This was a sweet second chance romance that takes place in a fictional location called Valentine Valley, Colorado.

Steph Brissette was still dealing with the tragic loss of her husband in an avalanche accident over a year ago. She had moved forward in some ways and in others she was stuck. She was dealing with survivor's guilt and feeling that it was her fault that he had died. She has her family around her to support her through this challenging time.

Jeremy Chen was a new doctor and had returned to his hometown of Valentine Valley to practice medicine. He had tried to save Steph's husband's life but got to him too late to make a difference. Steph was the younger sister of his best friend but she was no longer a young girl with a crush on him. She was all grown up and he was beginning to see her in a completely different light. He was a patient man and he could wait until she was ready for him to make a move forward with her.

This book dealt with the challenge of grief and loss and learning to live again.

I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.

Steph is a young widow who lost her husband in a skiing accident. She blamed herself for the accident as she was the one who insisted to go for the holiday even though her husband rejected at first. Steph is still recovering from the loss.

Jeremy, a doctor, on the other hand, was there when the accident happened to his best friend’s little sister and was on the ski Petrol that saved Steph but didn’t get to her husband in time. He is now back to Valentine Valley to replace the town’s retiring doctor.

It is a short story about sweet second chance story in a small town with complicated issues that Steph is carrying in her. As Jeremy and Steph started to spend time together, they come to realize their feelings for each other and help each other to heal emotionally from the accident.

*Review post scheduled to be posted on 11/2/23*

I Really loved Steph and Jeremy's story it was a beautiful read this wonderful small town of Valentine Valley sounds like it would be great if it was a real life place I can't wait to read more by this author.

Complementary copy provided by NetGalley for my honest opinion. This book is a sweet romance with a small town feel. Swooning and anticipation keeps you turning pages.

This was a short and sweet second chance story. Steph is a young widow who lost her husband in a terrible skiing accident. Her recovery from the loss has been slow, as she believes the accident was her fault. She stays busy by working at the bakery she co-owns with her sister and helping the local widows' group raise the funds to save an historic schoolhouse. She's not looking for a new relationship; she believes she's had her one shot at love.

Jeremy grew up in Valentine Valley and returned after he finished medical school to replace the retiring town doctor. He remembers Steph - first as his best friend's bratty little sister, then as the widow of the man he was too late to save during an avalanche.

I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Steph and Jeremy. He's noticed her more as a woman in the last few months, to the point where he refuses to accept her as a patient. He'd rather date her than doctor her but his own guilty feelings keep him from pushing the issue. Fortunately for them, the local widows' group also has matchmaking tendencies. They push Steph and Jeremy into working together to solve a mystery involving the town's historic schoolhouse. As they spend time together, each shares their memories of that terrible day, clearing the way for healing to begin.

I loved following their search for the schoolhouse's past. Along the way they discover that Jeremy's family has a connection to the schoolhouse. They uncover a secret that piques their interest. If it is true, it could mean a big change for the town. I loved what they found, what they did with it, and the stunning surprise that awaited them. The ending was sweet and I look forward to seeing more of them in future books.

A Second Chance in Valentine Valley is story about a widow, Steph, and her brother's friend, Jeremy. Steph is a baker and Jeremy is a doctor who also saved her from an avalanche that killed her husband. They fall for each other while dealing with their own issues. This was a sweet, satisfying read.

Emma Cane is definitely an auto buy for me. Truly wonderful immersive and descriptive escapism. A perfect afternoon read.

I was so happy when we got another story in the Valentine Valley series. From the beginning, I really enjoyed these books and the characters within them. It took me a bit to remember this world and the people in it since it's been a while since I've read anything by this author. But I was happy that it did click into place.

This is a bit of a sad story. You feel for poor Stephanie and what happened in her life. The loss of her husband and her feelings and guilt make it hard for her to move on. She has no plans of doing that until Jeremy walks back into her life.

Poor Jeremy has so much guilt himself. He hurts for Steph's loss and feel's bad for what he feels is his part in it. Of course, he hasn't done anything wrong and neither has Steph. Sadly guilt is a funny thing.

I really enjoyed the romance between these two. It didn't happen right away even though they both have feelings for each other. Jeremy is waiting for Steph to be able to move on after her loss. He never pushes it and in fact, doesn't really make a move at all. Life helps these two out. And the widows. As they work together and spend time with each other they share their feeling for each other.

This is a sweet story that shows you that horrible thing that happens in your life don't mean that happiness won't find you again. I liked both Steph and Jeremy and both their families. Jeremy didn't want to push her into anything but he did make it plain to her that he cared about her and wanted something with her. I think that helped her start to forgive herself and see her future.

I'm so glad I was able to visit Valentine Valley again and would love to go back there. If you like small-town romance with helpful neighbors then you'll love this series.

This is a small town romance that focuses in on love after loss. It is very sweet and has a very homey small-town vibe. Unfortunately, not a heck of a lot actually happens in this book. I would even argue that Steph and Jeremy don't even really get together during the course of the book. They start dating, have a few kisses, and one heavy makeout session - and that is about it.

Stephanie lost her husband in an avalanche while they were skiing. Jeremy is a close friend of her family and was on the ski patrol that saved Steph - but didn't get to her husband in time. Steph is still recovering from the loss and processing her grief and trauma. Jeremy has moved back to their small hometown to take over the family practice there. He doesn't make a secret of his interest in dating Stephanie - so the main question is - will she be ready to move on?

I think this book is perfect for someone looking for a sweet, mostly clean, small town romance. For me - it was just ok - and didn't pack the emotional punch I was hoping for or give me a true connection between the characters.

I received this via NetGalley as an ARC but these opinions are all my own.

When Stephanie's husband dies in an avalanche her life, as she knew it was over. Married to her high school boyfriend Stephanie is saved from being smothered by her brother's friend and doctoral candidate, who she had a crush on in high school. Now he has a crush on her. What a mess!

When Jeremy Chen moves back to their hometown they slowly rekindle their relationship and after mending their friendship. Moving slowly and sharing the Chinese culture added to the enjoyment.

A thoroughly interesting cozy mystery with extra plot points added in. I will be checking other books by Emma Canee.



#EmmaCane #StephanieBrissett #JeremyChen #ValentineValley #Family

A Second Chance in Valentine Valley is the first book I have read by this author, and I was completely drawn in by the blurb.

Steph Brissette is inching back to life after losing her high school sweetheart husband in a tragic accident. Between her family, her work at the Sugar and Spice Bakery, and helping the Valentine Valley widows save an historic schoolhouse, her days are full. It's only in her dreams that she revisits the accident - one that she can't quite convince herself was not her fault.That is, until Jeremy Chen comes back to town.

Jeremy left Valentine for medical school and has now returned to take his place as the town's new doctor. He first knew Steph as the bratty little sister of his best friend. Then, in one heartbreaking moment, she became the woman he saved - and the widow of the man he couldn't help. Still searching for his new place in town, Jeremy now sees Steph as a desirable woman. But can she ever look at him without seeing everything she lost? The only certainty is that in a town called Valentine, love is always worth a second chance.

This was such a sweet, small-town romance read, just the right amount of angst and conficted feelings.

While the plot itself was utterly predictable, that is part of the charm of reading a romance book, and I thoroughly enjoyed this quick read.

Thank you to @netgalley for a copy of this book in return for my honest review.