Second Chance At Two Love Lane by Kieran KramerMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, as I have so many of Kieran Kramer's previous titles. The challenges facing Ella and Hank were concrete and easy to understand, and I appreciated that the author really made them work for their HEA. That said, there were a few little things that bothered me as I read, mainly in regards to the story's timeline. For example, both characters repeatedly mention that their breakup was "10 years ago," but if I'm remembering correctly, Ella says that she is 29. This is a problem because Ella and Hank's first date supposedly wasn't until after Ella graduated from college in Charleston and moved back to NYC, when she would have been 21 or 22. I get that people often round off when talking about numbers and time, but it still would have made a lot more sense if they had said their breakup was "ALMOST" or "ABOUT" 10 years ago, rather than repeatedly referring to it with an exact number. It also made it seem as if their relationship was very short, which didn't make sense since it was obviously such an important time in both of their lives.
On the bright side, Ella and Hank were both very likeable, and the secondary characters (especially Ella's Italian grandmothers, aka "the Nonnas," and Hank's cousin Pammy) were a lot of fun. I wouldn't mind seeing a couple of them get their own books.
This was the third book in a trilogy about three friends who own a professional matchmaking agency in Charleston, South Carolina. I have read the first two books, but I believe this one stands well enough on its own to be enjoyed by readers who are new to the series. The Charleston setting is delightful, especially for those (like me) who have had the pleasure of visiting the city. In fact, Kramer's descriptions of the city have me ready to plan a return trip right now! :-)
*ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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