This Time Around

by Lynn Stevens

Six years ago, Julianna Markum left Hartfield to discover the truth about the death of her parents. She had every intention of returning.
Until a fateful phone call changed her mind.
Within minutes of arriving back in her hometown, Julianna runs a stop sign. And Pace Carter pulls her over. She knew she’d run into him eventually, just not until she’d figured out what to say. The fifteen-hour driver from Savannah hadn’t been enough time.
She never had enough time.
Pace had been her best friend, her closest confidant, and she left without even saying goodbye. Julianna knew it would break his heart, especially after events at graduation.
But she’s not back for Pace. He’s moved on. She’s there to help care for her elderly aunt.
Hartfield is a small town, and avoiding Pace is near impossible. She needs to make things right between them.
If only she could find the words to explain why she left and why she didn’t tell him goodbye.

Genres: Friends To Lovers

84 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 20, 2021

Reviews

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julianna has been gone for six years, but is back when Aunt Helen has a stroke. The first person she runs into is Pace, and he's none to happy to see her. I love their story, but wish it was a little bit longer, seeming to rush near the end. Her cousin, Stacy - it's a love/hate with her character. She was mean to Juliana after she left, and doesn't seem pleased that she's back now. I was glad to see them make peace with each other. Julianna and Pace make a great couple, once they get over being mad. I loved seeing the change in Pace, as he figured out how to forgive Julianna, and her changes, figuring out where home was.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[SaDonna Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pace fell in love with Jules when they were in high school. Due to a series of unfortunate events Jules stayed away for six years. When she comes back home due to her aunt's illness she sees Pace again. Pace is angry because she didn't say goodbye but he still loves her.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Aimee Lombardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Time Around is the story of Pace and Jules and how they returned to each other after Jules's mysterious disappearance 6 yrs prior.

This story will have you glued to it the entire time to see what is going to happen next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elvira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this storyline it was entertaining and well developed. The characters are engaging and well developed with plenty of a connection throughout the pages once I understand there are flashbacks going on.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Adriane Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope to read more from this couple and this author. Well written good storyline and I loved the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Julie Booklover · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new to me author, as I love second chances, I had to read this book. However, I did not realize this was a novella. I am not fond of short stories as the arc is too fast.

I did enjoy Pace and Jule’s story, glad that they were able to get a second try. Jule’s had her reasons for leaving six years ago, and once we knew all of her secrets, it came together. The last quarter of the book did seem rushed, but I loved Aunt Helen’s words to Jules.

Thank you to Booksprout and the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

[Yoneidis · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
Jules leaves her home without saying goodbye, leaving behind her family and her best friend who just declare his love for her. She wants to find out what about her parents, who were declared death years ago by never found the bodies.
6 years later she returns home after her cousin called her to tell her that her aunt is very ill and she doesn’t have much time left.
When she arrives she will have to face all the pain of those who left behind.
Pace hasn’t been able to forget in all this time, but he still lets her know how much her leaving broke his heart.
The book alternates between the present and the memories lived by Jules in the family home and in the town.

[Lisbeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Julianna and Pace was an okay story. I found it a little confusing untill you get all the sides of the story and the story felt a little rushed. The flow of the story was a little off and it was sometimes hard to follow the story when it turned out the character was all of a sudden flashing back to the past withouth there being any indicaction that it was a flash back untill you read a little further and then it became clear. I would have liked it better if it had a clearer structure.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Penny Leidecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julianna returns to town, after leaving six years ago without saying goodbye to Pace. Pace is the first person she sees, when she’s pulled over for running a stop sign, which wasn’t there six years ago. Will they ever be friends again or even more? She really hurt him, but she had to leave to search for answers about her parents. I won’t say what happens, but I will say I enjoyed reading about these wonderful characters. It’s never too late to go home, just sayin’.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Leanne Bryson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pace & Julianna's story started in High School, but derailed when her parents died and she was driven to find out the circumstances. She left without a goodbye, but when she returns years later, she's stopped for a traffic violation, by police officer Pace Carter. The story was a bit convoluted and there was some sorting out that was needed. Lynn Stevens is a new to me author, but I would give her another try. This was a just OK read for me.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[evieo17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read. I liked that it wasn’t drawn out with unnecessary information in the backstory. There was just enough that you get the dynamics of Pace and Julianna’s relationship and the reason why she left. I understood why Julianna had to leave but the way she did it and why she stayed away was questionable. Pace could have made her grovel a bit more but they did manage to get their HEA without any extra drama.

[Rhonda Howell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Julian and Pace where in love in high school, bit it was cut short when Julian's parents died and she left to find out what happened. She left Pace without saying goodbye. She is back in town 6 ueara later. Will Pace forgive her? Will they get back together? This is a sweet story with emotions.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lenna Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced read of Julianna’s POV. She and Pace were friends shined they were very young but when she reached 18 she disappeared to find the truth of her parents death/disappearance. Never saying goodbye to anyone... then 6 years later Jules is back but will she get her HEA or will she be disappointed???

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot tried to happen in this novella and some things succeeded. I felt a little lost with missing details but overall it was a good read. I liked the sweetness of their romance.

I requested a copy of this book so I could provide an honest review.

[Petra Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*
The story on the whole was ok, although I didn’t quite get the reason behind all the drama, but still an entertaining read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Pace & Julianna's book. It was an entertaining & emotional read. I received a free copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Julianna Markum and Pace Carter's story of a second chance after six years apart. These two belonged together, but a lie has kept them apart all this time. Now that she is back in her hometown to be by her Aunt Helen side as she heals, she will find out what happened back then. I enjoyed seeing this story come together. This is a new Author to me. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[evieo17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read. I liked that it wasn’t drawn out with unnecessary information in the backstory. There was just enough that you get the dynamics of Pace and Julianna’s relationship and the reason why she left. I understood why Julianna had to leave but the way she did it and why she stayed away was questionable. Pace could have made her grovel a bit more but they did manage to get their HEA without any extra drama.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute interesting clean

Cute, but sad story of Juliana and Pace. Interesting family dynamics come into play in this story. Found it hurt breaking what kept Pace and Jules apart. loved how Pace and Jules worked out their problems. Clean story and interesting for anyone to read