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The Callaghans & McFaddens #10
When He Returns
Please note: this book has been updated to correct the editing errors.
After years away, Dalton Callaghan has returned home to face the loved ones he left behind.
She’d loved him as a teen, but he’d only had time for his music.
Sierra Collins knows that Dalton’s return means nothing where her heart is concerned. As she’s watched him live his life from a distance, any of the young love she once harbored for him has mellowed into affection and concern. Or so she says…
Music has meant everything to him, but now its silent.
After seeing his bandmate die from the very same drugs he was using, Dalton knows he needs to clean up his life if he wants to live. But sobriety quiets his muse, forcing him to turn to those around him for a distraction and to keep him from repeating past mistakes.
Living in close proximity to each other takes Sierra and Dalton’s acquaintance as teenagers to a friendship as adults. But while Sierra has accepted that there is no hope of anything more between them because of the drastic differences in their lifestyles, Dalton seems to feel differently.
But is he looking for something permanent? Or just a distraction while he tries to figure out the rest of his life?
This Christian romance novel of 100,000 words is the tenth book in The Callaghans & McFaddens series from USA Today bestselling author Kimberly Rae Jordan.
If you enjoy heartwarming Christian romance with a focus on love, faith, and family, be sure to check out the other books and series by Kimberly Rae Jordan.
Other books in the Callaghans & McFaddens series:
A Change of Heart
For the Love of Grace
The Love of Her Life
Believing in Tomorrow
Crossing Center Ice
A Touch of Romance
A Little Ray of Sunlight
Reaching Her Heart
Yesterday’s Promises
When He Returns
Other Christian romance series by Kimberly Rae Jordan:
The McKinleys
Fostered by Love
Home to Collingsworth
Those Karlsson Boys
Other Christian romance books by Kimberly Rae Jordan:
Marrying Kate
401 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 23, 2019
487 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
April 25, 2019
Epic
Wow!! Dalton & Sierra's love story was epic and amazing! It was a heart wrenching story. So many ups and downs. You could feel.their emotions coming off the page! I fell in love with these two back when they were teens. I've loved watching them come full circle.💗 this series was amazing and Kimberly doesn't disappoint. Thanks for a beautiful series
Wow!! Dalton & Sierra's love story was epic and amazing! It was a heart wrenching story. So many ups and downs. You could feel.their emotions coming off the page! I fell in love with these two back when they were teens. I've loved watching them come full circle.💗 this series was amazing and Kimberly doesn't disappoint. Thanks for a beautiful series
April 23, 2019
☺☺☺☺☺
A good wrap to a good series. Dalton and Sierra have grown up as secondary characters in the previous books, so seeing their story is a nice ending. And as usual you get strong characters and writing with a strong element of faith.
A good wrap to a good series. Dalton and Sierra have grown up as secondary characters in the previous books, so seeing their story is a nice ending. And as usual you get strong characters and writing with a strong element of faith.
April 23, 2019
Wonderful!
Absolutely wonderful conclusion to this series! The faith that this family has and how it has affected all of their lives is something we all should strive for!
Absolutely wonderful conclusion to this series! The faith that this family has and how it has affected all of their lives is something we all should strive for!
April 25, 2019
Finally, the long anticipated return of Dalton Callaghan. This was an extremely emotional book for me to read for several reasons. First, this is the end of an amazing series that I have loved, every book, every character. I felt an immediate connection to the characters and have faithfully followed their journeys of faith and love. Second, the struggles of Sierra and Dalton resonated with me, deeply. The subjects of drug abuse and abandonment are very personal and poignant. This beautiful series conclusion evoked a myriad of emotions, I laughed and cried and rejoiced in each triumph and heartache.
Unique, relatable characters and timely themes, this book of family connections and lifelong friendships touched my heart. Reading about Dalton’s incredible journey and trials as this Prodigal Son finally returns to his loving family was inspiring and touching. “He would always be an addict. A recovering one, but and addict nonetheless.” Sierra has been a constant figure of strength and endurance. “No one had ever gotten close enough to capture his heart the way she had. His music had been his one and only love.” Sierra had always relied on Ethan and her friends to be her support system. What would she do without them when she was alone? Would a life of service be enough to fill the holes in her heart? “Sierra Collins was anything but frail. If she’d been frail, life would have broken her long before now.” One of my favorite things about this series is the strong female characters. “They stood tall, bending when storms buffeted them but never breaking.” This is one series in which I bought each book to savor and read, again and again. Kudos to Jordan for another wonderful book and strong series finale.
Unique, relatable characters and timely themes, this book of family connections and lifelong friendships touched my heart. Reading about Dalton’s incredible journey and trials as this Prodigal Son finally returns to his loving family was inspiring and touching. “He would always be an addict. A recovering one, but and addict nonetheless.” Sierra has been a constant figure of strength and endurance. “No one had ever gotten close enough to capture his heart the way she had. His music had been his one and only love.” Sierra had always relied on Ethan and her friends to be her support system. What would she do without them when she was alone? Would a life of service be enough to fill the holes in her heart? “Sierra Collins was anything but frail. If she’d been frail, life would have broken her long before now.” One of my favorite things about this series is the strong female characters. “They stood tall, bending when storms buffeted them but never breaking.” This is one series in which I bought each book to savor and read, again and again. Kudos to Jordan for another wonderful book and strong series finale.
April 24, 2019
Perfect ending!
I don't know how to feel. Thankful for such a wonderful ending to this beautiful family saga. Emotional to see it all come to an end. Empowered by the words of wisdom and biblical reminders of the importance of trust in God.
I still remember reading my first book in this series, which at the time was Gabe and Maya's story. Now, seeing it all come together so beautifully is just outstanding. I want to thank Miss Jordan for her talent and for her investment in building such rich and diverse characters whose mistakes, struggles, joys, and blessings reminded me of the power of faith. They reminded me of the blessing of grace, and of the peace that comes from being known by God.
I so look forward to your next series and hopefully we get a glimpse of what the Callaghan's and McFadden's have become.
I highly recommend this book and this entire series. You will be inspired, you will be challenged to look at your life and wonder how you can make your walk with God more than a formality, but a daily choice.
I don't know how to feel. Thankful for such a wonderful ending to this beautiful family saga. Emotional to see it all come to an end. Empowered by the words of wisdom and biblical reminders of the importance of trust in God.
I still remember reading my first book in this series, which at the time was Gabe and Maya's story. Now, seeing it all come together so beautifully is just outstanding. I want to thank Miss Jordan for her talent and for her investment in building such rich and diverse characters whose mistakes, struggles, joys, and blessings reminded me of the power of faith. They reminded me of the blessing of grace, and of the peace that comes from being known by God.
I so look forward to your next series and hopefully we get a glimpse of what the Callaghan's and McFadden's have become.
I highly recommend this book and this entire series. You will be inspired, you will be challenged to look at your life and wonder how you can make your walk with God more than a formality, but a daily choice.
April 27, 2019
This story about the youngest Callaghan man, Dalton, touched me deeply as we see this prodigal son return to his family. It was so honest as it dove into the hurt and pain and struggle and love from so many angles as Dalton, his parents, his siblings, and his friends dealt with the messiness of broken relationships with the goal of healing. The characters were so authentic and the story was very powerful--I couldn't easily put it down. I have loved this entire series! I've learned so much from this fictional family about how to be a better parent and a better sibling; about how to love people through their shortcomings just as God loves and transforms us; about how essential a loving and supportive family is even with its imperfections. I feel so sad that it is over like I'm moving away from dear friends. I hope the author might continue the story of the Callaghans and McFaddens with additional stories as their children reach adulthood. I'd give this book and this series an extra star in my rating if I could. Highly recommend!
April 26, 2019
A Bittersweet End
Wow! I just can't believe that this series is done. I have loved this series and all of the characters. I actually cried at the end of this book because it was like saying goodbye to good friends.
This story deals with Dalton and Sierra. They've know each other since childhood but a series of very bad choices made by Dalton has left them virtual strangers. Once Dalton decides to turn his life around Dalton and Sierra form a strong friendship and help one another through some very tough times.
I was both sad and excited to continue reading this book because once I was done, I knew that I wouldn't get to read anymore about this family. I have so enjoyed reading Kimberly Rae Jordan's books. I definitely recommend reading this series as well as the Black Thorpe Security series. She is a very talented writer and I look forward to seeing what she has in store in the future.
Wow! I just can't believe that this series is done. I have loved this series and all of the characters. I actually cried at the end of this book because it was like saying goodbye to good friends.
This story deals with Dalton and Sierra. They've know each other since childhood but a series of very bad choices made by Dalton has left them virtual strangers. Once Dalton decides to turn his life around Dalton and Sierra form a strong friendship and help one another through some very tough times.
I was both sad and excited to continue reading this book because once I was done, I knew that I wouldn't get to read anymore about this family. I have so enjoyed reading Kimberly Rae Jordan's books. I definitely recommend reading this series as well as the Black Thorpe Security series. She is a very talented writer and I look forward to seeing what she has in store in the future.
May 4, 2019
WHEN HE RETURNS was the AMAZING! Drawn into Sierra and Dalton's story from page one, you find yourself on an emotional journey of finding and trusting oneself.
Coming home fresh out of rehab was the something Dalton had to do in order to overcome the death of his bandmate and recover from years of alcohol and drug abuse. But was he ready to face his family, one he had abandoned ten years before?
A childhood crush that had since lost its edge and was clearly onesided, Sierra had followed Dalton 's music career via social media for years. Was she ready to let him back into her life?
Within the pages of WHEN HE RETURNS, you will fall in love with their rediscovering each other, their newly found friendship that leads to an epic love. A definite page turner!
Kimberly Rae Jordan concludes this 10 book series at her BEST! I hate to see the series end, for I fell in love with the Callaghans and McFaddens.
Coming home fresh out of rehab was the something Dalton had to do in order to overcome the death of his bandmate and recover from years of alcohol and drug abuse. But was he ready to face his family, one he had abandoned ten years before?
A childhood crush that had since lost its edge and was clearly onesided, Sierra had followed Dalton 's music career via social media for years. Was she ready to let him back into her life?
Within the pages of WHEN HE RETURNS, you will fall in love with their rediscovering each other, their newly found friendship that leads to an epic love. A definite page turner!
Kimberly Rae Jordan concludes this 10 book series at her BEST! I hate to see the series end, for I fell in love with the Callaghans and McFaddens.
July 18, 2019
This is a really sweet book. It's great to see how Ms Jordan has tied everything together in this series. I really enjoyed Dalton and Sierra's story. Loved the character development for them and all the other characters really. I wonder if there'll be something for Elliot and Benjie. ;-) I give this 4.2 stars.
One small pet peeve though: somehow Mitch's wife, Belle (from Book 6), becomes 'Brooke' halfway through this novel. Not just a one-off mis-mention but for the rest of the novel. That sort of things can be very jarring, especially if one (like me) has followed the series from the beginning and knows every character's names, along with their children and cousins. :-D This almost made me give 4 stars. It makes it seem like the author is not taking the story very seriously, which is, in turn, discouraging for a reader like me.
One small pet peeve though: somehow Mitch's wife, Belle (from Book 6), becomes 'Brooke' halfway through this novel. Not just a one-off mis-mention but for the rest of the novel. That sort of things can be very jarring, especially if one (like me) has followed the series from the beginning and knows every character's names, along with their children and cousins. :-D This almost made me give 4 stars. It makes it seem like the author is not taking the story very seriously, which is, in turn, discouraging for a reader like me.
May 7, 2020
Do we worship our talents or The One who gave them?
This book is among my favorites in the series. Dalton and Sierra both had issues, but I’m so glad that with God’s strength, they could eat with them. My favorite part was when Dalton went back to church for real. The talent question is one I remind myself of often. I want to use the talents God gave me to worship and give Him glory. It makes me sad when I see people who went to church all their lives who do not even believe in God or live for Him. I’m so glad He is patient with all of us. Very well done!
This book is among my favorites in the series. Dalton and Sierra both had issues, but I’m so glad that with God’s strength, they could eat with them. My favorite part was when Dalton went back to church for real. The talent question is one I remind myself of often. I want to use the talents God gave me to worship and give Him glory. It makes me sad when I see people who went to church all their lives who do not even believe in God or live for Him. I’m so glad He is patient with all of us. Very well done!
November 6, 2023
I loved this series!
This is one of my favorite series, and I've enjoyed reading it multiple times. I do have one minor critique. In the last couple of books, a few characters underwent name changes. Hannah and Ryan's son Jason turned into Justin in the previous book, and Mitch's wife Belle became Brooke in this book. Unless Hannah and Ryan had another son and Mitch got remarried, this kind of threw me off for a minute. That said, I love this fictional family and the interactions they had with each other and their friends!
This is one of my favorite series, and I've enjoyed reading it multiple times. I do have one minor critique. In the last couple of books, a few characters underwent name changes. Hannah and Ryan's son Jason turned into Justin in the previous book, and Mitch's wife Belle became Brooke in this book. Unless Hannah and Ryan had another son and Mitch got remarried, this kind of threw me off for a minute. That said, I love this fictional family and the interactions they had with each other and their friends!
April 24, 2019
Love this series
The characters are amazing and this book had a great plot. I was happy to see Dalton return home finally and reconnect with his family, which I’ve come to love. I was distracted by some typos and a slow start to this book, which are uncommon for this series. However, I still enjoyed the book and was sad to see this series end, even with a satisfying conclusion.
The characters are amazing and this book had a great plot. I was happy to see Dalton return home finally and reconnect with his family, which I’ve come to love. I was distracted by some typos and a slow start to this book, which are uncommon for this series. However, I still enjoyed the book and was sad to see this series end, even with a satisfying conclusion.
April 27, 2019
In God's Time
Many prayers were prayed for Dalton and after ten years God answered those prayers. This is another beautiful story about how lives are changed when we give our problems and burdens to God. We often wonder why God doesn't just take the pain away I think He wants us to give them to Him. In this book there are sorrow and tears but born out of those is a beautiful love story. I have so enjoyed this series of books.
Many prayers were prayed for Dalton and after ten years God answered those prayers. This is another beautiful story about how lives are changed when we give our problems and burdens to God. We often wonder why God doesn't just take the pain away I think He wants us to give them to Him. In this book there are sorrow and tears but born out of those is a beautiful love story. I have so enjoyed this series of books.
April 27, 2019
This is a fitting ending to the series. You would need to have read at least a couple of the other ones in order to enjoy it and all of them to get the most out of the story. However, the major themes of the story stand alone. The idea of loving someone being the act of serving them and not what you get from them. I have enjoyed every single book by this author and will continue to look for her books.
May 23, 2019
Message of true love in waiting
What a wonderful story of Dalton and Sierra. God hand in the development of their relationship. Dalton walked away from God to walk and work in the world. It didn't make him happy as it took him to near death experience. His friend Jesse was his guardian angel to watch out for him, give him help and lead him back home. His family prayer protection of his life saved him.
What a wonderful story of Dalton and Sierra. God hand in the development of their relationship. Dalton walked away from God to walk and work in the world. It didn't make him happy as it took him to near death experience. His friend Jesse was his guardian angel to watch out for him, give him help and lead him back home. His family prayer protection of his life saved him.
July 21, 2019
Great book for television series.
KimberLy Rae Jordan writes a very nice story. One thing I one best about her books is that they are clean to read. Since this was the say of a series and I liked her previous books I knew I would like this story. Dalton and Sierra were great lead characters. There was snow which I like. It was comparatively long so I took my time reading it - it was relaxing.
KimberLy Rae Jordan writes a very nice story. One thing I one best about her books is that they are clean to read. Since this was the say of a series and I liked her previous books I knew I would like this story. Dalton and Sierra were great lead characters. There was snow which I like. It was comparatively long so I took my time reading it - it was relaxing.
January 8, 2020
When He Returns
Great story. Dalton was the youngest child in the family of 10 kids. All he ever wanted to do was play music. So much trouble came to Dalton, drugs and alcohol. He overdosed and hi friend called J.D. to one get him and put him in rehab, Sierra,Ethans sister, had always had a crush on Dalton. After rehab, they became friends. Much more to story, a must read. You will enjoy this
Great story. Dalton was the youngest child in the family of 10 kids. All he ever wanted to do was play music. So much trouble came to Dalton, drugs and alcohol. He overdosed and hi friend called J.D. to one get him and put him in rehab, Sierra,Ethans sister, had always had a crush on Dalton. After rehab, they became friends. Much more to story, a must read. You will enjoy this
April 27, 2025
Awesome 5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this last book in The Callaghan & McFadden series! In fact, I truly enjoyed every book! Kimberly Rae Jordan is my absolute favorite author! She writes, encouraging, intriguing, funny, Christian stories... her love for God shines throughout each and every book she writes!
Kimberly, thank you for sharing your God-given talent & your life for God!
Keep those wonderful stories coming!
I thoroughly enjoyed this last book in The Callaghan & McFadden series! In fact, I truly enjoyed every book! Kimberly Rae Jordan is my absolute favorite author! She writes, encouraging, intriguing, funny, Christian stories... her love for God shines throughout each and every book she writes!
Kimberly, thank you for sharing your God-given talent & your life for God!
Keep those wonderful stories coming!
April 25, 2019
Loved this book! Good pacing on the development in the main characters. I'm sorry the saga has come to an end for now. Hopefully the characters we've come to know and love will pop up in other books in the future! And in a few years I can go back and read everything in order again and enjoy it all over again.
April 25, 2019
Sad
Sad as it is the touted ending of the series😕 I have enjoyed every one of the books in this series. The characters, the love, the faith, the support, so real and engaging. The issues addressed in the stories are deep and valid. The outcome and the endings always good and uplifting. Sad to see the end of it all.
Sad as it is the touted ending of the series😕 I have enjoyed every one of the books in this series. The characters, the love, the faith, the support, so real and engaging. The issues addressed in the stories are deep and valid. The outcome and the endings always good and uplifting. Sad to see the end of it all.
April 29, 2019
A Beautiful Beginning
Gift wrapped in a beautiful ending! Thank you for leading us through the faith filled journey that has been the Callaghan & McFadden clan’s story. Each one touched my heart and deepened my understanding of what it is to love and be loved by our Infinite Father and the human being he chooses for us. 💕
Gift wrapped in a beautiful ending! Thank you for leading us through the faith filled journey that has been the Callaghan & McFadden clan’s story. Each one touched my heart and deepened my understanding of what it is to love and be loved by our Infinite Father and the human being he chooses for us. 💕
May 4, 2019
Perfect example of God’s protection and mercy
Even though Sierra is a Christian , she has unknowingly struggled with fear of rejection.
Dalton was raised in the church but never really gave his heart to God. Through their struggles they (with the help of friends and family) help each other grow in God and in love.
Even though Sierra is a Christian , she has unknowingly struggled with fear of rejection.
Dalton was raised in the church but never really gave his heart to God. Through their struggles they (with the help of friends and family) help each other grow in God and in love.
May 6, 2019
Friends First
Sierra and Dalton became friends when he returned after rehab and the death of his band member. Sierra needed a friend after the marriage of Danica left her alone. But she had to overcome her fear of trusting someone enough to risk her heart. Loved this final book in the Callaghan and McFaddens family and how the author includes faith in her stories.
Sierra and Dalton became friends when he returned after rehab and the death of his band member. Sierra needed a friend after the marriage of Danica left her alone. But she had to overcome her fear of trusting someone enough to risk her heart. Loved this final book in the Callaghan and McFaddens family and how the author includes faith in her stories.
May 27, 2019
Great book!
I have read all of the series and enjoyed each one. Each book was great. I read some of them together others one at a time. Each book is better then the last. Once you start reading the series you will want to read them all. They will draw you in and it will be hard to put them down until the end. I completely recommend reading all of them.
I have read all of the series and enjoyed each one. Each book was great. I read some of them together others one at a time. Each book is better then the last. Once you start reading the series you will want to read them all. They will draw you in and it will be hard to put them down until the end. I completely recommend reading all of them.
June 7, 2019
The book is a picture of God's grace.
The story shows how the Callaghans and McFaddens never have up on their children. They put their trust in the Lord and continued praying and waiting for their children to return. It showed the deep bonds of family and how faith and love prevail. It gives hope for anyone struggling with family issues.
The story shows how the Callaghans and McFaddens never have up on their children. They put their trust in the Lord and continued praying and waiting for their children to return. It showed the deep bonds of family and how faith and love prevail. It gives hope for anyone struggling with family issues.
July 20, 2020
Loved this series...
Each of the books in the series was so good ..... ..I hated coming to the end of this book since it was the last in the series. When He Returns was my favorite of all...surely there are a few more stories that could be told....like Elliot ....and maybe Marc ..he kind of got lost in the story.
Each of the books in the series was so good ..... ..I hated coming to the end of this book since it was the last in the series. When He Returns was my favorite of all...surely there are a few more stories that could be told....like Elliot ....and maybe Marc ..he kind of got lost in the story.
March 22, 2021
A Matter of Trust
It wasn't just a matter of Sierra's trusting that the drugs would be a constant battle, but it was also a matter of her trusting someone to love her. The relationship moved at a snail's pace, but it fell into place. The fact that the man was willing to be vulnerable in front of the whole world spoke volumes!
It wasn't just a matter of Sierra's trusting that the drugs would be a constant battle, but it was also a matter of her trusting someone to love her. The relationship moved at a snail's pace, but it fell into place. The fact that the man was willing to be vulnerable in front of the whole world spoke volumes!
May 13, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this series, each book about one of 10 siblings in a blended family. I loved the characters, and read 9 of the 10 books in 3 days. I can't really pick a favorite one, or favorite character......but this may be my favorite since it brought the prodigal son back home and wound up the series. It is an awesome series and definitely worth reading.
April 24, 2019
A great final chapter in a wonderful series. I truly enjoyed this series and I hated to see it end. I loved catching up with the different family members from the previous books in the series. The characters were well written and became friends as I read each book.
April 24, 2019
WHEN HE RETURNS
Another special book in the Callaghan and McFadden series, evidently the last (why not the grandkids next).
Loved Dalton and Sierra's story, especially after watching them grow up.
Another special book in the Callaghan and McFadden series, evidently the last (why not the grandkids next).
Loved Dalton and Sierra's story, especially after watching them grow up.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews