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The Donnelly Brothers #2

Holiday Homecoming

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The Pastor's Christmas Match

Pastor Connor Donnelly is done with romance. After proposing to his high school sweetheart, Natalie Delacroix, five years ago—and being turned down—he's putting all his time and energy into his community. He's determined to make the Christmas pageant he's directing a success. But family and friends are set on fixing up the good-looking bachelor in time for the holidays. And now that Natalie is back in Paradox Lake—and helping with the pageant—they might just succeed. Because working so closely with Natalie stirs up old feelings…and Connor starts to hope for a second chance with the one who got away.

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 17, 2015

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About the author

Jean C. Gordon

56 books281 followers

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5 stars
27 (32%)
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36 (43%)
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12 (14%)
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6 (7%)
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2 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Laura.
Author 39 books654 followers
November 27, 2015
HOLIDAY HOMECOMING is the Second in Ms. Gordon's Donnelly Brother's series (the first is Winning the Teacher's Heart) but it easily stands alone. A sweet (if predictable) love story involving a pastor, his one and only love (who chose a career over him) and the town who is determined to match them up by forcing them together, and sometimes into compromising positions.

Natalie has left with bad feelings between her and her entire family. Her sister is not communicating with her (barely) leaving hurt feelings, and her parents are either being too matchmaker-ish or too parental. Natalie is trying to mend relationships with her family, find another job in Chicago, and try to enforce the "friends only" idea in Connor's and the communities mind.

A fun Christmas story with a good story of redemption.
Profile Image for Kerri (Book Hoarder).
496 reviews45 followers
January 1, 2016
Sweet, if overly preachy, but that's to be expected from a Christian romance novel. I didn't realize that when I picked it up, but... it was free, so no complaints! A cute little novel that suits this time of year and my mood.
320 reviews1 follower
November 27, 2017
This book was terrible. It seemed as if the author didn't like her main character. I didn't even finish this one - a rarity for me.
Profile Image for Katrina Epperson.
615 reviews
November 10, 2015
Jean C. Gordon brings us the second installment to her Donnelly Brothers series. This is a sweet holiday story, but is more than just a holiday story. It's about trust, love, forgiveness and hope.

Connor is the pastor at Hazardtown Community Church and heading up the Paradox Lake churches' annual Christmas Eve pagent. As the production director his biggest crisis was finding an organist since their's was recovering from surgery. To say Connor and his brothers grew up rough would be an understatement and a small fraction of his congregations still were not convinced that he was the right man to pastor Hazardtown Community. Of course many were giving his marital staus much thought, because it seemed everyone was trying to play matchmaker.

Natalie Delacroix was back in town to assist her mother for a few weeks in her recovery from surgery. Natalie had left town many years ago in pursuit of a dream which had turned into anything but what she had dreamed of. She was basically out of work, out of money and looking for a new place to live, but that was information she would keep to herself. If she could get through the next few weeks then she would be able to move on to the next break in her career.

The biggest problem for both of these characters is that they have a past and one that neither has forgotten.

This is an endearing story. The plot is sweet and flows effortlessly. I will admit to a book character crush on Connor. I loved him immediately. Natalie was someone I felt so much compassion for as I got to know her character. She is very complex and has very real issues. The good flow and pace keeps the reader's attention. This story reminds you that no matter what stuggles you are facing today there is another chapter to your story.

I would recommend this story to anyone who loves a good, clean romance or even a holiday story.



*I received this book from the author for a honest opinion without bias or outside influence. All thoughts or opinions are my own.





Profile Image for Pam.
4,629 reviews69 followers
October 5, 2015
Holiday Homecoming is a Donnelly Brothers book by Jean C. Gordon. It is easy to read and keeps your interest.
Pastor Connor Donnelly had proposed to Natalie Delacroix five years ago and had been turned down in favor of her career. In the past five years, he has come to grips with that and had one of his wishes come true in that he was pastor of the church in his home community. It was his dream job and he was working his way back into the community to gain their trust. He is in charge of the Christmas pageant this year and is determined to make it a good one. Unfortunately, his choir director had to have surgery and was laid up and could not help this year. She said she would find someone else to take her place. Connor just hoped the replacement was good enough.
Natalie Delacroix had gone to Chicago to break into the news business. She followed her mentor Kirk Sheldon only to realize he was using her and in doing so caused her reputation to be smeared. Was it irreparable? She had gone to two different stations, one where the man who hired her wanted more from her than news, and the third where a family took it over and she was replaced. She was trying to find a new job when her sister called and guilted her into coming home to take care of their Mother while she recovered from surgery. After all, as Andie pointed out, she had no family to care for like she did and after all, Natalie had the time. Natalie was happy to care for her Mother but she didn’t want the family to find out she was without a job. She didn’t want the “I told you so’s” to start. She didn’t know her old boyfriend, Connor, was in charge of the Christmas pageant when she agreed to take her mother’s place.
The past five years has changed both of them; but everyone seems to think they are still a pair. Can they work together on the pageant and make it the best one yet without irreparably harming their tentative friendship?
Profile Image for Dawn Leonard.
328 reviews
November 16, 2015
Holiday Homecoming is the story of former high school sweethearts Connor Donnelly and Natalie Delacroix. Natalie who turned down Connor's proposal five years ago. Natalie left town after that to pursue a career as a newscaster and Connor became a pastor. Connor has returned to his hometown, Paradox Lake, to be the pastor at his childhood church. Because he's single, well meaning people are constantly match-making, trying to help him find a help-mate in his ministry. Natalie returns to town to help care for her mother who is recovering from an illness. They are thrown together to work on the town's Christmas pageant with Natalie filling in as music director in her mom's place and Connor as the director. Jean C. Gordon throws in some plot twists as Natalie reunites with her family and some secrets are revealed. Natalie and Connor must work through their past if they are to have a future together. This is a story of learning to communicate and trusting in each other and in God. Although this book is part of the Donnelly Brothers series, it can be read as a stand alone. If you fall in love with these characters, you will want to read Jared Donnelly's story in Winning the Teacher's Heart as well.

I received this book for free from the author, Jean C. Gordon, in exchange for an honest review. I didn't tell Jean C. Gordon when I applied to be an advance reader that I had an ulterior motive for getting it early. I fell with the Donnelly Brothers when I read Winning the Teacher's Heart. I didn't want to have to wait to read Connor's story. I loved the book and gave it the same rating and review as if I bought it.
Profile Image for DJ.
Author 1 book34 followers
December 12, 2015

HOLIDAY HOMECOMING was an absolute JOY to read!
. . . and it’s the perfect time to read it, since it’s only 13 days until Christmas!

Natalie Delacroix and Pastor Conner Donnelly were once in love. But Natalie chose her career over staying with Conner. When she returns home after five years, Conner is happily settled as the pastor of the community church.

When they are selected to work on the Christmas pageant together, it seems as if everyone is determined to get them back together. When career choices interfere, who will stay and who will go?

From the first page, I knew this was going to be a fun, delightful read. I’d love to share an example, if you’ll indulge me . . . such as when Natalie and Conner get locked in the attic by a couple of matchmakers!

But, of course, things don’t always work out the way we would choose. When Natalie get another job offer, it doesn’t look promising.

If you enjoy Love Inspired books, you’re going to love HOLIDAY HOMECOMING. If you like reading Christmas stories — and romance stories, you’ll be over-the-top, because this Love Inspired book has it all.

I honestly can’t praise it enough!


Read. The. Book.

You’ll love it!


Blessings!
Profile Image for Diana.
723 reviews5 followers
November 17, 2015
“Winning the Teacher’s Heart” introduced us to the Donnelly brothers. While that book focused more on Jared, this book focuses more on Connor and the girl (Natalie) that shot him down in college. It’s a sweet story about coming back home after your big plans don’t work quite the way you saw them in your head. This book brings out the folly of our youthful, rash decisions and choices. It also shows that we can put them behind us and move on from them and Who is really in charge of our paths. It is fun watching everyone in the small town of Paradox Lake try to fix them up while they are determined to “not go there”. There’s a little “Wizard of Oz” in this book, and if you watch closely toward the end you might find a bit of “The Gift of the Magi”. A sweet story that happens around Christmas complete with Christmas miracles and joy. A totally enjoyable read! I was given a copy of this book for my honest review.
Profile Image for Laura.
Author 39 books654 followers
November 27, 2015
HOLIDAY HOMECOMING is the Second in Ms. Gordon's Donnelly Brother's series (the first is Winning the Teacher's Heart) but it easily stands alone. A sweet (if predictable) love story involving a pastor, his one and only love (who chose a career over him) and the town who is determined to match them up by forcing them together, and sometimes into compromising positions.

Natalie has left with bad feelings between her and her entire family. Her sister is not communicating with her (barely) leaving hurt feelings, and her parents are either being too matchmaker-ish or too parental. Natalie is trying to mend relationships with her family, find another job in Chicago, and try to enforce the "friends only" idea in Connor's and the communities mind.

A fun Christmas story with a good story of redemption.
Profile Image for Barbara Thompson.
461 reviews12 followers
November 16, 2015
Author Jean C Gordon gives us a second book in The Donnelly Brothers series from Harlequin Love Inspired and it's a fantastic book. I love the storyline of the single pastor being matchmaked by family and friends. It's a fun book to read and very interesting. For some people, the grass looks greener on the other side, but then to find out it's just the same grass like the old side or worse. Will Natalie find her peace now? Will any of the matchmaking attempts work? Holiday Home is a fantastic book to read for the holidays and I highly recommend reading it. I'm excited to see what will be the next book Author Jean C Gordon will have for us to read.

I received a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for my honest review. This review is one hundred percent my own opinion.
Profile Image for Toni Shiloh.
Author 56 books1,955 followers
January 13, 2016
Holiday Homecoming was a sweet holiday read. From the beginning, I was captivated by the story of Connor Donnelly and Natalie Delacroix. Natalie returns home after making some terrible mistakes. She knows that Jesus has forgiven her, but she is unsure how others will view her, especially Connor who is the pastor at the local church.
I love stories about redemption and this was absolutely fitting considering the Christmas season this took place in. Ms. Gordon did beautifully showing how a person has to submit their plans to God and trust His plan for our lives.
I look forward to reading more books by Jean C. Gordon.

I received an ARC in exchange for honest review.
934 reviews4 followers
December 19, 2015
Holiday Homecoming by Jean C. Gordon. Five years ago Pastor Connor Donnelly proposed to Natalie Delacroix. She said no and headed to Chicago to start a dream job she wanted. Things happen to Natalie while she was in Chicago. She ended up losing her job. She moved back home for the holidays to help take care of her grandmother while the rest of the family went about doing their jobs. Natalie ends up playing the piano and singing at a church Christmas concert that Connor was in charge of. Connor never stopped loving Natalie. Natalie didn't think she was good enough for Connor now after the things that happened in Chicago. A good read.
117 reviews
December 10, 2015
I love this book.It is well written and I lovee the characters in the story! I love a great love story that is faith based!
202 reviews
January 13, 2017
this is a good read bringing two people together after five years. It's a good read and I think would like to read it
Profile Image for Janis.
1,071 reviews4 followers
March 3, 2017
Not all that much happened for the book to be as long as it is. Ho hum. Plot synopsis is so complete that there's not much reason to read the book.
Profile Image for Tim Covell.
Author 3 books9 followers
November 19, 2023
Maybe it's coincidence, or maybe it's the trend in Christian romances, but the last few I have read have been more overtly religious, to the point where it feels (to non-religious me) that religion intrudes on the plot. In fairness, the hero here is a pastor and the plot takes place shortly before Christmas, so the church is going to play a larger role, though as seems usual for Christian romances, the actual denomination is vague - which verges on awkward given the hero. The plot is well-structured and well-paced by the small town's ecumenical Christmas pageant, which simultaneously reinforces denominational vagueness and raises the question of why the town doesn't just have a secular or inter-faith pageant. I assume this is what the Harlequin Love-Inspired market wants, but there's a difference between Christian stories set in a world where Christian faith is one option of many, and Christian stories set in a Christian bubble.
There are several occasions where the couple seek God's guidance though prayer, but I found that made them passive. And while the romance plot resolution is thanks to the characters' decisions, it's very close to deus ex machina. Having a character say "God works in interesting ways" tends to underline that.
Probably a great read for the target market. Less appeal for non-Christians, people who lean towards cynicism of Christmas-set romances, and people wary of the second-chance romance trope.
168 reviews
January 14, 2023
A wonderful modern day story, Natalie chose career over love. As a bright eyed college student, the choice to pursue a career she loved and was good at made sense. Now 5 years later a more mature Natalie is given a 2nd chance at that love she walked away from, but is afraid she's no longer worthy. Connor's still nursing the hurt from when Natalie rejected his marriage proposal. A tale of healing and finding one's way in the world.
Profile Image for JD Morgan.
46 reviews2 followers
December 10, 2021
4.5/5 A lovely story of forgiveness & restoration of love between former sweethearts.
Profile Image for Marilyn.
1,283 reviews
August 30, 2016
Holiday Homecoming, , book 2 in The Donnelly Brothers series by Jean C. Gordon, captured me on the first page. I could not stop reading until the end. What a delightful read on a hot summer day. I’ll have to read this lovely Christmas reunion story this winter, as it’s a perfect Christmas story.

Connor Donnelley is pastor of Hazardtown Community Church in Paradox Lake. Paradox Lake is the community he grew up in under a dark cloud as his father was an alcoholic. Connor is thankful for his redemption through Jesus Christ and enjoys serving as pastor; however, there are individuals that are trying to play matchmaker for Connor to be married. Natalie Delacroix had rejected his proposal in the past and he really never recovered from loving her. Natalie returns to assist her parents, especially her mother who is ill. Natalie is given the music director position as her mother was unable to continue that position for the community Christmas pageant with her illness. With Connor being the director of the Christmas pageant, will Connor and Natalie be able to move past the hurts of yesterday years?

Jean C. Gordon created a beautiful Christmas story with forgiveness, restoration, faith, redemption, romance and secrets coming to light with the hero and heroine. Even though Holiday Homecoming is the second book in The Donnelly Brothers series, it can be read as a standalone book. Readers will want to read the entire series as Gordon creates beautiful inspired stories filled with love, forgiveness, redemption and faith in God for the Donnelly brothers to be who He had created them to be and not living under the shadow of their father’s past. I look forward to reading The Bachelor’s Sweetheart, book three in this series in the next couple of days. This series is that awesome!
499 reviews6 followers
January 24, 2016
The Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York is the setting for this warm and cozy Christmas story.

Even though this is the 2nd book in the series and I did not read the lst book in this series I felt like I could jump right in. I enjoyed getting to know both the Donnelly brothers as well as the Delacroix family.

Connor Donnelly is the single pastor of Hazardtown Community Church in Paradox Lake. Well meaning members of the church love playing matchmaker for their single pastor. He has his hands full working on the ecumenical community Christmas pageant.

Natalie Delacroix shares quite a past with Connor. They were high school and college sweethearts. Sadly five years ago Natalie turned down his marriage proposal. She had dreams to be a news reporter and chose her career over love.

Terry Delacroix has just had knee surgery and Natalie comes home fr the holidays to lend a hand during her mom's recovery. Natalie doesnt want to tell her family that she was let go from her job.

Connor and Natalie work together on the pageant. They are also thrown together due to various planned and unplanned events. Will they be able to forgive the past and find true love again? Will Natalie again choose her career over love? Connor makes a point in telling Natalie that they both have to seek Gods plan for their lives.

My favorite part of the book was the attic incident. I liked getting to know all the characters.

Also the author dealt with a character who had postpartum depression which added to the story.

So grab a cup of hot chocolate, tea or coffee and enjoy this cozy and enjoyable Christmas story.
Profile Image for Angie.
16 reviews
April 14, 2017
Thank you to the author, Jean C. Gordon, for providing a free copy through Goodreads Giveaways.

In the past, when I had won books through Goodreads giveaways that were part of a series, but weren't the first book I felt like I was missing something even when the books were supposed to be able to stand alone. So to prepare myself for this book, the second installment of the The Donnelly Brothers series, I checked out and read the first book before I read this one. I'm really glad I did because not only did I enjoy both books a great deal, but I felt like I wasn't missing anything when I read Connor's story.

Holiday Homecoming is the perfect book for Christmas time, it put me in that perfect holiday mood. I really enjoyed reading about Natalie and Conner. The book is engaging and sometimes unpredictable. I highly recommend this book. I hope to see more of Ms. Gordon's books available for check out.

Profile Image for Toni.
1,597 reviews67 followers
December 28, 2015
I really enjoyed this small little sweetheart of a book. It had a good hook for me and I do love to see a pastor find his true love.

Connor and Natalie have a past. She said no to his proposal in college and went on to a big network tv career. But all wasn't happy and cheery in her so called dream job. When Natalie is caught up in a scandal she is sacked and comes home to help her mother who has recently been released from the hospital. The mother, has a plan to get Natalie and Connor back together so she knows Natalie loves to sing and play the piano so Natalie becomes the new pianist at the Paradox Lake Community Christmas Service. Little does she know that Connor is now the pastor of her mother's church and is the one in charge of the hole shindig. This is a great story. Loved every minute of it. Check it out of you love a Christian book with heart.

I paid for this book with my own money.
Profile Image for Selina Tropiano.
22 reviews
December 21, 2015
I received this book through a Goodreads Giveaway. Below is an excerpt from my Tumblr blog review.

“Holiday Homecoming” was a cute book. It didn’t have a terribly in depth or exciting storyline and I knew by page 1 what would happen in the last chapter… but it was cute anyway. It also stayed true to its religious soul, without becoming preachy.

I was impressed with the risk the author took writing from both character’s perspective. That kind of writing can easily get confusing, but the risk paid off for this book and wound up being beneficial for the story.

It was a good book to read when you just want to lay down, relax, and maybe drink some minty hot chocolate or apple-cinnamon tea.
Profile Image for Sandy Vaile.
Author 6 books66 followers
February 27, 2016
When a jilted priest has to work with his ex in the Christmas play, it's going to cause all kinds of trouble in this quiet town. I enjoyed the characters, although Pastor Connor was stronger than Natalie. The small amounts of tension never really built to a crescendo for me.
64 reviews2 followers
December 29, 2016
Enjoyed the book but felt the story line of Hope & Natalie & Conner's Christmas star was incomplete.
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