I'll Be Home by Tate James has everything you want in a holiday-dark romance novel. From murder, why choose romance, reverse harem romance, cheesy Christmas vibes, and mystery. James introduces us to her holiday pun character Rayne Dear a journalist who hates Christmas due to her past. She was raised in an orphanage in a small town that lives and breathes the spirit of Christmas on the outside but on the inside dark and sinister happenings everywhere you looked. Frost Jackson, Alfred Buddie, and Nicholas Klores grew up with Rayne at this orphanage. They were older, took care of her, and looked after her until they aged out one by one to leave for the military. That is when Rayne's time at the orphanage takes a dark turn. With help from a doctor in the town she manages to escape the small town turning her back and the fears it holds. She carries the trauma with her so much that she changes her name and makes a new life for herself far away swearing she will never return. That is till her editor and boss throw her a story pitch she can not refuse. Children going missing, up and vanishing in an orphanage up north in a small town. That small town so happens to be where she grew up, and the orphanage is the same orphanage that she ran away from years ago. When Rayne reaches town she runs into her old flame Frost, literally, she runs him over with her car. She then sees that all three of her old past lovers have returned to the small town they swore never to return to. But for what reason? Rayne is transported back to where she must fight her past trauma if she wants to save the children and rekindle her romance with the three men she once loved as a young girl. Don't worry Frost, Alfred, and Nicholas don't make her work too hard. They will protect her at any cost to those who come to harm her from the past.
"Nothing is off limits, beautiful girl. Nothing."
This book has two aspects going for it and keeping me from giving it a one-star rating. The spice level and the Christmas puns through the book. While a fast-paced read, the enjoyment of reading was stripped away by the lack of plot. The author gave such a dramatic attention grabber with the missing children and Rayne's past with the men but fell flat with producing and explaining. There were holes in the storyline that were covered up by spice scenes. Now don't get me wrong I love a good spice scene as much as the next girl but the potential she had to have a good spice and plot was there, not executed. I would have loved to have seen more backstories throughout the book of how the four fell in love. Since the book was a multi-POV through each chapter.
There was too much missing throughout the book and storyline for me to give it more than two out of five stars. I would recommend this book to anyone who is into dark romance and is looking for a dirty Christmas read. Be sure to read all the trigger warnings at the start of the book before diving right in. This book is for mature audiences.