Addie is living in her hometown again after a fall from grace in her grief following her husband’s death. Now her high school sweetheart who left her at the alter is running for President and she has to fight the urge to punch every campaign poster and then he shows up incognito in their hometown and maybe everything wasn’t as it seemed 20 years ago and maybe they can have another chance.

I didn’t think I was going to like this one but I kind of loved it. The only thing that rubbed me the wrong way was the quick forgiveness before everything was fully explained. Once everything was explained there were no more questions and it made sense but they were making out before then for sure. No spice but lots of twists and emotions and all kinds of drama. You will never be bored with this one for sure!

3 🌟
Spice: no
Format: ALC

It's not a bad book, the writing flows well. For me I was just bored. I didn't feel connected to these characters, part of that issue comes from the back and forth from 1st to 3rd person. The constant switch wreaked havoc on my brain. These characters just held no personality. Sadly the narrators probably didn't help. I also expected some big secret as to why Wes left all those years ago, and it was hugely anticlimactic.

I started this book with high hopes, especially drawn in by the premise and the quality of the writing—this author clearly knows how to craft a sentence. That said, I only made it halfway through. I struggled to fully connect with the characters. I especially found it difficult to engage with the male narrator’s voice, which pulled me out of the story at times. On the flip side, I really enjoyed the female narrator—her sections felt more immersive and emotionally grounded.

While it’s not quite my style, I can see why this book would appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven romance or dual POVs. I may circle back and read the first book in the series to see if that background helps me appreciate this one more. For now, it’s a pause—not a full stop.

After 14 years, they are back in their hometown for reasons, Addie worked in the CIA and Wes is running for president. It was slow pace. I liked that Addie came in and confronted Wes right away after he left her at the altar years ago. She said her peace to him and the plot move on to a sort of reconciliation. They got to know the adult versions of themselves. Little tension between MCs but I was rooting for them to work it out and become more than friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ALC of Wes and Maddie Had Their Chance in exchange for an honest review.

Wes and Addie were once inseparable—until he left her waiting in a meadow at 18 and disappeared without a goodbye. Now, over two decades later, Wes returns to the town he abandoned, freshly groomed as the next potential President of the United States. Addie, a former CIA analyst grieving the loss of her husband and career, has also returned home, carrying secrets she can’t share and a heart that’s been shattered twice.

When the two are reunited, it isn’t long before old wounds are reopened—and old sparks rekindled.

This is the third book in the Adelaide Springs Love Stories series, but it works well as a standalone. I hadn't read the previous two books but had no trouble following the story. Familiar characters do make appearances for returning readers.

I appreciated the themes woven throughout: grief, redemption, hidden identity, and the weight of expectations. Addie was strong, intuitive, and independent, while Wes’s arc of redemption—though occasionally frustrating—was compelling. I didn’t love how quickly Wes seemed to shift his priorities, which made the ending feel rushed and less satisfying.

The audiobook narration by Talon David and Patrick Zeller added another layer to the experience. Talon captured Addie's character beautifully. Zeller’s voice felt more distant, but it ultimately suited Wes's polished political persona.

A solid 3-star read for me. I liked it but didn’t quite fall in love.

I really loved coming back to Adelaide Springs for this adorable second chance romance! I did feel like the plot was very character driven and had a lot of internal monologue which made the book kind of slow for me. But I am a sucker for a second chance romance and I loved the redemption arc that Wes’s character has.

I went into Bethany Turner's WES AND ADDIE HAD THEIR CHANCE with high hopes but the story just never really came together for me. The novel has its moments, but not enough for me to want to recommend it to others. Also, the narrators' voice didn't quite work for me either.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
3.5/5 (rounded up for Goodreads)

First, I didn’t realize this was the third book in a series. I thought I was just having issues keeping up with no descriptions of all these characters. Then I looked it up. I might go back and read the first two.

Second, I don’t think I could be Addie and let this man give up being the president for me even if it’s “what he wants”.

Third, Wes sounds hot.

Read this book if you like:
- second chances
- small town gossip

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio, and Bethany Turner for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I’m never a huge fan of second chance romance. This one was done well though. Without giving too much again, I do feel there should have been a little more relationship development prior to the ending they had. Maybe I’m just too big of a grudge holder. That is what makes this a great book though- it makes you think what you would do if you were in that situation. Glad we finally got to see Addy and all she has endured first hand.

I listened to Wes and Addie Had Their Chance. It is a good romance book - the second chance at love trope. I would recommend this book if you are looking for a light read. It is cute and fun but not very original. I think I would have preferred to read it as apposed to listening to it. I had a hard time understanding the narration of Wes.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my review.

Thank you NetGalley for the Audiobook!

I think if I actually read it in print it would’ve been a much different experience, the internal dialogue comes alive in the audiobook.

I loved this book, and I was hooked from the beginning.
No spice
Second chance romance
Small town

This was surprisingly sweet, even if it did lean a little too hard into the cheesiness at times.

Wes and Addie Had Their Chance is a small-town second-chance romance about two exes who’ve spent years apart. Only to be thrown back together by fate (and a few meddling locals). There’s grief, unresolved heartache, and a slow journey toward healing and maybe, just maybe, love again.

The narrators made the story shine, and while some of the dialogue felt overly dramatic, there’s a lot of heart behind it. Fans of nostalgic, clean romance with themes of love, loss, and what could’ve been will likely find a soft spot for Addie and Wes.

The way I was so genuinely rooting for these characters by the end of this book lol. Third in a series with a full and developed small town cast of characters, but can be read as a stand alone. This is a second chance romance of a couple that were engaged at 18, the ultimate childhood sweethearts. This is why it’s so perplexing when the mmc character Wes, stands our mfc, Addie up at the altar, never to return to their small Colorado town again until 22 years later, with a lot of tender humility and a messy political agenda as he has somehow become the front runner in the upcoming presidential election. While this book is very driven by Wes’ political career, it manages to only be pleasant and fun and mostly lighthearted and only gets briefly political in theory to remind the audience of the power of the people through Wes’ mostly noble and idealistic ambitions that got him in to politics in the first place. This story takes us on a whole entire journey as we weave in and out of Addie’s acceptance of Wes’ return and how she reconciles her own forgiveness of him and what that could actually mean for the woman she is now, a lifetime removed from the events of their shared history. Also, very well written representation of someone recovering from alcoholism. Addie explaining her relationship to her own alcoholism was very compelling to read and edifying to those who may not know that struggle intimately.

4.5 stars! ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Also, really good dual narration by Talon David and Patrick Zeller! Fresh, new voices for me that I enjoyed listening to a lot. 👌🏼👌🏼

Thank you Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio and NetGalley for the alc!

thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the ALC!! 🫶🏻

This was such a great listen! I very much enjoyed this story and how different it was from other contemporary romances. It’s very unique that the MMC is a presidential candidate and our FMC is ex-CIA. 😳 that definitely brings something new and fresh to the story!

At the heart of it all, it’s a second chance romance in a small town. There’s themes of forgiveness and grief. Our MCs were high school sweethearts and the MMC literally left her at the altar when they were 18 years old. This reunion then occurs 2 decades later, after they both had gotten married to other people (each of whom died tragically - hence the theme of grief). So when they both end up back in their small town unexpectedly, and are still inexplicably drawn to each other, what’s a gal to do?! 🙈

I love second chance so this is absolutely right up my alley. I love that the MCs are older and have the maturity to discuss how everything fell apart when they were 18. I love the close-knit community of adelaide springs (their graduating class was FIVE 😳) and I loved the side characters (many of whom have their own books - I did not read them beforehand but maybe I’ll pick them up soon!). Overall, this was full of wit and heart!

Also, I loved that we got both POV’s and with that, two narrators for the audio. Both did a great job with it! 👌🏻

Bethany Turner, you’ve done it again! I loved this audiobook so, so much!

Addie and Wes’s story was everything I wanted, but also heartbreaking all at the same time. After hearing about their history when they were kids, I couldn’t help but root for them the whole time. Then hearing about what they both went through after they left Adelaide Springs made me root for them even more. I loved all the characters that made an appearance from the other books in Adelaide Springs too.

Talon Davis nailed the narration as always! I enjoy Patrick Zeller bringing Wes to life too.

Thank you to Bethany Turner, Thomas and Nelson, and NetGalley for a copy of the audiobook!

“He said that you don’t refuse to take a chance on the people you love just because there might be some pain involved.” A second chance love story and so much more. Full of deep feelings, storng emotions. The journey of Wes and Addie to each other after more than twenty years apart and after he left her in the altar. Can they overcome eveything that they’ve been through and find their happily ever after? Èpic love story. Thanks to NetGalley for the ALC. Talon David and Patrick Zeller are very talented narrators. Making a great story in an even better one. This is my honest review.

The overall story was a cute and different idea. I have not read many books with the political trope so it felt new. However, this book was not for me. I often found myself feeling like I missed something and not following what was going on. I think that was due to lack of interest in the story. There were often times I felt like this was a 2nd book, not of a series but with characters from a pervious book. It felt like things were being referenced that I was not privy to.

I loved this book. It was quick and witty and as much as I wanted to savor the characters and plot, I devoured the book overnight. Can’t wait to go back and listen to the others. So glad there’s a series.

Overall I’d rate this one 3-3.5 stars! It has elements like second chance romance, small town vibes, and talks of grief/loss. I didn’t realize until starting the book that it is book three of an interconnected series about the small town, and one group of friends within it. This book can definitely be read as a standalone! I plan to read the other books anyways since I enjoyed this one.
📚
The book was better than I expected but there are some aspects that prevented a higher rater. One thing I could not get over (since I listened to the audiobook) was the female narrator’s ‘male’ voice. It took me out of the story too much every time it was done… Normally a female narrator doing the MMC’s voice is not a big deal for me and I’m use to it, but this was a standout annoyance for me. Overall, I loved Addie’s backstory. The grief she had to deal with was explained in a way that had me feel heartbroken for her. I would have loved more insight into Wes’s character (more than what was given), and more insight into his transition to presidential candidate. The story is a quick read, has depth, and gives that romance you want with that HEA.
✨
Thank you Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

4.5⭐️ rounded up

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the audiobook copy in exchange for a review.

I think this book on audio is great! It has 2 narrators and they both did a great job with the story. I noticed many of the lower star reviews mention the writing style, but I think some of those issues disappear on audio because I had no issues with the style while listening. I also think this would be a cute Hallmark style movie 🎥.

Wes left Addie at the altar 20 years ago and they’ve never spoken since. Now Wes and Addie are both widow/widowers and find themselves in their hometown at the same time. Oh, and Wes is running for president. 🇺🇸The two begin to form a friendship and unpack their feelings about the past and what has happened in their lives in the last twenty years. Naturally, some of those old feelings start to comeback. But how do they manage all this, and the tough parts of their pasts, in the midst of a presidential campaign?

This is a second chance romance with emotion, heart, and just enough drama that kept me interested. I flew through this in a weekend. I really enjoyed it on audio and recommend this audiobook to fellow second-chance romance fans who are looking for an escape from reality.

While the book does mention a presidential campaign, the CIA, and the Senate, it never gets political. The author did a great job telling this story in an apolitical way.

This romance is *clean.*