🏝️🏖️🏨 💒 “Second Chance with the Bridesmaid” (Greek Paradise Escape #3) (2022) 💒🏨🏖️🏝️ – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Series: Greek Paradise Escape (Book #3)
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Romance Larger Print (November 29, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN: 1335736905
ISBN-13: 978-1335736901
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Reunited at a wedding
Reawakening their spark!
Billionaire best man Krystof must preserve his friends’ dream wedding. Only, he’ll be working alongside bridesmaid Adara. He can’t forget their undeniable bond, but Krystof could only ever offer something casual. Now, alone on a luxurious private island, their chemistry is once again irresistible. But this time, Adara makes it clear that she’s only interested in a second chance if the lone-wolf Greek promises it’s forever…”
Thank you in advance to the author, Jennifer Faye, for providing a complimentary review copy. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
It’s been almost three years since I read my first book of Jennifer Faye’s.
Since March 2020, I’ve read nine of her Harlequin Romances, three of her Bluestar Island books, and a Hallmark Christmas book. I do have two of the Bluestar Island books on the TBR list.
So, I’m very familiar with her work.
It was just last February (2022) when this series started with Greek Heir to Claim Her Heart which featured Atlas and Hermione. Readers who haven’t read that book should read it before this one, as this book is going to give away MAJOR spoilers. The wedding being planned is Atlas and Hermione’s.
Unlike the title suggests – Adara isn’t the bridesmaid, she is the maid of honor. As of note, I LOVE the dress on the cover!
Returning characters: Hermione, Atlas, Indigo (though a minor appearance), and Krystoff are also in the book. Prince Istvan is mentioned as well. There is a reference to the Ruby Heart and its “legacy”.
Since this is the third book in the series, it would a good idea for readers to read them before this one.
There might be some content in this that could be upsetting to certain readers. There is a mention of foster child abuse, and early on-set menopause.
This begins in July with Adara trying to surprise Krystoff in Paris, and getting a “not-so-good” surprise herself –> Krystoff and another woman.
She decides to break up via email and ghosts him. As of note, this is about only the second or third novel I’ve read where the term “ghosting” has been used.
For those unfamiliar, ghosting is defined as “when someone cuts off all communication without explanation”.
Three months later Adara has a lot going on:
#1 – she’s missed her cycle
#2 – she’s helping Hermione with the wedding, especially when the bride and groom-to-be have to leave for a family emergency
#3 – she’s having to deal with Krystoff’s return to Ludus Island, he’s also there to help the wedding stay on track
Krystoff wants answers as to why Adara ghosted him. Adara doesn’t feel she should have to tell him.
Things get worse when Adara and Indigo learn they have the wrong wedding and bridesmaid dresses. Krystoff offers to help sort it out, despite his feelings on marriage.
After learning the shop is out of business, Krystoff suggests using his social media site (like Facebook) to locate the dresses and to return the ones to the proper owners.
That isn’t the only issue with the wedding – another complication springs up leaving Adara wondering what is going on with the wedding. Even I had to shake my head. Then again, I’ve had similar luck (not with a wedding), so it was completely normal.
In addition to helping Adara, Krystoff is hoping to figure out what happened between them.
As much as Adara wants to work things out with Krystoff, his “wandering” ways are in conflict with what she wants. His history is from his childhood past – abusive and multiple foster homes; Adara wants something “settled” in her life.
Even when Adara learns who the woman is, she has a hard time trying to accept the type of relationship Krystoff wants to give her. Even more so when she learns a devastating truth about herself.
As usual, Faye keeps readers tuned in until the end before delivering a happily-ever-after ending. And, in this read – some lessons about the perfect wedding.
Hermione is perfect in the moment when she learns about the dress mix-up. She doesn’t seem to care – as long as she is marrying the man she loves.
And, the dress mix-up was one of my favorite parts of the story. I absolutely loved the mystery of it. It truly made the story more interesting and added depth to it.
I will admit that I wanted a bit more about the owners of the business and what truly happened – why didn’t they try to contact customers affected by any mishaps (they HAD to know there were mishaps), or let the customers know they were going out of business? What happened to the owners that caused them to close their shop?
Perhaps the author will work this into another story to “connect” the books.
That said …
I also loved the idea of using social media (similar to Facebook) to find the dresses was a great idea. And, it was interesting it came from Krystoff. Usually, as I’ve seen on Facebook, those ideas tend to come from women.
Obviously there was a sad part that involved a health issue with Adara, and Krystoff’s commitment issues were a bit annoying to work through.
Overall, I absolutely enjoyed the book. Faye’s use of short chapters helped move the story along, as did her pacing. It didn’t stagnate or feel rushed at all.
Fans of the author are sure to enjoy this read. This is a “sweet” romance. As a result, there is only reference to intimacy, and no real descriptions at all. The language is very mild as well.
I can’t wait to see where Jennifer Faye is going to take her readers next and am eagerly awaiting her next book.
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;update https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)
PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES:
Series: Greek Paradise Escape (Book #1)
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Romance Larger Print (January 25, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335736743
ISBN-13: 978-1335736741
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“From Greek island fling
To forever?
Managing a luxury resort on a picturesque Greek island is more than a job for Hermione Kappas. It’s been her lifeline since losing her home and family. So when gorgeous Atlas Othonos, who has recently inherited the resort, arrives set on selling it, Hermione has just two weeks to change his mind. But as their Valentine’s Day deadline approaches, it’s Hermione’s feelings for Atlas that are changing into something more …”
Series: Greek Paradise Escape (Book #2)
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Romance Larger Print (July 26, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335736743
ISBN-13: 978-1335736741
Click Photo for Purchase Information ➡️
“An extraordinary kiss…
…will transform her ordinary life!
While artist Indigo is painting a formal portrait of Prince Istvan of Rydiania, her buttoned-up emotions are derailed when they share an unexpected kiss! After Istvan’s family ruined her father, Indigo was warned never to trust a Rydianian royal. But even though her head tells her they shouldn’t take this any further, Indigo sees something unique in Istvan. Putting her heart on the line, she knows he’s worth trusting…with her future!”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Award-winning author, Jennifer Faye pens fun, heartwarming contemporary romances with rugged cowboys, sexy billionaires and enchanting royalty. Internationally published with books translated into nine languages. She is a two-time winner of the RT Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Award, the CataRomance Reviewers' Choice Award, named a TOP PICK author, and been nominated for numerous other awards.
You can follow her on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferFayeAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JenniferFaye34
Website: http://jenniferfaye.com/
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