First Love, Second Chances

Byrnehouse-Davies & Hamilton Saga #5

by Anita Stansfield

Emily Ladd and Michael Hamilton were college sweethearts, but Emily married Ryan because he could take her to the temple. After a decade of unhappy marriage, Emily's path crossed Michael's again, and he begged her to leave Ryan and go with him to Australia. Her choice? She would stay with Ryan and honor their temple covenants. A heartbeat later, Ryan's tragic death left her alone with three young children--and free to seek the safe and loving shelter of Michael's arms. But would it be so easy--or even possible?

Possible, yes; but true love is rarely easy. First Love, Second Chances tenderly explores Emily and Michael's deepening love--but their unique challenges are never far from the surface. Reunited in the midst or mourning and mayhem, will they be able to confront the consequences of their years apart? Can they repair a decade of battered self-esteem and overcome the barriers of guilt? Will Allison, Emily's oldest daughter, drive a wedge of uncertainty between her mother and this unpredictable Australian stranger? And will Michael's new membership in the Church be enough to sustain him through the spiritual and emotional challenges ahead?

In this riveting story of love and its many facets, Anita Stansfield has created a touching, contemporary romance that is believable, intense, uplifting, and utterly entertaining.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Romance, Lds, Fiction, Religion, Christian Fiction, Adult

238 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Anita Stansfield, the LDS market's #1 best-selling romance novelist, is an imaginative and prolific writer whose romantic stories have captivated her readers.

"With sales approaching a half million, Anita Stansfield has clearly found a niche in this market," said Nicole Martin, Publicist for Covenant Communications. "Her popularity stems from her ability to empathize with and write about the issues that LDS women deal with on a daily basis."

"I always write for women like me. It's through my interaction with other women that I've found there are some personal and emotional struggles that are typical," said Anita Stansfield. "I hope my writing makes women feel better about themselves and shows them these real problems can be solved through gospel principles."

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't enjoy books that are about mundane every day life and that's what this one felt like to me. Very flat. I get enough of that in my own life everyday (dealing with little kids, meal time, laundry and such as the book describes in detail) I don't prefer to read about it.
I enjoyed the devotion and romance between Michael and Emily (hence the 2 stars, instead of 1), but it wasn't enough to keep me from getting bored.
I still plan to read the 3rd book in the series (I can't just read 1 and then leave off), I hope it is an improvement from this one.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, a novel that I have read countless times. The more I read it, the less I like it, but that is probably because I am getting older and more cynical. It just seems a little too convienant that Ryan dies...come on. But in my teenage years I though it a tragic love story with a delightful ending.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anita Stansfield is an OK author. She has a couple really great books, but most in my opinion are all the same and like a bowl of Lucky Charms--really fun but not really filling.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again another book I read in High School and loved!

[Princess Jen Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A one of a kind book always helping when I feel down.

[Aprils · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sure I'm going to offend all of you Anita Stansfield fans, but I don't love her. I thought the book was boring and kind of sappy.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As before the characters are like family. You love them and ache for their challenges, thrill for their joys. Great read.

[Emilee O. 1 Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read First Love Second Chances by Anita Stansfield, which is about a woman named Emily, and her life living in the gospel. Her collage sweetheart found her and asked her to marry him, and bring her children back to Australia, were he is from. She agrees, and loves the life she has there.
I absolutely fell in love with this book. I read it because the first book was just so heart warming. I definitely connected with the main character, Emily, because we share the same beliefs. I love her never ending faith in God. On thing, and one thing only, that I didn't like, is that the entire book is the character interrupting each other. Stansfield really knows how to bring her characters to life. Every time I would read a page, I would have a vivid image of what was going on. What I liked most about this book is that it taught me what even just a little bit of love could do for someone. It also taught me to never loose faith in what I believe.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was too much about every day life and so I was easily bored. I read books to escape, not rehash what I had to do that day.... diapers, helping kids with school, cleaning, church assignments...... I get enough of that in my own life everyday I don't prefer to read about it. ;P
I was interested in how Michael and Emily relationship would progress and how they would both deal with her 1st husband's passing. I still plan to read the 3rd book in the series. I always feel like I HAVE to finish a series. Hoping there is something exciting in #3.

[Diana (Bever) Barber · Rating 3 out of 5]

She loves two men: her husband who has wandered in his devotion to her and her non-member college sweetheart who is now a member. She's chosen to stick with her husband and be true to her temple wedding vows. He is starting to return to her emotionally and physically, so how could there be "second chances" in this--especially since the other guy was "dumped again" and returned to Australia? It's interesting but a bit too predictable.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book saw Emily and Michael's relationship deepen further, as she gets ready to go to Australia with him (and her daughters) to begin their new life together. I liked that the author let us get a better understanding of Allison, and I'm looking forward to 'seeing' her grow up in subsequent books in the series. I also liked the parallels drawn between Emily and Alexa's stories and how that helped Emily find peace.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

EASY READ, kept my attention till the end of the book, and really left me wanting to know more. I really felt like I knew who these people were/are. Helped me to rethink more about my relationships with those that are important to me in this life. Totally recommend it for those that like a good - clean ROMANCE story. EXCELLENT !!

[Lacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one more then first one, but once again it took me almost the whole book to get into it. The best part was the last couple of pages, because it took a real twist to the story. That's when I finally was hooked on the book. Maybe i'm just not into "mormon romance", I can't quite figure it out.

[Camila · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is by an lds author, theres not so much about the church but its still a love novel, i recomend this book because its teaches that you can wait intell you get married to do stuff and that you can find true love if you are a good peson.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just like the first. The story is really being dragged out. I am glad that they finally had their dreams come true and I can be done with this book! I think I will put away Anita Stansfield for a while. She was a suggestion from my sister-in-law.

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Anita Stansfield....I am really enjoying reading her books right now and they are super easy and do not take much thinking, which is exactly what I like! I think I may have enjoyed this sequel better than the first, if that is possible. Very good books!

[Ashley Lujan Culhane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for love stories, I just really liked this, because this happens all the time. So it makes sense to me. I loved this series and will probably reread this book because its been a couple of years since I last read it

[Marci · Rating 2 out of 5]

So this book of the series begins the cheesy romantical stuff that I don't really enjoy reading. I think the only thing I enjoyed was when the ancestors in Australia were referred to because I enjoyed the beginning books about them.

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me just tell you, when I was in high school - I loved these Mormon romances - it has been awhile, but I am always good for a cheesy romance

[Debra Cryer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Same thing I wrote in her first book.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book better than the first. Which, is odd because books usually get worse with subsequent ones. I'm glad I kept reading and I'm currently about to finish up the 3rd in this series.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sequel to First Love and Forever. It was more of the same. Finally it all worked out and had a happy ending.

[Shay W · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really great book, except a little too much detail in intimacy. I really got involved in wanting to know how everything turns out and lots of spiritual struggles that I can see really happening.

[Kristilynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

gr8!

[Liesl · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Anita Stansfield books get a little too sappy here and there in my opinion, but they are definately a good fun read.

[Bekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

again- i liked this series. Of course, it gets cheesy in parts, and at times it drags (skim read)- but if you like romances- the series is fun!

[Delene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed the story.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good clean mormon romance.

[Shannara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sequel to First Love and Forever was just amazing as well. To have them finally getting to where they want to be, even though Emily had to lose Ryan along the way. ;)

[Emily]

haven't started reading yet.