Take a Chance

A Pine Cone Romance #2

by D. Jackson Leigh

Veterinarian Trip Beaumont likes being a big fish in a small pond. There’s hardly an animal she can’t heal or a woman she can’t charm within fifty miles of Pine Cone, Georgia—except for the irritating and elusive new cop who keeps leaving parking tickets on her truck.

Officer Jamie Grant has never liked rule breakers, but she’s especially incensed when she discovers Trip owns the truck that is constantly parked illegally. She’s searched carefully for a quiet, eclectic community to settle down with her drug-sniffing—albeit gastric-challenged—canine partner, Petunia. Instead, she finds herself on a collision course with the woman who stole her college girlfriend and broke her heart after an ill-conceived threesome.

Genres: LGBT, Romance, Lesbian, Lesbian Romance, Animals, Queer, Audiobook

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2018

About the author

D. Jackson Leigh grew up barefoot and happy, swimming in farm ponds and riding rude ponies in rural south Georgia. Her love of reading was nurtured early on by her grandmother, an English teacher who patiently taught her to work New York Times crossword puzzles in the daily paper, and by her mother who stretched the slim family budget to bring home grocery store copies of Trixie Belden mysteries and Bobbsey Twins adventures that Jackson would sit up all night reading.

It was her passion for writing led her quite accidentally to a career in journalism and, ultimately, North Carolina where she lives with her small pack of three terror, uh, terriers.

Reviews

[Lex Kent · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 Stars. This is the second book in A Pine Cone Romance series. I did not enjoy this as much as the first book that was by Missouri Vaun, but I did still like it. Just as a reminder all three books in this series are by three different authors.

These books are about a group of three best friends and their potential love interests, living in small town Pine Cone. This book stars veterinarian Trip and new police officer Jamie. Trip is not only the vet but also small town royalty because of her family name. She tends to park her big truck anywhere she likes to. As soon as the new officer starts working, Trip starts getting more parking tickets than she can count. Trip is pissed but doesn’t realize the new officer is actually a woman she has a very shaky past with. What will happen when Trip realizes the one woman she can’t forget is actually the new officer?

The way this book was written, the first half is new scenes sprinkled with scenes you would have already read if you read the first book. Then the second half of the book was all new and seems to pick up after the first book ended. Writing this way brought some good and bad points to it. I liked seeing how Trips character interpreted scenes differently than Clay (the star of the first book) did in book one. But there were some scenes that were too much of a repeat that you don’t come away with any new information. I found myself sort of skimming them since I had read them already in book one. VK Powell is writing book three which will be out soon. Another thing I didn’t like is this book gives some spoilers into what will happen in Powell’s book. Reading this book gives the basic romance plot away for what happens in the third book. While I really like the change of three authors writing books in a series, I’m a little worried how the last book will turn out.

When it comes to the good, I enjoyed the main plot of this book. I liked the police work of Jamie’s character and the vet work of Trip. If you are an animal lover, you will enjoy many scenes in this book. Trip was my least favorite character overall so it did take me a while to warm to her. However Jamie’s was really interesting and easy to like.

The romance itself is decent. I like that it took a while for them to get together. The big three words were said a little quickly for my tastes but since they had history I’m more okay with it. I wish there was a tad more chemistry between them. I believed them as a couple, but I wanted more spark.

While I definitely recommend the first book more, this story did keep me reading and I liked it. No big wow moments but a decent read. I am still looking forward to reading the third book; I just hope it’s not ruined by the spoilers from this one.

An ARC was given to me by BSB, for a honest review.

[Joc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trip Beaumont is the large animal vet in Pine Cone, Georgia, which is the setting for the second book in the series called A Pine Cone Romance. She is from a privileged background, was a college basketball player and is really good with animals, having left a big city practice to return home to a more rural lifestyle. She’s not very good at parking though, and seems to be the bane of Deputy Jamie Grant’s existence if her ever-increasing pile of fines is anything to go by.

Each book in the series is written by a different author. The first was written by Missouri Vaun and deals with Clay Cahill and the last is by VK Powell with Grace Booker as the lead character. What makes this series different is that the stories of the three friends (Clay, Trip and Grace) run concurrently rather than consecutively. It makes a nice change but it has it’s disadvantages too.

There are a number of incidences where the three friends are together in the first book and they are repeated in the second book but from the point of view of Trip. I imagine that the same occurrences will appear when Grace is the lead character, filling in the last of the puzzle pieces. This means there is quite a bit of repetition. If the books are read far apart from each other the repetition will be useful in reminding you what happen previously. On the plus side, the books don’t need to be read in sequence or if you’re not particularly fond of one of the author’s writing, it probably wouldn’t make much difference if you skipped her book.

Trip and Jamie have a history going back to their college days which is fraught with assumptions, self-esteem issues and miscommunication. They’re both likeable characters but, and I don’t often feel like this, I really liked the dog, Petunia, more. I feel their issues were solved too easily whereas Petunia had to struggle for her self-actualisation and good health.

The story here is nice enough and about a 3.25 star read for me. However, I enjoyed seeing the way the pieces of the series started coming together and I admire the work it takes to get three stories by separate authors to work. That pushes the rating over 3.5 stars.

Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

[Gaby LezReviewBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is part of the 'Pine Cone romance' series by three different authors: 'Take my hand' by Missouri Vaun, 'Take a chance' by D. Jackson Leigh and 'Take your time' by V.K. Powell. This series follows the lives of three friends: Clay, Trip and Grace in the small town of Pine Cone, Georgia.

There are series written by an author that usually need to be read in chronological order, series of standalone novels by different authors under a common theme, and the 'Pine Cone romance' series which is a bit peculiar. In this series the three different authors decided to create three romances (one in each book) but with the three stories overlapping. For example, if the three friends share a scene, it will appear in all three books but with a different point of view. D. Jackson Leigh says in her acknowledgements that it was arduous to write. Well, sometimes it's also arduous to read. I personally found some issues, one is that after reading the first book (whichever the order) the reader has sometimes a sense of deja vu, a feeling of having read that before because... they read it in the previous book. It works fine in some scenes as it gives other characters' perspectives but in other cases it is tedious. Also, some events that overlap in the books give information that act as spoilers for the other books' stories which is a bit annoying. Finally, I found that there are a number of unresolved secondary plots which are main plots in the other books, so in order to grasp the full story, you need to read all the series. So I guess readers can rate each book separately but also the series as a whole. Due to these problems appear throughout the series, you'll see some of my comments repeated in the other reviews.

Trip Beaumont is Pine Cone's veterinarian and a well known player. Officer Jamie Grant is the new police officer in town, owner of a drug sniffing dog called Petunia. Trip is intrigued by the elusive officer who frequently writes her parking tickets but when they finally cross paths they realise that they have a conflicted past in common. Will they be able to leave the past behind to build a future together?

'Take a chance' is a slow burn romance with a dog as a cute secondary character. Animals play a big part in this book with Petunia at the forefront, a variety of big and small animals and in horses' metaphors used by Trip. There are a few flashbacks to the main characters' shared past but most of the story ocurrs in the present. The secondary characters are a bit flat, specially for the ex girlfriend. The main conflict seems a bit irrelevant and Jamie's PTSD is treated lightly. The subplot involving Petunia is not completely resolved considering that she's such an important secondary character. But, most importantly, the subplot regarding Trip's veterinarian colleague is left unresolved, surely to be covered in 'Take your time'.

Overall, an ok romance read that might interest animal lovers. 3.5 stars.

ARC provided by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

See all my reviews at
www.lezreviewbooks.wordpress.com

[MJSam · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I knew going in that this was part of a trilogy written by different authors, which was why I was intrigued enough to read it, even given the description, which didn’t exactly grab me as I’m not a huge fan of past lover stories. What I didn’t realise was that the three books take place at the same time (although this extends slightly past where book 1 ended), and this was a mistake in my opinion. The downfall of the overlapping nature of the books means that a ton of spoilers for the third book appear in this one, that wasn’t so apparent from the first to the second books, as not much is revealed about Trip and Jamie in book 1, but having to read very long scenes again here was tedious. And I’m sure writing three separate stories about the same characters would make keeping the details straight hard, but River’s aunt changes names from the first book (Eve) to this one (Ellen).

My second major issue was that Trip was my least favourite of the three characters in the first book, and here that was amplified, at least in the first third of the book. Her over inflated sense of self importance was astounding. Here’s what she thinks about being ticketed for parking in front of a hydrant or in no parking spaces, every damn day.

“But she did give weight to her value to the community. And, by God, she was an important person in these parts, and she ought to be able to park wherever she wanted.” Oh please.

And as with the first book, not only do we have the three main characters and their love interests, but there are also several other bi/lesbian/gay minor characters. Given how many bi/lesbian women there are you’d think there would be enough to go around, but Trip implies she’s going to send the details of one of the women she’s sleeping with to Clay, and that there’s another woman in town that they ‘share’. Gross.

Trip’s characterisation does get better though, she’s good to her friends, extended family, and other locals, and great with animals.

I also liked Jamie, (and that she was a POC, although this isn’t really defined until the 70% mark and could have been better used). Her side storyline about homelessness and the people she helped was interesting, but the dilemma with her dog took up way too much space.

Trip and Jamie also hover around each other for much of the first two thirds of the book, then finally discuss the ‘issue’ between them and then wham, ‘we’re over it, let’s get it on’. There’s also a vague miscommunication based on insecurities at the end just like in book 1.

I didn’t enjoy this as much as book one, and given what I already know about book 3, it’ll be hard for VK Powell to overcome the fact that much of her book has probably already been covered in the first two. I think she got the short straw here. Missouri Vaun lucked out by going first.

I give this 3 stars, rounding up from 2.75 only because I think the format the authors chose constrained Jackson Leigh here (as she hints in the acknowledgements). If they’d chosen to do a normal trilogy that took place in the same location but over different time periods I think this would have been better.

[Lexxi Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a quick note: This is the second book in the trilogy. A trilogy set in the same small village in ... why can I never remember if this is in South Carolina or Georgia? *reads book description* Right, Georgia (there were several mentions, in the book, about South Carolina, which is why that state was also lodged in my brain).

Right, so - the first book involved someone from 'out of town', a 'yankee' at that, who was brought to the small town through inheritance. An aunt she didn't really know left the woman, River, her belongings, which included an art galley, a car, and a . . . I think a house though I do not recall now. River, being all femme like and stuff, 'fell for' Clay upon first sight; Clay, 'all butch like' (or was she sporty? eh, all three books made a point of pointing these specific things out so I include them in the reviews) also was 'struck' upon seeing River, hurdles had to be overcome . . . . etc. etc.

Second book, this book here, included a book involving a 'person of color', though, despite seeing this character in two other books (book 1 and 3), this is the first time I learned of this specific issue. I'm either not very observant, or it wasn't an issue that was brought up, much, in the other two books (and here, while it was brought up several times, it was somewhat lightly brought up). I forget if Jaime is also described as a 'yankee', though Dani certainly is (Dani being the 'outsider' in book 3). Regardless, Jaime is 'different' in being an outsider, and 'from the projects', oh and having, as the book notes 'caramel skin'. But let's get into book 2 later.

Third book also includes an outsider mixing it up with an insider - Dani the zoo vet from Baltimore. Who, like in book 2, also hooks up with a police officer. Or, in other words, both of the books involves a police officer hooking up with an animal doctor. Difference being which individual is the 'outsider' and which is the 'insider'.

Right, that's kind of boring and I already did that three book description thingie elsewhere, so back to book 2.

Book 2 stars Trip, the money conscious animal doctor (well she did seem constantly aware of money, how much certain things pull in money wise, etc. etc.), who, 'despite' that money comment, is from an 'ultra rich' local family and living in a massive mansion like place. Before I move onto the second main character, I'd like to note: there were many comments about Trip and her mother, all made in passing, all vague, all seeming to indicate that they do not have a great relationship but . . . the Beaumont family, Trip being in that family, is the 'top tier' family in the small town and I've read enough books involving such descriptions so . . . where was the 'forced' interactions with the mother? Or was she dead? I became confused somewhere along the line if the mother was dead (just like Trip became confused, every once in a while, as to whether she had living siblings (she does, though, apparently, she has nothing to do with them, preferring to see her friends Clay and Grace as her family; along with the people who live/work on her estate).

mmphs. That paragraph got away from me. So let's retry that, eh?

Trip is the ultra-player in the group of three Pine Cove friends. The kind who has no problem sleeping with her vet practice clients . . . and . . . um . . stuff, you know, she's a 'real player'. As cliche as it might be, there was someone who 'stole her heart' long ago which 'turned' Trip in this player direction (though she had that reputation way back then as well). She's from a rich family, is an animal doctor, played college basketball, and . . . hmms.

Jaime is the other main character. The story starts with her already living and working inside Pine Cove, as the newest police officer. She's a military veteran with PTSD issues. She comes with a trained drug dog, though the dog has a gas problem (is important issue). Something like, hmm, 15 years ago, Jaime left the projects and went to college - played basketball there. Became best friends with a fellow teammate, only to catch that teammate doing something horrifying and betraying, and responding by fleeing into the military. One thing lead to another and Jaime is where she is now - a police officer in the same town as that former college friend/teammate who betrayed her.

To a certain extent this specific book might be best read third instead of second, and definitely not as a stand-alone. Not as a stand-alone - there are many plot lines mentioned, shown, and very much not followed in this book that would be frustrating for anyone trying to read this book without knowledge of how those plot lines were resolved - those plot lines that intersected with the Grace & Dani storyline, and the plot lines involving River & Clay. Entire scenes are recreated in this book that occurred in the other two books, mostly from new viewpoints, but there are scenes that just can't be included because they weren't seen from either Jaime or Trip's point of view. Though I had expected the epilogue to fill in some of the blanks, maybe not all of them, but enough to give a satisfying enough 'closure' to those plotlines followed in the other books (obviously enough some things couldn't be mentioned, shown, etc., but we are talking about three books set at the same time, following connected people, so no matter how the three books ended, they would cause issues - either because they revealed too much about the other books/plot lines, or not enough).

I liked the depth found in this book, and I liked what was revealed. Especially as neither of the two leads were characters I was especially interested in when they appeared in the other books (one of the reasons it took me a while to read this one). Though I liked them well-enough in this book here. Mostly better than expected.

Rating: 4.15

August 4 2018

[Corrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Take a Chance (A Pine Cone Romance #2) was the second book of a three part series about three friends living in the small city of Pine Cone, Georgia. This was an ARC copy so I had no chance to read the first book and even though this can be read as a stand-alone, I felt like jumping in halfway.

I am not a fan of grown women behaving like the dude-bros Trip and her friend Clay obviously are. And what’s up with all the horse metaphors when talking about ‘hunting’ for a potential woman… puhleeze *insert eye-roll*

The vet part of the story was entertaining, so was the parking ticket part. But I did not understand most of the weirdness that was Dana and Grace. I guess (hope) that’s mostly going to be explained in book three, but it felt weirdly disjointed. Come to think of it so was whatever was going on between Clay and River.

D. Jackson Leigh’s style reminded me a bit of Radclyffe at times and I guess the whole noble butch type is not really my cup of tea. The plot leaned heavy on sentiment in everyone involved getting there happy ending. It felt all a tad too convenient. I did have a soft spot for flatulent wonder dog Petunia.

Will I read book one and three? The jury is still out on that one.

f/f explicit

Themes: basketball, so… you repeatedly fuck this kinky redhead stable owner six ways to Sunday with no problem but the minute you encounter her when you have your potential girlfriend in tow, you feel you need saving from that cray-cray bitch, what’s up with Dana? Is she good or is she hinky? I can’t tell, I guess everybody in Pine Cone is blessed with a fast metabolism, the way they pack away the local cuisine and keep looking so fabulous is miraculous.

3.4 stars

* A free copy was provided by Netgalley and Bold Strokes Inc. for an honest review.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by D. Jackson Leigh and it didn't disappoint. This is part of a trilogy of books that takes place in the same fictional Georgia town, each by different authors.

We open on Trip Beaumont, a large animal vet with a quick wit and a penchant for illegal parking. We learn early on that she's no stranger to the ladies, and I fell for the humor of the book at the start. Enter Jamie Grant, post-military, with a trained service dog now working for the local police (and enjoying ticketing Trip's always errant vehicle).

I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't groundbreaking by any means, but it was humorous and also very grounded. I loved the small town feel about it, how Jamie dealt with the local drama, and how interconnected things were without it being over the top. This made me laugh and also want to volunteer with the local girls and boys club.

Excellent steamy romance with a side of college history and great supporting characters.

A copy of this book was provided to me by Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley for an honest review.

[Det. Nidhi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second book in the pine cone series and this was way better than the first book. I still think the first book suffered too much because of character introduction. Nevertheless this is a great read.

Trip is the local vet, while Jamie is a ex military cop who now works for the Pine cone Police department. They both have history, as they were college mates and a sorry turn of events led to their estrangement. After almost 15 years they get a second chance to revisit their relationship.
They bond over Jamie's dog Petunia, who has a gastric problem, and it goes them a reason to talk to each other.

This story was not something new. But the southern setting gives it a charming look. Not to forget the whacky citizens of Pine cone. I did find it difficult to navigate through some southern terms but other than that i found this to be a witty book. I loved Jamie's character and the entire troupe about parking tickets was hilarious.

This was an enjoyable read and I would totally recommend it :)

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d heard before about the way the series works. Three books that follow three couples as they get together, all happening at roughly the same time, and each can be read as standalone stories. And while I enjoyed the first book, which follows Clay and River, this is the one where I understood the ingenuity of the project.

Even as we see Trip and Jamie first meet each other again and work through their problems, we also see how River and Clay meet and fall for each other through different eyes. We also get a glimpse into Dani and Grace’s romance, which is fully revealed in the final book. It’s masterfully done, ensuring continuity of events across the stories, and Take a Chance provides nuances and insights into the first book that we wouldn’t have otherwise.

Full review: https://www.thelesbianreview.com/take...

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Take a Chance (Pine Cone Romance #2)” is the second of a very intriguing lesfic trilogy featuring the romantic interests and interactions between three long-time friends in a small community. What makes the trilogy intriguing is that while the same narrator is used for all three books, (1) each book is written by a different author, and (2) each book covers the same timeframe in the lives of the women…but from the perspective of one of the MCs.

Book #1 introduced us the the many MCs and side characters, and in book #2 we relive the same events as book 1, but this time from the POVs of Veterinarian Trip Beaumont and her BFF Grace’s new deputy, officer Jamie Grant.

The book begins with very hot narration, and VERY hot sex between player Trip and one of her clients with benefits, Virginia. We then move on to the crash at the Clip’N Curl, and we see Trip try to move in on River before Clay completely distracts River.

Tripp’s exasperation grows daily as she constantly receives tickets from the new officer J. Grant for parking illegally. For me, Trip was the most unlikable of the three MCs, but I did like her romantic interest Jamie, and Jamie’s dog Petunia provided terrific comic relief…relief….get it? Well, you will if you listen to this book!

The story revisits the BBQ, the discussion at the swimming hole, and Trip setting up Clay having to lunch with River, and Bo’s kidnapping of River; same events, different POVs and different details as the book focuses on Trip and Jamie. We learn of the past relationship and bad blood between Trip and Jamie, we learn that what they each thought they knew of past events might not be accurate, and we follow Trip’s efforts to convince Jamie to trust her.

There’s quite the surprise twist that presents the typical 75% completion level breakup before BSBs makeup and declare love!

This is an enjoyable book, with terrific narration, but as I said I just never really liked Trip nearly as much as Clay, and I recommend “Take a Chance” with 4*. It’s only by listening to book #2 after book #1 that you’ll appreciate the uniqueness of the trilogy, and I encourage you to listen to these stories of the women of Pine Cove.

[Laure · Rating 2 out of 5]

2⭐️

I LOVED Petunia … the poor thing had huge belly aches and their smelling consequences were the source of some funny passages. But apart for the pup this book didn’t work for me, even less than the 1st book in the series. So I won’t talk about the MCs, seriously …it is not worth it.

In addition, ⚠️ I really wonder where the hell was the editor for this book…

° Sometimes “enter” has clearly been pressed when it shouldn’t have & sometimes hasn’t been pressed when it should have been but I could live with that if that was all that was messed up.

° An error has been made on the dialogues in the common scenes between the books … => That some pieces of the dialogues are kept out in one or the other book to be more developed in the novel where the person who says things is the MC of said book, OK, I totally get it … But for the dialogues which appear in EVERY books in the series it would have seem logical to have the EXACT same words, don’t you think ?? Maybe most people didn’t notice because they read the books separately but when you read one book after the other like I did, this kind of thing is highly upsetting …

BUT …

° What bothered me, even really pissed me off was the very bad edition job when it comes of even more evident things. An example of huge mistake ?? Well, here is an easy one => River’s aunt who is called “EVE Gardner” in Book1 & Book3, is called “ELLEN Gardner” in this second instalment but only God knows by what twisted “miracle”…

[Loek Krancher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Again a romantic trip to Pine Cone and again I was captivated by the characters from the start. A special place in my heart is for Petunia. P is my little hero. This second book is about bitter memories, a second change, an officer, PTSD, a lot of animals and of course our 3 friends. The quality of writing is excellent and the dialogues are playful. I love how the 3 authors work together in this trilogy and I can highly recommend this series.

[Les Rêveur · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the A Pine Cone Romance novel trilogy series and this time D. Jackson Leigh takes the reigns to tell us Trips love story.

Trip is the cool kid in her small town of Pine Cone and she knows it. She’s a little cocky but has a big heart and is fiercely protective of all she loves. Trip likes the easy life of fast women and fast horses, definitely not ready to settle down. She becomes disgruntled by the incessant new cop in town that keeps smacking parking tickets to her car… doesn’t she know who Trip is? New cop in town is Officer Jamie Grant who is cool as a cucumber until her PTSD springs to life from her days of tours in Afghanistan. Jamie is annoyed with larger than life Trip parking where she wants when she wants with her devil may care attitude, but could she be more annoyed at the woman she left behind at college who broke her heart? Yes, Trip and Jamie were best friends in college and when a three way went wrong with Jamie’s then girlfriend, Trip took the blame for something that was never her fault… She was in love with Jamie and always thought their love was unrequited. Can they now find a way to put the past behind them and rediscover their true feelings?

This book is the unrequited love trope I love with a twist and it made for a charming storyline, one that if I’m honest I did not want to end. I really enjoyed the character dynamic with this book, of two very strong independent women who aren’t looking for love but fall for the one they already love. It is quite an angsty story but in a enjoyable way. I have to say that I found Trip quite arrogant in the first book but all came to light when reading this and I really enjoyed her depth of character that D. Jackson Leigh was able portray, especially in the moments Trip was with Jamie or her friends. Jamie’s character blew me away, she’s been through so much and yet still comes out the other side a good person. Her feelings for Trip are interesting to watch unfold because you get the sense it is all an emotional wall to keep from getting hurt again but when she begins to let her walls down its’ quite exciting to see how their relationship develops, especially when the lies that have shaped their past relationship all come to light. The chemistry and dynamic between these two is fantastic and becomes even more intense when their sexual desires take over.

Before reading this book I highly recommend reading the first book in the series Take My Hand by Missouri Vaun where you will be introduced to Trip as well as the other Pine Cone must read characters.

5 stars

[currentlyreadingbynat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Take a Chance is the second book in a trilogy set in the small town of Pine Cove, Georgia. This installment follows Trip, an animal doctor from a wealthy family, and Jaime, a police officer and military veteran dealing with PTSD. The story explores their complicated pasts, including a betrayal that separated them years ago, as well as the current tension in their reconnection.

While the romance between the leads has its charm, the novel is heavily interwoven with plot lines from the previous and future books. I haven't read either of the other books in this trilogy, and had no issues with reading it as a standalone.

Overall, Take a Chance offers depth and insight into both characters' emotional journeys, despite the occasionally slow pacing. Though the novel tackles a lot of backstory, it brings in unique elements of small-town life, familial expectations, and personal growth, making it an engaging part of the series. I just wish there was a tad more chemistry between the mains, as it relied heavily on their past connection.

[Jane Shambler · Rating 3 out of 5]

My reading this series in order in itself was a miracle. I would also like to point out I didn't know that there were three books in the series and I totally missed the first one. I spent a few months in hospital and in bed with nothing to do but read.

I started reading this book and immediately felt the fresh air on my face and the freedom of the countryside. The annoyance of the parking tickets I put down the the staff prodding and poking. So yeah I really enjoyed this book.

It's a slow burn romance based on college friends now grown and living in the real world. Resentment turning to love.

It's a really nice story. One you could read on a sunday afternoon while sipping a coffee enjoying the sun. Come on what's better than that?
I would recommend this book without a doubt. Enjoy!

*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*

[Aj Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

So, this is book two in the loosely connected Pine Cone series with each book written by a different author, they share a setting and some of the same characters but each focus on a different romantic pairing. Apparently (I looked it up) a "pinecone moment" is a moment when two characters connect and realise they're in love, i.e. in The Sound of Music Maria unwittingly sits on a pointy pinecone at the dinner table and shrieks, much to the Captain's disapproval. Later he admits that that was when he fell in love with her. (All together now, awwwww). Basically, pinecone = mushy!

I hope that using this name for the series and calling the town 'Pine Cone' is meant to be ironic or at least an in-joke between the three authors, because Jesus Christ this book is riddled with cringey clichés. It could could be read as a tongue in cheek piss-take of the genre and the 'rulebook for lesfic romance', or you could just not read this book at all (you wouldn't really be missing out - I mean butch with androgynous name plays the field because she had her heart broken and now can't trust anyone. New girl arrives in down, hot but has a mysterious past; we've all read that book!). As I read this on my kindle, every time I came across yet another cliché I'd highlight it and make a note, I don't think I've ever had so many notes on a single book. I won't list them all here but we have the poor inner-city kid done good, (she escaped the dangerous projects downtown and went to College), we have our two heroes playing basketball against the local thugs to re-claim the cracked basketball court for the boys & girls club (everybody's a winner in the end)

"Trip" our local butch is a white Georgia farm and mansion owner with black live in staff, which makes me slightly uncomfortable, there's even a scene where Trip tells Jamie not to pick up after herself as Essie, the housekeeper will enjoy picking them up in the morning! This is later explained away as keeping the old lady going, but still, it's weird). More subtle racism is evident in describing to a POC's skin as "caramel" and "latte". Alex K. Thorne wrote a good blog post about how this fetishises skin colour on the Ylva site (https://www.ylva-publishing.com/2018/...) that really made me aware of just how common a trait this is and more importantly how weird it would be to describe white skin as yoghurt or flour etc.

I could go on but I'm getting pissed off again now, so I'll stop.

Oh wait, there are so many discussions about dog fart and horse semen it's bloody hilarious!

If you really want to read a book by this author read Swelter

[Kexx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this. Love the way D Jackson crafts her characters and the story. Trying to work out linkage with Vaun & Powell tales in same small town / characters. Some hard hitting themes. Highly recommended.

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be troubling in a variety of ways. While other books go out of their way to explain what the characters look like, this one didn’t even try, I had no idea that Jamie was supposed to be Latinx until like 60 percent of the book. Overall a bad story with almost no plot and they spent most of it rehashing what happened in the first book and setting up for the third book. Ian actually very interested in Grace’s story after all the teasers in this one. I think that the characters weren’t very well developed, i also think the dramas that broke hem up was forced and Jamie just got over it so quickly. Like one minute she was angry and the next she is ready to forgive for a chance in Trips pants. Also do not even get me started on he problematic nature of having black “servants” in the south. I don’t care if she is letting the woman live there and giving her family work for her it still seems wrong and vaguely racially insensitive. So I did not like this books, and I love some of the authors other works, but this left a bad taste in my mouth.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley.

['Nathan Burgoine · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I mentioned in Take My Hand, the format of these three Pine Cone romance books is really, really cool—unlike a typical series, they happen concurrently. The three best friends: Clay, Trip, and Grace, are falling in love at the same time with their three ladies, and watching key events unfold from the different POVs of the characters is really, really cool. I am humbled by how well the three authors did the shared scenes/shared timelines/shared characters thing—I can only imagine how difficult it was to wrangle everything.

This story brings us Trip—the local vet and former basketball star—and a new former-soldier turned deputy, Jamie, who has an unusual partner: a drug sniffing dog with a bit of a gas problem. Okay, a lot of a gas problem. Okay, Petunia can clear a room faster than anything, really, and it's starting to be a real concern.

While Trip gets annoyed at how many tickets she's picking up from the new deputy (doesn't she know that Trip belongs to a founding family and is only trying to do her job and doesn't always have time to care about parking rules?), Jamie is struggling hard not to bump into her at all, which is a problem in a small town.

Because they've met. And things were left in a bad place.

When the two do finally end up face to face, it's obvious that the past isn't in the past, and the feelings are still raw, and Trip wants a second chance—and Jamie wants none of that. But a sick dog needs a vet, and despite herself, Jamie can't help but wonder how much Trip might have changed...

I really appreciated Leigh's inclusion of PTSD here, and it was done spot-on to my experience with how triggers and daily life sneak in and upset routines that otherwise help so much. I also knew to expect sizzle from Leigh's other books, and this was no exception.

Onward to Take Your Time!

[Velvet Lounger · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an excellent idea.. take three great authors, create three best friends in a small town called Pine Cone, and have each author write a romance. As a series junky I was sold on the idea – a clever twist on the frequent ensemble mini series.

“Take My Hand” by Missouri Vaun brings Manhattan gallery owner River to Pine Cone to settle her aunts estate. When she wrecks her car on the hair salon lawn, local tow truck driver Clay comes to her rescue, with a tow and a loaner. Pulled together by mutual attraction both Clay and River fight the temptation, one isn’t staying, the other isn’t ready to try again, but art becomes a link which will bind them together.

In “Take a Chance” by D Jackson Leigh the new police officer in town is finding her feet before taking on drug runners with her canine partner, Petunia. Every time she’s on duty she finds a truck illegally parked, and quickly decides the owner has entitlement issues. When her path finally crosses that of the local vet Trip, their past connection brings back issues both need to come to terms with.

Finally in “Take Your Time” by VK Powell local police officer, Grace Booker gets left with a raucous African parrot by a passing girlfriend. Doing her best for the parrot involves help from the new vet, Dani, whose background as a zoo vet gives her a broad spectrum of experience. Their attraction is mutual, but Dani doesn’t want small town life and plans to get back to the city as quickly as possible, leaving Grace facing another heartache.

All three romances build and enhance the others, with the three close friends grounding the series while each author concentrates on one and introduces a new character. Having three authors gives each MC a literally different voice and adds an extra twist to the tone. All three are well done, subtly different but nevertheless meshing in to a most satisfying whole.

[Jaie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, I accidentally read this out of order. I found it confusing with too many characters (and they almost all had 4 or 5 letter names which somehow confused me more).

I now know that there are three books in this series:
1. Clay & River
2. Trip & Jamie
3. Grace & Dani

This book tells some of the story of the characters in the other books which was clunky. Other books have done this much better, and I think even with different authors this should've been better. It was a delightful world with tons of charm and lesbian characters. I would've liked for this book to focus mostly on Trip and Dani and the relationship of the three best friends, without delving into those friends lives so specifically.

And the format didn't give enough time for Trip and Jamie. They didn't have enough chemistry so I wasn't as invested in their relationship as I was in them as individuals. Their own backstories were pretty thorough, but their history together was told not shown and it felt forced.

I thought there characters were interesting enough. I liked the police work and veterinarian work. Like I said, I liked the world. I'm not sure I will read the other books in this series, though I would read other books by this (and the other) authors.

*Ebook given to me by BLB in exchange for review*

[Tiffany Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It’s true to D Jackson Leigh’s style, horses and all... It was well written, easy to read and flowed well. I did like the first book by Missouri Vaun more but this was still good. I have one big issue with this... I wish this book picked up from the end Vaun’s book rather than having overlapping pieces. I really did not want to read some of the same scenes and dialogue from the first book in the series. I love the idea of these 3 writers coming together for this series but I don’t love the overlap. I get it, three best friends finding love at the same time... and you could really read as a stand alone... but that part didn’t work for me. Otherwise a great read. 3.5 Stars.

[Carolyn McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started this book, I had no idea it was a member of a series that were all set in the same town, but all focused on different characters in that 'world'/town. I loved the concept, I didn't care in what order I'd come into it.
I came to adore the town, it sounds like the kind of place I'd like to live. It has a wide range of characters bound to keep life interesting. I was glad Trip and Jamie got over their past hurts. and Petunia...she is the star of the whole book, really. What a sweetheart. I think I felt worse for her past than the humans in the story. she never had a choice in what happened to her.
Anyway, I'll be searching out the other two books in this series. It doesn't matter which order you read the three in. Just read them and be charmed.

[Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opposites can attract. This is the second read of the trilogy interestingly written by three different authors. The focus is on Jamie Grant, former college basketball player, ex-military, and current Pine Cone deputy and Trip Beaumont, former college basketball player and current local veterinarian. We also get a side romance with Grace and Dani. Because this is a trilogy, there are several characters (people and animals) that are given more scenes that are quite entertaining, unusual and, down right funny. There are some sad moments with a bit of angst but still an enjoyable read.

ARC provided with thanks from Bold Strokes Books, Inc. via NetGalley

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook. A short way into the book I thought I had already read or heard it. The authors of this trilogy each wrote separate live stories for the three main characters however the stories overlap so exactly in places it’s almost deja vue

[Evren (Nonbinary Knight Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book surprised me. I did not have many expectations from it, mainly because I do not typically like overly cocky characters, and I have never read something by this author before. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. I found myself invested in the lives of the two main characters, and even in the development of the other two relationships, and even when I wanted to stop reading, I found that I could not. The tension between the two was well-founded from years prior but it did not feel too forced. Even the drama that arose in the book felt as well-developed as side drama can be and at some parts you could guess the outcome of the situation even if you hoped it did not end that way. Very little of the drama seemed to come out of left-field and even then, it did not feel too forced. Surprisingly, good read and I enjoyed the book and cannot wait to read the other two in the series.
Also, a butch-butch lesbian romance. Probably the first I ever read and I wish there was more in this category.

[JulesGP · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t say enough good things about Take a Chance, the main characters, Trip and Jamie, the supporting characters of best pals, Grace and Clay, and the rest of their friends and surrogate family. My favorite aspect of the story was definitely the dialogue. Each voice was genuinely distinct depending on the character as well as mood specific. The fact that the dialogue was so dynamic really gave life to the characters. The plot was fine—given another chance at a lost love, can you get it right the second time? Jamie’s battle with PTSD as well as the plight of Adder also added more layers. My only negative about the story was the return of Suzanne. I felt it was totally unnecessary because Jamie and Trip were already invested as was I. The offer of a dream job was more than enough of a temptation. Big recommendation for Take a Chance. I will definitely seek out the other two installments to Pine Cone and more books from this author. I read this book courtesy of NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books in exchange for an honest review.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 2 in the Pine Cone Romance Series. Read them in order. Trip was not my favorite.. she kind of drove me nuts. I found myself liking Petunia the best out of this book. I did like Jamie but I found both she and Trip were just kind of okay characters for me. Several scenes from book one, are repeated in this book (and then again in book 3). While all the books are written by different authors, the reader also gets a different “look” at each repeated scene. It was interesting to see the scenes play out from a different character. I think the series is worth picking up, and I think all the books are okay reads. I read them back to back, so for me it felt like rereading something very soon after reading it the first time. These may be enjoyed more with a book in between them. Not enough time to forget the characters, but enough time to forget small details.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trip Beaumont definitely has the golden touch when it comes to charming the ladies of Georgia. She’s managed to charm everyone but the new cop in town who keeps writing tickets every time she parks illegally. She’s pretty much funding the police department with home many fines she’s going to have to pay. Little does Trip know that the cop causing her so much trouble is former college friend, Jamie Grant. Jamie has changed a lot sing Trip last saw her. She joined the army after the attacks on 9/11, ended up getting a job in law enforcement and has a trained drug dog with quite a heart breaking medical history.

At first, Jamie doesn’t want to have anything to do with Trip. Having her heart broken in college and then run the risk of it happening again? No thank you. But slowly they’re drawn together. Trip is an amazing veterinarian with access to treatment options for Petunia.

Their romance was well paced. They didn’t immediately jump into bed together. If they would have after the backstory we got, I would have been more than a little annoyed. They spent time together and started to understand each other as adults.

There were bits that bothered me. Like how is a town that small full of that many LGBT people? I’d love to find a place like that in real life, especially in the deep south. So please, tell me this secret! There were a lot of clichés and I felt that it added to the bleh factor. That’s kind of why the rating dropped from a four star to a three-point-five star rating.

It was an easy, quick and decent escape from what my week has been. I’d give it a try if I were you. I’m definitely going back to read the first book in the series to see if it lives up to everyone’s reviews.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised as this is my first book by the author, but I enjoyed this one even more than the first book in the trilogy! This is the second book out of three books written by three different authors. Each book can stand alone as each book follows a couple. I highly recommend reading all three in order because the town and all the characters are just lovely. I can't wait to read the conclusion of this trilogy. I found some of the overlap a little repetitive, and both the first and the second book get a little bogged down in details and descriptions as they catch everyone up. But it didn't take away from the enjoyment of the book. And I appreciate how difficult it must be for the three authors to coordinate this delightful little series.

Book # 2 follows the love story between Veterinarian Trip and Police Officer Jamie. Trip and Jamie knew each other once upon a time in college, where they were teammates and best friends. They had an odd falling out and hadn't seen each other since, until Jamie arrives in town with her drug-sniffing dog and her penchant for putting parking tickets on Trip's truck.

There was just something about the characters or the way that this book was written that let me connect instantaneously to the characters and the story. I was immersed and invested form the very beginning. I loved every minute of the romance and every minute discovering the town of Pine Cone and it's residents was just as entertaining and fulfilling.

As always seems the case in books, Petunia the dog stole the show!

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.