There were two other promos/book tours I've signed up to before I received C.P. Santi's email providing me info for Maybe This Time. Unfortunately, I didn't like the other two books, I didn't even finish one of them.

So when I opened the email providing the download link for this book, I was a bit hesitant. I didn't want to commit because I'd rather not say anything than bad-mouth someone else's hard work. I still gave this a shot, and it was a good thing because I thoroughly enjoyed this!

Summary:

An accidental reunion . . . a sneaky plot . . . things finally falling into place. 

Maybe This Time contains three heart-warming stories of love and second chances. Because when fate gives you a break, you grab the chance to finally make things right.

In Sweeter by the Second, when paintings conservator Rina David arrives for the Arts Festival in the heritage town of Jimenez, she’s reunited with Tony, the guy she once loved and lost. Now vice-mayor of Jimenez, Tony wants Rina back in his life and will do everything he can to convince her that they belong together.

Pamela Quiroz hatches a plot to get her parents back together in Exorcising my Ex. But will a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner succeed in reconciling Geno and Viv? After all, it’s been more than fifteen years since they first got together and they aren’t the hormone-driven teenagers they once were. Will wine and cheese balls still do the trick?

Torch, meet hand. Arne Weichmann has been waiting twenty-one years for Bea. Is it finally the right time to make his move and convince her that they are Meant to Be? He hopes so. Because he doesn't think he’ll survive losing the one person who brought warmth and sunshine to his life.

How do I love this, let me count the ways:

1. The theme - second chances. I don't know anyone (personally) whose second chance worked out for them. I don't even wish it for myself, but the stories in this collection made me believe that maybe, second chances work. If you're a hopia, read this and your feels will be validated. Haha!
2. Writing style - This is the first C.P. Santi book I've read, but this certainly won't be the last. I was excited to read more of her works that I almost one-clicked When Cocoy became Kikay in Amazon, when I already previously bought it from Smashwords. I liked the balance of humor and sarcasm in her endearing characters but I especially liked her poetic way in describing things. When Geno described Viv in Exorcising my Ex, he said, "Though still passionate, her fervor was now muted . . . yet it ran richer and deeper. Her mischievous nature still flitted in and out of view, but her impulsiveness had been tamed. The hunger and restlessness in her eyes was now tempered by patience and acceptance.” Aww. Isn't that wonderful when someone appreciates how you succeeded in adulting?
3.  I am usually not fond of short stories because I think they're bitin. That's also usually my comment about novellas. I find it hard to get attached to the characters because I find their development lacking. But this was not the case for Maybe This Time. Though concise, the stories were written in a way that made the characters easily likable and relatable. Short and sweet is an apt description to this. The stories (especially Meant to Be) gave me Love, Rosie feels minus the frustrations.
4.  The many references to Pinoy culture. The sense of community, the #AlDub hype, Jollibee Spaghetti, and the whole family being invested in one's lovelife. It was such a joy to read. The town of Jimenez in Misamis Occidental had also been added to my list of places to visit.
5. I usually gravitate into reading YA and NA (forever feeling young), but I liked how the stories here featured people in their 30's. The flashbacks were bittersweet and nostalgic as it showed why the relationships didn't work at their first shot at love. But we also see in the present day how the characters matured, how they were able to pursue their passions and dreams. It was amazing to see how they decided that despite their successes, they want those people they've once lost in their lives. In the Author's note, Santi said, "Love isn’t something with an expiration date. People in their thirties, forties, and fifties are capable of loving and being loved. Heck, even octogenarians have hearts that beat with love. I hope we never forget to believe in the power of love and second chances . . . at whatever age :-)", I say, Amen, sister!

I recommend this book to anyone who needs a light-hearted and charming read. I'm usually #TeamAngst, but I found love in the simplicity and humor of this collection. Maybe this time, love won't end?

You may purchase Maybe This Time by C.P. Santi through this link:
Amazon