Second Chance Grill

Oct 28, 2012 Mary rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A small town community goes viral.

The town is Liberty, Ohio and the setting is Second Chance Grill. The Grill has a new owner, Dr. Mary Chance, who inherits the restaurant, and is determined to turn it into a success in about a year.

Being a doctor, Mary is a fish out of water running a restaurant. But the inheritance coincided with a tragedy. Mary lost her best friend where she lived and worked in Cincinnati. In trying to deal with her grief she takes a sabbatical and decides to go to Liberty t...more

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Dec 29, 2012 Gina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, 2012-book-releases, books-i-own-read, contemporary-fiction, friendship, girlfriends, grief, book-club, challenges-2012, ccc-club, ohio, part-of-a-series, relationships, reviewed, stb-bookclub, women-s-fiction, arc-giveaway, 5-00-rating

Goodreads Description- An unforgettable tale of love, loss and second chances.

Second Chance Grill is the prequel to Treasure Me, 2012 Next Generation Indie Awards Finalist, which The Midwest Book Review calls “A riveting read for those who enjoy adventure fiction, highly recommended.”

Dr. Mary Chance needs a sabbatical from medicine to grieve the loss of her closest friend. But when she inherits a struggling restaurant in Liberty, Ohio she isn’t prepared for Blossom Perini. Mary can’t resist fall...more

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Nov 26, 2012 A.B. Shepherd rated it 3 of 5 stars

Rating is based more on my preferences than on the book itself. If I were into romance novels it would probably have gotten 5 stars from me. Since they are not really my thing I do want to acknowledge that I DID like it in spite of that - hence the three star rating.

You can read my full review here:
http://abshepherdsreinventedreader.bl...#

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Feb 25, 2013 Heather rated it 5 of 5 stars

Originally posted at hpreviewsbooks.blogspot.com

Nolfi asked me to read and review Second Chance Grill, and I immediately jumped at the chance. The reason is that I have loved her previous books Treasure Me and Tree of Everlasting Knowledge. Plus Second Chance Grill is the prequel to Treasure Me, so I wanted to return to Liberty and experience the characters and charm of the town.

Let me just say that if you haven't experienced any of Nolfi's writing you are missing out! She is very talented in dr...more

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Feb 18, 2013 Uvi Poznansky rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Contrary to common wisdom I often judge a book by its cover, or at least admit to being drawn to it because of the cover image. Here, the checkered black-and-white tile floor, the shiny metal barstools is so familiar, that the figure seated in the restaurant on one of them, casually holding an American flag, can be anyone of us--an impression that is strengthened by the fact that the face is cropped out. This figure is you, it is me, and so is the story--its universal appeal is a direct result o...more Contrary to common wisdom I often judge a book by its cover, or at least admit to being drawn to it because of the cover image. Here, the checkered black-and-white tile floor, the shiny metal barstools is so familiar, that the figure seated in the restaurant on one of them, casually holding an American flag, can be anyone of us--an impression that is strengthened by the fact that the face is cropped out. This figure is you, it is me, and so is the story--its universal appeal is a direct result of the well fleshed out characters, and the details that are so specific to the small Ohio town where it takes place.

Here, for example, the author sketches the local scenery in words: "Swatches of pink light brushed the newly plowed fields. Up ahead a farmer on a tractor kicked up dust as he tilled the brown earth." The description is brief--just a quick sketch--before going back to the heroine of the story, Mary: "She drove past with her thoughts wending back to Blossom."

Blossom Perini, the precious girl Mary cannot help but becoming attached to, has Leukemia, which affects the wellbeing of her father, Anthony. Given Mary's background in medicine, as well as her compassionate nature, the interaction between the three of them creates an endearing, warmhearted story, illuminated by a touch of romance.

At its core, this is about second chances, the fact that happily, things happen not according to plan, thus allowing Mary--whose last name, cleverly enough, is Chance--the opportunity to explore new, exciting twists and turns in her life.

The language is masterfully weaved by Christine Nolfi, in both dialog and exposition. Here, for example, is how she introduces Anthony, who thought a lot about dying: "She supposed it was natural given all the pain, blood tests, and hospital visits they endured. Going through it, years of it, had changed him. It put lines on his forehead and doubt in his eyes." With this you immediately see and feel for the character, his past and his present.

Five stars.(less)

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Feb 05, 2013 Naomi rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Read my full review @ http://bit.ly/11FRM2D

4.5 Stars

My opinion: OH MY GOODNESS...I LOVED THIS BOOK! Not being a huge fan of Ms. Nolfi's first book, Treasure Me, I went into this book with oodles of trepidation. I was SO pleasantly surprised!

I actually abhor when people do this, but Second Chance Grill reminded me of novels written by my favorite romance author, LaVyrle Spencer. There was such an innocence to this novel in the romance between Mary and Anthony, that I found myself smiling the ent...more

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Jan 02, 2013 Tima rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Mary inherits a restaurant from her aunt at the perfect time in her life. After losing her best friend and colleague she decides to take Sabbatical from her medical practice and try her hand at running a restaurant. Liberty is a small town in Ohio, and the Second Chance Grill is its only restaurant. So Mary soon meets most of the citizens. Two stand out the most - Anthony and his daughter Blossom.

As I started reading the book I missed that it was part of a series. It can definitely stand alone....more

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Dec 24, 2012 Valentina rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This really is what romance novels should be like. With its careful characterization and charming atmosphere, this is a book that will please most readers of pretty much any genre.
The characters are what really captured me, from the very beginning. They each have such a particular voice, which can sometimes be missing from novels like this, which involve a whole small town. They each have their bits of quirkiness, which makes them unforgettable and instantly endearing.
The writing is deceptively...more

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Dec 12, 2012 Laurie Jenkins rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, fiction, inspirational, kindle, read-in-2012, romance, womens-fiction

Mary Chance inherits a restaurant in Liberty Ohio and jumps at the opportunity it offers for a new beginning and a welcome break away from her medical career. Still mourning the loss of her best friend, Mary is excited to be taking her life in a new direction. She needs the break and jumps right in to small town life.

This delightful story swept me up and away to Liberty and the Second Chance Grill. Ms Nolfi writes beautifully evocative sentences that allow readers to savor the little nuggets an...more

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Nov 28, 2012 Sara HarlequinJunkie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Reviewed at: HarlequinJunkie.com

Second Chance Grill is a very romantic and emotional story about second chances.

Mary Chance has taken a yearlong sabbatical form medicine after the death of her best friend. After she informed her aunt Meg about her decision her aunt decides to give her the restaurant she was to inherit in Liberty, Ohio.

Blossom Perini is a precocious teen, but there is a painful reason for the way she is. And now she has set her sight on pairing Mary with her father Anthony Perini...more

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Nov 26, 2012 Irene rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Read this book!!
It doesn't matter if you are an avid reader or not, this book is entertaining and moving.
Here is an excerpt from my blog review:

"This book is packed with story lines such as the budding romance, a story of cancer survival, difficult career choices. One of the things I loved about this novel it illustrates just how far good people will go to help those who need it most. (On a side note, have you gone out of your way to help someone lately?)
The author has also thrown into the mix...more

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Nov 03, 2012 Desere Steenberg rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The book centred around Dr Mary Chance who needs a break from her everyday medicine life to grieve for her lost friend. So yes there is your tear jerking moment.

Mary inherits a restaurant and here is where she meets a pre-teen who along with her father turns Mary's life upside down. And in that is your oh boy here is comes moment.

Mary is not prepared for the feelings and emotions that follow in the wake of meeting two people she never thought would cross her path. Now I am sure you will agree t...more

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Oct 29, 2012 Kelly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads, fiction, romance

Pull up a tall glass of sweet tea, or an icy beer or whatever drink brings you to recall those feelings that you get when you think of a small midwestern town. Got it? Good. Now get comfortable. This review is going to take you on some explanations and will hopefully convince you to go out there and buy this book. Buy all any any books you can find by this author. You won't be sorry and in fact, I'm going to go out a limb and say that you might even be a better person for it. Really? Really.

This...more Pull up a tall glass of sweet tea, or an icy beer or whatever drink brings you to recall those feelings that you get when you think of a small midwestern town. Got it? Good. Now get comfortable. This review is going to take you on some explanations and will hopefully convince you to go out there and buy this book. Buy all any any books you can find by this author. You won't be sorry and in fact, I'm going to go out a limb and say that you might even be a better person for it. Really? Really.

This book, Second Chance Grill, takes us back to the lovely characters and charming small town of Liberty, Ohio. Second Chance Grill is the second book in the Liberty Series but this is a little bit confusing because it's really the first book. The characters are separate and both the first book in the series and this one can be read as a stand alone but, as the ladies in my book club remind me, this is sometimes not something people will consider doing EVER so, my advice is this: read the second book first (Second Chance Grill) and then read Treasure Me, the first book. Clear as mud right? Having read Treasure Me as well, I believe that the reader falls more in love with the town and its charm and its characters than it does in Treasure Me. Not that Treasure Me doesn't have the same grab factor, because it does. But the beginning of this story definitely feels like Second Chance Grill and that was something that confused me in Treasure Me. In fact, I gave Treasure Me a 4 star rating but now, after having read this book, I want to go back and change that rating to a 5 star because now things fit into place. Now it's not as confusing.

As to my review: You know how sometimes you read a book and the writing is SO intense that you have to stop and reread various passages several times because you know there is some hidden meaning behind it's prose? That WILL NOT happen in this book. It is simply written (not written simply) with sentence structures that don't make me crazy. There are passages that make me feel the way the author wants me to feel in the story. For instance, at one point, the author talks about the "smell of summer's first hot dog" and the "...scent of freshly mown grass mingled with the sweet aroma of lavendar spilling in waves across the sidewalk..." These simple descriptions just plant me on some park bench in the middle of Liberty, Ohio watching everything going on. That is reason number one that I love this author, her style of writing. Its easy to read and yet provokes intense emotional response.

Reason number two: This author stands for family. I've said that about Ms. Nolfi before, in fact I've said that in all my reviews and I apparently mean it. Even better, the author means it. In this particular story, we meet Anthony and Blossom, a single father and his terminally ill 11 year old daughter and the love interest, Mary. The story is about how they come together, about the community that helps them, and about how they overcome a series of obstacles that threaten to pull them all apart. It's a love story between man and woman, father and daughter, mother and daughter and together as a family.

Now, the minute I said "terminally ill" I know what you are thinking. "Rut roh, tear jerker book." You would be right. I cried pretty much the entire way through the book, but to be honest, most of that was because of my own issues. You won't be crying for those issues (unless yours are the same as mine). I digress. This author stands for family. This book stands for family: Whether it's blood or people that become like blood, whether that relationship is a neighborly one, or a marriageable one. It's so pleasantly nice in a day and age where it's all about how crappy the economy is and political this and political that to remember that there are FAR more important things in life. You have to look at what's right in front of you sometimes and hold on to it with both hands.

The story is not unpredictable. There were some parts where one might even say they were a tad hokey. A little contrived perhaps. But what's important to note here: I didn't care. I didn't. I loved it. I wanted more. And if you know me, you know a few things about me. Like for instance that I always try to tell the truth (that means this review is an honest one) and that I tend to be cynical most of the time. I don't go for romance fluff. It doesn't wave my red, white and blue (no pun to Liberty intended). For me to like this sort of thing , and to like it on the level that I do like it in this book, speaks enormous volumes. And "volumes" is what I'd like to see in the continuing saga of Liberty, Ohio.

Of important note, the characters in this story, I'm talking the secondary characters, are as charming as the bunting in the Second Chance Grill. I fell in love with the characters originally in Treasure Me, and here they are again in Second Chance Grill. I wonder if we'll always see them in future books? Are they like a comfortable pair of jeans? I sure hope so. Also to note, and I have to do this even though a book review may not be the place for it, so I'll be brief on this point. Ms. Nolfi makes an important statement about the alarming status of health care in our nation without politicizing it. I hope someone stands up and takes note and is smart enough to figure out how to fix it and then gets to work doing just that. My goodness, if the author were able to somehow promote that to happen, I know she'd be happier than a Pulitzer Prize winner!

I don't normally offer a preference on this, but I love this series so much, I highly recommend buying a real (paper v. e copy) version of this book because it's probably one you are going to love holding onto and sniffing the pages and then going back years later to reread the book and noting the pages where your tears have fallen onto the page. That is, after all, the true essence of a good book and this book, this SERIES, is full of that essence. Enjoy!(less)

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Oct 29, 2012 Kelly rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-reads, fiction, romance

Pull up a tall glass of sweet tea, or an icy beer or whatever drink brings you to recall those feelings that you get when you think of a small midwestern town. Got it? Good. Now get comfortable. This review is going to take you on some explanations and will hopefully convince you to go out there and buy this book. Buy all any any books you can find by this author. You won't be sorry and in fact, I'm going to go out a limb and say that you might even be a better person for it. Really? Really.

Thi...more Pull up a tall glass of sweet tea, or an icy beer or whatever drink brings you to recall those feelings that you get when you think of a small midwestern town. Got it? Good. Now get comfortable. This review is going to take you on some explanations and will hopefully convince you to go out there and buy this book. Buy all any any books you can find by this author. You won't be sorry and in fact, I'm going to go out a limb and say that you might even be a better person for it. Really? Really.

This book, Second Chance Grill, takes us back to the lovely characters and charming small town of Liberty, Ohio. Second Chance Grill is the second book in the Liberty Series but this is a little bit confusing because it's really the first book. The characters are separate and both the first book in the series and this one can be read as a stand alone but, as the ladies in my book club remind me, this is sometimes not something people will consider doing EVER so, my advice is this: read the second book first (Second Chance Grill) and then read Treasure Me, the first book. Clear as mud right? Having read Treasure Me as well, I believe that the reader falls more in love with the town and its charm and its characters than it does in Treasure Me. Not that Treasure Me doesn't have the same grab factor, because it does. But the beginning of this story definitely feels like Second Chance Grill and that was something that confused me in Treasure Me. In fact, I gave Treasure Me a 4 star rating but now, after having read this book, I want to go back and change that rating to a 5 star because now things fit into place. Now it's not as confusing.

As to my review: You know how sometimes you read a book and the writing is SO intense that you have to stop and reread various passages several times because you know there is some hidden meaning behind it's prose? That WILL NOT happen in this book. It is simply written (not written simply) with sentence structures that don't make me crazy. There are passages that make me feel the way the author wants me to feel in the story. For instance, at one point, the author talks about the "smell of summer's first hot dog" and the "...scent of freshly mown grass mingled with the sweet aroma of lavendar spilling in waves across the sidewalk..." These simple descriptions just plant me on some park bench in the middle of Liberty, Ohio watching everything going on. That is reason number one that I love this author, her style of writing. Its easy to read and yet provokes intense emotional response.

Reason number two: This author stands for family. I've said that about Ms. Nolfi before, in fact I've said that in all my reviews and I apparently mean it. Even better, the author means it. In this particular story, we meet Anthony and Blossom, a single father and his extremely ill 11 year old daughter and the love interest, Mary. The story is about how they come together, about the community that helps them, and about how they overcome a series of obstacles that threaten to pull them all apart. It's a love story between man and woman, father and daughter, mother and daughter and together as a family.

Now, the minute I said "extremely ill" I know what you are thinking. "Rut roh, tear jerker book." You would be right. I cried pretty much the entire way through the book, but to be honest, most of that was because of my own issues. You won't be crying for those issues (unless yours are the same as mine). I digress. This author stands for family. This book stands for family: Whether it's blood or people that become like blood, whether that relationship is a neighborly one, or a marriageable one. It's so pleasantly nice in a day and age where it's all about how crappy the economy is and political this and political that to remember that there are FAR more important things in life. You have to look at what's right in front of you sometimes and hold on to it with both hands.

The story is not unpredictable. There were some parts where one might even say they were a tad hokey. A little contrived perhaps. But what's important to note here: I didn't care. I didn't. I loved it. I wanted more. And if you know me, you know a few things about me. Like for instance that I always try to tell the truth (that means this review is an honest one) and that I tend to be cynical most of the time. I don't go for romance fluff. It doesn't wave my red, white and blue (no pun to Liberty intended). For me to like this sort of thing , and to like it on the level that I do like it in this book, speaks enormous volumes. And "volumes" is what I'd like to see in the continuing saga of Liberty, Ohio.

Of important note, the characters in this story, I'm talking the secondary characters, are as charming as the bunting in the Second Chance Grill. I fell in love with the characters originally in Treasure Me, and here they are again in Second Chance Grill. I wonder if we'll always see them in future books? Are they like a comfortable pair of jeans? I sure hope so. Also to note, and I have to do this even though a book review may not be the place for it, so I'll be brief on this point. Ms. Nolfi makes an important statement about the alarming status of health care in our nation without politicizing it. I hope someone stands up and takes note and is smart enough to figure out how to fix it and then gets to work doing just that. My goodness, if the author were able to somehow promote that to happen, I know she'd be happier than a Pulitzer Prize winner!

I don't normally offer a preference on this, but I love this series so much, I highly recommend buying a real (paper v. e copy) version of this book because it's probably one you are going to love holding onto and sniffing the pages and then going back years later to reread the book and noting the pages where your tears have fallen onto the page. That is, after all, the true essence of a good book and this book, this SERIES, is full of that essence. Enjoy!

(less)

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Oct 30, 2012 Casee Marie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, favorites, reviewed

My full review at Literary Inklings

Nolfi’s delightful concoction of Liberty, Ohio, with its small town feel and larger-than-life characters, is literary escapism at its finest. The story of Second Chance Grill is a whirlwind of love and loss, joy and sorrow, honoring time-tested concepts through the art of fiction, in which Nolfi is especially gifted. It takes no time at all when the reader journeys into its pages to realize that this novel is all heart and all love. It isn’t always easy – from...more

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Dec 31, 2012 Zed Whisper rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I found this an adorable read, it was cute, entertaining and truly heartwarming; a book packed with emotions.

The story begins with a young doctor taking a sabbatical from her medical career by setting up the restaurant that her aunt had left her. Mary is re-opening the restaurant diner to keep herself busy and help herself overcome the loss of her bestfriend and almost-sister Sadie, who died in an accident.

I enjoyed reading about Mary because she sounded genuine, with her attempts to fit into t...more

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Nov 04, 2012 Frederick Brooke rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Second Chance Grill tells the story of Mary Chance, a young doctor who decides to take a year off from medicine as she grieves over the loss of her best friend in a tragic accident. Mary has also inherited the only restaurant in the small town of Liberty, Ohio from a quirky aunt who has run off to Tibet. She figures she’ll put the restaurant in order and at the end of a year return to the big city and get on with her medical career.

Isn’t it funny how you can make all sorts of plans, and then lif...more

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Jan 28, 2013 Literary rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Mandy's Review:

Everyone deserves a second (and sometimes a third, fourth, and so on) chance. It doesn't matter what people have done or what situation they're in, if they are trying to do better another chance should be given to them. Stop living in the past and look towards the future.

Mary deserves a second chance with her medical career that helps her to feel fulfilled while not disappointing anyone. Her best friend, another doctor, was killed recently by a drunk driver. The two friends had in...more Mandy's Review:

Everyone deserves a second (and sometimes a third, fourth, and so on) chance. It doesn't matter what people have done or what situation they're in, if they are trying to do better another chance should be given to them. Stop living in the past and look towards the future.

Mary deserves a second chance with her medical career that helps her to feel fulfilled while not disappointing anyone. Her best friend, another doctor, was killed recently by a drunk driver. The two friends had intended on taking over a free clinic as a way to give back to the community, but now that her friend was dead Mary needed to get away. With her aunt retiring, Mary acquires the Liberty's only restaurant. She renames the place, revamps the menu, and opens up shop ... to a horrendous, disastrous first day.

Anthony deserves a second chance at true love. He had never been in love even though he had been married before. A girl in high school, not even his "girlfriend," was waiting on his bed for him one day after school ... naked. Being a teenage boy with raging hormones, he did what any male in his situation would do ... he had sex with her. That one time was enough to get her pregnant and, being the honorable guy that he was, Anthony married her shortly after graduation. Two years later, she divorces Anthony leaving him in Liberty with their child.

Blossom deserves a second chance at having a mother and at life. Growing up as a single child with a single parent, Blossom is somewhat spoiled. Anthony's done the best he could during her childhood years, but now that Blossom is a preteen she needs a mother. When Blossom sets eyes on Mary, she determines to have Mary in that role. While pushing Anthony and Mary together every chance she can, Blossom's hiding the fact that she's not feeling well. She's in remission from leukemia and doesn't want to worry her father about her health. About a month before the long-awaited two-year remission mark, Blossom takes a serious turn for the worse: her leukemia has come back with a vengeance. Her only possible chance at survival is a bone marrow transplant, which costs a ton of money her family cannot afford.

Second Chance Grill is a wonderfully realistic story that I could read over and over again. It made me laugh and cry. Even though Liberty isn't a real city, I could easily picture this happening in any small town across America. This is a town that I want to live in with people I would love to have as friends. Christine Nolfi has a wonderful thing going on with the Liberty series and I cannot wait to see who we'll learn more about next.(less)

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Dec 13, 2012 Marcy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: i-own-it, on-my-nook, our-novel-escape, read-in-2012, monthly-read

Just what I needed.

Brought to my attention by my Goodreads book club moderator, this book and author have now been pushed to the top of my favorites list. At the time our book club was scheduled to start this read, I had a lot going on in my personal life and really didn't feel like I had the time to read this one. But the fact that the author herself was taking time out of her busy life to chat with us throughout the read influenced me to take the plunge. And I couldn't be more glad that I did....more

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Mar 05, 2013 Nikki Bywater rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When Dr Mary Chance inherits a restaurant from her late aunt, she travels from Cincinnati to Liberty, to relaunch and reopen the restaurant naming it The Second Chance Grill. The gift of inheriting the restaurant had just come along at the right time for Mary, it had given her a chance to get away and reflect on her life, after the tragic loss of her dear friend Sadie. Sadie also a doctor and Mary had been planning to take over Sadie’s fathers practice when he retired, but now with Sadie’s death...more

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Jan 06, 2013 Meg - A Bookish Affair rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, fiction, romance

As the synopsis says, "Second Chance Grill" is the prequel to "Treasure Me," a book that I read and thoroughly enjoyed in 2011. I really enjoyed getting to see a little more background on the Second Chance Grill and the little town of Liberty. I love, love, love the setting of Liberty. Liberty is the quintessential small town. Everyone knows everyone. Anyone new is an automatic curiosity. It's a cute town where even though everyone seems to be into everyone's issues, they all also want to help e...more

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Dec 05, 2012 Anastasia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

For more reviews visit: http://livinginabookworld.blogspot.gr

Second chance at life and love.
Miracles do happen.

These are the two things that anybody will need, in order to summarize Second Chance Grill. But, let's take things from the top.
Dr. Mary Chance needs a break from her life as a doctor. And the perfect opportunity comes up. Her aunt decides to retire and gives her restaurant to Mary, which is named Second Chance Grill. Mary decorates it, hires a decent cook and after a quite hard beginni...more For more reviews visit: http://livinginabookworld.blogspot.gr

Second chance at life and love.
Miracles do happen.

These are the two things that anybody will need, in order to summarize Second Chance Grill. But, let's take things from the top.
Dr. Mary Chance needs a break from her life as a doctor. And the perfect opportunity comes up. Her aunt decides to retire and gives her restaurant to Mary, which is named Second Chance Grill. Mary decorates it, hires a decent cook and after a quite hard beginning, business is finally open. That's when Blossom, the cutest girl she's ever seen, walks in and steals her heart. Well, half her heart because the other half belongs to Blossom's father, Anthony. That's right people. Love at first sight.
Anthony has been through enough. He got married and raised his daughter too young. Then his wife leaves him for another guy. And then Blossom is diagnosed with leukemia. Anthony is a great man, an amazing father and Mary has no other choice but to fall in love with him and vice versa.
Everything seems to be perfect in Mary's new life. So, what's the problem? The thing is Mary wants to run the restaurant for a year and then return to her old life and take over the clinic she worked at. Sounds nice, right? Well, it's not. Because not everything in life goes as planned.
She has to take over the clinic much sooner than she expected. But what about Anthony? Now that she's found true love, can she just let it slip away from her? And Blossom, who may be healthy for now but nobody knows when or if cancer will return. And in this case it does. But in order for Blossom to live , sacrifices must be made. But like I said, miracles do happen. And sometimes there's a happily ever after.
All in all, I loved this book even if it's narrated from an adult's point of view. I really didn't mind because it's a story full of messages about life and the decisions that makes us who we are.
For readers who loved The Fault in Our Stars and The Probability of Miracles, they will definitely adore Second Chance Grill.(less)

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Nov 26, 2012 Gliterary Girl (Page Managed by Sara) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-drama

From https://2gliterarygirls.com

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Genre: Romance
Format: E-Book
Recommended Reading: 16+

RECEIVED A FREE COPY IN EXCHANGE FOR A REVIEW

****THERE ARE NO SPOILERS****

The Gist: If you are looking for a saccharine sweet romance with a dollop of heart-wrenching, Second Chance Grill is the novel for you. It is well written and very similar to those feel-good romances that find their way to the top of the movie charts. I recommend this small town with a big heart tale one hundred pe...more

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Dec 13, 2012 Dhfan4life rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

To put it simply this is the book to read when you are looking for a contemporary story about a small town, a humorous doc, a sassy pre-teen and the local heart throb living in Liberty, Ohio and dealing not just with life but the facts of raising and loving a child with a life threatening illness. I'll be honest and admit it isn't my usual read as I'm all about the PNR and UF books. But this story really puts life into perspective for me as someone from a small town and having dealt with loving...more To put it simply this is the book to read when you are looking for a contemporary story about a small town, a humorous doc, a sassy pre-teen and the local heart throb living in Liberty, Ohio and dealing not just with life but the facts of raising and loving a child with a life threatening illness. I'll be honest and admit it isn't my usual read as I'm all about the PNR and UF books. But this story really puts life into perspective for me as someone from a small town and having dealt with loving a relative through a seriously scary health condition. I'll add too that I've read this author before and she knocked my socks off then and done it once more.

In short this story follows Mary Chance, General Practitioner and grieving friend, to small town Ohio where she is to assume responsibility of a restaurant that her grandmother leaves her. It's the last thing she expects to be doing but slowly gets the hang of it over time. As well as gradually growing and getting to know the locals of the town. Two in particular, Anthony the mechanic and his daughter Blossom she really becomes close to. All in all they wind up changing each others' lives in such a impactful way that you could swear you are seeing the tale play out like it was a feel good Lifetime movie from start to finish.

What I like about the book:

Loved the main character. She truly was relatable and warm. Loved the sass of pre-teen Blossom. My own mother would have knocked me out for saying half the stuff that kid did. But was a good thing she was able to express herself so well and not just ushered off into a corner like most kids are in romance stories. I even like how in tuned with her obligations Mary was. Most stories I've read in the past the author has given the main character some great obligations they have to work through before choosing what their heart wants. But they generally just have the character chuck it all and run off to do the most "heart felt" choice right off the bat and never look back. Wasn't the case here and it was great. She didn't even want to rush into a marriage or start having kids either at the end it was great.

What I didn't like about the book:

Aside from how the towns people were so rude to Mary and distant at first really annoyed me. I mean I get she was new in town but man they treated her like she had some leprosy or something. Always with the "quack that can't cook" commentary. I know I can't cook and nor am I a doc but I wanted to rise to Mary's defense more times than not for sure.

I also wasn't really fond of the fact that the rival of Mary's affections for Anthony really didn't seem like much of a nemesis at all. I mean she started out that way somewhat. But she just faded into the background and eased so far off it was like why even bring up her thread of the story at all?

But beyond these two things, I really enjoyed the story and would recommend it to anyone that loves a good wholesome Contemporary read that will really make you value your loved ones even more than you have before. (less)

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Jan 11, 2013 Jennifer C rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-read

This is a lovely book about a small town pulling together finding love, friendship and a sense of belonging. As the reader, I couldn’t help but fall in love with the wacky characters, the struggling restaurant, and a little girl battling a very grown up issue. I adore stories about small towns and this one ranks right up there with the best. It provides a detailed view of the town, it allows us to meet the townspeople in a way that I cheered them on and want them to succeed and the author leaves...more

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May 13, 2013 Cindy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, may-2013

I truly loved everything about this book! Christine Nolfi once again brings the small town of Liberty to life where we get to know Mary and Anthony better. In this book we learn how they fell in love and what a beautiful romance they have despite problems along the way.

This was a heart breaking at times story but the heart warming parts were there too and they were superb. It was so touching how this small town came together to help one of its own. Of course, we couldn't visit Liberty without th...more

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Nov 02, 2012 Megan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

What a great book! I really enjoyed this one. It is an emotional and heart warming story about second chances and being open to life's journey, even when it derails all your carefully laid plans. The characters are large as life and you can't help but love them. The story takes place in a fictional small town in North East Ohio which was great fun for me, being from Ohio myself. You really get a feel for the town and the people who live there and it all just comes alive. All in all, I loved this...more

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Feb 20, 2013 John Hancock rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

TURNED MY HEART AROUND:

Ok. I stayed up last night finishing this book. Against my will? well, kinda. Let me explain:
When I first started reading this, I thought, as a 50 something adult male, I had stumbled onto another YA romance book. But I was wrong.
Well, maybe I was right I have no idea what category this is in.
Sorry, let me get back on track.

This was very well written, and the dialogue between characters was not only believable, but felt organic to their characters, and was interesting and...more

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Dec 02, 2012 Juliet rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bookclub-reads, read-2012, e-books-i-owned, romance

The story started with Mary Chance, a doctor, who gave up her job after the death of her close friend and decided to take over the restaurant that her Aunt Meg had left her in Liberty, Ohio. There she fell in love at first sight with Anthony, Blossom's father.

The first chapter ended with a shocking twist which I have not expected. The author definitely did a good job in her writing which had left the reader clueless about what they are expecting. That has definitely caught my interest in the boo...more

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Apr 23, 2013 Elyse rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I literally devoured this book! Its part of a series but it can 'completely' stand alone.

Its packed filled with emotion -- (its the 2nd book I cried like a baby in within the last month)....which until having read "Calling Me Home" by Julie Kibler", (cried in her book also) --I can't remember crying in a book in long time.
So, I cried in "Second Chance Grill". [sue me]. Sure smiled and laughed a lot, also.

I'm not a fan of traditional 'chick' books ---but this is NOT that -- but yes, I do think...more

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Sisterhood of the...: Second Chance Grill, by Christine Nolfi	52	32	May 02, 2013 12:27pm
Making Connections: 923. - SECOND CHANCE GRILL (Liberty #2) by Christine Nolfi	4	27	Apr 18, 2013 08:46pm

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Second Chance Grill (Liberty #2)

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