Such a great story about a couple who drifted apart and found their way back to each other! I loved the character’s personalities- from the main two characters, Jack and Lauren, to their kids, Dad/FIL and even the best friend. Definitely one I’ll recommend to my book buddies!

Thank you to netgalley for an eArc of this book!

Wow! What an emotional rollercoaster! I loved the characters in this book so much I wished the book was longer!

This book is a great story about two people coming back together after growing apart and I really enjoyed it. My favourite part of the book was definitely Harvey, he’s such a great character and made me laugh every time he spoke!

I love a second chance romance and I’ve read just a few when the book focuses on a troubled marriage or a divorced couple. But I don’t think I’ve ever read a second chance romance that resonated quite as much as this one. It focuses on a marriage that is stagnant, filled with resentment, but there is no right or wrong. There is no bad guy in this one. It is just about a woman that wants to be seen. A woman that wants to be more than just a mom, even though she flourishes in that title. It’s also about a man who has lost himself in work and doesn’t even realize his marriage is failing and is willing to do what it takes to help save the marriage. I feel as a woman, we all feel this way at one point or another in our marriage. This one hit me hard, but also gave me hope. Marriage is not easy and takes hard work, but this book shows that there can be hope and rekindling if you BOTH are willing to put in the work.

This was relatable with humor, fun family dynamics and heartfelt moments tucked in amongst the heartache. If you love second chance romance, I highly recommend!

Such a beautiful story. I love how Adriana wrote this book and the layers throughout it. She made it hard for me to want to put the book down.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Spice: 🌶🌶

This book is about second chances and trying to save Lauren and Jack's marriage. Adriana Locke is an amazing author, and I can get lost in her books all day. This is such a powerful and beautiful romance.

Just when you think your marriage is done. That there is no hope in saving it. Lauren thought the divorce was done. Her and Jack raised 2 children together, but over time, the passion and the talking just weren't there anymore. She gave it her best shot, but they just weren't on the same page anymore.

Their children end up planning on taking their mother to their vacating house. But the Locke was, they also told their to come to. Just didn't tell each parent they would both be there. What happens when these two show up at the same house?

This is such a beautiful story. I know what it is like to do through a divorce. The pain and heartache that goes with losing the one person you thought you'd share forever with. This story shared everything. Beauty, pain, heartache, love, care, and what it feels like to be wanted again. Such a beauty's story.

Tropes:
- Second Chance
- Forced Proximity
- One Bed
- Small Town

A marriage on the rocks. Jack and Lauren, married couple who drifted so far apart over the years, they may as well be on different planets and everything would still be the same. They once loved each other so hard, but everyday life and non communication pushed them so far away from each other. The kids are older and also noticing, so they have to scheme to get them together, away from their everyday life to show them that their parents still love each other. Is it going to work?!! Or is this the end?!

I liked relationships with their kids, they overall have so much love for each other. Marriage needs work and care and it shows in this story how much deep down they really love each other.

I really enjoyed this book! I love that the kids and the grandfather were sneaky to keep the parents together. It was a solid reflection on how married life can become a routine and that it’s easy to forget that your spouse is your partner. Life, kids, responsibilities all get in the way and I’m glad this book had a happy ending!

This books is Adriana at her finest! I laughed, I cried, I swooned, I fell in love with this book && these characters. This book wrecked me && I loved it so much!

Jake && Lauren have been married for 20 years && things just aren’t the way they use to be. The struggle these two go through in their marriage is heartbreakingly honest && so real. Throughout the years of being together && raising kids they’ve lost sight of each other. They both feel alone in the marriage && neither one of them are being heard. Thankfully, with the help of their kids, a grumpy/funny grandfather && an ornery puppy they are able to face the struggles they are both having && rekindle their marriage!

I absolutely loved this book! The first half broke my heart, but the second half kept me on my toes && it was mended back together. I love Adriana’s big family series, but there’s just something about her standalones😍

Once I know a book is penned by Adriana Locke, there’s not much else I need to know. Her stories pull at my heartstrings and give me all the feels; sad, happy and everything in between. Lauren and Jack’s story was no different. I love shenanigans of their kids, Maddie and Michael and pops, Harvey. It made for many laughs. The beauty and skill in Adriana’s writing is that although I couldn’t personally relate to their situation, I literally felt every bit of their emotions as if it was my own. The hopelessness, angst, distress, the hope, the passion, the love. That’s what this book is: a story of finding your way back to your love through any means necessary. It’s hopeful, inspirational and heartwarming leaving you with a feeling of fullness, happiness and biggest smile.

This is a beautiful story of second chances, reconnecting and the power of family. For twenty years Lauren and Jack have been married, but for the last few years, Jack is busy building his business and Lauren has been looking after the home and kids and feels more like Jack's roommate. Or would do if he was ever home. When Lauren cancels their family vacation to their cabin because she can't think of spending two weeks playing happy families with her husband, her kids take drastic measures. They conspire with their grandfather to get both parents to the cabin so that they can have one last family memory, in case their parents do decide to divorce. Sometimes, the world isn't the world of romance that you want it to be, and it takes digging deep inside yourself to get the magic back.

This is a wonderfully written book, with great character development. It is full of fun, witty banter, intertwined with soul searching from Lauren and Jack. It's a story of finding love again, rekindling the romance and relearning why you fell in love. A must read!

This novel delves into the complexities of a marriage in turmoil, offering a realistic portrayal of the struggles faced by both partners. Lauren's sense of invisibility in her role as a dedicated wife and mother resonates deeply, while Jack's commitment to providing for his family leads to unintended consequences. The narrative skillfully explores themes of sacrifice, communication, and self-discovery, with relatable moments that many readers will identify with. Despite its brevity, the story packs an emotional punch, underscored by moments of humor and heartwarming family dynamics. While some may find the resolution too swift, the novel ultimately delivers a message of hope and the power of love to overcome adversity.

A failing marriage, a wife at her wit's end, and a husband who is willing to give up everything to fix it all.

Adriana Locke made me go on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. And I loved every second of it. If you love:

✔️ second chances
✔️ groveling
✔️ failing marriage trope

Ugh this book if for you. Grab it. It's gold!

<b>Never a choice to make...</b>

I'm gonna be honest, "second chance marriage" or "marriage in trouble" are not my favorite tropes. But from the first few pages of this story, my heart hurt. It was real, honest and I felt seen.

Lauren was caring around my heart in the early pages of this story. She lost herself in caring for her children and husband. When she no longer recognizes who she sees in the mirror, it's time for change. Jack is like so many husbands, "providing" for his family and not realizing the foundation of his marriage is in trouble until it's almost too late. Kids always see what is going on, and Maddie and Michael are no different. They are no longer going to sit by, with the help of their grandfather a little forced proximity for their parents is exactly what's needed.

Every emotion I felt being that stay-at-home mom came to the surface while reading this book. Feeling lost, living for your children, and a marriage with silent storms always weathering your heart. When both Laurena and Jack finally hear what the other has been missing, it's the balm to my soul I never got to experience. Absolute perfect second chance marriage!

I loved this so much. A second chance at a marriage in trouble. This was everything I needed and more.

This book had me in tears. I just felt so much for Lauren and Jack.

This was a beautiful read although emotional. This family just wanted to be happy. The kids and their grandfather went out of their way to make an annual tradition go on. While at the same time showing their parents what the real problems are.

I love this author’s standalones, there’s always something that pulls at my heart.

This was an easy read and enjoyable. I cannot wait to see what’s next.

I loved these characters especially Harvey and Mrs. Shaw, they were a hoot. This book made me think about my own life and if I’m truly happy or just going with the flow and keeping things moving.

I gave this family: Lauren, Jack, Michael, Maddie and Harvey 💛💛💛💛💕

This book was amazing and I wasn't able to put it down once I started reading it. If you love a second chance romance you will love this book. Add this book to your TBR and you won't be disappointed.

Ms Locke has a gift of drawing emotions from you. I have never had such a visceral response to a book. This book touched me on so many levels. I felt seen, heard but above all it made me realise... don't sweat the small stuff.

Lo and Jack's relationship was in desperate need of saving, but the journey to get to the recovery is full of revelations, and realisations that it takes two to make a marriage work and you both have to want to make it work.

Just beautiful truly, the words, the emotions. Thank you

This is a first time read for this author and I am so glad I found her. This is a story about Lauren and Jack. They've been married for a while and there marriage is struggling. He works all the time to provide for his family and she feels neglected.

This story I felt in my bones. Marriage isn't easy and it goes through its ups and downs and this book described it perfectly.

I enjoyed the dual POV to see how both Lauren and Jack felt towards everything. Jack was taken aback when his kids told him they knew about the divorce when he didn't.

Jack stepped up and try to fix it. The love was still there and he put in the effort to make her feel wanted.

I loved this book. It was easy to read, flowed well, and, and kept me invested. Thank you so much for this arc and you know have a new fan.

Tropes
~Smalltown Romance
~Second Chance
~Troubled Marriage

In my opinion, there aren't enough books written about men and women who are married and trying to find their way back to the feelings they used to have for each other. Locke gives us an honest view into what can go wrong in a marriage and the feelings of both partners. The feelings of emotional abandonment that Lauren had and then Jack's feelings of having done everything right because he was providing for his family resonated with me.

This was beautifully written. The dual point of view displayed both partners evenly and the other characters were also very well developed. I thoroughly enjoyed this look into their family and their hearts. And there's a dog!

Thanks to Valentine PR for the copy. All thoughts are my own.

This is a story of Lauren & Jack, and how being happy with each other for so long, having two teenage children, now they're on the verge of divorcing. Cause one is never present and another takes all the responsibility. So to save the marriage Maddie and Michael with their grandfather devised a plan and tricked both their parents into going to their holiday home. And the story is them unpacking their relationship, to try to build again.

I'm not that much of a fan of second chance romance, but this book is also an example that I like to read the trope from time to time.

And for this story, this is such a good story that I cannot explain how much I love it. The way the author explains both Lauren and Jack's situations, and how step by step they shared their emotions is just amazing. And the way the story ends makes me happy and my heart full.

And not just the protagonist's romance, but the familial bonds and teenage love and the companions an older person tries to find is also shown with great care. And I love every second of it.

The story also proves that a vacation, a little quality time with the family and a willing heart and some patience to listen to can solve a lot of problems.