One More Shot

One More Chance #1

by Hayden Hall

Not even time can heal these wounds.

Viktor is the hottest, most exciting guy I've ever met. The type of guy to make you his whole world. And I’m the bad guy for breaking his heart, but mine broke along with it.

He was the soul of my vacation then, and I've got deja vu now. All my instincts are telling me to resist him. But how do you resist the irresistible?

History has eyes on repeating itself. In two weeks, just like before, I'll be gone.

I can't let us do this.

Neither of us can survive another heartbreak. Future only holds more pain for us. We shouldn't... It's a bad idea... And the clock is ticking...

But we're already in love... Aren't we?

One More Shot is the first book of my One More Chance series and can be read on its own. It is a second chance MM romance with two adorable men who can't keep their hands off each other no matter the price, high levels of steam, and a HEA.

Genres: M M Romance, Second Chance, Romance, LGBT, M M Contemporary

201 pages, ebook

Published December 20, 2020

About the author

Gay. Sweet. Steamy.

Hayden Hall writes MM romance novels. He is a boyfriend, a globetrotter, and an avid romance reader.

Hayden's mission is to author a catalog of captivating and steamy MM romance novels which gather a devoted community around the Happily Ever Afters.

His stories are sweet with just the right amount of naughty.

You can get in touch with Hayden on Facebook or through his website at haydenhallwrites.com

Reviews

[Monikat · Rating 3 out of 5]

The serene look on my face right now came with a price. I've just finished this book and have paid my emotional dues on this journey with Viktor and Jake. The streets and beauties of Budapest surrounded this story giving us all a romantic yet emotional serenade. Our MCs had faults, at first they were too young and then they were too jaded. This was not my favorite book, but I savoured it just the same.
Thoughts as reading:
How dare they let life dictate their lives. How can they not know they are the masters of their own choices. How utterly stupid are they?!
This was frustrating to my messy mind. The tension and build up are not something I enjoy, especially when I can see solutions to what MCs see as problems. I hate the notion that adulting has some type of rules dictated by society. I hate all those fake norms.

Sorry, rant over.

Second chance is only good for me when the emotions are intense. Pining and uncertainty just make my brain sizzle. And not being open and keeping secrets, not communicating makes everything worse.

Can I just say that I really dislike Jake @78%...

Seeing and accepting him as the emotionally challenged coward he is, is the root of getting through this story. His cowardice towards Viktor and his cowardice to not break up with the overbearing Robbie until he secures his future with Viktor is pretty telling, and it's not a pretty sight. The actual moment he realizes his faults feels like it's come too late in the book and their actual discussion resolving everything should have been more. At the end Viktor was the all giving one taking the blame for things he was never at fault for.


*I only find this type of delicate point of view by male authors from Hayden Hall and Tal Bauer (and sometimes Ryan Moore) the way the emotions are conveyed is absolutely stunning. It literally puts you in the room with them, in their minds and feeling what they feel. It's a whole different type of writing, a genre on its own.

[Gustaf · Rating 2 out of 5]

Look, I just think I had too high expectations after reading some of this author's other works. This one didn't really work for me. I don't know if it was the language and that the beats felt a little off. It wasn't all bad, but I don't think I'll remember this book a week from now.

[DMCechak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romantic Second Chance

Hayden Hall premieres beautifully with One More Shot!

When hearts find each other, we see the fine line between joy and pain. When SOULS find each other, we see life.

Congratulations, Hayden, on breathing sweet life into Viktor and Jake. Our lives are better for having met them!

[Amy Stauffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you ever come across a book, and somehow, before even reading it, you just know you’re going to like it? That’s how it was for me. Now that I’ve actually read it, I can conform I was correct.

I fell in love with Jake and Victor by the time I was 39% into the book. They are absolutely relatable, adorable, and I wish they were real. These men met when they were around 21, but were separated by life and choices. For whatever reason, they ultimately chose not to see each other, and broke their own hearts in the process. Now, because of the wedding between their mutual friends, they’re back in the same place...back where it all begun. It was different, yet it wasn’t. Will they make different choices this time, or will history be doomed to repeat itself?

This was a very well written story, and a phenomenal debut for Hayden Hall. His writing, and talents for storytelling show great potential for so much more to come. He captured their emotions in such a way that if you didn’t feel it, too, you might as well be a cold fish. I couldn’t just picture it; I felt it.

It appears that this may be the beginning of a series. I don’t know who he has in mind for the next one, but I’m really, really hoping it’s Aurel. Whatever happens, and whatever Hall writes next, all I know is I’m looking forward to reading it!

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

[Wendy❤Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Looks like I might be an outlier on this book. I didn’t love it; thought I would because I love second chance stories, but nope, had to force myself to keep going. I didn’t connect with the characters (any of them) and found a good portion of the story to be confusing and something I can’t quite put my finger on. Not for me, unfortunately.

[Sara Sigler · Rating 5 out of 5]

7 years ago Viktor and Jake had a vacation fling and is what they told each other and Jake went back home. Now 7 years later Jake’s best friend was getting married to the guy she met the same night they met. Viktor knew that he loved Jake and wanted him to stay it took awhile before things were that Jake did stay. Great book!

[E.Muddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Jake and Viktor’s second chance romance and I thought it was a wonderful debut by the author. The setting in Budapest captured me straight off and I loved all the beautiful descriptions throughout. And the characters had such depth to them. Jake and Viktor met seven years ago and fell hard and fast, and from the moment they meet again, it’s so clear they’ve never stopped loving each other. Whenever they’re together the connection is powerful and intense and their emotions are impossible to not feel. Although there is some heartache and pining that made my heart hurt, there is also some excellent back and forth and humour, as well as some beautifully tender and hot and steamy moments. I highly recommend this beautiful love story.

[Adina Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love trying new genres, and you know that I love discovering new authors. I was lucky enough to find Hayden Hall and steal from him a copy of his book.

His writing is very engaging, leading the reader to empathize with the characters, and that's a great goal!

Jake and Viktor met seven years ago during a trip that Jake and his best friend, Lucy, take to Budapest.
One evening they go to a club and join at a table where there are a group of hot boys. Here, Lucy meets Andras and Jake, Viktor. The two of the date for a while, discovering new sensations, and feelings but they are only teenagers, and when the vacation ends, Jake must return to the United States.

Seven years later, Lucy and Andras invite Jake to their wedding, and with this excuse, Jake meets Viktor again.
In all these years, the two tried to have relationships with different people but did not find that magical spark they had felt in each other's arms. When Jake and Viktor meet again, it's as if time has never passed. The initial embarrassment and their way of joking only rekindles the old spark. But the story seems to be a deja vu; Jake will have to return to the United States in two weeks.

What will happen between them? Will Jake be able to live this holiday without suffering the separation from Viktor like the first time? Or even this time, it would tear him apart? Should they remain friends, or will they give it a go trying to date again, enjoying this holiday?

A trip to beautiful Budapest with these two fabulous and sexy guys is definitely a jackpot!

The smooth, fast, and fun reading due to Jake and Viktor's constant jokes, the hot moments, and the depth of the feelings described making this book truly interesting and enjoyable to read. I definitely recommend it, and I'm sure you will love it as I did.

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

[Amy Dufera - Amy's MM Romance Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars


One More Shot is a decent debut novel for Hayden Hall. It's a second chance romance set in Budapest.

I want to love this romance. The concept is wonderful and there is a lot I like about it. But I definitely struggled with some of the storyline. I think I also struggled with the setting. I wanted more of the atmosphere described and established, as I know nothing about Budapest.

The beginning and the end kept me invested. The middle got muddy for me, as it was more sex than emotion. I kept waiting for more of a connection, but it isn't until the last third of the book that we get that. When the emotions did come out, I enjoyed them a lot. But I wish there had been more.

And if you struggle with questionable cheating, as one is struggling to figure out what they truly want, avoid this one. It's definitely a large part of the storyline.

I am impressed with the writing. A debut novel for Hayden Hall, everything is smooth and I enjoy the writing style. If only some of the storyline were different, I would be praising this one.

Overall, One More Shot is an okay read. Hayden Hall puts a lot of emotion and pain into the last part of the story. If you enjoy stories of history repeating itself, you will enjoy this one. And if you enjoy stories where the circumstances, not actions, is what separates people, this one is for you.

[Juniper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Viktor and Jake's second chance, as Jake returns to Budapest, and the man he'd loved and left, after seven years. It's also a love letter to the city, and I think that's one of my favorite things about it. There's plenty of chemistry and a fair amount of steam between Viktor and Jake. Viktor has seemingly endless patience, which is good, because Jake requires all of it. Often in second-chance romances there's a range of factors that made it not work out the first time around, and there's responsibility on both, or no one's part. That's not the case here: Jake is the one who left the first time, and Jake is the one who devises walls and reasons and gets in his own way the second time too. He seems to enjoy berating himself for his "weakness" and "cowardice" a little too much, and more than once I wanted to ask him if he was really just happier being unhappy. This is, however, a bit harsh, as at least some of his issues definitely come from Robbie, the controlling, gaslighting almost-ex that Jake desperately wants to pull away from. It's a hard-won HEA, with some awesome sightseeing and some not-so-awesome angst along the way, but overall I enjoyed the book.

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

[Kendra Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jake is on a trip through Europe with his BF Lucy. He's shy and not much into hook-ups. They end up in Budapest and this is where both of their lives change. Viktor lives in Budapest. He's a player and not ashamed to admit it.

The book starts off with Jake and Lucy stopping in Budapest and meeting Viktor and his friends at at bar. Jake and Viktor hit it off and spend almost all of the next two weeks together. After two weeks they are in love but Jake decides to go back to the US. Lucy and Viktor's friend Andras hit it off too and Lucy ends up staying in Budapest. Fast forward seven years and Jake is being invited to Lucy and Andras's wedding. He leaves the US without telling anyone and is on his way to Budapest. As one would expect Jake and Viktor meet again and it seems like they still love each other. Will time and maturity make a difference?

I really wanted to like this book but there's something about how it's written that is off putting to me. It is stilted in areas and is slow. I didn't feel any chemistry between Jake and Viktor. At the 50% mark I found myself skimming and then read the last two chapters and epilogue. It ends ok if not anticlimactic. I would put this in the boring category. I won't read it again and can't recommend it.

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable read, and for a debut novel, it was very well written too.
The thing I liked the most about this book is the fact that when Viktor and Jake do not waste any time getting together when they reunite 7 years later. So many second chance books take so long with the characters considering whether they want to give the other person another chance. In this book, both Jake and Viktor KNOW that they belong together, and damn the repercusions of diving head first into a two week relationship again that smells and feels like the one that broke their hearts seven years ago.

I loved the descriptions of Budapest. I've never been to Hungary, but I am European and have travelled to many European cities so I could very easily imagine and visualise the place throughout the descriptions. It's made me want to visit!! I need to see one of those "ruined bars" with my own bars.

But, this book is not perfect unfortunately. The middle of the book drags a little bit, the issue with Jake's ex that is not an ex is a bit dubious and I found it slightly annoying when they "roared" with laughter all the time.

Four stars all in all for me, and I will be reading this author again!

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A second chance story, that is done with the right amount of angst and steaminess 😂

I really liked the story, I liked that it wasn't an easy fix, the acknowledgement that both main characters had their issues to work through (particularly Jake) but also how realistic seemed the way in which they kept fooling themselves, trying to believe that they wouldn't get hurt a second time.

They are aware of the risks, though, but willing to face them and that's a really good way to present the story.

I also liked the way in which the author shows how easy is to get lost in your own head, how we can let friendship slip without even noticing, but that it's never really too late to rekindle it. And I adore Lucy 😃 I want her to be my friend, too 😛

I also enjoyed the descriptions of Budapest, they made me want to visit it ❤

A great, lovely story that left me wanting to read more books by this author. I really hope there will more soon.

I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Marharyta · Rating 4 out of 5]

worth the heartbreak

💕 I truly adore second chances. Because they always start with heartbreak. And in most second chance romances, the heartbreak and the anger have a chance to heal. But this story was different.
Seven years ago, they had two weeks together. Now, they have another two weeks. And then what? I love the dilemma. The feelings are still there, but how can they act on them when they know how they can’t have a happy ending?
The thing about this book is that they didn’t split because of some argument or disagreement. Jake lives in the USA. Viktor in Hungary. They were young. And seven years later, they’ve both changed. But neither has been happy. This time, it’s another 2 weeks. But Jake has unfinished business that he must get home to. I love how they try to resist, but in the end decide that being together for two weeks and the impending heartbreak is better than never being together again.

[Fay MMBookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good start as both reunite after years not seeing each other. A first book for the author.
Jake was the shy boy then and hadnt changed, making Viktor want him and not as freinds.
A great second chances story and a bit of history repeating itself for two weeks, but..what happens next. I wouldve loved more of their names thrown in cause I kept forgetting who was speaking. An easy flowing story for them both and includes a marriage for Lucy. Problems with and Ex also fits in with some dilemas.

Jake 28 yrs was visiting Budapest after 7 yrs being away from home and his best freind.
Memories still haunt him of Viktor.
Viktor was used to hookups and never doing anothet more serious. But one name made him fall to pieces.

[Sarah Sargent · Rating 5 out of 5]

One More Shot is a debut novel by Hayden Hall. This is a second chance title done right. From the moment we meet Jake and Viktor we know that they have something that neither one of them should have run from. But seven years apart is a long time, time can change who we are and make us better. But there is always that one person that makes you complete. Jake runs to Budapest for his best friend’s wedding but two weeks is all that it takes to fall for the man you loved. The chemistry that we see between Jake is Viktor is off the charts. We see splashes of their history that helps us understand these two. I can’t wait for more.

[S LL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet second chances

When Jake and Victor met 7 years ago, their connection was deep and immediate...at least until Jake’s vacation was over. Now he is back, and they are picking up right where the left off. Are they headed for heartbreak again? Or can they make this second shot last?

I honestly had no idea what to expect when I started this book by a new author. But Oh. My. Gosh. It was perfect. I fell in love with this sweet romance, the nostalgia, and the characters. It’s definitely steamy, but also just so, so sweet. I will definitely be following and reading all of Hayden Hall’s book.

[Maureen Sofie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely loved it, but there's one thing that bugged me so much.
Why did Jake leave? I feel like that wasn't really highlighted.
He talks about being a coward and how he had no choice .... But why? Was it family issues? Past trauma? Jake is seemingly very in love with this man yet he refused to be in contact? Is it just me???
I need a reason. I guess it is the same with the real world people ghost for no reason at all.
His ex, Robbie is apparently a controlling asshole but their whole relationship is kinda glossed over we don't really see how.
Love Vicktor though he's amazing. Deserved better honestly.

[Anne]

Hayden Hall kept us waiting seven years to see if Jake and Viktor would get their happy ending! Well not in our years, but a lot can happen in seven years. Thank goodness he also included snippets from each of their lives to get us all on the same page, but it still took until the end for Jake to admit to his fears.
I don't know how Hayden does it, but he gets me so invested in his characters, their lives and problems and finally the solutions. I have reached a point where I can now go back and catch up on all the books I missed. I loved the descriptions of places in Budapest and some of the history.

[Cynthia Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake and his friend Lucy were on vacation in Budapest when he meet Victor. They end up falling in love but in the end Jake had to go back to the states. They both end up broken hearted. Seven years later, he comes back to Budapest for Lucy's wedding. Jake and Victor end up together again knowing that in two weeks Jake is going back home. Victor wants more but will take what Jake can give. When I started this book I wasn't sure if I would like it but it didn't take long for me to change my mind. I really enjoyed this book.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake and Viktor are meant to be. After a promise seven years in the making, the two are finally reunited back in Budapest. Despite both of them agreeing to just be friends, Viktor and Jake relive some of their fondest memories and make plenty of new ones. I leapt for joy when they finally realized they couldn't just be friends, that they truly loved each other. But seven years apart means there is baggage that they both need to work through before they can have their happily ever after. A sweet story with plenty of heat. Loved it!

[Christie Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Viktor and Jake are perfect, they are passionate and they are a young beautiful couple that come together on a vacation they didn't want to end and made promises they were hoping to keep. I rooted for this story from the prequel to the second chance, watching their story unfold into something special. I love seeing couples that compliment each other in every way and walk their path together, tackling the past to get to the future they both crave. Loved this story and can't wait to see what this author's next adventure will be.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading the prequel novella Someday, Maybe, I was looking forward to reading this second chance novel, but I couldn't help but be disappointed by the often awkward grammar, the far too slow-paced writing, the lack of character depth and backstory--like why was Jake's relationship with Robbie so bad and does Jake just estrange himself from his family by deciding to go to and stay in Hungary? Does Viktor have any family? They're in a vacuum and seem to only have two friends now-- and then, there's the uncomfortable lack of appropriate prep and lube during the sex scenes.

[Jocelyn Whaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

One More Shot is a beautifully sweet slow burn of second chances. Full of lost love, hurt, and hope. Viktor and Jake made me so sad, but it was nice to watch the work their way back to each other. From strolling through old memories and old haunts to making new memories in the same old places. The sex between them sweet and hot. I was glad when jake told Robbie off but I even prouder of him for not leaving for having the courage to stay. Beautiful story.

[Jacquie Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Debut

I believe this is the first novel from this author and it's well done. Tiny little things have slipped through but the second chance story overcomes that.
Jake and Victor met and fell in love 7 years before but couldn't make it work long distance.
Jake returns to Budapest for a wedding and is reunited with Victor. Jake really is a bit of a mess and there is a lot of back and forth with his feelings.
Emotional and sweet

[Mstay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally Full Circle

This story was really good especially for a debut novel. I was very happy when the main characters finally made it full circle. Jake really did need to work on his self confidence issues though. At least he recognized his cowardice for how he handled things in the end.

[Jo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not finish. The premise was interesting but it was dull and I didn't care about the characters. I kept trying to go back to it for months but would only get a few more pages before looking for something more engaging. Will try the next in the series as I've liked other things by this author, but this was a no-go for me.

[Jeanette Buck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good debut novel. It's a second chance romance with the right amount of emotions and steam. The story had a nice flow and the main characters connection and chemistry was amazing. And I loved hearing about Budapest. I really enjoyed reading this story 💜

[Hollis Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Give this a shot!

I really enjoyed this second chance. It is sweet & has hidden depth of how to reconnect with someone after 7 years of becoming an adult. I absolutely loved the main characters and the interactions with side characters. This is a great read and now I want to visit Budapest.

[Tina Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A second chance

A heartwarming second chance at love that was beautifully written and amazing. This story hate me on the edge of my seat one minute and crying the next. A love so worth fighting for and a HEA that made my heart explode.