Second Chance at Two Love Lane Kieran Kramer
Book #3: Two Love Lane Series
Source: NetGalley
My Rating: 3/5 stars

**MINI-REVIEW**

The Bottom Line: In the interest of fairness and complete honesty, I purchased and read the first two books in this series prior to diving into this installment of the series. Furthermore, I will be the first to admit, on occasion, I love a sappy, sweet, give me cavities and/or a diabetic coma kind of read, but I think this book (and series) are a bit over the top, even for me. I have absolutely no complaints about the mechanics of this read as the author’s technical writing skills and editing are quite good. What somewhat put me off this book (and the series) are the main characters and quite unrealistic plots. Each story, including this one is a bit too far-fetched, even for fiction. I’m willing to go a long way down a path with an author, but this path has too many improbabilities for me to feel this could be real. With all that being said, I did find one bit of this book (and series) utterly and completely wonderful. Ms. Thing!!!! Even though Ms. Thing is a relatively minor character in the book (and series), she has a huge personality and an even greater impact. As the matriarch of the group, Ms. Thing provides emotional support to the women and clients of Two Love Lane. She also provides tea, homemade cookies, sage advice, loyalty, friendship, and genuine care and concern. Upon reflection, I think I only read all three books because of Ms. Thing and her big, bright, beautiful personality. If you’re a fan of the super-sappy, super-sweet reads then I’m going to recommend this series to you. However, if you like a bit possibility and probability in your romantic fiction, I’m going to have to steer you in a quite different direction. ( )

Ella Mancini is one of the three partners in the matchmaking agency Two Love Lane in Charleston, South Carolina, but once upon at time, she was a young actress in New York City, just starting out. But she was in love with Hank Rogers, and turned down what could have been her big break, in order to stay with him.

Then he got his big break, took it, and left.

He's now a big star, and Ella's acting is in local community theater. Ella is happy, successful in her new field, and respected in her community, but at some level she's never gotten over Hank.

Now Hank is coming to Charleston to shoot a movie, co-starring with Samantha Davis, an actor they both admired even ten years ago, when they were still together.

Hank has never really gotten over Ella, either, and there's a small speaking part that has suddenly opened up again.

This is very nicely done, without an excess of oversimplification of the issues and challenges between them, and with a nice ensemble of good and likable characters. These include not only Ella's partners and family, but cast and crew on the movie, a Two Love Lane client,and others.

Both Hank's and Ella's careers are treated with respect.

I enjoyed this. Recommended.

I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. ( )

This is a wonderful romance. I loved reading about Ella and her matchmaking business. Pammy was a great character and I really liked Hank and Samantha. I enjoyed seeing a little bit of how a movie is created. I loved the nonnas and how they were. This book had a lot of parts to it and they worked well together. I received a copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will. ( )

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley to read in exchange for a fair review. Second Chance At Two Love Lane is the third book in Kieran Kramer’s Two Love Lane series. While it could be read as a stand-alone, I think you will enjoy it more if you’ve read the other two books. The series is about 3 friends who own a matchmaking business. The stories are set in Charleston, South Carolina with lots of quirky secondary characters. Ella Mancini and Hank Rogers were young and in love struggling actors when Ella gave up her big break because she didn’t want to leave Hank, only to discover that Hank had not made the same choice and was leaving her. Ten years later Ella is happily settled in Charleston, acting in community theatre and running her successful matchmaking business. Hank comes to town for a part in a movie and a lot of unresolved issues and what if’s need to be dealt with. Lots of humour and light steam. Publishing Date August 28, 2018 #NetGalley #SecondChanceAtTwoLoveLane ( )

SECOND CHANCE AT TWO LOVE LANE by Kieran Kramer. A "Two Love Lane" series, which can be read as a stand alone. Takes readers on a journey to a a small town, set in lowcountry Charleston, South Carolina, and "Two Love Love" matchmaking company.
This is the story of Ella Mancini, a matchmaker and aspiring actress. Hank, her ex-boyfriend, who is back in Charleston cast as the male lead, in a movie where Ella is also cast.
A sassy, delicious, Southern small town Contemporary Rom-Com. With humor, heart, and plenty of heat, and second chances, readers will be swept away in this entertaining romance. Ms. Kramer, has delivered an entertaining romance with exciting and lovable characters and a strong and interesting storyline. Well written and well crafted.
"I voluntarily received a complimentary copy, however, these are my honest opinions. I was in no way required nor compensated to write a review."

Rating: 4
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewer: AprilR ( )