If I could give this beautiful novel more than five stars, I definitely would! I loved everything about it because, for me, it has all the markings of excellent women’s fiction—- believable characters, a page-turning storyline, plus a love story woven through the pages.

I love stories that involve children, and the two foster children in this one are drawn so well that I could see them in my mind’s eye as I was reading, and right from the first page, I wanted only what was best for them (and for Nova, their foster mother).

If you’re looking for an emotional, believable story with characters you’d like to call family, this one is for you! Heartwarming, suspenseful, feel-good fiction at its finest.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a an emotional, heartfelt, amazing story that I will be thinking about for quite some time!
Nova is a young, tough, woman. She has many old scars from her past. She was adopted as a child and her memories of those times, though scarce, are not good.
Yet, because of this, she fosters teens to help them to feel secure and move forward with life.
When her best friend who is a social worker asks Nova to take in a young girl and her brother ages nine and seven, how do you say no?
The journey for both Nova, and her two foster children begin! WOW!
The twists and turns and downright scary moments kept me reading and finishing this novel in a day!

I will also add, that tissues at least for me were definitely needed, so put a box aside.

Thank you to Christine Nolfi for her wonderful writing and book, @NetGalley and @Lake Union Publishing for this ARC and allowing me to read and provide my own review.
Well done!

A Heart Like Home
When Imani called her best friend Nova early in the morning to asked her for a favor out of her comfort zone; fostering two young children a brother and sister Bella 7 & Henry 9; Nova hesitated for a beat because she only ever fostered teenagers but something in her heart made her take the leap & say yes. This Favor will touch everyone connected to Nova. Christine Nolfi has woven a story with secrets, twist and turns that will grab your heart and touch your emotions. You will not be able to put A heart like home down when your eyes land on the first page, be prepared this story & characters will stay in your heart; and yes it’s a very good thing.

Wow! I just spent the day reading this book cover to cover, the whole story had me captive from page one, so many emotions, so much love, so much family.
A beautifully written book, as only this author can do.

I encourage all book lovers to complete their To Do Lists before starting this book! You will not be able to put it down, trust me. A Heart Like Home will have you smiling one minute, and the next chapter will have you afraid to look at the next page because you are terrified! Christine Nolfi's characters are so real I forgot I was reading fiction. You may think you know where the storyline is headed, but don't be too sure about that! There are twists and shocking surprises around every corner. I totally enjoyed every bit of this well written book and I highly recommend it!

What an absolutely beautiful, emotional journey of learning to trust and love.

Meet Nova...a woman with a troubled childhood. Her memories of her birth parents are shadows...only enough to remember that she suffered abuse at the hands of her father. Nightmares of a wolf haunt her. She knows it is connected, but she doesn't remember how. Adopted as a young girl, she's never tried to learn about her birth family. The love of her adopted family is all that matters. Inspired by her own past, she fosters teens. When a pair of siblings is brought to her in need of a foster parent...she isn't sure she's up to the challenge. She has no idea just how life changing the decision will be.

I can't even describe how much I loved this book. It is so full of emotion...so real. I have no experience with fostering or adopting, but it seems to be a very realistic depiction on both sides...the foster parents, and the children struggling to find their place in the world. This book made me smile...and it made me cry. It is a beautiful story of hope, love, and learning to accept the love and care that we all deserve.

It is clear that this touching story was written straight from the heart of Christine Nolfi. It captured my heart from the very beginning, and I couldn’t put it down until the last page was turned. I’m sure it will be days before I stop thinking about it.
Nova was adopted by a wonderful couple when she was young. Growing up in a loving family, with an older brother, also adopted, changed her life and healed wounds she didn’t even realize she had.
As a single adult with a busy landscaping business, she occasionally fosters teenagers for a few weeks at a time. Her best friend who is also a social worker convinces Nova to take in a young brother and sister as foster children. Henry is 9 and Bella is 7 and they will be in need of foster care much longer than a few weeks. Their mother recently died and their father is neglectful and abusive. Henry is angry, combative, and sullen, and already demonstrating an attitude and behavior of his father. Bella, takes to Nova instantly and is loving and easy to please. Bella carries around an old heart-shaped candy tin which contains all her earthy treasures. She rarely puts it down. Nova never attempts to look inside, or even question Bella about the contents. Because of changing circumstances, Nova does open the tin, and what she finds is life-changing for them all.
This beautifully written story encompasses romance, times of crisis and times of lightheartedness and is a bit of an emotional ride. Long-held secrets are revealed that change the course of several lives. It also is a heartwarming story of family, and not necessarily family that you are born into.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and comments are my own.

Omg, one of Christine's best for sure! The emotion in this book is amazing. Nova who was adopted youngster and has become a foster mom as an adult. She usually takes in teens but gets talked into a brother/ sister duo as no other placement was open. There is so much emotion, empathy, understanding, caring and love in this story. I highly recommend it!