A brave woman’s flight from the past leads her toward new love in a novel about courage, hope, and second chances by Catherine Bybee, New York Times bestselling author of My Way to You.After Erin Fleming escapes from her controlling and abusive ex, she finds refuge in the heart of Santa Clarita, California. Eager to start over, she has a new name, a new look, and a new career. Settled into a … new career. Settled into a private guesthouse, Erin can breathe free. Far from the shadows she’s outrun, Erin is finally learning to live for herself. Her new unexpected friendship with her landlord starts to crack open the armor Erin’s enclosed herself in. But it’s Matt who speeds up the pace of Erin’s heart and makes her wish for things she believes she can never have.
Matt Hudson, a firefighter in one of California’s wildfire epicenters, has a passion for danger. He lives for the adrenaline rush his profession awards him. But his protective instincts take over once Matt meets Erin. So does an attraction he can’t deny. Above all else, he’s determined to prove to Erin that she can trust him. As the sparks between them ignite, so does a real-world danger. Erin’s past is not letting go. It’s just in hiding.
Before Erin’s ex finds her, she and Matt have to find him. And finally put an end to everything that’s becoming a threat to their love, and to Erin’s life.
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Home to Me by Catherine Bybee is the second in the Canyon Creek series. I love the closeness of this family, the characters are wonderful!
Erin Fleming has leased the guest cottage from her friend Parker in the area of Santa Clarita, California. Erin is living a double life in order to escape a very powerful and abusive husband. She must keep her past secret for her plan to work and to keep her friends safe. Erin knows her husband Desmond will never stop looking for her and he will finally kill her.
Parker’s brother Matt Hudson is a firefighter. He is attracted to Erin and wants to get to know her more. Erin tries to avoid Matt but is attracted to him, too. Passions heat up between Erin and Matt!
Erin’s only link to her past is her attorney, Renee, who is working on the divorce between Erin and her husband. Desmond will not sign the divorce papers. Could there be a link to her father’s wedding gift of shares in Vertex and his refusal of a divorce?
I won’t post spoilers, but there is a lot of action in this story. I loved Parker and Colin’s proposal experience! Reading about the wedding dress shopping had me scheduling “Say Yes to the Dress” on my TV and I worried about Gracie’s ‘date’. I was so happy Erin found her courage and now you need to read the story!
*Strong Language
Publication Date: July 14, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The second installment in The Creek Canyon series, HOME TO ME by Catherine Bybee is another excellent book by this talented writer.
Domestic abuse is never an easy topic to handle because it has so many facets and can be a trigger for many readers. ByBee handles the topic effectively and you truly grow to care about her heroine, Erin Fleming.
Since running away from her abusive and murderous husband Desmond, Erin has made a new life for herself. She shies away from men and doesn’t divulge much about her past to her landlady and friend Parker, but as she grows closer to her newfound friends, she starts to gain strength of self and sees she can still experience a life despite being on the run.
The evolving love story between Matt and Erin is sweet, is most part because Matt understands her need to go slow. I love a slow burn love story and theirs was lovely.
Home to Me is the second book in the Creek Canyon series by Catherine Bybee and I’ve been looking forward to this one since the end of the first book. It was definitely worth the wait and more than worth the read!
All Erin Fleming has wanted is to start over. She escaped the clutches of her abusive ex and she changed her name, her look and even found a new career. She found a private guesthouse on the property of Parker Sinclair and the two begin to form a friendship, which helps to make Erin feel more comfortable, but it also helps her to start opening up a bit about what has happened to her, albeit slowly.
Matt Hudson is a firefighter and is also the brother of Parker’s boyfriend, Colin, so he has been around Parker’s home quite a bit since they started dating and subsequently has met Erin as well. He’s an adrenaline junkie and his job is one way he quells that, but he enjoys motorcycles too. He’s also loyal, trustworthy and thoughtful.
When Matt and Erin first met, there is no doubt Matt finds Erin attractive and he is brings out his protective instincts. He doesn’t ask too many questions at first, but wants to be there for her if and when she needs him. As the two begin to grow closer, Erin is still plagued by her past and as much as she wants to get involved with Matt on a more romantic level, will she allow herself to go there?
I loved the way, and the pace, at which this story unfolded. There were so many things that were dealt with and at times it felt like we were pealing back an onion. There were many, many layers and the deeper we got the more we learned and the more we realized how strong Erin really was. There were so many good lessons in this book and I loved that it was showcased that just because someone goes through these horrific things in their life, it doesn’t mean they can’t find the love and healing they deserve. I’m really looking forward to what’s next in this series.
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review**
Great second book in this series!! I could not put this book down once I started reading this. We got a little glimpse of Erin in the first book. In this book, we get to find out why Erin stays in the background so much and wants people to know very little about her. The chemistry between Erin and Matt is off the walls. Matt is a fireman and once he has his sights on Erin, he is not going to give up. Matt is determined to find out Erin’s secrets. Once he does, the really protective side of him comes out and he doesn’t leave her side until the threat is gone and they get their HEA. I loved how the whole family bonded with Erin and gave her the support she needed to get through her ordeal. It was great watching the transformation of Erin going from a victim to a warrior and take her life back which included getting her sister back in her life. Really excited to read the next book in this series and watch Grace finally find her HEA. Thank you again Catherine Bybee for another great book!
This second book out shines the first book
Woo! I love this book far better than the first one. The suspense and danger surrounding Erin’s life is a sensitive subject but the way it is written is absolutely brilliant and so gripping and engaging. The more I read the better the story got. I love families in the story and the way their lives intertwines in this book. I love the ending, it’s brilliant.
So, I thought I reviewed this book when I read it but apparently I didn’t! I cannot remember the story as it was a while ago but I do remember I enjoyed it very much. I am currently reading the third book and will do better with a review!
I love how this author is able to put so many different feels and emotions into her books. In this one, Erin is in hiding from her abusive husband. She know that he will kill her if he finds her. You feel all the terror and the strength that she exhibited. You also feel her withdrawal from society in order to stay hidden. Then comes Matt. She tries to not get involved with him, but eventually his patience and persistence pay off and she begins to allow herself to feel again.
Bybee let the apprehension of when the abusive husband would show up grow and grow until you could hardly stand the tension. Great pacing of the suspense. You couldn’t help but cheer Erin on in her pursuit of a new life. I loved it!
I’d been wanting to read Erin’s story ever since she first appeared in My Way To You and author Catherine Bybee did not disappoint with Home To Me, which was gut wrenching and very emotional. Erin is in hiding from her past abusive relationship and not looking for love but Matt manages to win her trust. I adored Matt who was protective of Erin and did everything he could to make her feel safe. I loved Erin’s strength and resilience as she fights to live the new life she has made for herself. I really enjoyed her friendship with Parker and how protective she was of those around her. I loved Matt and Erin together and I devoured this story of survival and second chance at love. I highly recommend this book and looking forward to the next book in the Creek Canyon series.
Catherine Bybee wrote a heartfelt story about finding real love when you weren’t even looking. The main characters are believable, sweet, strong and you’re rooting for their happily ever after. Paired with engaging, lovable secondary characters, this one is hard to put down. Ms Bybee writes about tough subjects and opens ones eyes to every day struggles and the women who have the strength to overcome them. Definitely a five star read.
Home to Me is book 2 in the Creek Canyon Series and it’s a beautifully written story about a strong heroine who has been through so much in her life, Erin Fleming is determined to break free from her abusive Ex and this is her story.
Erin moves to Santa Clarita, California to start afresh and this is where she meets Matt Hudson a local firefighter who sets her heart beating once more, could this be the man who will prove not all men are abusive and maybe it’s time to trust again …..
Home to Me ticked all my boxes, it’s emotional and at times it broke my heart but every tear I shed was worth it because this book is a true testament that love is worth fighting for when the person you are with is your soulmate. It’s a sweet story about navigating bumps in the road on the way to your HEA. I highly recommend this this gem to all romance lovers
If you need a book for your next trip to the beach, Catherine Bybee’s “Home to Me” is entertaining enough and deals with the sensitive subject of spousal abuse. Erin has been running from her abusive ex-husband for what seems like forever. She lives in a constant state of alertness, always looking over her shoulder and generally keeping a low profile. When she lands in Santa Clarita, CA Erin hopes she’s safe and can maybe stop running.
When she meets Matt, the mutual attraction is so powerful it scares her. Picking up on cues from her body language, Matt senses her wariness and is extra careful to keep his actions and movements non-threatening. Eventually Erin trusts him enough to tell him about her ex and the injuries she suffered in her marriage. Can they find him before he finds Erin?
I’ve always enjoyed Catherine Bybee’s books, including this second book in the Creek Canyon series. It has a good plot, characters I was able to get invested in, a bit of suspense and action but barely any romance at all. There’s not even a hint of sexual activity except to describe them removing each other’s clothing on her living room couch. That’s it. Nada. No mas. I don’t remember ever reading such a vanilla romance. Big disappointment? No, just disappointing. Every beach read should have a good romance or a ton of suspense. A romantic suspense is even better. Three and a half stars.
A wonderful story and addition to the Creek Canyon series. Loved everything about it!
Thank you #netgalley and #montlakeromance for the eARC.
*4.5 stars*
Slow burn….
This is only the second book I’ve read by this author, both in this series, and I still can’t figure out how she wasn’t on my radar until now! Erin and Matt’s story was AMAZING! She is in hiding and he is coaxing her out of it, one charming encounter at a time. Their journey was full of ups and downs, emotional twists and turns and above all, unshakeable trust…
Erin was incredibly strong. Given everything she’d gone through, opening up to Matt must have been one of the hardest thing yet. He made it so unbelievably easy though. Funny, family-oriented, he was sweet and above all, stable and unquestionably loving. I know I caved to his charm much quicker than Erin but I couldn’t have been happier the way they sorted things out. Slowly, with lots of soul-searching and honest conversations, Erin found someone who would love her and always have her back…
Oh yeah, I was already head over heels for his brother, so Matt makes that two for two! And the ladies? Well, Parker and her family and the whole Hudson crew are people I don’t know how I lived without. I was a bit sad at the sudden (for me) abrupt ending because of all the wonderfully slow buildup that came before. It’s probably just me wishing for much, much more. Of these characters and their normal but really extraordinary lives…
Grace soooo deserves her one and I can’t wait to find out who that is next! And have a chance to revisit all these characters once again… Austin will have to have a story too, right?
*Reviewed for Nerdy Dirty & Flirty
Yet again Catherine Bybee has managed to leave me with a book hangover after finishing this incredile story. To be honest, I can’t even recall time passing by. At some point, I just looked at the clock and realised it’s the middle of the night, I’ve been reading for 6h straight and I couldn’t put the book down until I finished the last 10 chapters. Let me just say, it made things quite interesting at work that same day. But I can’t say that I was really surprised. From the moment I met Erin and Matt in My Way To You, I knew that their story will be a page turner. And I was definitely not disapointed.
Erin is a woman with a painful and secretive past. Her nightmare memories and self preservation instict make her look at everyone with suspicion. She is cautious and has sky high walls buld around her heart. And all of that is not without reason. But when she move’s in into Parker’s guest house, she find not only a safe haven but also a support system that helps her heal and become stronger. Part of that support system is Matt. his boyish charm, charing character and tender touch, chip at Erin’s walls and his persistance and patience show her that no matter what, he will be always there for her. That she is worth the wait.
With every single gesture, Matt gains Erin’s trust, helps her heal and make’s it impossible for her not to fall for him and trust him with her demons. Unfortunately, those demons, though well hidden, are lurking close by and lying in wait for the right moment to strike and destroy the life Matt and Erin are building together, to destroy this second chance at HEA.
I am not going to reveal any more as this story is definitely worth investing the time to find out what happens. The story is masterfully written and I promise you, you won’t regret reading it. And if you prefer audio, that one is brilliant as well. But do keep in mind that there are triggers so be careful with that.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review
This is the second installment in this series and I read/listened to it in one afternoon. I was waiting for this one because I was so captivated with the first book and just knew this one would be just as good but it was even better. Erin Fleming showed up after the fire looking for a place to live and she has been living in the guest house. She works from home and bakes to relieve stress. Secrets? Oh yeah, she has a lot which go back to her abusive husband she is hiding from. She ran from him after he tried to kill her in an automobile crash and she woke up in the hospital with partial amnesia. She changed her name, her looks, and cut all ties except with her lawyer and even she doesn’t know where she is. Matt Hudson is a fire fighter and has been attracted to Erin since she showed up at Parker’s. He knows there is something in her background and with him being a born protector they soon find themselves growing close. Will they be able to survive what is coming?
This was a very well written story and did not over shine the abuse or make light of it. I highly recommend this one.
Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for providing me an advance reader copy. I appreciate the chance to read and review Catherine Bybee’s newest novel, Home to Me, book 2 in her newest series. My opinions are my own and are not influenced by the complimentary copy.
Home to Me is another emotional novel with amazing characters. The pacing pulled me in from the first page and kept me enthralled until the last. Ms. Bybee has become an auto-buy author for me. Her novels are brilliantly written with compelling situations and characters that always touch me heart.
Erin Fleming’s character is running for her life from her husband. She has settled in southern California and renting a small guest house from Parker Sinclair, heroine in My Way to You, the first book in this amazing series. Her character is endearing and strong. Although she is terrified, she is determined to stand strong. I truly admired her character and was intrigued by her in the first book. Now, I love Erin.
Matt Hudson is a fantastic hero with all the characteristic I love most in a male lead. He is determined to be a part of Erin’s life, and even though he senses she holds her secrets tight, he’s willing to give her time to trust him and doesn’t give up.
The romance between Erin and Matt is amazing! It is realistic and what you would expect when the heroine is so terrorized by her past. While I normally am turned off by a relationship developing between a couple where one is still attached, but she has done her part to end the unhealthy situation with her ex, so Erin deserves to have someone who can love her as she deserves.
If you enjoy contemporary romance with an emotionally charged plot and characters that will pull on your heartstrings, then you will love Home to Me as much as I did. Ms. Bybee’s writing just keeps getting better. I’m so glad I found her novels. Happy reading!
OOOH! I was excited to dive into this book. It’s the 2nd in the series so the reader met Erin during My Way To You. Erin was a private person, mainly because of her past. She didn’t want to involve Parker too much, but Parker was there for her and slowly her walls came down and she shared things with Parker. I liked that Erin had a good friend in Parker. It was much needed for her. I enjoyed seeing the budding relationship between Erin and Matt. She knew she liked him, but she was timid. Matt could read her body language and was cautious with her. I liked that he wanted to care for her from the very beginning. I was completely consumed by this book! I loved the friendships, the romantic relationship and the danger that was lurking. Catherine kept me on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t read this book fast enough! Another great read and one not to be missed!
This is the 2nd book of the series and I loved it even more than the first. I love a little mystery and suspense along with my romance and happily ever after and this book delivered
I’m really enjoying this series by Catherine Bybee. Home to Me is the second in the series and is the story of Matt and Erin. We meet Erin in the first book when she moves into the guesthouse of Matt’s brother’s fiancé. I am normally not a fan of the quick in love story but Bybee has a way of writing Matt and his instant attraction and affection for Erin that feels so much more believable. And Matt, a firefighter, is just so good. He’s patient and caring with Erin who has a major past that is catching up with her in a very dangerous way. Bybee is not afraid to tackle difficult issues and she does so with abuse in this book so there is a trigger warning for that. I appreciate how she does this so well and writes characters that are strong and resilient. The books sucks you in and keeps you turning the pages late into the night since it is so hard to put down. I am definitely looking forward to more books to come in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for an ARC of this book. The opinions here are my own.
We were introduced to Erin Fleming, in the first book of this series. Erin is quiet, kind, helpful, works from home, and pays in cash. No visitors, no stories about her past, just someone needing an out of the way place to stay. Becoming friends with her landlord was not something she wanted. Calamities have a way of breaking down walls and a new group of friends is born.
For Erin, making friends wasn’t in her plan. Running from an abusive relationship, she needs to keep her head down and stay as quiet as possible. A confession to her landlord, Parker, born of too much alcohol, leaves Erin feeling more anxious, although she knows her secret is safe. Parker’s boyfriend, Colin, and his siblings have become a part of Parker’ life and by extension, Erin’s.
Erin is trying to keep things platonic with Matt, but Matt isn’t having it. Matt realizes Erin has a past she’s trying to hide and goes out of his way to make her feel safe and whole. When her fight or flight response is triggered and she must make a split-second decision regarding life or death, can Matt get to her in time?
This story has triggers for domestic violence survivors. Isolation, terror, worthlessness, self-loathing and fear, are embedded in the domestic violence survivors’ psyche. This book shows how a fictional character, with help from her friends and ultimately family, can get back on track and embrace true love.