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On Second Thought
Until now, fate has been laughing at Walt Stewart. Unable to settle upon a single meaningful direction for his life, success has eluded him. Then, one day, just as his fiancee' walks out of his apartment and into the arms of his roomate, the phone rings and everything changes. Walt is offered a job that takes him to Alamito, New Mexico, a town beset with colorful, offbeat characters and a mystery that is begging to be solved. As the head of personnel for a tomato-growing greenhouse, Walt will find himself drawn to the weird happenings at a local observatory. Watch out, however - deception lies ahead, and danger, too. But the rewards for staying the course are great: true love and a golden opportunity that could change Walt's lackluster life forever.
240 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 9, 2021
Edited to add: Recently reread this out loud to my husband on a long road trip, it had been long enough that I didn't remember the plot very well. Anyway, made the road trip go by fast, we had many laugh out loud moments.
Cute romcom with a mystery. Enjoyable. Written by and with/for Mormons, but it didn't seem preachy. Nonmembers won't get all the culture references but could probably still enjoy the overall story.
Cute romcom with a mystery. Enjoyable. Written by and with/for Mormons, but it didn't seem preachy. Nonmembers won't get all the culture references but could probably still enjoy the overall story.
May 4, 2013
Mr. Wells is very funny. This book is a genre busting Romantic Comedy/Mystery with a Mormon subtext. You probably will not understand the humor in the initial setup chapters if you aren't a Mormon with some years in the church. Give On Second Thought a chance and I hope you won't be disappointed.
On Second Thought has a funny protagonist, comical situations, interesting and likable secondary characters with depth and important sustaining roles, is well written, and fast moving. By the end, I was left wanting more from Mr. Wells.
On Second Thought has a funny protagonist, comical situations, interesting and likable secondary characters with depth and important sustaining roles, is well written, and fast moving. By the end, I was left wanting more from Mr. Wells.
October 27, 2023
The book summary on Goodreads for this book is completely wrong. It must have been written for another book and accidentally attached to this book, so don't pay it any mind.
I have had this book on my to read list for several years -- So long that I can't even remember how it was recommended to me. But, I am glad that I finally found an inexpensive used copy from an online bookseller and bought it. It was a very enjoyable, light-hearted romantic comedy about a young man whose fiance dumps him for his roommate resulting in him taking job in a small New Mexico town and the adventures that follow.
The book was clearly written by a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who is unapologetic about his beliefs. References and in-jokes related to the culture of the Church are sprinkled throughout the book without explanation. I have not read many such books, but I have to say that I enjoyed this book, and I enjoyed this aspect of the book. I laughed out loud multiple times as I read.
I have had this book on my to read list for several years -- So long that I can't even remember how it was recommended to me. But, I am glad that I finally found an inexpensive used copy from an online bookseller and bought it. It was a very enjoyable, light-hearted romantic comedy about a young man whose fiance dumps him for his roommate resulting in him taking job in a small New Mexico town and the adventures that follow.
The book was clearly written by a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who is unapologetic about his beliefs. References and in-jokes related to the culture of the Church are sprinkled throughout the book without explanation. I have not read many such books, but I have to say that I enjoyed this book, and I enjoyed this aspect of the book. I laughed out loud multiple times as I read.
April 29, 2018
Some of the jokes were a bit hokey but that was part of the charm.
November 10, 2007
I came across this book by accident. I was gathering books for Nathan to read for his Honors requirements and saw this one on the shelf — the cover (well, the spine) stood out to me, and when I read the summary of the book, I knew I had to at least check it out.
Walt Stewart has never been able to settle on a direction in his life, and when fate finally carries him to the fictional town of Alamitos, New Mexico, he gets caught up in the local happenings at the observatory (NOT a laboratory, got that? ;-)) and the town culture.
The whole situation is exaggerated and far-fetched, just like the book’s characters — which is what makes the story one of the funniest I’ve read in a long time! I read aloud a portion of chapter 6 to Nathan, where we delighted in the dialogue involving a priesthood lesson that had been derailed from its original topic (tithing) to tangent after tangent. Finally, the bishop comes to settle things down and set things straight:
“He has to come in at the end of every meeting,” the missionary whispered to me. “One day he was sick, and the high priests pulled out a calendar and started making bets on the Second Coming.”
It’s got something for everyone: comedy (of course), mystery, and a little romance. I appreciated the fact that Walt is a bit infatuated with three different girls during the course of the novel and not just the one he ends up with in the end; and in that way, despite its exaggerated characters, I felt this book was actually a little more believable than some of the LDS romance I’ve read.
The whole book is a lot of fun and has lots of laugh-out-loud moments (such as Walt’s attempt at creating a holiday centerpiece at a joint Young Men/Young Women activity). It’s silly Mormon humor wrapped up with that quirkiness that is New Mexico small towns — and thus, I loved it.
Walt Stewart has never been able to settle on a direction in his life, and when fate finally carries him to the fictional town of Alamitos, New Mexico, he gets caught up in the local happenings at the observatory (NOT a laboratory, got that? ;-)) and the town culture.
The whole situation is exaggerated and far-fetched, just like the book’s characters — which is what makes the story one of the funniest I’ve read in a long time! I read aloud a portion of chapter 6 to Nathan, where we delighted in the dialogue involving a priesthood lesson that had been derailed from its original topic (tithing) to tangent after tangent. Finally, the bishop comes to settle things down and set things straight:
“He has to come in at the end of every meeting,” the missionary whispered to me. “One day he was sick, and the high priests pulled out a calendar and started making bets on the Second Coming.”
It’s got something for everyone: comedy (of course), mystery, and a little romance. I appreciated the fact that Walt is a bit infatuated with three different girls during the course of the novel and not just the one he ends up with in the end; and in that way, despite its exaggerated characters, I felt this book was actually a little more believable than some of the LDS romance I’ve read.
The whole book is a lot of fun and has lots of laugh-out-loud moments (such as Walt’s attempt at creating a holiday centerpiece at a joint Young Men/Young Women activity). It’s silly Mormon humor wrapped up with that quirkiness that is New Mexico small towns — and thus, I loved it.
May 26, 2009
quick read on the slower side, but still keeps interest. Walt has just got dumped by his fiance for his roommate and gets a phone call offering him a job. He accepts without knowing to what or where. He finds himself leaving Utah for Alamitos, new mexico to work at a greenhouse growing tomatoes, but he does paperwork. He learns of the objection of the towns people to the observatory that is put up in the town and then meets Clara who works at the observatory. There are strange happenings up at the observatory...sightings of a "big foot", noises. After a stake out walt finds out that it is a person dressing up but who is trying to close down the observatory and why. There is also the discovery of some of the legendary "ronnie Cache's" treasure...where is the rest? will Walt be able to keep Clara from going back to california?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2008
(Genre: Humorous Fiction/Mystery) My son is appalled that I only gave this 3 stars. I explained that 3 stars means I liked it fine! Very funny story about a guy named Walt who accepts a job in a small town in New Mexico after being jilted by his fiance. His description of his first Sunday attending Elder's quorum was a riot (we listened to it on tape) and all my boys were laughing. They were quoting some of the lines for at least a week. Even my 3 1/2 year old got in the action---I am sure he didn't understand it, but because the older boys would quote it and laugh, so would he.
June 28, 2010
I really liked the storytelling in this book. The story was a little cheesy, but honestly, if it were made into an LDS movie (well!) I'd go see it. That's how it read. I held vivid descriptions of the plot in my head the entire time and kept thinking "This would make a good LDS chick flick" worth a guy's time. The 'hero' is the epitome of what many guys think of themselves, minus a few of the over dramatic items. Good story.
March 24, 2008
The author was one of my best friends in high school, so my opinion might be biased but it was a great LDS fiction novel full of the sarcastic humor I loved about Rob. My husband and I both loved reading this one together. The romance part is dripping with sap, but again, that is what's great about Rob.
May 24, 2010
This book was very enjoyable to read. I really enjoyed the humor.
The main character is about to be married when his finance breaks it off to be with Walt's roommate. Minute after she walks out, he gets a phone call with a job offer in another state. He's happy for the opportunity to run away. The new town is small and quirky, and there's a mystery involved.
Fun read.
The main character is about to be married when his finance breaks it off to be with Walt's roommate. Minute after she walks out, he gets a phone call with a job offer in another state. He's happy for the opportunity to run away. The new town is small and quirky, and there's a mystery involved.
Fun read.
October 1, 2013
Ha! I loved it. The cover was a bit strange, but I guess it ties in with the whole street sign issue the main character has with this town. I also enjoyed that the bad guy was an actual LDS guy. Not that I want to see when bad happens, but so many try to avoid anything that may show a weakness in someone of this faith. Rob is funny and this was a fun read.
May 18, 2016
We bought this book in the audio version and have listened to it multiple times over the years as a family while traveling. It is a clean, fun and light read (or listen as the case may be). You can laugh a little at the quirks of Mormonism, have a little mystery and romance besides. I recommend it for a fun time.
May 20, 2009
This was such a fun book to read that I was sad when it ended. Very funny and lovable characters. Loved all of the cute quotes at the beginning of each chapter. I'm going to copy down most of them before I take the book back.
April 1, 2013
This remains my absolute favorite novel of Mr. Wells thus far. It is a great romantic comedy that is well written and quite enjoyable. There are elements of a "scooby-doo" type mystery, but even that plays well in the story overall.
February 22, 2008
The author is a friend of ours. This was my favorite of his books.
April 22, 2008
This book was pretty entertaining and a very easy read. The plot wasn't all that riveting but the author has a really funny way of writing and I was seriously laughing through the whole thing.
June 11, 2008
Fun easy read. Good for a flight to DC.
August 12, 2008
This book was so funny. I have read it over and over - it's hilarious. It's got that funny 'Making fun of Mormons' thing going for it with a good story behind it.
September 2, 2008
Fun little book. Short, but well written and very readable. A very nice break from heavier reading. Knowledge of Mormon culture helpful.
September 7, 2008
Lacking in substance. Good if you want a little humor though.
April 8, 2009
This book was written by a man - and I could tell! It was a fun change to the normal female written, attention to detail, flowery feelings sort of book that is more typical in this genre.
June 23, 2009
I like books like this. It was a fun fast read and got me involved right away.
September 9, 2009
A fun book. Fantastic writing style. Very flippant in the frivolous sense and witty to boot.
November 3, 2009
Good clean read, I found the main character to be a bit of a whiner, not the strong character that I thought he should be.
November 15, 2009
Exciting but sounds like there is more to come.
August 26, 2010
I loved the characters and the sarcasm!
March 7, 2011
funny story, listened to it while driving to Disneyland. I laughed out loud a few times at the quirky characters.
March 23, 2011
Funny!
September 15, 2011
Sort of lame plot development and characters, but HILARIOUS!! I cannot think of another book I read where I laughed, OUT LOUD, more. Great read~!
May 31, 2012
Super funny! I would very generally put this in the same LDS fiction category as "Baptists at our Barbecue" but it's not quite that "out there".
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews