all kinds of questions. Her mom and dad haven't told her or her siblings about taking Sasha and the baby in. With Thanksgiving only 2 weeks away, the house will be full, and also full of questions for the siblings. I can't wait to see how the next book goes, loving the story so far...

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Baby Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, from the very first page I could tell this was going to be a great story. Callie and David are a great couple with a wonderful family, but have a secret. Allowing Sasha and her baby Dot to stay with them is probably going to open pandora's box and cause some tension. Sasha also seems to gave secrets of her own as well. Mallory showing up unexpectedly to visit her parents is not happy about finding out that Sasha and Dot are living there. Callie and David have some explaining to do and I cannot wait to see how this unfolds. So good!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carmela Dimattia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am invested in this story already. This was a wonderful start to this new series in which we meet Callie and David who take in single mum Sasha and her baby Dot, only they don’t tell their family that they are doing so, and when their daughter Mallory appears on their doorstep you know that the questions will be flying thick and fast for her parents to explain the situation. Sasha is mysterious and she certainly has a story that will hopefully be revealed but Mallory also has some secrets and it appears as if she is the problem child in the family. I cannot wait for the next book.

I received an arc copy via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[June Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

David and Callie are excited to start a new season of life welcoming a single Mom, Sasha and her daughter Dot into their empty nest home from their local women’s shelter. They have different opinions about telling their three children what they are doing, but do agree to do so before they all come home for Thanksgiving, if they actually show up. Seems they live quite busy lives and have many excuses for not showing up more often to visit their parents.
As David and Callie have begun to get quite attached to their new house guests, surprises await them all.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book #1 in the Ferndale Secrets series by Sage Parker.

Callie is a 66-year-old woman who teaches one evening a week and lives with her adventure loving husband who is nearing retirement. With their three adult children long out of the house, it felt empty, and Callie volunteered to have Sasha, a young mother, and her baby Dot move in to their house to give them a stable setting. This felt very realistic with the way Callie try it a bit to o hard at first. It’s a sweet story and I can’t wait to see what happens, especially after how it ended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming Home for Fall is book one in the new series Ferndale Secrets by Sage Parker.
Callie and David are empty nesters and it’s not long before Callie and David are asked to by a local shelter to take in a young mother and her baby.
Callie is waiting to tell their own children about the house guest but that all changes when their daughter Mallory comes home to find the house guest living there.
This is going to be an amazing series to read and have the story unfold.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barb Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Callie and David take in a young single mother from a local shelter to help her start over. Sasha and baby Dot come to stay. Sasha is a bit protective of Dot but soon relaxes enough to let Callie and David help out. Callie hasn't told her 3 children about Sasha so when Mallory comes home with her luggage, she is shocked. This is a great start to the series. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from BookSprout, and this is my honest review.

[Debdutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Coming Home for Fall” by Sage Parker

-A heartfelt start to the Ferndale Secrets series. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

Callie and David’s quiet retirement is disrupted by the arrival of Sasha and her baby. Family secrets, unexpected guests, and hidden pasts stir tension before the holidays.

A warm, engaging story that promises drama and hope in the books to come.

[Berta Greenleaf Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sage Parker has done it again. What a wonderful start to her series Ferndale Secrets. I loved this book because it lays the foundation for Callie and David's children to find out about their new visitor. There is also hints that Callie and David have secrets of their own. I can not wait to read more and find out all about them. I highly recommend this book to all women's fiction readers.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

a couple on the verge of retirement impulsively sponsors a single mom.

as we meet the various family members, we discover they all have private bits of their imperfect lives they don't necessarily want to share - and some secrets aren't as secret as folks think.

intense and just beginning to get more intense, as we are left anticipating the next book.

I am not usually a fan of cliff hangers, but have found myself addicted to these midlife re-boot stories.

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming Home for Fall Book 1, introduces the primary characters in the Ferndale Secrets Series which introduces Callie and David plus provides brief insight into their children Mallory, Taylor, and Ariel. Additionally, Callie and David have opened their home to Sasha, from a women's shelter, and her young baby Dot. This series looks to be family focused and enjoyable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author never disappoints and the start to this new series is incredible. We meet Callie who alone the majority of the time and really feeling the empty nest syndrome. Sasha and baby Dot are in need and Callie steps up to help them by inviting them to stay with her and the her own daughter turns up on the doorstep and chaos ensues. There’s secrets held by everyone and I for one cannot wait to find out what they are……. Onto book two.

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tempting fate?

A captivating start to a new series as Callie and David welcomes a young mother and her baby into their home.  When their adult children discover the situation, suspicion grows.  I can't wait to read the next books in the series to discover if Callie and David are tempting fate.

I read this book as part of an advance reader series.  I am voluntarily writing this review.

[Tami Willard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Must be read in order.
Husband frequently away with work/friends.
Semi retired mom with grown kids
Single mom in need of help getting on her feet
Three kids living their own lives.
Everyone keeping secrets.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[PW · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is setting the groundwork for the books to come. The look into the characters is just enough to have a feel for their personalities, how they think and of course had me wondering about what isn't being said. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Raylene Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malloy's world has fallen apart, so she goes to the only place she feels safe, home. But wait until the door is open, and it's not her mother but a stranger with a baby. David and Callie open their home because everyone is growing up. Now their children are coming with only the needs of their parents.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many secrets to unravel the story. Like the characters and their interactions. It's interesting when an empty nester opens her home and has to deal with a new person and their children. Makes for some interesting banter and many unanswered questions come up. Good story..

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Cliffhanger. This short story is only a start to the story. We don't know what happens next and we have no clue how Mallory is going to feel about her family taking in a stranger.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Roslyn Simonin Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, the story starts out with Mallory.
But, as the story line moves on we find things aren't as they seem as most of it is in flash backs.
Let's see what Sage has in store for us this time.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mallory the youngest (adult) child of Callie & David unexpectedly comes home with all her belongings. Knocks on the door to have a young woman with a baby on her hip answers the door. Things get acquired fast.
I read this as an arc .

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This family drama with secrets was an attention getter from the start. Callie needs a purpose now that her children are grown. She offers a home to a young mother and baby. What happens when their grown daughter comes home? Received a free copy.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read and the best way to start the series. Callie is an empty nester. She volunteers to help a young mother in need.
When her youngest daughter comes home, she believes the young mother is hiding something . What secrets are being hidden?

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot of books written by Sage Parker; she is one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is the first book in the Ferndale Series; it is the beginning of a new series. The story continues in the next book and needs to be read in order.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in the series brings a lot of interesting questions.
It will take a while to find out what was going on.
Nicely done, great storyline that kept my attention from beginning to end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cheryl McCrork · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Very Good Book 📖

I really enjoyed the characters and loved the closeness and kindness. The family was fun to read about. A baby always adds joy to any story. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.