Take Me Home

Take Me Home by Melanie Sweeney

Take Me Home is more about childhood trauma than anything else. Yes the two MCs (Hazel and Ash) are freindmies to lovers. But the real meat of the story is these two young adults learning to speak up for themselves. Especially in the presence of their parents. He has a great home life, but is taking on too much of the responsible child burden (much to his family’s chagrin). She has a strained relationship with her father (who raised her as a single dad after her mom left). Her Dad is getting remarried in their hometown over Christmas, so Hazel gives him a ride home. And yes they fall for each other and yes there is definitely steam. But the journey we go on with them (particularly Hazel) is about saying what you want and realizing that walking away from a relationship (any relationship) without talking or fighting for that relationship is not always the best choice. (There is also a pretty strong, parents should be parents and not assume that their young adult child has the emotional tools to deal with family trauma). Overall, it is very much a new adult novel. I think the writing and the character development was brought everyone to life. My only beef with it is that it was less a romance and more a coming of age (mentally speaking).