Second Chance Alaska

Wild Coast #3

by Jennifer Snow

Will they risk taking the plunge from friendship to forever?

Oliver Klein’s wife and oldest daughter were lost at sea—a tragic mystery that left the small coastal town of Port Serenity reeling. Three years later, surrounded by the wild Alaskan waters that claimed them, the grieving lighthouse keeper is still haunted by their disappearance. Oliver knows he should move on for the sake of his younger daughter, Tess, but he isn’t so sure he’s ready to love again.

Carly Walters knew losing her best friend, Alison, would break her heart—yet she never expected Alison’s husband might be the one to mend it. The more her life intertwines with Oliver’s, the harder she falls for him…and the guiltier she feels. Amid the rush of the summer tourist season, can Carly and Oliver finally accept the past while looking forward to a bright future…together?

Bonus Novella

In Jennifer Snow's Love in the Alaskan Wilds, Anna Armos hires pilot Dwayne Madden to help her find the wreckage of a crashed plane that could lead to a lost fortune. But as they journey into the remote Alaskan backwoods, Anna has to trust her daredevil pilot with the she's not just looking for treasure—she's searching for answers!

A Wild Coast Novel

Book 1: Sweet Home Alaska
Book 2: Alaska for Christmas
Book 3: Second Chance Alaska

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 28, 2023

About the author

Jennifer Snow is an award-winning, USA Bestselling author. Her publishing credits include a six book small town, Brookhollow series published through Harlequin Heartwarming, her MMA sports romance series Beyond the Cage is published through Berkley/NAL Intermix, her Colorado Ice series with Grand Central and her Wild River & Wild Coast series published with HQN. She also writes thrillers under J.M. Winchester and screenplays with 13 produced rom-coms for UPTV, Hallmark, BET+, QVC+ and more. Her upcoming speculative rom-com is releasing through Canary Street Press in Sept 2024.
More information can be found at www.jennifersnowauthor.com

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review coming soon.

[Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have some real hit and miss feelings about this story. First I was originally drawn to the beautiful cover. But it does not belong on this story. The male main character Oliver Klein, loses his wife and oldest daughter when they are lost at sea. At no time in this story are the MC’s on a sail boat. I don’t think the cover is meant for me to think of Oliver and his dead wife who was a competitive sailor.

Oliver Klein and Carly Walters are both life long residents of the Alaskan coastal town of Port Serenity. Oliver was widowed three years earlier when his wife and oldest daughter were lost at sea. His family legacy is running the local lighthouse which is mostly automated. He and his ten year old daughter handle the tourists that visit now. Carly runs the a local bookshop and is on the tourism board. She actively promotes the local legend of a sea goddess that helps bring tourists to the town. She also happens to be in love with Oliver and has been for a couple of years. He has her firmly in the friend zone until the town hires a new tourism director that gives Carly some attention.

I read a review about a month ago where the reviewer said she gives an extra star if the first intimate scene is something besides missionary style. While I’m not giving the extra star this is the first book since then where I could. The story focuses on kindling a relationship between the two in the midst of small town events and drama. Oliver is appropriately concerned that his daughter is okay with him dating and it is handled in a fun way. Both Carly and Oliver are very likable together and apart. And I knew Carly’s secret very early into the story.

The two jump the gun being intimate before even having a date. But they’ve known each other forever so that is easily forgiven. I really disliked the grand gesture. I hate when a grand gesture makes a big decision for the other non consulted person. In this case when the book ends I’m not sure what Oliver plans to do with his life because it is never discussed between them other than continuing to run light house tours which he often pawns off on his daughter. And I’m not sure how the grand gesture benefits or works for them as a couple. Who is running the new venture? I had so many unanswered questions about the ending because Carly wants to focus less on her business and not more.

Summing up. Nice steamy open door romance. Small town, good neighbors and friends. Daughter gets a cute kitten. And I’m not clear on what the ending really looks like for the couple which left me feeling dissatisfied. But other reviews have felt differently. My book contains the bonus novella called Love in the Alaskan Wilds which also takes place in Port Serenity. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, HQN for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. (3.5 Stars)

[Lauren]

surprisingly enjoyed this dollar tree book!!

[Pam A · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trite. Simplistic. Mermaid story? sort of but not as good as Disneys. Characters not well developed. Sort of a love story but more descriptive sex though writer said this would be appropriate for her boyfriends daughter ..... not. Short novella attached at end - I was non-plussed.

I kept reading it thinking that being set in Alaska would have some redeeming qualities but ..... really this could have been set anywhere. Guess I will avoid this author in the future.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

***ARC Provided by the Publisher***

DNF at 19%

I'm not sure what it was about this one, but I just couldn't connect with the characters and they never felt more than one dimensional.

I'm unable to recommend this title.

[Sheila · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was not for me. I thought i was reading a nice romance, and the erotica caught me off guard, not pleasant.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spicy Tropey Romance. Up front: If you prefer no sex/ "fade to black" sex in your romance books... this one isn't for you. The sex in this one would get an automatic NC-17 if it was ever shown on film exactly as described in the text, even though there are only a couple such scenes in the book. That covers the spicy side of the title, but what about the tropey bit? Well, we've got a widower who hates his job, embraces his family legacy... but would love to leave it. He also happens to have one remaining daughter after his wife and older daughter vanished in the period before this story takes place - and yes, he does eventually get his closure on those topics within this story, thanks to cameos from other characters earlier in the series. We've got the small town shop owner (a book shop, in this case) who is perhaps a touch secretive about a few things... that she then learns maybe she wasn't as secretive as she thought she'd been. And our shop owner happens to be the best friend of the missing wife... who harbors hidden feelings for our widower. So like I said, very tropey, very Hallmarkie type small town romance. If that is your jam and you either don't mind or even actively like the higher heat level here... Snow always manages to slam these types of stories out of the park, and this one is absolutely no different. With the particular events in this book, I would actually recommend newbies start at least at the beginning of this Wild Coast series (even if you don't go all the way back to the Wild Alaska series it spun off from, which isn't really necessary to understand the events of this particular book). Readers who have already read the first two books were going to read this one anyway... but I'm fairly positive most will agree with me that this was another excellent entry into the series. And while it almost seems like our story in Port Serenity has finished, particularly with some of the seeming meta commentary built into this tale... that bonus novella advertised on the cover (Love In The Alaskan Wilds, a separate review for me) points to the idea that perhaps Snow isn't quite finished with Port Serenity after all. Overall, as mentioned, a solid romance tale well told as always, and very much recommended.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I liked the characters and the basic storyline, 2 things about this book caused me to give it only a 3 star rating. First of all, the sex scenes were way too much. I’m not a prude but I was not expecting this kind of detail or language in what I thought was a light hearted romance. The second thing that left me shaking my head was the details about the disappearance of Oliver’s wife and daughter. They disappeared without a trace while out sailing on their new sailboat. This supposedly made national news. Now 3 years later, Oliver’s friend (who was a coast guard officer) reveals that 2 days after their disappearance, a sailboat and the bodies of a woman and young girl were discovered off the coast of California. He said the boat could not be traced because it wasn’t registered and the bodies had no ID so they were labeled “Jane Does”. So, you have a tragic disappearance that makes national news, a sailboat and bodies of a woman and child are found, and no one makes the connection?? No DNA samples? To add to it, drug smugglers had previously admitted to the coast guard that they hijacked the sailboat and the mom and daughter jumped overboard to escape and yet again no one makes the very obvious connection. Also, no mention is made about what Oliver is going to do about the bodies of his wife and daughter now that they’re finally identified. I feel like the author was quickly trying to find an ending to this book but didn’t think these little details were important…and was hoping her readers wouldn’t notice.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oliver still dealing with the traumatic loss of his wife and eldest daughter and thinking about moving on with his youngest daughter elsewhere. Carly is best friend to Olivers late wife and both seem to be healing together as they spend more time with eachother working together as the tourist season comes near with so much to do.

I enjoyed this book it took me longer then expected to read especially since how well it turned out. I enjoyed getting to know Oliver and Carly's point of view of what was going it really made me like and understand the characters more. You can really see the conflicts that Oliver was going through with the loss he was dealing with and how he was handling caring for his other daughter who was still there and he was getting feelings for Carly and clearly things are going to seem complicated. Then there was the selling of the place his family has been taking care of for generations and you know what just read the book and you'll find there is plenty to enjoy about this one. Overall pretty enjoyable book highly recommend.

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oliver and his youngest daughter Tess lost their wife, mom, oldest daughter and sister in a horrific boating accident three years before. They run the light house and give tours daily during tourist season. Carly was his wife's friend. Now he and Carly are best friends.

Along comes an out of towner trying to improve things in Port Serenity and he rubs Oliver the wrong way but makes him see Carly in a different light.

Carly has been in love with Oliver a long time. She has kept it from him, but she wants him to notice her.

Carly also has a secret she is hiding from everyone of the town. A couple of friends guess. I have to say I had that part figured out before anyone else did.. Yay me..LOL

Can Carly and Oliver have a life. Can Oliver move forward and love again?

Tess is a rambuctious little girl that made me giggle quite a bit..

This is a good story that is all about letting go and living. Being happy again in your life

[Kate Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another in the Wild Coast series, in which Oliver Klein is still grieving the loss of his wife and elder daughter even as he struggles to care for his younger daughter, Tess. Thank goodness for the help of his best friend, Carly Walters, who has been hiding a big secret--that she is the author of a fantasy trilogy set in little Port Serenity.

Writing the third book, however, has her in a tizzy, because how she feels about Oliver has been the inspiration for her novels. But now that the chemistry between them has become more obvious, what is she going to do when decisions by the town's new marketing and tourism director has turned Oliver's life upside down and he can't believe that Carly agrees with the man? And what will she do if Tess can't accept her as a possible stepmother? How this all turns out requires the skills of a romance novelist with a preference for fantasies as well.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks so much Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for an advance read in exchange for this review.

This is book 3 in the Wild Coast series. It involves Oliver and Carly. They have been friends for years. Oliver lost his wife and oldest daughter in a tragic accident at sea. His wife had been Carly's best friend. Can they get over the past to have a future together?

This was sweet and steamy. I had a lot of questions, but this was a quick read. I don't think the cover goes with the story, but it's beautiful! I liked the others in the series better, but this was a nice way to wrap it up.

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both Oliver and Carly have suffered loss and pain. His wife and her best friend plus his daughter were lost at sea. Carly has secretly loved Oliver forever but has held back. But is the time right now?
Love can be a landline of emotions ready to go off. I thought all the emotions both characters endured were believable and valid.
The mystery of what happened to the lost boat is resolved.
The ending was good.
It’s a sweet story of venturing into the love game once again, no matter the score.
Thanks to HTP and NetGalley for the early read.

[Nancy Cormier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Chance Alaska (Wild Coast, #3) by Jennifer Snow is a good story. Carly Walters runs her bookstore and so much more. Oliver Klein is Carly's best friend. Oliver and his daughter are still grieving the loss of his wife and oldest daughter in mysterious water disappearance. Oliver runs the lighthouse and Tess, his young daughter, gives tours during the summer months. How they come together and the answer to his family's disappearance are answered in this final book.

[Dewey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was a 2 star review until the scene where Carly agrees to support the radical redevelopment of the lighthouse area, the very area where her love, Oliver, has decades of family history and is his family home now! Talk about betrayal; she could at least have TALKED about it with him. I know the whole romance genre thrives on suspense and conflict, but this is just wrong. Surprisingly steamy scenes despite almost no buildup to their attraction.

[Laura Aase · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carly is in love with her best friend. Living in port serenity Alaska, a town that lives on the legend of the serpent queen Sealena, her friendship with Oliver has grown to love, however he appears to be ambivalent. Then a rival comes to town…. I liked the premise of the story. I loved Tess, Oliver’s daughter and the story of his dead wife and daughter. I found Oliver to be a bit of a wispy washy idiot. I really liked Carly’s character!

[Ashley Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book and could hardly put it down. I knocked off a star because I want to know how the last minute revelations worked out. How the new tourism b&b idea turned out? What about Oliver and Carly’s living situation? Do they get married? Have a kid(s) of their own?? Too much of a cliff hanger for my liking, since I’m pretty sure there isn’t a continuance of their story. Author: is there more to Oliver and Carly’s story?

[Alexia Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every second of this book! The true meaning of love and letting go is a present theme, that made me not be able to put the book down.

I love romance books, and this was another tale that really stuck with me. As hard as it is to imagine to love again after losing a loved one, it is certainly possible, and I like how Snow portrayed the hurdles around letting yourself open up to the idea of love again.

I will definitely be reading more of Jennifer Snows books!

[Brenda Robertson]

I took a chance on reading Second Chance Alaska by Jennifer Snow
I always pick a book out to read by the cover and if the title sounds good. I never read the back cover of a book to see what its about or who it's about . Second Chance Alaska was a heartwarming love story about two best friends who fall in love and surprise ending !

[Trudi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oliver is grieving the loss of his wife and older daughter to a boating incident.

Carly has also been grieving the loss of her best friend. For the last 3 years, she has slowly developed feelings for Oliver, but is afraid to tell him.

This story is about family, healing, a tight-nit community, a few secrets, and closure.

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some cute things about this one, but it did fall a little flat in the romance department. One side was pining the whole time, and the other kind of went "ope yeah I guess I can like you more than as a friend" out of the blue it felt like. There really wasn't any build up or romantic tension.

[Mags · Rating 5 out of 5]

A swoonworthy romance in the most magical and beautiful settings. Unique, romantic and a story not to be missed. I loved it.

[HTP Books]

Small Town & Rural Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Military Romance, Action & Adventure Romance
Miniseries
A Wild Coast Novel

[Michelle the Romance Witch · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars. So much pain and trauma to work through but enjoyable and sweet nonetheless. Loved reading it and look forward to make in the series.

[Kea · Rating 3 out of 5]

SECOND CHANCE ALASKA by Jennifer Snow, book 3 in the Wild Coast, and the bonus story: Love in the Alaskan Wilds.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super good book I thought it would be less spicy than it was. Just not crazy memorable

[Jacquelyn Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute lighthearted read. Plan to check out the rest of the series after reading this. Characters are in this cute small town. Lots of interesting characters that could make for lots of good books.

[electrajoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Lisa Blankenship · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It!!!!

[Christy Mulkerin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty good. Kept me entertained. Nicely wrapped up at the end.