Synopsis

Cedar Ridge, Colorado, is famous for crisp mountain air, clear blue skies, and pine-scented breezes. And it's the last place Lily Danville wants to be. But she needs a job, and there's an opening at the hottest resort in her hometown. What has her concerned is the other hot property in Cedar Ridge: Aidan Kincaid-firefighter, rescue worker, and heartbreaker. She never could resist that devastating smile . . .

The Kincaid brothers are as rough and rugged as the Rocky Mountains they call home. Aidan has always done things his own way, by his own rules. And never has he regretted anything more than letting Lily walk out of his life ten years ago. If anyone has ever been in need of rescuing, she has. What she needs more than anything are long hikes, slow dances, and sizzling kisses. But that can only happen if he can get her to give Cedar Ridge-and this bad boy-a second chance.

Review

Jill Shalvis is an autobuy author for me and I was excited to read Second Chance Summer which is her first book in a new series, Cedar Ridge.

Like most of her books, this one left me warm and fuzzy inside, a sweet story of second chance at love for two very lovable characters.

Having read Ms Shalvis somewhat extensively by now, I notice some similarities in her books and some of them work for me, others - not so much. this time things mostly worked well for me. The heroine, is very typical for Ms Shalvis, a young woman at a crosspoint in her life, a little lost. she is forced to return to her small hometown years after escaping it after a terrible tragedy. and she comes face to face with her first (only) love. Both feel hurt by the past and are unwilling to try a relationship but can't stay away from each other and with a little (lot) help from friends and family they find the way to be together.

I very much enjoyed the slow built of the romance, the typical good-natured fun and brother?familial relationships. It's one of the things I like so much in Ms Shalvis' books - she creates this warm, caring families/friends who keep driving each other crazy, yet who stand by one another 100%. I love both the humour and the sense of loyalty, of community, of people caring for the others.

Sometimes the drama and the obstacles before the couple getting together feel too artificial and contrived. There was a bit of this here too - Aiden's reaction to a particular situation was so over the top that it appeared ridiculous. It's not a major drawback, just a little thing that I find annoying. It seemed just like plot device to create tension and conflict and not a real, natural element of the story.

Protective, sexy, caring and loyal. Lily doesn't want to acknowledge she needs help, support, someone to lean onto when the going gets tough. they were a perfect match. I like how Ms Shalvis brings her characters together but they manage to keep their individuality, there are no major sacrifices to be together, no one changes the other to their liking.