First love. Second chances. In Catalina Cove, anything can happen… Cove to run the family business, he knew there’d be no avoiding Bryce. The woman he thought he’d one day marry was instead the biggest heartbreak of his life. But when Bryce lets slip a devastating secret, he discovers just how wrong he was to let her go all those years ago.
He knows they both still feel the spark between them, but it’ll take more than attraction to convince her. Kaegan will pull out all the stops to show Bryce he’s the man who can give her the future they once dreamed of—if only they give love a second chance.
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Terrific story of second chances, friendship, and forgiveness. I have been waiting for this book ever since reading the first two in the series, Love in Catalina Cove and Forget Me Not. It was clear in both books that there is history between Bruce and Kaegan. The palpable animosity is only eclipsed by the sparks that are also there.
Bryce and Kaegan, along with Vashti, were best friends growing up. After Vashti moved away, Bryce and Kaegan’s friendship evolved into love, which lasted through high school and into college. But a misunderstanding split them apart, and they have spent the last ten years hating each other because of it. With Kaegan’s recent return to Catalina Cove, seeing each other nearly every day only aggravates the feelings.
I had to laugh and roll my eyes at Kaegan and Bryce. Though both insist that they detest each other and have moved on from their earlier relationship, it is evident to their friends (and the reader) that that is anything but the truth. As readers, we finally get the story of what drove the two apart. I must admit that though I sympathized somewhat with Kaegan, I leaned more toward Team Bryce on this issue. When Kaegan saw his girl in the arms of another man, he immediately jumped to the conclusion that she had betrayed him. Rather than confronting her and finding out the truth, he broke up with her in a cruel manner. When Bryce went to him to try to explain, he refused to listen and behaved even worse. Bryce was brokenhearted but also furious that he hadn’t trusted her enough to even listen to what she had to say. That lack of trust crushed her.
I enjoyed the rekindling of their relationship. Since Bryce and Kaegan shared the same group of friends, they saw each other frequently and the sniping at each other was a constant. I liked Vashti’s attempts to get them past it and at least repair their friendship. The most recent party at Kaegan’s house was pretty much the last straw for Bryce after Kaegan’s most recent attack. When he made some snide comment a few days later about the wedding that Bryce attended, she finally unloaded on him. It was immensely satisfying to see Kaegan realize just how big a mistake he’d made and what an utter ass he was. He also finally admitted to himself that he still cared for her and that he wanted back in her life.
Kaegan had a difficult task in front of him. He knows he has to earn back Bryce’s trust before she risks her heart on him. He is patient and persistent. I loved watching him take the friendship road first. He works his way back into her life by offering to help her study for her real estate exam. There were some sweet scenes as he worked hard to keep his attraction under control and do what he can to help her. He’s also a little devious as he finds ways to remind her of the good times in their past.
Bryce is understandably wary of Kaegan’s about-face. She is glad that he knows the truth and has admitted his stupidity, but she’s not willing to risk her heart on him again. Bryce expresses her forgiveness, and agrees to see if they can be friends again, but insists that there will be nothing more. But try as she might, it is hard to deny the way he still makes her feel.
I liked watching Kaegan and Bryce get to know the adult versions of each other. Both have changed. Bryce is more independent. Kaegan had been her focus before their breakup, and she now looks to herself for happiness and satisfaction. Kaegan is more confident in himself. He no longer has the insecurities of his childhood as the son on an abusive drunk and looked down on because of his heritage. I loved Kaegan’s support of Bryce and his confidence in her professionally, especially when it came to the other agent he used. The attraction between them had also changed, and the heat between them was intense.
It took Bryce a bit longer to realize the truth of her feelings, and when she did, it was almost too late. Unknown to both Kaegan and Bryce, there was someone who did not like their rekindled romance. My mind went to two people when the incidents began but quickly settled on one of them. The tension increased as this person became more resentful. I was glued to the pages as Bryce ends up in extreme danger. I loved the presence of mind that helped her escape and provided a very satisfying resolution. I liked Kaegan and Bryce’s big moment at the end.
One of the great things about this book was the depth of the friendships. I loved the give-and-take among the men as they gave Kaegan a hard time, but they were there for him when he needed them. Vashti’s need to end the split between Kaegan and Bryce showed how much both meant to her. I loved seeing everyone come together at the end.
I hope that this isn’t the last of the Catalina Cove books. I love the location and the people. I’m also intrigued by the brief mention of a Madaris coming to the Cove, and wondering if there is going to be a crossover book. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the future.
Bryce and KG. This was dumb. They were teenagers, young adults when they had the misunderstanding. 400 years later, they are BOTH still upset and neither one had the complete story.
I wondered how they could spend all of that time together and NOT have a conversation about the truth. Also, I didn’t understand why Bryce thought she made it clear to that guy that she DID NOT want to see him again. She was down right wimpy about it.
One of the final straws for me was when KG discovered Bryce in their special underground cavern or whatever. Flipping through a magazine like nothing happened. Really??
The book ventured off into ridiculousness, and Bryce was not one of my favorite people. KG holding on to his anger that long didn’t do much for me either. I thought it would have been great if more had been done with all the things that were happening to Bryce and Kaegan.
I would say that you should read this one and judge for yourself.
Another sexy read from Brenda Jackson! I swear I feel like she’s the best at romance! I know exactly what to expect each time but I’m always amazed. Her writing style is so whimsical and enchanting. This book was so hard to put down. I was in love with the characters. A beautiful rekindled love story.
I love all of Brenda Jackson books. Waitting for the next one
Great read!
Good story about love
I’m sorry I stopped reading this story at chapter 2 because it didn’t grab my interest.
Bryce was every bit the strong independent woman that had only one heart to give. She could not conceal the pain of her heart, but she tried. She loved one man most of her life and he believed a lie. She could not forgive the pain that it caused her. She only wanted to move forward in her life. Kaegan was the one man for her, but she could not see pass the past to a future with him.
Kaegan knows that he love this woman. He knows that he would never be able to forget her. He needs to work on forgiving her. Or could it be he does not know the truth just the lie present. Sometimes life hands you a second chance to make the first one count towards that HEA.
This was the second of the series and no less heart involving. I loved Bryce and Kaegan both as individuals. They both provided clarity, friendship, and understand for their friends. Why could they not do it for each other? This was another adulting relationship that had its ups and downs but still gave a good story that did not follow a stale pattern. There was chances taken. Together these two were each others true home.
I always enjoy a Brenda Jackson book. I find that I search out for her books to read I enjoy them so much.
Great book
Loved this series!!!
Kaegan & Bryce were friends whose friendship turned into a romance until stubbornness, pride & a misunderstanding broke them apart. Now, they are both back in their hometown & doing the best to ignore each other.
I really enjoyed this story. It shows how misunderstandings can drive anyone apart if you don’t work them out. Once Bryce & Kaegan talked it out, they both see how their personality quirks helped to drive them apart. They were both insecure in their backgrounds, appearance & the relationship. The attraction stayed hot & intense over all the years. Very entertaining story that pulled me in from the beginning.
Jackson nails it again
Ten years ago, childhood best friends and high school sweethearts Kaegan Chambray and Bryce Witherspoon seemed well on their way to Happily Ever After until a big misunderstanding got in the way. Now that they have both moved back to Catalina Cove, they can’t help but antagonize each other every chance they get. When Kaegan finds out the truth, he realizes how wrong he was is now determined to get back together with Bryce. Will Bryce overcome her hesitation and give Kaegan and herself another chance finding love and happiness?
This book held my attention from start to finish. The plot was well-developed, but there were some passages that, in my opinion, were unnecessarily repeated over and over through the entire story. This is the first time I read Brenda Jackson’s writing and I look forward to reading more of her books!
Finding Home Again is a small town, second-chance contemporary romance written in third person. No cliffhanger, no cheating.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review.
I’ve been reading Brenda Jackson for a long time and although I may not be a fan of every story, it’s hard not to love this author. Characters like Bryce and Kaegan are the main reason why. Finding Home Again grabbed in every sense of the word. Haunted by a love that once was, that was never meant to be. Stalked by danger. Hoping for a chance to begin again. Jackson appeals to the heart with intriguing accuracy. From heartbreaking romance to heartstopping suspense, Finding Home Again packs a wide range of emotion.