This Time Around

 Title: This Time Around

Author: Denise Hunter, Melissa Ferguson, Kathleen Fuller

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Genre: Romance, Christian Fiction

Source: Net Galley

My Review:

 A Summer Detour by Denise Hunter

Allie is dreading the trip for her grandparents fiftieth anniversary party. Her family treats her with kid gloves and her parents didn't even trust her to bring more than napkins to the party. When Allie offers to drive her grandparents restored Chevy, you would think she had a record of wrecking cars and driving irresponsibly! 

When Allie goes to pick up the car she actually can't drive it because it has a manual transmission, something that she has not learned how to drive. The only alternative is to call her ex-boyfriend Luke to drive the car for her. Luke agrees, but neglects to tell her he won't be coming alone. Will Allie get the car to her grandparents house in one piece? Will Allie be able to set aside her animosity of Luke for crushing her heart as a teenager, or will she continue to snub him on the trip?

This was a very quick read with the characters surprisingly developed for the length of the story. The story has some drama, humor, and tender moments that will make your heart melt. It is a second chances romance and you glimpse the entire story from both Allie and Luke's perspective. I enjoyed Allie's spunky character and the genuineness of Luke's. A fun story with a good ending. 4/5

Pining for You by Melissa Ferguson 

This story moved quickly in all aspects of the story.  However, it really didn't seem to go anywhere. The story was completely centered on Theo and Skye and several misunderstandings. I expected more from Ashleigh later in the story to go along with the scene of all the photos on her wall, but nothing.  2.5/5

He Loves Me; He Loves Me Not by Kathleen Fuller

I thought this story was pretty cute and a very quick read. You learn quite a bit about Sophie, Landen, and Joe. The author painted some vivid scenes and the story flowed smoothly. The animosity among some characters is wrapped up later in the story and it all comes together nicely. 4/5

★★★.5/5 for the overall story.

Synopsis:

For lovers of happily ever afters—this collection of three light and sweet romance stories will sweep you off your feet.

In A Summer Detour by Denise Hunter, you’ll meet free-spirited Allie Adams, who undertakes a road trip to deliver her grandparents’ newly restored ’57 Chevy in time for their fiftieth anniversary party . . . along with Luke Fletcher, the former boy-next-door who callously crushed her heart.

Pining for You by Melissa Ferguson invites you to a cozy Virginia mountain town where Christmas tree farm owner Theo Watkins III has the opportunity to drop everything for one weekend to play farmer and potentially win back the heart of his childhood best friend, Skye Fuller. Only problem? He’s the kind of man who drives a Tesla, not a tractor. 

Last but not least, He Loves Me; He Loves Me Not by Kathleen Fuller will transport you to a small town in Arkansas where thirty-five-year-old Sophie Morgan has spent years making her flower shop a success. But when this workaholic decides she’s ready to make time for dating again, she finds herself with two handsome men vying for her attention.

Whether your perfect romance involves rows and rows of Fraser firs and white pines glinting in the moonlight, childhood love that never ends, or a second chance at a happily ever after, you’re sure to find a story within this collection to warm your heart any day of the year.

Praise for This Time Around:

“Cozy up and prepare to lose yourself in this enchanting collection. Each story is as inviting and wonderful as the last. Reunion romances and heartwarming second chances are sure to delight readers.” —Nancy Naigle, USA TODAY bestselling author

“Romance readers are in for a sweet treat! Authors Denise Hunter, Melissa Ferguson, and Kathleen Fuller have joined forces for a novella collection all about second chances, making the most of them when they’re right in front of you, and fighting for them with everything you’ve got when necessary. Come for this trio of talented storytellers and stay for the humor, heart, and confident hope that there will be a happily ever after, This Time Around.” —Bethany Turner, award-winning author of Plot Twist


Perfect for lovers of sweet happily-ever-afters
Stand-alone novella collection
Book length: 80,000 words
Includes discussion questions for book clubs