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goodeyreads's review against another edition
2.0
NO.
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Yeah, I should have DNFed this. I acknowledge that choice. I kept thinking there’d be a turnaround. There was not.
First mistake, the instant, first chapter, all consuming, I’m in love with this person. I know this can be accomplished well, but here, there was absolutely NO ANGST. None. I wanted to feel something for these two, but being thrown into love within the first chapter annoyed me. I knew nothing about anyone before the entire plot was laid out. You knew exactly where things were going. I could have told you the plot (including “twists”) without reading more than the first chapter.
The initial issues ramped up the pronounced drama throughout. There’s some good moments in here about a few things, but that was the small good I found.
I didn’t like how some of the characters were portrayed either. A lot of it bugged me.
I think I’ll stop here. It’s enough.
Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary romance
- Language: strong
- Romance: kisses to closed door
- Trigger/Content Warnings: discussion of infertility and a past miscarriage, growing up in foster care, a parent with a drug addiction, losing a spouse to cancer, losing a spouse to an accident, divorce
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
Yeah, I should have DNFed this. I acknowledge that choice. I kept thinking there’d be a turnaround. There was not.
First mistake, the instant, first chapter, all consuming, I’m in love with this person. I know this can be accomplished well, but here, there was absolutely NO ANGST. None. I wanted to feel something for these two, but being thrown into love within the first chapter annoyed me. I knew nothing about anyone before the entire plot was laid out. You knew exactly where things were going. I could have told you the plot (including “twists”) without reading more than the first chapter.
The initial issues ramped up the pronounced drama throughout. There’s some good moments in here about a few things, but that was the small good I found.
I didn’t like how some of the characters were portrayed either. A lot of it bugged me.
I think I’ll stop here. It’s enough.
Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary romance
- Language: strong
- Romance: kisses to closed door
- Trigger/Content Warnings: discussion of infertility and a past miscarriage, growing up in foster care, a parent with a drug addiction, losing a spouse to cancer, losing a spouse to an accident, divorce
readingromance's review against another edition
4.0
arc kindly provided by the author
first of all, i'd like to thank melissa for giving me the opportunity of being her first arc reader. this book has feel extra special to me because of that <3
home is where you are is the story of olivia and jaxon. olivia has always wanted to be a singer even though bad circunstances stole her dream when she was younger. jaxon is the lead vocalist of midnight in dallas, and they both meet during a meet & greet olivia attends to with her best friend ella and her niece, grace, ella's daughter.
jaxon and olivia's story is romantic and heartfelt. there's an age gap between them, but i was gladly surprised to see it was olivia who's the older one. i enjoy age gaps romances and reading heroines who are older is always great. another thing i loved was the found family trope in it. the family the band and the girls form is super beautiful, i enjoyed their common scenes a lot. i was glad when i found out this is a series, because i'd love to read more about this characters in a future! <3
first of all, i'd like to thank melissa for giving me the opportunity of being her first arc reader. this book has feel extra special to me because of that <3
home is where you are is the story of olivia and jaxon. olivia has always wanted to be a singer even though bad circunstances stole her dream when she was younger. jaxon is the lead vocalist of midnight in dallas, and they both meet during a meet & greet olivia attends to with her best friend ella and her niece, grace, ella's daughter.
jaxon and olivia's story is romantic and heartfelt. there's an age gap between them, but i was gladly surprised to see it was olivia who's the older one. i enjoy age gaps romances and reading heroines who are older is always great. another thing i loved was the found family trope in it. the family the band and the girls form is super beautiful, i enjoyed their common scenes a lot. i was glad when i found out this is a series, because i'd love to read more about this characters in a future! <3
hayleysnextpage's review against another edition
4.0
Home Is Where You Are is a rockstar romance that follows Jax & Liv. Liv is a thirty-something bakery owner and divorcee, who left her musical dreams behind when she got married. Meanwhile, Jax is a member of Midnight in Dallas. The pair instantly connect at a Meet and Greet for the band and Jax helps Liv realise her dreams ❤.
I read Home Is Where You Are in one delightful sitting - I couldn't get enough of the characters or storyline. Featuring dual perspectives, a pair of vulnerable but easy-to-love protagonists (with a fondness for cheesy donut jokes), an amazing cast of supporting characters (I particularly loved Elle's unwavering support of Liv) and an always-enticing music storyline, it's easy to see why I was hooked. I honestly cannot wait for the next instalment in the Midnight in Dallas series.
Thank you so much to Melissa Grace for gifting me a copy of this fabulous book - all opinions are my own.
I read Home Is Where You Are in one delightful sitting - I couldn't get enough of the characters or storyline. Featuring dual perspectives, a pair of vulnerable but easy-to-love protagonists (with a fondness for cheesy donut jokes), an amazing cast of supporting characters (I particularly loved Elle's unwavering support of Liv) and an always-enticing music storyline, it's easy to see why I was hooked. I honestly cannot wait for the next instalment in the Midnight in Dallas series.
Thank you so much to Melissa Grace for gifting me a copy of this fabulous book - all opinions are my own.
ilashreads's review against another edition
4.0
I went into this blind after my friend recommended Melissa's books to me (thank you Allie) and was so excited that it features music and follows the band Midnight in Dallas.
Jax and Liv have an instant attraction that leads to fun banter and a shared love of donuts and music. Even though the connection was fast, I loved that Jax and Liv spent time getting to know each other before acting on their feelings. The friendship they formed made it easy to believe the progression into lovers. Jax and Liv's journey was one of healing. Watching both of them heal from their traumas together made for an authentic love story. I loved the secondary characters and the friendships in this book. I can't wait to read Ella and Cash's story next!
Home is Where You Are gave me all the good feels that I love in my romances and it made me want to bake some cupcakes while listening to good music, what more could you ask for?
CW: grief, childhood trauma, miscarriage (past)
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review
Jax and Liv have an instant attraction that leads to fun banter and a shared love of donuts and music. Even though the connection was fast, I loved that Jax and Liv spent time getting to know each other before acting on their feelings. The friendship they formed made it easy to believe the progression into lovers. Jax and Liv's journey was one of healing. Watching both of them heal from their traumas together made for an authentic love story. I loved the secondary characters and the friendships in this book. I can't wait to read Ella and Cash's story next!
Home is Where You Are gave me all the good feels that I love in my romances and it made me want to bake some cupcakes while listening to good music, what more could you ask for?
CW: grief, childhood trauma, miscarriage (past)
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review
hobbitses's review against another edition
2.0
Rating: 2.5
I was so excited to read this book because of all of the great ratings and reviews, but it was lacking something for me. Everything about it felt too tidy and perfect. It felt as though a conflict was added in the last few chapters, just to have a climax thrown in there. I’m sure others will continue to enjoy this book, but it just didn’t do it for me.
I was so excited to read this book because of all of the great ratings and reviews, but it was lacking something for me. Everything about it felt too tidy and perfect. It felt as though a conflict was added in the last few chapters, just to have a climax thrown in there. I’m sure others will continue to enjoy this book, but it just didn’t do it for me.
whatirinreads_18's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5 ⭐
Home Is Where You Are was full of heart, love, fun and music. It's hard to believe that it's Melissa's debut, given how wonderfully written the book was! Jax and Liv's meet cute was SOH ADORABLE.
Home Is Where You Are was full of heart, love, fun and music. It's hard to believe that it's Melissa's debut, given how wonderfully written the book was! Jax and Liv's meet cute was SOH ADORABLE.
madisonmcd's review against another edition
4.0
This book was so much fun! I really loved the cast of characters and the look into the rockstar life. A super quick read, I couldn't put it down!
courtney_g's review against another edition
5.0
I NEED book number 2. As soon as possible. Please.
This book was exactly everything I needed right now. The story was so wholesome. I loved all the different facets of this story and how perfectly it flowed. I loved getting to know Olivia deeply and understand her personal struggles and how she came to be where she is now in the story. The character development in this story was really strong and I feel like I know all the characters so deeply now just from reading this first story. I’m curious to see where book number 2 takes us and absolutely cannot wait for it to be released. If you want a sweet romantic story that isn’t totally by the book (see what I did there?) pick this up!!
CW: pregnancy loss
This book was exactly everything I needed right now. The story was so wholesome. I loved all the different facets of this story and how perfectly it flowed. I loved getting to know Olivia deeply and understand her personal struggles and how she came to be where she is now in the story. The character development in this story was really strong and I feel like I know all the characters so deeply now just from reading this first story. I’m curious to see where book number 2 takes us and absolutely cannot wait for it to be released. If you want a sweet romantic story that isn’t totally by the book (see what I did there?) pick this up!!
CW: pregnancy loss
literallybookedsolid's review against another edition
4.0
Liv owns a bakery in Nashville, doing the best she can after a recent divorce. She's long since given up on music, thanks to her sleezy ex-husband that has left her jaded on love and emotionally raw. When Liv's best friend and business partner, Ella, forces Liv to attend a Midnight in Dallas concert complete with backstage passes, she meets lead singer Jax and the connection is instant. Jax is forward, confident and knows what he wants, and that's Liv. Grappling with insecurities of age and an uncertain future, Liv isn't sure if she wants to pursue a relationship with Jax. But as the two spend more time together as friends, Jax is persistent and slowly breaks down walls Liv has spent years building up. Jax and Liv's relationship is put to the test when the two decide to form a singing duo. Can they make it work when their visions for a future together look different?
I read Home is Where You are as a buddy read with the Indie Authors Book Club and I absolutely adored the book. It had quick banter, a sweet backstage meet cute, and an instant attraction between Liv and Jax that was so real, you could feel it through the pages. Plus, the setting and music is absolutely divine. If you love Nashville, you have to read this book.
What gripped me were the strong friendships in the book, not only between Liv and Ella, but also between the members of the band. It's not common that you see strong male friendships celebrated in romance novels. All the characters form a tight-knit family that are loyal to the core and exactly what I needed to read right now. I also loved all the secondary characters and am thrilled that this will be a series. I can't wait to get to know each of them on a deeper level through their individual journeys. If this debut novel is any indication of the series to come, it's going to be excellent.
The book also isn't afraid to tackle harder subjects, like grief, betrayal and childhood trauma. With the promise of a happily ever after, a romance book like this one creates a safe place for the characters to grow and the readers to journey along side them. It was all so well done. The subjects never seemed dark or force, but were part of the emotional journey of Liv and Jax that needed to be addressed in order to find themselves and their love.
I loved chatting with author Melissa Grace about her writing process, how the book changed into the final product and what's next in the series. She is an absolute doll and I am AMPED for the next book. Home is Where You Are is out now and I can't recommend it enough! If you love Sarah Adams books, this is right up your alley!
I read Home is Where You are as a buddy read with the Indie Authors Book Club and I absolutely adored the book. It had quick banter, a sweet backstage meet cute, and an instant attraction between Liv and Jax that was so real, you could feel it through the pages. Plus, the setting and music is absolutely divine. If you love Nashville, you have to read this book.
What gripped me were the strong friendships in the book, not only between Liv and Ella, but also between the members of the band. It's not common that you see strong male friendships celebrated in romance novels. All the characters form a tight-knit family that are loyal to the core and exactly what I needed to read right now. I also loved all the secondary characters and am thrilled that this will be a series. I can't wait to get to know each of them on a deeper level through their individual journeys. If this debut novel is any indication of the series to come, it's going to be excellent.
The book also isn't afraid to tackle harder subjects, like grief, betrayal and childhood trauma. With the promise of a happily ever after, a romance book like this one creates a safe place for the characters to grow and the readers to journey along side them. It was all so well done. The subjects never seemed dark or force, but were part of the emotional journey of Liv and Jax that needed to be addressed in order to find themselves and their love.
I loved chatting with author Melissa Grace about her writing process, how the book changed into the final product and what's next in the series. She is an absolute doll and I am AMPED for the next book. Home is Where You Are is out now and I can't recommend it enough! If you love Sarah Adams books, this is right up your alley!
randi_reads's review against another edition
4.0
This romance was just what I needed to read right now. It was adorable and fun, sometimes cheesy, with just the right amount of seriousness added. I would have read it in one sitting had I not started it so late at night.
Liv is a strong leading lady who is 36 year old—almost 37– and she has been married and divorced and now has a guarded heart. She meets rockstar, Jaxon Slade (who is almost eight years younger than her) at a concert meet and greet and their love story begins!
This story has wonderful secondary characters (who, I hope, all get their own story. Excited to know that at least Cash and Ella will!), a grumpy cat, donut puns galore, yummy cupcakes and kitchen dancing.
I can’t believe that this is the author’s debut book! I will definitely be reading more.
Liv is a strong leading lady who is 36 year old—almost 37– and she has been married and divorced and now has a guarded heart. She meets rockstar, Jaxon Slade (who is almost eight years younger than her) at a concert meet and greet and their love story begins!
This story has wonderful secondary characters (who, I hope, all get their own story. Excited to know that at least Cash and Ella will!), a grumpy cat, donut puns galore, yummy cupcakes and kitchen dancing.
I can’t believe that this is the author’s debut book! I will definitely be reading more.