What do you think?
Rate this book
An Old Flame
“Ladies and gentlemen, if I can have your attention please?” A familiar female voice came through the speakers. The sound was smoky and alluring, but also commanding—like a teacher’s voice. I turned my head to see who was on stage, and my gut bottomed out. I felt as if a rod had just been thrown through me. It was Stephanie.
***
Seven years ago, Stephanie Renner was on top of the world. She was in her last year of college, she’d been dating her boyfriend for years…they were the ultimate couple and the envy of EVERYONE!
The future looked so bright…it was blinding.
She was in love…she was engaged...there was a plan…and everything was working out.
What made it even better was that her boyfriend, Mark Mason had just gone with his two best friends to pitch their idea to some venture capitalists...AND THEY NAILED IT!
Stephanie and Mark were going to be millionaires and she even graduated yet!
That’s a heck of a start in life.
But you know what the say about the best laid plans don’t you?
While Mark is out of the state, celebrating with the boys, Stephanie discovers she is pregnant, but she doesn’t tell Mark.
Well, on the other side of the country Mark screws up so bad, it’s on a level pursuant to the upper echelons of dumbassery.
But that’s not the end of it….
Things are complicated even more when, days later, the unspeakable happens with Stephanie.
They had the promise of the perfect life…and it all ends in tears for both of them.
Stephanie ghosts Mark and that’s the end of it.
Or so she thinks…because fate…well, fate has different plans.
Very different.
Now…
It’s seven years later.
Mark Mason is a Billionaire. Stephanie Renner is a very successful teacher.
When Mark attends a school’s fundraiser in lieu of his business partner and sees Stephanie on the podium, he knows beyond a shadow of all doubt that this is his second chance.
He knows with every fiber of his being that Stephanie is the only woman for him…and for seven long years he’s been pining for her, he’s just not going to lose her twice. He won’t let it happen. He’s going to do anything and everything to reunite them.
But it’s just not that easy.
Will Mark manage to win back and mend the heart he once broke?
Will Stephanie’s secret prove to be their undoing?
Find out if destiny is all it’s cracked up to be in this brand new, riveting - second chance novel from Raquel Belle.
***
Seven years ago, Stephanie Renner was on top of the world. She was in her last year of college, she’d been dating her boyfriend for years…they were the ultimate couple and the envy of EVERYONE!
The future looked so bright…it was blinding.
She was in love…she was engaged...there was a plan…and everything was working out.
What made it even better was that her boyfriend, Mark Mason had just gone with his two best friends to pitch their idea to some venture capitalists...AND THEY NAILED IT!
Stephanie and Mark were going to be millionaires and she even graduated yet!
That’s a heck of a start in life.
But you know what the say about the best laid plans don’t you?
While Mark is out of the state, celebrating with the boys, Stephanie discovers she is pregnant, but she doesn’t tell Mark.
Well, on the other side of the country Mark screws up so bad, it’s on a level pursuant to the upper echelons of dumbassery.
But that’s not the end of it….
Things are complicated even more when, days later, the unspeakable happens with Stephanie.
They had the promise of the perfect life…and it all ends in tears for both of them.
Stephanie ghosts Mark and that’s the end of it.
Or so she thinks…because fate…well, fate has different plans.
Very different.
Now…
It’s seven years later.
Mark Mason is a Billionaire. Stephanie Renner is a very successful teacher.
When Mark attends a school’s fundraiser in lieu of his business partner and sees Stephanie on the podium, he knows beyond a shadow of all doubt that this is his second chance.
He knows with every fiber of his being that Stephanie is the only woman for him…and for seven long years he’s been pining for her, he’s just not going to lose her twice. He won’t let it happen. He’s going to do anything and everything to reunite them.
But it’s just not that easy.
Will Mark manage to win back and mend the heart he once broke?
Will Stephanie’s secret prove to be their undoing?
Find out if destiny is all it’s cracked up to be in this brand new, riveting - second chance novel from Raquel Belle.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 5, 2019
951 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
avoid
October 8, 2019The reason he cheated: he was curious about being with OW.
And now he’s ready to settle down after settling his curiosity
And now he’s ready to settle down after settling his curiosity
Read
March 20, 2020Please tell me I'm not reading this ridiculous trash! These women are really crazy! What's the problem with writing really worthwhile characters? He always loved her ??? This is a bad joke right ?? When did he love her? Before or after having his d*ck wet by other women ?? My good lord, this shit never ends!
October 8, 2019
Spoilers
.
.
.
.
Why even write a book about cheating if she is just going to forgive the idiot after a few run ins? This was KU so I read a bit of it, at 40% she is essentially mostly over it and had already kissed him before that. Her dad pushes him on her, it's just all ridiculous, please no one pay for this. He also keeps saying he only kissed the girl, but then it says they ended up in bed and he took her home, then he was drunk and thought it was the heroine, but then he admits he was curious to sleep with other women, so there is no consistent account of what actually happened or why. When she forgives him, she asks him to own it and he said I kissed someone else, but that isn't all he did if he took the girl home and was in bed with her?!
I dont think she was celibate, but this felt like one of those books that wants to just play semantics and confuse so you dont know how many women he was with in seperation or if she was with anyone. 🙄
.
.
.
.
Why even write a book about cheating if she is just going to forgive the idiot after a few run ins? This was KU so I read a bit of it, at 40% she is essentially mostly over it and had already kissed him before that. Her dad pushes him on her, it's just all ridiculous, please no one pay for this. He also keeps saying he only kissed the girl, but then it says they ended up in bed and he took her home, then he was drunk and thought it was the heroine, but then he admits he was curious to sleep with other women, so there is no consistent account of what actually happened or why. When she forgives him, she asks him to own it and he said I kissed someone else, but that isn't all he did if he took the girl home and was in bed with her?!
I dont think she was celibate, but this felt like one of those books that wants to just play semantics and confuse so you dont know how many women he was with in seperation or if she was with anyone. 🙄
Read
February 4, 2021DNF @ 50%
Cheating books are hit and miss, and I honestly didn’t have super high hopes with the limited page length. (less than 200) I’m going to mark the rest for spoilers, but for those that want to be completely blind, I’ll just say this is NOT the angsty read you’re looking for.
Cheating books are hit and miss, and I honestly didn’t have super high hopes with the limited page length. (less than 200) I’m going to mark the rest for spoilers, but for those that want to be completely blind, I’ll just say this is NOT the angsty read you’re looking for.
maybe
March 8, 2020This one has cheating, not sure if it's any good. Just letting my cheating hero lovers know that it got a few of the JSG's panties in a twist. If anyone reads, let me know what you think. ;-)
October 11, 2019
He cheated when they were younger and she dumped him. Many years later they cross paths, and she takes him back way too quickly IMO. I am not vehemently against romances that involve cheating, but this was done poorly. He showed a little remorse and flashed his new wealth around and all was immediately forgiven.
To make matters worse, near the end when Mark finds out about her previous miscarriage and her current high risk pregnancy, he explodes in anger and disappears for two days? He feels betrayed that she didn't tell him about the miscarriage that happened years earlier, the one that occoured immediately after he cheated on her.
Again, she forgives him right away when he decides to show back up. Then he buys her a house and they live HEA??? WTF. I wish I could give this no stars.
To make matters worse, near the end when Mark finds out about her previous miscarriage and her current high risk pregnancy, he explodes in anger and disappears for two days? He feels betrayed that she didn't tell him about the miscarriage that happened years earlier, the one that occoured immediately after he cheated on her.
Again, she forgives him right away when he decides to show back up. Then he buys her a house and they live HEA??? WTF. I wish I could give this no stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2019
A great second chance romance. Stephanie and Mark were engaged in college and after one drunken mistake on his part, she called it off. He never forgot about her. She was always there. 7 years later they meet up again and this could be his chance to apologize and get back with her. He always loved her. They slowly start to reconnect again but there is still a huge secret that is between them. They still have a few trust issues that they will need to work through if they ever want to make it work this time. They were such a cute couple and the attraction between them was instant. No matter how hard she tried to fight it, it was still there so it was easy to fall back in the way it was before. It was so much fun watching them fall back in love again and finally get the HEA they missed out on 7 years ago.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
avoid-and-run-away
March 27, 2020Note: he was curious to sleep with other women... LOL!
November 10, 2022
The Mcs were college sweethearts and i think engaged.He goes oot to get funding for their billion dollar idea which they secure. The guy friends go
Out and talk him into sexy times with a random. They send pics to the fmc. They break up. Years later he runs into her and wants her back. I never was clear whether he actually had sec with the ow… anyway he doesn’t grovel enough but gets her back… then gets mad at her for not telling him she was pregnant and had a miscarriage… nevermind that he was kissing on another woman during the same time. HEA eventually.
Out and talk him into sexy times with a random. They send pics to the fmc. They break up. Years later he runs into her and wants her back. I never was clear whether he actually had sec with the ow… anyway he doesn’t grovel enough but gets her back… then gets mad at her for not telling him she was pregnant and had a miscarriage… nevermind that he was kissing on another woman during the same time. HEA eventually.
May 29, 2021
Second chance
It started off really well and the drama happened and then it slowed down. The rest of the story flowed at a slower pace and there really wasn't much angst. She gave in to the H a little to fast. I needed more angst and drama for what was done to the h.
It started off really well and the drama happened and then it slowed down. The rest of the story flowed at a slower pace and there really wasn't much angst. She gave in to the H a little to fast. I needed more angst and drama for what was done to the h.
Read
October 15, 2019Too bad there isn’t a skimmed instead of read option.
No stars
No stars
October 20, 2019
Eh
Cliche. Didn’t get any emotions from the story. She’s so in love with him but dumps him at the drop of a hat. Then takes him back years later with almost no issues.
Cliche. Didn’t get any emotions from the story. She’s so in love with him but dumps him at the drop of a hat. Then takes him back years later with almost no issues.
dnf
September 14, 2024
I tried. I really did. I made it to the 75-ish% mark. The story was just so boring and it dragged. It was such a slug slow story. I finally remember that I wasn't giving a crap about any of the characters, so I finally threw in the towel.
June 9, 2021
My rating: 3 stars
What I liked: I liked Stephanie(h) at first when she told him to get lost after him coming back from the meeting and after seeing each other the first time in 7 years but after that she forgave him way too easily.
What I didn’t like: Mark(H) was a dumb a$$ and so was his friend Neil. I also needed more of a grovel. She was having sex with him bare in no time and not even discussing if he has been with anyone else. I also hated how he was mad about the miscarriage after he did what he did, he had no right to be mad.
How hot was it: 3 out 5
Triggers: Cheating. H goes away for a work meeting with his two friends after they get the deal they go out drinking, he gets drunk and starts messing around with a chick that his friend encourages him to do (later we find out that his friend was high on cocaine). The same friend sends pictures to the h. She has a miscarriage (that she doesn’t tell him about) and leaves him. They get back together 7 years later.
Final thoughts: This was just an ok read for me. It was my first time reading this author and I might give her other book that was part of this story a try.
What I liked: I liked Stephanie(h) at first when she told him to get lost after him coming back from the meeting and after seeing each other the first time in 7 years but after that she forgave him way too easily.
What I didn’t like: Mark(H) was a dumb a$$ and so was his friend Neil. I also needed more of a grovel. She was having sex with him bare in no time and not even discussing if he has been with anyone else. I also hated how he was mad about the miscarriage after he did what he did, he had no right to be mad.
How hot was it: 3 out 5
Triggers: Cheating. H goes away for a work meeting with his two friends after they get the deal they go out drinking, he gets drunk and starts messing around with a chick that his friend encourages him to do (later we find out that his friend was high on cocaine). The same friend sends pictures to the h. She has a miscarriage (that she doesn’t tell him about) and leaves him. They get back together 7 years later.
Final thoughts: This was just an ok read for me. It was my first time reading this author and I might give her other book that was part of this story a try.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2019
The whole premise is not good. It is a very boring read. I ended up skimming the whole thing.
Read
May 6, 2025This story had potential, but unfortunately, it fell flat. Mark and Stephanie have been together since college and are engaged when he leaves for a business trip to close a million-dollar deal. During the trip, he goes out with friends and ends up cheating on her—supposedly out of “curiosity.” Photos of him kissing another woman get sent to Stephanie, who breaks off the engagement and cuts all contact. Unbeknownst to him, she was pregnant at the time and suffered a miscarriage after seeing the photos.
Fast-forward seven years: Mark is now a tech billionaire, and Stephanie is a schoolteacher. They cross paths again and, surprisingly, it doesn’t take much for her to forgive him and fall back into a relationship. She soon becomes pregnant again, but when she tells Mark—mentioning her high-risk history—his reaction is anger and silence for two days.
There are too many unanswered questions: What actually happened with the other woman? Did they just kiss, or was it more? Why was she in his bed? Were either of them with other people during their years apart? The story never says, but it’s implied.
Worse, the emotional connection between the characters feels weak and unconvincing. The “happily ever after” ending feels rushed and unearned. Overall, it’s a forgettable story with a shaky plot, lack of depth, and unsatisfying character development.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2025
For someone who was cheated on and who cut off the relationship without a conversation, the MFC really eased back into a relationship way too quickly. The very short 'I was curious' reason led to 'Let's leave it in the past' and 'I (the MFC) blamed myself at the time'.
This is on top of the MFC hiding her miscarriage that happened straight after the cheating was discovered so the MFC seemed to hold that with the same weight as being cheated on. Then there's the friend who encouraged the cheating turning out to have a drug addiction which the MFC is sympathetic toward. So again, this overshadowed the MMC taking real ownership of his actions.
The MFC's father took it easy on the MMC and so did the bff basically, even though the MFC kept warning how the bff would not. Was the cheating really a huge betrayal for this once engaged couple? The cheating act itself was reduced to kissing but he went home with the lady so...???
It was implied that the MFC was celibate in the 7yrs since the break up and we see her poo-poo a casual hook up as the only interaction she has with a possible other man.
I love cheating storylines and reconciling with the original couple but this by 50% was absolutely lacking in a serious conversation and meaningful action by the MMC to address how he'd be rebuilding trust. DNF'd what should have been a fast read.
This is on top of the MFC hiding her miscarriage that happened straight after the cheating was discovered so the MFC seemed to hold that with the same weight as being cheated on. Then there's the friend who encouraged the cheating turning out to have a drug addiction which the MFC is sympathetic toward. So again, this overshadowed the MMC taking real ownership of his actions.
The MFC's father took it easy on the MMC and so did the bff basically, even though the MFC kept warning how the bff would not. Was the cheating really a huge betrayal for this once engaged couple? The cheating act itself was reduced to kissing but he went home with the lady so...???
It was implied that the MFC was celibate in the 7yrs since the break up and we see her poo-poo a casual hook up as the only interaction she has with a possible other man.
I love cheating storylines and reconciling with the original couple but this by 50% was absolutely lacking in a serious conversation and meaningful action by the MMC to address how he'd be rebuilding trust. DNF'd what should have been a fast read.
June 9, 2021
Spoiler
Wow super disappointed in this one.
The reason he cheated is because he was curious! He blames his friend for pushing the OW on him. He took her home and woke up with her in bed beside him.
All he told the heroine is that he made out with the OW so she never knows what really happened.
She doesn't even resist him and forgives him almost right away! I hate it when heroine are weak like that.
The way they say I love you again is so not romantic at all.
Then he is angry when he learns that she had a miscarriage and is pregnant again! He walks out on her and comes back two days later when her father texts him. She had cramps due to the stress. This Hero is a jerk.
I don't think I'll read another book by this author.
Wow super disappointed in this one.
The reason he cheated is because he was curious! He blames his friend for pushing the OW on him. He took her home and woke up with her in bed beside him.
All he told the heroine is that he made out with the OW so she never knows what really happened.
She doesn't even resist him and forgives him almost right away! I hate it when heroine are weak like that.
The way they say I love you again is so not romantic at all.
Then he is angry when he learns that she had a miscarriage and is pregnant again! He walks out on her and comes back two days later when her father texts him. She had cramps due to the stress. This Hero is a jerk.
I don't think I'll read another book by this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2022
The first half was great and then it just tapered off.
I really liked the first half, there was angst and drama but then the second half of the book just felt a bit flat. The ending was quite abrupt and then a weird overlap into a another book with other characters. I just hate it when I feel things are written just for the sake of it, rather than feeling organically written. The ending just felt more geared towards another book rather than about the main characters.
I really liked the first half, there was angst and drama but then the second half of the book just felt a bit flat. The ending was quite abrupt and then a weird overlap into a another book with other characters. I just hate it when I feel things are written just for the sake of it, rather than feeling organically written. The ending just felt more geared towards another book rather than about the main characters.
May 8, 2021
It was ok
Firstly I really don’t like giving negative reviews. This was written almost like a fairytale. The story lacked depth. The 2 main characters were pathetic. I kept going in the hope that it would get better. It didn’t. Author might want to stop using “cracked up” so frequently, these were adults not teenagers.
Firstly I really don’t like giving negative reviews. This was written almost like a fairytale. The story lacked depth. The 2 main characters were pathetic. I kept going in the hope that it would get better. It didn’t. Author might want to stop using “cracked up” so frequently, these were adults not teenagers.
April 18, 2020
An Old Flame
WOW, this book was extremely difficult for each of the people who wanted each other! Long story short between two lovers in this story. Sexy, Drama, delish in everyway! Must read! ENJOY?!!
WOW, this book was extremely difficult for each of the people who wanted each other! Long story short between two lovers in this story. Sexy, Drama, delish in everyway! Must read! ENJOY?!!
May 21, 2024
KU
Hero gave up too fast. He claimed to hv loved the h but one night away and he’s hooking up with another. Then someone sends a pic of him with ow to h the fiancée he blames his friend for the H cheating 😒 then does a lame grovel. Yeah wasn’t good
Hero gave up too fast. He claimed to hv loved the h but one night away and he’s hooking up with another. Then someone sends a pic of him with ow to h the fiancée he blames his friend for the H cheating 😒 then does a lame grovel. Yeah wasn’t good
September 8, 2024
Giving up at 78% because I really don’t like the heroine. For me she’s a horrible human, and a whiny one at that.
And when you are going to include things in a book that can be considered a touchy subject you really should do your research and get your facts straight.
And when you are going to include things in a book that can be considered a touchy subject you really should do your research and get your facts straight.
March 25, 2020
Enthralling
This book makes you wonder.. about Forgiveness..would you be able to do it if you were in Stephanie 's place?
This book makes you wonder.. about Forgiveness..would you be able to do it if you were in Stephanie 's place?
May 2, 2020
This was my first book by this author and to be honest I was not a fan. The story is told and third person which is my least favorite and just didn't hold my attention.
May 2, 2020
Looks like this book is written by a teenager
May 11, 2020
Cute
Cute, easy read. A little heartbreak, a tiny bit of drama but nothing too over the top. Story flowed nicely. Easily 3.5 stars.
Cute, easy read. A little heartbreak, a tiny bit of drama but nothing too over the top. Story flowed nicely. Easily 3.5 stars.
June 28, 2021
Good story but short. I didn’t like that she let him off the hook a little too easy in my opinion. This is great for an afternoon read
January 13, 2022
She really needs to get a backbone. To many excuses about behavior, you're a grownass man. Just tell the truth you messed up already so own up to what you did.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews