This was a heart warming small town romance perfect for fans of Hallmark type romances. There is plenty of emotional depth to each character and a past that each one is growing from. You can feel the chemistry between the characters. I would recommend this for someone looking for a sweet, uplifting romance without a lot of steam.

Such a wonderful book! I loved it from page one. The characters, setting, relationships....everything. I would definitely read more from this author!

I’ll be totally honest, the puppy made me do it. I enjoy reading second chance stories, especially set in a small town, so I couldn’t pass this one up. At first I thought this had potential for being a cute story, but it quickly lost steam for me.

Sadly, I found this book quite boring. The main characters never really made me fall in love with them and the issue that tore them apart and changed the course of both of their lives was in the end really unfair. The more we found out about it, the more I disliked the conflict. Granted, we were talking about teens so I didn’t blame them as much. But the adults really behaved poorly and impulsively and I don’t know if I were the hero that I could get past that.

With all that, I’m not sure I will continue reading this series.

I DNF this early one. Very quickly it was confusing on what was happening. Additionally in the few pages I did read there were at least two mentions to the heroine's body/weight that read to me as borderline fat shamey and I am not here for that.

DNF. It just was boring and I could not relate to the characters. The best part of the book is the cover.

I liked this story, but it took a while for me to get in to the characters. I loved the back story and the supporting characters, but it tended to be too detailed in certain spots. Charlie Nash returns to Silverlake to attend a family wedding. Being there brings up a past she has been running from. Firefighter Jake Braddock has had a rough go at life. Trying to escape his past, then Charlie returns and brings it all back. These two are just so gun shy around each other and want so desperately to be loved. A really sweet story that pulls at your heart strings.

*4.5 stars*

A second chance to right the past…

The sweet cover grabbed my attention and the family-centric, emotional romance had me happily lost in Jake and Charlie’s drama-filled story…

Theirs were two families hurting from tragedy. Each character had been impacted by the terrible hits that affected them so deeply. Ignoring things hadn’t worked for anyone and with Charlie back in town this was the moment it couldn’t be swept away anymore. With everyone taking sides, this was a battle that losing would only hurt more…

I was struck by so many things with this gentle but feelings-packed read. It was balanced with humour, romance and a whole lotta drama. Each character had been affected differently and each one was going to have their turn at reconciling the past. This was Charlie and Jake’s turn and it seemed like they’d been hurt the most. The love they shared was there but there was a lot of stuff to figure out, understand and hopefully, eventually, forgive… I was quickly caught up in the back and forth that was their reconciliation and can’t wait to read supporting character’s stories…

A great start to this new series!

This book wasn't for me. I've realized that I don't like small town romances. There was far too much drama with the wedding and funding the fire department and not enough of Charlie and Jake reconnecting and talking through their problems for me.

Thanks to Berkley and Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Audio: Narrated by Courtney Patterson, available on Hoopla. 3/5

Charlie and Jake had been sweethearts back in high school and they had dreamed of getting married one day. After a horrible tragedy, everything changed as their world was turned upside down and shook until it fell apart. A boiling pot of grief, resentment, misplaced blame, bubbling anger, bitterness and overwhelming guilt brought a swift and unresolved end to their romance.

As fate would have it, after many years had passed, Jake’s and Charlie’s worlds collided once again. Each had agreed to be attendants in an upcoming wedding. And, what a wedding that promised to be. With over-the-top preparations and demands from an over-achieving Bridezilla, things were bound to go wrong. The scenes with the oh-so-unlovable Bridezilla were very funny. I lost count with how many times I truly laughed out loud.

I really became attached to the small-town cast of characters. I even liked the grumpy old curmudgeon, also known as Charlie’s grandpa. I loved this story filled with unknowingly needy people. Some needed to forgive and others needed forgiveness. Some needed a second chance while others needed to grant a second chance. Truth needed to be spoken and heard. Much grace needed to be extended and received through the town. Only then, could healing and restoration begin.

This was a heartwarming, enjoyable and satisfying read. I enjoyed spending time in Silverlake, Texas and I hope to return.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Berkeley through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

For those of you who root for second chance romances then you’ll love this novel. Walk Me Home is funny, romantic, and has all the elements you’re looking for in a romance novel. I read through it pretty quickly. I enjoyed the chemistry between Jake & Charlotte. I knew when Charlie came home there would be that drama but it was tasteful! Just like their chemistry!

Walk Me Home is a heartwarming story that will delight fans of second chance and small town romances. Author duo Liza Kendall made me fall in love with the Braddock family and the town of Silverlake, so much so that when I finished this book I was disappointed I have to wait to read the next one.

Charlie Nash and Jake Braddock fell in love as teenagers, but after a fire claimed the life of Charlie’s grandmother and her family home, the Nash family left town and cut almost all ties with Silverlake. Now Charlie’s back and she and Jake have both been conscripted into the wedding party from hell. Old wounds and even older attraction don’t stand a chance of staying buried when Charlie and Jake are thrown together. It’s easy to fall into their romance as Jake and Charlie just simply click. They’re both good, kind people and you could feel the pull between them. It’s not easy for them to deal with the past, especially when there are people like Charlie’s grandfather who won’t let it go. Both Jake and Charlie have lessons to learn in order for them to get their happily ever after and I enjoyed every step of their journeys.

Walk Me Home is funny, romantic, and sweet. The only thing that took this from a five star read to a four star is the drama that felt slightly forced at the end. Jake is a firefighter and I will admit that I am completely baffled and more than a bit irritated by how Jake and his fellow firefighters are treated. Perhaps it’s because I’m a Californian and fires are a near-constant threat where I live, but I was aghast reading about the campaign Charlie’s grandfather goes on against the fire department. I won’t spoil anything, but I will say that I found this storyline to be unsatisfying from beginning to end. That one issue aside, I really enjoyed Walk Me Home and I cannot wait to read about the rest of the Braddock siblings, especially the eldest, Declan, whose hard work and loneliness grabbed at my heart and didn’t let go.

I can't believe here I am writing my first review of 2020. Where did 2019 go? I hope for all of you 2020 will be a great year. I get to start out the new year with a new to me author. Or maybe part of a new author. They write jointly and I'm wondering it the Karen Kendall part is an author that I've read and enjoyed for years but haven't heard much in a bit.

We shall see.

I'm not a huge fan of second chance romance but this sounded so good I had to give it a try. I'm so glad that I did. I really enjoyed the characters. I didn't get why everyone seemed so against Charlotte. She was young when all this happened and I'm glad her friend stayed friends for all that time.

I also didn't get why they blamed Jake. He was blamed for something he didn't do and those who really didn't believe or knew that he didn't do wrong still didn't stand for him. Yes, members of the family were upset when it all happened, but they also had time to reflect.

As a whole, this is a wonderful story of dealing with tragedy and learning that some loves last forever. I'm so glad that I gave this story a chance and can't wait for the next book in the series. For those who love small-town romance with drama and second chances, you'll love this. For all the rest, you'd love it too!

The start of a new series which means many characters to meet. This was also my first Liza Kendall read and I am sure I will be reading more. A book charged full of emotions, regrets from the past, hurts from the past, unwanted sparks for old flames, to new feelings of moving forward and healing.

Charlie hasn't been back to Silverlake in a long time. Her family moved away after the tragic fire that killed her Grandmother. She left her heart in Silverlake all those years ago with Jake, sure she has tried to move on but has always been unsuccessful. She is working and getting by but not loving what she does in Dallas. Could this trip back for her cousins wedding reopen some deep wounds, or could it bring her the peace of moving away from past regrets?

Jake has managed to make a name for himself in the community of Silverlake as part of the fire rescue team, despite that fateful night long ago and the accusations that came with it. He lost so much in that week of the fire, his second home, a family he felt part of, his best friend and his girlfriend. How does one move forward from that as a teen. Jake managed with his head held high thanks to Chief George. In the blink of an eye it all comes crashing back to him when he runs into Charlie for the first time.

Can Charlie and Jake make peace with the events of the past? Is there a hope that they can be friends at the very least? Could everyone get the answers they looked so hard for so long ago? Can hearts mend and heal?

Looking forward to seeing who gets their story next in this new series.

*** Advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review. ***

Walk Me Home by Lisa Kendall is the 1st book in her new Silverlake Ranch novel. We meet our heroine, Charlie Nash, who has just returned to Silverlake, Texas to be a bridesmaid for her cousin’s wedding. Charlie and her family left Silverlake years before, after a tragic fire destroyed their home, and caused the death of her grandmother.

Jack Braddock, our hero, and a firefighter in town, is determined to avoid Charlie at any cost. Jack and Charlie were teenage sweethearts, and have not seen each other since the day of the fire, which caused a rift between them when Jack was falsely accused of starting the fire. Charlie, who was only 16 at the time, still has guilt at not defending him when her family accused Jack. Forced to be around Jack, who is pushed to be a groom for the wedding, their relationship slowly rekindles, even though there are major obstacles along the way. Can Jack forgive Charlie for not standing by him? Can Charlie get past her guilt and her grandfather’s belligerent attitude towards Jack?

What follows besides the slow building of their romance are the major obstacles; the grandfather, was really nasty to Jack, and was determined to destroy his firefighting career. Charlie tries to make him understand that Jack was innocent, but gets manipulated into hurting Jack and his follow firefighters, which pushes them apart. But another fire will open eyes and hearts, and bring people together.
The wedding is the backdrop of this story, especially involving many in town, since the bridezilla is driving everyone crazy. I did love Jack and Charlie together and rooted for them to find a second chance at love. I thought Kendall did a fabulous job in creating some wonderful secondary characters, whom I look forward to reading about in future books.

Walk Me Home is a heartwarming small-town romance that had many emotional moments. It is a story that brings forth a rekindling of a romance that was destined to be, a family that needed to face the truth and forgive, and a town that comes together to help. Lisa Kendall gives us an emotional and sweet romance in a wonderful small town that l plan to continue to read. I suggest you read Walk Me Home.

Well-written and touching,  Walk Me Home is a good character study, a worthwhile comedy and a moving romance, all about the importance of forgiveness and healing.

Wealthy Charlie Nash is back at Silverlake Ranch to attend the wedding of her cousin, Will.  The last thing she wants to do is be there at the ceremony; the bride is slowly turning into a bridezilla, and being back in Silverlake after a tragedy drove her family away from the town is tougher than she anticipated.  Worse, Charlie is expected to be a bridesmaid at the wedding and she’s utterly dateless. When her mischievous friend Lila suggests they ask her brother Jake Braddock, Charlie’s ex-boyfriend, to help with the wedding, Charlie instantly resists.

Jake and Charlie’s youthful relationship resisted class differences (Jake’s family was poor and he lived with the Nashes as an adopted son), but didn’t survive a horrible fire which took the life of Charlie’s grandmother and for which Jake was blamed. The Nashes left Silverlake and Charlie and Jake separated, Jake becoming a fireman and remaining bitter that Charlie didn’t stand by him.

When Charlie tumbles off a ladder while stapling up wedding decorations, she realizes just how much Jake has grown.  And Jake – called into service when the groom’s best man is unexpectedly sent overseas – is suddenly stuck in the wedding party and in close quarters with Charlie.  Do the two of them still have a chance, or will the death of Charlie’s grandmother always stand between them?

Walk Me Home is one of those beautiful, lyrical pieces that manages to make faith - in oneself and a new faith in one another - a literate, understandable concept.

Jake is still clearly troubled about the fire; from the one rescue he couldn’t make before he became a professional firefighter.  His life has been a combination of clinging to his own dignity about his innocence of the accusations of arson flung at him by the Nashes and feeling horrible guilt over Babe’s death. That he saved Charlie’s father (and Babe’s dog) seems to mean nothing to them.

Charlie, too, is suffering from the loss of her grandmother, even so many years later. She also has a fear of heights that she ultimately has to overcome with Jake’s help, and a mystery to help him solve.

Jake and Charlie conduct their funny, sweet-natured, banter-filled second chance romance with sadder, wiser eyes and a knowing sense of affection.  They understand what they’ve lost, and know how impossible the idea of loving each other is – but still, they remain connected, in spite of it all.

I loved sassy Lila, who’s a great supporting character, as are Jake’s fireman colleagues and Charlie’s father.

Everyone feels really well-rounded, with the exception of one character (who only has two lines.) Even the minor animal characters are amusing. And while the novel is labeled as an inspirational, there are only light elements of faith on display.

The book’s only real problem is that sometimes its light, humorous romantic parts clash with the somber nature of the fire trauma.  Fortunately, that doesn’t happen often. Also there’s an extremely minor character who comes off as an unfortunate caricature and made me cringe; I dinged the grade a little for that lazy stereotyping.

Walk Me Home is otherwise a near-perfect delight, and a spirited ride toward the joy of forgiveness.

Buy it at: Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo
Visit our Amazon Storefront

This book was received as an ARC from Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I do love a classic Romance tale especially one that is focused on the young at heart. Walk Me Home tells the story of the on again off again relationship of Jake and Charlie of how they once got their love lost and thanks to a wedding, they are reunited again and determined to fix what was broken. This was a heartwarming story focusing on the importance of love and your first is the one you will never forget. When family ties are at stake and determined to mend all of them Jake and Charlie will stop at nothing to get back together. Some might think this story was on the cheesy side but this story left my heart full and I am sure others will have theirs full themselves.

We will consider adding this title to our Romance collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.