I don’t know how she does it but for the third time Jennifer Page has had me falling hook, line and sinker for a pastime/hobby that I would have thought it totally not for someone like me. She has this unique ability of turning the most mundane of subjects into something fascinating and completely engrossing from start to finish. This time around in Second Chances at the Board Game Café it’s sewing and trainspotting that is the focus and once again I was completely enamoured with everything right from the very first word. It’s rare these days that I have the ability to sit down and read a book in one or two sittings as my attention span has deserted me. But all that changed with this book and in two sittings I was done and dusted with this wonderful book but truthfully I could have kept reading on. I didn’t want it to end at all and was gutted to reach the final page and leave such fabulous characters and their stories behind.

Taylor Sweet is a single mum to eight year old Max ever since her ex decided that being a Dad wasn’t for him and he walked out leaving Taylor high and dry. Taylor hadn’t planned on falling pregnant so young and although she loves Max deeply she wishes that she had been able to pursue her dreams and become a fashion designer. But going to college wasn’t something she could so. Instead, she is stuck sewing buttons, replacing zips, shortening trousers and taking hems up when really she is itching to get creative and design outfits. She was the one who had made the Scrabble dress from the previous book and the weeble dress and it was so lovely to see such a heart-warming to see that connection emerging early on.

Taylor is someone who expresses herself by what she wears. It’s her way of telling the world who she was and what mood she as in. But Taylor is stuck in a rut and bored to death of the same old routine day in and day out. It doesn’t help that Max likes things to be in order and is averse to any sort of change to his life routine. No changes big or small can be made but little does Max know that there are a lot of changes just coming around the corner both for himself and Taylor and I was eager to see what would come for them. It as obvious from the beginning that Max was neuro diverse but it’s never explicitly stated and it didn’t need to be. His character and that of Harry were brilliantly written without needing to elicit major sympathy from the reader. The similarities between the pair were there for all to see and it only added to my enjoyment of the story because it was just so wonderfully and sensitively woven into the plot.

Taylor longs to escape from her small cramped flat where she has to pack away her bedding every day in order to get going on her sewing work but she fears Max’s reaction if she suddenly announces that they are moving from the village of Essendale. She comes across a flat for rent in the neighbouring village of Hebbleswick and here is where she meets estate agent Tarquin. Ah I thought Tarquin rears his ugly head again. I love spotting characters from the previous books and there are many here again. They play a much more prominent role than they have done since book one and I was delighted to see this. But new readers needn’t worry that they won’t be able to follow along you will do so very easily. Taylor bites the bullet and moves to the new flat which was once a shop although conditions aren’t the best. Taylor was such a fantastic character. She was strong, fierce and independent and didn’t take help from anyone unless strictly necessary. Which in itself can be a good or bad thing as she will learn later on. She attempts to get more sewing business but really designing is where her heart lies. As well as her business worries she also has to deal with the fact that Max is being mercilessly bullied at school and refuses to move. She feels a failure as a mother as she doesn’t know how best to support and help Max.

As for the main male character Harry, well all I can say is what an utter sweetheart he is. Most definitely the best male character in the series so far. Not to take away from Ludek or Ras but gosh Harry you stole a piece of my heart and as Taylor compares him to Patrick from The Great British Sewing Bee that really wouldn’t be hard. Similar to Max, Harry likes order and routine having a particular shirt for a certain day, making the same sandwiches daily for lunch and his greatest obsession/love is trains, train board games and train spotting. Harry overthinks everything down to the last detail and he tries to be funny but more often than not he comes across as being weird or nerdy. He is a stickler for following the rules in life and in board games but he does enjoy the times spent in the board game café with his very small group of friends. Harry came across as being shy, reticent, nervous and very self conscious. To say he is awkward and not blessed with the best of social skills would be an understatement but there was something very endearing about him that you just wanted to give him a hug and say everything will be all right.

Harry has been burnt in the past when it comes to love and he questions whether there is anyone out there who will love him the way he wants and deserves to be? Harry has spent his life trying to help other people to make them like him and to be honest he came across as being lost and needing guidance and direction. He makes so many blunders in his advances towards Taylor that you do find yourself cringing for him at certain points. But Taylor also I felt led him on in some ways when she knew that if she had a boyfriend that Max wouldn’t react very well to the change. Yet at the same time I thought oh just go for it Taylor, if you are happy than Max will be happy. Sometimes, you have to put yourself before others even if it was your son making you so hesitant. The more the story developed the more I was rooting for the pair to get together. They do say opposites attract and they couldn’t have been any more different from each other.

There are numerous funny situations that occur. The incident with the stuck zip being one of them and they all help move the plot along at a lovely gentle pace. These funny moments are balanced nicely with some more serious moments but it all worked so well together .I loved the sense of community and the friendship bonds that appeared the more I delved into the story. Familar faces appear once again and they all work together to try and make Taylor’s dreams come true. Who would have thought upcycling fashion would be so interesting and that it would allow Harry to come out of his shell? The way everything developed and the link to the title was just so wholesome and apt. It showed all the characters growing in confidence. The community rallying around Taylor for reasons I won’t go into was just superb and really will give you that warm and satisfying feeling inside.

No doubt about it Jennifer Page is fast becoming an author where I just know that I’ll never tire of reading her work. My only complaint though is that I wish the books came as quickly as I read this one. Trust me if you start with this one you’ll find yourself seeking out the other instalments and if you have been with the board game café since book one you’ll be dying to get your hands on the next book in the series. That ending was just pure perfection and will bring a tear to your eye and a smile to your face that’s for sure. I found myself thinking towards the end why hasn’t Kate gotten a book of her own? After all, it’s emerging that she is a stalwart and a force to be reckoned with and someone who has been the glue and inspiration for all three female heroines so far. So I was utterly delighted to discover that the next instalment, Christmas at the Board Game Café, will focus on Kate. I’ve read the blurb and it’s sounds like we are in for a real festive treat as the concept sounds so unique and original not to mention fun. In the meantime, do yourself a favour and make sure you read all three books published so far in the series. They are an utter delight which reminded me just how much I love reading and my spark for women’s fiction has been reignited. It’s so obvious that Jennifer Page is loving writing about these characters and the setting and I hope she goes on to write many many more. I for one will be there eager to read them all as she never disappoints and it’s a big thumbs up from me.

This was like a warm hug of a book. Taylor is a seamstress down on her luck when she moves house, finds new friends, a perspective live interest and gets ripped into community spirit and running an up cycling fashion show. Harry is an adorable book boyfriend and max the son is soooo super cute I love the nods to the railway children. I loved the various board games that were featured in this, especially Ticket to Ride which is a game I enjoy playing. It was also great to catch up with Emily, Jo and Kate from the previous books. This was a real pleasure to read and I am already looking forward to the next book in the series.

Small-town romance fans will be enchanted by the latest charmer by Jennifer Page, Second Chances at the Board Game Café.

Taylor is a single mum living in the cosy Yorkshire village of Hebbleswick with a dream of becoming a fashion designer. However, it looks like her most-cherished ambition will never be fulfilled as looking after her son Max leaves her with next to no time to work on her original designs. Taylor wants to do more than hemming skirts and fixing zips, but will she find the courage to go after what she truly wants? Or will she spend the rest of her life regretting not fighting for what she truly desires?

At the local board game café, railway enthusiast Harry is nursing a broken heart after a painful breakup. Having always wanted to be a father, Harry worries that he will never know the joys of having a family of his own – until a chance encounter with Taylor turns his entire world on its head. Will Harry have the courage to take another chance on a relationship? Or is he not prepared to run the risk of having his heart broken again?

Will Taylor and Max let this chance at happiness slip through their fingers? Or will love find a way to bring these two lost souls together…forever?

Jennifer Page makes her readers swoon with her latest novel, Second Chances at the Board Game Café. A tender, feel-good and uplifting romance about finding happiness, chasing rainbows and the magic of falling in love, Jennifer Page’s Second Chances at the Board Game is sprinkled with warmth, humour and emotion and will leave readers with a massive grin on their face.

This was like a warm hug of a book and was just the book I needed at the point I started reading it. I had had some upsetting news earlier that day, and after spending a few hours dazed and staring into space, I figured I should start reading a new book - picked this and basically didn't look up for the next few hours while I devoured the first half of the book.

Which I then rapidly finished off the following day. Read in three sittings, in under a day, this was warm, cosy, comforting, and another incredibly good story in this series.

I am loving these Board Game Cafe books, and the villages of Hebbleswick and Essendale. And it was great getting to know Harry, one of the train game playing addicts even better.

And to see the similarities between Harry and Taylor's son Max was really pleasing to see. Less pleasing is how Max is treated at his school by other kids and teachers too.

He is a rather unique child who is totally fabulous, but it's hard for people to get to see it properly. While Taylor is just longing for a bed and not a sofa to sleep on.

She's a talented seamstress and soon gets roped into an upcycling fashion show.

I loved the various board games that were featured in this, especially Ticket to Ride which is a game I particularly enjoy playing.

I also loved we were able to catch up with Emily, Jo and Kate from the previous books too, as well as other recurring characters. I do enjoy a sense of community across a series.

This was a real pleasure to read and I am already looking forward to the next book in the series.

Thank you to Aria and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Loved this book, read it in one sitting. The two main characters are sweet and I love seeing them overcome fears and the obstacles placed in their paths. I loved the location and revisiting some familiar characters.

Overall this was a sweet romance with some great messages. Definitely recommend and look forward to the next book from this author,

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Lovely to be back in the board game cafe, a thoroughly enjoyable read. Taylor, MX and Harry’s story . Really interesting characters, great storyline and the wonderful community of the board game cafe. Beautifully written and highly recommended
Thank you to Netgalley, Aria and Aries and Jennifer Page for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

A wonderfully warm read with great characters that you really invest in and wish them well. Taylor wants the best for her son and to make a better life for themselves but has to overcome problems and dreams of a better future as a fashion designer. Love interest, shared railway interest , new homes combine to make a great read.

Really good to be back at the board game cafe. It has been a while since I read the first books in the series but it only took a little time to remember the characters. Although in this book we are introduced to two new main characters the ones from the first books still play a part in this one.
The frustrations of having a SEND child at an unsupportive school were portrayed empathically, but I hope there aren’t (m)any teachers like in one school.
Fully-formed and believable characters and a lovely storyline that held my interest from beginning to end.

What a good follow up book this was although you can very much read it as a standalone book. Yes it’s quite predictable what is going to happen but at the same time the bits in between were quite enjoyable to read. While some of the characters from the previous book were there, I very much liked the new characters especially Taylor and Max who you got into straight away.

A lovely book similar to the other one I'd read but it was lovely reading about the characters playing board games on a cafe. Hopebthere is more to come. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Lovely 3rd book in the series. Cosy book about friendship, love and communities coming together. Loved the 1st two and can't wait for the next.

Cute! That is the best way I can describe this book. It was delightful and adorable and a very fun read. Highly recommend.

I can't believe it's a year since I first visited the Board Game Cafe! It was lovely being back there once more, with plenty of familiar faces, a love story between two perfect characters and so much more enveloping community, board games (scrabble anyone?), train spotting and sewing! This is a real holiday between the covers away from the drudge of daily life and certainly, one that will be in many a holiday bag this year I think! Bravo Jennifer Page, a gorgeous book!

Second Chances at the Board Game Café is a perfectly cozy little summer read. It definitely broke the dull and exhausting routine of exam season for me!
We're returning to the magical and warm Yorkshire of Little Board Game Café fame (hi, Emily and Ludek!), now focusing on Taylor, a single mom whose biggest dream was to become a fashion designer.
We follow her path on the way of accomplishing herself in that area while navigating single-parenthood, and so many changes and obstacles. We're also lulled into the warmth of community and the kindness of people willing to band together and help.
We also meet Harry, a railway enthusiast and a frequent guest of our beloved board game cafe. Taylor and Harry cross paths, and their first encounter - and the measurements mishap - kick off a story of love, changes, misunderstandings, assumptions, insecurities, and self-doubting - and do we get a successful second-chance story?
This heartwarming read isn't just a romance. It's love altogether. It's the love of a mother, the love of community, the passion for dreams and chasing them, and the love for oneself in one's most authentic state.
It's safely predictable, where it won't keep you on the edge of your seat, but rather carefreely tucked under a blanket or, for it is summer, resting under a parasol with a cold drink, enjoying another story full of joy, trying, doubting, and still holding out for hope.
The rating (3.5 stars) on this one is entirely subjective, as I found some things that don't work for me as a reader. I'm gravitating toward some other themes and writing styles more, and though I did enjoy reading this book, I feel like I'm not the targeted audience. That's why the rating is lower, but I wouldn't miss out on this book if you like heartwarming and cute stories set in a small town with lots of joy and good spirits.

Another book in the series about the Board games cafe, this time centring mostly on 2 of the customers. Taylor is a single mum, as such has her worries about her son and making a living. Harry is single, an accountant and trainspotter. They start to get to know one another. Some of the characters from the first book make a reappearance here, though in more minor roles
The plot is predictable, though kept me interested. A great feelgood holiday read . Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

This is the latest book in The Little Board Game series, having enjoyed the previous books in the series I knew this would also be a wonderful page turner, just like it's predecessors that I had devoured in an afternoon. Once again, great characters and a heart warming story, thoroughly enjoyed it.

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

This contemporary romance is the third book in the Little Board Game Cafe series, set in the fictional Yorkshire village of Hebbleswick.

The protagonist is Taylor, an aspiring fashion designer and single mum to her son Max. I really liked Taylor, and some of her values resonated with me. I liked the way she used clothes to express herself, as I think that clothes and outfit choices are a great way to express personality. I found Harry quite endearing, and gentlemanly. I also thought Max was a wonderful character, and I enjoyed what he brought to the story.

The concept of a board game cafe is something that I find appealing, as board games are a fun way to interact with others, and I wonder if, in a day and age when technology is so present in our everyday lives, they may sometimes be overlooked.

This was a sweet, romantic read that made me smile, and I found it quite comforting. The Yorkshire village setting gave it a lovely cosy vibe, and I think it would be a good choice if you're looking for a light read, or a book that will help you relax and unwind.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.

Remember the Scrabble pinafore dress in the first book – and the one with the weebles in the second? They were the only dresses that seamstress/sewist Taylor has ever been commissioned to make from scratch – she dreams of seeing her designs on a catwalk, but all the work that comes her way is mending, shortening and broken zips that need replacing. She’s also trying to be the best mother she can be to young Max – finding life difficult at times, unhappy at school but fearful of change, struggling when he comes across anything new and different.

And then there’s Harry – he finds life a challenge at times too. He’s an accountant, dresses very conventionally in muted colours, and loves trains and board games. And he really wishes he could get to know Taylor rather better – but doubts she’d ever be interested in someone boring like him. But he has a heart of gold, and is only too happy to help her out – despite her reluctance to accept it – when her new home starts falling apart around her (he’s really such a lovely man!). Goodness, he’ll even try his hand at some clothes upcycling if it means the chance to send more time with her. The attraction is mutual, but her son might be an obstacle to any possibility of them growing closer – but Harry and Max have more in common than they realise at first, and the barriers might just not be as difficult to overcome as they expect.

The author writes so beautifully – a lovely touch with the emotional content, and two very real individuals who entirely win your heart as the story unfolds from both their perspectives. And then there’s the wider community – with wonderful characters who’ll already be friends if you read and enjoyed the first two books, but who you’ll enjoy sending time with just as much if this is your first visit to Hebbleswick and Essendale. There’s a major project at the book’s heart, drama at times, a villain who casts a shadow, and plenty of setbacks and challenges along the way – but the whole book is filled with warmth and love and kindness, with friendship and support found in unexpected places, and more than a sprinkling of sheer joy. Just gorgeous – this book should be on everyone’s summer reading list.

I would firstly just like to say a big thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources who very kindly forwarded me an arc copy of this book, for my kindle, in return for my honest review…

This is the next warm and uplifting instalment from The Little Board Game Café series. It is a second chance romance trope and is such a wonderful, warm and cosy read…

I absolutely love this series of books and i read this one really quickly as i just couldn’t stop turning the pages to find out what was going to happen!!

I really warmed to all the characters and found them to be very real and down-to-earth and just like a group of old friends…

This book was such a good read, it was heartwarming, romantic, with a great sense of community and i thoroughly enjoyed it…..

This is an absolutely gorgeous book with such a sweet storyline and characters. Taylor lives with her son, Max and is struggling a bit to live as a single parent. Harry has been hurt by love in the past. A clothing upcycling program helps them both to realise that they have more friends and support than they realised and that help is always there when you ask for it. The ending was perfect and I will definitely be looking for more books by this author. Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.