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Coming Home Again #1

Coming Home Again

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From bestselling author, T.I. LOWE comes an emotional family saga like no other.
I've lost myself. Where did I go? Can I find myself? I just don't know...
Savannah Monroe dances with demons from a complicated past.
Families believe ghosts can be well hidden deep in the ancestral closet, but forget all too easily that those ghosts haunt with abandon. Savannah has to face each one of hers as she heads home again to Bay Creek, South Carolina, after running away over five years ago. The closer she gets to home, the clearer the realization becomes that some skeletons need to be dealt with and properly buried.
Mature content due to subject matter dealing with rape.

345 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 7, 2015

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1085 people want to read

About the author

T.I. Lowe

28 books1,838 followers
T.I. Lowe is an ordinary country girl who loves to tell extraordinary stories and is the author of nearly twenty published novels including her debut, LULU’S CAFÉ, a #1 bestseller. She lives with her husband and family in coastal South Carolina. Find her at Tilowe.com or on Facebook (T.I.Lowe), Instagram (Tilowe), and Twitter (@Tilowe).
To sign up for Lowe's newsletter, go to:https://www.tilowe.com/newsletter

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5 stars
457 (50%)
4 stars
294 (32%)
3 stars
115 (12%)
2 stars
28 (3%)
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15 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
Profile Image for CarolynB.
627 reviews
May 10, 2015
This was not a pretty story. But it was compelling. The main character struggles to overcome the fallout from a very hurtful childhood. Despite all the darkness, though, the story is redeemed by the relationships Savannah forms with her husband, her brother, and ultimately her God.
Profile Image for Christina.
Author 21 books104 followers
May 13, 2015
T.I. Lowe has quickly become one of my favorites. Her stories draw you in with relatable characters, and in Coming Home Again Savannah is understandably broken by a truly horrific childhood. Her journey to discovering the good things she lost among the rubble of her past contains a beautiful tale of finding the things that matter most in life. The family dynamic is drawn in such a way that I can't wait to find out what happens to Savannah's brother and sister. And, as is the custom in Lowe stories, swoony male alert - this time his name is Lucas and he's fantastic. So, so happy that I found this author's books.
Profile Image for Faith Nguyen.
53 reviews6 followers
July 3, 2018
I've never cringed, paused to take a deep breath, cried and hurt multiple times in a single book until this one. Read with caution. This is a difficult read but so much redemptive grace.
Profile Image for PollyAnna Joy.
Author 4 books27 followers
November 26, 2020
I can't remember ever reading a faith-based book that deals with the subject of rape and/or child abuse. And if I have read one, it certainly wasn't one that made an impact on me in any way. But, boy howdy, does T.I. Lowe BRING IT ith COMING HOME AGAIN. She begins the book with a "Trigger Warning"--something that I have been hearing from readers that they want authors/writers to do. For anyone who has experienced trauma, those triggers can hit in any form, any fashion, any shape, at any time, anywhere. We never know exactly what is going to set off our angst and anxiety and depression. With the grace of God, we seek Him, get help as needed, and move through the trauma to, hopefully, come out on the other side a better person for it...someone who has suffered as Christ suffered. God says in His Word that we WILL trials, tribulations, and suffering in this life. If Christ had them, how we can expect any different for our own lives? If the world hated Him, the world is going to hate us. But that is where God's grace and mercy and hope and joy and especially L.O.V.E. reside. He meets us where we are IN our pain and suffering. He never judges us for our breakdowns, meltdowns, or even for our need to run away (in whatever form that may entail).
He simply LOVES us.
That is what Savannah's story is truly about. Yes, the story of the trauma is dark, trigger-worthy, and horrific. But what her story truly focuses on is God's saving Grace and redemption for us if we just give all our hurt to Him and let Him carry it for us.
Oh, how I LOVE Savannah, Julia, and John Paul. And Lucas. I MIGHT one day like Jean. I'm hoping there is a redemption story for her that I simply have not found or read yet.
And Miss May. Lord, have mercy. We all need a Miss May in our lives, that is for sure!
Tonya, in a way, I feel as if I have been keeping your best series for last, but yet, every single book I read by you is powerful and amazing and I simply cannot wait to get to the next one!
Profile Image for  The Flipped Page (Susan K).
1,829 reviews39 followers
January 13, 2020
Romance, clean; PG-13 for difficult themes and rape
This was a hard read, but oh so relevant. Savannah, her backstory, her family, her past, present and future, was a heart wrenching difficult read. While this was a story about her heart, her healing, and her family, all the past hurts, it is really Savannah's future that is the real part of this. As she fits together all the intertwined pieces of her past and present at her father's funeral, as she travels there, and as she speaks and interacts with her family, bits of the puzzle of who she is are presented. She struggles every day with the secrets, the hurts, the awful wrongs and pain from her past.
Lucas is the best part of this story, her choice for her present, and the healing she needs for her damaged heart. Tragic, hurting, heartfelt, honest, raw emotions in this novel.
Profile Image for Lauri Gentry.
854 reviews21 followers
February 8, 2022
A story told as if the MC is speaking directly to the reader. She had me laughing, crying, cringing and cheering for her. Savannah returns home to face demons of the past and to take care of family matters. She goes toe to toe with one demon on her way to healing. Some rough elements of abuse occur in this story so reader beware. It is worth wading through to learn how "God can take a mess of a life and make something wonderful out of it."
Profile Image for Parkland Mom.
784 reviews19 followers
April 20, 2025
4.25 Stars
Completed: Apr. 20/25

Series: Coming Home Again, #1
Format: audiobook borrow (Everand) but own Kindle e-Book
Narrator: Susan Bennet -- the reason why I listened to the audiobook!
Challenge Prompt: CFG's "nature on cover" -- trees

Book #49 of 2025: Though I own this Kindle e-Book, i saw it on Everand as an audiobook. Since it is narrated by Susan Bennett, I had to listen instead. She absolutely nails it!

This is a heavy book. A very heavy book. It may be too much for some readers but I'm not one to avoid heavy topics. I find them educational and helpful to further understand something.

Savannah, and her siblings, go through horrific emotional and psychological abuse at the hands of their narcissistic and self-absorbed mother. To make matters even worse, she endures sexual abuse and repeated rape by a "friend" of her mother. Her sister also suffers, even more so because he physically abuses her, too. This went on for some time. Savannah and the others also lose a sibling and nearly lose another.

Savannah leaves home and never returns after her schooling is over, until five years later when her dad passes away. Even her trip there makes your heart hurt for her. She goes through panic attacks, struggles with suicidal thoughts, has horrific nightmares, and struggles with sheer despair when she is back home. Facing our past is often the only way to begin truly healing but it can be extremely ugly.

The characters of Savannah's husband, Lucas, and May (her father's head cook at his restaurant) help balance the heaviness in this story. May is the anchor for Savannah growing up. She shared about God, truth, and freedom from the past. Lucas is an amazing man of patience, loyalty, and devotion.

Her Dad is the parent they all appreciate, unlike Jean (the mom). HOWEVER, I have a bone to pick with the dad. How do all of them respect him when he did nothing about their mother or Evan (the sexual abuser/rapist)? That bothered me something fierce. He clearly always put his work and pleasing Jean before all else. He was not the hero so badly needed by those kids. Not at all. He KNEW- maybe not at the beginning-but one would have to be completely clueless not to suspect.

The entire novel is a letter by Savannah. It jumps around from the present and various points in the past. She even speaks directly to the reader at various points. It is raw, it is honest, and it is not pleasant at many points. BUT the redemption is a beautiful picture of God's love for us, His grace and mercy always available no matter the circumstances. People fail us. People can do horrible things. God heals. God makes all things new. I loved this quote in the Epilogue:

"That day face down in the mud in Miss May’s yard was a day of reckoning between me and God. I gave Him all my hurts and disappointments, and asked Him to free me from it all. And He did! I had made such a simple freeing gesture into something so complicated. Why do we do that? So this is my journey to come home again. Even though it’s been a long, challenging course, I have persevered. Did I think it was possible? Absolutely not. I didn’t make the journey unscathed, but I know now, that with God, all things are possible.

I found myself. I really did. I found myself. Right where I hid."




This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for JaneReads.
974 reviews122 followers
October 24, 2015
This book deals with a very traumatic childhood and it was hard to comprehend an 11 year old having to deal with such a horrific thing happening to her. Savannah is trying to deal with the demons she has been left dealing with since and is struggling between fighting or giving up. I enjoyed the way the story was written as a letter to readers from Savannah. This pulled me right in and the descriptions of events were well done. The stories Savannah shared made me laugh, cry and flinch, it was an emotional rollercoaster but I couldn't put it down. I felt so much for Savannah and was glad that she had people like Lucas and Miss May to be there for her, and also that she was able to begin reconnecting with her brother. Lucas was so very patient and a great support for Savannah even when she tried to push him away, he stayed. He showed her truly what love is. The ending left with me positive feelings that Savannah will be okay as long as she keeps her focus on God and the good. I really hope that her sister and brother are able to find the peace they need deal with the demons the are fighting. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
Profile Image for Jana Lanham.
43 reviews
October 2, 2017
This one had me, though I'm not sure if that's was due to love for the characters or morbid curiosity. My heart broke for the young characters in this story. Well written, yes, but definitely not marketed (or ENDED) appropriately. My mother and any other sweet little ole Christian lady who happened upon this book thinking it to be a feel good coming of age story would throw this book across the room in disgust eeearly on. The drama factor here was somewhere around 80%, shock value brought in a solid 18% which left only a meager 2% for the "Christian" portion of this "Christian novel". I'm finding it disappointingly common for dramatic stories to masquerade as Christian/religious books. I'll add this author to the growing list of posers using a mere sprinkle of religion to sell books. I fell victim again.

And no, I will not be continuing the series.
Profile Image for Darcy.
14.4k reviews543 followers
September 3, 2017
There was something about this one that turned me off from the start. I didn't like how Savannah was writing her suicide note among a dinner menu, hated how she talked about her mother, who was a big bitch, not really caring for her kids and mostly likely let a monster into their lives. I found myself not caring to learn if who I thought was a monster or not. In the end this one wasn't for me.
Profile Image for Ava.
69 reviews
October 28, 2017
Train wreck disguised as Christian book

This book was too graphic and contained inappropriate material for teen readers who might try reading this. Adult Christian readers should beware of the material as well. It describes rape, revenge, torture, and a violent death.

Other than the content, the writing is way too wordy. I found myself skimming many paragraphs.
Profile Image for Norma Reasor.
564 reviews
June 27, 2015
Excellent

This was a pretty hard book to read. Every one has their demons, some are just stronger than others. When a death in the family pulls Savannah back to her home town, can she conquer her demons, or will she drown them in the sea?
66 reviews3 followers
May 17, 2015
Loved it!

Great book by an great,talented author. I have been hooked since "Lulu's Cafe" . Can't wait for the next book.
511 reviews
July 26, 2016
What a book

Wow, what a book!! I can't even describe it without giving away any of the story. It was a very disturbing story but good. Well worth the read.
Profile Image for Melissa Torres.
143 reviews4 followers
September 21, 2017
There were parts of this book that were very well written and heartbreaking, in good and bad ways, but there were some plot inconsistencies I couldn't get past.
Profile Image for Dana Michael.
1,401 reviews179 followers
August 16, 2024
I read this years ago and just realized i never left a review. Shame on me. I loved it when i read it and i should take time to read again.
Profile Image for June.
411 reviews2 followers
February 3, 2019
At the beginning of the book Savannah is contemplating suicide
and running through her different options on how / what she
will say in her note. A few pages of this and I was ready to
'throw in the towel" but did not. And even though this book
was very hard on the heart dealing with abuse and neglect
it was still amazing how the children did come through it.
Savannah returns home for her father's funeral and it
quickly becomes obvious that her mother is and has been a
class a B which has greatly affected Savannah and her
siblings upbringing.
I did have a problem with the father figure who supposedly
loved his children but allowed unspeakable things to
happen to them. Reason given he just loved his wife
so much; considering the hell his children underwent
I guess he was blinded by his love.
This is no romp in the park, take a break from reality
book. It is hard hitting and gritty and at times will
be difficult to read But please do so It's well worth it.
Profile Image for Becky Cox.
227 reviews6 followers
July 14, 2025
Narrator: 1 out of 10
Writing: 3 out of 10
Neither the writer nor the narrator could decide whether the characters were Southern, Southern uneducated, South Carolina country, South Carolina low country, or Rhode Island rich. For example, it was very annoying for a college educated woman who had lived “up north” for 3 years to still say ain’t.
Two events - the rapes and the repeated episodes of panic attacks- were too detailed for me. Very unsettling and the ramifications were “dropped” toward the end of the book. The mother should have been locked up long ago. The Mr. Good Guy dad was totally clueless! Didn’t match with the man who was well loved & respected by the community.
The story digressed all over the place, and I was very close to giving up with a DNF, but I plodded on hoping for some redemption. A little, not much, I’m sorry to say.
2 reviews
January 11, 2025
I really have liked this author’s work previously. This book was just too dark for my taste. I made the mistake of reading it right before bed and was awake tossing and turning because of the content matter I’d just read.
Redemption comes so near the end of the book I was already too wrung out with emotions with too little good for it to change my feelings of the book—if that makes sense.
My other issue were the editorial errors. One does not get a red “whelp” on their arm—it should be “welt.” Another error was turning the “nob” on the door. There were only about 5-6, but they jarred me every time.
I’ll try another of TI Lowe’s book for sure, but it won’t be the sequel to this book.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
73 reviews
October 24, 2025
I am definitely a T.I. Lowe fan! She has a way of drawing me into her stories to the point of goosebumps! Great character development.

I do question this being labeled as Christian Fiction, as there are MANY heavy themes (i.e., suicide (thoughts/attempt); rape; child neglect; substance abuse; eating disorder; volatile death) with minimal to no Christian/biblical content. So, if you want to read a true Christian Fiction novel, I am thinking this would not be it.

However, I still found this to be a beautiful story of letting go of the past, healing, deep love, forgiveness, and hope. I am a huge fan of characters Miss May and Lucas!
1,228 reviews3 followers
January 8, 2020
Well-written novel in the first-person that helps the reader engage more fully with the main character in her painful childhood which involved rape by a caregiver, death of a cousin-sibling, and a narcissistic mother. Very descriptive emotions expressed through re-occurring nightmares while forcing the return of Savannah to her hometown for her father's funeral. Very dark, descriptive and tragic passages contrasted with a supportive husband and co-workers of her father's seafood establishment. Once again, facing all of her demons provides her a path towards healing.
Profile Image for Sandy Mckenzie.
182 reviews30 followers
January 15, 2020
I have had the pleasure of reading all of T.I.Lowe's books and let me tell you they are wonderful. COMING HOME AGAIN is a page burner. I couldn't put it down. I felt so many emotions...love, hate, fear, anger and peace.....I laughed, cried as I burned thru the pages. Very real, raw, and relatable story of learning to live and love in spite of the past. This may be a work of fiction but it could be anyone’s story. Sometimes we choose what happens to us and sometimes it’s forced on us but God’s love and grace can heal it all. Every bit and blemish. Loved it!
Profile Image for Kate.
78 reviews2 followers
May 24, 2022
love the rawness of this story…

I just found this author and like her a lot. I loved the accuracy of Savannah’s struggle throughout the story and her sass! Lucas is well amazing. I struggle with one thing. The ending. I survived multiple traumas as a child and the ending is too tidy and not realistic for other trauma survivors I know and myself. And I have a strong faith and relationship with God. It made me feel flawed that I couldn’t just let it all go… But I still loved the story and will try another book by this author.
37 reviews
January 7, 2018
Dark subject, likeable protagonist

This book deals with sexual abuse of children as well as parental abuse and neglect which makes it a tough read in some ways. The narrator/ protagonist was feisty and funny which made her an engaging character. The mother character was very unlikable but also poorly developed. The ending left loose threads that will perhaps be addressed in the subsequent books in the series.
Profile Image for Becki.
250 reviews
April 2, 2018
Very difficult subject matter in this book regarding child rape and while it is not graphically described just knowing it happened is enough. The story follows Savannah as she battles the demons that plague her from her childhood and trust me she has plenty of them. A neglectful mother, a workaholic so mostly absent father, selfish siblings, not to mention child predator baby sitter makes for a rough upbringing. My favorite parts were the memories of her college days with Lucas. ❤️

342 reviews3 followers
February 18, 2021
Realistic

I am a survivor of childhood rape, but I blocked most of the painful memories. Your brain remembers trauma and you will have triggers. Everyone handles trauma differently. My heart was bleeding as I read how the parents handled this. I’ve never been sure which is worse, remembering or blocking the memories for decades. This is a tough subject to address and I think she did a great job with it.
Profile Image for Paula  Browning.
186 reviews20 followers
February 20, 2021
Read with a box a tissues

This book made me laugh and made me cry. I can relate to alot in this book and it's amazing that this book was written with these situations in it. I'd like to know if this is based off a true story or not but I couldn't find it. Prepare yourself before you read this book. It's gonna touch your heart like no other and you'll need some tissues too. Amazing book!
Profile Image for Sherry.
77 reviews
May 30, 2021
Only 3 Stars

I have to say, I struggled to get through this book. As much as I loved T. I. Lowe’s book, “Lulu’s Cafe”, I just couldn’t get into this one. Some parts were simply bizarre! I knew going in that it was a sensitive subject matter. Even so, it was all over the place. Also, the kindle edition really needs a good editor. Lots of missing words and sentences with too many words. It was very distracting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews

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