“‘It’s about a jaded, middle-aged writer, and the woman who makes him believe in something again.’ ‘And does it have a happy ending?’ I ask. ‘I don’t know,’ he says. ‘You tell me.’”
Second Chance Romance, Carol Mason
This was the epitome of a mom rom-com! Moira, a standard British mum, finds herself in California while her daughter Harriet studies at UCLA. After 6 weeks there, Harriet announces she’s fallen in love with one of her American classmates, Aiden. Moira is shocked, and is even more shocked when Harriet springs a meeting of the future in-laws on her. While Aiden behaves like a gentleman, his father Frank, is standoffish and curt. But then Aiden and Harriet run away to Greece on spring break, convincing Moira and Frank of an impending elopement. Together, the two adversaries rush across the globe to stop their kids from ruining their lives. And along the way, some feelings start to pop up between Moira and Frank, much to their chagrin.
This had exactly enough substance and lust to keep me entertained at a pool or beach, with people walking around, music playing, and only 50% of my attention truly on my book. It would be a perfect book to take on a short vacation where you didn’t want to feel obligated to pay close attention to anything serious. Unfortunately, that means you’re never going to feel like it deserves your full attention, and you’re right. Frank and Moira are in their 40s, but have pushed down enough personal issues over those 40 years to act like they’re the same age as their kids. Instead of a “will they, won’t they” in terms of romantic tension, there’s only “will they, won’t they” constantly hook up and then be mad at each other.
I really liked a lot of the concepts Mason introduced. Frank is the author of Moira’s favorite romance-novel-turned-movie, and his life seems to follow the tragic plot he wrote. Moira is separated from her husband, trying to get in touch with her identity for the first time in 20 years. They spend a weekend together in Greece! But there were too many tense, uncomfortable, and frustrating moments to make this a true romantic-comedy.
Overall, this is a decent option as we start to head into the end of beach and pool days (or if you happen to be flying to Greece to stop your 22-year-old from getting married)!
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookoture for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
Read with Fern 
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