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Angel's Lake #2
Falling for Home
Figuring out how to move forward means she has to go back.
Lucy Aarons never thought she’d tire of traveling the globe taking photographs but when she comes home to the small town of Angels Lake for a visit, she’s, surprisingly, not eager to leave.
Part of that might be due to the sexy, sweet Sheriff who lives next door to her parents.
Alex Whitman has only ever wanted three things: to have roots, to be a cop, and to win Lucy’s heart. He’s managed two of the three and now that Lucy is home, he plans to pursue the third.
After being gone for years, Lucy is trying to figure out where she belongs in her large family. What she discovers turns her world upside down.
Alex is trying to live in the moment and enjoy whatever time he has with Lucy before the wanderlust kicks in again, but the more time they spend together, he wonders how he’ll ever let her go.
Lucy Aarons never thought she’d tire of traveling the globe taking photographs but when she comes home to the small town of Angels Lake for a visit, she’s, surprisingly, not eager to leave.
Part of that might be due to the sexy, sweet Sheriff who lives next door to her parents.
Alex Whitman has only ever wanted three things: to have roots, to be a cop, and to win Lucy’s heart. He’s managed two of the three and now that Lucy is home, he plans to pursue the third.
After being gone for years, Lucy is trying to figure out where she belongs in her large family. What she discovers turns her world upside down.
Alex is trying to live in the moment and enjoy whatever time he has with Lucy before the wanderlust kicks in again, but the more time they spend together, he wonders how he’ll ever let her go.
340 pages, Paperback
First published November 16, 2018
14 people are currently reading
651 people want to read
About the author
Jody Holford
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
May 3, 2016
This contemporary romance had me reading all night long! Besides cheering on the two main characters as they work for their HEA, every secondary character in both families have issues that make your heart hurt for them as they come to light. You laugh, cry and want everything to work out for each and every one of them. This book is more than a simple love story, it is an emotional journey.
Lucy Aarons is a famous photographer, who travelled the world for the last 10 years, but comes home to stay when she is fired from her current shoot. All of her family members tell her she won’t stay home for long and continue to throw that fact in her face. Her reason for staying away becomes an emotional time bomb as her love of the man who lives next door deepens.
Alex Whitman is the Sheriff of Angel’s Lake, Minnesota where he has lived since the sixth grade and he met and fell in love with Lucy, but she is just a friend and takes off to see New York and the world after graduation. She is back and seems to want to become a part of his life for good, but will she stay?
Lucy is a character that pulled every emotion from me. She comes home to an older sister, who is dealing with a child with Asperger’s Syndrome, a younger sister who is too scared to leave and follow her own dreams, and a mother who writes self-help books, but is living with agoraphobia. And that isn’t even the big secret that will be revealed as to why Lucy hasn’t stayed at home for very long.
Ms. Holford’s writing will have you emotionally wrung out in a good way. It is the way you want to be feeling after a strong romance read. The romance is intertwined with family revelations and a little mystery subplot that all flows effortlessly. Everyone finds out how much they are willing to forgive to keep a love that will last.
Written for and posted first on the The Romance Reviews.com.
Lucy Aarons is a famous photographer, who travelled the world for the last 10 years, but comes home to stay when she is fired from her current shoot. All of her family members tell her she won’t stay home for long and continue to throw that fact in her face. Her reason for staying away becomes an emotional time bomb as her love of the man who lives next door deepens.
Alex Whitman is the Sheriff of Angel’s Lake, Minnesota where he has lived since the sixth grade and he met and fell in love with Lucy, but she is just a friend and takes off to see New York and the world after graduation. She is back and seems to want to become a part of his life for good, but will she stay?
Lucy is a character that pulled every emotion from me. She comes home to an older sister, who is dealing with a child with Asperger’s Syndrome, a younger sister who is too scared to leave and follow her own dreams, and a mother who writes self-help books, but is living with agoraphobia. And that isn’t even the big secret that will be revealed as to why Lucy hasn’t stayed at home for very long.
Ms. Holford’s writing will have you emotionally wrung out in a good way. It is the way you want to be feeling after a strong romance read. The romance is intertwined with family revelations and a little mystery subplot that all flows effortlessly. Everyone finds out how much they are willing to forgive to keep a love that will last.
Written for and posted first on the The Romance Reviews.com.
March 14, 2016
When Lucy Aarons returns to her hometown after years of traveling the world, she's not really sure what the future holds. The idea of planting roots is foreign to her, but the pull is strong. Especially after she becomes re-acquainted with the sexy sheriff—a childhood acquaintance with whom she builds a sweet friendship that quickly blossoms into something far deeper. Love is a pretty good reason for planting roots, but love is scary in and of itself—when leaving is all she’s ever known, can Lucy be brave enough to stay?
Sheriff Alex Whitman has had a crush on Lucy since the moment he met her, years and years ago. When the opportunity to pursue a relationship with her presents itself, it's a no-brainer. Even if it means putting his heart on the line. Even if the odds are against him. He'll take whatever time she'll give him and deal with the fallout later. This turns out to mean more than he could ever have prepared himself for, and when push comes to shove, is Alex strong enough to stand by his woman?
This book! It was so much bigger than I was expecting it to be. I’m struggling to get my arms around it in my review because there are so many layers creating so many feels—I don’t even know where to start! I fell in love, so hard, with Alex and Lucy. Alex… Man, I do not even have words for Alex. He was almost poetic sometimes, tender and patient and understanding. He’s basically the perfect man. He captured my heart and then filled it to bursting with ooey gooey swoons and happiness. He's beautifully written in a way that allowed him to be sensitive and sweet without ever coming off as weak or over the top. I adore nice guy heroes, and Alex is the nicest.
Lucy broke my heart. She's carrying around so much baggage, and my eyes leaked for her more than once. I adored her. She's strong, and mature in ways she doesn’t even recognize. There's a lot of growth for her over the course of the book, but she never annoyed me or frustrated me. In fact, she was written perfectly—in a way that I could feel her fear and anxiety, but trusted her to not make stupid impulse decisions. I felt for her, my heart ached for her. And, in the end, I celebrated for her because it was impossible not to. She's a completely loveable heroine.
This is so much bigger than a love story (though the love story is fantastic). It's a story about finding your place in the world, which can be no easy feat. The issues Lucy faced with her family killed me. The storyline was handled beautifully, with tenderness and sensitivity—I laughed and cried and loved Lucy's family so much. I loved how they handled each other, the imperfections they were all learning how to live with, and the big, crazy, messy love they had for each other.
I was less invested in the crime/mystery subplot. While it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book, it also didn't pull the emotion or interest from me that the rest of the book did. There is already a lot going on in the book, and while the mystery adds another layer of depth, I found myself skimming over some of those parts. However, I did love how it tied back into Alex’s past, and explained some things about his behavior.
In all, I really enjoyed this story. I cried more than I thought I would, but I wouldn't call it a tearjerker. It’s just…emotional. Stirring up these big, beautiful emotions that are now all swirling around in my heart making me want to hang on to this story for a minute longer—to let the loveliness settle in. ~ Shelly, 4 stars
Sheriff Alex Whitman has had a crush on Lucy since the moment he met her, years and years ago. When the opportunity to pursue a relationship with her presents itself, it's a no-brainer. Even if it means putting his heart on the line. Even if the odds are against him. He'll take whatever time she'll give him and deal with the fallout later. This turns out to mean more than he could ever have prepared himself for, and when push comes to shove, is Alex strong enough to stand by his woman?
This book! It was so much bigger than I was expecting it to be. I’m struggling to get my arms around it in my review because there are so many layers creating so many feels—I don’t even know where to start! I fell in love, so hard, with Alex and Lucy. Alex… Man, I do not even have words for Alex. He was almost poetic sometimes, tender and patient and understanding. He’s basically the perfect man. He captured my heart and then filled it to bursting with ooey gooey swoons and happiness. He's beautifully written in a way that allowed him to be sensitive and sweet without ever coming off as weak or over the top. I adore nice guy heroes, and Alex is the nicest.
Lucy broke my heart. She's carrying around so much baggage, and my eyes leaked for her more than once. I adored her. She's strong, and mature in ways she doesn’t even recognize. There's a lot of growth for her over the course of the book, but she never annoyed me or frustrated me. In fact, she was written perfectly—in a way that I could feel her fear and anxiety, but trusted her to not make stupid impulse decisions. I felt for her, my heart ached for her. And, in the end, I celebrated for her because it was impossible not to. She's a completely loveable heroine.
This is so much bigger than a love story (though the love story is fantastic). It's a story about finding your place in the world, which can be no easy feat. The issues Lucy faced with her family killed me. The storyline was handled beautifully, with tenderness and sensitivity—I laughed and cried and loved Lucy's family so much. I loved how they handled each other, the imperfections they were all learning how to live with, and the big, crazy, messy love they had for each other.
I was less invested in the crime/mystery subplot. While it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book, it also didn't pull the emotion or interest from me that the rest of the book did. There is already a lot going on in the book, and while the mystery adds another layer of depth, I found myself skimming over some of those parts. However, I did love how it tied back into Alex’s past, and explained some things about his behavior.
In all, I really enjoyed this story. I cried more than I thought I would, but I wouldn't call it a tearjerker. It’s just…emotional. Stirring up these big, beautiful emotions that are now all swirling around in my heart making me want to hang on to this story for a minute longer—to let the loveliness settle in. ~ Shelly, 4 stars
February 2, 2016
I fell in love with this book right from the first page of the first chapter. The chemistry between Alex and Lucy draws you in and they have a fun and sexy connection going back to grade school. Alex and Lucy aren't the only great characters in this book, Lucy's family steal your heart too.
Fantastic read and I enjoyed every page of it. Highly recommended!!!
Fantastic read and I enjoyed every page of it. Highly recommended!!!
February 18, 2016
Alex is seriously sexy and knows how to set limits when it comes to his woman, “well, as long as no strings means that while we enjoy each other, no one else is enjoying you. Because then I’d have to shoot someone.” I really liked this book I loved Alex.
February 14, 2016
First I want to say I have read a few of this author’s book and she has come far from the first one. I totally loved this story. It is full of such passion, power, and pain that it reaches in and grabs you from the first page. This is a sweet home town full of surprises that will break your heart. There is a lot going on in the story. Each family member seems to have issues that are pulling them in different directions. None know how to fix it or their family. This is a wonderful family who cares but doesn’t share as much as they should. This book is about coming home, finding yourself, and putting your family back together, letting secrets out that can tear you apart along with finding a love of your life.
Lucy has spent almost her whole life running from her family. When she loses her job she comes home. Everyone is happy to see her and have her with them. The fact she hasn’t been home in awhile and never stays in one place for long is thrown in her face time and time again. The family doesn’t mean to hurt her but they have learned not to hold on she won’t be there long. On coming home she comes face to face with the boy she grew up with. You will have to laugh as they do the dance around meeting each other again. Out of all the wonderful characters the author gives you Lucy is my favorite and my heart broke for her. She is easy to relate to and easy to fall in love with. So misunderstood, needing love and her family so much.
Alex is a sweetheart he has always secretly loved Lucy from the first moment he met her. Nothing much has changed just his feeling growing stronger. This is just supposed to be for the here and now but somehow his feelings got out of control and it is in it for the long haul. He makes one mistake which could end their relationship.
Lucy’s poor mother’s problems leave everyone walking on egg shells. Her one sister doesn’t know how to deal with the issues her child has. Here other sister doesn’t want to put anymore on the family. Lucy just wants to be part of a family. Her poor father is just changing on for dear life. Alex father is hiding something as well. Who could be tearing up the down? If you add Lucy and Alex’s touch relationship in the mix you have a very well spin story.
The author gives a compelling normal family with normal issues. It is well written with believable characters you will love from the start. You are going to laugh, cry and be torn apart just as each character is. I doubt you can read this story and not be touched in some way. I totally love Lucy and Alex story. This is a book you will read over and over again and will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
Lucy has spent almost her whole life running from her family. When she loses her job she comes home. Everyone is happy to see her and have her with them. The fact she hasn’t been home in awhile and never stays in one place for long is thrown in her face time and time again. The family doesn’t mean to hurt her but they have learned not to hold on she won’t be there long. On coming home she comes face to face with the boy she grew up with. You will have to laugh as they do the dance around meeting each other again. Out of all the wonderful characters the author gives you Lucy is my favorite and my heart broke for her. She is easy to relate to and easy to fall in love with. So misunderstood, needing love and her family so much.
Alex is a sweetheart he has always secretly loved Lucy from the first moment he met her. Nothing much has changed just his feeling growing stronger. This is just supposed to be for the here and now but somehow his feelings got out of control and it is in it for the long haul. He makes one mistake which could end their relationship.
Lucy’s poor mother’s problems leave everyone walking on egg shells. Her one sister doesn’t know how to deal with the issues her child has. Here other sister doesn’t want to put anymore on the family. Lucy just wants to be part of a family. Her poor father is just changing on for dear life. Alex father is hiding something as well. Who could be tearing up the down? If you add Lucy and Alex’s touch relationship in the mix you have a very well spin story.
The author gives a compelling normal family with normal issues. It is well written with believable characters you will love from the start. You are going to laugh, cry and be torn apart just as each character is. I doubt you can read this story and not be touched in some way. I totally love Lucy and Alex story. This is a book you will read over and over again and will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
February 18, 2016
If you want to read something easy and sweet,then Falling for Home is the right choice. Why? Because this book was about finding true love ,and at the same time finding a good reason to belive in yourself ,when you think nobody else does.
Lucy Aarons's life is all about running from country to country trying to capture all the beautiful things with her camera,but one day the need to returne home is too much,and Lucy finds herself in Angel's Lake,her childhood home. But what if this time Lucy will find a reason to stay there and never leave?What if that reason is good enough in order for Lucy to see the truth about her life,her family..everything?What if..
But here comes Alex Whitman,Angel's Lake Sheriff,and Lucy's neighbor ,and the one who managed to do the unthinkable..But what if he isn't enough?
First,i'll admit with all my heart,that i liked Lucy. She had a lot of reasons why she chose to photograph the world and thos reasons where good enough..But,still..She was sweet and an amazing girl,someone who was a little lost and who needed to know that someone believed in her. A little stubborn-something that i ignored because she was too good.
Alex?Swoon worthy,charming,sweet..The kind of guy you read about only in stories,but sometimes you really wish you could find him in real life. Yeah,he made a good impression from the beginning,and let's just say that he got many points from me for being a real gentleman.
This story was beautiful and easy to read. I liked they way it was written,from both Lucy's and Alex's point of views,even if i have to admit that i'm not a really big fan of books written in 3rd person point of view..But there are a few exceptions.
I enjoyed reading the way Lucy started to find more reasons why she should stay home..Especially when it came to Alex. They were perfect together and it was fun reading how everything happened step by step..And Lucy's family? Perfectly imperfect,at the same time pretty much how a real family should be,even if in Lucy's case there were a few secrets involved,the reasons why Lucy felt that she needed to escape from home in the first place.
Beautiful,well written and full of amazing characters-worth reading when you want something easy and fun.
May 31, 2016
This is my first novel by author Jody Holford and I can honestly say that it was a real treat. It had been sitting on my kindle for a while and I stumbled across it after finishing a dark romance. I needed my love of second chance romances with heroes and heroines learning from their mistakes to shake away the darkness. What I got here with ‘Falling For Home’ was a hidden gem in this genre. The writing is beautiful and the editing tight. There was a lovely flow to this story that swept me away.
Photographer Lucy Aarons and local town sheriff Alex Whitman never really had the chance to explore ‘what could have been.’ They were young and dealing with family secrets, rejection and each found their own way to escape. The trouble is, even when you grow up and think you know who you are, everyone around you sees you differently. It’s about learning to trust in someone else to let them in and see the ‘real’ you. This is scary for both Lucy and Alex.
My favourite parts were the family dynamics. I loved the banter between the three sisters; their fights, their unconditional love and their willingness to forgive. For me, it really defined what it means to be a family. Mix in a spate of local crimes Alex must solve and you have yourself the perfect read for a lazy Sunday afternoon when you just need to forget about the rest of the world.
Photographer Lucy Aarons and local town sheriff Alex Whitman never really had the chance to explore ‘what could have been.’ They were young and dealing with family secrets, rejection and each found their own way to escape. The trouble is, even when you grow up and think you know who you are, everyone around you sees you differently. It’s about learning to trust in someone else to let them in and see the ‘real’ you. This is scary for both Lucy and Alex.
My favourite parts were the family dynamics. I loved the banter between the three sisters; their fights, their unconditional love and their willingness to forgive. For me, it really defined what it means to be a family. Mix in a spate of local crimes Alex must solve and you have yourself the perfect read for a lazy Sunday afternoon when you just need to forget about the rest of the world.
February 12, 2021
I received this book as an ARC for an honest review. And I will be honest.
The story concept was good. The characters fantastic. But it hit two of my pet peeves which knocked my star rating down more stars the more I went along. There is no markings or breaks to mark when switching POVs or to show a break in time. Going from a 5 year old talking about sharks to our heroine one paragraph to the best friend of our hero talking about putting people in jail the next is disconcerting. Eventually, there were line breaks, but not where they made sense because after the break we were still in the same scene, same POV.
The second pet peeve is when there is a paragraph with two people speaking. Sometimes it was obvious the second quotation was a response from the other person but other times I had to go back slowly to figure out who said what.
Then, not really a pet peeve, but made me dislike this book, there are too many drama threads. It's like the author took all her favorite romance tropes and through them into one story. It became too much where some were mentioned and brought up a bit, but should have been taken out so there was more time to connect with other portions of the book and dilemmas.
With all of that, this book just dragged on. It took me twice as long (or more) to finish this book compared to others this same size.
The HEA did make me smile, I really liked it, which did bump up the star rating a bit for me.
The story concept was good. The characters fantastic. But it hit two of my pet peeves which knocked my star rating down more stars the more I went along. There is no markings or breaks to mark when switching POVs or to show a break in time. Going from a 5 year old talking about sharks to our heroine one paragraph to the best friend of our hero talking about putting people in jail the next is disconcerting. Eventually, there were line breaks, but not where they made sense because after the break we were still in the same scene, same POV.
The second pet peeve is when there is a paragraph with two people speaking. Sometimes it was obvious the second quotation was a response from the other person but other times I had to go back slowly to figure out who said what.
Then, not really a pet peeve, but made me dislike this book, there are too many drama threads. It's like the author took all her favorite romance tropes and through them into one story. It became too much where some were mentioned and brought up a bit, but should have been taken out so there was more time to connect with other portions of the book and dilemmas.
With all of that, this book just dragged on. It took me twice as long (or more) to finish this book compared to others this same size.
The HEA did make me smile, I really liked it, which did bump up the star rating a bit for me.
August 17, 2020
4 very sweet stars
Alex and Lucy were a really great couple to read about. He was grounded, strong and sexy - which really complemented Lucy who was a bit more prone to running. While she was strong (and initially I found a little too willing to be on her own) it all came together really well and they worked as a couple.
Alex and Lucy were a really great couple to read about. He was grounded, strong and sexy - which really complemented Lucy who was a bit more prone to running. While she was strong (and initially I found a little too willing to be on her own) it all came together really well and they worked as a couple.
February 15, 2021
It's never too late to come home and that's what happens in this story when Lucy discovers that what she needed may have been there all along. Sweet and sexy Lucy and Alex grabbed my heart from the beginning.
February 14, 2016
First I want to say I have read a few of this author’s book and she has come far from the first one. I totally loved this story. It is full of such passion, power, and pain that it reaches in and grabs you from the first page. This is a sweet home town full of surprises that will break your heart. There is a lot going on in the story. Each family member seems to have issues that are pulling them in different directions. None know how to fix it or their family. This is a wonderful family who cares but doesn’t share as much as they should. This book is about coming home, finding yourself, and putting your family back together, letting secrets out that can tear you apart along with finding a love of your life.
Lucy has spent almost her whole life running from her family. When she loses her job she comes home. Everyone is happy to see her and have her with them. The fact she hasn’t been home in awhile and never stays in one place for long is thrown in her face time and time again. The family doesn’t mean to hurt her but they have learned not to hold on she won’t be there long. On coming home she comes face to face with the boy she grew up with. You will have to laugh as they do the dance around meeting each other again. Out of all the wonderful characters the author gives you Lucy is my favorite and my heart broke for her. She is easy to relate to and easy to fall in love with. So misunderstood, needing love and her family so much.
Alex is a sweetheart he has always secretly loved Lucy from the first moment he met her. Nothing much has changed just his feeling growing stronger. This is just supposed to be for the here and now but somehow his feelings got out of control and it is in it for the long haul. He makes one mistake which could end their relationship.
Lucy’s poor mother’s problems leave everyone walking on egg shells. Her one sister doesn’t know how to deal with the issues her child has. Here other sister doesn’t want to put anymore on the family. Lucy just wants to be part of a family. Her poor father is just changing on for dear life. Alex father is hiding something as well. Who could be tearing up the down? If you add Lucy and Alex’s touch relationship in the mix you have a very well spin story.
The author gives a compelling normal family with normal issues. It is well written with believable characters you will love from the start. You are going to laugh, cry and be torn apart just as each character is. I doubt you can read this story and not be touched in some way. I totally love Lucy and Alex story. This is a book you will read over and over again and will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
Lucy has spent almost her whole life running from her family. When she loses her job she comes home. Everyone is happy to see her and have her with them. The fact she hasn’t been home in awhile and never stays in one place for long is thrown in her face time and time again. The family doesn’t mean to hurt her but they have learned not to hold on she won’t be there long. On coming home she comes face to face with the boy she grew up with. You will have to laugh as they do the dance around meeting each other again. Out of all the wonderful characters the author gives you Lucy is my favorite and my heart broke for her. She is easy to relate to and easy to fall in love with. So misunderstood, needing love and her family so much.
Alex is a sweetheart he has always secretly loved Lucy from the first moment he met her. Nothing much has changed just his feeling growing stronger. This is just supposed to be for the here and now but somehow his feelings got out of control and it is in it for the long haul. He makes one mistake which could end their relationship.
Lucy’s poor mother’s problems leave everyone walking on egg shells. Her one sister doesn’t know how to deal with the issues her child has. Here other sister doesn’t want to put anymore on the family. Lucy just wants to be part of a family. Her poor father is just changing on for dear life. Alex father is hiding something as well. Who could be tearing up the down? If you add Lucy and Alex’s touch relationship in the mix you have a very well spin story.
The author gives a compelling normal family with normal issues. It is well written with believable characters you will love from the start. You are going to laugh, cry and be torn apart just as each character is. I doubt you can read this story and not be touched in some way. I totally love Lucy and Alex story. This is a book you will read over and over again and will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
February 13, 2016
As an author, I find it very hard to read and review the work of a friend. Not because I don’t want to support them, but because I’m not a fan of sugar-coating things or being fake and gushy over something I’m not excited about. It’s also awfully hard to read books—any books—now that I’ve gone through the editing process dozens of times myself. And I know how incredibly frustrating, emotionally draining and labor-intensive it is to bring a book baby into the world.
But the truth is, I recognize that we authors have got to stick together. It’s not enough to pour your heart and soul into just your own work, you’ve got to man-up and do the same for your craft, and for the work of others.
I’ve been very negligent at both.
Not intentionally—just because I’ve been, well, busy. Life is busy—you know?
So when I saw that my agent-mate, and fellow British Columbian was celebrating the release of her book—FALLING FOR HOME—this week, I not only shared the fact that she was doing so, I grabbed my Kindle and bought the book. It was a steal at less than $3 on Amazon.
I started to read it because I had promised I would…and then a wonderful thing happened. I got sucked in.
Let me rewind a little by saying, I’m not a genre romance fan. The mushy stuff isn’t me…the lovey-sweet relationships aren’t my bag. So FALLING FOR HOME started off as something that was more like homework.
But when I snuggled in on a rainy Thursday…and then Friday night to read, I found that I was looking forward to the next page. I was waiting to find out if Alex was going to pursue Lucy, if Lucy was going to confront her family…and if the town of Angel Lake was going to find out who was vandalizing their buildings.
Jody Holford has crafted a sweet, heart-warming and entertaining love story, that deals with Asperger’s Syndrome, agoraphobia, and something that sounded like someone I know—a daughter that moves a lot and doesn’t stay for long. Although her reasons are different than my own (something about the military lifestyle and living 5000km away…) some of the relationship issues Jody presented hit very close to home.
I’ll also say that it’s nice, now and then, to read a story that leaves you with a warm fuzzy feeling, that solves the mysteries it’s set up, and that recognizes sometimes life does work out for the best.
FALLING FOR HOME is what it says it is: a fun, warm and cozy romance. It would make a great read for a cold winter night, or a warm day on the beach.
I give it two thumbs up.
But the truth is, I recognize that we authors have got to stick together. It’s not enough to pour your heart and soul into just your own work, you’ve got to man-up and do the same for your craft, and for the work of others.
I’ve been very negligent at both.
Not intentionally—just because I’ve been, well, busy. Life is busy—you know?
So when I saw that my agent-mate, and fellow British Columbian was celebrating the release of her book—FALLING FOR HOME—this week, I not only shared the fact that she was doing so, I grabbed my Kindle and bought the book. It was a steal at less than $3 on Amazon.
I started to read it because I had promised I would…and then a wonderful thing happened. I got sucked in.
Let me rewind a little by saying, I’m not a genre romance fan. The mushy stuff isn’t me…the lovey-sweet relationships aren’t my bag. So FALLING FOR HOME started off as something that was more like homework.
But when I snuggled in on a rainy Thursday…and then Friday night to read, I found that I was looking forward to the next page. I was waiting to find out if Alex was going to pursue Lucy, if Lucy was going to confront her family…and if the town of Angel Lake was going to find out who was vandalizing their buildings.
Jody Holford has crafted a sweet, heart-warming and entertaining love story, that deals with Asperger’s Syndrome, agoraphobia, and something that sounded like someone I know—a daughter that moves a lot and doesn’t stay for long. Although her reasons are different than my own (something about the military lifestyle and living 5000km away…) some of the relationship issues Jody presented hit very close to home.
I’ll also say that it’s nice, now and then, to read a story that leaves you with a warm fuzzy feeling, that solves the mysteries it’s set up, and that recognizes sometimes life does work out for the best.
FALLING FOR HOME is what it says it is: a fun, warm and cozy romance. It would make a great read for a cold winter night, or a warm day on the beach.
I give it two thumbs up.
February 22, 2016
Love, love love..
This story was wonderful on so many levels that connects the reader. First off, Lucy Aarons is the middle child of the beautiful Aaron sisters that are highly regarded in town. Lucy comes home from her global trotting job that she just so happens to have been fired from to help younger sister Kate with the remodeling and fundraising for the local teen/youth center. Everyone is harsh to Lucy on her history of quick in and out trips due to her renowned photography job that has landed her in all the top magazines; however, they always fail to give her the deserved praise. Lucy is one you identify with, feel hurt for and want her to just tell people off even knowing it's not her personality.
Lucy has came home to find things have changed in the 4 years since she has been gone, not all good, but the sexy Sheriff living next door is just down right awesome. Alex Whittman grew up with Lucy and she has been on his radar for years. Seeing her again only brings back the boyhood desires Alex held for Lucy. Alex sees Lucy for who she is and accepts her as well. He sees the hurt the inconsiderate words her family throws at her causes and Lucy can't seem to hide from Alex like she can everyone else.
Being back home, Lucy sees what she has been missing. She misses the closeness her family has and feels odd man out. She misses her nieces and her sisters and realizes they have lots of things going on themselves. Her parents are a big ball of angst as she misses them terribly, knows there is something going on with her mother and harbors feelings that need to be dealt with.
While Lucy has her own things to deal with, Alex is dealing with a town vandal and arson. Always feeling two steps behind, Alex is dealing with more than he can handle at work, home and maybe even with Lucy.
This book drew me in at the very beginning. It was one of those books you read that you don't want to end. There is everything going that keeps you interested but it's not over the top. When things get tough, can Lucy and Alex find their way to one another or is it time for Lucy to jet set again- or quite possibly has Alex clipped her wings!
This story was wonderful on so many levels that connects the reader. First off, Lucy Aarons is the middle child of the beautiful Aaron sisters that are highly regarded in town. Lucy comes home from her global trotting job that she just so happens to have been fired from to help younger sister Kate with the remodeling and fundraising for the local teen/youth center. Everyone is harsh to Lucy on her history of quick in and out trips due to her renowned photography job that has landed her in all the top magazines; however, they always fail to give her the deserved praise. Lucy is one you identify with, feel hurt for and want her to just tell people off even knowing it's not her personality.
Lucy has came home to find things have changed in the 4 years since she has been gone, not all good, but the sexy Sheriff living next door is just down right awesome. Alex Whittman grew up with Lucy and she has been on his radar for years. Seeing her again only brings back the boyhood desires Alex held for Lucy. Alex sees Lucy for who she is and accepts her as well. He sees the hurt the inconsiderate words her family throws at her causes and Lucy can't seem to hide from Alex like she can everyone else.
Being back home, Lucy sees what she has been missing. She misses the closeness her family has and feels odd man out. She misses her nieces and her sisters and realizes they have lots of things going on themselves. Her parents are a big ball of angst as she misses them terribly, knows there is something going on with her mother and harbors feelings that need to be dealt with.
While Lucy has her own things to deal with, Alex is dealing with a town vandal and arson. Always feeling two steps behind, Alex is dealing with more than he can handle at work, home and maybe even with Lucy.
This book drew me in at the very beginning. It was one of those books you read that you don't want to end. There is everything going that keeps you interested but it's not over the top. When things get tough, can Lucy and Alex find their way to one another or is it time for Lucy to jet set again- or quite possibly has Alex clipped her wings!
March 20, 2016
This is the first book I've read by Jody Holford and I really enjoyed it, I would definitely read more of her work in the future. Lucy and Alex's story is written in the third person but from dual perspectives this usually confuses me no end but the way Jody formatted it meant it felt easy to follow whichever character I was supposed to be connecting with at the time.
Lucy is a free spirit, she hates being tied down and always has one foot out the door. Growing up in Angels Lake she didn't hate it but never wanted to stay either, her reasons for that are very personal, she always just felt that staying away was the right thing to do.
Alex has been in love with Lucy since the day he met her when he was twelve, he's not from Angel's Lake but grew to love it. After high school he decided to stay in the small town and he followed in his fathers footsteps by becoming the sheriff and now he wouldn't dream of leaving. I absolutely love Alex he's so adorable and his love for Lucy is the stuff of dreams.
Lucy's reason for coming home was to help her sister rebuild the Rec centre, then the intention was to up and leave again. Then she literally bumps into sheriff Alex Whitman. They were friends in high school but she was never attracted to him and hardly gave him a second glance. However, now he's all grown up its a different story, she can't keep her eyes off of him.
Lucy is finding out that the longer she stays the more she wants to be there. Her family keep making jibes about the fact that she always has one foot out of the door, it never used to bother her but this time it does. She's noticing things that she never stuck around long enough to notice before. Like, her mother never leaving the house and her niece carmen have "problems". This book isn't just about Lucy finding her self and settling down it also touches on mental health issues such as autism and agoraphobia. I think the author handles the emotions surrounding them very well and it leaves you with something to think about. Overall great book and a lovely light read to get stuck into.
Lucy is a free spirit, she hates being tied down and always has one foot out the door. Growing up in Angels Lake she didn't hate it but never wanted to stay either, her reasons for that are very personal, she always just felt that staying away was the right thing to do.
Alex has been in love with Lucy since the day he met her when he was twelve, he's not from Angel's Lake but grew to love it. After high school he decided to stay in the small town and he followed in his fathers footsteps by becoming the sheriff and now he wouldn't dream of leaving. I absolutely love Alex he's so adorable and his love for Lucy is the stuff of dreams.
Lucy's reason for coming home was to help her sister rebuild the Rec centre, then the intention was to up and leave again. Then she literally bumps into sheriff Alex Whitman. They were friends in high school but she was never attracted to him and hardly gave him a second glance. However, now he's all grown up its a different story, she can't keep her eyes off of him.
Lucy is finding out that the longer she stays the more she wants to be there. Her family keep making jibes about the fact that she always has one foot out of the door, it never used to bother her but this time it does. She's noticing things that she never stuck around long enough to notice before. Like, her mother never leaving the house and her niece carmen have "problems". This book isn't just about Lucy finding her self and settling down it also touches on mental health issues such as autism and agoraphobia. I think the author handles the emotions surrounding them very well and it leaves you with something to think about. Overall great book and a lovely light read to get stuck into.
June 13, 2016
I am so happy I got to read this novel! I fell in love with it from the very first chapter and then loved it all the way until the end!
Alex and Lucy stole my heart! I fell in love with them so hard!
Alex is such a great guy. He is sweet, kind and caring. To sum up, he is pretty much the perfect guy. Throughout the novel, you can tell how much he cares about his town, Lucy and the people closest to him.
Lucy has had so much to deal with in her life. She left home, practically right after high school to go and travel the world and expand her photographing skills. Throughout all this pain, she remains strong and confident in what she believes.
As much as I loved the romance and relationship between Alex and Lucy, there were many other elements to the story that I also loved.
For example, I loved the community dynamics and how when trouble ensues, people are able to ban together, and help each other out for the greater good.
I also loved the dynamics within Lucy, her sisters and her parents. They had some comical moments as well as some heartbreaking ones. Throughout it all, their family unit remains strong and loyal.
This is the first book I have read by Jody Holford, but it definitely won't be the last. I highly recommend "Falling for Home" to everyone!
4/5 Stars!
Alex and Lucy stole my heart! I fell in love with them so hard!
Alex is such a great guy. He is sweet, kind and caring. To sum up, he is pretty much the perfect guy. Throughout the novel, you can tell how much he cares about his town, Lucy and the people closest to him.
Lucy has had so much to deal with in her life. She left home, practically right after high school to go and travel the world and expand her photographing skills. Throughout all this pain, she remains strong and confident in what she believes.
As much as I loved the romance and relationship between Alex and Lucy, there were many other elements to the story that I also loved.
For example, I loved the community dynamics and how when trouble ensues, people are able to ban together, and help each other out for the greater good.
I also loved the dynamics within Lucy, her sisters and her parents. They had some comical moments as well as some heartbreaking ones. Throughout it all, their family unit remains strong and loyal.
This is the first book I have read by Jody Holford, but it definitely won't be the last. I highly recommend "Falling for Home" to everyone!
4/5 Stars!
February 12, 2016
Falling for Home is a sweet small town romance. Falling For Home is a book with many surprises. Falling Home is a story of coming home and finding yourself.
Lucy, photographer, has been running away from her family for years. They no longer expect her to stick around. When she shows up late at night they are shocked. No matter what she says or how she acts her parents and sisters expect her to leave.
Alex wasn't part of Lucy's high school crowd. That hasn't stopped him for loving her. He has since a fight when he was 12. She stopped him and told the principal he was defending her.
Now Alex lives next-door. And when they touch sparks fly. Theirs is a beautiful romance filled with realism. He becomes her rock, her believer, her supporter, her shelter. Alex is her reason to stay. Alex helps her fall for home.
There are many problems, many reasons for Lucy to flee. On more than one occasion I said "No way". I just didn't see it coming. But isn't that what makes a good story? You want to keep reading until you know. I just needed to know.
And this is where the problem comes in. I still need to know. I wanted, no I needed an epilogue. Alex and Lucy have touched my heart and I don't want to close the book on their story.
Lucy, photographer, has been running away from her family for years. They no longer expect her to stick around. When she shows up late at night they are shocked. No matter what she says or how she acts her parents and sisters expect her to leave.
Alex wasn't part of Lucy's high school crowd. That hasn't stopped him for loving her. He has since a fight when he was 12. She stopped him and told the principal he was defending her.
Now Alex lives next-door. And when they touch sparks fly. Theirs is a beautiful romance filled with realism. He becomes her rock, her believer, her supporter, her shelter. Alex is her reason to stay. Alex helps her fall for home.
There are many problems, many reasons for Lucy to flee. On more than one occasion I said "No way". I just didn't see it coming. But isn't that what makes a good story? You want to keep reading until you know. I just needed to know.
And this is where the problem comes in. I still need to know. I wanted, no I needed an epilogue. Alex and Lucy have touched my heart and I don't want to close the book on their story.
March 30, 2016
The writing in this story is so good.
"...the headache creeping back up his shoulder blades into the base of his skull."
and
"Everything unraveled. Like those rolls of stickers she used to get as a kid. She would unroll it, just a little, to get to the one she wanted, but then the whole thing would come undone. She couldn't catch it and in seconds, she'd be standing with a pile of stickers at her feet, and she had to wind it all up again."
*Sigh* SUCH amazing imagery to complement the love story of Lucy & Alex. Lucy’s life is complicated, as is Alex’s, and both are forced to face their family issues throughout the book. I appreciated that they addressed their issues both alone and together. Retaining their strength as individuals, but still acting as a team.
I also really enjoyed the arson subplot. It brought in a nice contrast to the love story, and as a bonus it brought the couple closer together.
This is a fantastic story with loads of heart. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves a good romance.
"...the headache creeping back up his shoulder blades into the base of his skull."
and
"Everything unraveled. Like those rolls of stickers she used to get as a kid. She would unroll it, just a little, to get to the one she wanted, but then the whole thing would come undone. She couldn't catch it and in seconds, she'd be standing with a pile of stickers at her feet, and she had to wind it all up again."
*Sigh* SUCH amazing imagery to complement the love story of Lucy & Alex. Lucy’s life is complicated, as is Alex’s, and both are forced to face their family issues throughout the book. I appreciated that they addressed their issues both alone and together. Retaining their strength as individuals, but still acting as a team.
I also really enjoyed the arson subplot. It brought in a nice contrast to the love story, and as a bonus it brought the couple closer together.
This is a fantastic story with loads of heart. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves a good romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2016
This story had many amazing qualities but in my opinion it was absolutely amazing, Lucy Aarons is the middle child she goes home from her amazing fantastic job that she apparently got fire from to help her sister Kate at remodeling the local youth center. Everyone has an opinion and are harsh towards Lucy on her history for her quick visits home.
With being home she is noticing what she is missing and its the closeness that her family has and is feeling like the odd person but it has never bothered her before but this time around it does. She notices things that she never stuck around long enough to notice before now.
I enjoyed reading this book as you could tell from the start. It was amazingly well written and full of amazing characters who are worth reading about when you want something easy going, fun and very family orientated.
With being home she is noticing what she is missing and its the closeness that her family has and is feeling like the odd person but it has never bothered her before but this time around it does. She notices things that she never stuck around long enough to notice before now.
I enjoyed reading this book as you could tell from the start. It was amazingly well written and full of amazing characters who are worth reading about when you want something easy going, fun and very family orientated.
February 19, 2016
Falling for home
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and independent review.
From beginning to end I loved this book. Great characters, lots of romance, lots of love, great friendship, bit of suspense - what more do you need. I loved watching the Developing relationship between Alex and Lucy. There is friendship, warmth and love. All the perfect elements to a strong bond. It made me smile. Each member of Lucy's family has a secret or an issue but the over riding emotion is the love and support that they feel for each other. Very well written, with great insight into human frailities.
4.5****
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and independent review.
From beginning to end I loved this book. Great characters, lots of romance, lots of love, great friendship, bit of suspense - what more do you need. I loved watching the Developing relationship between Alex and Lucy. There is friendship, warmth and love. All the perfect elements to a strong bond. It made me smile. Each member of Lucy's family has a secret or an issue but the over riding emotion is the love and support that they feel for each other. Very well written, with great insight into human frailities.
4.5****
February 18, 2016
3 stars
This was a cute read about Lucy Aarons, who has been away from home for years.She is now returning home and facing the differences that have occurred since she has been gone. Her family has changed. Things are different and confusing, but there is no better time to deal with it then now.
Lucy as gets reacquainted with her parent's next door neighbor, Sheriff Alex Whitman... He is looking for a real relationship, and is warned about Lucy's tendency to leave when things get rough.
This was a cute story mixed with some family drama, crime, mystery and finding out who you really are and where home really is.
This was a cute read about Lucy Aarons, who has been away from home for years.She is now returning home and facing the differences that have occurred since she has been gone. Her family has changed. Things are different and confusing, but there is no better time to deal with it then now.
Lucy as gets reacquainted with her parent's next door neighbor, Sheriff Alex Whitman... He is looking for a real relationship, and is warned about Lucy's tendency to leave when things get rough.
This was a cute story mixed with some family drama, crime, mystery and finding out who you really are and where home really is.
March 30, 2016
All of Jody Holford's books make me swoon, sigh, and smile ... and this one is no exception. Holford has a way of creating real characters, with real jobs, in real towns, but who have those fairytale romances everyone wants. Fairytales aren't always happy though, the characters just get through the hard parts together, and FALLING FOR HOME is a good example of that.
These characters, this town, this love story...you will fall for it. A happy, easy read you won't want to put down.
These characters, this town, this love story...you will fall for it. A happy, easy read you won't want to put down.
February 25, 2016
Falling for Home is such a fun book to read. It has romance, drama, mystery, & it is written with such an easy style that it made me keep turning the next page instead of putting the book down to sleep.
I love how the book touched on so many areas of life.... family, love, career, & learning to accept who you are.
This was my first book to read by Jody Holford but I will be reading more.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I love how the book touched on so many areas of life.... family, love, career, & learning to accept who you are.
This was my first book to read by Jody Holford but I will be reading more.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 6, 2016
I would give this one a 3-1/2 star rating. The characters were very real - people you knew and grew up with it felt. I liked how they were instantly connected due to their history growing up together. I also liked the conflict they felt amongst the townsfolk and their family in the quickness they became a couple and about Lucy's inability to stay in one place. I enjoyed the behind the scenes mystery of the person/people causing trouble for the law. It was a fun side story.
February 11, 2016
I enjoyed this book, it was sweet and romantic. Good story line. A bit boring in spot but overall good. Romantic but not ronchy at all. No detailed scenes. Theauthor went dark for bedroom scenes. Which I appreciated. Clean romance but a Handful of f words. 3.5 stars
May 25, 2016
Great book and I enjoyed reading it. Lucy returns to her hometown after several years and meets, Alex. Alex has liked Lucy since they were kids and still carries a torch for her. This book goes through lots of highs and lows but it's a beautiful book which you would want to read again and again.
February 23, 2016
This book is the kind of book that makes you fall in love with falling in love. And for a girl like me, I needed that right now. It's funny how words can speak to your soul in a way you didn't expect- this story did that for me!! Love love love
February 28, 2016
Falling For Home is a cute and easy read - Lucy and Alex were fun and sweet. It made for very quick reading and put a smile on your face for an afternoon.
February 13, 2021
Small town romance - home is where the heart is
This small town clean romance brings so many wonderfully flawed characters together, and takes the reader through a gamut of emotions.
Lucy has travelled the world as an award winning photographer capturing special moments in other people’s lives for the last 10 years. She loves her family and feels like an outsider and the thing that doesn’t belong in her own family. She is back home after years having been fired for not sleeping with her boss. She has mixed emotions about coming and being home with her family and her worthiness.
Alex is the small town Sheriff who first fell in love with Lucy when he was 12 years old, but never pursued a relationship with her. He finds her searching the bushes outside her parents house one dark night when he came home from his shift. This awkward reconnection starts a relationship that both of them need, but aren’t sure they are worth. Alex was abandoned on the curb outside of his father’s home when his mother took off.
Experiencing the emotional challenges, secrets and flaws in Lucy and Alex and their family members brings a fully developed multifaceted story to life. Lucy is such a loving and beautiful woman who puts others ahead of herself, it’s a joy to see her decide she wants to stay in town as well as painful to see her family continually throw in her face her history of traveling the globe and not staying in town.
Family life isn’t without misunderstandings, hurt feelings and the need for growth. The author beautifully navigates these elements as she brings a wonderful story to a happy conclusion.
I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
This small town clean romance brings so many wonderfully flawed characters together, and takes the reader through a gamut of emotions.
Lucy has travelled the world as an award winning photographer capturing special moments in other people’s lives for the last 10 years. She loves her family and feels like an outsider and the thing that doesn’t belong in her own family. She is back home after years having been fired for not sleeping with her boss. She has mixed emotions about coming and being home with her family and her worthiness.
Alex is the small town Sheriff who first fell in love with Lucy when he was 12 years old, but never pursued a relationship with her. He finds her searching the bushes outside her parents house one dark night when he came home from his shift. This awkward reconnection starts a relationship that both of them need, but aren’t sure they are worth. Alex was abandoned on the curb outside of his father’s home when his mother took off.
Experiencing the emotional challenges, secrets and flaws in Lucy and Alex and their family members brings a fully developed multifaceted story to life. Lucy is such a loving and beautiful woman who puts others ahead of herself, it’s a joy to see her decide she wants to stay in town as well as painful to see her family continually throw in her face her history of traveling the globe and not staying in town.
Family life isn’t without misunderstandings, hurt feelings and the need for growth. The author beautifully navigates these elements as she brings a wonderful story to a happy conclusion.
I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 27, 2020
This author is becoming one of my favorite authors, and so far I’m loving this series. Alex is the small hometown sheriff who is loved by everyone, but he’s held a secret crush for the famous photographer, Lucy Aaron’s, whose parents live next door to him. Lucy comes home to figure out her next steps in her career after getting fired, and that’s when the sparks start flying between Alex and Lucy. I really enjoyed these two characters, both having their secrets with their past, both needing something concrete in having someone to love. Loved the story and characters, definitely had the reader guessing who the vandal is that’s creating havoc in their small town. The only problem I had with this book as a whole was the editing, situations running into each other instead of breaking them up, was a bit confusing when in the middle of the scene and having to figure out where it was going. Hoping that was taking care of before the release, the only reason I gave this a 4 star rating, I really loved the story. Very much looking forward to the next installment.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.
February 19, 2021
Falling for Home by Jody Holford is my first book by this author. All I can say is WoW!
There is a lot going on in this book. We have Lucy, photographer extraordinaire to everyone else, except her family. She comes home after she suddenly finds herself unemployed.
Alex, is the town Sheriff, and neighbor to Lucy. He has been in love with her since he can remember. He would do whatever to be with her. Except, someone is ruining his town.
I loved this book so hard. Lucy's story is heartbreaking, and you feel more and more for her with each turn of the page. She feels like she doesn't belong, but no one ever mentions the elephant in the room.
Her family though very united all keep secrets from each other and bury their heads in the sand.
Alex is a sweetheart and everything Lucy needs, but he has his own demons that he is dealing with and those issues could ruin everything.
Even though they are all different, their issues unites all the characters in an interesting and unique way. This is one of those stories that will stay in your heart for quite some time.
There is a lot going on in this book. We have Lucy, photographer extraordinaire to everyone else, except her family. She comes home after she suddenly finds herself unemployed.
Alex, is the town Sheriff, and neighbor to Lucy. He has been in love with her since he can remember. He would do whatever to be with her. Except, someone is ruining his town.
I loved this book so hard. Lucy's story is heartbreaking, and you feel more and more for her with each turn of the page. She feels like she doesn't belong, but no one ever mentions the elephant in the room.
Her family though very united all keep secrets from each other and bury their heads in the sand.
Alex is a sweetheart and everything Lucy needs, but he has his own demons that he is dealing with and those issues could ruin everything.
Even though they are all different, their issues unites all the characters in an interesting and unique way. This is one of those stories that will stay in your heart for quite some time.
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