3.5 stars

This is the story of Dakota, an investigative journalist who has run home to lick her wounds after a humiliating experience with a boyfriend who ended up being married. It is also the story of Dexter, Dakota's boyfriend from her teenage years and the "one" that she still feels deeply for today.

Dakota came home and truly wanted to avoid Dexter - after all, she was still furious with him for breaking her heart in such a cruel fashion. They had made plans to get married after college; he declared his undying love for her; and then he suddenly broke up with her by claiming they needed to date other people. She took her broken heart back to college at NYU and never looked back.

Dexter has secrets as to why he broke up with her, but he can't let Dakota know those secrets or it will shatter her.

Although I enjoyed this book, I felt it could have been shorter simply by removing the multiple times certain statements were made - example: after the first or second time the author stated that dating Dakota since she became an employee could cause Dexter to lose his job, we all understood. But the author continued to make the same statements in paragraph form at least 10 more times in the book. There were several instances like this where I feel the book just kind of repeated itself.

This book had a lot of promise - I enjoyed the plot, but I feel the final product just fell a little short for me.

I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated above are mine without biases.

This is a well written book that holds your attention. It's a sweet small town second chance romance that was full of emotions. This is the first book I've read by this author and I really enjoyed it. Thank you Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Oh my gosh, where do I even start?! First, this was my first Reese Ryan novel that was an ARC provided by the publisher and I was so excited! Second, Dexter and Dakota! Dakota, moves back to her home town to decide what to do next after losing her job. Third, Dexter, the ex-boyfriend/love of her life has moved back to town. They both explore their own personal issues as well as what happened in their prior relationship, but there is no denying that kind of chemistry! What follows is...love, fireworks, romance, the whole she-bang and I am all here for it!!

This was my first time reading a book by Reese Ryan, and I really enjoyed it! I loved Dex and Dakota and watching them work to break free from challenges and expectations from their past. The town of Holly Grove was charming, and I loved the colorful side characters that made up the cast of this book. I do hope several of the side characters get their own books in the future! This was an enjoyable read. This is my honest review of an ARC I received from netgalley.

What does a woman do when she's betrayed by her Italian movie producer boyfriend and booted from her up-and-coming job as a investigator journalist on a major NY television station?

If she's Dakota Jones, she decides to head back to the small North Carolina island where she grew up, hide out from the notorious paparazzi and gossip tabloids, lay low and lick her wounds while planning her next career step.

She discovers that although she can avoid the paparazzi and tabloids on Holly Grove Island, she won't be able to avoid the man who broke her heart almost two decades earlier. Soon after she returns, she learns that Dexter Roberts no longer lives in Texas, where he went to college after their breakup, but is back on Holly Grove Island.

Despite her best efforts to avoid him, he is determined to re-build the relationship they had back in high school. He starts doing considerate little things to win Kota back, but she can't forget the devastating pain she felt on that long-ago Christmas Eve, when he told her "We're too young to be this serious. We should see other people." She realizes her love for Dex never died, but knows that she's only on Holly Grove Island until she finds another broadcast job in New York City. So the only way she can preserve her heart is to avoid him.

Her savings is running low, so she takes on a temporary job as a marketing consultant for a new hotel on the island. She hopes that it will help her avoid Dex, since he works in Myrtle Beach. Then she learns that Dex was just offered the acting operations director position at her hotel. Avoiding him now will be impossible.

Dex is disappointed that she took the job, knowing that company policy forbids employees from becoming romantically involved with each other. However, he is still determined that they rebuild their high school friendship.

Can Dakota and Dexter fight their re-kindled attraction for each other as they work together on a project to bring more tourists to the island? Can they remain friends, which they both know they must do since Dakota will soon leave again and Dex's job depends on it?

Why not pick up the book and find out? I think you will love discovering the small town of Holly Grove Island, meeting Dakota, Dexter, Sinclair (Dakota's best friend), Nick (Dexter's good friend), Dakota's father, and all the other wonderful residents of the island. I think you'll like the twists and turns in the story. And if you have ever wondered if a high school romance can survive two decades apart, I think this book will warm your heart.

I enjoyed this book, and think others who like "second chance at love" tropes will also enjoy it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for offering me an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and impartial review.

Reporter Dakota Johnson has recently returned to her childhood home in Cypress Lane. She was caught up in a scandal, which has led her to lose her job. Not quite sure what to do next, she decides to spend some quality time with her father. Dakota and her father are still coming to terms with the loss of her mother a few years ago.

Dakota has generally avoided Cypress Lane and one of the main reasons is Dexter Roberts. Dexter and Dakota were high school sweethearts and Dakota thought they would be together forever, but Dexter ended up breaking her heart. Now they're both constantly running into each other. How long can they stay away from one another?

Second Chance on Cypress Lane was a sweet romance with a charming small town setting. I wish that I there was a similar town near me! While I did enjoy Second Chance on Cypress Lane, I do wish that I felt more of a connection between Dakota and Dexter. Overall, if you're looking for a sweet small town romance - grab your copy of Second Chance on Cypress Lane!

Reese Ryan has written a sweet, sexy, second chance romance that has you pulling for both main characters and many of the supporting characters as well. You want everyone to succeed and find happiness. . .well almost everyone!

Dakota is a no nonsense, reporter who has returned home to Holly Grove from a long running career in New York. She lost her job and moves back to her childhood home where her widowed father is living. She finds he is in ok health although he hasn't been telling her the truth about it. She also finds that 5 years away from home (and since her mother's death) have changed a few things.

Dex is the high school love that Dakota left behind after he broke her heart. And Dex is still sexy as hell and just as kind and giving as ever. Dec gets a probationary role in the company he has been working for, the dream job he has been waiting for. And through random coincidence he ends up hiring Dakota for a consulting position.

Dex serving as Dakota's boss puts them in a strange position and ultimately helps bring the past to the present and brings the truth forward. But what is the real truth? Do they get a real second chance? Do they both keep their jobs? And where does everyone go after the truth is revealed?

Read this phenomenal story of love, passion, romance and second chances to see if they are real. Just know that you will be brought into the world of Holly Grove and Dex and Dakota. Enjoy!!

I’m a big fan of second chance romance. Reese Ryan did an awesome job.

Dakota Jones and Dexter Roberts were from a small town on Holly Grove Island near Pleasure Cove and were high school sweethearts; they were planning a future together. Dexter went away to Texas A & M on a football scholarship and Dakota was to follow him and attend the same school. Dexter returns home during Christmas break and informs Dakota that they can no longer see each other. Dakota heads to NYU to pursue a degree in journalism. While playing football Dexter gets hit by another player and his football career is over. Dakota obtains her journalism degree from NYU and decides to stay in New York and she is involved in a scandal and the news station lets her go.

It has been seventeen years since Dakota and Dexter parted ways. Dakota returns to her small town in Cypress Lane and is trying to figure out a way to inform her dad and best friend Sinclair that she was fired from her job because of a scandal. Unbeknownst to Dakota news travels fast in the small town about her being involved in a scandal. No one mentions it because Dakota is a hometown girl and a famous investigative reporter on TV.

Dexter returned home and he lands a job with his best friend Nick Washington who is director of sales and marketing at a new hotel resort on the island. Dexter informs Dakota that while she is home that Nick has job for her Dakota is reluctant but decides to take job as her funds are getting rather low.

Dexter is still so in love with Dakota but he knows that he has to come clean with her about the reason for the break up but he doesn’t want her to get upset with the person responsible for the break up.

This is an awesome second chance love story about family secrets, lost loves, new loves, not living your dream but someone else dream, coming together and forgiveness.

Can’t wait for Sinclair Dakota’s best friend, Garrett Dexter’s cousin, Nick Dexter’s best friend, Em Dexter’s sister and perhaps nosey Angela books to be written.

I received a notice that "Second Chance On Cypress Lane" was available for Auto Approval. thanks Reese Ryan and Netgalley.

Sometimes everyone in the family ends up with a happy ending. And sometimes coming back home isn't as bad as you think it could be.

Entertaining second chance romance. Dakota and Dexter are charming characters, and I enjoyed the story of the two of them working their way back together. I found my visit to Holly Grove Island to be delightful and look forward to a return visit!

If you love Hallmark movies, you'll love this one. Sadly it was a bit too cheesy for my taste, but I know I'm especially picky about cheesy books. I'm sure so many people are going to love this one! It's a Hallmark Christmas movie without the Christmas!

I loved my first experience with Holly Grove Island and it's intriguing cast of characters!

Dexter and Dakota were incredibly layered and interesting characters who drew me into their world from page one. I'm a sucker for second chance romance, and this did not disappoint. Their relationship is filled with so much sexual tension as they navigate how to be in each other's worlds for the time in years. It was a pleasure seeing their new, more mature love unfold.

I can't wait to see what Reese Ryan has in store for the rest of this series.

Dakota is back to her hometown in Outer Banks all the way from New York on being fired from her job over a scandal and is anxious about facing her high school boyfriend, Dexter. Her time in the small town brings back her unresolved emotions both with the town and her love life and makes her rethink about what she truly wants in life.

Dexter cannot be more adorable and he is a perfect boyfriend. It is a slow burn with both the characters deeply aware of their intense chemistry but also staying away from each other to not go through heartbreak again. How they overcome the pain of their past and clarify the misunderstandings is a major part of the plot. I absolutely enjoyed Sinclair and her antics in the book. Go for it if you are looking for cozy romances set in a small town!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy!

This is a story of second chances of course, but also enemies/friends to lovers. It’s a small town romance with attention to detail that matches that feel.

Dakota & Dexter’s relationship go through stages of getting to know each other again which results in a slow burn. The supporting cast is fun without being intrusive to the main story.

I tried really hard, but I couldn’t finish this book. I wanted to like it, because it has come recommended. But I stopped around 40% of the way through. I couldn’t get behind the main character — she was repetitive, unable to get over the so-called horrible error she had made which supposedly caused enough waves for her to lose her job but not enough waves for the news to have gotten to her family? And then the high school sweetheart that hasn’t seen her in YEARS but is still in love with her even though he doesn’t know anything about the person she has become. Makes me cringe. And then they were heading into a situation where they were going to be working together and he was going to be her boss. And I just couldn’t go any further. Personal preference, but I just can’t do the forbidden romance boss-employee thing. The power imbalance is just too non-consensual (even though they have a history) and someone’s career is going to be ruined over it. Not my jam.

Why have I not read anything by Reese Ryan yet because I adored this book! The second chance romance between Dakota and Dexter was so sweet and I could not put this book down. I couldn’t wait to get to the end to see what would happen, but I also didn’t want it to end because I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to these characters. I’m eagerly awaiting the second book of the series to be released in 2021!

After a scandal ruins her job opportunities in New York, Dakota heads home to North Carolina to reevaluate things and spend time with her father. The one person she hopes not to see when she is home is her ex-boyfriend Dexter who broke her heart 17 years ago. But of course Dakota can’t avoid him and Dexter is hoping for a second chance or at least for Dakota to forgive him for the break-up that broke his heart as well.

Dexter quickly became one of my favorite male characters in a book. Once you find out why he originally broke up with Dakota, you can’t help but fall in love with him. He was so sweet and he was willing to risk his own happiness to ensure Dakota got everything she wanted. I loved that this book offered both Dakota and Dexter’s perspective on things, I feel it just adds so much more to the story when you know what both characters are thinking. The ending to me was perfect and I hope we’ll be catching up with Dakota and Dexter in Ryan’s next book in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Forever for my review copy.
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It’s no secret that I love cozy Romance. It’s no secret that I love books based in my beloved North Carolina. Add these two together and what do you get? A new favorite series.
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I am absolutely smitten with this sweet little town and their sweet residents. Bring in a second chance romance and I’m sold. Dex & Dakota were delightful. I loved the sprinkling of steaminess...
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All in all, this is a series I will absolutely return to.

Second Chance on Cypress Lane is a wonderful second chance romance by new to me author, Reese Ryan.

Dakota Jones left Holly Grove Island years ago to head to New York City to attend school, but she also had aspirations of becoming a news reporter. She made that dream a reality and now after having lost her job, she's returned home to live with her father, spend time with her best friend and figure out what is next for her life. She's always resisted coming home unless it was necessary because the last person she wanted to run into was her ex, Dexter, the man she still thinks about so many years after their relationship ended.

Dexter Roberts loves living on Holly Grove Island and is happy to be close to family and friends who have helped to enrich his life. He's working for a resort group and he spends some time working in Myrtle Beach, but gets the opportunity he's been looking for when he is made the acting operations director of the new resort right on Holly Grove Island. When he realizes Dakota has returned, the same feelings he's always had for her begin to resurface and he knows he's going to have to decide if he wants to come clean about what ended their relationship years before.

Now that Dakota and Dex are back in one another's lives, they are not only working together, but they are trying to navigate the feelings that are resurfacing, the pains of the past and the complications of what getting back together would entail. Will their connection prove to still be as strong all these years later? Or will circumstances once again keep them apart?

I really enjoyed my time on Holly Grove Island and am glad I was introduced to this talented author. The characters were well developed and the story kept me engaged. I'm looking forward to additional books in this series!

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

I enjoyed this book. It started a bit slow for me, but then I realized this is not just a love story between the H and h, The secondary love story was between the heroine and the town she grew up in. In a way she rediscovered the town and Dexter through older and wiser eyes.

Can I also say I loved hearing about their jobs?! Grown ass people doing things they love and great at them is so refreshing.

I liked reading about the other characters and am crossing my fingers as it seems there will be more books about them in the future. There is a lot of time spent on setting up the town and the people who live in it, but not in an overbearing “these are secondary characters who will get their own book” way. It was well done.

** spoiler alert until end of review **

I had to suspend disbelief that no one knew why she lost her job in New York. Did no one use social media in this town? It was cleared up in the end though!

** end spoiler **

Ryan delivers a super sweet read. Dakota comes home to Holly Grove Island after making some bad decisions. Dexter is eager to see her. Years before he has shattered her heart for her own best interests, but she didn't know that. I liked the setting and the community, replete with the one nuisance character, Angela, who serves a purpose. Dexter is a super sweetie. His devotion to Dakota is complete and that's rare in real life or fiction. I almost feel like he loved her more than she loved him, but he just expressed it more. I love,the cover art for the book. It's a feel,good,read,with a great ending.