I'm late to this series even though this book has been on my shelf since it was published.
This is a sweet second chance romance where the two main protagonists finally manage to develop a romantic relationship after secretly being in love with each other since high school.
TJ is adorable and is the best thing about the book. Jen is a bit prickly and immature. And even though she has a kind heart but she is just not as likeable as TJ. Plus, I couldn't really understand why she hesitated so much with TJ who is much too good for her. There is plenty of drama, job and family issues for the couple to work through before they can finally get their happily ever after.
This is a sweet read and perfect for a relaxing, lazy day. ( )

TJ and Jen , what fun and hopelessly in love characters! I am a sucker for a good romance and love the lead up to the hopefully happy ending. This was a nice and well written book with fun characters. I was a bit frustrated at times with Jun but adored TJ. I have not read any other books by this author before but look forward to the next book! ( )

Maybe This Time (Whiskey and Weddings, #2) by Nicole McLaughlin  
Jen is the type of person that I strive to be. Her resilience is extraordinary. Despite life's punches, she never gives up hope. She doesn't wait for good things to come her way, she tries to make them happen for herself. Insecurities be damned. Too bad the blows are coming quicker than she can fend them off. The biggest one? TJ Laughlin. TJ is the one man who can bring her to her knees. He brings all her self-doubt to the surface. Can the one person who sees through the pain, show her how to rise above it? Maybe This Time is a delightful tale of optimism, love and inspiration. Something that we all need at one time or another. A pick me up. ( )

TJ has had a crush on Jen since high school. He couldn't believe it when she started working as a bartender for Stag Distillery, the company he was a co-owner of. Her attitude has always put him off. Now, one of his best friends has settled down & they've convinced TJ to make a play for Jen. When she has an opportunity to reach for her dreams, can he really hold her back?

Jen has hidden a lifetime of hurt & distrust behind snark & attitude. She's had feelings for TJ since high school but has always felt he looked down on her. Now he's suddenly coming on to her & she doesn't know whether to believe it or not. Does she dare lower her mask to let him see the "real" her? Does she dare chose him over her dreams when he could leave her at any time?

These two come across as total opposites but as you get into the story, you realize they both are hiding behind masks. Jen has tough time trusting anyone. TJ is still looking for his father's approval & acceptance although he doesn't want anyone to realize it. The plot moves quickly. The supporting characters & the interactions between them all adds an additional dimension to this story. I can't wait for the next story. ( )

Maybe This Time by Nicole McLaughlin
Whiskey & Weddings #2

Jen McKenzie and T.J. Lawrence have known and had crushes on one another since middle school. The timing has never been right before but after fifteen years of interest unfulfilled it seems the time might finally be
time for the two of them to get together. So, with T.J. breaking up with his current girlfriend and Jen not with anyone the two start the mating dance with bickering and b*tching and eventually a bit of romance, support, trust, caring and sharing.

Jen and T.J. both have had issues with their parents though I never really got to the meat of why the two and their parents were not close. Jen has always had the dream of being on Broadway and does have talent but it has, for the most part, not panned out for her and instead she has been on the small stage and teaching closer to home while T.J. has done well in business and with the distillery and is ready to put roots down.

I am not sure why Jen and T.J. are so attracted or why they have not acted on the interest but when they do it seems to work for them and all comes out right in the end…perhaps too easily, in fact.

I enjoyed catching up with T.J, Dean and Jake and wonder how Alex, Dean’s sister, will do in the future. Charlotte’s ex, John, was mentioned in passing and I wonder if he will have a book of his own eventually, too.

All in all this was an alright story of a woman that pretty much put herself first until she needed to step up in a bigger way for her not so appreciative mother it was also the story of two people that have wanted to be close but never felt the timing was right before. Jen was not as hard or as easy as she appeared to be in parts of the book just as T.J. was not as uptight and nerdy as Jen thought he was.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 stars ( )