LET IT SIMMER by Margot Johnson

Fiction, Second Chance Romance

4****

Blurb: A sensible, mature widow like Susan doesn’t belong on a tour bus seated next to her high school crush. Thirty years later, Phil is as charming and handsome as ever, but she doesn’t need a new partner, especially not a love-’em-and-leave-’em guy. Happily single, Phil tags along to celebrate his matchmaking mom’s eightieth birthday. She’s embarrassingly persistent, but maybe she’s right he should, finally, settle down with the right woman. Susan only wants a little family time with her two cousins and a scenic vacation to Northern Saskatchewan…so why does she feel like a fluttery teenage girl? Can Phil spark even more excitement than games, scenery, and wildlife?

Thoughts: Susan gives into her cousins nagging and goes on a bus tour to Northern Saskatchewan. She expects beautiful scenery – which there is – and even a little bit of fun with her cousins. What she doesn’t expect is to meet up with her old crush from high school, Phil. It’s been years since they’ve seen each other. And he is with his 80-year-old mother who is determined to hook the two of them up, much to the dismay both Phil and Susan. There are sparks, but both of them have reasons for not diving back into the romance scene. It takes the entire tour trip for them to draw closer. 

The imagery was well done. I wanted to go on that tour – and I don’t travel! It sounded like a lot of fun. And the characters were interesting and believable. This is a charming second-chance romance with a sweet ending that satisfied.

Recommended.