Review: Homecoming – Lacey Baker

Dr. Quinn Cantrell made a life for himself in Seattle when he left behind his picturesque hometown—and the unhappy memories of a relationship that ended tragically. His grandmother’s death is an unexpected blow, but there are even more surprises waiting—including a mischievous puppy, a reunion with his far-flung siblings, and an old acquaintance who’s grown into a gorgeous and capable woman.

Nikki Brockington was proud of the work she’d done at The Silver Spoon, and when the Cantrells leave its management in her care, she’s happy to take on the responsibility. But keeping the inn and its restaurant profitable isn’t her only challenge—not when she can’t stop thinking about Quinn, who reminds her that home is more than a place. It’s who you love…

Series: A Sweetland Novel
Release Date: April 30, 2013
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Source: Provided by Publisher
Reviewer: Elizabeth
Rating:

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Reviewer’s Thoughts

2.5 Cocktails

I love small town books because I’m from a small town and I love that “coming home” feeling I get when I read them. I didn’t get that feeling when I read this book. Homecoming starts off with all the grandchildren gathering after a grandmother passes away. All the grandchildren but one left the small town of Sweetland behind after they graduated and never looked back. The grandmother’s last will bequeaths everything she has to be split among her six grandchildren, including ownership of the bed and breakfast she owned and her dogs.

There are also many twists and turns and more than a few mysteries to be solved regarding the grandmother’s passing, property taxes of the B & B, and a possibility of crooked city council members. While I liked the intrigue, what I wasn’t too crazy about was the chemistry between Quinn and Nikki. Nikki, having been in love with Quinn since childhood, is finding it hard to deny the feelings she still has Quinn. Quinn is a total jerk. He thinks Nikki is attractive but hardly remembers her from childhood.

As the relationship between the two develops, Quinn calls Nikki by the name of his ex-girlfriend who’s been dead 20 years. She died of cancer and that’s the reason he left Sweetland to become an oncologist. Nikki tells him to leaves her house and he does, as well as leaving town. When he comes back to Sweetland for good, he helps to solve a mystery and helps put the culprits behind bars. He also deigns to visit Nikki to explain why he called her the wrong name and to tell her he loves her.

I was not able to relate to any of the characters and I felt all the grandchildren were selfish, self-absorbed jerks. A few were able to redeem themselves in the end but I still didn’t buy Quinn’s “heartfelt” explanation and the fact that Nikki bought it.