Once and Again: A Return to Briarwood Novel

Elisabeth Barrett

Jul 2015 · Loveswept

About this ebook

For readers of Shannon Stacey and Susan Mallery, the heartfelt Briarwood series begins with a tale of forbidden love, broken promises, and second chances.

Growing up in Eastbridge, Connecticut, Carolyn Rivington was a young debutante who did whatever her parents asked. So when her father demanded that she break things off with the boy from the wrong side of the tracks or else, she did. Now Carolyn’s family is deep in debt. She’s no longer a member of the Briarwood Golf and Yacht Club, she’s an employee. And the tanned, tattooed, dangerously handsome stranger who saunters into her lobby isn’t just her new boss . . . he’s also her first love.

The last time he saw Carolyn, Jake Gaffney was in the back of a police cruiser, handcuffed and humiliated. But seeing her again stirs other memories: a blanket on the beach, the moon above their heads, and the most expensive bottle of wine he could afford. Now the tables have turned. As a real-estate magnate and Briarwood’s new owner, Jake doesn’t have to answer to anyone. But now that he’s back home, he’s finding it hard to live down his old reputation.

Before they can move forward, Jake and Carolyn must face their pasts. But it’ll take more than sizzling chemistry for them to heal old wounds and return to the love they once shared.

Praise for Once and Again

“Elisabeth Barrett’s Once and Again is a beautiful second-chance love story. A great summer read!”—New York Times bestselling author Claudia Connor

“Engaging, sexy, and immensely touching, Once and Again is a wonderful start to a new series.”—Marina Adair, #1 bestselling author of Summer in Napa

“Elisabeth Barrett weaves true-to-life characters, sizzling sexual tension, and gripping emotional intensity into a heartwarming story of forgiveness, family, and second chances.”—Lia Riley, author of the Brightwater series

“A sexy reunion romance overflowing with second chances to make friends, reconcile with family, and rekindle lost love.”—Tracy March, author of Should’ve Said No

“Once and Again is a fantastic read with a set of equally fantastic characters. It’s also a fast-paced, smooth-reading tale that is deeply rooted in honest emotion and filled with intriguing characters and crisp, rich setting details that so easily allow readers to picture the story, people, places, and events. I loved this book!”—Okie Dreams Book Reviews
 
Includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

Ratings and reviews

This one is about Jake Gaffney and Carolyn Rivington being reunited after years of pain, anger, and hurt. Roles are reversed now though. He is rich and powerful and she is down on her luck. When Jake buys the country club she is currently working at, they both know that it is time to deal with their past and let things go. If only it was that easy! I've been looking forward to this new series from Elisabeth Barrett and after reading this book I am NOT disappointed! I can't wait to see how some of the secondary characters are developed and what their stories are. While parts of this seemed a little drawn out I think it was necessary to introduce all the characters and their roles. Can't wait for more! I definitely recommend this one!

rather than play completely into the romance novel cliches one might expect, Jake and Carolyn handled things a bit differently on their way to a new happily ever after, and that's what made it such an interesting read. While the additional chapters from another character's point of view got it the way too often, the root of the story was a great one. Second chance romances are always fun, given the established history between characters, and Once and Again did that well. I suspect that the next book in the series will be all about Jane, and I'm definitely interested in finding out what's next in her story. ***FicCentral received this book from Random House LLC (via NetGalley) for free in exchange for an honest review.

About the author

Elisabeth Barrett lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and spends her days teaching, editing, writing sexy contemporary romance, and enjoying time with her sometimes-bearded husband and three spirited children. She is constantly perfecting her home-work-writing juggling act, but in her free time she loves to hike open-space preserves, grow orchids, bake sweet things her husband won’t eat, and sing in grand choruses. For more about Elisabeth, please visit her website.