Monday, October 9, 2017

Second Chance Kisses (An Echo Ridge Anthology) {Review}


Second Chance Kisses (An Echo Ridge Anthology)
Kindle Edition, 513 pages
Published September 15th 2017



Can you remember your first love? Have you ever wondered what would happen if you had a second chance to follow your heart? In this collection of novellas written by award-winning and bestselling authors, come home to Echo Ridge as summer winds down and hearts once broken and lost are given one more chance, a second chance to love.

A Brand New Second Chance by Lucy McConnell
With a broken heart and an unsure future, Abigail Martin moves home to Echo Ridge to capture the parts of her teenage years she missed out on because she’d had a steady boyfriend. Kissing a random guy, flirting with strangers, hanging out at Fay’s after a football game—all of it. Carter Montgomery offers his help, because he’s a helpful kind of guy, and she quickly falls for his quiet humor, kindness, and heated kisses. Fearing that she hasn’t lived enough of life to settle down, Abigail must decide if she’s going to break Carter’s heart or give love a brand new second chance.

A Perfect Fit by Janette Rallison
Jojo Halifax believes that winning Echo Ridge's float competition is just what her fledgling art career needs. And if that means giving her ex-boyfriend, Anthony, a second chance so she can be a designer on his team, well, she's willing to make the sacrifice. But when a lost bet leads to a blind date with her brother's friend, Wyatt, she begins to have second thoughts about second chances. Wyatt is handsome and charming and just might have been paid to make her forget about Anthony. Is falling for his charm worth the risk or should she take Anthony back again?

Almost Home by Heather Tullis
Damon lived in ten towns while growing up, but Echo Ridge is one of the few that started to feel like home before his parents relocated their family again. Now a widower, moving back to the small ski resort town is irresistible for him—but somewhat less so for his daughter, Maggie. Learning that Haley, the girl who had gotten away, is back in town is an unexpected bonus.

When Haley left a high-powered job in New York City to take care of her grandmother, she never expected to run into the boy she’d been crushing on sixteen years earlier. When they end up working together on the homecoming float, she finds the attraction between them just as compelling as before. But when given a choice, will she give him her heart, or leave love behind to return to her job in the city?

Change of Plans by Cami Checketts
Kaitlyn Johanson comes home to Echo Ridge planning to bring the sparks back with her high school boyfriend, Mason, work at Kenworth's, and enjoy family and the beautiful valley. She never expected her heartthrob, national-acclaimed lacrosse player, Axel Olsen, would visit her hometown. When Axel steals her attention and possibly her heart from the man she was supposed to marry, she has to choose if she'll take a risk on new love or give old love a second chance.

Coming Home to Love by Rachelle J. Christensen
When Laney Richins left Echo Ridge, New York eight years ago, she vowed she’d never return, but life had other plans. Those plans included her cute little boy and a divorce, so Laney moved back home and started over. Working in the flower shop seems like the perfect plan until Billy Redford, the man she should have married shows up.
Billy Redford’s heart was broken when his high school sweetheart turned her back on him and fled Echo Ridge for the big city lights. Running into Laney in Echo Ridge now brings up past feelings he thought were long gone. She’s prettier than ever, still seems to read his mind, and despite his protests ends up on the building and decorating committee with him for the Homecoming dance.

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My Review: 

A BRAND NEW SECOND CHANCE -- 5 Stars
Sometimes high school sweethearts last and sometimes they don't. Abigail was so wrapped up in her boyfriend from high school and on, that she missed out of a lot and couldn't shine. Coming home single allows her to find her true destiny and I loved that she's not afraid to jump back in and take chances. I enjoyed watching her live her teenage years the way that she should have and loved the swoony kisses that resulted from her adventures. I love the idea of enjoying that time of life and getting to experiencing those things, even though it is during another phase of life.

Coming home to Echo Ridge is like going back home to my small hometown and brings a lot of nostalgic feelings. The traditions and familiar characters really bring a lovely feeling to the story.

A PERFECT FIT -- 5 Star
This collection is all about Homecoming and the parade with business-built floats is the cap of the week. Jojo is a talented artist but doesn't believe in herself. Her brother's ploy to get her away from her loser boyfriend is for his college friend to seduce her. With humor and fun, this romantic comedy won my heart, especially with the tender moments that came stemmed from love. Jojo and Wyatt are both charming and sweet and this story captured my heart.

ALMOST HOME -- 4 Stars
Stories of sacrifice always warm my soul. Haley leaves a great job in the city to care for her aging grandmother and that move proves to be smart for her romantic life. Damon moves back home, hoping a change of pace will help his teenage daughter deal with life after her mom's death. Each character puts others before their own needs, but that doesn't stop love from seeping into their busy lives. I loved Damon's daughter, Maggie, because she really brings them together through her infectious personality and bond with the grandma. The importance of family really shines through.

CHANGE OF PLANS -- 5 Stars
This story didn't overlap with the town's Homecoming celebrations as much as the others, but I swooned like you wouldn't believe. Kaitlyn has a long-time steady boyfriend, but the sparks are gone and she can't help but to come alive around lacrosse superstar, Axel. Their instant connection is full of magnetic chemistry and although I didn't completely agree with how it all played out, I was a definite fan of the risks and outcome. Sometimes you just have to trust and follow your heart.

COMING HOME TO LOVE -- 4 Stars
A second chance with a high school sweetheart is very endearing, especially when the timing is finally right. Sometimes life's experiences need to shape and mold a person to who become who she is meant to be and that's just what happens with Laney. Billy had his heart broken before but now is the time to hold on to what he's always wanted. This is a sweet cap to the collection and I enjoyed it. The whole book left me feeling like I was in Echo Ridge to visit old friends and to make new ones and I hope I get to visit again soon.

Content: mild romance in all; very mild religious elements in a few of them.

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Buy Link:

http://amzn.to/2go4mjk

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