With once different dreams, how to share a stage together in the present?

Synopsis

Two old flames. One small stage. Trouble is just waiting in the wings …

Mimi and her sisters are still struggling to keep their beloved Halfpenny Lane Theatre afloat.

So when Hollywood heartthrob Rocco Agnew wants a part in their upcoming production of Private Lives it promises to be a lifesaver. Rocco sets hearts racing and ticket sales soaring wherever he goes.

The only problem: Rocco is Mimi’s ex – the one who broke her heart – and she’s slated to play opposite him in a role that will bring them far too close for comfort.

They can’t turn down Rocco. Mimi doesn’t want to bow out. Will the little theatre be big enough for both of them?

This is the second book in the Halfpenny Lane series, but it is a complete story and can be enjoyed as a standalone.

My review

Halfpenny Lane Theatre may have been saved, but Mimi and her sisters are learning that it’s not easy to keep their beloved theatre alive.
One of the attempts to bring in money, is having to have the production of Private Lives on their stage, with Mimi in the lead role.
And when Rocco Agnew, famous Hollywood star, shows an interest, it seems to be the answer to all of their prayers. Weren’t it that Rocco is Mimi’s ex.
So how can Mimi play against the man that broke her heart years ago, in a play where the main characters get rather close to each other? 

I already fell in love with the three sisters and the theatre in the first book of the series. And while I absolutely loved reading about Aiofe and Jonathan, there was something about Mimi that always intrigued me.
So her having her own story, having the opportunity to understand her better, was just marvellous! 

From the start, it’s clear that Mimi ticks all the boxes of an artistic mind. Her heart is set on giving the performance of her life on the production of Private Lives. And not only because she is an actress in heart and soul, but also because she wants to restore the theatre to its old glory. 

She is so determined to make everything work, that she will even silence her broken heart and play opposite Rocco Agnew.
Because no matter how cool she plays, the readers, and obviously also her sisters, know how much it still pains her, as Rocco is clearly the one that got away.
But I loved to see how she put her own feelings aside, for the sake of the theatre. 

With this second book, we get to see more of the behind the scenes of a play, and it was lovely to have those sneak peeks!
As an spectator, we don’t linger too often wondering all the blood, sweat and tears it has costed every member of the production. 

The ‘reunion’ of Mimi and Rocco left me a bit on a crossroad… because no matter was I was hoping for Mimi, Rocco is also not available. And while I understood those lingering feelings, and those moments where stage kisses turn into something more, I wasn’t a fan of crossing a line.
So I was a bit proud of how both characters found the restraint before things got too far. 

Of course, it was also hilarious to see how Mimi pretends to be also in a relationship, with Sam of all people, as we can all see that Sam has only eyes for one of the sisters and it’s for sure not Mimi! 

But even if there clearly is some unfinished business between Mimi and Rocco, it was also great to see how these lovely characters found each other again, even just as friends. Because their relationship didn’t end on bad terms, but it ended because their lives went different directions.
Seeing how at ease they were, warmed my heart, and despite the apparent impossibilities, I kept having my fingers crossed for something more. 

This story went in some ways even further than I expected, even adding some serious eye-rolling, totally over – the  – top, it’s – all – in – her – head drama.
The author managed perfectly to blend the magic of the theatre, with the strength of a family, a determination to fulfil dreams, to a wonderful story about second chances. With also a small addition of showing us the unfairness of people having to hide their true selves.  

I truly enjoyed reading this next wonderful chapter about Halfpenny Lane Theatre! It gave me everything I expected and even more.

And now all there is left for me, is to look forward to Sive’s story. Because she for sure also deserves her place in the spotlight!