A Sugarcoated Second Chance : A Sweet Romantic Comedy

by Francesca Spencer

Romance and rivalry rekindle at a small town's Valentine’s Day bake-off.



Guilt drives me to visit Aunt April at Rocky Point. It’s been a while, and her insistent messages imply that she’s unwell and needs help.

However, when I arrive with Willow, my sulky daughter, it’s clear there are other reasons she wants me back.

Number one – winning the prestigious Golden Whisk at the Valentine’s Bake-off.

Number two – Sheriff Daniel Cassidy, my first love, has bought the house next door.



When I pull over a vehicle with a broken taillight, my heart flips because the driver is Gemma Tilbury, the only woman I’ve ever loved.

It’s been twenty years since we said goodbye. Yet time slides backward in an instant, and we pick up where we left off – crazy rivals and crazy in love.

Is Daniel enough reason for Gemma to stay, and will they find a sugarcoated second chance?

A Sugarcoated Second Chance is part of The Valentine's Midlife Meet Cute Series. Here's what you'll rom-comA next-door exRivals to loversSlow burnSmall townKisses-onlyBuy A Sugarcoated Second Chance for the sweetest second chance at love!

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Genres: Romance

About the author

Read 'Mr Off-Limits Grump' for free. Just click on www.francescaspencerauthor.com

A bit about me...
My stories are loaded with funny stuff, coincidence, drama and love.

I pull out all the action and comedy, which is usually tragic and accident laden - add some romance if it's romcom - and package it up in a satisfying narrative tied up with a big pink shiny satin bow.

Tadaah! Here you go. Enjoy.

I'm a compulsive traveller. In fact, it's almost an addiction. I have to move around. To fund this expensive hobby, I've worked as an international primary school teacher in a number of countries, for a number of years, which has supplied its own rewards and serviced a mountain of writing material.

When I'm not teaching or having marvellous adventures, I'm visiting friends and family and writing books.

Award Winners
'Stuck With My Christmas Crush' Gold medal - Global Book Awards 2024 (Christmas category)

'Mr Billionaire Boss Grump' 2nd Place - Incipere Awards 2025 (Clean Romance)

Reviews

[Rhonda Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is about the one that got away and a second chance. Things I loved: a short afternoon read, things are kept fairly light with honesty to keep it real. Also the characters are in their forties, so less about running on feelings alone. I enjoyed my afternoon break.

[Brooklyn L. Wolves · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story and the character development was done really well. I just see the comedy aspect in the story.

[Heather Deffley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance Novella. This is a really quick and feel good read. Childhood sweethearts rekindle their lost relationship in a small beach side town.

If you're looking for a quick, easy, feel good read then I would make this a priority on your TBR.

[Laurel Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this was absolutely adorable. Second chance romance, rekindled summer love, a dreamy beach town, a meddling aunt, and a Valentine’s bake off…I mean, it was legitimately just the cutest story. I loved the mother-daughter dynamic between Willow and Gemma. Honestly, this book was a perfect cozy, Valentine’s read. Grab a cup of something warm and read this one!

[Chad Barrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and even though I wasn’t required to post a review, I wanted to offer my honest, voluntary impression I had after reading it.

Francesca has written a sweet mid- life story about two high school sweethearts who meet some 20 years later after a breakup when they were leaving to go to college across multiple states from each other.

Gemma’s heart was broken when Daniel broke up with her but after being reunited again when she returns to her home town to see her aunt with her daughter, they meet up again and her aunt plays matchmaker!

Hurt feelings surface of course and the idea that they aren’t the same people they were back then is also
present but the attraction and feelings are still the same regardless.

This is a sweet second chance with the one that got away and the reconnection even for a three day weekend kindles that desire to see if maybe they can make it what they once dreamed of.

I enjoyed this short story in the Valentine’s Meet Cute series about second chances to find love and that happily ever after!

I definitely recommend this book and this series as ones you should read to find that love can strike even when you’re not looking for it and with the love you felt for your first love that never went away in this case!

It’s a short sweet no spice series which I guarantee you’ll be happy you read! I have read all the books in this series and loved them all so if you are a romantic and believe in love later on in life like I do if things don’t work out the first time, then by all means get this book and afterwards why not check out the entire series!

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

As ulterior motives go ,aunt April puts on a great show. Guilt ridden Gemma has a dilemma and so ups and leaves for Rocky Point with her daughter Willow in tow. She hasn’t seen aunt April in a while ,not that she didn’t always make her smile. In fact she does love her aunt a lot and so off she does trot to the run down beach house she owns at Rocky Point . April isn’t getting any younger and thus Gemma worries over her. Of course April acts on her frailty when she’s really reintroducing her niece to an ex beau who’s moved in next door. Gemma though also had motivation as this trip is keeping her daughter Willow from a Valentines party so sneakily ,it came at the right time. It soon becomes clear why she wants her here ,it’s to win a baking competition that she holds dear. Speaking of dear and all ,the ex beau next door is Sheriff Daniel Cassidy who happens to be part of her history ,her first love . So there’s no mystery now she’s come back to the Point and she’s rather familiarising herself with the joint as well as getting to know her ex fella and competing in the baking competition she’ll surely be grinning on winning The Golden Whisk at the Valentines Bake Off .Whisking up batter that does matter and enjoying the odd natter to boot. This story sure is cute and Aunt April? A wily old coot, who is very astute and knows what she wants. What a delightful aunt to have. Matchmaking amid excellent baking. Wonderfully storyline, simply divine . Francesca Spencer I love this story of yours it’s sublime.

[Star-Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gemma and her teenage daughter arrive in Rocky Point, California to visit her Aunt April after receiving several pleading calls to come visit and are immediately pulled over by a police car. The sheriff no less and this sheriff is someone Gemma knew very well some twenty years ago. Daniel Cassidy was her first love until he broke her heart. Now Daniel is desperate to apologize and get Gemma to forgive him but can she?
This is a sweet, clean, beach setting, Valentine baking competition, second chance romance with a peacekeeper (although he does instigate a food fight) loving a bit of a fiery cat with mama bear tendencies and a matchmaking meddling aunt. Well written with moments of young love reminiscing, moments of confrontation and regret, and moments of hilarity. One of my favorite scenes was the food fight when the two 40-somethings are caught by the teenage daughter covered in flour and cookie dough. Sometimes even adults have to get a little crazy. A very delightful read!
I received an Advance Review Copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Randi Sampson · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet story! (Pun fully intended.) Gemma and Daniel had a multi-summer romance as a teenager, until he broke her heart. Twenty years later, they're both back in Rocky Point, once again next door to one another... and once again with sparks flying. Their re-introduction made me smile... and the smiles didn't stop there! Food fights, meddling aunts and a second chance at love... there was so much to enjoy in this story. Second chance happens to be a favorite of mine, and this one was done very well... and helps keep this shorter read from feeling too rushed, since they already have history. If you love later in life romance, meddling family, and smalltown vibes, this is one you won't want to miss!

A Sugarcoated Second Chance is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language. It is part of the Valentine's Midlife Meet Cute series. This is a multi-author series of later in life Valentine's Day romcoms that can all be enjoyed as standalones or in any order.


**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Simone Gremillion · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Sugar-Coated Second Chance by Francesa Spencer is a second chance romance for adults later in life. Gemma and Daniel loved each other 20 years ago when she would visit her aunt in Rocky Point. Being separated across the continent for college split them apart and she moved on. Feeling the need to visit her aunt again with the teenage daughter in tow, she stumbled across her long lost love.

Daniel is now the Sheriff in town and never found love after Gemma, no one could measure up her.

This weekend happens to be Valentine’s and the town’s bake-off. When her aunt cons her into baking for the contest things get heated and now they are both seeing that neither had ever really moved on.

This story does contain some talk of yogis and alternative hippy vibes. It isn’t frequent by any means but it stood out to me since that isn’t my lifestyle.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves reading about second chance love for those later in life.

#sweetromcom #romancemidlife #secondchanceromance #valentinesromance #arcread

[Leann Arave · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fast paced second chance romance. Jenna and her daughter Willow are taking a quick road trip to her aunt April’s Beachside home. It’s probably been 20 years since Jenna and her family used to come every summer. The last time she was here, her heart was broken by the boy Next Door. A charming romance with feel good nostalgia and a fun bake off. The characters are fun and entertaining, and aunt April as matchmaker. That’s really not a spoiler because you can guess it from the beginning anyway. This is part of a valentine midlife cute meet series that offer short sweet romances.(only kissing and no swearing.).

[Shauna Jones]

Matchmaking and cookies make a sweet story
Such a wonderful story of second chances helped by a mischievous, matchmaking aunt. When Gemma’s aunt convinces her to bring her daughter for a visit, she didn’t expect being pulled over by the police. When Daniel pulled over a car with a broken taillight he never expected to see his first and only love, Gemma. Soon Aunt April was arranging for Gemma and Daniel to work together including a cookie contest. Can their romance revive after twenty years? I received an early copy and this is my honest review.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love a second chance at love and later in in life? Even better. There is never a late time to fall in love and more if its someone who meant to much to you. Gemma and her daughter go to visit her aunt after multiple calls to come by. As they get to town Gemma sees again someone who was very important to her, who happens to be Shefif Daniel. The town, the aunt, the competition brings everyone together once again. And life had other plans for Gemma she didn't know she needed. Amazing story, characters and all! Loved it♥︎

[Heather Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a digital ARC of this novella. This is book 6 in the Valentine’s midlife meet cute series. All the stories are stand alone. If you enjoy Hallmark movies you will enjoy this sweet story of Gemma and Daniel who were high school summer love sweethearts. Gemma and her daughter are visiting her aunt for the weekend, only to be surprised that Daniel, the one who got away, is living there now. Can the scheming of a well-meaning Aunt and a small town get these two back together or is there too much past hurt? You’ll have to read to find out! You can easily read this in one sitting.

[Nadine Sturgill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 6 of the Valentine's Midlife Meet Cute! Super cute intro with the sheriff! Haha it was a great super sweet read, and I love how the focus was split between Daniel and Gemma, but also Gemma's relations with her aunt and daughter. Really cute story of young loves who were separated reuniting. Totally could get behind Gemma and how resistant she was to rekindling a relationship at first. But of course, it has a a HEA and I'm here for it!

[RomanceLand65 · Rating 5 out of 5]

cute novella. if you enjoy second chance romance this is a good short read. the characters were enjoyable and the side characters were fun. aunt April is a hoot. she's a meddler. I wish this book was longer because it could have told a great romance for older readers getting their second chance. I do think if you are looking for a short read this is a good one

[Liberty Munson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fair warning... second chance is my least favorite trope, but Francesca does a good job with it (although I think Gemma forgave Daniel breaking her heart too quickly, but maybe that's what happens when 20 years pass...).

If you like second chance romance, you will love this book. It's a quick fix to fill your HEA needs. It's a fast, easy read that will make your heart smile.

[Hollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a short but sweet romance.

The romance felt a little rushed due to the fact that it was only a “weekend.” Also, the ending felt like it was trying to make up for the fact of romancing in a weekend. Loved the little tidbit about Willow and Kai. I would love a spinoff of their story. Overall good, but wish it was longer so the romance could flourish a little more.

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

A SUGARCOATED SECOND CHANCE is a very sweet (pardon the pun) novella length rom-com. Gemma and Daniel lost 20 years together when Daniel’s father convinced him to break up because they were too young. Is it totally crazy to think the two of them might find that a spark of love still glows? Auntie April is determined to blow on the coals and find out!
I reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book with no strings attached.

[Tammi Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

who doesn't love getting a second chance. this was such a quick, sweet story. I would recommend this book to anyone.

[Jaymie · Rating 4 out of 5]

super short & sweet! lovely little second chance romance, would definitely recommend :)

thank you to the author for an arc - i wasn’t required to review and opinions are honest and my own.

[Mandy Prather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC for Sugarcoated Second Chance. This is a Valentines midlife small town romance. The are short and so sweet.

This is Gemma and Daniel's story.

Daniel is the new sheriff and just moved back into town.
Gemma is im town to help her aunt.
Gemma and Daniel were high school sweethearts they loved each other so much. When Daniel left for college he let his dad talk him into breaking up with her.
I loved this book. They were so cute together. Daniel had alot to make up for. I loved their banter and playfulness.
Can't wait for the next book.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second-chance midlife romantic comedy. Cute and easy-to-read..

[Jessica Freudinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute fast read. I loved the ideas to the story.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is another sweet, short one in this series! I really liked the premise of this story and the main characters. It was really fun and such a quick read!

[emeraldragonlady (Maddie) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second chance romance that like. The couple don't have a big miscommunication trope they are teenage sweethearts pushed apart by a parent but done with the best intentions. Now 20 yrs later she is visiting her aunt again in Rocky Pointe. There is a local Valentines baking competition that she helps her aunt who secretly plots. I love the aunt. She is fun & energetic nostalgic. The ending almost threw me through a loop but I'm so glad things worked out. This was a fun midlife meetcute.

[Cindy Burrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Francesca’s writing style just seems to glide across the pages drawing me from the beginning. The characters are relatable (important in my opinion), the storyline is intriguing, and who doesn’t like a story set at the beach! Gemma and her daughter Willow are on the way to visit her Aunt April in Rocky Point due to an injury. Aunt April is a force to be reckoned with and has participated in numerous environmental strategies. Aunt April has begun calling more often and asking them to come for a visit. Gemma is feeling anxious about this visit since she’s not sure what to expect.
There is some tension in the car ride due to the trip interfering with a Valentine’s party that Willow was invited to. It’s not that Gemma is trying to control Willow’s life but protect her from some girls she’s been spending time with who don’t treat her like friends treat each other. Willow has the usual teen attitude of being negative about things she knows nothing about. She complains that no one will be at the beach in February and she won’t have anything fun to do. Oh, those teenage years can be rough for some teens.
Gemma has fond memories of Rocky Point which include her first love. Daniel and his family lived in the house next door to Aunt April. Daniel taught Gemma how to surf, and she fell in love with spending time with him in the ocean. They were going to keep in touch since they were going in different directions, but that didn’t happen. Instead, Gemma received a letter from him detailing why their relationship wouldn’t work. His letter was cold and unfeeling. The end of the letter was the worst, “I’ve met someone special. I thought you should know.”
Daniel is now the Sheriff of Rocky Point and works hard to keep it the same safe place it has always been. He spots a car that doesn’t have a taillight. He runs the plates but doesn’t recognize the name. His mind is thinking if there’s more than just a dead taillight, always alert to what he may have to face. She’s surprised when he starts writing her a ticket for a broken taillight and she’s surprised that it’s not a warning. It seems as if she’s already been given a warning. As she removes her sunglasses, he catches a look at her face and realizes it’s Gemma. Their shared memories are flooding back to each of them. They catch up and Gemma finds out that his parents did sell the house next door to Aunt April, and he was the one who bought it. Gemma is thinking how hurt she was when she got his letter.
Now, as our story progresses, Aunt April doesn’t always appear to be in pain and sometimes she forgets where her “injury” is. I do think she wants the two of them to discover each other again. There’s also a Valentine’s Day baking competition that she wants to enter. Aunt April fills Willow in all the time that her mom and Daniel spent together.
I do not want to spoil this wonderful story. There is so much going on, and I don’t want to ruin the surprises for you. Just know that Aunt April wants the two of them (Gemma & Daniel) to spend as much time together as possible. There are memories and a secret or two to be revealed. Get your copy of A Sugar Coated Second Chance by Francesca Spencer today! You won’t be sorry!

[Lindsey Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️

It’s sweet romance and second chances in A Sugar Coated Second Chance. Francesca Spencer’s addition to the Valentine’s Midlife Meet Cute series reunites high school sweethearts after 20 years apart. Will this second chance be just what they need or has too much time passed? With a cute matchmaking aunt our two MCs don’t stand a chance.

Gemma is returning home with her daughter to help her Aunt April. Coming back to her hometown isn’t something Gemma saw herself doing, but her aunt needs her help (or so she thinks). Readers come to find out that Aunt April just worries about Gemma and wants to see her find love and happiness. What her aunt failed to mention though is that Gemma’s old high school flame has moved in next door. Gemma distracts herself with a baking competition, one that holds fond memories.

When Daniel pulls over an unfamiliar car while on duty, he is surprised to find the driver his former girlfriend. He knows he messed up years ago and wants Gemma to forgive him, but she isn’t exactly warm and welcoming towards him. He doesn’t blame her though. With Gemma in town for the foreseeable future, he is determined to show her that she can trust him again and maybe, maybe get the second chance he’s always hoped for.

I always enjoy Francesca’s stories and Gemma and Daniel are no different. Their reconnecting is filled with fun antics, sweet moments, and romance that makes your heart skip a beat. Being on the shorter side also allowed for me to be able to enjoy this story in one sitting. This entire series has been a joy to read and I look forward to the few more left.

As always, review any author notes before reading.

What to Expect:
🧁Neighbors to More
🩵Small Town Romance
🧁Later in Life MC
🩵Love in Your 40s
🧁Second Chance Romance
🩵Closed Door Romance

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. There were some sweet moments in here.

I feel kind of bad for the MMC because the FMC is extremely dramatic. Granted, I would be upset with my family if the set me up like her Aunt did, but the way she made a scene at a TV SHOWS...and told off the MMC without giving him a chance to explain he wasn't a part of it... was pretty over the top. She is also a helicopter mom, and kind of over dramatic when it comes to be a mom (like telling the mmc he doesn't understand what it is like to worry because he isn't a parent lol).

There were some sweet mother/daughter moments. The MMC is also really sweet, a cinnamon roll sheriff. I really like how he tries to help her as a mom, tries to help her relax, and his confession of feelings for her, even though she had just treated him pretty poorly *I can understand her frustration, but she went about it the wrong way). Then he does another love confession later and it is just a sweet/romantic.

the idea of a valentine's day cooking show is also pretty cute. I liked that!

The MMC and the daughter are the best parts of this book.

I received an ARC from the author. All thoughts and opinions are by own. This is my first book by this author. I would be trying to try another because her writing style is pretty good, I just didn't connect with the FMC.

I will probably give it a 3.5 on Fable and Storygraph where you can do partial stars.

[Angie (mushmysteriesandmore) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really loving this series of meet-cutes; they are so adorable. A broken tail-light means local sheriff Daniel Cassidy has to pull over the car, not realising that the driver is Gemma Tilbury, his first love and the one he let get away.

Gemma is now a single mom and heading back to Rocky Point to help her aunt, who has injured her arm. She wasn’t expecting to see Daniel again, the boy she spent her childhood summers with, fell in love with and then was cruelly dumped by letter, saying he found someone else. She’s now moved on, but when she comes face to face with Daniel again, those old feelings come rushing back, and she’s now conflicted. Daniel says he didn’t want to give her up, that there was never anyone else, and his father convinced him to make the break.

I loved watching Daniel and Gemma together. They were sometimes as awkward as the young teenagers they once were, but they were also comfortable and relaxed with each other as well. Daniel never gave up on convincing Gemma that he still had feelings for her, that he always had, despite Gemma’s reluctance to believe him.

Gemma’s aunt April was a menace, but I loved her; she had a heart of gold, and although sometimes the methods were a bit clumsy and inappropriate, her heart was always in the right place, and her intentions were genuine.

I also loved watching the relationship between Gemma and her daughter, Willow, develop. Willow is a teenager, on the verge of heading off to college on her own, making her own decisions, and Gemma is very ‘Mama Bear’ energy, scared of letting go. It was nice to see them start to communicate much better as the story developed.

[Laure · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second chance meet cute.

Gemma Tilbury was just a teenager when her best-friend and love of her life moved away from Rocky Point, and a college student when she received a break-up letter from him. Now she is back in Rocky Point to visit her aunt and the last thing she expected was to see Daniel. Daniel Cassidy, not sheriff of Rocky Point has never forgotten the love of his life Gemma, and the rotten way he treated her, so the last thing he expects is to see Gemma in his town. It has been twenty years since they last saw each other and while Daniel would love to have Gemma back in his life, she isn't sure she wants to take a chance on the man who broke her heart so many years ago.
I got such a kick out of this second chance, and very meet cute romance. The characters are all realistic and very well written, I loved them and was very glad that they got their happily ever after. I think this is a must-read romantic comedy with a fun twist, I loved Aunt April and her meddling ways!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC provided by the author.