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Keller Family #2
A Second Chance
Sometimes love is right where you left it.
Carlos Keller was finally moving on. He'd asked Kathy to marry him and now he could forever put behind him the disappointment of his failed first marriage to the only woman who ever held his heart, Madeline.
Madeline can only assume karma is out to destroy her life. Her second marriage has ended. Her doctor has told her she has breast cancer, and now the only man she's ever really loved is getting married.
Even though divorced, Carlos and Madeline remained close friends. But with one moving on, and one facing the possible end, will it be too much to remain friends? Or will fate step in and offer them a second chance?
Carlos Keller was finally moving on. He'd asked Kathy to marry him and now he could forever put behind him the disappointment of his failed first marriage to the only woman who ever held his heart, Madeline.
Madeline can only assume karma is out to destroy her life. Her second marriage has ended. Her doctor has told her she has breast cancer, and now the only man she's ever really loved is getting married.
Even though divorced, Carlos and Madeline remained close friends. But with one moving on, and one facing the possible end, will it be too much to remain friends? Or will fate step in and offer them a second chance?
265 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 17, 2012
133 people are currently reading
801 people want to read
About the author
Bernadette Marie
81 books778 followersBestselling Author Bernadette Marie writes contemporary romances and believes in Happily Ever After. The married mother of five believes in love at first sight, quick love, and second chances. An avid martial artist, Bernadette Marie is a certified instructor and holds a second degree black belt in Tang Soo Do. She loves Tai Chi, traveling to Disney parks, and having lunch with friends. When not writing, or running her own publishing house, Bernadette is probably immersed in a Rom Com, from which she will often quote one liners.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
July 7, 2012
After reading so many good reviews about this one,gave it a try but sadly i was disappointed by this book,things that did not went well with me were
*Though the title is "Second Chance"for Carlos and his ex-wife Maddie but i felt this story was about Carlo's and his current to be wife Kathy.How they went ahead in their relationship but it was too late when Kathy realized Carlos Maddie and she will always be the second best in his life.
*Carlos is one confused idiot jerk who hurt both Maddie & Kathy.I disliked him.
*Also i was specially very disappointed by the fact Carlos-Kathy do get married and after exchanging their vows the next morning Kathy send him to his true love Maddie,why did she went ahead with the wedding when she clearly started having doubts and knew well that Carlos loved Maddie.
*Through the whole story Carlos every time said he loved Maddie and felt more deeply for her then Kathy but then went ahead and slept with Kathy in guilt.This was the biggest disappointment for me.
*Also it was Kathy who decided the marriage to end and let Carlos go,Carlos seemed to be quiet happy to get married and moved ahead in life.
*Really disappointed that Carlos-Maddie were united by this third person why could'nt they both acknowledge their feelings and decide to take this second chance to try again for their love and children.
*What went wrong between Carlos-Maddie was never talked out or revealed which disappointed me.
The story would have been much better for me if
-when Carlos realized he still loved Maddie as deeply as before,he should have broken it up with her and went ahead to win Maddie back.
The secondary characters were great which made story a little better.
Okay read for me.
*Though the title is "Second Chance"for Carlos and his ex-wife Maddie but i felt this story was about Carlo's and his current to be wife Kathy.How they went ahead in their relationship but it was too late when Kathy realized Carlos Maddie and she will always be the second best in his life.
*Carlos is one confused idiot jerk who hurt both Maddie & Kathy.I disliked him.
*Also i was specially very disappointed by the fact Carlos-Kathy do get married and after exchanging their vows the next morning Kathy send him to his true love Maddie,why did she went ahead with the wedding when she clearly started having doubts and knew well that Carlos loved Maddie.
*Through the whole story Carlos every time said he loved Maddie and felt more deeply for her then Kathy but then went ahead and slept with Kathy in guilt.This was the biggest disappointment for me.
*Also it was Kathy who decided the marriage to end and let Carlos go,Carlos seemed to be quiet happy to get married and moved ahead in life.
*Really disappointed that Carlos-Maddie were united by this third person why could'nt they both acknowledge their feelings and decide to take this second chance to try again for their love and children.
*What went wrong between Carlos-Maddie was never talked out or revealed which disappointed me.
The story would have been much better for me if
-when Carlos realized he still loved Maddie as deeply as before,he should have broken it up with her and went ahead to win Maddie back.
The secondary characters were great which made story a little better.
Okay read for me.
June 14, 2012
When I finished The Executive's Decision and read the excerpt to Second Chance I had to get a copy and I stayed up all night to finish reading it... I was crying for the first half because of what Madeline was going through and the decision she was making for her family to keep her secret, that she has breast cancer.. The incredible journey that Mrs. Marie leads us through with Madeline and her family through the struggles of surgery and chemotherapy and the support system that her family becomes had me in up all night.
I don't know what else to say because I feel like I would be spoiling the book for people that want to read it.
I don't know what else to say because I feel like I would be spoiling the book for people that want to read it.
November 15, 2012
This is a really emotional getting back together story.
I was blown away by their family dynamics. They were so good to each other that I found my self looking forward to scenes that they have as a family. One scene that is burned in my memory is the "hair shaving" scene. I swear, I cried at the scene. It's just so emotional and a very important one. The significance of the act is not lost to me...and maybe for everyone else that has read it too.
The topic of illnesses is really hard for me to read. I'm the kind of reader that gets attached to characters that I would always want a happy ending for them RIGHT AWAY. But this time, I waited. I waited patiently and I waited a lot. I waited a lot for Carlos and Maddie to get back together. Hell, there weren't even any hot scenes here but still i waited. Suffice to say, I totally was looking forward to their reunion. I just didn't know that Carlos would wait until the end. Ugh, that man! I was frustrated with him because he already knew in his heart that he still loved the woman but he still went on with the marriage! Hmpf! His wife had to dump him first!
Anyway, everything went well in the end. I just wish that it was longer. I wanna see how the kids react to he news that their beloved parents are back together again.
P.S. I just wanna say how I would love Eduardo as a brother, a son, a boyfriend even! That kid is soooo sweet it rivals his dad!
I was blown away by their family dynamics. They were so good to each other that I found my self looking forward to scenes that they have as a family. One scene that is burned in my memory is the "hair shaving" scene. I swear, I cried at the scene. It's just so emotional and a very important one. The significance of the act is not lost to me...and maybe for everyone else that has read it too.
The topic of illnesses is really hard for me to read. I'm the kind of reader that gets attached to characters that I would always want a happy ending for them RIGHT AWAY. But this time, I waited. I waited patiently and I waited a lot. I waited a lot for Carlos and Maddie to get back together. Hell, there weren't even any hot scenes here but still i waited. Suffice to say, I totally was looking forward to their reunion. I just didn't know that Carlos would wait until the end. Ugh, that man! I was frustrated with him because he already knew in his heart that he still loved the woman but he still went on with the marriage! Hmpf! His wife had to dump him first!
Anyway, everything went well in the end. I just wish that it was longer. I wanna see how the kids react to he news that their beloved parents are back together again.
P.S. I just wanna say how I would love Eduardo as a brother, a son, a boyfriend even! That kid is soooo sweet it rivals his dad!
August 27, 2013
what a gut wrenching emotional story of childhood sweethearts that married had kids then watched everything fall apart. Carlos Keller has been divorced from his ex wife Madeline for 5 years and had decided that can never have her again so attempts to move with his life by marrying Kathy. While he asks Cathy Maddie is suffering from separation from her current husband that cheated on her a got someone pregnant then finds out she has breast cancer. she chooses to hide it from everyone and goes into hospital for a double mastectomy, only problem is Carlos' brother is a doctor at the hospital and sees her admission info and calls Carlos
The 2 have always been close and Carlos stands up to look after Maddie. They both realise how much they miss and love each other only problem being Carlos' new fiance.
Carlos marries Kathy then she tells him it wasa mistake and needs to chase her to Mexico where has gone to hide away from the wedding that she cannot bear to watch happen. Enter the romantic get together of Carlos and Maddie.
Lovely story but kind of dragged a but here and there but who doesn't love a hood love story. this didn't have the same "heat" that I found in the 1st book The executives decision.
The 2 have always been close and Carlos stands up to look after Maddie. They both realise how much they miss and love each other only problem being Carlos' new fiance.
Carlos marries Kathy then she tells him it wasa mistake and needs to chase her to Mexico where has gone to hide away from the wedding that she cannot bear to watch happen. Enter the romantic get together of Carlos and Maddie.
Lovely story but kind of dragged a but here and there but who doesn't love a hood love story. this didn't have the same "heat" that I found in the 1st book The executives decision.
October 15, 2012
This was an incredibly poignant and heart-warming love story that tugged at my heart and brought tears to my eyes. It's a story about survival and a second chance to live and to love. How many people in this world can say that? Carlos and Madeleine married young, have 3 children together and have been divorced for 5 years now. As Carlos is finally moving on with his life with someone else, Madeleine is fighting for her life when she finds out she has breast cancer. When Carlos finds out, he remains by Madeleine's side and along with the entire Keller family, becomes her support system throughout her ordeal. It was wonderful to see the Keller and Benson family again and the love they have for one another. So many emotions came to the forefront as everyone struggled to cope. The secondary character of Kathy, Carlos' fiancée, was a great addition to this story and provided just the right amount of tension and complication to this love story as Carlos struggled between loving two women. I found myself liking Kathy even as I was rooting for a Carlos and Madeleine reunion. I look forward to the next book in this wonderful series.
August 14, 2013
Oh my God! I fell in love with this book! I have to say that I am a sucker when it comes to love pulling a couple through miserable times, especially when the rough time is during a sickness. This book caught me off guard. What I mean to say is that it was supposed to be a short filler book, but instead turned into a book that I had a hard time letting go of. I read it in every spare minute that I could find! This book had me crying, tearing up for the most part. And the ending kind if shocked me. I kept waiting for when Kathy or Carlos would stop the wedding, or when Carlos would admit his true feelings for Madeline to Madeline and stop the wedding. But it never came. However, I am very happy with the ending of the book! And I absolutely love this book! It is definitely a must read!!!
October 1, 2012
It has been a few days since I read A Second Chance. Since then I have read two more books, but my thoughts keep wandering back to this beautifully written love story. I can't stop thinking about the characters and particular events that happened in their lives - one in particular which I won't mention here in fear it would ruin future readers enjoyment of it! All I will say is it is one of the most beautiful acts of love I have ever read.
I highly recommend the Keller Family series - I discovered it a week ago and have read all three books now and can't wait for the release of Book 4 in December.
I highly recommend the Keller Family series - I discovered it a week ago and have read all three books now and can't wait for the release of Book 4 in December.
June 7, 2022
I LOVED this book!!!
It is one of my favorites in the Keller series
Bernadette knows how to make you connect with the characters and keeps you invested in their story until the end.
I fell in love with the Keller family in An Executive decision and I fell more in love with the family in A Second Chance.
I enjoyed getting to know Maddie and Carlos and felt so much for what Maddie was going through. I teared up many times and was inspired by Maddie's strength when dealing with her illness.
Throughout the story you get to see how much Maddie and Carlos care for one another in spite of their past mistakes. Although they were not together, they never stopped caring.They were truly meant to be! Maddie really wanted Carlos' happiness and Carlos wouldn't hesitate to be by his best friend's side. There were so many feels!!! Even as i'm writing this review, 2 years after I read it, I can still feel those feels!
Overall, I loved the writing, the plot, was in loved with all the characters and was bursting with happiness at the end.Bernadette always promises a HEA in her novels and the one in this book glued me with happiness. It summed up Maddie & Carlos' love story perfectly. This story will stay with me and I can't wait to re-read it one day.
I give A Second Chance 5++ Heartwarming,Meant-to-be, Wonderful, Tearjerker Stars!!! <3
It is one of my favorites in the Keller series
Bernadette knows how to make you connect with the characters and keeps you invested in their story until the end.
I fell in love with the Keller family in An Executive decision and I fell more in love with the family in A Second Chance.
I enjoyed getting to know Maddie and Carlos and felt so much for what Maddie was going through. I teared up many times and was inspired by Maddie's strength when dealing with her illness.
Throughout the story you get to see how much Maddie and Carlos care for one another in spite of their past mistakes. Although they were not together, they never stopped caring.They were truly meant to be! Maddie really wanted Carlos' happiness and Carlos wouldn't hesitate to be by his best friend's side. There were so many feels!!! Even as i'm writing this review, 2 years after I read it, I can still feel those feels!
Overall, I loved the writing, the plot, was in loved with all the characters and was bursting with happiness at the end.Bernadette always promises a HEA in her novels and the one in this book glued me with happiness. It summed up Maddie & Carlos' love story perfectly. This story will stay with me and I can't wait to re-read it one day.
I give A Second Chance 5++ Heartwarming,Meant-to-be, Wonderful, Tearjerker Stars!!! <3
December 19, 2014
Carlos and Madeline story was very intense. Two people who loves each other and decided to live separately lives because they caught themselves alone. Carlos love was always there, even though Madeline remarried (his best friend). Then Madeline was diagnose with breast cancer and went alone to surgery (without family or friends) by choice, was very hard. When Carlos knew, he didn't gave up and let her alone although he had a girlfriend. This kind of things gave us a hint of where his heart was. Having a breast cancer survivor relative, I know by fact how hard and stressful the process is. The author went deep and was very tactful of the process, I applause that. It was a very beautiful job, and it really was a Second Chance that somewhere along our lives we receive, although not everyone has the strength to face.
October 19, 2012
I really liked this book. I could really relate to Kathy and thought she was very well written - she was supportive of Carlos' need to help his ex-wife but then showed her frustration and jealousy at just the right time. I couldn't believe it when Carlos and Kathy's wedding actually went through - I didn't expect that - nor did I expect the ending. I like how the kids were written into the story and showed how the entire family was affected by cancer. I love the supportiveness of the Keller family and showing how someone being an ex-wife doesn't mean they are an ex-family member.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2012
This story brought tears to my eyes! I loved how both characters still felt so much love and connection for each other after being divorced for so many years. This is a great story of how family sticks together through thick and thin and that love can really overcome all. I cant wait to read more about the Keller family! Great job Bernadette!
November 12, 2012
I loved this book, it was sad and frustrating, but so romatic. Carlos, I wanted to kiss him and feel bad for him, but slap him all at the same time. This book brought so many emotions out of me. The closer we got to the ending the more shock and on my toes I was. I loved the book. It was so bad I did not sleep, I had to finish it.
October 3, 2015
This was a captivating story dealing with breast cancer. It had some very touching moments but I didn't like the relationship. It didn't really progress until the very end and some of the hero's actions were irritating. Madeline's ex-husband Carlos comes to her aid when she faces the battle with breast cancer but he's engaged to someone else.
August 6, 2012
This is a wonderful sequel. I love Carlos! Yes, he made mistakes but how can you not love a guy who shaves his hair off to support and encourage his EX wife? He does it and does many other sweet and wonderful things. This was a great story and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
August 24, 2012
Not a bad sequal. A little predictable but still a feel good read. Makes more sense if you read part 1 first, obviously, but it isn't essential as the author gives little summaries for those who haven't. It's a will she/won't she book. Cancer, marriage, one night stand....? Its all there.
December 29, 2012
I read the first free smaple and i loved it, this story was very predictable, although i did find myself laughing and crying with the characters.
Some parts confused me slightly but enjoyed it alot, reading the 3rd book now it is a good series.
Some parts confused me slightly but enjoyed it alot, reading the 3rd book now it is a good series.
September 8, 2013
This book was really hard for me to read. A friend of mine just lost her mom to cancer and to read this at the same time was really hard for me. I made it personal so I can't give an unbiased opinion. I think it was a great story about love and family and second chances. A very heart warming story.
February 22, 2015
Great Read
After book one I wanted more, so immediately ordered A Second Chance. Carlos and Maddie's story is one repeated often - one foolish choice compounded by poor communication. This time one person's selfless act changes the outcome for them all.
After book one I wanted more, so immediately ordered A Second Chance. Carlos and Maddie's story is one repeated often - one foolish choice compounded by poor communication. This time one person's selfless act changes the outcome for them all.
July 6, 2014
I love it! Reunion stories tend to feel fresh, and this does not disappoint, with enough sympathy to make the love triangle angle feel not quite exhausting and boring
November 29, 2015
I could not stop reading this book! At times, I would have liked to shake Carlos and Maddie though. This is one gut-wrenching story of a woman's determination to beat breast cancer. More to follow.
September 28, 2017
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
Second Book in the Keller Family Series, and it is a doozy! Five years after his divorce, Carlos Keller is ready to move on. His ex-wife was married to his ex-best friend, he's got a girlfriend, he said the "L" word, and popped the marriage question. Only he still loves his ex-wife. As for Madeline, she's on her second divorce and is battling breast cancer. Can Carlos & Madeline stay friends or will the new girlfriend soon-to-be wife come between them? Another wonderful book about love and family from Bernadette Marie, and worth reading for warm fuzzy feelings!
Second Book in the Keller Family Series, and it is a doozy! Five years after his divorce, Carlos Keller is ready to move on. His ex-wife was married to his ex-best friend, he's got a girlfriend, he said the "L" word, and popped the marriage question. Only he still loves his ex-wife. As for Madeline, she's on her second divorce and is battling breast cancer. Can Carlos & Madeline stay friends or will the new girlfriend soon-to-be wife come between them? Another wonderful book about love and family from Bernadette Marie, and worth reading for warm fuzzy feelings!
October 3, 2017
A Second Chance
This story is about two people who have divorced years ago. She jumped into another marriage six months later. Now he is moving on and she is getting another divorce. Not only that she has cancer. With their three children keeping it a secret is going to be hard. What about their feelings for each other? Have they truly moved on? And his fiancee, is she going to let that friendship continue?
This story is about two people who have divorced years ago. She jumped into another marriage six months later. Now he is moving on and she is getting another divorce. Not only that she has cancer. With their three children keeping it a secret is going to be hard. What about their feelings for each other? Have they truly moved on? And his fiancee, is she going to let that friendship continue?
October 7, 2017
Could never quite understand why the couple divorced in the first place and was dismayed that Carlos went through with the wedding to Kathy, and long suffering Kathy had to leave him after the unconsummated wedding, so he could go back to his ex-wife. Ugh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2018
Sweet family romance
I like Maddie and Carlos and their kids and all the rest of the family, and how they support each other through hard times. It's nice to see a middle-aged couple make love work.
I like Maddie and Carlos and their kids and all the rest of the family, and how they support each other through hard times. It's nice to see a middle-aged couple make love work.
May 9, 2019
This book was so not for me. I've read other books with the second chance theme and they were much better. No other partners in the middle, and a lot of talking about what went wrong and how to fix it and not repeat it it's what I missed.
July 19, 2023
Beautiful love story
I really enjoyed Maddie and Carlos love story. I've read this book about 5 times already. It was such a sweet love story and not full of pages of sex scenes. A clean romance.
I really enjoyed Maddie and Carlos love story. I've read this book about 5 times already. It was such a sweet love story and not full of pages of sex scenes. A clean romance.
July 27, 2017
Thrilling and captivating
Love this story, I was rooting for Carlos and Madeline to get back together so thanks for putting them back together
Love this story, I was rooting for Carlos and Madeline to get back together so thanks for putting them back together
October 3, 2017
I really didn't like how Carlos treated either Kathy or Maddie and I had a hard time finishing the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2017
Awesome book! I loved the emotions in the book from the main characters. :D
October 18, 2017
There is a second chance
Five Star Family! So enjoyed the Family life,the close caring warmth. it is a book you cannot put down. You read, you decide
Five Star Family! So enjoyed the Family life,the close caring warmth. it is a book you cannot put down. You read, you decide
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews