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Home
To say Sheriff Natalie Strand is shocked that Sarah Eastman, the girl who kissed her at a high school party, is back in town would be a huge understatement. Between Sarah’s return and a stray dog that gets the best of her, Natalie’s world is suddenly turned upside down.
They say you can’t go home again, but that’s exactly what Sarah does when she returns to Spruce Mountain, Oregon, to live with her aunt and uncle after her divorce. All she wants is peace and to ensure her daughter, Harley, has stability. Seeing Natalie again after seventeen years ignites a passion that she hasn’t felt in a long time. Never mind that her heart tumbles in her chest or that she forgets words when Natalie’s around, she needs to focus on her family and getting her life back together.
Natalie and Sarah are about to discover that anything is possible when love takes the long way home.
Cover Artist: Deb B
Genres: Contemporary / Romance
They say you can’t go home again, but that’s exactly what Sarah does when she returns to Spruce Mountain, Oregon, to live with her aunt and uncle after her divorce. All she wants is peace and to ensure her daughter, Harley, has stability. Seeing Natalie again after seventeen years ignites a passion that she hasn’t felt in a long time. Never mind that her heart tumbles in her chest or that she forgets words when Natalie’s around, she needs to focus on her family and getting her life back together.
Natalie and Sarah are about to discover that anything is possible when love takes the long way home.
Cover Artist: Deb B
Genres: Contemporary / Romance
179 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2020
72 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
Kris Bryant
28 books714 followersPodcast with Tara Scott at queerlyrecommended.com
Multi-award winning author Kris Bryant was born in Tacoma, WA but has lived all over the world and now considers Kansas City her home. She received her B.A. in English from the University of Missouri and spends a lot of her time buried in books. She enjoys hiking, photography, spending time with her family, and her dog, Molly (who gets more attention than she does on Facebook).
Her first novel, Jolt, was a Lambda Literary Finalist. Forget Me Not was selected by the American Library Association's 2018 Over the Rainbow book list and was a Golden Crown Finalist for Contemporary Romance. Breakthrough won a 2019 Goldie for Contemporary Romance. Listen won a 2020 Goldie for Contemporary Romance. Temptation won a 2021 Goldie for Contemporary Romance. Not Guilty written under Bryant's pen name - Brit Ryder - won a 2022 Goldie for Erotica. Kris can be reached at krisbryantbooks@gmail or ww.krisbryant.net, @krisbryant14.
Jolt - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Whirlwind Romance - ebook, paperback
Just Say Yes (Novella in the wedding series) - ebook only
Taste - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Forget Me Not - ebook, paperback
Shameless (written as Brit Ryder) - ebook, audiobook
Girl Next Door Anthology - "Dog Day of Summer" - ebook, paperback
Touch - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Breakthrough - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Against All Odds - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Travel Anthology (short by Brit Ryder) - ebook, paperback
Listen - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Falling - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Tinsel - ebook, audiobook
Temptation - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Lucky - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Home - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Scent - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Not Guilty writing as Brit Ryder - ebook, paperback (audiobook in the works)
Always - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Forever - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Stranded Hearts (with Amanda Radley & Emily Smith) - ebook, paperback
Serendipity - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Multi-award winning author Kris Bryant was born in Tacoma, WA but has lived all over the world and now considers Kansas City her home. She received her B.A. in English from the University of Missouri and spends a lot of her time buried in books. She enjoys hiking, photography, spending time with her family, and her dog, Molly (who gets more attention than she does on Facebook).
Her first novel, Jolt, was a Lambda Literary Finalist. Forget Me Not was selected by the American Library Association's 2018 Over the Rainbow book list and was a Golden Crown Finalist for Contemporary Romance. Breakthrough won a 2019 Goldie for Contemporary Romance. Listen won a 2020 Goldie for Contemporary Romance. Temptation won a 2021 Goldie for Contemporary Romance. Not Guilty written under Bryant's pen name - Brit Ryder - won a 2022 Goldie for Erotica. Kris can be reached at krisbryantbooks@gmail or ww.krisbryant.net, @krisbryant14.
Jolt - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Whirlwind Romance - ebook, paperback
Just Say Yes (Novella in the wedding series) - ebook only
Taste - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Forget Me Not - ebook, paperback
Shameless (written as Brit Ryder) - ebook, audiobook
Girl Next Door Anthology - "Dog Day of Summer" - ebook, paperback
Touch - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Breakthrough - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Against All Odds - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Travel Anthology (short by Brit Ryder) - ebook, paperback
Listen - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Falling - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Tinsel - ebook, audiobook
Temptation - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Lucky - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Home - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Scent - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Not Guilty writing as Brit Ryder - ebook, paperback (audiobook in the works)
Always - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Forever - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Stranded Hearts (with Amanda Radley & Emily Smith) - ebook, paperback
Serendipity - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
September 14, 2020
'ARC provided by both NetGalley and The Publisher in exchange for a honest review'
**'Few books, even those that may be adequately written, are cliche's of form which conforms to cliche's of expectation..Understand while you as a writer may be talented, you may not be quite as good yet...'
What's a narrative with no valid context, distal emotions, meh chemistry and average execution? Well, I think it's consider as just a simple story because that's how 'HOME' turned out to be from my standpoint. Okay, that statement might come across a bit too critical but having being such an avid fan of most of Ms.Bryant's books, the storytelling does not compare to her other books -- so to her fan base and interested readers, be enthused then share your own perspective.
As to what i think the storyline really hit on --- I do come away with Ms.Bryant trying her best to show that there are many sides to being in any relationship once it's healthy, each have good communication skills, trust etc. because it does eventually involves two understanding parties. Like having one of the main characters along with her young daughter, try to navigate her subjective lifestyle from an unhealthy married to a much better loving relationship -- reacquainting with her childhood girlfriend. There are obstacles to overcome, but readers will notice that they both got whatever help and advise needed in order to move forward.
This book was a brisky read for me only because i could not connect with either the characters or storyline, that said, interested readers should not let my somewhat short interpretation be this holy grail of negativeness. Snatch it and enjoy!
**'Few books, even those that may be adequately written, are cliche's of form which conforms to cliche's of expectation..Understand while you as a writer may be talented, you may not be quite as good yet...'
What's a narrative with no valid context, distal emotions, meh chemistry and average execution? Well, I think it's consider as just a simple story because that's how 'HOME' turned out to be from my standpoint. Okay, that statement might come across a bit too critical but having being such an avid fan of most of Ms.Bryant's books, the storytelling does not compare to her other books -- so to her fan base and interested readers, be enthused then share your own perspective.
As to what i think the storyline really hit on --- I do come away with Ms.Bryant trying her best to show that there are many sides to being in any relationship once it's healthy, each have good communication skills, trust etc. because it does eventually involves two understanding parties. Like having one of the main characters along with her young daughter, try to navigate her subjective lifestyle from an unhealthy married to a much better loving relationship -- reacquainting with her childhood girlfriend. There are obstacles to overcome, but readers will notice that they both got whatever help and advise needed in order to move forward.
This book was a brisky read for me only because i could not connect with either the characters or storyline, that said, interested readers should not let my somewhat short interpretation be this holy grail of negativeness. Snatch it and enjoy!
November 30, 2020
Holidays are important no matter what people say. As lgbtq people, we’re just as thirsty for those fireplace moments with family, too, so these books and movies mean a lot. They matter because we matter. We shouldn’t only be side notes and these stories place the perfect spotlight on us even if the characters in them are not ideal.
Natalie has settled into her hometown, respected and admired as the sheriff. She misses her late father but she and her mother manage. Life is fine up in picturesque Oregon until news of Sarah being back in town trickles through the grapevine. First loves and first kisses often leave some of the deepest marks. But unbeknownst to Natalie, Sarah has also held onto the what-if’s.
Home is a gentle hearted book about quietly falling in love, about opening up your heart to anyone who chooses to care about you, and about never giving up on possibilities. I’m going to confess here and say my favorite part about Home is the Golden Retriever stray that finds its way to Natalie. The add-on chapter at the end teared me up but that’s only because I know my own pups saved me too.
Natalie has settled into her hometown, respected and admired as the sheriff. She misses her late father but she and her mother manage. Life is fine up in picturesque Oregon until news of Sarah being back in town trickles through the grapevine. First loves and first kisses often leave some of the deepest marks. But unbeknownst to Natalie, Sarah has also held onto the what-if’s.
Home is a gentle hearted book about quietly falling in love, about opening up your heart to anyone who chooses to care about you, and about never giving up on possibilities. I’m going to confess here and say my favorite part about Home is the Golden Retriever stray that finds its way to Natalie. The add-on chapter at the end teared me up but that’s only because I know my own pups saved me too.
September 30, 2020
This is a lesbian holiday romance novella set in a small fictional town in Oregon around Thanksgiving. If you are looking for a feel-good, low-angst read with an adorable couple, a cute dog, and lovely secondary characters, then you are gonna love this.
kindle
After seventeen years of absence, Sarah Eastman goes back to her hometown of Spruce Mountain, Oregon with her young daughter to live with her aunt and uncle after her divorce. There she meets Natalie Strand again, now the town Sheriff. Natalie has never forgotten Sarah and their shared kiss during a high school party and seeing her again reignite dormant feelings. Both women reconnect but Sarah wants to stay away from relationships and Natalie is still hang up with their past. To make Natalie’s life more confusing, a stray dog seems to be playing hide and seek with her…
Kris Bryant is one of my automatic go-to lesfic authors for the quality of her writing. I love that she can produce a heart-wrenching, angst-filled story about anxiety like ‘Listen’ (one of my favorite books of 2019), that she can also deliver a light and entertaining romance as ‘Breakthrough’ or a hot erotic story such as ‘Shameless’ (under the pen name of Brit Ryder). She’s a talented and versatile author.
‘Home’ follows the “return to hometown” trope and features all the typical elements of small-town life where everyone knows everyone and all about their lives. The author built a sweet cast of town residents, along with an elusive but adorable dog. As it’s usual in Ms. Bryant’s books, the main characters have strong chemistry that makes it easy for the reader to imagine them together and the build-up in their connection is exquisite. If you are looking for a light and hot romance, you won’t be disappointed with ‘Home’.
Having said that, I wasn’t that fussed about this book’s epilogue. I’m not against epilogues as such but, in my opinion, this one wasn’t organic to the story, especially the last part that tells the story from the dog’s point of view. I appreciate that the author might have wanted to explain the back story surrounding the dog, but for me, it felt like an unnecessary addition. Some time ago I listened to an interview where Ms. Bryant said that her publisher asked her to add a few thousand words to her original draft and it made me wonder if the epilogue was added for that reason. It reads more as ‘bonus content’ than as an integral part of the story. Despite that this made me drop half a star in my rating, it didn’t affect my overall enjoyment or my recommendation. 4 stars.
ARC Provided by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
kindle
After seventeen years of absence, Sarah Eastman goes back to her hometown of Spruce Mountain, Oregon with her young daughter to live with her aunt and uncle after her divorce. There she meets Natalie Strand again, now the town Sheriff. Natalie has never forgotten Sarah and their shared kiss during a high school party and seeing her again reignite dormant feelings. Both women reconnect but Sarah wants to stay away from relationships and Natalie is still hang up with their past. To make Natalie’s life more confusing, a stray dog seems to be playing hide and seek with her…
Kris Bryant is one of my automatic go-to lesfic authors for the quality of her writing. I love that she can produce a heart-wrenching, angst-filled story about anxiety like ‘Listen’ (one of my favorite books of 2019), that she can also deliver a light and entertaining romance as ‘Breakthrough’ or a hot erotic story such as ‘Shameless’ (under the pen name of Brit Ryder). She’s a talented and versatile author.
‘Home’ follows the “return to hometown” trope and features all the typical elements of small-town life where everyone knows everyone and all about their lives. The author built a sweet cast of town residents, along with an elusive but adorable dog. As it’s usual in Ms. Bryant’s books, the main characters have strong chemistry that makes it easy for the reader to imagine them together and the build-up in their connection is exquisite. If you are looking for a light and hot romance, you won’t be disappointed with ‘Home’.
Having said that, I wasn’t that fussed about this book’s epilogue. I’m not against epilogues as such but, in my opinion, this one wasn’t organic to the story, especially the last part that tells the story from the dog’s point of view. I appreciate that the author might have wanted to explain the back story surrounding the dog, but for me, it felt like an unnecessary addition. Some time ago I listened to an interview where Ms. Bryant said that her publisher asked her to add a few thousand words to her original draft and it made me wonder if the epilogue was added for that reason. It reads more as ‘bonus content’ than as an integral part of the story. Despite that this made me drop half a star in my rating, it didn’t affect my overall enjoyment or my recommendation. 4 stars.
ARC Provided by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
September 23, 2020
Home is the perfect feel-good novel. There’s very little angst but it doesn’t mean nothing happens.
The story is simple: seventeen years ago, young Sarah, the most popular girl in the whole high school, kissed Natalie, sweet, shy, freakishly tall Natalie. The kiss changed both girls but Sarah left town without acknowledging its meaning and impact. Natalie grew up to become the town sheriff and has accepted the idea that she’s not made for relationships. Until Sarah comes back, divorced, and looking for a new life for herself and her daughter.
The story feels a bit rushed at first, maybe because it began as a novella that grew to be a short novel, but it doesn’t really matter. All the characters are very lovable, including the dog that ends up saving the day.
This is not the kind of book for which I write long, thoughtful reviews. This is hot chocolate on a rainy autumn afternoon. It won’t push you to reflect deeply on the meaning of life but it will warm you. And that, in itself, is perfect.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
The story is simple: seventeen years ago, young Sarah, the most popular girl in the whole high school, kissed Natalie, sweet, shy, freakishly tall Natalie. The kiss changed both girls but Sarah left town without acknowledging its meaning and impact. Natalie grew up to become the town sheriff and has accepted the idea that she’s not made for relationships. Until Sarah comes back, divorced, and looking for a new life for herself and her daughter.
The story feels a bit rushed at first, maybe because it began as a novella that grew to be a short novel, but it doesn’t really matter. All the characters are very lovable, including the dog that ends up saving the day.
This is not the kind of book for which I write long, thoughtful reviews. This is hot chocolate on a rainy autumn afternoon. It won’t push you to reflect deeply on the meaning of life but it will warm you. And that, in itself, is perfect.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 3, 2020
Content warnings: gun, off-page animal abuse, loss of father to cancer (prior to story), missing person
Home is a very sweet second-chance romance that will make you smile. It is an angst-less joy, perfect for a bad day.
Sheriff Natalie Strand (~35, lesbian) isn’t looking for love, and she tries to pretend she didn’t spend half her life thinking about the girl who kissed her and disappeared. Recently divorced Sarah Eastman (~35, lesbian) moves back to small town Spruce Mountain with her six-year-old daughter Harley to regroup. When the pair runs into each other, they are instantly thrown back to that night seventeen years ago.
The story starts with Natalie “[stopping] to pet a beautiful golden retriever waiting outside the craft store.” This simple action tells us so much about her. And shortly afterward, we are introduced to Sarah, who thinks that “[h]igh school really had been the best time of her life.” I love how these seemingly unimportant sentences give us a clear image of the characters. Bryant captures them really well and does a great job of setting up a scene and knowing where to insert summaries.
Most of the story was told in alternating third-person limited points of view, but there were also a few occasions of slipping into omniscient, which were slightly jarring. I am unsure if those were conscious decisions or not. There was also one really abrupt instance of going back in time in the middle of the book, which was a little confusing as was the insertion of a flashback in the epilogue.
The connection between Natalie and Sarah is predetermined like second-chance romances all are. I love all the time they spend together, and they are so cute I tear up every time they get intimate. The secondary characters are amazing as well, including Natalie’s mother Linda, Sarah’s aunt Judy, daughter Harley, and the lovely Ghost Dog on the cover.
Though the middle part of the book is a bit darker than the rest and the major event happens without much reason other than to bring Sarah closer to the people in town, the story is guaranteed to end on a light note. There is also much mysteriousness surrounding Ghost Dog, leaving me with many unanswered questions in addition to my confusion over the central event. And oddly enough, I didn’t think the epilogue enforced the relationship between Natalie and Sarah. It made me wonder if they were on the same page, but the cute thing after the epilogue made the ending a little bit better. Nothing so heartbreaking yet adorable should be allowed.
I need to point out one serious issue in the book. Though romance is an escapist genre, there are certain things I cannot overlook. I enjoyed most of the story a lot, but there are a few scenes with strong good cop narrative and kudos for teaching kids about police force. Being something published in October 2020 without addressing police brutality while cheering the cops on instantly made it a very uncomfortable and disturbing read. To my knowledge, Bryant has never addressed the choice of including these scenes when the story benefited little from them, and I am sure Home was in the process of editing in June 2020. This affected my overall enjoyment, and after careful decision, I felt the need to knock off half a star. I cannot in all good conscious recommend this book without putting this information out there.
Home is my third book by Bryant, and though she writes one of the hottest sex scenes, this one aims for sweetness. If you are looking for a cute romance with strong autumn vibes, look no farther.
I received an e-ARC from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Home is a very sweet second-chance romance that will make you smile. It is an angst-less joy, perfect for a bad day.
Sheriff Natalie Strand (~35, lesbian) isn’t looking for love, and she tries to pretend she didn’t spend half her life thinking about the girl who kissed her and disappeared. Recently divorced Sarah Eastman (~35, lesbian) moves back to small town Spruce Mountain with her six-year-old daughter Harley to regroup. When the pair runs into each other, they are instantly thrown back to that night seventeen years ago.
The story starts with Natalie “[stopping] to pet a beautiful golden retriever waiting outside the craft store.” This simple action tells us so much about her. And shortly afterward, we are introduced to Sarah, who thinks that “[h]igh school really had been the best time of her life.” I love how these seemingly unimportant sentences give us a clear image of the characters. Bryant captures them really well and does a great job of setting up a scene and knowing where to insert summaries.
Most of the story was told in alternating third-person limited points of view, but there were also a few occasions of slipping into omniscient, which were slightly jarring. I am unsure if those were conscious decisions or not. There was also one really abrupt instance of going back in time in the middle of the book, which was a little confusing as was the insertion of a flashback in the epilogue.
The connection between Natalie and Sarah is predetermined like second-chance romances all are. I love all the time they spend together, and they are so cute I tear up every time they get intimate. The secondary characters are amazing as well, including Natalie’s mother Linda, Sarah’s aunt Judy, daughter Harley, and the lovely Ghost Dog on the cover.
Though the middle part of the book is a bit darker than the rest and the major event happens without much reason other than to bring Sarah closer to the people in town, the story is guaranteed to end on a light note. There is also much mysteriousness surrounding Ghost Dog, leaving me with many unanswered questions in addition to my confusion over the central event. And oddly enough, I didn’t think the epilogue enforced the relationship between Natalie and Sarah. It made me wonder if they were on the same page, but the cute thing after the epilogue made the ending a little bit better. Nothing so heartbreaking yet adorable should be allowed.
I need to point out one serious issue in the book. Though romance is an escapist genre, there are certain things I cannot overlook. I enjoyed most of the story a lot, but there are a few scenes with strong good cop narrative and kudos for teaching kids about police force. Being something published in October 2020 without addressing police brutality while cheering the cops on instantly made it a very uncomfortable and disturbing read. To my knowledge, Bryant has never addressed the choice of including these scenes when the story benefited little from them, and I am sure Home was in the process of editing in June 2020. This affected my overall enjoyment, and after careful decision, I felt the need to knock off half a star. I cannot in all good conscious recommend this book without putting this information out there.
Home is my third book by Bryant, and though she writes one of the hottest sex scenes, this one aims for sweetness. If you are looking for a cute romance with strong autumn vibes, look no farther.
I received an e-ARC from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 19, 2020
4*
Sarah returns home to Spruce Mountain, Oregon, when her marriage falls apart, to live with her Aunt and Uncle . She just wants to be happy and set up a good home for her daughter Harley, one which as stability. Natalie Strand is the towns sheriff who once kissed Sarah at a party many moons ago. Between Sarah and a mystery dog, Natalie world is turned upside down.
Home is about second chances and what if's. It's got hallmark written all over it, so if you're into Hallmark films this is probably going to a be the book for you. For me, this book was a little on the short side but as enough detail in the story line to make a decent read , even tho some of it did feel a little rushed. Both Characters are very likable, theirs instant attraction again between the pair.
If you're into books where a main character goes back to their childhood home, this one is differently a book for you. All in all, it's a sweet story.
I was given a ARC copy for a honest review.
Sarah returns home to Spruce Mountain, Oregon, when her marriage falls apart, to live with her Aunt and Uncle . She just wants to be happy and set up a good home for her daughter Harley, one which as stability. Natalie Strand is the towns sheriff who once kissed Sarah at a party many moons ago. Between Sarah and a mystery dog, Natalie world is turned upside down.
Home is about second chances and what if's. It's got hallmark written all over it, so if you're into Hallmark films this is probably going to a be the book for you. For me, this book was a little on the short side but as enough detail in the story line to make a decent read , even tho some of it did feel a little rushed. Both Characters are very likable, theirs instant attraction again between the pair.
If you're into books where a main character goes back to their childhood home, this one is differently a book for you. All in all, it's a sweet story.
I was given a ARC copy for a honest review.
September 27, 2020
Natalie is the Sheriff in a small Oregon town that she grew up in. She is surprised when she runs into her first kiss crush, Sarah, who has returned to town after the dissolution of her marriage.
Bryant mentions that this started as a novella but ended up having more to write about these characters. I'm glad she did because this was a super sweet and enjoyable read.
There is not a lot of crime in the small town, but Natalie finds herself trying to solve the mystery of the garbage meddling dog that continues to evade her.
Meanwhile, Natalie and Sarah's family are doing what they can to push the two together.
As I mentioned before, this was super sweet. I thought that their coming together and developing feelings were cute and realistic. I'm always amused when characters try to fight what is clearly happening in the romance department.
I only have two critiques. One, why oh why do people have to immediately call each other pet names like baby? It is even worse when it happens during the first intimate encounter. Two, I like angst. This didn't have enough of it. The back end of this story was super fluffly and cheesy.
Despite those two things, I really liked this one.
I recommend this to people who love to read about romance, small towns, second chances, women in uniform, well intentioned families, cute children, loyal pets, and ROUS.
I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review.
Bryant mentions that this started as a novella but ended up having more to write about these characters. I'm glad she did because this was a super sweet and enjoyable read.
There is not a lot of crime in the small town, but Natalie finds herself trying to solve the mystery of the garbage meddling dog that continues to evade her.
Meanwhile, Natalie and Sarah's family are doing what they can to push the two together.
As I mentioned before, this was super sweet. I thought that their coming together and developing feelings were cute and realistic. I'm always amused when characters try to fight what is clearly happening in the romance department.
I only have two critiques. One, why oh why do people have to immediately call each other pet names like baby? It is even worse when it happens during the first intimate encounter. Two, I like angst. This didn't have enough of it. The back end of this story was super fluffly and cheesy.
Despite those two things, I really liked this one.
I recommend this to people who love to read about romance, small towns, second chances, women in uniform, well intentioned families, cute children, loyal pets, and ROUS.
I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review.
September 21, 2020
3.5 Stars for this pleasant romance by Kris Bryant
If you are in the mood for a sweet romance with two likable main characters, a kid and a special dog – this book is for you!
Sheriff Natalie Strand works in her small hometown, Spruce Mountain, Oregon which is a few hours away from Portland. She is surprised when her High School crush, Sarah Eastman has returned to Spruce Mountain with her five year old daughter. Natalie and Sarah shared a single unforgettable kiss about 17 years ago. At least it was unforgettable to Natalie who would always compare her trysts and/or her girlfriends to Sarah but they all fell short. Sarah left for college soon after never returning until now. Recently divorced, Sarah and her daughter, Harley have temporarily moved in with her Aunt and Uncle, to regroup and figure out what to do next. It turns out Sarah hadn’t forgotten “The Kiss” either.
Another main character in this story is a stray golden retriever. Natalie nicknamed him Ghost Dog, because he was spotted by her and others out and about the town but he would always disappear soon after he was spotted. She wants to give him a safe and warm place to stay until she finds his owner.
Overall this is a nice small town romance but that’s not to say it is without any angst or wringing of hands. But it is a pleasant way to escape 2020 events for a little while.
An advanced readers copy was given to me by Bold Strokes Books and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
If you are in the mood for a sweet romance with two likable main characters, a kid and a special dog – this book is for you!
Sheriff Natalie Strand works in her small hometown, Spruce Mountain, Oregon which is a few hours away from Portland. She is surprised when her High School crush, Sarah Eastman has returned to Spruce Mountain with her five year old daughter. Natalie and Sarah shared a single unforgettable kiss about 17 years ago. At least it was unforgettable to Natalie who would always compare her trysts and/or her girlfriends to Sarah but they all fell short. Sarah left for college soon after never returning until now. Recently divorced, Sarah and her daughter, Harley have temporarily moved in with her Aunt and Uncle, to regroup and figure out what to do next. It turns out Sarah hadn’t forgotten “The Kiss” either.
Another main character in this story is a stray golden retriever. Natalie nicknamed him Ghost Dog, because he was spotted by her and others out and about the town but he would always disappear soon after he was spotted. She wants to give him a safe and warm place to stay until she finds his owner.
Overall this is a nice small town romance but that’s not to say it is without any angst or wringing of hands. But it is a pleasant way to escape 2020 events for a little while.
An advanced readers copy was given to me by Bold Strokes Books and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 9, 2020
"Home" is a small town romance between a sheriff and a woman returning home after being gone for 17 years. The sheriff, Natalie, and Sarah shared a kiss in high school and haven't spoke since Sarah left, shortly after the kiss. They run into each other almost as soon as Sarah returns to town and they are both instantly consumed with the other. Being in a small town, they continue to run into each other at convenient times and then are set up on some dates by meddling family members.
Bryant states in the beginning this started as a novella and unfortunately it continued to feel that way through the whole story. She never goes into much depth on their personalities or past relationship. Natalie and Sarah seem to think about the kiss quite a bit but it never explained the seemingly insta-love that happened. They weren't in a relationship in high school, it doesn't even sound like they were friends. They were just two people who happened to make out at a party one time. There wasn't enough of a basis to the relationship so I just didn't understand why it was anything more than instant attraction.
It wasn't all bad by any means, there are some very cute moments with Sarah's daughter and a wandering dog. I just wished the story and the characters had been fleshed out more. I liked the story well enough but I feel I could've loved it so it's a bit disappointing.
If you're looking for a quick, angst/drama free story than you'll surely find it in this one.
Bryant states in the beginning this started as a novella and unfortunately it continued to feel that way through the whole story. She never goes into much depth on their personalities or past relationship. Natalie and Sarah seem to think about the kiss quite a bit but it never explained the seemingly insta-love that happened. They weren't in a relationship in high school, it doesn't even sound like they were friends. They were just two people who happened to make out at a party one time. There wasn't enough of a basis to the relationship so I just didn't understand why it was anything more than instant attraction.
It wasn't all bad by any means, there are some very cute moments with Sarah's daughter and a wandering dog. I just wished the story and the characters had been fleshed out more. I liked the story well enough but I feel I could've loved it so it's a bit disappointing.
If you're looking for a quick, angst/drama free story than you'll surely find it in this one.
September 25, 2020
“This story is adorable!” This is the sentence I kept repeating to myself and everyone around me as I read Home by Kris Bryant. In fact, I said it so often to my wife, that she began to answer with, “Yes, Dear, I know,” in that distracted tone that says she’s heard this many times already.
Home is a heartwarming second-chance-at-love romance. It is the type of novel that you want to read when you are having a bad day (or year). The writing is excellent, of course. Ms. Bryant is the author after all. I fell in love with Natalie and Sarah, the main characters almost immediately, and when Harley, (Sarah’s six-year-old daughter) and Henry, (the golden retriever) appeared in the story, I was hooked. This is a pure romance with only a little angst in the tale. The setting is a small town in Oregon, and sort of fits into the universe of a couple of Ms. Bryant’s other novels.
The author tells us in the acknowledgements that this was originally supposed to be a holiday novella, but like many novellas, it wouldn’t let her stop until it became a short novel. I’m quite happy with that since it gave me more time with these delightful characters and story. It is an easy and quick read though; the perfect length to brighten your day. I also liked the little surprise she gave us at the end of the book. I will let you find out what that is when you read it.
I do want to mention the wonderful cover to this book. I would have gotten this novel for the cover alone. It is absolutely gorgeous. Toni Whitaker of Deb B. ebook Designs created this cover and deserves a huge pat on the back for such a great job.
This book certainly brightened my day when I read it, so I can recommend it to anyone who needs a little boost.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
Rainbow Reflections: http://rainbowreflections.home.blog/
Home is a heartwarming second-chance-at-love romance. It is the type of novel that you want to read when you are having a bad day (or year). The writing is excellent, of course. Ms. Bryant is the author after all. I fell in love with Natalie and Sarah, the main characters almost immediately, and when Harley, (Sarah’s six-year-old daughter) and Henry, (the golden retriever) appeared in the story, I was hooked. This is a pure romance with only a little angst in the tale. The setting is a small town in Oregon, and sort of fits into the universe of a couple of Ms. Bryant’s other novels.
The author tells us in the acknowledgements that this was originally supposed to be a holiday novella, but like many novellas, it wouldn’t let her stop until it became a short novel. I’m quite happy with that since it gave me more time with these delightful characters and story. It is an easy and quick read though; the perfect length to brighten your day. I also liked the little surprise she gave us at the end of the book. I will let you find out what that is when you read it.
I do want to mention the wonderful cover to this book. I would have gotten this novel for the cover alone. It is absolutely gorgeous. Toni Whitaker of Deb B. ebook Designs created this cover and deserves a huge pat on the back for such a great job.
This book certainly brightened my day when I read it, so I can recommend it to anyone who needs a little boost.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
Rainbow Reflections: http://rainbowreflections.home.blog/
September 13, 2020
Sheriff Natalie is happy with her life in small town Spruce Mountain Oregon she has a great relationship with her mom. She is shock to see Sarah the one girl who gave her an amazing kiss at the party back in town she never thought she see her again.
Sarah moves back to town with her six year old daughter Harley to live with her Aunt Judy and Uncle Bob as she figure out getting her life together. Sarah never thought she sees the girl she share a amazing kiss with turn out to be even more beautiful an amazing.
Sarah and Natalie weren’t really friends but they share an amazing kiss that neither had forgotten as they build a friendship they can’t deny the chemistry between them and wonder if they can be something more.
Cute romance with little to no angst I love how the dog which Natalie calls him Ghost Dog seems to there one minute and then not I like how it’s seems he chose Natalie even though he is skittish around others. This would make a great Hallmark movie.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
Sarah moves back to town with her six year old daughter Harley to live with her Aunt Judy and Uncle Bob as she figure out getting her life together. Sarah never thought she sees the girl she share a amazing kiss with turn out to be even more beautiful an amazing.
Sarah and Natalie weren’t really friends but they share an amazing kiss that neither had forgotten as they build a friendship they can’t deny the chemistry between them and wonder if they can be something more.
Cute romance with little to no angst I love how the dog which Natalie calls him Ghost Dog seems to there one minute and then not I like how it’s seems he chose Natalie even though he is skittish around others. This would make a great Hallmark movie.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
October 5, 2020
3.5 stars. A cozy read for a rainy autumn Sunday afternoon! Indeed, I read this book on a rainy autumn Sunday afternoon and it fits perfectly as the book is set around the start of Autumn and includes Halloween, so yes, October is the time to read this book.
This is a second chance romance and in the first half of the book there is immediate recurring attraction between the MC’s, Natalie and Sarah, who kissed once when they were 17. The characters are likeable, there is some push-pull going on, but it’s all pretty smooth. Although, I enjoyed reading this I was not wowed by it. This changed during the second half of the story, some things were happening and I was sucked into the story until the end. I would say the first half is a 3-star rating and a 4-star rating for the second half based on entertainment value.
Besides the romance there is also a storyline about a dog that appears out of nowhere, and, even though it’s a smaller storyline, I enjoyed the dog storyline as much as the romance. It’s just heartwarming and made me long for my dog that I grew up with. I also appreciated the extra chapter at the end from the dog’s POV. It’s more or less separate from the story, but I just had to know his story, and there I got it, it also adds greatly to the fuzzy feeling that this book gives.
So far, I have only read 1 other book by Bryant (really have to catch up on some more books) and this might not be her best book, but I can recommend this if you’re looking for a warm and sweet low-angst romance, and who can resist a cute dog?
This is a second chance romance and in the first half of the book there is immediate recurring attraction between the MC’s, Natalie and Sarah, who kissed once when they were 17. The characters are likeable, there is some push-pull going on, but it’s all pretty smooth. Although, I enjoyed reading this I was not wowed by it. This changed during the second half of the story, some things were happening and I was sucked into the story until the end. I would say the first half is a 3-star rating and a 4-star rating for the second half based on entertainment value.
Besides the romance there is also a storyline about a dog that appears out of nowhere, and, even though it’s a smaller storyline, I enjoyed the dog storyline as much as the romance. It’s just heartwarming and made me long for my dog that I grew up with. I also appreciated the extra chapter at the end from the dog’s POV. It’s more or less separate from the story, but I just had to know his story, and there I got it, it also adds greatly to the fuzzy feeling that this book gives.
So far, I have only read 1 other book by Bryant (really have to catch up on some more books) and this might not be her best book, but I can recommend this if you’re looking for a warm and sweet low-angst romance, and who can resist a cute dog?
November 19, 2020
Oh my gosh! There’s an adorable furbaby in this story! How on earth did Kris Bryant find out that I’ve got a soft spot for Golden Retrievers? Besides falling in love with a gorgeous dog, I was living my best life as I tagged along with Natalie, Sarah and Harley. This was definitely the kind of lighthearted story that I needed to devour during this period of uncertainty because I found an endless supply of comfort and happiness between the pages of this book.
September 13, 2020
According to the acknowledgements, this story was intended to be a novella, a Thanksgiving story following on the heels of Kris Bryant's Tinsel from 2019. (Tinsel certainly set a trend, as I notice lots of my favorite authors have Christmas novellas this year.)
It seems as if every new book of Kris Bryant's I read becomes my favorite, in some way. This was on the shorter side, about 4 hours to read, and honestly I could've gone a couple of hours more and not been sorry. The small town settings and the two leads, Natalie and Sarah, really set this book apart. Natalie is the sheriff of the town, while Sarah spent a few years in high school there but moved away for college. They shared one kiss in high school and it certainly changed Natalie. When Sarah moves back to town with a 6-year-old daughter after a divorce to regroup with her aunt and uncle, sparks fly. But because Sarah isn't sure if she wants to make her home in Spruce Mountain permanently, she tries to move slowly with Natalie, rather than hurt her when she inevitably leaves.
There's another special character, Ghost Dog, a stray whom Natalie finds and takes in while she looks for the owner. Then all of a sudden you find yourself in the second half of the book and the action really starts. I refuse to be "that Karen" who spoils the absolutely brilliant ending, but suffice it to say it's a huge wow moment.
For something that could have been a throwaway, this book is a game changer, one that will stay in my mind for quite some time.
It seems as if every new book of Kris Bryant's I read becomes my favorite, in some way. This was on the shorter side, about 4 hours to read, and honestly I could've gone a couple of hours more and not been sorry. The small town settings and the two leads, Natalie and Sarah, really set this book apart. Natalie is the sheriff of the town, while Sarah spent a few years in high school there but moved away for college. They shared one kiss in high school and it certainly changed Natalie. When Sarah moves back to town with a 6-year-old daughter after a divorce to regroup with her aunt and uncle, sparks fly. But because Sarah isn't sure if she wants to make her home in Spruce Mountain permanently, she tries to move slowly with Natalie, rather than hurt her when she inevitably leaves.
There's another special character, Ghost Dog, a stray whom Natalie finds and takes in while she looks for the owner. Then all of a sudden you find yourself in the second half of the book and the action really starts. I refuse to be "that Karen" who spoils the absolutely brilliant ending, but suffice it to say it's a huge wow moment.
For something that could have been a throwaway, this book is a game changer, one that will stay in my mind for quite some time.
March 26, 2021
A sweet romance in a small town. Sarah moved back home with her daughter after her divorce and reconnected with Natalie, who she had a memorable kiss with when they were in high school. This is wonderfully written and really tugs on the heartstrings, but not in a sad way. I love the characters, including Sarah's aunt and uncle and her daughter. There's also a cute side story of a stray dog that eventually worked his way into their lives.
October 14, 2020
This book is the escape we are all looking for at the moment, and when I was finished, I felt like I had just been released from a warm hug.
I could sum this review up in one sentence—below. You can then decide to read the whole review or scroll to the bottom and automatically grab your ebook.
Short Version
Home is a fast-paced, low angst novel with fun and witty dialogue and excellent narrative and characters you are going to fall in love with.
Long version
When I finished Home, I felt like I had been on holiday from the craziness that is our new normal and into a world full of hope and love.
Natalie and Sarah’s connection was something romance movies are made of. I could imagine kicking back with a glass of wine on the sofa and watching it again and again. The idea of “Home is where the heart is” is baked into the whole story. When Sarah and Natalie bump into each other in town after years of not seeing each other, you can feel the sizzle between them still.
As their romance progresses, it’s clear they have found their soulmate in each other and have the making of a beautiful family. Kris Bryant writes children in her books really well. As a mother, it makes me all kinds of happy.
There is a subplot in this book which just adds to the swoon factor, especially for a major dog lover like me. ‘Ghost Dog’, later named Henry, is causing a stir in the town. Sheriff Natalie is trying to find the mystery dog that seems to disappear every time she is on the scene. Henry’s presence in the book just makes everything better and the love more grand.
Home would be a great start to a holiday/season themed series. I keep seeing all these possibilities of what could come next. Even as a stand-alone, it’s just perfect. But a girl can’t help but want more Bryant… Am I right?
This book is all about love and chemistry. Sarah and Natalie have chemistry in spades. It’s all the other life stuff that gets in the way (but no too much, don’t worry). I loved all the moments of alone time for Natalie and Sarah because the reader is very aware of the attraction and possibility of what could be in the future. Spoiler: the ‘what could be’ is a beautiful happy ever after.
This book is the warm hug we all need amid the current global pandemic. Go grab it and escape the world for a few hours. Honestly, this is the book 2020 was waiting for.
I could sum this review up in one sentence—below. You can then decide to read the whole review or scroll to the bottom and automatically grab your ebook.
Short Version
Home is a fast-paced, low angst novel with fun and witty dialogue and excellent narrative and characters you are going to fall in love with.
Long version
When I finished Home, I felt like I had been on holiday from the craziness that is our new normal and into a world full of hope and love.
Natalie and Sarah’s connection was something romance movies are made of. I could imagine kicking back with a glass of wine on the sofa and watching it again and again. The idea of “Home is where the heart is” is baked into the whole story. When Sarah and Natalie bump into each other in town after years of not seeing each other, you can feel the sizzle between them still.
As their romance progresses, it’s clear they have found their soulmate in each other and have the making of a beautiful family. Kris Bryant writes children in her books really well. As a mother, it makes me all kinds of happy.
There is a subplot in this book which just adds to the swoon factor, especially for a major dog lover like me. ‘Ghost Dog’, later named Henry, is causing a stir in the town. Sheriff Natalie is trying to find the mystery dog that seems to disappear every time she is on the scene. Henry’s presence in the book just makes everything better and the love more grand.
Home would be a great start to a holiday/season themed series. I keep seeing all these possibilities of what could come next. Even as a stand-alone, it’s just perfect. But a girl can’t help but want more Bryant… Am I right?
This book is all about love and chemistry. Sarah and Natalie have chemistry in spades. It’s all the other life stuff that gets in the way (but no too much, don’t worry). I loved all the moments of alone time for Natalie and Sarah because the reader is very aware of the attraction and possibility of what could be in the future. Spoiler: the ‘what could be’ is a beautiful happy ever after.
This book is the warm hug we all need amid the current global pandemic. Go grab it and escape the world for a few hours. Honestly, this is the book 2020 was waiting for.
October 1, 2020
Home is where the heart is, and Kris Bryant shows us what this means in her new book. Natalie, sheriff of a small town, still thinks about the girl in high school who gave her her first (and best) kiss, who then ran off to college without a goodbye. Lo and behold, said girl (Sarah) is back in town 17 years later, newly divorced and with a small child.
You can probably imagine what happens next... Natalie and Sarah discover that their feelings are still as strong as they were in high school, and start dating. There's a little bit of drama past the halfway mark which really helped keep my interest, but then everything's back on track pretty quickly. Of course, I've simplified the story here, but it's short! And I wish it were longer to flesh out the time both characters took to get to know each other again and fall in love.
Second chances is one of my favorite story lines... throw in a dog, and I'm sold. But seriously, can I just rave about how much I loved Henry, the dog, in this story? Everyone deserves a happy ending, and I'm so glad he found his.
I received an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley for an honest review.
You can probably imagine what happens next... Natalie and Sarah discover that their feelings are still as strong as they were in high school, and start dating. There's a little bit of drama past the halfway mark which really helped keep my interest, but then everything's back on track pretty quickly. Of course, I've simplified the story here, but it's short! And I wish it were longer to flesh out the time both characters took to get to know each other again and fall in love.
Second chances is one of my favorite story lines... throw in a dog, and I'm sold. But seriously, can I just rave about how much I loved Henry, the dog, in this story? Everyone deserves a happy ending, and I'm so glad he found his.
I received an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley for an honest review.
October 12, 2020
This is an incredible story. Natalie and Sarah have a history and a story not yet finished when Sarah moves back to her hometown. Their connection has stood the test of time since high school brought the heart felt kiss. There is so much more to the story than just a second chance to love even though it is a beautifully hot romance. The relationship between Sarad and her Aunt, Sarah's child Harley makes the story fun and so enjoyable. The scary moments involving Harley had my heart in my throat. All of the characters make this a book you will want to re-read. The most magical character though is Henry the dog. The HOME created by and for him will fill your heart. I encourage yo to read the book all the way to the end as Henry gives such depth to this truely incredible story. Kris Bryant writes so majestically, with deep love filling the pages. I loved this book.
September 16, 2020
I have read many Kris Bryant's romances and I can say that I have connected with all of them except for this one. Before starting this one I read the Acknowledgments and Bryant mentioned this one started as a novella that turned into short book. I really wish that this was a novella instead because there really wasn't much special going on with this one. From what I gather after reading Home, it seemed to try to get across many of the bigger things in life but the details were still that of a novella. Not sure if I am explaining that well enough. I guess what I really want to express again is that this would have been better as a novella. I liked the mains and supporting characters well enough, I just needed more of everything a typical full length romance gives us. I did appreciate that the angst in this one is minimal and of course Bryant does a good job with the sex scenes. I think we all know that Bryant is a talented writer. Again this would have stayed better as a novella (have I mentioned that before :) ).
3 stars.
This arc was provided by the publisher for an honest review.
3 stars.
This arc was provided by the publisher for an honest review.
December 12, 2020
I do find myself drawn to stories that have dogs and kids in them so Home was always going to be a definite read for me. Great likeable characters that had me rooting for them from the start. The storyline was action packed with the romance, a search party and mystery of finding the cute dog that was around town. I found it being a quick read because of how much was going on. It wasn't Bryant's best work but enjoyable.
I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review.
I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review.
October 11, 2020
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a fairly sweet romance from Bryant that falls somewhere between a novella and a novel. It features Natalie, a Sheriff in her small home town, and Sarah, who is returning to said small town with her six year old daughter. Natalie and Sarah shared a kiss in high school, and haven’t talked since. Both remember the kiss though (and think about it a lot since seeing each other again).
To be honest, not much happens in this book, these two reunite, have a lot of ‘meet cutes’ and then get together, in between that is a subplot about a lost dog, that even though I love dogs, I thought took up too much of the story given it’s length. The side characters aren’t terribly fleshed out, but are very supportive and there’s some cute moments with Sarah’s daughter Harper, who also features in the dramatic portion of the book.
Thankfully there’s no miscommunication or contrived breakup, and the MCs are very sweet together. I did think the ending from the dog’s POV was weird though. 3.5 stars.
This is a fairly sweet romance from Bryant that falls somewhere between a novella and a novel. It features Natalie, a Sheriff in her small home town, and Sarah, who is returning to said small town with her six year old daughter. Natalie and Sarah shared a kiss in high school, and haven’t talked since. Both remember the kiss though (and think about it a lot since seeing each other again).
To be honest, not much happens in this book, these two reunite, have a lot of ‘meet cutes’ and then get together, in between that is a subplot about a lost dog, that even though I love dogs, I thought took up too much of the story given it’s length. The side characters aren’t terribly fleshed out, but are very supportive and there’s some cute moments with Sarah’s daughter Harper, who also features in the dramatic portion of the book.
Thankfully there’s no miscommunication or contrived breakup, and the MCs are very sweet together. I did think the ending from the dog’s POV was weird though. 3.5 stars.
September 30, 2020
In the acknowledgments, the author writes that this book would have been a novella but the characters had more to tell than just the short story. I think it sadly shows throughout the book that it was never to be a full book and that just sort of happened.
Natalie came back to her small home town years ago when her dad was sick, now she is the sheriff. When on an errand for her mother she runs into her high school crush Sarah who just returned to town after almost 2 decades. Sarah is recently divorced and now a single mother trying to regroup while living with her aunt and uncle. Sarah's aunt and Natalie's mother are hellbent on getting them together, as they are aware of their history and their crush. Their history is soon forgotten as they try and work things out between them.
With hardly any character development or description, it is obvious this book started out as a novella. I did end up liking both main characters, but with how little the author gave us it is surprising to me as well. This story is sort of instalove, but 17 years in the making, I don't know how I feel about that part of the book. I think the author glosses over details that could have made the book a more interesting read. The angst/ conflict moment in this book happens at around 70%, which I do appreciate, this means the HEA doesn't just smack you in the face. It's an ok read, but I believe it would have worked better as a novella, I'd be more accepting of the flaws that I now see.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
Natalie came back to her small home town years ago when her dad was sick, now she is the sheriff. When on an errand for her mother she runs into her high school crush Sarah who just returned to town after almost 2 decades. Sarah is recently divorced and now a single mother trying to regroup while living with her aunt and uncle. Sarah's aunt and Natalie's mother are hellbent on getting them together, as they are aware of their history and their crush. Their history is soon forgotten as they try and work things out between them.
With hardly any character development or description, it is obvious this book started out as a novella. I did end up liking both main characters, but with how little the author gave us it is surprising to me as well. This story is sort of instalove, but 17 years in the making, I don't know how I feel about that part of the book. I think the author glosses over details that could have made the book a more interesting read. The angst/ conflict moment in this book happens at around 70%, which I do appreciate, this means the HEA doesn't just smack you in the face. It's an ok read, but I believe it would have worked better as a novella, I'd be more accepting of the flaws that I now see.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
October 1, 2020
Delightful
Natalie returned to her home town where she became the Sheriff. Her life is good, if not a little lonely. When reports of a stray dog start to come in she has a lot to do to find it and if that’s not enough to distract her, Sarah, the woman she loved in high school is back in town and the pull is even stronger now… Sarah never expected to go back to her roots in Spruce Mountain but after a divorce she decides that the support and love of her Aunt and Uncle is just what she and her daughter need. She never expected to see Natalie again and as much as her heart wants to get to know her again, her head is telling her to focus on her daughter and rebuilding her life…
Oh my, oh my! This is another WONDERFUL book full of feels by the talented Ms Bryant. I cannot say enough good things about this story. I loved the small town setting where the sense of community is so strong. The characters are loveable and real to life. I loved the hunt and chase of the ghost dog and the events with him after. He sounds so sweet that I just wanted to cuddle up with him. I loved watching Sarah and Natalie get to know each other and how Sarah’s daughter helped to bring them all together. They are a captivating couple, practically perfect in every way and the sexy bits... mmm. Home is a precious, tender, feel good story that will make your heart happy and make you smile and I know you will love it as much as I did!
Natalie returned to her home town where she became the Sheriff. Her life is good, if not a little lonely. When reports of a stray dog start to come in she has a lot to do to find it and if that’s not enough to distract her, Sarah, the woman she loved in high school is back in town and the pull is even stronger now… Sarah never expected to go back to her roots in Spruce Mountain but after a divorce she decides that the support and love of her Aunt and Uncle is just what she and her daughter need. She never expected to see Natalie again and as much as her heart wants to get to know her again, her head is telling her to focus on her daughter and rebuilding her life…
Oh my, oh my! This is another WONDERFUL book full of feels by the talented Ms Bryant. I cannot say enough good things about this story. I loved the small town setting where the sense of community is so strong. The characters are loveable and real to life. I loved the hunt and chase of the ghost dog and the events with him after. He sounds so sweet that I just wanted to cuddle up with him. I loved watching Sarah and Natalie get to know each other and how Sarah’s daughter helped to bring them all together. They are a captivating couple, practically perfect in every way and the sexy bits... mmm. Home is a precious, tender, feel good story that will make your heart happy and make you smile and I know you will love it as much as I did!
December 22, 2024
I'm quickly becoming a fan of Bryant. I enjoyed this shorter story taking place in a small town. The characters are great and relatable. I especially liked the last chapter and the view point of Henry.
October 11, 2020
This was only my fourth Kris Bryant story, but I think I'm starting to see how much she likes her dogs.
As promised, this was a feel-good holiday romance. There wasn't much drama, but it wasn't boring. The characters are good together, and despite their history, there wasn't even that much tension at the beginning. I do wish that the characters spent a little more time getting to know each other, and the Harley ordeal could have come later than it did, but otherwise the pacing was fine.
I have only two specific criticisms:
I'm stuck between 3.5 stars and 4. Since I don't think I'm specific or consistent enough to start giving 0.25, I'll round to 4.
As promised, this was a feel-good holiday romance. There wasn't much drama, but it wasn't boring. The characters are good together, and despite their history, there wasn't even that much tension at the beginning. I do wish that the characters spent a little more time getting to know each other, and the Harley ordeal could have come later than it did, but otherwise the pacing was fine.
I have only two specific criticisms:
I'm stuck between 3.5 stars and 4. Since I don't think I'm specific or consistent enough to start giving 0.25, I'll round to 4.
September 20, 2022
3 stars. So sweet and I am a fan of Bryant’s writing style but this wasn’t one of my favorites by her. I think I just needed more background on Sarah and Natalie because they felt very flat as characters. I did however think their romance was adorable and I liked that they had history with one another. They had great chemistry. Also, Sarah’s daughter Harley was super cute. And Henry the dog. Cannot forget about him. Overall, this was a light read and a nice way to pass some time.
December 3, 2020
Home is a f/f romance between Natalie, the town's sheriff, and Sarah, a single mom who came back to her hometown after a divorce. Natalie has never forgotten Sarah after their only kiss when they were in high school. However, Sarah pretended not to remember that kiss afterward and that was the end of it. Until they saw each other again as adults, fully knowing what and who they liked.
Home was a pretty quick sweet read. It was a simple story, entertaining enough and there was some steam (even though I didn't feel the chemistry). Unfortunately, I never really connected with this romance like I hoped I would but I believe it was a 'me' problem and not a book problem. Also, just wanted to mention that the characters who wanted to shoot or poison a lost/homeless dog pissed me off. I hate that people like that actually exist.
(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)
Home was a pretty quick sweet read. It was a simple story, entertaining enough and there was some steam (even though I didn't feel the chemistry). Unfortunately, I never really connected with this romance like I hoped I would but I believe it was a 'me' problem and not a book problem. Also, just wanted to mention that the characters who wanted to shoot or poison a lost/homeless dog pissed me off. I hate that people like that actually exist.
(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)
November 22, 2020
Wonderful holiday read. Absolutely adored this. I love second chance romances and Natalie and Sarah didn't disappoint. I loved Ghost dog and loved Harley's connection with him. This was perfect.
October 25, 2020
Sucker for dogs
The end of this book got me good. I'm a suckered for dogs and single moms and small towns and I got all 3. I'm satisfied!
The end of this book got me good. I'm a suckered for dogs and single moms and small towns and I got all 3. I'm satisfied!
November 1, 2020
This book is so sweet it makes my heart warm and happy. Nat and Sarah shared an incredible kiss when they teenagers, but Sarah got scared and ran to college. Serval years later Sarah returns to town with her daughter Harley. I love the connection between Sarah and Harley they are so cute together. Nat is the town Sheriff. Nat represents the good in law enforcement. She’s who I’d want to keep us all safe. I loved that Nat easily forgave Sarah for running all those years ago and how she tells Sarah it happened the way it was suppose to so they were together now with Harley and Henry. Sarah, Nat, Harley, and Henry fit so sweetly together. I loved this heartwarming story. I’d love a short on them to see an update.
The story from Henry’s perspective at the end had me in tears. I’m so happy he found his forever person and the family who will love and cherish him forever. I wish the same for all the animals and if I could I’d take them all home to love.
The story from Henry’s perspective at the end had me in tears. I’m so happy he found his forever person and the family who will love and cherish him forever. I wish the same for all the animals and if I could I’d take them all home to love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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