This time around.
A Summer Detour By Dense Hunter
A sweet second chance romance. Allie can’t get any respect from her family. If she can drive her grandpa’s restored, vintage Chevy, to her grandparents 50th anniversary! She will prove to them, she has grown up and can be responsible. But there is a problem. And the only person that can help her out is her teenage crush. Luke. Really cute fun story.
Pining for you by Melissa Ferguson
Skye and Theo had a history, but it hadn’t ended well. After 14 years, their lives were thrown together again. Miscommunication, assumptions, and an exgirlfriend, could put them back at square one. Another cute story of learning to trust one another. I really liked the characters of this second chance story.
He loves me; He loved me not by Kathleen Fuller
This might have been my favorite out of the three short stories. I loved the characters, neither one was pretentious,
Just two people meeting at the right time and in the right place. I love that Sophie owned her own flower shop. (Since I work at a flower shop). Joe was a down to earth guy. Super cute, clean read.
Over all , I really liked this collection of second chance stories and appreciate that they are clean and wholesome!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed these 3 novellas about second chances and dating at a later age or giving love a second chance. I'd only read one of these authors before so I really liked discovering new authors. Each couple was fun to read and had humorous and serious moments. The first two stories were couples that had had previous relationships but had had misunderstandings and had broken up years before but now had a second chance to try again, after clearing up those misunderstandings. I always like those kind of stories. The last story was about a woman who had two suitors all of the sudden when previously she had none! She'd known both of them for a long time and all of the sudden they both ask her for a day and she doesn't know what to do. However, she finds the value in one of them when she discovers his character, not just the shiny exterior! A fun way to spend a summer afternoon - read this collection!

These three sweet romances, two of which are a second chance at love, are written by three wonderful authors. I've read books by all of them and if you're short on time but in the mood for a good, clean romance you'll want to check out This Time Around. If you're anything like I am, you'll enjoy a lazy afternoon reading about these 30-somethings who find love for the first time.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

💚 I have to be honest and say that I'm not familiar with the writings of Denise Hunter or Kathleen Fuller. I requested this from netgalley because Melissa Ferguson is an auto-read author for me. I want to read everything that woman writes, I love her books so much!!!
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💚 Thankfully @netgalley and @thomasnelson approved my request and I got to read this collection of second time around novellas this week.
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💚 While the other novellas were cute, I was def here for Pining For You (the @our_friendly_farmhouse novella)...and it did not disappoint. I honestly found myself wishing it was a full length novel! I love a story of second chances, especially when they're childhood friends. 😁
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💚 Honestly, this made me a tad more impatient for Ferguson's new novel that doesn't come out until NEXT YEAR!!! 😫 sigh....nothing to do but wait....
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💚 Anyway, if you like the second chance trope, you'll really enjoy this collection of novellas. Super sweet, all of them without any steam or bedroom scenes and if there was language, it was so sparse I don't remember it.

This Time Around, a novella collection by Denise Hunter, Melissa Ferguson, and Kathleen Fuller is a delightful dive into rekindled romances. Written by a trio of outstanding authors, these stories capture the imagination as well as the heart. I quickly devoured each story, loving every nuance, every hero and heroine, and every tender moment. I especially enjoyed how these stories contained side characters from some of these authors’ previous books. In the midst of a stressful week, this book was the perfect escape. Clean, sweet, hopeful, and easy to read, This Time Around is sure to please.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Sweet Christian novellas or short love stories. It as so easy to get lost in these stories! I normally love to read rom com and chick lit and these did not disappoint!

I received a ARC from NetGalley and all thoughts and opinions are mine only.

This Time Around, by Denise Hunter, Melissa Ferguson and Kathleen Fuller, is a spot-on beach read novella collection. As the overall title suggests, each story focuses on past relationships being put back together. But of course, the path of true love never runs smoothly, and that’s certainly the case here.

In A Summer Detour Allie Adams volunteers to drive a restored vintage car, only to discover it’s a stick shift and she never learned. She already feels like the family screw up, so appeals to Luke Fletcher for help. The same Luke, who abandoned their relationship before it really began.

Pining For You by Melissa Ferguson is a fun journey to a VA Christmas tree farm with Theo Watkins III. Meticulous Theo puts his corporate life on hold to help rescue his family business, when Skye Fuller’s father is badly injured and unable to work there. Can he win Skye’s heart back?

And finally, in He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not, small town florist Sophie has to choose between two men who want to date her. Will she pick steady the high school football coach or the high flying attorney?

All three deliver a thoroughly pleasant dose of second chances, romantic truths and a few chuckles. If you’re looking for a relaxing, feel good summer read, this is an ideal choice.

Here’s Denise Hunter’s website…

Melissa Ferguson’s website is here…

And here’s Kathleen Fuller’s website…

Buy This Time Around, or read an excerpt…

This three-book collection would be a great beach read this summer (or any time of the year). I highly recommend all three stories in this book! I enjoy reading books by each of these authors and was looking forward to reading these stories. Each story is set in different places. The collection is engaging, fun, romantic, and interesting to read. If you are looking for romance and especially if you are looking for something to read on the beach, I highly recommend this book! Additionally, I recommend each authors individual works as well as this one!
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, this is my own opinion.

I liked this 3-story anthology of love lost and maybe regained. All 3 authors, of each of the short stories, kept the reader engaged and the story flowed well. I like the characters and their development within the confines of each story.
In "A Summer Detour" it was fun reading how everything played out in Allie and Luke's story of young love that ended poorly and a chance at redemption. In Allie's case her need for redemption spans years in the making in trying to get her mother to see her as anything but a "flighty screw-up".

In "Pining for You" (love the play on words/pun intended) - Another story of young love between childhood friends. Melissa and Theo, that gets derailed when one of them goes off to college. Reconnecting 17 years later by happenstance and trying to find a new footing to base a relationship on; even if it is only friendship, can be a daunting task.

In "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not", Sophie and Joe have known "of each other" since kindergarten; growing up and living in a small rural Arkansas town; but, not really "knowing each other. In their mid-thirties; they have both put off dating for a number of years, and for different reasons. As fate would have it; they each decide it's time to take the plunge into the dating pool.

This Time Around is a collection of sweet second-chance romances by three fabulous authors! I already knew and loved Denise Hunter and Melissa Ferguson, so I knew I would enjoy this book. This was my first introduction to Kathleen Fuller’s writing, and I will definitely be reading more of her books in the future! All three novellas feature a hero and heroine who knew each other years before and now have a chance to reconnect through some unusual circumstances. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be Pining for You by Melissa Ferguson - I love her wit and sense of humor! All three stories are lighthearted, hope-filled, and satisfying - a delightful way to spend a couple of hours.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I received “This Time Around from Netgalley as an ARC and I’m more than happy to give an honest review.

This sweet romance book is great! Three different authors and three lovely, easy reading novellas. Each would make a great Hallmark movie!

For a light read, sweet and entertaining- I highly recommend this book!

This Time Around is a wonderful book with three Christian romance novellas I found it to be a quick and easy read. I read a lot of suspense thrillers so occassionally I really enjoy books like this. I would definitely recommend this book to others.

I received a ARC from NetGalley and the publisher Thomas Nelson, all thoughts and opinions are mine only.

This is a fun collection of three sweet romances. Each novella is written by a different author. They are all second chance romances in one way or another. The characters in each novella were well written and had interesting back stories. I really liked this collection.

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for the free advance copy of this collection of novellas. It was a fun beach read for me. I really enjoyed the first and last stories in the collection which comes as no surprise since both of those authors are among my favorites. The second story was not as strong- I had to reread some parts several times to make sure I understood what was happening.

#BookReview: THIS TIME AROUND by Denise Hunter; Melissa Ferguson; Kathleen Fuller

All three novellas are light, fun and clean romance. These are perfect beach reads. There is enough character development but the story doesn’t drag on and on. I like second chance romance like the first two stories but I think I enjoyed the third one, He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not , more. It was fun and dating a cook is a keeper indeed. 4 stars


Thank you to netgalley and Thomas Nelson for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

A Summer Detour by Denise Hunter - This was a sweet second chance romance. Allie and Luke are both wonderful people. Allie is trying so hard to prove herself to her family. Luke wants to be loved. These two work well together and really get each other. I enjoyed this sweet romance.

Pining for you by Melissa Ferguson - Another sweet second chance romance. Poor guys fall in love, then go off to college and make idiots of themselves. Skye has a reason to be hurt. I love her forgiving spirit, even if it took a little while. Theo is a good guy, even if he is a little clueless at times. These two are sweet together.

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not by Kathleen Fuller - Joe and Sophie are great. I love that this couple was a little older, mid-30s. Joe struggled a little in the love department, but I loved that he wouldn't give up or take no for an answer. Sophie was a lot of fun, yet awkward with guys. This story made me laugh several times.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley, but this is my honest review.

This Time Around consists of 2 short and sweet stories about finding love - again - in your childhood sweetheart and 1 short and sweet story about finding love when you are ready - much later in life.

A Summer Detour - The rekindled love in this story is so touching. Especially after reading about the sad fact that separated the teens in the first place.

Pining For You - is such a fitting title - as the story takes place at a tree farm (It is great of Melissa Ferguson to keep true to her natural quirky storytelling by adding such a clever title).

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not - I liked how the analogy of closing and opening a door was cleverly used in this one. The "he loves me, he loves me not" game played with a flower brought a smile to my face as it brought up childhood memories. My favourite quote: "You're dating a man who can cook? Now that's a keeper!" Glad to say I am married to a keeper! Ooh, and my maiden name is Johnson, so yip, I was smiling through this whole story. Loved it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Allie and Luke were practically engaged - until they weren't. Will a forced car trip give Luke an opportunity to overcome 'The Grudge' and undo past mistakes?

Theo and Skye used to be best friends - then another girl showed up. Fourteen years later, he's brought face to face with her again when her father has an accident. Can he win her heart, or is it too late?

Sophie had no interest in dating until she reached a certain stage in her life. Now she's there - and suddenly, on the very day she decides to start, not one but two men appear in her flower shop to ask her on a date...

I often find the stories in collections like this to be disappointing, often too short and and unsatisfying - but I decided to give this one a go because I know I enjoy the first two authors' writing (the third was new to me). Well, I was pleasantly surprised. Though relatively short, each story felt complete, unhurried, and highly satisfying. There was plenty of humour (raccoons, anyone?), but some touching and tender parts as well (though what are Swedish Fish?). The writing was good throughout, and I hope to read more by all three authors in future! Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A trio of short stories filled with fun and romance. Quick reads that are fun, with quirky characters that will keep you laughing. They'll make for a great beach read.

I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.

Do you like to read anthologies? If the authors actually have enough character development, I'm all in! This collection is awesome! I love anthologies because you can finish one story quickly and feel like you've accomplished something.

In Denise Hunter's A Summer Detour, Allie fells like her family views her as a loser--she can't do anything right. So she's super excited to get the opportunity to help her parents out by driving her grandparents '57 Chevy to the party for their 50th anniversary. The only problem is that when she gets there to pick up the car, she discovers that it's a stick shift...and Allie doesn't know how to drive one. Her only option is to ask her old flame, Luke, to drive the car and her to the party.

This was a lovely second chance trope enhanced(?) by a gassy bulldog who goes along for the trip! A light hearted, quick read that leaves you delighted at the end.

The next story, Pining for You by Melissa Ferguson, is about the owner of a Christmas tree farm that returns home to check on his injured manager only to discover that the man's daughter whom he had been in love with is back home.

The last story, He Love Me; He Loves Me Not by Kathleen Fuller is about a woman and man who separately decide to start dating again and the joy they find together.

I enjoyed all three stories and highly recommend if you'd like to experience three relatively short stories that are perfect for a summer read.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Thomas Nelson and NetGalley.