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Second Chance Romance
Hate at first sight. Love at long last?
Moira and Frank are the perfect enemies. At forty-two, newly single Moira’s life is a mess. And now – thanks to their barely-adult children supposedly falling in love – she’s been thrown together with the incredibly rich, incredibly attractive, incredibly arrogant Frank as they agree on a to split up their impulsive kids.
Moira and Frank just need to show how they’re too young to be so serious about a relationship. It’s a fool-proof plan. That is, until their frustrated kids decide to elope. To Greece. Without inviting their parents…
Chasing after them, Frank and Moira frantically search every cobbled street and sparkling beach. It would actually be the perfect setting for Moira to fall in love – if only she didn’t find her present company so irritating.
But days spent competing on jet skis and stubbornly sitting on separate taverna tables, followed by unexpected nights in steamy hot tubs, lead to an undeniable chemistry neither of them can ignore – as hard as they might try…
Will Moira and Frank find their love-drunk offspring in time to speak some sense into them and finally go their separate ways? Or has their unexpected trip brought them together for the second chance at love they didn’t even know they needed…?
A sizzling, hilarious, heartfelt enemies-to-lovers story that will make you both laugh out loud and swoon hard for this second chance at love… Perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Catherine Walsh and Annabel Monaghan’s Nora Goes Off Script.
What readers are saying about Second Chance Romance:
‘THIS BOOK GAVE ME ALL THE FEELS! I absolutely devoured it, cover to cover… I was so emotional… Amazing. I laughed, I cried, I smiled, I blushed, truly an entertaining, heart-warming read.’ @bookclubblackouts, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I managed to binge read this in one sitting… Such a fun read!… Truly hilarious… Gorgeous… Beautiful… Hot. Smoking… It's a book you will think about on so many levels… I LOVED the ending. OMG I actually burst into tears of relief.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Captivating… Amazing… Unable to put it down… Brilliant… Stayed with me long after I finished the story… The best I’ve ever read… Beautiful… Unputdownable… I devoured in a single sitting.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Had me hooked the entire time… Had me gasping throughout the entire book… So captivating… Made me laugh, feel butterflies, and gasp out loud.
Moira and Frank are the perfect enemies. At forty-two, newly single Moira’s life is a mess. And now – thanks to their barely-adult children supposedly falling in love – she’s been thrown together with the incredibly rich, incredibly attractive, incredibly arrogant Frank as they agree on a to split up their impulsive kids.
Moira and Frank just need to show how they’re too young to be so serious about a relationship. It’s a fool-proof plan. That is, until their frustrated kids decide to elope. To Greece. Without inviting their parents…
Chasing after them, Frank and Moira frantically search every cobbled street and sparkling beach. It would actually be the perfect setting for Moira to fall in love – if only she didn’t find her present company so irritating.
But days spent competing on jet skis and stubbornly sitting on separate taverna tables, followed by unexpected nights in steamy hot tubs, lead to an undeniable chemistry neither of them can ignore – as hard as they might try…
Will Moira and Frank find their love-drunk offspring in time to speak some sense into them and finally go their separate ways? Or has their unexpected trip brought them together for the second chance at love they didn’t even know they needed…?
A sizzling, hilarious, heartfelt enemies-to-lovers story that will make you both laugh out loud and swoon hard for this second chance at love… Perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Catherine Walsh and Annabel Monaghan’s Nora Goes Off Script.
What readers are saying about Second Chance Romance:
‘THIS BOOK GAVE ME ALL THE FEELS! I absolutely devoured it, cover to cover… I was so emotional… Amazing. I laughed, I cried, I smiled, I blushed, truly an entertaining, heart-warming read.’ @bookclubblackouts, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I managed to binge read this in one sitting… Such a fun read!… Truly hilarious… Gorgeous… Beautiful… Hot. Smoking… It's a book you will think about on so many levels… I LOVED the ending. OMG I actually burst into tears of relief.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Captivating… Amazing… Unable to put it down… Brilliant… Stayed with me long after I finished the story… The best I’ve ever read… Beautiful… Unputdownable… I devoured in a single sitting.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Had me hooked the entire time… Had me gasping throughout the entire book… So captivating… Made me laugh, feel butterflies, and gasp out loud.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 22, 2024
109 people are currently reading
296 people want to read
About the author
Carol Mason
31 books409 followersI am the Kindle #1 and Amazon Charts bestselling author of After You left, The Secrets of Married Women, The Last Time We Met, Send Me A Lover. and The Shadow Between Us. My brand new novel, LITTLE WHITE SECRETS, publishes May 1, 2020 but for the month of April it's an Amazon First Reads pick, so if you have Amazon Prime you can download it free! (if not, it's still on sale for $1.99 through April).
Please feel free to follow me on Amazon to be notified when I have a new release. https://amzn.to/2QrkK4W
Come friend me on Facebook or like my author page as I love interacting on there! https://www.facebook.com/CarolMasonAu...
I always enjoy getting comments about my books (especially lovely ones!), and am always willing to attend your book club or do a phone conference if you'd like to have me.
If you read my books and enjoy them, do consider taking a moment to leave a review on Amazon too. It can be very short if you want, but I cannot stress how important reviews are for authors.. If you have left a review already, then thanks so much!
Wishing you many happy hours of reading! Best wishes, from Carol.
Please feel free to follow me on Amazon to be notified when I have a new release. https://amzn.to/2QrkK4W
Come friend me on Facebook or like my author page as I love interacting on there! https://www.facebook.com/CarolMasonAu...
I always enjoy getting comments about my books (especially lovely ones!), and am always willing to attend your book club or do a phone conference if you'd like to have me.
If you read my books and enjoy them, do consider taking a moment to leave a review on Amazon too. It can be very short if you want, but I cannot stress how important reviews are for authors.. If you have left a review already, then thanks so much!
Wishing you many happy hours of reading! Best wishes, from Carol.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
July 12, 2024
I wanted to read this because it promised hijinks and an epic love story with Greece as the backdrop. I happen to find Greece super romantic and I have had epicness romantic stuff happen to me there, so I was in.
Sadly, this did not deliver. This is a one POV romance and Frank was frankly a dick for at least half of it and even for the second half, I never felt when his 'turn' happened or when we were revealed something about his interiority that made him feel palpable and real, other than boilerplate romantic generic stuff. And the idea that Frank is the author of a massively romantic book just never felt authentic to me in any way... Plus, the way they were talking about love, you'd think that they would actually develop deep feelings for each other, but that was more telegraphed than felt in the text.
Moira was not much better - this occupational therapist was a terrible mother for most of the book (even at the end kinda lying to her daughter, which I was like: why would you put that in there? Have we learned nothing?), but her faffing around about her (maybe) divorce just made her unbearable to witness. I cannot state enough how annoying that was.
Plus, there's an Eastern European hussy in this, Dagmara, and as an Eastern European, I'm fucking annoyed.
But the worst thing was Frank's 'secret'.
And one of the most annoying things about this book was Greece itself. I've been to Greece many times, many places. I've never had such a bland, middle to upper class experience there. It's like all the Greek cliches rolled into a two-day old pita bread (like gyros, get it?). It felt banal and non-magical, just like the relationship had the vibe of extremely mundane.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Sadly, this did not deliver. This is a one POV romance and Frank was frankly a dick for at least half of it and even for the second half, I never felt when his 'turn' happened or when we were revealed something about his interiority that made him feel palpable and real, other than boilerplate romantic generic stuff. And the idea that Frank is the author of a massively romantic book just never felt authentic to me in any way... Plus, the way they were talking about love, you'd think that they would actually develop deep feelings for each other, but that was more telegraphed than felt in the text.
Moira was not much better - this occupational therapist was a terrible mother for most of the book (even at the end kinda lying to her daughter, which I was like: why would you put that in there? Have we learned nothing?), but her faffing around about her (maybe) divorce just made her unbearable to witness. I cannot state enough how annoying that was.
Plus, there's an Eastern European hussy in this, Dagmara, and as an Eastern European, I'm fucking annoyed.
But the worst thing was Frank's 'secret'.
And one of the most annoying things about this book was Greece itself. I've been to Greece many times, many places. I've never had such a bland, middle to upper class experience there. It's like all the Greek cliches rolled into a two-day old pita bread (like gyros, get it?). It felt banal and non-magical, just like the relationship had the vibe of extremely mundane.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 16, 2024
Absolutely fantastic read! Loved this book, perfect romantic comedy to read on holiday. Great dialogue, fun characters, just what I felt like reading!
May 26, 2024
Second Chance Romance, as the name suggests is a book with a central theme around second chance at love. Frank and Moira are complete strangers with their own set of challenges in their respective first relationships.
It claimed to be a hilarious enemy-to-lovers romantic comedy but turned out to be a big disappointment. Multiple times I had the idea to DNF it, but I wanted to give it a fair shot and completed the book.
I can not appreciate glorifying condescending and contemptuous behaviour in name of enemy-to-lover trope. These are highly inappropriate ideas that feed into mind of women readers, that its okay if a man treats you disrespectfully because, eventually he may fall in love with you. Frank constantly insults Moira, leaves her stranded on a highway alone without a working car or conveyance, questions her intellect and finances, calls her daughter (his son's girlfriend) a green card digger. In return Moira's character is painted as nymphomaniac, she only keeps thinking about having physical contact with Frank, his skin, his touch, his bare legs !! This is little saddening especially coming from a female author.
Moreover, this whole love story just felt incestous. Frank and Moira are potential co-parents-in-law. They meet each other, because their children are planning to marry each other. But the parents (the supposed adults) are busy having one-night stand and hot tub baths with each other. They are being selfish without ever considering the impact on their kids. They both keep calling their young adult offsprings as acting childish and not ready for marriage. But I found Moira's behaviour as much worse than a teenager, who indulges in revenge sex due to provocation by a friend, day dreams about his daughter's potential father-in-law and strings along her husband. The conclusion is much more creepier, since both relationships (parents and kids) are shown active. What is the message here, the younger couple who is dating and planning to marry will turn into step siblings ??
This is fiction and we can have characters making weird decisions but its being glorified here. Its being painted as a beautiful love story. These stories and movies tend to propagate incorrect standards and imagery about love and relationship and poison the thoughts and decisions of the targeted audience.
Highly Not Recommended
It claimed to be a hilarious enemy-to-lovers romantic comedy but turned out to be a big disappointment. Multiple times I had the idea to DNF it, but I wanted to give it a fair shot and completed the book.
I can not appreciate glorifying condescending and contemptuous behaviour in name of enemy-to-lover trope. These are highly inappropriate ideas that feed into mind of women readers, that its okay if a man treats you disrespectfully because, eventually he may fall in love with you. Frank constantly insults Moira, leaves her stranded on a highway alone without a working car or conveyance, questions her intellect and finances, calls her daughter (his son's girlfriend) a green card digger. In return Moira's character is painted as nymphomaniac, she only keeps thinking about having physical contact with Frank, his skin, his touch, his bare legs !! This is little saddening especially coming from a female author.
Moreover, this whole love story just felt incestous. Frank and Moira are potential co-parents-in-law. They meet each other, because their children are planning to marry each other. But the parents (the supposed adults) are busy having one-night stand and hot tub baths with each other. They are being selfish without ever considering the impact on their kids. They both keep calling their young adult offsprings as acting childish and not ready for marriage. But I found Moira's behaviour as much worse than a teenager, who indulges in revenge sex due to provocation by a friend, day dreams about his daughter's potential father-in-law and strings along her husband. The conclusion is much more creepier, since both relationships (parents and kids) are shown active. What is the message here, the younger couple who is dating and planning to marry will turn into step siblings ??
This is fiction and we can have characters making weird decisions but its being glorified here. Its being painted as a beautiful love story. These stories and movies tend to propagate incorrect standards and imagery about love and relationship and poison the thoughts and decisions of the targeted audience.
Highly Not Recommended
August 14, 2024
MAJOR SIGH.
This book was not at all what I was anticipating. It follows a women who is deciding if she should leave her cheating/gaslighting husband but at the same time is hooking up with her daughter fiancee's dad. First, Frank was just miserable and had no appeal at all until the end of the book. I don't even consider it enemies, I consider him boring and miserable and unlikable to everyone. And, the fact that now we have possible step-siblings dating because their parents are together...just weird to me. The biggest reason for the 1 star is the plot and characters. I found the writing wasn't horrible and would be open to read more by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.
This book was not at all what I was anticipating. It follows a women who is deciding if she should leave her cheating/gaslighting husband but at the same time is hooking up with her daughter fiancee's dad. First, Frank was just miserable and had no appeal at all until the end of the book. I don't even consider it enemies, I consider him boring and miserable and unlikable to everyone. And, the fact that now we have possible step-siblings dating because their parents are together...just weird to me. The biggest reason for the 1 star is the plot and characters. I found the writing wasn't horrible and would be open to read more by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.
May 9, 2024
Title: Second Chance Romance by Carol Mason
Release Date: July, 22nd, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars
Moira and Frank, perfect enemies, find themselves thrown together when their adult children impulsively decide to marry. Determined to prove their kids wrong about their relationship, they embark on a plan to split them up. However, their children elope to Greece without them, forcing Moira and Frank on a frantic chase. As they navigate the picturesque scenery and unexpected adventures, sparks fly between them despite their initial animosity. Will they find their wayward children in time, or will their journey lead to a second chance at love neither expected?
"Second Chance Romance" by Carol Mason is like a rollercoaster ride through the ups and downs of love! From hate at first sight to unexpected chemistry, Moira and Frank's journey kept me hooked from start to finish.
Mason weaves a delightful tale filled with humor, heart, and plenty of surprises. With its picturesque setting in Greece and steamy hot tub scenes, this book is the perfect escape for anyone craving a dose of romance and adventure.
So grab a copy this summer and get ready for a ride you won't forget!
Thank you to The Publisher Bookouture , The Author Carol Mason & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.
Release Date: July, 22nd, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars
Moira and Frank, perfect enemies, find themselves thrown together when their adult children impulsively decide to marry. Determined to prove their kids wrong about their relationship, they embark on a plan to split them up. However, their children elope to Greece without them, forcing Moira and Frank on a frantic chase. As they navigate the picturesque scenery and unexpected adventures, sparks fly between them despite their initial animosity. Will they find their wayward children in time, or will their journey lead to a second chance at love neither expected?
"Second Chance Romance" by Carol Mason is like a rollercoaster ride through the ups and downs of love! From hate at first sight to unexpected chemistry, Moira and Frank's journey kept me hooked from start to finish.
Mason weaves a delightful tale filled with humor, heart, and plenty of surprises. With its picturesque setting in Greece and steamy hot tub scenes, this book is the perfect escape for anyone craving a dose of romance and adventure.
So grab a copy this summer and get ready for a ride you won't forget!
Thank you to The Publisher Bookouture , The Author Carol Mason & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.
August 12, 2024
I personally felt like the title of this book was misleading. I was expecting more literally a "second chance" romance, where Moira would be giving her estranged husband another chance. At least, that it would feature moments where he was going to fight for her but instead her ex, Rupert, came across as such a wet fish. I also wish it would have been more clear that there was going to be multiple instances of "cheating" trope. Again, for me that is a major ick. Especially within something as delicate as a second chance romance trope involving marriage, that felt like a really poor excuse of an out for Moira to just be "falling in love" with a stranger after 6 weeks while still legally committed to her marriage.
Harriet felt like she was barely in the story even though the story was seemingly centred on her, her character was so flat and came across as immature and boy-crazy, even though as a university student in her twenties should have been much more well rounded and interesting. Her sickness in Greece that unravelled the whole plot also just felt very convenient and uninspired.
Not a single one of the characters felt unique or relatable and the banter was seriously lacking any conviction.
However, I did enjoy the dialogue. Not necessarily the content of it all the time, but overall it was done well. It was the flow of the dialogue that led the plot entirely and without it the story wouldn't have made sense. The basic idea was very intriguing but the execution was lacking. I also feel strongly that the title should have been changed. The events were not well reflected by calling it Second Chance Romance.
Harriet felt like she was barely in the story even though the story was seemingly centred on her, her character was so flat and came across as immature and boy-crazy, even though as a university student in her twenties should have been much more well rounded and interesting. Her sickness in Greece that unravelled the whole plot also just felt very convenient and uninspired.
Not a single one of the characters felt unique or relatable and the banter was seriously lacking any conviction.
However, I did enjoy the dialogue. Not necessarily the content of it all the time, but overall it was done well. It was the flow of the dialogue that led the plot entirely and without it the story wouldn't have made sense. The basic idea was very intriguing but the execution was lacking. I also feel strongly that the title should have been changed. The events were not well reflected by calling it Second Chance Romance.
June 21, 2024
This definitely didn’t feel like a rom-com
It felt like a wannabe romance books
The fact that the characters are probably in their 40’-50’s abd they act worse the teenagers it made my blood boil.
Moira could’ve been bearable but frank……. On of the worse mmc i ve read he was very mean just for the sake of it
Unfortunately this one was not for me
2⭐️
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc🫶🏻
It felt like a wannabe romance books
The fact that the characters are probably in their 40’-50’s abd they act worse the teenagers it made my blood boil.
Moira could’ve been bearable but frank……. On of the worse mmc i ve read he was very mean just for the sake of it
Unfortunately this one was not for me
2⭐️
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc🫶🏻
July 17, 2024
Boy what a complicated love story……
I thoroughly enjoyed the back and forth banter between Moira and Frank.
There is so much going on within this closed door romance/enemies to lover story.
I do have to say, some of the things the characters did made me frustrated and cringe.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#shortbookthyme
@shortbookthyme
I thoroughly enjoyed the back and forth banter between Moira and Frank.
There is so much going on within this closed door romance/enemies to lover story.
I do have to say, some of the things the characters did made me frustrated and cringe.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#shortbookthyme
@shortbookthyme
May 21, 2025
Makkelijk weg te lezen, maar niet heel spannend
May 21, 2024
This is a tough book to review.
The first 40% of the book was not enjoyable for me: I didn't find the characters likeable, there was a lot of text and dialogue that felt dull to me. The main characters kept bickering, and it was very annoying because it felt like there was no substance in any of the conversations. Their kids were also acting childish for 19' and 22' year olds; very impulsive and careless.
After that, there was a very self-aware conversation where Moira is talking to Frank about his book. They're not self-aware but the author of this book is, by basically telling us how Moira and Frank act like the characters in the book and they, themselves, don't understand how that can lead to a love story. That made me want to read the rest of it.
So, from then on, it wasn't as bad. Their kids realized they were acting like kids and apologised; plus, started acting their ages, thank god. I liked how Moira finally made up her mind, and it wasn't based on what was waiting on the other side, but actually, in what she wanted to find and fight for, on the other side. I liked the ending, I felt like the charcaters were a lot more likeable at the end.
Pluuus, I did finish this book in less than 24h, so do with that what you will!
Thank you to the author and to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read the book, in exhange for an honest review. :) #SecondChanceRomance #NetGalley
The first 40% of the book was not enjoyable for me: I didn't find the characters likeable, there was a lot of text and dialogue that felt dull to me. The main characters kept bickering, and it was very annoying because it felt like there was no substance in any of the conversations. Their kids were also acting childish for 19' and 22' year olds; very impulsive and careless.
After that, there was a very self-aware conversation where Moira is talking to Frank about his book. They're not self-aware but the author of this book is, by basically telling us how Moira and Frank act like the characters in the book and they, themselves, don't understand how that can lead to a love story. That made me want to read the rest of it.
So, from then on, it wasn't as bad. Their kids realized they were acting like kids and apologised; plus, started acting their ages, thank god. I liked how Moira finally made up her mind, and it wasn't based on what was waiting on the other side, but actually, in what she wanted to find and fight for, on the other side. I liked the ending, I felt like the charcaters were a lot more likeable at the end.
Pluuus, I did finish this book in less than 24h, so do with that what you will!
Thank you to the author and to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read the book, in exhange for an honest review. :) #SecondChanceRomance #NetGalley
May 20, 2024
The epitome of a fun easy beach read. super quick, witty and it drops you right into it from the start so there’s no waiting around for the drama to unfold.
moira and frank have some of the funniest dialogue i have ever read and it’s refreshing going into a book marketed as enemies to lovers and ACTUALLY having them dislike each other before their feelings change.
the only thing i disliked about the book was the actual mother daughter relationship. Moira doesn’t necessarily stand up for her daughter at the start when frank is berating her and insulting her behind her back implying she is only seeing his son for a greencard and the whole “people” comment, which i’m not sure a mother who has a good enough relationship with their daughter would stand back and take. Harriet can also be spoiled and a headache too, she’s 19 she doesn’t know everything and the way she treats her mother at times especially with everything that’s going on in her life, is a little uncomfortable to read.
the writing is excellent and Carol paints such a vivid picture of both LA and Greece where you feel like you’re right there with Moira and Frank.
all in all i haven’t ever read a book like this with these sorts of characters and this premise and i’m surprised how much i liked it given most romance books these days are between people younger than both of mc’s.
thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for sending me the arc
July 18, 2024
Rating: 2 ⭐️
I was hoping to love this enemies to lovers romance- Second Chance at Love. Starting the book off I felt like it was fun- but then it just became… cringey. After it saying “uplifting and hilarious” on the cover that was pretty disappointing.
Frank is a total jerk the entire book- treating Moira like trash which doesn’t really feel like it’s something that can actually be turned into love. This book REALLY leaned into him being awful. Moira isn’t much better and to be honest is just a horrible mother for most of the book. I also didn’t love the way the book portrayed her as just sexually motivated without any other interest.
All of these things made me really dislike the book, but the children of F&M made the story sweet and likable.
Glad I finished the book as I fought not to dnf it multiple times throughout the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for my honest review.
I was hoping to love this enemies to lovers romance- Second Chance at Love. Starting the book off I felt like it was fun- but then it just became… cringey. After it saying “uplifting and hilarious” on the cover that was pretty disappointing.
Frank is a total jerk the entire book- treating Moira like trash which doesn’t really feel like it’s something that can actually be turned into love. This book REALLY leaned into him being awful. Moira isn’t much better and to be honest is just a horrible mother for most of the book. I also didn’t love the way the book portrayed her as just sexually motivated without any other interest.
All of these things made me really dislike the book, but the children of F&M made the story sweet and likable.
Glad I finished the book as I fought not to dnf it multiple times throughout the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for my honest review.
June 3, 2025
Het duurde even voordat ik in het verhaal zat. Ik denk dat dit vooral kwam omdat ik een echte romance verwachtte. Maar dit boek verraste me eigenlijk. Het ging niet alleen om Moira's relatie met zichzelf, maar ook om haar relatie met Harriet, Rupert en Frank. Dit boek speelt zich deels af in Griekenland, waardoor ik een echt vakantiegevoel kreeg. Ik voelde helaas zelf de connectie met de personages niet echt. Wel vond ik het verhaal fijn en vlot geschreven.
September 23, 2024
In lange tijd niet zo’n leuke feelgood gelezen. Grappig, verslavend en zelfs een beetje spannend!
May 18, 2025
Ff een late night readertje hoor. Ge-wel-dig. Mamsie had deze keer voor mij gekozen maar echt een feel good en humor en leuk. Ja TOP!!
August 4, 2025
Slap verhaal en slecht geschreven. Kan er niet meer van maken. Wilde wel weten hoe het afliep, dat verdient een ster. Eentje maar.
May 2, 2025
✨ Weer een paar hersencellen verloren ✨
August 1, 2024
I really really loved this book, the story, and the writing, and it would have been 5 stars if not for the following 3 things;
There was a lot of mention of cheating, so much so that it almost felt as if every person ever had been cheated on or cheated. I think, or definitely hope, that that's not realistic, which kind of felt weird to me.
As some other reviews might have written, there is a case of sexual harrasment mentioned, which was a false accusation. While it certainly happens, im sure, it feels a bit inconsiderate of the many cases in real life where accusers aren't believed when they should be.
The story starts with two parents scheming together because they dont want their kids to get married/have a relationship at all. While i get the idea of the story and i loved how the story turned out, it felt so weird to me that parents of 19 and 22 year olds would say "oh youre too young to be in love". I was a bit annoyed by especially moira, the fmc, and how she treated her 19 year old daughter.
Now i am done complaining. The writing is really good, the story overall ended up being really nice. I love the greece part, and their many deep conversations. I like the main relationship a lot, it feels so genuine.
Thank you to netgalley and the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review
There was a lot of mention of cheating, so much so that it almost felt as if every person ever had been cheated on or cheated. I think, or definitely hope, that that's not realistic, which kind of felt weird to me.
As some other reviews might have written, there is a case of sexual harrasment mentioned, which was a false accusation. While it certainly happens, im sure, it feels a bit inconsiderate of the many cases in real life where accusers aren't believed when they should be.
The story starts with two parents scheming together because they dont want their kids to get married/have a relationship at all. While i get the idea of the story and i loved how the story turned out, it felt so weird to me that parents of 19 and 22 year olds would say "oh youre too young to be in love". I was a bit annoyed by especially moira, the fmc, and how she treated her 19 year old daughter.
Now i am done complaining. The writing is really good, the story overall ended up being really nice. I love the greece part, and their many deep conversations. I like the main relationship a lot, it feels so genuine.
Thank you to netgalley and the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review
May 24, 2024
Cute little romance that’s perfect for the summer!
This book follows Moira and Frank, two single parents whose kids have embarked on a whirlwind romance all the way in Greece. Completely set on putting a stop to this relationship, they follow after their kids, all the while trying to ignore the growing tension between them.
Considering the current landscape of romance (very saturated), this is probably one of the more unique books I've read. It takes on a lot of common tropes but does so in a way that contributes something new, which I appreciate. I also just love a good frazzled English woman narrative, and if this were a movie, best believe I would be sat.
However, what I would have liked from this book was more intimacy between the two protagonists. It felt like the story was always so honed in on their kids or their stories about other people in their lives; I suppose I just didn't feel like I got to know them as well as I could have. Also— I am the same age as the daughter in this book, and I can confirm that she was being annoyingly unreasonable. I don't know how Moira put up with all that.
Overall, it was a fun read!
*ARC provided by NetGalley*
This book follows Moira and Frank, two single parents whose kids have embarked on a whirlwind romance all the way in Greece. Completely set on putting a stop to this relationship, they follow after their kids, all the while trying to ignore the growing tension between them.
Considering the current landscape of romance (very saturated), this is probably one of the more unique books I've read. It takes on a lot of common tropes but does so in a way that contributes something new, which I appreciate. I also just love a good frazzled English woman narrative, and if this were a movie, best believe I would be sat.
However, what I would have liked from this book was more intimacy between the two protagonists. It felt like the story was always so honed in on their kids or their stories about other people in their lives; I suppose I just didn't feel like I got to know them as well as I could have. Also— I am the same age as the daughter in this book, and I can confirm that she was being annoyingly unreasonable. I don't know how Moira put up with all that.
Overall, it was a fun read!
*ARC provided by NetGalley*
May 23, 2024
THIS BOOK GAVE ME ALL THE FEELS! I absolutely devoured it, cover to cover. I think we can all related to being in a relationship out of convenience and settling for something. I was so emotional during this book and rooting for Moira and Frank the whole time. I found Harriett and Aiden to be rather annoying, but seriously obsessed with the flirty banter between F&M. I could see this being a movie with Eric Dane as Frank and Emily Blunt as Moira. The dancing scene in Greece to Touch Myself!!! I die. Amazing. I laughed, I cried, I smiled, I blushed, truly an entertaining heart warming read.
July 28, 2024
This was a great beach read - perfect summer reading.
It took me a bit to get hooked on the story, and I think that’s because I was expecting some huge sweep-you-off-your-feet romance between Frank and Moira. But I was actually pleasantly surprised that there was so much balance in the focus on her relationship with herself, Harriet, and Rupert in addition to the relationship with Frank. It gave the book more depth than I anticipated and was refreshing!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the eARC!
It took me a bit to get hooked on the story, and I think that’s because I was expecting some huge sweep-you-off-your-feet romance between Frank and Moira. But I was actually pleasantly surprised that there was so much balance in the focus on her relationship with herself, Harriet, and Rupert in addition to the relationship with Frank. It gave the book more depth than I anticipated and was refreshing!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the eARC!
June 13, 2025
Als je 'echte boek' is verlopen en je toch wil lezen kom je uiteindelijk bij dit soort boeken terecht 😋. Achjaaa het leest wel lekker snel weg.
July 27, 2025
Een echt flauw rommannetje om tussendoor te lezen.
Niet echt een aanrader maar als je echt niets te lezen hebt kan hij prima
Niet echt een aanrader maar als je echt niets te lezen hebt kan hij prima
September 23, 2025
Leest heerlijk weg! Paar keer mezelf op een glimlach betrapt, goed verhaal om te lezen tijdens een vakantie..
June 1, 2025
Leuk boek voor tussendoor :) Wel lekker voorspelbaar
January 27, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Carol Mason for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoyed this book, I rate it a 3.75/5 rounded to a 4. I love a good second chance romance and I love the way that this wasn’t your typical second chance romance. The enemies to lovers aspect was great.
I really enjoyed the banter between Moira and Frank, at first I was a little unsure but as the book progressed, I loved reading their banter. I liked how their banter/bickering was similar to an old married couple, it made me feel as if they had known each other a long time.
I also enjoyed the relationship between Moira and Harriet. Harriet really stuck by her mums side through everything UNTIL Moira was using her own experiences to try to control Harriet.
I did struggle to connect with Moira at first due to the fact that she is 40+, married and had a children, this is not something I am able to relate to but once they started travelling to Greece, I found it a lot easier to read. The mood/scenery change was great and it was good to see that Moira was a bit more outgoing. This found it a bit easier for me to relate/connect to her despite the above.
I wasn’t a major fan of Rupert so I was really rooting for Frank even though he came across very rude at the start. I loved getting to know Frank more (about his relationship with Aiden and his past). Although at the start, Frank was getting on my nerves as he made rude choices, my opinion changed as the book and relationship progressed.
I would love to read more about Moira and Frank or Harriet and Aiden, these characters were really interesting and I would love to know more about what happens in their future but I am also happy where it ended!!
I would recommend this book if you are looking for a enemies to lovers, second chance romance, light read, destination style book 🫶🏼
I enjoyed this book, I rate it a 3.75/5 rounded to a 4. I love a good second chance romance and I love the way that this wasn’t your typical second chance romance. The enemies to lovers aspect was great.
I really enjoyed the banter between Moira and Frank, at first I was a little unsure but as the book progressed, I loved reading their banter. I liked how their banter/bickering was similar to an old married couple, it made me feel as if they had known each other a long time.
I also enjoyed the relationship between Moira and Harriet. Harriet really stuck by her mums side through everything UNTIL Moira was using her own experiences to try to control Harriet.
I did struggle to connect with Moira at first due to the fact that she is 40+, married and had a children, this is not something I am able to relate to but once they started travelling to Greece, I found it a lot easier to read. The mood/scenery change was great and it was good to see that Moira was a bit more outgoing. This found it a bit easier for me to relate/connect to her despite the above.
I wasn’t a major fan of Rupert so I was really rooting for Frank even though he came across very rude at the start. I loved getting to know Frank more (about his relationship with Aiden and his past). Although at the start, Frank was getting on my nerves as he made rude choices, my opinion changed as the book and relationship progressed.
I would love to read more about Moira and Frank or Harriet and Aiden, these characters were really interesting and I would love to know more about what happens in their future but I am also happy where it ended!!
I would recommend this book if you are looking for a enemies to lovers, second chance romance, light read, destination style book 🫶🏼
August 29, 2024
Those who love sweet and cozy reads should it. I liked all the characters. Moira and Frank are like soulmate. They kind of know each other well. Moira disliking Frank at their first meet to actually falling for him.Planing to separate their children but ended up together.This book woke me from my book slump
November 10, 2025
3,5* Geen literair hoogstandje, vooral het begin van het boek. Toch vond ik het uiteindelijk leuker dan verwacht.
July 11, 2024
Moira and her Daughter Harriet are in LA for very different reasons. Harriet is doing a semester abroad from her school in England. Moira is taking space from her husband after she finds a damaging text on his phone from another woman.
When they meet for lunch one day, Harriet announces that she has met someone and they are in love and want to get married. Shocked, Moira questions the validity of falling in love with someone after only 6 weeks of knowing them and she also fears that her daughter is going to upend her life and future plans for this guy.
Moira agrees to meet Aiden and his father Frank at their house in Malibu. She thinks Aiden is wonderful for Harriet but she is still not happy about their young love and Harriet changing her life plans. Plus she is very put off by Frank and his brash and casual demeanor.
Frank texts Moira as he is not happy with the young lovebirds either and the two of them hatch a plan to try and break them up or at least get them to hold off on any life changing decisions. Frank and Moira’s plans don't go as expected and they continue to verbally spar with each other. Eventually all the tension between the two comes to a boil and their children both lash out at their parents and Frank and Moira end up acting on their tension between each other. Aiden and Harriet decide to get away from all the parental drama and elope in Greece so Moira and Frank must race after them to be a supportive (Moira) or to stop the wedding (Frank) but as they take this trip together they realize they have a connection just like their children do and with every misstep of their trip, they grow closer and the attraction grows. Can this be the start of a second chance romance for each of them?
This was well written with sharp dialogue and deep connections between the two main characters. Moira is stubborn and Frank is arrogant and in theory they should not work but when they piss each other off, instead of retreating they double down and the chemistry is perfection! Because they are unafraid of hurting each other's feelings, they challenge each other and thus they are forced to have deep conversations about their lives and their wants.
I felt so conflicted because as a parent I was feeling what Moira felt with her daughter eloping but I also saw Harriet's POV with trying to show her mom that she raised a strong and confident person who is old enough to make her own choices.
Frank was such an arrogant jerk but he was also somehow loveable at the same time. He was the perfect love to hate character. He speaks his mind and doesn't hold back. It was refreshing and also infuriating at times! I could see how Moira was so annoyed with him and also drawn to him. The push pull between the two was excellent.
The plot was very strong and I liked how they kept getting forced together and having to actually get to know each other. The story kept pace and almost felt like I was reading a movie and I could see the different scenes changing and each encounter moved the story forward. It didn't feel repetitive or stale.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for sharing this book’s digital advanced review copy with me in exchange for an honest review.
I read this book through a digital ARC from NetGalley
Author: Carol Mason
Genre: Romance, RomCom
Troupe: Enemies to Lovers
When they meet for lunch one day, Harriet announces that she has met someone and they are in love and want to get married. Shocked, Moira questions the validity of falling in love with someone after only 6 weeks of knowing them and she also fears that her daughter is going to upend her life and future plans for this guy.
Moira agrees to meet Aiden and his father Frank at their house in Malibu. She thinks Aiden is wonderful for Harriet but she is still not happy about their young love and Harriet changing her life plans. Plus she is very put off by Frank and his brash and casual demeanor.
Frank texts Moira as he is not happy with the young lovebirds either and the two of them hatch a plan to try and break them up or at least get them to hold off on any life changing decisions. Frank and Moira’s plans don't go as expected and they continue to verbally spar with each other. Eventually all the tension between the two comes to a boil and their children both lash out at their parents and Frank and Moira end up acting on their tension between each other. Aiden and Harriet decide to get away from all the parental drama and elope in Greece so Moira and Frank must race after them to be a supportive (Moira) or to stop the wedding (Frank) but as they take this trip together they realize they have a connection just like their children do and with every misstep of their trip, they grow closer and the attraction grows. Can this be the start of a second chance romance for each of them?
This was well written with sharp dialogue and deep connections between the two main characters. Moira is stubborn and Frank is arrogant and in theory they should not work but when they piss each other off, instead of retreating they double down and the chemistry is perfection! Because they are unafraid of hurting each other's feelings, they challenge each other and thus they are forced to have deep conversations about their lives and their wants.
I felt so conflicted because as a parent I was feeling what Moira felt with her daughter eloping but I also saw Harriet's POV with trying to show her mom that she raised a strong and confident person who is old enough to make her own choices.
Frank was such an arrogant jerk but he was also somehow loveable at the same time. He was the perfect love to hate character. He speaks his mind and doesn't hold back. It was refreshing and also infuriating at times! I could see how Moira was so annoyed with him and also drawn to him. The push pull between the two was excellent.
The plot was very strong and I liked how they kept getting forced together and having to actually get to know each other. The story kept pace and almost felt like I was reading a movie and I could see the different scenes changing and each encounter moved the story forward. It didn't feel repetitive or stale.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for sharing this book’s digital advanced review copy with me in exchange for an honest review.
I read this book through a digital ARC from NetGalley
Author: Carol Mason
Genre: Romance, RomCom
Troupe: Enemies to Lovers
May 26, 2025
Wat was dit een heerlijke zomerse feelgood die je hardop zal laten lachen maar ook laat geloven in een tweede kans op liefde en een vakantiegevoel zal geven. Vol passie, goede dialogen, fijne personages en dat alles speelt zich af in het zonnige Californië en het prachtige Griekenland.
"Moira en Frank zijn de perfecte vijanden. Op haar tweeënveertigste is Moira's leven een puinhoop. En nu, dankzij hun nauwelijks volwassen kinderen die zogenaamd verliefd op elkaar zijn, moet ze samenwerken met de ongelooflijk rijke, ongelooflijk aantrekkelijke en ongelooflijk arrogante Frank. Tenminste, als ze het eens worden over hoe ze hun kinderen uit elkaar kunnen drijven, die in een impuls besloten hebben om te trouwen.
Moira en Frank hoeven alleen maar te laten zien dat ze te jong zijn om een relatie serieus te nemen. Het is een waterdicht plan. Totdat hun gefrustreerde kinderen besluiten weg te lopen. Naar Griekenland. Zonder hun ouders uit te nodigen..."
Normaal word ik niet snel in een verhaal getrokken als het in de ik-vorm geschreven is maar in dit boek is dat perfect gekozen. We lezen het verhaal vanuit Moira en al vanaf het begin zat ik met een lach op mijn gezicht te lezen. Moira is zo'n personage waar je je meteen in kunt inleven omdat haar gedachtengangen en uitspraken hilarisch, sarcastisch en levensecht zijn.
Carol mason heeft een vlotte, beeldende en grappige schrijfstijl en er gebeurt van alles waardoor het geen moment saai is. Tussen de grapjes door voel je dat Moira diep gekwets is geworden en een innerlijke strijd voert.
De chemie tussen haar en Frank is voelbaar voor de lezer maar kiest Moira uiteindelijk voor zichzelf en haar geluk voor het te laat is? Haar twijfels, onzekerheid en de leugens die ze moet verwerken zetten haar wereld op zijn kop.
De personages zijn zo goed uitgewerkt en beiden hebben hun bagage uit het verleden. Hoe meer het verhaal vordert hoe meer dat voor ons duidelijk wordt en dat zorgt ervoor dat er genoeg diepgang in het verhaal zit. Ik vind dat heel belangrijk in een feelgood anders is het al snel te oppervlakkig.
De onweerstaanbare chemie tussen Moira en Frank zal je betoveren en hun gekibbel laat je hardop lachen. Beiden zijn niet op hun mondje gevallen, geweldig neergezet door deze schrijfster!
Dit boek leest alsof je een romantische komedie kijkt, het is zo beeldend geschreven dat je je in het zonnige Californië, Athene en Santorini waant. Perfect gekozen voor dit boek!
Dit is de eerste feelgood die deze schrijfster schrijft maar ze heeft al veel romans geschreven en dat merk je! Wat een wervelende, hilarische en liefdevolle roman heeft Carol Mason geschreven. Dit is zo'n boek dat bij iedereen een lach op zijn gezicht zal toveren en dat je met een zucht dichtslaat. Ik wou geen afscheid nemen van dit heerlijke verhaal en ik hoop dat er nog veel boeken van haar zullen verschijnen.
"Moira en Frank zijn de perfecte vijanden. Op haar tweeënveertigste is Moira's leven een puinhoop. En nu, dankzij hun nauwelijks volwassen kinderen die zogenaamd verliefd op elkaar zijn, moet ze samenwerken met de ongelooflijk rijke, ongelooflijk aantrekkelijke en ongelooflijk arrogante Frank. Tenminste, als ze het eens worden over hoe ze hun kinderen uit elkaar kunnen drijven, die in een impuls besloten hebben om te trouwen.
Moira en Frank hoeven alleen maar te laten zien dat ze te jong zijn om een relatie serieus te nemen. Het is een waterdicht plan. Totdat hun gefrustreerde kinderen besluiten weg te lopen. Naar Griekenland. Zonder hun ouders uit te nodigen..."
Normaal word ik niet snel in een verhaal getrokken als het in de ik-vorm geschreven is maar in dit boek is dat perfect gekozen. We lezen het verhaal vanuit Moira en al vanaf het begin zat ik met een lach op mijn gezicht te lezen. Moira is zo'n personage waar je je meteen in kunt inleven omdat haar gedachtengangen en uitspraken hilarisch, sarcastisch en levensecht zijn.
Carol mason heeft een vlotte, beeldende en grappige schrijfstijl en er gebeurt van alles waardoor het geen moment saai is. Tussen de grapjes door voel je dat Moira diep gekwets is geworden en een innerlijke strijd voert.
De chemie tussen haar en Frank is voelbaar voor de lezer maar kiest Moira uiteindelijk voor zichzelf en haar geluk voor het te laat is? Haar twijfels, onzekerheid en de leugens die ze moet verwerken zetten haar wereld op zijn kop.
De personages zijn zo goed uitgewerkt en beiden hebben hun bagage uit het verleden. Hoe meer het verhaal vordert hoe meer dat voor ons duidelijk wordt en dat zorgt ervoor dat er genoeg diepgang in het verhaal zit. Ik vind dat heel belangrijk in een feelgood anders is het al snel te oppervlakkig.
De onweerstaanbare chemie tussen Moira en Frank zal je betoveren en hun gekibbel laat je hardop lachen. Beiden zijn niet op hun mondje gevallen, geweldig neergezet door deze schrijfster!
Dit boek leest alsof je een romantische komedie kijkt, het is zo beeldend geschreven dat je je in het zonnige Californië, Athene en Santorini waant. Perfect gekozen voor dit boek!
Dit is de eerste feelgood die deze schrijfster schrijft maar ze heeft al veel romans geschreven en dat merk je! Wat een wervelende, hilarische en liefdevolle roman heeft Carol Mason geschreven. Dit is zo'n boek dat bij iedereen een lach op zijn gezicht zal toveren en dat je met een zucht dichtslaat. Ik wou geen afscheid nemen van dit heerlijke verhaal en ik hoop dat er nog veel boeken van haar zullen verschijnen.
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