Author: Jasmin Miller

First Published: 10 December 2020

“Sometimes we have to chose the wrong partner first to be able to tell who the right one is. To find our soul’s true mate.”   

I will start by saying that I was given an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are my own. Thank you so much to Jasmin for sending a copy my way!

This is the story of a love song . . . And like any good love song, it has two parts.

In Australia, Arie Johnson waits impatiently for classical pianist Diana Clare to return from a world tour, hopeful that after seven years together she’ll finally agree to marry him.

On her travels, Diana composes a song for Arie. It’s the perfect way to express her love, knowing they’ll spend their lives together . . . Won’t they?

Then late one night, her love song is overheard, and begins its own journey across the world.

In Scotland, Evie Greenlees is drifting. It’s been years since she left Australia with a backpack, a one-way ticket and a dream of becoming a poet. Now she spends her days making coffee and her nights serving beer. And she’s not even sure whether the guy she lives with is really her boyfriend or just a flatmate.

Then one day she hears an exquisite love song. One that will connect her to a man with a broken heart.

Second Dive follows Olympic swimmer, Noah Winter, and children’s book illustrator, Chloe Williams. I am a sucker for a second chance romance and a grump hero. I was excited to get to this one. While I didn’t love this one as much as Fresh Meet, I still devoured this book.

Noah and his high school sweetheart, Chloe, had their whole life together mapped out but right after graduation she dumps him and disappears. He threw himself into swimming and has become an accomplished Olympic swimmer. But he left his hurt to fester into anger and bitterness. A decade later, he runs into her again when she wins a date with him in a bachelor auction. She apologies about her disappearing act thinking this will provide the closure they both need.

I adore Chloe. She had to make some tough choices at a young age. While those choices might not have been perfect, she handled them maturity. I understood why she made those choices. I don’t think I would have been as selfless or brave to do the same thing if I was in her shoes. Honestly, I think she deserves only good things in life. I was so disappointed in how Noah treated her.

Noah is our grumpy hero. At this stage, we all know just how much I love a grumpy hero. I wouldn’t say that he is my favourite grumpy hero because he a touch immature when it comes to discovering why Chloe ended things. He can’t seem to forgive and forget even after Chloe comes back into his life and explains why she broke off their relationship. He struggles to see the relationship from her side. But once he does finally let himself grieve and process the hurt, he does make a pretty swoony love interest.  

Second Dive has dialled the angst up to 11. While it a heavier contemporary compared to the rest of the series, there are still a ton of sweet rom-com and steamy scenes. My heart ached for these two! There is tension in the romance. The pair can’t help but slip into the old habits of their past relationship. But they are still clouded by the hurt and pain from the abrupt breakup. I could see both sides of the story. I just wanted them to get back together right away. Overall I loved they slowly fell back in love. It felt believable that way. 

Jasmin Miller has dealt with Chloe’s chronic health issues with respect. I didn’t feel like Chloe’s health issue was purely there was as twist and secret to unveil to push the plot along. I, luckily, haven’t had to battle with a chronic illness but I feel like I have an insight into what it would be like to live with on. It was heartbreaking and exhausting. There is such strength in Chloe’s character. Every day for her is a fight to maintain her wellbeing.

Second Dive is an amazing addition to the series. If you love a second chance and a whole heap of angst in your romances this is perfect for you. I hope we get Hunter’s books as soon as possible because I think I know whom he ends up with and I cannot wait to see that unfold.