Title:  Deja Date
Series:  Better Date Than Never #9
Author:  Susan Hatler
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Published:  February 22, 2015
Publisher:  Hatco Publishing
My Rating:  4 star
Source:  NetGalley

Story Blurb:

Melinda Morgan commits to running her favorite neighborhood bakery when the owner, who’s like a second dad to her, falls ill. Then she finds out his adventurous son, Nate Carter, is back in town. Nate was Melinda’s first kiss and greatest heartbreak all rolled into one, yet he’s still as charming as ever.

When Melinda learns Nate’s dad is selling his bakery, she realizes her dream to own the bakery herself. But in order to access her inheritance funds, she must first complete her father’s Carpe Diem list, which challenges her to take risks she normally wouldn’t—like only dating someone who leaves her breathless.

Nate wants a second chance with her and she finds him nearly impossible to resist. Could he be the key to completing her dad’s list and saving the bakery? And can he help her do both without breaking her heart all over again?

Read on for my thoughts on Deja Date.  No true spoilers, promise.

Every now and then a second chance will come along.  The trouble with second chances is usually there is a reason we didn’t grab it the first time – and often we need to be just a bit braver than before to not miss an opportunity dropped right in front of us.

And then there are those times when we get a gentle push into those second chances … even from beyond the grave.

Melinda’s life has been – well, let’s just say it out loud – kinda a hot mess lately.  Still recovering from her father’s death, she’s out of one job and on to running the bakery of the man she considers a second dad during his recovery of some health problems.  What she didn’t expect was for his son, Nate, to come back to town and want the bakery too.

Nate could be Melinda’s second chance – if she’ll let him.  Once Nate and Melinda shared a kiss, and for Melinda a lot of dreams.  But that was years ago, they were kids and Nate left town without a word.  That still hurt.

Melissa wants to buy the bakery, and she would if she could just access her inheritance from her father – but there is a bucket list that she must complete before those funds are turned over to her.  Even beyond life her dad wants the best in life for her.  For the most part, Melinda lives life on the safe side.  If one doesn’t take risks no one gets hurt.  But is that truly living?  Or merely existing?  Good old dearly departed Dad wants her to live – and he’s going to make sure she at least gives it her best shot.

…and since this is a short story, it’s up to you to discover the rest of the story.  🙂

I will confess this is the first in the Better Date Than Never romantic comedy series that I have read – it will not be the last, I can guarantee that.  In my opinion, it can be read as a stand alone, I had no difficulty at all by not having read any of the other novels.

I really enjoyed this novella.  It was light, fun and an enjoyable time spent with two people who really need a break, need to fall in love and need each other – if they are willing to take the risk of a second chance.

I recommend it for anyone who simply loves to fall in love and believes in second chances.  This one gets a 4 outta 5 on my rating scale.  Indulge yourself in a really good story.

*I received an e-ARC of Deja Date from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

You can find this novella, or any of the others in this series, for the Kindle at Amazon