Love in a Small Town

The Soldier's Second Chance: Pine Harbour, Book 1

By: Zoe York

Narrated by: Em Eldridge

Length: 6 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's Summary

Six years. Two break-ups. One divorce. They should be over each other.

Rafe Minelli knows better than to tell his wife no, particularly since they aren't married anymore. She can't hightail it out of town, though, not when they've finally broken through the post-divorce cold war status quo.

Olivia Minelli needs to leave Pine Harbour. It's just too hard to see Rafe moving on without her - even if he says he doesn't want to. But when a new and exciting job falls into her lap, she needs to choose: protect her heart, or take the new job and risk getting emotionally entangled with her ex-husband. Again.

©2014 Zoe York (P)2016 Zoe York

My Musings

What a great listening experience. The story is well plotted, the characters are enthralling, and to top it off, there is suspense. The narrator is excellent and truly brought the characters to life. I highly recommend this book and will be looking for other books written by Ms. York and narrated by Em Eldridge. Happy reading!

Second Chances Can Happen

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes. While the book starts out slow and drags, things do eventually pick up and the push and pull between the characters is good. Plus the narration is good.

Which character – as performed by Em Eldridge – was your favorite?

Olivia. She seems like a complex character and is still trying to figure herself out. Em Eldridge was able to really bring that out in the character.

Any additional comments?

Love in a Small Town by Zoe York is about second chances, which means, you will root for the two main characters the entire book. This is an audio book review, so as usual, I will review the book and then the audio section.

Rafe and Olivia got a divorce two years ago, but haven’t been able to move on. Part of Olivia thinks that if she leaves their small town it will make things easier, however, the chemistry between she and Rafe is still explosive and she still loves him. Rafe believes the biggest mistake he made was in letting Olivia go and he wants her back. When he finally convinces her to give them another chance, he will do everything in his power to make it work this time. Can they do it? Nothing is ever easy, especially second chances, but if they can do it, it will be worth it.

The story itself is slow to get into and drags a little, but it does start to pick up eventually…just takes several chapters for that to happen. The heart of the story itself is good though and overall it was a good book to listen to. I love the push and pull between Olivia and Rafe and that carries throughout the story. Overall, I give the book 3 stars.
Now onto the audio portion. They picked a great person to read this. For the most part, the narration was smooth and added to the story. Em Eldridge did an excellent job of bringing this book to life. I give the narration 4 stars.

Overall my rating is 3.5 stars.

Second Chance Love

Any additional comments?

I truly loved listening to this book, it was a wonderful heartwarming second chance at love book. You can feel how much Rafe & Olivia still love each other after being divorced 2 years, Rafe wants to give another chance but Olivia doesn't want to be lonely in her marriage again, bu when tradegy strikes Olivia rethinks here decision. I loved the banter between Rafe & Olivia one moment they are having a normal conversation & one word is taken wrong & everything explodes. This book had everything I love in a romance, small town atmosphere, nosy but caring friends & family, steamy chemistry, a few tears & a whole lot of laughs. This was my first read by Zoe York & definitely not my last.
I received a free audiobook for my honest review!

Zoe York does is best!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this phenomenal book to anyone that loves romance. Ms. Eldridge performs this book in a way that drew me in and did not let me go until the end.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Love in a Small Town?

When Olivia and Rafe realize they made a mistake splitting up and they REALLY still love each other and wanted to do something about it.

Any additional comments?

I have been reading and listening to book by this phenomenal author for just over a year now, and still catching up on all of her past books. Ms York tells stories that keep you coming back for more, and more, and more.....
Kudos Ms. York for the phenomenal beginning to the Pine Harbour series.

OH MY OH MY OH MY !!!! What a love story this was!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, from my review, you can tell I love the story of Olivia and Rafe and Em Eldridge did an excellent job narrating it. I haven't had a lot of experience with audible books, but I honestly forgot Ms Eldridge was narrating thru most of it. In my head, it was Olivia and Rafe. She didn't distract from the story, she enhanced it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Love in a Small Town?

It isn't a moment that is most memorable, but the message behind the story. Love is worth fighting for. Love takes sacrifice. Love isn't easy but it's worth it :)

Any additional comments?

My Review of the story:WHAT a love story this was! I honestly didn't think it would WOW me based on the blurb alone. I actually thought it might just be silly. I WAS WRONG!Poor Rafe and Olivia have been thru what seems hell and hot coals to find their HEA! And that they do :) !!Zoe York has such an engaging way of telling a story that I felt ALL the emotions they were feeling as they were going thru them! I couldn't put this book down! And what a great story! .... The determination and passion that Rafe has to win Olivia over and the trust that finally comes .... gawd, I may cry just writing this review!SERIOUSLY ..... do not miss out on this love story! YOU WILL REGRET IT!#TRUTH!

Great romance story to listen to.

Where does Love in a Small Town rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Over there years I have listened to many audio books. I was really happy with the storyline and the and also the narration of this story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I really like both Rafe and Olivia, I thought they were both wonderful and understanding people.

Have you listened to any of Em Eldridge’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the first time listening to Em Eldrige's performance and I would listen to her again.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Is there really a chance?

Thoughtful Loving Romance

This story may take place in a small town, but there’s nothing small about the love affair between Rafe and Liv.

Rafe is determined to win back the affections of his ex-wife. He starts off by making a colossal mistake but more than makes up for it. His romantic acts are the reason why romance books are written.

I really like feel of the small town in this book. It doesn’t offer unfathomable opportunities but instead makes each act between Rafe and Liv more about love than unrealistic adventures. Both Rafe and Liv need to find a way to be better within the construct of their professional lives. There isn’t any throwing down the gauntlet and completely uprooting and making drastic life changes. It is beautifully real.

Simply, this is a real, lovely romance novel.

Second chance love

Rafe and Olivia had a whirlwind romance and married not long after their relationship began. Rafe returned to his hometown with his new wife to start their life together. This was no fairytale though and soon their new reality began to take its toll on their relationship. Rafe was so immersed in his job that he neglected to notice he wasn't putting his wife first and resentment seeped in. There were other factors that also contributed to their eventual separation and divorce.

Two years later and neither of them have really moved on. They both deeply love each other but Olivia is trying to convince herself that the feeling will eventually pass. Rafe has other ideas. He wants his wife back and is determined to show her that this time he will step up and be the man she deserves. The time they have spent apart has given them both time to grow and work out what they want from each other. Maybe a second chance at love will finally bring them both the happiness they have been looking for?

I’m not moving on.

What made the experience of listening to Love in a Small Town the most enjoyable?

I love the narration of Em Eldridge. Her voice was perfect for this book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Love in a Small Town?

The first chapter when Olivia was jealous of Rafe dating even after the years of being divorced.

What about Em Eldridge’s performance did you like?

You were able to understand her loud and clear. I felt that Em Eldridge did a great job with the narration.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, this book wasn't a tearjerker for me.

Any additional comments?

Review:This is my first book by Zoe York; and I just love her writing style. I love how this isn't your typical fall in love with a guy romance novel. York takes you through the journey of Rafe and Olivia Minelli who married too young. You often hear the phrase "Is Love Enough" and I think that phase covers this book perfectly. Usually, you take a dislike to the male who cause the heartbreak but I Rafe in the book. The flashbacks were placed in the book so I was able to get see how married life was for Rafe and Olivia. Without giving aways spoilers, I will just say I was satisfied with the ending. This is a standalone book (no cliffhangers) in the series. I would highly recommend checking out this book as well as the others in the series. I received the audio book for free in exchange for an honest review courtesy of Indie Sage Promo.

Great Read!!

If you could sum up Love in a Small Town in three words, what would they be?

Great Read, Awesome!!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Love in a Small Town?

When Rafe and Olivia was on the hay ride.

Which character – as performed by Em Eldridge – was your favorite?

Olivia

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me laugh and cry at different times.

Any additional comments?

Great Read!! I had the audio version. I loved the setting, characters and story. Can Rafe and Olivia overcome their past? And have the second chance to happiness, love, and and wonderful marriage. I couldn't stop listening to it. Had to know was going to happen with Rafe and Olivia. This book had me laughing, crying, and fill with love and happiness through the whole story. If you love to read about second chances then this is the story for you. Definitely an one-click buy!