A Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestseller.From USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke comes a witty romance about first love and second chances.After being burned by her dream job in New York City, sports journalist Neely Kimber suddenly finds herself jobless and paying a long-overdue visit to her hometown in Tennessee. Her plan? Relax, reset, and head back up the corporate ladder. … and head back up the corporate ladder. There’s just one unexpected step. Neely’s back in Dogwood Lane for barely a day when she sees the man she ran from nine years ago: the bad boy next door who was her first kiss, her first love, and her first heartbreak.
Devoted single dad Dane Madden knows he hurt Neely in the worst way. He’s got a lot to make up for. And as passionate as their reconnection is, it’s a lot to hope for. Having her back in his arms feels so right. But falling in love all over again with a woman who wants to live a world away is bound to go so wrong.
What’s it going to take for Neely to give him—and Dogwood Lane—just one more chance?
more
Tumble was heartachingly beautiful!
Neely and Dane have a tainted history. High school sweethearts scorned by one big mistake that Dane won’t regret. Yet, Dane’s actions from years ago devastated Neely to the point that she moved out of their hometown and never looking back. Spending the past nine years in New York chasing her dreams, Neely feels like she has it all, sort of. Until she gets passed up for a promotion at work, quits, and heads back to Dogwood Lane.
Dane and Neely, despite their pasts, just can’t seem to quit each other. While pain and regret weave through these pages, second chance at love is in the air, and romance is full of forgiveness and love. There’s the promise of hope and a new beginning… if they can just let go.
Of note: I love that this book introduces a new cast and I can’t wait to see what shenanigans the Dogwood Lane crew can get into!
Looking for a small town second-chance romance with lots of laughs and plenty of feels? Then this is the book you’re looking for!
Aside from Graham (Switch), Dane is right up there as my favorite Adriana Locke hero. This man… He’s amazing, but he’s not perfect. He’s made his mistakes but he owns them. He’s a stand-up guy dripping with charm and oozing sex appeal, but he’s still down to earth, a simple guy trying to do right by his daughter.
Neely is…complicated. She’s stuck on the past and her anger often leads her astray. But that doesn’t make her a bad person, it makes her human. And to see her true personality come through as the story goes on is beautiful. She’s funny and sweet, sassy and extremely stubborn.
I love the back and forth from these characters. You can feel the history, the chemistry, and the hurt that binds Dane and Neely. It bleeds from the pages. And with a supporting cast like this one, you never find yourself short of laughter or a smile, which makes this a perfectly balanced book. I have so much love for this story. AL always packs in plenty of feels to her stories and Tumble is no exception. This one gets all the stars from me.
TUMBLE is the first book in a small town series, Dogwood Lane. It’s a standalone with a fabulous cast of characters.
Neely Kimber needs a place to recoup after quitting her job in New York. So after ten long years, Neely returns to her hometown in Dogwood Lane, Tennessee. She’s happy to revisit her old friends and her Mama. The only thing she’s unsure about? Running into Dane, her high school sweetie and the man she wanted to marry. Dane is a single dad to the uber adorable Mia. He missed his moment with the love of his life, Neely, but when he runs into her again, he desperately wants a second chance. Can these two wayward lovers put their past behind them to find happiness?
So, let me first admit that I seriously debated between 4 and 5 stars. And I can’t really tell you why! Not without giving away THE REASON Neely and Dane broke up because that’s a humongous part of the story. BUT…I know that a lot of readers will be disappointed in Dane. Here’s my advice: DON’T GIVE UP ON HIM! He wormed his way into my heart and I was cheering him on by the end of the book.
Now, here’s why I settled on 5 stars. Ms Locke has the uncanny ability to completely draw you into her stories so that it seems you’re experiencing all the emotions just like the characters are. It keeps you invested until the very last page! I’m not going to make excuses for Dane’s horrible behavior but at the same time, I know what it’s like to make a colossal mistake. Also, I was especially impressed with Neely’s ability to forgive. She was tough but she had a huge heart and I loved her willingness to make amends and to place blame exactly where it needed to be. Then there’s the amazing side characters that give the story that extra pizzazz! I can’t wait for their stories!
Overall, this was a tantalizing read with characters that felt real, flaws and all. My emotions ran a whole gamut, from aggravation to appreciation, from happiness to sorrow. Sigh…! Told from dual POVs with a sweet ending. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.
No one is perfect.
Some mistakes we can forgive but can w forget?
Life is to short for anger and not love.
Adriana, you have done a fantastic job with this new series.
Some people will hate, a lot of people will love, forgive & forget is hard but isn’t impossible, life is so full of beautiful things.
I’m writing this piece of a review from a hospital bed full of health issues, waiting for surgery this afternoon and I can see how people can be passionate with words, sometimes mistakes happen, and that’s ok to forgive if you love that person.
Dane & Neely have so much to go through and rediscover themselves, has been a long time for them, but the true feelings still there, healthy, pulsing, the chemistry is strong, they need to finish their love story.
I swooned in this book, real problems, and fell in love for them.
I can’t wait to read the next book.
4.5 Stars
This is the first book in a new series by Adriana Locke and it kicks off with a bang. It’s a second chance love story. I was won over by this book because Dane is a single dad, but once you get the back story for Dane and Neely it will hit you right in the heart. It shows you what heart and strength that Neely has when she returns to her hometown to see what awaits her. Dane’s little girl is just too adorable. This book had me laughing a crying. All the characters were fantastic. You know it’s a good book when you don’t want to end and you’re already anticipating books for the secondary characters.
It’s been a minute since I last read an Adriana Locke book and this book reminded me why I enjoy her stories so much! Neely is back in Tennessee licking her wounds. Work has disappointed her and she’s in a desperate need of a break from NYC. Neely and Dane have a past. She doesn’t want to relieve what happened between them, but due to their friends, being around each other is unavoidable. I enjoyed the way Adriana drew the reader in and found these two people still drawn to each other and caring about each other despite the things of the past. It was a sweet second-chance romance that made me swoon and FEEL all the emotions. I thought this was a fun start to this series and I’m looking forward to the next book!
Oh my goodness I freaking loved this story!!! The raw emotions with grappling devastation!! And utter betrayal!!
Neely heads back home to take a few days off the hustle and bustle of New York City. Running into her ex first thing is NOT a good thing.
Dane…. What a gorgeous hunk. Southern boy with all the charm. Single father of the adorable Mia. He can’t possibly be more irresistible.
Sparks fly and a rekindle of the first love romance brings every full circle.
I didn’t want to put this down and I hate second chance novels. The author makes you forget that and makes you fall in love.
What a great read! The writing flowed well, and I was sucked in right from the start. Dane and Neely were great together, and their chemistry was hot! Yes, Dane was an idiot 10 years ago. He did something stupid for the right reasons. That decision led to something that he just couldn’t regret. While I would have expected a little more apologizing, I was still happy to see Dane and Neely get a second chance. I liked Neely for the most part, but I had my moment when I was disappointed in her as well. When she’s in the gas station, and the lady from the gym stops her I was like PREACH!! She brought a lot of her pain on herself. The secondary characters in this story were great! I loved Matt, Penn, Hayley and Mia. They added so much to the story! I was SO happy to see these 2 get their HEA. The ending was sweet and perfect for them!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
This story is a classic Adriana Locke story. It’s small town romance with the cast of characters you expect to see in her books. It’s about Neely, who decides to go back home to visit the small town that she grew up in after leaving her job in New York City. She runs into her high school boyfriend, Dane that she left 9 years earlier and the sparks fly. It’s not all flowers and candy. They have a difficult past to maneuver.
Neely doesn’t know when she will return to NYC so she just hangs out with some old friends and her mom. She used to be a gymnast, so she helps teach some classes at her old gym and is idolized by a bunch of adorable little girls.
This story is filled with nostalgia. It wrings your heart dry. It’s a story of knowing when the time is right to change the destiny that you envisioned for yourself.
Tumble is the first book in the Dogwood Lane series. While I love this author and most everything she has written, this book was a hard no for me. I wanted to love it. But there were conflicts going on that prevented me from doing so. Neely is a strong character (mostly). And let’s not forget forgiving, even if it’s ten years on. I loved Dane and Neely together…until I didn’t. Dane is a dumb@$$. But his daughter is cute. I realize he’s grown up a bit, it’s been ten years after all, but I just thought he would gravel and beg to win her back or apologize even. Instead, he blamed it on Neely and that just took the cake.
What I liked:
I love this author’s writing style. The book was well written and the characters, although flawed, were written well and with depth.
What I didn’t like:
The actions of a couple of characters in particular. While ten years have passed, I, as a reader, can’t forgive Dane for his betrayal and plain dumb@$$ery. And it really made me mad Neely did and apologized for something that wasn’t her fault!
I love second chance romances usually, this one just rubbed me the wrong way and I just couldn’t get over it. I know some people who live for the drama and angst in books and I highly recommend this book for those peeps, that’s just not for me.
Intriguing and compelling second chance romance that really begged the question are second chances worth it?
Well written with solid characters, Neely and Dane’s second chance romance starts out as many in this genre do. Heartbreak when your young, never forget, can a second chance be in store.
This second chance romance had a unique and poignant twist where I honestly didn’t agree with the actions and consequences that could possibly lead to a second chance. (Maybe a meet up so I could castrate, but that’s not this genre.)
How the hero went about to come clean and own his actions I have to say was believable and painful. How the heroine responded again believable although I didn’t agree.
Nonetheless this book brought fourth emotions and struggles people who love face when they’ve been in a painful relationship.
Can you forgive and forget and do a second chance after what Dane did?
Read it and decide for yourself!
A new series from a fantastic author! I enjoyed this book a lot, but hard a rough time getting over the hurt Neely endured. A beautiful read about heartbreak, second chances & new beginnings. Dane hurt not only Neely, but himself because of choices he made out of stupidity. Although I had a hard time seeing Dane as more than a stupid jerk, his sweet single dad side hooked me a first interaction with the sweet, sassy Mia. Not sure anything can make me fall in love with a man quicker than a sexy, single dad, but add in southern gentleman & I’m gone. Stick a fork in me, I’m D O N E, Done!! I highly recommend this book. Told in dual POV.
*5 Stars*
I haven’t read many books by Adriana Locke as yet (on my TBR!), but this one definitely makes me want to catch up on all those that I have missed.
Neely and Dane’s story was fantastic. To each other, they’re both basically “the one that got away” and there are plenty of unresolved feelings and issues attached to their story.
After a huge decision in her New York life, Neely ends up back home visiting her Mum in Dogwood Lane, and boy oh boy do I love that little town. The characters in this story were fantastic. All our secondary characters were lots of fun and had well developed personalities, and I really can’t wait to read more about them in future books.
Dane and Neely of course have much to go through and discover about themselves and each other, and seeing them reconnect, and also meeting Mia, was wonderful. I fell in love with everything as I was reading this story.
The ending was also swoony and perfect and I highly recommend. Can’t wait for the next one in this series.
This was my first book by Adriana Locke and I am hooked! 3 of my favorite tropes in one story: second-chance romance, single father, and small town romance! This book will captivate you from the start and leave you wanting more from Dogwood Lane. One of my favorite reads of the year so far!
5 Second Chance Stars
I’m in love with this new series from Adriana Locke! I’m ALWAYS a sucker for second chance romance, and Locke just proves there really is no place like home.
Burned by her big city job in New York, Neely does the one thing she’s avoided since leaving her small town and the man who shattered her heart behind ten years ago…she goes home. What she didn’t expect was for it to feel so right and fill a void she didn’t realize she had. Seeing Dane again proves to her she’s still in love with the man no matter how much he hurt her all those years ago. Dane Madden has almost learned to forget about Neely Kimber, but seeing her back in their hometown brings all those feelings back to the forefront and reminds him how much he still loves her after all these years. He’s the reason she left town with a shattered heart and no matter how much he tries, he can’t bring himself to be sorry.
When these two see each other again, the sparks fly and the flame just grows stronger and stronger until it’s fully engulfed. Will Neely stay and give them another try or will she return to New York for the career she is determined to have? I loved every single page of this story and couldn’t get enough. The characters are amazing and I found myself laughing with them, and feeling the heartache as well. Adriana Locke always seems to have that one beloved character that everyone just falls in love with and in this new series it’s Penn. I LOVE him and cannot wait for his book. The writing as always is phenomenal. Locke is off to a great start with this new small town series and I can’t wait for more!
Angela – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
4.5 Stars
Tumble by Adriana Locke is the first book in the all new series Dogwood Lane. All I can say is wowwwww! I could not put it down for the life of me! Ms. Locke has an extraordinary way with words that catapults you into her fictional worlds and you never want to come back out. Tumble was an amazing second chance romance full of forgiveness, and friendship, and love.
After quitting her job, Neely returns to her hometown lost and needing to find her purpose. She hasn’t been back to Tennessee in a decade. She figures she’d go home for a few days and then be back in NYC with a brand new job. What she doesn’t count on is running into her ex, Dane. He broke her heart in so many ways and she’s never fully recovered. Neely doesn’t know what the future holds but she tries to tell herself Dane is not part of it. But what happens when she learns the truth of why he did what he did? Will they both be able to move past it?
I loved this story sooo much! I felt so many emotions while reading it. Dane and Neely were two amazing characters that were well developed and their chemistry was hot as hell!! I am so excited to see what’s next! Highly recommend reading this book!
Sweet, sexy small town love story!!
Adriana Locke just raised the bar as this is her best book to date!
Omg. I’m floored by this story. It has EVERYTHING you want in a romance. I adored the characters. They make you part of their family. The author captures your attention from page 1 and you truly can’t put it down. It is a story of real life romance. This book has great characters and a second chance romance that melts your heart!! I can’t wait to see how this series unfolds!!
Tumble (Dogwood Lane #1) is the first novel in this brand-new blue collar small town romance series.
I was attracted to the cover plus two other series written by this author are favourites of mine so I wanted to check out this new series.
Told in dual pov with a hea, with tropes encompassing: single dad romance, second chance romance, small town romance etc.
Character’s are flawed, honest and realistic all the way. Supporting character’s are playful, and loveable.
Dane’s daughter Mia stole the spotlight with her adorableness. I loved her as she was my favourite character.
Brimming with history Dane and Neely plummet through their past to get a chance at a future.
The twisty plot revealed about their history leaves you a bit nauseated though.
Rock brass tacks set the limelight to this single dad, second chance, small town romance.
Looking forward to reading the next book in this brand-new contemporary romance series.
There’s nothing I love more than a second-chance romance, but a single dad and an adorable, precocious kid are the icing on the cake. However, I should warn you, this one is deceptively evocative. You’ll be reading along, thinking it’s all smooth sailing with calm waters and sunshine, and then BOOM. With a simple line or two this author delivers a shot to your heart and all of the emotions tumble out.
Neely and Dane have quite the past. Childhood friends and high school sweethearts, Dane makes what he thinks is an altruistic choice, borne of love, and breaks up with Neely before she leaves to attend college out of state. He always hoped they would find their way back to each other, but then, in one night of drunken stupidity, Dane’s actions put the final nail in the coffin of any reconciliation with Neely. Now, Neely is taking a break from her big city life and back home in Tennessee and, as luck would have it, the first person she runs into is Dane. Although Neely is a kind and generous person, when all the old feelings of both love and devastation rise to the surface, how can she ever forgive Dane for breaking her heart?
Tumble is my first book by Ms. Locke, and with it, she has effortlessly secured herself a spot on my list of must-read authors. Circumstances prevented me from reading straight through, and every time, I was annoyed and impatient for life to get out of my way so I could return to Sam and Neely. Their story captivated me from page one and these beautifully flawed but innately good characters captured my heart immediately. Then, before I knew what had even happened, this couple absolutely broke my heart! But I held fast on the journey, through their past heartache, their present challenges and their most touching, poignant moments until finally, their forever was secured.
Dane and Neely definitely own a permanent piece of my heart after reading their story. Dane is everything we love to see in a small-town hero, but the way he loves, protects and banters with his daughter had me falling for him all over again. Neely is genuine, caring and giving, while also career minded and driven, and everyone loves her. Although I usually lose patience with a character who seems to be shooting her relationship in the foot, I felt every bit of Neely’s struggle, and it all made perfect sense to me. I never stopped pulling for her and Dane to find their happily ever after.
I loved everything about this book! From the author’s gift of crafting a story and the flawless editing to the charming small town that came vividly alive, this book was such a pleasure to read. The secondary characters are just as complex, colorful and endearing as the main characters, and little Mia and her friends stole the show more than once. With undeniable chemistry and laugh-out-loud moments, the perfect placement of these elements packed just as much of a punch as the emotional component. A little silly, a lot sweet, humorous, poignant and heartfelt, this is one you absolutely don’t want to miss!
*I reviewed an advance copy of this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.
5 TUMBLE STARS!! Wow, What a great start to a new series. I loved Dane and Neely’s story, it is a page turner with all the feels for a second chance romance. Mia the little girl is so fun, sweet and a great addition to the story. I can’t wait for more books from this series there are great characters that we need to hear more from. This is a must 1-Click, it is so good.