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Dundee, Idaho #3
First Love, Second Chance
When Katie Rogers returns to Dundee, Idaho, it’s not because she wants to. It’s because she’s disillusioned, broke—and pregnant. She was going to make something of her life in the big city. Instead, she’s paying a high price for trusting the wrong man.
Booker Robinson is the man she didn’t trust, the man she’d left behind in Dundee...and the first person she sees when she comes back. But despite Booker’s notorious past, he now has a successful business and a home of his own.
He’s also spent two years getting over Katie. She’s the last person he wants to see. But when her parents refuse to take her in, she doesn’t have anywhere else to go, and Booker soon finds himself with a roommate—one who needs a father for her baby....
Katie’s vowed she’ll never trust the wrong man again. But sometimes a man isn’t everything he seems. And sometimes he’s more....
Originally published in 2004 under the title A Family of Her Own
Booker Robinson is the man she didn’t trust, the man she’d left behind in Dundee...and the first person she sees when she comes back. But despite Booker’s notorious past, he now has a successful business and a home of his own.
He’s also spent two years getting over Katie. She’s the last person he wants to see. But when her parents refuse to take her in, she doesn’t have anywhere else to go, and Booker soon finds himself with a roommate—one who needs a father for her baby....
Katie’s vowed she’ll never trust the wrong man again. But sometimes a man isn’t everything he seems. And sometimes he’s more....
Originally published in 2004 under the title A Family of Her Own
261 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2004
248 people are currently reading
1016 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Novak
238 books6,962 followersIt was a shocking experience that jump-started Brenda Novak’s bestselling author career.
“I caught my day-care provider drugging my children with cough syrup and Tylenol to get them to sleep while I was away,” Brenda says. “It was then that I decided that I needed to do something from home.”
However, writing was the last profession she expected to undertake. In fact, Brenda swears she didn’t have a creative bone in her body. In school, math and science were her best subjects, and when it came time to pick a major in college, she chose business.
Abandoning her academic scholarship to Brigham Young University at the age of 20 in order to get married and start a family, Brenda dabbled in commercial real estate, then became a loan officer.
“When I first got the idea to become a novelist, it took me five years to teach myself the craft and finish my first book,” Brenda admits. “I learned how to write by reading what others have written. The best advice for any would-be author: read, read, read….”
Brenda sold her first book, and the rest is history. Now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she continues to publish two or three novels a year, in a variety of genres.
Brenda and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento and are the proud parents of five children—three girls and two boys. Now that they are empty-nesters, she spends her free time babysitting her two grandchildren.
When she’s not with her family or writing, Brenda is usually raising money for diabetes research. To date, she's raised almost $2.6 million. Her youngest son, Thad, has diabetes, and Brenda is determined to help him and others like him. She also enjoys traveling, watching sporting events and biking--she rides an amazing 20 miles every day!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-...
“I caught my day-care provider drugging my children with cough syrup and Tylenol to get them to sleep while I was away,” Brenda says. “It was then that I decided that I needed to do something from home.”
However, writing was the last profession she expected to undertake. In fact, Brenda swears she didn’t have a creative bone in her body. In school, math and science were her best subjects, and when it came time to pick a major in college, she chose business.
Abandoning her academic scholarship to Brigham Young University at the age of 20 in order to get married and start a family, Brenda dabbled in commercial real estate, then became a loan officer.
“When I first got the idea to become a novelist, it took me five years to teach myself the craft and finish my first book,” Brenda admits. “I learned how to write by reading what others have written. The best advice for any would-be author: read, read, read….”
Brenda sold her first book, and the rest is history. Now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she continues to publish two or three novels a year, in a variety of genres.
Brenda and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento and are the proud parents of five children—three girls and two boys. Now that they are empty-nesters, she spends her free time babysitting her two grandchildren.
When she’s not with her family or writing, Brenda is usually raising money for diabetes research. To date, she's raised almost $2.6 million. Her youngest son, Thad, has diabetes, and Brenda is determined to help him and others like him. She also enjoys traveling, watching sporting events and biking--she rides an amazing 20 miles every day!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
August 13, 2018
Geez Fu-Ricking Louise!
Does anyone ever call the police in a Brenda Novak book?
Kidnapping, assault, robbery, slander? No biggie.
Scream of rage......
I still want to smother most of the people in Dundee especially the heroine's parents, but this was a good love story. Love a bad boy!
Does anyone ever call the police in a Brenda Novak book?
Kidnapping, assault, robbery, slander? No biggie.
Scream of rage......
I still want to smother most of the people in Dundee especially the heroine's parents, but this was a good love story. Love a bad boy!
December 18, 2016
3 ½ stars. Pleasant and nice for a romance story.
This isn’t a best romance - but it fit my mood.
Katie loved Booker but her parents and others thought he was bad. All that influenced Katie to be with Andy. No one expected Andy to become a drug user and other negative things. The story begins two years later when Katie returns to town alone, penniless and pregnant. Her parents refuse to take her in or provide any help. Booker helps. He was hurt by her rejection two years earlier, but boy does he turn out to be a great guy.
This is book 3 in the 8 book Dundee, Idaho series. Each book can be read as a stand alone but I prefer reading them in order. Various characters have small parts in subsequent stories.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 304 pages. Swearing language: mild. Sexual content: There might have been a sex scene, but I can’t remember. Setting: current day Dundee, Idaho. Copyright: 2004. Genre: contemporary romance.
This isn’t a best romance - but it fit my mood.
Katie loved Booker but her parents and others thought he was bad. All that influenced Katie to be with Andy. No one expected Andy to become a drug user and other negative things. The story begins two years later when Katie returns to town alone, penniless and pregnant. Her parents refuse to take her in or provide any help. Booker helps. He was hurt by her rejection two years earlier, but boy does he turn out to be a great guy.
This is book 3 in the 8 book Dundee, Idaho series. Each book can be read as a stand alone but I prefer reading them in order. Various characters have small parts in subsequent stories.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 304 pages. Swearing language: mild. Sexual content: There might have been a sex scene, but I can’t remember. Setting: current day Dundee, Idaho. Copyright: 2004. Genre: contemporary romance.
December 21, 2014
Every time I read a Brenda Novak book I think it can't be better then the last one I read and does she prove me wrong. Booker and Katie's story is full of high's and low's and you just want to tell them to be honest with themselves and each other. It takes awhile but they get there. I really loved this book
July 21, 2025
#3 in the Dundee, Idaho romance series
I originally only started this series because it was set in Idaho, but now I'm caught up in this small-town drama. This time we meet Booker, a problem teen who spent time in jail, but now he's matured into a nice guy and business owner. Katie was his first love, but she broke his heart when she ran away with another guy from their town. Coming back pregnant and destitute, Booker helps her out when her parents won't. The whole book is more of the same theme, but I really liked the characters and enjoyed watching them grow, reminding themselves of how much they loved each other. Both are strong, steady people, with clear goals. They took ownership of their mistakes, which I admired, and tried to do better. We revisit with Rebecca and Joel from the previous book. Very nice, pleasant ride. I look forward to continuing with Mike's story.
I originally only started this series because it was set in Idaho, but now I'm caught up in this small-town drama. This time we meet Booker, a problem teen who spent time in jail, but now he's matured into a nice guy and business owner. Katie was his first love, but she broke his heart when she ran away with another guy from their town. Coming back pregnant and destitute, Booker helps her out when her parents won't. The whole book is more of the same theme, but I really liked the characters and enjoyed watching them grow, reminding themselves of how much they loved each other. Both are strong, steady people, with clear goals. They took ownership of their mistakes, which I admired, and tried to do better. We revisit with Rebecca and Joel from the previous book. Very nice, pleasant ride. I look forward to continuing with Mike's story.
September 14, 2018
If ya wanna be bad ya gotta be good.
Another good story in Dundee, this time Katie and Booker have a second chance at love. Great read.
Another good story in Dundee, this time Katie and Booker have a second chance at love. Great read.
January 30, 2019
Not a bad read at all. Only problem is this is part of an old series. Harlequin at that. Not easy to find.
August 2, 2021
Great series!
September 6, 2022
Loved going back to Dundee. Going to try to finish the series and bring me closer to my 50 pin.
February 15, 2022
Loved it! I thought Booker had a heart of gold, and made the perfect hero. I'm planning to read as many books by Brenda Novak as I can this year.
December 12, 2014
It was a good story. Katie made a pig-headed mistake when she was younger(choosing someone else over our hero Booker), then regretted the decision soon after but allowed her pride to keep her from coming back.
Two years later, Katie returns home destitute and pregnant. Her parents reject her and the only person willing to help her is Booker. And thus their trek into love begins.
Like I said, good story. So why only 3 stars? Because some of it bothered me. At one point, Booker manages to find her a great job opportunity with a guy named Mike, who she had a huge crush on for years. The job would be bookkeeping at $15 an hour, lodging included. Katie finds out Mike was talked into it by Booker and is upset by it, so she says no to the job and instead offers to cook and clean for Booker while she gets her web designing business up and running.
See, it bothers me because Katie made the mistake of letting her pride rule her and it nearly destroyed her the first time. This time, her pride is wounded by the "charity", and she can't seem to understand she should be grateful to both men for this chance to really make a good life for her and her baby.
Don't even get me started on how mad she gets at Booker when she thinks he is fooling around with another woman. Her pride steered her right out of his house and into Mike's pretty fast after that. Booker and her were not an item by this point, yet she was acting pouty and mad like she had made a claim on him.
I just felt like Katie didn't learn anything by the end of the book. Everyone loves her again at the end, accepting that she was grown enough to make her own choices, but not ever letting her know that pride goes before the fall.
But, I admit I nit-pick.
Two years later, Katie returns home destitute and pregnant. Her parents reject her and the only person willing to help her is Booker. And thus their trek into love begins.
Like I said, good story. So why only 3 stars? Because some of it bothered me. At one point, Booker manages to find her a great job opportunity with a guy named Mike, who she had a huge crush on for years. The job would be bookkeeping at $15 an hour, lodging included. Katie finds out Mike was talked into it by Booker and is upset by it, so she says no to the job and instead offers to cook and clean for Booker while she gets her web designing business up and running.
See, it bothers me because Katie made the mistake of letting her pride rule her and it nearly destroyed her the first time. This time, her pride is wounded by the "charity", and she can't seem to understand she should be grateful to both men for this chance to really make a good life for her and her baby.
Don't even get me started on how mad she gets at Booker when she thinks he is fooling around with another woman. Her pride steered her right out of his house and into Mike's pretty fast after that. Booker and her were not an item by this point, yet she was acting pouty and mad like she had made a claim on him.
I just felt like Katie didn't learn anything by the end of the book. Everyone loves her again at the end, accepting that she was grown enough to make her own choices, but not ever letting her know that pride goes before the fall.
But, I admit I nit-pick.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2014
I really enjoyed this book! The Dundee, Idaho series is a great series supercharged with romance (ok, and a little less sexy scenes than my regular reads). If you are looking for super descriptive scenes that start happening within the first 5 chapters, you might be disappointed. But, if you are looking for romance, you will love this series!
I really liked Booker and Katie separately, and I loved them even more as a couple. Booker is a reformed bad boy who is a genuinely good guy with a heart of gold who is still in love with Katie after all those years. Katie is a girl who made some wrong choices but has decided to put her pride aside and face what the consequences of what she did. Booker fought SO HARD to not have any feelings for Katie and to fight it, but even from the start you could tell….he was a goner!
I really did not like her parents in this book…at all. Even passed the last page, I still don't like them. I have a bad experience growing up with the church and I really detested that they listened to the pastor and we're so gung-ho on "setting Katie in the right path" and yada yada yada. Ugh…….. it actually made me angry. But besides that, I really enjoyed this book.
I will definitely keep on reading this series to see what the future holds for everyone!!!!
I really liked Booker and Katie separately, and I loved them even more as a couple. Booker is a reformed bad boy who is a genuinely good guy with a heart of gold who is still in love with Katie after all those years. Katie is a girl who made some wrong choices but has decided to put her pride aside and face what the consequences of what she did. Booker fought SO HARD to not have any feelings for Katie and to fight it, but even from the start you could tell….he was a goner!
I really did not like her parents in this book…at all. Even passed the last page, I still don't like them. I have a bad experience growing up with the church and I really detested that they listened to the pastor and we're so gung-ho on "setting Katie in the right path" and yada yada yada. Ugh…….. it actually made me angry. But besides that, I really enjoyed this book.
I will definitely keep on reading this series to see what the future holds for everyone!!!!
January 16, 2016
If you want to be a good parent, read everything about how the "good" people of Dundee raise their kids... or treat them when they are adults... and do the opposite.
About this specific book, third in the series : I loved the hero, Booker Robinson: great character. Supposed to be the town bad-ass, he's the sweetest guy ever. He maybe deserved a less prejudiced and more clever heroine, but hey, if romance H/h were uncomplicated and intelligent, many stories would have the HEA in the first chapter ;)
About this specific book, third in the series : I loved the hero, Booker Robinson: great character. Supposed to be the town bad-ass, he's the sweetest guy ever. He maybe deserved a less prejudiced and more clever heroine, but hey, if romance H/h were uncomplicated and intelligent, many stories would have the HEA in the first chapter ;)
May 10, 2021
I DNF this one. I wasn't enjoying the characters or the story or how the cops are just conveniently out to vilify people despite the victim saying it wasn't them. Or how the woman how abandoned him feels like she's justified getting jealous just because he was nice enough to give her a place to stay...sigh.
I'm just not into take back stories I guess.
Someone else will probably love this. I'm just too jaded for a takeback story. lol
I'm just not into take back stories I guess.
Someone else will probably love this. I'm just too jaded for a takeback story. lol
April 10, 2022
Feel good novel that I enjoyed beginning to end. Bad boy that loses the girl to an idiot (he takes her away and getsinvolved in the party scene). The young lady then returns home pregnant. Her car home down when she is 10 miles from her home. The bad boy is the one who rescue her. This is a part of a series. Book#3
August 21, 2012
My favorite of the series so far! I really liked Booker and Katie and loved seeing their relationship resume from the last novel.
February 2, 2020
Listening to this 3rd book in the Dundee series during my commute. Some of the family and relationship dynamics had me "yelling" and shaking my fist 😂 It all turned out good in the end though 😉
June 14, 2020
I loved this book and to find that it had a short story at the end from a new to me author was an even better deal.
In First Love, Second Chance Katie comes back to her home town with her head hanging low. She doesn't want anyone to see her especially the man she left for another man. But when her car breaks down on the side of the road and it begins to rain, Booker has to stop because he has the only wrecker in Dundee. When he realizes it is Katie, the anger he felt at her for leaving begins to resurface.
He takes her to her parent's house but they refuse to let her stay, saying she needs to learn a lesson for her actions. So Booker does the only thing he can, he takes her to his house until she can find somewhere else to live.
So you can guess what will happen between Booker and Katie in the end but you would guess wrong on what happens in between. Booker is/was the town bad boy and Katie fell for him. Those feelings don't go away and Booker was never the relationship kind of guy but he fell for Katie but wouldn't let his feelings show. Now he is ready to show her if he can get past the pain of the hurt she caused him for leaving.
This is a great story and I can not wait to go back and read the others in this Dundee, Idaho series. Author Brenda Novak has a way of keeping you in a story, it is like you are there sometimes.
**In Temperatures Rising, author Brenda Jackson has a short steamy story set in the Florida Keys with a hurricane headed their way. Terrence and Sherri are a great couple once Sherri realizes that her heart has already fallen for Terrence. It is her head that needs to catch up. I hope there is or will be more to this story, I need to know how everything turns out after the hurricane.
In First Love, Second Chance Katie comes back to her home town with her head hanging low. She doesn't want anyone to see her especially the man she left for another man. But when her car breaks down on the side of the road and it begins to rain, Booker has to stop because he has the only wrecker in Dundee. When he realizes it is Katie, the anger he felt at her for leaving begins to resurface.
He takes her to her parent's house but they refuse to let her stay, saying she needs to learn a lesson for her actions. So Booker does the only thing he can, he takes her to his house until she can find somewhere else to live.
So you can guess what will happen between Booker and Katie in the end but you would guess wrong on what happens in between. Booker is/was the town bad boy and Katie fell for him. Those feelings don't go away and Booker was never the relationship kind of guy but he fell for Katie but wouldn't let his feelings show. Now he is ready to show her if he can get past the pain of the hurt she caused him for leaving.
This is a great story and I can not wait to go back and read the others in this Dundee, Idaho series. Author Brenda Novak has a way of keeping you in a story, it is like you are there sometimes.
**In Temperatures Rising, author Brenda Jackson has a short steamy story set in the Florida Keys with a hurricane headed their way. Terrence and Sherri are a great couple once Sherri realizes that her heart has already fallen for Terrence. It is her head that needs to catch up. I hope there is or will be more to this story, I need to know how everything turns out after the hurricane.
November 14, 2023
The original title is A Family of Her Own, the re-issue is called First Love, Second Chance this is the third book in the Dundee Idaho series. Katie had been dating Booker when she thought probably not great to be dating an ex-con so she switched to the safe “local” guy. The night before Katie and her boyfriend left for San Francisco Booker came over and proposed to her. She turned him down.
Two years later Katie is found in a broken down car headed for home and pregnant. That local boy is a looser w a drug problem and a wandering body part. Booker finds her broke down on the side of the road and takes her to her parents house. Mom and dad want nothing to do with Katie and literally leave her on their porch in the pouring rain. They are trying “tough love” with Katie.
Booker takes Katie home to live with him and Delbert. Delbert is a mental challenged adult whose parents had died. Booker saved him from a group home in Boise. He helps out at Booker’s auto shop. Katie is past broke with no livelihood and a baby due in several months. Booker gets into trouble with some trumped up charges. Katie is starting to fall for Booker again.
Mary needs her dues - she is a gossip monger whore.
Why hasn’t anyone commended Booker on taking responsibility for Delbert?
Please let something happen to the Dundee police department because they are a bunch of red necks!
Poor Delaney, what heart break.
We never did get an explanation what was going on in Katie’s pregnancy that she couldn’t stand on her feet.
Two years later Katie is found in a broken down car headed for home and pregnant. That local boy is a looser w a drug problem and a wandering body part. Booker finds her broke down on the side of the road and takes her to her parents house. Mom and dad want nothing to do with Katie and literally leave her on their porch in the pouring rain. They are trying “tough love” with Katie.
Booker takes Katie home to live with him and Delbert. Delbert is a mental challenged adult whose parents had died. Booker saved him from a group home in Boise. He helps out at Booker’s auto shop. Katie is past broke with no livelihood and a baby due in several months. Booker gets into trouble with some trumped up charges. Katie is starting to fall for Booker again.
Mary needs her dues - she is a gossip monger whore.
Why hasn’t anyone commended Booker on taking responsibility for Delbert?
Please let something happen to the Dundee police department because they are a bunch of red necks!
Poor Delaney, what heart break.
We never did get an explanation what was going on in Katie’s pregnancy that she couldn’t stand on her feet.
January 30, 2024
Kinda like living in a Shania Twain song
Brenda Novak is such a good writer that she can spin anything.
Having enjoyed the first 2 books in this series, I was loathe to read a second chance romance, because they're the worst.
Trusting the author, I bought the book anyway, and what do you know? It was good.
Maybe not my favourite, but maybe..
Somewhat reniniscent of Persuasion, the Jane Austen novel, the book tugs on the heartstrings and you grow attached to the characters.
I can't wait to see the town mean girl get her comeuppance.
Things you need to know going in:
these books were written and published in the 80s or 90s. They have some intimacy but never more than fade to black scenes.
The moral values are spat on today, things like, wanting a partner to raise a baby with, ppl prefer to think it's unnecessary in this modern world.
So if you're militant about those sorts of things you might find these books get up your nose.
For me it's refreshing to read about the sort if times and standards in the world from a more moderate era.
Over all the books stand the test of time because they are full of excellent characters and solid stories.
Brenda Novak is such a good writer that she can spin anything.
Having enjoyed the first 2 books in this series, I was loathe to read a second chance romance, because they're the worst.
Trusting the author, I bought the book anyway, and what do you know? It was good.
Maybe not my favourite, but maybe..
Somewhat reniniscent of Persuasion, the Jane Austen novel, the book tugs on the heartstrings and you grow attached to the characters.
I can't wait to see the town mean girl get her comeuppance.
Things you need to know going in:
these books were written and published in the 80s or 90s. They have some intimacy but never more than fade to black scenes.
The moral values are spat on today, things like, wanting a partner to raise a baby with, ppl prefer to think it's unnecessary in this modern world.
So if you're militant about those sorts of things you might find these books get up your nose.
For me it's refreshing to read about the sort if times and standards in the world from a more moderate era.
Over all the books stand the test of time because they are full of excellent characters and solid stories.
March 20, 2018
2-1/2 stars
This was ok. At least I finished it. I'm surprised at all the high ratings.
I liked Booker pretty well, the bad boy with a soft heart. I loved how he took care of Delbert. (Why that name?) But I couldn't get to know him very well and I just couldn't feel the connection between the Katie and him.
Quite a few thing bugged me about this story.
-Katies parents were horrid. I wanted the judgmental, gossiping christians to be put in their place.
It bothered me that an adult woman would be so weak about/around them. Tell them to FO
-It took entirely too long for Katie to grow the hell up and decide if she even loved Booker. It took him spending the night with another woman for her to even look twice at him. Even so, jealousy is not love.
-They never really communicated. Katie stuttered. I...I...um.... And Booker didn't say a word.
-It took entirely too long for them to get together.
This was ok. At least I finished it. I'm surprised at all the high ratings.
I liked Booker pretty well, the bad boy with a soft heart. I loved how he took care of Delbert. (Why that name?) But I couldn't get to know him very well and I just couldn't feel the connection between the Katie and him.
Quite a few thing bugged me about this story.
-Katies parents were horrid. I wanted the judgmental, gossiping christians to be put in their place.
It bothered me that an adult woman would be so weak about/around them. Tell them to FO
-It took entirely too long for Katie to grow the hell up and decide if she even loved Booker. It took him spending the night with another woman for her to even look twice at him. Even so, jealousy is not love.
-They never really communicated. Katie stuttered. I...I...um.... And Booker didn't say a word.
-It took entirely too long for them to get together.
October 8, 2019
Booker and Katie an interesting duo. Can Katie admit to herself her true feelings before it’s to late....or will she slam the door on her feelings and in Bookers face?
Booker is a bad boy. Stealing cars, leather wearing, broody man. Can the people of Dundee trust him? Many people whisper behind his back but Booker doesn’t care. You see the true book when it comes to caring for Delbert, no one will take him in and treat him like family.
Katie is back home, broke and pregnant and no job in site. Did her mother just refuse her and slam the door in Katie’s face? She never thought her own family would turn their backs.
In this story you learn of love and loyalty. The act of forgiveness and “tough love” as some call it. At the end of the day Katie is stronger and she finally stands up to them.
Booker is a bad boy. Stealing cars, leather wearing, broody man. Can the people of Dundee trust him? Many people whisper behind his back but Booker doesn’t care. You see the true book when it comes to caring for Delbert, no one will take him in and treat him like family.
Katie is back home, broke and pregnant and no job in site. Did her mother just refuse her and slam the door in Katie’s face? She never thought her own family would turn their backs.
In this story you learn of love and loyalty. The act of forgiveness and “tough love” as some call it. At the end of the day Katie is stronger and she finally stands up to them.
March 16, 2018
This is another lovely romantic Brenda Novak book. Booker finally gets his story. He proposal was turned down by Katie several years ago. He's had a hard time getting over that combined with a risky time during his teenage years that landed him in jail. Now Katie, who had left town with another man, is back and in dire straits. It appears that Booker is the only one willing to help her.
Booker is just such a wonderful character. Everyone only sees his past, but he is really such a sweet guy. He helps those that no one else will and wants nothing in return. Katie is not always receptive to his help...she's got her pride. Will she see the value of Booker and finally return his love?
The narration by Andi Arndt was exceptional!
Booker is just such a wonderful character. Everyone only sees his past, but he is really such a sweet guy. He helps those that no one else will and wants nothing in return. Katie is not always receptive to his help...she's got her pride. Will she see the value of Booker and finally return his love?
The narration by Andi Arndt was exceptional!
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June 15, 2020I liked this book. It is a new re-release with a bonus story in the back by Brenda Jackson.
The first novel is about Katie Rogers and Booker Robinson. Booker has been in love with Katie for some time, but she was too afraid of him and her feelings for him to stay with him. She takes off for San Francisco, leaving Booker and Dundee, ID behind. 2 years later, she comes back a total mess, her parents won't accept her, and she's pregnant. Booker is still mad at her, but when he tries to take her to her parents' house, they refuse to take her back. So she goes home with Booker. What she learns, changes everything. I really enjoyed it.
The second story ended too soon, but up until that point was OK. It read fast, and was really steamy. Still fun.
The first novel is about Katie Rogers and Booker Robinson. Booker has been in love with Katie for some time, but she was too afraid of him and her feelings for him to stay with him. She takes off for San Francisco, leaving Booker and Dundee, ID behind. 2 years later, she comes back a total mess, her parents won't accept her, and she's pregnant. Booker is still mad at her, but when he tries to take her to her parents' house, they refuse to take her back. So she goes home with Booker. What she learns, changes everything. I really enjoyed it.
The second story ended too soon, but up until that point was OK. It read fast, and was really steamy. Still fun.
June 16, 2018
I enjoyed listening to this book on Hoopla as I exercised daily. The story of Katie Rogers trying to maneuver her way around being broke and pregnant and being kicked out by her own family was mesmerizing. I will always remember the kindness and acceptance of the other people in Dundee, especially Booker who was the bad boy of the town. It struck me as very important that Katie’s family did not accept her and her mistakes in life; instead they totally rejected her. Readers of romance will enjoy this book and its twists and turns as Katie tries to find her place again in her small community.
June 19, 2020
First Love, Second Chance was a nice love story about a bad boy winning the good girl. Booker was in love with Katie and even asked her to marry him but she still left town with Andy to get married in San Francisco. Two years later Katie returns to Dundee unmarried and pregnant. Her parents reject her and Booker sees her and takes her in. He helps her get back on her feet. She still has feelings for him but he wants to resist her. He has to deliver the baby when Andy came back and caused her to fall and go into early labor. Katie was grateful to Booker but Booker didn't want to have those old feelings for Katie.
October 4, 2017
I really enjoyed this quaint romantic story by Brenda Novak, as she is one of my favorite authors. In this book Kate returns home after running off with Andy to get married who of course soon after changes his spots and becomes an unemployed druggie. With no choice ,Kate leaves when she finds out she is pregnant and returns home destitute and no place to go. She is reunited with Booker who was her first great love but who her parents despised. Booker agrees to take her in as a roommate. Can they rekindle their romance or will Andy or anyone else step up? Definitely a charming read!!
July 27, 2020
Katie Rogers, at 25, is returning to her hometown of Dundee, Idaho, almost literally barefoot and pregnant after 2 years in San Francisco with the guy she ran off with. However, her clunker of a car breaks down, and who should drive up but Booker Robinson, whom she turned down before leaving town. But when he takes her home, her mother refuses to let her in, basically saying you made your bed, now lie in it until you realize how wrong you were about your life. So Brooker takes Katie to his house to help her back on her feet.
April 5, 2021
Growing up, Katie Rogers was a "Goody Two-shoes", until she met bad boy, Booker Robinson. But she allowed friends and family to redirect her attention to yuppie Andy who promised her marriage and brought her to San Fransisco. But they never got married, he became a drunk and druggie and 2 years later, she comes back to her home town, Dundee, pregnant, broke and alone. Her parents turn their back on her, but fate steps in and Booker becomes her rescuer. Mixed signals almost doom them, but their friends can see that they love each other. Will they realize it too?
December 26, 2022
It's a very dated story that wouldn't have held up very well if it were published recently. But I have always loved Booker so I felt I owed it the three stars.
The book is filled with characters who still believed in strong gender rolls and will shun a woman for being the parent who stayed. I'd like to believe that we're past that judgmental behavior.
It's also crazy to think this is what Novak started out publishing when her books now have a much darker undertone. Gotta say, I'm glad I read her newer books first.
The book is filled with characters who still believed in strong gender rolls and will shun a woman for being the parent who stayed. I'd like to believe that we're past that judgmental behavior.
It's also crazy to think this is what Novak started out publishing when her books now have a much darker undertone. Gotta say, I'm glad I read her newer books first.
April 19, 2025
Review: A Family of Her Own by Brenda Novak
I absolutely loved this story—it brought tears to my eyes. Brenda Novak has a way of writing that pulls at your heartstrings and makes you truly care about her characters. A Family of Her Own is an emotional, tender, and deeply moving story about second chances, healing, and the kind of love that quietly grows stronger with time. The characters felt so real, their struggles so relatable, and the ending left me with a full heart. If you enjoy stories that make you feel all the feels, this one’s a must-read.
I absolutely loved this story—it brought tears to my eyes. Brenda Novak has a way of writing that pulls at your heartstrings and makes you truly care about her characters. A Family of Her Own is an emotional, tender, and deeply moving story about second chances, healing, and the kind of love that quietly grows stronger with time. The characters felt so real, their struggles so relatable, and the ending left me with a full heart. If you enjoy stories that make you feel all the feels, this one’s a must-read.
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