Love abounds in Heritage, MI, in You’ve Been Gone, the latest addition to Tari Faris’s engaging “Restoring Heritage” series of romances. There’s love between old friends, new friends, a treasured family business, and even love for the town itself, and it’s all wrapped in a package that manages to be sincere without being sickly-sweet.

What I really appreciated about this novel was that every one of the main characters had some kind of flaw or vulnerability. Leah isn’t great at ordered thinking and logical planning, Jon is standing in the shadows of his deceased father, Colby is coming from a professional scandal while Madison dealing with an intense personal situation. This was a refreshing change from the formula romances where everyone is model-perfect and equally plastic. In this novel the characters are believable and dimensional and it’s easy to become invested in their stories and outcomes.

I also liked that there were married couples who were friends of the four single characters. Nate (a pastor) and Olivia along with Hannah and Luke (and less so Leah’s sister Caroline and her husband) offer support and wisdom to the others, but the friendships mix and match and it’s never only married folks or only single folks when there are gatherings.

I haven’t read the previous two novels in this series, but something notable about this book that I suspect runs through the whole series is that the town of Heritage is, itself, a character. The connections to the town run deep, and many of the characters are passionate about their love for their home. I’ve lived in towns like that, and I hope to live in one again. Sure, the neighbors know everything that’s going on, but there’s something really lovely about it as well.

Well paced and rich in detail, Since You’ve Been Gone is a satisfying treat of a novel.

Goes well with: hot tea and homemade pastries.

I really enjoyed this final conclusion to the heritage series.
Filled with themes of second chances, redemption, forgiveness and growth, I loved walking along this journey with these two couples.
Colby and Madison have get past prejudices and the feelings of not being enough but I enjoyed their story.
I loved Jon and Leah's story from having to convince her of his feelings, starting a business together, finding his place in his father's company and taking care of his teenage sister there's growth, there's struggles, there's fears but in the end it works out for the better. I'm sad to see them go and definitely looking forward to the next stories from Ms. Faris.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All opinions expressed are solely mine

I have thoroughly enjoyed each of the books in the Restoring Heritage series by Tari Faris and am quite sad that Since You’ve Been Gone brings it to an end. As final books go, this one was a winner with a double shot of romance as well as learning the story behind Otis, the mysterious wandering Hippo. Heritage Michigan is a small town I would love to visit and I have had fun meeting and getting to know some of its many residents.

Jonathan and Leah have known each other since high school and have been at odds most of that time. Leah believes that he destroyed her dreams and has toted around a load of unforgiveness for years. Jonathan has secretly loved Leah for all those years but somehow either sticks his foot in his mouth or gets his wires crossed when attempting to communicate with her. Now she wants to reopen the store her family once ran in the building she has joint ownership with Jonathan. Unfortunately he is being pressured to sell by his uncle and the board of the business he inherited from his father. Will he do the right thing?

Then there are Colby and Madison. Colby is a famous Christian recording artist hiding out in Heritage after a devastating betrayal by his partner. He becomes acquainted with Madison, who is in town to repair her family home before selling it. Not only is Madison considered the town bad girl but she has secrets that no one knows. Both Colby and Madison have damaged hearts. Will they be able to find healing with each other?

I loved Since You’ve Been Gone with its excellent cast of characters. Each of them is flawed in some way but readers can literally see the Holy Spirit at work as they walk out their problems. I cannot wait to see what this author has to offer next.

Since You’ve Been Gone , by Tari Faris, is book three in the Restoring Heritage Series. This is a modern day Christian contemporary romance story. The story is very well written and background information is given so it could be enjoyed as a stand alone story, but it does reference characters and events from the previous book. This story brings Leah and Jon back together years after high school. Jon has returned home to work with his late father’s business and is given the duty to sell some property. The property will be money it no his business but will hurt others including Leah as she is planning to reopen her grandparent’s store.

This is a story of rebuilding a relationship that is filled with misunderstandings and misinterpretations. It’s also a story of being strong and doing what is right. I enjoyed Jon’s character. He is trying to raise his teenage sister after their parents’ deaths while fulfilling his sports contract and now taking on the company his father left him and his sister. Both Jon and Leah are dealing with grief from family member’s passing and trying to move forward with their lives.

I received a complimentary copy of this story from the publisher through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Since You’ve Been Gone, oh glory. This is a wonderful book. As an aspiring novelist, I read a LOT. The books that I love the most are the ones that pull me in and make me care.

The lovely town of Heritage is playing host to two former residents. Failed business owner Leah, and the man who tormented her in High School, retired pro basketball star, Jon. The two are forced into opening a new store together as Leah works to get her life back on track. Jon wants to prove he can take over the company his father left him, but can he earn the board’s trust?

As the two team up, what Leah realizes is Jon wasn’t poking fun at her all those years ago, he was trying to pay sincere compliments. And the feelings that prompted the attention have only grown. Now she must decide if she can trust a man with the power to destroy her heart.

Meanwhile, Maddie, who sees herself as the black sheep of the family has come back to town. She needs to restore and sell her father’s house. And she’s haunted by the memories of an abusive childhood while coming to terms with an unplanned pregnancy. Christian music star Colby has come to lay low in Heritage. He’s handling a scandal that wasn’t of his making, but tainted his career. Can he rebuild while falling in love with an unmarried mother?

OTIS REVEALED

As with the previous Heritage books (highly recommended), I cared about the characters so quickly that I had to go back and look at how Faris works as a writer. Her use of setting, dialogue and characterization are spot on, and I find myself wishing I were part of this group of friends. The town is as charming as ever, and brace yourselves, the mystery of Otis is finally revealed. Let’s be honest, now, even if the rest of the story wasn’t fabulous (it is), the secret behind the brass hippo – that’s worth picking the book up for, right there!

Since You've Been Gone
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Check out book #2 in the series…

There are a variety of reasons why people go home after having been gone for a while. Leah moved back to make another attempt at a business venture. Jon came back to help his sister and to take over the business his father left him. Madison didn't come back by choice, but here she was. Colby was invited to this town to regroup. Four people come together in this well written story while trying to find a way forward.

Relationships, both past and present, are examined. The author skillfully presents her complex characters points of view and perceptions. There is romance, but there are challenges to overcome. Are they up to it?

Skillfully told, this story is filled with emotion, faith and believable characters that we want the best for. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This was such a good book. It was a fun contemporary with a couple storylines woven in. I loved the small town atmosphere and the messages of grace, forgiveness, and letting people grow up. It is often that we perceive things differently than was intended and this book shows that trait very well.

The stories are organic and growth is something that happens through natural circumstances. Nothing felt forced and it was a heartwarming story with natural conflict and intelligent solutions to problems that people would face every day,

I realize this is a part of a series, but I have not read the previous books and this is a new author to me. I don't feel like I missed any information and it felt very much like a stand alone. The romance is sweet. I think the secondary story appealed to me more than the main storyline to to the nature of one of the character's return to town. I would definitely read more in this series and need to go and find the first two books. I would definitely read any follow up.

I received a copy through the publisher and NetGalley and this is my honest review.

What a welcome return to small town Heritage, Michigan and the Restoring Heritage collection from Tari Faris. And then there's the much-anticipated return of the brass hippo, Otis! He's a fan-favorite for sure.

Leah Williams, Caroline's twin, returns to her hometown with a self-dose of failure and determination to succeed. Her former rival and former pro basketball star, Jon Kennsington, is largely blocking the path to her newest dreams. Jon has dreams of his own and surprising similarities of self-doubt, abandonment, and betrayal.

Also returning home for a brief stay to address inheritance issues is Madison Westmore, full of secrets and sturdy defense wall. Colby Marc is running from recent betrayal, too. In these and recurring characters of the town, Faris loads readers with doss of truth and wisdom sprinkled throughout an entertaining and satisfying visit to Heritage.

I received a complimentary copy of the book without obligation. This review is my opinion.

This was a wonderful wrap-up to the Heritage series as a double love story unfolds, not only with Leah and Jon but also a redemption story with the town bad girl and an old friend of Nate's. It was so cute to hear about Jon's crush on Leah back in high school and how it never really went away while she feels inadequate and doesn't think it could be true. She also struggled with her dad's abandonment and feared no one will stay while Jon also wondered if he could measure up to his dad's legacy at the company he built and as a great man. There were a lot of cute moments between them as they try to resist each other, especially as they end up working together. I liked Leah's sassiness. There were also a lot of good spiritual conversations. I liked Madison's redemption story and how God used Colby to help her realize her worth. Both love stories were incredible. Tari Faris really knows how to write them and I didn't want to put this down! I highly recommend it, as I do the whole series!

I received a free kindle copy of this book from Revell and Netgalley. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions are my own.

I've read the first two books and I loved them very much so this one is no exception.
Faris is an excellent story teller and I love her charming characters that seems so realistic that they will make you laugh and cry with them.
I loved returning to Heritage, Michigan. I missed the people there that have left me thinking about them long after these books have ended. Especially Otis! A strange thing if I ever seen one. Always somehow moving around mysteriously. You just never know where he might end up!
The cover of this book is stunningly beautiful! I think it matches the story quite well.
I also think this story is perfect example of how trust between two people should go but unfortunately in reality that's not possible so that's why I love reading books like this. Stories like this offer hope to its readers for the future.
Great writing Ms. Faris! Please keep your books a coming. They bring joy into my life because they offer hope.
I've really enjoyed this series! I hope Otis gets his own story!
I highly recommend 5 stars for the excellent writing!
My thanks for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own. I was NOT required to write a positive review.

Tari Faris has burst onto the Christian Fiction scene with a bang! I love her quirky style, reminiscent of Kara Isaac. Fans of Becky Wade, Melissa Tagg, and Susan May Warren should love her books. Highly recommend!

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and my local library and opted to read the print copy. :) All opinions are my own.

Madison and Colby, I wish you lived near me! Two wounded, well-thought-out characters. Tari Faris, is a new to me author and I will be searching out more of her work! This is a very satisfying romance story with an inspirational message of hope and redemption. There are two previous books in this series, and I will be purchasing those!

Thank you for my advanced ARC copy, it is much appreciated!

Since You've Been Gone concludes Tari Faris's Restoring Heritage series and it's a delightful read. Jon and Leah both tip-toe around their feelings--they've known each other since at least high school--and Jon has always had feelings for Leah. He could have dated anyone at all, but the one girl he wanted--and still wants--wouldn't give him the time of day. When they team up to save the WIFI, they have to face some of their fears and decide how much risk they are willing to take. I loved how the family dynamics played in with Jon and his uncle, as well as Leah and her sisters. This novel is charming and I found myself waiting and waiting for Leah to finally admit she liked Jon. When she does, it's well worth waiting for. I loved the secret of Otis (and the story behind it brought tears to my eyes). I highly recommend Since You've Been Gone to contemporary romance fans. Readers of Becky Wade, Susan May Warren, and Melissa Tagg will devour this one. I received a free ARC of this novel from NetGalley for my honest opinion and was not required to provide a positive review.

Title: Since You’ve been Gone
Author: Tari Faris
Ch: 18
Pg: 325
Series: Restoring Heritage
Genre: Christian contemporary romance
Rating: 4 stars
Publisher: Revell


I've enjoyed every book in the Restoring Heritage series and Since You've Been Gone was no different. I don't know if this is the last book in the series, but to me it seems like this one wrapped the series up beautifully. I enjoyed Leah and Jonathan’s storyline that it took me a while to warm up to Leah mainly because I didn't really like her in previous books.



But I loved Madison's and Colby's story. Out of everyone in the series Madison has grown and changed the most. I know she was technically supposed to the character you didn't like in the first book, but even in the first book I felt like there was more to Madison's story that while it wouldn't excuse her behavior would at least explain it. And we get Madison's back story in Since You've been Gone but more importantly, we she her growth and her Faith grow strong. And we have Colby who see's something in her that no one else did. I think Colby is my favorite hero of the series. With this one I laughed I cried and most importantly I celebrated with the characters.



I look forward to future books from the author.



I received a copy of this book from the publisher a part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Since You've Been Gone is a very cute book. The characters and the dynamics between them are very interesting and it was nice to see the romance slowly build over the course of the book. The themes of starting over and you can always come home were nice to read about as well.

Leah is back in Heritage to try and reopen her family store, WIFI. She just needs to convince Jon that she can do it and get his company to give her a chance. She has a history of running when things get tough, so will she stick around this time?

The story of Colby and Madison is also woven in - Madison is also back in Heritage, to renovate and sell her late father's house. Colby is a musician who needs a break, and falls for Madison while he is in town.

Since You've Been Gone is the third book in Tari Faris' Restoring Heritage series, and it's just as fantastic as the rest of the series. Despite being a relatively new author, Faris is incredibly talented, and is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors.

Leah Williams and Jon Kensington both left Heritage for different reasons, but they've now returned and have big plans. Leah has felt abandoned since her father left years before and her mother died shortly after. Since then she's struggled to find her place in this world and has jumped from dream to dream, but she runs when the going gets tough. Jon has been raising his sister, Abby, since their parents tragically passed away a few years before, and now it's time to take back the position his dad left for him at his family's company. However, his Uncle Dale isn't going to relinquish his power easily. When Leah reveals that she wants to revive her grandparents' store, The WIFI, in a building his family owns, Jon reluctantly climbs on board despite his misgivings. After all, how will he be able to hide the feelings he's hidden for so long while working so closely with Leah?

Faris has also cleverly woven a second storyline alongside Jon and Leah's stories. Colby is currently hiding at his friend Nate's house after a scandal that may just end his music career when he meets Madison, who we met in You Belong With Me . Madison has temporarily returned to her hometown to settle her abusive father's estate after his recent death. Despite the bad choices she's made in the past, Madison has turned her life over to Christ and is doing her best to follow Him, regardless of the reputation she still has in Heritage.

The characters grabbed my heart from the first page. All of the main characters faced struggles that seemed insurmountable at the time, but their faith in God helped them overcome. The romance was swoon-worthy, with several noteworthy kisses, and the characters were relatable and easy to read. I loved seeing the theme of redemption strongly at the forefront as several of the characters healed from their childhood trauma and found peace.

Fans of contemporary Christian fiction won't want to miss this one!

*I received a complimentary copy of Since You've Been Gone through the publisher and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. My positive review is not required.

Since You've Been Gone by Tari Faris

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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Story Notes

The last book in the Restoring Heritage series turns its focus to the feisty Leah and her fight to keep her memories, let go of the past, and maybe even find love in the last place she ever thought to look.

Having not read the first two in the series, I was a bit worried that I might find myself somewhat lost in the storylines that could already be in place. But I was pleasantly surprised that although I didn't know all the history, I didn't feel like I had missed so much I couldn't enjoy the story. This story tells of Leah Williams, who has recently returned to Heritage to revive her grandparents store. But while she has the creativity and determination to get the story going again, she lacks the funds and the backing of the property board to make it happen. Her high school crush is the current CEO of the company that co-owns the building and runs the board so if Leah wants to open the store, she will have to work it with him. Jon Kensington was one of the main reasons that high school was difficult for Leah and she's praying that he will be more mature now and not spend his time mocking her. When she discovers that Jon is nothing like what she thought he was in highschool, her world is turned upside down. How could it be that what she took as mocking was really Jon's fumbling attempts to get her attention and flirt? Can she really trust him to help her dreams come to fruition or will it all crumble before opening day? Jon Kensington never forgot Leah. She was the one person he used to know that didn't let others define her. He had admired her courage in high school to stand out and it seems she might still have a bit of that courage now. Too bad she thinks he's only interested in making money and lacks the ability to commit. Jon is trying to prove to the company board that he is capable of running his dad's company but pushback from his uncle is making things very hard for him to be heard. Taking on the project of getting Leah's shop opened back up is his first order of business and then he must find a way to stop the loss of money draining the company coffers. Is there a way he can ensure all employees keep their jobs and the company still fulfill it's charitable commitments? And can he convince Leah that she can trust him to keep her heart and her business safe? If they can find their way past the pain of years past, they just might have a chance at a future they didn't imagine possible.
This was a lovely story. I loved the depth of the characters and the rawness that was evident throughout the chapters. Leah clearly has some very painful issues she has never worked through and they affect every area of her life. I got so frustrated with her lack of trust in Jon and others and wanted to slap her upside the head a couple times to make her see that she was creating more problems than she solved. Jon was marvelous with his patient help and understanding but I was glad to see he called her out on her crap and made her see she was destroying any chance they had at happiness because she couldn't let go of the past. He also found inspiration to be brave from her mistakes and that led him to become a better man and company leader. There was also a secondary love story that I found almost better than Jon and Leah's. Madison had been the "bad guy" in the first story of the series and I was intrigued that Tari brought her back to redeem her. That's a smart move that takes some serious skill and I'm glad to see she invested the time in Madison. Unless someone is truly evil, they can definitely find redemption and forgiveness they desperately need. Colby was not taking no for an answer when it came to a relationship with Madison but he wasn't overbearing. He simply wanted her to realize she had worth and belonged in Heritage as much as anyone else. Madison just had to be brave enough to reach out for real love and let the past stay in the past. I definitely recommend this story and look forward to going back and reading the first two books. This is clearly a good series that doesn't shy away from the tough subjects and calling foul when necessary.

I received this temporary complimentary E-book from Revell Publishing via NetGalley. I am not required to leave a review but do so voluntarily. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

Since You've Been Gone is the third and final book in the Restoring Heritage series. While I would highly recommend reading this fantastic series in it's entirety, this could certainly be read as a standalone without any issues too.

I loved returning to Heritage once again for not just one, but two fantastic new romances. Leah and Jon's was the primary story and was a bit of a second chance love story, which I always enjoy! It was interesting to see them work out their high school misunderstandings and grow closer together, but also to grow as individual people too. Like so many any this series, they were certainly flawed, but it was in those flaws that they---and we as the readers--- were able to see God at work.

While I enjoyed Jon and Leah's story and chemistry, I must admit that I actually enjoyed the secondary love story between Colby and Madison even more. That story of redemption and grace was just absolutely beautiful too.

While I am certainly sad to see this series end, this was a great way to end the series! If you enjoy Christian romance, I cannot recommend this one enough.

**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

I loved returning to Heritage again. Leah makes an appearance in the first prequel book in the series, P.S. Goodbye. She is the sister who struggled with letting go of her family's dream. She has come back to take it up again. Jonathan Kensington has also returned to town. He hopes he can turn his longtime friendship with Leah into something more. Can she trust that he is being truthful in his actions?

This story also brings back Madison. We meet her as the girlfriend that should not be in You Belong with Me. She was not kind. So it was rather gutsy of the author to bring her back. I do love how she finds her own HEA once she changes her heart.

This story is a continuation of all of the family and friends of the town of Heritage. One cannot help but enjoy this small town community. I hope the author writes a few more Heritage books. I did read this title through NetGalley. I wanted to write a review. All opinions are my own.