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Havenbury #1
The Homecoming
Maddy fled the idyllic market town of Havenbury Magna three years ago, the scene of a traumatic incident she revisits most clearly in her dreams. Even so, when she is called back to help at the Havenbury Arms when her godfather Patrick suffers a heart attack, she is unprepared for the welter of emotions her return provokes. Psychologist and ex-army officer Ben is sure he can help Maddy to resolve her fears, until he finds himself falling for her, and struggling with a recently uncovered family secret of which Maddy is blissfully unaware. Then Maddy's mother, Helen, arrives and Patrick himself must confront a few uncomfortable truths about his history and the pub's future.
384 pages, Hardcover
Published February 15, 2018
13 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
Rosie Howard
8 books31 followersI wrote my first book when I was five. Of course it was abysmal. I vaguely remember something about a squirrel and a big red apple. If anybody’s interested I’m pretty sure my mum still has it in the attic somewhere.
There was a long gap in my writing career while I grew up, studied classical music and - to earn a living - took up public relations, campaigning and political lobbying, with a bit of freelance journalism thrown in. This was brilliant because it all involved writing, although my favourite form of writing – making stuff up – is sadly frowned upon in PR.
I take an anthropological interest in family, friends and life in our West Sussex village (think, The Archers crossed with Twin Peaks). This provides lots of entertaining material although any resemblance between my fictional characters and real life never ceases to amaze me – life imitating art, and all that… so, please don’t sue.
I am currently planning no more books as Rosie Howard, but do check out my Poppy Alexander books to read my latest work.
There was a long gap in my writing career while I grew up, studied classical music and - to earn a living - took up public relations, campaigning and political lobbying, with a bit of freelance journalism thrown in. This was brilliant because it all involved writing, although my favourite form of writing – making stuff up – is sadly frowned upon in PR.
I take an anthropological interest in family, friends and life in our West Sussex village (think, The Archers crossed with Twin Peaks). This provides lots of entertaining material although any resemblance between my fictional characters and real life never ceases to amaze me – life imitating art, and all that… so, please don’t sue.
I am currently planning no more books as Rosie Howard, but do check out my Poppy Alexander books to read my latest work.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 24, 2019
Maddy had every reason to leave the market town of Havenbury Magna three years ago, as you will discover as you read along.
On returning with trepidation she goes and because she must, she returns to help an old friend Patrick who runs the local pub.
This was just so much more than I was expecting.
Maddie gets flashbacks and suffered with anxiety over what happened in her past, it portrays in many ways.
Because Patrick is unwell she helps to oversee the running of the pub. This brings even more surprises and problems.
There are loves lost to be rekindled......maybe.
Shocks and surprises and occasional lies used for the best intent.
I listened to this on audio and found the narrator very good indeed and easy to follow.
This author can really tell a believable everyday story that you find yourself relating in parts to the characters.
A very enjoyable time I had them.
I’m onto book 2
On returning with trepidation she goes and because she must, she returns to help an old friend Patrick who runs the local pub.
This was just so much more than I was expecting.
Maddie gets flashbacks and suffered with anxiety over what happened in her past, it portrays in many ways.
Because Patrick is unwell she helps to oversee the running of the pub. This brings even more surprises and problems.
There are loves lost to be rekindled......maybe.
Shocks and surprises and occasional lies used for the best intent.
I listened to this on audio and found the narrator very good indeed and easy to follow.
This author can really tell a believable everyday story that you find yourself relating in parts to the characters.
A very enjoyable time I had them.
I’m onto book 2
October 22, 2018
One of the best novels I've read in a very long time. Definitely recommend.
February 28, 2019
With some trepidation Maddy returns to the Sussex market town of Havenbury which she fled from ears before. But when long-time friend Patrick needs help after a heart attack leaves him in hospital, Maddy takes on the task of running the Havenbury Arms. But coming back to Havenbury brings on the panic attacks, nightmares and trauma of what happened years before. Ben, a psychologist is sure Maddy can be helped to deal with her fears but maybe he is not the one best able to help her, since he is attracted to her. A long held family secret manages to complicate matters further. And then there is what appears to be an in balance in the nightly takings of the Havenbury Arms? What is happening there? Maddy is determined to find out. She also needs to sort out her relationship with Simon, her London romance and business partner.
This is the first book in a series set in Havenbury. I enjoyed meeting Maddy and Ben, Patrick and Maddy’s mum, Helen as well as other varied characters in the community. It is light, amusing at times but with enough serious issues and drama going on to keep interest. I enjoyed it immensely until towards the end, where I thought some aspects that had been produced a major issue for most of the book were resolved far too easily. It just seemed a bit too simplistic. But maybe that problem isn’t fully resolved and will crop up further in next book? I will still be keen to read the next book in this series and see.
It’s always good to read a book, and especially the first in a series, where the main characters are so warm and likeable, even though sometimes a bit more communication with each other might have helped. An entertaining read that deals with romance, friendship, secrets and community spirit. I look forward to returning to Havenbury in the next book.
This is the first book in a series set in Havenbury. I enjoyed meeting Maddy and Ben, Patrick and Maddy’s mum, Helen as well as other varied characters in the community. It is light, amusing at times but with enough serious issues and drama going on to keep interest. I enjoyed it immensely until towards the end, where I thought some aspects that had been produced a major issue for most of the book were resolved far too easily. It just seemed a bit too simplistic. But maybe that problem isn’t fully resolved and will crop up further in next book? I will still be keen to read the next book in this series and see.
It’s always good to read a book, and especially the first in a series, where the main characters are so warm and likeable, even though sometimes a bit more communication with each other might have helped. An entertaining read that deals with romance, friendship, secrets and community spirit. I look forward to returning to Havenbury in the next book.
February 9, 2018
This is the book that is launching the Havenbury series by Rosie Howard, and after reading The Homecoming just have one question... when is book 2 of the series out?! I need more!!
I enjoyed this from start to finish! Maddy is returning to the village that forced her to flee a number of years ago because of a traumatic incident that still plays on her mind now and causes anxiety, and as she returns so does the panic attacks and she's forced to try and confront her fears once more. She has returned under duress to help out a close friend of the family, Patrick, who has taken ill, and she is back to help run the local pub - a pub complete with a friendly but sweary parrot called Pirate no less!
She finds herself helping out on many fronts now she finds herself back in amongst friends and helping to fight the landlord who has different plans for the pub, the hub of the community. I loved how everyone pulled together, as they often do when their way of life is threatened and it really showed what can be achieved when everyone works for the same result. Maddy is still suffering flashbacks though and the appeal of going back to London to the new life she created for herself there still plays heavy on her mind.
Ben is a lecturer at the local college and also a good friend of Patrick and he's on hand as well to help Maddy in keeping things ticking over while Patrick recovers. He finds himself drawn to Maddy in a couple of ways, often noticing her feeling ill at ease in certain situations and wants to try and help her get to the root of her problem, without causing her too much distress. It is clear that there is a spark between them and I loved seeing this evolve, but Ben is also a little reluctant and you find yourself wondering what he is hiding and what he is scared of.
There is a great humour throughout this book, alongside the more serious elements, and it had me chuckling away many times, and we get to learn about a wide range of interesting characters who each have a fascinating story to tell, and this is why I can't wait for more in this series as there are so many new stories to discover!
I enjoyed this from start to finish! Maddy is returning to the village that forced her to flee a number of years ago because of a traumatic incident that still plays on her mind now and causes anxiety, and as she returns so does the panic attacks and she's forced to try and confront her fears once more. She has returned under duress to help out a close friend of the family, Patrick, who has taken ill, and she is back to help run the local pub - a pub complete with a friendly but sweary parrot called Pirate no less!
She finds herself helping out on many fronts now she finds herself back in amongst friends and helping to fight the landlord who has different plans for the pub, the hub of the community. I loved how everyone pulled together, as they often do when their way of life is threatened and it really showed what can be achieved when everyone works for the same result. Maddy is still suffering flashbacks though and the appeal of going back to London to the new life she created for herself there still plays heavy on her mind.
Ben is a lecturer at the local college and also a good friend of Patrick and he's on hand as well to help Maddy in keeping things ticking over while Patrick recovers. He finds himself drawn to Maddy in a couple of ways, often noticing her feeling ill at ease in certain situations and wants to try and help her get to the root of her problem, without causing her too much distress. It is clear that there is a spark between them and I loved seeing this evolve, but Ben is also a little reluctant and you find yourself wondering what he is hiding and what he is scared of.
There is a great humour throughout this book, alongside the more serious elements, and it had me chuckling away many times, and we get to learn about a wide range of interesting characters who each have a fascinating story to tell, and this is why I can't wait for more in this series as there are so many new stories to discover!
February 18, 2018
Visit the locations in the novel
A nice jaunty novel with a serious undertone. What must it be like to return to the village where your grandfather has a pub and then have to save it? Not easy not matter what kind of family you have -dysfunctional or not, and then what happens when you find out something you maybe shouldn't have?
Nice characters and an interesting premise even if I didn't agree with Maddy or her decisions at times. What she finds out though would knock anyone for six! A nice love interest adds intrigue but what stands out for me is the lovely appeal of Havenbury Magna itself and the writing which evokes it.
March 4, 2019
The cast list is varied and warm, the beer is on tap, the pub is decrepit with a lease about to expire (it would be no fun otherwise) and a heroine who has more than one issue to contend with walks in to help.
I like everyone decent in the tale, except, oddly, the selfish git who is supposed to be a hero. He knows that the lady he fancies has many work issues to sort out, some of which could be best tackled on a fine day, like getting a ladder and cleaning the clogged gutter. But he arrives and insists she comes out hill walking with him, because that is what he likes to do; and does so despite the fact that the heroine already has a dicey ankle and has no suitable hill walking footwear. I call this selfish, thoughtless and unhelpful. My husband would have offered to pitch in with the work and steadied the ladder.
Great idea to bring in a group of artisan craft workers, unified with a web site, and I hope this example gets copied. I have to think the person slipping pub takings away is from yesteryear, because all pubs seem to have cameras on the till now 'in case of robbery' and the owner would have spotted the problem a lot sooner, when making tax returns every quarter. But it's fiction.
I like the pleasant English setting and would read more in this series. The author kindly sent me an e-ARC. This is an unbiased review.
I like everyone decent in the tale, except, oddly, the selfish git who is supposed to be a hero. He knows that the lady he fancies has many work issues to sort out, some of which could be best tackled on a fine day, like getting a ladder and cleaning the clogged gutter. But he arrives and insists she comes out hill walking with him, because that is what he likes to do; and does so despite the fact that the heroine already has a dicey ankle and has no suitable hill walking footwear. I call this selfish, thoughtless and unhelpful. My husband would have offered to pitch in with the work and steadied the ladder.
Great idea to bring in a group of artisan craft workers, unified with a web site, and I hope this example gets copied. I have to think the person slipping pub takings away is from yesteryear, because all pubs seem to have cameras on the till now 'in case of robbery' and the owner would have spotted the problem a lot sooner, when making tax returns every quarter. But it's fiction.
I like the pleasant English setting and would read more in this series. The author kindly sent me an e-ARC. This is an unbiased review.
March 28, 2018
Maddy left Havenbury Magna, where she used to be a student, without her degree with the plan never to return again. However, when Patrick, the main father figure in her life, has to be admitted to the hospital because of a heart attack she decides to push her fears aside and go back. Patrick runs the local pub and someone needs to take over to make sure he won't lose his income. Maddy thinks she can do it, but being in the place that gives her nightmares proves to be hard and confronting. Will she be able to support Patrick without falling apart before he returns?
Ben lives and works in Havenbury Magna. He's an ex-army psychologist specialized in traumas. When he meets Maddy she immediately piques his interest, both personally and professionally. Maddy has gone through something terrible and Ben wants to help her with the emotional turmoil she keeps finding herself in ever since her return. He's also struggling with the feelings he starts to develop for her. His profession, family secrets and wrong timing are standing in their way. What will happen when everything that has been hidden for many years comes to the surface, will Maddy leave Havenbury Magna behind again?
The Homecoming is a fantastic multilayered story. I was immediately intrigued by Maddy. She's a strong and intelligent woman. She's loving, caring and won't hesitate to help others. She doesn't mind paying a price and no matter what it costs her she will do it, if it means she can be there for someone else. I loved her big heart, her wonderful sweet personality and her ability to love unconditionally. She's an amazing woman with a complex past and this captivated me from beginning to end. I especially loved the development of the connection Maddy has with Ben. He's a kind and gentle man and his goodness radiates off the pages, which is something I really enjoyed. The Homecoming has incredibly special main characters and they are making the story a true joy to read.
Rosie Howard has a heartwarming descriptive writing style. She makes her setting and characters come to life in a terrific vivid way. I liked the cosyness of the pub and fell in love with the creativity of Maddy's friends. The Homecoming has plenty of fascinating twists and turns and Rosie Howard skillfully kept me on the edge of my seat because of the secrets she's writing about. I was anxious to find out as much as possible and couldn't stop reading. The Homecoming is mesmerizing, compelling and very romantic. I highly recommend this delightful book.
Ben lives and works in Havenbury Magna. He's an ex-army psychologist specialized in traumas. When he meets Maddy she immediately piques his interest, both personally and professionally. Maddy has gone through something terrible and Ben wants to help her with the emotional turmoil she keeps finding herself in ever since her return. He's also struggling with the feelings he starts to develop for her. His profession, family secrets and wrong timing are standing in their way. What will happen when everything that has been hidden for many years comes to the surface, will Maddy leave Havenbury Magna behind again?
The Homecoming is a fantastic multilayered story. I was immediately intrigued by Maddy. She's a strong and intelligent woman. She's loving, caring and won't hesitate to help others. She doesn't mind paying a price and no matter what it costs her she will do it, if it means she can be there for someone else. I loved her big heart, her wonderful sweet personality and her ability to love unconditionally. She's an amazing woman with a complex past and this captivated me from beginning to end. I especially loved the development of the connection Maddy has with Ben. He's a kind and gentle man and his goodness radiates off the pages, which is something I really enjoyed. The Homecoming has incredibly special main characters and they are making the story a true joy to read.
Rosie Howard has a heartwarming descriptive writing style. She makes her setting and characters come to life in a terrific vivid way. I liked the cosyness of the pub and fell in love with the creativity of Maddy's friends. The Homecoming has plenty of fascinating twists and turns and Rosie Howard skillfully kept me on the edge of my seat because of the secrets she's writing about. I was anxious to find out as much as possible and couldn't stop reading. The Homecoming is mesmerizing, compelling and very romantic. I highly recommend this delightful book.
May 11, 2018
Patrick’s heart attack means Maddy has to return to Havenbury and to a trauma she’s desperately trying to forget.
I have an aversion to using genres to categorise books, but I can’t think of any other way to describe Rosie Howard’s The Homecoming than to say it is women’s fiction at its absolute finest. The Homecoming is such a satisfying read and I enjoyed every moment of the experience.
Firstly, The Homecoming is so well written and mature. Rosie Howard’s prose style is effortless to read – a bit like eating the finest dark chocolate. It does have the ubiquitous 30 somethings of its genre in Maddy, Flora and Ben but it also has more mature characters in Serena, Giles, Patrick and Helen so that it goes beyond the usual scenarios into a much more engaging and entertaining read which held my attention without fail from the first page to the last. I love the potential for future Havenbury stories as there is a cast of people I already care about waiting to be developed in new adventures. Even Pirate the parrot felt real and vivid.
The plot is so well structured. Rosie Howard provides a wonderfully warm and engaging main story which is brilliantly entertaining escapist reading with lovely romance and self-discovery at its heart, but so much more besides as she explores the concept of community, PTSD, issues of trust and how one small untruth can impact whole lives. I think any reader with similar elements in their own lives would derive huge comfort from this story. There are totally realistic and plausible twists and turns along the way so that the reader is completely entranced by, and immersed in, the narrative.
I loved the way in which relationships were presented. As in real life, people in The Homecoming do not always behave well or rationally and I found myself desperate for them all, except Kevin and possibly Simon, to have a happy ending. You’ll have to read the book yourself to find out whether that happens – and I really recommend that you do!
If The Homecoming is to be the first in a new Havenbury series then let me move in. I’m desperate to know more about the people and the place. I thought Rosie Howard had produced a pitch perfect story that left me feeling uplifted and beguiled and I can’t wait for the next installment. I loved it.
https://lindasbookbag.com/2018/05/11/...
I have an aversion to using genres to categorise books, but I can’t think of any other way to describe Rosie Howard’s The Homecoming than to say it is women’s fiction at its absolute finest. The Homecoming is such a satisfying read and I enjoyed every moment of the experience.
Firstly, The Homecoming is so well written and mature. Rosie Howard’s prose style is effortless to read – a bit like eating the finest dark chocolate. It does have the ubiquitous 30 somethings of its genre in Maddy, Flora and Ben but it also has more mature characters in Serena, Giles, Patrick and Helen so that it goes beyond the usual scenarios into a much more engaging and entertaining read which held my attention without fail from the first page to the last. I love the potential for future Havenbury stories as there is a cast of people I already care about waiting to be developed in new adventures. Even Pirate the parrot felt real and vivid.
The plot is so well structured. Rosie Howard provides a wonderfully warm and engaging main story which is brilliantly entertaining escapist reading with lovely romance and self-discovery at its heart, but so much more besides as she explores the concept of community, PTSD, issues of trust and how one small untruth can impact whole lives. I think any reader with similar elements in their own lives would derive huge comfort from this story. There are totally realistic and plausible twists and turns along the way so that the reader is completely entranced by, and immersed in, the narrative.
I loved the way in which relationships were presented. As in real life, people in The Homecoming do not always behave well or rationally and I found myself desperate for them all, except Kevin and possibly Simon, to have a happy ending. You’ll have to read the book yourself to find out whether that happens – and I really recommend that you do!
If The Homecoming is to be the first in a new Havenbury series then let me move in. I’m desperate to know more about the people and the place. I thought Rosie Howard had produced a pitch perfect story that left me feeling uplifted and beguiled and I can’t wait for the next installment. I loved it.
https://lindasbookbag.com/2018/05/11/...
July 21, 2018
The Homecoming is set in a University town, that's somehow also a village with only one pub and one nightclub/bar that's a threat to the livelihood of said pub, because this is a seriously small University with only a handful of students. Either that or the students are all strict Methodists.
Enter, page left, 20-something former student having a panic attack because she remembers that she doesn't remember an event that may well have been traumatic if only she could remember it.
Enter, page right, hunky ex-soldier and current University lecturer who may be having memory problems of his own; he's completely forgotten any ethics or codes of conduct for practicing clinical psychology.
Enter, page left, 20-something former student having a panic attack because she remembers that she doesn't remember an event that may well have been traumatic if only she could remember it.
Enter, page right, hunky ex-soldier and current University lecturer who may be having memory problems of his own; he's completely forgotten any ethics or codes of conduct for practicing clinical psychology.
February 15, 2018
The Homecoming is the first book in the Havenbury series and introduces us to Maddy who has returned to the pretty market town of Havenbury Magna. Hearing the devastating news that her godfather Patrick has had a heart attack, Maddy knows that, until Patrick recovers, she must take over the running of the Havenbury Arms, a place she once called home.
What then follows is a delightful depiction of English village life. Maddy finds that running the pub is fraught with difficulties and that being back in Havenbury opens up a whole set of emotions which Maddy has buried for a long time.
The story flows really well and the author has done a really good job of setting the scene and introducing us to an array of characters who I hope will feature in future stories about Havenbury. I particularly enjoyed the village atmosphere and of how everybody seemed to pull together. There are some lovely light moments which made me smile, and yet there are also some quite dark elements, especially as we find out that Maddy is coping with something traumatic in her past.
As with all first books in a series there is a sense of 'getting to know' everyone and this is done in a light and easy style and with a lovely contemporary feel.
Overall the story is an enjoyable read and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
What then follows is a delightful depiction of English village life. Maddy finds that running the pub is fraught with difficulties and that being back in Havenbury opens up a whole set of emotions which Maddy has buried for a long time.
The story flows really well and the author has done a really good job of setting the scene and introducing us to an array of characters who I hope will feature in future stories about Havenbury. I particularly enjoyed the village atmosphere and of how everybody seemed to pull together. There are some lovely light moments which made me smile, and yet there are also some quite dark elements, especially as we find out that Maddy is coping with something traumatic in her past.
As with all first books in a series there is a sense of 'getting to know' everyone and this is done in a light and easy style and with a lovely contemporary feel.
Overall the story is an enjoyable read and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
May 23, 2018
I received an advanced copy of The Homecoming by Rosie Howard from the publisher and I absolutely loved it! I rated this book as 5 out of 5 stars.
The Homecoming made me feel such a range of emotions, one moment I was laughing and the next, I was worrying about various characters as though I knew them. This was a really lovely read that I didn’t want to put down. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a contemporary read. My only complaint about this book is that I have to wait for a sequel!
The Homecoming made me feel such a range of emotions, one moment I was laughing and the next, I was worrying about various characters as though I knew them. This was a really lovely read that I didn’t want to put down. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a contemporary read. My only complaint about this book is that I have to wait for a sequel!
March 6, 2018
4.5*
The Homecoming is a charming new series set in the cosy town of Havenbury Magna and is a brilliant introduction to a lovely cast of characters which I'm hoping will also be in the next installment!
This book focuses on Maddy, an ex-habitant who left Havenbury three years previously after an incident that she can't remember and since then her lack of memories and nightmares have plagued her ever since. She comes back, albeit reluctantly to help out Patrick who runs the local pub.
We also meet Ben who is a friend of Patrick's and determined to help Maddy come to terms with everything that has happened to her....Will he succeed?
I really enjoyed this book from start to finish - the author has written about lovely characters (and also not so lovely characters!) and I hope we get to explore them in more detail during the series. I was sad to finish it as you do really feel like you are experiencing village life along with the characters. This is the type of village that you dream about living in with genuine people who really want to help others and come together to save the epicentre of the town - the Haversham Arms!
Throughout the book, the author manages to combine the more serious subject matters with humour too which stop this from being a predicatable story.
I found this to be a really enjoyable easy read and a promising start to the beginning of a series I am looking forward to delving into!
The Homecoming is a charming new series set in the cosy town of Havenbury Magna and is a brilliant introduction to a lovely cast of characters which I'm hoping will also be in the next installment!
This book focuses on Maddy, an ex-habitant who left Havenbury three years previously after an incident that she can't remember and since then her lack of memories and nightmares have plagued her ever since. She comes back, albeit reluctantly to help out Patrick who runs the local pub.
We also meet Ben who is a friend of Patrick's and determined to help Maddy come to terms with everything that has happened to her....Will he succeed?
I really enjoyed this book from start to finish - the author has written about lovely characters (and also not so lovely characters!) and I hope we get to explore them in more detail during the series. I was sad to finish it as you do really feel like you are experiencing village life along with the characters. This is the type of village that you dream about living in with genuine people who really want to help others and come together to save the epicentre of the town - the Haversham Arms!
Throughout the book, the author manages to combine the more serious subject matters with humour too which stop this from being a predicatable story.
I found this to be a really enjoyable easy read and a promising start to the beginning of a series I am looking forward to delving into!
July 2, 2018
I liked this book - a nice, light summer read. Not something I'd buy or re-read, but okay for a library quickie.
January 8, 2019
I really enjoyed this book but the ending felt really rushed. It was a nice story to read though and I loved all the different storylines.
January 12, 2019
Entertaining book about a young woman who returns to take over the Havenbury Arms pub while her mentor recovers from a heart attack. Even though she left Havenbury three years before and vowed never to return, she finds herself back in town of her greatest fears. How she comes to herself is interesting although, I believe that the ending is too simplistic. I don't believe that PTSD is cured on one try.
May 3, 2018
A very pleasant read, family saga nicely set in a Sussex village
March 26, 2019
Recommended by Jane. Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore...
May 19, 2019
Meh. Was ok. Dragged a bit. You could see the plot from a mile away. Didn’t really love any of the characters. I was pretty disappointed to be honest.
February 23, 2020
I read the German Book RÜCKKEHR NACH HAVENBURY. I read quickly in few days. It was a exciting book.
August 29, 2020
Ebook edition.
January 3, 2021
I had been reading a lot of heavy books lately and this was a great change. It had mystery, romance and family drama. It was a quick read, but well written.
January 15, 2021
Super can’t wait to read more about the characters Maddy and Ben
June 12, 2021
I just failed to find this book interesting and learned absolutely nothing from it. I know she went on and wrote more books on Havenbury but they are just not for me.
April 3, 2022
3.5 stars
November 13, 2022
It was an okay book. Not fussed about reading book 2 in the series.
September 13, 2023
Adored this book. A bunch of interesting characters and a bit of depth to the story. A bit of angst and plenty of backstory to learn.
May 18, 2025
Lovely read! Just as I was moaning that boyfriend wasn't mentioned for a long while - he appeared - not very believable!
Read
December 18, 2025Just received as Book Club Secret Santa after we had all already read it! Not worthy of a re-read.
January 1, 2020
I was completely enthralled with The Homecoming it was a cosy romance and then some. The author, Rosie Howard, has packed so much depth to this story and has dealt with quite a serious, harrowing event in a very sensitive manner.
The story starts with Maddy travelling back to Havenbury Magna on a mercy mission to visit a dear old friend in hospital. However, returning to Havenbury is having quite a distressing effect on Maddy and if it wasn’t for her friend she wouldn’t put herself through so much anguish. Three years ago something terrible happened to Maddy, something so awful it has left her with physical and emotional scars. Just being back in the village feels like she is ripping the stars wide open again. However, her friend’s need is greater than hers and Maddy puts her fears to one side to look after the pub, Havenbury Arms, whilst it’s current landlord is recovering in hospital.
Keeping herself busy during the day is proving quite enjoyable to Maddy and she soon finds her own rhythm but tensions are fraught with rumours of the future of the public house.
Being back in the village is not only bringing flashbacks to a trauma Maddy has tried so hard to forget but it is also unearthing secrets that hold the key to many unanswered questions.
Maddy soon develops friendships with many of the locals including Ben, a Psychologist and an ex-army officer who has had first-hand experience of PTSD. Ben sees something in Maddy’s insecurities and anxieties and hopes to be able to offer some help. Ben has a hidden vulnerability about himself but his developing friendship with Maddy is causing all sorts of confused emotions.
The Homecoming was a story of life catching up with you, of learning to cope with life’s hurdles, of rekindling old friends and forging new ones. It’s a story that is told with heart and warmth but it’s also honest with the struggles that are thrown our way.
The story starts with Maddy travelling back to Havenbury Magna on a mercy mission to visit a dear old friend in hospital. However, returning to Havenbury is having quite a distressing effect on Maddy and if it wasn’t for her friend she wouldn’t put herself through so much anguish. Three years ago something terrible happened to Maddy, something so awful it has left her with physical and emotional scars. Just being back in the village feels like she is ripping the stars wide open again. However, her friend’s need is greater than hers and Maddy puts her fears to one side to look after the pub, Havenbury Arms, whilst it’s current landlord is recovering in hospital.
Keeping herself busy during the day is proving quite enjoyable to Maddy and she soon finds her own rhythm but tensions are fraught with rumours of the future of the public house.
Being back in the village is not only bringing flashbacks to a trauma Maddy has tried so hard to forget but it is also unearthing secrets that hold the key to many unanswered questions.
Maddy soon develops friendships with many of the locals including Ben, a Psychologist and an ex-army officer who has had first-hand experience of PTSD. Ben sees something in Maddy’s insecurities and anxieties and hopes to be able to offer some help. Ben has a hidden vulnerability about himself but his developing friendship with Maddy is causing all sorts of confused emotions.
The Homecoming was a story of life catching up with you, of learning to cope with life’s hurdles, of rekindling old friends and forging new ones. It’s a story that is told with heart and warmth but it’s also honest with the struggles that are thrown our way.
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