★★★ Chapter One Again by Keelia Clarkson, A Heartfelt Story of Longing, Purpose and Love
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.
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About This Book:
Escape to Avila Falls in this Cozy Second-Chance Romance
Jane is a successful ghostwriter living her dream in New York City, collaborating with movie stars and musicians while quietly longing to publish her own novel.
But just as her career comes to a crossroads, she's called back to her hometown of Avila Falls, a charming mountain town with a colorful cast of characters, where a chance encounter with her high school crush stirs unexpected questions about her NYC life. These doubts deepen as Jane tries to find her place back in Avila Falls; begins a new project with Liv, a pop star grappling with her own identity; and reconnects with a friend and mentor who runs the local bookstore, And Then There Were Books.
Jane begins to see her hometown differently and sparks begin to fly. She questions whether the version of herself she's created is truly who she wants to be. Could the answers she's searching for lie in the very place she once ran from?
MY REVIEW: ★★★ 3/5
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Chapter One Again is a sweet, debut novel that feels like a story written straight from the author's heart, reading more like women's fiction than romance. Jane, a successful, but somewhat introverted ghostwriter, is living her dream life in the vibrant, bustling city of New York City. Yet, despite her accomplishments, she finds herself longing for more and begins to wrestle with purpose, finding love and a deeper sense of belonging.
One of the things I enjoyed most was the emotional depth of Jane's character and spending time in her thoughts, hopes and insecurities, which creates an intimate, reflective sense to this novel.
When Jane returns home to Colorado and reconnects with people from her past—including an old crush as well as an aging mentor—the story takes on a cozy, small-town charm that contrasts beautifully with the energy of New York City. Both settings felt vivid and alive, and I appreciated the reminder that home is often less about a place and more about the people who make it such.
While the plot felt somewhat melancholy at times, and I occasionally wished for deeper conversations between the characters, there was a heartwarming, introspective vibe to this story that made it something to cherish. It was easy to read, cozy and had a subtle faith tones that deepen with the story, leaving a beautiful message of a God who knows us, calls us to a purpose and deeply cares.
Overall, a charming, reflective romance filled with lovable characters, emotional honesty and themes of love, home and second chances.
