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Homebound
A second-chance romance set in the heart of Appalachia that will make you root for first love, forgiveness, and family.
Lenore Wheeler knows what a hard life, heartbreak, and failure tastes like. Heading home to the backwoods Appalachian town she swore she’d never return to with her young daughter in tow, she can’t imagine her future getting much bleaker.
Then she comes face-to-face with the one man she never expected to see again.
Jesse Yates was supposed to escape the mountains, make something of himself, and attain every dream Lenore destroyed. He’s determined to wear down her resolve and win her back, but she’s got a secret to keep and reasons to keep her old flame at arm’s length.
Lenore already broke her own heart to save Jesse, but she’ll do anything to protect her daughter from the same fate.
Except fate has a funny way of working out, especially when all roads lead to home.
Lenore Wheeler knows what a hard life, heartbreak, and failure tastes like. Heading home to the backwoods Appalachian town she swore she’d never return to with her young daughter in tow, she can’t imagine her future getting much bleaker.
Then she comes face-to-face with the one man she never expected to see again.
Jesse Yates was supposed to escape the mountains, make something of himself, and attain every dream Lenore destroyed. He’s determined to wear down her resolve and win her back, but she’s got a secret to keep and reasons to keep her old flame at arm’s length.
Lenore already broke her own heart to save Jesse, but she’ll do anything to protect her daughter from the same fate.
Except fate has a funny way of working out, especially when all roads lead to home.
335 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2020
22 people are currently reading
1584 people want to read
About the author
Kata Čuić
21 books471 followersKata Čuić lives in Pittsburgh, PA, USA and writes romance stories with a dash of humor, a dollop of spice, and a heaping helping of heart. With a background in Linguistics and a minor in Religious Studies, her writing style marries lit fic with delicious tropes. He falls first and harder, anyone?
From angst-filled new adult series to standalone rom-coms, and even a touch of paranormal, Kata's diverse storytelling offers something for every romance reader palate. Because she gets bored writing the same things all the time, okay?
When she's not writing, Kata emotionally eats to cope with the endless news cycle, binge reads series because sleep is for the weak, and probably drinks too much whiskey.
Subscribe to Kata's newsletter for a free second-chance, HS reunion novella ➜ https://www.subscribepage.com/katacui...
Tell her to stop procrastinating at the following places:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
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September 22, 2020hmmm.... I'm going to have to get back to this much later. Having a hard time with something...something feels off
September 8, 2020
This is the first book I have read by Kata. I enjoyed this book. It takes place in the present with lots of flash backs. Lenore and Jesse have been friends almost their whole lives. The fathers knew were friends and knew each other. Lenore and Jesse’s relationship is complicated. Both are trying to help the other. The flashback help explain their current situation. Lenore never saw herself coming back home but now she is. And so is Jesse. This story was moving and emotional. Lenore and Jesse share a great love. Their need to do things they feel protect the other gets in the way of this love. You get to watch the grow and change through the flash backs. While reading about their second chance in the present. I haven’t read a book quite like this one before. The characters and great. Lenore and her parents share a special bond. I will keep an eye on Kata’s other books. Great job Kata.
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September 25, 2020A small-town, second-chance, secret-baby romance that ARC readers are loving!
Pre-order is live wide!
https://books2read.com/Homebound
Read the first chapter here!
https://www.katacuicbooks.com/homebound
Pre-order is live wide!
https://books2read.com/Homebound
Read the first chapter here!
https://www.katacuicbooks.com/homebound
September 9, 2020
“𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙖 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩, 𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣’ 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨, 𝙉𝙤𝙧𝙖. 𝘿𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚. 𝙄’𝙙 𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨 𝙞𝙩 𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙛 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙭𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙪𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙙.”
This second chance romance blew me away. Straight into the mountains actually.
This had all the aspects for a first love gone wrong, chock full of secrets best kept from one another.
The dialect was perfect for the location, the demonstration of salt of the earth people, it was all very spot on. I loved it.
This second chance romance blew me away. Straight into the mountains actually.
This had all the aspects for a first love gone wrong, chock full of secrets best kept from one another.
The dialect was perfect for the location, the demonstration of salt of the earth people, it was all very spot on. I loved it.
September 3, 2020
3.5 STARS My full review on my BLOG -> CLICK HERE
August 23, 2020
OMG - LOVE! Must read. Highly Recommend.
Epic romance with all the trimmings! You done gonna love it.
Epic romance with all the trimmings! You done gonna love it.
September 11, 2020
What a breath of fresh air! I absolutely devoured this second chance storyline. The bond, the chemistry, the sacrifice will grab you from the beginning and hold you until the end. Jesse and Lenore’s journey has ALL the FEELS. I highly recommend this book, a definite top 10 read of 2020!
August 27, 2020
3.5 Stars!
What a unique second chance/secret baby romance. Jesse and Lenore has been friends forever. Lenore family secretly takes Jesse under their wings to make sure he is taken care of due to his family life. Lenore has always seen the best in Jesse and wanted the best for him. I thought the story was well written. The story is well versed in the dialect of where the story takes place. I enjoyed how the story took place over a longer period of time and we got glimpses to Jesse and Lenore's life in past and present. The story gives you a variety of feels and have you rooting that the couple figure it out and end up together. If you looking for a love story that takes you in the journey of forgiveness and determination with great supporting characters this is the story for you!
~Reemah💜
What a unique second chance/secret baby romance. Jesse and Lenore has been friends forever. Lenore family secretly takes Jesse under their wings to make sure he is taken care of due to his family life. Lenore has always seen the best in Jesse and wanted the best for him. I thought the story was well written. The story is well versed in the dialect of where the story takes place. I enjoyed how the story took place over a longer period of time and we got glimpses to Jesse and Lenore's life in past and present. The story gives you a variety of feels and have you rooting that the couple figure it out and end up together. If you looking for a love story that takes you in the journey of forgiveness and determination with great supporting characters this is the story for you!
~Reemah💜
August 22, 2020
This beautifully written second chance romance is one that many readers will be able to relate to. The story takes us on a journey with Nora and Jesse from their childhoods, up through high school, college and into adulthood. Their innocent friendship that blooms into something more and how decisions made and secrets kept have a way of finding the light. Namely, an adorable little girl, Anne.
It's a story of hope, regret, forgiveness, determination and most importantly, love.
It's a story of hope, regret, forgiveness, determination and most importantly, love.
September 11, 2020
What a beautifully written story. It is a sweet second chance romance. I was a little afraid it would be too emotional, but it was really easy to read. Nora & Jesse's story was great and it was an enjoyable read. The flashbacks of how their friendship started made it more enjoyable. This was the first book I read by this author and I can’t wait to read more!
September 14, 2020
This review does contain spoilers
So I really really wanted to love this book. I loved that it was unique and brought awareness to the importance of sexual education in the school systems. However there were somethings that didn't make sense to me as well as got me a bit annoyed.
First the story line was mainly in Lenore's point of view, but towards the end of the book it went to Jesse's in the flash backs but did not tell you that at all, you just had to assume. I enjoyed how much they were there for each other when they were kids and seeing Lenore really be someone who Jesse needed growing up, especially because of the way he is being brought up by his mother. You saw how much they both put each others happiness above the others while struggling with their own problems and the pains of growing up.
The story line was all over the place to where time had gone by but the problems were still the same and you had nothing but the changing of the seasons to know that.
also in the flash backs it was made clear that Jesse didn't want anyone to know that they were together and they kept their relationship a secret because of that, but when she moved back with her daughter everyone in town knew right away who the father was.
I couldn't tell if she was black out drunk or not when she did get pregnant or if she was awake when they had started going at it.
She threatened her parents to terminate her pregnancy if Jesse were to find out about it, and then lets her daughter call him daddy all while keeping the fact that he is the dad a secret.
Those things I just couldn't get past and just really took everything down a few notches for me.
So I really really wanted to love this book. I loved that it was unique and brought awareness to the importance of sexual education in the school systems. However there were somethings that didn't make sense to me as well as got me a bit annoyed.
First the story line was mainly in Lenore's point of view, but towards the end of the book it went to Jesse's in the flash backs but did not tell you that at all, you just had to assume. I enjoyed how much they were there for each other when they were kids and seeing Lenore really be someone who Jesse needed growing up, especially because of the way he is being brought up by his mother. You saw how much they both put each others happiness above the others while struggling with their own problems and the pains of growing up.
The story line was all over the place to where time had gone by but the problems were still the same and you had nothing but the changing of the seasons to know that.
also in the flash backs it was made clear that Jesse didn't want anyone to know that they were together and they kept their relationship a secret because of that, but when she moved back with her daughter everyone in town knew right away who the father was.
I couldn't tell if she was black out drunk or not when she did get pregnant or if she was awake when they had started going at it.
She threatened her parents to terminate her pregnancy if Jesse were to find out about it, and then lets her daughter call him daddy all while keeping the fact that he is the dad a secret.
Those things I just couldn't get past and just really took everything down a few notches for me.
September 16, 2020
**some spoilers**
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This book was allover the place.
I really couldn't get past the face that the H refused to be seen with the h outside their little bubble. don't care how much he loved her. the whole Appalachian accent in writing was exhausting and annoying.
now for the biggest dislike for me - the child was the MOST annoying, spoild and bratty thing ever written. she was such shit! I couldn't stand her. who writes such an unappealing character for a child????
I constantly felt I'm missing something. the past was way more interesting than the present, which say something usually.
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This book was allover the place.
I really couldn't get past the face that the H refused to be seen with the h outside their little bubble. don't care how much he loved her. the whole Appalachian accent in writing was exhausting and annoying.
now for the biggest dislike for me - the child was the MOST annoying, spoild and bratty thing ever written. she was such shit! I couldn't stand her. who writes such an unappealing character for a child????
I constantly felt I'm missing something. the past was way more interesting than the present, which say something usually.
February 4, 2021
Skip this """"""
This is the longest, drawn out story! No matter how the tries to spin it, the female character is selfish and and stubbornly dumb. He should have given up on her and took his daughter years ago when he found out!
This is the longest, drawn out story! No matter how the tries to spin it, the female character is selfish and and stubbornly dumb. He should have given up on her and took his daughter years ago when he found out!
August 12, 2021
I loved this story start to finish. Absolutely beautiful and a must read!
September 8, 2020
*** ARC kindly provided in exchange of an honest review ***
3.5 stars!
A second chance story filled plenty of emotions, about two sweethearts lovers in that small town which have endured and seen a lot, dreaming of a better future and place. A ray of light in the darkness. A story also about forgiveness and family.
It took me some time to get used to the accents and language of the characters. I was trying not to focus on it so hard, but it was a little difficult to me to follow in the beginning and alternating between the past and present, showing how much Lenore and Jesse loved each other, since they were kids to their adult life.
I adored this idea of first love and I was definitely rooting for these two to find the happily ever after they deserved it. I won’t deny that Jesse could show what is like to be loved and cherished and damn if their young versions weren’t that swoony either.
Lenore is a selfless and strong woman who came back home so many year later. A wildfire and sassy woman who is keeping Jesse on his toes for sure.
However, this contrast between their youth where a lot of things were uglier and adults crude and also mean and the present where they both have matured and finally facing the truth and learning from their past was just disconcerting.
I appreciated the upfront tone and how the hero wasn’t beating around the bush and never giving up on the heroine when she left him and broke her heart to save him.
Going back and forth between the past and the present, and also with the dialect was a certain amount of mental gymnastics. I totally understood that reading about their past would get us the whole story but I wanted more present, more focusing about their future than the past.
As much as I appreciated the writing style, I felt like it was at times very cold between the main characters, and their actual time was definitely more intense and vibrant and it was my favorite moment, growing up and not hiding this time.
Nonetheless, the ending made me smile so hard and I wished I had more chapters between Lenore and Jesse.
3.5 stars!
A second chance story filled plenty of emotions, about two sweethearts lovers in that small town which have endured and seen a lot, dreaming of a better future and place. A ray of light in the darkness. A story also about forgiveness and family.
It took me some time to get used to the accents and language of the characters. I was trying not to focus on it so hard, but it was a little difficult to me to follow in the beginning and alternating between the past and present, showing how much Lenore and Jesse loved each other, since they were kids to their adult life.
I adored this idea of first love and I was definitely rooting for these two to find the happily ever after they deserved it. I won’t deny that Jesse could show what is like to be loved and cherished and damn if their young versions weren’t that swoony either.
Lenore is a selfless and strong woman who came back home so many year later. A wildfire and sassy woman who is keeping Jesse on his toes for sure.
However, this contrast between their youth where a lot of things were uglier and adults crude and also mean and the present where they both have matured and finally facing the truth and learning from their past was just disconcerting.
I appreciated the upfront tone and how the hero wasn’t beating around the bush and never giving up on the heroine when she left him and broke her heart to save him.
Going back and forth between the past and the present, and also with the dialect was a certain amount of mental gymnastics. I totally understood that reading about their past would get us the whole story but I wanted more present, more focusing about their future than the past.
As much as I appreciated the writing style, I felt like it was at times very cold between the main characters, and their actual time was definitely more intense and vibrant and it was my favorite moment, growing up and not hiding this time.
Nonetheless, the ending made me smile so hard and I wished I had more chapters between Lenore and Jesse.
September 9, 2020
"These folks are simple not stupid". Kata Čuić brings her readers on a new adventure when Nora returns to her home in the Appalachian mtns.
In Kate's new contemporary romance, she brings the mountains alive when Nora comes face to face with her new boss, Jesse. Yet Jesse is the one person she was not expecting to see when she came back home to stay with her parents, with Anna in tow. Nora and Jesse both grew up as best friends who later turned lovers, before Nora moved away to college,never expecting to return home.
Nora, even in kindergarten learned that Needed as to be part of her life, "Maybe he ain't the devil after all. Maybe I ain't his Angel neither. Maybe he's supposed to be mine. "
Jesse, through the years, always kept his heart for Nora, even seeing something in her at a young age, "You're a bright, shinin light in a world of darkness, Nora. Don't let anyone out out your fire. I'd miss it sorely if it was extinguished."
But will time have changed these two prior best friends. Will life and circumstances have come to split these two friends and lovers too far, weathering them like a storm as time did to their tree house? "What once was strong and full of promise has weathered one too many storms to go back to its original state."
In this five star read, the author truly immerses her readers into the lives of families and their hardships in the small Appalachian community. Each chapter she heads with a saying used and then even shows how it would be used to explain for readers who might have never heard such sayings. I also loved how many times Kata Cuic would have present as well as a flashback showing Nora and Jesse growing up.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this contemporary romance for its wonderful, deep characters, the dialogue between everyone, the use of dialect and especially the intertwining last memories with present day with the use of popular sayings.
In Kate's new contemporary romance, she brings the mountains alive when Nora comes face to face with her new boss, Jesse. Yet Jesse is the one person she was not expecting to see when she came back home to stay with her parents, with Anna in tow. Nora and Jesse both grew up as best friends who later turned lovers, before Nora moved away to college,never expecting to return home.
Nora, even in kindergarten learned that Needed as to be part of her life, "Maybe he ain't the devil after all. Maybe I ain't his Angel neither. Maybe he's supposed to be mine. "
Jesse, through the years, always kept his heart for Nora, even seeing something in her at a young age, "You're a bright, shinin light in a world of darkness, Nora. Don't let anyone out out your fire. I'd miss it sorely if it was extinguished."
But will time have changed these two prior best friends. Will life and circumstances have come to split these two friends and lovers too far, weathering them like a storm as time did to their tree house? "What once was strong and full of promise has weathered one too many storms to go back to its original state."
In this five star read, the author truly immerses her readers into the lives of families and their hardships in the small Appalachian community. Each chapter she heads with a saying used and then even shows how it would be used to explain for readers who might have never heard such sayings. I also loved how many times Kata Cuic would have present as well as a flashback showing Nora and Jesse growing up.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this contemporary romance for its wonderful, deep characters, the dialogue between everyone, the use of dialect and especially the intertwining last memories with present day with the use of popular sayings.
September 10, 2020
This book was different, but not in a bad way. It was a sweet second-chance romance between two best friends/childhood sweethearts who get separated by decisions and circumstance. It had the authentic dialect for the setting, which was probably the most difficult thing to adjust to, but it really added to the story once I got the hang of it. Čuić also intertwined present day with flashbacks, providing a history of how Jesse and Lenore became the people they are today and what influenced the choices they made. Through this method you get to know the characters intimately, and feel like you're growing up with them. It was a unique look into how Jesse and Lenore's relationship formed, and grew, and became this living thing, and it made the book that much more emotional and gripping.
I will say, that based on how well we get to know the characters, I don't think one of them acted true to their nature. I understand how the choices made by the author influenced and perpetuated the story, but I also think that, knowing what I do about this character, they would not have acted as they did in the book. They wouldn't have sat by as long as they did because they're way more stubborn and strong-willed than that.
Regardless, I enjoyed this book. It was deep, it was emotional, and it was honest. It may have been my first by Čuić, but it definitely won't be my last. Jesse and Lenore have made a lasting impression on my heart.
**Many thanks to the author for my review copy**
I will say, that based on how well we get to know the characters, I don't think one of them acted true to their nature. I understand how the choices made by the author influenced and perpetuated the story, but I also think that, knowing what I do about this character, they would not have acted as they did in the book. They wouldn't have sat by as long as they did because they're way more stubborn and strong-willed than that.
Regardless, I enjoyed this book. It was deep, it was emotional, and it was honest. It may have been my first by Čuić, but it definitely won't be my last. Jesse and Lenore have made a lasting impression on my heart.
**Many thanks to the author for my review copy**
September 5, 2020
This is the first book I have read by this author but it certainly won’t be the last, after reading Homebound I’m struggling to understand why Ms Cuic has not crossed my radar before now.
This Jesse Yates and Lenore “Nora” Wheeler’s second chance at love and it’s a beautifully written romance set in a small Appalachian town. Nora is back home after many years but this time she is not a.one she has her daughter Anne with her and honestly the last person she expects to see is Jesse. Childhood friends who kept in touch, who fell out and then made up only to fall out again, it seems fate was destined to keep these two apart but maybe fate has also bought them back together when they needed each other the most.....
Jesse needs to prove he is worthy of Nora and her daughter and that’s not going to be easy, will the past be to much to get over and will the secrets push them together ot tear them apart, will Nora take a leap and hope Jesse is there to catch her... guess you need to read the book to find that out. This book touched me on so many levels, it’s about love, friendships, forgiveness and about overcoming the obstacles that fate seems determined to put in this couples way, looking forward to reading more from this very talented author.
This Jesse Yates and Lenore “Nora” Wheeler’s second chance at love and it’s a beautifully written romance set in a small Appalachian town. Nora is back home after many years but this time she is not a.one she has her daughter Anne with her and honestly the last person she expects to see is Jesse. Childhood friends who kept in touch, who fell out and then made up only to fall out again, it seems fate was destined to keep these two apart but maybe fate has also bought them back together when they needed each other the most.....
Jesse needs to prove he is worthy of Nora and her daughter and that’s not going to be easy, will the past be to much to get over and will the secrets push them together ot tear them apart, will Nora take a leap and hope Jesse is there to catch her... guess you need to read the book to find that out. This book touched me on so many levels, it’s about love, friendships, forgiveness and about overcoming the obstacles that fate seems determined to put in this couples way, looking forward to reading more from this very talented author.
September 4, 2020
4 Star Review Homebound by Kata Cuic
Kata Cuic is a new author to me and how I have not come across this author, before I have no idea. This is Lenore (Nora) Wheeler and Jesse Yates’s second chance at love story. Homebound is well written and is set in a small Appalachian town which I could easily envisage as I was reading.
Nora and Jesse have history and when Nora returns home with her daughter Anne, the last person she expects to see is Jesse. They were friends in childhood and throughout the years that friendship morphed into more. However life took them away from one another.
Now that Nora is back, Jesse is determined to do what he can to win her back, however Nora has a secret and will do whatever it takes to keep it. What will happen when secrets are revealed? Will Nora and Jesse be able to come to terms with the past and forge a future together? Their journey to a happily ever after wasn't easy, but it was worth it.
This is a story of love, forgiveness, of overcoming obstacles and taking a leap of faith that the one you love will catch you.
Kata Cuic is a new author to me and how I have not come across this author, before I have no idea. This is Lenore (Nora) Wheeler and Jesse Yates’s second chance at love story. Homebound is well written and is set in a small Appalachian town which I could easily envisage as I was reading.
Nora and Jesse have history and when Nora returns home with her daughter Anne, the last person she expects to see is Jesse. They were friends in childhood and throughout the years that friendship morphed into more. However life took them away from one another.
Now that Nora is back, Jesse is determined to do what he can to win her back, however Nora has a secret and will do whatever it takes to keep it. What will happen when secrets are revealed? Will Nora and Jesse be able to come to terms with the past and forge a future together? Their journey to a happily ever after wasn't easy, but it was worth it.
This is a story of love, forgiveness, of overcoming obstacles and taking a leap of faith that the one you love will catch you.
September 9, 2020
3.85 Stars
Okay my first time reading this author and I don’t know how to explain it. It was different, but good.
Jesse and Lenore has been friends, or according to Lenore best friends since they started school. Lenore’s family took Jesse under their wings when Jesse’s mom was too busy entertaining men than look after her son. Lenore was Jesse’s champion, she was the one who believed in him through everything. Even when they were apart all Lenore wanted was Jesse’s happiness and for him to have everything that he never had as a child.
I can’t explain much more, the story will make more sense when you read it. You get to read about how they met when they were younger, how their relationship changed as they grew older and how they lived apart for a while until they both came back to their hometown and started their journey to become a family.
The story was sweet, hopeful, lots of regret but also love and the belief in your love for someone that you put their happiness before everything
Read on behalf of
Fay’s Corner
Okay my first time reading this author and I don’t know how to explain it. It was different, but good.
Jesse and Lenore has been friends, or according to Lenore best friends since they started school. Lenore’s family took Jesse under their wings when Jesse’s mom was too busy entertaining men than look after her son. Lenore was Jesse’s champion, she was the one who believed in him through everything. Even when they were apart all Lenore wanted was Jesse’s happiness and for him to have everything that he never had as a child.
I can’t explain much more, the story will make more sense when you read it. You get to read about how they met when they were younger, how their relationship changed as they grew older and how they lived apart for a while until they both came back to their hometown and started their journey to become a family.
The story was sweet, hopeful, lots of regret but also love and the belief in your love for someone that you put their happiness before everything
Read on behalf of
Fay’s Corner
September 15, 2020
This is my first time reading this author. The story she brings forward is rich in detail and seems to come from a place of knowledge about the Appalachia area. This is a story of second chance love but it's over arching message is one of love is love is love.
Lenore, so far in her life, has made great sacrifice in the name of love. The love of her heart, the love a child. Her parents also know sacrifice in the the name of love. And finally Jesse, allows his heart to break, because he loves a girl so much, he cant bear to go against her wishes.
Their story is told in flash back. I can't say that I am a fan of story telling this way but it worked ok for this book. I got hung up a bit on the dialect. I know it added character tot he story but it seemed as though, especially with Lenore, characters slipped in and out of using it.
Overall, a sweet read about destined lovers. Great secondary characters. Loved the epilogue!
*Complimentary copy provided for an honest review.
Lenore, so far in her life, has made great sacrifice in the name of love. The love of her heart, the love a child. Her parents also know sacrifice in the the name of love. And finally Jesse, allows his heart to break, because he loves a girl so much, he cant bear to go against her wishes.
Their story is told in flash back. I can't say that I am a fan of story telling this way but it worked ok for this book. I got hung up a bit on the dialect. I know it added character tot he story but it seemed as though, especially with Lenore, characters slipped in and out of using it.
Overall, a sweet read about destined lovers. Great secondary characters. Loved the epilogue!
*Complimentary copy provided for an honest review.
September 9, 2020
Second chances are my fav and this one is pretty epic! It took me a bit to get used to the way they talk, but it certainly gave flavour.
We meet Nora in the present, returning home with her daughter, and at her new job where she sees Jesse again.
The story spans their pasts and their presents, giving you a chance to see their friendship and how their relationships evolve..it also shows how small minded this town really is..secrets that are hidden will have to come out if they have any chance at a future.
I loved Nora right off, Jesse was kind of a mystery and it took me a bit to get to like him, but once I did I was all in.
Great story!
We meet Nora in the present, returning home with her daughter, and at her new job where she sees Jesse again.
The story spans their pasts and their presents, giving you a chance to see their friendship and how their relationships evolve..it also shows how small minded this town really is..secrets that are hidden will have to come out if they have any chance at a future.
I loved Nora right off, Jesse was kind of a mystery and it took me a bit to get to like him, but once I did I was all in.
Great story!
October 7, 2022
The story of Jesse and Nora begins to be written when they are children. Jesse has a tough life with his mom and Nora has decided that she's going to be his friend whether Jesse likes it or not.
And so the years go by, both learning things together, sharing first times until they finally declare their eternal love. And they love each other so much that both push the other in search of a better life, even if that means being apart. The reunion happens years later, and although it is not easy, the love they feel for each other can overcome everything.
It has everything 😂😭😍 to make you have a good time.
And so the years go by, both learning things together, sharing first times until they finally declare their eternal love. And they love each other so much that both push the other in search of a better life, even if that means being apart. The reunion happens years later, and although it is not easy, the love they feel for each other can overcome everything.
It has everything 😂😭😍 to make you have a good time.
September 9, 2020
Homebound by Kata Cuic
3.5*
‘Suddenly the ribbon don’t seem to matter so much. All that glitters isn’t gold, my mama always says. My ribbon got Jesse in big trouble.
Maybe he ain’t the devil at all. Maybe I ain’t his angel neither. Maybe he’s supposed to be mine.’
I so wanted to love this book. It had all the elements required to be a fantastic second-chance, secret-baby romance, all the tropes I adore however it never reached its full potential for me. The plot just seemed a little too convoluted and hazy. I can’t even really go into much detail about the where and why because it would completely give away the entire story but suffice to say, there were one or two details that didn’t sit right with me or with how a certain character was portrayed. If I was taking into account this character’s personality, their beliefs and the depth of feeling they possessed, I just couldn’t see how they would allow things to play out for as long as they did. It didn’t ring true for me. The entirety of their actions just didn’t really make much sense to me after a point. When I start to question the hero or heroine it takes all the joy out of the story for me but because both Nora and Jesse were engaging, funny and witty, with terrific chemistry, it helped balance out the negative aspects. I really, truly wanted them to get their happy ever after, especially after everything they had been through.
The other distracting point is how all the characters talk. I one hundred percent, comprehend that the use of language, the misused and missing grammar is an indicator of where our hero and heroine come from, it’s utilised to demonstrate their very humble surroundings and where they grew up and as our heroine points out, “I haven’t laid eyes on the town of Martins Landing in over five years, but the last time I saw it in my rearview mirror, it was the posterchild for poverty-stricken Appalachia’. I understand all of that but after a certain point it took me out of the story entirely. It seemed forced rather than organic.
I did love the little flashbacks to when our hero and heroine were kids and best friends. How that friendship came to be and how it blossomed and progressed into something more profound and longer lasting. There were some truly sweet and romantic snippets mixed in with some great humour. Homebound was a sweet, small-town romance that inspired hope, endurance, perseverance and promoted love, however there were just a few little snags in the story that brought it down for me, but I am positive that there will be readers out there who absolutely love this romance story.
3.5*
‘Suddenly the ribbon don’t seem to matter so much. All that glitters isn’t gold, my mama always says. My ribbon got Jesse in big trouble.
Maybe he ain’t the devil at all. Maybe I ain’t his angel neither. Maybe he’s supposed to be mine.’
I so wanted to love this book. It had all the elements required to be a fantastic second-chance, secret-baby romance, all the tropes I adore however it never reached its full potential for me. The plot just seemed a little too convoluted and hazy. I can’t even really go into much detail about the where and why because it would completely give away the entire story but suffice to say, there were one or two details that didn’t sit right with me or with how a certain character was portrayed. If I was taking into account this character’s personality, their beliefs and the depth of feeling they possessed, I just couldn’t see how they would allow things to play out for as long as they did. It didn’t ring true for me. The entirety of their actions just didn’t really make much sense to me after a point. When I start to question the hero or heroine it takes all the joy out of the story for me but because both Nora and Jesse were engaging, funny and witty, with terrific chemistry, it helped balance out the negative aspects. I really, truly wanted them to get their happy ever after, especially after everything they had been through.
The other distracting point is how all the characters talk. I one hundred percent, comprehend that the use of language, the misused and missing grammar is an indicator of where our hero and heroine come from, it’s utilised to demonstrate their very humble surroundings and where they grew up and as our heroine points out, “I haven’t laid eyes on the town of Martins Landing in over five years, but the last time I saw it in my rearview mirror, it was the posterchild for poverty-stricken Appalachia’. I understand all of that but after a certain point it took me out of the story entirely. It seemed forced rather than organic.
I did love the little flashbacks to when our hero and heroine were kids and best friends. How that friendship came to be and how it blossomed and progressed into something more profound and longer lasting. There were some truly sweet and romantic snippets mixed in with some great humour. Homebound was a sweet, small-town romance that inspired hope, endurance, perseverance and promoted love, however there were just a few little snags in the story that brought it down for me, but I am positive that there will be readers out there who absolutely love this romance story.
August 21, 2020
I just finished reading this book. I couldn't put down. I love the story of Nora and Jesse . From when it starts out with them being kids and becoming best friends to continuing their relationship throughout adulthood. How their love shines from dark moments of their lives to the happy ending. If you love a story with a secret baby and a second chance of love you should definitely read this book.
September 12, 2020
3,5 stars .
It was ok but I had a problem with some words and accent .
It was ok but I had a problem with some words and accent .
September 5, 2020
Sweet, second chance romance. Easy reading and I had a big smile on my face by the end!
September 9, 2020
I've never read any book of Cuic before but if this is her writing style, I am going to be her fan from now on. The story line is so much interesting with the combination of the present and the past in each chapters. Cuic wrote the story so well I don't feel boring at all even if it is one-sided point of view. Nora and Jesse deserve to be happy together after everything they have been through. The story is bitter sweet with Jesse's family history and Nora's sacrifice yet Cuic puts some amusing moments in it as well which make it's one of perfect friends to lovers romances I have ever read. I wish Kenny and Liz to be together and I can't wait for reading their story!
August 21, 2022
Not sure where my review went on this one, but I absolutely deep down in my soul loved this book. I couldn’t put it down and it was worthy the incredible journey.
August 19, 2020
No words, so good!!!!
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