Luke had no idea what to expect when he found his wife seven years after she disappeared. He just wanted to clear his name. ARC from NetGalley.

Shrouded in mystery, spoken by heart. Coming Home for Christmas gives emotions a chance to breath while reminding hearts what it means to hope. From familiar strangers to second chance romance, Thayne crafts a beautiful tragedy looking for an ever evasive rainbow. Elizabeth and Luke are a heartache away from happily ever after. There will be tears, but out of pain grows hope.

I have adored the Haven Point series for multiple years now and this is a highly anticipated installment for me. It follows Luke, whose wife disappeared seven years earlier, and his quest to get her back. He knew, of course, that he didn’t do anything terrible to her, but that didn’t exactly matter to other people in the town. Everyone assumed something terrible had happened and he was responsible. The other option is that Elizabeth walked away from her family on purpose. When Elizabeth ends up being found without her memories, we’re intended to learn what happened to her and fall for this family coming back together again.

I adored Luke through his cameos in other books in this series and was so eager to see his own book, as I mentioned. He was known to be a kind man (again, despite some people assuming the worst about him and his wife’s whereabouts), so being in his head was something I was looking forward to. It took a while to get used to Elizabeth and not be frustrated about her internal thoughts. I didn’t sympathize with her right off the bat but it was pretty clear that some terrible things happened to her. I knew I would forgive her eventually 😉

It took more than two-thirds of the book before this felt Christmassy enough for me, but it was really sweet to see that once it finally started with the kids. I compare it to the Die Hard question: is it a Christmas movie or just a movie that takes place around Christmas? (Lol) I wish there were more feels there. It was such a heartwarming story from start to finish though.

Overall, I’m thrilled (as always) to return to Haven Point. I think I could genuinely read books in this series forever and ever, never tiring of the adorable small town and wonderful cast of characters. I look forward to the cameos every time. More please!!

Coming Home for Christmas by RaeAnne Thayer is a wonderful book about love and forgiveness This is part of a series by Ms Thayer called Haven Point. Although it might be good to read the other books, 1-9, I didn’t find that I needed to in order to enjoy this book.
Luke Hamilton has been raising his children following the mysterious disappearance of his wife. All the while, he is living under the suspicion of having killed his wife. However, after a long search, he seems to have found his long lost wife living her life without seeming to care about him or the children left behind. What follows is an untangling of events, forgiveness sought and given, and the triumph of love and family over all.
The book’s characters draw you into the world of traumatic brain injury and all that it entails and weaves a story of trials and tribulations that must be overcome. The story truly came to life in my imagination as I read.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book

Elizabeth has always had some form of depression. But, add postpartum depression on top of the recent death of her parents and it is just too much to bear. She leaves her family one night to protect them from herself and ends up disappearing for seven years. Due to a head injury from a car accident, Elizabeth lost her memory. When her memory finally returns, she is too afraid to go back.

Luke is determined to clear his name. He has been accused of Elizabeth’s death. Even though no body has been found, the district attorney is resolute in her decision that Luke killed his wife the night she left. Luke has secretly known for a while where his estranged wife is living. Luke has a lot of animosity toward Elizabeth so, he has no desire to allow her back into their lives. But…to clear his name…he shows up at her door.

This is a very unique Christmas romance story. Even though you can guess the outcome. I enjoyed the mystery surrounding what happened the night Elizabeth left. And how did Luke actually find her? And it’s not all romance and roses when she shows back up in her family’s life. Oh no…it’s tough on everyone.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley, HQN Books and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication.

Once again I have picked a book that is one of the last books in a series BUT can be read as a standalone, so I’ve been very lucky in that department. I’m not even mad about it, because I love series that can have a bunch of books in it but the stories can make sense and stand on their own without the readers just getting into the series getting confused or anything. Especially in series like this one, it works out in my favor, so yay for me!

Two, while I personally have not gone through postpartum depression or have known anyone personally that has gone through it – to my knowledge – I thought it was really great and eye opening that Thayne chose to add this into this story, especially since this takes place during the holidays and there are so many people out there that deal with grief of some kind during this time of the year. I can’t even imagine going through this kind of depression during the holidays, and I don’t even know if I would have any support to help me get through it without me feeling like something is wrong with me as a mother. Then not only does our main character have that going on, but the death of her parents as well? She has grief coming from multiple angles and honestly, I can see why her losing her memory could have been a blessing in disguise for her.

While the postpartum and the grief does not take place during Christmas, and actually took place seven years before Elizabeth and Luke are reunited in a way, I just felt so much for what Elizabeth went through, and the pain she must have felt to finally remember what it was that she lost and worry that she was too late to get the family that was keeping her together back. I’m sure that there were times prior to the accident that we don’t get to see in the book, where what really kept her going in life were her family. To have that taken away without knowing that, and then to have all those memories come rushing back after there’s nothing she can really do about it? It just sounds emotional and I don’t know how anyone could go through it.

I would be prepared to cry a little bit while you’re reading this novel, and I would go through this story with an open mind and an open heart. Have some empathy for what our characters had to endure during their time apart, not because they chose to but because of situations that were out of their control. Have some empathy while Elizabeth and Luke have to find themselves together again, especially during the holidays, and somehow make up for lost time. Just be prepared to have your heart make some erratic moves that will make you smile, laugh, and tear up every once in a while.

I think this one was my favorite of the bunch. In Coming Home For Christmas, Elizabeth Hamilton/Sonia Davies is forced by her husband (estranged for seven years) to return to the little town where their love had flourished in order to clear his name. Her postpartum depression caused her to leave town so long ago, and when trying to return, well, things didn't go as planned. I don't want to completely spoil it for you.

I loved the depiction of depression and postpartum depression that felt so genuine. I also loved that the reunions were not all rainbows and kittens. Real life seldom is, right? This is the tenth book in the Haven Point series, and I'm truly intrigued to see more of how the character of Luke Hamilton was developed and portrayed in the community while Elizabeth was gone.

I loved the authentic and fragile characters in this book. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

This is a sweet, clean romance that teaches the reader to be sensitive to the problems that others have, significantly depression and grieving. Elizabeth Holt disappeared seven years ago and not that Luke has found her, he brings her back to Haven Point to face her past and their past together. After all, they have two small children that Luke has been raising alone. He did not have any clue that Elizabeth had lost her memory for many years and was still struggling with the after-effects of an horrific car accident. Their story is told with empathy and compassion, set in a small town where everyone knows everyone else and when Christmas is coming, that magical time of the year when anything is possible. This is book number ten in a series, but I had not read any of the other books previously, and I was very enmeshed in the story from the beginning, with no difficulty understanding the plot or the characters. I really enjoyed this tale of forgiveness, second chances and redemption. It is the perfect Christmas read! Fans of romance and Christmas stories will love this book!

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Luke Hamilton has grieved his missing wife for 7 years, believing her to be dead. When FBI agent Elliott tells Luke Elizabeth is still alive, living on the Oregon coast under a different name, he is stunned and angry that she willingly left Luke and their two children alone all these years. Elizabeth, now going by Sonia, believes that her family is truly better off without her and has slowly built herself a new life in Oregon. However, she has never stopped thinking about and loving her family. When Luke shows up on her doorstep and demands she come back to Haven Point to keep him from being arrested for her murder, Elizabeth reluctantly agrees, knowing she owes it to Luke. Getting to interact with her children again is more than Elizabeth has dreamed of. Can this family find their way back together?

This is the 10th book in the Haven Point series but can be read as a standalone. Elizabeth's story for the last 7 years made it hard for me to root for this couple. I think the district attorney's words best sum up this book: “This is a very far-fetched story, Mrs. Hamilton. Car accidents. Russian wives. Comas. Sounds like something out of a bad soap opera.” That part wasn't what really got me, though. Once she remembered who she was, I don't understand why Elizabeth continued to stay away for the next 4 and a half years or why Luke didn't care about that part, either. For me, it wasn't believable how quickly they changed their minds and decided to get back together, regardless of the major issues caused by the 7 years apart. Other than that, it was a sweet, clean book, and I wouldn't mind reading other books in the series.

Elizabeth was going though some issues and thought it was better if she left only a unique set of circumstances got in the way and its been years. Luke her husband is suspected of her murder so he pretty much gets her and drags her back to prove his innocence. Now that they've gotten talking they needs to figure quite a lot out long with clearing his name .

I thought this book was pretty interesting seeing what the mother went though how she was dealing with stuff I was not expecting the things that were said about what happened to her. It was interesting seeing the conflict and the demons she was dealing with when it came to her mental health. Then there was the stress of getting Luke name cleared by the law and towns people because clearly there was people who thought he might've done away with Elizabeth. The children haven't seen the mother in 7 years and barely remember her so there is the problem of getting them to accept her in their life and the kids don't plan on making that easy. Overall this was a unique and enjoyable book and I really liked it.

I wasn't sure about this one at first. I definitely wasn't sure about Elizabeth, and it all felt a little depressing for a holiday romance. Nevertheless, the author pulled me in with the rich characters. Reservations or not, I wanted to know the answers, I wanted to understand why things happened the way they did and what would happen between Luke and Elizabeth. I won't go into details because almost anything more than what I've said will give spoilers, so I'll just say that it may not have started out with a holiday feel, but this one will certainly warm your heart as things play out. The characters are well-drawn and each one adds something to the charming town of Haven Point. It's impossible not to love Luke with his big heart and generous nature, and it was heartwarming to see that rub off on others throughout the story. Coming Home for Christmas is part of the Haven Point series, but it easily stands on its own, and now that I've read about these wonderful characters, I will be adding the earlier books to my to be read pile.

COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS (The Women of Brambleberry House #5, Haven Point #10) by RaeAnne Thayne is her new Christmas contemporary romance set in the town of Haven Point Idaho. Even with the tie in to the two series, this book can be read as a standalone. There is character crossover, but the focus is on the second chance romance of the hero and heroine.

For seven years Luke has been a single father to his two young children. One night his wife was gone from their home and he has never known what happened to her. Because of her depression due to the accidental death of her parents and the severe postpartum depression she had after the birth of both of their children Luke has always fear she committed suicide, but some of the people in town believe he is responsible and foul play is involved. He has moved on for the sake of his children, but he is in an emotional as well as a legal limbo.

Elizabeth has been living in a nearby town under a different name. Seven years ago, she was trapped in a depression so deep she felt her family would be better off without her. When she realized running was not the answer, she was involved in a terrible accident which stole her memories and left her with a severe brain injury among many other physical difficulties. When she recovered as much as would ever be possible, she has been secretly visiting her family, but still believes with all of her problems, they are still better off without her.

Luke has found her and come to take her back to Haven Point to clear his name before the holidays.

When Luke discovers the full story of Elizabeth’s missing years, he begins to have feelings once again for this woman who survived so much. Elizabeth wants to reunite with her children more than anything, but she is afraid to hope that Luke will ever be able to forgive her. It is Christmas, the season for new beginnings, love and forgiveness.

I loved this book and it is my favorite Christmas book this season. This is one of those books that you just fall into the story and you never want to leave. It is very emotional and yes, you will need the tissues throughout, but you will never forget Luke and Elizabeth and their story. The children are an important part of the story and add a whole other layer of feels. This book gives you a huge dose of romance with no sex, just understanding, forgiveness and love. RaeAnne Thayne is an author I look for now when searching for a heartfelt romance that can take me on an emotional and rocky journey, but then fills my heart with love and happiness by the HEA.

I highly recommend this Christmas contemporary romance!

Elisabeth just disappeared 7 years ago. Her husband, Luke raised their 2 children on his own. He always thought she had committed suicide that night as she had been fighting post partum depression and had lost both of her parents and hadn't dealt well with the grief. People in town think that he had something to do with her disappearance and is now going to be arrested for her death. But a friend of his finds Elisabeth and lets Luke know where she is. So he drives for miles to confront her. She had changed her appearance and her name. He drags her back home to clear his name and then she can leave. But we find out she had been in a car accident years ago while returning back home and had lost her memory for a short time. Her children don;t want anything to do with her and are mad she had left them. They don't have many memories of her. As Luke finds out more of what had happened his heart warms back up to her as he had never gotten over her. Elisabeth felt she should stay away as the accident had caused some disabilities and she didn't want the family have to deal with them.
I enjoyed this book so much. Getting to know Elisabeth and the reasons why she left and stayed away I can understand why she thought she was doing the right thing.
I received this ARC from Harlequin and NetGalley.

We are midway into December and it’s only 2 more weeks or so until Christmas. I think it’s safe to say that holiday reading and recommendations are in full swing – unless you’re like me and can curl up with a Christmas novel in the middle of July. Sun, rain, snow – I don’t care what the weather looks like outside or what the calendar says, there’s something delightful in the feel-good formula that most holiday-themed tales will deliver.

Harlequin is hosting a Holiday Blog Tour that began December 1st and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. They were kind enough to offer a number of titles to choose from and {one of} my selections was COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS by RaeAnne Thayne.

This was my favourite of the three (titles I read for the tour.) It had ALL the heart, some mystery, romance, and the expected feel-goods you look for in a novel touted as a Christmas story. Is it mind-shattering, literary genius? No – but the talented Thayne serves up love, joy, hope, and cheer in a pretty little package that will make you sigh with glee as you get to the very last page. It touches on some heart-breaking real-life issues and I was thrilled with the way it all turned out in the end. New beginnings, indeed. 10 out of 10 mistletoes for this one. It just captured all the essence and magic of a cozy Christmas romance for me. This novel is part of the Haven Point Series but can definitely be read as a standalone – I have only read some of the previous titles and was still enthralled without feeling lost.

In this incredibly touching story by RaeAnne Thayne, Elizabeth Hamilton finds her way home again.

Elizabeth made the ultimate sacrifice. Wracked with postpartum depression, she felt her young daughter, but especially her infant son were better off with her leaving. This broke her heart, and that of her husband Luke. However, when Elizabeth left, she suffered a tragedy and had far more to cope with than ever could have been expected.

It is now seven years later, and Luke is furious, and wants her to come back home and sign divorce papers once and for all. Things were not cut and dried, not by a longshot. Elizabeth spends just enough time with Luke, Callie and Bridger to realize just how desperately she loves each and every one of them. But, is it too late?

It is now the Christmas season, and with all of the festivities, Luke and Elizabeth soon discover that their feelings never went away. Can they all heal at this precious time for the sake of themselves and their family? This is a tender story that hits on a very real, a very serious and what has been for some, a very life-altering condition.

With two of my daughters having given birth this year, this subject of postpartum depression is discussed. Ms. Thayne handled this subject with delicacy and grace. My hat is off to her.

Many thanks to Harlequin and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

A Family Miracle at Christmas

Seven years ago Elizabeth, Luke’s wife, disappeared. Some townspeople whispered about foul play. Now an ambitious district attorney is planning to file charges against Luke for her disappearance and apparent murder. Luckily, an FBI agent and friend of Luke found Elizabeth. Now all Luke has to do is bring her back to town to prove his innocence. He’s been a single father for seven years and can continue, but seeing Elizabeth stirs old emotions.

Elizabeth is conflicted. She was severely depressed when she ran away thinking she couldn’t cope with her family and wasn’t good enough for them. Then a serious car accident wiped her memory and left her with lasting physical problems. She now remembers her family, but how can she go back?

This story focuses on severe depression and how it can affect a person’s perception of themselves and others. One criticism I had of the book was that the author waited so long into the story before explaining why Elizabeth ran away and how traumatic it was for her. I suspect it was done to build suspense, but I think the story would have been stronger if the truth had been revealed earlier.

Luke is a very strong character. He’s put up with so much, but he still loves his wife and family and wants to bring them back together. The children were a welcome addition to the story. However, I thought Cassie was bratty and rude to her mother for too long. Still, it’s typical of young girls to be resentful when absent mothers return to the family.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.

Elizabeth Hamilton has been lost. Trapped in a tangle of postpartum depression and grief after the death of her beloved parents, she couldn’t quite see the way back to her husband and their two beautiful kids…until a car accident stole away her memories and changed her life. And when she finally remembered the sound of little Cassie’s laugh, the baby powder smell of Bridger and the feel of her husband’s hand in hers, Elizabeth worried that they’d moved on without her. That she’d missed too much. That perhaps she wasn’t the right mother for her kids or wife for Luke, no matter how much she loved them. But now, seven years later, Luke finds her in a nearby town and brings Elizabeth back home to the family she loves, just in time for Christmas. And being reunited with Luke and her children is better than anything Elizabeth could have imagined. As they all trim the tree and bake cookies, making new holiday memories, Elizabeth and Luke are drawn ever closer. Can the hurt of the past seven years be healed over the course of one Christmas season and bring the Hamiltons the gift of a new beginning?
This was a sweet holiday story that feels like it’s a basis for a Hallmark movie! I wasn’t sure I'd like the book when I got it, but I really enjoyed it. It loosely reminds me of an old Cary Grant movie I watched a long time ago. I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

WOW!! SIMPLY WOW!!

This book was something more than a romance. It had mystery and intrigue, pain and pathos, forgiveness and second chance love.

Elizabeth was lost.

She was lost for 7 years. One day she walked out of her home and never looked back. Luke her husband was to be arrested by the DA. His friend investigated, found that Elizabeth was living as Sonia in Oregon. But she was so different. Luke rushed to get her back home to clear charges against him. But would there be forgiveness after hearing the story.

My first book by author RaeAnne Thayne, the story was everything I loved about a romance and more. The author’s brilliant writing pulled me into the story one page at a time, longing to know what happened to both. Tears flooded my eyes when I realized I too was blaming the wrong person instead of fate and circumstances.

Strength was written in ever word and love was the underlying emotion of every sentence. The author’s command over the story showing me the scenes was evocative. I couldn’t help but read far, far into the night more that I intended.

Elizabeth and Luke both captured my heart with their honesty. Life showed them a different phase that they never signed up for. And it was tough for them to climb back and find each other. The author sure did a wonderful job showing me that.

I want to keep going on and on in praise of this book. But I would end it here.

I loved the book and it loved me back. One of my best midnight reads. Some books really can make me want to lose sleep. Reading this book felt more important than sleep.

Elizabeth has a secret and it is about to explode. That secret is her husband Luke. This has a lot of interesting backstory as we learn what really happened to Elizabeth seven years ago. A nice look at what it takes to survive and how the people around you react. There is a lot to forgive in this story and it takes a lot for it to happen.

I loved this book! It had quite a bit of festivity despite the underlying darkness weaving throughout the book. There was a brilliant tone of hope despite everything that the main characters had been through. In a way it was also quite a unique concept - memory loss situations have been written about before but not in this way. I loved the Christmas spirit and references to traditions and holiday cheer. It was definitely a great book for gettting you ready for the festive season - and a prime example of giving second chances despite everything.