My thoughts: second time around is a cute romantic women's fiction/ROMANCE. The heroine is definitely a strong woman, a self-starter, and not afraid of the unknown. I have to admire her courage and gumption. I also loved the second chance romance that evolved. This was a really good story, and I really enjoyed it. I was given a copy free, and all opinions are my own.

Another sweet contemporary romance from veteran author Melody Carlson. What I most enjoy about Carlson's writing is that it flows very smoothly. Her contemporary romances are just the thing to read when you just want something light and entertaining to escape from the day. You could say that some of her themes are repetitive. If you've read many of her books, you'll notice some repetition. But I do appreciate that she is writing about more mature couples. It's nice to see some variety in contemporary inspy fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

My friends and I interviewed Melody Carlson about this title on StoryChats podcast here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgpEqkDgBIQ

I absolutely loved this book so much that I didn't really put it down from start to finish. Once again, Ms Carlson has written a book that blends a good story line, with a lot of goodness and a bit of romance. The characters seemed very believable to me and I think that I would like the majority of them. Mallory and Grayson are both strong-willed but that's what can make sparks fly. The book is well-written and was very engaging to me.

I appreciated a romance for those of us who are older and have been through some life changes. This was a funny yet sweet and romantic book on what it's like to fall in love when it's all fallen apart.

long-since divorced and now with an empty nest, Mallory is thinking about making a change. Her job as an interior designer allows her to move. The inheritance of her aunt's business inventory, store and apartment near the coast give Mallory the place to make a change.
When she embarks on the new stage of life, she encounters a business developer, Grayson, who is not encouraging about her plans to revive the main street of the town. It almost seems like he might support sabotage of her plans. New friends in town guide Mallory. And, she works through the balance of 20-something children with their own adult schedules.

Second Time Around is the perfect summer read. The setting is in the beautiful yet fading coastal town of Portside, Oregon. The main character is Mallory Farrell who is an empty-nester in need of a new adventure in life. Of course there has to be a romantic interest and that role is filled by Grayson Matthews. He is Mallory's long ago crush that still manages to make her blood pressure rise . . .in both good and bad ways.

I'm an empty-nester as well so I could relate to Mallory's struggles with starting a new chapter in life. Haven't we all gotten ourselves into something that seemed like a good idea only to have it become a disaster? On top of that Mallory gets the added bonus of Grayson coming back into her life. To put it mildly that's a blessing and a curse.

Don't worry about the subject matter being depressing, it isn't! Melody Carlson has the perfect touch when it comes to writing contemporary romance. You certainly understand the struggles of the characters but you can also enjoy their victories.

This is another winner for Melody Carlson. If you want an interesting summer read that's not too heavy and features a more mature leading lady I think you'll enjoy this one.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher to facilitate my review.

This was a fun book!

The storyline was sweet, well-paced, and believable, for the most part. Mallory is a likable female lead, and she struggles with issues very common to women'. She has a hard time standing up for herself when dealing with a dishonest business man, she doesn't really let her kids know how she feels, and she doesn't assert herself in the romance department, even though it could mean losing a guy she really likes.

There were various plot twists that kept the story moving, and at some points I was really frustrated with everyone in the book, but I guess that just shows I got sucked in. I always enjoy books by Melody Carson, and this is another fun read in her repertoire. I would recommend this book if you're looking for something fun and easy, with a little mystery and romance sprinkled throughout.

Second Time Around by Melody Carlson is like a nice glass of lemonade on a warm summer afternoon; completely refreshing and satisfying. The story is a clean romance with just the right amount of faith woven in. The characters were likable and I was in Mallory's cheering section throughout the book. Although at times I wished she would have made a move or been a little bit more brave when it came to her romantic relationship. I fell in love with the town of Seaport and all of the friends and community members there. It felt like a real place that I would want to go and visit. Grayson was the perfect male lead, I think all the females would be swooning over such a kindhearted and handsome guy. Second Time Around is an easy read. It is one of those stories you don't have to work to get into, you just fall into it and don't come out until you are done reading it. I would definitely recommend this to fans of contemporary Christian fiction and clean romance! I received a copy of this book for free; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Just when interior designer, Mallory Farrell's finds herself living alone as her children are all grown up now with lives of their own, she finds out her grandmother has left her tourist shop to her in Seaport, Oregon. She loved her grandmother and spent time in her shop as a child.
Upon traveling to Seaport and seeing the run-down shape the little shop is in, she feels the best thing to do would be to sell it. Seaport is, currently, not a touristy booming place like the one she remembers from her childhood. Her newly acquired shop isn't the only thing that is showing the wear of time and no upkeep.
But, then she meets Grayson Matthews (secret crush many years earlier) who expresses serious interest in purchasing the shop. While seriously considering it, she learns that Grayson only wants the property, not the shop to help with his plan to redevelop the business district into an outdoor mall. Mallory cannot bear the thought of this, and so, refuses to sell to him.
Mallory decides to restore the shop and turn it into a home decor shop called Romancing the Home! To accomplish this, she must sell her beloved home and relocate to Seaport. She realizes she is ready to take this big step. The shop has an upstairs apartment that she can live in, but it is quite a wreck.
Upon the advice of a friend, she hires a local contractor (whom the friend has a crush on) to do much of the work on the shop for her. She finds out he is unreliable and his work is not quite up to par. His middle name should be Shortcuts. That's my opinion, not Mallory's. haha
Then, a renovation tv show producer visits Seaport as she's a friend of Grayson's deceased wife and wants to do a segment on her new shop. Now, there's a deadline to get all of the work completed.
Grayson tries to warn her about the contractor she has hired, but she thinks he is upset over her plans and not selling the property to him. She, also finds out her apartment is to be part of the tv segment, also. What is she to do about that? Too little time to have work done on the apartment, and she doesn't want her grown children or Grayson, or anyone for that matter seeing the conditions in which she is living.
Will her shop be completed by the date of the filming, and will her renovations and the shop on tv inspire other business owners to spruce up their own businesses and help bring life, and tourists, back to Seaport?
I found this to be a most entertaining story, and loved the ending!
I was given an ecopy of this by the publisher, Revell through Netgalley. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review.

Second Time Around written by Melody Carlson was such a feel good, fluffy, and clean romance novel. As many of you should know by now, Melody Carlson is my go to author for a comfort read. Second Time Around will make you want to pack your bags and run to Oregon for a little vacation and the scent of ocean in the air. This is the perfect book to read while sitting by the ocean, sand between your toes, sunburn, and your ocean blown hair. I was instantly hooked from the very first page all the way until the very last page. Melody Carlson has a way of writing her books to make you feel like you are right there on the beach witnessing everything. Some of the characters were very likable, but some characters, I just wanted to reach into the book and knock some sense into their heads. None of the characters in this book were perfect whatsoever, they all had their own flaws and quirky moments, but that's what makes a book more enjoyable. I can't recommend this book enough, if you are looking for a feel good and clean romance, then this is the book you SHOULD be picking up. If you still haven't read a book by Melody Carlson before, you better get on that. The cover is so beautiful, it just screams a tourist town, PACK YOUR BAGS FOR A TRIP TO OREGON!!!!!!

THANK YOU TO NEGALLEY AND REVELL FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!

Mallory Farrell is now an empty nester, her last child just left the coop and got married, and her husband left the family a while back. Mallory inherits her grandmother's run down tourist shop in Seaport, Oregon, the only right thing to do is sell the shop along with the apartment upstairs. When Mallory runs into her former secret crush, Grayson Matthews, and tells him about the little shop, Grayson tells Mallory he wants to buy it and turn it into an outdoor mall. All the shops in Seaport are seeing lower tourists numbers, so Mallory decides to sell her Victorian house back home and move to Seaport and renovate her grandmother's shop herself. Renovating the shop is a piece of cake, now let's talk about the little apartment above the shop, it's a complete mess and needs so much work. Mallory decides to turn the shop into a home decor shop called, Romancing The Home, as an interior designer Mallory feels this is the right decision. While Mallory is working her hardest to get the shop up and running, she's trying to ignore the depressing state of the apartment she's living in above the shop.

With little help, Mallory gets the shop up and running for customers. When the shop catches the eye of a TV producer of a popular home renovation show, Mallory is beyond thrilled. That is until Mallory learns her apartment is to be part of the segment. Despite everything that is thrown Mallory's way, she remains positive no matter what. Mallory is so tempted to abandon her dreams and the town under a cloud of shame, but Grayson decides to step up and help Mallory renovate the apartment in time before the filming crew gets there. Despite the obstacles with renovating the apartment, Mallory still remains calm. Eventually the apartment is all ready for the filming crew, but when Mallory goes and gets the stop open for their filming segment, Mallory notices the shop has been vandalized, but who could do that? Mallory may have a competition trying to win Grayson over. But is Mallory really trying to win Grayson over while she's more focused on her shop and apartment? This story was so unpredictable. You never knew what was going to happen, you just had to keep reading and thinking, what cold hearted person would do something like this?

It’s absolutely a treat to read a book by Melody Carlson, they’re heartwarming and special!
Mallory is alone in her big house, her children are living their lives and she’s suddenly given an opportunity to follow her dreams!
Mallory has been left her late grandmother’s shop, moving back to Portside has its challenges! Mallory revamps the shop and the townsfolk warm to her interior design skills.
Old friends reunite and Mallory learns to accept help, but will she accept love? A wonderful warm story of new beginnings and second chances!
The characters are relatable and the storyline follows the reality of renovations, trust and acceptance, truly amazing and worth the read.

Thank you to the publisher Revell, NetGalley and the wonderful Melody Carlson for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I enjoyed reading Second Time Around by Melody Carlson. Mallory is a divorced interior designer with grown children. Her youngest daughter has recently married, and Mallory inherits her Grandma Bess’ tourist shop and the rundown upstairs apartment in Seaport on the Oregon Coast. Mallory is an empty nester, and she travels to Seaport to claim her inheritance and work out what she wants to do next in her life.

Seaport is like a character in the story. When Mallory was younger, she spent her summers with Grandma Bess. Grayson was the cute teenage lifeguard at the Seaport pool. He’s now a widower with grown children who owns a construction firm in Seaport. Grayson is interested in buying Grandma Bess’ shop, in a prime location on Main Street, and rejuvenating the town.

The romance thread in the story is low key, and the main focus is on Mallory’s journey as she navigates her inheritance situation. Grayson and Mallory are both independent people who don’t need to be in a relationship to enjoy their lives. They have raised their families and are looking toward the next stage in life.

I appreciated seeing a side character redeemed, and Mallory extending grace to that person. I recommend Second Time Around to contemporary fiction readers who like small town Christian fiction novels with mature characters and a second chances romance thread in the story.

Many thanks to Revell and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

"Second Time Around" by Melody Carlson is a fun-filled, delightful faith read, with humorous encounters and most realistic characters. It is a heartwarming tale of second chances that always gives a cozy ambience and experience. Melody Carlson has a sweet and engaging writing style that always inspires. The storyline is very well-written, with an interesting plot, highly relatable characters, and a most charming setting. "Second Time Around" commands our instant attention from start to finish. I guarantee that true to its name, you will want to read it a second time around, the sterling hallmark of a good book. I highly recommend it to all readers of Melody Carlson's inspiring books.

I loved reading this story about second chances. I loved Mallory, Grayson and their families. I liked the laughs and the tears. I loved how Mallory wanted to start a different type of home decor store. I loved how this story made me feel good inside. I received a copy of this book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

This book was a delight. Loved that it focused on an older character rather than a 20- or 30-something. The storyline was engaging and kept me interested right up to the end. I enjoyed the characters finding love and the small-town atmosphere. Always enjoy Melody Carlson's books and this one was one of the best.

Mallory Farrell faces multiple dilemmas in this story, and her efforts to move ahead with her life after being left by her husband years ago and raising her children on her own make for a compelling tale. Her beach business inheritance may be just the ticket for a new venture. This novel deals with starting over, trusting others, pride, and jealousy as the plot progresses. The endearing characters make readers hope for the best. But I don’t care to read about a romance with a divorced person since I believe the Bible teaches they are to remain single while their former spouse remain alive. I’m glad that wasn’t the main feature of this book. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. #SecondTimeAround #NetGalley

“Everyone moves on. Everyone except for Mallory Farrell.” Melody Carlson opens her latest release with this declaration and backs it up by taking Mallory and the reader through a moving on process akin to shaking a snow globe and watching the delicate snowflakes settle into their perfect place. Sitting alone in her quiet house at the end of her daughter’s wedding day, Mallory realizes her children have moved on, her ex has long ago moved on, and she has been too busy to do the same. When an unexpected opportunity gives her the nudge she needs, Mallory embraces the chance to fulfill a dream and lands smack in the path of her very grown up childhood crush. Grayson Matthews never left Portside, Oregon and is determined to reignite the popularity of the sleepy tourist town. Working together for the sake of their town brings Mallory and Grayson together. Someone else is trying to keep them apart. But regardless of that outcome, it seems Mallory is finally moving on.

Melody Carlson writes the kind of fiction that is easy to read. While I enjoy rollicking action and adventure or the kind of historical piece that sends me off on my own research, there are also times I long for the comfort of a Melody novel. Second Time Around exquisitely balances the realism of everyday life with a feeling of remoteness from the same. It is, quite simply, the embodiment of romance.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine.

This was a second time romance for a successful career woman and mother. After her youngest, her daughter got married, Mallory Farrell started having some second thoughts, maybe some regrets, or more just sadness as her three children were grown and she was a divorced woman whose boyfriend just broke up with her. So as Mallory starts taking stock of her life and what she likes, she receives some surprising news. She is the heir to her late grandmother's store and apartment above it along the coast of Oregon in a small seaside town.

Mallory does not understand why she was left the store, and thinking just to sell some things transpire that make her hesitate on that decision. One she meets an old crush, Grayson, who wants to buy the property but for reasons that Mallory doesn't like. Then there is the developing feelings between Grayson and Mallory that complicate things and tends to make things interesting.

This was an overall sweet romance about a woman whose life is not finished yet, even though her kids are grown, and she has successful career, at any age or time in your life new things can blossom.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Second Time Around by Melody Carlson is an absolutely charming contemporary Christian novel that warmed my heart.
The book is about second chances – we see houses and interiors getting make-overs and a second chance to shine. Likewise, we witness lives with a second chance at happiness. God is not finished with us yet. While we are still breathing, God has plans for us. We can trust Him. Others may try to thwart His plans but if God has ordained it, it will come to pass.
God is the God of the impossible. “What’s impossible with us is possible with God.” Nothing is ever out of His control. All things are possible if we would just let God be God, and stop trying to take control.
Prayer is vital. “She silently prayed begging God to direct her path.” Prayer builds a relationship with God. We are to pray about everything and worry about nothing.
Portland is a most charming seaside town. Melody Carlson has vividly portrayed it with her words, enabling the reader to ‘see’ the town and its surrounds in our head.
All the characters are well drawn and realistic. The leading ones are heading towards fifty. It is refreshing to read of characters not in their first flush of youth.
I absolutely adore Melody Carlson’s novels. Second Time Around is positively delightful and heart-warming.
I received a free copy via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.