Home Free

by Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey

The same evening that Cliff Hart leaves his wife Kate, a dispossessed Iowa farmer named Ford begs Kate to allow him and his family to move into her now-empty home

Genres: Fiction

368 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Dana Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Older book, interesting and apropos for even this time. I grew quite attached to the main characters, but I really disliked the ending. Guess I just wanted her more defined and into the start of the new life she planned.

[Relyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm in the middle of a fun project. I was combing my bookcases looking for books I no longer want to give shelf space. I have realized two things. First, I still have tons of books that look great that I've never read. I need to read from my own shelves. Second, I missed reviewing so many books over the years. Today I am going back and recording them. If you are not me, the reviews from this project may not be helpful because this is such a personal project. But, my GoodReads is primarily for me and I would love as complete a look at my reading life as possible.

I loved this book when I read it 19 years ago. I think it says something, though, that even though I am a huge rereader, I never wanted to reread this one.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought- provoking look at two families- one living in luxury but falling apart and the other one struggling to stay off the streets and feed themselves. They cross paths in unlikely circumstances - by chance when the homeless one’s car breakers down in front of the rich family’s house. The result is new chapters and surprising directions for all of them.

[Sandra Licher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a surprisingly good read with a great story line.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Home free by Hailey_ Elizabeth Forsythe
Kate and her husband, Cliff after 25 years of marriage are splitting up. She will get the house in CA. Nina their daughter is leaving for college.
The car breaks down, Ford is his name and she invites him into her house and lets him use her husbands bathroom and clothes. She hears his story of how they traveled across the US and can't find a home so he puts his wife and children in a woman's homeless shelter so the children can attend school.
He has a sign that says he will work for money in hopes he can make enough to rent an apartment for them all. Kate gives him the Christmas gifts meant for her husband and other gifts for his wife. Alternating chapters of how each is coping with their circumstances.
At times it's confusing to figure out if they're in the past or the present as she talks to her family members and you realize it's the past.
His wife thinks she's just using her husband for her own gain as she's lonely without her daughter and her soon to be ex husband.
So much changes for them all as they continue to live and work. She becomes pregnant and that causes them to come together...
Love how everything that's happened and changed Kate's outlook on life and what she wants to do with the money from the sale of her house.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

[Rochelle Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book, from start to finish! Kate's character pulled me in immediately, and Ford and Sunny are strong, memorable characters that help color the story into something wonderful.
The author has crafted an engaging story filled with vibrance, humor and compassion. You will fully enjoy Kate's journey back to self, as she rediscovers her life and purpose, and in turn, welcomes Ford's family into her home with a beauty and compassion that we all need in this dark world. Brilliant book. Please read.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one I remember and loved, even though I READ IT 20 years ago. A man changes his wife's life forever when he has a mid life crisis and abandons his family. Meanwhile, a beautiful, but homeless family, appears and needs a place to stay. I remember feelings of joy and love, compassion and a good outcome. The details are fuzzy. I wish this author were still penning novels. This is the last one I read and it's been a long, long time.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave this book 2.5 stars. I wanted a romance but it wasn't really. It was more a of a finding yourself book and it was done awkwardly, seeming to be a romance but in reality no one was free to love another. The ending made you want to have a decent ending where you saw strong growth in all the characters but instead you are left wondering.

[Jackie Simons]

Read 2/95

[Sue Kozlowski · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was very disappointed by this book. It felt like a tacky romance novel. It is about Kate taking in homeless Cliff and Sunny.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

good story. fast read..

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way she tells a story.

[Dee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictible, unrealistic