This third book in the Pine River series is the hardest to read. Not because it is bad but because you see a something coming and know it will be a sad ending within the Happily Ever After. This is another story of a truly damaged and broken sister trying to find her way to wholeness. It takes the faith and love of a good man to get them to their Happily Ever After but well worth the trip. ( )

The Perfect Homecoming is the very poignant third installment in Julia London's heartwarming Pine River series starring the Tyler sisters. In this outing, Emma flees from her seemingly perfect life as an event planner and returns the ranch she co-owns with her two sisters, Libby and Madeline. Unfortunately the past she is trying to leave behind catches up with her when Cooper Jessup tracks her down to retrieve a missing keepsake for a client.

Emma is so emotionally damaged that it is absolutely heartbreaking. Her issues are deeply rooted in her childhood but it is a horrible betrayal that leaves her trapped in an unhealthy pattern of behavior ten years later. Growing up, Emma never quite measured up to her "perfect" stepsister and while she has made peace with what other people consider her shortcomings, she never quite fits in. She is a stunningly beautiful woman but her unflinching honesty puts her at disadvantage in most social settings. She is not deliberately hurtful but her direct answers to sensitive questions are rarely appreciated. This lack of social niceties has given her a reputation of being hard and insensitive, but in reality, Emma is incredibly fragile.

Cooper is one of the very few people who sees Emma as more than a pretty face. Growing up with a brother who is typically on the wrong side of the law, Cooper has a remarkable ability to accept people as they are without judging them. Cooper has no doubt that Emma has the object in question, but what he does not know is why she took it. He is frustrated by her vehement denials, but he still finds himself falling for her. However, trying to convince Emma that she is worthy of his love is an almost impossible task.

Emma and Cooper's paths have crossed a couple of times in their professional lives and they have a mutual respect for each other. They are also attracted to one another, but Emma pushes him away due to her shame and general feeling of unworthiness. This does not stop her from trying to seduce him and although Cooper does desire her, he refuses to let her use sex as a distraction. Cooper also knows Emma deserves more than she is willing to settle for and until she believes she deserves unconditional love, there seems little chance of a future for them.

The Perfect Homecoming is a powerful novel of love, redemption and forgiveness. It is also a very sweet romance that pulls on the heartstrings but it is the growth of Emma's character that makes it such an outstanding and emotional read. A very moving epilogue perfectly wraps up all of the loose ends and brings not only the novel, but the entire series, to an extremely satisfying and emotional conclusion.

Throughout the Pine River series, Julia London has not hesitated to write about very difficult and sensitive topics and each book packs a very emotional punch. Each novel in the series is thought-provoking, moving and realistic and although they can be read as standalone stories, I highly recommend the entire Pine River series. ( )

This is the 3rd in the Homecoming series. The first one was the best. The series is well written and the characters are fully formed. However, by the time I got to the 3rd book, I was bored with much of it. One of the shining point of the series was the character of Leo who spoke in first person because he had a debilitating neurological disease which was handled quite nicely by the author. Kudos for that. ( )

Absolutely adored this amazing book even if it did take me a box of tissues to get through the end. No worries though, you definitely get a great HEA. Finally we get Emma's story and I loved how Ms London combined characters from her other series (Thrill Seekers). I always wanted Cooper's story and now we have it. Emma has returned to Homecoming Ranch but hasn't really told anyone why. When Cooper Jessup shows up looking for her all sorts of small town talk starts. But no one really knows Emma or the issues she has so carefully hidden away. Cooper may be the one to help her though.

If you haven't started this series do. Although you could read this as a stand alone and not have any problem following along, but reading the first two books makes the entire journey so much more meaningful. I highly recommend this one and the series. ( )

Well here we are with the third half-sister from the series, Emma. She's a tough cookie, say's what's on her mind with out thinking, with an acid tongue. She's an event planner, but she has a secret, she has a compulsion to steal something from the few men who happen to get close to her. When one encounter goes a little too far she decides to leave town and visit her half-sisters at Homecoming Ranch and takes on the job of caring for ailing Leo Kendrick.

Cooper Jessup, is the founder of Thrillseekers Anonymous. He is asked by a client to hunt Emma down and retrieve a stolen item.

Emma really had a lot of issues. She really needed somebody to care for and I think needed to be loved. Cooper was really at a loss at first with Emma, she was so starchy and hard, but then he realized that was just her usual reflex response.

I enjoyed this book immensely, I laughed, I cheered and I cried. This is a stand alone novel, but I recommend reading the complete series, you won't be disappointed. 5/5 ( )