Second Helpings

Midlife Crisis Contemporary Romance

by Rose Bak

Fifteen years ago a lie tore them apart. When they find each other again, will they still feel fireworks?

Noah
When I came back and discovered that my wife had filed for divorce while I was on a business trip, I was devastated. Carmen was my first love. My only love. And I had no idea what I’d done to make her disappear without a trace. The one day I get a taste for Italian food…

Carmen
When I got a letter saying my husband was cheating on me, I divorced him and left town without a word. I’ve got a good life with my friends and my restaurant, even if I sometimes miss the easy companionship I used to have with Noah. Then right before Independence Day he walks into my business, looking hotter than ever, and asking for a second chance. I try to resist him, but it turns out that he has evidence that will change everything…

“Second Helpings” is a standalone short story in the “Midlife Crisis Contemporary Romance” series.

About the
Just when they thought it was too late...along comes love! They've lived their lives, built their careers, maybe raised some kids, and now these women are ready to settle into their comfortable midlife years. But being a woman over forty isn't the end, it's just the beginning. There are still some silver foxes looking for women their own age and learning that sometimes you find love right where you least expect it.

The “Midlife Crisis Contemporary Romance” series features strong, independent women, growly cinnamon roll heroes, meddling friends and family, and fun romances that lead to a sweet happily ever after.

82 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2024

Reviews

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story about two people who had a wonderful marriage but were too stupid to fight for it when she walked out and divorced him. How people can be intelligent and not at least try to talk before jumping to the worst case scenario was hard to understand. What a waste of years.It was a challenge to like Carmen because she believed the worst without any effort to try and save their marriage.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carmen and Noah had a wonderful marriage - until Carmen got photo evidence of Noah cheating on her. She divorced him and disappeared from his life without a word (although, how is that possible in this day and age? But anyway..) and they lived separate lives for 15 years until one day they run into each other again. Carmen insists she doesn't go back for "second helpings" but will they finally get their HEA?

As always, Ms Bak writes lovely sweet and touching stories. I love how the characters approach the relationships in a very level-headed logical way, but yet very real. Carmen gets jealous of who Noah might have been with when they were apart, after all, they were divorced, but Noah is able to get them to move past that. This story was short and easy to read and also touching. I am amazed at how Ms Bak created a flawed character who was a little frustrating but still ensures she was likeable enough for the story to flow and the reader to be invested in the couple.

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

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Helpings is a short and steamy OTT, midlife, second-chance romance. Carmen is a 45 year old sweet, curvy, and divorced Italian restaurant owner. Noah is a 45 year old hunky senior partner at an equity firm and Carmen's ex-husband. They divorced 15 years ago when she received a letter stating he was cheating and ghosted him. Now, when he comes into her restaurant, feelings come flooding back. He swears he never cheated. Can she believe him? This couple had great chemistry, but I struggled with how the divorce went down, never having contact or communication. It seemed extra implausible to me. But their chemistry was hot, and the ending was happy once they resolved their issues. Overall, this was an enjoyable second-chance romance.

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

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carmen's (h) pasta-splattered reunion with her ex-husband, Noah (H), disrupts her carefully controlled life, opening up old hurts and unresolved accusations. Noah disrupts Carmen's world and challenges her beliefs as to what led to their divorce fifteen years ago. As they face their past, Carmen comes to realize that their separation was based on a devastating deceit. But despite the years, neither has moved on from the other, and Carmen and Noah are drawn back to each other, exploring the possibility of forgiveness and a second chance at love. Sweet and steamy midlife, second chance romance, exploring love lost and found, healing, understanding, trust, communication, forgiveness, and commitment.

[Mary Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

July 4th Surprise!

When a woman gets a letter & photos, while he is on a trip in Hong Kong, from the husband's assistant telling her he is a cheating scumbag, she divorces him. When the husband returns home he is blindsided to find divorce papers, her wedding ring, & an empty house. No explanation, he eventually moves on alone. 15 years later he discovers a restaurant that reminds him of her. They are both surprised to see each other when he walks in, she tries to hide, he is looking for answers. Join them as they find their attraction is stronger than before but she won't have a relationship with a cheater.
Fast moving story. Surprised he didn't hire a PI to try & find her when he returned home.

[L KQ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never Happened

When Carmen and Noah separated 15 years ago, he was clueless as to the reason for her leaving. They lost so much time for something unbelievable and unnecessary that it made this read so emotional and a bit frustrating at the FMC. Other than that, the second chance aspect of this story was great, and it worked well for this short read.

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

[Marichus Real · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noah and Carmen love each other very much but one day, Carmen serves him with divorce papers without saying a word and disappears from his life.
This is a short and sweet story about how jealousy can destroy everything that goes in its way. Lucky for them, love is more powerful than jealousy.
Lack of communication is a big problem in a relationship.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us a wonderful story that pulls us into the lives of Carmen and Noah. Divorced for fifteen years, a chance encounter brings Carmen and Noah together. The story keeps us turning the pages with a shared past, old betrayals, undeniable connection and second chances.

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

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Communication folks - it's paramount in any relationship - but especially in a marriage. In this case, 15 years could have been so different for this couple if they'd just had a heart-to-heart conversation way back when. I'm just glad they found their way back to one another and got a second chance at love.

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

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carmen and Noah get a second chance at love in Second Helpings book one of the Midlife Crisis Contemporary Romance series. A misunderstanding tore them apart fifteen years earlier but now he's determined to win Carmen's heart back. This is a quick read and a great start to the series. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked how Carmen and Noah got back together. Their love for each other had never stopped despite hurt feelings. Although it was a bit sad how they lost years together due to petty revenge by an outsider.

[Linda Winner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but oh so sweet!

I really enjoyed this shot read. Definitely unusual to resolve the reason for the break up so quickly but based on the family history it was believable. I love my HEA’s!