Cover Image: The Promise of Home

The Promise of Home

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A passionate story that is everything you want in a romance. I loved seeing how the characters developed and Karly's romance. Another novel that is a fantastic hit especially for romance lovers.

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Nicola Marsh is an accomplished romance writer. She entertains the idea of her protagonist doing enrosques with the enemy. Karlana and Hudson's tango is emotional, passionate and everything I could have hoped for in a romance novel.

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I was excited to read this one since having enjoyed Summer of Serenity.

Returning to Acacia Haven in The Promise of Home, I’d been looking forward to the small town vibe of the previous novel, but this novel took a different direction, I guess I went in to this novel expecting one thing but instead discovered another.

Two women at different stages of their lives...

Karlana, looking to carry on her Grandfathers legacy, Heidi, who is trying to shake her insecurities of past relationships, both women have to overcome obstacles to get the ending they wanted.

I liked the ending and how everything worked out for each of the characters, it was well written, and it was full of wonderful characters.

All in all it was a good story and I think I need to know more about Hudson… there could definitely be an interesting story about his life prior to this book!

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I thoroughly enjoyed another visit to Acacia Haven and meeting up with the wonderful characters who live here, this time Karlana Vogel is about to meet her match when city business man Hudson Grenville comes to town with intentions that will change her life, some fireworks are in the wind.

Karly has lived all of her life her in the fabulous beach side town, she was bought up by her grandfather Jem after losing her parents when very young and she has the best of friends in Summer and Nev. Her grandfather started the local real estate agency when she was young and Karly loves working with him and has hopes of taking it over when Jem retires, but is that wish about to blown away?

Hudson grew up in hard circumstances but has worked hard to get to where he is today running a huge real estate company but his passion is helping homeless youths and providing them with housing and to extend this program he needs to take over another small agency in the country and Vogel’s is the one he is after, but there is someone who stands in his way.

Both Karly and Hudson have never had a long relationship and neither are looking for one but the chemistry and heat that sparks between them is so strong, too strong to be ignored the fireworks reign in all directions and Hudson is finding it hard stick to his guns about the acquisition of the estate agency and as for Karly she is so confused at the moment what are her dreams for the future, will they change and will she be able to put Hudson out of her mind and life with her heart falling more for him every day.

This is a fabulous story filled with heartwarming emotions, both Hudson and Karly deserved to find love and happiness and then there is a second romance as well in this book with Karly’s grandfather, will he find his love with local Heidi? I do highly recommend this one it is sure to leave you smiling.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.

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Karlana Vogel and her Pop lived side by side, and worked together in his real estate agency and he was all the family Karly had. Her parents had deserted her when she was an infant, then when they died, Pop was parent and grandparent to her and they loved each other dearly. Acacia Haven was where Karly had lived all her life and her Pop had moved there from Melbourne to care for her. Country Victoria was all Karly had known, and although Melbourne was only a three hour drive away, she didn't go there often.

When Hudson Grenville, self-made millionaire, decided he wanted to buy the Vogel's agency, he knew he'd do it. He always succeeded in what he wanted, having worked hard to get there. Contacting Jem Vogel, he knew he was keen to sell so he could retire and travel, but it was Jem's granddaughter he knew he'd have to convince. Karly loved the real estate business and had planned to take over when Pop retired. When Hudson arrived in Acacia Haven, he was astounded to meet the feisty, hard-nosed Karly and disbelieving when sparks flew between the two of them. What would be the outcome between two people who knew what they wanted and wouldn't bend to each other?

The Promise of Home by Aussie author Nicola Marsh is an enjoyable rural romance set in country Victoria where good friends had each other's backs, the locals knew everything going on in town and there were plenty of issues that needed to be worked through. Although I can't say I liked many of the characters, they played their parts well. Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

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The Promise Of Home brings readers back to the fictitious Victorian seaside town of Acacia Haven. There are two romantic threads, the first involving Acacia Haven real estate agent Karly Vogel and Melbourne real estate mogul Hudson Grenville. While the sexual tension between these two is very apparent from their first meeting, so is the clash of wills. I loved Hudson, who is not only handsome and successful but also caring and compassionate. I felt a bit ambivalent about Karly, though she did grow on me. The second romance takes place between Karly’s grandfather Jem, owner of the Acacia Haven real estate agency and Heidi, a 50 year-old widow. Heidi is lovely. She’s got low self esteem in her personal arena, thanks to a 30-year marriage in which she is treated as a carpet. Jem’s pretty gorgeous too. At 69, he knows exactly what he wants, though he struggles to soften his business persona when he’s working on the sale of her home. I liked the setting. I loved the characters The story flows well, though both relationships face challenges. I enjoyed watching each couple resolve their differences and was more than satisfied with the ending.

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It was lovely being back in Acacia Haven. The second novel in this series involves Karly, local real estate agent who works with the Pop who raised her after her parents were killed. Enter, handsome, city real estate mogul, Hudson who wants to take over the agency, but all for a good cause, but against Karly's wishes. Fantastic conflict and beautiful setting. This is definitely one for small town romance lovers.

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I enjoyed The Promise of Home.
The characters and their stories were interesting.
The novel covered several different sorts of relationships, between families, friends, and partners. it was a heartfelt story, with a few ups and downs. Moments had you on the edge of your seat.
A few tidbits were dropped leaving moments of wonder for other stories, whether they may be explored in future novels.

It was interesting to explore Hudson's history, and the empire he'd built himself, but his ethics, and about giving back. A heart warming and emotional story.

It was a good read

However I found the cover note rather deceptive, (personally didn't think it relates to the novel at all)

Will definately be reading more by this author!

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Karlana Vogel's parents died when she was a baby, her grandfather Jeremiah raised her, he’s owns the local real estate agency in Acacia Haven, and they work together. Karly likes her job, and her two best friends Summer and Nev live in the quaint beach side town, and they catch up regularly for fish and chips. Karly isn’t happy when Hudson Grenville a hotshot agent from Melbourne arrives in Acacia Haven with plans of taking over her grandfathers real estate agency, he really makes her mad, and riles her up!

Hudson had a difficult childhood, he’s worked very hard to be a successful agent in Melbourne and he wants to increase his portfolio. Buying Vogel’s agency is important, Hudson wants to expand Grenville Sanctuary, and they provide housing for troubled teens and people down on their luck. He presents his pitch to Jem and Karly, it sounds great to Jem, and Karly isn’t impressed at all.

Jem and Karly need to discuss Hudson offer, Jem thinks Karly is being stubborn and there is more to life than living in Acacia Haven and running his agency, he could retire and wouldn’t Karly like a change? Hudson has really ruffled her feathers, he makes Karly feel rather flustered and of course it because she's mad at him!

Jem is sixty nine, Karly thinks he’s happy living and working in Acacia Haven. Jem has been secretly dating a widower, who runs the Kick Knack Shop, their trying to work out where their romance is heading, do they want to travel, and what the future holds?

I received a copy of The Promise of Home from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia in exchange for an honest review. This is the second book I have read by Nicola Marsh, included in the narrative are characters from the first book Summer of Serenity, I liked catching up with them again and Acacia Haven. I admired Karly and Hudson for their work ethic, both are perfectionists and high achievers. I enjoyed reading about their evolving relationship, both had to learn to be more adaptable, pull down the barriers and follow their hearts. If you like reading a fictional story set in a small Australia town, with chemistry and sparks flying between the main two characters, I highly recommend reading this book, and five stars from me.

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I found The Promise of Home to be laugh out loud witty, insightful and heartwarming. I love Nicola Marsh's writing style and her story telling, across genres, but this one definitely left a warm feeling in my chest and a smile on my face.
And a little tease of intrigue that there may be a series crossover in the future... so that has me excited.

It has also left me feeling like I can't focus on a review because I need to do some recon on a character from a different series.

Keep an eye out for The Promise of Home, it is an emotional tale of following your dreams, reassessing what's important, and being open to emotion. I loved it and I loved these characters; I hope to hear more about them.

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