REVIEW: This Time Around by Tawna Fenske

This Time Around by Tawna Fenske: This Time Around by Tawna Fenske gives readers a realistic look into a second chance romance. The aspect I loved the most in this story was how believable it was. It’s not like other second chance romances where the hero and heroine throw themselves at each other, once they see each other again and state how much of life they missed out on because they were without each other, for so long. This Time Around, paints a realistic picture of how it might be when two people who used to be in love, meet up again after sixteen years apart. The author took the time to develop the characters and made them work for a relationship. There was no pining for each other. Each character had their own life apart from each other.

Allie Ross and Jack Carpenter used to be in love, but Allie broke up with Jack because they were on two different paths. They also came from two different backgrounds and that played into what they wanted for the future, or what they thought they wanted. Jack went on to become highly successful, became a dad and married a woman he loved, and Allie, she’s still figuring things out.

When they meet again, everything is different. Allie isn’t a lawyer, like she always planned and her parents are in prison for a Ponzi scheme. Jack has done well for himself and wants to rub it in Allie’s face. But, even though it’s been years since they’ve seen each other, there is still a spark between them. It’s clear that Allie and Jack both matured and are different people then who they were back then.

“You’re right. But one thing I’ve learned in life is that it’s pretty frustrating to spend your time hung up on how things should work. To get so invested in how you thought things would go that you forget to deal with the way things really are.”

Jack is an amazing father to a smart and inquisitive ten-year old girl, who actually, steals the show in this book, and Allie, well, she is aware of her faults and what she needs to work on.
When Allie’s grandmother dies, she inherits her B&B, which needs a lot of TLC. Jack offers his services and from here, these two reconnect and learn about each other, all over again.

The story is a wonderful second chance romance that deals with forgiveness, letting go, and just recognizing that life isn’t perfect and people screw up. Realistic and charming…the two words I would use to describe this gem of a story!
 

Book Info:

Publication: April 4th 2017 | Montlake Romance |

Allie Ross is not living the life she once dreamed. Her law career ended before it ever started, her parents landed in jail for running a Ponzi scheme, and she just inherited her grandmother’s B&B—which is nice, even if it is full of extra-toed cats. As for her love life…she’d rather not talk about it.

When Jack Carpenter reaches out to reconnect with Allie, the girl who broke his heart in college, his plan is to impress her with the adult he’s become. Sure, he was a deadbeat then, but life has forced him to grow up. And it’s a relief to find out that things didn’t necessarily go the way Allie expected either.

As Allie and Jack get reacquainted, they rediscover the things they loved—and hated—about each other. But who they are now isn’t who they were then, and secrets—old and new—will test whether they have a future together, or if the past is destined to repeat itself.