A Novel (A Place to Call Home) (Volume 3) - At Home in Last Chance

At Home in Last Chance
Kaitlyn Reed and Steven Braden have indulged in similar behaviors. They run when life situations get tough. Neither has any responsibility.
Kaitlyn’s last mistake was appalling . She abandoned her seven year old daughter with her brother who lives in single wide trailer and took off on the back of a motorcycle with a new boyfriend. Now she's returned and is working in her brother’s diner and trying to reconnect with her daughter. It isn't easy in a small town where everyone knows her business. Steven is dealing with a history of trading on his looks to get by, but he realizes he has to change. Their relatives can’t believe these two irresponsible people would ever be right for each other.
Kaitlyn and Steven deal with the issues of learning from mistakes and struggle with family issues while denying that they are interested in each other.

What I liked:

–The characters are well developed. The life of a teen mom working for her brother in his diner and living with him in his single wide trailer with her 7 year old she essentially abandoned is vivid.
-Descriptions of the small town and what it like to live where people know your business before you do or make it up is spot on.

What I Didn’t like:
Unfortunately, I didn’t find the story about an unmarried teen mom very exciting. It was too much like real life. After the first few chapters, I found myself skipping ahead as I was tired of family squabbles and a plot not really going anywhere. Finally the ending was abrupt. The story could have benefited from an epilogue.

Bottom line:
There are readers who will like this novel as it is a “clean” read. Also, many will like the quirky characters and find the small town setting fascinating.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this novel for an honest review.

Following on the heels of its predecessors – Welcome to Last Chance and One More Last Chance – the third book in Cathleen Armstrong’s popular series catches readers up on beloved characters and follows two more troubled souls who now call Last Chance, New Mexico, home.

Kaitlyn Reed and Steven Braden, each the proverbial black sheep in their respective families, struggle to rise above the expectations of failure that the long memories of a small town continue to set for them. True, neither of them have a stellar reputation to look back on (sort-of appalling actually) and true, both of them are known for hijacking it out of town when the going gets tough. But, does anyone realize – or care – that Kaitlyn and Steven might have changed for the better?

My favorite character across all three books that (so far) make up the Place To Call Home series is Elizabeth/Gran. I guess it’s because she reminds me of my own late grandmother – spunky, feisty, independent… but someone who has an incredibly tender heart toward Jesus and others. Elizabeth has been a figurative lighthouse in Last Chance, a refuge of sorts for the broken people who need more than just a place to sleep. In At Home in Last Chance, she is once again serving up a side of unconditional love with her trademark hot tea but at eighty-nine she is starting to show her age a bit more. While it was sad for me to read, I thought Cathleen Armstrong did a wonderful job depicting the emotional struggle this introduces into families as the caregiver begins to need some care.

The other characters, most of whom are familiar to those of us who have read the previous two books, are all sharply written and spot on in their representations of life in a small town. I particularly found amusing Steven’s absolute bewilderment when neither Kaitlyn nor Olivia seemed particularly into him at first charm. Gotta come up with a new game plan, coach! :-)

Cathleen Armstrong’s writing, as always, is finely tuned, easy to read, and hard to put down. In fact, it was so hard to put down that I was quite put out when the book ended far sooner than I wanted. This is actually my only complaint – I felt it finished too abruptly and that some parts of the story needed more completion. Some characters needed more vindication. Some characters needed more reassurance. However, all is not lost! I was thrilled to discover that a fourth book in the series is coming out in September. (And there was much rejoicing!) I am therefore hoping that the loose ends that bothered me in At Home will be nicely tied up in Last Chance Hero.

Bottom Line: While this is the third book in a series, you could certainly read it as a stand-alone without feeling very lost. But I would highly recommend the first two books as well – especially if you like books set in small towns with a theme of redemption and restoration. And even if you don’t, you’ll love Elizabeth so you should read them anyway :)

(I received a digital copy of this book from Revell Publishers via Netgalley in exchange for only my honest review.)

Cathleen Armstrong has a writing style that grabs the reader from the first sentence and doesn't let go until long after the book has been closed. I loved One More Last Chance when I read it. So, when At Home in Last Chance became available, of course, I jumped on it. Several of the same characters show up again, with only one or two new ones for me.

This is the story of Kaitlin Reed finding out that her home is truly in Last Chance, even though she hates working in the diner for her brother. Juanita is still Juanita--a law unto herself, a woman who doesn't seem to be able to whisper quietly or even have an "inside voice." Whatever Juanita knows, all of Last Chance knows. Olivia is growing up, and figuring out what a seven-year-old's life is supposed to look like. Chris is still marrying Sarah, and Elizabeth is still everyone's Gran. The newest addition to the picture is Steven--and it seems he's only there temporarily until he goes to the law enforcement academy. When Elizabeth falls and breaks her leg, it seems that everyone's life is turned upside down. Olivia is TICKED that she can't see Elizabeth in the hospital, but is appeased when she gets to go to Elizabeth's house everyday and take care of Sam, the cat.

Steven is taken with Kaitlin and wants to explore what a relationship with her would be like. Kaitlin is scared of making another bad decision that hurts her daughter, and is reluctant to let Steven in her life.

What you find when you read this book is a small town that truly cares about its residents, that joins together for every occasion, that takes pride in its ability to help at a moment's notice, and where the residents find strength to stand up for what they feel is right; but, dang it, it's hard to accept someone new into its fold, and Kaitlin had the hardest time settling into Last Chance because of her previous poor decisions.

Cathleen's talent as a writer shines through her characters, her settings, and her plot. She is a truly enjoyable author to read. Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and dinner at the Dip 'N Dine.

My thanks to Revell publishing for allowing me to read and review this book.

A touching story that celebrates the miracle of second chances...and third and fourth and fifth....

The third book in the A Place to Call Home series delivers the same caliber of story as the first two. I just love the way this author deals with gnarly circumstances that stretch both a character and a reader. I'd met Kaitlyn in One More Last Chance and I wasn't impressed. In fact, I might just have started this read with a mighty big chip on my shoulder because it's kind of hard to relate to a woman who would ditch her daughter for half a year! But I wasn't bargaining on Armstrong working her magic -- weaving a story of loss and heartache and those all important second chances. And in the process convicting me of grace and forgiveness and accepting people for who they are now, not what they used to be.

SPARROW'S THOUGHTS:
// Cathleen Armstrong's writing style is well-rounded and full of spunk. She takes on a vibrant youthful approach, and I have to admit that I appreciated this aspect of her writing so very much, because while I don't read contemporary novels all that often, her choice of words really energized the prose, and this is what actually kept me reading

// There were times however, when I wondered if this narrative was actually geared towards a more younger audience; even so, it works for every group of readers

// In short At Home in Last Chance is a tale that paints the conflicts and strife that painful divorce situations, prejudices, family dynamics, and child abandonment can evoke. It is also a story about the perseverance in redeeming ones self-esteem, and further highlights the different emotional themes surrounding these delicate subjects. It was carried earnestly through sensitive and vulnerable characters that were believable

// Living in a small town myself, I can state that the narrative's portrayal of small town living is a very realistic one which only added to the plot's effectiveness

// The romance in this prose is very thin; in that, it has no real spark to it. So if you're looking for romantic story line to make that fuzzy heart flutter, this may not be the one to go for

// At Home in Last Chance reminded me that while we often fear change, no matter how difficult it may be, it is possible to embrace it and at times, even necessary for our own well being

WHAT I LIKED:
(+) Unlike most of the contemporary novels that I have read, At Home in Last Chance had an authentic appeal to it and a real heartrending feel too, but the highlight for me was in the solidly and well-crafted characters. They were vibrant and believable; more particularly, their ordeals and internal conflicts, and how they aimed to find resolve in them

(+) It is Kaitlyn Reed however, who proves to be the real gem in this narrative. If anything, I often found myself expressing complete admiration towards her humble and meek composure in spite of the buried animosity that the townsfolk in Last Chance held against her, and despite how weighty the consequences of her choices were. Not once did Kaitlyn show signs of resentment or malice. Instead, she accepted the repercussions and regret that stemmed from having done something beyond reparation

(+) All the supporting characters were authentic and interlaced wonderfully with Kaitlyn's story. Gran however: the all-tender, all-knowing grande dame who holds everything and everyone together, was by far my favorite '

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKED:
(-) Given the premise, I'm left wondering if At Home in Last Chance is actually the last book in its series, because while many issues were addressed, they essentially go unresolved. Thus leaving the reader with a lot to be desired

(-) I found the pacing of the narrative to be a bit sluggish, but with the added essential tension between each character's internal conflicts, it sufficed to keep me interested

(-) My main quibble with this book is that I found it to be a trifle long and too ordinary at times; this in turn, made the overall narrative feel much like a soap opera

Personal Rating:
Plot | 6/10
Characters | 8/10
Setting/Mood | 6/10
Moral Value | 9/10
Cover Art | 5/10
Overall | 7/10

"Never underestimate what the Lord can do, honey. He can take the biggest mess you ever saw and make something so beautiful it can take your breath away." -Elizabeth Cooley

What makes a book or series stand out from the others? For me, I know I have found a great book when it draws me in to the point of feeling like I am a part of the lives of the characters involved in the story. When I feel like I have come home. At Home in Last Chance is that kind of book. It has a simple hometown feel with characters you grow to love and want to read about again and again and that makes for a great series.

At Home in a Last Chance, the third book in the series, is about Kaitlyn Reed and Steven Braden. We first met Kaitlyn in book two as Chris Reed's sister, the mishap misfit with a seven-year-old daughter named Olivia that she left on her brother's doorstep shortly before taking off to parts unknown. Well, Kaitlyn Reed is back! The sometimes wild, hard-to-handle and often unloved young lady is finally finding her place and it's smack dab in the middle of Last Chance!

The one person that is helping her do that is Steven Braden, the town's failure and the Cooley family's outsider. Steven has a habit of running when things get tough and no one ever lets him forget it. Past choices have given him a name in Last Chance that he can't seem to shake and leaving is his only option--until he meets the infamous Kaitlyn Reed, the only person with a past shakier than his own but the one person that truly understands how he feels and what he is going through.

When the two misfits come together it makes for a beautiful and sweet story that will leave you smiling. I know I was! Kaitlyn's character goes through a slow, but major, character development and I loved seeing the change take place. She started out as a wild and spoiled girl and made a smooth transition into a devoted mother of one of the sweetest little girls ever. Steven Braden is Sarah Cooley's cousin. Sarah was one of the main characters in book two. Even though Steven and Sarah are cousins and are a part of the same family, Steven has always been brushed aside when it comes to important family issues. I love that he finally started standing his ground. It bothered me to no end when his aunt Nancy Jo would exclude him so easily and I was silently rooting him on.

Now, I generally find that in every book I read that at least one character worms it's way into my heart and takes root. This book, series really, was not exception. Sometimes it's the secondary characters that catch your eye and this is exactly the way it was for me with this book. Elizabeth Cooley is Steven Braden's grandmother and the patriarch of the Cooley family. She is a real treasure. She is lovable, endearing and wise. She always has the perfect advice for any given situation and everyone turns to her when they need a listening ear. I truly loved her and am so glad I got to spend time with her.

I have to say that Cathleen Armstrong really hit a home run with this series. It's a sweet and satisfying read that I would recommend to everyone. If you like a cozy hometown feeling and amazing characters that stay with you you'll really love this book and entire series!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review.

This is the third book in Cathleen's series, following "Welcome to Last Chance" and "One More Last Chance". Sweet romance continues to blossom as it did in the previous two novels. It is another gentle love story, with its theme of hope, everyone always has one more last chance!!

I was delighted when I found that this book was offered for review purposes. The other two in the series were easy to read and very enjoyable. The hope for the future was clearly a theme in both and I just knew that it would be present in this new novel. AND I was right!! This new creation is a story of making choices, resulting in always giving us a chance to correct our mistakes.

The main characters, Kaitlyn and Steven have always had a similar philosophy of life. When the going gets tough, they get going, but is it the correct way??? They do get out.... of town and veer far away from the problem. Now, once again, they are both in Last Chance, New Mexico and making an attempt to start over ! Will it work??? It has been tried before!!

Kaitlyn is working to reestablish a relationship with her seven year old daughter that she left in this town , deserted in fact, six months earlier. Steven is there to attempt to prove to his family that he is not the irresponsible charmer he used to be. Kaitlyn and Steven find themselves drawn to one another. They are both making a diligent try to become better people , however, others can't always let the past go! Can they learn to trust one another when they don't even trust themselves???

Last Chance is a sleepy little town, that is the perfect setting for this type of story. The characters prove to be appealing , realistic and quickly worm their way into your heart. Both of them consider themselves to be failures and are working so hard to redeem themselves. Small towns tend to make this a difficult task, as mistakes made by individuals are usually remembered for a LONG time! Kaitlyn and Steven were easy with whom to identify. Should a person be judged for previous mistakes?? I found that I wanted to give them encouragement and a big hug. I lived in this story , feeling every challenge, hurt and joy.

The plot was one that was easy to read. It moved at just the right pace for a small town. I was kept engrossed throughout the book. A clear message was the theme throughout the plot, even when there appears to be no hope, another chance is always available to change your ways, asking forgiveness and the past can be mended! There is redemption for all of us!!

A good, but easy read.

This book was supplied by Revell , in exchange for a fair and honest review.

At Home in Last Chance

Author: Cathleen Armstrong

Paperback: 304 pages

Series: A Place to Call Home (Book 3)

Publisher: Revell (January 6, 2015)

Back cover description:

What happens when the life you’re running from won’t let go of your heart?

Kaitlyn Reed and Steven Braden have always had a similar philosophy of life: when the going gets tough, they get going–out of town and away from the problem. Now they are both back in Last Chance, New Mexico, and trying to start over.

Kaitlyn is working to reestablish a relationship with the seven-year-old daughter she left behind six months earlier. Steven is trying to prove to his family that he is not the irresponsible charmer they have always known him to be. As Kaitlyn and Steven find themselves drawn to one another, one big question keeps getting in the way: How will they learn to trust each other when they don’t even trust themselves?

With emotional depth and characters who leap off the page and into your heart, Cathleen Armstrong invites you to return once more to the dusty and delightful town of Last Chance.

Meet the Author:

Cathleen Armstrong lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, Ed, and their corgi. Though she has been in California for many years now, her roots remain deep in New Mexico where she grew up and where much of her family still lives. After she and Ed raised three children, she returned to college and earned a BA in English. Her debut novel Welcome to Last Chance won the 2009 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award for Women’s Fiction. She is also the author of One More Last Chance.

Visit her website here!

My review:

If you read Christian fiction, don’t miss this one. Cathleen Armstrong’s novel is very interesting! There are great characters and unpredictable to a great degree. I haven’t read the first two books that came before this novel and I found that this can be read as a stand-alone novel. This novel is a quick read that has endearing characters that you will learn to love over the course of reading. It is a great story of second chances and beginning again; I would most certainly recommend reading this novel!

Disclosure:

I received this book free from the publisher through the Revell book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Happy Reading!

At Home in Last Chance by Cathleen Armstrong

*Book Description*

Kaitlyn Reed and Steven Braden have something in common: They both run from their problems. Only now, Kaitlyn is desperately trying to win her daughter's heart back and show her that she's here to stay. Naturally, the seven year old girl is skeptical-as is the whole town of last chance-making her try all the harder. When Stephen Braden, Elizabeth's handsome, bad boy grandson seems to think he can charm her, Kaitlyn does what she does best. Tries to ignore him and thinks he'll go away if she runs. Then with an unexpected visit from her parents, Kaitlyn feels she's not any better then before. Will people ever learn to accept her? Will she ever change for the better?

Stephen Braden is disappointed to learn what his family thinks of him. Especially when the sweet, loving grandmother warns him to stay away from Kaitlyn Reed because he's too much of a charmer. Determined to prove them wrong, Steven does his best to change...but will Kaitlyn ever get close enough to see it? When an unexpected and unwelcome change occurs Stephen makes sure to take advantage of the situation by stepping up and showing his family he's not the careless charmer they think him to be. Will they ever give him the benefit of the doubt?

 
*What I liked*

This was a really sweet story. At first, I didn't like Kaitlyn very much but everyone has their imperfections and I came to love her and Stephen both. Also, I didn't read the first stories and still read right along fine. The characters were real and I found myself so much in love with Elizabeth, as if she was my grandmother instead of Stephen's.
 
*What I didn't like*

At first, I didn't really like Kaitlyn's hair on the cover, it wasn't something I'd normally pick up in Lifeway but I got over it and it fit her personality as I read along. I also couldn't stand Kaitlyn's mother acting so much above everyone else but that just means Cathleen was doing a fabulous job!
 
*My Rating*

I give At Home in Last Chance...

4 stars!!

 
*My overall opinion*

At Home in Last Chance, while part of a series, reads as a stand alone and is full of second chances, hope, and love!     

*I received this book from Revell, the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts were my own and I was not compensated in any other way.

At first glance, the dusty little New Mexico town of Last Chance would seem to live up to its name for all the wrong reasons. Fortunately, the warm and loving residents of the community, especially Elizabeth Cooley, have helped a few people find a future and a hope even when things looked pretty hopeless for them.

Third book in the A Place to Call Home series, “At Home in Last Chance” features Kaitlyn Reed and Steven Braden. Kaitlyn has made some huge mistakes and bad choices in her life and sees no hope in overcoming her past. Back in Last Chance with her brother and the daughter she left behind, Kaitlyn is often tempted to run again but this time she just cannot bear to abandon her daughter. Steven has also returned to Last Chance, hoping to prove to his family that he can be responsible and dependable. He too has a history of running from his troubles and this time his love for his grandmother keeps him in Last Chance. Although both Kaitlyn and Steven have been warned about each other, as they become better acquainted, they find an empathy and understanding that draws them together. Can either of them trust the other – or even their own hearts?

Strong characters and a realistic plot held my interest in “At Home in Last Chance”. I have particularly enjoyed the character of Elizabeth Cooley in this and the previous books in the series. Her love and wisdom has played a pivotal role in the lives of Kaitlyn and Steven as well as the lives of the primary characters in the other books. It was also fun to catch up with the other familiar faces in Last Chance. A strong theme about letting go of the past and letting the Lord have the future was predominate.

I have enjoyed my time spent in Last Chance and would love for the series to continue for several more books. “At Home in Last Chance” can easily stand on its own but would be even more enjoyable if read after the previous two books. They are all worth the time.

This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

AT HOME IN LAST CHANCE, is the third installment in the A Place Called Home series. Though the plot is simple, the characters are rich, especially when we get to catch up with characters from the previous two installments.

Kaitlyn Reed’s life has been one bad decision after another. After visiting her brother in Last Chance six-months ago, Kaitlyn took off, leaving her seven-year-old daughter behind. Now Kaitlyn is back in Last Chance, trying to gain the trust of her brother and the love of her daughter. She is determined to get her life in order, but her self-destructive ego continues to remind her she is nothing but a screw-up.

Steven Braden was much like Kaitlyn. He too ran when life got tough, but he’s back in Last Chance trying to mend his relationships with his family before he goes into the police academy. The people of Last Chance don’t expect much from Steven, and always the charmer, Steven decides to prove them wrong.

Kaitlyn and Steven continue to cross each other’s path. It’s not hard in a small town, but neither one of them think much about the other. Steven’s grandmother warns him away from Kaitlyn knowing she has enough to deal with without Steven complicating things. And Kaitlyn’s brother knows all too well that Steven is not someone he wants spending time with his sister. But eventually, Kaitlyn and Steven acknowledge they are cut from the same cloth, and find themselves cheering each other on to prove everyone else wrong.

AT HOME IN LAST CHANCE was just as enjoyable as the previous two books in the series. It was great to see Kaitlyn redeem herself from where we left her in book two. And Steven is the typical screw-up that cares more about what people say about him then he leads on. I liked the bantering between these two characters, and the added support of the other residents of Last Chance.

Book provided for review purposes.

Available January 2015 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

At Home In Last Chance really struggled to hold my attention. It took a while to get into the book and it was a slow plod from there. I think the book would have benefited from some really good editing to tighten up the story and make it flow better.
The story is, I think, loosely based on the biblical prodigal son, except in this case it is a prodigal daughter that we are talking about.
Kaitlin is an appealing character. As a child she felt that she was never good enough for her parents when compared to her perfect brother Chris. At 16 she finds herself pregnant and abandoned by her boyfriend. Her parents provide her with some financial support to get qualifications and raise her daughter Olivia but when second boyfriend, Jake, comes along and urges Kaitlin to take off with him and leave Olivia with brother Chris she does. It doesn't take long for Jake to leave her too and she heads back to Last Chance to try and get her life back on track. Once there she realises what a fool she's been in leaving Olivia and she works hard to redeem herself and rebuild the relationship with her daughter. The last thing she wants is the complication of another man on the scene.
When he is first introduced Steven is not a particularly likeable character. He's good looking and knows it and can't understand why all his usual tricks don't work on Kaitlin. As the book progresses he becomes more likeable however, and proves he's not the playboy that everybody thinks he is.
This is a Christian romance and for readers of that genre it will certainly appeal. For me, however, I'm afraid this one failed to connect.

It was wonderful to meet with 'old friends' from previous Last Chance books! This book is the third in the Places To Call Home series, and I'm presuming it's the last, however the ending makes me think there may be more to come. You definitely need to read these books in series -- it would be confusing to pick up one without the background of the others.

I really enjoy the comfortable style of Cathleen Armstrong. The books are easy to read and the characters are fun and consistent from book to book. This book addresses some personality issues that very few do -- those people who have really messed up in their lives and seem to be expected to continue that path. Kaitlyn led a true prodigal's life, leaving her daughter behind in book 2 to be raised by her brother, Chris. She returns to Last Chance in an attempt to reconnect with her daughter (who is quite the character) and hopefully to finally settle down.

Stephen, the cousin of Chris's fiance Sarah (book 2) and brother of Ray (book 1), has always been a self-proclaimed ladies man and had abandoned his brother earlier in the series. Everyone expects him to continue to leave pain in his wake.

Kaitlyn and Stephen find kindred spirits in each other and they learn together how to change the perceptions and expectations of others. But it is a slow and painful process, so true to real life.

I won't give a spoiler, but I have to say I was a bit disappointed in the ending. I'm hoping that there is yet another book to be written in this series, because it doesn't seem to really close. That said, I would recommend the entire series for it's writing style, emphasis on second chances, and small town charm.

After abandoning her daughter with her brother, Kaitlyn Reed feels like everyone is judging her past, in At Home in Last Chance by Cathleen Armstrong. It doesn’t help that everyone in Last Chance, New Mexico seems to know everything about everyone. Steven Braden also feels the judgment from others in the town. When his brother put his life on hold to run Steven’s bar, and then Steven decided he didn’t want to own a bar once returning home, he felt disapproval from his family and the town. Against her better judgment, and the advice of others, Kaitlyn decides to give Steven and chance. Soon, Kaitlyn, her daughter Olivia, and Steven are spending time with each other. The book looks at their relationship and if they can overcome the past, while also dealing with the illness of a family member.

I really enjoyed this book and the relationship between Kaitlyn and Steven. They both helped the other find out what they wanted out of their lives while learning that you don’t always have to be the person you were in the past. Although I read other books in this series, I think this would read well as a stand-alone book because there is enough of an introduction to the other characters in the series. It was great to read about some of the other characters and where their lives have gone after the first two books in the series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free as part of a Book Review Blogger Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

At Home in Last Chance features two characters we’ve met before. Steven had inherited a bar that neither he nor anyone else wanted to run. Consequently, the property has become the town’s eyesore. But he only abandoned a building; Kaitlyn abandoned her young daughter with her brother and took off to Florida on the back of a motorcycle. They weren’t exactly likable characters. Will they be any better this time around?

If you’ve read and enjoyed the previous two books in Cathleen Armstrong’s A Place to Call Home series, then it’s probable you’ll enjoy this one. All the familiar characters are here, from snippy Juanita to loveable Elizabeth. Mayor Rita makes an appearance and cook Carlos is holding everything together at the Dip n Dine.

The Last Chance books are character driven, and I like when I can connect with fictional personalities. The plot comes second, although it is somewhat predictable. We can guess early on how the relationship between Kaitlyn and Steven will end up, and it quickly becomes apparent that Kaitlyn is not destined to always work at her brother’s restaurant. Last Chance is a place where you get to know the residents on a personal level.

This is probably the final visit to Last Chance, New Mexico and that makes me sad. I’ve come to know and (mostly) love its inhabitants over the course of three books and will miss them, even Juanita and Nancy Jo who rubbed me the wrong way every time. Thank you, Cathleen Armstrong, for allowing us to stop a while in this small town off the interstate.

Thank you to Revell for my complimentary review copy of At Home in Last Chance, which I received in exchange for an honest review.

Last Chance is one of those places that becomes easily home. The people are filled with love, compassion, and grace. When a newcomer enters they are welcomed just as Christ welcomes us. No questions, just come on in and let's get to one one another.

I'm kind of sad to see the people of Last Chance go, but they won't be far from memory. Cathleen has given a wonderful final goodbye by leaving the reader feeling complete and knowing that everyone we have met in Last Chance is doing just fine. All they needed was a chance.

If your just seeing At Home In Last Chance again for the first time I suggest that you go back and read Welcome To Last Chance and One More Last Chance. (You can take a peek at my reviews). Yes, you could read this as a stand alone, but you're going to be missing out on a huge part of just where these characters have come from.

The characters are easy to relate to. Cathleen gives the reader a beautiful portrait of Last Chance and the people who live there. Her writing style is easy and flows with a continued grace of the pen. Her heart is within these pages as we see her passion for reaching out to others and making a difference in their lives.

Once again I was hooked with these characters. Kaitlyn and Steven just need a chance. They are trying to find themselves and understand who they are deep inside. Sometimes this world is just a hard place and we need a few encouragers to help guide the way. A sweet romance, mixed with faith, love and a renewed hope.

This was a delightful series from beginning to end. I can't wait to see what's next for Cathleen Armstrong.

This book was a gift from Revell for sharing my review with you.

At Home In Last Chance by Cathleen Armstrong is the third book in a series, A Place to Call Home. While each novel includes characters from prior books, this book stands alone. I did not feel like I was lost at all, in fact I actually did not realize it was series until I had finished it.

There are several things I really liked about this book. I loved the idea of a cafe called the Dip 'N' Dine and the character Juanita Sheppard who waitresses there. We all know a Juanita and I thought Cathleen Armstrong did an excellent job of evoking an emotion from me just by Juanita being present. I worked with a Juanita once...it wasn't my favorite job. I also appreciate the slow development of relationship between characters. I am never a fan of "hello, my name is, will you marry me," books. There is no love at first sight happening in this book. Apparently, the characters from the last book in this series are just getting serious about marriage in this novel. However, like a small town sometimes feels...this particular book was a little slow for me. On the bright side, it was perfect for breaking up the monotony of books I have been reading.

While At Home In Last Chance will not make my top 10 list this year, after reading it I would be interested in reading more by Cathleen Armstrong. I will likely pass my copy on to a friend for their enjoyment. I give this book 3.5 stars for its small town feel, real people, and life-like relationships. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by its publisher, Revell, in exchange for an honest review. I have not been compensated and all opinions are my own.

Kaityln Reed has always run from her problems. The last time she ran, she left her seven year old daughter in Last Chance with Kaitlyn's older brother. Now she's back and trying to start over. She has a lot to prove to the town, to her brother, and to her daughter. Will Kaitlyn finally find her own home?

I've read both of the other books in this series and enjoyed them. This one was no exception. While it is a part of the series, it does stand alone. Readers don't really need to read the other two to fully enjoy this one.

Like the other books in this series, the story has the small town feel to it. I found it to be a quick read. I enjoyed not having to think through this book. I did think that Kaitlyn needed to really grow up. I also thought that the townspeople were a little hard on her. She was trying. She realized she'd made mistakes and was willing to change her life.

I thought that Steven was too much of a charmer. And he knew it too. I admired him for trying to show his family that he wasn't the same guy he was years ago. I didn't like him too much at first, but he grew on me. By the end of the book, I liked him.

Overall, I'd say this series is pretty good. I'm pretty sure that this was the conclusion, and if so, then it wrapped nicely. If it's not, I look forward to the new adventures in Last Chance.

I received this book for free from Revell Books for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of women's fiction, contemporary fiction, Denise Hunter, Melody Carlson

Rating - 4 stars

Kaitlyn Reid is back where she started, having been too flighty for too long and with a young daughter who is legally the ward of her family, not herself. She's helping in her brother's diner in Last Chance, a tumbleweed town, a step down from having been a hairdresser in Scottsdale. Kaitlyn resents her situation, resents her foolish deeds and resents that she can do nothing but put up with life.

We gradually start to develop some sympathy for the prickly girl, who is smart and attractive but individualist and uncooperative. Kaitlyn has to learn to change herself before the town can come to accept her and she can add value to the community. A young lad about town, who gets by on charm and has a simple life with his grandmother, fancies Kaitlyn but she's not going that direction again. Men have caused far too much trouble. Only when the lad starts to grow up and wonder what kind of a man Kaitlyn would be interested in, can he make any progress.

This is more a women's fiction tale than a romance, though it does carry the romantic staples, but the tale is suitable for any age and is flavoured with descriptions of small-town life. I had not read the earlier Last Chance tales, but by now the town is well established with very real people and environment, so while this book reads perfectly well as a standalone it would complement the rest.

Cathleen Armstrong does a good job at creating a romance. The characters of Steven and Kaitlyn didn’t fall in love for the first two hundred pages. I enjoyed that Armstrong made Steven work for the heart of Kaitlyn who had a hard time trusting anyone. It was a nice surprise. The romantic tension between the hero and heroine was realistic and soothing.

The setting of Last Chance matched the small town feel. I liked how Armstrong made the readers feel the blow of the wind through the tumbleweed that blew in front of the diner. I like the description of how everyone knew everyone and was concerned about everyone’s doing. Armstrong truly understands how the small town works and used it to create a realistic world for her story as they visit Last Chance.

Armstrong’s writing ability was great. The plot flowed along from scene to scene without jumping into more than one head for a chapter without a chapter break. The scenes moved in order of the story meaning that the story kept a continuous flow without jumping back in time or skipping forward then moving backward. The emotions, struggles, and fears of the characters were realistic. I understood why Kaitlyn didn’t want to trust anyone and completely empathized with her struggle of trying to make her parents’ happy.

Cathleen Armstrong returns to the small town of Last Chance with a sappy romance between her hero and heroine who allow their realistic struggles and emotions to guide their lives.

I was given a copy of At Home in Last Chance from Revell Publishing and the opinions stated above are completely my own.

Kaitlyn has been hard to handle since she was little. She had Oivia "Lizzy" as a teenager and dropped her off with her brother, Chris when things got too hard. She has a very hard exterior and she is the talk of the town.

Steven is used to dipping his finger in to try out women and then moving on. Kaitlyn is so many different flavors, she has his head spinning. He figures at first it will be easy to win over Olivia and then Kaitlyn, and boy could he never be more wrong.

With all the town in their every move, it is hard to hide anything at Last Chance. When will Kaitlyn get tired and leave the too small scene that this small town offers? She can't stand her job at Dip N Dine. All she wants to do is find a good place to get to continue her artistic haircuts. Olivia is afraid she'll be left alone with her uncle, Chris again. Steven isn't sure why he's still in Last Chance when that's not where he lives and Academy starts in April. Nothing is holding him at Last Chance.

Life takes a turn for the worse and the better all the time. At Home in Last Chance shows how people can overcome their bad habits and personality defects to create a more happy chance/opportunity for themselves. These characters find lots of hope in Last Chance. This is a book that builds up over time. It's a good read!

Welcome back to Last Chance, a place that invites you to sit down and eat at the Dip 'N Dine, gossip with some of the locals, and visit with Elizabeth for some tea. I love the small town setting and the community feel that the author invokes throughout the story. Getting to hear from my old friends Chris and Sarah wasn't bad either. This is the third book in the series, but it does not have to be read in order (I do want to go back and read the first book, though!).

At the end of book two, Chris had just picked up his sister, Kaitlyn from Florida. I really enjoyed getting to know Kaitlyn better in this book, because my opinion of her was not very high. Steven Braden is your typical handsome charmer. I loved the depth the author provided to each character. I really felt a connection with both of them as they struggled to overcome the stigmas of their past. Their relationship was not rushed or over done. It was the background story line for the book.

The message of the story can be summed up in these words from Elizabeth, "Never underestimate what the Lord can do...He can take the biggest mess you ever saw and turn it into something so beautiful it can take your breath away." We have all done things we are not proud of; things we struggle to let go of in our past. The hardest thing to do is to let it go, like God does (as far as the East is from the West), and get on with our lives. Each of these characters works to overcome their pasts in the story and receive the beautiful blessing God has for them in their present and future.

Overall, this was a sweet, contemporary romance with a deep message of making our messes beautiful.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through the Revell Reads blogging program in exchange for my honest review.**

I haven’t read either of Cathleen Armstrong’s A Place to Call Home novels, but I really enjoyed At Home in Last Chance (which can easily be read as a standalone, though previous main character makes appearances). Set in the small town of Last Chance, New Mexico, this novel details the experiences of Kaitlyn Reed and Steven Braden over a few months. These two characters have many similarities, both being the youngest in their families, as well as the expected screw-up. Though both developed a tendency to run away from their problems in the past, Kaitlyn and Steven decide the time has finally come to grow, mature and settle down. It is never easy to change when everyone remembers the past, but Kaitlyn and Steven handle their challenges admirably and with many humorous moments added in for good measure. Overall, At Home in Last Chance is a great, quick read about second chances and starting over and I would recommend it to fans of contemporary fiction, especially those who have read the previous novels in the series.

Thanks to Revell Reads, I received a copy of At Home in Last Chance and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

I have so enjoyed Cathleen Armstrong's A Place to Call Home series! If you have not read the first two in this series, read them before starting her latest "At Home In Last Chance!" This one can be read as a stand-alone novel, but really you will appreciate it and love it even more if you have read the previous novels in the series. I was so happy that Kaitlyn got her own book. Kaitlyn was a frustrating character for me in the last novel as she made some choices that I hated, but yet I also felt bad for her and wanted her to hopefully realize what she was doing and be given the chance to "redeem herself." I love how easy it is to get back into this series even though it has been months since I was last in Last Chance; Cathleen does an amazing job with drawing the reader right back into this town and into the characters' lives once again. The diner has been such an important place in each of the three novels and helping the characters to really find their footing and their home and I love this! I highly recommend this book and series if you enjoy a feel-good read and honestly who doesn't?!

*Thanks to the Revell Reads Program for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Kaitlyn made a horrible mistake six months ago. She left her seven year old daughter with her brother and took off. But now she's back and trying to rectify her mistakes. It isn't easy and she constantly feels the guilt, not only from herself, but from the townspeople. Steven is dealing with some of the same issues himself. Their relatives warn them about each other. But these two prodigals must learn to have faith and trust before they can settle in Last Chance, New Mexico.

The style of writing feels a lot like a young adult book. The author deals with the issues of learning from mistakes and moving past the prejudices of others. I was unaware that this book was in a series when I picked it up. It can be read as a stand alone, but there are definitely pieces that would fit better if the first two books had been read. The book ends rather abruptly. I'm not sure if this is because it's part of a series and the loose ends will be tied up in the next book, or if that is simply the style of writing. The characters are authentic and the descriptions are vibrant. It was an interesting read.

I received this book free of charge from Revell Reads in exchange for my honest review.

The Story of A Home In Last Chance actually started two books ago with Welcome to Last Chance, then continued in One

More Last Chance. It is not imperative that you read the prior books to enjoy this book, they do give you enough background

to catch up to be able to enjoy this book.

In this story Kaitlyn has returned to the small town of Last Chance to her daughter that she left behind in her brother's care six month's previously so she could go off and have a life. Having realized her mistake she is now working in her brother's diner all the while working to regain the trust from the daughter she left behind.

Kaitlyn meets Steven Braden and in the beginning she wants nothing to do with him, however he is irresistibly drawn to her, and so a romance story is born.

I don't know if the author plans on writing any more stories from or about Last Chance, however the three books that are already written are a pleasure to read including this one.

My Rating for this book is a 5 *****

I was provided with a copy of this book from the publisher so I could read it and give my honest opinion and review of it.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

For me, this was a really heartwarming story. Kaitlyn was trying to get her life together after leaving her child with her brother to raise. Now she has to prove that she is the mother her daughter needs in order to get her daughter back. On the other hand, Steven is trying to prove that he has grown up, and ready to settle down. But would Steven and Kaitlyn be able to make a go of it together, with all of their past failures?

I have really enjoyed Catherine Armstrong’s A Place to Call Home Series, and I so much enjoyed this third book! The characters are very realistic and enjoyable to get to know. The lives of the characters sure keep readers wondering what will happen next! And I appreciate the detailed info about this little place called Last Chance. It is sure a place I would love to visit!

I received this book from BookLook Bloggers to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

Author Cathleen Armstrong debuts her writing with the "A Place To Call Home" series. This is the third book in the series. Therefore I read the first two books to familiarize myself with the characters.
The first book "Welcome To Last Chance" was a very hard book for me to read. It reminded me of a past I would rather forget. The second book "One More Last Chance" proved to be a bit more enticing.
The last book of the series "At Home In Last Chance" could be read as a stand-alone book, since the characters are well developed. The reader should get a feel of the characters and flavor of the series just by reading this last book.
Since this contemporary, 294 page, romance novel was my introduction to author Cathleen Armstrong I was unsure what to expect. However, I am pleased I stayed with the series and did not give up. I do not believe this series is for every reader as there are some touchy situations. Having said that, I do believe if the reader sticks with the series they may actually be encouraged, as I was.

Disclaimer: I received this book free from Revell Reads in exchange for my honest review.

At Home in Last Chance continues Cathleen Armstrong's series about a small New Mexico town where everyone knows your name ... and your business. Though this is book three in the series, you can easily pick it up without having read the first two books (I did).

This novel focuses on Kaitlyn and Steven, two people who no one in the town thinks should be together. (Did I mention how nosy everyone is?) While I liked Kaitlyn immediately, despite her faults, I really struggled to like Steven. About halfway through the novel, though, he started to grow on me, so by the time a real romance started developing, I was on board.

At Home in Last Chance is a slow, gentle read. There's nothing earth shattering about it, and it won't keep you up into the wee hours of the morning to see how it all turns out, but it is enjoyable and thought provoking. And sometimes, that's just the kind of book you need. 3-1/2 stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell through the Revell Reads program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Written by: Cathleen Armstrong
Published by: Revell

I thought that the story of At Home in Last Chance sounded really interesting, so I was happy to receive the chance to read and review it. This book is about a young woman who is reconnecting with her daughter and trying to turn her life around in a small town.

Who the book is for:

This is good for those who are looking for a romance book with more of a story to it than just two people falling in love.

What I liked:

Some of the characters are likeable…

Parts of the story are interesting and enjoyable to read…

What I didn’t like:

But, some of the book is really boring, and some of the characters aren’t likeable at all.

My conclusion:

Overall, I wasn’t a big fan of this book.

I give At Home in Last Chance 3 out of 5 stars.

I received this book free to review from Revell. The opinions expressed in this review are my true thoughts and feeling regarding this book. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

This was an enjoyable story with fascinating characters! It was interesting to see how Kaitlyn and Steven change throughout the book, in both their attitudes and actions toward people and responsibility. Kaitlyn really frustrated me in the previous book, when she had treated her daughter so horribly, so it was amazing to see the turnaround. There's a little bit of romance to the story and some talk of faith as both Steven and Kaitlyn start attending church with their families and there's a comment here and there by different characters. I liked seeing the characters from the previous novels, even Juanita, who's in everyone's business. I did think the comments about how talkative Juanita was and how she kept coming in late to work got a little repetitive. Olivia was still one of my favorite characters, so tough and mature for a seven-year-old and of course, Gran was so wise and loving and really the backbone of the series. I recommend this book to anyone who likes romance and well-written characters.

I received this book free from Revell in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much, Ms Armstrong, for taking us back to Last Chance. With this book you brought life to a character I previously didn’t care for very much.

Kaitlyn and Steven seem to be cut from the same bolt of fabric. While she’s working to straighten out her life, she’s being drawn to this bad boy who appears to not want to act like an adult. He would prefer to run away and Kaitlyn knows that that’s like.

That would be all fine and dandy except she needs to become the parent figure in her daughter Olivia’s life now that she wants to settle down instead of running.

This is a good stand alone read, but you’ll appreciate it more if you read Welcome to Last Chance and One More Last Chance first. The back stories help you see new life in old friends.

Thank you, Ms Armstrong. Will you take us to Last Chance again or is this our last chance with these characters we’ve grown to love?

***A special thank you to Lanette Haskins for providing a review copy.***

Like the other two books, I really enjoyed reading this one. Kaitlyn is really trying to get her life back on track, and I commend her for it. She sticks with a job she hates to prove to herself and everyone else that she is here to stay and will do whatever it takes to be a good mom to Olivia. I like how Steven is determined to prove to his family that he is not irresponsible and takes on the job of getting his grandmother's house ready for her after an accidental fall. There were a few times I wanted to hurry the story along (especially when it came to Kaitlyn's job decision). Other than that, I loved this book.
This is the third book in the series. You need to read the second one to fully understand Kaitlyn's past, Chris' custody of Olivia, and how it affects this story. The first book comes in handy to fully understand Steven's history with Last Chance. This book neatly ties up all the loose ends of the first two books.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Sissy: This tale of love and redemption really warmed my heart. How many people in this world are judged by their past mistakes and never given a chance to change? And how many of us have been the one willing to give others support, love, and a second chance? This book has a Christian theme, so if you don't like those, stop reading now. But before you go, keep in mind that it isn't "in your face" Christian but rather warm and comforting Christian.
Bubby: I love reading stories where people choose to not be defined by their past indiscretions but rather rise up and take charge of their lives and make themselves a better person. Very inspirational--in a "get up off your butt, Bubby" sort of way. Sometimes Sissy is rude to me like that but I always appreciate it in the END.(No pun intended). Read full review at www.bubblebath-books.com

Cathleen Armstrong continues to “wow” her readers her Place to Call Home series. The new installment is called At Home in Last Chance. My vote: it’s fantastic.

This book continues the story from One More Last Chance. I wasn’t sure how the author could continue Kaitlyn’s story, since some of Kaitlyn’s choices seemed close to unredeemable. I thought there wasn’t much she could do to make me like Kaitlyn, but she did it.

The name of the book kind of says it all. How does a small town react when a person tries to come home after making some bad choices? Is a black sheep allowed to change color? In a place where everybody knows everybody’s business, is there any chance of redemption?

I felt the end was a little short, but in retrospect, I think I was just sorry to see the story end. I think maybe the best way to say it is I want to move to Last Chance and continue my relationship with these people. If you want to find out more about this place your heart will want to move to, check out the A Place to Call Home series.

My thanks to Revell for giving me a copy of this book to review; it challenges me to give people room to change; it calls me to let them come home.

At Home in Last Chance by Cathleen Armstrong

Kaitlyn Reed has came back to Last Chance to start over and show her family that she can be the mother her daughter needs. Working in her brothers restaurant provides her with an income, but does not fulfill the deep desire to help others feel better about themselves.
Steven Braden is working on his uncles ranch to bide away the time, till he is to go away to the academy. After meeting Kaitlyn and her daughter, Steven is captivated by Kaitlyn.
As the time passes they find themselves being drawn toward each other, while questions still arise between them.

Will they be able learn to trust each other even if they can’t trust themselves.

A big Thank you to Revel Reads for supplyiing this boook for an honest review.

Your sociable little Bookie Monster has been let out to run free once again, wreaking havoc in her wake as usual. This week’s subject: At Home in Last Chance, by Cathleen Armstrong.

The Cast: Kaitlyn Reed, model-gorgeous grown-up teen mom with some bunch-quitting issues (for those unlucky few who didn’t grow up around cowboys: a bunch-quitter is a horse or cow that always tries to run away from the main herd); Steven Braden, face-palm handsome and groaningly vain jerky kind of guy who hasn’t decided what to do with his life; Kaitlyn’s “all-right-already-every-character-is-physically-perfect” hunky big brother who has taken care of her daughter after Kaitlyn ran off and left her; and a host of other family members, good and bad. As Kaitlyn tries to earn her daughter’s trust again, and Steven keeps trying to hit on her (Kaitlyn, not the daughter…that would be just weird), they struggle with lots of family issues and constantly deny the fact that (of course) they are a match made in heaven.

The Pros:

– The writing was overall strong and lively. The slightly humorous opening scene drew me in (not humorous in a “teehee” way; more of an “well, we gotta laugh or cry” – I thought the author pulled that off well).

– The descriptiveness is vivid. Bookie Monster likes descriptions.

The Cons:

– In a few places, the prose seemed to, as they say, “remind me that I’m reading”. I found some spots a bit telly. Don’t just tell me “Steven felt great as he got back in his truck after seeing Kaitlyn and Olivia to their front door” (page 105). Show me how he drums his fingers happily on the steering wheel, gives a big wave to a complete stranger passing by (trust me . . . it’s a thing here in Texas), whistles a lively tune, etc. But that’s just the Bookie Monster’s preference.

– Only a few chapters in, I got extremely fed up with this Uncle Joe Jr. character. You can be safely assured that after the eighty-ninth time of Uncle Joe Jr. being referred to as “Uncle Joe Jr.”, I really do understand that Uncle Joe Jr.’s name just might be “Uncle Joe Jr.” Plus, the guy is a complete jerk. As is Kaitlyn’s mom. Bleh.

– Unfortunately, I didn’t find the story very compelling. After the first few chapters, I had to work to keep reading as it didn’t seem to be going anywhere special, besides family squabbles. About 2/3 of the way through, it lost me. The characters were all learning their lessons too fast. The Bookie Monster must confess that she skimmed to the end just to see if maybe Steven’s dog Speed Bump (yes, that really is her name) would get run over, or if the elderly matriarch of the family would die, or if Kaitlyn might struggle with her emotions and run away again. But no such luck.

Maybe the Bookie Monster just isn’t a romance fiend, which means that this book might be perfect for other readers. But she gave it the old college try. There were parts of it she enjoyed, but the rest just didn’t do it for her. She shall pass this one on to a home that will love it, and return to the land of her Westerns. Adios!

It's funny. After reading Last Chance Hero, I wanted to go back and read the other A Place to Call Home series. I started off with #2, At Home in Last Chance. I know, weird, but I was intrigued by the character Kaitlyn from Last Chance Hero, so I wanted to start with her. I like this book. The characters were definitely the highlight since each one, especially Kaitlyn and Steven were so well developed that their journeys kept me reading. There are repeated characters of course, especially in a small town like Last Chance. The overall plot can get draggy at times, but in all, not bad.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley/Revell for an honest review. Kaitlyn and Steven's story is about two people that have made mistakes in their lives and are in the process of making changes for the better. The story shows that we tend to judge people on their past behavior and do not see how they have made changes. It also showed that people that are making changes for the good need acknowledgement of their changes. I really enjoyed the book. I had not read the other books in the series but was able to follow along in the story. This is a clean Christian romance. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Last Chance is a town where everyone seems to get a second chance and that is what happens with Kaitlyn and Steven. Kaitlyn is trying to prove that she has really changed and deserves to have a part in her daughter's live. Steven has come back and wants to do something different in his life than what everyone expects him to.
I liked how the issues of trust and understanding were addressed in this book. I allowed the characters to start believing in themselves and allowed their friends and family to see that they were really making an effort. This was a great end to a touching series.
I received this book free from the publisher to review.