Twenty-nine-year-old Susan Wade didn't realize what she was getting into when she and her best friend cooked up a scheme to help her get promoted. Once settled in the claustrophobic coastal town of Havelock, North Carolina, she makes enemies fast. But before long she discovers her new arch-nemesis wants more from her than a good fight.
When Susan's world blows up, Pete Walsh, Havelock's version of the bachelor, is the Southern gentleman who helps her pick up the pieces. But are his motives as gentlemanly as he pretends or is lust taking the wheel?
As sparks fly, Susan is soon faced with a problem she may not be able to solve. Could Pete Walsh be the man of her dreams, or is that dream promotion what she really wants?
Will these two confused souls figure out what they need before Susan is called back to the big city? Can Pete let Susan leave this small town without a fight? And when did this casual summer fling turn into the “L” word?
Bestselling Author Virginia Gray is a North Carolina native and a graduate of Wake Forest University. She is known for her intimate portrayals of women's lives, her attention to setting, and her trademark humor. Gray brings to life the many colorful people and compelling story layers of her North Carolina home and its beaches.
She is a great lover of humor, music, and all things food. Please visit www.virginiagray.com to learn about her new releases and giveaways.
This was a fun teaser into the world of Susan Wade and the ongoing hate to love feelings she has with her nemesis Pete Wade. An extremely enjoyable and quick read that leaves you wanting to know more about what the future holds for Susan Wade and the choices she will have to make….does she follow her heart or her career path? I can’t wait to find out!
*I was given a copy of Next Time in exchange for an honest review
How do I not know about The Susan Wade Saga series? I'm so glad I met her... but now I clearly need to read the first 3 books about her! This is book 3.5. An adorable tease into a very fun, and witty character.
This is a really cute short story where we meet Susan Wade, who is dead set on getting a promotion, and it needs to happen soon. Unfortunately, she'll have to be relocated to a tiny North Carolina town from the city of Philadelphia, where she doesn't want to be. And she is stuck spending time with arrogant playboy Pete Walsh, who she doesn't want to be stuck with.
But a strange shift occurs, that confuses Susan, and may throw a wrench in her promotion plans and return to the big city from this quiet beachside town. Could she be falling for Pete? Is this a lusty summer fling or could there be love in their future....
I guess we'll have to read Book 4 to find out! But I need to get on books 1-3 first!
If you are looking for a short, sweet , and funny romantic comedy then Next Time is for you!
Susan Wade is a strong willed and determined individual who is hoping for a dream promotion. Will her dreams come true, or will Pete Walsh change everything?
The only reason I rated this a 4 and not a 5 is because this book left me wanting more.
I was given a copy of Next Time in exchange for an honest review.
It starts out with Susan sounding jaded. And actually, it kinda stayed that way.
Present tense, first person. Not my favorite writing style and it didn’t work. But if you choose this, stick with it. Because after the beginning Susan starts recapping her past. Yes, we needed that info, but the way it’s done doesn’t work. It was too fast. I think the story should have started earlier in time, to avoid this mad rush through the last few months. She tells us she butted heads with this arrogant guy, but how? Why? Details please!
It just didn’t work. It wasn’t funny. I didn’t like Susan. The story didn’t hold my attention, wasn’t all that interesting.
Cute teaser story about Susan and Pete. We get to meet the characters and get to know them a little bit in this short story.
Susan is only planning to be in town temporarily. She wasn’t planning to fall for Pete. She thought she could allow a fling but she can’t fight the actual feelings that are starting to develop.
Susan seems like she’ll be a funny character and Pete seems like a real gentleman. It seems like Susan might be picking silly little fights to keep Pete at a distance. Is Pete really a bad guy for bring her dinner without asking what she’d want? Or is he being too presumptive by assuming she’ll spend the weekend? I think Pete just sees the situation different, he’s treating Susan like his girlfriend.
And Susan is praying that she’s right and it really is just a fling.
I got a chance to read this as an ARC. I’d like to get to know these characters better in a longer story. Currently my mind is picturing Pete as Wade from Hart of Dixie and I do not mind that.
I enjoyed this short story. Not having read the other books with these characters, it took me a second to get caught up. There was a lot of exposition at the beginning, but it was necessary to introduce readers (like myself) who were new to the series. I thought the interaction between Pete and Susan was realistic. They both had accurate emotions and responses: Susan for her behavior (why she is trying to push him away) and Pete (for trying to figure out the reasons for her over the top reaction). I look forward to reading the rest of the books, because it seems like a good series!
I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed the other books of the Susan Wade Saga, so when this little gem was published, I had to snap it up. If you’ve read the other books, like I have, this short story is a great reminder of the wonderfully comedic, sarcastic, and endearing characters and scenes within the series. If you’re not familiar with Susan Wade, this is a quick read that will suck you into Susan’s world and make you want more. Either way, reading “Next Time” is definitely time well spent. I loved it!
For anyone yet to discover the work of Virginia Gray, this short story is the perfect introduction to the wonderfully messed up world of her alter ego Susan Wade. I've been a huge fan of this author since reading 'Caught Up In Me', and am pleased to see her short stories carry the same wit and sparkle as do her novels. This enjoyable slice of North Carolina charm.certainly brightened up a cold winter's day.