Together, Luke and Nora survived the hardships and dangers along the Oregon Trail in 1851. What started out as a marriage of convenience between a woman living as a man and a former prostitute slowly grew into love. But now that they have arrived in Oregon City, the real adventure is just beginning. Winter is approaching, and they need to claim a piece of land and build a cabin, all while trying to establish their new roles as life partners and parents. Will they find a place to call home and, more importantly, a way to grow as a couple? “A Place to Call Home” is a lesbian historical romance short story that continues Jae’s award-winning Oregon series. It picks up directly after the end of Backwards to Oregon.
Jae is the author of twenty-six award-winning romances between women. She lives in the sunniest city of Germany, near the French and Swiss borders. The writing bug bit her at the age of eleven.
She used to work as a psychologist but gave up her day job in 2013 to become a full-time writer and a part-time editor. As far as she’s concerned, it’s the best job in the world.
When she’s not writing, she is an avid reader of sapphic books, indulges her ice cream and office supply addictions, and watches way too many crime shows.
This novella is the sequel to Jae's best book written to date - Backwards to Oregon. That book was the first lesfic historical romance I had read and it changed my mind about them. I fell in love with Luke right away. Luke is kind, gentlemanly and is the best "husband" there is. I love the life and family she made with Nora and this sequel novella just makes me so happy.
This is a must read for those of you who love Jae's Oregon series. It takes place right after 'Backwards to Oregon' and gives us a glimpse into Luke and Nora's first days and weeks after their journey west.
I really enjoy this series and the Hamilton family. This little novella was a cute addition! Now Jae needs to write a book about Lucy, Luke and Nora's granddaughter!
I absolutely loved this short story! So much that I want to read the whole series again. I'm so happy Jae gives us new glimpses into these characters' lives periodically!
Loved it! I am not a great lover of historical romances but I originally read Backwards to Oregon earlier this year as part of my book challenge (made it to double dragon 🥳). I can’t say how much I enjoyed Luke and Nora’s story and blew through the entire series in a few days. This new story takes you right back to them and is a wonderful glimpse of their life starting out in Oregon. It made me want to read the whole series again, which I may just have to do, these characters are some of the most engaging and heartwarming I’ve encountered. Definitely is a must read!
4.75 Stars - this is EXACTLY what I wanted from book two. I only wish this was longer and described their early years together on the ranch before exploring Amy's story in book two. I love these two so much! Really enjoyed this.
Cheers to the pioneers who crossed the Great Plains to make their homes on the West Coast. What amazing fortitude they had back then. This book had several lines of wisdom in it that we could learn a lot from in our modern day comfy lives.
Jae continues to amaze me with her storytelling and character development. I will be a life long fan.
I’ll cut the chase and go to the point; we all know how great Backwards to Oregon is. I mean, come on! It’s a modern classic in every single way!
There’s nothing more beautiful than learning from the one you love. Luke and Nora are just so special, equals and yet so different from one another, and this makes their journey through life so significant. I love how Jae is always able to captivate your attention span while reading, and at the same time give you space to think about what you are reading.
Reading Jae’s writing is like having a relaxing stroll on a Sunday afternoon. You know you’ll enjoy it, and you know you’ll learn in the end a lot about kindness, respect for women and their strength.
No more of that "I’m a woman, I’m not supposed to do that, or I can’t do that", but more of... "I can learn", "let me try ".
There are millions of ways to reach the same goals, people are so diverse and beautiful when focused on obtaining a goal.
Don’t they say… if there’s a will, there’s a way. Luke and Nora are that way. Power to them.
For the first time in her life, Luke believed that she could have it all—a family who loved her and a place to call home.
3.5 stars. Absolutely adorable; I'll never get tired of revisiting this family and this romance. I love getting historical stories like this, where we delve a little into the minutiae of mundane things (in this case, building a log cabin) and I liked that there were a couple ruminations on gender. Lovely simple writing, as always. Kudos. <3
So in the past I have said that I prefer Jae's longer fiction ... bite my tongue. This was the most delightful and delicious short story. It is a beautiful insight and wonderfully realistic into the dynamics of Luke and Nora as they start their new lives, struggling against the social norms and finding a place to call home in each other. One of my favourite short reads of the year.
Taking place immediately after getting to Oregon, this follows the Hamilton family while they try to establish their homestead. I think this was definitely in my top favorites of the short stories! Even though this was only about 40 pages it felt like more. Great addition to one of my favorite series.
A touching story of finding a place to lead a safe life next to a loved one. Of course, the way to get to this goal is long and tiresome. It has a very well-written pace and characters that are easily attached to. This read is a perfect prelude to a full-length novel.
I so love this series !!!! And reading what they did just after the end of book 1 it’s great !!! Thank you Jae for this, I had such a lovely time whit this book !!
I was so happy to see anything Luke and Nora - Backward to Oregon, thank you Jae for some more of their story. I know there are other books in the series but they're my main love and seeing them build and grow together in this short series has been great. I need not recommend this book you already know it's great
It is rare to come across a book as well written as Backwards to Oregon that also happens to speak to the butch/femme community with such exquisite care.
A Place to Call Home feels like a gift to me. It's like getting a big bowl of ice cream WITH all the extras; What a wonder treasure!
Jae has given us another small bit of paradise with the short story "A Place to Call Home", book 5 in the Oregon Series. Luke and Nora along with their children Amy & Natalie have found a beautiful, perfect spot in Oregon to make their home. They build their cabin and relish the joys of having found each other. If you like the Oregon Series, be sure and read this one.
This short story is a beautiful addition to this series, having a glimpse into this characters we love, their struggles and how this place we came to love in Hidden Truths became their home it's endearing and just leaves me wanting to know more of the Hamilton's adventures.
Thoroughly enjoyed this sneak peek into Luke and Nora’s life on their new ranch. Luke and Nora’s growth as a couple is wonderfully depicted in this short story. Amy is so endearing, I just wanted to give her a hug.
I read this latest short story in Jae's Oregon series twice on October 24th. It is THAT good 🥰 Every chapter has got moments that are worth admiring and will surely melt the hearts of the Hamiltons' fans. 🍋🏠🪵🥳
I really enjoyed reading this short book on how everyone got along after arriving in Oregon. Just wish there was more about Nattie and Phin after they got married.
I’m obsessed with this series. It had me hooked from the moment I picked up Backwards to Oregon.
This novella is no angst and just pure sweetness, following the days after Luke and Nora arrived in Oregon City. I think Luke and Nora are two of the most likeable characters I’ve read, they are just both so sweet and respectful towards eachother. And the way Jae writes it is just so natural and believable too.
I love that this takes place immediately after book 1! Bring on the settlement! Bring on the learning curve! And mostly, bring on the chance to continue watching them become the loving family we root for!
Now I want to build a cabin 😁
Recommend for the historical accuracy, the sweat that feels like it drips off the pages, and the loving way this family deals with all the challenges and victories!