What do you think?
Rate this book
Arcadia Creek #2
Falling in Line
Break my heart once, shame on you. Break my heart twice? Nope. Not gonna let that happen.Tucker’s heart was broken, stomped on, chewed up and spit back out. But that was five years ago. He’s had time and space to come to terms with being left behind, to heal his heart.
It’s helped that June has stayed away from Arcadia Creek.
Except now . . . she’s back.
She says she's here to stay. But old wounds don't heal as smoothly the second time.
And Tucker isn't about to trust June again.
No matter how hard she tries.
It’s helped that June has stayed away from Arcadia Creek.
Except now . . . she’s back.
She says she's here to stay. But old wounds don't heal as smoothly the second time.
And Tucker isn't about to trust June again.
No matter how hard she tries.
10 pages, Audiobook
Published March 19, 2024
247 people are currently reading
1417 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 305 reviews
March 11, 2024
3.75 ✨
Oh my god! you were an amazing experience and I don't to audiobooks that much but I definitely enjoyed the hell out of this one, the narrators did an impeccable job because I was hooked and I also enjoyed it because it was very convenient for my situation as I tend to listen and code (works very well for me) so the Narrators, Kudos to them!
The author I'd say that her writing style was very accessible and fast paced, it was easy to immerse yourself within the book but not enough to be deeply connected with it and I believe that was the only issue that I had with this book was I could not connect with the writing style that much but that still does not neglect how well thought this book is because, come on! A small town romance, second chance and Grumpy X sunshine? All were nailed to the wall!
June and Tucker were a joy to read about, the characters were so fun and I honestly saw both of their sides and I did understand where they both were coming from so, I really can't blame any of the two because June's trust after her mom left was obviously going to deteriorate and she was obviously going to have to feel bad but then again Tucker is not really a mind reader and it is not like June told him when she left so fault at both sides but the way they patched and interacted was so sweet and wholesome, I was rooting for them the entire time.
Moving on to the romance, I honestly thought that adding no spice to it was the perfect solution tbh because when a book is going so fluffy and cute, smut tends to ruin things and thank god tat this one did not have it because I would have been off with it but the pieces of it that we got were so tender and heartwarming that I fell in love. I would say though for a romance book it focused more on the plot than the romance and I mean I dont usually mind that but I wanted a little more romance.
Overall, a really fun experience and I would recommend this to everyone.
*Thank you to Netgalley and dreamscape books for providing me and audio arc in exchange for an honest review*
__
I saw the cover on Netgalley and it was so cute + it's an audiobook, considering how busy I am I need it! So here we go...
Oh my god! you were an amazing experience and I don't to audiobooks that much but I definitely enjoyed the hell out of this one, the narrators did an impeccable job because I was hooked and I also enjoyed it because it was very convenient for my situation as I tend to listen and code (works very well for me) so the Narrators, Kudos to them!
The author I'd say that her writing style was very accessible and fast paced, it was easy to immerse yourself within the book but not enough to be deeply connected with it and I believe that was the only issue that I had with this book was I could not connect with the writing style that much but that still does not neglect how well thought this book is because, come on! A small town romance, second chance and Grumpy X sunshine? All were nailed to the wall!
June and Tucker were a joy to read about, the characters were so fun and I honestly saw both of their sides and I did understand where they both were coming from so, I really can't blame any of the two because June's trust after her mom left was obviously going to deteriorate and she was obviously going to have to feel bad but then again Tucker is not really a mind reader and it is not like June told him when she left so fault at both sides but the way they patched and interacted was so sweet and wholesome, I was rooting for them the entire time.
Moving on to the romance, I honestly thought that adding no spice to it was the perfect solution tbh because when a book is going so fluffy and cute, smut tends to ruin things and thank god tat this one did not have it because I would have been off with it but the pieces of it that we got were so tender and heartwarming that I fell in love. I would say though for a romance book it focused more on the plot than the romance and I mean I dont usually mind that but I wanted a little more romance.
Overall, a really fun experience and I would recommend this to everyone.
*Thank you to Netgalley and dreamscape books for providing me and audio arc in exchange for an honest review*
__
I saw the cover on Netgalley and it was so cute + it's an audiobook, considering how busy I am I need it! So here we go...
January 1, 2024
'It turned out choosing the perfect look-good-in-front-of-your-ex-but-not-like-you-were-trying-at-all outfit didn't exist.'
Second Chance.
Spunky Heroine.
Jaded Hero.
Small Town.
Surprise Return Home.
SOOOOOO many great things happening for this book. It's not a secret that I love Kasey's books. I've read every single one of them now and they all receive a top rating from me. This one is at the very top of that list. I will never stop loving on this book.
This book is a bushel of fun that I never wanted to end. I love this town, I love these characters and second chance romance is just so, so good!
Read this one when you're in the mood for a good laugh, want to feel all of the feels or when you need one of the most adorable love stories ever to entertain you!
Two thumbs up, all of the stars, all of the things! This one is a good one, friends!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Content: abandonment, small town gossip, romance-kisses only.
Second Chance.
Spunky Heroine.
Jaded Hero.
Small Town.
Surprise Return Home.
SOOOOOO many great things happening for this book. It's not a secret that I love Kasey's books. I've read every single one of them now and they all receive a top rating from me. This one is at the very top of that list. I will never stop loving on this book.
This book is a bushel of fun that I never wanted to end. I love this town, I love these characters and second chance romance is just so, so good!
Read this one when you're in the mood for a good laugh, want to feel all of the feels or when you need one of the most adorable love stories ever to entertain you!
Two thumbs up, all of the stars, all of the things! This one is a good one, friends!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Content: abandonment, small town gossip, romance-kisses only.
January 9, 2024
June and Tucker completely pulled me in and wrapped their sweet and tender second chance love story around my heart! After reading the first book in this series, I knew their story was going to so worth it! And I was right! Thank you Kasey Stockton for this charming and sometimes frustratingly funny town with all of the quirks and love the townspeople bring! I love it all! And I'm all in waiting to see who will be next in this series to get their story and what fun the town will play in it all!
There's no easy way to return home when you ran away five years previously. Especially when you knew you had to go and so many people might not understand. Poor June was drowning. There's a lot to why she was and it has to do with her past and childhood and events that dominoed out of her control. The guilt she carries, the heartache, the lost friendships/connections are all going to come rushing back as she returns to Arcadia Creek to help her dad. But unbeknownst to her, she is in for several surprises. And one of those is Tucker, her former boyfriend/almost fiance.
Here's a quote that I just loved between these two! They will seriously melt your heart!
"Tucker, I don't want to hurt you more than I already have. I just—"
She closed her eyes for a second and took my breath with her. When she opened them again, I didn't think I'd be able to move out from under her attention. I was glued here on the bottom step of her dad's porch, waiting pathetically for her to give me any little piece of her. Screw all my stupid ideas. I was so gone for her still, it was ridiculous. Her hold on me was tighter than an electrified fist.
*Happy Sigh* This quote comes at a point where they have so much happening and so many decisions to make and figure out the struggles from the past and if there's a future. But isn't Tucker just the best?! He's hooked; line and sinker!
I love the secondary characters in this book. They added so much and helped with the development of the main characters' arcs. You'll love her dad and his bookstore. The employee at the bookstore. All of Tucker's family members and their meddling and spunk.
So much goodness happening in Arcadia Creek that you need to dive in and join in the fun! You'll want to stay!
Content: Clean. Some kisses but nothing further. Some talk about a character's parent leaving them.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
There's no easy way to return home when you ran away five years previously. Especially when you knew you had to go and so many people might not understand. Poor June was drowning. There's a lot to why she was and it has to do with her past and childhood and events that dominoed out of her control. The guilt she carries, the heartache, the lost friendships/connections are all going to come rushing back as she returns to Arcadia Creek to help her dad. But unbeknownst to her, she is in for several surprises. And one of those is Tucker, her former boyfriend/almost fiance.
Here's a quote that I just loved between these two! They will seriously melt your heart!
"Tucker, I don't want to hurt you more than I already have. I just—"
She closed her eyes for a second and took my breath with her. When she opened them again, I didn't think I'd be able to move out from under her attention. I was glued here on the bottom step of her dad's porch, waiting pathetically for her to give me any little piece of her. Screw all my stupid ideas. I was so gone for her still, it was ridiculous. Her hold on me was tighter than an electrified fist.
*Happy Sigh* This quote comes at a point where they have so much happening and so many decisions to make and figure out the struggles from the past and if there's a future. But isn't Tucker just the best?! He's hooked; line and sinker!
I love the secondary characters in this book. They added so much and helped with the development of the main characters' arcs. You'll love her dad and his bookstore. The employee at the bookstore. All of Tucker's family members and their meddling and spunk.
So much goodness happening in Arcadia Creek that you need to dive in and join in the fun! You'll want to stay!
Content: Clean. Some kisses but nothing further. Some talk about a character's parent leaving them.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
February 28, 2024
3.75 ⭐️
This is a second chance romance, set in a small town where everyone knows each other's business, but it's like one big family.
I really liked Tucker and found myself smiling at many moments between him and June. I thought the tension between them was well done. I enjoyed their scenes together a lot.
However, I couldn't quite connect with June. I felt like it took her too long to really communicate with Tucker.
I loved the narration; this was the first audiobook I've listened to, and I'll definitely listen to more.
Big thanks to Dreamscape Media for sending me this ALC.
This is a second chance romance, set in a small town where everyone knows each other's business, but it's like one big family.
I really liked Tucker and found myself smiling at many moments between him and June. I thought the tension between them was well done. I enjoyed their scenes together a lot.
However, I couldn't quite connect with June. I felt like it took her too long to really communicate with Tucker.
I loved the narration; this was the first audiobook I've listened to, and I'll definitely listen to more.
Big thanks to Dreamscape Media for sending me this ALC.
March 9, 2024
This one was adorable. I love how he tried so much to not fall in love with her but he just couldn’t help himself. She honestly couldn’t either. They never stopped and it’s so cute and so happy when they finally get back together and admit there was love there all along.
🌀Synopsis
June is back in town. It’s something Tucker knew could happen but still didn’t expect. After how their relationship ended, he’s not happy she’s back either. She’s back to help her dad though and he can appreciate that. He just hopes she finds her way back out soon and doesn’t stop to talk to him either. The only problem seems to be that he can’t steer clear of her willingly or otherwise.
June has a lot on her plate when she returns to town. Her dad needs help after surgery and his book store is failing. She decides to tackle both and finds that she’s happy to be back with her dad. Leaving town was rough but he was in the depths of depression then and nothing June did could help. Now he’s healthy but still needs help making the store work. She realizes that there were a lot of things and people she inadvertently left behind when she dashed away and didn’t return. The biggest of those being Tucker and their engagement. It’s not that she didn’t love him, she was just drowning in the needs of her father and didn’t know how to help. Now the love she’s harbored all those years is back and she’s determined to figure out if he feels it still too.
🌀Synopsis
June is back in town. It’s something Tucker knew could happen but still didn’t expect. After how their relationship ended, he’s not happy she’s back either. She’s back to help her dad though and he can appreciate that. He just hopes she finds her way back out soon and doesn’t stop to talk to him either. The only problem seems to be that he can’t steer clear of her willingly or otherwise.
June has a lot on her plate when she returns to town. Her dad needs help after surgery and his book store is failing. She decides to tackle both and finds that she’s happy to be back with her dad. Leaving town was rough but he was in the depths of depression then and nothing June did could help. Now he’s healthy but still needs help making the store work. She realizes that there were a lot of things and people she inadvertently left behind when she dashed away and didn’t return. The biggest of those being Tucker and their engagement. It’s not that she didn’t love him, she was just drowning in the needs of her father and didn’t know how to help. Now the love she’s harbored all those years is back and she’s determined to figure out if he feels it still too.
April 2, 2024
I had a great time listening to this audio book! The narration was done by dual narrators and was so enjoyable. This is the first time that I have read this author, but definitely not the last. And although this book is the second novel in the Arcadia Creek series, I had no trouble jumping in and reading this story without having read the first in the series.
I love reunion romance stories. Seeing two people who were separated for some reason find their way back to each other within the story is so fun. This book captured it really well. There was the initial hurt and even some anger, followed by awkwardness and wanting the other person to know that you have done well for yourself and moved on. Scenes where the main characters acknowledge (usually silently to themselves) that their hearts still want that other person, but they feel that it is most likely hopeless, leave me excited to see how things will finally work out for them.
It was interesting to find out why June initially left and broke Tucker’s heart. It was, honestly, a frustrating thing that she did and she truly messed up. What made it easier for me to accept was that she acknowledged, first to herself and eventually to Tucker, that she made a huge mistake. She also had some other things to share about her heart and the entire situation. And I loved the way Tucker responded to her throughout the novel. He was a strong and caring man throughout the entire book. I enjoyed seeing him realize what he needed to fight for if he wanted to be with June. I’m happy to see that there is another book coming out after this one to follow Tucker’s friend, Dusty (even if he is a Longhorn fan).
(4.5 stars)
I received a complimentary copy of this audio book, however, I also own a copy of the ebook. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
I love reunion romance stories. Seeing two people who were separated for some reason find their way back to each other within the story is so fun. This book captured it really well. There was the initial hurt and even some anger, followed by awkwardness and wanting the other person to know that you have done well for yourself and moved on. Scenes where the main characters acknowledge (usually silently to themselves) that their hearts still want that other person, but they feel that it is most likely hopeless, leave me excited to see how things will finally work out for them.
It was interesting to find out why June initially left and broke Tucker’s heart. It was, honestly, a frustrating thing that she did and she truly messed up. What made it easier for me to accept was that she acknowledged, first to herself and eventually to Tucker, that she made a huge mistake. She also had some other things to share about her heart and the entire situation. And I loved the way Tucker responded to her throughout the novel. He was a strong and caring man throughout the entire book. I enjoyed seeing him realize what he needed to fight for if he wanted to be with June. I’m happy to see that there is another book coming out after this one to follow Tucker’s friend, Dusty (even if he is a Longhorn fan).
(4.5 stars)
I received a complimentary copy of this audio book, however, I also own a copy of the ebook. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
March 19, 2024
This cute little read is about a small town girl who moved onto bigger and better things….until she has to return home to care for her father. She is thrown back into the tiny town and the normalcy of everybody being all up in everybody else’s business, and the business just so happens to be the man that got away - or the one she ran away from!
If you’re looking for a rom-com that is more sweet than sultry, this might be just the thing you need! I thought the storyline, although quite predictable, is adorable and the characters are lovable. There isn’t a lot of drama and angst here, it’s a pretty straightforward book that is easy to follow, easy to listen to and one that is easy to enjoy especially if you are needing something lighthearted. Also, I thought the narration was well done without being overdone!
This is the first book by this author that I’ve experienced and it’s one I would happily recommend to some of my fellow readers. I would like to thank Kasey Stockton, NetGalley, and Dreamscape Media for the advanced copy of this audiobook.
If you’re looking for a rom-com that is more sweet than sultry, this might be just the thing you need! I thought the storyline, although quite predictable, is adorable and the characters are lovable. There isn’t a lot of drama and angst here, it’s a pretty straightforward book that is easy to follow, easy to listen to and one that is easy to enjoy especially if you are needing something lighthearted. Also, I thought the narration was well done without being overdone!
This is the first book by this author that I’ve experienced and it’s one I would happily recommend to some of my fellow readers. I would like to thank Kasey Stockton, NetGalley, and Dreamscape Media for the advanced copy of this audiobook.
January 8, 2024
Arcadia Creek has my heart. Why? Because there’s so much to love with this series.
Tucker and June were high school sweethearts. Until she ran. Having grown up in a small town, I can understand June’s desires and fears, as well as feel her shame, but there’s nothing quite like the love and care a small town exudes. Yes, residents gossip and dig in fiercely loyal talons, but it’s all in the name of love and there’s nothing in the world like this kind of connection a community like this brings.
I’m all about forgiveness and second chances and Kasey Stockton brings both of these elements into play in such a fun and natural way. The swoon is sparky and smelling salts may be needed while reading.
“Warmth and sunshine and wholeness” will shoot through the heart and soul with every page of this story. I couldn’t get enough of the slight enemies feel with a healthy dose of attraction that propelled the plot forward because “there are no ties in war.”
I can visualize a whole series developing from this cast of wonderful characters and I left this one with a satisfied sigh.
Content: mild romance
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
Tucker and June were high school sweethearts. Until she ran. Having grown up in a small town, I can understand June’s desires and fears, as well as feel her shame, but there’s nothing quite like the love and care a small town exudes. Yes, residents gossip and dig in fiercely loyal talons, but it’s all in the name of love and there’s nothing in the world like this kind of connection a community like this brings.
I’m all about forgiveness and second chances and Kasey Stockton brings both of these elements into play in such a fun and natural way. The swoon is sparky and smelling salts may be needed while reading.
“Warmth and sunshine and wholeness” will shoot through the heart and soul with every page of this story. I couldn’t get enough of the slight enemies feel with a healthy dose of attraction that propelled the plot forward because “there are no ties in war.”
I can visualize a whole series developing from this cast of wonderful characters and I left this one with a satisfied sigh.
Content: mild romance
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
January 8, 2024
4.5 Stars
Second chance in a small town is basically catnip. I just easily find that I can read the trope on repeat and still find the stories to be to my taste. Enter.... Falling in Line.
June returns to Arcadia Creek to no one's excitement, especially her dad and former boyfriend, Tucker. But her dad's having surgery and she refuses to believe he doesn't need her during recovery. Sticking to the house and essential errands shouldn't be too hard. But immediately, June is confronted with more than the anger and pain of those that she left behind. And she can't help but want to mend fences during her stay.
I found June and Tucker to be lovable and the push and pull between them was exactly how I prefer my small town/second chance romances to be. It's such a comfortable read and a great follow-up to Love on Deck.
Thank you to the author for the advanced copy. All thoughts are mine.
Second chance in a small town is basically catnip. I just easily find that I can read the trope on repeat and still find the stories to be to my taste. Enter.... Falling in Line.
June returns to Arcadia Creek to no one's excitement, especially her dad and former boyfriend, Tucker. But her dad's having surgery and she refuses to believe he doesn't need her during recovery. Sticking to the house and essential errands shouldn't be too hard. But immediately, June is confronted with more than the anger and pain of those that she left behind. And she can't help but want to mend fences during her stay.
I found June and Tucker to be lovable and the push and pull between them was exactly how I prefer my small town/second chance romances to be. It's such a comfortable read and a great follow-up to Love on Deck.
Thank you to the author for the advanced copy. All thoughts are mine.
March 7, 2024
4.5 stars!
Thank you NetGalley, Kasey Stockton and Dreamscape Media for giving me the audiobook arc in exchange for an honest review!
-
This book was so cute!! I absolutely loved this book so much.
If you love:
- second chance romance (with no annoying miscommunication)
- small town romances
- closed door / no smut
-
Then this is a book for you!
I found myself so engrossed in this book and was rooting for our two main characters the entire book
Kasey Stockton did an amazing job at making realistic and super likable characters, it's pretty hard to give all your characters defining traits but it was really well done in this book.
-
If you're looking for a super cute second-chance romance to have you giggling and kicking your feet this is the right book for you!
Thank you NetGalley, Kasey Stockton and Dreamscape Media for giving me the audiobook arc in exchange for an honest review!
-
This book was so cute!! I absolutely loved this book so much.
If you love:
- second chance romance (with no annoying miscommunication)
- small town romances
- closed door / no smut
-
Then this is a book for you!
I found myself so engrossed in this book and was rooting for our two main characters the entire book
Kasey Stockton did an amazing job at making realistic and super likable characters, it's pretty hard to give all your characters defining traits but it was really well done in this book.
-
If you're looking for a super cute second-chance romance to have you giggling and kicking your feet this is the right book for you!
April 8, 2024
The long and short of this is that I rarely like second-chance romances and this was not the book to change that preference, mostly because I didn't like June.
Okay with that out of the way, here is a preamble to state that I don't write reviews to sway opinion, but rather almost as a pseudo diary entry to capture my thoughts and feelings about a read so that I don't forget what the book was about and why I rated it the way that I did. The preamble is important here because my two-star rating is less of a reflection on the actual substance or merit of this book and more a capture of my experience reading it, which wasn't pleasant.
Alright, the nitty-gritty (which will likely lack coherence) -with full spoilers.
Like I stated I don't gravitate towards second chance romances. This is definitely more a failing on my part, as I like the throw the baby out with the bathwater approach. But this means that most second chance romances fall into two camps for me. 1) The catalyst for the initial breakup is soo thin, so nonsensical and meaningless that the premise of the book never takes off. OR 2) the catalyst for the breakup is extremely well justified in which case I am not at all rooting for a reconciliation between two characters that have demonstrated to not work well together. See my dillema?
You may the ask (imaginary reader) why I read a book with a central plot line that I understand I don't typically like. Because I've read exceptions to this. One of my absolute favourite books is Heart of the Highlands by Heidi Kimball (a historical piece) which is a second-chance romance, and it does angst and reconciliation and growth so beautifully well that it keeps me occasionally coming back to this trope. And I like Stockton as a writer, so I thought, well let's see how this goes.
And it did not go well for me (hence the 2 star rating, with all of the above caveat that this is soooo a "it's me, not you, but can't rate it higher because I literally did hate this, even though it's not the book's fault and the writing was good").
June's mum left her and her father for an insurance guy in her last year of high school (forgive me for getting any details wrong). She's in a relationship with Tucker at the time, and although she loves him a great deal, eventually her insecurities and fears that she'll abandon him the same way her mum abandoned her family causes her to flee. All without telling him or attempting to talk this through. Obviously this was all very immature and selfish and June acknowledges this as she returns to her hometown to help her dad recuperate from his knee surgery. She immediately runs into Tuck, who still lives in said hometown, and is not over June but desperately wants to be.
The things I liked (which will be linked to why it still didn't make this read successful for me) are:
1) There's a lot of self-awareness. Which is pivotal for second-chance romances especially (in my opinion). June is aware that she self-sabotaged her relationship with Tucker and her Dad in the worst way. She's aware that they have a right to be angry with her. She's aware that people in the town will not be pleased with her just showing up out of the blue 5 years later. This was all well and great at the initial outset of the book but it got old when all of this awareness never translated into anything. June comes back knowing that she's messed up, and aware that she's made selfish decisions, but she still continues to actively make selfish decisions.
One example of this, is Tucker initially avoids her, and rebuffs June's attempts to talk to him. June introspects in one moment that he's clearly still angry with her, but in the next moment resolves to force her apology upon him to make herself feel better. She introspects that she's not entitled to anything with Tucker, then in the next moment asks him to fake the appearance of friendship with her to make the people in the town accept her faster.
She's aware that she broke trust, but simultaneously feels entitled to trust from her Dad and from the town for example.
Yes on one hand this makes June a complex character, and the threads of her characterisation are consistent. But did I like her? No. Was I rooting for her? No. And ultimately this is why this is two stars (although I'll say a few more things for my own record keeping).
For me, the result is that June didn't have enough substantial growth to make me truly like her, and there are very few books that I truly enjoy where I don't like one of the main characters (and this was not one of them).
2) This book did do emotional continuity pretty well which can be rare. For example, Tucker is the wronged party but he's not over June. He doesn't want to still have feelings for her, but this is someone he chose to love once and didn't choose to stop loving. It's complicated for him, and I thought the way the book described this was nuanced and true to life.
3) I also did like that this book wasn't solely about June and Tucker but also about June and her Dad's relationship. It lent itself to a more well rounded story, as June's actions had widespread actions.
4) I also love me a good healthy dose of accountability. June refuses to acknowledge or accept that her actions affected more people than just her Dad and Tucker. So I did enjoy when people would have those frank conversations with her within the context of the book. But while I did like this, it also did reinforce my issues with June as a character, because she opens the book with a degree of responsibility towards her actions, yet is constantly shocked and defensive when people hold her to the account that she seemingly already accepted accountability for.
But ultimately, by the time I got halfway through the book I realised I wasn't going to get my "catharsis" moment. All this tension had been built into the book (which is great) but rather than a tonal shift where I begin actively rooting for Tucker and June I instead grew in frustration. I can say that at best I had not investment in them as a couple and at worst rooted against them.
So there it is, why this is 2 stars, and why that 2 stars is supppppper subjective.
Okay with that out of the way, here is a preamble to state that I don't write reviews to sway opinion, but rather almost as a pseudo diary entry to capture my thoughts and feelings about a read so that I don't forget what the book was about and why I rated it the way that I did. The preamble is important here because my two-star rating is less of a reflection on the actual substance or merit of this book and more a capture of my experience reading it, which wasn't pleasant.
Alright, the nitty-gritty (which will likely lack coherence) -with full spoilers.
Like I stated I don't gravitate towards second chance romances. This is definitely more a failing on my part, as I like the throw the baby out with the bathwater approach. But this means that most second chance romances fall into two camps for me. 1) The catalyst for the initial breakup is soo thin, so nonsensical and meaningless that the premise of the book never takes off. OR 2) the catalyst for the breakup is extremely well justified in which case I am not at all rooting for a reconciliation between two characters that have demonstrated to not work well together. See my dillema?
You may the ask (imaginary reader) why I read a book with a central plot line that I understand I don't typically like. Because I've read exceptions to this. One of my absolute favourite books is Heart of the Highlands by Heidi Kimball (a historical piece) which is a second-chance romance, and it does angst and reconciliation and growth so beautifully well that it keeps me occasionally coming back to this trope. And I like Stockton as a writer, so I thought, well let's see how this goes.
And it did not go well for me (hence the 2 star rating, with all of the above caveat that this is soooo a "it's me, not you, but can't rate it higher because I literally did hate this, even though it's not the book's fault and the writing was good").
June's mum left her and her father for an insurance guy in her last year of high school (forgive me for getting any details wrong). She's in a relationship with Tucker at the time, and although she loves him a great deal, eventually her insecurities and fears that she'll abandon him the same way her mum abandoned her family causes her to flee. All without telling him or attempting to talk this through. Obviously this was all very immature and selfish and June acknowledges this as she returns to her hometown to help her dad recuperate from his knee surgery. She immediately runs into Tuck, who still lives in said hometown, and is not over June but desperately wants to be.
The things I liked (which will be linked to why it still didn't make this read successful for me) are:
1) There's a lot of self-awareness. Which is pivotal for second-chance romances especially (in my opinion). June is aware that she self-sabotaged her relationship with Tucker and her Dad in the worst way. She's aware that they have a right to be angry with her. She's aware that people in the town will not be pleased with her just showing up out of the blue 5 years later. This was all well and great at the initial outset of the book but it got old when all of this awareness never translated into anything. June comes back knowing that she's messed up, and aware that she's made selfish decisions, but she still continues to actively make selfish decisions.
One example of this, is Tucker initially avoids her, and rebuffs June's attempts to talk to him. June introspects in one moment that he's clearly still angry with her, but in the next moment resolves to force her apology upon him to make herself feel better. She introspects that she's not entitled to anything with Tucker, then in the next moment asks him to fake the appearance of friendship with her to make the people in the town accept her faster.
She's aware that she broke trust, but simultaneously feels entitled to trust from her Dad and from the town for example.
Yes on one hand this makes June a complex character, and the threads of her characterisation are consistent. But did I like her? No. Was I rooting for her? No. And ultimately this is why this is two stars (although I'll say a few more things for my own record keeping).
For me, the result is that June didn't have enough substantial growth to make me truly like her, and there are very few books that I truly enjoy where I don't like one of the main characters (and this was not one of them).
2) This book did do emotional continuity pretty well which can be rare. For example, Tucker is the wronged party but he's not over June. He doesn't want to still have feelings for her, but this is someone he chose to love once and didn't choose to stop loving. It's complicated for him, and I thought the way the book described this was nuanced and true to life.
3) I also did like that this book wasn't solely about June and Tucker but also about June and her Dad's relationship. It lent itself to a more well rounded story, as June's actions had widespread actions.
4) I also love me a good healthy dose of accountability. June refuses to acknowledge or accept that her actions affected more people than just her Dad and Tucker. So I did enjoy when people would have those frank conversations with her within the context of the book. But while I did like this, it also did reinforce my issues with June as a character, because she opens the book with a degree of responsibility towards her actions, yet is constantly shocked and defensive when people hold her to the account that she seemingly already accepted accountability for.
But ultimately, by the time I got halfway through the book I realised I wasn't going to get my "catharsis" moment. All this tension had been built into the book (which is great) but rather than a tonal shift where I begin actively rooting for Tucker and June I instead grew in frustration. I can say that at best I had not investment in them as a couple and at worst rooted against them.
So there it is, why this is 2 stars, and why that 2 stars is supppppper subjective.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2025
Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes; I love seeing couples overcome their differences and try again, but this one was hard for me since Tucker had so much resentment toward June for leaving without letting him know why. He's a man who's been hurt and June’s return to Arcadia Creek shakes up the careful walls he’s built around his heart. Their journey toward healing and trust is filled with heartfelt moments and undeniable chemistry.
The small-town setting adds charm, and the supporting characters bring warmth and humor. This story is a great portrayal of love, regret, and the difficulty of forgiveness. The push and pull between Tucker and June is engaging, and their emotional growth feels genuine. Fans of slow-burn, deeply emotional romances will love this one.
I went into this book without reading the first one in the Arcadia Creek series but that didn't affect my enjoyment. This can be read as a standalone. I liked that the audiobook had dual narrators and thought they did a good job with the story.
I received an audiobook copy from Dreamscape Media via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
The small-town setting adds charm, and the supporting characters bring warmth and humor. This story is a great portrayal of love, regret, and the difficulty of forgiveness. The push and pull between Tucker and June is engaging, and their emotional growth feels genuine. Fans of slow-burn, deeply emotional romances will love this one.
I went into this book without reading the first one in the Arcadia Creek series but that didn't affect my enjoyment. This can be read as a standalone. I liked that the audiobook had dual narrators and thought they did a good job with the story.
I received an audiobook copy from Dreamscape Media via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
March 4, 2024
A cute small town romance!
Tucker and June were engaged to be married when June decided that small town life isn't quite for her and suddenly moved away for college. 5 years later she returns back to Arcadia Creek to help her dad after he has knee surgery and runs into none other than her old flame Tucker when they realize old feelings are still lingering.
Overall this was a cute small town romace. As far as romance books go, I do think the characters could have had a little bit more chemistry and overall the book could have had a little bit more *spice* but who doesn't love a little happlily ever after?
The audiobook narrators voices felt a little old for how old the characters were suppose to be, but overall I enjoyed it for what it was!
Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook :)
Tucker and June were engaged to be married when June decided that small town life isn't quite for her and suddenly moved away for college. 5 years later she returns back to Arcadia Creek to help her dad after he has knee surgery and runs into none other than her old flame Tucker when they realize old feelings are still lingering.
Overall this was a cute small town romace. As far as romance books go, I do think the characters could have had a little bit more chemistry and overall the book could have had a little bit more *spice* but who doesn't love a little happlily ever after?
The audiobook narrators voices felt a little old for how old the characters were suppose to be, but overall I enjoyed it for what it was!
Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook :)
November 6, 2024
This story is about Jack's brother, Tucker and the one that got away, June. Tucker was devastated when June moved away while they were still in college. The hardest part was she just left, without any warning. Now she's back to help her father recover from surgery. She's still strongly attracted to Tucker but since she doesn't plan on staying, she vows to try to keep her distance. Tucker is feeling the draw to June as well, so keeping their distance from each other might be harder than they think.
A fun story that tells of possible second chances, healing old hurts, admitting to wrong doing and a small town that cares deeply about all their residents, even former ones that are only there temporarily.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story! Cementing that Kasey can write more than one genre and very well!
A fun story that tells of possible second chances, healing old hurts, admitting to wrong doing and a small town that cares deeply about all their residents, even former ones that are only there temporarily.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story! Cementing that Kasey can write more than one genre and very well!
March 6, 2024
Who doesn’t love a good second chance romance? I’m such a sucker for an achy heart. Also, I think so many of us can relate to the feeling of wholeness that comes with a return home. To your family, your friends, to all the things that make one place feel so special.
This one ties all of that together in a neat little bow. June returns home to help her dad and find her new neighbor is her ex. In a small town, it's hard to stay away from one another, it's also really hard to stay away when you're magnetized to one another and are constantly wanting to be with the other.
There was heartache, past trauma, cozy small-town vibes, found family and dreams realized. Is there anything else you need? Here for it all and can't wait to read more about this wholesome town!
Thank you @Netgalley and @DreamscapeMedia for the advanced copy of this one, it gave me all the feels!
This one ties all of that together in a neat little bow. June returns home to help her dad and find her new neighbor is her ex. In a small town, it's hard to stay away from one another, it's also really hard to stay away when you're magnetized to one another and are constantly wanting to be with the other.
There was heartache, past trauma, cozy small-town vibes, found family and dreams realized. Is there anything else you need? Here for it all and can't wait to read more about this wholesome town!
Thank you @Netgalley and @DreamscapeMedia for the advanced copy of this one, it gave me all the feels!
March 30, 2025
Loved this darling second chance romance!
The characters are so lovely in this series. Well rounded, complex, relatable and easy to cheer for. I was invested in June and Tucker and their love story from the first pages of this one. Loved the characters surrounding them too -- June's dad (stubborn, healing in more ways than one and so loyal), Nellie (mother figure, feisty, second chance on love for her too), Tucker's family especially his mom who I love (loved seeing her work through forgiveness and grace in this one) also I would love a book for Colt -- the baby brother!! Loved seeing Lauren and Jack in this one and seeing how happy and content they are in their future.
I just adore this small town of Arcadia Creek! Love the quirks and the endearing moments in this small town. Especially loved Bakers Books and June's journey with the book store. I want to join her book club and come in for a drink while I browse their collections.
Loved the second chance romance between June and Tucker! They both made mistakes and are healing together. Seeing them give their love a chance again and fight for their love was so beautiful!
So excited for Dusty's story!!!
The characters are so lovely in this series. Well rounded, complex, relatable and easy to cheer for. I was invested in June and Tucker and their love story from the first pages of this one. Loved the characters surrounding them too -- June's dad (stubborn, healing in more ways than one and so loyal), Nellie (mother figure, feisty, second chance on love for her too), Tucker's family especially his mom who I love (loved seeing her work through forgiveness and grace in this one) also I would love a book for Colt -- the baby brother!! Loved seeing Lauren and Jack in this one and seeing how happy and content they are in their future.
I just adore this small town of Arcadia Creek! Love the quirks and the endearing moments in this small town. Especially loved Bakers Books and June's journey with the book store. I want to join her book club and come in for a drink while I browse their collections.
Loved the second chance romance between June and Tucker! They both made mistakes and are healing together. Seeing them give their love a chance again and fight for their love was so beautiful!
So excited for Dusty's story!!!
January 21, 2024
Loved June & Tucker and their second chance story. I loved the healing and growth-and they were ultimately ‘it’ for each other 🤎
January 2, 2025
What a fantastic second-chance, small town story. All the feels, the best busy-body antics and found family feels, growth, forgiveness, and heaps of romantic tension!
March 13, 2024
I wasn’t a fan of June. She was immature and selfish and she gaslit everyone around her. I think Tucker should have moved on a long time ago. He deserved better.
Read
January 27, 2025I love me a good second chance romance book!
March 18, 2024
This is a small town, second chance romance. It’s set in Texas but you could never guess that from the narration alone. The narrator has no Texan accent whatsoever which is weird considering these people are all born and raised in Texas so it kinda took me out of the story. (Otherwise overall narration was alright).
I’ll be honest, I hated June (the fmc). She’s so problematic and she’s too grown to be acting like that.
She left town, left her depressed father, left the man with whom planning a wedding, without saying anything only to waltz back in 5 years later and expect everyone to just forgive her. She said and I quote “He could be mad, but let me apologize for Pete’s sake. He didn’t have to accept it.” As if she didn’t shatter his heart and uproot his life🙄.
And when she finally did apologize she literally said “Sorry, Tucker”. Sorry???? Sorry???? You were gone for 5 years and and you’re just gonna say “sorry”. Ou I was so mad for Tucker. Then I got mad AT Tucker bc he really just lived for June. I wish we got some sort of insight into who Tucker is without June. But his whole job is June it was annoying.
I understand why June had to leave and I have the same fears too but like COMMUNICATE???!! I’m only 19 years old yet I know if you’re scared about something you can’t just make decisions on your own that will greatly impact your relationship without talking about it. He truly loved her. Did she even think about how her leaving with no explanation would affect him. She said she’s apologizing bc seeing him angry hurts her. Let’s unpack that. She’s apologizing to assuage her own guilt. Not bc she regrets the pain he’s been through.
And how incredibly self centered does one have to be to up and leave then be mad at the people you left behind for “not fighting for you”. Girl?! And also Tucker claimed he DID call, she just didn’t respond.
This book would’ve made sense if she was like 16 but miss girl is grown yet so childish and ignorant. And the way she’d get so pressed over Maddie who really was nothing but nice is just not it.
Phew. Now that that’s out of the way, the writing was just alright. I loved the small town charm. I loved the character development. She was absolutely insufferable but she got to her senses in the end. Unfortunately, I was simply annoyed with her throughout bc personally I think if you’re with someone all your life and you’re planning a wedding with their mum you’d be able to talk about things, it’s actually very unrealistic. She never loved him, she only loved how he loved her.
Characters 2/10 (hated the mcs, the sides were alright)
Atmosphere/setting 2/10 (bc of the narrator I was nowhere near immersed)
Writing 5/10 (it was alright)
Plot 3/10
Intrigue 2/10
Logic/relationships 1/10
Enjoyment 2/10
Average 17/7 =2.4
Official rating⭐️⭐️/5
*This audiobook was made available to be by Dreamscape Media through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review*
I’ll be honest, I hated June (the fmc). She’s so problematic and she’s too grown to be acting like that.
She left town, left her depressed father, left the man with whom planning a wedding, without saying anything only to waltz back in 5 years later and expect everyone to just forgive her. She said and I quote “He could be mad, but let me apologize for Pete’s sake. He didn’t have to accept it.” As if she didn’t shatter his heart and uproot his life🙄.
And when she finally did apologize she literally said “Sorry, Tucker”. Sorry???? Sorry???? You were gone for 5 years and and you’re just gonna say “sorry”. Ou I was so mad for Tucker. Then I got mad AT Tucker bc he really just lived for June. I wish we got some sort of insight into who Tucker is without June. But his whole job is June it was annoying.
I understand why June had to leave and I have the same fears too but like COMMUNICATE???!! I’m only 19 years old yet I know if you’re scared about something you can’t just make decisions on your own that will greatly impact your relationship without talking about it. He truly loved her. Did she even think about how her leaving with no explanation would affect him. She said she’s apologizing bc seeing him angry hurts her. Let’s unpack that. She’s apologizing to assuage her own guilt. Not bc she regrets the pain he’s been through.
And how incredibly self centered does one have to be to up and leave then be mad at the people you left behind for “not fighting for you”. Girl?! And also Tucker claimed he DID call, she just didn’t respond.
This book would’ve made sense if she was like 16 but miss girl is grown yet so childish and ignorant. And the way she’d get so pressed over Maddie who really was nothing but nice is just not it.
Phew. Now that that’s out of the way, the writing was just alright. I loved the small town charm. I loved the character development. She was absolutely insufferable but she got to her senses in the end. Unfortunately, I was simply annoyed with her throughout bc personally I think if you’re with someone all your life and you’re planning a wedding with their mum you’d be able to talk about things, it’s actually very unrealistic. She never loved him, she only loved how he loved her.
Characters 2/10 (hated the mcs, the sides were alright)
Atmosphere/setting 2/10 (bc of the narrator I was nowhere near immersed)
Writing 5/10 (it was alright)
Plot 3/10
Intrigue 2/10
Logic/relationships 1/10
Enjoyment 2/10
Average 17/7 =2.4
Official rating⭐️⭐️/5
*This audiobook was made available to be by Dreamscape Media through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review*
January 31, 2024
Tucker Fletcher was a man worth waiting for.
After devouring Love On Deck, I knew I was going to love the next story in this series. But come on…this was too good.
After devouring Love On Deck, I knew I was going to love the next story in this series. But come on…this was too good.
February 6, 2024
Does anyone else every feel like every redemption arc is all about the male lead? I’m sure there are a number of female redemption stories, but I feel like there is a disparity with male characters getting the vast majority of them. I was so happy to learn this story had a female redemption, and Kasey handled it so well.
First off, one cannot help but absolutely love with Tucker. Several years previous to this book’s timeline, June lived out her own worst-fear-doom-story by disappearing from Tucker’s life. But suddenly she’s back, and he has to come to terms with it. I absolutely loved how Kasey portrayed him as very real and human, but also willing, after some time and thought, to forgive June for what she did to him in the past. If you’ve followed my reviews for long, you know I really love a flawed character, and Tucker is obviously not perfect, but still good. And that is what actually makes a perfect character, as far as I’m concerned.
June has clearly suffered from trauma that led to her making some pretty poor decisions. And I absolutely loved that the way back to her life wasn’t paved with rocks with ease and instant acceptance by everyone. Once again, the way Kasey wrote these characters was excellent.
I’m kind of in love with Arcadia Creek. Spending more time there in this book made me very happy and I’m looking forward to more in the next book. I’m loving this series!
**I received an advanced copy of this book, but a positive review was not required.
First off, one cannot help but absolutely love with Tucker. Several years previous to this book’s timeline, June lived out her own worst-fear-doom-story by disappearing from Tucker’s life. But suddenly she’s back, and he has to come to terms with it. I absolutely loved how Kasey portrayed him as very real and human, but also willing, after some time and thought, to forgive June for what she did to him in the past. If you’ve followed my reviews for long, you know I really love a flawed character, and Tucker is obviously not perfect, but still good. And that is what actually makes a perfect character, as far as I’m concerned.
June has clearly suffered from trauma that led to her making some pretty poor decisions. And I absolutely loved that the way back to her life wasn’t paved with rocks with ease and instant acceptance by everyone. Once again, the way Kasey wrote these characters was excellent.
I’m kind of in love with Arcadia Creek. Spending more time there in this book made me very happy and I’m looking forward to more in the next book. I’m loving this series!
**I received an advanced copy of this book, but a positive review was not required.
March 13, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC audiobook.
Love a good, clean, swoon-worthy novel? This book is for you. June and Jack and all the side characters were all SO lovable! June and Jack were high school sweethearts who were nearly married and then June left without any explanation. She comes back to her small hometown 5 years later and well… you will just need to read the book to find out what happens when she comes back around. This is a story of second chance love and forgiveness. It was a fun and easy listen. I loved having the 2 different narrators (male/female).
Love a good, clean, swoon-worthy novel? This book is for you. June and Jack and all the side characters were all SO lovable! June and Jack were high school sweethearts who were nearly married and then June left without any explanation. She comes back to her small hometown 5 years later and well… you will just need to read the book to find out what happens when she comes back around. This is a story of second chance love and forgiveness. It was a fun and easy listen. I loved having the 2 different narrators (male/female).
September 25, 2024
I loved this book
I loved the church attendance
We need more Christian authors in secular romance!!!!
Yes yes yes
I loved the church attendance
We need more Christian authors in secular romance!!!!
Yes yes yes
January 8, 2024
Oh how I loved being back in Arcadia Creek! Reading this only left me wanting more...or to turn back to page one and start it all over. The chemistry between June and Tucker....ahhhh it was so good! Like jump out the page and grab you good! How June ever left in the first place is beyond me. Thank goodness her dad had major surgery and she came back home to help.
This book is for you if you love second chances, chemistry, humor, dual point of views (I will ALWAYS love those!) small town gossip, family relationships and really good writing! I love how Kasey Stockton writes and everything she publishes will be an automatic purchase for me!
You can read this book as a stand alone but I definitely recommend the first in the series: Love on Deck. And I can’t wait for Dusty’s story!! Also if I’m putting in requests I wouldn’t mind more on Gracie Mae either... 😏 hehe
I received a free copy of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Favorite Quotes:
“I was only forty-six percent positive I was making a huge mistake.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Blessed heavens, I was at ninety percent now. Coming here had definitely been a mistake.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“What I need, I said, tossing him a pair of safety glasses and slipping my own on, “is to smash something.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Looking at June was like staring at the sun. Brilliant, bright, and extremely painful. I knew I shouldn’t look, but I couldn’t help myself either.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Was it smart to kiss him? No. Did I want to? Yes. Was I curious about how it would feel after all this time? Absolutely.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“You bring it out in me.”
“The temptation to forget logical thinking?”
“Just wanting you.”
This book is for you if you love second chances, chemistry, humor, dual point of views (I will ALWAYS love those!) small town gossip, family relationships and really good writing! I love how Kasey Stockton writes and everything she publishes will be an automatic purchase for me!
You can read this book as a stand alone but I definitely recommend the first in the series: Love on Deck. And I can’t wait for Dusty’s story!! Also if I’m putting in requests I wouldn’t mind more on Gracie Mae either... 😏 hehe
I received a free copy of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Favorite Quotes:
“I was only forty-six percent positive I was making a huge mistake.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Blessed heavens, I was at ninety percent now. Coming here had definitely been a mistake.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“What I need, I said, tossing him a pair of safety glasses and slipping my own on, “is to smash something.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Looking at June was like staring at the sun. Brilliant, bright, and extremely painful. I knew I shouldn’t look, but I couldn’t help myself either.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Was it smart to kiss him? No. Did I want to? Yes. Was I curious about how it would feel after all this time? Absolutely.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“You bring it out in me.”
“The temptation to forget logical thinking?”
“Just wanting you.”
April 1, 2024
Thank you to Dreamscape Media for early access to the ALC of this book. These are my honest thoughts!
Another first time author for me this month, and I enjoyed Kasey's story immensely.
This is a second chance romance between former high school sweethearts. The FMC escapes to California because she fears she'll leave eventually anyways (her grandma and mom both did), leaving behind her sweetheart in their small Texas town, with her dad and his bookstore/cafe as well.
Returning because her dad "needs" her assistance with his surgery, our FMC is forced to face the decision that left her small community reeling. She ghosted an entire town and now she's back to face the consequences.
There are a lot of fun side characters, as the MMC is part of a big family and our FMC is besties with all of his cousin's and sister's and the wives of his best friends, etc. etc. etc. When the town isn't as welcoming to the FMC's homecoming, the MMC steps in for a "truce," while he actively starts dating someone else, possibly to prove he doesn't have feelings for her.
Uhm. We all know where this leads, right?
This story was super sweet and is a clean romance. I never felt like I needed to turn off the audiobook because it was inappropriate for any reasons. I liked the female narrator, and really liked the male narrator a lot. I loved the story arc of family and community and apologies. June and Tucker were a great pair, which makes me rooting for them to reconnect, the tension, the drama, and finally leaning into the tension so worth while!
This is a very solid 3.5-4star read!
Another first time author for me this month, and I enjoyed Kasey's story immensely.
This is a second chance romance between former high school sweethearts. The FMC escapes to California because she fears she'll leave eventually anyways (her grandma and mom both did), leaving behind her sweetheart in their small Texas town, with her dad and his bookstore/cafe as well.
Returning because her dad "needs" her assistance with his surgery, our FMC is forced to face the decision that left her small community reeling. She ghosted an entire town and now she's back to face the consequences.
There are a lot of fun side characters, as the MMC is part of a big family and our FMC is besties with all of his cousin's and sister's and the wives of his best friends, etc. etc. etc. When the town isn't as welcoming to the FMC's homecoming, the MMC steps in for a "truce," while he actively starts dating someone else, possibly to prove he doesn't have feelings for her.
Uhm. We all know where this leads, right?
This story was super sweet and is a clean romance. I never felt like I needed to turn off the audiobook because it was inappropriate for any reasons. I liked the female narrator, and really liked the male narrator a lot. I loved the story arc of family and community and apologies. June and Tucker were a great pair, which makes me rooting for them to reconnect, the tension, the drama, and finally leaning into the tension so worth while!
This is a very solid 3.5-4star read!
March 6, 2024
'It turned out choosing the perfect look-good-in-front-of-your-ex-but-not-like-you-were-trying-at-all outfit didn't exist.'
I am such a simp for second chance romances like this. Tucker & June were High School sweethearts, but when fear crept in that June was repeating her parents mistakes, she ran away from their small town with nothing but a note left behind. That is until June's father has a major surgery, that leaves June wanting to return to the town for the first time in 5 years. (I love a female redemption arc story).
I LOVED how both June & Tucker carried themselves throughout the book. Once Tucker was willing to speak to her again, they had clear communication and set boundaries that needed to be set. UHGG why can't in all romance novels, the MC's just listen to each other like this and come to a place of caring instead of frustration????????? EVERYONE ELSE, TAKE NOTES!
The romance & chemistry in this was so so good. Even with their boundaries in place, they just can't help but gravitate towards each other again (hello, second chance romance), I really ate it up & almost want to start the book all over again to experience it twice.
The towns behavior in the beginning was wacky IMO, like I know y'alls feelings were hurt too, but move on ok? ok. Once they do move past it, I did kind of fall in love with the town & all the people in it.
'June was too easy to love for anything else to be possible.'
I am such a simp for second chance romances like this. Tucker & June were High School sweethearts, but when fear crept in that June was repeating her parents mistakes, she ran away from their small town with nothing but a note left behind. That is until June's father has a major surgery, that leaves June wanting to return to the town for the first time in 5 years. (I love a female redemption arc story).
I LOVED how both June & Tucker carried themselves throughout the book. Once Tucker was willing to speak to her again, they had clear communication and set boundaries that needed to be set. UHGG why can't in all romance novels, the MC's just listen to each other like this and come to a place of caring instead of frustration????????? EVERYONE ELSE, TAKE NOTES!
The romance & chemistry in this was so so good. Even with their boundaries in place, they just can't help but gravitate towards each other again (hello, second chance romance), I really ate it up & almost want to start the book all over again to experience it twice.
The towns behavior in the beginning was wacky IMO, like I know y'alls feelings were hurt too, but move on ok? ok. Once they do move past it, I did kind of fall in love with the town & all the people in it.
'June was too easy to love for anything else to be possible.'
November 16, 2024
This was a cute small-town second-chance romance, but it didn’t completely hit the mark for me. While Tucker and June’s story has all the elements for a sweet romance, I just didn’t feel the chemistry between them. There were moments that had potential, but overall, their connection felt a bit underdeveloped.
I really enjoyed Love on Deck, the first book in the Arcadia Creek series, so I was hoping this one would live up to it, but it didn’t quite have the same spark. I did understand June’s reasons for leaving Tucker in the past, and I appreciated the attempt to explore their growth. But I wish the book had done more to show how they had truly changed and evolved—not just as individuals but as a couple. It felt like there were missed opportunities to dive deeper into their development and make their reconciliation feel more meaningful.
The pacing also felt off at times. The plot stretched on in places where it didn’t need to, which made the story drag a bit. There were parts where I was hoping for more movement, and it took a while for things to really pick up.
Overall, Falling in Line is a sweet, easy read, but it didn’t quite live up to the promise of the first book in the series. It’s good for fans of small-town romance, but it left me wanting a little more.
I really enjoyed Love on Deck, the first book in the Arcadia Creek series, so I was hoping this one would live up to it, but it didn’t quite have the same spark. I did understand June’s reasons for leaving Tucker in the past, and I appreciated the attempt to explore their growth. But I wish the book had done more to show how they had truly changed and evolved—not just as individuals but as a couple. It felt like there were missed opportunities to dive deeper into their development and make their reconciliation feel more meaningful.
The pacing also felt off at times. The plot stretched on in places where it didn’t need to, which made the story drag a bit. There were parts where I was hoping for more movement, and it took a while for things to really pick up.
Overall, Falling in Line is a sweet, easy read, but it didn’t quite live up to the promise of the first book in the series. It’s good for fans of small-town romance, but it left me wanting a little more.
February 24, 2024
Quick Summary: A second chance at being with your first love
My Review: Falling in Line by Kasey Stockton is book #2 in the Arcadia Creek series.
About the Book: Years ago, June and Tucker had been engaged to be married. Before their happy day, however, something unfortunate happened to split them apart. Now, she's back home. Will she be able to mend the relationships that mean the most to her or will her efforts be a lost cause?
About the Narration: Cara Swingline and Evan Sibley did a masterful job with narrating this book. They communicated the story so effectively that the tension and emotions were easy to connect with.
My Final Say: This was a beautiful story about unconditional love and forgiveness. It was rich with family and community connections. Readers who enjoy romances with a first love to second chance theme will really like this novel.
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Series: Yes
Status/Level: 💖
Audiobook: Yes
Narration: +
Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Dreamscape Media), and to NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to listen to an audio ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.
My Review: Falling in Line by Kasey Stockton is book #2 in the Arcadia Creek series.
About the Book: Years ago, June and Tucker had been engaged to be married. Before their happy day, however, something unfortunate happened to split them apart. Now, she's back home. Will she be able to mend the relationships that mean the most to her or will her efforts be a lost cause?
About the Narration: Cara Swingline and Evan Sibley did a masterful job with narrating this book. They communicated the story so effectively that the tension and emotions were easy to connect with.
My Final Say: This was a beautiful story about unconditional love and forgiveness. It was rich with family and community connections. Readers who enjoy romances with a first love to second chance theme will really like this novel.
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Series: Yes
Status/Level: 💖
Audiobook: Yes
Narration: +
Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Dreamscape Media), and to NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to listen to an audio ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 305 reviews