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Second Rate Chances
Sam wakes up in the hospital expecting to find his girlfriend by his bedside. Instead, he finds a bleached-blond diva, claiming to be his fiancée, hovering over him. When he learns that he's just woken up from a coma and has lost the last three years of his life, any semblance of stability he thought he had falls down around him. All he wants – all he needs – is Lil.
After countless visits with her shrink and too many sleepless nights waiting for the one man she loves to walk back through the door, Lil wants nothing more than to separate herself from the life she used to have. But the moment Sam smiles at her, Lil knows it's going to take more than self-restraint to stay away.
Second-Rate Chances is about a young man fighting to regain his memory, and the one thing in his life that felt real. A modern-day Samson and Delilah, it's a look at what it means to love and be loved, and to fight though it seems hopeless.
After countless visits with her shrink and too many sleepless nights waiting for the one man she loves to walk back through the door, Lil wants nothing more than to separate herself from the life she used to have. But the moment Sam smiles at her, Lil knows it's going to take more than self-restraint to stay away.
Second-Rate Chances is about a young man fighting to regain his memory, and the one thing in his life that felt real. A modern-day Samson and Delilah, it's a look at what it means to love and be loved, and to fight though it seems hopeless.
225 pages, Paperback
First published January 11, 2013
29 people are currently reading
5084 people want to read
About the author
Holly Stephens
4 books166 followersPeople have often told me that I live in a fantasy world. Little did they know, I was building an empire of stories in my head to one day share.
I'm a mother first, a wife second, and a writer third. I'm so thankful to have been given this chance to get my stories out of my head and onto paper.
When I'm not writing, I sell plumbing (no I'm not kidding) and read romances that leave my heart a flutter. I know a ridiculous amount of pop culture information and can quote certain movies word for word. Music drives me to write and to also sing off key.
I'm a mother first, a wife second, and a writer third. I'm so thankful to have been given this chance to get my stories out of my head and onto paper.
When I'm not writing, I sell plumbing (no I'm not kidding) and read romances that leave my heart a flutter. I know a ridiculous amount of pop culture information and can quote certain movies word for word. Music drives me to write and to also sing off key.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
October 27, 2024
Big fat no and big fat rage review.
Hero is engaged to be married and has an accident with selective amnesia,he wakes up and remember he was still with the heroine.
Basically he repeatedly asks for her and his father and his fiance decides to call her.
She goes to the hospital and decides she will help him recover his memory.
I was hoping that the heroine had done something wrong, as cheating, or that she dumped him because by what I understand he was dating his boss daughter a few months after he left the heroine.
But no. He was the big huge asshole.
She had a miscarriage and depression because he wasn’t there for her when it happened, so he turned to his job and didn’t try to help her. Eventually it was him to dump her, and he said they needed time but actually he moved on and never called her again.
So now I want to know, they were together for years, living together for some weeks with the house they chose, how is this love, that he simply left her, ever called her again and never tried to even know how she was, knowing she didn’t even have parents because they’re dead, and then he simply moved on with ow and was going to marry her in two weeks?
Tell me how is this romance.
Tell me how am I to like a book where the heroine is left by herself in her worst moment and he’s having the time of his life, then he changes his mind at the last minute, and the heroine is so happy to have him back because she always loved him?
What about the three years of therapy she had to do alone with the help of her friends.
What about the christmases she spent as a third party with her couple of friends, while he was screwing his rich fiance?
What about him leaving her when she needed him?
I don’t know, I would like to read a book where the heroine has a backbone.
I would like to read a book where the heroine respect herself enough to move on and to understand that when a man leave you in your lowest moment he’s not the right man.
She feels guilty because she had sex once, once! With a man after the hero dumped her.
While he never said sorry for three years screwing and almost marrying another woman.
FY.
To hell with this garbage.
Hero is engaged to be married and has an accident with selective amnesia,he wakes up and remember he was still with the heroine.
Basically he repeatedly asks for her and his father and his fiance decides to call her.
She goes to the hospital and decides she will help him recover his memory.
I was hoping that the heroine had done something wrong, as cheating, or that she dumped him because by what I understand he was dating his boss daughter a few months after he left the heroine.
But no. He was the big huge asshole.
She had a miscarriage and depression because he wasn’t there for her when it happened, so he turned to his job and didn’t try to help her. Eventually it was him to dump her, and he said they needed time but actually he moved on and never called her again.
So now I want to know, they were together for years, living together for some weeks with the house they chose, how is this love, that he simply left her, ever called her again and never tried to even know how she was, knowing she didn’t even have parents because they’re dead, and then he simply moved on with ow and was going to marry her in two weeks?
Tell me how is this romance.
Tell me how am I to like a book where the heroine is left by herself in her worst moment and he’s having the time of his life, then he changes his mind at the last minute, and the heroine is so happy to have him back because she always loved him?
What about the three years of therapy she had to do alone with the help of her friends.
What about the christmases she spent as a third party with her couple of friends, while he was screwing his rich fiance?
What about him leaving her when she needed him?
I don’t know, I would like to read a book where the heroine has a backbone.
I would like to read a book where the heroine respect herself enough to move on and to understand that when a man leave you in your lowest moment he’s not the right man.
She feels guilty because she had sex once, once! With a man after the hero dumped her.
While he never said sorry for three years screwing and almost marrying another woman.
FY.
To hell with this garbage.
January 13, 2013
A sweet story about heartbreak, love, and second chances.
At the beginning of this story, you meet Sam and Lil. Both happy, in love, and buying their first home together. Fast forward three years later...
Sam is getting married, and not to Lil. He is marrying Chloe, his bosses daughter. She and Lil are pretty much opposites. Before you find out how everything with Lil and Sam fell apart, Sam gets in an accident. He wakes up, after being in a coma for a few days, and the last thing he remembers- buying a house with Lil. He can’t think of anyone else, he just wants to see her.
“He didn’t care if he ever remembered. As long as he never forgot how much he loved her.”
Lil has spent the last three years in therapy trying to move on with her life after she lost her one true love. One phone call from a distraught Chloe asking her to come to the hospital to help Sam regain his memory will change everything for her. Of course she goes, its Sam- but helping him will quite possibly open up all the old wounds she has worked so hard to close. She thinks that she can help Sam, while possibly getting the closure for herself she never received.
“You need the closure you never got the first time. This is like a second chance at redemption for you. Maybe to finally get past these pent up feelings that are still buried deep within your soul, you need to forgive Sam once and for all.”
I enjoyed this story. I really felt for Sam, not only did he not remember the last three years of his life, but the woman he loved, his two best friends and even his family saw him in a different way. He realizes that he doesn’t like the man he has become, and even after he gets him memory back, he wants to change.
But this time, he was going to do what was right. Not what was expected of him.
Lil was a strong leading lady. She endured a lot of heartache through the story, but she was still loving and caring. Sam’s dad was great, as well as Kane, Abe, Ellie and Zach. They brought a lot to the story.
Emotional, sweet, heartfelt read that I read in one sitting. I had a good feeling about what the ‘secret’ of the story was before it was reveled. I was happy with the ending. Overall a great read!
At the beginning of this story, you meet Sam and Lil. Both happy, in love, and buying their first home together. Fast forward three years later...
Sam is getting married, and not to Lil. He is marrying Chloe, his bosses daughter. She and Lil are pretty much opposites. Before you find out how everything with Lil and Sam fell apart, Sam gets in an accident. He wakes up, after being in a coma for a few days, and the last thing he remembers- buying a house with Lil. He can’t think of anyone else, he just wants to see her.
“He didn’t care if he ever remembered. As long as he never forgot how much he loved her.”
Lil has spent the last three years in therapy trying to move on with her life after she lost her one true love. One phone call from a distraught Chloe asking her to come to the hospital to help Sam regain his memory will change everything for her. Of course she goes, its Sam- but helping him will quite possibly open up all the old wounds she has worked so hard to close. She thinks that she can help Sam, while possibly getting the closure for herself she never received.
“You need the closure you never got the first time. This is like a second chance at redemption for you. Maybe to finally get past these pent up feelings that are still buried deep within your soul, you need to forgive Sam once and for all.”
I enjoyed this story. I really felt for Sam, not only did he not remember the last three years of his life, but the woman he loved, his two best friends and even his family saw him in a different way. He realizes that he doesn’t like the man he has become, and even after he gets him memory back, he wants to change.
But this time, he was going to do what was right. Not what was expected of him.
Lil was a strong leading lady. She endured a lot of heartache through the story, but she was still loving and caring. Sam’s dad was great, as well as Kane, Abe, Ellie and Zach. They brought a lot to the story.
Emotional, sweet, heartfelt read that I read in one sitting. I had a good feeling about what the ‘secret’ of the story was before it was reveled. I was happy with the ending. Overall a great read!
November 6, 2012
I'm very honored to have worked on this story with Holly. I have no doubt you will fall in love with Sam and Lil, as well as the amazing ensemble cast.
Review to come later.
Review to come later.
January 13, 2013
*Spoiler Free Review*
I just finished reading about maybe 30 seconds ago...
Background: Boy meets girl.... Both fall in love... Boy and Girl get a house together...Less than a year later their lives are torn apart and they go on separately... Girl never gets over boy but had a one night stand with a creepy perverted weirdo... Boy gets a new Fiancee called Chloe who is currently planning the wedding...HERE IT GOES EVEN MORE COMPLICATED... Boy (Sam) falls and is in a coma for days, wakes up remembering nothing since the last time he made love to girl(Lil)in their new house.... over the course of the next 2 weeks in the run up to Christmas and his New Year Wedding to Chloe, Sam needs Lils help to remember - she tells him her side of the past.... Turns out he loves her too... (But then comes a pretty cool bit that if I put it in would be a major spoiler so you'll just have to read it)
I really liked this book, I wouldnt say I loved it, like totally, madly, burn my bra on an open fire type loved but I can admit that it was good. well written, fluent, great editing, LOVED the dual POV so you actually get to understand what they are both thinking.
Characters: Love Lil (she cries a lot though) Ellie, Sam, ALL of Sams family. Abe and Kane...Didnt really understand Zach much... Knew from the beginning I hated Chloe - conniving bitch! and her father probably even more so on the hate scale.
Plot: Well thought out, somewhat obvious but cleverly executed.
Writing/Editing: Brilliant- writing was fluent and not many punctuation and grammar errors that I picked up on.
Steamy/sexy/ yummyness: Meh, it didnt really talk about the act, I felt they had a strong connection and chemistry though
Overall 4.5*s
For more reviews please check out My Blog
I just finished reading about maybe 30 seconds ago...
Background: Boy meets girl.... Both fall in love... Boy and Girl get a house together...Less than a year later their lives are torn apart and they go on separately... Girl never gets over boy but had a one night stand with a creepy perverted weirdo... Boy gets a new Fiancee called Chloe who is currently planning the wedding...HERE IT GOES EVEN MORE COMPLICATED... Boy (Sam) falls and is in a coma for days, wakes up remembering nothing since the last time he made love to girl(Lil)in their new house.... over the course of the next 2 weeks in the run up to Christmas and his New Year Wedding to Chloe, Sam needs Lils help to remember - she tells him her side of the past.... Turns out he loves her too... (But then comes a pretty cool bit that if I put it in would be a major spoiler so you'll just have to read it)
I really liked this book, I wouldnt say I loved it, like totally, madly, burn my bra on an open fire type loved but I can admit that it was good. well written, fluent, great editing, LOVED the dual POV so you actually get to understand what they are both thinking.
Characters: Love Lil (she cries a lot though) Ellie, Sam, ALL of Sams family. Abe and Kane...Didnt really understand Zach much... Knew from the beginning I hated Chloe - conniving bitch! and her father probably even more so on the hate scale.
Plot: Well thought out, somewhat obvious but cleverly executed.
Writing/Editing: Brilliant- writing was fluent and not many punctuation and grammar errors that I picked up on.
Steamy/sexy/ yummyness: Meh, it didnt really talk about the act, I felt they had a strong connection and chemistry though
Overall 4.5*s
For more reviews please check out My Blog
March 12, 2014
L.A.M.E!!!
All you need to know was already explained in JLC's review
Just read it before start this one. I should know better, because I read JLC's review and even so I insist in read the book because I had bought it.
All you need to know was already explained in JLC's review
Just read it before start this one. I should know better, because I read JLC's review and even so I insist in read the book because I had bought it.
August 4, 2016
Second rate chances. There it goes into the big pile of regrets. It doesn’t even deserve a first chance. Sorry, bad pun, couldn’t resist.
This book is about perfection. The perfect everything. the perfect romantic moment. the perfect proposal. the perfect jilting. HURRAH, and the perfect couple!
The most perfectly annoying things about the book are the MCs. They are so full of themselves. And don’t even get me started on the names-
***drumroll*** SAM and DELILAAAAAHH
If I realized it any earlier than I did, I would have run in the opposite direction. SO PERFECT.
First, as you may know from the blurb, Sam wakes up as an amnesiac engaged to be married. There’s this fiancé- Claire? Becca?, well that character was mentioned so fleetingly , I don't remember the name and I don’t know, let’s call her whats-her-name. Okay, So Samson dearest does not remember whats-her-name, and he only has memories of an earlier relationship, one with ex-GF Delilah from 3 years before.
Sam, who only has thoughts for Delilah, with whom he had a terrible breakup (apparently both parties were affected), can’t give a damn about his fiancé, his father or brother because his Delilah is being so distant. Ofcourse, understandable that the amnesiac will not know why. Now, Whats-her-name ropes in Delilah for getting Sam to recover his memories, whaaaat a biiiiitch, right?
Whats-her name doesn’t stay around to help Sam. He, all too happy about getting close to Del, throws caution to the wind and tries to re-establish the lost connection. (read: makes love to her.) All this while he is engaged to someone else who, he thinks, is a bitch for not being around. Boy has he got some twisted morals. First, he doesn’t call off the engagement with whats-her-name although neither does he remember her, nor has a good opinion of her.
Hmmm....
Maybe because there really could be something to their relationship???? he didn’t want to hurt her feelings?
And yet he doesn’t feel guilty about cheating on her????
And again let’s come to his twisted sense of moral. He does recovers his memory, only after he does decide that he wants to be with Del. When she finds out, she freaks out that he is going to distance himself again, so clever-miss goes ahead and does that herself. AND HE DOESN’T LET HER KNOW THAT EVERY CELL IN HIS BODY ACHES FOR HER AND EVERY BREATH HE TAKES IS FOR HER. OH WHY? OH WHY DEAR BELOVED? why?
All because he wants THE PERFECT MOMENT. A 4th of July fireworks display and a picnic date by the water, before he can tell her that. Aww isn’t that sweet? Isn’t that what every girl wants, PREFERABLY BEFORE SHE DIES OF A FUCKING VEIN BURSTING HEARBREAK BECAUSE SHE THINKS YOU ARE GOING AHEAD WITH THE ENGAGEMENT AND GETTING MARRIED, YOU FUCKING MORON!!!!!!!!! 
And let’s look at the other lady’s state here. He goes on with the wedding plans, wears his tux and declares his love for another, A FEW HOURS BEFORE THEIR WEDDING. No sir, no fidgeting, No cold feet. He keeps up the farce deliberately, just to jilt his bride and pain her daddy- his boss on the wedding day. Wow for absolute humiliation.
Bitch or not, whats-her-name doesn’t deserve that. WHAT. AN. ASSHOLE.
So as you can see, the plot and the characters, both didn't impress me. So I clearly don't recommend this to anyone.
September 26, 2013
Anyone who takes a look at my shelves knows that if given a choice contemporary romance is not my preferred cup of tea. That said if you give me a story with a hook, in this case a mystery that breaks apart two soul mates, I'm probably gonna go for it! What can I say? I'm also a HUGE sap, seriously, ask my husband.
The story of Sam and Lil is a tale easily described as the things people who love each other do when they are hurting and don't even realize it. They push away their partners, their friends, even their family when they need them most. What is not so easily described is the full impact of those choices and the repercussions they have in their lives.
Sam wakes up in the hospital expecting to find his girlfriend by his bedside. Instead, he finds a bleached-blond diva, claiming to be his fiancée, hovering over him. When he learns that he's just woken up from a coma and has lost the last three years of his life, any semblance of stability he thought he had falls down around him. All he wants – all he needs – is Lil.
Poor Lil!! After rebuilding herself from the ruins of heartbreak, her tidy, well organized life is thrown for a loop when she is asked to help her ex, Sam, recover his memories after a head trauma. Complicating matters is the fact that she obviously she has to come to terms with the fact that doing this might cause the truth of their break up to finally come to light as well as kissing her secretly longed for chances for happiness goodbye.
What follows is a careful dance between two wounded people. There is obviously a big problem that everyone is tiptoeing around and this drives the story as both Sam and Lil renegotiate a relationship that was severely damaged by strong emotion and misunderstanding. Sam has a rough road, reexamining his life through a not so flattering lens as he works to unravel the reasons for the haunted look in Lil's eyes and the unforgiving stares of his best friends. Lil on the other hand is trying to do the right thing and hopes to come out with her heart intact as she revisits feelings better left buried.
Second Rate Chances ends on a uplifting, and 'obvious' note. Obvious because we know that if two people get a second chance to work their way back to a place of happiness, they can build happy, new memories on top of the old, painful ones and most of all learn that you should always appreciate that the ones you love the most are the ones you should never push away!
The story of Sam and Lil is a tale easily described as the things people who love each other do when they are hurting and don't even realize it. They push away their partners, their friends, even their family when they need them most. What is not so easily described is the full impact of those choices and the repercussions they have in their lives.
Sam wakes up in the hospital expecting to find his girlfriend by his bedside. Instead, he finds a bleached-blond diva, claiming to be his fiancée, hovering over him. When he learns that he's just woken up from a coma and has lost the last three years of his life, any semblance of stability he thought he had falls down around him. All he wants – all he needs – is Lil.
Poor Lil!! After rebuilding herself from the ruins of heartbreak, her tidy, well organized life is thrown for a loop when she is asked to help her ex, Sam, recover his memories after a head trauma. Complicating matters is the fact that she obviously she has to come to terms with the fact that doing this might cause the truth of their break up to finally come to light as well as kissing her secretly longed for chances for happiness goodbye.
What follows is a careful dance between two wounded people. There is obviously a big problem that everyone is tiptoeing around and this drives the story as both Sam and Lil renegotiate a relationship that was severely damaged by strong emotion and misunderstanding. Sam has a rough road, reexamining his life through a not so flattering lens as he works to unravel the reasons for the haunted look in Lil's eyes and the unforgiving stares of his best friends. Lil on the other hand is trying to do the right thing and hopes to come out with her heart intact as she revisits feelings better left buried.
Second Rate Chances ends on a uplifting, and 'obvious' note. Obvious because we know that if two people get a second chance to work their way back to a place of happiness, they can build happy, new memories on top of the old, painful ones and most of all learn that you should always appreciate that the ones you love the most are the ones you should never push away!
December 4, 2013
This book was like reading a Hallmark made for TV movie. Simply put, not all that exciting.
I saw some good reviews on here, so I thought I needed a great love story to pick me up from a crappy book I just read. This book wasn't terrible but it was so predictable and boring. It started off all promising with the prologue and then you wonder what's happened. The build up was so long and drawn out and I was like frickin hell just tell him!
Basically Sam and Lil had a true love story, something happened and now they're no longer together. He bumped his head, lost his memory and the last thing he remembered when he woke up was that he and Lili had just bought a house together. He doesn't remember the three years they've been apart. Wow, how romantic.....it could've been.
So, in the three years they've been apart he's a big wig executive, lives in a very expensive condo and is an engaged. He doesn't remember his fiancee but remembers the girl he's always loved. His fiancee calls and asks Lili to come see him at the hospital because that's the only person he keeps asking for. She just needs Lili to help snap him out of his amnesia since they're due to be married in a few weeks.
Ok, so it gets long and drawn out because all we're told is a tragedy happened and she's still broken up about it and hasn't recovered from it. So you wonder what was the tragedy.....cue the build up of a really long drawn out tragedy that is so predictable. You just want her to tell him so he can get back to life but no........
Like I said it was a making of a Hallmark made for TV movie. It' great if you have no expectations and love predictability with a happy ending. The End.
I saw some good reviews on here, so I thought I needed a great love story to pick me up from a crappy book I just read. This book wasn't terrible but it was so predictable and boring. It started off all promising with the prologue and then you wonder what's happened. The build up was so long and drawn out and I was like frickin hell just tell him!
Basically Sam and Lil had a true love story, something happened and now they're no longer together. He bumped his head, lost his memory and the last thing he remembered when he woke up was that he and Lili had just bought a house together. He doesn't remember the three years they've been apart. Wow, how romantic.....it could've been.
So, in the three years they've been apart he's a big wig executive, lives in a very expensive condo and is an engaged. He doesn't remember his fiancee but remembers the girl he's always loved. His fiancee calls and asks Lili to come see him at the hospital because that's the only person he keeps asking for. She just needs Lili to help snap him out of his amnesia since they're due to be married in a few weeks.
Ok, so it gets long and drawn out because all we're told is a tragedy happened and she's still broken up about it and hasn't recovered from it. So you wonder what was the tragedy.....cue the build up of a really long drawn out tragedy that is so predictable. You just want her to tell him so he can get back to life but no........
Like I said it was a making of a Hallmark made for TV movie. It' great if you have no expectations and love predictability with a happy ending. The End.
January 26, 2015
Originally posted on my Blog, Bibliophile Mystery
http://bibliophilemystery.blogspot.com/
I’ve been looking forward to reading this book ever since I saw its beautiful cover, and the story didn’t disappoint me at all.
Sam and Lil were a happy young couple. They loved each other very much and thought that no one and nothing could break them apart.
But three years later we find them completely changed. There’s nothing left from the former happiness, not even their friends. Sam is getting married in three weeks with another woman, and Lil spends all of her time working.
A stupid accident puts Sam in a coma for a few days, and when he wakes up he can’t remember a thing from his past three years. He craves to see the love of his life, Lil, not this woman he barely knows, who claims she’s his fiancée. But he finds out that they had broken up three years ago and have never spoken since then. Now he’s eager to find out what happened so many years ago.
Holly Stephens slowly reveals the mystery of their past, and what brought them apart three years before Sam’s accident. His frustration caused by not knowing such important parts of his life seems to be genuine. He finds himself completely changed: everyone keeps on blaming him for doing something awful, which led to the split between him and Lil, his friends are gone and his family is completely estranged. He’s completely disgusted when he realizes the man he's become and he can’t believe he could have done anything to hurt the person he loved the most.
The chemistry between the main characters is strong, and they grow back into the couple they used to be step by step. The supporting characters have an important part in the story as well.
Although the story had its sad and heartbreaking moments, I felt it like a light read. That’s not a bad thing, and even if it was somewhat predictable, I enjoyed it quite a lot.
“I've already been to hell and back. This time, I want to go to paradise. I want to do whatever it is you want. Because all I want is you, by my side, from this moment until forever.”
Happy reading!
http://bibliophilemystery.blogspot.com/
I’ve been looking forward to reading this book ever since I saw its beautiful cover, and the story didn’t disappoint me at all.
Sam and Lil were a happy young couple. They loved each other very much and thought that no one and nothing could break them apart.
But three years later we find them completely changed. There’s nothing left from the former happiness, not even their friends. Sam is getting married in three weeks with another woman, and Lil spends all of her time working.
A stupid accident puts Sam in a coma for a few days, and when he wakes up he can’t remember a thing from his past three years. He craves to see the love of his life, Lil, not this woman he barely knows, who claims she’s his fiancée. But he finds out that they had broken up three years ago and have never spoken since then. Now he’s eager to find out what happened so many years ago.
Holly Stephens slowly reveals the mystery of their past, and what brought them apart three years before Sam’s accident. His frustration caused by not knowing such important parts of his life seems to be genuine. He finds himself completely changed: everyone keeps on blaming him for doing something awful, which led to the split between him and Lil, his friends are gone and his family is completely estranged. He’s completely disgusted when he realizes the man he's become and he can’t believe he could have done anything to hurt the person he loved the most.
The chemistry between the main characters is strong, and they grow back into the couple they used to be step by step. The supporting characters have an important part in the story as well.
Although the story had its sad and heartbreaking moments, I felt it like a light read. That’s not a bad thing, and even if it was somewhat predictable, I enjoyed it quite a lot.
“I've already been to hell and back. This time, I want to go to paradise. I want to do whatever it is you want. Because all I want is you, by my side, from this moment until forever.”
Happy reading!
can-never-read
March 27, 2016Truly unredeemable male MC, IMO...
Self note:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Self note:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
September 25, 2023
Kept my interest but the H remained a selfish idiot throughout. Two and a half stars.
January 12, 2013
“How?” he asked in a whisper. “How did we go from being what I remember – happy and in love – to,” he waved his arms around the space that kept them apart, “this? To you standing what feels like a world away? Lil, we promised one another forever.”
AHHHHH what a fantastic read. Seriously, great plot line. This is a book about how true love never goes away. How a man with amnesia gets a second chance with the woman he loves. How he gets a second chance to change his life to become a better man.
“And you think losing three years of my life – apparently three very important years – is easy for me?” he yelled back. “You think it’s a walk in the park for me to hear that you don't love me? That you don't want to be with me? Pardon the hell out of me, Delilah, for wanting to know what happened.”
What if you woke up and did not remember the woman sitting next to you, the one who claims to be your fiancee? What if the only love you remember was the one who everyone says deteriorated three years ago? What if the man you recognise is no longer there but instead there is a ruthless man who no longer cares for his family or friends but instead cares for power, wealth and his status? This book tackles this issue of amnesia through our lead male, Sam.
“I may have lost my mind, but I haven’t lost the ability to know when another guy wants you.”
Sam, I am, he is one amazing lead male. He really comes to term with who he has become, and realises that he hates the man he sees in the mirror. His character is so strong to turn his life around, to mend old relationships and to see what he really values in life. I still can't imagine what it would be like to completely be in his shoes. To miss out on three years of your life.. not something anyone one would want to go through. But he uses this chance, as a way to redeem himself and become the man he once was - someone to be proud of.
Her hands gripped the lapels of his jacket pulling him closer. “Samson,” she whispered, her lips barely grazing his.
It was all the invitation he needed.
His lips moved over hers like they had done so many times before. It had killed him, in these last few days, to be so close to her yet so far away. He wanted to be able to kiss her whenever he wanted. And right now, with their lips pressed together, he wanted to kiss the hell out of her.
Lil, hey there Delilah What a loving, caring, strong leading woman. Gosh, the heartbreak she must have gone through with the relationship with the love of her life deteriorated... It is amazing how she could pick up her life again and start anew. I loved how we see just how much Sam affects her, and how even with everything that had happened in the past, she still could put her feelings aside and help him.. even knowing that he could gain his memory any day and leave her like before. I don't think many women would be strong enough to do something life that.
In a tone barely above a whisper, Sam asked, “Dad? What kind of person am I?”
It felt like minutes passed before Paul answered him. When he did, Sam was thankful his hands were braced on the bathroom sink. Without it, he would
have surely fallen at his father’s words. “Not the kind I raised you to be.”
The love story in this was heartbreaking, heartwarming, heart-EVERYTHING. Seriously I went through a roller coaster of emotions reading this.
Fantastic read! Definitely recommended.
“You're my everything. Always have been and always will be.
For it is said that a love of epic proportions would stand the test of time from here until all eternity. For if he was the day and she was the night, one cannot be without the other.
Just like Samson and Delilah.
AHHHHH what a fantastic read. Seriously, great plot line. This is a book about how true love never goes away. How a man with amnesia gets a second chance with the woman he loves. How he gets a second chance to change his life to become a better man.
“And you think losing three years of my life – apparently three very important years – is easy for me?” he yelled back. “You think it’s a walk in the park for me to hear that you don't love me? That you don't want to be with me? Pardon the hell out of me, Delilah, for wanting to know what happened.”
What if you woke up and did not remember the woman sitting next to you, the one who claims to be your fiancee? What if the only love you remember was the one who everyone says deteriorated three years ago? What if the man you recognise is no longer there but instead there is a ruthless man who no longer cares for his family or friends but instead cares for power, wealth and his status? This book tackles this issue of amnesia through our lead male, Sam.
“I may have lost my mind, but I haven’t lost the ability to know when another guy wants you.”
Sam, I am, he is one amazing lead male. He really comes to term with who he has become, and realises that he hates the man he sees in the mirror. His character is so strong to turn his life around, to mend old relationships and to see what he really values in life. I still can't imagine what it would be like to completely be in his shoes. To miss out on three years of your life.. not something anyone one would want to go through. But he uses this chance, as a way to redeem himself and become the man he once was - someone to be proud of.
Her hands gripped the lapels of his jacket pulling him closer. “Samson,” she whispered, her lips barely grazing his.
It was all the invitation he needed.
His lips moved over hers like they had done so many times before. It had killed him, in these last few days, to be so close to her yet so far away. He wanted to be able to kiss her whenever he wanted. And right now, with their lips pressed together, he wanted to kiss the hell out of her.
Lil, hey there Delilah What a loving, caring, strong leading woman. Gosh, the heartbreak she must have gone through with the relationship with the love of her life deteriorated... It is amazing how she could pick up her life again and start anew. I loved how we see just how much Sam affects her, and how even with everything that had happened in the past, she still could put her feelings aside and help him.. even knowing that he could gain his memory any day and leave her like before. I don't think many women would be strong enough to do something life that.
In a tone barely above a whisper, Sam asked, “Dad? What kind of person am I?”
It felt like minutes passed before Paul answered him. When he did, Sam was thankful his hands were braced on the bathroom sink. Without it, he would
have surely fallen at his father’s words. “Not the kind I raised you to be.”
The love story in this was heartbreaking, heartwarming, heart-EVERYTHING. Seriously I went through a roller coaster of emotions reading this.
Fantastic read! Definitely recommended.
“You're my everything. Always have been and always will be.
For it is said that a love of epic proportions would stand the test of time from here until all eternity. For if he was the day and she was the night, one cannot be without the other.
Just like Samson and Delilah.
January 19, 2013
So I think there were some serious biblical themes going on in this book: the MCs were named Sam(son) and (De)Lil(ah) – and we all know how well that turned out. Sam’s two best friends were named Kane and Abe (seriously), Sam’s father’s name is Paul, and his brother is Joshua. Sam’s potential father-in-law is Jonah. Lil’s best friend is Elle, which is obviously Elizabeth. Seriously, I feel like I should be going to church or something this weekend! The only character (I think) that didn’t have a biblical name was Chloe, but if Ms. Stephens could have gotten away with Jezebel, I’ll bet she would have done it.
Fear not, no pagan temples were destroyed in the reading of this book, and no one died.
I love these books where there is a happy, happy couple that is ripped apart by stupid mistakes and a complete lack of communication. Then they get a second chance. Of course you know what kind of ending you’re going to get – someone else said that this is the point of second chances. What you’re really in suspense about is the Big Misunderstanding / Stupid Mistake. It ALWAYS happens in these books. This one took a while – it happened (in Kindle speak) around 86%. And then Lil makes a STUPID MISTAKE coming from a HUGE MISUNDERSTANDING. And I seriously wanted to jump into the book and yell at her, asking her if she was dropped on her head as a baby. Do people do these sorts of schmucky things in real life? God, I hope not. I’ve never actually met someone who did something of this epic dumbassness, but it happens in all these books. I hope that if I did something totally moronic like what occurs in these stories that someone would smack me around until I got some common sense. Fortunately ***SPOILER***
HEA. Well, not for Chloe, but she was just in it for the spectacle of the wedding.
Seriously, it was a fun, quick read. There for very few typos (though I must insist that “long time” is two words), the writing flowed well, the characters were likeable (even when they really weren’t supposed to be), and I enjoyed it. Job well done.
Fear not, no pagan temples were destroyed in the reading of this book, and no one died.
I love these books where there is a happy, happy couple that is ripped apart by stupid mistakes and a complete lack of communication. Then they get a second chance. Of course you know what kind of ending you’re going to get – someone else said that this is the point of second chances. What you’re really in suspense about is the Big Misunderstanding / Stupid Mistake. It ALWAYS happens in these books. This one took a while – it happened (in Kindle speak) around 86%. And then Lil makes a STUPID MISTAKE coming from a HUGE MISUNDERSTANDING. And I seriously wanted to jump into the book and yell at her, asking her if she was dropped on her head as a baby. Do people do these sorts of schmucky things in real life? God, I hope not. I’ve never actually met someone who did something of this epic dumbassness, but it happens in all these books. I hope that if I did something totally moronic like what occurs in these stories that someone would smack me around until I got some common sense. Fortunately ***SPOILER***
HEA. Well, not for Chloe, but she was just in it for the spectacle of the wedding.
Seriously, it was a fun, quick read. There for very few typos (though I must insist that “long time” is two words), the writing flowed well, the characters were likeable (even when they really weren’t supposed to be), and I enjoyed it. Job well done.
August 1, 2013
Well edited.
Cant wait for next book by this author because I enjoyed her writing style.
This is one of the most immature, weak, thoughtless and selfish heroes I have had the displeasure of meeting. He leaves her at a time when she needs him the most. Lets her down constantly. Horrid specimen. Totally unworthy.
She is TSTL and sooo sweet and vulnerable. She deserves a GOOD man who can match her worth. I wish she had clocked him upside the head a few times. I wouldn't have minded if she slapped him and then backhanded him, kicked him in the nuts, dusted her hands, turned on her heel and then left him for dead. Ok, maybe not dead, but suffering like he left her to suffer. Moron.
Cant wait for next book by this author because I enjoyed her writing style.
This is one of the most immature, weak, thoughtless and selfish heroes I have had the displeasure of meeting. He leaves her at a time when she needs him the most. Lets her down constantly. Horrid specimen. Totally unworthy.
She is TSTL and sooo sweet and vulnerable. She deserves a GOOD man who can match her worth. I wish she had clocked him upside the head a few times. I wouldn't have minded if she slapped him and then backhanded him, kicked him in the nuts, dusted her hands, turned on her heel and then left him for dead. Ok, maybe not dead, but suffering like he left her to suffer. Moron.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2013
The main idea of the book was good, but something was missing. 
So it was good , but not very good
So it was good , but not very good
just-not-for-me-stay-away-hell-no
March 30, 2016Self Note: This is not for me. Look at JLC's review for a reminder why!
June 25, 2013
Rating - 4.5 stars.
OH MY WOOOOORDDDDD! THIS IS SUPERRRRR COOOOOOOL! OH MY WOORDDDDDDDDD
It's an amazing book! I had to read it in one go. ONE GO.
And well, to be honest, this book had me at the prologue.
This book is full of everything:
Anticipation. Love. Heartbreak. Reunions. Tears. Smiles. Mysteries. Happy Ending.
AND EVERYTHING POSSIBLE <3
This is one of the best books I've read lately and yes, I'm being honest, give this book a chance! It deserves it. I'm a fan of Holly now, it's a lovely text!
To talk about the plot: It's about a guy, Sam, who has his life all set with a fiancé and marriage on the way. He seems to be into it. And then the life-changing thing happens - he gets into an accident and whoosh loses his memory of the past three years - memory of his fiancé Chloe, of his job and every thing he did in the past three years. And you know whom he remembers? Lil. Yes, the amazing Lil who had her heart broken over him three years ago. The amazing girl who helps him out of this WHOLE amnesia and makes him realise the truth. The story flows in a beautiful manner and we get to see the difficult judgement that Sam makes in the end - Whose heart to break after all this while?
Holly had amazing characters in this book. The characterisation is amazing and each character is unique and nothing like you've read about ever before.
Lil - a well independent girl who's living her life (somehow) after whatever happened with Sam. Throughout the book, she comes as a person who're determined to push people away when all they should be doing is talk. I mean, it's not intentionally that she did it but however. She's an amazing character and I really like her but sometimes her judgements kind of made me think, What the fudgesticks? But she knows how things go and even though she hoped for her dream to come true, she still expected the inevitable too. I really like her for whatever she is.
Sam - Oh well, what should I say about the handsome guy out there? He's a good guy, and unfortunately he's the one who's facing amnesia. Having lost three important years of his life, he's all confused and doesn't know how to go about it. He takes things the right way (at times) and he too has bad judgement. He's not one of those typical book boyfriends and that's why perhaps, even though I REALLY like him, I don't really love him. I respect him for what he did in the end (and would've hated the book if there was any alternate ending) and admire him for loving Lil like no one else. It's like they both are meant to be together. *swoons*
Chloe - I hate her. She wasn't there to console Sam. She wasn't there by his side when he wanted help. She wasn't there when he was battling everything. You know what she was doing? Planning the damn wedding which wasn't even SURE. And the thing that ticked me off, was probably her going to Lil and inviting her to the damn wedding. *rolls eyes*
All in all, I love all the characters (except Chloe of course). Even the minor characters like Kane, Abe, Ellie, Zach, Paul and everyone else. They did an amazing job in the story and I'm glad each of them were included. The story without them would have been empty.
I'm really glad I read the book! Beautiful and touching to a certain extent, I think amnesia always has it for me ;) I couldn't stop grinning throughout the book (I mean not at the sad parts of course but at all the cute parts.)
Recommended to all, everyone should definitely read this book! DEFINITELY!
P.S.: I wonder, is the last line a biblical allusion? I mean, we all know the story of Samson and Delilah, and how, she ended up betraying him and leading to his downfall. Is there any significance behind the choice of the names or the choice of the last statement? I really love it and all, but just out of curiosity did this question pop up.
OH MY WOOOOORDDDDD! THIS IS SUPERRRRR COOOOOOOL! OH MY WOORDDDDDDDDD
It's an amazing book! I had to read it in one go. ONE GO.
And well, to be honest, this book had me at the prologue.
This book is full of everything:
Anticipation. Love. Heartbreak. Reunions. Tears. Smiles. Mysteries. Happy Ending.
AND EVERYTHING POSSIBLE <3
This is one of the best books I've read lately and yes, I'm being honest, give this book a chance! It deserves it. I'm a fan of Holly now, it's a lovely text!
To talk about the plot: It's about a guy, Sam, who has his life all set with a fiancé and marriage on the way. He seems to be into it. And then the life-changing thing happens - he gets into an accident and whoosh loses his memory of the past three years - memory of his fiancé Chloe, of his job and every thing he did in the past three years. And you know whom he remembers? Lil. Yes, the amazing Lil who had her heart broken over him three years ago. The amazing girl who helps him out of this WHOLE amnesia and makes him realise the truth. The story flows in a beautiful manner and we get to see the difficult judgement that Sam makes in the end - Whose heart to break after all this while?
Holly had amazing characters in this book. The characterisation is amazing and each character is unique and nothing like you've read about ever before.
Lil - a well independent girl who's living her life (somehow) after whatever happened with Sam. Throughout the book, she comes as a person who're determined to push people away when all they should be doing is talk. I mean, it's not intentionally that she did it but however. She's an amazing character and I really like her but sometimes her judgements kind of made me think, What the fudgesticks? But she knows how things go and even though she hoped for her dream to come true, she still expected the inevitable too. I really like her for whatever she is.
Sam - Oh well, what should I say about the handsome guy out there? He's a good guy, and unfortunately he's the one who's facing amnesia. Having lost three important years of his life, he's all confused and doesn't know how to go about it. He takes things the right way (at times) and he too has bad judgement. He's not one of those typical book boyfriends and that's why perhaps, even though I REALLY like him, I don't really love him. I respect him for what he did in the end (and would've hated the book if there was any alternate ending) and admire him for loving Lil like no one else. It's like they both are meant to be together. *swoons*
Chloe - I hate her. She wasn't there to console Sam. She wasn't there by his side when he wanted help. She wasn't there when he was battling everything. You know what she was doing? Planning the damn wedding which wasn't even SURE. And the thing that ticked me off, was probably her going to Lil and inviting her to the damn wedding. *rolls eyes*
All in all, I love all the characters (except Chloe of course). Even the minor characters like Kane, Abe, Ellie, Zach, Paul and everyone else. They did an amazing job in the story and I'm glad each of them were included. The story without them would have been empty.
I'm really glad I read the book! Beautiful and touching to a certain extent, I think amnesia always has it for me ;) I couldn't stop grinning throughout the book (I mean not at the sad parts of course but at all the cute parts.)
Recommended to all, everyone should definitely read this book! DEFINITELY!
P.S.: I wonder, is the last line a biblical allusion? I mean, we all know the story of Samson and Delilah, and how, she ended up betraying him and leading to his downfall. Is there any significance behind the choice of the names or the choice of the last statement? I really love it and all, but just out of curiosity did this question pop up.
February 24, 2013
“For it is said that a love of epic proportions would stand the test of time from here until all eternity. For if he was the day and she was the night, one cannot be without the other.”
Second Rate Chances tells the story of Sam and Lil. It begins with a prologue showing just how happy and very much in love this couple is. Unfortunately, their love story seems to have veered off course at some point. Immediately following the prologue, it’s three years later and Sam and Lil are thing of the past. Not only that, but Sam’s getting married to a woman named Chloe. What?!
Right from the start, I felt a sadness in Second Rate Chances that I couldn’t quite explain, especially since I was only a chapter into the book. Somehow, Holly Stephens had me purchasing my ticket and boarding the emotional roller coaster that is Second Rate Chances before I even realized I had done it! Maybe it’s because everyone can relate to – if not losing the love of their life – the loss of a relationship, the loss of love, and the void that loss can create within you. Whatever it was, I was invested from the get-go.
After Sam has an accident, he wakes up believing that he and Lil are still together, still going strong, and still madly in love with each other. The reality is that he and Lil broke up and he has no memory of the reasons behind it. Although Lil can give him some of the answers he’s seeking, she’s not sure she can relive those painful memories. As the story unfolds, Lil and Sam slowly re-build a relationship to try and help trigger his memories. Though it’s a huge risk for Lil, she agrees to help him hoping to find closure to the heartbreak that still affects her three years later.
What can I say about these characters? I loved them! I loved how Lil was sweet and selfless, despite the obvious risk to her heart. She was totally relatable; a good person who had been through a lot. I loved how much Sam loved Lil, and I loved watching him grow back into the man he used to be. The chemistry between these two was wonderful and perfectly complimented by the supporting characters, who were just as easy to love. And readers beware, the built-up sexual tension between Sam and Lil was amazing; I’d love to see what Holly Stephens could write in a sex scene!
There were a few things that threw me a bit, but had nothing to do with the story itself. The manuscript could use another round of edits as there were some grammatical and spelling errors throughout. Also, the formatting was off which left an empty margin on the left hand side of my screen with all the text skewed to the right. Ultimately, these things did not detract from my enjoyment of Second Rate Chances at all, but they did slow me down as I was reading.
If you’re looking for a light, sweet read full of love, hope, and ultimately redemption, Second Rate Chances is the book for you!
Read more reviews like this at The Book Asylum.
Second Rate Chances tells the story of Sam and Lil. It begins with a prologue showing just how happy and very much in love this couple is. Unfortunately, their love story seems to have veered off course at some point. Immediately following the prologue, it’s three years later and Sam and Lil are thing of the past. Not only that, but Sam’s getting married to a woman named Chloe. What?!
Right from the start, I felt a sadness in Second Rate Chances that I couldn’t quite explain, especially since I was only a chapter into the book. Somehow, Holly Stephens had me purchasing my ticket and boarding the emotional roller coaster that is Second Rate Chances before I even realized I had done it! Maybe it’s because everyone can relate to – if not losing the love of their life – the loss of a relationship, the loss of love, and the void that loss can create within you. Whatever it was, I was invested from the get-go.
After Sam has an accident, he wakes up believing that he and Lil are still together, still going strong, and still madly in love with each other. The reality is that he and Lil broke up and he has no memory of the reasons behind it. Although Lil can give him some of the answers he’s seeking, she’s not sure she can relive those painful memories. As the story unfolds, Lil and Sam slowly re-build a relationship to try and help trigger his memories. Though it’s a huge risk for Lil, she agrees to help him hoping to find closure to the heartbreak that still affects her three years later.
What can I say about these characters? I loved them! I loved how Lil was sweet and selfless, despite the obvious risk to her heart. She was totally relatable; a good person who had been through a lot. I loved how much Sam loved Lil, and I loved watching him grow back into the man he used to be. The chemistry between these two was wonderful and perfectly complimented by the supporting characters, who were just as easy to love. And readers beware, the built-up sexual tension between Sam and Lil was amazing; I’d love to see what Holly Stephens could write in a sex scene!
There were a few things that threw me a bit, but had nothing to do with the story itself. The manuscript could use another round of edits as there were some grammatical and spelling errors throughout. Also, the formatting was off which left an empty margin on the left hand side of my screen with all the text skewed to the right. Ultimately, these things did not detract from my enjoyment of Second Rate Chances at all, but they did slow me down as I was reading.
If you’re looking for a light, sweet read full of love, hope, and ultimately redemption, Second Rate Chances is the book for you!
Read more reviews like this at The Book Asylum.
March 1, 2013
The concept of Amnesia doesn't really fail to intrigue me. There is always this part of me that ticks with curiosity when I get to read stories with people losing memories - how would they cope up? How could they start up all over again? Is losing their memory enough to mend the fences or people they broke? Would that be enough for second chances?
Three hurtful years have passed since Sam walked out of Lil's life. Three hurtful years of therapy and coping up with life. They we’re once both blissfully in love with one another but life sets its wheels into motion – the road get rough and they separate ways. What would Lil do if Sam came back to her thinking they're still the same as three years ago? Will she be able to help him and easily go on with her life as he recovers? Or will she still succumb to those feelings she still feel for Sam even though she knows that there is that great danger that he may left her – again?
The story slowly goes into the details of Sam and Lil's life - from the early stage of their relationship to their slit up and how did it affect the people around them especially their friends and family. Though the concept of a person losing his/her memories are quite used these days maybe in TV, movies or books Second Rate Chances offers a story with this subject in a somewhat well-thought manner. It was like reading as new stuff; it was very much appealing to the readers like me for it has its sense of mystery that tickles your curiosity.
I also like the characterization of the story. Sam's family and their friends are so warm-hearted. I know Chloe was really the bitch so I'm not surprised that she did end up being the bitch after all together with her father. Sam and Lil are so good but seriously their name was shortened for Samson and Delilah? Seriously?
Anyhow, I do enjoy reading Sam and Lil's story. It's not perfect and it’s not that overly unique thing but one thing is for sure on their story was their chance is definitely not second-rated. It ended in a very happy and promising note:
*Copy kindly provided for review*
*Blog Tour deets posted at Reads and Thoughts.
Three hurtful years have passed since Sam walked out of Lil's life. Three hurtful years of therapy and coping up with life. They we’re once both blissfully in love with one another but life sets its wheels into motion – the road get rough and they separate ways. What would Lil do if Sam came back to her thinking they're still the same as three years ago? Will she be able to help him and easily go on with her life as he recovers? Or will she still succumb to those feelings she still feel for Sam even though she knows that there is that great danger that he may left her – again?
The story slowly goes into the details of Sam and Lil's life - from the early stage of their relationship to their slit up and how did it affect the people around them especially their friends and family. Though the concept of a person losing his/her memories are quite used these days maybe in TV, movies or books Second Rate Chances offers a story with this subject in a somewhat well-thought manner. It was like reading as new stuff; it was very much appealing to the readers like me for it has its sense of mystery that tickles your curiosity.
I also like the characterization of the story. Sam's family and their friends are so warm-hearted. I know Chloe was really the bitch so I'm not surprised that she did end up being the bitch after all together with her father. Sam and Lil are so good but seriously their name was shortened for Samson and Delilah? Seriously?
Anyhow, I do enjoy reading Sam and Lil's story. It's not perfect and it’s not that overly unique thing but one thing is for sure on their story was their chance is definitely not second-rated. It ended in a very happy and promising note:
"It is said that a love of epic proportions would stand the test of time from here until eternity."
*Copy kindly provided for review*
*Blog Tour deets posted at Reads and Thoughts.
January 31, 2013
Second Rate Chances
tells a sad story about redemption-a second chance. I don't believe this story meant for readers to cry, but the meaning behind everything can induce tears. I'm not crying, but in my mind Sam and Lil's story is tear worthy.
The story begins with the prologue, and it's obvious that the happy couple is Sam and Lil. They're about to spend the rest of their lives together, but three years later and everything has changed. Sam and Lil are no longer together and we (the readers) have no idea why.
I loved how the truth was revealed slowly as Sam realized everything. The readers have no background knowledge, so we understand what Sam is going through. The readers are Sam because we know that there was a happy relationship and now it's gone. As Sam tries to find the truth, we're also waiting to know what happened as well.
Not only is this story about redemption in terms of a relationship, but it's also a chance for Sam to fix what he has done. Now, it's not all of Sam's fault, but his character changed when he was given power. He has to fix the problems he created when he became someone he isn't.
I was shocked to figure out what ruined Sam and Lil. I understand that is tough and breaks your mentality, but I have not personally experienced it. I'm glad that it wasn't something like cheating because it would be too typical. Sam and Lil have a wonderful and strong connection to one another and nothing can ruin their love.
The story begins with the prologue, and it's obvious that the happy couple is Sam and Lil. They're about to spend the rest of their lives together, but three years later and everything has changed. Sam and Lil are no longer together and we (the readers) have no idea why.
I loved how the truth was revealed slowly as Sam realized everything. The readers have no background knowledge, so we understand what Sam is going through. The readers are Sam because we know that there was a happy relationship and now it's gone. As Sam tries to find the truth, we're also waiting to know what happened as well.
Not only is this story about redemption in terms of a relationship, but it's also a chance for Sam to fix what he has done. Now, it's not all of Sam's fault, but his character changed when he was given power. He has to fix the problems he created when he became someone he isn't.
I was shocked to figure out what ruined Sam and Lil. I understand that is tough and breaks your mentality, but I have not personally experienced it. I'm glad that it wasn't something like cheating because it would be too typical. Sam and Lil have a wonderful and strong connection to one another and nothing can ruin their love.
January 16, 2013
4 STARS for the debut novel by Holly Stephens. Contemporary Romances normally have a pattern that makes the story predictable. When you are reading, you are waiting for your mental list to tick off items before you can get back to the love. This book didn't do that--REFRESHING!
We begin with the promise of everything from Sam to Lil--Love, laughter, and a happy future together. They have invested in a home and see the same things sparkling in the distance.
Three years later, Sam wakes up and can still see the sparkle and shiny future with his one and only Love, Lil. He turns his sight to the woman asleep on a hospital pullout and wants to know why this stranger is so happy to see him coherent; she is his fiance and she is not Lil.
Lil wakes up to another day where she prays the hurt and emptiness from losing her love won't trudge up and ruin her normal day. Then the phone rings and Lil is suddenly faced with a task she hoped would never be presented--facing Sam and reliving her life's tragedy.
What gripped me the most is Holly Stephens ability to make you feel the tone. I felt the closeness of a small town and unyielding friendships. I felt the stagnant distance between ex-lovers and I felt every brick they layed down in order to build a bridge between them. I fell for Sam and the strength of his love for Lil and frustration to know the truth to find answers within himself.
We begin with the promise of everything from Sam to Lil--Love, laughter, and a happy future together. They have invested in a home and see the same things sparkling in the distance.
Three years later, Sam wakes up and can still see the sparkle and shiny future with his one and only Love, Lil. He turns his sight to the woman asleep on a hospital pullout and wants to know why this stranger is so happy to see him coherent; she is his fiance and she is not Lil.
Lil wakes up to another day where she prays the hurt and emptiness from losing her love won't trudge up and ruin her normal day. Then the phone rings and Lil is suddenly faced with a task she hoped would never be presented--facing Sam and reliving her life's tragedy.
What gripped me the most is Holly Stephens ability to make you feel the tone. I felt the closeness of a small town and unyielding friendships. I felt the stagnant distance between ex-lovers and I felt every brick they layed down in order to build a bridge between them. I fell for Sam and the strength of his love for Lil and frustration to know the truth to find answers within himself.
January 12, 2013
This would have been a sweet, romantic quick read. But 1) I laughed at the absurdity of how Sam fell into a coma and the ridiculousness of his reaction when he woke up (i.e. "For a second I thought maybe I had been in a car accident and she was some crazy that hit me.") And 2) it was one of those frustrating books where the person doesn't know/remember the secret, and everyone else know, but they all keep him in the dark for the sake of dragging the story out.
And the secret? It wasn't hard to figure out what was going on. And actually, I feel like I've read a different version of this book before - perhaps a good deal of it in Avoiding Commitment and Avoiding Responsibility. My problem with it was that I really do sympathize for Lil and understand how hard it was for her to go through something like that. At the same time, Sam was made to be such a jerk in this book - with what happened, with his friends and with his new life. The book just made it seem like it was all his fault, that he hadn't been there for her when she needed him most, when in reality, they were both at fault.
Overall, it was an okay story, and I probably would have given it three stars had it not been for some of those things.
And the secret? It wasn't hard to figure out what was going on. And actually, I feel like I've read a different version of this book before - perhaps a good deal of it in Avoiding Commitment and Avoiding Responsibility. My problem with it was that I really do sympathize for Lil and understand how hard it was for her to go through something like that. At the same time, Sam was made to be such a jerk in this book - with what happened, with his friends and with his new life. The book just made it seem like it was all his fault, that he hadn't been there for her when she needed him most, when in reality, they were both at fault.
Overall, it was an okay story, and I probably would have given it three stars had it not been for some of those things.
January 12, 2013
Awwww. This was such a sweet story.
Sam has an accident leaving him with amnesia. He is missing the last 3 years of his life. The last thing he remembers is buying a house with his college sweetheart and the love of his life, Lil. He is told that the life as he remembers it no longer exists. He is now engaged to Chloe and is to be married in a few weeks.
Sam has to come to terms with the man he has become and try to figure out what happened to alter the course of his life.
Lil has been trying to move on with her life. When she gets a call from her ex-boyfriends fiancé asking for her help because Sam needs her, she doesn't hesitate. The doctor tells her about Sam's memory loss and thinks that she might be able to help him recover his memories. Lil has to decide if she can risk opening old wounds to help Sam, and in the process maybe get some closure.
This was a different take on a theme that I love. First loves crossing each others paths again is a favourite of mine. I really liked how Holly Stephens handled this.
Sam has an accident leaving him with amnesia. He is missing the last 3 years of his life. The last thing he remembers is buying a house with his college sweetheart and the love of his life, Lil. He is told that the life as he remembers it no longer exists. He is now engaged to Chloe and is to be married in a few weeks.
Sam has to come to terms with the man he has become and try to figure out what happened to alter the course of his life.
Lil has been trying to move on with her life. When she gets a call from her ex-boyfriends fiancé asking for her help because Sam needs her, she doesn't hesitate. The doctor tells her about Sam's memory loss and thinks that she might be able to help him recover his memories. Lil has to decide if she can risk opening old wounds to help Sam, and in the process maybe get some closure.
This was a different take on a theme that I love. First loves crossing each others paths again is a favourite of mine. I really liked how Holly Stephens handled this.
January 11, 2013
Samson and Delilah Who haven't thought about this names seems to be related.
Creating Second Rate Chances has a peculiar taste. Holly Stephens is the master mind creating a master piece like this. I enjoyed reading every bits of this. They were brought together after all those years has passed. The answers that Lil searching for the long time has finally been answered. And same goes to Sam. I have to say the Karma is the worst bitch ever. I'm glad at the end it came to his senses what his been missing in those awful years that they have been all apart to his friends and family and what kind of a man he become.
More than 5 Stars wasn't enough for me to rate this. This is truly a one remarkable job for creating Second Rate Chances. Job well done Holly!
Creating Second Rate Chances has a peculiar taste. Holly Stephens is the master mind creating a master piece like this. I enjoyed reading every bits of this. They were brought together after all those years has passed. The answers that Lil searching for the long time has finally been answered. And same goes to Sam. I have to say the Karma is the worst bitch ever. I'm glad at the end it came to his senses what his been missing in those awful years that they have been all apart to his friends and family and what kind of a man he become.
More than 5 Stars wasn't enough for me to rate this. This is truly a one remarkable job for creating Second Rate Chances. Job well done Holly!
January 14, 2013
3.5 stars I think.
The premise somehow reminded me of The Opportunist. Guy and girl break up. 3 years later, he has amnesia and is engaged to another person. But he remembers her - his real love. At the beginning, I thought maybe the author is just as frustrated as me and decided to write her own story based somewhat on that premise. Or maybe this is just me and my crazy obsession with TO talking here...
This was a sweet, quick read. It had the potential to be something bigger - if only the author developed the story more. I felt that it was lacking a bit in emotional pull overall. Maybe because the story was short?
The premise somehow reminded me of The Opportunist. Guy and girl break up. 3 years later, he has amnesia and is engaged to another person. But he remembers her - his real love. At the beginning, I thought maybe the author is just as frustrated as me and decided to write her own story based somewhat on that premise. Or maybe this is just me and my crazy obsession with TO talking here...
This was a sweet, quick read. It had the potential to be something bigger - if only the author developed the story more. I felt that it was lacking a bit in emotional pull overall. Maybe because the story was short?
January 22, 2013
3.5 stars for me. I love second chances and this definitely was one. The BIG thing that separated them was stretched too long for me. The story danced around it for a while and I did have 2 guesses, and one of them was right. It was sad but for all the build up, it didnt have a BANG reveal. Loved both characters, but I really liked the confused Sam, he was so cute and sweet. The supporting friends were great. Overall i did enjoy this book, but the big secret wasnt a surprise to me and the reveal fell flat.
January 14, 2013
What a great first book from Holly Stephens. I am not a big fan of contemporary romance novels but this one has changed my mind. The author gave the characters such great personalty's that you hope they are real. The language in the book is adult but its not over the top. I recommend getting a glass of wine and setting Pandora to "My Love or The Civil Wars Radio" channel while reading this book. I'm looking forward to the next book by Mrs. Stephens.
May 24, 2013
3.5 stars.
This book started out SOOOOOO well. I was like 30-40% into it and dying to review it as "THE BEST BOOK EVER OMGOMG." Then around 42% it began it's slow decline into mediocrity. Booooooo. Hisssssssssss. The heroine's early displays of wit and cleverness--absent. The interactions between friends that gave the story depth and personality--a thing of the past.
Really. It's horribly disappointing. There was so much potential, but in the end it just sort of nonchalantly fizzled out.
This book started out SOOOOOO well. I was like 30-40% into it and dying to review it as "THE BEST BOOK EVER OMGOMG." Then around 42% it began it's slow decline into mediocrity. Booooooo. Hisssssssssss. The heroine's early displays of wit and cleverness--absent. The interactions between friends that gave the story depth and personality--a thing of the past.
Really. It's horribly disappointing. There was so much potential, but in the end it just sort of nonchalantly fizzled out.
Want to read
January 11, 2013I'm interested to see what some reviews for this book looks like before I buy it.
It looks pretty good though... Intrigued is what I am.
Not your typical love story it sounds like.
It looks pretty good though... Intrigued is what I am.
Not your typical love story it sounds like.
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