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jenlynnhill's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book and seeing the continuing story of Ophelia and Kyle. I love how their interactions felt realistic. I also enjoyed reading about the relationship between Kyle and his father. Overall, I liked the book and would keep reading the series.
mycatismybookmark's review against another edition
2.0
Childhood sweethearts Ophelia and Kyle's love was tangled and lost on a journey to find their dreams, but can forgiveness heal the scars of past mistakes and broken trust to give them a second-chance at a future together?
I fell for Mia and Ethan and the great cast of characters (both human and animal) we were introduced to in the first Stay novel, The Start of Something Good. It was charming, sensual and full of heart and humor and I looked forward to reconnecting with all the wonderful characters, but I found myself disappointed with Ophelia and Kyle's story.
Probst herself states she struggled with A Brand New Ending in the acknowledgements, and it certainly felt that way while I struggled through the story. I feel like Probst forgot her own character's advice: "Don’t let them take away the heart and soul of your story."
I feel like great second-chance romances are about passion and possibilities, full of emotions that make you feel heartbreak and hope, breakthroughs and absolution, and two characters growing and learning to forgive, trust and love again. You feel the all-encompassing love the two main characters have always had for each other but somehow they lose themselves along the way. And you're rooting for them to get their happily-ever-after together.
A Brand New Ending didn't make me feel any of that. I don't every see the passionate love between Ophelia and Kyle. I don't understand how if these two are destined to be together that they just gave up on each other so easily and haven't communicated in almost a decade. The story is repetitive, dull, and continuously looses focus of the main story. Ophelia has a strength about her, but I don't find that Kyle has any redeeming qualities. He's selfish and self-centered and doesn't seem to have a clue why Ophelia left or care to understand her perspective of the past.
After how good I found The Start of Something Good to be I expected a lot more from A Brand New Ending, which needs a brand new beginning, middle and end - including a very unsatisfying epilogue - to make readers feel any love for Ophelia and Kyle's story.
I still want to read Harper's story, but will be much more hesitant going into it.
I fell for Mia and Ethan and the great cast of characters (both human and animal) we were introduced to in the first Stay novel, The Start of Something Good. It was charming, sensual and full of heart and humor and I looked forward to reconnecting with all the wonderful characters, but I found myself disappointed with Ophelia and Kyle's story.
Probst herself states she struggled with A Brand New Ending in the acknowledgements, and it certainly felt that way while I struggled through the story. I feel like Probst forgot her own character's advice: "Don’t let them take away the heart and soul of your story."
I feel like great second-chance romances are about passion and possibilities, full of emotions that make you feel heartbreak and hope, breakthroughs and absolution, and two characters growing and learning to forgive, trust and love again. You feel the all-encompassing love the two main characters have always had for each other but somehow they lose themselves along the way. And you're rooting for them to get their happily-ever-after together.
A Brand New Ending didn't make me feel any of that. I don't every see the passionate love between Ophelia and Kyle. I don't understand how if these two are destined to be together that they just gave up on each other so easily and haven't communicated in almost a decade. The story is repetitive, dull, and continuously looses focus of the main story. Ophelia has a strength about her, but I don't find that Kyle has any redeeming qualities. He's selfish and self-centered and doesn't seem to have a clue why Ophelia left or care to understand her perspective of the past.
After how good I found The Start of Something Good to be I expected a lot more from A Brand New Ending, which needs a brand new beginning, middle and end - including a very unsatisfying epilogue - to make readers feel any love for Ophelia and Kyle's story.
I still want to read Harper's story, but will be much more hesitant going into it.
niniwags's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely adored this book. A story of young love and how it can be tainted by the harsh realities of life, the drive for success and other outside influences. But it's also a story of homecoming and how true, soul-deep love can withstand all of those struggles and grow and thrive.
chrissy3562's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so much more than a second chance romance. It showed some of the pitfalls of young love. It also showed how two people can experience the same events two completely different ways. Kyle has to really listen and understand what Ophelia went through in order for them to heal. Their story was emotionally gripping and it felt like I was ripped apart and then put back together in a much stronger way. I highly recommend this book and am hoping Harper gets her story next.
nicki_theoverflowingbookcase's review against another edition
5.0
Ophelia and Kyle were high school sweethearts who ran away to California to live out their dreams of becoming a singer and writer. After making it big, the pressure was on Kyle to conform to what the producers needed which took over most of his time. At the same time, Ophelia's career never really took off the way she had wanted it to. Eventually Ophelia returns home alone and files for divorce. Years pass and Kyle is tired of the action and adventure screen plays and wants to write a love story. Returning home to get his inspiration from the only woman he ever loved, can Kyle and Ophelia reconnect? Or is it a little too late? With beautifully written characters and a emotional storyline, Jennifer Probst once again writes about true and honest people who are connected by love. Her heartwarming endings always deserve more than 5 stars!!
machadofam8's review against another edition
3.0
Good distraction. Likeable characters - now I want to go back and read the first in the series.
anasatticbookblog's review against another edition
3.0
A Brand New Ending by Jennifer Probst
Narrated by Erin Bennett and Brian Pallino
Standalone, 2nd in a Related Series
After reading The Start of Something Good, I was excited for Ophelia’s story, so I jumped right into A Brand New Ending. Though once again told in third person, I figured now that I was into the series, I may not notice as much.
I enjoy second chance romances. In this case, Kyle and Ophelia were high school sweethearts who, at 18 ran off to Hollywood together. He wanted to be a screenwriter and she wanted to be a singer. Kyle started hitting it big as a screenwriter immediately, and within two years Ophelia was back home running the family’s B & B.
Nobody ever knew what happened between them, so ten years later, when Kyle needed to come back home to find his muse again, Ophelia’s brother welcomed him, not knowing Ophelia never wanted to see him again.
“The crux of it is one simple lesson: we all deserve to give ourselves a second chance. It doesn’t negate the pain we put others through, and it’s not a get-out-of-jail-free card. Reparations still need to be made. But without second chances, we’d be stuck in the gutter for life.”
If Kyle came back knowing how badly he screwed up, I may have accepted it, but honestly, he was clueless. And the fact that he never made it his business to find out what happened between them really turned me off. It seemed like he was back because of the surprise he found, and for the story he was writing more than for Ophelia.
"Forgiveness was such a twisted, thorny thing—easy to preach and hard to practice."
The story was told with a lot of flashbacks which are always difficult in audio, because when you read, they are usually in italics, but you can’t “hear” italics. Though I liked the book-within-a-book theme, I have to admit, while I enjoyed the listen for the most part, I just got bored. I was ready for it to end so I can get to the next book on my list. I was hoping it would perk up at the end.
“Beginnings are necessary and cherished, but it’s the endings that will make a person remember you forever.”
But for me it never did. I liked the story, but I just never felt the couple’s connection, and I don’t think he truly learned from his mistakes.
My favorite part of A Brand New Ending was actually the complicated relationship between Kyle and his estranged father.
"Sometimes, it wasn’t about endings at all. Sometimes, it was all about new beginnings."
Likes:
- •Jennifer is a great storyteller.
- •I love a second chance romance.
- •The reasons for the breakup seem realistic and make perfect sense.
- •The book within the book.
- •Hei Hei the chicken!
- •Kyle's story with his father.
- •Visits with the characters from the first book (Even though this stands alone).
- •The epilogue.
Dislikes:
- •I never felt their connection. It felt like he came back for selfish reasons to me.
- •3rd person.
- •I got bored.
The Narration:
These were both new narrators to me and they were great! While I loved their narration, I think the flashbacks made this harder to follow on audio than if you read it.
The Down & Dirty:
I enjoyed A Brand New Ending. It was OK, but I wanted to LOVE it. Sadly I just felt like he never cared enough to come home and find out what really happened until he needed to know for professional reasons. I found myself a bit bored with the story, and by 78% almost considered taking a break and putting it down. But I’m glad I stuck with it because I loved the end.
Rating: 3 stars, 4 Heat, 4 Narration
Purchase A Brand New Ending by Jennifer Probst
erinremen's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful story, so heartbreaking and sad that I just can't stop the tears. The chemistry was never a problem for these two talented and adorable people. It was the youthful exuberance to succeed at all costs in a crazy world that demanded all your time. Ophelia, deciding she will not play second fiddle to Kyle's muse, leaves him behind and goes home again to the one place she always felt she belonged. Living a satisfying and rewarding life of an innkeeper, she hides her sadness the best she can, but never truly moves on.
Kyle, having spent years as a script writer trapped delivering work he is anything but proud of. A sell out. He soul is empty and he hope's going home to the only woman he has ever loved and writing the story of their romance will help him find his muse again and maybe heal his broken heart.
Thing however are never what they seem. One person's recollection is never the entire story and old wounds will be opened if there is any hope for a second chance.
Will Ophelia give him one? Though she is not the only one who wants a second chance and to say their peace. Their truth.
A sad tale of love, life and second chances. Healing and forgiveness. Love and the possibility of a forever love with your soul mate.
Ophelia and Kyle's tale is beautiful and real, their growth is commendable and the results are breathtaking. A not to be missed book of 2018! Five stars at the least!
Kyle, having spent years as a script writer trapped delivering work he is anything but proud of. A sell out. He soul is empty and he hope's going home to the only woman he has ever loved and writing the story of their romance will help him find his muse again and maybe heal his broken heart.
Thing however are never what they seem. One person's recollection is never the entire story and old wounds will be opened if there is any hope for a second chance.
Will Ophelia give him one? Though she is not the only one who wants a second chance and to say their peace. Their truth.
A sad tale of love, life and second chances. Healing and forgiveness. Love and the possibility of a forever love with your soul mate.
Ophelia and Kyle's tale is beautiful and real, their growth is commendable and the results are breathtaking. A not to be missed book of 2018! Five stars at the least!
dorothy0426's review against another edition
5.0
Oh what a book, I laughed and cried and fell in love with Ophelia and Kyle. This story is about second chances and forgiveness. Highly recommended and a must read!!
mamaroe93011's review
5.0
I accidentally started reading this one before the first book in the series, so I was really excited to eat back to their story. I love the fact that they were high school sweethearts that worked their way back to each other. Very believable storyline too.