Take Me Home

By: Melanie Sweeney

Narrated by: Brittany Pressley, Zachary Webber

AN INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER

Road Trip Rules: No bad music. No detours. No falling in love.

Hazel Elliot never looks back. If a door closes, she burns the whole house down. But when she’s invited to her father's Christmas Eve wedding, she’s forced to return to Lockett Prairie, Texas, for the first time since she fled for college.

Ash Campbell has been in love with Hazel since she dated his best friend in high school. Now, Ash and Hazel’s relationship is limited to playful feuding over the best chair in their favorite coffee shop, but his attraction to the prickly girl from home has only grown stronger.

When Ash’s car breaks down just as family obligations and the holidays pull him home, only one person can get him there on time. But Hazel has a condition: Everything between them must stay the same. And if it doesn’t? She gets the coffee shop. So the frenemies endure bad music, inclement weather, and B&Bs with only one bed—and that’s just the drive across Texas. When they finally arrive, Hazel must face that, in a small town, there’s nowhere to run . . . and maybe, for the first time, she's found a reason to stay.©2024 Melanie Sweeney (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

One of Fangirlish’s Best Romance Books of July

"Ash and Hazel’s main love language is bickering, but there’s a real vulnerability to their relationship. We see them slowly unpack each other’s emotional baggage while doing their best not to stamp out the nascent flame burning between them. This book is like a cup of hot chocolate—it’s sweet and will infuse you with warmth from the inside out."—Washington Post

"[A] phenomenal achievement, with a perfect blend of humor and angst. While most of the book is devoted to growing its main couple’s dynamic, Sweeney gives equal weight to the familial relationships that define them and explores the meaning of truly growing up emotionally. . . Hazel and Ash’s journey to choosing each other makes for a lovely ride. A heartwarming contemporary romance that will keep readers hooked until the last page."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Debut author Sweeney sparkles in this emotionally nuanced contemporary. . . Sweeney skillfully portrays the psyche of a heroine who grew up feeling that no one wanted her and a hero trying to bear all his family’s burdens in the face of his father’s multiple sclerosis. Add in a fun road trip and some deliciously dirty love scenes, and Sweeney’s stirring romance impresses."—Publishers Weekly

Sweet Road Trip

This was my first Melanie Sweeney book and what a sweet story it was, it brought me back to MY college days, road trips back home with friends that are still special to me to this day. Zachary Webber and @britpressley narrate Take Me Home in dual along with a 3rd person POV giving Hazel and Ash both the perfect voice to start the hard conversations, to be open with one another, and to grow a bond along the way. Living in the same small town when they were younger, now at the same college, Hazel and Ash didn’t have the best of relationship, Hazel dating Ash’s best friend and Ash pinning after her from a far, it was beautiful to see these two jump in a car together, road trip it back home for the holidays and let all their emotions and long awaited talks out in the open, as the hard moments of home life became more of a reality the way these two opened up and shared their worries was beautiful to hear. I love a story of deep connection and letting someone you least expect be there for you when you do everything to push them away, leaving you with all the feels and this was it.

I cried 3 times 🥹

Lovely. Some parts hit too close to home, but I loved characters and all their flaws.

A sweet holiday story!

The narrators brought this sweet holiday story to life. I loved the book but the narrators made it much more enjoyable!

LOVED THIS ONE!!

book review📖: take me home by melanie sweeney

Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️
Audio narrators🎧: Brittany Pressley and Zachary Webber
• This audiobook was PERFECTION. Brittany and Zachary can do no wrong! They brought this story to life.

• Summary:
Hazel’s methodology from a young age has always been “leave before you get left, and don’t look back.” Now as a grad school TA, she’s glad to have left her small home town behind. The only person from her past always pestering his way into her present is Ash, the annoyingly handsome barista at her favorite coffee shop, who used to be her high school ex-boyfriend’s best friend. When Hazel hesitantly decides to make the drive home for her dad’s Christmastime wedding, Ash just so happens to need a ride back to their hometown as well.

• My thoughts:
THIS. BOOK. Where has this book been hiding? Thank you to @onlyonebed for this rec, because I ADORED this book. Hazel’s defense mechanism of leaving before she gets left felt deeply personal. I understood her and sympathized with that type of self preservation. And Ash? That man. Ash is the BEST combination of Wes (Better Than the Movies) and Justin (Just for the Summer.) He is outwardly cool and nonchalant while inwardly he has always been pining for any crumbs he can get from her *sigh* And don’t get me started on his support and love for his family. I loved his character and will protect him at all costs.
The spice 😮‍💨🔥 There is something about books that blend wistful romance and explicit sexuality. It’s achingly tender. Affectionate and yearning. Hot and passionate. The author created anticipation in this book that had me desperate for these two to finally get together, and when they did, I was NOT disappointed.

Overall, this is a warm, sweet holiday (or Christmas in July) comfort read that had me feeling every emotion. From their early frenemies banter to their heartfelt confessions, I was captivated by Hazel and Ash’s story!

New must have

Excellent narration. Engaging storyline and well developed characters. Have to say the book description doesn’t do the book justice. I was not going to get this book had it not been for favorite narrator being part of it. Very glad I did.

I can't believe this is a debut novel!

When your favorite audiobook narrator recommends a book, you don't think twice and this one was a joy!

Hazel Elliot doesn't do "afters", doesn't look back, doesn't go home (literally or figuratively), until she's forced to return to Lockett Prairie, TX for her father's wedding.

Ash Campbell works at the café where Hazel studies and grades's papers for her job as TA. They fight for her favorite chair. You see, Ash is Hazel's only tie to "home"- he's from her hometown, he was her first boyfriend's best friend and they've been frenemies ever since. Small detail: Ash has been in love with Hazel since they were teens and now the only connection they have is their banter fighting over the darn chair. When Ash's car breaks down and he needs a ride home for Christmas, Hazel reluctantly offers him a ride. One condition: no changes in their dynamic or she gets the coffee shop and the chair.

So, through blizzards, weird diners, one bed in funky B&Bs, they get to Lockett Prairie, where Hazel needs to face all the ties she severed and Ash has to deal with some family stuff he's been quietly trying to fix.

Reluctantly, Hazel opens up... and Ash is there to catch when she falls. As always.

I can't believe this is a debut novel! It's sweet, heartfelt and engaging. I loved the literal and emotional journey Hazel and Ash go through. It's touching to see how Hazel finally tears down the walls she carefully built around her heart in order to protect it. I truly loved it!

Narrated dual style by Brittany Pressley and Zachary Webber, this audiobook is a gem. Brittany's performance is particularly touching in her vulnerable moments with her dad. Zachary is in top form as he gives us an adorable hero who's grappling with his feelings for Hazel and dealing with family issues. And his several texans (including a diner scene that had me howling with laughter) are the icing on the cake! Bravo all!

good story, annoying fmc

I really liked this story. it's a super slow burn with a satisfying ending. I understand why Hazel is the way she is but damn, it was annoying. This is definitely one of those stories where you're like, just communicate! Just tell her or tell him. it's frustrating when you're a person who can communicate listening to people or a person who refuses to. again, i know why she is like that, but it seems pretty extreme. I don't think Ash deserved all the crap he got but I think he ultimately did the right thing. he really did know her but again, just freaking communicate. it's not even so much a miscommunication issue, it's literally a refusal to communicate issue. Hazel came across to me as somewhat of a narcissist. I don't think that's what the author was going for but I think that's a big issue of Hazel's. she isn't malicious, so don't be expecting that. I wasn't a fan of Hazel. she didn't come across as a likeable character. not even so much as a pathetic character either. just more of a neglected, self sabotaging narcissist who has to learn to be less that.
The story is good, just expect some annoying tropes like the communication issue. obviously the narrators were incredible. this is in the 3rd person which took me a min to get used to. Can't go wrong with Zachary Webber. he honestly could have narrated this whole book and it would have been excellent. the female narrator was good too though. I like her work but she definitely made me like Hazel less, which was a good call on casting to be honest. I do recommend, just be prepared to like Ash way more than Hazel and probably think he could do a lot better while hoping he can really help her.

A story that wraps you up like a cozy blanket

Can you hug an audiobook? Because I want to hug this one! You guys... this audio literally melted my heart! I mean it, Melanie Sweeney, you're my favorite! There have been a handful of audios this year that I just can't stop thinking about & didn't want to end & THIS IS ONE! I didn't want Ash & Hazel to stop talking to me! This romance is so sweet & tender. It's audiobook perfection, people! For reals! Everything I want, love & crave from a love story that tugs at you in the best way! Brittany & Zachary bring these two characters to life. You are clutching at your heart so tight & rooting for these two like there's no tomorrow! Prepare for the screaming to commence.....

Hazel's a grad student who is just finishing up a tough semester. She's heading back to her small town in West Texas after a few years & she's not excited about it one bit. To make it even worse, she agrees to let her irritatingly handsome high school acquaintance turned frenemy tag along for the ride. Heading back for the holidays, Ash is looking forward to being with his family, whom he is very close with. He's been juggling architecture school & jobs to get through school while helping manage multiple family situations. He's hoping inside he'll get the chance to persuade Hazel to finally let him into her heart.

There's an enemies to lovers trope goin on for Hazel, but this is a second chance for Ash. He's had it bad for her for a long time. Hazel's got her defenses up when it comes to letting people get close to her & Ash slowly begins to break her wall down. It's honestly just a way to preserve herself from getting hurt. Ash...Oh, man, this guy! I was dead for him! He is book boyfriend material if there ever was! He's a little broody, but playful & funny, super smart, very sensitive to others & the love he has for his family??? It's so flippin' endearing! He's an absolute dream & the pining that's been going on for Hazel over the years....let's just say things get emotional. It's so freaking good!

There are some really complicated family relationships for both these MC's & they help each other work through their emotions & feelings & this...this is where I got emotional because the narration from Brittany & Zachary is so raw & real, you're just aching for these two.

🎧Let's talk narration....because ya'll, this duo right here, they really can do no wrong! If they speak it, I wanna hear it! I was completely captivated by their performances. This is some audio gold! You felt everything from them. I can not recommend this audio enough. 5 stars isn't enough. Give them all the stars! ♾️

This is Sweeney's debut & I'm completely blown away. As soon as she writes her next book, it'll be auto-buy from me! She's written a story that's got a longing to it, if that makes sense? @readingromancewithlauren said it best, "it's achingly tender!" Boom! 💥 Perfectly said! Sweeney writes with such anticipation that you are practically dying for these two to get together & when they do, OMG, it's so good! 🙆‍♀️ She can write the emotion out of a book like no other! It will definitely make my top listens for the year! It does take place at the holidays, but this is a romance you'll comfort read all year long. It's so cozy & will give you all the emotions you'll ever want. Absolutely captivating. Whatever you do, put this on your list because you'll feel like this after listening to it. The biggest snaps & claps to Melanie, Brittany & Zachary. Absolutely perfect! 🤌

This was perfect

I really loved it and even cried in multiple parts 🥹 the romance is perfect but the treatment of complicated family dynamics was the best part

Fresh and spicy love story in a green chair

Robust story with just enough spice to keep things fresh, Take Me Home was a breathe of fresh air. Well written and narrated, kicked my summer reading off right!