Maddie Graves is returning home, and it’s under unfortunate circumstances. Following her mother Olivia’s death, someone has to take care of Maddie’s cantankerous grandmother Maude, and the family tree is almost limbless now.
It’s not easy for Maddie to return to small-town life in Blackstone Bay, mostly because the boy she left behind is still there – and she’s drawn to him the second she sees … sees him again.
Nick Winters has always been in love with Maddie. At a certain point, he decided there was nothing he could do but let her go. When she returns to town after a ten-year absence, his world is upended.
Maddie’s reintegration isn’t smooth, and when she discovers a dead body, all eyes are on her. Since Nick is a local police detective, he finds their lives intersecting with alarming frequency. He knows she’s hiding something, and he’s determined to find out what it is.
Maddie and Nick are drawn together, but they have a few obstacles in their way – including a lifelong secret she’s kept buried: She can see and talk to ghosts. When Maddie’s life is in danger, though, Nick can’t turn away.
This duo is on a collision course with the truth, and death is stalking them every step of the way. Will they get a chance to embrace destiny, or were they doomed before they ever got a chance to begin?
Note: This is the first book in the Maddie Graves mystery series.
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I’ve been on a paranormal reading binge lately, so naturally found myself making my way through Lily Harper Hart’s (LHH) and Amand M. Lee’s (AML) bibliographies. Maddie’s first mystery started out as a quick sample check, but I couldn’t stop reading.
Summary:
Maddie Graves never thought she’d come home to Blackstone Bay after leaving ten years earlier. At the time of her departure, she only thought she was chasing after a life of normalcy. What she’s learned, though, is that she was running away. Running away from who she is. But she can’t run anymore. She doesn’t want to. With the recent death of her mother, Maddie has committed herself to settling back into the small town, running her late mother’s store, and taking care of her grandmother. Although her loss makes her heart ache with longing, Maddie’s primary concern is facing the boy she left behind all those years ago. Nick Winters was her best friend, and Maddie’s loved him as more than that for more than half her life. What she failed to realize, is that Nick loved her as more than a friend, too. As for Nick, coming face-to-face with the girl who got away has thrown him for a loop. And not a pleasant one. He’s not sure what he’s thinking or feeling anymore and it doesn’t look like he’ll have time to think it over because Maddie’s reappearance in town is anything but smooth. When she stumbles over a dead body, Nick’s job as a local detective ensures they are often in close proximity over the course of the case. Maddie’s more worried than ever that her lifelong secret will be revealed. Will Nick be able to find what she’s hiding while still protecting her from the danger lurking near?
I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed Grave Homecoming so much. It wasn’t exactly what I expected after reading the blurb, but in all good ways. Maddie was fascinating. I was a little surprised that she was so innocent after learning of her gifts and her past using them, but it did make sense to her personality and low self-esteem. Maddie was kind, loving, compassionate, and uber shy. I loved all of that, even her shyness since it was endearing. My only issue with Maddie was her complete and total lack of awareness in how people saw her. Is it okay to not be aware that you’re super model gorgeous? Yes. But after everyone and their mother has told you how pretty and sweet you are? No. Maddie’s stubborn refusal to truly see herself grated after a while. I’m really hoping her confidence gets a major boost as the series continues, because then she’ll go from great to excellent as a heroine. I loved Nick. His protection and caring for Maddie throughout childhood was incredibly sweet. He was obviously smart, strong, and capable as both a man and detective. He seemed to have no problem expressing his ire to Maddie when she came home, so that’s why I was so disappointed in his failure to tell her how he truly felt long before. I also feel like he should’ve handled the situation with Cassidy differently and a lot more swiftly. Maddie and Nick’s relationship is one built on a solid foundation of friendship and I loved every minute of it. The glimpse of them we saw at the end of high school was too sweet for words, and the reminiscing they did after a decade apart, made my heart melt. The chemistry between them is also obvious. I can’t wait to see what will happen between them in the future. In the end, Grave Homecoming was an engaging and great read. The mystery was so, so, but seeing Maddie work it was great. I love her gifts and hope we continue to see her so involved. Supporting cast was fun and engaging, too. I love Maude and Olivia. They are amazing and I love the relationships they have with Maddie. Christy was a fiery, fun addition, too. I love her brutal honesty and unwavering support of Maddie. I also like that she connected with Maddie immediately even after all the years between them. I have some concerns for a character or two more that we met, but I want to see what happens next before taking a firm stance. It seems after years of Maddie floating through life, she’ll finally start living it now that she’s home. I’m anxious to read along on her journey.
A really good book. I enjoyed reading it