If you're looking for a lingering second chance romance that is character-driven and focused on working through conflicting emotions this could be your book. It's like a Hallmark movie crossed with a relationship reality show: small town charm and lost love nostalgia with added sexual tension and lots of time spent wondering how everyone is feeling.

Dakota used to be a news anchor, newly unemployed because of a relationship scandal. She hasn't been back home in a long time because of the demands of her career and because home reminds her of her late mother and a past breakup that is still painful. The recent scandal made it to the tabloids but apparently the people on her hometown don't read the tabloids and seem mostly unaware. She is feeling like a failure anyway, living with her dad, not the star she had dreamed of being. Almost straight away, she meets her ex Dexter, and they argue a bit before getting into meaningful conversations. They both have issues they have to work through, including their parents and their career ambitions in a racially prejudiced corporate world, and they're both still hung up on their high school romance history. Dakota has grown distant from her father. Dad and Dakota are both keeping secrets from each other, and she has difficulty dealing with the thought that her widowed dad may be ready to move on and find another love. Both Dakota and Dexter need to make their peace with parental expectations. Her mother used to tell her she ought to look and act a certain way to make it as a minority woman in the media world. His parents had sacrificed some of their dreams in order to have children and he feels he owes them something for it in return. She is conflicted because there are people here in her hometown that she is loathe to leave behind, but staying would mean abandoning the career goals she had worked so hard for.

Dakota and Dexter have to work together to develop a resort project and to influence the attitudes of the locals who want to hang on to the past. In the meantime, there is a lot of unresolved emotion and hanging-on-to-the-past going on between the two of them. He is a jazz saxophonist in his free time and they use song lyrics to communicate some things they aren't quite ready to talk about yet. Even when they used to be together, there were some things they weren't ready to talk about. Now, they're blowing a lot of hot-and-cold. Multiple times, one of them gets on the verge of revealing their heart but at the last second, someone says the wrong thing and everyone is skittish again. They build a kind of a friendship but what will it take for them to really open up and give each other a second chance?

While all the pent up emotion is part of this book's charm, it can also be its downside. Some readers may find the pace a little slow here, dragged down by musings of a repetitive nature. The reader is told repeatedly that Dexter thought Dakota was hot in whatever she was wearing, that getting with an employee would jeopardise his career, that Dakota was reluctant to admit the attraction but her friend Sinclair was trying to convince her otherwise, that she felt guilty about losing contact with Sinclair and sad about leaving these people behind, and so on. Some of this material could have been edited out because hey, we got it already. There are only so many times you can kiss, apologize and walk away thinking about things that you should talk about but won't. A little pruning would go a long way in tightening the story and keeping the pace more enthralling.

Supposedly he had a good reason for breaking up with her all those years ago, and a good reason for not telling her now. Everything was intended for her own good, and revealing it to her would just hurt her unnecessarily. For a big chunk of the book this motivation is just hinted at, even when we're spending time in Dexter's head. Surely he should have no need to keep secrets while talking to himself. At some point it started annoying me and my attention wandered in the middle of this book. I finished several other novels before getting back to this but eventually I had to find out if Dexter's secret lived up to all the ado. I will leave that for you to decide but I certainly didn't see it coming. The end resolution when they finally talk and everything ties in together is better than the lagging parts so I'm glad I stuck it out and gave the book a second chance..

I read an uncorrected digital ARC I got from Netgalley that might have been edited before publication. There is not much that needs correcting but if I was editing this book I would pay some attention to the surfeit of incomplete sentences. Just enough for me to keep on constantly noticing it. Trying to mentally complete the sentences. Pulling me out of the story. Sentences that are left hanging.

It is fine as an occasional effect but it is best not to overdo it.

I expect more books to come about some minor characters here.

3.5/5 stars!

This second-chance romance for high-school sweethearts Dakota Jones and Dexter Roberts begins when the heroine returns back to her hometown after a career-breaking relationship made her jobless and in need of respite from the bad gossip. The hero has a job at a local resort and wants a second chance with the heroine. It takes some communication, sexual chemistry, and their small-town community to make things right for them to move forward to a brighter future,

I enjoyed the author’s writing style and the romantic trope. I did want to shake and hug the couple for the reasons behind their first breakup. I also enjoyed the small-town vibe and some secondary characters that support the couple. Overall, it was an enjoyable read that I would recommend for anyone who loves small-town, second-chance romance.

**Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.**

Dakota has been labeled a homewrecker and fell in love for the name Dakota. I liked the characters, descriptions and dialogue. I liked the world building. I liked the characters

I enjoyed the pace of the storytelling of this book. Ms Ryan did a good job of introducing the characters and making you care for them ( I vote for Sinclair to get the next book - she seems cool!) I wish that the explanation of how Dakota worked through her mother’s manipulation was a bit better as it felt rushed to me.

Author, Reese Ryan developed Dakota Jones and Dexter Roberts so well that I felt like I was literally part of their circle, pulling for them to find each other and recognize the love flowing between them that everyone else (their family and friends) could see. Dakota and Dexter shared many emotions, including anger and joy; but seeing them rebuild their friendship while trying so hard not to cross any lines was grab the edge of your seat, nail biting hard. As the reader, I was totally pulled Into this story, feeling all the emotions the characters went through.

I’m not going to lie, I did not want Dakota and Dexter’s story to end. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m glad they found each other again and rekindled their love story, but I really felt like I was a part of the story, one of their close friends, and I wanted to continue the journey for the next phase of their lives.

I cannot wait for the next installment and whomever is up next for love, laughter and happy ever after.

Dakota comes home to Holly Grove Island after being burned at work for sleeping with a (she didn't know at the time) married man. She decides to wait out the media storm while rekindling friendships she abandoned when she started living in New York City. She also wishes to avoid rekindling a romance with Dexter, a man who broke her heart.

I love this setting. I love Dakota's friends. This feels like a first book in a romantic series and I'll look forward to seeing more of these characters. Our main characters are fleshed out adults which is always a relief to read in romance books.

My only problem was at one point Dakota and Dexter had the same conflict (the reason he broke up with her) that lasted too long. I wanted a new conflict.

This review is based on an advanced reader copy provided through Netgalley for an honest review.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was nice that it wasn't instant marriage or anything after being apart so long. Though I wish there was a little more steamy moments. It was a really slow burn book. It gives you the hallmark vibes.

<i>Second Chance on Cypress Lane</i> delivers exactly what I want from a second chance romance: adults doing the emotional archaeological work of evaluating themselves, their values, their history, and their shared futures. The romance between Dakota and Dexter was a slow-burn, but it was lovingly built and developed with pieces of the past, present, and future.

I've read category romances by Ryan before, and her talent for depicting deep emotions and complicated families gets to shine at this longer-length.

This was a great second chance at love story. I'm always looking for a good high school sweethearts getting a second stab at love and I am glad I found this gem.
The author Reese Ryan did a superb job with the characters. The main character Dakota's father was lovable and you could feel the love he has for his family. Dex which is the other main character was a great catch and I loved his story line and how wholesome of a man he is. Dakota's best friend Sin was awesome and such a great friend. I would love to see more of her and more of Dex's family.
Hollow Grove was the perfect setting. I would love to see more of this town. The people who are loyal to their own. The cute little shops. Maybe in book 2 we will see a lot more of this town with its quirky characters getting some black walnut ice cream from Helene's Homemade.
The plot is like every second chance romance but whats different is how Reese Ryan made these characters get to where the problem is but real life hits and there isn't always going to closure. Acceptance and Forgiveness and than move on.
What I took away from this read was you have to make your own happiness. You have to breakaway and to make sure you are on the path you chose. Time stops for no one.

Dakota, after being fired from her job as an investigative reporter in New York for a scandal most definitely not her fault, heads home to Holly Grove Island. Planning to stay only until she finds a new job, she soon becomes busy spending time and looking after her dad, rekindling her friendship with her old high school BFF, and fighting the attraction she has for her high school boyfriend, Dex. He seems just as into her now as he did in high school, but then why did he dump her ten years ago? Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice...

This book had a stellar first chapter, and then a kind of mundane middle, with a strong final quarter. I really liked Dakota from the outset, with her strong personality, good banter, and appreciation for Southern food. But soon after the start I kept thinking, "Oh no, this seems EXACTLY like The House on Firefly Beach," which made me want to pull my hair out. Also being a small-town second change romance with similar former break-ups, I was not prepared for a redux. So the middle of this book really tortured me. But where the story took a turn for the positive is when we finally got a little heat between the characters. And look, I don't need that in all my books, but it just felt more real here. We didn't have characters jump from hating each other to getting engaged, we had characters who worked to figure things out and eventually figured them out. I actually bought Dex's explanation for his behavior and understood how his parent's relationship influenced his decision making. And--spoiler alert--I love that there wasn't a rush to the alter. People change in ten years, and even if it seems like you're putting on an old pair of pants, you need to take a little bit of time to make sure they fit before you commit to them for life.

Was this book INCREDIBLY predictable? Yes. Was it also sweet and sexy and feel-good? Yes, also. This book is perfect for people who want those Hallmark vibes but maybe with a touch more, uh, steam.

4 stars - 6/10

I absolutely loved this story. This is my first book by this author and it will definitely not be my last. I look forward to reading more about these characters.

I felt the beach in this one. For me, many books that are set in a beach town don't often feel like it, but the author did a great job at prosing with phrases like "...beach waves bounced behind her." and "...taste of the warm, salty air..."

The premise...a scandal. The problem....a breakup. The solution...understanding. The result...destiny.

I loved that the book flowed and wasn't forced. The connection between Dakota and Dexter was still there after all that time. I also loved the BIG CITY to SMALL TOWN life storyline. Loved that Dexter didn't have to force his way back into Dakota's life, even though he desperately wanted to. From lemon meringue pie, gossip, fun and Sin (Sinclair-the long, lost bestie) there are so many things to adore about this story!

Returning home again is a favorite for me. I think coming back to ones roots at some point is something we all share. Not all of it is as heart-warming as this story, but it is all just as real. Chasing the big city and all the big city life things when you grew up in a small community can be glamourous and make you feel important, but at some point, whether through tragedy or scandal, you realize it can also be just as empty and fleeting. Love isn't.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I would recommend if you're looking for

-small town romance
-second chance romance
-enemies to lovers
-close proximity
-elements of forbidden romance
-work place romance
-slow burn

This one was very cute, I wish I had gone in without any expectations. Not as steamy as I was expecting. I struggled with all of the characters lack of communication both the main characters and the side characters. The relationship was revealed in stages but it made it difficult to become invested in the couple due to all of the secrets. There was a lot of showing rather than telling.

To me this was more Dakota's story about coming back to her roots after the death of her mother and a change in her career. Haunted by her mother, she accepts her place back at home. I struggled with Dexter. He was nice but nothing special. His reasons for breaking up with Dakota took away her agency, and his failure to realize that and his continued delay in being honest with her made it difficult to like him. The forbidden romance aspect of their work relationship just seemed unnecessary.

A sweet romance, more time should have been spent on the actual romance rather than unnecessary twists and turns.

Rating: 3
Steam: 2.5

You won't be disappointed. I just wish I was at that club for that playlist from the band. This book got so good. I made my own playlist for it.

After losing her job to a scandal, Dakota returns to her home town. Her high school sweetheart, Dexter, still lives there.

Dakota is a great character, well-written with nuance and emotion. In many ways, Second Chance On Cypress Lane is her story, as she decides who she wants to be and what she wants to do, separate from the expectations of others.

Dexter is not quite as well rounded at the beginning. However, over the story, his character becomes more complicated and realistic. The sparks between the two of them are excellent, as is the pacing of the novel.

Plus, I really enjoyed the details and setting on Holly Grove Island. This is one of those novels with great meals that leave me hungry and searching my pantry for ingredients to cook what I just read about.

The book clearly sets up later stories in the series. I've placed my bets on who gets the next story, and I can't wait to learn if I am correct. I'll definitely be reading the whole series. I recommend you start with Second Chance first.

Dakota is still reeling from losing her dream promotion and being blocked out of the industry she has spent her entire career in. Now unemployed, she can't afford to stay in New York City any longer and moves home to Holly Grove Island to stay with her father in her childhood home. Once back on this small island, she runs into her ex, Dexter, at every turn. Will the pain of their breakup from almost two decades ago stop hurting so bad? Will she find out the truth? Can they move past this and have a relationship of any kind?

I love Dakota's character, she is a strong, ambitious, caring person who has made some mistakes and is trying to live with that. I appreciate that she can be tough but also fragile. Dexter's heart of gold is so endearing, and for someone who is constantly checking in on everyone and making sure they're alright, I found myself constantly hoping for his happy ending!

There were a couple parts of this book that felt like they just kept repeating the same thing that we had already established. I don't necessarily think that it took anything away from the book, but since the reader already knows it, it does feel a bit redundant.

Overall, I thought this book was really sweet, the characters have depth, and the community surrounding them all is really heartwarming. I look forward to reading more books in this series!