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Second Best #1
Second Best
We meet every other Wednesday night in a downtown hotel. No dates. No commitments. No hearts or flowers. Just his body and mine.
Maybe I’m his second best. He’s definitely mine. But second best has never felt so good.
Second Best is a sexy, standalone contemporary romance (60K words).
Maybe I’m his second best. He’s definitely mine. But second best has never felt so good.
Second Best is a sexy, standalone contemporary romance (60K words).
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2017
666 people are currently reading
1199 people want to read
About the author
Noelle Adams
140 books2,677 followersNoelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn't stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she teaches English, reads any book she can get her hands on, and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.
She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.
She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 325 reviews
December 13, 2018
4 stars + 1 star for real life approach & originality
It was my 1st book by this author, but definitely not the last.
I crave cliché-free and plausible reads, I know I read fiction, but I still like them real.
This story wasn’t perfect (but what book is?), but it had an amazing decent heroine, whom I could totally connect to. I wasn’t happy with everything (but when someone is?), but I enjoyed it a lot.
Two people, who met for sex.
He grieved for his deceased fiancé, who was killed 2 years ago.
She was in love with her coworker for over 3 years.
So, they only wanted sex from each other. No insta-love, no miracles.
They met, they had sex, they talked. And, thanks God, she wasn’t clingy and needy! She wasn’t immediately in love with him, nope, she was ok with their arrangement.
After I read following lines, I wanted to fall to my knees and cry… from happiness and gratitude for (finally) real woman with self-respect!!!
O.M.G.!!! I can’t believe they finally wrote a woman, who actually had a good sex in the past and who had brain and self-confidence enough NOT to feed male’s ego by telling him he were her best.
May I also thank this author from all ‘other men’ in romance, who are often portrayed as losers with mini limbs?..
The book wasn’t clinically safe, so it could be tricky for safety-ladies; and it had a trigger of many readers, deceased ex.
But it was played nice and I was fine with everything, even with the OM trope. Yep, me – safety junkie – had zero problems with the heroine ‘trying’ to date the man she was in love for years. I don’t want to spoil much, I can only say that there was NO cheating and no ‘classical’ love-triangle. She didn’t have sex with OM, but heavy make-out session, and it happened after she ‘broke up’ with the hero. I even supported her decision to give OM a chance; she was in love with him for years and if she hadn’t ‘dated’ him and seen his true colors, she would had this small doubt ‘but what if he were the one’?
Ugh! Alex and her ramblings *lol* I guess my review doesn’t make much sense…
Sorry, folks, I was always bad in retelling *lol*
I floved this book. I loved that it wasn’t perfect, and I loved the heroine, despite she wasn’t my typical strong heroine, but this woman had a poker face – it made even me jealous! Incredible.
Overall: well written real love-story of two amazing people, light on clichés and drama, with many deep and smart lines, very different from ‘typical’ cotemporary romance. Definitely a winner for me!!!
I’m going to check out other books by this author.
It was my 1st book by this author, but definitely not the last.
I crave cliché-free and plausible reads, I know I read fiction, but I still like them real.
This story wasn’t perfect (but what book is?), but it had an amazing decent heroine, whom I could totally connect to. I wasn’t happy with everything (but when someone is?), but I enjoyed it a lot.
Two people, who met for sex.
He grieved for his deceased fiancé, who was killed 2 years ago.
She was in love with her coworker for over 3 years.
So, they only wanted sex from each other. No insta-love, no miracles.
They met, they had sex, they talked. And, thanks God, she wasn’t clingy and needy! She wasn’t immediately in love with him, nope, she was ok with their arrangement.
After I read following lines, I wanted to fall to my knees and cry… from happiness and gratitude for (finally) real woman with self-respect!!!
“….I knew you had a fire inside you that you’d never let out before.”
…“That’s presumptuous. I’ll have you know I’ve always had a great sex life.”
It wasn’t entirely true, but it was partially true. I’d had good sex before, and there was no reason for him to assume I hadn’t.
O.M.G.!!! I can’t believe they finally wrote a woman, who actually had a good sex in the past and who had brain and self-confidence enough NOT to feed male’s ego by telling him he were her best.
May I also thank this author from all ‘other men’ in romance, who are often portrayed as losers with mini limbs?..
The book wasn’t clinically safe, so it could be tricky for safety-ladies; and it had a trigger of many readers, deceased ex.
But it was played nice and I was fine with everything, even with the OM trope. Yep, me – safety junkie – had zero problems with the heroine ‘trying’ to date the man she was in love for years. I don’t want to spoil much, I can only say that there was NO cheating and no ‘classical’ love-triangle. She didn’t have sex with OM, but heavy make-out session, and it happened after she ‘broke up’ with the hero. I even supported her decision to give OM a chance; she was in love with him for years and if she hadn’t ‘dated’ him and seen his true colors, she would had this small doubt ‘but what if he were the one’?
Ugh! Alex and her ramblings *lol* I guess my review doesn’t make much sense…
Sorry, folks, I was always bad in retelling *lol*
I floved this book. I loved that it wasn’t perfect, and I loved the heroine, despite she wasn’t my typical strong heroine, but this woman had a poker face – it made even me jealous! Incredible.
Overall: well written real love-story of two amazing people, light on clichés and drama, with many deep and smart lines, very different from ‘typical’ cotemporary romance. Definitely a winner for me!!!
I’m going to check out other books by this author.
January 1, 2026
5 Secret Rendezvous Stars ⭐️
"He was never going to want anything but sex from me, and that was just fine with me. He was a good guy, and he was good in bed.
That was all I needed. He wasn’t my first choice for sex, and I obviously wasn’t his. It didn’t matter. Second best was better than nothing."
I love, love this book. What’s not to adore? No over the top drama, wonderful characters, hot sex, and a sweet and steamy storyline.
Two strangers who agree to meet every other Wednesday night for scorching sex with no strings attached. Sean Doyle is emotionally unavailable after the death of his fiance two years prior. Yet, he can't ignore his attraction to the beautiful Ash. A woman who is oblivious to her appeal and is in love with someone else who doesn’t reciprocate.
What they do have, is a shared respect and attraction for one another. And of course, mutually satisfying chemistry that keeps them going back for a repeat.
Where Second Best succeeds, is that it had depth. There was no instalove, pettiness, jealousy or deception. Just two mature people on a journey of self discovery. A series of hookups that makes them realise there could be more. It was deliciously romantic and one of my all time faves. Realistic, raw and bloody hell it was hot!
"He was never going to want anything but sex from me, and that was just fine with me. He was a good guy, and he was good in bed.
That was all I needed. He wasn’t my first choice for sex, and I obviously wasn’t his. It didn’t matter. Second best was better than nothing."
I love, love this book. What’s not to adore? No over the top drama, wonderful characters, hot sex, and a sweet and steamy storyline.
Two strangers who agree to meet every other Wednesday night for scorching sex with no strings attached. Sean Doyle is emotionally unavailable after the death of his fiance two years prior. Yet, he can't ignore his attraction to the beautiful Ash. A woman who is oblivious to her appeal and is in love with someone else who doesn’t reciprocate.
What they do have, is a shared respect and attraction for one another. And of course, mutually satisfying chemistry that keeps them going back for a repeat.
Where Second Best succeeds, is that it had depth. There was no instalove, pettiness, jealousy or deception. Just two mature people on a journey of self discovery. A series of hookups that makes them realise there could be more. It was deliciously romantic and one of my all time faves. Realistic, raw and bloody hell it was hot!
April 15, 2021
This is how the book begins:
I’m not the kind of girl that bad boys want to screw. I’m the kind of girl that nice guys want to take home to meet their overprotective Catholic mamas. This was a fact of my existence that was never going to change. I’d reconciled myself to it a long time ago. In high school and college, none of the athletes or cool rebel types looked at me twice. It was the quiet, nerdy guys who would work their courage up and ask me out to dances or the movies.
I wasn’t hot-fling material.
All this is to explain why it was so bizarre and unusual for me to be getting off an elevator in an expensive hotel and walking toward a corner room.
For sex.
I was here for sex.
I’d never done anything like it before.
Well, Ashley is in fact in love with her colleague John (or she believes so) but he hasn’t noticed her in 3 years. And when the attractive businessman Sean offers her a one-night stand in a hotel, and later presents her a contract (an arrangement to meet every other Wednesdays, no strings attached), she decides that she wants to enjoy her “second best option” until the first one comes true.
*********************************************
Sean is protecting himself from feeling emotions and having a real relationship because he and his fiancé were shot 2 years ago and while he survived, she died that night. He still mourns for her and he builds walls around himself not to feel that much love again for fear of losing it again. The conditions on the contract are all about protecting his heart. And as Ashley thinks she is in love with John, she is the perfect candidate who won’t expect love from him. And Ashley also feels OK with the arrangement because she thinks that although her heart is not available to anyone else but John, her body might be available to Sean for the time being.
*********************************************
And they start their ritual.
Twice a month on Wednesdays…
Dinner, shower, conversation and sex… lots and lots of hot sex.
They just can’t get enough of each other but they don’t change the rules.
This goes on for a few months…
Until something happens that changes things.
For readers who may need to know how safe it is and if there is a serious love triangle in the story, here is what happens later:
*********************************************
This was such a sweet and hot romance that, despite it having a simple plot line, I loved it! I had a constant smile on my face all along. I enjoyed all my time with it.
I liked the heroine but I liked the hero better than her. He had such a beautiful but broken heart.
*********************************************
The book is written from the heroine’s point of view and I wish I had his point of view, as well.
The heroine was a strong and sassy woman despite her foolishness about John. That was the only thing I disliked about her: Her obsession with John, thinking he was the love of her life. She barely had a conversation with him in 3 years, she didn’t know the guy at all so it was only his looks! Thank God, she quickly came to her senses after getting to know the guy a bit.
*********************************************
I loved the hero and liked how he found the love of his life twice. The things he did and said made me believe that he loved Ashley as much as he once loved his fiancé, if not more.
So whenever you need a sweet and emotional book that is going to put a big smile on your face and warm your heart, while fastening its beating with all the smoking hot scenes, this is the book! Go for it.
It is 190 pages, so the pacing is ideal, the writing is smooth and it makes you feel.
It was a solid 4 stars book for me :)
Sometimes living in love with someone else reveals truths about the world—truths you never knew before.
Maybe it was an obvious conclusion, something I should have known all along. But there’s knowing something and there’s really understanding it.
What I had with Sean wouldn’t just make my life happier. It would also make my life harder. Loving someone else always does. That’s what makes it so good.
*********************************************
* Addition as of 15.04.2021
I have reread this book today and it still has the same effect on me. Loved it once again...
*********************************************
You can follow my instagram page from here
I’m not the kind of girl that bad boys want to screw. I’m the kind of girl that nice guys want to take home to meet their overprotective Catholic mamas. This was a fact of my existence that was never going to change. I’d reconciled myself to it a long time ago. In high school and college, none of the athletes or cool rebel types looked at me twice. It was the quiet, nerdy guys who would work their courage up and ask me out to dances or the movies.
I wasn’t hot-fling material.
All this is to explain why it was so bizarre and unusual for me to be getting off an elevator in an expensive hotel and walking toward a corner room.
For sex.
I was here for sex.
I’d never done anything like it before.
Well, Ashley is in fact in love with her colleague John (or she believes so) but he hasn’t noticed her in 3 years. And when the attractive businessman Sean offers her a one-night stand in a hotel, and later presents her a contract (an arrangement to meet every other Wednesdays, no strings attached), she decides that she wants to enjoy her “second best option” until the first one comes true.
*********************************************
Sean is protecting himself from feeling emotions and having a real relationship because he and his fiancé were shot 2 years ago and while he survived, she died that night. He still mourns for her and he builds walls around himself not to feel that much love again for fear of losing it again. The conditions on the contract are all about protecting his heart. And as Ashley thinks she is in love with John, she is the perfect candidate who won’t expect love from him. And Ashley also feels OK with the arrangement because she thinks that although her heart is not available to anyone else but John, her body might be available to Sean for the time being.
*********************************************
And they start their ritual.
Twice a month on Wednesdays…
Dinner, shower, conversation and sex… lots and lots of hot sex.
They just can’t get enough of each other but they don’t change the rules.
This goes on for a few months…
Until something happens that changes things.
For readers who may need to know how safe it is and if there is a serious love triangle in the story, here is what happens later:
*********************************************
This was such a sweet and hot romance that, despite it having a simple plot line, I loved it! I had a constant smile on my face all along. I enjoyed all my time with it.
I liked the heroine but I liked the hero better than her. He had such a beautiful but broken heart.
*********************************************
The book is written from the heroine’s point of view and I wish I had his point of view, as well.
The heroine was a strong and sassy woman despite her foolishness about John. That was the only thing I disliked about her: Her obsession with John, thinking he was the love of her life. She barely had a conversation with him in 3 years, she didn’t know the guy at all so it was only his looks! Thank God, she quickly came to her senses after getting to know the guy a bit.
*********************************************
I loved the hero and liked how he found the love of his life twice. The things he did and said made me believe that he loved Ashley as much as he once loved his fiancé, if not more.
So whenever you need a sweet and emotional book that is going to put a big smile on your face and warm your heart, while fastening its beating with all the smoking hot scenes, this is the book! Go for it.
It is 190 pages, so the pacing is ideal, the writing is smooth and it makes you feel.
It was a solid 4 stars book for me :)
Sometimes living in love with someone else reveals truths about the world—truths you never knew before.
Maybe it was an obvious conclusion, something I should have known all along. But there’s knowing something and there’s really understanding it.
What I had with Sean wouldn’t just make my life happier. It would also make my life harder. Loving someone else always does. That’s what makes it so good.
*********************************************
* Addition as of 15.04.2021
I have reread this book today and it still has the same effect on me. Loved it once again...
*********************************************
You can follow my instagram page from here
November 12, 2021
11/10/2021.....another delightful reread. ❤
*******
4++ stars.
I picked this up as a bargain after reading a great review by my friend Alex.
I really loved this unique story (fast read also).
This is the second Noelle Adams book that I have read in the last couple of months and I am slightly enamored with her writing style.
This author really does have interesting stories and she tells them in a most appealing way.
Recommend this one to all my friends.
A little bit racy and sexy but great characters and entertaining storyline.💝
Have posted a link to Alex's review as it is awesome (and much more detailed than mine).
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
*******
4++ stars.
I picked this up as a bargain after reading a great review by my friend Alex.
I really loved this unique story (fast read also).
This is the second Noelle Adams book that I have read in the last couple of months and I am slightly enamored with her writing style.
This author really does have interesting stories and she tells them in a most appealing way.
Recommend this one to all my friends.
A little bit racy and sexy but great characters and entertaining storyline.💝
Have posted a link to Alex's review as it is awesome (and much more detailed than mine).
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
May 11, 2022
5-10-22
Time for my annual re-read. Loved it all over again!
Just finished my yearly reread of this one and I'm still so, SO in love with Sean. What a sweetheart!!
Re-Read on 9-29-2019. I love, love, LOVED this one all over again. Sean is STILL my favorite Book Boyfriend. The sex in this story was still so smoking hot. This story took my breathe away all over again. I wish I could give this one even more stars.
***FIVE STARS!***
I wasn't expecting much from the blurb of this one, but surprisingly, I got sucked into this story from the very first page. Took me a little while to warm up to Ashley, but Holy Hell, after the first taste of Sean, he's officially been bumped up to my new book boyfriend. The sex in this story was off the charts, smoking HOT!!! It's been a while since a read just a simple little romance story and I loved every second of it. No action, no mystery, and very little drama, just a very entertaining way to spend my evening. I'm going to be rereading this one again in the future.
Time for my annual re-read. Loved it all over again!
Just finished my yearly reread of this one and I'm still so, SO in love with Sean. What a sweetheart!!
Re-Read on 9-29-2019. I love, love, LOVED this one all over again. Sean is STILL my favorite Book Boyfriend. The sex in this story was still so smoking hot. This story took my breathe away all over again. I wish I could give this one even more stars.
***FIVE STARS!***
I wasn't expecting much from the blurb of this one, but surprisingly, I got sucked into this story from the very first page. Took me a little while to warm up to Ashley, but Holy Hell, after the first taste of Sean, he's officially been bumped up to my new book boyfriend. The sex in this story was off the charts, smoking HOT!!! It's been a while since a read just a simple little romance story and I loved every second of it. No action, no mystery, and very little drama, just a very entertaining way to spend my evening. I'm going to be rereading this one again in the future.
November 7, 2022
We weren’t each other’s first choice. Both of us knew it. But second best wasn’t bad at all.
This story had some topics that I traditionally avoid when reading, but I'm so happy I pushed past my "nope, not reading that" and gave it a try.
I'm going to keep it vague in order to not ruin the story.
✔️10 year age gap
✔️Emotionally hot steam
✔️Fantastic weaving of simplistic storyline
✔️Contractual sexual relationship
✔️No additional drama
✔️HEA
This author has penned some of my favorite post-apocalypse romances, writing as Claire Kent. (Last Light and Embers). You will find the same kind of touching dialogue, character depth, and relatable emotions in this story as you do in her others. Nothing felt contrived or simply put in the story to move the plot along. I adored these characters.
Isabella, you were SO right! 💜
This story had some topics that I traditionally avoid when reading, but I'm so happy I pushed past my "nope, not reading that" and gave it a try.
I'm going to keep it vague in order to not ruin the story.
✔️10 year age gap
✔️Emotionally hot steam
✔️Fantastic weaving of simplistic storyline
✔️Contractual sexual relationship
✔️No additional drama
✔️HEA
This author has penned some of my favorite post-apocalypse romances, writing as Claire Kent. (Last Light and Embers). You will find the same kind of touching dialogue, character depth, and relatable emotions in this story as you do in her others. Nothing felt contrived or simply put in the story to move the plot along. I adored these characters.
Isabella, you were SO right! 💜
January 19, 2019
2.5 Stars
Overall Opinion: Please don't shoot me friends! 🙈 I didn't really like it. I struggled with the h a lot. I just didn't really like her character. Her "love" for the co-worker felt immature and something you would find in a YA book. She also had this attitude that was (I think) supposed to come off as strong and sassy, but I didn't like it. I also feel like it was a huge disappointment to not have any if the H's POV. I don't think I ever fully connected with him because of it, and I also think it would've helped to have someone other than the h! I also felt like I was told about their great conversations and how they developed stronger feelings instead of actually experiencing any of that with them. Then once they do give into their feelings, it felt way too mushy for my liking. It was pretty low drama, lots of sex scenes, and very lovey-dovey in the end -- so I'm sure there are a TON of readers that will love this...but sadly I'm not one of them.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Ashley and Sean's story. They met through work, and the story begins when they meet up in a hotel and Sean proposes a contract that has them meeting every other Wednesday at a hotel for a no-strings-attached affair. Lots of sex and some talking, and they eventually start developing stronger feelings even though Sean is damaged from losing his fiancé and Ashley is convinced she's experiencing unrequited love for a co-worker...and get a HFN ending.
POV: This was told in Ashley's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. It felt quick, but it's listed as over 200 pages on Amazon. It might have felt that way because of the many time jumps...
Instalove: No, they take a while to develop stronger feelings.
H rating: 3 stars. Sean. I liked him and felt bad for his past, but never fully connected with him. I think it goes back to the fact that we don't get his POV.
h rating: 2 stars. Ashley. I struggled with her most of the time. I really didn't like her "sass" -- which is odd for me, because I usually enjoy a good sassy h! I just felt like she crossed the line into bitchy and immature territory and it wasn't cute.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes. There are a lot of scenes! I did feel like it was too much at times and could have had some of those scenes that were missing of them talking and bonding so much instead.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW/OM drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had alright closure with what I would classify as a HFN ending , but I'm sure other readers would be fine calling this a HEA.
Safety: This one should be either Safe or Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences.
Overall Opinion: Please don't shoot me friends! 🙈 I didn't really like it. I struggled with the h a lot. I just didn't really like her character. Her "love" for the co-worker felt immature and something you would find in a YA book. She also had this attitude that was (I think) supposed to come off as strong and sassy, but I didn't like it. I also feel like it was a huge disappointment to not have any if the H's POV. I don't think I ever fully connected with him because of it, and I also think it would've helped to have someone other than the h! I also felt like I was told about their great conversations and how they developed stronger feelings instead of actually experiencing any of that with them. Then once they do give into their feelings, it felt way too mushy for my liking. It was pretty low drama, lots of sex scenes, and very lovey-dovey in the end -- so I'm sure there are a TON of readers that will love this...but sadly I'm not one of them.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Ashley and Sean's story. They met through work, and the story begins when they meet up in a hotel and Sean proposes a contract that has them meeting every other Wednesday at a hotel for a no-strings-attached affair. Lots of sex and some talking, and they eventually start developing stronger feelings even though Sean is damaged from losing his fiancé and Ashley is convinced she's experiencing unrequited love for a co-worker...and get a HFN ending.
POV: This was told in Ashley's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. It felt quick, but it's listed as over 200 pages on Amazon. It might have felt that way because of the many time jumps...
Instalove: No, they take a while to develop stronger feelings.
H rating: 3 stars. Sean. I liked him and felt bad for his past, but never fully connected with him. I think it goes back to the fact that we don't get his POV.
h rating: 2 stars. Ashley. I struggled with her most of the time. I really didn't like her "sass" -- which is odd for me, because I usually enjoy a good sassy h! I just felt like she crossed the line into bitchy and immature territory and it wasn't cute.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes. There are a lot of scenes! I did feel like it was too much at times and could have had some of those scenes that were missing of them talking and bonding so much instead.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW/OM drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had alright closure with what I would classify as a HFN ending , but I'm sure other readers would be fine calling this a HEA.
Safety: This one should be either Safe or Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences.
December 6, 2017
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
I liked the book. I just loved the hero!!! I hated the fact that we didn’t get any POV from him. I am not sure about the heroine though!! Maybe that’s why I am cutting the stars. Well, no character is perfect, but still, I just dislike some of the things.
Safety Issue:
The writing was good. It’s not cliché, it feels real. Like- every billionaire doesn’t have to be typically handsome or they don’t have to do manicure types of things just because they are rich, even no bodyguards or paparazzi drama. And like every other lawyer the heroine doesn’t have to dress like a pro, (I am picturing Jessica and Donna’s wardrobes from Suits) her wardrobes can be boring.
I liked it just fine. I am rounding the stars because of the hero and the reality vibe.
I liked the book. I just loved the hero!!! I hated the fact that we didn’t get any POV from him. I am not sure about the heroine though!! Maybe that’s why I am cutting the stars. Well, no character is perfect, but still, I just dislike some of the things.
Safety Issue:
The writing was good. It’s not cliché, it feels real. Like- every billionaire doesn’t have to be typically handsome or they don’t have to do manicure types of things just because they are rich, even no bodyguards or paparazzi drama. And like every other lawyer the heroine doesn’t have to dress like a pro, (I am picturing Jessica and Donna’s wardrobes from Suits) her wardrobes can be boring.
I liked it just fine. I am rounding the stars because of the hero and the reality vibe.
December 29, 2022
Re-Read (December 2022): 4.5 stars
So many feels. I adored both main characters, but the hero stole the show. Pity we didn't have his POV...
1st Read (August 2021): 4 stars
I really liked the story. It was emotional, really sweet, with no drama, and thanks to the writing it also felt believable and genuinely relatable.
I have two points though that made me lower the rating:
※ Mainly in the first half there was too much sex that became a little too repetitive after a while. We really didn't see much of the life outside of the hotel room...
※ I also struggled with the heroine. Her character really had very good moments, but her three-year "love" for her colleague, whom she knew nothing about, just seemed too immature and naïve to me...
So many feels. I adored both main characters, but the hero stole the show. Pity we didn't have his POV...
1st Read (August 2021): 4 stars
I really liked the story. It was emotional, really sweet, with no drama, and thanks to the writing it also felt believable and genuinely relatable.
I have two points though that made me lower the rating:
※ Mainly in the first half there was too much sex that became a little too repetitive after a while. We really didn't see much of the life outside of the hotel room...
※ I also struggled with the heroine. Her character really had very good moments, but her three-year "love" for her colleague, whom she knew nothing about, just seemed too immature and naïve to me...
December 29, 2023
Second read September 2020: I'm giving this story 5 stars because I feel that despite being solely in the bedroom, the emotional punch of their relationship is really strong.
Original 2017 review:
Noelle Adams, can create unique plot-lines, that seem very realistic. I really liked "Second Best" and how both characters were presented. However there were aspects of the story that I didn't enjoy much, that's why I rated it only 3,5 stars.
Most of the action is placed in a hotel room, no other characters are involved apart from the H and h, which is of course the point of the story and it works, but I couldn't help but being bothered by the fact that all of their relationship seemed to be centered on the bed.
Original 2017 review:
Noelle Adams, can create unique plot-lines, that seem very realistic. I really liked "Second Best" and how both characters were presented. However there were aspects of the story that I didn't enjoy much, that's why I rated it only 3,5 stars.
Most of the action is placed in a hotel room, no other characters are involved apart from the H and h, which is of course the point of the story and it works, but I couldn't help but being bothered by the fact that all of their relationship seemed to be centered on the bed.
October 19, 2018
My friend Rejane recommended this to me, and while the dead ex & obsessing/grieving an ex trope is something that I avoid at all costs, I nevertheless decided to give it a try because she loved it so much and I trust her opinion, as well as the concept of two characters meeting up for sex sort of intrigued me.
In that respect, Rejane was right. This was a nice & sweet romance with likable characters, but what stopped me from truly enjoying it is the following:
*** SPOILER WARNING *******
What I liked:
- Hero is not a Manwhore! He is in fact a very nice sweet man who loves very deeply (who wouldn’t like a Hero like that ladies????) and has slept with a total of 9 women (he was 38 yrs old) and while that in my book is plenty, in fictional reads I guess it was nothing so I was okay with it.
- Heroine is unlike most others that we read about often. She is strong, likable (with the exception of the stupid crush) and confident. She said she only slept with 4 men.
- The fact that both said they had great sex with previous partners. This again was a good & bad thing for me because on the one hand, I hate when characters (heroines specifically) typically disrespect past lovers. But at the same time, did I really want to hear how great their sex lives were with these other people and how in turn their sex is not that special? So I have mixed feelings about that….
What I didn’t like:
- Too much sex and not much story development. I like hot & sexy scenes like most everyone, but not if they spend way too much time in bed f****g then talking. It took more than I think 80% or so in for them to have any real conversations and get to know one another. That annoys me because I wanted to “see” them falling in love – not being told or have a few warm lovey-dovey moments towards the end.
- The heroine and her “make-out” session with the OM. For some reason I kept thinking that if it had been the Hero in that scene, most of us ”safe” girls would have been calling him a cheater and for me personally, that’s how I felt when she did what she did with OM! And when Hero asks her if she slept with the OM she confirms that there was groping/make out session and Hero was happy about it? That didn’t sit well for me.
- We never learned who the woman was that Hero brought with him to the theater and that annoyed me. Was it a friend, someone he just met and was dating her, did he kiss her when he took her home, etc...
- Then there is the issue with the dead ex. As I said, I am not a fan of the dead ex trope and having a Hero still grieving the loss even after two years is not only annoying but a big turn off because I was more invested in learning about the dead ex & his relationship with her then the one I was supposed to be reading about.
For example, we are told over & over again how much he loved his ex – even up until the end when he said that he will never forget her and is still thinking about her! Besides the scene of the anniversary death in which I felt like he was using heroine while thinking of the ex (which bothered me no end), what really annoyed me is the conversation about their sex and his “guilt"…
“I’ve never… I mean, I’ve had good sex before, and it’s always been good with you, but I’ve never… I’ve never been like that before.”
“Yeah.”
“I don’t know what got into me.”
“Yeah.”
“Sometimes I feel guilty,” he murmured, his eyes now focused on an empty spot in the air.
“For what?” I knew it had to do with Lara. What else would he feel guilty about?
“I wonder if I was holding back on her in some way. If I wasn’t giving her everything.”
“I loved her,” he went on, softly, hoarsely, as if he were talking to himself. “We had a great sex life. But…”
So he was feeling guilty because he had slightly better sex with heroine then he did with the ex? If that was supposed to make me think that heroine was more special, then it failed because all I could think after that is how his ex was really the love of his life and always would be.
I know some would disagree, but before that conversation, I was going to give it 4 stars but his “guilt” bothered and ruined it for me. I wanted to BELIEVE that heroine was special and that he was truly in love with her but I only felt affection & lust. It just seemed that he would never get over his dead ex (no matter what he said in the end) and that the ex would always be his one great love. I know many would disagree, but that’s how I felt and why I really should avoid all these dead ex tropes because it really doesn’t work to well with me…
I was also slightly disappointed in the HEA. I wanted to see them happily married, in love and with kids. Is that so much to ask? Apparently so.....
So while I didn't exactly love it, I nevertheless still liked it a lot and would recommend to anyone who is not bothered with the ex dead love trope. And on the plus side, I am also so very happy Rejane recommended it to me. I have her to thank for staying up all night until 3am to finish it. So if I’m a bit critical & crabby today, blame it on her….(just kidding hon!) 😉
In that respect, Rejane was right. This was a nice & sweet romance with likable characters, but what stopped me from truly enjoying it is the following:
*** SPOILER WARNING *******
What I liked:
- Hero is not a Manwhore! He is in fact a very nice sweet man who loves very deeply (who wouldn’t like a Hero like that ladies????) and has slept with a total of 9 women (he was 38 yrs old) and while that in my book is plenty, in fictional reads I guess it was nothing so I was okay with it.
- Heroine is unlike most others that we read about often. She is strong, likable (with the exception of the stupid crush) and confident. She said she only slept with 4 men.
- The fact that both said they had great sex with previous partners. This again was a good & bad thing for me because on the one hand, I hate when characters (heroines specifically) typically disrespect past lovers. But at the same time, did I really want to hear how great their sex lives were with these other people and how in turn their sex is not that special? So I have mixed feelings about that….
What I didn’t like:
- Too much sex and not much story development. I like hot & sexy scenes like most everyone, but not if they spend way too much time in bed f****g then talking. It took more than I think 80% or so in for them to have any real conversations and get to know one another. That annoys me because I wanted to “see” them falling in love – not being told or have a few warm lovey-dovey moments towards the end.
- The heroine and her “make-out” session with the OM. For some reason I kept thinking that if it had been the Hero in that scene, most of us ”safe” girls would have been calling him a cheater and for me personally, that’s how I felt when she did what she did with OM! And when Hero asks her if she slept with the OM she confirms that there was groping/make out session and Hero was happy about it? That didn’t sit well for me.
- We never learned who the woman was that Hero brought with him to the theater and that annoyed me. Was it a friend, someone he just met and was dating her, did he kiss her when he took her home, etc...
- Then there is the issue with the dead ex. As I said, I am not a fan of the dead ex trope and having a Hero still grieving the loss even after two years is not only annoying but a big turn off because I was more invested in learning about the dead ex & his relationship with her then the one I was supposed to be reading about.
For example, we are told over & over again how much he loved his ex – even up until the end when he said that he will never forget her and is still thinking about her! Besides the scene of the anniversary death in which I felt like he was using heroine while thinking of the ex (which bothered me no end), what really annoyed me is the conversation about their sex and his “guilt"…
“I’ve never… I mean, I’ve had good sex before, and it’s always been good with you, but I’ve never… I’ve never been like that before.”
“Yeah.”
“I don’t know what got into me.”
“Yeah.”
“Sometimes I feel guilty,” he murmured, his eyes now focused on an empty spot in the air.
“For what?” I knew it had to do with Lara. What else would he feel guilty about?
“I wonder if I was holding back on her in some way. If I wasn’t giving her everything.”
“I loved her,” he went on, softly, hoarsely, as if he were talking to himself. “We had a great sex life. But…”
So he was feeling guilty because he had slightly better sex with heroine then he did with the ex? If that was supposed to make me think that heroine was more special, then it failed because all I could think after that is how his ex was really the love of his life and always would be.
I know some would disagree, but before that conversation, I was going to give it 4 stars but his “guilt” bothered and ruined it for me. I wanted to BELIEVE that heroine was special and that he was truly in love with her but I only felt affection & lust. It just seemed that he would never get over his dead ex (no matter what he said in the end) and that the ex would always be his one great love. I know many would disagree, but that’s how I felt and why I really should avoid all these dead ex tropes because it really doesn’t work to well with me…
I was also slightly disappointed in the HEA. I wanted to see them happily married, in love and with kids. Is that so much to ask? Apparently so.....
So while I didn't exactly love it, I nevertheless still liked it a lot and would recommend to anyone who is not bothered with the ex dead love trope. And on the plus side, I am also so very happy Rejane recommended it to me. I have her to thank for staying up all night until 3am to finish it. So if I’m a bit critical & crabby today, blame it on her….(just kidding hon!) 😉
October 16, 2018
3.5 stars
It was good. I liked MCs, they felt real and had great chemistry. The sex was natural and hot. The story had enough depth and character development. I had a really good time reading it. But, here is a thing, when I can't know the male MC's thoughts, I tend to read too much into his words and actions, which makes the confessions at the end less interesting than I already assumed.
It was good. I liked MCs, they felt real and had great chemistry. The sex was natural and hot. The story had enough depth and character development. I had a really good time reading it. But, here is a thing, when I can't know the male MC's thoughts, I tend to read too much into his words and actions, which makes the confessions at the end less interesting than I already assumed.
December 6, 2017
I don't think I can explain how content I felt reading this book. Because in theory, the formula contains everything I quite frankly detest with a vengeance. I was honestly dreading it, and put off reading it for quite some time. And I can't persuade a reader with the very things that would push me away on first sight. In principle, I wouldn't be able to stand this, but in reality, it was so sweet, that I kind of melted even though I went in with a negative mindset.
It was about two people looking for companionship. Ashley (28) is has been in love with another man for three years. Sean (38) lost his fiancé two years ago, and Ashley is his first since. Both want to protect their hearts, so go into this arrangement with the ever failing "no strings attached" tagline. But what caught me, was how as a heroine - she had the genuine ability to love herself when it came down to it.
I just complied the last few lines from a few of the chapters:
“He wasn’t my first choice for sex, and I obviously wasn’t his. It didn’t matter.
Second best was better than nothing.”
*
"Yes, it would be better with a man I loved, but I wasn’t going to pass up something that felt so good.
We weren’t each other’s first choice. Both of us knew it.
But second best wasn’t bad at all.”
*
“It didn’t mean anything.
And it certainly didn’t mean that Sean’s place in my life was changing.
After all, the world was what was, and Sean Doyle would always be Sean Doyle.
He’d always been my second best.”
*
“I wanted love. I wanted a real relationship. I wanted a man who could give me everything, not hold back his heart because it had been wounded in the past.
Sean could never give me what I really needed.
And I was tired of settling for second best.”
*
“No confusion. No fear. No risking my heart when it wasn’t safe.
I could have a good time with him and know that was all it would ever be.
I was smarter now than I’d been even a month ago.
I knew this might be only second best, but it was what I needed right now.”
*
"We stayed tangled up together as we fell back to sleep, and I didn’t want to let him go.
I didn’t ever want to let him go.
I wondered if second best had ever felt like this before.”
*
“It was terrible. Absolutely terrible. To lose Sean the way I had.
But even in my grief, I knew I’d done the right thing.
Sean would never be second best to me. Not anymore.
And it would be a lie—an absolute lie, to him, to myself, and to the world—if I continued to act like he was”
I'll just hashtag "shelves" since I can't be bothered to create them.
#bothcelibatefromwhentheymeet #omdrama #hkissesom #herohaslovedbefore #owdrama (WHO TF was the woman in the theatre?) #hfn #safewexception
It was about two people looking for companionship. Ashley (28) is has been in love with another man for three years. Sean (38) lost his fiancé two years ago, and Ashley is his first since. Both want to protect their hearts, so go into this arrangement with the ever failing "no strings attached" tagline. But what caught me, was how as a heroine - she had the genuine ability to love herself when it came down to it.
I just complied the last few lines from a few of the chapters:
“He wasn’t my first choice for sex, and I obviously wasn’t his. It didn’t matter.
Second best was better than nothing.”
*
"Yes, it would be better with a man I loved, but I wasn’t going to pass up something that felt so good.
We weren’t each other’s first choice. Both of us knew it.
But second best wasn’t bad at all.”
*
“It didn’t mean anything.
And it certainly didn’t mean that Sean’s place in my life was changing.
After all, the world was what was, and Sean Doyle would always be Sean Doyle.
He’d always been my second best.”
*
“I wanted love. I wanted a real relationship. I wanted a man who could give me everything, not hold back his heart because it had been wounded in the past.
Sean could never give me what I really needed.
And I was tired of settling for second best.”
*
“No confusion. No fear. No risking my heart when it wasn’t safe.
I could have a good time with him and know that was all it would ever be.
I was smarter now than I’d been even a month ago.
I knew this might be only second best, but it was what I needed right now.”
*
"We stayed tangled up together as we fell back to sleep, and I didn’t want to let him go.
I didn’t ever want to let him go.
I wondered if second best had ever felt like this before.”
*
“It was terrible. Absolutely terrible. To lose Sean the way I had.
But even in my grief, I knew I’d done the right thing.
Sean would never be second best to me. Not anymore.
And it would be a lie—an absolute lie, to him, to myself, and to the world—if I continued to act like he was”
I'll just hashtag "shelves" since I can't be bothered to create them.
#bothcelibatefromwhentheymeet #omdrama #hkissesom #herohaslovedbefore #owdrama (WHO TF was the woman in the theatre?) #hfn #safewexception
October 18, 2018
Read Alex’s review 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And Dilek’s review 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
It would be 5 stars but I took one off because I really couldn’t “understand” her infatuation with her co-worker. Imo, it didn’t match her personality by what I got from her while reading her thoughts. I think it was kind of silly the all “I am in love with a guy for 3 years for the simple fact we had a few encounters in the break room and a couple of little trivial chatting”. Other than this the author didn’t give us any reason of why she was in love with this man, unless his very hot good looks counts too. I found this shallow and not in synchrony with her down to earth personality. But other than this, this book was perfect compared to many others I’ve been reading or reading reviews of.
I really recommend this book if you want to read about mature people
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And Dilek’s review 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
It would be 5 stars but I took one off because I really couldn’t “understand” her infatuation with her co-worker. Imo, it didn’t match her personality by what I got from her while reading her thoughts. I think it was kind of silly the all “I am in love with a guy for 3 years for the simple fact we had a few encounters in the break room and a couple of little trivial chatting”. Other than this the author didn’t give us any reason of why she was in love with this man, unless his very hot good looks counts too. I found this shallow and not in synchrony with her down to earth personality. But other than this, this book was perfect compared to many others I’ve been reading or reading reviews of.
I really recommend this book if you want to read about mature people
December 3, 2017
4,5. Que livro delicioso de ler. Romance mais lindo. Suspirei várias vezes.
Vale muito a leitura!
Vale muito a leitura!
December 12, 2017
To say that I was wary before starting this book is an understatement. You see, I don't read a lot of books that have dead exes especially loved dead exes. But trusted friends' reviews made me think twice.
Two people signed a contract to meet every other Wednesday for sex. The H lost his fiancee two years ago and the h is in love with someone else (a co worker) for three years. The sex is good and enjoyable. They set boundaries but lines became blurred.
"He was never going to want anything but sex from me, and that was just fine with me. He wasn't my first choice for sex, and obviously wasn't his. Second best was better than nothing. "
I really loved the H and h in this story. The h wasn't pining for him. She has too much self respect which I admire.
I didn't feel from the H that the h is second best. He's lucky because he found not one but two great loves in his lifetime, in my opinion.
The epilogue was great but I wanted to read more about their future. Greedyme.
Two people signed a contract to meet every other Wednesday for sex. The H lost his fiancee two years ago and the h is in love with someone else (a co worker) for three years. The sex is good and enjoyable. They set boundaries but lines became blurred.
"He was never going to want anything but sex from me, and that was just fine with me. He wasn't my first choice for sex, and obviously wasn't his. Second best was better than nothing. "
I really loved the H and h in this story. The h wasn't pining for him. She has too much self respect which I admire.
I didn't feel from the H that the h is second best. He's lucky because he found not one but two great loves in his lifetime, in my opinion.
The epilogue was great but I wanted to read more about their future. Greedyme.
April 15, 2020
What a surprising, sweet and steamy story.
I loved everything about it!
There wasn't too much drama or angst, and no toxic people around. From the beginning, I found the heroine delightful, her inner monologues funny and her quirks odd yet real. I actually don't feel like talking much about it, just about my feelings. I felt light and heavy at the same time, the writing was fluent and ... I don't know... real?
I'm probably rambling, but there is all I'm able to come up with.
Read it and see for yourself how wonderful this story is.
And I'm about to fall down the rabbit hole of Ms. Adams' books.
I loved everything about it!
There wasn't too much drama or angst, and no toxic people around. From the beginning, I found the heroine delightful, her inner monologues funny and her quirks odd yet real. I actually don't feel like talking much about it, just about my feelings. I felt light and heavy at the same time, the writing was fluent and ... I don't know... real?
I'm probably rambling, but there is all I'm able to come up with.
Read it and see for yourself how wonderful this story is.
And I'm about to fall down the rabbit hole of Ms. Adams' books.
April 23, 2020
3.5 - 4 stars
I liked this one. In the beginning, both the H and h were second best in the beginning of their "relationship". H's fiance died in a drive-by shooting and the h was in love with another guy in her office. Of course, the H instigated the relationship - he wanted her the first time he set eyes on her. This is a light easy read - a touch of angst - but overall just right.
Thanks to a GR buddy for the loan of this one!
I liked this one. In the beginning, both the H and h were second best in the beginning of their "relationship". H's fiance died in a drive-by shooting and the h was in love with another guy in her office. Of course, the H instigated the relationship - he wanted her the first time he set eyes on her. This is a light easy read - a touch of angst - but overall just right.
Thanks to a GR buddy for the loan of this one!
November 23, 2017
4.25 stars!
September 1, 2021
For years I've been coming back to this Claire Kent book, Escorted, trying to find similar stories or feels but alas the author has only few books published.
HOW is it that in the 8 years I've been rereading some of her books I've never tried her alternate pen name, Noelle Adams?
HOW?
Just last night after browsing her website I started and finished 3 books —IN A ROW— and I'm not close to be done yet. She has this neat feature to pick your next read by trope or type of hero. It's a contemporary romance dream market over there! She's been a truly prolific author and I'm looking forward to read her entire backlist.
Noelle Adams Website hero types
Her storytelling and romance dynamics just work for me.
For some reason I thought Noelle Adams would be asepticized, clean and too cookie cutter.
Whatever gave me the idea? I assumed wrong.
Second Best - Third Life - Complicated are the books I've read in a row.
I'm now starting Missing and already enjoying it!
HOW is it that in the 8 years I've been rereading some of her books I've never tried her alternate pen name, Noelle Adams?
HOW?
Just last night after browsing her website I started and finished 3 books —IN A ROW— and I'm not close to be done yet. She has this neat feature to pick your next read by trope or type of hero. It's a contemporary romance dream market over there! She's been a truly prolific author and I'm looking forward to read her entire backlist.
Noelle Adams Website hero types
Her storytelling and romance dynamics just work for me.
For some reason I thought Noelle Adams would be asepticized, clean and too cookie cutter.
Whatever gave me the idea? I assumed wrong.
Second Best - Third Life - Complicated are the books I've read in a row.
I'm now starting Missing and already enjoying it!
July 25, 2024
5+++⭐
A hidden gem.
This story is about two strangers who meet & agree to see each other every other week for sex with no strings attached. Handsome and wealthy Sean Doyle is a good man and, following his fiancé’s death, will only allow himself this level of intimacy. Beautiful Ash is in love with a colleague - who doesn't even recognize her - and agrees to this arrangement as a sexual interlude.
At the beginning, they are only seeking sexual satisfaction. Sean, the star of this book, is sexy, experienced, attentive & holds moments throughout the story. Between the two, there is respect, talking, listening. And over the weeks this builds up to not only sizzling chemistry, great sex, but also deeper and meaningful intimacy.
I loved that this book was refreshing, natural, intelligent, no over the top dramas. It is not just about a hookup, but has depth, emotions, caring. A sweet, sexy and wonderful romance. Recommend. A new favourite!
A hidden gem.
This story is about two strangers who meet & agree to see each other every other week for sex with no strings attached. Handsome and wealthy Sean Doyle is a good man and, following his fiancé’s death, will only allow himself this level of intimacy. Beautiful Ash is in love with a colleague - who doesn't even recognize her - and agrees to this arrangement as a sexual interlude.
At the beginning, they are only seeking sexual satisfaction. Sean, the star of this book, is sexy, experienced, attentive & holds moments throughout the story. Between the two, there is respect, talking, listening. And over the weeks this builds up to not only sizzling chemistry, great sex, but also deeper and meaningful intimacy.
I loved that this book was refreshing, natural, intelligent, no over the top dramas. It is not just about a hookup, but has depth, emotions, caring. A sweet, sexy and wonderful romance. Recommend. A new favourite!
August 30, 2021
I loved how this couple set up their relationship. Every two weeks they met and set fire to the sheets (and my Kindle). Neither wants anything more than a hot time. Sean lost his fiancee two years ago and Ashley is in love with a coworker. A casual hookup is just what they want.
I couldn’t help but giggle every time Sean would call Ashley’s dream man “the jack--s”. His reactions to all things regarding him gave a good indication of where his feelings were where she was concerned. That jealous streak was apparent to me, making me giddy with delight. That type of behavior is my catnip.
I appreciated the fact that Ashley didn’t play games when it came to a decision she had to make about Sean and their Wednesdays. She was pretty feisty and certainly took some opportunities to torture him a bit, but overall, she was a great heroine to this hero.
This was low on drama, high on steam, and perfect on romance.
Heroine POV
Safe
Triggers
I couldn’t help but giggle every time Sean would call Ashley’s dream man “the jack--s”. His reactions to all things regarding him gave a good indication of where his feelings were where she was concerned. That jealous streak was apparent to me, making me giddy with delight. That type of behavior is my catnip.
I appreciated the fact that Ashley didn’t play games when it came to a decision she had to make about Sean and their Wednesdays. She was pretty feisty and certainly took some opportunities to torture him a bit, but overall, she was a great heroine to this hero.
This was low on drama, high on steam, and perfect on romance.
Heroine POV
Safe
Triggers
April 26, 2022
I absolutely loved this book. I hate it took me so long to read it. The premise of this book is fabulous. I loved both of the main characters. Sean was so aloof, yet vulnerable. Ash was smart and tough, yet compassionate.
I’m a huge fan of the dead wife/gf trope. I loved the angst in this book. Sean wasn’t unnecessarily cruel, but he certainly withheld himself from Ash. Ash was protecting her heart too. I loved how neither of the characters had victim mentalities, and that they were both pragmatic. I will definitely reread this one and look for more by this author.
I’m a huge fan of the dead wife/gf trope. I loved the angst in this book. Sean wasn’t unnecessarily cruel, but he certainly withheld himself from Ash. Ash was protecting her heart too. I loved how neither of the characters had victim mentalities, and that they were both pragmatic. I will definitely reread this one and look for more by this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2022
Not gonna lie, I was not at all crazy about the first few chapters. I was very wary about where this book was going to end up. The blurb for the book is probably what kept me reading tbh. Development & reason to like the H & h took longer than I would've expected or liked, BUT with all that said, about a 1/3 of the way the momentum & romance started to build & take shape, so by the end it caught on like a wildfire. The last chapter & the epilogue gave me so many feels.
July 13, 2020
This one more like Claire Kent type of story than Noelle Adams’s.
Which I like it:)
Which I like it:)
April 15, 2021
This is the 2nd time it is happening to me today. Do you have the same problem? I come across a new edition of a book I have read and reviewed and see thaty my review for the previous edition is not linked to it. And like I am doing now, I have to copy-paste it. Normally, they should be linked, right?
*********************************************
I have reread this book today (15.04.2021) and it still has the same effect on me. Loved it once again...
*********************************************
This is how the book begins:
I’m not the kind of girl that bad boys want to screw. I’m the kind of girl that nice guys want to take home to meet their overprotective Catholic mamas. This was a fact of my existence that was never going to change. I’d reconciled myself to it a long time ago. In high school and college, none of the athletes or cool rebel types looked at me twice. It was the quiet, nerdy guys who would work their courage up and ask me out to dances or the movies.
I wasn’t hot-fling material.
All this is to explain why it was so bizarre and unusual for me to be getting off an elevator in an expensive hotel and walking toward a corner room.
For sex.
I was here for sex.
I’d never done anything like it before.
Well, Ashley is in fact in love with her colleague John (or she believes so) but he hasn’t noticed her in 3 years. And when the attractive businessman Sean offers her a one-night stand in a hotel, and later presents her a contract (an arrangement to meet every other Wednesdays, no strings attached), she decides that she wants to enjoy her “second best option” until the first one comes true.
*********************************************
Sean is protecting himself from feeling emotions and having a real relationship because he and his fiancé were shot 2 years ago and while he survived, she died that night. He still mourns for her and he builds walls around himself not to feel that much love again for fear of losing it again. The conditions on the contract are all about protecting his heart. And as Ashley thinks she is in love with John, she is the perfect candidate who won’t expect love from him. And Ashley also feels OK with the arrangement because she thinks that although her heart is not available to anyone else but John, her body might be available to Sean for the time being.
*********************************************
And they start their ritual.
Twice a month on Wednesdays…
Dinner, shower, conversation and sex… lots and lots of hot sex.
They just can’t get enough of each other but they don’t change the rules.
This goes on for a few months…
Until something happens that changes things.
For readers who may need to know how safe it is and if there is a serious love triangle in the story, here is what happens later:
*********************************************
This was such a sweet and hot romance that, despite it having a simple plot line, I loved it! I had a constant smile on my face all along. I enjoyed all my time with it.
I liked the heroine but I liked the hero better than her. He had such a beautiful but broken heart.
*********************************************
The book is written from the heroine’s point of view and I wish I had his point of view, as well.
The heroine was a strong and sassy woman despite her foolishness about John. That was the only thing I disliked about her: Her obsession with John, thinking he was the love of her life. She barely had a conversation with him in 3 years, she didn’t know the guy at all so it was only his looks! Thank God, she quickly came to her senses after getting to know the guy a bit.
*********************************************
I loved the hero and liked how he found the love of his life twice. The things he did and said made me believe that he loved Ashley as much as he once loved his fiancé, if not more.
So whenever you need a sweet and emotional book that is going to put a big smile on your face and warm your heart, while fastening its beating with all the smoking hot scenes, this is the book! Go for it.
It is 190 pages, so the pacing is ideal, the writing is smooth and it makes you feel.
It was a solid 4 stars book for me :)
Sometimes living in love with someone else reveals truths about the world—truths you never knew before.
Maybe it was an obvious conclusion, something I should have known all along. But there’s knowing something and there’s really understanding it.
What I had with Sean wouldn’t just make my life happier. It would also make my life harder. Loving someone else always does. That’s what makes it so good.
*********************************************
You can follow my instagram page from here
*********************************************
I have reread this book today (15.04.2021) and it still has the same effect on me. Loved it once again...
*********************************************
This is how the book begins:
I’m not the kind of girl that bad boys want to screw. I’m the kind of girl that nice guys want to take home to meet their overprotective Catholic mamas. This was a fact of my existence that was never going to change. I’d reconciled myself to it a long time ago. In high school and college, none of the athletes or cool rebel types looked at me twice. It was the quiet, nerdy guys who would work their courage up and ask me out to dances or the movies.
I wasn’t hot-fling material.
All this is to explain why it was so bizarre and unusual for me to be getting off an elevator in an expensive hotel and walking toward a corner room.
For sex.
I was here for sex.
I’d never done anything like it before.
Well, Ashley is in fact in love with her colleague John (or she believes so) but he hasn’t noticed her in 3 years. And when the attractive businessman Sean offers her a one-night stand in a hotel, and later presents her a contract (an arrangement to meet every other Wednesdays, no strings attached), she decides that she wants to enjoy her “second best option” until the first one comes true.
*********************************************
Sean is protecting himself from feeling emotions and having a real relationship because he and his fiancé were shot 2 years ago and while he survived, she died that night. He still mourns for her and he builds walls around himself not to feel that much love again for fear of losing it again. The conditions on the contract are all about protecting his heart. And as Ashley thinks she is in love with John, she is the perfect candidate who won’t expect love from him. And Ashley also feels OK with the arrangement because she thinks that although her heart is not available to anyone else but John, her body might be available to Sean for the time being.
*********************************************
And they start their ritual.
Twice a month on Wednesdays…
Dinner, shower, conversation and sex… lots and lots of hot sex.
They just can’t get enough of each other but they don’t change the rules.
This goes on for a few months…
Until something happens that changes things.
For readers who may need to know how safe it is and if there is a serious love triangle in the story, here is what happens later:
*********************************************
This was such a sweet and hot romance that, despite it having a simple plot line, I loved it! I had a constant smile on my face all along. I enjoyed all my time with it.
I liked the heroine but I liked the hero better than her. He had such a beautiful but broken heart.
*********************************************
The book is written from the heroine’s point of view and I wish I had his point of view, as well.
The heroine was a strong and sassy woman despite her foolishness about John. That was the only thing I disliked about her: Her obsession with John, thinking he was the love of her life. She barely had a conversation with him in 3 years, she didn’t know the guy at all so it was only his looks! Thank God, she quickly came to her senses after getting to know the guy a bit.
*********************************************
I loved the hero and liked how he found the love of his life twice. The things he did and said made me believe that he loved Ashley as much as he once loved his fiancé, if not more.
So whenever you need a sweet and emotional book that is going to put a big smile on your face and warm your heart, while fastening its beating with all the smoking hot scenes, this is the book! Go for it.
It is 190 pages, so the pacing is ideal, the writing is smooth and it makes you feel.
It was a solid 4 stars book for me :)
Sometimes living in love with someone else reveals truths about the world—truths you never knew before.
Maybe it was an obvious conclusion, something I should have known all along. But there’s knowing something and there’s really understanding it.
What I had with Sean wouldn’t just make my life happier. It would also make my life harder. Loving someone else always does. That’s what makes it so good.
*********************************************
You can follow my instagram page from here
November 8, 2022
sean would never be second best to me. not anymore. and it would be a lie—an absolute lie, to him, to myself, and to the world—if i continued to act like he was.
second best really brought that emotional realism spice✨
then again, should i even be surprised? this is claire k- i mean noelle adams. she loves to bring to that extra pizazz to everything she writes for us 😌
for real, though … ms adams peered into my brain and somehow managed to write the perfect, somewhat angsty, dead-fiancé, slow-burn, relationship-of-convenience romance of my dreams.
second best expertly balanced the inherent sexiness of a fill-in-the-blank-of-convenience romance and the angst of two people desperately trying not to fall in love. i wholeheartedly believed that sean and ash were able to separate their feelings, for a bit. but i loved getting to see their emotions slowly evolve overtime.
“i really think i can give you what you want and need. i think i can if you’ll give me one more chance.”
also, the whole dead fiancé thing … well done. well executed. just overall, well handled. i liked that her death did, rightfully and realistically, affect sean. that said, i appreciated that he didn't wallow in the angst and allow her ghost to get in the way of him developing feelings for ash.
“you love me, ash?” he murmured against my lips.
… “yes. i love you.”
… “i love you, i love you, i love you, baby. i love you so much. i can’t believe you didn’t know.”
what else is there to say other than, second best surprised me in the best way possible. i loved the romance, i was actively rooting for ash, and sean wasn't at all what i expected him to be.
now, what would make second best even better is if a sudden apocalypse befell our characters and we got to see an AU version of ash and sean's romantic journey. jkjkjk, that's just last light.
April 13, 2023
was gonna do a review the day after i finished reading it. realized i can't remember anything about it.
March 20, 2025
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