Thank you for providing this audio arc.
I found the narrators great but found this short story collection a bit jointed.

I understand the theme to be a place for home but I didn't feel like these stories provided that theme clearly. I only found two stories memorable which was the first story about the mother and daughter kidnapping their son/brother. and the next one is the boy who found out about his half-brother. Even with those stories I felt were incomplete.

ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved the narrators take on all the characters in this book! All the accents were perfect and I enjoyed all the parts in Spanish, it really brought these short stories to life for me! This book was very easy to connect with many aspects of, and I enjoyed the authors writing and storytelling immensely. I love how certain characters were intertwined in other stories but later on told their point of views. I would definitely recommend to anyone, as I feel there’s something in these stories that most would be able to learn from or relate to them.

When Trying to Return Home is a collection of short stories that focus on Black American and Afro-Latino experiences and an overarching theme of home and belonging. The writing was strong and I loved how these different stories were held together in this collection.

In each of these stories, McCauley tackles the meaning of home, where it can be found, and what it takes to find it. Her characters all struggle with their experiences and existence, questioning their actions, relationships, and characteristics.

Stories that evaluate why we make certain choices, where the true monster resides, our self-serving ideals, and coming to terms with our own worth. Every story had a message and a question, where eventual recognition and acknowledgment of identity played a role in developing not only the story but the characters.

These are the stories I love to read, even if all aren't crafted in the same manner, there is always a lesson there, a speculative reflection, and an awakening awareness.

Something about the cover of this book just spoke to me and I am so glad that I requested an advanced copy! I read this in a day - it's a quick read and all of the stories just pull you right in. I felt like I really connected with a few of these characters, and I would love to see some of the stories made into a full novel some day. The writing was beautiful and descriptive, and I seriously could not stop reading. From beginning to end, I was ready for more. Thank you for my advanced copy, and I would love to read more in the future!

A refreshing collection of short stories with memorable characters. I appreciated the theme of “home”. The characters were all trying to find themselves in different stages in life. I did feel like a few of the stories were a bit longer than I would have liked. Overall I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

Agh, oh my gosh. I loved everything about this one so much. First, I am thankful to Dreamscape Media, NetGalley, and Jennifer Martiza McCauley for granting me advanced listener access to this wonderfully created collection of stories. When Trying to Return Home showcases a series of stories telling narratives of lower-class struggles with healthcare, discrimination against the colors of one's skin, and even one's battle to understand and follow their sexuality as one age. I just felt so warm and emotional while listening to this one, and I can't wait for the rest of the literary world to have access to it.