What do you think?
Rate this book
The Returning
Andrea knew when she married John Sheldon that her love was not returned, but they both stayed in the marriage for their own reasons. Now John is returning home from a five-year stint in prison, and while Andrea wants him home, she knows his return will upset the life she and the children have adjusted to in his absence. But she hopes his homecoming will offer them a second chance at marriage. John is apprehensive about how he will be received, but he is returning a different man. While incarcerated, he committed his life to Christ and wants to hold fast to his newfound faith. Andrea is wary of his conversion, son Billy is delighted, and daughter Rebekah is skeptical. Six-year-old Phoebe doesn't remember her father and is withdrawn. Can John and Andrea mend the rifts that have torn their family apart?
368 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2009
44 people are currently reading
325 people want to read
About the author
Ann Tatlock
39 books297 followersAnn Tatlock is a novelist and children’s book author. Her books have received numerous awards, including the Christy Award, the Midwest Book Award and the Silver Angel Award for Excellence in Media. She also serves as managing editor of Heritage Beacon, the historical fiction imprint of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. She lives with her family in Western North Carolina.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
April 16, 2015
Tatlock presents real life, when romance isn't there and life goes on where love is one sided. You can feel the struggle of all, yet know the answer won't be instantly found at the end of the book.
Her scenes suggesting a fall from grace are not described only implied. They allow the reader to know sin happened without delving into all the details. Thank you.
Billy, their child with Down Syndrome, becomes my hero from the beginning. He seeks to make others happy even when he can feel their sadness. He easily worms into everyones heart and brings a side to life that reminds that today is a gift.
Her scenes suggesting a fall from grace are not described only implied. They allow the reader to know sin happened without delving into all the details. Thank you.
Billy, their child with Down Syndrome, becomes my hero from the beginning. He seeks to make others happy even when he can feel their sadness. He easily worms into everyones heart and brings a side to life that reminds that today is a gift.
June 2, 2009
Give me a break. Every single event is expected, including the plot "twist" and the final scene. "Let's feel good about flawed people trying to be better." Bleah.
June 13, 2011
This was an interesting premise for a novel. However I was a little disappointed in the actual novel All the issues were either too easily resolved or completely glossed over. The novelist left too many issues totally unresolved or ignored.
August 21, 2009
I usually like Ann Tatlock's books but I couldn't get interested in this one. Maybe I've read too many stories just like it.
February 28, 2014
easy read, Christian book. will review later
June 8, 2019
In the novel The Returning by Ann Tatlock, Andrea has loved her husband John since they were teenagers. She knew he did not love her and only married her because he had to after she became pregnant. But she hoped that his heart might change someday.
Now John has just been released from prison, where he spent the last five years after accidentally killing a man while driving drunk. Andrea is not sure how everything will work after the adjustments of the last few years.
Their youngest daughter, Phoebe, was just a baby when John left, so she doesn’t remember her father and is afraid of him. Teenage daughter Rebekah is angry and rebellious. Only their oldest son with Down Syndrome, Billy, seems genuinely happy to have John home.
John knows he has a lot to overcome. His brother-in-law gave him a low-paying job, but he needs to find something better. He needs to rebuild his relationships with his family. And he needs to tell them what happened to him in prison when he committed his life to Christ. His biggest need, though, he doesn’t even realize yet: he needs to get grounded in his faith and grow. When he succumbs to temptation again and again, he begins to wonder if Rebekah is right in her accusation that his faith was just “jailhouse religion.”
A friend went through this scenario with a husband returning home after several years in prison, though the details were different. Even with all parties wanting to heal and put the family back together again, they faced difficulties. I thought Ann showed this struggle tenderly and realistically within the framework of the Sheldon family’s circumstances.
Ann says in her acknowledgements page that Billy’s character was inspired by Down Syndrome actor Chis Burke. Chris and his mother read Ann’s manuscript and offered feedback. She also talked with local parents and others who work with people with Down Syndrome.
My only difficulty with this story is that Rebekah is into some pagan-ish, New Age-y practices along with her best friend. I don’t have a problem with this being in the story, as people do turn to these things (and, spoiler alert, Rebekah finds they give her no peace or answers). But I’ve found I am sensitive to this kind of thing, so when Rebekah was performing her rituals, I had to skim through those pages.
But overall, I enjoyed the story very much. I ached along with each character in their difficulties and rejoiced with them in their victories.
Now John has just been released from prison, where he spent the last five years after accidentally killing a man while driving drunk. Andrea is not sure how everything will work after the adjustments of the last few years.
Their youngest daughter, Phoebe, was just a baby when John left, so she doesn’t remember her father and is afraid of him. Teenage daughter Rebekah is angry and rebellious. Only their oldest son with Down Syndrome, Billy, seems genuinely happy to have John home.
John knows he has a lot to overcome. His brother-in-law gave him a low-paying job, but he needs to find something better. He needs to rebuild his relationships with his family. And he needs to tell them what happened to him in prison when he committed his life to Christ. His biggest need, though, he doesn’t even realize yet: he needs to get grounded in his faith and grow. When he succumbs to temptation again and again, he begins to wonder if Rebekah is right in her accusation that his faith was just “jailhouse religion.”
A friend went through this scenario with a husband returning home after several years in prison, though the details were different. Even with all parties wanting to heal and put the family back together again, they faced difficulties. I thought Ann showed this struggle tenderly and realistically within the framework of the Sheldon family’s circumstances.
Ann says in her acknowledgements page that Billy’s character was inspired by Down Syndrome actor Chis Burke. Chris and his mother read Ann’s manuscript and offered feedback. She also talked with local parents and others who work with people with Down Syndrome.
My only difficulty with this story is that Rebekah is into some pagan-ish, New Age-y practices along with her best friend. I don’t have a problem with this being in the story, as people do turn to these things (and, spoiler alert, Rebekah finds they give her no peace or answers). But I’ve found I am sensitive to this kind of thing, so when Rebekah was performing her rituals, I had to skim through those pages.
But overall, I enjoyed the story very much. I ached along with each character in their difficulties and rejoiced with them in their victories.
September 6, 2019
I received this book as an Early Reviewer snag from Librarything.com and was surprised that this book was considered Christian Lit - which I am not a big fan of. This book was not as preachy as others I have come across so I can at least give it that.
The story is about a family that has been separated for five years due to the fathers imprisonment over a manslaughter charge. They must now learn to be a family again, a better family than they were before, when John, the father left. The writing is pretty good, but the characters are sad. Even Billy, the teenage son with Down's Syndrome - his innocent happiness seems forced and not natural. Andrea, the wife is especially sad and depressing. She still loves her husband even after all he has done to make their lives and marriage miserable. I felt she was weak. She did not even attempt to learn some kind of trade while her husband was gone to support her family. She was just waiting for him to come back and take care of them. Not very bright in my opinion. I felt the teenage daughter was the most clearly drawn and that the author must have experience with adolescent angst to be able to describe her so well. Not much really happens in this book and since we know in the beginning that Andrea does not ever want to divorce John it is no surprise that he pulls it together and has everyone eating out of his hand by the end. It is a predictable story and really kind of blah. I'm afraid it didn't do too much for me. I think 'smarmy' might be the word I'm looking for.
The story is about a family that has been separated for five years due to the fathers imprisonment over a manslaughter charge. They must now learn to be a family again, a better family than they were before, when John, the father left. The writing is pretty good, but the characters are sad. Even Billy, the teenage son with Down's Syndrome - his innocent happiness seems forced and not natural. Andrea, the wife is especially sad and depressing. She still loves her husband even after all he has done to make their lives and marriage miserable. I felt she was weak. She did not even attempt to learn some kind of trade while her husband was gone to support her family. She was just waiting for him to come back and take care of them. Not very bright in my opinion. I felt the teenage daughter was the most clearly drawn and that the author must have experience with adolescent angst to be able to describe her so well. Not much really happens in this book and since we know in the beginning that Andrea does not ever want to divorce John it is no surprise that he pulls it together and has everyone eating out of his hand by the end. It is a predictable story and really kind of blah. I'm afraid it didn't do too much for me. I think 'smarmy' might be the word I'm looking for.
July 31, 2025
The Returning by Ann Tatlock follows the lives of the Sheldon Family during one summer at Conesus Lake in upstate New York.
John is returning to his family after serving five years for the manslaughter of a hitchhiker he picked up when drunk and then promptly crashed his car.
Time has moved on in his absence and the only work John can get is clearing tables at his critical brother-in-law’s restaurant. His seventeen-year-old son, Billy, and fellow co-worker may be delighted to see his father return. But John’s sixteen-year-old daughter, Rebekah, despises him and six-year-old, Phoebe, fears him.
And then there’s his wife, Andrea. John cannot understand why she’s stuck with him. But this time he’s determined to be a better man. A better father. A faithful and a sober husband. That is, until he meets a beautiful woman at his A.A. meetings.
The Returning by Ann Tatlock explores hope, despair, faith, teenage angst, family ties and second chances. It’s an easy, feel-good read with no real surprises. But it will leave a smile on your face and I for one enjoyed my trip to Conesus Lake.
John is returning to his family after serving five years for the manslaughter of a hitchhiker he picked up when drunk and then promptly crashed his car.
Time has moved on in his absence and the only work John can get is clearing tables at his critical brother-in-law’s restaurant. His seventeen-year-old son, Billy, and fellow co-worker may be delighted to see his father return. But John’s sixteen-year-old daughter, Rebekah, despises him and six-year-old, Phoebe, fears him.
And then there’s his wife, Andrea. John cannot understand why she’s stuck with him. But this time he’s determined to be a better man. A better father. A faithful and a sober husband. That is, until he meets a beautiful woman at his A.A. meetings.
The Returning by Ann Tatlock explores hope, despair, faith, teenage angst, family ties and second chances. It’s an easy, feel-good read with no real surprises. But it will leave a smile on your face and I for one enjoyed my trip to Conesus Lake.
August 10, 2022
John Sheldon has served his time in prison - five years for for killing a man who was riding in his car while John was driving drunk. His family is waiting for him in a small cottage on one of the Finger Lakes in New York State which was meant to be a summer retreat, not a year round home. John found religion behind bars. But he soon gives in to some of the same old temptations that got him into trouble in the first place once he experiences some of the challenges of being an ex-convict.
John's youngest daughter hides from him because he is a stranger to her. His oldest daughter wishes her father would just go away again. Andrea, his wife, has mixed feelings about sharing their lives once more. Teenaged Billy, who has Downs Syndrome, is the only one who welcomes John with open arms.
I liked this book, but I had to wonder how realistic it was. Would someone just walk back in the house after being released from prison like nothing happened? These people really needed to talk to one another, or better yet get some counseling to help them reconnect as a family.
John's youngest daughter hides from him because he is a stranger to her. His oldest daughter wishes her father would just go away again. Andrea, his wife, has mixed feelings about sharing their lives once more. Teenaged Billy, who has Downs Syndrome, is the only one who welcomes John with open arms.
I liked this book, but I had to wonder how realistic it was. Would someone just walk back in the house after being released from prison like nothing happened? These people really needed to talk to one another, or better yet get some counseling to help them reconnect as a family.
December 21, 2018
I am a huge fan of “Promises to Keep”, one of my favorite reads (even better on audiobook) of this year. This book was definitely not my favorite but it was interesting and it was an excellent audiobook. Scott Sowers narrates this and he does an amazing job!
Billy, the Down syndrome son, is the strong character in this novel and he makes this story special and adds a sweet layer of depth to this family. I felt so sorry for the wife, Andrea, who is such a rock in this marriage and the glue holding things together as a single mom while her husband was in prison. I was hoping this book would be more about her husband John falling in love with his wife and romancing her all over again. Andrea truly loved her husband and wanted to stay together as a family. To me she represents a true virtuous woman who was unfortunately not even being valued. The ending gave me a little bit of gratification for their renewed relationship but I wish they had explored it more.
Billy, the Down syndrome son, is the strong character in this novel and he makes this story special and adds a sweet layer of depth to this family. I felt so sorry for the wife, Andrea, who is such a rock in this marriage and the glue holding things together as a single mom while her husband was in prison. I was hoping this book would be more about her husband John falling in love with his wife and romancing her all over again. Andrea truly loved her husband and wanted to stay together as a family. To me she represents a true virtuous woman who was unfortunately not even being valued. The ending gave me a little bit of gratification for their renewed relationship but I wish they had explored it more.
September 6, 2018
Daddy's Home
John and Andrea had been through a lot, from the time they were each very young. Their families owned vacation cabins just down the shore from each other. That's where the first half of their lives started and where the second half of their lives with many mistakes, three children, a jail sentence of five years, affairs, alcoholism began with much forgiveness, love and a happy family. This is a book for teenagers, middle age and older people. Many lessons can be learned and much about the grace of our Savior.
John and Andrea had been through a lot, from the time they were each very young. Their families owned vacation cabins just down the shore from each other. That's where the first half of their lives started and where the second half of their lives with many mistakes, three children, a jail sentence of five years, affairs, alcoholism began with much forgiveness, love and a happy family. This is a book for teenagers, middle age and older people. Many lessons can be learned and much about the grace of our Savior.
May 6, 2018
This story or redemption and transformation was set in a realistic situation involving and struggling teenagers, a prison experience, and son with Down Syndrom. I enjoyed the author's style and her skill of telling the story. The is a good read with a spiritual covering that is not over the top but still communicates the grace of God. For a Christ-follower, it is easy to fill in between the lines with the truth of the gospel.
July 30, 2022
Uplifting story of one family’s struggle as the father returns from prison and tries to rebuild his life among his family- he still hears the siren call of the flesh in an affair with another woman. His teenage daughter is angry, his son has Down’s syndrome and is yearning to be a “grown up”, his youngest does not remember him and his afraid of him. His wife longs for the family life that she has always dreamed of.
April 16, 2024
This was a sweet little book with a little bit of a plot twist. I really appreciated how Ann Tatlock incorporated the perspective of a boy with Down Syndrome and the beautiful family life despite incredible hardships brought on by poor choices of the father. But the message of hope and reception is clear. My critique is I would have preferred more scripture incorporated in the story
November 1, 2024
This was a good book but had to get more than half way through to like the book. It is the story of a man who was drunk, picked up a hitchhiker, had a bad accident, resulting in him being in prison for five years. He is released and must now reconnect with his family, stay away from alcohol, and attend AA meetings.
August 15, 2019
Kept Me Wondering?
I can often, figure out the ending?? Great job Ann, I was fooled. This would be a great read for our teenagers today. They can most assuredly get off the wrong track..
I can often, figure out the ending?? Great job Ann, I was fooled. This would be a great read for our teenagers today. They can most assuredly get off the wrong track..
Read
June 9, 2020This book was dismally written and I could bring myself only to read the first few chapters. If in the future I find myself book-less and decide to finish the book; and if I am proven wrong and it is amazing or even readable, I will revise my review.
January 6, 2018
A fast read that kept me intrigued. I couldn't put out down. The ending through me for a loop.
September 26, 2018
This is the second book of Ann’s I’ve read. This one was okay, not as good as traveler’s rest. This is a story of second chances.
September 14, 2018
I enjoyed this story but felt that the characters could have been developed a bit more. If they had been, it would have been much better.
March 1, 2019
This was basically like a Hallmark TV movie. Although the character of Billy certainly was sweet, and we would all do better if we had someone that happy in our lives.
April 13, 2019
I really enjoyed this. Just like all Ann Tatlock books, they characters are engaging and you get pulled into the story quickly. Good from beginning to end.
July 26, 2019
I've really enjoyed Ann's books, but this one didn't pull me in as well as her others. Just so-so.
February 26, 2020
An amazing read of determination and the strength of the bond a family truly holds even when seperated for years
March 28, 2020
I liked this one. It focuses on how a family deals with a father who has returned from prison. It is a good example of faith isn’t just about words but also about how you act.
June 28, 2020
Een ontmoeting met de familie Sheldon. Een verhaal over een ongewoon leven met zoveel dagdagelijkse dingen.
September 19, 2020
Good story. Maddening at times, but there is redemption at the end.
November 8, 2020
Suspenseful and Heartwarming
Ms. Tatlock is one of my favorite authors! And this book did not disappoint! I would give it a PG rating, due to some mature themes.
Ms. Tatlock is one of my favorite authors! And this book did not disappoint! I would give it a PG rating, due to some mature themes.
October 4, 2021
I usually love reading Ann Tat!ock, but I struggled to get through this one. Not her best, in my opinion
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews