Reviewed by Robin
Book provided by NetGalley for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book

Everyone that is willing to admit it longs for a time when they can just pick up and move to another place and start over. Where no one knows them… If only we could do this is real life. A fresh start…or a do over would actually be nice once in a while. In The Long Way Home, Ms. Stewart takes us into the life of Ellis Chapman. Most of her life she has led a life most dream of. A beautiful model mother, a father who doted on her and a job in the family business right out of school; things seemed to be going great until… Your mother dies and somehow you seem to find that you missed out on her life. Your father swindles millions from unsuspecting people and if that isn’t the worst you find that the man whom you were engaged to was probably just using you as he was in on the scheme with your father. And I thought I had a bad day.

Ellis has a chance to change everything. Her mother had a will and has left her a house in St. Dennis on the Chesapeake. Only there is one stipulation she must live there for six months. As Ellis has no money, no clothes, no car, and one friend left due to the recent discoveries about her father and fiancé she has no choice actually but to see where her mother longed to be all the time. Maybe she would then find answers.

Ellis changes her name to Ellie Ryder and heads off in a car she has borrowed from her only true friend. Ms. Stewart has a way of showing the true nature of people. Having gone through some things a few years ago you always find out who your true friends are in certain situations. Most tend to leave when the going gets rough not even waiting for your side of things. As Ms. Stewart shows us, in this tender love story that no matter how done on your luck there is always a bright side.

The bright side comes in the form of handyman, Cam O’Conner. Cam has connections to the house that Ellie has inherited. He wants to buy the house. At first he offers help only because he has an ulterior motive but soon the two bonds falling for each other. Ms. Stewart shows us once again that a small town warmth and hominess tends to help the healing process of no matter what is going on. As Cam and Ellie find healing together a twist is thrown their way. Ellie finds she has a half-sister. Her father is sitting in jail and this young girl has just lost her mother in a car accident. Will Ellie put away her hurt and betrayal and take her in?

The house also comes with a ghost, paintings, duck decoys, a library filled with memories and many other wonderful things. Come take a peek into the lives of Ellie and Cam as they find that they are meant for each other in a wonderful house filled with love in the small town of St. Dennis. I would love to go visit them.

I love the descriptions of the house, town, beach, people and the resident ghost. I fell in love with everything and was ready to hop in my car for a quick trip to meet old and new friends. I think if you haven’t already you just may want to get your copy of The Long Way Home and fall in love with the people of St. Dennis. You just might find yourself wanting to take a trip.