A return to home can bring so much more and else…

Synopsis

Aurora Henderson and Leo McKendrick were love’s young dream when they first dated as teenagers.

But like many a first love, parents, life, and distance got in the way, and the couple lost touch. Now, twenty years later, Aurora – Rory to her friends – needs a break. Burnt out from her teaching career and longing to write a novel, Rory heads to the idyllic village of Roseford for a summer of writing and relaxation.

Leo needs a change too. Ex-pat life in Australia has come to a sticky end so the opportunity to run his family’s B&B, Roseford Villas, for the summer is too good to turn down.

Neither Rory nor Leo believe in fate, but when Leo opens the door to his latest guest, he might just have to reconsider. And when a sultry summer fills with nostalgia and memories and six weeks flies by too fast, love’s young dream might just get a second chance…

Romance and friendship, community and colourful characters mean Fay Keenan’s latest story is perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Cathy Bramley and Jo Bartlett.

My review

Taking a break from teaching, Rory finally decides to chase her dreams and write a novel. She heads off to the village of Roseford, as she can also do research on the lives of what inspired her.
Only for Rory to get the shock of her life, when she arrives at the B&B she is going to stay. Because the person who welcomes her, is no one else but Leo, her first love. Her first love, who moved with his parents on the other side of the world.
Leo has not so long returned from Australia, in need of a change too. So this summer, while awaiting to start his new job, he runs his family’s B&B, Roseford Villas.
A whole summer filled with memories and nostalgia, could it be that those feelings was more than just a first young love? But what when life starts again after summer? Will it just be a short reminiscence? Or will this second chance have a chance to finally last?

Don’t we all remember our first love? And the odds are that one way or another that first relationship didn’t last.
But no matter how things ended, that first love is and will always be something special.
And admit it, don’t you once in a while wonder ‘what if…’
Life can take you in a whole different direction, even at the other side of the world. But what when life brings you unexpectedly back together?

When first meeting Rory, I was a bit in awe of her. While she is a bit tired of (the uncertainty of) her job as a teacher, she finds the courage to chase her dream. I can imagine it cannot be easy writing a book, no matter how much inspiration you have.
Her passion for books is something I absolutely have in common with her, and her wish to write her own novel for sure made sense to me.

That same desire also makes sure she is determined to get to the bottom of a love affair of the past, even if it ended tragically.

It was sweet to read how serendipity works in this book, because what are the odds that Rory is staying in the B&B that Leo is running momentarily, to help his aunt and uncle…

Leo’s story saddened me, as he left his life in Australia behind to start again. Not only did his marriage fail, but he is also still literally hurting from the accident he was in.
But I could understand his need to get away. And sometimes doing the completely opposite of your actual job, like running a B&B, is the perfect way to reorder your thoughts and your life.

Of course, both characters have been through several things, and they have both grown and matured since the last time they saw each other.
Yet it was so sweet and tender to see how Rory and Leo know that there is still something there, beneath the surface. But they also know that they have to talk about the several elephants in the room. And also need to discuss what they both expect from each other.

But they also support each other, and are so in sync with each other. Leo encourages Rory but also understands that Rory needs to be on her own, to write. And Rory on the other hand is ready to take time with Leo, and give him the opportunity to explain things on his own time.

This was a lovely story to read, about not only second chances, bus also about how unexpected life can go. We see how that first love affects us, and how sometimes crossing paths again can give you the closure or the continuation you need. We also see how much can change over the years, but also how much of what makes us *us*, is still there, no matter what.
And obviously, it was amazing to return to the place where many friends are residing. Fay Keenan for sure wrote a wonderful book, perfectly matching the previous books of the series!