Maybe This Time is the next heartwarming contemporary romance from Nicole McLaughlin in her Whiskey and Weddings series. Jen Mackenzie has been knocked down more than a few times, but she always gets up and makes sure she has the last word. It’s the reason she now considers herself equal parts self-sufficient and free-spirit. But since losing her job and trying to help her mother beat cancer, … mother beat cancer, real life–and her occasional careless choices–have begun to catch up with her. Her one saving grace: The Stag, a boutique distillery that has become Kansas City’s go-to wedding venue. The only catch: One of the owners, TJ Laughlin, happens to be the one man who somehow manages to make Jen feel inadequate.
TJ has secretly had a thing for Jen since high school. Now, as her new boss, it’s a daily struggle between revealing his feelings and wringing her beautiful neck. Only one thing is for certain: he can’t stand idly by and watch the woman he cares for struggle. She may be convinced that accepting TJ’s help is a weakness. But all he sees in Jen is beauty and strength, inside and out. As things finally heat up between them, can TJ find a way to convince Jen that love is about give and take–and having it all, together?
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Jenna has always loved to sing and act. She was teaching kids at a community center until they ran out of funding and closed down. She works at Stag, a distillery and event hall, she bartends and is the receptionist. Her mother and she never really got along but she’s trying because her mother has cancer. Jenna had a crush on TJ but thought she was too poor and weird for him. TJ has had a crush on Jenna since high school but never said anything. He co owns Stag and comes from a rich, dysfunctional family. When Jenna’s apartment building catches fire, she moves in with TJ, which delights him. But secrets come out and he could lose the woman he loves.
I honestly didn’t think the story would be that good but I loved it. Funny, sexy, and entertaining. Loved the characters and the storyline was easy to understand. Wish I knew about this author before, I would have been reading her all along.
Jen Mackenzie has always been on the wrong side of right, she grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, was treated differently in high school because of it, and it sucked to say the least. Her families’ struggles and her mother’s illness, have taken it’s toll on her, and also made her tougher. Always being treated as less than by everyone in town has made her be on constant high alert, made her wary of everyone around her, and want stow her heart away for safe keeping. So, when TJ Laughlin, one of the towns richest bachelor’s, comes sniffing around she sends him packing, she is not about to lose her heart to a man like him… or is she?
TJ Laughlin has seen the way the town has mistreated Jen, he has stuck-up for her a time or two, and on some level he feels sorry for her, wishes he could change things in her life… but convincing her to except his help is damn near impossible. He can see that she is tough, but he can also see that her current situation has her struggling, and he wants to help lighten her load a little, but she isn’t about to become his charity case. Maybe with her working for him now he might find an opportunity to show her that he isn’t that bad of a guy, and eventually maybe one that she can trust her heart with…
Maybe This Time is a second chance romance story that is sure to tug on your heartstrings, and leave you with a smile! This wonderfully crafted tale caught my attention from the first page, and lured me completely in by the second, it was such a pleasurable read filled with many moments that could be appreciated by this romance lover!! It had the touching emotional content that brought on the feels, the naughty stuff that made me blush, and then the admirable tough as nails heroine who left me impressed and inspired!! This was my second visit to the series, and I have to say I loved this visit just as much as the first, and can’t wait to make the third!! Highly recommend you take a chance on this one, it’s a touching and uplifting tale that should not be missed!!
Maybe This Time is the second book in Nicole McLaughlin’s Whiskey and Wedding series. I love this series! The guys own a boutique distillery and wedding venue and not only are they good-looking, they are truly nice guys. No matter the occupation I love to read about “nice guy” heroes. This book features TJ Laughlin and Jen Mackenzie, bartender and temporary event coordinator for the wedding venue part of the business. These two have known each other since they were in school. Funny thing…. thay have had a crush on each other since their school days although neither one admitted it to the other.
I enjoyed seeing Jen and TJ finally get together and fall in love. There’s so much happening along the way I think readers will enjoy following along as they find their way to happiness. Can’t wait for the next book in the series!
This was a new author for me, and I thought that the story was amazing. It was full of drama and emotion. The characters had some heavy emotional baggage going on that they had to overcome, but the story also had a nice blend of humor and romance too. I felt very emotional at certain parts of the book which made the story even better. I could hardly wait to see if the hero and heroine got their HEA.
Very well written with colorful and complex characters this is a book that you will not want to miss. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I really enjoyed reading Maybe This Time by Nicole McLaughlin, part of her Whisky and Weddings series. Life has been difficult for Jen Mackenzie. Each time she gets knocked down she picks herself back up and tries again. Since losing her job when the community theater closed and trying to help her mother beat cancer, life and lack of finances are starting to catch up with her. Working at The Stag as a bartender and temporarily as the wedding venue planner has become her saving grace. Now if only TJ Laughlin, one of the owners and high school classmate, didn’t make her feel incompetent. TJ has cared for Jen since high school, albeit secretly. Being her boss and working closely with Jen made it difficult for TJ to watch her struggle. Jen views accepting help, especially from TJ, makes her weak, but TJ only sees beauty and strength. As things heat up, finally, between these two they need to learn that love is about communication as well as give and take. When Jen is offered a job of a lifetime will it destroy all she has with TJ or will they both learn that compromise might be the answer?
I loved reading this story. Ms. McLaughlin is wonderful storyteller, keeping me interested in this story so that I had trouble putting it down. I felt for Jen and all the demands on her as well as lack of knowledge in knowing how to handle the stress. I recommend this great book to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I loved TJ & Jen’s story! There were so many special moments between the two of them. I like that TJ loved Jen just the way she is & I loved the surprise that he bought for her during their shopping trip. My favorite part was the scene right before they were interrupted by the FedEx lady. After reading Maybe This Time, I plan to go back and read the first book in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley.
You can read this book as a stand alone. I enjoyed getting to know Jen and TJ in this book. Jen has a LOT of insecurities and hides behind a snarky attitude. Jen and TJ have loved each other for many years but both have been to afraid to do anything about it. Finally TJ shows that he has feeling for Jen but she does almost anything in her power to not believe it. It takes a long time for her to overcome her insecurities but hey what fun would the book be if it didn’t have conflict. The book has a HEA so enjoy the read of reading this book before you get to the end, it’s worth it.
*Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this for my honest review*
I felt in love with Nicole McLaughlin’s whiskey and weddings series with book one. I loved the setting and the distillery / wedding venue was so creative and different. I eagerly looked forward to book two. Thankfully, book two did not disappoint. We watch TJ and Jen circle each other in the first installment, this time we watched and they let down their guard and became the couple we knew they could be. There is a lot going on in this book and you need to be prepared with the tissues. McLaughlin definitely makes you work for the HEA, but it is well worth it. I can’t wait to see what the third book brings.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
Jen is the type of person that I strive to be. Her resilience is extraordinary. Despite life’s punches, she never gives up hope. She doesn’t wait for good things to come her way, she tries to make them happen for herself. Insecurities be damned. Too bad the blows are coming quicker than she can fend them off. The biggest one? TJ Laughlin. TJ is the one man who can bring her to her knees. He brings all her self-doubt to the surface. Can the one person who sees through the pain, show her how to rise above it? Maybe This Time is a delightful tale of optimism, love and inspiration. Something that we all need at one time or another. A pick me up.
TJ has had a crush on Jen since high school. He couldn’t believe it when she started working as a bartender for Stag Distillery, the company he was a co-owner of. Her attitude has always put him off. Now, one of his best friends has settled down & they’ve convinced TJ to make a play for Jen. When she has an opportunity to reach for her dreams, can he really hold her back?
Jen has hidden a lifetime of hurt & distrust behind snark & attitude. She’s had feelings for TJ since high school but has always felt he looked down on her. Now he’s suddenly coming on to her & she doesn’t know whether to believe it or not. Does she dare lower her mask to let him see the “real” her? Does she dare chose him over her dreams when he could leave her at any time?
These two come across as total opposites but as you get into the story, you realize they both are hiding behind masks. Jen has tough time trusting anyone. TJ is still looking for his father’s approval & acceptance although he doesn’t want anyone to realize it. The plot moves quickly. The supporting characters & the interactions between them all adds an additional dimension to this story. I can’t wait for the next story.
Maybe This Time by Nicole McLaughlin
Whiskey & Weddings #2
Jen McKenzie and T.J. Lawrence have known and had crushes on one another since middle school. The timing has never been right before but after fifteen years of interest unfulfilled it seems the time might finally be
time for the two of them to get together. So, with T.J. breaking up with his current girlfriend and Jen not with anyone the two start the mating dance with bickering and b*tching and eventually a bit of romance, support, trust, caring and sharing.
Jen and T.J. both have had issues with their parents though I never really got to the meat of why the two and their parents were not close. Jen has always had the dream of being on Broadway and does have talent but it has, for the most part, not panned out for her and instead she has been on the small stage and teaching closer to home while T.J. has done well in business and with the distillery and is ready to put roots down.
I am not sure why Jen and T.J. are so attracted or why they have not acted on the interest but when they do it seems to work for them and all comes out right in the end…perhaps too easily, in fact.
I enjoyed catching up with T.J, Dean and Jake and wonder how Alex, Dean’s sister, will do in the future. Charlotte’s ex, John, was mentioned in passing and I wonder if he will have a book of his own eventually, too.
All in all this was an alright story of a woman that pretty much put herself first until she needed to step up in a bigger way for her not so appreciative mother it was also the story of two people that have wanted to be close but never felt the timing was right before. Jen was not as hard or as easy as she appeared to be in parts of the book just as T.J. was not as uptight and nerdy as Jen thought he was.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 stars
This is the first book I read in the Whiskey and Wedding series; this book is number two of the series. The plot of the story was well developed and kept my interest. The characters were fully formed and I did not need knowledge in the prior book for me to understand this story fully.
That being said, I did not care for this book very much. I reasons I did not like it have more to do with what the story was about, than how it was written. I think the characters, especially Jen, are very trashy with the background of casual sex. It seemed like a bad soap opera with the characters alluding to the many sexual relations of the past. I understand it is a romance story, but I don’t consider casual sex with many partners, romance, that is sex.
I also understand that adults are the result of their history. A bad childhood could result in a very hurt adult that covers the hurt with a hard shell. That would be what I originally thought of Jen. As the story progressed, I was not sorry for Jen, I felt more like she was stuck and wanted to be stuck there. She had talent and opportunity, but chose to stay in her surroundings that were not benefiting her.
Another thing that really turned me off was the frequent usage of the F word. I did a search after I finished the book. 24 times it is used in the book. I don’t mind it being used if it is necessary for the plot of a book or movie, but this just seemed extreme to me, and with all the words in the dictionary, not needed. After I search f**k, I also search Bitch; which was used 21 times.
Maybe This Time is a phenomenal contemporary romance by Nicole McLaughlin. Ms. McLaughlin has given us a well-written book, a nice smooth read. The characters in this book will tug at your heartstrings in this second chance romance. Kudos to Ms. McLaughlin for the outstanding characters. Jen is crushed when the community theater she works for closes. She is forced to take a temp job working for the Stag Distillery. TJ is one of the owners of the Stag Distillery and broke Jen’s heart when they were kids. Their story is an emotional rollercoaster of drama, humor, hurt feelings, worry, sizzle and misunderstandings. I enjoyed reading Maybe This Time. This book captured me at the first page and kept me glued to my kindle until the end. Maybe This Time is book 2 of the Whiskey and Weddings Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy of this book that I received from NetGalley.