Between Verses: A Second Chance Redemption After Betrayal Novel

by Edie Carlin

Genres: Second Chance

211 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 19, 2026

Reviews

[SC Girlie]

Wish I could have that time back

It takes all types of plots, right, to make up the varying books that exist and readers love. But sometimes there exist books that maybe shouldn’t be written and this one is probably one of them. All it is is a tale of a weak woman taking back a weak man. There is no hidden reason behind this. It wasn’t something where he didn’t know what he was doing. It was a decision he made, and she is scared of being alone and so takes him back. I wish I could have the time back that I gave reading this book. It will definitely be the last book by this author that I read. I wish more authors would learn that we live in an era where women don’t have to take cheaters back anymore. We can upgrade.

[Kerry Ann]

This is a second chance - he cheats, relationship crashes, regret, grovel, reconnect story. If those are not your tropes then recommend passing on this book.

I had to rate this book 2.5 stars, below the mean. Tropes aside this book gives new author vibes. I understood the story arch the author was going for, but key connective tissue was missing in the narrative. Ending felt rushed, some key decisions were made by characters that I didn’t anticipate. This would not have been the case if the ground work had been laid ahead of time in the narrative.

I look forward to seeing if this author grows into their craft down the road.

[Paige Whitecotton]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

I can honestly say I’m not sure I could go quietly if this happened to me. But Lucy left with dignity and Grace. I loved that. It did not take Toby long, only moments, to figure out how bad he had messed up. And I loved that everyone what he did on his return to prove he is a better man.

[Snafuzled]

It was a decent read. Kept me going until the end. Good gut punch. I really think it would have benefited from a chapter in the beginning from Toby’s POV (before the relationship implosion) regarding his thoughts on Lucy and the OW. It would have helped me understand better why he made the choices he made. It could have really ramped up the angst factor. The ending was quite rushed and awkward, yet mostly wrapped up. Will there be a part 2? IDK. I’m not too interested in that. I have enough closure. But I am looking forward to see what this author does next. I hope they do more angsty material!

[Dewey]

This has the usual elements in these betrayal/second chance redemption stories including 3 'mean girls' playing Toby, and a cartoonish villain OW who plots to take out the wife. I really dislike 3rd person narration because it removes the emotion. There's also way too much narration, which is boring. I did like Lucy and her colorful friends who support her.

His mother is frankly ridiculous. "I thought for sure we had turned him around to be the success he should be." Evil Kaitlin is a caricature of the OW. The writing is simplistic, juvenile and OTT.

I always laugh when the man is caught with his dick wet and says 'it's not what you think; I can explain.'

This is a cliffhanger! No thanks; I've had enough.

[Tina]

FMC (Lucy) catches MMC (Toby) with OW who he always said was just a friend. The MMC and OW worked together and have been friends since they were little as their mothers are BF
FMC catches them together at their house, she leaves.
The MMC tries to grovel, realizes he messed up. Lucy does not want to talk to him. He decides to go do humanitarian work for a year in another country. Lucy starts volunteering helping out at the community center with music.

Toby said he only slept with the OW once

Toby comes back they end up they start talking and at end of book get back together.

[Linda]

This had a lot of potential but something was just not there. Yup, the H was highly manipulated by 3 vipers (including his mother) but he was also intelligent and made stupid choices. The OW was a serious waste of oxygen but got her karma in the end.

The h seemed strong, then weak, then indecisive, then weak. He H did attempt to redeem himself and become a decent human being. Felt the ending was rushed.

Author has some serious skills that will only improve over time.

[Gloria A Lopez]

Sad, but then became uplifting.

Toby really messed up, but it only took one time and in that onetime he lost Lucy. Apart for over a year, Toby learned what was truly important in life. Once he met Lucy again he began to prove to her he had changed.

[Athena Que Será, Será]

Was unnecessarily long 😴!
Tags: boring-yaawn, catches-him-in-the-act, cheating-hero, grovel-remorseful, hero-hurts-heroine, heroine-leaves, mean-mean-girls-women, om_drama, over-the-years, ow-drama, read, second-chance, small-town

[Johanna Shenfield]

Between Verses book 1

I enjoyed this book. The cheating part was done very well. I wanted to punch Toby. Ooh Kaitlyn deserved what she got and more. I hope Toby and Lucy really make a good go of it.
Lovely story.❤️❤️❤️

[Kerry]

Sorry not for me... I won't be going back for book 2 as I found it too boring!

[VoraciousReader]

Toby was a weak, whiny manbaby and Lucy was better off without him. DNF

[BK reads]

The premise is what I usually go for, but the majority of this story is told through exposition and “telling” which is such a vibe killer for me.