A Season for Second Chances

By: Jenny Bayliss

Narrated by: Ell Potter

Length: 12 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

A charmingly quirky seaside town offers a recently separated restauranteur a fresh start and possibly a new lease on love in A Season for Second Chances, by the author of The Twelve Dates of Christmas.

Annie Sharpe’s spark for life has fizzled out. Her kids are grown up, her restaurant is doing just fine on its own, and her 26-year marriage has come to an unceremonious end. Untethered for the first time in her adult life, she finds a winter guardian position in a historic seaside home and decides to leave her city life behind for a brand new beginning.

When she arrives in Willow Bay, Annie is enamored by the charming house, the invigorating sea breeze, and the town’s rich seasonal traditions. Not to mention, her neighbors receive her with open arms - that is, all except the surly nephew of the homeowner, whose grand plans for the property are at odds with her residency. As Christmas approaches, tensions and tides rise in Willow Bay, and Annie’s future seems less and less certain. But with a little can-do spirit and holiday magic, the most difficult time of her life will become...a season for second chances.

©2021 Jenny Bayliss (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

One of Buzzfeed’s Best Books of October

One of BookBub’s Best Holiday Romance Books

“[An] inspiring tale of strength, integrity, and self-respect. . . Readers will be enchanted.”—Publishers Weekly

“Bayliss’s fans and readers who enjoy laugh-out-loud rom-coms will want to spend a cozy winter evening by the fire with Annie and the residents of Willow Bay.” —Library Journal

“There's so much to love about this enchanting story. Readers will want their own seat at the cafe Annie opens and to attend every quirky holiday party the townspeople dream up. This lovely, cozy read is perfect for winter.” —BookPage (starred review)

Wonderful story of second chances.

Too many Romcoms have no story line. This has an excellent story of Annie who finds that life can really begin at 40.

Well Done!

This story line was honest and understandable, building character personalities as well as a group aura. The ending was very intense and brought me to tears. A book hasn’t done that for a long time—-could be the voice and inflection of the reader, too. Best I can say is, “Well Done”!

charmingly quirky

I honestly adored this book so much! Let me forewarn you that if you’re looking for a quick rom-com this is not the book. I do think it’s a bit longer than necessary, but it also really takes its time building up the second chance narrative, the spirited coastal town of Willow Bay and its residents, as well as a bit of romance near the end. I went into it looking for the romance, but I liked that it didn’t immediately jump into things.

Annie is dealing with the end of a 26-year marriage, one in which her husband cheated on her repeatedly. At 44 years old it’s the first time Annie is truly on her own as an adult and she’s trying to come to grips with the end of her marriage and find accommodations while her and Max (her husband) figure out the division of assets. After a few hopeless days in a hotel Annie finds a winter guardian position in a historic seaside home and decides to leave the city life behind for a brand-new beginning. That’s the main focus of the novel. Annie will be watching over a secluded beach apartment and small (closed) business over the winter months. It’s an unpaid position but the rent is free. Since Max is being a bugger with the accounts and assets Annie is due this is just the thing she needs.

The community of Willow Bay was absolutely charming. Definitely the type of community I long to be a part of. What makes this such a stand out romance is there was never miscommunication, in fact the characters were quite forthcoming which was so refreshing. I also like that Annie had her weaker moments with Max as he set to woo her back. She knew he was bad news but after 26 years things are familiar and she knew in her heart of hearts what she deserved but she still showed those moments that made it all too real.

The romance doesn’t start until around the 300-page mark, so buckle in for a long meandering yet lovely tale of a season for second chances.

If you like this, check out Float Plan by Trish Doller.

Exactly what I needed!

This story had the perfect combination of all the right ingredients for this time of year, or any other really! I loved everything about it.

The perfect story

Love love love this author and narrator. Excellent writing, wonderful story, and I didn’t want this to end.

I love Holmes

This is a wonderful series! One of my favorites! If you haven’t read it, it’s a must!

Totally enjoyed this audiobook

Let me just start this review by stating how much I enjoyed this book .. there are not many books I have those real laugh out loud moments but with A Season of Second Chances I did. In addition to Annie Sharpe, our protagonist, there are a great cast of characters .. Mari, her nephew John, Alfred and for me the best was Maeve – she just made me laugh .. the whole “little John” scene was hysterical. It was so nice to read a rom-com book with many of the characters in an older age group.

Annie Sharpe along with her husband Maxi have worked hard making The Pomegranate Seed a very successful restaurant. But after finding Max in another compromising position and knowing her twin boys are grown, she has decided that her 26-year marriage has come to abrupt end. Feeling freed for the first time in her adult life and trying to find an inspiration for life Annie finds a winter guardian position in the historic seaside town of Willow Bay, a place where Annie can reflect on what her next step would be.

Willow Bay and the Saltwater Nook turns out be just what Anne needs, a place of discovery that life does not need to end at the age of 44 that life can have second chances.

Jenny Bayliss wrote a witty, delightful, and enchanting novel about a charming small community with a host of unique characters with that goes big for Halloween and Christmas, has an entertaining book club. There will be drama, romance and a community that takes cares of each other.

This was my first Jenny Bayliss novel, and I enjoyed her storytelling; she writes great dialogue; I already have her debut novel Twelve Dates of Christmas queued up.

This was an audiobook narrated by Ell Potter, I have always said a narrator can make or break a good story .. Ell Potter did a wonderful job with all the accents and narration.

BTW Annie does ends up with her HEA!

GREAT STORY!!

One of those books you wish would never end. You’ll fall for the characters! We’ll, we’ll done!

A Season of Funniness

This was one funny novel. I previously read 12 Dates of Christmas so I had high expectations for this one and it did not disappoint. It was funny, engaging, passionate and down right a great rom-com.

Light, breezy read!

This book was an easy read and quite enjoyable, although a little predictable. I love a good love story and the way Annie fell in love with the Saltwater Nook!