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No Second Chances
From the acclaimed author of Lola on Fire comes a blistering novel of action, intrigue, and suspense about a down-and-out actor suspected of killing his wife, a wannabe starlet new to the L.A. scene, and the vengeful drug dealer they both dare to cross
Luke Kingsley's glory days are in the rearview mirror. Once an up-and-coming actor, his career hit the skids after his wife--the famous R&B singer, Lisa Hayes--disappeared without a trace. Their relationship was very public, often tempestuous, and most people, including a determined ex-detective, are convinced he got away with murder.
Luke fervently maintains his innocence. One of the very few people who believe him is his friend and confidante, Kitty Rae. But Kitty hasn't been entirely honest with Luke. He thinks she's a courier, delivering important correspondence to businesses around Los Angeles. In reality, she's running product for the notorious Johan Fly, powerful social media influencer and drug dealer to the rich and famous. Johan is young, handsome, and dangerous--the entitled son of a Danish billionaire. And when Johan discovers that Kitty has been skimming, he vows to make her pay.
As Luke steps up to help Kitty, he uncovers a web of violence and corruption, as well as a single, enticing clue about his wife's disappearance. Blazing across the Mojave Desert, Luke and Kitty set off to find the long-lost Lisa. But Johan, hungry for vengeance, is hot on their trail, and he won't stop until he finds them.
A high-octane thriller from acclaimed author Rio Youers, No Second Chances pulses with non-stop action and shocking twists and turns as it delves deeply into loss, love, and the precarious pursuit of fame.
Luke Kingsley's glory days are in the rearview mirror. Once an up-and-coming actor, his career hit the skids after his wife--the famous R&B singer, Lisa Hayes--disappeared without a trace. Their relationship was very public, often tempestuous, and most people, including a determined ex-detective, are convinced he got away with murder.
Luke fervently maintains his innocence. One of the very few people who believe him is his friend and confidante, Kitty Rae. But Kitty hasn't been entirely honest with Luke. He thinks she's a courier, delivering important correspondence to businesses around Los Angeles. In reality, she's running product for the notorious Johan Fly, powerful social media influencer and drug dealer to the rich and famous. Johan is young, handsome, and dangerous--the entitled son of a Danish billionaire. And when Johan discovers that Kitty has been skimming, he vows to make her pay.
As Luke steps up to help Kitty, he uncovers a web of violence and corruption, as well as a single, enticing clue about his wife's disappearance. Blazing across the Mojave Desert, Luke and Kitty set off to find the long-lost Lisa. But Johan, hungry for vengeance, is hot on their trail, and he won't stop until he finds them.
A high-octane thriller from acclaimed author Rio Youers, No Second Chances pulses with non-stop action and shocking twists and turns as it delves deeply into loss, love, and the precarious pursuit of fame.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 22, 2022
44 people are currently reading
6777 people want to read
About the author
Rio Youers
90 books434 followersRio Youers is the British Fantasy and Sunburst Award–nominated author of Lola on Fire and No Second Chances. His 2017 thriller, The Forgotten Girl, was a finalist for the Arthur Ellis Award for Best Crime Novel. He is the writer of Refrigerator Full of Heads, a six-issue comic series from DC Comics, and Sleeping Beauties, a graphic novel based on the number-one bestseller by Stephen King and Owen King. Rio’s latest novel, The Bang-Bang Sisters, was published by William Morrow in summer 2024.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
April 23, 2022
Sometimes you long for an understated story packed with longing glances that convey decades of unrequited love and heart ache. Other times you just want to see a smokey chase the Bandit around. Rio Youers’ newest novel, No Second Chances falls soundly into this Smokey and the Bandit category. No Second chances is about as subtle as a wet t-shirt contest. And like a wet t-shirt contest it is over way too quickly, oftentimes damp, and full of dangerously pointy objects. Luke Kingsley was an up-and-coming actor, until the disappearance of his wife. Public opinion has him killing her, and while he was never convicted, he is now a pariah whose career is trashed. Kitty Rae wants to be an actress. But the cost of living in Hollywood is high so she has been running drugs for the unhinged dealer Johan Fly to pay her bills until she achieves her acting dream. Johan’s weapon of choice is an ax and soon he is wielding it as he chases Kitty and Luke, hellbent on destruction. The action sizzles like bacon frying in a cast-iron skillet. And many times, I found myself pondering if my home was built on the Bermuda Triangle as time seemed to slip away magically while reading this. No Second Chances is not a period piece full of lavish scenes, metaphors, and disillusioned characters ruing tragic entanglements. In fact, if it saw you drinking a glass of Chardonnay while reading, there is no doubt No Second Chances would call you a hurtful derogative, punch you in the belly, eat your ice-cream, and take pictures of you crying and then post them over all social media platforms. This book kind of has a bad attitude. However, It also has car chases, fisticuffs, a villain with an ax, and rattlesnakes. This one was a lot of fun
February 20, 2022
Kitty Rae left her life in Kentucky behind to come to Los Angeles and be a star. So far it's not working out quite like she planned. She spends most of her time as a courier, running "product" (aka drugs). She meets her next door neighbor, once beloved actor Luke Kingsley, when she fears he's about to commit suicide. Luke's career has tanked as he's under suspicion for killing his wife, Lisa, who disappeared three years ago--and Luke showed up drunk, disheveled, and with her blood all over his shirt. But Luke and Kitty form a bond and he's the only one she can trust when she gets in trouble with Johan Fly--the "Viking"--a social media influencer and drug dealer to the Hollywood elite. Johan's out for blood, but as Luke and Kitty try to escape his clutches, they stumble into a dark web of violence, drugs, and deception.
"It was all coming together. Life was good. And then, in a blink, it wasn't."
I didn't love CHANCES quite as much as LOLA ON FIRE, but like LOLA, it's powerful, intense, and packed with jaw-dropping violence. You have to just go with the idea that this book will be filled with punches, literal and emotional, and see it almost as a film. Youers writes in such a mesmerizing fashion that it's nearly impossible not to be caught up in the brutality and story of the novel. It's a fast, shocking read, but there's a surprising emotion underneath, especially with Kitty and Luke's surprising friendship.
I flew through this one, as it's dramatic, ferocious, and fascinating. 4 stars.
Major trigger warnings for all the drugs, violence, mentions of suicide, and animal cruelty.
I received of copy of this book from William Morrow and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
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"It was all coming together. Life was good. And then, in a blink, it wasn't."
I didn't love CHANCES quite as much as LOLA ON FIRE, but like LOLA, it's powerful, intense, and packed with jaw-dropping violence. You have to just go with the idea that this book will be filled with punches, literal and emotional, and see it almost as a film. Youers writes in such a mesmerizing fashion that it's nearly impossible not to be caught up in the brutality and story of the novel. It's a fast, shocking read, but there's a surprising emotion underneath, especially with Kitty and Luke's surprising friendship.
I flew through this one, as it's dramatic, ferocious, and fascinating. 4 stars.
Major trigger warnings for all the drugs, violence, mentions of suicide, and animal cruelty.
I received of copy of this book from William Morrow and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Smashbomb ~ Instagram
November 21, 2021
No Second Chances cuts through all the competition in the vast ocean of thrillers with a sharp plot and larger than life characters wrapped in a stylized narrative that feels real and current.
Rio Youres writes a beautifully compelling story with all the bling and darkness of Hollywood we have come to love from Michael Connolly’s Bosch series. Luke Kingsley, a down on his luck actor after being accused of murdering his wife, crosses paths with a kind and wild young spirited woman, Kitty Rae, when she saves him from a suicide attempt. Kitty dreams of becoming a Hollywood icon when she is not working as a drug courier. When she runs afoul of a Nordic crime boss and social media celebrity, she has no one but Luke to help her escape from dangerous killers hellbent on punishing Kitty for her transgressions. For Luke, this offers a purpose in his life again as well as an opportunity to find out what happened to his wife.
This is not your usual run-of-the-mill thriller. It ticks all the right boxes; riveting pacing, edge-of-your-seat action, and shocking twists that flip the narrative on its head. At the same time, it’s supercharged to convey the gut-wrenching emotions in a realistic tone that resonates with readers. The characters feel like they might be your next-door neighbors. The protagonists are given their due diligence in setting up rich histories that pave the way for their well-conceived choices, good and bad............
Full review on: https://www.bestthrillerbooks.com/kas...
Rio Youres writes a beautifully compelling story with all the bling and darkness of Hollywood we have come to love from Michael Connolly’s Bosch series. Luke Kingsley, a down on his luck actor after being accused of murdering his wife, crosses paths with a kind and wild young spirited woman, Kitty Rae, when she saves him from a suicide attempt. Kitty dreams of becoming a Hollywood icon when she is not working as a drug courier. When she runs afoul of a Nordic crime boss and social media celebrity, she has no one but Luke to help her escape from dangerous killers hellbent on punishing Kitty for her transgressions. For Luke, this offers a purpose in his life again as well as an opportunity to find out what happened to his wife.
This is not your usual run-of-the-mill thriller. It ticks all the right boxes; riveting pacing, edge-of-your-seat action, and shocking twists that flip the narrative on its head. At the same time, it’s supercharged to convey the gut-wrenching emotions in a realistic tone that resonates with readers. The characters feel like they might be your next-door neighbors. The protagonists are given their due diligence in setting up rich histories that pave the way for their well-conceived choices, good and bad............
Full review on: https://www.bestthrillerbooks.com/kas...
September 27, 2021
I was able to read this book as an ARC from Netgalley.
If you are in the mood for a thriller with lots of action, this is the book for you. Luke Kingsley and Kitty Rae are the compelling protagonists in the story, while Johann Fly and a cast of muscleheads make up compelling antagonists. There was a lot to like- I enjoyed how the protagonists were flawed in their own ways. Each with their own demons and sources of shame. I liked how Luke was a fallen celebrity and what it must be like to live in Hollywood once your star has fallen. It was a wise choice by the author to actually allow a friendship between a man and a woman that didn't have to involve sex or a relationship. I enjoyed the first 70% of the novel very much. Where the novel lost me was the amount of ridiculous action and fights. It just didn't come off as believable and frankly wasn't necessary for the story. If you enjoy lots of action, and are willing to suspend your belief of reality for a little while- then you might really enjoy this book.
If you are in the mood for a thriller with lots of action, this is the book for you. Luke Kingsley and Kitty Rae are the compelling protagonists in the story, while Johann Fly and a cast of muscleheads make up compelling antagonists. There was a lot to like- I enjoyed how the protagonists were flawed in their own ways. Each with their own demons and sources of shame. I liked how Luke was a fallen celebrity and what it must be like to live in Hollywood once your star has fallen. It was a wise choice by the author to actually allow a friendship between a man and a woman that didn't have to involve sex or a relationship. I enjoyed the first 70% of the novel very much. Where the novel lost me was the amount of ridiculous action and fights. It just didn't come off as believable and frankly wasn't necessary for the story. If you enjoy lots of action, and are willing to suspend your belief of reality for a little while- then you might really enjoy this book.
February 28, 2022
I feel like I've read a different book from everyone else. It took forever for any action to happen and when it did, it all felt predictable and kind of what's the point?. There's a ton of name dropping and a "look at how clever I am" aspect to the endless made up TV Show and movie titles showered throughout. Thankfully, Youers is a much better writer than the last few books I've read, so I went along with him for the ride, but I could have skipped this trip to the city of angels.
February 10, 2022
Rio Youers has me hooked. It all started with his novel "Lola on Fire”, a fast paced thriller with a strong female protagonist I loved. In this, the second book I've read by Youers, he has cemented his ability create charismatic lead characters, an especially vile villain and a noir sense of place that combine to produce an amazingly well plotted thriller that never lets up.
Kitty Rae, an aspiring actress, uproots herself from Kentucky to Los Angeles with stars in her eyes. Things don't start off that great when her first job is distributing for drug dealer to the rich and famous and wanna be Viking, Johan Fly. She meets her neighbor, Luke Kingsley, a former Hollywood star whose career took a nose dive when his wife went missing three years before, when she rescues him from a failed suicide attempt. Talk about unusual first impressions! Then Kitty's own life is in danger when Johan discovers she has been skimming from him and vows to kill her. Enter Luke to help free her from Johan's clutches.
The story is dark at times but I found myself carried along and captivated by the characters, both good and evil. The writing is excellent with crisp dialogue and pacing that never lets up.
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for an advance copy. The publication date is February 22, 2022.
Kitty Rae, an aspiring actress, uproots herself from Kentucky to Los Angeles with stars in her eyes. Things don't start off that great when her first job is distributing for drug dealer to the rich and famous and wanna be Viking, Johan Fly. She meets her neighbor, Luke Kingsley, a former Hollywood star whose career took a nose dive when his wife went missing three years before, when she rescues him from a failed suicide attempt. Talk about unusual first impressions! Then Kitty's own life is in danger when Johan discovers she has been skimming from him and vows to kill her. Enter Luke to help free her from Johan's clutches.
The story is dark at times but I found myself carried along and captivated by the characters, both good and evil. The writing is excellent with crisp dialogue and pacing that never lets up.
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for an advance copy. The publication date is February 22, 2022.
January 13, 2022
Thank you for another Goodreads giveaway! Wow! My adrenaline is still pumping. Wow! Exciting, engaging, unsuspecting, twisted thriller. Superb writing allows the reader to visualize the action. OMG! There is action. Can't wait for the movie. Well done.
February 22, 2022
I will not mince words here: NO SECOND CHANCES (William Morrow & Company) is a must-read. Imagine Tarantino’s ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD but in present time and you got a pretty good idea what this novel is all about. It follows the lives of three Hollywood seekers who end up coming together under violent circumstances, and when I say violent I mean violent with a capital “v”. The kind of violence that will make you cringe despite yourself. It all pretty much begins when this young wannabe actress ends up hiding out at her neighbors’ house from a very bad guy who wants her dead. This neighbor of hers is in bad shape himself: former up-and-coming actor, lost it all when being accused of involvement in his wife disappearance... You know the drill. Still, the two of them come to form an unlikely duo, which certainly becomes fruitful when the very bad guy and his posse show up at his doorstep. And let’s talk about this bad guy for a sec. What a mean and messed up SOB. Clearly he’s in need of some major therapy. I don’t remember the last time I had that much fun venturing into the mind of an antagonist like him. In fact, everything in this novel is captivating, from the non-stop action sequences, to the fleshed-out characterization, to the solid, easy-breezy narrative that—lo and behold—includes emotional moments to spare. Oh yes, dig into NO SECOND CHANCES, you will probably revel in it as much as I did. Clearly one of the best novels of 2022.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
April 11, 2022
I’ll start by saying I absolutely loved Lola on Fire. So when I read the synopsis for this book, I knew I was going to love it going in. What is crazy is how it far exceeded my already high expectations. This book was pedal to the metal from the start and never let up. It has some of the best characters in recent memory, especially the villain Johan. He is a bad, bad man. I can not recommend this book enough, it’s so good!
February 17, 2022
‘Luke Kingsley’s glory days are behind him. A star on the rise, his life and career imploded after his soul singer wife, Lisa Hayes, disappeared without a trace, silencing a very public and tumultuous marriage. Most people, especially an avenging PI, think Luke got away with murder.’
‘Wannabe actress Kitty Rae has chased her dreams all the way from Kentucky to Hollywood. Saving a washed-up actor’s life wasn’t one of them, but she believes in Luke—as much as she believes her own career is just one lucky break away. For now, she works for Johan Fly, a charismatic, wealthy, and seriously unbalanced drug dealer to the rich and famous.’
‘When Johan discovers that Kitty has been skimming the product, he vows to make her pay.’
NO SECOND CHANCES—In two words—My Heart!
It’s always a pleasure reading Youers’ writing; I read LOLA ON FIRE last year and Loved It!!
When I read one of Youers’ social media posts about the release of his next book, NO SECOND CHANCES, coupled with the word ‘Vikings’ being in the story, I knew I had to read this book, STAT!
I wasn’t sure how it was going to play out, but…
I have to say—as I delved deeper into the book, I was getting some serious Finnies vibe that added depth and perfection to character in this unputdownable intense Thriller.
Highly Recommend!
Thank you, William Morrow (Harper Collins Publishing), for sending me a paperback ARC of NO SECOND CHANCES at the request of an honest review.
Scheduled For Release - February 22, 2022
‘Wannabe actress Kitty Rae has chased her dreams all the way from Kentucky to Hollywood. Saving a washed-up actor’s life wasn’t one of them, but she believes in Luke—as much as she believes her own career is just one lucky break away. For now, she works for Johan Fly, a charismatic, wealthy, and seriously unbalanced drug dealer to the rich and famous.’
‘When Johan discovers that Kitty has been skimming the product, he vows to make her pay.’
NO SECOND CHANCES—In two words—My Heart!
It’s always a pleasure reading Youers’ writing; I read LOLA ON FIRE last year and Loved It!!
When I read one of Youers’ social media posts about the release of his next book, NO SECOND CHANCES, coupled with the word ‘Vikings’ being in the story, I knew I had to read this book, STAT!
I wasn’t sure how it was going to play out, but…
I have to say—as I delved deeper into the book, I was getting some serious Finnies vibe that added depth and perfection to character in this unputdownable intense Thriller.
Highly Recommend!
Thank you, William Morrow (Harper Collins Publishing), for sending me a paperback ARC of NO SECOND CHANCES at the request of an honest review.
Scheduled For Release - February 22, 2022
December 8, 2021
With bad ass characters backed up by truly exceptional writing, No Second Chances is a masterful thrill ride from beginning to end. It really is. I've said it many times, but Rio Youers continues to blow my mind. Put it this way, if Tarantino came up with something current, it would probably turn out a bit like this. That's pretty much all you need to know, and if that doesn't convince you to go pick it up, then maybe Stephen King's blurb calling this "a rip-roaring Hollywood noir with the best villain since Ian Flemming's Bond novels" will.
This one is surely destined for the big screen.
God knows the world would be a better place for it. I can't be the only one fed up with all the remakes going on.
Anyway, I went into this one blind, like I do with most novels, especially when I trust the author, and I think you should, too.
The truth is, there's no point in me telling you about it when there's a synopsis already in place. Just know it's good, so damn good, and once you've finished reading it, have a look back through Rio's previous work.
Lola On Fire would be a good place to start.
Five stars all the way.
This one is surely destined for the big screen.
God knows the world would be a better place for it. I can't be the only one fed up with all the remakes going on.
Anyway, I went into this one blind, like I do with most novels, especially when I trust the author, and I think you should, too.
The truth is, there's no point in me telling you about it when there's a synopsis already in place. Just know it's good, so damn good, and once you've finished reading it, have a look back through Rio's previous work.
Lola On Fire would be a good place to start.
Five stars all the way.
Want to read
February 17, 2022Get ready for an action packed thriller once you begin reading No Second Chances.
What happens when you cross a loser actor who murdered his wife and a young drug runner with big dreams of hitting Hollywood? You get an incredible plot that will leave you in awe every time you flip a page, that's what.
This is a story filled with life lessons, heart break and struggles. You will see these two wildly dramatic characters come in to themselves. You will see the journey from start to finish and be left with an ending you will be unable to forget.
Due out 2/22/22 !! (What a cool date for a release!) You do not want to miss this one!
Happy Reading !
What happens when you cross a loser actor who murdered his wife and a young drug runner with big dreams of hitting Hollywood? You get an incredible plot that will leave you in awe every time you flip a page, that's what.
This is a story filled with life lessons, heart break and struggles. You will see these two wildly dramatic characters come in to themselves. You will see the journey from start to finish and be left with an ending you will be unable to forget.
Due out 2/22/22 !! (What a cool date for a release!) You do not want to miss this one!
Happy Reading !
June 17, 2022
Action packed from beginning to end, in very much the same vein as Lola on Fire. As Stephen King says in his quote about this book, this is a "rip roaring noir" and true enough, there is a lot of ripping and a 'roaring. I like Youers' style, but after reading Lola and this one, I wish he'd go back to
something more similar to Westlake Soul. Enough of the guns/chase/explosive finishes. Fun book to read overall.
something more similar to Westlake Soul. Enough of the guns/chase/explosive finishes. Fun book to read overall.
September 17, 2022
Thank you so much @williammorrowbooks for the complimentary copy.
This was such a fun and heart racing read! I was mentally comparing it to Razorblade Tears with its breakneck pace and action/violence. Four stars not five because didn’t truly connect with the protagonists, while I was definitely rooting for them I didn’t feel the emotional pull. Also, the ending was just a little bit to neatly wrapped up for my liking, one character in particular I would have liked to have seen karma come for.
This was such a fun and heart racing read! I was mentally comparing it to Razorblade Tears with its breakneck pace and action/violence. Four stars not five because didn’t truly connect with the protagonists, while I was definitely rooting for them I didn’t feel the emotional pull. Also, the ending was just a little bit to neatly wrapped up for my liking, one character in particular I would have liked to have seen karma come for.
December 24, 2021
Rio just has a way of writing violence that jumps off the page and kicks you in the face . I am exhausted after reading. Plot isn’t always the strongest but the action more then makes up for it.
October 15, 2023
Book Review – No Second Chances - Rio Youers
Picked up “No Second Chances” by author Rio Youers upon the recommendation of fellow thriller reviewer Todd Wilkins from Best Thriller Books. Man was Todd spot on again on this recommendation?! This was one captivating and gripping classic Los Angeles-style crime noir! Sharply written, LA-like atmospheric, vividly painted with splendid descriptions of some fascinating and well-developed characters, this crime story is dark, mysterious, and perplexing. Add to the baffling plot and storyline is a distorted villain – a drug dealer to the rich - that is so real that this crime thriller will remain unforgettable to the readers’ memory. Totally mystifying and inexplicable, No Second Chances is a worthwhile crime thriller read! I too recommend this incredible story that was brilliantly written and strikingly told. Thanks again Todd Wilkins (Best Thriller Books), you’re batting a thousand with all your book recommendations to me…
Picked up “No Second Chances” by author Rio Youers upon the recommendation of fellow thriller reviewer Todd Wilkins from Best Thriller Books. Man was Todd spot on again on this recommendation?! This was one captivating and gripping classic Los Angeles-style crime noir! Sharply written, LA-like atmospheric, vividly painted with splendid descriptions of some fascinating and well-developed characters, this crime story is dark, mysterious, and perplexing. Add to the baffling plot and storyline is a distorted villain – a drug dealer to the rich - that is so real that this crime thriller will remain unforgettable to the readers’ memory. Totally mystifying and inexplicable, No Second Chances is a worthwhile crime thriller read! I too recommend this incredible story that was brilliantly written and strikingly told. Thanks again Todd Wilkins (Best Thriller Books), you’re batting a thousand with all your book recommendations to me…
January 6, 2022
No Second Chances is a fast paced book that will have you on the edge of your seat to find out what's going to happen next.
This is the story of Kitty, a twenty five year old drug runner with dreams of being a star, and Luke, a has been actor who murdered his wife. Together they become something else, something more. This is a story about heartbreak, about struggling to sift through the sh*t life give you, about finding out who you are in the most horrible of circumstances.
If you enjoyed LOLA ON FIRE, then I'd highly recommend picking up NO SECOND CHANCES.
This is the story of Kitty, a twenty five year old drug runner with dreams of being a star, and Luke, a has been actor who murdered his wife. Together they become something else, something more. This is a story about heartbreak, about struggling to sift through the sh*t life give you, about finding out who you are in the most horrible of circumstances.
If you enjoyed LOLA ON FIRE, then I'd highly recommend picking up NO SECOND CHANCES.
August 31, 2023
Hollywood noir at it's finest! This is right up there with Jordan Harper's "Everybody Knows". Nonstop action with characters you give a shit about. It's a high-octane thriller with one of the most memorable villains I've come across in the last few years. Highly recommended!
January 27, 2022
Nσ Sҽƈσɳԃ Cԋαɳƈҽʂ
Ⴆყ, Rισ Yσυҽɾʂ
Rҽʅҽαʂҽ Dαƚҽ 02/22/2022
If you’re a fan of Don Winslow or James Pattersons thrillers then your DEF need to a Rio to your list
Kitty is a skateboarding, beautiful woman living in LA for the last four months. She's from Kentucky so she has solid routes and also seems quite homesick at times. She wants to make it in LA, get on the big screen, and know she has what it takes. She’s also a drug runner dealing canary for some pretty rough characters. She works for Sly Boy and lately, she’s been doing some runs for Johan the Viking. He’s super scary but takes a liking to Kitty. Across the street from her lives a famous actor. He’s not known for all of his great work, he’s known for the disappearance of his wife, and since that happens over 1400 days ago his life has been in shambles since. This book follows Litty and Lukes's lives in current and past times. They both are searching for answers about two separate occasions and somehow they both are looking at the same thing. This book is fast-paced and wild. What a page-turner.
5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 S҉҉T҉҉A҉҉R҉҉S҉҉
#bookstagram #bookreview #books #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookworm #bookrecommendations #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #booknerd #bookreviewer #bookaholic #bookreader #goodreads #arcbooks#suspensebooks #bookphotography #pageturner #harpercollins #rioyouer#nosecondchances #williammorrow #booknerdigan
#thrillerreads
Ⴆყ, Rισ Yσυҽɾʂ
Rҽʅҽαʂҽ Dαƚҽ 02/22/2022
If you’re a fan of Don Winslow or James Pattersons thrillers then your DEF need to a Rio to your list
Kitty is a skateboarding, beautiful woman living in LA for the last four months. She's from Kentucky so she has solid routes and also seems quite homesick at times. She wants to make it in LA, get on the big screen, and know she has what it takes. She’s also a drug runner dealing canary for some pretty rough characters. She works for Sly Boy and lately, she’s been doing some runs for Johan the Viking. He’s super scary but takes a liking to Kitty. Across the street from her lives a famous actor. He’s not known for all of his great work, he’s known for the disappearance of his wife, and since that happens over 1400 days ago his life has been in shambles since. This book follows Litty and Lukes's lives in current and past times. They both are searching for answers about two separate occasions and somehow they both are looking at the same thing. This book is fast-paced and wild. What a page-turner.
5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 S҉҉T҉҉A҉҉R҉҉S҉҉
#bookstagram #bookreview #books #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookworm #bookrecommendations #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #booknerd #bookreviewer #bookaholic #bookreader #goodreads #arcbooks#suspensebooks #bookphotography #pageturner #harpercollins #rioyouer#nosecondchances #williammorrow #booknerdigan
#thrillerreads
February 23, 2022
Dark, suspenseful and bloody violent with characters you can't help root for.
Kitty came to Hollywood dreaming of stardom. To keep afloat in the meantime, she becomes a courrier, going from one bad drug dealer to a meaner one.
Luke was a budding actor on the brink of stardom when he is found with his missing wife's blood on him and no recollection of what happened. At the end of his rope after losing everything and a PI who is convinced he killed his wife hot on his heels, he attempts suicide only to be saved by Kitty.
When Kitty is caught skimming product Johan the Viking, her boss, is determined to make her pay. After witnessing the lengths he'd go to to erase those who betray him and barely escaping with her life she turns to the only person she can think of to help, Luke. After devising a plan to get Johan and his enforcers off her trail, Luke is shown a picture of a man he's been looking for who might know what happened to his wife. Is this person connected to those looking for Kitty? And if so, how?
From here the action is fast and furious and had me flying thru the pages. The characters are well drawn and the details and scenes are cinematic in scope. There is A LOT of graphic violence but that only heightens the fear factor for Kitty and Luke.
If you enjoy high-octane, fast paced rollercoaster rides, I can't recommend this one highly enough.
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Thank you to the author, William Morrow Scene Of The Crime Facebook group and NetGalley for the ARC to read, review and enjoy.
Kitty came to Hollywood dreaming of stardom. To keep afloat in the meantime, she becomes a courrier, going from one bad drug dealer to a meaner one.
Luke was a budding actor on the brink of stardom when he is found with his missing wife's blood on him and no recollection of what happened. At the end of his rope after losing everything and a PI who is convinced he killed his wife hot on his heels, he attempts suicide only to be saved by Kitty.
When Kitty is caught skimming product Johan the Viking, her boss, is determined to make her pay. After witnessing the lengths he'd go to to erase those who betray him and barely escaping with her life she turns to the only person she can think of to help, Luke. After devising a plan to get Johan and his enforcers off her trail, Luke is shown a picture of a man he's been looking for who might know what happened to his wife. Is this person connected to those looking for Kitty? And if so, how?
From here the action is fast and furious and had me flying thru the pages. The characters are well drawn and the details and scenes are cinematic in scope. There is A LOT of graphic violence but that only heightens the fear factor for Kitty and Luke.
If you enjoy high-octane, fast paced rollercoaster rides, I can't recommend this one highly enough.
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Thank you to the author, William Morrow Scene Of The Crime Facebook group and NetGalley for the ARC to read, review and enjoy.
March 24, 2024
I don't think I've ever given Rio Youers less than a five on a review. His stories always deliverer from painful backgrounds and golden pathed dreams to twisted unforgettable bad guys, not to mention a couple of unexpected plot twists. This one even had an honorable mention of one Lola Bear and I loved her character in a previous Youers book. My favorite Youers is still Westlake Soul even though it is very different than his other novels.
So, more reasons to read a Rio Youers, specifically No Second Chances:
1. A rich boy bully who fully deserves to go down.
2. A sweet bad ass chick from Kentucky who definitely needs to go up.
3. A washed out actor who looks like Don Johnson who ironically needs a second chance.
4. Insanely great dialogue that puts serious humor on old cliches.
5. Fast paced action packed verbiage skittering along a well-produced plot without what E.M. Forester distastefully calls "tea time."
Other good news is I hear Youers has a new novel coming out: The Bang, Bang Sisters. I can't wait to read all of that bang. I bet it's a good bang for your buck. HaHa. Okay, well that's just cheesy, but I hope to read it and soon.
So, more reasons to read a Rio Youers, specifically No Second Chances:
1. A rich boy bully who fully deserves to go down.
2. A sweet bad ass chick from Kentucky who definitely needs to go up.
3. A washed out actor who looks like Don Johnson who ironically needs a second chance.
4. Insanely great dialogue that puts serious humor on old cliches.
5. Fast paced action packed verbiage skittering along a well-produced plot without what E.M. Forester distastefully calls "tea time."
Other good news is I hear Youers has a new novel coming out: The Bang, Bang Sisters. I can't wait to read all of that bang. I bet it's a good bang for your buck. HaHa. Okay, well that's just cheesy, but I hope to read it and soon.
February 15, 2022
4.5 stars
No Second Chances by Rio Youers is an excellent California noir Thriller!
The female protagonist is Kitty, a beautiful Black woman from Kentucky, who rides her skateboard working for a minor drug dealer and dreams of making it in Hollywood. Her neighbor Luke is a former action star who is a pariah in the industry after he is accused and convicted in the Court of Public Opinion of murdering his missing wife, Lisa. They become unlikely friends after they both cross paths with a violent, sadistic drug dealer, Johan.
There will be no spoilers in this review, but I will say there is plenty of action, some graphic violence, and a lot humanity in this story. This is a gritty contemporary novel, with solid grounding in real life locales, and central characters who are flawed but likeable. The evil is identifiable, and easy to dislike. The plot unfolds relentlessly and propulsively, with a few surprises and a well-thought-out conclusion.
I highly recommend this book for readers who enjoy novels of suspense, with great dramatic tension, loads of action and richly drawn characters.
Thank you to William Morrow/Scene of the Crime for the ARC. This is my enthusiastic review.
No Second Chances by Rio Youers is an excellent California noir Thriller!
The female protagonist is Kitty, a beautiful Black woman from Kentucky, who rides her skateboard working for a minor drug dealer and dreams of making it in Hollywood. Her neighbor Luke is a former action star who is a pariah in the industry after he is accused and convicted in the Court of Public Opinion of murdering his missing wife, Lisa. They become unlikely friends after they both cross paths with a violent, sadistic drug dealer, Johan.
There will be no spoilers in this review, but I will say there is plenty of action, some graphic violence, and a lot humanity in this story. This is a gritty contemporary novel, with solid grounding in real life locales, and central characters who are flawed but likeable. The evil is identifiable, and easy to dislike. The plot unfolds relentlessly and propulsively, with a few surprises and a well-thought-out conclusion.
I highly recommend this book for readers who enjoy novels of suspense, with great dramatic tension, loads of action and richly drawn characters.
Thank you to William Morrow/Scene of the Crime for the ARC. This is my enthusiastic review.
February 12, 2022
Pretty good book. The characters were fairly well developed. But the bad guys were really bad. There was a lot of violence in the end and the heroes had to overcome many setbacks. Read like a John Woo movie.
December 22, 2022
3.5/5 rounded down.
April 27, 2024
Not as good as Lola On Fire but the characters were enjoyable and the story moves fast.
Kitty went to Hollywood to become a star, unfortunately she is now a drug courier to the stars and works for Johan a psychotic drug dealer who thinks he is a Viking.
Luke is a disgraced former actor who everyone thinks killed his missing wife.
Tera is a former police officer who is convinced Luke killed his wife.
Johan finds out Kitty has been skimming the designer drug he created and sells and decides she needs to die.
The craziness continues from there.
Kitty went to Hollywood to become a star, unfortunately she is now a drug courier to the stars and works for Johan a psychotic drug dealer who thinks he is a Viking.
Luke is a disgraced former actor who everyone thinks killed his missing wife.
Tera is a former police officer who is convinced Luke killed his wife.
Johan finds out Kitty has been skimming the designer drug he created and sells and decides she needs to die.
The craziness continues from there.
May 30, 2024
Always love a Harlan Coben book. Gripping and in places intense. Good story!
August 27, 2024
While a great read, it has almost the same story line and characters as his Bang Bang sisters book. Not sure if that story is worth retelling twice.
May 14, 2025
Once again Rio Youers produces a high-octane crime thriller with characters you shouldn't like but do and an intensity that, once it starts to build, never lets up. Kitty is a 24-year old starlet wannabe, earning her keep in LA as a drug runner until her big break comes. Things are looking brighter for her when Johan Fly, a privileged popular YouTuber known as the Cali Viking (something he dubs himself due to his Danish heritage and love of Viking culture and mythology), recruits her to do drug drops for him. And not just any drugs, but the most exclusive designer drug to run rampant among the Hollywood elite. But one day, her lofty dreams all come crashing down.
Luke is a former semi-popular Hollywood star, his fame and status vanishing three years ago when his wife disappeared, presumed dead, and he remains the prime suspect, though no murder can yet be proven. Hounded by a former LAPD detective, mourning the loss of his one remaining friend, he finds that his neighbor from the across the street, Kitty, is one of the few people who haven't abandoned him. When everything goes south for Kitty she turns to her last resort in the form of Luke. As trouble closes in on them they will soon discover their lives and problems are more entwined than they seem.
Overall, this is some of Youers' finest writing to date. The story, which isn't the sort I normally read, was absolutely gripping and intense throughout. The deeper the story goes, the more like one of the ridiculous action films Luke would have starred in the narrative becomes. In the climactic chapters there are a number of "Oh, come oonnnn" moments, and the horrors the protagonists go through again and again can be a strain to read through. But in the end the novel was an enjoyable and satisfying action/crime/thriller.
Luke is a former semi-popular Hollywood star, his fame and status vanishing three years ago when his wife disappeared, presumed dead, and he remains the prime suspect, though no murder can yet be proven. Hounded by a former LAPD detective, mourning the loss of his one remaining friend, he finds that his neighbor from the across the street, Kitty, is one of the few people who haven't abandoned him. When everything goes south for Kitty she turns to her last resort in the form of Luke. As trouble closes in on them they will soon discover their lives and problems are more entwined than they seem.
Overall, this is some of Youers' finest writing to date. The story, which isn't the sort I normally read, was absolutely gripping and intense throughout. The deeper the story goes, the more like one of the ridiculous action films Luke would have starred in the narrative becomes. In the climactic chapters there are a number of "Oh, come oonnnn" moments, and the horrors the protagonists go through again and again can be a strain to read through. But in the end the novel was an enjoyable and satisfying action/crime/thriller.
February 21, 2022
Like an addict desperate for their next fix, No Second Chances will have your heart beating overtime with each turn of the page.
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An actor on his way up, Luke Kingsley is blamed when his wife, singer Lisa Hayes, disappears. His career now in shambles, Luke tries taking his own life only to be saved by his neighbor Kitty Rae, a girl from Kentucky who has come to LA in hopes of following her dreams.
Luke and Kitty get to know each other better, and meanwhile, Kitty is paying the bills by working with the wrong people; from one bad drug dealer to an even worse drug dealer, Johan Fly. When Johan discovers Kitty has been skimming product from him, he vows to make her pay.
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I absolutely loved this book! From the opening line to the last word, I literally could not put this one down! It was a constant adrenaline rush. I may have even shed a tear or two….
The story itself felt very original and kept me constantly guessing. I loved the grittiness of the subject matter, no sugar coating on this one. Just a raw emotional rollercoaster.
The characters were so rich and colorful, and so full of depth. They all had a backstory, some darker than others, and they all had flaws. No perfect hero or heroine in this one; just a basic fight for survival. And did I mention the badies were extra bad?! Ya… 😳. Every character was just so thought out and written so well. I’m just still in awe!
I understand I used a lot of exclamation marks in this review, lol, but I’m not apologizing 😂. I am that excited about this book and definitely recommend you pick it up 🙌.
I give this one a Show-stopping ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!
(Added one more exclamation mark just to be an asshole 😆)
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An actor on his way up, Luke Kingsley is blamed when his wife, singer Lisa Hayes, disappears. His career now in shambles, Luke tries taking his own life only to be saved by his neighbor Kitty Rae, a girl from Kentucky who has come to LA in hopes of following her dreams.
Luke and Kitty get to know each other better, and meanwhile, Kitty is paying the bills by working with the wrong people; from one bad drug dealer to an even worse drug dealer, Johan Fly. When Johan discovers Kitty has been skimming product from him, he vows to make her pay.
—-
I absolutely loved this book! From the opening line to the last word, I literally could not put this one down! It was a constant adrenaline rush. I may have even shed a tear or two….
The story itself felt very original and kept me constantly guessing. I loved the grittiness of the subject matter, no sugar coating on this one. Just a raw emotional rollercoaster.
The characters were so rich and colorful, and so full of depth. They all had a backstory, some darker than others, and they all had flaws. No perfect hero or heroine in this one; just a basic fight for survival. And did I mention the badies were extra bad?! Ya… 😳. Every character was just so thought out and written so well. I’m just still in awe!
I understand I used a lot of exclamation marks in this review, lol, but I’m not apologizing 😂. I am that excited about this book and definitely recommend you pick it up 🙌.
I give this one a Show-stopping ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!
(Added one more exclamation mark just to be an asshole 😆)
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