Home – Jenn Alexander

So many lesfic books with the word “home” in the title at the moment… We’re way past the time when coming out was the main theme (and I’m very grateful for that), but I guess the topic of home and what makes home home – and by extension that of family and what makes a family – will always be relevant.

We say home is where the heart is. Rowan Barnes left her friends and family in Portland, Oregon, for her dream job as a grill chef in an up-and-coming new restaurant… in Texas. While she’s delighted with the opportunity to prove herself and learn, she kinda hates Texas as soon as she arrives. Too hot, too conservative, too not home. Meeting Kate Landreth, a local cattle rancher, will force her to open her eyes and her heart to new possibilities, new friendships, new love. And, yes, new home.

If I had to summarize this book in one sentence, or give it a tag line, I’d say it’s about finding the right person in the wrong place. Then maybe if you’re lucky, what felt like the wrong place will turn out to be right after all. That’s what happens here for Rowan, and I liked the way she realised she wasn’t giving Texas a chance, letting her prejudice take over. Even if things between the two women develop lighting fast, I also appreciated the parallel between Rowan, who left her home to follow her dream, and Kate who is fighting to keep her home, which meant giving up on her own dream.

Home is Jenn Alexander’s second novel, the first I read. From what I gathered, her debut novel was much more tragic and less of a romance. This one is light with a medium dose of angst, but I could have done with a little more depth. The story also felt rushed here and there. I had a very nice time reading it, however. The characters are relatable and likeable, the chemistry was excellent, it was a good quick read. And it made me very curious about Alexander’s first novel. 3.5⭐️