Second Chance at the Orchard Inn

Orchard Inn #2

by Heather McGovern

A charming second-chance romance about a big city chef whose return home to help run her family's wedding planning business means reuniting with the man who broke her heart.

Chef Aurora Shipley spent years slicing, dicing, and chopping her way up the ladder of L.A.'s competitive restaurant scene, but when her sisters needed her help, she dropped everything to return home to Texas. With her family’s Orchard Inn now on its feet, it's time for Aurora to head back to the big city. At least there, she won’t keep running into ex-boyfriend Jude Jones or her high school bully Erica, who now needs Aurora and her wedding planning business to throw the celebration of her dreams. Will Aurora let the past go long enough to send the bride off without a hitch and ignore her traitorous heart urging her to stay and try again with Jude?

As a teenager, Jude Jones foolishly listened to his father and let Aurora Shipley slip away. In the intervening years, the sweet, shy girl grew into a stunning, capable, confident woman, and her reappearance is messing with Jude's focus, which should be on expanding Jones' Family Herbs. He broke Aurora's heart once, and she broke his, too. This time will Jude be strong enough to fight for her—for them—and a future together?

Genres: Romance, Second Chance, Contemporary, Fiction

480 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published June 6, 2023

Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read]

This is a Romance/Women's Fiction, and this is the second book in the Orchard Inn series. I have not read the first book in this series. I ended up DNFing this book after trying to get into this story several times. I felt that this book is slow moving and I also did not connect to the characters. This is just not the right book for me. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story about second chances, true love and finding your dream. Aurora had fled her hometown after high school when her boyfriend, Jude Jones, broke her heart. She is now an accomplished chef and has taken a leave of absence to come back home and help her sisters save the Orchard Inn. Then she runs into Jude and realizes things haven't really been settle between them.

I enjoyed the characters and family loyalties. The food aspect was fun - I liked the pie contest. The dynamics between Aurora and Mr. Jones (Jude's father) made for an interesting angle.

Thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on June 6, 2023.

[Mai H.]

Valentine's Day TBR

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Forever

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick Summary: A second chance to make your dreams come true romance

My Review: Second Chance at the Orchard Inn by Heather McGovern is book two in the Orchard Inn series.

About the Book: Jude and Aurora had been high school sweethearts. They loved each other and had plans and dreams for themselves. When the pressures of life caused them to part ways, they were both heartbroken. Ultimately, they each followed a different path.

When their paths cross again, will they be brave enough to take a second chance at love and dream a new dream together?

About the Families: This novel was knee deep with family. Both Jude and Aurora's family members had a lot to say about what happened in the past and in the present. They steered a good portion of the story, in fact. It was nice to see communication and healing occur where it was needed.

About the Conflict: This book had low to no major conflicts. Early on, matters involving the couple's history were addressed. Everything that came thereafter was minimal or pretty easily dealt with.

What I Loved: I loved the variety of voices that the females in this story had. For the most part, they were not afraid of being vocal. They had ideas, drive, intelligence, and motivation. By the end of the novel, it was very clear where they stood.

My Final Say: This was a book that offered a full circle picture of a "take two" relationship. It was mild and charming.

Other: This book comes with a bonus story called Only Home With You by Jeannie Chin.

Rating: 3/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Series: Yes
Status: Clean
Level: 🍬

Thanks to the author, to the publisher (Forever (Grand Central Publishing)), and to NetGalley for providing access to this work in exchange for an honest review.

[erin (readingwithremy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love contemporary romances and especially those set in small towns so I was excited when Forever sent me Second Chance at the Orchid Inn by Heather McGovern.

Second chance romance set at an Inn in Texas where a chef returns home to help her family wedding business and reunites with her high school boyfriend 10 years later... I love the sisters in this book and seeing Aurora figure out what her dreams are. Cute small town and made me want to take a trip to the Texas Hillcountry!

I read the earlier books in the series but themis can be read as a standalone. There is nothing I like better than reading a small town romance especially in the summer. Mass market contemporary romance are always a great go to when I want something cute, a little more Hallmarky and a book reset as I know exactly what I'm going to be reading. This was fun to read and perfect for sitting out on the deck!

It comes out tomorrow - June 6th and is great to put in your beach or pool bag if you're looking for a cute small town romance!

[Ann Lorz · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful second chance romance. I will say it didn't even feel like a second chance it felt more like they were on a pause. The story really showed how much these two really cared about each other. I think they both worked so hard with such long hours because they couldn't move on.

I really loved Jude even though I felt he allowed his father to push his buttons way too much. I understand that happening when he was eighteen but now as an adult it's not a good look. His father isn't a character I ever got into and even at the end didn't really like him. I did like his sisters. They seem like the kids are all tight. Love how his sister came out to him and Jude wondering why he hadn't even noticed his sisters' feelings. It was a cute moment.

You'll also enjoy Aurora and her sisters. They have gotten even closer as time has gone by. I like that for them. They have had a bumpy road that they needed to get through. It's sweet how much they want their sister to stay with them. They understand that her career is important to her, so they try so hard not to pressure her.

It's fun watching both Jude and Aurora need space from their families and ending up together talking though their feelings about said families only to become closer with each other. You want nothing but good things for them. I will say that the story moved slightly slowly but that could be because you didn't have the excitement of a new relationship. One of the things I both loved and hated about the story is all I wanted was pie after reading the story. I still want pie. If you like sweet small-town romance, you'll really enjoy this series.

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ARC received for NetGalley for an honest review

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aurora Shipley is a successful and talented chef living in Los Angeles. When she gets a call from her sisters, Beth and Cece, to return to their home in Texas and help turn the family’s Orchard Inn around, she heads out. After two months at home, things are looking better and Aurora has pleased their guests with her delightful cooking. She just needs to hire a new chef for the Inn so she can return to her job in LA.

When Aurora was in high school, she was in love with Jude Jones, a star athlete and son of a large family farm. He knew that he will go to college and return home to work the farm. Just at graduation, Jude broke off with Aurora and that’s when she decided to go to culinary school out of state. It has been 10 years since they have seen one another. Her sisters want her to meet with Jude so they can just bury the hatchet and be friends. So, Aurora and her sister go to the farm and Jude shows them around.

Jude’s father is a stubborn man in his 70s who has been told he must slow down but he refuses and will not let his children take the farm further with ideas to make it grow. In addition, his father never liked Aurora as he was afraid she would hold Jude back from his college goals.

Now, Jude and Aurora have a talk and forgiveness is given knowing they will again be parting but now on a happier note. With a possible and terrific job offer waiting for her in California, Aurora knows she must return.

Oh, but there is a pie making contest that will be held soon at a town celebration and Aurora’s sisters want her to enter the contest.

This is just the start of what I found to be a terrific story or family and love. The characters are well-developed and the plot flows well. A great story. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Chance at the Orchard Inn is the second book in the Orchard Inn series. While this book is part of a series, and I did read the first book, you can read it as a standalone just fine.

Aurora Shipley is a highly trained and successful chef in California. Her dream has always been to be a successful chef and she has accomplished that goal. When her sisters called and said they needed her to come home to help them with their business, the Orchard Inn, back home in Texas, she didn't hesitate to take a three month leave of absence to help them out.

Jude Jones is trying to help run his family's business, Jones' Family Herbs, and modernize it, however he's not receiving support from his father, who prefers things to remain the way they are. When Jude finds out Aurora is back in town, and the two see one another for the first time, it's very obvious that the feelings they had for one another years before are still very much alive.

While Jude may have broken Aurora's heart back then and Aurora did her best to leave that life behind when she went to California, the chemistry between them is still sizzling. Will Aurora finish helping her sisters and head back to California? Or will she realize that her real dream is a little closer to home?

I'm a sucker for small-town romances and make it a second chance romance and that's even better! I love how close knit families tend to be in small towns and this one was no exception. They were always there for one another and had each other's backs. This one was a chefs kiss!

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Review: Second Chance at the Orchard Inn
Stars: 3 x 5
Author: Heather McGovern
Publisher: Foreverbooks @readforeverpub @hatchetusbk
Thank you @netgalley for this ARC

What a sweet story this is. The story is set in a small town in Texas. Aurora is a chef who returns home from Los Angeles to hep her families’ business. She ends up reuniting with her high school sweetheart Jude. Aurora’s sisters are now running Orchard Inn and after the chef quits they call upon Aurora to come and help. Aurora comes for a few months until a new chef is hired. There is a lot work to do since Orchard Inn is a premiere wedding venue. When Jude went to college he broke up with Aurora. After college he came home to work on the family ranch and Jude has not seen Aurora since he broke up with her. There are many ups and downs with family, friends and just plain logistics. Eventually, Aurora and Jude get together and they get a second chance at love and to make their dreams come true. But will. Aurora choose to stay in Texas or go home to Los Angeles? And will Jude fight for her this time around?

This book reminded me of a good Hallmark romance movie. It was sweet and enjoyable. Definitely worth the read.

#SecondChanceAtLove #LoveAgain #RenewedLove #HeartSecondTime #SweetRekindle #bookstagram #instabook #bookphotography #igbooks #ilovereading #bookhaul #bookhoarder #bookaddiction #bookstoread #whattoread #fortheloveofbooks #bookblogging #bookpics #weekendreads #bookrecs #booknerdproblems #bookstagram #amreading #booksbooksbooks #instablog

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun second chance romance. Chef Aurora Shipley is a highly trained and successful chef in California. It was always her dream to be a successful chef, and she has almost reached that pinnacle. The only step left is to be head chef. However, when she learns that her sisters need help with their business in Texas, she takes a leave of absence to help them out. They own the Orchard Inn in Texas where they host a lot of weddings. Aurora does all of the cooking and catering for their business.

Jude Jones broke Aurora's heart many years ago, and she left that life behind. When she and Jude see one another again, it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that both of them still have feelings for one another. Jude has his own set of problems because he wants to take his family's farm into this century, but his father is bullheaded and does not want any changes made.

I dearly loved the descriptions of pies with lavender in them. They made me hungry. The characters were fun and interesting, but my favorite characteristic was their true love of their family. These families were tight and loved one another and stood up for one another. I always enjoy a good second chance love story, and this one was a winner in my book. It was an easy, light read.

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Pj Ausdenmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy a good second-chance reunion romance and SECOND CHANCE AT THE ORCHARD INN by Heather McGovern kept me smiling pretty much from beginning to end. It's about relationships among siblings, with parents, and with that high school sweetheart who broke your heart (it went both ways). It's about finding your path in life and opening yourself to opportunities you never considered. It's about growth, acceptance, forgiveness, and realizing that sometimes it's necessary to spread our wings in faraway places in order to discover what fills our souls is waiting in our own backyard.

McGovern has filled this book with relatable characters I'd love to spend time with, a romantic arc that made me laugh, sigh, and cheer, and enough delicious food to have me reaching for a box of tissues for all the drool. The farm-to-table goodness in this book hit all my happy spots and left me wishing that Lavender was an actual restaurant because if it was? Well, you better believe I'd be booking a ticket to Fredericksburg, TX tout de suite.

Second Chance at the Orchard Inn rolled across my mind like the favorite feel-good movie it should be. If you're looking for a summer read with authentic, relatable characters, humor, charm, second chances, romance, and families you'd love to spend more time with, pick up a copy of this second book in Heather McGovern's Orchard Inn series. It has my enthusiastic recommendation.

*ARC received from publisher via NetGalley. Fair and unbiased review.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chef Aurora is back in her small small town in Texas to help her sister at the family inn. She enjoys cooking for the guests but still wants to return to Los Angeles and her career as a chef at a luxury restaurant. Still in the town is Jude, her high school boyfriend, who dumped her without warning during their senior year of high school. When the two reunite at a farmers market, the sparks are still there. Both still have complicated family dynamics and there is still some hut feelings from high school that need to be overcome before the pair can have their happily ever after.

This book was everything you want in a small town second chance romance. It was filled with heart, interesting characters, lots of memories, and in the case of this book, yummy food. I love that Jude’s family has a lavender farm. I have 15ish lavender plants in my front yard and I love the smell and the honey bees they attract. I really liked both Aurora and Jude. I wish the Jude chapters had been more frequent as the book felt more like women’s fiction at time. The book had a couple on-page kisses but everything else was closed door.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the digital ARC and Forever for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aurora is a chef making a name for herself in the LA scene but at home for a short while to help her sisters wedding business. Unfortunately that means running into her childhood sweetheart Jude who broke her heart so she left to pursue her culinary career. Jude wants more out of his family business and helping to expand maybe having a restaurant Farm to Table situation and could use a little advice from Aurora. Both being near each other again sparks old feeling but also is a reminder of past heartbreak that both of them will need to work through.

So Jude and Aurora are both going through the things when it comes to their career and getting further than where they were at. They wanted more and it was interesting seeing the conflict of family and romance and work figuring how how to get to where they want to be and I really enjoyed seeing that process. There's also a pie baking contest going on and small town things of old bullies come to play. I really love seeing both of their families and how supportive they were for each other and it was interesting seeing how they really were a great shoulder to lean on when things were getting tough and how they bounced ideas between each other to help eachother. Overall I really enjoyed this book.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Aurora had come back home to Texas to help her sisters get their family inn after a large gathering got food poisoning and ruining their reputation. She was a chef in a well known restaurant in LA. She had taken a 3 month leave and was now considering when she was going back. Her sisters really wanted her to stay and she found she was considering it as she was happier and more relaxed in Texas. She ran into Jude at a Farmers Market and it was very awkward. They had been a couple in high school but he broke things off abruptly and broke her heart. They started talking and found all those feelings were still there. Jude family ran a lavender farm and he wanted to branch out with his sisters and have a restaurant but his father said no (actually said no to any improvement) It was very frustrating and Jude and Aurora found themselves talking about their frustrations while growing closer. The story held my attention from beginning to end. I can't wait until the next book in the series.

I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Orchard Inn series, but I read it as a stand alone just fine. In this story we meet the gorgeous chef Aurora who has come home to help her family’s struggling inn. Her time with family is coming to a close as her time to return to being a chef in LA draws near, but she finds herself almost dreading instead of being excited by that. Things get even more confusing as she runs into her ex Jude at a farmers market. Jude was her high school sweetheart and the one who broke her heart that she had been avoiding for the last ten years. As Jude and Aurora keep bumping into each other, and her family begins to express how much they wish she would stay, Aurora starts to question if the dream she has been chasing all along is still what she wants. A very sweet second chance romance, full of southern charm and delicious recipes that I wish I could taste. I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Chance at the Orchard Inn is the second romance in the Orchard Inn romance series and this book follows the love story of Aurora and Jude, high school sweethearts who broke up years ago. When the two reconnect, they both need to figure out what they really want, in their personal and professional lives.

This is the first book in this series that I have read, but I thought it could be read as a standalone. I enjoyed this romance and the characters in this book. I always loved the high school sweethearts reconnecting years later storyline, so this book was right in my wheel Josie. I enjoyed how the author pulled together the past and the present to show the complexity of Aurora and Jude’s relationship then and now. I do look forward to seeing what else is in store for other characters in this series. Overall this was a sweet and enjoyable romance that I would recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!

[Lindzanne1_bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Chance Romance
High School Sweethearts
Closed Door Romance

What an uplifting and beautiful contemporary romance! I loved following along with Aurora as she’s back home at her family’s inn in Texas and trying to decide if and when she wants to return to her chef job and life in California.

She knows she’ll eventually run into her ex, Jude, but when it happens she still isn’t prepared for how it makes her feel. They were high school sweethearts and had an unpleasant break up. With so many past hurt feelings, things are very tense and awkward between them. I loved seeing how they rekindle their relationship and decide to be friends again. Of course, being just friends isn’t going to work as feelings resurface. There are obstacles along the way and lots of healing to work through. If you love a closed door romance with a happily ever after, then you will really enjoy this book too!

Thank you so much Forever Pub for the gifted copy!

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Forever and NetGalley for the eARC of Second Chance at the Orchard Inn! All opinions in this review are my own.

Second Chance at the Orchard Inn is such a cute second chance romance! I like that there isn't a lot of tension between Aurora and Jude. Since they broke up because of distance, it made their coming back together more believable. I could easily see this being turned into a summer Hallmark movie!

In the beginning of the book, I had trouble differentiating between the characters so I wish I had read the first book in the series, Something Blue. I feel like it was expected that you had read the first one so you didn't need as much of a refresh on the characters.

The bonus novella included is Only Home With You by Jeannie Chin, another second chance romance. While Second Chance at the Orchard Inn is sweet, Only Home With You is much spicier!

[Danielle Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a super adorable heartwarming small-town second-chance romance! I haven't read the first book in this series but after finishing this one I will definitely be reading that one and any future books in the series.

Their romance was cute, and even though they had some obstacles and a whole lot of stubbornness on both sides you could feel how right they were for each other. Honestly, the only thing that would have made this better would have been some recipes for all the yummy-sounding food that was made throughout this book. I look forward to the next book in the series and seeing who is a match for the last sister standing.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars This second chance trope really had a good plot going for it, but it fell a little flat for me. I found myself wanting to skim pages and that's really unusual for me.

Aurora and Jude were good together. They had really blown it the first time and they both suffered from broken hearts. It was good seeing them come back together. There was also lots of family and family issues in the book, some good and some not so good.

Thanks to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good read. I enjoyed the strong women in this story that had other interests as well as romance going on in their lives. I liked how supportive the sisters were with each other. I really like the cleanness of the romance in this book.

This is the second book in the Orchard Inn Series. I read the first one and enjoyed it, but I liked this one better. You could have read this as a stand alone. I am assuming there is a third one and I will be putting it on my TBR list as soon as it is out!

[HEATHER · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet story about true love and second chances. This is the second book in the Orchard Inn series, but I read it as a stand alone just fine. I thought the character were well written. If you love a second chance romance then I would highly recommend this book.



Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for allowing me to read this ARC in advance for my honest opinion .

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aurora has been on leave from her chef position in LA to help her sisters in Texas get their B&B back on track after a disastrous event due to their former chef. She has managed not to see her former boyfriend, Jude, during the last two months and finally runs into him. They both have strong family ties and goals for their futures. This is a wonderful story about learning how dreams can change and become better.

I received a free copy of this book to review through NetGalley.

[Gia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for a copy of this E-Book.

When I discovered this was the second book in a series I was worried I'd feel like I was missing something. That was not the case, this book can easily be read and enjoyed as a standalone. A few sentences may have referenced the first book but didn't really affect the story.

This was a very cute second-chance romance! While there really weren't any surprises in the story (or anything that surprised me), I did really enjoy reading this book. It really is a perfect cozy romance story to curl up with after a long day. I definitely added the first book to my TBR!

[Suzette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet romance set in a small town. Aurora and Jude were high school sweethearts a decade ago. When she returns home it opens up an opportunity for the couple to try again. The author tells an interesting story of family and love. They are some wonderful and adorable characters that readers will love. Righting the wrongs of the past brings them closer together and happier.

[Me · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75 strs. The first quarter of the book was engaging. The characters were interesting and the storyline was moving. After a certain point it became predictable. I stopped reading around 38%.



********************************I received an ARC for my honest opinion from NetGalley.******************************

[Kerry Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book after a bad week, wanting some brain candy headed into a long weekend and some relax and recharge time. This fit the bit! Sweet, a quick read and a great distraction. Entertaining and formulaic like most books of this genre are, nothing really made it stand out, but it was exactly what I wanted at the time.

[Rachel Stansel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a sweet story about true love and second chances. I enjoyed the main characters and the story as well as the secondary family members. Really good read.

Full disclosure - I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

[Can Dragons Read? · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this eARC.

I didn't realize this was part of a series but I loved that I could still read it as a standalone without any trouble understanding the dynamics! I loved the true love and second chance romance, the characters were so sweet!

[Xavier University Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet romance about high school sweethearts reconnecting again years later. Aurora and Jude had lived whole lives since they broke up years ago, but those separate lives have drawn them back together. This book was slow to start, but was a good romance read overall.