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Highland Falls #1
Coming Home
Now that her brother’s best friend has moved back to their quirky small town, will this shy librarian finally find love with her childhood crush?Emma SullivanI really shouldn’t complain. Dream job as a librarian in my hometown? Check. Awesome family? Check. Great group of friends and coworkers? Check. Adorable dog who’s my absolute world? Check.Then a patron comes in to file a complaint that a book I purchased for our library is filth her child should never have read. Ugh. And she’s going to the board. Double ugh. And she’s taking to social media to smear our name. Ugh. Ugh. Ugh.So of course, I head to my brother’s brewery to debrief about my nightmare day and am knocked even farther off kilter when in walks my brother’s best friend, Maxwell Harp. Just as tall, luscious, and dreamy as ever. And far out of my league.No matter. Max doesn’t live here anymore and isn’t interested even if he did.Maxwell HarpMy eyes found Emma the minute I walked into my best friend’s brewery after roughly ten years away. I’ve known the Sullivans since my grandparents took me in when I was eight, twenty-four years ago. I also knew Emma had a crush on me for most of those years, but I wasn’t in a position to do anything about it before.I am now. I’m back, I have the job I’ve always wanted, and I’m ready for more.I just hope Emma is too.
392 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 12, 2021
189 people are currently reading
780 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
October 23, 2021
Hoo boy. 0 stars. This book might be the worst one I’ve ever read.
1. There’s no conflict. None. The author tries to pretend there are exciting things going on, but because of reasons that will be mentioned below, nothing ever feels urgent.
2. The main character. My lord. She is NOTHING. She is a conglomeration of what the author thinks a perfect woman should be?? She LOVES coffee, has a CUTE dog, a QUIRKY house, works in a LIBRARY, and apparently has such a ✨✨BIG HEART✨✨. She is literally written with no flaws. She never does anything wrong. She is the perfect human being, friend, sister, and girlfriend. She is literally the flattest, most dull, vapid, uninteresting characterization of a human being ever to be put to paper.
3. All of the side characters. They’re all interchangeable. We’re supposed to believe they’re a quirky group of small town locals, but they could all have the same name. They have no distinguishable traits.
4. My GOD, this author does not know how siblings talk to each other. Bro, sis, bro, sis, big bro, your bro, love my big bro, hey sis... it’s endless, and it’s idiotic.
5. Newsflash: you are NOT WOKE just because you mention topics like censorship, LGBTQ people, and drug addiction. The book’s ONE gay character is a complete, total, utter, insane stereotype. Did you know that gay men do not automatically find all men attractive? Or call them things like Sheriff Gorgeous and talk about how they want to hook up despite the fact that they are in a supposed (only mentioned) committed relationship?? Like... are you KIDDING me? How offensive are you trying to be?
5a. The other issues - book censorship and drug addiction - are only used as platforms for the main characters to make paragraphs of speeches highlighting how flawless and woke they are. The main character gives a paragraph speech to a stereotype crazy conservative woman (who is, ironically, the only character with any dimension in the book because she is crazy conservative but also a loving and concerned mother) about the evils of censorship. The love interest gives a sweeping speech about addiction to his addict mother. These speeches instantly solve all problems and amaze the people around them. World peace is declared.
6. The love interest. Again... he is nothing. No flaws. Well, the author tries to write him as no flaws. In actuality, he repeatedly reminds the MC that he is there for her always and supports her and she needs to call him whenever the slightest thing happens to her, but when he finds out his ADDICT mother has been ARRESTED and he must run to her side, he takes that option away from his one true love. SHE is not allowed to be there and support him because he LOVES her too much and must PROTECT her. Swoon! Oh, oops. I meant barf! Vomit! Hurl! And don’t get me started on any chemistry between the MC and the love interest. Because I can’t get started. There is none. I skipped entirely over the sex scenes because it was so incredibly uninteresting. There was no way I could ever believe that the MC found anything interesting in the love interest, and vice versa.
7. Everyone, in every conversation in every chapter, is trying to convince you how wonderful the main character is. Seriously. The MC will pick up a bag of chips and all the background characters will be like “Oh! That’s our girl! She has such a big heart!!!” About everything. About mundane things. And you know why? The author has to try to convince us that the MC is wonderful because there is no other evidence. She is nothing.
8. The author describes the most mundane things that do nothing and add nothing to the story. I read all about how the MC walked her dog to the park and then came home. It did NOTHING for the story. I read all about how she drank coffee and her mind wandered about how much she loves coffee. I read about the love interest watching a dog jump into a pond and then telling someone that he watched a dog jump into a pond. Are. You. Kidding. Me. Where was the editor??
9. The author TELLS you things that she should just SHOW you. “We took a walk, enjoying each other’s company.” “I laughed a joke, amused by the humor” (not direct quotes, but not far off). Or?? Just tell me the joke and that the character laughed??? I can deduce that you laughed because the joke was funny. You do not need to explicitly tell me you laughed because you were amused.
10. Might as well make this an even 10. The MC refers to sex as “premarital sex.” Which, she assures us - TWICE - that she is totally fine with. She wears shirts that reminds us she’s a feminist, while being okay with being coddled by and talked down by her older brother, love interest, and other men in her life. One woman tells another man, completely serious WITH HER ACTUAL WORDS, “oh it’s okay, go piss in a circle to mark your territory. My husband is already doing it.” Wt actual f??? The situation, by the way, is because this woman (fragile, must protect) is giving a speech in front of people. ?????? How does that warrant...??? What???? The phrase “screw off” is used a bunch of times. My lord, just say “fuck off” like an adult please.
You can’t just tell us that a character is special. You have to show us. You can’t just tell us that a book is inclusive and involves meaningful social issues. You have to show us. You can’t tell us that characters have chemistry. You. Have. To. Show. Us.
1. There’s no conflict. None. The author tries to pretend there are exciting things going on, but because of reasons that will be mentioned below, nothing ever feels urgent.
2. The main character. My lord. She is NOTHING. She is a conglomeration of what the author thinks a perfect woman should be?? She LOVES coffee, has a CUTE dog, a QUIRKY house, works in a LIBRARY, and apparently has such a ✨✨BIG HEART✨✨. She is literally written with no flaws. She never does anything wrong. She is the perfect human being, friend, sister, and girlfriend. She is literally the flattest, most dull, vapid, uninteresting characterization of a human being ever to be put to paper.
3. All of the side characters. They’re all interchangeable. We’re supposed to believe they’re a quirky group of small town locals, but they could all have the same name. They have no distinguishable traits.
4. My GOD, this author does not know how siblings talk to each other. Bro, sis, bro, sis, big bro, your bro, love my big bro, hey sis... it’s endless, and it’s idiotic.
5. Newsflash: you are NOT WOKE just because you mention topics like censorship, LGBTQ people, and drug addiction. The book’s ONE gay character is a complete, total, utter, insane stereotype. Did you know that gay men do not automatically find all men attractive? Or call them things like Sheriff Gorgeous and talk about how they want to hook up despite the fact that they are in a supposed (only mentioned) committed relationship?? Like... are you KIDDING me? How offensive are you trying to be?
5a. The other issues - book censorship and drug addiction - are only used as platforms for the main characters to make paragraphs of speeches highlighting how flawless and woke they are. The main character gives a paragraph speech to a stereotype crazy conservative woman (who is, ironically, the only character with any dimension in the book because she is crazy conservative but also a loving and concerned mother) about the evils of censorship. The love interest gives a sweeping speech about addiction to his addict mother. These speeches instantly solve all problems and amaze the people around them. World peace is declared.
6. The love interest. Again... he is nothing. No flaws. Well, the author tries to write him as no flaws. In actuality, he repeatedly reminds the MC that he is there for her always and supports her and she needs to call him whenever the slightest thing happens to her, but when he finds out his ADDICT mother has been ARRESTED and he must run to her side, he takes that option away from his one true love. SHE is not allowed to be there and support him because he LOVES her too much and must PROTECT her. Swoon! Oh, oops. I meant barf! Vomit! Hurl! And don’t get me started on any chemistry between the MC and the love interest. Because I can’t get started. There is none. I skipped entirely over the sex scenes because it was so incredibly uninteresting. There was no way I could ever believe that the MC found anything interesting in the love interest, and vice versa.
7. Everyone, in every conversation in every chapter, is trying to convince you how wonderful the main character is. Seriously. The MC will pick up a bag of chips and all the background characters will be like “Oh! That’s our girl! She has such a big heart!!!” About everything. About mundane things. And you know why? The author has to try to convince us that the MC is wonderful because there is no other evidence. She is nothing.
8. The author describes the most mundane things that do nothing and add nothing to the story. I read all about how the MC walked her dog to the park and then came home. It did NOTHING for the story. I read all about how she drank coffee and her mind wandered about how much she loves coffee. I read about the love interest watching a dog jump into a pond and then telling someone that he watched a dog jump into a pond. Are. You. Kidding. Me. Where was the editor??
9. The author TELLS you things that she should just SHOW you. “We took a walk, enjoying each other’s company.” “I laughed a joke, amused by the humor” (not direct quotes, but not far off). Or?? Just tell me the joke and that the character laughed??? I can deduce that you laughed because the joke was funny. You do not need to explicitly tell me you laughed because you were amused.
10. Might as well make this an even 10. The MC refers to sex as “premarital sex.” Which, she assures us - TWICE - that she is totally fine with. She wears shirts that reminds us she’s a feminist, while being okay with being coddled by and talked down by her older brother, love interest, and other men in her life. One woman tells another man, completely serious WITH HER ACTUAL WORDS, “oh it’s okay, go piss in a circle to mark your territory. My husband is already doing it.” Wt actual f??? The situation, by the way, is because this woman (fragile, must protect) is giving a speech in front of people. ?????? How does that warrant...??? What???? The phrase “screw off” is used a bunch of times. My lord, just say “fuck off” like an adult please.
You can’t just tell us that a character is special. You have to show us. You can’t just tell us that a book is inclusive and involves meaningful social issues. You have to show us. You can’t tell us that characters have chemistry. You. Have. To. Show. Us.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2021
OMG.....one of my favorite things is finding new authors. Sometimes I hit the gold mine and sometimes it's a bust. This time was a gold mine!! I related to this book so much. The small town. The characters. Emma's love for reading and books and kids. Checked off all my boxes. I can't wait for Sully and Maggie's story. I can't wait for more!!
September 5, 2023
Whenever I start a book that has a brother's best friend element, I assume there are going to be issues with the brother. I assume that's going to be a big issue in the story, and they'll both question the relationship because of the family element. That conflict was extremely mild in this book, and at first I thought it was great. I thought the author might bring a different spin to that story, and that the main conflict would be something else.
The problem is that there is no main conflict. This is more of a day in the life than a contained story. They get together pretty quickly with minimal angst on either side. There's an issue with a parent complaint about a book that's available at the library where the FMC works, and she needs to defend that choice at a library board meeting. There's a lot of hand-wringing about it because she doesn't like public speaking, but the meeting turns out to be less than ten people in the room, and she says about three sentences. It's really anticlimactic.
The other issue in the book is a series of break-ins, including the FMC's house. It's talked about a lot, but nothing happens with that part of the story line until the very end, when one of the burglars/vandals is caught, and it turns out that it's a group of teenagers being stupid. That resolution is a bit of a let down as well, and the scene is confusing and strange. The FMC texts the MMC that she's meeting a teenager in an abandoned building because the teenager is investigating the break-ins, and the MMC just shrugs and goes to his Sunday morning meeting. Then he gets a call that the building she's meeting in is on fire, and he rushes to it. The rest of the park employees just go about their meeting, as if a structure fire in the state park isn't a big deal. When the MMC gets there, the FMC is still in the burning building, and she and the teenager are trying to drag an unconscious teenager out of the building. Was she in there the whole time? Or did she just get there and run into a burning building in case there was someone inside? There's no mention of anyone getting burns or smoke inhalation. The timing just felt off, and it was treated as if the fire wasn't that dangerous, since no one was hurt at all. It also feels like the amount of time is too long from when someone would have noticed the fire and called it in, to when everyone gets out of the building safely.
Beyond those issues, there were a few things that bothered me.
First, the FMC mentions twice that she's ok with premarital sex. Neither MC is a virgin, so why did this have to be mentioned? If it was for the benefit of the readers, that doesn't make sense either. Are there a lot of readers of open door romance that are against premarital sex?
Second, the MMC used the nickname Sunshine way too much. At times it felt like it was used in every other line.
Third, there is a female library cat named Aslan. This is treated as the craziest thing anyone has ever heard, since the Narnia character Aslan is male. I feel sorry for characters that lead such boring lives that this affects them so much.
Overall, I liked the MCs at the beginning, but the book could have been half as long, and benefited from some actual conflict, instead of the constant hand-wringing over the minimal conflicts.
The problem is that there is no main conflict. This is more of a day in the life than a contained story. They get together pretty quickly with minimal angst on either side. There's an issue with a parent complaint about a book that's available at the library where the FMC works, and she needs to defend that choice at a library board meeting. There's a lot of hand-wringing about it because she doesn't like public speaking, but the meeting turns out to be less than ten people in the room, and she says about three sentences. It's really anticlimactic.
The other issue in the book is a series of break-ins, including the FMC's house. It's talked about a lot, but nothing happens with that part of the story line until the very end, when one of the burglars/vandals is caught, and it turns out that it's a group of teenagers being stupid. That resolution is a bit of a let down as well, and the scene is confusing and strange. The FMC texts the MMC that she's meeting a teenager in an abandoned building because the teenager is investigating the break-ins, and the MMC just shrugs and goes to his Sunday morning meeting. Then he gets a call that the building she's meeting in is on fire, and he rushes to it. The rest of the park employees just go about their meeting, as if a structure fire in the state park isn't a big deal. When the MMC gets there, the FMC is still in the burning building, and she and the teenager are trying to drag an unconscious teenager out of the building. Was she in there the whole time? Or did she just get there and run into a burning building in case there was someone inside? There's no mention of anyone getting burns or smoke inhalation. The timing just felt off, and it was treated as if the fire wasn't that dangerous, since no one was hurt at all. It also feels like the amount of time is too long from when someone would have noticed the fire and called it in, to when everyone gets out of the building safely.
Beyond those issues, there were a few things that bothered me.
First, the FMC mentions twice that she's ok with premarital sex. Neither MC is a virgin, so why did this have to be mentioned? If it was for the benefit of the readers, that doesn't make sense either. Are there a lot of readers of open door romance that are against premarital sex?
Second, the MMC used the nickname Sunshine way too much. At times it felt like it was used in every other line.
Third, there is a female library cat named Aslan. This is treated as the craziest thing anyone has ever heard, since the Narnia character Aslan is male. I feel sorry for characters that lead such boring lives that this affects them so much.
Overall, I liked the MCs at the beginning, but the book could have been half as long, and benefited from some actual conflict, instead of the constant hand-wringing over the minimal conflicts.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2023
This was recommended to me by an author whose FB Group I'm in so I picked it up. Small Town Romance, spice, it sounded good.
It was ok.
It was seriously in need of a good proofing as well as some editing but it was sort of cute. I mean it had a lot of stuff I liked and she really tried to nail down that Alpha guy thing so.
I may pick up the next one.
Shit review, sorry. HAHA!
It was ok.
It was seriously in need of a good proofing as well as some editing but it was sort of cute. I mean it had a lot of stuff I liked and she really tried to nail down that Alpha guy thing so.
I may pick up the next one.
Shit review, sorry. HAHA!
April 5, 2024
Reread.
March 8, 2024
If I played the drink every time “babe” is said in this book I’d be 6 feet under. Literally.
I had high hopes for this book but I was let down.
Emma is a character who has never been told no in her life. She apparently got bullied in school because ppl were jealous of how sweet and innocent she was and guys gave her attention bc she was curvy. But Emma hates her curves. Give me a break. And the fact that her bff had to sing I Am Beautiful to her whenever she’s in a menty b-which is always.
The drama with one person going to the board over a book had her in panic mode the entire book. Girl everyone, including your boss, is like it’s nbd calm down.
Then she gets with her childhood crush Max in 5 seconds of the book. He turned her down 9 years ago because, who really gets why-distance, age???- but moves back to town because of a job & for her. He’s all in and is constantly telling her he is as she’s like “wah what if he doesn’t want me”…he’s literally not giving any indication of not wanting you forever. I hate that troupe because IRL that would be soooo annoying it would cause issues but nope perfect Max is just happy to be in perfect Emma’s orbit.
Max is stressed out with thinking her being with Emma is going to cause the Sullivan’s to hate him bc he grew up with them and seriously no one cares. His bff/emmas brother legit is like “k” and then the parents are like “finally.”
It was 4 hours of being drama cock blocked. There were moments that could have been bigger. The whole her being bullied by Max’s ex, the break in, the complaint…but nothing. It just fizzled into nothing or was a perfect easy fix. Even their relationship is perfect start to finish. It just was not worth it.
I had high hopes for this book but I was let down.
Emma is a character who has never been told no in her life. She apparently got bullied in school because ppl were jealous of how sweet and innocent she was and guys gave her attention bc she was curvy. But Emma hates her curves. Give me a break. And the fact that her bff had to sing I Am Beautiful to her whenever she’s in a menty b-which is always.
The drama with one person going to the board over a book had her in panic mode the entire book. Girl everyone, including your boss, is like it’s nbd calm down.
Then she gets with her childhood crush Max in 5 seconds of the book. He turned her down 9 years ago because, who really gets why-distance, age???- but moves back to town because of a job & for her. He’s all in and is constantly telling her he is as she’s like “wah what if he doesn’t want me”…he’s literally not giving any indication of not wanting you forever. I hate that troupe because IRL that would be soooo annoying it would cause issues but nope perfect Max is just happy to be in perfect Emma’s orbit.
Max is stressed out with thinking her being with Emma is going to cause the Sullivan’s to hate him bc he grew up with them and seriously no one cares. His bff/emmas brother legit is like “k” and then the parents are like “finally.”
It was 4 hours of being drama cock blocked. There were moments that could have been bigger. The whole her being bullied by Max’s ex, the break in, the complaint…but nothing. It just fizzled into nothing or was a perfect easy fix. Even their relationship is perfect start to finish. It just was not worth it.
January 6, 2024
They get together before 20%, then no story line at all. The characters were boring, and the story was boring. DNF at 48%.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2024
Coming Home by Kat Ryan was a cute 3.5 ⭐️💫 to begin 2024 with. Emma’s brother’s best friend Max, returns back to their cute small town after being away for a few years to take on a job at the park that he always dreamt of. Max had a tough upbringing and was raised by his grandparents, while feeling part of Sully & Emma’s family. Emma has a few amazing friends, great parents, a good relationship with her brother, and an awesome job as a librarian in which she feels so passionate about. Always having a crush on Max, and being rejected years ago, she never expected their relationship to take off immediately at his return. Small town vibes, cute friends to lovers romance, easy read, and some spice🌶️
October 10, 2021
Small town, brother’s best friend romance.
As a debut book, I would say Kat Ryan has established herself as one heck of a storyteller. This story takes place in a small town in the Midwest. If you’ve ever lived or spent any amount of time in a small town you will see she has described the people and places perfectly.
This is a story about Emma, a librarian at the town’s public library and Max, who has returned to the area to take a job as a natural areas manager. Max had moved to this town as an 8 year old and grew up alongside Emma and her brother Sully. Although Max and Sully were best friends, Emma and Max also had a close relationship with both wanting more but the timing was never right. This story takes place about 10 years after their high school/college days.
Max is a bit of a control freak and has a hard time not being fully in control. In spite of that he is a good friend, a hard worker, and is in a place both physically and mentally, where finding his forever seems right. Emma tends to question her worth a lot. She is beautiful, intelligent, and has the biggest, most caring heart.
What I liked about this book is that it worked through a lot of different issues with relationships of all types. So many great pieces of advice in this book from friend to friend, boss to co-worker, mother to daughter, etc. Communication was a big part of this story. I also liked that even though this story had a timespan of a few weeks the history of this couple with their families and friends felt like it took part over years. I was able to get to know all the characters in this story really well.
I highlighted many quotes in this story and some were romantic, some were advice, but this one stood out to me. “The unfairness of life sometimes took my breath away. It was a reminder that no matter how much people looked like they had it all together, most of us were dealing with life the best way we knew how. None of us were immune to a struggle or two.”
I’m hoping we will see additional books take place in this town. I’d like to know what or who is weighing heavily on Sully’s mind!
As a debut book, I would say Kat Ryan has established herself as one heck of a storyteller. This story takes place in a small town in the Midwest. If you’ve ever lived or spent any amount of time in a small town you will see she has described the people and places perfectly.
This is a story about Emma, a librarian at the town’s public library and Max, who has returned to the area to take a job as a natural areas manager. Max had moved to this town as an 8 year old and grew up alongside Emma and her brother Sully. Although Max and Sully were best friends, Emma and Max also had a close relationship with both wanting more but the timing was never right. This story takes place about 10 years after their high school/college days.
Max is a bit of a control freak and has a hard time not being fully in control. In spite of that he is a good friend, a hard worker, and is in a place both physically and mentally, where finding his forever seems right. Emma tends to question her worth a lot. She is beautiful, intelligent, and has the biggest, most caring heart.
What I liked about this book is that it worked through a lot of different issues with relationships of all types. So many great pieces of advice in this book from friend to friend, boss to co-worker, mother to daughter, etc. Communication was a big part of this story. I also liked that even though this story had a timespan of a few weeks the history of this couple with their families and friends felt like it took part over years. I was able to get to know all the characters in this story really well.
I highlighted many quotes in this story and some were romantic, some were advice, but this one stood out to me. “The unfairness of life sometimes took my breath away. It was a reminder that no matter how much people looked like they had it all together, most of us were dealing with life the best way we knew how. None of us were immune to a struggle or two.”
I’m hoping we will see additional books take place in this town. I’d like to know what or who is weighing heavily on Sully’s mind!
January 5, 2024
Cute book, and my first book from my Stuff Your Kindle Day haul on Boxing Day! Reminds me of a Hallmark Movie, I love a book with multiple POV and the fact that the main character is named Emma was the icing on the cake and she had a little Cavalier King Charles!
December 27, 2021
This was fun! Great work, Katherine ❤️
Read
October 14, 2021dnf
November 11, 2021
An author I love recommended this book and after reading the synopsis I was all in. I love a small town romance series; however, this book just didn’t do it for me. This is the debut novel for this author, so let me preface that I love the concept of this story and the author did a nice job with creating this fictional town. Some of the tertiary characters weren’t necessary to the storyline, it was like a token, stereotype characters were included from a checklist. Also there was a lot that just didn’t drive the story forward, which made the book longer than necessary. The dialogue didn’t use a lot of pronouns (personal pet peeve), and a lot of dialogue was repetitious.
October 28, 2021
This was just so cute. I loved the cinnamon roll hero a lot, he's so so amazing. I loved the communication, the childhood friends to lovers and like a right person wrong time. I loved Poppy. I loved the whole small town romance aspect of it, her brother and friends. And she works at a library and it was so enlightening to see her relationship with young people through books.
October 7, 2021
This was a new-to-me author and I really enjoyed the story!
Was a sweet small town romance that didn’t have any of the angst that Romance can have with the misunderstandings etc.
Will read more from this author for sure.
Was a sweet small town romance that didn’t have any of the angst that Romance can have with the misunderstandings etc.
Will read more from this author for sure.
Read
October 24, 2021Traveling north, south, east, and west, most small towns have a similar look about them. Whether they are the same or not, remains to be seen. Of one thing, it is certain. Small towns in the Midwest, the Mitten state, my state, are much the same. There is a rhythm in small towns unlike life in the country or city. Everyone knows everyone. Everyone pretty much knows what is happening, when it is happening, where it is happening, and with whom it is happening. At some point in your life, living in a small town will make you crazy. You can’t wait to get out, but then future experiences help you to understand those very things which made you crazy can save your life or bring you the greatest love you have ever known.
Debut romance writer Kat Ryan knows small towns and her portrait of Highland Falls is refreshingly true. Her descriptions of places and spaces inhabited by her characters paints welcoming pictures in your mind. You walk down the sidewalks through inviting and well-established neighborhoods, browse the shelves in the public library, attend a yoga session, sip a cup of coffee from a friend’s shop, jog or stroll through the paths of a large woodland park or head to the local brewery, a central hub, to meet with friends.
In Coming Home, the narrative is told in alternating views of the two main characters, Emma Sullivan and Maxwell Harp. Emma works at the public library focusing on the children’s literature area and her teen book group. She is a lifelong resident. Maxwell Harp came to Highland Falls when he was eight to live with his grandparents. He is Emma’s older brother’s best friend. Their perceptions, named chapters, and the story line mesh together beautifully. Through their thoughts and conversations their relationship unfolds in a blend of the present with backstory of the past filling in nicely. Dialogue and musings by them and all the characters are snappy, full of humor making you laugh out loud, poignant moments bringing on tears, and fiery, fierce scenes of a lasting love in the making. These people are like people you probably know.
Real-life contemporary issues and unexpected happenings along with the growing affection (which has always been there between Emma and Max) will have readers turning pages as fast as they can. This is the first in a series and as Emma would say--- Holy He__, bring on book two! Finding Beauty focuses on Maggie, Emma’s best friend, and Emma’s older brother, nicknamed Sully. Fortunately, I am currently holding a copy in my hands. Happy reading, indeed.
Debut romance writer Kat Ryan knows small towns and her portrait of Highland Falls is refreshingly true. Her descriptions of places and spaces inhabited by her characters paints welcoming pictures in your mind. You walk down the sidewalks through inviting and well-established neighborhoods, browse the shelves in the public library, attend a yoga session, sip a cup of coffee from a friend’s shop, jog or stroll through the paths of a large woodland park or head to the local brewery, a central hub, to meet with friends.
In Coming Home, the narrative is told in alternating views of the two main characters, Emma Sullivan and Maxwell Harp. Emma works at the public library focusing on the children’s literature area and her teen book group. She is a lifelong resident. Maxwell Harp came to Highland Falls when he was eight to live with his grandparents. He is Emma’s older brother’s best friend. Their perceptions, named chapters, and the story line mesh together beautifully. Through their thoughts and conversations their relationship unfolds in a blend of the present with backstory of the past filling in nicely. Dialogue and musings by them and all the characters are snappy, full of humor making you laugh out loud, poignant moments bringing on tears, and fiery, fierce scenes of a lasting love in the making. These people are like people you probably know.
Real-life contemporary issues and unexpected happenings along with the growing affection (which has always been there between Emma and Max) will have readers turning pages as fast as they can. This is the first in a series and as Emma would say--- Holy He__, bring on book two! Finding Beauty focuses on Maggie, Emma’s best friend, and Emma’s older brother, nicknamed Sully. Fortunately, I am currently holding a copy in my hands. Happy reading, indeed.
January 29, 2024
I loved this book from start to finish. I would give it ten stars if that was possible. There are so many dimensions to this story. Love and romance. Childhood memories. Best friends and family. Daily challenges. Growing up and finding oneself. On and on and on, deep love pervading everything.
The little stories of love-making are very descriptive. I could envision everything happening. Such beautiful images. Max and Emma were made for each other. And they seemed to know it as little children. It only took more than twenty years for them to find each other again.
Although Max is the one coming home, everyone in his life celebrates his arrival. His new job is a challenge. Being together again with old friends brings back fond memories. Emma is pleasantly surprised to have Max in her life again. They give so much to each other. Supporting and challenging to be stronger and better people. And learning so much about each other, physically and emotionally. What a wonderful story!!!
The little stories of love-making are very descriptive. I could envision everything happening. Such beautiful images. Max and Emma were made for each other. And they seemed to know it as little children. It only took more than twenty years for them to find each other again.
Although Max is the one coming home, everyone in his life celebrates his arrival. His new job is a challenge. Being together again with old friends brings back fond memories. Emma is pleasantly surprised to have Max in her life again. They give so much to each other. Supporting and challenging to be stronger and better people. And learning so much about each other, physically and emotionally. What a wonderful story!!!
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March 1, 2024I picked up three light romance books on Stuff Your Kindle Day in an attempt to give myself a break from my usual horror reads. This one was not my cup of tea. It is very low stakes, which I’m sure some readers will enjoy, but I didn’t like any of the characters and the dialogue and writing in general was very repetitive. I finished it by speed reading. I was a bit excited for the library board meeting since the MC was supposed to make this huge important speech defending this amazing graphic novel that a local parent was challenging, she had been stressing about it and working on her speech for like a whole week (which means 3/4 of the book) but it was a letdown- she says like four sentences and they are all very mild. Also everyone is always forcing everyone else to meet their eyes by tilting up their chins and it’s supposed to be endearing. Who does that?? Like, don’t touch me. Also why aren’t these people looking their friends and family in the face when they’re talking? I’m confused.
October 12, 2021
Emma and Max bring an honest story to light.
Emma doesn’t have the confidence in herself to speak publicly but she does have the confidence in her decision making when it comes to her job and in helping others.
She is bright, full of compassion and has been in love with Max for most of her life.
Max came home after being away for a long time. He is coming to terms with his past. He has control issues, which with his past you can see why. He’s realizing he has strong feelings for Emma and trying to find out where this can go.
This story and these characters I’m sure are relatable to so many of us. Even though it seems small town we realize problems both personal and civic wise are the same no matter where we are or where we live.
This is a new to me author. She brings a lot to the table in an entertaining and heartwarming way and she doesn’t skimp in any area. You’ll laugh smile, tear up, swoon and certainly feel the heat.
I look forward to reading more of her work!
Emma doesn’t have the confidence in herself to speak publicly but she does have the confidence in her decision making when it comes to her job and in helping others.
She is bright, full of compassion and has been in love with Max for most of her life.
Max came home after being away for a long time. He is coming to terms with his past. He has control issues, which with his past you can see why. He’s realizing he has strong feelings for Emma and trying to find out where this can go.
This story and these characters I’m sure are relatable to so many of us. Even though it seems small town we realize problems both personal and civic wise are the same no matter where we are or where we live.
This is a new to me author. She brings a lot to the table in an entertaining and heartwarming way and she doesn’t skimp in any area. You’ll laugh smile, tear up, swoon and certainly feel the heat.
I look forward to reading more of her work!
October 14, 2021
This is Ms. Ryan's debut novel and if you love the brother's best friend, friends-to-lovers, small town trope then this book is right up your alley.
Emma always had the biggest crush on Max but all those many years ago when she got the courage to give him a kiss, he told her it wasn't there time, well not in words.
After being away from Highland Falls, Max returns, to a job he always wanted at the park and for the woman that was meant to be for him.
My only issue was Emma's insecurities about herself and not deserving, but but other than that she had a big heart. Max was all in from the very beginning, very protective of Emma for sure.
Lots of secondary characters that I can see Ms. Ryan making a story out of in the future. Overall, I enjoyed.
Emma always had the biggest crush on Max but all those many years ago when she got the courage to give him a kiss, he told her it wasn't there time, well not in words.
After being away from Highland Falls, Max returns, to a job he always wanted at the park and for the woman that was meant to be for him.
My only issue was Emma's insecurities about herself and not deserving, but but other than that she had a big heart. Max was all in from the very beginning, very protective of Emma for sure.
Lots of secondary characters that I can see Ms. Ryan making a story out of in the future. Overall, I enjoyed.
December 29, 2023
trust me to cram in a bunch of books right before new year but ykw idrc atp. coming home is amazing. also just as an aside, the first line of the acknowledgements is the most relatable line as a writer, "writing a book is no joke" 😂 i died of laughter reading that
mrs ryan, i commend you on a job well done writing a small town childhood friends, brothers best friend, to lovers novel, it was incredible. ive loved every second of reading it and i COULD NOT put it down. i will definitely be reading more of your books as this book was just amazing. it had me rolling around the floor of the holiday home im currently at in laughter and trying not to sob my heart out at max's story.
happy new year!!
mrs ryan, i commend you on a job well done writing a small town childhood friends, brothers best friend, to lovers novel, it was incredible. ive loved every second of reading it and i COULD NOT put it down. i will definitely be reading more of your books as this book was just amazing. it had me rolling around the floor of the holiday home im currently at in laughter and trying not to sob my heart out at max's story.
happy new year!!
October 5, 2021
Coming Home is Kat Ryan's debut novel and what a debut! I absolutely loved Emma and Max's story. Small town, brother's best friend romances are catnip for me and loved every minute of this!
Max has returned to Highland Falls, it seemed everyone else knew but Emma who was just a tiny bit shocked to see her childhood crush return home!
Max returns for two things, his new job and Emma! Even the fact that Emma is his best friends little sister isn't going to stop him the time!
Such wonderful characters! I can't wait to head back to Highland Falls and catch up with everyone! Really hoping it's a certain older brothers story next!
Max has returned to Highland Falls, it seemed everyone else knew but Emma who was just a tiny bit shocked to see her childhood crush return home!
Max returns for two things, his new job and Emma! Even the fact that Emma is his best friends little sister isn't going to stop him the time!
Such wonderful characters! I can't wait to head back to Highland Falls and catch up with everyone! Really hoping it's a certain older brothers story next!
October 6, 2021
There's a lot to unpack and enjoy in Kat Ryan's debut novel, Coming Home. There's all of the cozy (and a bit of the nosy!) small town feeling, and the two main characters, Em and Max might be at the right place at the right time for a second chance together. This story drew upon friendships, community and mutual attraction (even when someone was fighting it!)
I look forward to more from this author. There's room for more of what is or isn't happening with Emmie's big brother and her bestie. ;)
I look forward to more from this author. There's room for more of what is or isn't happening with Emmie's big brother and her bestie. ;)
October 16, 2021
Lovely story … wanted more
This is the debut book for new author. The story is about a girl who has always had a crush on her brother’s best friend. He leaves the hometown for a number of years, and returns to his roots when his dream job opens up. I love his trope and I enjoyed the book. However,the story started slowly for me and I really would have liked the author to dig deeper into the characters.
It is a light romance and enjoyable. I look forward to the next book as this author will be releasing two more books before the end of the year. I received an ARC for an honest review.
This is the debut book for new author. The story is about a girl who has always had a crush on her brother’s best friend. He leaves the hometown for a number of years, and returns to his roots when his dream job opens up. I love his trope and I enjoyed the book. However,the story started slowly for me and I really would have liked the author to dig deeper into the characters.
It is a light romance and enjoyable. I look forward to the next book as this author will be releasing two more books before the end of the year. I received an ARC for an honest review.
October 29, 2022
I love libraries! The heroine of this book is a librarian and one of the storylines centers around an attempt to censor young adult fiction. In today's anxious times, this novel was pure comfort food. In addition to a romance between childhood friends, Coming Home features a quaint small town with quirky residents. The relationship between the characters was convincing. Both the hero and heroine need to overcome personal insecurities to develop trust in their relationship. I loved this very positive and optimistic story.
December 31, 2023
Honestly this started off so so good and then completely feel flat.
The deed is done within chapters of him coming back to town, he’s way too over the top. The author tries to make him controlling in an attractive way but there’s no character development
Everything got boring because there was no conflict
This book was like after the HEA has happened and you vaugely get to see how they’re living.
If that makes sense.
There’s also tons of grammatical errors, missing words and sentences that do not work together.
The deed is done within chapters of him coming back to town, he’s way too over the top. The author tries to make him controlling in an attractive way but there’s no character development
Everything got boring because there was no conflict
This book was like after the HEA has happened and you vaugely get to see how they’re living.
If that makes sense.
There’s also tons of grammatical errors, missing words and sentences that do not work together.
January 17, 2024
Cutie little romance of older brother’s best friend to lover. Mildly spicy but leaves most to the imagination.
Emma and Maxwell have know each other their entire lives. Grew up together, had crushes on each other, he rejected her because he didn’t want to take away from her life and then moved away for 10 years. And now he’s back-for a forever job and her.
A quick realization that they were it for each other, some issues arriving from his past and her current present have them learning how to communicate and work together to overcome.
Emma and Maxwell have know each other their entire lives. Grew up together, had crushes on each other, he rejected her because he didn’t want to take away from her life and then moved away for 10 years. And now he’s back-for a forever job and her.
A quick realization that they were it for each other, some issues arriving from his past and her current present have them learning how to communicate and work together to overcome.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2024
This was okay, in a Hallmarkesque way. My main issue with it, though, is that we get no build-up. We know that Emma has always liked Max, but as soon as they start dating, we are told that he has been dreaming of being with her forever, and they are instantly in love. The whole fun of a romance book is being with the characters for their entire love story, and that is missing here. There was also no real conflict. A lot of minor things were happening (such as the library board meeting) but the characters seemed to think they were huge events. It was sweet, but one-note.
June 2, 2024
actually so cute. you could really see how they both grew as people. cutesy with some spice. a good read if you need something quick and light.
shows the impact that relationships, both familial and romantic, have on your current relationships. it’s hard to change your ways after it’s been habit for so long. i wish Maggie was more involved, as the book went on she was there less and less compared to the beginning but i get that’s it’s not really about her lol. a good book but i don’t think it was that good to make me wanna read the series.
shows the impact that relationships, both familial and romantic, have on your current relationships. it’s hard to change your ways after it’s been habit for so long. i wish Maggie was more involved, as the book went on she was there less and less compared to the beginning but i get that’s it’s not really about her lol. a good book but i don’t think it was that good to make me wanna read the series.
February 25, 2025
A cute little romance. Some of the writing didn’t flow or over explained the thinking (if such and such was fifteen this guy was bigger etc so must be 17).
I will say I love a whirlwind romance and wish I could move in and marry my partner but I also acknowledge that there are steps. I prefer books that don’t have the proposal at the end, especially when the book spans a few months 🤷🏽♀️
Also I could have used a lot less of the repetitive talks about talking to each other and honesty. I did appreciate the lack of a miscommunication break up though
I will say I love a whirlwind romance and wish I could move in and marry my partner but I also acknowledge that there are steps. I prefer books that don’t have the proposal at the end, especially when the book spans a few months 🤷🏽♀️
Also I could have used a lot less of the repetitive talks about talking to each other and honesty. I did appreciate the lack of a miscommunication break up though
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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