Home Turf

by Michelle St. James

Finn Murphy was used to being alone — until he met Elise Berenger.

Eight years on the road with nothing but a backpack primed Finn for solo life. Coming home was a last resort, the only way he could find answers about the murder of his friends in Ukraine. But as his brothers use their illegal business to help him uncover the truth, he finds himself increasingly reluctant to leave the woman who’s stolen his heart.

Elise Berenger can’t imagine her life without Finn — but she can’t imagine her life with him either.

Still recovering from her kidnapping at the hands of a transnational trafficking ring, she fights panic attacks when she get lost in her home city of Boston. Not exactly a candidate for life on the road, and life on the road is the only life Finn wants.

The pair agree to enjoy the time they have as Finn and his brothers connect the dots and Elise secretly works her own angle on the murders with her creepy new boss. But when Finn and his brothers have to face off on their home turf with a cadre of highly trained mercenaries, Elise finds herself embroiled in a risky game of cat and mouse.

Now the question isn’t whether they can find a way to be together — but whether they’ll live to try.

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 26, 2021

About the author

Michelle St. James is a Southern California expat now living in New York's Hudson Valley.

She is the critically acclaimed author of over fifty published novels and seven novellas. Her first series (under her not-so-secret real name) received starred reviews from Kirkus and Booklist and was one of Booklist's Top Ten Debut novels. Her work has also been an Indie Next selection and has appeared on prestigious lists such as the Lonestar List, New York Public Library's Stuff for the Teen Age, and Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best. Her books have been published in over thirty countries and translated into over twenty languages.

Michelle lives in a converted barn with a leaking roof, a 70-pound puppy, and three perpetually annoyed cats. She spends her free time doing yoga, watching Love Island UK, and anxiously awaiting the next season of Ozark and the Great British Baking Show.

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS for Home Turf by Michelle St James

ARC received from author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

Home Turf is not a standalone but is Book 2 in the series continuing Finn and Elise’s story. However , everything in the Murphy family’s world has been a 5 STAR read for me - love this family of amazing characters.

Great cover
Plot continues with more than enough intrigue to keep you flipping pages ( I read Home Turf in 24 hours )
Amazing characters in Finn and Elise
Really strong heroine ( very relatable )

As per usual by Ms St. James - her spot on description makes you feel like you are so emerged in the story whether it’s the description of a designer dress, place - ie the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Plaza or one of the many homes the Murphy family owns - one in particular the mountain retreat in the Berkshires in New England.

Can’t wait to see how this story wraps up - Book 3 can’t come fast enough !!!

Great read - highly recommend the series and this author !

[Jill Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book, which isn’t a surprise because I have loved every book I have ever read by Michelle St James. I read Home Turf in less than a day, I just couldn’t put it down and was so looking forward to the continuation of the story of Finn and Elise. Now I have to anxiously await the final book in the series. If you haven’t read any of her prior series, you really should.

[Shaunette · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this continuation of Finn and Elise’s story, the mystery behind the murders deepen as MIS dig deeper to find answers. There’s, suspense, intrigue and hot, steamy romance as Elise and Finn heat up the pages with their chemistry. As they navigate their relationship and they form a deeper bond, the question of what the future holds looms on the horizon. Elise is slowly conquering her fears and learning to trust her instincts again while Finn navigates the new dynamic of his family and where he fits in. As they both come to terms with their current reality while fighting the unseen enemy, what does their future look like? All the answers might just be closer to home. Can’t wait for the conclusion to this steamy, intriguing story.

[Nicole Mcclain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finn and Elise’s story continues and it’s heating up! The twists and suspense are building along with the revelations. But what I loved most about the book was Finn and Elise’s personal revelations. How they are getting over internal fears and being brave. They are developing into a strong couple, much like the other Murphy brothers and their wives.
I can’t wait until the last book but I’m a way, I don’t want the last book to come out because that’s it for this growing family. Or is it?

*I voluntarily accepted an advanced reader copy for my honest review*

[Samantha (Millennial Life Crisis Bookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need the next book in this series! This book focuses on the continuation of Finn and Elise’s relationship in addition to their individual stories – Finn working to get answers on the murders and Elise rebuilding her life after the trauma she endured. Book 2 in these trilogies are pretty much filler books for me – they don’t give me many answers at all from the first book, but also provide more of a connection and storyline between the main characters. There is a little bit of drama in this book from Elise and her new boss, as well as they continue to build to the puzzle of who is behind the murders, but ultimately don’t come to any definitive answers as to who’s responsible, but more questions arise. I found it interesting that Finn was extremely apprehensive to join the family business or even stay in town after things wrap up, even though it seems that even though he’s been gone so long he still fits right in with his family no matter how hard he tries not to. Can’t wait for the next installment to get all these questions answered as well as see if Finn ends up staying for Elise!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Sally C · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book continues with Finn and his brothers exploring all possible clues to find the people who murdered Fedir and Iryna in Ukraine, while Elise is doing some snooping on her own to get more info from Will’s laptop. At last, al the snooping, surveillance, action and nail-biting suspense pays off when the Murphy’s find something priceless, but they still need to find the head of the organisation behind all the killings. A page turner that will keep you on the edge of you seat!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this is the second out of three books. As if I thought the first one , Home Coming, was good (I did). The second one ; Home Turf, is just as great or better. Finn and Elise are my favorite couple out of the Murphy Clan. There is a lot of coming to reality for both Finn and Elise both separately and as a couple. It’s a must read

[Tanyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 continues to be as intense and suspenseful as the first one. You learn more details about the characters life’s throughout the story. She leaves you feeling personally connected to them. Can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

[Dawn Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home Turf finds us once again in suspense as the Murphy brothers do what they do best. Finn learns more about MIS while they help him uncover who is behind the murders. Elise learns more about herself and how strong she can be, while the two of them fall even more for each other. They are by far my favorite couple out of all the Murphy brothers, and I am impatient, yet reluctantly waiting for the series to come to a conclusion.

[D Sav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic second instalment, looking forward to reading the final part of this trilogy and the conclusion to Elise and Finns story.

[Christine Matinale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t wait to read the second book about Elise and Finn. Michelle St James delivered another exciting story that left me begging for the last book in the series! I loved this story! Can’t wait to read the conclusion to Finn and Elise’s story!

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting closer!!
Just when they think the trail has gone cold and they'll never have any more leads to Finn's friends' murder, a stroke of luck reveals a new path.
While the investigation is slow going, Elise is making great strides with her ongoing healing process. Growing closer to Finn is helping as well but also breaking her heart knowing he will soon be gone. Finn is trying to be realistic with his style of living on the fly isn't conducive to a stable relationship but is loving his time getting closer to Elise even though he knows it will get tougher and tougher to leave her.

The climax of this book is so fast and furious, two things happening at once, extremely tense and then.... arrrgh!!! We're still not quite there but we're so close and I can't wait for the conclusion in Home Free!!

[Andrea Gugliotta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home Turf is the Second book in the series. The saga continues with Finn & Elises story. Each day they are getting closer and feelings for each other getting stronger. Finn and his brothers are investigating who murdered Finn’s friends Fedir & Iryna. When the search is over and they find the killers will Finn leave? Or stay to find out what can be between him & Elise? This book keeps you wanting to read and has suspense,love,danger and everything you want in a great story. Can’t wait for the third and final book.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well what a fabulous 2nd book in the story of Elise and Finn, action packed and still looking for the killers. This book takes them on more journeys and Elise confronts some of her fears. Looking forward to the final instalment

[Sandy Lieberman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finn and Elise's story continues as they search for the killer of Fedir and Iryna, the family Finn stayed with when he was in a small village in Ukraine. Finn's brothers are all in on helping him find the killers. Elise also works an angle of her own which made me extremely nervous for her. She's been through a nightmare recovering from being held in a sex trafficking ring. This book definitely had me on edge being nervous about Elise getting caught with her spying. The chemistry between Finn and Elise continues to heat up. There's danger for the guys, there's danger for Elise, this all makes for a nerve wracking story. Loved it!

[LORRIE · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read. I love this family

[Carolle Desroches · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what I expected from Michelle St James.

Amazing, incredibly intelligent, handsome men with guns going after the bad guys to make our world better. This story was told by an adventurous writer, from the description of the homes, their beautiful locations,the wealth and all the things put into place to protect the people they love. They all loved hard. But the play hard too. I want to visit the Rainbow Room in New York and feel the decadence Elise and Finn felt. I felt transported to a home I would love to see when Finn saw the mountain house that would protect them from their attackers. I was afraid for Elise when she was caught in her boss’s bedroom. I felt like iI was there with her and this is what this author does, she draws you into her stories and make you feel what the characters feel. The sex as always steamy. Wonderful read, can’t wait for book 3.

[Marti Jentis · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Home Turf, Finn and his brothers continue looking for those responsible for the murder of Finn”s friends. With each day, as Elise”s and Finn’s feelings for each other grow stronger both are aware that their relationship will end when the mission comes to an end. Finn joins his brothers in the search and Elise finds some information that causes her to do some investigating on her own. Do they find the answers they are looking for, or must they look further?

[Leek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, not as good as some of the others

[Nicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

The intrigue continues in this second instalment and so does the relationship between Elise and Finn. The characters are so well developed and interesting with a great storyline.