Deborah Raney's Chicory Inn series has tackled many difficult issues from infertility, to marital discord, to suspected infidelity, to, well, you name it and the Whitman family has come out the other side of it stronger. Home at Last, book 5 and the final one in the series, brings us only son Link's story.

Link's story differs from that of his sisters in that, his conflict is more societal than interpersonal. The girl he has fallen for is of mixed race, identifying more with her black heritage than that of her white mother. Shayla Michaels has endured the slights and inequities of a society that does not value her dark skin and, in many ways, has risen above the "slings and arrows" aimed at her. However, the loss of her mother to brain cancer sent her father and her brother into a tailspin, leaving her brother in jail and Shay to care for her niece, Portia, her father and the family bakery. While she loves them all, she has resigned herself to a life without love. What man would willingly take on a ready-made family? The fact that Link is white is NOT a point in his favor.

Link looks at Shay and sees the woman he's meant to be with. He admires her strength, her beauty, and her sense of humor. He doesn't really "get" what the problem is. The more Shay lets him into her world, the more determined he is to prove that he can handle anything if she's willing to try. His biggest hurdle is her father who is adamantly opposed to his daughter dating a white man. He's seen the grief that can cause in his own family and wants nothing to do with it for his 33-year-old baby girl. Can Link prove to both Shay and her father that his love sees Shay's heart not her skin color?

I cringed a little bit when I started Link's story, not because it wasn't good but because it feels like I've been reading far too many racially charged news stories lately. Maybe that's why it's important to read a book like this one. Knowing that neither race really has a handle on their prejudices and sometimes we exhibit our biases without even realizing it, was enlightening to me. Some of these things I knew, in my head, but hadn't really taken them to heart. Home at Last wouldn't let me overlook the ways I might discriminate without really realizing I'm doing it. After her first dinner with Link's family, Shayla points out to him all the ways his family politely tried to avoid the fact that she is black. "Heaven forbid if somebody mentioned they didn't like black jellybeans, the rest of the room froze and watched me to see if I was offended." And I found myself wondering, how would MY family react? I would hope we would see the person, not the skin, but I thought the Whitmans were above that kind of treatment, too.

Home at Last is the fifth, and I think final, book in the Raney's Chicory Inn series. While it can be read as a stand-alone, it is SO MUCH BETTER if you've read the other four! I definitely recommend this book!

A perfect ending to a great series!! Enjoyed reading about this family.

Thoughts:

HOME AT LAST: A Chicory Inn Novel Book 5 by Deborah Raney captures headlines and hard topics but love remains elusive.

Shayla Michaels is a lovely woman who tries to do everything right by her family. She has given up college plus any romantic life to care for her niece while she runs the bakery with her father. At thirty-three, she is ultra mature and super dedicated.

Meanwhile, Link Whitman is the least motivated of the Whitman family. His degree lands him into a dead-end job and it takes four years for him to think about working overtime. His vehicle seems to be as unreliable as his maturity inside life.

Shayla pours her heart out to him even saying she hates who she is, but his mind is stuck on the age difference between them for far too long before he speaks anything helpful. During this relationship, he puts her niece in danger more than once, and he lacks commitment. After her car refuses to start, he helps to get it working, but he doesn't even attempt to oversee her getting home at a late hour.

Shayla deserves a more swoon-worthy Whitman than this one presented.

***This opinion is my own.***

A great conclusion to this series...sorry to see it end. Love the work of Deborah Raney.

I have truly enjoyed reading the Chickory Inn Novel series. Home At Last is the 5th and final book so I felt like I was saying good-bye to dear friends as I read it. Bittersweet but oh, such a wonderful book!

This book brings the story of the Whitman family full circle. It is an endearing romantic story full of faith, joy, family, overcoming challenges and well, life! Ms. Raney truly knows how to write a story and characters that come to life as her story unfolds making you wish they were your friends and neighbors.

Planning your Spring or Summer reading? Add them in or better yet- read them any time of the year. Home At Last and the entire series is well worth the reading!

I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own. Thank you to Abingdon Press, Ms. Raney and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Link Whitman doesn't exactly find an easy way into the good graces of Shayla Michaels after a near-tragic incident with Link's truck on an icy road. But that's only the tip of an iceberg of obstacles that may prevent a friendship--and something more--between this white man and mixed race woman in Home at Last, a novel by author Deborah Raney.

Yes, I jumped into this series with the final book, without having read the preceding ones. But despite my bit of trouble keeping all of the Whitman family names straight a couple times, this last Chicory Inn novel didn't leave me feeling lost.

In fact, I was pulled right into the novel early, and overall, I remained quite engaged along the way. The story brings together its cast of very human characters to tackle real questions concerning love, friendship, family, race relations, prejudice, faith, and how we handle our fears and dreams.

I'll admit that I was more than halfway through the book before I got a convincing feel for the romance. For much of the story, it seems the development of Link and Shayla's relationship is strongly focused on the surrounding issues that can keep them apart without enough focus on building the chemistry between them, in real time. It's almost as if the romance is mostly happening in the background, and then serious romantic feelings pop into the foreground.

Nevertheless, this is a hopeful and thought-provoking novel that I enjoyed and would highly recommend to fellow ChristFic readers--perhaps even ones who don't normally read romance.
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I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

Every book I’ve read in the Chicory Inn series has challenged me, and I think it’s safe to say that each of the Whitmans (parents, kids, spouses) would agree that life often doesn’t turn out the way we planned. But through the unexpected twists and turns – marital difficulties, infidelity, infertility, remarriage after losing a spouse, and now racism – one thing remains constant: God knows what He’s doing.

In Home at Last, Link finally falls in love. But it’s neither simple nor easy. Shayla Michaels knows from her parents’ experience the seemingly insurmountable problems that biracial couples face, even still today. She knows from her own experience the problems that any children from that relationship will face. And yet… she can’t stop herself from dreaming.

As Link gets to know Shayla, his eyes are opened to the raw reality of racism that still exists. And so were mine. My heart broke for Shayla, for her niece Portia, and for Shayla’s father… and for Link, too. The scene where she meets his family for the first time was palpably awkward, as everyone tries to avoid being awkward. And this is with characters who all love Jesus and love people. I so appreciated the honesty in this scene, the acknowledgment that racial divides aren’t limited to hateful people or those who want to do harm. Sometimes, we’re simply divided by our own discomfort at not knowing how to relate to each other. And that’s something we can fix.

Bottom Line: Home at Last by Deborah Raney is touching and convicting, wrapped in warmth despite the glimpse into the coldness of humanity. And while Link gets an education on how evil can warp attitudes and actions, Shayla’s father learns that there are more genuinely loving people in the world than perhaps he first believed. The framework of these lessons is a love story that is exquisitely sweet, romantic, and fun. I highly recommend this novel for anyone who has ever said “what can I do” as well as for anyone who just wants to enjoy a good romance, a warm family, and a well-written story.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)

Home at Last is by far my favourite book in this series following the Whitman family. We have Link, who loves his family (and their meddling ways) but who has yet to meet someone who can truly make his heart beat. Then we have Shayla, who has had a difficult life to say the least, with her Mother passing and having to raise her brother’s daughter. She has also had to deal with racism as some people couldn’t accept her mixed heritage.

A chance encounter changes everything for the two of them. They slowly begin to develop feelings for each other. While Link adores her, Shayla worries about how others will view and accept their relationship. Her past experiences have shown her that many people wont accept this relationship and as their relationship develops we see this happening again. All they want is to be together and be accepted but there are people in society that wont let this happen.

This book makes you sad, angry and hopeful all at the same time. You want them to find happiness but are worried for them with the ugly parts of society that don’t want this to happen. This is a truly beautiful and honest book that I fell in love with. The ending was perfect for the story and leaves you with hope. I would love to see a part two of their story.

Home At Last

A Chicory Inn Novel — Book 5
by Deborah Raney

Abingdon Press

Religion & Spirituality, Christian

Pub Date 21 Feb 2017

I am voluntarily reviewing a copy of Home At Last through the publisher and Netgalley:

Link Whitman is settled into his role as a bachelor although he never intended to be a bachelor, he's stuck with a dead end job, that he wonders if he will ever get out of.

A tragic accident, a chance meeting, can change Link and Shayla Michaels life forever, can something good come out of an accident?

Will Link and Shayla find her happily ever after.

I give Home At Last five out of five stars.

Happy Reading.

I am very saddened to see this series come to an end. I have enjoyed my time in Chicory Inn. The author has made readers feel like part of the family. The inn was the central point of each story as the family gathered there for dinners, marriages and spending quality time togther. Each story in the series seemed to build on to each other. We became acquainted with the Whitman family and experienced their trials and accomplishments. The final book in this engaging series is the most powerful and emotional book the author has ever written. She has surpassed my expectations of a storyline that some will consider uncomfortable and writes with real depth and honesty. Thank you for saving the best for last. I wiped away tears during many scenes and at times I was angry because of the ignorance of people that still see others differently.

Shayla is a beautiful black woman who helps her dad at the family owned bakery. She is a hard worker and fiercely protective of her niece. After her mom died, her father seemed a bit more stern in watching over Shayla and Portia. Her father has faced many hardships in his life and I admired his determination to make things better for Shayla and Portia. Shayla is bitter over the irresponsible choices her brother has made and it showed how one bad choice can have a ripple affect on others.

Link Whitman has run into Shayla several times in town and finds himself smitten with her. I loved how he looked past the color of her skin and saw the beauty she had inside. The story tackles the issue that goes on still today. Shayla knows what it is like to look different and wishes she looked like her mom. Her mom was beautiful with blonde hair and blue eyes. It was tough to be in a biracial marriage and the consequences for Shayla's mom was devastating.

Portia is a firecracker of energy and her smile is contagious. She is very well mannered and innocent. What crushes my heart is when she comes face to face with prejudice. Link is convinced that he can win Shayla over but after witnessing an altercation at the movies between Shay, Portia and some ill mannered young men, he starts to understand why Shayla is so unsure they should have a relationship. Will their relationship out Shayla and her family in danger?

This is one book where the author writes with passion as she shows readers how society still treats others with little respect. Will we ever get to the point where it doesn't matter what color our skin is? When will we remember that children are innocent and should not have to face hate at any age? I was very impressed with Link and his family. They welcomed Shayla into their home and made her feel welcome. I wish miss Chicory Inn but the author leaves us with a powerful message. Love is all we need and with faith we can overcome anything.There are bonus questions at the end of the book that you don't want to miss. I want to thank Deborah Raney for writing a book that we all need to read . Thank you for your love for everyone and helping us through Shayla and Link's story to examine our hearts and see people the way Jesus sees them.

I was given a copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity Group. The review is my own opinion.

I loved all five books in Deborah's Chicory Inn series and I love how the series ends with "Home at Last."  Link is the last single sibling in his family and feels alone at family dinners and get-togethers when he is surrounded by his siblings and their families.  Link has never felt about anyone like he does about Shayla; however there are multiple obstacles in their way, one being her father.  I really enjoyed how Deborah focused on a different sibling in each of the books, yet she also continued the stories of all of the family members.  The entire Whitman family became so real to me and I loved how Deborah did not make life easy and smooth for them, but really had them all deal with a variety of things that are a part of today's society and today's struggles that so many of us face.  Shayla's struggles are similar to those that have been a part of the news so much recently, and Deborah addresses them in a way that she doesn't gloss over them, but shows how a loving family helps her and her father to see that not everyone in the world is filled with hatred and not everyone acts the way that unfortunately some do.  Love and hope are themes throughout this book and series, as is the importance of family and the bond between family members.  I highly recommend this book and this entire series, and am looking forward to what Deborah writes next.

Confession: This is book 5 in a series. No, I haven't read the others. And if you know anything about me or my blog, this is par for the course. :)

Now that I've gotten that out of the way - I really enjoyed Home at Last. Partly due to the author (YAY I GOT TO READ A DEB RANEY BOOK FOR THE BLOG </end capslock of doom>), and partly due to the book itself. 50/50, really.

The interracial component of the book made it particularly interesting (in a good way) to me! Very relatable and applicable in my own extended-family experience; eye-opening, raw, and honest, as well. We live in unique times, and for that alone I would recommend this book. It reminds the reader of the struggles that many people face; the goodness that can be found amidst those challenges; and the Savior that works even the bad for the good of those who love Him.

Home At Last is a clean, fast read with theological gems and punches throughout.

Typical Deborah Raney (again in a good way); she has delivered yet another winner. I'm curious to pick up the other books in the series, and have no doubt they are on par with this one. I'd recommend this to any Christian- or contemporary-fiction fan.

What an awesome book. The author tackles an inter-racial romance in Home at Last. I found the book to be exceptionally well written with a good plot and believable characters.

Raney tackles a serious subject in this, the fifth and final of the Chicory Inn novels. Link is the last of the Whitman clan not married. When he starts getting to know Shayla, a young woman with an African American father, we get into the issue of inter-racial dating and marriage.

This novel explores racial prejudice, one of the many issues African Americans have to think about that never cross the minds of people like me. They certainly have challenges I have never had to think about.

Raney covers other relational topics in this novel too, such as family dynamics. The Whitman family has one set of dynamics while Shayla, her father, niece and imprisoned brother have an entirely different set.

It seems to me that Raney has done a good job exploring inter-racial issues in this novel. But I am not one to judge, being of northern European descent. I have no idea if how Raney portrays Shayla and her father is an accurate reflection of such a family. I do know that I was disappointed at the end of the novel that so many of the struggles and barriers in the relationship of Link and Shayla were left unresolved. I would like to think that Link and Shayla could ride happily off into the sunset but realistically, I don't think that would be their future. The discussion guide included helps readers contemplate all the complicated issues that might arise from inter-racial romance.

I recommend this novel to reading groups and others who would like to explore and discuss inter-racial romance.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Home At Last by Deborah Raney is a contemporary Christian romance and the fifth book in the Chicory Inn series but can be read as a stand-alone. It has been a marvellous series and I have really enjoyed it. It has been wonderful to follow the fortunes of the Whitman family siblings throughout.
The novel has a wonderful air of concern and kindness that permeates throughout. The reader can 'feel' the love that extends through the families in the book. As a parent I can identify with the feelings of Shay's father. His need to protect, even though his daughter is in her thirties. One never stops being a parent.
The need for a mother's love is a basic requirement. Again, no matter how old you get, you still want your mum. "That empty place inside that only... her mother could fill."
This basic desire is tied in to the theme of loss as Shay's mother died several years before the novel began. The hole in her life has not diminished with time.
There is the theme of trusting God, especially in the hard times. "We have to take it on faith that God knows what He's doing." At times life makes no sense but "some things aren't meant for us to understand. Not this side of heaven."
There is a compassion running throughout as characters both help out and donate to the local homeless shelter.
In contrast there is the theme of racial prejudice and injustice. It makes for hard reading at times. However there is a beautiful scene where five year old Portia is welcomed and included by the Whitman grandchildren. Oh that the world could just see each other as people and remove any labels. A world with "people who...wouldn't instantly judge them by the colour of their skin but... by the content of their character."
There is an air of hospitality throughout that blends with the importance of family as the Whitman's extended family meets fortnightly and everyone and anyone is welcome.
I have loved this Chicory Inn series. It doesn't feel like a set of books is ending, it is more like an au revoir to old friends. I have become more involved with the lives of the Whitman's as the series has progressed and it is with sadness that I have read the very last page.
A marvellous series.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

Link feels like a fish out of water with yet another Whitman wedding in the works. When he is working with the homeless shelter he meets the girl who feels like she could be the one but she doesn't check everything off his "list", however in a twist of fate it seems to have gotten off on the wrong foot now he needs to convince her they are meant to be together for ever. Will someone try and stop them and will it work? Shayla has a lot on her plate, taking care of her dad, her niece and the bakery but when Link drops into her life she knows this can't be a good choice. She needs to focus on her niece and the bakery however it seems everyone else has plans for her and it seems that someone has it out for her. Can she protect her niece and her heart or will this all end in disaster?
This storyline was pretty good I enjoyed the added suspense to the book, even though it wasn't a lot it kept your interest through out just wanting to know what happens. The story has some really tough subjects that are brought up through out, I kind of felt it was a little to much at some points. This book is a good clean read which was super nice and made the book enjoyable. This book is part of a series however I did not feel like I missed anything by not reading the other books before, however it hints at some things from pervious books that make me want to go and follow up with the story.

I’ve spent the last couple of years with Deborah Raney’s Whitman family and wanted the final book in the Chicory Inn series to last. Then I got into Link’s story and couldn’t put it down. Readers have gotten to know the women in this family pretty well through the past four books, but Link always hung out on the periphery.

In “Home at Last,” Raney takes some risks. Ones that payoff in the end. This book has diversity and deals with the problems and insecurities that come with an inter-racial relationship. It shows readers what one person perceives as a solution to an uncomfortable or unfriendly situation may not be the best one for everyone involved, as Link finds out on his first date with Shayla.

There are some hard truths in “Home at Last.” Truths that should make you reflect on your own perceptions and understanding of how the world works. But through it all, the Whitman family stands in support of each other, doing their best to show God’s love and grace. A family I wish we weren’t saying good-bye to.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Deborah Raney has always been a favorite. She brings her Chicory Inn series to a close with Home At Last, Link Whitman's story. I love this family and hated to say goodbye to them. Top notch writing!

I really liked this book. I thought that they dealt with the racist element very well. I was curious about why her father felt the way that he did and why he was so hostile. They really didn't explain it very well until late in the book and I just thought that they should have told us sooner. I didn't really like the character very well until I knew and even then I just couldn't change my opinion easily.