Tara J. Stone's debut novel is a tender, heartwarming story about the power of mercy, the bonds of family, and the unforgettable experience of first love. They say home is where the heart is, but what happens when a heart is divided? Twelve-year-old Sam has no siblings, no friends, no faith, and no affection from her parents. When tragedy strikes, she's forced to move in with the Howards—a Catholic family with four children, including handsome and popular fourteen-year-old Tobias, the boy Sam's been crushing on for years. Little by little, Sam finds herself drawn into a new life full of all the things she's longed for but never had. But the closer she grows to the Howards, the harder it is for her to forget that she's not one of them. Her feelings for Tobias—and his for her—only make the situation more complicated. Torn between loyalty to her parents and gratitude toward the Howards, Sam isn't sure where she belongs. But as she faces the pain of loss, the sweetness of first love, and the freedom of forgiveness, Sam will learn what it truly means to be home.
