This Time: A Contemporary Second Chance Romance

by E.A. Coe

Ten years ago, Tyrell Harrell and Siena Tyson walked away from a quiet spark that lit up their high school days—each chasing dreams that led them to distances far from each other. Now, at their ten-year reunions, fate hands them a second chance.
Ty is a decorated Marine Corps combat pilot, carrying the weight of duty and distance. Siena has stayed close to home, where memories linger and reputations stick. As their paths cross once more, the chemistry is undeniable—but so are the obstacles.
Can love survive the turbulence of Ty’s deployments and the shadow of Siena’s past? Or will the road they travel together prove too steep…this time?

A heartfelt story of reconnection, resilience, and the kind of love that dares to try again.

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2025

About the author

Award-winning author, E. A. Coe … is F. Coe Sherrard, a former United States Naval aviator and career businessman, who is retired and lives in Edinburg, Virginia. A graduate of Western Maryland College (now called McDaniel College), he was a senior executive in two entertainment companies, including Spirit Cruises and Herschend Family Entertainment (manager of the Dollywood Theme Park). Married to Jean since 1971, Coe has three children and seven grandchildren.

Coe won a gold medal in the 2023 International Readers Favorite Book competition in the Crime Fiction genre for Pedaling West.

Reviews

[J.F. Collen · Rating 5 out of 5]

E.A. Coe paints a picture of a high school reunion that drew me right in. I could feel the buzz as old acquaintances sized each other up and either reconnected or shied away. The two, instantly likeable, main characters Seeney and Ty do more than connect at the reunion, they fall in love.
Coe ‘s remarkable ability to clearly paint a scene with his attention to detail captivated me over and over. My blood rose to a boil when the antagonists colluded to cause Seeney harm. I relaxed with Seeney curling up with a glass of wine for a friendly conversation with one of her friends. And my heart pounded in my mouth during the military skirmish Ty finds himself trapped in.
This story gives hope – hope that good people, in spite of their human imperfections, can triumph over the many obstacles thrown in their way. I highly recommend this feel good read.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Time is a story that weaves together love, loss, and redemption in the small town of Tartan Springs, West Virginia. At its heart, it follows Ty Harrell, a Marine pilot, and Siena “Seeney” Tyson, a woman rebuilding her life after a messy divorce and betrayal. The story opens with their ten-year high school reunion, where old sparks rekindle and dormant feelings stir. Around them, the novel paints a vivid picture of small-town America, filled with complex relationships, community politics, and quiet battles for dignity and forgiveness. Beneath the romance lies a thread of corruption, environmental tension, and moral choice, giving the book more depth than a typical love story.

Coe’s writing is full of detail, almost cinematic, and that made it easy to slip into the world he built. I could smell the rain in the hills, hear the small-town chatter, and feel the awkward warmth between Ty and Siena as they stumbled through old emotions. Sometimes the dialogue felt a little too polished, but the emotional truth beneath it rang clear. I liked that the characters were flawed, real people who made mistakes and carried scars. Siena, especially, stood out, resilient, sharp, and unwilling to let the past define her. Ty’s decency and quiet loyalty balanced her strength perfectly.

What really got to me, though, was how the story handled forgiveness. It wasn’t wrapped in a neat bow. The pain from betrayal lingered, and love didn’t erase it. Coe didn’t shy away from showing the ugliness of pride, or the way people cling to control when their lives are falling apart. Yet, somehow, through the grit and sorrow, the book stayed hopeful. The scenes about military service, small-town politics, and even environmental issues added layers that gave it substance without slowing the pace too much.

I’d recommend This Time to readers who enjoy heartfelt fiction with real emotional weight. It’s perfect for anyone who loves stories about second chances, especially those set against the backdrop of small-town life where everyone knows your secrets. It’s not just a romance, it’s about rebuilding, forgiving, and learning when to fight and when to let go. This book pulled me in, and when I turned the last page, I just sat there for a minute, thinking about how some things are worth risking again.

[Answer Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Time is a beautifully crafted second-chance romance that captures the bittersweet tension of rekindled love with sensitivity and heart. E. A. Coe brings Ty and Seeney to life as fully realized, authentic characters whose past, present, and uncertainties make their reunion feel both compelling and believable. The story balances emotional depth with a gentle, clean narrative, showing that love can be as challenging as it is transformative.
What stands out is the careful exploration of timing, circumstance, and personal growth. Ty’s commitment as a Marine Corps pilot adds stakes and realism, while Seeney’s ties to her hometown and the shadows of past secrets create a nuanced backdrop for their rekindled connection. The chemistry between them is palpable, yet the romance never feels rushed it evolves naturally, resonating with the reader at every step.
This Time is an uplifting, heartwarming read for anyone who believes in resilience, second chances, and the enduring power of love. Thoughtful, tender, and engaging, it is a novel that will linger in the heart long after the final page.

[Siobhan D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the narration from E A Coe

We meet Ty a Marine pilot, and Siena a woman rebuilding her life after a nasty divorce and betrayal. Both meet again at their ten-year high school reunion. Old feelings and chemistry come to the surface. This is a romance but trust me we have politics, corruption and two people finding their way .
A great listen.

[LINDA BASS · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored Ty and Senny's story and how they lived in the same town. They went to the same school but were not in the same click then ten years later then they meet again.