Second Stanza: A Love Story of Suspense and Mystery

by Meg Napier

How can someone who's dead save your life during a night of terror?

Jackie’s heart broke when her beloved college boyfriend died in an off-campus gas explosion—a pointless, horrible death. Nine years later and thousands of miles away, her own life is saved when a random stranger calls her name and covers her body with his during a mass shooting. She wakes in a hospital only to learn that the stranger is among the dead.

But was he a stranger? For those terrifying seconds, Jackie was sure he was her beloved Leo. Needing to hide such crazy ideas from friends and family, Jackie begins a search for the only man she has ever loved—now seemingly twice dead.

Genres: Romance

312 pages, Paperback

Published September 29, 2022

Reviews

[Traci Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent writing skills and clever technique to make reader care about the characters right away. Managed intimacy even when they were apart with skillful storytelling recall and longing. Loads of research and layers of details into these lives. Worthwhile read and some sweet surprises along the way (his tattoo).

[Nadine Monaco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Stanza by Meg Napier is a keeper.

Jackie is devastated when her beloved boyfriend Leo is killed in a house explosion. She finds it impossible to forget him and moves through life as a shell of the person she was.

Years later, she witnesses a horrific crime and someone saves her. That someone looked and sounded like the young man she’d loved long ago. Could it be that Leo really isn’t dead?

Jackie slowly but surely (and so cleverly) begins to unravel the truth in Leo’s death/disappearance.

While Jackie and Leo (also called a number of other names) spend much of the story apart physically, they are always focused on figuring out how to be together again.

There’s this great moment when Jackie learns that Leo is alive and he’s never forgotten her either. Whew! This is such a great read.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

It what world do you lose the love of your life twice and still manage to persevere your passions? In Jackie’s apparently. This was a great, quick read about a women who overcame her grief and found the will to become herself again.

[MammaDi3Gatti · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This book's plot has a lot of potential, and it started off really good. However, it quickly became...weird? Kind of like the author lost momentum and wasn't entirely sure how to resolve the conflict she created.

Jackie and Leo were together for two years in college before he was supposedly killed in a gas explosion. Nearly a decade later, Jackie is living in another state when a stranger saves her life. Various threads lead her to believe her rescuer was her One True But Forever Lost Love.

Most of the plot is Leo/Jake/David/Kolya trying to find out the truth of his past so he can be with Jackie and Jackie trying to find out the truth of that day nearly a decade ago so she can be with Leo. When all these truths collide, the resolution to me was disappointing. I mean, I got my HEA, but I was annoyed by how we got there. I won't say much more to avoid ruining the story for others.

I received an ARC of this book for free from the publisher and Netgalley. I'm writing this review voluntarily, and it reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!

Trigger warnings: Mass shooting, death of loved ones

[Annie McEwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say straightaway that contemporary romance is not my first choice for recreational reading matter. But I got hold of a copy of Second Stanza and felt myself completely drawn into the story in no time at all. I cracked it open for before-sleep reading, thinking I'd do a chapter or two and then doze off. A hundred-twenty pages later, I forced myself to stop as I had commitments early the next day and needed to get some shut-eye! At some point in the delightfully suspenseful and fast-paced plot, I thought, "Wow, this would make a great movie." Having finished the book, I still hold that opinion. The last chapters contained more telling than I like, and I wasn't so keen on the epilogue, which was a bit too conventional for me, but the characters are so nicely and consistently drawn that one can't help but be invested in their happiness. Overall, an absorbing and balanced novel: equal parts suspense and romance, steam and sweetness. I'll definitely pick up another Meg Napier book.

[Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Stanza
by Meg Napier

Earc: NetGalley
Publisher: Napierpress
Publication Date 04 Oct 2022
Genre : General Fiction, Mystery and Thriller, Romance

Jackie is devastated when her dearest friend, Leo, dies in a house explosion.

years later, she witnessed a horrific crime and someone saved her. Looked and sounded like the young man she had loved so long ago. Is Leo really dead?

Jackie slowly but surely (and skillfully) begins to uncover the truth about Leo's death/disappearance.

Jackie and Leo (also known by many other names) spend most of the story physically apart, but their focus is always on figuring out how they can be together again.

There is a great moment when Jackie finds out Leo is alive and has never forgotten about Leo. loose the temper! This is such a great read. I'd highly recommend reading this book

#NetGalley #bookstagram #bookreview #goodreads #romance @napierpress #mysteryandthriller #generalfiction

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Jackie's struggle to heal from grief, while still trying to find love in this world, is heartbreaking yet also filled with hope. This is an edge-of-your-seat mystery that kept me up all night, but I also don't want to ruin the story by giving away any spoilers in this review. Jackie's story is beautifully written and and filled with twists that kept my heart racing. If any heroine deserves her happily ever after, it's Ms. Napier's Jackie--a woman who fights for the truth of things, even if that truth isn't what she thought it was. The tension in this book is superb, and the ending is perfect! I can't wait to read Ms. Napier's next book!

[Susan Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Stanza

If you want to read something a bit different then read this. The man you love is killed in a home gas explosion. 9 years later a man pulls you to the floor and covers you during a shooting. He feels familiar and sounds like the man you lost. When you wake up in hospital they tell you he died saving you.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love romance and mystery and this story checked all my boxes. A five star read that was a real page turner. I enjoyed the characters, both primary and secondary. Kudos to author Meg Napier on a well written novel.

[Leah Cochran · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did like this book but I could have done without all the f**** words and the sexual part was too detailed for me. That is the reasoning for the 3 stars otherwise it would have been 4. I do normally read Christian fiction. I just don't think it's necessary.

[Heather Loy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m sure it’s just me, but I couldn’t just get into this one. I was intrigued by the premise, but I just found myself skimming too much … finally gave up.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jackie's college boyfriend, Leo, dies is a home gas explosion along with his mother. His death affects her career choices, family interactions, and all future relationships. Fast forward 9 years and Jackie is surviving but not living. Cajoled to join co-workers at a happy hour, she is again confronted with a catastrophic event during which she believes she hears Leo's voice. The book takes the reader on a roller coaster ride to answer all the questions. Although you may guess correctly as to the mystery surrounding Leo, the story introduces intriguing characters and twists in the story that will definitely surprise. I read it in one sitting!