Courtney Holloman is a woman at the top of her game. She’s successful, wealthy, and a highly sought after Washington lobbyist. At first glance, one might think that she has it all. She doesn’t. Not even close. She lives life in the fast lane without a moment to spare. She leaves no time to smell the roses. She’s consumed by work in a world of politics and power brokers. She has money, her job, booze, and nothing else. In quiet moments, her mind drifts back to her days in high school and all that she gave up.
Jack Camdon is a complex woman, and yet not at all. She earns her living as an entomologist, has a passion for bees and the environment. She’s an Ojibwe healer and someone who has a good grasp on the things that are most important. She’s also a woman who has never moved beyond the sudden and unexplained departure of her high school sweetheart.
When circumstances bring Courtney back to town two decades later, their paths will cross. Can high school sweethearts rekindle the flame that still burns hot? Or, will hurt feelings, shattered trust, and conflicting priorities destroy their second chance at love?
K.A. Moll is a best-selling author of lesbian fiction. She writes stories about lesbians, burdened by past trauma, who find healing in the love of a soul mate. K.A. holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois. Also, she holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Eastern Illinois University. Her professional background is in mental health and child abuse investigations. She enjoys golf, bridge, and of course, reading and writing lesbian fiction.
This is a second chances romance where one character has an alcohol addiction. But it isn't hard to read or listen to because it also focuses on the love and healing. Courtney and Jack were once high school lovers but had split without closure so they still carry with them a lot of hurt which manifests in the way they react to each other when they meet again twenty years later. But they work through it and make it right through honest conversation, forgiveness and a determination to make some changes and they end up being a really sweet couple.
Courtney is a shrewed lobbyist but this side of her does not show up much in the main story because her interactions with Jack are mostly personal, not professional, and being with Jack reveals a different side of her. Courtney, however, is also an alcoholic, and this is something that Jack helps her deal with. Jack is an entomologist and is interestingly, an Ojibwe healer, which gives is a nice cultural touch to the story.
Once again, I feel the need to say that I love Emily Beresford's narration. Her voice really works for my ears.
This audiobook was given to me for free at my request and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I'm a sucker for a 'first loves rekindling years later' story.
Jackie-Lynn and Courtney were secret lovers throughout highschool. They made plans to run away together after graduation, to start their lives. But as the old story goes, something happened that day to intervene and Courtney disappeared, never to return, leaving Jack alone and heartbroken.
20 years later, Courtie is back in town, to see to an uncle who is ailing. She's a cut throat lobbyist, who doesn't care for the little guy or the underdog, only cares about senators and big corporations who can pay. She drinks a lot, and entertains escorts from a service every so often under the proviso that they are different each time, but are physically similar to the highschool lover she has never got over. It's clear she is unhappy, probably even depressed.
There are some deep and serious issues inside, with alcoholism. To the point where it effecting Court's body and health. There's also a huge issue about a corporation that Courtney had worked with, utilizing pesticides that are harmful to bees and their colonies, and Jack is now a Dr of Entomology who won't be quiet about it's effects. However Courtie was hired to keep it all hushhush for the senator and politicians in on the big corps scandal.
Courtie quickly comes to her senses about her life and who she's fighting for and against - but it did come a bit sudden. It seems she only decided to have a conscience once she knew her ex-lover was deeply involved. But at the same time you can't help but feel sorry for her. She's a deeply beaten down person, who has lived a life under her mother's iron-fisted expectations, and she's clearly not happy or healthy. So needs a break and some kindness that she has clearly never received in life, since Jack.
Jack is hurt and confused, stand-offish yet drawn to Court. I liked the elements here that have Jack being an Ojibwe Healer, and embracing her native roots with beautiful spirituality.
There's more secrets and lies, all mostly because of Court's mother holding stuff over her - but Court refuses to trust in their love and be honest with Jack. So there's some continued angst. But we do get to spend a good amount of time with the couple as a couple, and them creating a life together, so it felt satisfying throughout the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
4.5 ⭐️ KA Moll is really good at the chemistry part, especially when the MCs are together. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the abrupt transition between some scenes, making it feel like I've missed bits of conversations. Otherwise, this a sweet and solid read.
This was an interesting read. I really liked the character Jack. She’s butch and hot and a shaman. I like how she knows that people find her woo-woo, especially when she’s helping Courtney and tells her that belief is part of the power.
I wasn’t all that fond of Courtney. I know she’s suffered a lot and her family dynamic is horrible. Her mother especially is awful. I think I need to make a “mommy issues” tag because a couple I’ve read lately have monster mothers in them.
The nature aspect was good. I liked the bee stuff!
K A Moll writes real heart rendering books which, for me, never quite work. The full emotion is just not there - after reading this I should be a quivering wreck of used tissues and blurred vision. It's just too matter of fact.
Courtney is back in town and with that a lot of memories. Familiar feelings begin to surface. The pain, the hurt, the feeling of being lost was all coming back, Life throws a curveball and changes everything. It was no smooth sailing and meanwhile she has to deal with a very stubborn mother, a career break and a change of mind. I loved the glimpse of ancient secrets, lessons hidden in nature and the native american rituals. Very enlightening! The short reunion with Zane brought a smile to my face. The characters are realistic and endearing. You can't help but fall in love with them. I loved the way the book turned out. It makes my heart feel all warm and fuzzy. Do yourself a favor and get your own copy. It will touch your romantic heart.
A second chance romance with a promising premise, but--😞
I really thought "Change of Heart" had a great premise. Unfortunately, I found the occurrence of dialogues and scenes either too sudden and/or at times overly dramatic and sappy. It's a fast-paced story—too fast to my liking, in fact. It felt like the author wanted so many things to happen but was sadly restricted by the length of the book.
As for the characters, I was initially intrigued by Courtney's character. She had a cold demeanor, a personality shaped by the past. Sadly, things were unfolded in quite an abrupt manner, I was simply left dismayed most of the time following her character development.
The characters and the premise of this book really had the potential of being a great second chance romance; alas, the author's storytelling did not work for me.
Forever Kind of Love Courtney and Jack fell in love in high school and soon before they are set to run away together Courtney disappears. Twenty years later she’s back… With secrets buried deep will she be able to face the past? The pair could not be more different but the love is still there. Can Jack find it to forgive her or will the truth be too much to bear?
This is a second edition so there are some minor changes, however, this is still a sweet, gentle and mellow story. It’s a really good romance with lots of deep emotions and situations. I liked the writing and the story line a lot. It was well done and interesting with TONS of details that really made the story come to life. The characters are loveable and you can’t help but want the best for them. I felt very contented and satisfied when the tale was over and was super happy to see that there is a second book in the series. If you like the way KA Moll writes you will love this one and won’t want to give it a miss!!!
A very solid romance on love, being lost and disconnected and gradually finding oneself. It's a little bit of a slow burn, but I've enjoy seeing how the twenty years apart has changed both Courtney and Jack. I've also enjoyed reading the dilemma Courtney has to go through, in order to slowly making her way back to Jack. If you'd like to have a solid romance with a bit of an emotional ride, this will be the book for you.
Wonderful, well written story. However, I did find that some of the scenes were too rushed for me.
Let me start with Jack, the handsome, sweet, strong yet tender butch. Oh yeah, she's on my list ;)
I loved how no matter the situation she was always able to keep a cool head with a calming touch. She seemed liked the kind of person who radiated warmth, kindness, and love and that all attention was on her whenever she entered a room. There are people out there like that and they don't even know it, and Jack was one of those people.
I wasn't sure about Courtney at first. I thought she was going to be a bitch who was only out for herself, but surprisingly she quickly squashed that idea and started to turn not only her life around but herself all in the name of love. It didn't take long for Jack and Courtney to reunite given that their love for one another twenty years earlier had never died. I, of course, internally squealed in joy when they finally came together, because I'm a romantic at heart. The sex was perfect, just enough heat and tenderness to satisfy my needs. I also loved that this was a grown-up relationship and that they worked together through the hard times together as mature adults. I find it refreshing because a lot of the time in stories there's always miscommunication then someone storms off in a fit of rage.
KA Moll did a fabulous job with some of the dialogue between Jack and Courtie. I think I swooned more than once. I want a Jack. If you are a fan of eternal love between a mouth-watering butch and a sweetie femme, I definitely recommend this book!
4 stars. Now this was good! I enjoyed the other book that I read by this author but this one was leaps and bounds better. First off it’s a second chance romance. One of my all time favorite romance tropes. Second, it’s angsty and there’s a lot of hurt and some trauma the characters have to overcome and I was absolutely hooked.
I like Moll’s writing style a lot, it really pulls you in. Courtney and Jack were high school sweethearts before Courtney just up and disappeared. Twenty something years later she’s back in town and while the chemistry and feelings are still there between her and Jack they have to really work through a lot. Courtney has a severe drinking problem and that aspect of the story broke my heart into a million pieces. Courtney is a difficult character to like in the beginning but that made me really feel for her. Jack is lovely from beginning to end and is so forgiving and supportive. I adored her. The two of them together work so well and I loved their romance and watching them try to navigate those old hurts to be happy again. It all just felt very real and human.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this. It’s not rated higher only because Moll did this weird thing of skipping time that it felt like we missed a lot of important moments for the characters because it all happened off page. It happened quite a bit unfortunately. Other than that this was a great and emotional read.
Jack is a special person. She had been helping her parents and working at the same time. Her father had a stroke and was not the same after that happen.
Courtney goes back home, after her mother calls about her aunt, who has fallen sick due to infection. She had to go see her Uncle Ben.
Jack and Courtney see each other at the hospital for the first time in 20 years. It’s painful for them both, Jack was leaving with her parents . They lost each other due to secret from the past , Courtney was afraid to tell Jack .
I felt like Courtney still loved Jack and dreamed of her. Wishing she could have that love again.
Courtney had a issue with drinking and she was in pain from the past , I really love her uncle Ben he was a good man.
This was such a moving story about love, forgiveness and making peace with the past. Courtney had her struggles, she was unclear on how to be honest with Jack. Not lose her. Jack was an wonderful person who loved her beyond the mistakes. . I love the support characters for the story, they all help you see that the love Jack and Courtney had to overcome. I was glad to see Courtney’s mother finally make peace and come around.
I highly recommend this book 5 stars ! The Author did an outstanding job showing the in-depth the emotions of the main characters.
Jack and Courtney were soulmates. Their journey began in high school and was derailed for 20 years by the hate and inability to accept her daughter’s life choices by Courtney’s mother. Remarkably, however, her father was the complete opposite … loving and accepting. Jack’s parents were more than loving and accepting … they were what we wanted our parents to be! Courtney’s career took her to Washington DC and the seedy side of politics. When an “inconvenience “ turned into reconnecting with a loving uncle, Courtney realized what she was missing and for what she was pining. Jack’s huge heart and capacity to forgive welcomed Courtney home. A very good read. I enthusiastically recommend this and any other works by this author. I’m looking forward to book 2 in this series. Thank you Peace
I am very torn about this book. I liked the characters. I liked the premise. But I feel like the most important parts of the story were left out. I wanted to see them come back together. Not just have it happen off screen. Jack spends all the time with Courtney getting her sober but we see little of it. At some point they realistically have to talk things out during this. Even a little. There’s too much heartbreak to just say, ok I still love you and we won’t talk about the past.
However, I am listening to the next story now. So it was still engaging enough to make me curious. I just feel like this book desperately needed a quality story editor to fix these issues. Then it could have been an amazing book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
One moment in time can alter a life but love fills the heart forver.
Jack and Courtney have not lived the life they dreamed. When life throws Throws them together again they both need healing. What a great story that is not about a perfect romance but a heart full of love. The feels this book takes you through are so tender and raw. The experiences are harsh at times but always made with love. It is a rich story of vulnerable perseverance in life's most difficult moments- when to be together means changing your heart.
They got lost and found themselves through their work (bees). One as a lobbyist, in Washington D.C., the other as an entomologist in her hometown. Jack didn't know why Courtnie disappeared and the reunion is correspondingly tense.
Several stumbling blocks accompany the further path, whereby openness and understanding is difficult. But they do it and it's interesting to see how they solve their problems.
In particular, I find the fact that they are well over 40 years of age to be positive.
Dr. Jack Camden is an entomologist and researcher who blows the whistle on the chemicals that are killing bees. Courtney Hollaman is a high profile Washington lobbyist and lawyer supporting those companies. They are former high school sweethearts separated twenty years ago and reunited by current events. A tale of two wounded souls and their search for happiness. Great author.
Meh This was an interesting story with interesting characters. But the writing is just not very good. The author tells us what people are saying, rather than just having it be dialog. It's romantic, but by the end, I didn't really care. It was kind of too sweet. And the book just ends. Oh, there was something that happened at the end, but then I turned the page and that was it. There were a lot of places where the author could have explored some things but didn't.
First book I've read in 2021 that made me want to review it
The story was good it kept me interested and rooting for the main characters but it's also abrupt. The story telling didn't flow the author needed to get more in depth and not leave me filling in the blanks or assuming what might have happened that lead to this conclusion but despite that I enjoyed the story
At first, I didn't really care for either one of the main characters, but as I kept reading, they kind of grew up on me. Eventually, I'm just in awe of their connection and the way they reconnect after a misunderstanding separated them for two decades.
Two women bearing the scars from their 'young & dumb' days, finding a love in each other that overcomes & heals the damages & pains of the past. Just wishing it played out more realistically rather than things "just" happening with no hesitations or work up.
Lovely story. Love stands the test of time for Courtney and Jack. Separated over secrets from 20 years ago, two hearts that belong together. Great depth in the story, political corruption, family angst, alcohol abuse, environmental issues, native American traditions, a great dog, it had a bit of everything.
High school sweethearts torn apart by unexpected circumstances live apart for twenty years. When Courtney learns her work as a lobbyist will ruin Jack’s career, she sacrifices her job to save Jack. This is an excellent love story spanning twenty years of separation before they reunite and begin loving again.
When you love someone so badly that it takes you twenty years to expose your secret in leaving. But if the person who loves you is big enough to handle the truth then plan on keeping her. Even a mother can change her mind. Enjoy!
I read "Whispers of the Heart" first, not realizing that "Change of Heart" was book one. Both are really awesome, two great stories, one of a lost love that was found again and the 2nd of two souls looking for their other 1/2.