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Second Chances
Consumed by guilt surrounding her husband’s death as she raises her autistic son alone, KIRA NICHOLS shuts herself off from everyone and everything. That is until GRANT RUTLEDGE returns to town to help run his family’s business. The spark between them is unlike anything either has ever experienced, but when Kira discovers a secret from Grant’s past, her suspicious nature puts up a roadblock to a happy future. She’ll have to overcome her suspicions and leave behind the haunting ghosts from the past in order to let love heal the broken trust she’s lived with for too long.
- GenresContemporary Romance
258 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
1 person is currently reading
355 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 25, 2015
Absolutely loved this book! The entire book! Never a dull moment and the characters are so well played into the story! It's an emotional tug at the heart with this one, for me at least. Really enjoyed the plot of the whole story!
*Received for an honest review*
*Received for an honest review*
March 19, 2024
Emma Leigh Reed is one talented writer. Her words are straight to the point and tact but incredibly descriptive, giving the reader a vivid picture of the characters and scenery. I'm pretty sure I'll be reading it again in the future. This is one book that will never get old.
Let me just start by saying I really didn't know what to expect before I started reading. Would it be uplifting? Depressing? It was a mystery to me! I realized it's a little bit of everything.
The main characters are lovable and believable. I was rooting for them the whole way through. The reader is aware of an antagonistic presence always lurking nearby, but the bad guy isn't revealed until later. Ahh. The plot is intriguing, because we know the secrets of Kira's painful past early in the book, but we get to find out secrets of Grant. We go full circle! Kira and Grant aren't perfect, they have their drama, but they also have their good times. We get to see ALL OF IT. Yeah! Add an adorable autistic son, loving (and not so loving) parents, crazy and supportive friends, and an awesome ocean view. There's the book!
Everyone deserves a second chance at love and a happy ending.
** Second Chances is a Standalone Series from Emma Leigh Reed **
Let me just start by saying I really didn't know what to expect before I started reading. Would it be uplifting? Depressing? It was a mystery to me! I realized it's a little bit of everything.
The main characters are lovable and believable. I was rooting for them the whole way through. The reader is aware of an antagonistic presence always lurking nearby, but the bad guy isn't revealed until later. Ahh. The plot is intriguing, because we know the secrets of Kira's painful past early in the book, but we get to find out secrets of Grant. We go full circle! Kira and Grant aren't perfect, they have their drama, but they also have their good times. We get to see ALL OF IT. Yeah! Add an adorable autistic son, loving (and not so loving) parents, crazy and supportive friends, and an awesome ocean view. There's the book!
Everyone deserves a second chance at love and a happy ending.
** Second Chances is a Standalone Series from Emma Leigh Reed **
November 25, 2015
SNS Rating: 5.0
~~~~~~~~~~Jess's ★★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~~
Emma Leigh Reed is one talented writer. Her words are straight to the point and tact but incredibly descriptive, giving the reader a vivid picture of the characters and scenery. I'm pretty sure I'll be reading it again in the future. This is one book that will never get old.
Let me just start by saying I really didn't know what to expect before I started reading. Would it be uplifting? Depressing? It was a mystery to me! I realized it's a little bit of everything.
The main characters are lovable and believable. I was rooting for them the whole way through. The reader is aware of an antagonistic presence always lurking nearby, but the bad guy isn't revealed until later. Ah. The plot is intriguing, because we know the secrets of Kira's painful past early in the book, but we get to find out secrets of Grant. We go full circle! Kira and Grant aren't perfect, they have their drama, but they also have their good times. We get to see ALL OF IT. Yeah! Add an adorable autistic son, loving (and not so loving) parents, crazy and supportive friends, and an awesome ocean view. There's the book!
Everyone deserves a second chance at love and a happy ending.
** Second Chances is a Standalone Series from Emma Leigh Reed **
~~~~~~~~~~Dee's ★★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~
This is a story about Kira and Grant who are both hoping for a second chance for love and a family. They appear to be perfect for each other but Kira has some trust issues and Grant deals with his stubborn pride. So the relationship is rocky at best. In the beginning, a nameless man brings an air of mystery into the story. He has ties to an unknown woman that is instrumental in shaking up Kira's world like an earthquake. Overall, it is a gentle, sweet tale of finding love and learning to forgive the past, accepting what life has given you and holding tight to the love right in front of you. I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review. It is with pleasure that I award this book Five Stars.
~~~~~~~~~~Amanda's ★★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~~
The story of Kira and Grant is breathtaking. It grabs your attention right at the beginning and holds it until the very end. The details were written so well that I had no trouble picturing each character or scene. There's sadness as well as a little suspense throughout. I cannot wait to read more books from Emma Leigh Reed.
~~~~~~~~~~Patricia's ★★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~
Doesn't everyone deserve a second chance? In Kira's life it has always been rejection and loneliness and then finally tragedy and finding out that her son has a disability. In Grant's case it was him trying to figure out where he belonged and what he deserved in life. Kira had a sad lonely life and Grant had all the family support he needed. When Kira and Grant come together the chemistry is there but they both don't know how to work through some of the things from their past. When Kira's manipulative mother starts meddling she thinks she will hear them apart little does she know that love can withstand anything if you fight hard enough for it. This was an awesome read the way the author bring in the disability that Jared has and explains some of the things that needs done is just awesome.
~~~~~~~~~~Jess's ★★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~~
Emma Leigh Reed is one talented writer. Her words are straight to the point and tact but incredibly descriptive, giving the reader a vivid picture of the characters and scenery. I'm pretty sure I'll be reading it again in the future. This is one book that will never get old.
Let me just start by saying I really didn't know what to expect before I started reading. Would it be uplifting? Depressing? It was a mystery to me! I realized it's a little bit of everything.
The main characters are lovable and believable. I was rooting for them the whole way through. The reader is aware of an antagonistic presence always lurking nearby, but the bad guy isn't revealed until later. Ah. The plot is intriguing, because we know the secrets of Kira's painful past early in the book, but we get to find out secrets of Grant. We go full circle! Kira and Grant aren't perfect, they have their drama, but they also have their good times. We get to see ALL OF IT. Yeah! Add an adorable autistic son, loving (and not so loving) parents, crazy and supportive friends, and an awesome ocean view. There's the book!
Everyone deserves a second chance at love and a happy ending.
** Second Chances is a Standalone Series from Emma Leigh Reed **
~~~~~~~~~~Dee's ★★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~
This is a story about Kira and Grant who are both hoping for a second chance for love and a family. They appear to be perfect for each other but Kira has some trust issues and Grant deals with his stubborn pride. So the relationship is rocky at best. In the beginning, a nameless man brings an air of mystery into the story. He has ties to an unknown woman that is instrumental in shaking up Kira's world like an earthquake. Overall, it is a gentle, sweet tale of finding love and learning to forgive the past, accepting what life has given you and holding tight to the love right in front of you. I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review. It is with pleasure that I award this book Five Stars.
~~~~~~~~~~Amanda's ★★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~~
The story of Kira and Grant is breathtaking. It grabs your attention right at the beginning and holds it until the very end. The details were written so well that I had no trouble picturing each character or scene. There's sadness as well as a little suspense throughout. I cannot wait to read more books from Emma Leigh Reed.
~~~~~~~~~~Patricia's ★★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~
Doesn't everyone deserve a second chance? In Kira's life it has always been rejection and loneliness and then finally tragedy and finding out that her son has a disability. In Grant's case it was him trying to figure out where he belonged and what he deserved in life. Kira had a sad lonely life and Grant had all the family support he needed. When Kira and Grant come together the chemistry is there but they both don't know how to work through some of the things from their past. When Kira's manipulative mother starts meddling she thinks she will hear them apart little does she know that love can withstand anything if you fight hard enough for it. This was an awesome read the way the author bring in the disability that Jared has and explains some of the things that needs done is just awesome.
January 18, 2016
2 stars
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. So here it goes:
This is the first ARC I've ever received. I read the blurb and I thought the novel sounded interesting.
But, there were so many things that bugged me. The insta-lust/love between Kira and Grant, for one. The dialogues are contrived and very un-natural. I've known autistic kids for some time now. I didn't buy it for one second how Jared, Kira's 4-5 year old autistic son, was expressing himself. Not even neurotypical (normal) kids act and talk like that. Not to mention that autistic kids hate change, don't warm to strangers quickly, but somehow Jared is just besotted with Grant, and later with his family, because what? In many respects, given the dialogues between Jared and his mum or Grant's family, he sounded like a perfectly reasonable 10 year old not a pre-school kid, definitely not like a partially non-verbal kid, who mostly used sign language to communicate.
It really irritated me how Grant went on and on about how Kira was such a wonderful mother, after meeting her a couple of times, not to mention telling her to relax etc. I've rolled my eyes numerous times. And after several meetings, not even dates, he confesses he loves her. They hadn't even had sex yet.
There's also a lot of unnecessary dialogue, a lot of telling the readers how to feel instead of showing.
And how was Kira, a stay-at-home mum, able to pay for a house-keeper? Now to mention why would she need her? That just didn't make sense.
There's a lot of repetition going on, for example we are told several times what "sensory therapy" is. I got it the first time.
The character development is lacking. I felt completely disconnected and disinterested in the characters. I couldn't even create an image in my head of their appearance.
To end on a positive side: I didn't find any grammar mistakes and the punctuation was pretty good.
Recommended: I do not recommend 2 star books.
Cover: 3 stars
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. So here it goes:
This is the first ARC I've ever received. I read the blurb and I thought the novel sounded interesting.
But, there were so many things that bugged me. The insta-lust/love between Kira and Grant, for one. The dialogues are contrived and very un-natural. I've known autistic kids for some time now. I didn't buy it for one second how Jared, Kira's 4-5 year old autistic son, was expressing himself. Not even neurotypical (normal) kids act and talk like that. Not to mention that autistic kids hate change, don't warm to strangers quickly, but somehow Jared is just besotted with Grant, and later with his family, because what? In many respects, given the dialogues between Jared and his mum or Grant's family, he sounded like a perfectly reasonable 10 year old not a pre-school kid, definitely not like a partially non-verbal kid, who mostly used sign language to communicate.
It really irritated me how Grant went on and on about how Kira was such a wonderful mother, after meeting her a couple of times, not to mention telling her to relax etc. I've rolled my eyes numerous times. And after several meetings, not even dates, he confesses he loves her. They hadn't even had sex yet.
There's also a lot of unnecessary dialogue, a lot of telling the readers how to feel instead of showing.
And how was Kira, a stay-at-home mum, able to pay for a house-keeper? Now to mention why would she need her? That just didn't make sense.
There's a lot of repetition going on, for example we are told several times what "sensory therapy" is. I got it the first time.
The character development is lacking. I felt completely disconnected and disinterested in the characters. I couldn't even create an image in my head of their appearance.
To end on a positive side: I didn't find any grammar mistakes and the punctuation was pretty good.
Recommended: I do not recommend 2 star books.
Cover: 3 stars
June 5, 2015
Everyone Deserves a Second Chance
Ever since her husband passed away, Kira Nichols has carried around a load of guilt. She also has difficulty trusting others. The not trusting is easy because Kira has basically closed herself off from everyone. Her entire world revolves around her young autistic son. She will do anything and everything that involves helping him with his disability and protecting him. That seems to be working out just fine until Grant Rutledge enters the picture. Once they meet, it becomes obvious that there is a definite connection between them. One of he problems is that Kira continually puts up roadblocks. Add to that a series of misunderstandings that cause past hurts to resurface and you end up with some rough patches in the road of their relationship. Just when you think it’s all going to work out just fine, the past catches up with Kira and with Grant causing yet a few more bumps in the road. Do they have what it takes to overcome?
The author has taken a story of romance and added some twists and turns which give it just enough elements of surprise to keep you guessing and reading. She has also taken on the topic of autism and addressed it in a way that doesn’t take over the entire story, but adds enough to make it flow just right. The result is a beautifully sweet story of hope, love, and second chances. After all, doesn’t everyone deserve a second chance?
*****I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and objective review. All opinions and viewpoints are my own.
Ever since her husband passed away, Kira Nichols has carried around a load of guilt. She also has difficulty trusting others. The not trusting is easy because Kira has basically closed herself off from everyone. Her entire world revolves around her young autistic son. She will do anything and everything that involves helping him with his disability and protecting him. That seems to be working out just fine until Grant Rutledge enters the picture. Once they meet, it becomes obvious that there is a definite connection between them. One of he problems is that Kira continually puts up roadblocks. Add to that a series of misunderstandings that cause past hurts to resurface and you end up with some rough patches in the road of their relationship. Just when you think it’s all going to work out just fine, the past catches up with Kira and with Grant causing yet a few more bumps in the road. Do they have what it takes to overcome?
The author has taken a story of romance and added some twists and turns which give it just enough elements of surprise to keep you guessing and reading. She has also taken on the topic of autism and addressed it in a way that doesn’t take over the entire story, but adds enough to make it flow just right. The result is a beautifully sweet story of hope, love, and second chances. After all, doesn’t everyone deserve a second chance?
*****I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and objective review. All opinions and viewpoints are my own.
June 26, 2015
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review*
This book started off great, but at about the 50% mark, I found it beginning to drag on for me. I really enjoyed the personalities of the two main characters, Grant and Kira. They were both stubborn and one wouldn’t automatically give in to the other’s desires, which is great! I loved how there was a little relationship drama. When everything is picture perfect for love birds throughout an entire book, it's too boring. I loved Grant! He meets the perfect husband qualifications. I liked how Kira led a private, guarded life. Seeing the walls break down as she finally lets someone in was intriguing. The circumstances regarding Kira’s deceased husband were interesting. I had been expecting something completely different. At about the midway point, it became overly family orientated for me. There was more focus on kids and developing a family life style than the romantic relationship. There were zero steamy scenes, which I found to be a significant problem. Detailed steamy scenes are must haves in the romance books I read. Overall, if you’re someone who enjoys a clean romance with lots of family activity, I think you’ll really enjoy this book!
This book started off great, but at about the 50% mark, I found it beginning to drag on for me. I really enjoyed the personalities of the two main characters, Grant and Kira. They were both stubborn and one wouldn’t automatically give in to the other’s desires, which is great! I loved how there was a little relationship drama. When everything is picture perfect for love birds throughout an entire book, it's too boring. I loved Grant! He meets the perfect husband qualifications. I liked how Kira led a private, guarded life. Seeing the walls break down as she finally lets someone in was intriguing. The circumstances regarding Kira’s deceased husband were interesting. I had been expecting something completely different. At about the midway point, it became overly family orientated for me. There was more focus on kids and developing a family life style than the romantic relationship. There were zero steamy scenes, which I found to be a significant problem. Detailed steamy scenes are must haves in the romance books I read. Overall, if you’re someone who enjoys a clean romance with lots of family activity, I think you’ll really enjoy this book!
April 19, 2015
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I would give this book a three and a half, it was my first time of reading Emma Leigh Reed and I would read other books by her after this one. The concept of the story was good and the characters are likeable enough that you feel invested in what happens to them. The story focuses around Grant and Kira. They have to learn to trust one another and let the other in.
Since the death of her husband four years ago Kira has been dedicated to looking after her son Jared who suffers from autism. Grant is the handsome builder of the house next door. There is an instant connection between Kira and Grant but like any good love story things never go on without a few stumbling blocks along the way.
The story is well paced for the most part but there was a few times I would have liked it to less detailed in the description of things that I didn't feel made a difference to the story. However overall it was a good book with a nice story and would recommend it to romance lovers out there.
I would give this book a three and a half, it was my first time of reading Emma Leigh Reed and I would read other books by her after this one. The concept of the story was good and the characters are likeable enough that you feel invested in what happens to them. The story focuses around Grant and Kira. They have to learn to trust one another and let the other in.
Since the death of her husband four years ago Kira has been dedicated to looking after her son Jared who suffers from autism. Grant is the handsome builder of the house next door. There is an instant connection between Kira and Grant but like any good love story things never go on without a few stumbling blocks along the way.
The story is well paced for the most part but there was a few times I would have liked it to less detailed in the description of things that I didn't feel made a difference to the story. However overall it was a good book with a nice story and would recommend it to romance lovers out there.
April 10, 2015
Second Chances by Emma Leigh Reed
So I just finished reading this and t'was fine. I especially like stories when there's kids involved because there's actually a dilemma. People actually have others to think of.
One thing I didn't like in this book was that when Kira went to Grant to confront him. The fight was a bit nonsensical. Grant immediately turned the tables on her. Geez. And he accused her of jumping to conclusions. Duh. She was there. She didn't even start to throw accusations, and Grant already gave an ultimatum.
|| Kira and Grant's relationship was nice. It was simple enough that you actually believe it. It didn't have too many problems that you'll think it'll never happen in real life.
So I just finished reading this and t'was fine. I especially like stories when there's kids involved because there's actually a dilemma. People actually have others to think of.
One thing I didn't like in this book was that when Kira went to Grant to confront him. The fight was a bit nonsensical. Grant immediately turned the tables on her. Geez. And he accused her of jumping to conclusions. Duh. She was there. She didn't even start to throw accusations, and Grant already gave an ultimatum.
|| Kira and Grant's relationship was nice. It was simple enough that you actually believe it. It didn't have too many problems that you'll think it'll never happen in real life.
May 17, 2014
This is a unique story about a new romance struggling with not only the pressures of learning about one another, but also of family acceptance. Kira has an autistic son and the novel perfectly outlines the challenges and rewards of raising a young child, while building a relationship. There are enough plot twists to keep the pages turning and I appreciate how her writing is descriptive yet to the point. I look forward to reading more novels by Emma Leigh Reed. Her voice is strong and her stories are just a little outside the norm. This book makes a great read for vacation, the beach, or a rainy saturday.
April 14, 2015
I received this book for my honest opinion, I found that this book was a great story on how a single mom with a disabled son could make life work. she has to live her life with her son that is autistic and protect him. after 4 long years she meets the sexy contractor that is building next door. The story has so much love, patience and guilt that you want to jump in the book and help out. You will enjoy this story and the flow of the characters, every so often you wanted to shake her to get her back in sense of things.
May 25, 2015
RECEIVED FOR AN HONEST
This book is about a second chance. Kira and Grant find themselves becoming involved even though Kira is having a hard time learning to trust again, Grant is trying to get past the frustration of trying to get Kira to just let go of the past and move forward. A lot of twist and turns happen in this book and does it end up working out for these two. The author bring in a disability that she does a great job of explaining how things can happen and how they need to be dealt with.
This book is about a second chance. Kira and Grant find themselves becoming involved even though Kira is having a hard time learning to trust again, Grant is trying to get past the frustration of trying to get Kira to just let go of the past and move forward. A lot of twist and turns happen in this book and does it end up working out for these two. The author bring in a disability that she does a great job of explaining how things can happen and how they need to be dealt with.
October 18, 2012
I can't believe I actually finished this. It had shallow characters, a dull and at times nonsensical storyline and while I liked the depiction of autism, I hated the theme that Mommies should stay home and raise their kid, not selfishly pursue a career. Grant looked like a Neandrethal being angrier at Sophie for hiring an au pair (and apparently a darn good one) that at the fact that she had kept the existance of their son a secret. This one left a bad taste in my mouth
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2012
Wonderful and heart warming, Crashing Hearts by Emma Leigh Reed is a story of love and all the challenges that love will face. The love that develops between Kira and Grant will resonate with many. Reed allows us a glimpse of a mother that places the needs of her child above all. Crashing Hearts by Emma Leigh Reed is a discovery of love and the road to happiness.
June 4, 2015
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a good book. It was a quick read and I enjoyed the plot. It was a very heartfelt story.
The only major downside of the book was the story felt rushed to me. It wasn't terribly distracting but something I did feel.
I would recommend this book to others, especially parents that like a good love story.
This book was a good book. It was a quick read and I enjoyed the plot. It was a very heartfelt story.
The only major downside of the book was the story felt rushed to me. It wasn't terribly distracting but something I did feel.
I would recommend this book to others, especially parents that like a good love story.
June 13, 2015
I loved the characters and this book as a whole. Its not filled with sex scenes or profanity but that doesnt diminish the chemistry between the main characters.
Kira is a widowed single mother to a son with autism. Grant is in construction and is building a house next door to Kira. This story has so much love, overcoming guilt. its just an all around great read.
Kira is a widowed single mother to a son with autism. Grant is in construction and is building a house next door to Kira. This story has so much love, overcoming guilt. its just an all around great read.
May 16, 2012
"Crashing Hearts" has many characters who have a range of difficulties in their lives, including a child born with autism and an ever-abusive mother. The book is enjoyable and leaves the reader with hope for the future of the characters.
May 18, 2015
Easy read!
I got this book for free in exchange for a review.
This book about young widow Kira? We follow her transformation from heart closed women to a fiancé. This book doesn't have hot sex. Also relationship between Kira and her mom not reL.
I got this book for free in exchange for a review.
This book about young widow Kira? We follow her transformation from heart closed women to a fiancé. This book doesn't have hot sex. Also relationship between Kira and her mom not reL.
March 3, 2016
Loved this book, I couldn't put it down! I'm glad that Kira finally saw that Grant was the missing piece to her family. Was very shocked that he had a son!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews