Coming Home for Us

Elijah and Maddie’s story was a great listen! A bumpy journey to their hea but life is always throwing curveballs. It’s heartbreaking and filled with intense emotions while dealing with grief and finding their way. I have loved getting to know each character throughout the series and feel like their relationship evolved perfectly at the most crucial time. The Wilder brothers are a force all on their own and have done amazing things with the winery but I adore the ladies even more! The way they love and support one another adds another layer to this series making it one of my favorites. Definitely a series and book I’d recommend! Narrators- Andi Arndt and Jason Clarke gave outstanding performances and their voices worked so well for Elijah and Maddie!

Elijah story is finally here and it was so worth the wait! He is taking the steps to put his life back on track with one exception love, which he vowed never again after the tragedy with Joy. But he is not alone and Maddie was along with him at each step. First as a friend of his love and than a coworker but she wanted to be more and when she finally convince herself that it was time to move on the story shifts. What happens next was a tearjerker, heartbreaker, filled with love storyline that didn’t disappoint. I love how the characters are surrounded by family and friends to see them through what can be after surviving a tragic lost.

Maddie and Elijah get their story told in Coming Home for Us, a second chance love story. Those of us who have read the first three books have wondered how CAR was going to bring these two together. She did a great job, and I enjoyed the book very much. I just wish Maddie had done a few things differently. I don't want to give any spoilers away, but Elijah didn't work nearly as hard as I would have liked him to! I did appreciate the growth in his character as he journeyed through his grief at losing Joy. Maddie was one of my favorite characters from the very beginning, so I guess I'm picky about how her HEA plays out. This cover, though...hottest of the hot! I'd be pining for this man, too ;) Can't wait for the last two Wilder brothers to show us more about themselves...and their matches. As always, I highly recommend anything that Carrie Ann Ryan publishes!

Losing your true love is….beyond words. It changes you, you are not the same person you were before. No one’s grief is like another’s. It is painful and for some, never really goes away. You can choose to build a new life without that special person, but it is a hard road. This is Elijah Wilder’s story. He found his special someone, Joy, fell in love and then…she was taken away from him. How does he begin to feel again? How can he move forward with his life? How can he deal with an attraction to his best friend, Maddie? And what does Maddie desire from Elijah? What does she want professionally and personally? Both Elijah and Maddie understand that their lives have changed but finding their way isn’t smooth. This is a wonderful, heartfelt story with moments that bring sadness but also happiness…much like life!

This story had me on an emotional roller coaster. Both Maddie and Elijah appeared to be so awkward with each other yet both are feeling the same feelings. I cheered when they got together and cried when Elijah had his completely misguided moment. This is such a good story, you will love it and continue your love fest with the Wilders!!!

Coming Home For Us is book four in Carrie Ann Ryan’s Wilder Brothers series. In this series six ex-military brothers open a luxury winery and resort while unexpectedly finding the loves of their lives. This one is full of feelings between Maddie and Elijah, even my cold heart broke for these two. Elijah lost his girlfriend Joy who he thought he would be with forever in a random accident. Maddie has been in love with Elijah but put her feelings aside when Elijah met Joy. Now these best friends have a chance on a wine road trip to see if they could make it work. But Elijah has to be able to move on from Joy’s death and Maddie has to put herself first for once. The pining between these two, sigh, it’s off the charts. I love a rainy night only one bed hotel room add in it’s the honeymoon suite and classic C.A.R steam and I was in total heaven. “I’ve always wanted you, Elijah. Even when it hurt me to do so, even when I knew it was a mistake. But I don’t want it to be a mistake anymore.” Coming Home For Us definitely deals with hard topics. Elijah losing Joy and the life they could have had. How he has to still get up everyday and function. How Maddie deals with the loss of her friend. Finding that spark of hope after such a tragedy is why I keep coming back to romance and why I will reread this one. “And I tried to find a way through the unending grief that promised me nothing but pain and loss and memories that never went away.” Of course it’s fun to catch up with the previous couples, the brother shenanigans and the girl gang that I want to be a part of! Now I will be impatiently waiting for East and Lark’s book! Thank you to the author for an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own. Coming Home For Us has a pub date of April 10, 2023.

Carrie Ann’s books are always an up and down feel fest, but this one had me teary eyed so much that you would think it was not a good book. Wrong! Friends to lovers romance is one of my favorite tropes and this one is joyful while also wringing out your soul. The Wilder brothers have baggage of epic proportions and Maddie has her own esteem issues even as she is so great at her job. I absolutely loved their journey to an HEA, and don’t forget the bonus epilogue it is a hoot!

Yes, I so enjoyed the emotional connection between Elijah and Maddie. I could feel what they were feeling individually and as a couple through the pages. At times the story was heartbreaking but I could also feel the power of love plus self awareness. As a young widower I was so connected to Elijah. The Wilder men are extraordinary and every book is my favorite until I read the next one. Until next time y’all happy reading.

Carrie Ann Ryan writes emotional books that will have your heart breaking, bursting with joy, anger, laughter, grief and somehow always brings you out on the side of the sunshine. Grab this emotional journey with Elijah and Maddie for all of those feels and more❤️🔥💔❤️🔥💔