CAN’T GO HOME by ANGELISA STONE

Reviewed by Jenny and Gitte

Jenny & Gitte: 4.5 WonDREful stars!

Jenny:  When we were approached to read and review Cant’ Go Home, the debut novel by Angelisa Stone, the synopsis certainly had us intrigued so we delved straight in.  Within the first few pages, we were hooked and dying to find out more about the elusive and mysterious Dre Donley weren’t we Gitte?  Just what was this luscious and very uber hottie hiding? What was his story? I had no idea what to expect and loved turning every page to find out.

‘When you experience a few seconds of bliss, a lifetime of mediocrity isn’t going to cut it. Those dang “what ifs” will haunt you for a lifetime.’

Whilst some themes in this story may seem similar to some other books on offer at the moment, what made this book different for me, and I know you felt the same Gitte, was the heroine  and the banter between her and Dre.  Kathryn was so much fun. I fell in love with her immediately and that never faltered at all right up until the end. She is one of my favourite heroines without a doubt!

‘I’m not going to lie; I like the complexity and mystery that he brings to the table. However, he scares me, because this feels like the calm before the storm, the bliss before the heartache.’ – Kathryn

This girl was spunky, funny, had no filter, was forthright, engaging and she gave as good as she got and was the perfect foil for the cagey and very, very gorgeous Mr Donley…..Oh and I was seriously swooning over him!!

‘I was terrified of her knowing the truth and not wanting me, which I couldn’t bear.’ – Dre

The interaction between these two had me giggling out loud at times and I know we cackled a few times while discussing it.  Yep, we loved this sexy, hot, fun and intriguing story didn’t we Gitte?

Gitte: Absolutely Jenny, this story made me laugh out loud, it had me swooning and intrigued and it had one of the most honest and lovable heroines. I actually think for once the heroine is what kept me reading. She had no filter and I completely identified and connected with her.

‘I wanted to meet the woman who put that much energy, selfless energy, into a random act of kindness. Who did that?’…’This is not the type of girl I’m used to. Kathryn is straightforward, honest and as intriguing as hell.’  – Dre

As for Dre, well he sure was an attractive enigma and I couldn’t wait to find out what he was hiding…*cough*….

‘Dre Donley is known around the city as “the gift from unknown”. Everyone knows his name. Every guy wants to be him; every woman wants to bed him. However nobody really knows him…’ – Kathryn

‘Can’t Go Home’ had a real beauty to it, a great message and characters that were believable with real depth and hearts of gold. Reading it from cover to cover is easy because of the fab writing and the flawlessness of a great story. Yeah, I really enjoyed this one too Jenny!

Jenny:  Yep, we certainly had fun discussing this one! I loved that it was told in alternating POV’s between Dre and Kathryn as it offered me the ability to experience exactly what each of these complex characters were feeling about themselves and each other. Getting inside their heads became a necessity for me and I was smitten with this pair and their budding relationship. But it wasn’t just the growing relationship, the trusting, the opening up and the connection between Dre and Kathryn that had me hooked and reading Can’t Go Home with a huge smile on my face, it was also the secondary characters. What a great addition they were! The upfront, say it as it is Sydney (Kathryn’s unorthodox BFF), who incidentally never failed to crack me up every scene she was in, and Rory, Dre’s equally out there and extremely hot BFF.  The whole dynamics of these guys made this book such an enjoyable read and they added a whole new dimension to the Can’t Go Home.

‘I should’ve fucking stayed away from her. Now, I feel guilty. And sad. Guilty and sad. And horny. Guilty, sad and horny. Guilty, sad, horny, and fucking sad.’ – Dre

I have to admit that the reveal didn’t knock my socks off, but some aspects of it did take me by surprise. I had somewhat guessed something of the sort, but that didn’t in any way take away from the twist that eventuated, because for me it was the journey that drove me to that point that I particularly loved.

‘That’s the thing about pain, you only realize how bad it is when you actually see the hurt it’s caused.’ – Dre

This one had it all. It was emotional, funny, swoony, engaging, STEAMY HOT and possessed two main characters who will tickle your funny bone, having you fanning yourself and who will steal your heart. This was just what I needed and enjoyed every minute.  The final POV/Epilogue was surprising and well placed as it gave us further insight into the dynamics of the characters.  Can’t Go Home is definitely one to add to those TBR’s!!

Gitte: Yes, I definitely enjoyed having the dual POV. It was certainly necessary in order to understand some of Dre’s actions and the motivations behind them. I fell in complete love and have to say Kathryn and Dre were fantastic characters, we really got to know them and they felt like friends. Talking about friends, Sydney had me in stitches, she’s a self-obsessed bitch but hey…I loved her and as for Rory…ummm cold shower please!!! The relationship between all the characters was brilliant and the speed at which their story unfolded was fab. And for once after the ‘wooing’ by the confused ‘stalker hero’, the heroine had the balls to chasing whilst the hero did the running. Refreshing! Mind you I’d do the chasing too if the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow was the yummy Dre!!

“You can’t be someone you want to be if you don’t admit who you once were.”

As for the big reveal, well I wasn’t shocked as the signs were there, however the whole build up I agree was what made this story as enjoyable as it was. I would have liked more ‘afters’ despite the surprise last chapter but then that’s just me. It didn’t necessarily need it. So yeah, Jenny, you are spot on, Can’t Go Home pretty much had it all and should without doubt be put on everyone’s TBR’s!!

“When the weak can’t fight for themselves, we absolutely have to fight for them.”

ARC supplied by author in exchange for an honest review

Check out and purchase Can’t Go Home here:
Can’t Go Home (Oasis Waterfall Series) (Volume 1)