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Return to Richton #2
A Simple Love: A celebrity & girl next door romance
He left Richton to become a star. He's coming back to face the one he never forgot.
Oliver Hart
A well-known, leading Hollywood heartthrob is suddenly on the downslide.
Gossip and whispers of trouble follow him these days.
His latest project is yanked away, and a new role is offered to him.
One that sends him back home to the small town of Richton.
To the location of his greatest regret.
To where she is.
Kassie Brennan
The girl he once loved.
The one he left behind.
How will she react when she discovers he’s there?
Closer than either one of them realized?
Can the past stay in the past?
Or will their hearts decide their future?
Author’s Note: Get ready to fall all over again — for the Hollywood heartbreaker who never forgot the girl he left behind, and the woman still guarding the heart he once held. Small town. Big feelings. Second chances don't come easy — but some loves were always meant to find their way home.
Oliver Hart
A well-known, leading Hollywood heartthrob is suddenly on the downslide.
Gossip and whispers of trouble follow him these days.
His latest project is yanked away, and a new role is offered to him.
One that sends him back home to the small town of Richton.
To the location of his greatest regret.
To where she is.
Kassie Brennan
The girl he once loved.
The one he left behind.
How will she react when she discovers he’s there?
Closer than either one of them realized?
Can the past stay in the past?
Or will their hearts decide their future?
Author’s Note: Get ready to fall all over again — for the Hollywood heartbreaker who never forgot the girl he left behind, and the woman still guarding the heart he once held. Small town. Big feelings. Second chances don't come easy — but some loves were always meant to find their way home.
436 pages, Paperback
Published July 20, 2026
About the author
Melanie Moreland
77 books5,570 followersWelcome Romance Readers!
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A bit about me:
NYT/WSJ/USAT International bestselling author Melanie Moreland, lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her beloved husband of lots of lovely years. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them.
While seriously addicted to coffee, and highly challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties, and also enjoys travelling, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip.
Melanie loves stories, especially paired with a good wine, and enjoys skydiving (free falling over a fleck of dust) extreme snowboarding (falling down stairs) and piloting her own helicopter (tripping over her own feet.) She's learned happily ever-afters, even bumpy ones, are all in how you tell the story.
Melanie is represented by Flavia Viotti at Bookcase Literary Agency. For any questions regarding subsidiary or translation rights please contact her at flavia@bookcaseagency.com
Join my newsletter for news on upcoming releases and sales CLICK HERE
Make sure to follow me on Amazon for new release alerts CLICK HERE
Join me on Facebook in my reader group CLICK HERE
A bit about me:
NYT/WSJ/USAT International bestselling author Melanie Moreland, lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her beloved husband of lots of lovely years. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them.
While seriously addicted to coffee, and highly challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties, and also enjoys travelling, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip.
Melanie loves stories, especially paired with a good wine, and enjoys skydiving (free falling over a fleck of dust) extreme snowboarding (falling down stairs) and piloting her own helicopter (tripping over her own feet.) She's learned happily ever-afters, even bumpy ones, are all in how you tell the story.
Melanie is represented by Flavia Viotti at Bookcase Literary Agency. For any questions regarding subsidiary or translation rights please contact her at flavia@bookcaseagency.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews
July 26, 2026
Bow down bitches, the romance gods descended from literary heaven and personally shit gold onto every single page of this book.Nothing says "true love" like a man who promises to come back, fucks off for twelve years, never once tries to find you, lives his best life banging every actress in Hollywood, and then shows up expecting a welcome parade because he finally remembered you exist 💀 Splendiferously smoochified clusterfuckishly pristine🙂↕️
So... wait, why is she still wearing his old shirt to bed after twelve years? Why is she still celibate? Why is she still emotionally frozen like a popsicle in the back of my freezer while he was out there getting his junk polished by half of LA? Oh right, because she wasn't pining. She just... existed. In a state of permanent emotional arrest. Like a fucking museum exhibit. "The Woman Who Waited" Open daily from 9 to 5. Please do not tap the glass because she hasn't emotionally progressed since 2012 and her hoohaa probably has cobwebs now...... Come see her cry into her pillow and cuddle her vibrator named Jack. Tickets are free babes 'cause misery loves company💀
The logic he pulled out of his ass felt like a serious medical diagnosis for total brain failure.A breathtakingly flimsy tapestry of pure fuckery that crumbles the second you apply a single thought!! His agent stole his mail. Boo hoo!! Poor widdle Oliver couldn't possibly figure out how to use a phone or the internet or hire a private investigator because he was just sooooo busy being a big famous actor and having his hoe phase. 💀 Oh no, the mean man took his letters, how could a grown adult with millions of dollars and a team of assistants possibly find his girlfriend without a piece of paper? It's just too hard. Technology didn't exist in 2012. Google was a myth. Phones were for decoration. The poor baby had no choice but to accept his fate and go fuck his feelings away. Devastatingly sob-worthy fuckin unfortunateness......🤧
May the cosmos grant this delusional fuckwit a single shred of self-awareness and a guiding light out of his own ass😒 But no, he just shrugged and said "welp, guess she doesn't love me anymore" and went back to sticking his peewee in whoever was available because that's what heroes do. They don't fight, they don't search, they just accept the first convenient lie and move on to the next willing participant💀💀
Cool worldview buddy, women as props, men as gods, very fresh, never seen that one before🫡.... No because Oliver gets to have a whole fucking life while Kassie gets to collect dust like a forgotten knick-knack. He gets to have a slut era, a redemption arc, a whole goddamn character journey, and she gets to stay emotionally celibate and physically untouched because heaven forbid a woman move on when the man who promised her forever couldn't be bothered to check if she was still alive😒 Apparently his penis exploration is character development but her moving on would've been unforgivable. How dare she have a life outside of him? How dare she experience happiness without his permission? She must stay frozen, loyal, waiting, like a good little doormat with a pulse and a very patient hoohaa💀💀 And then when Sir Douche-liver Noshowsky-Twelve-Year-Milk-Run-Hart strolls up with his professional excuse-making ass, she forgives him in three fucking chapters without any groveling, without any effort, without him proving he's worthy of a woman who waited a dozen years for him to get his head out of his ass. He didn't sacrifice anything, he didn't give up anything, he just walked in with his pretty blue eyes and his sad little story about his mean agent and she dropped her standards like they were on fire. Exquisitely amorous magnificently pristine,another majestic contribution to the spineless fiction canon....🙂↔️🫶
Enough with the rant! I buddy read this absolute dumpster fire with my work bestie, and honestly, we used to actually respect Melanie Moreland’s books. Sure, a few were total dogshit because every author drops a turd once in a while, but this one was next-level offensive. It was basically just vintage misogyny disguised as cozy nostalgia, written by someone who I'd swear hates women if I hadn't read her other stuff, this time it just reads like she got lazy or got a little too horny for the misogyny trend. The hero’s excuses for being a spineless, toxic dickhead were so completely pathetic that even a guy who fell asleep during his own trial would wake up just to object.
Then again, what the fuck else is new? BookTok and romance shelves are already drowning in this exact same tired-ass trash where the female lead has to be a doormat, a virgin, or a celibate monk, while the male lead is a complete whore who’s treated like a golden trophy just for giving her basic attention.
But even setting aside the celibacy bullshit, I didn't want them together because Oliver didn't actually love Kassie, he just loved the memory of her. Nostalgia is a cheap drug, not a foundation for a lifelong relationship. He had zero plans to ever find her, zero yearning to go back, zero curiosity about whether she was alive or dead. He would have happily continued his Hollywood hoe parade forever if Annie hadn't shoved him onto a plane. And let's not forget he wasn't there when she was at her absolute lowest. Her mother died, he was busy feeling sorry for himself. She was assaulted and nearly paralyzed, he was busy filming his next movie and probably getting his dick wet. The man wasn't just absent, he was oblivious. He didn't even know she existed in those moments. How can you claim to love someone when you don't even think about them during the hardest parts of their life? This wasn't love, it was convenience. It wasn't fate, it was forced proximity. The only reason he ever saw her again was because his career tanked and he had nowhere else to go.
If he had been successful, she would have remained a ghost in his past forever. That's not soulmates, that's a guy who finally ran out of options and decided to settle down with the one who was still waiting. And Kassie, bless her pathetic little heart, accepted it because apparently twelve years of emotional constipation made her forget what self-respect looked like. Nostalgia makes people cheat, ruin their lives, and chase things that never really existed in the first place. It doesn't make a compelling love story. And when everything else in this book is already a dumpster fire, there is absolutely nothing solid here to hold onto.
It’s not revolutionary bullshit, just the standard recycled crap. Does it sting that Melanie sank this low and penned a piece of junk like this? Absolutely. But fuck it, I paid cold hard cash for a product that was hot garbage, so do better next time, Melanie. If you were gonna hop on the cliché express anyway, you might as well have gone full speed. Have Oliver come back with a fiancée, accidentally cheat on her with Kassie because nostalgia apparently erases moral responsibility, make both women cry while Oliver stares into the distance looking constipated, then reveal the fiancée has terminal cancer so she nobly blesses their love before disappearing into the sunset. Throw in a surprise pregnancy, an amnesia subplot, and a conveniently inherited beach house while you're at it. At least then I'd have been entertained. Anyways enough of nonsense, my dumb ass is actually checking reviews before buying from now on cause I see some of my gr besties have already posted one. Moving on to Wild Reverence because I genuinely lack the bandwidth to waste my rage on a book that didn't even respect itself enough to dodge every cheap cliché in the book cause if Melanie wants to keep it "Simple" then simple shall it be....One star,Bye Felicia😌💅💅
So... wait, why is she still wearing his old shirt to bed after twelve years? Why is she still celibate? Why is she still emotionally frozen like a popsicle in the back of my freezer while he was out there getting his junk polished by half of LA? Oh right, because she wasn't pining. She just... existed. In a state of permanent emotional arrest. Like a fucking museum exhibit. "The Woman Who Waited" Open daily from 9 to 5. Please do not tap the glass because she hasn't emotionally progressed since 2012 and her hoohaa probably has cobwebs now...... Come see her cry into her pillow and cuddle her vibrator named Jack. Tickets are free babes 'cause misery loves company💀
The logic he pulled out of his ass felt like a serious medical diagnosis for total brain failure.A breathtakingly flimsy tapestry of pure fuckery that crumbles the second you apply a single thought!! His agent stole his mail. Boo hoo!! Poor widdle Oliver couldn't possibly figure out how to use a phone or the internet or hire a private investigator because he was just sooooo busy being a big famous actor and having his hoe phase. 💀 Oh no, the mean man took his letters, how could a grown adult with millions of dollars and a team of assistants possibly find his girlfriend without a piece of paper? It's just too hard. Technology didn't exist in 2012. Google was a myth. Phones were for decoration. The poor baby had no choice but to accept his fate and go fuck his feelings away. Devastatingly sob-worthy fuckin unfortunateness......🤧
May the cosmos grant this delusional fuckwit a single shred of self-awareness and a guiding light out of his own ass😒 But no, he just shrugged and said "welp, guess she doesn't love me anymore" and went back to sticking his peewee in whoever was available because that's what heroes do. They don't fight, they don't search, they just accept the first convenient lie and move on to the next willing participant💀💀
Cool worldview buddy, women as props, men as gods, very fresh, never seen that one before🫡.... No because Oliver gets to have a whole fucking life while Kassie gets to collect dust like a forgotten knick-knack. He gets to have a slut era, a redemption arc, a whole goddamn character journey, and she gets to stay emotionally celibate and physically untouched because heaven forbid a woman move on when the man who promised her forever couldn't be bothered to check if she was still alive😒 Apparently his penis exploration is character development but her moving on would've been unforgivable. How dare she have a life outside of him? How dare she experience happiness without his permission? She must stay frozen, loyal, waiting, like a good little doormat with a pulse and a very patient hoohaa💀💀 And then when Sir Douche-liver Noshowsky-Twelve-Year-Milk-Run-Hart strolls up with his professional excuse-making ass, she forgives him in three fucking chapters without any groveling, without any effort, without him proving he's worthy of a woman who waited a dozen years for him to get his head out of his ass. He didn't sacrifice anything, he didn't give up anything, he just walked in with his pretty blue eyes and his sad little story about his mean agent and she dropped her standards like they were on fire. Exquisitely amorous magnificently pristine,another majestic contribution to the spineless fiction canon....🙂↔️🫶
Enough with the rant! I buddy read this absolute dumpster fire with my work bestie, and honestly, we used to actually respect Melanie Moreland’s books. Sure, a few were total dogshit because every author drops a turd once in a while, but this one was next-level offensive. It was basically just vintage misogyny disguised as cozy nostalgia, written by someone who I'd swear hates women if I hadn't read her other stuff, this time it just reads like she got lazy or got a little too horny for the misogyny trend. The hero’s excuses for being a spineless, toxic dickhead were so completely pathetic that even a guy who fell asleep during his own trial would wake up just to object.
Then again, what the fuck else is new? BookTok and romance shelves are already drowning in this exact same tired-ass trash where the female lead has to be a doormat, a virgin, or a celibate monk, while the male lead is a complete whore who’s treated like a golden trophy just for giving her basic attention.
But even setting aside the celibacy bullshit, I didn't want them together because Oliver didn't actually love Kassie, he just loved the memory of her. Nostalgia is a cheap drug, not a foundation for a lifelong relationship. He had zero plans to ever find her, zero yearning to go back, zero curiosity about whether she was alive or dead. He would have happily continued his Hollywood hoe parade forever if Annie hadn't shoved him onto a plane. And let's not forget he wasn't there when she was at her absolute lowest. Her mother died, he was busy feeling sorry for himself. She was assaulted and nearly paralyzed, he was busy filming his next movie and probably getting his dick wet. The man wasn't just absent, he was oblivious. He didn't even know she existed in those moments. How can you claim to love someone when you don't even think about them during the hardest parts of their life? This wasn't love, it was convenience. It wasn't fate, it was forced proximity. The only reason he ever saw her again was because his career tanked and he had nowhere else to go.
If he had been successful, she would have remained a ghost in his past forever. That's not soulmates, that's a guy who finally ran out of options and decided to settle down with the one who was still waiting. And Kassie, bless her pathetic little heart, accepted it because apparently twelve years of emotional constipation made her forget what self-respect looked like. Nostalgia makes people cheat, ruin their lives, and chase things that never really existed in the first place. It doesn't make a compelling love story. And when everything else in this book is already a dumpster fire, there is absolutely nothing solid here to hold onto.
It’s not revolutionary bullshit, just the standard recycled crap. Does it sting that Melanie sank this low and penned a piece of junk like this? Absolutely. But fuck it, I paid cold hard cash for a product that was hot garbage, so do better next time, Melanie. If you were gonna hop on the cliché express anyway, you might as well have gone full speed. Have Oliver come back with a fiancée, accidentally cheat on her with Kassie because nostalgia apparently erases moral responsibility, make both women cry while Oliver stares into the distance looking constipated, then reveal the fiancée has terminal cancer so she nobly blesses their love before disappearing into the sunset. Throw in a surprise pregnancy, an amnesia subplot, and a conveniently inherited beach house while you're at it. At least then I'd have been entertained. Anyways enough of nonsense, my dumb ass is actually checking reviews before buying from now on cause I see some of my gr besties have already posted one. Moving on to Wild Reverence because I genuinely lack the bandwidth to waste my rage on a book that didn't even respect itself enough to dodge every cheap cliché in the book cause if Melanie wants to keep it "Simple" then simple shall it be....One star,Bye Felicia😌💅💅
July 25, 2026
FMC has been celibate for the past 12 years while MMC has had ONSs.
you will be dealt with melanie moreland... it shows how much you hate your own gender with these kinds of biases and shit writing, im saying this to all the bullshit second chance celibate women but men are always living the life, do women have no libido, do women put their life on hold waiting for a medicore men who clearly does not hold her the same value as she holds him what kind of message are you trying to send here ?
edit:''Kassie and Oliver were high school sweethearts. When Oliver had the chance to chase his acting dreams, he left Kassie behind in their hometown with the assurance he’d come back for her…and never did. Now they find themselves back home 12 years later because Oliver’s movie happens to be shooting there, and he happens to be renting her upstairs apartment. They’re having to reconcile the past while also trying not to fall into the hurt that has been caused.''
this is just too funny, he never returned for her living the high life while she sits frozen like a plant he JUST happened to be there, i cant stop laughing.
you will be dealt with melanie moreland... it shows how much you hate your own gender with these kinds of biases and shit writing, im saying this to all the bullshit second chance celibate women but men are always living the life, do women have no libido, do women put their life on hold waiting for a medicore men who clearly does not hold her the same value as she holds him what kind of message are you trying to send here ?
edit:''Kassie and Oliver were high school sweethearts. When Oliver had the chance to chase his acting dreams, he left Kassie behind in their hometown with the assurance he’d come back for her…and never did. Now they find themselves back home 12 years later because Oliver’s movie happens to be shooting there, and he happens to be renting her upstairs apartment. They’re having to reconcile the past while also trying not to fall into the hurt that has been caused.''
this is just too funny, he never returned for her living the high life while she sits frozen like a plant he JUST happened to be there, i cant stop laughing.
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August 19, 2026
A Simple Love is book two in the Return to Richton series by Melanie Moreland. This is such a sweet, lovely story of second chance love.
Oliver Hart and Kassie Brennan began as next door neighbors as small children. Became best friends, then later became more. They were there for each other through everything. When Oliver was offered a chance to leave Richton, to make something of himself, he took it, promising Kassie he would be back for her. But, through naivety, manipulation and unfortunate circumstances, he never came back.
Now it’s twelve years later. Oliver is a huge box office star. But life has been unkind to him lately. His life, though on the surface, seems full of glamour. But it’s lonely, solitary. He’s unhappy and it’s making him make poor choices that are making things worse. He’s offered a part in a movie that is filming back in Richton, his home town, where he left “her” behind. To his knowledge, she’s no longer there either. And he needs this part to redeem himself. So Oliver is going home.
Kassie tried leaving Richton but ended up coming back. Now she owns her own home, runs her own accounting business, and bakes pies for the local diner. She bakes so many delicious sounding pies and let me warn you, you’re going to be dreaming of pie! She’s done her best to get over Oliver but he was her first and only true love so he’s never fully been forgotten. But then, suddenly, he’s standing in front of her! How is she going to handle him being here? Seeing him? Remembering him, as both the boy he used to be and the man he is now?
What bound them together when they were kids is still there between them. So they decide to enjoy the time they have together while Oliver is there. Give them the proper ending they never had before. To part as friends this time. Will it work? Can they walk away from each other this time with no hard feelings, as friends, and wish each other well? Or will it be more painful than ever to say goodbye?
In the weeks Oliver is in Richton, these two experience so much, both good and bad. They both learn so much, both about each other, and themselves. I really enjoyed seeing the man Oliver was capable of being. I also want to add that I adored Oliver’s manager, Annie! She was the perfect person to keep Oliver in line! As always, Melanie gives us plenty of glimpses into this couples future in the ending chapters. I think that’s one of my favorite things about her books. I enjoyed this so much and can’t wait to see what she’s doing next!
Oliver Hart and Kassie Brennan began as next door neighbors as small children. Became best friends, then later became more. They were there for each other through everything. When Oliver was offered a chance to leave Richton, to make something of himself, he took it, promising Kassie he would be back for her. But, through naivety, manipulation and unfortunate circumstances, he never came back.
Now it’s twelve years later. Oliver is a huge box office star. But life has been unkind to him lately. His life, though on the surface, seems full of glamour. But it’s lonely, solitary. He’s unhappy and it’s making him make poor choices that are making things worse. He’s offered a part in a movie that is filming back in Richton, his home town, where he left “her” behind. To his knowledge, she’s no longer there either. And he needs this part to redeem himself. So Oliver is going home.
Kassie tried leaving Richton but ended up coming back. Now she owns her own home, runs her own accounting business, and bakes pies for the local diner. She bakes so many delicious sounding pies and let me warn you, you’re going to be dreaming of pie! She’s done her best to get over Oliver but he was her first and only true love so he’s never fully been forgotten. But then, suddenly, he’s standing in front of her! How is she going to handle him being here? Seeing him? Remembering him, as both the boy he used to be and the man he is now?
What bound them together when they were kids is still there between them. So they decide to enjoy the time they have together while Oliver is there. Give them the proper ending they never had before. To part as friends this time. Will it work? Can they walk away from each other this time with no hard feelings, as friends, and wish each other well? Or will it be more painful than ever to say goodbye?
In the weeks Oliver is in Richton, these two experience so much, both good and bad. They both learn so much, both about each other, and themselves. I really enjoyed seeing the man Oliver was capable of being. I also want to add that I adored Oliver’s manager, Annie! She was the perfect person to keep Oliver in line! As always, Melanie gives us plenty of glimpses into this couples future in the ending chapters. I think that’s one of my favorite things about her books. I enjoyed this so much and can’t wait to see what she’s doing next!
not-for-me
July 25, 2026Girl. Why?
Just why!!!???
For 12 years!!?!
Your youthful “prime” years???
I can’t. I caaaaaaant!
And, of course, this isn’t reciprocal 🤷🏻♀️ because, why would it be????🙄🙄🙄🙄
Not. For. Me
Just why!!!???
For 12 years!!?!
Your youthful “prime” years???
I can’t. I caaaaaaant!
And, of course, this isn’t reciprocal 🤷🏻♀️ because, why would it be????🙄🙄🙄🙄
Not. For. Me
Did Not Finish
July 17, 2026Thank you to The Author Agency for the gifted eARC/ALC.
Did Not Finish.
There is one thing in a second chance romance trope that I can't get over: when the FMC is celibate during their separation and the MMC is...the opposite. Oliver and Kassie reunite and hit the sheets...when she reveals her celibacy he just goes "ok cool, but we can just have a fling no feelings right?"—that's when I was out.
Did Not Finish.
There is one thing in a second chance romance trope that I can't get over: when the FMC is celibate during their separation and the MMC is...the opposite. Oliver and Kassie reunite and hit the sheets...when she reveals her celibacy he just goes "ok cool, but we can just have a fling no feelings right?"—that's when I was out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2026
This was an exceedingly bad book.. What nonsense.. Oliver was such an asshole.. He should have groveled for a long time.. Instead, his apology was so shitty and Kassie forgave him so easily.. Both the leads were so terrible.. This book is definitely a shitty read and a total waste of time..
July 22, 2026
4.5🌟, 3🌶️
ARC Review 📖
There is something completely magical about a second chance romance that really makes you feel every single emotion, and this story completely wrapped my heart in warmth.
Watching Oliver and Kassie find their way back to each other after all those years apart was such an emotional journey. They had so much heavy baggage and old heartbreak to work through, but their undeniable chemistry and deep history made every single page feel so earned and tender.
The small town setting added the coziest backdrop to their healing process, forcing Oliver to confront the ghosts of his past while Kassie fiercely guarded her carefully rebuilt life. I loved how they had to slowly navigate getting to know the newer versions of themselves rather than just falling back on old habits. It was messy, beautiful, and full of those big, soaring feelings that make you believe love really can conquer the toughest obstacles if given the right time.
Closing the final chapter left me with the happiest heart and that wonderful, lingering glow that only the best emotional reads can provide. Between the cozy atmosphere, the incredible character growth, and a romance that feels deeply genuine from start to finish, this book is an absolute must-read.
This heartwarming journey of healing and hope will leave you smiling through your tears and completely satisfied.
~~~~
ALC Review (Audiobook) 🎧
Listening to the audiobook version of this emotional second chance romance was an absolute treat, largely thanks to the incredible performances by John Lane and Maxine Mitchell. John completely nailed Oliver's underlying regret, charm, and vulnerability, while Maxine brought such a wonderful mix of strength, hurt, and softness to Kassie. Together, they breathed so much life, warmth, and depth into the characters that I completely lost track of time while listening. Their expressive delivery made every single emotional beat land with extra impact, turning an already wonderful story into an unforgettable audio experience.
~~~~
I was lucky enough to receive both an ARC and an ALC, and being able to immersive read and listen to this story made the whole experience even more special.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Melanie Moreland and The Author Agency for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
ARC Review 📖
There is something completely magical about a second chance romance that really makes you feel every single emotion, and this story completely wrapped my heart in warmth.
Watching Oliver and Kassie find their way back to each other after all those years apart was such an emotional journey. They had so much heavy baggage and old heartbreak to work through, but their undeniable chemistry and deep history made every single page feel so earned and tender.
The small town setting added the coziest backdrop to their healing process, forcing Oliver to confront the ghosts of his past while Kassie fiercely guarded her carefully rebuilt life. I loved how they had to slowly navigate getting to know the newer versions of themselves rather than just falling back on old habits. It was messy, beautiful, and full of those big, soaring feelings that make you believe love really can conquer the toughest obstacles if given the right time.
Closing the final chapter left me with the happiest heart and that wonderful, lingering glow that only the best emotional reads can provide. Between the cozy atmosphere, the incredible character growth, and a romance that feels deeply genuine from start to finish, this book is an absolute must-read.
This heartwarming journey of healing and hope will leave you smiling through your tears and completely satisfied.
~~~~
ALC Review (Audiobook) 🎧
Listening to the audiobook version of this emotional second chance romance was an absolute treat, largely thanks to the incredible performances by John Lane and Maxine Mitchell. John completely nailed Oliver's underlying regret, charm, and vulnerability, while Maxine brought such a wonderful mix of strength, hurt, and softness to Kassie. Together, they breathed so much life, warmth, and depth into the characters that I completely lost track of time while listening. Their expressive delivery made every single emotional beat land with extra impact, turning an already wonderful story into an unforgettable audio experience.
~~~~
I was lucky enough to receive both an ARC and an ALC, and being able to immersive read and listen to this story made the whole experience even more special.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Melanie Moreland and The Author Agency for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
July 25, 2026
Look at our romance nowadays. So groundbreaking in its glaring double standards 😍
July 26, 2026
This has to stop: 12 years being celibate while the man is a famous actor having affairs Should not be considered romantic.
And then he bulldozed her and married her and talked to her about having kids. Whatever else was happening in this book was destroyed for me by this detail. I couldn't take seriously anything anymore.
Why do authors use this recipe? WHY?
And then he bulldozed her and married her and talked to her about having kids. Whatever else was happening in this book was destroyed for me by this detail. I couldn't take seriously anything anymore.
Why do authors use this recipe? WHY?
July 26, 2026
This book started okay, but just went downhill. I really disliked Oliver. I get that he leaves town and becomes a big movie star. But he comes back, and knowing he broke Kassie’s heart, he wants to have a short term affair with her. He is totally selfish. His whole personality is selfish. He wants what he wants. She went through a lot. They were best friends since they were 6. Kassie’s mother took Oliver in when his mom died. Yes, there were young and circumstances that made it seem like he shouldn’t go back. But really? He pretty much disappeared on her. And when Kassie’s mom died, he didn’t check in on her. And Kassie stayed celibate for 12 years?? And Oliver had to be told that there is more to life than is acting and living in LA. And at some point, he said “you wouldn’t move, even for me?” This was not a good 2nd chance romance. I cannot understand the high ratings. I wish I didn’t waste my time reading this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
nope
July 25, 2026Notes for me
He moves on as an actor living his best life
Only returns to hometown for work, not for her.
He moves on as an actor living his best life
Only returns to hometown for work, not for her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2026
ARC/ALC REVIEW
Anyone else look at these covers and start singing 🎵the hills are alive …🎵? Just me? Welcome to a brief glance inside my brain! Also, if you now cannot get that tune out of your head…you’re welcome.
At this point in my journey with this story, I have read and listened to it and to be honest, either format will give you a joyous experience. Every once in a while I get to review one format is “better” than the other but not with Melanie Moreland. Her writing style will grab your attention and pull every possible emotion straight out of your heart! Well, so can 🎤Maxine Mitchell and John Lane 🎤! Every.Single.Time. Maxine & John have been “the team” for Melanie Morland since the beginning of my journey with Melanie’s words and they make an outstanding team! They have always been capable of elevating all the stories in my head as if I’m watching the story happen from its periphery. I really enjoy them! 👏👏
This story checked all my feelgood vibes and I loved it. I love that the story wasn’t “too this” or “too that” but instead had the right amount of humor, upheaval, dramatics, and growth! It was a captivating slow burn with all the small town shenanigans and vibes one hopes to read in a second chance/it’s always been you romance. At least that’s what I love to get lost in! LOL I was having such a good time with the story that the 6 hours it was in my ears passed like nothing! It is a one-sitting kind of read. Then again, so are most other Melanie stories!
Honesty and vulnerability were a theme throughout the story and it fit Oliver & Kassie well. They both had some growth to do and some healing from their past and I loved that the journey was more of an evolution rather than a few conversations. I also loved the way Melanie wrote the “ah ha” moment for both of them. The “realization” felt authentic and true to life. If I go further I’m going to probably give away details of the story I don’t want to give but just know that above all else, this story has a feelgood vibe to it that will not disappoint!
Anyone else look at these covers and start singing 🎵the hills are alive …🎵? Just me? Welcome to a brief glance inside my brain! Also, if you now cannot get that tune out of your head…you’re welcome.
At this point in my journey with this story, I have read and listened to it and to be honest, either format will give you a joyous experience. Every once in a while I get to review one format is “better” than the other but not with Melanie Moreland. Her writing style will grab your attention and pull every possible emotion straight out of your heart! Well, so can 🎤Maxine Mitchell and John Lane 🎤! Every.Single.Time. Maxine & John have been “the team” for Melanie Morland since the beginning of my journey with Melanie’s words and they make an outstanding team! They have always been capable of elevating all the stories in my head as if I’m watching the story happen from its periphery. I really enjoy them! 👏👏
This story checked all my feelgood vibes and I loved it. I love that the story wasn’t “too this” or “too that” but instead had the right amount of humor, upheaval, dramatics, and growth! It was a captivating slow burn with all the small town shenanigans and vibes one hopes to read in a second chance/it’s always been you romance. At least that’s what I love to get lost in! LOL I was having such a good time with the story that the 6 hours it was in my ears passed like nothing! It is a one-sitting kind of read. Then again, so are most other Melanie stories!
Honesty and vulnerability were a theme throughout the story and it fit Oliver & Kassie well. They both had some growth to do and some healing from their past and I loved that the journey was more of an evolution rather than a few conversations. I also loved the way Melanie wrote the “ah ha” moment for both of them. The “realization” felt authentic and true to life. If I go further I’m going to probably give away details of the story I don’t want to give but just know that above all else, this story has a feelgood vibe to it that will not disappoint!
July 23, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️.5
A Simple Love delivered everything I want in a second chance romance. I always appreciate Melanie Moreland's small town romances. I couldn't put this one down and felt invested in their HEA.
Oliver and Kassie were high school sweethearts till he left her for Hollywood to and became a beloved actor, breaking Kassie's heart in the process. Oliver is returning to his hometown to film a new movie and his agent booked him into Kassie's Airbnb. Now they are in a forced proximity and have to finally deal with the events that split them up. I loved how they actually communicated early on and didn't draw out the past for the entire book. I also was happy this didn't rely on flashbacks like so many second chance romances do.
I usually do not love celebrity romances, but I appreciated the way Oliver was written. He was very relatable and down to earth. He was truly regretful for how things went down in their past and showed a vulnerable side.
Their chemistry and connection felt natural and believable. They came together in a beautiful way and supported each other in every aspect of their lives. I had such a great time with this small town, cozy romance with amazing side characters.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
🎤Dual Narration by John Lane & Maxine Mitchell
This audiobook was narrated by John Lane and Maxine Mitchell. They did an amazing job bringing all the emotions and longing to life.
Thank you to Melanie Moreland for providing the ARC & ALC.
🌶️🌶️.5
A Simple Love delivered everything I want in a second chance romance. I always appreciate Melanie Moreland's small town romances. I couldn't put this one down and felt invested in their HEA.
Oliver and Kassie were high school sweethearts till he left her for Hollywood to and became a beloved actor, breaking Kassie's heart in the process. Oliver is returning to his hometown to film a new movie and his agent booked him into Kassie's Airbnb. Now they are in a forced proximity and have to finally deal with the events that split them up. I loved how they actually communicated early on and didn't draw out the past for the entire book. I also was happy this didn't rely on flashbacks like so many second chance romances do.
I usually do not love celebrity romances, but I appreciated the way Oliver was written. He was very relatable and down to earth. He was truly regretful for how things went down in their past and showed a vulnerable side.
Their chemistry and connection felt natural and believable. They came together in a beautiful way and supported each other in every aspect of their lives. I had such a great time with this small town, cozy romance with amazing side characters.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
🎤Dual Narration by John Lane & Maxine Mitchell
This audiobook was narrated by John Lane and Maxine Mitchell. They did an amazing job bringing all the emotions and longing to life.
Thank you to Melanie Moreland for providing the ARC & ALC.
July 20, 2026
5 He Can Come Home Again Stars!!
I absolutely love a second chance romance and Oliver and Kassie’s love story is one of the best I’ve read. These two have quite the history and when Oliver comes back to Richton after being away for more than a decade, it’s not exactly what he expected and definitely now what Kassie expected.
Kassie has been back home for few a years and has built a life for herself in her small hometown that brings her joy and comfort and friendship. Little did she know that the day she signed an agreement for the rental of her upstairs apartment that the man she’s always loved was going to be living above her. Let the fireworks begin!
Oliver has a Hollywood career that is flourishing although he’s had some troubles lately and the way to solve them is to disappear from the city that’s given him everything he thought he wanted… or has it?
I loved everything about this book. I got to listen to the amazing John Lane and Maxine Mitchell, and I was able to read this book at the same time so I was never without Kassie and Oliver. I had a front row seat to these two allowing themselves to be vulnerable enough to let each other into their hearts once again. What starts as something that’s supposed to be temporary, begins to become so much more. There’s so much growth that both of them go through, but especially Oliver. There were times that I wanted to really ask him “really, why did you say and/or do that?” But Ms Moreland knows what’s she doing and everything starts to become crystal clear. It’s definitely not smooth sailing for these two. I’m not going to lie, I wondered if they’d truly get it all, but I trusted Ms. Moreland and I went on the journey with her.
I’m hoping to be able to come back to Richton again as I’ve fallen in love with this small town and all it’s residents.
I absolutely love a second chance romance and Oliver and Kassie’s love story is one of the best I’ve read. These two have quite the history and when Oliver comes back to Richton after being away for more than a decade, it’s not exactly what he expected and definitely now what Kassie expected.
Kassie has been back home for few a years and has built a life for herself in her small hometown that brings her joy and comfort and friendship. Little did she know that the day she signed an agreement for the rental of her upstairs apartment that the man she’s always loved was going to be living above her. Let the fireworks begin!
Oliver has a Hollywood career that is flourishing although he’s had some troubles lately and the way to solve them is to disappear from the city that’s given him everything he thought he wanted… or has it?
I loved everything about this book. I got to listen to the amazing John Lane and Maxine Mitchell, and I was able to read this book at the same time so I was never without Kassie and Oliver. I had a front row seat to these two allowing themselves to be vulnerable enough to let each other into their hearts once again. What starts as something that’s supposed to be temporary, begins to become so much more. There’s so much growth that both of them go through, but especially Oliver. There were times that I wanted to really ask him “really, why did you say and/or do that?” But Ms Moreland knows what’s she doing and everything starts to become crystal clear. It’s definitely not smooth sailing for these two. I’m not going to lie, I wondered if they’d truly get it all, but I trusted Ms. Moreland and I went on the journey with her.
I’m hoping to be able to come back to Richton again as I’ve fallen in love with this small town and all it’s residents.
July 22, 2026
Melanie Moreland at her best! I ate this book up with a spoon. Big time actor losing his way, headed back to the small town and the girl he left behind, fate stepping in and bringing him back to the love of his life. Oliver and Cassie were second chance perfection and their HEA had me kicking my feet.
One of my favorite audiobooks from John Lane and Maxine Mitchell. He does a growly green flag hero so well and she nails a strong heroine who may be down but never out. One of my favorites this year!
One of my favorite audiobooks from John Lane and Maxine Mitchell. He does a growly green flag hero so well and she nails a strong heroine who may be down but never out. One of my favorites this year!
July 23, 2026
They were in love as teens, but then Oliver Hart left to pursue acting in Hollywood. Now he's back, more than a decade later, making a movie in small-town Richton. And his temporary landlady is none other than his first love, Kassie Brennan. With the insurmountable hurt from the past looming between them, Oliver promises to stay out of Kassie's way. Famous last words when Fate has her own ideas.
The previous romance in this series was terrific, and I loved seeing beloved characters from this amazing fictional world again. But Oliver and Kassie's romance? It's next level amazing and I stayed up way too late gobbling up every word.
I can’t decide what was my favorite, because there are so many wonderful aspects to this one, but the overwhelming emotion of healing past hurts and them getting that second chance with their one true love was everything!
Add in the charming small-town setting, strong friendships, and nefarious players you'll love to hate, and this gifted wordsmith couldn’t have crafted a more phenomenal romance.
The previous romance in this series was terrific, and I loved seeing beloved characters from this amazing fictional world again. But Oliver and Kassie's romance? It's next level amazing and I stayed up way too late gobbling up every word.
I can’t decide what was my favorite, because there are so many wonderful aspects to this one, but the overwhelming emotion of healing past hurts and them getting that second chance with their one true love was everything!
Add in the charming small-town setting, strong friendships, and nefarious players you'll love to hate, and this gifted wordsmith couldn’t have crafted a more phenomenal romance.
July 23, 2026
Oliver and Kassie
A wonderful, sweet small town, second chance romance. Oliver and Kassie where childhood sweethearts, with some unknown meddling they part ways. Years later Oliver is back to shoot a movie and Kassie turns out to be his landlord. Emotions are high between these two. Great story and wonderful characters. I enjoyed listening to this and finished it in one sitting. The narrators did a great job.
I received a copy and audio copy and listened/read it through BookFunnel.
A wonderful, sweet small town, second chance romance. Oliver and Kassie where childhood sweethearts, with some unknown meddling they part ways. Years later Oliver is back to shoot a movie and Kassie turns out to be his landlord. Emotions are high between these two. Great story and wonderful characters. I enjoyed listening to this and finished it in one sitting. The narrators did a great job.
I received a copy and audio copy and listened/read it through BookFunnel.
July 30, 2026
3.5 stars. This was my first book by Melanie Moreland. It's a second chance romance because their first chance was sabotaged. They were done dirty by a third person. I did like how they were open and honest with each other. What I found to be kind of annoying was that he was being pushy when it came to intimacy towards the beginning. When he promised that he'd return to her and didn't, it reminded me of that scene in Where the crawdads sing. I think overall the story was good but it jumped into the intimate scenes too fast. I plan to read more by this author to see if there are books of hers that I may enjoy more. The narrators did a great job reading/playing the parts and it was read in dual narration style.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
August 7, 2026Oh I do so love a good second chance, and Kassie and Oliver's completely won me over in the end. Their story is filled with longing, regret, healing, and the kind of love that never truly disappeared. Add in a charming small town, a Hollywood hero returning home, and years of unresolved feelings, and this one had the great set up for some great emotion and heart.
Kassie is such an easy heroine to root for. She's sweet, witty, resilient, and has fought hard to build a quiet, peaceful life after everything she's been through. Then Oliver comes crashing back into her world. On the surface he's the successful movie star with the dazzling smile, but underneath all the fame is a man carrying years of regret, insecurity, and heartbreak. Watching those layers slowly peel back made him such a swoony, vulnerable hero, and I absolutely adored him.
These two were childhood neighbors, first loves, and each other's safe place before life pulled them in different directions. When Oliver returns to Richton to film a movie that's meant to revive his career, the last person he expects to find running his Airbnb is Kassie. Their reunion is awkward, emotional, and packed with unresolved chemistry. I loved that the story didn't drag out the mystery surrounding their breakup. Once the truth comes out, it adds heartbreak without relying on unnecessary miscommunication, allowing the focus to stay where it belongs: on whether two people who never stopped loving each other can find their way back.
One of my favorite parts was how mature their relationship felt. Kassie doesn't simply forget the pain of the past, and she absolutely makes Oliver earn back her trust. She knows another heartbreak could destroy the life she's carefully rebuilt, while Oliver has to prove that beneath all the Hollywood chaos, home has always been wherever Kassie is. Their romance is the perfect mix of cozy, heartfelt, flirty, and wonderfully steamy, with plenty of sweet moments that made me smile.
The small town atmosphere adds so much warmth to the story. Between the close-knit community, the pie baking, movie set drama, and supportive side characters, Richton feels like somewhere you'd actually want to visit. It gives the romance that comforting, feel-good quality while still delivering plenty of emotional depth.
The audiobook was an absolute joy. John Lane and Maxine Mitchell bring so much heart to Oliver and Kassie's story. John captures Oliver's charm, vulnerability, and lingering regret beautifully, while Maxine perfectly balances Kassie's strength, warmth, and guarded heart. Their performances add another layer of emotion to every reunion, every difficult conversation, and every tender moment, making an already emotional romance even more immersive. I flew through this one on audio.
A Simple Love is a heartfelt, comforting second chance romance about forgiveness, coming home, and discovering that sometimes the life you've been searching for has been waiting in the same place all along. If you love emotional reunions, small town charm, and heroes willing to fight for the woman they never stopped loving, this is one worth picking up.
What to Expect
🎬 Second Chance Romance
🥧 Small Town Romance
🎬 Celebrity Hero
🥧 Returning Home
🎬 Childhood Sweethearts
🥧 Mutual Pining
🎬 It's Always Been You
🥧 Forced Proximity
🎬 Emotional Healing
🥧 Open Communication
Kassie is such an easy heroine to root for. She's sweet, witty, resilient, and has fought hard to build a quiet, peaceful life after everything she's been through. Then Oliver comes crashing back into her world. On the surface he's the successful movie star with the dazzling smile, but underneath all the fame is a man carrying years of regret, insecurity, and heartbreak. Watching those layers slowly peel back made him such a swoony, vulnerable hero, and I absolutely adored him.
These two were childhood neighbors, first loves, and each other's safe place before life pulled them in different directions. When Oliver returns to Richton to film a movie that's meant to revive his career, the last person he expects to find running his Airbnb is Kassie. Their reunion is awkward, emotional, and packed with unresolved chemistry. I loved that the story didn't drag out the mystery surrounding their breakup. Once the truth comes out, it adds heartbreak without relying on unnecessary miscommunication, allowing the focus to stay where it belongs: on whether two people who never stopped loving each other can find their way back.
One of my favorite parts was how mature their relationship felt. Kassie doesn't simply forget the pain of the past, and she absolutely makes Oliver earn back her trust. She knows another heartbreak could destroy the life she's carefully rebuilt, while Oliver has to prove that beneath all the Hollywood chaos, home has always been wherever Kassie is. Their romance is the perfect mix of cozy, heartfelt, flirty, and wonderfully steamy, with plenty of sweet moments that made me smile.
The small town atmosphere adds so much warmth to the story. Between the close-knit community, the pie baking, movie set drama, and supportive side characters, Richton feels like somewhere you'd actually want to visit. It gives the romance that comforting, feel-good quality while still delivering plenty of emotional depth.
The audiobook was an absolute joy. John Lane and Maxine Mitchell bring so much heart to Oliver and Kassie's story. John captures Oliver's charm, vulnerability, and lingering regret beautifully, while Maxine perfectly balances Kassie's strength, warmth, and guarded heart. Their performances add another layer of emotion to every reunion, every difficult conversation, and every tender moment, making an already emotional romance even more immersive. I flew through this one on audio.
A Simple Love is a heartfelt, comforting second chance romance about forgiveness, coming home, and discovering that sometimes the life you've been searching for has been waiting in the same place all along. If you love emotional reunions, small town charm, and heroes willing to fight for the woman they never stopped loving, this is one worth picking up.
What to Expect
🎬 Second Chance Romance
🥧 Small Town Romance
🎬 Celebrity Hero
🥧 Returning Home
🎬 Childhood Sweethearts
🥧 Mutual Pining
🎬 It's Always Been You
🥧 Forced Proximity
🎬 Emotional Healing
🥧 Open Communication
July 31, 2026
4.25🥧🎬
screaming wheezing throwing up
Well, this was something. I did not expect that A Simple Love can get a second book, even if it can be read separately, since I wish to be another book by Melanie Moreland to get a second book. This book however was slightly conflicting at first. The main problem was kinda been solved in early chapters only for another one to shows up to the surface. But thankfully, the conclusion was there and wraps thing up beautifully.
A Simple Love is a heartfelt second‑chance romance that blends small‑town charm with celebrity vulnerability. Kassi and Oliver were once high school sweethearts until Oliver left for Hollywood, and breaking her heart. Years later, he returns to film a movie and ends up staying at Kassie's Airbnb, forcing them into close proximity and finally confronting their past. What stood out was how they communicated openly early on, avoiding the dragged‑out misunderstandings and flashback reliance that often bog down second‑chance stories.
Oliver's character was written with surprising relatability despite his fame, he came across as grounded, regretful, and vulnerable. Kassie, meanwhile, carried the weight of heartbreak and guarded independence, but her growth was beautifully handled as she learned to trust again. Their chemistry felt natural, their (re)connection was believable, and their journey together was more about evolution and healing than quick fixes. The small‑town backdrop and side characters added warmth and humor, making the story feel cozy and lived‑in.
Melanie Moreland's writing delivered a balance of humor, emotion, and growth that kept the pacing engaging. Whether read or listened to, the story pulled at every emotion, with Oliver and Kassie's realizations 'moment' felt authentic and earned. It was messy, tender, and full of those soaring feelings that make second‑chance romances so satisfying. Overall, this was a feel‑good, one‑sitting kind of read that wrapped my heart in warmth and proved love can conquer even the toughest obstacles when given time and honesty.
Massive appreciation for John Lane and Maxine Mitchell for narrating this audiobook version. They've been "the dream pairing" from the very beginning of my first read with Melanie's book and they were exactly an outstanding duo. John captured Oliver’s regret, charm, and vulnerability with nuance, while Maxine balanced Kassie’s strength, hurt, and softness beautifully. Their performances added layers of warmth and depth, making every emotional beat land with extra impact. What makes them such a standout duo is the way their voices complement each other. Their synergy enhances the tenderness, humor, and banter, turning a sweet romance into an unforgettable listening experience. And honestly, I couldn't be more thrilled to hear them paired again—whether for another Melanie Moreland project or beyond🥂
screaming wheezing throwing up
Well, this was something. I did not expect that A Simple Love can get a second book, even if it can be read separately, since I wish to be another book by Melanie Moreland to get a second book. This book however was slightly conflicting at first. The main problem was kinda been solved in early chapters only for another one to shows up to the surface. But thankfully, the conclusion was there and wraps thing up beautifully.
A Simple Love is a heartfelt second‑chance romance that blends small‑town charm with celebrity vulnerability. Kassi and Oliver were once high school sweethearts until Oliver left for Hollywood, and breaking her heart. Years later, he returns to film a movie and ends up staying at Kassie's Airbnb, forcing them into close proximity and finally confronting their past. What stood out was how they communicated openly early on, avoiding the dragged‑out misunderstandings and flashback reliance that often bog down second‑chance stories.
Oliver's character was written with surprising relatability despite his fame, he came across as grounded, regretful, and vulnerable. Kassie, meanwhile, carried the weight of heartbreak and guarded independence, but her growth was beautifully handled as she learned to trust again. Their chemistry felt natural, their (re)connection was believable, and their journey together was more about evolution and healing than quick fixes. The small‑town backdrop and side characters added warmth and humor, making the story feel cozy and lived‑in.
Melanie Moreland's writing delivered a balance of humor, emotion, and growth that kept the pacing engaging. Whether read or listened to, the story pulled at every emotion, with Oliver and Kassie's realizations 'moment' felt authentic and earned. It was messy, tender, and full of those soaring feelings that make second‑chance romances so satisfying. Overall, this was a feel‑good, one‑sitting kind of read that wrapped my heart in warmth and proved love can conquer even the toughest obstacles when given time and honesty.
Massive appreciation for John Lane and Maxine Mitchell for narrating this audiobook version. They've been "the dream pairing" from the very beginning of my first read with Melanie's book and they were exactly an outstanding duo. John captured Oliver’s regret, charm, and vulnerability with nuance, while Maxine balanced Kassie’s strength, hurt, and softness beautifully. Their performances added layers of warmth and depth, making every emotional beat land with extra impact. What makes them such a standout duo is the way their voices complement each other. Their synergy enhances the tenderness, humor, and banter, turning a sweet romance into an unforgettable listening experience. And honestly, I couldn't be more thrilled to hear them paired again—whether for another Melanie Moreland project or beyond🥂
July 24, 2026
This was a cute second chance romance between two childhood sweethearts. One who left it all behind for Hollywood, and the other who struck out on their own, only to end up back in the same small home town they both left. They find they way back together after a dozen years apart when Oliver is set to play a movie in that small Canadian town, and unexpectedly is forced into close proximity with his previous love, Kassie.
The entire setup for this book is absolutely what I adore, but for some reason I found myself not as invested in these characters as I would have hoped. It could be because their time together was in snippets, usually with Kassie baking pies, and Oliver returning back from work. It could also have been that it moved so fast without a lot of time for them to settle into their feelings. Either way, as much as I would normally devour this type of story, I didn't feel entirely captivated.
I think the main turning point for me, was that Kassie had chosen not to be intimate in over a dozen years, while Oliver had been. It felt like such an unnecessary point to add in, and for them to jump into intimacy and Oliver to immediately offer a temporary friends-with-benefits situation just didn't feel great. I think I would have felt more invested if their wasn't not only a sexual, but professional power imbalance between them.
From there, I really did enjoy how rational and balanced Kassie was about the external conflict that arose, and that neither her nor Oliver were pulled off track by it. It was sweet to watch them fall back in love, and I wish that their story at a bit more at the ending after reconciliation before taking their relationship to the next level.
Either way, this was a good, entertaining romance between two interesting leads, just not my next fave.
*****
I was sent a complimentary advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to the author for sending this my way!
The entire setup for this book is absolutely what I adore, but for some reason I found myself not as invested in these characters as I would have hoped. It could be because their time together was in snippets, usually with Kassie baking pies, and Oliver returning back from work. It could also have been that it moved so fast without a lot of time for them to settle into their feelings. Either way, as much as I would normally devour this type of story, I didn't feel entirely captivated.
I think the main turning point for me, was that Kassie had chosen not to be intimate in over a dozen years, while Oliver had been. It felt like such an unnecessary point to add in, and for them to jump into intimacy and Oliver to immediately offer a temporary friends-with-benefits situation just didn't feel great. I think I would have felt more invested if their wasn't not only a sexual, but professional power imbalance between them.
From there, I really did enjoy how rational and balanced Kassie was about the external conflict that arose, and that neither her nor Oliver were pulled off track by it. It was sweet to watch them fall back in love, and I wish that their story at a bit more at the ending after reconciliation before taking their relationship to the next level.
Either way, this was a good, entertaining romance between two interesting leads, just not my next fave.
*****
I was sent a complimentary advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to the author for sending this my way!
July 26, 2026
Oh este libro fue HERMOSO, me hizo sentir enamorada, me hizo sentir bien y si, me gusto el trope de second chance aquí.
El romance de Oliver y Kassie fue hermoso, me gusto que no hubiera tanto drama cuando volvieron a encontrarse, que los dos HABLARAN y entendieran que no fue culpa de ninguno. La historia si bien es ligera, tiene una historia poderosa que simplemente tenía una sonrisa en mi cara mientras leía cada página.
El tema de él siendo actor y que está en el pueblo haciendo una película me gusto, como todo se complemento entre el set de la película y su historia con Kassie fue hermoso, ese final sin duda fue la cereza del pastel porque fue hermoso.
Tal cual el libro anterior, este libro me gustó y espero seguir leyendo más del pueblo de Richton!
********
Oh, this book was BEAUTIFUL, it made me feel like I was in love, it made me feel good, and yes, I liked the second-chance trope here.
Oliver and Kassie’s romance was beautiful; I liked that there wasn’t so much drama when they met again, that the two of them TALKED and understood that it wasn’t either of their faults. Although the story is lighthearted, it has a powerful narrative that simply had me smiling as I read every page.
I liked the premise of him being an actor and being in town to shoot a movie, how everything came together between the movie set and his story with Kassie was beautiful. That ending was definitely the icing on the cake because it was so beautiful.
Just like the previous book, I loved this one, and I hope to keep reading more about the town of Richton!
📌 I received an e-arc, and this is my honest opinion/review of it.
El romance de Oliver y Kassie fue hermoso, me gusto que no hubiera tanto drama cuando volvieron a encontrarse, que los dos HABLARAN y entendieran que no fue culpa de ninguno. La historia si bien es ligera, tiene una historia poderosa que simplemente tenía una sonrisa en mi cara mientras leía cada página.
El tema de él siendo actor y que está en el pueblo haciendo una película me gusto, como todo se complemento entre el set de la película y su historia con Kassie fue hermoso, ese final sin duda fue la cereza del pastel porque fue hermoso.
Tal cual el libro anterior, este libro me gustó y espero seguir leyendo más del pueblo de Richton!
********
Oh, this book was BEAUTIFUL, it made me feel like I was in love, it made me feel good, and yes, I liked the second-chance trope here.
Oliver and Kassie’s romance was beautiful; I liked that there wasn’t so much drama when they met again, that the two of them TALKED and understood that it wasn’t either of their faults. Although the story is lighthearted, it has a powerful narrative that simply had me smiling as I read every page.
I liked the premise of him being an actor and being in town to shoot a movie, how everything came together between the movie set and his story with Kassie was beautiful. That ending was definitely the icing on the cake because it was so beautiful.
Just like the previous book, I loved this one, and I hope to keep reading more about the town of Richton!
📌 I received an e-arc, and this is my honest opinion/review of it.
July 30, 2026
⭐⭐⭐.25
ARC Review
Tropes:
Second Chance
Small Town
Celebrity MMC
Returning Home
It's Always Been You
I usually love second-chance romances, and while I did enjoy Kassie and Oliver, this story left me wanting more.
Oliver is back in Richton for a movie after 12 years and didn't expect to find his ex-girlfriend—and the love of his life—there, too.
Kassie didn't expect to be back in Richton either, but she's very content with her life as an accountant and her side job as a pie maker! She never imagined she'd see her ex again after 12 years, and the fact that he became her tenant was an extra surprise.
Honestly, I thought they made an amazing couple who definitely deserved to be together and happy, but life threw too many obstacles in their way.
I liked and expected their initial encounter to be rough. I appreciated that Oliver was able to come to terms with his past fairly quickly and explained his reasons for "disappearing." I felt so sad hearing his story and was truly heartbroken 💔.
However, as the story progressed into the middle and end, I started to lose interest. Given how much time they spent together and getting to know each other again, I was expecting a deeper emotional connection to develop. I understood both their hesitations, but their "blindness" and the attitude of "it's only a short fling" were a bit frustrating.
The ending was sweet—I loved that they finally got together. It was a bit dramatic, yes, but cute. I just didn’t like that they only got together in the very last chapter. That timing felt a little rushed for my taste.
ARC Review
Tropes:
Second Chance
Small Town
Celebrity MMC
Returning Home
It's Always Been You
I usually love second-chance romances, and while I did enjoy Kassie and Oliver, this story left me wanting more.
Oliver is back in Richton for a movie after 12 years and didn't expect to find his ex-girlfriend—and the love of his life—there, too.
Kassie didn't expect to be back in Richton either, but she's very content with her life as an accountant and her side job as a pie maker! She never imagined she'd see her ex again after 12 years, and the fact that he became her tenant was an extra surprise.
Honestly, I thought they made an amazing couple who definitely deserved to be together and happy, but life threw too many obstacles in their way.
I liked and expected their initial encounter to be rough. I appreciated that Oliver was able to come to terms with his past fairly quickly and explained his reasons for "disappearing." I felt so sad hearing his story and was truly heartbroken 💔.
However, as the story progressed into the middle and end, I started to lose interest. Given how much time they spent together and getting to know each other again, I was expecting a deeper emotional connection to develop. I understood both their hesitations, but their "blindness" and the attitude of "it's only a short fling" were a bit frustrating.
The ending was sweet—I loved that they finally got together. It was a bit dramatic, yes, but cute. I just didn’t like that they only got together in the very last chapter. That timing felt a little rushed for my taste.
July 14, 2026
**Audiobook Review**
Sometimes the best love is the simplest. “A Simple Love” is a heartfelt, romantic and sweet second chance, small town romance that was a wonderful story to get lost in for a couple hours.
Oliver Hart left Richton to become a star and years later, he’s back there to shoot his new movie. Since he’s there for a few months, he has a rental. And the last person he was expecting to be his landlord is the girl he left behind. Kassie Brennan left Richton for a while as well but is back home as an accountant and making pies for the town. She’s just as shocked to see Oliver and her heart is guarded now that he’s back in town. The feelings they had back then start to resurface as they spend time together.
From the moment I started listening, I was drawn to Oliver and Kassie. Oliver had left Richton to pursue a career in Hollywood and that took guts to do. It’s a scary world out there and he wanted to explore it. But a slimy manager who took from him, really put a damper on how he trusted people. Coming back home was exactly what he needed. Kassie is kind, caring and overall a wonderful person. I loved her from the beginning and that only grew as I listened to the story. Her being his temporary landlord was the perfect way for them to reconnect. The pies she makes were sort of a bridge to that and I found that so sweet. And once they finally gave in into their feelings, they were unstoppable as a couple even if they both agreed it was temporary. The chemistry they had was still very much there and they were such a sweet couple. I loved the ending and the bonus epilogue, it wrapped up the story perfectly.
Maxine Mitchell and John Lane narrated this audio and they were wonderful as Kassie and Oliver. Maxine was perfect as Kassie, her narration was sweet and caring just like her. John brought the protective and vulnerable Oliver alive perfectly. I’m always a happy listener when Maxine and John narrate together.
Sometimes the best love is the simplest. “A Simple Love” is a heartfelt, romantic and sweet second chance, small town romance that was a wonderful story to get lost in for a couple hours.
Oliver Hart left Richton to become a star and years later, he’s back there to shoot his new movie. Since he’s there for a few months, he has a rental. And the last person he was expecting to be his landlord is the girl he left behind. Kassie Brennan left Richton for a while as well but is back home as an accountant and making pies for the town. She’s just as shocked to see Oliver and her heart is guarded now that he’s back in town. The feelings they had back then start to resurface as they spend time together.
From the moment I started listening, I was drawn to Oliver and Kassie. Oliver had left Richton to pursue a career in Hollywood and that took guts to do. It’s a scary world out there and he wanted to explore it. But a slimy manager who took from him, really put a damper on how he trusted people. Coming back home was exactly what he needed. Kassie is kind, caring and overall a wonderful person. I loved her from the beginning and that only grew as I listened to the story. Her being his temporary landlord was the perfect way for them to reconnect. The pies she makes were sort of a bridge to that and I found that so sweet. And once they finally gave in into their feelings, they were unstoppable as a couple even if they both agreed it was temporary. The chemistry they had was still very much there and they were such a sweet couple. I loved the ending and the bonus epilogue, it wrapped up the story perfectly.
Maxine Mitchell and John Lane narrated this audio and they were wonderful as Kassie and Oliver. Maxine was perfect as Kassie, her narration was sweet and caring just like her. John brought the protective and vulnerable Oliver alive perfectly. I’m always a happy listener when Maxine and John narrate together.
August 5, 2026
Hollywood star and small town girl
3.5 stars
This is a second chance romance, following a 12 year separation. Oliver and Kassie were childhood best friends, high school sweethearts and each other's first everything. He takes off for Hollywood, becomes a star and the relationship collapses. When he returns to his hometown for a movie role, he's surprised to realize that his AirBnB is adjacent to Kassie's home.
While both characters are likable and their feelings for each other are believable, I was frustrated by this couple's absence of communication and seeming inability to consider options for staying together. Even though both are truly happy for the first time since they were together, each assumes that their connection must be temporary because they live in different places.
3.5 stars
This is a second chance romance, following a 12 year separation. Oliver and Kassie were childhood best friends, high school sweethearts and each other's first everything. He takes off for Hollywood, becomes a star and the relationship collapses. When he returns to his hometown for a movie role, he's surprised to realize that his AirBnB is adjacent to Kassie's home.
While both characters are likable and their feelings for each other are believable, I was frustrated by this couple's absence of communication and seeming inability to consider options for staying together. Even though both are truly happy for the first time since they were together, each assumes that their connection must be temporary because they live in different places.
August 16, 2026
I was able to read the ebook while listening to the audiobook. John Lane and Maxine Mitchell narrate the audiobook. They did such a great job bringing Kassie and Oliver to life. I loved Kassie’s character. She’s smart, witty and a bit sassy. When Oliver returns to his hometown, he’s now known as a Hollywood leading actor and he’s wondering how Kassie will handle running into him again. They have a strong past together and there’s definitely a vulnerability for Kassie with the situation. This is a wonderful second chance romance. It’s romantic and emotional and all the good feelings. The voice actors really did a wonderful job too.
August 3, 2026
4.5⭐️ 1🌶️
I couldn’t put this book down once I started it. My heart broke for what these characters went through. But their banter was chefs kiss. I love a good second chance romance and this one did not miss. I loved the connection these two shared. And so glad they got the an opportunity to clear the air and come back together in the end. It was such a quick and cute read. It’s definitely worth reading.
I couldn’t put this book down once I started it. My heart broke for what these characters went through. But their banter was chefs kiss. I love a good second chance romance and this one did not miss. I loved the connection these two shared. And so glad they got the an opportunity to clear the air and come back together in the end. It was such a quick and cute read. It’s definitely worth reading.
August 9, 2026
Second Chance at it’s best
I love second chance trope and this did not disappoint. Watching the couple overcome past hurts to be stronger together.
Richton and all the characters we met before in A Simple Life added richness to the story and that warm feeling of coming home.
Definitely a story I will be reading again.
I love second chance trope and this did not disappoint. Watching the couple overcome past hurts to be stronger together.
Richton and all the characters we met before in A Simple Life added richness to the story and that warm feeling of coming home.
Definitely a story I will be reading again.
July 23, 2026
I keep telling my husband we need to move to Canada. Fiction or not this story just reaffirms my feelings on the matter.
I have both read and listened to this story now and I'm not sure which I enjoyed more.
John Lane and Maxine Mitchell are always magical together. As Kassie and Oliver that was no different. They bring Mrs. Moreland's characters right off the page every time.
Reading it though lends a whole different experience. The emotions, challenges, risks, life changes, and healing they both go through make for a beautiful story.
Of course there are laughs, spice, great friendships old and new, lots of pie, and Chinese food, oh and Annie you'll love her too. Hopefully someday we'll get to go back.
I have voluntarily left this review.
I have both read and listened to this story now and I'm not sure which I enjoyed more.
John Lane and Maxine Mitchell are always magical together. As Kassie and Oliver that was no different. They bring Mrs. Moreland's characters right off the page every time.
Reading it though lends a whole different experience. The emotions, challenges, risks, life changes, and healing they both go through make for a beautiful story.
Of course there are laughs, spice, great friendships old and new, lots of pie, and Chinese food, oh and Annie you'll love her too. Hopefully someday we'll get to go back.
I have voluntarily left this review.
July 25, 2026
I received an ARC.
I thought it was a cute story about second chances. The small town vibe definitely set the scene in this book. I think the author did a great job of describing the way the characters felt throughout the story. From the first time seeing each other to all the little moments between.
As much as I liked it just wasn’t able to connect with it as much as I thought I would.
I thought it was a cute story about second chances. The small town vibe definitely set the scene in this book. I think the author did a great job of describing the way the characters felt throughout the story. From the first time seeing each other to all the little moments between.
As much as I liked it just wasn’t able to connect with it as much as I thought I would.
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