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Hairballs and Homicide (A Kitty Beret Cafe Mystery, Book 1) by Ruth J Hartman – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Hairballs and HomicideHairballs and Homicide by Ruth J. Hartman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ellie Warren is a lady on her twenties and she just adores cats, so much so that she has a cafe dedicated to them, it is called the Kitty Beret Café. The café is also a boarding house for the cats, they live there until they are adopted into loving homes and the people who go there go mainly for the cats and a cat themed food or beverage item as a bonus, sometimes it is the other way round though, Ellie also has sells cat related merchandise, as well as making cat costumes, some of which the resident cats wear.

One day, Ellie has a customer who starts shrieking at the top of her lungs, in front of the many other customers say enjoying their lattes, complaining about the cats and how vile they are, proceeding to stomp out of the door with a threat to write something about how disgusting a place the Café is. Ellie thinks no more of it until two detectives come into the café to talk to her about a person who is found dead outside the back of her café, she is shocked to find out about it, especially when she finds out it is the woman from earlier in the day.

As the investigation goes on and Detective Simon Dare tries to figure out who the culprit is, Ellie’s cat Templeton starts bringing her unusual things, she keeps them to one side so that she can show Simon them later, but are they clues or just random objects? This is a cozy mystery full of feline mishaps and mayhem, but with Simon, Ellie and Templeton on the case, it is a mystery which will hook you in completely.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Hairballs and Homicide (Kitty Beret Café Mysteries Book 1) by Ruth J. Hartman – Review by Betsy Melano

Hairballs and HomicideHairballs and Homicide by Ruth J. Hartman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ellie Warren, a kitty cafe owner, finds a herself in a bit of trouble when a very cranky customer who seems to detest cats is found murdered in the alley behind the cafe. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started reading this book. It’s definitely got some mystery aspects to it. I thought it was fun the Ellie made outfits for the cats so that they get adopted by people that want a pet cat. The outfits Ellie makes sound so fun and it’s great the cats seem to tolerate them. Ellie sure sounds like a fun person to hang out with. I also like that Ellie seems to have a budding romance with detective Simon, helps that he seems to be a cat lover too.

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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Carlie Del Gallo

This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book that I have read by the author, and it will not be the last! I immediately fell in love with these characters from the first moment that I read stuff about them. Their story is one that was nice, unique and one that made me feel good when I was done reading it. I love good feel romances like this one so it was one that I read in one sitting and could not put down. Now I am off to buy more books from this author and to tell all of my friends about this book! It will be one that I reread over and over.

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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Rayne East

This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Healing and happiness found again
Circumstances have a way of presenting themselves when needed. Chase and Katie have had their fair share of ups and downs. This was a quick read for me but did not lack in depth in characterisation and storyline. A contempt second chance romance, the story has the right balance of steam and angst with both Chase and Katie needing to face issues for the past. Very engaging read!

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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Nichole Chrisman

This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This Time Around focuses on our FMC returning home to a wedding. Circumstances have left her going alone and the bride sets her up with her ex as a date. He’s hurt by their past and over the loss of his brother and sil while trying to raise his nephew. This story has emotion and an hea. It is a quick and easy read that reminded me of a Hallmark movie (in the BEST way possible).

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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Donya Pedigo

This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Are second chances really possible, Katie and Chase are about to find out. This Time Around by Jane Suen is a fun, fast paced read that lets you experience a couple days in the lives of Katie and Chase.

Katie and Chase were high school sweethearts, but when time came for Katie to leave for college things took a turn for the worst. She ended up breaking his heart, which he never truly recovered from.
Fast forward ten years and Chase is now raising his nephew, while Katie is consumed by her work. Katie comes back to her hometown for a wedding where she is thrown together with Chase as his plus one, because the bride wants everyone in attendance to be paired off. Can these two face their past and move on from it, or will the resentment, pain, and what ifs be too much for them to overcome? This is a sweet, charming story that will leave you with all the feels.

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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Lucy Machard

This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a cute little romance! Lots of fluff! I do believe this is the first book I’ve read by this author, and I will be back for more! It’s a very quick read, I think I finished it in about an hour. The author does a fantastic job of sucking the readers in, I honestly lost track of time while I was reading. It’s a very refreshing romance. I read a lot of the darker types of romances, so having a little fluffy one was super nice for a change. Definitely finished it with a happy heart! Highly recommend it!!!

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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Shannen Kern

This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a short but cute romance that had a great flow to it. Katie is working her fingers to the bone at a job that she loved but is still unfulfilled. Her first love, Chase, is back in their hometown raising his nephew and thinks he’s successfully gotten Katie out of his mind and heart. After Katie flies back into town for a wedding, there are obvious sparks between them and they’re both torn with what to do. Can they somehow find a way to reunite or is does the past need to stay that way?

The author does a great job diving into the feelings of the characters and pulling at emotional strings. I loved the little parts of Katie remembering her childhood and little things she had done with her sister and parents. I recommend this if you’re looking for a quick, feel-good romance!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Lauren Cox

This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A sweet, hometown romance filled with regret, what ifs and nostalgia.
Katie was head over heels in love with Chase, but the longing for a different life in the city to follow her dreams left them broken. After ten years of not talking and living two different lives Katie is invited to her friends wedding in her hometown. Single and focused on her job she was short of a plus one, the bride set her up with her cousin. Little did she know, her blind date/plus one to the wedding would be her ex-boyfriend Chase.

After being home Katie is wondering what life would have been like if she would have stayed all those years ago, what if she didn’t miss all these milestones in her family & friends lives. What would have happened if she hadn’t left Chase?

This book captured my attention on first chapter and finished it all in one sitting, not only is it sweet and dramatic but there is also enough drama, angst, grudges to keep you engaged in the story the whole time. Add this to your “Must Read List!”.

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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Heidi Sturgess

a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61427884-this-time-around” style=”float: left; padding-right: 20px”>This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s so good that Katie is heading home for her friends wedding I’m so proud of her for standing up to that nasty boss of hers 🤭😉

We hit a tiny glitch , the bride doesn’t want any singles at her wedding so Katie gets hitched with her ex high school boyfriend , Chase, and there’s some unresolved issues …..

Chase had his heart broken by Katie and when he agrees to be her plus one I think there’s more than vengeance in his heart …. His life has also changed drastically, he became an instant daddy to Timmy when his parents were killed in an accident and he’s a real hands on daddy and man he just makes my knees go like jelly and little Timmy is a real sweetheart ❣️

Things between Katie and Chase seem to pick up where they left off but they really do need to clear the air and they’re so perfect for each other and add Timmy to the equation and it’s the perfect little family ❣️

Just loved Katie and Chase , they just stole my heart ❣️📕

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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Regina Williams

This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Second chance love story at its purest. When you dream big sometimes you forget to live big and that’s where Katie sees herself. When she ends up back in her home town on a set up date with her ex everything makes sense again. Has it been to long? Has he changed? Will his nephew/son accept her? And what about her new life? Which is the path she will choose? Great book highly recommend.

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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Devon Pulliam

This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love that this story is all about second chances. Second chances with love, family and life.

Katie is easy to connect with and you find yourself wrapped up in her world. This story makes you remember that life isn’t all about work and climbing the corporate ladder. That a job and the money isn’t going to necessarily make you have all the happiness in the world. I loved the back story connection with Katie and Chase. I wish there had been more to that part of the story line.

I did appreciate how Katie suddenly got the courage she was looking for when it came to her job. THere are bosses out there like BFH. Katie just needed to be “home” to realize where she was meant to be.

Chase was dealing with his own hatred but to see him fall back into the comfort of loving Katie. Makes you think maybe a fairy tale type of love exists. Growing up a little fast since he took on the responsibility of Timmy.

I wish there had been more to this story. I felt like some storyline was missing. It doesn’t feel complete and I have a ton of questions after finishing this story.

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This Time Around by Jane Suen- Review by – Stephanie Driskill

This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Katie who broke up with her high school boyfriend and left for college never looking back, comes home for her friend’s wedding. Long hours on dream job have taken its toll on her and she has forgotten to RSVP and find a plus one for the wedding. Katie called her sister Mary two days before the wedding and upon Mary’s insistence, she came home for the big event. Once she arrived safely and in her sister’s care, Katie called her friend Laurie to let her know that she would be there but without a plus one. Laurie would not have that as she wanted everyone to be paired at her wedding so she told Katie that her plus one would meet her at the wedding. Guess who that is? Her ex-boyfriend, Chase, that she so rudely and coldly broke up with upon leaving for college. Through the pages we read more about the lovers past and get to the deep-seated issues that lie in the way between them. Along the journey, Katie realizes that what she thought was her dream job in reality is not and her boss truly is the Boss From Hell.
Such cute characters were well developed and well written so that we get to hear the inner thoughts of both Katie and Chase as we follow along with them. It was such a sweet romance and of course like most romance novels, the two find a way to be together and to build a life worth living. This book is a great read and a cute escape for an afternoon by the pool or at the beach. You can’t help but to fall in love with the leading man Chase and to cheer for the couple when they finally decide to pair up again but for life this time.

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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Jules Herbert

This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Katie broke up with her high school boyfriend Chase, left town and fully committed herself to her career all the while never really getting over him. Years later she decides to return to her home town for a friends wedding. It was a very last minute decision and her friend insists she attend with a plus one so she sets Katie up with someone she thinks will make a great plus one…..it just happens to be her ex boyfriend! Chase having returned to town the previous year with his nephew he is now raising is not so keen to hang out with the woman who shattered his heart. The big question is can these two forgive old wounds and learn to see each other as the adults they now are? This great book really is an emotional heartfelt read that at its heart is a second chance story.

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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Torey Foster

This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This time around is about a girl named Katie who comes home to attend a wedding. While there she gets roped into attending the wedding with another single guest. The only problem is, her date is her ex boyfriend. A boy she loved and never quite got over. A boy whose heart she broke 10 years before. A boy named Chase, who is not a boy any longer and is raising his orphaned nephew. He has grown into a handsome man and Katie can’t help but notice. Katie is not the only one who has not gotten over the relationship of the past, but Chase also carries some bitterness from the past and the way Katie broke his heart. After the wedding the two realize they still have feelings for eachother but how could they possibly make it work? Katie has to get back to work and Chase can’t uproot his nephew to be closer to her.
I really liked this book. It has a great story and you can get lost in the pages. The only reason I took off a star is because there are a couple parts where the story seems to go off track giving information that, while important, doesn’t fit in the moment. Other than those couple parts, the story was fantastic and I would definitely recommend it.

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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Kristan Anderson

This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This Time Around by Jane Suen was a very fast read and sweet story. Katie finds herself without a date to a high school friends wedding. The bride has a date for her, after breaking up ten years prior, Katie is pushed back into the life of her ex, Chase. I thought there would be more to the wedding instead of them just jumping back into familiar territory but it seemed to work. I was hoping to find out why Katie broke it off but it didn’t seem as though there was a good explanation. The story was good but for some reason it felt lacking in something, maybe it was heat. The spark between the characters was there, or it was supposed to be, but it could have been elaborated better at some times, with less internalized thinking by the characters. The ending felt rushed, while I’m happy Katie finally is doing what she wanted in life, it just seemed as though the story tried hard for the happy ending and it was as of there was no backbone in it. I did not feel connected to any of the characters.

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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Nina Maes

This story is a short and sweet romance, full of emotions. This author really draws you in with likeable and very strong characters. I would recommend for anyone who is looking for a short love story, very easy to read. The author draws you in and keeps you entertained throughout. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 5 of 5 starsThis story is a short and sweet romance, full of emotions. This author really draws you in with likeable and very strong characters. I would recommend for anyone who is looking for a short love story, very easy to read. The author draws you in and keeps you entertained throughout. Looking forward to reading more from this author.View all my reviews

This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Lisa Helmick

This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This started off great and very interesting. Figuring all the characters and how they fit into Katie’s life. Before I knew it I Was three quarters of the way through. This is where my issue arises. Chase is still very mad at her from ten years ago. Then all of a sudden they are together happily. No inner thoughts changing his mind at all. I did like all the fun and amazing secondary characters. They added some drive and flair to the story.

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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Terri Jo McAllister

This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Chase was Katie’s first love. They were high school sweethearts that had big plans. Plans that left Chase broken hearted the night Katie ended their relationship to go fulfill her dream in the city. When Katie comes back for a friend’s wedding and she runs into Chase, that’s when the story really gets good! I recommend this book.

Reviewed by Terri Jo McAllister

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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Katie Matthews

This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED this book so much! I have read lots form this author and I love how versatile she is but I have to say I think that this is definitely my favourite form her so far. I fell in love with the characters straight away. Katie was just an amazing character, I loved her so much, she was relatable, I connected with her – she was just a genuinely lovely person to read about and then add in Chase! Perfection the two of them! The way he stepped up and took in his nephew and the relationship that they had was wonderful. I loved every minute of this story and would highly recommend it to others!

@katiem
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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Alison Risher

This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an amazing story! Former high school sweethearts are pushed toward one another after ten years apart. The story contains several conflicts. The protagonist must compare small-town living with life in a big city. She must also stand up to a workplace bully on her own behalf. Growing up, growing older, and taking responsibility for aging parents and orphaned relatives are also themes that are present in this delightfully written, heart-warming tale.

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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Karyn Taylor

This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a really heartwarming sweet, second chance romance story. It was my first time reading this author’s work so I was unsure what to expect. I’m glad I chose to read this book because I really enjoyed it.
I would have liked the book to be longer as i felt it came to quite an abrupt end. There was so much more scope to add to the story and at only 150 pages it felt more like a novella.
In saying that I really did enjoy Katie and Chase’s story. Both are great characters and I could easily relate to them. I adored the relationship that Chase has with his nephew Timmy and I have to say that little Timmy stole my heart.
The story is well written and flows well with enough action to keep you entertained and gripped by the story. I really would have liked to have read more about Chase, Katie and Timmy.
Definitely recommend, especially if you want a quick read.

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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Desiree Ottinger

This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Katie broke Chase’s heart after high school. He thought she was his forever and she had other plans. Fast forward 10 years and Katie has all that she wanted but is left feeling empty. Chase is now the father of his orphaned nephew and still a little bitter over Katie breaking his heart. When they both get paired up as each other’s plus one at a wedding, all the feelings begin to resurface. Can Chase forgive Katie for hurting him? Can she see past the work-driven, empty life she leads to find love again?

This is a sweet, quick read! I was pulled in immediately to the story and didn’t want to put it down until I knew how their story ended. The characters are relatable and down to earth. I would read another book by this author!

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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Toni Sellers

This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a fantastic read! I literally couldn’t put it down, I read it in one sitting. I was in from the first page. I fell in love with the characters. Katie and Chase and Timmy. Beautifully written. Wished it was longer.

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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Daryian Lucas

This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.7/5 Stars
This was my first read by this author and I like the concept, but I felt more like I was reading about teens than adults. Katie & Chase are 28 and they’re both still affected by their high school breakup. Not saying that events that happen to us when we’re young don’t have any affects on us, but Katie doing what she did was not worthy of 10 years of anguish for either character in my opinion. It was a reasonable thing to do and actually very mature given her age. However, for it to seem like a fresh wound 10 years later was a bit much in my opinion. The writing is very solid and the book has a lot of potential. I just couldn’t get into the after effects of the breakup.

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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Carla Clemmons

This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this quick romance! Its such a sweet story about coming back to a love you had before. Seeing if its possible to rekindle a romance that once was is exactly what Katie and Chase do. You never know if there’s to much pain that is still lingering from the past. I really enjoy the characters in the story and how you get to know their back stories as well. We don’t always make the best decisions but sometimes we get to go back to see if our mistakes can be forgiven.

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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Katie Turner

This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This Time Around by Jane Suen is a fast paced second chance romance novella. It centers around Katie and Chase who were young lovers, but Katie shattered his heart when she left him, and everyone else she cared about, to pursue what she thought was her dream job. Chase never really forgave her, but tried to push thoughts of her and his pain aside to focus on raising his orphaned nephew, Timmy. When Katie returns to her hometown attend a wedding, the bride insists she bring a plus one and has the perfect person for her- Chase. Now Katie is placed face to face with the man she crushed a decade prior and her guilt is all-consuming. While trying his best to suppress it, Chase’s feelings of resentment cause inner turmoil as they resurface. Can they put everything aside and pick up where they left off or is the emotional damage too extensive?

I really enjoyed this story. It was easy to dive into and left me feeling all the feels. Jane Suen did a wonderful job developing and expressing each character. The story is relatable to anyone who has had to make hard choices in life to find happiness- which I would venture to say would make it relatable to nearly everyone! If you’re in the mood for a quick romance, I would recommend giving this story a try! I’ll be looking for more stories by this author in the future, as I quite enjoyed her writing.

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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Lyndsey Fairley

This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Second chance romances are one of my favorites. This one was a quick read and I didnt feel like I got to really “know” the characters just kind of surface need to know details.
While the story was good and had lots for me to love I just felt I wanted more of just about everything.
I did love the small town and how everyone knows everyone and helps each other, I also felt all was rushed quickly.
Makes for a good afternoon read.

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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Heather Goodman

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My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is such a cute novel. Chase and Katie have a wonderful story that makes you feel so many emotions. You will fall in love with the characters. The novel is a little fast paced but not too much. You can’t ever go wrong with an HEA.

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This Time Around by Jane Suen – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

This Time AroundThis Time Around by Jane Suen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Katie finds an old friend’s wedding invitation buried amidst her junk mail she feels compelled to attend. Although it is a hasty, last-minute decision she decides to take some much-needed time off work from her high demand, high pressure job and return to her hometown. Katie gives no thought to the fact that she has not RSVP’d that she will be attending nor that she has no date for her friend’s wedding. When she arrives in her hometown, she calls the bride to let her know that she will be attending her wedding and is promptly told that she must be paired up with someone else. Expecting this person to be a stranger Katie reluctantly agrees. What Katie never anticipated was to be paired up with her old high school boyfriend, Chase, who she has not seen since she dumped him ten years ago.

Chase has never gotten over the hurt he felt after Katie’s rejection. For ten years he has buried his feelings for her and kept himself busy with work and raising his orphaned nephew. Chase still harbors resentment towards Katie because of how she so coldly broke up with him and therefore he has hardened his heart towards her. When his cousin tells him that Katie will be his plus one at her wedding Chase is less than pleased but reluctantly agrees because he loves his cousin.

What neither Katie nor Chase expected is to feel the same spark they did while dating all those years ago. The attraction they feel towards one another is instant, yet how can they act on it when so much time has gone by? Chase is still angry over Katie’s rejection and her leaving town so abruptly after their graduation and he refuses to be hurt by her again. What Chase does not know is how terrible Katie feels for breaking it off with him with no explanation. She thought she was making the best decision at the time by pursuing a career in the big city. Life has also changed considerably for both Katie and Chase over the years. Katie must return to her career in the big city and there is no way that Chase will uproot his nephew and leave everything behind. Will their reunion be destined to fail again with so many obstacles in their way?

I loved the characters of Katie and Chase because they were real and relatable. I enjoyed watching the characters evolve and seeing how each character grew from being awkward teenagers into mature, hard-working adults. I could not put this book down because I had to see what would happen between Katie and Chase and if their love for one another would be enough to overcome what life had thrown at them. This book was a great read, and the author did an amazing job of bringing the reader into the world of Chase and Katie, making you feel as though you know them. I highly recommend!
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