“[Thayne] engages the reader’s heart and emotions, inspiring hope and the belief that miracles are possible.” —Debbie MacomberNew York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne returns to Haven Point to bring readers another heartwarming and inspiring story of Christmas romance—this time for Luke and Elizabeth Hamilton, a couple greatly in need of holiday healing and the magic of Christmas!Hearts … greatly in need of holiday healing and the magic of Christmas!
Hearts are lighter and wishes burn a little brighter at Christmas…
Elizabeth was trapped in a tangle of postpartum depression and grief after the death of her beloved parents and 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, or 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?
Don’t miss the rest of the Haven Point Series!
- Snow Angel Cove
- Redemption Bay
- Evergreen Springs
- Riverbend Road
- Snowfall on Haven Point
- Serenity Harbor
- Sugar Pine Trail
- The Cottages on Silver Beach
- Season of Wonder
- Coming Home for Christmas
more
A beautiful story of love and forgiveness set at Christmas. It could be a quick read but I found myself wanting to savor the emotional punch it seemed to give you at the turn of every page. I found myself tearing up several times throughout the book.
This is book 10 of the Haven Point series but is easily read as a stand-alone. This was my first RaeAnne Thayne book. A clean read (no sex scenes) and no foul language. I would have no problems letting older teenage girls read this romance.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Harlequin, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
I’m a recent fan of RaeAnne Thayne’s Haven Point series, and generally love every one of them, but this 10th novel in the series, a second chance at love story set at Christmas time, may just be my favorite so far, and it gets 5 stars from this reader. If you’re looking for a heartwarming, heart-wrenching, and heartfelt romance novel, this is it–and please make sure you have a box of tissues on standby, if this novel doesn’t tug at your heartstrings I’ll be amazed.
Seven years earlier, Elizabeth Hamilton, suffering from deep, dark, post-partum as well as general depression, late one night came very close to taking her baby son, Bridger, with her into the mountains, planning to kill herself and her baby son by climbing into a snowbank a falling asleep. Realizing how insane that thought was, she left her baby, her 3-year-old daughter, and her husband behind, and in the dark of night, with nothing but the clothes on her back, walked 5 miles to the highway and fled Haven Point. She was picked up by a trucker, but soon, realizing that she shouldn’t have left the way she did, decided to return home, hitched a ride with another trucker, and that’s when disaster struck. The truck hit a patch of icy road, rolled several times and ended up down in an embankment. The driver was dead, and the accident nearly killed Elizabeth. Eighteen hours later they and the truck were finally spotted, and Elizabeth, who broke every bone in her face, hurt her legs, and suffered a serious brain injury, was brought to a hospital in a coma. When she awoke, she didn’t know her own name, so the hospital personnel, assuming she was the trucker’s Russian wife, Sonia, told her that’s who she was, and then she spent years healing, having so much plastic surgery done to her face that she didn’t recognize herself in a mirror. She had to re-learn how to walk, talk, hold a pencil, everything, and it took years before she realized who she really was and what she had nearly done to her baby and family, and the fact that she was still not healthy and still suffered from seizures, considered herself broken, and so she found a room at Brambleberry House, a familiar site in this series, and became friends with its owner and one of its tenants, and decided that her family was better off without her, as 7 years passed by.
During those seven years, her husband, Luke, had no idea what had happened to his wife, grieved her loss, and raised their children alone, eventually believing that Elizabeth’s fragile mental state had caused her to leave home and commit suicide–but her body was never found. People in town began to believe that Luke had murdered his wife and hidden her body away somewhere. His children were taunted about it by the kids at their school, and Bridger even got into a fist fight over the wild accusations and teasing. When his children were old enough to ask, he told them that their mother was deeply depressed, had left him and them, and was dead. Elliott, Luke’s FBI friend, who’d met married Luke’s sister, Megan, in a previous novel, finally located Elizabeth alive and well, and living on the Oregon coast. He also let Luke know that he was about to be arrested and charged with her murder in short order, prompting him to go find her, drag her back to town to prove that she was still alive, and then he planned divorce her. To say his anger was off the charts is putting it mildly, but his relief that she was alive meant he wouldn’t be prosecuted, and left him wondering why she chose to stay away and start a new life somewhere else under an assumed name, abandoning both him and their two children without a word.
What follows is a seriously moving attempt for these two characters, who were once deeply in love, to forgive each other, for Elizabeth to explain her long absence to their children–especially her angry and bitter daughter, now 10 years old, as well as her husband and everyone in town, to clear her husband’s name and restore his reputation, to make amends to all of them, and eventually to find a way back to each other, although Elizabeth has deep reservations about that, considering herself broken, scarred and damaged. Setting this story in the Christmas season made it even more poignant, and if you can get through this book without crying your eyes out, it would impress the heck out of this reader.
Coming Home for Christmas was, quite simply, as touching a Christmas story as I’ve ever read, I absolutely loved it, and wholeheartedly recommend it.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
I have loved all of RaeAnne’s stories from the beginning. The story of Luke and Elizabeth is another wonderful story. I love how I can jump in and go on the ride of a powerful heart warming story. I do not like to give out too much of the story as a reader I love to discover everything a story has to offer. They both went through so many storms as so many people do every day..while reading it felt like it was so real.
For the last seven years Elizabeth Hamilton has been living a lie, living her life as another woman in a new town, hiding from the family she walked away from. When she left she thought she was doing right by them, she wasn’t well and able to care for her young children, and her marriage was a disaster. There is not a day that has went by in those seven years though that she hasn’t miss them and life she left behind.
She has plans to return to them eventually, explain where she has been and why she left, when she is ready of course. But that chance might be coming a little sooner than planned when her estranged husband shows up on her doorstep and demands she return home to help clear his name…
Coming Home for Christmas was an emotionally charged tale of loss, second chances, healing, rediscovery, forgiveness, and making amends. I was immediately wrapped up into the lives of these characters and their heartbreaking story, once my eyes hit the first page I was taken hostage, and taken on an unforgettable journey! They had so much healing to do and I often wondered if they would ever truly find the peace they needed. Page after page they pulled me deeper into their world, had me drowning in feels, and praying a little happiness would find it’s way into their hearts. I loved meeting these characters and watching them find their way back to one another, their reunion had many highs and lows that tortured my heart, but the end result made is so worth the pain… it turned out to be such a touching and sweet story. I highly recommend you get your hands on this beautifully crafted tale, it is certain to leave an impression on your heart, and have you swimming in feels!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased opinion.
I received an ARC of “Coming Home for Christmas” courtesy of the author and publisher in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. I have been a fan of RaeAnne’s work for a number of years so when I received a chance to read her new holiday book I jumped at the chance. This storyline really grabbed at the heart strings like no other book of hers had done in the past for me.
In addition to the romance this story really concentrated on the meaning of family and finding your way back to each other after a big life event. I think RaeAnne did a great job of character development. Her characters were very well written. You could tell she took her time doing the research needed.
Finally, the story was very well thought out and well written. She did a great job of not only having the characters in the book but also the right emotions for the characters. You can really tell that she did her research and plotted out this book.
I recommend this book for readers who like romance but also like books who like a little drama interwoven into it.
I love RaeAnne’s books and I love the Haven Point series. RaeAnne makes you feel like you are right there with these characters in Haven Point and going through everything with them. Their struggles are so very realistic that you and I can identify with. Thank you for such a great book RaeAnne!
LOve it
Coming Home for Christmas is book ten in the Haven Point series. Wow. This story is one I will never forget. The emotions just oozed off the page. Luke and Elizabeth’s story was a powerful one. Amazing story. Don’t miss this one!
I anticipated reading this story about Luke Hamilton and his missing wife, Elizabeth, for a long time and I was not disappointed! Both Luke and Elizabeth suffered over the last seven years and it was heartbreaking to finally learn her story and the tragic events. Luke had known of Liz’s location in another state for a few months, but he heard of the new DA’s intention to arrest him for her murder, and he felt forced to go after her and bring her back to Haven Point. Luke was really feeling conflicted about her return and Elizabeth wasn’t happy about being forced back before she was ready. There was also opposition from his sister and it wasn’t clear for awhile that Liz would be welcomed back at all!
This was a well written and heartwarming story and I recommend it to everyone!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are my own.
This was one of the sweetest second chance romances that I have read. Sonia/Elizabeth is given a second chance to be with her husband and two children. After missing for seven years, Luke finally confronts his missing wife and drags her back to their hometown to clear his name for her murder. Upon seeing her, he realizes that he has seen her disguised around town at different functions that their children were in and this just adds to his bewilderment and anger. It isn’t until Elizabeth tells her story to the acting DA that Luke begins to realize just exactly what all his estranged wife has been thru since her disappearance and he begins to question his feelings.
Elizabeth is so surprised to see Luke on her doorstep, but once she realizes just what is at stake, she is willing to do anything to keep Luke out of jail. Although she knows in her head that her disappearance affected people, it isn’t until she is actually confronted by her husband, children and former friends that she realizes just how deep that hurt runs.
This book was a wonderful telling of how two lost, hurting and misguided souls learn to embrace the spirit of forgiveness, not only for themselves, but for each other. It is also touching to read about Elizabeth and trying to reconnect with her two children. I definitely recommend this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Luke Hamilton’s wife, Elizabeth, disappeared 7 years ago from Haven Point, Idaho. She left him and their 2 children without warning. People had been speculating that Luke had killed her.
Elliott is Luke’s former best friend. Elliott is now an FBI agent and engaged to Luke’s sister Megan. For the last 7 years, Elliott had suspected Luke had hurt Elizabeth. A truck driver came forward years after Elizabeth’s disappearance. The driver claimed to have given a ride to a woman fitting Elizabeth’s description, on the night she disappeared. Elliott spent long hours tracking down the lead. And he found her in Oregon! Doing the right thing, Elliott gave the information to Luke who had now known for months that Elizabeth was alive. Things had gotten very serious when the police chief warned Luke the DA planned to arrest him for the disappearance and presumed murder of Elizabeth. Luke had no choice now. He had to go to Oregon to confront her and bring her back to Haven Point.
When Luke sees this woman he is shocked, it’s her! But he doesn’t recognize her as Elizabeth. It’s the mystery woman he has seen around Haven Point over the years. But he does recognize her eyes, Elizabeth’s eyes. She has been living under a different name, Sonia Davis. Luke explains how he found her and why she needs to come with him to Haven Point. She can speak to the DA to clear things up and he will fly her back to Oregon.
Facing a long drive, Luke makes it clear he isn’t going to make small talk or have anything to do with her. When she asks doesn’t he want to know what happened or why she left, he doesn’t. He only wants her to talk to the DA.
Bad weather conditions cause them to find a place to stay the night. Finding one of the last rooms available they stop. As Elizabeth waits for Luke to check them in, she introduces herself to another guest as Sonia Davis. She thinks to herself that is the name she was given 7 years ago. Luke avoids being in the room with her as long as possible. When he goes to the room she is asleep. In the middle of the night Elizabeth is having a bad dream, saying please don’t hurt me. He puts his arms around her and it is like the last 7 years melt away. When she awakens and he asks about the dream she brushes it off. Things are back to being tense.
Almost to Haven Point, Elizabeth recognizes the landscape and more memories come to her. As Luke turns on their road she panics She also sees no sign of life. He tells her there’s not much there as he unlocks the door. It’s empty ! No pictures or knickknacks. Very little furniture. She asks where the children are. He says at school until he picks them up and they they’ll be at his home. He won’t let her see or talk to them. More harsh words and he leaves. He will be back in the morning to take her to the DA.
Is that going to be it, see the DA tomorrow and fly back to Oregon? There’s much more to the story …….. and well worth your time to read it!
This was a continuation of Luke’s story from The Cottages of Silver Beach.
This story hits emotional toll with postpartum depression. There are lots of ups and downs.
Loved the story and loved seeing the girls from the Brambleberry house.
Such a great read.
This is the first Christmas book of 2019 for me. While I am not ready for Christmas, I loved this story. Luke is a single dad raising two wonderful children. Elizabeth is a mother that left her family for reasons that she could not tell them at the time. Now they are all back in the same town, gossips are talking, rumors are running wild, but most importantly feelings are coming back to life after being pushed down for so long.
I loved how Luke was raising his kids. They were no doubt that they were loved, but they were not spoiled. The shoveled their neighbors’ sidewalks, were taught to respect other people even if they didn’t really like them, and most of all they knew right from wrong. The fact that their mother abandoned them without giving them a reason meant that they had issues to deal with it but Luke was honest with them and respected their feelings.
I did struggle with Luke forgiving Elizabeth and letting her back into their lives so quickly. There was a reason she left, I respect that she did what she did to keep her family safe, but she was gone for 7 years. That’s a long time to just forgive and jump back into a relationship with her and let her come back into her children’s lives.
RaeAnne Thayne has a talent for writing books that have real characters, wonderful settings, and a storyline that pulls the reader right in. I always recommend her book and am now ready to start reading more Christmas books.
Luke Hamilton is going to be arrested for a murder he didn’t commit and he can prove it. All he has to do is get his wife to come back to town to prove she is still alive. The problem is she doesn’t look the same so it isn’t going to be easy to convince the DA that Elizabeth is still alive. He could care less why she left seven years ago he just wants his name cleared and for her to be gone from his life forever. The problem is when the truth comes out he is torn between his anger and the reality of what really happened.
I knew Luke’s story was going to be awesome and it didn’t disappoint. This is a roller coaster ride of emotions from the first page until the last. It is a journey of tears, sadness, pain and hurt but then there is healing and forgiveness. I loved this wonderful story about forgiveness, secrets, and regrets, new starts and even a happy ever after. RaeAnne Thayne writes such beautiful stories about real situations, where everything isn’t perfect all the time. The characters are a mess and sometimes don’t know what to do with that mess. The author tells a story that draws you in with such a well-written plot; the characters are people you would love to meet and the town a place you would love to live in. I can’t get enough of her hometown stories of romance, second chances and happy ever after! Ms. Thayne has the magic touch when it comes to writing stories that tug at your heart. I absolutely loved this book and will read it again and again! I received an ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.
RaeAnne Thayne gifts her readers with an emotionally gripping Christmas story, Coming Home For Christmas. This addition to her Haven Point series also includes characters from her Brambleberry House series. I loved the meshing of the two series and visiting beloved characters from other Thayne books. Coming Home for Christmas is the long awaited love story of Luke Hamilton and his long lost wife Elizabeth. Every word Thayne writes is carefully chosen to portray emotion and character. Post- partum depression and clinical depression are realistically portrayed especially how this disease can rip apart families and the individuals with depression. “ the wife he had cherished with all his heart had been lost to him, trapped in a deep, dark place, a tangle of postpartum depression and grief over the accidental death of her parents.” I did find it hard to imagine a family with so many issues – loss of parents in an accident, a husband with an abusive father, loss of memory, brain injury, mistaken identity, life-altering physical injuries, seizures and murder accusations.” I did love the characters especially the children, Bridger and Cassie. Thayne relates to children. I also loved the pay it forward theme with the Sparks family. Thayne is an author who consistently writes inspiring prose. Each word portrays the story and emotion to grab the reader. “She had ripped apart the entire fabric of his life seven years ago.” “ I guess that’s what Christmas is about. Forgiveness. Second chances. Being kind to those who sometimes make it hard.” Coming Home for Christmas is an emotional novel – an inspiring story from RaeAnne Thayne to her readers.
Complex story about coming home when you’ve made a mess of things.
Touches on depression and post partum depression as well as traumatic brain injury. Despite all of this I found it to be positive and heartwarming. A beautiful Christmas story.
Luke & Elizabeth’s story is FINALLY here! I have been looking forward to this book since I read an excerpt in “A Soldier’s Return”. RaeAnne Thayne is a MASTER at evoking a myriad of emotions in her books & this one is no different. It is a story of hope, forgiveness & TRUE love. I am a sucker for “happily ever after” stories & RaeAnne Thayne NEVER disappoints!!!
I have been waiting for Luke’s story and I was not disappointed. He is stubborn, but he is also loving and forgiving. At first he doesn’t want to hear why Elizabeth left him or why she stayed away. But, once he finds out, he can’t help but think it was partially his fault. He has been raising their two children by himself for seven years and all of a sudden Elizabeth is back in his life. Should he let her see the children? What if she takes off again? Elizabeth has had it rough during the time she was gone, but she wants to make it right. Even if that means that she has to leave Luke and the children again. They deserve better than what her life has become. Can they reunite? Will the children accept her? Will love conquer all?
4 1/2 STARS!
COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS is book ten in RaeAnne Thayne’s ever-popular Haven Point series and is the story readers have been clamoring for … Elizabeth and Luke Hamilton!
Elizabeth is a character who has brought mystery and flare to the series as we all wondered what truly happened to her. She up and disappeared, leaving a husband and two small children … never to be heard from again. Seven long years have passed, and finally answers are at Luke’s fingertips … only he’s so angry and bitter that he doesn’t even want an explanation!
Emotions are high as Elizabeth makes the trip home to help clear up the mystery surrounding her disappearance … and once the story comes to light, Luke can’t withhold the reunion with her children she so desperately wants. Seven years is a lifetime to some … and to some, insurmountable.
I highly recommend this story and the entire Haven Point series to anyone loving small town life, emotional connections and a strong family base. RaeAnne Thayne is the queen of sweet romance!
RaeAnne Thayne stories are always really good, but this one reached right out of the book and grabbed me by the throat! I literally could not read fast enough to figure out what was going on and what was going to happen.
The characters of Elizabeth and Luke had a love that should have gone on forever, but circumstances pulled them apart and keep them separated from each other for years. The obstacles were so devastating, that a reunion certainly didn’t seem in the works. When Luke is facing charges in her disappearance and death, Elizabeth has no choice but return to help clear his name. There are more obstacles that she encounters–one being her daughter that wants nothing to do with her.
If the family tries to put up a happy front, will Christmas magic be enough to restore the love of the family? This is a perfect Christmas read! It has snow, hot chocolate, warmth, love and yes, Christmas magic.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.