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Their Second-Chance Wives
The Husband Who Regrets Too Late
I threw a lavish surprise birthday party to finally win my cold husband's heart, only for him to walk in holding his runaway ex-fiancée.
Ivy
I spent years as Damian’s perfect wife, flawlessly running his grand estate and smoothing over his million-dollar deals. I gave him my everything.
Until his birthday. I stood holding a cake I baked from scratch, only to watch him walk in with her—the childhood sweetheart who broke his heart.
He ordered me to throw the cake away because she hated the smell. Then, he moved her into our home.
I endured the humiliation until I overheard the devastating our entire marriage was just a spiteful revenge plot.
He never loved me.
So I left my wedding ring on the signed divorce papers. I poured my shattered heart into a small Brooklyn bakery, determined to raise my unborn baby alone.
Damian
I married my assistant out of spite, thinking she was just a convenient pawn.
But staring at her signature on the divorce papers, my world shatters. Without her, my mansion is a suffocating tomb, and the "first love" I thought I pined for sickens me.
It took me weeks to find her. One bite of a lemon-butter tart from a corporate gift box, and I instantly recognized my wife's recipe.
Now, she's a successful bakery owner who looks at me with dead eyes.
I don't care how much she hates me. Every day at exactly 3:00 PM, I strip off my tailored suit to sweep her floors, carry her heavy flour sacks, and swallow her cold rejections.
I broke the only woman who ever truly loved me, and I will spend the rest of my life on my knees to win her back.
Marriage of Convenience
Secret Baby / Misdiagnosis
Unrequited to Mutual Love
The Other Woman Drama (Misunderstanding)
Billionaire Grovel & Forced Proximity
Wife's Glow-Up & Moving On
He Falls Harder
No Cheating Complete Standalone
Trigger This book contains themes of medical trauma/misdiagnosis and emotional neglect that may be sensitive for some readers.
Ivy
I spent years as Damian’s perfect wife, flawlessly running his grand estate and smoothing over his million-dollar deals. I gave him my everything.
Until his birthday. I stood holding a cake I baked from scratch, only to watch him walk in with her—the childhood sweetheart who broke his heart.
He ordered me to throw the cake away because she hated the smell. Then, he moved her into our home.
I endured the humiliation until I overheard the devastating our entire marriage was just a spiteful revenge plot.
He never loved me.
So I left my wedding ring on the signed divorce papers. I poured my shattered heart into a small Brooklyn bakery, determined to raise my unborn baby alone.
Damian
I married my assistant out of spite, thinking she was just a convenient pawn.
But staring at her signature on the divorce papers, my world shatters. Without her, my mansion is a suffocating tomb, and the "first love" I thought I pined for sickens me.
It took me weeks to find her. One bite of a lemon-butter tart from a corporate gift box, and I instantly recognized my wife's recipe.
Now, she's a successful bakery owner who looks at me with dead eyes.
I don't care how much she hates me. Every day at exactly 3:00 PM, I strip off my tailored suit to sweep her floors, carry her heavy flour sacks, and swallow her cold rejections.
I broke the only woman who ever truly loved me, and I will spend the rest of my life on my knees to win her back.
Marriage of Convenience
Secret Baby / Misdiagnosis
Unrequited to Mutual Love
The Other Woman Drama (Misunderstanding)
Billionaire Grovel & Forced Proximity
Wife's Glow-Up & Moving On
He Falls Harder
No Cheating Complete Standalone
Trigger This book contains themes of medical trauma/misdiagnosis and emotional neglect that may be sensitive for some readers.
- GenresContemporary Romance
236 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 24, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Did Not Finish
August 3, 2026This story was right off of a reel series on Tiktok. I actually was fascinated with it just as I am with the tik tok reel series. I know they are sometimes AI and sometimes real and just like books: real and AI assisted writing.
I am old school ( in my 40s) but I can still spot AI assisted writing. This book just eould have statements that made no sense like " She should forgive me as I am her closest husband " I mean if it was "closest friend " I would get it.
This is a story of a Billionaire who lives in a mansion and is in a contract marriage with his former assistant. He married her for image sake and she kept the mansion and his business running. They obviously slept together too because theres a secret baby trope thrown in there too. When his ex gf shows up and disrupts his bday party, being cruel to his wife. The wife dips and is like " see you later I am now going back to my hometown to run my own bakery ". Why are whokesome fmcs always bakers?..Anyways I digress.. So he comes to his senses, throws the scheming ex out if the mansion and Goes to try to win back his wife who he all of a sudden realizes he loves. Her taking him back is another matter.
I was interested but I just got too frustrated with the inconsitinces..timelines snd dates..names..at one point the mmcs name was swapped out..I just couldnt finish. I made it to 50 percent though so round of applause for keeping my attention that long..I usually only make it 20 percent in before I dnf a book.
I am old school ( in my 40s) but I can still spot AI assisted writing. This book just eould have statements that made no sense like " She should forgive me as I am her closest husband " I mean if it was "closest friend " I would get it.
This is a story of a Billionaire who lives in a mansion and is in a contract marriage with his former assistant. He married her for image sake and she kept the mansion and his business running. They obviously slept together too because theres a secret baby trope thrown in there too. When his ex gf shows up and disrupts his bday party, being cruel to his wife. The wife dips and is like " see you later I am now going back to my hometown to run my own bakery ". Why are whokesome fmcs always bakers?..Anyways I digress.. So he comes to his senses, throws the scheming ex out if the mansion and Goes to try to win back his wife who he all of a sudden realizes he loves. Her taking him back is another matter.
I was interested but I just got too frustrated with the inconsitinces..timelines snd dates..names..at one point the mmcs name was swapped out..I just couldnt finish. I made it to 50 percent though so round of applause for keeping my attention that long..I usually only make it 20 percent in before I dnf a book.
July 31, 2026
I hated him at first
But he grew on me. I didn't like some of his thoughts in the beginning and I though about giving it a DNR order but I stuck it out. I hated Cecilia And him both. They were just so rude at the beginning. I did love that when she got in the bed, he rejected her and had all the bed coverings and carpet removed. Lol that was funny. But the rest was the rebuilding of trust. And he started to become a better man. Seriously Cecilia was a psycho. She still tried to keep him in her life. I'm glad he didn't want her when she came back, at least we knew that eventually but I wanted him to really grovel to Ivy. Loved her. I also loved the cake he made at the end. It was so sweet
But he grew on me. I didn't like some of his thoughts in the beginning and I though about giving it a DNR order but I stuck it out. I hated Cecilia And him both. They were just so rude at the beginning. I did love that when she got in the bed, he rejected her and had all the bed coverings and carpet removed. Lol that was funny. But the rest was the rebuilding of trust. And he started to become a better man. Seriously Cecilia was a psycho. She still tried to keep him in her life. I'm glad he didn't want her when she came back, at least we knew that eventually but I wanted him to really grovel to Ivy. Loved her. I also loved the cake he made at the end. It was so sweet
Did Not Finish
July 24, 2026I skimmed this one
I’m in the slumps
I’m in the slumps
September 12, 2026
0 stars. Even for AI 'stuff,' this is really awful writing. Dual POV. Damian is a cartoon character of an arrogant as*hole. The writing is utterly ridiculous.. She leaves, good! But just once I wish these wives would take at least one of the diamond bracelets; they will need the money. Read this ONLY for a good laugh. Certainly don't pay any money for it.
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Not hiding any 'spoilers.' This is so bad that I finally quit reading it. DNF
Ivy leaves; files for divorce. The OW, his ex, also a cartoon character, already had moved into the estate. Ivy opens a bakery, in ONE WEEK! So much for permits and business licenses. Anybody can open a bakery on a street corner. She is also pregnant. She tells her friends it was conceived AFTER she decided to leave and sign divorce papers. That's a lie. She learned she was 4 weeks pregnant from the doctor on the day she decided to leave. THEN, the hospital VIOLATES HIPAA laws and calls Damian to ask about her prenatal appointment. Then he learns of the devious OW schemes.
He misses her so much that he jack's off to her 'silk robe, still warm from her skin.' Really? She's been gone over a month and the robe is still warm?
Damian realizes his mistake (before or after he kicks out the OW?). Of course Ivy will take him back after he professes his true love for her. "I never knew I was being such a condescending, patronizing, cold-hearted, bastard to you, my wife, or that somebody could write such unfair, awful stuff about me. I've changed. Please take me back." Or words to that effect.
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Not hiding any 'spoilers.' This is so bad that I finally quit reading it. DNF
Ivy leaves; files for divorce. The OW, his ex, also a cartoon character, already had moved into the estate. Ivy opens a bakery, in ONE WEEK! So much for permits and business licenses. Anybody can open a bakery on a street corner. She is also pregnant. She tells her friends it was conceived AFTER she decided to leave and sign divorce papers. That's a lie. She learned she was 4 weeks pregnant from the doctor on the day she decided to leave. THEN, the hospital VIOLATES HIPAA laws and calls Damian to ask about her prenatal appointment. Then he learns of the devious OW schemes.
He misses her so much that he jack's off to her 'silk robe, still warm from her skin.' Really? She's been gone over a month and the robe is still warm?
Damian realizes his mistake (before or after he kicks out the OW?). Of course Ivy will take him back after he professes his true love for her. "I never knew I was being such a condescending, patronizing, cold-hearted, bastard to you, my wife, or that somebody could write such unfair, awful stuff about me. I've changed. Please take me back." Or words to that effect.
Read
July 26, 2026Notes for.me
Damian
Ivy
Opens with a surprise party for Damian that Ivy works for days to make it perfect.
Damian walks in late with his ex fiancée Cecilia on his arm. Everyone is embarrassed for Ivy. He tells her to throw the handmade 3 layer cake away because the smell of crème makes Cecelia sick. He is impatient with her.
Cecilia left Damian the day before engagement party to work in France. Damian was upset and married his assistant Ivy out of spite.
Ivy has worked 24-7 to make Damian’s life easy and perfect. He’s cold and thinks he deserves it.
Damian tells her Cecilia is staying with them while he works on contracts. Supposedly she’s in danger. His POV you know he doesn’t have feelings for Cecilia.
Ivy puts up with Cecilia walking around in skimpy clothes, saying spiteful things. Ivy hears them in Damian’s study. They’ve finished a challenging contract and drink wine to celebrate. Cecilia is drunk and asks Damian if he married Ivy for spite at her. Damian says yes. His POV he actually bought a beautiful bracelet for Ivy knowing she’s upset. He’s also Irritated at Cecilia for being drunk. He wants to send her to her room and make up with Ivy. Instead he sleeps in study.
Ivy packs her bags. She tries one more time in the morning. Damian dismisses her and says he and Cecilia will be on a week long business trip. Also says there’s a box on his desk as compensation.
Ivy receives a doctor report as she’s leaving. She’s pregnant. She goes to her best friend’s house in Brooklyn. A guy friend helps her open a bakery. He’s interested in Ivy.
Damian is devastated she left. He hires people to search for her. Cecilia makes a hard pass at him naked in his bed. He screams at her to leave and makes his staff throw out all of the bedding and carpet.
She doesn’t give up. Approaching him in front of mentors, going to Ivy’s shop and saying they are engaged again. He finally researches her and realizes everything she’s said is a lie. Shocker.
Damian tries to help Ivy at her shop to win her back. He realizes by her behavior towards him how she felt all this time.
Damian
Ivy
Opens with a surprise party for Damian that Ivy works for days to make it perfect.
Damian walks in late with his ex fiancée Cecilia on his arm. Everyone is embarrassed for Ivy. He tells her to throw the handmade 3 layer cake away because the smell of crème makes Cecelia sick. He is impatient with her.
Cecilia left Damian the day before engagement party to work in France. Damian was upset and married his assistant Ivy out of spite.
Ivy has worked 24-7 to make Damian’s life easy and perfect. He’s cold and thinks he deserves it.
Damian tells her Cecilia is staying with them while he works on contracts. Supposedly she’s in danger. His POV you know he doesn’t have feelings for Cecilia.
Ivy puts up with Cecilia walking around in skimpy clothes, saying spiteful things. Ivy hears them in Damian’s study. They’ve finished a challenging contract and drink wine to celebrate. Cecilia is drunk and asks Damian if he married Ivy for spite at her. Damian says yes. His POV he actually bought a beautiful bracelet for Ivy knowing she’s upset. He’s also Irritated at Cecilia for being drunk. He wants to send her to her room and make up with Ivy. Instead he sleeps in study.
Ivy packs her bags. She tries one more time in the morning. Damian dismisses her and says he and Cecilia will be on a week long business trip. Also says there’s a box on his desk as compensation.
Ivy receives a doctor report as she’s leaving. She’s pregnant. She goes to her best friend’s house in Brooklyn. A guy friend helps her open a bakery. He’s interested in Ivy.
Damian is devastated she left. He hires people to search for her. Cecilia makes a hard pass at him naked in his bed. He screams at her to leave and makes his staff throw out all of the bedding and carpet.
She doesn’t give up. Approaching him in front of mentors, going to Ivy’s shop and saying they are engaged again. He finally researches her and realizes everything she’s said is a lie. Shocker.
Damian tries to help Ivy at her shop to win her back. He realizes by her behavior towards him how she felt all this time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2026
good but confusing timelines
Overall good story had some timeline and editing issues. Was confused he had a surprise birthday party for his 35th and they were married for two years because OW left and it was right after??? but some confusing issues about them together in University?? Engaged ?? Were they together that long? Really not sure about their past and then it was a head scratcher for me from their relationship time frame…or how old FMC was etc
Not going to lie he was a hard to like MMC in beginning he talked to her like the help and she was a total doormat. Didn’t like how he stated no real passion between them cringey
I did like how he wasn’t afraid to tell OW off thought that was refreshing, if only he did it in front of his wife.
In these stories I love the grovel and change but I need more connection from the beginning to make me root for their HEA
Overall good story had some timeline and editing issues. Was confused he had a surprise birthday party for his 35th and they were married for two years because OW left and it was right after??? but some confusing issues about them together in University?? Engaged ?? Were they together that long? Really not sure about their past and then it was a head scratcher for me from their relationship time frame…or how old FMC was etc
Not going to lie he was a hard to like MMC in beginning he talked to her like the help and she was a total doormat. Didn’t like how he stated no real passion between them cringey
I did like how he wasn’t afraid to tell OW off thought that was refreshing, if only he did it in front of his wife.
In these stories I love the grovel and change but I need more connection from the beginning to make me root for their HEA
August 3, 2026
Decent
This was a decent story. There were a lot of face palm moments which kept me engaged. I think my issue came from not feeling like Damian was able to be redeemed after what he pulled. I get his history, but the birthday party alone was enough to never come back from. Tack on that he literally did this all with no regard or thought for her and then resented her for actually looking out for him. I just couldn't get past that. I like his redemption arc but I just don't feel after what he did he deserved her as his wife. I could appreciate him as a co-parent and being possibly friends, but that would just a bridge too far to come back from in the marriage.
This was a decent story. There were a lot of face palm moments which kept me engaged. I think my issue came from not feeling like Damian was able to be redeemed after what he pulled. I get his history, but the birthday party alone was enough to never come back from. Tack on that he literally did this all with no regard or thought for her and then resented her for actually looking out for him. I just couldn't get past that. I like his redemption arc but I just don't feel after what he did he deserved her as his wife. I could appreciate him as a co-parent and being possibly friends, but that would just a bridge too far to come back from in the marriage.
August 2, 2026
Huge Plus
This was an ok read. I skimmed another of this author's books before this and it was pretty much the same story. There were mistakes, ones that you question if AI wrote this book. What I really liked was this author wrote about a woman who knew how to take care of herself after pain and focus on being stronger. There wasn't another guy...well she didn't go there...who swept in to make her feel worthy, she found that herself. So many authors write about women who leave a man but then turn around to to get validated by another even when they know they still love their husbands. This was nice to read about a positive role model for women. Same in the other book.
This was an ok read. I skimmed another of this author's books before this and it was pretty much the same story. There were mistakes, ones that you question if AI wrote this book. What I really liked was this author wrote about a woman who knew how to take care of herself after pain and focus on being stronger. There wasn't another guy...well she didn't go there...who swept in to make her feel worthy, she found that herself. So many authors write about women who leave a man but then turn around to to get validated by another even when they know they still love their husbands. This was nice to read about a positive role model for women. Same in the other book.
August 9, 2026
You won’t put it down until the last page has been turned. Ivy is married to a man she has loved for a while but he has chosen to treat her like she is invisible for the most part when she isn’t he treats her cold, very easy to dislike but she tries by throwing him a surprise party backed his cake herself only for him to come home to tell her throw the cake away and the reason is why is because the crème makes his women friend feel sick without care to acknowledge her or the work she put into the party. Damian sexy as all get out jerk of a husband who couldn’t recognize the value of what he had like most until it was gone but let’s get back to him coming into the home dismissing her, the party all of it for another women and frankly he feels like everything his wife does for him he deserves it because she suppose to do it for him as his wife. There is no magnetic pull between them not because there can’t be but because he hasn’t given them a chance especially after he brings Cecilia to their home to stay with them and boy does she start all kinds of trouble so much so that Ivy decided to walk away with the most precious gift her husband could every give a cute little person that will arrive soon and she is determined not bring her baby into that toxic mess. Heading to her best friend where she works her butt off setting up her own bakery while being pregnant where she meets a man who is kind, treats as she has always dreamed of being treated by her husband. But around this same time Damian realizes he never wanted his wife to leave in fact he loved her and will do what it takes to earn her back but will she give him another chance especially now that she has a little one to think about, will he be willing to grovel for them, will he be honest, will they both see the second chance fate is giving them, and can they find happiness the second time around?
August 12, 2026
Not worth your time or effort.
My issues:
Timeline: It makes no sense. In one chapter, the characters have been apart for a few days; in another, it's suddenly weeks; then the story acts as if no time has passed at all. There is no consistency or logical progression.
Reality: I'm willing to suspend some disbelief in romance novels, but this takes it too far. I'm supposed to believe a character can decide to open a bakery and have it operating within a day? There's no mention of securing financing, signing a lease, obtaining permits, creating a business plan, or any of the real-world steps involved. Even more unbelievable, her husband hires private investigators to find her while she's openly running a bakery in Brooklyn under her own name, and somehow they can't locate her for weeks.
Groveling: I didn't make it far enough into the book to see whether there was any meaningful groveling, which says a lot on its own.
Overall: Terrible. Save yourself the frustration and skip this one.
My issues:
Timeline: It makes no sense. In one chapter, the characters have been apart for a few days; in another, it's suddenly weeks; then the story acts as if no time has passed at all. There is no consistency or logical progression.
Reality: I'm willing to suspend some disbelief in romance novels, but this takes it too far. I'm supposed to believe a character can decide to open a bakery and have it operating within a day? There's no mention of securing financing, signing a lease, obtaining permits, creating a business plan, or any of the real-world steps involved. Even more unbelievable, her husband hires private investigators to find her while she's openly running a bakery in Brooklyn under her own name, and somehow they can't locate her for weeks.
Groveling: I didn't make it far enough into the book to see whether there was any meaningful groveling, which says a lot on its own.
Overall: Terrible. Save yourself the frustration and skip this one.
August 7, 2026
Grace: Damian and Ivy
Damian and and Ivy have a second chance at love, faithfulness, and growth. When Damian realizes how much he loves and misses Ivy, he has some soul searching to do and to work on himself. Ivy needs to see and prove to herself that she is a capable person of knowing how to see her self in a positive way. These two love each other deeply but growth in their lives is a journey worth taking.
Damian and and Ivy have a second chance at love, faithfulness, and growth. When Damian realizes how much he loves and misses Ivy, he has some soul searching to do and to work on himself. Ivy needs to see and prove to herself that she is a capable person of knowing how to see her self in a positive way. These two love each other deeply but growth in their lives is a journey worth taking.
August 9, 2026
Ivy is just so sweet and caring. Really tries so much for Damian. Plans a surprise birthday party for him and the idiot brings his ex and moves her in all without telling Ivy. I love how Ivy finally leaves him in the dust. Damian realizes too late how much Ivy means to him. I love all the groveling he did.
I just love marriage in crisis tropes and Asher Hale writes them really well. Can’t wait for the next book!!!
I just love marriage in crisis tropes and Asher Hale writes them really well. Can’t wait for the next book!!!
Read
September 11, 2026I've read most of Hale's stories and after a while they follow the same formula, and I wish Hale would create an FMC who chooses herself and doesn't get back with the MMC. Also, I think the cover art and the writing is mostly AI because the dialogue sounds stilted, almost like Hale thinks what people would sound like but don't quite sound like regular conversation.
September 12, 2026
The plot itself was ok but the writing was awful like genuinely terrible. I would be shocked if AI wasn’t used and if it wasn’t that might be even worse…. The description of things were robotic and unnatural as the story progressed it got worse. I only finished this because I was curious and really I need to stop being curious.
August 22, 2026
Ivy and Damian
It was an ok read. Plot was interesting though i felt the author didn't carried it though. OTT in parts. Unbelievable parts anded to us readers to believe. I couldn't even finished the last two chapters. Couldn't believe the story or the characters.
It was an ok read. Plot was interesting though i felt the author didn't carried it though. OTT in parts. Unbelievable parts anded to us readers to believe. I couldn't even finished the last two chapters. Couldn't believe the story or the characters.
September 3, 2026
The husband who regrets too late
I enjoyed reading this, it made me angry and emotional in parts. I was worried it wouldn't work out. But thankfully I got through it and I enjoyed it.
I enjoyed reading this, it made me angry and emotional in parts. I was worried it wouldn't work out. But thankfully I got through it and I enjoyed it.
September 3, 2026
Lovely book
A lovely story about a couple that had to hit rock bottom to find real realize that in order to make it, work they had to love themselves before they could fight and accept their true love.
A lovely story about a couple that had to hit rock bottom to find real realize that in order to make it, work they had to love themselves before they could fight and accept their true love.
August 23, 2026
About this book
Love this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves to read romance novels and Asher Hale is an amazing writer ❤️
Love this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves to read romance novels and Asher Hale is an amazing writer ❤️
August 28, 2026
As these books go, it’s ok. Damian’s realization is late coming and doesn’t always make sense. The redemption seems unearned.
Several phrases seem weird. Like AI
Several phrases seem weird. Like AI
September 6, 2026
Great read
Keeps u wanting to keep reading
Keeps u wanting to keep reading
September 14, 2026
Soo good and soo soo H.O.T I absolutly loved it! 🥰❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️❤️😍
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