I left home ten years ago, promising myself I’d never return to the place where I had never been accepted. I was despised and ridiculed for circumstances completely beyond my control.But when my grandmother passes away, I’m forced to return to Kansas. I will have to face everyone who hated me. But they’re not who I’m most afraid of.My biggest fear? Facing him. Jordan Marx. The boy I once loved … Facing him.
Jordan Marx.
The boy I once loved more than life itself. The boy who defended me from them. The boy I’d disappeared on, leaving him nothing more than a horrible nasty lie and hastily scribbled note.
When Jordan finds out the secret I have carried for so long, I’m in for the battle of my life.
Or so I thought.
I might have wandered for years on a path riddled with thorns but with Jordan by my side, taking the long road home means more than reuniting with the only man I’ve ever loved. It might just mean finding myself, and the family I never thought I could ever have along the way.
more
Long Road Home is the third book in the Love in the Heartland Series and while each of these books can be read as a standalone I would recommend you read This Time Around first, this is where I was first introduced to Jordan along with his sister Rebecca and Cooper who make several appearances in this book.
When I first met Jordan I knew right away that he had been hurt and now the cause of all that hurt, Destiny, has come back and a secret she’s kept from him is revealed. Was I surprise about the secret…ummm NOPE, and it’s right there on the first page so there is no guessing what-so-ever. What I was surprised about was the lengths her grandmother went through to help her keep her secret. Yes Tillie was a wise woman, so wise that Jordan had absolutely no idea and he spent at least one day a week with her for years!
My heart broke for Destiny, this poor woman never had it easy. Growing up she was hated and picked on by the “mean girls” in school but it went even further than that, she was abandoned by her own mother as a baby. Like I said my heart broke for her. So when she found herself in a difficult position she did the best thing she could, even though it meant ripping her own heart out in the process.
This story was pretty heavy so be prepared but I promise it was well worth it. Jordan and Destiny are great together. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys contemporary romance and if you enjoy the Second-Chance Romance trope then this is a perfect read for you. Happy Reading!!!
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book**
This story and the characters blew me away ……..
Destiny or Jane as she goes by now is back in the small hometown she left 10 years ago she is only back for her grandmother’s funeral and to sell the house she grew up in. Destiny knows the residents are not going to welcome her back with open arms but she hopes they at least will kind to her son after all it’s not his fault she ran all those years ago.
Jordan Marx returned home a few years ago to build and run a golf resort in the town he grew up in and over the past few years he has taken care of Destiny’s grandmother, he knew she would be back for the funeral what he didn’t expect was to see a miniature version of himself standing next to her…
This is an emotional read the secrets and lies were their past can Destiny and Jordan get past them and make a future for themselves and their little boy. A second chance romance that can certainly be read as a stand-alone it has wonderful characters and it takes you inside a family that are loyal and protective, you will be drawn in to their life’s and you won’t want this love story to end. I really hope we get more in the Love in Heartland Series because I love this town and it’s residents.
Long Road Home by Stacey Lynn is book Three in the Love in the Heartland series. This is the story of Destiny Jane Matsen and Jordan Marx. I have read the previous book but feel this can be a standalone book. Destiny and Jordan where high school sweethearts that had started to plan a live together. Although they were opposite in the way of the town…Destiny was treated harshly and the talk of the town where as Jordan was always the ‘Golden Boy’ but he always was her protector. Then Destiny up left breaking up with him. Destiny had her reasons for leaving him behind that she felt strongly about. Now about 10 years later she has to return home to settle up her grandmother and her things after her death. This brings Jordan right back into her life. Jordan tried to go on with his life and became successful in business but never in his personal life. Now he has Destiny in his site again it brings back the past hurts that where caused….when he learns her reason for leaving…will he get past that?
Enjoyed reading their story!
Love in the Heartland
Oh I was so hoping for Jordan’s story!! And what a story it is!
Moving, angsty, steamy, romantic….I can’t come up with enough adjectives for this fantastic read!
In a misguided attempt to make things better for Jordan, Destiny runs. She runs hard, she runs fast and she is gone for 10 years.
I could totally understand her need to flee, small town life can be cruel sometimes and Ms. Lynn writes it so well. She makes you really feel the hurt and agony that Destiny felt years ago and what she still continues to feel when she comes back home. With a surprise passenger in tow.
Jordan has pulled himself back together when Destiny left all those years ago. Or so he thinks. When she comes back into town, old wounds are ripped open and new ones are caused. You can feel his anger, his untrusting nature and you can understand it.
The way that Destiny and Jordan navigate through the landmines of their past is beautiful. It’s not all hearts and flowers, nor should it be. There is a lot of baggage that they need to work through to get where they want to be.
I absolutely loved this story. Make sure you read it slowly, savor the words, get into the story. It’s so worth it!
Well done Ms. Lynn!
He was the most loved Golden boy in town, she was the most hated girl in town. These two fell in love in high school, and the plans they had for a future all seems to blow up when Destiny abruptly left the small town. Now back for her grammas funeral, the one person who was always on her side, she has a secret which will tear Jordan’s life apart. I absolutely loved these characters and they deserve the hea with each other, will take some time and to learn to trust again but when they do it’s magical.
Since I started reading Stacey Lynn books I feel like my heart is on my sleeve. I can get gutted with all the emotions and sliced into hundreds of pieces. Long Road Home held me as a prisoner to the words. Before I knew it, the world around me faded and I was lost in Destiny’s and Jordan’s world. The world of open wounds and a lot of heart ache. Toby was our little sunshine, but with the little “tween” attitude, I would laugh as my son is in that same awkward stage. I related to everything!
Destiny and her past made me weep. The cruelty she had to endure. Jordan and his huge heart. Made me wish I could cuddle with him lol. In all seriousness, I could not stop reading Long Road Home. I had to make sure that in the end these characters would be okay, with or without each other. Long Road Home has become my new Stacey Lynn favorite!
Jordan Marx was the boy every girl wanted in high school, but his heart only belonged to one woman, Destiny Jane Matsen. She may have been lucky enough to nab the heart of the most gorgeous boy in school, but that heart came with lots of drama, not from him though, but from all the girls who lost out to her.
High school was horrible, she was tortured on a daily basis, and the subject of almost every rumor that floated through the halls. Foolishly she let all the hate effect her relationship with Jordan, they had plans to go off to college together, but at the last minute she disappeared from his life without so much as a goodbye and has never looked back.
Now home has come calling and she must return to the place that she has avoided for the last ten years, with a few secrets in tow. Her grandmother has passed and settling all her affairs has fallen on Destiny’s shoulders. She knows the moment she lands in town the rumor mill is certain to start up again, and all the people who drove her away ten years ago, will be waiting to take aim once again. But what she doesn’t expect to find is the man who she left behind… and he wants answers!
Long Road Home is a moving reunion story that is certain to give a nice little tug on the heartstrings, and bring on a few swoons too! From the get-go I could tell this one was going to be rough on my heart and boy was it ever, the story line was riddled with gut-wrenching emotion, it had my heart in my throat and the tears welling numerous times. I loved every minute of this one, the characters were amazing, the words were powerful and heartfelt, hands down one of my favorites from Ms. Lynn yet! Highly recommend this one, it’s certain to keep you enthralled from start to finish!!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am leaving my honest opinion.