Second Chances and Then Some

by G.T. London

It’s better if she keeps to herself … or is it?

Dasia Harris lives an ordinary life in London. Well, ordinary for a woman determined to blend in at all costs. Once a gifted computer engineer, now Dasia eschews social media and takes one temporary, dead-end job after another. Because her mother was right: she’s not to be trusted. When Dasia does what comes naturally to her, people get hurt.

But her latest position is different. As an office assistant at a healthcare company, Dasia can’t help but love truly helping people for a change. And after a childhood void of praise or appreciation, Dasia’s boss, Sarah implicitly trusts her—and more importantly, brings out the best in her.

Nurtured by Sarah, Dasia takes on one new challenge after another, ensuring the office runs smoothly. Yes, this occasionally means addressing tech issues that she shouldn’t. The company’s CEO is intentionally setting up Dasia’s supervisor to fail in a vital project. Worse, their coworker, Luke, may be forcing Sarah out—and even shutting down the hospital.

Then Sarah asks Dasia to stay on at the company and play a major role in getting the key project off the ground. Dasia’s surprised that she wants to stay on, but knows it’s an act of self-sabotage. After all, she’s sworn off technology … and charismatic Luke. Yet remaining at the company—and in London—gives her a chance to spend more time with Roy, the charming café owner who makes her feel like herself again.

Deep down, Dasia longs to do the right thing—if only to right her past wrongs. And she can’t help but wonder if putting down roots will give her a shot at the sort of love she’s barely let herself dream of. But that will require her to trust herself again … and to take the ultimate risk by following her heart.

Genres: Romance, London

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 30, 2023

About the author

G.T. London is an award-winning, #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author in both the USA and Canada for her novel Eight Weeks Later. She writes contemporary romance with mystery and suspense, and her novels are known for their unforgettable characters, secrets, unexpected twists, and intricate family dynamics. Her stories explore all facets of love in its many forms.

For much of her adult life, G.T. London lived in London, where she worked as a healthcare executive, business coach, and leadership trainer across the UK and Canada.

She holds an MBA from Warwick Business School in the UK and has served as a guest lecturer for MBA students. Additionally, she mentors at business schools internationally and leads writing workshops.

Now a full-time novelist, she has contributed articles to Entrepreneur and Training magazines. She currently resides in Hawai‘i with her husband, Jason, who is also an author.


Connect on Social Media:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gt.london.author/

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Reviews

[shereadswith_coffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

REVIEW!
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

Purely entertaining! A contemporary romance with some suspense and secrecy. A lighthearted read with a happily ever after, sometimes you just need that. Author G.T. London wraps up “Second Chances and then Some” into a pretty little bow.

Dasia, who lives in London, has a secret from years ago and is afraid of being exposed at her new temporary job. It could cost her everything or so she thinks. Trying to move forward, she befriends the local barista, Roy. Little did she know there’s a twist and a surprise connected to her new position and its employees. As she is called upon to help with some computer issues at work, Dasia feels her insides turning as her instinct kicks into high drive but she is hesitant to let her co-workers know who SHE really is.

“Second Chances and then Some” has it all ! A secret, relationships, courage to move forward, forgiveness and even a little love.

A “sit in your chair with a cup of tea” comfy read. A few angst moments that pulls you in and keeps you wanting more!
Thank you @gt.london.author and @suzyapprovedbooktours for this absolutely joyful read.

[Suna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have the privilege of having the author of this book as a dear friend of mine. Our paths crossed not too long ago, and I feel like we clicked from that moment on.. I am pleasantly surprised to see how she brought one of her dreams into fruition, in such a short time with such a beautiful outcome. This is a truly amazing book. From what I know about her, at times, I felt like I was reading about her, other times I realized, she used her life experiences into creating a very intriguing story. Well done my friend! I know the next books will even be better. Will be waiting for them with an open heart and arms..

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a lot of things I loved about this story; the London setting, the second chances and new beginnings.
Second Chances And Then Some is a story about love with a mix of mystery that will keep you turning pages. A fantastic debut.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.

𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 by GT London Author released August 30, 2023.

[Nursebookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

TITLE: SECOND CHANCES AND THEN SOME
AUTHOR: GT London
PUB DATE: 08.23.23

I love it when a story sweeps me away and immerses me in the characters’ life, struggles, self-discovery, and through all the emotions evoking love, excitement, mystery, and eventual hopefulness. This is a wonderful debut that will resonate for anyone who has gone through struggles in life and in need of a fresh start, a second chance.

I found this well paced character driven story a delight to read and an impressive debut.

[Karen’s Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I see books, I see coffee, I see a good day ahead.”

My sentiments exactly, GT! 😉

I’m such a fangirl of GT London’s two books, Eight Weeks Later and That’s Another Story! The only book of hers I had not read yet was this one, which was her debut book. And yes, I DID read them all out of order. It doesn’t matter one bit.

Eight Weeks Later takes place in Maui, Hawaii, and That’s Another Story takes place in Istanbul, Turkey, two places I’ve been to and love so much. I initially wanted to read those two books mostly because of the locales but ended up also falling in love with the story and characters.

I just got back from a trip to London where Second Chances and Then Some takes place so what better book to take with me and read there?!

And, as what I’ve found with GT’s stories, you are immersed into the setting. Reading this one, and learning little tidbits about London and the people there really made me see the people and the city with different eyes and I am so grateful to GT to help me discover these little nuances of this amazing city!

And as in her two other books, I also fell in love with her characters and the story…!

*Thanks so much to the author for the gifted copy!*

[mrsboomreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Think of the word mistake. Sometimes, we ‘miss the take.’ That’s okay. We just figure out how to get it right next time.”

A London setting + second chance story will always be an immediate add to my TBR! I was charmed by Dasia and her struggles of hiding her past vs. choosing to move forward authentically in the present. The complex, yet well paced story combines deep character growth, with a bit of mystery and romance. An impressive debut!

[Joelle Cullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful story filled with a bit of suspense, character growth, romance, and twists. I enjoyed the little tidbits of life lessons the author included as the main character worked through the traumas of her past. Throw in the London setting and you know I'm sold!!

The writing was easy to follow, and I enjoyed the genuine friendships that developed between the characters.

[Jason Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her captivating debut novel, G.T. London introduces us to Dasia, a young American woman with a secret past that once made shocking headlines. Now living in London, Dasia takes temporary jobs, trying to blend in and hide from her past. But her latest job forces her to confront her past and make a life-changing decision. The author skillfully navigates Dasia's internal struggle between hiding and doing what's right, creating a character that is both relatable and compelling. The romance and unexpected twists add depth to the story, keeping readers engaged from start to finish. This debut novel is a triumph of storytelling, blending suspense, romance, and self-discovery into a compelling narrative that resonates with readers. Second Chances And Then Some: A Novel is a must-read for fans of character-driven stories with a touch of mystery and romance.

[Amy Shook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dasia, once a talented computer engineer, has chosen a quiet life In London. She does her best to stay invisible working temporary jobs, and never geting close to anyone. That is until she finds a job with a healthcare company. She has a supervisor named Sarah that treats her so warmly and with such respect that Dasia decides to stay on for an additional six months. Sarah’s nurturing is something that Dasia was lacking with her own mother. Part of her motivation to stay is because she knows Sarah is being set up to fail by the new CEO and Luke may be plotting against her as well. Dasia’s former training as a computer engineer could make the difference in the project working. Will these new connections be enough to convince Dasia to put roots down somewhere and forgive herself for the pain she has caused in the past?

My thoughts:

London keeps the book moving at a fast pace which is my favoirite! I love how Dasia’s story unfolds throughout the novel. We learn pretty early on what went down in her previous life to cause her to be so closed off to the rest of the world.
My favorite character in the novel is Sarah, everyone needs somelone like her in their life. It was refreshing to see scuh a positive female friendship in the workplace. . One of the most memorable parts of the book is when Sarah invites Dasia to her home for Christmas. This is a wonderful redemption story and I highly recommend adding this to your TBR.

[Ilayda Ossanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Second Chances and Then Some" is a captivating novel! The story revolves around Dasia, an American character who embarks on what should have been an ordinary life in a new country but quickly finds herself drawn into a web of compelling events and intriguing characters she can't resist helping.

The author skillfully weaves a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, combining elements of suspense, drama, and a touch of humor. The unexpected twists and turns of the plot keep you eagerly turning the pages, never quite sure what will happen next.

This book is a delightful read that offers not only a compelling storyline but also a window into the complexities of life, relationships, and the unexpected opportunities that arise when we least expect them. It's a book that keeps you engaged and leaves you with a smile. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone seeking a captivating and heartwarming literary adventure.

[Marilyn Goncalves · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I most loved about this story was the character growth of the main character.
After trying to blend in and not attract attention to herself in an effort to keep her past where it belongs, her recent employment forces her to make a decision. The internal struggle felt real, add a bit of romance, suspense and some good friendships makes for a wonderful second chance captivating read.

[JoAnn Cade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating

I truly enjoyed this book as it was very well written and flowed through Davis's life with ease and surprises along the way. I highly recommend this book about "second chances".

[Barb Tramte · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book, I liked this book.

[BLJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought as I read this book that the plot would be more involved. It wasn’t.
The relationship between Luke and Daisia went from nothing to proposing way too fast.

[Anett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enojoyed this book. The plot was surspising, I really like Dasia and her thoughts. For me the most important thing was to have easy english words, because I'm learning this language :)

[Sarah Bowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great novel that I thought had, at its heart, the grace we need to forgive ourselves for some things that might happen out of our control.

The way the novel starts out packs a punch and you need to see why Dasia the FMC said what she did. When she reveals to us why, you have to kind of step back and not judge. I felt sorry for her that she felt certain things were all her fault when there were just circumstances that couldn't be blamed just on her.

Luke the MMC was also a little bit of a conundrum and I wasn't sure what to think of him through most of the book, but the author did a really good job at keeping his true motivations under wraps until it needed to be revealed.

I finished this book in a day, I just couldn't put it down!

[Bookish Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick, fun read about friendship, love, and second chances. I loved the genuine friendships in this book! ❤️ And the life lessons about forgiving yourself were awesome as well! If you're looking for the perfect book to curl up on the couch with, this is it!

[Debbie Rozier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and I love the cover.

This book held my attention the entire way through. It did a really nice job of hooking me to the main character, Dasia, and pulling for her happiness. I loved the expat feel of this New Jersey girl living in London. I also enjoyed the dynamics of the workplace that’s important to the plot. The fact that Dasia is a huge fan of fancy coffee was a nice detail about her personality.

This book has romance, friendship, realizing your true value, and forgiving yourself.

[Christy Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy figuring out the significance of the title and although this one wasn’t revealed until close to the end, it was worth the wait. I love a good second chance story and was really rooting for Dasia. I enjoyed the London setting and the technology
angle. Great read overall!

[E.D. Hackett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book!

This is a fun, quick read about second chances, friendship, and love. If you’re looking for a book to cozy up with on the couch, this is a good one!

[Lisa Albright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining story of forgiveness, love, a bit of mystery, and second chances set in London. Dasia is a likeable character and she struggles to overcome her inner pain and turmoil through her work and forming relationships. I enjoyed seeing her growth throughout the book and the friendships she made along the way. A pleasurable book to spend an afternoon reading.

I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[kelsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such a funny little book, and a somewhat odd reading experience - the tone of this book was all over the place, and at times the characters behaved so strangely I was left wondering if I'd missed something or skipped an entire page somehow.

- The cover is where the trouble starts, because it looks like a fairly typical British chick-lit/romcom-esque affair, but the prologue is so jarring and interesting that my perception of the story was skewed from the jump. Dasia is a tortured soul, understandably, who experiences moments of levity and self-reflection that feel somehow both rapid and delayed. Seven years had elapsed between her trauma and these self-discoveries, and I find it a bit hard to believe that she had so many epiphanies in just a few months. I suppose the right job at the right company with the right people can really make a difference...? I feel like Dasia going to therapy was such an obvious possibility, but it was never even touched upon.

- Dasia's past was believably difficult, and the traumatic events are so timely that the author must have had some background knowledge of similar tragedies in years past. I also appreciated that she apparently knew enough about Dasia's field to convey authority without completely bombarding readers with technical jargon and etc, though the phrase "dark web" will always make me laugh regardless of subject matter.

A few nitpicks and pet peeves:
- Dasia's brother refers to her as "sis" every other time he addresses her, and as someone with a sibling, this was just so comically unrealistic it took me out of the experience. "Hey" or "you" or "loser" are all far more common.

- It makes my skin crawl when one character places their hand or finger upon the mouth of another character to stop them from talking. This happens between Dasia and the eventual male lead. It didn't result in a DNF, but it came close.

- Dasia's behavior was incredibly odd at times, to the point where I'd understand if people found her off-putting or even deranged. One day she's glaring daggers at her boss; literally the next she's dressed up, wearing makeup, and flirting with him in his office. She runs away screaming from at least one meeting with him and another exec. There are more, almost too many to list.

- Speaking of deranged, the subplot with Emilia was ridiculous and unnecessary, both for plot reasons and for character development reasons. For all reasons, really; can we leave the unhinged spurned woman trope behind in 1974? Thank you!

[Miss W Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Chances and Then Some is a wonderful debut novel by G.T. London.
Honestly, I was really surprised this was a debut novel, it was THAT good!

In this story we meet Dasia, a young woman with a past. I mean we all have a past but her past involves some pretty shocking things that made the news.

She is now living in London, still honestly trying to hide away from her past. But as they say, you can't run forever. As she has navigated through temporary jobs to keep the eye off of her, she is now confronted with her past on her most recent job.

I love so many things about this book and Dasia. Dasia is such a well written complex, flawed character but also so relatable.

The book not only has mystery, romance, and a bit of adventure.

The theme of trying to do the right thing is something that is really well appreciated by this reader.

I highly recommend this debut novel.

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fresh, fun debut! I enjoy stories about characters who are feeling lost, lonely or needing a second chance - and that’s exactly what Dasia needed.

When we first meet Dasia she is starting yet another temporary position with a London-based healthcare provider. She only tells us that she quits each job every few weeks, so she can’t hurt anyone. This sets up a bit of a mystery, but ultimately, it’s her backstory that will tug on your heart.

Dasia has been keeping the world at arm's length to ensure she doesn’t hurt anyone or get hurt in the process. But suddenly, she is in a position to help, to make a difference—is it worth the risk?

This delightful story demonstrates Dasia’s growth as she forms friendships, reveals her past, and even opens her heart to love.


Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @gt.london.author for a spot on tour and a gifted book.

[Jennifer Chappell]

2.5⭐ This felt really over the top. Every emotion and revelation was added to be such a big deal, when a lot of them didn't need to be. There were big dramatic reveals at every turn and it just felt forced.
Also she assumed problems at every turn and it was exhausting how much she sabotaged by assuming and not talking to anyone about it. It was just not a great read for me. It was never light hearted or funny or cute. I feel bad, but I just could barely finish. I appreciated that it was very clean.

[Pemberley · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story promised to be interesting —I was intrigued by the London setting— but it fell flat. The characters were mostly cardboard bores, the story one dimensional and predictable, the language simplistic and often cheesy with a sprinkle of fortune cookie "wisdom". This author is just not for me. I got some promising tips for my next stay in London, like the book market under Waterloo Bridge, the Flower Market and the Regent's Canal Walk but other than that I'm afraid it was rather a waste of precious reading time.

[Rebecca Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Big Whoops but It's OK!

There are 2 books that share the lives of Roy, Dasia and Luke. I just happened to have read the 2cd first by accident. I LOVED knowing what the future held for the main characters.
A happy mistake!
Both are worth reading! Intriguing ang fun. Well written. Cheers!

[Jill Bellucco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic easy read. A different kind of love story that I enjoyed tremendously. Could be classified as realistic fiction and kept me turning pages right from the beginning. Looking forward to the next book....going to grab it now!

[Lale Ak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have the honour of being an ARC reader of this book.
It's incredibly hard to believe that this is the author’s first book. Within a mere 3.5 hours, I found myself swept away by the brilliance that unfolded within these pages.
"Unputdownable" is an understatement; while thoughtfully sipping on hydration, my mantra became ‘hold your breath and keep reading’.
As the end drew near, I was immersed in a tide of euphoric tears through Dasia's adventure. Thoughts cruised through my mind: How could a single book evoke feelings of being terrified, surprised, heartbroken, and smitten all at once? Lines like "I am reminded that life is full of mysterious and powerful forces working together to bring our dreams into reality in ways that are beyond our understanding" showcase the author's wisdom, painting a portrait of our human condition.
"I noticed that many people cared more about being right than listening to and understanding each other’s issues…" shines a light on the fragility of human relationships and the reality of how much I find myself face to face with. "True friendship’s key ingredient is no judgment" resonates as an essential truth and touches my heart deeply.
And the crescendo of self-discovery is captured perfectly: "Although my worth existed all along, I finally discovered it."
Each challenge in Dasia's journey serves as an inspiration, crafting a portrait of resilience that encourages me to march forward with unwavering optimism.
I'm pretty certain I've found my new favorite author!

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the book

This book held my attention from the start to the finish I loved and enjoyed this book it's a very good read