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The Long Road Home #19
Home Town
Exciting. Fast-Paced. Steamy.
The girl next door is all grown up—and she's still holding a grudge against the neighbor boy who broke her heart. Too bad he's the one man who can help her now…
Not then when he was the hockey star next door who he took her V-card then walked away. Not now, ten years later when he returns to his tiny home town after an injury that robbed him of his dog tags and his future in the military.
Josie Baldwin would be lying if she didn't admit seeing him returning home broken didn't give her a little bit of satisfaction. After all, he broke her first. The problem is since they're neighbors she's seeing him all too much. In the yard. In the window. In his boxers with his scarred muscles rippling… In her dreams…
She despises that he lives next door, that memories of him live rent free in her brain. And she really hates that when she needs help he's the one who shows up.
However, nothing compares to the self-loathing that consumes her when he utters the words "Good girl," and her rebellious desires ignite for the man who once broke her heart. Damn her foolish desires!
The girl next door is all grown up—and she's still holding a grudge against the neighbor boy who broke her heart. Too bad he's the one man who can help her now…
Not then when he was the hockey star next door who he took her V-card then walked away. Not now, ten years later when he returns to his tiny home town after an injury that robbed him of his dog tags and his future in the military.
Josie Baldwin would be lying if she didn't admit seeing him returning home broken didn't give her a little bit of satisfaction. After all, he broke her first. The problem is since they're neighbors she's seeing him all too much. In the yard. In the window. In his boxers with his scarred muscles rippling… In her dreams…
She despises that he lives next door, that memories of him live rent free in her brain. And she really hates that when she needs help he's the one who shows up.
However, nothing compares to the self-loathing that consumes her when he utters the words "Good girl," and her rebellious desires ignite for the man who once broke her heart. Damn her foolish desires!
- GenresRomance
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 27, 2024
394 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Cat Johnson
394 books1,768 followersFind Series Reading Order and Book Lists at Cat's site CatJohnson.net
For Film/TV Inquiries Email Cat@Catjohnson.net
It all started in first grade when Cat Johnson won the essay contest at Hawthorne Elementary School and got to ride in the Chief of Police's car in the Memorial Day Parade...and the rest, as they say, is history. As an adult, Cat generally tries to stay out of police cars and is thrilled to be writing for a living. She has been published under a different name in the Young Adult genre, but released her first romance in 2006.
Today, she is a NY Times & USA Today best-selling, award-winning author of contemporary romance. A promo ho, she's sponsored real live bull riding cowboys and promoted romance using bologna.
--from the author's website
For Film/TV Inquiries Email Cat@Catjohnson.net
It all started in first grade when Cat Johnson won the essay contest at Hawthorne Elementary School and got to ride in the Chief of Police's car in the Memorial Day Parade...and the rest, as they say, is history. As an adult, Cat generally tries to stay out of police cars and is thrilled to be writing for a living. She has been published under a different name in the Young Adult genre, but released her first romance in 2006.
Today, she is a NY Times & USA Today best-selling, award-winning author of contemporary romance. A promo ho, she's sponsored real live bull riding cowboys and promoted romance using bologna.
--from the author's website
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 2, 2024
Josie and Corey
A cute journey for these two. After many years of Josie loving Corey from afar, and since he was a few years older, he really never looked at her in a permanent way, she was going to be over him. A fling sounded good to her but the tables have turned, now Corey was in for the long haul.
Plus, they get involved with the town's history, and the committee in charge, which brings a bit more mayhem.
Two little furballs named Peanut Butter and Jelly round it out quite nicely.
A happy ending here.
A cute journey for these two. After many years of Josie loving Corey from afar, and since he was a few years older, he really never looked at her in a permanent way, she was going to be over him. A fling sounded good to her but the tables have turned, now Corey was in for the long haul.
Plus, they get involved with the town's history, and the committee in charge, which brings a bit more mayhem.
Two little furballs named Peanut Butter and Jelly round it out quite nicely.
A happy ending here.
August 2, 2024
Cat gives us another great addition to the Long Road Home Series. Josie is a hardworking businesswoman but her family doesn't see her that way. Corey is home after an injury and trying to imagine what his future holds. They have history and Josie has a lot of animosity towards Corey that he doesn't understand but soon he is helping her solve a mystery and she realizes that Corey is the one who truly sees her. I love their story and all of the characters but Peanut Butter and Jelly steals the show.
August 1, 2024
Another wonderful Long road home story
Josie and Corey have an interesting past. But when Corey comes home after being injured, he helps Josie solve a mystery and he falls for her in the process. Plus, a double dose of Blessing is always welcome.
Josie and Corey have an interesting past. But when Corey comes home after being injured, he helps Josie solve a mystery and he falls for her in the process. Plus, a double dose of Blessing is always welcome.
February 17, 2026
I borrowed Home Town ~ The Long Road Home ~ Book 19, by Cat Johnson from the Kindle Unlimited Program on Amazon.
Josephine Adeline Baldwin, known as Josie agrees to go home to Sidney, New York, a small town in upstate New York. Her parents are leaving for a month on their old (new to them) RV named 'Rusty and she is given the job to take care of two baby kittens her mother agreed to foster before the RV deal came up at the same time.
Corey Jacobs, the next door neighbor is also home after beind injured while on a ship that was attacked while in the Navy. Corey and Josie have a history with two different memories of their affair. He left with no good-bye to return to active duty and she had her heart broken.
This is a second chance romance with a stolen town artifact, Josie planning the entire celebration of the 250th anniversary of the town, and the devil kittens and finally a happy ending after lots of ups and downs for Josie and Corey. I enjoyed the romantic plot!
Josephine Adeline Baldwin, known as Josie agrees to go home to Sidney, New York, a small town in upstate New York. Her parents are leaving for a month on their old (new to them) RV named 'Rusty and she is given the job to take care of two baby kittens her mother agreed to foster before the RV deal came up at the same time.
Corey Jacobs, the next door neighbor is also home after beind injured while on a ship that was attacked while in the Navy. Corey and Josie have a history with two different memories of their affair. He left with no good-bye to return to active duty and she had her heart broken.
This is a second chance romance with a stolen town artifact, Josie planning the entire celebration of the 250th anniversary of the town, and the devil kittens and finally a happy ending after lots of ups and downs for Josie and Corey. I enjoyed the romantic plot!
August 21, 2024
It pains me to say that I did not like this book. I read it as part of The Long Road Home series and the author is not one I read outside the series. The writing was fine and the plot was ok, but the mystery was a bit of a reach for me. Unfortunately, I didn’t like many of the characters in this book. Let’s start with the main character Josie. She was about as mature as a toddler and behaved as such. It was awful to read. Her brother Quinn was an epic douche (I don’t remember him being so awful in his own book) and totally unlikable. Josie’s parents were not much better as far as respecting her career and independence. Even Corey, the MMC was only ok. Not irritating, but certainly not memorable.
And just as an aside - if you are looking for steamy moments - there are none.
Overall, I was highly disappointed with this one.
And just as an aside - if you are looking for steamy moments - there are none.
Overall, I was highly disappointed with this one.
August 30, 2024
Home Town
Another great story by Cat! This story is about Josie and Corey. Corey is injured during an attack on the ship he was on. He heads home. Josie's parents ask her to cat sit while they go on a road trip. In the beginning, Josie hates Corey because of what he did ten years ago but he slowly wins her heart back. This story is so sweet. Josie is tasked to help plan her hometown celebration and Corey is reluctantly helps her. The celebration was a hit and Josie finally gets her happy ending with the man she has always loved. FANTASTIC job Cat! I would recommend this book!
Another great story by Cat! This story is about Josie and Corey. Corey is injured during an attack on the ship he was on. He heads home. Josie's parents ask her to cat sit while they go on a road trip. In the beginning, Josie hates Corey because of what he did ten years ago but he slowly wins her heart back. This story is so sweet. Josie is tasked to help plan her hometown celebration and Corey is reluctantly helps her. The celebration was a hit and Josie finally gets her happy ending with the man she has always loved. FANTASTIC job Cat! I would recommend this book!
September 28, 2025
Home Town🏠
Home Town is the next books and brings us back to Josie’s small home town.
She returns home to help her parents when they have to go away for a month, but have fostered some kittens who they can’t leave on their own for that long 🐈⬛ Josie, somehow gets pulled into putting together an event to celebrate 250 years since their town was discovered and with it the founders compass🧭
However, unbeknownst to Josie, the one person she never thought she’d see again turns up next door…Corey - the man who broke her heart💔
A good story with a bit of a mystery element to it.
Home Town is the next books and brings us back to Josie’s small home town.
She returns home to help her parents when they have to go away for a month, but have fostered some kittens who they can’t leave on their own for that long 🐈⬛ Josie, somehow gets pulled into putting together an event to celebrate 250 years since their town was discovered and with it the founders compass🧭
However, unbeknownst to Josie, the one person she never thought she’d see again turns up next door…Corey - the man who broke her heart💔
A good story with a bit of a mystery element to it.
August 4, 2024
Blessing does it again!
A second chance for first love?
Or a second fling?
They were in different places, with very different expectations last time, but both needed time apart to grow and to appreciate exactly what they have.
Being back "home" at the same time has sparks flying, but also makes them both re-evaluate not only their past relationship, but also their current one, their hopes for the future and has them embracing everything possible. It is a lovely journey of self discovery, forgiveness and hope, with a bonus little sprinkling of Blessings "woo woo"
A second chance for first love?
Or a second fling?
They were in different places, with very different expectations last time, but both needed time apart to grow and to appreciate exactly what they have.
Being back "home" at the same time has sparks flying, but also makes them both re-evaluate not only their past relationship, but also their current one, their hopes for the future and has them embracing everything possible. It is a lovely journey of self discovery, forgiveness and hope, with a bonus little sprinkling of Blessings "woo woo"
August 5, 2024
What were the odds that Cory Jacobs, the guy who broke Josie Bladwin's heart ten years ago, would show up in their hometown at the same time? Let's just say it's not a happy reunion. All they do is snipe at each other rather than sit down and clear the air between them. They end up working together to solve a mystery which resulrs in giving into their desires. It may not be enough though because this time around she breaks his heart. It takes some sage advice from Blessing to get Corey to try again and that includes declaring his love.
August 10, 2024
What a great second chance boy next door story. Loved it.
Josie and Corey have a history from a decade ago but he left without even a goodbye and unknowingly broke her heart. Now he is back home on medical leave and had no idea why she hates him so much. Will he figure out why and make amends? What will happen when he starts to have feelings for her but doesn't know what to do with them? And the biggest question is what will happen to the foster kitties Peanut Butter and Jelly?
Josie and Corey have a history from a decade ago but he left without even a goodbye and unknowingly broke her heart. Now he is back home on medical leave and had no idea why she hates him so much. Will he figure out why and make amends? What will happen when he starts to have feelings for her but doesn't know what to do with them? And the biggest question is what will happen to the foster kitties Peanut Butter and Jelly?
August 8, 2024
Season 4, Book 4 of the Long Road Home series, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!!
Is this a second chance for wounded military guy Corey Jacobs to make it up to the girl next door?
Will Josie give him a second chance after Corey comes to her rescue finding things she has lost!!
Brilliant storyline with wonderful characters and loved the HEA.
Is this a second chance for wounded military guy Corey Jacobs to make it up to the girl next door?
Will Josie give him a second chance after Corey comes to her rescue finding things she has lost!!
Brilliant storyline with wonderful characters and loved the HEA.
November 9, 2024
If only people would talk and communicate,so much heartache could be avoided.
Josie and Corey and Quinn had grown up together as neighbors. Corey and Quinn were both in special Forces. Corey was Josie’s first love. Blessing’s suggestions make a difference once again . Was not a lot if suspense or mystery. Readon
Josie and Corey and Quinn had grown up together as neighbors. Corey and Quinn were both in special Forces. Corey was Josie’s first love. Blessing’s suggestions make a difference once again . Was not a lot if suspense or mystery. Readon
December 15, 2025
Going Home to Recuperate!
Home Town: It was good for Corey to be home. His Mom needed him and he couldn't stop think about what Josie was up to since he had been gone. He couldn't figure out why she was mad at him. With his brain injury he doesn't remember a lot of things. It was very entertaining. Fantastic writing!
Home Town: It was good for Corey to be home. His Mom needed him and he couldn't stop think about what Josie was up to since he had been gone. He couldn't figure out why she was mad at him. With his brain injury he doesn't remember a lot of things. It was very entertaining. Fantastic writing!
August 2, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. Corey and Josie started off a little rough due to lack of communication in the past. The journey from there to their happily ever after was a little chaotic and funny and sweet. I loved the additions of Peanut Butter and Jelly!
August 4, 2024
Home Town is a winner.
Cat Johnson has a winner here. Love the Mudville residents they are a super special. Peanut butter and Jelly were so cute and devilishly. Really like this store. The whole series is a winner.
Cat Johnson has a winner here. Love the Mudville residents they are a super special. Peanut butter and Jelly were so cute and devilishly. Really like this store. The whole series is a winner.
August 7, 2024
this has everything
I love the Long Road Home series and Corey and Josie’s story has a little bit of everything. It has action, suspense, humour, angst and romance plus kittens! A second chance romance in a small town setting. I loved it.
I love the Long Road Home series and Corey and Josie’s story has a little bit of everything. It has action, suspense, humour, angst and romance plus kittens! A second chance romance in a small town setting. I loved it.
August 18, 2024
Home Town
Love these books. Blessings is a unique person and an intricate part of the plot. The love\hate relationship was interesting. The ending with the talk of the2 cats was cute.
Love these books. Blessings is a unique person and an intricate part of the plot. The love\hate relationship was interesting. The ending with the talk of the2 cats was cute.
August 14, 2025
Revisit old friends
Remember Josie, Quinn's little sister? Well she finally got her own story. Meet Corey, the guy next door that broke her heart one summer years ago. Will now be the right time, right place?
Remember Josie, Quinn's little sister? Well she finally got her own story. Meet Corey, the guy next door that broke her heart one summer years ago. Will now be the right time, right place?
August 1, 2024
DNF. Got to chapter 22 and just thought 'what is the point?'... so, I stopped.
Pointless MMC, pointless and rather low in self-esteem FMC.
Just not worth finishing for me.
Pointless MMC, pointless and rather low in self-esteem FMC.
Just not worth finishing for me.
August 1, 2024
Review of Home Town
I really enjoyed this book and I will definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves romance novels. She is an amazing writer!
I really enjoyed this book and I will definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves romance novels. She is an amazing writer!
August 15, 2024
Cat did it again. Another sweet story with just enough mystery and intrigue along with a healthy dose of romance.
October 28, 2024
Corey and Josie
I am so glad that Corey and Josie got their HEA. Josie was annoying in the beginning! She needed to get over herself! Corey was a great hero!
I am so glad that Corey and Josie got their HEA. Josie was annoying in the beginning! She needed to get over herself! Corey was a great hero!
February 17, 2026
Home Town:
Spicy small town mystery with a lot of drama and romance. It took awhile to get into the book, but then I couldn’t put it down.
Spicy small town mystery with a lot of drama and romance. It took awhile to get into the book, but then I couldn’t put it down.
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February 16, 2024FOR FANS :
I'm so excited to bring you another Binge Read Babes The Long Road Home story.
HOME TOWN features fan favorite Josie, the sister of Quinn, the hero from Home Coming. And of course, Blessing, everyone's favorite mystical and mysterious USO volunteer
FOR NEW COMERS :
You have questions. I have answers, I hope.
Yes, there are lots of titles, by me and by the other 'Babes', as part of the The Long Road Home. I assure you they are all standalone. There really is no reading order--that said, since I chose to use a side character from my last book as the heroine in this book, you will see glimpses of last year's couple having their Happily Ever After during this book. If that bothers you, you might want to read Home Coming first.
Preorder HOME TOWN now for a July 30 release at these vendors:
Amazon US https://amzn.to/3vxarDF
Amazon International https://bit.ly/48w2CNi
AppleBooks https://apple.co/48FN6y2
Barnes & Noble Nook https://bit.ly/3HgeRS4di
Google Play https://bit.ly/3SeKFNv
Kobo https://bit.ly/3vDBYmO
Books2Read https://books2read.com/home-town
Add to your Wishlist on Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/books/home-to...
I'm so excited to bring you another Binge Read Babes The Long Road Home story.
HOME TOWN features fan favorite Josie, the sister of Quinn, the hero from Home Coming. And of course, Blessing, everyone's favorite mystical and mysterious USO volunteer
FOR NEW COMERS :
You have questions. I have answers, I hope.
Yes, there are lots of titles, by me and by the other 'Babes', as part of the The Long Road Home. I assure you they are all standalone. There really is no reading order--that said, since I chose to use a side character from my last book as the heroine in this book, you will see glimpses of last year's couple having their Happily Ever After during this book. If that bothers you, you might want to read Home Coming first.
Preorder HOME TOWN now for a July 30 release at these vendors:
Amazon US https://amzn.to/3vxarDF
Amazon International https://bit.ly/48w2CNi
AppleBooks https://apple.co/48FN6y2
Barnes & Noble Nook https://bit.ly/3HgeRS4di
Google Play https://bit.ly/3SeKFNv
Kobo https://bit.ly/3vDBYmO
Books2Read https://books2read.com/home-town
Add to your Wishlist on Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/books/home-to...
August 3, 2024
Loved it
I absolutely loved Corey & Josie's love story, and so will you. Thanks, Cat, for writing another amazing, and wonderful story.
I absolutely loved Corey & Josie's love story, and so will you. Thanks, Cat, for writing another amazing, and wonderful story.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews