Homecoming (Boys of Fall, #3)

by Shannon Stacey

Chandra Skyye (Narrator)

The New York Times bestselling author of Defending Hearts returns to small-town New Hampshire where a substitute football coach and a guidance counselor tackle love.

They were the golden boys of fall: Stewart Mills High School's legendary championship football team. Fourteen years later, they're back to relive their glory, save the team--and find themselves again . . .

Sam Leavitt has returned home to Stewart Mills with one goal: to fill in for Coach McDonnell and lead the high school football team to the championship. He doesn't have time for distractions or commitments--but he's unable to resist falling for the sexy guidance counselor he shared a hot night with months ago.

Jen Cooper knows what she's looking for long-term, and it's not Sam--even though the night they shared was explosive. Now, with Sam back in town and working by her side, picking up where they left off is too great a temptation to resist. But before long their fun fling is looking like a future together. And as the championship approaches, Sam is faced with a big decision that will either break them apart--or help them find their way home.

• ISBN10: 1494515520
• ISBN13: 9781494515522
• Publish Date: 30 August 2016
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 14 March 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Tantor Media, Inc
• Edition: Unabridged edition
• Format: Audiobook (CD)
• Duration: 7 hours and 36 minutes
• Language: English

Reviews

[Linda]

This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
Homecoming is more than a romance, it's about finding yourself when you thought you were lost forever...



Both Sam and Jen were a little lost and needed direction, and the fact that both of them had best friends who were engaged to the other's best friends made working together more than a little awkward. Especially because they knew just how much chemistry they had when they let go. Homecoming was tender and sweet, and it made me want it all for Jen and Sam, with all their baggage and the way they saw their future, it would be a rocky road, for sure.

One of the things I loved about Homecoming was the theme of forgiveness. Forgiving oneself, and forgiving others, and then moving forward in life. There was a lot of compromise as well, which I think is an important part of any relationship for it to work. Add into that a new job for Sam, and an important job for Jen, and they definitely had a lot on their plates besides the budding romance between them.

This is the third book in a series, but I didn't feel like I had missed anything important by not reading the first two before this one. The small-town feel and the close friendships both between Jen and her friends, and between Sam and his friends made me a happy reader, and curious enough to want to read the prior books as well.

Written in third person, past tense, the readers got to know both of the main characters and the supporting cast well. That, plus the text messages and dialogues made the story flow at an even pace, and Homecoming was a quite fast read. If you're a fan of small town romances with mature characters, this is one you should pick up and curl up with as soon as possible.



Then there was the fact he'd lived alone since he left Stewart Mills after high school, and he wasn't very good at living his life on somebody else's schedule or remembering to put on pants before coffee in the morning.

There would be no stopping the gossip if she and Sam spent the night together, but there was gossip already and they hadn't even done anything yet. If you were going to do the time, you may as well do the crime, right?

What are you up to right now? Jen felt her pulse kick up a notch when she read the text message from Sam. Telling herself it was her body associating his name with orgasms and not an emotional reaction, she pulled up the on-screen keyboard to respond.

[whisperingchapters]

This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.


I love sport romances! When Berkley messaged me about reading and reviewing Homecoming, I immediately jumped at the chance. It was also my first time reading a book by Shannon Stacey, and it won't be my last!

Sam and Jen had a night when they give in to their desires. Unfortunately Sam left and Jen ended up heart-broken. Now, Sam is back to fill in for a coach. When he sees Jen, he can't help but wanting to hang out with her. Sam took a little getting used to. He was so very hard on himself when he shouldn't have been. He's an amazing and down-to-earth man who doesn't want to stay at Stewart Mills because he doesn't have fond memories there. Being surrounded by friends who are like family, by his former coach, and Jen, makes him realize that this town has his back no matter what.

Jen is a school counselor and she's so passionate about her job. She cares deeply for the students and wants what's best for them. I could feel how much she loved helping these kids through their school stuff and personal stuff. Jen is a great character. She's a driven woman with a strong head on her shoulders. Living in a small town doesn't help in finding a new guy. Besides, her heart's already been taking by Sam. Their connection was beautiful. Jen and Sam were very mature when it came to their relationship and they gave me everything I love in a romance: the cute date, their playfulness, and also how they can count on each other as if they were best friends.

The friendships in this story were a hilarious treat. The two couples from the previous books make an appearance and they gave so much to the story. The friendship Jen has with the two other girls is a very close one. Their conversations were the funniest ones of the story, as well as Sam's and coach's conversations. I loved that all these supporting characters made a presence throughout the entire novel.

Homecoming takes the reader on an exploration of forgiveness, love, friendship, and family. All of those combined with a small-town filled with people that is there for each other no matter what made for a very entertaining and heart-felt story.

I received a finished copy for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.