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A Second Taste of Love: A Sweet Second Chance, Rivals to Lovers Romance
Some loves don’t fade—they wait.
I lost my husband, but I didn’t lose my purpose. My restaurant, my family, and the life I rebuilt keep me moving forward—even when my heart still aches.
Then Mason Fairing walks back into my kitchen.
He was once my fiercest rival… and the one man who walked away. Now he’s older, steadier, and asking for something I’m not sure I can give.
Paired together at a high-stakes Napa Valley cook-off, we’re forced to work together. Old wounds resurface and trusting him again feels just out of reach. Between shared glances and late nights, his careful attention to my pace loosens the hold I have on my heart.
Meddling friends, unexpected moments, and a little kitchen chaos remind me that laughter still belongs in my life.
But falling for Mason again means risking everything I’ve worked so hard to protect.
If I stay, I risk opening my heart that never fully healed.
If I walk away, I lose a future I didn’t know I was still allowed to want.
A Second Taste of Love is a heartfelt, second-chance romance about grief, healing, and discovering that sometimes love doesn’t replace what was lost—it simply makes room for more.
I lost my husband, but I didn’t lose my purpose. My restaurant, my family, and the life I rebuilt keep me moving forward—even when my heart still aches.
Then Mason Fairing walks back into my kitchen.
He was once my fiercest rival… and the one man who walked away. Now he’s older, steadier, and asking for something I’m not sure I can give.
Paired together at a high-stakes Napa Valley cook-off, we’re forced to work together. Old wounds resurface and trusting him again feels just out of reach. Between shared glances and late nights, his careful attention to my pace loosens the hold I have on my heart.
Meddling friends, unexpected moments, and a little kitchen chaos remind me that laughter still belongs in my life.
But falling for Mason again means risking everything I’ve worked so hard to protect.
If I stay, I risk opening my heart that never fully healed.
If I walk away, I lose a future I didn’t know I was still allowed to want.
A Second Taste of Love is a heartfelt, second-chance romance about grief, healing, and discovering that sometimes love doesn’t replace what was lost—it simply makes room for more.
73 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2025
5 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 19, 2025
A Second Taste of Love: A Sweet Enemies to Lovers Romance by Reese Marley is a contemporary romance about rivals whose simmering dislike gently transforms into affection, wrapped in heartfelt moments and slow-burn tension; this story explores how old wounds and unexpected understanding can open the door to something tender and lasting.
I was immediately drawn to this book's enemies to lovers tropes and its warm, comforting vibe. I keyed into the dynamic between the two characters, Ginee and Mason, and found their chemistry convincing, especially as the narrative loosens their initial friction and lets small, sweet moments accumulate into genuine warmth. The presence of a character named Blake also adds emotional texture, making the relationships feel layered rather than flat.
What made this story feel honest to me was its embrace of the slow transformation from irritation to connection. I could imagine turning the pages and feeling that familiar flutter when rivals finally let down their guard and show vulnerability; even though not all reviewers found the pacing perfect, many appreciated the heartfelt growth and the richness of the romantic tension.
For me, I felt a cozy thrill in watching two people shift from misunderstanding to mutual respect, and that gradual thaw in their relationship made the eventual warmth between them feel earned and delightful.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars, because while the story won my heart with its big feelings and sincere emotional arcs, I wasn't quite okay with its pacing at some point.
I was immediately drawn to this book's enemies to lovers tropes and its warm, comforting vibe. I keyed into the dynamic between the two characters, Ginee and Mason, and found their chemistry convincing, especially as the narrative loosens their initial friction and lets small, sweet moments accumulate into genuine warmth. The presence of a character named Blake also adds emotional texture, making the relationships feel layered rather than flat.
What made this story feel honest to me was its embrace of the slow transformation from irritation to connection. I could imagine turning the pages and feeling that familiar flutter when rivals finally let down their guard and show vulnerability; even though not all reviewers found the pacing perfect, many appreciated the heartfelt growth and the richness of the romantic tension.
For me, I felt a cozy thrill in watching two people shift from misunderstanding to mutual respect, and that gradual thaw in their relationship made the eventual warmth between them feel earned and delightful.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars, because while the story won my heart with its big feelings and sincere emotional arcs, I wasn't quite okay with its pacing at some point.
August 25, 2025
Great story. Ginee and Mason are the feature of the story but Blake takes the show. The history between Ginee and Mason just felt right. The author had a fantastically planned and written book. Story had my attention from beginning to end. I would recommend this book to everyone. I received a free copy of this book. I am leaving this review on my own.
September 18, 2025
Honestly. A dog in the kitchen/restaurant of an upscale French restaurant?? Disgusting. Letting the dog take pastries off the table/tray?? Disgusting. Letting the dog wander around and cause accidents with the staff on the restaurant floor in front of the patrons?? Moronic and yes, disgusting.
I found myself getting confused on who the people working in the restaurant were. This book was just off for me. Maybe the cadence of the writing or something.
I found myself getting confused on who the people working in the restaurant were. This book was just off for me. Maybe the cadence of the writing or something.
August 12, 2025
Not really enemy to lovers, just miscommunication. Overall, cute
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews