- Shopping Bag ( 0 items )
Available on NOOK devices and apps
Want a NOOK? Explore Now
Want a NOOK? Explore Now
Ten years ago, Rori Simon left town shy, unattractive and with zero self-esteem. Now she's back, older, stronger and finally loving herself—and it shows. Hot men are soon knocking at her door, including Jude Callahan, the bad boy who starred in her teenage daydreams...and her adult fantasies.
Jude can't believe the sexy, confident woman before him is actually Rori! She's gotten under his skin like no other woman has...and she brings out secret desires he can't resist. He wants to dominate Rori with every fiber of his being. Wants to own her and pleasure her. To cherish her as he makes her his.
Rori discovers she likes being controlled. She also knows Jude is not a one-woman man. Everything changes when she meets Zach Helm. Edgy, sensual Zach knows just what she needs, and before long, she's in love. Jude watches them together and wonders if he's lost his chance forever...
Previously published, newly revised by author.
You can come home again.
Bittersweet memories overwhelmed Rori as she pulled her packed sedan up her sister's the tree-lined driveway. From the moment she'd approached the outskirts of town, the memories had rushed back.
For longer moments she'd been that girl. The fit of the self-loathing and hesitant girl who'd escaped Oakley, Tennessee as quickly as she could a decade before, had been awkward. Awkward enough she was able to finally accept that demon was finally exorcised.
She was back. For good this time. Older. Wiser. Stronger.
Her sister's pretty pale yellow two-story house loomed at the end of the drive when Rori pulled to a stop. It didn't take more than a minute to turn the car off and get out, slowly and a little stiffly.
The wet heat of late spring grabbed her in a bear hug as she stretched. Twelve hours in a car two days in a row was more than enough. She didn't want to drive more than ten minutes for at least a week or two.
"Rori? That you?" The sound of her name being called pulled her out of her thoughts and she turned around with a smile for her sister as she flew down from the porch.
Joy filled her at the sight of Kelly's still-gorgeous face. "I'm here." Rori hurried to meet Kelly in the middle, each engulfing the other in a hug, punctuated with tears and some laughter too. It had been too long and the exile had been no one's doing but her own.
After the hug broke, Kelly looked her up and down with a huge grin. "I like the blond. You look good, Rori. You looked good before, but you had shadows in your eyes. Now? You're just gorgeous. Must be all the weight you lost in the form of a loser French cheating ex-boyfriend."
"Ha! Yes, something like that. You know, you get rid of Mom's fry-it-you'll-like-it way of eating and move to a city like Paris where you walk or bike all the time and that's half of it right there."
"Since we can't pretend Mom doesn't exist, my only other idea is that Max and I should move to Paris, then. Can we leave the boys with you?" Laughing, Kelly tucked a wayward curl behind her sister's ear. "Aside from looking fabulous, doll, you're home again and I've missed you so much."
Rori found herself grinning through a sheen of tears again and shook her head. "I'm the one who's glad." She popped the trunk of the car. "I'd gladly take those boys from you, but you know you'd want them back in a few weeks." Grunting, she pulled bags out, hefting them to the driveway. "Come on then, help me with my suitcases."
"Where's the rest of your stuff?" Kelly asked from the other side of her armful of bags, leading Rori into the house.
The darker, far cooler interior was a welcome change from the bright blast of heat outside. "Christ, I forgot about the heat. Nice in here though."
"Willow trees and the big old oak in the front give great shade. Max is smart that way. You'll be in the third floor attic room. AC gets up there and there's a ceiling fan so you should be comfortable."
"Great, thank you. The rest of my things are being shipped." They took the stairs and Rori was glad she worked out on a semi-regular basis. Even at that she was huffing and puffing once they'd started the last, narrower set of stairs to the third floor. "Should be here Monday or Tuesday. I knew it would take me at least a few days to find a place so there was no use having to unload it twice."
Once they'd gotten to the attic room, Kelly spun to level a glare her way. "A place? What do you mean, a place? I just got you back and you're already planning to leave again?
Anonymous
Posted May 7, 2012
Never has a book reduced me too tears. I loved the story and characters. You can feel the characters emotionsand by the end, if your single, u crave to be loved like this. it was completely belieable and I recommend this book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 7, 2012
I really enjoyed reading this book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 10, 2012
Wow what a great read, I read in two day !!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 19, 2011
Probably one of my favorite books ever written by Lauren Dane. What a complex story - not just great scenes - though it does have those too! These characters draw you into their love story making you both happy & sad for the way the story develops. Bittersweet and romantic as well as sexy.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Katelovesbooks
Posted December 12, 2011
The book had such a great story-line that I was enraptured by it and unable to put it down. The story is so well done that it makes you feel the emotions of the characters. Highly recommend!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.scrappinwiz
Posted November 23, 2011
Loved it ...... i had to read the others too
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.5104796
Posted October 2, 2011
A great book!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Got so caught up in writing my review forgot to add # of pages 520:)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 19, 2011
Read the entire book in less that 12 hours. Love the characters, they made you laugh and cry. Great book and I will definitely reread.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 7, 2010
I have read most of this author's books. She pulls you into the story line. The storyline is so real that you feel the emotions of the characters.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 29, 2012
This book had alot of domination/submission type sex scences that I thought was offensive. Don't like and would not recommend
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Btrfly
Posted September 25, 2011
I really enjoyed this book!! It has some sad parts but is good overall as long as youre okay with explicit sex scenes with dominance at the forefront. I have never read a book quite like this one before. There was a lot of romance. I would have preferred a different ending because i did not love Zach. I was rooting for Jude all along.
0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.2144982
Posted September 16, 2011
So i bought this book as a means of a break from and seties i am currently reading, and found myself very pleased with my purchase. The stoty was definitely HOT, but very emotional at the same time, just what i look for in a good story.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.2373722
Posted August 5, 2011
Chgjjfjvhfhjwhdndcdhdhwhguhetvivcivbc jjcg
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.9144974
Posted July 30, 2011
I have one of her books but i haven't start on it yet but i want to see if any of her books are good so i know if its any good write back andd tell me what book i should get
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.DianeKeys
Posted April 29, 2011
I'm sorry, but I had to put this book down. In my mind, romance is supposed to have a happily ever after. I totally get that there were two men she had feelings for in this book, and the author made us fall in love with Zack. I was wondering why the author continued multiple chapters after Zack and Rori got married, and I guess now I know why. But I had to stop reading after the author killed Zack off. I assume Rori will then get together with Jude, who she was with in the beginning of the book, but I just couldn't read it anymore. I read to escape the real world. HEAs are part and parcel of this genre. I don't think I'll be buying another book by this author.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.stampymom
Posted February 28, 2011
So this review is going to sound a little bit like I'm gushing and I guess I am. I LOVED this book. I mean really, really LOVED it! The characters were funny, complicated, and so REAL. Rori is such a strong female character and I love how she doesn't let anyone push her around. Jude and Zach are both so YUMMY! This book made me laugh, cry and well, tingle all over. I have been hesitant to read about bondage so I don't know if all books containing bondage sex scenes are like this one but it was much more romantic than I had expected. The sex was steamy,sexy and hot as hell. I can't recommend this book enough. If you haven't read Second Chances you are missing out.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.rmorgan
Posted January 30, 2011
My first Lauren Dane book and I will be reading more of her books.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Bookworm927
Posted January 19, 2011
This book is very well written with more than one surprise. She pulls you in with the characters and you fall in love with them. Because of this it makes the book a big tear jerker at certain parts. I would def recommend this book by lauren dane.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.LASR_Reviews
Posted January 17, 2011
Have you ever read a book and without realizing it started playing the soundtrack to the story in your mind? Well, let me tell you, one of the songs that would have to be included on the soundtrack for Second Chances would be Theory of A Deadman's Not Meant To Be. The last lines of the song are a poignant picture of Rori and Jude's story.
"It's like one step forward and two steps back no matter what I do you're always mad.
And I, baby I'm sorry to see maybe we're not meant to be".
I've been a fan of Lauren Dane's writing since reading the Arcadia Wolves series and as such I fully expected to enjoy Second Chances. I was NOT disappointed and actually became so invested in the story I had to finish it the same day I started it. I'm pretty sure I lost sleep reading it but it was well worth it!
The storyline is incredible. I thought I knew the direction it would lead when I began but every time I thought Ms. Dane was going to zig she zagged. She hit me with some powerful and emotional story arcs that left me breathless and close to tears at times. The initial story of "ugly duckling returns to small town home as a swan and hooks up with high school bad boy crush" isn't so much a new story but what happens next was totally unexpected and kept me glued to my e-reader for several hours.
The character development is strong and defined. You know who these people are and actually want to know more about the family and friends that surround them. If I haven't made my point clear enough.you won't want to put this book down! I only award Best Book status to books that truly touch me and keep me thinking about the stories and characters long after I've read the last pages and for me Second Chances was that type of book. Bravo Ms. Dane and I honestly can't wait to see what you give to us next!
Originally posted at Whipped Cream Reviews
Overview
Ten years ago, Rori Simon left town shy, unattractive and with zero self-esteem. Now she's back, older, stronger and finally loving herself—and it shows. Hot men are soon knocking at her door, including Jude Callahan, the bad boy who starred in her teenage daydreams...and her adult fantasies.
Jude can't believe the sexy, confident woman before him is actually Rori! She's gotten under his skin like no other woman has...and she brings out secret desires he can't resist. He wants to dominate Rori with every fiber of his being. Wants to own her and pleasure her. To cherish her as he makes her his.
Rori discovers she likes ...