Second Chance with my Billionaire Bad Boy

by Zadie King

After 10 years, my billionaire bad boy ex storms back into my life like a hurricane.

Running into my ex husband, in my coffee shop, in my small town, is never an ideal way to start the day.

As a writer, I’m always looking for new inspiration. But landing back in Domenic Tracy’s arms is not in this storyline.

His mission is win me back. My mission is equally escape his charm at all cost.

Domenic’s determination to prove his love takes a creative and unexpected turn, escalating into a hot air balloon kidnapping… I mean date.

Now I’m more confused than ever. Has this chiseled bad boy been a cinnamon roll all along? Am I falling, heart first… with no parachute?

But there's one lingering question on my will he pick our love over his oh-so-overbearing parents.

It’s a test he’s guaranteed to fail.

Unless he doesn’t.And then my heart will really be in trouble…

207 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 9, 2024

Reviews

[Maven_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Chance with my Billionaire Bad Boy by Zadie King is a second chance contemporary romance about Jackie and her ex husband Domenic, a wealthy, charismatic man who returns to her small town after a decade apart, determined to prove he has changed and that their love is worth fighting for, even though Jackie is resolved not to fall for him again. This heartfelt story explores forgiveness, growth, and the pull of first love in a setting that feels both comforting and emotionally charged.

I felt tenderly pulled into Jackie’s world from the very start, especially as she balances her quiet coffee shop life with the unexpected shock of seeing Domenic again after ten years. The author’s warm voice made the emotional stakes feel real and personal, like turning over an old photograph and remembering both the joy and the ache it holds. I loved how Jackie’s strength and self‑respect are center stage, giving her agency and depth that made me root for her every step of the way. Domenic’s arc of growth is gentle yet convincing, and I appreciated how the story allows him to earn back trust with patience, sincerity, and small gestures that felt genuine rather than grandiose. The blend of past memories and present choices created a rhythm that kept me engaged, and while some parts felt familiar in the second chance trope, the emotional honesty never felt stale.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. My rating reflects how much I enjoyed the nuanced portrayal of healing and rekindled love, even if a few scenes leaned toward predictability.

I would recommend this to anyone who loves character‑driven romances where the journey matters as much as the destination. I was moved by Jackie’s resilience, warmed by moments of tentative reconnection, and delighted by how the author balanced sweetness with real emotional exploration.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Overall this was a decent read. The book did keep my attention and interest for most of the book, though some parts were slow. For the most part I liked the main female character (Jackie) but some things about her I didn’t like. I didn’t really like the main male character, who was Domenic. I felt like he was way too desperate and demanding.
I did get a review copy from Booksprout, but my review is unbiased.

[W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting premise with series potential

I am generally an easy sell if a billionaire romance is on offer, so I took the offer of a free advance copy to try a new author.

It had an interesting premise and blurb. The main characters met on his 21st birthday when she was 16, and conversed when he patronized the coffee shop where she worked late shift for nearly a year. They married on impulse before separating and divorcing only months later. When the story begins, they have been divorced for a decade and encounter each other by chance on the opposite side of the country.

I found the early chapters a bit difficult to get into between the main characters' flashbacks to earlier points in their relationship, and their middle school level angsty attitudes. The alternating POV and flashbacks in nearly every one of the first ten chapters made it hard to find the rhythm of their tale.

The pacing of the story did pick up as you got deeper into the book. The characters did become more engaging. And I have to admit that the last five or six chapters did a very decent job of making the initial effort worthwhile.

I received a free advance copy of this story from Booksprout and voluntarily chose to share my review.

[Lindsey Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was an easy read, that focused a lot on answering to yourself before being able to love others wholly. Jackie and Domenic met by chance and spent five years getting to know each other. Never fully falling into the mold his family had for him, he spontaneously proposed in order to have her by his side as he fulfilled his duties to his family. Due to an overhear conversation, where not everything was said that should have been, Jackie decides to leave him as she feels she was pawn vs wanted. 10 years later they "run" into each other on the other side of the country. Domenic wants her back, but Jackie is not falling for this time.
I enjoyed that most of this book was Jackie staying strong and Domenic growing up. I love that Jackie is no hurry to take him back and honestly doesn't want him back. But I also love seeing Domenic grow into learning to romance Jackie and make the relationship about her and not him. If you are looking for a easy, clean romance read, this book is for you! Fall in love with Domenic and Jackie as they decide if a second chance is something for them.

[Mickey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hippty Hop, Mob Stop

Where to start? This was Jackie and Dominec's second chance romance! Problem is, I didn't buy it. Any of it! Not the 'Insta attraction' on his part. Not the whole 'fairy godmother ' fixing of all Jackie's financial problems. Not the whole marriage of a 16+ year old and a 21 year old billionaire and rushing off to England bit. Definitely not the ridiculously evil parents that treated their disabled son with contempt and the over the top snubbing of their new daughter in law. Didn't buy the whole bewildered hero's 'why did she divorce me'! Didn't buy the poor foolish billionaire hero need to escape New York because his mommy told him to...or the almost Insta fall in love with his ex again. As for all the town's folk hating on Domenic for Jackies sake.....puleeze, didn't buy that silliness either. In truth, the only thing I did but was the book! And I really wish I hadn't!

So why the two star rating instead of one?

I liked the dogs!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great second chance love story. Jackie and Domenic were married 10 years before. They were both young. Domenic used Jackie to get back at his parents. Jackie overhearing their conversation and believing that Domenic had never lover her left him immediately and filed for divorce. Moving to the west coast and starting her life over she is happy in her little beach community until she runs into her ex. Domenic is running from a scandal in NY and can’t believe he has found Jackie. He wants a second chance and will do anything to prove he is not the man she remembers. This is a pretty good story. I enjoyed it. I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Whit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this captivating and emotional, tug-of-war page turner!!!

For ten years Jackie has been carrying around the pain of being abandoned by Domenic, her husband, after overhearing his snooty parents call her a loser, a gold digger and unworthy of being a member of their family. Unfortunately, Domenic stood there and said absolutely nothing to defend her. As a result, Jackie fled New York and filed for divorce.

Now they stand face to face on a California beach. And all Domenic wants is a chance to explain and restore their relationship. Does he deserve another chance?

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten years ago Jackie left Domenic and moved as far away as possible. Why is it that she's seeing someone who looks just like him in her small town...wait not someone...HIM!! What is Domenic doing in her town? Domenic regrets not going after Jackie 10 years ago. He should have fought for her. He can't believe his luck. He's found her.... well he's found the area, she keeps running and the townspeople won't help him. Will he be able to get her to stop running and listen? Is there a chance they could rebuild their relationship? What happens when he has to face his family again?.

I received a copy of this book from the author. Review voluntarily given.

[ABurch74 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet, closed door romance story is perfect for those wanting to read a story about past mistakes and redemptions. In the story, Domenic has to learn to overcome his upbringing to see what the world has to offer that is not based on money. Jackie has to look past insecurities and stereotypes to see learn to accept that people can change. Although the end is not necessarily in doubt, the journey to get there is well worth following. A very nice job by Zadie King.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that you will enjoy reading and the way it is written seems very real at times. Jackie is divorced from Domenic and has been for 10 years. He chose his family over her and that is a tough thing to swallow. I also felt sorry for Jackie because she lost her dad in the NYC twin towers as a firefighter and her mom was in the military and had PTSD. So, like I said this book is like a real-life story unfolding before your eyes. I loved how the book is not only written but how it ends. This is a must read 5/5 star book.

[Cheryl Drake johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jackie is a 16 year old waitress at the diner that she meets Domenic a rich young man turning 21 years old drunk and talking to her. Dom takes an interest in her future then lets her down, and she does what she must. They don’t see each other again for 10 years. Interesting and entertaining. The characters are keep you turning pages. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

They met they fell in love Yada Yada… no I’m not skating this awesome story, there was things said but not all heard that caused a rift and breakup of Jackie and Domenic a decade ago and now they’re on the precipice of will they won’t they? He wants her back but he needs to change tack or he’s outta luck. Great story, good writing and relatable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[MacKenzie Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like second chance romances, then you will love this reconnection of Jackie and Domenic. This is a closed door, dual pov romance. 10 years after their divorce Jackie and Dom have a kismet meeting.

There is a lot of hurt these two have to over come but I love watching Dom grow as an individual and truly begin to change his life to get the one good thing he wanted back. I absolutely loved Sebastian too! He was such a fun dog that I couldn’t help but instantly love.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small town, an ex, what can possibly happen. Opening a coffee shop and leading a quiet life was the plan, not meeting up with the ex. Easy reading , amazing characters to delight everyone. Ready for more.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book! I enjoyed watching the dance and seeing Domenic come to the realization that what Jackie offered is what he really needed. I loved seeing Jackie stand up for herself and Domenic standing up to his family. Well written and may even be an inspiration.

[☆☆Hannah☆☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read. Jackie and Domenic were married. They ended up divorced. Now, years later they run into each other. Domenic spends the book trying to prove to Jackie that he is a changed man. Thankfully, in the end everything works out, and they get their happy ending.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her ex has arrived back into her life with the intention of getting her back. She does not want to go there again. Who will come out on top? Will she fall back into his arms? How will it all end? Follow them to see what will happen

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Even10 years later, Domenic still had some growing up to do. He was really out of touch with reality and too much a parent’s “good” son. I like that although attracted again, Jackie stood firm. I hope we get more of Marcus and Regina.