Next Exit Home is an okay storyline, but I don't enjoy the writing style. I wanted to love it, but I was left with another DNF

I love all books by this author, can highly recommend. Just wonderful. The main characters are well developed and its so well written you feel personally involved in the journey.

Wonderful story. Loved the characters with very sweet ending. Another great offering by a reliable Bold Strokes Books author.

This has been a romance that in a way is about a relationship resumed between two women who have known each other since high school. But it is not quite like that, or at least it has certain inconsistencies, since at the beginning of the book the two women do not recognize each other, which is unlikely, being from a small town and related in more than one aspects. Because Harper's father married, in a second marriage, Addison's mother. So now both women are stepsisters. And they also have a teenage daughter each, stepdaughters to each other too. A bit tangled up maybe. But strange things do not end here, because Addison's group of friends, it seems, were Harper's bullies in high school, but this issue is treated very superficially even though it seems to have had a lot of influence in Harper's behavior since leaving her hometown. So the story has enough plot flaws.

Very sweet and cute story about Vet and Vet to be.
It is mellow, going back to home town story, where there are some family issues which are resolved in due time. Going back also means going to the place where your first crush was. There is no going over the crush though, so both characters have to resolve the issue.
It does have happy ending. I really like this one.

I have read quite a few books by Dena Blake, all of which have been excellent.
Next Exit Home is no exception, well written book with a great story.

You can't help but like both characters Harper and Addison, they meet after a number of years and just can't deny their attraction.

Some would call this a 'second change' story but I'm not too sure.....you got to read it to understand

Would I recommend: Yes, if you're looking for that sweet easy to read story

This is a second chance romance. In the first half of the book, the connection between the two leads keeps building, making it quite enjoyable to read. The chemistry between the two is good. However, not a ton of communication going on at times which can be frustrating as some of the issues could have been sorted out a lot quicker with a bit of talking. The fact that Addison and Harper are quite keen on developing their own careers is interesting as it adds a layer of complexity in their relationship and a touch of real life. Other characters (such as friends and family) are well developed and it creates a nice setting.

This was an interesting read for me. I was very excited to give it a try and I'm not sorry I did, but I loved it less than I hoped. I think the concept was good, but there was just so much animosity between the mains it was hard to believe things could change into romance. Holding on to a business at all costs out of principal when there are better choices is just crazy, especially when it keeps an ex attached. I am a fan of this author's work and will still happily wait for her next book. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I had high hopes for this book because the premise sounded solid, but once I dove into the story there were so many inconsistencies and plot holes that I struggled to finish it. First, Harper and Addison seem like they haven't interacted since high school, but Harper's dad is married to Addison's mom (and has been for several years). Next, Harper seems to feel like Addison is the enemy for treating her badly in high school, when really they shared a kiss in a closet during a party, and that was it. Third, other than having veterinary medicine in common, they don't really spend a lot of time talking and getting to know each other as adults. They both claim to be "in love", but aren't willing to make any sacrifices or even have a decent convo about the future. Finally, the relationships between the characters vacillates between hot and cold very quickly - Harper is rude and disrespectful to her stepmother, but then has a heart-to-heart with her about Addison, for example. Overall, the book had potential, but it's not a top pick for me.

Fantastic! This is a quick easy read. So much fun, sexy, nostalgic, heart warming and just plain good. Once you start there is no going back.

This was a decent read. It started off ok but the ending left lots to be desired. I think the consensus with the other reviewers is that something here is lacking. For me even though there is chemistry between the mains, at least one of them had a hard time knowing who the other woman was. It seems to me that Harper was really super out of touch with what was going on with her dad and his practice. There were just some small details that bothered me as I was reading (like Harper not knowing the woman at the front desk). I could overlook those things, but the hardest things was the ending. I was sort of like say what? I think maybe if the transition was better it would have worked for me. Despite that it still was okay and better than a few other romances I read this year. 3 stars.

This arc was provided by netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.

Next Exit Home, by Dena Blake
I love Dena Blake books, so was excited to read her latest, ‘Next Exit Home.’
Harper Sims left her hometown after a difficult childhood. As a vet, she loves everything about her job, and enjoys sharing life in the big city with her teenage daughter. But Harper’s father becomes ill, so she rushes home to run the clinic.

Addison is a vet assistant in a rural clinic, raising her daughter surrounded by family and friends. Her life hasn’t exactly turned out as she had planned.

As Addison and Harper reconnect, sparks fly between them… but both are unsure whether it’s worth risking everything.

Home may be where the heart is, but is the journey back worth the pain?

A sweet romance and life story -, not my favourite Dena Blake book, but once I got into it, it was certainly one that had me engaged and eager to read on
#lesfic #netgalley

Dena Blake is back with a new book filled to the brim with tropes... From small-town romance, unrequited love, to enemies to lovers and second chance romance etc. 

I enjoy Dena Blake's writing, and I enjoyed this book a lot. It's not my favourite she's written because I don't think I'll ever quite get over my love for Friends without Benefits, Just One Moment and Kiss me Every Day! Haven't read them? Grab then, while you're picking up this book! #funtimes 

I especially liked this book because the two single mums who have become mums for very different reasons/experiences are strong women. Proving they are super capable to solo parent and raise rockstar kids. There is something very sexy about a single mum grabbing parenthood by the horns and making it work. I really enjoyed that aspect! 

I also loved how I just knew that Harper and Addison would make it from the get-go. They had that soulmate quality. They were just supposed to end up together. #soulmates. 

Also, Word to the wise.. grab the tissues for the Daisy scene! It was just heartbreakingly lovely. 


I felt that there was too many convoluted conversations that kept complicating things for the characters (even more) and some of the dialogue or confrontations felt like they were being repeated. Not a big thing but I kept wondering if Harper or Addison had this conversation before.

Also, what happened to Nikki? She just didn't appear again! Was she ghosted? I'm secretly hoping she appears in another book because even though she's not suitable for Addison, she had so much promise! 

The chemistry is fiery for these two! And even though it's a slow build to the sexy bits, it worth it when you get there.
Also, the hanging wallpaper as a euphemism for sex made me chuckle every time. 

Great small-town romance that packs a punch in the enemies to lovers trope! I'll definitely be rereading this one again soon.

Four stars.
I have to say, I liked each character individually, but it took a while for me to root for them as a couple. The build-up eventually won me over, although I think the hostility at the beginning was a little overdone. Their shared history was also a nice touch. It was a little strange that they were basically stepsisters? Their kids both call the same person "Grampy," after all, even if the protagonists didn't grow up together.
The 80% conflict was done well. I'm always judging those by how well I feel the blame (and thus repentance/resolution) is shared, and there was a decent balance here.

Next Exit Home by Dena Blake. A lesbian romance novel told from two different points of views: Harper and Addison. Harper leaves her life in Denver to move back to her hometown with her daughter Eden to help look after her father's veterinary clinic. She runs into Addison, a teenage crush who is closeted to most people, Addison has her own daughter Brooke.
The story takes us through their lives of working together, Addison's mother is dating Harper's father. Harper is still reeling from her mother's death. There is a lot going on in terms of an ex, vet clinics and being somewhere she hates.
Addison is studying, covering the clinic although she isn't fully licenced yet. She seems to have commitment issues as she dates a woman out of time once a week, it seems she still seeks approval from her friends in terms of her relationships and life.
Both of the character's worlds change as they find comfort in one another.
The story was a little slow at first, I didn't really gel with Harper's life in Denver (neither did she really) I loved the tension and interactions between her and Addison.
Truthbetold, I never used to be into romance novels. I just didn't enjoy them, but this is the first lesbian romance novel I have ever read. I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I guess I can relate to this much more than I could hetero romance novels. The way this story was told is amazing, I liked the switching of point of views, or at least seeing things from the two character's perspective. This story was so refreshing to read.
It was such an emotional rollercoaster at times, especially when Daisy has to switch owners it broke my heart. There was a scene in the book that really struck out to me that I had to write down part of the conversation between Harper and Addison:
"I would've gone if you asked' 'If you'd asked I would have stayed"
I had to put down my Ipad and cry a little, it was such an intense moment.
The story was just so enjoyable to read, at times I got a little frustrated with the characters because they just wouldn't communicate with each other about things in their life, but they worked it out and I am so glad I got the chance to read this on NetGalley. It made my heart swoon and I was so pleased to see that they both got their happy fairytale ending. It was such a heartwarming easy read, I highly recommend it especially if you need a little pick-me-up!

I stopped reading this book at chapter 21. Just could not go any farther. Perhaps my problem with this book is the fact I’m having a war with Vertigo. I seem to be losing.
Kept waiting for this book to grab my interest. It still hasn’t.
Neither main characters were likeable. Story seemed to go all over the place. At the first I thought Harper and Addison were sworn enemies that all started in high school. Why I still don’t know. Harper, along with her daughter are planning on moving back to Denver as soon as possible. Blueridge wasn’t home any more since her mom had died and her father remarried. Addison stayed in Blueridge, raising her daughter on her own. Luckily her mom still iced in BR so she helped Addison where she could.
I promise I just can’t go any further. Too many times going over what they were feeling when in high school. Both, apparently were damaged by their teen years. Now I know others who have read this book will probably love this read.
While I normally enjoy Ms Blakes stories, that is why I’m asking you to read other reviews so you can get a better grasp of the book.
ARC via NetGalley / Bold Stroke Books

A sort of second chance romance, with a return to home town narrative, this tells the story of Harper who returns back to her home town to look after her Dad’s veterinary clinic whilst he recovers from a heart attack. Addison is the veterinary technician at the clinic and it turns out they have a history from high school.

I’ve thought about this book a lot since I finished it. I read some reviews prior to starting and the general consensus seems to be that it hasn’t lived up to expectations and I think I might have enjoyed it a little more than most, but then I came to a realisation. If you’d have handed me this book 8 or so years ago when I first discovered sapphic fiction, I’d have been really happy, it’s just that I’ve moved on in what I’m looking for now.

I could tell that Blake is an experienced author and that in all likelihood there might be a book in her back catalogue that I would enjoy a lot, but this wasn’t a book that I would return to again.

To me personally it felt like the narrative got lost half way through. The first half was pretty good, but the premise of them both still being hung up on one kiss twenty years ago and it impacting the way they communicate and feel about each other as adults just didn’t connect with me. The lack of communication between the two made the romance between them feel stilted and some of the reactions to situations didn’t feel in keeping with the narrative either.

I found that there were actually times when I enjoyed both of their daughters and their sideline stories more than the actual front and centre romance itself. I also needed more time of them being back together. I feel like I say this a lot about books, but if the main conflict had taken place sooner and there was some solid time together I think I would have felt differently about believing that they would succeed in a relationship and actually communicate.

Whilst I didn’t dislike this as such, I can’t say I would recommend this unless you’re a big fan of veterinary romances, but I’m not ruling out that Blake will have another work that I would enjoy.

I received an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

3/5 stars

This was a heartwarming, second-chance love story. It felt mature and down-to-earth, but also so sweet and light-hearted. It’s one of those books that had me smiling uncontrollably at many point. The perfect book to cuddle up in bed or on the couch in front of a fire, which is perfect because the weather is starting to get cold where I live.

Harper and Addison went to high school together and shared one kiss at a party. Harper didn’t know if Addison was a lesbian like her and Addison was too afraid to be herself. So they parted their ways at the end of high school, both wishing for more. Years later, both are grown women with teenage children and are thrown back together. This is where the great banter and sexual tension starts to explode. I absolutely loved watching Addison and Harper come to terms with who they were now, how they had to work together and how to deal with the feelings they had back in the day (hint hint, these feelings might have never quite gone away!) I loved that their relationship was full banter, sweetness and so many heartwarming moments. They were supportive of each other and the romance just felt so perfectly natural. I honestly was obsessed with their romance, it’s what kept me hooked on the book.

I also enjoyed our side characters in this book. Something about children in romance books gets me every time. It’s about building a family rather than just a couple, and that just warms my heart. There was quite a lot of family interactions in this story, some were not so happy but others were highly entertaining. I just loved the scenes with Harper’s dad, Patsy, our main characters, Brooke and Eden. It added to the very homey and cozy feeling of the story for me.

While I enjoyed so many aspects of the story and the relationship, I felt let down by the last quarter of the book. I have never been a fan of back and forth in romance books. For the most part in this book I was fine with Harper and Addison having some angsty back and forth, but it started getting so repetitive by the end. It felt like the story was just hitting a wall over and over, which just got quite frustrating. Also the decisions the characters made in relation to the main conflict didn’t make sense to me. Harper in particular, I just can’t believe how she didn’t understand that what she did was wrong. It just felt like the relationship and the story, which was so good for the majority of the novel, unravelled towards the end. I felt like this on top of an already angsty story just spoilt the relationship a bit for me.

I gave this book a 3.6

I really did enjoy the story... it so easy to read and I found myself engrossed in it. But these two main characters need their heads banging together and learn to talk to one another... the way they don't talk to each other did get frustrating at points. I did think that the characters had some form of chemistry between them. And in some areas of the book, I was left feeling that the characters had some more growing up to do, as they seemed a little immature.
The story isn't unusual and I've read many like this before but no matter how many times I read a story about 'going back home to the one place you'll never return', I always get sucked into the story.

Harper Sims left her hometown and never looked back. She runs a successful veterinary practice that she runs with her ex-partner and she loves everything about her job and the big city life she leads with her teenage daughter. Addison Foster had big dreams, but like a lot of people, her life didn't turn out as she planned. She works as a veterinary assistant in a rural clinic which gives her the chance to raise her child with people she loves, but she finds it difficult, to be honest about who she really is and what she really wants in a small town she calls home.

Harpers Father suddenly becomes ill, she runs home to help with the clinic, sparks beginning to fly between her and Addison in more ways than one. The attraction between the pair is undeniable, but Addison isn't ready to admit her desires, and harper isn't willing to stay.



I was given a copy for an honest review.

2.5 Stars

“Next Exit Home” is a small-town romance set in Colorado. Harper goes back to her hometown to help her dad’s vet practice after he has a heart attack. When she gets there, she discovers her high school crush, Addison, is the vet tech.

I’ll admit I’m a little ambivalent about this one. I didn’t hate it but I didn’t really care for it either. For me, it started out better than it ended. The premise is pretty traditional but the execution wasn’t great. There were a lot of issues with the characters for me as well as the actual romance. There’s nothing outside of the romance going on in this so the romance has to be really strong for me and I just had no connection to it.

Harper and Addison shared a kiss in high school but were not in a relationship, they weren’t even friends. However, they spend a lot of time thinking/talking about that time even though it’s been at least 20 years since the kiss. I have trouble wrapping my head around a kiss in high school can lead to feelings so deep they last that long. After their initial aversion to each other, they kind of jump into a relationship without really talking and getting to know each other as they are now. Their lack of communication was a big problem for me. The reader knows what each character wants, for the most part once they made up their mind, but they don’t share it with each other. They each make a lot of assumptions about the other which leads to unnecessary problems later.

Honestly, I had problems with Harper from the beginning. She was immature and selfish and that carried through with Addison. She made plans for Addison and Addison’s daughter without consulting either one. Addison, while not as bad as Harper to me, was still underwhelming as a character. She let her friends control her life to where she was keeping the fact she was a lesbian a secret. She also had trouble making up her mind about anything such as what she wanted professionally or personally.

Overall, I just didn’t click with these two characters or their story. Others may enjoy it more than I did.

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