Member Reviews

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

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The book feels a bit slow to me at first, I was waiting for something exciting to happen already to make me more intrigue and continue. Though it was still able to pick up its pace somehow.

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Keep in Touch is a cute second chance romance! Being a girl who's almost in her 30's, I didn't particularly love it as much as I wanted too though and that made me a little sad! It was hard to stick with compared to some of the other romance books I've read. I had to continuously come back to it because I found myself skipping pages to get to the next part. The slow dialogue didn't help with wanting to finish the book either. Now with that being said, I have to give credit where credit is due because younger me would have finished this book in one night and talked about it for a couple days. It was adorable in it's own ways. The main female character was easy to connect with. Especially since I use to have bad anxiety/panic attacks in highschool, So I can only imagine how many young readers it could connect with. In general this is a really sweet YA romance that is great to keep in mind to recommend to a highschooler. Unfortunately not a re-read for me though!

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Some of the parts seem to drag on and I had to put the book down a few times, because I couldn’t get into the story properly, but overall it was a good read.

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It was a really cute book, but I sadly had to dnf it! It wasn't fully up my alley and I just couldn't stay focused on it and keep on reading it. I don't really know why, it just wasn't totally it for me I guess. Sadly enough. But it will for sure be 100% for other people! It has all the right tropes for romance readers I think!

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I absolutely fell in love with "A Second Chance at Love"! It's like rediscovering the joy of first love all over again. Lucie and Chris's story gripped me from the first page, pulling me into their world of longing and hope. With each turn of the page, I found myself rooting for their fairy tale ending, swept away by the magic of their second chance at love.

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Thank you to Netgalley and Rebecca Chase for this ARC of ‘Keep In Touch’.

This was such a sweet slow burn romance. Mental health in romance books don’t always work but in this case it was excellent, it made the story much more realistic and relatable. I would love to know what happens next for Lucie and Chris.

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In Rebecca Chase's compelling novel, "Keep in Touch," we are introduced to the introverted and anxious seventeen-year-old protagonist, Lucy. Her struggles with anxiety attacks, painfully low self-esteem, and loneliness are palpable as she navigates the pressures of living up to her controlling father's expectations. Lucy's aspirations differ starkly from the path meticulously planned by her father, leading to an internal conflict that shapes her journey. The narrative takes a dramatic turn when Lucy crosses paths with Chris, a charming high school graduate with a rebellious reputation. Their chance encounter sparks an undeniable connection, and they embark on a whirlwind weekend that transforms Lucy's world. Chris' ability to make her feel alive and understood challenges Lucy's insecurities, and she begins to question whether she could find happiness outside the rigid boundaries set by her father. However, fate intervenes, tearing Lucy and Chris apart before they have a chance to fully explore their feelings. Eight years later, a twist of destiny brings Lucy and Chris face to face once again. They are both older, wiser, and carry the weight of their past experiences. As the story oscillates between the past and present, readers are privy to the memories of that fateful weekend. Lucy and Chris delve into what went wrong between them, re-experiencing the intense emotions and missed opportunities. The lingering connection between them is undeniable, and they are left wondering if they can overcome the obstacles that kept them apart all those years ago. Chase's writing is evocative, capturing the complexities of love, loss, and second chances. She expertly weaves the past and present narratives together, creating a rich tapestry of emotions. Lucy's journey towards self-discovery and self-acceptance is both relatable and inspiring, while Chris' character adds depth and complexity to the story. The exploration of mental health issues, particularly anxiety and depression, is handled with sensitivity and insight. Overall, "Keep in Touch" is a beautifully crafted novel that explores the intricacies of human relationships, the power of love, and the enduring nature of second chances. Chase's ability to delve into the characters' inner struggles and create a compelling narrative makes this book a must-read for fans of contemporary romance and emotional storytelling.

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I left a review on Goodreads and completely forgot to do it here!! This book was a real slow burner! It wasn’t my cup of tea for a romance book; but I loved that it touched on anxiety so much. Rebecca Chase has real potential!

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okayy.. was this book a bit cheesy, corny and sometimes cringe? kinda yeah. but was it also everything i needed and more? definitely YES. so i'm rating this book 5/5⭐ and no one can stop me🙂

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The dual timelines were cute, and I loved seeing them now and in the past. It felt a little too slow for me sometimes with pacing, and definitely reads for a YA audience. But it was cute and sweet. I think if it were longer the love story could have been a little more fleshed out

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At the start, Lucie is on her way home from a job interview for her dream job where it didn’t go to plan. She’s upset at her blunder
and how she is going to dump her boyfriend Bradley that evening. This brings her round to thinking about her first love Chris and with an hour to wait for her train, she decides to visit an old cafe where she unexpectedly runs into Chris.

The book is told with dual timelines so you get to see how Lucie and Chris first met at a holiday park but also where they are in the current day. Young Lucie was always trying to keep her father happy even if that meant being unhappy herself but Chris gets her to open up and start being more herself. This plays a big part in who she is now and where she has ended up in life.

Teenage Lucie reminded me of myself and i thought this was a really sweet romance. I enjoyed getting to watch Lucie come out of her shell as she spent more time with Chris and learn to stand up for herself and what she wants. The mental health representation was well done. I would love to have a continuation to see where Lucie and Chris are after their reunion!

Rating 4/5 stars ⭐️ ARC from NetGalley

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Synopsis: Lucie and Chris meet on vacation and their connection is immediate. That weekend doesn't end as they expect, but when they run into each other eight years later, can they get it right this time?

My take: This book about young love seriously pulled at my heartstrings. Lucie and Chris are on vacation when they meet, and they are exactly what each other needs at that exact moment. Lucie is struggling to manage her anxiety, something she hides from most people in her life, and that makes her feel alienated from others her age. She doesn't expect that the hot popular guy she sees on the beach will want anything to do with her, but he sees her strength even though she can't. And Lucie takes him seriously, seeing a future for him that the others in his life don't think he's capable of.

As someone with anxiety, I loved the representation of Lucie's anxiety. It was so well done -- from the thoughts Lucie has about herself to the way some people don't understand to those who do and accept her as she is.

If you're looking for a sweet romance that will make your heart happy definitely pick this one up!

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This was such a super cute read, I would say it gives off YA vibes but the old romantic in me truly loved it. I picked the perfect time to read it as it has me feeling all the feels in time for Valentine’s Day.
I found Lucie’s anxiety struggles really relatable and I thought the author done a great job approaching this subject and just a special mention for the playlist at the start of the book, any playlist with S Club 7 on is an instant hit for me.
I laughed, cried, danced and even discovered some new songs to add my own arsenal.

———————
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

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✰ 3 ✰

A super sweet, wholesome YA romance. ((thank you to NetGalley for providing the arc!))

Beginning with the positives: a younger me would have absolutely loved this book. It really delivered on the sweet coming-of-age romance that was promised. This had amazing mental health representation throughout with ADHD, anxiety, etc. I found myself relating to the younger version of Lucie a lot throughout, and it was really amazing to see her grow into herself and her confidence more by the end of the story. Chris was an absolute sweetheart, I couldn't imagine a better first love for Lucie.

The few parts of this that I enjoyed less:
- Really long paragraphs throughout and long chunks of dialogue, made the pacing a bit slow
- The characters were supposed to be 17/18, but their dialogue didn't really match this.
- So many rhetorical questions, which I understood were somewhat characterizing Lucie and her uncertainty within herself; but I think this would have come across smoother had it been 1st person.

My biggest thing with this book was that I think it would have been much better served by being a 1st person, longer story - maybe even a dual POV with Lucie and Chris. I felt like the book was somewhat of an overview of their relationship and the time they'd spent apart, rather than the actual story of it all itself. I would have enjoyed reading about the 8 years that Lucie and Chris spent apart in more depth from each of their POVs, rather than it feeling like a skimmed-over, retelling.

For this being advertised as a YA book, I think the intended audience would enjoy it! It was just a little too YA for my taste.

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I felt old reading this book, but I tried it and I so enjoyed it. I liked the main character and her struggle with anxiety. I loved seeing how the relationships in her life grow. Good writing. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

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I adore this book. Lucie’s mental health struggles were SO relatable. Chris was the best support for her and so sweet. This book is definitely a slower, cozy pace that I enjoyed. It was a sweet romance. Perfect for YA!

Thank you to Netgalley for the arc!
Pub date: 2/15/24

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I absolutely loved this read. Lucie’s anxiety felt so real and her thought process felt like my own at times. Chris was a wonderful “golden retriever” character and the way he helped Lucie face her anxiety was beautiful.

There were parts and conversations that I felt like could have been taken out to allow other areas to be expanded, but even the parts that I felt were superfluous were still well written and heartwarming.

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This lovely book takes us on a journey through time, bouncing between the past and present, giving us all those nostalgic feels. If you’re a fan of Jenny Han’s “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” you might want to pick up this one!

Chase truly has a knack for bringing characters to life, especially our leading lady, Lucie. Her struggles with anxiety felt so real and relatable like she was whispering her innermost thoughts just to me. And the way Chase handles mental health themes is both gentle and impactful, reminding us of the power our words hold.

‼️Just a heads-up, though: if you’re sensitive to these topics, take care as you dive in.‼️

Now, let’s talk pace! This isn’t a race —it’s a leisurely stroll down memory lane, where every page feels like a cozy chat with an old friend. Perfect for those who want to soak up every detail of those awkward, heart-fluttering teenage years. And it’s not just for teens—this book has a timeless charm that anyone craving a sweet, quick romance will adore.

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Thank you for letting me read this ARC!

This book is definitely for Young Adults, because the story is about 17/18 year old. The story was cute and shows importance of looking after your mental health.

Some of the parts seem to drag on and I had to put the book down a few times, because I couldn’t get into the story properly, but overall it was a good read.

Younger audience will definitely enjoy it a lot more.

It was also well written.

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