The Second Chance Cafe

So I was lucky enough to get an ARC for Alison Kent's The Second Chance Cafe.

The book comes out March 2013 from Montlake Romance.

My recommendation to you, Bake brownies before you even open the book (and then try the recipes inside -- OMG YUM!)

The Second Chance Cafe is a story of Secrets, Love, Forgiveness, and all the fun of living in a small town where nobody forgets anything and everyone knows everything or so they think. It brought me back to my own life in a small town.

Without giving away anything, this book is the story of Kaylee Flynn, a former foster child, who's moved back to the only home she ever truly knew intent on untangling the mysteries of her past. Her plans are to open a Cafe in the house and in doing so, she meets contractor Tennessee Keller. Tennessee or Ten as everyone calls him, has his own past to face.

As they work together and get to know one another, of course feelings develop and both of them fall in love with the other. There is however the matter of their pasts and both are resolved more or less. You really have to read the book to find out all of these details because I'm not spoiling it.

I fell in love with Kaylee from the get go. Even with the questions about her past and the memories of her upbringing, she kept moving along and following her dreams. And her dog, Magoo -- who couldn't love him. If I had a Magoo, I might be a dog person!

Tennessee wasn't a hard sell either. From the start, you could tell he was a gentle soul, even if he didn't understand it. The way he tried to protect everyone and handed out second chances was awe-inspiring. He was everything good in a man, you'd want there but so much more.

I absolutely adored Kaylee and Ten's journey to each other and to resolving their pasts. It's not always easy for them, but it was real. Each step they made towards each other was full of emotion and I felt like I needed to cheer them on. Kaylee pushed Ten to recognize some truths from his past and Ten pushed Kaylee to learn more about her past. In this they were perfect for each other, a wonderful support system.

Kaylee and Ten's story is beautifully woven around tales of their friends and family. I adored so many of the secondary characters of this book. I felt right at home in Hope Springs and I cannot wait for the rest of the series.

Thanks Alison for the ARC and the chance to meet and fall in love with these characters and with Hope Springs in general. Bring on Luna's story!

Will post this review on both Amazon & Good Reads closer to pub. date.

Excerpt and order info available  HERE