Previously published; newly refreshed by author–including bonus chapters! Welcome back to Petal, Georgia in this spin-off of the Chase Brothers series by Lauren Dane. At twenty-eight, Lily Travis never imagined she’d be back living with her mom and dealing with her messed-up little brother. Yet that’s exactly where she finds herself, seven long years after she left Petal, Georgia–and the boy … Georgia–and the boy who broke her heart–in the dust. Her first order of business? Getting her ex to help turn her brother’s life around.
If he happens to notice just how much she hasn’t been missing him, all the better.
As a teacher, Nathan Murphy is used to dealing with the unexpected, but nothing prepares him for Lily–looking like a smokin’ hot vintage pinup come to life–strolling through his door and right back into his heart. He always regretted the way things ended between them; this could be his chance to make up for past mistakes.
Lily can’t resist Nathan’s Southern-honey charm, or the way he makes her melt when she’s in his arms. She fell for him once–falling for him again could destroy her. But it could also mean finding love in the last place she ever expected: home
FREE BONUS CHAPTERS INCLUDED IN THIS EDITION!
A Visit to Petal, Part One: Alone Time
All couples need a little alone time. Glimpse what the citizens of Petal are up to in between Once and Again and Lost In You, the next book in the series. Now available at the end of the novel!
One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!
This book is approximately 46,000 words
more
The first book in the contemporary romance series, Petal, Georgia is an emotionally gripping tale that enthralls readers from the very beginning. This second chance, small town romance is full of sizzling chemistry and an undeniable attraction but the relationship is hampered by the past, by family issues and all the emotional turbulence that goes along with it which captures readers by the heart, especially as Lily and Nathan are strong, captivating characters that easily draws readers into their story. Readers can’t help but feel for the strong willed and determined Lily as she struggles to help her family pick up the pieces after a devastating blow cripples them emotionally and for charmingly sexy Nathan as he tries to convince Lily that he’s not the same boy and that he made a mistake.
This suspenseful romance builds expectation with a steady pace that keeps readers thoroughly engaged while drawing them deeper into this small town and the Chase the family which is full of love, loyalty and a sincere caring that readers can’t help but feel as it pours from the pages of this heartwarming romance as Nathan tries to win Lily’s heart.
Once and Again by Lauren Dane is book One in the Petal, Georgia Series. This is the story of Nathan Murphy and Lily Travis.
Lily and Travis were friends when they were younger that turned into a romantic relationship. Then he did something that Lily couldn’t forgive at the time which broke them up. Now years later she has returned to town to help her younger brother who is left on his own while their parents are going through a divorce and midlife crisis. This puts back in Nathan’s world because he is her brother’s teacher.
This was a good second chance read.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Ruthie –
This is a revised version of the book, with a really lovely novelette which gives us a peek into a few couples’ lives one evening – it is fun, so don’t forget to turn to it at the end of the book.
I read the Chase Brothers books as they came out, but had not read this one before, so it was a real treat to go back to Petal and all the interlinking families, headed by the indomitable Polly and her lovely husband, Edward. Even though it is a long while and many, many books since I read the earlier books, I was catapulted straight back into their world, and I loved every minute of it.
Lily has had to come home, stalling her promising photographic career, to look after her teenage brother who is falling through the cracks, as her father has left home with the babysitter. Her mother is self-medicating and her sister only turns up when she needs more money. This is a good reminder that whether wealthy or not, families are not what they seem behind closed doors. Lily is determined to get her brother back on track, even when that means dealing with her ex, Nathan, who teaches at the high school.
Nathan is mesmorised by the returning beauty that he foolishly let go at college – something he realised even then, but was too naive to solve. He enlists the help of his extended family to ensure that he gets the chance to make it right.
Cue a whole range of interventions designed to get the two of them back together. It is at times funny, sometimes cute, but it cannot be denied that Lily could do with positive influences in her brother’s life, so she takes the support, and finds herself welcomed back into small town life.
Lily was far the bigger character for me, even with Nathan being built up as the strong one. She was a delight with her ingenuity and business acumen, but also with her discretion over the house ownership, and the strength to support her mother as well as her brother. She deserved the recognition from Polly.
I am looking forward to the next updated story with pleasure.
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Check out our Once and Again post on Wicked Reads at http://bit.ly/WRPetalGA1