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Love Set in Granite
Sidney – Sid – Taranto had planned on never returning to the small town of her youth – Granite, Pennsylvania, a never-heard-of town with a heart just as hard as its name. But after her mother passes away, and after licking her wounds from a bitter divorce, it’s time for Sid to deal with the family home.
After years of deferred maintenance, the once beautiful country home looks more like a giant pile of kindling to the angst Sid bears for the past it represents. But after running into her first love – Chloe Macintyre and her teenage kid, who’s looking for a summer job, Sid decides to keep the flame in her chest, and hires Brook to help her get the house ready to go on the market.
It’s been twenty-two years since they’ve seen each other, but that torch Sid and Chloe held for one another in high school never fully extinguished, and they are just as attracted to each other as ever before. But Sid’s contracting business and home are two-plus-hours away in Philadelphia. And Chloe has her own dental practice in Granite.
If they start dating, how long can they make a long-distance relationship last before they have to make a serious decision?
And Chloe has never come out of the closet as bisexual, even after Brook told her the year prior that they’re non-binary. The fear of what happened to Sid in high school has always stuck with her. Can she get over that fear, accept herself, and build the life with Sid that she had always wanted?
After years of deferred maintenance, the once beautiful country home looks more like a giant pile of kindling to the angst Sid bears for the past it represents. But after running into her first love – Chloe Macintyre and her teenage kid, who’s looking for a summer job, Sid decides to keep the flame in her chest, and hires Brook to help her get the house ready to go on the market.
It’s been twenty-two years since they’ve seen each other, but that torch Sid and Chloe held for one another in high school never fully extinguished, and they are just as attracted to each other as ever before. But Sid’s contracting business and home are two-plus-hours away in Philadelphia. And Chloe has her own dental practice in Granite.
If they start dating, how long can they make a long-distance relationship last before they have to make a serious decision?
And Chloe has never come out of the closet as bisexual, even after Brook told her the year prior that they’re non-binary. The fear of what happened to Sid in high school has always stuck with her. Can she get over that fear, accept herself, and build the life with Sid that she had always wanted?
- GenresSecond Chance
291 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 20, 2021
30 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Amy DeMeritt
36 books89 followersAmy DeMeritt is an author of Sapphic romance and an occasional poet. She is a lover of the arts, coffee and tea, a day of sitting on the beach watching the waves crashing against the shore, and good books and music to get lost in. (A good thunderstorm is one of her favorite forms of music.)
Amy takes inspiration from every experience in life and gives her imagination full reign to take a small detail and expand it into an intricate tale. Weaving experience, interests, and even pushing the boundaries of personal comfort, Amy’s stories take a reader on a journey of varying emotions and the joys and trials of love, romance, and growing as an individual, all of which are embodied in an entertaining plot with complex characters.
Amy takes inspiration from every experience in life and gives her imagination full reign to take a small detail and expand it into an intricate tale. Weaving experience, interests, and even pushing the boundaries of personal comfort, Amy’s stories take a reader on a journey of varying emotions and the joys and trials of love, romance, and growing as an individual, all of which are embodied in an entertaining plot with complex characters.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 5, 2021
I really loved this book. The MC are lovely and the chemistry is THERE. A great non binary character is really a plus. I coud'nt put my kindle away before I finished it. Trigger warning for homophobia, abuse and violence.
July 4, 2022
A second chance romance at homophobic little town. I usually not into second chance but I actually enjoy this one.
I like how this book are informative in some way like the ugly truth of The Lion King and manipulative changes made in Bible.
Worth reading.
I like how this book are informative in some way like the ugly truth of The Lion King and manipulative changes made in Bible.
Worth reading.
May 18, 2023
After I discovered DeMeritt I read three books in a row.
Fantastic how the author makes you feel what’s going on with her main characters. Gosh it’s not easy but such a good way to enjoy a book.
Sidney left her hometown, the place where she grew up, because her parents never accepted who she was. Lesbian. During her teenage years she developed a great friendship then a first love with Chloe but when her parents was discovered it she was basically banned from contacting her. Chloe never understood why Sidney left but life happened and many years later Sidney had to come back to Granite, the place she left after high school.
Chloe never left Granite, but she never expressed who she was because she felt scared even after her daughter came out as non-binary.
Granite is a very homophobic place and considering what’s going on now, today in our world for me it’s unbelievable the levels of ignorance and lack of respect we have as society. I really wish nobody should go through something like Sidney’s character went through but honestly I know it’s a thing that happens every single day.
Fantastic how the author makes you feel what’s going on with her main characters. Gosh it’s not easy but such a good way to enjoy a book.
Sidney left her hometown, the place where she grew up, because her parents never accepted who she was. Lesbian. During her teenage years she developed a great friendship then a first love with Chloe but when her parents was discovered it she was basically banned from contacting her. Chloe never understood why Sidney left but life happened and many years later Sidney had to come back to Granite, the place she left after high school.
Chloe never left Granite, but she never expressed who she was because she felt scared even after her daughter came out as non-binary.
Granite is a very homophobic place and considering what’s going on now, today in our world for me it’s unbelievable the levels of ignorance and lack of respect we have as society. I really wish nobody should go through something like Sidney’s character went through but honestly I know it’s a thing that happens every single day.
March 10, 2022
Love in a small homophobic town
This is a love story that unfortunately the bad parts are true in too many cases. Some people are not fit to be parents or humans, that describes one pair of the main characters parents. They are hateful, vicious and want to hurt their children because they are different... But even those children can grow up to be great loving lesbians. This is more personal to me, yes you finally can get over your parents hate but it take a lot of therapy and the right woman. This is a well written book and yes things like this happen in the real world...
This is a love story that unfortunately the bad parts are true in too many cases. Some people are not fit to be parents or humans, that describes one pair of the main characters parents. They are hateful, vicious and want to hurt their children because they are different... But even those children can grow up to be great loving lesbians. This is more personal to me, yes you finally can get over your parents hate but it take a lot of therapy and the right woman. This is a well written book and yes things like this happen in the real world...
October 31, 2021
What An Emotional Roller Coaster!
There is something about Amy DeMeritt’s writing that pulls at your heart strings. This book was no different. This story I understand. You never want to hear that someone has suffered abuse especially from your own family, when discovering your gay. Sid was that person. After being forced to leave Granite when she graduated, Sid had to make due at such a young age. Now twenty two years later and both parents are now dead, Sid comes back to finally take care of her parents house. Although she has made something of herself, being in her hometown just has bad memories. When she runs into her high school love Chloe, that she had to leave to protect her they reconnect. Chloe has a daughter Brook, who is non binary. Who also picks up there was something more between Sid and their Mom. This story is told with such heart. I knew from the first chapter this book was going to be so heartbreaking and heartwarming and that I was going to love it. I did and that is credited to Amy’s storytelling.
There is something about Amy DeMeritt’s writing that pulls at your heart strings. This book was no different. This story I understand. You never want to hear that someone has suffered abuse especially from your own family, when discovering your gay. Sid was that person. After being forced to leave Granite when she graduated, Sid had to make due at such a young age. Now twenty two years later and both parents are now dead, Sid comes back to finally take care of her parents house. Although she has made something of herself, being in her hometown just has bad memories. When she runs into her high school love Chloe, that she had to leave to protect her they reconnect. Chloe has a daughter Brook, who is non binary. Who also picks up there was something more between Sid and their Mom. This story is told with such heart. I knew from the first chapter this book was going to be so heartbreaking and heartwarming and that I was going to love it. I did and that is credited to Amy’s storytelling.
November 8, 2021
FASCINATING! A MUST READ
This is a fascinating story, so heartfelt and amazing. NOT your average lesfic. It is so much better. Two beautiful hearts holding onto their love for over 20 years, not knowing what had happened to either one in the intervening years. Then add a young teenage non-binary and the results are incredible.
Most older queer people have had bad experiences with parents and town-folk when their sexuality is revealed, but this is the most horrific I’ve ever read. It makes me livid for how one of the MCs was treated. And completely elated for the “revenge” she brought about in her own way. (Note: revenge is not the right word here, I’m stumped for the correct one).
An absolute MUST READ for parents of gays and for gays as well. I cannot emphasize enough how important I believe the topic of this book is.
This is a fascinating story, so heartfelt and amazing. NOT your average lesfic. It is so much better. Two beautiful hearts holding onto their love for over 20 years, not knowing what had happened to either one in the intervening years. Then add a young teenage non-binary and the results are incredible.
Most older queer people have had bad experiences with parents and town-folk when their sexuality is revealed, but this is the most horrific I’ve ever read. It makes me livid for how one of the MCs was treated. And completely elated for the “revenge” she brought about in her own way. (Note: revenge is not the right word here, I’m stumped for the correct one).
An absolute MUST READ for parents of gays and for gays as well. I cannot emphasize enough how important I believe the topic of this book is.
November 12, 2021
This is possibly the most boring book I’ve read in a long time. Actually, I read 1/3 of the book and stopped reading. The story revolves around Sidney, whose parents have off the charts homophobia and have threatened to kill her once they discovered she was gay at 17 years of age. She leaves her small Pennsylvania town but returns 22 years later after the death of her mother. She finds the family home destroyed after she put her mother in a home care facility. She reconnects with Chloe, her teenage love whose now been divorced and has a 14 non binary child. Within 48 hours, they’re back together again after 22 years apart. The entire book is filled with empty dialog, repetitions and boring situations. Even the ending is vague. I do not recommend this book.
November 12, 2021
Impressive!
Another winning tale from the talented mind and hand of Amy DeMeritt, this book really nails the hardship, isolation, and judgment faced growing up "different" in a small town. Chloe and Sid get their second chance to rekindle their love more than 20 years later, when Sid returns to her hometown. Chloe's teenager, Brook, finds the hidden reason Sid left town so abruptly and never returned, and the reason is heartbreaking and horrifying. If you want to know the reason for Sid's disappearing act, and subsequent reunion with Chloe, I recommend you place this book on your list read list. It won't disappoint!
Another winning tale from the talented mind and hand of Amy DeMeritt, this book really nails the hardship, isolation, and judgment faced growing up "different" in a small town. Chloe and Sid get their second chance to rekindle their love more than 20 years later, when Sid returns to her hometown. Chloe's teenager, Brook, finds the hidden reason Sid left town so abruptly and never returned, and the reason is heartbreaking and horrifying. If you want to know the reason for Sid's disappearing act, and subsequent reunion with Chloe, I recommend you place this book on your list read list. It won't disappoint!
May 29, 2022
Exceptional
Best book I've read in months. Sid, a soft in all the right places butch returns to Granite to do up & sell her dead parents house. A chance meeting with her 1st love Chloe & her non binary teenager Brook sees Sid falling head over heals in love all over again. Heartwarming and heartwrenching this is a brilliant story of love versus hate.
Those reviewers that complained about the pronouns being too complicated to read need to open their minds and increase their vocabulary as they missed out on an exceptional book.
Best book I've read in months. Sid, a soft in all the right places butch returns to Granite to do up & sell her dead parents house. A chance meeting with her 1st love Chloe & her non binary teenager Brook sees Sid falling head over heals in love all over again. Heartwarming and heartwrenching this is a brilliant story of love versus hate.
Those reviewers that complained about the pronouns being too complicated to read need to open their minds and increase their vocabulary as they missed out on an exceptional book.
December 24, 2021
Maybe one of her best books ever!!
Considering Amy DeMeritt's body of work & all the gems within it, I'm amazed to be saying that this just might be one of the best ones ever!!
An engaging story about getting a second chance at building & growing a successful relationship together for two women shaped & scarred by their pasts, in the hope of producing, nurturing & sustaining love to/for/with each other.
Considering Amy DeMeritt's body of work & all the gems within it, I'm amazed to be saying that this just might be one of the best ones ever!!
An engaging story about getting a second chance at building & growing a successful relationship together for two women shaped & scarred by their pasts, in the hope of producing, nurturing & sustaining love to/for/with each other.
February 8, 2022
Wow! This book tells the story that too many children have experienced. It used to much more common than it is now. If your parents didn’t immediately throw you out, they tried to pray away the gay, if that didn’t work so many tried to beat the gay out of their children.
So glad that Sid was betrayed as such a strong resilient woman. She overcame so much. So glad she got her happy ever after.
Brooke was an unexpected joy! Would love to read her story about 10 years down the road.
So glad that Sid was betrayed as such a strong resilient woman. She overcame so much. So glad she got her happy ever after.
Brooke was an unexpected joy! Would love to read her story about 10 years down the road.
April 23, 2022
More than a second chance romance
Great story featuring a second chance at love, and of the many difficulties of growing up “other” in a small town.
Some reviewers have stated they found the gender neutral pronouns in this story confusing; however, their use is key to some of the storyline and an overall positive in the writing.
This is a lovely story of personal strength, self-acceptance and found family. A highly recommended read.
Great story featuring a second chance at love, and of the many difficulties of growing up “other” in a small town.
Some reviewers have stated they found the gender neutral pronouns in this story confusing; however, their use is key to some of the storyline and an overall positive in the writing.
This is a lovely story of personal strength, self-acceptance and found family. A highly recommended read.
November 18, 2021
Loved it!!
I always love the fact that her books have characters that communicate and you know that half way through the book there isn't gonna be a miscommunication where they break up. One day I hope to have a relationship like Sid and Chloe and don't get me started on Brook. That kid had me rollin' with some of the things that came out of their mouth.
I always love the fact that her books have characters that communicate and you know that half way through the book there isn't gonna be a miscommunication where they break up. One day I hope to have a relationship like Sid and Chloe and don't get me started on Brook. That kid had me rollin' with some of the things that came out of their mouth.
November 1, 2021
I recommend this book
Very good story about surviving and going beyond that to overcoming the odds and becoming successful and happy. The main characters are very likable and well written. Thanks for another good read.
Very good story about surviving and going beyond that to overcoming the odds and becoming successful and happy. The main characters are very likable and well written. Thanks for another good read.
November 3, 2021
Enlightening
This was at times a very hard book to digest, but worth it. The love between Sid and Chole was palpable. Brooke was adorable, smart and kind hearted. This was one of the best books I have read from this author.
This was at times a very hard book to digest, but worth it. The love between Sid and Chole was palpable. Brooke was adorable, smart and kind hearted. This was one of the best books I have read from this author.
November 28, 2021
Wonderful story
I have enjoyed this wonderful heartfelt story of Sid who loved her girlfriend Chloe but her father didn't approve. Years later she returned to small town they grew up and reconnected.
I have enjoyed this wonderful heartfelt story of Sid who loved her girlfriend Chloe but her father didn't approve. Years later she returned to small town they grew up and reconnected.
January 10, 2022
Good Story
Amy DeMeritt has once again written a compelling story that pulls you in and makes you invest in her tale. It made me feel good to know that there can be an HEA even after the story could have possibly ended tragically. Well done!
Amy DeMeritt has once again written a compelling story that pulls you in and makes you invest in her tale. It made me feel good to know that there can be an HEA even after the story could have possibly ended tragically. Well done!
April 24, 2022
real feel good book
This is a book about overcoming obstacles. No matter how had your life is there is always hope for something better. This book gives you hope and love. Minimal aghast, but maximin feelings, would highly recommend.
This is a book about overcoming obstacles. No matter how had your life is there is always hope for something better. This book gives you hope and love. Minimal aghast, but maximin feelings, would highly recommend.
June 27, 2022
Great book, didn't want to put it down.
Just had problems with the grammar around "they, them" made it a tad confusing to read at times, I understand the reasoning due to the contense of the book.
Doesn't deduce from the great quality story.
Just had problems with the grammar around "they, them" made it a tad confusing to read at times, I understand the reasoning due to the contense of the book.
Doesn't deduce from the great quality story.
August 29, 2022
I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would've. I really appreciated that these characters were just normal humans, doing normal everyday things and planning their lives to make the best out of their shitty hometown and their second chance.
November 8, 2022
Heart of Stone
The past cannot hold you unless you let it. Love can save you if you willingly let it in.
Another fantastic heartfelt telling of woes and fantastic tale of two people falling in love. And a brilliant child character.
The past cannot hold you unless you let it. Love can save you if you willingly let it in.
Another fantastic heartfelt telling of woes and fantastic tale of two people falling in love. And a brilliant child character.
October 23, 2021
Love prospers
Low angst, humor abundant, passion and chemistry strong. This was a good read to get me out of my funk and see that second chances are sometimes necessary.
Low angst, humor abundant, passion and chemistry strong. This was a good read to get me out of my funk and see that second chances are sometimes necessary.
November 8, 2021
Very good read
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Coming from a dysfunctional family myself, I could relate to many parts of the story. I highly recommend this book and this author.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Coming from a dysfunctional family myself, I could relate to many parts of the story. I highly recommend this book and this author.
November 14, 2021
heart warming
This book is very touching. I highly recommend it to anyone who has had a difficult child for being different.
This book is very touching. I highly recommend it to anyone who has had a difficult child for being different.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews