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. With her children grown and her husband often away, it's become empty and quiet. 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 is Book 3 of 6 in the Ferndale Secrets series. A warm and hopeful story of second chances and the complicated ties that hold families together.

78 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 7, 2025

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 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.

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

[Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t figure out where this series is headed. I thought I had David & Callie’s story figured it, but not so sure now. They are hiding something that Callie is not ready to share with the kids no matter how much David tells her it is time. Will they find out while they are home no matter how much they try to hide it? Mallory hasn’t told anyone why she was messing with her dad’s computer in the first place. When Mallory keeps questioning Sasha about her pass, she turns the tables & ask her what family secrets her family is hiding? Why is everyone being so secretive & not sharing any information with anyone?? What is the REAL story with Sasha? How did all this with Sasha really come about. Who would take in a strange girl & her baby without knowing where she came & what her story is. There are too many questions with NO answers. Sasha, Callie & the baby go to the market to get some fresh veggies from the market. Callie always goes to the same vendor who always saves the best vegetables for her if she’s late. Sasha is standing at a distance watching them interact. On their way back home Sasha tells Callie she will not tell David about her flirting with the vendor. Callie was taken back & doesn’t know what she is talking about. Once home Sash goes to to her room & Callie looks after baby Dot. Dot starts to fuss, so Callie takes the baby to Sasha, but can’t find her in the bathroom or her bedroom. She hears rustling of papers that sounds like it is coming from Callie’s bedroom. She goes to her bedroom & finds Sasha sitting in the middle of her bedroom floor going through a box of papers. Callie is stunned! What is she looking for? What does she think she is doing going through Callie’s personal papers? What is she looking for? What a cliffhanger! Can’t wait for the next book

I received a free ARC book from Booksprout & I am giving my review for free with no help from anyone.

[June Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last book we found Mallory unexpectedly opening the front door of her parents home to find a man from her past, James Harris. He is there to check out the laptop that Mallory has spilled coffee on to see if it can be fixed and is leaving as her parents and their house guest, Sasha and her baby arrive home from shopping at the farmer’s market. Sasha and Callie are a bit at odds with each other as Sasha has basically accused Callie of cheating on David with Joshua, one of the vendors at the market. Oh the tangled webs being weaved among these characters with more coming as more family is arriving for Thanksgiving week . Around every turn there seems to be a new secret, and no one wants to share the truth with anyone else. Even when they get confronted face to face.

Can’t wait for the next book of this series to see what explanations we get for some of the strange things going on. This author has a way of making you anxious to keep reading and leave no stones unturned.

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

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Callie and David have a secret that they are afraid the family will find out when they are all there for Thanksgiving. Mallory and Parker, two of Callie and David's children are very sceptical of Sasha to the point of maybe she is trying to scam them. Mallory and Sasha are on the outs because Mallory started to question Sasha about her past and Sasha asked her about the family secrets. Callie was flirting with a guy at the market selling vegetables and Sasha saw them and was up front with Callie and said she wouldn't tell her husband. As David is getting dinner ready for the family, Callie was looking after the baby and she was a little fussy so she went to look for Sasha and found her in her own bedroom sitting on the floor going through a box of papers. I wonder what she is looking for, can't wait for the next book to find out!.

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

[Carmela Dimattia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is going on with all the secrets that everyone is hiding in this series. Mallory’s parents seem to be hiding some huge secrets from everyone and when their children find out it is sure to be explosive. Sasha is still holding back from Mallory and when Mallory questions her about her background it seems to ruin what little friendship they were building. And to top it all off Callie finds Sasha going through some papers in her own bedroom. I did not see that coming so I have to wonder what Sasha is hiding. I enjoyed this instalment and I am still shaking my head with all we have learnt in this book. Bring on book 4.

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

[NicoleReadsRomance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is one of those you blow through and then look up going, "What just happened?" We're still following the story of Mallory, Callie, David, Sasha, baby Dot, and the rest of the family. In this story we pick up where book two left off.

More new characters are introduced and there is a definite major twist coming. Possibly two of them, really. All I know is that whatever secrets there are, I'm going to read until I get answers. It's that addictive.

Sage has a way of telling stories that make you feel part of the journey. I'm now eager for book 4. Thankfully, there's not a long wait.

Highly recommend.

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 are keeping a secret from their kids. They took in a single mom with a 9-month-old baby girl. They will find out when they come for Thanksgiving, but there are questions about why Sasha will tell them nothing about her past. When youngest daughter Mallory comes home again after losing her job, she is very suspicious about Sasha and tries to ask a lot of questions. Sasha pulls away. Meanwhile, Mallory spills coffee on her dad's computer and rushes to get it fixed. Seems like Sasha is not the only one with secrets.

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming Home For Fall, Book 3, continues the story of Callie land David, their children, and Sasha and Dot. It seems Mallory and Taylor are suspicious of Sasha while Sasha is suspicious of Callie. As their children are heading to their home for Thanksgiving, David wants their secret out while Callie wants to wait on telling their children the secret between them at another time. The book ends in a cliffhanger.

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

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so full of secrets by many! Callie and David are hiding things and have been for many years. Sasha will not answer questions when someone asks her directly about her past. This makes Mallory and Parker, two of David and Callie’s children, very worried about who Sasha really is.
The cliffhanger at the end of this book was something I did not see happening.

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

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book and series!

Wow, there are clearly secrets waiting to be revealed.  Callie and David appear to be wonderful parents and a close couple who have a strong relationship.  As their children arrive for Thanksgiving, it seems some threads will start to unravel and a shocking secret will be revealed.  I highly recommend this book and series.

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

[PW · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many things that make me think hmmmm! Callie is on the verge of being hit over head (proverbially) with one major issue. This has me wondering who else (her husband David) is hiding something? What is Callie hiding besides her head in the sand?
Come on next book!! I want some answers, at least one😏!.

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

[Berta Greenleaf Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone in this book seems to have some type of secret. Sasha seems to have the most but I think Mallory and Taylor will ferret them out. David and Callie's is pretty easy to guess at. Ariel and Chris just seem to be growing apart. Will this Thanksgiving help this family or will the secrets destroy them? I 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.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book #3 in the Ferndale Secrets series by Sage Parker.

I think we’re starting to see the real characters in this book. Everyone is clearly hiding things. Callie come clean about the Sasha secret as everyone will find out when they arrive for Thanksgiving but apparently there is another secret that’s Callie wants to keep. Are Mallory and Taylor right about Sasha? So many secrets! Can’t wait to see what is going on based on the end of this book!

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book three and there is some strange goings on’s that have us guessing and wondering what else is being hidden as we continue with Callie’s story. We are still waiting for whatever it is that Callie and David hare hiding from their kids, Sasha has accused Callie of cheating on David and then we find Sasha going through personal papers that are nothing to do with her. This author has weaved her web well and I’m hoping we get some answers in book four!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting more mysterious. Callie & David are keeping a secret from their adults kids. Mallory does not trust Sasha the houseguest of her parents. Callie finds Sasha going through their personal files? It seems that everyone has some secrets?.

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

[Debdutch · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Coming Home for Fall (Book 3)” by Sage Parker

-This series brims with family secrets and long-buried truths. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

Callie and David’s hidden secrets collide with Sasha’s mysterious silence. Their children, Mallory and Parker, sense trouble and seek answers.

A shocking cliffhanger leaves the reader wanting more.

[alliyisreading_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want more.. patiently waiting for the next book. I'm not being patient and I'm okay with that.
I am wondering what the point is of this book, I felt like it was a lot of reading for nothing to happen, hoping it'll get somewhere. Feels slow for me right now.

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

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems everyone is keeping secrets. It will all come out in the end. Callie and David are keeping something from their kids. Sasha is keeping her story close to the vest. It leaves more questions and no answers.

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

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story continues and there are some unexpected things that come up. Hopefully the secrets can stay secrets. Like the setting in the background of the story. Like the characters and the interaction they have. Good read.

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

[Vicki Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Empty nesters!

What's the secret the empty nesters have, that they don't want their kids to know! And why was the babies momma digging into a box stored under their bad? Just because she's living there, doesn't give her the right to everything. There's a lot of questions at this point,hope we get answers soon.

[Megann · Rating 5 out of 5]

As we learn more and more about the family weird things are beginning to happen. Mallory has met someone from her past. The parents are acting strange as well as Sasha is looking through the house like she is looking for something. The cliff hanger is great and on to the next story line.

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

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What secrets are Callie and David keeping? Is Sasha keeping secure of her own? Boy, this is getting to feel all wrong.

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

[Baby Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally Sasha has some real explaining to do. It is going to be interesting to read what her excuse is to her snooping around in Callie and David's bedroom. Also, I cannot wait to read what the big secret between Callie and David is and why they have kept it from their kids. I am enjoying all of the twisted secrets hovering at the edge ready to explode. It seems that Sasha, Callie, and David have some explaining to do. So much intrigue and turns.

[Roslyn Simonin Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have absolutely no idea what is going on with Sasha, or Callie and James.

Get me to book #4 for some help.

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

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one unique and interesting story. Colorful characters with more secrets and drama that have me hooked. This fall themed family saga is definitely a page turner. Great writing and entertaining as always. Bring on Book 4!.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

So are there secrets to be uncovered about Callie, David and Sasha?

little inconsistencies but big stresses?

normal stuff, or Dad and mom are both aliens from Mars stuff?

wondering what's ahead, and hooked on the dramatic buildup.

[Raylene Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Callie find Sash in here room but why? What is going on with Sash and what is she hiding? Mallory is still trying to find out what Sash is up to. Will her siblings help here find answers?.

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

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is third book in the series,very interesting but secrets are not revealed.
Maybe it will happen at Thanksgiving when more people are coming ,so it’s interesting and keep me guessing.

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 Interesting Book

The characters were fun and very kind. The small town closeness was special. The love of nature and the beauty of outdoors was amazing. I really enjoyed this book from start to finish.

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Callie. I really want her to learn more and more but things are so mysterious. This is quite an interesting story. I'm looking forward to the next part.

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