A new author for me and although this story got off to a slow start, it finished nicely.

Some secrets are revealed and how the characters react is what makes for a good story. These two have faced a lot of adversity, but managed to overcome and move forward in a new relationship.

I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.

Anything by Reese Ryan's Second Chance on Cypress Lane is a beautifully written second chance romance kept me up late with with a major book hangover, but totally worth it.
For anyone who's looking for a fun, sexy, and swoon worthy romance, here's your book.

*I received an advance reader copy for an honest review.

Nothing beats a good second chance book especially when neither person wants to admit how much they still love the other, case in point Dexter and Dakota. I really liked them both Dakota is strong and after what happened to her you just want nothing but the best, then there is Dexter he has a big heart and does what he needs to to get things done and that includes righting the wrong of breaking up with Dakota years ago. There are plenty of laughs, eye rolling, family you love or get annoyed with, an undeniable attraction and a story that has you from the first page and leaves you feeling all smiles.

The setting of this book was lovely-classic small town with charming restaurants, bookstores, etc., but without the usual all-white cast of characters that 'traditional' small-town romance novels (and films!!) usually have. However, the romance was a little TOO slow-burn for me, and the novel itself was a bit overlong. However, this is very much a 'me' issue--if you're drawn to fairly chaste, slice-of-life style narratives, this would probably suit you just fine. (Also, content warning for an aging/potentially very ill parent.)

This is a second chance small town romance, book 1 in a series. It's my first read by this author and although it was nice, I didn't end up loving. There is nothing majorly wrong or problematic with this story. It's just slow, with a lot of going back and forth of the MCs in their decisions about the relationship.
I kept coming across minor stuff that annoyed me and it all added up and made frustrated.

The MCs were wildly in love as teenagers but split up when they went to college (it was dramatic and people and she never quite got over it). Now 15 years later she is back in her small hometown and they inevitable meet again and rekindle their relationship, first as friends, gradually back to lovers and long-term partners.

I felt they acted too immature for people in their 30s, kept secrets and never talked openly and honestly until forced by outside circumstances to do it. Here is comes my issue with the main conflict and its reveal (she learned from someone else and confronted him). I hated how this played out, how quick she was to forgive him and the other party involved. It all could have been avoided if they had acted as adults from the start and talked things through.

As a side note, the hero describes the heroine as "having curves at all the right places" is not quite the compliment he thinks he is. There was also the moment with sharing someone else's medical information which didn't feel right to me. I understand the good intentions behind it but it's still a matter of respecting people's privacy and it was violated in my opinion.

As I said in the beginning it is all small things coming up here and there in the story but they added up making stealing some of the enjoyment I got from this story.

On top of it all the ending was just too neat and too perfect for my liking. Yes, I want the HFN/HEA romance promises but the ending where everyone forgives everyone else and they all love and respect and care for each other and have no more issues to fix is not working that great for me. I guess it fits with the overall dreamy, escapist tone of the story which could be great for other readers but was not right for me.

This book is like wrapping yourself up in a warm quilt on a cold winter night. Reese writes with such joy, compassion, and wisdom, her books are always a pleasure to read. The romantic tension between Dakota and Dexter is high. She's afraid he'll break her heart, and he's afraid he'll lose his job if he pursues a relationship with her. I enjoyed the small town atmosphere—what could be a more perfect setting than an island in the Outer Banks? I'm looking forward to the next title in this series!

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received.

Second Chance on Cypress Lane has two of my favorite tropes. Our first visit to Holly Grove island explores a 17-year separation without the truth of why; Will love prevail?

Dakota Jones's well-planned life of becoming a weekend anchor shatters due to a relationship scandal that goes viral. It wasn't enough that she lost the job, but she was blacklisted in the industry. She takes the opportunity to come home to Holly Grove Island to heal and refocus. New challenges come after being reunited with her best friend, father, and in the same town with the one person that couldn't be replaced. Not wanting to be deemed a failure in the eyes of those she loves and left to pursue a career that ending in a life-altering scandal.

Always the protector and fixer, Dexter Roberts made a critical mistake when he pushed Dakota away in the name of protecting her from a life of regret. When it looks like a second chance is in his sites, a permanent executive position, and having to tell the truth about the breakup, he finds his future looks daunting once again. Everything would need must be exposed before moving forward.

It's unfortunate for both Dakota and Dexter that parent interference shaped the lives. The secrets, guilt, bribery, and lies derail their destiny.

I enjoyed how the author crafted this small-town, and in Reese Ryan's fashion, we get a good dose of family drama. I am looking forward to the next visit to Holly Grove Lane.

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I enjoyed reading this book so much! I couldn't put the book down. I enjoyed the storyline so much. I fell in love with the characters. Such a fantastic book!

I will admit that the cover is what drew me to this book. Such a sweet, romance book and I'm so glad I received a copy from NetGalley.

I featured Second Chance on Cypress Lane as book of the day on all my social media platforms and featured an interview with Reese Ryan on my blog.

Second Chance on Cypress Lane is a second chance romance revolving around Dakota and Dexter. It may be because I just finished reading a different second chance romance but something about the two main characters just felt off to me. While I did like them together, some of Dexter's personality traits did not agree with me. One of my biggest pet peeves with second chance romances is the constant " I want him but I shouldn't want him but I can't stop thinking about him" narrative. This book was full of this which kind of turned me off. However, if you love small towns plus a good second chance story I would recommend this one!

Dakota Jones, who is an investigative reporter, returns to her hometown Holly Grove after her career implodes. When at home her path crosses with her first love Dexter Roberts, who is now in the hospitality business. Dakota gets a job with Dexter to help with marketing on the new resort that Dexter is in charge of opening. This is a lovely small town romance with a heartwarming second chance romance. The secondary characters are well written and don’t take away from the romance at all. Dakota and Dexter must confront their past in order to have a future. The chemistry of the characters jumps off the pages.. Dakota and Dexter both have to figure out to mesh their job goals with a possible relationship. It’s a fun book that is highly entertaining.

This second chance, super slow burn, with grown-ass adults, romance is perfect for a hot summers day or a cold winter night. Ryan’s characters draw you in and make you want to stay awhile. This is definitely one you will want to read again and again.

This book is delightful - such a perfect contemporary romance and Reese Ryan really nails the second chance trope. These characters are so well-written and their backstory is perfect. It was genuinely interesting to see what they had both been through in the years they'd been apart and their story felt honest and genuinely and was just incredibly enjoyable to read.

Thank you NetGalley, Forever Grand Central Publishing and Reese Ryan for gifting me an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Dakota Jones was on the fast tracks to her dream career. She was just offered a promotion to become a weekend anchor, something she had spent the last few decades working towards. When she unknowingly falls for a married man, the tabloids eat her alive and her shining career is quickly yanked away. With her tail between her legs, Kota makes her way back home to Holly Grove Island. She left years before and only came home once, for her mother’s funeral. After her childhood sweetheart broke her heart, the small town held nothing but painful memories. Now she’s seeing Dexter everywhere and it’s becoming obvious those old feelings never really went away.
Dexter Roberts made a mistake, there’s no question about it. He's regretted ending his relationship with Dakota since it happened and has never found the same kind of love since. After an injury ended his promising football career, Dexter found himself back in Holly Grove working with his childhood friend to open a resort. Dexter let Dakota believe their breakup was for a selfish and stupid reason, believeing protecting her from knowing the truth would be the right choice. Now years later, he’s not so sure.
This was a sweet, slow burn romance set in the idyllic small town of Holly Grove. This is book number one in what will be Reese Ryan;s Holly Grove Island series! Based on the characters we met in this one, I’m thinking we’re going to get Nick and Em’s story next and I’m excited to read it! I’m such a sucker for a good second chance romance and this one was full of drama, passion and a whole lotta love! Kota and Dex had great chemistry and their relationship felt realistic. I think the book was a little on the longer side for the story, but the series was set up nicely and I'm excited to see more of these two in the future!

I enjoyed Second Chance on Cypress Lane; however, it was not a memorable read. Ryan's second-chance romance in a small setting was refreshing because most of the characters were Black, but I never felt the chemistry between Dexter and Dakota.

Fans of small-town romances may have better luck than I did.

When investigative reporter Dakota Jones' personal life implodes, taking her reputation down with it, she finds her career ruined and her profession credentials in tatters. With no job and no prospects, she returns to her small North Carolina hometown to regroup and spend time with her dad while trying to avoid her first love.

Dexter Roberts has always regretted letting Dakota go. When she returns to the island, he has to try to get her back, knowing she's the love of his life. But now that he's temporarily her boss and relegated to the friend zone, convincing Dakota to give him a second chance won't be easy.

This was a sweet second chance story, but the incredibly slow burn here did make it difficult for me to stay interested in the story. There was so much enumeration from both main characters of all the reasons they couldn't be together that it just became repetitive for me. Dakota's rather callous and nonsensible reasoning made her a bit unlikeable for me as well. Dex was a charming hero, but it took too long for these two to have a real, mature conversation and it just baffled me that Dakota would still be so bitter and hateful about it after so long. Reading high school-esque drama with people in their mid-thirties was a bit odd for me and I wanted more maturity from the main characters. Overall, I enjoyed the small town feel and the North Carolina charm in this one, I just got a bit bogged down in the slow pace, although the characters were sweet together.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this book. This book revolves around Dakota who comes home to live with her dad after a love affair gone wrong and getting her laid off in the process. Although she’s there to lick her wounds until she can grab NY back by the balls, she reconnects with her best friend, spends time with her dad and gets thrown back together with her first love - Dexter. This book was fairly predictable - having said that, it was beautifully written. The characters were very wonderful - the entire town was charming and its inhabitants were so lovely. Seeing the sparks fly between Dakota and Dexter had me fanning myself! And although the author did a great job dropping hints about the big reveal, I didn’t see the very end coming. This book is a really wonderful book about true love, second chances, coming home and finding out where you truly belong.

I liked this book more than I expected to. Dakota and Dexter were likeable characters who I wanted to see back together and the setting seemed like it would be a nice place to visit. I would've liked a little more steam and it did seem to be stretched out a little longer than necessary. I would read other books in this series.

I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy romance, it's engrossing and well written.
I rooted for the well thought characters, loved the plot and the setting.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine