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Home from Within
It’s the fall of ’82, and Jessica Turner has finally been set free, entering a public high school after being homeschooled. But her mother wears a frown and her father wears his Colt .45s, with a warning: no dating allowed. Seeking warmth, Jessica finds herself in a secret relationship with bad boy Paul Peterson. When the relationship–and Jessica’s pregnancy–are discovered, Paul will be dead by nightfall.
Seventeen years later Jessica and her daughter live a quiet life with horse farmer, Matt Johnson. Marriage is on the table but Jessica’s remorseful heart will not comply. When an unexpected death brings Jessica back home, she uncovers her father’s secrets and discovers that her true path in life, and love, are just a choice away.
Seventeen years later Jessica and her daughter live a quiet life with horse farmer, Matt Johnson. Marriage is on the table but Jessica’s remorseful heart will not comply. When an unexpected death brings Jessica back home, she uncovers her father’s secrets and discovers that her true path in life, and love, are just a choice away.
271 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2015
133 people are currently reading
448 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Maggiore
5 books18 followersLisa Maggiore is the author of a children’s picture book, Ava the Monster Slayer: A Warrior Who Wears Glasses a fiction short story, Pinterest Saved My Marriage and a fiction novel, Home from Within. Lisa is currently in the revision process for a YA novel about a Black Amerasian who survives the fall of Saigon and comes to America to find his father. Lisa resides in Chicago, where she grew up, with her husband and four children. For the past 20 years, she was a social worker, and won many awards including the Al Ward Spirit of Giving, and has been honored by numerous community agencies for her commitment to children and families. Lisa’s social work career helped form many of the stories she writes about today and is the reason most of her endings are bittersweet.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 12, 2015
For me, Home From Within transformed into one of those books that had me wanting to scream both in happiness and anger, throw it across the room, and at the same time sob a bit.
Nothing about this tale turned out to be what I had come to expect. It kept me second guessing the entire time. Going in, I was introduced to the heroine-a sweet, charismatic, innocent young girl with a zest for adventure and the raw need for some semblance of a normal teenage life.
Growing in a house with two equally overprotective parents, Jessica Turner is excited about starting high school. It’s the first time in her life she’s going to be allowed to attend a public school and she sees this at the perfect opportunity to escape the oppression she has grown up surrounded by. I connected with her because she reminded me so much of my high school years and of the few things we happen to have in common.
I was drawn into Jessica’s world. Her desire to fit in while remaining true to what she feels in her heart is right. I love that she has friends she can count on and who do their best to help her every step of the way. She has an amazing support system outside of her home, which unfortunately tells the reader how much love, affection, and communication she’s missing out in the one place where she should be getting it the most.
On hindsight, her aunt Lodi is the one true family member who goes way out of her way to make sure Jessica’s parents open their minds a bit about allowing Jessica a couple of liberties girls her age should be able to enjoy.
Honestly, I wasn’t fond of Jessica’s father at all. He came across as a tyrant to me. At one point, during one particular scene, I upgraded him to a complete psychopath. I get that he was protective of his only daughter, but found his behavior excessive. For a Christian man he sure was quick to jump to conclusions during a unfortunately misunderstanding with some neighborhood kids and was appalled by the fact that he called Jessica a whore without giving her a chance to explain what was really going on.
Later on, as Jessica’s father story was told, I came to understand why the man always acted as if he was on the verge of a mental breakdown. And in a way, I felt sorry for him too. Though I was still a bit angered by how he shaped Jessica’s life and forced her to live wallowing in her sorrow for so long.
I sympathized with Jessica throughout her journey to adulthood. She didn’t feel loved or valued at all as a human being, which probably was the main reason why she sought affection elsewhere.
Perhaps Paul wasn’t an ideal role model, but he provided a sense of normalcy to Jessica’s life. He readily gave what she needed. He stuck by her at every turn. Their relationship was a means to an end. They had each other. They could escape the dysfunction in which they grew up in.
In a way, Paul was admirable for being as patient as he was. For guys, practicing patience isn’t always easy, but he treated Jessica with such kindness that he had me falling for him. Granted, had their circumstances been different, I believe perhaps Jessica wouldn’t have gone as far as she did. Maybe she felt as if she would lose him if she wasn’t as physical with her displays of affection, but I was sixteen once too so I know how conflicted the mind tends to get in matters of the heart.
Regardless of what lead them to take the next step, Paul and Jessica loved each other, and I was heartbroken when they were abruptly separated. Even more so after everything I discovered as I kept turning the pages.
The ending was as a bit of a shock for me. I won’t spoil it for those who haven’t read the book yet, but I have never been so confused, sad, and felt as if I was robbed while finishing a story. That is, until I read Home From Within. You see, things happen that has you thinking, “Why? Why end it like this?” But I commend the author for thinking outside the box and providing an end to a wonderful tale that escaped the traditional to what one would expect to find in a love story, and reconstruct it so everyone gets their happily ever after.
I enjoyed Home from Within very much and would like to thank the author for reminding me a well written love story doesn’t always have to include a predictable ending.
Nothing about this tale turned out to be what I had come to expect. It kept me second guessing the entire time. Going in, I was introduced to the heroine-a sweet, charismatic, innocent young girl with a zest for adventure and the raw need for some semblance of a normal teenage life.
Growing in a house with two equally overprotective parents, Jessica Turner is excited about starting high school. It’s the first time in her life she’s going to be allowed to attend a public school and she sees this at the perfect opportunity to escape the oppression she has grown up surrounded by. I connected with her because she reminded me so much of my high school years and of the few things we happen to have in common.
I was drawn into Jessica’s world. Her desire to fit in while remaining true to what she feels in her heart is right. I love that she has friends she can count on and who do their best to help her every step of the way. She has an amazing support system outside of her home, which unfortunately tells the reader how much love, affection, and communication she’s missing out in the one place where she should be getting it the most.
On hindsight, her aunt Lodi is the one true family member who goes way out of her way to make sure Jessica’s parents open their minds a bit about allowing Jessica a couple of liberties girls her age should be able to enjoy.
Honestly, I wasn’t fond of Jessica’s father at all. He came across as a tyrant to me. At one point, during one particular scene, I upgraded him to a complete psychopath. I get that he was protective of his only daughter, but found his behavior excessive. For a Christian man he sure was quick to jump to conclusions during a unfortunately misunderstanding with some neighborhood kids and was appalled by the fact that he called Jessica a whore without giving her a chance to explain what was really going on.
Later on, as Jessica’s father story was told, I came to understand why the man always acted as if he was on the verge of a mental breakdown. And in a way, I felt sorry for him too. Though I was still a bit angered by how he shaped Jessica’s life and forced her to live wallowing in her sorrow for so long.
I sympathized with Jessica throughout her journey to adulthood. She didn’t feel loved or valued at all as a human being, which probably was the main reason why she sought affection elsewhere.
Perhaps Paul wasn’t an ideal role model, but he provided a sense of normalcy to Jessica’s life. He readily gave what she needed. He stuck by her at every turn. Their relationship was a means to an end. They had each other. They could escape the dysfunction in which they grew up in.
In a way, Paul was admirable for being as patient as he was. For guys, practicing patience isn’t always easy, but he treated Jessica with such kindness that he had me falling for him. Granted, had their circumstances been different, I believe perhaps Jessica wouldn’t have gone as far as she did. Maybe she felt as if she would lose him if she wasn’t as physical with her displays of affection, but I was sixteen once too so I know how conflicted the mind tends to get in matters of the heart.
Regardless of what lead them to take the next step, Paul and Jessica loved each other, and I was heartbroken when they were abruptly separated. Even more so after everything I discovered as I kept turning the pages.
The ending was as a bit of a shock for me. I won’t spoil it for those who haven’t read the book yet, but I have never been so confused, sad, and felt as if I was robbed while finishing a story. That is, until I read Home From Within. You see, things happen that has you thinking, “Why? Why end it like this?” But I commend the author for thinking outside the box and providing an end to a wonderful tale that escaped the traditional to what one would expect to find in a love story, and reconstruct it so everyone gets their happily ever after.
I enjoyed Home from Within very much and would like to thank the author for reminding me a well written love story doesn’t always have to include a predictable ending.
November 3, 2015
Home From Within was a great, relatable story that follows the love life of a 15 year old, up until her early 30's. With an overhanging element of suspense knowing that her first love will at some point be dead, told as flashbacks/flash forwards, it keeps the reader curiously wanting more.
The first half is a little bit slower as it evolves from the eyes of a 15 year old, but was nonetheless interesting as it felt like a real accurate account of a teenager at that stage. It was something that brought me back to my own youth of trying to deal with parents, boys, and the dramas of high school all at the same time.
Jessica's struggling relationship with her overprotective parents and their strange behavior sets the tone for the second half of the book which had me not wanting to put it down. I didn't know what to expect or where the story was going at first, but the curiosity and questions that I had would soon come together as the story evolved.
Seeing the progression of Jessica's relationships with two different men, at two distinctly different stages in a woman's life was something I found very unique and appealing about the book. It left me with a full idea of who Jessica is, who she was, and how she became the person we see at the end of the book. Rather than a simple story of just a single love during a short segment of time, you get the full person which is something I really enjoyed, having a personal interest in psychology and adolescent developent myself.
There were some points that I felt could have had greater suspense or emotion built into them in order to have greater impact, but overall this was a great story that kept me curiously wanting to keep reading and experiencing more.
The first half is a little bit slower as it evolves from the eyes of a 15 year old, but was nonetheless interesting as it felt like a real accurate account of a teenager at that stage. It was something that brought me back to my own youth of trying to deal with parents, boys, and the dramas of high school all at the same time.
Jessica's struggling relationship with her overprotective parents and their strange behavior sets the tone for the second half of the book which had me not wanting to put it down. I didn't know what to expect or where the story was going at first, but the curiosity and questions that I had would soon come together as the story evolved.
Seeing the progression of Jessica's relationships with two different men, at two distinctly different stages in a woman's life was something I found very unique and appealing about the book. It left me with a full idea of who Jessica is, who she was, and how she became the person we see at the end of the book. Rather than a simple story of just a single love during a short segment of time, you get the full person which is something I really enjoyed, having a personal interest in psychology and adolescent developent myself.
There were some points that I felt could have had greater suspense or emotion built into them in order to have greater impact, but overall this was a great story that kept me curiously wanting to keep reading and experiencing more.
November 18, 2015
Can you imagine growing up so protected that you never go anywhere without mace, or your Dad showing you his Colt 45? Jessica and her brother have always lived like this, and then she is finally set free, or rather allowed to attend the local high school.
She has to be home within ten minutes of school letting out, but she finds ways to have private time with her new boyfriend, Paul. Her father shows her the gun and tells her if anything ever happens, or one of those boys comes around he will say he was breaking into their home and kill them.
When Jess become pregnant, she knows and it is confirmed that her Dad has made his threat the truth. What a mixed up world this poor girl lives, and there are deep secrets here, that go back to her Dad and his sister’s growing up.
Will this family ever be free of all the ghosts that seem to haunt them? Will Jessie ever be able to find real happiness, or will she continue to grieve for what might have been.
This is a story of a family that has so many hurts and so much pain, coming at them from all sides. It becomes a page tuner because you want to know what is or did happen.
I received this book from Pump Up Your Book Virtual Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.
She has to be home within ten minutes of school letting out, but she finds ways to have private time with her new boyfriend, Paul. Her father shows her the gun and tells her if anything ever happens, or one of those boys comes around he will say he was breaking into their home and kill them.
When Jess become pregnant, she knows and it is confirmed that her Dad has made his threat the truth. What a mixed up world this poor girl lives, and there are deep secrets here, that go back to her Dad and his sister’s growing up.
Will this family ever be free of all the ghosts that seem to haunt them? Will Jessie ever be able to find real happiness, or will she continue to grieve for what might have been.
This is a story of a family that has so many hurts and so much pain, coming at them from all sides. It becomes a page tuner because you want to know what is or did happen.
I received this book from Pump Up Your Book Virtual Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.
November 24, 2015
This book alternates between the 1980s and the 1990s, with a seventeen-year gap between them. Jessica is having a very strict upbringing for reasons she doesn't understand as she hasn't been told of anything. The only bright spot for her is that her aunt has agreed that she can go to a 'normal' high school. There she finds her feet and begins to experience life as a teenager, still within strict limitations though. She also meets Paul, a bit of a bad boy who seems to make an effort for her. Things happen which will move these two forward but will also cause heartbreak.
This was an emotional book as you are with Jessica as she tries to sort out her emotions in the present, and deals with what happened in the past. She has decisions to make that will not only affect her life, but the lives of others too.
If you are wanting a book that looks at life and loves a bit differently, then I can definitely recommend this book.
* I received this book from Pump Up Your Book in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This was an emotional book as you are with Jessica as she tries to sort out her emotions in the present, and deals with what happened in the past. She has decisions to make that will not only affect her life, but the lives of others too.
If you are wanting a book that looks at life and loves a bit differently, then I can definitely recommend this book.
* I received this book from Pump Up Your Book in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
November 2, 2015
Home from Within is a story about two high school sweethearts from different backgrounds. It starts in present day and flashes back to tell their story of how they came to be. The beginning is a little slow, but the story eventually picks up and before you know it, you are fully invested in the main characters.
The story is a very heartbreaking example of what happens when secrets are kept and communication doesn't exist. Even though you're told upfront what happens to Paul, I still couldn't stop myself from wishing that it didn't have to end like that. Given Jessica's background and home life, everything that happened seemed very realistic and even relatable at times. I felt like I was taking the journey with her as I laughed, cried and smiled throughout the book.
I'd recommend this book to anyone that loves a good love story without the fairy tale romance.
The story is a very heartbreaking example of what happens when secrets are kept and communication doesn't exist. Even though you're told upfront what happens to Paul, I still couldn't stop myself from wishing that it didn't have to end like that. Given Jessica's background and home life, everything that happened seemed very realistic and even relatable at times. I felt like I was taking the journey with her as I laughed, cried and smiled throughout the book.
I'd recommend this book to anyone that loves a good love story without the fairy tale romance.
November 2, 2015
Nearly impossible to put down Brilliant plotting with characters that you'll love and need to know. A true love story.
Lisa Maggiore hits the mark and your heart with her first novel.
Lisa Maggiore hits the mark and your heart with her first novel.
January 19, 2019
First rate writing.
Wonderful heart wrenching love story. I loved how the story of the high school first love was plausible, that Paul was kind to Jessica and turned out to really be a good man. The history of Jessica’s father’s life was rewarding in explaining his harsh actions. Jessica has a complicated background to deal with but I’m sure she will find happiness.
Wonderful heart wrenching love story. I loved how the story of the high school first love was plausible, that Paul was kind to Jessica and turned out to really be a good man. The history of Jessica’s father’s life was rewarding in explaining his harsh actions. Jessica has a complicated background to deal with but I’m sure she will find happiness.
February 22, 2022
My kind of read
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I get tired of reading who don its and serial killer books and want to read a good chic lit book...which this is. Will continue to follow this author. Her descriptive style allows me to feel like I am right there in that same space and time
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I get tired of reading who don its and serial killer books and want to read a good chic lit book...which this is. Will continue to follow this author. Her descriptive style allows me to feel like I am right there in that same space and time
June 12, 2022
Beautiful, heartwarming story
This was an incredibly sad yet uplifting story as well. So often books are about domestic abuse in homes where families endure hell and are too afraid to tell anyone. Parents who have childhood trauma tend to repeat patterns or different trauma with their own children for a variety of reasons. Hopefully someday this cycle can be broken.
This was an incredibly sad yet uplifting story as well. So often books are about domestic abuse in homes where families endure hell and are too afraid to tell anyone. Parents who have childhood trauma tend to repeat patterns or different trauma with their own children for a variety of reasons. Hopefully someday this cycle can be broken.
June 17, 2022
Traumatic and distressing
I found this teenage girl's home life to be horrifying. I also found her choices horrifying. The consequences of her choices were appalling. For seventeen years afterwards she lived in limbo. The story is well written with good editing. In some ways its twisted but its a really good read.
I found this teenage girl's home life to be horrifying. I also found her choices horrifying. The consequences of her choices were appalling. For seventeen years afterwards she lived in limbo. The story is well written with good editing. In some ways its twisted but its a really good read.
January 23, 2018
Awesome book.
Once I started reading this, I couldn't stop. I stayed awake all night to finish this book. I actually did some crying throughout while I read. This is one of the best books I've read in a long time.
Once I started reading this, I couldn't stop. I stayed awake all night to finish this book. I actually did some crying throughout while I read. This is one of the best books I've read in a long time.
February 9, 2020
Could not put this book down. Such a sad book, Jessica was home-schooled. But her mother is so non loving and her father wears his Colt .45s, with a warning: no dating allowed. Seeking warmth, Jessica finds herself in a secret relationship with bad boy Paul Peterson.
April 12, 2020
Wonderful book
This book is really wonderfully written. The story of Jessica and Paul, Aunt Lodi, then of Jessica and Matt. Even the stories do Jessica’s Mother and Father. Great job Maggiore
This book is really wonderfully written. The story of Jessica and Paul, Aunt Lodi, then of Jessica and Matt. Even the stories do Jessica’s Mother and Father. Great job Maggiore
January 3, 2021
Well written and very good story
You never know when you first choose a book just how it will touch you. This book is much deeper than I first thought and it makes you understand why some people's actions are so strange. Read it!
You never know when you first choose a book just how it will touch you. This book is much deeper than I first thought and it makes you understand why some people's actions are so strange. Read it!
January 8, 2022
Well written
A heart breaking story of first love and over protective parents. I enjoyed the back story of why her father was so strict. I admired the strength of the main character to never abandon being open to love. Well written.
A heart breaking story of first love and over protective parents. I enjoyed the back story of why her father was so strict. I admired the strength of the main character to never abandon being open to love. Well written.
February 14, 2022
real love story
I enjoyed the reality of the story and how we all have our secrets but to whose expense. Sometimes life doesn’t go as planned but we can change our destiny by our attitude.
I enjoyed the reality of the story and how we all have our secrets but to whose expense. Sometimes life doesn’t go as planned but we can change our destiny by our attitude.
January 13, 2018
Slow start, great ending
I really like the way the author described the characters, they almost came to life in my mind. I almost deleted the book, glad I didn’t.
I really like the way the author described the characters, they almost came to life in my mind. I almost deleted the book, glad I didn’t.
December 17, 2020
Love! Love!
I love this book. Must read! You won't be disappointed. It's heartbreaking, but heart warming at the same time. Love it!
I love this book. Must read! You won't be disappointed. It's heartbreaking, but heart warming at the same time. Love it!
January 7, 2021
Not for me.
Not my kind of book, especially now with the unrest in the world. I'm looking for an upbeat, funny read. I might try this later when the mood of the world is better.
Not my kind of book, especially now with the unrest in the world. I'm looking for an upbeat, funny read. I might try this later when the mood of the world is better.
May 14, 2016
"Home From Within" takes the idea of teenage drama to another level with an over-protected, sheltered teen who genuinely believes her father would kill any boy that came near her. When (unexpectedly expected) news results from the relationship, the worst happens - in all cases. The story jumps almost a decade and tries to keep you emotionally engaged, but I didn't have enough invested in the relationships to care.
It started to feel predictable about halfway through, and I called the conclusion to the main story line as soon as Jess returns her family home. I don't know if I wasn't satisfied because the resolutions were too easy, or what; I really liked the first part of the story, but after the time jump, I simply wasn't as into it.
I'm not sure where my feelings on this book have landed - I know I didn't hate it, but I also didn't feel emotionally connected to the developments further on in the book. It was a fast read, and I will say I couldn't put the book down once I started it. I feel like the story had too many extremes - ALL the bad things or ALL the good things at once.
If you have any inclination to read the book, I'd encourage giving it a try. I enjoyed the first part of the book, but felt like I had to finish the second part of the store, just to know what happened.
Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book for my honest review.
It started to feel predictable about halfway through, and I called the conclusion to the main story line as soon as Jess returns her family home. I don't know if I wasn't satisfied because the resolutions were too easy, or what; I really liked the first part of the story, but after the time jump, I simply wasn't as into it.
I'm not sure where my feelings on this book have landed - I know I didn't hate it, but I also didn't feel emotionally connected to the developments further on in the book. It was a fast read, and I will say I couldn't put the book down once I started it. I feel like the story had too many extremes - ALL the bad things or ALL the good things at once.
If you have any inclination to read the book, I'd encourage giving it a try. I enjoyed the first part of the book, but felt like I had to finish the second part of the store, just to know what happened.
Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book for my honest review.
July 23, 2016
I was gifted this book by the author through Choosy Bookworm in exchange for an honest review. Honestly, it was written well; but to me, it lacked emotion. I couldn't empathize with Jessica at any point in the narrative. I might be able to understand her actions as a teenager, but it was harder to understand how she acted as an adult. I'm trying to write this review without spoilers, but I felt like there was a time where she needed to take responsibility for her own life. It felt like she was keeping the dream of her first love so close that she couldn't let herself fully love anyone else.
I'm not one who tends to find that kind of thing appealing or romantic. I'm so glad that circumstances conspired in a way that she could understand the things that made her who she was as a teenager and as an adult. I really hope she went to counseling in the aftermath, because she clearly had difficulties that I'm not convinced love would have healed as easily as this story would have us to believe.
I'm not one who tends to find that kind of thing appealing or romantic. I'm so glad that circumstances conspired in a way that she could understand the things that made her who she was as a teenager and as an adult. I really hope she went to counseling in the aftermath, because she clearly had difficulties that I'm not convinced love would have healed as easily as this story would have us to believe.
August 31, 2016
Slightly predictable
To begin with I must say I received a copy of this book free in exchange for an honest review . I enjoyed the beginning of the book. I thought the author developed the relationship between Jessica and Paul well . My problem began with the parents . Without giving the plot away, I feel the author used their past as an excuse for the present . Not to mention several supposedly caring adults who allowed what happened to happen .I ended up feeling disappointed in the way the story developed .
To begin with I must say I received a copy of this book free in exchange for an honest review . I enjoyed the beginning of the book. I thought the author developed the relationship between Jessica and Paul well . My problem began with the parents . Without giving the plot away, I feel the author used their past as an excuse for the present . Not to mention several supposedly caring adults who allowed what happened to happen .I ended up feeling disappointed in the way the story developed .
July 30, 2016
Pretty good book.
This was a pretty good book. It took a while for me to get into the characters and the story. The ending was decent. It was a light read. Not one of my faves but not horrible either. It was just missing something for it to be more enjoyable.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
This was a pretty good book. It took a while for me to get into the characters and the story. The ending was decent. It was a light read. Not one of my faves but not horrible either. It was just missing something for it to be more enjoyable.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
May 19, 2016
Touching
I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. It was a touching read that I'd recommend for fully mature adults.
I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. It was a touching read that I'd recommend for fully mature adults.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews