Then and Now: A second chance, single parent, small town romance

Name: Then and Now: A second chance, single parent, small town romance
Rating: 4.705882549285889 (17 reviews)

Julia Jarrett

Sep 2022 · Dogwood Cove Book 5 · Julia Jarrett

4.7

17 reviews

Ebook

293

Pages

Eligible

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About this ebook

From bestselling romance author Julia Jarrett comes a steamy second chance romance, between a single dad, cop, and his high school sweetheart.

Leo Talbot and I were high school sweethearts who promised to love each other forever. Until I discovered love is a lie, and that promise was broken.

When he shows up in town with his little girl who I can’t help but adore, it’s impossible not to get swept up in the hope of a second chance. And Leo makes it clear he’s determined to break down my walls, rebuild my trust in love, and prove to me that our promise was never really broken.

With years of heartache and pain between us, can I let Leo stand beside me as I face the ghosts of my past? Or will all of the hard lessons I’ve learned, only make me push him away again?

Then and Now is perfect for fans of second chance romance, steamy small town love stories, swoony single dads, and close knit friend groups. This book is for readers who want a hint of angst with a lot of spice and a guaranteed HEA for soul mates who find their way back to each other against all odds. This is the fifth and final full length novel in the Dogwood Cove series and can be read as a standalone, although the series is best enjoyed if read in order.

This series is for fans of Melanie Harlow, Adriana Locke, Claire Kingsley, Lucy Score, Laura Pavlov, Tia Louise, Jami Albright, Kandi Steiner and more.

Ratings and reviews

4.7

17 reviews

jessel

October 13, 2023

Then and Now is a heartwarming small-town second chance at love. This story is filled with moments of regret, forgiveness, redemption, and acceptance, creating a narrative that tugs at the heartstrings. Leo and Serena, the central characters of the tale, are portrayed beautifully, and their relationship development is a highlight of the story. The author takes her time in building their intimacy, ensuring that nothing feels rushed. I savored every moment of their connection. The book strikes a perfect balance between sweetness, swoon-worthy moments, and just the right amount of spice to keep the romance intriguing. It's a story that will leave you with a heartwarming glow and a smile on your face. If you're in the mood for a story that offers a blend of sweet, swoony romance, and a touch of spice, "Then and Now" is the book for you. It's a feel-good read that captures the essence of second chances and the enduring power of love.

Angela Cipperley

September 22, 2023

Oh, how I love Dogwood Cove! I’m not usually one to jump at Second Chance romance (though that’s probably more to do with my own past relationships than the trope itself) but combined with the promise of a swoony single dad and a trip to my favourite fictional Canadian small town, there’s no way I could pass this one up. I love that #cominghome feeling I get from this idyllic hidden gem and its delightful inhabitants we fell in love with through previous stories. Small town romance always gets me in the feels. I like how this story tackles regret, which is something that I struggle with regularly. Who among us hasn’t made a mistake they wish they could take back, or spent far too much time over the years thinking ‘what if’? Although these characters don’t get to go back in time and change their actions, they do get the opportunity to explain, explore and grow from the experience. Serena (Tippy), Leo and his daughter Vi are a joy to journey with, and their story made me smile over and over again. Life didn't turn out the way they had planned, but sometimes broken dreams lead us on the path to what we didn't realize we needed.

Neeru Rana

September 22, 2023

I was really excited to be back to Dogwood Cove and especially uncovering Serena's story who was one of my favourite side characters. I did not expect this read be such an emotional rollercoaster. Serena is strong, independent and one of the most lovable person in town. Knowing her pain my heart broke. I fell in love with Leo and Violet instantly along with his aunt and cousins. Leo moved to give his daughter his time and a safe town. Never expected to come face to face with the love of his life. The way she reacted after watching Leo for the first time in 20 years broke my heart. As I slowly uncovered the reason for breaking up with Leo and all the things she went throughout the years was heartbreaking. I was swooning over Leo and the efforts he put into trying to get back Serena. They both had their own demons to fight. I was in awe with Serena and Violets connection. It was good to read there relationship develop and how they finally got the happiness that they both deserved.

About the author

Julia Jarrett is a busy mother of two boys, a happy wife to her real-life book boyfriend and the owner of a rescue dog from Guatemala and another one from Taiwan. She lives on the West Coast of Canada and when she isn’t writing contemporary romance novels full of relatable heroines and swoon-worthy heroes, she loves to run, practice yoga, drink wine and read.

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