#OctobeRecFest Review ~ Second Chance Summer ~ Jill Shalvis

Second Chance Summer by Jill Shalvis
Cedar Ridge #1
Release Date: June 30, 2015
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Gift in Paperback from Lexxie
Rating: 5 Bookworms
Challenges: #ShelfLove
Recommended by: Lexxie @(un)Conventional Bookviews
Goodreads

Synopsis
RESCUE ME
Cedar Ridge, Colorado, is famous for crisp mountain air, clear blue skies, and pine-scented breezes. And it's the last place Lily Danville wants to be. But she needs a job, and there's an opening at the hottest resort in her hometown. What has her concerned is the other hot property in Cedar Ridge: Aidan Kincaid-firefighter, rescue worker, and heartbreaker. She never could resist that devastating smile...

The Kincaid brothers are as rough and rugged as the Rocky Mountains they call home. Aidan has always done things his own way, by his own rules. And never has he regretted anything more than letting Lily walk out of his life ten years ago. If anyone has ever been in need of rescuing, she has. What she needs more than anything are long hikes, slow dances, and sizzling kisses. But that can only happen if he can get her to give Cedar Ridge-and this bad boy-a second chance...

As its name implies, Second Chance Summer is a second chance romance and it's a well-crafted one at that! Jill Shalvis has been on my TBR for awhile thanks to my blogging wife, Lexxie. And Lex, darling, I'm so sorry I didn't read her sooner but I'm eternally grateful for the gift! =) <3

Reasons I'd recommend this recommended read:

• A Colorado setting. I adore stories set in my home-state and I am especially fond of Cedar Ridge since it's a small mountain town that feels a lot like home to me.
• A heroine who left home after suffering unspeakable tragedy, trying to find her way in the world on her own. When Lily suffers another kick in the teeth, she returns home to find that maybe she didn't have to leave home to find her place, nor did she have to undertake the journey alone.
• A hero who's also suffered a great deal but is adept at putting himself way down the priority list in order to take care of those he loves. He also, apparently, feels a calling to protect others as he works as a firefighter, and in search and rescue. Aidan has his reasons for steering clear of Lily but thankfully their pull to one another overrules it.
• Strong family dynamics. The Kincaids, Aidan, his siblings, and his mother, are one close-knit family. They've all learned to take care of one another and they're close - whether it's ribbing each other or telling it like it is.
• Palpable sexual chemistry and a realistic healing. I could feel the sparks between Lily and Aidan from the first time they encountered one another again. Despite being wary of each other, despite doubts and feeling they shouldn't go there again, they air crackled every time they were near each other. But they both had some issues to work through. And even though it seems their reconciliation sparked the healing, they each worked through things on their own, in their own time, with a little advice from family and friends.
• A strong secondary cast. With a setting like this, I'd have been disappointed if I didn't get strong secondary characters. Shalvis didn't disappoint. Aidan's brothers, Gray and Hudson, his sister Kenna, his mom and Lily's friend Jonathan, all added some humor as well as gave serious advice when needed. They all showed a loyalty and love I admire and I look forward to spending more time with them in Cedar Ridge.