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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
challenging
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Second chance romance and insta love should never coexist. I wanted to love this but the first half drags on the span of two days for no reason and then they fall back in love so quickly you barely see it coming... I'd say tho characters are still very loveable and writing is fun
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
"Wes and Addie Had Their Chance," a heartfelt second chance love story by Bethany Turner, takes readers on an emotional journey through the complexities of love, loss, and forgiveness. Wes and Addie were once inseparable—childhood sweethearts who dreamed of a beautiful future together until everything came crashing down the night before their wedding. Unexpectedly breaking apart, they went their separate ways, leaving their dreams and hearts shattered.
Fast forward decades later, both find themselves back in their small hometown, single and navigating the challenges of life that have changed them in unimaginable ways. Wes, once depicted as a kind but reserved young man without ambition, has transformed into a charismatic and successful politician, even a presidential candidate. Yet, his return is met with scorn from the very community he abandoned, particularly from Addie, who still bears the scars of their abrupt separation.
As their paths cross again, the rekindling of their relationship unfolds in a predictable yet tender manner. Addie, now a widowed woman, feels the weight of loneliness in a town that holds so many memories. Meanwhile, Wes appears to have been carrying a heavy heart, longing for the love he lost, despite drifting away from Addie for so many years.
While I struggled to reconcile the drastic transformations of the main characters from their younger selves to who they are now, the story's emotional core is undeniable. The conclusion offers a satisfying resolution, tying up loose ends with a warm, uplifting finale. Despite the implausibility of certain plot points, the themes of childhood friendships blossoming into love and the magic of second chances in a quaint small-town setting shine through.
Fast forward decades later, both find themselves back in their small hometown, single and navigating the challenges of life that have changed them in unimaginable ways. Wes, once depicted as a kind but reserved young man without ambition, has transformed into a charismatic and successful politician, even a presidential candidate. Yet, his return is met with scorn from the very community he abandoned, particularly from Addie, who still bears the scars of their abrupt separation.
As their paths cross again, the rekindling of their relationship unfolds in a predictable yet tender manner. Addie, now a widowed woman, feels the weight of loneliness in a town that holds so many memories. Meanwhile, Wes appears to have been carrying a heavy heart, longing for the love he lost, despite drifting away from Addie for so many years.
While I struggled to reconcile the drastic transformations of the main characters from their younger selves to who they are now, the story's emotional core is undeniable. The conclusion offers a satisfying resolution, tying up loose ends with a warm, uplifting finale. Despite the implausibility of certain plot points, the themes of childhood friendships blossoming into love and the magic of second chances in a quaint small-town setting shine through.
3 stars
this was a good read, i wasn't obsessed or completely in love with all the characters but i also wasn't mad at it, if that makes sense.
i did the characters to be a little flat and unengaging at times, like outside of the current plot point they didn't have much of a personality.
I did find it a little weird that addie's father was being over protective with his completely grown daughter, like yes he might disagree with her decisions but it's no longer his place to try to police her either.
the narrators Talon David, Patrick Zeller & Bethany Turner did a great job and they definitely helped me pull through this read.
unfortunately i don't have much to say on this book, it was just okay.
this was a good read, i wasn't obsessed or completely in love with all the characters but i also wasn't mad at it, if that makes sense.
i did the characters to be a little flat and unengaging at times, like outside of the current plot point they didn't have much of a personality.
I did find it a little weird that addie's father was being over protective with his completely grown daughter, like yes he might disagree with her decisions but it's no longer his place to try to police her either.
the narrators Talon David, Patrick Zeller & Bethany Turner did a great job and they definitely helped me pull through this read.
unfortunately i don't have much to say on this book, it was just okay.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Grief, Abandonment
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Decades ago, Wes left Addie at the altar – then he left town. Now he’s a beloved senator and presidential front-runner, she’s a disgraced CIA employee, and they’re suddenly face-to-face in their hometown. Surely this won’t end well…
As a high-ranking CIA analyst married to a gorgeous CIA operative, Addy’s life had exceeded her expectations…until she lost everything. Back in her father’s house in Adelaide Springs, Addy is putting her life back together when the one person she never wants to see again – Wes – shows up. They both have their own secrets they’ve been hiding, and also their own feelings for each other they’ve tried to bury.
If you love a good enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance set in an idyllic snow-covered mountain town, but with a splash of intrigue, this cozy read is the perfect fit.
This audiobook was narrated by Talon David, Patrick Zeller, and Bethany Turner – they did a great job bringing the characters to life!
Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio, NetGalley, and author Bethany Turner for the complimentary advance copy! It was my pleasure to write this candid review.
As a high-ranking CIA analyst married to a gorgeous CIA operative, Addy’s life had exceeded her expectations…until she lost everything. Back in her father’s house in Adelaide Springs, Addy is putting her life back together when the one person she never wants to see again – Wes – shows up. They both have their own secrets they’ve been hiding, and also their own feelings for each other they’ve tried to bury.
If you love a good enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance set in an idyllic snow-covered mountain town, but with a splash of intrigue, this cozy read is the perfect fit.
This audiobook was narrated by Talon David, Patrick Zeller, and Bethany Turner – they did a great job bringing the characters to life!
Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio, NetGalley, and author Bethany Turner for the complimentary advance copy! It was my pleasure to write this candid review.
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley.
Wes & Addie's second chance, small town romance was precisely what I needed!
I found that I really resonated with both our main characters, as they were in the same age group as me. They have lived full lives, been married to others, had heartbreaks, and important jobs, and somehow found their way back to each other 20 years later. It was a refreshing twist to watch two people who once loved each other overcome their past and reconcile.
I do feel that the story of their past was really glazed over and that Wes was forgiven really quickly. I would have liked to have more backstory on Addie and Wes, rather than the lengthy details on each of their previous marriages.
This was my first Bethany Turner novel and I overall, I enjoyed it. I would read more from the Adelaide Springs series and from Bethany Turner.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for this ALC in exchange for an honest review!
Wes & Addie's second chance, small town romance was precisely what I needed!
I found that I really resonated with both our main characters, as they were in the same age group as me. They have lived full lives, been married to others, had heartbreaks, and important jobs, and somehow found their way back to each other 20 years later. It was a refreshing twist to watch two people who once loved each other overcome their past and reconcile.
I do feel that the story of their past was really glazed over and that Wes was forgiven really quickly. I would have liked to have more backstory on Addie and Wes, rather than the lengthy details on each of their previous marriages.
This was my first Bethany Turner novel and I overall, I enjoyed it. I would read more from the Adelaide Springs series and from Bethany Turner.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for this ALC in exchange for an honest review!
This is the second book from the Adelaide Springs series and the second one by Bethany Turner I’ve listened to.
I like the way the town and the characters are described. We also get mentions of some characters from the first book, but not so much that you’d feel lost if you haven’t read it.
The narration by the female voice was perfect, but the male voice didn’t work for me — it had too much emphasis and felt erratic... in some parts I could hardly understand him. Still, I enjoyed the book.
This is a second-chance romance. When I read the summary, I thought, No way — this guy left her at the altar, she definitely won’t take him back. But I liked how it played out and thought the plot was interesting.
This is a book for readers who enjoy small-town romance, second chances, and stories where things don’t always go as planned but everything works out in the end.
Thank you to Netgalley, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the audiobook ARC!
I like the way the town and the characters are described. We also get mentions of some characters from the first book, but not so much that you’d feel lost if you haven’t read it.
The narration by the female voice was perfect, but the male voice didn’t work for me — it had too much emphasis and felt erratic... in some parts I could hardly understand him. Still, I enjoyed the book.
This is a second-chance romance. When I read the summary, I thought, No way — this guy left her at the altar, she definitely won’t take him back. But I liked how it played out and thought the plot was interesting.
This is a book for readers who enjoy small-town romance, second chances, and stories where things don’t always go as planned but everything works out in the end.
Thank you to Netgalley, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the audiobook ARC!
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Second chance. He’s running for president, she’s living back at home after leaving the CIA in disgrace following the death of her husband. Charming small town, but overall not a memorable story