The freedom of adolescent summer love is constricted by the complexities of adult life in this heartfelt contemporary loosely linked to Falkner’s Reed Brothers series. Suspended New York policeman Jake Jacobson is unexpectedly reunited with Katie Higgins, his summer love from 18 years before, when he goes home to North Carolina to visit his father, who’s had a stroke. Katie, who’s very pregnant and has three kids in tow, is hiding out at the beach house her family rented from Jake’s father all those years ago, hoping her abusive ex won’t be able to find her there. This time around, Jake and Katie’s romance won’t be simple. Falkner’s protagonists and secondary characters, such as Jake’s cantankerous but intuitive father (“He was never very nice, but he was interesting”), are fully realized, and their voices are natural and appealing. The struggle between Jake and Katie’s reignited affections and the echoes of their adult lives is beautifully conveyed through the narrative’s changing perspectives: Jake and Katie’s grown and younger selves take turns providing their unique views, developing the sweetness of young love and summertime joy and heightening the present-day tensions and conflicts that arise as Jake and Katie must confront their emotions and their pasts. Ripe with contemplations on the complexities of love and relationships, this is a tender story that tugs at the heartstrings in any season. (BookLife)
This is a light-hearted, heart-warming, and fun second chance romance. One look at the blurb and I knew I had to read this story especially since I love second chance romances. Although I’ve bought a few of Tammy Falkner’s books, this is the first one I’ve read. Now that I know her writing style is I will definitely be taking a good chunk of time to read her other books.
It’s been eighteen years and both Katie and Jake both find themselves back at Lake Fisher. Katie is a single mom of four and running from danger. Jake is back to help his father after a stroke. Memories of their time together and feelings from their first times they experienced together strike when they reunite and fall in love again.
From the very beginning, I fell in love with the writing and the characters. The banter between Jake and Katie was fun and flirty, and there were many times I cracked up from Jake’s dad’s bluntness, the craziness that happens when you have four kids around, and the big dog, Sally that Jake rescued. This was a quick, fun book to read that didn’t have any unnecessary drama added. Only moments that made me smile, laugh, and swoon.
Watching Jake accept and fall in love with Katie’s kids had me swooning all over the place. It was so heart-warming that it came so easily to him and that he treasured his times with each and every child. They were an extension of the woman he’d loved since he was sixteen. It didn’t even matter that she was heavily pregnant with another man’s child.
I loved everything about this book. The open acceptance that Jake had first when he was only sixteen and finding out the girl he liked had two fathers to his immediate love of her children. The bond and love that everyone had and created a family. This is truly a feel-good story.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This story was BEAUTIFUL!
Katie has suffered so much heartache. A devastating loss of her husband, being left pregnant and with three children, and being forced to leave her home. Going back to a childhood retreat, she comes face to face with her high school crush, Jake. Unfortunately, Jake is facing some struggles of his own.
Between a meddling father, a cross-dressing pooch, some unnecessary drama, and some blue raccoons love blooms and a new memories are created.
A journey from love lost, betrayal, and into family showcases the best and worst of people. We see how a person can change and how the past can still be there to influence our future. Overall a delightful read. Highly recommended to ALL
