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That Second Chance #4
Paradise Found
Sometimes we're lucky enough to get that second chance - in life and in love. That Second Chance Series are stand-alone stories of strong women who battle heartache and loss with a courage and determination to find new paths and true love. What ties them together? A common belief in the beauty of that second chance.Paradise Found is Book Four of That Second Chance Series.How does one see truly--with the heart or with the eyes?Matt Brandon has it all--wealth, power, looks, and talent. Women want him; men want to be like him. When a freak ski accident strips him of one of life's most basic needs--his sight--he struggles to accept the possibility that his blindness may be permanent.Enter psychologist Sara Hamilton, a woman who has known her own share of grief and loss and may just be the one person who can help Matt redefine his new world. Sara is every woman's woman--she's not a toothpick or a Cosmo girl, has never been prom queen, or dated the blond-haired god with the big white teeth. She's honest and decent and real...and lives on the perimeter, applauding her patients' successes, nursing them through their failures, but never acknowledging or accepting what she lacks in her own life. She's loved and lost once and has been so emotionally scarred, she's not willing to risk those feelings again.Of course, she's never met a man like Matt Brandon. As Matt and Sara explore the delicate balance between "blind" trust and hope, they will discover that sometimes you have to lose everything to find what you are truly looking for...That Second Chance Pulling Home (Also prequel to A Family The Promise)Book The Way They Were (Also prequel to A Family The Secret)Book Simple Riches (Also prequel to A Family Winter)Book Paradise FoundBook Not Your Everyday HousewifeBook The Butterfly Garden
246 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2002
726 people are currently reading
1024 people want to read
About the author
Mary Campisi
80 books419 followersMary Campisi is the author of over 40 emotion-packed novels that center around hope, redemption, and second chances.
Mary should have known she'd become a writer when at age thirteen she began changing the ending to all the books she read. It took several years and a number of jobs, including registered nurse, receptionist in a swanky hair salon, accounts payable clerk, and practice manager in an OB/GYN office, for her to rediscover writing. Enter a mouse-less computer, a floppy disk, and a dream large enough to fill a zip drive. The rest of the story lives on in every book she writes.
When she's not working on her craft or following the lives of five adult children, Mary's digging in the dirt with her flowers and herbs, cooking, reading, walking her rescue lab, Henry, or, on the perfect day, riding off into the sunset with her very own hero/husband on his Ultra Limited aka Harley.
If you would like to be notified when Mary has a new release, please sign up at http://www.marycampisi.com/book/book-...
website: marycampisi.com
e-mail: mary@marycampisi.com
blog: marycampisi.com/blog/
twitter: twitter.com/MaryCampisi
facebook: facebook.com/marycampisibooks
Instagram: instagram.com/marycampisiauthor/
Mary should have known she'd become a writer when at age thirteen she began changing the ending to all the books she read. It took several years and a number of jobs, including registered nurse, receptionist in a swanky hair salon, accounts payable clerk, and practice manager in an OB/GYN office, for her to rediscover writing. Enter a mouse-less computer, a floppy disk, and a dream large enough to fill a zip drive. The rest of the story lives on in every book she writes.
When she's not working on her craft or following the lives of five adult children, Mary's digging in the dirt with her flowers and herbs, cooking, reading, walking her rescue lab, Henry, or, on the perfect day, riding off into the sunset with her very own hero/husband on his Ultra Limited aka Harley.
If you would like to be notified when Mary has a new release, please sign up at http://www.marycampisi.com/book/book-...
website: marycampisi.com
e-mail: mary@marycampisi.com
blog: marycampisi.com/blog/
twitter: twitter.com/MaryCampisi
facebook: facebook.com/marycampisibooks
Instagram: instagram.com/marycampisiauthor/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
October 22, 2020
Disappointing. This could have been a great story. Instead, it was rather boring and full of irrelevant plot items. The stereotypical Mexican housekeeper, the soft brother who is falling in love with the heroine, the assistant Rex who is too good to be true. Sara the heroine who has been treated badly by her ex-husband and who has also lost her baby so cannot get close again. A professional who abandons every tenet of her profession with such ease.
So predictable, so pedestrian. The author can write well, but this story sadly was nothing special.
So predictable, so pedestrian. The author can write well, but this story sadly was nothing special.
May 28, 2017
I really wanted to like this more. I am an affiliate of psychology (not a therapist though) so I was hooked from the very start. However, the heroine did not act at all like the 'excellent counselor' (I forgot the exact words she used) that she was so proud of. As a mental health professional, it is your duty to maintain your own psychological health. Sure, everyone has hang-ups. However, the heroine has made no step towards reclaiming herself in that part of her life. Also, reading the story makes me feel that there's a scoreboard between the hero and the heroine and that the hero has a grand slam score. Seriously, it feels like the hero manages to get what he wants all the time, while the heroine has to make do. Another serious point I dislike is that the heroine is very biased against the hero from the outset. Sure, this is a normal thing in the romance genre, but a counselor/psychologist doing that? The author keeps on using her past as an excuse for her to do stupid things. In the end, we get what is a stupid heroine. One last thing is that the hero sounds like a rockstar or a famous actor rather than a famous author.
2 stars for a stupid heroine with an honorary degree in psychology
2 stars for a stupid heroine with an honorary degree in psychology
October 5, 2020
Meh. This book was sadly bland. Neither of the characters really rang true. Frankly the heroine would have been better off with the nice brother.
It’s also showing its age with tons of diet talk and a very stereotypical portrayal of a Mexican immigrant as a secondary character.
It’s also showing its age with tons of diet talk and a very stereotypical portrayal of a Mexican immigrant as a secondary character.
February 15, 2014
Mary Campisi has surpassed herself with this the 4th book in the second chance series...Another night without sleep I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN !!!.. A Blind Writer Mathew Brandon.. Sara Hamilton a psychologist.. He is determined he will not let her help... she is determined she will help him..they both have trust issues for different reasons.. one of them is she wants commitment he says he will never ever commit.. throw in a brother into the melting pot and an ex girlfriend and watch as they interact.. will their lives unravel.. will they become more than friends?? At times I wanted to knock Sara and Matt's heads together.. many times my heart was in my mouth with the way they were with each other. Have to admit I did cry !!. The scene with the "Paradise in Pink" "Blast away Blue" " Remember me Raspberry " made me Laugh out loud!! I will not give the story away I detest Spoilers.. if you want to know the story and what the colours are ..Then you have to read the book.. you will enjoy this book I guarantee.. I now consider Mary Campisi one of my all time favourite authors...
January 10, 2014
I have just recently found Mary Campisi, and am looking forward to reading more from this author!
Matt was a famous author which is accustomed to every woman falling all over him, even though he is now blind after an accident. His brother Adam begs family friend, psychologist Jeff Sanders, to fly across the continent to California to see Matthew. Though willing he cannot leave his wife pregnant with complications at this moment. Jeff asks his partner Sara Hamilton to fill in temporally until he can arrive.
Sarah, a psychologist was abandoned by her husband so does not take any bull from Matt. Their relationship begins to grown as they both let down their guards and trust one another with much chemistry. Again it is all about second chances and starting over.
Matt was a famous author which is accustomed to every woman falling all over him, even though he is now blind after an accident. His brother Adam begs family friend, psychologist Jeff Sanders, to fly across the continent to California to see Matthew. Though willing he cannot leave his wife pregnant with complications at this moment. Jeff asks his partner Sara Hamilton to fill in temporally until he can arrive.
Sarah, a psychologist was abandoned by her husband so does not take any bull from Matt. Their relationship begins to grown as they both let down their guards and trust one another with much chemistry. Again it is all about second chances and starting over.
February 24, 2018
I'm not sure how this was a second chance romance for our H, Matt. Because until Sara he was a man whore! And as for Sara, our h, it's a second chance at love not romance with our H. But when I think of second chance romance I think of two people who once had a romance and then reconnect. This is not that story. They do break up, So maybe that's the second chance part but that's literally at the end of the book. Good characters, good story, good lovin and Hea no epilogue.
July 20, 2010
Paradise Found is a contemporary romance. It's a genre that, although I enjoy, I seldom read and when I do it's usually authors I have enjoyed in the past like Susan Elizabeth Phillips or Rachel Gibson. But every once in a while someone recommends an author and that's how Campisi's books found their way into my TBR pile.
It's the story of Matt, a famous author although the way he is described it seems more like he is a super star, and Sara, a psychologist hired to help him come to term with the fact that he is blind after a ski accident. Matt doesn't really want a psychologist; he just wants to be left alone with his blindness. When Sara first comes to him he mistakes her for a prostitute which doesn't exactly help their relationship. Sara also has some baggage; she was abandoned by her husband while pregnant and eventually lost the baby. I thought giving her this tragic past was unnecessary, I would have preferred to focus only on the present relationship and fortunately Campisi doesn't keep reminding us of it at every turn.
Matt and Sara eventually build a relationship that while not exactly doctor / patient, is, on her side, an attempt to help him. But as they spend more time together the attraction between them grows and they eventually embark on a romantic relationship. I did like the part of two adults, with a past and one with a disability, getting to know each other and falling in love. Especially when Sara realises that Matt is not ready for a commitment and has to choose whether to continue with him in a situation she doesn't want or cut her losses and leave. However, I felt that while the potential was there the story never fulfilled it, it could have been a more intense read or a humourous one, the fact that it never really decides where to go and that it loses itself in the usual plot devices prevented it, in my opinion, from being a stand out read.
Grade: 3.5/5
It's the story of Matt, a famous author although the way he is described it seems more like he is a super star, and Sara, a psychologist hired to help him come to term with the fact that he is blind after a ski accident. Matt doesn't really want a psychologist; he just wants to be left alone with his blindness. When Sara first comes to him he mistakes her for a prostitute which doesn't exactly help their relationship. Sara also has some baggage; she was abandoned by her husband while pregnant and eventually lost the baby. I thought giving her this tragic past was unnecessary, I would have preferred to focus only on the present relationship and fortunately Campisi doesn't keep reminding us of it at every turn.
Matt and Sara eventually build a relationship that while not exactly doctor / patient, is, on her side, an attempt to help him. But as they spend more time together the attraction between them grows and they eventually embark on a romantic relationship. I did like the part of two adults, with a past and one with a disability, getting to know each other and falling in love. Especially when Sara realises that Matt is not ready for a commitment and has to choose whether to continue with him in a situation she doesn't want or cut her losses and leave. However, I felt that while the potential was there the story never fulfilled it, it could have been a more intense read or a humourous one, the fact that it never really decides where to go and that it loses itself in the usual plot devices prevented it, in my opinion, from being a stand out read.
Grade: 3.5/5
May 11, 2017
This was so corny. Despite the two main characters being in their 30s they acted like high schoolers. Lack of communication between them was just annoying. The female storyline of .....oh I've been hurt so choose to be alone forever and ever. The male......I won't commit even though I only want her.....Pleeeeaaaseeee!! Boring read.
March 10, 2017
This is one boring and predictable book with no semblance to real life or even actual human behaviour. An atrocious read that had me stuck at the same page for a whole week just because it would not move!
December 21, 2017
Damn, that was REALY bad!
October 22, 2020
I don't know when this book was written but attitudes expressed in it seem so old-fashioned. I can often given this a pass (especially in books published a while ago) but, given that the heroine is a psychologist who works with abused/traumatised women, her views towards her own gender seem worryingly unenlightened. The thin women the hero used to date, for example, are crudely characterised as vacuous "toothpicks"; the sincere heroine, on the other hand, just loves to eat, has hips and is therefore worthy of 'commitment'. Likewise, a secondary character, Rielle, who poses a vague challenge for the hero's affections, is swiftly written off as a foul blot on the name of womanhood, principally it would seem, because she is suspicious of carbohydrates. Perhaps her dinner conversation is poorly chosen, but the loathing it provokes in the heroine (who, remember, is a champion of downtrodden women!) seems hugely disproportionate.
In addition, I was annoyed by how often the heroine feels compelled to apologise for her terrible, insensitive treatment of the hero. Yes, he's had a rough time of it but he is also a raging arsehole towards her on repeated occasions. A couple of times, it occurs to him that he might need to say sorry but, almost always, the heroine gets in with her apology first. Are we supposed to commend the hero for his magnanimity?
I really enjoy some 'good grovel' from a hero; I felt it was very much needed but conspicuously absent here.
In addition, I was annoyed by how often the heroine feels compelled to apologise for her terrible, insensitive treatment of the hero. Yes, he's had a rough time of it but he is also a raging arsehole towards her on repeated occasions. A couple of times, it occurs to him that he might need to say sorry but, almost always, the heroine gets in with her apology first. Are we supposed to commend the hero for his magnanimity?
I really enjoy some 'good grovel' from a hero; I felt it was very much needed but conspicuously absent here.
August 8, 2021
Ms. Campisi is known for her small town drama filled romance, which I have enjoyed in the past. This is the first novel of hers I have read that was not set in small town New York State. Matt Brandon the famous writer has lost his vision due to a ski accident and has become bitter to the world. He has shutdown and refuse any psychological help. Psychologist Sara Hamilton has been sent by her boss(who is good friends with Matt) to help him cope with the reality of blindness. What transpires in the beginning is a bitter Matt demanding Sara leaves, she makes a deal with him that she will not ask any deep question and will just be a friend to him. As time goes by Matt begins to realize how special and unique Sara is and Sara begins to wonder can this be her second time in love after her traumatic first marriage. Loved the different setting and plot of this novel although its a bit taboo having the therapist falling in love with her patient but after all this is a romance.
July 15, 2018
Again, this book took me several chapters to get in to this one. It seems the way it will be with this series but I am so glad that I kept at it. I really enjoyed it. I love that Sara, while tough, also had a soft side. She was a no nonsense therapist and knew exactly how to get what she wanted, except when it came to her new patient. Brandon was used to being independent and having women throw themselves at him. He was not used to someone that liked the same things as him, someone that was witty and challenged him. I love love love the cook/housekeeper and the fact that she puts chilis in everything she cooks, it really gave me the chuckles a few times. I can't wait for Adam's book, I felt for him.
March 22, 2021
This was an interesting read; I'm not sure I liked the characters (but I'm not sure I didn't like them, either). Best selling author Matthew is blinded after a skiing accident and his sight isn't returning. He's shut himself off in his house and is planning on living the life of a hermit for the remainder of his sightless life. Sara is sent to be his psychologist; something that neither of them wants. He's moody, crabby and all-around sulky; Sara is convinced he's everything she's ever hated in men.
Their love story worked, although I'm not really sure why. There's plenty of chemistry and they're clearly into each other. But the ending left me feeling they hadn't really resolved their issues (especially hers). But, it is standalone and has a HEA.
Their love story worked, although I'm not really sure why. There's plenty of chemistry and they're clearly into each other. But the ending left me feeling they hadn't really resolved their issues (especially hers). But, it is standalone and has a HEA.
March 2, 2019
An incredible read
Mari Campisi has written a wonderful novel about relationships, friendship love, and problem second chance.
Sara has been requested to got to CA to work with an individual who has recently become blind. Slowly she gains his trust and their relationship becomes more. Yet, they have different opinions on the meaning and expectations of what that means and constitute.
A realistic and engaging read. Heartwarming and a great look at the love and strength these two individuals posses. An excellent group of characters that the reader will relate to and fall in love with.
Rating: 4.9
✴✴✴✴✴
Mari Campisi has written a wonderful novel about relationships, friendship love, and problem second chance.
Sara has been requested to got to CA to work with an individual who has recently become blind. Slowly she gains his trust and their relationship becomes more. Yet, they have different opinions on the meaning and expectations of what that means and constitute.
A realistic and engaging read. Heartwarming and a great look at the love and strength these two individuals posses. An excellent group of characters that the reader will relate to and fall in love with.
Rating: 4.9
✴✴✴✴✴
April 4, 2018
Another adventure of second chances
In this second chance journey, Mary Campesi takes us on a journey with Dr. Sara Hamilton, psychologist, who reluctantly agrees to treat Matt Brandon, author, millionaire, playboy and recently blind from a skiing accident. As she brings Matt out of the darkness both figuratively and literally, Matt finds a way to help the doctor come out of her blindness also. A beautiful story of second chances.
In this second chance journey, Mary Campesi takes us on a journey with Dr. Sara Hamilton, psychologist, who reluctantly agrees to treat Matt Brandon, author, millionaire, playboy and recently blind from a skiing accident. As she brings Matt out of the darkness both figuratively and literally, Matt finds a way to help the doctor come out of her blindness also. A beautiful story of second chances.
July 13, 2018
Paradise Found: That Second Chance, Book4
The love story of Matthew and Sara. Matt is a playboy, a renowned author and now is is blind. Sara is a psychological who help people, mostly women, find their self esteem. Sara's friend wife is have a baby, and he a me her to take a case for him. She dose and now she is working with Matt. Can she remains a professional or will love win out? OK story.
The love story of Matthew and Sara. Matt is a playboy, a renowned author and now is is blind. Sara is a psychological who help people, mostly women, find their self esteem. Sara's friend wife is have a baby, and he a me her to take a case for him. She dose and now she is working with Matt. Can she remains a professional or will love win out? OK story.
June 2, 2024
Paradise Found
This is a book of reawakening, doubt, self reflection and love. This book has all the feels that you want from a second chance romance. The story line is simple and succinct. The characters arevtruly the heart of the story. The main characters grab your heart strings and don't let go to the end. If you have ever lived and lost this book will definitely make you look for the HEA ending that everyone wants. This was an enjoyable read.
This is a book of reawakening, doubt, self reflection and love. This book has all the feels that you want from a second chance romance. The story line is simple and succinct. The characters arevtruly the heart of the story. The main characters grab your heart strings and don't let go to the end. If you have ever lived and lost this book will definitely make you look for the HEA ending that everyone wants. This was an enjoyable read.
September 14, 2019
Fear of commitment
When wealthy author Matt is left blind after a sking accident his family is concerned as he becomes a bitter recluse. His good friend Jeff, a psychologist ,sends his partner, Sara, to see if she can help him.
What follows is a battle of wits as she attempts to break down barriers and give him hope. A very exciting story.
When wealthy author Matt is left blind after a sking accident his family is concerned as he becomes a bitter recluse. His good friend Jeff, a psychologist ,sends his partner, Sara, to see if she can help him.
What follows is a battle of wits as she attempts to break down barriers and give him hope. A very exciting story.
May 6, 2020
An accident makes writer Matt Brandon blind. Will it be temporary? Is his blindness strictly his vision, or maybe he's also blind to what he wants or needs. He's having a rough time, so Sara is sent by his best friend to help him come to terms with his situation. Will they be able to find their way?
Very enjoyable. Good characters.
Very enjoyable. Good characters.
September 23, 2020
Great eye opener
This was a good book about second chances-at life. Sara is able to gently bring Matt back to living life after losing his sight. There are a lot of powerful moments regarding her losses pertaining to her marriage and his due to a accident. It’s a powerful book on how to literally see what’s in front of you and treasure what and who you have in your life.
This was a good book about second chances-at life. Sara is able to gently bring Matt back to living life after losing his sight. There are a lot of powerful moments regarding her losses pertaining to her marriage and his due to a accident. It’s a powerful book on how to literally see what’s in front of you and treasure what and who you have in your life.
September 24, 2020
paradise found ......
I enjoyed the book. Enjoyed the banter and feelings between the hero and heroine. All that was understandable. Book had a little too much sex. Really, that much. Story was good but ending was too abrupt after dragging the story on and on to its conclusion. I like Ms Campisi’s books and will undoubtedly read more in future.
I enjoyed the book. Enjoyed the banter and feelings between the hero and heroine. All that was understandable. Book had a little too much sex. Really, that much. Story was good but ending was too abrupt after dragging the story on and on to its conclusion. I like Ms Campisi’s books and will undoubtedly read more in future.
November 25, 2024
I gotta be honest, I did not like this book at all at first. But I was up almost 3 hours later than usual last night because I couldn't put it down, so that's gotta count for something. I did get annoyed at the random sentences thrown in there about Sara's morals (as if it wasn't obvious where she stands).
May 6, 2017
Sara and Mathew
Great read. Have tissues handy. This book is a love story but also one of trust. We take our lives for granted. Risk has consequences. Matt and Sara's journey of patient doctor to friends then to forever. The characters in this book all have their story too.
Great read. Have tissues handy. This book is a love story but also one of trust. We take our lives for granted. Risk has consequences. Matt and Sara's journey of patient doctor to friends then to forever. The characters in this book all have their story too.
June 12, 2017
Sweet 2nd Chance.
Who doesn't want do overs? I know I would for many things. This story is a do over in love. Not with the same person but a new experience in life. Old baggage has to be overcome. This story gives us hope and leaves us feeling good!
Who doesn't want do overs? I know I would for many things. This story is a do over in love. Not with the same person but a new experience in life. Old baggage has to be overcome. This story gives us hope and leaves us feeling good!
October 6, 2017
Despite the drawn out angst and repetitive misunderstandings, the characters are fresh - a blind novelist and a withdrawn psychologist - and the resolution is satisfying. I read this one after reading three other "second chance" stories, and found this one the most enjoyable.
May 4, 2019
Sara is going to help a her bosses friend. He had a sling accident and is now blind. She is a psychologist and she is there to help him cope with being blind. They do not hit it off. But she refuses to let him wallow.
September 21, 2020
Good read
This book was a great story & was well written.Sar & Matt made the story so interesting that you felt it was you.It was very down to earth & you put yourself right there with them.
This book was a great story & was well written.Sar & Matt made the story so interesting that you felt it was you.It was very down to earth & you put yourself right there with them.
September 21, 2020
Engaging characters
I enjoyed the characters in this book. Even the secondary characters were interesting. I hope Adam can find his love somewhere down the road since his brother has.
I enjoyed the characters in this book. Even the secondary characters were interesting. I hope Adam can find his love somewhere down the road since his brother has.
September 21, 2020
I would have enjoyed this more if boundaries were not seriously crossed between doctor/patient. Sara had no concern about what she was doing. If it hadn’t been for that I would have given this more stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews