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lauriereadsrom1's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Math teacher Zoe Hart and restaurant owner Max Pierce met as children dealing with their family members' cancer diagnoses and have been best friends ever since. Apart from a single kiss in high school, their relationship has always been platonic, but secretly, Zoe is curious about what would happen if she and Max tried to be more than friends. She finally gets a chance to find out when her younger sister Aubree announces her engagement. In an effort to put a stop to her mother's nagging about finding a date for the wedding, Zoe impulsively blurts out that she and Max have started dating. He agrees to go along with her plan in exchange for her help straightening out his restaurant's finances, and with the understanding that they will stage a breakup as soon as the wedding is over. Their arrangement forces them to see each other in a whole new light, and it's not long before the chemistry between them ignites. Will they really be able to go back to being just friends, or is there a chance for their fake relationship to turn into real love?
I loved the slow burn as Max and Zoe shifted from friends to lovers, as well as how naturally their relationship progressed. However, I found myself growing a bit annoyed with both of them in the second half of the story because of their failure to communicate. Instead of having an honest conversation, they kept assuming that they already knew what the other was thinking. While their concerns about losing their friendship were realistic and relatable, it still kind of bothered me that they both seemed to be so willing to walk away after the wedding without even discussing the possibility of giving the relationship a real chance.
Despite that relatively minor frustration, I enjoyed "One More Chance" and recommend it for all contemporary romance fans. I look forward to the next book in the series.
*Review copy provided by the author/publisher via Give Me Books Promotions. All opinions expressed are my own.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer
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