Coming Home

The Calgary Chronicles #1

by Lois Cloarec Hart

A triangle with a twist, "Coming Home" is the story of a couple who find their relationship threatened when a young nurse arrives.

Genres: Lesbian, Romance, Audiobook, LGBT, Friends To Lovers, Disability, Queer

380 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2001

About the author

From the publisher's website: Born and raised in British Columbia, Canada, Lois Cloarec Hart grew up as an avid reader but didn’t begin writing until much later in life. Several years after joining the Canadian Armed Forces, she received a degree in Honours History from Royal Military College and on graduation switched occupations from air traffic control to military intelligence. Having married a CAF fighter pilot while in college, Lois went on to spend another five years as an Intelligence Officer before leaving the military to care for her husband, who was ill with chronic progressive Multiple Sclerosis and passed away in 2001. She began writing while caring for her husband in his final years and had her first book, Coming Home, published in 2001. It was through that initial publishing process that Lois met the woman she would marry in April 2007. She now commutes annually between her northern home in Calgary and her wife’s southern home in Atlanta.

Lois is the author of four novels, Coming Home, Broken Faith, Kicker’s Journey, Walking the Labyrinth, and a collection of short stories, Assorted Flavours. Her novel Kicker’s Journey won the 2010 Independent Publisher Book Award bronze medal, 2010 Golden Crown Literary Awards, 2010 Rainbow Romance Writer’s Award for Excellence, and 2009 Lesbian Fiction Readers Choice Award for historical fiction. Broken Faith (revised second edition) will be published in print and e-formats in winter 2013 and Coming Home (revised third edition) in spring 2014.

Reviews

[Gaby LezReviewBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one of the ‘Calgary Chronicles’ by this author, a very emotional and atypical lesbian age gap romance that starts as a friendship triangle. I found the premise intriguing so I’ve decided to listen to the audiobook and I’m so happy I did.

Terry is a young postal worker who accidentally meets Rob, a charismatic ex-pilot who suffers from multiple sclerosis (MS), and his wife Jan. As Terry draws the couple into her circle of family and friends, the bond between the women grows stronger and it will test to the limit their loyalty to Rob and to each other.

‘Coming Home’ is a poignant rollercoaster of a story about friendship, loyalty, and love. It’s not easy to write a love triangle in a romance book and pull it off but Ms. Hart does just so. All the characters are very relatable and likable and the friendship chemistry is as important as the lovers’. Ms. Hart says that she wrote this novel while her late husband was battling against MS and she met her wife-to-be while editing it.

This story is extremely slow-burn in both the building of the friendship and the bond between the main characters. The main premise of the book announces heartbreak from the start. There’s no way to avoid angst and suffering but it’s such a compelling story that it’s very much worth it. I have to admit that angsty books aren’t my cup of tea but this one was done with tact and sensitivity so I really enjoyed it.

Anastasia Watley is the audiobook narrator whose only performances in lesfic to date are this novel along with “The X Ingredient” by Roslyn Sinclair. Someone has to do something to change this as Ms. Watley is a superb narrator. She’s got a repertoire of varied voices, including realistic male ones and her overall performance brings a rich layer to the storytelling. I really enjoyed this audiobook and highly recommend it to fans of lesbian romance. 5 stars.

Available with a Scribd subscription. Length: 10 hrs and 47 mins

See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com

[Jem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terry, mail carrier by day, aspiring writer by night, is asked to help out a paraplegic ex-pilot Rob in a domestic accident. She is immediately taken by Rob's incredible joie de vivre, which carries over easily to his loving and devoted wife and caregiver, Jan. Terry is intrigued with the fascinating couple, and she strikes up a friendship with Jan when they meet again in a park.

Rob welcomes Terry into their lives. He knows Jan needs a friend, and needs to get out more from caring for him almost 24/7 for the past 15 years. Their friendship grows strong and everyone, even Terry, thinks it is completely platonic. But...Terry's friends who know her well...know better.

As love triangles go, this is one of the most well-done I've read. No one here is a made out to be the bad guy/gal. All three of our protagonists are equally heroic, upright, yet totally human in their actions and reactions. The author takes her time to let things play out, which is as it should be. It is never boring as the journey is peppered with a lot of believable, well-rounded characters (family, friends) who are more than just props/soundboards/story-telling devices. The author's first hand experience with caring for someone with MS also played a big part in making the disease feel real--there is no sugarcoating here. Yet the author, like Rob, focuses on the positive aspects of living with a disability, and the book never descends to despair. All the angst conjured up by the book has to do with the three protagonists' impossible choices--and how their choices are tearing them apart, inside and out.

Bravo!

[Corrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I shouldn't have, but I did. I started this 10-hour audiobook right on the heels of my previous 11-hour one and all because I couldn't part with the sultry voice of narrator Anastasia Watley. So my Watley weekend got extended into a Watley Monday as well and now I have a serious book hangover.

Lois Cloerec Hart's Coming Home was a wonderful slow-burn book full of heart. If you read the blurb you know this love-triangle is impossible from the start. Terry loves Jan and Jan loves her back, but she is not free to give her love because she is married to Rob and she loves him too. Hart handles this dilemma with grace and integrity. Readers who balk at infidelity do not need to worry.

We get a rich story with a big cast of wonderful characters who all play a very important role. Sometimes I wished our gals had a bit more screen time together instead of being in a crowd, but the author made it so damn interesting I forgave her ;-) The quality of writing is fantastic.

Sadly, Ms. Watley didn't have to pull out her sex voice this time (sob) but she shines so brightly. Her narration is flawless and her honey voice just pulls you in. Sultry. Sensual. Sophisticated it says on her website and ain't that the truth! I hope AW considers doing more lesfic, otherwise I have to resort to troll through her straight erotica and romance titles and I rather not.

Available on Scribd.

f/f

Themes: Calgary, Canada, new friends. former flyboy, MS, devoted to the care of her husband, the player falls in love for the first time, impossible love, roommates, family, 'doing the laundry'.

4.5 stars

[Guerunche · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those epic, swoon-worthy listens that transports you to another time, another place. Not too far back - just the early 90s - but before cell phones and the digital boom. It's the kind of story that wraps you up and consumes you. It's similar to All That Matters by Susan X Meagher and Invisible, as Music by Caren Werlinger in that it's not something you can just enjoy quickly and then discard without much thought. No - this is deeper and the characters and story are developed so beautifully that you can't help but completely immerse and invest. I appreciated how the moral dilemma of the story was handled and it made it all the more heart wrenching and compelling.
Adding to the beauty of the experience was the narration by Anastasia Watley, who also performed The X Ingredient by Roslyn Sinclair. No southern accent on this one. In fact, she doesn't try to alter her voice too much here, but has enough variety to differentiate the characters. She has a divine tone that is just delicious to listen to - and I could, all day long.
I'm so happy to have happened upon this entirely by accident. I was looking for Coming Home by K.J. on Hoopla and Audible and this one popped up. Seeing that it was also lesfic, I decided to give it a try. This is way up there on my favorite listens list. Highly recommend!

[Agirlcandream · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been meaning to read something by Lois Cloarec Hart and was glad I started with Coming Home. The author admits in the Acknowledgements that she wrote the book while her late husband was in the last stages of his battle with MS. Her eventual wife-to-be was the editor assigned to work with her on Coming Home.

Knowing this elevates the book from just another romance where a straight woman falls in love with a lesbian and toaster ovens are awarded to a touching story of a faithful wife and friend who will not abandon her first love even when faced with a new love she cannot ignore. The attraction Jan and Terry feel for one another is undeniable. How they and their friends and family handle this difficult situation leaves the reader as frustrated as the main players. Ironically, after waiting patiently for the MC's to finally get together, I found the ending to be rushed and a bit of a let down.

There were some odd POV changes at the end of some chapters and the story does have a dated feel but overall a pretty good read.


3.5 stars

[JulesGP · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like complicated love stories, then this book is for you. Terry becomes friends with an older married couple, Jan and Rob. At first, the situation is well meaning, Terry is always looking to bring good people into her circle of family and friends. The Spencers welcome the addition of the bright, young woman into their lives as well. But as time goes on, Jan and Terry begin to grow closer in a romantic way.

I have so many conflicted feelings about this book because it’s tough to read at times. The author mixes the joy of new love with the guilt of loving an unavailable person. Everyone seems to see what’s coming down the road except the actual characters which is so real. That’s what I like best about the book, the authenticity. There’s a line where a friend tells Terry that she’s in a vulnerable place in her life because she’s ready to take the next step and commit to someone. Unfortunately, the person she has fallen for is already married. That scene hit hard like many others in the story. There’s further complication because Rob has advanced MS and is solely dependent on Jan. Definitely a book I recommend if you are looking for something a bit deeper. Anastasia Watley gives a warm, empathetic narration which plays perfectly with the tone of the story.

4.5 stars

[Netgyrl (Laura) · Rating 4 out of 5]

most of the blurb is missing and actually doesn't seem to be correct so posting here:

A triangle with a twist, Coming Home is the story of three good people caught up in an impossible situation.

Rob, a charismatic ex-fighter pilot severely disabled with MS, has been steadfastly cared for by his wife, Jan, for many years. Quite by accident one day, Terry, a young writer/postal carrier, enters their lives and turns it upside down.

Injecting joy and turbulence into their quiet existence, Terry draws Rob and Jan into her lively circle of family and friends until the growing attachment between the two women begins to strain the bonds of love and loyalty, to Rob and each other.

4 Stars - great narration - interesting and original story - likable characters

I was interested in what was going on the whole way. It's very slow burn as you can imagine, reading the blurb. I really felt for the characters being in an impossible situation. The story resolved in the only way it could which was bittersweet with a silver lining and a HEA for the ladies involved.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book.

I highly appreciate lesbian romances that dare to diverge from the norm, and Lois Cloarec Hart dared and succeed with this one.

I really liked the way the author managed to explore this love triangle, how she managed to bring her MCs to fall in love so naturally, and the way she pays attention to almost all secondary characters, and how each of them play an important part of this story.

What I did not liked so much it was that it was a bit naive, in the sense that every character seemed to be extremely nice and considerate. I don't think that is very realistic. I also felt that the ending was a bit rushed and low key but overall it was a good read.

[Kexx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard work but realy worth it - a woman falls in love with a married woman. But shows beautifully the guilt, the reprecussions, the angst this all causes, however moral you are. Really good story telling.

[Velvet Lounger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terry has recently finished her MA and taken a job as a postal worker. The pay is good, she enjoys the exercise, and more than anything it gives her time to think, time to plan and write her first novel.

While walking her round one day she steps in as a knight in shining armor to help a couple on her route. Rob, an ex fighter pilot struck down by degenerative MS, is helpless on the floor and Jan, his devoted wife, is unable to lift him on her own.

The chance encounter leads to a rapidly developing friendship between the three. Rob is the life and soul of the party; Jan book is a book addict who has literally given up her dreams to support Rob. Terry, her family, and her housemates, soon form a welcome addition to Jan and Rob's small social circle.

Everything is great - for a while - but fate does not intend to leave these three without a twist and as time goes on they will find themselves in an impossible position. As always in an emotional triangle the challenge will be how to meet everybody's needs without destroying the very fabric of their friendships.

----------

This is the first book I have read by this author and it certainly won't be the last. While many of the threads to this tale are familiar, it is delivered with an unusual twist. The story is handled with great sympathy for all the characters involved and the impact of Rob's disability gives us an interesting insight into the impact a degenerative disease can have on a couple.

The characters are exceedingly well drawn and extremely likeable. The family dynamics make a nice counterpoint to the relationships Terry has with her flat-mates and friends. And the three main characters are ably supported by a wide ranging cast.

Throughout the book we get to know a great deal about the three main players as their back-history is gradually filled in. However I found the lack of introductions slightly disconcerting. The author introduces new characters directly into the plot without giving us any context and then, over time, fills in who they are. Once the new characters had been integrated into the story I found myself becoming increasingly fond of them. But I did find myself, on several occasions, wondering quite who the new people were until we were given some context.

Despite the slightly dark subject matter the story is filled with humour and warmth. These are not easy subjects to write about. Both MS and emotional triangles are painful and can be heavy to handle. But despite the looming loss and crisis Ms Hart has us laughing at the interplay of characters, at the antics of her heroine, and admiring the stoic cheerfulness and upbeat good humor of the tragic hero.

I enjoyed the plot, I enjoyed the complexity of the relationships that developed, I thought the triangle was well handled, and that the book was well written. The growing relationship between Terry and Jan is delicately handled and sweet to watch - Ms Hart is certainly an author I will be happy to read again.

[Bobbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heart warming story with interesting characters. I really enjoyed Terry's family and how they seamlessly welcomed Rob and Jan into the family. I also like that the love triangle was tactfully done, so many other books throw the two women into an affair and everyone else be damned, but that was not the case with this book. A very enjoyable read.

[Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. What a love triangle. I listened to the audiobook. The narration by Anastasia Watley really made the characters and story come to life. Terry Sanderson, postal worker/aspiring writer, Jan Spenser loving wife and caregiver with a big heart, Rob Spenser devoted husband, ex-fighter pilot dealing with degenerative MS. When the three meet, there are smiles all around as they get to know each other and find common ground and interests. All three have likeable personalities. The women have supportive families which also made for a wonderful read, especially Terry's family. All is great for awhile, then people being people, life happens. How the author presented the challenges of MS was educational as well as emotional. I definitely plan to read more by this author.

This read caused me to think about infidelity and whether there are different levels. Is there a difference between physical infidelity and emotional infidelity? Does thinking about another in a sexual way while in a relationship/married imply infidelity?

[bookster · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Stars

[chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this author’s emotive writing. The beginning was a little slow to nab my interest, but by 40% into the audiobook, I was invested and didn’t want it to end.

One thing I appreciated was the level of communication between the MCs—not too much processing to feel unnatural, but miscommunications were not overused as a tool to drive the MCs apart.

Watley is a solid narrator with a very pleasant tone, but sometimes I struggled here to differentiate the characters by their voices.

4.25 stars

[Tempe Luvs Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful, heartfelt, emotional story about a love triangle; not a scandalous one, but an unfortunate and almost unavoidable situation. Terry, a mail carrier, helped a woman on her mail route move her crippled husband who had fallen. Rob, although completely helpless with MS and dependent on his wife for everything, was still alive with charm, energy, humor and deeply in love with his wife, as was she with him.

They all became a part of each other’s lives. Jan and Rob became close with Terry’s family. As the friendship developed, Jan and Terry realized they had fallen in love. Jan had never realized that she was gay, but the feelings she developed opened her eyes to her past and her recognition of previous times growing up when she realized that she had probably actually been in love with some straight friends. Rob was also aware.

What happens to a relationship when this happens? What would you expect Rob’s reaction to be? How are all the characters affected? This story was as sad as it was beautiful in how maturely it was handled. Even though they resisted physical consummation, it was still emotional adultery and, as I said, sad and unfortunate.

This story had many other important characters serving as roommates, friends and family members, all allowing the discussion and situation to be examined, aiding in the flow. The resolution was beautifully presented.

In some ways this story is personally relatable to me and I absolutely loved it. The story was first published in 2001. I listened to the audiobook, published in 2016, beautifully narrated by Anastasia Watley.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A breath of fresh air (swooping in over what has felt like a rather lackluster romantic reading life lately), Coming Home isn't just for fans of lesfic. A great cast of likable characters with two wonderful leads make this just delightful to read, even if it is sad at times.

As with some of the best yet most emotionally frustrating romances, the two people in love have no clue how each other feels, which sets up something that the author skillfully keeps from being too angsty.

Another plus? Emphasis is on friendship and emotional connections first and foremost and romance and physical relations come much much later, when common sense and decency make what happens all the more rich.

I like Coming Home so much I've already purchased Broken Faith, which is a sequel of sorts. Characters from Coming Home appear in Broken. One particular woman, who is headstrong and in unrequited love with one of the leads, finally gets her chance at love...can't wait to read more! :)

[Cynthia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't expect a story like that. I certainly didn't think the dying husband would only die at the end of the penultimate chapter; so that the entirety of the book, and the entirety of the development of their relationship happens in technically-cheating limbo.

In short (and far from exhaustively), for a story about wlw, it is way too hetnorm and male-centered with a generous dollop of casual misogyny*. All the significant women in this story are here to support and better and care for the men in their life, with no real reciprocity to speak of (except at times the gay best friend...).

And let's be clear here, it is not commendable or honorable that a wife should be expected to spent 24/7 with her ailing husband. No one should. Despite what the fluffy, loving, never strenuous relationship depicted here wants you to think, it can only be unhealthy and reciprocally toxic. This book never questions the husband's entitlement to his wife's time and feelings, and only depicts him as this loving, reasonable spouse when in truth he regularly exhibits selfish and/or entitled behaviors. On the other hand, let's not condone the unhealthy disregard for her husband's agency that the love interest exhibits when she is in unhappy away from the main character (not that it isn't understandable in some ways, but there is literally zero comment on it).
It also nevers touches on the horrendous governmental policies regarding people with disabilities but I can't say I expected any given that this is an ode to the military on the side.

* The insignificant women are bimbos despised by the family to highlight the unhealthy rivalry between the young butch main character and her brother, seeminlgy there only to show her desirability and playgirl-ness and how her love interest is "not like other women" with all but spelling it.

[Chand · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many reasons this book worked for me. First, it had an interesting plot. Despite realizing early in the story how the twist is likely to get resolved, it does not take away from the narration. Second, the author has worked to make each character real and believable, be they the three main characters or the secondary ones. Third, Ms Hart is a very good storyteller and her writing is seamless. She knows how to construct proper sentences and has a reasonably good vocabulary to not allow words and phrases to be repeated, which in my book gets her very high marks. I look forward to reading her next book.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. It's hard to describe how much I was moved by Ms. Hart's writing. I know the plot parallel's her own story. It was very to put down and I found myself wanting to read through the night to get to the end (I managed to space out my reading to realistic periods). Despite dealing with a difficult subject matter - MS - the characters of Terry, Jan and Rob were realistic, fully fleshed out individuals and the storyline / ending just how I hoped it would be. I'm a sucker for happy endings and won't apologize for that. Kudos Ms. Hart, I so look forward to reading the other books in the Calgary series.

[Sebi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique plot, dynamic characters & wonderful writing! I loved how the author stayed in third person but managed to dip in and out of the perspectives of different characters without it being confusing or jarring. And this is the first book I’ve ever read where they’re wasn’t a villain/antagonist ! It was very refreshing, loved this book :)

[Jens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book did really stick out--I loved it so much (not repeating what others have already written here).

Since this is one of the many great books that have originally emerged as Xena fan fiction, I was curious how much it changed in the process. Turns out, not so much in the consecutive print editions from 2001 and 2005--they are in principle the same as the original that is still available on the internet. A little bit of error-correction and editing (and some editing problems not addressed, as often). Therefore, they conserve the charm of the original text. I believe one can feel that this is a debut novel with which the author became a writer. It has gone through iterative rewrites with input from fans. It was certainly written with much of the author's life and emotions going into it.

Some years later she published a revised revision (Ylva, 2014). That one is more polished, with large parts rewritten, and reduced in size by more that 25%. It probably is more to the matured author's standards as an established writer with some more novels published. But personally, I prefer the original, not-so-slick version.

Links to all four versions of the text:

Original Xena fan fiction: https://ausxip.com/fanfic18/CH1.htm

Print edition (2001) at The Internet Archive (TIA): https://archive.org/details/cominghom...

Print edition (2005) at TIA: https://archive.org/details/cominghom...

Revised edition (2014) at Ylva: https://www.ylva-publishing.com/produ...

[Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shoot, I did it again! Without realizing it, I picked up a book by an author I’d previously panned. Not to mention, an author who churns 'em out by the bucketload – something that I’ve found often (though not always) correlates with mediocrity.

This was a snooze-fest. The plot was ever-so-predictable, and certain major events happened way too conveniently, to keep the two women protagonists from having to confront any tough moral choices as their mutual attraction deepened.

Coming Home is clearly semi-autobiographical: irl, the author married a fighter pilot and gave up her own military career to care for her husband after he developed multiple sclerosis. Indeed, she was writing this very novel – her first – as he declined. Pulling from one’s own life in a novel can be powerful. In this case, alas, we end up with long and tedious portrayals of the military exploits of the husband in the love triangle, who is clearly a stand-in for Hart's beloved, departed spouse; it seemed like more pages were wasted on him recounting his boring old war stories than were spent developing the romance between the wife and the other woman.

Also be forewarned that this book was originally published in 2001, so there are archaic references. (I did appreciate the nod to Naiad Press, the long-defunct publisher of lesbian books, way back before digital books became a thing.) Some books age well; this one, not so much.

[M the avid reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Down to earth slow burn romance (4.5 stars)
I'm new to reading Lois Cloarec Hart's writing and it's been a real pleasure so far.
This revised edition (3rd revision) of Coming Home was published in 2014. Some aspects of the story may be unusual for modern day readers (the absence of smartphones or social media) but, that aside, the entire tale could take place almost at any time. Set in Calgary Alberta Canada at the beginning of the twenty-first century, the book is populated by three main characters who are so likable that it's impossible to take sides in their conflicts or deem anyone a 'baddie'. The secondary characters provide plenty of opportunities to see the main characters' many facets as they interact; they also add to both the drama and humor. It's not your typical lesbian romance novel but it is a page turner, a delicious slow burn, and may bring tears to your eyes a few times along the way. If you're looking for down to earth characters with regular non-glamorous jobs having real conversations (heated or otherwise), living in a large Canadian city with a small town feel to it where people are more kind and generous than anything else, then this book is for you. You can even share it with folk who don't normally reach for lesfic but love a good story and/or romance. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more by the author in the near future.

[MissAlice · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audiobook, should you be emotionally brave enough, will throw you straight up the river of feels with no paddle or life preserver... so ye be warned. I ugly cried. Not one of those "tears slips down her face but somehow remains pretty while she weeps". No, no. This was snotty, scrunched up face, whimper to blubbering, looking like I lost my marbles while parked in a parking lot full of people just trying to grocery shop. I'll just leave it at that. These main characters? I love them. I love every single beautiful mystery about them. I love that they were faithful to vows and promises. I adored their time apart and their reconciliation. I fell hard for Rob and the life he had, the life he was living, and the life he could not hold on to. A body betrayed by disease but a heart and mind that remained opened and loving and kind. The side characters abound with their opinions, advice, and their own trials and tribulations and you'll absolutely want more glimpses of them in the future.

This is a top 5 sapphic love story for me. The burn is slow and white hot. It's slightly indescribable and a must read... or listen to because the narrator adds so much depth that as mentioned previously... blubbered. I blubbered loudly.

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've stayed up to 3 am to finish the audiobook narrated by the wonderful Anastasia Watley. Her voice is like a warm blanket.

The story is so heart wrenchingly sad and beautiful. It was so easy to connect to all the characters. They're all fleshed out and each one contributes something special.

I don't even have words for how much I love the two MC, Terry and Jan.

The first time Terry finds the house empty and the neighbour tells her Rob was taken to the hospital pulled the rug from right under me. Despite having read the summary and knowing what was most likely happening with him, it was truly shocking. Exactly what Terry felt.

This isn't an easy or happy read/listen. You need to be in the right head space - but when you are, you get an epic, swoon-worthy story that pulls your from your day-to-day life and takes you to another time and place. I'm pretty sure this will stay with me for a long, long time.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel was originally written in 2001 and has been revised but left in a few references to the time period. It is a unique love triangle that actually works for the story. Terry is a young college graduate in Calgary Canada, who meets and befriends married couple Jan and Rob. They are older and Jan is the main caregiver to her husband who has had debilitating MS. He is now quadriplegic. Terry feels they are to be friends and invites the couple to her family Sunday dinners and other events. This is a slow burn story as characters realize the feelings between Jan and Terry are not just platonic friendship. This is handled in a mature way and without cheating. It is not a typical romance as you know there will be angst because of the situation. I didn’t care as much about the side stories of friends and family that is filler to the novel. But I did want to know how things would work out for the pair. I would have loved an epilogue

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a genuinely beautiful story about the many different aspects and kinds of love, between family members, between friends, between husband and wife, the cared for and the carer, and the development of romantic feelings towards your friend, despite how wrong it feels.

It was refreshing to read a portrayal of a character with a debilitating condition that was spirited and positive, and see how this shaped the response of the other characters. Rob didn't feel sorry for himself and he didn't want that from others.

It was a gentle love story with each of the main characters trying to do the right thing even though it made them miserable in the short term. Some reviews I have read have questioned aspects of the story, but I believe it is the author's to tell, and I found it to be a heartwarming and engaging read, full of compassion and empathy.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing this book for me to read. I had already read Kicker’s Journey which I loved.

This book is not your average romance.
A complicated story that was more than just a love story. Once I started reading I struggled to put it down, I was so invested in Jan, Terry and Rob’s story. There were definitely some tears and it was clear that the author was knowledgable about MS and caring for someone with such an illness.
I loved the family perspectives, though I’m not usually a fan of multiple POV’s, it really worked here.
The only grumble I have is that I wish there would have been a chance to see further into the future, to see where the family ended up.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an intense, thought provoking read - just make sure you have tissues!

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished my last book of 2024!!

Jan and Rob have been married for a long time and Jan has been his caregiver their whole life together. They have a wonderful life together and share an immense amount of love. But Jan has always kept a piece of herself hidden. When she forms a friendship with Terry, that friendship grows into more. But Jan takes her vows seriously and loves Rob. This means that the friendship between her and Terry has to take a backseat to her life with Rob.

This was such an emotional read. Rob adores his wife and Jan loves him. The internal turmoil that Jan goes through is hard but knowing how hard it is for Rob is even worse.

This is teary end to my 2024 reading journey. And a highly underrated book!

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from Ylva in exchange for an honest review.

This book is definitely not just for lesfic fans.... it is for a much wider audience. The main focus is not on love but on friendship and how to keep their friendship even though love is in the mix. It is a beautifully written story about a caring wife that might feel more empathy and friendship than romantic love towards her husband but it is amazing how devoted and lovely she cares for him. It all seemed very realistic to me with all the up and downs and how Rob felt towards Terry. It is from a different ankle and not the normal lesfic story but nonetheless beautiful and well written!