I loved this book. Anna J Stewart has a way of engaging the reader, regardless of genre. In A Surprise Second Chance, she filled a small tourist town in Hawaii with engaging characters, and then breathed life into the beautiful setting. Her protagonists quickly endeared themselves to me, and I was on pins and needles waiting for a resolution to their complicated romance. Another winner by this author.

"A Surprise Second Chance" is Daphne Mercer's story, shedding light on her backstory and her role as a member of the Ohana Odysseys crew. Daphne's warm and genuine personality, coupled with her natural talent with plants, make her a lovable character. As she reconnects with her high school sweetheart, Griff, their reunion is complicated by Griff's parental responsibilities. Despite the challenges, the pull between them remains strong, leading to tender moments and swoon-worthy kisses. However, the novel delves deeper into themes of complicated parental relationships and prioritizing others' needs over one's own. Anna J. Stewart handles these themes with sensitivity, exploring raw emotions and the journey towards healing. The story also celebrates the importance of chosen family, exemplified by the embrace of Nalani and Ohana. With engaging characters, witty dialogue, and heartfelt moments, "A Surprise Second Chance" is a delightful and emotionally resonant read that leaves a lasting impression.

4.5 stars

I adore this series so very much. I realize that this is nearly verbatim how I began my review for Their Surprise Island Wedding but IT’S TRUE. These books are sweet and sassy and swoony with such great characters (including the island of Nalani which is really a supporting character too) and plots that have heartfelt layers beyond the romance.

A Surprise Second Chance is Daphne Mercer’s story, one of the Ohana Odysseys crew members we’ve gotten to know since book one. I enjoyed learning more of her backstory – including how she came to be at Ohana – and getting to know her better as a character. I found her personality to be so warm and genuine, and I wish I had her skill with plants. I have never met a plant I could not kill, whereas Daphne is a natural with them. She’s also a natural with Griff’s adorable children, and my heart melted more than once over her interactions with Noah and Cammie. Speaking of Griff, he is one of the truly good guys but he’s caught between a rock and hard place which gives his reunion with high school sweetheart Daphne some complex dimensions. The pull between them is still strong though, after all these years, and I loved the tenderness to their renewed love story. Sweet scenes between engaging characters with some swoonilicious kisses – you know I’m a happy reader!

But A Surprise Second Chance isn’t just about two people falling in love. It’s also about complicated parental relationships and putting someone else’s needs ahead of your own. Stewart tackles these deeper layers with sensitivity but also isn’t afraid to delve into the raw emotions and bring her characters to a point where they begin to find healing in spite of the difficult situations still being difficult. I really appreciated the authenticity to these story threads as well as the permission that’s extended to respect the family you were given (even if from a healthy distance) while also doing life with the family you’ve chosen for yourself. In fact, the family-you-choose embrace of Nalani and Ohana is one of my favorite things about this series!

Bottom Line: When I first began reading A Surprise Second Chance by Anna J. Stewart, I expected to be delightfully entertained with a tender & spark-filled romance laced with wit and lots of heart. And I was. I did NOT expect to be emotionally undone by a bug-eyed fish named Taco (on a leash). But I was. And I would let Taco (courtesy of the author) break my heart and mend it all over again if it meant I could experience the absolute sweetness of this story for the first time once more. Daphne and Griff are wonderfully likable protagonists, and they’re joined by an equally wonderful cast of supporting characters who also bring life and joy and yummy food to this story. A Surprise Second Chance is everything I hoped it would be – and more – and I am looking forward to Tehani’s story next!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

A wonderful second chance romance.

Daphne and Griffin, former high school sweethearts, are reunited on the island of Hawaii, but the reunion is more than just a coincidence. Griffin is there for a reason and Daphne might not be too happy when she finds out. A well written plot, great characters and the exotic Hawaiian setting really made this book special. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.

Enjoyed, but...

This was a new to me author, and I really enjoyed the writing style and the character development. Daphne and Griff had real feelings for each other, and his children are precious. But throughout the first 3/4 of the book I kept wanting to scream at Griff because as a reader, you just knew, felt, what was coming! I don't write spoilers, so I won't go into it here.

I was rooting for their relationship and a happy ever after for them as a family so hard! Again, not saying if they got it or not. I will look for other books by this author for sure, hope they are also set in such a beautiful locale as Nalani, Hawaii.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

a long-lost love offers a second chance. well written story, good characters and story. I enjoyed it very much.

Typical feel good romance. Long lost love revived and a happy ending! Story started slow but as I started to recognize the characters it got better.

Nalani, Hawaii, has my heart almost as much as Butterfly Harbor did. Anna j. Stewart develops wonderful communities that I want to be a part of! This is a clean, heartwarming, second chance romance.
This story is about Sydney and her first love, Griff. I adored everything about this book. It made me giggle and snort (... yes, I snort), and cry. Anna is so good at making me cry!
Griff is a single dad trying to make the summer better for his kids after their mother canceled their vacation with her. He gets an opportunity to interview the infamous Richard Mercer, a.k.a. Sydneys father, and the reason Griff and Sydney broke up after high school... the only caveat to this interview, Richard wants to see Sydney, and she hasn't talked to him since he was sent to prison.
Griff shows up in Hawaii and tries to nonchalantly bring up her father... can he do it? Will she go? Can they rekindle their love and, this time, make it last?

A Surprise Second Chance by Anna J.Stewart
A Clean and Uplifting Romance
(Hawaiian Reunions, 3)
Could a secret…
Bring them together?
Lush rainforest, magical sunsets and a welcoming community—Nalani has everything botanist Daphne Mercer needs…except the only man she ever loved. Griffin Townsend broke her heart years ago. Now he’s in Hawai’i on vacation, a single dad with two kids. Daphne is charmed by Griff’s little family, and he longs for a second chance. But will she forgive him when she learns his true reason for seeking her out?
This is Daphne Mercer and Griffin Townsend's story.
“UA HALA ‘OE, REMY.” You are missed.
Daphne Mercer crouched at the ocean’s edge and dropped the small ring of flowers she’d made while drinking her morning coffee on her front porch. The damp sand coated her thin-soled sneakers, the post-sunrise chill brushing over her bare legs with a familiarity that warmed her from the inside.
Waves lapped up and over the plumeria petals, which gave the faintest hint of the tropics, and she breathed it in. She pressed her hand into the sand, let the water coat her skin as the floral ring drifted out into the ocean. This was where, only a few months ago, Remy’s friends and family had gathered to bid farewell and scatter his ashes among the waves he’d spent his entire life riding. He’d been one of the best friends she’d ever had. He’d helped her begin a new life here in Nalani, Hawai’i, when her old one had come crashing down.
GRIFFIN TOWNSEND FLIPPED open his leather-bound refillable pocket-size notebook, the one he’d been using since his early days as a photojournalist, and set it on the small square metal table.
His expectations of hearing the rattling of keys and the slamming of cell doors, as well as smelling the overwhelming odor of distress, regret and anger, went unfulfilled. This wasn’t the cold, bare visitors’ room of a maximum penitentiary. Nor was it the posh seating area of a country club pseudo-prison that offered coffee or tea while one waited to speak with one of the incarcerated.
No, the plain old regular federal jail located a few miles north of Portland, Oregon, was a sobering albeit surprisingly decent middle ground. The facility even boasted a large rehabilitation success rate, despite the number of inmates who would never again experience life on the other side of the fence.
I recommend this book.
A Surprise Second Chance by Anna J.Stewart is a 5 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Anna J.Stewart .
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
More books by Anna J. Stewart.
A Detective's Deadly Secrets (Honor Bound Book 8)
Book 8 of 8: Honor Bound | by Anna J. Stewart
Their Surprise Island Wedding: A Clean and Uplifting Romance (Hawaiian Reunions, 2)
Book 2 of 2: Hawaiian Reunions | by Anna J. Stewart
A Surprise Second Chance: A Clean and Uplifting Romance (Hawaiian Reunions, 3)
by Anna J. Stewart

A Surprise Second Chance is well written with a great plot, characters and setting. I recommend this book. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

A very well written second or is it third chance book. Daphne and Griff’s story will stir all your senses with all the twists needed to keep you turning the pages. You will want it to never end.

This one warmed my heart.
I’m usually not a fan of second chance romances, but this one was fine.
I also love seeing the two little kids. Noah and Cammie were sweet and added some lightness to the story.

Honestly Harlequin romances are usually my favorite for getting me out of a reading slump.

A delightful, uplifting and sweet second chance romance. Two adorable children add to the story. A wonderful visit to Hawaii. Some heartbreaking issues and even more current wonderful things contribute to the story. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.