What do you think?
Rate this book
Lake Placid #1
Second Chance
Secrets, lies and mystery mixed in with the daunting possibility of a future happiness.
Nick Buchanan has struggled to put the past behind him. No matter how hard he’s tried and how hard he’s worked, the one day twelve years ago when he found out his neighbor had gone missing has haunted him. Made him wonder if he was to blame, and he’s never forgiven himself.
Mallory Denning has hidden for years by escaping a fate worse than death in her eyes. She’s managed to recreate herself and move on. Only part of her is never going to be able to move forward, not until she can come to terms with her past. When Nick shows up unexpected, everything she worked so hard for is threatening to come back to the surface. To suffocate and possibly make her run again.
Can Nick convince her to come out of hiding? Can he convince her to trust him again?
Nick Buchanan has struggled to put the past behind him. No matter how hard he’s tried and how hard he’s worked, the one day twelve years ago when he found out his neighbor had gone missing has haunted him. Made him wonder if he was to blame, and he’s never forgiven himself.
Mallory Denning has hidden for years by escaping a fate worse than death in her eyes. She’s managed to recreate herself and move on. Only part of her is never going to be able to move forward, not until she can come to terms with her past. When Nick shows up unexpected, everything she worked so hard for is threatening to come back to the surface. To suffocate and possibly make her run again.
Can Nick convince her to come out of hiding? Can he convince her to trust him again?
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 13, 2016
554 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 13, 2017
Pretty disappointing. I had a hard time reconciling the sweet naive Mallory described as never having been in a relationship and ‘never dated’ with the girl who suddenly had condoms in her drawer and wasn’t a virgin. Nothing wrong with that in reality, but if you spend the time setting up a character to be one ‘type’ and the reader suddenly finds this isn’t the case, the entire story is unbalanced. The comments on addiction were just infuriating and demonstrated a lack of awareness about the true nature of the disease. I won’t even comment on the big reveal and ending beyond - seriously?!
May 18, 2017
I received this e-book free from Amazon and I am voluntarily writing an honest review. Honestly I only got 1/3 of the way thru the book and could not force myself to read any more. Reading this book was like walking in place and never getting to your destination.
March 27, 2023
Secrets
It's very hard when you're in your teens and lose a parent. It changes everything no matter how old you are. The days ahead are a blur at times and other days unbelievable, and just scary..
That is how it was for Mallory. Her parents were in a deadly accident, her Mom survived barely. One of her Dad's friends starting coming around to "help out" and took advantage and moved in and took over. It was super hard for Mallory, and then Paul made matters worse, and things got real bad. Her friend across the street that she had known her whole life went away to college. His parents had bad fillings about what may be going on in their neighbors house. They knew it wasn't good. Mallory's birthday was coming up, and she turned 18. They had to get her out of there soon, and they did. Twelve years later, things change again, and you won't believe what happens to Mallory.
It's very hard when you're in your teens and lose a parent. It changes everything no matter how old you are. The days ahead are a blur at times and other days unbelievable, and just scary..
That is how it was for Mallory. Her parents were in a deadly accident, her Mom survived barely. One of her Dad's friends starting coming around to "help out" and took advantage and moved in and took over. It was super hard for Mallory, and then Paul made matters worse, and things got real bad. Her friend across the street that she had known her whole life went away to college. His parents had bad fillings about what may be going on in their neighbors house. They knew it wasn't good. Mallory's birthday was coming up, and she turned 18. They had to get her out of there soon, and they did. Twelve years later, things change again, and you won't believe what happens to Mallory.
September 18, 2023
Nick Buchanan is an IT tech and builds his billion dollar empire. He is engaged to get married in a week but calls it off because he still has feelings for Mallory his high school sweetheart. Mallory Denning’s parents were in a car accident and her mother survives. Mallory’s mother remarries and her mother becomes a drug addict and her step-father wants nothing to do with Mallory. Nick and Mallory were teenage lovers but after her family tragedy she moved out when she was 18 yrs. old and never returned. Nick returns to Lake Placid twelve years later to take time off from his business and engagement and finds Mallory has been living with his grandmother all these years. Will Nick and Mallory forgive each other for leaving? I really enjoyed this incredible second chance at love novel.
November 10, 2017
Mallory has had a tough road since her teenage years.
Nick has lived with guilt over his last contact with Mallory.
I was so surprised by how much I enjoyed their story. I thought it would be more heart wrenching, and sometimes I am not prepared to experience that. Second Chance was more uplifting.
Nick wants Mallory to be 100% honest with him, and Mallory just wants to forget anything to do with her past.
I loved Nick’s grandmother. I want to be a cool grandmother to my grand kids too!
*Read through Kindle Unlimited
Nick has lived with guilt over his last contact with Mallory.
I was so surprised by how much I enjoyed their story. I thought it would be more heart wrenching, and sometimes I am not prepared to experience that. Second Chance was more uplifting.
Nick wants Mallory to be 100% honest with him, and Mallory just wants to forget anything to do with her past.
I loved Nick’s grandmother. I want to be a cool grandmother to my grand kids too!
*Read through Kindle Unlimited
February 26, 2020
A young woman flees her home, the day of her eighteenth birthday.
No one knew what happened to her.
Twelve years later, a chance encounter brings a young woman and man back together. There's reluctance to reveal secrets that have been kept, to keep the woman safe, but from whom and what, she refuses to say.
Eventually, all truths will be revealed, and although most will guess some of it, there are also a great deal that will amaze the reader.
Yes a romance, but with a very in depth story, to back it up.
No one knew what happened to her.
Twelve years later, a chance encounter brings a young woman and man back together. There's reluctance to reveal secrets that have been kept, to keep the woman safe, but from whom and what, she refuses to say.
Eventually, all truths will be revealed, and although most will guess some of it, there are also a great deal that will amaze the reader.
Yes a romance, but with a very in depth story, to back it up.
September 6, 2020
Nick and Mallory
Smooth, well written and engaging, this story of a second chance was an above average tale. Though I guessed the deep, dark secret early on, there were definitely some neat twists before the HEA. The protagonists are complex, layered and HUMAN people. The secondary characters , especially Trixie, were real and warm. And of course some of them will star in their own stories, which I look forward to. I live stories that give me the feeling I have participated is others’ lives, and this did.
Smooth, well written and engaging, this story of a second chance was an above average tale. Though I guessed the deep, dark secret early on, there were definitely some neat twists before the HEA. The protagonists are complex, layered and HUMAN people. The secondary characters , especially Trixie, were real and warm. And of course some of them will star in their own stories, which I look forward to. I live stories that give me the feeling I have participated is others’ lives, and this did.
April 3, 2021
My first read from Natalie, and I enjoyed it. Mallory and Nick were high school "friends" but Mallory needed to get away and leave her life behind, including Nick. Luckily she had someone who cared about her who could help. Flash forward twelve years and Mallory is all grown up but still in hiding. Nick finds her and well, to go on would be spoiling a very nice story for you. I received this book as a prize in a contest and am very happy I did. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
December 14, 2016
Mallory ran away from home on her 18th birthday with help of a secret person. Nick always blamed himself for Mallory's disappearance and was shocked to find her years later. They have to learn to trust each other first, then realized they never stopped loving each other. It was a beautifully written story full of mysteries and lie, but both characters worked through it and found happiness at the end.
September 2, 2017
It was a second chance. R.A
I don't really think they had a first chance, the book dragged for a while. It started really good then dragged. It took to long to find out what happened and they all over reacted to something that didn't even happened. Worst part he is talking to his grandma then she writes the sex seen , he is thinking about that talking to his grandma. I wouldn't say a must read.
I don't really think they had a first chance, the book dragged for a while. It started really good then dragged. It took to long to find out what happened and they all over reacted to something that didn't even happened. Worst part he is talking to his grandma then she writes the sex seen , he is thinking about that talking to his grandma. I wouldn't say a must read.
August 19, 2017
Terrific
This is a wonderful story about a young woman with the help of friends disappears from an abusive and controlling step father. She has made something of herself but the one person she truly missed was a young man fell for. His grandmother and mom helped rescue her now she she finally gets to see him.
This is a wonderful story about a young woman with the help of friends disappears from an abusive and controlling step father. She has made something of herself but the one person she truly missed was a young man fell for. His grandmother and mom helped rescue her now she she finally gets to see him.
June 15, 2018
Really a great read!! I read this nonstop... just couldn't seem to put it down ... I always wonder how new ideas can be found since there are so many written, but this story just goes to show you there are still different slants to come up with! Thoroughly enjoyed both of the main characters ! Excellent book !!! Very good author
April 14, 2019
I enjoyed this well enough, but once the mystery was solved, the book deflated. I was expecting something else, something worse to make Mallory go into hiding. While what she went through wasn't little by any means, I'm not sure it required hiding.
December 17, 2023
I never read anything by Natalie Ann before - and I must say I won't be reading any more. I found the characters rather annoying all through the book. The story itself felt a bit unreal. Was not an enjoyable read.
August 3, 2024
Heartbreaking!!
Humans can be so evil to each other. It's sickening to see families suffer. In this case ,two families were torn apart. Lives were in upheaval, and secrets were kept, but to what avail?
Humans can be so evil to each other. It's sickening to see families suffer. In this case ,two families were torn apart. Lives were in upheaval, and secrets were kept, but to what avail?
August 17, 2025
This is the second book that I have read by this author. It was an excellent written book and I really enjoyed the story. The characters were described very well and you definitely wanted to finish this book to the end.
July 27, 2017
I loved this book ho the relationship grows with all of the twists and turns
June 18, 2018
A second chance romance with clearly delineated characters
Author shows some promise
Author shows some promise
August 12, 2018
Great story!
Loved this story, lots of ups and downs and a great happy ending! Loved that she was a writer too! Looking forward to the rest of the series!
Loved this story, lots of ups and downs and a great happy ending! Loved that she was a writer too! Looking forward to the rest of the series!
February 10, 2020
This book dragged forward 3 steps then pulled back 6...
April 24, 2021
I love a great mystery that unravels into a sweet, endearing romance. Happily Ever Afters are my favorite.
September 8, 2021
Nothing to add to the other 2* reviews….
April 12, 2020
Worth fighting for
I am now sold on this series! The author knows about the rough edges of life, and how to work through them
I am now sold on this series! The author knows about the rough edges of life, and how to work through them
December 13, 2016
On her 18th birthday Mallory disappears without a trace from the home she shared with her drug addicted mother and her mother's second husband. Twelve years later her almost boyfriend and next door neighbor catches sight of her while he is visiting his grandmother. After he confronts her, she slowly starts to trust him and they start to rebuild their relationship.
It's no secret to anyone who reads my reviews or my blog that I really like Natalie Ann's books. She writes touching stories about flawed people with real life problems. She writes about people who could live next door, the people you see in the local coffee house. They are not made out to be superheroes.
This is book one in a new series set in Lake Placid. All of the books in the three series by Natalie Ann are standalone but they do have continuing characters, so the reader "keeps up with" the people from past books.
December 14, 2016
Awesome first book to this series. I can't wait for the next one. It was a nice change of pace with more twists and turns than her other books, but it had a nice fast paced feel. I couldn't put it down and couldn't wait to get to the end.
March 11, 2022
I absolutely loved this book. It was so great to see Mallory and Nick reconnect and find each other. I loved watching them realize their love for each other and finally open up to each other as well. I loved Grandma Trixie. She was the greatest!
December 13, 2016
beautifully written story of a second chance at love. the characters are real and inviting, and I couldn't help but fall right into the story.
December 13, 2016
Loved this book. I can't wait to read the rest in this series!
December 14, 2016
awesome story. I couldn't put it down!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews