Publishers Weekly
09/14/2015
In Hughes’s tense, emotional novel, members of a Utah family try to summon Christmas joy as they worry about their son and brother, Glen, who is on the front lines in 1944 Europe, and face financial pressures at home. Sixteen-year-old Dennis knows how hard his mother works to make the holidays bright, even if his gruff father doesn’t appreciate her efforts, so he works extra shifts at his part-time job in order to buy her something special. Hughes’s portrait of a family on edge and exploration of Glen’s brutal experiences in the trenches make for some dark reading, though he frequently cites characters’ sustaining faith and reliance on prayer and highlights some tender moments, too. A hopeful ending and a father’s emerging change of heart signal a brighter future for the entire clan. Ages 15–up. (Sept.)
Deseret News
"A touching story about the healing that comes when hearts are open and past hurts are forgotten during one of the most magical times of the year. Dean Hughes delivers yet another masterpiece in this book set during the 1940s...Help[s] readers remember that true happiness comes from family and service."
Historical Novel Society
"A short, sweet book, a nostalgic read that could make a nice holiday stocking stuffer. Readers should keep tissues nearby, as tears may start to flow toward the end of the story."
Jason F. Wright
“Beautifully nostalgic. Hughes expertly captures the spirit of family, of war, and of Christmas. Home and Away isn’t just a book, it’s a gift.
Obert Skye
"Home and Away is far and away the best story I have read this year. Awesome and moving."
Chris E. Crowe
"Dean Hughes has found a way to imbue a tragic war story with the enduring hope of Christmas and the love of family. It’s a story to remember!"
Library Journal
10/15/2015
It's 1944, and teenager Dennis Hayes longs to join his older brother Glen, who is fighting in Europe. In the meantime, he works after school to earn enough money to buy a new suit so he can bring his date to a dance and also get presents for his parents and little sisters. When his family receives word that Glen has been wounded, Dennis realizes that going to war is not so glamorous. Christmas isn't the same without Glen, but the Hayes family members hope and pray that they'll be reunited soon. VERDICT Hughes's ("Children of the Promise" series) faith-filled, old-fashioned story feels like it could have been written during the period in which it takes place.