This Time Around

by Tracey Magruder

Maggie Hartwell has spent twelve years proving she can handle anything on her own.

Then a storm devastates the Roaring Stag's courtyard renovation just weeks before her niece's wedding.

With time running out, Maggie reluctantly accepts help from Fergus Merrick—the dependable friend who's always been there, even when she insisted she didn't need him.

Working side by side makes it impossible to ignore the feelings they've both kept buried for years. But just as they're finally ready to stop pretending friendship is enough, Fergus is offered the career opportunity he's spent years waiting for—one that could take him away from the village they both call home.

Now Maggie must decide whether holding on to her independence is worth risking the future she's always wanted, while Fergus faces a choice between the life he's dreamed of and the woman he's quietly loved all along.

This Time Around is a heartfelt small-town romance about family, second chances, and discovering that the strongest relationships aren't built on sacrifice—they're built together.

Sometimes courage isn't standing alone. Sometimes it's letting someone stand beside you.

This Time Around is the second book in the Great Missenden Ever After Series. It can be read as a stand alone, but reading Between the Lines first is highly encouraged.

Genres: Romance

315 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 3, 2026

About the author

Tracey Magruder writes romance stories filled with heart, humor, and the kind of emotional chemistry that refuses to be ignored. A lifelong storyteller and music instructor by day, she’s spent years helping others find their voice—now she’s finally using hers on the page.

Whether she’s crafting modern love stories or building worlds with a touch of magic, Tracey is most at home writing characters who feel real, messy, and impossible not to root for. When she’s not writing, she’s usually reading, spending time with her family, or daydreaming about her next novel.

Reviews

[Rosie Amber · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This Time Around is the second book in the Great Missenden Ever After Series of contemporary romances set in an English village. While this can easily be read as a stand-alone story, I do recommend reading the first book called Between the Lines as an introduction to the community and many of its characters.

Maggie is the landlady of The Roaring Stag, a pub at the heart of the story. Money is tight, but she just about manages. Childhood friend Fergus is a reliable employee, quietly fixing broken items and taking on the heavy work. Fergus returned to the village after a rugby injury put paid to his playing career; he’s a quiet man who also coaches the local youth rugby team.

Maggie and Fergus spend a lot of time dancing around each other in this ‘will they, won’t they’ tantalising romantic storyline. Add in the pressure of hosting a family wedding in the pub at short notice, a missing rooster and a riot of colourful characters and there is much to enjoy from this tale.

I particularly liked Maggie’s terrific no-nonsense command of her bar and the back-and-forth banter with the patrons. Both Maggie and Fergus were very endearing people to spend a few pleasurable reading hours with. This was a good second story and a charming edition to the series.

[The Sewist's Bookshelf · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

⭐ 4.5
🌶️ .5
🥵 Spicy Chapters: 22
❤️‍🔥 Swoon Factor: 2
👫 Maggie + Fergus
📚 Tropes/Themes: It's always been you, over 40, protective MMC, slow burn, Found family, brother's best friend, workplace romance, Friends to lovers, Small town, he takes care of her
👀 Dual POV 3rd person
💔 Content warnings: bullying, mentions of violence
🎀 Special editions: none

It's so good to be "back" in Great Missenden again! This is the second book in the series, but it very much acts at a standalone (although the first book, Between the Lines is really great too!!) It's sweet, romantic and reading this just felt like a cozy, warm hug.

I really, really enjoyed this book, despite Maggie being stubborn and my struggle to suspend reality about the courtyard...I get it's part of Maggie's stubbornness but girl just tear it down and put up some tents while you save up to fix it 🫣

I also found the history behind why Maggie's is stubborn to be a little lacking. There's a big focus on the MCs character growth within the romance, so I wish there'd been more explanation or back story but those were the only two things that frustrated me.

I adored the cast of characters, especially Jenny and Callum- I definitely teared up a little at the end, but all the layers they added to the story were excellent.

It's also especially hard to find GOOD over 40 romances that don't rely too heavily on the later in life trope(s). Honestly even having MCs in their early 30s is too young for my tastes these days so discovering Maggie and Fergus are in their 40s made me SO happy.

And then some of the tertiary characters like Davis and Freddie 😂 they really added to the world of Great Missenden in general. Honestly just the whole community vibe of the village is fantastic, it makes me want to move there immediately.

One of my fave parts though was the names of the chickens 🐔. I don't ever want to raise chickens but that almost made me willing to consider it.

Highly recommend this heartwarming story! (And yes, I need more books in this world)

[Maria P · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓛;𝓓𝓡 ✧˖°
A heartwarming contemporary romance perfect for readers looking for childhood friends to lovers for MCs over 40, a small town community with bundles of laughs, and strong family themes prioritising emotional intimacy.

° ˖✧ 𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
4.5 ⭐
1 🌶️

° ˖✧ 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
"You two are exhausting."
"We are not... We aren't... I haven't the foggiest idea what you're talking about."

"You can't earn your place by being whatever someone else wants."

"She makes me believe I'm more than just someone people just keep around when he's useful."

Maybe one person's dream didn't have to die so that someone else's could live.

° ˖✧ 𝓢𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂 ✧˖°
Maggie's pub requires more work than she thought when she agrees to host a wedding in a few weeks. Barman Fergus has loved her for years but can she finally let him in, or will the opportunity of a lifetime take him away too?

° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
2️⃣ Second Chances
💞 Friends to Lovers
🔗 Forced Proximity
😠 Grumpy x Grumpy
🫶 Found Family
🏘️ Small Town
👀 Brother's Best Friend
➕ MCs Over 40

° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝓦𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
🪦 Orphaned Young Adults
🫑 Mild Sexual Content

° ˖✧ 𝓛𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
+ Writing Style
+ Romantic Tension
+ Authentic Friends
+ Banter + Chemistry
+ Personable Side Characters
+ First Book Cameos
+ Strong Family Themes
+ Emotional Intimacy/Spice
+ Believable Miscommunication
+ Mature Resolution

° ˖✧ 𝓓𝓲𝓼𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
- FMC has slightly less depth than MMC
- Predictable Third-Act Conflict
- Slightly Open-Ended Epilogue

° ˖✧ 𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 ✧˖°
I was really excited to see what Tracey wrote next and this did not disappoint! I actually think I enjoyed this book more than the first in the interconnected standalone series!

It wasn't immediately clear to me that the first chapter is a prologue set earlier in the characters lives but I soon caught on and it's not a huge issue. It would've been really lovely to see more of Maggie and Fergus' friendship early on before they go after their dreams, but I can't really complain because the present day characters are so perfect! They have exactly the right amount of banter and frustration that would've grown over years of friendship.

On the whole, all characters both main and side, are stunning. Yes, Maggie can be pretty stubborn, but it's written in a way that makes her confrontations with Fergus more charming than frustrating at least for me. The pub regulars are hilarious and I love the humour of everyone in this town! Everyone felt unique despite there being quite a few characters too.

Maggie could've been fleshed out a little more if we'd seen moments with her ex through her eyes rather than her telling snippets to Fergus. That could've really brought the reader more into her emotions and lack of trust - it does feel on occasion that Fergus has more depth to him than Maggie. However, this book also crams so much in, I don't really mind either way!

And Callum and Jenny's story as side characters was so sweet. I really connected with Jenny struggling to balance being a sibling and guardian to Callum, and and loved Fergus' way of working with Callum to get him through some difficult spots. This book actually reminded me a little of Jenny Colgan's Kirrinfief series - it's one of my favourites because of the side characters and strong family themes!

I loved the tension and yearning between Maggie and Fergus - Friends to Lovers done right! I like that Fergus knows when to push Maggie and when to back off, and that Maggie places her trust in Fergus again after all she's been through. Their "almost" moments made me never want to put the book down, and I really enjoyed that their one intimate scene had more of an emotional undertone - it's not one that's often seen in romance!

The third act conflict was a little on the predictable side, but I'm not mad about it because it truly left me in the dark as to how Maggie and Fergus were going to navigate this problem. And I was so pleased that despite all their initial stubbornness and guards up, both characters were mature enough to resolve it their own way. I perhaps would've preferred the ending to be a little less open-ended, but on the whole it was a very heartwarming end.

Also, the little nod to the characters in the first book was lovely, though you don't need to read it to read This Time Around. However, if you like the sound of this one, I'm sure you'd enjoy the first too! Tracey's prose is perfect for me as a reader so I can't wait to see what books the future brings.

Thank you to Tracey Magruder for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[TenshiMari · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for providing a digital review copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review

4.75 stars. Between the Lines was my favourite book I've read this year, and for someone who reads over 400 books a year, that means a lot. So when I got the chance to read the sequel early, I was practically frothing at the mouth with excitement, it felt like Christmas came early. I don't know how much I can say about this book without spoiling too much. I didn't enjoy it as much as Between the Lines, but I still loved it. At first, Maggie and Fergus both drove me insane with their inability to communicate, especially Maggie, who, at the start of the book, is so incredibly prideful and stubborn and insisting on being "independent" I wanted to both strangle her and scream into a pillow. It's hard to believe these were two mature adults in their early 40s, because they were acting like stubborn teenagers who never learned to talk about their feelings and the things that matter. Yet, the further into the book I got, the more I started realizing this book, like it's prequel, was more than a love story, it was a village. And the people in that village mattered. Jenny, Callum and the other side characters in this book mattered as much to me as our main couple did, and maybe even more. Because in the end, the village is more than a place, it's a home, and that feeling of found family deeply resonated with me, and I found myself sniffing and fighting away tears a grand total of 4 times in the final chapters of this book. Also seeing Corbyn and Sadie again made me so happy, I wanted to see more of them in this book. I would love to read more books in this series, because I am not ready to walk away from this village and it's lovely inhabitants yet. So while I have some complaints about the emotional maturity and communication skills of our main couple, I am still head over heels in love with this book, and revisiting Great Missenden was just what my heart needed.

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Time Around is a sweet, cosy, small-town romance that left me feeling completely satisfied!

Set in the same charming town as Between the Lines, this story follows Maggie and Fergus. When Maggie's niece wants to get married at the Roaring Stag, Maggie knows her beloved bar needs some restoration. Thankfully, Fergus, her barman and her brother's oldest friend, has always been someone she can count on. As Maggie works towards getting everything ready for the wedding, something more begins to develop between them.

Returning to this little town brought back all the comforts I loved about the first book. It felt like being wrapped up in a warm blanket, surrounded by familiar faces and that wonderful sense of belonging.

While the story centres around Maggie and Fergus, the supporting characters play such an important role in bringing the town to life, including the plants and animals!!!

I laughed, I swooned, I felt torn, and then had my heart pieced back together again. Getting to know Fergus on a deeper level was an absolute delight. There were moments when the slow burn felt positively agonising, but goodness, it was worth the wait!

What I particularly loved was the sense of community woven throughout the story. There's one moment that brings the whole town together, and it gave me that warm, fuzzy feeling I adore in small-town romances. No matter what happens, you just know this community will come together and support one another.

The ending was so wonderfully satisfying that I finished this book with the biggest grin on my face. Yet, at the same time, I wasn't ready to leave.

That's what I love most about this series. It's not just the romance, although that's certainly lovely. It's the people, the connections, the sense of belonging, and the comfort of returning somewhere that feels like home.

A beautifully cosy, heartfelt romance with a slow burn worth waiting for and a community I can't wait to revisit!

I received this book as an ARC from the author and Hawthorn & Aster. This review reflects my honest thoughts and feelings, shared voluntarily.

[Steph L · Rating 5 out of 5]

E-Arc provided by Hawthorn & Aster. All opinions are my own.


Vibes
Brothers Best Friend
Small Town
Friends to Lovers
5 Stars
Characters-9.5
After seeing Maggie in Between the Lines, I was hoping we would get her story, and this book delivered. Maggie and Fergus had a history that was fun to follow as the book progressed, and I loved seeing the little moments of them falling in love. There was a sub plot with a sister and brother in the village that I enjoyed as well. This Time Around is also a story of family and self-acceptance as much as it is about the romance. I loved the relationship between Maggie and Hannah. Fergus’s brother Owen was a great side character.
Setting-9
I loved being back in the town where this story takes place. The pub was charming, and I loved the way the community supported each other.
Writing-9
This Time Around was a book that was easy to read with a dual pov writing style. The story has layers, and those layers come out in the writing. Maggie and Fergus’s story was told with humor and heart.
Plot-9
There’s an even balance of fun and light moments in This Time Around, as well as heavier moments that deal with real life situations. Both Maggie and Fergus have a personal journey that is fun to follow along with the romance. There’s a side story of love, and going after what you want even if live changes the plans you once had, and following the path life lays out for you. Family plays a role in this story, and I loved all the family moments where the family were great.
Enojyment-9
I enjoyed this story more than I thought I would. I thought it would be similar to Between the Lines, but it’s got a different feel that sets the two stories apart. I’m looking forward to see what Tracey MaGruder does next.

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet and cozy romance. And the setting was absolutely beautiful. Maggie and Fergus were such great friends. But he’d been pining for her for so many years. How on earth did Maggie miss it? He was always there to hehe, even if she didn’t ask. But he was reading to take a job elsewhere. But while the two of them worked together to get things ready for the wedding, they both realized there were some sparks there. I thought this was so cute that through all of Maggie’s being so oblivious, she finally realized that Fergus had some really deep feelings for her. I thought this was such a sweet and cozy story. I really enjoyed this one.

[Megan Key · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this installment of the series. I laughed. I cried. I saw two people come together to figure out how to make things work. Maggie and Fergus are both stubborn, headstrong people that love their people fiercely. They often carry a lot more than they should, and that is so relatable. The characters come alive on the page! The banter between the friends in the community is top-notch. I especially get a kick out of Owen and his amazing observations, even if they aren’t always welcome at the time! Oh, and let’s just say, goodness gracious Freddie, and leave it at that!

[Gin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The jump from the prologue to chapter 1 didn't work for me. For me, this type of prologue sets up the expectation that the characters will be seeing each other for the first time sometime in the next couple of chapters; they are already working together in Chapter 1. The details of the years between the prologue and the rest of the book are murky; we have to piece together what the characters had been doing from bits of information dropped throughout the book. While I agree too much detail would drag down the story, it seemed like it was deemed that only the broadest of strokes was sufficient.
Overall, though, I liked the story and the chemistry between the characters.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Casey Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another story that deserves more than 5 stars! Everything about this was amazing. Action, heart and emotions that just jumped off the page. She brings you into these worlds and you feel like you are part of the crowd. Not just an outsider reading the story.

[Denice · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. Maggie runs the local pub and is very independent and wants help from no one. Fergus is a friend hoping for a second chance and always wants to help, which often makes Maggie angry. Will Maggie be able to realize that she can’t do everything alone? The character development is so great, the storyline drew me in, but Maggie’s denial of all help drove me a little crazy. Overall, this is a great story, with swoony moments and a wonderful HEA. @Hawthorn & Aster

[Thereaderchick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series was such a delightful find. I loved the first book, but the humor in This Time Around made me absolutely adore the sequel. Maggie and Fergus felt real. They're complicated with flaws, and they both show so much growth. Throw in lovable supporting characters and this makes for a great, cozy read.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie had a dream when she was younger. She thought she had found someone who would stay by her side and not leave her behind when he felt she was holding him back. Returning to the place where she grew up and inheriting an inn and a bar was not on the menu, but she took on the challenge and learned to take care of things by herself. Accepting help felt like a weakness, and she believed she had to be strong on her own.
And then there's Fergus. The person who is always there in the background. The person she feels attracted to, yet is afraid to let in and lower her defences for.

I'm a big fan of small-town romances, especially when they're about two stubborn people who want each other but are afraid to finally give in. Even more so when everyone around them knows exactly what is happening and is simply waiting for them to stop hiding their true feelings. I enjoyed returning to Great Missenden, and it immediately felt like coming home to a place where people look out for each other and know you better than you know yourself. Everyone stepped up when needed and supported one another in times of need. The brotherly interactions between Owen and Fergus were one of my personal highlights. You have to love the bond between those two.

Overall, this is a lovely story about opening up, relying on others for support, and accepting that nothing will ever be perfect. That shouldn't stop you from taking risks.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Brennan · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

I liked this book, but unfortunately, not nearly as much as the first book in the series.
Maggie runs a local pub and B&B in a little English village. It is a constant battle to keep it afloat but she agrees to host her niece’s wedding in the back courtyard, which needs major repairs. As with everything else, Maggie is sure she can do it on her own. She does not want the help of her brother’s best friend, Fergus, who works at the pub as well as coaching the local boys’ rugby team. She cannot stand the idea of depending on anyone, especially after one of the pub’s regulars makes an offhand comment about Maggie and Fergus being a couple. Suddenly the comfortable friendship they have had since he returned to town after his professional Rugby career ended feels threatened and one disaster after another makes Maggie wonder if she will let everyone down.
There are plenty of things to love about this story. The town of Great Missenden and the people who live there are some of the best ones. Magruder has a fantastic ability to truly transport you to a place, everything is so lovingly described that you can feel the damp and smell the dirt of the rugby pitch. As a fan of the sport, I also enjoyed the integration of rugby into the story. Fergus is a wonderful character. His simple, quiet way of taking care of everyone around him is so charming. His nosy brother Owen is also lovable and a fun addition to the story. However, Maggie is a prickly one. She has been stewing in her own fears for 2 decades since one man disappointed her, unwilling to let anyone in. Her need to push everyone away and constantly try to do things on her own makes for a good character arc but does make the first half of the book a bit tedious as she constantly pushes people away and spirals in a mess of her own creation.
I was happy to read a romance about a couple in their early 40s for a change. However, while I did know this was going to be a closed-door romance, I will say that when they finally came together I felt like there was no passion between them. It was a bit anticlimactic.
Thank you to Hawthorn & Aster and author Tracey Magruder for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book.

[Chelsea · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a book by Tracey Magruder, and This Time Around turned out to be a sweet, comforting small-town contemporary romance set in a quaint English village. The book follows Maggie, the stubborn landlady of a local pub called The Roaring Stag, who is trying to pull off a last-minute courtyard renovation for her niece's wedding after a bad storm wrecks the area. With time running out, she reluctantly accepts help from her brother's childhood best friend and reliable employee, Fergus, a former professional rugby player who quietly takes care of the heavy work around the pub.

The "will they, won't they" dynamic between them has a lot of history since they have been friends for years, and the forced-proximity setup makes it hard for them to ignore their buried feelings. It was refreshing to read a romance featuring main characters in their early 40s who deal with realistic personal growth rather than typical younger tropes. Maggie is a prickly, no-nonsense lead who runs a tight bar, and while her constant need to push people away to maintain her independence makes the first half of the book a bit slow, her growth pays off well. Fergus is an excellent, charming hero who is steady and dependable, and the surrounding community cast adds some great humor and top-notch banter.

Thank you Hawthorn & Aster Services for the gifted e-ARC! My review is my thoughts and my thoughts alone!

[scribsbookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This small town, cozy second chance romance follows Maggie Hartwell and Fergus Merrick. Since taking over the Roaring Stag, Maggie has spent years proving she can handle everything on her own. Fergus Merrick is Maggie’s brother’s best friend and the trio grew up together. Fergus has always been very dependable, especially when it came to Maggie. Even though she insists she doesn’t need help, he still pitches in and supports her. When a storm hits right in the weeks leading up to her niece’s wedding, Maggie scrambles to put things together even if it means she has to reluctantly accept Fergus’s help.

I love stories about older characters and how far they’ve gone because there's something compelling about the experience(s) they bring to the stories they tell. Maggie and Fergus have both been through a lot both as individuals and together. Trying to navigate their relationship is tough, especially when their life experiences influence the way they see their world. To know that even older individuals go through similar instances of yearning and uncertainty is heartfelt because (as someone younger than the main characters in the story), it shows that people in relationships really make an effort to choose to be them every chance.

Thank you so much to Hawthorn & Aster and Tracey Magruder for this gifted ARC! All opinions are my own.

[Emily Levy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie is an independent woman who is running her inn just fine on her own. She doesn’t need anyone’s help to be successful and, of course, the last time she relied on someone, they screwed her royally. So she’s not making that mistake again.

Enter Fergus, who knows Maggie can do it but why should she have to if he can help her? He’s been in a holding pattern helping out at the inn since an injury tore him out of rugby. Now he needs to figure out what he wants to do next.

Of course, they are not so secretly madly in love with each other, but will their hang-ups and plans for the future tear them apart? Or can they overcome those odds to have a happy ever after of their own?

This was a great second novel in the series. I loved seeing some old familiar faces from book one, although this totally could be read as a stand alone. Again, the relationships built in this story seem real and believable. And the town really works its way into your heart as well. The banter throughout makes this an easy read and an enjoyable story. I did feel like the end wrapped up rather quickly but I enjoyed the whole ride so it was fine. Hoping that Fergus’s brother is next in line for his own book as I enjoyed learning about him!

Thanks to the author and @hawthorn.and.aster.services for an ARC!

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Between the Lines and was so excited to see Tracey Magruder write another Great Missenden story focusing on Maggie. This time around is a fun and heartfelt love story set in a charming small town village with characters you can’t help but love. I really enjoyed the focused setting of the pun, which was a part of Between the Lines and becomes a second home for many (including me!). Theree a lot of “failure to communicate” build into the primary romance, which drives me nuts, but for ther tenchwrsyrte it made sense because of their independent streaks and it also came across as realistic, not contrived. The ending was lovely, I liked especially how things ended up with Callum!

Thank you to Hawthorn & Aster and author Tracey Magruder for sending me a digital review copy.

[Diamanti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello, everyone!
To start off, I should mention that this is the second book in the standalone series *Great Missenden Ever After*.
The protagonists are Maggie and Fergus. The plot revolves around their relationship, which begins as an employer-employee dynamic and evolves into something much deeper.
This progression happens gradually—a real strength that keeps the reader’s interest piqued and adds significant depth to the story. The characters—both the leads and the supporting cast—also contribute positively; they are well-written, well-structured, and thoroughly developed.
As for the author’s writing style, it is warm, sweet, delightful, and fast-paced.

Many thanks to the author and Hawthorn And Aster Services for the eARC!

This is my honest review!

[Laura · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Arc review:
Thank you Tracey for the arc. I was absolutely thrilled to receive this because Between the Line is in the running for my favorite book in 2026. Anything you write, I will read!

I enjoyed this book a lot. I LOVED getting to know more about this town and getting to know more side characters. Maggie and Fergus were pretty complex characters. I really enjoyed seeing Maggie realize she can lean on the people around her and trust more willingly. I also love that we got to see Riley again!!

The ending felt incomplete and maybe that was for a reason.

I can’t wait to see what else you got, Tracey!

[Becky · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

Thank you to Hawthorne and Asher for the advanced copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

I loved this book so so much. I love a book with adult characters (40’s!) with real life problems. This book had two characters who really yearned for each other across decades, never crossing the line or acting on their feelings.

I love a black cat x golden retriever vibe and this hit the mark. Maggie was independent to a fault and Fergus in turn was loyal to a fault. The author did a beautiful job developing their story and the yearning jumped off the page. Many times I wanted to shake Maggie and be like - LET THIS POOR MAN IN 😂. With that being said this was a true slow burn.

One of the best parts of this was neither of them giving up their dreams and lives for each other. I’m staying vague to avoid spoilers - but the end was an example that life not be easy or perfect but if you love someone enough you figure it out.

[Heather Paquette · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Another great read from Tracey Magruder!

I was so happy to be back in this quaint little village with its charming cast of characters. Magruder has a way of making you feel you are right there experiencing everything.

This can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend that you read Between the Lines before you dive in.

Thank you to Hawthorn and Aster for the gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Blitheroo · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

This is a cozy small town romance that checks all the boxes. Fergus is Maggie's brother's best friend, they've known each other for basically their entire lives. They each left town to pursue their dreams and came home to a second chance at romance that they're each resisting in their own way. It was sweet and gave me all the Hallmark movie vibes haha.

I loved Fergus, he was a green flag all the way!!! And I liked Maggie, but her stubbornness and I-can-do-it-myself attitude got a little old for me. But there's also a reason for that, so her attitude makes sense.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this and especially the cameos from the first book in this series! **I read an advance copy!

[Jessica Reece · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

This was such a cute love story with some incredibly frustrating moments as does happen in miscommunication! The writing and story were great and honestly I loved the additional issues with Callum, it really brought other issues to light. Both Maggie and Fergus were so sweet, too sweet for their own good honestly. I really enjoyed this read.

[Sarah Sjodahl · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, Tracey Magruder, and Hawthorn And Aster, for the opportunity to read this ARC. I received an advanced digital review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 

This is the second book in the series "Great Missenden Ever After".

Maggie and Fergus are the definition of black cat x golden retriever couple. The banter is incredible and overall a sweet story.

I highly recommend you read the first book, Between the Lines, before this one. While I do prefer the first, this one carries that Great Missenden charm. 

[Lilian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the village’s cozy vibes and Maggie was a character with so many layers. It was great to see Fergus slowly breaking down her walls, as she learns to accept help and to take a risk in their relationship.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved from start to finish. It has complex people who feel real. Great to be back in the village.

[knitsnotknots · Rating 0.25 out of 5]

I hate to leave this rating but I really did not enjoy this book. I read the first one and thought it was sweet, but the characters in this one are completely insufferable, especially the FMC Maggie, but Fergus honestly isn’t much better.

What to expect:
MCs over 40
Brothers best friend
Not spicy
Small English village setting
Book two but can be read as a standalone

The book centers the relationship of Maggie and Fergus. She owns a pub that’s been in her family for generations, and he is a former pro rugby player who’s made his way back to their small village to work with her there. This pub is old, and is very much showing its age; lots of structural repairs need to be made, particularly to the pub’s courtyard, but things have always come up to prevent Maggie from being able to do these much needed repairs. But then she agrees to host her niece’s wedding in said courtyard in a month’s time so now there’s a mad scramble to get this place to where the roof won’t collapse on this wedding.

So Maggie and Fergus have rekindled their friendship after 20 years apart; he’s worked at the pub for five years and he is more than willing to help her out with anything that needs fixing, and she keeps being an asshole about it because she’s … just that stubborn about accepting help- like??? This made little sense to me. I’m sorry, but if this wedding is so important, the bride is someone who means the world to her, and time is very much limited, why, like ACTUALLY WHY, would you act like a dick when people want to help. I think the reason this bothered me so much is because there’s zero explanation for her behavior until you get to like 60 or 70% through the book and then it’s just a throwaway, like oh, I had a relationship where I trusted someone and it didn’t work out so now I refuse to accept anyone’s help for anything ever. I mean come on- you are 40 goddamn years old, grow up. Like please show me any woman that age who’s gonna be like yep I’m gonna go ahead and replace a whole ass roof by myself based on a YouTube video, especially when the MMC also happens to work on the side with his brother who is a contractor and they’re willing to do the necessary repairs. Nonsense.

Then there’s Fergus. So 20 years ago, right before he was leaving town to embark on his rugby career, these two share an almost-kiss. Now at age 40 and retired, he’s back in town working at the pub with Maggie. He clearly has feelings for her but instead of being a grown ass man and saying something, he just … doesn’t do that. His character honestly was just so bland and boring; there’s no depth or character development at all, he’s just .. there. Milquetoast is a great word to describe him. Not once throughout the entire book is there any sense of yearning on his part; it’s basically like oop we almost kissed 20 years ago now I have feelings for her. And this is all shown to the reader through his internal dialogue; never once does this man outwardly show Maggie in any way that he *wants* her. Like honestly, if he wanted to, he would.

Another thing about this relationship is that in the lead-up to them getting together, the reader never sees the MCs as friends outside of work, so to me, the relationship felt extremely surface level. I really did not get the sense that these two were even all that close as friends, and there’s literally zero tension, sparks, or chemistry, no will they/won’t they - they were literally just coworkers.

It pains me to say this, but I really disliked the FMC here, to the point where I just kept thinking, why is she being such an asshole? And Fergus is just like well ok, guess that’s how she’s gonna talk to me, this is all totally fine. There were several instances where she snaps at him or things she said “came out more harsh than she intended” and that got so old so fast. Me personally if I was Fergus, I woulda let her figure out the wedding situation all on her own, especially after he overhears Maggie saying some shit behind his back like I don’t need this man, I don’t need him coming in and trying to save the day - I forget the dialogue but it was clear she was being hurtful and he’s just fine about it after when she half heartedly apologizes.

Then there’s the ending - possibly the most anticlimactic epilogue I’ve ever read. It was nice that neither one of the MCs gave up what was important to them, but the ending was basically just, ok, well we’re in a long distance relationship, the end. Something a little sweeter or more romantic would’ve been nice; Instead it just read like the relationship was a slog they were dealing with, rather than a deep love that they were committed to make work.

Overall, I’m so sorry to say this was not a good read for me. A startling lack of depth to the characters and zero romantic chemistry made for a story that, in retrospect, I wish I would have DNF’d.

[Wren · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

First, I would like to thank the author and the publisher, Hawthorn & Aster, for this ARC Reading opportunity.

Included Tropes: Friends to lovers, Second Chance, found family, workplace romance, forced proximity, Brother’s best friend

We are diving back into the town of Great Missenden to follow Maggie, the owner of the Roaring Stag. Her niece comes to her with a request to host her wedding in the Stag’s courtyard. Maggie feels the weight of the Stag's responsibilities on her shoulders, including a much-needed renovation that must now be done before the wedding. After a heartbreak and a failed chance to follow her dreams, she was brought back home years ago, and now she's become a one-woman show. She took everything on herself and struggled to let those around her help or take on some of the business's burdens.

Fergus is her older brother's childhood friend who also had his own tragedy that brought him back to their hometown. Fergus was a rugby player before an injury forced him into early retirement, and after coming home for recovery, he found a place working at the Roaring Stag. Even when they were younger, Fergus always stepped in to help Maggie when she needed it, and now he's the helping hand that is always there. Whether she admits she needs help or not. They come together to get the Stag into shape for the wedding, but old feelings resurface and bring them closer than ever before. The two also come together to help support a young girl who works at the Stag and her brother, who lost their mother in a car accident the previous year. The girl, only 20 years old, tries to balance being both parent and sister to her brother. The four of them all grow closer and find kinship in each other.

I enjoyed this story; it was a pleasant read and easy to get through. I wasn’t as deeply immersed in the story as in the previous book, so I lowered the star rating based on my personal tastes. These characters are a bit older, so they are at a different life stage than me. Still, I enjoyed revisiting this world.

[Jennifer Olive · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute romance filled with witty banter and quirky, unforgettable characters.

I cheered when Sadie and Corbyn (and, of course, Riley!) made a cameo appearance. Their characters were the reason I fell in love with Great Missenden in book one. 'Between the Lines' is one of my favorite books of the year, so I had very high expectations for book two.

I was immediately drawn to both Maggie and Fergus. Their interactions and banter won me over, and I wanted a deep dive into what made each of them tick. The third-person narration gave me some of that, but not quite the depth I was craving.

The interludes were charming and immersed me in quaint village life. But sometimes, they stalled the momentum without moving the story forward.

The story kept me interested, but when I reached the final page, I kept clicking my Kindle, certain the book couldn't be over. I don't expect a perfect happily ever after in every book I read, but this one left me wishing for more. More closure. More indication of how things would work out for these characters.

I didn't love this book as much as the previous one, but it was still a lovely read.

I received an advance copy of this book. As always, my review is completely honest, and all opinions are my own.