Second Chance Protector: Jon

NEXTUS Security #3

by Lacey Kendrick

The same guy that dumped me years ago is back to save my life.
Not good…
I’m keeping a secret that I’m not ready to share.

He was my first, and I thought he would be my forever.
I was so wrong.
He left me and I never saw him again.

So, I omitted to tell him something.
What he didn’t know couldn’t hurt him.
Plus, I didn’t need a man who doesn’t love me.

But when a new drug starts circulating in the high school I work in,
I know I’m in over my head.
Worse, my brother asks none other than Jon for help.
This guy is an Ex-SEAL with eyes I can’t resist…
He’s also the absolute last man I want to return to Grove Rock.

And he’s now a single dad…

To protect my pride and my secret, I try to avoid him.
But it’s impossible.
Soon, I must admit that not an ounce of our chemistry has faded.
I still want him. Badly.

But this drug crisis escalates and I wonder where it will take us.

If we survive this… Will Jon ever forgive me for hiding my secret from him?

Genres: Second Chance Romance, Second Chance, Contemporary, Romance

267 pages, Paperback

Published November 25, 2024

Reviews

[Angie.andbooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok read.
Got a little confused with characters names at the beginning.
Not really my style with second-chance when first she’s cold, then ready to seduce.
Read like 50% but didn’t feel the vibe of the story to continue.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

He broke her heart and now he’s back in her life. Can she protect her heart and keep her secret? Will they have a chance to work things out, or will the person threatening Cece succeed in keeping her from finding out who is behind the danger lurking in the high school that she works in?

Jon left her because he felt as though she drifted away, and their relationship was not as solid as he thought. She had her sights set on her career and he was the one suffering, so he left and regretted it every day for years.

She finally has her career and a life that she is proud of, but she knows that there is something missing. Her life isn’t perfect, but it’s okay. When the kids in her high school start coming to her to talk about a new drug being sold on campus, she knows that she has to find out who the person is behind it, but is she just walking into trouble again like she did years ago? Cece knows that her brother can help her, so she reaches out to him, but his idea of help is bringing her ex back into her life.

I really enjoyed this book of a second chance with the only person each of the main characters has ever loved. It’s full of action, suspense, secrets, deception, surprises, and two people that should have never split up. There are a lot of people that could be the distributor of the new drug, and the story will keep you wondering until almost the end. The danger lurking for the students kept me on edge wondering who would be next, and who the dealer was. I was shocked at the outcome, but I loved that is was not so easy to figure out. I give this book a 4.5-star review.

[M Mendes Bookstagram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow…that was intense. I was intrigued just by reading the blurb and just knew I had to see how thing would work out. Imagine having two little ones almost the same age and not know about one of them. I know a little about what it feels like for Cece. After my husband (boyfriend back then) and I were together for three months he got a call that his ex was pregnant. Didn’t help that she was friends with my best friends sister and she would tell her things and then tell her not to tell me. Like my best friend was going to not tell me exactly what she said! Things were bumpy back then but now that my husband’s ex and I (my husband too) share three granddaughters things are a lot better. She wouldn’t babysit our first granddaughter saying that my stepdaughter had to learn to take care of them on her own. So my granddaughter lived with us and went home on my stepdaughter’s days off (or at least that is what it seemed like till she turned 5 and started preschool). My granddaughter used to call me Mom since she was with us more than her own Mom (even when my Mom or anyone else tried to correct her). I had to decide from when she was fist born if I was going to be Grandma or Aunty (which is what my stepdaughter calls me) and I decided she is my granddaughter. But back to Second Chance Protector…I highly recommend Second Chance Protector and Lacey Kendrick as an author. Lacey sure did think up a whole lot of issues and complications that needed to be handled and still end with an HEA. Happy Reading!!

[Stacey K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Addicted from the beginning and couldn't put it down. Cece gets herself into a situation and her brother Eli reaches out the her ex-boyfriend and his friend Jon. Eli ask Jon to help which leads to Cece seeing Jon for the first time in a long time. She's quite surprised to see him out of the blue. Their first time seeing each other leads to a surprising revelation by Jon that tugs at my heartstrings and did not let go.

The first time these two end up hooking up again is unusual location, reminds them they haven't lost any of their chemistry together. As the High five investigation heats up and threats come in again Cece, she and Jon can't seem to stay away from each other. As the twists and turns in the investigation of high five lead to a dramatic conclusion, it also leads to some more revelations from the past in Jon and Cece's relationship. I love how once these two found each other again they can't stay away from each other even as they get mad, they still find away back. The drama that leads to the surprising conclusion as to whose involved with "High Five" makes this a page turner that sucks you into the story right from the beginning and keeps your attention until the end.

I absolutely loved the epilogue and the maturity of everybody involved. This was my first time reading Lacey Kendrick but definitely not my last.

I received an ARC copy of this book.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. Read it in one day! The storyline was good. The character development was pretty decent. I was annoyed with how selfish Cece got at times and why she wouldn’t have told Jon she was pregnant in the beginning and kept it from him when he came back for a period of time and then declared he always loved her etc. Jon is such a great guy - not perfect but I felt he truly wanted to do right by Cece and himself in their early relationship. But honestly I don’t fault the author for the negative feelings towards her heroine. Made her seem human vs a character that is just so perfect you know no one out there is like that if you get what I mean. I like when I can read a story and be submerged and get to know the characters and evolve my thoughts of them and see their development. I mean Cece in the end apologized and you can see where both came from even though it didn’t make the decision she made right.

As far as the main plot, I felt the story was intriguing and had me guessing who was the culprit of the drugs etc.

Overall it was a fun read and would recommend to others - passionate, a bit steamy (I typically skip all the details), love, mystery, and suspense. Occasional profanity but not out of control like some authors do.

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

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cece works as a counselor at the school. When a new drug shows up. They call everyone they can in to help get rid of it. Jon used to work at a security company, Nextus. When Eli from Nextus calls looking for help to get rid of this new drug. Jon accepts on a temporary basis. He is not sure if Cece will except the help from him. Since they used to date. After not seeing each other for years, they still have chemistry. But will Cece secret prevent their second chance?
This was book was good. But I think some of the story could have been developed a little more. For example, when Jon learns of Cece’s secret, he isn’t mad for that long. It seemed like he instantly forgave her. Which would have never happened in real life. Especially since he only lived a half an hour away. Otherwise, it had a little bit of everything. Suspense, mystery, romance. If you like second chance romance, you will enjoy this book.

[Shar · Rating 1 out of 5]

No se cansan las autoras de escribir mujeres así de patéticas? El tipo la deja y en seguida sigue adelante con su vida, acostándose por ahí y ella POR SUPUESTO se mantiene célibe.


El hombre deja embarazada a otra mujer (no puedo expresar lo mucho que ODIO este trope, el de la otra mujer embarazada del protagonista), por cierto, no me cuadran para nada las fechas, como es que las dos niñas tienen la misma edad, será que la niña que tuvo con la otra mujer nacio prematura o algo, o por supuesto nuestro héroe literalmente se acostó con esta mujer el mismo día que dejó a la protagonista.

Ya he leído un par de veces esta situación donde el hombre deja embarazada a la protagonista y a otra mujer al mismo tiempo y me parece de los más HORRIBLE y DESAGRADABLE. Además se llama.basi igual????? NO NO NO

El final del libro super apresurado y como siempre, todo sale de color del rosas para el hombre y la mujer de tiene que tragar a la otra mujer y a la otra hija, espantoso.

[Gazelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I enjoyed this book and the storyline. A small-town romance, brother’s best friend, first love, second chance, single father, single mother, enemies to lovers, secret pregnancy. It can check so many boxes for a lot of different people. This story had a mystery to be solved along with all the personal connections that needed to be sorted. As a guidance counselor CeCe interacts with high school students daily so when a new drug hits the school, she gets involved in trying to figure out how to stop it. She is of course too curious and probably a little trusting so she ends up being threatened. CeCe’s brother calls his best friend who lives about 30 minutes away to come help keep her safe and solve the case but that is where things get dicey. I wanted to know how the story was going to end so it was a quick read for me.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new author for me. I love protector romance so I gave it a try. This story follows Jon and Cece in this second chance romance. It’s 7 years after they called it quits. They had no contact but never forgot each other. Cece’s brother hires Jon - a former cop to join the group from his security firm to look into this dangerous drug that is introduced into the school where Cece is a school counsellor. When they see each other again,mit’s emotionally difficult but they also feel everything is as it should be. When Cece discovers Joh has a daughter about the same age as the daughter they have that he doesn’t know about is painful for Cece. Jon knows she is hiding something, but when she starts receiving threatening notes, all his protective instincts take over.

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

[Carrie O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable second chance at romance. Cece and Jon fell apart seven years earlier, with Cece waiting for Jon to reconnect, and Jon waiting for Cece to reach out to him. They had issues, and their breakup added a couple additional ones. But they will have to revisit those issues when a serious drug emerges at the local school where Cece is the guidance counselor and Jon is called in to assist the security agency tasked with assisting it's handling. What follows is an interesting, if ciruitous, route to our lovers clearing up their misconceptions and old issues. I loved the writing and the way the story is woven. The ending comes in a rapid turn, on the heels of a crisis resolved. And it's a very very HEA.

I received an advance copy to read, and my review is voluntary.

[Ally Doby (Schleicher) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes place six years after Damaged Protector and is told in first person POV by both the male and female characters. It was well written and easy to follow. If you haven’t read Damaged Protector, it is okay because you won’t be confused by what is going on.

I love that Jon comes back to help Eli and Cecelia with another problem that is plaguing their town. I love that even after everything and all the years apart, Jon and Cece still can’t fight their feelings for each other. I love that when everything comes out, Jon doesn’t run or make Cece feel worse for keeping the secrets she does.

I have enjoyed all of Lacey’s suspense romances and can’t wait to see what else she comes up with.

[Tesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cecilia and Jon had hard history together but when her brother calls Jon to help her investigate a drug issue at her school, his protective streak comes into full force.
Much to the detriment of their relationship, Cecilia had a secret she hadn't shared with Jon, so that starts then on unsteady footing leading to intense meetings for a while. I did love the push pull of the dynamic and their strain was definitely strong they just had things to sort out before hand.
This was well written and was a great read.

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

[Raecharmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cece and Jon have a history together and it didn't end well. Now years later they run into each other again when there is a drug problem at the school she works at. Sparks reignite between them, but she doesn't know why he left her before. She has a secret of her own from him as well. Will they be able to deal with the drug issue safely? Will they get another chance to be together? Will he leave her once he learns what she is hiding?

This is a great story that will hook you in the first chapter. This is a well written and very entertaining story. Its a book that any book lover would enjoy.

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

[Kim Mears · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cece is being threatened by someone, so her brother calls his friend Jon to help her out.
They are already intimately known to each other but haven't seen each other in years as Jon left Cece when he found out about a situation with his ex, not realising that he had left Cece in the same situation.
They are both single parents now and the chemistry is still there between them, can they take this second chance together to make this work this time around and can Jon protect Cece from the threat.

I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it.

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

[Tracy Tuttle · Rating 1 out of 5]

what?????

The male lead character in this book had a child with two different women within a span of months and they were named similar because the name meant something to the main female character. That’s just sad and pathetic in every way. This isn’t a romance it’s a tragedy, just gross. I stuck with it to see if by some miracle it would come across as anything other than gross but it never happened. Can you imagine.. Hi I’m Madi and this is my sister Madi we have two different moms and the same dad and we’re just a month or so apart but don’t worry we’re fully functional well rounded people from a good stable family. Just sad.

[ljamison · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the book “Second Chance Protector” Cece and Jon used to be in love years ago. They both let misunderstandings and miscommunications break them apart. Now Cece is a counselor in a school and there are drugs being circulated at her school. She calls her brother for assistance but he sends Jon to help. Cece and Jon both have children around the same age. It was strange that they never crossed paths especially since they didn’t live that far apart. It was an interesting read. I always love a second chance romance. A way for people to reconnect and hopefully be mature enough to make it work the second time.

[Anne (Izzie) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another well written book by Lacey Kendrick, she certainly knows how to write something which will keep her readers turning the pages until the end. When drugs become an issue at the school where Cece is a school counsellor her first love, Jon, is sent to help. Their attraction has not faded after their seven years apart, but both have something to tell the other. There is a lot going on as they try to find out who is bringing the drugs in whilst at the same time seeing if their relationship can be rekindled and move forward. Well worth reading.

[Jennifer Soppe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great second chance romance read

Cecelia, a school counselor, is surprised when Jonathon, former Navy SEAL and her ex-boyfriend, shows up at her school to talk to her about an incident that occurred earlier in the week. As the story progresses their paths keep intersecting, their encounters are vexing, and they find that dealing with their emotional fallout is quite taxing. Second Chance Protector is a great second chance romance read.

I received a free copy of the book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.

[Susan Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great story from the pen of Lacey Kendrick. Brilliant characters with a great plot. I was starting to wonder if Cece was ever going to tell Jon about Madi, and the way he found out, wow! And the fact that he had a Madi of his own, priceless! I hope there are more books from the NEXTUS guys, they sound like stand-up people with big hearts and I for one would love to hear more about them. I have been privileged to be on Lacey’s ARC team for her three previous books and I loved every single one of them too.

[Kyareth14 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cece & Jon❣️

This story has all the touches to have an entertaining, and good read. Cece is a school counselor who is having problems at work because of a new drug that is endangering all students at the school. For that reason she is forced to deal with Jon a friend of her brother who broke her heart 6 years ago. But being close relives the feelings they have, but each one has made his life during that time, and that includes the daughters that each one has. A good book, with a good plot and a very good ending.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cecelia / Cece has been having problems at work where she is a high school councillor, due to a new drug which is circulating around her students. Cece’s brother reaches out to her ex-boyfriend and ex-seal, for help. Jon broke Cece’s heart 6-years-ago and they have not seen each other since. This is a well written small-town romance, with secrets, redemption, emotions, second chances, chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining and heartwarming story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cece and Jon had a relationship some years ago but miscommunication caused it to end and they broke apart. Cece has the job that she dreamed of, but her life is pretty lonely. When the students at her school start talking to her about a new drug that is appearing, she knows she needs help. She reaches out to her brother for help, but he has a better idea: Send Jon to her for assistance. Will they be able to take advantage of this second chance? Or will it be too late since the people pushing the drugs know that Cece is investigating?

[Staci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cece and Jon had a relationship that ended about 7 yrs ago but unbeknownst to him it bore a child. When he is brought back into her life unexpectedly via her bro asking for his help, will they get a second chance but what happens when she learns he has a daughter the same age as their hurts but what happens when he finds out that he has another daughter. This was a good drama and emotional charged story.

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

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author and I enjoyed .
This book has a second chance romance, secret baby, and a mystery as to who is selling drugs in the high school.
Cece and Jon were together but then he left, feeling unwanted. During those six years apart babies happened and now Jon is going back to Cece's hometown to help find a drug dealer.
The storyline flows well. The characters are all likeable and well developed. The story was very believable.
There is drama but nothing too intense.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the people I was lead to suspect, the actual kingpin threw me. It just goes to show how can one claim that they know another person as clearly they had the whole community fooled.

The hints, twists and suspense will keep you turning the pages as well as the undeniable chemistry between Cece and Jon.

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

[Nicole Ortiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ok story. Was more invested in the back story that brought Jon and Cece back together. There were a couple times they hooked up and then Cece would be cold and push him away and then Jon would get angry and hurt and then they do it again. Didn't really feel a love connection between them. Then when he finds out she was keeping a huge secret from him he was mad for like thirty minutes and then it was like no big deal.

I received a copy from BookSprout and volunteered to leave a review.

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cece and Jon's story is a second chance romance with a twist of danger and turn of suspense. Secrets and past feeling grab you as you get lost in their story.

Good story to read.

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

[Mindy Bormann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lacey did an absolutely wonderful job in this book. This was a wonderful romance story. I always love when a prior couple finds their way back into each other’s lives.

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

[Elaine Swinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book, and I voluntarily chose to review it. This has twists and turns. I don't do spoilers so get the book and see what i am talking about. This is a well written story with wonderful characters. I would encourage everyone to get this one, it is worth your time.

[Alex Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic page turner from Lacey Kendrick. Delightfully hot and steamy. Great characters, and a well written storyline. Would recommend.

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