This Time is a story that weaves together love, loss, and redemption in the small town of Tartan Springs, West Virginia. At its heart, it follows Ty Harrell, a Marine pilot, and Siena “Seeney” Tyson, a woman rebuilding her life after a messy divorce and betrayal. The story opens with their ten-year high school reunion, where old sparks rekindle and dormant feelings stir. Around them, the novel paints a vivid picture of small-town America, filled with complex relationships, community politics, and quiet battles for dignity and forgiveness. Beneath the romance lies a thread of corruption, environmental tension, and moral choice, giving the book more depth than a typical love story.

Coe’s writing is full of detail, almost cinematic, and that made it easy to slip into the world he built. I could smell the rain in the hills, hear the small-town chatter, and feel the awkward warmth between Ty and Siena as they stumbled through old emotions. Sometimes the dialogue felt a little too polished, but the emotional truth beneath it rang clear. I liked that the characters were flawed, real people who made mistakes and carried scars. Siena, especially, stood out, resilient, sharp, and unwilling to let the past define her. Ty’s decency and quiet loyalty balanced her strength perfectly.

What really got to me, though, was how the story handled forgiveness. It wasn’t wrapped in a neat bow. The pain from betrayal lingered, and love didn’t erase it. Coe didn’t shy away from showing the ugliness of pride, or the way people cling to control when their lives are falling apart. Yet, somehow, through the grit and sorrow, the book stayed hopeful. The scenes about military service, small-town politics, and even environmental issues added layers that gave it substance without slowing the pace too much.

I’d recommend This Time to readers who enjoy heartfelt fiction with real emotional weight. It’s perfect for anyone who loves stories about second chances, especially those set against the backdrop of small-town life where everyone knows your secrets. It’s not just a romance, it’s about rebuilding, forgiving, and learning when to fight and when to let go. This book pulled me in, and when I turned the last page, I just sat there for a minute, thinking about how some things are worth risking again.

Pages: 348 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FST7LVL2