Given a Chance

by Olivia Linden

You can’t hide love…

A steamy friends-to-lovers story about two people who have been denying their attraction for years.

Nicole was a young bride. Cocky and Proud, she wore her wedding ring like a badge of honor. Until she finds out that her husband is not only a cheater but a serious criminal. She calls her friends to help her get out of her awful situation, but one goes above and beyond for her.

When Jay hears that Nicole is in need, he drops everything and goes running. Of course, she doesn't even look at him in that way, at first, but their chemistry is undeniable. She's adamant that it's nothing more because she's going through a divorce and he had the reputation of a player in college, but he's determined to prove her wrong.

In the meantime, they are making the kind of love that neither of them has ever experienced. They're so hot for each other, everyone needs a cold shower when they're around. Jay has always had a thing for Nicole, but her trust issues make it hard for her to accept that they could ever amount to anything serious. The timing isn't right.

But Jay is persistent and soon Nicole finds herself as obsessed with him as he is with her. When emotions run that high, things are bound to combust. Will she give him the chance to show her the kind of love she deserves?

Genres: Romance

323 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2024

About the author

Olivia Linden, a native New Yorker, was raised between Queens and San Antonio, TX. Her creative itch began when her elementary school principal posted one of her stories in the halls of her school. She was only eight at the time, but old enough to understand how integral writing would be to her future. From that moment on, reading and writing became her two greatest passions.

Olivia hasn’t stopped writing since she found her literary voice all those years ago. Jaded Hearts, her first published novel, mixes her big personality, with a sexy yet humorous tone. It is her philosophy that laughter is essential to making it through even the toughest situations.

Find your passion with Olivia Linden stories.


Website: queenofvibez.com
IG : @Vialinden
Twitter: @olivialinden2u
TikTok: @olivialindenauthor

Reviews

[Jasmine Cartwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite friend group

Ms. Linden writes a friend group like no other! Jay and Nicole's story was so gooooood! And as usual, she tells a story of Black love and friendship without all the mess and drama! Live this series!

[Robyn Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall: 3.5
Spice: 3

This series was chaotic switching from past to present so if you aren't paying attention to you'll get confused on where you are at in the story. It's about a group of friends how they go from college to becoming successful adults. Each book in the story does happen during the same time but you'll discover a different version aspect of an event.

[Normally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading this book and just re-entering the friend group Olivia has written. It has been a while since I’ve read Remy and chelle story but going into this book. Oh, I just enjoyed it. It was so heartfelt and it just felt like a warm hug just watching her go through all these emotions and trying to figure herself out and be a strong, independent woman. I’ve gotta say Nicole I understand a lot kind of in a way we’re like she is like career driven like get work done no BS and just seeing her journey was beautiful. I cannot wait to continue the series.

[Amanda C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Jay! Nicole and his story was so good! 😌💘

[Tiffany Minor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a little late to the game so I actually read this after reading the first book in the series, Forever My Lady. I devoured them both in one weekend! Olivia you ate and left no crumbs, my friend! Jay gave off the ultimate “homey lover friends” vibes and was just what Nicole (and I) needed when she needed the most. It was just as nice to see some appearances from the original RnB gang. I love how the author shows the value of having true A-1 day ones. While going through a journey of self discovery and self love, Nicole was surrounded by love and support from black professionals that defined black excellence mixed with a little f@¢k around and find out. Even though they can be read as standalones, I highly suggest that you check out both books in the series as well as their accompanying playlists cause Mrs. Linden not only knows her way around a steamy, sexy, slow burn masterpiece but also the best of the best in old school R&B. Miss Ma’am you did yo thang with this one and I will be blasting both playlists on repeat until the next installment (please give us allllll the tea on Joey and Shane)!

[Ashaunea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ate this up and left absolutely no crumbs! I’m not one for the miscommunication or third act break up but it all smooth over in the end. Every woman has once in her life been a Nicole, so jaded by the past that the future makes you slightly insecure and self sabotaging. Even though her character was rough, I understood her. The spice was again, chefs kiss. A nice quick read to cleanse the pallet!

[whatnolareads · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Olivia Linden does it again, and delivers a scorching tale of forbidden desire and redemption in "Given a Chance," a gripping friends-to-lovers romance that will leave you breathless. It follows the journey of Nicole and Jay, two friends who have been harboring feelings for each other for years, but never acted on them.

As Nicole, a once proud young bride, grapples with the devastating revelation of her husband's infidelity and criminal activities, she finds solace in the unwavering support of her friends. Among them, Jay stands out as a beacon of strength and devotion, willing to go to any lengths to protect and comfort her in her time of need.

But their friendship soon turns into something more, as they can no longer deny the sparks that fly between them. Nicole and Jay embark on a passionate and turbulent affair, that challenges their fears and insecurities. Despite Nicole's initial reluctance and Jay's checkered past, their undeniable chemistry ignites a firestorm of passion that threatens to consume them both.

Linden skillfully weaves a story of love and redemption, that explores the themes of betrayal, forgiveness, and the healing power of love. As Nicole and Jay face their past demons and their present dangers, their relationship grows stronger and deeper, reaching a climax of emotion that will keep you hooked.

"Given a Chance" is a captivating and steamy romance, that draws you into a world of passion and intrigue. The characters are realistic and engaging, and their chemistry is undeniable. The plot is fast-paced and thrilling, with twists and turns that will keep you guessing. This novel is a must-read for fans of steamy romance and compelling storytelling. Get ready to be blown away by Nicole and Jay's love story, where every moment is filled with passion and promise.

Now that we got all of the formalities out-of-the-way, let’s get into this review this fucking book I devoured it ate 👏 it 👏 the 👏fuck 👏Do you hear me. When I tell you that I was pulled in from the first couple of chapters and I did not want to stop reading this. I did a read and react to this, and I cut out a lot of scenes, especially the spicy ones because my face was turning red from me blushing , I love the way that Olivia writes her characters because they are so fucking realistic and relatable. It really feels like you are listening to your best friends tell their life stories and you’re just there for the ride.

That is one of the things that I love about her as an author is that she makes her character so relatable. Her character are so realistic and her spicy scenes chefs kiss. They don’t give you the ick or make you feel uncomfortable when you’re reading them because they’re that realistic. Now don’t give me wrong I’m all for a good spicy book call me bad girl grab me by my neck, dick me down but the way that Olivia does it second to none .

This book is her second in the R&B series and if you have not read the first one forever my lady. You need to go ahead and read it. Even though you can read this one as a standalone and not get lost just do yourself a favor and go get it.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much, I never had a book that made me so reminiscent of my college years then this book, if you want to giggle, kick your feet this is the book for you. Olivia Linden had so many great quotes things that me and my friends would say, the chemistry between the main female character and the male character was unmatched. This definitely was a grumpy sunshine friends to lovers Second Chance Romance. I loved it and the playlist. Oh my goodness songs that I have not thought about in years on this playlist. such a good book.

[Strawberry Skies · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything I needed in a medium/slow burn, he falls first, found family romance! This is book two, so I highly recommend reading book one first, but you could start this as a standalone. The couple, Nicole and Jay are so enjoyable to read, and their chemistry sparked so much that every time they made eye contact, the tension was palpable. Jay is a quintessential respectful, actually nice guy— he makes healthy decisions and respects Nicole’s space to a point that it’s almost frustrating if you’re a dark romance girly like me haha. But that’s what makes their connection so special, without spoilers. I loved this book just like I loved the first and couldn’t recommend Olivia Linden’s RnB series more.

[Jeanne Kidd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follows a FMC who was married at 18 to a ‘man’ who wasn’t what she thought he was. Desperate to get away she moves to Florida, closer to some tight knit friends. She tries to break free of her ex husband and test out what being a single woman is like. She discovers that one of her college friends, Jay, will have her back in so many more ways than she could imagine. Though, her attitude toward him has a little kick and is almost like an aphrodisiac to him, he’s still one of her biggest supporters. She refuses to believe that he is not what she mentally had him pinned down as either…
This book is steamy and has all sorts of powerful girl elements. It’s so easy to relate to the MC and her anxieties after leaving a difficult situation.
Honestly I could not put this book down and am absolutely hooked. I adore the behind the scene tension build up and self discovery, this book definitely is a favorite!
Needless to say, I am for sure going to be reading more of this author’s books! 😩🫶🏻

[Treasure · Rating 5 out of 5]

*************ARC********Review*************

Trope : grumpy x sunshine , friends to lovers

We follow the story of Nicole and Jay who are college friends. Nicole has just come out of a divorce and has relocated to Miami with the ideal of restoring all that she has lost during her time of being married.
Jay has a different plan , he has always been in love with Nicole and he is doing everything in his power to make it official. The twists and turns in this story is everything .
This book will have you blushing , giggles and rooting for Jay and Nicole . The way Jay shows Nicole love is top tier. What a man !

[vanicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely amazing and beautifully written! I could not put this book down!! It’s brown sugar meets the best man, meets love jones! This story follows a group of close nit friends who have grown up together and have went their separate ways but stayed in contact! When Nichole decides to leave her marriage to gain a better lift and be free and test the waters of dating she has no idea that her college best friend Jay would have her back in so many ways!! This story has drama, romance, and the spice top tier! This story had my laughing, my heart warming and it had me in all the feels! I’m so grateful to have received this book as an Arc! Looking forward to so much more from this author!

[DesanaRose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story portrays love in a beautiful way. I appreciated how the friend group stood by the female main character (FMC) throughout her divorce, offering support and constructive criticism when needed. The male main character (MMC) consistently showed his affection for the FMC, despite her being married. He respected her relationship but didn't shy away from helping her when the divorce happened. The ending of the book moved me to tears, and I truly admired the author's handling of it. Thank you, Olivia Linden, for sharing such a wonderful book with me.

[Meisha_Reading_Era Jermeisha Justiniano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia, you did your thing with this one!!!
The storyline was immaculate!
The spice 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵
Glad I have my husband 😅🤣
This book was everything!!!!

[C.C. Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK IS AMAZING! THIS IS ONE OF MY TOP FAVORITE BOOKS THIS YEAR! THE ROMANCE WAS ON POINT! THE DRAMA WAS ON POINT! The steamy scenes was on point for me as well! I NEED THIS BOOK IN MY HANDS! I NEED IT! And one more thing- JAY IS MY MAN! ❤️

[Pamela D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Series

This book, just like the first book in the series was wonderfully written! There is a great writing style that weaves in real life concerns and worries with amazing love and intimacy. The icing on the cake is all the amazing references to classic R&B songs.

[Topaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING!!!

This book was AMAZING! I mean WOW! I’m an AVID reader of black romance and I RARELY give out five stars because I like to reserve it for books that are truly incredible works of fiction and are a cut above the rest. “Given a Chance” is one such book. This is the BEST book I’ve read so far this year and I can’t see it falling out of my top 3 before the year is up. Like I said I’m an avid reader and I’ve probably already read 25 books so far this year.

I love the main characters and friend group and I love how Olivia lets us know what various characters are thinking throughout the book. Most books only offer one perspective at a time so her giving us the perspective of multiple characters throughout the chapter and dialogue is unique and helpful.

Jay and Nicole were HOT! Love the spice of this book. Nicole did work my nerves a bit but I understood her hesitation of jumping into something serious.

I enjoyed the first book in this series but this book was even better! I am looking forward to the books from the rest of the friend group (Shane & Joey….maybe even see what’s really going on with Kiko & Dom).

I have definitely added Olivia Linden to the group of authors I follow. I first found out about her from, “Girl Have You Read”. Shout out to them for introducing me to authors I may not have heard about otherwise. I hope Olivia finds a way to increase her publicity because her writing of black romance is up there with the best of the BEST as far as I’m concerned. She should have way more reviews of her wonderful writing because, no shade, there are authors whose work is inferior to hers that get way more eyes on their books.

Anyway I’m looking forward to the next installment in this series. If you are wondering if you should buy this book….STOP and just add it to your library, you WON’T be disappointed.

Happy reading!

[Jessica B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a love story and one of friendship. What I loved most was the REPRESENTATION. I enjoy reading books by black, female authors especially when the characters look like me as well.
I loved the co-ed friend group of black professionals! The characters reminded me of the cast from Different World and the Best Man movie series. The story had a nostalgic class reunion feel to it. It brought back memories from my college days. Some of the same songs were mentioned in the book from my school days
We read along and follow Nicole on a journey as she leaves her marriage and the only man she’s ever loved, starting over as a single woman and navigating a new chapter of life. While Nicole was difficult at times, I understood from personal experience that her tough exterior was to keep others at bay and protect herself.
Jay is one of several friends in the group who has been in love with Nicole for years. His window of opportunity presents itself when Nicole divorces her husband but Nicole still sees him as the player he was in college.
I caught myself laughing out loud and smiling at certain parts. Mostly Jay’s advances and persistence with Nicole. It was a feel-good, rom-com but in a good way. The story gave me the same feeling as watching Coming to America. I’ve seen the movie so many times that I can recite it line for line. It’s a movie we’ll never grow tired of. This book gave me that same feeling.

[Ayla Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now, look. Forever My Lady was all cute and goofy and aww, I love this, but Given a Chance…

Given. A. Chance!

The banter: top tier.

The "this is mines" energy: deezamn.

The giving in: swoon.

But the chemistry.

The CHEMISTRY.

It was one of my favorite subjects in school, and booooy did Olivia give us all the explosive combinations of ingredients while Jay stirred up Nicole's chemicals.

Jay is everything.

He challenges Nicole, he's patient with her, but, most of all, he's dominant and self-assured. He knows his worth and Nicole's and he's willing to be what she needs until she finally stops playing around and gives them what they both want.

That's the type of energy that Nicole needed because she was so used to the bizarre status quo that she'd had with her ex (her first and only) that she needed someone that truly saw her and her worth that supported and loved on her.

Also, I'm a SUCKER for a good cat and mouse game of seduction, and that karaoke scene had me hollering and kicking my feet like I was 3 again.

And the bucking?!

Lawd. The bucking.

If he doesn't wear you out, feed you expensive sushi, and wear you out some more, and then snuggle up to you and grab a little tiddy to hold while he gets a well-deserved night's rest… he ain't it.

Someone send me a Rocky Balboa, STAT.

This book is everything. EVERYTHING.

[Angela McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicole finds herself facing a divorce after discovering her husband of 7 years, high school sweetheart who she married at 18 is not the man she thought he was. She realized the work he does isn’t legal, he’s a cheater, he physically puts his hands on her, and controlling. She feels stuck and doesn’t know how to break free. Tired of the threats and mistreatment Nicole packs up; moves to Miami from New York. Her college friends come together to help her not recognizing one in particular wants to take care of her. Jay was the college athlete, a player, but he always had a thing for Nicole and she never gave him the time of day. He’s made it known time and time again that her husband doesn’t deserve her. Jay has shown her that she is the prize but will Nicole find love with Jay or let her husband’s narcissist words continue to make her doubt her worth. Get this book!!!! My 1st Olivia Linden read and it won’t be my last, I’m invested in this series!!!

[She Reads What She Wants · Rating 4 out of 5]

These group of friends are the people that I wanted to have around me when I was younger, and even now for real.
Jay stepped in the room and gave B.D.E from the word go. I know that Nicole was trying to start a new chapter and get all her business together but the pushing away she was doing to Jay, I was yelling at the pages like "he's a good man Savannah!" I felt sad that she was so hurt from her husband that all she saw was the negative when she looked at Jay.

He was showing her in all different type of ways that he was going to take care of her and her heart but she just could not get out of her own way! Sigh--but lucky for her, she used logic and common sense to wipe away the fog of her brain and see that man for what he was and was impressed, as she should be.

I loved this read and I could not put it down. If you pick it up, you will not be disappointed.

[_dulcekk · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be finally, Seen.

Jay… my man, my man, MY MAN! This book gave me all of the feels. Patience is a Virtue and Jay was the embodiment of this. I loved how although he had feelings for Nicole during their friendship, he didn’t act on them due to her being married. However, when Nicole left her marriage and was adamant about divorcing her husband, it was a wrap! Jay stood on business and applied pressure, respectfully. Jay saw Nicole; he made her feel safe, secured & seen. Now, Nicole & her stubborn self had my man stressing but I’m happy she got it together in the end. This series keeps getting better and better!

[SasFlips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swoonworthy

I absolutely love this series. I'm reading it backwards (started with Lovers & Friends). Not on purpose.

I love this cutesy, spicy series, it tugs at my heart strings so much because it's not only about couple love but friend group love. I love a book that incorporates a village, it's so important. Many of us long for one and it just makes you feel GOOD! The support these friends have for each other, is unmatched.

Olivia, you're amazing. I love how you evoke emotions so easily. I cried happy and sad tears. I swooned. I cussed. I blushed. I lusted. muah!!! I just want to be an extra character. Beautifully written. Now, on to "Forever my Lady."

[Onehellofalady · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a real big fan of R&B I am really enjoying this series and friend group. They give it to each other straight and are always there for each other. So Nicole is in denial about her feelings for jay and his feelings for her. Jay stepped up to be a friend to her while she was going through a divorce. Nicole is basically stubborn and won’t accept the good man that’s right in front of her face for so long. I enjoyed this book very much.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was super cute and believable. The drama was realistic for the times we currently live in… everybody wants exclusivity but no defined labels. Glad Jay overlooked the way Nicole handled her confusion and decided to just be straight up and honest with her regardless of optics. Him not doing that to begin with and constantly avoiding the elephant in the room is essentially what made Nicole spiral to begin with.

[Tiffany Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!

This book is so good! I love how Jay was there for his woman before she even was his woman. Even as friends he didn’t play about her. I also like how Trey got handled for how he came to Nicole. The love the friends have for each other is so beautiful. Definitely will be reading the next book!

[Alexdabibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute w/ a nice touch of Spice

I love a friends to lovers romance, a solid friend group and of course a Rich man. I appreciated how Jay was protective and patient with Nicole. This book was very relatable as someone who recently got a divorce and back out into the dating world. I enjoyed this book and looking forward to the next one in the series especially after that epilogue.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

10 out of 10 SIS

🗣10 out of 10! I started this on my lunch break and finished it after work! Such a well-written book! And sis gotta be from Fl because her love for Publix was REAL!

Only Fl girls understand our love for Publix😂

Now I have to read the whole series!

[K. Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written story

I really enjoy romances with a full cast of characters and this one has them. It goves the reader hope for more stories in this world. Jay was my favorite character. He was written sweet and strong and patient. The main female character was a handful lol.

[🩷🦋Nisha BrownSuga Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Love Story

Can you really say it was an enemy to lovers story? No it was absolutely written really well. Happy that Nicole, Nicky, or Nick got a better ending then what she started with. Jay was absolutely amazing. Now on to the final installment of this series