Home for Wounded Hearts

by Ashley Farley, Tanya Eby (Narrator)

Faith Neilson, survivor of an abusive marriage, has finally discovered her life's passion. She's established a shelter for women in crisis - not only for homeless women, but also for those who are suffering from abuse, dealing with addiction, or coping with grief over the loss of a loved one. Faith's mission, when she opens her doors, is to help the residents mend their broken hearts. In the midst of that challenge, she struggles to find additional funding to keep her program afloat while balancing the demands of career and home.

This stand-alone spin-off of the best-selling Sweeney Sisters series presents a cast of memorable characters: Tilda, who is convinced she has Alzheimer's; Molly, a street-smart homeless woman who has an endearing childlike quality; Caroline, whose gardening hobby has become an obsession since the death of her son; and Jenny, a young woman whose anger at her husband for having an affair with her best friend has spiraled out of control.

Join these women in their day-to-day lives as they endeavor to move from uncertainty toward independence. When the actions of a young resident's abusive stepfather threaten the residents' lives, as well as the future of the shelter, tension mounts and bonds of friendship are tested in a dramatic conclusion.

©2019 Ashley Farley (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Genres: Chick Lit, Abuse

Audible Audio

First published January 15, 2019

About the author

⭐️USA Today Bestseller⭐️
Ashley Farley writes heartfelt stories about women navigating life’s challenges. Her characters—mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives—face real-life struggles with resilience and grace. Best known for her Sweeney Sisters series, Ashley’s books have touched the hearts of readers far and wide.

A wife and mother of two young adults, for more than two decades, Ashley has split her time between Richmond and the Northern Neck of Virginia. Yet, a piece of her heart will always belong to the South Carolina Lowcountry, where she draws inspiration from the moss-draped oaks, coastal cuisine, and the warm, welcoming spirit of its people.

Ashley loves to hear from her readers.
Visit her website @ http://www.ashleyfarley.com
Sign up for her newsletter @ https://ashleyfarley.com/newsletter-s...
Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AshleyFarley...

Reviews

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOME FOR THE WOUNDED HEARTS, a standalone novel about hope and renewal by Ashley Farley will be RELEASED January 15th.

Ashley Farley is a very talented writer, who writes about women for women. Her characters are mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives facing real-life issues. Her goal is to keep the reader turning the pages until the wee hours of the morning. HOME FOR THE WOUNDED HEARTS kept me turning the pages until the wee hours of the morning. I could not stop reading until I finished the book.

It was wonderful to reconnect with Faith, Mike, Bitsy, Moses and Jamie again and catch up with the happenings in their lives. It was like reconnecting with friends who have been away.

Faith had been abused and nearly killed by her first husband and was now married to Mike, her second husband who adopted her daughter and was loving and very supportive. Faith was the founder and director of a new woman's shelter called Lovie's Home for Wounded Hearts. She named it after her recently deceased mother, Lovie. The mission for the shelter was to mend broken hearts, to be open to women in need of a safe place to heal from whatever abuse or hardship or grief they were experiencing in their lives.

While some books are plot driven, and others are character driven, Home for the Wounded Hearts has the perfect combination of both. The talented Ashley Farley has mastered the art of creating well developed characters like Molly, Jenny, Rosalie and Jenny, and writing intriguing, believable storylines and seamlessly weaving them together with just the right amount of tension.

I highly recommend HOME FOR THE WOUNDED HEARTS by Ashley Farley.
5 bright unforgettable stars ⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️


Special thanks to the author Ashley Farley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my unbiased honest review.

[Susan (The Book Bag) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I started reading Home for Wounded Hearts, I hadn't realized how much I missed the Sweeney sisters. It was so wonderful to reconnect with them again and find out what was going in their lives. Listen to me, I sound like I was revisiting old friends, but that's how I've come to feel about all of them. I've been through the ups and downs of each of the sisters.

Home for Wounded Hearts is the story of Faith and what she has done with her life—creating a loving and safe place for women with wounded hearts and souls, much like what her life was before things turned around for her.

Ashley's stories are always full of love and kindness, even as her characters go through their trials and tribulations. And they always seem to come back to the importance of being surrounded by family—families related by love or just simply by caring for one another. The women who come to live at the Home form a strong family bond as they discover the true meaning of family.

I loved Home for Wounded Hearts and I loved visiting the Sweeney Sisters again. I highly recommend this 'feel good' story.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 42%

Idk, maybe I'm in a book slump, maybe I'm weird, but I just don't wanna read a novel where everyone has money, everything works out and everyone swoops in to save everybody else. It's too "perfect", ya know what I'm sayin?? It's fkn corny

If you like the premise of this book (I do, that's why I read it) I recommend Lullaby Sky by Carolyn Brown. She does the abused-woman-running-a-womens-shelter-thingy a lot better

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulled me right in and kept me wanting more until the very end. It’s a wonderful story of a “home” for anyone that is suffering from almost anything. Be it spousal abuse, loss of a child, drug/alcohol addiction/abuse or something else. The women are so realistic and likable. You will feel like you know them or they are some of your dearest friends. You will laugh with them and cry with them. Fear for them. Root for them to succeed. From a rocky beginning to a bond that will last a lifetime, these women take you on a ride that you won’t soon forget. There was one that I could really relate to. They are all amazing woman from different backgrounds and ages.

Each woman has a story and the author did a great job of writing this so you knew exactly what was happening and why. Ashley Farley is a great story teller and this book is just one of her wonderful, feeling stories that will make you happy that you read it.. I look forward to the other Sweeney Sister books now for sure. I have not read any of them yet but have read books by Ms Farley and loved them.

Thank you for an ARC of this book. It was wonderful from start to finish.
I have to give it a big 5 stars!!

[Jennie Veazey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story!!
I so loved this new installment of the Sweeney Sisters! This installment focuses more on Faith and her new business Lovie’s Home for women who are troubled, homeless, or no where to go. She knows first hand what it’s like to be an abused wife. Now her dream has come true and she can help those who are less fortunate. With the love and support of her second husband, family, and friends she opens the doors to the next chapter of their lives...
This story was so uplifting and enjoyable. As always, Ashley Farley knows how to weave a lot of emotion into her story as well as a gripping story line that keeps you waiting for what will happen next. The Sweeney sisters are my favorite and Ashley didn’t disappoint me with this book! Beautiful story that makes you think about what you could do for those struggling through life. Beautiful, emotional, funny and touching! Thank you for another amazing novel!

[Lyn Sweetapple · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really intrigued by the concept of a home for wounded hearts. The characters were all well developed. The only inconsistency was the funding issue.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new novel takes the reader back into the lives of the Sweeney sisters - mostly Faith. Note - even though it's part of a series, this one can be read as a standalone with no confusion but if you want to read a fantastic series, go ahead and read them all.

Faith has lived through an abusive marriage and is now happily married when she decides to open up a home for women with problems - homeless, abuse, anger issues, depression, etc. Any woman who needs some help to get back on her feet and become a functioning member of society is welcome. The shelter has just opened and the first women are in residence. Among them is Molly who has been homeless for years but is also hiding an even more hurtful secret, Caroline who has been unable to accept the loss of her son and Jenny a young woman with real anger management issues. As Faith and her staff work to help these women, they are plagued with funding issues along with the women's problems. Following these woman on a day to day basis gave me the whole gamut of emotions - I laughed with them and cried with them but all along I was rooting for their success.

This was a wonderful novel based on women who needed a little help to get back on track again and live fulfilling lives. Ashley Farley has such a wonderful talent of creating characters that these women seemed like women that I know. It was wonderful to visit with the Sweeney family and I hope that there are more books about them in the future., I'd love to read more about Molly and Caroline and the rest of the group to find out how they are doing in their new lives.

Thanks to the author for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

[Jeanne Maliner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashley Farley has created PERFECTION in a spin-off of her series, The Sweeney Sisters. It can be read as part of the series or as a stand-a-lone. There is romance in the continuing marriage of Mike and Faith, compassion, mystery, and love between friends. It has an excellent plot with well-developed characters. The characters' personalities are real, not the figment of an author's imagination. The only thing wrong with it is one does not want to think I can start this before I sleep, because at 4 a..m when you finish the book, you'll realize the time. While you are reading, you are engaged in the story and won't even think about putting it down. I highly recommend this story, plus all the others Ms. Farley has written.

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love love love this series. The Sweeney family draws me in every time and I love watching the family members grow in various ways.

This book does deal with abused women and a home that Faith sets up because she understands what is like to be in an abusive relationship. While the topic is heavy, the book is not and while you feel for the women and the various situations they are in at the moment, there is hope and that is probably what these women need the most. I can see spinoff stories or even some of these characters making guest appearances in future books because there is more to their stories and this book just touches on each one of them.

[Christie Sitterly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters in this book are AMAZING! The "home" mentioned in the title is a safe place of peace and recovery for women who have suffered tragedies such as domestic abuse, death of a loved one, or substance abuse. The characters in this book are so real, they could be the reader's best friend or loved one. Although they start off as strangers, the ladies come together to overcome a threatening situation, resulting in a happily ever after. Farley consistently produces stories that speak to the reader's heart and soul and this one is no exception.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home for Wounded Hearts chronicles the establishment of Lovie's House by her daughter Faith. It is a stand alone book or possibly an epilogue for the Sweeney Sisters series. Faith is a survivor of an abusive marriage and establishes the home as a way of honoring her mother, paying it forward and acknowledging the fact that people sometimes need help and may not know it or, if they know they need it, don't know where to find help. Her goal was to have a safe place for women to stay while sorting things out in their lives. We meet the first residents of the home - Molly who has been homeless for several years, Caroline who struggles with the loss of her son and subsequently her husband who moves on, Tilda who struggles to find her way as a widow following a full life as the wife of a politician, and Jenny who is dealing with anger management issues. Together they form tenuous at times bonds, but when the situation presents itself, act like the team they have become.

Ashley Farley has a gift for crafting stories whose characters are realistic and thoughtfully portrayed. If you have never read any of her books, start with this one - her newest; then go back and read her Sweeney Sisters series. After that, she has ten other books including her Magnolia series.
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book to review.

[Sydney Hopke · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great story. It makes you feel in so many ways. Faith wants to help women who need it after what she's been through even though now she's in a great marriage. And that's the start of her shelter and where the story takes place. This is the story of Faith's shelter and the women living there. Each has their own hurdles and problems but they also make a family in their own way. When one of their own is in trouble they work together the way family does. A story that you must read!

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

After staying up way too late last night finishing my Kindle copy of Ashley Farley's Home for Wounded Hearts, I'm grateful for coffee this morning! Home for Wounded Hearts is the continuation of the story of the Sweeney Sisters in a whole new and exciting way with a bright future for the familiar characters and new ones introduced in this book. I can't wait to see where this story line goes :)

[Beverly Mccollum · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rating. The author is known for women’s literature and this sweet novel is an excellent example a story of devotion to improving your community by offering help and guidance for women who are homeless-in crisis -or simply “lost”. An affirming look at what one can accomplish to better a bad situation. Recommend it

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the latest book in the Sweeney Sisters series. It is really important to read the books that come before this one in the series, though. It makes a difference in how you respond to the various things that happen in the lives of the sisters.

It was nice to see Faith finally find her niche and what brings joy to her life. There are the usual moments of angst and drama. But the sisters' relationship continues to help them find their way through the story. They can fuss and get angry or irritated with each other, but their love for each other finally shines through.

I look forward to this "spin off" taking off with the "home" and how the lives of these women will be changed.

Thank you to the author, Ashley Farley, for an ARC in exchange for this honest review.

[Scott Chapman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sigh. As a fan of Ashley Farley, I read the whole book, but.......

....It doesn't read like other Ashley Farley books. More like Laura Ingalls Wilder as in LHOTP.
Very simplistic, elementary dialogue, simply drawn characters, although some are charming. I read the author's notes disclaiming her unintended scenario that life was all rosy at the shelter. The "shelter/spa" was definitely unbelievable. Don't know what they're like now, but 35 years ago, the one I "visited" was miserable.
I'll continue to read this author's books, of course.

[Anne Peugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strong message

This book has such an important message for all of us that I hesitate to say anything negative. However, to be honest, it was a bit slow. At one point I was interrupted in my reading, and simply forgot I hadn't finished it.

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novel is far from exciting or exhilarating, or even engrossing, but it’s a nice story told at a very slow pace with emphasis on characters instead of action.

[Lisa G. Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEAUTIFUL & HEARTWARMING!

Ashley Farley is known for her skillful way of approaching relationships between family members as well as relationships between women. Home for Wounded Hearts proves she is a master at this genre! This novel is a beautiful story of women who feel as though they have lost everything, some who have truly lost every family member, some who are lost from family due to estrangement and some who are lost as to who they are and who they could become with love, encouragement and guidance.

Farley brings back members of her beloved Sweeney family, mainly Faith, to begin a new story using Lovie’s home as a shelter for women needing a second start in life. Faith knows that need all too well as she is the survivor of an abusive first marriage and has been blessed with a second marriage to an ER doctor that supports her in her endeavors to help these women. Faith has an excellent staff in place & opens the doors for her first group of women. As you can imagine, it’s as eclectic a group as could be possibly gathered under one roof. Women of all ages and each dealing with their own demons. A few of the women have been referred to Faith and a few just end up there and as the plot unravels, you know that deep down, regardless of their main issue, the deepest longing of their souls is to be truly LOVED by someone and recognized individually as a person of worth. Isn’t that the longing of all our souls?

Faith’s rehabilitation program is built on building a sense of family by requiring roommates, giving everyone rotating chores to allow everyone to feel a sense of accomplishment and potentially find a new skill set. They women are also involved in personal and group therapy. The things the women find out about themselves and and each other is astonishing and rewarding. It is evident they will leave changed and will continue to change the lives of people they encounter in the future.

I was provided an ARC of this novel by the author. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.

[Jennifer Lara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Home for Wounded Hearts by Ashley Farley is a story of hope and renewal. Faith Neilson is a survivor of an abusive marriage. Her new passion in life is to help other women in dangerous and hopeless situations. She opens a women’s shelter, Lovie’s Home. A home not just for abused women but women dealing with addiction, grief, homelessness, any woman who wants to mend their broken hearts and find a new meaning in life. There’s Tilda who is convinced she has Alzheimer’s. Molly, a street-smart homeless woman with a childlike quality and a deeply wounded heart. Caroline who has hidden her grief in her gardening hobby. As they find the will to live life day-to-day, the future of the shelter and their bonds of friendship are threatened. Can they find the strength to protect their new home and themselves?
Spinning off of her bestselling Sweeney Sisters series, Ms Farley attempts to write a story with a strong message and very deep situations. While I was intrigued by the opening chapter, I was quickly bored as it was slow with none of the depth I expected from the situations each woman experiences. I found myself dozing off as I tried to read. Everyone seemed to fall in line with the shelter’s routine with very little conflict. Faith was a bit unbelievable as a character. She is an abuse survivor but what about experiencing an abusive relationship gives her the insight that certain residents as roommates would help “heal” each other. Maybe I’m missing something from not reading the original series. Overall, I did not enjoy it. However, if you are a fan of Ms Farley’s Sweeney Sisters series, you may enjoy Home for Wounded Hearts.

Home for Wounded Hearts is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

[Judy Christiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is part of the Sweeney Sister series. I did not read the previous books. I honestly did not know this was part of a series when the title called to me, and I then requested it from the library. My library was only able to purchase the audio version for some reason, and I would have rather read he book then listen to it. Regardless of my preference, I did enjoy the reading of the book. The narrator did a great job using different voices for the characters. (I did not see the Audio version as an option for my review on Goodreads.)

While not knowing the history of the characters, since I did not read the previous books, I did understand all that was happening, but I do feel like I missed some of the story's emotions not knowing what had happened to the characters before this point.

In this story, Faith is completing the set up for a home for women in any kind of trouble to come to for help. The environment is very loving, but also pushes the women to find out the root of their problems to heal and then be able to go on and have goals for their future life.

The casts of characters are varied and each have their own issues and the beginning of healing takes place in this book. The world Ashley Farley has created is what the world should be like. Each person helping each other grow and succeed. It was a nice place to be for a while.

I enjoyed this book of inspiration and faith in a good future, for those that have hard issues in their lives.

[Anne Rightler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home for Wounded Hearts by Ashley Farley is another great story from this talented author. It is a spin-off of her Sweeney Sisters series but it is a stand-alone story. One of the Sweeney sisters has opened a home for women in need of a safe place to heal from whatever hardship, abuse or grief they might be experiencing. There is a good sense of tension in the book as life for each of the women is not a rosy one, nor is the opening of a new facility without its challenges. How things are worked out is entertaining and satisfying. A group of hurting, unique women, a dangerous intruder, and a baby who can't wait to be born, as well as familiar characters from Farley's other books, add colorful interest as the author weaves all of these together to make a delightful story. The author does a great job of making this story realistic and compelling, enabling the reader to cheer for, cry for, and get caught up in the real-life issues of each of the characters. A poignant and intense story to remind us of the blessing of belonging and friendship, and the importance of being a help to others in the midst of hard times. I look forward to reading Farley's books and I was not disappointed with Home for Wounded Hearts.
I read a complimentary copy of the book and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

[Bambi Rathman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulled at my heart strings from the very beginning pages. It's the story of a group of women who have come from difficult and terrible places in their lives. They find themselves in a home for "wounded hearts" called Lovie's Home. Faith has a heart to help the women who have found themselves in her home and who have been in different types of terrible situations. They come to the home for healing and to find their way back to fulfilling lives through love, compassion, understanding and unity with other women.
I fell in love with these characters. Each one opened a place in my heart for them. I felt the fears, anger, frustrations, desperation, anxiety and hopelessness. The pain they were going through was excruciating and made my heart hurt for them. Ms. Farley has such a great skill at bringing emotions out through her characters and also in creating a story that draws me in and doesn't let go.
I love the way the characters bonded and were there for each other. It wasn't easy but they connected and helped each other heal and have hope. Their journey together created "healed hearts". This book also made my heart happy.
I want to thank Ms. Farley and I am so honored to have been given the opportunity to read an ARC of this wonderful book. I have read several other of Ms. Farley's books and I have enjoyed every one of them.

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a stand-alone book but it is from the Sweeney sisters series. When the series ended I was sad but ok, and have thought about them often. So when I read this book it was like coming home and oh how I missed those sisters. It was so nice getting caught back up. Faith had been through so much so to find she opened a shelter for women was so nice. So much healing, and seeing each woman come into themselves was inspiring. Everyone stumbles and falls and we all sometimes need a helping hand. The women at Home For Wounded Hearts, accepted the hand that offered them help and they became inspired, the women created bonds, and they lifted each other up. I highly recommend this book to all women. This story has women from 18 all the way up to gray-haired and I think some might just enjoy the read while others find encouragement. Thank you, Ashley Farley, for writing this new series. I didn't realize how much I missed them..

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just discovered Ashley Farley six months ago and I love, love, love her books! I was introduced to her through The Sweeney Sisters series and Home for Wounded Hearts is the series' break-away story of Faith, the youngest of the Sweeney sisters. Although Faith was the accountant for the family business, she decides to break away and open a shelter for women who need a safe place, no matter their circumstances. Thus, she creates Lovie's Home and opens its doors to six different women, all of whom drew me into their personal sagas. I loved getting to know Faith and watching her grow from an abused woman and blossom into a strong, nurturing woman who knows exactly what is needed by these women. Again, Ashley Farley carried me along on a wonderful, although at times painful, adventure.

Go Cards! L1C4!!

[Anne Wolters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a spin-off of the Sweeney Sisters series, featuring Faith, one of the sisters. Faith was in an extremely abusive marriage which resulted in eventually her shooting and killing her ex-husband. Her painful experience gave her a heart for other women suffering from abuse, loneliness and homelessness to name a few. Faith opens a shelter for women who have experienced a variety of different kind of trauma. This is a story that will warm your heart as Faith and her staff provide counseling, job skills, and in some cases basic life skills to these hurting women so they can become self-sufficient, contributing members of life. Farley captures the anguish and challenges of these women so well you feel you are living right along with them. After you turn the last page, this heartfelt story will stay with you. One of the best books I’ve ever read.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a genuine, warm and loving story.

Faith has learned first hand that life is not always fair.
Yet, given a chance, and with guidance, people can thrive and move forward.
Faith decides to “pay it forward” and creates a special "shelter".
This home is for women who have suffered physically and or emotionally and need a stable place to regroup. Everyone has their own story that has brought them to Lovie's home.
Yet, one thing that they all lack is friendship and the confidence to trust once more.
I loved this book and found myself cheering as each resident begins to realize their dreams and learns to help one another. The bonds of "sisters" were created!
This is well written and will definitely leave you with a smile!

[LauraP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely!!

Although this is a continuation of the Sweeney Sisters' story, it can be read as a stand-alone as the author brings back into this book the memories from prior books that are relevant to this story.

I love the characters in this book, their bond is a special one not only because they are sisters but because they are strong women who overcame together tragedy, loss and heartbreak and who also celebrated love, friendship and success.

This story is such an inspiration. We should always remember that there are always others that are less fortunate than us whose lives will change when shown kindness and understanding.

[Lois Chilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home for the Wounded Hearts

This reader starts an Ashley Farley book knowing full well I am not going to be happy when it ends.. I just want MORE. Great storyline, a homeless woman & Mollly 's story is not unique, she represents how many of the thousands of women roaming the streets; however Ms Farley told us Molly's story & what a story it is. By reading all of Ms Farley's books you get "the rest of the story" for her characters. I truly love what this Author has to say about whatever she has taken on to share. She "fleshed out" Faiths story & Jamie's as well.

The only negative I have about Ms Farley's books? They end.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home for Wounded Hearts is an amazing story of determination, friendship and new beginnings! This was such a motivational and moving story!

When Faith opened Lovies Home for Wounded Hearts she hoped to help others find hope and healing, however, she was given so much more from the many of the amazing women who came to stay.

This is a must read book that I could not seem to put down. Author Ashley Farley did an outstanding job at capturing me from page one and not letting me go until the last page!