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The Second Verse
Life doesn’t always go according to plan; this is a fact Miranda Cross knows all too well. At seventeen, she thought she had everything figured out. With undeniable talent, and a scholarship to the college of her dreams, she was ready to leave her small hometown and move to the city with the boy she loved since she was five years old. However, as the saying goes about best laid plans, many years later, Miranda finds herself living in that same small town, heartbroken by the past and overwhelmed by the future.
For as long as he can remember, Jace Harper has always wanted one thing, to be a solider. Even as a boy, he knew which direction his life would take, but nothing could prepare him for the hell he would experience. Years later, Jace is no longer the man he once was. Bruises fade, bones heal, but in order to mend his soul, he decides to leave South Carolina and try to start over in Massachusetts.
When their lives cross paths, can Miranda and Jace finally stop grieving the past and start The Second Verse?
For as long as he can remember, Jace Harper has always wanted one thing, to be a solider. Even as a boy, he knew which direction his life would take, but nothing could prepare him for the hell he would experience. Years later, Jace is no longer the man he once was. Bruises fade, bones heal, but in order to mend his soul, he decides to leave South Carolina and try to start over in Massachusetts.
When their lives cross paths, can Miranda and Jace finally stop grieving the past and start The Second Verse?
232 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2016
1 person is currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Janet Lee
2 books1 followerJanet Lee is a wife and soccer mom, with a "real" full time job, living in southern New England. When not in the office or at the field, she can be found trying to hide from her family with her laptop or Kindle nearby.
The Second Verse is Janet Lee's debut novel and is scheduled to be released in the spring of 2016.
The Second Verse is Janet Lee's debut novel and is scheduled to be released in the spring of 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 21, 2016
I'm not sure where to begin my review of The Second Verse. I loved this book!
What happens when the life you so carefully planned falls apart? Miranda Cross knows all too well. Not only does it happen to her as a teen, but it happens to her again as an adult. After years of single parenting and trying to make ends meet, Miranda is just like any one of us - in love with her kids but struggling. She's tired, she's not a fan of her muffin top, and she's always putting herself last.
Jace Harper thinks he has it all planned out, too. He's dedicated to his choice to enlist, and after high school he follows through. He's a loyal friend and a dedicated soldier who counts on retiring from the military. There's only one problem: a roadside bomb has other plans.
Within the first few chapters I fell in love with Jace and Miranda. For me, their story is unique in that I was rooting for them separately before they came back into each other's lives. The way Janet Lee wrote these characters is so real; absolutely nothing that takes place comes across as far-fetched or unbelievable. There were a few times I wanted to shake Miranda, but what would a love story be without a little angst? Jace is a sweetheart through and through, and it's also obvious that Ms. Lee has experience raising daughters because her portrayal of teenage Katelyn and seven-year-old Paige is spot-on. It was also refreshing to read a closed-door romance, something I don't come across too often. Don't get me wrong; Jace and Miranda have plenty of chemistry and heat, just not the explicit kind.
I won't re-cap the entire book, but trust me when I say you don't want to miss out on the ride that is The Second Verse. You will laugh, you'll swoon, and, yes, even cry. Man, the tears! Ugh. I love them and hate them at the same time. All in all this is a fantastic debut novel from Ms. Lee. I can't wait to read more from her in the future.
What happens when the life you so carefully planned falls apart? Miranda Cross knows all too well. Not only does it happen to her as a teen, but it happens to her again as an adult. After years of single parenting and trying to make ends meet, Miranda is just like any one of us - in love with her kids but struggling. She's tired, she's not a fan of her muffin top, and she's always putting herself last.
Jace Harper thinks he has it all planned out, too. He's dedicated to his choice to enlist, and after high school he follows through. He's a loyal friend and a dedicated soldier who counts on retiring from the military. There's only one problem: a roadside bomb has other plans.
Within the first few chapters I fell in love with Jace and Miranda. For me, their story is unique in that I was rooting for them separately before they came back into each other's lives. The way Janet Lee wrote these characters is so real; absolutely nothing that takes place comes across as far-fetched or unbelievable. There were a few times I wanted to shake Miranda, but what would a love story be without a little angst? Jace is a sweetheart through and through, and it's also obvious that Ms. Lee has experience raising daughters because her portrayal of teenage Katelyn and seven-year-old Paige is spot-on. It was also refreshing to read a closed-door romance, something I don't come across too often. Don't get me wrong; Jace and Miranda have plenty of chemistry and heat, just not the explicit kind.
I won't re-cap the entire book, but trust me when I say you don't want to miss out on the ride that is The Second Verse. You will laugh, you'll swoon, and, yes, even cry. Man, the tears! Ugh. I love them and hate them at the same time. All in all this is a fantastic debut novel from Ms. Lee. I can't wait to read more from her in the future.
July 13, 2016
Wow! I can not believe this is a debut novel. Janet did an amazing job and I can't wait to see what she writes next. The Second Verse is a beautiful story about taking chances. It all started fourteen years ago...
The minute Jace heard the strings of her guitar he knew she was different. Her soulful voice moved him. And later that night he took a chance and went to a stranger's party. He had a feeling if he didn't see her again, he would regret it for the rest of his life. He was leaving in a few days and would never be back. He had to see her. What he didn't expect was that, Miranda would be the girl that he would never forget. They only shared a few hours on a beach together but it was in those few hours that he fell. After over 10 years of service in the Army, he needed to clear his head, and instinct told him, he needed to go back. He figured he would see her again at some point if she was still here. Would she be happily married? Would she have children? Would she be singing and playing her guitar around the country? Would she ever remember him? He didn't know any of those things but he would soon find out...
Miranda is overwhelmed with life. She loves her life with her two children. Her heart was broken seven years ago but she making it through. At this moment though, she is starting over. And when she sees those brown eyes, she has been thinking about for the past fourteen years...she knows her life is about to change even more. She loved her husband very much but over the years she has thought about what Jace has been doing. She worried about him. Wandered what his life has been like. Well...now, he is right here. Saving her. What was he doing back here? And why did he have to look so damn good?
Jace and Miranda had something all those years ago. Fate knew it wasn't their time. Was it now? They are both single, never forgot the hours they spent together, and feel a pull to each other like they are two puzzle pieces. But, they are different people then they were back then. They have been through so much. Miranda feels guilty for feeling the way she does for Jace. And Jace doesn't feel he is good enough for her. He doesn't want his issues to affect her life. He loves spending time with her and her children. They feel like a family but is it real? Or are they just trying to relive what they started fourteen years ago?
I loved this story! It's a beautiful story. I loved that Janet had the story going back and forth, showing us their lives in between their years apart. And the characters...Miranda is stronger than she believes, beautiful inside and out, and one hell of a mom. Jace is sexy, sweet, protective, and has a big heart. And of course, I can't forget Katelyn and Paige, Miranda's girls. They are amazing! Paige is a crack-up while Katelyn is the one that can see through you.
The heat level is low but it was perfect for this couple! You didn't need it. You can feel it. I loved that about Jace and Miranda. They are trying to work through what they really mean to each other. And since she is a single mom, she wants to make sure it's what her children want as well.
Overall...it is an amazing debut. Beautiful story. Both heartbreaking and heartwarming. I laughed. I cried. And swooned. Great combo!!
Quotes:
“Thank you,” he says lowering my hands, but not releasing them.
“For what?”
“For the best night of my life,” he says, finally dropping my hands.
“Life isn't about the destination, but the journey. So far, I have had one hell of a ride.”
“Milady,” I say, in the worst British accent ever spoken. Paige bursts into a fit of giggles.
The minute Jace heard the strings of her guitar he knew she was different. Her soulful voice moved him. And later that night he took a chance and went to a stranger's party. He had a feeling if he didn't see her again, he would regret it for the rest of his life. He was leaving in a few days and would never be back. He had to see her. What he didn't expect was that, Miranda would be the girl that he would never forget. They only shared a few hours on a beach together but it was in those few hours that he fell. After over 10 years of service in the Army, he needed to clear his head, and instinct told him, he needed to go back. He figured he would see her again at some point if she was still here. Would she be happily married? Would she have children? Would she be singing and playing her guitar around the country? Would she ever remember him? He didn't know any of those things but he would soon find out...
Miranda is overwhelmed with life. She loves her life with her two children. Her heart was broken seven years ago but she making it through. At this moment though, she is starting over. And when she sees those brown eyes, she has been thinking about for the past fourteen years...she knows her life is about to change even more. She loved her husband very much but over the years she has thought about what Jace has been doing. She worried about him. Wandered what his life has been like. Well...now, he is right here. Saving her. What was he doing back here? And why did he have to look so damn good?
Jace and Miranda had something all those years ago. Fate knew it wasn't their time. Was it now? They are both single, never forgot the hours they spent together, and feel a pull to each other like they are two puzzle pieces. But, they are different people then they were back then. They have been through so much. Miranda feels guilty for feeling the way she does for Jace. And Jace doesn't feel he is good enough for her. He doesn't want his issues to affect her life. He loves spending time with her and her children. They feel like a family but is it real? Or are they just trying to relive what they started fourteen years ago?
I loved this story! It's a beautiful story. I loved that Janet had the story going back and forth, showing us their lives in between their years apart. And the characters...Miranda is stronger than she believes, beautiful inside and out, and one hell of a mom. Jace is sexy, sweet, protective, and has a big heart. And of course, I can't forget Katelyn and Paige, Miranda's girls. They are amazing! Paige is a crack-up while Katelyn is the one that can see through you.
The heat level is low but it was perfect for this couple! You didn't need it. You can feel it. I loved that about Jace and Miranda. They are trying to work through what they really mean to each other. And since she is a single mom, she wants to make sure it's what her children want as well.
Overall...it is an amazing debut. Beautiful story. Both heartbreaking and heartwarming. I laughed. I cried. And swooned. Great combo!!
Quotes:
“Thank you,” he says lowering my hands, but not releasing them.
“For what?”
“For the best night of my life,” he says, finally dropping my hands.
“Life isn't about the destination, but the journey. So far, I have had one hell of a ride.”
“Milady,” I say, in the worst British accent ever spoken. Paige bursts into a fit of giggles.
June 21, 2016
What a fantastic debut!
This book is the perfect mix of character and plot. I love romance novels, but tend to get bored in strictly character-driven stories. I need plots and subplots with twists and action to keep me interested. This story has all of those, which is probably why I finished it in two days.
I can't imagine anyone not falling in love with Miranda. She's a typical teenager with big dreams, but all of that comes crashing to a halt when something unexpected happens. Rather than lament her situation, she dedicates her life to her two little girls. The girls are adorable. Lee must have experience with daughters because everything about them is so authentic.
Jace, on the other hand, is harder to connect to. He's quiet, reserved, and a bit lost. While I didn't immediately fall in love with him, I did love watching his growth throughout the book, especially once he met Miranda and her family. And, then, at some undefined point, I found myself rooting for them. It was so subtle that I didn't even recognize when it happened. I think that is the hallmark of a good writer.
If I had to compare this to a more well-known author, I'd say it's got similarities to Nicholas Sparks--emotional roller coaster, strong love story, and exciting plot.
Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone who likes romance. It's totally clean, so everyone can enjoy it. As for me, I look forward to reading more by Lee in the future.
This book is the perfect mix of character and plot. I love romance novels, but tend to get bored in strictly character-driven stories. I need plots and subplots with twists and action to keep me interested. This story has all of those, which is probably why I finished it in two days.
I can't imagine anyone not falling in love with Miranda. She's a typical teenager with big dreams, but all of that comes crashing to a halt when something unexpected happens. Rather than lament her situation, she dedicates her life to her two little girls. The girls are adorable. Lee must have experience with daughters because everything about them is so authentic.
Jace, on the other hand, is harder to connect to. He's quiet, reserved, and a bit lost. While I didn't immediately fall in love with him, I did love watching his growth throughout the book, especially once he met Miranda and her family. And, then, at some undefined point, I found myself rooting for them. It was so subtle that I didn't even recognize when it happened. I think that is the hallmark of a good writer.
If I had to compare this to a more well-known author, I'd say it's got similarities to Nicholas Sparks--emotional roller coaster, strong love story, and exciting plot.
Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone who likes romance. It's totally clean, so everyone can enjoy it. As for me, I look forward to reading more by Lee in the future.
July 14, 2016
Read on behalf of A Book Lover's Emporium.
I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet loving story of second chances, romance, hope and healing. Very well written with likeable characters and a good story line, I found it hard to put down and I devoured it quite quickly.
Miranda Cross has lived in the same small town since she was a child, with her brother and his best friend, she grew up enjoying the company around her and falling in love was inevitable. A chance meeting with a stranger at a party one night on a beach just might change the course of the life that is mapped out before her. Devastating events cause turmoil and heartache and Miranda struggles to deal with the past and the future in front of her.
Jase Harper has been to war, fighting for his country, something he has been passionate about since he was young, now he is home, but broken, hurt and looking for "that " light he found all those years ago. Will he get the second chance he really yearns for with that beautiful girl that took his breath away on the beach that night, can they heal each other - only time will tell.
I loved the chemistry between all the characters in this story, their personalities shone through and made the book so realistic, you couldn't help but be pulled head first into this wonderful story. Told in duel point of view, the book took you back to the past in certain chapters so you got a real incite and depth of the story and how the characters were feeling. I love second chance romances - and this fits the bill perfectly, you are with them through their hopes and dreams, but feel their struggles and the turmoil all through the pages…and just when your nearing the end and you think your home free, you get one of those OMG moments which steals your breath away and makes your heart pound just a little harder. An absolute must read, not to be missed.
I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet loving story of second chances, romance, hope and healing. Very well written with likeable characters and a good story line, I found it hard to put down and I devoured it quite quickly.
Miranda Cross has lived in the same small town since she was a child, with her brother and his best friend, she grew up enjoying the company around her and falling in love was inevitable. A chance meeting with a stranger at a party one night on a beach just might change the course of the life that is mapped out before her. Devastating events cause turmoil and heartache and Miranda struggles to deal with the past and the future in front of her.
Jase Harper has been to war, fighting for his country, something he has been passionate about since he was young, now he is home, but broken, hurt and looking for "that " light he found all those years ago. Will he get the second chance he really yearns for with that beautiful girl that took his breath away on the beach that night, can they heal each other - only time will tell.
I loved the chemistry between all the characters in this story, their personalities shone through and made the book so realistic, you couldn't help but be pulled head first into this wonderful story. Told in duel point of view, the book took you back to the past in certain chapters so you got a real incite and depth of the story and how the characters were feeling. I love second chance romances - and this fits the bill perfectly, you are with them through their hopes and dreams, but feel their struggles and the turmoil all through the pages…and just when your nearing the end and you think your home free, you get one of those OMG moments which steals your breath away and makes your heart pound just a little harder. An absolute must read, not to be missed.
July 14, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet loving story of second chances, romance, hope and healing. Very well written with likeable characters and a good story line, I found it hard to put down and I devoured it quite quickly.
Miranda Cross has lived in the same small town since she was a child, with her brother and his best friend, she grew up enjoying the company around her and falling in love was inevitable. A chance meeting with a stranger at a party one night on a beach just might change the course of the life that is mapped out before her. Devastating events cause turmoil and heartache and Miranda struggles to deal with the past and the future in front of her.
Jase Harper has been to war, fighting for his country, something he has been passionate about since he was young, now he is home, but broken, hurt and looking for "that " light he found all those years ago. Will he get the second chance he really yearns for with that beautiful girl that took his breath away on the beach that night, can they heal each other - only time will tell.
I loved the chemistry between all the characters in this story, their personalities shone through and made the book so realistic, you couldn't help but be pulled head first into this wonderful story. Told in duel point of view, the book took you back to the past in certain chapters so you got a real incite and depth of the story and how the characters were feeling. I love second chance romances - and this fits the bill perfectly, you are with them through their hopes and dreams, but feel their struggles and the turmoil all through the pages…and just when your nearing the end and you think your home free, you get one of those OMG moments which steals your breath away and makes your heart pound just a little harder. An absolute must read, not to be missed.
Miranda Cross has lived in the same small town since she was a child, with her brother and his best friend, she grew up enjoying the company around her and falling in love was inevitable. A chance meeting with a stranger at a party one night on a beach just might change the course of the life that is mapped out before her. Devastating events cause turmoil and heartache and Miranda struggles to deal with the past and the future in front of her.
Jase Harper has been to war, fighting for his country, something he has been passionate about since he was young, now he is home, but broken, hurt and looking for "that " light he found all those years ago. Will he get the second chance he really yearns for with that beautiful girl that took his breath away on the beach that night, can they heal each other - only time will tell.
I loved the chemistry between all the characters in this story, their personalities shone through and made the book so realistic, you couldn't help but be pulled head first into this wonderful story. Told in duel point of view, the book took you back to the past in certain chapters so you got a real incite and depth of the story and how the characters were feeling. I love second chance romances - and this fits the bill perfectly, you are with them through their hopes and dreams, but feel their struggles and the turmoil all through the pages…and just when your nearing the end and you think your home free, you get one of those OMG moments which steals your breath away and makes your heart pound just a little harder. An absolute must read, not to be missed.
July 8, 2016
A very charismatic, and sweet second chance romance.
I found myself a little surprised that this was a debut novel. The Language in the book is vibrant in the sense that it brings character not only to the story but the words fused to the pages; Lee adds small descriptive details to everyday words causing them to spring to life.
There were a couple of things that stuck out to me in a negative notation that resulted in lowering the rating to 4 Screams instead of 5. The first being the handful of errors - which is something I expect from all written works, but these are a little different. These errors are a cause of editing, and I don't mean that in a sense that I am blaming the editor. Most of the pieces I found were adding on, changing a sentence structure, or sentence placement within the work. It was quite fascinating to me honestly, but it did distract me from reading the story.
The other thing I had made note of was the chapter where Jace meets Adam. This chapter had me scratching my head, I did not expect it, and to me it didn't quite fit the story.
Despite the minor discrepancies with very small portions in The Second Verse, it was one of those 'can't put it down' reads. Nearly 75% of the book has been highlighted in yellow to mark passages I fell in love with. There were many memorable quotes from this story, so many in fact that Jace and Miranda's story will remain with me for years to come.
Oh and chapter 36 kinda broke me a lottle (word fusion: a little and a lot).
I found myself a little surprised that this was a debut novel. The Language in the book is vibrant in the sense that it brings character not only to the story but the words fused to the pages; Lee adds small descriptive details to everyday words causing them to spring to life.
There were a couple of things that stuck out to me in a negative notation that resulted in lowering the rating to 4 Screams instead of 5. The first being the handful of errors - which is something I expect from all written works, but these are a little different. These errors are a cause of editing, and I don't mean that in a sense that I am blaming the editor. Most of the pieces I found were adding on, changing a sentence structure, or sentence placement within the work. It was quite fascinating to me honestly, but it did distract me from reading the story.
The other thing I had made note of was the chapter where Jace meets Adam. This chapter had me scratching my head, I did not expect it, and to me it didn't quite fit the story.
Despite the minor discrepancies with very small portions in The Second Verse, it was one of those 'can't put it down' reads. Nearly 75% of the book has been highlighted in yellow to mark passages I fell in love with. There were many memorable quotes from this story, so many in fact that Jace and Miranda's story will remain with me for years to come.
Oh and chapter 36 kinda broke me a lottle (word fusion: a little and a lot).
June 7, 2016
Miranda spent countless hours on a project for Miller and Sons, where she wont be able to present it as her own and her boss Johnathan was going to be the one to tell the biggest potential client. Miranda gets up the nerve to quit her job, she doesn't tell her brother Sam and when he finds out he wants to know why she didn't tell him. Miranda hasn't seen Jace since she was a teenager. When Jace and Miranda see each other again, Jace has n't been able to stop thinking about Miranda.
Miranda has two daughters, was married to Adam. Is a really good singer, works with her brother in the office. Jace is an Army Veteran, works for Sam mowing lawns. He was deployed three times. Sam is Miranda's brother, he is very protective. He has been going out with Claire for a long time. Katelyn is Miranda's daughter, she takes after her mother as the singer and guitarist. Sam's Niece. Paige is Sam's Niece, Miranda's youngest daughter, she is the all star. Claire is Sam's girlfriend, the girl's Aunt. Works at the hospital.
This is my first book by Janet Lee and it wont be my last. This book is very well written and the characters are very well developed. I loved how I felt very connected to the characters. I loved that I was drawn into the book from the first page.
Miranda has two daughters, was married to Adam. Is a really good singer, works with her brother in the office. Jace is an Army Veteran, works for Sam mowing lawns. He was deployed three times. Sam is Miranda's brother, he is very protective. He has been going out with Claire for a long time. Katelyn is Miranda's daughter, she takes after her mother as the singer and guitarist. Sam's Niece. Paige is Sam's Niece, Miranda's youngest daughter, she is the all star. Claire is Sam's girlfriend, the girl's Aunt. Works at the hospital.
This is my first book by Janet Lee and it wont be my last. This book is very well written and the characters are very well developed. I loved how I felt very connected to the characters. I loved that I was drawn into the book from the first page.
June 17, 2016
Momma's Rating 4 Beautiful Stars~~
Review to come soon!
Review to come soon!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews