A review by itsliterarylexi
This Time Around by Kay Shanee

adventurous emotional hopeful tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

this book was such a cute story about second chances! 
Tessa and Cypress first crossed paths 20 years ago during a spring break vacation – or should I say, Marie and Cy. Fast forward two decades, and their lives intertwine again, all thanks to the daughter they share.

that unforgettable vacation led to a one-night stand, which resulted in Cyrah, a girl who looks just like Cypress.
 Now, she’s playing matchmaker and setting up a date between her mom, Tessa, and her new professor, Cypress, but things start to get a little complicated!

as soon as Tessa lays eyes on him she realizes Cy is Cyrah's dad, but of course, that’s not something you can just blurt out on a first date! she tries to find the right moment to tell him, but as life would have it, it seems like the right time only comes during a life-or-death situation. 

while Tessa juggles her budding romance and the hope of a family reunion, she also faces some emotional challenges with her mother. i felt so connected to her struggles! watching Tessa stand up for herself had me cheering her on from the sidelines. plus, she's also on a quest to find her biological dad and discover more about her family!

this read was beautifully crafted, and i listened to the audiobook – the narrators were fantastic! this was my first time reading a book by Kay, and now i’m already on the lookout for more of her work!