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Second Act

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★ SECOND CHANCE AT FIRST A Hollywood Romance ★

In Hollywood, you never get a second chance to make a first impression... unless your love story is far from over.

Blair Bennett has it all—success, ambition, and a career as one of LA's top talent agents. But her carefully constructed world begins to crumble when she discovers her newest potential client's brother is none other than Wyatt Bradford—the man who shattered her heart twelve years ago.

Now a successful corporate attorney, Wyatt has always followed his family's path. But when he crosses paths with Blair
- Old feelings resurface with undeniable intensity
- Their professional lives collide in unexpected ways
- The chemistry between them burns hotter than ever

As the tension between them heats up, Blair and Wyatt must navigate the cutthroat demands of Hollywood, career ambition, and the unresolved wounds of their past. She's worked too hard to risk everything on a second chance at love—but some connections are impossible to deny.

This steamy, emotional romance
- A driven, successful heroine with trust issues
- The only man who's ever broken her heart
- Workplace tension that sizzles off the page
- A glamorous Hollywood setting
- Second-chance romance that will make you believe in love again

Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren's "The Unhoneymooners," Sally Thorne's "Second First Impressions," and Emily Henry's "Beach Read."

One-click today to dive into the glamour, passion, and heart-stopping romance of The Backlot Series!

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 12, 2024

31 people are currently reading
140 people want to read

About the author

Kimberly Page

5 books34 followers
Kimberly Page is a contemporary romance author who loves writing about strong heroines and the irresistible heroes who fall for them. After a career spent crafting stories for major players in the entertainment industry, she decided it was time to create stories of her own. Drawing from her experiences in Hollywood, she wrote her debut novel Second Act, the first book in The Backlot series, which is set against the backdrop of the entertainment world.

When she’s not writing, you can find Kimberly planning for beach time, at a theme park with her daughter, or getting lost in a good sports romance book. Follow her on TikTok and Instagram for news and updates.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
Profile Image for Calypso✨.
160 reviews6 followers
December 11, 2024
✨The Second Act by Kimberly Paige is a heartfelt and inspiring story about rediscovery, resilience, and taking bold steps toward a new chapter in life. It was such a feel-good fast paced read! Blair and Wyatts journey is both relatable and uplifting, offering a reminder that it’s never too late to rewrite your story.🙌🏽

💕Blair and Wyatt’s relationship was lovely and mature. Them learning from mistakes and being honest with each other. 🥹There was chemistry between them that was easygoing. I loved the side characters. They added more emotional depth to the story. I can’t wait for their story in the series.❤️‍🩹

I loved the representation for ambitious women in such a competitive entertainment industry. 🫶🏽Though I do wish there could have been more exploring in curtain scenes. It’s a book filled with heart, perfect for anyone looking for a story of empowerment and reinvention. A truly enjoyable read! ⭐️

Thank you to the Author Kimberly page for the opportunity to read such an amazing book!
Profile Image for ☆Laura☆.
5,109 reviews59 followers
December 3, 2024
3.5⭐️



Disfruté del libro, pero no le puse una calificación más alta porque siento que algunas cosas se resolvieron demasiado rápido y no tienen el desarrollo necesario. Ojalá fuera más largo.

Espero que la hermana tenga su propio libro.


Gracias Love Notes PR por el ARC.
Profile Image for Savanna.
70 reviews4 followers
December 9, 2024
- eARC Review-

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Second Act is a story with so much potential, but it didn’t quite hit all the marks for me. While there were aspects I genuinely enjoyed, other elements left me wanting more depth and connection.

I really enjoyed Women in Hollywood, the spice and the friendship banter.

The representation of strong, ambitious women navigating the cutthroat entertainment industry was fantastic. Blair’s character, in particular, stood out as a driven and independent woman who isn’t afraid to chase her goals. The romantic moments were well-done and minimal, fitting naturally into the story without overpowering the plot and the lighthearted and witty exchanges between the characters, especially Blair and her friends, added charm and levity to the narrative.

However, there are a few things I didn’t like which was mainly the underdeveloped relationship between Blair and Wyatt. It felt rushed especially because they haven’t seen each other in over a decade. While some readers might appreciate the relatability of contemporary references like the pandemic and modern slang, it pulled me out of the story and felt unnecessary.

Overall, Second Act had its moments, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. It’s a decent read if you’re looking for a light, Hollywood-inspired second-chance romance, but I would have loved more depth and emotional buildup to fully invest in Blair and Wyatt’s journey.

Thank you for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Profile Image for Tamara Lezcano.
108 reviews1 follower
December 12, 2024
It's a lovely rom-com with no third act break-up, which I'm very happy about.

Blair and Wyatt are such lovely characters, I really found myself rooting for them. I really liked the "it was always you" part of the story and the fact that it was a workplace romance totally did it for me. Also the girl power vibes with the strong female characters made the story even better. It was all so well written, I hope to see if other characters will get their own stories.

I really loved this sweet story and can't wait to read more from this author!

Thanks to Kimberly Page and Love Notes PR for entrusting me to write an honest review in exchange for this ARC.
115 reviews1 follower
June 21, 2025
One of the best parts of this book was definitely the female lead who greatly supported other women in the same and connected fields. Seeing the two main characters come together and grow and learn from their mistakes is always appreciated. I really enjoyed this story.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Clara Gilleland.
355 reviews
June 28, 2025
A bit too insta-love for me, but SO much accuracy about the movie industry so bonus points there!!!
Profile Image for Yessenia.
272 reviews1 follower
December 16, 2024
3.5 🌟

A good strong FMC, who advocates for females in Hollywood. In the process of trying to recruit a new client, she runs into her first love, who left her heartbroken. You see the way both of them moved on and grew from this. Seeing them navigate their feelings and demanding careers, as well as not making the same mistakes from the past, was a good reading overall.
Profile Image for Meghan Porter.
97 reviews5 followers
December 5, 2024
Title: Second Act

Author: Kimberly Page

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ½ stars

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Length: 254 pages

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Tropes: Dual POV, Second Chance, First Love (It’s always been you), Workplace Romance, Childhood Friends to lovers

Triggers: minor miscommunication, minor misogyny

My thoughts:
In high school, Blair and Wyatt were best friends until they became more! But through circumstances, they did not end up together. Now, 12 years later, Blair is a talent agent in Hollywood who focuses on elevating and championing female roles and positions in the movie and TV industry. Wyatt is a lawyer working for his dad’s law firm. The two are thrust into each other’s orbit again after Blair wants to sign Wyatt’s younger Oscar winning sister as a client and Wyatt’s law firm is handling the merger of the talent agency that Blair works for. Old feelings rise to the surface as the two are forced to work together.

“Second Act” by Kimberly Page in the first book in the Backlot Series and was my first second chance romance. Now I feel like I am in my second chance romance era. This was a cute and fluffy contemporary romance that I really enjoyed! Blair and Wyatt’s relationship is so pure and sweet, that I wanted nothing more than for them to end up together. Personally, their relationship did bring up a lot of feelings about a relationship I had in my teens and early 20’s, so I was incredibly invested in their happy ending!

I do wish that we had gotten an on-page declaration of love between the two characters. The conversation is alluded to, and Wyatt says in his inner monologue that he loves Blair, but I was a little disappointed that we didn’t get to experience the conversation between the 2 characters.
Overall, “Second Act” was a super cute and fast read that I really enjoyed! If you are a fan of second chance romance… pick up “Second Act”.
118 reviews3 followers
December 19, 2024
Wyatt and Blair were high school sweetheart, or so Blair thought they were going to be. After a heart break at the end of her senior year, Blair never thought Wyatt would come tumbling into her life again. When she is trying to sign a new client, who happens to be Wyatt's sister, a reunion is made between the two. These two have a healing journey ahead of them to see if their feelings are still true.

This book was a very cute interlude to my obsession with fantasy and dark romance as of recent. While not being a super long read, the story felt full and left me with a smile on my face. I actually felt like characters had a decent amount of background and building, that wasn't rushed or under explained. I did also enjoy how both characters function and reacted to things, Blair obviously being skittish felt natural. I also loved the involvement of friends and side characters, they felt like they added to the story and kept the pacing going.

I did however have a few things that maybe I didn't catch or wasn't the biggest fan of. I felt like for Wyatt and Blair having been apart for 12 years their relationship almost felt rushed into and almost natural(like they had just recently split). 12 years is a long time so I was expecting there to be a bit more work up. I do also feel like spicy scenes were a bit rushed and left me wanting a little more action. But overall for a really adorable Hollywood based romance, this was a good one!

Thank you to Kimberly Page and LoveNotes PR for letting me ARC read this story!
Profile Image for BookishLatinaJenn (Jennifer).
275 reviews4 followers
December 9, 2024
"Second Act" is a delightful blend of second-chance romance, Hollywood drama, and workplace tension. Blair Bennett, a powerhouse talent agent, is determined to sign the hottest new star, Sophia Ford. The catch? Sophia’s brother is Wyatt Bradford, Blair’s first love and the man who shattered her heart 12 years ago. Sparks fly as their professional worlds collide, rekindling unresolved feelings.

This book hits all the right tropes: second-chance romance, childhood friends-to-lovers, workplace drama, and a dreamy "it’s always been you" vibe. Blair is a fierce and inspiring heroine, pushing for equality in Hollywood, a story line I absolutely devoured. Wyatt, though initially tied to his father’s law firm, is endearing in his commitment to winning Blair back while championing her goals.

The chemistry between Blair and Wyatt is undeniable, and the slow unraveling of their past adds emotional depth. While their reunion is swoon-worthy, I missed an on-page declaration of love—something that would have made this already heartwarming journey even sweeter.

The side characters, especially Sophia and Grant, add charm and intrigue, and I’m crossing my fingers for their story next. The upcoming titles of her future novels give some great hints. "Second Act" is a fast-paced, feel-good romance perfect for fans of second-chance love stories.

Thank you to Kimberly Page and Love Notes PR for the eARC!
Profile Image for Lauren Parajon.
34 reviews1 follower
December 12, 2024
No matter what romance tropes you love, Second Act has it all: workplace romance, second-chance romance, First Love (It was always you), dual POV, (un)forced proximity, childhood friends-to-lovers, and my personal favorite—no third-act breakup!

Following @iamkimberlyjpage on IG before diving into the book was a game-changer. She shares inspiration photos of Blaire and Wyatt, the real-life places mentioned in the story, Blaire’s go-to shops, wine recommendations, and even Wyatt’s embarrassing google search history. It made the reading experience so much richer and brought the characters to life in a vivid, sexy way.

Surprisingly, what stood out most to me wasn’t just Blaire and Wyatt’s sizzling chemistry or their struggle to maintain professionalism while falling head over heels—it was Blaire’s career. For the first time in a romance novel, I found myself deeply intrigued by the behind-the-scenes world of talent management. How do managers find the perfect roles for their clients? What’s involved in signing new talent? Blaire’s passion and competence in her job were just as compelling as her love story, and it added a unique dimension to the book.

By the end, I was hooked—not just on Blaire and Wyatt, but on Blaire’s friends and co-workers too. So, when I discovered Second Act is the first in a five-book series, I couldn’t have been more excited. Kimberly Page has created a world I can’t wait to revisit.
Profile Image for Holly.
20 reviews
December 18, 2024
I was lucky enough to be sent an ARC of this book and the below is my honest opinion.

Blair Bennett, one of LA’s top talent agents, has built her career with laser focus, but her world is shaken when she pursues rising starlet Sophia Ford and discovers her brother is Wyatt Bradford—the high school love who broke her heart. Now a successful corporate attorney, Wyatt is determined to rekindle what they once had, but Blair is wary of risking her hard-earned success. As old feelings resurface and their professional lives intertwine, Blair and Wyatt must navigate Hollywood’s demands, career ambitions, and unresolved history. Can they overcome their past, or will old wounds keep them apart?

I love the second- chance / 'it's always been you' trope and in this book we get to see Blair and Wyatt exploring their new relationship after so many years apart, navigating demanding careers and learning from past mistakes and the result was a sweet and easy read.

To me, what stood out the most was the representation of strong, ambitious women navigating the entertainment industry. Blair was a hardworking and independent women who wasn't afraid to chase her goals and it was interesting to read about the behind the scenes of talent management.

This book is 1 of 5 in a new series and I'm looking forward to finding out who the next book will be about.

Tropes:
❤️ second chance
💻 workplace romance
🩷 first love

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
3/5 🌶
Dual POV
Profile Image for JC_Books 16.
65 reviews2 followers
December 13, 2024
ARC Review...
⭐️4.5/5 🌶4/5

Some tropes included:
✒️ Second Chance
✒️ Workplace Romance
✒️ No Third Act Breakup
✒️ It Was Always You
✒️ (Un)Forced Proximity
✒️ High Heel Queen

First I'll say that when I signed up for her newsletter, I received an exclusive copy, how it all started!!
There are a lot I liked about Blair, especially how she wanted to be professional about it with him, how she stood up to him about wanting to talk about the past and not want it to happen again. ❤️
What I liked about Wyatt is how he looked for any excuse to see her, how he didn't let that second chance slip away to find out if they still had a future, the growth he had in many things is nice ❤️
How they achieve their dreams, what they always wanted but many factors were in between, but they manage to overcome them to be able to achieve them🫶🏼
How they face problems together, it's beautiful 🥰❤️
I may not have liked his explanation of what happened in the past, but it wasn't in a conversation, it was 2 or more, but he made it clear that it's always been her ❤️
But ultimately, I liked everything 😍❤️
I'm looking forward to finding out who the next couples will be, although there may have been a clue there 🥰❤️

Thanks to Kimberly Page and Love Notes PR for the opportunity to read Wyatt and Blair ❤️
21 reviews
December 18, 2024
The Second Act by Kimberly Paige might not be a specifically holiday romance but it is a perfect feel good romance for this holiday season and year round enjoyment! With a plot as cute and enticing as the main leads it's easy to be drawn into the scene Kimberly lays out. Our two leads, Blair and Wyatt, have chemistry that goes back to before the first page is turned. Wyatt broke Blair’s heart back when they were younger, and now fate has them back with a spotlight and lingering 'what if...?'
Blair is a talent agent with a purpose as driven as she is ambitious. The type of leading lady to set her goals and stick to them, even when she knows it'll be difficult. Pairing her with Wyatt Bradford and his more laid back take me back persona and you get a wonderful script full of banter and moment that leave everyone with butterflies in their stomachs.
The writing itself is easy on the mind and a good quick read, perfect during a busy season. It blends feel good moments, second chances, and workplace drama into an Oscar worthy performance with a flair of drama fit for its Hollywood setting. It was a complete delight to read and I fully plan on have reruns on my new favorite couple!
Profile Image for Kris Ty.
127 reviews2 followers
December 18, 2024
Second Act | ARC review ✧˖°.

✰: 5/5
✉ : second chance romance, workplace romance, (un)forced proximity, it was always you, open door spice, dual pov
✎ : @iamkimberlyjpage

Publication Date: December 12, 2024

I wanted to sincerely thank @iamkimberlyjpage and @lovenotes.pr for generously providing me with an ARC of the book, Second Act. It was truly an honor and a wonderful opportunity for me to have read this newly released book!

Review:

This book is a refreshing story of change and growth. The protagonist’s journey of self-reflection and growth is both relatable and inspiring. It is mainly the factor that hooked me in the story.

The author's writing is engaging, with relatable characters and emotional depth that keeps you invested. I honestly couldn't put down the book. I absolutely devoured it.

All in all, this is a story that reminds readers that it's never too late to take control of your future. A perfect read for anyone looking for a story about finding new opportunities in unexpected places.


That concludes today's review! Thank you for your time and attention!
Profile Image for Jayee .
11 reviews1 follower
December 19, 2024

ARC review

First off, a big thank you to Kimberly Page for providing me with this ARC!

Second Act is a light, feel-good romance that strikes the perfect balance for readers looking for something refreshing and heartwarming. As a rom-com, it delivers exactly what you’d hope for—without the unnecessary drama often found in the genre. It’s the ideal pick for anyone in a reading slump or those wanting a light-hearted escape.

One of the standout aspects of this book is the communication between the leads. It’s rare in romance books to see characters who genuinely know how to express their thoughts and feelings without falling into the dreaded miscommunication trope. Both leads are confident, understanding, and respectful of each other’s presence, which is such a breath of fresh air.

As for the spice? It’s okay—neither overly remarkable nor disappointing. It falls right in the middle, which works fine for the story but might not stand out for readers seeking more intensity in that department.

Overall, Second Act is a solid read that shines in its simplicity and charm. If you’re in the mood for something light and heartwarming, this book is worth picking up.

Profile Image for serysbookspace.
178 reviews13 followers
December 19, 2024
✨ARC REVIEW✨

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🩷Second Act
🖤by Kimberly Page

I ate this book up!!! It was such a fun and entertaining romance while also touching on important topics in the entertainment world today.

We follow Blaire, who is one of the top talent agents, who gets a surprise of a lifetime. 🤭 she’s sets her sights on signing starlet, Sophia Ford, only to discover the startling revelation that her brother is none other than the man who broke her heart in highschool.

Wyatt may not have seen Blaire in 12 years, but he wasn’t convinced their story was over quite yet. Second chances aren’t something that comes around often so when this surprising occurrence happens… Wyatt can’t ignore it!

I absolutely loved this read and found Kimberly’s writing so fun and refreshing! I connected with these characters and loved reading their story so much!!
If you enjoy Hollywood drama, workplace romance and second chances, this one is for you!!

🩷Second Act
✨by Kimberly Page
🩷AVAILABLE NOW

Thank you so much to the author and @lovenotes.pr for proving me with this ARC copy for an honest review!! 🫶🏻
Profile Image for rach.
461 reviews36 followers
December 7, 2024
I received an eARC via Love Notes PR. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

2.75 STARS


Blair Bennett is one of the top talent agent’s in LA. Blair has her sights set on signing one of LAs rising stars— Sophia Ford. Blair quickly discovers that Sophia’s brother is Wyatt Bradford— the man who broke her heart back in high school.

Wyatt is now a corporate attorney at his father’s law firm, not that he had any choice in the matter. When Wyatt reconnects with Blair he’s determined to not let her get away this time. Things get messy when Wyatt’s firm is involved in a merger between Blair’s office and another talent agency.

This was such a quick read! Unfortunately, I didn’t love this one as much as I had hoped. I was hoping for more of a connection between the two, it felt very surface level. It was great to see the two of them support each other and root for each other though, but I wish we had gotten to see them reconnect more after years apart.

Read if you like:
• second chance romance
• Hollywood settings
• no third-act break ups
1,853 reviews4 followers
December 12, 2024
Blair and Wyatt had a short fling while in high school. Despite both of them being based in LA, they have not met for the past twelve years. However, Blair is desperate to sign Sophie (Wyatt’s sister and a famous actress) for the talent agency which she works for. And that brings them both into close proximity again.

As they work out their past, Blair still feels insecure about their relationship. Can she forgive and move forward with Wyatt again?Will it be a case of right woman, right timing finally?

I wished we had more flashbacks of their high school days when their connection and friendship was cemented. It would make it easier to understand how they easily slipped back into a comfortable relationship during this second chance.

I enjoyed all those girl chats (including Brandon) and I liked how Jess was so supportive and encouraging throughout it all. I also loved how we get to see Blair fighting for female representation in Hollywood. The mention of Reese Witherspoon is so apt.
Profile Image for Lisa.
240 reviews26 followers
December 12, 2024
I'll start by highlighting that I still don't understand why Goodreads fails to provide a .5 rating system for books, because the 1-5 star system rating doesn't work for me at all! Ok, my rant is finished.

Second Act By: Kimberly Page's was a cute, easy read with such potential. I gave it a 3.5 (see Goodreads rating system; it needs work) only because it subsequently fell short in certain areas. Blair and Wyatt have some history, but I didn't feel like it correlated with them now, years later, and the notion of their second chance relationship felt like it was missing something, making both characters fall flat. No matter how hard I tried, I was unable to connect with them, and Wyatt's back and forth, along with Blair's just-go-with-it mindset, drove me insane. Overall, I think if I felt the connection between both characters a bit more, I would've enjoyed it more. In addition, this isn't deterring me from reading more of this author's writing because I might be fascinated by her next book.

⚠️I was gifted an ARC courtesy of Love Notes PR and this is my honest review.
26 reviews
December 19, 2024
I had high hopes going into this book, especially because the plot centered around women in the entertainment industry, a theme I find really interesting. The premise had a lot of potential, but unfortunately, it didn't quite hit the mark for me.

Blair and Wyatt, the main characters, had a lot of promise as a couple, but their connection felt rushed and a bit shallow. There were moments where I wished for more depth—more time for them to truly get to know each other. It felt like they jumped into their romance too quickly, without enough emotional build-up to make me fully invested in their relationship.

The idea was great, but I think there could've been more moments that showed the evolution of their bond, rather than just fast-forwarding through the emotional beats. A bit more character development for both Blair and Wyatt would have really strengthened the story and made their connection more believable and meaningful.

While the book touched on an intriguing theme, I couldn't help but feel like the romance side of things overshadowed the potential to explore those deeper layers. Overall, I think with a bit more focus on character-building and pacing, this could have been a much more engaging read.
123 reviews2 followers
December 17, 2024
This is the first book by Kimberly Page and I read it in less than 24 hours!
It’s captivating from the very first page, I was invested in what happening in Blaire life! I really like the world the author is showing us and the way Blaire is working up for the women visibility.
Blaire is a Hollywood Agent advocate to rise up women voices in an old manners and manly world, and I completely fell for her too. Wyatt is an attorney who lives under his father’s demands, and he felt like he lost the chance to live happily with the love of his life.
Tropes you can find in this book:
- Second chance romance
- No 3rd act break-up
- Workplace romance
- It’s always been you.
- Hollywood setting
I must say, this is a no 3rd act break-up book, but do not relax, this book grips you tight until the last word.
This book is an open-door book with spicy scenes and some dirty talk.
My ratings:
4/5⭐️ 2/5🌶️
I want to thank Kimberly Page, her team and Love Notes PR for letting me read in advance this book and give my honest opinion about it. ❤️
Profile Image for esther ౨ৎ.
164 reviews
January 19, 2025
overview :: ☆
before i actually write this review, i just want to say that my ratings are really messed up right now so just bare with me. i'm trying to really brutally rate books this year even though it pains me to give low starred reviews. i basically rushed through this book as it felt really boring to me. their relationship was kind of messy, but i guess that's hollywood. i don't know what it was but i just felt really disconnected from the characters and plot and i wish that i could feel differently but overall, i would not read this again. 2 stars because i did kind of like it in the beginning.

storyline :: ☆
the storyline was okay. not many comments about it, not really sure about the second chance though.

characters :: ☆
don't get me wrong, i have absolutely no problems with the main characters. however, together their chemistry felt lacking. i don't know what it was about this second chance plot that i couldn't connect with because usually i enjoy second chance, more than the average reader.

conclusion :: ☆
i'm sorry 🥹
Profile Image for Deanie.
806 reviews21 followers
November 29, 2024
4 stars!

Originally I think my mood reader brain did this book dirty. I’d been in a small town romance novel mood and struggled to get into this one but by the 55% mark, I was in vested.

I really liked Blair and Wyatt together. Thanks to their waffling it was a bit of a slow burn but once they finally got out of their own way, they worked really well together. I loved that Wyatt was all in from the get go even if he kept messing it up in the most foot-in-his-mouth ways haha.

I also enjoyed the side characters! Jess, Stella, Sophia and Grant were all super fun and I really hope they get their own books in this series!

There was no third act breakup which I was a big fan of. At the start it felt like there was going to be so I got anxious but Wyatt and Blair were just too in love and I was so here for it!

Overall this was a fun second chance, workplace romance and I’m so glad I ignored my mood because I ended up really enjoying it.
Profile Image for Michelle Entebi.
322 reviews15 followers
December 12, 2024
ARC in exchange for an honest review!

tropes
second chance romance
hollywood vibes
she’s an agent, he’s a lawyer
workplace romance
dual pov
no third act breakup (bonus points!)
rating: ⭐⭐ (2 stars)

this book had an interesting premise and started off strong, but it quickly lost its momentum for me. halfway through, i found myself bored, and the chemistry between the main characters, wyatt and blair, felt forced.

one of my biggest issues was the insta-love element. wyatt and blair hadn’t seen each other in over a decade, yet we’re supposed to believe they’ve been pining for each other all this time—even though wyatt had a regular hookup and never made any effort to reconnect. this lack of believability made it hard for me to stay invested in their relationship.

what i did enjoy were the side characters. sophia and grant were far more compelling, and i found myself wishing the book had focused on their story instead (fingers crossed we get their book in the future).

i did appreciate that there wasn’t a third-act breakup. it was refreshing to see wyatt and blair stay true to their feelings for each other without unnecessary drama. unfortunately, their relationship still felt underdeveloped and flat, which made it hard for me to root for them.

this was my first book by kimberly page, and while second act wasn’t for me, i’d still be willing to give her work another try. her writing shows potential, and i’d love to see what she does with different characters and storylines.

if you’re a fan of second-chance romances with hollywood vibes, you might enjoy this one, but it just didn’t fully hit the mark for me.

thank you love notes pr for the opportunity to have an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!!

release date: December 12 <333
Profile Image for Laura.
188 reviews1 follower
December 7, 2024
Wyatt and Blair had a short fling in high school despite strong feelings for each other. Fast forward 10+ years, and they encounter each other as they both work in Hollywood—think talent agents and lawyers. Blair is trying to sign Wyatt's sister, and Wyatt's father's firm is acquiring Blair's agency. It's a messy, unprofessional way to strike something up again, but these two can't stay apart.

This was a cute, quick read! It's a solid debut, and I look forwarding to following what else the authour writes in the series. I thought it was a tad insta-lovey for my tastes; I know they knew each other 12 years ago, but a lot can change in 12 years! I loved the supporting cast and appreciated how Wyatt and Blair grew together. All in all, it was a pretty good read if you like quick romance books with heart and heat!

Thank you to Love Notes PR and the authour for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
NB: This is 3.5 stars—again, @ Goodreads, give me the .5!
40 reviews
December 19, 2024
Second Act serves up the delicious scenario of successful talent agent Blair Bennett literally running smack into her high school heartbreak - who, naturally, has grown up to be an unfairly attractive corporate attorney.
Blair's out here crushing it in Hollywood, fighting the good fight for women in the industry, when her past comes strutting back into her life looking like a whole snack. Wyatt Bradford isn't just any ex - he's the one who got away, and now he's standing between her and her next big client (his sister, because the universe has a sense of humour).
The best part? These two actually act like grown-ups about it! I know, shocking for a romance novel, right? No dramatic temper tantrums or silly misunderstandings - just two people trying to figure out if their second chance is worth risking their carefully built careers for.
If you're in the mood for a romance that feels as fresh as a green juice cleanse but way more satisfying, grab this one.
Profile Image for Amelia Lawniczak.
85 reviews2 followers
December 13, 2024
The Second Act by Kimberly Paige is a delightful mix of second chances, sizzling chemistry, and Hollywood ambition. Blair Bennett is the ultimate powerhouse talent agent, and Wyatt Bradford? The man who broke her heart but is now hell-bent on proving it’s always been her. Talk about a plot twist worthy of the silver screen!

Blair’s unapologetic drive and Wyatt’s “please-take-me-back” charm had me rooting for them from page one. Their banter, honesty, and personal growth made their romance feel real and swoon-worthy. Plus, the side characters, especially Sophia and Grant, deserve their own star-studded sequel—I’m ready for it!

This book is a fast-paced, feel-good cocktail of love, ambition, and resilience. If you’re a sucker for second chances and bold heroines, The Second Act deserves a standing ovation.
302 reviews3 followers
December 17, 2024
5/5 ⭐
1/5 🌶️

Tropes
- second chance
- friends to lovers
- workplace romance
- Hollywood

My Thoughts
This was a quick read centered on a merger of a talent agency and two former high school friends getting a second chance at love. It is not too deep, just light enough to pass the time. Not all books need to be profound and complicated. The side characters deserve their own book. They make the book better. This is one of the few romance books without a third act breakup.

Triggers
Misogyny
Layoffs

Spice
It is rather vanilla compared to other books I have read.

Special Notes
Has a playlist. Author has indicated the story is partly based on her sister’s second chance love story. For a debut book, it is well developed. I am looking forward to reading more books from this author.

Received ARC, opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Kelsey Ray.
353 reviews
December 19, 2024
Blair is a successful Hollywood agent and Wyatt is a corporate lawyer. They are also former lovers from high school who haven’t seen each other in 12 years. Wyatt’s sister is a famous actress and when Blair tries to sign her it brings Wyatt back into her life. Can they have a second act to their relationship?

I flew through this book and really enjoyed the connection between these two. I am always amazed at how long some of the second chance romance couples have spent apart, but then again maybe time is needed to be where they need to be in life to truly be together. I was glad to read that as grown adults they talked things out for the most part instead of letting petty miscommunications get in the way. I liked their banter as well. A man who knows what he wants and works to get it is super sexy. I will definitely put the next book in this series on my TBR list.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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