This was not it. White authors writing about other cultures, religions, ethnicities, and races NEED to do their research or better make space for writers who actually have these marginalized identities to pen their own narratives. This book was so problematic in terms of its representation of Muslims and Arabs and the author constantly conflating Islamic traditions with Egyptian traditions and vice versa. It was basically the all Arabs are Muslims wrong narrative but in a book format. Besides that, the characters were unlikeable and I don't think that was intentional because I could see we were supposed to like them. The writing was also mediocre at best and what's with the constant explanation about the relationships between characters? After a point, I was like we know who's brother this is, you don't need this explanation here. Overall, I should've dnf-ed this way earlier but the only reason I finished was because I felt obliged to, since I had an e-ARC.

Really enjoyed this book a story of different cultures joining together in marriage and the conflict it brings. Good action and good characters would definitely recommend.

Come Home by Patricia Gussin is a book set in post 9/11 Philadelphia and then moves to Egypt. Nicole and Ahmed run a plastic surgery business and have a young son together. Ahmed's family from Egypt suddenly demands that he and his son return to Egypt. And their world crashes in on them. I really wanted to like this book. It had a lot of potential and sounded like it had an exciting plot. I found parts of it hard to believe. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher. These opinions are entirely my own.

Come Home is a very sensitive subject in my opinion. For me, I was not able get through the book completely, not because i disliked it.

The characters sounds so real. It could have been just anyone's story. Two totally different people gets married and has a child. But with time the husband's family wants him to come home with his child and help the family in their dire need.

Nicole, I liked her and I disliked her. I do think If nothing else she should have given her child the information regarding where he comes from and in time have her child make the decision about wanting to know more about his heritage. Every country has it's history and traditions and it seemed liked she did not want her child to know about his history.After all, you learn from yours.

I enjoyed the first half of this book where the story line was developing and the action was quick. The characters are developed and the plot is interesting. However, the writing seems to repeat over and over through the second half of the book causing it to drag. The action picks up at the end, but the suspense does not. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read in return for an honest review.

When Nicole's husband Ahmed disappears to Egypt along with their son Alex she enlists the help of her family to get Alex back. A story about greed, deceit and family love.

Excellent storyline.
Highly recommend!
If you liked the movie Not Without My Daughter, you will enjoy this book.

In this fast-paced, plot-driven thriller, a culturally diverse young family, live a charmed life in Philadelphia, post 9/11. The couple runs a highly successful plastic surgery clinic and both try to spend as much time as possible with their young son, Alex.

When Ahmed is summoned home to a troubled Cairo and told to bring his son along, but leave his beautiful wife, Nicole, in America, he is confused and angry. The Masud family has close ties with Mubarak and, if his regime falls, their cotton empire will be under threat. A plan is being hatched to move the family fortune to South America. Ahmed is the second born son and his help is needed.

The unexpected command from his father makes Ahmed defensive and he mulls over the looming malpractice suits against him, in his adopted country. They smack of racial prejudice and, to Nicole’s deep disappointment, the resentment leads the normally gentle Ahmed to behave completely out of character.

Ahmed’s divided loyalties, across the differing cultures, are entirely convincing. His difficult decision is pivotal to the story and, whichever way he turns, is certain to bring about unforeseen consequences for both families…

Ahmed is the most rounded character in the story and I found myself drawn into his ordeal. Although Nicole’s motherly desperation was palpable, her character tended to merge with Natalie’s later in the story.

Gussin keeps up the tight suspense and in the first three-quarters of the novel, I was riveted. The last few chapters felt too rushed and, in my opinion, some of the characters could have done with a little more reflection.

Come Home is a good holiday read and deserves to be in those Christmas stockings. I know I’ll put one in my sister-in-law’s.

Gigi

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

This is the story of a marriage between a Muslim man and an American woman. He has been living and practicing medicine in America for years when his family summons him home to Egypt. Rather than discuss the stress of the situation with his wife, of whom he is professionally jealous, he allows the situation to escalate their marital problems. Ultimately, he obeys his father, takes their son without his wife’s knowledge, and leaves the country, causing a major crisis for all concerned.

Well-written, Come Home tells the story of Drs. Nicole Nelson and her husband Ahmed Musad who have been married eight years and are raising a 5-year old son Alex. They also are the owner/partners of a successful plastic surgery in Philadelphia. Their lives have been nothing but happy; they agreed upon marriage that any cultural differences could always be handled by mutual their respect and love.

Weekly phone calls to his family often leave Ahmed edgy afterwards. He has been asked several times in the past to return to Egypt with his family, but the requests are becoming more adamant and even threatening. Angry at being told to do something he doesn't want to do, and torn by his cultural heritage that demands that whatever the father says be done, he lashes out at Nicole, verbally and physically abusing her for the first time in their marriage. Taken aback, and not understanding the change in her husband, she tries to give him time and space to settle down and apologize to her, certain that as they had promised each other, their love can overcome this.

Meanwhile, Ahmed is now ordered to return to Egypt NOW with his son, leaving Nicole at home, so he can help his affluent family protect their financial interests at jeopardy due to the increasing civil unrest in Egypt. His arguments that the youngest brother, Seth, who lives in Belgium, and is responsible for managing the family's large cotton enterprise, would be a much more appropriate person to serve the family in this way as he is the one with the most business acumen, are discarded. He is commanded to come home. A flight to take he and Alex to Egypt has already been arranged, and he is expected to be on the plane. Not wishing to disrespect his father or his culture, he obeys, realizing that he will probably never see Nicole again. When he arrives, he soon finds that his father is gravely ill, and his younger brother Jafari is the one calling the shots and acting as the heir apparent. The youngest brother, Seth, has been told to remain in Belgium and quietly seethes at what he believes is the family's total disrespect for him.

Nicole is stunned, but, as a surgeon, is used to having to make hard decisions under difficult circumstances. She soon gathers the power of her own large family and together they make plans to go to Egypt and return with Alex.

The actions of both Ahmed and Nicole set into motion repercussions that neither of them (nor the reader) could ever have expected.

There is something for everyone in this book: the question of loyalty to your cultural heritage and birth family versus your right to build the life you choose and have your own family; mixed culture marriage, dysfunctional family vs. functional family, business and medical ethics, betrayal, murder, madness, the political situation in Egypt and more.

Come Home by Patricia Gussin is an enjoyable read that kept me turning pages to find out what happens.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an e-copy of this book provided to me by NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Come Home by Patricia Gussin published by Oceanview Publishing is a very compelling read. I was given a copy by the publisher through Negalley, while this is not a five star read for me it is a solid four.
Ahmed Masud and his wife, Nicole Nelson are successful plastic surgeons. They have a five year old son, Alex (Wati) who they love and Nicole has a big family they spend time with in the States. Ahmed has a big family in Egypt they see when they can. The question I pose for this review is simple how far do we go for the ones we love? The story is fast paced and gets you hooked from page one. It begins in my opinion after Ahmed gets off a call with his family in Egypt, from then on everything changes He is focused on trying to teach his culture to his son to a point where it actually feels forced, while cultural pressures are an important aspect of this book I felt like the scene where Ahmed hits Nicole there for spiraling the whole story out of control was very tastefully written so thank you for that. The story centers around Alex being taken to Egypt without Nicole’s consent then , the reader seeing how much a mother is willing to do to get her son back. Mean while not long after their arrival Ahmed has realized he has made a terrible mistake but not before Alex is taken from Ahmed in order to make him pliable to do the families dirty work. The second half of the book deals with the strong will of family ties and how far they are willing to go to bring a mother and son together. The only reason this book is not getting a full five star review from me is because I feel as though the author could have done a better job giving us an understanding of Egyptian history and traditions, and tensions that occur. Come Home is written for anyone who loves a book that brings it all together in the end.

I really enjoyed the way this book was writen, but I've got to admit that the characters were a bit annoying for my taste. But as the story goes I can only say it is interesting and really well thought out. It is a realistic story with thoughtful development from Patricia Gussin. The characteres are really at the center of this narrative, as are questions of culture and modern life. I've never read any book by this author but this one opened my mind to maybe reading more in the near future. I found the book to be enjoyable, but I would change a bit of the characteres

A very topical tale. Although fictional, I feel sure that similar scenarios have been played out in many families recently. It documents the heartbreak caused when one parent takes the child abroad with no intention of returning. This causes ripples through both families and distress for the child.
The story is generally fast-paced, but perhaps could have benefited from tighter editing in parts where it slows down.
A thought provoking story

This sort of felt like I'd read it before or maybe seen it depicted in a tv movie. The writing is fine and the story is ok but I couldn't get especially connected with the characters.

Come Home hooked me right from the beginning. It has it all-adventure, travel, and interesting characters, who are not always likable. It is a fictional story, but could be ripped right from international headlines. Having lived in Cairo, Egypt, for two years, it wasn't hard to imagine this story line. A little more editing and polishing will make this into a 5* book.

DNF at 32%

Maybe you know how it is, when you find the characters so annoying and terrible, not only those who are supposed to be unlikable but in the first place (and it is even worse) those who are supposed to have all your sympathy, that you are simply unable to spend one more minute of your life on them. When a flat boring story is no longer an issue. Because you just hate every single person in this book.

Well, I know how it is now.

I loved this book, really enjoyed it,I always wanted to go to Egypt,a very good read.

Brilliant gripping book, excellent and I would highly recommend this book

Ahmed Masud and his wife, Nicole Nelson are successful plastic surgeons. They have a five year old son, Alex who they love and Nicole has a big family they spend time with in the States. Ahmed has a big family in Egypt they see when they can. Ahmed's family has a family conference call once a week. The family is in the cotton business in Egypt and Brussels. Ahmed's oldest brother is telling him to come home to Giza as the political climate is turning bad for their family as they are friends of Gamal Mubarak, son of Hosni Mubarak. His father has told him to come now and bring his son. Ahmed leaves with Alex without Nicole knowing it on a private plane the family has sent for him. They are wanting to move the family and business to South American and want Ahmed to make the arrangements. There are problems in the family Ahmed did not know about and is now wondering if he should have gone. He is feeling guilty for taking Alex and Nicole not knowing. Nicole's family comes to her side to help her get Alex back. But how hard will that be and can they find the boy and get him back? An exciting story that gives you a clue into the unrest of Egypt and the clash of two cultures.