I didn’t realize that this was a marriage of convenience romance; not my favorite trope, but I do like the second chance aspect. Tessa and Johnny marry so she can have health insurance after she escapes life in a commune; nothing romantic happens between them and they both pretty much go on with their own separate lives. He’s military and then ATF, so he’s been deployed or undercover for years. Feelings grew towards the romantic side of things for both, but neither mentions it. Tessa decides she’s done waiting and leaves their situation; not a fan of how she just leaves without even talking to him. When Johnny comes back after being undercover, he tries to win her back; not a fan of him not mentioning his feelings either. Love the going after her aspect of this story! They are sweet together; both just needed to open up and mature more. Tessa wasn’t my favorite; this man you supposedly have feelings for and wanted more from, tries to show you that he wants you, and you just keep being difficult. Liked the setting of Sanctuary Island; interesting side characters and nice small town vibe. This book has some setup for another romance; the next book I think, I would’ve been fine without those aspects, but I’m interested to see where things go with Marcus and Quinn. Overall, an interesting read with a sweet romance!

Close To Home is the fifth book in the contemporary series written by Lily Everett and just like the ones before it, it was so easy to get lost in, and just as hard to put away. It has been a while since I’d stepped into the world of Sanctuary Island but once I did it felt like I had never left. For real, it was like from the moment I re-entered the small island town with its beautiful landscape and memorable characters, it was like I was coming home again. And I love when a book and an author has that type of effect on me as a reader.

This time around the magic of Sanctuary Island focuses on estranged husband and wife Johnny and Tessa. Married for eight years, they’ve never had a marriage of love but instead a marriage of convenience. Johnny married Tessa to protect her from her past, and promised himself that he would never be the one to bring her any pain. Yet by closing off his heart to her, he brought her more pain than he could have ever imagined by making her feel like she was unloved and unwanted. So, when Johnny goes deep undercover for two years trying to help the government take down illegal arms dealers, Tessa decides to set them both free by moving out of their house and filing for divorce. When Johnny is finally able to complete his undercover mission and realizes what has happened, he becomes determined to fight for his wife, and for what he had always wanted but was too afraid to have.

One of the things that I always enjoy about this series is the way that Lily Everett writes her characters. They always feel so realistic to me because they’re not perfect. They’ve made mistakes and often times continue making them as the story progresses. Yet each mistake is a learning experience for the character, and even sometimes for me as the reader. In Johnny’s case, he has spent so much time trying to protect Tessa that he never actually got to know her or allow her to be who she is truly is. Luckily, Sanctuary Island is able to do that for her giving her a place with no judgement of her past and no limitations on her future. She is easily adopted into the simply society allowing her to make new friends and discover her love for baking and creating new pastry recipes. When Johnny comes to find her, he realizes that the previously undisclosed love that he has always had for his wife becomes even stronger when he sees her blossoming in this new light. He still can’t help to feel the need to protect her but this causes him to take a good hard look at his “hero complex” and to actually be truthful with himself and with his wife about what is actually going on.

Close To Home hits all the marks for me in terms of what makes the Sanctuary Island series so great. It is a story of second chances for this couple but also in many ways it is also a story of firsts as well. Together, Johnny and Tessa are able to discover things about themselves, and about each other that they never knew before. Their slate isn’t wiped completely clean from the past either as each of them tries to learn from it to figure out if there is a chance that they could move forward together or not. I enjoyed their sweet and sometimes steamy moments of exploration as they worked to discover the truths of each other and their relationship. I also enjoyed the use of the couple’s therapy at Windy Corner Therapeutic Riding Center because it allowed a couple of the characters from past Sanctuary Island books to make an appearance. Plus, it forced Johnny and Tessa to actually talk about their issues and work through them instead of just brushing them under the rug like in the past. The previous use of horses within the Sanctuary Island series is a central part of what made me fall in love with the series and I’m glad to see it continue with the use of the Windy Corner Therapeutic Riding Center.

My other favorite part of Sanctuary Island is the small town setting and the simple magic that seems to be in the air within the town. This is probably why I also enjoyed the secondary storyline which was within Close To Home. It focuses on two characters named Marcus and Quinn who are slowly beginning their own uneasy secret relationship. Of course, nothing stays secret for too long in the small island of Sanctuary, and before you know it, everyone knows what has happened between Marcus and Quinn. The relationships between Johnny and Tessa and Marcus and Quinn each reinforce the connections between all the characters of the Sanctuary Island series, and the interactions within the small community. Everyone is always looking out for each other and has a tendency to offer advice even when you are not necessarily asking for it. For me, there is something kind of special about that, and I truly enjoy coming back to the setting each and every time. Marcus and Quinn’s story is going to be continuing in the next Sanctuary Island novel Home At Last which will be released in March, and I for one cannot wait to delve in, and see what Lily Everett comes up with next!

This book was ok but not amazing. It was sweet and romantic and a good read but there was nothing spectacular about this book.

Terri/Tessa came to Sanctuary Island because she needed to stop being dependent on Johnny he saved her life when she was just seventeen by marrying her. It was a marriage in name only as Terri needed medical help and her parents lived in a commune that didn't believe in such things. Tessa as she calls herself now is really happy on the Island and she is working in the bakery when Johnny finds her.
Johnny just got back from assignment to find out his wife has left and gave him papers for a divorce and he is frantic to find her. When Johnny catches up to Tessa he can't believe the change in her she is happy and vibrant and even changed her hair. When Johnny asked why she left she explained she needs more than he is giving including love. Johnny has never been in love because he thinks he has no heart but Tessa makes him agree to counseling for four weeks and then they can decide if they divorce. The struggles that Johnny and Tessa go through are real no matter how they started and it was interesting to see how they handled it. Having not read any of the previous books this was easy and heartwarming to read, I will look forward to reading more of them in the future.

This is the fifth book in the Sanctuary Island series. It was a romantic read about an ATF agent and the woman he married to keep safe. He loves her but because she was so young when they married, he didn’t want to consummate their marriage as he wasn’t sure she married him for safety or love. When he returned home from this latest mission, he found her gone.

She left papers asking him for a divorce and started a new life on Sanctuary Island. Between his need to keep her safe, the requirement for after-mission talk therapy and the fact that he really loves her, sends him to find her. She has found a job in a bakery helping the elderly female owner and they become good friends. She also discovers she loves and is good at baking.

The story includes other island people and how their lives intertwine with each other. It is a story of a small town that looks out for each other. It has a twist you didn’t see coming but has a happy ending. I want to go back and start the series at the beginning to get the full feeling of the series.

I have not had a chance to read this book, Once I have gotten a chance to read it I will edit this review to reflect my thoughts and feeling on the book.

This isn't a bad book, so please don't misunderstand the 3 stars. I felt so left out, confused. I get that this is book 5 in a series, but if a reader randomly picks it up, you don't want them to feel as if they are lost. They book should make them want to know more about the characters they are meeting. I didn't get this. I liked Tessa, and really liked Johnny. It was a sweet romantic story. If there had been more 'new' readers taken into consideration, characters reintroduced instead of just assuming someone knows them, then I feel that this could have easily been a 4 or 5 star read for me. I would suggest you start at book 1, if you want to enjoy this series.

Finally we are able to travel back to the enchanting Sanctuary Island, as Lily Everett brings two people back together in an all new way in order for the love they have both been hiding to find a true outlet. This story is about all new individuals, bringing fresh blood into this series and letting us get looks at some of our previous favorite couples—not to mention the crazy townspeople that make this island so unique. If this is your first foray onto Sanctuary Island you will not be disappointed, even as some of the backstories are glossed over, this book truly is entirely stand alone and give Tess and Johnny the spotlight. Johnny has finally returned to his true identity after sublimating himself for almost two years in order to go undercover and bring down a dangerous criminal organization, but before he can even make it home to the wife he loves, the rug is pulled out from under him. Tess has released Johnny from their marriage, even though he doesn’t want release, and has left him to move to a small island off the coast of Virginia. Determined to get her back, Johnny travels to the island and finds himself forced to deal with all the changes not only in his life but all the change in his wife. Tess is definitely surprised to see Johnny arrive on the island, but even more surprising is his determination for them to get back together. She loves Johnny so much, but she is determined not to chain him to her when he doesn’t love her. But could they both have had their eyes closed to one another’s true emotions all these years? I loved seeing Tess stand up for herself against Johnny, even as I know that was breaking his heart, and finding her strength and sensuality as a truly desirable woman. Tess was sweet and naïve in some ways, even as she grows and continues to dig herself a place in the world to set down roots. Johnny was a bit of an ass at times, mainly because he never dealt with all the trauma of his childhood or looked inside to understand the motives for his overly-protective alpha personality. When he begins to accept that he needs help—and even to get that help—there is true promise for him and of course his ability to seduce his wife is undeniable. Once Johnny and Tess see the passion that they both denied was there between them all along, and give into their needs, the fire between them is enough to singe bystanders and readers alike. I love every story I have ever read based on this beautiful magical island. There is also a side romance that begins in this story and carries us into the next between two island residents both trying to find their place in their small town. I am looking forward to reading the next in the series and of course seeing where Lily takes us next. If you are looking for a read that is sweet, passionate, suspenseful, and ultimately a story of two people finally finding one another even though they have been together for a long time, Close to Home is a great foray into a world filled with strong and crazy characters.

The Skinny

Johnny is a hot mess after coming off his two-year undercover assignment with the ATF. He has PTSD-like tendencies and paranoia, seeing danger everywhere. He is on high alert and suspects anyone and everyone of anything. Upon returning home he finds a "Dear John" letter and divorce papers left by his wife of eight years.

Tessa has spent a year making a life for herself on Sanctuary Island and is happy with her physical, emotional, and mental transformation. She is no longer the weak, timid girl she was before, but Johnny is determined to convince her to come back home. Tessa never dreamed he'd come looking for her, let alone want her back, so they agree to work on their marriage in the meantime and see if it is salvageable.

The Players

Tessa - formerly Amish and timid girl whose found a new life

Johnny - an ATF officer and husband-protector of Tessa

Patty - the local bakery owner and Tessa's boss and friend; she's wise and friendly and reminds me of Patty from Gilmore Girls

Quinn - a local girl who hops from one thing to another, her parents and everyone around town consider her flighty and incapable of committing to anything; she sets her sights on Marcus

Marcus - the prodigal son returned to town working on restoring and opening his own bar, agrees to let Johnny board upstairs and tries fending off Quinn



The Quote

"How did you get to be so wise, Miss Patty?"

A nostalgic smile flickered across the wrinkled visage. "My mother was a wonderful woman. Ahead of her time in many ways, and one of those ways was that she hated how many of her women friends didn't enjoy sex. She told me that I deserved to someday have a 'healthy marital relation,' as she called it. I know she hoped I'd find it with a husband, but well, that's another story.



The Highs and Lows

Tessa. She is a different kind of character with an interesting and sad history. Her early life is what landed Tessa on Johnny's property and led to their "marriage of convenience" of sorts. Johnny was able to protect her and that was the role he played in their marriage. Terri changed her name to Tessa, found solace on Sanctuary Island, and started developing her own life independent of her husband, his protection, and his lack of love. If Johnny can't love her the way a man should love his wife, she'll let him go so they can hopefully both find the love they deserve.

Johnny. He has a hero complex. It's why he rescued and married Tessa. He can't accept that Tessa has moved forward with her life, discovered independence, and no longer needs him to protect her and look after her. He's a little dumbfounded at what he finds in Sanctuary Island and that she is leading a life without him. What happened to his wife? He wants her back. He's kept his feelings successfully hidden all these years. He can keep denying how he feels to Tessa and himself or risk losing her forever.

Johnny's Paranoia. Due to his work in the seedy underbelly, Johnny suspects everyone. Especially the new guy in town opening a bar. He wants a buddy at the ATF to do some digging on Marcus. Johnny keeps pushing his friend to help him out. He's convinced Tessa is still in trouble and in danger.

Setting. Sanctuary Island is so idyllic! The way it was described with being able to see certain aspects of town from different corners and Main Street reminded me of the little town of Cabot Cove (which is actually Mendocino, California) in Murder, She Wrote. I loved how Johnny observed the town and its goings on, and how the gentleman would sit out and play checkers and gossip. I enjoyed the cast of characters and the town very much. It helped "sell" Sanctuary Island and why Tessa chose to settle here.

Plot. While the main story was about Johnny and Tessa working on their marriage - which was a great thing to see and I totally believe in and support equine therapy and there should be more of it in our country - Marcus and Quinn's storyline also played a large part in this installment. The way Tessa would describe her loveless marriage and what she yearned for were heart-wrenching and understandable. It made her character so much more believable and relatable. When a ghost from Tessa's past wreaks havoc on the town, Johnny's paranoia is right on the money.

Overall this was a sweet rekindling romance set in a quaint and beautiful town. I enjoyed seeing aspects of Dr. Voss's equine therapy and Tessa and Johnny working through their marriage and the roadblocks there. Quinn also showed growth as an individual and seems to be finding her way.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am sorry but I could not finish this book no matter how hard I try. Normally when I read a book that I really don't like I read it all the way through just to get another book checked off of my Goodreads reading challenge but this one I could not finish.

I hated all the characters and did not find the story to be interesting. The content in this book was disturbing for a person who enjoys light clean romances.

I do not recommend this book for anyone.

Sanctuary Island is a small island, with no hotels, that brings damaged souls back to life and connects them with their one true love. Lily Everett, who also writes as Louisa Edwards, creates wonderful characters, with a lot of heart. I have been a big fan of all of the Sanctuary Island books, but this one was a little harder for me to connect with. I just couldn't identify with either of the main characters...Johnny was a little one-dimensional for me and hero-complexes have never been a big win for me. Tessa just didn't have enough sass for me...and her background story was a little out there for me. The story is very well done; however, I found myself far more intrigued by Marcus and Quinn, who are the focus of the next story, which I can't wait to read. I highly recommend this author and this series...this particular story just didn't resonate with me.

I received a copy of this title from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Close to Home is the newest release from Lily Everett in her wonderful Sanctuary Island series.

Tessa, who used to go by Terri, and Johnny have been married in name only for years. While Johnny is in a deep undercover job, Tessa has had enough of in name only and decides to move on with her life and she is lucky enough to end up on Sanctuary Island. Of course, as soon as Johnny’s job is finished, he goes after her to make sure he puts and end to her idea of divorce.

I liked Tessa and Johnny as individuals, but will admit it took me a bit to buy into them as a couple. I think the biggest reason was because they had spent so much of their married life apart, they didn’t have the connection I usually felt with a couple. In fact while I really enjoyed their story, I felt like the romance itself moved very slow. Johnny being so over protective and seeing danger around every corner seemed to rightfully bother Tessa. I found myself liking her more and more as the book progressed for her strength of knowing what she wanted and not taking any flack for going after what she wanted.

I did feel the attraction between Johnny and Tessa and was so happy when they finally acted on said attraction with more than just kisses. The first time Johnny and Tessa made love was both sweet and beautiful. I loved that by that point Tessa was strong enough to know she wanted to stay married to Johnny and still remain on Sanctuary Island, but it almost broke my heart to see that by that point Johnny was ready to give Tessa her wings. I did like that Johnny’s protective instincts weren’t always wrong when it came to things on the island, and that Tessa was strong enough now to find a way to get help when needed. I will say the individual’s identity completely surprised me, but in a very good way.

Close to Home was a sweet romance filled with second chances. I liked that Johnny and Tessa got a second chance to take their relationship to a real level where both people were equals. While it did take me longer to get into this story, I did end up enjoying the story. I also loved meeting new characters on Sanctuary Island and can’t wait to see what happens next in the series.


Rating: 4 Stars (B-)

I loved this second chance romance story between Tessa and Johnny. They were both great characters, and the storyline was a good one that kept my interest.

Johnny married Tessa eight years ago when she needed rescuing. Theirs was a marriage in name only while he finished his military service and then went undercover with the ATF. After his undercover job is concluded, Johnny is stunned to find that Tessa has left him and moved on. When he finds out that she is in Sanctuary Island, Johnny goes there to confront her. Finding that there is danger on Sanctuary Island for Tessa, Johnny is determined to both win her love and keep her safe.

I've loved all of the Sanctuary Island books, and this one is no exception. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and am looking forward to the next one. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Tessa left her marriage to a man, who married her to save her.  She was in a bad situation and at that time she needed to be saved, but now all Tessa wants is to have love.  Real love.  Not the kind she has had for years.

Her husband, Johnny, has been undercover for 2 years.  Leaves his assignment with the news that Tessa left him and wants a divorce.  What does he do? Go find her.  Johnny does not understand why she left.  But, once Johnny finds her, then what?

This book's descriptions starts with "the best journeys takes us home."  Tessa leaves Johnny so she can find herself.  Tessa needed to see if she could take care of herself.  She never had that.  She always had Johnny do that.  Johnny needed to see that Tessa can take care of herself and she does not want that type of marriage they had.  She wants to be loved in every way.  I think each of them had to find their home, but they had to see their home was each other!!

Great story with believable characters!!
☆☆☆☆☆
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Read more from this author? Yes!

Happy Reading!
Melissa

Johnny Alexander is an undercover agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and his 18 month assignment has finally ended, only to find out his wife Theresa has left him, which sounds awful! BUT Johnny didn't have a regular marriage, but then not many people would have understood Johnny finding a 17 year old girl, hiding in his parents barn, nor would people have understood Johnny's need to protect Theresa. But 8 years later Johnny still wanted to protect his shy and sweet wife, as she was the only pure and sweet part of his world, and he wanted her back, he wanted a real life with her.

When Johnny arrived on Sanctuary Island he didn't expect to see such a change in Theresa; she was truly happy and he wanted to be apart of that. But just when they were starting to discover a more intimate husband and wife relationship, rather than two strangers passing in the night, that past catches up with them and it leaves one of them in danger!

I have never read any of the Sanctuary Island series and boy, did I not know what I was missing out of! The story was heartwarming and thrilling and I really wanted it to last forever! The characters were excellent and I absolutely loved Miss Patty! But I will say Johnny and Theresa's story stole my heart! The only thing that got a little confusing at first was Theresa two other nicknames, but by the end of the book I had it all straight.

Close to Home is a beautiful love story, that warms your soul, which is why I gave it 5 stars!

I jumped out of order in this series to read this book, so I’m not sure if I should’ve known the heroine better at this point or not. One thing that I was super excited about going in was the fact this is about a married couple. I think there should be more books with the marriage in trouble trope!

Although I love the feel of this series, the writing and the vibe, I didn’t quite buy some of the roadblocks these two had put up in their relationship. Especially with Johnny’s thinking. I had a REAL hard time wrapping my brain around the reason why he was married to Tessa for so many years, and even long after the traumatic events that led to their marriage, he never touched her! I was kind of expecting this monumental explanation and …. that’s not how I felt about the reasoning. So that’s my one big complaint about this story.

I did like the characters a lot. There are two stories going on side by side. Tessa and Johnny’s which actually has a resolution in this book, and Marcus and Quinn, who I’m hoping to get to their book SOON. I loved the fact that both of these men were a little broken and damaged. They’ve led hard lives and it’s left a mark. But deep down, under the bit of asshole surface, they are kind and sweet men.

The small town vibe as always brings this book to life. I was hoping to see a bit more of that, but I was still glad for the glimpses we got. These two had to face the issues in their marriage head on in this book and I was happy there wasn’t a whole lot of other unnecessary angst. The added suspense with a bad guy lurking was a nice touch to the story without bringing over the top complications between them as a couple. So that was nicely done.

Overall, I find these stories to be nice and easy reads. They are sweet and closer to womens fiction in feel and heat level.

Heartwarming book with an interesting premise for a second chance romance

I wanted to like this book. I really did. I liked the premise of a story about a couple who are already married and trying to find their way back to each other. To me, it's a fresher storyline than the usual hate/love relationships that end in marriage. However, this story just really fell flat and I was a bit bored with it.

First, I really didn't find any kind of connection to either of the main characters. Tessa's character, while newly independent seemed weak to me. Johnny, on the other hand, didn't seem as strong as I would imagine an ex-military and ATF agent to be. They didn't really seem to have too much chemistry between them and I really didn't care if they stayed together or got divorced. They just had an odd relationship and it didn't seem genuine or real to me.

The storyline never really stayed on pace for me either. There were parts where the story moved quickly but then other parts it seemed to drag on. There is suddenly an awkward second storyline involving Marcus and Quinn. I'm not quite sure if Marcus is a bad guy or a good guy and Quinn just seemed like someone who was out for a good time. The entire epilogue of the book was about these two so I'm wondering if the next book in the series will be about this couple. As I've already got the next book I shall soon see.

One of the redeeming qualities of this book is Patty, the owner of the Patty Cakes bakery. She was a delightful character and I liked how she was with Tessa, Johnny, and Marcus. She made Marcus seem human and showed a more gentle side of him than anyone else in the book.

I read this book as a standalone and I think most readers can. There doesn't seem to be any backstory missing from the previous books or anything that led me to believe I would have enjoyed this story more had I read the previous books in the series.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.

Close to Home to me is the perfect mix of romance, and suspense and heart.

Johnny is a hero in so many ways from his stint in the arm forces to the AFT agent he has become to the man who saved a little lost girl, to the man who made Terri his wife. Johnny made sure Terri had everything she could possibly want, or so he thought.

Terri aka Tessa left her life and her husband to see if she could find the happiness she always longed for. Tessa felt after everything Johnny has done for her over the years, leaving would be the only way to give back to Johnny. To let him find someone to love.

Johnny and Tessa feelings for each other are all over the place from the need to protect, to being comfortable with each other, to feelings being left unsaid. All in all, this is what makes Johnny and Tessa such a “real” couple in my book. Lily Everett delivered their story with such brilliance, that I read Close to Home in one setting.

Supporting characters gave Close to Home a nice edge as well as a start of another budding romance between supporting characters Marcus and Quinn. It was almost like a two for one romance. *grin* My absolute favorite character had to be Miss. Patty, she is all sass and heart.

The plot was well delivered. I have not read a romance with this type of plot-line. I am happy to have discovered Lily Everett’s talent as an author. Sanctuary Island is full of some interesting character’s. One thing is true, they look after their own. I can’t wait read more of this series.

Rated 5 Stilettos and a Recommended Read by Deb !

This is the first book by Lily Everett that I've had the opportunity to read. Although Close to Home is the fifth book in the Sanctuary Island series, I had no problem reading this as a standalone.

Close to Home is the story of Tessa and Johnny. They've been married for a long time but it hasn't been what's considered a "normal" marriage. Johnny married Tessa to save her at a time in her life that she needed help. Johnny is gone a lot with his undercover work, sometimes being gone for up to a year or more. When he returns from an undercover job that lasted almost two years he finds out that his wife has left him and has divorce papers for him to sign.

Even though Tessa is gone, Johnny's not willing to lose her. He knows that he loves her, and he believes that she still loves him. Johnny is able to track her down to Sanctuary Island, but she's changed into a grown up woman who makes choices and decisions without hesitation. Instead of putting him off, this makes Tessa even more desirable than Johnny ever thought possible.

Tessa has also decided that she will not accept a partner who shuts down portions of his life, even if it is for good reason. At the same time, Johnny has learned that if he has to hide portions of his life, he can never truly love someone completely. Together they find a way to balance their lives together.

Close to Home is a heartwarming second chance romance full of the hope for new beginnings.