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Coming Home to Brewster #1
After Anne
When Anne Abbot moves to Brewster, Olivia Marsden takes an immediate dislike to the newcomer. Anne's perkiness really rankles, and Olivia finds the open way she talks about her faith very annoying.
Overwhelmed with the prospect of making a good impression in this, her fifth town in eight years of not-so-happy marriage, Anne prays for a deep friendship and finds herself drawn to cool, aloof Olivia.
One day, Olivia faces a family emergency and turns to Anne for help. In one evening, the two become fast friends. The fledgling friendship deepens when Anne is diagnosed with breast cancer. Misunderstandings, the shadow of death, and a beautiful new life play out in the alternating voices of the main characters.
After Anne marks the first of an exceptional new novel series. Readers will be drawn to the intimacy of Libby and Anne's narratives and inspired by their story of friendship, forged by fire and inspired by God.
Overwhelmed with the prospect of making a good impression in this, her fifth town in eight years of not-so-happy marriage, Anne prays for a deep friendship and finds herself drawn to cool, aloof Olivia.
One day, Olivia faces a family emergency and turns to Anne for help. In one evening, the two become fast friends. The fledgling friendship deepens when Anne is diagnosed with breast cancer. Misunderstandings, the shadow of death, and a beautiful new life play out in the alternating voices of the main characters.
After Anne marks the first of an exceptional new novel series. Readers will be drawn to the intimacy of Libby and Anne's narratives and inspired by their story of friendship, forged by fire and inspired by God.
468 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2002
67 people are currently reading
403 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
February 1, 2018
Anne Abbott is new in town, and she's mighty tired of it. This is her fifth time being the new one in town in 8 years. She is bound and determined that this time, it will be different and she will make a best friend.
Enter Olivia Marsden. She gets on Anne's nerves immediately, always talking about faith and such. Enough is enough. Olivia finds Anne quite irritating in return. She's too perky, too happy, maybe a bit too fake or maybe she's just trying too hard.
Despite their differences, they are drawn to each other, though neither can understand way. A family emergency leads Olivia to go to Anne for help. That evening, tragedy brings the two of them together and the best friend Anne longs for just may be in the cards.
Whether or not this will continue to be the case is tested when Anne suddenly finds herself facing a diagnosis of breast cancer. To top it all off, she just found out she's pregnant. Olivia becomes her rock and their friendship becomes one of great depth.
This book will make you feel the gamut of emotions, from joy to despair. It's well written, and will draw you in, even if you can feel sadness creeping in, as much as you long for a happy ending.
Enter Olivia Marsden. She gets on Anne's nerves immediately, always talking about faith and such. Enough is enough. Olivia finds Anne quite irritating in return. She's too perky, too happy, maybe a bit too fake or maybe she's just trying too hard.
Despite their differences, they are drawn to each other, though neither can understand way. A family emergency leads Olivia to go to Anne for help. That evening, tragedy brings the two of them together and the best friend Anne longs for just may be in the cards.
Whether or not this will continue to be the case is tested when Anne suddenly finds herself facing a diagnosis of breast cancer. To top it all off, she just found out she's pregnant. Olivia becomes her rock and their friendship becomes one of great depth.
This book will make you feel the gamut of emotions, from joy to despair. It's well written, and will draw you in, even if you can feel sadness creeping in, as much as you long for a happy ending.
April 25, 2010
Loved this book, I'm excited to read more from this author. I won't say much about it for fear of giving anything away, just know it is a heart felt story that I was in love with from the first page until the last.
August 6, 2011
This entire series is a must-read. It has everything you need, as a reader. It's been 4-5 years since I read this series, and it hasn't been topped, yet.
July 30, 2008
This book is a tale of friendship. If anyone needs inspiration on how to be a good friend, just read this. But . . . make sure you've got a box of PUFFS handy. Its a tear jerker, but for sure a good read!
September 10, 2008
Oh this book is just soooo good(and I'm only a few chapters in!)! I love Henke's writing style!
July 17, 2011
This book was just what I was looking for to read right now. An easy read but with a message of faith, hope and love. And the greatest of these is love.
June 25, 2012
Five-hanky tear jerker that I simply loved reading. I couldn't bear to put it down until I finished it. Very touching story of the friendship of two women.
July 12, 2013
A beautifully written story of friendship, forgiveness, the twists and turns of life, and how the events and people in our life help shape us into what we become as life flows along.
April 18, 2025
My mother-in-law gave my this secondhand book about 10 years ago. I put it on my shelf because of its "old lady" cover. I just assumed it was going to be a boring drag... and maybe it would've been that for me 10 years ago. I was purging some old books when I came across this one again. I figured I would read the back and open it up to read a few pages to see if it actually would be worth keeping. I fell in love immediately. I read 75 pages just in that first opening of the book. It's safe to say that this story is an absolute gift to women yearning for connection and not quite understanding what true connection would be like. Every women wishes to have a friendship like Anne and Libby. What an absolute gift that author put her story in a book for us all. A lump grows in my throat whenever I think about it! Just wonderful.
October 17, 2023
I have forgotten how many years ago I read this book. I originally was able to read the first chapter in a complimentary booklet that included the 1st chapters of several different books by Christian fiction authors. This was one that I looked for to read in its entirety. Possible Trigger: Cancer and its affects on the person as well as family members, friends, and church family. Recommended for older teens and above.
July 1, 2017
Touching
Words cannot describe the emotions that you go through as you read this book. It is so well-written that you feel like you are a third member of this friendship. So many lessons touched my heart. This will be a book that I read over and over again. I cannot wait to read the next ones in the series!
Words cannot describe the emotions that you go through as you read this book. It is so well-written that you feel like you are a third member of this friendship. So many lessons touched my heart. This will be a book that I read over and over again. I cannot wait to read the next ones in the series!
August 26, 2017
Book Review
This book was awesome. I could not put it down. Anne was an example of how God wants us to live our lives. Through the way Anne lived her life, Libby saw God's love. In the end Libby realized she wanted the relationship with God that Anne had. Anne was a beacon to God's love as we all should be.
This book was awesome. I could not put it down. Anne was an example of how God wants us to live our lives. Through the way Anne lived her life, Libby saw God's love. In the end Libby realized she wanted the relationship with God that Anne had. Anne was a beacon to God's love as we all should be.
November 30, 2020
One of the best books I have ever read!
This story Claimed my attention and would not let it go. The characters are very relatable and even though I knew how it was gonna end from the beginning the way in which events unfolded kept me reading. Anne and Olivia are definitely people that you know. Especially Olivia.
This story Claimed my attention and would not let it go. The characters are very relatable and even though I knew how it was gonna end from the beginning the way in which events unfolded kept me reading. Anne and Olivia are definitely people that you know. Especially Olivia.
August 29, 2022
A sweet friendship refreshes the soul. Proverbs 27:9 Two women who at first have differing opinions about each other end up the very best of friends. One loves the Lord and is not afraid to live her life reflecting this way of life. Whereas the other one fights this truth. But eventually comes around to the knowledge of God.
October 6, 2022
Great read
Found a book form Roxanne Henke on my Goodreads profile that I had totally forgotten about. So I started this one and it made me tear up and my heart full. Great plot, wonderful characters and an overall great read. Not easy though, but that is just how I love it. Highly recommended!
Found a book form Roxanne Henke on my Goodreads profile that I had totally forgotten about. So I started this one and it made me tear up and my heart full. Great plot, wonderful characters and an overall great read. Not easy though, but that is just how I love it. Highly recommended!
November 26, 2023
What a heart-filled story! It’s hard to find a true friend when you’re a “grown-up”. How awesome would it be if every woman could find their own Anne.
I cried - a lot. But I also laughed and chuckled a lot. It’s one of those stories you can find a bit of yourself in - good and maybe not so good. Reading it will make you check yourself - are you being your best self?
I cried - a lot. But I also laughed and chuckled a lot. It’s one of those stories you can find a bit of yourself in - good and maybe not so good. Reading it will make you check yourself - are you being your best self?
December 9, 2025
This is a really sweet book and I enjoyed living through the two characters and their influence on one another. I enjoyed how every other chapter was from the viewpoint of one of the two of them. I loved the character of Libby and could relate to her so much.
Super easy read, with short chapters.
Super easy read, with short chapters.
July 4, 2017
Great night time read.
October 22, 2017
A beautiful story
March 4, 2018
What an incredible book on friendships. Heartwarming & heartbreaking. Loved reading it.
May 28, 2018
Wonderful book
Love this book beginning to end! After Anne is one of those books you can’t put down!Great book about love, friendship, hope and most importantly love
Love this book beginning to end! After Anne is one of those books you can’t put down!Great book about love, friendship, hope and most importantly love
March 19, 2019
Great characters. Great message. Spent a whole Saturday addicted to the book.
April 1, 2019
Very good book. It was really sad though. It will pull at your heart.
August 11, 2019
One of the best books I've ever read. And it was the author's first novel!
Can't wait to read her others.
Can't wait to read her others.
August 21, 2019
Grab your tissues for this one! Great novel with so much meaning and lessons of life and love and forgiveness!
Read
September 14, 2019Note: I've read (and edited) the Dutch version of this book; it's not published yet.
Read
February 25, 2020Could not put this book down.
September 7, 2020
Good read
Excellent telling of a friendship story. I found the storyline captivating although it sometimes seemed to drag. All in all a good read.
Excellent telling of a friendship story. I found the storyline captivating although it sometimes seemed to drag. All in all a good read.
October 16, 2020
I loved this book even though there were a lot of tears at the end. It is a wonderful book that tells a story of the power of friendship and faith.
January 12, 2021
Charming
Didn't know whether to !such or cry. So I did a lot of both! Brought back memories of a cherished friend that left too soon.
Didn't know whether to !such or cry. So I did a lot of both! Brought back memories of a cherished friend that left too soon.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews