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Chances Inlet #1
Back to Before
Chances Inlet, North Carolina, has an infamous power for second chances. But its charms are lost on the town’s favorite son—until she comes along…
When his father’s sudden death puts his family’s construction business in serious debt, architect Gavin McAlister is forced to put his dream career in New York on hold. Making matters worse, his fiancée calls it quits. Desperate to return to his big-city life, he discovers an opportunity to save his family, one that has him reluctantly starring in a home restoration TV show.
Former soap star Ginger Walsh hopes this job as a TV makeup artist will lead to better things. So far it’s only brought her to a hamlet full of people who don’t like her—except Gavin. After a wild night out leads to Ginger waking up in Gavin’s loft—and the rest of town talking—the two of them soon wonder if getting back to before is what they want. Because being in each other’s arms certainly feels like what they need…
When his father’s sudden death puts his family’s construction business in serious debt, architect Gavin McAlister is forced to put his dream career in New York on hold. Making matters worse, his fiancée calls it quits. Desperate to return to his big-city life, he discovers an opportunity to save his family, one that has him reluctantly starring in a home restoration TV show.
Former soap star Ginger Walsh hopes this job as a TV makeup artist will lead to better things. So far it’s only brought her to a hamlet full of people who don’t like her—except Gavin. After a wild night out leads to Ginger waking up in Gavin’s loft—and the rest of town talking—the two of them soon wonder if getting back to before is what they want. Because being in each other’s arms certainly feels like what they need…
297 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 6, 2015
469 people are currently reading
1009 people want to read
About the author
Tracy Solheim
21 books1,125 followersTracy Solheim writes books with shirtless men on the cover. Some of them are actually best-sellers. The books, not the men. When she's not writing, she's practicing her curling. . . bottles of wine, that is. She's been known to cook dinner but no more than two nights in a row. Most days, she'd rather be reading, which to her is just necessary research. She lives in the suburbs of Atlanta with her husband and a neurotic Labrador retriever. Her two adult children visit but not often enough. (See the note above about cooking.) Sign up for her newsletter at https://www.tracysolheim.com/ to see what she’s up to. She'll send you a free cookbook from her Chances Inlet series as a thank you!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
July 5, 2025
Back to Before by Tracy Solheim
Chances Inlet series #1. Contemporary small town romance.
Gavin McAlister is hiding the fact that when his father died, he put the family businesses in jeopardy. A lump sum payment of over $2 million is due on the inn his mother runs. He agrees to a tv series to renovate a historic building that will be sold to make the balloon payment but doesn’t tell his brothers or mother. As soon as the renovation is done, he’s heading back to New York and his architectural career.
Former soap star Ginger Walsh is in Chances Inlet, North Carolina as a makeup artist and any other odd jobs her friend Diesel needs in the production of the renovation show. She’s upset that the small town residents are treating her as if she’s the character she played on the soap. She’s a nice person! At least Gavin seems to like her.
Small town issues and family drama. Several additional storylines with secondary characters to make the whole rich and full of life. The 5 year-old dancers were cute. Not sure the teen makeover was a great message but expected. I would have had the same issue at karaoke night. Haha.
Good romance and I’ll definitely be revisiting this series for more.
Chances Inlet series #1. Contemporary small town romance.
Gavin McAlister is hiding the fact that when his father died, he put the family businesses in jeopardy. A lump sum payment of over $2 million is due on the inn his mother runs. He agrees to a tv series to renovate a historic building that will be sold to make the balloon payment but doesn’t tell his brothers or mother. As soon as the renovation is done, he’s heading back to New York and his architectural career.
Former soap star Ginger Walsh is in Chances Inlet, North Carolina as a makeup artist and any other odd jobs her friend Diesel needs in the production of the renovation show. She’s upset that the small town residents are treating her as if she’s the character she played on the soap. She’s a nice person! At least Gavin seems to like her.
Small town issues and family drama. Several additional storylines with secondary characters to make the whole rich and full of life. The 5 year-old dancers were cute. Not sure the teen makeover was a great message but expected. I would have had the same issue at karaoke night. Haha.
Good romance and I’ll definitely be revisiting this series for more.
January 6, 2015
My Review:
I loved this book. This is honestly why I love reading contemporary romance so much. Although this circumstance is certainly not something most "real world" people would have to deal with, this book had a very real feel to it. The characters were amazing with flaws and honest emotions that simply worked for me.
Gavin grew up in Chances Inlet. He has no plan to stay there long-term. He's there fixing the mess his father left when he suddenly died and protecting his family from finding out about that mess. But he left NYC and his life there to do it. He's counting down the days until he can go back to where he's an anonymous face and not the town's golden boy. But he's keeping a whole lot of secrets in the interest of protecting his family...but leading the way is that he isn't planning to stay.
Ginger wants what Gavin has in this little town...to be accepted. Her need to please other people is ingrained in her. But for this little town they have a hard time seeing the real person behind the nasty spoiled teenager she played on a soap opera on TV. They refuse to see her as someone nice and not to be reviled which is devastating for Ginger, who simply wants to fit in. And corrupting the town's golden boy is certainly not going to make her friends...so she has to stay away from Gavin and the incredibly chemistry sizzling between them.
The set-up for this book is awesome. They are filming a DIY show using the town's historic Dresden House and preserving it and bringing it back to it's former glory. Ginger is the make-up artist and go-to girl for the show's producer, her best friend Diesel, who also is hoping for a second chance. Gavin is the eye-candy running his father's construction company and in charge of the re-do for the tv show. Once the show finishes, all of them should be able to move onto the next chapter in their lives.
There are tons of little details and side characters which make this book so good. The back story between Ginger and Diesel is heartbreaking, but their friendship was one of the best things in the book. If there was one thing I had to complain about in this book (and honestly, I really don't)...it's that I would have loved to see more of Diesel in the story. He was a great character and would love to get deeper into his story because it was so rich with strife...and he's still this great guy. I don't think the author is going there with him though. :(
But she does seem to be setting up things with the rest of Gavin's family...and I'm thrilled about that because there are some incredible characters built there. I can't wait to read more!!! This is the first book in this new series and it sets the bar really high for the rest of the books. I'm definitely looking forward to great things with this one!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review...but I also ordered a final print copy for my keeper book shelf, because this is one I want in my library.
I loved this book. This is honestly why I love reading contemporary romance so much. Although this circumstance is certainly not something most "real world" people would have to deal with, this book had a very real feel to it. The characters were amazing with flaws and honest emotions that simply worked for me.
Gavin grew up in Chances Inlet. He has no plan to stay there long-term. He's there fixing the mess his father left when he suddenly died and protecting his family from finding out about that mess. But he left NYC and his life there to do it. He's counting down the days until he can go back to where he's an anonymous face and not the town's golden boy. But he's keeping a whole lot of secrets in the interest of protecting his family...but leading the way is that he isn't planning to stay.
Ginger wants what Gavin has in this little town...to be accepted. Her need to please other people is ingrained in her. But for this little town they have a hard time seeing the real person behind the nasty spoiled teenager she played on a soap opera on TV. They refuse to see her as someone nice and not to be reviled which is devastating for Ginger, who simply wants to fit in. And corrupting the town's golden boy is certainly not going to make her friends...so she has to stay away from Gavin and the incredibly chemistry sizzling between them.
The set-up for this book is awesome. They are filming a DIY show using the town's historic Dresden House and preserving it and bringing it back to it's former glory. Ginger is the make-up artist and go-to girl for the show's producer, her best friend Diesel, who also is hoping for a second chance. Gavin is the eye-candy running his father's construction company and in charge of the re-do for the tv show. Once the show finishes, all of them should be able to move onto the next chapter in their lives.
There are tons of little details and side characters which make this book so good. The back story between Ginger and Diesel is heartbreaking, but their friendship was one of the best things in the book. If there was one thing I had to complain about in this book (and honestly, I really don't)...it's that I would have loved to see more of Diesel in the story. He was a great character and would love to get deeper into his story because it was so rich with strife...and he's still this great guy. I don't think the author is going there with him though. :(
But she does seem to be setting up things with the rest of Gavin's family...and I'm thrilled about that because there are some incredible characters built there. I can't wait to read more!!! This is the first book in this new series and it sets the bar really high for the rest of the books. I'm definitely looking forward to great things with this one!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review...but I also ordered a final print copy for my keeper book shelf, because this is one I want in my library.
Read
December 22, 2023This was disappointing. I have read other things by this author and enjoyed them, so I was hoping for more here. I will likely give the series a second chance and read the rest...but I will be waiting until I can pick them up for free through the library.
The supporting characters, his family and the whole town, actually...awful and insufferable. The mom was a shrew for no reason and the explanation she gave, the justification, would have been more reasonable for someone no older than 13. The rest of the characters were so badly developed as to be caricatures.
Really disappointed.
The supporting characters, his family and the whole town, actually...awful and insufferable. The mom was a shrew for no reason and the explanation she gave, the justification, would have been more reasonable for someone no older than 13. The rest of the characters were so badly developed as to be caricatures.
Really disappointed.
January 19, 2015
GOOD FEELS ALL AROUND:
Post originally appeared 1/19/2015 http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...
When Gavin's father died he left more than his family and business behind. When Ginger fell she lost her career. Now, can they figure out the future together?
This was a charming and steamy book that had nice characters who were on a parallel course to romance. Tracy did a great job plotting the story so the main characters’ past and paths enable a relationship that doesn’t have to overcome dislike to get to hot monkey love. Instead their like the puzzle pieces that make the picture more complete. Most of the obstacles have to do with problems like money, reputation, and a little pigheadedness on Gavin’s side of the equation.
Tracy spins this off from her Out of Bounds series, and shows she can go from a sports-based romance to the intricacies of a small town affair with dexterity. I actually like this better than the sports based series because the characters feel a little more real to me. And, who doesn’t like the idea of a place where everyone knows everyone and even the town screw up are accepted? I live in a smallish town, and grew up in one so this gives me good feels. But, it’s not with out some good down and dirty hotness either!
Instead of the usual “hate is the other side of love” trope, Tracy draws parallels in their lives which help them understand and feel sympathy for each other. Some people stand in the way out of love but have enough problems of their own to be too much of an obstacle. Gavin and Ginger have had similar disappointments that have required them to change gears in life. Both felt pressured by their parents to work in a certain field. And, for some reason Gavin felt he was entirely responsible for fixing his late-father’s screw ups.
That Gavin’s mother, who is my age, is also in a super hot relationship, is an added bonus. Yes, women my age aren’t all old, dried-up crones! Yay!
I would have liked to have a little more insight into one of the mysteries I suspect will be revealed in the next book in the series. And, Gavin’s issues with money and being on his own with his father’s issues feel somewhat contrived.
It is, as one character points out, a little “It’s a Wonderful Life-ish” but, a hot book that leaves you feeling good about people and events and that celebrates their finer points even as they grow is nice.
My favorite part of the book comes when Gavin’s mother, Patricia, tells his brother Miles that maybe we can’t prevent others from being hurt in relationships we can only be there to support them if that happens. Did I mention that Miles is a bit of an ass-hat? I also love that there is a close friendship between a man and a woman that is not sexual and which transforms but is not left behind.
Tracy even does a great job providing color in the personalities of the support characters. I loved Bernice, who is a bit like a character from TV who I can almost, but not quite, place, and Morgan; both are the right blend of crotchety and funny.
This one gets a HUGE THUMBS UP and I can’t wait for the next!
Post originally appeared 1/19/2015 http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...
When Gavin's father died he left more than his family and business behind. When Ginger fell she lost her career. Now, can they figure out the future together?
This was a charming and steamy book that had nice characters who were on a parallel course to romance. Tracy did a great job plotting the story so the main characters’ past and paths enable a relationship that doesn’t have to overcome dislike to get to hot monkey love. Instead their like the puzzle pieces that make the picture more complete. Most of the obstacles have to do with problems like money, reputation, and a little pigheadedness on Gavin’s side of the equation.
Tracy spins this off from her Out of Bounds series, and shows she can go from a sports-based romance to the intricacies of a small town affair with dexterity. I actually like this better than the sports based series because the characters feel a little more real to me. And, who doesn’t like the idea of a place where everyone knows everyone and even the town screw up are accepted? I live in a smallish town, and grew up in one so this gives me good feels. But, it’s not with out some good down and dirty hotness either!
Instead of the usual “hate is the other side of love” trope, Tracy draws parallels in their lives which help them understand and feel sympathy for each other. Some people stand in the way out of love but have enough problems of their own to be too much of an obstacle. Gavin and Ginger have had similar disappointments that have required them to change gears in life. Both felt pressured by their parents to work in a certain field. And, for some reason Gavin felt he was entirely responsible for fixing his late-father’s screw ups.
That Gavin’s mother, who is my age, is also in a super hot relationship, is an added bonus. Yes, women my age aren’t all old, dried-up crones! Yay!
I would have liked to have a little more insight into one of the mysteries I suspect will be revealed in the next book in the series. And, Gavin’s issues with money and being on his own with his father’s issues feel somewhat contrived.
It is, as one character points out, a little “It’s a Wonderful Life-ish” but, a hot book that leaves you feeling good about people and events and that celebrates their finer points even as they grow is nice.
My favorite part of the book comes when Gavin’s mother, Patricia, tells his brother Miles that maybe we can’t prevent others from being hurt in relationships we can only be there to support them if that happens. Did I mention that Miles is a bit of an ass-hat? I also love that there is a close friendship between a man and a woman that is not sexual and which transforms but is not left behind.
Tracy even does a great job providing color in the personalities of the support characters. I loved Bernice, who is a bit like a character from TV who I can almost, but not quite, place, and Morgan; both are the right blend of crotchety and funny.
This one gets a HUGE THUMBS UP and I can’t wait for the next!
January 13, 2015
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Ginger is a former soap star looking to find herself in the world. With the prospects of working in her field dwindling day by day, she takes a position as a makeup artist (something she knows nothing about) for her friend Diesel, who is directing a DIY show set in Chances Inlet, a small town in coastal North Carolina. Diesel is her dearest friend and he too has his own self to prove, namely to his father, a media mogul. Ginger soon finds though that she’s not particularly welcome in the small town, mostly because most of the residents see her as the sinister Destiny Upchurch, the character she played in the soap opera, Saints and Sinners.
Gavin is a hometown hero of sorts. He’s the local boy that went to college to become an architect and went on to realize his dreams in New York City. He returns to his roots in Chances Inlet to take on the reconstruction of a mansion in the town, which will be the subject of a DIY special. Gavin is handsome and will make the perfect leading man, however he has mostly taken the job in order to raise some quick cash in order to save his mother’s bed and breakfast, after his father took to some creative accounting in order to purchase the inn for her.
Ginger is a guest at the inn and will be the makeup artist for Gavin. Gavin seems to be the only person in the community willing to accept Ginger and they soon begin a relationship. The only problem is that the two of them seem to be looking for different things. Gavin wants out of the small town, he wants to return to the city in order to follow his dreams as an architect, not the owner of his late father’s construction company. Ginger on the other hand, has nothing left in the city and has become fond of small town life, even if the townsfolk aren’t necessarily that fond of her. Gavin has his reasons for wanting out, but can the two of them work things out in order to find a future together? Or will this be a summer fling? Chances Inlet seems to be where many find their second chance; will Ginger and Gavin both find theirs?
Back To Before is a feel good story of finding love where you least expect it. The story is well written and you can’t help but love the people of Chances Inlet. Solheim has crafted characters you’d find in small town America, making them endearing and relatable. Gavin is a swoon-worthy alpha male with a sensitive side and Ginger is a strong heroine, unwilling to take the crap from those who can’t separate her from the character she played. This is the first book in the Second Chances series but can be read as a standalone. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in the series!
Ginger is a former soap star looking to find herself in the world. With the prospects of working in her field dwindling day by day, she takes a position as a makeup artist (something she knows nothing about) for her friend Diesel, who is directing a DIY show set in Chances Inlet, a small town in coastal North Carolina. Diesel is her dearest friend and he too has his own self to prove, namely to his father, a media mogul. Ginger soon finds though that she’s not particularly welcome in the small town, mostly because most of the residents see her as the sinister Destiny Upchurch, the character she played in the soap opera, Saints and Sinners.
Gavin is a hometown hero of sorts. He’s the local boy that went to college to become an architect and went on to realize his dreams in New York City. He returns to his roots in Chances Inlet to take on the reconstruction of a mansion in the town, which will be the subject of a DIY special. Gavin is handsome and will make the perfect leading man, however he has mostly taken the job in order to raise some quick cash in order to save his mother’s bed and breakfast, after his father took to some creative accounting in order to purchase the inn for her.
Ginger is a guest at the inn and will be the makeup artist for Gavin. Gavin seems to be the only person in the community willing to accept Ginger and they soon begin a relationship. The only problem is that the two of them seem to be looking for different things. Gavin wants out of the small town, he wants to return to the city in order to follow his dreams as an architect, not the owner of his late father’s construction company. Ginger on the other hand, has nothing left in the city and has become fond of small town life, even if the townsfolk aren’t necessarily that fond of her. Gavin has his reasons for wanting out, but can the two of them work things out in order to find a future together? Or will this be a summer fling? Chances Inlet seems to be where many find their second chance; will Ginger and Gavin both find theirs?
Back To Before is a feel good story of finding love where you least expect it. The story is well written and you can’t help but love the people of Chances Inlet. Solheim has crafted characters you’d find in small town America, making them endearing and relatable. Gavin is a swoon-worthy alpha male with a sensitive side and Ginger is a strong heroine, unwilling to take the crap from those who can’t separate her from the character she played. This is the first book in the Second Chances series but can be read as a standalone. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in the series!
January 13, 2015
Leigh‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
4 STARS
Review copy provided for an honest review
This was my first book by Tracy Solheim, but it won’t be my last. This was a sweet, feel-good romance, flush with small town coastal charm and plenty of quirky characters and opportunities for additional heroes and heroines for future books.
Gavin McAlister is described as pretty darn near perfect in a wholesome, aw-shucks, down home, yay mom-and-apple-pie kind of way. As the star of new home improvement show, Gavin is using the opportunity to be the good son and address his father’s debts without letting anyone else know. His plan is to pay off the mortgage on his mother’s bed and breakfast without anyone being the wiser and return to the life he had in New York before his father’s death.
Ginger Walsh, as a former soap villain, is also trying to regain a life she had before. Stuck as a production assistant in a town where she feels that everyone has confused her with her villainous soap opera character, she is determined to make friends and help the people around her, whether they want her to or not.
I did find myself feeling a little crazy at the lack of discussions about the future in the book. Both Ginger and Gavin assumed they knew what the other wanted in the relationship, but rather than talk about it and make plans like adults, they simply left themselves open to getting their hearts broken.
But despite this, Gavin and Ginger are just a sweet couple. I rooted for these two to get together, despite the people around them trying to gently trying to keep them apart. In the end, it wasn’t only the relationship that had me enthralled, it was the warmth of the people in this story that had me hooked. I look forward to reading about Gavin’s brother Miles, and the rest of the town, finding their happily ever after’s as well.
4 STARS
Review copy provided for an honest review
This was my first book by Tracy Solheim, but it won’t be my last. This was a sweet, feel-good romance, flush with small town coastal charm and plenty of quirky characters and opportunities for additional heroes and heroines for future books.
Gavin McAlister is described as pretty darn near perfect in a wholesome, aw-shucks, down home, yay mom-and-apple-pie kind of way. As the star of new home improvement show, Gavin is using the opportunity to be the good son and address his father’s debts without letting anyone else know. His plan is to pay off the mortgage on his mother’s bed and breakfast without anyone being the wiser and return to the life he had in New York before his father’s death.
Ginger Walsh, as a former soap villain, is also trying to regain a life she had before. Stuck as a production assistant in a town where she feels that everyone has confused her with her villainous soap opera character, she is determined to make friends and help the people around her, whether they want her to or not.
I did find myself feeling a little crazy at the lack of discussions about the future in the book. Both Ginger and Gavin assumed they knew what the other wanted in the relationship, but rather than talk about it and make plans like adults, they simply left themselves open to getting their hearts broken.
But despite this, Gavin and Ginger are just a sweet couple. I rooted for these two to get together, despite the people around them trying to gently trying to keep them apart. In the end, it wasn’t only the relationship that had me enthralled, it was the warmth of the people in this story that had me hooked. I look forward to reading about Gavin’s brother Miles, and the rest of the town, finding their happily ever after’s as well.
January 2, 2015
I was so fortunate to get an advanced copy of this book! Ginger Walsh, a NY city girl whose career and life's ambition have taken a turn for the worse, finds herself in a small Southern coastal town trying to work through a dull temporary job. Ginger meets the local town's hero, Gavin McAlister. However, unbeknownst to the locals, Gavin has only stayed in his hometown to settle some financial matters and plans to return to his architectural career in the Big Apple, as soon as feasible.
The two find themselves attracted to each, and then begins the sexual tension and steamy love scenes that this author writes so well. Just as in her other books, all Tracy Solheim's characters display the depth, complexity, and human emotions that keep you turning the pages for more. In Back to Before, you feel all these emotions along with the characters - misunderstandings and lack of clear communications between acquaintances, friends, and family, sibling rivalry, petty jealousies, near-miss and real tragedies, long standing and newly-developing friendships, hurt, pain, pride, and ambition.
If you read romance novels, you've got to read this one!
The two find themselves attracted to each, and then begins the sexual tension and steamy love scenes that this author writes so well. Just as in her other books, all Tracy Solheim's characters display the depth, complexity, and human emotions that keep you turning the pages for more. In Back to Before, you feel all these emotions along with the characters - misunderstandings and lack of clear communications between acquaintances, friends, and family, sibling rivalry, petty jealousies, near-miss and real tragedies, long standing and newly-developing friendships, hurt, pain, pride, and ambition.
If you read romance novels, you've got to read this one!
July 16, 2015
I received a digital and print copy from Netgalley and Berkley in exchange for an honest review.
Back to Before was a great book full of heart and characters you can believe in. From their faults and flaws to their hopes and dreams they capture you and hold you close.
Back to Before was a great book full of heart and characters you can believe in. From their faults and flaws to their hopes and dreams they capture you and hold you close.
January 6, 2015
Reviewed here first: http://smexybooks.com/2015/01/review-...
Gavin McAlister is back home in Chances Inlet, North Carolina to star in a new home restoration reality television show which will showcase the restoration of Dresden House, the town’s historical landmark. It’s absolutely the last thing he’d ever thought he’d be involved in, but when certain facts about the financial stability of the family’s construction company came to light following his father’s death, he didn’t feel like he had much choice in the matter. So he left New York, taking a leave from his successful architecture firm, to come home and save his family’s company.
Having finished a short, six month stint on a popular soap opera as the evil scheming teen Destiny Upchurch, Ginger Walsh is down to her last $500. She calls her best friend Diesel to beg for a job and he hires her immediately to be his personal assistant/makeup artist on the reality show he’s producing. Ginger doesn’t know much about makeup, but the promise of what might be available to Diesel if he’s successful on the home restoration show is enough to have her accept and tag along. Ginger just needs to get through the next 3 months, but from the moment she arrives in the little coastal town of Chances Inlet, and meets the show’s star, her world is turned upside down.
I enjoy a story with a family at the center of it. You can count on certain things when the family in focus is large with protective siblings and a strong matriarch at its head. People are in each others business and it can get nerve wracking, but at the heart of it all–everything that is done is done out of love; even when some of the choices or decisions are questionable. What makes it just one step better is if that family resides in a small town, has done so for years, and that small town has enough gossiping busy-bodies to add to the already overflowing emotions and humor.
We get all that and more in this story.
Gavin has come home for all the right reasons-but he failed to trust in his family and is bearing a huge burden of his father’s legacy all on his own. He’s shared a bit of it with his brother Ryan-but no one really knows everything that has transpired since his father’s death and he plans to keep it that way. If he can just pull off the restoration on Dresden House and complete filming on the restoration show, he can save his mother’s beloved inn and be back to his life in New York in a few short months. But nothing is that easy and the lies and secrets just pile up as time moves along. You can’t help but feel for Gavin. He’s the middle of 5 children and he’s determined to save everyone. He will not settle for anything but the outcome that he feels needs to happen.
Ginger just wants to get through the next 84 days. She needs to help Diesel be a success and get this home reality show off the ground so that Diesel can convince his big shot producer father to give him the reality talent show he’s promised him and in turn she can get the choreographer job that comes with it. Ginger needs Diesel to succeed, because she’s carrying a load of guilt for her part in an accident that ended both her ballet career and Diesel’s music career. Diesel doesn’t blame her, of course, and they both are doing the best they can with the hand they’ve been dealt.
When Ginger and Gavin meet there is definite attraction and once they give in it’s clear that these two have something that is far more than just pheromones and chemistry–but neither of them is looking past the now because they both think they know what their future holds.
While I liked Ginger and Gavin I really had a hard time with the townspeople confusing Ginger for her soap character, Destiny. I thought it was ridiculous and made the community seem stupid. Who is actually going to treat a person like her fictional television persona and expect that her personal self has the same traits? It went into “are you freaking kidding me?” territory when the townsfolk continued to call her Destiny and gave her a lot of crap for things that her television character did to the beloved Savannah Rich, also a soap character. If this was meant to be funny, I didn’t get it and it brought down the story a bit for me. I really thought it was unnecessary that Ginger had to constantly remind people she was not the character she portrayed.
While this authors writing style had all the earmarks I look for in this type of romance, I had the ending figured out by page 32 and that was a bit disappointing for me. After one meeting with one of the locals, I knew what Ginger’s future would be because at only page 32 I knew that Ginger’s love of dancing was too strong for her to totally give it up. What I didn’t know was how Gavin was going to fit in it all.
Back to Before does a good job of focusing on our main characters while introducing us to secondary characters who I hope we will continue see in future books. From Gavin’s siblings, his mother and all the townspeople, to secondary character Lori Hunt-the maid/baker at Gavin’s mother’s inn. Clearly there is more to her than meets the eye and Gavin’s brother Miles seems just a bit too interested in who she is and where she came from for it to be casual.
Another stand out character was teen Cassidy Burroughs. She’s much older than her age due to the fact that her mother is a drug addict and Cassidy has had to take care of herself. She spends a lot of time with Gavin’s mother, Patricia and brought a lot of humor to this story. The subject of bullying is touched upon when a group of boys give Cassidy a hard time-but Cassidy is much smarter than she lets on. In fact, a bit of time is spent on developing Cassidy’s relationship with Ginger as she prepares for the prom where she plans to pull off the ultimate coup d’etat against the boys who’d made her life miserable. But after all the build up-it was virtually ignored with one sentence about the principal finding out and putting a stop to it-another disappointment.
Again, this story had everything I look for in a romance that lives in a small town. There were just a few things that took me out of the story and a too easy to predict ending. But I’m intrigued and will definitely read more from this author.
Gavin McAlister is back home in Chances Inlet, North Carolina to star in a new home restoration reality television show which will showcase the restoration of Dresden House, the town’s historical landmark. It’s absolutely the last thing he’d ever thought he’d be involved in, but when certain facts about the financial stability of the family’s construction company came to light following his father’s death, he didn’t feel like he had much choice in the matter. So he left New York, taking a leave from his successful architecture firm, to come home and save his family’s company.
Having finished a short, six month stint on a popular soap opera as the evil scheming teen Destiny Upchurch, Ginger Walsh is down to her last $500. She calls her best friend Diesel to beg for a job and he hires her immediately to be his personal assistant/makeup artist on the reality show he’s producing. Ginger doesn’t know much about makeup, but the promise of what might be available to Diesel if he’s successful on the home restoration show is enough to have her accept and tag along. Ginger just needs to get through the next 3 months, but from the moment she arrives in the little coastal town of Chances Inlet, and meets the show’s star, her world is turned upside down.
I enjoy a story with a family at the center of it. You can count on certain things when the family in focus is large with protective siblings and a strong matriarch at its head. People are in each others business and it can get nerve wracking, but at the heart of it all–everything that is done is done out of love; even when some of the choices or decisions are questionable. What makes it just one step better is if that family resides in a small town, has done so for years, and that small town has enough gossiping busy-bodies to add to the already overflowing emotions and humor.
We get all that and more in this story.
Gavin has come home for all the right reasons-but he failed to trust in his family and is bearing a huge burden of his father’s legacy all on his own. He’s shared a bit of it with his brother Ryan-but no one really knows everything that has transpired since his father’s death and he plans to keep it that way. If he can just pull off the restoration on Dresden House and complete filming on the restoration show, he can save his mother’s beloved inn and be back to his life in New York in a few short months. But nothing is that easy and the lies and secrets just pile up as time moves along. You can’t help but feel for Gavin. He’s the middle of 5 children and he’s determined to save everyone. He will not settle for anything but the outcome that he feels needs to happen.
Ginger just wants to get through the next 84 days. She needs to help Diesel be a success and get this home reality show off the ground so that Diesel can convince his big shot producer father to give him the reality talent show he’s promised him and in turn she can get the choreographer job that comes with it. Ginger needs Diesel to succeed, because she’s carrying a load of guilt for her part in an accident that ended both her ballet career and Diesel’s music career. Diesel doesn’t blame her, of course, and they both are doing the best they can with the hand they’ve been dealt.
When Ginger and Gavin meet there is definite attraction and once they give in it’s clear that these two have something that is far more than just pheromones and chemistry–but neither of them is looking past the now because they both think they know what their future holds.
While I liked Ginger and Gavin I really had a hard time with the townspeople confusing Ginger for her soap character, Destiny. I thought it was ridiculous and made the community seem stupid. Who is actually going to treat a person like her fictional television persona and expect that her personal self has the same traits? It went into “are you freaking kidding me?” territory when the townsfolk continued to call her Destiny and gave her a lot of crap for things that her television character did to the beloved Savannah Rich, also a soap character. If this was meant to be funny, I didn’t get it and it brought down the story a bit for me. I really thought it was unnecessary that Ginger had to constantly remind people she was not the character she portrayed.
While this authors writing style had all the earmarks I look for in this type of romance, I had the ending figured out by page 32 and that was a bit disappointing for me. After one meeting with one of the locals, I knew what Ginger’s future would be because at only page 32 I knew that Ginger’s love of dancing was too strong for her to totally give it up. What I didn’t know was how Gavin was going to fit in it all.
Back to Before does a good job of focusing on our main characters while introducing us to secondary characters who I hope we will continue see in future books. From Gavin’s siblings, his mother and all the townspeople, to secondary character Lori Hunt-the maid/baker at Gavin’s mother’s inn. Clearly there is more to her than meets the eye and Gavin’s brother Miles seems just a bit too interested in who she is and where she came from for it to be casual.
Another stand out character was teen Cassidy Burroughs. She’s much older than her age due to the fact that her mother is a drug addict and Cassidy has had to take care of herself. She spends a lot of time with Gavin’s mother, Patricia and brought a lot of humor to this story. The subject of bullying is touched upon when a group of boys give Cassidy a hard time-but Cassidy is much smarter than she lets on. In fact, a bit of time is spent on developing Cassidy’s relationship with Ginger as she prepares for the prom where she plans to pull off the ultimate coup d’etat against the boys who’d made her life miserable. But after all the build up-it was virtually ignored with one sentence about the principal finding out and putting a stop to it-another disappointment.
Again, this story had everything I look for in a romance that lives in a small town. There were just a few things that took me out of the story and a too easy to predict ending. But I’m intrigued and will definitely read more from this author.
July 22, 2025
"Back to Before" by Tracy Solheim is book one in the "Chances Inlet" series. I enjoyed Ginger and Gavin and their story. Gavin is a man who helps his family when they need it the most. Ginger is in town for a show they are filming when she meets Gavin. My favorite scene was the ending when Gavin made his choice on where he was going to live. I have book two lined up to read down the road. I enjoy Tracy's writing style so much.
January 2, 2015
This is a great start a new series and another enjoyable romance from Ms. Solheim. An engaging romance based on the premise of how you can never go home again as too many people and places change.
Ginger Walsh had trained all her life to be a world renowned dancer but an unfortunate incident changed her career prospects along with her best friend Diesel’s. They both trained at Juilliard but are now taking different paths in life. She recently ended a role on a soap opera as an evil teen and can’t seem to shake the image people have of her. She accepts a job with Diesel on a construction reality show he is producing in hopes of helping him prove something to his father, and hopefully also propelling her back to a dance career.
Gavin McAlister runs McAlister Construction. He is in Chance Inlet to run the family business and has agreed to the reality show because it is the only way to save his mother’s Bed and Breakfast. His father left a financial mess when he died and Gavin believes he can fix it quietly without anyone knowing before he goes back to being an architect in New York. Yep, that always works out.
Gavin and Ginger are immediately attracted to each other, it is the unfortunate attitudes of the residents of the town, his mother and various others that seem to sabotage their efforts to get together. Not to mention that they are both on track to go back to the careers they left behind.
Back to Before is a very enjoyable story, there is humor and emotion as the characters view this reality show as a pit stop toward gaining back their careers. However secrets and lies are unraveling around them, will they be able to survive the crash?
Ginger is a great heroine, she is ready to put her career as a soap opera teen to rest, unfortunately the town of Chance Inlet is not, she is unsure of how she managed to get on the wrong side of most of the residents but she is getting defensive about how they treat her which leads to several hilarious incidences she is involved in. Along the way there are some touching scenes that help change the attitudes of the town.
Gavin is also a wonderful hero, he is trying his best to fix the mess his father created without anyone knowing, he is afraid his mother will blame herself. But his house of cards is destine to fall and we just wait to see what happens. I love how his family rallies around each other to help.
The people in the town make up a good part of the story, Gavin’s mother Patricia and the local sheriff are dating and brother Miles hates it and makes it known. There is Cassidy, a 16 year old who is bullied by the boys in her class and although she has this vulnerable side, she is also strong and is ready to make her mark in the world. I love how the town is always there for her, especially Ginger who she continues to call Gidget. The town itself is special, people believe it is a place of second chances and Patricia is the queen of helping others get their second chance, except for Ginger who she feels will hurt Gavin, Patricia must take a hard look at herself in her dealings with Ginger.
The pace works well as we go behind the scenes of the reality show, count the weeks until the Founder’s Day festival and wait until the wall of secrets comes tumbling down. I like the conclusion of the book but I felt the wrap-up of Diesel’s story was a bit disappointing and seemed too rushed. I am looking forward to more in this series as there are several characters that I would love to see more of. I recommend this book to those that enjoy entertaining romances with humor and emotion.
Review at: Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind
Copy from publisher for an honest review
Ginger Walsh had trained all her life to be a world renowned dancer but an unfortunate incident changed her career prospects along with her best friend Diesel’s. They both trained at Juilliard but are now taking different paths in life. She recently ended a role on a soap opera as an evil teen and can’t seem to shake the image people have of her. She accepts a job with Diesel on a construction reality show he is producing in hopes of helping him prove something to his father, and hopefully also propelling her back to a dance career.
Gavin McAlister runs McAlister Construction. He is in Chance Inlet to run the family business and has agreed to the reality show because it is the only way to save his mother’s Bed and Breakfast. His father left a financial mess when he died and Gavin believes he can fix it quietly without anyone knowing before he goes back to being an architect in New York. Yep, that always works out.
Gavin and Ginger are immediately attracted to each other, it is the unfortunate attitudes of the residents of the town, his mother and various others that seem to sabotage their efforts to get together. Not to mention that they are both on track to go back to the careers they left behind.
Back to Before is a very enjoyable story, there is humor and emotion as the characters view this reality show as a pit stop toward gaining back their careers. However secrets and lies are unraveling around them, will they be able to survive the crash?
Ginger is a great heroine, she is ready to put her career as a soap opera teen to rest, unfortunately the town of Chance Inlet is not, she is unsure of how she managed to get on the wrong side of most of the residents but she is getting defensive about how they treat her which leads to several hilarious incidences she is involved in. Along the way there are some touching scenes that help change the attitudes of the town.
Gavin is also a wonderful hero, he is trying his best to fix the mess his father created without anyone knowing, he is afraid his mother will blame herself. But his house of cards is destine to fall and we just wait to see what happens. I love how his family rallies around each other to help.
The people in the town make up a good part of the story, Gavin’s mother Patricia and the local sheriff are dating and brother Miles hates it and makes it known. There is Cassidy, a 16 year old who is bullied by the boys in her class and although she has this vulnerable side, she is also strong and is ready to make her mark in the world. I love how the town is always there for her, especially Ginger who she continues to call Gidget. The town itself is special, people believe it is a place of second chances and Patricia is the queen of helping others get their second chance, except for Ginger who she feels will hurt Gavin, Patricia must take a hard look at herself in her dealings with Ginger.
The pace works well as we go behind the scenes of the reality show, count the weeks until the Founder’s Day festival and wait until the wall of secrets comes tumbling down. I like the conclusion of the book but I felt the wrap-up of Diesel’s story was a bit disappointing and seemed too rushed. I am looking forward to more in this series as there are several characters that I would love to see more of. I recommend this book to those that enjoy entertaining romances with humor and emotion.
Review at: Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind
Copy from publisher for an honest review
January 12, 2015
Back to Before by Tracy Solheim is the first book in her new Second Chances series. This was a sweet romance that takes place in a small town in Chances Inlet, North Carolina. Gavin McAlister is our hero, who has put his career as an architect on hold to help save his late father’s construction business. After the death of his father, Gavin found the business was deeply in debt, which would also cause the possible loss of his mother’s dream B&B. For two years, Gavin has been secretly working to fix things, and do a TV restoration show to bring in money to pay off the debt. His family does not know that when things are fixed, he will sell the construction business, save his mother’s B&B and go back to New York.
But before he can do that, he must force himself to work on the TV show. It is here he meets Ginger Walsh, our heroine, a former soap actress, who is helping the producer of the show. Ginger is hoping to rebuild her career to work as a choreographer, but she has to survive the small town’s dislike of her, based on the character she played on the soap opera. It doesn’t take long for both Gavin and Ginger to become intimately involved, with the promise it will end when the show is over.
This was really a very sweet story about second chances, and a wonderful romance between Gavin and Ginger. When Ginger first arrived with the television troupe, the whole town treated her badly, thinking of her as Destiny, the character she played on the soap opera. What made this such a nice story were the wonderful characters Solheim created. Gavin’s family, which includes his mom, who is having a secret affair with the town’s sheriff; his politician brother, who was bit obnoxious; a teenage girl, who is an outcast at school; Diesel, Ginger’s best friend, and producer of the television show, plus so many more, who play an integral part in this story.
Slowly, as she begins to help with many townsfolk, while staying at the B&B, Ginger will win them over. She also begins to fall hard for Gavin, as he has become irresistible, but Ginger knows she will move on soon. Gavin also cares for Ginger, and enjoys watching the town change toward her. Gavin figures they can keep their secret no commitment relationship going, as soon as he closes the deal and goes back to New York, where Ginger will be working. The wild ending with anything and everything going wrong, will bring things to a head, with all secrets revealed, and best laid plans that do not always work out. You will need to read this fun enjoyable book to find out what happens to many of these wonderful characters, as well as to Gavin and Ginger. Back to Before is a perfect read if you love romance, small towns, great characters, and a great couple.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
But before he can do that, he must force himself to work on the TV show. It is here he meets Ginger Walsh, our heroine, a former soap actress, who is helping the producer of the show. Ginger is hoping to rebuild her career to work as a choreographer, but she has to survive the small town’s dislike of her, based on the character she played on the soap opera. It doesn’t take long for both Gavin and Ginger to become intimately involved, with the promise it will end when the show is over.
This was really a very sweet story about second chances, and a wonderful romance between Gavin and Ginger. When Ginger first arrived with the television troupe, the whole town treated her badly, thinking of her as Destiny, the character she played on the soap opera. What made this such a nice story were the wonderful characters Solheim created. Gavin’s family, which includes his mom, who is having a secret affair with the town’s sheriff; his politician brother, who was bit obnoxious; a teenage girl, who is an outcast at school; Diesel, Ginger’s best friend, and producer of the television show, plus so many more, who play an integral part in this story.
Slowly, as she begins to help with many townsfolk, while staying at the B&B, Ginger will win them over. She also begins to fall hard for Gavin, as he has become irresistible, but Ginger knows she will move on soon. Gavin also cares for Ginger, and enjoys watching the town change toward her. Gavin figures they can keep their secret no commitment relationship going, as soon as he closes the deal and goes back to New York, where Ginger will be working. The wild ending with anything and everything going wrong, will bring things to a head, with all secrets revealed, and best laid plans that do not always work out. You will need to read this fun enjoyable book to find out what happens to many of these wonderful characters, as well as to Gavin and Ginger. Back to Before is a perfect read if you love romance, small towns, great characters, and a great couple.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
January 6, 2015
Is there anything more fitting than finding love in a place called Chances Inlet? Having fallen in love with Tracy Solheim's characters from her Out of Bounds series starring some fabulous football players, I was very excited to hear she was starting a new series in a town I'd already visited and featuring men I'd met only in passing. For those of you are worried you can't read this book without reading the other books in the series, rest assured, that's not a problem.
My favorite part of this book is the characters. It's not just Ginger and Gavin, but the rest of Gavin's family, the townspeople of Chances Inlet, and Diesel, Ginger's friend too. I REALLY liked Ginger. She's sincere and her beauty is more than skin deep. She's worried about others around her and conscious of the fact she doesn't have the best image because of the role she's portrayed on a soap opera. I felt her hurt as she tried to handle the scorn of the townspeople who weren't able to differentiate between her and her character's persona. I adored Gavin as well. Here was a man who had put his own dreams and goals on hold so he could help his family. I felt and understood his frustration but wished he'd been more open with his family about what he was dealing with.
Another part of the book that really impressed me was the other tracks that were woven into Ginger and Gavin's story. It wasn't just one other story arc, there were multiple and they were all seamlessly integrated in together. I felt like I reading a story of Chances Inlet as much as I was reading about a single couple. And can I say how happy I was to see Will and Julianne make an appearance? I'm hoping to see them again and maybe others from the Blaze in the future. I can't wait to read Miles McAlister's story.
Tracy Solheim has written a moving and captivating story. It's hard to fully describe what I felt as I was reading it. I truly feel like it'll be best if you give this book a try so you can see for yourself what I'm not being able to completely convey. I loved visiting Chances Inlet and can't wait to visit it again and see what second chance magic it will bring!
My favorite part of this book is the characters. It's not just Ginger and Gavin, but the rest of Gavin's family, the townspeople of Chances Inlet, and Diesel, Ginger's friend too. I REALLY liked Ginger. She's sincere and her beauty is more than skin deep. She's worried about others around her and conscious of the fact she doesn't have the best image because of the role she's portrayed on a soap opera. I felt her hurt as she tried to handle the scorn of the townspeople who weren't able to differentiate between her and her character's persona. I adored Gavin as well. Here was a man who had put his own dreams and goals on hold so he could help his family. I felt and understood his frustration but wished he'd been more open with his family about what he was dealing with.
Another part of the book that really impressed me was the other tracks that were woven into Ginger and Gavin's story. It wasn't just one other story arc, there were multiple and they were all seamlessly integrated in together. I felt like I reading a story of Chances Inlet as much as I was reading about a single couple. And can I say how happy I was to see Will and Julianne make an appearance? I'm hoping to see them again and maybe others from the Blaze in the future. I can't wait to read Miles McAlister's story.
Tracy Solheim has written a moving and captivating story. It's hard to fully describe what I felt as I was reading it. I truly feel like it'll be best if you give this book a try so you can see for yourself what I'm not being able to completely convey. I loved visiting Chances Inlet and can't wait to visit it again and see what second chance magic it will bring!
January 7, 2015
Ginger Walsh comes to Chances Inlet with her best friend Diesel to help him with production of a Historic Restoration show. With it's success, they will get their own show, and Ginger feels that she can return to New York a success.
Gavin McAlister's family has always played a large role in Chance's Inlet. When his father died unexpectedly, Gavin returned home to sort things out. Unfortunately, there was much more to work through, and Gavin was forced to stay longer than planned, losing his fiancee in the process. Agreeing to the Historic Restoration show will unravel the mess his father left, and give Gavin the chance to get back to his life in New York.
Both Gavin and Ginger are counting the days until they can get back to where they want to be. When they meet, there is instant chemistry and connection, though Ginger really tries to fight it. Gavin is the town's Golden Boy and everyone in town confuses her with the not-so-nice character she played on tv. As the days pass, Ginger finally stands up for herself and she finds that the town's nickname of Second Chances is true. She finds the town to be everything she wished for growing up. For Gavin, everything Ginger starts to love about the town is every reason he can't wait to leave.
As these two come together, can they keep their relationship a secret in a town where everyone knows everything? Will they get back to the lives they dream about?
I loved this book so much I couldn't put it down. It was just the right combination of humor and romance with strong character development. The book is well-written with not only the main characters' story, but secondary storylines that work together to create a novel that is much richer. The way the story is woven together kept me hooked and made me feel like I was a part of the town of Chances Inlet.
This is the first full-length novel I have read by Tracy Solheim, but I can't wait to double back and read her other novels, as well as wait anxiously for the second novel in the Second Chances series.
Gavin McAlister's family has always played a large role in Chance's Inlet. When his father died unexpectedly, Gavin returned home to sort things out. Unfortunately, there was much more to work through, and Gavin was forced to stay longer than planned, losing his fiancee in the process. Agreeing to the Historic Restoration show will unravel the mess his father left, and give Gavin the chance to get back to his life in New York.
Both Gavin and Ginger are counting the days until they can get back to where they want to be. When they meet, there is instant chemistry and connection, though Ginger really tries to fight it. Gavin is the town's Golden Boy and everyone in town confuses her with the not-so-nice character she played on tv. As the days pass, Ginger finally stands up for herself and she finds that the town's nickname of Second Chances is true. She finds the town to be everything she wished for growing up. For Gavin, everything Ginger starts to love about the town is every reason he can't wait to leave.
As these two come together, can they keep their relationship a secret in a town where everyone knows everything? Will they get back to the lives they dream about?
I loved this book so much I couldn't put it down. It was just the right combination of humor and romance with strong character development. The book is well-written with not only the main characters' story, but secondary storylines that work together to create a novel that is much richer. The way the story is woven together kept me hooked and made me feel like I was a part of the town of Chances Inlet.
This is the first full-length novel I have read by Tracy Solheim, but I can't wait to double back and read her other novels, as well as wait anxiously for the second novel in the Second Chances series.
January 4, 2015
Love this book, did not want it to end...Tracy Solheim is amazing...Heartfelt, laughing, crying...Moments that have you saying that's they way it should be..
When Gavin McAlister puts his dream career in New York, on hold to come home to Chances Inlet after fathers dies to help his mom out. When financial issues come to his attention he takes matters into his own hands, and tells none of this bothers or sisters, and least of all his mother.
He strikes a deal and agrees to shoot a Historical Restoration TV segment in the Dresden House he would be restoring,
Ginger Walsh came to Chances Inlet with her friend Diesel to help him with the TV show and a second chance. She was immediately being treated like her character on the soap she used to be on "Destiny Upchurch"...and that stung, but things changed. She did let loose one night and embarrassed herself. Telling all the people at the bar how she wanted to belong to a town, one who took care of its own. She yearned for it. The next day one of the plumbers and old timer brought her flowers, which just touched me heart.
When Ginger first met Gavin it was kind of sweet, with the help of Midas his dog...it was fate. Little did each other know they would be spending a lot of time together, because of the TV show.
They were becoming close..but no one could know. If anyone knew it would cause issues. Ginger didn't want to come between him and the town, or him and his mother.
The thing was the feelings were becoming stronger. That was until she learned some things from his mother...So know that Ginger find's this out what's will she do?
Well only one way to find out...Buy the book.,
When Gavin McAlister puts his dream career in New York, on hold to come home to Chances Inlet after fathers dies to help his mom out. When financial issues come to his attention he takes matters into his own hands, and tells none of this bothers or sisters, and least of all his mother.
He strikes a deal and agrees to shoot a Historical Restoration TV segment in the Dresden House he would be restoring,
Ginger Walsh came to Chances Inlet with her friend Diesel to help him with the TV show and a second chance. She was immediately being treated like her character on the soap she used to be on "Destiny Upchurch"...and that stung, but things changed. She did let loose one night and embarrassed herself. Telling all the people at the bar how she wanted to belong to a town, one who took care of its own. She yearned for it. The next day one of the plumbers and old timer brought her flowers, which just touched me heart.
When Ginger first met Gavin it was kind of sweet, with the help of Midas his dog...it was fate. Little did each other know they would be spending a lot of time together, because of the TV show.
They were becoming close..but no one could know. If anyone knew it would cause issues. Ginger didn't want to come between him and the town, or him and his mother.
The thing was the feelings were becoming stronger. That was until she learned some things from his mother...So know that Ginger find's this out what's will she do?
Well only one way to find out...Buy the book.,
Read
December 31, 2017I love a little cheesy romance and this is exactly what Back to Before by Tracy Solheim was for me. It was light and easy to read, simple and I did not have to give much thought to character development, plot and what was going to happen next.
Gavin McAlister has a lot on his shoulders. His fiancé left him, his father is gone and his dreams are on hold. After the recent death of his father, he comes to realize that the family construction business is in debt and falling apart. Without burdening the rest of his family, Gavin sets out to find a way to salvage what little that he can. In order to save his family, he agrees to star in a home restoration show centered on a house in Chances Inlet, North Carolina.
Ginger Walsh, one-time soap opera actress who nobody likes, has picked up the odd job of doing make-up for the crew–a favor for her best friend. After a night out, Ginger ends up with Gavin and although the two of them try to keep their affair private, the whole town ends up talking. Gavin and Ginger have to figure out what they want from each other before they can move forward.
Since this was such a calm read, different than my normal book choice, I would most likely read another novel of Solheim’s in the future. It was a distraction from thought, sometimes what a book lover needs to regain her senses. Small towns have a way of not only charming their inhabitants, but big-city readers as well.
Gavin McAlister has a lot on his shoulders. His fiancé left him, his father is gone and his dreams are on hold. After the recent death of his father, he comes to realize that the family construction business is in debt and falling apart. Without burdening the rest of his family, Gavin sets out to find a way to salvage what little that he can. In order to save his family, he agrees to star in a home restoration show centered on a house in Chances Inlet, North Carolina.
Ginger Walsh, one-time soap opera actress who nobody likes, has picked up the odd job of doing make-up for the crew–a favor for her best friend. After a night out, Ginger ends up with Gavin and although the two of them try to keep their affair private, the whole town ends up talking. Gavin and Ginger have to figure out what they want from each other before they can move forward.
Since this was such a calm read, different than my normal book choice, I would most likely read another novel of Solheim’s in the future. It was a distraction from thought, sometimes what a book lover needs to regain her senses. Small towns have a way of not only charming their inhabitants, but big-city readers as well.
January 1, 2015
Everyone thinks that Ginger Walsh is exactly like the teenager she used to portray on a hit soap opera awhile ago. She is getting sick of it because that isn’t who she is at all. A former co-worker hires her to be a makeup artist on a new TV show that is sure to be a hit.
Gavin McAlister has got it all, a great business that he inherited from his father, the respect of the town and a wonderful family around him. He is under a great deal of pressure because there is one secret that no one knows about and that can not only break the family apart but also the town. Gavin is given the chance to stop that secret from becoming public by being that TV show that Ginger is a part of.
When the two come together for the first time there is an instant chemistry between them. This magic connection of a soul mate that some will never experience in their lives. But Ginger and Gavin have to work everyone thinking they shouldn’t be together. After all isn’t she the bad girl of the world and he is the good boy of the town? In reality it is the opposite. They have so much to overcome but in order for the relationship to work, they must reveal their secrets an dreams, not only to each other but everyone else.
December 23, 2014
Former teen soap star Ginger Walsh is stuck filming a home restoration show in the small southern town of Chances Inlet. She is miserable and counting down the days until she can return to her normal life. That is, until she meets Gavin McAlister, the architect and owner of the construction company in charge of renovations. But Gavin has his own secrets and he, too, is just biding his time until he can go back to his life before. Back To Before by Tracy Solheim is book one in the Second Chances series. It is a lovely, small town romance with heart. Told with sentiment and a sense of humor, it is a wonderfully developed story of finding exactly what you need in the unlikeliest of places. The story is written in such a way that I grew quite fond of this town and its inhabitants. There are a few parallel storylines and several fascinating secondary characters that I hope to read more about in the future. The book does contain some mild profanity and a few heated scenes that could easily be skipped without losing any of the story, if one should choose. Review copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest opinion.
January 7, 2015
Chances Inlet is all about second chances....When Gavin's father suddenly dies he leaves New York putting his dreams on hold to go home to Chances Inlet to help run his families construction business. He thought he would be able to go home wrap things up quick and return to new york but to make matters worse his fiance dumps him and than he finds out that his father made a bad decision and the business is in jeopardy. Than he gets an opportunity to save the business when hes offered a job starring on a home restoration project that he has always wanted to do.
Than we meet former soap star Ginger Walsh whos agreed to be the makeup artist for the show hoping that it will lead to better things for her as she cannot do ballet anymore due to an injury. After a wild night in Gavins loft and the rest of the town talking about it, and leaves them both wondering can they get to back to before or do they want something else.
This was an awesome book could not put it down as it left you wondering where these two were going and do they end up together or go there separate ways.
Than we meet former soap star Ginger Walsh whos agreed to be the makeup artist for the show hoping that it will lead to better things for her as she cannot do ballet anymore due to an injury. After a wild night in Gavins loft and the rest of the town talking about it, and leaves them both wondering can they get to back to before or do they want something else.
This was an awesome book could not put it down as it left you wondering where these two were going and do they end up together or go there separate ways.
January 8, 2015
Back to Before drew me in from the start. Gavin is back home in Chances Inlet to deal with the family business after his dad's unexpected passing. Ginger is there with a film crew, doing a show on a mansion restoration Gavin is working on.
The chemistry between the 2 is immediate. Loved how Gavin seemed to see who Ginger truly was, and didn't judge her by a character she played in the past. Ginger just wants to be able to get one part of her life back that she has always loved, but everyone in Chances seems convinced she is evil. This story had me laughing, and sometimes close to tears, with how close everyone seemed to be (or my heart ached for how the "small town" crowd treated Ginger). The secondary characters added so much spunk to the story, and can't wait to see what Tracy has in store for us next (oh, and there's a little mystery I haven't quite figured out yet about the Inn's cook, but I know it's gonna be good :) )
I highly suggest this to anyone who loves small town contemporary novels
The chemistry between the 2 is immediate. Loved how Gavin seemed to see who Ginger truly was, and didn't judge her by a character she played in the past. Ginger just wants to be able to get one part of her life back that she has always loved, but everyone in Chances seems convinced she is evil. This story had me laughing, and sometimes close to tears, with how close everyone seemed to be (or my heart ached for how the "small town" crowd treated Ginger). The secondary characters added so much spunk to the story, and can't wait to see what Tracy has in store for us next (oh, and there's a little mystery I haven't quite figured out yet about the Inn's cook, but I know it's gonna be good :) )
I highly suggest this to anyone who loves small town contemporary novels
January 23, 2015
I was lucky enough to receive this book from the author for an honest review. I have read all of the Out Of Bounds series and really loved them. I was really looking forward to Back To Before.
This is the story of Gavin McAllister an architect from New York who puts his dreams on hold to go home to Chances Inlet. While there he is busy trying to work out how to pay off the debts his father left when he passed away. But Gavin doesn't want the family or anyone to know what is going on. He wants to protect his fathers image.
Then there is Ginger Walsh a former dancer who was badly injured in an accident and is now looking for a new career.
Ginger and Gavin meet on the set of the house he is restoring for a television show. He is the GC and she is the make-up artist. The sparks do fly when they meet and continue to heat up as time goes on. This is a real page turner that you will not be able to put down once you start it. Looking forward to the next book in the Second Chances series.
This is the story of Gavin McAllister an architect from New York who puts his dreams on hold to go home to Chances Inlet. While there he is busy trying to work out how to pay off the debts his father left when he passed away. But Gavin doesn't want the family or anyone to know what is going on. He wants to protect his fathers image.
Then there is Ginger Walsh a former dancer who was badly injured in an accident and is now looking for a new career.
Ginger and Gavin meet on the set of the house he is restoring for a television show. He is the GC and she is the make-up artist. The sparks do fly when they meet and continue to heat up as time goes on. This is a real page turner that you will not be able to put down once you start it. Looking forward to the next book in the Second Chances series.
March 1, 2017
I received this book from a Goodreads Giveaway. I'm torn on this one. I did enjoy the story. I liked the characters and the town. Ginger was sweet and the town treated her like she was the character she played on the soap opera. In real life, she is the opposite, but only one person in the town saw this. Gavin was the only one to treat her fairly and give her a chance. Gavin was a kind and caring soul, taking on a huge burden left by his father's passing. Both Ginger and Gavin are dealing with their own issues. They are attracted to one another. If I was rating this book on only the story and characters, I would give it a 4. But I really dislike how the characters in this book treat an intimate relationship. Going in thinking of it as a 3 month fling. Even Gavin's mother views this as OK. It's not only this point-of-view that makes me give it a 2 star rating, but also the detail given when the characters are intimate. Not needed and didn't add to the story, hence the 2 stars.
December 21, 2014
I absolutely loved this book. Gavin is back home trying to fix business issues his late father left him without anyone knowing there is a big problem. He is forced to do a renovation tv show to help solve the financial issues. In walks Ginger, a former ballet dancer/soap actress now make up artist for the show in order for her to move on to her hopes of being a choreographer.
The chemistry between Gavin and Ginger is so hot and the there is such humor in their interactions with each other. The town is invested in Gavin finding a nice woman to settled down with in Chances Inlet. Ginger just wants to be accepted by the towns people but because they think she is just like the evil soap opera character she briefly played on tv it isn't easy. Throw is a troubled teenaged girl, a nosy town, a protective mom and one adorable dog and you have a great story.
I love the people of Chances Inlet. I want more of the McAllister siblings and also housekeeper/cook Lori.
The chemistry between Gavin and Ginger is so hot and the there is such humor in their interactions with each other. The town is invested in Gavin finding a nice woman to settled down with in Chances Inlet. Ginger just wants to be accepted by the towns people but because they think she is just like the evil soap opera character she briefly played on tv it isn't easy. Throw is a troubled teenaged girl, a nosy town, a protective mom and one adorable dog and you have a great story.
I love the people of Chances Inlet. I want more of the McAllister siblings and also housekeeper/cook Lori.
February 10, 2015
4.5 stars
Warning: may contain spoiler
This book told the story of Gavin and Ginger if you have read Foolish Games you will know Gavin. This was a really cute story set in a small town and it is about people trying to make the best out of their current situation. Ginger was a really sweet character and I felt really sorry for her at times in this book because people were so mean to her. Gavin was a nice character although I found him a little boring as he was just sort of there, he went after Ginger because she was beautifully and then at the end of the book he was in love with her, the best part was his dog Midas. I really loved the other characters in this book to and I am really looking forward to the next book in this series I'm hoping it will be Lori and Miles. And if you gphavent read Tracy Solheim's other books you should because she's a great author and this book is tied to one of the books in her other series.
Warning: may contain spoiler
This book told the story of Gavin and Ginger if you have read Foolish Games you will know Gavin. This was a really cute story set in a small town and it is about people trying to make the best out of their current situation. Ginger was a really sweet character and I felt really sorry for her at times in this book because people were so mean to her. Gavin was a nice character although I found him a little boring as he was just sort of there, he went after Ginger because she was beautifully and then at the end of the book he was in love with her, the best part was his dog Midas. I really loved the other characters in this book to and I am really looking forward to the next book in this series I'm hoping it will be Lori and Miles. And if you gphavent read Tracy Solheim's other books you should because she's a great author and this book is tied to one of the books in her other series.
January 28, 2015
I kind felt like all the conflict was internal or self inflicted until the last couple chapters. Ginger was a whiner and too much of a people pleaser. Gavin allowed his pride to prevent him from finding a better solution to his father's debts. Even if he was still protecting his mom, he has 4 siblings, of which he spoke to one, and a plethora of friends to brainstorm with.
The book ended well and Goldman is a man that people love to hate. I think he should have been more inclusive throughout to add an external dimension to the conflict. He was talked about, but the challenges he (and Marissa) poses were passive up until the end. I would have loved to see them more throughout to reduce some of Ginger's poor pitiful me attitude as the town begins to like her for her, while Marissa shows her true colors.
I've enjoyed other stories by Ms. Solheim and this one is just as well written, just not for me.
The book ended well and Goldman is a man that people love to hate. I think he should have been more inclusive throughout to add an external dimension to the conflict. He was talked about, but the challenges he (and Marissa) poses were passive up until the end. I would have loved to see them more throughout to reduce some of Ginger's poor pitiful me attitude as the town begins to like her for her, while Marissa shows her true colors.
I've enjoyed other stories by Ms. Solheim and this one is just as well written, just not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2021
I fell in love with Ginger and Gavin immediately. Gavin returns home to Chances Inlet, to help his family financially. Ginger comes to Chances Inlet for a job, that she really does not want, to be a make up artist. There is an immediate chemistry between these two, I so love it. The only problem Ginger does not fit in with this small town and Gavin is here only temporarily.
I so enjoyed the small town coastal atmosphere. Love how everyone knows everyone business. The characters of Gavin and Ginger are so perfect for each other, loved tier sexual hotness.
This book should be on everyone's must read books of 2021 A great start to a new series. I received this book form the author for an honest review.
I so enjoyed the small town coastal atmosphere. Love how everyone knows everyone business. The characters of Gavin and Ginger are so perfect for each other, loved tier sexual hotness.
This book should be on everyone's must read books of 2021 A great start to a new series. I received this book form the author for an honest review.
February 17, 2015
This was a sexy, sweet read about love of family and second chances. Ginger is looking for a second chance after her dreams are shattered by an injury. She wears her heart on her sleeve and she wants to fit into the small town of Chances Inlet, North Carolina. Gavin in in town cleaning up the financial mess his father left behind when he passed away suddenly. Both of these characters want to help those around them. After one night of passion can these two go back to how things were before, or are they the second chance they both need? I enjoyed how Ginger's character evolved from what I expected her to be into the kind giving person she really was. Their story is sweet and a little predictable, but that is what I love about contemporary romance. Great read!
January 2, 2015
This is one of Tracy's best. Great story and characters you do not want to let go of. Gavin is one of my favorites and Ginger is most definitely a heroine you want to root for. The story never lets you go, as Gavin is so much a part of his family and into all that goes on around them and plenty goes on! I have to admit, I loved the side story about Gavin's Mom and all the supporting characters so much, I am already hoping for that next book and who I want to see get their HEA. In other words, I do not want to ever leave Chances Inlet and this amazing family and group of wonderful characters. Well written, absorbing and lots of fun...!
June 29, 2015
Ginger is a former soap opera actress hired by her friend Diesel to be the make up artist on an upcoming pilot show featuring a hunky architect named Gavin restoring an old building in his home town. The problem I had with this book was there were too many storylines: Gavin's mother, Patricia and her sheriff boyfriend, Lamar; the mysterious cook, Lori; Gavin's siblings; a high-school girl named Cassidy; I could go on, there were too many stories to follow and the only one I really cared about was Ginger and Gavin's but it got pushed by the wayside several times. I wanted sexual tension and romantic gestures but I was left underwhelmed.
October 7, 2014
As a lucky advanced-copy reader of Tracy Solheim's first book in this series, it's an understatement to say I was excited to read it! Tracy brings to life Gavin McAlister, a hunky, handsome architect, and sweet, wanting-to-fit-in Ginger in a very spicy romance developed in Chances Inlet, a quaint Southern coastal town. Tracy breathes life and juicy romance into these two characters that makes you want to keep reading, while crafting a lovely story about hopes, dreams, taking care of family, and small town Southern life. Loved it and can't wait for the next one.
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