Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me a free copy of this advanced copy of the book to read and review.

I enjoy second chance romances especially when the setting and characters are on point. And, I thought this was the case with this read. One stayed and the other moved on. Fifteen is the magic number of how much time passed before the other came back. I thought the bitterness was spot on considering what they had and how they fell apart.

Kate returns with a ten-year-old daughter. She wanted to get away from the city, spend more time with her daughter Jack, and just slow down. Lauren stayed and also has a 10 year old daughter, Abbie. Both girls are likeable, adorable, and add so much to the story. I have not read that may books with the chapters going back and forth between the present and past. After reading, I thought it was a good way to tell the story. There was much to be processed and workout for Lauren and Kate to even talk and interact with each other; especially for Kate who is bitterly angry.

First time I’ve read anything by Ms Brown and hopefully it won’t be my last book I get to enjoy from this author.
Kate Conners never expected to move back to the small town where she went to college but when she found herself working overtime, all the time to keep food and a roof over her and her daughter, Jack’s heads. Now after finding a job at the local college library she felt she’d made the right choice. Her college life was typical but for the relationship she had with another student. As time passed the friendship turned into much more. She was in love and while that itself was wonderful she couldn’t forget the fact that her lover was a married woman.
Lauren Dawson also attended the same college as Kate, and having a friendship with Kate was quickly becoming more and more important to her. She was drawn to Kate and seeked her out every time she could. Lauren found herself falling in love with Kate but being a married woman she was torn. She had never been with another woman but after meeting Kate it was all she could think of. But when she had the chance to choose Kate over her husband Drew she chose Drew, leaving Kate devastated. Now Kate was living here with Jack, who quickly became best friends with her own daughter Abbie. But hard as she tries she can’t reach past Kate's anger. All she could do was apologize for the pain she’d caused Kate and hope there was still a little bit of the love they’d once shared.
I almost passed on this book mainly because it is written from the viewpoint of one of the main characters. I normally don’t bother too much with these books but after a few pages I found myself going back for more. Very glad I did take the time, even though the story got bogged down a couple of times, I still couldn’t put it down. Ms Brown has given a very, very enjoyable read.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bella Books

Does love at first sight remain even when they leave each other? This book is about that. Kate and Lauren meet in college and against Kate's inner voice saying don't get involved with straight married women, they get involved anyway. Lauren breaks it off with Kate presumably because she needs to focus on her marriage. Kate is devastated and leaves to pursue becoming a lawyer.
Years later, Kate moves back to her college hometown for a better and simpler life for her daughter. What she doesn't realize is Lauren is still there and lives across the street from her. Now, she is no longer married..
What begins as gruff meetings for the both of them, turns friendlier. This is helped immensely by both women's daughters becoming close friends. The feelings are still there, but Kate doesn't know if she wants to risk being devastated yet again.
I would recommend.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This has been the best romance I have read this year, hands down.

And this is where my frustration begins because I will not be able to put into words everything I would like to say about it.So I am not going to begin to put topic after topic related to how I was moved by, filled with sadness, how it has made me angry and then happy in the different situations that the two main characters go through throughout the story.

Within my limitations in the knowledge of the art of writing, I have found that the way this book is written has been perfect to expose the nuances of the relationship between the two women, both in the first and second stages. It is not new for romances that are about second chances, that the past is explained with flashbacks. In this case it has been so, but the nuances that are being discovered have been exposed in an extremely sensitive way. And I’ll stop rambling right now.

The only thing that I have not understood is the description they make in the synopsis, it does not have much to do with the real story. But almost better this way because entering into the story without much knowledge of what is going to happen gives greater satisfaction. At least that's how it was for me.

I did something that I RARELY do after finishing a book. I read this again right after! That is how much I loved this love story between Kate and Lauren. It automatically became one of my favorite books in this genre of all time.

What to say other than that? The structure of the story with the flashbacks from them in college to the present was so well done. The idea that you could meet your soulmate while with someone else and the tragedy that can cause was heartbreaking. The time it takes to forgive and open your heart back up was realistic. Their daughters together was adorable. I seriously could go on, but I think I got my point across.

Buy this book.

The tagline of this book is what pulled me in and I am very happy it did.

After being away for 15 years, Kate returns to her college town to take a less demanding job. She not only needs to get away from the stress but she wants to give her 10-year-old daughter a break from city life. Her daughter befriends a girl who happens to be the daughter of the woman who broke Kate's heart 15 years ago. A whirlwind romance in college with Lauren has ruined Kate for all other prospects in her life. When Kate sees Lauren again she does everything she can to not let herself get swept away again. Lauren keeps trying to get Kate out of her self imposed prison of hurt, but Kate is really afraid of getting hurt again.

I always like books written in the first person, a lot of the time with these types of books you get first person from the 2 mains in alternating chapters, for this one it isn't the case. For at least the first half of the book the chapters alternate from the present to 15 years ago. I usually have issues with flashbacks in a story, but for this one, it works out really well, I think it is because of how the book is set up. The flashbacks are an important part of the story, separate chapters, instead of just part of a chapter. I did find Kate a little annoying, but I could also see some humour in her character. This book is qualified as a romance but I'd say it is more of a drama, I absolutely don't mind. I do feel the solution to the story is a bit too much, even if you see it coming. Overall I liked the story, the flashbacks really added that something special.

When I read the Bella Books August new release summary from Baxter Brown I learned that she was about half way through this book when she developed a terrible case of writer's block that lasted over a year. She was uncertain if she was going to finish this book, but I'm certainly glad that she did. Because even though this is the first book that I've read by Baxter Brown, it's my favorite book of the summer.

While the premise of the book seems simple......Kate and Lauren meet toward the end of college and fall for one another...., with circumstances forcing Kate to leave town, and leaving Lauren heartbroken.......the story and the writing is hardly simple. The story is told from Kate's point of view and the writing weaves a present and past narrative that explains what happened to both of these women to get them to where they are today.

Kate has returned to Renfrew after fifteen years with her adopted ten-year old daughter, Jack (aka Jaqueline Connors) in tow. Jack is a tomboy and takes after her mother in many ways even though they are not biologically related. Lauren is still in Renfrew and has bought the coffee shop that she and Kate used to frequent in their college days. She is the mother to ten-year old Abbie. Abbie and Jack become quick friends that facilitates the reacquaintance of their mothers.

There are so many things to love about this book including the magnificent story, the skilled writing, the witty banter between Kate and Lauren not to mention their sizzling chemistry, and the sweet, innocent relationship between Jack and Abbie. These two devised a wonderful plan with Jack forgetting to pack Kate's tent for a camping trip, forcing Kate to bunk with Lauren. The book had me laughing, crying, and so absorbed in the story that I'll likely be thinking about this one for many days after I've finished the book. Cleary 5 stars with high recommendations to other readers.

I received an ARC from Bella Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review of the story.

O.M.G.

Suspenseful throughout the book - will they, won't they?

An affair with no future started and ended in college.

And then, Kate and her daughter, Jack, move back to town. And find Lauren is still there.

The story is told at two levels - 15 years ago when Kate and Lauren broke each other's hearts and the present.

This is a tense, emotional, realistically told story - I loved it!

I look forward to reading more from this author.

I can’t decide If this just wasn’t for me or if the story was problematic. Lauren and Kate’s relationship bothered me from the start. I don’t like cheating storylines, but the characters had no chemistry and Lauren sounded
Like the oldest college student ever and her probing into Kate’s dating life felt intrusive and not romantic. The “present day” storyline dragged on too long and the arguments and interactions were juvenile.

Other than their daughters being friends there was no adhesion for the relationship. They could have easily avoided each other.

Her writing was fine, but some of the plot choices gave me pause. I was hoping for the push and pull of a former
Love and I just didn’t feel it between these characters.

This is a great second chance romance, full of humor. Baxter Brown brings a well written story, but I know not everybody enjoys books that alternate past and present narratives. The two women fit well together and are credible.

This was my first time reading Brown and I pleasantly surprised. Following Chance tells the story of Kate and Lauren and how they come together after 15 years apart. I found the story to be well written, with an interesting plot that made me want to continue reading even when I had other things to do. I'll definitely be searching out Brown again in the future.

I didn't enjoy the structure of the book at first - it's written in alternating chapters between the past and the present for the majority of the book. However, this is very much a me thing - I found myself uncomfortable in the past chapters knowing that we were working towards the breakup of two people that in the present chapters are obviously meant to be together despite protestations. By the time we actually got to the breakup though I'd become much more comfortable with the structure and was actually beginning to enjoy it.

Kate in the present frustrated me for at least half of the book - her feelings for Lauren were clear and in typical me fashion I just wanted to shake this fictional character out of her own head. I did however love her sarcasm, her attitude towards parenting and her character in general. I loved the secondary characters of both daughters. Their sweet relationship and meddling in their mothers lives ended up making the story for me much more believable for me.

Whilst fairly predictable in its outcome, this is an enjoyable book that I would recommend reading when you're looking for a well written, well paced romance with some attitude on the side.

Kate and Lauren meet at college 15 years ago. When they meet Kate tries to keep a distance knowing that Lauren is straight, but eventually, they fall for each other. Until right before graduation everything goes wrong and they go their separate ways.

After years away Kate returns to her old college town with her 10 years old daughter. Never expecting to see Lauren again who also has a 10 years old surprise. Kate is set on not having anything to do with Lauren, but their daughters become fast friend forcing them to interact with each other.

The book goes back and forth between past and present until we are caught up with what exactly happened 15 years ago. Meanwhile, Kate and Lauren learn to know each other again and maybe there is a second chance at love after all.

Well written and it keeps you reading until the end.

Following Chance is a really nice story about getting a second chance at love. The two main protagonists are easy to connect, each lady has their own distinct voice, quirks and flaws. Both characters have chemistry and it's lovely to see their story unfold.

“Do you believe in soul mates?” “I don’t know. What’s a soul?”

She didn’t say anything for the longest time and then, “A part of you that you can’t escape.”

I enjoyed the book so much I couldn’t read fast enough to find out more about their story.

Kate and Lauren did not start their story right. As much as they both wanted to keep the relationship, everything spiralled out of control. When they parted ways, it took 15 years for their paths to cross again. In the decade and a half apart many things changed but no matter how long it took, as Lauren hinted all those years ago, they were parts of each other with no means of escape.

When Kate came back to town with her daughter, fate came knocking again when their daughters became best friends. I experienced a myriad of emotions following Kate through her memories.

Lauren is the epitome of tenacity, when Kate came around again, the woman was everywhere. When the push came, secrets were revealed about what drove them apart.

This is top notch writing with a depth to draw readers into the story. I was totally absorbed and still have lingering sentiments days after reading the book. A clear winner for me.

I just reviewed Following Chance by Baxter Brown. #FollowingChance #NetGalley

15 years ago Kate and Lauren met at college party and their were instant attraction but it’s seems Lauren is off limits and maybe straight.

Lauren and Kate both had grown and now are mothers two daughters Jack and Abbie. They are reluctant reunited when Kate’s moves back to town and their daughters becomes instant friends. They have a second chance at romance as the story goes from the past to the present and what happen that had them separate in the first place.

Cute Read.


I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

I've just found my newest favorite author.

I'm a slow reader. It's not unusual for me to take a week or more to read a book. I finished this book in 24 hours because it was JUST. THAT. GOOD.

Kate and Lauren meet during college at a party that Kate is unexpectedly invited to by one of her male classmates, Drew. Kate learns immediately that Lauren has a connection to Drew and while there's instant attraction, Lauren's straight and off limits - right?

Jump ahead 15 years later, Kate moves back to town and is immediately reunited, albeit unwillingly, with Lauren. Both Kate and Lauren are single and each has a 3rd grade daughter (an adorable addition to the story are the two daughters Jack and Abbie, who become instant best friends). The story progresses as it fluctuates between present day and what happened fifteen years ago between the two women.

This book was impossible to put down. There was humor, heartache, lots of sarcasm, and hot chemistry - all the right ingredients for a romance novel. I quickly ran to get the author's previous work, and look forward to reading more from her.