Member Reviews
Adriana Locke is so great at small-town romance and she did not disappoint with this introduction to Dogwood Lane. I'm a sucker for a single dad and Dane was a swoony one. He and Neely had such great chemistry and Mia just stole my heart. Looking forward to more in this series!
Neely heads back to Tennessee after quitting her job in New York City when a promotion she thought she had with her current employer doesn't occur. She's in recover mode when she decides to stay with her family.
Visiting is a little tricky because Neely's former love-of-her-life left her for her best friend who then became pregnant. Neely hasn't forgiven the handsome Luke.
Upon her return home Neely, a former champion gymnast meets a sweet little girl who is taking a gymnastics class and ends up volunteering there. This is Dane's daughter. When they meet again. it's not exactly a happy occasion.
Dane wishes with all his heart that he hadn't broken up with Neely so that she could pursue her college dreams. In a drunken stupor he has an entanglement with her best friend and she becomes pregnant.
This is a lovely story about past hurts, learning to forgive and figuring out what is truly important in life.
This is a great second chance romance. Neely had me captivated with her character the whole story. Highly recommend
A great second chance romance. I liked the kick off in this series and look forward to what's next on Dogwood Lane. Neely is back in TN not by choice but seeing her first love, Dane, is heart wrenching. Dane is the sexy, single dad- I love those in books. Mia captures your heart and steals the scene. What better way to navigate a love meant to be but with a sweet little girl in the mix that needs Neely as much as her dad does.
Adriana has yet to publish a story I haven’t throroughly enjoyed, and this new series definitely will be enjoyable. The small town, second chance romance kicks off the Dogwood Lane series with a bang. Dane and Neely are high school sweethearts with a tough history that can only be overcome by pushing past each other’s fears and giving love a real shot. The characters are down to earth and relatable. The story is 100% believable and easy for a girl like me to feel right at home in. I’m excited to see who gets the next story in the series.
Oooohhhhh, I am so excited about Adriana Locke’s new book, Tumble!! This brand spanking new series is the perfect opportunity to jump into a fantastic series from the very beginning!
I always love a good second-chance romance and I enjoyed the fresh spin Adriana Locke put onto it with Neely and Dane! Being each others first love, the two have serious deep-rooted feelings, but the way they ended left Neely heartbroken! Even though it’s been over a decade, Neely isn’t looking to rekindle even a friendship with Dane, but Dane is determined to do his best to make things right! From that point, I was hooked and I completely adore what Adriana Locke had in mind for these two!
What an amazing way to kick off a series! I seriously want to visit the small town of Dogwood Lane!! I loved Neely and Dane and was really keeping my fingers crossed they would find their way back to good! I also adored all of the supporting characters— they were all so endearing and I already have a mental list of people I hope will get their own books in future installments! And speaking of future installments, I can confidently say the I will be reading every novel that will be in the Dogwood Lane series! Tumble is a 4.5 star gem that is a total must read!
Wow, another amazing book from Adriana Locke. I'd give this six stars if I could, it was brilliant in all the ways I've come to expect from Adriana Locke. I was super excited when I saw Tumble available on Netgalley for review. I loved the Landry series and I wanted to read more by this author. I was not disappointed.
This is Dane and Neely's story. Dane and Neely were childhood sweethearts but ambition and mistakes caused their relationship to fail, and Neely to leave Dogwood Lane TN for New York City. Ten years later, Neely's come home, at least for a little while. New York has given her opportunities, but at what cost. She's home to reflect on this in the wake of a soul-crushing employment experience that led her to quit. Dane didn't leave, and now he has his daughter Mia to care for. He works and exists, but does he really live?
This book is the perfect combination of scene setting, whether it be the details of Dogwood Lane itself, or the several other hints of romance that we get from the characters that surround Neely and Dane, to the re-development of the main romance itself. It's so incredibly well written. I got lost in a place I could not only imagine, but I thought I could hear the sounds, smell the smells, imagine the evening sunsets, feel the start of Autumn... because Adriana Locke's writing is *that good*.
I wanted much more epilogue when I got to the end, which is always a sign that I've fallen in love with the characters. I'm super excited that I think this is the beginning of a series in which I hope we'll learn more about the fates of Claire, Haley, Matt and the untameable Penn. I'll look forward to their stories and to catching up with Dane and Neely some more.
Thank you Adriana Locke for the perfect read.
Tumble was exactly what I needed to get me out of a book slump! I have always enjoyed Adriana Locke's books but this is by far my favorite. This story combined 2 of my favorite tropes , second-chance romance and a single dad. SWOON!. Neely returns to her small hometown in Tennessee after she quits her job trying to find direction. It doesn't take long for her to run in to the one person she doesn't want to see. Dane was her high school love and the one that not only broke her heart, but shattered it. Neely has no intention of staying in Dogwood Lane. Her life and any opportunities to live her dream as a female sports writer are in NYC. Dane knows he shouldn't get closer to Neely because she isn't here to stay. He has had enough women leave him to put himself or his daughter through it again. Fortunately, you can't fight chemistry. Dane and Neely are like magnets; there is no stopping the attraction. Can the high-school sweethearts stick to the friends with benefits agreement they decide on or will it be harder to say goodbye than they think? I adored the straightforward story without misunderstandings or silly arguments. Tumble was a story of a devoted father, a passionate and driven writer, a precious little girl and most importantly of how love conquers all.
What a fantastic start to a new series.
I was hooked from the beginning till the end. I absolutely loved this book so so much. I was disappointed that it ended. The characters really touched my heart and really pulled at my heart strings especially Mia. It has a fantastic storyline with plenty to keep you wanting more. I can't wait for the next one.
A determined career woman, a sexy single dad, and his precocious little girl-I was sold on this book by the blurb alone!
Neely is back home after an unexpected...hiatus from work. And of course, the Fates are laughing at her, because the first person she sees is Dane. Dane, who she split up with over a decade ago, leaving him over a mistake Neely couldn’t forgive and neither one could forget. So, what’s a girl supposed to do when she’s faced with a dilemma of going after a job she always wanted...or embracing a sweet homecoming, the likes to which she didn’t even know she wanted, much less needed?
I love a good second chance romance and I wasn’t disappointed! This was my first time reading Adriana Locke and I was impressed. I liked her writing style, the angst level was mellow, and I loved the characters. Neely, Dane, and his daughter Mia won me over with love, laughter, and a sweet chance at starting something new. The secondary characters were also absolutely hysterical with their small town, nosy charm and unwavering support! And the romance! I loved how Dane and Neely didn’t jump right back into things and took their time, which had me fully invested in the outcome. My only complaint was the epilogue. It was okay, more of a happily for now (HFN) kind of chapter rather then an HEA, so I am hoping to catch glimpses of these guys in future books!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
What a great second-chance love story by Adriana Locke. This is the story of Neely and Dane, the last time they saw each other it was with heart-break, it is a decade later, and Neely is back and the hurt, regret and also love is still there. Neely’s presence in Dogwood Lane is supposed to be temporary. Her career in New York is up in the air and she needed a few days to figure out what her next steps are going to be. She knew she would eventually have to face Dane, but she was not prepared for all those emotions and also Dane’s resolve to win her back.
All the characters in this book made it such an engaging story. The chemistry between Neely and Dane is strong, Dane’s daughter, Mia is just adorable and all those friends and family who assist in their happily ever after made it so much more enjoyable. I actually can not wait to see what is in store next.
Thank you Netgalley and Montlake Romance for giving me the opportunity to read this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
3.5 stars.
This was a good second chance romance. I loved how the author told the past without going into flashbacks or entire chapters. It really helped with the flow.
I wanted more of a connection between the two mc’s. I felt the H explained what happened and didn’t show much heart break over it. I felt he was a little cold about the whole situation.
The secondary characters were a lot of fun and I can see this being a great new series!
4.5 stars
Whats not to love about a country town romance!! It took me a little while to really delve into this story but once I started enjoying the characters needless to say I couldn’t stop reading!
It was such a feel good story that had some remarkably beautiful caring characters!
I really enjoyed this book alot! The friendships, the bonds, family, are all things that made this a beautiful second chance love story!
There are dilemmas the characters face!
There are certain things from their past that resonate inside them, can Dane and Neely overcome what happened in the past and look to the future? Read their story to find out!
Dane Madden. DANE MADDEN. That seriously could be my whole review, and not because I stayed up until 3:30am to finish this in one sitting.
Adriana Locke does it again, and by it, I mean wrote an amazing romance story that had me smiling like a fool by the end. First of all, I'm a sucker for a single dad romance. Second, there is a strong and independent female lead. Third, there is an amazing friend group that I'm dying to know more about.
Okay, let's start with Dane. He is always trying to do the right thing, but tends to mess it up somehow--let's just say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. His relationship with his daughter is the freakin' cutest thing ever. Plus, he just has this whole hot-caring-man-ness about him throughout the book that I just love.
Then there is Neely, who has every right to be completely pissed and heartbroken about what happened so long ago. She is strong and chasing a dream despite the heartbreak, and I just admire her for that. Her journey throughout this story is just so relatable for women "doing it all."
Lastly, while I'm loving all of the friends, Penn is the silly playboy with a heart of gold that I can't wait to see fall hard. His book, I'm HERE FOR IT!
Long story short, READ THIS BOOK!
Special thank you to Montlake Romance and NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review!
A beautiful second chance/single dad romance that will leave you wanting more. I am looking forward to more books in the series with the other wonderful characters.
I did feel that the story was rushed in parts, but I still overall enjoyed it.
Adriana Locke knows how to write a book. From the very first page I fell in love with DogWood Lane and all the characters in the book. The first book in this series is about Dane and Neely. From the moment I read their first scene together I knew they belonged with each other. Dane is the perfect guy who has a lot of regrets from his past. He has tried so hard to move on from Neely but when he sees her again it all comes back. Neely has just quit her job and has come home for the first time in a really long time. She does not really know what she wants to do with her future. When she sees Dane again things change. She is not really sure what she wants anymore. She only knows that harder she tries to stay away from him the more she wants to be with him. You throw in all their friends and family, Dane's daughter and her friends you have yourself one amazing read. This book made me laugh out loud so many time with all the things going on and even some of the stuff that came out of the characters mouths. This book was so well written it was very hard to put down. It is full of romance, laughter, heat and even some drama. If you are looking for a new series to start then this is the book I would recommend for you. You will not be disappointed at all. I cannot wait to see who the next book belongs too .Thanks Net Galley. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.
I tend to like this author so when I see one of her books I grab but this one wasn't for me. I liked Neel and thought she was a really good forgiving woman. I liked the secondary characters like Penn, Matt, Claire and Hayley and Mia. But I didn't really care for Dane, I didn't feel his remorse for his betrayal a simple I'm sorry after ten years didn't cut it. I found him to be ballsy to think he can just pick up their friendship after what he did and finding her jealousy amusing and his smirking, huh he didn't deserve Neely then nor now. I won't go into it more not to give spoilers but I think he needed to show more to prove he really loved her because I just felt his selfishness and I wished she had someone else. So I won't give it a 2 because of the writing but won't give it more than a 3 because I didn't agree with book.
If I've learned anything, it's that Adriana Locke knows how to deliver these emotionally engaging, adorable, and deeply romantic stories. I can't think of a trope she can't work with, and she absolutely delivered on this second-chance romance.
I loved it. It was interesting. The chemistry was sparky and intense. And the little twists and turns that the storyline took kept me on my toes, tugging at my heart, and occasionally doling out those delicious butterflies in my heart and tummy.
I'm also a complete sucker for a single dad and a small town setting - so imagine my delight at getting these two things in one pretty package. I fell almost as in love with Dogwood Lane as I did with the characters themselves? And Dane's daughter? Scene-stealer extraordinaire. The whole thing - from the setting, to the set-up, to the engaging way it's written - just works as this lovely, slightly angsty, package of swoony delight!
Oh wow! I love a good old second chance romance and Tumble is truly adorable, as is Dane Madden. He’s the ultimate scrumdidlyumptious single dad, and a perfect book boyfriend. Living in Dogwood Lane, Tennessee, he has a wonderful Southern drawl too (the author describes it perfectly). Neely Kimber on the other hand has New York in her blood, after all, she left without a backward glance all those years ago, admittedly with a broken heart, but surely she’s over Dane now. Maybe not, because if she hadn’t just quit her job I’m sure she wouldn’t be anywhere near Dogwood Lane, she also has every intention of returning to New York when once she sorts outtake mess that is currently her career. Such lovely, interesting characters, from Neely and Dane to Matt, Penn and of course Mia, who truly was the star of the book. A wonderful story, great writing and so very addictive once I warmed up to Neely (I have to be honest and say it took me a good few chapters to warm up to her), but I did. I am so looking forward to more from Dogwood Lane. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.
The first book in the new series Dogwood Lane by Adriana Locke.
Neely Kimber is in a bit of a mess. After quitting her job she returns to Dogwood Lane and memories she really wished she didn't have to face. But with nowhere else to turn, face them she must.
Dane Madden always loved Neely Kimber, but after giving her up so she could fulfil her dreams, he makes a mistake that will not only cost him Neely but will gain him something else that will change his life forever.
Now Neely is back in town and Dane is going to do everything in his power to win her back and have her permanently in his life and someone else's too.
A beautiful second chance/single dad romance that will leave you wanting more. I am looking forward to more books in the series with the other wonderful characters.
Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for the opportunity to read and review this book.