Back to Before by Tracy Solheim – a Review

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Description:
Chances Inlet, North Carolina, has an infamous power for second chances. But its charms are lost on the town’s favorite son—until she comes along…

When his father’s sudden death puts his family’s construction business in serious debt, architect Gavin McAlister is forced to put his dream career in New York on hold. Making matters worse, his fiancée calls it quits. Desperate to return to his big-city life, he discovers an opportunity to save his family, one that has him reluctantly starring in a home restoration TV show.

Former soap star Ginger Walsh hopes this job as a TV makeup artist will lead to better things. So far it’s only brought her to a hamlet full of people who don’t like her—except Gavin. After a wild night out leads to Ginger waking up in Gavin’s loft—and the rest of town talking—the two of them soon wonder if getting back to before is what they want. Because being in each other’s arms certainly feels like what they need…

Review:

Back to Before by Tracy Solheim is the first book in her new Second Chances series. This was a sweet romance that takes place in a small town in Chances Inlet, North Carolina.   Gavin McAlister is our hero, who has put his career as an architect on hold to help save his late father’s construction business. After the death of his father, Gavin found the business was deeply in debt, which would also cause the possible loss of his mother’s dream B&B. For two years, Gavin has been secretly working to fix things, and do a TV restoration show to bring in money to pay off the debt. His family does not know that when things are fixed, he will sell the construction business, save his mother’s B&B and go back to New York.

But before he can do that, he must force himself to work on the TV show. It is here he meets Ginger Walsh, our heroine, a former soap actress, who is helping the producer of the show. Ginger is hoping to rebuild her career to work as a choreographer, but she has to survive the small town’s dislike of her, based on the character she played on the soap opera. It doesn’t take long for both Gavin and Ginger to become intimately involved, with the promise it will end when the show is over.

This was really a very sweet story about second chances, and a wonderful romance between Gavin and Ginger. When Ginger first arrived with the television troupe, the whole town treated her badly, thinking of her as Destiny, the character she played on the soap opera. What made this such a nice story were the wonderful characters Solheim created. Gavin’s family, which includes his mom, who is having a secret affair with the town’s sheriff; his politician brother, who was bit obnoxious; a teenage girl, who is an outcast at school; Diesel, Ginger’s best friend, and producer of the television show, plus so many more, who play an integral part in this story.

Slowly, as she begins to help with many townsfolk, while staying at the B&B, Ginger will win them over. She also begins to fall hard for Gavin, as he has become irresistible, but Ginger knows she will move on soon. Gavin also cares for Ginger, and enjoys watching the town change toward her. Gavin figures they can keep their secret no commitment relationship going, as soon as he closes the deal and goes back to New York, where Ginger will be working. The wild ending with anything and everything going wrong, will bring things to a head, with all secrets revealed, and best laid plans that do not always work out. You will need to read this fun enjoyable book to find out what happens to many of these wonderful characters, as well as to Gavin and Ginger. Back to Before is a perfect read if you love romance, small towns, great characters, and a great couple.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher