Marcus Temple escaped his despised birthplace, driven by his passion for music. Now a sophisticated, world-class cellist, he must return when his mother suffers a severe stroke. Going back also means dealing with the woman whose heart he broke when he left—Mattie Bendixon.More comfortable in overalls than orchestra seats, Mattie’s childhood dreams were simple—working for her grandfather’s … grandfather’s construction company and building a life with Marcus. His ambitions forced her to abandon one goal, and now her beloved company is also under threat.
Mattie thinks she sees a way to save Bendixon and Sons—if she can convince Marcus to stay in his hated hometown for one month. All she has to risk is her heart.
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A great second chance romance with amazing characters that will get you excited about this series!
Mattie and Marcus may have grown up in the same place, but now they’re from different worlds. Back when their relationship became more than friendship, Marcus made it clear that his life was meant for something more, somewhere else, and it didn’t include Mattie. When Marcus’s mother becomes ill, he rushes home and discovers that the years apart have done nothing to quell the attraction he has for Mattie. Much to Mattie’s dismay, she’s still attracted to him too, regardless of the fact he broke her heart.
I loved how things weren’t perfect…actually downright awkward might describe some of their interactions. But when the past is put away and forgiveness prevails, they find a rhythm within their hearts to make the best of the time they have together before their different worlds separate them again. When feelings change and life is seen in a whole new way, are there any chances left?
Mattie and her sisters are strong, feisty, relatable, and fun to read about…can’t wait for Jo and Camryn’s books!
What a wonderful read, my heart feels full and I have a smile on my face.
Mattie is an amazing woman, I loved her, she’s soft but hard at the same time, determined, caring and a touch devious when needed!
Marcus comes across as rather ‘self-important’ and a little inconvenienced on his arrival, his the successful cello player who can’t be pinned down in his home town, even if his mum is ill.
Mattie and Marcus take an interesting journey when revisiting a childhood friendship, feelings have been hurt in the past, but they’re both adults now so what harm could come with a rekindling while his in town. Well I loved their story, how it wasn’t a perfect road, the sexy times are on a more realistic line too, but still great!
I really like the authors writing, her characters come over as warm and real, and you can’t help rooting for them.
I found this book a real page turner, it was an easy read that I was desperate to finish but then wanted more lol.
4.5 stars
Marcus is world class cellist who is about to embark on a world tour raising his career to it’s pinnacle. He worked long and hard to escape the confines of the small town he had grown up in, leaving behind his mother and the girl that he could love. Mattie was his childhood friend, she and Marcus had shared so many things but while Marcus longed to escape, Mattie chose to stay and begin her chosen career as a contractor in the family business. Fast forward 15 years and Marcus’ mom suffers a stroke causing Marcus to return to the town he has loathed for so many years and to face Mattie once again. Will this tragedy bring them back together or break what little civility they share still. This story will cause your heart to flip flop while it contemplates the age old question – “He loves me, He loves me not?”
Bendixon Sisters Book One
This is the first book in a trilogy about the Bendixon sisters. This book is a wonderful second chance romance with amazing characters that have you wanting to read more!
The heroine Mattie Bendixon works for her grandfathers’ construction company, remodeling houses. She is a very strong woman who loves her job and family. Lately the business has suffered but her grandfather refuses to admit anything is wrong. Mattie knows a change needs to be made but doesn’t quite know how.
The hero Marcus Temple wants nothing to do with the small town he left behind. He’s become a world-class cellist living in Vancouver. However, he reluctantly returns home when he finds out his mother had a stroke. He has a hard time staying in the small town life.
Mattie lost her heart to Marcus a long time ago and she’s never really gotten it back. When he returns to town they have to revisit the past. She doesn’t want to leave her job with the construction company, and he doesn’t want to leave behind his blossoming career.
Mattie bets Marcus that he can’t stay in town for a month while she remodels his mother’s home. There are a lot of ups and downs for the two of them, but what happens when forgiveness wins and they have a chance to spend time together before fate steps in and separates them once more?
This story was real and full of life. Brenda Margriet does an amazing job of creating characters who are likable, caring and adds a deeper level of connection. I really felt like I was able to step into their world.
Mattie and her sisters, Jo and Camryn are so very relatable, strong and independent. I can’t wait to read the other stories in this series.
ALLEGRO COURT (Bendixon Sisters Series Book 1) by Brenda Margriet is a second chance contemporary romance set in British Columbia by a new to me author. The heroine is one of three sisters and I believe this will be the first book of a trilogy. This romance does stand on its own.
Matilda “Mattie” Bendixon has strong family ties and she grew up knowing she would work with her grandfather in the family construction company in Prince George. She loves her job and could not imagine doing anything else. Mattie lost the boy she always loved to his classical musical career, so the business is her life. Lately business has been very slow and Mattie is worried about the company, but her grandfather refuses to admit it is anything other than a slump that will change.
Marcus Temple is a world-class classical cellist living in Vancouver. He has always despised his home town and left as soon as possible. His beloved father, who taught him his love of music, died when he was 15 and his mother barely realized he was there. The only bright spot in his summers’ home was being with Mattie, but even that changed after high school. Now, he has been notified that his mother has had a stroke and he must return home to deal with his mother’s health and face once again the girl whose heart he broke.
Mattie believes she can save Bendixon and Sons. She makes a wager with Marcus to let her company do a rehab of his mother’s house over one month and in that month Marcus must stay in Prince George. While there is a financial incentive, it is really Mattie’s heart that is at risk. Marcus could leave again or he can face the fears and misconceptions of the young boy who lost his father.
Mattie and Marcus are both such wonderful characters. I really did not know how they could come together, but Ms. Margriet does a beautiful job writing realistic feelings and motivations that end with a HEA with both sides changing and growing. The secondary characters are fully fleshed out and the secondary plotline of Mattie’s grandfather and Marcus’ mother coming together is heartwarming. I got just enough information about Mattie’s two sisters to look forward to their stories, too. The sex scenes are explicit, but not overdrawn and I loved that the first one was included in the story (not everyone is always perfect). I can highly recommend this emotional second chance romance and I am looking forward to reading the sisters’ stories.
Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.
This is the second book I’ve read by Brenda Margriet and I loved it just as much as Chef d’ Amour. Allegro Court is the second chance romance between Marcus and Mattie. She has loved him for over half her life. He left Prince George when he was fifteen to attend school. He hasn’t visited more than a dozen times or so during that time. When his mom has a stroke, his only thought is to have her placed in a home, so he can get back to his life and music career as a cellist. Mattie dares him or bets him he can’t stay in town for a month. I won’t leave any spoilers, but I recommend this fantastic book to everyone that loves a good second chance romance. I can’t wait to read Jo and Camryn’s stories, when they are released.
3.5
You know these books that let you smile from the beginning to the end?
This is one of them .
It’s a sweet, swoony, second chance romance with a girl next door and the love of her life.
Mattie is a small town girl that knows what she wants and doesn’t let other people get in her way.
Except her childhood friend Marcus.
He is the one she can’t have.
He abandoned her for a career in the big world of music.
This beautiful story is a journey through unprocessed childhood problems and misunderstandings, that caused so many depressive thoughts and fears that the only way to escape them was to let it all behind and begin a new life in a new shiny world.
But like always in life, you should be careful what you wish for. Because what you wish for is seldom if ever what you need. I really enjoyed this beautiful sweet book .
This heartwarming story is a perfect holiday read for all romantics and HEA lovers.