When Tessa Alexander came to Sanctuary Island, she left behind a marriage to a man who didn’t love her the way she loved him. When she finally found the strength to set them both free, she discovered friendship and self-acceptance in her adopted hometown. Now she’s settled into a quiet life on her own—never expecting to see her husband again.

Johnny spent almost two years deep undercover, unable to let his wife into his cold, dangerous world. He’s shaken to the core when he comes home to find her gone. It’s painfully clear that Tessa is no longer the timid young woman he married—she’s become a force of nature, a brave and determined beauty. Johnny can’t let her go without a fight so he sets out to seduce his own wife. But will passion alone be enough to convince Tessa that her new life should include a second chance at happiness with a man who must learn to believe in love?

I loved this book! I loved Tessa. I thought she was the best heroine I had read since...in a while. This had some really great moments that left me sighing. I love Lily Everett and there hasn't really been a book she's written that I've been like "I don't like this book!" I've liked them all because they're all different in some way, shape or form. Johnny, oh we all want a guy like him. In my mind I kept picturing him as Chris Pine in This Means War...well because he was HOT in that movie!!

My recommendation is get this book and just dive in...kick your kids to the grandmothers house and kick your husband out to somewhere because it's way worth it!!

I was given a copy of this ARC from the publisher on Netgalley for a honest review. All of the above comments are my express opinions and no one else's.

Really wasn't a fan of this book. Never was able to fully get into it.

Rated 4.5 - CLOSE TO HOME by Lily Everett is an unusual second chance romance that features a marriage of convenience and an unstable husband returning from years of undercover work to find his wife gone. Quite a different spin for romantic suspense.

Johnny is a mental mess when he comes off his latest assignment. He sees danger everywhere and suspects everyone. After finding out his wife ran off to Sanctuary Island to start a new life a year ago, leaving him divorce papers to sign, he follows her to convince her to remain his wife. Will Johnny’s obsessive need to protect push Tessa farther away?

Johnny married Tessa to save her from her past. Tessa wants a divorce, even though she loves Johnny. She feels it’s not enough to love someone who doesn’t love you in the way you need it. Tessa has grown up while Johnny was gone and has made a life for herself that doesn’t include him.

Johnny is one of the most unusual heroes I’ve read. He’s off-putting at first because he’s so paranoid. Tessa’s love for him made me believe he might be right for her, if he can learn to trust and not suffocate her new, hard-earned independence. Their journey is emotional and uplifting as they learn through horse therapy to work as a team.

Johnny seems wacko at times, and then sensible when he stops reacting and listens. His habit of seeing shadows lurking everywhere ramps up the tension, along with possible suspects. This made Johnny one of the most intriguing heroes I’ve read in a contemporary romance novel, because he’s far from normal but his heart is in the right place.

Tessa is fun as she pushes Johnny away. She may have been timid early in their relationship, but she proves her self-reliance. Her personal growth is evident by the end. She doesn’t let Johnny push her into anything she doesn’t want or need. Their relationship is unstable, unusual and intriguing.

There were a couple situations that seemed far-fetched to me, but that’s not unusual in romantic suspense. I’m a hard sell when it comes to mixing romance with danger. That said, this novel was more believable and entertaining than the majority because the characterization was consistent and convincing.

Sweet with a couple sensual scenes, CLOSE TO HOME will satisfy most romance readers’ preferences. Although Johnny and Tessa are attracted to one another, the novel focuses on fixing their broken relationship. Their situation is uncommon, so it’s different from most second chance romances. It’s almost like they’re meeting for the first time, because their time apart has allowed them personal growth outside a marriage that had never truly been traditional.

If you haven’t read the SANCTUARY ISLAND series yet, each book stands on its own but they’re so entertaining that I suggest you start with SANCTUARY ISLAND which is my favorite. Then, continue with SHORELINE DRIVE, HEARTBREAK COVE, and HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, which will prepare you for book five, CLOSE TO HOME, and book six, HOME AT LAST.

Author Lily Everett has a knack for combining quirky with normal without it seeming over the top. I always root for her characters and keep coming back for more. This author is reliably good at characterization, so even the most unusual or cranky earn my devotion. Speaking of cranky, wait until you meet Marcus. I’m anxious for Quinn to douse him with what he deserves in HOME AT LAST, available March 7, 2017. Watch for my review coming soon to Romance Junkies.

Review by Dorine, courtesy of Romance Junkies.

The Sanctuary Island series continues with the story of Tessa and Johnny, a married couple in name only who have been separated due to his undercover work assignment. Tessa moves to Sanctuary Island to seek a brave new life without her husband, only to find he has returned and wants her back. Each of them has grown without the other, and how they find their way back together forms the plot. Secondary characters are also well-drawn and the basic theme of finding and making a home proves rewarding for readers.

This book put me through the ringer. It broke my heart and put it back together again. Johnny and Tessa went through so much. But you couldn't help but root for them to figure it out and get back together. It isn't going to be an easy road, but Johnny will do whatever he has to win Tessa back.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

A gorgeous second-chance romance. I really enjoyed this beautiful romance. I haven't read the other books in this series but I can't wait to read more in this series. Fantastic!

This is actually my first read by Lily Everett and I loved it, so much that I'm looking forward to more from her and I will be going back to read the previous titles. CLOSE TO HOME is heartwarming, sweet and romantic, with a powerful message about commitment in relationships.

Necessity brought Tessa and Johnny Alexander together, but something more powerful kept them together. Tessa fell in love with her husband but she knows that while he cares for her, he only sees her as someone to protect and his code of honor will not let him walk away from her, so she makes the choice to set him free.

Johnny has successfully kept the intensity of his feelings for Tessa under wrap but thoughts of her sustained him for the two years he's been undercover and the last thing he expected was to find that she has left him. Much to his surprise when he finds her, the scared young girl he left behind is gone; replaced by a confident, independent, capable woman, taking charge of her life on her own terms. Johnny has got few options available to him: he can admit his feelings for his wife and fight to win her back, or he can deny them and lose her forever. Not much wiggle room for him.

This was such an enjoyable story for me. Both Tessa and Johnny have baggage from their past that they did not let get in the way of fighting for their relationship. Watching Tessa spread her wings was just as entertaining as it was watching Johnny rein in his protective tendencies and get to know the woman his wife had blossomed into.

This story clearly illustrates that there are no shortcuts to a successful relationship or marriage and there was something endearing about the effort both Tessa and Johnny put into making it work, opening themselves to each other and building the relationship they both wanted one piece at a time.

I am looking forward to the next book in the series and if the sneak peek the author gave us is anything, it promises to be just and enjoyable as this one.

I've not read any Sanctuary Island books, but this was a good stand alone.

I found it a little boring and the characters just didn't engage with me. But the storyline was an interesting one and kept my interest to the end.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Close to Home, a Sanctuary Island book by Lily Everett is a true "second chance" romance! I have LOVED all of theSanctuary island books and it feels way too long since we have had one! Thank goodness Ms. Everett has given us another gem! This book centers around a young couple, who got married too young, and for all the wrong reasons, and after 8 years, Tessa takes off to make a life of her own. She ends up in Sanctuary Island working for Miss Patty at her bakery. Johnny, her husband has been working undercover for the ATF and when he finishes his latest stint finds out that Tessa has left him. He is actually having some PTSD and it is suggested he get counseling from the horse therapy farm on Sanctuary Island, where Tessa is living. Loved the angst while these two find their way back to each other. Loved seeing characters from previous books such as Miss Patty, and those that work the horse farm. There is also the beginnings of a second romance that is suggested in this book giving me hope that another Sanctuary Island book will not be far behind. A solid 4 stars for this wonderful story. Thanks as always to Netgalley and the Publisher for allowing me to read this for an honest review.

The blurb for this book had me very intrigued and story lived up to the expectation. This is the first book by Lily Everett that I've read and although it's a part of a series, I had no problem reading this as a standalone. The unrequited love trope is one of my favorites, a forgotten wife and a mysteriously distant husband made for a great read. The story line centers around Theresa ( Tessa) and Johnny Alexander and takes place on Sanctuary Island where the locals add much to the story.

When the story opens we learn Johnny and Tessa have been married 8 years and spent most of that time living a part, separated by his military and undercover job. We also learn that their marriage was born out of Johnny playing a hero to Terri (as he calls her). When Johnny returns to finds his wife has started divorce proceedings, his new mission is to win her back.

Everett creates an unusual situation through this that leads to the characters having revelations about themselves individually that impacts the health of them as a couple. Both characters have complex histories but Tessa was the one I found I had more sympathy for. I loved seeing her blossom, discovering her interest and finding personal strength. She is far more insightful than Johnny and she makes some bold moves leaving him challenged to prove to her that what he feels for her is real love, that she is not just a duty. His recent past is troubling and his emotional state tenuous. He's a total Alpha male with a hero complex that could easily get in the way of wining Tess back.

All in all I found this a very enjoyable read and I'm really intrigued to read about Marcus and Quinn, who play great secondary characters in this story. I'm not going to pretend it's not an HEA but there's plenty of angsty drama, good and bad decisions being made, and some unexpected action ( high adventures on the sea it's not) getting us to the end. Tess is tested in a way I never saw coming and Johnny learns that he can't control everything, but they both come to a solid realization about themselves and their feelings. 4 stars and recommendation!

Johnny Alexander was finally home, nervous and trying to shake off the deep undercover life he’d lived for the last two years. First he needed to report into his supervisor, and then go home to the one thing that had sustained him for the time he’d been away - to hold his wife Terri whose memory had kept him sane when the world he’d lived in turned insane. Much to his dismay, his best friend and supervisor Brad handed him an envelope filled with legal papers – divorce papers from over a year ago.

Terri had changed her name to Tessa but kept her married name of Alexander. Finally Tessa had grown from the scared timid girl Johnny had married eight years previous and had decided that she needed to stand on her own! Tessa had found her independence and was forging a new life for herself on Sanctuary Island with a job she loved; new friends; and her very own self-dependence. It’s a quiet life on her own and though she still loved Johnny she felt she had to let him go to find a real wife he’d be happier with.

*** Wow, loved this scenario! Terri/Tessa had been rescued by Johnny when he discovered her cold and shaken in his barn. Always an honorable young man, he knew he had to protect the young girl and he married her in order to give her a safe home and his protection. He treated her like a precious ‘china doll’ and after a few years where he was gone more often than not as a soldier and then as a special ATF agent Tessa came to the conclusion that she wanted more from Johnny than a chaste kiss on her forehead as she went to bed alone. What she didn’t realize was that Johnny did want more but wasn’t ready to cross over the line that he’d set for himself.

When Johnny was faced with the fact that Terri/Tessa had actually left, he followed her to Sanctuary Island and found a completely different woman than the shy girl he was married to. Tessa had cut her long brown hair into a very becoming blonde style but her whole demeanor had changed. Far from the shy retiring girl he married, Tessa was smiling and laughing and obviously both very happy and very much in control of her life.

Johnny was going to have to work very hard in trying to seduce his own wife and show her that the marriage he wanted was the same one she had dreamed of – both physical and passionate. The only thing that stood in their way was a madman from Tessa’s past who was determined to drag Tessa back to where she’d come from.

Bottom line: Great writing - wonderful storyline and lovely characters you can easily fall in love with. Sanctuary Island is a magical place – Highly recommended read.

Marilyn Rondeau

This was a beautiful story of growing up. independence, and falling in love all over again.

Johnny Alexander married Terri when she was 18 years old and he found her hiding out in the family barn, obviously on the run and scared. He had the "need" to protect her based on events from his past. Johnny never had an intimate relationship with her because he felt she was so fragile. Johnny left for the Army for 6 years then spent 2 years in the ATF so Terri was pretty much alone for her first 8 years of marriage. Terri decided she was not happy and that Johnny only stayed married to her out of obligation, so she was going to release him from his "duty". She filed for divorce, packed up and moved to Sanctuary Island and started going by the name Tessa.

A year later Johnny is back from being undercover and ready to spend some time with his wife. Surprise...she's gone. He decides to follow her to Sanctuary Island to get his wife back. While Johnny is there, he is required to deal with his emotions from being undercover for so long. He also realizes that his Terri, no Tessa is no longer the timid, afraid little girl she used to be. Instead he sees a strong, determined woman that he really wants to know. Slowly the two of them get to know each other all over again and realizes that they both still want to be together. It was fun watching these two getting to know each other. Johnny was a little too protective at times and Tessa was a little to stubborn at times but it was fun how they found a common ground. Throughout their story a little suspense was also thrown into the mix, which was very enjoyable. I also loved the character of Marcus and can't wait to see what his story is! Overall this was an enjoyable story with really great characters.

This book is book 5 of Ms Everett’s series titled , Sanctuary Island. Whether you have read all , some , or none of the previous books, this book is for you.
It’s a touching , heartbreaking and heartwarming story not only about Terri/Tessa and Johnny, but also about the quaint island and it’s inhabitants.
Terri/Tessa and Johnny have been married for 8 years, but it was a marriage to rescue Tessa, so the marriage was never consummated. Johnny, an undercover agent, has kept himself busy because after a few years, he is sexually attracted to Tessa and doesn’t want to scare her. While Tessa, has developed the same feelings and loves him, but believes he considers her a charity case.
She leaves town , goes to Sanctuary Island, re-invents herself and seeks a divorce, in order to set Johnny free. A rude awakening for him, when after an 18 month undercover stint he comes home and finds the house empty and is given the divorce papers.
He goes to the island .
Will both ever overcome their sadness, guilt, lack of trust and thus allow love to enter their lives? A reminder that whatever happens in our childhood and youth really does mold us as adults.
A wonderful story and one that shows the shows us what a talented author Ms Everett is.
I was gifted this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

Close to Home by Lily Everett is a 2017 St. Martin’s Press publication.

I have really enjoyed this series. Close to home is another heartwarming addition to the Sanctuary Island saga.
When Johnny emerges from a two year deep cover operation with the ATF, he discovers his young wife of eight years, Terri, has written him a ‘Dear John’ letter. He is heartbroken, but heads to his wife’s newly adopted home town to win her back.

Tessa, left her ‘in name only’ marriage, changed to name to Tessa and moved away to Sanctuary Island, hoping to begin a life of independence and find a man who would really love her the way she needs to be.
She never imagined Johnny would come for her. The couple agrees to a trial period to see if their marriage can be saved.

However, there is something sinister going on, as well. Johnny can’t seem to shake the feeling that Tessa remains in danger and his protective instincts are on high alert.
Can Johnny convince Tessa to give their marriage a real chance this time? Has someone from Johnny’s past followed him to the island? Is Tessa in danger?

Each of the main characters has a compelling story and I liked both Johnny and Tessa. Their love story is more of an emotional one with a tender and sweet chemistry between them, but there is also a bit of sensuality, too.
The plot includes a slight element of suspense, and there are a few tense moments as the book reaches its final chapters.
There is also a side story which will segue into the next installment, with Marcus and Quinn, and I’m looking forward to seeing how all that plays out in the future.

Overall, this is a solid and enjoyable contemporary romance with just the right amount of emotion and spice which is just the way I like my romance novels.

Johnny is former military, currently an FBI agent coming off an 18 month undercover assignment to discover his wife of 8 years has left him. He goes ballistic. He shakes down his handler to find out where she has moved to, and he takes off after her.

Terri/Tessa has moved to a small island a few hours from where they were living. She has carved out a new life for herself. She is independent and secure in it. She works at the local bakery and rents a room from the owner who has become like a mother to her.

Some background: Tessa grew up on a Commune with an abusive, controlling father. When she got sick and he refused to get her medical attention, she ran away. Seventeen and totally alone, she ends up on the farm where Johnny lived. He immediately takes her in, marries her so she’ll have insurance, and then promptly leaves for the military. They never consummated the marriage. He spent the next 8 years running/hiding in military assignments then undercover assignments so he wouldn’t act on his lust for her. I find this hard to believe.

Tessa, finally done with loving a man who will never love her back, leaves him while he‘s undercover, with a dear John letter and divorce papers to sign. While she’s grateful to him for saving her, she wants more for herself and him. She thinks by divorcing him, they can both move on with their lives. Because of his past, she knows he would never leave her first.

When he shows up at the bakery, she is shocked. She never expected to see him again. Amazingly enough, his required therapy for returning to his life from undercover is on the island. Johnny is convinced love isn’t real but he cares for Tessa and wants to keep his marriage. He convinces her to go to therapy with him to try to work it all out.

Meanwhile, there is also another story going on. Marcus has returned to the island he grew up on. He is former military and former bodyguard. He bought an old building and is renovating it into a bar. He has a past that haunts him as well.

Quinn remembers Marcus from when she was a kid. She is bubbly, fun loving, easy going, jumps from job to job and brings sunshine to Marcus’ dark moods. They hook up for a while, but then Marcus decides she doesn’t need to be saddled with his darkness and dumps her. He goes quietly behind her back to do a nice thing for her, but she unknowingly resists it initially. This sets up the next book in the series.

Lots going on in this story. I had trouble feeling it between Johnny and Tessa. They go from barely speaking during the first 8 years of their marriage to him saying I can’t let you go. Tessa had hero worship going on since he saved her but they didn’t really know each other. He was patient with her stubborn resistance. He did make an effort and eventually let her in. There were some really sweet moments. The villain was a total surprise.

The whole story wraps up rather easily. Loved his wedding gift to her.
This is my first book in this series. I think I would have liked this more if I had read the previous books. Don’t think I’ll go back for them, but I have committed to reading the next one.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley.

I really enjoyed this one. I haven't read the previous books .

I will be reading more books of this author in the future.

Tessa is married to an amazing man, someone who saved her from a past that was not all the great. She is not set off on her own because he can't seem to love her the way she craves and she hopes to find the independence she craves when she find what feel like home in Sanctuary island. Johnny come home from a hell of a two year undercover operation, he knew if he could just get home and to his wife life would be right again. However she has gone and now he sets off to convince her he needs her to come home, but when he arrives on Sanctuary Island he's in for a surprise of his own and now he doesn't know what to do from here. Can he win her love and convince her there marriage was something beyond name or will it be to late?
I was so excited to get my hands on this book, I have fallen in love with Sanctuary Island and the fun characters there. This story was no different I loved this fun group of characters and I can not wait to read Marcus' story next. I loved how in this story from beginning to the end the storyline grabs your attention and keeps you all the way through. I love how the author throws in a twist just when you think you have it all figured out or you think whats going to happen next. I also really enjoyed the small element of suspense in the book it just seem to tie everything together. I also really enjoyed how she kept the characters relatable. The book does have some adult scenarios and may not be enjoyable for all readers. I will say this if you have or have not been following this series grab this book its so worth the read and you wont regret it.

There is nothing quite like discovering a new favourite author and after devouring Lily Everett’s latest title, Close to Home, I found myself unable to stop myself from buying up her entire backlist!

Tessa Alexander was head over heels in love with her husband, Johnny. Her husband was the embodiment of every single romantic fantasy she had ever had, but their marriage was not the fairy tale she had always longed for. While Johnny had always shown her the utmost of respect, he had never loved Tessa as much as she loved him. Realizing that she could not continue to punish herself by remaining in a marriage with a man who could never give her the love that she wanted, Tessa had realised that she had no other option but to set them both free and walk out on her marriage. Tessa had packed her bags and headed to Sanctuary Island, a picturesque town that had quickly become home. In Sanctuary Island, Tessa has found the fulfillment, happiness and peace which she always craved – even though she knows that a part of her heart will always be broken for it will never see Johnny ever again. But destiny seems to have other ideas for her..

Having spent two years working undercover, Johnny had been unable to let his wife in on his dangerous mission and into his dark and dissolute world. Johnny had been absolute stunned when he had come back home to find Tessa had walked out of his life and every single trace of her removed from their marital home. Determined to get back the woman he loves, Johnny decides to track down Tessa and convince her to come back home with him. However, when he finds her in Sanctuary Island, he soon comes to the conclusion that Tessa is not the shy wallflower he had married, but has matured into a strong, beautiful and vivacious woman. But with Tessa not wanting to give their marriage another try, Johnny realises that he must make his wife fall back in love with him again. But will he succeed in his quest?

Tessa is adamant to let bygones be bygones and to consign her relationship to the past, but resisting her husband proves easier said than done. But are undeniable chemistry and red-hot passion enough to convince Tessa to give their love another try?

Close to Home is a stunning work of contemporary romantic fiction! I was drawn into this wonderfully written, emotionally satisfying and wholly mesmerizing tale from the very first page and I found myself having to force myself to put the book down. Lily Everett is a wonderfully lyrical writer who makes you feel every single emotion her characters are going through. Tessa and Johnny’s love story is tender, believable, heart-wrenching and heartwarming and readers would do better to keep a box of tissues close by because they will be taken on an emotional rollercoaster ride they will not easily forget!

A first class romance from a terrific writer I’ve added to my auto-buy list, Close to Home is a compelling, mature and absolutely outstanding tale I recommend to readers who enjoy smart, intelligent and emotional contemporary romances.

Close to Home by Lily Everett
Sanctuary Island #5

Johnny and Teri/Tessa – I have mixed feelings. The story is sweet and flows but I have trouble believing it could really happen. That said, it is fiction so it may not have to be believable?

What I liked:
* Tessa’s strength whether as Teri or as she has emerged as Tessa
* Johnny’s kindness and caring
* The supporting characters
* The lead into Quinn and Johnny’s story (hope it is next)

What I didn’t like:
* The lack of true communication between Johnny & Teri during their eight years of marriage – had trouble believing their relationship could have been as it was for so long
* The fact that Johnny was not willing to see that his time undercover impacted his behavior and he had things to work through – he did sort of figure it out, though
* The easy resolution to many issues: marriage, where they would live, etc.
* The twist that brought danger to Teri

All in all this was a sweet second chance at love love story with likable characters and a HEA with a great lead into the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC. This is my honest review.

3.5 Stars