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Second Chances
Kathleen Patterson’s life came to an abrupt halt five years ago when her wife was killed in a plane crash. Since her wife’s death, she hasn’t left the house and lives the life of a recluse. Her groceries are delivered, she cuts her own hair, and all her shopping is done online. The only person she talks to is her mother. Janet Miller has had more than her fair share of bad relationships. Unable to put her heart in the line of fire anymore, she moves in with her aging mother and swears off love. Sad and lonely, she eats dinner in front of the TV, and buries herself in her work. Both women have given up on love. There is nothing that can change their minds. Until…One day a robot appears on Kathleen’s doorstep. Robbie the robot has been programmed to be a home health aide for the reclusive Kathleen. Janet is the technician who is called to Kathleen’s house each time Robbie blows a circuit. What neither woman knows is that Robbie has a secret mission—to give them both a second chance at love.
- GenresLesbian
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 3, 2019
46 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Layce Gardner
43 books127 followersLayce Gardner is a screenwriter, a novelist, and a playwright. Her plays have been performed around the world and she is the recipient of The Los Angeles Drama Logue Award for Best Play. She has written screenplays for every major television network and her movie “Prison of Secrets” was Lifetime’s highest rated movie. She is the Goldie award-winning author of the novel, Tats. She has written over forty books and is one half of the best-selling comedic duo, Layce Gardner and Saxon Bennett.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 4, 2019
Second Chances depends on a high concept gimmick to supercharge its romantic plotline.
Bennett and Gardner happen to be two of my favourite authors. I own or have read (via Kindle Unlimited) nearly all of their published fiction. Second Chances didn't go down as easily as their other books and Robbie the robot character was the main reason. Robbie entered and hijacked the story from the beginning. Kathleen Patterson suffers from a laundry list of untreated psychological issues. Her wife Helen died as the result of a white supremacist terrorist attack on her airplane flight. The novel begins on the fifth anniversary of that catastrophic event.
Kathleen choose to withdraw from everything and everyone. Her self imposed isolation exempted phone calls from her mother Shirley. No one visited her worse for wear bungalow except for scheduled home delivery services. Awoken from a nap by emphatic door bell ringing, Kathleen received an unwelcome shock as a robot introducing herself as Robbie stood in her doorway. She'd seen TV commercials for A. I. robots, but she couldn't be any less interested in the NOCANDO Health Services' devices. Shirley ordered the robot after she gained the insurance company's approval and she arranged a service contract on behalf of her daughter. One day into a thirty day contract, Robbie short circuited after being electrocuted by a faulty toaster. Kathleen contacted NOCANDO and Janet Miller was dispatched to repair Robbie.
The budding friendship and romance between Kathleen and Janet was sweet, but not terribly interesting. Both women have complicated relationships with their mothers. Janet moved in with her mother so that she could help Louise after her hip replacement surgery. Shirley moved the robot in to take over her daughter's life decision making. Robbie may be a robot, but the character seems more like a cross between a drill sergeant and a dominatrix. Kathleen passively acquiesces as her freedom of choice erodes and her daily life resembles boot camp or slave training. She obviously needed professional help, but how did she loose the right to make her own choices?
I enjoyed Second Chances as a lesbian romance. An unquestionably important political message is key to this novel, but the ends never justify the means. It doesn't matter if the dictator is a mindless politician, a concerned mother or an artificial intelligence.
Bennett and Gardner happen to be two of my favourite authors. I own or have read (via Kindle Unlimited) nearly all of their published fiction. Second Chances didn't go down as easily as their other books and Robbie the robot character was the main reason. Robbie entered and hijacked the story from the beginning. Kathleen Patterson suffers from a laundry list of untreated psychological issues. Her wife Helen died as the result of a white supremacist terrorist attack on her airplane flight. The novel begins on the fifth anniversary of that catastrophic event.
Kathleen choose to withdraw from everything and everyone. Her self imposed isolation exempted phone calls from her mother Shirley. No one visited her worse for wear bungalow except for scheduled home delivery services. Awoken from a nap by emphatic door bell ringing, Kathleen received an unwelcome shock as a robot introducing herself as Robbie stood in her doorway. She'd seen TV commercials for A. I. robots, but she couldn't be any less interested in the NOCANDO Health Services' devices. Shirley ordered the robot after she gained the insurance company's approval and she arranged a service contract on behalf of her daughter. One day into a thirty day contract, Robbie short circuited after being electrocuted by a faulty toaster. Kathleen contacted NOCANDO and Janet Miller was dispatched to repair Robbie.
The budding friendship and romance between Kathleen and Janet was sweet, but not terribly interesting. Both women have complicated relationships with their mothers. Janet moved in with her mother so that she could help Louise after her hip replacement surgery. Shirley moved the robot in to take over her daughter's life decision making. Robbie may be a robot, but the character seems more like a cross between a drill sergeant and a dominatrix. Kathleen passively acquiesces as her freedom of choice erodes and her daily life resembles boot camp or slave training. She obviously needed professional help, but how did she loose the right to make her own choices?
I enjoyed Second Chances as a lesbian romance. An unquestionably important political message is key to this novel, but the ends never justify the means. It doesn't matter if the dictator is a mindless politician, a concerned mother or an artificial intelligence.
March 16, 2019
I adored this book for several reasons. First, the book has the same laugh out loud moments that are always present in a Layce Gardner and Saxon Bennett book. Second, these two writers create quirky, creative stories better than just about anyone and I love stories that are not the run of the mill. Sure, robots or sci fi with artificial intelligence has been written before, but not quite like this duo. Finally, I loved the liberally sprinkled political messages throughout the book. Anything we can do to put that out there and educate people makes me extremely happy! Another winner!
July 7, 2019
A robot in time, saves ??I
OK I confess, I tippy-toed around this for awhile. Theses ladies have no reverance; which is why I love their stories; but
my syfy hero's include Isaac Asimov and other space operas storytellers. Robots are serious stuff excluding Robbie the
Robot. Late one night I was bored with. Majhong and checked with Amazon, there it was "second chances" I thought
Why not....this is the most irreverent politically incorrect romance I have ever read.I couldn't put it done,I laughted
myself silly until 400am when I finished it.If I could give it 6 stars I would, it is well written, timely, and full on tears
Funny. Please do your self a favor get it, read it, but watch the liquids, wine hurts coming out the nose!
OK I confess, I tippy-toed around this for awhile. Theses ladies have no reverance; which is why I love their stories; but
my syfy hero's include Isaac Asimov and other space operas storytellers. Robots are serious stuff excluding Robbie the
Robot. Late one night I was bored with. Majhong and checked with Amazon, there it was "second chances" I thought
Why not....this is the most irreverent politically incorrect romance I have ever read.I couldn't put it done,I laughted
myself silly until 400am when I finished it.If I could give it 6 stars I would, it is well written, timely, and full on tears
Funny. Please do your self a favor get it, read it, but watch the liquids, wine hurts coming out the nose!
March 27, 2019
Great story
I have never laughed as hard as I did while reading this book! The main characters were hilarious especially the robot Robbie. Poor Katherine was in a state of depression when her mother ordered her a robot. The robot was anything but boring. Robbie managed to get Katherine out of her funk by her personality which mirrored Katherine’s, when Robbie had an accident a tech was called and so entered Janet the other character in this story. The storyline was fascinating and entertaining to say the least. I had to hold my sides by some of the things I read. This has gone to the top of the list to read again.
I have never laughed as hard as I did while reading this book! The main characters were hilarious especially the robot Robbie. Poor Katherine was in a state of depression when her mother ordered her a robot. The robot was anything but boring. Robbie managed to get Katherine out of her funk by her personality which mirrored Katherine’s, when Robbie had an accident a tech was called and so entered Janet the other character in this story. The storyline was fascinating and entertaining to say the least. I had to hold my sides by some of the things I read. This has gone to the top of the list to read again.
November 17, 2019
Can I just say, I’d love a robot like Robbie to organize my home, maybe not quite as bossy. Bennett and Gardner have such creative minds, so, I know that whenever I pick up one of their books, I’m not going to be disappointed. I can count on characters with depth, a good storyline, great dialogue, and humor that has me laughing aloud no matter where I happen to be. This seems more than just a second chance at love, it’s an opportunity to expand your vision of what is possible. This is an entertaining story that I enjoyed from the first sentence to the last. No spoilers…just sayin’, go out and get it. You are going to love it.
February 8, 2019
Funniest love story
This is the funniest weird love story I’ve ever read ,even for Bennett and Gardner it’s got two snarky robots and two lost women falling in love. I can’t describe this brilliantly funny love story but you will just have to take my word for it and read it 5* aren’t enough
This is the funniest weird love story I’ve ever read ,even for Bennett and Gardner it’s got two snarky robots and two lost women falling in love. I can’t describe this brilliantly funny love story but you will just have to take my word for it and read it 5* aren’t enough
February 11, 2019
Juvenile at best
Such a bad portrayal of a woman who lost her wife. I found her to be weak with victim mentality. Also, no need for political opinions in a book if author wants to reach many readers. We get enough of it thru daily news and websites. I wanted to read a good book with strong characters, strong storyline and was terribly disappointed.
Such a bad portrayal of a woman who lost her wife. I found her to be weak with victim mentality. Also, no need for political opinions in a book if author wants to reach many readers. We get enough of it thru daily news and websites. I wanted to read a good book with strong characters, strong storyline and was terribly disappointed.
February 12, 2019
Two people have a chance to love again with the help of a A.I. Robot.
A woman who have lost her wife who was killed along with 149 others in a terrorist self destruction airplane is given an A.I. Robot to comfort her and get back into dating. The repair person for the robot begins to realize that the robot is also helping her. Delightful story.Enjoy!
A woman who have lost her wife who was killed along with 149 others in a terrorist self destruction airplane is given an A.I. Robot to comfort her and get back into dating. The repair person for the robot begins to realize that the robot is also helping her. Delightful story.Enjoy!
February 8, 2019
UNWILLINGLY CUTE!
I am not all in on the robot revelation. So since this was an all in robot story, I had to accept that and take the love story for what it was. I enjoyed the discovery of two lonely people finding each other. The beginning of falling in love is always exciting.
I am not all in on the robot revelation. So since this was an all in robot story, I had to accept that and take the love story for what it was. I enjoyed the discovery of two lonely people finding each other. The beginning of falling in love is always exciting.
February 10, 2019
Great read
I loved the book a Anther great book u have written i loved it from beginning to end I loved the humor and love u put together in this one just like all the fathers u have come out with u can't wait for the next one
I loved the book a Anther great book u have written i loved it from beginning to end I loved the humor and love u put together in this one just like all the fathers u have come out with u can't wait for the next one
March 3, 2019
Beautiful story
A story with a different theme from the near future. But with very detailed and realistic characters with real feelings. Plus two very intelligent and cheeky robots. Beautiful
A story with a different theme from the near future. But with very detailed and realistic characters with real feelings. Plus two very intelligent and cheeky robots. Beautiful
March 5, 2019
Excellent!
I loved Second Chances. I love that Layce Gardner and Saxon Bennett write such an excellent mix of romance and comedy. There is always a good bit of relationship advice mixed in the writing.
I loved Second Chances. I love that Layce Gardner and Saxon Bennett write such an excellent mix of romance and comedy. There is always a good bit of relationship advice mixed in the writing.
February 10, 2019
Good read
I really like this book..it's funny, sad and uplifting. This book was a pick me up, the robots were so funny..😍
I really like this book..it's funny, sad and uplifting. This book was a pick me up, the robots were so funny..😍
February 22, 2019
Funny
The dialog and some of the situations had me laughing out loud. The political aspect was a little skwed for me.
The dialog and some of the situations had me laughing out loud. The political aspect was a little skwed for me.
February 22, 2019
Fun read
This was a funny story. You will laugh and cry. I would love to read more about these characters. No spoilers.
This was a funny story. You will laugh and cry. I would love to read more about these characters. No spoilers.
March 15, 2019
Mostly a tale of Kathleen and her Robot -- Jeeves meets the Jetson's with a fair amount of contemporary politics thrown into the mix. Fun HEA which unfortunately will probably not age too well.
April 1, 2019
A slow burn
I like a book with more romance and less sex. This was a sweet romance. Robbie , the robot was so entertaining. I almost wished ,I had a robot.
I like a book with more romance and less sex. This was a sweet romance. Robbie , the robot was so entertaining. I almost wished ,I had a robot.
April 1, 2019
I really enjoyed this book as I do with any book by these authors. The storyline is great with bits of humour throughout. I couldn't stop laughing.
March 16, 2019
Funny
This is a nice,light love story. I love the robots. The story is hilarious at times. It is well written. Nice ending.
This is a nice,light love story. I love the robots. The story is hilarious at times. It is well written. Nice ending.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews