The title removes any suspense that this novel might have had, but Second Time’s a Charm is nonetheless an engaging, enjoyable read. Stacie Edmonds was burned by her first husband, Rick, a good-looking runaround with a cocaine habit. Stacie came out of that marriage with her restaurant, the Sound Side, but also with a fear of betrayal and a disinclination to trust her heart to another man. Tyson Garrett, the chef at the Sound Side, loves Stacie and wants her to see that he is not like Rick. The novel follows the development of their relationship through a series of challenges–a vengeful former employee, a hurricane, a fragile pregnancy, and a meltdown by Rick, who still lives nearby. A large cast of characters populate the novel–friends, family members, local characters, and staff from the Sound Side. The Sound Side itself is almost a character; readers will get a sense of the varied work and the camaraderie that make a restaurant successful.
Kyle Davis and Chelsea Davenport, the main characters in Ms. Flinn’s first book, The One, have minor roles in this story. The two will be back as the main characters in the author’s next book, Three Gifts.
Check this title’s availability in the UNC-Chapel Hill Library catalog.
