Home to the Outer Banks

by Diann Ducharme

Ben and Abby Whimble have been living apart for five years, with almost no communication between them.

As an instructor at the Peabody Normal College in Nashville, Abby has traveled all over the country with her mentor Graham Wharton, visiting schools and observing teaching methods, while Ben has, after years of sadness and a near-fatal illness, at last found a vocation that suits his varied talents.

Neither of them believes their marriage is viable, until Abby decides to forgo her college teaching position to build, and teach in, a one-room schoolhouse on the isolated barrier island town of Nags Head, North Carolina. Her and Graham's unforeseen arrival brings confusion and even outrage to the entire village, especially Ben.

Can Ben and Abby find their way back to one another after so many years apart? Or is coming "home to the Outer Banks" just a fairy tale written in sand, easily washed away by the ocean's relentless waves?

This third novel in The Outer Banks House series explores the people and places that we yearn for, and the reasons why we choose to call them "home."

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction

280 pages, Paperback

Published May 17, 2022

About the author

Diann Ducharme holds a bachelor's degree in English literature from the University of Virginia and a master's degree in teaching from Virginia Commonwealth University. A native of Newport News, Virginia, she has vacationed on the Outer Banks of North Carolina all of her life and has used this intriguing setting as a backdrop for her writing. Ducharme's literary debut, The Outer Banks House, was published in 2010, her second novel Chasing Eternity in 2012, the follow-up to The Outer Banks House, Return to the Outer Banks House, in 2014, and the much-anticipated conclusion to the series, Home to the Outer Banks, in 2022. She currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband Sean, their children.

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this third book in the series. Liked how Abby wanted to include all people in helping them learn to read, old and young, black and white, even though it was frowned upon by many on the Outer Banks. She was very determined to return to the Outer Banks to build a school for all.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all three books in this series. This one was by far my favorite! I didn’t want it to end!

[stevieeenyxreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book not knowing that it was the 3rd (and final) book in a series, but that did not stop me from really enjoying it! I definitely will be looking for the first 2 books. As someone who loves historical books as well as the Outer Banks, I really loved reading this! I imagine that starting a school in a place such as Nags Head in the 1880s would have been a huge feat, and I found myself rooting for Abby and celebrating her successes, as well as the successes of the islander students. Even without knowing the full backstory of Abby and Ben, I was fully invested in their story both separate and together. Altogether this was a solid, uplifting story!

[Merritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diann Ducharme's "Home to the Outer Banks," was very enjoyable. Care was used in developing the primary characters and a decision by Abby Whimble to return to Nags Head in the 1880's to open the areas first schoolhouse.

Her husband, Ben, who never left the area while Abby was away for five years, reconciles and resumes a relationship with his wife. At the same time, he encourages local children and adults to come to the school to get an education.

Ducharme does a great job of creating visual paintings of the Outer Banks and the rugged individualists characters. An enjoyable read.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story about the Outerbanksand a teacher who built a school house to welcome all to school. Abby and her husband Ben reunite in this story. The story shares some history of how teachers went to a Normal School to learn and how they were willing to teach everyone, no matter age or race at a time when many were not given the opportunity to learn to read and write. I. This story, there was even some history around scientists learning from the ocean. I enjoyed this story but think it would be better if all books in the series were read.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A Beautiful Tale of Second Chances and Coming Home"

This heartfelt story of love, loss, and rediscovery swept me away. Ben and Abby’s emotional journey is both tender and powerful, set against the vivid backdrop of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Full of richly drawn characters and deep reflections on what it means to belong, this third installment in The Outer Banks House series is a moving tribute to forgiveness, hope, and the places we call home. A must-read for fans of historical fiction and emotional, character-driven stories.

[Kathie Kuehl · Rating 2 out of 5]

The third and final book in this Outer Banks series. The story continues as Ben and Abby Whitmore continue to live apart and rarely communicate with each other. Abby has traveled all over the country with her mentor, Graham Wharton, visiting schools and observing teaching methods. Benga’s survived a near fatal illness and. Amy decides she really wants to build and teach in a school on the isolated island of Nags Head, NC. Once she and Graham arrive there, the townspeople rail against them because they think Abby is in a relationship with him.Ben is especially upset. Eventually, Abby and Ben realize that they still love each other and want to continue on with their marriage. My thought is that these last 2 books in the series could have been cut and condensed into one book. I found it tiresome that Ben and Abby allowed this long separation (5years) to continue on without resolution. The story line got old!

[Maggie Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite in the series as it seemed to drag it's feet with pacing but a nice wrap up to all that had been built up in the previous two novels. Love love love all the outer banks references/history.

[Maureen Mayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so worried there wouldn’t be a third book, but Ms. Ducharme has brought this series full circle in the most beautiful and heart-warming way. If you enjoy historical romance and the Outer Banks, then you will LOVE this series!
#TeamBenAndAbby

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so well written and kept me interested during the entire story. I felt transported as I read the pages, and I look forward to reading the other book in this series. Excellent author.

[Jules peacock · Rating 5 out of 5]

The entire trilogy was fantastic…and it was pretty cool to read the 2nd and 3rd books on the beach in Nags Head!

[Steph Loughman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! I didn’t realize that it was the third in a series so now I’m very excited to go back in time and catch up on Ben and Abby’s lives before this book.

[Kelly Cross]

Meh… only liked because I live here and in the surrounding areas.

[Cinda C. Browne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid historical romance about one of my favorite places, the Outer Banks. I'm even renting a home in the Nags Head Woods area this summer.
This is well-written, and really does transport you back in time. I did not read the first book of the three, but it didn't impact my enjoyment of either this novel or the one before it. It is very character driven and the ending is very satisfying.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

GOODREADS GIVEAWAY WINNER - Thank you, author Ducharme and Kill Devil Hills Publishing. Ducharme's writing is as beautiful as the Outer Banks itself. Abby and Ben meet again in the final book of this series. "Home to the Outer Banks" can be a stand-alone read, but don't let it be. Ducharme's writing style, characterizations, and historical depth make me excited to read the beginning and middle of this story. The cover is attractive, and the paper is of good quality. Thank you for the personal note and signed copy. This book is now a permanent part of my collection.