I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
Home No Matter Where by Nancy Naigle Series: The Shell Collector #3
Published by PRH Christian Publishing on May 5, 2026
Genres: Fiction / Friendship, Fiction / Romance / Clean & Wholesome, Fiction / Women
Pages: 336
Format: ARC
Source: NetGalley
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Three generations of women confront their pasts and discover it's never too late for new beginnings in this heartwarming novel of second chances and unconditional love—from the bestselling author of The Shell Collector.
“In Home No Matter Where we travel to beautiful Whelk’s Island, where a close-knit community puts us right at home. Along the way we meet compelling characters caught in realistic storms and learn faith-filled lessons about weathering them.” —Denise Hunter, bestselling author of More Than Friends
Nina is at her wit's end with her teenage daughter, Kendra. Still dealing with her own wounds of divorce, Nina hopes a change of scenery will help. She and Kendra head to the serene coastal town of Whelk's Island to spend a restorative summer with Nina’s mother, Rosemary—bringing three generations under one roof for the first time in years. Amid the island's charm, old wounds begin to heal, and as new friendships bloom—especially with the steady and enigmatic Fisher—light begins to break through the cracks of Nina’s tightly controlled life.
Kendra's reckless behavior continues but Fisher’s intervention during a critical moment for Kendra sparks a sense of hope in Nina that she thought was lost. Still, change is never easy.
As the women navigate the tides of forgiveness, growing up, and letting go, healing begins and new love brings surprises. While Whelk’s Island may not hold all the answers, it has a way of reminding people that moving forward doesn't follow a set path—it requires the bravery to start anew.
My final trip to Whelk’s Island, that is, unless I can somehow be a one-woman show, convincing Nancy Naigle that this little community isn’t done telling stories, sharing wisdom, instilling values, and falling in love. Even if every single relationship (romantic, friendship, whatever) is insta. The Christian Fiction Reading Challenge May read is Home No Matter Where, and as a sucker for a series, I had to start at the beginning, and I’m oh so very glad I did. These folks, this community in all their insta glory, have kept me so engaged and enamored with their lives. While the beach has never been my destination, the water has been, and I feel a sliver of peace with these folks. And no, while you don’t have to read the entire series to enjoy this book, I highly encourage it. Naigle gives enough throughout to help you understand the folks and their story . . . but there’s something to be said for getting from the start.
Let’s be honest, I knew at chapter 5 that insta was about to shed all over the words. Fisher, with his thinking that he needs something more. Nina with her needs something less. Fisher with goo goo eyes for Nina, maybe not full on goo, but he’s definitely noticed there’s something about her – something he can help with, something that wants him to spend time, and something that just attracts him. Chapter 5 folks, we gotta a bit to go to get there, but she’s got only the summer on the island . . . if that long. Once we got past that insta attraction, things simmered down, and they started the foundation of what has the potential to become a real relationship, not something rushed into with attraction and lightning bolts. I also loved that interplay of Rosemary and Tug and the long engagement they find themselves in. True love with no rush. For all the reasons, I forgave the insta as I settled into the building of a real relationship.
What I struggled with more as the book progressed was Kendra. She’s painted, for lack of better words, as an out-of-control teenager. And while she does some acting out and reasons are built in to share why she feels so alone and adrift – and let’s be real, she’s a teenager – I never get the vibe from her story that’s painted about her. The setup was good for a solid real angst story that never quite panned out for me. But honestly, overall, she was lovable with her bridge between childhood with Amanda’s children and her own coming of age story. I just feel like I was promised some depth I didn’t quite get. Overall, though, I loved this last journey to Whelk’s Island and I’m completely down to petition for more. I mean, I haven’t seen Rosemary and Tug’s wedding yet, I need to know where Nina and Fisher end up, and there’s a whole generation that need to grow up for me.
About Nancy Naigle
USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle whips up small-town love stories with a dash of suspense and a whole lot of heart. She began her contemporary romance series, Adams Grove, while juggling a successful career as an SVP for Bank of America and life on a seventy-six-acre goat farm.
Now enjoying an early retirement from the financial industry, she devotes her time to writing, antiquing, and the occasional spa day with friends. A native of Virginia Beach, she now calls the small town of Franklin, Virginia home.
Nancy’s 2021 release of The Shell Collector debuted in the top #20 on the ECPA Bestseller list and was optioned in a book-to-movie deal as the first Fox Original movie. The Shell Collector can be watched on FOXNation.
Several of Nancy’s books have inspired made-for-television movies. Watch Christmas Joy, Sand Dollar Cove and The Secret Ingredient on the Hallmark Channel and Hope at Christmas on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Nancy also wrote the novelization for the first three Hallmark Original Movies in the popular Christmas in Evergreen series.
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