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Hawthorne Harbor #3

The Day He Said Hello

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A firefighter and his high school sweetheart who's returned to their beachside hometown...and doesn't want to be there. Can the day he said hello start a new relationship that will last this time?

Bennett Patterson is content with his boring firefighting job, puttering around in his wood shop, and spending evenings with his big great dane. At least he thinks so. He's been divorced for seven years, and at least he knows what each day is going to bring—and it's not heartache.

When he gets called out to a fire, he comes face-to-face with his high school girlfriend, Jennie Zimmerman, who swore she'd never return to Hawthorne Harbor. The kiln just sparked, she says. She doesn't need the firefighters there, she insists. But to get her art studio back up and running, she does need some recommendations—and some cash.

Thankfully, Jennie has been commissioned for several pieces at Magleby Mansion, which is undergoing a west wing remodel. Bennett is there too, putting his carpentry skills to good use. Jennie is definitely not looking for love, as she's coming off being left at the altar by her fiancé only six months ago.

But as she and Bennett spend more and more time together, their old flame is rekindled. Can Bennett and Jennie make their relationship stick this time? Or will she once again choose a different path?

This is a full-length sweet/clean contemporary beach romance in the vein of your favorite Hallmark movie by USA Today bestselling author Elana Johnson.

352 pages, Paperback

Published May 23, 2020

1401 people are currently reading
185 people want to read

About the author

Elana Johnson

178 books2,086 followers
3-time USA Today bestselling author Elana Johnson writes adult contemporary beach romance. She is the author of over 130 books across two names, and there's nothing better than sun, sand, and swoon-worthy kisses! Unless it's a sweet-and-sexy cowboy - read those under her pen name of Liz Isaacson. Or an emotional, heartfelt women's fiction novel - read those under her pen name of Jessie Newton.

Learn more at:
www.elanajohnson.com
www.lizisaacson.com
www.authorjessienewton.com

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5 stars
707 (59%)
4 stars
315 (26%)
3 stars
137 (11%)
2 stars
22 (1%)
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10 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
Profile Image for  The Flipped Page (Susan K).
1,846 reviews39 followers
September 28, 2018
Romance, clean; Series, but stand-alone read.
More of a 3.5 for me as a reader. Bennett and Jennie's story in this series, was fraught with emotions and issues that they needed to work through from their past and present. Bennett's hopes, Jennie's worries and baggage, the problems they faced could have gone one way or another. That being said, they were hopefully falling back to friends, to dating, and finally to love. Heartfelt, honest, hurting hearts, that gradually fell and healed. Loved both of their artistic endeavors, Bennett's commitments to his work, his dogs, and of course Jennie. Jennie's passion for her art, her worries, her acceptance of her strengths, and opening her heart to Bennett again, was heartfelt, honest, and wrenching. As always a lovely, heartfelt, beautiful fall with E. J.'s novels. My favorite ending, HEA!
805 reviews
September 26, 2018
At first I wasn't sure if I was going to even like this one. It felt slow when I started it and actually I took a break for a few days after getting to the middle of the first chapter. I'm glad I returned to it.
Jennie was a hard to like character for me and it took me a bit before I figure out why. She's too similar to me with character aspects that I don't like in myself. Once I understood that, she was easier to follow. I appreciated her growth over the course of the story. And I flat out just loved Bennett; he's really why I finished the book.
1,265 reviews6 followers
October 1, 2018
I received a free copy and am voluntarily leaving a review
This is a story of two high school sweethearts that never really lost the love for each other. Jennie broke Bennett's heart when she left right out of high school to follow her dreams of becoming an artist without a word. Bennett had a future in baseball but blew out his shoulder and lost his career. He had been married but when he lost his career his wife left him. He became a firefighter and does work working on the side. When Jennie comes back to town he realizes that he has always loved her and will do anything to get her back. Jennie feels like a failure because her fiancé didn't show up for the wedding and she couldn't go to work and see him every day so she moved back home. Will Bennett be able to convince her to give the a chance again? Will she realize the changes she has made in herself over the past twenty years was because her ex wanted her to and not because it was what she wanted? Will she think Bennett will try to change her too or will she realize that he loves her just the way she is? Will she realize she loves him before it is too late?

Profile Image for Il_mondo_di_nanna.
296 reviews3 followers
June 27, 2024
Un nuovo fuoco è una storia di rinascita e di seconde possibilità, ma non solo verso gli altri anche verso se stessi. Perchè quando si rimane feriti e delusi prima di poter aprire il proprio cuore ad un'altra persona bisogna aggiustarlo e questo compito spetta solo a noi e a nessun altro. Mi sono rivista molto nella protagonista di questa storia, Jennie, perchè so cosa voglia dire alzare un muro sulle proprie emozioni e non permettere a nessuno di superarlo perchè si ha paura di rimanere di nuovo feriti.
Bennett è stato bravo, è riuscita a capirla, ad avere pazienza, a lasciarle i suoi tempi ma allo stesso tempo a fargli capire che poteva fidarsi,che poteva essere se stessa, che poteva  dare sfogo alle sue paure perchè di fronte avrebbe avuto una persona che anzichè scappare sarebbe rimasta, per lei, sempre e comunque.
Jennie oltre al dolore che deve sopportare per essere stata lasciata all'altare ha un fardello ancora più grande che porta dentro, la malattia di sua mamma, che non aiuta il suo rapporto con Bennett e che quindi continua a fuggire,ma lui è sempre pronto a rincorrerla. Quando finalmente Jennie capirà di potersi fidare lui sarà lì ad aspettarla,come sempre.
7,766 reviews50 followers
November 5, 2018
Firefighters Second Chance....Liz. Isaacson
Bennett was at home at the fire station, anything to fill the hours. A fire call at a cottage, and memories of Jennie. from twenty years ago came, when he seen the woman. One spark from the outlet,to her kiln and the place would go up in flames. She didn’t want to be back in this town, being left at the altar, and the ex was her manager of studio also. Her studio was shut down, till it was brought up to code, to handle her work. What about her, and seeing Bennett. again. Was that spark still there. A heart warming story of second chances, to read and enjoy. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Kristen Lewendon.
8,429 reviews63 followers
March 17, 2019
I adored Bennett! He is so sweet, calm, and patient. And he has such a big, loving heart. Jennie made me gnash my teeth in frustration for just about the whole book. She has a tendency to behave like a woman half her age with her selfishness and temper tantrums. But there was still something about her that made me understand why Bennet was hung up on her this many decades later. I can’t put it into words. There was something here that kept me engaged and hoping for their successful reconciliation in the end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.
Profile Image for C..
770 reviews122 followers
May 20, 2019
Could not finish. I detest when an author creates a character that is TSTL, and doesn't mean what they say. The usual case is a female who says she is not interested in a relationship at this time, until the hero brushes her hand. arm, or puts his arm around her, or kisses her, and instead of slapping him or punching him out, she ridiculously melts into a quivering puddle, like OLIVE-OYL in a Popeye cartoon!
I lose all respect for the character and have no desire to continue reading, as is usually the case, the rest of the book is just their continual lustful thoughts!
2,281 reviews27 followers
September 24, 2018
I loved Bennett. He was such a sweet guy and so incredibly patient with Jennie. I didn't like Jennie at the beginning or even at the end. I kept hoping I would. High school sweethearts with a second chance at love - or is it a third chance. I get being hurt - who hasn't but goodness she was almost 42 and acted like a teenager about things. A really good story of forgiveness and learning to move past heartache.
Profile Image for Heather Green.
Author 9 books11 followers
November 4, 2018
My least favorite of the series! I didn't like Jennie. She hadn't matured since high school. She was selfish and ungrateful. Too bad Bennett loved her so much. He deserved A LOT better. I didn't see why they had a relationship. It was all give on Bennett's part and all take on Jennie's. The relationship didn't evolve. It was clean. That's a point in its favor. I wouldn't read this one again. A disappointment.
1,281 reviews10 followers
November 13, 2018
When high school sweethearts are reunited after 20 years, they wonder if they can go back and start again. She left to pursue a career and he stayed in their hometown after his baseball career ended due to injury and his wife left him. They meet by accident after she had been back for a couple of months. He is afraid to ask her out on a date because of the hurt she had experienced at the hands of her fiancé. Being left at the altar doesn’t make for future confidence in relationships.
Profile Image for Carol.
838 reviews1 follower
October 10, 2020
The Day He Said Hello

Bennett and Jennie dated in high school pretty seriously, however, Jennie packed up and left for art school and didn't look back for 20 years.
When she returned to town she didn't look up Bennett but when they end up working on different parts of the same project will it be enough to get them back together or have too many years and too many difficulties in life put and end to Bennett and Jennie?
Profile Image for Cindy.
214 reviews
August 21, 2021
SECOND CHANCES @ LOVE - DO THEY EXIST?

Jennie & Bennett were together a little over 20 years ago in Hawthorne Harbor; but, Jennie left and Bennett never quite forgot her.

Elana, has written a beautiful story on the many variant factors involving a forever love in BOOK 3 of her HAWTHORNE HARBOR SERIES.

Books 1-3 each have a clean & somewhat turbulent love story: but, are well worth reading. I'm moving onwards to BOOK 4 The Day He Let Go, in this SIX BOOK Series.
Profile Image for Barbara.
251 reviews2 followers
September 20, 2018
A second chance at love is a wonderful thing. High school sweethearts separated for many years. One has been divorced, the other stood up at the altar. After so much time it is hard to reconnect. But if the spark is still there, the choice has to be made. Continue to exist or go for the happy ever after? It’s a very good story. I really enjoyed it!
Profile Image for MaryEllen.
2,910 reviews29 followers
November 14, 2018
Second chance at HEA is one of my favorite tropes and this one did it well.
Bennet and Jennie had dated in high school and then she left town without a word. He moved on but always loved her. Now they both have trust issues to deal get through... and they are so opposite on many things... or are they?
Profile Image for Debra.
3,466 reviews13 followers
March 22, 2020
The Firefighter's Second Chance

They went out back in high school, but went separate ways. Now over twenty years later they meet again. He is a firefighter and she is an artist. She had never ment to move back. But when her fiancee leaves her at the alter she headed home. Can these two people find out that they belong together?
594 reviews
December 18, 2022
Captivating

If you've ever been in love and lost it due to your own ignorance, your heart can't help but be moved when you read this story.. Bennett knew he would do whatever was necessary to win Jennies heart again, and then refuse to be dumped. Excellant story and a bit of mystery, as to whether Jennie would be true to herself.
Profile Image for Kathy.
2,532 reviews17 followers
August 28, 2024
Bennett is a wonderful character. He is a firefighter, master carpenter, and loves working and creating things from wood. Jennie is an artist and was Bennet's high school girlfriend. Jennie has struggled with finding herself and got left at the altar seven months ago so she returned to Hawthorne Harbor. I love their story and the community surrounding them.
Profile Image for Carol Gates.
28 reviews3 followers
September 21, 2018
Following your dream is fine, except when you leave the most important piece of your heart behind. This book explores the risk and reward involved in such an endeavor. It makes the reader laugh, cry and shake your head.
Profile Image for Michelle Ferrari-Johnson.
1,559 reviews39 followers
February 8, 2019
3.5 Stars

This is by my least favorite story so far. I really loved the first two so this was surprisingly unexpected. Jennie really was self centered and yet loved so much by Bennett it didn't seem like an even match ~
1,233 reviews2 followers
March 1, 2019
Very interesting book

This book has so many emotions in it.It is a very interesting book. I enjoyed reading about Jennie and Bennet's life. A lot has happened to each of them over a long period of time.
713 reviews4 followers
September 8, 2019
A good read

There's lot of love, a little laughter and even some insecurity woven into this story. I enjoyed the characters, the dogs and the supporting cast that weaves through this series.
1,246 reviews10 followers
April 16, 2020
Okay

This book was just okay. Jennie comes back to town to find herself again. Bennett was her first love and he wants back in her life. Something was off with this one. Maybe to much indecision, to much story? I like it but the characters didn't make an impression. Sorry.
91 reviews1 follower
June 13, 2020
Wonderful Story!!

I have loved this whole series so far. Bennett was so patient with her. I'm glad she finally got out of her own way. She's such an amazing author, and her characters are so real and well rounded. One of my favorite authors. Looking forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Cynthia Houser.
1,607 reviews9 followers
July 2, 2020
He Said Hello

This is another good book by Elana. The characters are interesting and engaging. This is a cozy little town. I really like Bennett, he is an honorable man who is lonely. I was relieved when Jennie finally figured out what she wanted.
Profile Image for Michaela | Reading in the Heartland.
3,697 reviews71 followers
May 18, 2021
I enjoyed this second chance romance. There were good characters and interesting professions to learn about. I’m curious who will star next.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
6 reviews
June 23, 2021
MEH

I loved the prior books in this series BUT I was turned off by her narcissistic character. Seriously, stop treating a good man/character like dirt. I'd hAve told her to buzz off long before but that's just me!
1,926 reviews5 followers
January 4, 2022
The Day He Said Hello

This book is about the lives of two people who live in Hawthorne Harbour. This is about a lost love and a a young woman who returns home when she falls in love with her high school boyfriend
434 reviews5 followers
February 20, 2022
Third Time's a Charm

Thank you for this heartwarming love story about Bennett and Jennie. The storyline was fast-moving and exciting and the characters were interesting. Look forward to reading more of your work.
Profile Image for Kathy Downey.
400 reviews2 followers
March 7, 2022
Oh dear, Bennett worked as the firefighter, EMT and found out that the woman he helped years ago delivery her baby along the side of the road was now back, widowed, and perusing her art just like when she ran away for his love when they graduated! What a team they would end up being as they each had a job to do at the Mansion during the West Wing renovation! They both found something! His divorce had left him hesitant and her being a widow didn't work in her favor either!
8 reviews
January 7, 2023
Excellent Read

Love this author! She never disappoints ~ the story line is great and you feel everyone up and down moment! Can’t put it down and look forward to the next book! Patti V
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews

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