'Close to Home' was a heart-warming second-chance romance between Johnny and Tessa, who have been married "in name only" for the past eight years. While Johnny has been hiding away, saving the world, Tessa has been finding her own personal strength, realizing she wants more in life and in marriage. Johhny comes home to a rude awakening after his last lengthy mission, and must now decide how, and if, he can win his wife back.

I really enjoyed Johnny and Tessa's story. The tie-in with their unique backgrounds brought a tender dimension to their personalities, and what made them tick. But now they are older, and after eight years of marriage, which was really just eight years of living as roommates, they are finally realizing that the life they have been living was just a half-life. And despite eight years of marriage, they hardly knew each other. So this is really a new beginning for them, with the added complications of shedding their old selves, and learning about the person they thought they were closest to all these years.

Johnny is a stand-up guy, always a protector, but who has walled off his heart. Tessa has come into her own over the last year on Sactuary Island, and away from Johnny. She's independent, strong, and happy, but she still loves her husband. The reality is that these two have to break down Johnny's walls and Tessa's doubts. I loved discovering if Johnny could love his wife the way she needed him, and if Tessa could believe that he was more than just a protector. The journey was sweet and tender, honest and heartfelt. These were two beautiful souls that were really meant to be together.

Added to this story, that I had not expected, was some entertaining suspense. Johnny is still coming down off his mission high, so he's a bit paranoid. But not all of his paranoia should be brushed aside. I got a kick out of watching Johnny not only fall in love with his wife, but also discover himself at the same time. And as a bonus, there were some great side characters here. I loved Miss Patty. I also liked Marcus and Quinn. Marcus was so stubborn and Quinn was such a sweetheart. I can't wait to read the rest of their story.

Close to Home was a sweet second chance at love story.
You will find likable characters and a HEA!

I love the idea of Tessa finding herself while Johnny’s undercover for the ATF and away from home for almost two years. Granted, I think it is a horrible thing to have just left him but I totally get why that was the only way she could do it. She loves her husband but because of the way they got together, and what she thinks is a lack of romantic interested on his part, she can’t stay. Being face to face with him as the woman she used to be, with her feelings and insecurities, she would never have been able to leave.

But Sanctuary Island works its magic and in the year she’s been there she has totally come into her own. She’s a strong woman who is able to stand on her own two feet, support herself, make friends and be confident in what she wants. Then he walks back into her life, looking all sexy and protective … and hurt and wanting her back. He’s going to be hard to resist :)

Johnny’s only thought after finishing his latest assignment is to get home to his wife, the one person who can help him center himself in real life. Unfortunately she’s left and he knows he’ll be lost until he gets her back. Luckily he’s got time as his job has mandated some therapy in the same town she’s moved to and he takes the opportunity to convince Tessa to give them a chance to save their marriage. And he’s nothing if not dedicated to his cause. He’s going to take that time to win over the new woman his wife has become.

The growth that both of these people undergo thanks to their time on Sanctuary Island, both individually and, luckily, back to each other is awesome. Tessa’s had already happened but thru Johnny getting to know his wife better we get to see what that transformation actually meant. And while Johnny’s journey isn’t quite over, by the end he’s found himself on a path that works for him. It takes a strong man to open up and expose himself to someone else and Johnny does it beautifully and even more so for acknowledging that it’s a process that needs to continue.

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

(While this is a good place to start (no real ties to previous books) and Tessa and Johnny’s story is complete (and fabulous), the story doesn’t technically stand on its own. There are whole bits of it that set up the next story, Home at Last. So, you have to ask yourself – am I prepared to read the next book or am I OK with that bit of unfinished business … since Everett is such a fantastic writer I’m pretty sure I know which it is going to be!)

I am not normally one for reading books part way through a series, I mean this is book 5 and I know sometimes it can feel like you’re missing bits because you’ve not met all the characters before. Not so with this one, it felt like it was the perfect point to begin reading as you see Sanctuary Island through an outsiders eyes anyway. Johnny is in Sanctuary Island to get his wife back and do his required therapy after returning from an undercover op.

I have to say right off the bat this book is one of this dramatic reads which won’t be to everyone’s tastes but it was strangely addictive and such a quick read and I loved it for that. I did find myself more absorbed by the romance between Quinn and Marcus, but since that is the next book in the series (and another I plan to review) I am not too upset that I cared more for the secondary characters since I know there is more to come for them.

It’s not that I didn’t like the romance between Tessa and Johnny, I just wasn’t as absorbed by it. I loved that Tessa had left the marriage she thought was all about obligation and had no love. I loved she had grown as a person and learnt to stand up for herself. And I loved the spark between her and Johnny. I just didn’t feel the same tension between them because it seemed so inevitable they would get back together as they both clearly loved one another. I mean, even though neither seemed to know how the other felt, and Johnny obviously had some issues to deal with, I just didn’t feel the same tension because it seemed so inevitable. I know romances always do, but usually the twists keep you hooked and the twists just felt added for effect.

That being said, I didn’t dislike the romance, I just felt it built more for the next book for me. I will definitely be checking out more of Everett’s books in the future, anyway.

Close to Home was a different pick for me. Tessa and Johnny were married for 8 years, but Tessa filed for divorce and moved away while Johnny was undercover for the ATF. Their marriage failed for so many reasons, and the biggest one being lack of communication! Johnny decides to go after Tessa (Yay!) and they spend 4 weeks on Sanctuary Island, Tessa's new home, where Johnny tries to win back his wife.

I loved the secondary characters of the island. You have quirky Quinn and brooding Marcus. Patty, the local bakery own who takes Tessa in provides that grandmotherly guidance with some sass. I have never read anything by Lily Everett before but I will certainly look into more of her books. This is a classic contemporary romance that made me feel like I was reading old school Jude Deveraux again and I love it!

Close to Home has a bit of mystery too. Johnny has a feeling that something sinister is going on, but the only thing he has to go on is his gut. As a reader, you are wondering if his paranoia is due to his long months spent undercover or if this tiny, quiet island really does have a predator in its mist. While this mystery isn't the center of the story, it was a welcome bolster to the plot for me since I love romantic suspense!

My only struggle with this book was that the overall theme to their marital problems was miscommunication. This is, hands down, one of my least favorite plot tropes. However, it makes sense for this story and while I wished the 2 of them would talk it out, I could see how it had gotten to a point where they couldn't.

I am also considering this one SAFE FOR MOM! There is only a scene or 2 that is sexy and it isn't descriptive.

3.5 Stars, Rounded
Tessa made the difficult decision to leave a marriage that was unfulfilling and secretive, even though the love was there. See, Johnny was everything she wanted in a husband: faithful, loving and protective, but he always kept her out of his deepest thoughts and dreams – and she just wanted (and deserved) more. So she set him free, and went to Sanctuary Island to set up her new life, and has been finding her footing and comfort in becoming the person she felt she was meant to be: making friends, decisions for herself, and most importantly, making choices that make her happy.

Johnny never expected Tessa would go: he loved her, he cherished her, but he couldn’t share all of his life with her: it was too dangerous. But, now she’s gone and he’s not willing to lose her. He knows that he loves her, and that she loves him, or at least he hopes she still does. So he tracks her down to Sanctuary Island, only to find that the meek and rather quiescent woman he married is all grown up, making choices and decisions with alacrity, and is even more desirable than he thought possible.

A lovely story of second chances, commitment and forgiveness, as both characters grow from their old version of a marriage and relationship into the new one. Tessa has learned that she can’t, and won’t, accept a man who is closing off large portions of his life to her, even with the best of intentions. And Johnny has to learn that you can’t truly love someone if you are hiding major parts of your life. Together they discover a balance between his need to protect and her needs to feel valued and trusted. And most of all, Johnny has hidden just HOW much he needs and wants Tessa in his life: he’s got to find a way to share these feelings, no matter how scary or unsettling, to prove that he is worth her taking another chance on him.

Wonderfully developed and written, this story shows the transformative power in honest communication of true feelings, fears and desires, as Tessa found her courage to move on for what she truly wanted, even if that meant giving up the man she loved. As Johnny realized that the love was still within his grasp, he had to learn to reach for it and face his fears to reach for the one person that makes him feel safe.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

4 stars

Close to Home was a well written and beautiful second chance love story.
It warmed my heart watching Tessa and Johnny come together. They needed to put away the past and open their heart to each other unconditionally without fear and know this was a forever kind of love.
I loved how their love story unfolded, they made my heart swoon and left me with a smile on my face.

The Sanctuary Island series is a beautiful and romantic read, each book can be read as standalone and I highly recommend them.

*Thank you to the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.*

I was so excited to return to Sanctuary Island, and my visit did not disappoint. A marriage of convenience between Johnny and Tessa has lasted many years. Johnny comes home from assignment to divorce papers, he sets out to find his wife. Tessa is now living on Sanctuary Island, she is willing to give Johnny four weeks to find out it is true love or just a pity marriage. They soon find out their is much love to their marriage. Soon their love is threatened by a mystery man on the island, but once again Johnny steps up to protect Tessa.

Loved this story of Tessa and Johnny, follow your heart and it will lead you home. Great characters, along with secondary characters. Can't wait to read Quinn and Marcus's story. Love the town of Sanctuary Island, such fun residents.

I was always hoping for more Sanctuary stories!! Thank you Lily Evertt!! I highly recommend this book, it is part of series but can be read as stand alone.

Close to Home takes readers back to Sanctuary Island with never-before-introduced characters. I loved the first two books of the series, but it took me longer to connect with the other characters brought to the forefront. Close to Home gives us a familiar setting and people who are using Sanctuary Island as just that: sanctuary.


Tessa Alexander is not the same woman her husband Johnny knew. Johnny has a habit of wanting to take care and rescue people -- a need to do so, actually. That is how he and Tessa came to be married. When he finds her in Sanctuary Island, she is outwardly confident and strong.


By placing Tessa's life in danger (again), Johnny is able to do what he loves and let go of himself a little bit too. He and Tessa are able to connect and move forward with their marriage.


Close to Home was an easy read, a good place to start for those curious about Sanctuary Island. Tessa and Johnny don't have any obstacles in their way to happiness, which didn't ring that true for me, but this is a nice slice of life story.

This is my first book by this author and I can honestly say how much I enjoyed the plot and the characters.lots of things is going on to the story and it was a little bit difficult to keep up and this is why I'm giving it only 4 stars

A captivating read about a woman trying to take control of her life and the man who is fighting to remain part of it. I’m a big fan of second chance romances and enjoyed the twist of these two already being married – albeit a marriage of convenience – and finding their way to each other’s hearts.

Both Johnny and Tessa are trying to escape the patterns of their past. Tessa has spent her life shying away from everything and when she finally decides to take control of things that also means letting go of everything from her past – including her husband, a man who married her to protect and care for her, but has never treated her like a real wife. Even though she has very deep and real feelings for Johnny, she knows she needs to let him go so they both can move on with their lives. What Tessa doesn’t know is that she has always been Johnny’s anchor, and when he finds she has set him free he is set adrift and he knows he’s not ready to give up on Tessa or their marriage so easily.

I really enjoyed watching Johnny take a step back and acknowledge that his take control personality is not what is needed to save his marriage. And even though he’s never acted on his very deep and real feelings for Tessa, he needs to now figure out how to show Tessa just what she means to him without steamrolling over her – a tough job for someone who is always used to being in total control of everything. I did like Tessa, but at times she could be a bit annoying to me – she is trying to keep control of her new found life, which I get, but sometimes I felt she was a bit quick in assuming someone was trying to take control and I do wish she was a bit more upfront to Johnny about her feelings and her fears. I did like the fact that she broke out and was able to create a new life for herself and created a home for herself on the island, and I loved watching her find her sexy side when it came to Johnny.

There were a few mysteries that were intertwined within Johnny and Tessa’s story, and I really enjoyed meeting Marcus and Quinn and look forward to learning more about them in the next book. The couple of twists at the end were only slightly predictable and didn’t disappoint at all.

All in all, I think I’ve decided that I need to find this island and take up residence! This was a cute and quirky small town “in your face” kind of place that allows for some great fun (small town gossip and characters just can’t be beat!) and also some heartwarming moments between friends who are more like family. This was my first book in the series and I don’t think I lost anything starting here although I would like to go back and read the previous books. Definitely a book worth checking out.

I received an advance reader copy from the publisher via NetGalley which I voluntarily reviewed.

Really liked this story. Tessa and Johnny have a marriage in name only, so after several years she decided it was time to move on. The path to overcome each of their issues is rocky, but interesting and fun to read. This book also introduces several other characters that are prominent in the next book in the series. This was a hard book to put down, and I like how the author shows the reader the view from each of them, and the steps learned to grow closer to each other. And of course, Miss Patty is a keeper. Her character adds a nice touch of home and comfort and really adds to the story. Highly recommend this book and author.

I love a marriage in trouble trope as it t can present a different kind of conflict in an already established relationship. I liked the set-up in this one. At the age of seventeen, Tessa had to escape the commune her parents raised her in, for her own health and safety. She hides in a neighbor’s barn and this is where twenty-two year old Johnny finds her. He gets her medical attention and then feels protective over her. He asks her if she wants to marry him so she can be on his health insurance before he is deployed. She agrees, and he goes off to the middle east, while she lives her life by herself. Later, he ends up joining the ATF and going very deep undercover . Through all this time – eight years – he has only pecked her on the cheek. It’s truly a marriage of convenience and Tessa is done with it. She is ready to live an independent life since Johnny has never made a move to make their relationship romantic. She leaves him before he comes out of his undercover assignment.

When Johnny makes it back home after his assignment, he realizes Tessa is gone and tracks her down. Deep down he loves her, he has always just been scared to tell and show her. Tessa has started a new life on Sanctuary Island, working in a bakery and figuring out who she is.

I was ready for angst, and emotions and all those romantic feelings of two people who love each other but have kept it hidden for eight years. But we don’t get that. Instead we get a lot of telling but not a lot of showing. Tessa is wary when Johnny comes to her new home, but everything works out super easy. They start counseling. They start making out. I needed more exploration of past feelings. A deeper look into their relationship and feelings. One of the best things with a marriage in trouble story is the complicated feelings that layer the marriage. In this one, since they haven’t taken their relationship to a physical level – there could have been so much intense exploration. But it’s all skimmed over and then too easily worked out.

Instead we get a ton of pages for a supporting character named Marcus and his shady background and a developing romance for him. And then a very odd suspense part takes over the last quarter of the book which felt completely out of place and when you learn what is happening it just seemed silly.

This one missed the mark for me

Grade: D

I was thrilled to see that Lily Everett had returned to Sanctuary Island with her latest book, Close to Home. Ms. Everett has taken the second chance romance to a new level with Tessa and Johnny Alexander. I wasn’t expecting their story to be so dramatic when I started reading the book. However, I was swept up in this couple’s journey. I admired how Tessa had grown into such a strong, determined woman. Then I just shook my head at how shortsighted Johnny had been until it seemed too late.

Close to Home is beautifully written with endearing characters. I was glad I didn’t have to take sides, not even in the beginning. That would have just been too difficult. Still their relationship problems are not easily solved, but worth the work. It is a refreshing look at love, marriage and the need to cultivate the relationship by supporting growth and positive change.

The town of Sanctuary Island is a place that you would want to visit or make your home. The people are great. I enjoyed reading Tessa and Johnny's story. I am glad that Johnny fought for Tessa. As I got to know them both better and their relationship, I could tell that Tessa was not quite ready to give up on Johnny. Although, I understood why she left as their relationship did start out as Johnny looking at Tessa as more of someone he had to protect versus his wife. By the end of the story however, Johnny did see Tessa in a new light. Yet, as much as I did enjoy reading this book, I did feel like it moved slowly. Not that I needed Tessa and Johnny to jump right into each other's arms as if nothing happened. However, I just felt like I did not experience lots of passion between them.

There was another couple that was featured in this book. They were Marcus and Quinn. They were fun with their witty banter and the connection they shared. In fact, I thought that they took a little away from Tessa and Johnn'y story as I found them more interesting. I can't wait to read more about them in the future.

Whoops, I did it again – picked a book that I didn’t know was part of a series. However this one stands up perfectly well on its own and I don’t feel that I lost anything for not having read the previous books in this series.

Johnny works for the ATF and has just returned from two years deep undercover to find out that his wife of eight years has left him a “Dear Johnny” letter. Despite the fact that their marriage was unconventional, Johnny isn’t willing to let it go like that so he tracks her down. He finds that Terri, his shy and timid wife has morphed into Tessa, a woman with a different haircut, a big laugh and a confidence that was missing before. She seems determined that although she’s grateful to Johnny for helping her years ago when she desperately needed it, she’s okay now. And that they should go their separate ways. But Johnny asks for a month while he attends a therapy program designed to help him transition from undercover back into reality.

Johnny had one of those massive hero/saviour complexes. He rescued Tessa, then known as Terri as a terrified teen and even married her to help her before shipping out with the army. After several deployments he joined the ATF, working undercover operations and pretty much everything he does revolves around helping and protecting people. I know he’s just come back from a very long and dangerous mission but Johnny sees danger everywhere even in the tiniest town in the world. He meets a new person in town (Johnny himself is new in town) and immediately assumes the guy is some kind of criminal because he has watchful body language and a military demeanour. Instead of assuming that maybe he’s burned out or has retired, he wonders if he’s used his military skills to segue into crime but he bases this on nothing just his instinct. If this is Johnny’s instinct at work, it makes me worry for the skills of the ATF division, frankly.

Despite the fact that Johnny and Tessa were married for eight years, he spent most of those away either on deployment or undercover so their marriage, which began as one of convenience and help for Tessa, wasn’t even a real marriage, something that I found a little hard to believe. I couldn’t really see the point of having it unconsummated for so long other than to exacerbate Johnny’s hero complex. He has this view of Terri (as she was back then) of being this precious, fragile flower and perhaps she might’ve been when they first met. But she began to put herself back together but his view of her really didn’t change until after she left him and he was confronted with the new Tessa who wasn’t afraid to state her opinions and was willing to go out there and find happiness. I think Tessa felt that Johnny would stay with her forever in the platonic marriage they had for all time out of loyalty, obligation and a need to protect her, so she chose to leave him so that they both might find something truly deeper than that. Whilst Johnny might’ve wanted Tessa (even when he didn’t touch her) he had said he wasn’t open to the whole love thing and Tessa wanted that. Johnny had to learn the hard way that his feelings for Tessa ran deeper than what he was willing to acknowledge.

I think this story was okay – I would’ve liked more background to their marriage and I’m glad Tessa took it upon herself to carve out a life without relying on Johnny. But I think that ultimately Johnny’s obsessive need to protect and save really got on my nerves. There was an attempt to give it a good background but it came too late in the story and was brushed over too quickly, as was how he was going to move on from it. I think I was more interested in the secondary story which sets up the couple in the sixth book, I kept waiting for them to reappear.

6/10

After reading some dark mysteries I found myself craving a romance - preferably something sweet and simple and healing. Well this one was definitely sweet and it was definitely healing but I'm not so sure how simple it was. These characters have some serious depth and some serious issues that have to be tackled as the story goes along.

The story itself reminded me of a historical romance - one where the husband in a marriage of convenience realizes that he's actually in love with his wife. This is one that I wouldn't have thought would work in a contemporary but Everett did it brilliantly. This was made sense and held together and was a completely plausible situation for both of these characters with their particular personalities to end up in. At the beginning I was very concerned about the balance of power. Tessa is very young and completely desperate when she and Johnny get married. Johnny is young (though not as young) and is far more in control of the situation. It could have very easily slipped into creepy territory and it was a relationship that I really couldn't see how it could get past the beginning. How could it ever be a relationship not built on gratitude and desperation?

I really loved the way Everett developed their relationship in such a way that the reader got to know the characters as they got to know themselves. It completely pulled me into the story and I absolutely flew through it. She was brilliant with the addition of side characters - especially Marcus and Quinn. They're the main couple in the next book and after meeting them in this book I cannot wait to read their story and read more about them.

This is only the 2nd Sanctuary Island book I've read but I had no problem getting to know the community and I didn't feel like I was missing out by not reading the previous books (though you can bet they'll be on my TBR). This was a fantastic read with characters I really connected with, a setting I want to see more of, and a lot of heart. My only complaint is that I seriously want a sticky bun after reading about the treas Miss Patty and Tessa are working on!

There are people that depend on their gut to know another person or what that person is capable of. In many lines of work that could be crucial to their well-being – physical and emotional or mental. It’s hard to change a persons modus operandi. And candidly most aren’t really looking to change – they like their life and the way they are. But sometimes it is more about how others see you and if you like the image you project. CLOSE TO HOME by Lily Everett is about a little town called Sanctuary that is filled with people who are somewhat uncomfortable with their mirror image so to speak. Lily Everett has created Sanctuary with all the requisite charm of small towns. In fact people of Sanctuary seem ready to fight tooth and nail against expansion and change. Newcomers to this town arrive for all kinds of reasons. Heck it doesn’t even have a hotel or inn. Just small numbers of random houses to rent. And yet in CLOSE TO HOME Lily Everett once again reminds us why this little hamlet is so wonderful. So I welcome you to Sanctuary where the people are eccentric but wonderful and caring. Lily Everett has once again demonstrated how human her characters are – flawed with sass, fragile with big hearts and defenders of their hometown. What more could you want.

So in CLOSE TO HOME we have Johnny returning from his latest stint undercover getting weapons away from the bad guys at the expense of his marriage. Long absences from wife Terri are beginning to wear on Johnny. He is becoming more aware of his wife as someone he longs for than as just a friend. Terri and Johnny are together because she needed him. And as you will learn Johnny lives to be needed. His protective habits are ingrained. Funny though is the fact that for some time now Terri is tired of being protected. What she wants is love. But she is a realist. Her husband doesn’t love her – not in the husband/wife way. And that’s the central issue here.

So Terri – now calling herself Tessa – is living happily in Sanctuary. Established a career as a baker under the caring eye of her mentor Patty. She left behind the home she had shared with Johnny, when he was home from an assignment, changed her style and started divorce proceedings.

Now you know why Johnny is in Sanctuary. He is nothing if not determined to win back his wife. Sure their beginning isn’t the stuff of romance – it was more necessity for Tessa’s welfare. But he needs her to understand that his feelings for Tessa have been more complicated for several years. Johnny was doing what he felt was right and respectful. He expected his wife to welcome him home. Johnny should have had less expectations – then he wouldn’t be so disappointed.

Johnny and Tessa have decided to see if there is a future for their marriage and Sanctuary is exactly the right place. Johnny has to keep his eye on the prize – not an easy feat for this agent. Tessa has to open her mind to possibilities and learn to trust. A lot to accomplish in a relatively short time.

CLOSE TO HOME was my introduction to Lily Everett. Part of the joy of being a reviewer is having the opportunity to meet new authors. CLOSE TO HOME is filled with engaging dialog and smart intuitive characters. I absolutely love the way Lily Everett shows her respect to the folk that fill each page. They stay in character and do what you expect. That is what talented writers do. You can depend on Johnny and Tessa to stay real – Lily Everett wouldn’t allow for anything different.

When I first signed up for this tour I signed up to do only the excerpt then couldn't help myself and I read the book. What can I say, I'm weak!

I've read a few books in this series and enjoyed them very much. I really should have read the series in order because I'm one of those people that hate reading out of order but it seems like I only have time to review a book by her every few books.

Weird, I know!

I really enjoyed Tessa and Johnny's story. You can really feel the caring between these two. I wanted to know more about them and their story. I usually don't care for stories that already start with the characters being together but I decided to try it anyway.

The only thing I wish for is that characters did the things they thought about. My action and less what's in their heads. Other then that,..