Second Chance Summer by Jill Shalvis – a Review

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Description:
RESCUE ME

Cedar Ridge, Colorado, is famous for crisp mountain air, clear blue skies, and pine-scented breezes. And it’s the last place Lily Danville wants to be. But she needs a job, and there’s an opening at the hottest resort in her hometown. What has her concerned is the other hot property in Cedar Ridge: Aidan Kincaid-firefighter, rescue worker, and heartbreaker. She never could resist that devastating smile . . .

The Kincaid brothers are as rough and rugged as the Rocky Mountains they call home. Aidan has always done things his own way, by his own rules. And never has he regretted anything more than letting Lily walk out of his life ten years ago. If anyone has ever been in need of rescuing, she has. What she needs more than anything are long hikes, slow dances, and sizzling kisses. But that can only happen if he can get her to give Cedar Ridge-and this bad boy-a second chance . .

Review:

Second Chance Summer by Jill Shalvis is the 1^st book in her new Cedar Ridge series. Shalvis recently ended her successful Lucky Harbor series, but I am happy to say Second Chance Summer will allow us to smoothly transition to a new town, Cedar Ridge, Colorado, and discover wonderful new characters to fall in love with. Jill Shalvis is one of the best in contemporary romance, and she proves it once again with the start of the Cedar Ridge series.

Lily Danville is our heroine, as she returns to Cedar Ridge after 10 years. A terrible tragedy caused Lily to leave, and now that she desperately needs a job, she returns to accept a job offer from her friend, Jonathan. Lily successful worked in a high profile salon, catering to the rich and famous, until her boss asked her to leak some private information, and when push came to shove, he let Lily take the blame. She then goes home, where she ran away from years before, unable to face her tragic losses.

Aidan Kincaid is our hero, and a fabulous one at that. He is not only a gorgeous sexy hunk,he is also a do gooder. Aidan is always on call to help rescue people as a member of the Colorado Wildland Firefighters, and the Search and Rescue team, which puts him into dangerous situations often. Aidan’s family owns the town resort, which is struggling to make a large payment that will be due within a year. We get to meet his brothers, sister, sister in law, mother, which gives us a look into the future of this series.

Aidan has never gotten over Lily, and has given up trying to find her. To his surprise, he finds out accidently that Lily is returning home, and within a short time, he sees her arriving. As will happen a few times, Aidan ends up being in the right place at the right time to help Lily out of a precarious spot, and the two of them realize they still have strong feelings for each other.

Aidan makes it known; he wants Lily back, though he doesn’t understand why she left without talking to him. Lily has memories of those tragic events that she can’t get past. Her twin sister, who was always in friendly competition with her, accidently slipped on the mountains to her death. At the funeral, her father had a heart attack and died. Blaming herself, she ran away to escape the memories, and now that those same mountains are so close, she tries to come to terms with her guilt. It is Aidan and others, who will try to convince that it wasn’t her fault, as her sister loved the competition and it was an accident.

Aidan and Lily slowly rekindle their romance, which is hot and steamy. We watch Lily struggle with her feelings for Aidan becoming stronger, but her fears escalate with his firefighting/search rescue situations, that he will break her heart again. Will Lily be able to get past the guilt she feels? Can she accept her love for Aidan despite the danger Aidan always seems to be in?

Second Chance Summer is a sweet, romantic and wonderful story, that is a little heartbreaking, as we feel Lily’s pain. I loved Aidan and Lily together, and Shalvis has once again created a fabulous group of secondary characters that were totally delightful. I cannot wait for the next book. Jill Shalvis has another winner with the Cedar Ridge series. Do not miss reading Second Chance Summer, which promises to be a wonderful series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher