Snowflakes and Sparks: a cringey small town second chance romance

Snowflakes and Sparks is the first book in the Old Pine Cove series by Sophie-Leigh Robbins. When Suzie is asked to temporarily manage a store during the busy Christmas season, she jumps at the chance. However, the store is in the small town of Old Pine Cove. The one place she swore she would never set foot in again. The last time she was in town, she created a disaster so embarrassing, Suzie knew the town would never forget. With a promotion on the line, she has no choice and is determined to do her job as quietly as possible. When she discovers that Alex Denverton lives next door, the only person she hoped never to see again, her plan becomes harder to do. Will Suzie be in for a truly magical Christmas or one more disaster she’ll never live down? 

I enjoy cheesy Hallmark style Christmas romance stories. The quick, feel good, life changing type of romances that are very popular. However, Snowflakes and Sparks is not just cheesy but cringey as well. I understand embarrassing moments and the desire to move past them. Suzie from the moment she arrives in town, she doesn’t act like she wants to keep a low profile. She jumps into situations that would only lead to embarrassment because she didn’t stop and think. She also was not likeable at all. She’s supposed to be in her late 20s but talks and acts like a teenager. I did not sympathize with her and her situation. Alex was okay and the town just didn’t have the small town vibe. Overall, I did not like the characters or this story. I do not recommend Snowflakes and Sparks. 

Snowflakes and Sparks is available in paperback and eBook

Something Old: a fresh start in a new town

Something Old is the first book in The Second Chance Shop series by Ev Bishop. Madeline’s world came crumbling down when she lost her husband, daughter and sister in a fatal car accident. Tired of the limbo of grief and loneliness, she decides to move to a small town and open a second hand shop. A dream that she shared with her daughter. She doesn't know if it will work but she is determined to make it work. As opening day gets closer and closer, she finds that there is hope in life after all. She finds herself with friends again, laughing and even adopting a moody old cat. Could there even be a second chance for love? Can she find the strength to fully embrace life again? 

I love stories about finding the strength and courage to move forward after a tragic event. I looked forward to reading Madeline’s new life in this small town. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to really connect with Madeline or the people she meets along the way. I admire her determination to start living again and feeling a fresh start in a new town was her only option. There was very little conversation other than surface communication. I feel the conservation really didn’t get deep enough especially on such hard topics as loss and grief. There are a lot of silent musings and internal dialogues that slowed the story down. Overall, the story was okay; however, I will not be continuing the series. If you enjoy second chances for life and love, you may enjoy Something Old. 

Something Old is available in paperback and eBook

You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows: an enemies-to-lovers, second chance romance

You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows is the first book in the Kingsmen Football Stars series by Piper Rayne. Lee Burrows may be the Kingsmen’s star quarterback with the legendary arm. He may have six-pack abs and kissable lips. But to Shayna Kudrow, Lee Burrows is the man who broke her heart in college. She has spent the years since recovering from his actions and worked hard to become a sport therapist for a professional team. However, her new job is with the San Francisco Kingsmen. Determined to be the cool professional, Shayna won’t give him the time of day. Unfortunately, Lee refuses to take the hint. He is also determined. Determined to apologize for what happened in college and convince her for a second chance because what they had going then is still burning bright. 

You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows is an enemies-to-lovers, second chance love story filled with fun banter, laughs and steamy, sweet romance. After reading the prequel, False Start, last year, I could not wait to dive into the Kingsmen Football series. You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows does not disappoint. I loved Lee’s determination to explain and redeem himself to Shayna. It is evident that the torch still burns bright for him. I also loved Shayna’s resolve to not let their past keep her from her dream job as she fights to acknowledge her feelings for Lee are still there. When the barriers are finally broken, it is romantic, sweet and very touchy. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. If you love romance and football, I highly recommend You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows. I also recommend False Start, although you do not need to read it to enjoy You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows. 

You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

False Start is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Looking for Love (Sort Of): a second chance romance at a high school reunion

Looking for Love (Sort of) by Meg Easton is a second chance romance. High School Reunions are either exciting or dreaded. Chloe is reluctantly going to her ten year reunion, which is going to be strange. The old high school has been turned into a hotel and event center. Imagine sleeping in a room that used to be an old classroom. What she wasn’t expecting was her high crush to walk through the door. Chloe is certain he didn’t even know she existed so it shouldn’t matter if he was there or not. Josh Trevorrow was very aware of Chloe in high school and even harbored his own crush. Will he use the opportunity to get to know Chloe now? Or will old high school haunts keep them apart? 

As someone who does not attend school reunions, I always find reunion stories interesting as if to live vicariously through the characters. This novella is short, sweet and oh so fun! Chloe and Josh were great characters. They hit it off so well at the reunion that I could totally see them as a couple in high school. If only they spoke up! And what is a high school reunion without a bit of drama and little misunderstanding? But it all works out as the final romance scene of the book was so fun and left me grinning from ear to ear. It was so sweet! If you are looking for a fast paced, short read for an afternoon of romance and laughs, I highly recommend Looking for Love (Sort Of). 

Looking for Love (Sort Of) is available in paperback

The Secret Year: a romance no one knew about and a grief he could not express

The Secret Year is a young adult romance by Jennifer R Hubbard. Colt Morrissey had a secret relationship with Julia for an entire year and no one had a clue. They seemingly had nothing in common. Julia comes from the country club world and Colt is from the other side of the tracks; but it didn’t seem to matter to them. Until one day when Julia dies in a car accident and Colt pays a price for their secret. He can’t mourn her in the way he wants to and is even tormented with his possible role in her accident. When Julia’s brother hands him a journal Julia wrote to “CM,” Colt relives their time together as he tries to move on as if he never knew her. Can her words help him move on? 

Advertised as a mixture of Romeo and Juliet and The Outsiders, I was looking forward to a drama filled story about two teens and a secret love. However, it was disappointing. The author does a lot of “telling” and not a lot of “showing.” It is horribly cliched with the rich girl and the poor guy, the homophobic family and the stereotypical high school characters. And Romeo and Juliet meets The Outsiders is misleading. Romeo and Juliet is not a romantic story and the boy and girl from opposite sides of town whose parents aren’t really forbidding their romance aren't the same. Also, The Outsiders is a beloved favorite of mine and this story just doesn’t not compare! Colt is weak and has no growth throughout the story. I do not recommend The Secret Year. 

The Secret Year is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Finders, Keepers: a modern day Cinderella story with humor and spice

Finders, Keepers is the prequel to the Helios series by Chloe Holiday. When Farrah Day catches her boyfriend, Justin, getting very hands on with a model at a company party, she runs. She ends up in a bad part of town after dark, she ducks into a bar where straight-laced Caleb Hirsch steps up to be the hero. With an impulsive move, she decides to go home with Caleb for a round of revenge sex. It is amazing but when Justin texts an apology, swearing nothing happened, she feels guilty and sneaks out. She strives to do better but she can’t get Caleb out of her head. When Caleb wakes up alone, he is determined to find her again and his only clue to the mitten she left behind. Will he be able to find her?

 Finders, Keepers is a fast paced novella with a sexy modern day Cinderella twist and plenty of humor and spice. This story is sweet, although I did not care for the revenge cheating aspect. However, Farrah does get a taste of what she is missing in her relationship with Justin and it is one of the reasons she can’t get Caleb out of her head. I loved Caleb as the modern day Prince Charming determined to find Cinderella and return her missing mitten. I also loved that he remembered things Farrah talked about her hobbies and used that information to try and bump into her again. I enjoyed the set up for the Helios series and l look forward to reading the series. If you enjoy fast paced stories with humor and spice, I recommend Finders, Keepers. 

Finders, Keepers is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

A Little Something Sweet: a second chance romance with not so secret matchmakers

A Little Something Sweet is the first book in the Caribou Falls series by Laura Ashwood. Megan Turner never wanted to return to her hometown but her mom is sick and needs her help. Making the most of the situation, she restores a local bakery and makes it her own. What she didn’t count on is the handsome contractor to be her ex-high sweetheart, the one person she was hoping to avoid. Jake Sullivan lost the love of his life to a stupid mistake that broke Megan’s heart and left him a divorced single dad. Now, he just focuses on raising his son and building his business. When he is hired to do the renovation of Megan’s bakery, he is determined to keep it professional. But can a town filled with matchmakers ignite the spark again? 

A Little Something Sweet is a sweet second chance romance that is great for an afternoon of reading. It is a clean romance with no spice and a happily ever after. A fast paced story that kept me engaged and rooting for Jake and Megan. I loved both characters. They were both relatable, engaging and easy to love as they struggled with their lost love and hopes for a brighter future. Their interactions were great from cool indifference to obvious attraction. I loved watching the ice thaw between them and they acknowledged their remaining feelings. I also loved all their supporting characters and look forward to seeing a few of them with their own stories. If you love sweet romances with a happily ever after, I highly recommend A Little Something Sweet. 

A Little Something Sweet is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook