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Nestled Hollow #2
Second Chance on the Corner of Main Street
Meet the women business owners at Nestled Hollow! Each has been running their business while running from love. All that is about to change in this beloved small town.
Fun-loving Whitney Brennan enjoys being in the middle of every town gathering in Nestled Hollow—and writing about it all in the town paper that she owns. But she’s terrified of making any real or deep connection with anyone because she knows that if she does, they’ll end up leaving like everyone else did. Like her high school best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Eli, did on graduation night.
Eli Treanor skipped out of Nestled Hollow twelve years ago and created a new life and a thriving team-building business he thoroughly enjoys in Sacramento. When his parents beg him to come back and run the family outdoor rentals business while his dad has surgery, Eli isn’t happy about returning to the town that didn’t love him, the dad he could never please, and the girl he’d left behind all those years ago.
When Whitney and Eli are paired together to create the decorations for the Main Street Fall Market, many of their old feelings resurface, along with new fun and excitement, but it also opens past wounds. Can this couple overcome the fears that are stopping them from giving their love the second chance it deserves?
Fun-loving Whitney Brennan enjoys being in the middle of every town gathering in Nestled Hollow—and writing about it all in the town paper that she owns. But she’s terrified of making any real or deep connection with anyone because she knows that if she does, they’ll end up leaving like everyone else did. Like her high school best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Eli, did on graduation night.
Eli Treanor skipped out of Nestled Hollow twelve years ago and created a new life and a thriving team-building business he thoroughly enjoys in Sacramento. When his parents beg him to come back and run the family outdoor rentals business while his dad has surgery, Eli isn’t happy about returning to the town that didn’t love him, the dad he could never please, and the girl he’d left behind all those years ago.
When Whitney and Eli are paired together to create the decorations for the Main Street Fall Market, many of their old feelings resurface, along with new fun and excitement, but it also opens past wounds. Can this couple overcome the fears that are stopping them from giving their love the second chance it deserves?
206 pages, ebook
First published October 16, 2018
610 people are currently reading
450 people want to read
About the author
Meg Easton
42 books534 followersMeg Easton is the USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romances and romantic comedies with fun, memorable, swoon-worthy characters, and settings you’ll want to pack up and move to. She lives at the foot of a mountain with her name on it (or at least one letter of her name) in Utah. She loves gardening, bike riding, baking, swimming before the sun rises, and spending time with her husband and three kids.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
October 24, 2018
Second Chance on the Corner of Main is a sweet and enjoyable book. Eli and Whitney are fantastic, but flawed characters. Each having issues they need to work out before they could move on with past hurts and wrongs. I loved their journeys and their realizations. Whitney was needing closure about her past with Eli, and Eli needing to forgive himself. I appreciated their communication. Yes, there is the inevitable conflicts that arise, but that what makes this book even more enjoyable. Eli had issues with his dad, Whitney had a hart time letting others in from feeling abandoned. The supporting characters are also great. Brooke especially was fun. I definitely want more from her. Maybe her and Ben (Eli's friend) need to get together some how! The town of Nestled Hollow would definitely be a place I would want to visit and live. The author's descriptions of it were well done and the whole feel of the town felt like home.
March 14, 2019
Okay. Here goes.
Eli leaves home when he is eighteen after years of emotional abuse by his father who is a drunk, and a mother who doesn't seem to care enough about her son to stand up for him. A few months after he runs away his parents search him out and find that he is sleeping in his car and earning minimum wage. He's not a drunk, or a drug addict, or a thief but his father tells him:
"I didn't raise a low-life worthless bum. I no longer consider you my son." Nice eh?
Anyway, when Eli fled home, he left behind his girlfriend (don't they always) called Whitney who has since carved out a life for herself as the editor of the town newspaper. Neither Whitney nor Eli seem to have moved on and found someone else even though its been 12 years. Come on, get real.
Eli's father (you know. the abusive drunk who disowned his son) has had an operation on his ankle and needs Eli to come back and run his store while he recovers. Yep. Why can't the wife do that? Surely she would know what to do, or has she been sitting at home for the last 12 years being a homemaker ... nah...
Eli leaves his own successful business and dutifully returns home to more abuse from his 'loving' father. His mother meanwhile says:
"He loves you. He does. he just struggles to show it."
If MY husband treated our children like that, there is not a cat in hell's chance I'd stay with him. Eli's mother is a useless, incompetent wimp who clearly cares nothing for her son and is quite happy to let him be treated like shit by her husband. I loathed her even more than her husband.
So. Whitney and Eli are made to work together to organise the Fall Decorations for the town. Yeah, right. (rolls eyes here, although there are some lovely moments between the two of them)
I hadnt realise this is supposed to be 'inspirational' until I read the bit about the Prodigal Son. Eli is in church sitting next to his mother and listening to the parable of the prodigal son and wonders:
Is that how they saw him, as the prodigal son returned?
That made no sense at all. Eli was the one who was wronged and who continued to be wronged by both his parents. THEY were the ones who should be asking for HIS forgiveness for the abuse he had suffered (and continued to suffer). Eli's father is constantly dragging him down and I wanted Eli to tell him to go shove it somewhere.
And then the freaking townspeople step in and makes more snide comments:
"Now I know I'm just someone from town who don't got no business butting myself into yours, but we love Whitney. You know we love Whitney, right?" the unspoken message here being that we don't give a rat's arse for YOU, Eli. you worthless piece of shit.....
Oh god, I wanted Eli to tell her exactly what he thought, but of course he didn't. PLEASE, for the love of god stop excusing emotional abuse as 'your daddy really loves you, but he finds it hard to say.'
Put it this way. A drunken man hits his wife, over and over and over for years. He excuses himself by saying that 'he finds it hard to contain his emotions.' Are we expected to forgive him? To allow him to continue his abuse? Is his wife supposed to meekly wait for the next slap, or the next fist in her belly? Is is acceptable that the neighbours know about the abuse and yet say that its all the wife's fault because the husband can't stop himself?
LIKE HELL we do. So why WHY is Eli expected to meekly submit to more of his parent's abuse? Why do the neighbours not stand up for him.
I am sick of reading stories where abusive parents are 'forgiven' and their past actions forgotten. It doesnt work like that. Eli's father and mother will simply continue in the same path, safe in the knowledge that they can carry on abusing Eli as much as they like.
'Forgiveness' is one thing, but forgetting is something else entirely, especially when it comes to long-standing abuse by a parent.
Run, Eli. Run.
******
One question. (and its a serious one) I live in a city and our local newspaper is now printed some 50 miles away from here and brought in every day since sales were so poor. I can't remember the last time I purchased a copy. There is NO WAY a local newspaper would survive here, there simply isnt the need for it, not with t'internet etc. Even the big national newspapers are struggling. So what's with these 'small-town' independent newspapers in the US? Do they really exist? (Like the one-woman cupcake shops that somehow miraculously make a profit in a town with less than 5000 people!)
Eli leaves home when he is eighteen after years of emotional abuse by his father who is a drunk, and a mother who doesn't seem to care enough about her son to stand up for him. A few months after he runs away his parents search him out and find that he is sleeping in his car and earning minimum wage. He's not a drunk, or a drug addict, or a thief but his father tells him:
"I didn't raise a low-life worthless bum. I no longer consider you my son." Nice eh?
Anyway, when Eli fled home, he left behind his girlfriend (don't they always) called Whitney who has since carved out a life for herself as the editor of the town newspaper. Neither Whitney nor Eli seem to have moved on and found someone else even though its been 12 years. Come on, get real.
Eli's father (you know. the abusive drunk who disowned his son) has had an operation on his ankle and needs Eli to come back and run his store while he recovers. Yep. Why can't the wife do that? Surely she would know what to do, or has she been sitting at home for the last 12 years being a homemaker ... nah...
Eli leaves his own successful business and dutifully returns home to more abuse from his 'loving' father. His mother meanwhile says:
"He loves you. He does. he just struggles to show it."
If MY husband treated our children like that, there is not a cat in hell's chance I'd stay with him. Eli's mother is a useless, incompetent wimp who clearly cares nothing for her son and is quite happy to let him be treated like shit by her husband. I loathed her even more than her husband.
So. Whitney and Eli are made to work together to organise the Fall Decorations for the town. Yeah, right. (rolls eyes here, although there are some lovely moments between the two of them)
I hadnt realise this is supposed to be 'inspirational' until I read the bit about the Prodigal Son. Eli is in church sitting next to his mother and listening to the parable of the prodigal son and wonders:
Is that how they saw him, as the prodigal son returned?
That made no sense at all. Eli was the one who was wronged and who continued to be wronged by both his parents. THEY were the ones who should be asking for HIS forgiveness for the abuse he had suffered (and continued to suffer). Eli's father is constantly dragging him down and I wanted Eli to tell him to go shove it somewhere.
And then the freaking townspeople step in and makes more snide comments:
"Now I know I'm just someone from town who don't got no business butting myself into yours, but we love Whitney. You know we love Whitney, right?" the unspoken message here being that we don't give a rat's arse for YOU, Eli. you worthless piece of shit.....
Oh god, I wanted Eli to tell her exactly what he thought, but of course he didn't. PLEASE, for the love of god stop excusing emotional abuse as 'your daddy really loves you, but he finds it hard to say.'
Put it this way. A drunken man hits his wife, over and over and over for years. He excuses himself by saying that 'he finds it hard to contain his emotions.' Are we expected to forgive him? To allow him to continue his abuse? Is his wife supposed to meekly wait for the next slap, or the next fist in her belly? Is is acceptable that the neighbours know about the abuse and yet say that its all the wife's fault because the husband can't stop himself?
LIKE HELL we do. So why WHY is Eli expected to meekly submit to more of his parent's abuse? Why do the neighbours not stand up for him.
I am sick of reading stories where abusive parents are 'forgiven' and their past actions forgotten. It doesnt work like that. Eli's father and mother will simply continue in the same path, safe in the knowledge that they can carry on abusing Eli as much as they like.
'Forgiveness' is one thing, but forgetting is something else entirely, especially when it comes to long-standing abuse by a parent.
Run, Eli. Run.
******
One question. (and its a serious one) I live in a city and our local newspaper is now printed some 50 miles away from here and brought in every day since sales were so poor. I can't remember the last time I purchased a copy. There is NO WAY a local newspaper would survive here, there simply isnt the need for it, not with t'internet etc. Even the big national newspapers are struggling. So what's with these 'small-town' independent newspapers in the US? Do they really exist? (Like the one-woman cupcake shops that somehow miraculously make a profit in a town with less than 5000 people!)
October 8, 2019
DNF
I reached 72% of the story and gave up. I was tired of the physical attraction between the main characters, the kisses, and them saying it won't work to fall in love because we live in different places. Yet, of course they fall in love. On top of that, Eli's dad is a jerk. The town people think he's a great guy, but he treats his son as though he were a horrible person who can't do anything right. And from what I've read, that's how he's always treated Eli. And the town things Eli is trouble just because he left the town and didn't go to college. At least that's what it sounds like.
I thought this was a Christian story, but so far there has been two very brief mentions of going to church, and that's it. And certainly no praying over things, or asking for advice from people they trust.
I'm not going to finish this story though I may try another book by this author to see if it's any better.
I reached 72% of the story and gave up. I was tired of the physical attraction between the main characters, the kisses, and them saying it won't work to fall in love because we live in different places. Yet, of course they fall in love. On top of that, Eli's dad is a jerk. The town people think he's a great guy, but he treats his son as though he were a horrible person who can't do anything right. And from what I've read, that's how he's always treated Eli. And the town things Eli is trouble just because he left the town and didn't go to college. At least that's what it sounds like.
I thought this was a Christian story, but so far there has been two very brief mentions of going to church, and that's it. And certainly no praying over things, or asking for advice from people they trust.
I'm not going to finish this story though I may try another book by this author to see if it's any better.
April 4, 2019
Such a fun, quick read. Perfect for the beach this summer if you like sweet romance. Can't wait to read the rest in the Nestled Hollow series!
July 10, 2021
Ms. Easton tells a wonderful second chance romance.
Heartache. Regret. Doubts. Past mistakes that need to be overcome.
Loveable characters. Charming small town. Wounds to heal.
Heartache. Regret. Doubts. Past mistakes that need to be overcome.
Loveable characters. Charming small town. Wounds to heal.
June 20, 2019
This is the first book of the series & I really enjoyed the writers style & the overall feel to the story (I actually read the second book first by mistake so I already knew a few details haha). It’s a clean & fun read. Although it’s a romance which centres around having a second chance at love, it’s not overly dramatic or “I hate you-I love you-I hate you” again. The story is told from both points of view - so we can see what’s going through each of the main characters minds when misunderstandings & differences arise. Whilst the story line & dialogue does induce various emotions, the overall ones you take away is happiness & contentment. That’s a lovely way to end a story in my opinion.
I can happily recommend this book (& the series) as a clean, feel good read.
I can happily recommend this book (& the series) as a clean, feel good read.
January 23, 2024
I feel like this book, and other books by Meg Easton are Hallmark movies in book form. And I’m a sucker for hallmark. Cheesy, absolutely. But it’s a fun read and a clean romance.
August 30, 2021
Oh my. Another great book by Meg. She rocked this book. Loved it so much.
April 24, 2019
This books has some tough topics and they aren't all dealt with head on. But it kinda fits because that is how Eli has dealt with things for the last 12 years. His dad was been emotionally/verbally abusive since he seems to have an inability to show love, and a great ability to voice his disparaging thoughts, especially to his son. But there was also a problem in the marriage because Eli's parents separated during Eli's last part of high school. So we know dad is messed up and since Eli packed up and left home without a word we know that it has messed him up too. He doesn't speak to Whitney, the love of his life, in the twelve years he is gone so that messes her up too although I think she deals with it better than Eli does. The father/son relationship isn't dealt with head on and Eli feels like staying away is the best way to cope. Mom is kind of a go between but she doesn't seem to be able to hold on to Eli either. All of this is where the Christian lit stuff comes in. It isn't heavy handed but it is through God that Eli begins to forgive and heal.
Then you've got the romance element of the book. Two broken people who haven't stopped loving each other in the twelve years they've been apart. And it quickly reignites once they are forced to spend time together. I rooted for them to end up together but worry for them at the same time. Can Eli get past his tendency to run when things are hard? Can he break the cycle he grew up in and be a better, more loving father than he had? And can Whitney fully trust and open up to a relationship or will she always wonder if he will bolt again and keep herself partially closed off to protect herself. Since this is a happily ever after ending we have to assume that they will be able to over come all the trials.
For how closed off they had been they both were really good at being social with people around them. I think it was Brooke that said something about Whitney being able to draw people in at the same time as she pushed them away. Something along those lines anyway. But their ability to draw people in made them fun characters to read. They had fun banter and worked well together despite it being awkward to do so.
I liked the town although I wondered at them waiting until two weeks before an event to assign who would be decorating the town. Seems like a pretty big job for such a short time period.
No sex, language or violence
Then you've got the romance element of the book. Two broken people who haven't stopped loving each other in the twelve years they've been apart. And it quickly reignites once they are forced to spend time together. I rooted for them to end up together but worry for them at the same time. Can Eli get past his tendency to run when things are hard? Can he break the cycle he grew up in and be a better, more loving father than he had? And can Whitney fully trust and open up to a relationship or will she always wonder if he will bolt again and keep herself partially closed off to protect herself. Since this is a happily ever after ending we have to assume that they will be able to over come all the trials.
For how closed off they had been they both were really good at being social with people around them. I think it was Brooke that said something about Whitney being able to draw people in at the same time as she pushed them away. Something along those lines anyway. But their ability to draw people in made them fun characters to read. They had fun banter and worked well together despite it being awkward to do so.
I liked the town although I wondered at them waiting until two weeks before an event to assign who would be decorating the town. Seems like a pretty big job for such a short time period.
No sex, language or violence
January 22, 2019
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
Fun-loving Whitney Brennan enjoys being in the middle of every town gathering in Nestled Hollow—and writing about it all in the town paper that she owns. But she’s terrified of making any real or deep connection with anyone because she knows that if she does, they’ll end up leaving like everyone else did. Like her high school best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Eli, did on graduation night.
Eli Treanor skipped out of Nestled Hollow twelve years ago and created a new life and a thriving team-building business he thoroughly enjoys in Sacramento. When his parents beg him to come back and run the family outdoor rentals business while his dad has surgery, Eli isn’t happy about returning to the town that didn’t love him, the dad he could never please, and the girl he’d left behind all those years ago.
When Whitney and Eli are paired together to create the decorations for the Main Street Fall Market, many of their old feelings resurface, along with new fun and excitement, but it also opens past wounds. Can this couple overcome the fears that are stopping them from giving their love the second chance it deserves?
MY TAKE
This was a charming story. I loved learning about the history of the two characters. There was some forgiving that needed to be asked for and given. It was fun to see how their old love had managed to survive the damage that had been done.
Fun-loving Whitney Brennan enjoys being in the middle of every town gathering in Nestled Hollow—and writing about it all in the town paper that she owns. But she’s terrified of making any real or deep connection with anyone because she knows that if she does, they’ll end up leaving like everyone else did. Like her high school best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Eli, did on graduation night.
Eli Treanor skipped out of Nestled Hollow twelve years ago and created a new life and a thriving team-building business he thoroughly enjoys in Sacramento. When his parents beg him to come back and run the family outdoor rentals business while his dad has surgery, Eli isn’t happy about returning to the town that didn’t love him, the dad he could never please, and the girl he’d left behind all those years ago.
When Whitney and Eli are paired together to create the decorations for the Main Street Fall Market, many of their old feelings resurface, along with new fun and excitement, but it also opens past wounds. Can this couple overcome the fears that are stopping them from giving their love the second chance it deserves?
MY TAKE
This was a charming story. I loved learning about the history of the two characters. There was some forgiving that needed to be asked for and given. It was fun to see how their old love had managed to survive the damage that had been done.
February 12, 2019
3.5/5.0
This is a small-town story about second chances and overcoming obstacles.
Read full review in the 2019 February issue of InD'tale Magazine.
This is a small-town story about second chances and overcoming obstacles.
Read full review in the 2019 February issue of InD'tale Magazine.
November 3, 2019
This book had some sweet romantic moments, but I found it to be confusing. First of all, the townspeople labeled Eli and Whitney "trouble", but no one ever said what kind of trouble they caused. Or did I miss something?
Then, Whitney somehow redeemed her reputation with the town, until she was pretty much perfect. Whitney was basically as damaged as Eli. Her sister moved while she was in high school, and her mother picked up and left her too. Her mother couldn't have found a way to stay in town a few months so that her child could graduate from high school?
Eli's father was unpleasant and abusive and his mother supported his father over her son. Question - they had separated. When did his parents get back together?
So we have two people pining for each other for TWELVE years, yet they NEVER try to get in touch with one another.
I guess my confusion stems from what is supposed to be a sweet, second chance romance built on a foundation of two people that could use some counseling in a town that supports one person and seems to kind of blame the other
for something that happened 12 years ago.
On top of ALL of that, this book just went on way too long for me. It was very descriptive and you got a really great picture of fall in that area, but the entire Eli and Whitney buildup took forever. And, how did they go from working on the Fall Festival together to dating? I guess I missed that transition also.
If you are looking for a sweet clean romance with a HEA and don't want to think about the underlying issues, then this may be the book for you. It was OK.
Then, Whitney somehow redeemed her reputation with the town, until she was pretty much perfect. Whitney was basically as damaged as Eli. Her sister moved while she was in high school, and her mother picked up and left her too. Her mother couldn't have found a way to stay in town a few months so that her child could graduate from high school?
Eli's father was unpleasant and abusive and his mother supported his father over her son. Question - they had separated. When did his parents get back together?
So we have two people pining for each other for TWELVE years, yet they NEVER try to get in touch with one another.
I guess my confusion stems from what is supposed to be a sweet, second chance romance built on a foundation of two people that could use some counseling in a town that supports one person and seems to kind of blame the other
for something that happened 12 years ago.
On top of ALL of that, this book just went on way too long for me. It was very descriptive and you got a really great picture of fall in that area, but the entire Eli and Whitney buildup took forever. And, how did they go from working on the Fall Festival together to dating? I guess I missed that transition also.
If you are looking for a sweet clean romance with a HEA and don't want to think about the underlying issues, then this may be the book for you. It was OK.
March 18, 2020
Eli Treanor of TeamUp dreads returning to his hometown of Nestled Hollow. Coming back to run the family business is not his idea of a good time. With a small town where everyone remembers him as a trouble maker from his youth and a dad who has never failed to tell him how he could be doing better, Eli is ready to leave town as soon as possible-that is until he paired up with his high school girlfriend, Whitney Brennan, to decorate for the fall festival.
Whitney Brennan is living her dream of running the Nestled Hollow Gazette. Small town stories make the front page here in Nestled Hollow and she gets to take the lead on every one of them. Life is going great for her until Eli returns to town. As they fight to make this the best fall festival this town has ever seen, feelings from the past start to return. Can Eli come to terms with the past and return to the place he ran away from?
With newspaper puns in every chapter and a blast from the past, this story made me smile and swoon. Meg Easton created a world that I wanted to join with small town U.S.A. just on the other side of the cover of this book. With beautiful scenery and a perfect autumn feeling, Second Chance on the Corner of Main Street was a delight to read. The characters were matched well with witty humor and kind hearts. Both independent business owners are smart and successful and deserve their happily ever after.
Whitney Brennan is living her dream of running the Nestled Hollow Gazette. Small town stories make the front page here in Nestled Hollow and she gets to take the lead on every one of them. Life is going great for her until Eli returns to town. As they fight to make this the best fall festival this town has ever seen, feelings from the past start to return. Can Eli come to terms with the past and return to the place he ran away from?
With newspaper puns in every chapter and a blast from the past, this story made me smile and swoon. Meg Easton created a world that I wanted to join with small town U.S.A. just on the other side of the cover of this book. With beautiful scenery and a perfect autumn feeling, Second Chance on the Corner of Main Street was a delight to read. The characters were matched well with witty humor and kind hearts. Both independent business owners are smart and successful and deserve their happily ever after.
January 8, 2020
Rating: 4.5 stars
I will not summarize this story because it was already given in the description of this book and I do not want to give any of the plot away. The purpose of this review was to give potential readers information to make an informed decision about reading/listening to this book.
What I enjoyed:
• This story caught my attention immediately.
• I liked that Whitney had a career as a newspaper owner and Eli was a team building business owner. This gave uniqueness to this story.
• I loved the fun and witty banter between Eli and Whitney.
• The very innovative Fall Market decorating ideas given in this story added to the storyline. It was fun to see how Eli and Whitney came up with their creative ideas.
• The descriptions of locations and emotions were well done, easy to visualize, and to feel. I felt a part of the scenes.
• The pacing of the story was neither too slow nor too fast.
• There was a smooth, coherent flow to this book.
• This story had a fun ending.
• This was a clean read.
• The narrator did an excellent job in differentiating the various characters' voices. She had a pleasant voice.
I requested a free audiobook from the author. My review was voluntary and my opinions were my own. I will be listening to or reading more books by this author. I will also keep a lookout for books narrated by Courtney Lucien.
I will not summarize this story because it was already given in the description of this book and I do not want to give any of the plot away. The purpose of this review was to give potential readers information to make an informed decision about reading/listening to this book.
What I enjoyed:
• This story caught my attention immediately.
• I liked that Whitney had a career as a newspaper owner and Eli was a team building business owner. This gave uniqueness to this story.
• I loved the fun and witty banter between Eli and Whitney.
• The very innovative Fall Market decorating ideas given in this story added to the storyline. It was fun to see how Eli and Whitney came up with their creative ideas.
• The descriptions of locations and emotions were well done, easy to visualize, and to feel. I felt a part of the scenes.
• The pacing of the story was neither too slow nor too fast.
• There was a smooth, coherent flow to this book.
• This story had a fun ending.
• This was a clean read.
• The narrator did an excellent job in differentiating the various characters' voices. She had a pleasant voice.
I requested a free audiobook from the author. My review was voluntary and my opinions were my own. I will be listening to or reading more books by this author. I will also keep a lookout for books narrated by Courtney Lucien.
March 22, 2020
I related to the characters' misinterpretations of others feelings. This happens so often in life! Her depiction of couples seemed spot on. We all have ups and downs, some of them pretty intense. I appreciate how everything wasn't viewed through rose-colored glasses, but that she managed to concoct a plot that still left me feeling good and in love with life. I'm a big fan of fall, so much of the scenery was like candy for me :). The kisses were sweet enough to be joyful but didn't really leave me feeling steamy and for sure weren't too over-the-top. On a scale of 1 to 5 for steamy, where 5 is explicit, I'd say this was a 1.5.
The character development was great and each had a distinct voice. The dialogue was natural and added wit but seemed real. The texts were fun and corny but the characters knew it and joked about it (that was a fun touch). The minor characters added a lot to the story and helped create the ups and downs of the conflicts and resolutions. The romance was integral to the story, I wanted the two main characters to end up together, and the resolution of the conflict was satisfying. The pace was great and I wanted to keep reading, but could set it down if I needed to go get something done. I looked forward to picking it back up again.
Thanks for a good read!
The character development was great and each had a distinct voice. The dialogue was natural and added wit but seemed real. The texts were fun and corny but the characters knew it and joked about it (that was a fun touch). The minor characters added a lot to the story and helped create the ups and downs of the conflicts and resolutions. The romance was integral to the story, I wanted the two main characters to end up together, and the resolution of the conflict was satisfying. The pace was great and I wanted to keep reading, but could set it down if I needed to go get something done. I looked forward to picking it back up again.
Thanks for a good read!
February 25, 2024
Second Chance on the Corner of Main Street is the second book in the Nestled Hollow series. While some familiar characters make small appearances, this could definitely be enjoyed as a standalone as well.
This is my third visit to Nestled Hollow... and I find myself enjoying this town more and more with each book I read. Like the previous ones that I had read, this story has all the smalltown charm I love, with a wonderful second chance love story. The chemistry between Whitney and Eli was great and I loved seeing them work through the issues that they had had in the past. I didn't always like the decisions they made in the midst of it all... but it all worked out in the end.
This story centered around the planning of a fall festival and as such had some great fall vibes to it, which I absolutely adore--- even if I was reading it in February! I found myself wanting to visit and see if for myself!
Second Chance on the Corner of Main Street is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language.
This is my third visit to Nestled Hollow... and I find myself enjoying this town more and more with each book I read. Like the previous ones that I had read, this story has all the smalltown charm I love, with a wonderful second chance love story. The chemistry between Whitney and Eli was great and I loved seeing them work through the issues that they had had in the past. I didn't always like the decisions they made in the midst of it all... but it all worked out in the end.
This story centered around the planning of a fall festival and as such had some great fall vibes to it, which I absolutely adore--- even if I was reading it in February! I found myself wanting to visit and see if for myself!
Second Chance on the Corner of Main Street is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language.
December 15, 2018
Eli Treanor ran away from his family and his girlfriend Whitney Brennan twelve years ago because he thought none of them really loved him and that he could never measure up to their expectations. People in Whitney’s life have left her: Eli, her father when he died, her fiancé when he left her for a job in New York, her mother and sister Jackie when they moved away to South Carolina, and her boss and mentor when he died soon after signing over running the Nested Hollow Gazette to her. When Eli’s father is injured he goes back home to Nestled Hollow to help him and ends up on the planning committee for the Fall Market with Whitney. Neither them has ever stopped loving the other. Can they overcome past hurts and find a way back together? I loved the idea of Eli’s company TeamUp that came up with fun and creative team building exercises for companies. The festival sounded magical and it made me want to visit a town like Nestled Hollow.
October 16, 2019
(4.5 stars) - really tugged at my heartstrings
This is such a great story. Whitney and Eli have both had to deal with a lot of difficult stuff in their lives. Frankly, as the conflict peaked, I just wanted to hug them both - especially poor Eli. I wanted to chew his dad out so bad.
While it's an angsty story, it didn't feel contrived, & thankfully, has a lot of lightheartedness to keep it from being too much. You can see where the main characters, despite their success as adults, have gotten stuck stewing in their own emotional damage. So there's a real sense of joy when they not only find their path out to begin healing, but meet each other there!
The ending and the epilogue are really fun, too!
*Clean romance level: sweet kisses
*Religion: some moments of characters praying for guidance, flows naturally to the story, nothing preachy
This is such a great story. Whitney and Eli have both had to deal with a lot of difficult stuff in their lives. Frankly, as the conflict peaked, I just wanted to hug them both - especially poor Eli. I wanted to chew his dad out so bad.
While it's an angsty story, it didn't feel contrived, & thankfully, has a lot of lightheartedness to keep it from being too much. You can see where the main characters, despite their success as adults, have gotten stuck stewing in their own emotional damage. So there's a real sense of joy when they not only find their path out to begin healing, but meet each other there!
The ending and the epilogue are really fun, too!
*Clean romance level: sweet kisses
*Religion: some moments of characters praying for guidance, flows naturally to the story, nothing preachy
February 22, 2020
Generic, cheesy
I won't go into too much detail. This book will be a hit with the Christian mingle crowd but it's not for me. Whitney is great but like most other romance books the guy is awful. He's self centered and his only real goal seems to be to feel sorry for himself. He leaves Whitney behind without even a phone call for 12 years because he got into an argument with his parents and in his mind that means he's unlovable. He spends his time back in town leading her on knowing that hes going to leave. They finally have a heart-to-heart about why he left and he realizes how pathetic it was and that it makes him a terrible person so of course he immediately decides to do it again. Ugh. The book is just cornball paint by numbers romance. Eli doesn't deserve Whitney.
I won't go into too much detail. This book will be a hit with the Christian mingle crowd but it's not for me. Whitney is great but like most other romance books the guy is awful. He's self centered and his only real goal seems to be to feel sorry for himself. He leaves Whitney behind without even a phone call for 12 years because he got into an argument with his parents and in his mind that means he's unlovable. He spends his time back in town leading her on knowing that hes going to leave. They finally have a heart-to-heart about why he left and he realizes how pathetic it was and that it makes him a terrible person so of course he immediately decides to do it again. Ugh. The book is just cornball paint by numbers romance. Eli doesn't deserve Whitney.
August 20, 2021
A fun story complete with great characters and fantastic setting. Whitney has never been in a better place: doing what she loves in a place that she loves.
Eli is successful in his own right with a business to prove it. When he returns to Nestled Hollow his plan is simply to keep his dad's store going while he recovers and then head back to California. However running into Whitney and spending time planning the Fall Market with her makes Eli wonder about his past and his future in Nestled Hollow.
Whitney is a vivacious and caring character. Easton uses the character's past to shape the adult she has become and makes her loveable for readers.
Eli is serious, self-doubting and fun even though he feels out of place in his hometown. Together with background characters, these two make for an engaging story, one you won't want to miss.
Eli is successful in his own right with a business to prove it. When he returns to Nestled Hollow his plan is simply to keep his dad's store going while he recovers and then head back to California. However running into Whitney and spending time planning the Fall Market with her makes Eli wonder about his past and his future in Nestled Hollow.
Whitney is a vivacious and caring character. Easton uses the character's past to shape the adult she has become and makes her loveable for readers.
Eli is serious, self-doubting and fun even though he feels out of place in his hometown. Together with background characters, these two make for an engaging story, one you won't want to miss.
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August 26, 2021I really enjoyed this book. The story line was well thought out. Every time I read another book in the Nestled Hollow series, I wish I could visit, and meet all the characters.
When Eli and Whitney were teamed to decorate the town for Fall Festival, I loved the ideas they came up with as they worked together. I felt the walls they had built up over the 12 year separation fall away and they were able to see each other in a new light.
The back and forth feelings of learning to love and trust again was a lesson I felt really hit home for me.
I also really enjoyed all of Whitney’s T-shirt sayings. She is seen in other stories in the seires as a guest character and the shirts are still entertaining for me.
I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series. If you like reading about small towns and lighthearted romance, you will enjoy this book.
When Eli and Whitney were teamed to decorate the town for Fall Festival, I loved the ideas they came up with as they worked together. I felt the walls they had built up over the 12 year separation fall away and they were able to see each other in a new light.
The back and forth feelings of learning to love and trust again was a lesson I felt really hit home for me.
I also really enjoyed all of Whitney’s T-shirt sayings. She is seen in other stories in the seires as a guest character and the shirts are still entertaining for me.
I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series. If you like reading about small towns and lighthearted romance, you will enjoy this book.
April 3, 2024
I listened to the audio version of this book narrated by Courtney Lucien. It was perfect and and the voices were easy to listen to.
This is obviously (from the title) a second chance trope. Meg and Eli find themselves back in their small town together when Eli returns home to help out his parents with their store. There are certainly issues between them that they have to work out. The setting is a lovely small town where everyone knows everyone and everything about them. That might not be good in this case.
This is a sweet, clean romance with the second chance for two people to find the love together that they gave up on the last time around. The result leaves the reader with a happy heart, as do all of Meg Easton's books.
I listened to this audiobook as part of a bundle that includes three Nestled Hollow Romances. All three stories are heartwarming.
This is obviously (from the title) a second chance trope. Meg and Eli find themselves back in their small town together when Eli returns home to help out his parents with their store. There are certainly issues between them that they have to work out. The setting is a lovely small town where everyone knows everyone and everything about them. That might not be good in this case.
This is a sweet, clean romance with the second chance for two people to find the love together that they gave up on the last time around. The result leaves the reader with a happy heart, as do all of Meg Easton's books.
I listened to this audiobook as part of a bundle that includes three Nestled Hollow Romances. All three stories are heartwarming.
February 21, 2019
Second Chances
This was an okay story about Eli and Whitney, two people who dated in high school and meet again 12 years later in the town that Whitney never left and that Eli escaped from the night of their high school graduation. Both are now successful and both have relationship issues. They have been thrown together to work on a town celebration and while doing so face up to all the reasons they are hiding behind their careers and not moving on to new personal relationships. The author’s discriptions of the surroundings and the town make you want to search for a place just like Nestled Hollow and visit it in the Fall. Even though you have two likable leading characters, the story is a little flat, but it was okay for a quick read without much emotion.
This was an okay story about Eli and Whitney, two people who dated in high school and meet again 12 years later in the town that Whitney never left and that Eli escaped from the night of their high school graduation. Both are now successful and both have relationship issues. They have been thrown together to work on a town celebration and while doing so face up to all the reasons they are hiding behind their careers and not moving on to new personal relationships. The author’s discriptions of the surroundings and the town make you want to search for a place just like Nestled Hollow and visit it in the Fall. Even though you have two likable leading characters, the story is a little flat, but it was okay for a quick read without much emotion.
December 27, 2020
Cute and Sweet
This clean romance was sweet, but not hard to put down. Whitney and Eli have a complicated and sticky history with each other. Their high school friendship and romance ended abruptly when Eli left town the night of graduation without a backward glance. Whitney was still hurt even 12 years later. When Eli returns to their hometown 12 years after leaving, he and Whitney have plenty of baggage to work through in order to build a new friendship. They are forced to interact with each other in order to plan the Fall Market decorations. They seem to be falling for each other,when things suddenly fall apart. Can their new friendship withstand another round of problems?
This clean romance was sweet, but not hard to put down. Whitney and Eli have a complicated and sticky history with each other. Their high school friendship and romance ended abruptly when Eli left town the night of graduation without a backward glance. Whitney was still hurt even 12 years later. When Eli returns to their hometown 12 years after leaving, he and Whitney have plenty of baggage to work through in order to build a new friendship. They are forced to interact with each other in order to plan the Fall Market decorations. They seem to be falling for each other,when things suddenly fall apart. Can their new friendship withstand another round of problems?
January 8, 2021
I really loved the realness of this book, especially the brokenness of Eli's family. Yes his dad was (and still is, at least a little bit) verbally abusive - and the detail about his parents separating when he was in high school - it just felt so real. Eli's brokenness made sense, and so did Whitney's. Yes, they should have called each other during those 12 long years, and saved all the heartbreak from this misunderstanding. But as a person who clams up when hurt, I thought this was SO relatable.
The end scene was beautiful! And I love the device of the heroines in all these stories being business owners on Main Street in Nestled Hollow. That town is the beating heart of these books, and it's an idyllic place that really feels real - and like home.
The end scene was beautiful! And I love the device of the heroines in all these stories being business owners on Main Street in Nestled Hollow. That town is the beating heart of these books, and it's an idyllic place that really feels real - and like home.
August 3, 2022
Brooke and Cole are a super cute couple. Most of their relationship revolves around their close friendship. Cole loves Brooke but Brooke doesn’t date exclusively. For Brooke dating is about having a good time with no pressure of anything more. She refuses to date in their small town because she doesn’t want any expectation. What Brooke doesn’t realize is that she has already crossed that line with Cole like it or not. Cole knows Brooke isn’t into anything serious so he has been telling his heart to back off through their friendship. He doesn’t want to get too close with Brooke. He knows that Sam, his daughter, deserves a mother in her young life and he knows Brooke and her constant traveling isn’t the settle down type. Both Cole and Brooke have lots to learn.
September 26, 2025
Plot: Eli and Whitney were the happiest couple and had great plans for their future, that is, until Eli runs away the night of graduation and never speaks to Whitney again. After running back into each other many years later, old feelings resurface. As they spend time together, will Eli finally be truthful about his running away? Can they be happy together? What happens when he goes back to California?
What I liked: I liked that their friends pushed them to be honest and not run when they were scared
What I didn’t like: I didn’t like that Eli’s dad was so critical of him over the smallest things
Swearing: none
Physical intimacy level: closed door
Star rating: 3 stars
Trope: second chance romance, mutual pining, small town romance, forced proximity
What I liked: I liked that their friends pushed them to be honest and not run when they were scared
What I didn’t like: I didn’t like that Eli’s dad was so critical of him over the smallest things
Swearing: none
Physical intimacy level: closed door
Star rating: 3 stars
Trope: second chance romance, mutual pining, small town romance, forced proximity
June 10, 2020
4.75 star story; 5 star narration!
This story was sweet and enjoyable.
There isn’t (probably)a romance trope that I haven’t enjoyed when written by the hand of a skilled author. I do have favorite tropes though, and second-chance isn’t in my top few tropes (excluding Persuasion, of course). I give this preface to say that this is probably the only reasonable that I would give this story a 4.75/5. I find this trope unlikely, without some great barrier between the two lovers,... a little unbelievable. Therefore, I struggle to buy into the tale.
Meg Easton wrote a sweet story, making the best of a weak trope.
Courtney Lucien did a lovely job of narrating this story!
This story was sweet and enjoyable.
There isn’t (probably)a romance trope that I haven’t enjoyed when written by the hand of a skilled author. I do have favorite tropes though, and second-chance isn’t in my top few tropes (excluding Persuasion, of course). I give this preface to say that this is probably the only reasonable that I would give this story a 4.75/5. I find this trope unlikely, without some great barrier between the two lovers,... a little unbelievable. Therefore, I struggle to buy into the tale.
Meg Easton wrote a sweet story, making the best of a weak trope.
Courtney Lucien did a lovely job of narrating this story!
December 21, 2020
Whitney and Eli
Eli can't believe his parents need him to come home after 12 years to run the store for his dad while he has ankle surgery. 12 years he hasn't set foot in the town he grew up in. When he left his only regret was leaving his bestfriend/girlfriend Whitney behind. Will she still be there? Will she want to talk to him after all this time? Whitney is still angry with how things ended with Eli. She also has a new rule that her bestfriend Brooke would like her to break of No Dating! What happens when these two come face to face after all this time? Only one way to find out, read this great story by Meg Easton you wont be disappointed!
Eli can't believe his parents need him to come home after 12 years to run the store for his dad while he has ankle surgery. 12 years he hasn't set foot in the town he grew up in. When he left his only regret was leaving his bestfriend/girlfriend Whitney behind. Will she still be there? Will she want to talk to him after all this time? Whitney is still angry with how things ended with Eli. She also has a new rule that her bestfriend Brooke would like her to break of No Dating! What happens when these two come face to face after all this time? Only one way to find out, read this great story by Meg Easton you wont be disappointed!
March 3, 2022
I stumbled across Meg Easton on line and downloaded this book for free. I was happily surprised by how much I liked it and wondered why I had never read anything of hers before this. I immediately fell in love with the main characters and thoroughly enjoyed their stories. It was interesting how they both had problems with the perceptions of others and let it drive their behavior.
This was a fast read mainly because it was hard to put down. I must admit that reading about the fabulous flavors of ice cream has me craving a trip to the ice cream shop. I certainly look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.
This was a fast read mainly because it was hard to put down. I must admit that reading about the fabulous flavors of ice cream has me craving a trip to the ice cream shop. I certainly look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.
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