Return to Homecoming Ranch (Pine River Book 2)

This is the second book in the Pine River series by Julia London, in this one she brings back the characters from the first one plus some more that you will love or hate. I know I personally disliked Ryan. This story is all about Libby and Sam. Libby had a rough summer and is still reeling from her life being ripped apart. Sam on the other hand has dug his way up from the bottom of the barrel or in this case the bottle. Its a great book that will have you hoping that there is a third one. I am happy that Leo is in this one to, he played such an important role in the first one and he continues that role in this one. You get an update to what Luke and Madeline are up to, and we see Emma again even though you don't find out why. My full review is available at: http://allnightbooks.com/2014/07/22/return-to-homecoming-ranch-by-julia-london/

Julia London continues to write such heartwarming, provocative stories, the story between Libby and Sam the very case. It's messy at times, as is life, but you grow to care for these characters so much by now, you know their lives are real. I thoroughly enjoyed how well the end is tied up, while it almost seemed like it would not be...another thing I like about this author is the unpredictability she writes into her characters and stories.

Still have to say though, Leo is still the best...he truly is laugh out loud funny. Ms London writes him so believably that I can actually picture his mannerisms as he is thinking and speaking. It is truly admirable the awareness she is bring to MND, as well as muscular diseases as a whole. That and the true challenges our war Veterans face every moment of every day.

Now on to Emma's story.

This story of recovery from life's difficulties is very well written. Libby has to deal with a perfect storm of betrayal, loss & the judgmental attitudes of a small Colorado town. Part of what is hard to deal with, from the reader's perspective, is that not every wrong is righted, nor is every hurt or wound avenged. It makes the story that much better, because life isn't really fair. The good guy doesn't always win & the bad guy sometimes gets away with it.

My only criticism is that the narrative from Leo, the character who is dying by inches from Motor Neuron Disease, is hard to follow or digest. He seems irrepressibly upbeat & happy for someone facing a death sentence. I understand "raging against the night" but he would be a little more believable if he showed some vulnerability from time to time.

This is a stand-alone in a series. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series!

I have another Julia London keeper in Return to Homecoming Ranch!

We are back in Pine River, Colorado and Homecoming Ranch for Libby and Sam's story. Leo Kendrick starts the story for us, he gives us just enough background to get us warmed up. Libby has taken a golf club to her ex's truck, was served a restraining order and spent a week in the hospital. Leo lets us know that Sam's been interested in Libby. I love that we get some narration from Leo weaved throughout the story. The characters in Return to Homecoming Ranch could be family...they feel that real. I was right there with Libby when she realizes that she is missing Ryan's children and him not so much. And then when Sam wonders as an alcoholic if he can be around Libby and her dramas and remain sober. Feeling those emotions, I was rooting for them to get their happily ever after.

Once I started on Libby and Sam's story, I couldn't put it down until the very last word. Julia London gives readers an emotional but tender romance that is sure to stay with them. I'm looking forward to reading more of the other characters of Pine River and Homecoming Ranch.

I stuck it out- well most of it. I admittedly skimmed the last few chapters because I was tired of reading the same thing over again. I'm sure some will enjoy this book because it's relatable but for me it was the opposite. I have difficulty getting behind a heroine who continues to make bad choices based on emotion. I enjoyed the first book in the series more than this one. We shall see about the third.

I loved Return to Homecoming Ranch. The two main characters are rich, and definitely flawed. Sam is a recoverify alcoholic and Libby is just back home following a very public breakdown after breaking up with her boyfriend of many years.
Sam is the deputy in town and he watched over Libby until she catches on a throws a fit. He also keeps trying to advise her rather than throwing her in jail for violating the restraining order with her ex.
Their are hints from the beginning that Libby could mean more to Sam than he realizes, but will he come around in time, and if he does, will he stay around when the going gets tough or walk out on Libby, just like her ex?
London hearts up the pages and your heart with this very different, very real romance that gives you hope, but makes you wonder if hope alone is enough when two people have do much to overcome.

* I received a free copy of this book in return for my honest and frank review *

I went into this without having read the first book, but I never felt lost. I like Sam well enough, but was torn between feeling sympathy for Libby and wanting to give her some sort of intervention. Some of her decisions and her inability to keep from making certain choices kept me from being completely on her side. At one point I wanted to say, "For the love of God, woman! Move on. I get that Ryan did a crappy thing, but just leave them alone, already!" The sympathy burned off and I was just left with the annoyance.

I liked Sam, I was iffy on Libby, but I adored the supporting characters.

Leo, who basically is telling the story. I love Leo. I want to hug Leo.

And Tony, I really hope we see more of Tony in future stories.

3.5 stars, because I really, really was annoyed by Libby for much of the book.

** I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I read Homecoming Ranch by Julia London and loved it so I had to read this one. I loved this one as well! This book focuses mostly on Libby and Sam and follows the progression of their relationship. I like how their characters demonstrate that everyone has problems of some sort but, in the end, we all just want to be loved. Libby and Sam had their ups and downs but together, they worked through their problems and came out stronger in the end. I really enjoyed the chapters that Leo Kendrick narrated because he was hilarious and all he wants is to go see a Broncos game. The books in the Pine River series are just enjoyable contemporary romances and I am looking forward to reading the next one! I highly recommend them!

Here is a contemporary novel with contemporary topics. This is not a case of sweet romance, though there is a HEA. This a case of real life, real issues and real pain. A woman can be dumped only so cruelly, not to mention having children she all but raised ripped away from her and then there is the threat of having her house taken away… I mean how much can one woman take before she just looses it a little? Ms. London takes us into this world through a narrator and does so with remarkable perception and clarity. Her style is clean and clear, not to mention transporting. For something with a bit more depth than a traditional contemporary HEA it is well worth picking up. Oh I should mention it is part of a series though can be read as a stand alone, then again the first one was written by Ms. London as well so why wouldn’t you have wanted to read it?

Leo is at the storytelling again. He narrates what happens to the people of Pine River. He has such a way of telling a story, that you fall in love with him a little! When will he have his own story?
In Return to Homecoming Ranch we have the story of Sam and Libby. Libby was living the dream life, she was engaged to a wonderful man and she inherits his children. She loves the kids and thinks of them as hers. Suddenly, out of nowhere Ryan cheats on her and ends the relationship. The pain of betrayal by the one you love combined with the loss of children you think of as your own is too much for her to bare. She goes so far out of control; she is slapped with a restraining order.
Sam, a recovering alcoholic has known Libby for years and like meets like, obsession for obsession he understands. Sam is two years sober, and as a small town deputy, he is able to save Libby from herself. She will make you crazy at times, but you can always relate to where her pain and actions are coming from. Sam saves Libby from herself, and one night the two of them get snowed in at Sam’s and the heat rises.
Julia London continues to write wonderful stories. This latest contemporary made me a die-hard historical romance reader mad at times, and I had to break out the tissues at others. One thing that is sure, whatever time frame she writes, her books will never let you down.

A gullible woman who can’t let go of a rejected relationship causes headaches for a loner deputy who is a recovering alcoholic. These two were like oil and water, but enough shaky situations finally emulsified into a romance. I enjoyed the audio version of this book. The narration was especially entertaining.

Really depressing, I kept asking myself why I continued with the book when it made me so melancholy. The first one in the series was pretty good so I went ahead & got the second one. Poor Libby gets treated badly by the whole town. Where's the loyalty from all her friends and community she serves? The ex lover was so unbelievable horrible to her and no one wanted to champion her? Sam was more pathetic than a champion. None of the main characters were particularly likeable. I'll have to read all the reviews for the 3rd installment before I consider it.

What a disappointment! I had to force myself to read this book till the end because I just could not stand the leading character!
The dialogue of this 27 year old female is not of an adult but rather a 12 year old nor are her problem solving skills.
This book came highly praised but for me it was frustrating and a total waste of time.

How can you not love this book Julia interwove some really hard issues. This book so far is my favorite in the series. The addiction and struggle to find a place of understanding and self worth the characters make you really think. Libby's anxiety and anger was so understood i wanted to punch Ryan in the face my self and probably would have done a lot more then just a broken window the heartbreak was so real. Tackling the issues of PTSD and Alcoholism is hard to do where it comes off true and not faked Julia did that beautifully! I love Leo how can you not the Narrator of this story makes it what it is awesomely written. I can't wait for the next one in this series!

Once again we are back in Pine River with Libby's story. Libby's live-in boyfriend dumps her and refuses to let her see his kids, who she loves with all her heart. She goes into a rage and takes a golf club to his truck and gets sent to a mental health spa. When she returns she tries to move on but it's a really difficult situation. Sam Winters is a recovering alcoholic who understands some of what Libby is going through. He is also the sheriffs deputy who saw her at her worst and keeps saving her. Julia London delivers a meaty story here folks! The characters have depth and growth and keep you coming back for more! This is not your average boy meets girl story here!

I have been a long time fan of Julia London's Historical Romance novels, and only a few years ago discovered her Contemporaries. Well, it doesn't matter if it's an assembly in a glittering London ballroom, or a ranch house of a dusty country road; the woman can write. Her multiple awards are nothing to sneeze at either.

Return to Homecoming Ranch is the second novel in the Pine River series (the first was Homecoming Ranch) I don't think it is necessary to have read the first book in the series to understand the characters and the dynamics, but it would help. (It's also lovely to know all you can about this wonderful cast of characters)

Both main characters are flawed, not in the "I have a chipped tooth but I'm still adorable" way or even the "I wear mis-matched clothes and can't cook" way. But in the "I flipped out and bashed my ex-boyfriends car with a golf club" way (I'm sure we've all had days like that.) This doesn't make them bad people, it makes them people, and they are all the more likeable for it. Libby was just so sweet and goodhearted, it's impossible not to like her or relate to her. I could feel myself cringing at some of the situations that Libby finds (and puts) herself in, but I could also feel how she really didn't see or feel that she had much of a choice. It was heartwarming to watch the relationship between Libby and Sam develop.
Sam has demons of his own, in the form of an ex-wife and a drinking problem. But he is a strong character, doing his best to survive.
Watching these two picking up the pieces of their old lives and eventually building a future together was wonderful. It had ups and downs, and some very low downs, but in the end love prevails.
The book deals with many issues that are not standard issue; alcoholism and PTSD to mention a couple. Julia does a masterful job of treating these issues seriously, but respectfully and helps to provide the human side of what is all too often misunderstood.

And then there's Leo. You may want to read the book for him alone. He's a former football stud with a motor neuron disease, but that doesn't stop him. He's charming, witty, observant and manipulative (in the best way) and still very much the stud.

I highly recommend this book.

Another great Julia London book. I still love the regency books more than the contemporary but this is a good book about Sam and Libby who we met in the first book. What I like about these Homecoming Ranch books is that the characters seem like regular people. They have issues, insecurities and have made bone head decisions just like anyone else. There was even a few times I would think "Libby! Honey! what the heck are you doing!?!?!?"

I enjoy that Leo is the narrator for the books. Hearing him really puts things in perspective for you. I'm pretty sure the third book will be a super tear jerker.

I absolutely loved this book! I was shaking my head & laughing my butt off at different spots throughout the entire book. I got the audio version and the performer, Tawnia Ebee (sp?), did fantastic job. I am definitely going to continue reading/listening to this series and other books by Julia London.

Julia London is a master story teller. She will make you fall in love with her characters and feel what they are feeling in the story. I have loved everything I have ever read by Ms. London and I'm sure I will love what she still has in her mind to write. In Returning to Homecoming Ranch Ms. London touches on some things that a lot of us have dealt with in our every day life making her story so much more relatable. I have sold many copies of this series and will continue to tell all my customers about it.

Sweet love story continued from first book Homecoming Ranch. There are three sisters who are left a ranch. They have no idea what to do with this ranch and its in the red. The three sisters didn't know that one of the sisters existed and one, didn't know anything about the sisters or the father. This is a fun book on their journey to get along (Doesn't happen easily) and save the ranch. You do not need to read the first book to enjoy the second but, you will receive more of a background of the characters by reading the first.

Leo is a genius. Libby is a lost soul spiraling out of control but she finds balance. Tony and Sam both are on a quest for balance and freedom too (if they know it or not) Homecoming ranch is a blessing in disguise for Pine River and the Tyler girls.

Sexy and fulfilling read.... funny and poignant . Really liked the story development and how Leo is featured.... he contributes so very much to the story of Homecoming Ranch. Definitely worth reading...

Libby and Sam were always friends but Sam fell into an alcoholic haze and Libby has some major anger issue to deal with. Sam has been sober how for two years but is living in a cocoon afraid he'll fall back to alcohol. Libby shocks him out of his shell and together they are helping Pine River and building a life for Homecoming Ranch. This books deals with two heavy issues and gives a realistic scenario in dealing with both.

What a wonderful read this book was. Two people, who know of one another, but don't know the real story behind each other's problems. Family, breakups, and finding someone who loves you despite your faults. This is a heartwarming story that needs to be savored. Well done Julia!

I was disappointed this book was not as good as the first. The book was well written, however the two main characters Libby & Sam had their own issues that were frustrating and seemingly slow going to overcome. I will still read the last book in this series, and I hope that it will be as good as the first.

The second book of the Pine River series is just as good as the first. I hope there's a third book coming soon., and hopefully the standoffish Emma and the plans for the Homecoming Ranch will be involved. I look forward to seeing how Sam and Libby's relationship evolves, to see Luke and Madeline get married, and learn more about the wacky people who live in Pine River.

I downloaded all three of the books in this series. I managed to wade through two, but I cannot take one more word about Leo. What a manipulative, self centered jerk! I guess the author thinks because he's disabled it's cute to sexually harass every woman around, take advantage of church volunteers, and anything else he desires. He isn't a genius as he claims, he's just a user. Also I got tired of reading long sex scenes and then long memories of said sex. I'm done with this author.

Libby and Sam's story was cute. I found Libby's character a bit to whiney and her all about me attitude did get old. But overall it was a good sequel to the first "Homecoming Ranch" novel. I'll more than likely read the last in the series.

Loved reading this story so many true things happening to real people. loved Leo what a guy can talk his way thru anything So glad Libby finally saw the damage she was doing to herself hope Ryan fell and broke something .Sam is a good man even with Libby acting up he was there.

The second book of the Pine River series is just as good as the first. I hope there's a third book coming soon., and hopefully the standoffish Emma and the plans for the Homecoming Ranch will be involved. I look forward to seeing how Sam and Libby's relationship evolves, to see Luke and Madeline get married, and learn more about the wacky people who live in Pine River.

I downloaded all three of the books in this series. I managed to wade through two, but I cannot take one more word about Leo. What a manipulative, self centered jerk! I guess the author thinks because he's disabled it's cute to sexually harass every woman around, take advantage of church volunteers, and anything else he desires. He isn't a genius as he claims, he's just a user. Also I got tired of reading long sex scenes and then long memories of said sex. I'm done with this author.

Libby and Sam's story was cute. I found Libby's character a bit to whiney and her all about me attitude did get old. But overall it was a good sequel to the first "Homecoming Ranch" novel. I'll more than likely read the last in the series.

Loved reading this story so many true things happening to real people. loved Leo what a guy can talk his way thru anything So glad Libby finally saw the damage she was doing to herself hope Ryan fell and broke something .Sam is a good man even with Libby acting up he was there.

I won't go into a summary detail because other reviews have already done that. Although I thought it was a little hard to read, the story line was good. I'm sure Julia London's readers will love it.
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This story is a continuing story. The first one the father dies and leaves a ranch to his 3 daughters. In each book there is a love story. The stories are really good and with a realistic story line. Can't wait till the third book is available.

It's about life. Family good time sad times heartache ,life, death, great read. I promise Leo is the star of this series. You will cheer, laugh and cry. All the characters have their own story to tell, and if they don't get it right. Well Leo is their to set everyone straight.

It's about life. Family good time sad times heartache ,life, death, great read. I promise Leo is the star of this series. You will cheer, laugh and cry. All the characters have their own story to tell, and if they don't get it right. Well Leo is their to set everyone straight.

Julie London really wrote a great,funny,romantic,heartwarming story this time. The characters are great. U won't b sorry if u read this book. She has been on my list of favorite authors for some time

I fell in love with the not so perfect main characters of this story! As I read, I could how life takes them through an emotional roller coaster. I like how both characters eventually learn life is meant to be lived fully despite the mistakes they make along life's crazy journey!