Home Since She Left

by Emma Leeder

Erika Lansing had made it huge. She had a stellar pop career in LA, living out her childhood dreams, performing all over the world, with a famous boyfriend by her side. Her small-town upbringing in Fareham Hills, Ontario, was a distant memory. But when life in LA implodes, Erika heads for her hometown hills to hide out at her family's horse farm.

Brandon Lawrence had it made, too. He’d carved out a happy little life in Fareham Hills, taking care of horses, his family, and his community, his high school heartbreak healed long ago. Then, the former love of his life, Erika Lansing, shows up, back at the farm and back in his life.

Will they fall back in love under the falling autumn leaves? Will the wind-chilled winter drive them back into the warmth of each other’s arms? Or will Erika’s career call her back to California, leaving Brandon in the dust?

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 9, 2025

About the author

Emma Leeder lives in Ottawa with her partner and two kids. Writing has been a lifelong passion of hers and Home Since She Left is her first romance novel, the first in a series of four books coming soon!

Reviews

[Claire GS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home Since She Left is an utterly charming debut that swept me off my feet from the very first page. Emma Leeder crafts a tender, atmospheric romance that feels both cozy and cinematic. Erika Lansing’s journey from the glittering chaos of LA back to the rolling hills of Fareham is beautifully rendered, and her reconnection with Brandon is pure magic, full of warmth, longing, and second chances. The setting is vivid, the characters are layered and relatable, and the seasonal backdrop adds a touch of nostalgia that makes you want to curl up with a blanket and read straight through.
If you love stories about rediscovering yourself, rekindling old flames, and finding solace in the familiar, this book is a must-read. I can’t wait for the next installment in the Fareham Hills series from this brilliant debut author.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma Leeder's first novel is a delight from start to finish! This first love reboot is heart-warming, spicy and relatable on so many levels.

I loved that Leeder created two such well-developed characters to fall in love with and root for; Erika and Brandon are such opposites, and yet so deliciously good together, and then she set them up in the charming haven of Fareham Hills where everyone seems so supportive and everything feels so cozy.

If you enjoy great character writing, plot twists, and steamy romances, you'll love Home Since She Left. I can't wait to read the next book in Leeder's first series.

[Anya Rousselle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fun romance is sure to to make you smile. Set mostly in rural small-town in Ontario, Canada, the horse farm, cabin, and small-town charm was one of my favourite parts of this book. Erika Lansing, a pop-star living in California has it all, until things blow up and she escapes without anyone knowing, to her little hometown and her parents farm. She inevitably runs into her old flame, Brandon, and their feelings for one another are re-ignited. It has a great slow burn, some swoony spicy scenes, and a will-they-won't-they that I wasn't sure if they could work out. The characters both have relatable flaws that make them more human, and memorable supporting characters. Great read!

[Pearsos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma Leeder’s debut novel perfectly blends romance, a picture of small town life & irritating ex boyfriends. From the awkward meet cute to an exciting action scene, Leeder guides the reader on a journey of the challenges of coming home - and making magic with unexpected opportunities. Can’t wait for the next Farnham Hills book!

[Scott Searle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! I don’t usually love romances but there character development in this book really made it stand out. It was fun, funny and interesting!

[Meaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute and fun read! Really enjoyed it!