🛋️ 🧰 ⚒️ “Second Time Around” (2023) ⚒️🧰🛋️ – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Language: English
ISBN: 0800739760
ISBN-13: 978-0800739768
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Who doesn't love a second chance?
When Mallory Farrell inherits her grandmother's run-down tourist shop in Portside, Oregon, she knows selling it is the only sensible thing to do. The place holds treasured memories for her, but it would take a fortune to restore it.
But she learns her childhood crush, Grayson Matthews, wants to buy the building to redevelop the funky town's business district into a soulless, cookie-cutter outdoor mall, Mallory digs in her heels. With a lot of hard work and a little bit of help, she is sure she can renovate the property herself.
Though Mallory makes incredible progress turning the store into an eclectic home décor shop, she’s heartbroken when an exciting opportunity turns into a guaranteed nightmare. Should she surrender her dreams to Grayson’s bulldozers? Or, is there a future for both of them in this charming seaside town?”
Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell (a division of Baker Books), for providing a complimentary review copy through their Revell Reads blogger program. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
I’ve actually read four (4) books by the author prior to this – three (3) Christmas novellas and The Happy Camper (which is now a feature film). I was supposed to read Looking for Leroy for the program last year, but the book was delayed in shipping and the program “excused” it. That book is still on my TBR list.
I saw the cover for this and thought it was beautiful – definitely cutesy and bright. And, the shop’s name ROMANCING THE HOME was cutesy. I LOVED the 80’s film ROMANCING THE STONE. The premise of the book was interesting, though I’m DEFINITELY not into the renovation stuff.
Interesting fact: between 2016-2020, when I’d go with my mom to one of her doctors, the office played (non-stop) the HGTV channel and the home renovation stuff. Some of it REALLY grated on my nerves (unrealistic timelines, unrealistic budgets, and some people not being satisfied). Needless to say anything with an extended theme of “renovation” has me running away from it..
But, given this was a second-chance type of romance – I went into it pretty excited.
Like most of Carlson’s novels, this is a standalone read.
She gives us quite the blend of characters:
🛋️ Mallory
⚒️ Grayson
✳️ Aunt Cindy
✳️ Val
✳️ Marie
🍨 Sandi
🧰 Thomas
📝 Corrina
Despite all of the characters – the story is told only from Mallory’s POV (in third person). I do think it would’ve given it more character to perhaps have added Grayson’s POV.
The story starts off with Mallory after her daughter’s wedding, a “bit” of shade at Mallory’s ex-husband. Mallory finds out her grandmother left her tourist shop and a small apartment over the shop to Mallory.
Mallory sees it as a second chance, and decides to check it out. Perhaps it is a chance to re-evaluate her life and see what she wants to do.
As soon as she arrives, she reconnects with Todd Matthews – who is now going by a “grown-up” Grayson. He wants to know her plans for the store, and then offers to buy it.
Mallory then connects with another friend – Sandi – who owns the ice cream store. Sandi is clued into what Grayson plans – a mall for the town. Of course, it is clear Portside needs something to re-attract the tourist trade. Though what is the problem. Instant, Mallory has an idea, and Romancing the Home is born.
At first Grayson isn’t too supportive, but then wants her to succeed. [I was wondering why he couldn’t have worked the mall around her to include it as an anchor store]. Given the age of the place – Grayson doesn’t do renovations [Mallory later learns why], and she ends up with Thomas who’d done some work for Sandi. The only problem? Mallory later learns he doesn’t have a license, which causes a LOT of problems down the road.
Mallory then decides to sell her home, and Kara has found someone via her grandmother.
Despite their initial reluctance, Mallory’s kids eventually come to the idea that selling the home is a good idea.
Sadly, until the closing – Mallory is on limited funds and Thomas flakes out on her. Things get worse when her cousins and aunt come to visit the store. And, there’s drama over who owns it – Val is the one it’s supposed to go to (or so they claim).
Mallory is able to get the store put together, with Grayson’s help, and attracts attention, even a reality series wants to feature it which ends up happening sooner rather than later. The problem? Her apartment. She eventually HAS to divulge the condition.
As much as she doesn’t want to – Mallory takes Grayson up on his offer of help because she needs a miracle, and she also finds help when Grayson’s daughter Lindsey offers to help. But, what Mallory doesn’t need is his rather jealous assistant coming after her.
It gets worse when Mallory’s family comes back – using a key to barge right in. [Um, that would be considered trespassing as they have no legal right to be there]. Mallory, in her frustration, offers to sell the place, but the condition causes the three women to run off. [Honestly – I wouldn’t have done that at all. Let it playout legally].
But, as always – things come together in this right down to the wire read – the renovations and even the romance with a slight storybook ending.
An ending that I felt was too abrupt.
This was an interesting read in the fact that I didn’t dislike it, it was definitely okay-good. But, there wasn’t much that really wowed me though. It’s not like I wouldn’t read it again, but it isn’t high up on my “re-read” stack either.
I feel bad rating this a three (3) star read as there was SO much potential for it. While I read it in about 36 hours, and it is a reasonable time-frame, it was the short chapters and fast-pace that really helped me get through it. I wanted to keep reading to see if the sizzle would be there and would certain things be “concluded”.
While categorized as a contemporary romance, the romance wasn’t “there” between Mallory and Grayson until the very end. It was more of a “very friendly” business partnership for most of the book.
Mallory, while divorced and not quite 50 (around my age) wasn’t really “likeable” or relatable. I’m surprised that she had silver hair. I’ve hardly found any grey in mine. I often feel like there’s a misconception that women over 45 are old, gray, and DONE with things. I hardly feel that way and don’t view myself an exception.
Moving on from there ...
Mallory worrying about Grayson and Corrina, or him and Amy was a bit tedious and just annoying. I repeatedly wanted to tell her “just ask him what the situation is”. The romance was also hampered by Mallory’s obsession to get the store ready for a TV show, in addition to her keeping the “secret” of her apartment away from the one guy who wanted to help and could’ve helped her. Despite Thomas’ promise, I would’ve told Grayson right off.
While I understand a balance between sweet little shops and malls, Mallory’s view about malls was pretty harsh given the fact they still are quite relevant, even in 2023. The two days I read this book; I actually went to the food court (had some promos to use at the eateries there). I can’t really imagine Cinnabon, pretzel stores, pizza places, and even Hot Dog on a Stick being “obsolete”.
While not as packed as it used to be – it had some solid business. And, I even learned a fried chicken chain was coming into the mall. If I had more money – I wouldn’t mind going more often. The one mall I have loved for over 25 years since it opened, has some pretty solid anchor stores as well as other major stores. There are some malls in this city that should close – but not all of them. One last note – our South Strip Outlet Mall is CONSISTENTLY packed with locals and tourists. The outlet downtown? I avoid – no parking and traffic issues, but it’s solid as well.
With that out of the way …
Mallory forgiving two people who wronged her was decidedly a bit “concerning”. One was Thomas who really shouldn’t have been working on her place without a license. While Grayson covered, it could’ve been worse. Corrina committed a crime sheerly out of spite and pettiness and was only upset when she was caught. That needed to be addressed because it wasn’t a juvenile act, it was someone who had serious issues.
The other characters weren’t that remarkable, but I did like Grayson as he came off as the MOST genuine and realistic. I did have an issue with him and his “recommendation” for Corrina at the end. I felt that was irresponsible given her attitude about him and what she did (vandalism). I’d certainly feel sorry should a future employer get ahold of the girl.
I deeply despised Cindy, Val, and Marie (disappointed she shared my name). They’re a sub-plot that could’ve been stretched out creatively – but I’m glad they weren’t. I do feel this plot ended too abruptly though. So, I’m very 50/50 on that.
I honestly would’ve changed the locks for the property. It’s really a good idea to prevent anyone – previous owners, contractors, etc. from getting access. That would be my first step when buying a home as well – new or previously owned. I’d also have a security system installed with cameras at least on the exterior (second thing). The security system would’ve helped with the vandalism issue. That was Mallory’s store and residence. Also, given her family – that would’ve provided some kind of warning.
There were some unresolved issues at the end – the mall Grayson was planning, the Thomas/Sandi “romance”, as well as the “awful” trio [do they still have access to the store].
I did enjoy the author highlighting what rules and regulations for growth can do. While they’re helpful to a point, sometimes it can come back and hinder development during a period of stagnation. Overgrowth and undergrowth are just as bad – too much, not enough.
Despite this being distributed by a primarily Christian publisher, there are very few – if any – Christian references. It is definitely a clean read with no foul language and no real intimacy. There is also limited “affection” in it.
This is more for those who enjoy renovations, TV shows featuring décor, and those who enjoy the Hallmark movie vibe.
While this was an “good/okay” read, I’m going to stay optimistic for Looking for Leroy, as well as future books by the author.
RATING:
3 ⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads (Liked It)
3 ⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub (Okay)
3 ⭐⭐⭐/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)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of more than 250 books with sales of more than 7.5 million, including many bestselling Christmas novellas, young adult titles, and contemporary romances. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, her novel All Summer Long has been made into a Hallmark movie, and the film version of The Happy Camper is soon to be released. She and her husband live in central Oregon. Learn more at www.MelodyCarlson.com.
You can find her on the following social media accounts:
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