About the Book
When a family crisis calls him back to Big Prairie, will Craig Erikson be able to work through past mistakes and a tragedy that had sent him searching for a new place to call home?
Brenna Blaum had been sure of three things in her life—her brother, her running, and her dad’s star receiver. But in a matter of a year’s time, everything she’d counted on fell apart, leaving her devastated. Seven years later, she’s stable again. She has a supportive boyfriend, fulfilling career, and close friends. She keeps her past heartache where it belongs—in her rearview mirror. Until the man who broke her heart finds his way back to Big Prairie.
Craig Erikson had it all—popularity, success, and the love of his high school coach’s daughter. But after a year of mistakes that ended in a tragic accident, he’d left Big Prairie—the place he’d thought to always call home—hoping that without his antagonizing presence, Brenna would be able to heal. Now his mother desperately needs him, as do two young boys in her care. Craig has little choice but to return for good.
Unsure that she can forgive him, Brenna does her best to avoid him. Irritated that she ignores him as if they’d never meant anything to each other, Craig becomes determined not to allow it.
Life in a small town forces their interaction, making them confront their unresolved issues and igniting emotions that have smoldered for seven years. As Craig and Brenna are pushed together, can they endure the hard places still littering their lives? If so, is it possible to find their way back to love and home again?
Excerpt
“What’s going on?” She came off the stool again, framed his face with clean fingers, and waited until he looked at her again.
“This is kind of a big deal. I wish you had mentioned to me that you knew he was coming back.”
“Why?” Things began to tumble inside her. Things that she’d been ignoring for the last seven days. Or years—though she wouldn’t admit to that. Having Grant react this way wasn’t helping.
“I think that we should talk about it,” he said. “You should talk about it.”
Pulling away, she let her hands slide from his freshly shaven face. “You said you wouldn’t do that to me—remember?”
“I’m not speaking as a counselor. I’m talking as your boyfriend—and as the man who cares a lot about you and your heart. Your health.”
“That sounds like counselor talk.”
“Brenna.”
She plopped back onto the stool, reclaimed the half-eaten donut that Grant didn’t appreciate in the least, and shoved a mouthful in. “I’m fine.”
Grant sighed. Irritated. Because of the mouthful-talking thing. And also.
Nope. He was wrong. She was fine.
“Craig is coming back to stay, Brenna. This is not one of his passing-through gigs. It is full time. You have got to do more than I’m fine. Because if that is all you have got, then I—”
“No, Grant. I don’t have to do more than that, because that is all I’ve got. That’s all there is, all there needs to be. It’s been seven years. I’m fine. And this shouldn’t change anything for us.”
The oversized clock on the brick wall ticked obnoxiously into the silence. Grant rubbed his neck, studying her with an intense look she’d seen him use when he was working on puzzles.
She was not a puzzle. Irritation rose up hard and fast. “Grant. Seriously.”
“Okay.” He leaned in and brushed her temple with his lips. “How about I help you straighten up, and we can go for a Saturday morning walk?”
Straightening up. That was normal Grant. But the twin lines between his eyes gave everything away.
This wasn’t fine. Not for him. Because he really didn’t think it was for her.
She was though. Fine. Seven years’ worth of fine. Craig Erikson’s homecoming wasn’t going to change all that fine.
Review
This author… she totally captures my heart every single time she writes. I had a stern conversation with myself before picking up this book. I’ll spare you the inner monologue and summarise it by saying I basically made a deal with myself: I could read this book, BUT—I had other things I needed to do and UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES was I to neglect those things. I was to be disciplined and put the book down at reasonable intervals rather than falling into some kind of altered reality where the only world that exists is the world of the book I’m reading.
It was a nice thought. I think I should get points for good intentions, if nothing else.
What actually happened was that Jennifer Rodewald made me feel these characters so deeply that I couldn’t just set them aside even when I DID manage to put the book down. (I really did try. I even succeeded in hanging a load of washing. Lol!) Their pain, their turmoil, their anger, their uncertainty—I felt it all, and unlike Craig and Brenna, I’m not the kind of person who can keep pushing it away in the hope it will resolve itself. I need to analyse things and work through them, and I need to do it NOW, never mind whatever else I have going on.
Craig and Brenna had the kind of pain that’s buried between layers of anger, shame, and regret—layers that they’re not going to peel back until they’re forced to. They kicked and bucked every step of the way, but little bit by little bit, those layers are exposed, and OH, the release when these characters are finally laid bare, raw and vulnerable so that the healing can begin. That’s the beauty that makes every one of Jennifer Rodewald’s books a must read for me, and they wouldn’t have half the impact they do if they weren’t delivered with her trademark grace, compassion, and emotional resonance.
I simply cannot recommend any of this author’s books highly enough.
I received a copy of this novel from the author. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.
About the Author
Jennifer Rodewald/J. Rodes lives on the wide plains somewhere near the middle of Nowhere. A coffee addict, pickleball enthusiast, and storyteller, she also wears the hats of mom, teacher, and friend. Mostly, she loves Jesus and wants to see others fall in love with Him too.
Fantastic book from a wonderful author! I loved it! Thanks for the review!
You’re always welcome, Winnie!
Great review, Katie, and spot on!
Thanks, dear one! 😘
I love a book that I just can’t stop reading! I need to read a book by this author.
Oh, definitely! She’s a favourite of mine 🙂
Ahhh, Katie. You just make my heart fly. Thank you so much for reading When I Come Home Again–I’m so glad (and, ahem, relieved!) that you like it! 🙂