The Romeo Family Romance series continues with Zoe Romeo Stevens, Noah’s older sister.
Zoe, wife and mother of two, has her life all planned out, right down to the decadent chocolate mousse cake she’s making for dinner. Sure, marriage to her husband Carl has its ups and downs, but Zoe’s determined to make it work. Then, in a shocking turn of events, Zoe finds herself once again single with two children.
Seeking solace for her wounded heart, Zoe goes home to her family’s ranch in Nashville, Tennessee. Trying to pick up the pieces of her life is tough. Even tougher—running into her old flame Briggs McAllister on a daily basis. As it turns out, Briggs is even more of a heartthrob now than he was back in the old days. Does he really think he can bat those baby blues, flash his crooked grin and that she’ll come running back into his very capable, very strong arms? Fat chance of that ever happening!
The harder Zoe tries to stay away from Briggs, the closer the two become. But Zoe’s past has no intention of laying low. Trouble is coming on like a freight train, threatening to sweep Zoe and Briggs off the rails. Plenty of twists and turns in his fast-paced romance about family ties and the yearnings the heart wants most.
Jennifer loves reading and writing clean romance. She believes that happily ever after is not just for stories. Jennifer enjoys interior design, rollerblading, clogging, jogging, and chocolate. In Jennifer’s opinion there are few ills that can’t be solved with a warm brownie and scoop of vanilla-bean ice cream. Jennifer grew up in rural Alabama and loved living in a town where “everybody knows everybody.” Her love for writing began as a young teenager when she wrote stories for her high school English teacher to critique. Jennifer has a BA in English and Social Sciences from Brigham Young University Hawaii where she served as Miss BYU Hawaii. Before becoming an author, she worked as the owner and editor of a monthly newspaper named The Senior Times. She now lives in the Rocky Mountains with her family and spends her time writing and doing all of the wonderful things that make up the life of a busy wife and mother.
I haven't read the first book in this series and I never felt lost, so it can stand alone, but let me just say--I'm in love with this family!
I love how the book starts with Zoe's marriage, showing what a Stepford wife she's become, and then progresses to her second start back in her hometown. The real Zoe is down there somewhere and it was a treat watching her emerge. I also loved how the situation with her children was realistic and raw, drawing out more of her personality. As for Briggs? Oh, yeah. The chemistry pretty much flew off the pages, but was totally believable, even after all this time.
Youngblood did a fantastic job of creating an emotional romance with a lovable cast of characters. Reading this was as rewarding as a vat of silky, rich, decadent chocolate, as I savored every moment and finished with a craving for more.
Content: mild romance (kissing, talk of infidelity); mild religion
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
Trigger warnings: abusive, manipulative husband; trauma towards children I liked Zoe but Carl wasn't okay. I noticed right away from book 1 this marriage was going to end in divorce. I have to say, jumping back into dating a mere months after a divorce is over is not healthy. But these types of books encourage it. While it has been a full six years since my divorce and my rabbi is quite adamant about me remarrying, I want to make sure that I pick the man G-d wants me to have this time around. And that takes time. Briggs is interesting. I'm not sure whether I liked him or not. There were aspects I really liked. He protected Zoe and her kids. He supported her talents. But he was super pushy, in my opinion. Come on, yes you waited years but at least let the divorced person heal. And let her come to her own conclusions about her ex. Carl showed up and was threatening and trying to manipulate. That is red flags and I'm glad Zoe realized it. HEA but wow...it took some serious work.
Briggs McAllister is at the top of my list for favorite second chance heroes. He suffered the loss of his one true love the first time around through no fault of his own. When challenged to reveal the reason for that loss, his commitment to Zoe's mother mandates his silence. He restrains himself from decking the manipulative sniveling cream puff of an ex-husband. Finally, he nearly sacrifices his life while rescuing Zoe's son from near-certain death. You can't get much better than that. High on the list of positives for this story is how the author focuses on the positive nature of the close-knit Romeo family. To top things off, when Briggs and Zoe are searching for Milo, I appreciate how Briggs responds to the promptings he receives to alter his search plan. I am impressed with this manner of acknowledging in a non-preachy way that God will influence us for good if we will but listen. I award five well-earned stars for One Way Home.
I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand I enjoyed the idea of Zoe & Briggs’ getting their second chance at romance but on the other hand I felt like they rushed into it too quickly and didn’t quite take into consideration how it would affect the kids.
Zoe and Briggs were okay characters though, at times, Briggs did come on a bit too strong. There were also some cute & fun moments, however, it was overshadowed by the angst that I was not in the mood for.
Carl was a nasty piece of work. He cheated on Zoe with her best friend but still had the audacity to say it was her fault. He was manipulative and self centered and I hated how he treated her and tried to use the kids to control her.
The Romeo family dynamic was my favorite part of this book. I really loved how Zoe’s family rallied around her to give her much needed support and they all had such a great relationship. Overall this was an okay read.
I really enjoyed this story. It reminded me a little of another book I read years ago by another author, although it’s also very different. The only thing that keeps me from giving it a 5 star rating is that I felt there could’ve been more dialogue and less description. Others, it was a really great story. This is a clean Christian romance and, although it’s part of a series I had no trouble reading it as a stand-alone. The last chapter serves as a lead-in for the next book in the series. I recommend this book.
A good story & a second chance at happiness. Great family dynamics. Fun family rivalry. Perhaps this story could be an example of how a divorced mom could deal with the after effects of divorce.
Zoe is living in Park City with her husband Carl and their two children, 11 year old Milo and almost 7 year old Madison. For the most part, she's happy. Only Carl has been pulling away more and more lately. So much so that he is disappointing his own son. Claiming he has to work. It seems out of town potential clients from California are coming into town, and he needs to take them to dinner to try to win them over. The next day, while talking with her best friend Kate, Zoe has an unexpected visitor from her next-door neighbor. What she shows Zoe puts her life in a tailspin! Now, several months later, Zoe is back home in Georgia with her kids. Her daddy, Knox, is so happy to have her home! The only thing she isn't looking forward to is seeing her ex-boyfriend Briggs. Only she knows it's only a matter of time since he works on her daddy's 1,000-acre ranch as the veterinarian. What happens when she sees him for the first time? How does her ex-husband feel about her being there with Briggs and his children? Does she still have feelings for Briggs? Does he still have feelings for her? What about her brothers? Especially since all four of them, including her daddy, think Carl is nothing but a cream puff? Only one way to find out is to read this great story by Jennifer Youngblood. This is truly a great read.
A lovely read no heat ( few kisses only) Zoe lives in Park City with her husband Carl and their two children Milo and almost Madison. For the most part she's happy being a stay at home mum but sometimes she’s at a loss without her love of her art. Her husband Carl has been pulling away for months, she knows the marriage is in trouble but is at a loss to make it better as Carl is never home. Claiming he has to work he gets home later and later. When she cry’s to her best friend over the phone on how distant they are Zoe has an unexpected visitor from her neighbour. What she shows Zoe puts her life in a total life changing tailspin. After her divorce she moves back home. Her whole family is glad she’s home after seeing her a shell of her former self. The only thing she isn't looking forward to is seeing her ex-boyfriend Briggs, but she knows it's only a matter of time until they meet as he works on her daddy's 1,000-acre ranch as the vet. When they meet Sparks fly, a few rows about him breaking her heart but the chemistry is off the charts. Once her ex knows she’s moving on he wants her back and tries using their son to get her back but after a n accident she knows her life heart belong with Briggs. I felt it was unfinished with her ex I didn’t feel it really gave a great ending to that aspect of the story other than that I enjoyed it.
I have both the book and listened to the audiobook version of this book and enjoyed it very much.
Zoe is one of the Romeo family members. She had her heartbroken in her youth by Briggs McAllister. Shortly after leaving home, she met and married her husband, Carol. Now, about a dozen years later, she is back at home licking her wounds from her divorce. Carl had cheated on her with her best friend and she felt the need to go home with her two children. The problem is that Briggs still lives here. He has never married and she finds out that he has always loved her. She isn't ready for the possibility of more heartbreak but can she trust that he means it after he broke her heart? Is she willing to risk it again?
This is a sweet, clean romantic story of second chance love, forgiveness and healing. I love Briggs and I love the Romeo family stories. I have read 3 or 4 of them now so it is nice to see the siblings' interactions and know some of their backstory.
If you are looking for a good book with a happy ending to bring some good feelings into your heart, this can be the book for you.
It was so sad to see Zoe as a “Stepford Wife”. She is a really cool mom who was devoted to her marriage but struggled to find happiness in it. Of course when some devastating truths comes out it is a little wonder why they were having so many problems in their marriage. But she takes the bull by the horns and starts to find herself again in her hometown on her family’s ranch. The book wasn’t too heavy even though there were some serious topics discussed but it isn’t a light read either. There is lots of hope, humor, and family support that cuts the tension and makes it an enjoyable book. I love the family dynamic with the siblings and the father. I think my favorite scenes were of the brothers joking around and teasing Zoe. The love story was sweet with but tempered with regret about lost opportunities. This is a second chances love story and it does end in a HEA that feels right for the story. I look forward to the next book! Rating: PG, discussions of divorce and infidelity. Clean and wholesome thru it all.
In this audiobook we are back with the Romeo siblings, and this time the story belongs to Zoe Romeo . Zoe, mom of two kids, is back home in Tennessee after divorcing her cheating husband. She and her kids are still adjusting, her young son Milo having the hardest time. Things get complicated when she once again comes face to face with Briggs McAllister. Now the veterinarian for the family’s ranch, he is the boy she loved with all her heart and thought she would marry. He was also the one that broke her heart when he broke up with her all those years ago. Seeing each other again brings up old hurts as well as feelings that never truly died. But secrets from the past and lack of trust might keep them apart. What happens when the ex shows up in Tennessee? What happens when someone goes missing and a tragic ending is a possibility? This was another entertaining story and one that ends leaving you wanting to know how the next sibling will find their love.
Jennifer Youngblood is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. She depicts real life emotions and the struggles her characters have when life doesn't go the way they expect it to. Zoe fully believed her first love would be her forever love - until he broke up with her and moved away. She picked up the pieces of her life and married, had two kids and dedicated her whole life to her family. When she learns that her husband has been unfaithful, she files for divorce, packs up her kids and moves back home with her dad, never expecting to come face to face with Briggs. Much less to find he still claims to love her and her whole family wants to see them back together. (Sigh!!!) Another swoonworthy story you won't want to put down.
Zoe Romeo was a young woman who had a crush on her best friend Briggs. After school and high school she wanted to marry him but things got in the way and he walked away. Zoe was devastated and found another man. Marrying him a short time later, they had 2 children and then after awhile things changed and she walked away with a divorce and the children. Moving home with her father she met Briggs again and they became an item. Her five brothers were behind her in every way. This was a very interesting and a great book on love and family as well as some very interesting things that started taking place towards the end. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
It is hard to see a marriage end, but it ends well for Zoe and her first love Briggs, as her ex-husband was a rebound from Briggs and her breakup. Struggling with the aftermath of divorce and trust issues with Briggs since she still doesn't know the reason for the breakup. Briggs is in full pursuit, as he is been kicking himself since the breakup, for a second chance and Zoe's family are helping in any way they can. Will she find out the secret of the breakup? Will the ex-husband interfere? This is a beautifully written second chance romance, the continuity of the series is good, and characters are wonderful. I look forward to Cash's story. I highly recommend this book and the series.
Strong story line with great characters. Great editing and a timeline that just helped the story flow. I loved the family dynamics. It was interesting that Zoe seemed more impacted by the friend's betrayal than her husband's. Yup, there was definitely a ghost in their marriage. For the H, there was also a ghost barrier that was also present in his previous relationships. These 2 main characters were soul mates.
In my opinion, it was fortunate for all that the marriage failed when it did. Zoe was loosing herself, her husband was uninvolved, and this dysfunction could have resulted in not 2 but 4 very dysfunctional individuals.
This book is packed with tender feelings and a lot of spunk. I love Zoe's devotion to being a mom. I love how hard she tries to make her marriage work. Briggs is too good to be true but so wonderful it doesn't matter. I enjoyed the way they banter together and he never gives up. No matter what Zoe says to turn him away. I think the emotions we see in Zoe's son, Milo, are real and raw. Just what one would expect from a young man in his position. That made the story even more real to me. I love watching the teasing among the Romeo siblings. I can't wait to get to know them even better in the books to come.
Great read a real page turner, lot a twists and turns. it was hard to A down at times. . The aurhor is a great story teller, has a way with words and paints a picture so well you think your write there living with them. It had an amazing number twist and turns that I just didn't see coming, it was frustrating at times , but it had a some what satisfying ending. . I really kept looking forward to the next reading section of it. I don't open if Jennifer has any kids, but if she does she probably calls them "Sweet Pea". And after reading two of her books its clear she likes male auctions.
Zoe did everything to take care of her family and accommodate her husband. When she ends up divorced, she takes her children and goes home to Nashville. Her father and her brothers never cared for her ex-husband and push her towards her first love Briggs. I received a free copy of this ebook from the author. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. I really like the main characters Briggs, Zoe, and her children. I really like Briggs's patience and persistence in wooing Zoe. This is a sweet romance. I love this book and series.
They say you never forget a first love. Briggs and Zoe were sweethearts in high school. Time comes and goes. Lives change. A decade later and Zoey has 2 kids, busy being a wife and mother. With her creativity and sculpture building on a back burner, will she burn out herself or can she make time to reconnect to her passion? Briggs is a veterinarian. Can he find true love? Come along for a ride as we traverse the Country from Utah to Kentucky with our main characters! Happy Reading!
Zoe is a housewife struggling to keep her husband happy. She bends over backward to take care of the house and kids and Carl never seems to approve of her choices. When she discovers his cheating and divorces him, she takes her two children and returns home to Tennessee. He former boyfriend and one true love comes back into the picture but Zoe's first responsibility is to her children. Briggs is a trained veterinarian for her family ranch so it is impossible to keep her distance. This action packed, fast paced story leaves us with a cliff hanger.
This book is full of surprises and had me turning the pages for the next one. Zoe Romeo married too soon after a high school breakup. She had two children and diligently worked to make a go of it with a man she didn’t love. When she caught him cheating she went home and her first love, Briggs was still there, still in love with her and still single. After twists and turns hurt, laughter, love and forgiveness she finds happiness.
I listened to this book on You Tube, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. After her divorce from her husband, Carl, Zoe returns to her father’s ranch in Nashville with her two children. Former boyfriend, Briggs McAllister is now her father’s veterinarian and sparks again fly between the two. Carl tries to cause problems for her. The plot includes, storms, broken hearts, unhappy children, and second chances.
Interesting characters who are well developed. I haven't read the rest of the books but this one was good and got me interested in reading the rest. It is about a family which is always good. One girl who has married and divorced after her high school sweetheart dropped her. She wasn't herself when she married and her ex is someone who didn't treat her right. Good little Romance!!
Well written story of the effects of infidelity and divorce. This story follows Zoe as she returns home with her two children and confronting her first love, Briggs. Their story is not an easy one but when you have a second chance sometimes there is only one way home. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.
Zoe and Briggs have a tumultuous relationship. One Way Home moves quickly and intensely. Briggs and Zoe are relatable and fun. With the addition of some drama it’s almost a perfect story. Having a couple of kids in the mix increases the tension. I’m looking forward to the next installment of the Romeo family.
I loved this story. I love remembering what is important. Kind of like this quarantine time. Sure it starts out a bit bad but it showed what happens when you try to be something your not. I don't know what all it was about this story but I absolutely loved it. All the twists, turns, conflicts, and love. I'm excited about Cash's story.
When a marriage ends there are lots of things to deal with. When Zoe ends her marriage she moves back to her dad's ranch. Her son is very unhappy so she has to deal with him while trying to figure out to rebuild her life. An interesting story with a sweet romance.
I’m completely in love with the Romeo family! One Way Home is Zoe’s story. I felt all of her heartache and all of her joy, because Jennifer Youngblood writes characters with so much depth. Briggs and Zoe have a long history. I throughly enjoyed seeing them come together again. And just like real life, it wasn’t an easy path. This book is a stand out book in a stand out series, and I highly recommend it!
I purchased a copy of One Way Home by Jennifer Youngblood and this review was given freely. Zoe returns to her home town and her loud, close knit, and well meaning family who help her and her children recover from a self centered and abusive relationship ,by matchmaking for her with her childhood love.
This is an outstanding and emotional second chance love story with to amazing characters that will pull you into their journey towards forgiveness and unconditional love.