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Second Chance #1
Truths and Roses
When Will Kincaid’s professional football career comes to an abrupt end in a single night, he’s left to figure out what he’s going to do with the rest of his life. He heads home to the small Virginia town where he grew up and crosses paths with Hannah Jacobs, the only girl in high school who had ever rejected him. It’s Hannah who once made him question the choices he had made, and it’s Hannah who’s making him question them all over again. But with the weight of a secret he’s managed to hide from the world his entire adult life hanging over him, he can’t afford to question his choices. Hannah Jacobs had once made the choice to deny her feelings for Will Kincaid, at the time finding it the only possible option for a young girl intent on burying a nightmare she only wanted to forget. The life she’s made for herself as a librarian in Lake Perdue is a quiet one, and she’s hardly prepared for the day when Will rams his fancy Ferrari into her dependable old clunker. But for Hannah, Will Kincaid can only stir up memories she had long ago put away forever. And there’s nothing at all good that can come from bringing them back to life again.
296 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1994
3717 people are currently reading
2120 people want to read
About the author
Inglath Cooper
63 books937 followersVirginia author Inglath Cooper fell in love with reading as a little girl, devouring most of the books in her elementary school library. At some point, she decided she wanted to pursue a writing career, creating romance fiction that did for others what her favorite books have done for her. “I love character-driven books that leave me feeling as if I’ve really known these people and make me wish I didn’t have to turn the last page.”
“Romance fiction has always appealed to me because it deals with so many of the relationships in a woman’s life. Not only the love of her life, but often her relationship with her mother, sister or best friend. Romance authors have so much room to explore many of the meaningful moments and transitions in women’s lives. And who doesn’t love a good love story?”
Inglath most often writes stories about love and life that are set in small Virginia towns like the one where she grew up. “I like to think the flavor of my hometown shows up in my books both in their setting and through the characters who people it.”
When aspiring writers ask her how to be an author, she says, “Everything I know about writing books I learned from reading books.”
Inglath has been chosen as a RITA® Award winner for best long contemporary romance novel given out each year by Romance Writers of America. Her books are available through Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, itunes.com, and Kobobooks.com.
Outside of writing, Inglath is actively involved in dog rescue, working with The Franklin County Humane Society to place dogs and cats in need of rehoming. She volunteers her time in every capacity possible: serving on the Board of Directors, fundraising, photographing dogs and cats available for adoption and serving as a foster home. “Helping an abused or neglected dog go on to have a wonderful life with a family who loves them is more rewarding than I can possibly say.”
“Romance fiction has always appealed to me because it deals with so many of the relationships in a woman’s life. Not only the love of her life, but often her relationship with her mother, sister or best friend. Romance authors have so much room to explore many of the meaningful moments and transitions in women’s lives. And who doesn’t love a good love story?”
Inglath most often writes stories about love and life that are set in small Virginia towns like the one where she grew up. “I like to think the flavor of my hometown shows up in my books both in their setting and through the characters who people it.”
When aspiring writers ask her how to be an author, she says, “Everything I know about writing books I learned from reading books.”
Inglath has been chosen as a RITA® Award winner for best long contemporary romance novel given out each year by Romance Writers of America. Her books are available through Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, itunes.com, and Kobobooks.com.
Outside of writing, Inglath is actively involved in dog rescue, working with The Franklin County Humane Society to place dogs and cats in need of rehoming. She volunteers her time in every capacity possible: serving on the Board of Directors, fundraising, photographing dogs and cats available for adoption and serving as a foster home. “Helping an abused or neglected dog go on to have a wonderful life with a family who loves them is more rewarding than I can possibly say.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 199 reviews
February 6, 2012
Often when I assign a one-star rating it means I actively disliked the book; in this case, the book was inoffensive enough. It was just boring. I couldn't bring myself to continue reading it.
February 3, 2020
My knee jerk reaction is to give this a 3.5 stars: 1 star for a truly decent (non-man-about-town) H, 1 star for a safe story with OP drama, 1 star for easy to read storytelling, and half a star for a well-paced non-insta second chance love story. I also liked how the MCs had to take some time out and figure out their own lives separate from one another. Neither used the other person as a crutch to avoid making some necessary and big changes in his or her life.
However, while I did enjoy reading it, the part where
As this story was, I did enjoy it, but the spoiler tagged detail did dampen my enthusiasm for the overall plot. Still, 3 stars.
However, while I did enjoy reading it, the part where
As this story was, I did enjoy it, but the spoiler tagged detail did dampen my enthusiasm for the overall plot. Still, 3 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2011
Will Kincaid returns home to Lake Perdue following his successful, career-ending play in the Super Bowl. He's never prepared for anything but football and at 29 has no idea of what's next for himself. He runs into Hannah Jacobs, a young woman he once cared a lot for and who now bears no resemblance to the vibrant woman he once knew, inside and out.
This is a story of two people trying to find their way and themselves after experiencing traumatic events. Hannah and Jacob somehow find a way to reconnect but their romance is hampered by the events from their past that are alive and unwell in the present. Theirs is a sweet relationship that struggles to survive while they attempt to help one another and figure out how to heal on their own. While their romantic interludes are sexy, the details are left to your imagination.
Will is an honorable and extremely likable character who you want to succeed in this relationship. Hannah, however, has so much self loathing it is sometimes tough to stay sympathetic to her plight. She redeems herself near the end but it was rough going at times. It's a well written story of setbacks and triumph, told realistically with sensitivity. The secondary characters are interesting and consistent with a small-town environment (no secrets in this place!).
I enjoyed the book as it was very interesting with a strong storyline and good dialogue. It's well-paced, although it dragged somewhat near the end, but not enough to alter my rating.
(I was provided a copy of the book by the author for review.)
This is a story of two people trying to find their way and themselves after experiencing traumatic events. Hannah and Jacob somehow find a way to reconnect but their romance is hampered by the events from their past that are alive and unwell in the present. Theirs is a sweet relationship that struggles to survive while they attempt to help one another and figure out how to heal on their own. While their romantic interludes are sexy, the details are left to your imagination.
Will is an honorable and extremely likable character who you want to succeed in this relationship. Hannah, however, has so much self loathing it is sometimes tough to stay sympathetic to her plight. She redeems herself near the end but it was rough going at times. It's a well written story of setbacks and triumph, told realistically with sensitivity. The secondary characters are interesting and consistent with a small-town environment (no secrets in this place!).
I enjoyed the book as it was very interesting with a strong storyline and good dialogue. It's well-paced, although it dragged somewhat near the end, but not enough to alter my rating.
(I was provided a copy of the book by the author for review.)
January 11, 2018
Truths and Roses: A Meant to be Love Story which was written by Inglath Cooper. This is a novella which makes for fast reading. It is a cute book which hits on two very harsh problem that millions of people have- date rape and dyslexia
Will Kincaid had spent his entire life for this one play. The ball was headed down the length of the Superdome right into his hands. Willing himself to concentrate so he could catch the pass and make the score at the Superbowl. But what was the price?
Hannah Jacobs worked at the library in town. She had intended to go to an Ivy League college and become a professor and writer. Instead, she had stayed right here in town and became the librarian. She even lived in the same house she had grown up in. Lately, she had to put her Aunt into an assisted living for Alzheimer’s. She was turning into a recluse at twenty-eight and no one knew why. She knew why; but kept it from everyone else. Would Will find out?
Will Kincaid had spent his entire life for this one play. The ball was headed down the length of the Superdome right into his hands. Willing himself to concentrate so he could catch the pass and make the score at the Superbowl. But what was the price?
Hannah Jacobs worked at the library in town. She had intended to go to an Ivy League college and become a professor and writer. Instead, she had stayed right here in town and became the librarian. She even lived in the same house she had grown up in. Lately, she had to put her Aunt into an assisted living for Alzheimer’s. She was turning into a recluse at twenty-eight and no one knew why. She knew why; but kept it from everyone else. Would Will find out?
February 10, 2017
What a lovely romance! Truths and Roses captured me from the first page to the last. This is an emotional-charged story with great depth to the characters. I felt that I really knew what made the hero and the heroine tick by the end of the book. It also has an excellent HEA. Happy reading!
August 18, 2021
4 Stars ~ This is Ms. Cooper's debut and I enjoyed it very much. This is a story of two talented and caring people whose insecurities from high school have stayed with them. They both have secrets that have shaped their lives and together they find a way to face them and conquer them.
Will is the small town football star who made it big, all the way to the Super Bowl. His winning touch down had bore him a career-ending knee injury. And now he's forced to figure out what to do with his life, without everyone finding out what a loser he really is. Needing to get away from rat race L.A., he leases a house on the lake near his home town.
Hannah always dreamed of college degrees and teaching; maybe writing a book. But one lapse in judgement took all that away. She never left town to attend an exciting college, instead she made a career for herself in the hometown library. With the aunt who raised her, recent diagnosis of Alzheimers and move to a nursing home, Hannah's even more of a recluse. Her closest and only friend is her co-worker, Jenny.
It's been ten years since shy Hannah and charismatic Will shared some honest and tender moments at the lake. Hannah was the one to earn A's and constant teasing from her peers. Will was the all around star athlete who struggled with the academics. Both hid their crushes, feeling out of each other's league. Hannah felt she was just the plain brainy girl with nothing in common with Will's popular friends. Will felt he was just the dumb jock who wouldn't know what to say. Yet that shared moment at the lake stayed with them both.
Coming home, Will is shocked that the shy girl with the big dreams is just a shadow, hidden in drab clothes and a job that encourages her personal isolation. Hannah finds buried inside the girl who couldn't keep her eyes from seeking out Will. She's happy to see that his success hasn't changed his caring and modest character. Needing to feel worthy, Will sparks Hannah into teaming up to organize a fund raising carnival. Slowly he brings out the Hannah he'd always admired and he wishes that he could live up to her brilliance and for a second chance to be with her.
This is a wonderful debut love story. Ms. Cooper has crafted characters I felt immediately connected to and a hometown easy to fit right into.
Will is the small town football star who made it big, all the way to the Super Bowl. His winning touch down had bore him a career-ending knee injury. And now he's forced to figure out what to do with his life, without everyone finding out what a loser he really is. Needing to get away from rat race L.A., he leases a house on the lake near his home town.
Hannah always dreamed of college degrees and teaching; maybe writing a book. But one lapse in judgement took all that away. She never left town to attend an exciting college, instead she made a career for herself in the hometown library. With the aunt who raised her, recent diagnosis of Alzheimers and move to a nursing home, Hannah's even more of a recluse. Her closest and only friend is her co-worker, Jenny.
It's been ten years since shy Hannah and charismatic Will shared some honest and tender moments at the lake. Hannah was the one to earn A's and constant teasing from her peers. Will was the all around star athlete who struggled with the academics. Both hid their crushes, feeling out of each other's league. Hannah felt she was just the plain brainy girl with nothing in common with Will's popular friends. Will felt he was just the dumb jock who wouldn't know what to say. Yet that shared moment at the lake stayed with them both.
Coming home, Will is shocked that the shy girl with the big dreams is just a shadow, hidden in drab clothes and a job that encourages her personal isolation. Hannah finds buried inside the girl who couldn't keep her eyes from seeking out Will. She's happy to see that his success hasn't changed his caring and modest character. Needing to feel worthy, Will sparks Hannah into teaming up to organize a fund raising carnival. Slowly he brings out the Hannah he'd always admired and he wishes that he could live up to her brilliance and for a second chance to be with her.
This is a wonderful debut love story. Ms. Cooper has crafted characters I felt immediately connected to and a hometown easy to fit right into.
February 3, 2020
Likeable, but not completely clean
I liked this book a lot. However, I struggled with the reasoning behind the rape in this story. The main lead's best friend rapes a girl in high school that the lead likes because the bf is jealous? I guess stranger things have happened, but that premise bothered me. Overall,this is a sweet story, but not completely clean.
Content: This has a fade to black approach. There are some definite discussions around sex and the content is there but it is not descriptive nor graphic.
Language: Clean
Religous: No
Happy reading!!
I liked this book a lot. However, I struggled with the reasoning behind the rape in this story. The main lead's best friend rapes a girl in high school that the lead likes because the bf is jealous? I guess stranger things have happened, but that premise bothered me. Overall,this is a sweet story, but not completely clean.
Content: This has a fade to black approach. There are some definite discussions around sex and the content is there but it is not descriptive nor graphic.
Language: Clean
Religous: No
Happy reading!!
July 10, 2022
Decent book. Slow at 1st for me then it started to pick up. Would I read it again? Probably not, once was enough for me. I do not care too much for books that talk about sex crimes and it was really hard to believe that the rape storyline had a "Romance" title. Although it ended in a sweet "I got your back for 'ever' years" romance, I don't think it should have been part of the title.
Read
May 18, 2023it was cute and wholesome!
February 7, 2013
*I won this through a First Reads Giveaway!
This was a very cute love story. The book was so easy to read and kept me engaged and not wanting to put it down until I had finished it. The story is very sweet instead of raunchy (which seems harder and harder to find lately). I appreciated the character development and how much was invested in all of the character's stories. The book ends in a very predictable way, but the author throws in a lot of extra twists and turns along the way. I was reminded a lot of Pretty Woman when the characters find themselves away for the weekend and Will decides to dote on Hannah by taking her shopping, out to a nice dinner, putting her up in a very expensive hotel room, etc. In a short number of pages, the author managed to write about numerous events - all of them important in their own way, helping the reader see the bigger picture. It's not a story that's simply cut and dry, the reader gets to experience a lot of surprising happenings, emotions, and drama. Overall, I think it's a good read when you're looking for something lighthearted.
This was a very cute love story. The book was so easy to read and kept me engaged and not wanting to put it down until I had finished it. The story is very sweet instead of raunchy (which seems harder and harder to find lately). I appreciated the character development and how much was invested in all of the character's stories. The book ends in a very predictable way, but the author throws in a lot of extra twists and turns along the way. I was reminded a lot of Pretty Woman when the characters find themselves away for the weekend and Will decides to dote on Hannah by taking her shopping, out to a nice dinner, putting her up in a very expensive hotel room, etc. In a short number of pages, the author managed to write about numerous events - all of them important in their own way, helping the reader see the bigger picture. It's not a story that's simply cut and dry, the reader gets to experience a lot of surprising happenings, emotions, and drama. Overall, I think it's a good read when you're looking for something lighthearted.
April 16, 2014
Received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
This is the cutest book ever! The characters are both so lovable and I love the idea of the pro football player coming back to his home town and still in love with the girl he liked in high school. Now, this book is not all about romance, both the characters have to face their dark past and learn to love themselves first before they can move on with their lives.
The story is told by the POV of Will and Hanna which was great because it lets the reader understand the characters more. I had not read a love story in a long time and this was a great win. Ingath Cooper has become one of my new favorite authors and this book makes me want to check out more of her books.
Read this book the chapters are extremely short and you will not be able to put this book down. (Sigh)The character Will was so adorable I wish he was real! I GOING TO TELL ALL MY FRIENDS TO CHECK THIS BOOK OUT. If you want to read about a real love story, read this!
Such an adorable book!
This is the cutest book ever! The characters are both so lovable and I love the idea of the pro football player coming back to his home town and still in love with the girl he liked in high school. Now, this book is not all about romance, both the characters have to face their dark past and learn to love themselves first before they can move on with their lives.
The story is told by the POV of Will and Hanna which was great because it lets the reader understand the characters more. I had not read a love story in a long time and this was a great win. Ingath Cooper has become one of my new favorite authors and this book makes me want to check out more of her books.
Read this book the chapters are extremely short and you will not be able to put this book down. (Sigh)The character Will was so adorable I wish he was real! I GOING TO TELL ALL MY FRIENDS TO CHECK THIS BOOK OUT. If you want to read about a real love story, read this!
Such an adorable book!
January 24, 2012
This book read like one of Susan Wiggs' Lakeshore Chronicles, only not as good with not nearly the character development.
A sweet romance (no heat at all, if that's what you're looking for), the story follows a predictable arc with both hero and heroine having baggage and history they have to address individually before they can become a couple.
This was not a complete waste of time, particularly since I only paid .99 at BN.com, but could have been edited down at least 50 pages OR remained 250 or so pages but with more character development. I think what was missing for me was each character was all bad or all good, and I'm finding characters that have a blend of both a little more rewarding to read about.
First time I've purchased a book only because I saw a link to it on the advertising sidebar on FB!
A sweet romance (no heat at all, if that's what you're looking for), the story follows a predictable arc with both hero and heroine having baggage and history they have to address individually before they can become a couple.
This was not a complete waste of time, particularly since I only paid .99 at BN.com, but could have been edited down at least 50 pages OR remained 250 or so pages but with more character development. I think what was missing for me was each character was all bad or all good, and I'm finding characters that have a blend of both a little more rewarding to read about.
First time I've purchased a book only because I saw a link to it on the advertising sidebar on FB!
August 29, 2016
Really sweet, good read.
“I’m not telling myself it’ll be easy. But I know what life is like not being able to read. I don’t think I want to know what it’ll be like without Hannah now that I’ve found her.”
And although it still hurt to think of him, Hannah realized that she’d had nothing to offer Will a few months ago. Even though she’d changed during the time they’d been together, she still could not have offered him herself. Because she hadn’t known who that was. Now that was all changing. For the first time, she could look in the mirror and meet her eyes. Really meet her eyes. Not merely peer at the edges of her reflection. She no longer flinched at what she saw. She looked and acted a generation younger.
“I’m not telling myself it’ll be easy. But I know what life is like not being able to read. I don’t think I want to know what it’ll be like without Hannah now that I’ve found her.”
And although it still hurt to think of him, Hannah realized that she’d had nothing to offer Will a few months ago. Even though she’d changed during the time they’d been together, she still could not have offered him herself. Because she hadn’t known who that was. Now that was all changing. For the first time, she could look in the mirror and meet her eyes. Really meet her eyes. Not merely peer at the edges of her reflection. She no longer flinched at what she saw. She looked and acted a generation younger.
February 1, 2013
I really enjoyed this book from cover to cover. I was blessed to have won this book in the giveaway. This is the wonderful love story between two people who have always been attracted to each other but who always thought they were not a good match or too opposite to be romantically involved. The story shows the shortcomings of each character and reveals how they learn to live/cope with their shortcoming/problems and how at the end, the love and acceptance for each other brings them together. The story kept me engaged and kept me reading until very late at night. I highly recommend it.
February 16, 2013
I won Truths and Roses: A Love Story by Inglath Cooper in a goodreads giveaway. As soon as I received it in the mail, I immediately started reading it. I was that excited. For the most part, I was not disappointed. Truths and Roses was a very compelling, very realistic book with two charming, believable main characters. The author kept everything very real. The only thing that ruined the book, in my opinion, was the ending. It was just too sappy, too cheesy for my taste. I was glad the two main characters got their happily ever after ending, though. Good book!
October 20, 2014
This was a sweet read I enjoyed more than I thought I would. Both Hannah and Will are likeable characters. From the start to the epilogue, the book takes place over about 2 years. Both have baggage or a Traumatic Event that is hinted at, then revealed, and then overcome. Hannah's is easily guessed (and I thought it was done well). Sometimes that particular plot device is used gratuitously.
I got this as a freebie a while back, but it's been long enough I don't remember where from.
I got this as a freebie a while back, but it's been long enough I don't remember where from.
February 28, 2013
This is such a wonderful story. It gives you the feel of a small town. I loved the way everyone knew each other. The spotlight on learning disabilities and being able to over come bad circumstances is inspiring. I love the justice in this book and then the sweet ending. It was hard to put it down, I stayed up too late several nights not wanting to put it down. It is one of those books you can't read just once.
March 2, 2013
What could hav been a trite tale of a shy lady coming out of her shell turned into such a compelling and cute story.Wish the place in tme was better establishd as I thought it first took place in he 80s then the ipads mention threw me off. Main lead was likeable and and believable. Her choosign to be a librarian made sense as seh wanted security. Would reccomend to anyone who wants to read contemporary fiction that is not depressing.
January 29, 2013
I found this book to be very lovely and endearing.
I was very pleased with the Inglath Cooper using two very strong social issues that are very near and dear to my heart. I felt she formed a wonderful story not only on romance but using issues people can relate on and use as a building block for future discussions
I was very pleased with the Inglath Cooper using two very strong social issues that are very near and dear to my heart. I felt she formed a wonderful story not only on romance but using issues people can relate on and use as a building block for future discussions
March 15, 2013
Inglath Cooper's novel Truth and Roses is a love story packed with the twists and turns of everyday life. In the midst of Hannah and Will's growing love, it was the terrible secrets of their past that kept me turning page after page.
I'm so thrilled to have won this novel through the Goodreads First Reads giveaway (yay!), and now I have a new author to add to my favorites list.
I'm so thrilled to have won this novel through the Goodreads First Reads giveaway (yay!), and now I have a new author to add to my favorites list.
August 3, 2012
A beautiful love story. A wonderful reminder that true love is worth fighting for. Very well written and addresses two very emotional issues. It was very good for my heart and soul. Great job. Thank you.
January 18, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. Typical characters though-rich, famous man falls in love with a small-town, quiet girl. But he makes the effort, wines and dines her, and in turn she helps him with something. A definite cute story.
March 8, 2013
I won this ARC through Goodreads, and I was pleasantly surprised. I thought the main characters' dynamic was really fun and developed nicely. It was a little predictable towards the end but I thoroughly enjoyed the read and it went really fast. I recommend!
March 27, 2013
My sister won this on a giveaway. I actually got to read it before her. I thought it was a great book, the characters had growth and development. The secrets they kept were life changing in a way. I like how the book ended also.
Can't wait to read more by this author.
Can't wait to read more by this author.
March 22, 2012
I thought this was a great book! I can not say what the reveal was, but it was good!
November 5, 2012
Enjoyed this. Emotional romance. Good one.
November 15, 2012
Very good...review to come.
February 23, 2013
This book was a lovely quick-read that I could not put down. With characters that transcend the pages and a bit of small town charm, this book was a huge hit for me!
March 29, 2013
A sweet love story. I just love a sweet love story.
I really enjoyed this book. I will recommend it to my friends!
I received this book as a FREE book from GoodReads First Reads.
W
I really enjoyed this book. I will recommend it to my friends!
I received this book as a FREE book from GoodReads First Reads.
W
October 5, 2025
Kindle Unlimited
Displaying 1 - 30 of 199 reviews