The Summer of Second Chances

by Sage Parker

After catching her husband at a seedy motel with another woman, 54-year-old therapist Maggie Mitchell watches her carefully constructed life implode.

When a viral video of her parking lot confrontation destroys her reputation as a relationship expert, Maggie faces a cascade of canceled appointments, lost speaking engagements, and a marriage in ruins. Worse yet, her husband Greg claims she's the one who's been lying—about a secret that could shatter their daughter's world.

Desperate for escape, Maggie accepts an invitation from Liz, her pen pal of 27 years whom she's never actually met. In a remote mountain cabin in North Carolina, surrounded by nothing but trees and possibilities, Maggie begins to question her marriage, her career, and the safe, predictable life she's built.

As long-buried truths surface and her professional world crumbles around her, Maggie must decide—will she fight to salvage the life she's known for twenty years, or embrace the terrifying freedom of starting over?

A summer story about second chances, female friendship, and discovering who you really are when everything you've built falls apart.

This is Book 6 of 6 in the Gingercake Mountain series. Pre-order your copy now!

Genres: Fiction

75 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 5, 2025

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This contemporary, clean, and wholesome starting-over, small-town friends-to-lovers second-chance romance is page-turning with exceptional world-building in the small town of Gingercake Mountain, North Carolina, where the sunrises and sunsets are magnificently painted across the majestic sky in vibrant hues, and characters who are resilient, independent, heartbroken, overwhelmed, emotionally wrecked, captivating, and realistic. Their journey is enthralling with the summer of second chances, a tame romance, divorce, later-in-life romance, second chances, female friendships, discovering who you really are when everything you've built falls apart, drama, heartfelt emotions that will leave readers needing Kleenex/Puffs to wipe away the tears that are threatening to spill down their cheeks, romantic suspense, action, adventure, and more. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with the summer of second chances and a friends-to-lovers romance in a world where love and loss collide, making for one unforgettable journey of self-discovery.


After catching her husband at a seedy motel with another woman, 54-year-old therapist Maggie Mitchell watches her carefully constructed life implode—on camera.

When a viral video of her parking lot confrontation destroys her reputation as a relationship expert, Maggie faces a cascade of canceled appointments, lost speaking engagements, and a marriage in ruins. Worse yet, her husband Greg claims she's the one who's been lying about a secret that could shatter their daughter's world.

Desperate for escape, Maggie accepts an invitation from Liz, her pen pal of 27 years, whom she's never actually met. In a remote mountain cabin in North Carolina, surrounded by nothing but trees and possibilities, Maggie begins to question everything: her marriage, her career, and the safe, predictable life she's built.

As long-buried truths surface and her professional world crumbles around her, Maggie must decide—will she fight to salvage the life she's known for twenty years, or embrace the terrifying freedom of starting over?.

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

[Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not exactly the ending as I had pictured it. This being the last book it’s like she let everything pile up, starting with Maggie running into Chase at the clinic where she went to with Liz, never expecting to see Chase there & the exchanges they gave to each other, it was obvious something was going on they didn’t want Maggie to know. After Liz leaves for work, she goes over to see Chase to get all of this out in the open. Maggie is very upset that Liz & Chase knew each long before she ran into him in her neighborhood. They had been in touch long before this & according to Chase, Liz had been at the cabin longer than she led Maggie to believe. Liz told Maggie she was still driving down while they were on the phone which was true, but she wasn’t driving down from Florida, she was driving down from Vermont where she had just met with Greg & had actually driven from North Carolina to meet with Maggie’s husband. When Maggie figured all of this out after talking with Greg & figuring out who had actually told Greg that he may not be Alex’s father. She was driving back to North Carolina when they were talking on the phone. What a betraya!l Maggie goes back to the cabin & starts throwing all her clothes in the suitcase. She is rushing trying to get everything in the car before Liz gets home from work. She almost made it! She came back in to get her computer & a few other things & Liz came through the door & ask her what was she doing, but Maggie didn’t want to talk to her. Liz is trying to block her from leaving out the door, but was unsuccessful. She had already ask Greg if she could come back & stay at the house until she figured out where to go from here. She is mad with Chase & Liz, but more at Liz. She couldn’t believe Liz was the one who told Greg about not knowing if he was the father of Alex or not. Maggie just couldn’t wrap her head around it. How could Liz betray her like that. Will her & Greg end up getting back together? Will she give up her career as a therapist & start writing like she always wanted to? Will she ever see Chase again? So many questions & a rushed ending.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie saw Chase at the doctor's office that she went to with Liz and was in shock and wondered what was up. She went over to Chase's house and started asking questions and found out that he had a condition that he had treatments for. She also found out that Chase and Liz knew each other better than she knew of. Apparently Chase had looked for her on social media and recognized Liz's name so he contacted her to check into Maggie's background. When Maggie found out this info she hurried back to the house and started to pack as she didn't trust Liz anymore when she figured out that it was her that had gone and talked to her husband Greg and told him that he wasn't their daughter's father. Maggie called Greg and asked if it was ok to come to the house as she was leaving. Just as Maggie was all packed Liz showed up from work and the two of them got into it. She heard Liz out and then left. After she talked to Greg she decided to forgive Liz. Maggie had finished her book and had a book signing when Chase had come. Maggie goes to Texas to be with Liz in her final days. Later Maggie goes to be with Chase in their home in the mountains and she couldn't be happier! I absolutely loved this story, as I do all of Sage's books...

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

[Jeannine Wickliffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything comes into focus and questions answered

Maggie has come to terms wirh the end of her marriage and the fact that Liz was going to die. Now she is working on trying to decide her next chapter. Then her world cones to another major road block. She finds out that Chase can't be Sarah's father, and that Liz was the one who told Greg that he might not be Sarah's father. So once again , Maggie runs. She returns to Albany and her home with Greg. He helps her see the truths and how to finally forgive herself. So she pours everything into a book and as its getting ready for publishing, she hears Liz is has returned to Texas. Maggie immediately goes to Texas and spends the last months of Lizs life together. After her book is published, Maggie goes on a book signing tour and Chase shows up. Will the,two of them get their second chance?

[Carmela Dimattia · Rating 5 out of 5]

My oh My I was not expecting this book to end the way it did but I have to say that I was very surprised and quite happy with how it all came together. This final instalment was emotional but also quite enlightening with some truths that were revealed. Maggie showed just how much compassion she had for people as the betrayal from Liz was huge. I loved that both Greg and Maggie were able to find love again with other people and maintain an amicable relationship. I absolutely loved this series and have read quite a few books from Sage Parker I can say without a doubt that this would have to be my most favourite.

I received an arc copy via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[June Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mysteries continue as the book opens. Maggie has no clue why Liz and Chase are both acting so stunned and strange which just confuses her more. Are they having some type personal relationship that she is unaware of. It’s time for confrontations with each of them. She finally gets enough info from Chase to figure out what is going on and knows now this is what has turned her life upside down. Now she has to make some decisions that will be difficult and will affect the path her life will take from here.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Not the ending I was expecting but I liked it and think you will too. Love the way this Author writes and can really peak your interest.

[Raylene Weber]

More secrets come out and Maggie is hurting bad and runs back to Greg, can he help her see how to forgive herself and the way others are feeling that lead to their action or not. Sometimes we must step back to be able to see clearly. Will everyone find what they are looking for. This story was one I would read again. I learn so much more about how I have been feeling in my own life. So read and enjoy the series.

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

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Summer of Second Chances book 6 was the perfect ending to this series.
Maggie has had a lot of ups and downs in her life. Greg and Maggie have made the decision to go their separate ways. This was a beautiful second chance romance series. Chase has come back into Maggie’s life.
This has so many great characters that I connected with and felt their emotions as they navigated through the life decisions they all made.

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

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has had me in its grasp since book one and now we move onto the final book and we get hit with twists, I should have but did not see coming! Maggie just seems to be hit with bombshell after bombshell and her whole world turns on its axis especially after Liz’s betrayal and Chase’s condition comes to light. It’s no wonder Maggie runs again. But in true author fashion, we start to see things in a different light, a different perspective and I have to say second to last chapter I was crying like a baby but the ending, well that left me with a smile.

[Berta Greenleaf Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the last in the Gingercake Mountain series. I was on pins and needles waiting to see what Maggie would do when she discovers someone betrayed and lied to her. She went through all the feelings human beings are capable of. Forgiveness doesn't come easy but it can be so worth it. It was nice to see Maggie get back on her feet and live her life to the fullest. I highly recommend this book to all women's fiction readers.

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

[Violet Batejan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end to a series I couldn't put down!

Written in the first person, this series leaves nothing to be desired. The major twists and turns, the obstacles, and the struggles that parallel real life are there to make the reader respond and fall into a relationship with well drawn characters. Entertainment, at its best, The Summer of Second Chances deals with love in its many variations. Mix illness, best friends, youthful true love, a dash of betrayal, and you have one brilliant read split into six books. Don't miss this series!

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed that this Sage Parker series was a bit more than finding a love from the past ir something new new embrace in the face of loss.

this was about choices, chances, losing it and - taking a breath, and then whatever comes next.

it felt a bit more with misunderstandings, losses and betrayals filled - bruises that were somehow more real.

sevond chances and anger, that still leave room for new transformations.

[Baby Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I am not going to lie, this one had me teary eyed and totally invested until the end. Maggie and Greg finally ended things in a good way. Maggie and Chase finally got their second chance and happily ever after, and Sarah was wonderful and supportive of both her parents. I was heartbroken to see Liz's disease take her life, but it resonated with me on a deeper level as I took care of my dad who had dementia and watched him slowly fade away. So heart felt and well written as always!

[Debdutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Summer of Second Chances: Book 6” by Sage Parker

-A heartfelt finale filled with layered emotion and long-awaited closure. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.
Secrets unravel, hearts break and mend, and the past finally makes peace with the future.
Parker blends grief, growth, and hope in a deeply satisfying ending.
Bittersweet but beautiful—this one lingers.

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic ending to a great series!

I love this fantastic series and its beautiful ending.  I've been rooting for Maggie throughout this series as she deals with her marriage breakdown, her best friend's illness and her former boyfriend's presence after years apart. An incredibly emotional story which had me in tears at times and rejoicing at other times.  I highly recommend this book and series.

I read this book as part of an advance reader team.  I am voluntarily writing this review.

[PW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greg is my hero in this series. In this book he is very open, ho and insightful about what he wants in his future. He is very respectful and genuine how he lets Maggie know what he wants. Maggie is finally totally honest about what she wants and what is best for their marriage; on this they agree. You have to read this book because it is also tear jerker with promise and closure.

This Booksprout ARC final book is worth the time to read this series.

[Barb Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Truly a full circle of understanding. Maggie learns who told her husband of her doubt for Sarah's parentage. It hits her hard, but as she discovers the truth of who you are is more important than perceptions. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from BookSprout and this is my honest review.

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Summer of Chances, Book Six, was an emotional and realistic book about life's transition in Liz, Maggie, Greg, and Chase's lives. It is the perfect ending for this remarkable second chance series. I highly recommend this excellent series.

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

[Janiceowensadams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having lived through some of the events described in Second Chances. I felt all the emotions and wondered if I could finish the book. I continued to read and was pleasantly surprised that I was getting a therapy session! The story reminded me that forgiveness is really for myself. I highly recommend this book of second chances!

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!!! The conclusion to the Gingercake Mountain series was a heartwarming and though sad and uplifting read. I laughed and cried over this beautiful and so well written story. It truly had all the feels and emotions about relationships, love, when to let go and reconciliation. Great ending to this fantastic series.

[Happy Happy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I DIDNT WANT IT TO END!!!!

Why did it have to finish, I wasn't ready for it to end. I want more of this story....
Maybe that gives you an idea as to what I thought of this story. So many lessons to the reader to get if they chose to self reflect or just read for the story either way a great book.

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

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many questions that are finally answered. Strong characters that are in this story. Like a setting and the background of the story. Working through some difficult personal problems is never easy. Good read.

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

[Jennifer Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time trading this author- it was odd that she broke the book down into 6 short parts. Overall, I enjoyed the entire “series” which was essentially just one book. Each of the 5 books ended in a cliffhanger. The book was very relatable to me as a middle aged woman who has been through divorce and who also works in this field

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read in order. One conversation results in a landslide of information for her.
Betrayal
Forgiveness
Honesty
Reflection
Rebuilding
Second chances.

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

[Roslyn Simonin Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful ending to a tangled series.
A lot of tears, but a great read.
Thank you Sage for another great book.

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

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a absolutely inspiring storyline that pulled me in with compassion, caring and determination. Just wow.

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

[Erika]

Maggie is dealing with a lot. She finds out the truth and is not sure how to move forward. Will she be able to forgive and find peace? This is a great series.

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

[B E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good ending to the series. Maggie makes decisions about her life and future and deals with those decisions and saying goodbye.

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

[LINDA MEYERS · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a twister!

The finale was unexpected......taking a story of love in crisis and putting in a twist of that nature was mind blowing. But effective. Every once in a while a good romance novel just needs reading. And this one fits the bill.

[Dorothey Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Summer of Second Chances

The story now lets us know what the secret was and why, even though, Liz, one of the main characters, thought she was doing a good deed but caused much trouble. Great story though, enjoy