I seem to be finding a lot of second-chance romance lately, and I do enjoy reading that trope. This one had an interesting spin, which included being left at the altar.
While the story is part of a series, I had no issues following along and enjoying the heck out of the book. Check out my review below.
Wes and Addie Had Their Chance by Bethany Turner
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publication date: July 15, 2025
ISBN-13: 978-1400345892
OVERVIEW:
When her life crashes and burns in a flurry of secrets and redacted information, Addie Atwater-Elwyn hightails it home to the tiny mountain town of Adelaide Springs, Colorado–back to living with her dad, back to working a low-paying job, back to a life of disappointments. Growing up, nobody expected their local girl to become a high-ranking CIA analyst, married to a gorgeous CIA operative. But that was Addie’s life until she lost . . . well, everything.
Now she’s trying to pick up the pieces of her broken life with a little help from old friends. But there’s one old friend she knows her life is better without–Wesley Hobbes, her childhood sweetheart who left her standing at the altar when they were eighteen years old. Truth be told, Addie would be perfectly content never seeing Wes’s stupid face ever again–which makes it very inconvenient that he’s now a beloved senator and presidential frontrunner, his face everywhere she looks. But that has nothing to do with Addie personally. He might make history, but in her book, he is history.
So, when the unwelcome Wes appears back in their hometown, no one rolls out the red carpet–not Addie and not an entire town that was forced to pick sides (and unanimously chose Addie) decades ago. Senator Hobbes certainly won’t win the popular vote in Adelaide Springs.
Wes, meanwhile, is sitting on a few secrets of his own, including the political scoop of the decade: he’d seriously rather gouge his eyes out than spend another minute in politics, much less ever go anywhere near the White House. Addie knows there has to be more to the story, and her curiosity is clouding her judgment. You can take the girl out of the CIA, but it’s not so easy to shake the CIA out of the girl. Of course, it’s not just curiosity (and the acknowledgement that his face isn’t so stupid after all) that’s been reawakened inside her. But after more than two decades, it’s too late. Wes and Addie already had their chance. Right?
Wes and Addie Had Their Chance by Bethany Turner Review
I love a great small-town romance, and this one fit the bill. The author included a lot of twists and interest that really leveled up the story.
Second chance romance between high school sweethearts and a change of mind at the last second. Two times heartbreak, interesting jobs, and a swirl of mystery as to the secrets they are both holding.
This is the first time read of this author’s stories, and I love the atmosphere of the community and the friendships she built within.
There’s a little bit of oddness in the writing and the setup of the story. We do bounce back and forth between time and between characters. There are sections labeled GH, which I think is the father, but a little clarity would’ve been helpful.
The two main characters do work well together for the most part. I feel she’s a little too forgiving, but considering he’s good at convincing her she was the one and only, I can understand. I would probably do the same thing if he were my first love.
This is a clean romance that has some good energy and pretty low angst for the most part. I love the character’s connection towards the last half as she had a lot of healing to do! Plus, the ending is awesome.
4 STARS!!
Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.
Hi! I’m Chris! Just a Midlife Wife sharing about life’s journey; screaming and kicking through it while supposedly aging gracefully…
Focusing on healthy living, low carb & keto, things I am loving right now, and life in general.