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Maple Bay #2

Second Chance in Maple Bay

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Running from the past is easier than facing it…

Kat swore off horses after a riding accident took her sister. Five years later she still blames herself and deals with the guilt by getting lost in city lights, a corporate job, and a sham of an engagement. But when she returns home for her brother Jesse’s wedding, the past comes creeping back. She’s not sure she can face the memories, especially because many of them she shared with her brother’s best friend, Creed—a man Kat’s been in love with since high school and who was with her that fateful night.

Creed lives for one thing—rodeo—and he learned long ago that family is more than blood. Creed’s best friend’s parents took him under their wing when he was a teenager, treating him like a son. Which is why Kat, his best friend’s little sister, has always been off-limits. But when Kat comes home to Maple Bay, a ring on her hand and sadness in her heart, Creed is pulled to her once again. But is she worth the risk of losing the only family he’s got?

A feel-good story of second chances and how love, family, and forgiveness can heal all hearts.

♥♥♥

Welcome to Maple Bay, a small town with heaps of heart—where family dinner is a must, and someone will always leave the light on for you. A new series perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber, Jenny Hale, and Elana Johnson. Each book in the Maple Bay series can be read as a standalone.

★Bonus: Includes a special recipe for mulled apple cider.

Books in the Maple Bay Series (each book can be read as a standalone):

Starting Over in Maple Bay
Second Chance in Maple Bay
Country Stars in Maple Bay
Matched in Maple Bay

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 17, 2021

202 people are currently reading
191 people want to read

About the author

Brittney Joy

20 books384 followers
Website: http://brittneyjoybooks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brittneyjoyb...
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Brittney-Joy/e/...

Author of sweet stories full of hope, heart, and happily-ever-afters.

Brittney and her family live in their own piece of heaven in the Oregon countryside. They stay busy with their menagerie of silly horses, cackling chickens, wooly sheep, and two very naughty goats. When Brittney isn’t writing, she’s riding or reading. And she wishes she could do all three at the same time.

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5 stars
308 (64%)
4 stars
110 (23%)
3 stars
42 (8%)
2 stars
12 (2%)
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3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
Profile Image for Shanna Johnson.
554 reviews23 followers
July 4, 2021
Second Chance in Maple Bay was such a lovely story. Author Brittany Joy never fails to pull your heart strings, make you smile, and keep you dreaming about life, love, and family. While reading the first book in this series, Starting Over in Maple Bay, I kept thinking about how I would LOVE to hear Kat's story, so I was very happy to have that chance. I truly feel this book, along with this series would be wonderful on screen with Hallmark or Lifetime because there are so many lovely details and you can just feel the emotion through each and every page. Second chances are all about trying again, not giving up, and proving things can work out and be worth it in the long run and nothing shows that better than this beautiful book (literally, just look again at that cover!!)

If you enjoy second chance romances, horses, and small towns you will be right at home in Maple Bay. My absolute favorite thing about Second Chance in Maple Bay is the way that author Brittany Joy got you to feel like you were truly there with Kat and Creed, I could see everything so clearly in my mind and I didn't want the story to end. I am highly anticipating the next in this series and hope to enjoy Brittany Joy's books for many years to come.
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.8k reviews361 followers
July 17, 2021
Grabbing on to a Second Chance . . .

Kat Weston has returned to Maple Bay to attend her brother Jesse’s wedding. She had been dreading it, but driving out here, breathing the fresh air, this just might be exactly what she has needed! At least until the buck strolled out on the road and stopped in front of her to watch her frantic evasions. The Smart Car she was forced to rent was not safe in an accident and jerked the steering wheel to take the lesser of two impacts as she hurtled toward a ditch. Having her dogs’ carrier belted in the seat, they fortunately were not hurt. Still dressed in her work clothes, she stepped out of the car without thinking and her high heel was sucked off in the mud in the ditch. Had she reached her “bad luck” quota yet? In answer, the deer who had been watching her turned and walked back the way it had come, not wanting to cross the road after all. Her little rental car didn’t have the power to climb a small hill, so no way could it get out of this ditch. And her phone was on the floor of the car, black screen and cracked in pieces. She was going to have to carry her two small dogs in her coat while she looked for a house to borrow their phone. And then Creed Sheridan pulled up in his truck. Covered in mud, she was not ready to face him today. As he carried her suitcase to his truck, she grabbed her purse and found the engagement ring to slip on her finger. That should keep her heart safe.

Kat has loved Creed since their high school days. If she tells the truth about her “engagement”, can this be a second chance for Kat and Creed to get back together? Can he help her get over her grief and guilt over her younger sister’s death? Is there a HEA waiting for them?

This was a wonderful story with so much warmth. There was also plenty of hidden feelings that needed to be sorted out and dealt with. Grab your copy and see if they can talk to each other and heal the bad things. They are perfect for each other and Kat needs him in her life.
Profile Image for ErinTurnsPages.
610 reviews6 followers
July 18, 2021
*Small spoiler at the end*
Welcome back to Maple Bay, Minnesota where Hazel started over in book 1 with the Weston family.
After the accident that killed her sister Sarah, Kat Weston left home for school, eventually landing a job in Chicago. Now she's back home for her brother Jesse's wedding, hiding a broken engagement, and face to face with her past.
Creed Sheridan is almost a brother to the Weston family rather than a friend. He's also the ex-boyfriend of Kat and was with her and Sarah the night Sarah died.
Can the two former lovers come to terms with their past and learn to move forward? Better yet can they move forward together?

Honestly, this book is so comforting to read, I immediately felt at ease when I picked up the book. It's something about the author's voice, I really can't explain it and never have. Not in words that give what I mean justice. The scene that made me cry was at the end of Chapter 23 when the girls were getting ready for the wedding. Kat gave Hazel something borrowed and the last exchange got me good.
The only small issue I had with the book was Kat's boss, Wendy, she's written to be hated, but in the end, she never gets what's coming to her! It felt like the whole situation around Kat's big project & Wendy jumping in was going to be a whole big thing, like maybe she was trying to get Kat not elected to the manager position she wanted. *spoiler* Then when she's elected to the position anyway it just felt anti-climactic. I felt like the boss should have at least been called out or something. Regardless, it's not important to the plot, just a little thing that bothered me, and it doesn't hinder the reading in any way shape or form.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Fleur.
3,734 reviews29 followers
July 19, 2021
Kat has loathed coming home after her sisters passing 5 years ago when she not only lost her sister but the guy she thought she would be with forever, now her hand has been forced as her brother Jesse is getting married and there is no way she can not come home. The tension and attraction between Kat and Creed is off the charts and while Creed tries to be a friend he also can't stop the feelings he has always had for her, but Kat needs to confront the past and allow herself to accept what happened and move forward. There are times I want to shake Kat not only about how she has bottled everything up and caused her parents to feel like they lost two daughters as well as how she lets her boss overrun her supposed vacation. As you see Kat slowly start to let her feeling out it makes you want to give her a big hug and say keep going, then when she finally goes into her room and her Dad is at the door is heartbreaking but soo good as you know more good things are to come as Creed and Kat soo deserve their own HEA even if it takes a few goes!!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Norma.
350 reviews
January 7, 2022
Loving & Heartwarming

This story of Kat & Creed was so endearing. They loved each other as kids. Once they grew up & Kat went off to college, the things they wanted in life became different. Once Kat came back home, they both knew the feelings were still there, but both were afraid of getting hurt again. Thankfully they woke up & realized that they still had that love for each other. So many emotions in this sweet romance. Another must read by this wonderful Author!
3,648 reviews17 followers
July 14, 2021
Kat and Creed have their share of issues, mishaps, misunderstandings, ups and downs in this second chance romance. She lets her family believe she's still engaged to protect her heart and when Creed's current flame wraps herself around him upon Kat meeting her I would be hesitant to get between that too. But Kat's heart has never moved on from her first love and they can't help the attraction and memories. My heart hurt for them with what happened to her sister. I loved Kat's two little rescue dogs and Creed's rescue cat. It was great to catch up with Hazel and Jesse from the the first book. There are so many wonderful characters that I'm looking forward to reading more about in future books. Kat's friend Lei sounds interesting and I hope she gets her own cowboy one day.
Profile Image for Debbie Odachowski.
491 reviews
August 9, 2021
WOW!

When I find a writer new to me I am up with a challenge. Will I like the writing or not? I am so thrilled to have found Brittney Joy to add to my list of writers that I cannot wait to read the next book. Her Maple Bay series is wonderful and you will want to visit there often.Enjoy!
Profile Image for Barbara.
19.2k reviews8 followers
July 16, 2021
The second book in the Maple Bay series a well written story with a very good storyline. I enjoyed seeing Kat and Creed get their second chance. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Elaine Coghlan .
1,497 reviews14 followers
July 11, 2021
Second Chance in Maple Bay ~ Maple Bay bk 2 By Brittney Joy.
An excellent read, by Brittaney and this, follows on with Kat's story, when she returns home for her brother Jessie's wedding. Can Kat overcome the guilt of the death of her sister Sarah 5 years ago?
How will Kat cope with facing her ex-Creed? who just happens to be her brother Jessie's best friend who she has been in love with since high school!
Brittney has told this story so well, that I fell into this from the very first page and could not put it down. I felt that I was there too.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have no hesitation about recommending it.


738 reviews7 followers
July 16, 2021
What a great love story with all the events and drama in real life. Creed is so awesome and loveable dispite his weaknesses and challenges. So sad about her sister and how that kept them apart but I love how the story unfolded with a fabulous ending! Can't wait to read the next in the series!
Profile Image for Joan.
1,331 reviews
August 26, 2021
Creed and Kat

A great story of love and forgiveness, for yourself and others. I liked the wonderful family atmosphere. Brittney Joy did a good job of developing her characters into well rounded and realistic people. I liked how the characters grew and changed.
994 reviews
August 6, 2021
A good clean romance: I enjoyed reading and would recommend.
4,012 reviews35 followers
July 12, 2021
The book is a good, and enjoyable sweet second chance romance read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Amanda Marlowe.
2,436 reviews25 followers
Read
July 8, 2021
Kat is on her way home for her brother's wedding, she's in a small hire car when she swerves to miss a deer and ends up in a muddy field. She's rescued by her ex, Creed, they went out twice but her career came between them, Creed breaking up with her so that she could get ahead.
Kat is pretending to be engaged to protect herself from Creed, as she never fell out of love with him, but a terrible accident in the past has her closed off.
This is a great emotional read, the first I've read of Brittney's, it won't be the last.

A fantastic read.
1,372 reviews8 followers
July 27, 2021
Kat is on her way home for Jesse's wedding but she doesn't want to but he is family and she goes. On her way home a buck causes her to have an accident and her smart car rental cannot do hills so just as she is deciding to walk to a house for a phone; but who shows up but the man that she has loved since high school Creed so what's a woman to do. Should she keep taking her engagement or tell Creed the truth and see if they can make it together.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Anita Rohn.
1,965 reviews9 followers
July 30, 2021
Kat

A heart that is grieving takes her far from home until family ties and events call her home. And home is where she belongs. Emotional,and entertaining read.
213 reviews1 follower
July 5, 2021
LOVE THIS AUTHOR SECOND BOOK IN SERIES
GREAT STORY AND CHARACTERS CANT WAIT FOR NEXT BOOK
CHECK OUT FIRST BOOK( Starting Over in Maple Bay ) CAN BE READ ALONE
BUT BETTER READING IN ORDER

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Amy.
1,339 reviews
July 13, 2021
Kat has returned to Maple Bay for her brothers wedding. She also needs to deal with her past and feelings for Creed.
A story of second chances, trying again and finding a way to work through past history. Never giving up and finding happiness at the end.

I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it.
Profile Image for MaryEllen.
2,914 reviews29 followers
July 16, 2021
While there's no sex on the page, this is not a "wholesome" story. The characters are gathered for a wedding for a couple that already live together.

There are plenty of misunderstandings for this couple to work through as well as both running from hard things... for a while.
2,281 reviews27 followers
July 13, 2021
Kat and Creed were a couple who should have never parted. Their meeting after years apart was a little comical. This one tugs at your heart and makes you think. Will they let grief, unforgiveness and misunderstandings stand in their way of their hea? Really sweet ending.
Profile Image for Lorie - Bookaholic.
367 reviews19 followers
August 8, 2023
'You can't heal by forgetting'

Another great book #2 in Maple Bay of Kat (Katherine Marie Weston) and Creed Sheridan.

In this book we find where Kat and Creed come together to heal each other from what tore them apart five years earlier. She came home because her brother Jesse is marrying Hazel and Creed is one of the groomsmen. Both of them are going to be in the wedding so they can't ignore each other forever.

Over a drunken misunderstanding, Sarah got on Diesel and rode off into the night after she and Kat had an argument. The horse slipped on the edge of the road and Sarah fell off, breaking her neck. Kat couldn't forgive Creed for kissing Sarah on that fateful night. The next time Kat saw her, she was lying on the ground. Dead. Sarah's death was something Kat or Creed would get past.

Kat and Creed had to talk about what happened that night now that she was home. Soon after Sarah's funeral, Kat moved to Chicago, never talking to Creed about what really happened. It was now or never to heal their wounded hearts.

"We can't go backwards in time. The only thing we can do is forge on. We must take steps forward, no matter how little or big those steps might be. You can't have to carry this load by yourself. That's not your burden to bear."

The next book in this series: Country Stars in Maple Bay: A Sweet Small-Town Cowboy Romance. I hope you enjoy reading Brittney Joy's books. Happy reading!

5 reviews
November 10, 2022
Interesting but not Christian!

If all the premarital sex had been left out, it would have deserved more stars. But it was sadly just a picture of what so much of our fellow humans have fallen to. Also sad that the prior generation, the parents, seem to have no concern about the morality of the people that they claim to love.
2,556 reviews46 followers
April 25, 2023
I think a lot of people will love this romance. I didn't simply because I didn't enjoy the alcoholism and other tough subject matter. I know it is real life but when I read I like to be in a fluffy little world without the toughness. Therefore, others will love this but it wasn't really my cup of tea.

Sex: references to off page sex,
Language: no
Violence: no
Profile Image for Alexa.
154 reviews
January 31, 2024
For the record: I love Creed. He was swoon worthy for sure! Also, if Creed and Kat stopped assuming things and gave one another a chance to talk things through and explain themselves; there would be zero plot to this book. It would be about 10 pages and finished 😆😆 . I'm still enjoying these books and will continue to read the series, I'm glad I've found them!
63 reviews
June 30, 2025
Good story

I was disappointed that it wasn’t the clean story that I thought it was. When I read the first in the series last week, I was led to believe that the whole series was going to be clean. Some things were uncovered in this story that suggested premarital sex. At disappointed me. It was still a good story. It just wasn’t what I thought it was.
4,547 reviews29 followers
November 29, 2025
I liked the side characters but the main characters irritated me. They exemplified everything I hate about the second chance romance trope. Every single thing that has gone wrong between them has happened because one or both of them was not communicating. So we have soap opera levels of drama and it’s all self inflicted and completely avoidable!
Profile Image for Deidre Avant.
33 reviews1 follower
November 14, 2021
Great Read

This was a great red that involved the past, present and future. It was full of heart, grief and love and how things in your past and present can be overcome when you give into love!
352 reviews
March 1, 2022
The story of Kat and Creed were son endearing and heartbreaking at the same time but I was happy they cleared the past and present and ended up together. Happy that Kat didn't have to give up her career but moved forward by setting up with her friend Lei their own investment.
286 reviews
July 20, 2022
adorable sweet romance

This is such a sweet second chance small town book. It’s clean and full of two characters that have great chemistry. It was fast paced without feeling rushed. I finished it in a day
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews

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