One More Chance

by Reno R. Mist

LOVE IS A DAGGER. BETRAYAL IS WORSE.

After dying in a devastating car crash, Levi wakes up twelve years in the past - back at the moment he walked out on the love of his life. His marriage to Sloane is shattered by betrayal, and his family left in ruins. But now, with the knowledge of everything he's lost, and everything that's coming, he's been given one impossible gift: a second chance.

This time, Levi will do anything to make things right. To prove to Sloane that he sees her now and show her she was always the one for him...even if he has to spend the rest of his life proving it.

As the world quietly begins to crumble, Levi and Sloane must confront the wreckage of their past while fighting to protect their children and each other. Through heartbreak, healing, and the slow rekindling of a once-shattered love, they'll discover that survival isn't just about enduring the end...it's about choosing one another, again and again.

One More Chance is a raw, emotional second chance marriage-in-crisis dark contemporary romance told entirely from a flawed but redeemable male POV. It's a story of love tested to its breaking point ​​​​​​from lies, guilt, and the fragile path to forgiveness when passion collides with pain and defies the Star-Crossed Lovers' Fate.

If you love introspective male leads, gritty emotional tension, and romances that hurt before they heal, this story will stay with you long after the final page. HEA guaranteed

For fans of: The Ten-Year Affair, All Your Perfects, Before We Were Strangers, The Edge of Us, A Thousand Boy Kisses and authors Taylor Jenkins Reid, Shaylin Gandhi, Colleen Hoover, Dani Atkins, Alexandria Lee, and B. Celeste.

Tropes & Themes
❤️‍Angst & Emotional Healing
✨ Betrayal → Redemption Romance
❤️‍ Dark Romance / Contemporary Romance
✨ Dystopian Romance Elements
❤️‍ Groveling MMC
✨ Later-in-Life Love
❤️‍Marriage in Crisis
✨ Other Woman Drama
❤️‍ Romantic Suspense / Psychological Romance
✨ Parallel World / Time Travel Romance
❤️‍ Second Chance Romance
✨ Emotionally Guarded FMC

Genres: Time Travel, Dark Romance, Romance, Second Chance, Fantasy, Adult, Contemporary

409 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 30, 2025

About the author

Reno is an aspiring indie author on a mission to fund her cat’s lavish lifestyle. She writes high-heat contemporary, fantasy, and dark(ish) romances that explore kink, desire, and the complexities of love for characters thirty-five and older.

Drawn to the unconventional, Reno crafts worlds where fantasy and passion collide — where gods, mortals, and monsters (both the spicy and unspicy kind) come alive on the page. She has a soft spot for full-body tattoos, tragic villains, and stories that blur the line between sin and salvation.

Wanna see pics of her cats? Sign up for her newsletter!

Reviews

[EARTH · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to dnf at 18 %. I can forgive a lot and love a good cheating to redemption arc. I think this book had amazing potential!! However, the cool idea had drawbacks that the author just didn't balance out and account for from what I read.

The fact that his second chance only comes 12 years after the betrayal - when he dies and time travels those years back to the fallout - is defs an interesting premise. So I went in excitedly.

However, I can't help but feel the fmc is screwed out of 'informed consent' in her decision to forgive the H. ( Which I've realized is a crucial ingredient in making this kind of trope work well.)

I say this because to her: it seems as though he confessed to an affair, walked out to be with the mistress, and came back a few days later distraught, fully repenting, and obsessed with getting her and his family back at any cost. He also appears to her have done a 180 personality wise in that short period of time. Her once absentee husband is suddenly emotionally mature and cares for her, as well as his children above all else.

BUT in reality. That's just not the case. The realiry is : After confessing to the affair, he left to live with the mistress and felt completely vindicated in leaving his wife and family.

He then admittedly spent all his time so "balls deep" in the new woman he did not ever consider the full effect it was having on his ex-wife and children. instead, they got divorced, and he did whatever he could to keep as much money for himself. He lived with and continued his relationship with the other woman for over a year. Even taking her on romantic getaways. including one to celebrate their anniversary. I guess somewhere in there, covid happens, and he says he saw it as a sign from god to stay holed up on vacation with his new girlfriend for a few months and have all the sex he could.

So in reality, the 'grovel' only really happens after him and the other women break up, the loss of his business, 10 or so more years, and lots of therapy.

THEN he decides he made a big mistake and wants to get his ex- wife back and gets the opportunity of a lifetime when the clock is turned back. lmao

ummmmmmmmm?

IDK. I kinda feel bad for the wife for being led to believe otherwise?

like she is led to believe ( through the timetravel loophole) that she meant enough to him that only days after walking out - he admits his mistake, ends the affair and crawls on his hands and knees for forgiveness from then on out.

lf she knew the whole truth, would she still take him back? Maybe this is addressed later in the book lol BUT the ick factor was just too high for me to care.

I give it 3 stars because it wasn't terrible writing and plot wise. It just defs did not work for me redemtion wise.

The admittedly interesting plot device ended up making it feel like the wife was just lied to and manipulated twice.

if some magic happeneds and it's worth continuing despite this, someone let me know. lol

[Danny Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I seriously enjoyed this. Though I took off a star because of the whole pandemic thing with people's lungs melting which to me was propaganda that I just can't get behind. I'm sorry. The pandemic has become so politicized now as well. Now with that out of the way, as a debut novel? Well done seriously. This story had my attention from beginning to end because I finished it in a day. This has on page cheating so be aware. You'll be inside the H's head the entire time which I enjoyed. Yes, he was overly poetic, but he had twelve year's and therapy before his life was cut short with him being murdered. And right before his life was cut short him and his ex wife were making it back to one another. Another thing I want to mention was the whole "toxic masculinity" thing. Which to me there's also "toxic feminity." That's just my opinion. Don't come at me. The whole alpha thing as well. 🤷 Anyways, I digress. So if you didn't pick it up from my previous comment this has a paranormal aspect to it as well which I loved because it was a little different. Their lives before he got his do over basically was in shambles. The beginning chapter when he came back into his body twelve year's in the past had my heart dropping, and I could really feel his anguish. His previous life had become a wreck, but not just his. His whole family. I don't want to spoil what happened because it was definitely heartbreaking seeing the aftermath of someone's affair and not having their dad present. Also, the poor wife Sloane when in the past life remarries, but something bad happens to that husband. I'll post safety down below. The kicker was how crazy the ow was and how she kick-started what happened to the H Levi. I'm not going to lie. He was indeed a selfish prick. And this scenario has happened to many a man IRL. Not the paranormal do over, but the affair. And the ow Angie was bat shit crazy. There's also a lot of kink that came in which surprised me, but not overtly so. The H liked to be bossed around a bit, but there's no denying she made him "alpha" even though she was putting it down throughout.

So yeah, a few thing's that I didn't enjoy, but overall I liked it. I was ok reading through the affair. It didn't bother me, but may bother some. I enjoyed his redemption and him becoming a better father and saving his daughter and son. I think I enjoyed his relationship with his children moreso than with his wife. I know some reviews said it was confusing, but I had no problem. Also, some said the editing was bad. I again had no problem. There's an epilogue and introduction to a new story that she's writing. To add to the epilogue. It has a bit of a sci fi feel to it as we're dealing with a parallel universe with this one.

Safety: on page cheating. I'm really glad we got his POV the whole time because most of the time authors don't go there or it's just shallow reasons. The author really dug in because this man wanted his life back. Not the same, but better and more positive. There's also mention of suicide. Always think that's important to add. Lastly, it's highly politicized as the author shows she doesn't really appreciate the unvaccinated. Which hey to each their own which ever side you find yourself on. But my family and I are not vaccinated with this particular vaccine because it wasn't for us. Only because two family members became deathly ill from the vaccine. One passing away 3 months later not related to the virus, but complications from the vaccine boosters. But hey! No one wants to talk about or accept that because it didn't happen to your family so you're ok with it happening to other families. All for the greater good as long as it didn't touch you. Am I right? But I paid to read this so I'm giving my experience with it. But with all that said I would read more from this author.

[The Bookish Elf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reno R. Mist's debut novel "One More Chance" delivers a visceral punch to readers who dare venture into its dark psychological landscape. This isn't your typical romance where love conquers all with pretty ribbons and happily-ever-afters. Instead, Mist crafts a brutal examination of betrayal, consequence, and the terrifying question: what would you do if you could undo your worst mistake?

A Premise That Grips From Page One

The story opens with Levi Shaw waking up in bed with Angie, the woman who destroyed his life through an affair that cost him everything. But this isn't a moment of weakness—it's a supernatural gift wrapped in torment. Levi has somehow been thrust twelve years into the past, back to the moment just days after he walked out on his wife Sloane and their children.

What makes this premise particularly compelling is how Mist avoids the typical time-travel fantasy trappings. This isn't about changing the past for personal gain; it's about a man forced to confront the wreckage of his choices while racing against time to prevent even greater disasters. Levi knows what's coming—a global pandemic, his children's tragic fates, and the complete destruction of his family—and he must navigate these challenges while dealing with his obsessive ex-mistress and rebuilding trust with a justifiably skeptical wife.

Character Development That Cuts Deep
Levi Shaw: The Flawed Protagonist We Need

Levi emerges as one of the most complex protagonists in contemporary romantic suspense. Mist refuses to sanitize his character or provide easy justifications for his past betrayal. The author forces readers to sit with Levi's selfishness, his entitlement, and his devastating capacity for emotional destruction while simultaneously making us root for his redemption.

The character's internal monologue reveals a man genuinely grappling with the magnitude of his failures. His desperate attempts to prove himself worthy of a second chance feel authentic rather than performative. Mist captures the way guilt can simultaneously motivate and paralyze, showing Levi's struggle to balance transparency with his desire to protect his family from harsh truths.

Sloane: A Portrait of Resilient Strength

Sloane stands as the emotional core of the novel, representing every woman who has been betrayed and forced to rebuild herself from the ashes. Mist writes her with remarkable nuance, avoiding the trap of making her either a doormat or an unreasonably vindictive character. Her journey toward potentially trusting Levi again feels earned and realistic.

The author captures the complexity of loving someone who has deeply wounded you. Sloane's internal conflict between her lingering love for Levi and her justified anger creates genuine tension that drives the narrative forward.

The Supporting Cast: More Than Plot Devices

The children, Violet and Liam, feel like real teenagers rather than convenient plot points. Their responses to their parents' fractured relationship ring true, from Liam's cynical protective shell to Violet's desperate hope for family reconciliation.

Perhaps most intriguingly, Charlie Monroe emerges as a fascinating wild card. Without revealing too much, his character adds layers of complexity that elevate the story beyond a simple redemption arc. His relationship with Sloane and his mysterious knowledge create an undercurrent of tension that keeps readers guessing.

Writing Style That Serves the Story

Mist demonstrates remarkable control over pacing and emotional beats. The narrative alternates between heart-pounding suspense and intimate character moments without feeling jarring. The author's prose style is clean and direct, allowing the emotional weight of the story to carry the narrative rather than relying on flowery language.

The dialogue feels authentic, particularly the conversations between Levi and Sloane as they navigate their complicated history. Mist captures the way people actually talk when processing trauma and attempting reconciliation—halting, defensive, vulnerable, and real.

Dark Romance Elements That Actually Work

Unlike many entries in the dark romance genre that rely on problematic dynamics for tension, "One More Chance" earns its darkness through genuine consequences and realistic relationship dynamics. The "dark" elements stem from the characters' psychological struggles and the weight of their circumstances rather than manufactured drama.

The romantic elements develop organically from the characters' shared history and Levi's genuine efforts at change. Mist avoids the common pitfall of using grand romantic gestures to paper over serious relationship issues, instead focusing on the small, daily acts of commitment that actually rebuild trust.

Suspense Elements That Enhance Rather Than Distract

The mystery surrounding Levi's return to the past adds intrigue without overwhelming the relationship dynamics. The stalking subplot with Angie creates genuine tension and demonstrates the far-reaching consequences of Levi's past choices. Most effectively, the looming pandemic adds urgency to Levi's mission while serving as a metaphor for the ways external forces can expose the fragility of our carefully constructed lives.

Themes That Resonate

The novel explores several profound themes that elevate it beyond genre fiction:

The Weight of Choices: Every decision carries consequences that ripple outward, affecting not just ourselves but everyone we love.

The Nature of Redemption: True redemption requires more than good intentions; it demands consistent action and the humility to accept that some wounds may never fully heal.

Family Resilience: The ways families can break and potentially heal, showing that love alone isn't enough without trust, commitment, and sustained effort.

Second Chances: The question of whether people truly can change and whether some mistakes are forgivable.

What Makes This Book Exceptional

"One More Chance" succeeds on multiple levels, with masterful pacing that allows readers to fully absorb the emotional weight of each revelation. Levi's internal monologue creates an intimate connection between reader and character, perfectly capturing his obsessive guilt and desperate hope. The supernatural elements are handled with sophistication, focusing on emotional truth rather than technical explanations, which serves the story's deeper themes beautifully.

The Verdict

"One More Chance" announces Reno R. Mist as a significant new voice in psychological romance. This debut novel takes risks that pay off, delivering a story that challenges readers while providing genuine emotional satisfaction. The book succeeds in being both a page-turning thriller and a thoughtful examination of marriage, family, and the possibility of redemption.

Mist has created a story that will linger in readers' minds long after the final page. It's a book that demands to be discussed, that raises questions about forgiveness and second chances that don't have easy answers. For readers willing to embrace a darker, more complex approach to romance, "One More Chance" delivers an unforgettable experience.

This is emotional fiction at its finest—challenging, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful. It's a powerful reminder that the best love stories aren't always the prettiest ones, but the ones that show us the true cost and value of human connection.

[Soma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the first page. I loved how Levi was giving the chance to fix what he did and was able to prove his love and heart to his family. Not completely pleased with the ending though. There were too many loose ends, but overall, a great read.

[Paula (on hiatus)]

GR not allowing me to post the link of the best review which is by Lalalou's 2 star review.
I want to preface that I have not read this story, and nor do I ever want to, because this is not a well written cheating trope that I can even attempt to read because MMC's redemption per reviews is literally none. So this is a note to myself why I will never read it and to stay away.

Premise of the story is that the MMC cheats on his wife who is pregnant with their 3rd kid with OW. They get divorced and he is with OW for 2 years where he "used & abused" her until he grew tired of her and kicked her ass out.

OW spends the next 10 years cock blocking him from moving on with any OW. So lonely & sexless, he dies and is given a 2nd chance to make things right with his ex wife (FMC) and kids. The doormat of course takes him back but he lies to her about the OW all through the story until the end by telling her it was just a little fling that lasted for a few weeks instead of two+ years.

And with him going back 12 years prior, it stops the divorce, the kidnapping and murder of his eldest daughter, his son from drug addiction and the FMC from aborting their 3rd child. But it also stops the loss of his career/company and his finances.

So what exactly was his punishment here? Because from honest reviews, he does no grovel. Just slinks his ass in as if nothing happened, had his fun with OW and got his jollies off and now back to the doormat who took him in.

[VoraciousReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this book was brilliant. If only the author had stuck with it.

It started as a second chance romance with a paranormal twist. Then, the author threw in a boiler bunny ex and it veered off into a suspense book about a stalker. Then COVID hit and it turned into a book about living through the pandemic and how it divided the world into vaxing/no vaxing factions. Then, it turned into a book about a serial pedophile kidnapper and the MMC trapping and killing him. Then, it went back to the paranormal storyline and suddenly, the MCs turned into doomsday preppers complete with a cement bunker under their home.
🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

[kileigh✨ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you, Reno R. Mist, for the ALC of your recently debuted novel, “One More Chance”. Narration by Jonathan Waters.

If I’m being honest, if I didn’t have the alc, I probably would’ve dnfed this book :/

“You want to know why I don’t want to have sex?” she asked. Her voice was cold and steady now.
“It’s because I already feel like I have a third child. And news flash, Levi, having a man child isn’t exactly a turn on.”

This book is written from the male’s pov, the cheater, and it makes me sick to be quite honest.. The justification behind his actions are hard to sit through.
I love second chance romances, but this did not feel like that, at all. His ex wife took him back after he cheated, and walked out on his family. They never even worked through the main issues of their relationship. He slithered his way back in by doing the bare minimum… Literally, this man did the dishes and expected a pat on the back. He made his kids’ school lunches and wanted to be told what a good job he did… The most unattractive, insufferable mmc.
Also, Instead of talking through what went wrong with their relationship in the first place, they just fuck… Every time they start to have a meaningful conversation, they ended up in the bed.

That’s why I’m so confused as to how this is supposed to be his “redemption arc”. No real redemption was even attempted. Levi’s need for constant praise was tiring and so gross. A grown man, might I add…

His kids in the book were fumbled. If you wanted to make this a true novel about redemption, it should include the entire family. The scenes he had with his kids were weird and void of any emotion whatsoever. He hasn’t seen his kids in months, and then all of a sudden he’s taking them to Disney, and he becomes “dad of the year”. Again, is the redemption in the room with us? Because all he’s doing is literally buying their “love”.

There’s a scene in this book that literally made me so mad…
His ex wife had a sex toy made for him during her pregnancy…
Let’s unpack that…
While she was very pregnant, and while they were “working on reconciliation”, his ex wife got her cheating ex husband a sex toy to “hold him over” until she gave birth. While that’s not completely abnormal, given the circumstances of the situation, it screams “I’m insecure”. It’s giving “I don’t want my husband cheating on me again, so I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him with me during this pregnancy.”
GIRL. KICK HIM OUT.
RAGE BAIT!

Last thing I’ll say about this… I’m actually so confused by the whole time travel aspect of this book. It added absolutely nothing to the plot, and the epilogue was weird as hell with all of the Gods having a conversation about fate and love. Makes zero sense, considering the mmc cheated on his wife and abandoned his kids, then just decided to show back up and try again. BYE!

I’m not sure what the point of this book was. It was far from a redemption novel or a second chance romance. This whole book was rage bait.
Honestly, I would’ve been thrilled if this book didn’t have a HEA… I wanted him to end up alone.


-✴︎pre-read✴︎-

Thank you Reno R. Mist and Blush for giving me this ALC in exchange for an honest review🤍🎧

[LaBlue]

39% UPDATE

I have not finished this book yet because it has strong subject matter. It definitely starts out with a bang. Literally, as the MMC is reborn after a car accident k!lls him into a moment in his life twelve years earlier. Right in the middle of sex with his AP evil OW. I loved the confusion and horror and the rundown of what had originally happened with his life and how he was going to fix everything. It was exactly what I wanted to read from a cheater romance story. But all the stuff with the MMC’s daughter had my anxiety up so I peeked at the last chapter and it turned me off of continuing this book for a bit. It’s an amazing read for me so far but I needed space until I can pick it up again and let it play out to what I read in the last chapter. I already know I won’t like the ending and I’ll try to explain in my final update when I get there.

However, this book is phenomenal so far. I absolutely want to read more by this author as she does pain and betrayal and heartbreak and redemption extremely well and detailed. I was definitely enjoying this book before my anxiety level became too much before I cheated by skipping to the ending to calm me down. Definitely worth reading at least once. TBC

[Jenni · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 - 3.5 stars
One More Chance is Reno R Mist’s debut novel in dark romance, and it is well-crafted. What I appreciate about this story is that the male main character (MC) takes responsibility for his mistakes, including his callousness, betrayal, selfishness, and self-indulgence—and he strives to make amends. The drama feels genuine and not contrived, as is often the case in many stories.

The premise is a complex, multilayered, dark psychological paranormal tale. It is filled with themes of betrayal, vengeance, time travel, suspense, angst, darkness, a pandemic, a stalker, a paedophile, redemption, and second chances.

Levi has destroyed his life, his wife’s trust, and the well-being of his children—what was it all for? Suddenly, he finds himself transported back in time to just after he ruined everything. Now, he must ensure he can keep everything he ever wanted but didn’t recognise until he lost it all. However, one person stands in his way: Angie, with whom he had an affair, is determined to hold on to him, creating very real consequences that may prevent him from achieving his goals.

Sloane has endured what many women face—betrayal from the one who was supposed to love and cherish her. She must now decide whether to find it within herself to forgive or to walk away. However, it’s challenging to forgive him when she is filled with anger and hurt. Additionally, she must consider her two children during this tumultuous time. I don’t condone cheating, so I hoped she would walk away. You will have to read it to see if she does.

One More Chance is an emotional journey, showcasing that relationships are not always filled with sunshine and roses; they can also be raw and gritty. Although there are many loose ends, the ending does not feel as satisfying as it could be.

[Bookish.Midnight. and. black · Rating 4 out of 5]

hmm, this was different, something new.
we have the H' pov, time travel, twists, second chances and groveling. not bad.

i didn't like the talk about the pandemic. it's not taboo but it felt like the author has an opinion and if you are not with her on this one, you are against her. a romance book about second chances it's not the place to talk about vaccines or pandemic if the main plot isn't about this. so i took a star for this

[Alayna Kipp · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review!

I gave this book four stars because I loved the plot of the book, the detail throughout was amazing, it was a beautiful story about a second chance. I did notice inconsistencies in the stories which is why I rated it 4/5 stars.
The timeline was a bit confusing at parts and I had to go back to reread some parts and sometimes even then it didn’t make sense. I don’t like that they chose the name Angie for the receptionist at the clinic and for Levi’s crazy mistress. I also noticed in chapter 33 the author says the name April but I assume they mean Violet.
Overall I really enjoyed this book, it provoked so much thought, how much choices can affect your future, how there are consequences to actions. This writer is incredibly talented with descriptions and they really make you feel for the characters when they’re describing feelings, I highly recommend giving this book a shot!

[Tyler Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if you could wake up in the past, armed with the devastating knowledge of every mistake you're about to make? Reno R. Mist's "One More Chance" hurls readers into this heart-stopping scenario through Levi Shaw, a man who opens his eyes twelve years in the past, back to the moment that will define the rest of his life.

This isn't your typical time-travel romance where magical solutions fix everything with a wave of destiny's hand. Mist crafts something far more brutal and beautiful: a story where knowledge becomes both blessing and curse. Levi knows his affair with Angie will destroy his marriage to Sloane. He knows their children will suffer unimaginable fates. He knows a global pandemic will tear the world apart. Yet knowing and changing are two entirely different beasts.

What makes this novel extraordinary is how Mist refuses to let Levi off easy. Every conversation with Sloane feels like walking through a minefield of their shared history. Every interaction with their children, Violet and Liam, carries the weight of futures that must not come to pass. The author masterfully balances the supernatural premise with raw human emotion, creating a narrative that feels both fantastical and painfully real.

Sloane emerges as a powerhouse character in her own right, never reduced to simply the betrayed wife waiting for redemption. Her journey toward potentially trusting Levi again is earned through genuine growth and authentic emotional processing. Mist writes their relationship with such nuanced understanding of trauma and healing that every breakthrough feels monumental.

The mysterious Charlie adds layers of complexity that elevate this beyond simple romance into something approaching mythology. His presence hints at larger forces at work, setting the stage for what promises to be an epic series exploration of love, time, and consequence.

[Lalalou · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dying and waking up twelve years in the past is unrealistic, impossible, the stuff of fiction. Cheating on, abandoning, and humiliating one's wife and young children is realistic, possible, and common among scoundrels. That's what this book is about: the redemption of a scoundrel who remains dishonest until the very last page, hiding from his wife that he used and abused his mistress until he finally grew tired of her. Hiding from his wife that for the last ten years, he couldn't maintain a relationship because his rejected mistress kept his romantic interests at bay. Lonely and sexless, but still the chosen specimen of the gods, our dear scoundrel was given a second chance to return to the past and wipe his feet on the doormat granted to him through marriage. Let his foolish wife believe it was just a fling lasting weeks, instead of a relationship lasting more than two years with someone else. As if that weren't enough, we read, over the course of more than 300 pages, how the protagonist can't get enough of his wife's body. While he has the excuse of not having sex with her in twelve years, what does she have? Just love and sincere lust? It was embarrassing to read about her surrender, knowing what we readers know and she doesn't. My God, how weak this wife must be to highlight her husband's redemption curve. She's just a sexual cushion adorning the backdrop of the redeemed scoundrel's heroic trajectory. Armed with insider information about the economy and public health of the immediate future, he prevents the divorce, the company's bankruptcy, the kidnapping and murder of his daughter, his son's drug addiction, and the abortion of the baby his wife was expecting when she was abandoned. In other words, he cheats on everything!! Success, another book glorifying cheating men at the expense of weak, desperate, and dependent women. Congratulations to everyone involved!

[☆Laura☆]

Levi no se merecía esa segunda oportunidad, la cual además nunca quedó claro si fue producto de la magia, de un poder divino o de viajes en el tiempo y que al final resultaran ser varios personajes quienes podían hacer eso solo dejó más preguntas que respuestas.

Resumen rápido: Levi, quien solo tenía que trabajar, esperaba que su esposa Sloane, quien también trabajaba, además de encargarse de la casa y los niños, tuviera tiempo para cuidarlo a él también. Cuando ella le pedía que sacara la basura o pasara tiempo con sus hijos, él se sentía ofendido. Entonces empezó a ir al gimnasio para evitar estar con ellos, y ahí conoció a Angie, una mujer joven que lo encontraba atractivo, le coqueteó y lo hizo sentirse joven y necesitado de nuevo. Tuvieron una aventura. Levi dejó a Sloane para irse con Angie. Su relación con ella duró dos años y obviamente termino mal, y durante la siguiente década estuvo solo, mientras veía cómo Sloane se enamoraba y se volvía a casar. Se arrepintió de haber perdido a su familia y, gracias a su suerte (supongo), al morir pudo regresar 12 años atrás, justo después de haber dejado a su esposa, y lo vio como su oportunidad para arreglar todo.
Sloane, que se suponía estaba herida y traicionada, lo perdonó demasiado fácilmente. Él logró “enmendar” sus errores y fue feliz para siempre.
-

Ah, lo único que me gustó fue que se pudo evitar lo de la hija.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest

[Ashlee Tharman · Rating 5 out of 5]

**ARC READ**

Levi gets another chance in life after destroying his first attempt with poor decisions, including cheating on his wife. When he returns, he vows to do everything right, and turns promises into action. When his original past comes back to haunt his new future along with an upcoming global pandemic, will Levi be able to change the course of his life?

This book was so unique and seriously wonderful!! This had some amazing character growth and development all around with scenes that brought tears to my eyes as well as a racing heart in all the right moments. I loved watching relationships get rebuilt, and the situation with Violet made me so happy to see it resolved the way it was. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read more from Mist!

[Hollie Payne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has such an interesting premise. It was easy to relate and feel along with most of the characters, and i love Levi's development throughout. The time travel element was unique but difficult to understand until the very end. My only negative is the virus had no impact and seemed irrelevant to the story.

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

[2manybooks2littletime · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to my partner, Love Books Tours, and the author. I appreciate the gifted audiobook and am leaving this review voluntarily!

1. 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 • If there is a story that will make you question what you’d do with another chance, this is the one. I think everyone has something that they’d choose NOT to do if given a do-over.

2. 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 • Why is it so easy to get stuck in the mundane day-to-day existence we live in? I think this story really makes one reflect on how fortunate we are to have the things that we do, and yet, how easy it is to become complacent.

3. 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 • I think we see this with two characters. Levi shows this in his desire to get his family back in order and with his sexual appetite. Angie is simply unhinged and I was terrified of what she was going to do next.

4. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 • This was a struggle for me. Yes, it is a dark romance. I still honestly found myself disgusted with Levi and his nonstop sexual references. I feel like in the situation he found himself in, that would not be so forefront in his mind.

5. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 • While I get the reasoning behind the epilogue, I have to admit that it just didn’t work for me. I would’ve been just fine not knowing the reasoning behind the jump into the past. However, knowing that it is the introduction to a fantasy series does intrigue me, so I will hold out hope that it all comes together for me eventually!

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the Author & LBT for allowing me to adv listen to this audiobook

This one caught me off guard a little. I expected a dark romance but I felt like it was more Thriller feeling rather than dark. I was left a little confused in several places of the audiobook but slowly caught up with the jumps between time.

SPOILERS AHEAD
The time travel element confusion, Let me explain.

⚠️ LAST SPOILER WARNING ⚠️

So the plot is about a married couple who separate due to the husbands (the POV for 99% of the book) infidelity.
He tragically passes and gets pushed back 12 years to a moment in time that could change everything.
Then we get jumps back & forth, and so on. I couldn’t keep up sometimes with the time travel element but this could be my own issue (I wasn’t very well at the time).
I also feel like there was character tone change in a couple chapters that matched some tones of the last chapter that maybe I’ve thought it was the MMC but it could be the others.
This being said, the plot is very detailed, the characters you start to connect to including the husband, there’s even a loyal protective doggo in the plot!
Plenty of chapters after I’d say around the halfway mark have plenty of spice.

Levi
You’d think you would hate Levi all the way through this book due to his infidelity, but instead you start to connect to and start to route for him. He messed up big time, but you sense the very real changes he makes to change his past.

Sloan
Sloan did irritated me sometimes. She went through a very rough time with what her husband did which I sympathised with, but the hot & cold back and forth was kinda annoying. But I felt for her with what Levi had done to her & their children.

I also felt particularly sorry for one side character, Charlie, whom is basically stuck in the middle and trying his hardest to fix multiple problems that he’s witnessed but his alternative timeline is sad (dark topic warning for this character)

Also Angie.. UGH! She drove me insane!

In general, the author created a complex plot (it’s not a bad plot at all and I did enjoy it), threw in a heap of spice (the toys by the end 😅) and left me confused and wanting a further book for more explanation to that last chapter. Will be looking out for more work in the future, specially anything connected to this book.

[Lex · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Inside that moment together, we weren't husband and wife. We weren't betrayer and betrayed. There was no past, no scarred life to trip over. We were simply two people who had once belonged to each other, meeting again at the edge of something half-remembered and holy."

After dying in a car crash, Levi is transported twelve years back to (a couple of weeks after) the moment that sets the course for the rest of his life. He has been graced with the opportunity to embark on an apology tour, and try to mend his marriage, his relationship with children, and save himself from a couple of other mishappenings (to put it lightly).

When I first started this, I have to admit that I despised Levi and had little confidence I'd ever come around on him. His grovelling expedition worked miracles, as did Sloane's unwillingness to settle for words and bare minimum action. Their navigation of the second chance was messy, honest, and had the same "two steps forward, one step back" that I'd expect of two people trying to maneuver infidelity and betrayal, with two children to consider.

I rated this three stars because, as impressive as it was that the author had me come around on Levi, there were a couple of misses for me.

I didn't love the background of the pandemic, and it felt at times like subliminal messaging. It also did not add to the story. I thought it would be a forced proximity thing, but they were leaving the house no problem. This background only delayed a few plot resolutions.

I was also disappointed by the ending. It's revealed throughout the ending that several of the characters are given second chances, which diminished that opportunity as an oddity. . It took away from the excitement for me. Finally, the epilogue, weaving in fantasy/paranormal themes, was sudden and threw me out of the story entirely. I suppose this is setting up for the sequel, but it felt very abrupt.

All in all, an enjoyable read for lovers of second-chance, redemption, and grovelling with some darker themes, but not one of my favourites.

Thank you to NetGalley and Posh Pengolin Publishers for a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Camille · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4 ⭐️ for this time-travel/rebirth, second chances after royally screwing up a marriage with cheating book. Lots of tropes packed in here: marital cheating, an OTT OW who will not effing leave the stage, the pandemic and all of the sociopolitical divides that terrible time brought to the surface, and time travel/rebirth/second chances to repair the damage caused the first time around.

This book focuses a lot on the messy middle-the very difficult examination and reordering phase that any broken relationship must go through as part of the repair. I’ve often been disappointed when books skip over even a smidge of that part after betrayal. This book did not shy away from that part at all and the angst-craving, rubber-necking part of me was so happy about that!!

Levi was a dick the first time around. Full stop. No arguing. I found it really hard to root for him at all. And that made it hard for me to root for the repair of their marriage. But in the end, he won me over.

But overall, I kept turning the pages until the very end. I’ll definitely read this author’s work again!

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

*ARC REVIEW*

Levi was a selfish, narcissistic man, who had a devoted wife that he took for granted. Levi, a successful business owner, didn't see that his wife was carrying the burden of keeping their family functioning, as well as working full time. Levi turned to another women's arms, which ultimately lead to tragic events. After the tragic events, Levi vows to prove himself worthy to his family and his wife, Sloane.

Sloane is hesitant in all these new changes to Levi's personality and his hard-core attempts at fixing what he has broken. It isn't until his mistress loses her mind and starts to show stalker behavior that Sloane realizes Levi will do anything to protect his family.

This is a great story about redemption. Good story line that could've been cut shorter, but all in all a good read.

[Camis.little.library · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if after you were unfaithful to your spouse, deeply regretted it, got in a car crash and woke up 12 years earlier and had the chance to fix it all? Welcome to One More Chance by Reno Mist!

-Dark romantic suspense
-Betrayal and Redemption
-Paranormal concepts (time travel)
-Second chances
-MMC pov
-Worldwide virus
-Psycho ex

Those ^ pretty much sum it all up! Fast paced, angsty, spice- this story was so interesting and really had me guessing the whole time!

The only part I didn’t like, was the virus aspect (aka covid), I just didn’t feel like it added to the story. However, I still really enjoyed it!

Highly recommend for any romance, paranormal romance, or romantic suspense lovers!

[Nikki 🐦‍⬛ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I think this is a really good read. There is betrayal, obsession heartache, anger, time, travel, and just a plain good time. Yes this is a dark romance so there’s spice.

I think a really big picture that was painted for us to capture was how we get comfortable and caught up in our day-to-day lives. It really made me stop and reflect on myself and to remember to take the time out of the day to be thankful for what you have.

So - I know this is told to the husband‘s point of view (cheater) but I wanna speak on his wife or ex-wife? This woman is the real MVP and she’s such a fighter and takes hit after hit and still doesn’t give up.

[Alex E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the best books I have ever read. From the POV of the cheater, it is a crazy journey and you really have to be understanding and accepting of the trope.

I loved the fact that he realized in this life what a jerk he was.

I could read it as if watching a movie.

I so wanted to see what happened with Charlie though, in the previous universe. How could he do that knowing what she went through.

I absolutely loved it

[sunny · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book got weirddddddddddd

really sad and dark but i was entertained

[McKenna Muñoz · Rating 2 out of 5]

One More Chance is a story of a man seeking redemption and forgiveness as he tries to rebuild his fractured family after a life-altering mistake. Seems simple enough, but there’s an added layer of time travel – Levi only has this second chance with his wife, Sloane, because he died and suddenly woke up 12 years in the past.

This book had a really interesting premise and did a good job portraying redemption with raw, emotional depth, and I appreciated the focus on healing and second chances. That said, it definitely needs A LOTTT of editing — there were tons of spelling and grammar issues, the daughter, Violet, was referred to as April three different times throughout the book, the wife was also referred to by the wrong name once, and some sentences/paragraphs were repeated with slightly different wording.

The storyline was far-fetched, the amount of people who were time travelers/reborn after death felt kind of excessive, especially considering the book doesn’t seem to be marketed as heavy on paranormal activity. On top of that, the worldwide virus subplot (aka covid) was overly dramatic and didn’t really add much at all to the story. Still, it held my interest enough that I had to see how it ended because I just don’t have it in me to DNF a book. With a solid edit and a bit more focus, this could have been a much stronger book.

Thank you NetGalley and Posh Pangolin Publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Laura Carroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review: One More Chance by Reno R. Mist is a gripping blend of redemption, time travel, and thriller that delivers far more than expected. From the first chapter, the story hooks you in with its emotional depth and intriguing premise. At its heart, this is a novel about second chances—how far someone might go to undo the past and find peace with their choices.

The character development of Levi is one of the book’s standout strengths. Each major player in the story evolves in a way that feels authentic and earned, with emotional arcs that keep you rooting for them even when their pasts seem unforgivable.
As the plot unfolds, layers of tension build steadily, leading to a twist ending that truly surprised me. I didn’t see it coming.

While there are a few spelling and grammatical errors throughout, they don’t significantly detract from the overall experience. The narrative voice is compelling, the pacing strong, and the time-travel elements are handled with clarity and creativity.

If you’re a fan of thrillers with a heart, stories of redemption, or time-bending narratives, One More Chance is worth your time. A flawed but captivating read that I’d definitely recommend.

[Libby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Anti-vaxxer writes a book. No wonder it’s not the best.

[Megan Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buckle up, romance readers, because Reno R. Mist is about to wreck you in the most beautiful way possible. "One More Chance" doesn't just tug at heartstrings; it rewrites the entire symphony of what second-chance romance can be.

From the opening pages, you're thrown into Levi's desperate world where every sunrise brings fresh opportunities for redemption and new ways to fail spectacularly. This man has been given the ultimate do-over, and watching him navigate the impossible task of rebuilding trust while battling his own demons is absolutely riveting. Mist writes Levi's internal struggle with such visceral honesty that you feel every moment of his shame, hope, and determination burning through the pages.

But let's talk about Sloane – this woman is a masterclass in strength wrapped in vulnerability. She's not just surviving betrayal; she's learning to thrive despite it. Her interactions with Levi crackle with authenticity, from the moments of tentative hope to the scenes where her justified anger cuts through any romantic illusions. Mist captures the complex reality of loving someone who has shattered your world while still seeing glimpses of the person who made you believe in forever.

The supporting characters breathe with life, particularly the children whose voices feel genuinely teenage rather than convenient plot devices. Charlie's mysterious presence adds intrigue that keeps you guessing, while Angie's escalating obsession creates genuine tension that had me reading with my heart in my throat.

What sets this apart in the crowded second-chance romance field is Mist's commitment to showing real growth rather than just declaring it. Every small victory in Levi and Sloane's relationship feels earned through pages of hard work, honest communication, and the kind of emotional labor that real healing requires.

[CAROL · Rating 5 out of 5]

REFRESHINGLY BRILLIANT!

I give no spoilers as this story deserves and needs to be experienced with no knowledge of the journey you are about to take.
I was immediately sucked into the book, realising very quickly that I was reading something special.
The emotions I felt, the pain, so vividly described.
The quality of the writing is top class.
Intelligently written, with the ability to bring a story to life.
Absolutely brilliant.
An absolute must read.