Tag: second chance love

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Some fun and festive holidays reviews for you: Christmas at the Little Knitting Box (New York Ever After Book 1) and The Best Christmas Ever

296 pages Headline Accent publisher October 7, 2021 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Lexi Forde adores Christmas. She’s especially looking forward to it this year as it’s the first Christmas with her boyfriend Ben and her older brother is visiting from Canada with his family. They’ll all be spending Christmas at her parents’ house in Devon.

But when Lexi surprises Ben at work, she sees him kissing someone else and discovers he’s been having an affair. Devastated, she travels to Devon alone.

She’s determined not to let her break-up spoil her family Christmas. But when she arrives, Lexi discovers the council won’t allow the Christmas tree on the green to be decorated this year; it’s too dangerous and has to come down. Lexi is desperate to save their favourite family tradition and make this Christmas extra special.

Can she save the tree and mend her broken heart in time for Christmas?

MY THOUGHTS

Our December wasn’t overly cold, and we had no snow. Reading this now in January with our frigid temperatures and snow feels more like Christmas book reading time.
I liked Lexi Forde’s character, she’s fun, loves Christmas, animals and is outgoing.
After a surprise visit to her boyfriend Ben’s workplace reveals he’s been cheating on her she decides to visit her family living two hours away for Christmas earlier than originally planned.
Her family is fun and quirky. I really enjoyed grandma, but more about her in a bit. Her parents own a bakery in Devon. Grandma has a better social life than most of the young people, is a rebel and Lexi is worried grandma is going to get arrested. In the story we have a town tradition where the town council decorates a huge tree in town and everyone sings carols, this year the town’s people are in an uproar as the tree is slated to be torn down after being deemed unsafe. A dogsitter living close by has the sweetest dog he’s watching for his sister. He’s caring for her dog, and he may just be the one to heal her broken heart. Though predictable the story is cute, fun and I could imagine in my mind the hilarious antics taking place. It’s a hug in a book and just what I needed to read now.

Pub Date 07 Oct 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

296 pages Boldwood Books May 31, 2022 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Little Knitting Box has been in Cleo’s family for nearly four decades, and Cleo’s to manage for four years – ever since she arrived in New York, fresh off the plane from the Cotswolds. But instead of an early Christmas card in the mail this year, she gets a letter that tips her world on its axis. New York was supposed to be her second chance, do people get third chances?

Dylan has had a tumultuous few years. His marriage broke down, his mother passed away and he’s been trying to pick up the pieces as a stay-at-home dad. All he wants this Christmas is to give his kids the home and stability they need. But when he meets Cleo, he begins to see it’s not always so easy to move on, especially when his ex seems determined to win him back.

When the snow starts to fall, both Cleo and Dylan realise life is rarely black and white, and both have choices to make. Will Dylan follow his heart or his head? And will Cleo ever allow herself to be a part of another family when her own fell apart at the seams?

Full of snow, love and the true meaning of Christmas, this novel will have you hooked until the final page.

*Please note this is a re-release of Christmas at the Little Knitting Box, previously published by Helen J Rolfe*

MY THOUGHTS

My grandmother tried to teach me crocheting and knitting when I was younger, but I never got the hang of it. Now I wish I had as it would have been more of a way to feel connected to her, but I have plenty of other wonderful memories.
I think this is only the second book or so that I’ve read of that takes place in a yarn shop. The descriptions of the varieties of yarns, the patterns, types of needles, haberdashery and the encouraging customers was a soothing balm. The book was a comfort to read.
An unexpected letter is what Cleo receives at the yarn shop that’s been passed down through various family members for 40 years. The lease is up, and she’ll have to relocate. New York’s rents are outrageous and she’s not even sure she can find an accessible shop not too far away from all her customers. New York is nothing like Cotswold where Cleo is from but it’s home now that she’s managing her family’s Little Knitting Box yarn shop. How can she ever leave it?
Dylan, divorced father of two, a young boy and girl, has recently had his mother pass away and is enjoying working from home rather than at the corporate office. His wife is regretting the divorce and wants a second chance at their marriage.
All Dylan wants is to be the best father for his children he can and possibly a chance with Cleo from the Little Knitting Box. The author beautifully takes us through the ups and downs of the emotions involved in the various relationships. Cleo has a secret she’s hiding from him. Will this relationship be able to progress with the controlling ex-wife seemingly dominating his time? I really liked Cleo’s employee Kaisha; she has a great, fun personality. Fun, festive, warm and welcoming this was a read I’ll be reading again at some time.

Pub Date 31 May 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you for popping in today. I wish you all the best.

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Coming Home (A Woodland Park Firefighters Romance Book 1) by Shelley Shepard Gray

351 pages November 29,2022 publish date Berkley publisher

About The Book

When an army vet becomes a firefighter in small-town Colorado, the flames of an old love reignite in this sweet romance by bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray

In Woodland Park, a small town nestled in the foothills of Pikes Peak, Anderson Kelly and Chelsea Davis were once the high school “it” couple—the star quarterback and the valedictorian. They broke up when Anderson joined the army and one poor decision at a fraternity party changed Chelsea’s life. Now, she works long shifts in a senior center to support her nine-year-old son, Jack.

After multiple tours in Afghanistan, Anderson has changed, too—physically scarred but mentally strong—and he decides to move back to Woodland Park. Anderson and Chelsea steer clear of each other to avoid reopening old wounds, until they are forced to reconnect through the senior center. They soon discover that the love they once shared never completely vanished. But it will take a fire, a dangerous collision, and the love of one little boy to help Anderson and Chelsea see that the future they’ve always yearned for is in sight…

My Thoughts

I just love Shelley Shepard Gray’s books. She is a very talented author, writing equally well in many genres. This is a wonderful book to spend several hours relaxing and reading.
Woodland Park, Colorado is a small-town family-oriented town where you’re likely to find a little league game most every summer night. Family holds each other tightly here. Anderson Kelly and Chelsea Davis were once high school sweethearts but then he enlisted. This Army vet is back in town and Chelsea is still there, if he could avoid her it’d be perfect. He’s so embarrassed by the way he left her. Chelsea now has a young son and despite himself he finds enjoying time spent with her and her son. Two hearts adrift that have never stopped loving each other deep down. Can this Army vet turned firefighter and his rediscovered flame learn to trust again and let it all fall back into place again? Beautiful writing. I’ll be looking forward to more books by this author soon.

29 Nov 2022 publication date.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

The Author

Shelley Shepard Gray is a NYT and USA Today bestselling author. She’s published over a hundred novels and has over a million books in print. She currently lives in northern Ohio and writes full time.

Shelley lives just an hour from Holmes County, where many of her Amish-themed novels are set. She currently writes contemporary romance and Amish fiction for a variety of publishers. When not spending time with her family or writing, she can usually be found walking her two dachshunds on one of the many trails in the Cleveland area.

She also bakes a lot, loves coconut cream pie, and will hardly ever pull weeds, mow the yard, or drive in the snow.

Shelley also spends a lot of time on line! Please visit her website, http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com to find out her latest news or to sign up for her newsletter. Shelley can also be found on FaceBook, Instagram @shelley.s.gray, or on Twitter @ShelleySGray.

Enjoy your day and thanks for stopping in.

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The Wedding Ranch by Nancy Naigle

352 pages December 6, 2022 publication date St. Martin’s Press publisher

A second chance at love awaits two brokenhearted people if they’re just willing to trust each other―and themselves, in USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle’s The Wedding Ranch.

About The Book

When Lorri Walker’s husband gifted her with a mastiff puppy on Valentine’s Day, she believed he was recommitting himself to their marriage after going astray. Six months later, he left both her and their dog for someone else. Since her recent move to Dalton Mill to unbraid herself from the past, Lorri’s graphic design business is now flourishing, her growing mastiff, Mister, has plenty of space to romp, and her ex in Raleigh can fade to a distant memory.

Ryder Bolt is haunted by the tragic loss of his wife and young son seven years ago. Thankfully, ranching keeps Ryder busy, and spending time with his niece and nephew―whose venue, The Wedding Ranch, has become a popular tourist destination―keeps him from getting lonely.

When Lorri and Ryder met, love was the last thing they were looking for. When they’re together, smiles come easier and burdens feel lighter, and both are embracing the possibility of something deeper.

But when a long-buried revelation surfaces, the fate that brought them together threatens to tear them apart.

My Thoughts

This book! The author does not shy away from topics that may make some uncomfortable, like grief, death and addiction.
I have really enjoyed this author’s books and this one is no exception.


Our main characters Ryder and Lorri have both endured tragic losses in their life. Neither is looking for a romance but the more time they spend together they realize how compatible they are as they help each other to heal.


Very well-developed characters and storyline. I enjoyed how realistic this is and it was so nice to see how much support our main character gets from her best friend. She is there for whatever she needs and so understanding. We all need someone like this. Very emotional book that I will be reading again.

Pub Date 06 Dec 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

The Author

USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle whips up small-town love stories with a whole lot of heart. She began her popular contemporary romance series, Adams Grove while juggling a successful career in finance and life on a seventy-six-acre farm. Over twenty-five novels later, Nancy is a Romance Writers of America and ACFW Honor Roll author. Her books have been translated into multiple languages and received favorable reviews from major trade journals. Nancy’s latest release, THE SHELL COLLECTOR, is a touching novel of a friendship that crosses generations, and learning how even the smallest gifts can change a life for good.

Crown Media has adapted several of Nancy’s novels for Hallmark Channel, and Nancy novelized three Hallmark Original Movies set in the town of Evergreen. Hallmark fans may have recently enjoyed The Secret Ingredient and new in 2021 Sand Dollar Cove in the Summer Nights programming-both inspired by her novels.

Now happily retired from a career in the financial industry, this Virginia girl devotes her time to writing, antiquing, and horseback riding with friends.

Download a complete list of Nancy’s books at http://www.NancyNaigle.com, then stay up to date with future releases by joining Nancy’s free newsletter -or-visit her on facebook and twitter (@nancynaigle)

Hugs and happy reading~

Have you read any books by this author? Which ones are your favorites?

Enjoy your day. Thanks for stopping in.

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OH, To Spend Christmas by the Coast by Mandy Baggot

413 pages Aria publisher September 2, 2021 publication date

About The Book

Escape to the snowy coast this Christmas with a warm festive read to melt your heart.
‘Like a big festive hug – warm, funny and oh so romantic’ – Holly Martin

It has taken Harriet years to get over the love of her life, but finally she has a dependable boyfriend, a secure job and a decent flat. As long as her thoughts never stray to Mack – the one who got away – she knows that life is good.

But when her beloved grandmother dies just before Christmas, Harriet drops everything to fly back to her childhood home: a white clapboard house nestled among the snow-covered beaches of the Hamptons, Long Island, USA.

Even in her grief, Harriet is determined to give her Grandpa and his neighbours a Christmas to remember. But her world is turned upside down when she sees Mack for the first time, and he begs her to give him a second chance…

Can Harriet forgive Mack and let him mend her broken heart? Or should she return to the safe life she came from?

Everyone LOVES Christmas by the Coast!

My Thoughts

Ready for a fun heartwarming story? Then may I suggest Christmas by the Coast? A fun feel good holiday read, perfect for anytime reading. Perfect for an afternoon escape read.


Just imagine the sandy beaches of Montauk, Long Island, the view, the crashing of the waves.
If only her old boyfriend, ex-soldier Mack Wyatt wasn’t there and more determined than ever to win her back.


Her priority while in the Hamptons is her grandfather and comforting him as he’s grieving the passing of her grandmother.
Harriet Cookson and Mack Wyatt were pen pals when he was off fighting in Afghanistan, but things moved on and Mack had a hard time adjusting to things that happened to him.


Fun, entertaining and emotional. This book has well-crafted characters, and I will be on the lookout for more by her.

Pub Date 02 Sep 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

The Author

Mandy Baggot is an international bestselling and award-winning romance writer represented by Tanera Simons of The Darley Anderson Literary, TV and Film Agency.

Mandy is best-known for her laugh-out-loud romantic comedies featuring strong heroines, gorgeous heroes and always that happy-ever-after!

The winner of the Innovation in Romantic Fiction award at the UK’s Festival of Romance, her novel, One Wish in Manhattan, was also shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year award in 2016. Mandy’s books have so far been translated into Bulgarian, Czech, German, Hungarian and Italian.

Mandy loves the Greek island of Corfu, wine, cheese, Netflix, country music and handbags. Also a singer, she has taken part in ITV1’s Who Dares Sings and The X-Factor. Most recently, Mandy took part in BBC1’s Ready Steady Cook with Greek celebrity chef, Akis Petretzikis.

Mandy is a member of the Society of Authors and lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK with her husband and two children.

Visit Mandy’s website at http://www.mandybaggot.com

Thank you for stopping in. Make the most of every day.

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Every Summer After, a debut beach read from Carley Fortune

320 pages Berkley Publisher Publication Date May 10, 2022

Six summers to fall in love. One moment to fall apart. A weekend to get it right.
 
They say you can never go home again, and for Persephone Fraser, ever since she made the biggest mistake of her life a decade ago, that has felt too true. Instead of glittering summers on the lakeshore of her childhood, she spends them in a stylish apartment in the city, going out with friends, and keeping everyone a safe distance from her heart.

Until she receives the call that sends her racing back to Barry’s Bay and into the orbit of Sam Florek—the man she never thought she’d have to live without.

For six summers, through hazy afternoons on the water and warm summer nights working in his family’s restaurant and curling up together with books—medical textbooks for him and work-in-progress horror short stories for her—Percy and Sam had been inseparable. Eventually that friendship turned into something breathtakingly more, before it fell spectacularly apart.
 
When Percy returns to the lake for Sam’s mother’s funeral, their connection is as undeniable as it had always been. But until Percy can confront the decisions she made and the years she’s spent punishing herself for them, they’ll never know whether their love might be bigger than the biggest mistakes of their past. 

Told over the course of six years and one weekend, Every Summer After is a big, sweeping nostalgic story of love and the people and choices that mark us forever.

Grab A Copy Here

My Thoughts

Be still my beating heart. What took me so long to read this book, it’s her debut book as well.
As young teens a young girl and her family spend summers at the beach in their cottage where she meets two teen brothers.
The book is told in alternating time periods between today’s time period when they are all adults and back when they were teens. It’s a friends to lovers kind of romance. All three are friends but she gravitates to one of the brothers and over their teenage years it gradually changes from best friends spending summers together to more as they get into older teenage years.
The author reels you in and you care about the characters, you are rooting for them.
It’s an awakening of senses, a vulnerability, a coming alive and coming into your own.
This summer romance has turned into so much more.
It’s smooth sailing and you don’t see it coming then you get gut punched! No, it couldn’t have possibly happened! There’s no forgiveness! You start to slightly recover and please, please, NO ! You can’t believe what you’re reading. It’s just not possible.
The author just brought the story to life!

Pub Date 10 May 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

The Author

Website

http://www.carleyfortune.com

Twitter

carleyfortune

Carley Fortune is the New York Times and #1 Globe and Mail bestselling author of EVERY SUMMER AFTER. Her second book, MEET ME AT THE LAKE, comes out May 2, 2023. It’s a breathtaking love story about two strangers who come together when they need each other most. Once, in their early twenties, and again a decade later.

Carley is an award-winning journalist and worked as an editor at some of Canada’s top publications, including The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, Toronto Life, and The Grid. She was most recently the Executive Editor of Refinery29 Canada.

Carley spent her young life in the suburbs of Sydney, Australia, and in Barry’s Bay, a tiny lakeside town in rural Ontario and the setting for EVERY SUMMER AFTER.

EVERY SUMMER AFTER was an instant international bestseller and Carley’s debut novel.

Carley lives in Toronto with her husband and two sons. Follow her on Instagram @carleyfortune.

Thank you for stopping in today. Stay safe and warm.

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Wedding Days at Halesmere House: A heartwarming feel-good romance (Love in the Lakes Book 2) By Suzanne Snow-Review

274 pages Canelo Escape Publisher Feb 02,2023 Publish Date

About The Book

When her best friend’s wedding venue catches fire, Lizzie Martin is on the case to find somewhere new. By some miracle, a space opens up at Halesmere House, and it makes perfect sense to move the event to the Lake District artists’ residence. But Lizzie has painful memories of Halesmere…

And when she bumps into Cal, her first love, she is forced to confront the past. Now a sought-after blacksmith, Cal has his own studio at Halesmere and the two must find a way to get along if this wedding isn’t going to be a complete disaster.

It soon becomes apparent that their attraction hasn’t waned, but can Lizzie put their shared past behind her and learn to trust the man who left her once before?

An emotional and heartwarming romance for fans of Phillipa Ashley, Heidi Swain and Sue Moorcroft.

Grab A Copy Here

My Thoughts

Wedding Days at Halesmere House is the second book in the Love in the Lakes series.
We are back at Halesmere House in beautiful Cumbria with its beautiful gardens, the best hiking trails and unforgettable scenery for your photographs.
After a fire leaves the original venue unusable, events planner and maid-of-honour Lizzie Martin is thrilled her best friend Gemma has chosen Halesmere House as her wedding place. With the charming community in full support and guests coming and going, Halesmere House has really taken off as the happening place for events.
Lizzie is thrilled for her friend Gemma and her upcoming nuptials, but she has painful memories of a lost love a lifetime ago it seems. When she was eighteen, she fell for Cal a bartender at an event at Halesmere House. She thought their love would last a lifetime, but he disappeared just leaving behind his claddagh ring for her with no explanation or apology. She’s never forgotten or forgiven and is devastated to see him again after all this time at the Lake District artists’ residence.
If only those old feelings hadn’t cropped up again. Will she forgive and forget allowing him to explain?
Cal has never felt worthy of Lizzie and her family, a drifter and having no family to call his own how can he feel worthy of Lizzie’s loving family? Looking for his family is his biggest dream and why he’s back in the area. Will he get his happily ever after with Lizzie or find what his heart been yearning for? Warm, realistic, a true picker upper book. You won’t want to miss this dose of happiness.

Publishes 02 Feb 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

The Series

Welcome to Halesmere House, where romance might be just around the corner…

After years of living in the past, Ella is ready to start building a future. The perfect opportunity presents itself when she is offered a short-term role at Halesmere House in the Lake District, and tasked with kick-starting its artists’ residence. She can’t wait to start and explore a new career in an inspiring location.

But when Ella arrives at Halesmere, she wonders if she’s made a huge mistake after she clashes with Max, the new owner. Max has his own reasons to be unsettled by her presence, but despite his misgivings it seems everyone else loves having Ella around. As a single dad, it’s his children’s attachment to her that bothers him most. Who will pick up the pieces when Ella leaves?

What Max doesn’t know is that Ella is falling for more than just the Lake District and the community around her. Can her temporary job lead to a permanent happy ending?

A tender and uplifting Christmas romance for fans of Heidi Swain, Karen Swan and Sue Moorcroft.

About The Author

Suzanne writes contemporary and uplifting fiction with a vibrant sense of setting and community connecting the lives of her characters. A horticulturist who lives with her family in Lancashire, her books are inspired by a love of landscape, romance and rural life.

Her first novel in the Thorndale series, The Cottage of New Beginnings, was a contender for the 2021 RNA Joan Hessayon Award and she is currently writing the Love in the Lakes series for Canelo. Suzanne is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and the Society of Authors.

May your day be blessed with sunshine.

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Harvest Moon Kisses (Pumpkin Patch #3) by Linda Carroll-Bradd Review

About The Book

For the past four years, Tamsyn Norwood has operated the family’s pumpkin patch and corn maze. Although the business barely breaks even. During college, she spent a glorious night in a pumpkin patch with her boyfriend. Sadly, that relationship didn’t last, but she has worked hard to recreate the special feeling for others. If the patch income doesn’t improve by November first, her father threatens to plow the acres for a cash crop. She works herself ceaselessly to come up with supporting activities to keep the business going.

Ex-professional football player Harper Ashton is in town visiting an old college buddy. Released from his team because of an injured elbow, he’s at a crossroads over what comes next in his life. Life in this small town is nothing he’s ever experienced, and he soaks in the sense of community. He crosses paths with a college sweetheart, and suddenly, he has a new goal. Maybe his marketing degree and his famous name will help her struggling enterprise.

Working together reminds them of their college years. But can they recapture a love under the harvest moonlight?

Grab A Copy Here

My Thoughts

Tamsyn Norwood has taken over her mother’s dream of running the family’s pumpkin patch. It’s become so important to her in the past four years to keep what her mother started alive.
Her family doesn’t see it this way, not even her father who Tamsyn thought it would be important to him to keep his late wife’s dream alive. They say it’s just business no time to get sentimental and want to plow the pumpkin patch under and plant it with a more profitable crop.
She tries to come up with ideas to make the patch more profitable, but she seems to be on the losing end.
Harper Ashton, an old friend and more importantly old flame, visiting town may just the remedy she needs to keep the pumpkin patch afloat as they work together for the common good. I enjoyed seeing the spark reunite between this couple and the kindness they exhibit towards each other putting new marketing techniques into place.
Fun, heartwarming read.

First published September 26, 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

About The Author

As a young girl, I spent lots of my free time lying on my bed reading about fascinating characters having exciting adventures in places far away and in other time periods. In later years, I discovered and devoured family saga stories and romance novels. At a certain point, I grew cocky enough to think I could write one of these stories. Then I learned what a balancing act writing a novel is, but I wasn’t deterred. Twelve years later, my first fiction sale was achieved–a confession story.

After reading Debra Holland’s “Montana Sky” series and Caroline Fyffe’s “Prairie Hearts” series, I wanted to try my hand at historicals. I was thrilled to be invited to contribute to Sweetwater Springs Christmas and continued writing in the Montana Sky world by developing my Entertainers of the West series.

Married with 4 adult children and 2 granddaughters, I now write heartwarming contemporary and historical stories with a touch of humor and a bit of sass from my home in the southern California mountains. Lots of my stories are set in Texas where I lived for a dozen years.

Free Book by the author

Tora Hammond can’t wait to sell the family bakery run by generations of Hammond women and seek excitement outside of Dorado, Texas. Widower Jordan Dawson, the town’s star quarterback from a decade ago, returns to his hometown with plans to develop a sporting goods store. He also hopes a small town Christmas will cheer up his five-year-old daughter, Jenna, still recovering from the loss of her mother. Will the spark of interest Tora sees in Ryan’s eyes be the excitement she’s looking for?
Sugar & Spice Bakery series
Book 1, Gingerbread Wishes
Book 2, When Lonely Hearts Meet

Grab It Here

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