The First Love: can a second chance at love overcome the secrets of the past?

The First Love is the first book in the Lake Bittersweet series by Jennifer Bernard. Carly Gault returns to Lake Bittersweet after seventeen years. She is shocked by the sudden death of her father, Steven Gault, when she receives another shock when she discovers she has been named as the executor of his estate. Besides dealing with the mountain of bills and debts he left behind, she must deal with the pain of the past and the boy who broke her heart. To Thomas Cooper, Carly is the girl who got away, the one he gave away. Seeing her again takes him back to their summer together, their love and the choice he made when he broke her heart. Now that she’s back and more beautiful than ever, there is no denying their attraction is still there. But when secrets of the past come to light, can they have a second chance at love? 

I loved Jennifer Barnard’s Lost Harbor, Alaska series and I looked forward to starting the Lake Bittersweet series. First loves are often powerful and first heartbreaks are just as powerful. I love second chance romances. Unfortunately, The First Love did not have the same feel that the books from the Lost Harbor series. I did not care for Carly or Thomas, although I did like Thomas a little bit more. When Carly returns home, she learns that her father’s bar has been shut down by order of the fire marshal. She goes to confront the first marshal, only to learn that it is Thomas. Their conservation about the violations was eye rolling. He is in the right to shut it down and her only defense is that other buildings probably have the same violations. Like what? Overall, I did not enjoy The First Love and I am unsure if I will continue the series. 

The First Love is available in paperback and eBook