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The Reunion at Halfpoint
Annie Dubois had agreed to host her 20-year class reunion at her Aunt Elbie's Inn for one reason: her high school sweetheart wasn't coming. Even after all those years, Annie wasn't sure she could face the man she loved. Especially not when her heart already belonged to her two kids.
When Hank Orin Jr. showed up unexpectedly, Annie was annoyed and compelled in equal measure. Hank immediately made his intentions clear: he wanted Annie and he would do anything to have and keep her.
With her one and only sweetheart fighting to rekindle their romance after twenty years apart, Annie must decide if her busy life, and her already-full heart, has any room left for him in this sweet romance novella.
When Hank Orin Jr. showed up unexpectedly, Annie was annoyed and compelled in equal measure. Hank immediately made his intentions clear: he wanted Annie and he would do anything to have and keep her.
With her one and only sweetheart fighting to rekindle their romance after twenty years apart, Annie must decide if her busy life, and her already-full heart, has any room left for him in this sweet romance novella.
ebook
First published August 9, 2020
80 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Celia K. Nott
6 books95 followersCelia K Nott grew up in a small town in Colorado where she learned the difference between bear and cougar attacks and how to control a spin-out on icy roads. She is married to her college sweetheart and they recently adopted their first child through international adoption.
Celia writes what she knows best: small mountain towns and quirky characters with adoption/foster-care themes woven throughout. When not writing, Celia is busy entertaining her son and their three dogs, enjoying the beauty and sport of Western Colorado or simply drinking tea and burying herself in a good book.
Each of Celia's series are rated for their heat level, ranging from sweet with heat to sexy. The Inn at Halfpoint series launches in October with her novel: A Suite Christmas. To get a taste of the Halfpoint world, you can read her debut book The Reunion at Halfpoint on Kindle or Kindle Unlimited.
Celia writes what she knows best: small mountain towns and quirky characters with adoption/foster-care themes woven throughout. When not writing, Celia is busy entertaining her son and their three dogs, enjoying the beauty and sport of Western Colorado or simply drinking tea and burying herself in a good book.
Each of Celia's series are rated for their heat level, ranging from sweet with heat to sexy. The Inn at Halfpoint series launches in October with her novel: A Suite Christmas. To get a taste of the Halfpoint world, you can read her debut book The Reunion at Halfpoint on Kindle or Kindle Unlimited.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 8, 2020
When you think about the characters and smile days after you finish a book, you know it's made an impression. This novella is full of fun, a little worry and some interesting character twists. Looking forward to the entire series!
August 10, 2020
Love has not dimmed for two high school lovers that separated after graduation. Now at a reunion with the other seven classmates and their families, a reconnecting might be possible. Backstories and current kidding open up their world to us as they maneuver over a week long get together. Who married and divorced who and other typical questions of what has happened over the years bring the group into focus. Annie has remained single but now is mom to her niece and nephew. Her life has changed so much but her life may change again. Miscommunication and plot twists charge up their reconnection and her kids add some intrigue to the mix. Loved the book so much and can not wait to read more from this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 6, 2020
I enjoyed this story, it was well written and very easy to read. Annie has organised the 20 year (small town class-of-eight) reunion and is glad her ex declined to attend. However, he does turn up and declare that he wants to win her back.
Annie was likeable and struggling with being a new mum. Hank was too good to be true and was just what Annie needed.
I liked the characters and the familiarity between them, even though most hadn't seen each other for 20 years. The little bits of drama were great to read.
I wasn't overly convinced with Hank's declaration of love after 20 years of no contact, I think it would have been more convincing after just 5 or 10 years.
The story was easy to read and enjoyable.
I was given a copy of this book and I have voluntarily left an honest review.
Annie was likeable and struggling with being a new mum. Hank was too good to be true and was just what Annie needed.
I liked the characters and the familiarity between them, even though most hadn't seen each other for 20 years. The little bits of drama were great to read.
I wasn't overly convinced with Hank's declaration of love after 20 years of no contact, I think it would have been more convincing after just 5 or 10 years.
The story was easy to read and enjoyable.
I was given a copy of this book and I have voluntarily left an honest review.
October 26, 2020
I loved this book. From start to finish, I was engaged and wanted to know more. My only critique has to do with the "not quite clean" part. The book was very clean until all of the sudden it wasn't. And, it was kind of jarring when a curse or sex reference arrived because the rest of the book was so clean. I wish there were either more "not so clean" parts scattered throughout or that it were totally clean. The balance just felt off. Either way, it didn't interfere my overall enjoyment of the book. I definitely recommend this book and I plan on reading Celia's newest release, too!
August 9, 2020
This was a great short novel. Hank and Annie meet again after 20 yrs at the School reunion that Annie organised. Can they get back together despite their fears? The characters are well written and I can't wait for what's next for this author.
I was give a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was give a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 10, 2020
Sweet as blackberry pancakes
Really enjoyed this week story about a single mom and the one who isn't going to let her get away this time. A fun, quick, satisfying read, looking forward to more from the author!
Really enjoyed this week story about a single mom and the one who isn't going to let her get away this time. A fun, quick, satisfying read, looking forward to more from the author!
July 29, 2020
This novella is such a perfect pick-me-up! It is a relatively short and easy flowing read that doesn’t fail to keep you hooked until the very end.
The conversations between the little ones and the adults is extremely heartening and replete with innocent humor. One aspect I personally admired was the author including LGBTQ+ and special needs characters without taking the focus away from the plot and the character’s personalities.
The prose discusses love, loss, drama, heartbreak, rekindling old love, (a bit of sex 👀), with a side of humor. The book is not a perfect bed of roses, and yet it reinforces the feeling of warm fuzzy hopefulness.
The conversations between the little ones and the adults is extremely heartening and replete with innocent humor. One aspect I personally admired was the author including LGBTQ+ and special needs characters without taking the focus away from the plot and the character’s personalities.
The prose discusses love, loss, drama, heartbreak, rekindling old love, (a bit of sex 👀), with a side of humor. The book is not a perfect bed of roses, and yet it reinforces the feeling of warm fuzzy hopefulness.
September 8, 2020
This was a great and quick read! It has terrific characters and plot twists to keep the reader thoroughly entertained. Loved loved it!
October 29, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Halfpoint and can’t wait to return! This is a great second chance romance filled with wonderful characters. Lots of emotions and twists to keep you entertained and turning pages. A great read!
August 30, 2020
This is a sweet (not quite clean) romance that introduces readers to the world of Halfpoint which I'm hoping we get to visit again soon! It took me a few chapters to really get into the story, but once I caught on to the various dynamics- it moved quickly. I loved the interactions between Annie and her children and appreciated incorporation of adoption, trauma, loss, and developmental disabilities into the story. Unlike other romances I've read, I really liked that the driving question wasn't if Hank and Annie love each other- the conflict really comes down to past losses and the question of how much risk is worth it? If you enjoy sweet, small town romances, I recommend checking out this quick, enjoyable read!
October 4, 2020
Brilliant
Loved this sweet little romance of second chances and taking steps in the fear of change. Enjoyed the family dynamics and the wholesomeness.
Loved this sweet little romance of second chances and taking steps in the fear of change. Enjoyed the family dynamics and the wholesomeness.
August 26, 2020
If you feel like reading a fast and mostly happy book you need to read this novella! Annie agrees to host her 20-year class reunion for her very small class, and one of the only reasons she agrees to do it is that Hank, her high school sweetheart, is NOT coming! Then, of course, he actually does show up and you need to sit back and enjoy the story! I don't want to spoil anything so I will just encourage you to escape into this story.
August 11, 2020
Love at a Reunion
What a sweet love story. What happens when you go to your 20th high reunion and you see the one that got away? How about when said love says they want you back and will do anything? Is it worth the risk? If your looking for a cute romance story you really need to read this.
What a sweet love story. What happens when you go to your 20th high reunion and you see the one that got away? How about when said love says they want you back and will do anything? Is it worth the risk? If your looking for a cute romance story you really need to read this.
August 8, 2020
This book was given to me as an ARC/complimentary pre-release copy in exchange for an honest review.
So here goes..
It’s a cute book, good for a one time read. Initially it seems a bit slow but gains momentum after a few pages and then the love story starts consuming you. The ending is emotional and there are some great moments in the book when the couple tries to get cozy while keeping it a secret. That tiptoeing is something we’ve all done and thus brings back memories. The fact that no two days in life are the same yet feelings are hard to erase is beautifully described in the book.
MUST READ!
So here goes..
It’s a cute book, good for a one time read. Initially it seems a bit slow but gains momentum after a few pages and then the love story starts consuming you. The ending is emotional and there are some great moments in the book when the couple tries to get cozy while keeping it a secret. That tiptoeing is something we’ve all done and thus brings back memories. The fact that no two days in life are the same yet feelings are hard to erase is beautifully described in the book.
MUST READ!
June 9, 2021
I liked this book. There were parts that made me believe that I wouldn't but then things got so much better than I anticipated and I loved it. I liked how neither Annie nor Hank gave up in the other. It was really true love. I would have liked to see the rest of their journey, I imagined it would be just amazing
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May 23, 2021Excerpt:
Annie was a grown woman, she'd gone to therapy and read the self-help books and felt like she knew herself fairly well. And if she was anything, it was an all-or-nothing type of gal. That aspect of her personality had made loving Hank easy all those years ago. But now that she had two wonderful kids depending on her, Annie couldn't risk giving Hank everything once again. And giving him less than he'd expect wasn't exactly fair to him, either.
"You're thinking too hard, Annie," Hank said, his voice a rumble in her ear as they reached the top of the stairs.
"You’re giving me a lot to think about," she said.
"Honesty," he quipped. "Why do I get the feeling I won't like what you're thinking about?"
Annie stopped at her door and toed it open. Being in Auntie Elbie's Inn with people she was intimately familiar with and their families made her too comfortable. She hadn't locked the door to her room since they'd arrived yesterday. She stopped in the doorway and turned to look at Hank.
"Because if I wasn't thinking,” she admitted. “You wouldn't have anything to worry about."
The darkened hallway, lit only by a wall-mounted lamp on either end, made it easy to be honest. Or maybe it was just Hank. Growing up in a town like Halfpoint meant that you couldn't just ditch your friends and find new ones when the going got tough. Nope. In Halfpoint, you put on your big-girl panties and figured things out. That kind of history didn't get wiped away by time or distance. The bonds forged in Halfpoint were strong stuff.
The bonds forged between her and Hank? Well, Annie had known since she was sixteen that they were made to last forever.
"So the problem isn't that you don't love me?" he asked.
Annie shook her head and turned back around to tuck Emmie into her half of the king-sized bed. "You know it isn't."
As soon as she'd covered Emmie up, Hank wrapped his arms around Annie's waist and he pressed her back into his chest. This close, Annie could practically drown herself in his scent. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms over top of his.
"You know what happens when two people love each other," he murmured.
"Hm," she agreed. "But we're not just two people anymore."
Annie was a grown woman, she'd gone to therapy and read the self-help books and felt like she knew herself fairly well. And if she was anything, it was an all-or-nothing type of gal. That aspect of her personality had made loving Hank easy all those years ago. But now that she had two wonderful kids depending on her, Annie couldn't risk giving Hank everything once again. And giving him less than he'd expect wasn't exactly fair to him, either.
"You're thinking too hard, Annie," Hank said, his voice a rumble in her ear as they reached the top of the stairs.
"You’re giving me a lot to think about," she said.
"Honesty," he quipped. "Why do I get the feeling I won't like what you're thinking about?"
Annie stopped at her door and toed it open. Being in Auntie Elbie's Inn with people she was intimately familiar with and their families made her too comfortable. She hadn't locked the door to her room since they'd arrived yesterday. She stopped in the doorway and turned to look at Hank.
"Because if I wasn't thinking,” she admitted. “You wouldn't have anything to worry about."
The darkened hallway, lit only by a wall-mounted lamp on either end, made it easy to be honest. Or maybe it was just Hank. Growing up in a town like Halfpoint meant that you couldn't just ditch your friends and find new ones when the going got tough. Nope. In Halfpoint, you put on your big-girl panties and figured things out. That kind of history didn't get wiped away by time or distance. The bonds forged in Halfpoint were strong stuff.
The bonds forged between her and Hank? Well, Annie had known since she was sixteen that they were made to last forever.
"So the problem isn't that you don't love me?" he asked.
Annie shook her head and turned back around to tuck Emmie into her half of the king-sized bed. "You know it isn't."
As soon as she'd covered Emmie up, Hank wrapped his arms around Annie's waist and he pressed her back into his chest. This close, Annie could practically drown herself in his scent. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms over top of his.
"You know what happens when two people love each other," he murmured.
"Hm," she agreed. "But we're not just two people anymore."
February 8, 2021
Good escape
I enjoyed this book. Mostly because it was a story I didn't have to spend a lot of thought. It moved quickly . A good distraction. I would recommend it to anyone who need a short escape. Reading for pleasure.
I enjoyed this book. Mostly because it was a story I didn't have to spend a lot of thought. It moved quickly . A good distraction. I would recommend it to anyone who need a short escape. Reading for pleasure.
June 19, 2021
3.5 Stars (as explained below) for THE REUNION AT HALFPOINT, a HALFPOINT Colorado novella by Celia K. Nott - a Sweet, 2nd Chances HEA.
MY RATING GUIDE: 1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= I mostly enjoyed it; 3.5= I liked it; 4= Yes, I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I rarely give 5 Stars).
Annie Dubois/FMC is hosting her small class’ Twenty Year Reunion at her aunt’s Inn in Colorado. She agreed because she believed her old flame and long ago friend from high school was unable to attend. On the 1st evening of the 5 day event, Hank Orin/MMC not only arrives unexpectedly, he also approaches Annie and let’s her know that he would like to see them get reacquainted and get together as a couple/family - as he had always hoped. A single-mom, now with 2 young children in her care, and much more risk-adverse than her younger self, Annie believes her life is full and complicated enough. Does she really wish to mix it up with new possibilities of romance and possible disappointment? Especially with someone from the past? What about her children and their feelings?
There were a fair amount of characters in THE REUNION but I was able to keep track of them - sometimes by flipping back a few pages. I was pleased that the misunderstandings often used in 2nd Chances/Friends to More tropes weren’t excessive here nor was the angst - yay. THE REUNION AT HALFPOINT was a good read for those who enjoy light, small town fiction with friends and families overlapping. This was my first novel by Celia Nott. It was well written and I will keep my eyes open for her other titles. It looks like a series might be forthcoming with the other characters introduced in THE REUNION.
READER CAUTIONS -
VIOLENCE - None.
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language is used rarely (< 10x).
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes, but closed door.
MY RATING GUIDE: 1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= I mostly enjoyed it; 3.5= I liked it; 4= Yes, I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I rarely give 5 Stars).
Annie Dubois/FMC is hosting her small class’ Twenty Year Reunion at her aunt’s Inn in Colorado. She agreed because she believed her old flame and long ago friend from high school was unable to attend. On the 1st evening of the 5 day event, Hank Orin/MMC not only arrives unexpectedly, he also approaches Annie and let’s her know that he would like to see them get reacquainted and get together as a couple/family - as he had always hoped. A single-mom, now with 2 young children in her care, and much more risk-adverse than her younger self, Annie believes her life is full and complicated enough. Does she really wish to mix it up with new possibilities of romance and possible disappointment? Especially with someone from the past? What about her children and their feelings?
There were a fair amount of characters in THE REUNION but I was able to keep track of them - sometimes by flipping back a few pages. I was pleased that the misunderstandings often used in 2nd Chances/Friends to More tropes weren’t excessive here nor was the angst - yay. THE REUNION AT HALFPOINT was a good read for those who enjoy light, small town fiction with friends and families overlapping. This was my first novel by Celia Nott. It was well written and I will keep my eyes open for her other titles. It looks like a series might be forthcoming with the other characters introduced in THE REUNION.
READER CAUTIONS -
VIOLENCE - None.
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language is used rarely (< 10x).
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes, but closed door.
November 9, 2020
The Reunion at Halfpoint
The story was about second chances. They both grew up in the same place. They ended up being more than friends in high school. But she left to go to college. He left to fight fires. Now twenty years later they meet up at their high school reunion. Can a short week be enough for their chemistry to explode into something lasting?
The story was about second chances. They both grew up in the same place. They ended up being more than friends in high school. But she left to go to college. He left to fight fires. Now twenty years later they meet up at their high school reunion. Can a short week be enough for their chemistry to explode into something lasting?
October 30, 2020
DNF: 32%
It's sweet, but I'm bored.
It's sweet, but I'm bored.
July 2, 2021
This is a great little read about going on in life after a tragic event. I think you will enjoy it.
September 18, 2020
Didn’t Unfold Naturally or In Character
The concept of rekindling a romance at a reunion is a fun, contemporary romance trope, but unfortunately, it was not well done in this case. The book felt confusing right away because of the number of characters and pasts introduced, with people catching up as they do at reunions. It was a novel way to do an information dump, for sure, but it was just too much. The hero and heroine meet up quickly, which is always good, but the hero had this instant desire to get back together with the heroine though they hadn’t been in contact for nearly two decades. It just felt too quick and unbelievable, especially since we hadn't really been told or shown much about their characters to see where this would be coming from. So, characterization felt thin, the pacing was off, the story hinged on improbables that didn’t seem to spring from character, and the plot didn't seem to offer any interesting twists on this trope. All in all, I feel a little disappointed with this book.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
The concept of rekindling a romance at a reunion is a fun, contemporary romance trope, but unfortunately, it was not well done in this case. The book felt confusing right away because of the number of characters and pasts introduced, with people catching up as they do at reunions. It was a novel way to do an information dump, for sure, but it was just too much. The hero and heroine meet up quickly, which is always good, but the hero had this instant desire to get back together with the heroine though they hadn’t been in contact for nearly two decades. It just felt too quick and unbelievable, especially since we hadn't really been told or shown much about their characters to see where this would be coming from. So, characterization felt thin, the pacing was off, the story hinged on improbables that didn’t seem to spring from character, and the plot didn't seem to offer any interesting twists on this trope. All in all, I feel a little disappointed with this book.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
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