Member Reviews
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from St. Martin's Paperbacks for my unbiased opinion of the book. What a great addition to the Two Love Lane Series! Ella has decided after a major heartbreak from a first love Hank, she is never going to marry and never hit the big time acting. She has a very challenging customer she has been trying to fix up for matchmaking. Hank comes back into her life after jilting her over 10 years ago and on her birthday, to help his cousin feel more comfortable in Charleston. Hank decides that after all these years of ignoring his love for Ella he decides to take a part of a movie in Charleston that will help him win Ella back. Ella is fighting all these demons and close living quarters with Hank and his cousin. The sparks fly!! This book did not disappoint!
I definitely love second chance stories.
Sometimes it's harder to accept that a new chance happens depending on how the couple broke up in the past, but still...
Ella Mancini has made a decision in the past - she gave up a career - because she hoped her boyfriend, Hank, would propose to her.
Well, no career, no wedding.
The years go by and Ella becomes successful in her "career" as a matchmaker, but then comes the opportunity to perform in a movie. In her city!!
How her surprise when she discovers that the male lead will be Hank, now a huge film star.
Keeping professionalism, the two act as expected on the set, but day by day the old feeling flourishes.
Hank wants to convince Ella that she is the woman of his life; Ella is afraid of getting hurt again.
Could she give him another chance?
4 stars
I liked this book. It was a sweet romance for a couple who cautiously took a second chance at love. This young couple had the opportunity to try again. Ella was so shell shocked from him leaving the first time it was truly hard for her to open up to a second chance. Hank on the other hand made the second chance happen and took all the punishment for being such an idiot.
The two characters were from the acting community and Kieran gave a very interesting take on why actors are drawn to that career and what it means to live that lifestyle. She also told a tale of two actors that want to act, but not for the lifestyle; but how acting fulfills them. I loved the description of Serendipity 3 so much. This is the second book I've read that references it. It made me want to go just to get "Frozen Hot Chocolate." Maybe next time in New York. Also, the community lifestyle she portrays for Charleston is so endearing that it makes you feel like you are there in the 1800's, not in the 2010's.
I'm only giving this a 4 of 5 because the prose she uses and the setting she describes are very old world. Hank acts as someone would in the 1800's I felt, while Ella was very contemporary. The dating service and the environment descriptions felt very old fashioned. This created a juxtaposition I was never able to get out of my head. When I was reading it felt as if the furniture and clothes and words they spoke were from the wrong era. However if you love second chance romance this one is a winner.
This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.
I have not read any of the other books in this series and I had no problem reading this as stand alone book. There were people that you knew were in a previous book but nothing major so you can focus on Ellie and Hank.
I really loved that Ellie was so full and down to earth. It was great that Hank could see that she had a full life and really didn't need him. Hank was still looking for his "bliss" and even though he was a major star, he was still didn't feel like he had everything and was still searching.
It is refreshing to have the leading lady helping as a matchmaker instead of trying to steal the guy away! Samantha was a fun character and I hope that we see her find happiness in a future book.
It was fun to watch as they each admit their love but didn't have a clue on how to Find a way to compromise and each live their dream.
Love these characters! Seriously, who wouldn’t want to hang out with Ms. Thing every day? I don’t think I would be very good at matchmaking, but these ladies have it down. Well, most of the time anyway. Who doesn’t love a big crazy Italian family, who may have some secrets of their own. I love family, blood and otherwise. We’ve had Hollywood take over where I live a few times and you know those stars were pretty nice too. People are people and they are what they are. Will Ella find happiness? You’ll have to read the book to find out.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley to read in exchange for a fair review. Second Chance At Two Love Lane is the third book in Kieran Kramer’s Two Love Lane series. While it could be read as a stand-alone, I think you will enjoy it more if you’ve read the other two books. The series is about 3 friends who own a matchmaking business. The stories are set in Charleston, South Carolina with lots of quirky secondary characters. Ella Mancini and Hank Rogers were young and in love struggling actors when Ella gave up her big break because she didn’t want to leave Hank, only to discover that Hank had not made the same choice and was leaving her. Ten years later Ella is happily settled in Charleston, acting in community theatre and running her successful matchmaking business. Hank comes to town for a part in a movie and a lot of unresolved issues and what if’s need to be dealt with. Lots of humour and light steam. Publishing Date August 28, 2018 #NetGalley #SecondChanceAtTwoLoveLane
You can read this a stand alone book. This was a fun Second Chance book to read. You will fall in love with the ladies at Two Love Lane in this book. Ella was an aspiring actress who turned down a great opportunity for the guy she loves. He does not turn down his chance at fame to be with her. Ten years later he is famous movie actor and she owns her own business. They have both not stop loving each other. A chance for them to set things right comes when Hank gets to film a movie in her town. There is so much hurt on Ella's side that it's hard to see if they will ever get through the past. Ella's friends and family and also the lead costar on set are all fabulous to read about.
*I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.*
SECOND CHANCE AT TWO LOVE LANE by Kieran Kramer is a fun, easy read.
While this is Ella and Hanks love story, Ella's friends and business partners are there to help her out. While this can be a stand alone read, there are references made that are better if you have read the previous books. I have enjoyed all the Two Love Lane books. The girls are all well built characters and they complement each other nicely.
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I have never read this author before and am not sure if this book is part of a series or not, so definitely had no idea what this would be like. It is a cute contemporary with the background of Charleston, SC, an area I am very familiar with. Obviously, so is Ms. Kramer as was evident in this book. I will say that this book did not hold my interest, but because I received this as an ARC from Netgalley, I felt that I should finish it. And I did. To me, the secondary characters were much more interesting than the two main characters. I realize this book is supposed to be a second chance at love book, but it just ambled for too long for my taste. As I said, this was a cute enjoyable contemporary, and I believe it will garner a lot of readers. It just wasn’t my favorite book of the week.
SECOND CHANCE AT TWO LOVE LANE by Kieran Kramer is a lovely romance centred around second chances and risking one's heart for the promise of love.
Ella Mancini always dreamed about being a famous actress but after losing her chance at the spotlight waiting for her boyfriend, Hank, to propose years ago, Ella has let go of the past and is content with her life, running her matchmaking agency with her two best friends and acting wherever and whenever she is needed locally. So when Hank, who abandoned her and became a global acting star, gets in touch requesting her help, Ella is suspicious and no matter how hard she tries she cannot fully forget her feelings for him or the way he used to make her feel ...
With plenty of misunderstandings and laughs along the way, SECOND CHANCE AT TWO LOVE LANE by Kieran Kramer is a delightful story of trying to make amends for the past while taking a chance on the future and is such an easy read that I finished it in one evening. While this is the third book in this series, it can easily be read as a standalone without any hassle. The characters are likeable (although sometimes a little childish and naive), the setting is enjoyable, and the plot never bored or dragged so all in all, this is a lovely romance that is well worth reading.
Second Chance At Two Love Lane is a beautiful. Second Chance love story that will pull at your heartstrings while you root for a HEA. This is the first story that I have read by Kieran Kramer and it is absolutely not my last. I fell into this mesmerizing, entertaining, heartbreaking, and complicated story and didn’t want to leave.
I loved everything about it from the vibrant, interesting characters and their personalities that light up the pages. Their interactions and their amazing chemistry and connections, as well as all the amazing details. So many great characters that added to this story and I loved them all and wished that they were in my circle of friends and family. Between Ms.Thing, Pammy, Samantha Drake, Macy and Greer the shenanigans and entertainment never stops.
But most of all I loved the main characters Ella and Hank. They both still have feelings for each other after being apart for ten years. Oh Ella didn’t want to acknowledge it, and denied it a lot. But you feel the pull between them, the sweet tension and that sizzling chemistry,o as well as their love for one another that is right below the surface. Just like it was ten years ago when they were two struggling artists. Without a word they’d known they were made for each other. Will they be able to find that magical love again? You will have to read to find out.
This story was a fantastic mix of everything I adore in a story: humor, heart, and heat. Loved every second of it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book took me a little while to get into, but I did enjoy it. I liked the premise of a second chance for Hank and Ella, but felt like she was a little too whiney at times. I did like the relationship between the couple one they talked and liked the ending. I would too tress more about Hank's cousin. I felt really bad for Ella's mom. Overall, it was a good book but I wish the ending wouldn't have been as rushed as I felt it was.
I enjoyed reading Second Chance at Two Love Lane by Kieran Kramer, book three in her new Two Lane series. This Ella’s story as she is reunited with her ex-boyfriend, Hank, after ten years apart. Professionally, Ella is a matchmaker at Two Love Lane, but during her spare time she performs at the Dock Street Theatre. Before returning to Charleston, Ella passed up a major audition while awaiting a marriage proposal. Not only did she not get the role; she never got the ring, either. Instead, her boyfriend Hank went on to become a huge film star, leaving her, and all her dreams, behind. Now she has a chance at a small role in a Hollywood movie that is being filmed in Charleston with Hank cast as the male lead. Ella and Hank try to act cool while on the set, but their old feelings are returning when they are off the set. It doesn’t help when leading-lady Samantha Drake tries to play cupid, reuniting the former couple. Hank realizes that he never forgot Ella, nor stopped loving her. He now wonders if he can convince her that after all this time, she’s the only one he wants to be with in real life.
Ms. Kramer wrote a delightful story; filled with sexual chemistry, fun dialogue, and endearing characters. I definitely recommend this book to other readers and look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Second Chance At Two Love Lane by Kieran Kramer is the latest addition to the Charleston based series. Without a doubt, Kieran Kramer is one of my favorite writers of Southern romance. I never pass up one of her books. With that said, I will also say I enjoyed this book, but it is not my all time favorite by her. That is still, Sweet Talk Me. However, no author is able to write about celebrities like Ms. Kramer does. Somehow she manages to make them seem normal and genuine, no easy task.
It’s a small world after all, when Ella Mancini and Hank Rogers meet up again in Charleston. Lost love, redefined dreams and taking a second chance all are part of drama in this story. The attraction between Ella and Hank is still there, but so is fear and doubts. In some ways, Ella seems frozen in time with her emotions but a few quirky characters paly matchmakers. You can’t help but enjoy their efforts, hoping Ella and Hank will act on them.
Delightful summer read especially for those of us who know second chances shouldn’t be overlooked.
Description:
Sometimes love is waiting in the second act...
In her professional career, Ella Mancini plays matchmaker at Two Love Lane but, in her personal life, she takes the stage at the Dock Street Theatre. Now she has a chance at a new role in a Hollywood movie that happens to be filming in Charleston—one that features a big-name actress, Samantha Drake. Long ago, Ella passed up a major audition while awaiting a marriage proposal. Not only didn’t she get the role; she never got the ring, either. Instead, her boyfriend Hank went on to become a huge film star…leaving her, and all her dreams, behind.
But now Hank’s back in Charleston, cast as the male lead in the same movie Ella’s in. In spite of the dramatic tension off-screen, he and Ella try to stay cool onset. But when their old feelings start to heat up—at the same time leading-lady Samantha tries to play cupid—all bets are off. How can Hank convince Ella, after all this time, that she’s the one he really wants to be with in real life—and that some happy, rom-com endings really can come true?
My Thoughts:
This is the third book in this Two Love lane series and I have read them all. These quirky contemporary titles are well written and each can stand on it's own but are better if read as a series in the order they were released. There are characters that tie them together and getting to know these funny and quirky individuals is what makes these books really good.
This is your somewhat usual second chance romance with an emphasis on a second time around.
This is Ella's story. If you have read the series you have already met her and know a bit about her.
With the return of her former boyfriend Hank, to Charleston will Ella take a second chance at love that left her spurned in the past.
The movie that they are both cast in has thrown this pair back together but will they need a more than gentle nudge back into each other's arms.
I was initially introduced to this author through her historical romance, that being my usual genre but I must say her contemporary titles are equally well written and I have enjoyed every one I have read.
I gave this book 4.25 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization.
I don't read much contemporary romance but being a southerner and a South Carolinian the location alone drew me in and made me want to read more when it came to this series.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book from the publisher by invitation to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
I really enjoyed reading this book! It was a fun read, that kept me captivated from the beginning. I have really enjoyed the other books in this series too. I look forward to reading more from this author!
SECOND CHANCE AT TWO LOVE LANE by Kieran Kramer. A "Two Love Lane" series, which can be read as a stand alone. Takes readers on a journey to a a small town, set in lowcountry Charleston, South Carolina, and "Two Love Love" matchmaking company.
This is the story of Ella Mancini, a matchmaker and aspiring actress. Hank, her ex-boyfriend, who is back in Charleston cast as the male lead, in a movie where Ella is also cast.
A sassy, delicious, Southern small town Contemporary Rom-Com. With humor, heart, and plenty of heat, and second chances, readers will be swept away in this entertaining romance. Ms. Kramer, has delivered an entertaining romance with exciting and lovable characters and a strong and interesting storyline. Well written and well crafted.
"I voluntarily received a complimentary copy, however, these are my honest opinions. I was in no way required nor compensated to write a review."
Rating: 4
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewer: AprilR
I really enjoyed Second Chance at Two Love Lane. It was a little steamy but felt nostalgic and wholesome overall. It shows a great connected family and two people who fell in love at a young age. Differing priorities led to them separating after several years. Here they've managed to find each other 10 years later and it's like they've never lost that loving feeling. There's a healthy dose of desire, but also tender feelings as well.
It's a perfect rom com
I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review
Second chances in life, and love, are rare. When they come around, one should grab a hold of them with both hands and hold on for dear life. Such is the case with Ella and Hank in Kieran Kramer’s latest Second Chance at Two Love Lane. I’ve loved this series from the beginning Kramer’s distinctive lowcountry writing style keeps me turning pages as fast as I can. Visits to Two Love Lane are to be treasured, because I never want them to end.
Ella created a new life for herself after a marriage proposal never developed. She has moved to Charleston. She has started her own match making company and she still acts in local theatre. When Hank arrives in town for a movie, her world turns upside down and inside out.
I enjoyed Ella, and her friends and family are a hoot! These characters add so much spice to this tale. Then there is HANK! Hank is a movie star who cannot forget his first love, ELLA! He is determined to win her back.
This story is just like any other romance. Boy loses girl by his own stupidity, boy tries to get girl back, a few kinks in the road, then success. This pretty much sums up this story. The characters and the wonderful setting of Charleston make this read good. The story just needs a little more originality.
I love the cover of this book! Just looks heavenly! This is a good palate cleanser read or even a travel book. It is entertaining and an easy read.