REVIEW: No Place Like Home by Jennifer Kacey

In No Place Like Home (Coming Home #1) by Jennifer Kacey, growing up Bianca ‘Charlie’ Charleston was the girl most likely to win the title of ‘becoming a real wallflower’. However, since then, she’s totally changed and could now snag the attention of any man if she tried. When her friend asks her to return to her hometown to help with the hospital charity event, she’s reluctant –at first. Until she realizes just how good it would feel to finally make everyone see how she’s turned her life around from the shy girl she used to be into the beautiful woman she’s become. Especially Cole Johnson, the boy she had a crush on.

Bet you were happy. Being able to reinvent yourself like that.”
“Reinvent. I’d never really thought about it that way. But you’re absolutely right.”
Her shy smile tugged at his heart, which needed to shut the hell up. “I know something about that.”
“So you know who I am but I don’t know who you are.”
“And we’re going to keep it that way.”

This book was a quick, hot read that I enjoyed from the very beginning, as the heroine is excited by the fact that she has started to finally be noticed by men. Indeed, her exhilaration is there throughout the dialogue, since she’s not only happy to be back in her hometown, but to possibly have a chance at love with Cole. There are some really good light-hearted moments between Cole and Charlie as well as the main characters and Cole’s adoptive daughter that made me smile or laugh. The Wizard of Oz references were adorable, and I enjoyed how the dialogue about it bonded Charlie and Cole’s little girl.

”So, you’re saying for a little ways after we leave the parking lot, I’m going to be tailed by an FBI agent?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
“Do you have handcuffs, too?” The look on his face? Priceless. Well worth the embarrassment she felt before she tipped her head forward and laughed against his chest.

I really liked Charlie. She’s come a long way since high school. She’s gained a lot of confidence since then, and isn’t afraid to say bold things to Cole. But what I liked most about the heroine is how much, of a challenge she posed for the hero. She’s determined to make him figure out who she really is, instead of providing Cole with her name. While Cole, he’s strong and confident. Traits needed for his job as an FBI agent. He’s also very altruistic. The reason behind him adopting his daughter made me like him even more, because if it wasn’t for Cole, she may not have had the wonderful life she has.

Overall, this was a good book where the chemistry between Cole and Charlie was strong and instantaneous, and heats up the pages in some scorching sex scenes. The ending wrapped the story up nicely; as Charlie’s best friend and Cole have a major surprise for the heroine that gives her the chance to return to her hometown for good. I would recommend No Place Like Home, if you’re looking for a quick, hot read.

Book Info:

Publication: March 1st, 2016 | Samhain Publishing | Coming Home #1

“The easiest-and hardest-decision she’ll ever make starts with a kiss.”

In high school, Bianca Charleston was a nobody. An overweight wallflower, so invisible that Cole, the boy she had a crush on, never even knew she existed.

Things have changed, and she’s finally ready to show off her new bombshell look. Sort of. Maybe. After a one-sided pep talk with her cat, she takes a deep breath and flies home to help out with the annual hospital carnival. Cole is there, too-and he still has no idea who she is.

FBI field officer Cole Johnson doesn’t have an easy job, and his nights are usually booked solid. Then in walks Charlie, a blonde with killer…everything. Suddenly he’s mentally clearing his schedule for a rare night out.

While Charlie doesn’t do one-night stands, somehow after-dinner dessert is served up against the wall of her hotel room. But happiness will have to navigate an emotional minefield of preconceived notions-and a couple of not-so-secret stumbling blocks.

“Warning: Contains a former ugly duckling, and a big-hearted FBI agent who knows how to get his money’s worth at a kissing booth. Plus, a little black dress that comes off a whole lot easier than Dorothy’s ruby slippers.”