This Time Around is a three novella compilation. The first, A Summer Detour, is by Denise Hunter. The second, Pining for You, is by Melissa Ferguson. And, the last, He Loves Me; He Loves Me Not, is by Kathleen Fuller. All three, are light, clean romances.

This Time Around – A Summer Detour

Denise Hunter is one of my all-time favorite authors. If she writes it, I’m going to read it. So, as you might guess A Summer Detour was my favorite novella in this collection. For one thing, it’s a second chance romance and that particular trope is one I always enjoy. Many of us wish for a second chance and there’s something satisfying in seeing it work for others.

A second reason I liked this was I got to revisit Copper Creek and see how a favorite hero, Brady Collins, was doing. Brady got all kinds of feels in Honeysuckle Dreams because he was the best sort of man who deserved a happily-ever-after.

A third reason I liked A Summer Detour was it had characters I liked. Allie Adams feels like everyone thinks she’s not responsible and her desire to prove her family wrong had me rooting for her from the beginning. Luke Fletcher, the guy who broke Allie’s heart, was a complex character, who really I thought acted a little stupid when he dumped Allie years ago, but he was young and we all make stupid decisions when we’re young.

This had some great laugh-out-loud moments involving a cabin and a raccoon. All in all, it was a sweet, summer romance read.

This Time Around – Pining for You

I’ve only read one other Melissa Ferguson book and I enjoyed it. Pining For You was another second chance romance. I liked it. Theodore “Theo” Watkins, III seemed like the ultimate nerd, but such a lovable nerd. He was not the typical hero in that he had fear of the dark, bugs, and snakes. The descriptions of him trying to look like an outdoorsman are priceless.

Skye Fuller was his love interest, and she’s the girl whose heart he broke. An artist and a bit of a free-spirit, she was the perfect opposite of Theo. But it was so easy to see why Theo would love her because she pushed him to try new things.

There was good chemistry between the two main characters and several scenes that cracked me up.

This Time Around – He Loves Me; He Loves Me Not

I’ve never read anything by Kathleen Fuller. She writes well, but I didn’t enjoy this novella as much as the others. I think I found this story the hardest to suspend my belief. The two main characters, Sophie Morgan and Joe Johnson, were likable enough, but I couldn’t really believe in their romance.

This wasn’t really a second chance romance. It was more like a delayed surprise of a romance. And maybe that’s what bothered me. Sophie and Joe had known each other almost all their lives, but never had a romantic thought about each other. Then, boom! At thirty-five they suddenly realize they love each other.

I liked that it was set in Arkansas. I’m an Arkansan and not many books are set in this fabulous state of mine. And, I think Fuller captured the friendly, down home feel found here.

Final Thoughts

The books are clean, fun romances that are perfect for reading at the beach or the pool. If you like light romances, this will please you.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishing through Net Galley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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