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Maple Cove #1

Another Chance at Love

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Amazon Blurb:
Welcome to the new world from USA Today bestselling author Alexa Aston—Maple Cove—a small town on the Oregon Coast where romance is heating up!

A woman who has experienced one too many betrayals—and the man who has always loved her. A second chance to throw the dice . . . and risk everything for love . . . .

High school student Dylan Taylor wants to sink permanent roots into Maple Cove, his hometown situated on the Oregon coast. His girlfriend, Willow Martin, prefers to pursue her passion for art, stretching her wings and living abroad. The pair agrees to go their separate ways after graduation though they secretly believe they will always love one another. But Dylan also leaves the Cove after his family is tragically killed by a drunk driver, joining the army and serving as a military policeman in various posts around the globe.

A dozen years later, Dylan makes his way back to Maple Cove and is elected sheriff. Willow, after another bad breakup and the death of her beloved grandmother, returns from abroad to her hometown—and sparks fly between the couple.

Dylan believes fate has brought them together again and looks at Willow’s return as an opportunity to renew their romance. Willow, burned one too many times by unfaithful men, does her best to push her former flame away, telling him they are adults now and very different people from the teenagers who were once madly in love.

The more Willow is around him, though, the more she believes Dylan is the one who got away.

Can she risk her heart one more time in the hopes of finding her soulmate—or will Willow deny the love that still exists and leave the Cove for good?

Find the answer in Another Chance at Love, Book 1 in Maple Cove.

Each book in this contemporary small town romance series is a standalone story that can be enjoyed out of order.

Series Order:

1 – Another Chance at Love: A Small Town Romance (Maple Cove Book 1)
2 – A New Beginning: A Small Town Romance (Maple Cove Book 2)
3 – Coming Home: A Small Town Romance (Maple Cove Book 3)
4 – The Lyrics of Love: A Small Town Romance (Maple Cove Book 4)
5 – Finding Home: A Small Town Romance (Maple Cove Book 5)

293 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 31, 2022

185 people are currently reading
2264 people want to read

About the author

Alexa Aston

146 books481 followers
Award-winning and USA Today bestselling author Alexa Aston lives with her husband in a Dallas suburb, where she eats her fair share of dark chocolate and plots out stories while she walks every morning. She enjoys travel, sports, and time with her family.

Her historical romances bring to life loveable rogues and dashing knights, while her contemporary romances are light and flirty and sometimes contain a bit of suspense.

Stay in touch with Alexa at:

Website: https://alexaaston.com/

Newsletter Sign-Up: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/form...

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoralexaa...

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlexaAston

BookBub Follow: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/alexa...

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/alexaaston

BingeBooks Author Page: https://bingebooks.com/profile/AlexaA...

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

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5 stars
139 (54%)
4 stars
77 (30%)
3 stars
25 (9%)
2 stars
11 (4%)
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4 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Colorado.
813 reviews18 followers
December 8, 2024
Good beginning to small town series

Alexa Aston's books are the romance equivalent of comfort food. She gives you sincere characters with interesting careers, welcoming towns, yummy local treats and some low key challenges. There's no melodrama or angst. Set in a small coastal town in Oregon, Another Chance At Love gives one-time high school sweethearts Willow and Dylan a second chance. There's a likable friend group to be featured in the next books in the series.
Profile Image for Comfy Couch Book Reviews.
633 reviews47 followers
May 31, 2022
Alexa is such a romantic! and her new release Another Chance at Love is a wonderfully sweet second chance small town romance. High school lovers Dylan and Willow went their separate ways after they graduated so that she could pursue her dream of becoming an artist and living in Europe. Dylan also leaves Maple Cove after losing his entire family in a car accident. He joins the army and becomes a member of the military police and after a number of years returns back to town to become Sheriff.

After achieving success but also suffering a number of broken romances with men who betrayed her Willow returns to Maple Cove for the funeral of her beloved Grandmother. One of the first people she sees is her former love Dylan and their attraction for each other is instantly rekindled. Though he has never stopped loving Willow she is not sure that she wants to take the risk of giving her heart away again.

This story is so romantic as Dylan works to persuade Willow that they were always meant to be together and fate has stepped in to bring them together again. Dylan is so dogged in his determination to win her heart again, but her fear of getting hurt again makes Willow unwilling to try. When Willow experiences the love of the people of Maple Cove have for her Grandmother it makes her realise that maybe this is home after all.

This story will make you believe that there is someone special out there for all us, but you have to take a risk to find happiness. Another Chance at Love is a great start to this new series and I look forward to reading the other books as they are released.
1,635 reviews15 followers
July 24, 2022
I own almost 80 books by this author so she is obviously a favorite. She writes mostly Regency which I love. One of my favorite contemporary series by this author is Hollywood Name Game. This series seems to be a winner too.

I can't improve on the blurb just giving you some tidbits to decide whether to purchase this story.

The H/h both resonated with me. There is sadness at the beginning that will tug at your heartstrings for sure. Oh, how I loved the wisdom of the h's grandma especially getting her granddaughter ready for her senior prom.

The H hasn't had it easy either. All his plans changed in an instant and he went down a path to save himself from more hurt.

Twelve years later the H/h come back to their hometown. I grew up in a small farm town where everyone looked out for each other and knew your business too. Parts made me laugh because I could identify with some of the town folks.

The h wants to take things slow and the H doesn't. They have honest talks and slowly get on the same page for their relationship. Of course there's a nasty person who wrecks havoc and I thought for sure I knew what would happen next. I truly stopped reading because I hated what was coming, or so I thought! I should've known this author doesn't do total cookie cutter. She leads you to think you are going there but no, no, no - surprise - no spoilers!

Great set up with interesting secondary characters for the next stories.

Lovemaking outside of marriage - heat level 4 out of 5. I felt a connection to them so it was filled with passion.

No cheating with our couple, no cliffhanger, HEA, romance and steam. (ljb)
Profile Image for Brenda.
3,480 reviews46 followers
May 6, 2022
Willow was in love with Dylan as a teenager but never consummated that love due to a tragic accident.
A woman who has experienced one too many betrayals—and the man who has always loved her. A second chance to throw the dice . . . and risk everything for love . . . .
High school student Dylan Taylor wants to sink permanent roots into Maple Cove, his hometown situated on the Oregon coast. His girlfriend, Willow Martin, prefers to pursue her passion for art, stretching her wings and living abroad. The pair agrees to go their separate ways after graduation though they secretly believe they will always love one another. But Dylan also leaves the Cove after his family is tragically killed by a drunk driver, joining the army and serving as a military policeman in various posts around the globe.
A dozen years later, Dylan makes his way back to Maple Cove and is elected sheriff. Willow, after another bad breakup and the death of her beloved grandmother, returns from abroad to her hometown—and sparks fly between the couple.
Dylan believes fate has brought them together again and looks at Willow’s return as an opportunity to renew their romance. Willow, burned one too many times by unfaithful men, does her best to push her former flame away, telling him they are adults now and very different people from the teenagers who were once madly in love.
The more Willow is around him, though, the more she believes Dylan is the one who got away.
Can she risk her heart one more time in the hopes of finding her soulmate—or will Willow deny the love that still exists and leave the Cove for good?
I don't normally read contemporary romance books but I like Alexa Aston books as a rule.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
Profile Image for Janet.
5,173 reviews65 followers
May 30, 2022
High school student Dylan Taylor wants to sink permanent roots into Maple Cove, his hometown situated on the Oregon coast. His girlfriend, Willow Martin, prefers to pursue her passion for art, stretching her wings and living abroad. The pair agrees to go their separate ways after graduation though they secretly believe they will always love one another. But Dylan also leaves the Cove after his family is tragically killed by a drunk driver, joining the army and serving as a military policeman in various posts around the globe. A dozen years later, Dylan makes his way back to Maple Cove and is elected sheriff. Willow, after another bad breakup and the death of her beloved grandmother, returns from abroad to her hometown. Dylan believes fate has brought them together again and looks at Willow’s return as an opportunity to renew their romance. Willow, burned one too many times by unfaithful men, does her best to push her former flame away, telling him they are adults now and very different people from the teenagers who were once madly in love.
This is the first contemporary romance I’ve read by the author. I’m pretty much an historical romance reader but I love the author’s historicals so thought I'd give this series starter a go. It didn't disappoint, I really enjoyed it & will certainly read the rest of the series. There were quite a few characters introduced & I hope some of these have their stories. I loved Dylan but was a bit lukewarm towards Willow, however I did enjoy their second chance romance, which was well written & most of the characters were well fleshed
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Profile Image for Margaret Watkins.
3,547 reviews88 followers
May 30, 2022
Returning to Maple Cove after the death of her aunt, Willow has burnt her bridges in Paris after an unpleasant break-up, not expecting her high school sweetheart to arrive on the scene soon after her return to the small town. As cosmopolitan as Willow had been, Dylan had traveled even further afield in the military and is now the sheriff of Maple Cove. Whilst Dylan takes one look at Willow and determines there and then that he is going to grab hold of his second chance, Willow is a little less sure about how things will work out between them, especially given their very different lifestyles. Unfortunately, there are those who would put a spanner in the works, causing untold problems, leaving Willow with a decision to make. The story is a standalone, although part of a series and comes to a sweet conclusion. I received a copy of this novel through BookSprout as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Profile Image for Mary Hart.
1,115 reviews27 followers
May 7, 2022
4 stars

The first time I've tried a contemporary story from Alexa. I normally read her historical romances. It's the start of a series. Willow returns from Paris to have an art exhibiltion in New York and then back to Maple Cove when her beloved grandmother dies. Dylan her school friend boyfriend is now the Sherif of her town. Willow has been let down by her previous lovers so is cautious about starting up a romance with Dylan.

We are introduced to many other characters who I assume will turn up in the other books.. Apart from her temper I found Willow a bit too goody two shoes and the baddy a bit two dimensional as well.

I will look out for others in this series but really I'll want to return to my first love of Historical Romance.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Julie Booklover.
2,092 reviews105 followers
May 30, 2022
In the small town of Maple Cove, Willow and Dylan are High School sweethearts. As tragedy strikes, the two are torn apart. Time passes, and Willow is now abroad pursuing her passion for art. After yet another break-up, she is questioning her choices in men, plus she is needed back in Maple Cove.

Dylan is now the town Sheriff, but Willow is cautious about revisiting a romance with him. With her heart at risk, sparks do fly between them. Their journey is not without a few bumps and surprises, and will Willow stay in Maple Cove? Is Dylan the one who got away? Can they have their second chance?

This book is also setting us up for future books by introducing us to more town members.

Thank you to the Booksprout, and Oliver Heber Books for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Profile Image for Michelle Wolff.
260 reviews
June 22, 2022
Another Chance at Love is a great quick read romance!

Willow and Dylan were high school friends who turned sweethearts their senior year in High School. They were always together but they knew that their relationship would end at graduation when they both decided to go their own way. Unfortunately a tragic accident made Dylan cut their ties sooner than they had planned and Willow went her own way.

Years later and several failed relationships later Willow moved a back to the states from Europe and her grandma passes while she is in New York at her very first solo art show.

As she drives back into town for her grandmas funeral she has no idea where her life is going or that she is about to run into the man who broke her heart and will change her life.

I absolutely loved this cute romance!!
3,634 reviews16 followers
May 30, 2022
Dylan and Willow knew they would be separated after high school graduation, but they didn’t anticipate the circumstances that would officially break them up. In the years since neither has had a great dating record and she has picked some awful selfish men. So I could understand why struggles with trust, but she pushed Dylan away several times in this book. She wanted something casual when they were still good friends and knew they had never loved anyone else. I shook my head over how she thought they could just sleep together and go back to be friends. There are several things that shake up their relationship in this book. I loved the sweet dog they rescued. I’m looking forward to reading more about her friends and brother in future books.
Profile Image for Stephanie Herron.
741 reviews12 followers
May 30, 2022
This story had me staying up late trying to finish it. The writing flows and the story engages your emotions. Willow comes back after her grandmother dies. She has been living the life she always wanted as an artist. She runs into Dylan, her high school sweetheart, who is now the sheriff. He came back after time in the military. Dylan feels like this is fate bringing them together for their happy ever after. Now all he has to do is convince Willow, who has trust issues. Add in rescuing a dog, Shadow, and its a wonderful book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Barbara Tobey.
2,978 reviews88 followers
May 9, 2022
Small town second chance romance. Artist and sheriff reunite after many years apart. Good friends. Paris to New York to Oregon to California. Join their adventures. The rocky road to their happily ever after has some surprises along with the bumps. I skipped over the intimate details, but enjoyed seeing the couple realize they still loved one another. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley.
998 reviews13 followers
May 27, 2022
High school sweethearts, Willow and Dylan, are torn apart by life events. Six years later, Willow is brought back to the small town she grew up in by the death of a beloved family member. Coming off of a bad breakup, Willow questions her bad choice of men. Reconnecting with Dylan she needs to trust he really is the one after all. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Oliver Heber books for my honest review.
1,221 reviews36 followers
May 28, 2022
I loved this second chance romance. It's the first in a new series and you meet a large cast of characters. The community is part of what makes the read so great. This is Dylan and Willow's story. It's at times sweet, sometimes sexy, and overall heartwarming. There's just the right amount of tension. I'm looking forward to more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for DENISE I..
392 reviews4 followers
June 29, 2022
nice romance

I always enjoy this author’s writing. This the first contemporary novel of hers that I’ve read. It was a feel good. Really down to earth. Make you smile story. There were a couple of areas where it dragged but it was so the reader could really get into the mood and feel of the people, small town and surrounding vibe.

My OCD requires me to read the entire series. On to Book 2 which I am actually looking forward to doing.
Profile Image for Lori D.
4,079 reviews130 followers
May 30, 2022
Teenage love can often be difficult when each go in different directions.

But their small town of Maple Cove brings them back together after twelve years, both with their life experiences and remembrances of love.

A journey to bring these two back together and the journey of the heart they face!
Profile Image for Mia.
283 reviews2 followers
May 18, 2022
My first contemporary by one of my favorite authors 😁

Loved it..

Willow and Dylan - both lovable characters and am glad they had their second chance...

The secondary characters were well written and am looking forward to their books 🤩🤩

A good start to a new series...
Profile Image for Suzette.
3,619 reviews23 followers
June 1, 2022
This is a second chance love story. Willow and Dylan are high school sweethearts who get separated by tragedy. Over a decade later another tragic event brings them back together. The story takes place n a small community and embraces that spirit of looking out for each other. The author explores the friendships that bloom within and make for a safe and happy space.
363 reviews2 followers
June 23, 2022
Shadow
Who knew finding a rescue dog on a hiking trip would result in a second chance for love💕
A small town high school romance where entire town encourages “sparks” to fly. I loved characters and look forward to reading about their friends!
38 reviews1 follower
October 20, 2022
I’m so glad I downloaded this story. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series! This was a very emotional story that was told perfectly. Nothing cheesy about it!! Willow and Dylan’s second chance was perfect!!! You won’t be disappointed!
Profile Image for Joyce.
355 reviews7 followers
January 6, 2023
I enjoyed this small town second chance romance. Both main characters were very likeable and I was rooting for them to get their happily ever after. I look forward to reading the next books in this series.

I received this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
Profile Image for Lesley.
2,452 reviews17 followers
April 29, 2023
First Love. After twelve years apart Willow and Dylan are finally living in the same town. The chemistry is still there but after a lifetime of failed relationships Willow is not sure she can bear to be hurt again. Thoroughly recommended.
Profile Image for Avril Hemingway.
994 reviews3 followers
May 30, 2022
A sweet sexy second chance contemporary romance with well written and likeable character's. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
1,093 reviews1 follower
January 21, 2023
Couldn't finish

I got about 40% of the book read. I thought Willow only ok at the beginning and thought less and less of her as the book continued. Dylan wasn't real enough either.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

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