Second Chances
Author: Melanie Jacobson
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Published Date: March 2013
Softcover: 272 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN# 978-1621083443
Reviewed by: Shanda
FTC FYI: received an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review
Goodreads Summary
After walking out of a thankless job at a prestigious marketing firm, feisty California entrepreneur Louisa Gibson is going into business for herself. Lou’s pioneering venture, The Mormon Bachelor, is a reality dating web series sure to be fabulous advertising for her new marketing firm. And as a bonus, she can solve a problem close to home: while Huntington Beach is crawling with eligible, sun-bronzed Saints, they’ve forgotten the vital skill of dating. Lou hopes the reality show will finally inspire this group of hangout enthusiasts to pair off. But shortly before filming begins, the unthinkable happens — Trentyn, a.k.a. The Bachelor, gets a girlfriend. And Lou needs a new leading man — fast.
Enter Nick, Lou’s devastatingly handsome ex-boyfriend. He’s the stereotypical actor: shallow, self-serving…and perfect for the job. A whirlwind of dating ensues, with Nick at the center of it all. Things are going according to plan — that is, until Lou is forced to step in as a substitute bachelorette, becoming an unwitting cast member on her own show. Despite Nick’s attempts to reestablish their friendship and the growing spark between them, Lou is determined to keep her distance. The show must go on — but what’s a girl to do when the Mr. Wrong of the past just may be the Mr. Right of the future?
Review
Louisa is the proud-but-poor new owner of her very own ad agency. After an enlightening girls’ night watching the final episode of “The Bachelor,” she is inspired to start an LDS online version called “The Mormon Bachelor.” Her mission is two-fold: attract business for her ad agency, and show the local guys that dating is more than just hanging out.
When her star bachelor gets a girlfriend days before filming is scheduled to start, a serendipitous commercial (and a bold email sent by her friend/only employee) results in Lou coming face-to-face with her actor ex-boyfriend, Nick Westman. He’s willing to participate and she is desperate.
It doesn’t take long for Lou to see that Nick has changed during the last three years. She finds herself torn between building her new business and her rekindled attraction to Nick. He’s hit it off with a couple of the bachelorettes and Lou is unsure of his feelings toward her. She has reservations about his choice of career. He is always a gentleman but keeps his emotions guarded. Louisa’s control-freak tendencies and Nick’s reluctance to open up are issues that continue to create distance between them. Will Nick find love on the show? Will Louisa survive it if he does?
Second Chances was a fun read. Melanie’s writing is smooth and conversational, making it easy to get into the story and keep turning pages. The characters are dimensional and real. The setting made me want to visit Huntington Beach next time I’m in California.
Louisa is hard-working, talented, stubborn and blind to her control-freak perfectionism. Nick put me off a bit initially but grew on me and quickly became a favorite. I enjoyed watching both Nick and Louisa change and grow throughout the story. There were several eye-opening experiences for Lou regarding her tendency to judge others prematurely, as well as her unrealistically high expectations of people. These issues made Lou a bit of a brat but also more relatable as a character.
I’m grateful that Melanie is a consistent writer because I look forward to her novel releases like holidays. Reading one of her books is like taking a little vacation and I appreciate the escape. I enjoyed the peek at the LDS dating scene in a place far from Utah. I loved the Matt and Ashley cameos.
Readers who enjoy clean romance will like Second Chances. Fans of Melanie’s other books (and “The Bachelor”) will not want to miss this one. I am happy to add another of Melanie’s books to the “Favorite Romances” section of my bookshelf.
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3 Responses to “Second Chances by Melanie Jacobson”
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I just bought this one, so I’m glad you liked it. I love Melanie! I have all of her books except one, although one is in ebook format and I’d like it in hard copy too. I think I’m going to do a feature on similiar books. I think I’ve read four of these “Bachelor” type books in the past year.
I think you’ll really like this one, Tressa. And do the feature! I’ve read several as well and would be interested in reading your post about them.
Thanks, Shanda. I’m looking forward to reading it! I will definitely do the feature, maybe in May when the books I need to have read are done and I have a little more time. It should be fun though. I’ll let you know. :)