This is a very well written second-chances sports romance where the MCs are geographically placed across continents (Australia and USA) from each other.

At fourteen and fifteen, Australian Hannah Clark and American Angie Thomson (respectively) are the youngest in their teams. Shy and introverted Hannah is accosted by Angie during a meal time and they form a close friendship which continues via letters. When Angie’s father has some work in Melbourne, Angie jumps at the chance to visit Hannah and the two girls spend an idyllic two weeks together. Two weeks that change their lives as their friendship becomes more. Their relationship thrives till the day Angie vanishes. No more letters. No more calls. Hannah is heartbroken. Many, many years later, Hannah (who’d ‘retired’) is making a come-back and trying for an Olympic Gold – one that she’d lost to Angie the last time they’d seen each other. She has a shock when she learns that Angie is an assistant coach for the Australian swim team.

There is something about Bette Hawkins’ writing that gets you thoroughly involved in the story. We’re not able to put our finger on this but though the story is a simple second-chances romance with very little angst, it is very, very involving and readable. We love the hark-back in time when letters and short (and very rare) long-distance calls were the means of being in touch. Those days of penpals.

The story is narrated from Hannah’s PoV, but Angie is the more interesting character. The past, Angie’s background and the reasons for Angie disappearing on Hannah are unfolded at a perfect pace. Hannah is a steady, rather stolid person while Angie is rather like a celebration – open, vivacious, fun. But are very authentic. The chemistry between them is great which makes this a lovely read.

Definitely recommended.

Hannah and Angie are the youngest members of their elite swim teams and they are competing against each other but they form a friendship that turns into more even though they are in different country they kept in touch.

Hannah is thrown when she doesn’t here from Angie and she heartbroken she always wonder what happen for Angie to stop communicate with her. Hannah decide she wants a another chance at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney and is surprise to see Angie is a coach.

As they get to know each other as adults their attraction is still there but will they do something about it Hannah is still hurt from Angie silence that she doesn’t know if she wants to go there when learn why she understands but is still hurt. Angie life was hard but she is determined to live her life her way and hope at second chance with the woman she let get away.

This was a good read I like second chance romance I like they this read was told from the past into the presents.




I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.