Sun-Kissed Second Chances

Diamond Cove

by Maria Hoagland

Since when did a golf cart, a dog tethered to an alligator, and an apocalyptic thunderstorm bring good luck?
Since never. This couldn’t be good. Especially when it meant running into her ex—or him running into her.

This hilarious sweet second-chance romcom is the perfect read for escape to sand, surf, and fun.

Funeral planner Landry Couper is coming home to Diamond Cove after being gone for years. Grandpa Harry wants to make sure she stays. If he can help find her happily ever after, maybe she’ll stick around—and he has the perfect man picked out. Too bad Grandpa doesn’t know it’s her ex.

Physical therapist Ty Curtis’s Life Lists are the perfect motivation for patients to meet their health goals … until the funeral planner waltzes in, spreading nothing but doom and gloom. Landry insists she’s preparing clients for the inevitable; Ty’s helping them look toward the future with hope.

Aligning their philosophies aren’t the only Florida muck they have to wade through to end up going in the same direction. A romantic relationship didn’t work before; is it really worth a shot now?

The Diamond Cove Secret Seven think this will be an easy match, but they couldn’t be more wrong. It will take lots of scheming and a barrel of laughs to get them together!

Genres: Romance, Second Chance

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 3, 2022

About the author

Maria Hoagland writes about hearts, homes, and happily ever afters. Known for her fun and flirty sweet romance and women's fiction, Maria's novels make great book club choices. She's published over a dozen books including two Whitney Award finalists, and has no plans to stop writing any time soon.

When Maria is not working at her computer, she can be found combing used furniture stores or remodeling houses with her husband. She loves crunching leaves in the fall, stealing cookie dough from the mixing bowl, and listening to musicals at high volumes.

Reviews

[Lucy McConnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book!! Sweetie is always a wonderful character and the cute-meet was adorable!!

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series of meddling grandparents, eager to find true love for their single grandchildren. The Secret Seven has a solid place in my heart and I love getting to know them better with each book.

Landry and Ty had the most hilarious meet cute and I couldn't stop laughing at the mental image. Much to Grandpa Harry's surprise, they already knew each other. I loved how mischievous the S7 was in coming up with plots and situations to force Ty and Landry together at every turn. The common past and the current setting made for some sweet entertainment.

I also loved the side story of Harry and his wife, Ginny, as it was so tender, and the competition was just what cupid ordered. I'll never look at flamingos the same way.

Hoagland develops these characters in a way that brings them to life and thrusts the reader right into the pages. With the way house prices are right now, I'll stake my virtual claim on a place in Diamond Cove ASAP!

Content: mild romance; brief mention of parental death

*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secret Seven's next targets are Landry and Ty. Harry, Landry's grandfather, wants her to find true love. Ty, the complex's physical therapist, the other target. Harry doesn't know it but Landry and Ty were in love in college and had miscommunication that tore them apart. Landry is planning on moving to Diamond Cove but wants to make sure that she'll have enough clients for her long-term planning business. Landry runs into Ty in an unusual way and recognizes him even though it's been years since they were in college. Ty remembers Landry, too. He doesn't know that Landry holds the miscommunication and inaction on his part when her parents died. Landry and Ty figure out that they are being set up but decide to try to go along with it. Will they be able to have a second chance and also be able to help her grandparents, too? I like this series and enjoy it a lot. I received an advanced copy to read and review early. I'm leaving my honest review.

[Holly Stevenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book ticked all the romcom boxes for me, and I found myself smiling, laughing and swooning throughout. I love a good second chance romance, and Landry and Ty were so sweet! Also can't get enough of the Secret Seven and their shenanigans! Loved every second of this fantastic read!

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute second chance novel. Landry and Ty reconnect in an unconventional way -- being rear ended by a golf cart -- transporting Sweetie. The Secret Seven are up to their shenanigans once again. They are pretty obvious in trying to get Landry and Ty together. This is a great addition the Diamond Cove series. Fun read.

[Kaytlen Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet romance with appearances from the Secret Seven was such an entertaining read. With characters with a past, this one picks them up and takes them on an enchanting journey in a beautiful place. The way Maria Hoagland illustrated the town of Diamond Cove made me want to go visit there. The only thing I wished would happen was Harry bringing his wife into the Secret Seven fold. Other than that, their not so inconspicuous shenanigans strike again and make for an entertaining read.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Light-hearted fun, a touch of drama, and sweet romance...that's what you will read in this book. I loved Ty and Landry's story of forgiveness and second chances. And I thought the not-so-Secret 7 were hilarious in their matchmaking. The story felt more real as we found Virginia struggling when she was left out of the secret society. Not cool. I don't like secrets between spouses. But I did really like the idea of the life list instead of the bucket list with a focus on living fully instead of a focus on death. Good book! I received an ARC from the author and this voluntary review contains my honest opinions.

[Alison Ramsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Landry returns to Diamond Cove and runs into her ex, unbeknown to them both that they have been chosen as the latest Secret Seven targets. Ty and Landry are fun and once they actually communicate, things improve. They also manage to come up with a creative challenge for her grandparents. The characters are all quirky and adorable.
I received an ARC of this book but voluntarily leave this review.

[Kaylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute story! A great addition to the Diamond Cove series. Landry and Ty were adorable, and I loved how they turned the matchmaking tables to help Landry's grandparents rekindle the flame in their own marriage!

[Ellen Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secret Seven meet and it's Harry turn to find a match for his granddaughter Landry. He picks their physical therapist, Ty. What Harry didn't know was that they already know each other. Loved this laugh out Rom Com by Maria Hoagland. Thought the life list challenges was a cute idea. I highly recommend this book.

I was given this advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Maria Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this group of grandparents and their meddling ways. They are SO obvious!!! It just makes me laugh. The only problem was that I felt so sad for Virginia being left out of the group. I think the Secret Seven needs to become eight. But I was glad to see some changes between Virginia and Harry. I love second chance romance so I was happy for Ty and Landry getting their opportunity for a renewed relationship. But, man, the cliffhanger epilogue is painful! Gotta wait for the next one to see who their target will be next. Fun romance. Fun series.

No sex, language or violence

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my voluntary review of a copy I received from the publisher.

Love this series!
The meddling grandparents are so much fun!
The victims... I mean “targets” in this story had already dated years ago...
He's eager for a second chance.
She... not so much.

And when history repeats itself... The S7 almost lost this one.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet story I love how each of these books start with the same premise: matchmaking grandparents who love their grandchildren and want to see them happily in love; but each book is different. This one follows the second chance trope. I also like how the main characters play Landry's grandparents at their own game, helping to strengthen their marriage.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Landry and Ty couldn't be cuter while they get back together, break up, and get back together again... I always remember after watching something as painful as a breakup in a book that communication is key, and I feel like both couples (Landry and Ty and her grandparents) have learned the same lesson. Great read, amusing capers for the retirement community, and their alligator mascot and her seeing eye dog. I loved reading this book!

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secret Seven choose their next match but what they don't know is that Ty and Landry have a history, that didn't end well. This of course does not slow the group down because they plan all sorts of ways for Ty and Landry to be alone together. There are a few twists in this story but fortunately we get two happy endings.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the matchmaking grandparents. I like the alligator and dog. I like learning about places to go in Florida. I liked the couple and how they needed to compromise and forgive to make their relationship work. It's a fun series with great character moments. I have really enjoyed these books. I will read more.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that will make you laugh out loud, it is such a fun read! It's a sweet second chance romance that was a joy to read. Loved it and the entire series!
I received a complimentary copy and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Narci · Rating 4 out of 5]

The S7 never disappoint with their crazy ideas and matchmaking skills. Harry's granddaughter Landry returns to Diamond Cove after seven years and the last person she expected to see there was her ex. Harry is convinced Landry isn't over her ex and is determined to make sure he and his friends do all in their power to join them, while working through his own issues with his wife. Ty is Diamond Coves Physical Therapist and loved by all, he'd made a huge mistake once and hope one day to make amends, so when Landry returns, he tries but things are not as easy as they seem, and the girl he once knew wants nothing to do with him. This is a cute story of miscommunication, youth errors and misjudgment, unfortunate circumstances and the repercussion of errors made. But this story is also about clearing the air, forgiveness, facing one's errors and moving past them, and most of all its about second chances with the one that got away that is your soulmate. It's a wonderful, sweet story full of funny moments and crazy meddling grandparents.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was cute but felt like the story just needed more. More what? I honestly am struggling to pinpoint it. More depth? More development? More something. There are the minor tie-ins with the previous books in the series and probably some sneak peeks into later books in the series. There's a lot of consistency within the story with Harry and his wearing everything tartan possible. The bucket list/life list challenge was fun and tied the grandparents and the younger two main leads together, but it wasn't very fully explained before all of a sudden it started and there were lots of assumptions that the reader knew what exactly was included in the challenge. I would have loved more of that plot point throughout the book. Still, an entertaining, clean, fairly fast read.

Content: Clean

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sun-Kissed Second Chances is a great book! I had a lot of fun reading this story about Harry’s granddaughter, Landry and her ex-boyfriend Ty. When Harry and the secret seven set out to set the two up, they didn’t realize it was a second chance at love for them. The best part of the book is that the secret seven aren’t as secret as they’d like to be and Landry and Ty turn the tables on them a bit. This book is fun, clean and was hard to put down. It’s a book of second chances at love not only for the two main characters but for others as well.

[C. Richter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay Clean Romance

I would rate this book 3.0-4.0 stars. It is competently written. I think most people will like it as it is standard clean romance fare. Very little humor or witty banter, except for that created by the secret 7 grandparent's group. Typical happy ending. Not too much that is surprising except for a life list challenge that provides some interesting scenes.

Personally, I found the heroine, Landry, unlikable & self centered at times. Her grandmother was a similarly negative & unlikable character at times, too. The discord between the heroine & hero in the beginning of the book (& in a few other places) made me not very interested in them as a couple and I can't say that I ever got very invested in their storyline. That is just my own personal reaction. It is basically a good story, just not a "great" story.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for a second chance, so I was already waiting with bated breath to see Ty and Landry finally get it right this time. Though, I’m not sure if the Secret Seven were more help or hinderance this time out. I also kind of loved that it was a bit of a second chance story for Landry’s grandparents at the same time. There’s a bunch of hurt feelings and miscommunication all around that need to be cleared up first, but I adored the sweet happy endings for both our leading couples.

[jyweniverel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t say enough about this series, I truly enjoy reading these stories. I like how they are written by different authors. Such easy, fun, clean, and wholesome romances.
“It’s a life list, not a bucket list, and every time they get close to checking off their goals, I have them add five more things. I’m encouraging them to live, and not only live, but stretch past the normal, everyday things they’re already doing.”

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, the Secret Seven (elderly matchmakers determined to find happiness for their grandchildren)! They crack me up! I can't believe how obvious they were in this book. They just keep getting funnier! I loved Landry and Ty, their differing opinions about bucket lists, the was they both helped Harry and Ginny. I loved watching them fall in love again.

[Erralee Hendrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The matchmaking seniors of the Secret Seven are at it again! They are so fun to read about and really add a lot to the story. There is a nice balance of funny, sweet, and romance like the other stories in the series. The characters are so likeable and fun to read about; really making the story come alive. This is such a great story in this series.

[Sara Gorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read in the Diamond Cove series. What I love most about the series, and this book in particular is how whimsical the story is. There are different pieces that certainly feel as if they would happen in real life, but others that are so fantastical they can't help but make you laugh. I also love that there is more than one couple that this book focuses on. It gives it a little more depth, but doesn't detract from the primary story.

I received an ARC of this book, but the review contains my own opinions.

[Nati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can the Secret Seven help Ty and Landry have a second chance at love? Seven years ago Landry’s parent dies and Ty wasn’t there to support her. Landry is back in Diamond Cove and life seems to put Ty and Landry in the same place. But is it life or a group of mischievous friends? A sweet and funny love story.

[Laramee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this sweet beach town second chance romance! I love the meddling grandparents "secret seven" who are anything but subtle. I especially enjoyed the laugh out loud moments!

I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.

[Lindsay Rankin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

This was a fun book to read and I really enjoyed it. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series!

[Eliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beware of those matchmaking grandmas and grandpas!!