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Return to Briarwood #1
Once and Again
For readers of Shannon Stacey and Susan Mallery, the heartfelt new Briarwood series begins with a tale of forbidden love, broken promises, and second chances.
Growing up in Eastbridge, Connecticut, Carolyn Rivington was a young debutante who did whatever her parents asked. So when her father demanded that she break things off with the boy from the wrong side of the tracks or else, she did. Now Carolyn’s family is deep in debt. She’s no longer a member of the Briarwood Golf and Yacht Club, she’s an employee. And the tanned, tattooed, dangerously handsome stranger who saunters into her lobby isn’t just her new boss . . . he’s also her first love.
The last time he saw Carolyn, Jake Gaffney was in the back of a police cruiser, handcuffed and humiliated. But seeing her again stirs other memories: a blanket on the beach, the moon above their heads, and the most expensive bottle of wine he could afford. Now the tables have turned. As a real-estate magnate and Briarwood’s new owner, Jake doesn’t have to answer to anyone. But now that he’s back home, he’s finding it hard to live down his old reputation.
Before they can move forward, Jake and Carolyn must face their pasts. But it’ll take more than sizzling chemistry for them to heal old wounds and return to the love they once shared.
Growing up in Eastbridge, Connecticut, Carolyn Rivington was a young debutante who did whatever her parents asked. So when her father demanded that she break things off with the boy from the wrong side of the tracks or else, she did. Now Carolyn’s family is deep in debt. She’s no longer a member of the Briarwood Golf and Yacht Club, she’s an employee. And the tanned, tattooed, dangerously handsome stranger who saunters into her lobby isn’t just her new boss . . . he’s also her first love.
The last time he saw Carolyn, Jake Gaffney was in the back of a police cruiser, handcuffed and humiliated. But seeing her again stirs other memories: a blanket on the beach, the moon above their heads, and the most expensive bottle of wine he could afford. Now the tables have turned. As a real-estate magnate and Briarwood’s new owner, Jake doesn’t have to answer to anyone. But now that he’s back home, he’s finding it hard to live down his old reputation.
Before they can move forward, Jake and Carolyn must face their pasts. But it’ll take more than sizzling chemistry for them to heal old wounds and return to the love they once shared.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2015
33 people are currently reading
430 people want to read
About the author
Elisabeth Barrett
17 books223 followersElisabeth Barrett lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and spends her days teaching, editing, writing sexy contemporary romance, and enjoying time with her sometimes-bearded husband and three spirited children. She is constantly perfecting her home-work-writing juggling act, but in her free time she loves to hike open space preserves, grow orchids, bake sweet things her husband won’t eat, and sing in grand choruses.
To find out more about Elisabeth and her books, please sign up for her newsletter or vist her at her website, on Twitter, or on Facebook.
To find out more about Elisabeth and her books, please sign up for her newsletter or vist her at her website, on Twitter, or on Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
June 30, 2015
Carolyn Rivington, the once privileged and wealthy debutante, is now working for the country club where her family were once members. Crippled with debt and a financial scandal, Carolyn is making the best of the circumstances without the aid of long gone friends or family. Things get turned upside down, though, when the new owner of the Briarwood Golf and Yacht Club turns out to be Jake Gaffney, the boy (now man) who was her first and only love who her family (and she) ended up rejecting.
This was more than a second chance romance as Carolyn was a symbol of strength and perseverance as she pulled herself up by her bootstraps to craft a new identity and create a new life. Jake had done the same and returned full of anger and vengeance but transformed in the midst of Carolyn's example.
I like everything about this story, including the strong supporting cast of characters that complete the circle of friends and makeshift family for both Jake and Carolyn. Instead of a rehash of their teen romance, they embraced the people each had become and developed a memorable relationship. Life is far from perfect in Briarwood and it made for a richer reading experience. I'm excited about this new series and what comes next.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
This was more than a second chance romance as Carolyn was a symbol of strength and perseverance as she pulled herself up by her bootstraps to craft a new identity and create a new life. Jake had done the same and returned full of anger and vengeance but transformed in the midst of Carolyn's example.
I like everything about this story, including the strong supporting cast of characters that complete the circle of friends and makeshift family for both Jake and Carolyn. Instead of a rehash of their teen romance, they embraced the people each had become and developed a memorable relationship. Life is far from perfect in Briarwood and it made for a richer reading experience. I'm excited about this new series and what comes next.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
July 7, 2015
****Full Review****
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Carolyn is a former rich girl currently drowning in bills due to her father's mismanagement of money. Working at a country club that she used to stay at has humbled her and revealed her tougher side. When the country club gets bought by none other than Jake, the boy from the wrong side of the tracks her parents had arrested for making out with her, she thinks her world will crumble again. Jake has never forgotten Carolyn and used his anger for motivation to work his way to the top. When he sees her at her lowest, he wants to be glad but old feelings start to be rekindled. Jake and Carolyn are still struggling with the past but have a second chance to make things right for the future.
Once and Again is the first in a new series and it is painfully obvious. Secondary characters, especially a newly acquired friend of Carolyn, get loads of face time with little story tangents that have no real place in this story but are obviously meant to intrigue for future interest in later books. This, along with pages devoted to tedious descriptions and doings by Carolyn, filled the story with unnecessary details that dragged and created a slow pace. I enjoyed and liked seeing the female relationships Carolyn cultivated but I mainly came for the romantic relationship between her and Jake, sadly this was missing.
Carolyn seemed like a stiff character, I could never quite get a read on her and as a consequence never felt attached. She is working to pay off her father's debts, while her sisters apparently got out of Dodge, and while she cries and gets hot for Jake, I never felt true emotion from her. Jake had more vitality to him but, especially for the first half, he felt like a guest star in his own story. We get to see more of his personality through his interactions with two of his business partners but I would have loved to see him with Carolyn more. There were no flashback scenes to the two meeting and falling in love as kids which left them without a foundation in this story. It essentially felt like they see each other again, feel some sparks again, sleep together, spend a lot of the story apart, sleep together, Carolyn has a handful of pages wondering if she should be with Jake, and then are together forever. Sadly, at no point did I feel or understand their romance.
This story basically follows Carolyn's life as she finds her way working at the country club, many side tangents of what I am guessing are future characters, Jake's commercial real estate issues, and Carolyn and Jake's infrequent meet-ups. The writing is technically sound but the actual story drifts into being boring and loses its focus many times. There was promise here with rich girl and the boy from the wrong side of the tracks, unfortunately, the author seemed too focused on setting up characters for future books.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Carolyn is a former rich girl currently drowning in bills due to her father's mismanagement of money. Working at a country club that she used to stay at has humbled her and revealed her tougher side. When the country club gets bought by none other than Jake, the boy from the wrong side of the tracks her parents had arrested for making out with her, she thinks her world will crumble again. Jake has never forgotten Carolyn and used his anger for motivation to work his way to the top. When he sees her at her lowest, he wants to be glad but old feelings start to be rekindled. Jake and Carolyn are still struggling with the past but have a second chance to make things right for the future.
Once and Again is the first in a new series and it is painfully obvious. Secondary characters, especially a newly acquired friend of Carolyn, get loads of face time with little story tangents that have no real place in this story but are obviously meant to intrigue for future interest in later books. This, along with pages devoted to tedious descriptions and doings by Carolyn, filled the story with unnecessary details that dragged and created a slow pace. I enjoyed and liked seeing the female relationships Carolyn cultivated but I mainly came for the romantic relationship between her and Jake, sadly this was missing.
Carolyn seemed like a stiff character, I could never quite get a read on her and as a consequence never felt attached. She is working to pay off her father's debts, while her sisters apparently got out of Dodge, and while she cries and gets hot for Jake, I never felt true emotion from her. Jake had more vitality to him but, especially for the first half, he felt like a guest star in his own story. We get to see more of his personality through his interactions with two of his business partners but I would have loved to see him with Carolyn more. There were no flashback scenes to the two meeting and falling in love as kids which left them without a foundation in this story. It essentially felt like they see each other again, feel some sparks again, sleep together, spend a lot of the story apart, sleep together, Carolyn has a handful of pages wondering if she should be with Jake, and then are together forever. Sadly, at no point did I feel or understand their romance.
This story basically follows Carolyn's life as she finds her way working at the country club, many side tangents of what I am guessing are future characters, Jake's commercial real estate issues, and Carolyn and Jake's infrequent meet-ups. The writing is technically sound but the actual story drifts into being boring and loses its focus many times. There was promise here with rich girl and the boy from the wrong side of the tracks, unfortunately, the author seemed too focused on setting up characters for future books.
July 13, 2015
1 - "You can't change what you can't change." Star.
DNF @ 49%
I hate, literally hate writing a DNF sum up for a book by Elizabeth Barrett, her Star Harbor series is one of my all-time favorite reads, and to say I was excited to learn that a new series was coming our way in the form of Return to Briarwood would be an understatement.
This book has all the potential to be a five star read; second chance love - Carolyn and Jake have not seen each other in fifteen years, in that time he has gone from poor too rich, and Carolyn the reverse, their initial parting was not on good terms, and the potential for their re-connection to offer up some real drama, rediscovery and sexy times was strong.
What I cannot understand, even though this is a series, is then adding another POV from a totally unrelated character in single-mom Jane Porter, yes shes a new friend to Carolyn, but that was about it @ the 49% mark. I also struggle with the amount if secondary characters and side plots that are zipping off all over the place, yes as a series you expect there to be a lot of characters, and recurring ones at that, but if they don't have any real relevance in the major scheme of things in relation to the couple the book is about leave it until later on when the reader has started to remember who is important and what their relevance to the story is. At one point there are several paragraphs outlining who Carolyn's boss was, his wife and kids names and what they liked to do in their spare time, erroneous for me, and it is things like this that took what should have been a pretty easy read and bogged it down with lots of information that wasn't necessarily needed at the very beginning of the series.
The other problem for me, is that I didn't really feel any empathy for either Carolyn, Jake and Jane as her story started to be revealed. We have -
- Carolyn; the Martyr to a father who although responsible for losing the families wealth, couldn't give a shit about anyone but himself, and two sisters that are off doing who knows what, who knows where.
- Jake; who has come back to flip the bird at all the people who turned their noses up at him when he was poor and from the wrong side of the tracks, when in reality even with money they still see him exactly the same way.
- Jane; a woman who has left a husband and is trying make the best of a fresh start, whilst bringing up a child on her own in pretty extenuating circumstances, to then have further drama dropped on her in the form of a meddling mother and the re-appearance of said ex.
It was just too much too soon for me, and it just slowed the story's pace down to that of a snail. Unfortunately, as a reader I know it is definitely time to call it a day when my mind is wandering to such an extent that I have written next weeks shopping list in my head whilst kidding myself that I am actually still reading the book. The frustrating thing is that all the elements I loved about the authors previous books were there, a sexy alpha male, well written sexy times, and that hometown feel that I enjoy from book series overall, it just all got a bit lost on this occasion.
This is only my opinion, and I hope that I am in the minority as I really, really do love this authors work usually, and I am totally bummed that it just didn't work for me on this occasion.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
DNF @ 49%
I hate, literally hate writing a DNF sum up for a book by Elizabeth Barrett, her Star Harbor series is one of my all-time favorite reads, and to say I was excited to learn that a new series was coming our way in the form of Return to Briarwood would be an understatement.
This book has all the potential to be a five star read; second chance love - Carolyn and Jake have not seen each other in fifteen years, in that time he has gone from poor too rich, and Carolyn the reverse, their initial parting was not on good terms, and the potential for their re-connection to offer up some real drama, rediscovery and sexy times was strong.
What I cannot understand, even though this is a series, is then adding another POV from a totally unrelated character in single-mom Jane Porter, yes shes a new friend to Carolyn, but that was about it @ the 49% mark. I also struggle with the amount if secondary characters and side plots that are zipping off all over the place, yes as a series you expect there to be a lot of characters, and recurring ones at that, but if they don't have any real relevance in the major scheme of things in relation to the couple the book is about leave it until later on when the reader has started to remember who is important and what their relevance to the story is. At one point there are several paragraphs outlining who Carolyn's boss was, his wife and kids names and what they liked to do in their spare time, erroneous for me, and it is things like this that took what should have been a pretty easy read and bogged it down with lots of information that wasn't necessarily needed at the very beginning of the series.
The other problem for me, is that I didn't really feel any empathy for either Carolyn, Jake and Jane as her story started to be revealed. We have -
- Carolyn; the Martyr to a father who although responsible for losing the families wealth, couldn't give a shit about anyone but himself, and two sisters that are off doing who knows what, who knows where.
- Jake; who has come back to flip the bird at all the people who turned their noses up at him when he was poor and from the wrong side of the tracks, when in reality even with money they still see him exactly the same way.
- Jane; a woman who has left a husband and is trying make the best of a fresh start, whilst bringing up a child on her own in pretty extenuating circumstances, to then have further drama dropped on her in the form of a meddling mother and the re-appearance of said ex.
It was just too much too soon for me, and it just slowed the story's pace down to that of a snail. Unfortunately, as a reader I know it is definitely time to call it a day when my mind is wandering to such an extent that I have written next weeks shopping list in my head whilst kidding myself that I am actually still reading the book. The frustrating thing is that all the elements I loved about the authors previous books were there, a sexy alpha male, well written sexy times, and that hometown feel that I enjoy from book series overall, it just all got a bit lost on this occasion.
This is only my opinion, and I hope that I am in the minority as I really, really do love this authors work usually, and I am totally bummed that it just didn't work for me on this occasion.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
July 13, 2015
Slick's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Color me happy when Elisabeth Barrett announced a new series and Once and Again proved to atruegemawardbe an excellent first book and did a fantastic job of setting up this series. Briarwood is a country club that is bleeding money and whose business has been steadily declining and its board of directors had no choice but to look for someone to buy it; little did they know that the new owner was an ex-caddy who was fired one summer after being caught fraternizing with the daughter of a very prominent member; the same girl, now woman who has been forced to work there as an event planner following a scandal that not only ruined her family name but lost them their fortune. I swear it's like Caddyshack meets Maid In Manhattan meets the Maury Povich show and I enjoyed every single minute of it!
I really love strong heroines and Carolyn Rivington defines the word; losing everything she's ever known she's picked herself up, gotten a job, is paying off her family's debts, and working as hard as she can to make herself useful to the country club where she was once a member. Growing up in a life of privilege Carolyn could have rolled over and buried her head or married someone to take care of her but instead she is making the most of the cards she was dealt. Yes, for a good part of her life she was spoiled and out of touch and while this has been a huge eye opening event for her I admire her for the way she tackled her problems and didn't wait for someone else to bail her out. So when she realizes that the boy now man that gave her the most memorable summer of her life and the one her father had arrested is the new owner of the club where she works she expects the worst but soon finds herself in a much different situation.
There's no doubt that Jacob (Jake) Gaffney took great pleasure in buying the very same country club that dismissed him years ago or the fact that he loves he tricked the board of directors or that he holds the job of the woman who once shunned him in the palm of his hand. Jake however isn't that boy from the wrong side of the tracks anymore; he's worked hard and made a name for himself in the business world yet both that incident from years ago and the venom his dad spewed at him all his life have affected him deeply.
From the start it was evident that despite the years there was still something between Carolyn and Jake and even though they did everything to hide it and even traded barbs they just couldn't deny it. I enjoyed watching them learn about each other as adults; the way these discovered little things about each other and shared some of the big things that had happened along the way. I appreciated that they were able to put those differences aside and work together on the plans to renovate the country club and win over the board of directors trying to block their every move. I loved that even when their relationship turned physical that their personal lives never got in the way of the professional lives.
There was so much good in this book including Carolyn's new friendships, Jake reconnecting with old friends and business associates and the little ways both Carolyn and Jake took care of each other often without the other one knowing. There were several side storylines going on in this book which did take some of the spotlight off the main characters, however I still felt their story was front and center. That being said though, some of those storylines were obviously setting up future books and that left this book feeling somewhat unfinished.
A fresh and entertaining plot, interesting and engaging characters, and some smexy loving made Once and Again a fantastic start to a new series.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
Color me happy when Elisabeth Barrett announced a new series and Once and Again proved to atruegemawardbe an excellent first book and did a fantastic job of setting up this series. Briarwood is a country club that is bleeding money and whose business has been steadily declining and its board of directors had no choice but to look for someone to buy it; little did they know that the new owner was an ex-caddy who was fired one summer after being caught fraternizing with the daughter of a very prominent member; the same girl, now woman who has been forced to work there as an event planner following a scandal that not only ruined her family name but lost them their fortune. I swear it's like Caddyshack meets Maid In Manhattan meets the Maury Povich show and I enjoyed every single minute of it!
I really love strong heroines and Carolyn Rivington defines the word; losing everything she's ever known she's picked herself up, gotten a job, is paying off her family's debts, and working as hard as she can to make herself useful to the country club where she was once a member. Growing up in a life of privilege Carolyn could have rolled over and buried her head or married someone to take care of her but instead she is making the most of the cards she was dealt. Yes, for a good part of her life she was spoiled and out of touch and while this has been a huge eye opening event for her I admire her for the way she tackled her problems and didn't wait for someone else to bail her out. So when she realizes that the boy now man that gave her the most memorable summer of her life and the one her father had arrested is the new owner of the club where she works she expects the worst but soon finds herself in a much different situation.
There's no doubt that Jacob (Jake) Gaffney took great pleasure in buying the very same country club that dismissed him years ago or the fact that he loves he tricked the board of directors or that he holds the job of the woman who once shunned him in the palm of his hand. Jake however isn't that boy from the wrong side of the tracks anymore; he's worked hard and made a name for himself in the business world yet both that incident from years ago and the venom his dad spewed at him all his life have affected him deeply.
From the start it was evident that despite the years there was still something between Carolyn and Jake and even though they did everything to hide it and even traded barbs they just couldn't deny it. I enjoyed watching them learn about each other as adults; the way these discovered little things about each other and shared some of the big things that had happened along the way. I appreciated that they were able to put those differences aside and work together on the plans to renovate the country club and win over the board of directors trying to block their every move. I loved that even when their relationship turned physical that their personal lives never got in the way of the professional lives.
There was so much good in this book including Carolyn's new friendships, Jake reconnecting with old friends and business associates and the little ways both Carolyn and Jake took care of each other often without the other one knowing. There were several side storylines going on in this book which did take some of the spotlight off the main characters, however I still felt their story was front and center. That being said though, some of those storylines were obviously setting up future books and that left this book feeling somewhat unfinished.
A fresh and entertaining plot, interesting and engaging characters, and some smexy loving made Once and Again a fantastic start to a new series.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
July 7, 2015
I like the idea behind this book, young lovers separated over 15 years and a second chance at romance. Carolyn was the perfect little rich girl with the perfect life and Jake was the guy from the wrong side of the tracks. When Carolyn's dad gets Jake arrested, Carolyn has no contact with him for 15 years. She loved him but chose to follow her father's wishes instead. Fast forward 15 years and Carolyn's family is in a bad place. Her dad lost all their money, she's alone and poor working at the same country club she grew up going to as a member. Jake is in a different place too. He's now wealthy and comes back to town as the owner of the country club Carolyn is working at. I liked the set up for this story but I did have a few issues with it. I'm not a huge fan of 3rd person stories and with this one there were just so many characters it was hard to keep them straight. There were a lot of secondary characters and I have no idea who the next book is going to be about because there were so many to choose from. Overall, I did enjoy some of this story but I'm unsure if I will read more in this series.
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
February 4, 2016
This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
Second-chance romances are the absolute best! And Once and Again was both nostalgic, sweet, hot and well done!
Once and Again is filled with nostalgia, but there is also an underlying tension that isn't all positive, especially in the beginning. Carolyn had a pretty easy childhood, her parents were well off, and if she visited the golf club, it was as a guest. One summer, she fell for one of the caddie's and they had a short, but hot relationship - until her father caught them and sent the young man away in handcuffs. Years later, Carolyn is down on her luck, her father has lost all their money, and she's working as an event organizor at the golf club to make ends meet. What she didn't know is that that caddie from a long ago summer is the new owner, and neither of them have forgotten the stolen moments they spent together.
There was quite a bit of emotions in Once and Again, especially for Carolyn, who was going through a hard time, having to reconcile her father with what the newspaper had written about him once money disappeared from the company. When her lawyer turned out to be a sleaze, Jake came to her rescue, but he wasn't sure he wanted to be in her orbit ever again. They both had regrets, and they weren't sure if they could trust each other again, even if they were on the same team for the time being.
I enjoyed the setting of Briarwood, the characters were well fleshed out, and I am already intrigued about Jake's friends who helped with some capital when needed. A contemporary romance with adult characters who know who they are, but not necessarily what they want in life, or exactly the direction they are going, Once and Again was a compelling story that kept my interest. Definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
Carolyn had segued from her introduction of the event to the logistics, and he forced himself to concentrate. Not on the long line of her neck and throat. Not on that little skirt she wore, fitted in all the right places. And definitely not on the mouth he used to spend hours devouring. Thinking about her any way but professionally was just trouble.
"Oh, so my house is a 'site' now?" she teased, lightening the mood.
"Was for me, this morning."
"I should be honored - the well-known real estate developer Jake Gaffney helping out on-site, at my house, raking leaves and rebuilding my dock."
Second-chance romances are the absolute best! And Once and Again was both nostalgic, sweet, hot and well done!
Once and Again is filled with nostalgia, but there is also an underlying tension that isn't all positive, especially in the beginning. Carolyn had a pretty easy childhood, her parents were well off, and if she visited the golf club, it was as a guest. One summer, she fell for one of the caddie's and they had a short, but hot relationship - until her father caught them and sent the young man away in handcuffs. Years later, Carolyn is down on her luck, her father has lost all their money, and she's working as an event organizor at the golf club to make ends meet. What she didn't know is that that caddie from a long ago summer is the new owner, and neither of them have forgotten the stolen moments they spent together.
There was quite a bit of emotions in Once and Again, especially for Carolyn, who was going through a hard time, having to reconcile her father with what the newspaper had written about him once money disappeared from the company. When her lawyer turned out to be a sleaze, Jake came to her rescue, but he wasn't sure he wanted to be in her orbit ever again. They both had regrets, and they weren't sure if they could trust each other again, even if they were on the same team for the time being.
I enjoyed the setting of Briarwood, the characters were well fleshed out, and I am already intrigued about Jake's friends who helped with some capital when needed. A contemporary romance with adult characters who know who they are, but not necessarily what they want in life, or exactly the direction they are going, Once and Again was a compelling story that kept my interest. Definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
Carolyn had segued from her introduction of the event to the logistics, and he forced himself to concentrate. Not on the long line of her neck and throat. Not on that little skirt she wore, fitted in all the right places. And definitely not on the mouth he used to spend hours devouring. Thinking about her any way but professionally was just trouble.
"Oh, so my house is a 'site' now?" she teased, lightening the mood.
"Was for me, this morning."
"I should be honored - the well-known real estate developer Jake Gaffney helping out on-site, at my house, raking leaves and rebuilding my dock."
June 25, 2015
Carolyn was the rich country club girl who lost it all, ending up working at the very country club she use to belong to.
Jake was the boy from the wrong side of town, who worked at the country club until Carolyn's father had him arrested and driven away from his daughter. Now he's back, a big wig on the real estate scene, purchasing the country club and becoming Carolyn's boss.
The story had lots of potential with some interesting twists and turns but for the most part I didn't feel any character connection. Well, no character connection until the last 1/3 or so of the plot...
Carolyn's strength of character was a major plus for the story but that seems to vacillate, which seems totally out of character, when things start to turn around for her.
Once and Again was a story of bitter sweet reunions, second chances and making the most out of what life hands you. Overall, I found I liked it. It was an endearing and a cute contemporary romance.
I received this ARC copy of Once and Again from Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication July 14, 2015.
Written by: Elisabeth Barrett
Series: Return to Briarwood
Sequence in Series: 1
Print Length: 287 pages
Publisher: Loveswept
Publication Date: July 14, 2015
Rating: 3 Stars
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews and More Check out: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Jake was the boy from the wrong side of town, who worked at the country club until Carolyn's father had him arrested and driven away from his daughter. Now he's back, a big wig on the real estate scene, purchasing the country club and becoming Carolyn's boss.
The story had lots of potential with some interesting twists and turns but for the most part I didn't feel any character connection. Well, no character connection until the last 1/3 or so of the plot...
Carolyn's strength of character was a major plus for the story but that seems to vacillate, which seems totally out of character, when things start to turn around for her.
Once and Again was a story of bitter sweet reunions, second chances and making the most out of what life hands you. Overall, I found I liked it. It was an endearing and a cute contemporary romance.
I received this ARC copy of Once and Again from Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication July 14, 2015.
Written by: Elisabeth Barrett
Series: Return to Briarwood
Sequence in Series: 1
Print Length: 287 pages
Publisher: Loveswept
Publication Date: July 14, 2015
Rating: 3 Stars
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews and More Check out: http://tometender.blogspot.com
June 29, 2015
A 3.75 second chance at the ultimate happiness stars goes to Once and Again by Elisabeth Barrett. This story wasn't bad but it didn't blow me away. I wanted something from it that I just didn't get but I still enjoyed it. I mean, Carolyn and Jake had this awesome chemistry and a past that wouldn't let them stop reaching for one another.
I liked that they both struggled with how they wanted to deal with each other and eventually realized they couldn't fight their pull. This is one of those stories that makes you realize how powerful a connection can be that even 15 years doesn't make it go away. If anything, the time apart made it burn brighter once they were near one another again. What lost it for me was kind of the way the story shaped and I needed something more. I need some really heart pulling stuff lately to make me love a book. I do like a good cry.
The novel was a relatively easy read and I can't understand how some gave it anything under 3 stars but that is neither here nor there. I enjoyed it and think it was sweet with the promise of a second chance at what should have been.
I liked that they both struggled with how they wanted to deal with each other and eventually realized they couldn't fight their pull. This is one of those stories that makes you realize how powerful a connection can be that even 15 years doesn't make it go away. If anything, the time apart made it burn brighter once they were near one another again. What lost it for me was kind of the way the story shaped and I needed something more. I need some really heart pulling stuff lately to make me love a book. I do like a good cry.
The novel was a relatively easy read and I can't understand how some gave it anything under 3 stars but that is neither here nor there. I enjoyed it and think it was sweet with the promise of a second chance at what should have been.
August 31, 2015
Elisabeth Barrett kicks off a new series called Return to Briarwood with ONCE AND AGAIN. If you’re looking for a sweet, second chance love story, this one is for you.
Carolyn Rivington was once a member of the Briarwood Golf and Yacht club. With her family ties and reputation, Carolyn has always been someone that held a high place in society but with her family in debt, she is no longer a member at the club, she is now an employee. This doesn’t really faze her very much though because it seems that she enjoys her new job and the people around her.
It isn’t until the club gets a new owner that Carolyn panics. It’s not because she worries what he’ll do to the club. It’s because she knows him from her past – he’s the guy her father put in handcuffs.
Jake Gaffney is a little bit bad boy and a little bit of a big shot. While on paper he has everything you want in a hero, I found it hard to get into his character and I’m not sure why. There’s a little bit of focus on money and their place/rank in society because of who Carolyn was and who Jake is and I’m not quite sure I liked that very much. I understand that because of the nature of their past, this was something that had to be addressed in the book but I could take or leave it if I’m being totally honest. It just wasn’t something that interested me.
The secondary characters do have quite a bit of page time in this novel so I’m assuming that the next book in the series will follow more of these characters. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next!
November 8, 2015
3.5 Stars
Hotness Rating 3 out of 5
Once and Again was a solid start to the Return to Briarwood series by Elisabeth Barrett. It's a bit slow in places, but has a strong character base and plot. I am interested to see what more this series has to offer.
Carolyn Rivington was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, but life has knocked her down. Turns out some bad investments has left them destitute and she seems to be the only family member that cares. Her father insists on living his life as the important man he once was leaving Carolyn to humble herself and work at the country club she once graced as a member.
Jake Gaffney had a rough start to his life. It seemed the only bright spot was his secret relationship with Carolyn. She was the debutante and he was the kitchen help at the country club. He believed in their love and believed they had a future. And he was wrong. Now, the tables are turned. Jake has made something of himself and is back at the Briarwood Country Club, but now as an owner.
I respect Carolyn in the sense that she didn't whine and cry about the curves thrown at her. She stepped up and did what she had to do. At first Jake annoyed me when he didn't want to let the past go. But, when he let it go he let it go and did so in a sweet, protective way. The supportive characters were intriguing and strong. I am really interested to read more of this group.
This book was provided to me by Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Hotness Rating 3 out of 5
Once and Again was a solid start to the Return to Briarwood series by Elisabeth Barrett. It's a bit slow in places, but has a strong character base and plot. I am interested to see what more this series has to offer.
Carolyn Rivington was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, but life has knocked her down. Turns out some bad investments has left them destitute and she seems to be the only family member that cares. Her father insists on living his life as the important man he once was leaving Carolyn to humble herself and work at the country club she once graced as a member.
Jake Gaffney had a rough start to his life. It seemed the only bright spot was his secret relationship with Carolyn. She was the debutante and he was the kitchen help at the country club. He believed in their love and believed they had a future. And he was wrong. Now, the tables are turned. Jake has made something of himself and is back at the Briarwood Country Club, but now as an owner.
I respect Carolyn in the sense that she didn't whine and cry about the curves thrown at her. She stepped up and did what she had to do. At first Jake annoyed me when he didn't want to let the past go. But, when he let it go he let it go and did so in a sweet, protective way. The supportive characters were intriguing and strong. I am really interested to read more of this group.
This book was provided to me by Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
July 11, 2015
3 stars
Once and Again was a good read.
I did find it a little wordy and at times it was a little slow.
Overall a good read but not one that I would rush to read again.
Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via Netgalley for the advance copy.
Once and Again was a good read.
I did find it a little wordy and at times it was a little slow.
Overall a good read but not one that I would rush to read again.
Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via Netgalley for the advance copy.
July 14, 2015
Carolyn Rivington used to be one of the rich kids who would do everything to please her parents. When her father asked her to break it off with the boy she grew to love from the other side of the tracks, she did. Now, they were bankrupt. Her father accumulated debt she was making ends met by working in the Briarwood Golf and Yacht Club where her family were used to be members, she’s now one of the employees. And then here comes her past haunting her – because the guy whom heart she broke was now the new owner of the club.
THE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT THIS BOOK:
The Characters. Both have worked hard, perhaps in different ways and with different circumstances. Jake Gaffney came from the bottom, and worked his way up to survive and he even surpassed survival – he is now a very rich man. As for Carolyn – you can’t help but adore the girl who had once made a mistake. She gathered herself well, swallowed her pride and survived. She is an epitome of strength and courage. She might have suffered from losing everything, and yet she’s still doing her best to help everyone around her. I think this character of hers helped Jake in one way or the other in opening his heart. He saw that Carolyn was not the girl she was back then. Would they have a second chance?
It’s not just the main characters that will capture your hearts, you will love the secondary characters as well. Families, enemies, friends have something to contribute to the story that make Once and Again an interesting read.
The Plot. It may have been about second chances, but I was just glad that it focused more on the present, on the person that they are today. They were so different from who they were back then. Although some of the feelings might have rooted from the past, nevertheless it was still their current needs, wants, and emotions. The story went flawlessly with some unexpected surprises (good and bad) from different characters.
Love is indeed sweeter the second time around. This is a great way to start a series, and I was glad I was given an advance copy of it.
Once and Again is a heartwarming story of love, broken hearts, fortitude, survival and second chances.
Review originally posted on my blog
Purchase Links:
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•Complimentary Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.•
More of my reviews at http://reviewsofabookmaniac.blogspot.com
THE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT THIS BOOK:
The Characters. Both have worked hard, perhaps in different ways and with different circumstances. Jake Gaffney came from the bottom, and worked his way up to survive and he even surpassed survival – he is now a very rich man. As for Carolyn – you can’t help but adore the girl who had once made a mistake. She gathered herself well, swallowed her pride and survived. She is an epitome of strength and courage. She might have suffered from losing everything, and yet she’s still doing her best to help everyone around her. I think this character of hers helped Jake in one way or the other in opening his heart. He saw that Carolyn was not the girl she was back then. Would they have a second chance?
It’s not just the main characters that will capture your hearts, you will love the secondary characters as well. Families, enemies, friends have something to contribute to the story that make Once and Again an interesting read.
The Plot. It may have been about second chances, but I was just glad that it focused more on the present, on the person that they are today. They were so different from who they were back then. Although some of the feelings might have rooted from the past, nevertheless it was still their current needs, wants, and emotions. The story went flawlessly with some unexpected surprises (good and bad) from different characters.
Love is indeed sweeter the second time around. This is a great way to start a series, and I was glad I was given an advance copy of it.
Once and Again is a heartwarming story of love, broken hearts, fortitude, survival and second chances.
Review originally posted on my blog
Purchase Links:
AMAZON US | B&N | iTunes | Kobo
Follow me on: Twitter | Facebook | tsu | Instagram
•Complimentary Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.•
More of my reviews at http://reviewsofabookmaniac.blogspot.com
Read
April 8, 2015Starts out interesting as a former poor boy from the small town who treated him with indifference becomes rich and buys the failing country club he worked at as a teenager. His former flame, a former rich girl whose father loses everything, works there now and barely keeping her head above water. Their romance rekindles even though they have many past issues to work through. The main couple are likable but their story is very stale.
I reached the half way mark and realized this story wasn't really going anywhere. Characters pop in for a chapter and then disappear, specifically a single mother baker who I thought would have a secondary story or possible romance that would lead into a sequel of sorts, but her story doesn't go anywhere. There's not much here regarding a plot that wants to keep reading.
I reached the half way mark and realized this story wasn't really going anywhere. Characters pop in for a chapter and then disappear, specifically a single mother baker who I thought would have a secondary story or possible romance that would lead into a sequel of sorts, but her story doesn't go anywhere. There's not much here regarding a plot that wants to keep reading.
April 4, 2015
*ARC courtesy of Netgalley and Random House Publishing*
November 11, 2018
Once upon a time, Carolyn was the beautiful debutante who fell in love with the boy from the wrong side of the tracks, but their Romeo and Juliet romance came to an end when her father had him arrested. But times have changed, and all the money that placed Carolyn's family on a golden pedestal has been squandered, leaving her in a mountain of her father's debt and working her fingers to the bone to keep them fed and clothed. Her father's recent heart attack hasn't made things any easier, but she's excelling in her work at the country club where she once danced the night away. But the past has come back to haunt her in the worst way now that the boy she once loved has returned as the club's new owner, intent on making big changes to keep things profitable.
But... Overall, the story was great and not nearly as predictable as one might expect. However, there was an additional point of view thrown in, presumably to introduce us more fully to a character who will be focused on in a subsequent book, and from a reader's perspective, it just didn't fit. The chapters that told things from Jane's point of view had little to do with rekindling things between Carolyn and Jake, and rather than add to the story, they detracted from it. While I liked Jane's character, her story should have been held aside for another book, and any important pieces could easily have been revealed in her interactions with Carolyn rather than detouring readers from the main plot for entire chapters. I have no idea what took place during editing, but it seems saving these chapters for later would have been a no-brainer.
The Verdict: It's been fifteen years since Carolyn and Jake last saw each other, and what a difference those years have made. Carolyn's mother has passed away, and her father's health is in jeopardy, while she works long hours at the only job that will have her. Once a member of the exclusive country club, she now referees employee spats and plans parties and events there, a far cry from the privileged life she once enjoyed. Her family's wealth disappeared with her father's financial advisor, and Carolyn is for the most part completely on her own with no one else on whom to lean when things go wrong — which they've been doing for years now.
Jake's arrest back in the day didn't ruin his life, but it certainly gave him a new perspective. Realizing he would never be good enough for the upper crust, he spent the years getting an education and working his way up in the business world. Now a success, he's returned to Briarwood to prove his worth, and while he may never truly fit into the old money world, he's no one to be looked down upon anymore.
I loved the initial reunion between Carolyn and Jake, proof that the years had changed them both and a reminder of the different worlds that pulled them apart. But what surprised me most was Jake's reaction to Carolyn. While he certainly still harbored some anger over the way things went down, he didn't hold it all against her, and he was quick to realize the financial predicament she was in. He could have lorded his success over her and made her feel like a lesser person now that she was struggling just to keep the refrigerator filled, but instead he saw how hard she worked and didn't do anything to make things more difficult for her.
Their relationship, once it was rekindled, was piping hot and filled with uncertainties, mostly because neither really seemed to know how to bridge the past and move fully into the present. Carolyn had too much on her plate to become involved with her new boss, and Jake had plenty of resentment to overcome. But rather than play completely into the romance novel cliches one might expect, Jake and Carolyn handled things a bit differently on their way to a new happily ever after, and that's what made it such an interesting read. While the additional chapters from another character's point of view got it the way too often, the root of the story was a great one. Second chance romances are always fun, given the established history between characters, and Once and Again did that well. I suspect that the next book in the series will be all about Jane, and I'm definitely interested in finding out what's next in her story.
***FicCentral received this book from Random House LLC (via NetGalley) for free in exchange for an honest review.
July 9, 2015
Like many of you know, second chance romances are my romance drug of choice. As soon as I found out that Once and Again had one, I was beyond excited to read it. Even though I had a few nibbles with Once and Again, for the most part, I thought it was an adorable read and by the end, I was looking forward to being back in Briarwood in the future.
A high school fling between Jake and Carolyn was broken apart when Carolyn's dad has Jake arrested because they come from very different financial backgrounds. Fifteen years later, the roles are reversed and Jake is now the rich owner of the golf club that Carolyn is slaving away at. Carolyn and Jake were pretty great characters. I especially liked Carolyn because she was devoted to her job and despite being a rich society girl, she wasn't one to complain about having to sweat to earn money. Carolyn was also a caring girl - she was always willing to help out others and she was always there to listen to people when they needed someone to just hear them out. I loved that about her and I certainly admired her for who she was. I also enjoyed Jake's character. He may have had that tattooed bad boy front, but he was a sweetheart on the inside. He was someone who was willing to work hard to achieve his dreams and he managed to reach his goals despite all the prejudices he faced for his hard appearance. I think that's what made Jake and Carolyn a great couple. Their romance was very sweet and was peppered with some steamy scenes that had me fanning myself. I liked that theirs was a romance that was mostly drama free and did not have that stretched out separation that most romances have. In the end, I thought the romance was the strongest part of the book.
I think where Once and Again stuttered a little bit for me were with the multiple sub-plots. With the story lines involving the renovation of Briarwood, Carolyn's planning of events, Carolyn's issues with her father and his lawyer, Carolyn making new friends and then those friends' stories also being explored, there was just too much going on in the book. I was especially frustrated when the POV kept switching to Jane's, a friend of Carolyn. It's not that I didn't want to read her story, but it would have been better suited to explore all her problems in her own book and I'm assuming she's going to get one. Just a brief introduction of her character would have been sufficient, in my opinion. On a more positive note, I did end up liking the golf club setting quite a bit and I hope we'll see more of it in the next book.
Once and Again was not without its flaws, but it still managed to keep me engaged throughout because the romance between the main couple was quite lovely together with the author's lovely writing. I look forward to reading more about this series.
July 7, 2015
Originally Reviewed For: Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy
It's such a joy when you discover an author that touches a new place in your heart, mind.. When I first read Elisabeth Barrett's Star Harbor Series, I was enchanted. Star Harbor reminded me of a Gilmore Girls world. Small town, New England style. Now, Ms. Barrett brings us a new series, a new small town and a new vision of small town New England in her Return to Briarwood Series.
In Book 1 we are introduced to a wonderful cast of characters a clash of new money meets old. Upper Class, founding fathers types forced to acknowledge that brash, tacky kid from the wrong side of the tracks... made good.
Carolyn Rivington was the perfect debutante. She wore the right things, said the right things, and dated the right boys. That is until her 17th summer when she met and fell for bad boy Jake Gaffney. Jake was everything Carolyn wasn't. And he was perfect for her. Only her parents found out, pulled her away and convinced her that she was wrong. From then on she returned to being the perfect drone.. But the family lost everything and Carolyn is now forced to work just to survive. And having little to no skills she was able to fall back into the world she came from, this time as an employee.. Little by little she is making progress until the new owner shows up. The new owner who just happens to be Jake made good...
Jake Gaffney, was most decidedly from the wrong side of the tracks. But he was smart and he managed to make something of himself. Now he just wants to prove that he is no longer the son of the town drunk. He's the man who bought the Briarwood Country Club! And who's the first person he meets when he goes on site? Carolyn Rivington, the woman who broke his heart and his pride all in one fell swoop.
This could have been a stereotypical book, class structures, new money vs old money. The have's and have nots.. but Ms. Barrett turns it into so much more. There is passion... A passion for life that drives this book. Sure Jake has a serious chip on his shoulder and Carolyn is a little unaware.. but they are real. They have depth of personality and the secondary characters? They are a joy. This is going to be a wonderful series for many reasons. But mostly because Ms. Barrett has created such a beautiful setting. You WANT to read more about this town. I felt almost compelled.. Just now we have to wait..
Wait we must for any more books in this series, but people Once and Again is just beautiful..
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Once and Again, provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on July 14, 2015
It's such a joy when you discover an author that touches a new place in your heart, mind.. When I first read Elisabeth Barrett's Star Harbor Series, I was enchanted. Star Harbor reminded me of a Gilmore Girls world. Small town, New England style. Now, Ms. Barrett brings us a new series, a new small town and a new vision of small town New England in her Return to Briarwood Series.
In Book 1 we are introduced to a wonderful cast of characters a clash of new money meets old. Upper Class, founding fathers types forced to acknowledge that brash, tacky kid from the wrong side of the tracks... made good.
Carolyn Rivington was the perfect debutante. She wore the right things, said the right things, and dated the right boys. That is until her 17th summer when she met and fell for bad boy Jake Gaffney. Jake was everything Carolyn wasn't. And he was perfect for her. Only her parents found out, pulled her away and convinced her that she was wrong. From then on she returned to being the perfect drone.. But the family lost everything and Carolyn is now forced to work just to survive. And having little to no skills she was able to fall back into the world she came from, this time as an employee.. Little by little she is making progress until the new owner shows up. The new owner who just happens to be Jake made good...
Jake Gaffney, was most decidedly from the wrong side of the tracks. But he was smart and he managed to make something of himself. Now he just wants to prove that he is no longer the son of the town drunk. He's the man who bought the Briarwood Country Club! And who's the first person he meets when he goes on site? Carolyn Rivington, the woman who broke his heart and his pride all in one fell swoop.
This could have been a stereotypical book, class structures, new money vs old money. The have's and have nots.. but Ms. Barrett turns it into so much more. There is passion... A passion for life that drives this book. Sure Jake has a serious chip on his shoulder and Carolyn is a little unaware.. but they are real. They have depth of personality and the secondary characters? They are a joy. This is going to be a wonderful series for many reasons. But mostly because Ms. Barrett has created such a beautiful setting. You WANT to read more about this town. I felt almost compelled.. Just now we have to wait..
Wait we must for any more books in this series, but people Once and Again is just beautiful..
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Once and Again, provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on July 14, 2015
May 27, 2015
This book is a new series for Elisabeth Barrett. Carolyn Rivington came from a very wealthy family. After her mother dies, her life begins to spiral downward. Her father invested their money with a man who stole it and ran. The only thing she has going for her is that her mom left her the house. Carolyn decides to get a job at the Briarwood Golf and Yacht Club. A place that she loved as a teenager. A place where she met her first love, Jake, the boy from the wrong side of the tracks, who worked at the club, the same boy she would have lost her virginity to hadn't the cops showed up when her father called them! Now ten years later she is the Director of Events and really enjoying what she does. Carolyn and the rest of the workers of the club are all nervous because someone new has bought the club and they are to meet the new owner that day.
A tall, dark haired, all tatted up man in sun glasses walks into the club. The front desk tells the man that it is a private club, but the man isn't moving. Carolyn gets pulled into the situation and explains this to the man. He just stares at her. Eventually Carolyn's boss shows up and Carolyn leaves for the meeting with the new owner.
Imagine Carolyn's surprise when her boss walks in with Mr. Tall, Dark, Tatted and Handsome! She in for even a bigger surprise when she realizes this man is Jake!
It was fun the way these two were with each other. Nervous, yet still had feelings, hurt but still wanting each other.
Jake was back at the club with something to prove. He was now very successful and wanted to prove to the club members that they were wrong about him. What he didn't expect was that the members would be prejudice towards him because of how he looked. Realizing he needed Carolyn's help with dealing with the conservative members, they start spending more and more time together. I really enjoyed how their relationship evolved. It was sweet and sexy at the same time.
I really liked Carolyn's friends that she made, Jane and Grace. I wish that they were eased into the story a little better. I was reading and then all of a sudden out of no where these girls show up and seem like big characters. I liked the characters and the story once you found out who they were.
Overall, this was an enjoyable easy read and I would recommend it.
A tall, dark haired, all tatted up man in sun glasses walks into the club. The front desk tells the man that it is a private club, but the man isn't moving. Carolyn gets pulled into the situation and explains this to the man. He just stares at her. Eventually Carolyn's boss shows up and Carolyn leaves for the meeting with the new owner.
Imagine Carolyn's surprise when her boss walks in with Mr. Tall, Dark, Tatted and Handsome! She in for even a bigger surprise when she realizes this man is Jake!
It was fun the way these two were with each other. Nervous, yet still had feelings, hurt but still wanting each other.
Jake was back at the club with something to prove. He was now very successful and wanted to prove to the club members that they were wrong about him. What he didn't expect was that the members would be prejudice towards him because of how he looked. Realizing he needed Carolyn's help with dealing with the conservative members, they start spending more and more time together. I really enjoyed how their relationship evolved. It was sweet and sexy at the same time.
I really liked Carolyn's friends that she made, Jane and Grace. I wish that they were eased into the story a little better. I was reading and then all of a sudden out of no where these girls show up and seem like big characters. I liked the characters and the story once you found out who they were.
Overall, this was an enjoyable easy read and I would recommend it.
April 13, 2015
2.5-3 stars.
This turned out to be differently to what I was expecting. I thought I would’ve liked it more than I did.
We have Carolyn and Jake and their second chance love. Some pretty crappy things happened in the past, things that made Jake really work for what he wanted. For Carolyn things sure looked differently after losing all of her money. She really learned what was important and worked her ass off to save her father.
Man, her father, what an awful, awful man. I’d be suing his ass like nobody’s business after learning what he did. I just wanted him out of this book, lol, super lazy with a sense of entitlement off the charts.
Now, there were things I didn’t like about the book. One of the things was the ‘extra’ POV. We have Jake and Carolyn’s POV, but we also learn from Jane, a friend of Carolyn’s. I just didn’t get it. It made no impact into Carolyn and Jake’s story. You wouldn’t have noticed if it wasn’t there. At all. I’m guessing it sort of ties with the rest of the series. Her story WAS interesting, and I’d like to know more of it, but I saw no point whatsoever to add it here.
I don’t know what the rest of the series is about, in terms of characters. Are we getting Grace and Jane’s stories (Carolyn’s friends)? Maybe tie them with Peter and Marcus (Jake’s friends)? Or since the series is called ‘Return to Briarwood’ maybe it will show Carolyn’ sisters returning to town? I have no idea where this goes right now. However, I find that I want to read their stories either way.
I also found that there were a lot of descriptions that I didn’t care about, like the parties and even conversations with Carolyn’s friends. Not all of them were very interesting, and I could’ve lived without them.
Still, I'll check other books in the series when the time comes.
*Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange of my honest opinion*
This turned out to be differently to what I was expecting. I thought I would’ve liked it more than I did.
We have Carolyn and Jake and their second chance love. Some pretty crappy things happened in the past, things that made Jake really work for what he wanted. For Carolyn things sure looked differently after losing all of her money. She really learned what was important and worked her ass off to save her father.
Man, her father, what an awful, awful man. I’d be suing his ass like nobody’s business after learning what he did. I just wanted him out of this book, lol, super lazy with a sense of entitlement off the charts.
Now, there were things I didn’t like about the book. One of the things was the ‘extra’ POV. We have Jake and Carolyn’s POV, but we also learn from Jane, a friend of Carolyn’s. I just didn’t get it. It made no impact into Carolyn and Jake’s story. You wouldn’t have noticed if it wasn’t there. At all. I’m guessing it sort of ties with the rest of the series. Her story WAS interesting, and I’d like to know more of it, but I saw no point whatsoever to add it here.
I don’t know what the rest of the series is about, in terms of characters. Are we getting Grace and Jane’s stories (Carolyn’s friends)? Maybe tie them with Peter and Marcus (Jake’s friends)? Or since the series is called ‘Return to Briarwood’ maybe it will show Carolyn’ sisters returning to town? I have no idea where this goes right now. However, I find that I want to read their stories either way.
I also found that there were a lot of descriptions that I didn’t care about, like the parties and even conversations with Carolyn’s friends. Not all of them were very interesting, and I could’ve lived without them.
Still, I'll check other books in the series when the time comes.
*Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange of my honest opinion*
August 5, 2015
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I have to be honest here. I had high hopes for this book. When I read the blurb, it sounded very promising. I love second chance romance novels. If you follow my blog or my reviews, you'd know that I've mentioned that fact many times. That's why I really wanted to like this book.
Unfortunately, it didn't work for me. I wish that the story focused on the second chance romance. Instead, it had lots of side stories and sub plots that were left hanging intentionally because they're supposed to make way for future books in the series. I mean, I have read a lot os series, and I know there is a better way of introducing future characters instead of making them mess up the current book's main characters' story.
More than that, if the main characters had more depth and connection between them, I would probably have overlooked the subplots. Sadly, I just didn't get the main characters. I didn't think they were suited at all. The hero had a good back story, but his presence in the book was weak. The heroine wasn't that interesting at all.
I feel really sad because this is my first book from this author, and I was hoping to find a new author to follow in her. Maybe I'll read the next installments. I'm not sure at this point. However, if they do sound interesting, I just might pick them up. I only hope they won't disappoint me again like this one did.
I have to be honest here. I had high hopes for this book. When I read the blurb, it sounded very promising. I love second chance romance novels. If you follow my blog or my reviews, you'd know that I've mentioned that fact many times. That's why I really wanted to like this book.
Unfortunately, it didn't work for me. I wish that the story focused on the second chance romance. Instead, it had lots of side stories and sub plots that were left hanging intentionally because they're supposed to make way for future books in the series. I mean, I have read a lot os series, and I know there is a better way of introducing future characters instead of making them mess up the current book's main characters' story.
More than that, if the main characters had more depth and connection between them, I would probably have overlooked the subplots. Sadly, I just didn't get the main characters. I didn't think they were suited at all. The hero had a good back story, but his presence in the book was weak. The heroine wasn't that interesting at all.
I feel really sad because this is my first book from this author, and I was hoping to find a new author to follow in her. Maybe I'll read the next installments. I'm not sure at this point. However, if they do sound interesting, I just might pick them up. I only hope they won't disappoint me again like this one did.
May 23, 2015
An enjoyable but mostly predictable country club setting romance featuring a formerly wealthy heroine, Carolyn, who finds herself working for her first true love, Jake, after he buys the aging establishment. Jake returned to their hometown not only to buy the club as an investment but also to a large degree prove how successful he had become. He was employed there as a caddy when he was a teenager. Carolyn, who had no other option but work as the club’s event planner after her father’s legal/investment problems, ends up being a major asset to Jake’s plans to renovate the business. Though there seems to be an overly large cast of supporting characters that too often highjack the main couple’s storyline, they were interesting and left the door open for sequels. I kept expecting Carolyn’s two girlfriends to end up pairing up with Jake’s two best friends and even a romance or two between the kitchen staff, but that never happened. The only romance was between Jake and Carolyn. Details regarding Jake’s business dealings did have me skimming pages at times. The hero and heroine were both likeable and believable. There were a few explicit, steamy love scenes and a touch of angst here and there. The ending was rather anti-climactic, but overall I did enjoy the book.
(This review is based on ARC ebook received via netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.)
(This review is based on ARC ebook received via netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.)
June 12, 2015
Boy from the wrong side of the tracks falls for the girl with everything. Boy grows up to make something of himself and the girl….well, she’s in debt up to her eyeballs.
Jake and Carolyn share a history. They used to be together, but something happened which caused them to go their separate ways. Fifteen years later, their lives seem to have switched. Carolyn is working at the country club, and Jake turns up as the new owner. You can feel the animosity through the pages, but one thing is for sure, they both need each other. The old feelings they felt for one another come crashing back and they are powerless to stop it.
I really enjoyed reading Once and Again and I think anyone who loves a good second chance romance should give this book a chance. Elisabeth Barrett did a great job at keeping my attention and making me care for her characters. Definitely recommended!
Received from NetGalley!
Jake and Carolyn share a history. They used to be together, but something happened which caused them to go their separate ways. Fifteen years later, their lives seem to have switched. Carolyn is working at the country club, and Jake turns up as the new owner. You can feel the animosity through the pages, but one thing is for sure, they both need each other. The old feelings they felt for one another come crashing back and they are powerless to stop it.
I really enjoyed reading Once and Again and I think anyone who loves a good second chance romance should give this book a chance. Elisabeth Barrett did a great job at keeping my attention and making me care for her characters. Definitely recommended!
Received from NetGalley!
July 30, 2016
3.5 Stars! I love second chance romance stories. This was a good story, but it could have been better. Carolyn is eating humble pie while trying to help her selfish father's bad money management. Her sisters took off when the going got tough and left Carolyn to pick up the pieces. Now, her former young love, bad boy Jake is back as her employer and there is plenty of regrets to go around.
I liked Jake and Carolyn, but the book got a little too busy with the adding of secondary characters for their future books in the series. Hopefully, the next story won't have this problem and I am interested in reading the next one.
I was given an ARC by NetGalley for my honest review.
I liked Jake and Carolyn, but the book got a little too busy with the adding of secondary characters for their future books in the series. Hopefully, the next story won't have this problem and I am interested in reading the next one.
I was given an ARC by NetGalley for my honest review.
April 24, 2015
This book was a decent read. I enjoyed the story between Jake and Caro. Their relation progressed in an interesting way. I guess my only problem, was, I felt the story dragged for pages on out. If it were cut short by a few pages or chapters, I think I'd have enjoyed the story even more!
July 7, 2024
Carolyn Rivington has grown up with a silver spoon in her mouth, wanting for nothing. As a dutiful daughter, she broke things off with the boy who worked at their country club, the townie.
Fast-forward fifteen years, and Carolyn is virtually broke with her family deep in debt, and selling heirlooms to keep her head above water. Carolyn has taken a job at her childhood country club as the event planner, and she's great at it. Imagine her surprise when the new owner of the country club is revealed to be the boy from her past, Jake.
Jake Gaffney last saw Carolyn Rivington fifteen years ago as he was handcuffed in the back of a police car, after her parents caught them together. Still harboring the hate and hurt he felt all those years ago, he is struggling with being seen as his old self, and not the successful real estate investor/developer. Jake has intentions to renovate the country club to bring in new business, but he'll need Carolyn's help to get there.
4 out of 5 stars.
I received an advanced copy from the author, publisher, and NetGalley; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.
Fast-forward fifteen years, and Carolyn is virtually broke with her family deep in debt, and selling heirlooms to keep her head above water. Carolyn has taken a job at her childhood country club as the event planner, and she's great at it. Imagine her surprise when the new owner of the country club is revealed to be the boy from her past, Jake.
Jake Gaffney last saw Carolyn Rivington fifteen years ago as he was handcuffed in the back of a police car, after her parents caught them together. Still harboring the hate and hurt he felt all those years ago, he is struggling with being seen as his old self, and not the successful real estate investor/developer. Jake has intentions to renovate the country club to bring in new business, but he'll need Carolyn's help to get there.
4 out of 5 stars.
I received an advanced copy from the author, publisher, and NetGalley; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.
March 30, 2018
Review,
Carolyn was raised in wealth and privilege, but then her father makes a bad investment and the guy disappears with all their money. Her 2 sisters leave town, leaving her alone with their father, who has a heart attack. He leaves the hospital with a friend, so Carolyn has to get a job and pay off his debts. She gets one as the event planned at the country club where she used to be a member. Then it gets sold, to the guy she abandoned years ago because daddy didn't think he was good enough. Things are rocky for a while between them, but eventually they realize they still love each other. Great book.
Carolyn was raised in wealth and privilege, but then her father makes a bad investment and the guy disappears with all their money. Her 2 sisters leave town, leaving her alone with their father, who has a heart attack. He leaves the hospital with a friend, so Carolyn has to get a job and pay off his debts. She gets one as the event planned at the country club where she used to be a member. Then it gets sold, to the guy she abandoned years ago because daddy didn't think he was good enough. Things are rocky for a while between them, but eventually they realize they still love each other. Great book.
October 9, 2017
Decent store but there definitely could have been more nuanced and emotion leading up to the revival of their romance. It was pretty anticlimactic and lacked feeling. My biggest peeve is the lack of knowledge about some minor details. Jack Daniel's is Whiskey, not scotch. Goldenrod, Queen Anne's lace, and Black Eyed Susan does not bloom in spring. They are fall flowers. It's these small things that steer me away from authors because they are so simple to research.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
October 1, 2020Would love to read this book but can't seem to get it anywhere.
contemporary
November 13, 202119
July 14, 2015
My star rating for ONCE AND AGAIN is: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.
My ‘Blogging Reader’s Review’ after reading an ARC
Copy of ‘ONCE AND AGAIN'(Return To Briarwood Series #1)
(via:BooksMoviesFandoms.wordpress.com):
This is the first novel I’ve read by author Elisabeth Barrett titled “Once And Again” This novel is of the new adult and contemporary romance genres. Once And Again is the first novel of a new novel series called the Return To Briarwood Series. This novel is written from three main character’s P.O.V.’s(point of views), Carolyn Rivington, Jake Gaffney, and Jane Pringle.
Carolyn Rivington grew up in a huge mansion, a privileged lifestyle and with parents who were both rich. When she meets a guy a few years older than her as a teenager, they fell head-over-heels for each other and their feelings seemed to be so strong. It was a mutual adoration and romance that seemed promising…it was until Caro’s father found out about the relationship and had Jake arrested and Carolyn was sent away so there would be no more connection between the two of them again. This was how it went and Carolyn didn’t argue. She just let it happen since she always wanted to please her parents. Without having a chance say goodbye, Carolyn and Jake went their separate ways.
Many years have passed and life has handed them many changes. Carolyn still resides in the huge expensive home her mother left behind after passing away but not much else remains the same. Her sisters have moved away and she’s left picking up the pieces of the life that they once used to live. Her father made a bad business relationship that left him broke and in debt. Carolyn had to pick up a job as an event director at Briarwood, the club that her family once used to be members of. The same place that she met Jake at…once upon a time. Life is different now. Carolyn had to learn about working hard and surviving on her own which didn’t come easy after growing up never needing to learn that. Now that Briarwood has been purchased by a new owner, she must try to help keep business as usual. When a stranger shows up one day she has no clue who he is and why he’s there. He doesn’t fit in to the usual members of the club broody good looks and cold persona. Who is this man and how can she get him to leave? When she finds out who he is, she realizes that everything isn’t always what it seems to be.
Jake Gaffney came from an average home with a family who didn’t have a bunch of money. His job as a caddy at Briarwood was how he earned his money. When he meets the young Carolyn, he can’t help but want to get this beautiful girl to look his way. When she does, he gets lost in their growing connection. After things go bad, he leaves that town feeling angry, hurt and ready to prove something to himself and everyone else he treated him like he was a nobody.
Once And Again is a story about falling in love, losing touch and finding your way back to where you belong. Will Carolyn never get out of her father’s debt? Can Jake return to his old hometown and give it all another try or will his bitterness get the best of him? What secrets are being kept from Carolyn? This story was a sweet and romantic story of finding your independence and possibly love again. Yes, the story was great but it through me off a bit when the third P.O.V. of Jane Pringle came into the story. The characters did get to know each other and interact but for a few chapters it felt like I was reading two separate stories. That was only until the character’s stories finally merged into each others lives. Other than that, this was enjoyable. If you are looking for a pleasant romance novel to read, give this one a read.
My Star Rating for ONCE AND AGAIN is: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.
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