Tumble is the start to a new series, but I just kinda felt “meh” about it. Second-Chance romances are a favorite trope of mine, but there was too much about this one that didn’t sit well enough with me to root for Neely taking him back.

Unfortunately, Tumble was a fumble for me. I received an advanced copy via NetGalley and voluntarily left a review.

Tumble was heartachingly beautiful!

Neely and Dane have a tainted history. High school sweethearts scorned by one big mistake that Dane won’t regret. Yet, Dane’s actions from years ago devastated Neely to the point that she moved out of their hometown and never looking back. Spending the past nine years in New York chasing her dreams, Neely feels like she has it all, sort of. Until she gets passed up for a promotion at work, quits, and heads back to Dogwood Lane.

Dane and Neely, despite their pasts, just can’t seem to quit each other. While pain and regret weave through these pages, second chance at love is in the air, and romance is full of forgiveness and love. There’s the promise of hope and a new beginning... if they can just let go.

Of note: I love that this book introduces a new cast and I can’t wait to see what shenanigans the Dogwood Lane crew can get into!

I love second chance romance! One of my favorites! And this is one of my favorite authors! Her stories always pull me in and this was no exception! This is Neely and Dane's story and it's about second chances, forgiveness, selflessness and trying to do what's right. This has a good storyline with awesome characters and great writing. This series is off to a great start! Can't wait for the next book in this small town romance series!

I love sexy single Dads and their second chance romance! Ms Locke delivers both beautifully in this wonderful start to her new Dogwood Lane series. This sweet and emotional story takes place in the small town of Dogwood Lane Tennessee. This tight knit community is filled with close friends and family who are fun, quirky, and totally supportive. The kind of place that draws you in and makes you feel right at home. Neely has worked hard to make a difference in her career, but has recently lost her way. So when Neely returns home from New York to recharge, after avoiding the town for over nine years, everyone is overjoyed, including the man who broke her heart. Dane made mistakes that changed their young lives forever, but he's worked hard to make a new, stable life. He thought he was almost over the love of his life, but now that he sees her again, he starts to believe in second chances. Neither can ignore the pull their hearts have toward each other. Their chemistry reignites despite the pain they both feel from years of heartbreak. When the city calls Neely back, she needs to decide what is her true calling. I loved Neely and Dane, even tho I was disappointed at some of their choices. They are two stubborn, broken souls who fit perfectly back together. I love their friends and family who are authentic, funny, and not very subtle in their meddling. I am also a sucker for a great grand gesture, and this has an awesome one! I was totally engaged in this fun, sexy, and heartfelt romance and I can't wait for more from Dogwood Lane!

TUMBLE is the first book in a small town series, Dogwood Lane. It's a standalone with a fabulous cast of characters.

Neely Kimber needs a place to recoup after quitting her job in New York. So after ten long years, Neely returns to her hometown in Dogwood Lane, Tennessee. She's happy to revisit her old friends and her Mama. The only thing she's unsure about? Running into Dane, her high school sweetie and the man she wanted to marry. Dane is a single dad to the uber adorable Mia. He missed his moment with the love of his life, Neely, but when he runs into her again, he desperately wants a second chance. Can these two wayward lovers put their past behind them to find happiness?

So, let me first admit that I seriously debated between 4 and 5 stars. And I can't really tell you why! Not without giving away THE REASON Neely and Dane broke up because that's a humongous part of the story. BUT...I know that a lot of readers will be disappointed in Dane. Here's my advice: DON'T GIVE UP ON HIM! He wormed his way into my heart and I was cheering him on by the end of the book.

Now, here's why I settled on 5 stars. Ms Locke has the uncanny ability to completely draw you into her stories so that it seems you're experiencing all the emotions just like the characters are. It keeps you invested until the very last page! I'm not going to make excuses for Dane's horrible behavior but at the same time, I know what it's like to make a colossal mistake. Also, I was especially impressed with Neely's ability to forgive. She was tough but she had a huge heart and I loved her willingness to make amends and to place blame exactly where it needed to be. Then there's the amazing side characters that give the story that extra pizzazz! I can't wait for their stories!

Overall, this was a tantalizing read with characters that felt real, flaws and all. My emotions ran a whole gamut, from aggravation to appreciation, from happiness to sorrow. Sigh...! Told from dual POVs with a sweet ending. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.

4.5 Stars
This is the first book in a new series by Adriana Locke and it kicks off with a bang. It's a second chance love story. I was won over by this book because Dane is a single dad, but once you get the back story for Dane and Neely it will hit you right in the heart. It shows you what heart and strength that Neely has when she returns to her hometown to see what awaits her. Dane's little girl is just too adorable. This book had me laughing a crying. All the characters were fantastic. You know it's a good book when you don't want to end and you're already anticipating books for the secondary characters.

It's been a minute since I last read an Adriana Locke book and this book reminded me why I enjoy her stories so much! Neely is back in Tennessee licking her wounds. Work has disappointed her and she's in a desperate need of a break from NYC. Neely and Dane have a past. She doesn't want to relieve what happened between them, but due to their friends, being around each other is unavoidable. I enjoyed the way Adriana drew the reader in and found these two people still drawn to each other and caring about each other despite the things of the past. It was a sweet second-chance romance that made me swoon and FEEL all the emotions. I thought this was a fun start to this series and I'm looking forward to the next book!

'I broke her heart. I broke her heart in the worst way I could, and the fact she didn’t tell me to fuck right off is more than I really deserve. It’s more than I would’ve given me.'

When Neely Kimber gets screwed over at her sports writing job in NYC she tucks tail and runs home to the small town of Dogwood Lane, Tennessee to relax and reset. It’s been ten years since she’s been back there and Dane Madden was the biggest reason for that. He was her first love and her first heartbreak and she’s tried, in the years since, to forget about him and move on. But she’s barely in town for a day before she runs into Dane and despite her best effort to resist, old sparks begin to fly. She knows she shouldn’t forgive him or start anything up again, especially since she’s not planning on sticking around. The stakes are even higher for Dane, who is a devoted single father to his little girl, Mia. As much as he wants Neely in his life again, he has to consider the risk to his daughter’s heart as well as his. Will Neely slip through Dane’s fingers again or will he be able to convince her that Dogwood Lane with him and Mia is where she’s meant to be?

Overall, I enjoyed this second chance, small-town romance. The town itself was very charming and I really enjoyed some of the secondary characters, hopefully, we’ll see more from them in the future. I liked Neely and Dane but I did think that things moved a little quickly given the magnitude of the betrayal all those years ago. For as mad as Neely was with him when she first got back, she got over it pretty quickly and they picked up like nothing ever happened. I was a little confused on the timing of everything too, when she first got back she was saying it would only be for a few days, but it wasn’t until much later that we learn weeks had gone by so for much of the time I was thinking all this was happening over the course of a few days when apparently it was longer. I was fine with them getting back together and I thought Neely was very sweet with Mia but I would have liked her to make Dane work for it a little more or for it to have gone a little slower once they did get back together. When the climax hits, some of Dane’s comments seemed a little sudden given how long they’d been back together (not to mention a little soon for Neely to make such a life-changing decision). But even with those things that didn’t 100% work for me, I thought this was a good story and it laid a nice foundation for future books set in this town! Plus there are quite a few swoony moments seeing Dane and his daughter together, so that’s always a bonus!!

Oh my goodness I freaking loved this story!!! The raw emotions with grappling devastation!! And utter betrayal!!
Neely heads back home to take a few days off the hustle and bustle of New York City. Running into her ex first thing is NOT a good thing.
Dane.... What a gorgeous hunk. Southern boy with all the charm. Single father of the adorable Mia. He can't possibly be more irresistible.
Sparks fly and a rekindle of the first love romance brings every full circle.
I didn't want to put this down and I hate second chance novels. The author makes you forget that and makes you fall in love.

What a great read! The writing flowed well, and I was sucked in right from the start. Dane and Neely were great together, and their chemistry was hot! Yes, Dane was an idiot 10 years ago. He did something stupid for the right reasons. That decision led to something that he just couldn't regret. While I would have expected a little more apologizing, I was still happy to see Dane and Neely get a second chance. I liked Neely for the most part, but I had my moment when I was disappointed in her as well. When she's in the gas station, and the lady from the gym stops her I was like PREACH!! She brought a lot of her pain on herself. The secondary characters in this story were great! I loved Matt, Penn, Hayley and Mia. They added so much to the story! I was SO happy to see these 2 get their HEA. The ending was sweet and perfect for them!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.

Intriguing and compelling second chance romance that really begged the question are second chances worth it?
Well written with solid characters, Neely and Dane’s second chance romance starts out as many in this genre do. Heartbreak when your young, never forget, can a second chance be in store.
This second chance romance had a unique and poignant twist where I honestly didn’t agree with the actions and consequences that could possibly lead to a second chance. (Maybe a meet up so I could castrate, but that’s not this genre.)
How the hero went about to come clean and own his actions I have to say was believable and painful. How the heroine responded again believable although I didn’t agree.
Nonetheless this book brought fourth emotions and struggles people who love face when they’ve been in a painful relationship.
Can you forgive and forget and do a second chance after what Dane did?
Read it and decide for yourself!

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a free copy of Tumble by Adriana Locke in exchange for an honest review.

Tumble reads like a feel good, second chance romance movie you would watch on the Hallmark Channel. City girl moves back home to small town and reconnects with her first love. There is nothing unexpected or particularly thought-provoking in this novel, but that's okay. I finished this feel good story in a day and don't regret it at all. I'm all about second chances and romance and this one fulfilled the criteria perfectly!

This is a second chance story that you will not be able to put down.
After getting screwed by her job Neely goes back home after ten years. What awaits her is more than she bargains for. When the time comes for her to leave, will she be able to turn away again or is her heart in her hometown for good.


** I Received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review**

NO SPOILERS!

Tumble was everything you’d expect in a small town second chance romance, and I absolutely loved it! Tumble was a sweet, sexy, and charming standalone contemporary romance and start to the Dogwood Lane series. Adriana Locke’s writing style was wonderful, and the tale she wove for Dane and Neely was amazing. I fell in love with Dane, Neely, and the rest of the people and town of Dogwood Lane, Tennessee, and can’t wait to continue the series in Tangle!

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Tumble is the first book in the Dogwood Lane series. While I love this author and most everything she has written, this book was a hard no for me. I wanted to love it. But there were conflicts going on that prevented me from doing so. Neely is a strong character (mostly). And let’s not forget forgiving, even if it’s ten years on. I loved Dane and Neely together...until I didn’t. Dane is a dumb@$$. But his daughter is cute. [You know, the daughter he had with his girlfriend’s bestie. Just no.] I realize he’s grown up a bit, it’s been ten years after all, but I just thought he would gravel and beg to win her back or apologize even. Instead, he blamed it on Neely and that just took the cake.

What I liked:
I love this author’s writing style. The book was well written and the characters, although flawed, were written well and with depth.

What I didn’t like:
The actions of a couple of characters in particular. While ten years have passed, I, as a reader, can’t forgive Dane for his betrayal and plain dumb@$$ery. And it really made me mad Neely did and apologized for something that wasn’t her fault!

I love second chance romances usually, this one just rubbed me the wrong way and I just couldn’t get over it. I know some people who live for the drama and angst in books, that’s just not me.

So here's the thing - I was in Neely's shoes before she escaped to NYC. And let me tell you: that shit is not something you can (so easily) forget. But this is fiction and we love to read how even the worst things that can happen to you can be overlooked.

Now back to the story: in a true Adriana Locke fashion this book was light (if you can get past the fact how he because a father), full of funny banter and hot when the MC's found some comen ground. I think my favorite person in this book was Mia. That girl will cause both Dane and Neely grey hair in the future. The side characters were fun to get to know. If this book is any indication were in for a another great series. But please no more "we were on a break" moments OK???OK 😉

***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***

With real characters and a plot filled with emotion, family, and love that you won't be able to put it down, Adriana Locke has delivered a good start to a new series that I will be definitely reading.

The last book I read by Locke was not a favorite so, I'm going to be honest here and say that I was not expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. The main couple was good, but it was the secondary characters the ones that made this book for me—Mia, Grace, Haley, Matt, and Penn...Gawd I loved Penn. I can't wait to come back to Dogwood Lane and read more of them!

5 Second Chance Stars

I’m in love with this new series from Adriana Locke! I’m ALWAYS a sucker for second chance romance, and Locke just proves there really is no place like home.

Burned by her big city job in New York, Neely does the one thing she’s avoided since leaving her small town and the man who shattered her heart behind ten years ago...she goes home. What she didn’t expect was for it to feel so right and fill a void she didn’t realize she had. Seeing Dane again proves to her she’s still in love with the man no matter how much he hurt her all those years ago. Dane Madden has almost learned to forget about Neely Kimber, but seeing her back in their hometown brings all those feelings back to the forefront and reminds him how much he still loves her after all these years. He’s the reason she left town with a shattered heart and no matter how much he tries, he can’t bring himself to be sorry.

When these two see each other again, the sparks fly and the flame just grows stronger and stronger until it’s fully engulfed. Will Neely stay and give them another try or will she return to New York for the career she is determined to have? I loved every single page of this story and couldn’t get enough. The characters are amazing and I found myself laughing with them, and feeling the heartache as well. Adriana Locke always seems to have that one beloved character that everyone just falls in love with and in this new series it’s Penn. I LOVE him and cannot wait for his book. The writing as always is phenomenal. Locke is off to a great start with this new small town series and I can’t wait for more!

Angela - Alphas Do It Better Book Blog

This was a great start to a brand new series from Adriana Locke. I am a big fan of small town romance and once again the setting and secondary characters were great additions to the main romance. I have to say that I really liked our main characters and I was definitely routing for their second chance at love. This book was ansty, swoony, humorous and a really engaging read. I for one really enjoyed it!

I was provided with a copy of this book from the Publishe via netgalley; there was no inducement or obligation and I opted to leave a review.

A new series from a fantastic author! I enjoyed this book a lot, but hard a rough time getting over the hurt Neely endured. A beautiful read about heartbreak, second chances & new beginnings. Dane hurt not only Neely, but himself because of choices he made out of stupidity. Although I had a hard time seeing Dane as more than a stupid jerk, his sweet single dad side hooked me a first interaction with the sweet, sassy Mia. Not sure anything can make me fall in love with a man quicker than a sexy, single dad, but add in southern gentleman & I’m gone. Stick a fork in me, I’m D O N E, Done!! I highly recommend this book. Told in dual POV.