Reviews

Home Is Where You Are by Melissa Grace

readsoflaura's review against another edition

emotional inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

annybento's review against another edition

4.0

Love isn’t about choosing who you think won’t hurt you. It’s about choosing who’s worth hurting for.

kellyblick's review against another edition

lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Let's kick this off by saying the Musician trope is not for me. I know this now. I feel no swoony feelings towards a rock star falling in love with a commoner. 
Here's what didn't work for me with this book:
⭐The constant mentions of Jessica Rabbit. Constantly referencing a sexy cartoon character really took me out of the story. What was mean to give a quick description of a character ended up taking away depth because instead of making her feel more real, it made her feel caetoonish. Just didn't work for me, cringed every time I read that description (all 12 times it was mentioned.)
⭐The timeline was off. It felt like everything was happening really rushed, time would pass that seemed like months and then it would be weeks. The whole timeline universe collapsed when the epilogue jumped us to 9 months later...and then referenced that the beginning of the book happened a year ago. So basically the first 300+ pages happened in 3 months. But there were so many time jumps that it would be impossible for everything that happened to have taken 3 months. There was a month between when Jax asked Liv to join them on the tour and when she actually joined them alone. And then she was on the tour with the. For two weeks. So those few chapters alone should have taken up over half the timeline. AND THEN AFTER THAT we had Halloween, thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years, and then we're still left with 75 pages of the book and we're already 2+ months over budget. It was confusing and made it hard to get locked into their relationship when it was impossible to tell how much time was passing. 

Here's what worked for me:
⭐The way infertility was handled in the story. It was well done, with the grace of someone who clearly understands what that struggle is like and my heart is with Melissa on that one. ❤️
⭐The character's interactions with each other. All their relationships were believable and they all worked well together. I didn't love how many times the band members complimented Liv's beauty because honestly if my husband's friends told me how fabulous I looked all the time I think it would start to get creepy. Hahahaha. But over all I really loved the role they all played in each other's worlds. 

madsmcw_reads's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted medium-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? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Addiction, Infertility, Drug abuse, and Miscarriage

katiedermody's review against another edition

5.0

Music, love, baggage, dreams, donuts, spicy scenes, kisses, found family, and a grouchy old lady cat? So good!! On to the next one!

books_marika's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

hdfuller's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This book was SO cute. I love a good rom-com and this book had me smiling nonstop. The dialogue between characters gave me all the butterflies and I couldn’t help but salivate every time baked goods were discussed. I’m going to have to find myself some donuts and cupcakes ASAP🧁🍩 also… mac n cheese pot pie?! If that is a real thing, I’ll need it immediately please. 

The only reason I removed a star was because I got tired of donut puns, but I understand their significance to the characters so I get that they have their time and place! 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Miscarriage

editorbrenna's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

This is such a sweet story! It's got a strong sense of place, and I love the found-family aspect. It seems a bit too feel-good to be realistic, but it's fun to read. The only downside for me was the lack of diversity. Antoni is the only real representation, and he fits the gay best friend trope—I wish he had been fleshed out more fully. Other than that, a fantastic start to the series!

colescorner's review against another edition

5.0

This is such a wonderful first book in the series and debut book by Melissa Grace.
This story takes on a journey of love, heartbreak, and friendships. This book reminds us that home isn’t always four walls and a roof but where the ones you love the most are.
In this story bakery owner, Liv is living a simple life after her divorce from her husband. When her best friend drags her out to a concert she meets front man for the band Midnight in Dallas. Jaxon Slade is seven years younger than Liv who has considered herself a middle aged washed up woman until meeting Jax. Jax shows her a part of her self that she had locked away for a long time and helps her fulfill her wildest dreams of being a singer. While Liv helps Jax find a place to always call home.
Their love story is filled with laughs, tears, and heartbreak. They are surrounded by a band of side characters that you come to love just as much as the main couple. And then you have the alleged hostile kitty!!! Mama is Liv’s cat who has a personality of her own and who made me laugh out loud multiple times.
I can’t wait to read more from this author and to find out what happens with all the members of the band!!!!!

kathrandolph's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book was fabulous!! From the minute the characters were introduced it was easy to fall in love with all of them. I know there are currently two more books in the series and I hope there are more beyond that!
Olivia is trying her best to move in from her divorce when she meets Jax. He isn’t who she was looking for but he’s exactly who she needs. As they grow closer it becomes obvious that he sees her for not only who she is but who she is meant to become. He encouragers her to take the risk and be who she was destined to be. But only by reading it can you really find out what that means!