Member Reviews
I can honestly say I'm a little at a loss on this one. I liked it but it didn't wow me. I've read this author before so maybe my expectations were a little too high.
The blurb about the book made me want to grab it and burrow down in my bean bag and read it with a do not disturb sticker on the door. Firstly, don't worry I don't have a bean bag, doubt I could get off it. Secondly, I felt like all the beans had exploded from my hypothetical bean bag when I finished.
I was disappointed. It's not a bad read. Also, I don't feel you need to read book one of this series to read this one. There are the same characters but very little refers back. So you don't lose anything.
Would I recommend it. Sure, because you might like it more than I did. I give it 3.5 stars but will show as 4.
I really adored this romance - the characters were believable from the very first page and the shift in relationship between the two women was so carefully orchestrated. Taylor's grief was heartwrenching and the way she reacted and responded to various situations - and how her perspective and view changed throughout the book - was a stunning layer to this book. I rooted for both women from the start; their ups and downs, personal struggles and past baggage all combined together to create two characters I loved in a partnership I believed in.
I really enjoyed this book! My biggest issue is that I felt off about the relationship. It was an own personal preference so I didnt take too much off for it. Overall, I really enjoyed it. It made me want to read some more f/f romances and broaden my romance reading spectrum.
I really enjoyed Twice in a Lifetime. It was a solid follow-up to Right Kind of Wrong; it allowed for characters to be revisited while not stealing away from the main characters and their story. Twice in a Lifetime can also be read as a standalone book.
The characters, Taylor and Callie, were relatable. I really enjoyed their stories and their growth, individually and together, throughout the book. I thought it was well-paced; the book did not feel rushed, nor did it drag.
I found myself fully invested in the storyline. There was no "wow" factor that really stood out about this story. But it did not need it because it was just a well-rounded, well-crafted story.
It feels like there's a bit of a back story in this book that I'm not aware of. It's no surprise because it's the second book in a series for a family of characters, it also wasn't an issue because it's still easy to understand who is who.
Cop Callie finds herself recovering from being shot at the start of the book and her best friend's widow, Taylor, ends up looking after her for a few days.
Callie seems good natured whilst Taylor is carrying to be overloaded with baggage so they have some angst in front of them before any chance of a romance.
I liked that it wasn't a simple conclusion and that the characters had some ups and downs, but not too many.
I love PJ Trebelhorn's books but this one didn't do it for me. The writing felt stilted and some of the characters' behaviours felt unnatural. The two leads didn't have much chemistry. The synopsis was very intriguing but unfortunately the book couldn't hold my attention.
An okay story with a few flaws. After so much struggling during the story, the ending felt kind of rushed.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, having long been a follower of Ms. Trebelhorn’s and the characters that she creates. The first novel in the Burke series detailed the evolution of the relationship between Quinn and Grace, whose friendship matured into a partnership. It was an angst ridden, lovely adventure. This second work follows Callie, the homicide detective, whose long unrequited affection for Taylor blossomed into much more when a dire situation arose. While the tale had all of the markers of contemporary fare, both women were appealing, with an interesting mystery/thriller subplot. I will continue to follow the author’s work and seek out new publications.
A quick, enjoyable read. Engaging premise - woman starts to fall in love with her best friend's widow, and doesn't know what to do with the feelings, but surprise! The feelings are mutual.
It was quick, it was fun, it mostly escaped the "the tall dark bar owner looked longingly at the petite firefighter" tropes. A good read.
Any one who has read an LGBT romance is familiar with certain plot elements that pop up again and again. Usually at least one of the two main characters has had an experience that has steered them away from romance ( bad ex, married to the job, family/children issues, etc) but then they finally meet someone who may break through, and that person has their own issues. Knowing this, I still enjoy reading them and experience inf what is unique about them. This book didn't veer too far off the path, but was entertaining nonetheless.
The author again takes us back to Western New York where in her book ‘The Right Kind of Wrong’ we got to meet and read about the romance between Quinn and Grace. In this new book she looks at Quinn’s sister Callie Burke, a police officer who moves home after a bad breakup.Taylor Fletcher is a widow and happens own the bar where Quinn works. She still hasn’t moved on after losing her partner who was a firefighter and Callie’s best friend. Throw in a person intent on hurting Taylor and we have another really good read. Enjoy.
Twice in a Lifetime started off really good, the connection between two likeable characters Callie and Taylor flows well.
The story kept me interested until about 2/3rds of the way in. I then felt that the story was rushed and became quite limp.
This is the second in the series of the Burke sisters, its good to read the 1st book but not essential.
This is a nice book. There is some angst, nice character development... I personally prefer book 1, but this one is far from mediocre. If you want a nice novel with a hot detective as a main character, this is your go-to book.
Police officer Callie returns home to work in the small town where she grew up. She runs into Taylor who apparently hates still her. Taylor was married to Andrea, Callie's close friend and firefighter, before Andrea died in a fire she was working. When Taylor and Andrea were married, Taylor was never friendly towards Callie. Now that Taylor has lost the love of her life to a dangerous job, she's certainly not about to get involved with another woman in an equally dangerous job. But an attraction that has been simmering for years has other ideas in mind for Callie and Taylor.
Perhaps because this was the third book I read in a week about women returning to a small town where they grew up and then falling in love, and the first two were incredible and unique, that this one fell a little flat. It was a sweet and simple book with a healthy dose of emotional turmoil. It was really good and I would still recommend it, but it missed a little sparkle.
The romance was really sweet and I really like the way the author took us on an emotional journey and character evolution as the ladies figured stuff out in their own lives. I liked that love didn't magically fix everything, it was very real and heartfelt. I didn't love the stalker part of the story, it didn't seem to fit in the groove of the rest of the story.
I really enjoyed this author's writing, it was the first book I read by her, and I will definitely be going back to check out some of their other books.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I wasn't aware this book was a part of a series until after I read this book, but thankfully this a stand-alone novel. Callie's older sister, Quinn and her partner Grace return from book 1. Callie ends up renting the apartment above Grace's bookstore so the tie-in to the couple from book 1 is solidly there, and having not read book 1 it was clear that they were a likable pair with a supporting role rather that part of a story I was missing. Thank you for that as I am frustrated with authors and publishers not communicating when a book is part of a series and I end up confused part way into a book 2 or thereafter utterly confused about a plot.
Moving on, Callie and Taylor have a lot of history since Taylor was married to Callie's best friend and firefighter, Andrea who tragically dies on the job prior to the beginning of the book. Surprisingly, while they share significant history and a connection in Andrea, they unexpectedly and inexplicably share very little time together prior to Andrea's death. We find out why later on which I thought was a unique and brilliant plot twist because it was a real stretch to believe they had barely talked until years later. Another subplot that involves a stalker adds some suspense to their burgeoning romance, but the central theme revolves around finally being open to love that's been right under your nose all along. The history of those circumstances are unexpected and not the usual formula of lesfic romance and I really appreciated the author's ability to surprise me with originality in a predictable genre.
An honest review thanks to NetGalley. This was a great read; I loved Callie. I had read the first in the series before this but to be honest, I didn't remember it much. So it is not necessary to read the first book before this one. This was a great romance even though part of the plot was a bit cliche. I was impressed with the writing and how quickly i was drawn into the story.
So, this isn't technically part of a series, I think, but, it does have in it characters from the previous book, The Right Kind of Wrong. Quinn and Grace. And it was nice to see them again.
But, this story is about Callie, a Police Detective (and Quinn's little sister) and Taylor, the owner of the bar and Quinn's boss. Neither of them are in the prefect place to start a relationship. Callie's been hurt before and people think she is a player. Taylor lost her firefighter wife about four years before the story starts, Andrea, who had also been Callie's BFF, and she is still grieving.
There is a ton of back and forth between the two as they're falling in love and it was interesting that when the book starts they may know each other, but they're not even friends.
I liked the book a lot, I liked how PJ weaved in Grace and Quinn (and all the characters' families) into the story. And the story between the two main characters too. The romance I've read there generally isn't a lot of death of the first partner (maybe in some). And that sort of push and pull between the two ladies usually produces a lot of surprising twists that isn't in a conventional romance. Oh, and one of the subplot's endings. Holy crap.
I was given this ARC by Netgalley on behalf of Bold Strokes Books.
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35504490-twice-in-a-lifetime" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Twice in a Lifetime" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1498246640m/35504490.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35504490-twice-in-a-lifetime">Twice in a Lifetime</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3453678.P_J_Trebelhorn">P.J. Trebelhorn</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2288599866">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
An okay romance with mature main characters Taylor and Callie. There are ups and downs in the storyline which ends somewhat abruptly but predictably. Second book in the Burke series but can be read as a "stand alone".<br />I rec'd an ARC for review from NetGalley/Bold Strokes Books.<br />3 stars.
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This was a nice romance with a bit of drama. The characters were likable and the story was engaging. I found it to be a bit of an emotional roller coaster and was interested in what was happening next. The pages turned themselves. I will recommend this to my students for the book group.
Callie is a cop and secretly crushes on the widow of her best friend and boss of her sister. Taylor owns a bar and keeps herself distant from the joys of life since her wife died. When Callie gets shot, Taylor offered to help her and they get closer.
The romance has a rocky start as Taylor vacillates between sexual attraction and dislike of Callie’s profession as it reminds of her wife. Callie herself is sending mixed signals between understanding the distance, light flirting, and pushing the boundaries. The back and forth is entertaining and the side story of a stalker adds suspense.