This is a lesbian holiday romance novella set in a small fictional town in Oregon around Thanksgiving. If you are looking for a feel-good, low-angst read with an adorable couple, a cute dog, and lovely secondary characters, then you are gonna love this.

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After seventeen years of absence, Sarah Eastman goes back to her hometown of Spruce Mountain, Oregon with her young daughter to live with her aunt and uncle after her divorce. There she meets Natalie Strand again, now the town Sheriff. Natalie has never forgotten Sarah and their shared kiss during a high school party and seeing her again reignite dormant feelings. Both women reconnect but Sarah wants to stay away from relationships and Natalie is still hang up with their past. To make Natalie’s life more confusing, a stray dog seems to be playing hide and seek with her…

Kris Bryant is one of my automatic go-to lesfic authors for the quality of her writing. I love that she can produce a heart-wrenching, angst-filled story about anxiety like ‘Listen’ (one of my favorite books of 2019), that she can also deliver a light and entertaining romance as ‘Breakthrough’ or a hot erotic story such as ‘Shameless’ (under the pen name of Brit Ryder). She’s a talented and versatile author.

‘Home’ follows the “return to hometown” trope and features all the typical elements of small-town life where everyone knows everyone and all about their lives. The author built a sweet cast of town residents, along with an elusive but adorable dog. As it’s usual in Ms. Bryant’s books, the main characters have strong chemistry that makes it easy for the reader to imagine them together and the build-up in their connection is exquisite. If you are looking for a light and hot romance, you won’t be disappointed with ‘Home’.

Having said that, I wasn’t that fussed about this book’s epilogue. I’m not against epilogues as such but, in my opinion, this one wasn’t organic to the story, especially the last part that tells the story from the dog’s point of view. I appreciate that the author might have wanted to explain the back story surrounding the dog, but for me, it felt like an unnecessary addition. Some time ago I listened to an interview where Ms. Bryant said that her publisher asked her to add a few thousand words to her original draft and it made me wonder if the epilogue was added for that reason. It reads more as ‘bonus content’ than as an integral part of the story. Despite that this made me drop half a star in my rating, it didn’t affect my overall enjoyment or my recommendation. 4 stars.

ARC provided by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com

In the acknowledgments, the author writes that this book would have been a novella but the characters had more to tell than just the short story. I think it sadly shows throughout the book that it was never to be a full book and that just sort of happened.

Natalie came back to her small home town years ago when her dad was sick, now she is the sheriff. When on an errand for her mother she runs into her high school crush Sarah who just returned to town after almost 2 decades. Sarah is recently divorced and now a single mother trying to regroup while living with her aunt and uncle. Sarah's aunt and Natalie's mother are hellbent on getting them together, as they are aware of their history and their crush. Their history is soon forgotten as they try and work things out between them.

With hardly any character development or description, it is obvious this book started out as a novella. I did end up liking both main characters, but with how little the author gave us it is surprising to me as well. This story is sort of instalove, but 17 years in the making, I don't know how I feel about that part of the book. I think the author glosses over details that could have made the book a more interesting read. The angst/ conflict moment in this book happens at around 70%, which I do appreciate, this means the HEA doesn't just smack you in the face. It's an ok read, but I believe it would have worked better as a novella, I'd be more accepting of the flaws that I now see.

This story seemed good to me, but nothing more. I think it had more potential and in the end it was halfway though. Even the post-epilogue could have been included in the story, because the way the author did it seems a bit silly. Certainly some clarification was needed, but in this way it seemed weird to me.

The story itself is quite typical, high school couple who split up at the start of college and reconnect after several years, but in this case there is not much information about the past that the two women have in common. And the personality of the two women is not very defined either.

The development of the relationship once the two met again is quite brief and Natalie's reluctance fades fairly quickly. Sarah has also not been very well defined, neither by what happened in her youth nor on her return to her hometown. Everything has been briefly exposed, as if it were a sketch.

I don't want to discourage anyone from reading this book, it's good enough. But I wanted more.

Natalie is the Sheriff in a small Oregon town that she grew up in. She is surprised when she runs into her first kiss crush, Sarah, who has returned to town after the dissolution of her marriage.

Bryant mentions that this started as a novella but ended up having more to write about these characters. I'm glad she did because this was a super sweet and enjoyable read.

There is not a lot of crime in the small town, but Natalie finds herself trying to solve the mystery of the garbage meddling dog that continues to evade her.

Meanwhile, Natalie and Sarah's family are doing what they can to push the two together.

As I mentioned before, this was super sweet. I thought that their coming together and developing feelings were cute and realistic. I'm always amused when characters try to fight what is clearly happening in the romance department.

I only have two critiques. One, why oh why do people have to immediately call each other pet names like baby? It is even worse when it happens during the first intimate encounter. Two, I like angst. This didn't have enough of it. The back end of this story was super fluffly and cheesy.

Despite those two things, I really liked this one.

I recommend this to people who love to read about romance, small towns, second chances, women in uniform, well intentioned families, cute children, loyal pets, and ROUS.

“This story is adorable!” This is the sentence I kept repeating to myself and everyone around me as I read Home by Kris Bryant. In fact, I said it so often to my wife, that she began to answer with, “Yes, Dear, I know,” in that distracted tone that says she’s heard this many times already.

Home is a heartwarming second-chance-at-love romance. It is the type of novel that you want to read when you are having a bad day (or year). The writing is excellent, of course. Ms. Bryant is the author after all. I fell in love with Natalie and Sarah, the main characters almost immediately, and when Harley, (Sarah’s six-year-old daughter) and Henry, (the golden retriever) appeared in the story, I was hooked. This is a pure romance with only a little angst in the tale. The setting is a small town in Oregon, and sort of fits into the universe of a couple of Ms. Bryant’s other novels.

The author tells us in the acknowledgements that this was originally supposed to be a holiday novella, but like many novellas, it wouldn’t let her stop until it became a short novel. I’m quite happy with that since it gave me more time with these delightful characters and story. It is an easy and quick read though; the perfect length to brighten your day. I also liked the little surprise she gave us at the end of the book. I will let you find out what that is when you read it.

I do want to mention the wonderful cover to this book. I would have gotten this novel for the cover alone. It is absolutely gorgeous. Toni Whitaker of Deb B. ebook Designs created this cover and deserves a huge pat on the back for such a great job.
This book certainly brightened my day when I read it, so I can recommend it to anyone who needs a little boost.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

Rainbow Reflections: http://rainbowreflections.home.blog/

You can never go wrong with a Kris Bryant book and Home is not an exception. In this story, Natalie is the Sheriff of a small town in Oregon (where everything is literally only 5 minutes away!) and lives a quiet life. When Sarah moves back to Oregon in order to regroup after her divorce, they decide to spend time as friends but soon realize that the attraction between them is strong. Even more compelling is the fact that both Sarah and Nat remember the kiss they shared over 17 years ago and the lasting impression left by that encounter. Will Sarah being back in town present an opportunity for both Nat and Sarah to pursue a relationship they never had the chance to pursue?
This was a good story with very little angst. I enjoyed the inclusion of Henry, aka "ghost dog" and Harley (Sarah's daughter) in the story line. I also appreciated the shout-out to her previous books; Lucky & Falling.

Home is the perfect feel-good novel. There’s very little angst but it doesn’t mean nothing happens.

The story is simple: seventeen years ago, young Sarah, the most popular girl in the whole high school, kissed Natalie, sweet, shy, freakishly tall Natalie. The kiss changed both girls but Sarah left town without acknowledging its meaning and impact. Natalie grew up to become the town sheriff and has accepted the idea that she’s not made for relationships. Until Sarah comes back, divorced, and looking for a new life for herself and her daughter.

The story feels a bit rushed at first, maybe because it began as a novella that grew to be a short novel, but it doesn’t really matter. All the characters are very lovable, including the dog that ends up saving the day.

This is not the kind of book for which I write long, thoughtful reviews. This is hot chocolate on a rainy autumn afternoon. It won’t push you to reflect deeply on the meaning of life but it will warm you. And that, in itself, is perfect.

I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

The story felt like its running so fast for me. but it's pleasant enough to finish. i started reading but felt like i found no motivation to continue so i kept going back to it between my other reads, so took me longer than usual honestly to get to the end. what kept me reading was the author, she deserves to be heard until the end.

After her divorce Sarah returns to the small town with her daughter that she left 17 years ago. She moved in with her aunt and uncle in order to save money so she could move to a bigger city where work options would be more lucrative. When she meets the Town sheriff, Natalie both she and Natalie realize that the kiss they shared 17 years ago was still there and that attraction did not die down.The fun part of this is how both Sarah’s aunt and Natalie’s mother conspire to get the two of them together. Then thrown into the mix is a dog who is on the loose in town that Natalie is desperate to catch before someone shoots it. As the two of them get closer Sarah holds back because she doesn’t want to hurt Natalie again by leaving and she clearly does not want to live in a small town and have her daughter raised in a small town. Until a plot twist comes in turns everything upside down. The power of a dogs spirit prevails in this whole story.
This book is so well written with an interesting plot and two characters that the more that is revealed about them the more you get to love both of them. It’s a book that is on my to read again pile because it is just so well done.

The story takes place in a small town where everyone knows everyone. In high school, Sarah kisses Natalie at a party just before graduation and then leaves town. Sarah has always been on Natalie's mind. Enter Sarah and her daughter 17 years later, to lick her wounds after a divorce.
The book starts out with Sheriff Natalie chasing after this dog that she has named Ghost Dog. Now you see him now you don't. The dog whose name ends up being Henry becomes the most fantastic secondary character. Natalie and Sarah Mom and Aunt decided to get the girls together and then the fun starts.
The characters are well developed, the story moves along well and the sex is hot which I've come to expect from Kris. It was a feel good book. I cried a lot while reading but not from being sad. It touched my heart. Thank you Kris. I loved it.

This book was adorable! It's an honest to goodness lost love romance. The kid and dog added so much. The search near the end was gut wrenching for me as a mother. So well written... The "chapter" after the epilogue was heartbreaking and a miracle. I unreservedly recommend this book! I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

* I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

One thing is for sure - that you will never read a bad book from Kris Bryant. I just think it's not one of her best works and I got the feeling that this was most like a filler story, just something light for the holidays. This also justifies somehow the length and the pace of the story.
Natalie and Sarah are both likable and sweet people. I couldn't find anything that put me off and their chemistry was also on point. It's just that (and after being used to Bryant's previous books) in this one everything felt so rushed and quick so I didn't have the time to savor the story or get to know the characters better.
Overall a solid and interesting quick read and as always I can't wait till I read this author's next book!

2.5 stars

Home is about a small town sheriff named Natalie who's reunited with the one that got away, Sarah, when she moves back to the town she grew up in after her divorce. The town, Spruce Mountain, is the kind of close knit community you would find in a Hallmark or Lifetime movie. The chemistry between the two main characters was sweet, if a little insta-lovey, but I liked seeing how Natalie was so ready to accept Sarah and her young daughter. My biggest problem with this book was the dialogue in the first half. It read stilted and robotic, so it was hard for me to grow attached to the characters. After the climax of the story, it felt more natural, but the issues I had with the first half made it so I wasn't able to enjoy the rest of the story the way I would have wanted to.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book for review!

3.5 Stars for this pleasant romance by Kris Bryant

If you are in the mood for a sweet romance with two likable main characters, a kid and a special dog – this book is for you!

Sheriff Natalie Strand works in her small hometown, Spruce Mountain, Oregon which is a few hours away from Portland. She is surprised when her High School crush, Sarah Eastman has returned to Spruce Mountain with her five year old daughter. The two shared a single unforgettable kiss about 17 years ago. At least it was unforgettable to Natalie who would always compare her trysts and/or her girlfriends to Sarah but they all fell short. Sarah left for college soon after never returning until now. Recently divorced, Sarah and her daughter, Harley have temporarily moved in with her Aunt and Uncle, to regroup and figure out what to do next. It turns out Sarah hadn’t forgotten “The Kiss” either.

Another main character in this story is a stray golden retriever. Natalie nicknamed him Ghost Dog, because he was spotted by her and others out and about the town but he would always disappear soon after he was spotted. She wants to give him a safe and warm place to stay until she finds his owner.

Overall this is a nice small town romance but that’s not to say it is without any angst or wringing of hands. It’s a pleasant way to escape 2020 events for a little while.

2 stars. Sheriff Natalie Strand and Sarah Eastman shared a kiss when they were a senior in high school. Sarah was a popular kid in school and Natalie was an awkward kid. Sarah moves out of town and does not come back fro 15 years, when she gets divorced and comes back to see what to do next. Sarah now has a child as well. Natalie sees Sarah and cannot stay away. Nat has not forgotten about the kiss in all the years since high school. When a mysterious dog is also found and Nat has to find its owner, even if Sarah's child is getting attached to it.

This book is okay. Their chemistry was based on their previous relationship. It also seemed to build way too fast, especially since Sarah had a child. Nat and Sarah's relationship developed immediately and they both seemed very serious about each other, even though they have not seen each other in 15 years. Saran originally does not plan to stay in town, and that does not seem like a big drama point in the book. The characters do not have a big drama part with their relationship, like I expected. There is nothing really about this book that I found memorable or made me want to continue to read, I do not recommend.

Natalie Strand is the sheriff of tiny Spruce Mountain (pop. 1,880).

Sarah Eastman has come back to Spruce Mountain with her seven year old daughter Harley, after being away for seventeen years.

Natalie and Sarah kissed once, way back then, and both went on with their lives - Sarah in Texas and Natalie in Denver. Both women eventually move back to Spruce Mountain. Natalie wonders if negative sparks will fly or positive ones be re-ignited.

Both women are tentative at first, approaching each other and moving away in a dance that shows that both women are unsure of what will happen.

Henry the dog enters the picture, and he seems to be the glue that binds Natalie, Sarah and Harley. Henry's story is, in my opinion, as important and interesting as the rest of the characters' stories.

This is a sweet romance and a quick read. Highly recommended.

I was given an ARC of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hello Hallmark Movie and Crown Media Executives. Now that you have vowed to feature LGBTQ stories in your holiday movie lineup, this book is the perfect one to translate to a movie script. I’d like to share why.

Sarah Eastman has returned to Spruce Mountain, Oregon, following her marriage and subsequent divorce from Francine. Sarah has her seven year old daughter, Harley, in tow. Francine never really wanted children.

Sarah plans to stay with her Aunt Judy and Uncle Bob while she regroups and then maybe moved to a larger city. Meanwhile, she just wants some stability for her and Harley.

Natalie Strand is the Sheriff in Spruce Mountain and is shocked to see Natalie back in town. Natalie and Sarah went to high school together, but ran in different social circles. One night at a party Sarah kissed Natalie and it was a kiss that neither of them ever forgot, even after seventeen years. Natalie’s mother, Linda, and Aunt Judy plan drinks at the local bar where Natalie and Sarah are reintroduced to one another. The chemistry and attraction is immediate. In between seeing Sarah again, Natalie is distracted trying to capture a ghost dog that a few people have reported to the Sheriff’s office.

I loved this book for many reasons. First, it was a sweet story reinforcing that you can go home again. I enjoyed both main characters, Harley, and the supporting family members. Ghost Dog (aka Henry) touched my heart and the ending put a nice bow on this holiday story. Finally, the chemistry between Natalie and Sarah hit on all cylinders and picked up from their unforgettable kiss in high school. 5 stars

P.S. I finished reading this book one day after the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. In one of the latter chapters of Home, Sarah and Aunt Judy are talking about what Harley could grow up to do for her career. Judy said probably a Supreme Court Justice. Shoot for the moon girls!

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Bboks and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4*
Sarah returns home to Spruce Mountain, Oregon, when her marriage falls apart, to live with her Aunt and Uncle . She just wants to be happy and set up a good home for her daughter Harley, one which as stability. Natalie Strand is the towns sheriff who once kissed Sarah at a party many moons ago. Between Sarah and a mystery dog, Natalie world is turned upside down.

Home is about second chances and what if's. It's got hallmark written all over it, so if you're into Hallmark films this is probably going to a be the book for you. For me, this book was a little on the short side but as enough detail in the story line to make a decent read , even tho some of it did feel a little rushed. Both Characters are very likable, theirs instant attraction again between the pair.
If you're into books where a main character goes back to their childhood home, this one is differently a book for you. All in all, it's a sweet story.

I was given a ARC copy for a honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story..... I think Kris Bryant gets better with each book. I love how this book made me think about two of Bryant's other amazing books Falling and Lucky two of my most favorite books. 
With Natalie having this attraction that has only grown over the past 17 yrs you bet your rear that the chemistry was off the charts between her and Sarah. I liked the family dynamics in the story line as well. and don't get me started on the dog a.k.a. ghost dog he made this story even sweeter and the whole concept touched my heart. Anyone looking for a sweet escape from all the mess in this world will fully enjoy Home.....Because yes you can come home again.
I was provided an ARC by the publishing company via NetGalley for an honest review

As the fires rage in California and the world seems to be falling apart all around, I turn to books and this one was a quiet, wonderful refuge. Kris Bryant has this amazing ability to create a story full of wholesome, picturesque moments and suddenly shift to super hot sex. The juxtaposition is fun to say the least.

Sarah and her young daughter return to Sarah’s hometown after her marriage ends in a much-needed-divorce. She encounters Natalie, the current sheriff and her former teenage crush. They shared a single moment as teens that stayed with both of them as they grew into women.. That single moment is unresolved and pulls them back together.

The sweet story progresses alongside another gentle plot involving a dog that somehow keeps escaping the sheriff’s best efforts to bring him in and give him a warm place to stay while she puzzles out where he came from. The plots merge in an easy way and a feeling of comfortable delight is sustained through most of the book. It’s a fun and light read. For those who don’t enjoy epilogues, go ahead and read it. It made me smile and wrapped up the story nicely.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.com.