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Returning Home

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At fifteen, I fell in love with Luke Runyan.

With just one look, one touch, he became my world until he shattered my heart into a million pieces. No one meets their soulmate when they’re only a kid, yet convincing my heart to move on is a task I never mastered.

My heart has only ever belonged to one woman, Samantha Harris.

Sam had dreams; dreams I couldn’t deliver, which left me with only one choice… I walked away.

Whoever said time heals all wounds never lost the love of their life. And they don’t force you back to the same small town you’ve spent your entire adult life avoiding, especially when she’s everywhere you turn.

108 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 13, 2017

78 people are currently reading
117 people want to read

About the author

Riann C. Miller

17 books706 followers
Riann C. Miller is the author of eight contemporary romance novels. Her new release, Returning Home is available now!

Riann (pronounced Ry-an) lives in Kansas with her husband and two teenaged children. When she’s not reading, or writing, she usually enjoying a Royals game.

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5 stars
32 (25%)
4 stars
42 (33%)
3 stars
36 (28%)
2 stars
12 (9%)
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4 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for Dri ✰.
693 reviews240 followers
January 12, 2018
★ 3 stars!!! ★

Leitura rápida e boazinha pra passar o tempo.
Profile Image for AJ.
3,242 reviews1,070 followers
December 13, 2017
“When your heart finds its soulmate, life will always find a way of bringing you back together.”

4 short and sweet stars


This is a short novella and a really quick read, but Riann C. Miller has managed to deliver a heartfelt story of a man struggling to come to terms with his past, and of childhood sweethearts reunited.

The book dives right into the story, 12 years after Luke broke Sam’s heart and left town. Now he’s home and recovering from an injury he earned while serving overseas, and his home care nurse is none other than the woman he’s never been able to move on from.

I gave up the life I wanted, for the life I needed and now I don’t have either.

Sam was left shattered when Luke left her, and she’s tried her best to move on. She’s not happy that he’s back in their small home town and all up in her life again, and though the draw they feel toward each other is still strong, they both try their hardest not to fall back into the emotion of the past.

My mind wants to wander to a time in my life when everything felt perfect, when she belonged to me but instead I force myself to stay in the present – a place where this beautiful creature hates me.

But it doesn’t take long for Luke to realise he’s been missing, and then everything changes as he begins to fight for the woman he still loves.

“Seriously Luke, what are you doing?”
“I’m doing what I should’ve done twelve years ago.” I take a step closer, reaching for her hand. “I’m fighting for the woman I’m meant to be with.”

This is a gorgeous romance. There is some drama, but it’s not over the top and makes sense to the story, and there’s no unnecessary angst or stupid. You know that Luke and Sam are meant to be together, and it’s just a matter of watching it all unfold.

“You’re it for me and I hope like hell that you give me a second chance to prove to you I’m the only person for you.”

Luke and Sam’s families are heavily involved in the story, and I loved the way they supported the couple in their own unique ways. The strong family themes are really nicely written and add a lot to the story, bringing the feels and I loved the additional depth it brought.

This is a great read. Again, even though it's short, I was invested in the love story, and finished the book with a huge cheesy grin on my face.

“You were my first everything and I plan to make you my last everything.”

4 stars.

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Profile Image for Emma Johnston.
935 reviews29 followers
December 4, 2017
I really enjoyed this novella. It was short, sweet and sexy. It was a great second chance romance but it did make me cry a little.
Profile Image for TeriD.
535 reviews4 followers
March 10, 2019
Short but sweet second chance

Nicely done second chance without the H becoming a manwh$re. It has the typical "I'm not good enough for her, so I'll break her heart" trope, but this guy doesn't go off and become a billionaire player (yay!!). No villains or evil people to hate, all the characters are lovely, salt of the earth people and kuddos to the author for making the nine year old act and sound like a nine year old.
This is actually a re-read for me and if there were half stars, it would be a solid 4.5 read. A nice way to get out of a book funk/hangover. There is a sad part which is a necessary part of the book, but overall not an overly angsty/heavy read.
Profile Image for Tania's Book Blog.
1,720 reviews21 followers
December 5, 2017
Lol I want more of Luke and Sam!!! I literally turned the pages several times to make sure I didn’t miss some hidden chapters, hahahahahaha.

This novella was a lot of things wrapped up in a short time. You got lots of emotions, sad also happy moments but it balanced out. It had a little anger because of Luke and Sam’s past but more of a misunderstanding that was never clarified when they were high school sweethearts. While Sam carried that anger for the 12 years that they hadn’t seen each other Luke still loved her. When he returned she was livid but little by little Sam won her over and in the best way by using a little sidekick. It was so damn cute.

When the misunderstanding is revealed it’s make things even much more sad for these two. But once everything was clarified I was these two biggest cheerleader.

I hope there’s more of these two because this wasn’t enough.
Profile Image for Renate.
190 reviews5 followers
Read
December 19, 2017
This is an Ok book I guess for someone who doesn't read that much. For me though I guess it's one of the manyyyyy second chance books I have read. And it was one of the most boring ones. I honestly don't understand why a writer would choose to write something that has been done 100 plus times and add nothing original to make it outstanding.
There is nothing, absolutely nothing original or special about this book to recommend it to anyone.
Profile Image for Angie.
68 reviews3 followers
December 12, 2017
If you love second chance romances that leave your heart all a flutter...then Returning Home (a novella) is the one for you. This was my first book by author Riann Miller, but I can say it will not be my last. I loved her the authors style of writing. I know in novella's its hard to give a full story but she got to the heart of the characters and gave us a beautiful HEA.

Samantha Harris found the love of her life at the young age of 15. Well, she knew her heart and knew that Luke Runyan was the one her heart and soul craved...needed. Of course at that age, not many take that love seriously, but she did. She knew their lives were destined to be a one. They both talked about their future...they had hopes and dreams. That is until one day Luke destroyed those dreams in a moment. Sam is left heart broken and with one question, WHY??

Luke Runyan's life changed the day he saw Sam sitting in a booth in the local diner. One look and he knew his heart was hers. She has such aspirations...college and leave their small town. He isn't really the type of guy you take home to meet the parents but he can't stop his heart beating just for Sam. Deep down he knows that he has to make the hardest decision he's ever faced, he has to walk away. Let her live the life he knows is best for her, without him. So he does, he walks away and leaves his heart in her hands.

Twelve years pass.....Sam has worked hard to make a life for herself. Yes, in that small town she so desperately wanted to leave. Much to her surprise she learns that the man who shattered her hearts has returned home. Their paths cross and Sam is determined to guard herself, she will NOT let anyone shatter her as Luke had. Luke soon realizes that the only person he loved still owns his heart and soul. Now comes the task of showing Sam that she is his calm in the storm....that she is the balm to ease all his pain as he is to her. Can Sam open her heart and risk letting Luke back in?

Being this was a novella, it was quite the quick read for me. However that said, the storyline did not go lacking. My only complaint was I thought the author may have rushed a couple storylines a tad but then again with it being a novella, it would be hard to expound on every topic. The author gave us relatable character and a beautiful story. Along with the Luke and Sam we are given a host of secondary characters that I adored. Sam's dad....that typical protective dad who see's his young daughter in love and reacts the way any dad would. I loved the relationship between dad and daughter. They are so supportive of each other. Just as I loved the relationship between son and mother....Luke and Margie. Margie was that mom who always put everyone before her. What was most important in her life was that those she loved were happy. Oh my heart, Katie. That character.....you will have to read the book to learn all about.

Returning Home was truly a beautiful second chance romance. I would recommend to readers that love a story that give you some angst, breaks your heart only to mend it, gives you all the warm flutters you'd want in a true romance novella.
Profile Image for Nikki Costello ***Crazy Cajun Book Addicts Blog***.
2,073 reviews57 followers
December 12, 2017
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Crazy Cajun Book addicts for an honest review.

I've read a few books previously by this author and really enjoy her work, so I jumped at the chance to read Returning Home. This short novella was a great second chance romance I love Luke and Sam.

This story starts twelve years after Luke walked away from Sam without so much as a goodbye. After joining the military and serving his country, he's injured and is now back in his home town, the one place he thought he'd never return to. When his new home care nurse shows up he has no idea it's going to be Sam.

Can misunderstandings be cleared up and will Luke work his way back into Sam'a heart.

A quick, enjoyable read I only wish we had, had a little more of their story.
Profile Image for Amber Goodwin.
749 reviews40 followers
December 10, 2017
Wow! This book had it all! Hot and sexy, sweet and romantic, and heartbreaking. I didn't want to put this one down! Loved this second chance romance!

Sam has made a life for herself after Luke destroyed her heart.
Luke has come back injured and the only nurse he needs can't stand him.
Will they be able to resist the pull that is still there after all these years?
Profile Image for Shannon Godwin.
3,013 reviews31 followers
December 12, 2017
Great short story! I do wish it had been longer but it was well worth the read. I always look forward to Miller's books.
Profile Image for Tessa.
881 reviews97 followers
March 23, 2022
3.5 stars

3.5 stars but I rounded up. This was a short sweet novella with not a lot of drama but it had good resolution
Profile Image for michelle Shelly.
1,712 reviews13 followers
December 7, 2017
A sweet little read!

I really enjoyed this. It's short, sweet and emotional. Yes, I cried several times. Happy tears and sad tears. The characters are wonderful and I love books based in small towns. It's a great second chance romance.
44 reviews7 followers
December 11, 2017
I won an ARC of this book and it was really good. I do wish it had been longer and a little more detailed.
Profile Image for Paula Genereau.
3,077 reviews39 followers
December 7, 2017
this book was amazing and I couldn't stop reading it. it left me breathless in some spots but it was so worth it. the storyline was amazing
Profile Image for Chantal Baxendale.
390 reviews4 followers
December 6, 2017
I can honestly say that this author has never let me down. This is just another fantastic read. I loved every minute of it. The story felt so real and raw and just wonderful.
Profile Image for Dawne.
423 reviews7 followers
February 10, 2018
A beautiful second chance romance that will tug at your heartstrings.
Profile Image for Colette.
573 reviews7 followers
October 9, 2020
There are some books that are worth way more than five stars. There are some authors that no matter what they write it'll be good. I've read every book this author has written and I've loved every one of the books.

She's wonderful at writing second chance romance, at new romance, at all romance. With each book you feel as if you're right there, that you're one of the characters. This book is no different. Luke Runyan and Samantha Harris are a young couple that are just meant to be.

Life has a way of getting in the way of your plans and that's when Luke walks away. After realizing running away doesn't erase the memories, he returns home except he still can't escape his troubles.

This book is absolutely wonderful!
Profile Image for Teri.
3,918 reviews37 followers
December 13, 2017
OK novellas are not bad except for when it's a story like this and all you want is more. This author gives us a story about a couple who lost 12 years of their lives due to outside influence. Now that they have seen each other again some truths surface. There are some very touching moments in the book but mostly just a story about understanding what happened and why. I love second chance romances and this was a good one that made me sigh deeply in a good way. Truly enjoyable.
Profile Image for Lisa.
802 reviews5 followers
December 13, 2017
This was my first read by Riann C. Miller, and I just love it when I find a new author to add to the ever growing list of faves.
This short sweet novella was emotional, romantic, and all kinds of sexy. Packed full of all the feels, and I couldn't get enough. I fell in love with these characters. Sam and Luke are perfect for each other. I can't wait to see what Miller brings us next!
Profile Image for Kimberlee.
941 reviews46 followers
December 13, 2017
Four Delightful Stars

What a sweet novella of boundless love. Sometimes puppy love is real love.
Profile Image for Shani.
855 reviews34 followers
March 9, 2018
She thought they could take on the world and he was the one. He thought he wasn’t worthy of her love. One was ready to give everything up to be together, the other was ready to walk away to give the other a life they deserved. In the end, they made choices that would haunt them.

Luke has returned home to a mess of problems. He was retired from the military after a devastating injury. On top of that his Mom has been keeping secrets from him. To add to all of that, Sam returns to his life. She’s angry and hurt. It’s killing him to keep it all inside and not confess it all to her. The reasons why he went away, the love he still has for her and his own pain.

Sam never truly got over Luke. When he lands back in her life after so many years, she tells herself she’ll stay strong. Her relationship with his Mom makes it hard for her to stay away. She has her own secrets that she’s keeping from Luke. She has a life she’s been trying to live ever since he went away. It’s hurting her to keep it all locked in and fight her deep feelings of regret and wanting.

It takes something big to shake them both up in order to figure out how to co-exist in their small town. But will it be enough to give them what they both want?

I loved this book! I ugly cried, I laughed, I cheered, ugly cried some more. The author takes the time to pull serious emotion from you and makes you want to reach in and hug the characters hard while lecturing them. It’s a book full of feels! I loved it and if you’re looking for a second chance love book, pick up this quick read!
Profile Image for Christie72 (Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews).
1,450 reviews32 followers
December 13, 2017
“…when your heart finds its soulmate, life will always find a way of bringing you back together.”

Returning Home is an enjoyable and emotional second chance romance. Twelve years ago, Luke left the girl, Sam, who he thought was his forever behind, shattering both his and Sam’s hearts. He has returned home to his small town with an injury while in combat. As fate would have it, Sam is the home health nurse assigned to help rehabilitate him. As Sam notes, fate has never been kind to her, so why should she be surprised that Luke is now her patient. The resentment and pain hasn’t eased over those years, and that is evident in their first meeting. Both soon realize maybe their love story has ended quite yet, and maybe Luke didn’t leave for selfish reasons.

This is a novella, so it is short, but Miller didn’t not shortchange her readers. It’s packed full of emotion. I fell in love with the storyline and the characters, especially sweet Katie. She could melt anyone’s heart. There was some drama and angst, but nothing was drawn out or overdone. It was a heartwarming second chance romance and a great way to spend my afternoon!

***Read and Reviewed for Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews***
Profile Image for Marcy Barth.
289 reviews13 followers
August 23, 2018
I absolutely loved this story about Luke, Sam and Katie.

Luke and Sam had a past. One that was full of love and broken hearts. Sam has moved on and loves her job as a home health nurse in her home town. That is, until she gets the file on her newest client.

Luke comes home after being gone for too long and he’s injured. He didn’t want to come back and face his past but deep down he knew it was time. What he wasn’t expecting was having to face it quite so soon when his home health nurse happens to be the love he walked away from all those years ago.

Add in Katie and Luke knows his life will never be the same. But will Sam forgive the past and allow him into, not only her life but that of her daughter’s? Will past lies and tragedy allow them to finally be together or will it forever tear them apart?

Loved this book and how the characters get a second chance with their first love.
461 reviews5 followers
March 21, 2018
This is the first book I have read by Riann and I really enjoyed it. I loved Sam's personality and couldn't help but adore Katie. Luke came across a little harsh at the beginning but by the time I got to the end, I found that I really liked him too. My only complaint about this novella is that it should be a full length book...I wanted more Sam and Luke! I'm looking forward to reading more books by Riann.
Profile Image for Kim  Brewing.
3,613 reviews36 followers
March 26, 2018
Sometimes you don't need a long story to get a whole story.

I was drawn to this as it was a second chance story and it didn't disappoint. As most boys/men his age, Luke messed up and it takes 12 years and a war injury to set things to right. Can Sam forgive the boy who broke her heart and love the man that returns home? I enjoyed the whole cast of characters and found this to be an enjoyable read
Profile Image for LaBlue.
1,040 reviews23 followers
March 24, 2022
This book had no feeling. It was superficial. It glossed over every hard subject and it also glossed over the easy ones too. All the lover happened before the book opened and so did all the emotional trauma. While the MMC droned on and on about his regrets we really didn’t see any of it. Everything simply fell into place for the HEA that I simply did not feel. It was unearned!!

If you want to waste your time on this book go ahead. Good luck.
Profile Image for Julie.
896 reviews8 followers
June 26, 2018
Good Romance

Good short second-chance novella. It relies on certain cliches/tropes and a reliance on the heroine and hero not having truly moved on. With the extra at the end from another book (three chapters) I thought it was going to go on for a bit longer; I prefer if there was a blurb and a link.
Profile Image for Megan Asmus.
229 reviews8 followers
April 1, 2018
This book couldn't fill my heart anymore than it has!! Left me with all the feels! Luke and Samanthas love is that in which is what everyone seeks! With the heartbreak and loss to get there!! Absolutely LOVED this book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews

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