★★★★★ 3
Second chance romance
Format: Audiobook
I have loved every single book that Jenn McKinlay has written - so I was delighted to get a chance to read this one early.
Julia returns to her childhood home with her two sisters, when her mother Babs gets sick. Julia and her Mom have been almost estranged in recent years, and her mother doesn't seem very glad to have her home. When her mom passes away, the terms of her will reveal some family secrets, and some strings attached to the sisters and how they need to live, before they can inherit moms home and money. Cousin Paisley is hanging in the wings hoping to grab what the sisters should be getting.
While home, Julia tries to rekindle her romance with boy-next-door Liam, the guy she had been dating when she upped and left without a word many years ago.
We follow Julia and her sisters as they rebuild their relationships, and grieve the loss of their mother.
I liked the premise, and really hoped to like the book. Unfortunately this one just wasn't for me. Julia and Liam are just nasty to each other, and most of their issues could be solved with some simple communication. The descriptions of some of the other characters bordered on the mean rather than funny snarky. It seemed that most of the characters were using each other.
I listened to the audiobook and have nothing but praise for the narrator, who handled all the different voices really well and kept me interested in following the plot.
I hope this was just a blip from this author - as I am really looking forward to her next novel!
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Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2025