Return to Serendipity: Serendipity Sunsets Book One

by Liza Lanter

All she wants is a second chance at her dream life—can she find it in her childhood hometown?Newly divorced, Jenn Halston is at a crossroads. Inheriting her family’s coastal beach house following the death of her mother, she is offered that second chance and the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream—in her hometown of Serendipity, North Carolina.

Once back in Serendipity, she reconnects with old friends, including a handsome childhood crush, Randy Nave. Will Jenn overcome her insecurities and let Randy into her heart?”

Even though the road back to Serendipity is full of twists and turns, Jenn gets a glimpse that the next chapter of her life will be beyond anything she could ever imagine.

Return to Serendipity and find your own second chances.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Amazon, Womens Fiction, Fiction

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 26, 2022

Reviews

[Teri Easterling · Rating 4 out of 5]

good story, but

As part of a series, the story leaves one wondering what happens to the two main characters, and hoping they get the relationships they deserve. The characters are relatable middle-aged long-time friends working through reconnecting with others in the town they grew up in.

[Kim Thompson]

Lisa Later weaves a beautiful tale of second chances.

I truly enjoyed this story. Not only do we get to see what's going on with Jenn as the main character, we are also introduced to many of her friends, family, and neighbors.
As someone who has reached middle-aged, my favorite part is that this story is completely packed full of second chances, proving that life is full of new adventures just waiting around the corner.

If you love beach romances and second chances, you'll love this book. I can't wait to see where this story goes next!

[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting book that some might have mistaken for a social experiment. She finds out her husband is having an affair with a twenty-something from his office, and he wants a divorce. Not only that but they had plans to marry. He gave the impression he was being generous with what he was willing to concede in the divorce proceeding. The reason is that her ex, Simon, wanted to retain all his retirement accounts. Her lawyer wanted all their assets to be split 50-50. She knew the division of those retirement accounts, his and hers, would be a point of contention. Jenn also knew that he couldn't care less about the house because he already had a high-rise condo in the city. Simon never enjoyed life in the suburbs.”

Hell, he never enjoyed fatherhood. He never got the hang of diapering or anything to do with the children. Jenn loved every moment of motherhood and making a home for her family. However, Simon ended up being a cold unattached fish. Their three children are grown now, and she is so proud of them. There is her eldest, Claire, who is her doppelgänger in looks and personality, Stable and level-headed, Claire has a creative side, using her artistic eye to represent artists in gallery work.

Claire had spent the five years since graduating from college working her way up the ladder at one of Atlanta’s most prestigious art galleries. Their son, Foster is married and living in Atlanta with his wife, Michelle, for now. Foster worked on the marketing team for one of the biggest soda companies in the world, specializing in social media. Then there’s Emily their youngest, she’s still in graduate school. No sooner does the divorce get resolved than her beloved mom passes away.

Leaving her the family home on the beach. Giving her something different to focus her grief on, after two major losses. However, there came a new divine intervention when she sold her home. She found out the newspaper in her hometown was being sold, and guess who was able to use the proceeds from that sale to purchase her lifelong dream. Which was to own a newspaper. Ever since she worked in that very newspaper back in the days after college.

Moving back home was a balm for her heart and soul, especially since her best friend, Mel was there to greet her. She had been her friend, since the first grade, and there had been spans over her life where the friendship had been pulled thin and tighter over the years. Only to find out that Simon had put the chasm between them. Only to find out her parents had known about it and never told her about her husband’s deplorable behavior. However, what she didn't see coming was a family illness, an old secret heartthrob who did see her and wants to pursue her.

A friend who had her heart severely broken back in high school was about to get a blast from her past from the very man who broke it. Here’s the thing though there was no conclusion to any part of the stories. It seemed like only the beginning of relationships with no real ending.

[Micki-D · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not sure why I keep doing this to myself…I don’t love contemporary romance I barely like them… and this didn’t change that. The small-town second-chance storyline was fine, but it felt predictable and didn’t really hold my attention.

It wasn’t terrible, just not for me. I should probably accept that contemporary romance and I aren’t meant to be. Please don’t judge this book, by my review make your own judgements

[Della Strickland · Rating 4 out of 5]

second chances

A wonderful story filled with great characters. Returning home and finding that feeling of home that is deeply familiar, that sinks you back to a true, young, and vibrant self that an adult life sometimes robs you of. Made more special with those warm and familiar friends that helped form those growing up years.
Very nice.

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second chance read. The book has good character, but treads water more often than not. This could have been classified with young adult reads that meet up thirty years later. As far as I am concerned, this was mainly a cliffhanger.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed there isn't an ending/conclusion.

Can't say it's a cliffhanger, because not even a cliff in sight. It was just an end of a chapter. Not sure if I want to keep going with angst after angst with very little positive book after book.

[Carol Taylor burlew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I added this book on a recent “Stuff your Kindle Day”. It was easy on the brain and not too sweet. The author clearly left the ending open to encourage reading the very next book in the series. I will likely grab that one soon.

[Joyce Panitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with most romance novels, I knew the characters would reconnect with each other. I thought the friendship between Jenn and Mel was well developed. I almost wished that I could be their friend too.
Liza Lanter is a new author for me. I plan on exploring more of her books in this series.

[babrara wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming back home.

This is a wonderful story how 3 classmates return to their hometown after going away after high-school. They found the happiness in their hurts after coming back home and meeting up with there old sweethearts. A good read to keep you interested.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Love So True.

This was a very good book about chances to revisit younger days and possibly right some wrongs or at least make a happier outcome. I was a little disappointed, however, at the abrupt ending and needing to buy a new book to continue the story.

[Kathryn Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. Could have been a better book if the dialogue were more realistic. I realize it’s part of a series but not a single storyline was wrapped up by the end; seemed like it stopped in the middle.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenn is returning to town to make a life running the newspaper. There is a lot here to unpack including relationships with other townspeople, old friends, neighbors and former loves (or almost loves). I could really relate to Jenn being where she is in her life, in a lot of ways she is starting over, but it's in a place where the people and institutions are familiar. She thinks she knows what she wants in her life, but she also finds that she needs to open herself up to new things too.

[Kathryn Munsell · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is not a true ending!!!!!

This leaves the story up in the air. I hate that. It was good up to that point. Instead of book one its PART ONE!!! Wasted my time reading.

[Jolayne Hain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to Read.

This book gives us a picture of how the decisions we make in our lives will not only a
ffect us but also those around us.

[ale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I expected

Is the story of a fifty something recently divorced woman who goes back to her hometown to do her dream job.
And reconnect with some of her old friends

[Vicki B Bentley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read for second chances

Good book, easy to get to know characters. Looking for ward to other books in series. Left me hanging and anxious to find out more.