Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 409 pages
Author: Ashley Weston
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 24th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Sometimes the unexpected is just what we’re looking for…
Jasper Mason
I should have known something wasn’t right the moment I was told someone was coming to see a piece of the land. Our land.
Marlow’s Boys Ranch started as a dream, but easily became reality. That reality was as tranquil and peaceful as a sunset.
Until she got out of the car.
Mia Evans, as I live and breathe. It’s been fourteen years since I’ve seen her, and not a day has passed that I haven’t thought of her, or wished things could be different.
And now she’s here to take more than just a tiny slice of land. She’s the mom of one of our own.
The signs were there, I should have seen it. Maybe I didn’t want to. But now, I can’t have a moment of peace with her constantly around, winning over every person here.
How will I ever survive her leaving for a second time?
I can’t. I won’t. I have to keep her at arm’s length until she leaves. Then, and only then, can I go back to my peaceful life. Just the way I like it.

Mia Evans
I’m finally free of the disaster of my marriage, and ready to find the freedom for my son and myself. Question is, at what cost?
Before I dropped my boy off ten months ago, I never thought I’d be back here. It’s been since the summer before freshman year of college. The summer I fell in love. And the summer I got my heart broken for the first time.
My son is safe, and that’s all that matters to me. At least, I thought so.
When I open the car door, I know what I’ll find. I know Jasper works here and I know he’s been providing a roof over my son’s head with no explanation.
What I don’t know. . . is how I will react to being near him again after all this time. Opening up our past is the last thing I need. Though my heart is saying differently.
Bring Me Home is all about love, heartbreak, healing, and most importantly, second chances.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

GOOD BONES.

Once upon a time I DNF this author’s first book, but found myself saying yes to reading an ARC of this because I was happy to give this story a chance. I am currently in my cowboy era and was intrigued by this second chance romance. There are a lot of good bones and themes here. Of forgiveness, and the strength to carry on. Making hard choices and to let go. And even getting a chance to fall in love all over again.

I loved the ranch setting and all of the boys. Some of the dialogue choices (like “bruh” and “cap”) just didn’t feel necessary even if that’s how some teens speak today. It’s like in a book I want to disassociate from that? They were sweet guys though and I loved the idea of a boys ranch to help them find a safe space to be and grow.

There’s plenty of good swoony moments between Jasper and Mia. I loved that they got to know each other again and had the right kind of arguments and conversations to get there. It’s the kind of non-linear story I enjoy most. The touch of suspense was good and I liked how the ending brought everything together.

Overall audience notes:

• Contemporary Romance
• Language: low
• Romance: closed door
• Violence: moderate
• Content Warnings: kidnapping, domestic violence (recounted; physical, emotional, verbal)

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