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Second Chances
Pam Matterson knew something was familiar about Dorothy Durham the first time she met her. It was her eyes. She had the same eyes of a woman Pam had been in love with in college. As Pam gets to know Dorothy she finds out that Dorothy is, in fact, the mother of Casey Durham, the woman Pam had been in love with. Dorothy is also in an abusive relationship with Casey's father, Bob. Pam works for an organization that specializes in getting women like Dorothy out of their abusive relationships and on with their lives. Pam promises to help Dorothy in anyway she can, so when Dorothy calls and asks Pam to come get her after a particularly brutal beating by her husband. Pam rushes to Dorothy's rescue.
Pam realizes that by placing Dorothy under her protection, she will be forced to face Casey again. She knows it is not going to be a good meeting because she hurt Casey badly when they were in college. Hopefully, Casey will give her a chance to explain what she was going through at the time. Maybe, Casey will forgive her for all the pain Pam caused her.
Casey Durham is retiring from professional basketball after five injury filled years. She is moving back to Nashville to start her residency as an orthopedic surgeon at her alma mater, Vanderbilt University. She is looking forward to being back in Nashville, but she is hoping to avoid Pam Benton Matterson. She had been completely in love with Pam in college, and had even given up her wild ways with women for Pam. But Pam had not given Casey a chance to prove how much she loved her and it had broken Casey's heart into little pieces.
Dorothy seemingly disappears sending Casey and her brothers into a panic. They are terrified that their father has done something to her. After seeing a report on the news about her disappearance, Dorothy calls the kids to assure them she is okay.
Casey wants to see her mother before she has to return to Memphis, where she had been playing basketball, to get the rest of her stuff. Dorothy's legal advisor, Pam makes arrangements for Casey to meet Dorothy at her office. When Casey arrives at Pam's office and is introduced to Pam by her mother, the temperature drops in the room from the cold stare Casey gives Pam. Even Dorothy notices the difference in the demeanor of the two women.
Casey can't believe Pam is her mother's legal advisor. Pam prays Casey will not take her off Dorothy's case. Will the two of them be able to put the past behind them and do what's best for Dorothy? Will Casey listen to Pam's story about the past and forgive her? Is there still any love for Pam left in Casey's heart?
Read this story to find out what happens when Casey finds out that things weren't always as they appeared.
Pam realizes that by placing Dorothy under her protection, she will be forced to face Casey again. She knows it is not going to be a good meeting because she hurt Casey badly when they were in college. Hopefully, Casey will give her a chance to explain what she was going through at the time. Maybe, Casey will forgive her for all the pain Pam caused her.
Casey Durham is retiring from professional basketball after five injury filled years. She is moving back to Nashville to start her residency as an orthopedic surgeon at her alma mater, Vanderbilt University. She is looking forward to being back in Nashville, but she is hoping to avoid Pam Benton Matterson. She had been completely in love with Pam in college, and had even given up her wild ways with women for Pam. But Pam had not given Casey a chance to prove how much she loved her and it had broken Casey's heart into little pieces.
Dorothy seemingly disappears sending Casey and her brothers into a panic. They are terrified that their father has done something to her. After seeing a report on the news about her disappearance, Dorothy calls the kids to assure them she is okay.
Casey wants to see her mother before she has to return to Memphis, where she had been playing basketball, to get the rest of her stuff. Dorothy's legal advisor, Pam makes arrangements for Casey to meet Dorothy at her office. When Casey arrives at Pam's office and is introduced to Pam by her mother, the temperature drops in the room from the cold stare Casey gives Pam. Even Dorothy notices the difference in the demeanor of the two women.
Casey can't believe Pam is her mother's legal advisor. Pam prays Casey will not take her off Dorothy's case. Will the two of them be able to put the past behind them and do what's best for Dorothy? Will Casey listen to Pam's story about the past and forgive her? Is there still any love for Pam left in Casey's heart?
Read this story to find out what happens when Casey finds out that things weren't always as they appeared.
237 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 22, 2014
38 people are currently reading
276 people want to read
About the author
M.E. Tudor
17 books102 followersM.E. Tudor lives in south central Kentucky with her cute dog, Ruby and cat, Chesher. She has an Associates Degree and Bachelor's Degree from Western Kentucky University and works as a librarian. When not working or writing, M.E. loves to travel, camp and hike.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
January 5, 2019
'Define carefully what makes you as a writer uncomfortable and dwell in that difficulty.Find ways to enjoy it.Note that this is just writing advice not advice on how to get published...'
Meh!
This was a terribly written story. Very frustrating and confusing storyline.
Meh!
This was a terribly written story. Very frustrating and confusing storyline.
July 4, 2016
Wow
I've found yet another author who I love. This is my 4th book by this author. She tackles serious issues in society very well. In fact she confronts them head on and makes an awesome storyline to go along with it. The characters are realistic and easy to follow. Great book, great author. Read, you'll enjoy.
I've found yet another author who I love. This is my 4th book by this author. She tackles serious issues in society very well. In fact she confronts them head on and makes an awesome storyline to go along with it. The characters are realistic and easy to follow. Great book, great author. Read, you'll enjoy.
September 21, 2015
Another reviewer referred to this book as "amateurish and heavy-handed," and I think that's an accurate description. The basic story was sound, but the execution was lacking. It made me think of someone who imagined a lovely melody, but lacked the training with their instrument to accurately reproduce it. You could see the intent, but everything felt clunky and graceless.
Among the many problems, aside from generally poor proofreading:
▪ points-of-view that switched nearly every paragraph
▪ head-hopping (sometimes within the paragraph)
▪ simplistic sentences
▪ telling rather than showing (lots and lots of this)
▪ extremely aggressive foreshadowing, lacking any subtlety at all
This is a decent time-waster for the money ($2.99 as I'm writing this), but it feels more like the work of a first-time author publishing online fiction than it does a professional work. Set your expectations accordingly.
Among the many problems, aside from generally poor proofreading:
▪ points-of-view that switched nearly every paragraph
▪ head-hopping (sometimes within the paragraph)
▪ simplistic sentences
▪ telling rather than showing (lots and lots of this)
▪ extremely aggressive foreshadowing, lacking any subtlety at all
This is a decent time-waster for the money ($2.99 as I'm writing this), but it feels more like the work of a first-time author publishing online fiction than it does a professional work. Set your expectations accordingly.
July 24, 2015
Two beautiful women with two difficult professions, get a second chance after so many years. They have to deal with domestic violence and abuse. But luckily also with tenderness, love and a lot of beautiful friendships. There are enough plots to keep the action in the story. I like the characters and Dorothy is my favorite but Pam has stolen my heart. This was a very romantic story and I really enjoyed it.
November 19, 2017
Be prepared for plenty of plot twists.
Good deeds lead to punishments and troubles with a capital T. Second Chances is an enjoyable book by a good writer.
Good deeds lead to punishments and troubles with a capital T. Second Chances is an enjoyable book by a good writer.
August 6, 2019
This took me so long to read because I completely forgot about it halfway through. It’s not a bad book, but I think the whole romance genre is a bit dull for me. The endless dinners, side-characters I couldn’t keep straight, family drama, jealousy etc. just couldn’t keep me interested. At least the author didn’t tell me every single time someone showered.
There was so much head-hopping I never knew whose POV we were in at any given time. Other than that, technically the writing was decent and the whole thing was well-edited it was just so bland.
Spoilers and rambling below:
I didn’t really understand the backstory. At first we get a flashback of Pam rejecting Casey then it seems like they dated and were in love with each other but Pam dumped Casey after their first kiss which took place in front of her dad (???)
I skipped a lot of this book. Like I said before, this book isn’t bad, it’s just not my thing. Family drama bores me, I also hate when a lesbian is in a fake straight marriage because of family pressure. I always think what a complete pain in the ass it would be to fake liking some random male enough to get him to like you back and going on dates and of course sleeping with him and all that wedding bullpuckey when you’re not even into him? Wouldn’t the guy figure it out after a while? At least in this one, the guy isn’t onscreen and doesn’t turn into an abusive rapist asshole.
Anyway, the narrative is well-written, if a bit on the tell-not-show side, and the few love scenes were pretty hot, the overall story is kind of sweet with just enough drama to keep someone who isn’t me interested and someone who is me flipping rapidly and checking the percent left with more and more despair as it hovers interminably around the 85% mark for what seems like an eternity.
3 Stars
There was so much head-hopping I never knew whose POV we were in at any given time. Other than that, technically the writing was decent and the whole thing was well-edited it was just so bland.
Spoilers and rambling below:
I didn’t really understand the backstory. At first we get a flashback of Pam rejecting Casey then it seems like they dated and were in love with each other but Pam dumped Casey after their first kiss which took place in front of her dad (???)
I skipped a lot of this book. Like I said before, this book isn’t bad, it’s just not my thing. Family drama bores me, I also hate when a lesbian is in a fake straight marriage because of family pressure. I always think what a complete pain in the ass it would be to fake liking some random male enough to get him to like you back and going on dates and of course sleeping with him and all that wedding bullpuckey when you’re not even into him? Wouldn’t the guy figure it out after a while? At least in this one, the guy isn’t onscreen and doesn’t turn into an abusive rapist asshole.
Anyway, the narrative is well-written, if a bit on the tell-not-show side, and the few love scenes were pretty hot, the overall story is kind of sweet with just enough drama to keep someone who isn’t me interested and someone who is me flipping rapidly and checking the percent left with more and more despair as it hovers interminably around the 85% mark for what seems like an eternity.
3 Stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2020
The story follows Pam and Casey, former college friends who might have had something more but were torn apart by Pam’s reluctance to form a real relationship. Casey, devastated, doesn’t know that Pam, although in love with her, faced enormous pressure from her father to marry a man and have the sort of life he would approve of.
The not-quite couple are thrust back together again when Casey’s mother is rescued from her abusive husband by legal advocate and women’s group member, Pam.
The story develops nicely, the relationships are solid, and the impact of domestic abuse on the wider family is thoroughly explored.
I really wanted to like this one but the writing was not good. There’s a lot of repetition within the dialogue, an overuse of the characters’ names throughout, and a lot of head-hopping and perspective changes, even within paragraphs. There are missing speech marks, sudden and unnecessary speech marks, there are some spelling errors (including a character’s name) and it was a bit of a slog to read.
“'There’s something not right about this guy. There is a crazed look in his eyes. It could be from drug use. He’s definitely on edge.’
Pam frowned, ‘Well, from what I know, it sounds like he’s been on the edge for a little while now.’
Officer Belk shook his head slowly. ‘In that case, he may be close to going over the edge...'"
Chapter Thirty-Two, Second Chances by M. E. Tudor
With apologies, this book needs an editor and proofreader. There is something good here but the writing needs help.
The not-quite couple are thrust back together again when Casey’s mother is rescued from her abusive husband by legal advocate and women’s group member, Pam.
The story develops nicely, the relationships are solid, and the impact of domestic abuse on the wider family is thoroughly explored.
I really wanted to like this one but the writing was not good. There’s a lot of repetition within the dialogue, an overuse of the characters’ names throughout, and a lot of head-hopping and perspective changes, even within paragraphs. There are missing speech marks, sudden and unnecessary speech marks, there are some spelling errors (including a character’s name) and it was a bit of a slog to read.
“'There’s something not right about this guy. There is a crazed look in his eyes. It could be from drug use. He’s definitely on edge.’
Pam frowned, ‘Well, from what I know, it sounds like he’s been on the edge for a little while now.’
Officer Belk shook his head slowly. ‘In that case, he may be close to going over the edge...'"
Chapter Thirty-Two, Second Chances by M. E. Tudor
With apologies, this book needs an editor and proofreader. There is something good here but the writing needs help.
March 14, 2018
Touching
This story gets into some very heavy topics and doesn't pull any punches about the danger women in abusive relationships are in on a constant basis. At the same time, it also tells a very sweet story of a romance strong enough to beat the odds when two people who loved each other, but never got together, are reunited at a time when they are more mature and able to be honest with their feelings. Highly recommended.
This story gets into some very heavy topics and doesn't pull any punches about the danger women in abusive relationships are in on a constant basis. At the same time, it also tells a very sweet story of a romance strong enough to beat the odds when two people who loved each other, but never got together, are reunited at a time when they are more mature and able to be honest with their feelings. Highly recommended.
February 4, 2019
A ex basketball player meets again a paralegal who helped her mom.
A organization who helps abused women escape from their imprisonment of their husbands sets the stage for two people to meet again. The paralegal helps rescue the mother of a would be former lover. The former lover begins to realize that a one kiss episode can be made into a possible longer and more kisses. Enjoy!
A organization who helps abused women escape from their imprisonment of their husbands sets the stage for two people to meet again. The paralegal helps rescue the mother of a would be former lover. The former lover begins to realize that a one kiss episode can be made into a possible longer and more kisses. Enjoy!
January 16, 2020
Great Book
What a great book! So many abused women who have to fight to survive their abusive husbands! This book touched my heart to hear about women in hiding and scared all the time! Thanks to all who help abused women to find a place of peace and a happy home without fear and abuse! Great story with a very happy ending even though Pam's Dad and Sister still didn't want to be a part of Pam' life! Would love a part two...just saying!
What a great book! So many abused women who have to fight to survive their abusive husbands! This book touched my heart to hear about women in hiding and scared all the time! Thanks to all who help abused women to find a place of peace and a happy home without fear and abuse! Great story with a very happy ending even though Pam's Dad and Sister still didn't want to be a part of Pam' life! Would love a part two...just saying!
February 26, 2025
DNF at page 31.
I have OCD and I have to finish each task I start, which has been annoying when I start a book I don’t end up liking halfway through.
But this book is just so so bad. I truly cannot get past how poorly it was written.
This seems more like the first (extremely rough) draft of a book. Like literally an outline of a story. I have no idea how the author thought it was ok to publish it.
From typos, poor spelling and grammar, to just how the story was relayed, it’s all bad.
I have OCD and I have to finish each task I start, which has been annoying when I start a book I don’t end up liking halfway through.
But this book is just so so bad. I truly cannot get past how poorly it was written.
This seems more like the first (extremely rough) draft of a book. Like literally an outline of a story. I have no idea how the author thought it was ok to publish it.
From typos, poor spelling and grammar, to just how the story was relayed, it’s all bad.
January 3, 2019
I enjoyed the characters and the action. The story is interesting and flows pretty well, though certain plot points were mentioned, but passed over. One of the characters found another woman asleep in her girlfriend's bed, and instead of giving the reader the drama of that moment as it was happening, it's just mentioned as a recent memory. All in all, it's a good book, just a little rushed.
February 13, 2022
Wonderful
This is a book, unsurprisingly, about a second chance. Pam and Casey were inseparable until family pressure forced Pam to break Casey's heart and reject her. Luckily it didn't end there and this story is a great second chance romance after the two come back in to each others lives.
This is a book, unsurprisingly, about a second chance. Pam and Casey were inseparable until family pressure forced Pam to break Casey's heart and reject her. Luckily it didn't end there and this story is a great second chance romance after the two come back in to each others lives.
August 6, 2020
Bland and unexceptional lesbian romance, with thin characters and thinner writing. There's a lot of telling rather than showing here, and it's conspicuous that the author resorts to tactics like 'she spoke a heartfelt and moving prayer' (paraphrased) rather than actually writing something heartfelt and moving.
I feel like this is an earnest (though badly edited!) effort, but it's not really a good book.
I feel like this is an earnest (though badly edited!) effort, but it's not really a good book.
February 2, 2018
Cute story with some srong themes. This book tackles domestic violence victims in respectful manner. Some mistakes and plot holes but enjoyable.
April 9, 2019
3.5 stars
June 11, 2019
Great book
I loved this book. I loved how they got back together after everything they went thru with hurting each other and it all started with Pam helping Casey's mother.
I loved this book. I loved how they got back together after everything they went thru with hurting each other and it all started with Pam helping Casey's mother.
August 15, 2024
Pam and Casey were such a cute couple. Drama, thriller and comedy, especially after the basketball game. Highly recommended. Couldn't put the book down.
May 29, 2015
“Second Chances” was my second chance to read the work of a new to me author this year and it did not disappoint! I tend to read a lot of the same authors over and again just because I’m familiar with them and their work. Books are like old friends and there is comfort in following the same character in new situations. I was delighted to find myself deeply engrossed in the variety of characters in “Second Chances” and the many ups and downs they experienced throughout this book. The slow but steady development of a character in a piece of fiction is important to me, as it’s just the same as getting to know the ins and outs of a new friend. I wouldn’t guzzle a glass a fine wine anymore than I would a good book. Needless to say, I have found some new “old” friends in this book and a new author to follow as well in M.e. Tudor.
June 20, 2014
Amateurish and heavy handed
The story spent too much time explaining itself, and every little tidbit of information in a piece of dialogue, every time. Even the slightest opportunity for a bit of suspense or surprise or a twist was ruined by "sense of foreboding" felt by whoever was nearby. Lots of repeated words, as if the author, using a word once, got excited about how good it sounded and felt the need to use it again, right away. Lack of editing was painful, at least twice instead of possessive "your" there was a "you're", and oh my, did it hurt. I did finish reading it, mostly because I read fast and don't like to leave things unfinished. Find a better book.
The story spent too much time explaining itself, and every little tidbit of information in a piece of dialogue, every time. Even the slightest opportunity for a bit of suspense or surprise or a twist was ruined by "sense of foreboding" felt by whoever was nearby. Lots of repeated words, as if the author, using a word once, got excited about how good it sounded and felt the need to use it again, right away. Lack of editing was painful, at least twice instead of possessive "your" there was a "you're", and oh my, did it hurt. I did finish reading it, mostly because I read fast and don't like to leave things unfinished. Find a better book.
December 6, 2015
Special Story
This is the story of Pam and Casey. They were in love with each other in school but neither admitted it. Pam married a man to please her bigoted father and so she could join his law firm. Five years later they reunite and Casey finds Pam divorced and now an out lesbian. You have to read the rest to find out what happens.
I found this book to be a gentle tale of two women reuniting and giving each other a chance despite the circumstances of their college years. The story was well written and really good. I enjoyed it for the romance it is. If you are looking for an easy reunion read this could be the just what you are looking for.
This is the story of Pam and Casey. They were in love with each other in school but neither admitted it. Pam married a man to please her bigoted father and so she could join his law firm. Five years later they reunite and Casey finds Pam divorced and now an out lesbian. You have to read the rest to find out what happens.
I found this book to be a gentle tale of two women reuniting and giving each other a chance despite the circumstances of their college years. The story was well written and really good. I enjoyed it for the romance it is. If you are looking for an easy reunion read this could be the just what you are looking for.
March 5, 2016
The mistakes in this book are driving me insane. Boutique instead of bouquet. A person leaving Memphis in the early afternoon and arriving in Nashville during the lunch hour (time travel maybe?) despite it being a minimum 3 hour drive (10 second Google search). Clumsy sentences. Sequencing issue - eg telling us she picked up the UHaul then in the next sentence telling us she'd previously picked up her friend so she could get her car home. This book is seriously in need of an editor.
November 20, 2014
I have had this book on my to read list for a while until finally I made the decision to read it. I am highly disappointed because the book left me regretting reading it. It was confusing because the point of view would change from paragraph to paragraph which left me rereading many parts. Also, towards the end, it felt as if it was being rushed to get to the finish line.
April 5, 2015
Plot twist
I liked this book I thought it was a nice read it has a small plot twist the hole book I was holding my breath thinking one thing was going to happen and bam the plot twist guess that's what I get for trying to figure the story out before I finish lol over all I thought it was good
I liked this book I thought it was a nice read it has a small plot twist the hole book I was holding my breath thinking one thing was going to happen and bam the plot twist guess that's what I get for trying to figure the story out before I finish lol over all I thought it was good
July 28, 2014
Loved it
I started reading this yesterday and had to force myself to stop reading this. I would have not gotten much sleep to make it to work today. I truly enjoyed this but felt a little disappointed since we don't what happen with the Stacy storyline.
I started reading this yesterday and had to force myself to stop reading this. I would have not gotten much sleep to make it to work today. I truly enjoyed this but felt a little disappointed since we don't what happen with the Stacy storyline.
September 26, 2014
So I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway... I am so glad I did! The sheer power of this book is so great, I loved reading every bit of it. The character development can be kind of vague but other than that, utterly loved it.
September 15, 2014
I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet romance! I thought the story flowed very well. The book is exactly what the title suggests. Its all about second chances! Its a great read for anyone that roots for love!
I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet romance! I thought the story flowed very well. The book is exactly what the title suggests. Its all about second chances! Its a great read for anyone that roots for love!
September 21, 2014
I enjoyed this sweet romance story, and the subplot of the work of the A.W.A.Y. (an advocacy group for abused women) group provided enough suspense to keep me turning the pages. There were a few editing slips, but overall I'd recommend for romance fans.
December 13, 2015
I think I read this years ago.
Wasn't this Xena uber function? I see it was rework a bit, but I could swear it's the same story. I still loved the story and the writing was pretty good. You lost one star because of editing errors.
Wasn't this Xena uber function? I see it was rework a bit, but I could swear it's the same story. I still loved the story and the writing was pretty good. You lost one star because of editing errors.
July 26, 2014
Cute, romantic story! Ms. Tudor's other novel, "Suddenly" is still my favorite by her, but this one is a close second! :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews