Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
What I read: Just Like Home by Courtney Walsh
Why I picked it up: Finishing up this series!
How I read it: On Kindle Unlimited staying up way too late last night but finishing super quickly.
What it’s about: Charlotte visits Harbor Pointe for the first time at her only friend’s funeral which touches her deeply. As the principal ballerina in the Chicago Company her life has been about ballet since before her first professional job at age 8. Now she’s thinking she wants to do something different, like take over her friend’s dance studio in a town she’s only read about in letters. While planning a tribute recital, she becomes friends with Cole who introduces her to all of the firsts she never had.
What I liked: I really liked Cole – he was the first person to see Charlotte for who she is rather than what she could do for him – and he seemed rather genuine, I’d love to be friends with them!
What I disliked: Her mother was the worst – the woman who was supposed to be the first one to show Charlotte what love was failed spectacularly and never redeemed herself. Also the cover design change for this series is not my favorite – the others are so beautiful and this one is so ordinary.
Genre: Chaste love story, small town, finding oneself, grief.
Rating & Recommendation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and definitely – this one absolutely stands alone.
Why I picked it up: Finishing up this series!
How I read it: On Kindle Unlimited staying up way too late last night but finishing super quickly.
What it’s about: Charlotte visits Harbor Pointe for the first time at her only friend’s funeral which touches her deeply. As the principal ballerina in the Chicago Company her life has been about ballet since before her first professional job at age 8. Now she’s thinking she wants to do something different, like take over her friend’s dance studio in a town she’s only read about in letters. While planning a tribute recital, she becomes friends with Cole who introduces her to all of the firsts she never had.
What I liked: I really liked Cole – he was the first person to see Charlotte for who she is rather than what she could do for him – and he seemed rather genuine, I’d love to be friends with them!
What I disliked: Her mother was the worst – the woman who was supposed to be the first one to show Charlotte what love was failed spectacularly and never redeemed herself. Also the cover design change for this series is not my favorite – the others are so beautiful and this one is so ordinary.
Genre: Chaste love story, small town, finding oneself, grief.
Rating & Recommendation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and definitely – this one absolutely stands alone.
This unusual heroine really drew me in, causing me to want to read more of her story, even though I had skipped a book or two between. I kept reading, hoping for her growth and healing. If you have had a parent that was controlling, this book will speak to you in relating to Charlotte.
Sometimes you need a reliable happily-ever-after story for the best escape, right?
Charlotte is a prima ballerina. Her best friend dies tragically, and she re-evaluates her life. She leaves her career behind to take on her best friend’s small dance studio.
Cole is recently divorced and living behind a wall of hurt. Charlotte and Cole find each other, but it’s not an easy start.
I took dance classes growing up, and I LOVED ballet. It was fun to revisit that through Charlotte’s work. I also loved both her and Cole. This is is a sweet romance filled with heart. I wanted to embrace this book in a big hug when I finished it. Give this one a go when you want to feel better than when you started. Love this story!
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Charlotte is a prima ballerina. Her best friend dies tragically, and she re-evaluates her life. She leaves her career behind to take on her best friend’s small dance studio.
Cole is recently divorced and living behind a wall of hurt. Charlotte and Cole find each other, but it’s not an easy start.
I took dance classes growing up, and I LOVED ballet. It was fun to revisit that through Charlotte’s work. I also loved both her and Cole. This is is a sweet romance filled with heart. I wanted to embrace this book in a big hug when I finished it. Give this one a go when you want to feel better than when you started. Love this story!
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent
Minor: Eating disorder, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Alcohol
Oh mylanta, this book was so good!!! My favorite of the series (something I've probably said about every book leading up to this one, LOL). Walsh shows ongoing depth and maturity as a writer with this release.
So glad I started reading it while on vacation, because once I began, I had to find out what happened! No putting this one down!
So glad I started reading it while on vacation, because once I began, I had to find out what happened! No putting this one down!
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cute easy read but the misogynistic undertones were a bit unnecessary I think
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Miscarriage
I absolutely LOVED this book!!!! I loved Charlotte and Cole's story. There hasn't been a Courtney Walsh book I haven't loved. I cannot wait until the next one!
I love the way Courtney Walsh novels make me feel. All the characters have a depth and vivacity and life to them that draws you in and as an author, she weaves the story around you as you feel their pain, frustrations, hope, sadness, anger, and love.
Just Like Home follows a prima ballerina who has been trying to earn everything her entire life--and with that come the erroneous believe that she must earn love, approval, acceptance, and a home as well. On the other side of the spectrum, we have a stern football coach who has just gone through a nasty divorce and the death of his sister and is reticent to let anyone in.
With the depth of characters, we also get so many great additional characters with their own smaller journeys alongside the arcs of the major characters. They may be "minor" characters, but there's nothing minor about the way they've been crafted and put into the story and I loved them all as well. (I have only read one other Harbor Pointe novel, so some of them may have more backstory than I know, but it didn't hinder my reading and enjoyment.)
Just Like Home follows a prima ballerina who has been trying to earn everything her entire life--and with that come the erroneous believe that she must earn love, approval, acceptance, and a home as well. On the other side of the spectrum, we have a stern football coach who has just gone through a nasty divorce and the death of his sister and is reticent to let anyone in.
With the depth of characters, we also get so many great additional characters with their own smaller journeys alongside the arcs of the major characters. They may be "minor" characters, but there's nothing minor about the way they've been crafted and put into the story and I loved them all as well. (I have only read one other Harbor Pointe novel, so some of them may have more backstory than I know, but it didn't hinder my reading and enjoyment.)