She left to protect her son. He’s back to reclaim his first love. But secrets this big don’t stay buried forever.
Thirteen years ago, art student Cara thought she had a fairytale romance with billionaire’s son Ellis, heir to the Horizon Electronics empire, but when she gets pregnant unexpectedly, her boyfriend’s tyrannical father gives her a choice: Disappear without a trace or give up the baby. Brokenhearted, Cara chooses her child over the love of her life.
Ellis Benton has spent his life trying to escape his father’s shadow. Handsome, successful, and haunted by the girl who got away, he’s come to Brightwater on business—but when he meets Cara for the first time in over a decade, Ellis finds himself drawn back to the one woman who ever truly saw him.
Cara’s carefully constructed world begins to unravel. Ellis wants answers, and he wants Cara back. As old flames reignite, Cara and Ellis are drawn back into each other’s arms, but the truth about Riley’s parentage could destroy everything and Cara must decide if she is willing to risk it all for a second chance at love.
#Review: *Coming home to you* - Sybil Kelton - ARC 4.9/5✨ 1/5🌶️
I've recently read 'Lessons in Love' by the author, which I liked and I wanted to read more by her. So, when I've received the proposal to be part of the ARC team for this one, I accepted with my whole heart.
This book follows a partially sad story of a young love, which is torn apart by a strict father. Cara and Ellis had fallen for each other and, by mistake, Cara got pregnant with his child. But they were pretty young and, before she told Ellis about this, his father threatened her and forced her to leave and never see Ellis again. And that's exactly what she did, in order to protect her baby.
Years have passed and Cara and her kid, Riley, have a pretty ok life, nothing too extraordinary, but enough to be happy. That's until their lives will complicate, when their paths intertwine with Ellis's. From there on, Ellis tries his best to see Cara again, because she remained in his soul and mind for all those years they've been apart. But, in order to find their happiness, they need to resolve the problems which can take Riley from Cara.
This whole story had a genuine thing about it, having events which can easily happen in real life. I liked how the characters were built, except Ellis's dad, which was too mean for my taste. I fell in love with all the other characters and with the story. Ellis was such a sweetheart, although he was raised by an unscrupulous man.
The end of the book was filled with suspense moments, which added another positive thing to the story. It was a really nice and pretty quick read for me. I recommended it if you love books which contain more than just a romance story.
୨⎯ tropes ⎯୧ ❄️ small town 🩷 second-chance ❄️ billionaire 🩷 single mom ❄️ secret child 🩷 opposites attract
୨⎯ plot ⎯୧ this book follows cara, a single mom who left the love of her life 13 years ago. she and her son, riley live together and are making ends meet. now she and ellis, the man she fell in love with are reunited and he wants to win her back and find out the reason she left all those years ago. she has to decide if love is worth the risk.
୨⎯ my review ⎯୧ this book was short & sweet 💗 super cute and total christmas movie- hallmark vibes loved the dynamics between cara and riley, they supported and loved one another so much. ellis was nice, but the lack of trust near the end was kind of concerning but he made up for it. this book was shorter than I expected, but super easy to read. would recommend to those looking for a warm and easy winter read <33
୨⎯ quotes⎯୧
“ellis. the first man I ever loved. the only man I ever loved.”
“cara. the woman who had broken my heart thirteen years ago. the woman who’d made me love harder and deeper than any time before or after,”
“you were my shelter from the storm”
˗ˏˋ ꒰ ♡ ꒱ ˎˊ˗
thank you to the author for an arc in exchange for a honest review
ೃ⁀➷pre-review 11.09.24 cute read wasn't a slowburn like I thought it would be cara and riley's relationship was so wholesome and such a healthy mother-son connection
"Ellis. The first man I ever loved. The only man I ever loved."
"Cara. The woman who had broken my heart thirteen years ago. The woman who'd made me love harder and deeper than any time before or after."
TROPES: • second chance • forced proximity • single mom • opposites attract • found family • secret baby • billionaire
I loved this addition to the Brightwater series! This book was short, sweet and fast-paced with low angst/spice. I loved all the tropes, and the wintery vibes. This is one of those books that I wish was a Hallmark movie. I'm hoping for a story about Wyatt & Harper!! 🤭
A story about second chance and taking risks for the ones you love.
Thirteen years ago, Cara walked away from her fairytale romance and the only man she ever truly loved. Now, he’s back in town on business, and the moment he sees her again, he’s determined to win her heart back. But he has no idea he’s also a father—a secret Cara has fiercely guarded all these years. As old sparks ignite and hidden truths come to light, will these soulmates find their way back to each other, or will the past keep them apart?
Rating: 💜• 🫦
🌟 This book gave me all the Hallmark movie vibes! A small town, a billionaire hired to revamp the beloved local ranch, and a strong-willed woman trying to protect her way of life. Their reunion starts off rocky, but soon they’re pulled back together. Now, though, this strong-willed fmc is a single mom who’s reluctant to risk everything for a second chance at love, especially for the sake of her child. While it felt a bit rushed at times and there were a few typos, this was a sweet, cozy read that felt comfy.
🪷 Cara and Ellis’s story is genuinely heartwarming. There’s something so emotional about a second-chance romance. I totally understood Cara’s hesitations, yet my heart went out to Ellis. And on the flip side, I felt Ellis’s frustration while also empathizing with Cara’s struggles. Riley, their son, is also incredibly endearing.
🍃 Endearing, heartfelt, and cozy
📖 “Go on a proper date with me.” “Ellis, you know it’s a bad idea. Don’t be silly.” “Maybe it’s a bad idea, but I don’t care. If loving you is silly, then I’m more than happy to make a fool out of myself every day for the rest of my life.”
Cara and Ellis fell in love while she was working as a nanny to his younger siblings. When Cara became pregnant, Ellis’ father Carlisle threatened to either take her child to raise without her or banish her and her child from Ellis’ life and never tell him. She knew she had to protect her son from Carlisle so she left with him and found refuge in Brightwater. Thirteen years later, Ellis finds out where Cara is and takes on a job acquiring a local farm for his dad’s company to get her back. She starts to fall for him again which threatens her secret to keep her son Riley safe. Will she risk it all for this second chance at a fairytale romance?
This book had me hooked at the last sentence of chapter 1. After that, I read the rest in one sitting. The plot was great. It is the second book in the series, but can be read as a standalone. I was really excited that some of the characters in the first book made an appearance in this one as it’s set in the same town. I did just get back into reading in April of this year, so I hadn’t read any second chance romances yet, but this book is making me wanna look for more books with that trope. Again, just like in my review of the first book I like that the main characters are in their 30s and not teens. I always love dual POV’s. It’s nice to know what each character is thinking and how they see the obstacles they face. This book was heartwarming and it made me smile a lot. I’ll be eagerly waiting the next one the series!
Sybil spoiled us with her book releases so close to one another.
Cara had a whirlwind romance with a billionaire's son, Ellis, and when she gets pregnant, Ellis' father gave her the ultimatum: Give up her son or disappear from their lives. Cara chose her son and they settled down in Brightwater. A few years has passed and when Ellis came to town to buy the ranch Cara loved, she had to keep her secret close to not endanger her son.
Second-chance trope is not my favorite however, this book just did the right amount of balance between romance and emotional depth. This book not only showcased the love between two people but also the love of family, both found family and biological.
The love between our two MCs stood against time, and we both saw how they still love another after all those years. They are perfect for one another, and it was so sweet to see.
Cara's so resilient and strong, and will do everything and anything for her son and we love to see it. Ellis' was very persistent in pursuing Cara and honestly, she deserved it. The whole book went by so fast, I wished there was more but it was so neatly tied up.
Love the little snippets we get from the book 1 couple!
Having loved Lessons in Love by this author, I was excited to read this—and it didn’t disappoint! Cara, a single mom, left Ellis, the love of her life, 13 years ago to protect their son, Riley, from Ellis’s controlling father. When their paths cross again, she must decide if risking her heart is worth a second chance at happiness.
The story is heartfelt and emotional, with a realistic plot and strong connections between the characters. I loved Cara and Riley’s bond, while Ellis was sweet despite his father’s cruelty. The suspense near the end kept me hooked, and the small-town setting with dual POVs added charm.
This book was super cute and I loved it! Especially with its holiday spirit and swoon-worthy romance, this short, engaging read is perfect for fans of second-chance love stories. Highly recommended for the season! You won’t regret it!
I recommend reading the first one before this but you don’t have to! It just adds so much to the experience since my fave people from the first book are in this one too! 🥰
From the first chapter I was hooked. Cara gets pregnant and the father of the father threatens to take away the baby if she doesn’t leave without a trace. It’s wild. Any mother would be worried for the safety of her child, I understand why she did it. Then 13 years later the father of the child comes into her hometown and she does everything in her power to try to prove to Ellis that he should leave her alone. But the chemistry is too strong and he wants answers to why she poofed from his life. This book really draws you in.
Super swoony winter romance, I absolutely recommend to everyone who needs a second chance romance in their life
🤍Second chance 🥵Fighting Father’s Empire 🤍Found family 🥵Small town romance 🤍Dual pov 🥵Adventures with horses 🤍She’s a photographer x he’s a lawyer 🥵some spice
I received an advanced copy and these are my thoughts:
This is when I don’t like giving up on debut authors! Sybil’s debut wasn’t the right fit for me, but I very much enjoyed her second book.
Cara has been keeping a secret for the last thirteen years and her past has finally caught up with her. When the man she loved in her twenties, suddenly shows up, threatening not only to uncover the truth of her disappearance all those years ago, but also the beloved Cedar Creek Ranch. Will Cara be able to keep her secret and feelings for Ellis tucked away and help her friends find a way to keep the ranch from being sold for its land?
I liked that Cara was a hard working and resilient woman. She was also a single mother, trying to make ends meet. Ellis was a rich, charming man who never forgot his first love and was determined to win her back. It was clear these two had unfinished business and their chemistry was still intact, after all those years.
I also enjoyed the ranch setting and the horses and the descriptions of winter in Oregon. Sybil painted a beautiful picture of the nature setting, with the trail paths, waterfall and picturesque small town.
A HEA is guaranteed and there is no third-act breakup (just a minor hiccup).
i honestly couldn’t wait for this book after reading the first one in the series and it hasn’t disappointed me at all.
i loved Cara and Ellis, they waited 13 years to see each other again. I was hooked from the first page and couldn’t put it down. I don’t want to say to much and spoilt it for all but well worth the read and I really hope there will be move from them in the future.
I love Sybils books and honestly can’t wait to see what she releases next.
I finished this SO quickly, I could not put it down! Second chance, small town, romance, AND it’s set in winter, at Christmas. I absolutely loved these characters, and I could really visualise this in my head as a rom com movie, Harper in particular made me smile. Absolute perfect read for this time of year!
This book was sent to me as an ARC, I’m very grateful for the opportunity the author gave me to read it.
This book was about second chances in love. Just a great love story. The characters had good chemistry and the plot was really good. I read this book in one sitting, needless to say, I really enjoyed it.
It’s the second book of the series, but it can be read as a stand alone if you want.
Tropes: 💜 Small Town 💜 Second Chance 💜 Single Mom 💜 Billionaire MMC 💜 Secret Baby 💜 Found Family 💜 Horses
TW: 🚩Death of a parent 🚩 Mental Health Issue 🚩 Addiction 🚩 Chronic Illness
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐ Spice: 🌶️
She left to protect her son. He’s back to reclaim his first love. But secrets this big don’t stay buried forever.
This is the second book in the Brightwater series and it can be read as a standalone. The characters from book 1 come up but you won’t be lost if you didn’t read it. With that being said I suggest you read it, that was a good one too. Lessons in Love (Brightwater Series)https://a.co/d/gSJRfoF
“ellis. the first man I ever loved. the only man I ever loved.”
Cara and Ellis' story was a fairytale romance filled with heartbreak and secrets. The biggest secret being Riley, Cara’s 12 y/o son. Cara & Ellis fell in love when they were young, while Cara was the nanny for the younger Benton kids. But Ellis’ father - that narcissistic tyrant of a man - didn’t approve of Cara and gave her an ultimatum. Leave and don’t ever tell Ellis of the baby or he will take her baby away. Cara with a heavy heart chose her baby and left A little over a decade passes and Cara runs into Ellis. Cara has raised Riley on her own and she has done a wonderful job. Riley is artistic, smart, caring, and has a love for horses. Cara is afraid of Ellis seeing Riley because he doesn’t want him to know that Riley is his son, or worse have Ellis’ father take Riley away.
“cara. the woman who had broken my heart thirteen years ago. the woman who’d made me love harder and deeper than any time before or after,”
Once Ellis sees Cara and finds out where she lives, his mission is to find out the answers as to why she left and hopefully rekindle what they had. Ellis is a man obsessed. But he also is a man who has let his father run his life for years. Ellis has yearned for a father-son relationship for so long that he thought that letting his father run his life, would make them closer. Once he learns the truth of who his father really is, he makes the right decision. I was worried there a minute that he wouldn’t. He also plans on winning Cara back and he tells her every chance he gets.
“Go on a proper date with me.” “Ellis, you know it’s a bad idea. Don’t be silly.” “Maybe it’s a bad idea, but I don’t care. If loving you is silly, then I’m more than happy to make a fool out of myself every day for the rest of my life.”
Seeing him chase after Cara and then his connection with Riley was heartfelt. He also had the struggle of being privileged and having the money & means and also wanting to have Cara in his life. Cara didn’t grow up privileged and saw what growing up that way did to the Benton kids. That’s not a life she would want for Riley. Seeing them meet halfway was sweet.
The side characters were more than side characters. Terry, Annette, and Wyatt played a big part in the story and were Cara & Riley’s family. The residents from Sunset Apartments made appearances and it made me happy to see them again. I really enjoy Sybil’s writing style and this series. I am looking forward to visiting Brightwater again.
Coming Home To You is the second book in the Brightwater series. 13 years ago Cara was an aupair and was living with a rich family. There she met Ellis, the love of her life. Due to an unexpected pregnancy Ellis‘ father forced her to leave, without telling Ellis about any of it. In the present Ellis has to visit the small town Brightwater because of an interesting investment opportunity. As the story unfolds Cara and Ellis find eachother by coincidence.
I also read the first book in this series and have to say that I liked Coming Home To You much better than Lessons in Love. Coming Home To You is also set in the small town Brightwater and has the vibe of a cute rom com movie, with a little bit of a winterwonderland spark. It was a quick and easy read without a third act breakup.
I do have two things where I felt the story was to rushed or lacked depth:
First off, Cara carries this huge secret and doesn’t know how to tell Ellis and most importantly her son about it - unfortunately Ellis finds out by himself. This is a huge part of the book which could have been more dragged out in my personal opinion. And the second thing is that the possible investment opportunity for Ellis is linked to Cara and her very close friends. She was very concerned about it in the beginning. At first I got the impression this would be the main part the plot would be built around but by the time I got to the middle part of the book it felt like it got irrelevant until I reached the end. I wished this part of the story would have had a little bit more involvement.
All in all I would recommend this book to all readers who like the following tropes: - second chance - single mom - billionaire romance - small town - opposite attracts
Last but not least, thank you to the author for providing this ARC! All opinions are my own!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Sybil Kelton 🥹❤️ Cara and Ellis were absolutely phenomenal. This was everything I expected and needed from a Sybil Kelton book! The sneak peaks of Quentin and Kelsey 🥹😩 Thank you so much for the ARC opportunity ❤️
Cara Shepard is the single mom we heard about in Book One of this series 😍 She lives with her pre-teen son Riley, in the same building as Quentin and Kelsey, the couple from there. I was so excited when I heard that she got her own story, and Dayum! 😏❤️ Her happily ever after 🥹
Beautiful, intelligent, brave, hardworking, a single mom, protective, possessive, feisty, a sunshine fmc, and a woman who will do anything to protect the love of her life. She is an absolutely brilliant mother. The way she never missed a chance to argue with Ellis, though 😂 I loved her feisty side! She had made difficult decisions in the past, and that took incredible strength and bravery. Ellis is even more in awe of her as the story progresses, and I can't even blame him!
Ellis Benton 🤭🥵 This man made me blush. Tall, handsome, intelligent, a billionaire, protective, possessive, fiery, obsessed, and entirely in love with Cara even after being away from her for almost 13 years 🥹❤️ He fought with all his might to assure Cara that this is their happily ever after. He wasn't afraid to try and bond with his son, even though he never knew about him. I admired him for making the decisions he did and choosing his woman and son over everything and everyone else.
The chemistry is sizzling between them, from page one, and even they couldn't deny it! The slow burn was absolutely worth it, but damn Sybil, you really edgʻed us there 😂❤️ another Sybil Kelton trademark that I love 😂😏❤️
The writing, storyline, and characters are brilliant as always. I can't wait to see what else you have in store for us 🥹🤭 If you haven't started the Brightwater series, you need to do so asap!
ARC review ⭐4/5 🌶️1/5 📌Remember to check trigger warnings before reading.
The story follows Cara and Ellis. They felt in love while she was working as a nanny to his younger siblings. Ellis came from a wealthy family, whereas Cara was “just” and art student. When Cara found out she was expecting, Ellis’ father threatened her with a custody battle, and she had no choice but to run away and protect her son.
Thirteen years later, an art contests reunites them again, and feelings start to resurface while truths are meant to be revealed.
I enjoyed this second chance romance a lot. It was a short and easy read, with a bit of suspense and all the Christmas vibes.
Cara and Ellis shared a bond that time could never break. They truly loved each other and were meant to be together.
I loved the relationship between Cara and her son, Riley was sweet a boy, and he adored his mom. I also liked Harper (Ellis’ sister), unfortunately, she’s dealing with her own demons, but she was a great supporter of Ellis and Cara’s love story, and she was also happy to be an auntie.
If you enjoy books with Hallmark movie vibes, then this is definitely for you! This is the second book in an interconnected series but can be read as a standalone.
Thank you Sybil Kelton for a copy of this great ARC!
Coming home to you is the second book in Sybil’s Brightwater series. It tells the story of single mom, Cara and her son, Riley. She had to raise Riley all on her own, until, one day, she meets Ellis, Riley’s dad, again by chance. When Ellis finds out his dad is looking to buy ranch land to build a new factory on In Cara’s Town, he jumps on it real quick. What die doesn’t know is that Riley and Cara are a part of the ranch at stake.
The story follows Cara and Ellis into a complicated situation that they have to work at to over come.
This was a sweet and emotional story. I enjoyed it very much. The writing is simple and has a very hallmark feel to it. Very little spice, but def a short quick read. I loved Riley. He was a very sweet child who loved and respected his mama. Cara was a good mama, she just had her secrets and was always very on edge. Ellis was a sweetheart, always willing to do things for other people and I’m sad that he missed out on 12 years of Riley. The way he treated Cara and Riley just showed how much he did love them both. 🧡🧡
Thank you Sybil for the gifted copy for me to review. I am extremely thankful that you allowed me to read your story and give feedback on it.
Thank you so much Sybil Kelton for sending me this ARC of Coming Home To You.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 Spice :🌶️
Sybil did it AGAIN ! This book is the perfect mix of emotional, heartwarming, and cozy vibes. ❄️🌤️ While it’s the second book in the Brightwater Series, it can absolutely be enjoyed as a standalone. I devoured it in one sitting because I couldn’t wait to see how it all unfolded. Cara is an incredibly strong FMC, willing to sacrifice anything to protect her son. And Ellis? Though he starts off a bit arrogant, he completely redeems himself, proving his love for Cara and their son in the sweetest ways. I especially loved how determined he was to win Cara back.😍 The side characters added so much charm to the story, making the whole world feel rich and full of life. The way thy all came together as a family and show up for one another through thick and thin was incredibly moving. 🥰 By the end, you can’t help but feel pure joy for Cara, Ellis, and Riley. This story is all about love, family, and second chances, and it left my heart so full. 💜 This book is an absolute read for the upcoming holiday season !!! 💯🫶
He lost her without any reason, breaking something inside of him. He’s now back to reclaim the love he’s always had. To her, there was a very important reason for her disappearance.
Cara and Ellis fell in love in their 20’s while Cara was nannying for Ellis’ younger siblings. Their relationship resulted in them falling pregnant. Before Ellis got the news, Cara was gone without reason, breaking his heart. They now have to deal with the heartbreak and secrets brought on by Ellis’ father.
The second chance love they have to work for gives you all the feel goods and also makes you a little sad for what they have to deal with. They have to fight for their happiness and family.
This is the second book in the Bridgewater series but can be read as a standalone. I read as a standalone but want to go back to read the first one so I can experience other characters stories.
This is a good pick if you’re looking for a quick small town romance read. I’m so happy to have had the chance to read this ARC, volunteering my review.
💜 Small town romance 💜 Second chance 💜 Billionaire 💜 Single mom 💜 Found family
A love story with a second chance after many years apart. I enjoyed this story. Cara and Ellis have that true love story, but unfortunately something gets in the way to ruin it. That something being Ellis's father. Think Romeo and Juliette. Except the lovers don't die, obviously. 😅 Cara a single mom doing her very best to just give her son the best life finds her past returning. Unexpectedly. But what Ellis realizes eventually is even more shocking. This was full of drama, romance, and just good old heartwarming characters. Well mostly. Some not so much. But I absolutely loved Terry and Annette and their ranch. The way it was described I just pictured perfectly in my head. I want to live there. Riley was also such a sweet kid. The bond he has with his mom is just what every parent wants honestly. I just loved it.
Couldn't get enough of this and the ending was just so damn sweet, my eyes started watering. 🥹 I just was so happy for the characters.
This book is a perfect blend of heartfelt, heartwarming, and cozy. I finished it in one sitting because it was so interesting and I just wanted to know how it'd end. Cara is such a strong FMC, one who was willing to give up her second chance at true love in order to protect her son. Ellis, despite coming off as a bit snobby in the beginning, came through for the woman he loved and their son. I did appreciate the way Ellis fought to have Cara back in his life. The side characters were also a pleasure to have and truly added to the story. I enjoyed that the story had a heavy focus on family- found and biological and the way they stood up for and showed up for one another in tough situations.The ending didn't feel as satisfying as I anticipated it would, but it did all come together. You just can't help but feel so happy for Cara, Ellis, and Riley.
Dual POV Billionaire Romance Second Chance Small Town
Coming Home to You is part of the Brightwater romance series. Thirteen years ago Cara had left her billionaire boyfriend without a word, not letting him know she was pregnant, to escape his father’s wrath. Ellis hasn’t heard from Cara in years and still doesn’t know why she left, but now that he has business in Brightwater and their paths cross again maybe he will get some answers.
I’ve read one other book in this series and enjoyed it. This book was well written and a good romance with its fair share of drama, but it was a little slow for me at the beginning and I had problems getting into it. It has all of the Hallmark Christmas movie feel good vibes and I loved this about the book. The characters were strong and worked well together and it made for an easy read. I just couldn’t get into the story the way I wished I could though. Overall this was a good Christmas romance read that is a good choice if you are looking for a quick holiday book.
This small town billionaire romance had me right from the start and I couldn't put it down! Coming home to you will be released on November 21!❤️
Tropes: ❤️Second Chances ❤️Small Town Romance ❤️Opposites Attract ❤️Single Mom ❤️Billionaire ❤️Found Family
Cara's a single mom who had to leave the love of her life in order to protect her and her son Riley from his grandfather! She ends up moving to a small town and they live a pretty good life together making ends meet.
It's now 13 years later and Cara ends up reuniting with the love of her life, Ellis. Ellis was trying to find her cause the way she left never made sense and was out of character for her! He's about to find out why and a lot more! One of the characters in this book has multiple sclerosis and some of the situations really hit home as my mom suffers from that disease 🫶
Thank you Sybil Kelton for having me on your ARC team! ❤️🥰
While I enjoyed the first book, I absolutely loved this one ! I connected right away with the characters and the story ! ( Side Note : @sybil.kelton.author has the best covers - gorgeous ! )
This second chance romance has me hooked from the very first chapter. Cara and Ellis' story is a perfect mix of swoony moments and emotional depth. The love between these two never faded and it was beautifully to see them reconnect and face all their obstacles. It was really beautiful to see Cara’s strenght and Ellis' persistence in winning her back. The Christmas setting was the perfect cherry on the top to this cute romance⛄️
❄️ the little glimpses of the previous couple were perfect !
Thanks to @sybil.kelton.author for sending me this ARC !
Favorite quote : " If loving you is silly, them I’m more than happy to make a fool out of myself every day for the rest of my life. "
The FMC is a loving mother that will do whatever it takes to protect her child even if it means losing the love of her life. The MMC is always stuck in his fathers shadow and doing what his father tells him. He then sees Cora again for the first time in years and will do anything to get her back. Little does he know he is the father of her child. I absolutely loved this story, however I do think Cora in some parts of the book should have put her big girl pants on and stuck up for herself and her family. I loved Riley and his mothers relationship from the start and enjoyed it more when Ellis was thrown into it. I also loved the relationship that Cora built over the years with Arlene and West when she first came to Bridgewater. Small town ✅ Billionaire love interest ✅ Second chance ✅ Found family ✅ Secret baby ✅ Single mum✅ Perfect easy read small town romance, definitely recommend.
Cara is a single mom to her son, Riley, and they have settled down in the small town of Bridgewater. Thirteen years ago, Cara ghosted Ellis after deciding to choose Riley over giving up her son. Fast forward to the present, when Ellis meets Cara again he decides that he will not let her go again.
Though there is still attraction between them, there are multiple stumbling blocks in their relationship. From a takeover to figuring out how to handle their past, it will require both of them to trust each other and put in the effort required. I liked how the scene at the ranch cemented the fact that Ellis will always be there for Cara and Riley, even in dangerous situations.
On a side note, I enjoyed the close relationship between Ellis and his sister, Harper. Whenever she went against their father, it was so satisfying. I am looking forward to Harper’s story in the future!
Tropes: 💜 Small town romance 🩵 Second chance 💜 Billionaire 🩵 Single mum 💜 Found family
This is a small town, second chance romance story about Ellis and Cara, who met and fell in love in their early 20’s but then Cara fell pregnant and was frightened off by Ellis’ dad who threatened to take her child away from her if she didn’t leave.
Ellis had no idea Cara was pregnant and it is only now 13 years later that he discovers Cara again and realises he has a son.
This is a story of young love, second chance and finding happiness even after the years of separation.
It is a sweet love story and is the second book in the Brightwater series. It can be read as a standalone but I enjoyed reading the first book to understand some of the other characters.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good small town romance.
Wasn't a big fan of this book. It is your cliche opposite worlds, secret baby, second chances trope but I felt the way a lot of the important stuff was handled was done so poorly.
I couldn't emotionally connect with the MCs, I couldn't understand their relationship of the past, it would have been good to touch base on this using switching timelines. It would have made believing that after 13 years they still had that spark. The whole storyline of her suggesting him to check with a Therapist on the things he is going through, the MMC's sister's rehab visit, dealing with the consequences of his dad towards the end, etc could have not been rushed and actually written at length to understand better. Nevertheless, since it is a series, I am guessing it would be covered later on (On that note, I read this as a standalone btw). Anyway, it was a near-miss for me.