Synopsis

From USA Today bestselling author Kieran Kramer, comes Second Chance at Two Love Lane, a fast-paced tale about the intoxicating effects of fame and what happens when a past romance is rekindled behind the silver screen.

Sometimes love is waiting in the second act…

In her professional career, Ella Mancini plays matchmaker at Two Love Lane but, in her personal life, she takes the stage at the Dock Street Theatre. Now she has a chance at a new role in a Hollywood movie that happens to be filming in Charleston—one that features a big-name actress, Samantha Drake. Long ago, Ella passed up a major audition while awaiting a marriage proposal. Not only didn’t she get the role; she never got the ring, either. Instead, her boyfriend Hank went on to become a huge film star…leaving her, and all her dreams, behind.

But now Hank’s back in Charleston, cast as the male lead in the same movie Ella’s in. In spite of the dramatic tension off-screen, he and Ella try to stay cool onset. But when their old feelings start to heat up—at the same time leading-lady Samantha tries to play cupid—all bets are off. How can Hank convince Ella, after all this time, that she’s the one he really wants to be with in real life—and that some happy, rom-com endings really can come true?

Available August 28th

Review

I’ve read several books lately that are set in the low country and in this case Charleston.

I enjoyed the characters, especially some of the minor characters such as Pammy and Miss Thing. I think they stole the story from the main characters several times. Hank and Ella weren’t as strong as I thought they could be in this story and they dwelt on the past perhaps a bit too much. Of course, Ella seemed to have the right attitude for the week they were together, enjoy the time and have no regrets. I was iffy on Samantha Drake’s character – she could see that Hank and Ella belonged together and tried to play matchmaker which is not her strong suit. She gets an A for effort but a C on execution. Best to leave matchmaking to the professionals like Ella!

There is a minor storyline with a matchmaking character, Roberta, that was interesting. She believed she was cursed and while she may or may not have been, it is amazing what the power of suggestion will do to someone. I thought the resolution to her problem was quite interesting!

Then there is Ella’s family – the Mancini’s. They are a hoot and I loved how close this family was to each other. There are some twists to the family and Nonna Sofia, but I thought it added character. I loved the story of how the family came to drive the cars that they drive.  I loved the beginning with the interactions between Ella and her dad and their tradition of going to the theater and then Serendipity on her birthday.  I loved that and wish more parents had some sort of tradition with their children.

I did think that some conversations (internal or external) went on too long and could have been a bit briefer. I wish there had been more description of Charleston because it didn’t seem like there was enough to bring the town to life for me personally.

We give it 3 paws up.  I think this series has a lot going for it and I want to go back and read the first two books in this series.