Second Chances

By: Lauren Dane

Narrated by: Isabelle Gordon

Length: 7 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Ten years ago, Rori Simon left town shy, unattractive, and with zero self-esteem. Now she's back, older, stronger and finally loving herself - and it shows. Hot men are soon knocking at her door, including Jude Callahan, the bad boy who starred in her teenage daydreams... and her adult fantasies.

Jude can't believe the sexy, confident woman before him is actually Rori! She's gotten under his skin like no other woman has... and she brings out secret desires he can't resist. He wants to dominate Rori with every fiber of his being. Wants to own her and pleasure her. To cherish her as he makes her his.

Rori discovers she likes being controlled. She also knows Jude is not a one-woman man. Everything changes when she meets Zach Helm. Edgy, sensual Zach knows just what she needs, and before long, she's in love. Jude watches them together and wonders if he's lost his chance forever.

Previously published, newly revised by author.

©2010 Lauren Dane (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

A real GEM!

I love this story. I've already re-listened to it once. It's one that stays with you. It has angst, romance, alpha males & one who gets his come-upance, delicious dominance, strong heroine & a depth of story that really moved me. This story is definitely worth a credit & one I will listen to again - but even better - it's in the 'Romance Package!!'

Wonderful Steamy Love Story

I was torn between 3 and 4 stars on this one. I ended up going with four and here is why. The love scenes in this book were HOT! The chemistry was HOT! The dialogue was great, the characters were well developed and the story line was good.

What I didn't like: The plot moved forward a little too fast in the beginning making some of the encounters and relationships seem unrealistic. Then, when things should have sped up, they slowed down.

I absolutely adored Jude in all of his womanizing ways. Jude was the guy that Rori always fantasized about. He was the unattainable bad boy in high school. Rori is all grown up now and Jude is still a complete womanizer. He is now a cop and on the right side of the law but frequently ends up on the wrong side of the bed.

Rori was that girl in High School, the one who the guys liked as a "friend". She was a little overweight, wore glasses, was a little too nerdy, and she was not the most attractive. She has grown up and is now a curvy woman and her nerdy personality has landed her a top notch degree and a best selling author job. Rori is coming off a two year relationship that ended very badly. She has decided to come home and live near her sister and her family.Rori rolls into town and all heads turn her way. She is now a smoking hot successful woman and has men chasing after her immediately, including Jude.

Jude has his chance but will he blow it? Because if he does, there is another dark horse in the running, Zach Helm sees Rori for exactly what she is, a born submissive in the bedroom. Zach is more than willing to take the reins where Rori is concerned, and with Zach he is playing for keeps. Jude may be in it just to play the game... unless he can pull his head out of his ass long enough to see what an amazing woman Rori is.

So all in all this was a great book with a great story line. It just felt like parts of it were missing. There was multi-POV narrative so you get to see what all of the main characters are going through.

4 Steamy Stars!
Isabell Gordon was great with the delivery of the story

Why did I wait so long to get this one????

I just loved it. Girl not popular in school, comes back 10 years later and is a beauty. Hooks up with the guy she has always wanted but he treats her like crap. She finds a great man then the other guy realized what he lost. Plus the sex scenes are sooo good!!! YUM YUM. So worth my time and credit.

Southern Heat

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I had a hard time with the Southern twang.

Would you be willing to try another book from Lauren Dane? Why or why not?

Yes. The book was very erotic. I enjoyed the twist with the story. I would likely read another Lauren Dane book.

What about Isabelle Gordon’s performance did you like?

Some of the voices were laughable at times. But that did not steer me from the content... HOT! HOT! HOT!

3.75 ⭐️

I’m still glad I listened though

There is nothing better than a story about the ugly duckling becoming a swan and all those that showed disdain being attracted. I loved how she told people off and didn’t cow tow to anyone. This story is about more than that though. It is much deeper. It dives into peoples sexuality and self acceptance. There are a few things glossed over that could have had more time which were also brought up way into the story when they should have been mentioned sooner(IMO).
I will say it’s a little predictable. I knew the big climax was coming just not when. You knew it had to happen.
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I believe there is a whole area of the story about Jude that should have been shown. His changing for her should have been mentioned a little bit before the very end. I had a real hard time feeling sorry for him and really to me the HEA was for her since we were only shown him becoming friends with Zack. Towns people mentioning he’s not out, never see him leave with a woman, spend more time with nephews show he is a brand new person and Zacks friend and then spend time with her when she was mourning.

Also there was very little time spent on him needing the BDSM. maybe trips away to BDSM clubs or classes. Maybe that’s how he and Zack reconnect? It could have to shown how he needed but still couldn’t find the right sub even there.

Zack with his hand on his heart is stuck in my head. I hate when that kind of thing happens to a beloved character!

Very good! Kept my interest!

Very good, kept my interest but a little predictable. I would love a sequel.

Where's the rest of the Lauren Dane books?

If you could sum up Second Chances in three words, what would they be?

Sex, love and erotica I would have used another word instead of erotica but I don't want to give much too away.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Rori - she was strong knew what she wanted - I got her.

Have you listened to any of Isabelle Gordon’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No not that I can recall

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The ties that bind - sorry Bruce!

Any additional comments?

I wasn't sure what I'd get with this is my first Lauren Dane book.There are both good bad and so so reviews so It was in my wish list for a while before I whipped up a credit to purchase it.I loved that our Rori was NOT a push over that you cheered along with her. Yes some of the scenes are raunchy but I don't think I'd class them as vanilla. Overall I did enjoy this book as there was a good contemporary story there. I just wish there was more of Ms Dane on Audible guess I have to look else where to see if this was a one off for the author.

Not the best

Did Second Chances inspire you to do anything?

This book was just OK. Nothing special and i found it quite boring. Lot's of sex but the story lacked substance. I did not like the accents of the men. No sex appeal in the voices. It's not ta book i will listen to again.

Enthrawling

If you could sum up Second Chances in three words, what would they be?

When a story line is as good as this one it stands on its own merrit but when the narrator is as outstanding as Isabelle Gordon it brings the story to a vibrant life like form glowing before your eyes. Her performance was outstanding and not only entertained my but brought me into the room with her and deep into the scene.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Second Chances?

Even though the focus of the book was not on BDSM I Thought the writer did a very accurate job of describing that lifestyle and took from it what the character liked and was most turned on by. Her interperatation of that lifestyle was dead on realistic.

Which character – as performed by Isabelle Gordon – was your favorite?

The main Rori character grew ans learned from each experience and took what she loved from the BDSM lifestyle and formed her own circle of values. She took the reader on this journey with her and we learned together.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Nothing

Any additional comments?

Would love to read any other books by this author and narrated by Ms Gordon. I would alos love to read more stories with a BDSM focus.

Very Touching Love Story with some erotic sex

What did you love best about Second Chances?

I loved this book the most because it started out with the two main characters hooking up immediately, unlike other books that make you wait until the book us almost finished. It was a true romantic, exoctic love story with some really hot sex scenes! I hope I can find another book similar to this story.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the hot and steamy love scenes. I love how Rory was not afraid to go for what she wanted in bed too.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There was a tragic incident that happend in this story that made me cry, it was so touching. That's how involved this book pulled me in to it.

Any additional comments?

I highly reccomend this book to you if you enjoy reading hot, sexy love stories. It really pulls you into the story.