"Second Chances at the Board Game Café" by Jennifer Page is a heartwarming and uplifting novel that beautifully captures the magic of new beginnings and the joy of finding connection in unexpected places. Page’s writing is warm and inviting, drawing readers into the cozy atmosphere of the Board Game Café, where friendships are formed, love blossoms, and everyone is given a chance to start anew. The characters are endearing and relatable, each with their own story of hope, loss, and the courage to embrace change. The novel weaves together themes of community, healing, and the importance of second chances, making it a delightful and comforting read. "Second Chances at the Board Game Café" is perfect for anyone who loves stories about love, friendship, and the little things that bring people together.

Second Chances at the Board Game Cafe tells the story of Taylor Sweet, a seamstress whose dream of studying to become a fashion designer was derailed by an unexpected pregnancy with a man who was not ready to embrace fatherhood.
While working as a seamstress to support herself and her son Max, she inadvertently cuts six inches instead of six centimetres off Harry's (a customer) jeans. She transforms the jeans by adding a tartan design and extra pockets to rectify her mistake. This leads to her launching an up-cycling class above the cafe and ultimately organising a fashion show at the local school.
This book is the third in a series but can be enjoyed independently. If you've read the first two books, it is like visiting your old neighbourhood and catching up with familiar characters.
Jennifer Page beautifully captures the essence of neurodiversity through her portrayal of Harry and Max. She weaves this theme in without explicitly mentioning it.
I highly recommend this book due to Taylor's journey of Self-discovery, resilience and embracing second chances, which makes it a captivating read.

This is one of those warm and uplifting stories which is full of friendship and community. That is not to say that everything goes smoothly for Taylor and her son, Max. Max is an interesting character in his own right. Intelligent, he struggles with fitting in at school and seems to be being bullied for his difference, on a daily basis. His love of all things train related gives him comfort and a feeling of security. Harry shares his love of order. He too struggles with friendships and relationships. However, his kindness and care for others shines through.

Taylor has had to become self- sufficient after being abandoned by Max’s father. You get the feeling that she is very lonely, as is Harry, but wants to protect her son and is wary of new relationships. Taylor has had to compromise her ambitions to be a fashion designer but you see her talent shining through as the story evolves. The Board Game Cafe is a great meeting centre and a sociable hub for people who are drawn there. You are invested in the possibility of Taylor and Harry’s romance and rooting for them to communicate how they feel.

In short: second chance at romance

Heartwarming and life affirming. The perfect summer book if you want to smile and escape reality
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Another warm fuzzy story from Jennifer Page.

Set in the village of Hebbleswick, Yorkshire, this is the 3rd book in the series with lovely characters, that are similar if you have read the first two books. The great storyline is easy to follow, With a lovely community and setting that will keep you wanting to read.
This really is a gentle easy-going book.

Single mum Taylor is struggling to keep her head above water in a tiny one-bed flat, in the little Yorkshire village of Hebbleswick. She once dreamed of becoming a fashion designer, but now spends her days repairing and altering other people's garments, fitting her business around her eight-year-old son Max's need for routine.

Accountant and railway enthusiast, Harry, likes routine too. He longs for a partner, but has had his heart broken in the past and is anxious about letting someone new into his ordered life, despite the encouragement of his friends at the local board game café.

When Taylor and Harry meet there is an immediate spark between them, but both are unsure about embarking on a new romance. Can Harry step out of his comfort zone, and Taylor look beyond her worries about Max, to give love a second chance?

Welcome back to the picturesque environs of Hebbleswisk and Essendale, for the third book in the enchanting Little Board Game Café series by Jennifer Page.

This time around Page does a lovely job of mixing everything that has come before with the arrival of new characters Taylor and her son Max, crafting a story that sets up lashing of romantic suspense with train obsessed Harry, who we met in the first book in the series. There are familiar faces galore from the first two books, and although you do not need to have read them to enjoy this story, I highly recommend that you do as it adds so much context and emotional texture to what happens. 

Taylor finds herself in an unhappy place at the beginning of this book, worrying about her living arrangements, her sewing business, and the needs of her son Max, who is neurodivergent. Her dreams of a different kind of life are never far from her thoughts, but try as she might there are always obstacles in the way, and there is no time for a romantic life for herself. Cue the sweet, and truly adorable, Harry whose caring, routine loving, railway-addicted, and mathematically precise ways make him the perfect partner for Taylor and prospective new dad for Max - if only they can both overcome their lack of confidence and past heartbreak.

Inevitably, the course of true love does not run smooth in all the ways you want from a cosy love story, and Page keeps you on tenterhooks with a will-they-won't-they plot that will completely melt your heart. Along the way she brings in some wonderful themes, using her established characters to throw spanners in the works (sleazy Tarquin, I am looking at you) or pull out all the stops to guide the couple to their happy ending, via make-and-mend fashion shows, budding friendships, and a pulling together of the community - with a little bit of help from The Railway Children!

This book positively celebrates neurodivergence, and touches sensitively on a wealth of subjects about acceptance, belonging, and being yourself, that fit beautifully into the story. Various board games are a fascinating central feature once more, and Page also brings in lots of splendid stuff about upcycling clothes to combat fast-fashion that will set the creative among you dusting off your sewing machines.

This is the perfect snuggle up on the sofa book. I think Taylor and Harry's romance is my favourite one of the series so far, and Max's channelling of The Railway Children to bring them together is simply magical!

This is the first book by Jennifer Page I had read. The story of Taylor, Max and Harry is a heart warming story. Taylor is trying to do the best for her son but meets Harry who has trains in common with Max and Taylor warms to him and allows him into their lives despite her misgivings. Max has difficulties at school with no help from the school which causes Taylor so much heartache trying to ensure her son is safe and happy. Harry is such a lovely character that is happy to help however he can. It is great to see that they all get on.

After reading a pretty serious book I hade to read a feel good book and as I have read the other books in this series I knew this one I would love. A fun book this is cosy at its best and if you don't feel good after reading this one.... Well!

I am loving The Little Board Game Café series and all the great characters but especially the wonderful setting. I can picture it as I am reading and I can see the characters and their lives unfolding as I flick the pages of this book. Second chances, romance and a wonderful read. Need I say more.

Thank you NetGalley and Aria & Aries for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

What a treasure this book was. Being from Yorkshire I loved how the towns and villages were described and the train journey to Halifax living here I could picture it well.
The relationship between Taylor, Harry and Max was beautifully written. Each one was what the other one needed so they all helped each other overcome the obstacles and insecurities.
The sense of community and how they all rallied around Taylor to make her fashion show a success was described exactly how a community should be. You fall in love with this setting the characters and of cause the Board Game Cafe. Thank you to Jennifer Page and Net Galley for an ARC copy to honestly review all thoughts are my own.

This was such a lovely read and very easy to get into and I loved the characters and after she thinks her designs are no good and no one likes them it's nice to see board games and fashion coming together.

I don’t know how she does it but for the third time Jennifer Page has had me falling hook, line and sinker for a pastime/hobby that I would have thought it totally not for someone like me. She has this unique ability of turning the most mundane of subjects into something fascinating and completely engrossing from start to finish. This time around in Second Chances at the Board Game Café it’s sewing and trainspotting that is the focus and once again I was completely enamoured with everything right from the very first word. It’s rare these days that I have the ability to sit down and read a book in one or two sittings as my attention span has deserted me. But all that changed with this book and in two sittings I was done and dusted with this wonderful book but truthfully I could have kept reading on. I didn’t want it to end at all and was gutted to reach the final page and leave such fabulous characters and their stories behind.

Taylor Sweet is a single mum to eight year old Max ever since her ex decided that being a Dad wasn’t for him and he walked out leaving Taylor high and dry. Taylor hadn’t planned on falling pregnant so young and although she loves Max deeply she wishes that she had been able to pursue her dreams and become a fashion designer. But going to college wasn’t something she could so. Instead, she is stuck sewing buttons, replacing zips, shortening trousers and taking hems up when really she is itching to get creative and design outfits. She was the one who had made the Scrabble dress from the previous book and the weeble dress and it was so lovely to see such a heart-warming to see that connection emerging early on.

Taylor is someone who expresses herself by what she wears. It’s her way of telling the world who she was and what mood she as in. But Taylor is stuck in a rut and bored to death of the same old routine day in and day out. It doesn’t help that Max likes things to be in order and is averse to any sort of change to his life routine. No changes big or small can be made but little does Max know that there are a lot of changes just coming around the corner both for himself and Taylor and I was eager to see what would come for them. It as obvious from the beginning that Max was neuro diverse but it’s never explicitly stated and it didn’t need to be. His character and that of Harry were brilliantly written without needing to elicit major sympathy from the reader. The similarities between the pair were there for all to see and it only added to my enjoyment of the story because it was just so wonderfully and sensitively woven into the plot.

Taylor longs to escape from her small cramped flat where she has to pack away her bedding every day in order to get going on her sewing work but she fears Max’s reaction if she suddenly announces that they are moving from the village of Essendale. She comes across a flat for rent in the neighbouring village of Hebbleswick and here is where she meets estate agent Tarquin. Ah I thought Tarquin rears his ugly head again. I love spotting characters from the previous books and there are many here again. They play a much more prominent role than they have done since book one and I was delighted to see this. But new readers needn’t worry that they won’t be able to follow along you will do so very easily. Taylor bites the bullet and moves to the new flat which was once a shop although conditions aren’t the best. Taylor was such a fantastic character. She was strong, fierce and independent and didn’t take help from anyone unless strictly necessary. Which in itself can be a good or bad thing as she will learn later on. She attempts to get more sewing business but really designing is where her heart lies. As well as her business worries she also has to deal with the fact that Max is being mercilessly bullied at school and refuses to move. She feels a failure as a mother as she doesn’t know how best to support and help Max.

As for the main male character Harry, well all I can say is what an utter sweetheart he is. Most definitely the best male character in the series so far. Not to take away from Ludek or Ras but gosh Harry you stole a piece of my heart and as Taylor compares him to Patrick from The Great British Sewing Bee that really wouldn’t be hard. Similar to Max, Harry likes order and routine having a particular shirt for a certain day, making the same sandwiches daily for lunch and his greatest obsession/love is trains, train board games and train spotting. Harry overthinks everything down to the last detail and he tries to be funny but more often than not he comes across as being weird or nerdy. He is a stickler for following the rules in life and in board games but he does enjoy the times spent in the board game café with his very small group of friends. Harry came across as being shy, reticent, nervous and very self conscious. To say he is awkward and not blessed with the best of social skills would be an understatement but there was something very endearing about him that you just wanted to give him a hug and say everything will be all right.

Harry has been burnt in the past when it comes to love and he questions whether there is anyone out there who will love him the way he wants and deserves to be? Harry has spent his life trying to help other people to make them like him and to be honest he came across as being lost and needing guidance and direction. He makes so many blunders in his advances towards Taylor that you do find yourself cringing for him at certain points. But Taylor also I felt led him on in some ways when she knew that if she had a boyfriend that Max wouldn’t react very well to the change. Yet at the same time I thought oh just go for it Taylor, if you are happy than Max will be happy. Sometimes, you have to put yourself before others even if it was your son making you so hesitant. The more the story developed the more I was rooting for the pair to get together. They do say opposites attract and they couldn’t have been any more different from each other.

There are numerous funny situations that occur. The incident with the stuck zip being one of them and they all help move the plot along at a lovely gentle pace. These funny moments are balanced nicely with some more serious moments but it all worked so well together .I loved the sense of community and the friendship bonds that appeared the more I delved into the story. Familar faces appear once again and they all work together to try and make Taylor’s dreams come true. Who would have thought upcycling fashion would be so interesting and that it would allow Harry to come out of his shell? The way everything developed and the link to the title was just so wholesome and apt. It showed all the characters growing in confidence. The community rallying around Taylor for reasons I won’t go into was just superb and really will give you that warm and satisfying feeling inside.

No doubt about it Jennifer Page is fast becoming an author where I just know that I’ll never tire of reading her work. My only complaint though is that I wish the books came as quickly as I read this one. Trust me if you start with this one you’ll find yourself seeking out the other instalments and if you have been with the board game café since book one you’ll be dying to get your hands on the next book in the series. That ending was just pure perfection and will bring a tear to your eye and a smile to your face that’s for sure. I found myself thinking towards the end why hasn’t Kate gotten a book of her own? After all, it’s emerging that she is a stalwart and a force to be reckoned with and someone who has been the glue and inspiration for all three female heroines so far. So I was utterly delighted to discover that the next instalment, Christmas at the Board Game Café, will focus on Kate. I’ve read the blurb and it’s sounds like we are in for a real festive treat as the concept sounds so unique and original not to mention fun. In the meantime, do yourself a favour and make sure you read all three books published so far in the series. They are an utter delight which reminded me just how much I love reading and my spark for women’s fiction has been reignited. It’s so obvious that Jennifer Page is loving writing about these characters and the setting and I hope she goes on to write many many more. I for one will be there eager to read them all as she never disappoints and it’s a big thumbs up from me.

This was like a warm hug of a book. Taylor is a seamstress down on her luck when she moves house, finds new friends, a perspective live interest and gets ripped into community spirit and running an up cycling fashion show. Harry is an adorable book boyfriend and max the son is soooo super cute I love the nods to the railway children. I loved the various board games that were featured in this, especially Ticket to Ride which is a game I enjoy playing. It was also great to catch up with Emily, Jo and Kate from the previous books. This was a real pleasure to read and I am already looking forward to the next book in the series.

Small-town romance fans will be enchanted by the latest charmer by Jennifer Page, Second Chances at the Board Game Café.

Taylor is a single mum living in the cosy Yorkshire village of Hebbleswick with a dream of becoming a fashion designer. However, it looks like her most-cherished ambition will never be fulfilled as looking after her son Max leaves her with next to no time to work on her original designs. Taylor wants to do more than hemming skirts and fixing zips, but will she find the courage to go after what she truly wants? Or will she spend the rest of her life regretting not fighting for what she truly desires?

At the local board game café, railway enthusiast Harry is nursing a broken heart after a painful breakup. Having always wanted to be a father, Harry worries that he will never know the joys of having a family of his own – until a chance encounter with Taylor turns his entire world on its head. Will Harry have the courage to take another chance on a relationship? Or is he not prepared to run the risk of having his heart broken again?

Will Taylor and Max let this chance at happiness slip through their fingers? Or will love find a way to bring these two lost souls together…forever?

Jennifer Page makes her readers swoon with her latest novel, Second Chances at the Board Game Café. A tender, feel-good and uplifting romance about finding happiness, chasing rainbows and the magic of falling in love, Jennifer Page’s Second Chances at the Board Game is sprinkled with warmth, humour and emotion and will leave readers with a massive grin on their face.

This was like a warm hug of a book and was just the book I needed at the point I started reading it. I had had some upsetting news earlier that day, and after spending a few hours dazed and staring into space, I figured I should start reading a new book - picked this and basically didn't look up for the next few hours while I devoured the first half of the book.

Which I then rapidly finished off the following day. Read in three sittings, in under a day, this was warm, cosy, comforting, and another incredibly good story in this series.

I am loving these Board Game Cafe books, and the villages of Hebbleswick and Essendale. And it was great getting to know Harry, one of the train game playing addicts even better.

And to see the similarities between Harry and Taylor's son Max was really pleasing to see. Less pleasing is how Max is treated at his school by other kids and teachers too.

He is a rather unique child who is totally fabulous, but it's hard for people to get to see it properly. While Taylor is just longing for a bed and not a sofa to sleep on.

She's a talented seamstress and soon gets roped into an upcycling fashion show.

I loved the various board games that were featured in this, especially Ticket to Ride which is a game I particularly enjoy playing.

I also loved we were able to catch up with Emily, Jo and Kate from the previous books too, as well as other recurring characters. I do enjoy a sense of community across a series.

This was a real pleasure to read and I am already looking forward to the next book in the series.

Thank you to Aria and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Loved this book, read it in one sitting. The two main characters are sweet and I love seeing them overcome fears and the obstacles placed in their paths. I loved the location and revisiting some familiar characters.

Overall this was a sweet romance with some great messages. Definitely recommend and look forward to the next book from this author,

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Lovely to be back in the board game cafe, a thoroughly enjoyable read. Taylor, MX and Harry’s story . Really interesting characters, great storyline and the wonderful community of the board game cafe. Beautifully written and highly recommended
Thank you to Netgalley, Aria and Aries and Jennifer Page for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

A wonderfully warm read with great characters that you really invest in and wish them well. Taylor wants the best for her son and to make a better life for themselves but has to overcome problems and dreams of a better future as a fashion designer. Love interest, shared railway interest , new homes combine to make a great read.

Really good to be back at the board game cafe. It has been a while since I read the first books in the series but it only took a little time to remember the characters. Although in this book we are introduced to two new main characters the ones from the first books still play a part in this one.
The frustrations of having a SEND child at an unsupportive school were portrayed empathically, but I hope there aren’t (m)any teachers like in one school.
Fully-formed and believable characters and a lovely storyline that held my interest from beginning to end.

What a good follow up book this was although you can very much read it as a standalone book. Yes it’s quite predictable what is going to happen but at the same time the bits in between were quite enjoyable to read. While some of the characters from the previous book were there, I very much liked the new characters especially Taylor and Max who you got into straight away.

A lovely book similar to the other one I'd read but it was lovely reading about the characters playing board games on a cafe. Hopebthere is more to come. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.