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Second Thoughts
What do you do when your boyfriend begins acting strangely, and at the same time, you meet someone his total opposite? Do you start having second thoughts?
Jesse Jamison must confront those very questions. After two years of living with his lover Dennis "Denny" Christopoulos, a charming flight attendant, the man starts taking on extra flights, making excuses for not coming home, and receiving private phone calls. During this time, Jesse also meets Nick Warden, a new neighbor. He immediately sees the contrasts between the two men and finds Nick attractive on so many levels.
Meanwhile, Denny has growing reservations about his relationship with Jesse, especially once a new man comes into his own life. Yet Denny isn't ready to give up the good thing he has going with Jesse since he isn't sure about the new man's intentions, or his own feelings.
Nick also struggles with his growing love for Jesse. While he would like nothing more than to claim Jesse for himself, his integrity prevents him from playing the home-wrecker. His hesitation to step in, however, nearly causes his undoing and a missed opportunity at love.
Each man has his own second thoughts. But who will act on them, and what will be the consequences for doing so?
Jesse Jamison must confront those very questions. After two years of living with his lover Dennis "Denny" Christopoulos, a charming flight attendant, the man starts taking on extra flights, making excuses for not coming home, and receiving private phone calls. During this time, Jesse also meets Nick Warden, a new neighbor. He immediately sees the contrasts between the two men and finds Nick attractive on so many levels.
Meanwhile, Denny has growing reservations about his relationship with Jesse, especially once a new man comes into his own life. Yet Denny isn't ready to give up the good thing he has going with Jesse since he isn't sure about the new man's intentions, or his own feelings.
Nick also struggles with his growing love for Jesse. While he would like nothing more than to claim Jesse for himself, his integrity prevents him from playing the home-wrecker. His hesitation to step in, however, nearly causes his undoing and a missed opportunity at love.
Each man has his own second thoughts. But who will act on them, and what will be the consequences for doing so?
136 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 28, 2010
123 people want to read
About the author
Terry O'Reilly
81 books39 followersSince retiring, Terry spends his time writing, working with animal rescue groups, walking his three dogs, pumping iron while listening to Harry Potter audio books and riding/showing his champion Quarter Horse.
His interest in Native American culture stems from the fact that in tracing his heritage, he found his great grandfather was an Illini.
His interest in Native American culture stems from the fact that in tracing his heritage, he found his great grandfather was an Illini.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 31, 2010
I marked this with spoilers since the blurb makes it sound like someone is cheating, will they/won't they etc. So if you don't want to know don't look... lol..
This is a very good story, I couldn't put it down once I started it....
Jesse and Denny are in a serious monogamous relationship (or so Jesse thinks), when Denny misses another dinner (anniversary) and is going to be out of town again. When he (Jesse) meets their new neighbor Nick.
Nick and Jesse hit it off right away. We see their relationship grow from meeting to friends to very good friends, while fighting the attraction they feel for each other. They don't act on it cause Jesse is in a relationship with Denny.
Now Denny with the private phone calls he won't let Jesse hear, and more nights away out of town you can guess what he is up to, and "he isn't ready to give up the good thing he has going with Jesse since he isn't sure if his thing on the side will last"..(ugh!)
This is a really good story about thinking you were in love, then finding real love and finally getting love. I really liked it, even if thou I wanted Jesse to wake up and kick Denny's butt to the curb! many times.. lol.
This is a very good story, I couldn't put it down once I started it....
Jesse and Denny are in a serious monogamous relationship (or so Jesse thinks), when Denny misses another dinner (anniversary) and is going to be out of town again. When he (Jesse) meets their new neighbor Nick.
Nick and Jesse hit it off right away. We see their relationship grow from meeting to friends to very good friends, while fighting the attraction they feel for each other. They don't act on it cause Jesse is in a relationship with Denny.
Now Denny with the private phone calls he won't let Jesse hear, and more nights away out of town you can guess what he is up to, and "he isn't ready to give up the good thing he has going with Jesse since he isn't sure if his thing on the side will last"..(ugh!)
This is a really good story about thinking you were in love, then finding real love and finally getting love. I really liked it, even if thou I wanted Jesse to wake up and kick Denny's butt to the curb! many times.. lol.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2013
A Hearts On Fire Review
Terry O'Reilly's "Second Thoughts" is a story about cheating from the cheater's perspective as well as the aggrieved party. Somehow through this mess...true love is found. The blurb explained the meat of the story fairly well. Jesse's boyfriend of two years, Denny keeps making excuses and is away a lot lately. His new neighbor, Nick meets Jesse under unexpected circumstances and both notice they have a lot in common. Unfortunately, Nick is single and Jesse is not. :(
The story was delivered if based on the blurb. However, there were some sloppy parts (sometimes the dialogue and terms - what's with calling the male genitalia a "basket"? I cringed each time I came across that terminology) and endearing parts (Jesse and Nick & Shelby and Clyde)
Favorite Part: The romance and friendship between Nick and Jesse - They were friends first and didn't act upon their mutual attraction. (Surprised? so was I.) There was a case of insta-love on Nick's part but thankfully they get it platonic until Jesse was free (So anti-cheater book fans will enjoy this aspect)
Unexpected favorite part:Denny and his sloppy cheating. I mean, my socks figured out he was cheating from the beginning. I just don't understand how Jesse was so clueless. Denny was such a lazy cheater, it was a miracle Jesse didn't figure it all out a lot sooner.
Denny's responses were typical of a cheater but they missed any sense of stealth. I appreciated the author adding Denny's POV, so we can get his reactions and emotions while cheating. It was like reading 'What Will Denny Do Next?' I laughed at him so hard. Let me give you a few examples of cheating scenarios and the Denny responses I expect him to have.
Scenario: Denny has a trail of jizz on his chin
Denny's Response: Um...it's a new low calorie, sugar free, protein laden pancake syrup. It's called Gooey. It's the latest health food craze.
Scenario: Denny's face smells like butt.
Denny's Response: Uh...the doctor just diagnosed me with Assface. It's that disease where your face starts smells like butt cheeks.
Scenario: You walk in on Denny plowing another dude's bum, mid thrust
Denny's Response: Um...it's not what it looks like. He's going in for a prostate exam and he wanted to have a practice run. He's nervous. I'm doing my civic duty.
*wipes tears from eyes* This book is slightly cheesy, sweet but not too sugary, angst light and unexpectedly funny...well to me anyway. I do think MM Romance fans should give it a try just for the experience alone of reading Denny and his piss poor cheating. Eh, 2.75 stars but I'll round it to THREE STARS.
Terry O'Reilly's "Second Thoughts" is a story about cheating from the cheater's perspective as well as the aggrieved party. Somehow through this mess...true love is found. The blurb explained the meat of the story fairly well. Jesse's boyfriend of two years, Denny keeps making excuses and is away a lot lately. His new neighbor, Nick meets Jesse under unexpected circumstances and both notice they have a lot in common. Unfortunately, Nick is single and Jesse is not. :(
The story was delivered if based on the blurb. However, there were some sloppy parts (sometimes the dialogue and terms - what's with calling the male genitalia a "basket"? I cringed each time I came across that terminology) and endearing parts (Jesse and Nick & Shelby and Clyde)
Favorite Part: The romance and friendship between Nick and Jesse - They were friends first and didn't act upon their mutual attraction. (Surprised? so was I.) There was a case of insta-love on Nick's part but thankfully they get it platonic until Jesse was free (So anti-cheater book fans will enjoy this aspect)
Unexpected favorite part:Denny and his sloppy cheating. I mean, my socks figured out he was cheating from the beginning. I just don't understand how Jesse was so clueless. Denny was such a lazy cheater, it was a miracle Jesse didn't figure it all out a lot sooner.
Denny's responses were typical of a cheater but they missed any sense of stealth. I appreciated the author adding Denny's POV, so we can get his reactions and emotions while cheating. It was like reading 'What Will Denny Do Next?' I laughed at him so hard. Let me give you a few examples of cheating scenarios and the Denny responses I expect him to have.
Scenario: Denny has a trail of jizz on his chin
Denny's Response: Um...it's a new low calorie, sugar free, protein laden pancake syrup. It's called Gooey. It's the latest health food craze.
Scenario: Denny's face smells like butt.
Denny's Response: Uh...the doctor just diagnosed me with Assface. It's that disease where your face starts smells like butt cheeks.
Scenario: You walk in on Denny plowing another dude's bum, mid thrust
Denny's Response: Um...it's not what it looks like. He's going in for a prostate exam and he wanted to have a practice run. He's nervous. I'm doing my civic duty.
*wipes tears from eyes* This book is slightly cheesy, sweet but not too sugary, angst light and unexpectedly funny...well to me anyway. I do think MM Romance fans should give it a try just for the experience alone of reading Denny and his piss poor cheating. Eh, 2.75 stars but I'll round it to THREE STARS.
November 9, 2012
Cheating usually is a no-no in my m/m books. This one is interesting because the way the author gives us opportunity to see what's inside the cheater's mind, and it's not exactly by the main character. Or so I thought.
The story is simple. Jesse was in a monogamous relationship with Denny, at least that he thought. Denny was actually had been sleeping for month with an older guy whenever he's away for his job as a flight attendant. The story started when Jesse met Nick, a new neighbor who--like him--had a dog. They were attracted to each other right away, but Jesse was committed to Denny, and Nick respected that. So they maintained a platonic relationship. What happened when Carter, the guy Denny had been seeing, pushed for more?
At first I didn't like reading about Denny. After all, I thought the main characters were Jesse and Nick. But, as I was reading it, I realized that Denny was also a main character. Yes, he's a douche, even if he didn't cheat, he's not exactly a sympathetic character. But Jesse loved him--at least at the beginning.
The title, Second Thoughts, applied to all three.
Having a second thought on relationship is not something we can avoid easily. Had Denny not been cheating, what would happen between Jesse and Nick? Perhaps nothing, since Jesse was a very committed monogamous person. But, if his feeling toward Nick became so strong, he probably would break it off with Denny first before pursuing with Nick.
One thing that is also interesting about this novel is the sex scene. There are a lot of them.
This book may appeal to both anti-cheating crowd (like me) and those who do not mind reading about it.
The story is simple. Jesse was in a monogamous relationship with Denny, at least that he thought. Denny was actually had been sleeping for month with an older guy whenever he's away for his job as a flight attendant. The story started when Jesse met Nick, a new neighbor who--like him--had a dog. They were attracted to each other right away, but Jesse was committed to Denny, and Nick respected that. So they maintained a platonic relationship. What happened when Carter, the guy Denny had been seeing, pushed for more?
At first I didn't like reading about Denny. After all, I thought the main characters were Jesse and Nick. But, as I was reading it, I realized that Denny was also a main character. Yes, he's a douche, even if he didn't cheat, he's not exactly a sympathetic character. But Jesse loved him--at least at the beginning.
The title, Second Thoughts, applied to all three.
Having a second thought on relationship is not something we can avoid easily. Had Denny not been cheating, what would happen between Jesse and Nick? Perhaps nothing, since Jesse was a very committed monogamous person. But, if his feeling toward Nick became so strong, he probably would break it off with Denny first before pursuing with Nick.
One thing that is also interesting about this novel is the sex scene. There are a lot of them.
This book may appeal to both anti-cheating crowd (like me) and those who do not mind reading about it.
October 30, 2010
POSSIBLE SPOILERS~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2.75 Stars
If you are not a fan of cheating then this read is NOT for you. I really didn't like D (the cheater) from the get-go. Every time the story began to peak, a quick resolution would crop up. All the characters seemed flat and dense (rose-colored condoms, anyone?) The wrongfully done, Jesse, in particular did not make me want to grab any tissues. Nick, the new gay neighbor, who just happens to jog just like Jesse, who loves and has a dog just like Jesse, who falls into insta-lust with Jesse, was just a pretty decoration. I will have to say that I liked this read due to the subject matter which was interesting, but the execution was lacking. Will possibly try another O'Reilly book in the future~
2.75 Stars
If you are not a fan of cheating then this read is NOT for you. I really didn't like D (the cheater) from the get-go. Every time the story began to peak, a quick resolution would crop up. All the characters seemed flat and dense (rose-colored condoms, anyone?) The wrongfully done, Jesse, in particular did not make me want to grab any tissues. Nick, the new gay neighbor, who just happens to jog just like Jesse, who loves and has a dog just like Jesse, who falls into insta-lust with Jesse, was just a pretty decoration. I will have to say that I liked this read due to the subject matter which was interesting, but the execution was lacking. Will possibly try another O'Reilly book in the future~
July 6, 2012
I enjoyed quite a lot reading about how the relationship developed between Jesse and Nick, it was so cute seeing them together and how well they fitted each other.
What I wish I hadn't had to see was Denny's point of view, he was just plain douche and slutty, but I'm quite glad that he had a fitting ending after the way he played Jesse.
What I wish I hadn't had to see was Denny's point of view, he was just plain douche and slutty, but I'm quite glad that he had a fitting ending after the way he played Jesse.
March 29, 2020
If cheating in stories is something you stay away from then this may not be the book for you. I actually enjoyed this and it was nice to get the cheaters perspective for a change, not that I condoned what he did in the least, it was just nice to hear both sides.
TAGS
-- established couple -- cheating -- wanted to smack Denny -- felt for Nick -- glad Jesse finally saw the light --friends to lovers -- loved Nick & Jesse together -- Denny got what was coming -- made me laugh -- for the love of pets
TAGS
-- established couple -- cheating -- wanted to smack Denny -- felt for Nick -- glad Jesse finally saw the light --friends to lovers -- loved Nick & Jesse together -- Denny got what was coming -- made me laugh -- for the love of pets
March 28, 2011
Jesse Jamison is in love with Dennis Christopoulos. Jesse is a rep for a textbook publisher and Denny is a flight attendant with a job that keeps him on the go and away from home a lot. Jesse is looking for a long-term commitment, while Denny's not sure if he wants a commitment with Jesse, or his rich older lover, Carter. And then there's Nicholas Warden, the new neighbor.
O'Reilly's latest tale of gay love makes for a nice read with a little sex and some relationship troubles. You think you know what's going to happen with the first page ~ four guys involved in two separate relationships! There's bound to be trouble and someone's going to end up with heartbreak. O'Reilly's dialogue is believable, as is the storyline. The story could be peopled by gay, lesbian, or straight couples. Second Thoughts is all about developing relationships based on honesty and what happens when lies and deceptions enter the picture.
Jesse, the main character of the novel thinks he's in love with someone he wants to share the rest of his life with, but he's fantasizing about his new neighbor in the first scenes of the story. Denny, who clearly has something to hide, doesn't quite fit into Jesse's life. For one thing, he's gone all of the time, and has a lover on the side. He also is not real fond of Shelby, the family dog. As you read the story, you wonder how these two ever got together. They seem to have little in common but nice sex. And then there's Nick, the new neighbor.
Nick seems to share the same interests as Jesse and has his own pet dog, Clyde. Nick's a school teacher, a job Jesse once held. He's at home most nights, he and Jesse get along great together, and their dogs, well-Shelby and Clyde are best friends!
You can see several of O'Reilly's plot twists coming, and Angela, the young female character seems a little too all knowing and relationship-wise for a girl of her age. The pace of Second Thoughts is nice, but unfortunately, the novel doesn't generate a great deal of heat.
More reviews from Barb Manning are available at www.barbmanning.net
O'Reilly's latest tale of gay love makes for a nice read with a little sex and some relationship troubles. You think you know what's going to happen with the first page ~ four guys involved in two separate relationships! There's bound to be trouble and someone's going to end up with heartbreak. O'Reilly's dialogue is believable, as is the storyline. The story could be peopled by gay, lesbian, or straight couples. Second Thoughts is all about developing relationships based on honesty and what happens when lies and deceptions enter the picture.
Jesse, the main character of the novel thinks he's in love with someone he wants to share the rest of his life with, but he's fantasizing about his new neighbor in the first scenes of the story. Denny, who clearly has something to hide, doesn't quite fit into Jesse's life. For one thing, he's gone all of the time, and has a lover on the side. He also is not real fond of Shelby, the family dog. As you read the story, you wonder how these two ever got together. They seem to have little in common but nice sex. And then there's Nick, the new neighbor.
Nick seems to share the same interests as Jesse and has his own pet dog, Clyde. Nick's a school teacher, a job Jesse once held. He's at home most nights, he and Jesse get along great together, and their dogs, well-Shelby and Clyde are best friends!
You can see several of O'Reilly's plot twists coming, and Angela, the young female character seems a little too all knowing and relationship-wise for a girl of her age. The pace of Second Thoughts is nice, but unfortunately, the novel doesn't generate a great deal of heat.
More reviews from Barb Manning are available at www.barbmanning.net
March 2, 2013
First off, I won a proof copy via a giveaway hosted by Goodreads.
While I do not like to read about cheating this is a very well written work. I did enjoy it and the only thing I was not satisfied with was the lack of proper development between Nick and Jesse. We are given only a view of the beginning stages but nothing of what transpires after the end of Jesse and Denny's relationship. However with the length of this novel I understand the need for a swift conclusion and the jump ahead in time for the epilogue.
While I do not like to read about cheating this is a very well written work. I did enjoy it and the only thing I was not satisfied with was the lack of proper development between Nick and Jesse. We are given only a view of the beginning stages but nothing of what transpires after the end of Jesse and Denny's relationship. However with the length of this novel I understand the need for a swift conclusion and the jump ahead in time for the epilogue.
August 16, 2012
This is only getting two stars because I finished it. Second thoughts combined some of the things I hate the most so there is really no way to win. Insta-love. Cheating. Being too naive/dumb to not pick up on the cheating of your douchebag boyfriend. Dogs with way too much importance/human qualities. Dogs are not people. Who sleeps outside with dogs that have been sprayed by a skunk? Nobody. That's just stupid.
September 13, 2012
the cheating by one of the main characters and his 'novice in the gay world but no novice to sex' fling made me a little ill (but that's life I guess). I absolutely ADORED Nick and the 2 dogs :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2012
2.5 stars. The MC was too stupid to live.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2012
2.5stars Denny did not do it for me.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews