Review: Benefits of reading Second Chance at Happiness
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 08 1, 2013
Here are the benefits to reading Second Chance at Happiness (and Heather Lire):1. The setting. I'm a sucker for extended family connections and small town worlds. This book (and the Holiday Vermont Series) has both. Though the book is set largely in Holiday, Vermont (and immediately becomes that place you always wanted to live in and own a bookstore), it also voyages out to New York and DC. However, the great benefit is that her setting never drives her characters; it simply enhances the reader's understanding and appreciation of them.2. The love connection. I love and adore contemporary romance, but I have to say that sometimes the complications and conflicts can become a little tired or unexciting. In historicals and paranormals, you often have heroes and heroines trying to survive or defy the odds/society rules/angry horde of family members. In contemporary romance fiction it's usually some take on the "oh, I've been hurt before" or "you couldn't possibly like me" conflict. Don't forget the too stupid to live heroines. This is not at all what happens with Lire's characters. Their attraction is comfortable and believable. They might be uncomfortable at first (pretty much real life if you ask me), but their relationship and commitment fears don't end up being the drive of the story. They connect. They love. They work through the process of starting a relationship in their shared world. It's brilliant because it's so normal. But, Heather Lire is fantastic in that I was never once bored. Lastly on this front, I liked and believed that people like Colin and Brynn existed. They were funny, compelling, and fully developed. They had their own motivations. Most importantly, they were not cardboard cut-outs of types. Colin might be ex-military turned cop, but he wasn't a meat-head either. He had the sense to be afraid of his mother and the depth to be hurt by his family while still giving them the time of day. Brynn was sassy and tempermental, but she was also logical and caring. Also, importantly, not a redhead (though anyone who knows me knows I wish desperately I had been born one). I believed these people existed and, more importantly, I wished I knew them personally.3. The pacing. You'd think an unfolding love story without the tug and pull of political problems or vampire wars would run a little slowly, but the pace of the book was nicely built to draw the reader through a consistent emotional and physical story built on characters. Not only are you compelled to read on and find out how things work out with Colin and Brynn, Lire seamlessly builds in a connection with a whole host of other characters that makes me wonder, who's book is next?Disclaimer: An ARC copy of this book was provided by the author.