What do you think?
Rate this book
Vancouver Vice #3
Second Round
She hasn’t been on a date in over a decade…
Jackie Wagner is better now, thanks. Her divorce is final, she’s taken up painting to relax, and best of all—her kids are doing fine. But when her ex-husband announces it’s time to sell the house, Jackie scrambles to find enough money so her kids can stay in the same neighbourhood they’ve grown up in. The problem is that her résumé is pretty dusty, and she has zero job skills other than being a wife and mother.
Then a plum job falls in her lap—furnishing an apartment for the new coach of the Vancouver Vice hockey team. Making a nice home is one thing she’s good at, and the job has potential. Then the coach walks in. He’s confident, good-looking and, oh dear God, wearing nothing but a towel. He’s the first guy she’s been attracted to in forever.
…and he doesn’t do relationships.
Leo Gauthier is driven. Becoming the new head coach of the AHL Vancouver Vice is the next step in his life plan. He’s on the fast track to becoming an NHL coach, as long as he keeps winning. So he lives and breathes hockey for seventy hours a week. Everything comes second to his career except his young daughter. After a painful divorce, he prefers not to let the women in his life get too close, especially not a hot single mother.
But beyond the physical attraction, Jackie’s vulnerability pulls at him, making him question his arm’s length policy. Can two people with such complicated pasts find a future together?
Jackie Wagner is better now, thanks. Her divorce is final, she’s taken up painting to relax, and best of all—her kids are doing fine. But when her ex-husband announces it’s time to sell the house, Jackie scrambles to find enough money so her kids can stay in the same neighbourhood they’ve grown up in. The problem is that her résumé is pretty dusty, and she has zero job skills other than being a wife and mother.
Then a plum job falls in her lap—furnishing an apartment for the new coach of the Vancouver Vice hockey team. Making a nice home is one thing she’s good at, and the job has potential. Then the coach walks in. He’s confident, good-looking and, oh dear God, wearing nothing but a towel. He’s the first guy she’s been attracted to in forever.
…and he doesn’t do relationships.
Leo Gauthier is driven. Becoming the new head coach of the AHL Vancouver Vice is the next step in his life plan. He’s on the fast track to becoming an NHL coach, as long as he keeps winning. So he lives and breathes hockey for seventy hours a week. Everything comes second to his career except his young daughter. After a painful divorce, he prefers not to let the women in his life get too close, especially not a hot single mother.
But beyond the physical attraction, Jackie’s vulnerability pulls at him, making him question his arm’s length policy. Can two people with such complicated pasts find a future together?
378 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 9, 2017
28 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Ting
23 books115 followersMelanie Ting is a U.S.A.Today best-selling author of hockey romances. Her books include: the Vancouver Vice hockey series; the Holiday Hat Trick trilogy of holiday romances; and Hockey is My Boyfriend—a choose your own ending love triangle.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 16, 2019
3.5 stars. A sweet and low-key hockey romance. Both MCs are a little older, which I quite like. The h was actually older than the H in this case, too.
The h was a little too sweet and mousy at first. She was a recently divorced stay-at-home mom, and till now had based her life around her house and kids. This is not the type of h that appeals to me usually, but luckily as the book proceeded, she started to find herself and became a bit more interesting as a character. She realised how much she had repressed her true self under her dominating former husband. It was nice to see how her inner self and creative side started to come to the fore, and the growth in her self-confidence.
The romance was predictable but quite enjoyable. Leo the hockey coach is also divorced, with a daughter. At first they try to keep their attraction light and sexy, but as time goes on and they get to know each other better, their relationship deepens.
A light and easy read. I will consider reading other books by this author.
The h was a little too sweet and mousy at first. She was a recently divorced stay-at-home mom, and till now had based her life around her house and kids. This is not the type of h that appeals to me usually, but luckily as the book proceeded, she started to find herself and became a bit more interesting as a character. She realised how much she had repressed her true self under her dominating former husband. It was nice to see how her inner self and creative side started to come to the fore, and the growth in her self-confidence.
The romance was predictable but quite enjoyable. Leo the hockey coach is also divorced, with a daughter. At first they try to keep their attraction light and sexy, but as time goes on and they get to know each other better, their relationship deepens.
A light and easy read. I will consider reading other books by this author.
August 16, 2017
3.5/5; 4 stars; B+
I'm always on the lookout for new authors and saw this book highly rated on some of my Canadian GR friends shelves. The fact that Ms. Ting is Canadian is a nice bonus.
I enjoyed this hockey romance with protagonists who are well over thirty. In some parts the pacing seemed a bit uneven but, overall, it was a good contemporary romance. The way the author handled the children was and parenting issues was well done.
I lived in Vancouver for awhile when going to University so the setting of the story felt really appealing to me.
I'm always on the lookout for new authors and saw this book highly rated on some of my Canadian GR friends shelves. The fact that Ms. Ting is Canadian is a nice bonus.
I enjoyed this hockey romance with protagonists who are well over thirty. In some parts the pacing seemed a bit uneven but, overall, it was a good contemporary romance. The way the author handled the children was and parenting issues was well done.
I lived in Vancouver for awhile when going to University so the setting of the story felt really appealing to me.
August 11, 2017
Second Round by Melanie Ting is the latest book in her hockey romance series about the Vancouver Vice, a junior hockey league team in the AHL. The team – players, coaches, and owners are working at improving their standing in the league and for some of them, navigating new relationships too. This story focuses on the new coach, Leo, who plans to use this opportunity to turn around the team fortunes as a stepping stone to an NHL coaching job, until he finds himself questioning what’s really important in his life.
Leo Gauthier has come from Montreal with a very specific goal – make the Vancouver Vice a winning team. Their last coach hadn’t been that good, and after suffering a heart attack the team owners had made a decision to bring in someone new. His one regret is that he’s farther away from his eight year old daughter Charlotte, who lives with his ex-wife. But he’s asked the team owners to set up his new furnished apartment with a room for her to come visit in the summer. He’s a workaholic, and he likes it that way so since his divorce, he’s had an occasional hookup but no interest in a new relationship.
Jackie Wagner’s divorce is final and she’s ready to move on to the next stage of her life, with her two pre-teen children Tristan and Hannah. When her ex Brent tells her he wants the house she and the kids are living in to be sold on the lucrative Vancouver market, it forces her to make some decisions, including finding a better job to support her family. She’s got some artistic and design talents and with the help of a friend she lands something she never had thought to try but turns out she’s really good at – furnishing and decorating an apartment on a strict budget. Putting the finishing touches on the rooms, she doesn’t expect to encounter the new occupant, and especially not just out of the shower! Leo and Jackie’s first meeting soon leads to a first date, and then a casual relationship as the two single parents navigate their jobs, their families and their sexual attraction to each other. But Leo’s career plans don’t include settling down, or staying in Vancouver if an NHL coaching job comes his way. And Jackie’s just come out of a relationship where she was always second best. Can they find a way to get their happy ending?
There’s a reason why I look forward to every Melanie Ting romance, and it’s her ability to show all facets of her characters and how they change and grow over the course of the story. Plus, her critical eye on hockey, whether it’s on the ice, in the locker room, or in a management meeting makes you feel invested in the team and its fortunes. I’ve become a big fan of the Vancouver Vice from reading this series as each story has shown a different aspect of the team and how they all need to work together to garner success.
Jackie comes across as a very realistic heroine. Newly divorced, with an ex-husband who never really supported her, she’s coming to terms with the failure of her marriage and her new start on life. She loves to paint and is quite good at it, though her ex always showed disdain for her hobby. When she meets Leo, he is quick to notice that she tends to be self-deprecating and makes it clear that he values her as she is and thinks she is smart and beautiful. She’s nervous about having sex with him, having not been with another man for so long but Leo doesn’t pressure her so that when she’s ready, their chemistry speaks for itself in some very steamy scenes. Her new found confidence with Leo also means that she’s more willing to stick up for herself around her ex, and benefits her in all aspects of her life.
For his part Leo undergoes his own character transformation. A workaholic with very specific goals, his ex-wife didn’t appreciate being second best and all the traveling required by his position. They have a workable relationship and equal custody of their daughter but if there is one thing Leo regrets it’s not spending as much time with Charlotte because of his career. He struggles to balance his work and his family, and though he told Jackie at the start of their relationship that it would only ever be casual on his side with a definite end date, it’s easier said than done when Jackie appears to be getting more emotionally involved than he’d bargained for. The conflict in the story comes from changing expectations and both Jackie and Leo have to make some serious decisions that will affect not only them, but their children as well.
The plot of the story is a good balance of Jackie and Leo’s relationship and the hockey season with Leo as the new head coach of the Vice and all that entails. I enjoyed seeing the hockey team flourish under Leo’s coaching and the games were exciting to read about. Leo and Jackie’s happy ending is the icing on the cake to a promising season and I hope to read more about this team and its success in love and on the ice!
This review has been posted at Straight Shootin' Book Reviews: https://straightshootinbookreviews.co...
A copy of this story was provided by the author for review.
Leo Gauthier has come from Montreal with a very specific goal – make the Vancouver Vice a winning team. Their last coach hadn’t been that good, and after suffering a heart attack the team owners had made a decision to bring in someone new. His one regret is that he’s farther away from his eight year old daughter Charlotte, who lives with his ex-wife. But he’s asked the team owners to set up his new furnished apartment with a room for her to come visit in the summer. He’s a workaholic, and he likes it that way so since his divorce, he’s had an occasional hookup but no interest in a new relationship.
Jackie Wagner’s divorce is final and she’s ready to move on to the next stage of her life, with her two pre-teen children Tristan and Hannah. When her ex Brent tells her he wants the house she and the kids are living in to be sold on the lucrative Vancouver market, it forces her to make some decisions, including finding a better job to support her family. She’s got some artistic and design talents and with the help of a friend she lands something she never had thought to try but turns out she’s really good at – furnishing and decorating an apartment on a strict budget. Putting the finishing touches on the rooms, she doesn’t expect to encounter the new occupant, and especially not just out of the shower! Leo and Jackie’s first meeting soon leads to a first date, and then a casual relationship as the two single parents navigate their jobs, their families and their sexual attraction to each other. But Leo’s career plans don’t include settling down, or staying in Vancouver if an NHL coaching job comes his way. And Jackie’s just come out of a relationship where she was always second best. Can they find a way to get their happy ending?
There’s a reason why I look forward to every Melanie Ting romance, and it’s her ability to show all facets of her characters and how they change and grow over the course of the story. Plus, her critical eye on hockey, whether it’s on the ice, in the locker room, or in a management meeting makes you feel invested in the team and its fortunes. I’ve become a big fan of the Vancouver Vice from reading this series as each story has shown a different aspect of the team and how they all need to work together to garner success.
Jackie comes across as a very realistic heroine. Newly divorced, with an ex-husband who never really supported her, she’s coming to terms with the failure of her marriage and her new start on life. She loves to paint and is quite good at it, though her ex always showed disdain for her hobby. When she meets Leo, he is quick to notice that she tends to be self-deprecating and makes it clear that he values her as she is and thinks she is smart and beautiful. She’s nervous about having sex with him, having not been with another man for so long but Leo doesn’t pressure her so that when she’s ready, their chemistry speaks for itself in some very steamy scenes. Her new found confidence with Leo also means that she’s more willing to stick up for herself around her ex, and benefits her in all aspects of her life.
For his part Leo undergoes his own character transformation. A workaholic with very specific goals, his ex-wife didn’t appreciate being second best and all the traveling required by his position. They have a workable relationship and equal custody of their daughter but if there is one thing Leo regrets it’s not spending as much time with Charlotte because of his career. He struggles to balance his work and his family, and though he told Jackie at the start of their relationship that it would only ever be casual on his side with a definite end date, it’s easier said than done when Jackie appears to be getting more emotionally involved than he’d bargained for. The conflict in the story comes from changing expectations and both Jackie and Leo have to make some serious decisions that will affect not only them, but their children as well.
The plot of the story is a good balance of Jackie and Leo’s relationship and the hockey season with Leo as the new head coach of the Vice and all that entails. I enjoyed seeing the hockey team flourish under Leo’s coaching and the games were exciting to read about. Leo and Jackie’s happy ending is the icing on the cake to a promising season and I hope to read more about this team and its success in love and on the ice!
This review has been posted at Straight Shootin' Book Reviews: https://straightshootinbookreviews.co...
A copy of this story was provided by the author for review.
August 4, 2017
Second Round by Melanie Ting is a mature romance with so much heat and heart. Even though this is the third book in Melanie's Vancouver Vice series ~ this was my first read by Melanie and can be read as a standalone.
Leo Gauthier couldn't pass up the opportunity to get one step closer to coaching in the NHL and if that means moving across the country and coaching the worst team in the AHL then that's what he has to do. Focused on his career, Leo has closed himself off to others except for family until Jackie Wagner bursts in his space. Jackie has had her life flipped upside down in the past couple of years. Divorced and honestly trying to find herself and a purpose. Jackie accepts a interior design job that changes everything.
Jackie and Leo are so similar and in completely different places in their lives but heal each other without even knowing it. Following Jackie's journey to finding herself was fantastic and I thoroughly enjoyed her perspective on life and love. Leo at time I thought deserved a gut punch but happy to say he redeems himself. Laughter, heartwarming moments and sizzling scenes between the sheets ~ possibly a table ~ this story had it all and was a complete joy to read. 5 "Olive Oil" Stars for Second Round by Melanie Ting
*** Reviewed for Sweet & Spicy Reads - ARC provided for an honest review ***
Leo Gauthier couldn't pass up the opportunity to get one step closer to coaching in the NHL and if that means moving across the country and coaching the worst team in the AHL then that's what he has to do. Focused on his career, Leo has closed himself off to others except for family until Jackie Wagner bursts in his space. Jackie has had her life flipped upside down in the past couple of years. Divorced and honestly trying to find herself and a purpose. Jackie accepts a interior design job that changes everything.
Jackie and Leo are so similar and in completely different places in their lives but heal each other without even knowing it. Following Jackie's journey to finding herself was fantastic and I thoroughly enjoyed her perspective on life and love. Leo at time I thought deserved a gut punch but happy to say he redeems himself. Laughter, heartwarming moments and sizzling scenes between the sheets ~ possibly a table ~ this story had it all and was a complete joy to read. 5 "Olive Oil" Stars for Second Round by Melanie Ting
*** Reviewed for Sweet & Spicy Reads - ARC provided for an honest review ***
August 6, 2017
This is my new favorite Melanie Ting book!
Second Round is a hockey romance novel that can be read as a standalone, but is a part of the Vancouver Vice series, which I personally recommend that you read in order. Second Round features Jackie a divorced mom who is looking for work after all these years. She has been hurt before and doesn't intend to get hurt again. Leo is the new Vancouver Vice head coach with dreams to one day coach in the NHL. He doesn't have time for a relationship or distractions. Their love story is sweet and mature.
I usually love that Melanie writes about these wonderfully confident women that does not take any crap from any man, however Jackie is still cautious after the man she loved (and built her life around) left her. Jackie's lack of self-confidence was portrayed in the novel in a way that was realistic and still had the reader rooting for her. I found myself loving Jackie's character more than my previous favorite characters from Melanie's other books. Jackie was also very fortunate to have a spitfire best friend who loves Jackie and reminds Jackie how amazing she is. Leo is flawed, yet very honest about his own limitations in love.
The story was funny and sweet. I couldn't put the book down! I highly recommend this book!
*I received a free Advance Reader Copy in exchange for my honest thoughts/opinions of the author's book.*
Second Round is a hockey romance novel that can be read as a standalone, but is a part of the Vancouver Vice series, which I personally recommend that you read in order. Second Round features Jackie a divorced mom who is looking for work after all these years. She has been hurt before and doesn't intend to get hurt again. Leo is the new Vancouver Vice head coach with dreams to one day coach in the NHL. He doesn't have time for a relationship or distractions. Their love story is sweet and mature.
I usually love that Melanie writes about these wonderfully confident women that does not take any crap from any man, however Jackie is still cautious after the man she loved (and built her life around) left her. Jackie's lack of self-confidence was portrayed in the novel in a way that was realistic and still had the reader rooting for her. I found myself loving Jackie's character more than my previous favorite characters from Melanie's other books. Jackie was also very fortunate to have a spitfire best friend who loves Jackie and reminds Jackie how amazing she is. Leo is flawed, yet very honest about his own limitations in love.
The story was funny and sweet. I couldn't put the book down! I highly recommend this book!
*I received a free Advance Reader Copy in exchange for my honest thoughts/opinions of the author's book.*
August 9, 2017
Although this is the third book in the series, it can be read as a standalone but I recommend you read the previous books because they are amazing!!
This book follows Jackie and Leo, they meet when Jackie is tasked with decorating his apartment, they have an instant connection, the chemistry between them is off the charts. Although both have been hurt in the past by previous relationships, they give this relationship a chance though Leo is up front with what he can offer. Leo is the new coach for the Vancouver Vice so his time is limited and he doesn't stay in one place too long. Although Jackie knows this, feelings become involved, can they both take a chance on love for the second time? You will have to read to find out!
I loved that this is about a more mature couple and also that he's the coach! We are taken through the maze of dating when older and also when children and ex partners are involved. I loved that we we get to see Jackie become more confident in herself and discover who she is and also that we get to see Leo become the dad he wants and knows he can be. We also get hockey, Melanie knows her stuff! I can't recommend this book and series highly enough, another amazing read from this author.
*** reviewed for sweet & spicy reads-ARC provided for honest review ***
This book follows Jackie and Leo, they meet when Jackie is tasked with decorating his apartment, they have an instant connection, the chemistry between them is off the charts. Although both have been hurt in the past by previous relationships, they give this relationship a chance though Leo is up front with what he can offer. Leo is the new coach for the Vancouver Vice so his time is limited and he doesn't stay in one place too long. Although Jackie knows this, feelings become involved, can they both take a chance on love for the second time? You will have to read to find out!
I loved that this is about a more mature couple and also that he's the coach! We are taken through the maze of dating when older and also when children and ex partners are involved. I loved that we we get to see Jackie become more confident in herself and discover who she is and also that we get to see Leo become the dad he wants and knows he can be. We also get hockey, Melanie knows her stuff! I can't recommend this book and series highly enough, another amazing read from this author.
*** reviewed for sweet & spicy reads-ARC provided for honest review ***
August 9, 2017
I have enjoyed Vancouver Vice series, and this, the third book, is no exception. Ms Ting has a unique voice when writing that I feel makes her characters relatable and more down to earth. I like that Leo and Jackie are older and also that she is older than him. I also like that they are both divorced with children of their own. It makes their dating/ getting to know you dynamic a bit different than your average romance and also makes their priorities a bit different as well. Again, seemingly more realistic than some other books.
Leo and Jackie have great chemistry but are a bit awkward at first I felt. It also seemed more about just sex than anything in the beginning and their first time together was a bit odd for me but I understood why it was like that. I really enjoyed the story more as I got to know them more and the secondary characters in the story as well and as their relationship clearly became more even if it wasn't what Leo was looking for. I really enjoyed their family moments with the children and kitty cats too.
This couple is not without struggles but luckily they get through so we do get to that HEA eventually.
Leo and Jackie have great chemistry but are a bit awkward at first I felt. It also seemed more about just sex than anything in the beginning and their first time together was a bit odd for me but I understood why it was like that. I really enjoyed the story more as I got to know them more and the secondary characters in the story as well and as their relationship clearly became more even if it wasn't what Leo was looking for. I really enjoyed their family moments with the children and kitty cats too.
This couple is not without struggles but luckily they get through so we do get to that HEA eventually.
August 1, 2017
What a great story of an older couple trying to find love again
How could you go wrong when you are assigned to decorate a house for a hockey coach and he could really care less about details?
Jackie and Leo bring so much reality to their story.. I really enjoyed this and wanted more.. I think we need a where are they now story on these two
How could you go wrong when you are assigned to decorate a house for a hockey coach and he could really care less about details?
Jackie and Leo bring so much reality to their story.. I really enjoyed this and wanted more.. I think we need a where are they now story on these two
August 9, 2017
**Advanced copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
Second Round is the third book in Melanie Ting's Vancouver Vice series and I was excited to get my hands on it! Melanie has such a way of telling stories and weaving in enough information about the characters so you really get to know them, yet it doesn't bog down the story. This is a story that had me wanting the couples happily ever after from very early on!
Jackie Wagner is struggling. Her husband left her, she's gone through a divorce, she's focused on raising her two great kids, Hannah and Tristan, she's trying to find out what her real passion is in terms of work and because her self-esteem has been torn down more than built up, that last part has been harder than ever. When she gets an opportunity to do a small interior design project for one of her friend's husband's companies, she is dead set on doing a great job to prove she is good at something. When she's given a very lean budget, she's warned that if she doesn't stay within that, there will be issues. What the employer doesn't realize is that Jackie thrives on this kind of project. It's in her wheelhouse and she gets right to work.
Leo Gauthier has always put his work before anything else. His goal is to be an NHL coach and because of this, his focus has been on that; before himself, his ex-wife and even his adorable daughter Charlotte. When he is tasked with taking over the struggling Vancouver Vice after the previous coach falls ill, once again all the focus is on the job. He knows it will be an uphill climb, but it is another step toward his goal, even though it could threaten the time he can and should be spending with his daughter.
When Leo encounters a woman in his kitchen one night after a shower, he's both stunned and intrigued. While he wasn't expecting her, he isn't upset either because she's a vision to him and he's completely attracted. A scheduling mistake had Jackie coming to put finishing touches on Leo's apartment a few days early instead of when he should have been on the road, but she's as taken as he is.
As the two begin to spend time together, they find they are very compatible and while they both say they are good with nothing serious, it's clear that Jackie is more open to a future than Leo is should feelings change as they move forward. They become more ingrained in one another's lives, but will their complicated pasts cause roadblocks that they can't overcome? Will work once again win out over everything else in Leo's life?
I loved the way this story flowed and most of all, I loved the growth of both Leo and Jackie. They both had issues in past relationships and they both were able to learn and grow not only from those past experiences, but also because of one another. They brought out parts of each other that other people had not taken the time to see. Jackie's confidence was bolstered and Leo's outlook on how he could manage his time and relationships changed as well. I rooted for these people from the second I started the book because they were real and the way that Melanie told this story and crafted these characters made it that way.
I would highly recommend this book, as I would with any of Melanie's previous or future offerings!
Second Round is the third book in Melanie Ting's Vancouver Vice series and I was excited to get my hands on it! Melanie has such a way of telling stories and weaving in enough information about the characters so you really get to know them, yet it doesn't bog down the story. This is a story that had me wanting the couples happily ever after from very early on!
Jackie Wagner is struggling. Her husband left her, she's gone through a divorce, she's focused on raising her two great kids, Hannah and Tristan, she's trying to find out what her real passion is in terms of work and because her self-esteem has been torn down more than built up, that last part has been harder than ever. When she gets an opportunity to do a small interior design project for one of her friend's husband's companies, she is dead set on doing a great job to prove she is good at something. When she's given a very lean budget, she's warned that if she doesn't stay within that, there will be issues. What the employer doesn't realize is that Jackie thrives on this kind of project. It's in her wheelhouse and she gets right to work.
Leo Gauthier has always put his work before anything else. His goal is to be an NHL coach and because of this, his focus has been on that; before himself, his ex-wife and even his adorable daughter Charlotte. When he is tasked with taking over the struggling Vancouver Vice after the previous coach falls ill, once again all the focus is on the job. He knows it will be an uphill climb, but it is another step toward his goal, even though it could threaten the time he can and should be spending with his daughter.
When Leo encounters a woman in his kitchen one night after a shower, he's both stunned and intrigued. While he wasn't expecting her, he isn't upset either because she's a vision to him and he's completely attracted. A scheduling mistake had Jackie coming to put finishing touches on Leo's apartment a few days early instead of when he should have been on the road, but she's as taken as he is.
As the two begin to spend time together, they find they are very compatible and while they both say they are good with nothing serious, it's clear that Jackie is more open to a future than Leo is should feelings change as they move forward. They become more ingrained in one another's lives, but will their complicated pasts cause roadblocks that they can't overcome? Will work once again win out over everything else in Leo's life?
I loved the way this story flowed and most of all, I loved the growth of both Leo and Jackie. They both had issues in past relationships and they both were able to learn and grow not only from those past experiences, but also because of one another. They brought out parts of each other that other people had not taken the time to see. Jackie's confidence was bolstered and Leo's outlook on how he could manage his time and relationships changed as well. I rooted for these people from the second I started the book because they were real and the way that Melanie told this story and crafted these characters made it that way.
I would highly recommend this book, as I would with any of Melanie's previous or future offerings!
August 10, 2017
I must say, I love this book. Being a 40-something myself, I identified with the characters and understood why Jackie was worrying about dating at that age. I also love that Melanie has a character who is a homemaker and made it a positive thing. Those skills go unnoticed by many until they need them. I liked Leo, as well, but at one point, I'd have loved to slap some sense into him. He straightened up, thank God (and Melanie). I don't do spoilers but if you're a lover of hockey and romance, you can't go wrong with this story or any other stories Melanie has written.
August 9, 2017
Second Round is a thoroughly enjoyable addition in the Vancouver Vice family. Life changes, new challenges and a lesson in self discovery Second Round is well worth a read. I received a free copy of the book in return for my honest opinion.
August 17, 2017
I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is book 3 of the Vancouver Vice Series but can be read as a stand alone.
Jackie and Leo were a great couple and I loved their story. I can't wait to read what's next.
This is book 3 of the Vancouver Vice Series but can be read as a stand alone.
Jackie and Leo were a great couple and I loved their story. I can't wait to read what's next.
July 29, 2022
Second Round was low-key and relatable. I enjoyed how Jackie and Leo were upfront with their expectations for their relationship and how they discussed it when things changed. I liked how both Jackie and Leo developed over the course of the book and how supportive they were of each other.
January 30, 2020
I love a good hockey story. This one with more mature characters was a delight.
April 10, 2021
I just reread this book and really liked it. The characters were more mature than in a typical romance novel. Love all the hockey of course as well as the beautiful Canadian settings.
September 25, 2018
Melanie Ting lights the lamp with SECOND ROUND the third book in the Vancouver Vice series. Leo Gauthier is the new head coach of the Vancouver Vice. He lives and breathes hockey. He has no time for relationships. His team set him up with a service that furnishes his new apartment. Enter, Jackie Wagner, the woman hired to do the job; the beautiful single mom that might have him reconsidering his social life. This contemporary sports romance is suitable for adult audiences.
SECOND ROUND is a heartfelt second chance romance. I adored both Leo and Jackie. Both are divorced single parents. Jackie is artist and sometimes comes off as flighty. Her ex-husband did not appreciate her talent. I love that she was given the opportunity at the staging job. Leo is a tough but fair coach. He has his hands full bringing the Vice around. I love that Leo appreciated all the details that Jackie put into his apartment. I like that they give each other confidence after being beaten down in the prior relationships.
SECOND ROUND is a great addition to the Vancouver Vice series. It is a sweet story that has realistic obstacles. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
SECOND ROUND is a heartfelt second chance romance. I adored both Leo and Jackie. Both are divorced single parents. Jackie is artist and sometimes comes off as flighty. Her ex-husband did not appreciate her talent. I love that she was given the opportunity at the staging job. Leo is a tough but fair coach. He has his hands full bringing the Vice around. I love that Leo appreciated all the details that Jackie put into his apartment. I like that they give each other confidence after being beaten down in the prior relationships.
SECOND ROUND is a great addition to the Vancouver Vice series. It is a sweet story that has realistic obstacles. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
April 19, 2019
I tried, I really think I did, but wow she's annoying. She lives in a multi million dollar home, wants to continue to be a stay at home mom but doesn't actually pay attention to her kids. I'm a stay at home mom, I know what it is to sacrifice nice things to make the decision to stay home with the kids. She could sell that house and easily afford to be home with the kids. She wants all the things her way. I'm so glad Brent left her, I would. "Even if he's put on a little weight", what kind of comment is that? I'm so done with her, I want Brent to get the kids and never look back.
April 16, 2019
I enjoyed this story about two divorced adults with past lives and histories. The book is a well-written story of a couple with so much going on in their lives they don't really have time for a relationship or to fall in love, both are parents and that comes first. I love how the feelings and love developed between these two and their blended families and the hard choices that had to be made.
August 11, 2017
Good writing.
I will admit, at first the lead female protagonist irritated me enough to that I was not enjoying the book. But she grew enough during the book that I could enjoy the rest of the story.
I will admit, at first the lead female protagonist irritated me enough to that I was not enjoying the book. But she grew enough during the book that I could enjoy the rest of the story.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews