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This Time Around

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A Second Chance at Love…
 
Raef Alvero has been groomed his entire life to take over as CEO of Alvero & Alvero. He’s also spent his entire life trying to please his father…Even if that meant giving up the one woman he ever truly loved. Now fate has intervened. Raef is faced with handling the buyout  and closing down of a chain of hair salons…one in which Gemma works. Five years has passed since Raef decided to leave Gemma, but everything comes rushing back when he walks into the salon. All the pain, all the memories…all the love. And he knows he won’t let her go again. Not ever, no matter what else he has to give up.
Can be a dangerous thing.
Gemma Warren knew the salon franchise had been sold …but she never expected the new owner to show up at the shop –and she really never expected he would be the same 6 feet of seduction who left her heartbroken and pregnant 5 years ago. But what she’s feeling –aside from total shock – isn’t hatred. The feelings of love Raef left her with have just been buried deep in her heart ,and now that he’s back, keeping them secret from him will be as impossible as keeping their daughter a secret. With pictures of little Charlotte displayed all over the salon, Raef would know immediately he had a child. Then what…? Could he ever forgive Gemma for hiding her?
A second chance is all they need, some time to forgive, but there’s a sinister plan already set in motion—one that will threaten not only Raef and Gemma’s happiness, but the life of their little girl.

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2016

3 people are currently reading
8 people want to read

About the author

C. Kaye

4 books4 followers

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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for Myra Espino .
1,167 reviews64 followers
February 3, 2018
I have this book for a while now but I haven't got the chance to read it yet. But now, finally I read it.

The story and the characters are good. This book is a second chance romance book. Despite raising their daughter by herself, Gamma did great. At first, I kind of not like Raef but as the story goes I started to like him. Overall, the story is good and I liked it.
Profile Image for Carla.
450 reviews2 followers
October 31, 2016
Romance is not the usual genre that I read, but I just HAD to read C. Kaye's book! Gemma and Raef - their love didn't work out the first time around, but Gemma was left with a daily reminder of their love for one another. Now 5 years later, because of a business deal, they get a second chance. They forgive one another so completely and yes, they both contributed to the fault factor, so it's wonderful when they can put the past behind them and start new. Except - there's a twist! I won't give out any spoilers. You'll have to read it to see for yourself how it all ends, or should I say continues....
Profile Image for Kathy Wideman.
2,613 reviews43 followers
February 6, 2017
This book is a second chance romance book and I really enjoyed reading it. C. Kaye did a great job with this book. Raef and Gemma are great characters. I really felt for them and what was happening in the book. Raef and Gemma had dated 5 years ago. Gemma thought everything was going well and had big news for him. But when she went to tell him he broke up with her instead. He thought he was doing the right thing and Gemma didn't really blame him. Gemma kept her big news to herself. Now Raef is back in Gemma's life. He is poised to take over his family's business. He came to close down her hair salon and instead realized that he and Gemma have a child together. Seeing each other brings all the those old feelings back for both of them. They never really stopped loving each other. Gemma is worried he will just leave again and needs to protect her daughter and herself. Raef is determined to a part of his daughter's life and to get Gemma back. They are going to be a family. But is it really that simple. Raef is about to learn all kinds of things that are going to turn his life upside down. Some are good and some are devastating. Will they be able to be a family or will they be forced apart once again? This book has some major twists and turns. Gemma and Raef really do love each other but there are outside forces at work that don't want them to be together. I felt for Raef when some of the secrets were reveled. Charlie their daughter is just too cute. She talks all the time and is adorable. I highly recommend this book. There is some sex but not much and not all the graphic in detail. I hope there will be more books about Gemma and Raef in the future.

I was given this book in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Whitney Cannavina.
Author 8 books127 followers
January 6, 2017
I received an ARC for an honest review
Review by Country Gals BOOK Blog

Raef has been working hard to get to the position of taking over his fathers company. Leaving the only woman he's ever loved behind in the process has always weighed on him, but it seems now as if he may get his second chance with her. But finding out his one love had his little girl and didn't say anything has tilted his world and now he needs to figure out how to make it right.

Gemma is a single mom by choice. She works hard and loves her job as a mom and hairstylist but now that her shop has been bought out, she worries about where to go from here. When her daughters father, homer ex, walks in, she has more to worry about than her job. Now she has to figure out how to explain to him that she's had a daughter with him and never told him.

Raef and Gemma's story is not easy. Both were heart broken, both had secrets, and both still love each other. Gemma's choice to keep Her pregnancy from Raef was understandable. Raef's reaction when finding out could have been worse but you could tell he was confused. The events leading up to the pregnancy, split, and second chance gave me hope for these two. They had great chemistry, understanding, and love on their side. The writing was good and flowed easily and the choice of the plot and climax worked. I didn't exactly connect with the characters, but the story itself was really good. I'd recommend this sweet read.
Profile Image for Jennifer Pierson.
11.7k reviews188 followers
January 17, 2017
Gemma Warren's life hasn't been the easiest, after she lost her parents when she was eighteen years old. She fell in love with a man name Raef, and thought they were forever, but when he left her out of the blue, she was very hurt, but he left her something in the meantime. Now five years later, she knows that her salon has been sold, but when the owner shows up, she is shocked to see the man she never stopped loving. But at the same time, she's in fear since he isn't aware that he left her pregnant. Raef Alvero has grown up being groomed to take over the family business of Alvero & Alvero, while spending all of his time trying to please his father. When his father said to get rid of Gemma, Raef did it, even though it broke his heart in the process. However, fate is a fickle thing, it gave him a second chance when he came face to face with Gemma, and all of the love that never went away, all comes rushing back. But will Raef and Gemma forgive each other for the hurts of the past, and a secret revealed?

I really enjoyed this book a lot! So much in fact, that when it was over, I was upset because I felt it wasn't finished. Of course I told myself that it was wishful thinking, but when I learned that there will be more, I may or may not have bern dancing it out. Raef and Gemma were awesome characters that had some obstacles in life, and I loved them. There was also some serious well placed humor in the form of a tiny human named Charley, that kept me laughing. I had never read C. Kaye before, but boy am I glad that I have now, as her talented writing style drew me in quickly, and kept me planted in my seat until the very last page. There were some out of left field twists that had me dropping f-bombs like a sailor, and some emotional moments that threatened to make my eyes leak. For me, some of the story was a bit too rushed, although I now know that there's more, so color me 100% intrigued by this author who is new to me. I cannot wait to read more of Raef and Gemma's story, plus the other entertaining cast of secondaries, (not to mention her other stories), so I'll just end with HIGHLY RECOMMENDING This Time Around!
Profile Image for Marialee.
164 reviews
January 22, 2017
Copy received from Author for honest review.

This is the first book that I have read by C. Kaye and I thought that it was a very sweet second chance romance book.

This is the story about Gemma and Raef. Gemma is a hairstylist and Raef is a higher up in his fathers company. What neither of them know is that they are both about to come into each others life after not seeing each other for 5 years.

Raef's father just bought out the salon chain that Gemma works at and it is Raef's job to go and talk with all of the salons and nothing can prepare Gemma for the love of her life that she lost 5 years ago to walk in. She also wasn't expecting for him to learn about the 4 year old little girl that she has. Which can only mean one thing, especially after he sees that photos of the girl, that he is a father. Will there be a second chance at love? What will Raef's reaction be finding out that he has a 4 year old daughter?

This second chance love story will melt your heart. One look at Gemma and Raef discovers that he never fell out of love with her. Only problem is, is will he ever forgive Gemma for not telling him that he has a daughter? You will feel the love these two have for each other through the wonderful words that the author has put on the pages. You will fall in love with all of the characters. This book has love, hurt, drama, and suspense. You won't be disappointed!

Reviewing for Night and Day Book Blog...http://blog.ndbbr2014.com
Profile Image for A Book Lover's Emporium Book Blog.
2,816 reviews171 followers
January 11, 2017
I really liked this book, the story definitely made me shed a few tears and I was quite emotional at a few points in the story. I had sort of predicted the way the story was going to go from the blurb, but I was surprised by the turn of events at one point! Held my breath for a while there.
I can't tell you the feelings I have for Raef's father! He is one nasty piece of work. I love little Charlotte. She is a proper character, a real credit to her mum, Gemma.
Poor Gemma, being treated the way she was five years ago wasn't pleasant. She is a strong woman though and she managed, and managed well too.
After breaking her heart five years ago Gemma decided not to tell Raef she was pregnant. Probably not a great idea looking back on it, but it happens. Once Raef is back in her life, to tell her that the salon she works in is closing, within minutes he spots pictures of Charlotte. There is no mistaking her being his child. The ball starts rolling from there. It's a case of learning to trust again for Gemma. Not an easy task.
I did feel that we could do with more of a background to get to know the situation in more detail from five years ago, to get more of a feel of their feelings throughout the years but it is a great story nonetheless.
I would be happy to read more from this Author.
Profile Image for Lita Thomas.
1,568 reviews27 followers
January 18, 2017
This Time Around by C. Kaye is a cute tale about Gemma, a young lady who took an incident that would have devastated other young ladies but she held her own. She now has a salon with a friend and they love what they do. When they get the news the salon has been bought by a large beauty corporation she and her co-owner are worried what is in store for their little salon. When Rafe the owner of the corporation goes to visit the salon he discovers that the girl he broke up with has been keeping a secret from him. When he looks into Gemma’s work station he sees a picture of a little girl who looks just like his sister did when she was little. He realizes he has a daughter he never knew existed and that Gemma kept that secret. This is a story of a second chance for two people who never stopped loving each other. This was not your ordinary boy finds out about baby story. There are a few twist and turns which turned this story into much more. I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader Copy of this story. I truly enjoyed this story and give it 4.5 stars.
Profile Image for Paula D.
1,580 reviews55 followers
January 13, 2017
Gemma is a single mother a hairdresser owner and loves her daughter Charley with all her heart. Five years later Gemma's ex Raef shows up and is shocked to find out he has a daughter. Will Raef forgive Gemma? Will the past come out about why Raef broke up with Gemma? Lots of drama in this book but one thing that overpowers everything is love. I loved this story and so happy they got there happy ever after they both deserved. 4/5 stars ****Reviewed for Sweet & Spicy Read provided for a voluntarily Advanced Reader Copy of this book ****
668 reviews3 followers
January 16, 2017
This is a good story about second chance love that is sure to keep you hooked for hours! A fast-paced read that will intrigue you, keep you guessing, and will help you believe in true love conquering all.

Gemma and Raef and Max and Charley are great and interesting characters that will amuse you, delight you and touch you.

I was gifted a copy and this review was made objectively and without influence from anybody.
Profile Image for Michelle Brace .
1,736 reviews15 followers
January 17, 2017
This was a good book about two characters that have the chance for a second chance at love. This book was sweet and the characters were both understanding and forgiving of the other. Just when you think you know exactly how everything is going to play out BAM you are left shocked and surprised. The author did a great job at giving us the unexpected that's for sure.

I really enjoyed this book and if you are looking for a sweet second chance romance than this is for you!
Profile Image for United Indie Book Blog.
4,681 reviews85 followers
January 21, 2017
This is a second chance romance. Raef Alvero left the love of his life five years ago to pursue his career. Gemma raises their daughter on her own without Raef's knowledge. Business intervenes causing them to cross paths once again. This time around Raef must prove to Gemma and Charlotte that he is not leaving. All of this is tested when Raef's dad interferes. This book I felt too wordy.


review by Ann
Profile Image for Ann.
1,939 reviews32 followers
January 8, 2017
This is a second chance romance. Raef Alvero left the love of his life five years ago to pursue his career. Gemma raises their daughter on her own without Raef's knowledge. Business intervenes causing them to cross paths once again. This time around Raef must prove to Gemma and Charlotte that he is not leaving. All of this is tested when Raef's dad interferes. This book I felt too wordy.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews

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