The Second Chance Book Club

by Stephanie Butland

Adopted at fifteen months, September knows little about her early life but was raised in safety and love. Now, she's struggling with her unreliable boyfriend Shaun and financial strain. A letter arrives, revealing she's inherited a house - Shaun sees profit, but September feels an instant connection. She meets members of the late owner's book club, learning about her mother and family secrets. September begins to form new friendships and feels a sense of belonging. However, she understands that wealth alone can't guarantee happiness. September stands at the threshold of a journey filled with unexpected twists and potential opportunities, if she dares to seize them.

Unknown Binding

About the author

Stephanie Butland is a writer, who is thriving after breast cancer. (She used to say she was a survivor, but that was a bit lacking in joie de vivre.)
Although she’d never have chosen it, her dance with cancer has changed her life in many positive ways. Now she is happier, healthier, and more careful with her precious life and the precious people and things in it.

Her writing career began with her dance with cancer, and now she is  a novelist.

Aside from writing, she works as a speaker and trainer, and she works with charities to help raise awareness and money in the hope that cancer will soon be about as scary as a wart.

She lives in Northumberland.

Reviews

[MaryAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. I'm giving it 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. There's a lot to like about it. But, there is almost too much going on. The main character was adopted as a young child after being abandoned. She loved her adoptive parents but there is some complexity in their relationship that is stated briefly and then never mentioned again. The main character has a horrible-worse-than freeloading boyfriend. The main character's life changes dramatically (no spoilers as to why) and she also changes a great deal in a way that seems like the author is writing about a different person. There are A LOT of other characters especially after the big life change and it felt like the author was ticking off a list of different types of people to include to write a well rounded story. There were some also some very inlikeable characters. And there were a few convoluted plot twists as the author started to wrap things up. As a voracious reader I enjoyed that it was ALSO a book about books (sure why not throw that in to the involved plot, and large cast of characters). And it does have a "happy ending". But, to me it feels bittersweet because there are a number of really sad bits.

This book has another title, "The Book of Kindness". Why does it have two titles? I do not know. Sort of fits in with my feeling that the author is trying to fit too much into this story.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet book with all the things that make you smile then frown then tear up and sniffle. Gosh I just loved Auntie Lucia and September. I wanted to hug them. This author truly has the ability to bring her characters to life on the pages of her books. Highly rec!

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book captured my interest from the very beginning. The story was both beautiful and deeply sad, and I loved the way it wove in classic literature throughout. As someone who doesn’t have much family, reading about someone finding their own tribe really touched me. The character development was wonderful, and I felt genuinely attached to several of the characters.
Some of my favorite quotes:
— But Lucia would rather a library book, any time; it made her feel as though she belonged, part of a chain that linked to the reader who had just returned it and the one who would borrow it next.
— I think, so long as someone knows your story, you are alive in the world.
—The trouble with books being called classics, she thinks, is that if you don’t like them, it feels like your fault, not the book’s.

[Sharyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book seems to have 2 titles, but this is the one I read. It was chosen for a bookclub, otherwise I don't if I would have ever encountered it. As an adoptive mother, a story about an adopted girl and how it all came about was a lovely story for me. As a retired librarian and a member of 12 book clubs, I loved all the book discussions.
September was found abandoned at 15 months, and the story unfolds very slowly.
Eventually she discovers how her early life unfolded, and there are many reveals, secrets, and there is a very happy ending.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reading book by this author. How I wanted to hug Lucia with her missing her niece and great niece.
Loved the relationship of friends Lucia had and then them accepting September.
Good feel story and family

[Michelle Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are lovely books ... what is there not to like?

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well - written and very satisfying and not too neatly wrapped up.

[Patricia Damon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found it was a somewhat slow read…and then it ended

[Jane Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book soo much will definitely keep hold of this book. Loved the characters and the book recommendations.