A HEART LIKE HOME by Christine Nolfi is a beautifully-written and emotional story of love, family and what home really means. I have loved every book I’ve read by this author and this one is definitely a new favorite. Nova Doubeck is a single woman with a growing landscaping business. From time to time, Nova also fosters teens transitioning through the foster care system. As a child, Nova herself was adopted by two loving parents after being in foster care, so she is well-versed in the foster care and adoption system and knows what a difference a safe and loving environment can make. When she is asked to temporarily foster two troubled children, nine-year-old Henry and his seven-year-old sister, Bella, she reluctantly agrees. She learns that the children have been abused by their negligent father, yet he is seeking to regain custody of Henry and Bella. Nova works hard to gain the trust and affection of the two children and soon finds they bring unexpected joy and love to her solitary life. How will she possibly say goodbye when the time inevitably comes? I was completely engrossed in the heartfelt story and invested in what would happen to each of the characters. The author sheds a light on the foster care and adoption system with honesty and compassion. I loved this touching story of the true meaning of family and home and most highly recommend it. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.

Nova Doubeck was used to only fostering teens, so when Imani asked her to foster two siblings, much younger than she was used to, she knew she had no choice. She couldn't see these two abused children without a home. And it wasn't long before seven year old Bella wormed her way into Nova's heart. Henry was another story though - nine years old and needing to be tough, he didn't know who to trust. Bella's small box of treasures stayed with her constantly, while Nova did her best to keep the children safe and secure.

The children were granted supervised visits of an hour with their father, Egan Croy, and for awhile after those visits, the children acted out. They were both terrified of him, but did as he said so they didn't make him mad. They knew what would happen if he got mad. Bella and Henry started school with Bella loving it and making new friends. It took Henry longer; his confusion was obvious. And when it was summer, they had day camp which they enjoyed. But Nova was constantly on edge. Would Egan get his children back? Or would the courts stop that happening? Either way, Nova would lose the two children she'd grown to love.

A Heart Like Home is a heartwarming story by Christine Nolfi, showing that love and family can overcome anything. Nova was fiercely protective of her two charges, all the while knowing she could - probably would - lose them to an adoptive couple. I thoroughly enjoyed A Heart Like Home, as I have the other novels by this author; the characters are well-written, especially Bella and Henry - I just wanted to give them cuddles! A hugely satisfying novel, this is one I highly recommend.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

A Heart Like Home is about Nova Doubeck, a single small business owner, who is asked to foster two children. Henry is 9 and Bella is 7. As a child of adoption herself, Nova agrees to help. Her life was positively affected by adoption and she wants the same experience for these kids. But Henry and Bella give Nova a run for her money and in the process of fighting for these kids, Nova is forced to confront secrets from her own past.

This book was emotional and heart-felt. It covers topics of foster care, adoption and abuse in an honest, realistic way. The story is woven with secrets and has so many twists and turns! It contains themes of friendship, family, romance, hope and love. It was a roller coaster of emotions! I absolutely adored this story! This was my first Christine Nolfi book but it won’t be my last!

***Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC copy of A Heart Like Home in exchange for my honest review.

A lovely emotional story of found family. Nova had a difficult childhood and as a result, she's served as a foster parent. Now, though she's fostering younger children - Henry and Bella- whose father is challenging for their return. Nolfi has a knack for getting to the heart of things. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A well told tale that will have you rooting for Nova, Henry and Bella.

I received a copy of this book from the author as an ARC via NetGalley for an honest review. This story has all the emotions you can imagine and will have you laughing, crying and heartbroken and then it will make you feel very happy. This is a story about heartbreak and family, foster care and adoption. It will have you on the edge of your seat and you won't be able to put it down until you find out what happens. It is such a wonderful story. I highly recommend this book, you won't regret it and will want to tell everyone about it.

The title of this book, A Heart Like Home, tells you everything this story is going to be about. It's about love -- that of family and friends -- and of home --the importance of having a safe and loving place that can be called home. Nova Doubek is a young businesswoman with a troubled childhood, who has opened her heart and her home as a foster-parent. Usually she takes in teenaged youth in the belief that it will be easier to see them leave for a permanent solution. But this time she is asked to take a young brother and sister who are in desperate need of a home. Nova, who values her independence, comes to learn how much she can count on those surrounding her as she learns to deal with 6-year old Bella and 9-year old Henry, who still struggle with drama and memories of an abusive father, who plans to get them back. At the same time, Nova learns she has to deal with the demons she has been unable to face regarding her own childhood before foster-care and finally being adopted by the couple she calls mom and dad. The characters and situations in the story are realistic, which draws readers into their lives and to become invested in the outcome. A few surprises built into the story can crush the reader's heart while anxiously waiting to see how the story ends! My actual rating would be a 4.5 but rounded up to 5. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #AHeartLikeHome

A Heart Like Home was a beautiful story. At its core this is a book about love and family. Nova is a fascinating main character one with passion and drive. As she is establishing her landscaping business she is also sometimes fostering teens. When she agrees to foster two younger children her world begins to change. Nolfi writes intriguing characters and poignant storylines. 4.5 stars

Christine Nolfi , the Author of “A Heart Like Home” has written an emotional, heart-felt, poignant, memorable and captivating novel. In this amazing well-written and vividly described story, Christine Nolfi masterfully crafts a story of what love and home represent. I am a big fan of the author and have read all of her books. The genres for this novel are Fiction, Contemporary, Small Towns & Rural Fiction, and Family Fiction. The author describes her dramatic characters as complex, complicated, and flawed.

Nova Doubeck is a single woman that is working to make ends meet, but when an emergency arises she can’t say “No” to fostering two young children. Nova is familiar with the system and was adopted when she was six years old, and was lucky to have two loving parents. Seven year old Bella is timid, and her nine year old brother is Henry can be very aggressive and a bully. This arrangement will be very difficult. The children’s mother had passed away, and the father Egan Croy disappears weekends leaving the children alone. There are secrets, betrayals, and danger.

Nova has nightmares from when she was in foster care, and wants the relationship to work out for these children. She becomes more attached and involved and as the father’s custodial hearing is approaching, Nova hopes that she can adopt the children. Unfortunately the father is a dangerous man, and Nora has no clue that he is someone she knows.

I appreciate how the author discusses the limitations of the foster system, and the need for better mental health. When it comes to what a home is, and what love is, Christine Nolfi has it nailed. I highly recommend this thought-provoking novel.

Oh, my heart. I should know by now what to expect from a book by Christine Nolfi, but she is able to capture all of the emotions with every new book. A Heart Like Home doesn't just tug at the heart strings, it completely destroys them and then puts them back together. I can not recommend this book enough. I absolutely loved it.

Bella and Henry know all too well the pain of living through trauma and abuse. When they come to live with Nova, she is determined to show them that life can be good and that most people are good. This story was one that made me feel all of the feels! I cried along with the characters, and ached when, once more, the children’s abuser tries to interfere in their lives. Ultimately, these wonderful characters are able to experience the love of an entire community and a new, loving family. I truly loved this story!

Nova is a woman whose life has been positively impacted by adoption. With that in her past, Nova began fostering children so she could provide a positive and safe place for kids during difficult transition points in their lives. Nova normally would foster teens, but her best friend who was a social worker came to her needing her to foster a couple of younger kids. Nova took the kids, but only until another foster parent could be found. As Nova began to get to know these kids and learn more and more about their story, she became more invested in keeping them safe.

As Nova began to get into a groove of balancing the kids and her growing landscaping business, she began to learn more about her birth family as well as more about the kids' lives. The more she learns, the more she feels that it was not a coincidence that her life and the lives of these kids had crossed.

I found myself excited to learn more and more about all of their lives. I couldn't put the book down and was not disappointed as the story unfolded. This is another masterpiece by Christine Nolfi. And I would like to give a special nod to her careful handling of the foster and adoption aspects of the story. Obviously there is more to tell in that realm, but her approach was very appropriate and enough to progress the story.

A Heart Like Home
By: Christine Nolfi

5 stars

Nova knows she has to help her best friend when the call comes. 2 siblings, Henry and Bella, need a foster home and quick. With a neglectful father and mother who has died, these children are in a bad way. Nova doesn't know how much these two kids will change her AND her life forever.

This story really had it all. It was a good mix of drama, romance, danger, and emotions. It was a moving, and sometimes heartwrenching, story of children in foster care and the adults they become. The characters were so real and relatable and so easy to love. Bella and Henry especially.

I loved this story. It was so sweet and captivating. It was one that paints a bit of a brighter side to foster care. I have read many books based on foster systems and children, and this was one of my favorites. It was one that I had such a hard time putting down. It was beautifully and thoughtfully written.

*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Review

3.5 but rounded down. This book was good, and I loved the plot, but it was ultimately underwhelming. I felt it had so much potential but wasn't executed well. At times, the writing wasn't great and felt very novice, while other times it flowed and kept you captivated. The multiple POVs were okay, but I didn't like Bellas perspective as she was portrayed to be too intellectually mature, and it didn't fit well. At times, I found myself cringing a little at the things she said. I would have liked to see things from Henry's perspective.
Thank you, NetGalley, and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy.

This book isn't my usual genre but I loved every second of it and has by far been one of my favourite reads of the year. beautiful and poignant,

this book made me laugh, cry and overall hope for the best for the main characters. it gave wonderful representation for the ins and outs of fostering, on all the different emotions than can be felt during this time. The book showed what it is like to get over past pain and trauma, and how family can develop even when you re not blood related.

I think this book is a must read

Nova Doubeck usually fosters teenagers. She is asked to foster Henry, age 9, and Bella, age 7. Nova agrees. She is not sure how long she will foster them or whether they will be given back to their dad. Henry is grumpy and combative. Bella is very timid and carries around her tin container with her treasures as a security blanket. Eventually, the children learn to trust Nova.

This is a story that will pull at your heart. It is written with compassion for the foster children and the parents and all that they endure. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the arc copy.

Wow, Christine Nolfe, this book was a great read, one that I had a hard time putting it down. I loved the story line, the page turning anticipation and that it kept me saying, “I’ll read one more chapter”.

I shed tears as I read. Keep a box of tissues close by as you read this book.
A Heart Like Home is an emotional and heartbreaking story. My emotions were on a roller coaster ride as I got deeper into the lives of Henry and Bella. It will grab you in from the start and keep hold on you until the last page.
The toll it takes on everyone from being a foster parent to the difficulties of adoption. How kids in foster care may or may not be in a good, safe, caring environment. Are the kids even happy, healthy, properly cared for and fed?
This story really tugged at my heartstrings. A story of family, friendship, secrets and hope.

Thank you NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Christine Nolfi for the opportunity to read this book.

This book teaches us that family is more than just your relatives. It shows that not all kids are always happy and healthy. Things that might not be as they seem in a family, especially for kids in foster care.

The author talks honestly about the difficulties of adoption, and it really break my heart for that harsh reality. I just cried my heart out how beautiful this story was! It really hits home, straight to my heart.

Nova Doubeck isn't a typical foster parent. She's single and in her late twenties. She also has a relatively new and growing landscaping business. Although Nova has several years of experience being an emergency foster parent, she prefers teenagers to younger children simply because she relates better to teens. All that changes with one phone call from her good friend and social worker, Imani Weiss. Without any other options, Nova accepts the care of the young siblings, Henry and Bella Croy. Their mother is deceased and their father is irresponsible and unreliable. Bella and Nova seem to bond quickly, but Henry is aloof and a bit standoffish. Nova's primary concern is providing a safe, caring, and nurturing environment for Henry and Bella. The longer these kids stay with her, the more attached she becomes. Bella's relationship with Nova reawakens dormant feelings and seems to unlock an undiscovered secret to Nova's past. The big question seems to be can Nova protect these children from their father and is she prepared for the journey to permanent foster parent to Henry and Nova?

Christine Nolfi is one of my must-read authors. I've read (and re-read) all of her books and was greatly looking forward to reading A HEART LIKE HOME. Ms. Nolfi did not disappoint with this heart-wrenching yet hopeful story filled with friendship, family, and romance. I especially appreciated the developing relationship between Nova, Henry, and Bella. Ms. Nolfi does a fantastic job of spotlighting the "secrets" each character is keeping and revealing how those secrets are intertwined. If you're looking for a story that will tug at your heartstrings but end on an uplifting note, I strongly encourage you to grab a copy of A HEART LIKE HOME to read. I'm looking forward to re-reading this one and will definitely be grabbing a print copy for my 89-y.o. book diva mother.

Nova usually fosters teenagers but when her friend Imani calls her with emergency case of siblings she relents and takes them in. This story has many stories and secrets that unravel and Nova finally comes to understand her childhood secrets and finds love in the process.
This story was written in the area where I live so when she was mentioning the places they went knowing where it was made the story so much more realistic.
Thanks to NetGalley for ARC.