This is an amazing story that left me an emotional wreck! I have read most of Garrett Keith's work and each time I think there is no way the next book will top the previous, each time I am wrong. This story is one I will never forget. 5 stars -

4.5*

While this book starts of pretty traumatic for Leo and Lila, the rest of the book wasn't quite as angsty as I thought it would be.
I was prepared for some major tear-age, but it really didn't come. Don't get me wrong, my heart went out to these kids, but maybe there was a strength, there that I knew they would be okay? I don't know, but I was actually glad I wasn't a blubbering mess.

Anywayyyys...
Leo and his little sister Lila end up in the system. One scared physically and mentally, the other has lung and speech problems.

Charlie, adopted Son of Reg and Kate and adopted brother to Fliss and Andy (not adopted). He's no stranger to being in the system, only he just wasn't in it that long and doesn't fully remember it. Their family is a close family and decide on major choices together, like fostering and adopting new siblings.

Kate decides that she really, really wants to help Leo and Lila after reading their files so the family meeting commences and it's decided that they're getting new members into their household.

Leo's arrival was pretty interesting. He doesn't take a liking to Reg for some reason. You assume it's because he's male, but that's not really fitting, as he has no issues with Andy. Reg is also a very calm person, so something isn't right. It actually doesn't come out until later what the issue was and it's kind of like a "hit over the head with a pan" moment, because it's something so small and almost seems insignificant....almost.

I love the way Leo takes care of Lila.
I also love the way Fliss doesn't take any shit and sets Leo straight from the get-go,but also loves to take care of Lila.
She's also a person who is hard on the outside, but soft on the inside. She doesn't take shit, but is still loyal to those she really cares about, even of she doesn't show it all the time.

Leo and Charlies "relationship" is and odd one. Only because their situations aren't that of the norm.Charlie doesn't take Leo's gruffness to heart, but he also doesn't feed I to it either, and Leo likes that about him. It doesn't take Leo long to figure out it isn't an act with Charlie. I think trust was a big key here, as most relationships are, but this one is more fragile so it feels like it means more.

This book isn't very long, but it is packed just right full of twists, drama, and a budding love between two high School boys. It was very sweet to see and it was wrapped up very nicely. I think it has potential to be added to, if the author so chooses, but it does not end in any kind of cliffhanger.

I had mixed feelings on this book. I am not a fan of the setup whereby characters enter a foster home and strike up a romance with another member of the family--it is rightly pointed out in-story that this raises problems with social services. I don't like the focus on romance over the creation of healthy family relationships as a cure for PTSD related to parental abuse. I did like the way Leo's PTSD symptoms were written--it read fairly true to life--and the discussion of foster-care challenges for a Deaf child with a narrow field of potential foster parents who can communicate with her was, I thought, a nice touch. Overall, though, I would have preferred more focus on familial relationships and less on the romance, which puts unfair pressure on Charlie as a character to carry Leo's recovery.

“There was only one home left for him.”


The start of this book was very interesting and seemed appealing at first, even the first few pages or so.. but I soon then realized that it was not the story or book me. This book mentions a lot about physical abuse/substance abuse, and just a lot or blatant cursing enough which I truly am not a fan of. And there was a lot of talk about it.

I find the theme of the book too dark for my taste and I can't even decide if his is suppose to be a YA or NA book.

On the brighter side of things, I enjoyed a bit of Leo and Charlie's relationship . . to an extent, hehe. There were times when I found certain parts all swoon worthy but some parts where I just had to cringe because it seemed inappropriate and just not romantic. Though, this could also be due to the fact that the book was not able to capture my full interest at all times. The idea of the book was a good one to begin with but it needed a more capturing start in my opinion. The writing style was a bit moody and draggy.

The design of the cover really does capture the mood of the book, though, I am not really sure if that is good or bad.

I LOVED HOW FAMILY IS PART of the story though. It's almost as if it was saying that with all of the things going on what you need is people that you can call home. That was the most redeeming part of the book to be honest. That idea and that concept made the book a better to read. It was emphasized a lot throughout the book but I hope it was able to focus on the family aspect to more characters and not just between the two main interests.

I got weirded out of Leo in some parts though, like how he's so obsessed with Charlie right away with nothing much happening yet. But then again, that's just me.

Lastly, another reason I gave this book 2 stars is due to the very unsatisfying ending. Nothing to be specific about really but I just wanted more of a "BAM" effect one I turn the last page, it just didn't do it for me. I was expecting a lot of heart warming stuff for this book but I was sadly let down. Although, the family aspect surprised me a little bit.

You would think by now I would know to have plenty of tissues on hand when I pick up the latest book by Garrett Leigh but no, here I have Finding Home in and not a tissue in sight. Leo and Lila. Rip my heart out! So sad what has happened to them. Leo is so brave but so filled with pain. It’s so easy to see how he is hurting on the outside, but inside, his fear and pain are more than he can handle. A bit nerdy and creative, Charlie is just one of those characters you instantly like. He’s ready to befriend Leo but something in his eyes calls out to Charlie, making him want more.

I normally don’t read YA books. Usually, they are filled with cry-me-a-river pain I really could do without. However, Finding Home is different. Leo isn’t bad, he’s had bad things done to him. He needs someone to help him heal, to teach him to trust again. I love the relationship that grows between Leo and Charlie. It’s sweet and fragile as it becomes something more. Now that something more is relatively tame after all both boys are teens, so don’t go expecting any sex. However, you can expect to find yourself so drawn into their lives you may have a hard time putting your book down.

What would a great story be without a great supporting cast! Lila, Andy, Wayne, Reg, and Kate are wonderful additions to the story. However, the award for outstanding support performance goes to Fliss. Once in a while, you come across a character that surprises you. One that at first you think is just filler, then as you get to know them, and their importance to the story, you can’t help but fall in love with them. That’s Fliss. Everyone needs a Fliss in their family.

Unlike some of the other books I have read of Ms. Garrett’s Finding Home is a standalone. In some ways, I’m happy about it because, after all the pain and heartbreak, everyone does get their HEA. It’s just sometimes you read a book, you want more. Finding Home is one of those books and well worth reading.

reviewed by Jac

Finding Home by Garrett Leigh
Reviewed for Netgalley
I am used to reading Garrett Leigh’s novels intended for adults, so it was a bit of an adjustment to read Finding Home, which is definitely directed at a YA audience. I liked Leo very much. He was a scared, messed up, damaged kid, who loved his baby sister fiercely despite the torture and horrors he had suffered.
I liked the other characters as well, especially mouthy Fliss and older bro Andy, but I wish Finding Home had been longer so that all of the characters could have gotten more ink and been developed more deeply. As a reader, I felt that parts of the story were rushed and could have used more detail, description or background.
Overall, it is a quick read and a nice story of young love overcoming a terrible past. I simply wish there had been more of it.

”You’re family, Leo. Whatever happens, we’ll take care of you.”

This was such a precious little story. The moment I saw that it was about a makeshift family and the foster system, I was hopelessly sold. Then I was under 5% in and found out BSL (British Sign Language) was involved, and I lost all hope of putting this down. I read it in a single sitting. (I’m earning a certificate in American Sign Language, so the Deaf community is a serious interest of mine.)

I absolutely loved the amount of emotion the author managed to pack in such a small novel. In under 200 pages, I was so invested that I cried twice, and I got attached to both Charlie and Leo. They’re my precious children, and need to be protected.

I love when I find these beautiful slice-of-life books. Add on, that this one had a focus on the British foster system, making it both informative and enjoyable.

Now, don’t get me wrong; this book was just as depressing as it was uplifting. Probably more the first than the latter. But it was a worthwhile read that I would recommend to alone one who enjoys books that feature the foster system, British Sign Language, and of course, novels that start out at a low point but end with an HEA.

Beautiful, real, breathtaking. A book full of feels that had me invested and entralled from beginning to end. Heartwarming, thought provoking, utterly heartbreaking at times and completely unputdownable, Leigh is a master in this genre able to shed refreshing new light and insight with every page. I truly loved Leo and Charlie's story.

Leigh is no stranger to angsty characters and stories that pack an emotional punch--Finding Home delivers on both counts.

This book is really touching and written so well, I was captured by Leo, Charlie and the whole Poulton family right from the start.
Leo and Lila‘s story is sad and made my heart hurt but despite the heartbreaking vibe it‘s not depressing but somehow hopeful and I loved that about „Finding home“.
The family dynamic even made me smile quite a few times ;)

Leo is a brave young man and a wonderful big brother, I loved how he takes care of Lila but he has to learn to trust again and nerdy and sensitive Charlie was just the right boy to help him.

I loved their connection. This tender bond neither of them understands but both of them feel instantly. My heart beat faster like theirs and I felt those flutters and I loved every second ♡

Then he pictured sliding his fingers lower to twine with Charlie‘s, because Charlie‘s hands were magic. Leo felt them on him every time he closed his eyes. Every time darkness flickered in his fractured subconscious and threatened to pull him under.

„Finding home“ tackles a tough theme, it‘s sad and heartbreaking but still hopeful and for me it‘s a story about healing, first love and finding home

4,5 not 5 stars because of two personal preferences: the few small time jumps and the third person writing, tough I have to say it suits the story really well.

This was my first Garrett Leigh book, the cover caught my attention first, then the blurb and then Leo and Charlie‘s journey pulled me in so now I can‘t wait to read more from this author.

Although the subject matter of this latest book by Garrett Leigh wasn't always an easy read, I thoroughly enjoyed this YA story.

This isn't your typical "good boy falls for bad boy" tale, as I'd sort of assumed from the blurb. Here, a good boy falls for another good boy, who has just been dealt a very shite hand in life, which has made him angry and distrustful, and understandably so.

But no matter how hard Leo tries to be angry and distant with his new foster brother, Charlie, there's no way he can maintain his ire. Charlies is too nice, too caring, too genuine, and maybe just a bit too beautiful.

I absolutely adored watching Charlie always trying to be there for Leo and help him cope, as life continued to throw its punches. The scenes where Charlie would go into Leo's room to be close when the worst of the nightmares haunted Leo's dreams, God, I loved those scenes.

So Leo begins to rely on Charlie to be his support and ally when things got tough, until the 'annoying, nerdy kid' was someone he couldn't imagine living his life without.

The story was told mainly from Charlie's perspective, with Leo not being much of a talker; however, when Leo did speak, and wasn't being overly snarky, I really enjoyed what he had to say.

“I’m sorry.”

“Hmm?” Leo opened his eyes. “What are you sorry for?”

“I’m sorry you’re so unhappy.” Charlie started to roll away, but Leo caught his face in his heated palm. “I’m not unhappy.”

“Yes, you are.”

“I’m not. Not here . . . not with you.”

While the book did have some pretty heavy emotional moments, such as the one above, I ended the story wishing there had been a few more heart-wrenching conversations between the boys. As serious as Leo's situation was, I suspect it wouldn't have been too difficult to elicit a few tears from the reader, so that felt like a bit of a lost opportunity to me.

After a few very large bumps in the road, the story does end with a solid HFN, with no intentions of either MC wanting anything different, which I found to be fine, as they were both only 15 years old, after all.

"Do you want it enough?”

Leo smiled tiredly, his eyes barely open. “Course I do, mate. I want it all."

I'd rate this story at a solid 4.25 heartbreaking stars and recommend it for any fans of YA with a bit of a darker, more challenging side.

This is painful to read in the beginning, because nobody wants to experience what Leo and his sister's had.
Angst and a heartwarming at the same time, this book is unputdownable.
I liked how Leo and Charlie's relationships development and how their family accepted it. Especially Fliss, I liked Fliss. She the sister that everybody need as a sister.
This is Garrett Leigh first YA (both Leo and Charlie are fifteen the first time they met), so don't expect sex. But there are kisses and many kisses.
I enjoyed this a lot.
Recommended!

Wonderful book.
Garrett Leigh's work always makes me cry and sigh. It shows us that while monsters live among us, there are still good people around, who inspire hope and love within us.
This book shows the real-life struggle to move on. And, it especially struck a cord in me because I've worked with traumatized people and the people who so desperately want to help and love them. It's a fantastic and very realistic story; and if you couldn't already tell, I absolutely love it. (If you're reading this review, I recommend you read this book as soon as it's released.)
I wish there were more people like the Poulton family. The world needs more people like them.

A real heart warming story about a boy who struggles with the aftermath of an assault that not only left him homeless but with a multitude of scars, both inside and out. 

I really loved both Charlie and Leo. They quickly become each other's saving graces. The things Leo had to work through broke my heart but I liked the way the author solved everything. 

I just wish that the book was a little longer and that there would have been some emphasis on what Charlie went through at school. There were some hints but nothing was ever really resolved. 

Still, I really enjoyed this book and will definitely keep this author on my radar.