MAYBE THIS TIME – Nicole McLaughlin
A Whiskey and Weddings Novel , Book 2
St. Martin's
ISBN: 978-1-250-14000-5
March 2018
Contemporary Romance

Maple Springs, Kansas – Present Day

Jen Makenzie and TJ Laughlin have known each other since they were children and she's currently employed by him at The Stag, a distillery that he co-owns. Their relationship has always been prickly as Jen was raised by a single parent on the poor side of town, while TJ's parents are wealthy and live in a mansion. But he's secretly been attracted to Jen, even while he serial dates one woman after another. One night at the distillery while Jen is a server, TJ brings his date, but he's soon abandoning her when another man flirts with Jen. Like a dam that breaks, TJ's attraction for Jen bursts into full-fledged desire.

Jen has been given the hard knocks of life, what with barely surviving financially and her mother battling breast cancer. The last thing she wants is for someone to feel sorry for her, which is what she thinks TJ is doing when he shows an interest in her. Jen has kept her personal life private, but soon she's opening up to TJ. Their attraction grows deeper, but it isn't until he rescues her from one calamity after another that she opens herself to the passion that's burning between them. Will an affair only lead to heartbreak when it's over?

The Stag has proven to be a successful wedding event venue for TJ and his partners, Dean and Jake, which means they must keep their business in tiptop shape. In MAYBE THIS TIME, Jen not only works out front as a server, but she has taken on a temporary job in the office to cover someone out on parental leave. This position has her in contact with TJ more than ever, which means finally getting to know each other. While they attended school, the “wrong side of the tracks” Jen didn't hang out with “rich kid” TJ, so they really didn't know one another before, despite an inkling of mutual interest. But the hard life Jen has had makes her tough on the outside, while inside she's sad and angry. Her mother is ill and pushing Jen away. Will she lose her mother soon?

TJ's life hasn't been easy, despite the outward appearances of growing up in a wealthy family. His parents are still married to one another, but it's a marriage in name only. TJ doesn't want that to happen to him and forming a business with his best friends is his way of being independent, even if his father isn't impressed. Once TJ finally interacts at length with Jen, he's hooked. He wants her and will do anything for her. He respects her request that they not have a one-time fling, which means that when they finally hit the sheets in MAYBE THIS TIME, it means something for both of them. But is there a future for them? Jen doesn't think so, while TJ has lingering doubts that he'll ever find true love after seeing how it didn't work out for his parents. Along the way, they're advised by friends Dean and Charlotte (from the first book in the  Whiskey and Weddings  series entitled MAYBE I DO) who know a little about finding true love.

MAYBE THIS TIME starts out as a sweet romance, but by the time Jen and TJ finally give into the passion that's brewed (no pun intended) between them for years, things turn hot. They're good together, but is it a basis for a happily-ever-after? Readers say yes, and you'll have to see for yourself by picking up the delightful and sizzling MAYBE THIS TIME.

Patti Fischer