I love the idea of Tessa finding herself while Johnny’s undercover for the ATF and away from home for almost two years. Granted, I think it is a horrible thing to have just left him but I totally get why that was the only way she could do it. She loves her husband but because of the way they got together, and what she thinks is a lack of romantic interested on his part, she can’t stay. Being face to face with him as the woman she used to be, with her feelings and insecurities, she would never have been able to leave.

But Sanctuary Island works its magic and in the year she’s been there she has totally come into her own. She’s a strong woman who is able to stand on her own two feet, support herself, make friends and be confident in what she wants. Then he walks back into her life, looking all sexy and protective … and hurt and wanting her back. He’s going to be hard to resist :)

Johnny’s only thought after finishing his latest assignment is to get home to his wife, the one person who can help him center himself in real life. Unfortunately she’s left and he knows he’ll be lost until he gets her back. Luckily he’s got time as his job has mandated some therapy in the same town she’s moved to and he takes the opportunity to convince Tessa to give them a chance to save their marriage. And he’s nothing if not dedicated to his cause. He’s going to take that time to win over the new woman his wife has become.

The growth that both of these people undergo thanks to their time on Sanctuary Island, both individually and, luckily, back to each other is awesome. Tessa’s had already happened but thru Johnny getting to know his wife better we get to see what that transformation actually meant. And while Johnny’s journey isn’t quite over, by the end he’s found himself on a path that works for him. It takes a strong man to open up and expose himself to someone else and Johnny does it beautifully and even more so for acknowledging that it’s a process that needs to continue.

Close to Home is a heartwarming second chance romance full of the hope for new beginnings.

(While this is a good place to start (no real ties to previous books) and Tessa and Johnny’s story is complete (and fabulous), the story doesn’t technically stand on its own. There are whole bits of it that set up the next story, Home at Last. So, you have to ask yourself – am I prepared to read the next book or am I OK with that bit of unfinished business … since Everett is such a fantastic writer I’m pretty sure I know which it is going to be!)

*** I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***