This second-chance romance is a gritty, heartfelt read. Tae and Riggs both grew up in fractured homes. Now that Riggs has retired from active duty, they have a chance to be together again. But given their background, neither trusts love. Yet what they don't think they want may be exactly what they need.

The narration by Andi Arndt added to the enjoyment of the story.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

It wasn't as good as the first one.

Easy, predictable, but still enjoyable romance.

I don't even know where to begin with this. There is so much more to this book than the title implies.

The history between Tae & Riggs is still right there in their relationship today.

So many things in this book; secrets, lies, struggles, trust issues.

So very well written. I was definitely in tears at the end.

I really enjoyed Tae and April's growth throughout this story. They both found happiness, but it was their personal growth that really got me. I am really enjoying the Sunrise Cove series and how these stories have so much more than romance, but also incredible friendships and growth for the characters. Don't get me wrong, I'm a romance junkie and these have plenty of romance, but they have additional wonderful things for those whose primary motivation isn't the romance.

So good!

Tae and her mother April are inseparable. They've had each others backs for years. Tae is on the cusp of bankruptcy when she gets this new contract that she knows she has to pull out all the stops to keep. At her first event someone recognizes her and asks about her dad. Tae tells him her dad is dead. She is met with a very confused expression. Tae chalks it up to mistaken identity. Until she mentions it to April and her mother flounders for the first time in her life. Tae ends up with more questions than answers and sets herself on a journey of self discovery.
This story was so tender and hopeful. It had such an endearing protagonist in Tae. She was definitely lost but her story comes ful circle and really pulls at the reader. This is yet another home run by the author.

2.5 stars

A Second Chance at Life and Love

Tae Holmes and Riggs Copeland knew each other growing up on the proverbial wrong side of the tracks in the Lake Tahoe area. Both of them had a chance to see if they could make things a go once in their teens but with both of them having issues, this was not to be. Riggs left the area and eventually joined the Marine Corps. Tae grew up and stayed in the area eventually becoming an event planner.

One dark stormy night, Tae is managing a big fundraiser for a non-profit that works with disabled people and bring them into the great outdoors. But it seems to be falling flat since there aren't too many people there. Tae leaves early to avoid an ex and ends up in Rigg's car thinking he is the Uber driver she ordered. And the story starts from there.

Riggs ends up helping Tae out with finding her father and these two flawed souls realize along the way that they complement each other. But it is hard to break the damage from old wounds and Tae will have to decide if she can break free and let herself love Riggs or walk away.

This is yet another wonderful story from the wonderful and talented Jill Shalvis. It is a part of a series but it can be read as a stand alone like any of her series. I am thankful for the author and publisher for allowing me to read this novel ahead of publication in exchange for a fair and unbiased review. Although to be honest, I do pre-order Ms. Shalvis' books as soon as they are available to order.

More reviews posted at Tales of Love, Life, and Murder

This is a sweet second chance romance about Tae and Riggs. They were unlikely friends in high school, but when things went further, she ran off scared. For him, she’s the one that got away but it’s for the best because he thinks she can do better. Riggs carries a lot of guilt for his brother’s injury since he was deployed on a mission and unable to be there to help. He couldn’t be happier to run into Tae and the old attraction is still just as strong but Riggs still thinks he’s not good enough.

Tae isn’t asking for forever though. She just wants one night but when she suggests it, Riggs insists they should be “just” friends. She’s not happy to be turned down or to be friend-zoned when all she wanted was some fun. Her walls are too high for anything else because Tae doesn’t let anyone in. And for all her bluntness in everyday life, she won’t tell him how she really feels.

They dance it around it, with Riggs desperate to be near her and Tae trying to avoid him after their last disastrous run-in, but to no avail. When Riggs figures out that she needs help, he won’t take no for an answer and the more time they spend together, the harder it is to be “just” friends. I enjoyed seeing them get sucked into this relationship almost against their will but it was fun. This is a steamy FWB situation that quickly gets out of hand and they’ll have to decide if being “just” friends is even still an option. Just when they take some tentative steps towards a real relationship, a secret from the past comes between them. This had a good mix of humor and suspense that left me wanting more.