The One Who Felt Like Home by Tammy Karasek Review

 

The One Who Felt Like Home by Tammy Karasek is another great book in the Fox Grove series of novellas. This series is comprised of three novellas, written by three different authors, focusing on one of three friends, their ten-year high school reunion, and the men they meet up with. 

We had briefly met the FMC, Gracelyn Cooper, in the first book, mainly through text messages with Tilly, the FMC of The One I Never Forgot. Gracelyn is a flight attendant, a job she loves; however, she doesn't get a lot of chances to get home to Fox Grove and see her family. However, she has every intention of making it back for the reunion, which the reader does already know if they read the first book. 

On the flight that she is on as the story begins she comes face to face with someone from her hometown, someone she didn't even recognize. However, this person, our MMC Brent Marshall, has had a crush on Gracelyn since they were in school. He's just always been too shy and nervous to approach her, and feels like he is invisible. Now, however, he has decided to get up the nerve to approach her and talk to her. Thus begins a tentative relationship that may or may not work out because they are both always on the move.

This book was more about the relationship between Gracelyn and Brent, plus time with their families, and obstacles they needed to overcome, than it was the reunion. The first book focused on the reunion a lot more because Tilly and Walker were in charge of the reunion. However, we do get to see plenty of great characters in Fox Grove, I especially loved meeting Grams and the young nieces. There were definitely some emotional moments, times of laughter and tears and concern, but faith in God was important to the characters as was praying.

I really enjoyed this book, which is the first fiction book that the author has written. I hope she plans to continue writing. 

I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.

Friday Fun - September 11, 2026

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with three different book parties that post on Fridays: First Line Friday, Friday Book Snippets, and Book Blogger Hop.

This week I have one book to share with you.

I started Song of the Khan by J.J. Fischer. This is the third book in her Painted Wind series, and it released earlier this week.

      

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here is my First Line Friday selection:

 Song of the Khan by J.J. Fischer:

"The world always looked most beautiful when it was just about to end."

I wondered why someone felt like the world was about to end, plus what was making it so beautiful.

Friday Book Snippets    

 

Friday Book Snippets is the new weekly blog party that has combined Book Beginnings on Friday and Friday56. Participants can link up at either Bemused & Bookish with Olivia or Head Full of Books with Anne. Here are the instructions:

Share two snippets (a sentence or short paragraph) from a) the book's opening and b) page 56 (or another page) from the book you are currently reading. No spoilers, please.

Here is my selection from page 56:

Song of the Khan by J.J. Fischer:

"'Have you already forgotten the way?' was his only reply, and when he turned, she caught her breath. His private courtyard, his respite from the endless demands of the court. They passed beneath the familiar stone arch, more floral scents tickling Isel's nose, along with the reassuring trickle of the fountain and the lazy tinkle of several metal chimes. Spring had arrived while she'd been asleep."

Book Blogger Hop.

Book Blogger Hop

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Billy over at Ranblings of a Coffee-Addicted Writer. The hop occurs weekly, starting on Friday and ending the following Thursday, featuring a specific book-related prompt each week. The main goal is to connect bloggers, encouraging them to follow each other, discover new titles, and grow their audience.

This week's question is: How much do online reviews shape what you pick up next?

My answer: These days, not much at all because I am reading so many ARCs. But if I am interested in a book I will usually look at the 1 and 2 star reviews and see if there are any huge concerns. Other than that, I usually go more by what the book is about.

And now it is time to share my current Reviews:

 

Two weeks ago I re-shared a few of the books I had been reading but hadn't finished yet. Last week I shared one review, here is the link again:

Braving Red Waters by Sarah Hanks

Since then I finished another one of those books, plus the book I shared about last week. 

Here are those reviews:

The One I Never Forgot by Mandy Boerma

The One Who Felt Like Home by Tammy Karasek

The One I Never Forgot by Mandy Boerma Review

 

The One I Never Forgot by Mandy Boerma is a great first book in the Fox Grove series. There are three novellas in this series and each one is written by a different author. In this first story, we are introduced to one of three friends who will each be the FMC in these books. 

Tilly grew up in Fox Grove and is now the vice principal of the high school she used to attend. The story begins with her suddenly being assigned to organize the upcoming ten-year reunion. While this already adds to her stress because of how little was prepared beforehand, she also discovers that she is going to have to work with Walker, football coach, history teacher, and breaker of her heart back in high school. And to make matters worse, he barely acknowledges her when they meet in the principal's office. 

We do also get to see this story from Walker's POV, so we see how much he still cares for Tilly, plus as the story continues, we learn the reason for why he ghosted her at homecoming and broke up with her. 

I loved seeing how they reconnected as they worked together on planning the high school reunion, dealing with all sorts of obstacles along the way. I was rooting for this couple and really hoping they could work things out. I also loved getting to know family members, friends, and other characters. 

This is a wonderful story of faith, forgiveness, and second chances. I couldn't wait to get to meet Tilly's friends, so I actually started book two right away, even though I had other books I was supposed to be reading first. 

I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.

Friday Fun - September 4, 2026

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with four different book parties that post on Fridays: Book Beginnings on Fridays, the Friday 56, First Line Friday, and Book Blogger Hop.

This week I have one book to share with you.

I'm starting an eARC of The One Who Felt Like Home by Tammy Karasek. This is the second book in the Fox Grove series, a series of three novellas written by three different authors.

        Book Beginnings on Friday    

 

(Please join Gilion Dumas for Book Beginnings every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here is my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selection:

 The One Who Felt Like Home by Tammy Karasek:

"'Hey, waitress! I mean server. I mean. . . oh, whatever. I need a bottle of water. Now!'"

Sort of funny, sort of rude.

Now for:

The Friday 56 

The Friday 56 is hosted by Anne from My Head is Full of Books. 

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Here is my Friday 56 selection:

The One Who Felt Like Home by Tammy Karasek:

"She sat with her flight crew by the gate in Dallas, waiting to board for work to Denver and onward to Los Angeles. Her phone rang and startled her. The flight attendant sitting beside her laughed. 'Where were you?'

Gracelyn shrugged and got up to take the call. 'Hi. I'm glad you called.'

'Excited to see you tomorrow. Looking forward to having lunch with you since we didn't get to before you left. Now we can make up for it.'"

Book Blogger Hop.

Book Blogger Hop

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Billy over at Ranblings of a Coffee-Addicted Writer. The hop occurs weekly, starting on Friday and ending the following Thursday, featuring a specific book-related prompt each week. The main goal is to connect bloggers, encouraging them to follow each other, discover new titles, and grow their audience.

This week's question is: What book do you think deserves more love but flies under the radar?

My answer: I'm really not sure how to answer this one as I read almost 100% Christian fiction and I feel that CF as a whole deserves more love. Other than that, I really don't know which books get less love than they deserve

And now it is time to share my current Reviews:

Last week I re-shared the three most recent books I've been reading in my Friday Fun post. I'm still reading two of them, but I did finish the one. Here's the review:

Braving Red Waters by Sarah Hanks

Braving Red Waters by Sarah Hanks Review

 

Braving Red Waters is another awesome book in the Time Sailors series by Sarah Hanks. I have been enjoying this intriguing take on time travel very much. Like the first two books there is time travel, plus we get a dual timeline story as we get to see the story through the eyes of the characters in the time that the FMC traveled to, plus we get to see the point of view of the characters that were left behind. And each of these books has been connected through different characters who show up in previous books. 

Phoebe and her mom are in Mexico for a relaxing whale-watching vacation when Phoebe suddenly gets transported to Civil War era Saint Louis, arriving on a boat that is being fixed up to be a hospital boat. As with the other books, the time sailor has to complete a mission to be able to return home, but she has to figure out what it is. She figures it has something to do with the hospital boat, seeing as she is a nurse. As with the other books, there is a Mr. Duncan who can help answer questions. However, she also meets up with Miles, a fellow time sailor who we met in the previous book, Braving Fiery Waters. I admit, I had forgotten about poor Miles, though when I reread my review of the book, I realized that I had written that I was excited to see more of his story. What can I say, I'm forgetful these days.

Miles has found work on the docks, but also has another job which is discovered on the first page. He is also a spy. So, of course, he has his secrets, so he can't be completely honest with Phoebe, which leads to mistrust on her part. I really liked them together, so I was rooting for them to be able to figure out their relationship. Though, it was even more complicated because if she completed her mission, she'd have to go back to her time. Especially because she wouldn't want to abandon her mother. How was the author going to work this out? 

Back in modern times, Phoebe's mother Erica has her own Mr. Duncan to help her come to grips with her daughter's sudden disappearance. Will she be able to relax and enjoy this whale-watching excursion that her daughter planned for her? 

I loved getting to know Phoebe and Miles, and also Erica and Rodney Duncan. I loved seeing their relationships evolve, and was really invested in finding out whether each couple would end up together, and what kinds of obstacles they would have to overcome. I also loved learning more about whales during the whale-watching cruise and learning about the hospital boat during the Civil War. Plus some other interesting little historical tidbits. But, most of all, I loved the lessons about faith that were learned by the characters, learning to lean on God's strength and listen for His voice. 

I loved this quote: 

"'Yes, you can't see Him, but you can hear Him in the depths, in the secret place. He speaks to us in a way that rattles our very core. We only have to get quiet enough to listen.'

Interesting. That hadn't been her line of thought, but it was a good one. She hadn't heard God speak to her on a soul-deep level for a long time. Maybe her spiritual hydrophone was too weak to pick up His frequency."

I also love how it is brought up that we can look at nature and see how it is designed by God. 

I absolutely loved this book, and I can't wait til book four, especially because the author sort of ended the book leading into something I wanted to see happen in this book. Waiting patiently, waiting patiently. . . 

Friday Fun - August 28, 2026

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with four different book parties that post on Fridays: Book Beginnings on Fridays, the Friday 56, First Line Friday, and Book Blogger Hop.

This week I don't have a new book to share with you. I am trying to get through the last three books I shared about, but we've had a lot going on. But, I thought I would share some First Line Friday graphics for these recently released books, plus the one that will be released in a week and a half.

The One I Never Forgot by Mandy Boerma releases on September 8th.

Braving Red Waters by Sarah Hanks released on August 26th.

Everlasting Love by Latisha Sexton released on August 25th.

        Book Beginnings on Friday    

 

(Please join Gilion Dumas for Book Beginnings every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here are my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selections:

 The One I Never Forgot by Mandy Boerma:

"Tilly Langston's mother had always said someone could put lipstick on a pig, but it would still be a pig."

Braving Red Waters by Sarah Hanks:

"Miles Sutton stuck to the shadows as he crept around the brick town house."

Everlasting Love by Latisha Sexton:

"I was only four years old when Mama died, leaving me with nothing but pictures, faded memories, and a stack of handwritten letters addressed to me."

Now for:

The Friday 56 

The Friday 56 is hosted by Anne from My Head is Full of Books. 

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Here is my Friday 56 selection:

The One I Never Forgot by Mandy Boerma:

"A warmth spread through Tilly. Her family was pretty great. Large. Loud. All very different, but the fact they loved each other was obvious.

And it was fun to see Ethan stepping into a protective role. He'd make someone a good husband. . . someday."

Braving Red Waters by Sarah Hanks:

"'She should be helping more. With nursing duties, I mean.'

'Do you know why I specifically requested her to come on board as a nurse on the Red Rover?'

She'd asked herself that very question several times. 'I'm sure she's an excellent nurse when she puts her mind to it.'

'I've never met a more compassionate, beautiful soul.'

'Yes, she's very kind. I don't mean to negate that, it's just --'

'You efficient. But you lack what these poor patients need most.'

She blinked back at him. Lacked what they needed most?

'Compassion, Miss Bristow. You're sorely lacking in that area.'"

Everlasting Love by Latisha Sexton:

"The silence was louder than artillery rounds being fired at me on the battlefield. I stared at the ceiling, wondering where Haley had gone. I shouldn't have yelled at her like that. I shouldn't have sent her away when she was drunk and high.

A weary sigh bled out of me as I glanced at my phone. I'd texted her and even called several times, with no response. Not that I expected her to answer, but I was worried about her."

Book Blogger Hop.

Book Blogger Hop

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Billy over at Ranblings of a Coffee-Addicted Writer. The hop occurs weekly, starting on Friday and ending the following Thursday, featuring a specific book-related prompt each week. The main goal is to connect bloggers, encouraging them to follow each other, discover new titles, and grow their audience.

This week's question is: What grabs you and keeps you hooked in a book?

My answer:  Well, I love suspense, so definitely if the book gets right into the suspense and it doesn't let up. But also, if there is a wrong that needs to be made right. Someone being falsely accused of something. Stuff like that. 

Friday Fun - August 21, 2026

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with four different book parties that post on Fridays: Book Beginnings on Fridays, the Friday 56, First Line Friday, and Book Blogger Hop.

This week I have one book to share with you.

I'm starting an eARC of The One I Never Forgot by Mandy Boerma. 

        Book Beginnings on Friday    

 

(Please join Gilion Dumas for Book Beginnings every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here is my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selection:

 The One I Never Forgot by Mandy Boerma:

"Tilly Langston's mother had always said someone could put lipstick on a pig, but it would still be a pig."

That is true I guess.

Now for:

The Friday 56 

The Friday 56 is hosted by Anne from My Head is Full of Books. 

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Here is my Friday 56 selection:

The One I Never Forgot by Mandy Boerma:

"'Want me to take my shoes off?' Walker noticed a line of shoes by the front door, and Tilly was barefoot.

She gave a short nod and headed into her kitchen. Her unit had the same layout as his, but rather than dark heavy furniture, hers was light. She had colorful pillows and a blanket that looked . . . cozy? If someone was into that sort of thing. 

Like him, he realized. He'd be into those kinds of things. Especially if Tilly picked them out.

He swallowed. It had been years, so he shouldn't feel that way anymore.

Except he did."

Book Blogger Hop.

Book Blogger Hop

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Billy over at Ranblings of a Coffee-Addicted Writer. The hop occurs weekly, starting on Friday and ending the following Thursday, featuring a specific book-related prompt each week. The main goal is to connect bloggers, encouraging them to follow each other, discover new titles, and grow their audience.

This week's question is: Do you follow book trends and bestsellers, or do you prefer hunting down lesser-known titles?

My answer:  Nope, no book trends, and I don't purposefully go looking for bestsellers. Though some that I read are. I love being on launch teams for indie authors, especially discovering new authors. I've found some great new favorites this way. 

And now it is time to share my current Reviews:

Last week I shared two books in my Friday Fun post. I haven't finished those books yet. However, two weeks ago I shared one book in my Friday Fun, here is my review:

The Island Bookshop by Roseanna M. White