Second Chances

by Anna Edwards

At the tender age of thirteen Elena Lopez saw her prima ballerina dreams ruined by injury. Now she passes her love down to the future generation as a dance teacher. A chance meeting at the premier BDSM club in London with the hypnotizing and charming, Ryan North leaves her examining her future. When tragedy strikes and the memories of her youth resurface, she's left fighting for her life. MI5 operative Ryan North is struggling to adjust to the knowledge he was misled to by the one person he thought he could trust. His parents wanted him despite what his grandfather told him. The past few years have all been about revenge, can he find something or someone else, to occupy his time and distract him from his failing career. Second chances is a standalone novel from International Bestselling Author, Anna Edwards. It explores the collusion of naivete and lies leading to dramatic conclusion that threatens to blow apart a couple's fledgling love.

Genres: Romance, BDSM

277 pages, Paperback

Published September 18, 2019

About the author

Nestled in the tranquil rural landscape near London, I'm a British author whose journey from the world of accounting to the realm of writing has been nothing short of transformative. While I occasionally revisit my numbers-oriented past, my days are predominantly filled with the harmonious dance between crafting compelling narratives and tending to my cherished family—my husband, two children, and a lively household of four cats and one dog
.
In those rare leisure moments, you'll find me lost in the enchanting world of poetry, delighting in the creation (and indulgence) of decadent cakes or fervently capturing moments through the lens of my camera.

Writing emerged as my beacon of hope in navigating the labyrinth of depression and anxiety. My insatiable love for literature and the boundless horizon of travel infuses my tales with the rich tapestry of my adventures. I strive to breathe life into my stories with an air of authenticity that resonates with readers.

Within the pages of my books, you'll encounter heroes exuding charisma and rugged allure, heroines embodying both grace and tenacity, all enveloped in the cloak of dramatic suspense.


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Reviews

[Louise H's Book Thoughts · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book I'm happy to recommend

There were things about this book I loved and things that didn't work for me personally, but they were very much to do with my preferences rather than writing. Overall I enjoyed Elena and Ryan's story and am happy to recommend it to others. The writing, pace, flow and characters are great. It interlinks to other books but was easy to read stand alone and whilst it does have some degree of BDSM/power exchange it is only lightly explored and should suit the tastes of many palates.

There were some truly wonderful plot ideas that could have given the book great intensity, and did to some extent. However I personally would have liked to see the emotional impact more fully explored, I didn't always 'feel' how it affected them not only as individuals but also as a couple. It occasionally lent a somewhat disjointed feel to the story, with an air of ‘x happens, I feel y, oh here’s resolution z, problem solved’. Issues were resolved quickly and before the emotional/ intellectual/ psychological impact on the protagonists had been fully explored. I know from past experience that a lot of readers won’t have the same problem. For many a reader it's all about the plot and action, and that’s fine - it would be a boring world if we all wanted and looked for the same thing. This book was chock full of plot and had plenty of unexpected twists and surprises too.

An analogy would be to compare this with a 400m hurdler sprinting around the track, attempting to clear the obstacles (hurdles) that block their path on a regular basis. Nothing wrong with that, it just isn’t for me. I prefer a story of many threads that weave together to form a rich tapestry. I like my plots and subplots to interconnect and run concurrently. So it would be unfair to say it wasn’t a great story, as I can appreciate how others would love it, the truth is it wasn't a story that ticked all of my individual boxes. I needed to see Elena and Ryan be each other’s rocks in times of difficulty, not just be told it but be SHOWN it and experience it so that I could fully buy into their feelings for one another.

And now I feel as though this review is just full of negatives, which was definitely not my intention. It’s a well put together story, with two rounded characters who face and overcome plenty of issues. A book with a great plot and good writing, a book that is easy to read, a book that is at times fun, at times serious and a whole lot sexy. I hope I've made it clear that what didn't work for me was very subjective and the vast majority of reviewers will probably totally disagree with me. And I hope they do because this IS a good book.

I don't like coffee either - so what the heck do I know!

[Joyffree · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the Control series and I admit I was curious about what the future might look like for our cast.
Especially for Ryan.
His childhood was more of a warping of the mind and body into a tool for revenge purposes.
I believe this is marked as a standalone therefore I do not want to risk spoilers for those who choose to go back to the beginning.
And I really really suggest that.

Elena got on my nerves during a couple of scenes. I felt she came off a bit judgmental maybe just immature ... IDK how to explain it I was most likely comparing her situation to some of the other casts and well she has nothing to be whining about.
I can be a bit cold like that ...
Truly her character is a sweetheart. She radiates a sort of happiness that seems to infect those around her. She has a really big heart that is easily hurt.
I suggest maybe she should consider skipping meals with mom .. just a thought.

I liked the changes in Ryan they fit his persona or how I envisioned the boy inside the man would be had he not had to hide behind the facade. I read the series so for me this was such a bonus. To see Ryan complete and whole and to watch him interact with his family - the love and bonding
*sigh*

I'll admit I wish some of the scenes had a bit more to them. That is most likely just me being greedy - I wanted more. More details more story just more!
At times the problems IMO were solved too easily.
Though I guess after everything the family has been through it was time for a little easier journey.
Less drama and more happiness?

This is a much tamer read than the original series.
Great flow, easy to follow and a heartfelt closing to Ryan's story.

[Ola Adamska · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn't read Control series before this one, so I'm treating it as standalone.
The story is very in D/s relationship, there are some events, but nothing on any extreme spectrum.
The story itself was food and intriguing with plot changing its curses.
Now there were places where I felt that the story overall was disjointed as well as characters or what was happening to them was not what i felt inside of me, and that's what i was looking for - to connect with them, but not every time it was possible to me.
Both characters we're broken in some time of these lives and now they are trying to mend themselves on their own, but maybe two broken people can help beal each other and create new whole people?

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read the Control series yet, so I did read this book as a standalone, and I really enjoyed it. After reading it, it makes me really want to go back and read the series though, just because I can tell I would enjoy it! This book will pull you right into the storyline and you'll have to keep reading til you finish it! It was a BDSM romance, but it was more of a light BDSM read, nothing real heavy or offensive or over the top kinky, if you know what I mean. LOL. All in all, it was a really good read, and I'm going to have to go back and read the rest of the series now!

[Gladys · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I found it easy to root for and like Ryan and Elena. Both of these characters have painful pasts filled with broken dreams and lies and I really liked that the story was about change, coming to terms with things and of how you moving on. I loved the chemistry between this couple and I enjoyed the steam that they generated together. Just so you know, this read does contain elements of D/s. I felt it was all very much on the mild side though. This is my honest, voluntary review.

[Jennifer - You Can't Resista Dirty Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book a intrigue, romance and rebirth! Although Ryan and Elena struggles are different they are still trying to find their way in a world that is so different to the ones they once knew. Watching their journey of self discovery is truly Breath-taking!

Ryan North MI6 agent recovering from tragic circumstances. All this life he has been fed lies to further another's cause and now Ryan is piecing a new life together with his family and finding control through training to become a Dominant with the help of his brother-in-law. It has been a slow process but after 6 months the is finally getting there. And then Elena Lopez lands in his lap and everything shifts to focus on her.

Elena has not had an easy life. Her dreams of becoming a prima ballerina were dashed when she was a teen straining her relationship with her mother and leaving her lost. At 30 she has finally found peace in teaching dance to young girls and it fills some of the hole left inside her. She can still dance but not professionally. The only thing missing is a live affair to last a lifetime. Little does she know Ryan could be that love.

Experimenting in New things such as BDSM Elena let's herself be free in Ryan's care and all is going well. Then a accident sends Elean into a tail spin that sets her on a path that could destroy the life she has built for herself and will her new love be able to stand against her demons?

Wonderful read!

[Judith · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a disappointing effort. The book had all the elements of an action packed plot but the majority of that action was inadequately introduced and not weaved properly into the storyline. The transition from one situation to the next was quite sudden without satisfactorily allowing for any explanation or the need for yet another dramatic twist in the story. I didn’t like the moral message that it was OK to kill someone, as long as they were not good people. For crying out loud!!!!! Executing someone without consequences?! Then everyone just carry on with their lives?! There are so many things wrong with this book, they are hard to describe without spoilers. There were a number of proof-reading errors also which is not surprising because an editor would have picked up on several of the inconsistencies and other errors of this book. All in all, it is a shame, because without the attempt to shoot for the moon with this book, it would have been a good story of Ryan and Elena’s budding BDSM relationship. Sorry but I don’t like reading about a story where the characters think it is OK to kill and execute people, even if the perpetrator is a long-suffering, somewhat brainwashed ex-MI5 operative who ends up inheriting an aristocratic title. Apart from ‘’ vengeance is mine – said the Lord’’, there is actually a functioning judiciary system in this country.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wall to Wall Bookshelves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so freaking happy that this book exists. 
For me, this finishes off the Control series.

Elena Lopez believes you don't get second chances in this life, not after the fall she had ruined her dreams. 
Ryan North has done some horrible things in his past and he doesn't believe he deserves a second chance.
With the help of friends and family, will they both learn that second chances actually do exist? Will they be able to put their past where it belongs and start living their lives?

I loved reading Elena and Ryan's story. Both of their pasts were heartbreaking, for different reasons. I got quite emotional while reading Second Chances, quite a few parts pulled at my heartstrings. It's an intensely, gripping story with lies and secrets threatening to break a couple apart.

Second Chances can be read as a standalone, but if you want to be fully invested in all of the characters start from the start of the Control Series - you won't be disappointed..

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars
This is one impactful read from start to finish. I do recommend reading The Control Series to gain a better understanding of the family dynamics. This is Ryan’s tale and it shows readers who he is and how he grew up to become the man he eventually became. It is distressing learning that someone who supposedly loved you fed you lies. Then there is Elena trying to live up to her mother’s expectations while dealing with her own issues. The chemistry between these two characters is charged and it feels as if they make each other better. As they go through their trials and tribulations, they realize their strengths. Very well written with twists and intense moments that will have readers thinking about this one long after the book is finished.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Julia Gerard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok so I love Anna Edwards, every single word....But Second Chances has to be the best one yet! Ryan North, didn't know who he was, except hungry and hurt as a little boy. No education, drug addicts for foster parents. So the Old guy who offered him fresh hot pizza and claimed to be his Grandpa was a relief, or was it? Ryan grew u, had a good job, but then revenge kicks in against his perceived enemies, only they weren't he was just so broken. Elena had her career planned, until she had an accident. She was content with her life. Then she met Ryan, and things moved quickly. But true to Anna's way. Things aren't all pretty. shiny, happy. This will make you cry a little, sheer a little and sigh a little! One fantastic Story!

[Avid Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not read the other books in the series but there was sufficient backstory for the story to work as a standalone. Ryan was a very complex figure who had been traumatised by being brought up and living in a web of lies. The books his struggle to come to terms with learning the truth. Elena had her dream of being a prima ballerina stolen from her after a childhood accident. The loss of her planned future turned her mother nasty and bitter. Elena and Ryan were two very broken souls who worked better together than apart. An enjoyable read with a well written set of supporting characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jurae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryan is broken and throughout his life he has learned some hard lessons which has caused him to hurt those who he thought, or was told, had wronged him. Elena thought that her dream was to be a prima ballerina but when tragedy strikes she thinks that her life will never be the same. Together they seem to find a place where they both thrive and their past is just that....the past until life throws them a curve ball that neither saw coming.

I loved this book. The supporting characters were just as pivotal as the main characters and the story line was fantastic.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[marzimarzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book about redeeming love for an abandoned son, for an attempted murderer, for a drug addict, for a failed ballerina.
So much depth in the power of second chances and how the love of family and a significant one, as well as the strength of a Dom/sub relationship, can help bring back people and give their life meaning.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book that has it all: betrayal, revenge, abuse, drugs, adventure, danger, undercover agents, sexy strong doms, sassy subs, supportive family and absentee family, healing love...

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristina Simkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read the Control Series so reading as a stand-alone. Even without reading the original series first I really loved Second Chances. This book’s is very well written, all of the characters are amazing and the storyline is an absolute page-turner.

Ryan and Elena both have past that they would rather forget about and move on from. There is a darkness of different kinds inside both of them, but a chance netting changes everything for both of them. Together they are each other’s light and biggest supporter and both get their second chance at having a loving family and true happiness.

[Hanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story about second chances at love and life.
Both the main characters of this book,Ryan and Elena are broken people.
They go about their lives but their souls are damaged.
Each trying to put a painful past to rest.
When Elena and Ryan come across each other both feel an instant attraction.
I think the more intimate deeper connection of Ryan and Elena was their souls reaching out to each other. They were kindred spirits.
Each trying to repair the damage done to them by the closet of people.
I loved the redemption they found in each other.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a story of recovery for more than one person.
This book starts off strong and deadly and you just know this young man's life is going to go to hell even more than the hell he was living in. As you get farther into the book you will see just how damaged Ryan is what was done to him out of revenge was horrible. This is only in the first part of the book. If you only read one book try and make it this one it has a powerful message and is done in a well-written thoughtful way. Yes, I highly recommend it. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Mari (Mystics & Metaphysics Book Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Ryan and Elena. They each had their own demons or struggles to work with but I felt like they needed each other and that's why they met. There is some angst and mystery with some BDSM that I loved. It won't be just for BDSM fans though as it's not just about that. I didn't feel as connected to Ryan and Elena at points but the story itself was good and now I want to read the rest of the series as I haven't read any of them before.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Chances is a standalone spin off from the Control Series and if you have read the Control Series you know you are in for a fantastic read. At a young age Elena's dream of becoming a prima ballerina ends because of an injury. Ryan is a MI5 operative struggling with his past. I loved Ryan and Elena together and how they learned to deal with their pasts. This is an emotional, heartbreakingly beautiful story with some sexy twists. Great writing, interesting characters and a story I couldn't put down make this a fantastic read. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Lisa Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryan's back story is heartbreaking and dealing with all the lies and truths are very overwhelming as he tries to find himself and his place.
I really loved Elena she has a great sense of humor and is very outspoken which brought a great deal of normal to the story as these two find comfort in each other. Lots of twists and danger and intense at times. I adore Ryan's family as they each have a place for him in their hearts. I really loved this one.

[Sille · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotional, and Intense

This is the story of Ryan, and Elena, both damaged souls, both going through life broken by the past. A chance meeting changes all that, when these two connect, they start to help each other heal. This was a great read, the characters are well written, and have great chemistry, this book was emotional, raw, intense, and a must read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mel Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Chances: a spin of Series that’s just WOW, a book that captivates and draws you into the story. A true emotional tale. There where so many emotions reading this book but the main emotion that flows through this book is love. This is a truly fantastic series that I will be keeping up with to see what comes next. Anna Edwards truly delivered with this story.

[Maja · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning of this book was very difficult. Ryan is a foster kid to two people who foster, only so they can get the money to buy drugs. But one day, Ryan runs into his real grandfather. The story has a very slow start.
This was my first read from this author and it was okay.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 4th book I've read written by Anna Edwards; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved the chemistry between the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[poppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this is a spin-off from the Control Series I think it can easily be read as a standalone. I really liked Ryan and Elena i thought they were great characters and you just cannot help but feel for these two. I really liked this book and will definitely be checking out more from this series.

[ReadersLibrary BookBragBlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok so I absolutely love Elena and Ryan. The fact that they both were overcoming so much and fought their way forward not giving up. I did think the writing though made it difficult to feel what was going on sometimes but overall I did enjoy the story.

[Becky Ballenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Second Chances!!!! I’m still pretty new to Anna Edwards, but with books like these, I’m quickly becoming positively obsessed with her work!!!

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivating, second chance romance story from the Control series. Intriguing well-developed characters. The well-written book kept my attention throughout, enjoyed reading. I have voluntarily chosen to read and review this book.

[Teresa Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The control series is my fave
Love how e1 comes together
For Ryan and Elena
Intense emotional broken heart stopping love story
So ready for more

[Paula Genereau · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing story. I absolutely loved it and I couldn't put it down

[J.L. Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've read Anna Edwards, then chances are you've read the Control Series and you had the opportunity to meet Ryan North. I'll be honest, I was a fan of Ryan's throughout the Control Series - not knowing his real identity of course - and Anna broke my heart when she revealed his true intentions! How dare he? Of course, not all villains remain villains and after discovering the truth about his family and undergoing treatment and rehabilitation, Ryan is ready to get back out in the world and attempt to have a normal life with his family. I didn't know Elena that well, although she was previously introduced in the Control Series, so it was a bit more difficult for me to connect with her. I liked how she was sort of this shy, innocent character at times, yet unafraid to express herself when it came to Ryan. The two of them have both been through so much in their lives so meeting each other when they did seemed like fate. There were some unexpected twists that tested this couple and I wondered how they were going to get through them. They faced real life dilemmas and tough decisions and I enjoyed their story so much! I did feel as though this was another edition to the Control Series and not necessarily a spin off, however, I was highly pleased to find out Anna plans to do a whole new series based on the business venture of Matthew and Ryan! Can't wait!