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Petal, Georgia #1
Once and Again
This time, he plans to do it with class. Style. And more than a little groveling�
Seven years ago, Lily Travis was only too glad to see her hometown of Petal, Georgia, in her rearview mirror. Thanks to her father running off with a twenty-year-old, though, here she is, trying to pick up the pieces. First order of business: meet with her brother’s teacher in a quest to pull his grades out of a downward spiral.
Nathan Murphy is pretty much resigned to his bachelor status—until he looks up from his desk to see an all-grown-up Lily walking into his classroom. Of all the women who turned out to be totally wrong for him, she’s the only one who felt right. At least until his foolish, immature mistake drove her away.
Lily has to admit that time has been more than kind to gorgeous, sexy Nathan. Except there’s no room on her full plate for another complication. Especially with a man who broke her heart once before.
With a little help from his friends, Nathan has a plan to rekindle the flame. It isn’t long before they’re burning up the sheets. Winning her heart? That’s another matter.
Warning: Hot, sexy high school teacher in denim and boots. Strong-willed females abound. Bad words and naughtiness, too. Come on, you know you want to read it.
Seven years ago, Lily Travis was only too glad to see her hometown of Petal, Georgia, in her rearview mirror. Thanks to her father running off with a twenty-year-old, though, here she is, trying to pick up the pieces. First order of business: meet with her brother’s teacher in a quest to pull his grades out of a downward spiral.
Nathan Murphy is pretty much resigned to his bachelor status—until he looks up from his desk to see an all-grown-up Lily walking into his classroom. Of all the women who turned out to be totally wrong for him, she’s the only one who felt right. At least until his foolish, immature mistake drove her away.
Lily has to admit that time has been more than kind to gorgeous, sexy Nathan. Except there’s no room on her full plate for another complication. Especially with a man who broke her heart once before.
With a little help from his friends, Nathan has a plan to rekindle the flame. It isn’t long before they’re burning up the sheets. Winning her heart? That’s another matter.
Warning: Hot, sexy high school teacher in denim and boots. Strong-willed females abound. Bad words and naughtiness, too. Come on, you know you want to read it.
ebook
First published June 14, 2011
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About the author
Lauren Dane
111Ìýbooks4,981ÌýfollowersLauren Dane has been writing stories since she was able to use a pencil, and before that she used to tell them to people. Of course, she still talks nonstop, and through wonderful fate and good fortune, she’s now able to share what she writes with others. It’s a wonderful life!
The basics: Lauren is a mom, a partner, a best friend and a daughter. Living in the rainy but beautiful Pacific Northwest, she spends her late evenings writing like a fiend when she finally wrestles all of her kids to bed.
The basics: Lauren is a mom, a partner, a best friend and a daughter. Living in the rainy but beautiful Pacific Northwest, she spends her late evenings writing like a fiend when she finally wrestles all of her kids to bed.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 226 reviews
July 2, 2012
I have to say that I was excited to see a new book by Lauren Dane. I love her books and I absolutely adored the Chase Series and the Brown series. So, when I saw that there was a spin-off of the Chases I pre-ordered this book and Adrian Brown's story, Never Enough.
Sigh...Now with that said, I was left feeling disappointed at the end of this book. I have read enough of Lauren Dane's work to say that this is not her best work at all. I didn't have a problem that this was a spin-off; however, this spin-off seems to be a much weaker take on Petal, Georgia. I wasn't impressed with Nathan a hero at all. He was just.......ok. His character didn't deserve all that ego and alpha grandstanding. There was nothing described that "made the case" for all of his ego. He was described as hot/sexy/wanted by many but I never saw any of that in the story. However, I did see a lot that showed him to be whiney and self-centered. I liked Lily's character. She was independent and strong and had to contend with a lot in respect to her family but she cared enough about her brother to make huge changes and sacrifices for him. There really wasn't a happy ending or even much of an ending to the story for me. It just seemed to end without much closure. Usually LD's book contains some type of climactic event. I thought that event would involve Nathan's crazy ex who was mentioned as a stalker and that there would be some type of altercation between she and Lily that would ramp up the energy in the story. But sadly, no...there was nothing! Why mention a stalker ex if you don't plan on using her character in the story for something other than an unhonorable mention?!?!
The proposal was W-E-A-K! I would have liked to see an epilogue where her mother got out of treatment and Chris was in the 11th grade doing well and that she and Nathan got married. Something Lauren...something. But I was left with another big goose egg at the end that left me saying, REALLY?!?! But I guess (hopefully...maybe) that you were left hanging so that there could me a hook to the next book in the series. I sincerely hope that that was her aim and that the other Petal, GA books are much better and a truer (stronger) representation of her writing style.
This book was anticlimactic and dull compared to her other works. I hope Never Enough is better because for $10, I WANT A GOOD READ DANGIT!
P.S. Also, I'm wondering where all the 5 stars reviews are coming from. Anyone who has read the Chase or Brown series would recognize this book as a pale entry next to those. I love LD's work too but I'm not giving a weak book 5 stars because I enjoyed her previous work.
Sigh...Now with that said, I was left feeling disappointed at the end of this book. I have read enough of Lauren Dane's work to say that this is not her best work at all. I didn't have a problem that this was a spin-off; however, this spin-off seems to be a much weaker take on Petal, Georgia. I wasn't impressed with Nathan a hero at all. He was just.......ok. His character didn't deserve all that ego and alpha grandstanding. There was nothing described that "made the case" for all of his ego. He was described as hot/sexy/wanted by many but I never saw any of that in the story. However, I did see a lot that showed him to be whiney and self-centered. I liked Lily's character. She was independent and strong and had to contend with a lot in respect to her family but she cared enough about her brother to make huge changes and sacrifices for him. There really wasn't a happy ending or even much of an ending to the story for me. It just seemed to end without much closure. Usually LD's book contains some type of climactic event. I thought that event would involve Nathan's crazy ex who was mentioned as a stalker and that there would be some type of altercation between she and Lily that would ramp up the energy in the story. But sadly, no...there was nothing! Why mention a stalker ex if you don't plan on using her character in the story for something other than an unhonorable mention?!?!
The proposal was W-E-A-K! I would have liked to see an epilogue where her mother got out of treatment and Chris was in the 11th grade doing well and that she and Nathan got married. Something Lauren...something. But I was left with another big goose egg at the end that left me saying, REALLY?!?! But I guess (hopefully...maybe) that you were left hanging so that there could me a hook to the next book in the series. I sincerely hope that that was her aim and that the other Petal, GA books are much better and a truer (stronger) representation of her writing style.
This book was anticlimactic and dull compared to her other works. I hope Never Enough is better because for $10, I WANT A GOOD READ DANGIT!
P.S. Also, I'm wondering where all the 5 stars reviews are coming from. Anyone who has read the Chase or Brown series would recognize this book as a pale entry next to those. I love LD's work too but I'm not giving a weak book 5 stars because I enjoyed her previous work.
July 27, 2019
I enjoyed Once and Again by Lauren Dane but wish I had read the Chase Brothers series first.
I enjoyed being in Petal, GA with all of its fun characters.
This is Lily and Nathan's story.
Definitely swoon worthy!
I enjoyed being in Petal, GA with all of its fun characters.
This is Lily and Nathan's story.
Definitely swoon worthy!
September 18, 2012
So good to be back in Petal, Georgia--and since we've run out of those yummy Chase brothers to read about, the next best thing is the Murphy family!
This one is about sexy, bearded schoolteacher Nathan Murphy (30-ish), brother of big sister Tate Murphy (). Nate's long-lost love Lily Travis (27) is back in town to look after her neglected 16-year-old brother Chris, who's in danger of failing tenth grade. Chris and Lily's parents are going through a nasty breakup, mom has taken to pills and the bottle, dad is hooking up with a 20 year-old bimbo, and Chris is left to his own devices. Of course he starts to run wild, his grades are slipping, and Lily gives up her job and moves back home from Macon to get him in line. Since Lily has taken over the guardianship of her brother it falls on her to visit the school and see if she can make things right with his teachers. And one of his teachers just happens to be the still sexy-as-sin Nathan Murphy.
Nathan...
Lily...
Lily and Nathan were friends and then lovers for years when they were in college. Then Nathan did something stupid while their relationship was "on break", never explained himself, and Lily broke up with him. What hurt Lily most was not the betrayal (Nathan was caught kissing her cousin) but the fact that Nathan didn't care enough to explain himself or try to make their relationship right. Lily eventually left town, started her career (photographer/clothing designer) and never looked back.
Meanwhile, Nathan has been dating a string of all-wrong-for-him bimbos, never finding what he once had with Lily. But now Lily's back in town, looking better than ever, and Nathan's finally realized what he gave up. He'd like to have that old magic back again, and this time he's willing to fight for it. Will Lily ever let him make it up to her? Can she ever trust him again? Will she be willing to open her heart to him again? Can they start freah as two mature adults and put their painful breakup behind them? Nathan's going to need all the help he can get to get Lily to trust him again, but if the Murphy and Chase families back his plan, how could he lose?
I really enjoyed this one, but I just wished it was a little bit longer. Just as things got all sorted out, it ended. I suppose it may continue on in the following stories (and it does a little bit in ) but I wanted a little bit more in this book.
I liked Nathan and Lily as characters. I did think that Nathan had it maybe a wee bit easy winning Lily back--I expected him to have to grovel/beg a bit more. It didn't seem that he had to put much effort into wooing Lily (not that I could blame her for falling for his charm again). Their first time together after six years was...mega steamy! Yeah...no complaints with the bedroom scenes. I probably respected Lily a bit more than Nathan in this story. She had a tough road ahead of her trying to get her brother back on track, dealing with a parent who basically threw in the towel on her life, and dealing with one be-yotch of an older sister! Yikes! Please please please, I hope there's not a story in the works for sister-from-hell Nancy! So, with all the sacrifices Lily made, giving up her job, taking care of her family...I wanted to see her get her HEA. Who cares that Nathan didn't have to work all that hard to win her back?
It was nice to do a little catching up on the Chase family, see a couple of Murphys that should get their own stories (I'm betting on best friend Beth and younger brother Jake to get stories), and just settling in to the whole Petal, Georgia vibe again. Lauren Dane writes two of my favorite contemporary series ( Chase Brothers, Brown Siblings) and it looks like I might be adding Petal, Georgia to my list of favorites. Not a bad start to what looks to be a promising series--now bring on more Murphys! 4 stars
*And really? Lily's mom is 65 and she has a 16 year-old son? That was kind of a surprise...
This one is about sexy, bearded schoolteacher Nathan Murphy (30-ish), brother of big sister Tate Murphy (). Nate's long-lost love Lily Travis (27) is back in town to look after her neglected 16-year-old brother Chris, who's in danger of failing tenth grade. Chris and Lily's parents are going through a nasty breakup, mom has taken to pills and the bottle, dad is hooking up with a 20 year-old bimbo, and Chris is left to his own devices. Of course he starts to run wild, his grades are slipping, and Lily gives up her job and moves back home from Macon to get him in line. Since Lily has taken over the guardianship of her brother it falls on her to visit the school and see if she can make things right with his teachers. And one of his teachers just happens to be the still sexy-as-sin Nathan Murphy.
Nathan...
Lily...
Lily and Nathan were friends and then lovers for years when they were in college. Then Nathan did something stupid while their relationship was "on break", never explained himself, and Lily broke up with him. What hurt Lily most was not the betrayal (Nathan was caught kissing her cousin) but the fact that Nathan didn't care enough to explain himself or try to make their relationship right. Lily eventually left town, started her career (photographer/clothing designer) and never looked back.
Meanwhile, Nathan has been dating a string of all-wrong-for-him bimbos, never finding what he once had with Lily. But now Lily's back in town, looking better than ever, and Nathan's finally realized what he gave up. He'd like to have that old magic back again, and this time he's willing to fight for it. Will Lily ever let him make it up to her? Can she ever trust him again? Will she be willing to open her heart to him again? Can they start freah as two mature adults and put their painful breakup behind them? Nathan's going to need all the help he can get to get Lily to trust him again, but if the Murphy and Chase families back his plan, how could he lose?
I really enjoyed this one, but I just wished it was a little bit longer. Just as things got all sorted out, it ended. I suppose it may continue on in the following stories (and it does a little bit in ) but I wanted a little bit more in this book.
I liked Nathan and Lily as characters. I did think that Nathan had it maybe a wee bit easy winning Lily back--I expected him to have to grovel/beg a bit more. It didn't seem that he had to put much effort into wooing Lily (not that I could blame her for falling for his charm again). Their first time together after six years was...mega steamy! Yeah...no complaints with the bedroom scenes. I probably respected Lily a bit more than Nathan in this story. She had a tough road ahead of her trying to get her brother back on track, dealing with a parent who basically threw in the towel on her life, and dealing with one be-yotch of an older sister! Yikes! Please please please, I hope there's not a story in the works for sister-from-hell Nancy! So, with all the sacrifices Lily made, giving up her job, taking care of her family...I wanted to see her get her HEA. Who cares that Nathan didn't have to work all that hard to win her back?
It was nice to do a little catching up on the Chase family, see a couple of Murphys that should get their own stories (I'm betting on best friend Beth and younger brother Jake to get stories), and just settling in to the whole Petal, Georgia vibe again. Lauren Dane writes two of my favorite contemporary series ( Chase Brothers, Brown Siblings) and it looks like I might be adding Petal, Georgia to my list of favorites. Not a bad start to what looks to be a promising series--now bring on more Murphys! 4 stars
*And really? Lily's mom is 65 and she has a 16 year-old son? That was kind of a surprise...
March 28, 2017
Gosh. I really didn’t care for this one at all. :-( And that makes me rather sad. I mean, I read a lot of . But the series and the Petal, Georgia spin off aren’t...working for me. At all.
So. Once and Again.
Lily and Nathan grew up together in Petal but Nathan didn’t think of Lily as anything other than his little sister’s BFF until they got to college. While at college the two get together then break up over real reasons � like Nathan kissing Lily’s cousin.
Fast forward 7 years or so and Lily has to move back to Petal to help out her family.
As soon as Nathan sees Lily, he’s after her. He wants back and back in NOW. For me, I really disliked the way he barely apologized. I disliked that he didn’t grovel. And I disliked the way everyone hounded Lily about Nathan. As if it was her fault they were no longer together. As if she was not allowed to make up her own mind.
I really, really didn’t care for that at all. It reminds me of all the times women are pushed, prodded and harassed to date someone they don’t want to because everyone feels that they should. Because that’s what the man wants � and screw whatever the woman wants.
Ugh.
So Lily has to deal with everyone: her little brother is fucking up in school, her mom is doped up and/or drunk all the time, her older sister is a bitch and her dad abandoned her mom and little brother to shack up with a 20 year old. And into this walks Nathan � being entitled and demanding as all hell.
Ugh.
Just when real progress started to happen, Once and Again ends. Just. Like.That. I’m not amused and I’m pretty unhappy with this entire read. But it’s finished. I don’t have plans to read more in this series.
June 9, 2012
Lily Travis rebuilt her life seven years ago moving from Petal, Georgia after the man she thought was the one betrayed her. Some things never changed like her flare for retro fashion and sassy demeanor, the one thing she had not planned in her new life was moving back to Petal. Her mother has derailed and her younger brother has become an out of control teenager.
Nathan Murphy can't believe Lily is back and standing before him. After all of this time he may finally get a chance at foregiveness and if he is lucky, winning her back. Lily though has made her feelings clear, she wants nothing to do with Nathan nor rehash memory lane with him either. Nathan realizes he never should have let her go and he is going to do everything in his power to win her back.
I was excited about this one, love the cover and Lily is a dynamic woman. Nathan is interesting and the whole betrayal is a bit overblown I thought. It dragged a bit though for me and I didn't think the chemistry was as powerful as in Lauren Dane's other books.
Nathan Murphy can't believe Lily is back and standing before him. After all of this time he may finally get a chance at foregiveness and if he is lucky, winning her back. Lily though has made her feelings clear, she wants nothing to do with Nathan nor rehash memory lane with him either. Nathan realizes he never should have let her go and he is going to do everything in his power to win her back.
I was excited about this one, love the cover and Lily is a dynamic woman. Nathan is interesting and the whole betrayal is a bit overblown I thought. It dragged a bit though for me and I didn't think the chemistry was as powerful as in Lauren Dane's other books.
August 15, 2011
Originally posted at:
Don’t you just love when a confirmed bachelor realizes that he has made a big, big mistakes by letting the greatest girl in the world get away and then comes back on his hands and knees years later to beg forgiveness and a shot at another try? If you follow Lauren Dane's Chase Brothers series, then you are already acquainted with Nathan Murphy, Tate Chase’s brother, the school teacher. If you have not followed the series you will want to once you read this super little story.
Lily Travis is a successful, well-adjusted career woman who gives up her job, her apartment and her life to come home and to assume guardianship to her truant brother, Chris. Her first trip to school brings her right up against her one time love Nathan Murphy. One look at Lily and Nathan is a goner. His memory of their time together reminds him of his biggest mistake in life…letting her get away!!
With so much time to make up for, so many people in her life and responsibilities to attend to, romance is the last thing on Lily’s mind. But Nathan always had a way of getting to the inner core of her soul. A future with Nathan back in Petal is not what she expected when she returned home but now it is the only thing she wants!
Lauren Dane is so talented and creative when it comes to character development. She brings to the forefront the perfections and the flaws of each of her engaging characters. Nathan is the perfect specimen of a man physically but is so flawed emotionally. His scarred childhood and his misguided attempt to move on after Lily make you want to shake him and say "Don’t blow this again!". However his desperation to make things right once again prove how great he really is. Lily has so much on her plate but it is a future with Nathan that is just what she needs to make her life complete. Her love never wavered all these years and he needs and wants to be her soft place to land. This short story is so full of emotion that you can’t help but deeply feel every little twist and turn.
It's sexy, steamy and so much fun. With the multitude of Chases and Murphys along for the ride, there is no way that this cannot be a happily ever after for Lily and Nathan.
Don’t you just love when a confirmed bachelor realizes that he has made a big, big mistakes by letting the greatest girl in the world get away and then comes back on his hands and knees years later to beg forgiveness and a shot at another try? If you follow Lauren Dane's Chase Brothers series, then you are already acquainted with Nathan Murphy, Tate Chase’s brother, the school teacher. If you have not followed the series you will want to once you read this super little story.
Lily Travis is a successful, well-adjusted career woman who gives up her job, her apartment and her life to come home and to assume guardianship to her truant brother, Chris. Her first trip to school brings her right up against her one time love Nathan Murphy. One look at Lily and Nathan is a goner. His memory of their time together reminds him of his biggest mistake in life…letting her get away!!
With so much time to make up for, so many people in her life and responsibilities to attend to, romance is the last thing on Lily’s mind. But Nathan always had a way of getting to the inner core of her soul. A future with Nathan back in Petal is not what she expected when she returned home but now it is the only thing she wants!
Lauren Dane is so talented and creative when it comes to character development. She brings to the forefront the perfections and the flaws of each of her engaging characters. Nathan is the perfect specimen of a man physically but is so flawed emotionally. His scarred childhood and his misguided attempt to move on after Lily make you want to shake him and say "Don’t blow this again!". However his desperation to make things right once again prove how great he really is. Lily has so much on her plate but it is a future with Nathan that is just what she needs to make her life complete. Her love never wavered all these years and he needs and wants to be her soft place to land. This short story is so full of emotion that you can’t help but deeply feel every little twist and turn.
It's sexy, steamy and so much fun. With the multitude of Chases and Murphys along for the ride, there is no way that this cannot be a happily ever after for Lily and Nathan.
June 13, 2011
ARC. I loved returning to Petal to begin the stories of Tate's siblings. Nathan was a great hero and I really liked Lily as well. There was a whole lot going on in her life and that made her hesitant to renew her relationship with Nathan.
I did wonder at one scene where Tate was described as a tiny, petite thing. IIRC, Tate was the heroine in the Chase brothers series with the weight issues. It threw me for a few minutes.
Overall, I really enjoyed watching Lily and Nathan fall back in love as adults and loved how supportive Nathan was of Lily and her family situation. All the trouble in Lily's home life made it difficult to keep the focus strictly on the H/H, but Dane does an excellent job of it.As always, a wonderful portrayal of family and friendship written into the book. It was nice to see the Chases but really only as peripheral characters.
I did wonder at one scene where Tate was described as a tiny, petite thing. IIRC, Tate was the heroine in the Chase brothers series with the weight issues. It threw me for a few minutes.
Overall, I really enjoyed watching Lily and Nathan fall back in love as adults and loved how supportive Nathan was of Lily and her family situation. All the trouble in Lily's home life made it difficult to keep the focus strictly on the H/H, but Dane does an excellent job of it.As always, a wonderful portrayal of family and friendship written into the book. It was nice to see the Chases but really only as peripheral characters.
April 8, 2013
What a boring boring book. I struggled to finish it. I skipped through several pages of dialogue. I suffered through chapters where I felt like nothing happened. This book was predictable and ultimately forgettable.
What I liked:
-I liked that the characters in it was realistic and had problems that normal people had. Issues like addiction, rebellion, cheating.
-Lily was an alright - she had balls to stand up to some horrible people in her life. She really cared about her family, and I kind of cared what happened to her in the end.
What I didn't like:
-The writing was so repetitive. The male leads wants to be friends with Lily. He said it like 100 times.
-Pacing was so bad, as I said it was a struggle to make it through.
I know Lauren Dane is a good writer, this was just not for me.
November 12, 2011
WTF?! Where is the rest of the book? It hurts to give this author a low rating, believe me. However, it was like she just thought 'huh...I'm bored with this...I will end it now, 2/3 of the way though". Where was the final conflict to break them up, before the HEA. GRRRRRRR!
Weak.
I do love Polly Chase, though.
Weak.
I do love Polly Chase, though.
May 20, 2019
Just a real pleasure to read a really good love story about ordinary people. Full of sweet Southern charm and sexy dialog....I adore a story like this! It's a keeper!
December 5, 2011
For Lily Travis, coming back home to Petal, Georgia was bittersweet. Her father had left her mother for a 20 year old bimbette and her mother was in a tailspin of drugs and alcohol. Her 15 year old brother was ruining his future by cutting school and hanging with a dangerous crowd. Not seeing any other option, Lily gives up her life in Macon, and heads back to Petal to take control of the situation. It’s not all bad though, her BFF, Beth Murphy, lives in town. Lily has missed their closeness and could certainly use a friend right now. Unfortunately Nathan Murphy, Beth’s brother and Lily’s first love, also lives in town. He’s also her brother’s English teacher. He broke her heart once and it took her years to get over the devastation. She’s a much wiser woman now, and there is no way he’ll ever have the opportunity to hurt her again.
Lauren Dane is one of the rare authors that can coax me into reading straight up contemporary romance. Her books are such enjoyable reads that I have finished the book before I even realize that I'm into it. Her heroines are always strong, intelligent sassy women, and her heroes are always alphas who appreciate their women's strengths. The heat factor in Lauren's books is always off the charts, which doesn't hurt my feelings at all. In this story, we are reunited with the hunky Chase boys, and the Murphy clan, who have all intermingled now. We also get to watch Lily's hero, Nathan, grovel and pursue his woman in the finest of Southern traditions. Even though this is a relatively short story, it packs a mighty wallop and was great fun to read. It runs the gamut from heartbreaking to heartpounding in a masterful fashion. If you're looking for a quick escape, this is very high on my recommendation list. You won't be disappointed.
Lauren Dane is one of the rare authors that can coax me into reading straight up contemporary romance. Her books are such enjoyable reads that I have finished the book before I even realize that I'm into it. Her heroines are always strong, intelligent sassy women, and her heroes are always alphas who appreciate their women's strengths. The heat factor in Lauren's books is always off the charts, which doesn't hurt my feelings at all. In this story, we are reunited with the hunky Chase boys, and the Murphy clan, who have all intermingled now. We also get to watch Lily's hero, Nathan, grovel and pursue his woman in the finest of Southern traditions. Even though this is a relatively short story, it packs a mighty wallop and was great fun to read. It runs the gamut from heartbreaking to heartpounding in a masterful fashion. If you're looking for a quick escape, this is very high on my recommendation list. You won't be disappointed.
September 7, 2011
OMG!! I love this book!!! for a contemporary romance it is almost erotic hot...I'd say a couple more sex scenes and an anal or menage and it could be erotic. The amount of sex scenes went great with the story.
Nathan is such a sweet, sexy Alpha. He knows he hurt Lily years ago and regrets it. Upon seeing her for the first time in years he realizes he is still in love with her and makes up his mind to win Lilly back and has no qualms using all his Murphy siblings and the Chase brothers and their wives. Lilly is trying to save her 15 year old brother from going down the wrong path, her mother from falling into an even deeper state of depression and alcoholism, deal with her dad who left her mother for "teenage barbie" and Nancy, Lilly's evil, jealous petty sister. Add to that stress is the fact that Nathan refuses to let her ignore him and their chemistry, which means she has to deal with the hurt and heartbreak he inflicted on her years ago.
Nathan's pursuit and determination to win Lilly back is one of the hottest "wooing" stories I've read in a while, maybe the hottest contemporary "non-erotic" story I've read ever.
I enjoyed seeing the couples and Polly and Edward from Lauren Dane's, Chase Brothers series. I love Petal GA....hmmm wondering if there are any jobs there ;-)
Note: I wouldn't say you have to read the Chase Brothers' series first, but to get a full understanding of the secondary characters in the Petal GA series, you will want to read it if not before, then after you read Once and Again.
Check out more of my reviews on
AND
Nathan is such a sweet, sexy Alpha. He knows he hurt Lily years ago and regrets it. Upon seeing her for the first time in years he realizes he is still in love with her and makes up his mind to win Lilly back and has no qualms using all his Murphy siblings and the Chase brothers and their wives. Lilly is trying to save her 15 year old brother from going down the wrong path, her mother from falling into an even deeper state of depression and alcoholism, deal with her dad who left her mother for "teenage barbie" and Nancy, Lilly's evil, jealous petty sister. Add to that stress is the fact that Nathan refuses to let her ignore him and their chemistry, which means she has to deal with the hurt and heartbreak he inflicted on her years ago.
Nathan's pursuit and determination to win Lilly back is one of the hottest "wooing" stories I've read in a while, maybe the hottest contemporary "non-erotic" story I've read ever.
I enjoyed seeing the couples and Polly and Edward from Lauren Dane's, Chase Brothers series. I love Petal GA....hmmm wondering if there are any jobs there ;-)
Note: I wouldn't say you have to read the Chase Brothers' series first, but to get a full understanding of the secondary characters in the Petal GA series, you will want to read it if not before, then after you read Once and Again.
Check out more of my reviews on
AND
October 7, 2011
Another good book by Lauren Dane.
I had a few moments of irritation with Nathan’s childish desire to come first with Lily, but his sisters called him on his behavior and corrected situation before he could make a complete jerk of himself. I’ll admit though…I wish Lily had held out just a little longer and made Nathan work a little harder to get her back. He seemed to get his way just a little too easyily. Lily was an amazingly strong character and I give her a lot of credit for single handedly dealing with her family situation. It was also nice to catch up with the Chase family.
This is another Kindle borrow that I’ll have to buy so I can reread it in the future.
I had a few moments of irritation with Nathan’s childish desire to come first with Lily, but his sisters called him on his behavior and corrected situation before he could make a complete jerk of himself. I’ll admit though…I wish Lily had held out just a little longer and made Nathan work a little harder to get her back. He seemed to get his way just a little too easyily. Lily was an amazingly strong character and I give her a lot of credit for single handedly dealing with her family situation. It was also nice to catch up with the Chase family.
This is another Kindle borrow that I’ll have to buy so I can reread it in the future.
May 27, 2011
It was fun returning to the town of Petal and seeing the Chases again. I was worried they would overwhelm the story, but Dane did a good job of keeping them in the background and focusing on the main protagonists.
This was a sweet reunited lovers story. I liked that both characters had grown and changed from when they were together in college. Their love story was overshadowed a bit by the drama in the heroine's life. I wish there had been just a bit more page time with them reconnecting.
Still, a very satisfying read.
This was a sweet reunited lovers story. I liked that both characters had grown and changed from when they were together in college. Their love story was overshadowed a bit by the drama in the heroine's life. I wish there had been just a bit more page time with them reconnecting.
Still, a very satisfying read.
April 3, 2014
Leitura rápida e interessante!
April 13, 2019
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
This is a revised version of the book, with a really lovely novelette which gives us a peek into a few couples' lives one evening - it is fun, so don't forget to turn to it at the end of the book.
I read the Chase brother books as they came out, but had not read this one before, so it was a real treat to go back to Petal and all the interlinking families, headed by the indomitable Polly and her lovely husband Edward. Even though it is a long while and many, many books since I read the earlier books, I was catapulted straight back into their world, and I loved every minute of it.
Lily has had to come home, stalling her promising photographic career, to look after her teenage brother who is falling through the cracks, as her father has left home with the babysitter. Her mother is self-medicating, and her sister only turns up when she needs more money. This is a good reminder that whether wealthy or not, families are not what they seem behind closed doors. Lily is determined to get her brother back on track, even when that means dealing with her ex, Nathan, who teaches at the High School.
Nathan is mesmorised by the returning beauty that he foolishly let go at college - something he realised even then, but was too naive to solve. He enlists the help of his extended family to ensure that he gets the chance to make it right.
Cue a whole range of interventions designed to get the two of them back together. It is at times funny, sometimes cute, but it cannot be denied that Lily could do with positive influences in her brother's life, so she takes the support, and finds herself welcomed back into small town life.
Lily was far the bigger character for me, even with Nathan being built up as the strong one. She was a delight with her ingenuity and business acumen, but also with her discretion over the house ownership, and the strength to support her mother as well as her brother. She deserved the recognition from Polly.
I am looking forward to the next updated story with pleasure.
This is a revised version of the book, with a really lovely novelette which gives us a peek into a few couples' lives one evening - it is fun, so don't forget to turn to it at the end of the book.
I read the Chase brother books as they came out, but had not read this one before, so it was a real treat to go back to Petal and all the interlinking families, headed by the indomitable Polly and her lovely husband Edward. Even though it is a long while and many, many books since I read the earlier books, I was catapulted straight back into their world, and I loved every minute of it.
Lily has had to come home, stalling her promising photographic career, to look after her teenage brother who is falling through the cracks, as her father has left home with the babysitter. Her mother is self-medicating, and her sister only turns up when she needs more money. This is a good reminder that whether wealthy or not, families are not what they seem behind closed doors. Lily is determined to get her brother back on track, even when that means dealing with her ex, Nathan, who teaches at the High School.
Nathan is mesmorised by the returning beauty that he foolishly let go at college - something he realised even then, but was too naive to solve. He enlists the help of his extended family to ensure that he gets the chance to make it right.
Cue a whole range of interventions designed to get the two of them back together. It is at times funny, sometimes cute, but it cannot be denied that Lily could do with positive influences in her brother's life, so she takes the support, and finds herself welcomed back into small town life.
Lily was far the bigger character for me, even with Nathan being built up as the strong one. She was a delight with her ingenuity and business acumen, but also with her discretion over the house ownership, and the strength to support her mother as well as her brother. She deserved the recognition from Polly.
I am looking forward to the next updated story with pleasure.
May 5, 2019
Once and Again by Lauren Dane is book One in the Petal, Georgia Series. This is the story of Nathan Murphy and Lily Travis.
Lily and Travis were friends when they were younger that turned into a romantic relationship. Then he did something that Lily couldn't forgive at the time which broke them up. Now years later she has returned to town to help her younger brother who is left on his own while their parents are going through a divorce and midlife crisis. This puts back in Nathan's world because he is her brother's teacher.
This was a good second chance read.
Lily and Travis were friends when they were younger that turned into a romantic relationship. Then he did something that Lily couldn't forgive at the time which broke them up. Now years later she has returned to town to help her younger brother who is left on his own while their parents are going through a divorce and midlife crisis. This puts back in Nathan's world because he is her brother's teacher.
This was a good second chance read.
July 24, 2021
I am utterly disappointed by the immature, egotistical, petulant, unworthy hero (Nathan).
Why is the hero so unworthy?
So, the hero was seriously disappointing, but the heroine (Lily) was strong, committed, intelligent, worthy. She had integrity in spades, choosing to do the right thing for her brother (and mother) even in the face of hardship and putting her personal goals temporarily aside. The only negative thing about Lily was she fell under Nathan’s charm too easily.
This could have been a 4-star read. The writing was great. The secondary characters were great. The heroine was great. However, I just could not waste more time on this book when I felt such distain for the hero, knowing I would be dissatisfied with the book even if I finished it.
Why is the hero so unworthy?
So, the hero was seriously disappointing, but the heroine (Lily) was strong, committed, intelligent, worthy. She had integrity in spades, choosing to do the right thing for her brother (and mother) even in the face of hardship and putting her personal goals temporarily aside. The only negative thing about Lily was she fell under Nathan’s charm too easily.
This could have been a 4-star read. The writing was great. The secondary characters were great. The heroine was great. However, I just could not waste more time on this book when I felt such distain for the hero, knowing I would be dissatisfied with the book even if I finished it.
September 7, 2011
I was quite excited to see a new series released by Lauren Dane, and even better a spin-off to the wonderful Chase Brother’s series.
Lily Travis has left her life in Macon to return home to Petal, Georgia to take over responsibility of her young brother Chris who is failing at school and getting into all sorts of trouble. With no parental guidance since their father ran off with a 20 year-old and her mother turned to pills and alcohol for solace, Lily has taken on the role of Guardian to Chris to try and set him on the straight and narrow.
Lily has big plans to help her brother and her first order of duty is to meet up with each of his teachers, never expecting one of them to be her ex-boyfriend Nathan Murphy who broke her heart by cheating (a kiss).
Nathan Murphy is Tate from Making Chase’s brother and his sister Beth is Lily’s best friend, he ruined what was a perfect relationship with Lily when they were younger and never sought to rectify his mistakes. He doesn’t want to lose Lily for a second time so sets out on a mission to regain her trust and rekindle their past relationship.
It isn’t an easy road for Lily, Chris seems to be rebelling and a persistent Nathan wants to start back up where they left off. Romance is the last thing on Lily’s mind, she has family responsibilities to tend to without worrying about Nathan Murphy.
Lily and her family’s drama was the focal point of the story and her reunion with Nathan wound its way into it. The situation Lily was facing with not only her parents but also her young brother and conniving sister Nancy was certainly a stressful time for her and something she shouldn’t have been burdened with but she took on the responsibility head on and never let-up, for this I admired her as a character.
I absolutely adored Ms Dane’s Chase Brothers series so had high expectations for Once and Again and for me, something was missing. I didn’t fully connect with the characters, I liked Lily enough and felt for what she was going through but I don’t feel Nathan was developed enough � as a couple, I felt they lacked the chemistry and there wasn’t enough wooing for my taste, she forgave him too easily.
I did enjoy the re-appearance of all of the characters from the previous series; especially Polly Chase who I think is the most wonderful mum.
Ms Dane’s writing as usual is solid and engaging, but the plot fell short for me and the lackluster ending was abrupt and disappointing, I wanted more.
September 7, 2011
Once and Again by Lauren Dane is the first book in the Petal, Georgia series. This is a spin off of the Chase Brothers. I should just tell you up front I did not like that series one bit. I thought it was a great example of how an author’s writing could grow during their career. If you read one of those books then pick up one from the Brown Sibling series, the difference is astounding. That said, one would assume that any new series would stay on that caliber. Not so much.
We were introduced into the town and more than a handful of characters, some new, some familiar. The story revolves around Lily, who just moved back to Petal and her former boyfriend Nathan. You read all about their complicated lives and got interested in not only the two main characters but where the people that surround them will end up as well.
We meet Lily’s entire family. They actually make my own look almost normal. Pages upon pages are spent learning about them, but once the two main characters get together the story just comes to a dead halt without ever mentioning them again. When I say that the story comes to a halt, I mean within one page. There is an officially proclamation of the two finally coming together and then within a paragraph the book is over.
The bulk of the book was spent with Lily dealing with her family while playing a cat and mouse game with Nathan. Lily’s struggle with her entire family was really more of the focus than the courting Nathan was working so hard on. When we never came back to any of those characters the entire story just fell flat.
Some of the dialogue and inner monologue was juvenile for the age and education level of the characters. It also got a little repetitive. That said, I would probably pick up the next book in this series to see if we ever come back to the rest of Lily’s family. Most made a baby step in the right direction and I am curious to see if they keep on that path. Maybe this series was set up to read more like a soap opera where you need to keep tuning in to see where the threads weave next?
September 2, 2011
I am THE biggest fan of everything Chase and if this was by any other writer, I probably wouldn't be so hard on it. The trouble is, when this writer is good, she's amazing...and this book just wasn't.
It could have something to do with the size of this book - half a book equals half the number of stars perhaps. Why the heck is this book so short anyway??
On the positive, I LOVE LOVE LOVED Lily! She was totally the sort of woman I wish I was. On page two when she's jabbing a finger at her brother telling him how it's going to be from now on, I loved it!! She has such a smart and sassy mouth, I wish I could so succinctly put people in their place. I also loved Chris. When teenagers are being as revolting as they often are, it's hard to remember that they don't really know any better. Lily totally called him on it and said 'enough of your bullsh*t'. The relationship they developed was very sweet.
Of course I loved seeing a little bit of the Chase's and Polly is just incredible, as always.
Now, Nathan...I kind of liked him, but he seemed really spineless to me. I know a kiss is only a kiss, but his little error of judgement really did hurt Lily and I just don't think his explanation, firstly for doing it and then never even attempting to apologise, was good enough. I knew that he was going to have to properly make the earth move for me to believe in him, but he just didn't achieve this. On the whole I actually thought Nathan was very selfish. Constantly saying 'what about me' was driving me crazy. What sort of man does that given the amount of family issues Lily was dealing with? That's not a real man in my opinion.
It could have something to do with the size of this book - half a book equals half the number of stars perhaps. Why the heck is this book so short anyway??
On the positive, I LOVE LOVE LOVED Lily! She was totally the sort of woman I wish I was. On page two when she's jabbing a finger at her brother telling him how it's going to be from now on, I loved it!! She has such a smart and sassy mouth, I wish I could so succinctly put people in their place. I also loved Chris. When teenagers are being as revolting as they often are, it's hard to remember that they don't really know any better. Lily totally called him on it and said 'enough of your bullsh*t'. The relationship they developed was very sweet.
Of course I loved seeing a little bit of the Chase's and Polly is just incredible, as always.
Now, Nathan...I kind of liked him, but he seemed really spineless to me. I know a kiss is only a kiss, but his little error of judgement really did hurt Lily and I just don't think his explanation, firstly for doing it and then never even attempting to apologise, was good enough. I knew that he was going to have to properly make the earth move for me to believe in him, but he just didn't achieve this. On the whole I actually thought Nathan was very selfish. Constantly saying 'what about me' was driving me crazy. What sort of man does that given the amount of family issues Lily was dealing with? That's not a real man in my opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2023
Review based on the 2019 re-release
The first book in the contemporary romance series, Petal, Georgia is an emotionally gripping tale that enthralls readers from the very beginning. This second chance, small town romance is full of sizzling chemistry and an undeniable attraction but the relationship is hampered by the past, by family issues and all the emotional turbulence that goes along with it which captures readers by the heart, especially as Lily and Nathan are strong, captivating characters that easily draws readers into their story. Readers can’t help but feel for the strong willed and determined Lily as she struggles to help her family pick up the pieces after a devastating blow cripples them emotionally and for charmingly sexy Nathan as he tries to convince Lily that he’s not the same boy and that he made a mistake.
This suspenseful romance builds expectation with a steady pace that keeps readers thoroughly engaged while drawing them deeper into this small town and the Chase the family which is full of love, loyalty and a sincere caring that readers can’t help but feel as it pours from the pages of this heartwarming romance as Nathan tries to win Lily’s heart.
The first book in the contemporary romance series, Petal, Georgia is an emotionally gripping tale that enthralls readers from the very beginning. This second chance, small town romance is full of sizzling chemistry and an undeniable attraction but the relationship is hampered by the past, by family issues and all the emotional turbulence that goes along with it which captures readers by the heart, especially as Lily and Nathan are strong, captivating characters that easily draws readers into their story. Readers can’t help but feel for the strong willed and determined Lily as she struggles to help her family pick up the pieces after a devastating blow cripples them emotionally and for charmingly sexy Nathan as he tries to convince Lily that he’s not the same boy and that he made a mistake.
This suspenseful romance builds expectation with a steady pace that keeps readers thoroughly engaged while drawing them deeper into this small town and the Chase the family which is full of love, loyalty and a sincere caring that readers can’t help but feel as it pours from the pages of this heartwarming romance as Nathan tries to win Lily’s heart.
September 2, 2011
3.5
Stars. For some reason this book was hard to get into. There was a big section in the middle that had everything I loved about the Chase books. I adored the Chase Brothers series. For awhile I considered them a guilty pleasure. Despite how much I loved them, even I had to admit that some of the dialogue was kind of cheesy....or maybe unrealistic is a better word. But it was the complete fantasy, IMO. In every book the heroes would go on and on about how great the h was, and the supporting characters would give long speeches to the H if he was an ass. It was every woman's dream. This book had that too, but it took longer to get to it and it just wasn't quite the way I remember. The end of this book was VERY abrupt. When I got to that point, I turned the page and said, "oh, it's over?" I'll probably still read the rest of this series. Hopefully it will get better.
Stars. For some reason this book was hard to get into. There was a big section in the middle that had everything I loved about the Chase books. I adored the Chase Brothers series. For awhile I considered them a guilty pleasure. Despite how much I loved them, even I had to admit that some of the dialogue was kind of cheesy....or maybe unrealistic is a better word. But it was the complete fantasy, IMO. In every book the heroes would go on and on about how great the h was, and the supporting characters would give long speeches to the H if he was an ass. It was every woman's dream. This book had that too, but it took longer to get to it and it just wasn't quite the way I remember. The end of this book was VERY abrupt. When I got to that point, I turned the page and said, "oh, it's over?" I'll probably still read the rest of this series. Hopefully it will get better.
August 25, 2017
Was that it? Is it really finished? I was waiting for something to happen but nothing did,everything was solved and then he asked her to marry him and the end!!!!
one of the negative things about the book was the huge cast of characters from another series. There were so many names in there that I had to reread some paragraphs and then go find that series on GR to understand who was who.
"The "we were on a break "thing was funny only because it reminded me of Friends. But he did cheat, doesn't matter if it was only a kiss or not, even thinking about another woman is cheating.
The mother and sisters were the worst characters ever, they were bad and then BAM they were trying to be good,hated them. And the father who cheated on the mother their whole marriage and then left her when she was 65?? How did she get pregnant when she was fifty with Chris?
it was really meh 2.5 stars
one of the negative things about the book was the huge cast of characters from another series. There were so many names in there that I had to reread some paragraphs and then go find that series on GR to understand who was who.
"The "we were on a break "thing was funny only because it reminded me of Friends. But he did cheat, doesn't matter if it was only a kiss or not, even thinking about another woman is cheating.
The mother and sisters were the worst characters ever, they were bad and then BAM they were trying to be good,hated them. And the father who cheated on the mother their whole marriage and then left her when she was 65?? How did she get pregnant when she was fifty with Chris?
it was really meh 2.5 stars
March 10, 2015
WOW it is not often that I find a book where I like the heroine but not so much the hero.
Nathan was not my favorite hero. I just could not like him, I felt he was not alpha enough for Lily. He kind of took a back seat to the story like he was only there for the sex, other than that he made no impact on this story.
Lily on the other hand was a very good heroine, she was strong, feisty, loyal, witty and beautiful inside and out. She took charge of her brother and I loved the way she did it, she should have stood up to Nancy at bit more but other than that she was the star in this book.
Well worth the read, I look forward to reading more in this series.
Nathan was not my favorite hero. I just could not like him, I felt he was not alpha enough for Lily. He kind of took a back seat to the story like he was only there for the sex, other than that he made no impact on this story.
Lily on the other hand was a very good heroine, she was strong, feisty, loyal, witty and beautiful inside and out. She took charge of her brother and I loved the way she did it, she should have stood up to Nancy at bit more but other than that she was the star in this book.
Well worth the read, I look forward to reading more in this series.
March 9, 2015
Really liked the book....I would have like to have seen more interaction and conflict between Lily and Nathan, it seemed like the focus of the book was more on Lily and her family issues with her mother's drinking and getting her brother back on track...There wasn't a big build up to them falling in love, it was more about him giving her space and time to deal with the family issues. All in all it was a good book, but not the same caliber as some of her other titles.
October 4, 2011
There's a reason I don't like novellas (I didn't know this was a novella until I started reading it), you don't get enough. I always feel like there is soo much missing and I get that from this book. I would have liked to learn more about Nathan, instead I get a bunch about Lily's family problems. It felt like Dane started writing this as a regular length book and then decided to shorten it. I'm not even sure why I'm giving this book a 3?
June 18, 2011
Really fun, short, fast read. Nice to catch up with the Chase boys and their families and Nathan and Lily are a hot couple!
August 31, 2011
Could have been longer and didn't like the ending.
June 9, 2012
Took it to the beach and finished in one sitting, so I'll say it's the perfect beach read.
It's cute, predictable, hawt.
It's cute, predictable, hawt.
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