Second Place

by Carey Crooker

Rachel Bailey’s life has not turned out like she expected, starting when a new family moved into her neighborhood when she was eight. Instead of getting the best friend she was certain would be moving in, she's devastated when the new family has two boys. She is convinced she will hate them forever…until she doesn’t and finds herself caught between them.

Fast forward to present day and Rachel is now in her thirties, married, and a mother of four. When her marriage begins unraveling and her past resurfaces, Rachel finds herself right back where she was all those years ago in high school—caught between Luke and John. Only now, one of them is her husband and the other is her husband’s brother. She thinks going back to her hometown will help her gain some clarity, but it only complicates things and no matter who she picks, one of them will end up hurt.

Second Place will have you laughing at the realistic parenting humor but also bring tears to your eyes. Told in dual first-person perspective while weaving between childhood and present day, Rachel is struggling between following her heart and doing what’s best for her family—all while trying to decide one did she pick the right brother?

342 pages, Paperback

Published June 9, 2026

Reviews

[Christine Evarts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for sharing your talent with us, Carey! Really didn’t know how this was going to end until it ended! Loved it!!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not my usual genre and I rarely give a book 5 stars…I promised myself I wouldn’t with this one just because she’s a local author. I very much enjoyed the whole story, but it was definitely the events at the end that changed my mind on rating. Well deserved 5⭐️!

[Chelsea B · Rating 5 out of 5]

The PERFECT book for summer!!!