Second Time Around by Melody Carlson

 Second Time Around

Book Summary

When empty nester Mallory Farrell inherits her grandmother's run-down tourist shop in Seaport, Oregon, it seems the only sensible thing to do is to sell it. But when her former secret crush, Grayson Matthews, wants to buy the property in order to complete his plans to redevelop the funky town's business district into a soulless, cookie-cutter outdoor mall, Mallory digs in her heels and decides to renovate the property herself.

With a lot of hard work and a little bit of help, Mallory makes incredible progress turning the store into an eclectic home décor shop called Romancing the Home--all while trying to ignore the depressing and decrepit apartment she's living in on the second floor. When the shop catches the eye of a popular renovation TV show producer, Mallory is thrilled--until it becomes clear that her apartment is to be part of the segment as well.

She's tempted to abandon her dreams and the town under a cloud of shame. But perhaps there's more to Grayson than meets the eye. Can he swallow his pride, change his plans, and help Mallory romance her own home--and possibly her life?

My Thoughts

Second Time Around by Melody Carlson is an engaging and entertaining story.  I can always count on Melody Carlson to provide a story that will capture and hold my attention.  I like the author’s friendly writing style.  I was quickly drawn into Mallory Farrell’s story.  After the wedding of Mallory’s daughter, Mallory’s home is feeling empty.  She loves the house that she spent years lovingly restoring and Mallory likes her interior decorating business.  Mallory feels that everyone is moving on but her.  When Mallory learns that she inherited her grandmother’s shop in Seaport, Oregon she feels this might be the answer.  Mallory decides to turn the business into a home décor shop as well as offering her interior design services.  The contractor Mallory hires completes the shop portion of the project, but he ignores the apartment above which is desperate need of a makeover.  Mallory opens her store with rave reviews.  She is surprised when a design show host wants to feature her shop and her apartment on the show.  Mallory must swallow her pride and ask for help.  Can the project be completed before the television production crew arrives?  

Second Time Around is a clean, inspiring story.  I liked the characters (well, most of them).  They are friendly and relatable. Mallory has some contentious relatives.  I like how she dealt with them.  I appreciated the life lessons in this story.  The setting was delightful.  A small, coastal town with friendly residents.  I understood why Mallory did not want people to see her colorful, rundown abode.  She is an independent woman which made her reluctant to ask for help especially from someone who wanted to demolish her building for a mall.  Second Time Around came to an end much too soon.  Second Time Around is a cute coastal tale with a wonderful wedding, a hollow home, an unanticipated inheritance, construction quandaries, design dilemma, a tv predicament, and a man with a plan.

Second Time Around is available from Amazon*.  Melody Carlson has A Royal Christmas coming out September 5.  I look forward to reading a new Melody Carlson Christmas story each year.  You can follow Melody Carlson on Amazon.  You will receive an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I will return tomorrow to share my thoughts on Worthy Opponents by Danielle Steel.  I hope that you have an uplifting day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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