Thursday, January 7, 2021

Review - - Second Chance on Cypress Lane

Second Chance on Cypress Lane
by Reese Ryan
Holly Grove Island - Book 1
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: December 1, 2020
Reviewed by PJ


Rising-star reporter Dakota Jones is usually the one breaking the news---until an inadvertent scandal wrecks her career. The only place she can go to regroup is Holly Grove Island. But her small South Carolina hometown comes with a major catch: Dexter Roberts, the first man to break Dakota's heart, is 
her new boss. Working alongside Dexter, who is more attractive than he has a right to be, shows Dakota what might have been . . . but she isn't giving him another chance to break her heart.

Dexter has always regretted the way things ended between him and Dakota. Her return could be his opportunity to finally make amends. But the more time he spends with Dakota, the more he realizes his feelings for her never went away. Now he has just a few months to convince her to give their love a second chance. But for Dakota to agree to stay, Dexter will have to reveal the devastating truth about why he let Dakota go all those years ago.

PJ's Thoughts:

Second Chance on Cypress Lane launches what I hope will be a long-running series as I have fallen hard for all of these characters and their small town in North Carolina's Outer Banks. Ryan brings them all to life with her vibrant descriptions of both people and place.

I love a second-chance romance and this one is filled with all the goodness I hope to find in this trope. Dexter has had a long time to regret breaking up with his high school sweetheart. Yes, his motives were pure but that sure hasn't lessened the heartache they caused. I was in his corner cheering him on to win her back. He's such a good guy, was in a no-win situation back then, and his heart still knows what it wants. He was really not much more than a boy the last time they saw one another but now, boy howdy, now he is a man. Successful, sexy, thoughtful, loyal, and he plays alto sax in a local band, staring soulfully into Dakota's eyes from the stage? If she didn't want him I was more than willing to drive over to the coast and claim him for myself! 

For Dakota, raised to believe her small town had nothing to offer and she would only find success in the big city, coming home is not what she expected. There are revelations around every corner, both professional and personal. I enjoyed her assimilation back into the town; reconnecting with her childhood best friend (everyone should be lucky enough to have a friend like Sinclair), learning to be more accepting, discovering a professional path that's both fulfilling and brings her joy, and rekindling the sizzling chemistry she'd always shared with her first love. The new, adult relationships she forges with her father and with Dexter show how much she's grown as does her emotional navigation of the secret both men have been carrying. By the end of the book, I was fully confident that Dakota was where she was meant to be and would continue to flourish with Dexter by her side.

Now, on to the next couple and the next chapter of life in the charming, seaside town of Holly Grove Island. I don't know when book two will be released but I am all in!

~~~~~~~~~~

Have you read any of Reese Ryan's books?

Do you enjoy small-town romance?

I love the sand, surf, and seaside breezes of Holly Grove Island. What's your favorite small-town setting? 

One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, January 8 will receive a print copy of Second Chance on Cypress Lane. 

*Must be 18
*U.S. addresses only







16 comments:

  1. Reese Ryan is a new to me author, but Second Chance on Cypress Lane is definitely going on my wish list! I do love a small town story based on an island! Secluded mountain small towns are also fun settings!

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  2. I have not read this author and love second chance books and small town romance. I really have no favorite setting.

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  3. This is a new Author for me, sounds very good and yes I love small-town romances
    Penney

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  4. Ms Ryan is a new to me author. But, I am a fan of second chance stories and in another life, I wrote for a couple of newspapers. So, this book sounds terrific to me. Thanks for the review and the introduction of a new series.

    I hope everyone is staying well.

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  5. This story sounds good; I have not read Ms. Ryan and I do like small town romance.
    Natty's Mama (Karen T.)

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  6. This is a new author for me. But small town romances are my favorite. You get a HEA, but also the friendships and family relationships add so much to the story. And the Town irself can take on a life of its own. I am looking forward to this book. Thanks for the review.

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  7. This is a new author for me. But small town romances are my favorite. You get a HEA, but also the friendships and family relationships add so much to the story. And the Town irself can take on a life of its own. I am looking forward to this book. Thanks for the review.

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  8. I love small town stories!! Lately my favorite has been Magnolia Bay where Samantha Chase has written a fun series.

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  9. While familiar with Reese, I don't think I've read her books. I do love small town romance books.

    denise

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  10. I have not read any of her books, but small town romance is my favorite trope. I'll be checking this one out.

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  11. I have not read any of her books. I have several small towns that I love to read about. I think Happily Inc by Susan Mallery is one of them. I also love Nancy Thayer's Nantucket is another perfect setting. The sun, beach, surf and good food.

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  12. I haven't read any of Reese Ryan's books, but small town stories are favorites. Beach stories are good, but my favorite are those set in the mountains. Second Chance on Cypress Lane sounds like it all be an enjoyable read.

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  13. No, I haven't read her books, she is a new to me author. Love finding them and their books. This one sounds really good. I love small town romances.

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  14. This is a new to me author and I really love small town romances.

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  15. I do like small town romance and this author is new to me as well.

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  16. I have one of Reese's books,The Billionaire's Legacy, in my TBR pile. I believe I read one of her Desires.

    I do enjoy small town settings. It's too hard to pick only one. I enjoyed visiting Lucky Harbor,WA, Fool's Gold,CA, Virgin River, CA, Avalon,NY, Whitford Maine, Dare Island, NC, and Butler, Vermont to name a few. I don't care where they are located I just like a great series.

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