When We Found Home

I totally and absolutely without a doubt got lost in this book...in the BEST way possible! All the characters, all the stories, all the feels...I couldn't separate one out without touching another and couldn't be any more happy about having such a conundrum in the first place. This is a story best told by looking at the characters because it is each of them that move things along, change the paths previously set, and otherwise open both our eyes and theirs to the endless possibilities in life.

All the characters brought something memorable to the table (check my site for the review with more on each) and I found myself hanging on to every word, every sentence, every feeling, so much so that it actually slowed my reading time down, but show more there was no way I was going to miss a second! If I had to choose a favorite...I couldn't, not really anyway. As you can see, they all had positive points and left a grand impression...though if pressed for the "steamiest guy" of the bunch, I'm going with Malcolm... *swoon*. *ahem* Anywho...

All in all, another FABULOUS work by this talented writer and one fans won't soon forget! Not a fan at the moment? What rock have you been under? Just kidding...but seriously, if you love Contemporary Romance or Women's Fiction, this baby combines the two most eloquently, so give it a go!


**copy received for review show less

When We Found Home by Susan Mallery

The siblings starring in this story don’t know one another or even know of one another until their father dies and a few years later their grandfather, Alberto Carlesso, goes through his son’s belongings to find out that he has other grandchildren. Instead of just the one grandson Malcolm, that joined his grandfather when he was 12, Alberto finds he also has two granddaughters. Callie is in her twenties and has no family and she has a past she wants to put behind her. Keira is a preteen coming out of the foster system and filled with fears. When they all come together under the same roof the only thing they seem to have in common is their grandfather…oh…and their rather useless philandering show more father…and perhaps a similar smile that graces all of their faces.

At first things are rocky but as time passes the guards come down, communication occurs, grandfatherly love is abundant, a kitten is adopted, love interests emerge, problems at work are uncovered then resolved and a whole lot more happens.

This is a story of finding out who one truly is and what is most important in life. It is about family and friends and trust and caring and sharing and expectations (personal and external) and well…just a great book that was difficult to put down. I have to be honest that the first four chapters felt a wee bit slow but once past those I flew through the pages. I felt and cared and wished and hoped right along with each of them. There was one question I had and that was why Jeremy, the three half siblings father, was as worthless sounding as he was. Jeremy had a privileged life with what sounded to be perfect parents so…how did he turn up as he did? Other than that one quibble…I loved this story.

Thank you to Net Galley and HQN for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4.5 Stars show less

I particularly liked the 4 young characters – one young teen and three adults in their twenties and thirties, and I also really liked the grandfather, and the housekeeper, and wish there was even more on the pages about those two. I really identified in various ways with Keira, Callie, and Delaney. Virtually all of the characters are very relatable and understandable, and there is a lot to like about them. They are complex and realistic and I enjoyed hearing their internal process. I felt as though I knew exactly what was going on with Keira even though the reader doesn’t directly get her point of view.

This is not my typical book: it’s definitely chick lit, summer reading, but also includes some deep issues and wish fulfillment show more not at all unconscious re finding family and instantly becoming wealthy, and being orphaned or quasi-orphaned. A lot of depth is packed into the story/stories.

And wow, I also don’t typically read books like this (chick lit romancne) and most books I read don’t happen to contain detailed sex scenes. Here there are a very few sweet but very graphic sex scenes. Because of the sweetness, “making love” vs. “graphic sex” feels like a better description of them. This is definitely not like my usual genres (which are just about all but romance, horror, and religion – I’m sure there are a few more, but I do have eclectic tastes!) but I kind of liked it. It was a good book for me right now, though without the orphans angle I don’t think it would have held my interest. That so many characters were orphans certainly made the story seem familiar and I particularly loved those parts.

The endings of the few stories wrapped up way too fast and a bit too neatly, though I did appreciate what the characters needed to go through to get there.

The menu & recipes at the end seemed 100% superfluous and not needed and didn’t relate to the story, and should have been left out, in my opinion. Why they were included perplexes me.

I was disappointed that the scene on the cover never materializes. I was waiting for it and it could have made a great part of the story.

The discussion questions at the end indicated that this author writes a lot about finding family and if true I will look into reading more of her books; I loved that aspect of this story, but given that I don’t usually go for romance books I’m not sure which, if any, to pick up next. I’m open to suggestions.

P.S. There is a lovely cat character too. show less

I have been a huge Susan Mallery fan for a long time, but this is the first time I've read one of her non-traditional romance novels. I was hooked from the beginning and couldn't wait to see how the lives of Malcolm, Delaney, Callie, Keira and Santiago unfolded. I wanted to find out so badly that I finished this book in one day, it was that enchanting. Emotional, funny, honest and still had that quintessential Mallery character connections that keep bringing me back for more. I can't recommend this story enough.

4.5 stars.

When We Found Home by Susan Mallery is a thoughtful and heartwarming novel about three half-siblings who are trying to make the most of their unexpected family connection.

Thirty-four year old Malcolm Carlesso lives with his beloved grandfather, Alberto, and he also runs the family business. Although he did not meet Alberto until he was twelve years old, they are quite close but he never really had much of a relationship with his now deceased father. Malcolm has not had a serious relationship since his engagement ended, so he is surprised when barista, Delaney Holbrook, catches his eye. At the same time he is trying to navigate his unexpected attraction to Delaney, Malcolm is trying to come to terms with the stunning discovery show more he has two half-sisters whom he has never met.

Malcolm's youngest sister is twelve year old Keira who, before moving in with them, was in the foster care system. She is spirited, perceptive and due to her life circumstances, mature beyond her years. Since Malcolm is really not a people person, he has no idea how to relate to a twelve year old, so Keira does not exactly have a close relationship with him. She has, however, formed an endearing friendship with Delaney, since she sees her most mornings before school.

Malcolm's other half-sister, twenty-six year old Callie Smith, lives a low-key life and works two jobs to make ends meet. She is leery of accepting the her newfound family's offer to move to Seattle, but she decides to give them a chance. Overwhelmed by their generosity, Callie insists on making her own way once she begins living with them. She and Keira immediately hit it off but Callie and Malcolm are rather wary of one another. Callie wants to make the most of this opportunity that has been offered to her, but will her reluctance to reveal the truth about her past ruin the new life she is building?

Malcolm's love interest, Delaney, has experienced a lot of upheaval during the past eighteen months. She has recently decided to switch careers and she is struggling with whether or not she made the right choice. Delaney is also still trying to come to terms with a tragic loss and she is having difficulty moving forward. She is quite happy with her budding romance with Malcolm and her advice to him about Keira has helped smooth over the rough edges of their relationship. However, Delaney's inability to amke peace with her past could ruin her chance at happiness.

When We Found Home is a heartfelt and uplifting novel of new beginnings. The siblings' attempts to navigate their new relationships are realistic and the problems they encounter ring true. The romantic relationships are beautifully incorporated into the storyline and add to the various characters' growth. Old and new fans of Susan Mallery will greatly enjoy this charming story of healing. show less

Finding out you have two other siblings and have a wealthy grandfather definitely was overwhelming news for Callie and had been very overwhelming for Keira two months ago. Their step brother, Malcolm, had been with his grandfather since he was twelve and was used to the lifestyle and family.

Malcolm was already working in the family business and didn’t want to be bothered with a twelve-year-old and now he had another sister. At least this sister wasn’t a child.

The siblings were all children conceived when their father had affairs while on business trips.

Wealthy businessman Alberto Carlesso found out about his grandchildren after his son passed away in papers his son had kept hidden and was determined to find his newest show more granddaughters.

WHEN WE FOUND HOME was an enjoyable read for me. The characters were believable and most were lovable even though the wonderful situation seemed a little hard to believe. The characters were what carried the story line, kept my interest, and had me wanting to be friends with the characters and the entire family.

Keira was twelve, sweet, loveable, and a bit on the outspoken side. Callie was twenty-six, struggling financially and emotionally, and hiding a secret about her life.

Keira was my favorite because she just KNEW the right things to say and do even though she had her own issues to deal with.

The book had heartwarming as well as funny moments.

Women’s fiction fans and Susan Mallery fans will not be disappointed in WHEN WE FOUND HOME.

This book has something for everyone...family, food, secrets, surprises, and love.

ENJOY if you read it. 5/5

This book was given to me as an advanced reader copy by the publisher. All opinions are my own. show less

This book opens with a young woman named Delaney (which oddly is the same first name of the character in one of my most recent books. Is Delaney the new Mary?) flirting with a customer in the coffee shop where she works. For the life of me I couldn’t figure out what was going on as nowhere in the synopsis does that name appear. And it is odd as she is a very major character in the story. It’s almost as if her tale was shoehorned into the story of Malcolm and his two newly found sisters.

Malcolm is living with his grandfather as his father was a real, let’s just call him a pig since this is a family review and I can’t type what I want to. He really liked women but he didn’t care for the results of his relationships, IE his show more children. But Grandfather Alberto wants everyone to be together. Malcolm isn’t so sure about these two new younger sisters but the girls are very happy to have found each other.

The three of them – Malcolm, Keira and Callie have to learn to live together and then to become family. They might have the same father but they were brought up in very different ways and each in their own way is slow to trust.

This is a mash up of family drama and romance as Delaney – remember her – finds love with Malcolm and Callie also finds a relationship. Keira is child so her love is a little black ball of fur. I’m all for kittens so I liked that aspect. The storylines weave in and out of the girls adjusting to their new, posh life. Malcolm adjusting to sisters, Gradfather Alberto enjoying having his family together and two new loves burgeoning. Things go up, things come down. Nothing overly new or revelatory but a delightful summer read. show less