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The Place You Call Home: A Green Branch Novel

Grab a glass of iced tea, find a spot on the back deck, and come along with author Allison DeRosia as she takes you on a cozy summer trip to Northern Michigan.

This sun-soaked, nostalgia-laced romance follows a single mom and a man who is hoping just for a chance with her.


Hannah Dorada has always been something to someone. A sister, a daughter, a wife, a mother. Now divorced and a single mom before thirty, she isn’t sure of her next role. So, when her sister calls on her for help, Hannah doesn’t hesitate to pack up her daughter and a bag to travel to the northern Michigan cabin her sister calls home.
However, it would be a lie to say that was Hannah’s only motivation to go visit the small town of Green Branch for the week.
Tanner Auclair has loved Hannah from the moment he met her on a rooftop in Chicago two years ago. Little do their family and friends know that they have kept in touch all this time and in recent months, their friendship has turned into something deeper.
Going through a divorce and raising a daughter on her own hours away from his hometown has made it easy to stay just friends with Tanner. But now, a week-long trip turns into a summer-long adventure where the line between just friends and more blurs between the two, even with the ultimate return date on Hannah and her daughter’s trip.

Will the promise of a new start be enough for Hannah? Or will her fear keep love at arm’s length?

The Place You Call Home, is a nostalgia-soaked story that will have you swimming in tension, vulnerability, and intimate softness. This slow atmospheric journey explores what it means to break relationship patterns, chose yourself, and let yourself be loved.

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 22, 2026

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About the author

Allison DeRosia

3 books41 followers

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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for cat.
405 reviews203 followers
April 27, 2026
“Tell me about your day.”
“Even the boring parts?”
“𝐸𝓈𝓅𝑒𝒸𝒾𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒷𝑜𝓇𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓅𝒶𝓇𝓉𝓈.”



on repeat 𝄞 ࿐♬ 𓍢ִ🎧ྀི ᯓ ‎♪ˎˊ˗
“ʜᴏᴍᴇ” x ᴛᴀɪɢʜ ᴡᴀᴅᴇ
0:31 ──♥────────── 2:44


This book felt like sitting on a back porch at sunset with sticky fingers from melted popsicles and a heart that suddenly remembers what it means to be truly loved. 🥹🥹

I don’t even know how to explain the feeling of this story properly because technically “not much” is happening in the loud dramatic sense, but emotionally??? EVERYTHING was happening to me.Every page felt warm and nostalgic and soft around the edges in a way that made me want to curl up inside the story and stay there for the rest of summer.

Hannah and Tanner genuinely made my chest ache. Not in a toxic “I’m fighting for my life” romance way either. In a quiet devastating way. In the kind of way where someone consistently shows up for you so tenderly that eventually you stop knowing what to do with all that care😭

The contrast between Tanner and Ethan genuinely made me want to throw something because Hannah spent so long feeling unseen and unheard and emotionally abandoned while trying her hardest to hold everything together. The pieces we learn about her marriage hurt in such a deep way. It felt so lonely. That kind of loneliness where you slowly start believing your needs are too much to ask for. 💔😭

Then here comes Tanner, loving her so intentionally it almost scared me. Oh Tanner… I NEED A MAN LIKE YOU TO EXIST 😭

Their nightly phone calls had me giggling so bad. The intimacy of someone wanting to hear about your regular day??? Your boring thoughts??? Your small moments??? That will get me every single time.

And watching him fall for Winnie too absolutely destroyed me in the sweetest way possible 😭🫶🏼

“God, I pray you make Tan my mom’s boyfriend. Amen.”


WINNIE KNEW WHAT WAS UPPPP 😭

There were so many little wholesome moments like this scattered throughout the story that made everything feel alive and genuine and domestic in the best way. Nothing felt forced. It just felt like slowly watching people become home to each other.

And Tanner’s patience with Hannah… ughhhh.
Not performative patience. Not “I can fix you” patience.
Just steady unwavering love.

The kind that waits.
The kind that understands fear.
The kind that says “I’ll still be here” without demanding anything in return.


“I don’t help you to deserve anything. I do it because I love you both.”


IS THIS MAN REALLLLLLLLLL???????????!!!!

Because THAT was Tanner the entire book. Every action. Every conversation. Every tiny moment where he showed her love instead of just talking about it. He gave Hannah time without ever making her feel guilty for needing it. Even when she kept hesitating, even when she kept pulling back because of the scars Ethan left behind, Tanner never stopped meeting her with gentleness. And honestly? I wanted to shake Hannah affectionately half the time. 😭😭😭
BABE HE IS OBSESSED WITH YOU PLEASEEEE.
But at the same time… I understood her completely. That fear of trusting happiness again after being let down for so long felt incredibly real. 😔😔 This book handled emotional healing with so much care

I need everyone to understand that this book is romantic in the quietest, most dangerous way possible.

Not grand gestures.
Not chaos.
Just devotion.


The ending emotionally confused me for a second because my heart was hurting for Hannah and I was frustrated and nervous and pacing mentally, but then we got just that one piece of Tanner’s POV... and suddenly everything clicked into place so beautifully. That chapter added SO much emotional depth to the story. It genuinely felt like the final puzzle piece.😭😭😭🫶🏼

One of my fav parts of this whole book was watching Hannah slowly learn that love does not have to feel like abandonment waiting to happen.

That she could choose herself.
That she could be cared for.
That softness did not make her weak.
That someone could stay.


This story felt like sunlight through trees. Like lake water in summer. Like healing slowly enough that you barely notice it happening until one day you realize you can finally breathe again... and Tanner Auclair the man that you are. Thats all I have to say to sum this up. 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

things to know about the book ↓

💐 single mom
💐 friends → lovers
💐 slowburn
💐 years of pining
💐 emotional healing
💐 learning to love yourself
💐 small town summer vibes
💐 he falls first
💐 acts of service love language
💐 “let me take care of you”
💐 single POV (hers)

swearing: yes
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️
chapters: 31, 33

Thank you Allison DeRosia for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

─────────
・❥・⁀➷ 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕

this sounds like such a good second chance 🥹🥹
single momma + a man who’s been pining for her for two years?? ugh yessss
Profile Image for J.L. Hyde.
Author 12 books1,661 followers
June 1, 2026
Keep in mind that I am not a romance reader, but I couldn't get enough of this book. DeRosia is so great at character development, she had me caring so much about the characters - I felt like I knew them!

I loved the northern Michigan setting, quaint small town, and beautiful love story with no trigger warnings. I cannot wait for the next book in this series - it was pure magic.
Profile Image for Alexis Payne.
14 reviews
April 26, 2026
Oh my gosh. Absolutely loved this book. I loved Rhett and Lauren but this; Hannah and Tanner (and Winnie). Too good. I laughed, blushed, sighed and cried (a lot)
Allison, chefs kiss.
Profile Image for Sarah Weaver.
89 reviews12 followers
April 25, 2026
Let me just start by saying that about a year ago, I picked up a romance novel by a local author, and it quickly became one of my all-time favorites. And I’m not exaggerating, anyone who knows me is probably tired of hearing me rave about The Busiest Place You Know. I loved that story so much that when I finished it, I genuinely couldn’t imagine how anything, by anyone, including Allison, could possibly top my love for Rhett and Lauren.

Well… I was wrong.

Not only did A Place You Call Home live up to my expectations, it completely blew them out of the water.

From the very first chapter, this book pulls you in with its heart, its depth, and its beautifully real characters. Allison has such a gift for creating people who feel like they could step right off the page and into your life. The emotional connection I felt while reading this story was immediate and powerful.

What truly sets this book apart is the way it balances romance with something deeper. It’s not just a love story, it’s a story about belonging, healing, and what “home” really means. The relationships are layered and authentic, the dialogue feels natural, and every moment—whether tender, heartbreaking, or joyful, hits exactly where it should.

And the romance? Absolutely swoon-worthy. The chemistry, the tension, the quiet moments that say everything without words, it’s all done so beautifully. But what I appreciated most is that the love story feels earned. It grows, it struggles, it breathes.

By the time I turned the last page, I was completely wrecked in the best way. This is the kind of book that lingers with you long after you finish it, the kind you immediately want to reread just to experience it all over again.

If you loved The Busiest Place You Know, prepare yourself because A Place You Call Home raises the bar in every possible way.

This is easily a five-star read for me and one I’ll be recommending (probably a little too enthusiastically) to everyone I know.
3 reviews
June 10, 2026
This was an absolutely fabulous read. It felt like a perfect vacation. Allison DeRosia does a magical job in transporting you back into the gorgeous world she has created of Green Branch, Michigan. Such emotional depth and heart to the characters, you feel every ounce of it right along with them. Every bit of it was perfect, I cannot wait for her third installment.
7 reviews2 followers
July 22, 2026
I loved this book and these characters so much!! It was so nice to be back in Green Branch again! I can’t wait to read the next one! 💕
Profile Image for Nina Hughes.
10 reviews2 followers
September 23, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Did it change literature? No. Did I have an absolutely delightful time? YES. 😂

I devoured this book, and that is saying something because I am usually an audiobook girl. I literally let Kindle’s stupid robot voice read this one to me and STILL loved it. 😂

First of all, Green Branch is my new happy place. I loved the town, the characters, the whole vibe. It gave me Hallmark but better. The Michigan setting also felt so real. The town, the landscape, all the little details. You can tell the author actually knows Michigan.

And Tanner. 🥹 That man has been quietly pining for Hannah for YEARS and I ate it up. He just kept showing up for her, even when she least expected it. His love for Hannah and Winnie was probably my favorite part of the whole book. There is just something about a man who consistently shows up for the woman and kid he loves that gets me right in the feelings.

Was Tanner also a bonehead? Oh, absolutely. 😂 Hannah was trying to TALK TO YOU, SIR. Meanwhile this man was out here jumping to conclusions and being completely wrong. I was annoyed with him more than once, but honestly, it just made me love him more when everything finally came together.

Winnie was such a great kid character too. Her naming the animals after her favorite people was adorable and is one of those little things that stuck with me.

I also really enjoyed the way the tension played out. The stuff with Tanner’s grandma definitely surprised me, and I loved that it seemed like it was going to be the big source of tension, when the real issue was actually a misunderstanding. 👀

And the POV switch at the end?! I LOVED that. Getting all of Tanner’s thoughts after spending the whole book watching him quietly pine was exactly what I needed.

Could it have been a little spicier? Sure. 😂 But honestly, the longing was doing plenty of work on its own.

This book hit so many heartstrings for me. Family, motherhood, love, belonging, starting over, finding your people, finding your home. I loved all of it.

And now I want MORE Green Branch. I already need the next story.

If you like small-town romance, quiet pining, found family, lovable kids, and a setting that actually feels like Michigan, add this one to your TBR. ❤️
Profile Image for Alexandra.
516 reviews4 followers
June 8, 2026
I loved this book so much!! I loved the glimpses I got of Hannah, Tanner, and Winnie in the first book so iw was so pumped for this one!

Tanner is one of the sweetest MMC's I've ever read. He was so patient and sweet with Hannah and his relationship with her daughter Winnie was so adorable 🥰

Hannah was breaking my heart with not letting herself have the love she so deserves. I kept rooting for her to just give in, but I also got where she was coming from.

Green Branch still felt like a great town that I would love to visit if it were real! Plus sheep named Eric and Poppy sound like ones I need to meet! 🐑
Profile Image for Sara Marsh.
2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 2, 2026
I initially was ever slightly annoyed this wasn’t a continuance of Rhett and Lauren(even though their story definitely continues throughout the book)- but it didn’t take me long to be equally as engulfed in this story.

Another incredible book by Allison, I feel immensely grateful that I was selected to receive the ARC. It was everything a romance story should be. I could absolutely see both of Allison’s books being made into movies. It again was another easy read. A few twists in the story that were fun and surprising.

I’m hoping she is already working on a new book!

Profile Image for Nikki West.
1 review
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 26, 2026
This might be one of the most romantic books I've ever read, and quite possibly my new favorite MMC/book boyfriend. Tanner is a KING.. and the yearning!! Here for it. I was so giddy throughout this entire book!! I laughed, I cried.. I felt it all. Truly Allison has created a beautiful world and wonderful characters that I wish I could go visit and hangout with. Major book hangover happening over here.
Profile Image for Nicoletta Papalas.
16 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 29, 2026
I devoured this book. Absolutely devoured it.

I’m not usually the biggest romance reader—I tend to reach more for romantasy, dark romance, and stories with a little more edge—but this book completely pulled me in. It was everything I didn’t know I needed.

Winnie, Hannah, and Tanner have my whole heart, but Winnie? Winnie is my girl. She is absolutely my spirit animal.

This was such an easy 10/10 for me. Five stars, no hesitation. I would recommend it over and over again.
Profile Image for Courtney Weaver.
128 reviews
August 25, 2026
This is book two in the Green Branch series and it starts pretty much right where book one ended, and it follows Hannah and Tanners story.

This book took slow burn tension to a new level, and does it so beautifully. I normally can get annoyed when a long drawn out slow burn, but this was perfect. The connection that Tanner and Fred have, 🥹

I am so sad I have finished this series, but I cannot wait for book three to come out.
Profile Image for Cee.
258 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 29, 2026
It's not often a romance novel actually has me full on swooning over fictional characters, but Allison's way with words pulled me in almost immediately. From Tanner and all the green flags we hope to find in a partner, Hannah's understandable hesitancy after such a negative experience with her ex, to Winnie's comic relief moments - I was all in, often reading passages/remarks to my husband (I read this on vacation). If ever there was a book where "bring back men who yearn" describes the MMC, Allison 100% nailed it.

Thank you to the author, Allison DeRosia, for the ARC edition of this book.
Profile Image for Heather Laskos.
481 reviews3 followers
July 31, 2026
I could feel the heat of a Michigan summer and the character's attraction for each other coming through the pages. We first met Hannah and Tanner in the Busiest Place You Know and in The Place You Call Home they get their own story. I liked seeing them develop from friends to lovers and loved revisiting the Green Branch setting.
Profile Image for Paris Kirkland.
4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 21, 2026
I will read everything Allison writes!!! Once again, such a beautifully written book. It’s filled with so much heart and care for her characters. I’ve loved getting to spend more time in Green Branch!
Profile Image for Rachel Michelle.
68 reviews1 follower
July 19, 2026
4.5
There was so much I liked about this book. The sweet small country vibes. Winnie “Fred” was absolutely adorable. Tanner and Hannah’s love story🩵 a perfect summer read.
Also, is Gwen and Sebastian’s story next?!
Profile Image for Allie DeRosia.
140 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 25, 2026
🎡🍕🍻🐑💜🌞
Profile Image for Morgan Valente.
81 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 25, 2026
OBSESSED with this world and these characters! made me laugh, cry, and feel everything in between! i cant wait to read what allie comes up w next!
Profile Image for Stefanie.
240 reviews
May 24, 2026
Such a great book! I loved Tanner, Winnie and Hannah! I loved the fact that Winnie was portrayed in the book a lot! Also, the way Tanner pined for Hannah for 2 years, my heart!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Betsy Kanagawa.
122 reviews5 followers
June 9, 2026
3.75. Really enjoyed this but not as much as the first. Still gave the cozy vibes and excited for the next in the series!
Profile Image for Ashley DeRosia.
126 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
April 25, 2026
Read 3 times and cried every time.
Profile Image for stacey metzger.
42 reviews
June 13, 2026
Wow! DeRosia out did herself. I loved the first book of the Green Branch series, The Busiest Place You Know. I didn't know how much more I would love The Place You Call Home!

Tanner and Hannah are a match made in Heaven 😍 I had happy love lust tears in my eyes throughout the entire book! Even when I was frustrated with decisions being made, I couldn't wait to get to the next chapter (even though I needed to take a deep breath a few times 😬😉😊)

Highly recommend reading this book and putting Allison DeRosia on your watch list! She is going to do great things as an up and coming author. I can't wait to hear Sebastian and Gwens story (hopefully soon)
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews