4.5 stars.

Home Sweet Home by Sarah Title is an adorable, magical romance between two stubborn people who are fine with a no strings fling, but love? No way! With a little help from a very unlikely source, Grace Williams and Jake Burdette soon discover that love often sneaks in when it is least expected.

In need of a new beginning after a failed romance, English professor Grace Williams' move from CA to Kentucky is full of surprises. Her new house is in desperate need of a little TLC but it is her unexpected attraction to Jake Burdette that really catches her off guard. Jake has a giant chip on his shoulder when it comes to the university where Grace will be teaching, but he is drawn to Grace and finds it virtually impossible to resist his desire for her. The two are thrown together when Grace's house repairs exceed her limited abilities and they soon decide to give in to their passion. But when lust turns to love, their relationship is soon on very shaky ground.

Grace and Jake are wonderfully developed and appealing protagonists. They each have successful careers and, for the most part, they are happy with their lives. Both of them are carrying a few emotional scars from their respective childhoods and neither of them is looking for love. Of the two, Grace has the most baggage to deal with, and she is quick to avoid emotional entanglements. Jake is the first to resolve his issues but Grace's hang-ups come into play when it comes to taking their relationship to the next level.

Grace and Jake's interactions are laced with humor and their banter is delightfully witty. Their friendship flourishes once they give in to their passion and their emotional connection grows deeper over the passing months. Their love scenes are steamy but not too graphic. There is a bit of fanciful history attached to Grace's new home and the house itself is integral to bringing Grace and Jake together.

A charming romance with a touch of whimsy, Home Sweet Home is a wonderful addition to Sarah Title's Southern Comfort series. An overall fun, angst-free read that is sure to be a big hit with anyone who enjoys contemporary romances.

Although Home Sweet Home is the second novel in the series, it can be read as a standalone story. ( )

As a sucker for old historic homes and bed and breakfast inns, when I find both, a new author and a stunning cover with one of my two passions – I go for it!

Both the new found author and the old charming Victorian (known as the Spinster House), did not disappoint. Mix in some historic charm, literature from Jane Austen, a book worm Grace (the English professor), fiasco of remodeling, and some flirty romance with a hunky carpenter, Jake– bingo, a winner.

When Grace buys her first dream house (in dire need of repair), agreed to let her sister (Jane) drive the U-Haul from northern California to Willow Springs, Kentucky, she had no clue or care about meeting a man, especially one like Jake. She has two things in mind – her new home and work.

Handsome Jake, of course has no interest in Grace, due to her stuffy literary profession, until his realtor sister Mary Beth needs his help with a few things at the house. Jake’s business is in flipping houses, updating them and then selling to make a profit while he lives in an apartment over his sister’s garage, and helps pay the mortgage for her sister and husband, Todd. Jake thinks Grace will have her nose in the air, feeling smarter and better than he.

Grace has taken a job at Pembroke to begin the spinster life she desires, with no more distractions or lies from men. What she did not count on was his this guy’s hotness.

Two opposites, (Grace uptight scholar professor type) and Jake (sexy carpenter) with a fun and flirty banter of dialogue sending sparks flying. Of course the old Victorian has a mind of its own trying to put people together in this small town full of colorful crazy characters.

The Spinster House in Willow Springs belonged to a logging heiress (eccentric millionaire), and then left with her new husband before she could move into it. It was scandalous because she built it on one of the out of the way streets so people assumed she was up to no good. A dilapidated brothel-looking house on the outskirts of town with stories of its own.

Fans of Sherryl Woods, Nora Roberts, Susan Mallery, Mariah Stewart, or Debbie Macomber would enjoy Home Sweet Home, as a sweet romantic contemporary read good for a day on the beach, or curled up on a summer day on a porch swing, while escaping to the world of Willow Springs.

Looking forward to reading Kentucky Home (Southern Comfort #1), as enjoyed the author's contemporary writing style and romantic flair. http://judithdcollins.booklikes.com/post/840738/homesweethome

A special thanks to Kensington Books/eKensington and NetGalley, for a complimentary ARC, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.


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Grace Williams is not your typical English professor. She has a relatively good sense of humor, enjoys teaching, loves to read, and is rather excited about moving from California to Kentucky. This move puts her closer to her only surviving family members: her sister, brother-in-law, and adorable niece. The only problems are she left California after a disastrous love affair and has vowed not to get close to a man emotionally. Why is this a problem? Well her house, the "Spinster House" likes matchmaking and has set its sight on putting Grace together with the local handyman, Jake Burdette.

Jake Burdette is not your typical handyman. He was wrangled into helping his sister, a local realtor. He's also an accomplished contractor and has made a wonderful living flipping houses. Yes he lives at his sister's house (mind you in the garage apartment), but he's waiting for the right house to speak to him as "home sweet home" before he moves out.

Appearances can be deceiving. Jake has decided that Grace is a snob and thinks she's too good for the "normal" folk in Willow Springs. It doesn't matter that he's attracted to her physically or that they have a wonderful time when they're together. Grace has judged Jake for being somewhat of a loafer since he lives in his sister's garage and doesn't seem to have a full-time job. Yes she's attracted to him because he is "hot, hot, hot," but she simply isn't looking for a serious relationship. To say that Jake and Grace are filled with a bit of "pride" and "prejudice" toward one another is somewhat of an understatement.

Ms. Title has crafted a wonderfully romantic, often humorous tale of two people that are working at cross-purposes due to preconceived ideas and prejudices. I found Home Sweet Home to be a nice homage to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and a delightful read (and no I'm not just saying that because I know the author!). Both Grace and Jake are flawed and delightful because they are so very realistic as a result of their flaws. They both have issues going back to their childhood relating to love, commitment, and marriage. Although you know this is going to be a "happy-ever-after" story, it was a lot of fun getting from the beginning to the end and reading about all of the house's machinations to get these two lovebirds together. If you enjoy romance mixed with humor then look no further, Home Sweet Home is just the story you've been waiting to read. ( )