Reviewed by Stacie Haas for Readers' Favorite

In Second Chance in Paradise by Jennifer Peel, Holland Reeves is a young scientist who has devoted her life to earning her Ph.D. in pharmacology and to one day defeating heart disease. Her pursuit of this lofty goal is also an attempt to cure the aches and pains of her own heart—a desperately lonely childhood and a devasting end to the one chance she had at love. With the arrival of a wedding invitation, Holland finds herself back at the Clairborne Resort in Paradise, Alabama, the very place she gave and lost her heart to Porter Clairborne, the son of the resort owners. While Holland and Porter quickly understand that their feelings are as strong as ever, questions remain. Can Porter make amends for leaving? Can Holland’s heart defeat the logic of her analytical brain to give love a second try?

Second Chance in Paradise by Jennifer Peel is one of those romances reminiscent of the memories of one’s first love—the one that just pulls at your heart no matter how much distance there is between you, or how much time has elapsed. The feelings between Holland and Porter are palpable, even after the pair have gone their very separate ways. When circumstances pull them back together, their feelings are obvious to everyone, but it’s a risk to love again. Beyond the love story, there is a powerful interwoven story associated with their family backgrounds. Both seem to understand that to have a future they not only have to deal with their own pasts, but that of their families, too. The familial aspect adds a meaningful depth and richness to their story. Second Chance in Paradise is an engaging and quick read, one that will affect you long after you finish the last page. Highly recommended for lovers of romance!