I’m not sure what to feel about a second chance romance that started with A leaving B and their hometown to go with a woman she eventually falls in love with and then came back years later broken hearted and still pining for said woman, when she was reunited with B. In most part of the book, it was Emma(B) who’s always thinking of Charlie(A) despite the massive heartbreak Charlie caused her the first time; while Charlie on the other hand was very much preoccupied with her personal failures and the broken heart caused by another woman. It just didn’t feel right. It looks pathetic, and frustrating to read. I mean how would I root for them to have a second chance when Emma(B) was like an afterthought, an option for Charlie(A) because Emma was there, she’s available. And did Charlie heal completely after the Darcy heartbreak? Was Emma a rebound? And did she really love Emma or just idea of Emma?
Although for all her flaws and mistakes, Charlie was supportive of Emma, I’d give her that. But I think they’re better off as friends. Emma with Sabrina was more exciting to me. The major feeling that this book gave me was cravings for pies. I had to buy one.

I love second chance romances, but this one is not for me.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers, Bold Strokes Books Inc., of 'Flavour of the Month' for affording me the opportunity to read the book and review it. This is the first book I have read by this author, and I enjoyed reading the latest book by this popular author.

This is a relatively straightforward romantic read between two main characters who start off as ex lovers and then fate puts them back in their old hometown, For lovers of the genre this will really appeal. The author paints a good characterisation of the main characters and the conflict that exists between them. The ending will appeal to those who enjoy happy sentimental journeys.

But I just found it lacking in places. So much more could have been done to introduce conflict and there were various open ending potential sources of angst. Emma's alcoholic mother appeared twice and sorted with an uber. Charlie's resentful younger sister whose spleen was vented with an angry retort and a firepit bonding session are just some of the strands that could have made this a 5 * review. For me, the book left more questions than answers. Why was Charlie without means when she reportedly had this wonderful career? I just didn't buy the workaholic who was a kept woman, had no expenses presumably and then returned home because she was broke. There just wasn't enough raw emotional conflict for me to explain the situations they were supposedly in. Similarly how did Emma, given her own circumstances manage to buy and manage her own restauraunt and accommodation at her age? Answers were offered, but they were explained in a sentence or two and I just found it rushed is all. Similarly the trip to meet Emma's extended "family" just seemed to be a device for them to have intimacy. Once that was done, they were off back home.

However the writing style is engaging, The narrative and storyline works well, ably assisted with good editing and spot on proofing. And fans of the author will undoubetdly enjoy this, her latest offeriing. As easy going reads, this slides comfortably into the genre, and not every reader is as hooked into the detail as I am. 3,5 stars

This was a cute and romantic story. Somehow I especially liked the things that were going on in the background, for instance some of the interaction between Charlie and her colleagues at the Muffin Top bakery. She and Bethany being able to manipulate Sandy and Mr. Silverfox. Manipulate in a good way!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

* I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

*Sigh* I really really love Georgia Beers as an author and she's always in my personal best five lesbian authors list.
In this book the writing is as always perfect, the emotions are there, the descriptions are as always engaging so what went wrong?
The problem for me was that I never really liked Charlie as an MC. I was excited and intrigued when I started reading the synopsis of this book but as soon as I was introduced to Charlie I felt that it would be hard for me to root for her. I was hoping that slowly slowly she would win me over but it never really happened and then the book ended. Maybe the pace of the romance was problematic and I needed more time to believe that Charlie wanted to be with Emma so much. To me it was like she was forced in a situation (by her ex gf) where she didn't have any other choice than to go back home and reconsider her life. I was left feeling that if her ex called her she would fly back to NY in an instant.

I also found Emma very weak and it was hard for me to believe how she so easily let Charlie back into her life and without even so many explanations (especially after mentioning how broken she was and for how long when Charlie left her). There are inconsistency issues and I feel that there was no real built up between the MCs.

I still recommend this book because it's Georgia Beers and it's a quality read no matter what.