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Home Torn
She left five years ago because her sister took away someone she loved. It had always been like that. Her sisters were adored while she was ignored. Now she's back, but she's different. She had changed and now sought healing in a cold and torn home. HOME TORN was the original version of HOME TEARS before it was edited. While the story may be similar, there will be additional storylines dealing with secondary characters. This version is barely edited. It's being published for the readers who fell in love with the original.
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 16, 2014
137 people are currently reading
2589 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
March 12, 2013
I enjoyed this book by Tijan, it's not my favorite of hers but I still liked it. The story is about love, lies, secrets, and healing. Dani returns home after 5 years, finding that her baby sister passed away while she was gone. She is an emotional wreck about life, about her first love, her disconnect from her sisters, her guardian aunt, her ex fiancé and the emotional trauma while she was overseas. As she heals, she finds the truth in her life, battles her demons and finds love, friendship and eventually family.
This book is still in need of editing, but Tijan already addressed that prior to starting. She is such an amazing writer, she never writes insta-love garbage, always slow build but meaningful. All her characters are important to the story and you fall in love or hate with such passion.
This book is still in need of editing, but Tijan already addressed that prior to starting. She is such an amazing writer, she never writes insta-love garbage, always slow build but meaningful. All her characters are important to the story and you fall in love or hate with such passion.
July 15, 2016
4.5 Stars
Dani O'Hara is a broken girl. Broken by her sisters, by her bestfriend and boyfriend of ten years, by family lies and secrets, and by her own monsters. She ran away from Craigstown without a word and everyone already think she's dead. Now, she's back in the same little town she tried to escaped from five years ago.
Her exact reason for returning isn't clear and even Dani doesn't know what she truly needs. Revenge? To take back the only boy she ever loved? Healing? In a small town that holds her family's secrets and where every gossip is like a headline news, Dani will either stand up and show the people that she's changed or play it safe and be the same shy, nice girl that was ignored years ago.
If there is someone who knows how to write about badass female leads, swoonworthy alpha males, dysfunctional families, supporting characters who are either irritating that you wanna throw them in the river to drown, or characters that you deeply feel for that you would want them to be part of your real life too--it's Tijan. Her stories aren't rainbows and unicorns. They're deep, dark, and they can put you on the edge. But they're good, really good. Eventhough readers may feel like the book could have show us more about Jonah and him falling in love with Dani, they can still breath with satisfaction when it comes to the ending. I, myself was hoping to see more of Dani and Jonah's relationship too, but I enjoyed the book as a whole and will not hesitate to recommend it.
Lies, secrets, betrayal, healing and romance. This is what Home Torn is about. Written by one of my most favorite and Best-Selling Author Tijan, this book is definitely something to look forward to. It hasn't been released yet but the unedited copy is available to be read for free in the author's official website.
Dani O'Hara is a broken girl. Broken by her sisters, by her bestfriend and boyfriend of ten years, by family lies and secrets, and by her own monsters. She ran away from Craigstown without a word and everyone already think she's dead. Now, she's back in the same little town she tried to escaped from five years ago.
Her exact reason for returning isn't clear and even Dani doesn't know what she truly needs. Revenge? To take back the only boy she ever loved? Healing? In a small town that holds her family's secrets and where every gossip is like a headline news, Dani will either stand up and show the people that she's changed or play it safe and be the same shy, nice girl that was ignored years ago.
If there is someone who knows how to write about badass female leads, swoonworthy alpha males, dysfunctional families, supporting characters who are either irritating that you wanna throw them in the river to drown, or characters that you deeply feel for that you would want them to be part of your real life too--it's Tijan. Her stories aren't rainbows and unicorns. They're deep, dark, and they can put you on the edge. But they're good, really good. Eventhough readers may feel like the book could have show us more about Jonah and him falling in love with Dani, they can still breath with satisfaction when it comes to the ending. I, myself was hoping to see more of Dani and Jonah's relationship too, but I enjoyed the book as a whole and will not hesitate to recommend it.
Lies, secrets, betrayal, healing and romance. This is what Home Torn is about. Written by one of my most favorite and Best-Selling Author Tijan, this book is definitely something to look forward to. It hasn't been released yet but the unedited copy is available to be read for free in the author's official website.
March 3, 2016
Wow. Another winner from Tijan. This book is not published, but is available, free, to read on Tijan's website. It follows Dani who left her hometown 5 years previously without a word to anyone following a breakup between her and her first love. There always have been, and still are it appears, lots and lots of issues with sisters, aunts, and family in general. Returning, she finds there have been some pretty drastic changes in her family, but as is always he case in small towns, plenty has stayed the same. When her past, her present and her future all collide in the same town, Dani must face her demons and the secrets that have been hidden from her and her sisters. This all comes to a head with lots of revelations and a major disaster in the town. This is an unedited copy, but is still highly enjoyable. I fell in love with Jonah, as I do so easily with perfect book boyfriends. A fantastic free read for any Tijan fans.
April 2, 2014
Author has the book posted on Facebook!
I really liked this book through pretty much the whole first half. Then after that it sort of felt like the same conversations kept coming up over and over again with no resolution. Other than that I enjoyed this one a lot. I felt like it was a lot different from some of the other stories this author writes, and I was really really impressed with it. I have a lot of respect for Tijan, I think she is an outstanding author, and I look forward to reading more from her.
I really liked this book through pretty much the whole first half. Then after that it sort of felt like the same conversations kept coming up over and over again with no resolution. Other than that I enjoyed this one a lot. I felt like it was a lot different from some of the other stories this author writes, and I was really really impressed with it. I have a lot of respect for Tijan, I think she is an outstanding author, and I look forward to reading more from her.
August 14, 2015
During the 5 years Dani had left home she built a whole new life for herself away from everyone she once cared for. She found someone to love and a purpose for living until one day a natural disaster happens and she lives the following weeks replaying the death of someone too young. He died too soon because she hesitated and that cost his life. Dani was too broken to realise she had saved many others but could only focus on the death of one. This death haunts her and in an attempt to save herself she returns to the one place she's not stepped foot in for 5 years. She returns home to heal herself and the only way she can do this is by solving all her family secrets and fixing her own relationship with her family. However when on her way home she finds out that her sister, who stole her boyfriend, died from cancer just like her momma did when she was a little girl. She wonders whether it may be too late to fix everything. Once in her home town she quickly discovers that her other sister is now dating her ex. It's a small town so everyone soon knows that the famous Dani O'Hara is back and they all assume she's here for her sisters boyfriend and the man she once loved but they're wrong she's not the same Dani that left. She saw things, horrible things and because of this she's realised there's more to life then petty arguments. She came home in order to fix herself and that's what she plans to do but when the towns charmer Jonah crawls his way into her life things get complicated. Her once lover is trying to make amends and be friends like they were before and her ex-fiance she ran away from is in town to make a deal with Jonah but it's not that simple. Jonah will do anything to protects the river so when Dani's stuck between her past and future she tries to stay calm but when the town is threatened to flood she panics and flashes back to when that little boy dies in her arms so in order to heal herself she looks at this flood as a second chance. It's a second chance to save people in order to make up for the lives she couldn't save before and in doing so she solved her families secrets like she had hoped to. She found out why her family was so separated and in solving the problem she found a solution and was able to fix everything slowly and by healing herself she was able to move on and let her past go. She was able to write her own future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2017
They say hope never dies. I think what they meant to say was you never die when hope is residing in your heart. Home torn. The title itself is enough to allure you to read this book. Isn't it? Yes, because there is no family out there which is torn in one way or another. I think that is what make family family. We stand together in times when everything is going astray. We hold hands when it is the last thing expected because that's what family does. Its just is. No matter how dysfunctional or screwed up it is, it just is. And this book just portrayed it. I won't say this is a book which will be liked by all but this is book which will give you hope if you stick till the end. Hope that everything gets better and no matter how broken or alone you feel, one day you will heal and smile and love again. And if not, it's not the end. And if it is, then be stubborn enough to demand a better end for yourself. Fight all the forces which seems to drown you because you deserve too.
Going back to the book, I love it that Tijan writes something which is equal part fiction and equal part reality. It looks like it can never occur in what we consider our real world but if we look around, it does happen. I think that's the beauty of the book. That's the thing which connects you to it.
From the spark of hope I found in Dani, stubborn love to claim what others think you are not enough for in Joanne, understanding laced with anger in Aiden, wholesome acceptance which comes from too hard a life in Mae, need to be needed sort of love in Jake, escapism one finds in loving someone for the sake of loving in Boone, need to control what you can to hold on to mess called life in Julia, need to love something you can't and shouldn't just because you find temporary resort of belongingness in O'hara females, anger enough to avenge someone you love but not enough just to make things equal but failing desperately in Nanrey and need in siblings to trump others if not in life then on deathbed and afterlife in Erica makes this book what it is. You judge all you want but at the end, there is madness and there is acceptance. It's upto what medium you chose to find your set of peace and contentment.
Thanks Tijan;) For asking all of us to be strong so as to remain above waters
Going back to the book, I love it that Tijan writes something which is equal part fiction and equal part reality. It looks like it can never occur in what we consider our real world but if we look around, it does happen. I think that's the beauty of the book. That's the thing which connects you to it.
From the spark of hope I found in Dani, stubborn love to claim what others think you are not enough for in Joanne, understanding laced with anger in Aiden, wholesome acceptance which comes from too hard a life in Mae, need to be needed sort of love in Jake, escapism one finds in loving someone for the sake of loving in Boone, need to control what you can to hold on to mess called life in Julia, need to love something you can't and shouldn't just because you find temporary resort of belongingness in O'hara females, anger enough to avenge someone you love but not enough just to make things equal but failing desperately in Nanrey and need in siblings to trump others if not in life then on deathbed and afterlife in Erica makes this book what it is. You judge all you want but at the end, there is madness and there is acceptance. It's upto what medium you chose to find your set of peace and contentment.
Thanks Tijan;) For asking all of us to be strong so as to remain above waters
Currently reading
January 17, 2015That was realllllly good! :D
Like Tijan said, yes it definitely needs some editing, but otherwise, I did like it.
You could really feel that she was lost, confused, fustrated, etc. And the writing and story progression really showed that. You can also tell that she's changed, and that was nice too. Oh, and Julia had some really SUCKY comebacks.
OK, about a quarter through: I bet Dani's gonnna end up with Jonah. Just saying it now.
It was nice seeing the authors thoughts at the end of each/most chapters :D
I love the PEACEFUL bedroom scenes between her and jonah, ie. after she tells him about the nightmares; after she gets drunk. They are my favourite scenes!
Like Tijan said, yes it definitely needs some editing, but otherwise, I did like it.
You could really feel that she was lost, confused, fustrated, etc. And the writing and story progression really showed that. You can also tell that she's changed, and that was nice too. Oh, and Julia had some really SUCKY comebacks.
OK, about a quarter through: I bet Dani's gonnna end up with Jonah. Just saying it now.
It was nice seeing the authors thoughts at the end of each/most chapters :D
I love the PEACEFUL bedroom scenes between her and jonah, ie. after she tells him about the nightmares; after she gets drunk. They are my favourite scenes!
January 28, 2013
This is one of the most amazing books I've ever read. I read it last year so I can't give a detailed review but for sure this is one author you want to be on the look-out for. She's great at writing complex plots with characters who have really awesome development.
November 19, 2013
A gritty, contemporary tale of love, betrayal and forgiveness by one of my favourite authors. Extraordinary human interaction and emotions, brilliantly crafted and told, as usual. Not her best work by any means, but always worth reading.
March 3, 2013
WOW....................one of the best books that i have ever read. This author always manages to bring the reader on an emotional rollercoaster!
May 3, 2013
I love all of Tijans books, but I think this might be my favorite! Wow...
February 16, 2014
i think that this is the first book of Tijans that i dont like and i hope that it is the only one i dont like
May 6, 2018
3.8 out of 5 star.
September 25, 2019
I'm surprised jake didn't go through the aunt's aswell he went through the 3 sisters. Just gross
November 10, 2025
• 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 •
𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ☆☆☆☆ 4/5
It was so nice to read this version of the story. I remember parts from the other one and I know some things are different... but the amounts of drama and small town secrets were still the biggest part of the story. And of course the twist and turns. I'm happy I read this a couple years later so everything still felt more new in a way.
A lot of my reviews are also available with photo at my Bookstagram: @justmyfantasyworld
𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ☆☆☆☆ 4/5
It was so nice to read this version of the story. I remember parts from the other one and I know some things are different... but the amounts of drama and small town secrets were still the biggest part of the story. And of course the twist and turns. I'm happy I read this a couple years later so everything still felt more new in a way.
A lot of my reviews are also available with photo at my Bookstagram: @justmyfantasyworld
December 24, 2016
Just WOW!!!
Home Torn is my favorite book I have ever read. Dani is one of the most complicated characters I have ever read about. Rollercoaster of emotions. True life lessons. I hope there is more to come from the many supporting characters. So many possibilities. Great read.
Home Torn is my favorite book I have ever read. Dani is one of the most complicated characters I have ever read about. Rollercoaster of emotions. True life lessons. I hope there is more to come from the many supporting characters. So many possibilities. Great read.
June 3, 2016
This book was a free read http://www.tijansbooks.com/
It was unbelievably good. I had been running on no sleep when I came across this thinking I'd read the first chapter see if I might be interested then get some much needed sleep lol...... yelp its now 10:00 just finished the book kids are awake and I'm screwed lmao.
This book was very good. Didn't realize it would make me cry as much as it did.
This book comes down to this.
Dani is just lost. She's been running away her whole live. Her family is drowning in secretes, more then one generation of sisters repeat the cycle.
Dani runs away from here home town after her boyfriend/best friend of 10 years leaves her for her younger sister. 5 years later she returns home a completely different person after a very tragic events leaves her soul shattered. She is just numb. Honestly its insane that she is even functioning after what she has been through.
Returning to her riverside small town of course makes the gossip mill start spinning. And the rumor is that Dani came back to put her sister in her place and get her man back which couldn't be further then the truth.
Rain runs into Jonah, back in high school he was the boy with an attitude, man-whore. He's the only one who sees that he's has something haunting her and the only one who can make her face her daemons. He's not a boy anymore. He grew up to be a very respectable man and I just loved him.
I just loved loved loved this story!!!
It was unbelievably good. I had been running on no sleep when I came across this thinking I'd read the first chapter see if I might be interested then get some much needed sleep lol...... yelp its now 10:00 just finished the book kids are awake and I'm screwed lmao.
This book was very good. Didn't realize it would make me cry as much as it did.
This book comes down to this.
Dani is just lost. She's been running away her whole live. Her family is drowning in secretes, more then one generation of sisters repeat the cycle.
Dani runs away from here home town after her boyfriend/best friend of 10 years leaves her for her younger sister. 5 years later she returns home a completely different person after a very tragic events leaves her soul shattered. She is just numb. Honestly its insane that she is even functioning after what she has been through.
Returning to her riverside small town of course makes the gossip mill start spinning. And the rumor is that Dani came back to put her sister in her place and get her man back which couldn't be further then the truth.
Rain runs into Jonah, back in high school he was the boy with an attitude, man-whore. He's the only one who sees that he's has something haunting her and the only one who can make her face her daemons. He's not a boy anymore. He grew up to be a very respectable man and I just loved him.
I just loved loved loved this story!!!
June 12, 2016
This story was so very different than any of Tijans other books. I have been waiting to read this FOREVER.
Here's what bothers me about the story... Somehow the relationship with Erica and Jake was made to seem OKAY... Because she died maybe? I don't know... But it wasn't okay. Not by any means. I don't now how thats something you can ever get past... And the letter from Erica, stating she's not sorry. I just think that's so wrong...
The epilogue sort of just.. Ended. It felt rushed for me. I really liked Jonah.... I like that that's who she ended up with. And though in the end she says it wasn't a love story or a story about repairing her relationship with her sister(s) I would've like a bit more in the end with Jonah.
I'm undecided on this story, though I'm glad I finally got to read it!
Here's what bothers me about the story... Somehow the relationship with Erica and Jake was made to seem OKAY... Because she died maybe? I don't know... But it wasn't okay. Not by any means. I don't now how thats something you can ever get past... And the letter from Erica, stating she's not sorry. I just think that's so wrong...
The epilogue sort of just.. Ended. It felt rushed for me. I really liked Jonah.... I like that that's who she ended up with. And though in the end she says it wasn't a love story or a story about repairing her relationship with her sister(s) I would've like a bit more in the end with Jonah.
I'm undecided on this story, though I'm glad I finally got to read it!
May 29, 2015
I thought this book was really good, I liked how it wasnt a do or die situation but more of a homecoming book. I don't like the drama and how every conversation was almost the exact same thing every single time. I felt like all they did was not talk about the problem at all, but at the same time say how much she has changed and how she faces things head on while she really avoids them because a conversation she should have had at the beginning of the book didnt take place until the end. Jonah was probably my favourite part of this book, he wasnt too intense that he made any situation seem like if they didn't do what they were supposed to they were gonna did or just magically combust. My favourite part of this book is just the authors writing style, its one of my favourite parts of any of her books because her words are addicting.
July 18, 2013
Have I ever mentioned how awesome Tijan is? Well, she's awesome. Home Torn was awesome and I loved it so much that I almost cried, but I didn't. I've read almost all her books and I've found that none of them suck. I loved the characters in this book, Dani was awesome and she was strong and I just loved her. And Jonah, he's an awesome guy, totally wonderful and Jake was nice and cool. Kate and Aiden were really good friends; Kate was funny.
Anyway, this was an amazing read and I can't wait to read more of Tijan's books.
I'm kind of addicted to them. This is the third of Tijan's books I'm reading this week.
Awesome *singsong*:D
Anyway, this was an amazing read and I can't wait to read more of Tijan's books.
I'm kind of addicted to them. This is the third of Tijan's books I'm reading this week.
Awesome *singsong*:D
June 8, 2015
Oh my goodness! I LOVED this book!!! It was such an emotional journey...I cried so many times throughout this book. I love all of Tijan's books, she is an amazing author. But I think this is my favorite. It needs some editing, but once that's done it really needs to be published!
This is a fantastic story of pain, loss, tragedy, betrayal, facing your demons, growth, healing, trust and love. This really was a fabulous book. I read it on Tijan's website, but I'll definitely buy it when it is published.
It's not as "light" as some of her other work - this is a really gritty, emotional story. So be prepared to have some tissues handy.
This is a fantastic story of pain, loss, tragedy, betrayal, facing your demons, growth, healing, trust and love. This really was a fabulous book. I read it on Tijan's website, but I'll definitely buy it when it is published.
It's not as "light" as some of her other work - this is a really gritty, emotional story. So be prepared to have some tissues handy.
June 4, 2016
I read this book for free on Tijans authors blog/page... If your looking for a read that's all nice and tidy with no errors this is not the book for you, I found it page turning, the story kept me hooked although it's nothing like her typical writing.. If I didn't know better I'd say it was her very first go at writing.. It is defiantly a page turner and I was very pleased with the ending :) happy reading :)
July 21, 2013
I read this one on her fiction press... And as it has been stated this is basically a work in progress. It needs editing, but once again Tijan wowed me!!! I didn't take any of the editing into consideration when rating this... Which is why I have it five stars. I loved the story line. Her writing always entraps me. I couldn't put it down... Thank god for phones and the apps!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
July 23, 2017
Loved Jonah to pieces. Unfortunately, heroine wasn’t worth his awesomeness the slightest with all her ex-es and life (head) problems. Also, in the end I wasn’t even sure what's the book about. Flood?! It was quite ridiculous how much that topic took from the book.
December 21, 2016
I adore Tijan and I have read every single one of her books! I felt like this one was just "okay" in comparison to her others. I didn't feel really attached to the characters.
May 25, 2021
I love Tijans books mostly for the stories about healing. The romance is good, yes, but there has also always been a really relatable struggle to overcome. And normally I feel that the healing makes sense, but in this case it just left me wondering.
Unlike most of the negative comments I read, I understand the family drama, small town small circles and secrets. But I don't understand the point of going to vent to the people that have hurt you without any goal in mind. What's the point of bringing hurtful things up with people you don't have any relationship with, and then just leave it there? Does that really heal you? Does that fix something?
In a sense I feel this is good, since the story left me with questions. It also wasn't something that I understand and would do myself. I wouldn't go blame relatives, that I know won't be able to face their mistakes and fix them. It's just hurtful and wouldn't bring me any relief. Not everyone is capable of accepting your truth and I find it wise to see when that is the case and then let it be.
Otherwise this wasn't a disappointment, even though it definitely wasn't my favorite from Tijan.
Unlike most of the negative comments I read, I understand the family drama, small town small circles and secrets. But I don't understand the point of going to vent to the people that have hurt you without any goal in mind. What's the point of bringing hurtful things up with people you don't have any relationship with, and then just leave it there? Does that really heal you? Does that fix something?
In a sense I feel this is good, since the story left me with questions. It also wasn't something that I understand and would do myself. I wouldn't go blame relatives, that I know won't be able to face their mistakes and fix them. It's just hurtful and wouldn't bring me any relief. Not everyone is capable of accepting your truth and I find it wise to see when that is the case and then let it be.
Otherwise this wasn't a disappointment, even though it definitely wasn't my favorite from Tijan.
June 2, 2019
Deeper
I really loved home tears, and after reading both. this book is good too and gives some deeper understanding of the characters and their backgrounds. but I felt that it lacks the depth of intimacy between Dani and Jonah that home tears has. I could understand why home tears was edited and altered the way it was and my personal preference was that version , so I’d suggest reading that one first and then this one for more of the gritty /deeper background information of the characters .
I really loved home tears, and after reading both. this book is good too and gives some deeper understanding of the characters and their backgrounds. but I felt that it lacks the depth of intimacy between Dani and Jonah that home tears has. I could understand why home tears was edited and altered the way it was and my personal preference was that version , so I’d suggest reading that one first and then this one for more of the gritty /deeper background information of the characters .
September 29, 2018
I enjoyed the book, the story line was interesting and different. I liked the characters but I just didn't understand Jake. I don't hate him but I don't like him either. He dated whoever needed him, how does he know that? So if someone needs him he will date that person? Or I guess it's just me. I just didn't feel any connection to him. Other than that the family secret kept me intrigued till the end. I loved the ending. I loved Erica when she just made up about the Camel, that had rofl.
November 20, 2019
Wow. This is very different than what I'm used to reading from T John. The story is good and the writing is great oh, it's just not what I'm used to. It is filled with Intrigue and mystery and has a great love story.
March 30, 2023
I needed this book
I so needed to read this book... Tijan all your books find away inside me but this book touched deep down and parts of my life flashed in my eyes things I’ve been holding on to that needed to be let go.. Thank you
I so needed to read this book... Tijan all your books find away inside me but this book touched deep down and parts of my life flashed in my eyes things I’ve been holding on to that needed to be let go.. Thank you
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews