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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
Very good book. Lily left Cedar Ridge ten years earlier, trying to escape the memories of her sister's and father's tragic deaths. But her terrific life in San Diego suddenly became less so, and in need of a job, she has come home to help a friend there. The last person she wants to run into (and the first one she does) is Aidan, the guy she left behind.
Aidan was great. He had been a bit of a bad boy and troublemaker back in his teens, but the best thing that had happened to him was Lily. He was devastated when she left town without a word. Since then, he's turned his energies to firefighting, search and rescue, and helping with his family's resort. He has his own painful past - a father that deserted the family, multiple half-siblings from his father's other relationships, and knowing that the resort is in financial trouble that is bearing down rapidly on them. A strong family relationship helps keep it all going. He's surprised to see Lily again, and determined to protect his heart from being hurt again.
I liked Lily. She's a nice person, friendly, with a bit of sass to her. She's also dealing with some trouble that wasn't entirely her fault. Working in a salon that caters to the stars comes with its own problems, and she got caught up in some of those problems. What hurt her was that her boss (and boyfriend) let her take the fall, and now she's paying the price. Her friend from home has hired her to fill in at the salon he manages, which gives her a place to recover while she looks for a new job.
I loved the reigniting of the relationship between Lily and Aidan. Though he wouldn't admit it, Aidan is a nurturer, and from the start he can't resist taking care of Lily. She insists she doesn't need it, and doesn't want it, but it doesn't take long for him to start getting past her walls. I loved the scenes with the firewood, and how Aidan just rolls over her protests. The attraction between them strikes sparks whenever they are together. The connection that they feel scares Lily, who is afraid to love anyone again. Aidan, whose feelings have grown quite fast, is patient, and encourages her to work through her feelings at her own pace. I loved how he was there for her when she needed the support, and yet could step back when she needed him to. It doesn't mean he's perfect, as he does have at least one boneheaded moment, but he does a good job of redeeming himself. Lily really fights her feelings, until a stormy rescue event reminds her that life can be all too short. I loved the post rescue moments, both on and off the mountain, which were both romantic and funny.
The supporting characters were all great. I loved Aidan's brothers and the loving, fun and snarky relationship that they had. I loved the pranks they pulled on each other. I'd love to know more about how Penny and Gray got together, as I suspect it would be quite a story. As one of the half-siblings, Hudson has some of his own issues, but his love for his family is unmistakable. We only heard of Jacob in this one, and I'm looking forward to learning more about him. The boys' mother is fantastic. I loved her way of straightening them out. Their reactions to her dating were hysterical, and I loved seeing her take advantage of it. Lily's friend Jonathan, who gave her the job at the salon, was great. I loved his combination of support and straight talk. He's determined to make Lily see that she belongs in Cedar Ridge.
Aidan was great. He had been a bit of a bad boy and troublemaker back in his teens, but the best thing that had happened to him was Lily. He was devastated when she left town without a word. Since then, he's turned his energies to firefighting, search and rescue, and helping with his family's resort. He has his own painful past - a father that deserted the family, multiple half-siblings from his father's other relationships, and knowing that the resort is in financial trouble that is bearing down rapidly on them. A strong family relationship helps keep it all going. He's surprised to see Lily again, and determined to protect his heart from being hurt again.
I liked Lily. She's a nice person, friendly, with a bit of sass to her. She's also dealing with some trouble that wasn't entirely her fault. Working in a salon that caters to the stars comes with its own problems, and she got caught up in some of those problems. What hurt her was that her boss (and boyfriend) let her take the fall, and now she's paying the price. Her friend from home has hired her to fill in at the salon he manages, which gives her a place to recover while she looks for a new job.
I loved the reigniting of the relationship between Lily and Aidan. Though he wouldn't admit it, Aidan is a nurturer, and from the start he can't resist taking care of Lily. She insists she doesn't need it, and doesn't want it, but it doesn't take long for him to start getting past her walls. I loved the scenes with the firewood, and how Aidan just rolls over her protests. The attraction between them strikes sparks whenever they are together. The connection that they feel scares Lily, who is afraid to love anyone again. Aidan, whose feelings have grown quite fast, is patient, and encourages her to work through her feelings at her own pace. I loved how he was there for her when she needed the support, and yet could step back when she needed him to. It doesn't mean he's perfect, as he does have at least one boneheaded moment, but he does a good job of redeeming himself. Lily really fights her feelings, until a stormy rescue event reminds her that life can be all too short. I loved the post rescue moments, both on and off the mountain, which were both romantic and funny.
The supporting characters were all great. I loved Aidan's brothers and the loving, fun and snarky relationship that they had. I loved the pranks they pulled on each other. I'd love to know more about how Penny and Gray got together, as I suspect it would be quite a story. As one of the half-siblings, Hudson has some of his own issues, but his love for his family is unmistakable. We only heard of Jacob in this one, and I'm looking forward to learning more about him. The boys' mother is fantastic. I loved her way of straightening them out. Their reactions to her dating were hysterical, and I loved seeing her take advantage of it. Lily's friend Jonathan, who gave her the job at the salon, was great. I loved his combination of support and straight talk. He's determined to make Lily see that she belongs in Cedar Ridge.
This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books.
In Second Chance Summer, Shalvis introduces us to a brand new series, a new community, and a new family to fall in love with. This book definitely lives up to the high expectations I have for Shalvis’ work and I want Aidan for my new book boyfriend.
This new adventure take us to Cedar Ridge, CO where we meet the Kincaid family, an irreverent group that is impossible not to like. We specifically meet Aidan, the second oldest, a true Alpha, man’s man and real hero. We also meet Lily, a wounded bird that has come home after a 10 year absence. Lily and Aidan knew each other in high school and had a budding romance before tragedy struck and sent her leaving town. A professional disaster has brought her home even though it’s the last place she wants to be.
Elements of Second Chance Summer are classic Shalvis and there are no real surprises in the book, but the approach is fresh enough that it doesn’t feel repetitive. I loved that Aidan so obviously still cared about Lily and looked after her even when she was trying to push him away. His care taker personality was refreshing and unexpected given his career choices and family history. Lily’s personal growth was sweet to watch. She came back to town with so many issues to deal with and she was able to do that and find her happy.
This was a quick read, well written, and fun. My first visit to Cedar Ridge was a great trip and I am looking forward to coming back to see what the other Kincaid siblings are up to next.This book was reviewed by a member of the review staff at Cocktails and Books. The name of the reviewer can be found under the post categories.
In Second Chance Summer, Shalvis introduces us to a brand new series, a new community, and a new family to fall in love with. This book definitely lives up to the high expectations I have for Shalvis’ work and I want Aidan for my new book boyfriend.
This new adventure take us to Cedar Ridge, CO where we meet the Kincaid family, an irreverent group that is impossible not to like. We specifically meet Aidan, the second oldest, a true Alpha, man’s man and real hero. We also meet Lily, a wounded bird that has come home after a 10 year absence. Lily and Aidan knew each other in high school and had a budding romance before tragedy struck and sent her leaving town. A professional disaster has brought her home even though it’s the last place she wants to be.
Elements of Second Chance Summer are classic Shalvis and there are no real surprises in the book, but the approach is fresh enough that it doesn’t feel repetitive. I loved that Aidan so obviously still cared about Lily and looked after her even when she was trying to push him away. His care taker personality was refreshing and unexpected given his career choices and family history. Lily’s personal growth was sweet to watch. She came back to town with so many issues to deal with and she was able to do that and find her happy.
This was a quick read, well written, and fun. My first visit to Cedar Ridge was a great trip and I am looking forward to coming back to see what the other Kincaid siblings are up to next.This book was reviewed by a member of the review staff at Cocktails and Books. The name of the reviewer can be found under the post categories.
It took me a little while to get into this story. I liked the family aspect and shal is has a good wit. Lily took longer to get to know/understand....perhaps that was it. Still, a good read.
I got a free ARC of this book at BookCon, which has no affect on my review.
Second Chance Summer was my first book by Jill Shalvis, so I went into with nothing but the expectations of what the cover quotes promised - humor and heart. Shalvis definitely delivered on the humor. Witticism flew back and forth between the hero and heroine, the heroine and her best friend, and the hero and his family. On several occasions I chuckled aloud or snorted over the dialogue. Not to say that the book was overly humorous - there was just enough to balance all melodrama.
I have to use the word melodrama in place of heart because a single character with a dark and dramatic past I can handle. Both our hero and heroine having them is pushing my limits. But when supporting characters join the fray it's all a bit too much. It's a device overused in romance novels, in my opinion, especially when used as a framing device for books in a series, as it is here. The tragic incidents of our characters' past that they struggle to cope with and overcome are repeated ad nauseam. I get it. Dead Man's Cliff is named so because of the long list of people who've died there. Siblings have differing opinions about a deadbeat father. And so on.
Where Shalvis' writing excels is any scene between the Kincaid family. This is also where most of the humor can be found as well, despite the few scenes born out of the above mentioned disagreements. The sibling bonds shine through all the plot machinations and I found myself wanting more of them as a whole - a desire which looks to be sated with further books in the Cedar Ridge series. Also a pleasure to read were the interactions between our hero and heroine. The chemistry between the pair was electric, both being strong and independent individuals. I also greatly appreciated that the heroine was strong in her own right, and that the hero (for all he was referred to as an alpha male) respected her need for space and for their relationship to progress slowly.
My only real complaint about this book was the heroine's token male bisexual hairdresser best friend. Aside from that, I was pleasantly surprised that the antagonistic force remained an internal one when I was expecting a tertiary character to step into a larger villainous role than the one he had. That being said, when internal conflict is the only force holding the characters back things gets a bit repetitive.
Second Chance Summer is a well-written, engrossing, and well-balanced romance novel perfect for a day at the beach. I enjoyed it and might just keep my eye out for the forthcoming second book in the series.
Second Chance Summer was my first book by Jill Shalvis, so I went into with nothing but the expectations of what the cover quotes promised - humor and heart. Shalvis definitely delivered on the humor. Witticism flew back and forth between the hero and heroine, the heroine and her best friend, and the hero and his family. On several occasions I chuckled aloud or snorted over the dialogue. Not to say that the book was overly humorous - there was just enough to balance all melodrama.
I have to use the word melodrama in place of heart because a single character with a dark and dramatic past I can handle. Both our hero and heroine having them is pushing my limits. But when supporting characters join the fray it's all a bit too much. It's a device overused in romance novels, in my opinion, especially when used as a framing device for books in a series, as it is here. The tragic incidents of our characters' past that they struggle to cope with and overcome are repeated ad nauseam. I get it. Dead Man's Cliff is named so because of the long list of people who've died there. Siblings have differing opinions about a deadbeat father. And so on.
Where Shalvis' writing excels is any scene between the Kincaid family. This is also where most of the humor can be found as well, despite the few scenes born out of the above mentioned disagreements. The sibling bonds shine through all the plot machinations and I found myself wanting more of them as a whole - a desire which looks to be sated with further books in the Cedar Ridge series. Also a pleasure to read were the interactions between our hero and heroine. The chemistry between the pair was electric, both being strong and independent individuals. I also greatly appreciated that the heroine was strong in her own right, and that the hero (for all he was referred to as an alpha male) respected her need for space and for their relationship to progress slowly.
My only real complaint about this book was the heroine's token male bisexual hairdresser best friend. Aside from that, I was pleasantly surprised that the antagonistic force remained an internal one when I was expecting a tertiary character to step into a larger villainous role than the one he had. That being said, when internal conflict is the only force holding the characters back things gets a bit repetitive.
Second Chance Summer is a well-written, engrossing, and well-balanced romance novel perfect for a day at the beach. I enjoyed it and might just keep my eye out for the forthcoming second book in the series.
Sorry, but I really disliked this book - the characters and plot were very much a cliche, the sex was written as if the writer was ticking off a list of things that had to happen, and the emotions were horribly overwrought. I couldn't finish it, I'm afraid. Not one I would recommend, that's for sure.
Second Chance Summer is yet another winner from Shalvis! Amazing characters, a great story, and red-hot romance filled with both hope and a little dose of fear.
This and all my other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
This and all my other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
Thank you to Forever Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the book in exchange for a honest review.
Another hit from Shalvis, it was slow to start but it soon took off and I was hooked. Lily is back where she grew up but its under duress that she's there. When she was in California she was thrown under the bus at her last job and now she was basically blacklisted in her career. She had put out tons of resume's but no one was biting. Back to Cedar Ridge she went, to a job that her friend Jonathon had waiting for her. He didn't tell her though that it was at the resort, that her old crush, Aidan Kincaid and his brother ran. It was also where she remembers her sister for the last time from. Having no where else to go and no way of backing out she takes the job and finds herself enjoying it. She doesn't want to start anything with Aidan but she can't help herself, she'd always had a crush on them and it seems like he may have some feeling for her. If only she wasn't leaving in a few months...
Aidan works hard, he's a fire fighter, works on rescue patrol and helps out at the resort his family owns. He didn't realize Lily was back in town, and he hadn't seen her in ten years. When she left it was like a hole took up residence in his heart and no matter how many woman he hooked up with it stayed. Now with Lily back, he wants her just as much if not more as he did all that time ago. She's fighting the feelings she has for him, and she's acting like its wrong for her to have them. On top of all he does, Aidan is fighting his brothers from bringing back their dad. He left and left them with a mess in the resort but Aidan doesn't want him to come back ever.
Like I said this book was slow to take off but when it did I was laughing at Lily and her antics. Aidan and his brothers have a silly underwear war going on that had me cracking up. It was like going to any hometown and watching the people interact. Jill Shalvis has a way of making you feel like you connect with all of the people she writes. She's super talented and I would read her grocery list, even though it'd probably just have cookies on it! Don't miss the chance to get in to the Cedar Ridge world on the ground floor. You won't regret it. Leave the author love in the form of a review!
Another hit from Shalvis, it was slow to start but it soon took off and I was hooked. Lily is back where she grew up but its under duress that she's there. When she was in California she was thrown under the bus at her last job and now she was basically blacklisted in her career. She had put out tons of resume's but no one was biting. Back to Cedar Ridge she went, to a job that her friend Jonathon had waiting for her. He didn't tell her though that it was at the resort, that her old crush, Aidan Kincaid and his brother ran. It was also where she remembers her sister for the last time from. Having no where else to go and no way of backing out she takes the job and finds herself enjoying it. She doesn't want to start anything with Aidan but she can't help herself, she'd always had a crush on them and it seems like he may have some feeling for her. If only she wasn't leaving in a few months...
Aidan works hard, he's a fire fighter, works on rescue patrol and helps out at the resort his family owns. He didn't realize Lily was back in town, and he hadn't seen her in ten years. When she left it was like a hole took up residence in his heart and no matter how many woman he hooked up with it stayed. Now with Lily back, he wants her just as much if not more as he did all that time ago. She's fighting the feelings she has for him, and she's acting like its wrong for her to have them. On top of all he does, Aidan is fighting his brothers from bringing back their dad. He left and left them with a mess in the resort but Aidan doesn't want him to come back ever.
Like I said this book was slow to take off but when it did I was laughing at Lily and her antics. Aidan and his brothers have a silly underwear war going on that had me cracking up. It was like going to any hometown and watching the people interact. Jill Shalvis has a way of making you feel like you connect with all of the people she writes. She's super talented and I would read her grocery list, even though it'd probably just have cookies on it! Don't miss the chance to get in to the Cedar Ridge world on the ground floor. You won't regret it. Leave the author love in the form of a review!
I am a huge Jill Shalvis fan! Her whole Lucky Harbor series had me hook, line, and sinker. Second Chance Summer was also a great book, but I felt like I didn't get sucked in right away like I did with the Lucky Harbor books, but about half way, I was all sucked in with Lily and Aiden.
Both of these characters have issues and are fighting their feelings for each other in one way or another. You'll have to see how the chemistry is... There are those that you know no matter how much they fight it, they're meant to be together... I think Lily and Aiden are that way.
Also, Shalvis put a lot humor in this story, and I LOVED it. It was done well and fit perfectly. The guys and their jokes just had me laughing out loud. It was great.
The characters were well done, as they are in all her books, and I loved the family dynamics in this one.
I'm now addicted to another one of her series... I just can't get enough of Ms. Shalvis.
Both of these characters have issues and are fighting their feelings for each other in one way or another. You'll have to see how the chemistry is... There are those that you know no matter how much they fight it, they're meant to be together... I think Lily and Aiden are that way.
Also, Shalvis put a lot humor in this story, and I LOVED it. It was done well and fit perfectly. The guys and their jokes just had me laughing out loud. It was great.
The characters were well done, as they are in all her books, and I loved the family dynamics in this one.
I'm now addicted to another one of her series... I just can't get enough of Ms. Shalvis.
emotional
lighthearted
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:
Yes
I'm a big Jill Shalvis fan. Her Lucky Harbor series was one of my favorites and when it ended I was very excited to read her new Cedar Ridge series. I was not disappointed. I enjoyed Second Chance Summer and I cannot wait for more books in the series.
Jill Shalvis follows a formula, but it's a formula that keeps me coming back for more. Jill Shalvis's books, especially if they're part of a series, are like potato chips--you cannot read just one. Just like in her Lucky Harbor series, this new series was set in a small town inhabited by eccentric townspeople, sexy alpha men and intelligent women. But unlike Lucky Harbor, which was a small town near the ocean, Cedar Ridge is located up in the mountains of Colorado.
Our hero Aidan Kincaid is a fire fighter, a search and rescue worker and he also co-owns the Cedar Ridge Resort with his siblings. Our heroine Lily Danville found her way back in Cedar Ridge after she got fired from her job in LA, but she promised herself that it's only temporary. Meanwhile, she needed a job, and the only opening was at the resort. The last thing Lily wanted though was to see Aidan. Ten years ago, they did not part on good terms when Lily left after her family fell apart and Aidan didn't stop her. Now, Aidan hopes to convince Lily to give him and Cedar Ridge a second chance...
Both Lily and Aidan were likable characters. Besides being a sexy fire fighter, Aidan works hard, is responsible, loyal and loves his mom and siblings. He rescues people for a living, puts others before himself, and you can count on him. He had his brooding and alpha moments, but I love how open he was about his feelings for Lily. As for Lily, she's independent and hard-working, but she struggled with her guilt over her sister and father's deaths. She didn't have family around like Aidan does so she's alone. She's hesitant when it comes to starting a relationship with Aidan, and I understood why she felt the way she did. She was carrying a lot of weight on her shoulders and she needed to let go of some of that before she can start anything. But Lily and Aidan could not ignore each other and the obvious attraction between them. It was fun and entertaining to watch them find their way to each other again, hiccups and all.
Lily and Aidan were great, but my favorite part was meeting all quirky secondary characters. My favorites were Aidan's brother Gray and his wife Penny. They were a hoot with their TMI. If you read Kristan Higgins's Blue Heron series, they kind of reminded me of Pru and Carl. Others were Aidan's mom Char, Lily's friend Jonathan, and Aidan's friend Mitch--they all brought humor to the story and I love all the scenes they were in. I also love the family dynamics between the Kincaids. They prank and annoy each other, argue and get in each other's business, but at the end of the day they are a unit and they are there for each other no matter what and I just love that. Jill Shalvis writes the best sibling relationships in contemporary romance, no question.
The plot Second Chance Summer in was familiar and nothing really surprised me, but add in the setting, the quirky secondary characters, the humorous moments and the witty banter, and what you get is a very delightful, entertaining read. I am looking forward to reading the next books in the series. If you enjoyed (or, like me, miss reading) the Lucky Harbor series, definitely pick up Second Chance Summer. You'll find everything you loved there in this new series. If you want to start a small-town romance series, give Cedar Ridge a chance. You really cannot go wrong when picking up a Jill Shalvis novel.
Jill Shalvis follows a formula, but it's a formula that keeps me coming back for more. Jill Shalvis's books, especially if they're part of a series, are like potato chips--you cannot read just one. Just like in her Lucky Harbor series, this new series was set in a small town inhabited by eccentric townspeople, sexy alpha men and intelligent women. But unlike Lucky Harbor, which was a small town near the ocean, Cedar Ridge is located up in the mountains of Colorado.
Our hero Aidan Kincaid is a fire fighter, a search and rescue worker and he also co-owns the Cedar Ridge Resort with his siblings. Our heroine Lily Danville found her way back in Cedar Ridge after she got fired from her job in LA, but she promised herself that it's only temporary. Meanwhile, she needed a job, and the only opening was at the resort. The last thing Lily wanted though was to see Aidan. Ten years ago, they did not part on good terms when Lily left after her family fell apart and Aidan didn't stop her. Now, Aidan hopes to convince Lily to give him and Cedar Ridge a second chance...
Both Lily and Aidan were likable characters. Besides being a sexy fire fighter, Aidan works hard, is responsible, loyal and loves his mom and siblings. He rescues people for a living, puts others before himself, and you can count on him. He had his brooding and alpha moments, but I love how open he was about his feelings for Lily. As for Lily, she's independent and hard-working, but she struggled with her guilt over her sister and father's deaths. She didn't have family around like Aidan does so she's alone. She's hesitant when it comes to starting a relationship with Aidan, and I understood why she felt the way she did. She was carrying a lot of weight on her shoulders and she needed to let go of some of that before she can start anything. But Lily and Aidan could not ignore each other and the obvious attraction between them. It was fun and entertaining to watch them find their way to each other again, hiccups and all.
Lily and Aidan were great, but my favorite part was meeting all quirky secondary characters. My favorites were Aidan's brother Gray and his wife Penny. They were a hoot with their TMI. If you read Kristan Higgins's Blue Heron series, they kind of reminded me of Pru and Carl. Others were Aidan's mom Char, Lily's friend Jonathan, and Aidan's friend Mitch--they all brought humor to the story and I love all the scenes they were in. I also love the family dynamics between the Kincaids. They prank and annoy each other, argue and get in each other's business, but at the end of the day they are a unit and they are there for each other no matter what and I just love that. Jill Shalvis writes the best sibling relationships in contemporary romance, no question.
The plot Second Chance Summer in was familiar and nothing really surprised me, but add in the setting, the quirky secondary characters, the humorous moments and the witty banter, and what you get is a very delightful, entertaining read. I am looking forward to reading the next books in the series. If you enjoyed (or, like me, miss reading) the Lucky Harbor series, definitely pick up Second Chance Summer. You'll find everything you loved there in this new series. If you want to start a small-town romance series, give Cedar Ridge a chance. You really cannot go wrong when picking up a Jill Shalvis novel.