Second Bloom

A Small Town Beach Romance (The Parent App, Book 3)

By: Tess Thompson

Narrated by: Lynlee Woods, John Lane

She's been looking for the right man her entire life.

Everyone knows who it is—except her.

Single mom Esme Taylor doesn't do risk. Not anymore. She runs her flower shop in the small coastal town of Willet Cove, raises two kids, and never again depends on a man who might leave when things get hard.

But there's one man she lets close.

Grady Nash has been her best friend for five years. He fixes what breaks, shows up when she calls, and loves her kids unconditionally. He feels like everything she needs.

Which is exactly the problem.

Because Grady runs a surf shop, lives simply, and seems content with very little. To Esme—who needs security, stability, a man with a future—he looks like everything she can't afford to risk.

What she doesn't know is that Grady is hiding a past so toxic, he'll do anything to keep it from touching her life.

A past that comes with a fortune he's never claimed. A scandal that destroyed everything he was. And a truth that—if it ever surfaces—could bring danger and scrutiny crashing down on the family he's sworn to protect.

When buried feelings force them past the safety of friendship, Esme must decide if she can trust the man who's been lying to her for years.

And Grady must choose between the life he's built in the shadows—or risking everything, including her safety, for the love he's never stopped wanting.

Because some secrets are kept to protect the people we love.

And some will test whether love is strong enough to survive the truth.

©2026 Tess Thompson (P)2026 Blue Nose Publishing

One of my favorite couples of the series!!

Story - ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Narration - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Second Bloom is book #3 in The Parent App series. This series has been fantastic so far, and this story is probably my favorite so far. Esme is a divorced mom, small business owner, and having a hard time scraping by in the expensive town of Willett Cove. Her best friend, Grady, is her not-so-secret crush (to all her friend circle) but he's a surf shop/instructor, dates around, and not the steady man she's seeking for herself and her kids. But fate has plans that make Grady rethink his life choices. I love how the author gives us characters and story lines that resemble real people with real issues that are relatable. Esme is tired of feeling like a failure as a mom and a burden to her friends. Grady is wanting to distance himself from his tragic family's past and be the man Esme needs for her kids. Loved this clean, second chance, friends-to-lovers, small town beach romance with humorous friends and kids that push all their parent's buttons! I can't wait for the next book!!

The dual narration was fantastic. John Lane and Lynlee Woods truly delivered their character's emotions, their angst, and their heartwarming and hard earned HEA. John Lane is a favorite narrator for me, but Ms. Woods is new. I'll definitely be looking for more works by her. 5/5 second chance stars for this duo.

Surf and Bloom

Second Bloom is another book in the Parent App series. Esme and Grady’s story of finding the perfect match. Grady teaches surfing lessons hiding from his past and Esme owns her own flower shop and is a single mom raising two amazing children barely making ends meet. The narration is so good you have to know what happens next!

friends-to-lovers done right

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 5 Stars
Second Bloom
Book 3 of The Parent App Series
Author: Tess Thompson
Audiobook Narrated by: Lynlee Woods & John Lane
Published by: Blue Nose Publishing
Thank you to Blue Nose Publishing and Tess Thompson for the opportunity to experience this beautiful audiobook.
What a truly special story. Second Bloom completely stole my heart. As someone who loves the friends-to-lovers trope, this romance felt especially meaningful because my husband and I were friends before we fell in love.
Esme is such a strong yet wonderfully vulnerable heroine. Watching her navigate life as a single mother while putting her children first was both inspiring and emotional. Her courage, resilience, and determination made her incredibly easy to root for.
And then there’s Robbie. Oh, my heart. He absolutely became one of my favorite characters. His love for his family, his unique way of seeing the world, and his beautiful heart made every one of his scenes unforgettable. Lynlee Woods and John Lane brought him to life so authentically, and Robbie’s voice felt completely genuine. It was one of the most memorable audiobook performances I’ve listened to.
Grady was everything I hoped for in a friends-to-lovers hero. Even while carrying the weight of his painful past, he never stopped loving Esme or being there for her and her children. His quiet devotion, loyalty, and unwavering support made their romance feel deeply earned and incredibly heartfelt.
This story is filled with love, healing, family, friendship, second chances, and hope. It made me smile, tugged at my heartstrings, and reminded me that sometimes the greatest love has been beside us all along.

A perfect 5-star read and audiobook. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves heartfelt small-town romance with unforgettable characters.

Not something I would listen to again.

The story is nice and the male narrator, John Lane, does a good job as always. But unfortunately the female narrator has so much vocal fry that she is painful to listen to.