Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: Nov. 29, 2022
Special thanks to Berkley for an arc and book tour invitation.
Meet the author & read an excerpt below!
When an army vet becomes a firefighter in small-town Colorado, the flames of an old love reignite in this sweet romance by bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray
Review:
Coming Home is a beautiful second chance romance with damaged characters I couldn't help but fall in love with. Anderson and Chelsea were not only high school sweethearts, but on the cusp of a lifetime commitment when he announced he was entering the army upon graduation, and they should break up. Devastated by what she thought was a harsh brush off, Chelsea went away to college where an event changed her life forever. Their paths cross again ten years later as they both find themselves back in their small hometown and unable to avoid one another. Anderson now works at the fire department as a paramedic, and Chelsea loves her work at the local senior center. Both of them are completely different people whose lives apart have profoundly changed them and yet when they meet again, the spark's still there. Can they set aside their pain over lost dreams and give love a second chance?
Coming Home is a sweet, second chance contemporary romance that showcases two characters, each carrying regret and guilt from the past. Gray does a great job exploring the hurt and pain while allowing both characters to come to terms with their past before committing to moving forward as a couple. I enjoyed the secondary plot line involving two senior citizens whose circumstances ring true as they seek solutions to issues faced by thousands of seniors every year. These characters are believable and easy to like and their dialogue is realistic. Highly recommended to fans of second chance contemporary romance.
Synopsis:
In Woodland Park, a small town nestled in the foothills of Pikes Peak, Anderson Kelly and Chelsea Davis were once the high school "it" couple--the star quarterback and the valedictorian. They broke up when Anderson joined the army and one poor decision at a fraternity party changed Chelsea's life. Now, she works long shifts in a senior center to support her nine-year-old son, Jack.
After multiple tours in Afghanistan, Anderson has changed, too--physically scarred but mentally strong--and he decides to move back to Woodland Park. Anderson and Chelsea steer clear of each other to avoid reopening old wounds, until they are forced to reconnect through the senior center. They soon discover that the love they once shared never completely vanished. But it will take a fire, a dangerous collision, and the love of one little boy to help Anderson and Chelsea see that the future they've always yearned for is in sight...
After multiple tours in Afghanistan, Anderson has changed, too--physically scarred but mentally strong--and he decides to move back to Woodland Park. Anderson and Chelsea steer clear of each other to avoid reopening old wounds, until they are forced to reconnect through the senior center. They soon discover that the love they once shared never completely vanished. But it will take a fire, a dangerous collision, and the love of one little boy to help Anderson and Chelsea see that the future they've always yearned for is in sight...
Her novels have been highlighted in the Philadelphia Enquirer, Washington Post, Time Magazine, and USA Today. She has also been interviewed on NPR as well as numerous regional radio stations.
Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor degree in English literature and elementary education and later obtained her master’s degree in educational administration. She currently lives in Colorado Springs and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two young adults, and always has a dachshund by her side. She is an active member of her church, on Facebook and on Twitter. She also has a website, www.shelleyshepardgray.com.
Excerpt:
Chelsea's back was to the main entrance of Granger's but it didn't stop the fresh burst of cold air from sinking into her skin. She was starting to wish she'd chosen a thicker sweater for her night out with Mallory and Kaylee.
Granger's Last Stand wasn't the only option in Woodland Park for burgers, wings, and beer,
but it was hands down everyone's favorite spot. Located on the main drag through town,
the restaurant had been expanded multiple times over the last twenty years. Now it boasted
indoor, patio, and rooftop dining. Local bands played all summer and from time to time in
the winter high school and college kids played acoustic guitar near the fireplace.
Tonight, since there was still a chill in the air, most everyone was inside. A couple of people
were keeping the old jukebox playing and the buzz from the crowd provided the rest of the
noise.
After eight hours of working at the Woodland Park Senior Center, Chelsea was ready to
relax and catch up with her two best friends. "Mal, you never finished telling us about the
couple who came into the boutique today," she said.
The petite brunette shrugged. "It wasn't all that notable . . . beyond the fact that the
husband sat on the pink velvet chair by the door while his wife spent almost a thousand
dollars on end-of-season fleece!"
"To be fair, that stuff adds up," Kaylee said. "Last time I bought a Patagonia jacket, I paid three hundred."
"Are you still wearing it, Kay?"
Kaylee picked up the sleeve of her jacket that was draped over her chair. "Obviously."
"Well, there you go."
Chelsea hid her smile by taking another sip of wine. The conversation was nothing new.
Kaylee liked to carp about the prices at Mallory's store but always managed to stop by to
drool over every new shipment of high-end ski, apres-ski, and mountain gear. Since
Chelsea couldn't afford any of it, she enjoyed simply listening and being supportive. "Well,
that's great. I'm glad they stopped in."
"Me, too," Mallory said with a smile. "They were on their way to Cripple Creek to gamble. I hope they come in again before they head back to Kansas City."
"I'm really happy for you. Congrats." Chelsea knew that sales like that kept Mallory's spirits up, especially in the spring. A lot of folks were still paying off Christmas bills in March, so
the shop suffered a lot of slow days until the weather warmed up and she began selling
biking and hiking gear.
"Thanks." Mallory smiled again, but she kept glancing past Chelsea's shoulder.
"What's going on behind me? Am I boring you?" she teased.
"I think she's having a hard time concentrating because the hotties from the fire station just
blew in," Kaylee said. "Who can blame her though? It's hardly fair that five guys can look so good."
Chelsea's stomach sank. Of course the firefighters had to show up. It was the first night in
ages that she'd gone out instead of hurrying home to Jack.
Not even pretending to look anywhere else, Mallory murmured, "That Mark Oldum is
dreamy."
"So is Chip," Kaylee said. "I met him at the gas station a couple of weeks ago."
Oh brother. "How do you know those guys' names?" Chelsea asked her friends. "I didn't know you hung out with firefighters."
"I don't, which is the problem," Kaylee joked. "And, just for the record, I don't know all of their names. Just one or two. And I know because I asked Wendy up at the bar." Flipping her hair over her shoulder, she asked," Why all the questions? I didn't think you were interested in dating. Or have you finally changed your mind?"
"It would be great if you did start going out," Mallory said. "All you do is work and go home."
"No, that's not all I do. I have Jack, remember? He keeps me plenty busy."
"I get that, but I think it's time you started doing more for yourself. Jack's almost nine, you know," Mallory added.
"Ha-ha, I know."
"Then you also know that he's going to want to start doing more things with his friends
instead of just his mom, right?"
"I know that, too." But she also hated to think about it. When had he gotten so big,
anyway?
Kaylee sighed. "If you know all that . . . isn't it time you started dating?"
"I've dated," she protested. Though, to be fair, she hadn't dated very much. She'd promised herself years ago to always put her little boy's needs ahead of her own. And, though he
probably wouldn't mind if she dated occasionally, she never wanted to risk hurting him.
Or maybe she was simply afraid to risk hurting her heart again. Anxious to push the attention elsewhere, she smiled at Mallory. "Who are you looking at now?"
"I'm trying to find where Mark went. I lost him in the crowd. I tell you what, half the station
must be here."
Chelsea tried not to tense but it was next to impossible. Whenever she was someplace there
was a chance of seeing Anderson Kelly, she couldn't help it. "What do the other guys look
like"
Excerpted from Coming Home by Shelley Shepard Gray Copyright © 2022 by Shelley Shepard Gray. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
