Second Dance with the Grumpy CEO

by Ann Smith

I never thought that moving back to my hometown would reconnect me with my high school sweetheart.

As a CEO, I make a lot of decisions, as a single dad, I decide to leave the city.

Returning home to give my daughter a better life, while turning mine upside down or so I thought…

Enrolling my daughter in Sammy's dance studio was about fulfilling a promise I made.

It wasn’t about reconnecting with a life and love I left behind, in this small town.

Seeing Sammy again stirred emotions I thought I'd locked away due to choices and consequences of my past.

Her positivity clashed with my bitterness, yet her kindness softened my edges.

Especially seeing her interact with my daughter, having a bond I don’t want to break.

But as sparks reignited between us, I feared history repeating itself, risking my daughter's heart.

The flames of our rekindled love flickers, while the shadows of my regret threaten to snuff them out.

173 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 24, 2024

Reviews

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5* - Rounded up to 5...

Mike is moving to the suburbs with his daughter, Chloe, to give her a better childhood than she's getting in the city, or at least more aligned with how he envisioned her childhood. Especially since Chloe's Mom left them high and dry pretty much right after Chloe was born.

Chloe loves dancing, and so Mike goes to sign her up at the local dancing school, only to find that his high school girl friend, Samantha (who now goes by Sammy) is the owner there, and they have an pretty much instantaneous re-connection when they see each other again. But Mike has closed himself off to the possibility of any relationships because he doesn't want Chloe to get hurt in any way.

This is a beautifully written story about how Chloe and Sammy just click and connect in a way that helps to build and strengthen Chloe, and how Mike learns to open himself up to opportunities that will improve his life, as well as Chloe's.

I loved the character interactions and the banter. I loved the story development, and I especially loved the HEA, and how it included not just Mike and Sammy, but Chloe as well. Just gorgeous! And definitely worth the read...

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margaret Hejmanowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read anything by Ann Smith before, OMG, this was fantastic!! Mike Reynolds decides to move back to his hometown (the suburbs), he thought this would be better for his seven year old daughter Chloe. Mike is the CEO of the fastest growing investment firm in Manhattan, he figured he could take the train into the city. Chloe loves the new house and her room, she wants to continue her dance lessons she was taking in the city. Mike calls Sammy's Dance Academy and signs Chloe up. He discovers Sammy is Samantha, his high school girlfriend. Chloe and Sammy build a close relationship since she does not have a mom. How does this work out with Mike and Sammy? Love the plot, great setting, and strong intense interesting characters. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Smith!!!

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

He enrolls Chloe in dance class with the girl that used to be his high school sweetheart. Mike moved home as a single dad, thinking small town life will be better for his daughter. Sammy adores Chloe and she is a jewel in dance class. Mike has vowed that Chloe is his whole life and his determination to give her the best life has left him pushing any idea of romance away. though sparks fly between Sammy and Mike, he is determined not to get involved. Their "dance" of love is quite cute though at times heartbreaking. Leave it to a little girl to set them straight.

[Analiza · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first time I've read a story where two ex lovers didn't have a complicated past and just separated as friends when they were younger because it was the best for both of them. And when they met again after many years and sparks fly again, no unnecessary drama took place. And no unnecessary eye rolls from me ,too 😅 It's why I enjoyed this story. No conflict to face except those that mattered. And it was really cute in a way that had me "kilig" over the couple's clean chemistry 🩷🩷🩷

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mike and Sammy had dated in high school. When he returns to his hometown he's surprised to discover Sammy's his daughter's new dance instructor. After what happened with Chloe's mother he's decided to never get serious with someone again to protect his daughter. Unfortunately, Chloe and his heart didn't get the memo. When tragedy strikes the night of the recital, will it change his mind or cement the decision?.

I received a copy of this book from the author. Review voluntarily given.

[ABurch74 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very sweet book. I love the relationship between Mike and Samantha, and Chloe is the sweetest kid. The author does a wonderful job creating very likable characters and a relatable setting. This was well worth the time to read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bonny Rambarran]

He moved back home with his daughter
All she wants is to continue with her dance lessons. He finds a studio (the only one!) and quickly realizes that his old girlfriend is the owner! Ugh! But he promised his daughter!!! Great book - lots of tension and lots of great friendships again!!! I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and comments are my own.

[Lizette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, sweet, BIG GRIN story

The delightful main characters (Sammy, Mike, and Chloe) keep this sweet story fresh and believable. It builds smoothly to the happy ending that seemed unlikely in the beginning. Hurrah!

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great read! Mike and Sammy make such a great team and it was fun to see how their separate lives come together! The emotion really pulls you in and holds on so you can’t stop reading!

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story by what is for me a relatively new author. It is good to see fathers put in good and caring light. So many books and entertainment as a whole seem to make fathers a thing of ridicule and non-caring, we’re shown that is not necessarily true. In addition to this, Ann Smith gives us a sweet romance, some problems that need solving, humor and a few surprises.

[JimandWendy Voitl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dance

Dancing brings lost love,family, friends and forever together to dance through their love story to happily ever after. Love again

[Noof · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.3 stars

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mike moves himself and his daughter out of the city to forge a new life. Mike goes to enrol his young daughter who loves to dance into the local dancing school. He finds Samantha , his high school girlfriend is the owner. She goes by Sammy now . The two ladies grow close and Chloe is helped immensely by her. Mike begins to believe in life changes for both of them thanks to a beautiful friendship. Could they each find happiness together? Is it written , she’s certainly smitten with his young daughter so surely an happy ever after is on the cards. Great story, realistic and thoughtful portrayal of the characters told empathically.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.