Member Reviews
I didn’t realise this was book 2 in a series and I hadn’t read the first one but saying that I still really enjoyed this book. Such a lovely read and I definitely want to read more books from Liora Blake in the future.
Another book I read years ago! This was was another five star read for me when I read it. The city girl and country boy mix is always so much grub to read and Liora did such a good job at giving us an amazing story with this one!
I love both the main characters of this book and the getting away from the city parts of this. I'm looking forward to any more from this author.
Redneck and a city slicker. It was cute. Predictable but cute and it had some good elements and some good characters. Loved the banter between Garrett and Brayden. I'm excited for Brayden's story.
I started this book a while back, it had a cute premise and the first chapter was good, but the hero is like 25-27 and I needed to read some books with older characters. I decided to circle back and I was not disappointed.
Cara is a "city" girl but she is feeling unfulfilled in her life in Chicago, she recently broke up with the man she'd been with for a while (he poses no threat in this book) and she isn't enjoying her work at the newspaper she works for. She sees a freelance job in Colorado and takes it.
Garrett is a self proclaimed "redneck" and is pretty content with his country style of like. He's smart and was close to finishing a degree in agriculture something or another when life intervened and brought him back home.
City girl, country boy could go wrong. Thankfully this book seemed to avoid things that could have been easy outs- there are no conflicts over money or her parents being unhappy with her choice of partners. She's not described as overly prissy or grossed out by Garrett's way of life. Nor does Cara magically fix all of Garrett's issues because she has money and he doesn't.
One thing I really enjoyed was Garrett was pretty open with his thoughts and feelings. No typical alpha here. I love when heroes talk.
All in all I really enjoyed this book. It felt like she laid the background for a love story between two other characters and I was not mad about that.
This is the second book of the Grand Valley series and it's a fab read like its predecessor book. There are a lot to love about this book, nice country boy meets a sassy country gal and the geographical and social divide they had to overcome to find that HEA. Highly recommended. My review partner TJ and I jointly reviewed this over at Scandalicious Book Reviews.
Cara is a rich city girl visits a small town of Hotchkiss in hopes to write a story that will kickstart her new career as an independent writer. The goal is to stay long enough to get to know the people in this small town and their agricultural life. What she didn't expect is to get to know a very friendly and sexy farm boy named Garrett.
I love Cara and Garrett. It was entertaining to read their experience as they get to know each other. Their banter and Cara experiencing farm life made me laugh. They had these sweet romantic moments that I swooned over. I adored their relationship, nothing about these two is forced. Not their personality, humor, and certainly not their romance. I think what I like most is that they both did not expect anything from each other. They intended this monogamous relationship to be short and temporary. But as you read on, you see how well they get along, understand each other, and eventually fall in love. Unfortunately, their time will run out and finding a way to stay together will be their biggest hurdle. In fact, it’s a losing battle.
I was impressed with Cara and her determination in seeing her project through. Her confidence shone through even at its lowest. She didn't let anyone get in the way not even Garrett. Yet still kept her composure and kept it together. Garrett, on the other hand, was the sweetest. He never pushed nor did he expect. Only thing is that he didn’t know what deserves if it hit him in the face. That’s what you get with an unselfish dude. Lucky for him Cara is a stand-up kind of girl and didn't take advantage of him.
This installment is even better than the first. Blake wrote an honest to goodness romance of two people from different worlds. Their jobs, families and the way they were brought up are far from being alike, yet their connection is undeniable. I love their beginning and I love their happy-ending even more.
I love a good small town southern book and that is exactly what Liora Blake delivered. Second Chance Season is a southern book but Garrett is no cowboy. He is a good ole boy through and through. I loved that about him. Having grown up in the south Garrett reminded me of all the boys and men I was surrounded around in my youth, only a better version of them.
This book was a slow build that gave me time to fall in love with these two as they fell for each other. I really enjoyed the build between these two very different personalities The contrast in these two really drew me in and the wit and banter between then really cemented my love for them and this book.
This has been my fifth Liora Blake book and I still look forward to each of her releases. I really enjoyed this one and can’t wait to see what she gives us in the future.
~miranda
Second Chance Season became an instant favorite the second I reached the end. I loved it so much that I immediately went back to reread most of it. I really shouldn’t be surprised because I really enjoyed the first book in the Grand Valley Series, First Step Forward just as much. Liora Blake writes so vividly and her characters are so real that you can’t help but live the story as you are reading. These characters become your friends, your family, and you root for them because every emotion is truly heartfelt.
Garrett and Cara’s story is a classic city girl meets country boy with a fun spin to it. Never has the word “redneck” been made to sound so sexy and that is totally on Ms. Blake! This story really pulled me in. I enjoyed seeing these characters let go of their hang ups, encourage each other, and learn from each other. Garrett teaches Cara that the simple, country life can be everything, and Cara teaches Garrett that not all hope is lost, that he can make his dreams, that he so sadly let go of, a reality. They bring out the best in each other, professionally and personally. Not to mention that when they are together they absolutely sizzle… the build up is slow burning, the chemistry is palpable, and when they come together they burn up the sheets. This is one sexy, steamy, and insanely HOT story wrapped up in a beautiful contemporary romance.
Second Chance Season is a story about self discovery, new hope, and true love being found within the country roads of Hotchkiss, Colorado. It is a true gem and contemporary romance at its absolute best.
Title and author: Second Chance Season by Liora Blake
Series: Grand Valley - Book 2
Publisher: Pocket Books
Releases: June 20, 2017
Purchase: http://tinyurl.com/yam7kwbp
Genre: Contemporary
Author website: http://www.liorablake.com/
Rating: 5 Stars
Spirited characters and extremely realistic situations make the second book in the Grand Valley series constantly enjoyable. I chuckled more while reading than I can remember doing in a long time, because so many of the events in the story are humorous and full out laughable. But there are also moments where sincere emotions are on display, and those incidents touched me in ways that many books do not even come close to doing. Every scene created by Liora Blake is especially imaginable, as her words caused me to fully experience each detail because of how genuinely I was affected by the realness of what was taking place. SECOND CHANCE SEASON is highly recommended, and there is not one thing I would change.
The first meeting Garrett Strickland has with Cara Cavanaugh brings back some rather painful memories, but he has never been one to let it bother him that his family home will never again belong to him. What his future could have been is not important now, and his work at the local co-op in Hotchkiss, Colorado makes him a living but is not particularly rewarding. Coming in contact with a woman who will be staying in his old house for a short time could have really made Garrett sad, but there is no use longing for something that can never be true.
After becoming disillusioned with her career and boyfriend of many years, Cara thought it was time for a big change. Since she wanted to continue writing articles which actually meant something to readers, she decided to leave Chicago and do research on agriculture changes in the Grand Valley region. Encountering a local man who assisted her by pointing out the location of the place where she will be living leaves Cara intrigued with him. Then something unexpected happens when she and Garrett slowly sort out what they want to get out of life.
Since I grew up on a farm, I was eager to see how Liora Blake would portray her characters and all the aspects of living in a rural setting. From the very start, I was overjoyed at her depiction of Garrett and the life led by many other residents in the Hotchkiss area. Whether a situation dealt with a person’s truck or the dilemmas of daily farm life, I really felt as though the event could actually happen as described. I loved all the episodes with the cows, and some of them were fondly remembered from my own past. While many of the scenes are written with much wit, there is also a sense of seriousness when appropriate, just like a normal day on the farm.
When it comes to Garrett and Cara, every second they are together brought me complete satisfaction as a reader. They have lots of conversations that are packed with intelligent comebacks, but there are also instances where their inner feelings are exposed because of their honest reactions. This couple definitely generates plenty of heated passion when their desire escalates to the point where they have to express how they truly feel. Since the story is told from each of their viewpoints, I got to comprehend what Garrett and Cara were thinking about the same situation. Facts discovered about a main character in the next book of the series has me counting the days until it can be read. The ingenious cleverness in SECOND CHANCE SEASON will never be forgotten.
I voluntarily reviewed the book from the publisher, and all comments are my honest opinion
Do opposites really attract? This seems to be the main theme behind this book. Cara is a fun loving 27 year old woman who is trying out a career as a freelance writer. She leaves behind her family in Chicago and moves across the county to write about farming in small town America. When coming in to town for the first time she meets Garrett Strickland. Garrett has grown up in this town. His father dies while he is away at school, he comes home to deal with his family home and he never goes back to school. There romance blooms from his love of his home and land. He begins to show Cara around and introduces Cara to his friends. The story lines keeps you involved because of the twist and turn that the story takes. This is a great quick read.
I have been anxiously waiting the return to Grand Valley and to learning more about Garrett Strickland. After reading First Step Forward where his genuine and good hearted nature shined through, I needed to see this young man find his own happy. Enter one Cara Cavanaugh, a young woman on a work related adventure. Her new job places her in Colorado and promises an experience that is nothing like the debutante privileged life she came from.
I love that we get this story is given to us through both Garretts and Cara’s voices. Garrett is a practical young man who lost his future due to a change in family circumstances. In Garrett, Blake creates one of the most adorably charming young men. His commentary on dining in a fancy restaurant had me giggling and also we find out he’s a bit of a dirty talker, but a gentleman all the same. Cara seems to inspire Garrett in ways he’s not used to.
Cara is an incredibly brave young woman. She too is authentic and she quickly acclimates to her new environment. But the situation means their relationship has an expiration date as the end to Cara's time in Colorado hangs over them.
These two have a really sweet connection, a natural draw to each other and it doesn’t take long for the pull to turn into sweet and unusual dates, where the community is showcased almost as much as our two main characters. The story line is well paced and while things move quickly for Garrett and Cara, they also hit a few stumbling blocks.
Blake rounds out the story with both characters giving a little to get a lot. These two get more than one opportunity to find their second chances together. 5 Stars!!
I had a bit of a hard time getting into this book but it was worth it. I absolutely loved the inner dialogue of Cara and Garrett. There were times I was literally LOLing. Garrett is every girl's dream. He's the sexy, All-American boy next door with a dirty mouth to boot. I fell in love with Cara because she is who she is and doesn't shy away from that, not even for a hot guy. This was a somewhat predictable story and it could have used an epilogue. But it was funny and sexy and gave me the feels which is a win for me!
I've been looking forward to Second Chance Season since the minute I finished First Step Forward! We met Garrett in First Step Forward and I knew his story was going to be fantastic. Liora Blake knows how to write sexy heroes and funny, talented leading ladies. As we know, Garrett is back home after leaving college and he's never left. He likes his life. His friends, and his job. But when a chance meeting on the side of the road with a sexy city slicker makes him want more than what he has now, he's not sure how to handle that. Cara left her plush life in Chicago to write a freelance article. When Garrett, the sexy cowboy, offers to help introduce her around town, she can't say no. He funny, sexy and sweet and he might be just what she needs to entertain herself while she's in Grand Valley. Garrett wants Cara badly. There's just something about her that calls to him. She's beautiful, but she's also funny and quirky. Will they be able to spend time together just until she leaves? Can they keep their hearts out of the mix? Will Garrett just let her walk out of his life? I loved this story! SO much! It's sexy, steamy and laugh out loud hilarious! I had to fan myself listening to Garrett's dirty mouth. It's the perfect country boy meets city girl story where the lines get blurred where the farm meets the road. I can't wait for the next one!
Garrett is closer than before. Close enough that a Catholic school dance chaperone would remind us to leave room for Jesus.
Good God, he's dreamy. That's the perfect world, too. "Dreamy." Cute, plus hot, plus focused, plus still a little sleepy-eyed. Thus, dreamy.
"I just met your bestie, didn't I?"
"Men do not have besties. We have drinking pals and hunting buddies."
He throws his arms wide. "I'm a hell of a specimen, yeah? This work for you?"
Second Chance Season is the second book in Liora Blake's Grand Valley series and it follows the cutie patootie that works at the Co-Op, Garrett Strickland. In First Step Forward, we learn that Garrett was going to college to earn a degree and learn all he can before he took over his family's farm. He had plans for his future and he was hoping to learn all he can to make his family business a profitable one but all of his plans went to crap when his father died and he ended up losing the farm because he couldn't come out of the mountain of debt his father was in to save it.
Garrett's world was rocked after his father died. He not only lost his father but he also lost his childhood home and his plans he made for his future. He never went back to college, he got a job at the town Co-Op and has been working there ever since. He doesn't live the most glamorous life but he's okay with his lot in life. He's okay with living alone in a trailer. He's okay with not knowing what the future holds and all of that stays true until he meets Cara Cavanaugh.
Cara Cavanaugh is making some changes in her life. She dumped her boyfriend and moves from Chicago to Hotchkiss, Colorado to write her first freelance writing article on the AG scene in Hotchkiss. She's not sure how to go about interviewing the locals for her story but when she meets Garrett Strickland, hometown boy, things take a turn for the better. He knows everything and everyone around town and decides to help her any way that he can. He starts by introducing her around and getting her in the door with the local farmers, setting her up to interview people and he takes her out with him to help his neighbors on their farms so that she can see how everything works and he's a real knight in shining armor even though things have to be weird for him since she's staying in the only home he'd ever known growing up. The home that he lost after his father died.
Second Chance Season is a slow simmering romance that really worked for me. I adored getting to know Garrett and seeing him come into his own after his world was rocked upside down. I loved seeing him come to grips with the past, making peace with it and then finally making plans for his future. It was a long time coming and I really liked that Cara was able to help Garrett just as much as Garrett was able to help Cara when she got into town. It wasn't a one-way thing and their attraction that blossomed into that love was a journey that I loved being a part of.
This book was rich with charming characters that I couldn't get enough of and I'm super excited to continue the series with Braden's book. Both Garrett and Cara were characters that really came alive with each passing page. They were normal and they were fun to get to know and even when they were both being boneheads, I adored them. Liora Blake did a great job of weaving a compelling romance with characters that readers will connect with and I'm happy with the story she wrote here. It was fun and it was sweet and I'm definitely in for more.
<strong>Grade: 4 out of 5</strong>
3.5 Stars
First off, I like this cover better than the other one. Other than how the graphic have similar feel to the previous book which make for a common feel of the series; to me it also shouted bright beginning with the couple holding hands walking toward the sun. Sadly I couldn't love this Second Chance Season as I did the first entry on Grand Valley series.
As the previous entry, this book's also told from two POVs. I liked Garrett's voice better than I did Cara's. He's all about living in the present, aware and accepting his shortcomings. Not that this character didn't have any flaws. Despite the cheerfulness he presented the world, he bore deep scars that had him not fully trusting people and scared to step out of his comfort zone and embrace new challenge in life. Still, Garrett's portrayal was realistic and sympathetic. The kind that gave good vibe for me while reading his side of the story.
Whereas Cara, with all her entitled, trust-fund, city girl aura didn't strike me as strong character. I found it so hard to warm up to her, that I was rather put off when I thought her POV got bigger portion than Garrett's. The alternate POVs weren't done orderly so her voice "appeared" bigger at first. I counted, with resentment. That showed my aversion of what I thought a superficial (I mean: nosy journalistic brain who relying her reporting from Facebook and Google? Come on!) tone I thought Cara's voice was. To be fair, as the story goes her character kept up with Garrett where it count and, despite my skepticism, she showed a surprisingly good understanding of Garrett.
Story wise, Second Chance Season is even-paced and well grounded contemporary with realistic characters. I might not like every one of them, but they were more than black and white picture I initially thought they were. I especially loved the scene involving Garrett's close friends and the countryside they were quite amusing (watch out for the cow scene!). The banter and humor entertained me more than Cara and Garrett's coupley scenario. But I closed the book with far better mood than when I started it. And I count that as a win! :)
Advanced copy of this book is kindly provided by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 Stars
I loved, loved, this book! Garret and Cara are two characters that have a lot of chemistry since the beginning and I never wanted their story to end. Second Chance Season will make you swoon and laugh and make me want to live the farm-life. If you were fans of Cooper and Whitney from First Step Forward, then you'll be sure to love this new couple.
Garrett Stickland is all country. He grew up country and proud of it. His life, friends, family and work are all in Grand Valley. Garrett once had a promising education and career, but he ended back home after his father passed to take care of the farm. But that fell through and his family farm had to be sold when it couldn't be financially saved. Garrett seemed content on just working and not leaving Grand Valley. But when a beautiful city girl gets lost and Garrett "saves" her, his life changes.
Cara Cavanaugh is a journalist, taking on the her next assignment in the small town of Grand Valley. Her job is to write about rural America and then move on. But what she never expected to fall for the small town community and the one man who she can't stop thinking about, Garrett Strickland. So why not have a little fun with the hot county boy, and while she's here. She won't let her heart get involved, right?
Second Chance Season a sweet and endearing read with low angst and shows how two strangers can find love when you're not even looking. And can Braden please get a book next? I'm wanting this grumpy and brooding man's story!
I am a sucker for second chance romances. Those are my all time favorite and this one was had all the feels. Cara and Garrett’s chemistry was off the charts!
We meet Garrett in book one and I was so excited he was getting his story told. I am not sure which couple I like more. Garrett is a good ol country boy with a big heart. I loved getting to see what he was thinking.
Cara never thought she would meet and fall for someone like Garrett. She is there for a freelance assignment as a magazine reporter. She gets to see and know Garrett and realizes he will tell her anything she wants to know as long as it doesn’t have to do with his future.
The banter between these two characters adds so much to the story. I am really enjoying this series and can’t wait for the next book.
Liora Blake can't do anything wrong in my eyes. I love all of her books! It's so easy to fall in love with her characters and their love story.
Second Chance Season centers around Garrett Strickland and Cara Cavanaugh.
Garrett's character we met in the first book in the Grand Valley series. He's working at the Hotchkiss Co-Op. Everyone thinks he could be doing something better with his life. After all, he had a promising future until his father died and left Garrett unable to pay his debts. To his dismay, Garrett didn't see a way out except selling their family's farm. Losing the farm made Garrett stop dreaming about his own future. When Cara strides into his life, he realizes that they are meant to be together but he knows their relationship is temporary. Cara has a life in Chicago and he can't be part of it. He believes he can't offer her anything to keep her here with him.
Cara Cavanaugh is beginning her new assignment as a free-lance magazine reporter. She wants to write a piece about the farmers around Hotchkiss. She's thankful to Garrett for introducing her around town and helping her do her job. She notices he's an open book unless she wants to talk about his own personal future. She knows he's smart, hard-worker and has the potential to become successful in his own farming business but she doesn't know how to make him see it. As their relationship progresses, being together is like nothing else she has experienced. She's falling for him but she's not sure he will fight to keep her.
I love how Liora Blake throws two people together who at first glance don't seem to have anything in common and by the end, being together is the only thing that makes sense. Her formula works every time! It's a delight to read her books. They are like little gems that I want to continue staring at.
By now, I know who the next set of characters are going to be and I can't wait to see how she's going to make them work.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Pocket Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.