Second Chances: Who Will Abby Choose?

5.0 out of 5 stars YUMMY! YUMMY! YUMMY! I’m looking forward to the next book from this author.

Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2015

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Abby (Abigail) Simon is a very human delightful character—she’s spunky and sometimes smart mouthed, kind, thoughtful, a loyal friend, a great cook and the owner of a business she established in the small town of Elk River Minnesota—a pastry shop called Dessert First. She also has a wonderful relationship with her parents—but especially her father.

There is nothing shallow about Abby. She is resilient and strong, but she is still reeling from the devastation of having her groom-to-be (Adam Jackson) show up at her door a couple of hours before the wedding ceremony and tell her he couldn’t go through with the wedding. A year later he has never told her why, even though he tried to keep in touch with her after that tragic day, phoning her regularly until she took a stand and told him not to call her again. Kudos to her! She decided to move on…but everyone she dated is a bust because in her heart she still had feelings for him.

Then Max James comes back to town and moves back into his parents’ house next door to her mom and dad. His mother has had a stroke and he has moved home to help them deal with what has happened. Through her teens, Abby had lived with a heart-wrenching crush on this neighbor boy who never even seen her as anything more than the kid from next door. When he left at the age of 18, to go to the University of Texan and study to become an architect, he hadn’t given her a second glance. Now, thirteen years later, he is stunned when he sees her—the scrawny tom-boy that he had known had a crush on him then, as turned into real beauty—and it is Max’s turn to be smitten. But Abby is guarded—she hasn’t forgotten the mean things he and his friends did to her for laughs a way back then. She’s older and wiser now, and while he is too handsome for his own good, and he still makes her heart do crazy things, she’s not falling at his feet. He sets out to build a relationship with her.

And then just when things look promising, Adam Jackson insists that he has to talk to Abby and tell her why he called off the wedding. He insists that he has regretted his decision, and he wants to make a second chance.

I was already smitten by Max, and I wanted her to tell Adam it was too little too late, but Abby still had questions in her heart. And so, she decided to reconsider, and I almost prayed that she would choose Max, but the heart has its own ways.

Connie Stephany has created characters that I could relate too, and the whole book is woven into their everyday lives, and those of the secondary characters are a realistic part of the whole. I love romances that have more depth than the girl gets the boy, the boy gets the girl thing from the past and this author has done that in this book.

I bought this book because the title Second Chance caught my eye. The theme of a second chance has been running through my mind, and my own work, and I wanted to see what this new author had written. I was not disappointed in the story.

Other reviewers have noted—as do I—that the book could be improved overall with some editing, tightening up in the sentence structure and cutting out unnecessary wording, and at first I had thought to give this book four stars because of that. However when the overall read is satisfying, I think that most readers who have not been involved in the editing process do not even notice these things that pop out at those who do edit…and my heart said 4.5 and I rounded it up to 5 stars because aside from those things that I noticed with a critical eye, I really did enjoy the book.

Congratulation Connie Stephany—I am looking forward to your next book!

5.0 out of 5 stars TORN BETWEEN TWO LOVERS

Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2015

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Since becoming a Book Reviewer about a year I can’t help but notice the number of books I’ve read/review which has caused me to reminisce the years of my youth. Such is the case as I read this book by Connie Stephany.

This time it’s a song called The Second Time Around in the 1960’s sung by none other than Frank Sinatra; and if you read the lyrics to this sung, you’ll see why I made the connection.

Love is lovelier the second time around

Just as wonderful with both feet on the ground

It’s that second time you hear your love song sung

Makes you think perhaps that love, like youth, is wasted on the young

Love’s more comfortable the second time you fall

Like a friendly home the second time you call

Who can say what brought us to this miracle we’ve found?

There are those who’ll bet love comes but once, and yet

I’m oh, so glad we met the second time around.

While Abby had her first infatuation on a guy named Max thirteen years ago, but the problem is it had only been one way. But with his sudden return, it is now both ways.

As for Adam, the devoted guy she had been slated to marry, he disappeared leaving Abby alone at the altar. Now, just as her relationship with Max is taking off, he decides to return and to once again ask Abby to marry him. And just like the words of the song by Mary MacGregor [Peter, Paul, and Mary], she’s torn between these lovers, feeling like a fool and knows that loving both of them would be breaking all the rules.

If you’ve ever had been in this same situation, having to choose between two guys who you love, then you can relate to one of the toughest decisions Abby will ever have to make in her life.

Ms. Stephany’s writing is one which allows you to experience what the main characters in the book are, which is why I’m giving it 5 STARS.

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend! Great read.

Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2015

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This is a very sweet romance where a successful owner is forced to choose between two men from her past.

It’s a very sweet story, has many well-written flashbacks to help with character development and highlights the importance of friendship.

I recommend this romance novel!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Precious characters & story

Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2015

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After reading this precious story I found I am not as forgiving as I thought I was. I was soooooo hoping Abby would not take Adam back as her boyfriend. I was truly rooting for Max to marry Abby. This was a charming, true to life story. Seeing that Ms. Stephany’s next book is Adam & Jennifer’s story it will be interesting to see if my opinion changes. Can’t wait to read it!

5.0 out of 5 stars A superbly sumptuous read - sample this book now!

Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2015

This is a sumptuous book. On the surface it appears to be a wholesome, heart-warming romance, but in fact it’s a dissection of relationships and what motivates people to do what they do. Weaved amongst the pages, there are characters who enjoy subjugating others for pleasure - using their weakness to dominate and deceive. And in balance, there are other characters who show compassion, genuine care and interest for another’s life and wellbeing. These secondary characters create a maze of emotions for the main characters to navigate through. Connie’s gentle but captivating writing style takes you on that journey and you live those experiences, the hurt, the joy and of course, the hope of there being a chance to find love again. The central character Abby is a truly delightful woman who is jilted at her wedding by her fiancé Adam. Throughout the book, the reader, like Abby is waiting for the reason why. This immediately invests the reader to feel Abby’s pain but also delivers a heightened sense of intrigue. What would really make someone say they can’t marry their beloved on their big day? As a writer myself, all kinds of scenarios manifested in my mind, and this only drew me further into the story. It must be said, I’m not a chick lit kind of girl, and my usual diet is that of hard core thrillers that hold nothing back, however Second Chances enthralled me and I loved reading it. I can’t pretend that at times I wanted Abby to explode and give certain characters a good thrashing or at least a vicious whipping with her tongue! Although, I understand that it wouldn’t have been in her character at all, it would however have delivered just ‘Desserts’ to people who mistreated her. Abby as a woman, has a bit of ‘super’ attached to her; she makes great desserts from the crack of dawn, is a successful business woman, looks ravishingly edible herself (even with no make up!), spends time with elderly friends, organises her best friend’s party & wedding and is a great track driver (with virtually no training!). Is it any wonder men are fighting over her? And yet, all of this doesn’t come over as heavy or unbelievable. It all seems natural, and therein lies the skill of Connie’s writing. The character of Max, I didn’t warm to at first, as I was seeing him through a lens Connie wanted me to see through. An interesting device which kept me hooked, and I was pleased to be enlightened to his real disposition when that moment came. The focus on desserts and cakes is a fascinating aside, and enables the storyline to be seamlessly strung through, giving rise to long, lingering looks over the ice cream cakes. Such scenes also made me feel quite hungry whilst reading! Overall, Second Chances is a superb read by a talented author with much more to entice and attract than your average cupcake chick lit. Highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read!

Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2016

What a charming novel! It was sweet and held more depth than I realized. The writing was superb, and there wasn’t a point in the whole story that slowed down unnecessary.

We meet the main character, Abby, who is a loving, generous woman madly in love with the man she is about to marry, Adam. When he leaves her without warning, Abby is completely devastated not to mention confused. We journey with her as she puts her life back together, and takes a leap of faith in an old schoolmate by the name of Max. Just as things begin to get exciting for the two of them, Adam returns and Abby is torn between forgiveness and new love.

I know the storyline sounds cliché but bear with it, really. This is a story that pulls at your heartstrings, and makes you laugh. From the flashbacks to the present in time moments, you’ll find yourself falling in love with these characters and at the end; you yourself won’t be able to choose. Should Abby stay with Adam? Or move on with Max?

A must read for any romance novel fan.

Copyright © 2023 Connie Stephany.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 979-8-89031-634-9 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-89031-635-6 (hc)

ISBN: 979-8-89031-636-3 (e)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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(504) 702-6708

Acknowledgments

First, I want to say thank you to my sister, Cari Peterson, for reading my book several times, and then helping me to edit it over a long weekend. You helped make my book something I can be truly proud of!

Second, I want to thank Sam Wicks, my favorite sister-in-law, for helping me to design the book cover. I love it!

Next, I want to thank my children who continued to spread the word that their mom is going to be a famous author. Even if that doesn’t happen, I will be famous to them!

Lastly, I want to thank my amazing husband, Bob, who always encouraged me to realize my dream and convinced me to finally get it published.

Contents

Chapter 1 An Anniversary to Forget

Chapter 2 A Blast from the Past

Chapter 3 Blind Dates Gone Wrong

Chapter 4 Date with Dad

Chapter 5 Another No-Show?

Chapter 6 Best Friends Forever

Chapter 7 Bachelorette Party Weekend

Chapter 8 A Familiar Voice

Chapter 9 Getting to Know You

Chapter 10 A Blast from the Past

Chapter 11 The Truth Will Set You Free

Chapter 12 A Much Needed Break

Chapter 13 Home Sweet Home

Epilogue

Author Biography

An Anniversary to Forget

Abigail Simon had the worst headache of her life.

She shook her head and cursed her best friend, Damn you, Colleen. It made Abby’s head pound harder.

What’s that, dear?

Abby wasn’t entirely sure if the voice belonged to her employee, Madeline, or if it was a customer. She was hoping it was Madeline.

Never mind, Abby grumbled, rubbing her face.

Colleen always said when you need a break from reality, nothing worked better than a girl’s night out (heavy drinking assumed).

Abby had to admit it was totally worth the headache, but the reality break was only temporary. The second Abby opened her eyes that morning, reality came back to smack her right in the face. A whole year later and Abby still hadn’t figured out why Adam Jackson had left her on their wedding day.

She knew the memories would always remain, but for that one day, Abby had planned on sitting at home feeling sorry for herself, drinking a bottle of wine and watching chick flicks all night.

She thought her plan was the perfect way to mark the occasion. Her best friend hadn’t agreed.

As Abby’s head started to pound harder, her thoughts drifted to the night before. If she wanted to be fair, she would admit the headache was really courtesy of the two lemon drops, a shot of tequila, a duck fart, and a B52. However, it made Abby feel better to blame someone, so she was blaming Colleen.

Madeline, do you have any Ibuprofen? Abby asked her loyal friend as she walked by. The stuff I took this morning wore off and I forgot to bring some with me.

You betcha. I’ll get it for ya right away, Madeline replied in her deep Minnesotan accent and walked away to get it.

What a good friend Madeline was. Too bad Abby wasn’t thinking that way about Colleen that way right that moment.

Instead of just letting Abby sit at home alone, her best friend convinced her to go out on the town. Abby supposed she should really thank Colleen, considering proof of a great time was a massive hangover and a fuzzy memory of the night’s events, but she wasn’t feeling that generous.

What made everything worse was that she didn’t even get to sleep that morning. As the owner of a local pastry shop in Elk River, Minnesota, named Dessert First, Abby almost always made it in on Sunday mornings, her busiest day of the week. Although she didn’t roll in until 7:30 am, she was still proud of herself that she had made it in at all.

As Madeline brought Abby the two Ibuprofen and a large glass of cold water, she thanked the heavens above for being the best employee in the world. Madeline had promised to come in and cover for Abby in the morning. She had told Abby she could cover for her the whole day, but Abby’s favorite day was Sunday.

Abby glanced over at the clock hanging on the blue and white wall and sighed in relief. She wasn’t sure how she’d done it, but she managed to make it through the day and it was just about time to close up shop.

Abby smiled despite her headache, thinking of her shop. It was her pride and joy. She loved making desserts and breakfast rolls and just about anything sweet and loved serving them to her customers. It gave her deep satisfaction to see the look on their faces when they tried something they loved, something she created.

She even had customers tell her they loved her after trying her delicious treats, but unfortunately, most of them had been women, and the ones that had been men were usually sitting next to their elderly wives.

I know you were here early, but can you close up shop today, Madeline? Abby asked, who she thought of more as a second mother or a good friend than her employee.

Oh yeah, ya know I will. I told ya not to even come in today! She reminded Abby. Are ya going to your parents tonight, dear? Madeline asked.

Yes. My parents are expecting me in a little while, Abby replied.

You go on and get ready then. I’ll close everything up for the night, Madeline told her and tried to shoo her away. Abby stubbornly just stood there waiting for the doors to close for the day, a habit that was hard to break even with her loyal employee telling her to get lost.

As Madeline tried to get Abby moving, she found herself wondering why Abby had such trouble with men. Abby was a very pretty woman; she was curvy in all the right places and Madeline figured it was the type of body many women her age longed to have. Abby’s long, blonde hair was slightly wavy and Madeline had overheard more than one compliment from both men and women alike. Madeline finally gave up trying to get Abby moving and walked towards the door to close up the shop.

Abby watched Madeline walk to the