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.

loved it

Great love story, charachters well developed. Narrator is spot on and the romance is hot, Hot, HOT!

Potential to be Great

This story has mixed feeling for me. It started a little flat and I struggled to be drawn into the characters. Rori is someone we can all relate to. She was not popular and struggled with herself confidence and appearance. She is smart and is now come back to her old town and is not taking any crap. Although the author did an ok job developing this character there were some gaps. The Alpha men Zach and Jude were also interesting but I needed more to truly buy into them. Especially Zach they just sort of met and then boom they are a couple. You don’t get the connection at first. I like the bad boy role that Jude plays. But again to you read parts and think did they edit out some details to the story line. I would not call this truly an erotic read. There is BDSM but it is mild. Overall it was a good listen but I am glad I got the book on sale. That made it worth the listen. I think the book gets better as it goes but there was potential for the story to be more. It is a good solid listen.