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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
medium-paced
I really enjoyed this second chance for Rhodes and Blythe! I remember them both from the previous books, so it was nice to see them get their HEA in this one. Blythe was going through some pretty devastating things when the story first starts. I couldn't imagine how tough it was to know the things she did, but not being able to do anything about it. Rhodes felt so helpless not being able to make things right for her, but he was there for her, and that's what mattered most. It didn't take long for Blythe to see that they were meant for each other, and Rhodes was already head over heels for Blythe and her kids. The situation at the end just reiterated how tough Blythe was, and she was definitely a rock star. The ending was super sweet, and I loved how everyone was included. I can't wait for the next book in this series, hopefully it's Tristan and Merritt :)
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
We are up to book three in the Second Hope Series. My favorite trope is small town, second chance, and I was not disappointed! Throw in plenty of emotion, suspense, and adorable kids, and the book was almost a one day read.
Blythe is so strong, the need to find the truth, and to face her past by coming home. To watch her reinvent herself, build her confidence, while being there for her kids.
I loved this book, the characters are done well, the story had me hooked, and I love coming back to Hope Valley!
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Blythe is so strong, the need to find the truth, and to face her past by coming home. To watch her reinvent herself, build her confidence, while being there for her kids.
I loved this book, the characters are done well, the story had me hooked, and I love coming back to Hope Valley!
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
I absolutely adored Blythe and Rhode's journey! It's such a heartwarming second chance romance. After her husband passes away, Blythe returns to Hope Valley with her three little ones, carrying the weight of her suspicions about his faithfulness. Seeking support from Alpha Omega, she truly tugged at my heartstrings. Navigating change and grief is a monumental challenge, especially with three kids in tow, yet her strength shines through so beautifully.
Rhodes, who once broke Blythe's heart, is determined to make things right when fate gives him another shot. He hasn’t loved anyone since her and has always known she’s the one for him. His bond with her children grows in the sweetest way, adding such a delightful touch to the story.
Returning to Hope Valley felt like a warm embrace. The town and its charming side characters makes you feel right at home.
Rhodes, who once broke Blythe's heart, is determined to make things right when fate gives him another shot. He hasn’t loved anyone since her and has always known she’s the one for him. His bond with her children grows in the sweetest way, adding such a delightful touch to the story.
Returning to Hope Valley felt like a warm embrace. The town and its charming side characters makes you feel right at home.
I have enjoyed this whole series, and this book was no different! Blyth and Rhodes' story just broke my heart! If you enjoy second chances and first loves, then this book is for you!
Blyth and Rhodes were each others firsts, everything. Then, when Rhodes leaves for the military, he breaks up with Blyth and leaves her with a broken heart. Twenty years later, Blyth returns to town with her three small children to pick up the pieces of her life. Rhodes is making it difficult to ignore him and is hoping for his second chance.
I adored Rhodes!! The way he showed his love to not only Blyth but to her kids as well had me swooning so much! The secret tattoo! Gah! I am a sucker for that! Blyth was so resilient! She went through so much, and she never gave up. She put her children first always and was so dang strong! These two together were amazing! It was like no time had passed between them. It was beautiful to read it all unfold! The epilogue could not have been more perfect!
Thank you, Jessica, for this ARC!
***5 Stars***
I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in this series/spinoff, but I gotta admit that this one is my fav ~ thus far. I loved getting to know grown up Rhodes and Blythe and just getting to catch up with quite a few of the old favs, while getting to add some new favs to the list.
My heart hurt for Blythe and all that she was going through, but I loved how she did her best to put her kids first and find a way to put the past behind her and move forward. Rhodes was all kinds of protective alpha male with a marshmallow heart. I will admit that the reason behind their breakup is one of my least favorite of all time…I do like how Rhodes and Blythe find their way back to each other. In many ways it was inevitable since Blythe moved home, but I like that it wasn’t insta, nor was it all kinds of angsty ~ it was that perfect middle ground for me and I was very happy with how everything worked out for them in the end.
As I said at the start, part of my enjoyment was getting to catch up with old favs like Lincoln, Nona and Trick and Gypsy and Marco along with Blythe and Rhodes siblings. But I loved Gretchen, Diana and Merritt and am crossing my toes that we’ll get more of them in future books. I will say that there is a situation in the book that I was hoping to fleshed out more ~ I get why it wasn’t, I do, but it’s like…that’s it? ~ so that’s my only downer of this on, though it is a “it’s not you, it’s me” thing. But, I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in the series ~ if it’s who I think it will be about ~ and even if it isn’t, I’m all in!
~ Copy provided by the author & voluntarily reviewed ~
emotional
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:
Yes
2/5 🌶️
Tropes
- second chance at love
- wrong side of the track boy
- he falls first
📖 My Thoughts
We encounter another woman who is trying to take on too much by herself, why do we do this to ourselves? Later once the crisis happens, we realize there were always people willing to help you if we had only asked. I feel Blythe is trying to prove she can take care of herself and her kids, but she is one hair away from having a total breakdown. The second chance comes at the right time two decades after they parted ways and he broke her heart. Now, he shows he still cares for her.
⚠️ Triggers
Cheating
Grief
Death of partner
Generational trauma
🌶️ Spice
There's not a lot of spice. The few scenes that are in the book are easily natural to their relationship. That first kiss though 🔥
Tropes
- second chance at love
- wrong side of the track boy
- he falls first
📖 My Thoughts
We encounter another woman who is trying to take on too much by herself, why do we do this to ourselves? Later once the crisis happens, we realize there were always people willing to help you if we had only asked. I feel Blythe is trying to prove she can take care of herself and her kids, but she is one hair away from having a total breakdown. The second chance comes at the right time two decades after they parted ways and he broke her heart. Now, he shows he still cares for her.
⚠️ Triggers
Cheating
Grief
Death of partner
Generational trauma
🌶️ Spice
There's not a lot of spice. The few scenes that are in the book are easily natural to their relationship. That first kiss though 🔥
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really liked this book. It had a good combination of emotion and romance. I don’t usually like second chance romances, but this one really won me over.
Rhodes and Blythe were high school sweethearts who hadn’t seen each other in 2 decades. When Blythe returns to Hope Valley with her three kids and a desire to uncover the truths of her deceased husband, the last person she thought she’d reconnect with was Rhodes. Rhodes was the first boy to break her heart and she never really got over that.
Rhodes was determined to win Blythe over. He’d never stopped loving her and secretly hoping she’d find her way back to him. I loved the care he showed her and her kids. He was willing to do just about anything for them, even if Blythe never gave him a second chance.
I liked the development of Rhodes and Blythe’s relationship. They’d both changed over the 2 decades they spent apart and I appreciated that they didn’t just immediately jump into a relationship. They created a new path forward and became the family they were meant to be.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book is now in my top five favourite books of this year. Rhodes and Blythe certainly deserve a second chance at love. Their story is filled with tender and emotional moments, expressions of regret and apology as Rhodes and Blythe get to know each other again. Blythe carried on with her life, albeit in a different town, after Rhodes broke her heart when he walked away from their three year long relationship. She went to college, met another man, married him and made a family with him. Now, nearly twenty years after she left her home town, Blythe returns with her children in tow, once again heartbroken and confused.
Rhodes had his reasons for breaking up with Blythe all those years ago, and has always regretted hurting her. He broke both of their hearts that day and has never been able to move on with another woman. Rhodes is there to offer support and a shoulder to cry on when Blythe’s late husband’s secrets are revealed and also when her and the kids living arrangements become untenable. Rhodes doesn’t push Blythe to give him a second chance, rather he waits, always hopeful, that she will learn to trust him and open her heart to love again. His interactions with Blythe’s adorable children are heart-melting. Blythe’s children bring a lot of humour and sweetness to this book. Blythe herself slowly recovers from her grief, confusion and heartbreak to become a strong, determined woman who can hold her own in any situation and protect those she loves with a fierceness that few would expect from her. The conclusion to their story let me smiling and very happy.
This book has my highest recommendation, is worth far more than five stars and is most definitely one to be read again and again.
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes