Does first love deserve a second chance? Ava Flynn sometimes feels like the clothes donated to her charity shop have seen more life than her, but ‘maximum dedication for a minimal wage’ is what it takes to keep her mother’s beloved wildlife charity, All Critters Great and Small, running – especially in the village of Dapplebury, where business is certainly not booming. But when Ava’s first love, Henry Bramlington, returns to the village, suddenly life becomes a little too eventful. Henry escaped Dapplebury many years before, but now he has the power to make or break the village he left behind – All Critters Great and Small included. Can Ava trust the boy who ran away to give both her and her charity a second chance?
Carol Thomas lives on the south coast of England with her husband, four children and lively Labrador. She has been a playgroup supervisor and taught in primary schools for over fifteen years, before dedicating more of her time to writing. Carol is a regular volunteer for Cancer Research UK. She has a passion for reading, writing and people watching and can often be found loitering in local cafes working on her next book.
Carol writes for both adults and children: Her contemporary romance novels, have relatable heroines whose stories are layered with emotion, sprinkled with laughter and topped with irresistible male leads; while her children's books have irresistibly cute, generally furry characters young children can relate to.
Oh this charming and heartwarming book is such a delight to read. First the community of Dapplebury, a mall town that is just the perfect setting for these characters that I just adored reading about - Ava and Henry. The story is full of surprises, a bit of everything in this lovely story with just the right amount of emotional pull, drama, and of course the romance.
A lovely story about second chances, friendships and the village community that was uplifting and endearing read. I highly recommend getting lost in Thomas' writing for a lovely cozy read you wouldn't want to miss.
I am ready for more of Carol Thomas' writing. This was more than wonderful.
First day of sunshine in the garden (at long last!), and I really couldn’t have made a better choice of book to be reading. Ava runs the charity shop in the village of Dapplebury for her late mother’s wildlife charity – and there’s a nice little edge of sadness there, missing her mum, knowing how much it meant to her. But she doesn’t help out with the rescues – for reasons that become clear – and leaves that to her feisty friend Mary. But as well as the animals, the village could do with a little saving too – her other friend Gino, at the pub, is certainly ready to do his bit with the themed nights to hopefully attract the locals.
And then there’s Henry – heir to Dapplebury House, the new Lord Bramlington, back from his travels, ready to take on the challenge of revitalising the village that had been so neglected by his father. Ava and Henry were childhood sweethearts, forced apart by their families for reasons they never really understood – and when their paths cross once more, it soon becomes clear that the spark of attraction never died.
I always love books set in a community where the supporting characters are so very well drawn – there are quite a few wonderful “characters” in this book, bringing a lot of the gentle humour (Flo, who helps out at the shop, is simply wonderful – but not to be left alone to sort out the window display). The depiction of village life is so excellent – where people pull together and everyone knows your business, but long-buried secrets do still sometimes remain hidden. And, as you might expect from the author, some of the wonderful characters have four legs – Ava’s characterful springer Myrtle, Henry’s elderly chocolate labrador Granger, and the gorgeous litter of springador puppies that follow as a result of their meetings in the woods.
The romance really was everything I wanted it to be – a few obstacles to be overcome, some big misunderstandings, a bit of “will they – won’t they”, and a big secret uncovered along the way that really wasn’t at all what I expected it to be. Both Ava and Henry are just so very likeable – you really do hope for a second chance romance, but wonder if that happy ending is ever going to happen. And it’s a romance I found entirely believable and authentic – and that’s really helped by the way both their viewpoints are shared, perfectly done.
The humour in the book is so well judged, and at times really laugh-out-loud – but there are plenty of gently-handled emotional bits too, and a few nice touches of drama. The whole book had that warm cuddly feel that I always so enjoy – but with an engaging story to follow too, and a really satisfying feel-good ending. I’d rather like to return to Dapplebury, just to see how things are working out for everyone – this really was such a lovely read.
This is a charming and heartwarming story about second chances and village life.
Ava runs the charity shop in the village of Dapplebury, forsaking her true vocation. The village needs rejuvenation, but at what cost to its heritage and the surrounding wildlife? Henry returns to the village after years away and history with Ava. He has the power to change the village but will this be a good thing?
The romance is gentle and fraught with conflict. The village characters are relatable, and there is a believable village vibe. The plot has humour, mystery and surprises. The animal characters are the stars.
A lovely summery story full of community spirit, friendship and love.
I received a copy of this book from Choc Lit in return for an honest review.
I absolutely love this type of book ! Dapplebury to me sounds like a wonderful beautiful place to live , Ava Mary and Flo are all characters that I instantly fell in love with , mostly Ava who I think we all have someone in our lives just like that , always putting everyone else first and not thinking of her happiness.
I will admit I found myself willing Ava and Henry together straight away , but of course like any good book it just isn't that simple. The book is absolutely beautifully written , it flows throughout the book without drifting off to anything unnecessary . I think anyone who loves to read chick lit type books will eat this book up in no time! I can't wait to read more by this author , my first and hopefully not last by her !
Ava Flynn runs the charity shop, All Critters Great and Small, in the village of Dapplebury. It’s a shop that is very special to her as the charity was run by her late mother. Like many businesses in the village though, the shop is struggling. The village needs new life and needs it fast. When Henry, the new Lord Bramlington, returns to Dapplebury House with new ideas of how to revitalise and save the village, he certainly ruffles some feathers. ‘Lord Hotlington’ as he’s nicknamed by Ava’s friend Mary was Ava’s first love but he left abruptly years before when they were caught together by his mother. The old attraction is definitely still there but will they take that chance again?
I so enjoyed getting to know the village of Dapplebury and the villagers too. As well as the main characters of Ava and Henry, there was lovely Gino who runs the village pub, Ava’s friend Mary who I’ve mentioned already, always there for her and there’s Flo who works in the charity shop who certainly provided some of the funniest moments in the book. Her window display is one I won’t forget in a hurry! I do enjoy a story set in a village where people always seem to know what everyone else is up to, although it’s fair to say that there was one pretty big family secret which took everyone by surprise here! I have to give an honourable mention to the dogs who play quite a central role in this book too. Ava’s springer spaniel Myrtle and Henry’s chocolate labrador Granger were stars in their own right.
The romance between Ava and Henry was one of those will-they-won’t-they relationships which are such fun to read about. Just when I thought they were finally going to get together and tell each other how they felt, something would happen or there would be a misunderstanding and the moment passed again. I do so enjoy reading these kind of romances when I am fairly sure that the couple will get together but the author just sows that seed of doubt!
A Summer of Second Chances is a wonderful story about friendship, community and love which I thoroughly enjoyed. Without giving anything away, I have to say that I just loved the ending! A really uplifting and heart-warming book, I’d love to read more about the village of Dapplebury and its inhabitants.
A former teen couple reunited after years living in different countries, a family secret (I didn't see that one coming, but I liked it), good friends and (as expected from the author of The Purrfect Pet Sitter) cute dogs... All that and more contributed to my enjoyment of this lovely novel. And it may be summery but the story actually starts in springtime, so if you needed a good excuse to read a summer-theme book in April or May, you're welcome. 😉
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Lovely story set in the charming village of Dapplebury. Ava runs the local charity shop All Critters Great and Small which she took over after her Mum passed away. Ava’s friends Mary, who runs the animal shelter, and Gino, landlord of the local pub, have been a great support to her.
Henry returns to the village, after years away in the States, to take over his father’s estate. He and Ava had feelings for each other as teenagers but for some strange reason, Henry’s mother opposed their relationship so it was over before it began.
Some unexpected family secrets are revealed but will they stop Henry and Ava finally getting their happy ending?
Initially this romance lets you think it is a very simple story but Carol is a gifted storyteller who kept me reading way beyond the time I should have stopped. Ava and Henry have an old, unrequited love and it should be an easy path to rekindle it. However, all of the obstructions the author places in their path are well crafted and often I didn't know where the path would go next. I enjoyed the book apart from a couple of late nights when I couldn't stop reading!
Both Henry and Ava have lives dictated by their duty to their parents. Henry was born to his responsibilities and is not entirely comfortable with them. Ava struggles to keep her mother's dream alive but the responsibilities are taking their toll. Will they suceed-alone or together? If, like me, you are coming to the conclusion that animals are preferable to people, you will be happy with this book, as the animal characters play their parts fully in the story. Humour carries things along but there are also moments that remind us that even people we think we know well can surprise us or have secrets. The Purrfect Pet Sitter had memorable characters and A Summer of Second Chances does too. Let's hope we visit Dapplebury again.
Set in the village of Dapplebury, A Summer of Second Chances was an uplifting read that I really enjoyed. The characters were likeable, the dogs were adorable and the family secret was one I hadn't seen coming. A great, sunny read filled with community spirit, love, laughter and learning to live the life you want to lead.
I believe this is the best of Carol Thomas’ books so far – a very enjoyable story with an unexpected twist in the latter half, and a bonus extra romance. There is quite a bit of humour too – mostly in the charity shop donations. I had to keep reading without putting it down for long, and have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who likes a good clean story, without unnecessary sexual details. I’m looking forward to the next book from Ms Thomas.
I liked this story about two youngsters who had been parted, only to meet again. I liked the emotional aspect of the story and how it was an inspiring experience. I enjoyed the characters and their inyetactions.
Ava Flynn's whole life seems to revolve around running the village charity shop started by her late mother to finance a wildlife charity. Unfortunately the shop is struggling as business is quiet in the small village.
When Ava's childhood friend and first boyfriend, Henry, returns to Dapplebury after years away, he manges to turn her life up side down. Will he stay this time, or leave her as before.
Great story from start to finish. Ava and Henry have a history, but can they move forward from that to sort out Ava’s animal charity and both of their futures? Fun, twists and possibly romance in a great setting. I highly recommend it!
A Summer of Second Chances is a heart-warming and lovable story about friendship, community, and romance. The novel is well-written with irresistible animal characters and an excellent sense of community in the village. As this is my first novel by this author, I will definitely check out her other stories. The village makes an excellent backdrop for this charming tale.
Ava Flynn lives in the village of Dapplebury. She runs the rescue center/charity shop called All Critters Great and Small that she inherited from her late mother. She is working hard to keep the shop going, which proves difficult as many shops in the village are failing. The new Lord Bramlington might just be the answer after he returns to the village with a vision to revitalize the town. However, Lord Henry Bramlington just happens to be Ava’s first love that left the village abruptly after the two of them were caught together by his mother. Although time has passed, the attraction still lingers.
Stories about second chances for romances are always adorable, especially when the couple came together when they were young and then reconnect when they are older. I love how they can reminisce about what brought them together in the first place to possibly make it work again, if they both want to, and it makes me wonder how they would have been if they stayed together the whole time. This novel goes through Henry and Ava trying to remember why they separated and if they should give their relationship another try.
The characters in this story are very lovable and I absolutely loved the dogs in this story; they really were excellent scene stealers and added many moments of humor. The two main characters have their own obstacles to overcome as well as the complications that come with potentially pursing another romantic relationship. The story itself has the joy of a Hallmark movie without centering on Christmas. The pacing of the story worked well and I felt invested in the characters and the village. This charming novel was uplifting and relatable where I wanted to keep reading it. I would love to read more novels featuring the delightful village of Dapplebury and all of the wonderful characters! [4.5 rounded to 5]
**I give a special thank you to Rachel @rararesources, the publisher, ChocoLit, and the author, Carol Thomas, for the opportunity to participate with this excellent and heartwarming novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**
Ava is plodding on with life in Dapplebury running the wildlife charity All Critters Great and Small which had been set up by her late Mum. But when her first love and ex-bestfriend Henry appears back in the village, life is about to change……not just for her but for the village as well.
With Henry being the heir to the Dapplebury Estate and his Dad unwell, it is inevitable that Henry will take a different approach to managing the estate. But what impact will this have for the people and businesses of Dapplebury? As Henry and Ava reconnect, old feelings resurface. But there are secrets that need to be unveiled……Is Henry everything Ava thinks he is? Will All Critters Great and Small survive? And will Ava be able to help breathe life back into the village before it’s too late?
I absolutely adored this. I laughed out loud so many times, nearly cried on numerous occasions and wanted to be there in the village working with the charity and hugging all the puppies and dogs! This is one of the those books where village life really comes to life, and where you can imagine being. I was there at the festival, loving the dog show and wanting to visit all the stalls. I felt like I knew the characters and was another person there with them!
The characters are fab. I literally loved them all! And even the ones that I wasn’t sure of went on to surprise me. Some of them get up to some hilarious things….shop window display is all I will say!! You will find yourself regularly chuckling at their escapades. And you will love all the furry friends in this!
The story is just wonderful with some shocking twists that you won’t be expecting, as well as some truly heartwarming ones. I wanted to hug so many people on so many occasions! This really a book that will warm you from the inside and leave you with a big smile on your face.
So if you’re looking for a truly feel good, funny and heart warming book then this is most definitely for you. Having not read any of Carol’s books before, she is definitely going on my list of favourite authors to read more from! Highly recommended by me.
Ava run the All Critters Great and Small wildlife sanctuary that her Mum started. She runs the charity shop and her best friend Mary works at the sanctuary. When Ava’s childhood sweetheart Henry returns to the village the attraction is still there but the fate of the village lies in the hands of Henry and Ava isn’t sure if she can trust him. I found the twists and turns in this book kept me wanting to read more, secrets are unearthed, secret attraction is revealed and of course the gorgeous dogs which are always entertaining in Carol’s books and add to the fact that the characters were all likeable. I adored Flo, such a fun character and Gino’s theme nights sounded very entertaining. Ultimately this wonderful story is about not living in the shadows of the past and I would highly recommend it. Thank you to Choc-Lit for the opportunity to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review, which is completely my own
A Summer of Second Chances is a lovely heartwarming romance set in the small village community of Dapplebury. The country village setting is perfect and the lake and the grounds at Dapplebury House are all beautifully described. The story focuses mainly on Henry, the new Lord Dapplebury, and Ava. Henry’s recent return to the village after many years away causes a flurry of uncertainty amongst the villagers and as former childhood sweethearts Henry and Ava clearly still have feelings for one another. I adored the side stories such as, the All Critters Great and Small wildlife charity. Mary, the rescue officer, drops everything at random hours of the day to rescue birds up chimneys, deers entangled in fairy lights and such like. It’s fun and entertaining, with a generous sprinkling of humour. I also liked the way the dogs played an integral part in the storyline and I fell completely hook, line and sinker for old Granger.
The author has a wonderful warm writing style and you really get a sense of the closeness of the village community and their friendship bonds and it’s brimming with charming and loveable characters. The community spirit is delightful, the villagers are supportive and fun loving and I particularly enjoyed reading about the organisation of theme nights in Gino’s pub and the Bramlington festival. There are some unexpected twists to the story and the hidden family secret revealed at the end came as a complete surprise.
A Summer of Second Chances is a good wholesome romance with the perfect balance of romance and humour. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the cast of characters and seeing the development of Ava and Henry’s romance. A quick and compelling read which is perfect for the beach or for those lazy summer days in the garden.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted eARC to review.
Once in a while you read a book that you’ve kind of guessed the ending of, but the story and the characters are so interesting that you want it to go on. This was one of those books.
Set in the charming village of Dappelbury, the book is about the second chance at love that is given to Ava and Henry. They were best friends in their younger days, until they kissed, were seen and Ava was banned by Henry’s mother from visiting their estate! Now, Henry is back to take over the estate from his late father and Ava is trying to keep her late mother’s animal sanctuary afloat by running a charity shop. Will they be able to re-kindle their love? The situation seems to be more complicated than they bargained for.
There are several interesting characters apart from Ava and Henry. Ava’s friends Mary, Gino and good old Flo who gave me several laughs! Even Mrs Bramlington’s character seems to undergo a change as Ava discovers some secrets about her and her parents.
Laughter, friendship, community spirit and love are what make this book an absolute delight to read!
Ahh, Dapplebury, I loved spending time there with its wonderful inhabitants. Seriously, I needed to smile and Dapplebury’s mix of locals gave me exactly what I needed. I adored Ava and her dedication to running the All Critters Great and Small charity shop that raises money for the charity started by her deceased mother, and Mary looks after the animal shelter. When the new Lord enters town, (the one that got away from Ava many years ago) Henry Bramlington. He is an unknown. What are his plans for her beloved village. I loved the sense of community and the will they won’t they push and pull between Henry and Ava. This was just a lovely story to read. Were some parts a little predictable? Yes. But in a good way. I knew that I wanted a break from reality when I picked up A Summer of Second Chances and it 100% delivered. • Romance? Check • Fantastic characters? Check • Dogs? Massive check • A great plot that made me smile when I really needed to, yet still held surprises? (in fact it help one very Ohhhh surprise.) Check, check check
Lord Henry Bramlington returns home because his father is unwell. The entire town seems to be on edge because no one knows what might change once Henry’s father passed away. Henry is kept quite busy because he learns his father has allowed their finances to decline. Selling property sounds like what the townspeople is focused on.
Then there’s Ava, Henry’s good friend since childhood. She grew up with a single parent after her father died in a car crash when Ava was two. Her mother spent many hours building her wildlife refuge and a charity to resell donated items to help support the refuge. Ava feels obligated to take over her mother’s vision. She also noticed many businesses slowly closing shop.
Ava seems to appreciate the time she has with Henry while at the same time, keeping him at arms length. Henry proves to be helpful when they learn Ava’s dog is pregnant, likely after all those trips through Henry’s forest when Ava went on her morning walks through the property.
After Henry’s father dies, Henry quickly takes over the estate and makes a ton of changes, including planning to relocate the wildlife refuge to the Bramlington estate in the no longer used stables. Henry also has plans for the property the refuge once sat. Will Henry’s plans work out? What will happen to Ava and her pregnant dog? Will the town be revived now that Henry’s in charge? What will they do to bring more consumers to their area?
A Summer of Second Chances by Carol Thomas is a thoughtful and dreamy story that leaves me wishing I could live in this town! A special thanks to Choc Lit and Rachel’s Random Resources for this spectacular read! I give this book 5 out of 5 tiaras because I felt like I walked the streets and visited the shops in this little town. I imagined myself strolling through the forest and around the lake with my own dog. I was truly transplanted to another place and time while reading this book!
Coming from the Choc Lit stable, I was expecting A Summer of Second Chances to have a gorgeous male character and I wasn't disappointed. You get to follow the story through the twin perspectives of Ava and Henry. The author has created a lovely community in Dapplebury and there was a good balance of humour and romance. Much of the humour comes from the four- legged friends we get to meet and they added to the warmth of the story. Whether Ava and Henry are able to tell each other how they feel, I will leave to you to guess but there are on or two surprises from the past which they have to deal with. All the characters seem warm and approachable- well nearly all- and a loyal support to Ava. Ava has to find her feet in her new life after her mother's death and work out a place for her in her mother's charity which she is desperate to honour. Henry too is working out what his future role in the village is going to be. They have to find their own way through others' expectations. This is a gentle and uplifting romance which will make you smile and really root for all the characters. In short: Is there a second chance for everyone?
Firstly, let me start with saying just how pretty that book cover is, ChocLit always get their covers spot on with the story and their covers are easily the prettiest covers around they are just so eye-catching and they really do look beautiful of the book/kindle shelf.
A Summer of Second Chances is utterly charming, from the picturesque cover to the idyllic village setting and cute second chance romance…plus gorgeous dogs, what more could you want from a summery read?
In a little country village called Dapplebury there is a charity shop; All Critters Great and Small (which is a brilliant name for a charity shop) here we have the down-to-earth Ava who has taken over the running of All Critters from her mother, I feel for Ava she has so many dreams but she has put all of those on hold to be the caring dutiful daughter and member of the community. She also has to face the fact that her beloved charity shop is struggling as is with all the village shops, I think we can all relate to a struggling high street can’t we? Plus on top of all, she must do, she is suddenly faced with the man who broke her heart who has now returned to their little village to take his place as ‘lord of the manor‘.
Henry is back in the village after time away sowing his wild oats – or whatever he was doing, he is back to take the title and finally do his duty as Lord Bramlington, he has responsibilities to his family, his estate and the village. Only our handsome, twinkly-eyed Lord doesn’t what all the duty of his station on his wide shoulders, but he does want to help his village he has big ideas to bring the village back onto the map and make it a success.
I like Ava she is a gentle kind soul who is a little put upon, she takes everything thrown at her in her stride, she may not be happy about how her life has played out but she is determined to make the most of it. I liked watching her character development across the book, seeing her go from the struggling shop worker who has so much gone through her mind, to trying not to fall in love with Henry again to the woman she is at the end is lovely.
I love the community small village feel to the book, this isn’t just a romance this is a real story of friendship and of a village pulling together, there are so many great characters that add great depth to the story. I also love little village’s where everyone knows what their neighbours are doing – one reason why I really should live in a ‘St. Mary-Mead’ type village, I always love to know other people business …LOL! But Dapplebury and its resident’s are in for a shock and when I say shock, it’s a ‘Woah, who would have seen that coming‘ moment when a family secret which has been hidden for so long finally sees the light of day.
Anyone who follows the blog, will know of my love of dog’s in stories especially when those dogs are an integral part of the story and n their way help move things along, which is what happens here with the adorable double act of; Myrtle and Granger, I see big things ahead for these two cute as button dogs, and with the addition of them I think it makes Ava and Henry’s will they won’t they romance all the sweeter and pulls it all together nicely.
Ava and Henry are such an adorable couple, I took to them both there is something very relatable about both of them, both are kind, caring and family-focused they give up so much about themselves they let life and adventure pass them by as they dutifully take up the responsibility that has been passed to them but they straighten their back and dive in to do what is expected of them no matter what they want themselves, I think so many can relate to that, can’t we?
This is the first I have read by Carol Thomas, I don’t know how that has happened as I have read so many great things about her work, and I am so pleased that I have had the chance to finally read one of her books. I thoroughly enjoyed her light and cheerful writing style, I liked the steady pacing which kept the reader turning the pages.
A Summer of Second Chances is heart-warming, it’s sunshine in a book, it makes you smile and feel incredibly cheerful, there are no other words for this book but happy and cheerful.
This is such a lovely and heart-warming story! Ava loves her life in Dappplebury village, spending time with her friends and working at the shop that helps support her charity, but when her first love, Henry Bramlington, owner of the land her charity is on, returns to the village, Ava wonders whether his pressence will help her charity or make things worse.
I really enjoyed reading this story and found it interesting right from the start. Ava’s life in Dapplebury is a pleasant yet quiet one. She spends time working in the charity shop that helps to pay for her mum’s animal charity, All Critturs Great and Small, which she’s inherited from her now deceased mum. And she also enjoys spending time with her good friends. Life in the village is nice, but then her old boyfriend Henry arrives, throwing Ava’s life upside down. The different chapters follow what’s happening but from the perspective of either Ava or Henry, though always in the third person. I like how the events that happen in the story can seem different from the perspective of Ava or Henry when the chapters switch from one character to the next.
Ava and Henry has a history that we soon find out affects their current relationship to each other. As the story moves on and we find out what is happening with Henry’s inheritence of his estate and Ava’s charity. I liked the chemistry these two had from the start, and the fun things that happened and confused their relationship. Both characters have dogs and I love how the dogs played an important role in getting these two characters to have conversations and spend time together. Something interesting happens with the dogs, though I won’t say what, and I just love the cute moments with them all. Other animals are mentioned though not focused on too much and I just love the little things in this story, like the name of one hedgehog that Mary mentions from the beginning. There were lots of funny moments like this in the story. I just love how much this story made me laugh at certain moments and especially with the things that happened with Flo. I couldn’t help but smile and giggle, especially when Flo ends up creating something toward the end of the story that really was unexpected!
As with most romance stories this one has a good ending and one that, though predictable, is something I just loved! And despite things turning out the way I had hoped, and indeed even better than hoped for some of the characters, I have to say there were moments that I really didn’t expect and I didn’t know what would happen throughout the story. I really love the almost fairy-tale style way that the story went towards the ending and how heart-warming it felt after reading that last line. I just love how things turned out for everyone in the end and that includes the animal characters as well as human.
I think anyone who loves a good romance story and animals will adore this book, even the cover is a treat to look at! This story has really made me wish I could live in Dapplebury village and it’s made want to read more of the author’s work too. The animals and lovely and sweet romance just felt so perfect and it’s definitely a book I’d recommend if you want to read a heart-warming tale that will make you smile and also laugh in places too. -Thanks to the publisher for a free copy for review.
If there’s one thing I like doing, it’s discovering new authors. Carol Thomas is certainly a new author for me. I read the synopsis for ‘A Summer Of Second Chances’ and it certainly sounded like an interesting read and then some. So without further ado, I grabbed a cup of tea, grabbed my Kindle and settled down for a fun afternoon of reading. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘A Summer Of Second Chances’ but more about that in a bit. It took me no time at all to get into ‘A Summer Of Second Chances’. In fact as soon as I read the synopsis I knew that this was going to be one book that I would struggle to put down. Guess what? I was spot on. As soon as I started to read the story itself I felt as though I had made a friend in Ava and I had to keep reading to see how the story panned out for her. The book travelled everywhere with me because I couldn’t bear to be parted from it for any length of time. I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the story. All too quickly I reached the end of the book and I had to say goodbye to Ava and the rest of the characters. ‘A Summer Of Second Chances’ is extremely well written. The author has created an adorable character in Ava, who is impossible to dislike. Carol has one of those easy going writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading this book felt more like a chat between friends than reading an actual book. I hope that makes sense. I loved the name of the charity ‘All Critters Great & Small’ which reminded me of James Herriot. I was swept away by this delightful story and I really enjoyed meeting Ava and the rest of the Dapplebury residents. I found myself chuckling away to myself as I made my way through the story as I imagined some of what was happening. I found ‘A Summer Of Second Chances’ to be a delight to read and I enjoyed every single minute of it. In short, I really enjoyed reading ‘A Summer Of Second Chances’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Carol’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
I enjoyed this endearing novel immensely. Right from the start it kept making me chuckle aloud. The book is very well-written and professional, and reads as though the writer has a twinkle in her eye the whole time. The humour is gentle and relatable, while the core story and romance simmers along nicely. Will Ava, who runs a local charity shop, and Henry, recently returned from overseas and now the new Lord Bramlington, ever rekindle what they started so long ago? But what really makes this novel stand out are the warm, likeable characters throughout. Both the main characters of Ava and Henry are adorable. But I could picture all the characters, and their antics - especially the dogs and a certain volunteer helper at the charity shop! - are very engaging. This is a sweet story and is a feel-good read for either a summer holiday, or just to brighten up a grey gloomy day. It's quite delightful and I heartily recommend.
Ava Flynn runs a charity shop that helps support the animal rescue her mother began while she was alive and passionate for animal safety. Mary, works at the animal center and was Lily Flynn’s apprentice— now great friend to Ava. Henry Bramlington returns to Dapplebury to eventually acquire his noble title and lead—Ava was his childhood friend and burgeoning love interest before he left for boarding school and his American career. Gino, runs the bar/restaurant and is close with Ava and Mary. The town experiences some sadness and concern, once Henry takes over and announces some increases in rents and other changes. The town has a meeting to reassure people of security and plans to encourage others to visit the town, and they were more accepting. There are good friendships in this story and new love interest introductions.
I would firstly like to say a very big thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for very kindly forwarding me a copy of this book, for my Kindle, in return for an honest review. This book was a second chance romance, after Henry left the village and Ava’s life years ago and now he’s back - and Ava still has strong feelings for him... I loved the cast of strong characters, including some fun supporting characters, that I also loved. The village setting was wonderful and I really enjoyed getting to know all the people who lived there. I also loved the dogs, Henry and Myrtle, they played a great part in the story. A lovely, heartwarming book, with a wonderful ending and a great sense of community!
This has all the ingredients: - Identifiable, believable, interesting characters - tick - Interesting village/countryside setting – tick - Charity shop – tick, tick – (I am addicted) - Plenty of plausible conflict, mystery and suspense – tick - A smattering of Italian from a gorgeous man – tick - Humour – tick, tick, tick – we all need this at the moment - Lovable pets – oh yes – tick, tick, wag, wag, stroke, stroke. - A pleasing ending – no spoilers – sigh – tick
The perfect recipe and the best that Carol Thomas has cooked up so far. Many thanks for letting me taste it. Keep writing, please.
I’d never heard of a Springador before, but these enchanting puppies, offspring of Myrtle the Springer and Granger the chocolate lab, play a central role in this heart-warming new book from Carol Thomas.
The title says it all: can there be a second chance for lovers whose past holds a scandalous secret? The answer, as all fans of this author will know, is yes – but not before there are plenty of pitfalls, misunderstandings and dragons to slay along the way. Any fan of romance and critters great or small is sure to love this book.