Small-Town Daddy Jackson Daughtry’s jobs as a paramedic and part-owner of a local cafe keep him busy–but the single dad’s number one priority is raising his little girl with love and small-town values. And when his business partner’s hotshot lawyer niece comes to town planning to disrupt their lives by moving her aunt away, Jackson has to set Melanie Harper straight. When circumstances force … force them to work side by side in the coffee shop, Jackson slowly discovers what put the sadness in Melanie’s pretty brown eyes. Now it’ll take all his faith–and a hopeful five-year-old–to show the city gal that she’s already home.
more
This is a delightful book with characters who quickly become friends. Jackson is a single dad, raising his five-year-old little girl, Rebecca. A paramedic, he’s also business partners with Phoebe in a local café called the Bean. When Phoebe encounters health problems, her niece, Melanie—a high-profile divorce attorney from Washington—shows up to take Phoebe back to D.C. But Phoebe has no intention of leaving the small town of Sweet Gum, and Jackson has no intention of allowing it to happen. Phoebe is family to him, which means Melanie has an adjustment in store.
One that is long overdue. Since losing her husband and children over a year ago, she has buried herself in work and the unfeeling isolation of urban life. Sweet Gum and the people who populate the town are friendly, sociable, and truly care about one another. What’s more, she finds herself falling for Jackson and becoming involved with Rebecca.
Weatherholt writes from the heart, delving into the emotions and tribulations of her characters. A Christian theme is beautifully woven into the story, especially in the character of Melanie who has lost her faith. I loved the relationship between Melanie and Rebecca almost, if not more, than the relationship between Melanie and Jackson. And Aunt Phoebe is a charmer!
But it’s not all smooth sailing. Especially when an unexpected character causes havoc in the last quarter of the book. I loved the HEA ending, and the small-town values. This is a well-written, feel good story that leaves the reader with a smile long after the final page is read. If you want a sweet escape… escape to Sweet Gum with this talented author!
Second Chance Romance
This romance novel drew me in and refused to let me go. Once I started reading it was next to impossible to put the book down. I hated to see the end coming but hopefully I will get a glimpse of these characters that I grew to love in future books. The author has penned a beautiful heart warming romance for her readers in her debut book. Very well written !
I recommend this book to readers of contemporary romance. Readers of Love Inspired Romance will love it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. A review was not requested. All opinions expressed here are my own.
In Jill Weatherholt’s debut romantic fiction, Second Chance Romance (Harlequin Digital Sales 2017), Jackson and his daughter Rebecca are doing just fine even though his first wife left him for another man. Despite being the most eligible bachelor in his small rural town, Jackson doesn’t feel like he needs anything in his life but his daughter, his job, and a select group of close friends. That changes when he saves Melanie’s life after her car crashes. Something intangible about her makes Jackson feel like for the first time in a long time, he wants more. But Melanie’s personal history includes a husband and twin children killed in a fire and she can’t get beyond that. She has arrived at Jackson’s small town to convince her only remaining relative, Aunt Phoebe (who just happens to be Jackson’s partner in a local diner), to leave small town America and move back to D.C. where they can live together. To Melanie’s surprise, Phoebe doesn’t feel alone and refuses to leave. When Phoebe has a stroke, Jackson and Melanie work together to keep the diner going while Phoebe recuperates and Jackson finds himself falling for Melanie.
When Jackson falls for Melanie, everything gets a whole lot more complicated.
This is a fun, page-turner of a read, filled with smiles and memories. I ended up reading it over an afternoon (that should have been spent working, but oh well). You will not be disappointed with this cozy Christian mystery.
Life has been yanked out from under Melanie Harper, and for the last year she’s slogged through a dark season, burying herself in her job. Jackson Daughtry struggles with trust issues, particularly with the female species. But you can’t help but admire and appreciate the single dad who dotes on his daughter, Rebecca, and is grateful for the support of the generous, compassionate people of Sweet Gum, where friends and neighbors come together to help when times are tough.
I enjoyed witnessing Melanie’s transformation from tightly wound attorney, focused solely on her job and her goal to move her Aunt Phoebe back to DC, to a woman who appreciates the warm and caring residents of the “valley,” including the handsome paramedic who rescued her. And Jackson? He was solid and sturdy in his faith and in his role in life and in his community, and reminded me so much of my own real life hero. 🙂
I love reading Christian fiction and this book hit the mark. I love this Author. It was an easy read. Beautiful characters and a wonderful romance novel.
I really enjoy the books by Love Inspired. They’re clean, Christian fiction that I can read when I just want to relax. Which doesn’t mean there’s no depth to the story.
Second Chance Romance by author Jill Weatherholt is charming, easy to read, and still deals with life issues. The main characters have both been hurt and need to learn to trust again. Their faith in God is important to this story and I appreciate that.
I love the settings that Weatherholt has written into the story. A coffee shop, an apple orchard, all small town warmth and fun. And who doesn’t love an adorable five year old? Seriously, this book has it all and I highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.