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 2 of 6 in the Gingercake Mountain series. Pre-order your copy now!

76 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 8, 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]

Maggie didn’t hear back from the messages she had left for Greg for awhile. He was mad & very hurt by what Maggie had kept from him all this time. How could she keep such a secret for so long? Why did this person keep this secret all this time & now of all times decides to tell Greg? She’s not the other woman, she is someone with a axe to grind & wants to hurt Maggie. Is it jealousy or does she feel a need to get back at Maggie for something or is she have a thing for Greg? They are both beginning to wonder if they were ever really love each other or was it just a solution to their circumstances? Will they ever get back together? Maggie tells Greg how beautiful it is in the mountains of North Carolina hoping he will come. He didn’t give her an answer whether he would or not. He is still very upset with her over her big secret & then publicly accusing him of having an affair. WOW this is getting good! Do you think they will ever get back together??

I received this advanced copy for free Bookspout & I’m giving my review in my own words without any influence from anyone. I’m so ready for the book.

[Jeannine Wickliffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Events forces change

I love Sage Parker's books but wish she pur into one book. With saying that, these books are not disappointing. The story grabs you trim the beginning and keeps you going. Maggie is facing her past, what it has done to her present and the possible outcome. Is Liz right, and she has let her past hinder her personality. Has she buried her true self and just did what needed to hide? Did her last conversation with her husband point out the changes? Did her relationship with Chase color all her decisions? Now she is hiking in the woods of North Carolina trying to think about who she really is, what she really wants, and what she plans to do. When she decides to wade in the water, she realizes she's not alone. Then she slips and falls into the water, and is rescued by the stranger, who isn't reallyv stranger.

[June Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie and Greg’s separation, whether temporary or permanent, has led to lots of introspection, especially for Maggie. Who is she really and what does she really want in life, what will she do to become the person she wants to be.
She feels more peace and calm in her life communing with nature and a pen pal friend from her past in the mountains of North Carolina. After hiking to a waterfall she decides to wade into the water and ends up slipping and falling, being swept downstream by the current, but she is suddenly yanked out of the water by a man with piercing blue eyes, eyes she recognizes!
Can’t wait for the next book in this series.

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

[Baby Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I am chomping at the bits trying to figure out what is going on, but in a good way. Did Greg really step out on his marriage or was it a big misunderstanding? Will Maggie find out the truth or will her guilt of a past high school relationship factor into her forgiving Greg? How does Chase fit in Maggie's life now that he is back? Is Sarah Greg's child or Chase's? So much drama and various dynamics are happening at the same time which keeps this story interesting. I cannot wait to read more and to see how Maggie, a License Relationship Therapists, will navigate fixing her own marital and family problems.

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

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Summer of Second Chances, Book 2, continues the Gingercake Mountain story. Maggie is a popular relationship expert. While waiting for her husband of over 20 years to have a celebration dinner, she catches him at a seedy motel with another woman and it is all caught on camera. Her life implodes with jobs and appointments being canceled. Her friend Liz, whom she has never met in person, asks her to vacation at the cabin she has rented in NC and she goes.

In Book 2, Maggie is trying to reach Greg but also reflecting on a lot. This is crazy! Who is this woman causing drama and why? Will she and Greg reconcile? Why is Chase back??? I can't wait for book 3!!!.

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

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie goes to stay at a cabin in the mountains with her pen pal of 27 years who she has never met, in North Carolina. She is working through her troubles in her life with the video that went viral and an angry husband who she has been married to for 20 years. She calls her husband; Greg, and they decide to stay in touch once a week to keep up with things. Liz has been talking to Maggie helping her sort out her feelings. Liz took a job in town so Maggie decides to go on a hike on her own like she did with Liz the other day. She arrives at the falls and hears noises in the woods and spots a close neighbor of Liz’s who she calls a lumberjack because of his plaid and grown beard. Liz steps into the falls and the current takes her under and the lumberjack saves her…

[Debdutch · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Summer of Second Chances: Book 2” by Sage Parker

-Maggie’s journey of self-discovery deepens as questions arise about her marriage to Greg and her past. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

Her loyal friend Liz offers unwavering support through the turmoil and doubt. Tension builds as secrets surface and relationships are tested.

A cliffhanger finale leaves you eager for Book 3 and possible revelations. This is a quick read that is definitely not a standalone book. Intriguing mysteries for the reader.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Summer of Second Chances book 2 was a book that had me on an emotional trip! Maggie was happily married or so she thought! Seeing her husband with another woman was more than she could deal with. A viral video of the emotional outburst has caused her to rethink her life.
This book has a lot tied up in it and I can not wait for the next one to come out. The cliff hanger was one that can change the lives of many!.

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

[Berta Greenleaf Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Maggie is trying to save her marriage, she finds out her husband did not cheat. He was there finding out from an unknown woman what his wife had kept secret from him all his daughter's life. Now the roles are reversed and she is scrambling to save what is left of her life. While in NC she decides to find herself again. While hiking one day she runs into a familiar person. 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.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 and the saga continues as Maggie finally hears back from her husband and he drops one hell of a bombshell that it’s not an affair he was having but was receiving Information that Maggie had lied to him and for years kept this huge secret. We still do not know who this mysterious lady is and why she wants to hurt Maggie but Greg wants time apart which upsets Maggie greatly. Off on a hike, she comes across the neighbour in the next cabin and makes a startling discovery! Off to read book three!!

[Roslyn Simonin Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie goes to North Carolina to spend some time with her old Pen Pal Liz and clear her head.
She gets a call from Greg and they discuss the TRUTH!!!
He brings up the fact that they need to examine their marriage for what it truly is, (exactly what Liz had told her the night before).

Let the exploration begin.

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

[Barb Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie finally hears from Greg who tells her that he was contacted by someone that told him that Sarah is likely not his child. He is upset and tells Maggie they need time apart. Meanwhile Liz talks to Maggie about her happiness and if she thinks this could be a time to start over. When Maggie goes for a hike and ends up in the water, she is rescued by someone from her past. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from BookSprout, and this is my honest review.

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must be read in order. Marriage in danger over a secret from 20 years ago. Careers in danger due to viral videos. The secret has been revealed but can it be overcome or will their lives follow new paths. Then there's the twist at the end that could change everything again.

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

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets revealed!

Wow - what a story! Maggie's secret is revealed and it has a major impact on her life. Her career and her marriage are lying in ruins. I'm wondering who revealed her secret and will she be able to cope with the fall out. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

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

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Summer of Second Chances, Book Two, has Maggie staying with Liz in the North Carolina mountains. When Greg responds to her text, Maggie shares the truth about her pregnancy with him. Greg suggests they take time to think about what their future should be. The book ends in a cliffhanger.

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

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie is thinking about her life and all that has happened. While at a waterfall, she falls in the water and is swept by the current. She is fished out of the water by someone from her past. There are more revelations that make things complicated.

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

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a story continues we follow the characters as they still are dealing with the Fallout from an unexpected event that disrupts their life and makes choices very difficult. Like the setting and the background of the story. Can't wait to read more!.

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

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot of books written by Sage Parker; she is one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is the second book in the Gingercake Mountain Series; the story continues from the previous book and needs to be read in order.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The tables turn on Maggie and she's got some thinking to do. These characters are wonderful and the clever story has me hooked. Definitely a page turner with enough drama to keep you on the edge of your seat. Excellent writing! So worth the read!.

[B E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will Maggie and her husband find their way back together or go there separate ways. Both have kept secrets. Time for the truth.

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

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relationship Therapist who knows that she could have a problems in her life.
As we follow her journey more questions are coming and nothing seems to be answered.

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

[LINDA MEYERS · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG......more good drama....

Parker knows how to set the stage.....for anyone who had and lost a high school sweetheart......the memory floods and all of a sudden ur visualizing what Maggie is experiencing......

[Cheryl McCrork · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Very Interesting Book

This book had very good information about nature. It was very descriptive and made you feel like you were there. It had good information about real family life also. The true friendship was awesome. I really enjoyed this book from start to finish.

[Vickie Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was good read first of read of hers in long time can’t wait to see what book 3 is all about .

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

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew this was going to be a really good series!

Wow this book just made the other series by this author seem sweet! I can't wait for the next one!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie is a smart, hardworking, caring and protective woman who is trying to figure out what she wants.

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

[Brian LaPolla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing

I chose this rating because I like the flow of the story and how the author keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. I can't wait to see what happens next.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie is still trying to figure out what happened with Greg. As she relaxes in NC she's also analyzing what was said and why. Received a free copy.

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m confused but the timeline in this story because of the ages and that’s hard to get passed. Overall good story if you don’t try to make the years make sense