What do you think?
Rate this book
First Chance
“Darlin’, I think you’re God’s gift to this earth. A mirage of hope to be dangled in front of sinners like me.”
First Chance
Second Chance Sanctuary is notorious for taking in strays. So, when Jo Montgomery turns up for a job, she’s surprised to be turned away by the elusive Lochlan Dane at the gates for simply being a woman. He’s as wildly rugged as he is protective of the black bears he cares for and the parolees who work there because he’s no stranger to prison, or being trapped behind the rumors that swirl around him.
Jo’s aware of his infamous past, but she’s determined to find solace in a place known for being off-grid. When he discovers she is the former governor’s daughter, the man who gave him a second chance at life, he decides to pay a long overdue debt.
Unfortunately, she has no idea what chaos she’s walking into or the drama her presence there will cause. Lochlan hides behind a gruff exterior, but he’ll do whatever it takes to keep the claws of trouble from touching the woman he’s growing obsessed with.
Even when there is no reality where he can have her.
Content Violence, Adult Sexual Content, Accusations of SA, Animal Cruelty
First Chance
Second Chance Sanctuary is notorious for taking in strays. So, when Jo Montgomery turns up for a job, she’s surprised to be turned away by the elusive Lochlan Dane at the gates for simply being a woman. He’s as wildly rugged as he is protective of the black bears he cares for and the parolees who work there because he’s no stranger to prison, or being trapped behind the rumors that swirl around him.
Jo’s aware of his infamous past, but she’s determined to find solace in a place known for being off-grid. When he discovers she is the former governor’s daughter, the man who gave him a second chance at life, he decides to pay a long overdue debt.
Unfortunately, she has no idea what chaos she’s walking into or the drama her presence there will cause. Lochlan hides behind a gruff exterior, but he’ll do whatever it takes to keep the claws of trouble from touching the woman he’s growing obsessed with.
Even when there is no reality where he can have her.
Content Violence, Adult Sexual Content, Accusations of SA, Animal Cruelty
434 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 20, 2025
134 people are currently reading
322 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 21, 2025
I have been in the mother of all reading slumps.
All of a sudden, my tiktok suggests this guy and I was interested in the whole grumpy sunshine aspect.
Lochlan was annoying. A child in a grown man's body. He gets jealous at all the male attention Jo gets, does the whole hot and cold push and pull thing for the entirety of the book, has this whole I'm scum and you can do better attitude but does nothing to BE the better that she deserves... he's infuriatingly not the man I wanted.
Also, would it have killed the author to make him sexually less experienced? The guy was framed for rape and went to prison for how many years, doesn't trust women at all, but will go the next town over for a quick little ONS? yeah, that makes sense lol.
I liked Jo, I wish she had more of a spine at times, especially with Lochlan. The constant begging to be loved and wanted by him was slightly pathetic let's be honest.
All of a sudden, my tiktok suggests this guy and I was interested in the whole grumpy sunshine aspect.
Lochlan was annoying. A child in a grown man's body. He gets jealous at all the male attention Jo gets, does the whole hot and cold push and pull thing for the entirety of the book, has this whole I'm scum and you can do better attitude but does nothing to BE the better that she deserves... he's infuriatingly not the man I wanted.
Also, would it have killed the author to make him sexually less experienced? The guy was framed for rape and went to prison for how many years, doesn't trust women at all, but will go the next town over for a quick little ONS? yeah, that makes sense lol.
I liked Jo, I wish she had more of a spine at times, especially with Lochlan. The constant begging to be loved and wanted by him was slightly pathetic let's be honest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
2.5🌶
Y'ALLLLLL this series is soooo serverly underhyped that it's not even funny. I have loved every single book so far and this one may just be my favorite one.
Lochlan is a grumpy, ex-con (exonerated), owner of a Black Bear Sanctuary and Jo is young, the daughter of a governor, and just wants to be loved. They couldn't be more opposite, but they are completely perfect for each other. He is reluctant at first, but it doesn't take long for him to let her in and when he does, ugh, he does whatever he needs to protect her.
The suspense was so good!! I wasn't expecting the "bad guy" to be who it was. and the SPICEEE. myyyy oh my. it was a DELICIOUS slow burn. like the slowest burn I ever read honestly but I ATE it up. I also cried like 4 times. They were breaking my heart. I was getting a little worried toward the end there, not going to lie!
I can not WAIT for the next story... I'm sensing maybe Second Chance?! 😍
Tropes:
✨️ Grumpy/Sunshine
✨️ Virgin FMC
✨️ Age Gap (12 years)
✨️ Boss/Employee
✨️ Ex-Con MMC
✨️ Romantic Suspense
✨️ Small town
2.5🌶
Y'ALLLLLL this series is soooo serverly underhyped that it's not even funny. I have loved every single book so far and this one may just be my favorite one.
Lochlan is a grumpy, ex-con (exonerated), owner of a Black Bear Sanctuary and Jo is young, the daughter of a governor, and just wants to be loved. They couldn't be more opposite, but they are completely perfect for each other. He is reluctant at first, but it doesn't take long for him to let her in and when he does, ugh, he does whatever he needs to protect her.
The suspense was so good!! I wasn't expecting the "bad guy" to be who it was. and the SPICEEE. myyyy oh my. it was a DELICIOUS slow burn. like the slowest burn I ever read honestly but I ATE it up. I also cried like 4 times. They were breaking my heart. I was getting a little worried toward the end there, not going to lie!
I can not WAIT for the next story... I'm sensing maybe Second Chance?! 😍
Tropes:
✨️ Grumpy/Sunshine
✨️ Virgin FMC
✨️ Age Gap (12 years)
✨️ Boss/Employee
✨️ Ex-Con MMC
✨️ Romantic Suspense
✨️ Small town
lost-interest
August 24, 2025Sometimes you really want to read a book but the writing style just isnt it.
September 20, 2025
We first met Lochlan and the bear sanctuary in the last book, and I was excited to dig deeper into Lochlan’s story. His story, while darker than I imagined, did not disappoint. This was an intriguing romantic suspense novel that kept me on edge from start to finish.
Lochlan’s constant resistance to a relationship with Jo did start to wear on me after about a hundred pages, but I was still hooked. I loved the sanctuary setting, as well as the balance between the suspense and romance. I’m already looking forward to the release of the final book in this series.
Lochlan’s constant resistance to a relationship with Jo did start to wear on me after about a hundred pages, but I was still hooked. I loved the sanctuary setting, as well as the balance between the suspense and romance. I’m already looking forward to the release of the final book in this series.
September 21, 2025
it was okay just too long and kinda dumb sometimes.
*minor spoilers*
the beginning was really repetitive, push pull push pull by the H. it was really irritating cuz it felt like nothing else was really happening. this could have been 100 pages shorter if it wasn’t for this same circle they were going around in. it would have been nice to see more of them at the end as an actual couple and see what happened with the money troubles and sanctuary.
i also wish we got to see him actually feel bad about the way he treated her sometimes and grovel. he was rude for no reason. i think he apologized once. and she just barely held her ground. it was the same thing over and over, he says something mean, silent treatment, he does one nice thing without apologizing and she goes with it, then they’re back where they started.
her intelligence was emphasized on but we never see it. her initial ideas to save a WILD BLACK BEAR sanctuary was to bring CHILDREN on a school trip or private parties. -_- the fact that the H had to tell her that’s dangerous is so stupid. she also went into their enclosure on her own at night in heels….it gets to a point you know. her whole obsession with heels thing was weird. you can have preferences and stuff but if you’re working in a gravelly, muddy environment, and can’t even walk in some areas at all, why should you still wear heels? don’t tell me a character is smart only to never show it and just have her acting like a child.
her education also made no sense, you can’t go from a bachelors degree in PR and then do your masters in something completely unrelated, biomedical engineering, without basically repeating your undergrad first cuz of all the prerequisite classes you would need. and her thesis was on animals with prosthetic limbs acclimating to the wild (not their designs) it makes no sense that has nothing to do with her degree?? how did we get here? business undergrad to engineering grad with a veterinarian thesis…..? her thesis is i guess a way to have a personal interest in the bears but like, it was only mentioned for one line? so why not just make it something that made sense?
*minor spoilers*
the beginning was really repetitive, push pull push pull by the H. it was really irritating cuz it felt like nothing else was really happening. this could have been 100 pages shorter if it wasn’t for this same circle they were going around in. it would have been nice to see more of them at the end as an actual couple and see what happened with the money troubles and sanctuary.
i also wish we got to see him actually feel bad about the way he treated her sometimes and grovel. he was rude for no reason. i think he apologized once. and she just barely held her ground. it was the same thing over and over, he says something mean, silent treatment, he does one nice thing without apologizing and she goes with it, then they’re back where they started.
her intelligence was emphasized on but we never see it. her initial ideas to save a WILD BLACK BEAR sanctuary was to bring CHILDREN on a school trip or private parties. -_- the fact that the H had to tell her that’s dangerous is so stupid. she also went into their enclosure on her own at night in heels….it gets to a point you know. her whole obsession with heels thing was weird. you can have preferences and stuff but if you’re working in a gravelly, muddy environment, and can’t even walk in some areas at all, why should you still wear heels? don’t tell me a character is smart only to never show it and just have her acting like a child.
her education also made no sense, you can’t go from a bachelors degree in PR and then do your masters in something completely unrelated, biomedical engineering, without basically repeating your undergrad first cuz of all the prerequisite classes you would need. and her thesis was on animals with prosthetic limbs acclimating to the wild (not their designs) it makes no sense that has nothing to do with her degree?? how did we get here? business undergrad to engineering grad with a veterinarian thesis…..? her thesis is i guess a way to have a personal interest in the bears but like, it was only mentioned for one line? so why not just make it something that made sense?
February 7, 2026
“I will love you for as long as the earth dances around the sun,
for every night that meets its dawn,
you’ll be my only one.
And when the skies forget to glow,
and time begins to fade,
my love will linger in the stars,
a promise softly made.
And when stars forget their light,
I promise to love you still,
until the end of endless night,
and time itself stands ill.”
— E.A. Patinios
As I was scrolling through Pinterest, searching for the perfect poem to describe how this book made me feel, I came across this—and it stopped me in my tracks. It captures my feelings for First Chance so perfectly that it almost feels like it was written for this story.
This book is… honestly? Perfect.
I’ve read the first three books in this series, and I even reviewed the third one saying it was my favorite. Well—turns out I lied. This one completely surpassed it. I’m genuinely shocked, and deeply impressed, by Amber Cassidy’s ability to grow stronger with every single release. Most authors peak early, or slowly lose the magic that made their stories special. She does the opposite. Each book feels more refined, more emotionally aware, more confident in its storytelling.
This book is different. And I don’t say that lightly. I have nothing bad to say about the other books—not a single thing—but this one reached somewhere deeper. It captured my soul and held it hostage for two days straight, I lived inside these pages, and when I wasn’t reading, I was thinking about them.
Amber Cassidy’s writing is beautiful, It’s unique—not because it tries to be, but because it simply is. She doesn’t just write emotions; she translates them onto the page so you can feel them in your chest. She doesn’t just tell a story; she creates a world. And not only in this book, but in every book in this series. It feels like a show you’re so immersed in that you forget it doesn’t actually exist—except in your mind. Reading her work feels like finding a home inside a world that lingers long after you’ve closed the book.
I could see the characters as if they were standing in front of me. I could feel the atmosphere around them, the weight of every glance, every pause, every unsaid word. I felt exactly what the author wanted me to feel—and I’m still baffled by how underrated she is. This is the kind of book that should go viral. Not because it’s flashy, but because it’s crafted with care. It’s cleanly written, beautifully detailed, easy to sink into, and impossible not to live inside once you start. Like I said before—perfect.
All the favorite tropes live here: grumpy x sunshine, fake engagement, a ticking clock until she leaves, the aching I want her but I can’t have her. And usually, books with popular tropes like these just check boxes. They include them without depth, without a real backbone. The tropes exist, but the story doesn’t. Amber Cassidy doesn’t do that. She builds something real around them—characters with weight, emotions with consequences, a plot that actually matters. Reading her work is a pleasure, every single time. And no, I will never stop singing her praises.
Lochlan and Jo captured my mind, heart, and soul in a way no characters ever have. They made me feel everything—anticipation, longing, warmth, ache. It might sound strange, but their love felt tangible. I didn’t just read about it; I felt it growing, stretching, hurting, and healing.
Lochlan was gone for Jo from the very beginning—completely wrapped around her finger—and yet the story takes its time. This is a true slow burn, but not the frustrating kind. Okay maybe a bit frustrating - but at the same time completely right. It’s patient, intentional, and filled with meaningful moments that make the payoff so much richer. Instead of rushing into intimacy, we get connection. We get quiet scenes, stolen glances, and moments that linger longer than any rushed physical encounter ever could. Their bond felt earned, and because of that, it felt unbreakable.
And honestly? Jo and Lochlan might be the only characters who have never irritated me—not even for a second. Every reaction, every choice, every moment of hesitation made sense. I understood them. I believed them.
Read this book. Sit with it. Let it consume you.
It deserves to be read—and felt.
for every night that meets its dawn,
you’ll be my only one.
And when the skies forget to glow,
and time begins to fade,
my love will linger in the stars,
a promise softly made.
And when stars forget their light,
I promise to love you still,
until the end of endless night,
and time itself stands ill.”
— E.A. Patinios
As I was scrolling through Pinterest, searching for the perfect poem to describe how this book made me feel, I came across this—and it stopped me in my tracks. It captures my feelings for First Chance so perfectly that it almost feels like it was written for this story.
This book is… honestly? Perfect.
I’ve read the first three books in this series, and I even reviewed the third one saying it was my favorite. Well—turns out I lied. This one completely surpassed it. I’m genuinely shocked, and deeply impressed, by Amber Cassidy’s ability to grow stronger with every single release. Most authors peak early, or slowly lose the magic that made their stories special. She does the opposite. Each book feels more refined, more emotionally aware, more confident in its storytelling.
This book is different. And I don’t say that lightly. I have nothing bad to say about the other books—not a single thing—but this one reached somewhere deeper. It captured my soul and held it hostage for two days straight, I lived inside these pages, and when I wasn’t reading, I was thinking about them.
Amber Cassidy’s writing is beautiful, It’s unique—not because it tries to be, but because it simply is. She doesn’t just write emotions; she translates them onto the page so you can feel them in your chest. She doesn’t just tell a story; she creates a world. And not only in this book, but in every book in this series. It feels like a show you’re so immersed in that you forget it doesn’t actually exist—except in your mind. Reading her work feels like finding a home inside a world that lingers long after you’ve closed the book.
I could see the characters as if they were standing in front of me. I could feel the atmosphere around them, the weight of every glance, every pause, every unsaid word. I felt exactly what the author wanted me to feel—and I’m still baffled by how underrated she is. This is the kind of book that should go viral. Not because it’s flashy, but because it’s crafted with care. It’s cleanly written, beautifully detailed, easy to sink into, and impossible not to live inside once you start. Like I said before—perfect.
All the favorite tropes live here: grumpy x sunshine, fake engagement, a ticking clock until she leaves, the aching I want her but I can’t have her. And usually, books with popular tropes like these just check boxes. They include them without depth, without a real backbone. The tropes exist, but the story doesn’t. Amber Cassidy doesn’t do that. She builds something real around them—characters with weight, emotions with consequences, a plot that actually matters. Reading her work is a pleasure, every single time. And no, I will never stop singing her praises.
Lochlan and Jo captured my mind, heart, and soul in a way no characters ever have. They made me feel everything—anticipation, longing, warmth, ache. It might sound strange, but their love felt tangible. I didn’t just read about it; I felt it growing, stretching, hurting, and healing.
Lochlan was gone for Jo from the very beginning—completely wrapped around her finger—and yet the story takes its time. This is a true slow burn, but not the frustrating kind. Okay maybe a bit frustrating - but at the same time completely right. It’s patient, intentional, and filled with meaningful moments that make the payoff so much richer. Instead of rushing into intimacy, we get connection. We get quiet scenes, stolen glances, and moments that linger longer than any rushed physical encounter ever could. Their bond felt earned, and because of that, it felt unbreakable.
And honestly? Jo and Lochlan might be the only characters who have never irritated me—not even for a second. Every reaction, every choice, every moment of hesitation made sense. I understood them. I believed them.
Read this book. Sit with it. Let it consume you.
It deserves to be read—and felt.
September 7, 2025
this book was mid. the mmc was soo annoying the constant “she deserves better” but he never did anything to show he’s the better man for jo i get it he was accused of rape and stuff but there was so much that could’ve made his character better like actually show the growth of him becoming the better choice. the constant push and pull was getting annoying went on the entire book. it was actually milking it i get it at the start sure but all the way till the end was too much. Jo was pretty well written except how she kept begging for his attention when he was cold to her my heart actually kept breaking she did deserve someone much better than him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2025
This book absolutely destroyed me in the best kind of way. Lochlan is a reclusive wrongfully convicted man who spends all of his time with bears. Jo is a girl who just wants to be loved and will do anything to escape her awful family. They both love each other so loudly and will do anything to protect each other. I love Amber Cassidy’s writing and each book is absolute perfection. I cannot wait to read the final book in the series!
June 2, 2025
LOVED IT!!!
First Sight(book #1) will ALWAYS be my favorite in this series but this book came to a close second. Seeing how Lochlan thought of himself was heartbreaking. And seeing how Jo was treated by her family was heartbreaking. The last couple chapters was crossing my fingers wishing he would ask her to stay😂😂 so happy they finally got their ETA. Another great book Amber👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Can’t wait for Hayes and Liv’s book so could you please hurry it up a bit🙏🏻😂
First Sight(book #1) will ALWAYS be my favorite in this series but this book came to a close second. Seeing how Lochlan thought of himself was heartbreaking. And seeing how Jo was treated by her family was heartbreaking. The last couple chapters was crossing my fingers wishing he would ask her to stay😂😂 so happy they finally got their ETA. Another great book Amber👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Can’t wait for Hayes and Liv’s book so could you please hurry it up a bit🙏🏻😂
July 9, 2025
When I tell you I loved this book. Scratch that, I've loved this entire series!
Lochlan is a jaded, scarred MMC who was wrongfully convicted and spent years in prison. Jo is the unloved daughter of a senator, and all she wants is someone to treasure her. The suspense in this book is amazing, you really don't see the twists coming.
These two were always meant to be together and the tension while they figured that out was next level.
In fact the whole series is just *chefs kiss*.
Lochlan is a jaded, scarred MMC who was wrongfully convicted and spent years in prison. Jo is the unloved daughter of a senator, and all she wants is someone to treasure her. The suspense in this book is amazing, you really don't see the twists coming.
These two were always meant to be together and the tension while they figured that out was next level.
In fact the whole series is just *chefs kiss*.
September 2, 2025
I read this one first out of the series. I felt bad for Lochlan because of his past and he didn’t think he deserved to be with Jo because it would make her look bad. I was literally raging when I was on the last chapter because they still weren’t going to stay together and he was telling her she had to go and I was crashing out. I was so scared that the book wasn’t going to get a happy ending. Also when she almost dies broke my heart because he wouldn’t leave her and it was really emotional.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2025
5 stars.
5 FREAKING STARS
I have 449 HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS BOOK.
I am down right OBSESSED with Lochlan and Jo.
This is BY FAR my FAVORITE book by Amber Cassidy.
I immediately want to re-read this again
Tropes include:
Age gap
Boss/employee
Virgin FMC
Tortured MMC
Grumpy/Sunshine
Found Family
LITERALLY ALL OF MY FAVORITE TROPES
5 FREAKING STARS
I have 449 HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS BOOK.
I am down right OBSESSED with Lochlan and Jo.
This is BY FAR my FAVORITE book by Amber Cassidy.
I immediately want to re-read this again
Tropes include:
Age gap
Boss/employee
Virgin FMC
Tortured MMC
Grumpy/Sunshine
Found Family
LITERALLY ALL OF MY FAVORITE TROPES
July 3, 2025
“I told you I didn’t want to get rid of you, darlin’. You’re branded on me, now, but you’re already burned into my soul forever.”
Where is my scorned prince who will let his kingdom burn for me???
I’m soooo excited for Hayes’ book it’s not even funny
Where is my scorned prince who will let his kingdom burn for me???
I’m soooo excited for Hayes’ book it’s not even funny
July 29, 2025
a work of art
Listen friends. It’s 4 am and I couldn’t put this book down because it’s a beautiful work of literature. MMC was an absolute gentlemen and all the characters had depth.
Listen friends. It’s 4 am and I couldn’t put this book down because it’s a beautiful work of literature. MMC was an absolute gentlemen and all the characters had depth.
January 9, 2026
Wow. This book just goes to show that not everything is what they same and people can change. Major roll coaster ride of emotion. Jo finally found happiness and she fought for it. Lochlan got a second chance at life and he finally realized he did deserve it.
July 18, 2025
Very good
July 22, 2025
So so good. But why did he take so long to admit that HE LOVES HER.
July 30, 2025
I don’t know which book is my favorite out of this series so far but this is a close first! So so so good I’m obsessed!
August 22, 2025
4.75 ⭐️
December 16, 2025
The best yet
Jo and loch are my favorite pair yet. Excited to see what is in store next! And also sad that it'll be the last.
Jo and loch are my favorite pair yet. Excited to see what is in store next! And also sad that it'll be the last.
February 4, 2026
3 stars
August 22, 2025
She is desperate and he is a jerk with her… them he gets all her firsts (the innocent girl is not my thing) and finally he stops being a pain in the ass and they are together. The end
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2025
4 stars
I really loved so many aspects of this book! I think I related a little too hard to Jo and it was hard to really lose myself in the story as much as some of the others in this series. I liked how Loch was a big softie only for Jo and how it showed that you should never judge a book by its cover. I thought it was a cute story but the ending felt a little bit rushed.We never even got to know if one of the MMC's friends lived or died at the end it was like he was just forgotten about
I really loved so many aspects of this book! I think I related a little too hard to Jo and it was hard to really lose myself in the story as much as some of the others in this series. I liked how Loch was a big softie only for Jo and how it showed that you should never judge a book by its cover. I thought it was a cute story but the ending felt a little bit rushed.We never even got to know if one of the MMC's friends lived or died at the end it was like he was just forgotten about
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews