Second Chance Summer (Cedar Ridge Book 1)

You know how some authors mention they are putting out a new series and you start jumping up and down, nearly breaking your computer to get to the pre-order screen? Jill Shalvis is one of those authors for me. I know I will form a connection with her characters that will put a smile on my face and a glow in my cheeks. Well, this little ducky got an email from Ms Shalvis’s virtual assistant asking me (little ole me) to read and review Second Chance Summer. To say I was excited would be an understatement. I was ringing people, sending messages and gloating (just a little) to friends and family of my good fortune. This was a HUGE deal for me. I was determined to be objective and removed my fangirl hat for the job…halfway through though, that hat was back on. Jill Shalvis knows her stuff.

This story is about a second chance at love between main characters Lily and Aidan. Lily has been trying to move on from the grief of losing her sister Ashley and her father who both died within a week of each other. She left her hometown of Cedar Ridge for 10 years to become a beautician/hair dresser. When she loses her job and has to come home, Lily is not only facing her guilty yet misguided feeling of causing her sister’s death, she also has to face the one man she has always had feelings for, Aidan Kincaid. Aidan was devastated when Lily left without a backward glance. He moved on to become a firefighter and rescue worker, but never forgot his budding feelings for Lily. Aidan and Lily meet again and the feelings are still strong.

I absolutely loved the family dynamics in this story. Aiden, his brother Gray and wife Penny, twin brothers Hudson and Jacob and little sister Kenna along with their mother Char make up the Kincaid’s. They manage to support each other while having some fun with a lot of teasing and a few fights as well. Lily hasn’t had the same familial support as Aiden and it takes her some time to get used to having them in her life.

We get to see both Lily and Aiden in their work environments which give us some good laughs but also makes this story realistic. Lily has a great friend who provides her a with job doing what she loves and it was funny seeing Aiden come back for regular head massages and treatments just to spend time with her. We also get to read about the stress and demands of Aiden’s job and the risks he and his colleagues take to save lives. Jill Shalvis is maybe not doing their profession any favours by making it sound so appealing to have these sexy men coming and save you. I might think about climbing a mountain to get rescued if Aiden or one of his mates came to rescue me.

This book left me on a high with a new group of characters to love. Second Chance Summer was a great story about love, trust and commitment and I definitely can’t wait to read about more of the Kincaid family.

This review and more can be found at http://edgyreviews.com/

I sometimes wonder if Jill Shalvis is actually writing about her own experiences in life when she writes her stories. Her female lead characters seem so much like her - funny, quirky, normal, sexy women who meet their own alpha man. I like the new Cedar Ridge series and look forward to Hudson's story next.

Another great one by Jill Shalvis! Loved the start of this new series and can't wait for more! A male hero who is real but so endearing and wonderful, and a heroine who is strong, caring & funny. You'll laugh, cry & melt. Loved this book!!

Obvious plot and poor writing. Characters, at first, seemed interesting, but within a few more pages, I could see where this book was heading. Dialogue was contrived---pushing so hard to be witty that it came off as unrealistic. Not sure why I bothered. Will not read any more books in this series.

Lily is back in Cedar Ridge after running away from there 10 years ago. She still feels guilt for the death of her sister, Ashley, (who died climbing a perilous cliff face to prove she could do anything Lily could do), and subsequently her Dad, who died of a heart attack at her Ashley's funeral.

One of the first people she runs into is Aidan Kincaid, who she thought she may have had a future with, but told herself she couldn't be with him, as Ashley was also highly infatuated with Aidan.

Aidan has his own set of issues, what with working in the very busy fire department and their search and rescue (thanks to clueless tourists), as well as help his brothers run the family resort, and keep the secret of why he doesn't want their Dad involved in saving the resort. When Lily returns, he is forced to face up to the long held in check feelings he had for her.

As always, Jill Shalvis has written a beautiful story of healing love and family, that will not only make you a laugh, but also make you fall in love with the residents of Cedar Ridge.

I have read just about everything Jill Shalvis has written. This is another that does not disappoint. Plus I love that Jill is as personable as her books. I became even more of a fan after meeting her.

Jill Shalvis is one of my favorite Romance authors. This was not one of my favorites but I liked it. I especially like the characters in the Lucky Harbor series. Her sence of humor and understanding of human nature is magic.