Second Time Around by Melody Carlson | Contemporary Romance Review

Second Time Around

Melody Carlson

Contemporary Romance

When Mallory Farrell inherits her grandmother's run-down tourist shop in Portside, Oregon, she knows selling it is the only sensible thing to do. The place holds treasured memories for her, but it would take a fortune to restore it.

But when she learns that her childhood crush, Grayson Matthews, wants to buy the building to redevelop the funky town's business district into a soulless, cookie-cutter outdoor mall, Mallory digs in her heels. With a lot of hard work and a little bit of help, she is sure she can renovate the property herself.

Though Mallory makes incredible progress turning the store into an eclectic home decor shop, she's heartbroken when an exciting opportunity turns into a guaranteed nightmare. Should she surrender her dreams to Grayson's bulldozers? Or is there a future for both of them in this charming seaside town?

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My Thoughts

Second Time Around is the perfect summer read. The setting is in the beautiful yet fading coastal town of Portside, Oregon. The main character is Mallory Farrell who is an empty-nester in need of a new adventure in life. Of course there has to be a romantic interest and that role is filled by Grayson Matthews. He is Mallory's long ago crush that still manages to make her blood pressure rise . . .in both good and bad ways.

I'm an empty-nester as well so I could relate to Mallory's struggles with starting a new chapter in life. Haven't we all gotten ourselves into something that seemed like a good idea only to have it become a disaster? On top of that Mallory gets the added bonus of Grayson coming back into her life. To put it mildly that's a blessing and a curse.

Don't worry about the subject matter being depressing, it isn't! Melody Carlson has the perfect touch when it comes to writing contemporary romance. You certainly understand the struggles of the characters but you can also enjoy their victories.

This is another winner for Melody Carlson. If you want an interesting summer read that's not too heavy and features a more mature leading lady I think you'll enjoy this one. 

Connect With The Author

www.MelodyCarlson.com

Disclosure

I received a copy of this book from the publisher to facilitate my review.

 

A Thousand Tomorrows (Cody Gunner #1) by Karen Kingsbury | Contemporary Fiction Review

A Thousand Tomorrows

Cody Gunner #1

Karen Kingsbury

Contemporary Fiction

Cody Gunner has no use for real love. Abandoned as a child by the person he needed the most, he swears he will never allow himself to love again. Ali Daniels denies love as well. Carrying a terrible secret, she lives life to the fullest, taking risks and refusing relationships. When Cody and Ali meet, their first instincts are to hide behind their emotional walls, seemingly doomed to repeat the patterns they have established for most of their lives. But their attraction is too strong, and soon they're doomed in another way, for neither can avoid falling in love, regardless of the consequences. Only after three years--a thousand tomorrows later--do they realize at what cost their relationship comes. In the end, they must decide if love is worth the ultimate price.

My Thoughts

Many of us have already read this book from Karen Kingsbury. It was first released in 2005 and I scooped it up as soon as I could get my hands on it. I loved it then and I loved it again with this new release. If you haven't read it I highly recommend you get a copy. 

It's a gripping story of two very shattered people that eventually come together and help heal the other's wounds. Be forewarned it's a tear-jerker so keep the tissues handy. I knew what was coming and I still cried. 

The exciting part about this rerelease is that it comes just as the TV mini series for this story is being released on PureFlix. I've only had the opportunity to watch the first of six episodes but it looks like it will be a memorable series.

I would be remiss if  I didn't also mention that this is just book one in a three part series. The other two books are Just Beyond the Clouds and This Side of Heaven. The three books together tell the full story of Cody Gunner and in my opinion shouldn't be missed. I hope that the TV mini series goes on to tell the rest of the story contained in the following two books. I guess we'll see!

Disclosure

I received a copy of this book from the publisher to facilitate my review.