Falling For You Again by Kerry Lonsdale was an adorable book! It was sweet and loving without being too sappy. I adored Meli & Aaron as a couple and was their biggest fan. I just was hoping they could get their act together.

Meli is a runaway bride. Literally. She was in her wedding dress about to walk down the aisle when she ran away. Hoped on a plane to Vegas. This is where she meets Aaron a complete stranger but the two have an instant connection. I loved their how they met story… the two spend 24 hours together in Vegas and end up married and spend Meli’s honeymoon in Maui together. They agree to a divorce and they never see each other again. 5 years later the two run into each other and the connection is still there.

Meli has hard life. With drug addicted parents who seem to ignore her as an adult she has her own set of issues. And that causes a lot of tension between her and her relationships, specifically with Aaron. Aaron is just perfect. He has his own story but he gives his all to Meli and I love him for it.

This was my first novel by Kerry Lonsdale and certainly won’t be my last. I loved that all the characters had depth to them and the story wasn’t simply about a romance. It was Meli feeling worthy of love not just by Aaron but her parents too. I also loved that Meli made furniture with her own hands out of wood. You don’t typically see woman in that career. It was refreshing having a female lead in such a role. She was guarded and strong but also weak in many ways.

This is a great adult romance read. It’s not heavy on spice at all but I loved the mature characters and enjoyed it wasn’t cheesy romance either.

I give Falling For You Again by Kerry Lonsdale 4 stars.

Kerry Lonsdale, the Author of “Falling for You Again” has written a charming, delightful, pleasurable and engaging novel. The Genres for this story are: Family Life Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Romantic-Comedy, Women’s Domestic Fiction. I loved everything about this well-written story, and highly recommend this. Kerry Lonsdale vividly describes the scenery and the colorful and dramatic characters. The characters are complex, complicated, quirky, flawed, toxic, and some are so likable. I couldn’t put down this feel-good book, and wanted more.

The female protagonist, Meli Hynes designs and builds artisan furniture, and hopes to inherit her Uncle’s wood-crafting shop. Her Uncle has been her legal guardian, and has imparted words of wisdom that is it better to concentrate on one’s career, rather than marriage. After Melli realizes her mistake in almost getting married, she becomes a runaway bride and heads for Las Vegas, wearing her wedding dress. There she meets a young man Aaron, and the two it it off. For the fun of it, they both agree on a 24 hour marriage,*that lasts a few days longer) and then they will get it annulled.

In present time, Meli’s Uncle decides to sell the company to a big competitor. This breaks Meli’s heart, and she seeks out the competitor’s son, who happens to be Aaron. Both Meli and Aaron have complicated family dynamics. When the two meet again, they have an adorable rapport and amazing chemistry. How can this save Meli’s dream?

The author discusses the importance of forgiveness, second chances, family, friends, trust, honesty, communication, respect, love and hope. I promise you will love this memorable and heart-felt novel.

What an incredible book! I knew I'd love it from the moment Kerry described the cat's feet as "toebeans" in chapter 1.
The characters in this book were 10/10. I genuinely feel like I've had to say goodbye to a friend now I've finished it; I have a Meli shaped hole in my life that I was not ready for!
This was such a refreshing take on the marriage for convenience trope and I love that we also saw family relationships develop as well as the main character's romantic relationship.
Definitely going to read the rest of Kerry's books now, and Falling for You Again will be hard to beat!

this book is pretty short at 270+ pages, but it absolutely packs an emotional punch. i found myself laughing and tearing up and was pleasantly surprised by the whole read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved this novel. I found myself laughing, and crying along with Meli (Melissa, but no one calls her that), and Aaron. I would love to hear more about them in future books.

Kerry Lonsdale delivers an emotional, heartfelt, and swoon-worthy second-chance romance in The Second Time Around. This novel is more than just a love story—it’s about family legacies, self-discovery, and the courage to let love in, even when it feels impossible.

Meli Hynes has always believed that her true love story is with her craft. As a furniture artisan, her life revolves around the woodworking business she’s always been promised. But when her uncle decides to sell the company to a competitor, Meli’s future is ripped out from under her. Desperate to stop the deal, she hatches a plan that involves a marriage of convenience—except the groom is none other than her ex-husband, Aaron.

Aaron is everything Meli isn’t. He’s practical, steady, and just happens to be the son of the very company threatening to take her family’s legacy. Their first marriage was a whirlwind—a Vegas wedding gone too soon—but the feelings they once shared never really disappeared. As they navigate their fake marriage, old wounds resurface, new feelings deepen, and suddenly, their “business arrangement” doesn’t feel so simple anymore.

Lonsdale has crafted a beautifully layered romance, filled with humor, sizzling chemistry, and a deep emotional core. Meli’s stubbornness and fierce independence contrast perfectly with Aaron’s unwavering patience and quiet devotion. Their banter, their tension, and their undeniable pull toward each other made every page a delight.

Beyond the romance, this book is a love letter to craftsmanship, family, and the unexpected ways life forces us to grow. The family drama, the emotional weight of past wounds, and the journey toward forgiveness are just as compelling as the romance itself. And let’s not forget the friendships—Meli and Emi’s bond was one of my favorite parts of the story, adding warmth and humor in all the right places.

This book made me laugh, made me cry, and most importantly, made me believe in love again. If you’re a fan of second-chance romances with deep emotional stakes, lovable characters, and just the right amount of tension, The Second Time Around is a must-read.

3.75 ⭐️

considering this book is only 271 pages, i wasn’t expecting to enjoy this as much as i did! this is so much more than a romance; there’s complex family dynamics, addiction, forgiveness and healing.

i went through a rollercoaster of emotions reading this and i was rooting for Meli and Aaron the whole way. they had me kicking my feet and giggling!!!! 🥰🥰

it could have been a 5 ⭐️ read, but it felt slightly off due to a lot of people being “in” on the fact that Meli and Aaron were in a marriage of convenience? i’ve never come across that before. i also wished we could have seen more of Meli and Aaron together, the romance is definitely a sub-plot to all the other stuff going on rather than the romance being the main focus.

thank you to the publisher, the author & NetGalley, for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

loved this romance about a 2nd chance at a love. They ended up getting married on a whim and got divorced and they decide to get married to save her business. loved that they tried the romance the 2nd time and found balance.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a roller coaster and not your typical marriage of convenience and second-chance romance story. I loved Meli’s determination and Aaron’s sweetness. Emi was a great friend too. The transitions in the story between past and present events were generally well done.
I was confused within the first few chapters about which sequences were in the past and which ones were in the present as there was no clear definition. I did think the story was a cute concept and I enjoyed the banter between Meli and Aaron!

Meli, an independent woodworker, has to fake-marry Aaron to stop her uncle from selling her family shop. But SURPRISE (not really), fake feelings start looking a little too real, and suddenly, we’ve got tension, stolen glances, and the kind of chemistry that could burn down a house.


The chemistry between Meli and Aaron was ON FIRE. 🔥 I was literally blushing and laughing at the same time whenever they were in the same room. You know those couples that make you feel all soft and gooey inside? Yup, that was them. If opposites attract, then these two were practically magnets! It was clear as day that they were meant for each other. I loved every second of their back-and-forth banter, the way they light up when they see each other...

Now, I do have to mention that things moved rather quickly. A little too quickly for my taste. One minute, they’re meeting each other, and the next... well, let’s just say their relationship takes a leap into full-on marital bliss a little too soon for comfort. I’m all for insta-love in the right context, but this felt like I blinked, and suddenly we’re heading down the aisle. It was a bit of a whirlwind that I wasn’t quite prepared for.

As for the storytelling structure, while I do enjoy a good nonlinear timeline, I found myself a bit lost at times. There were a few instances when I had to double-check whether I was in the present or the past, and honestly, it threw me off. Now, I’m going to step onto my soapbox here for a moment—there were a couple of points in the book where, if the characters had just sat down and had a conversation, a lot of unnecessary drama could have been avoided.

But let's get back to the good stuff—if I were to judge this book solely on the romance, I would give it two thumbs up without hesitation. The connection between Meli and Aaron was undeniably beautiful, and it genuinely had me smiling like a fool the entire time. Their chemistry was palpable, and I found myself completely rooting for them from start to finish. 🥰

And let's not forget the cover and title—they were absolutely perfect. Honestly, I was sold on this book before I even opened the first page, and the cover certainly did not disappoint. It perfectly captured the essence of the story and set the stage for everything that followed.

3.5 ⭐️

This book was a roller coaster and not your typical marriage of convenience and second-chance romance story. Meli and Aaron's romance is at the heart of the narrative, but is interspersed with plot lines detailing complex family dynamics, addiction, self-doubt, familial and professional expectations, and found family.

The plot was at times a bit silly, it felt a little convoluted at times in the layers of family and corporate drama. I felt whiplash too with some of the decisions characters were making, and the 'why' of it all was not always clear or logical. At its core though, there was still a lot of heart and humour in this story, which helped to bring it all together in the end in a way that I felt was satisfying. The way that struggles with addiction, working through recovery and lingering feelings of guilt and shame were portrayed I thought were well executed.

I did wish we spent a little more time with Meli and Aaron together, I liked their dynamic and hoped for more. If you are looking for a pure rom-com or romance novel, this is probably not the right pick. If you are looking for a novel though with a romance at its core but more complex themes and interpersonal familial dynamics, you might like this one.

I don’t think I’ve ready any book by this author before. But this won’t be the first or last either. Loved it from the beginning to the end.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Spice: 🌶

<b> Quotes: </b>

<i> “If I wanted to inherit the shop one day— which I did— I needed to love my craft more than anything or anyone else in the world. The shop was our family’s legacy. It would always come first. Until the day it didn’t.”

“I’m nervous.”
“Because of me?”
“I thought I’d never see you again.”
“We promised we wouldn’t seek each other out.”
“It wouldn’t be the first promise we broke.” </i>

<b> Short version: </b>
For the fans of ordinary love which arises from the most extraordinary circumstances, this book is a portrait of a strong woman loved by a gentle man in the best of ways.

<b> Full review below:

Tropes: </b>
- runaway bride
- second-chance romance
- marriage of convenience

<b>Plot Summary: </b>

The first time Meli Hynes met Aaron Borland, she was on a plane fleeing the altar and the almost-husband she had left behind. But Meli soon realized she wasn’t so opposed to marriage after all. Just hours later, she found herself in a Vegas chapel, exchanging vows with Aaron. One week later, they quietly divorced, vowing never to speak again.
Now, five years later, Meli’s uncle is selling the business he once promised to give her — and the buyer just happens to be Aaron’s family. Determined to reclaim what’s hers, Meli will do anything to get that shop back... even marry Aaron again.

<b> The Good: </b>
As far-fetched as the premise sounds — a runaway bride, a Vegas wedding to a stranger, and a later marriage of convenience — the book’s greatest strength lies in its portrayal of a very ordinary kind of love. The moments Meli and Aaron share feel wonderfully mundane in the best way, making their relationship feel a little more real (and achievable, perhaps) than most romance novels.

I also really liked Meli as a character. While her fears and resistance to love sometimes felt exaggerated, her determination, fierceness, and business acumen made her an engaging FMC.

<b> The In-Between: </b>
At times, the overly descriptive writing feels clunky. Certain paragraphs seem to disrupt the pacing, even though they effectively paint vivid pictures of the scenes or characters.

<b> The Bad: </b>
This may be more of a “bad for me” scenario than a true flaw, as it probably wouldn’t bother most readers. Personally, I prefer linear timelines in novels or, at the very least, for flashbacks to be contained in a single chapter. Here, the author employs a unique storytelling style, where events are often introduced and then later expanded upon as memories in future chapters. For me, these time skips interrupted the novel’s flow. While it’s not my personal preference, I don’t think it should discourage anyone from giving the book a try.

<b> Cheating: </b> No
<b> Third-act Breakup: </b> Yes
<b> HEA: </b> Yes
<b> OWD: </b> Kinda

Falling For You Again by Kerry Lonsdale, published by Lake Union Publishing is a stand alone, second chances romance.
A witty and fun read that also is gripping, emotional, twisty in the best way with turns when I least expected it.
Meli and Aaron's story is a story that'll stay with me, I just know it.
I recommend this gem of a story that deserves all the stars.

This is heartwarming, cosy story of marriage of convenience which a fun twist that they were married before. I enjoyed reading about this marriage of convenience but didn’t like the other side stories that in my opinion took away from the main storyline. Bit of a slow book with too much going on.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book, all opinions expressed are my own.

Okay, I’ll admit it—I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did, but wow, did it surprise me! Falling for You Again took the classic marriage of convenience trope and gave it a fresh twist by making the couple previously married. Talk about built-in drama!

Aaron? Absolute perfection. The man would literally do anything for Meli, and honestly, we should all be so lucky. He wasn’t just your typical protective MMC—he was thoughtful, patient, and completely devoted in a way that made my heart melt. Meli, on the other hand, was strong-willed and independent, and watching them navigate their second chance was both entertaining and emotional.

The book had just the right balance of humor, heart, and swoon-worthy moments. I found myself grinning like an idiot at certain scenes, especially when Aaron went out of his way to prove himself to Meli. If you love a romance with a little angst, a lot of chemistry, and a hero who’s all in? Falling for You Again is a must-read.

Fall in love again with Meli and Aaron. Their story lifted me up and made me believe in the beauty of love. It is emotional, the humor hits exactly right, and the characters had me rooting for them. While I occasionally shouted at Meli to get out of her own way and not to take all her life's lessons from her Uncle Bear! The descriptions of the woodshop immediately transported me to my garage growing up. When my father was making furniture, nothing fancy just for our home. Giving each piece a lifeline back to my dad. The smell of wood shavings, the tang of the stain, and the whine of the saws. Made me wish I were craftier; plot twist I am not crafty in any way.

Meli's always dreamed of making her family furniture business on her own. To be able to steer the ship and have her ideas become a reality. Her Uncle Bear has always promised that he would hand the reins over to her. When she discovers that the plans have changed. Meli is on a mission to take back control. To be able to hold onto her family's business, along with their memories. She turns to her ex, Aaron. A man that she met while flying to Las Vegas on a whim. Who she married on this very same trip. They crafted a napkin of everything that makes a partner perfect. Five years later she discovers Aaron still has this napkin and every feeling, emotion, look, that they shared in those brief few days has never left her.

This book made me believe in love again. To let down your guard and to give yourself to a truly kind and emotionally available man. To find balance in your life no matter what it takes and how much discussion it takes to get there. The characters are flawed, each coming from homes that were questionable at best. Being able to share their own burdens with one another made their relationship much tighter and closer. I also need to mention the coffee shop names in the book are the best! Thank you to Kerry Lonsdale for having me on your ARC team. It has been an amazing trip!

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

A fast read that should find a broad audience. I love a good second chance romance, so the book held appeal, but the abrupt twists and how things resolve feel forced to me.

Meli and Aaron are so hot together. After their short marriage, they divorced and went their separate ways only to come back together 4 years later. Only they have not forgotten each other, and the spark is a flame now. Meli proposes a marriage of convenience to protect her legacy. Between family politics, fighting for the careers, and a fake marriage, there's a lot of angst that this couple has to navigate.

Well written, engaging, and amazing protagonists, this book was a win.

#FallingforYouAgain #NetGalley