3.5 Stars… The story is fun, love the exotic animals, especially Millie. The exotic character names throw me off a bit. I enjoyed the courtship of Carol and Mathias and Ulrich and Violet. Having read book one years ago, it took me a bit to catch up on who’s who and what’s what, so definitely recommend reading these in order

Another amazing read by Susan Mallery.

I can never get enough of her sweet romance that always makes me laugh, swoon and smile

Second Chance Girl was absolutely amazing. I fell more in live with the characters with every word.

When it comes to Ms. Mallery I can always expect a great read. I'm so excited for more!

This book was not what I thought it would be and it sucked. When I thought the book was soon to wrap up I was shocked that I only read 20% of the book and the more the book went on, the worst it got.

Nothing was actually resolved and I was not invested in anyone's problems, and the only one whose problem I was invested in wasn't resolved. And most importantly, no one punched the father in the face.

I understand that we were supposed to like Carol, but she was annoying. Everything had to be about her. Mathias is going through some things with his dysfunctional family and she made everything about her, it was gross. And I guess they threw in Violet's love story since her love story happened fast. It didn't add anything to the plot and I couldn't care less for it.

All in all, this book was dragged out and the romance between Carol and Mathias seemed to have been made way more complicated than it needed to be. I only cared about if Mathias and his twin would reunite, but I guess I have to wait for the next story. I'm too invested now not to see how it would play out (sigh).

Millie! I love that giraffe more than anyone really should love a fictional giraffe! This book was so good. It really captured both the romance, and the messed up family dynamics in a way that really works for the series. Looking forward to the next one!

Second Chance Girl is the second story in Susan Mallery’s Happily Inc. series and it is a delightful story that touched me with her heartwarming and insightful writing. This story deals with one of the younger Mitchell brothers that has real issues with love and commitment due his family’s dysfunctional upbringing. Neighbors Matthias Mitchell and Carol Lund are friends and get along great because they tease and keep things light between them. Neither are aware of the others feelings and keep it that way because Carol doesn’t feel special enough and Matthias thinks she deserves better. Getting these together wasn’t easy and throw in a trouble-causing beagle, and you have a wonderful romantic story.

Matthias is a brilliant artist who works with glass and has uses the host of weddings and bridesmaids the way to scratch his itch without building a relationship. He moved here 5 years ago along with Ronan and Nick, in order to escape their father’s criticism and vitriol and carve out their own artistic careers. Things haven’t been the same between him and Ronan his twin and it has really left him lost and abandoned. He has etched out a good life but it could be so much more if he could let go of his past and believe in himself and his art. Matthias makes only with dishes and pottery and leaves the ‘art’ to Ronan and Nick, much to their dismay. He believes is that he isn’t cut out for relationships and wouldn’t really know how to go about it. It didn’t mean he couldn’t imagine what it would be like with Carol, considering she is the woman of his dreams.

Carol is the gamekeeper of the animal preserve on the outskirts of town and has a huge crush on Matthias but doesn’t feel special like the women he goes after. She’s your average girl whose goal at the moment is to raise money to get Millie the giraffe a herd to belong to. She loves what she does and lives simply but doesn’t know how to attract a man like Matthias and keep his interest. When Matthias intervenes to help her cause she got a big eye opener to what his life was like with his family and wants to do what she can to have his back. Their friendship grows throughout the story and the development of their romance has a bit of a hitch, but works out in the end. I like her style and how she goes for what she wants to get her man.

A bonus in this story is a second romance blooming between a British Duke and Carol’s sister Violet. The girls are close and the best of friends and want what’s best for the other. I love how these two navigate their way to finding love for themselves and how certain choices had to be decided. Throughout this whole story we saw how families should work and how some will never work right at all. It just takes that special someone who sees you for what you are and not for what you do. Carol and Matthias saw that in one another and how their love and friendship could be the best thing for both of them. Susan Mallery has really touched something here and created such depth with her characters. They grow emotionally and found the love of their life. Second Chance Girl warmed my heart and I look forward to more stories from Happily Inc.

This was an okay story but I don't feel like Susan Mallery did a good job of pulling in the reader. I didn't really connect with any of the characters.

This one was so sweet! The heroine really tugs on your heartstrings (though at times I wish she was written to have slightly more self-confidence). But her obsession with the giraffe/menagerie is adorable, and such a fun entry point into her friendship with Mathias.

*I received a review copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

I struggled with the first book in the series, but thought I'd give the second book a chance just to make sure this wasn't working for me. I don't like the town, apparently. And I felt that this story in particular was pretty bland and I struggled to get through it.

A sweet dual romance that follows all of the rules of romance writing.

Interesting plot points, character growth (although the characters are somewhat annoying) the requisite sexual longings culminating into the ultimate climax and the inevitable HEA.

SECOND CHANCE GIRL
(Happily Inc: #2)
Written by Susan Mallery
(Narrated by Tanya Eby)
2017; HQN Books (345 Pages)
(Audio length: 8 hours and 46 minutes)
Genre: fiction, series, romance, contemporary, small town, weddings

Rating: 3 STARS

The second novel features Carol, the gamekeeper, and artist Mathias Mitchell. The chemistry between the two characters wasn't as strong and felt forced and rushed a bit at times. The best parts were with the giraffes. It is fun fluffy light read, but nothing special.

***I received an eARC from EDELWEISS and NETGALLEY***

I’m a huge fan of Susan Mallery’s Fool’s Gold series so I was super excited to read her newest series, Happily Inc. I admittedly haven’t read all of either series but luckily, each of her books read like standalones so I wasn’t hopelessly confused. There’s enough background in each book to make it easy on a reader. Second Chance Girl is the second of the new series.

Carol is down to earth, quiet, and nothing special. Or at least that’s what she thinks. Mathias is talented, cocky, and broken. They’ve been friends for a while but one night changed everything. Now I have to admit that I struggled to get the chemistry between these two. It felt like a warm friendship, not a burning love relationship. I was more interested in the story of Millie than anything else. So I got caught off guard when I started crying. Mallery definitely caught me off guard. The characters are well written, well developed, and have several layers to them. There is more than meets the eye and as I got to know the characters, they grew on me.

There is some drama to the story but it worked with it. The drama wasn’t over the top or even super angsty, just a bit heartbreaking. I did struggle with the first probably 40% of the book. It seemed to move slowly for me. But in the end, I was drawn into the story. If you’re looking for an easy, lazy day read this is a good choice.

I voluntarily read an advanced reader's copy of this book.

I could not put this book down. I recommend you don't start this book until you can indulge yourself because once you pick it up you won't want to out it down. Carol runs the Animal preserve next to Mathis's house. He see her walking with her giraffe ever morning. Mathis is still working with glass but he was tired of his father's criticism so he only makes everyday pieces. Mathis likes carol but carol thinks he is just a friend and wouldn't be interested in her. But maybe he would be.....

Thank you netgalley and harlequin for allowing me to read this title for an honest review.

Carol and Violet are best friends as well as sisters. Can they both find love?

Mathias is a tortured artist whose father has rejected his art and his twin brother has drawn away from him. He likes spending time with Carol and watching her giraffe, Millie, on the nature preserve,but he isn't ready to trust.

Ulrich, a Duke, has come to America to confront Violet about the boxes his grandmother is sending her. Can he see the truth that Violet has had a crush on him since she met him years ago?

Book two of Happily Inc let's us follow the Lund sisters as they search for their happily ever after. Two for the price of one! This novel only made me want more of this group of friends!

I love Susan Malley books and her characters. This addition to the Happily Inc series is one of my favorites. The brothers in this book are all so different yet talented in their own rights and I like getting to know each of them. I hope that Mallery will eventually share with us why their mother chooses their father over them every time and why their father is such a bastard.

I an effort to escape family betrayal Mathias has moved to a Wedding destination town. He is an artist and can work anywhere except by his father. He finds companionship, when he craves it, in the multitude of bridesmaids and single wedding guests moving through town. If only he could get a certain lady out of his mind.

Carol is an exotic game keeper. She loves her giraffe but wants a herd. She also wants her neighbor but for different purposes. Too bad he is the worst sort of playboy she has ever met. Better to focus on how Mathias can help her raise the funds to get more animals.

Cute story. I can't wait to see what else awaits the residents of Happily Inc.

I love Fool's Gold series and am so happy Mallery's new series is just as good

The second book of Happily, Inc., the spin-off of Susan Mallery’s Fool’s Gold series was just as heart-warming for me as the first. This can be read as a stand-alone. This is the story of Carol Lund and Mathias Mitchell, brother of Nick from book one. He, like his brothers, is a very talented artist who works with glass. She is in charge of the animal preserve in this California desert town. One of the reasons I loved this book so much is that we have giraffes, gazelles, and other exotic creatures important to the outcome. And of course there is a cute dog as well. Needing funds to acquire more giraffes for Millie, who needs a herd in order to be happy, Carol is so grateful that Mathias and his brothers will auction off some of their work for the cause. In the course of planning this fundraiser, the two become more than just friends and neighbors, but of course they don’t want to admit it due to past commitment and trust problems. We are also treated to a second possible romance involving Carol’s sister Violet and an English Duke. We have Millie the giraffe to thank for this side story. Needless to say, Susan Mallery does a fantastic job of weaving both of these stories into their own happily ever after. Second Chance Girl was a delight to read, and I’m looking forward to the next Mitchell brother’s story.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for the chance to read and review this book.

Susan Mallery's second book in her new Happily, Inc. series is Second Chance Girl. As a long time fan of Fool's Gold, I think it was smart of Mallery to focus on the Mitchell brothers that were introduced in Fool's Gold books. It provides the hook for Fool's Gold fans to bridge over to Happily, Inc.

I enjoyed Second Chance Girl more than I did You Say It First (1st book in Happily, Inc. series), but there is just something missing from this series. It's not quite living up to the Fool's Gold level. I remain a Mallery fan though will continue to read her books. As a bonus, readers are treated to two romance stories in one, in Second Chance Girl. While Carol and Mathias are the primary story, Violet and a new character, Ulrich, also find their happily ever after.

Yet, another wonderful story from a author who knows how to make her readers feel as if they are on the journey with the characters.

I can't decide if I liked book 1 or 2 more... Probably 2 just because there were animals and such a complex story with Mathias and Carol. And a Violet and Ulrich as well.

Carol has been attracted to manwhore Mathias for a while but she knows she isn't his type; she's not an out of town bridesmaid who will be gone after a night together. But a girl can dream can't she? Speaking of dreaming, she wants to get a herd of giraffe for her lone giraffe Millie. Which after the whole April pregnant giraffe giving birth thing, I have a new found appreciation for giraffes.

Mathias has had a little crush on Carol but he's not going to do anything about it. Carol is way too good for him and he knows with his past, he can only have flings not relationships. But he's still going to help her get her giraffe herd by any means necessary.

This was a funny, sweet, heartbreaking but amazing love story. I love the Happily Inc series and hope more is coming soon!!

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review