Reunited lovers stories happen to be some of my favorite romances. For several
years, I’ve had the idea in my head for an aspiring country singer and the
cowboy she left behind to try to pursue her music career. I always knew I’d
write it, but I had other books contracted, so I mentally added threads to the
story until I finally got a chance to get it down. Since I grew up on a ranch,
diving into that setting was like my own version of returning to something I love.
In SECOND CHANCE RANCH,
Sadie’s returning to Hope Springs after six years. The road to her country music
career has been filled with lots of ups and downs and plenty of bumps. When her
career hits a major snag, she knows she needs a break and a some time to
recuperate and regain her confidence—not to mention her struggling bank account.
So she heads home to Hope Springs, Wyoming. The only person hiring, though, is
the high school sweetheart she left behind. Royce Dixon runs Second Chance
Ranch, where he rehabilitates troubled teens through ranch work and trains
roping horses. Sadie’s good with animals and good with the teens, but she and
Royce struggle to find the right balance between their past and their present as
they work together. When they discover the chemistry between them is still as
strong as ever, everything gets that much more complicated, and they both start
thinking about second chances.
One thing I love about reunited lovers stories is that shared history. Things
might not have worked out the first time, but you can’t help cheer for things to
work out differently this time. I figured while I was talking about reunited
lovers, I’d go ahead and list my favorite stories about them, and what makes
them so awesome.
1. Sweet Home Alabama. The thing I love about this movie is that both
guys are good guys, but once Reese—er, Melanie—is back in her hometown, the
chemistry between her and the guy who refuses to divorce her is amazing. You
quickly start to see that one of the guys is better for her and how much he’s
worked to change since she left. Then you spend the movie biting your nails and
hoping they realize it before it’s too late.
2. The Notebook. That moment when Noah yells, “It’s still not over!”
and there’s rain and kissing and then everything’s right with the world. Gives
me goosebumps just thinking about it. *goes to find the YouTube clip* This story
is another great example of a girl who’s got two great guys to pick from, but
when it comes down to it, one of them is just better for her. After all, even
with no promise of Allie returning, Noah build the house he promised he would.
Talk about romantic. I did read the book before I watched the movie, and it’s
one of the rare adaptations that I liked even better than the book. Ryan Gosling
might’ve had something to do with that.
3. Princess Bride. As you wish. Siiiigh. Even pirates—or becoming a
pirate—scary swamps, and death, can’t keep Wesley away from the woman he’s meant
to be with. Throw in a whole bunch of quotable lines, great fight scenes, and
kissing, and you’ve got a movie you can reunite with again and again.
4. Persuasion by Jane Austen. Anne Elliot loved Frederick Wentworth but
allowed herself to be talked out of the engagement since he was poor and didn’t
have the right family connections (There were so many dang rules for dating in
the 18th century!) But when Anne and Frederick meet again several years later,
she’s still not married, and he’s now a captain and wealthy. He also hasn’t
quite forgiven Anne for rejecting him. I’ll admit to yelling at both the book
and the movie as the story unfolded. (Now I understand why guys yell at football
games when they’re not going the way they want them to. You hope that somehow
you’ll change the outcome.) While we’re trying to fix romances with yelling, can
we all yell loud enough for The Great Gatsby to get an ending where those
lovers are happily reunited? That’d be great. Luckily, Anne and Frederick get
their second chance at love. So yelling apparently works better than I thought.
Go Team Romance!
5. The Count of Monte Cristo. (Let’s go with the movie version, so we
get the reunited lovers the way I like them). Edmond spends all those years in
prison, and after escaping and finding a fortune, he comes back for revenge.
Mercedes recognizes him and she admits she still loves him. The bad guy is
defeated, it’s revealed Edmond’s actually Albert’s father, and then they all get
to live as a family, happily ever after.
So, any stories I missed? What’s your favorite reunited lovers story?
2 comments posted.
I can't remember reading about reunited lovers. Most of the romances I've read have been first tie loves. Your new book sounds like a good read and I look forward to getting it.
(Carol Woodruff 7:38pm September 20, 2014)