Riley Redgate’s Come Home to My Heart is one of those rare novels that manages to capture both the crushing weight of teenage displacement and the ethereal lightness of first love. As someone who has followed Redgate’s work since Seven Ways We Lie, I can confidently say this is her most mature and emotionally nuanced offering yet. Where her previous novels showcased her talent for ensemble storytelling, this dual-POV narrative allows her to dive deeper into the psyche of two young women navigating impossible circumstances.
The Heart of the Matter: Plot and Structure
The story unfolds through alternating perspectives between Gloria Forman and Xia Harper, two seniors at Fisherton High School in small-town South Carolina. Gloria, a seemingly perfect Christian girl on the Homecoming Court, harbors a secret that has already cost her everything—her family has kicked her out for being gay, leaving her to survive undetected in the school auditorium. Xia, the school’s notorious outcast, has built walls so high that even she sometimes forgets what it feels like to be human.
When these two worlds collide in the dusty aisles of the Book Alley, Redgate masterfully sets in motion a love story that feels both inevitable and impossible. What sets this novel apart from other LGBTQ+ YA romance is its unflinching examination of:
The intersection of religious trauma and queer identity
The hidden epidemic of youth homelessness
The way love can flourish even in the most inhospitable conditions
The complex dynamics of family rejection and chosen family
Characters That Breathe and Bleed
Gloria Forman: The Girl Behind the Crucifix
Gloria’s character arc is nothing short of masterful. Redgate could have easily written her as a one-dimensional victim, but instead, she creates a protagonist whose strength emerges from her vulnerability. Gloria’s internal struggle with her faith and sexuality is portrayed with remarkable nuance—she doesn’t simply reject Christianity but grapples with reconciling her beliefs with her identity.
The author’s depiction of Gloria’s homelessness is particularly powerful. Rather than sensationalizing her situation, Redgate shows the quiet desperation of trying to maintain normalcy while sleeping under a school stage. The scene where Gloria discovers the secret entrance to the orchestra pit reads like a moment of divine intervention, perfectly capturing the thin line between survival and spirituality.
Xia Harper: The Armor That Conceals
Xia’s character provides the perfect counterpoint to Gloria’s carefully constructed facade. Where Gloria hides behind politeness and perfection, Xia weaponizes her reputation as the school’s resident misanthrope. Redgate excels at revealing the soft underbelly beneath Xia’s thorns, particularly in her scenes at the Book Alley and in her evolving relationship with Mr. Avery.
The author’s decision to make Xia half-Chinese adds another layer to her outsider status, though this aspect could have been explored more deeply. Still, the way Xia navigates her family’s expectations versus her own identity resonates authentically.
The Symphony of Style
Redgate’s prose has evolved significantly since her debut. Where Seven Ways We Lie occasionally relied on clever dialogue to carry scenes, Come Home to My Heart demonstrates a newfound confidence in quieter moments. Her descriptions of Gloria’s secret life beneath the stage are particularly evocative:
“I curled tighter in my bag, trying to calm my nerves enough to rest. But falling back asleep took what felt like an hour, and on Sunday morning, I slept later than I’d meant to.”
The author’s ability to capture teenage voice without resorting to internet slang or forced colloquialisms deserves special praise. Both Gloria and Xia speak with distinct voices that feel authentically seventeen without being clichéd.
Romance That Feels Real
The slow-burn romance between Gloria and Xia unfolds with the kind of organic pacing that makes you believe in the possibility of their love despite the odds stacked against them. Redgate wisely avoids the common YA pitfall of instant attraction, instead building their relationship through shared books, stolen moments in Xia’s car, and the gradual revelation of their true selves.
The scene at the Winter Dance, where they carve out a secret space in a custodian’s closet for their own private celebration, captures the bittersweet joy of hidden love with heartbreaking beauty. It’s in these moments that Redgate’s writing truly shines, finding poetry in the mundane while never losing sight of the larger stakes.
Where the Story Stumbles
While Come Home to My Heart succeeds on multiple levels, it’s not without its flaws. The pacing occasionally lags in the middle section, particularly during some of the classroom scenes that, while realistic, don’t always advance the plot or deepen character development.
Additionally, some secondary characters feel underdeveloped, especially Ellis, Gloria’s former best friend. Her role in driving a wedge between Gloria and her family feels somewhat convenient rather than fully motivated.
The resolution, while emotionally satisfying, arrives a bit too neatly. Mr. Avery’s intervention, though touching, risks veering into the “magical gay mentor” trope. However, Redgate avoids this pitfall by giving him a full personal life and agency beyond helping the protagonists.
A Mirror to Our Times
Perhaps what makes Come Home to My Heart most remarkable is its unflinching look at issues that remain painfully relevant. The statistics Redgate includes in her author’s note—that 28% of LGBTQ+ youth have experienced homelessness—transform this story from mere entertainment into a call to action.
The novel’s handling of religious trauma deserves particular recognition. Rather than painting all religious people as villains, Redgate shows the spectrum of belief, from Gloria’s parents’ rigid fundamentalism to Lawrence and Paul’s inclusive Christianity. This nuanced approach makes the story more accessible to readers from various backgrounds while still validating the real harm caused by discriminatory religious practices.
The Bigger Picture
Readers familiar with Redgate’s previous works will recognize her signature ability to weave multiple perspectives into a cohesive narrative. While Alone Out Here tackled mental health in space, and Final Draft explored creative passion under pressure, Come Home to My Heart represents her most grounded and emotionally resonant work to date.
For readers seeking similar stories, this novel would pair beautifully with:
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta
You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson
Final Thoughts: A Love Letter to Resilience
Come Home to My Heart earns its place among the pantheon of essential LGBTQ+ YA literature not just for its romance, but for its honest portrayal of the systemic failures that leave young people vulnerable. Redgate has crafted a story that acknowledges the darkness while insisting on the possibility of light.
The novel’s greatest strength lies in its refusal to offer easy answers. Gloria’s journey toward self-acceptance isn’t a straight line, and Xia’s walls don’t crumble overnight. Their love story unfolds against a backdrop of real-world challenges that won’t disappear just because they’ve found each other.
As I closed the final page, I found myself thinking about all the Glorias and Xias out there—the ones sleeping in cars, in shelters, or on friends’ couches—and hoping they find their way to stories like this one. Because sometimes, knowing you’re not alone in the struggle can be the first step toward finding your way home.