Her Second Chance

by Shelley Galloway

A life makeover…

That's what Tessa McGuiry needs, and it takes a very special ten-year-old to make her see it. When Tessa meets Wes in the alley behind the exclusive boutique where she works, she knows she has to do something to help the homeless boy. But after his mother falls ill and Tessa volunteers to let him stay at her apartment, she begins to wonder if she's taken on too much.

Thank goodness for Keaton Phillips. The handsome cop who lives in her building is great with Wes…if only he'd be just as great with her. But the two of them haven't exactly gotten along in the past. Keaton is serious and dedicated to his job—and seems to think of her as nothing but a flighty, high-maintenance socialite-in-training. Tessa knows she's got more to offer than perfectly manicured nails and a pretty face. What will it take for him to see it, too?

Genres: Romance

Paperback

First published October 1, 2006

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars ~ Tessa enjoys designing clothes for women and for the most part she enjoys her job as manager of an exclusive women's boutique. Stresses with the owner and being taken for granted, have her wondering what her future is. One night when she takes the trash to the back dumpster, she comes across a 10 year old boy looking for cans to recycle. Tessa asks if she can help him, seeing that in the bitter cold he has no gloves and he seems alone, she's sure he's homeless. The boy says his mom's waiting and wants to run off, so Tessa gives him her gloves and tells him to come back the next day and she'll have 100 cans for him. Not sure if she's done the right thing, Tessa goes to her neighbour Keaton for advice. He's a cop and though they've tended to steer clear of each other, she's sure he's the right one to help her. Keaton tells her to get more information on the boy and his mother and then maybe he can help. When the boy, Wes finally returns days later, he's afraid, his mom is really sick. Tessa takes one look at Claire and she knows she needs help from Keaton. Together they take mother and son to the hospital where it's pronounced that Claire has pneumonia and other complications that mean she'll have to be admitted. Tessa had promised to look after Wes and to Keaton's surprise she steps up and takes the boy home. Over the next weeks while Claire is battling her illness, Tessa bonds with Wes and with Keaton's help the boy thrives. And as Wes becomes a boy secure in his safety as he should be, Keaton finds his grief stricken heart from the loss of his wife is mending too. And it's all because of Tessa.

This is one of those feel good stories that grips your heart and compels you to read on to find out what is going to happen next. Tessa and Keaton discover they have a bond besides the troubled boy, and slowly they build a solid relationship. Ms. Galloway breathes life into her heroes and heroines, and deftly crafts secondary characters that enrich her stories. I am thoroughly enjoying her brand of story telling

[Nancy Luebke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this second chance romance with a good message in it. I bought this at a local Goodwill store and I've given it a 4.5* rating. This is not for the under 18 age readers, some sexual content contained in this story. There is a nice message about helping others that I thought was a good throughout the story. Sometimes we need to be reminded. Lots to be enjoyed and think about in this story.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet romance.

When Tessa finds a young boy in the alley behind her place of employment, she feels he needs help. He's collecting cans from the dumpster so she tells him if he'll come back another day, she'll have 100 for him. Then she asks her neighbor Keaton for help. Wes and his mother are homeless and when they find that his mother is ill, Tessa takes Wes home with her. And who better than Keaton to come over after his work and help with homework and giving Wes a male influence in his life?

Soon Tessa and Keaton are ready for more than friendship. They help Wes and his mom find a place to live and a job and are able to create a great friendship with them that they hope will last through the years.

[Englishrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet story of charity and seeing into people's hearts and not just what they seem to be. Tessa and Keaton both find themselves the victim's of judging each other unfairly. Tessa is an amazingly selfless person and a near-perfect character. Keaton keeps you more down to earth and shows a very realistic view of love after loss. And of course, Wes is a great little kid who you just wish you could hug and make everything better. There are some really good scenes in this one between Tessa and Keaton. I love it when an author can make a good kiss and still keep out of the bedroom. Good book.

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[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Harlequin Heartwarming