Once and Again by Lauren Dane is book One in the Petal, Georgia Series. This is the story of Nathan Murphy and Lily Travis.
Lily and Travis were friends when they were younger that turned into a romantic relationship. Then he did something that Lily couldn't forgive at the time which broke them up. Now years later she has returned to town to help her younger brother who is left on his own while their parents are going through a divorce and midlife crisis. This puts back in Nathan's world because he is her brother's teacher.
This was a good second chance read.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is a revised version of the book, with a really lovely novelette which gives us a peek into a few couples' lives one evening – it is fun, so don't forget to turn to it at the end of the book.

I read the Chase Brothers books as they came out, but had not read this one before, so it was a real treat to go back to Petal and all the interlinking families, headed by the indomitable Polly and her lovely husband, Edward. Even though it is a long while and many, many books since I read the earlier books, I was catapulted straight back into their world, and I loved every minute of it.

Lily has had to come home, stalling her promising photographic career, to look after her teenage brother who is falling through the cracks, as her father has left home with the babysitter. Her mother is self-medicating and her sister only turns up when she needs more money. This is a good reminder that whether wealthy or not, families are not what they seem behind closed doors. Lily is determined to get her brother back on track, even when that means dealing with her ex, Nathan, who teaches at the high school.

Nathan is mesmorised by the returning beauty that he foolishly let go at college – something he realised even then, but was too naive to solve. He enlists the help of his extended family to ensure that he gets the chance to make it right.

Cue a whole range of interventions designed to get the two of them back together. It is at times funny, sometimes cute, but it cannot be denied that Lily could do with positive influences in her brother's life, so she takes the support, and finds herself welcomed back into small town life.

Lily was far the bigger character for me, even with Nathan being built up as the strong one. She was a delight with her ingenuity and business acumen, but also with her discretion over the house ownership, and the strength to support her mother as well as her brother. She deserved the recognition from Polly.

I am looking forward to the next updated story with pleasure.

The first book in the contemporary romance series, Petal, Georgia is an emotionally gripping tale that enthralls readers from the very beginning. This second chance, small town romance is full of sizzling chemistry and an undeniable attraction but the relationship is hampered by the past, by family issues and all the emotional turbulence that goes along with it which captures readers by the heart, especially as Lily and Nathan are strong, captivating characters that easily draws readers into their story. Readers can’t help but feel for the strong willed and determined Lily as she struggles to help her family pick up the pieces after a devastating blow cripples them emotionally and for charmingly sexy Nathan as he tries to convince Lily that he’s not the same boy and that he made a mistake.

This suspenseful romance builds expectation with a steady pace that keeps readers thoroughly engaged while drawing them deeper into this small town and the Chase the family which is full of love, loyalty and a sincere caring that readers can’t help but feel as it pours from the pages of this heartwarming romance as Nathan tries to win Lily’s heart.

3.5 stars

Once and Again by Lauren Dane is a well written and entertaining second chance love story.

The storyline held my interest from start to end and I enjoyed watching Nathan and Lily reconnect, forgive past mistakes, and love each other unconditionally.

Overall, Once and again is a good start to the Petal, Georgia Series.

*Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the advance copy.*