Sarina Bowen, Rebecca Yarros and Devney Perry have joined forces again to bring us a brand new series, Madigan Mountain. Now this is my first book by Bowen and now I am slapping myself for not reading her prior work. In her contribution to the series, Bowen skillfully created a sweet, small town, second chance romance filled with humor, sweetness and topped up with a slice of drama. It is guaranteed to keep readers turning the pages eager for knowledge of the outcome.
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Title: A Little Too Late
Author(s): Sarina Bowen
Series: Madigan Mountain #1
Also in this series: A Little Too Close , A Little Too Wild
Published by Tuxbury Publishing LLC on October 4, 2022
Pages: 302
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchase
Format: eBook 
Purchase: Amazon|Audible
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Series Rating:
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How to behave when the guy who broke your heart two thousand miles away turns up in your office:
One: Don’t drop your lucky coffee cup in shock, even though it’s been ten years.
Two: Don’t get defensive when he asks how you ended up working his family’s ski mountain… and why you kept it a secret.
Three: Give him the worst room in the resort. He deserves it for suddenly waltzing back in like he owns the place. (Which he kind of does.)
Four, five, six, seven, eight and nine: Do not kiss him in the hot tub.
Ten: Try to keep your heart intact after you break all of your rules.
Because Reed is leaving again. Hate can't turn back into love. And it’s a little too late…
A Little Too Late is the first installment in the Madigan Mountain series and it introduces Reed Madigan and his college sweetheart, Ava. Reed and Ava fell deeply in love while attending college. However, a tragic event led to Reed ending their relationship and moving two thousand miles away from Colorado and his family mountain resort. Changing circumstances has him returning home. However, he got the surprise of his life when he discovered Ava was an employee at the resort. In that instant, they both recognized that the love and passion they shared years ago burned as bright as it did in the past. They both struggle to overcome the pain of the past. However, with forgiveness, love and healing, they fought for their second chance at happily ever after.
A Little too Late ended up being an enjoyable read and indeed a wonderful contribution to the series. It featured relatable characters and romance to warm your heart. Amber and Reed were a likeable couple, and it was clear they were perfect for each other. Throughout the story, I rooted for them. One would consider Reed’s actions in the past cowardly, immature, and hurtful. I was prepared to dislike his character, but after getting to know him, my whole perspective changed.
I appreciate how Bowen gives readers a visual of Reed and Ava’s relationship in the past. We see how and when it started, how it developed, and the event that led to its demise; and now we get the chance to see them getting a second chance to get it right. Reed attempted to make amends, and I liked that Ava never made it easy for him. After all, what guarantee she had that he would stick around this time? I enjoyed seeing how well they re-connected and the outcome warmed my heart.
Another highlight of the story relates to Reed’s relationship with his dad. Not only did Reed get a second chance with Ava, he mended his relationship with his dad. Reed also got the chance to see his home from a whole new perspective, leading him to making life-changing decisions.
Bowen stirred things up by introducing some shady characters. I had a hunch they were up to no good and my assumptions proved correct. I wondered at how this plotline would play out and it was fun following Reed and Ava as they attempted to figure out their motives. Like Reed and Ava’s romance, it had a satisfying conclusion.
A Little too Late is a beautiful tale of second chances, healing and forgiveness. Readers who enjoy contemporary romance will find this story engaging. I am looking forward to reading about Reed’s brothers in the upcoming books.
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About Sarina Bowen
Sarina Bowen is a twenty-three time USA bestselling author, and a Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance novels. Formerly a derivatives trader on Wall Street, Sarina holds a BA in economics from Yale University. A New Englander whose Vermont ancestors cut timber and farmed the north country in the 1760s, Sarina is grateful for the invention of indoor plumbing and wi-fi during the intervening 250 years. She lives with her family on a few wooded acres in New Hampshire. Sarina’s books are published in over a dozen languages with fifteen international publishers.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
I am SO happy to see that you reviewed this one, I am reading it this week, and I can’t wait. I am such a sucker for second chance romance and to return to a Sarina Bowen novel.
Great review!
I love second chance romances. This sounds lovely. I have an audiobook by this writing duo. I need to try it.
I like a second chance romance, this series sounds really good.
I am so glad you enjoyed this one, Nadene! Reed and Ava were awesome together. I do need to read the books featuring the other two brothers soon.
I haven’t heard about this book before but it looks good!