💃🏻🕺🏻❤️ Second Chance for the Single Dad ❤️🕺🏻💃🏻 (2020) - Book Review

MY REVIEW

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages

Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming Larger Print; Original edition (March 3, 2020)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1335889620

ISBN-13: 978-1335889621

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 “She’ll save him a dance…

… if he follows his heart.

Dance teacher Camile Wynn has a new student. Reclusive Rhys McGrath is learning to waltz so he can take his orphaned niece to a father-daughter dance. Camile is surprised by her connection with him, but there’s a generous heart behind Rhys’s awkward exterior. When she learns Rhys could lose custody of his niece, Camile goes behind his back to help him…but will her lies end up hurting him instead?”

Thank you in advance to the author, Carol Ross, and Prism Book Tours for providing a complimentary review copy. A positive review was not required, all words are my own.

Carol Ross is yet another new-to-me author, which seems to be the case more often than not. I am getting quite familiar with Harlequin’s Heartwarming line though.

This is the “clean, wholesome” line of the Harlequin novels and one I’m VERY fond of. This line ranks #3 with Love Inspired #2, and Love Inspired Suspense being #1. There are no sex scenes or foul language. This book also has no Christian references for those looking for a clean read without them.

This story is heart-breaking, uplifting, endearing, precious, and beautiful. I love the message that perceptions can change based on how well we know someone as well as our own experiences.

Right off I disliked Rhys McGrath. The man was insufferable. And, right off I ALMOST skipped ahead. I didn’t. I just KNEW there was something there that had to redeem him – after all, this is a “wholesome story of love, compassion, and belonging” (the standard wording for the series). In addition there was his selfless “quiet” work with “The Other Front Line”, which focused on specific tools and prosthetics for Vets. How bad can this guy be?  

The more I read; I saw how the writer wrote him in a sympathetic manner and explained Rhys the more it went. It was more so how the character talked and acted that explained him.

Once I realized what his “problem” was (as the story progresses), it was easy to see how misunderstood he was. I know, anyone can say that about someone. In Rhys’ case, the reader (in this case me), has to be willing to be patient and accept him.

What exactly is his problem? Rhys is a genuine, honest person – to a fault. However, he does have a problem in interacting with others. Rhys’ honesty can be almost offensive, rude, and overbearing. Yet, there is no maliciousness in this multi-dimensional character. He also has a soft and compassionate side to him which is seen in several ways.

Camile, having had a previous encounter with him, doesn’t see it.

As luck (bad at that) would have it, they had previously crossed paths two years earlier. After a disastrous “dump and run” blind date, Camile’s view of him hasn’t changed – more so when he left her holding the check with no explanation as to what happened. And, worse? He doesn’t even remember the incident!

At first Camile becomes his “dance” teacher solely because of the money as she has a ton of part-time jobs to make ends meet. Yet, something about Rhys draws her to him. Still, she can’t shake off that moment two years earlier.

She witnesses his softer side when he takes care of her after she falls ill. That doesn’t reconcile with the first meeting and it plagues her as to what happened all those years ago. In addition, she also finds herself in major legal trouble.

Rhys wants to keep to himself, but that jeopardizes his custody case. His brother Evan, and even Evan’s wife Vanessa, wanted Rhys to get custody of Willow upon their deaths. Evan died two years ago of a stroke, Vanessa three months earlier. Vanessa’s sister won’t stand for it and sues for custody.

Despite her own misgivings about Rhys, I enjoyed Camile’s compassion for him, even defending him against unfounded rumors due to his aloofness.

In an effort to help him keep custody of his niece, Willow, Camile agrees to what his sister Anne asks – be his companion since Camile seems to be a positive force in his life. As a result, he becomes slightly more outgoing, and less off-putting.

What is interesting is that she doesn’t demand he change who he is, but softens his bluntness and brings balance. She, for lack of a better description, becomes the “better half”. At first, she does it for the money, but she soon (and genuinely) comes to care for him. Slight spoiler: she had been a psychology major who failed her thesis (watch for that little plot to come back in the story). That likely gives her insight into Rhys’ behavior.

While she is trying to help him keep Willow, he is also having a friend of hers “investigated” after the woman makes snide comments about Camile’s situation. He just feels something is off.

And, something is not only off with Camile’s friend, but Heather as well.

In this little, sweet romance, there is also a slight twinge of suspense –

Is Heather acting from a truly altruistic side? Why is Laura so snotty to her friend? And, why did Rhys blow Camile off all those years ago?

Ross ties it all together without overwhelming the reader. I will say there are “hints” as to what happened two years ago on that date.

As usual – this has the standard “happily ever after ending” which is endearing.

Ross’ realistically portrays family dynamics and dysfunction, jealousy, along with the impact of false allegations and assumptions.

I truly enjoyed this story which was definitely ‘too good to put down”.

While Rhys was introduced in the last book of the “Pacific Cove” Romance series, this book acts as a standalone. However, as the “residents” of that series are also in this book, I would recommend that the reader read those books as well.

RATING:

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)

Books in the “Pacific Cove Romance” Series:

Series: A Pacific Cove Romance (Book #1)

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages

Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming Larger Print; Original edition (November 22, 2016)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 037336816X

ISBN-13: 978-0373368167

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“Nobody is going to hurt her— not on his watch

A DEA stealth mission has brought coast guard Lt. Commander Eli Pelletier home. But when he ends up aiding rescue swimmer Aubrey Wynn during her own harrowing mission, powerful emotions reignite between them. Except Aubrey doesn’t want Eli’s protection. She wants answers.

Twelve years ago, Eli broke up with Aubrey without telling her the real reason he was leaving Pacific Cove. How can he try for a second chance if he’s forced to deceive her again? Amid suspected drug trafficking and a sabotaged Christmas contest, Eli must find a way to regain Aubrey’s trust without compromising his career or endangering the woman he loves.”

Series: A Pacific Cove Romance (Book #2)

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages

Publisher: Harlequin Books; Larger Print edition (June 6, 2017)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0373368402

ISBN-13: 978-0373368402

(Currently Unavailable)

“Saving lives is who they are 

Risking his life for others is all in a day's work for Coast Guard petty officer Jay Johnston. Until he comes to the rescue of Mia Frasier after her small plane goes down. Maybe it's because the empathetic blue-eyed vet wants to save the world just as passionately as Jay wants to create a safe haven for his five younger siblings, but there's no denying their bond. Despite his growing feelings for Mia, a romantic relationship isn't on Jay's radar. How can two people always on the move stay in one place long enough to create a family of their own?”

Series: A Pacific Cove Romance (Book 3)

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages

Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming Larger Print; Original edition (October 1, 2019)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1335510877

ISBN-13: 978-1335510877

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“Hired to protect her

…unable to resist her

The job sounds simple: teach a businessman’s daughter how to stay safe. But former navy SEAL turned bodyguard Kyle Frasier has a personal motive, too. Harper Jansen is his late best friend’s fiancée. Loyalty demands he protect her, not that Harper looks in need of rescuing. In fact, it’s Kyle who needs help—balancing duty with his desire to build a life with the one woman he shouldn’t want…”

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