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Bad Boys and Good Men #3
Never Second Best
Seth thought all the questions were answered. Until six months ago when his wife left him to raise their three children alone, proving he had always been her second choice.
In the chaos of being a single father, a visit from community services threatens to tear his foster son away. Only the intervention of an old girlfriend and now social worker allows Seth 90 days to prove himself as a father and keep his family together. An old girlfriend who has reason not to trust what he feels for her is real. After all, once upon a time she was his second choice. How can either of them trust what is real?
If nothing gets to you like a second chance at love. If you've ever deserved to be first in someone's heart. If you have a soft spot for amazing fathers who love their children. Then you'll love Never Second Best.
In the chaos of being a single father, a visit from community services threatens to tear his foster son away. Only the intervention of an old girlfriend and now social worker allows Seth 90 days to prove himself as a father and keep his family together. An old girlfriend who has reason not to trust what he feels for her is real. After all, once upon a time she was his second choice. How can either of them trust what is real?
If nothing gets to you like a second chance at love. If you've ever deserved to be first in someone's heart. If you have a soft spot for amazing fathers who love their children. Then you'll love Never Second Best.
- GenresSecond Chance
142 pages, ebook
First published June 29, 2018
29 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Kenna Shaw Reed
57 books115 followers
Life is too short for bad coffee or bad wine.
Kenna Shaw Reed was happily married to the love of her life and raising her three teens. A diagnosis of MS made her reevaluate her life.
Some days her hands were having trouble communicating with her brain. If she didn't start getting the books out of head now, it could be too late.
Thus started her writing career of complicated loves and interwoven lives.
So what's left on her bucket list?
Health willing, to grow old with the love of her life. Remain friends with her children as they become adults. Focus more on relationships and less on career.
And to keep writing.
Kenna Shaw Reed was happily married to the love of her life and raising her three teens. A diagnosis of MS made her reevaluate her life.
Some days her hands were having trouble communicating with her brain. If she didn't start getting the books out of head now, it could be too late.
Thus started her writing career of complicated loves and interwoven lives.
So what's left on her bucket list?
Health willing, to grow old with the love of her life. Remain friends with her children as they become adults. Focus more on relationships and less on career.
And to keep writing.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 8, 2018
They were perfect together, but he loved someone else.
She loved him too much and he was the model for her future relationships, but she could never forget him and resigned herself to being a friend.
He stayed with her only until the other woman decided to choose him. Then he moved his life with this woman and put her on the shelf of friendship.
He married another woman and built a family with her.
He was blinded by love for his wife and thought she was perfect, and he was doing his best to have a perfect life and giving her everything she wanted. He did everything for her to be happy. But he was her second choice.
But his wife left him for someone else and left him with the children.
Now he needs her again.
Will she be his second choice again?
I found the story average, nothing much.
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She loved him too much and he was the model for her future relationships, but she could never forget him and resigned herself to being a friend.
He stayed with her only until the other woman decided to choose him. Then he moved his life with this woman and put her on the shelf of friendship.
He married another woman and built a family with her.
He was blinded by love for his wife and thought she was perfect, and he was doing his best to have a perfect life and giving her everything she wanted. He did everything for her to be happy. But he was her second choice.
But his wife left him for someone else and left him with the children.
Now he needs her again.
Will she be his second choice again?
I found the story average, nothing much.
“Once a cheater, always a cheater,” his mate, Joe, recently said over beers. “She cheated on her girlfriend with you, now she’s gone back to her.”
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He still loved her too much to hate her, and at any time before today, if she had turned around and come back home … Despite what his friends and family would say, he would have welcomed her back with no questions.
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Gorgeous, sweet Lucy. Their friendship became more, only to stall when he knew he was not ready to get over his teenage love.
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An honorable woman who respected his marriage and didn’t want to intrude when it fell apart.
Lucy sent him a single text after Grace left, “I’m sorry.”
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“I need to know how to make sure they know I love them and would never leave them, that they are safe with me and I need to know how to convince community services that Matt should stay with us.”
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The moment she saw Seth’s reaction when Grace arrived answered why it never worked out between them. Lucy never stood a chance while ever he still felt that way about another woman.
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“Part of you wants to replace the ex-Mrs Greenwood and help Seth by being the new woman in his life. I mean it, Lucy. You have the most beautiful heart of anyone I know and deserve more than to be someone’s consolation prize.”
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He was a good man, the best husband and father he could possibly be, how could she do this, he cried.
Finally in the small hours of the morning, he awoke with the ring crushed within his fist. Too soon to put it away, but no longer fit for his left hand. The ring was a little tight on his right hand but would now be the start of him moving on.
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Lucy fell in love with Seth madly and deeply and from that first weekend away, they were inseparable.
For almost two months her first love was also her soulmate. They shared the same morals and values. Wanted the same things out of life and put others before themselves.
She saw all the years ahead of them and believed in all the moments that would make up their lives together.
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Excuses about being too busy at work to see her morphed into the “it’s not you, it’s me.”
Only when she met Grace and saw the way he looked at the other woman, did Lucy realize it wasn’t even Seth that stood between them. He wasn’t free to fall in love with her.
She had fallen in love with a man already emotionally and deeply committed to someone else.
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“I accepted a long time ago how you felt about her and about me. You could say, you put me in my place and I would never overstep. Especially not with the kids.”
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“You loved her so much, I don’t know how she could do this to you.”
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“She never loved me as much as I adored her, worshipped the ground she walked on.”
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“No, it’s true. You and I never stood a chance because in the back of my mind I was waiting for her to come back. When she did, I was so grateful she finally chose me, that I didn’t want to see all the signs. It took a while but I had to accept that she settled for me and once she got me out of her system, it was time to move on.”
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“I’m not worried about you, she deserves better than to be your rebound.”
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“Lucy, what will it take for you to trust me and give us another go?”
“This,” she massaged the wedding ring still on his right hand, “Isn’t making me feel like you’ve moved on.”
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He didn’t need to see the ring, but wasn’t ready to throw it away, yet.
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July 18, 2018
This should have been a sweet romance but wasn't for me.
Hero dumped h to be with his cheating ex basically, had 3 kids and foster kid with her when she left them all to go back to ex. Took H longtime to get over her and of course h who was friend zoned was waiting patiently in deep freeze for 8 freakin yrs!
I really liked the single father fighting to keep his kids together including the foster kid trope and that part was pretty good, just was not impressed or convinced of his love for the h at all. I feel she was a convenience and he was grateful for her help with keeping kids but his great love was the stupid ex-- the h is the same as she always was so whats different now - ex was the ex before also ?? It felt as if he would still get back with ex if she decided to come home which so yeah h was second best to me.
The ending was very short and abrupt also, felt unfinished.
Hero dumped h to be with his cheating ex basically, had 3 kids and foster kid with her when she left them all to go back to ex. Took H longtime to get over her and of course h who was friend zoned was waiting patiently in deep freeze for 8 freakin yrs!
I really liked the single father fighting to keep his kids together including the foster kid trope and that part was pretty good, just was not impressed or convinced of his love for the h at all. I feel she was a convenience and he was grateful for her help with keeping kids but his great love was the stupid ex-- the h is the same as she always was so whats different now - ex was the ex before also ?? It felt as if he would still get back with ex if she decided to come home which so yeah h was second best to me.
The ending was very short and abrupt also, felt unfinished.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2018
4.5 to 5 stars
*ARC copy of this ebook generously provided by the author Kenna Shaw Reed and I'm leaving my honest review*
This is my second book by this author. Really need to read book 1 because I love this series, characters, writing and plot. I just wanted to say Kenna Shaw Reed you are absolutely brilliant. You just proved me that I can fall in love with short stories. Your ideas and imagination... I'm in awe. From the moment I started reading I never wanted it to end. I was pulled immediately into the story and just kept reading wanting to know what happens next and if Seth will keep his family and find a love again. The writing just captures your attention from the start. This story is well-structured, well-plotted, well-written, writing just flowed, everything had a perfect timing and has layered, complex characters who are so realistic, credible and believable and who deal with everyday issues, struggles, internal battles and how they cope with all of it. It was so easy to connect with them.
I loved the way the author is showing their strength but also vulnerability. This book is also an emotional roller coaster, but so heartfelt and a little heartbreaking. I love the title of this book: Never Second Best, and the message it sends that you don’t need to settle for someone who doesn’t value, respect you and be their second choice. This goes for both Lucy and Seth, but so glad they finally found each, let each other into their hearts and got happiness.
This is second chance romance, single parent and friends to lovers story. These are one of my favorite tropes ever all rolled into one. So thank you for that.
Seth Greenwood is a single, amazing and wonderful father who is trying to find his footing after his wife left him and their kids. He’s such a wonderful person and has a beautiful soul. I love that he is working with young people and kids, foster them helping them to find their path. He is strong but vulnerable. I love how Kenna shows both his strength and vulnerability. Love how he was honest and in touch with his feelings.
Lucy is a social worker. She has known Seth and been in love with him for years. They had brief relationship that didn’t work out and they stayed friends. I love how she is always there for him and trying to help him. She is strong, brave but vulnerable with trust issues. I didn’t like when Lucy was jumping into conclusions without talking it through with Seth, but I understand her point of view.
Loved the connection and chemistry between Seth and Lucy. Love how Seth was trying to make her see she’s the one for him and when he finally let her into his heart. Seth was so patient with her and I also understood his point of view: he needed to grieve the loss of his ex wife so he could be emotionally available and to move on. Liked how flirty and light they were; their friendship is just precious and a good foundation for the relationship. They are amazing with the kinds, so loving and caring. Seth and Lucy belong together.
Amazing story and characters. Enjoyed every second of it and I wholeheartedly recommend this book and series.
*ARC copy of this ebook generously provided by the author Kenna Shaw Reed and I'm leaving my honest review*
This is my second book by this author. Really need to read book 1 because I love this series, characters, writing and plot. I just wanted to say Kenna Shaw Reed you are absolutely brilliant. You just proved me that I can fall in love with short stories. Your ideas and imagination... I'm in awe. From the moment I started reading I never wanted it to end. I was pulled immediately into the story and just kept reading wanting to know what happens next and if Seth will keep his family and find a love again. The writing just captures your attention from the start. This story is well-structured, well-plotted, well-written, writing just flowed, everything had a perfect timing and has layered, complex characters who are so realistic, credible and believable and who deal with everyday issues, struggles, internal battles and how they cope with all of it. It was so easy to connect with them.
I loved the way the author is showing their strength but also vulnerability. This book is also an emotional roller coaster, but so heartfelt and a little heartbreaking. I love the title of this book: Never Second Best, and the message it sends that you don’t need to settle for someone who doesn’t value, respect you and be their second choice. This goes for both Lucy and Seth, but so glad they finally found each, let each other into their hearts and got happiness.
This is second chance romance, single parent and friends to lovers story. These are one of my favorite tropes ever all rolled into one. So thank you for that.
Seth Greenwood is a single, amazing and wonderful father who is trying to find his footing after his wife left him and their kids. He’s such a wonderful person and has a beautiful soul. I love that he is working with young people and kids, foster them helping them to find their path. He is strong but vulnerable. I love how Kenna shows both his strength and vulnerability. Love how he was honest and in touch with his feelings.
Lucy is a social worker. She has known Seth and been in love with him for years. They had brief relationship that didn’t work out and they stayed friends. I love how she is always there for him and trying to help him. She is strong, brave but vulnerable with trust issues. I didn’t like when Lucy was jumping into conclusions without talking it through with Seth, but I understand her point of view.
Loved the connection and chemistry between Seth and Lucy. Love how Seth was trying to make her see she’s the one for him and when he finally let her into his heart. Seth was so patient with her and I also understood his point of view: he needed to grieve the loss of his ex wife so he could be emotionally available and to move on. Liked how flirty and light they were; their friendship is just precious and a good foundation for the relationship. They are amazing with the kinds, so loving and caring. Seth and Lucy belong together.
Amazing story and characters. Enjoyed every second of it and I wholeheartedly recommend this book and series.
June 23, 2018
A somewhat different story line that takes you into the heart of fighting to keep a family together.
A second chance at love becomes possible but at what expense?
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
A second chance at love becomes possible but at what expense?
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
October 22, 2019
Try Always second best, so blatantly the heroine was a consolation prize!
June 12, 2018
Seth Greenwood is a single father after his ex-wife leaves to go back to her girlfriend. He still hopes Grace will return. Will he ever give up on that dream and give Lucy a second chance. Lucy has been in love with Seth for years and stays his friend to stay in contact. She is a social worker and Seth asks for her help when he’s in jeapordy of losing his foster son Matt. Will everything work out the way he hopes or will he forever be waiting for Grace to return? Grab your copy and see what happens during Seth’s struggle to keep Matt.
July 20, 2018
This story truly gave me so many mixed emotions. I want to cheer all the Dads in the world who love their children enough to fight for them. I want to rail at a justice system that doesn't have the feelings, just limited facts. 5 stars.
The romance was good for me, but not great. The characters were well written, but the events for me in that area didn't flow. Lucy, for being in CPS, kept flipping like a switch on Seth, which I thought just doesn't fit with her profession, considering she already broke protocol. They never really talked a lot and opened up about themselves personally. Seth really wasn't much better, but he had kids he was fighting for, so somewhat focused on that understandably.
It all ended beautifully, with a grand gesture and an almost lost HEA, so I did enjoy the read as a whole.
The romance was good for me, but not great. The characters were well written, but the events for me in that area didn't flow. Lucy, for being in CPS, kept flipping like a switch on Seth, which I thought just doesn't fit with her profession, considering she already broke protocol. They never really talked a lot and opened up about themselves personally. Seth really wasn't much better, but he had kids he was fighting for, so somewhat focused on that understandably.
It all ended beautifully, with a grand gesture and an almost lost HEA, so I did enjoy the read as a whole.
July 11, 2023
I wonder,why this book is named 'Never second best' because the heroine is nothing but second best.But of course with the doormat heroine he is never the second best,but first.He got a baby sitter for free,while she got scrapes of left over love,which he will again take back from her the moment his exwife is back.What does it takes for these authors to write h ,who atleast have some self respect and make the zero grovel .Why will you ever want a man,who only choose you because his first choice showed him the same courtesy,he showed the heroine.It is so pathetic that by 30% into the book begging she is begging him to take her back,while he is trying to make her leave the house.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2021
Love
Love makes you do the wrong things, like waiting for a girl from your past who does turn up eventually, yet leaves you after three kids. Lucy was a second choice for Seth, but eventually her broken heart heals.
Love makes you do the wrong things, like waiting for a girl from your past who does turn up eventually, yet leaves you after three kids. Lucy was a second choice for Seth, but eventually her broken heart heals.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews