Second Chances

A Later in Life Love Story #1

by Diana Xarissa

Welcome to Ramsey, New York – a small town full of characters. Some are looking for love, some most definitely are not. Sooner or later, everyone finds his or her happily ever after. Camille Quinn has had her heart broken twice and she isn’t interested in finding love again. She’s busy raising her two children, Brandon and Molly. When Maxwell Steward, the first man who broke her heart, thirty years earlier, comes back to Ramsey, all she wants to do is avoid him. When Brandon manages to crash into Maxwell’s expensive sports car during a driving lesson, avoiding the man becomes impossible. The Ramsey Summer Fair throws Camille and Maxwell together and brings back memories for Camille. Maxwell seems more than happy to rekindle their friendship, seemingly not realizing how badly he hurt her in the past. Camille isn’t interested in being friends with her former boyfriend. She’s much more concerned with guarding her heart.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

196 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 18, 2020

About the author

Diana started self-publishing in 2013 and over a decade later she now has over a hundred books available for readers. Writing remains her passion and she has no plans to stop writing in the foreseeable future.

Diana grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania, and earned a history degree from Allegheny College. She met her husband, an Englishman, while living and working in Washington, DC. Following their marriage, she moved to Derbyshire. A short while later, the happy couple moved to the Isle of Man.

During their years on the island, Diana and her husband welcomed two children, and Diana completed a master’s degree in the history of the island. In 2008, the family made the decision to move to the US. Now empty-nesters, Diana and her husband are living in the suburbs of Buffalo, New York, and contemplating moving somewhere that doesn’t get snow.

Diana also writes mystery/thrillers set in the not-too-distant future as Diana X. Dunn and Young Adult fiction as D.X. Dunn.

Reviews

[D.L. · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars rounded up. People seemed to love this book in the reviews. What am I missing here? The heroine was a cold fish. Not to mention judgmental and extremely passive aggressive. Plus, the other characters were so dry and one-dimensional. And worst of all, the plot and writing were boring. I think even a 1.5 is being generous honestly.

[greenapplemojito · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this is one of the stories that I have read in a while where the FMC stands her ground and just doesn't forgive and forget and go back to the old ways with the MMC. She stood her ground a lot, especially during the carnival storyline. I wish we had gotten a bit more story about the MCs in the past, as well as gotten the entire story in dual POV (first person). I could barely understand the MMC or what was going through his head. While I felt that the book was a short and quick read, I strongly felt that there was too much emphasis on the whole FMC not forgiving the MMC that the story felt incomplete and unfinished at the end of it all. I felt robbed of a proper epilogue or a smoother conclusion to them working things out together. Instead, after all the pushing done by the FMC, we suddenly get an open-ended conclusion to the short read. Decent read, but I felt that the book was incomplete and needed a good balance of pushing and letting themselves in. I did have some mixed opinions about the MMC, but given I couldn't really understand what was going through his head as we weren't given his POV, it makes it harder to assume and come to a conclusion on his actions especially when the fallout had happened in the past.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Diana's books! They're always clean, so you don't have to hide them from your kids, and they're typically aimed for the above-30 female demographic.

"Second Chances" marks the start of a new series (I think that makes five now; I don't know where she finds the time!) centering on "Later In Life" love stories and set in the small town of Ramsey, NY.

Camille Quinn is a divorced single mother of two teenage children. She is extremely upset when her son, Brandon, literally runs into her high-school boyfriend, Maxwell Steward, and damages a headlight on Max's uber-expensive car. Max is cool with it, though, and wants to take the opportunity to rekindle his friendship with Camille after thirty years' absence. No sooner does Camille get used to the idea that Max might be staying around, however, than her ex-husband, Jason, also shows up ...

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the premise of this book: a second-chance romance for middle-aged adults who were teen first loves.

There was a bit too much angst on the heroine's part, I thought, and the hero got off too easily, or at least the reader was not let into his thought processes enough to see he needed to make a mental adjustment to understand the heroine's plight. This was something of a disappointment to me. I did not get enough of his recent history to know him as I did the heroine. Therefore, I felt some part of the story was incomplete.

This is meant to be a clean romance, I think. Perhaps the topic of second chance after the couple were (as best as I could infer) young lovers left out some options for clear discussions between the pair as more mature adults. I felt there was something missing and it's hard to put my finger on it. However, I have really enjoyed this author's mysteries and her writing is very good. If there's another book coming that's more contemporary, I would surely like to give it a try.

[Voirrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely, rather gentle, read which features adults in their forties and fifties with teenaged children and back history - such a nice change from the star of the show being the teenagers.

I think I will enjoy more books about Ramsey and its inhabitants - and can see there are definitely more stories to tell.

[Kerry Richardson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing

I was enjoying the story and characters but the book ended very abruptly and I feel that it needed a cleaner finish and an epilogue. I was left feeling dissatisfied and cheated and therefore I only give it 2☆. I won't be reading the next instalment as I fear it will be the same and I don't want to feel like that again.

[Lesley Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book

Diana writes some really wonderful books. I have read nearly all of her different series of books. I have just started reading these later in life love stories and I must say it is really good. It has laughter and sadness and a feel good element to it. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

[Kandi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy Read, But...

This story could be sweet, but I found the main character very difficult to like. She was pretty cranky most of the time, which made the story suffer. Her former boyfriend tried to be nice to her but she held a 30 yr grudge like a lifeline. Hard to be sympathetic to that.
Also, the ending was completely abrupt and didn't feel finished.

[A G A VAN DEN BOS · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author clearly excels in this genre. A delightful well-paced and at times humorous story which although for this genre has a predictable ending, also has realistic twists which maintains the readers attention and interest.

[Scott Eastman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author’s stories.

I really enjoy Diana’s stories and series. Aunt Bessie is my favorite but then they are all so heartwarming. She has made me want to go visit The Isle of Man.

[Jean · Rating 1 out of 5]

Abruptly ended

This story was ok. A lot of it repeating over and over “I won’t see you again “ and “you broke my heart.” Then just as you think it’s going to get interesting it ends. No wrap up or sign that it’s done. You turn the page and it’s how did you like this book? What???

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

more of a 3.5....would have been a 4 if the ending wasn't so abrupt. Loved the premise and the writing was okay. Just felt like the book just ended mid conversation. At least a little resolution would have been nice. Definitely will read the next one. Very clean as well.

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet romance, but fraught with tension from the past.

While we have an idea of what will happen next for the pair, it does end somewhat abruptly. I would have loved to have known more about their relationship and where it went from there.

Camille's ex is a jerk, and he got off easy IMHO.

[Birgit · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit much past anything resembling realistic, and although I realise stereotypes are there for a reason, this was again too much.
And what exactly was the plot?
The worst, however, was the abrupt end - was this supposed to be a cliffhanger, or was that the HEA?

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed the book, looking forward to the second in the series

[Danelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story

I LOVED this story! The only problem is that it ended too soon and left out the last part of the romantic reunion. I want a replay with the ending attached!!

[Darlene S. Hankins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good series.

I really look forward to this series. This is about life and family and friends. I love happy endings. I recommend this book.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure

Not sure the point. I had a hard time with this book, sorry. I liked the idea it just wasn't for me.

[Michele · Rating 2 out of 5]

Second Chances?

Uh… where is the ending?
She spent the whole book pushing him away. Where is the second chance?
Disappointing to say the least.

[Tonisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Camille and Max

I was going to give the book a four star rating, but the way the book just ends without an official conclusion adjusted my rating. Overall, it's a good quick read.

[Susan Mahon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Wow, what a story for second chances at love after marrying a selfish jerk who can't be responsible and honest with his kids and his ex wife.