Second Time Around

Second Glances #1

by Nancy Herkness, Megan Tusing (Reader)

A former love makes a lasting impression in a warm and sexy romance from Nancy Herkness.

Kyra Dixon, a blue-collar girl from the boondocks, is dedicated to her job at a community center that matches underprivileged kids with rescue dogs. When she runs into Will Chase—Connecticut blue blood, billionaire CEO, and her old college crush—she’s surprised that he asks a favor from her: to be his date for his uptight family’s dreaded annual garden party. If his parents don’t approve, all the better.

Kyra’s not about to say no. It’ll give her a chance to be oh-so-close to her unrequited love. What begins as a little fling turns so mad hot, so fast, that Kyra finds herself falling all over again for a fantasy that won’t come true. How can it? She doesn’t belong in Will’s world. She doesn’t want to. But Will does want to belong in hers.

All he has to do now is prove it. Will is prepared to give up whatever is necessary to get what his heart most desires.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Second Chance, Fiction, Adult

Audio CD

First published July 24, 2018

About the author

Nancy Herkness is the award-winning, best-selling author of contemporary romance for readers who love richly developed characters and an immersive reading experience. Meet the wealthy, powerful alpha heroes who need down-to-earth women to show them how to find soul-deep love and pulse-racing passion. Nancy’s vivid writing brings to life settings both elegant and homey, while making her flawed but fascinating characters leap off the page and into your heart. Savor the thrill of falling in love by diving into one of Nancy’s books.

Author of the Royal Caleva, Consultants, Wager of Hearts, and Whisper Horse series, as well as several other contemporary romance novels, Nancy has sold over a million books. She is also a two-time nominee for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA® award.

Nancy has received many honors for her work, including the Book Buyers Best Top Pick, the New England Readers’ Choice award, and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award. She graduated from Princeton University with a degree in English literature and creative writing.

A native of West Virginia, Nancy now lives twelve miles west of the Lincoln Tunnel in suburban New Jersey with two tabby cats.

For more information about Nancy and her books, visit www.NancyHerkness.com. Sign up for her monthly newsletter—and get a free novella—at: http://www.nancyherkness.com/newsletter/

Social media links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nancyherkness
BookBub author: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/nancy...
Amazon author: https://amazon.com/stores/author/B001...

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - "We're doing it right this time." Stars!

I only discovered Nancy Herkness, after reading the prequel novella for this series Second to None late last year, and I really enjoyed the unique spin with the romance being played out around the K9 Angelz programme, based in a underprivileged kids center in Harlem.

"Have you ever met someone who reminds you that you once were a different person."

That novella introduced us to the center, the kids and the locale, Second Time Around gives us the centers cook; Kyra Dixons' story, a Cinderella style second chance romance with old acquaintance and now Billionaire Will Chase.

"I didn’t come to take advantage of our friendship… I came to renew it."

This is a couple that originally met during the carefree days of college, but a lot has changed for the both of them in the intervening decade, one has flourished in the business arena, and the other is floundering under a mountain of debt that is not of their own making.

"Entrust me with your secrets…"

Nothing hugely new or unusual the story-line itself, rich man falls for poor woman, and as you would expect the perceived the class-divide poses a problem, and the centre provides a decent secondary story-line to keep everything moving along nicely.

"I just want to love you as an equal. A simple exchange of emotions… But the equation doesn’t balance. It can’t."

I liked the authors low drama writing style in the opening novella, and Second time Around continues in much the same way, and although it’s there and warranted in the theme of the story, it’s not overblown or drawn out too much. Likeable characters, and decent sexy-times made for an all-round enjoyable read.

"The only person who believes you are less is you."

ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.

["Avonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

I love when I start a book from a new to me author and everything just fades into the background and I fall into their story. This is what happened when I started reading SECOND TIME AROUND (Second Glances #1) by Nancy Herkness. This is a second chance contemporary romance with a plot that is not unique, but the characters are so realistic and relatable, they make you feel invested in their HEA and you just have to keep turning the pages.

Kyra Dixon is from a blue collar Pennsylvania family. Will Chase is from a blue blood Connecticut family. They meet in college while Will is dating Kyra’s suite mate. College life is a great equalizer for them and they become good friends, enjoying tossing famous quotes back and forth as a personal game. Kyra would love their relationship to be more, but he is not free and she always stays aware of their social differences. When Kyra’s father becomes ill, she returns to her small hometown and does not return to school.

Ten years later, Kyra is grabbing a bite at her favorite NYC café chain and runs into Will. Will has become the billionaire CEO of the chain and is as successful as Kyra knew he would be. Kyra is working days in the kitchen of a childhood community center and nights at a high class club to pay off debts left from her mother before her death. The sparks are still there and when Will asks Kyra to accompany him as his date to a family annual event she jumps at the chance.

Kyra falls hard for Will all over again, but always feels that their social and money differences make it a relationship with a time limit. Will starts to discover all over again the things that excite him and make him feel happy with Kyra always being honest and looking at his world in a different way. Kyra loves Will, but is it enough to bridge their differences? Does Will know what he truly wants?

I loved Kyra and Will. I related personally with everything about Kyra. She especially shines in all her scenes at the center with the kids. That the center also had a canine program made it even better. Kyra is such a strong character and I was very happy with the way this author moved Will towards her, rather than having Kyra drop everything for a HEA with just his money. This author definitely has a way with realistic, in-depth characters. Besides the romance growing at a believable rate, there are well written sex scenes that are explicit, intense and smoking hot.

I highly recommend you clear some time, curl up in your favorite chair and fall in love with Kyra and Will just like I did. I am looking forward to reading many more romances from Ms. Herkness.

Thanks very much to Montlake Romance and Net Galley for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.
I usually really enjoy Nancy's books. I like her slightly formal and elegant style of writing. Also she creates interesting and in-depth characters and enjoyable stories.
Sadly for me this book just didn't work on any of these levels. I had trouble connecting with the MC's. I didn't find either of them particularly interesting. I know they were previously friends at college who had missed out on the opportunity of becoming more but I just couldn't relate to either of them and the intimacy between them just seemed wrong.
Honestly, I had to skim through a lot just to finish this book.
This one simply wasn't for me but I will continue to read this author as she has written some really memorable and enjoyable stories.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

[Mindy Lou's Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a second change romance with college friends Will Chase and Kyra Dixon. Will dated Kyra's dorm-mate in college and she had a huge crush on him. Just as Will and his girlfriend break up, Kyra gets called home to help take care of her sick father and never makes it back to College. Years later they run into each other again when Kyra visits the restaurant owned by Will and his partner.

I love the direction the author has taken this series. I'm a sucker for kids and animals in romance books. I think they add a heartwarming aspect to the storyline. In Second Time Around, we get to see the center for underprivileged kids and the shelter dogs we were introduced to in Second To None.

Kyra works at the center as a chef and we get to see a lot of Emily and Max from the previous book as well. We also get to see Nathan Trainor, the hero from The CEO Buys In who just happens to be good friends with Will. I enjoy when an author can intermingle characters from other books. I always want more from the characters I've enjoyed in past books.

I'm looking forward to seeing who will be up next. ARC provided by NetGalley.

[BrandyD · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes a bit too heavy on the cheese, but overall it was cute.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three and a half stars.

Kyra Dixon and Will Chase were at college together and developed a friendship whilst Will dated Kyra's roommate. Will never knew that Kyra had the world's biggest crush until THAT one night.

Ten years later Kyra and Will run into each other. She dropped out of college and now works two jobs, barperson at an upmarket club and cook at a children's' centre (the one run by Emily from Second to None) and he is the co-founder of an extremely successful healthy fast-food chain. The spark is still there and the two of them fall right back into their literary quotes game but now the disparity between both their backgrounds and current status is even more pronounced. Will invites Kyra to his family's annual party as a shield against his ex who is likely to be there causing trouble and things move from friends to lovers. But is the gap between them too wide?

I like Nancy Herkness' novels and I jumped at the chance to read this when I saw this on NetGalley but I have to say whilst I enjoyed reading this (and read it in less than a day), I didn't love it. TBH there was a lot of ve-hic-u-lar sex (I feel it needs that spelt out pronunciation) and not a huge amount of plot. One way and another Kyra and Will are battling the legacies of their parents and still looking for what really makes them happy.

OMG I don't know if I'm getting old (or not getting any) but there was too much sex and not enough plot, the kids at the Centre are super cute (and the dogs) but I needed more.

Recommended if you like cute kids and dogs and ritchie rich boys and haught sex in boats and sportscars and limos and limos again.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Bumped for release.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really into this book for the first part of it, where old college friends Will Chase and Kyra Dixon meet each other again for the first time since college. Back then, Kyra had been hopelessly smitten with the older Classics major, but Will had been dating her roommate. They hadn’t seen each other in the ten years since Kyra dropped out of college to deal with family issues until they happened to run into each other at Kyra’s favorite cafe, a chain that Will happens to own.

The first half, where Kyra and Will start to reconnect and get to know each other again as adult was a little slow, but at least an enjoyable read. I loved the set up (and dichotomy) of Kyra spending her nights working as a very high class bartender and her days working for a low income after school program. I was intrigued by the tiny taste of fake dating when Will took her to his family’s fancy garden party.

But then the rest of the book after they reunited dragged on for forever. I wondered where exactly the story was going to go after they started seeing each other, because I felt like there wasn’t really that much set up for more conflict and there was a lot of book left. Turns out where the book went was basically just some occasional plot around their rich man/poor woman dynamic in between repetitive and unnecessary sex scenes in every vehicle they came across. Seriously- a yacht, a sports car, and so so so many times in a limo.

The angst over the richer-than-god boyfriend thinking he knows best and the poor girlfriend thinking he could never love her because of the class divide was overwhelmingly annoying at times, especially because it was the only real conflict for the vast majority of the book. Will makes some dumb mistakes because he’s only seeing things from his Connecticut blue blood point of view and Kyra gets offended because she’s seeing things from her Pennsylvania blue collar point of view. But then, near the end, there’s a twist that sort of came out of nowhere that I thought had some potential. But then that twist gets wrapped up so ridiculously easily and quickly and doesn’t truly affect either main character, so… I didn’t really get the point of it.

Kyra’s side story about her job working for an after school program and their dog rescue was the only thing that really gave this story any heart and what sort of saved the story for me. I liked the kids Kyra worked with and I thought the idea of the center adopting dogs that the kids had some degree of responsibility for was cute and clever. And those scenes happened just often enough that they were bright spots in an otherwise forgettable book.

Despite being entirely unenthused by this book, I would be willing to try future books in this series and other books by this author, because while slow and occasionally wrought with unnecessary detail, I found this book to be well-written. The side characters were appropriately developed and given unique personalities and voices. The dialogue between characters was interesting and natural. It was a fine book, just not a very interesting one.

[Rose Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars, as reviewed at Roses Are Blue: https://wp.me/p3QRh4-MP

Ten years ago, back in college, Kyra Dixon was in love with Will Chase. Unfortunately, Will was also her roommate's boyfriend, in addition to being way out of her league. Family and financial problems caused Kyra to drop out of college before she graduated, and she lost track of Will, along with losing her dream of ever becoming an editor. Those financial debts and student loans have led Kyra to New York, where she bartends at Stratus in the evening, while cooking at a local Care Center during the day in exchange for a small apartment.

One day, while treating herself to a quick lunch at her favorite restaurant, she finds herself next to Will, who immediately recognizes her. It turns out that Will has come up even further in the world, as he is the CEO and co-founder of the very successful chain of restaurants they're now lunching in. They share some small talk, and some memories, and Will gives Kyra his phone number, inviting her to call him, which she has no intention of doing. When Will needs a date to act as a buffer while he attends his parents' dreaded annual garden party, he tracks down Kyra at Stratus, and invites her along. She accepts, deciding that she can endure one foray into the world of billionaires and socialites, if it allows her just one day as Will's date.

The differences in their styles of living is blatantly obvious, as Will picks her up in a limo, which then takes them to a helicopter, which flies them to the party. (Have to avoid the traffic, you know.) The casual dresses worn by the women at the party no doubt cost more than Kyra makes in a month. Everyone is outwardly polite to Kyra, while Will becomes more and more tense with each encounter with his parents. When he learns his mother invited his ex-fiancée to the party against his wishes, he steals away with Kyra to the family boat.

On that sailboat, Kyra and Will have an intensely passionate encounter, one that fulfilled all of Kyra's longings from ten years earlier. She doesn't expect Will to continue their relationship, but he wants to see her again tomorrow. They begin a very steamy affair, which is characterized by amusing back and forth texts using quotes from poetry and literature, something they did back in their college days. I loved their developing relationship! For a billionaire, Will is very down-to-earth, and his treatment of Kyra is stellar. Though he takes for granted the luxuries he's used to, he never looks down on Kyra because of her working class background. He enjoys her company, her friendship, and their sexual relationship, and he lets her know it.

While Kyra is falling in love all over again, she's also very aware that she and Will are from two different worlds. She does have her pride, and when an attempt is made by Will to help her financially, she realizes how different they truly are. Kyra decides that their affair has to end before the damage to her heart is irreversible. When Will is unable to declare his love, Kyra knows that she made the right decision, painful though it is.

I'm predominantly a historical romance reader, but I really like Nancy Herkness' writing, which makes reading contemporaries a genuine pleasure. In SECOND TIME AROUND, Kyra and Will are such vivid and real characters, and their story flowed effortlessly. There is decidedly a hefty amount of steam (whew!) between this couple, yet some heartbreaking moments, too, as they work through the tangle of their emotions. The Care Center is full of lovable children and dogs, who are also guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings. I totally enjoyed and recommend SECOND TIME AROUND for fans of second chance romances, be they historical or contemporary.

[E-Reader Addict · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another book I find myself conflicted about…

On the one hand, the writing was good. The dialogue between characters (both the hero and heroine, and with supporting characters) was fantastic. If you have those two things, I find I can forgive a lot.

What needs forgiving? The super-slow pace for the first 50 percent, for starters (and then just the slow pace for the rest of the book). I almost didn’t keep reading this one. I got to 25 percent and started skimming to see if things would pick up. Thankfully they did, but for the first half of the book I had a hard time mustering any interest in Kyra and Chase, former college friends who ran into each other ten years after last seeing the other.

The other thing that bogged this story down was Kyra’s constant lamenting that she and Chase come from two different worlds, and she’d never fit into his. It’s something you’d expect to be rehashed ad nauseam in a YA/NA book, but not in one about people in their early 30s. It seemed to me that a lot of page space was given to Kyra’s internal monologue, and the rest to the steamy times (of which were plentiful), instead of to meaningful conversation about getting acquainted again and then their relationship.

The side-story about Kyra’s job at the after-school program and the K9 Angelz was touching, amusing, and saved this story from a lower rating.

Despite my less-than-raving opinion of this book, I may be still interested in reading the next book from this series (and possibly even the prequel to the series, Second to None). But I kept thinking “this book has too many details I just don’t care about” so I’ll have to see what the next books in the Second Glances series are about!

* thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Ruthie Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~

This is the first full book in a new series - although the Second to None novella precedes it, and we get to meet Max and Emily again here. We also meet up with old friends from the Wager of Hearts series - which is fun if you have read them.

Kyra takes on the role of 'fake' girlfriend to her college crush Will, as he needs support at a family event, although all she can she is that he has made a success of his life since college. They certainly have an entertaining day, which inevitably leads to more. However both of them are tied down by their pasts, and it really isn't clear how they can get past it. Kyra is convinced she is not worthy, and it is best if she ends it before it hurts even more - a logic which I have never found to work! And Will is floundering after a failed relationship, and the pressures levied by the expectation of his parents.

It is fun to see both places where Kyra works; the care that she takes with the after-school club youngsters, and the persona she develops when a cocktail waitress. The links with Will's chosen business, also in catering creates some links between them beyond the clear chemistry that they have.
Inevitably there are some rocky patches, and really Will needs to stop thinking and feel more - but he gets there in the end, thankfully.

For a fun summer read this would hit the spot. I am looking forward to seeing who features in the next novel.

[Avid Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Time Around (Second Glances #1) by Nancy Herkness
4 stars
M/F Second Romance
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.

Kyra is a hard working, honest woman who has had a rough go of things. She was an only child and had a mother who never quite understood her and a father who adored her. When tragedy strikes, she has to leave behind her dreams. But, she never forgot her best friend from her dreaming days, Will. Despite the fact that he was dating her roommate, Will and Kyra formed such a bond - talking and quoting. She never forgot him.

Will has built an empire just to spite his father. He was walking the path his parents wanted for so long that when he finally broke free, he wanted to prove to his parents that he didn't need their input - that he would succeed without their guidance. Even with all of his success, Will still has this driving need to continuously prove his parents wrong. When he runs in to Kyra again, she awakens memories and desires in him that were long buried. Is he truly happy? Is being successful enough? When he sees how hard she works and why, it reminds him of the dreams he had while they were both in school.

This is a sweet second chance romance. Both characters have baggage that they need to work through and they also have a connection that goes beyond romantic. Their friendship is solid and because of that, they are able to build a connection again fairly quickly. Missteps happen and communication isn't perfect. Both will have to decide if their connection is more important than their dreams or if their connection will change their dreams.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kyra Dixon has worked hard to get where she is, she works for a community center and takes a lot of pride in the job she does. When she runs into former college friend Will Chase, she is not surprised of his success as a CEO. When Will seeks her out and asks her for a favor, pretend to be his girlfriend to get through his families pretentious garden party she agrees. She doesn't expect to have the feeling she had for Will during college to return but they do. The feeling is mutual but Will lives in a world of posh and circumstance while she is the girl who is barely making ends meet. Will their opposite ways of life divide them?

Enjoyable story. I felt a bit for Kyra as she is put in a no win situation with Will's family. Will gets it together but you want to push him a bit as the story progresses.

[Crazychriss889 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Research:
Please do some research when writing about things you haven't done before: on a helicopter ride, you need headphones. Otherwise you cannot hear a thing that is being said. The MCs in this book just converse as if nothing was happening around them.

Plot:
There really were an awful lot of intimate scenes, which is usually fine but I didn't really feel them in this novel. Also, the hero had a constant boner around the heroine, which is mentioned every other page. Once is enough, thank u.

No go:
An absolute no go for me was when the hero tells us (about 60% in) that the heroine's breasts and basically her entire body are his property. He doesn't like her job as a bartender and wants her to quit with one of the reasons being that he doesn't like other men ogling her and him thinking that she belongs to him. Ouch. That nearly killed me. But it only ended up killing the book, thank god

MCs
I didn't like them that much... I thought the hero was such a dumba#s towards the end. Maybe the plot didn't make a lot of sense, too.

Writing style?
Not my kinda tea. All the quotes of famous male writers didn't do a lot for me...

[Carolien · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Kyra and Will met at college. He was her roommate's boyfriend and she had a crush on him, but it never went further. They are from very different backgrounds and lost touch when Kyra left college to look after her parents. A chance encounter at a coffee shop gives them the opportunity to catch up, but the question remains whether they can overcome their circumstances to be together. I loved the characters and literary banter between Kyra and Will and look forward to the next in the series.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

SECOND TO NONE is a sizzling summer read! From beginning to end, this book will set you on fire, curl your toes and make you eagerly turn the pages. You will regret getting to the end because your appetite will want more of Will and Kyra! They are the perfect couple!

Nancy Herkness, to use a baseball term, has written an uncontested four bagger. A pleasing, solid hit SECOND TO NONE is a book fans may find themselves yearning to read over and over!

Three cheers! I loved this book!

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isn't Will a romantic sort, "...she could see the flare of his nostrils as he breathed hard. “It’s New York,” he said. “We could do it in an alleyway and no one would care.” Will doesn't ask for much, “I want you here in my bed,” he growled against her skin. “Every night. All night. Until morning.” I liked this book, I liked that Krya was her own woman and feisty.

[TSN ☮ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Review: What she said

[SimplyƝì₭ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nefra Book 2019

[Brittanie Leighton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio 3.5 stars. Book was 4 stars.

Was a pleasant feel good story.

[Deb Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Time Around
Nancy Herkness
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’ve never read anything from Nancy, so when this was offered I thought “why not”. I’m so freaking glad I did. This story is quick moving, sweet and plenty of heat. If you are a fan of alpha men, and strong willed women, this book will be for you.

Will Chase comes from a influential, rich family that only see $$$ for their children. Will already upset his parents choosing to follow his dreams and start his own company with restaurants that are very successful. His sister Schuyler, followed their father, in law.

Kyra Dixon is loving a life less preferred. After losing her father, then her mother she’s left with crippling debt. Working 2 jobs, one as a cook at a after school care place, and bartending at a high flyer club most nights. She gave up her loved college, wanted job to pay down her debts. Every day is same thing…. Until she comes in contact with Will Chase at Ceres by pure fluke.

Neither can believe their eyes, meeting each other at such a random place…. If you believe in 2nd chance love, Will and Kyra will give you all the warm and fuzzies. They were friends during college, but when he broke up with her best friend, they lost the connection. Now it’s back and neither wants to turn their backs in it again. Forever in the back of her mind, Kyra is blantanly Made aware that she doesn’t fit into Will’s world. He has money, she owes lots of it, but their chemistry is white hot, and his money and family mean nothing.

Getting over that barrier, may be the only thing that destroys what they have. Knowing here is an expiry date, Kyra pushes away him. But with adverse effects. A second chance, second glance will forever change their presents and their futures, but maybe not the path either saw coming.

I’m a little smitten with Will and Kyra, I look forward to re-reading this story and more from this author.

[Sonja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have to come back and review as I don't have time now!

[Kim Reads (Read Your Writes Book Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

“Sometimes the second time around is better because you have a shared history.”

In Second Time Around, Nancy Herkness reunites two people who knew each other in college and unbeknownst to each other had feelings for the other. Will Chase is Connecticut blue-blood. He was born into a world of privilege, where much was given. And at the same time, much was also expected. Will was expected to attend Brunell, then Harvard Law, and then join his father's law firm. None of this was truly what Will wanted to do. While at Brunell, Will met Kyra Dixon, his college girlfriend's roommate. While Will’s girlfriend was busy entertaining other guys, it was Kyra who kept Will distracted and entertained with her zest for life and various literature quotes.

Kyra’s life was the opposite of Will’s in every way. Kyra didn't come from money. Her parents were blue collar, who worked for everything they had. Where Will's parents insisted on college, Kyra's parents looked down on it. They viewed it as a waste of time. During her sophomore year, Kyra had to drop out of school when her father got sick and ultimately passed away. A short time later, her mother also passed away. To her surprise, Kyra discovered credit card bills with her name on them. When her mother ran out of credit, she just opened cards in Kyra’s name. She did this as a way to alleviate her grief and despair. With a mountain of debt and student loans to pay off, Kyra's dream of becoming the first in her family to graduate from college went up in smoke.

Kyra now finds herself as a cook working at the Carver Center in Harlem, as a way to get free rent. To make money, she's a bartender at a high-end club called Stratus. Money is really tight for Kyra, but every once in awhile she treats herself to Ceres, a fast-casual restaurant that specializes in fresh, unique, upscale food. Kyra’s past and present collide when she runs into Will, who happens to be co-owner of the chain. Reconnecting over lunch Kyra agrees to accompany Will to his parents’ upcoming party.

Will introduces Kyra to a world she's never known. While the two are reconnecting and establishing themselves as a “friends with benefits” couple, they each start to wonder if the relationship could be more. Over the course of the book, the two push each other to not settle for what they have, but to follow their dreams and pursue their passion.

Nancy has once again written a really good story. I like the characters of Kyra and Will. The secondary characters definitely added to the story. The series centers around the Carver Center, which is an after school care facility for underprivileged kids in Harlem. The center has a program where the kids get dogs from shelters and take care of them at the center. For the kids, this is the only way they're able to interact with and care for a pet. Thus, making the kids and dogs bigger than life characters themselves.

Second Time Around is a story that will pull at your heartstrings. It should be noted that while this is a second story in the Second Glances series it is a standalone read.

**Received a copy from the publisher and reviewed voluntarily.**

[Beth C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Sometimes the second time around is better because you have a shared history.”

So, this ^ quote ^ perfectly sums up the reason why second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes. And guys, Second Time Around is an awesome addition to the genre.

Nancy Herkness has once again proved why she’s a go-to author for me. I love her billionaires—they’re a balanced mix dreamy fairytale (closing down a restaurant for a date) and grounded kindness (taking the time to name a rescue dog), and they always make me a little swoony.

William Peyton Chase III definitely made me swoony. Possibly more so than any of the Herkness men who’ve come before him. And as for this book . . . well, I can’t say it’s my favorite from this author only because all of the others are so damn good. But it’s up there. WAY up there. Everything about this book was on point—from the way Will and Kyra rekindled their friendship, to the way it grew into more, to the inclusion of the Carver Center and the adorable kids and dogs in their story, and the cameo from a past favorite of mine. Second Time Around was smartly written and not rushed; Ms. Herkness gave her characters voice for their concerns and time to work through them and, in doing so, made them all the more relatable and enjoyable.

Except relatable and enjoyable seem a little run-of-the-mill—albeit true—when it comes to describing this book. Perhaps ‘a feel good, sexy, funny, and unputdownable romance’ would be be a better way to describe a love story that gave me tingly feels and confirmed that seeking out second chance romances—and Nancy Herkness—is an excellent idea. Yes, I think that sounds more apt . . .

PS—Consider this my formal request for Schuyler to get her own book. I loved her small-but-important role in Will and Kyra’s story and would love to see more of her.

“When I see myself through your eyes, I look very different. I’m going to try to believe in that vision, because I want to be that person for you.”
“You’re already everything for me. I love you.”

~ FIVE Shaq STARS ~

[NANCY PAUL · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unrealistic and embarrassing read



They went to college together 10 years earlier before meeting again. She had dropped out of school to take care of her ailing mother and father. After her parents die, she finds herself head over heels In debt due to her mother's runaway spending prior to her death. The inherited debt is so high that she works two jobs with no chance of
ever going back to college and furnishing her degree. This is "poor girl".

In college, the male character's girlfriend shares an apartment with our "poor girl". While frequently waiting in their apartment for his girlfriend to get ready, "poor girl" gets to know him and finds they have much in common in their academic studies and become friends. Eventually, this leads to "poor girl" secreting falling for him.

Waiting one night for his date with "poor girl" in their apartment , he accidentally catches his girlfriend in bed with another guy. He is devastated at the betrayal and avoids any contact again with ex- girlfriend and " poor girl " until 10 years later.

Sounds like a great story start! "Poor girl" and guy accidentally meet again and then fireworks right?
Wrong!

The rest of the book should have been called "How to Have Sex Every Day in Every Way Even if You are a " Poor Girl".
The sex scenes in the last half of this book are long , overdone, unbelievable, and repetitive that the story iine is lost . I found myself just skipping pages trying to get to the real story and. I finally gave up.
This book could have been a great book but all the unnecessary sex ruined it for me.I

[Stephanie Phillips (Stephanie's Book Reports) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

If there's ever a story of rags to riches this would be the story. Kyra is a chef at children's program that matches rescue dogs with the underprivileged kids to teach responsibility among other things.

She's doing alright but she's not making millions. She runs into her college crush, Will, and they get to chatting. He asks her to be he date to a family party to keep the gold diggers off his back she's surprised but agrees to go.

The book focuses on their rekindled friendship that turns into a relationship. Kyra is not a wilting flower and it definitely shows when she visits Will's family home for the big party.

I read this book pretty quickly. It's a cute friends to lovers story I think you'd enjoy.

[Elizabeth Garrett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh

Just couldn't get on with this book, it was soo slow. Maybe the tedious pace was due to all the unnecessary detail. I lost the will to live at some points and just skim read. It was exceptionally cheesy too. I'm glad this wasn't my first Nancy Herkness read otherwise I'd avoid her books in future. I have read some titles that I've enjoyed but Second Time Around certainly isn't one of them 😕

[Treena · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the first 30% of the book but the rest of the story wasn’t as engrossing for me. Sorry. I was hoping for more flirty and fun scenes and witty banter. But things got a tad too somber and introspective for my personal tastes.

[katherine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sex Fest

If its a sex fest you must read, then this book is for you! There is a scant story here which I would have preferred to read and had great potential!! Yea, that didnt happen! Too much blatant sex . It overwhelmed to scant story..!!!!
Overkill!

[〰️Beth〰️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and Furry Read

Enjoyable billionaire romance with lots of food, fun, and four legged love. Not only a great hero and heroine but also a wonderful group of characters

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

​Second Time Around, by Nancy Herkness, is a sweet, provocative testimony to what two people will do to turn a seemingly lost crush into true love. Kyra Dixon and Will Chase were classmates at Brunell University and truly flourished in each other's company. In a short matter of time, the two of them established a friendship that was unique. They enjoyed being together, the daily give and take of intelligent conversation and a challenging quote war! The quotes made for a really thoughtful and comical manner of saying what was in their heart. They lost track of one another when Kyra had to drop out of school to take care of her dying father. After that, she had debt to pay back after her mother died, leaving her a load of unpaid bills. Will had gone on to become the owner of Ceres, a wildly successful chain of cafes throughout the world. Fate played its hand and Kyra found herself having lunch at Ceres on the same day the CEO came to check on business in this café. They recognized each other and memories rushed in on both parts. Amazingly, she wanted him in her world but she thought she didn't belong there. She wasn't raised with money and no amount of wishing things were different could change that. To make enough money for living expenses and to help pay the debts she owes, Kyra has two jobs. Her day job is as cook extraordinaire at the Carver After-School Care Center while her night job is as a high class bartender at Stratus. Before work, she becomes a seriously sexy beauty to get more tips and to bring the customers in. Will stops in one night and is stunned into silence over how beautiful she is. Will wants her in his life, as well, but doesn't quite know how to do it. His friend, Nathan Trainor, gives him some advice by asking him "does she make you want to become a better man?" Will invites Kyra to his mother's "spring fling" party where all the society blue-bloods stand around, eating, drinking and judging everyone. He hopes that Kyra will provide a shield for him since his parents do not approve of the work he has chosen for his life. His idea of protecting himself, with the help of Kyra, backfires when she is made to feel as if she's not wanted and even her clothes are unfashionable. When he sees her with the kids and the dogs at the Carver Center, he is more than grateful that she has given him proof that there is a better way to live. Is it enough to bridge the chasm that exists between their two worlds? More importantly, can Kyra see that she's in no way inferior to anyone in Will's life? Nancy Herkness has written a book that has a heart beat of its own. Remarkable!