It’s a heart-wrenching tale that weaves history with religion and family. Historical fiction with much food for thought. It takes some time after reading to fully digest - not an easy read and not recommended for those who do not unders The underlying historical context.

Finding Home by Susan K. Macias is a beautifully written, heart-wrenching, and heart-warming Christian novel that brings the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) to life in a fresh and deeply moving way.

Although the phrase “Prodigal Son” is well known from Sunday School and church, I realized I didn’t know exactly what “prodigal” meant. It’s defined as “a person who spends money in a recklessly extravagant way”—a definition that perfectly captures the journey of the younger son in both the biblical parable and this novel.

Set in Galilee around 20 A.D., Finding Home follows Ezra, a wealthy and devout Hebrew landowner, and his two sons, Seth and Judah. Seth, the older son, is serious and responsible, while Judah, the younger, is restless and full of big dreams. Unwilling to settle into a life he sees as dull, Judah leaves home to seek his fortune, convinced he will find something better.

As we know from the Bible, things don’t go as planned. But this novel goes beyond just retelling the familiar parable. It dives deep into the emotions, struggles, and relationships of each character, painting a vivid and immersive picture of first-century life. More than just a tale of a reckless son and a resentful older brother, it is ultimately a powerful story of a father’s unwavering love and the life-changing beauty of redemption—a message that remains just as relevant and hopeful for us today.

The writing is engaging, the characters are richly developed, and the historical details bring the setting to life in a way that makes you feel as if you are walking the streets of Galilee. This book is both an enjoyable and meaningful read, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves biblical fiction, Christian themes of grace and forgiveness, or simply a well-told story.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advance digital review copy—this is my honest review.