Taking a Chance is a sweet romance set in a charming small town. Emma thinks she's up for a promotion for the large conglomerate she works for, but instead, she's sent to Montana for a 3 month stay when one of her company's nursing home directors has emergency surgery. Emma knows she is in for a trying time when on her first day, she spills coffee all over herself courtesy of one of the employees, and a really hot man walks in on her changing into scrubs to get out of her coffee soaked outfit. Yeah...

Jasper is a sweet, easy going man who runs the local coffee shop and visits his father at the nursing home every chance he gets. He has a pretty heartbreaking past, as does Emma, and he's not open to dating or relationships because of it. But, as things are wont to do, he and Emma's newly formed friendship crosses the lines (off page though) and into a one night stand. I was hoping Jasper would not do what he ended up doing, and be a typical guy, but unfortunately he did, and ended up disappointing me (and Emma) a lot. It's the main reason I 3 instead of 4 starred Taking a Chance. Clichés are a bore, and in this case, it really brought this story down. Aside from that, though, I liked Taking a Chance. It's sweet and the small town is filled with lots of loveable characters. Emma and Jasper make a cute couple, and I was glad to see them make it to their HEA.

If you like your romances on the sweet (and clean) side, take a chance on Taking a Chance. If you like your romance a bit steamier, though, as I do, you may want to look elsewhere.

"Soup and kittens. Marry him."

3.5 Stars
I was pleasantly surprised by this sweet hallmark-y romance! I didn't know this was the 6th in a series when I started so there was a whole cast of characters I didn't know, but that didn't effect my enjoyment. There was coffee, a hot bachelor, soup, kittens, horses, loads of sweet oldies at the nursing home, and an adorable heroine. I loved the setting of a picturesque town in Montana. I really did agree with Emma that Jasper seemed too good to be true at first. But he had his own baggage and troubled past and she did as well. But they were put in each other's paths for a reason and they had to learn not to overthink a good thing.

I must admit it was refreshing to read a sweet, no-drama story high on chemistry but low on steam. I like steamy reads, but not all the time. This was my first book by Maggie McGinnis and I would definitely read more!

A delightful return to Carefree, Montana...(why is this place not real?!) This story finally uncovers the mystery behind Jasper, the handsome, and very single, owner of the famous coffee shop that make all the women of Carefree swoon in his presence. Emma is sent to this sweet little, magical town to stand in as director at the retiree home in town where Jasper's dad is also a resident and the sparks fly from the first time they lock eyes. In addition to an amazing romance, Ms. McGinnis also manages to portray the elderly residents as actual people with humor and wisdom, and takes a small swipe at how older people are treated in our country in retirement homes. It was a nice side story. Although Emma and Jasper were just perfect together...they certainly had their baggage to deal with...which even brought tears to my eyes. Although I wasn't wild about the ending...it was a fantastic romantic match, with clever writing, lovable characters, and a lot of heart. I love the way Ms. McGinnis writes her characters and her settings...she is an absolute pleasure to read when you are looking for a story to sweep you away and give you the HEA.

I received a copy of this title from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

This is not a secret, I adored Maggie McGinnis’ Whisper Creek series. There is definitely something in this series that makes me feel like home every time. Once I finished Taking a Chance, I binged read the first two of the series.

Damn it was so good.

Workaholic owning a coffee shop, Jasper meets his my match by the lovely and full of life, Emma, the new interim director of his father’s nursing home. One first awkward encounter later and these two were already feeling something they haven’t felt in a long time. Ah Whisper Creek, the place where the lonely hearts find their home.

As the slow burn romance started and the main characters were both working through their issues and scars, the magic was happening, not with a little fight, but still it was such an amazing thing.

I’m gonna repeat myself, this the kind of book that I can read all over again. The characters are genuine, the storyline is keeping me captivated and the world created is just appealing, these stories about family, friendship that melt and warmed my heart.

Jasper and Emma, two lonely hearts who were afraid to open up to others but ended in this special place, in the middle of nowhere, where love is definitely not on the plan.  Okay, the cowboy thing is sexy, but it wasn’t just like that. Sure it was portrayed like all the hotties were gathered all in the same place and that freaking calendar that I would love to see one day… I know a girl can dream….

But when it comes to Maggie McGinnis writing, I can't resist, because she told stories about characters that could be seen very proper firsthand but it wasn’t, they weren’t like they seemed to be, just scratching the surface and getting to know them more.

I didn’t need something spectacular or show off, I wanted something that felt real, heartwarming. I loved how the author could write contemporary romance, with sincerity, simplicity but always with heart and I couldn’t not take a chance on that book.

Emma is working for a corporate that runs nursing homes. She works in the main office in Florida and has ideas that can be uplifting and that are of the normal but she is shot down at every turn by her boss. She is now being shipped for a lack of better term to Whisper Creek nursing home because the director is having surgery and then recovery. Before she arrives you meet Jasper. Actually he is holding wheelchair races which of course are not approved, but the residents like them and most of the other attics that he brings along. Just for the record I can relate to Jasper nothing like one person mucking it up for everyone else because of one thing or the other. The director asks him knowing it will be a most monumental task on his part to behave while she is gone and because there will be a new person filling in for her from the corporate office. He agrees, but of course she arrives early because she wants to do well in this job for a promotion only to what she thinks is chaos and mayhem, but everything is really fine until she tries to tell Jasper he can’t be there. What she does not realize is that he is there for a man who his own children don’t come to visit, and is also keeping his father in good spirits. Now Emma must come to some kind of terms with Jasper because she notices that he is there mornings, afternoons and nights. This is when the story and the two of them begin to take off. You are then taken on his attics to the end to bring her over to his side. Buckle up and read this fun book to see how it ends.

I thought the plot of this book was absolutely wonderful. The book held my attention throughout all the pages. I love reading new to me authors because I find more and more books to read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

What an adorable story. I just loved the dialogue. I had to laugh out so many times. The author just nailed the plot. The characters were just perfect. I fell in love with Whisper Creek and want to move to Carefree myself. I have to go back and read the other books in this series to see how the magical waters worked for each individual couple! I highly recommend this book to anyone. It will enchant you right from the beginning! Jasper sounds like a guy that anyone would love to call a friend!

Taking a Chance by Maggie McGinnis is a Whiskey Creek novel that takes place in Montana. This book is from a series but can be read as a stand-alone as I did. I enjoyed this story very much and will read more from this author. The story had all the elements of a good book: hard to put down, romance, happiness, sadness, humor, and a happily ever after. The main characters are Emma and Jasper. They were drawn to each other from the very start but had to do the typical relationship journey before finding their HEA. I also enjoyed the other characters that were brought into their story. I strongly recommend this book to all those romance readers out there. Maggie McGinnis writes with such a strong sense of imagery and is very descriptive. It made me feel like I was right there in the story!
I was given an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.

Maggie McGinnis is a new to me author and I hadn't heard of the Whisper Creek series before picking this one up but I'm thinking that I need to add the entire series to my wish list because <em>Taking a Chance</em> was an enjoyable story. I enjoyed the heck out of Jasper's nursing home shenanigans and Emma was pretty great, too.

The story starts off with Jasper Stone meeting with the director of the nursing home that his father lives in and the director has her stern face on which means she means business. She's taking leave to take care of some medical issues and she needs Jasper to take it easy on the temporary director being sent to take over while she's out. Jasper is well known for his lively activities that rile up the old folks but the new director isn't from around town so he needs to pipe things down.

Emma Winthrop thought she was on her way to a promotion that she's been working her tail off for. So when she gets transferred from Florida to Montana to run a nursing home for three months, she's thrown for a loop. She's more of a headquarters girl, not a foot on the ground kind of worker so heading to Montana freaks her out just a little bit and when she shows up for her first day and the ambulance is rushing up the driveway, she freaks out a little bit more.

This was an enjoyable story of two people that make sense together, getting together. It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows because they both have some past baggage that makes things a little hard but not impossible. I enjoyed getting to know both Jasper and Emma even though at times, I thought they acted immaturely. Jasper more than Emma and I tried to understand where Jasper was coming from, knowing about his baggage with his late wife but more than anything, I wanted him to be better. To handle the whole thing with Emma better.

Overall, this was a solid romance and I enjoyed it so I'll definitely be adding this series to my reading list but there were times when I wanted to strangle both Jasper and Emma though I will admit that I admired the hell out of Emma when she picks herself right back up and focuses on herself, her goals and trying to move on from Jasper. While I understood why Jasper felt the way that he did, and the guilt that he carried, I wish he didn't drag Emma through it the way that he did. Alls well that ends well though and I'm glad that he wisened up and was able to fix things. The secondary characters were great fun. I really enjoyed the people at the nursing home, the folks over at Whisper Creek and they, more than anything, made me want to keep coming back for more.

This is the first book by Maggie McGinnis that I've read but I don't think it'll be my last. Despite some of my issues with the main couple in this book, it was still a sweet romance and I'm glad that both Jasper and Emma were able to get their shit together.

<strong>Grade: 3.75 out of 5</strong>

Delightful book! After starting this book, I discovered that it is the fifth book in a series. I did fine reading the book on its own but will go back and read the others. Great contemporary romance.

I love the Whispering Creek series! Emma and Jasper are perfect together. This was a quick read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I have read several books in this series. Jasper and Emma’s story was funny yet sweet. I enjoyed their interactions while Emma was trying to get a handle of her knew job. Overall I enjoyed their romance. However it took a while before I felt like I understood the characters. The book started a little slowly but I am glad that I keep reading. If you like sweet romance with a side of laughter, you will enjoy this book!

A great read. Love the Whisper Creek crew and their more seasoned counterparts at Shady Acres. Just don't drink the water-- ever, And watch out for the cafeteria food!

And, who can resist a real honest to goodness cowboy? I know I'm a sucker for a working guy who can fill out his worn Wranglers.

"Taking a Chance" is hilarious, sentimental, hard and moving.

Both Emma and Jasper have past hurts to overcome, but being along as they do is as exhilarating as sitting high in a tree checking out the gorgeous mountain view with a hottie who takes your breath away. We could all use a Jasper in our lives.

You fall for the secondary characters along with Emma and Jasper. (names make me wonder if the author's a fan of General Hospital and other similar soaps.) Hoping Ari will get her own book and cowboy in Carefree, Montana.

ARC received for an honest revie

I wanted to like this so much, and while I did, I found that the "romance" aspect in this story was weak to non-existing. It just felt that the main couple had more of a "friends" vibe then lovers. They didn't have chemistry or a connection that I look for in my romances.

It was a very sweet story. I loved the concept of it and fell in love with Jasper.

I'm so glad I took a chance in choosing Taking a Chance! It's a fun, fast paced romance. Jasper and Emma have similar pasts that haunt them. Jasper is fun loving and sexy. He keeps the story light when need be, but also has emotional depth and guilt he can't seem to escape. Emma is determined to stay on her career building path. Her care for others and hidden playfulness makes her a likable protagonist. The connection between Jasper and Emma is undeniable. Their banter is awesome!
If you're looking for an amusing and sweet romance where the lead characters help each other find redemption, I highly recommend Taking a Chance!

This was a cute story and I thought it read like a movie. I loved all the characters-main and secondary. I thought they were well written and had depth. Emma and Jasper have both gone through traumatizing things in their lives. Emma's back story had me in tears and I'm so glad she gets her second chance. This story has the perfect balance of sexual tension and humor. The chemistry between Emma and Jasper is hot but this is a clean read. If you're looking for a heartwarming, second chance romance you'll love this book.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the sixth book in the series. You can read it as a standalone, but it is richer for having the background to Whisper Creek and the magic it imbues!

A very enjoyable, fun, and poignant read; both Emma and Jasper have had painful pasts which have held them back from love – but the chemistry between them cannot be denied, all it needs is for them to take a chance. Thankfully the gang at Whisper Creek, and the water, are on hand to help them both get the message.

As always there are many side characters who add to the richness of the story, and help round out the personalities of the leads. I also loved the description of Jasper's flat, especially the bathroom – which is unusual for me, as I generally find room tours to be filler, but not here, it was perfect and led to some lovely lines of humour.

Ms. McGinnis has a lightness of touch when dealing with difficult issues, and a great sensitivity when leading two people to their happily ever after. Very satisfying reading, thank you.

“Oh, I grew up just fine. I’m just figuring out how to grow back down now.”

Emma is sent from the home office in Florida to the Shady Acres nursing home in Carefree, Montana to be the interim director of the facility while its current director is recovering from surgery. The only thing is, she has three college degrees but no practical experience in running a nursing home.

Jasper owns and operates Java Beans, the best coffee shop in town which supplies the nursing home with its coffee plus his father is a resident of Shady Acres.

So Emma and Jasper start seeing a lot of each other and the attraction is almost instant.

But both have troubled pasts they need to overcome before they can seriously look to the future.

Lots of kittens, water from Whisper Creek Ranch, cloud watching and tree climbing - all are part of this emotional, romantic tale set in beautiful Montana.

I received this book from Loveswept through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read the book and write an unbiased review for it.

Bette, the head of Shady Acres, is having surgery and is need of a replacement. Emma, a Floridian, is suddenly sent to Whisper Creek to fill in with explicit instructions to NOT make any changes. Emma, believing she was sent because she's single with no ties to Florida, soon questions why she was sent. The employees approach her with caution as they think she's there to fire them. They obviously love Bette and believe no one can fill her shoes. While Bette is not a "by the books" director, Emma is. Emma thinks everything she needs to know she's learned in school or it can be found in the instruction manual...

Jasper moved to Whisper Creek years ago after suffering great loss. Jasper, an attorney, used to live in the corporate world. He spent 60+ hours a week with clients and with colleagues, just not his wife. Realizing he didn't like who he'd become, Jasper leaves his former life behind and ends up in Whisper Creek. The lure of the mountains and a simpler way of life "called" to him. Jasper opened up a coffee shop and moved his dad into Shady Acres, to be closer to him. Jasper wrecks havoc at Shady Acres, trying to make the nursing home a more pleasant place to live. When Bette leaves, she makes Jasper promise to be good...

Eager to meet the new girl, Jasper walks in on Emma as she's changing. Emma thinks he's the most handsome, sexy man she's ever met. The more Emma sees Jasper with his dad and other residents, the more intrigued she becomes. Jasper finds it easy to talk, be with Emma, but also knows she'll be gone in 3mths. He's also not sure if he's ready for a relationship. Even though they know it's a bad idea to start anything, they find themselves drawn to each other....

This was such a powerful, poignant read. You laugh, cry, laugh, and then want to jump through your ereader to shake Jasper silly!!! I loved the easy banter, quick wit, and sense of family. I also enjoyed learning different ways we could make nursing homes better, less depressing. Wheelchair volleyball, designing the halls to be like city streets, and the animals-resident programs were excellent ideas! One could also envision the mountains and the stars as though they were there. I loved it!!! I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.