I enjoyed Kyra and Will’s story. I always enjoy a second chance book. They both had a lot of baggage to overcome. I liked the parts that included the kids and animals.

I've only read one other book by this author and I've got to say that I really enjoy her writing. Right from the start, I was drawn into this story because of the main characters. They're complete opposites, yet it's clear they're good for each other from the moment they come face-to-face.

Kyra Dixon had a big crush on Will Chase in the past, so it's easy to say yes to the favor he asks of her. But being around his family isn't going to be easy. Will they like her? What if they don't? Not that it seems Will cares whether they like her or not. If they don't, all the better for him. At least that will work in his favor. Since it seems he's all about annoying his blue blood, billionaire family.

Furthermore, both the main characters are strong, have great chemistry and I liked how they handled the challenges they faced. His family is certainly a big challenge but Kyra's strength and determination to help Will had me liking her more and more. While Will, I liked his determination to prove to Kyra that she belongs with him, even though it's clear she doesn't belong in his world. The upper class can be ruthless and horrible to someone that isn't one of them, but I liked that it didn't stop Will from showing Kyra that he's not a typical blue blood. That he's a rare gem in a pile of diamonds. That there are those blue bloods that have respect for people that aren't one of them.

Overall, Ms. Herkness has delivered a really good read in this book that has me wanting to see what happens next in this series.

​Second Time Around, by Nancy Herkness, is a sweet, provocative testimony to what two people will do to turn a seemingly lost crush into true love. Kyra Dixon and Will Chase were classmates at Brunell University and truly flourished in each other's company. In a short matter of time, the two of them established a friendship that was unique. They enjoyed being together, the daily give and take of intelligent conversation and a challenging quote war! The quotes made for a really thoughtful and comical manner of saying what was in their heart. They lost track of one another when Kyra had to drop out of school to take care of her dying father. After that, she had debt to pay back after her mother died, leaving her a load of unpaid bills. Will had gone on to become the owner of Ceres, a wildly successful chain of cafes throughout the world. Fate played its hand and Kyra found herself having lunch at Ceres on the same day the CEO came to check on business in this café. They recognized each other and memories rushed in on both parts. Amazingly, she wanted him in her world but she thought she didn't belong there. She wasn't raised with money and no amount of wishing things were different could change that. To make enough money for living expenses and to help pay the debts she owes, Kyra has two jobs. Her day job is as cook extraordinaire at the Carver After-School Care Center while her night job is as a high class bartender at Stratus. Before work, she becomes a seriously sexy beauty to get more tips and to bring the customers in. Will stops in one night and is stunned into silence over how beautiful she is. Will wants her in his life, as well, but doesn't quite know how to do it. His friend, Nathan Trainor, gives him some advice by asking him "does she make you want to become a better man?" Will invites Kyra to his mother's "spring fling" party where all the society blue-bloods stand around, eating, drinking and judging everyone. He hopes that Kyra will provide a shield for him since his parents do not approve of the work he has chosen for his life. His idea of protecting himself, with the help of Kyra, backfires when she is made to feel as if she's not wanted and even her clothes are unfashionable. When he sees her with the kids and the dogs at the Carver Center, he is more than grateful that she has given him proof that there is a better way to live. Is it enough to bridge the chasm that exists between their two worlds? More importantly, can Kyra see that she's in no way inferior to anyone in Will's life? Nancy Herkness has written a book that has a heart beat of its own. Remarkable!

The Story in 4 Sentences or Less: Kyra Dixon works at a community center that matches underprivileged kids with rescue dogs. Will Chase is a billionaire CEO and was Kyra’s secret crush back in college so imagine her surprise when she not only runs into Will but he asks her to be his date at his uptight family’s annual garden party! Soon their fling turns into something that has Kyra falling for Will again but while she knows she doesn’t belong in Will’s world, she doesn’t know that he wants belong in hers.







Like It? Hate it? Love it? Why? It has taken me so long to write this review because while it had a strong start with me and I’ve enjoyed this author before, there was an incident in the book towards the end that was handled in an irresponsible way that had me fuming FOREVER. In fact I’m still not over it.

But before I get to that, there were some other things about Second Time Around that had me less than thrilled about Will and Kyra. First of all I couldn’t connect with either character the way I had with previous characters in this author’s books. I just couldn’t find anything about them that was remotely interesting enough to make them memorable.

And that affected the romance. The physical chemistry was there between them but, and I can’t believe I’m saying this but these two had too much sexy time instead of taking the time to build a connection outside of sex, these two went from work to jumping each other every time they were together. Don’t get me wrong, I love hot sex scenes but I also love to see characters working on building an emotional connection and I didn’t get that from these two. Will had his perspective about their relationship and Kyra had hers but they never thought to do this little thing called talking where they could do another little thing called compromise.


Click It or Skip It? Skip It. Herkness has better books out there so don’t judge her writing by this one.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I thought it was really well written with engaging and sympathetic characters and a story that kept me entertained throughout.

The protagonists are billionaire CEO Will and bartender/chef for a children’s outreach centre Kyra. The pair originally met in college, lost touch and reconnect a decade later. The story is driven by the pressure to do what they should versus the need to find what will make them happy. There aren’t any major external conflicts, the story is satisfying and romantic and they have incredible chemistry!!!

Highly recommended.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher*

4.5 Stars

“Sometimes the second time around is better because you have a shared history.”

In Second Time Around, Nancy Herkness reunites two people who knew each other in college and unbeknownst to each other had feelings for the other. Will Chase is Connecticut blue-blood. He was born into a world of privilege, where much was given. And at the same time, much was also expected. Will was expected to attend Brunell, then Harvard Law, and then join his father's law firm. None of this was truly what Will wanted to do. While at Brunell, Will met Kyra Dixon, his college girlfriend's roommate. While Will’s girlfriend was busy entertaining other guys, it was Kyra who kept Will distracted and entertained with her zest for life and various literature quotes.

Kyra’s life was the opposite of Will’s in every way. Kyra didn't come from money. Her parents were blue collar, who worked for everything they had. Where Will's parents insisted on college, Kyra's parents looked down on it. They viewed it as a waste of time. During her sophomore year, Kyra had to drop out of school when her father got sick and ultimately passed away. A short time later, her mother also passed away. To her surprise, Kyra discovered credit card bills with her name on them. When her mother ran out of credit, she just opened cards in Kyra’s name. She did this as a way to alleviate her grief and despair. With a mountain of debt and student loans to pay off, Kyra's dream of becoming the first in her family to graduate from college went up in smoke.

Kyra now finds herself as a cook working at the Carver Center in Harlem, as a way to get free rent. To make money, she's a bartender at a high-end club called Stratus. Money is really tight for Kyra, but every once in awhile she treats herself to Ceres, a fast-casual restaurant that specializes in fresh, unique, upscale food. Kyra’s past and present collide when she runs into Will, who happens to be co-owner of the chain. Reconnecting over lunch Kyra agrees to accompany Will to his parents’ upcoming party.

Will introduces Kyra to a world she's never known. While the two are reconnecting and establishing themselves as a “friends with benefits” couple, they each start to wonder if the relationship could be more. Over the course of the book, the two push each other to not settle for what they have, but to follow their dreams and pursue their passion.

Nancy has once again written a really good story. I like the characters of Kyra and Will. The secondary characters definitely added to the story. The series centers around the Carver Center, which is an after school care facility for underprivileged kids in Harlem. The center has a program where the kids get dogs from shelters and take care of them at the center. For the kids, this is the only way they're able to interact with and care for a pet. Thus, making the kids and dogs bigger than life characters themselves.

Second Time Around is a story that will pull at your heartstrings. It should be noted that while this is a second story in the Second Glances series it is a standalone read.

Touted as a second chance romance, Nancy Herkness’ “Second Time Around” is more like friends turning into lovers, even considering that Kyra Dixon, the heroine had a crush on Will Chase while they were in college.

Meeting in New York when they have established their own careers, the social divide was more significant than ever, at least in the eyes of Kyra.

Will was and still is a Connecticut scion, a member of its famed one-percenter while Kyra is definitely a member a of the working class.

But the heart does not see dollar signs; it only recognizes love. Against all odds, Will and Kyra found themselves in love. The question is, will it be enough for them to pass all the obstacles they have to face to reach their happily ever after.

“Second Time Around” is Rated M for Mature due to sexual content.

Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The story is interesting enough, although second chance romance requires more effort from the male part. I find it a little dull and missing something between the characters. Giving this book 3.7 stars.

I loved the second chance vibe of Second Time Around. Nancy Herkness brings two college friends back together years down the road where they've either made their dreams come true or found themselves stuck on a different path. For both Kyra and Will, running into each other is a chance to catch up and maybe see if the spark between them still exists. Their dynamic was interesting because Will comes from money and he made his fortune through family connections. Kyra was never able to finish college, yet has carved a place for herself until she can pay debts and get another chance. Kyra's pride keeps her from completely trusting Will and his motives, but with a little fancy footwork, Nancy Herkness brings the two together with warm satisfaction.

Second Time Around has a cozy setting, even with the little bit of drama that comes with Will's family and Will and Kyra working out their differences. I'm so eager to see what's next in this series, because I can't see how it could get much better!
*ARC provided in consideration for review*

Kyra Dixon has worked hard to get where she is, she works for a community center and takes a lot of pride in the job she does. When she runs into former college friend Will Chase, she is not surprised of his success as a CEO. When Will seeks her out and asks her for a favor, pretend to be his girlfriend to get through his families pretentious garden party she agrees. She doesn't expect to have the feeling she had for Will during college to return but they do. The feeling is mutual but Will lives in a world of posh and circumstance while she is the girl who is barely making ends meet. Will their opposite ways of life divide them?

Enjoyable story. I felt a bit for Kyra as she is put in a no win situation with Will's family. Will gets it together but you want to push him a bit as the story progresses

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

If there's ever a story of rags to riches this would be the story. Kyra is a chef at children's program that matches rescue dogs with the underprivileged kids to teach responsibility among other things.

She's doing alright but she's not making millions. She runs into her college crush, Will, and they get to chatting. He asks her to be he date to a family party to keep the gold diggers off his back she's surprised but agrees to go.

The book focuses on their rekindled friendship that turns into a relationship. Kyra is not a wilting flower and it definitely shows when she visits Will's family home for the big party.

I read this book pretty quickly. It's a cute friends to lovers story I think you'd enjoy.

Will, the powerful and enterprising CEO meets up again with Kyra , an old friend from college and there is something about her he just can't get out of his mind. Kyra works two jobs to keep her head above water with debts she should never have had. Will rentering her life is a good and bad surprise.
These two reconnect in so many ways, old and new. While she thrilled, she is also cautious with her heart that has loved him for so long. Their romance brings about changes in both of them and in their lives. Especially when the Carver Center needs their help. Pain must be set aside for the sake of the Center, the kids, and the dogs. Can love win out against misbegotten beliefs? Is there a happy ending for all Shakespearean romances? You will have to read Second Time Around to find out. I love Nancy Herkness and her works. I hope you will too!

I liked the first 30% of the book but the rest of the story wasn’t as engrossing for me. Sorry. I was hoping for more flirty and fun scenes and witty banter. But things got a tad too somber and introspective for my personal tastes.

This is my first book from Nancy and it definitely will not be the last. This had a good storyline and while I did like both Will and Kara and the chemistry between them, she started to get on my nerves a bit she was so down on herself constantly thinking she was not good enough for Will because he was loaded I just wanted to shake her a bit. Other than that it was a good book it was well written and I enjoyed it.

Kyra keeps her busy with two jobs to pay off all the debts her mother created while she was away in school. Now she lost both of parents and trying best to survive on her own.
She works at community center as a cook in exchange for apartment and working as bartender at high end bar Stratus. She never thought she would run into her college crush Will Chase at one of her favorite wrap place CERAS.
Will is CEO of this franchise and when he saw Kyra he wanted to rekindle friendship at least. When his family was having a garden party, he thought she would be perfect for his date.
Kyra couldn’t believe Will contacted her and invited her to his garden party. She never expected to see all the glitz and glamour until she was there. Kyra felt she was out of place and when she met Will’s mother everything confirmed what she felt. But Will was by her side and making things easy.
Will was dating Kyra’s roommate but she kept him company while she was with someone else. When he broke off with her roommate he wanted to ask her but she was no where to be found. She was back home taking care of her dad then mom.
Now it was their second chance to try it out. Everything was going steamy, hot as long as they didn’t reveal their true feelings. Kyra is afraid of their social status will be problem for both and Will was afraid of loving someone after his engagement.
They were hot for each other and they were enjoying each other until Will is trying to intervene her financial status. Kyra wants to move into next step but when Will doesn’t feel the same way. Now they will need to figure out if they were meant for their second time or let it go.

Kyra and Will was adorable couple. It was great second chance story.
Thanks to Netgalley and Montlake for my ARC in exchange for honest review.

This book was very well written with everything I enjoy in a book and I will look forward to reading more from you thank you for my arc

This is another book I find myself conflicted about…

On the one hand, the writing was good. The dialogue between characters (both the hero and heroine, and with supporting characters) was fantastic. If you have those two things, I find I can forgive a lot.

What needs forgiving? The super-slow pace for the first 50 percent, for starters (and then just the slow pace for the rest of the book). I almost didn’t keep reading this one. I got to 25 percent and started skimming to see if things would pick up. Thankfully they did, but for the first half of the book I had a hard time mustering any interest in Kyra and Chase, former college friends who ran into each other ten years after last seeing the other.

The other thing that bogged this story down was Kyra’s constant lamenting that she and Chase come from two different worlds, and she’d never fit into his. It’s something you’d expect to be rehashed ad nauseam in a YA/NA book, but not in one about people in their early 30s. It seemed to me that a lot of page space was given to Kyra’s internal monologue, and the rest to the steamy times (of which were plentiful), instead of to meaningful conversation about getting acquainted again and then their relationship.

The side-story about Kyra’s job at the after-school program and the K9 Angelz was touching, amusing, and saved this story from a lower rating.

Despite my less-than-raving opinion of this book, I may be still interested in reading the next book from this series (and possibly even the prequel to the series, Second to None). But I kept thinking “this book has too many details I just don’t care about” so I’ll have to see what the next books in the Second Glances series are about!

* thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Second Time Around is the first book in Second Glances series and a great start on this new series. When I received an invitation from the publisher, via Net-Galley, to read and review, I eagerly accepted since I enjoyed Ms. Herkness’s last series a great deal. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

I thoroughly enjoyed Second Time Around from the first page to the last. Ms. Herkness’s writing is emotional and pulled at my heartstrings a lot. The plot is realistic and kept me flipping the pages on my Kindle, breathlessly waiting for what would come next.

Kyra’s Character is an engaging one. She has a bit of the tough girl exterior, but underneath, she has a great heart. Her loving care of the children at the center and their beloved animal’s touched my heart in a big way.

I thoroughly enjoyed Will’s charismatic personality. He adores Kyra and is determined to win her over. He quickly becomes enamored with the children and their dogs and jumps in when one of them is threatened.

The romance between Kyra and Will sizzles from their reunion and remains that way throughout the book. The scene on the boat is blazing hot and very well-written. Ms. Herkness certainly knows how to write heat.

If you enjoy a romance with engaging characters, and a fast-paced plot with a lot of endearing secondary characters, then you will love Second Time Around a great deal. I can’t wait for the next book in this great series. Happy reading!

I’ve really enjoyed a number of Nancy Herkness’s romances, especially the Wager of Hearts series. I also liked the novella Second to None, the first story in the Second Glances series. Second chance romances are my jam, so a combination of these things piqued my interest. And of course even with all the annoyances of ugh billionaires … I still do like the ones that make sense, and Second Time Around handles the wealth aspect really well. I have to admit that I read the book more than two weeks ago, so the details are a bit fuzzy. I liked the book, but I didn’t love it. It’s definitely a solid read, but not my favorite from Nancy Herkness. I am excited about the rest of the series though, and see what character(s) get their stories next. (Hopefully not the ex-fiancée though, because ugh.) But that being said, I really liked Kyra and Will.

Kyra Dixon is … defeated. She hasn’t had the best life – a pretty normal one, but she’s definitely had more than her fair share of hard knocks. Kyra also has a lot of pride, and is a surviver. Kyra is refreshingly normal. She’s a pretty girl, a nice girl, but nothing oh my god special. She’s also determined, and has managed to take care of herself for nearly a decade, living in Manhattan. Albeit paycheck to paycheck – no thanks to her mom. She’s got chops. In a way she’s also reverse classist. I get that it’s a totally different world that she’s moving in when she’s with Will, but the fact that she thinks it automatically means they can never be together annoyed me. That and the whole “everyone was so equal in college and the smartest kids were the most popular.” I have no idea where that really is true but … that’s never been my academic experience. I liked that she recognized that there were class issues, because that’s definitely true, but the blanket way she treated it got frustrating.

Will Chase is a good guy. A bit of an idiot and emotionally stunted … but overall a good guy. Although he’s actually a smidge petty and … being less that perfect made me like him more. While his family had money, he didn’t use it directly to start his company, but he absolutely understands his name and family connections helped him with his start. Will also has an overall supportive family, and friends. I loved the cameos from Nathan Trainor, and that he establishes a better relationship with his father and his sister. I’m not sold on his mom. I also liked that he was so into Kyra from the start. However he’s so in his head that he has no clue what’s right in front of his own face. I did like the little bits where his friends are calling him on his bad mood(s).

As I said, my brain is mush after the past few weeks, so I apologize for lack of detail(s). That being said, I really enjoyed the secondary characters, and how Kyra was so steady with herself in so many ways. I liked that she put value in herself and although it was hard did what she thought was best. I wanted a bit more from Will, once he realized that he was actually in love. It was so obvious that he was gone for her from the beginning, but he was so emotionally stunted he had no clue.

I liked the gradual movement toward a relationship, with both Kyra and Will fighting it for different reasons. They needed to talk to each other though … and Kyra was the brave one. Will was the idiot for more of it, which is why I said I wish when he “made it up to her” it would’ve been a grander gesture – although he was sweet. Another thing that annoyed me was the ~vernacular of the kids. I realize maybe it’s because I constantly deal with juveniles, but their dialogue and slang was stilted, and really took me out of the story. This happened in Second to None as well, unfortunately. I love the center, and all the dogs – but just the way the kids talk. That I think was just as bad as the manufactured conflict.

The emotion in Second Time Around is excellent though. First of all, Kyra and Will have crazy chemistry. Then, the “will they won’t they” when it comes to the relationship is really engaging. Will wants more from the start, but being the “idiot boy” and having been burned before he’s all “I’ll never love again – I’m incapable of it.” A bit of an eyeroll, but he does mean well. Kyra, for her part, sees things (mostly) for how they are, and I loved their interaction in the kitchen … and when the kids act as Will’s “wingmen.” It’s a sexy, fun, feel good story.

If you enjoy friends to lovers stories, contemporary romances with a lot of chemistry between the hero and heroine, and second chances, this is the story for you. Especially if you’re a fan of Nancy Herkness. While Kyra and Will were never together in college, they were a huge what might have been. Which is also very tempting, and I loved that it worked out for them. I can see myself re-reading this book, and I’m definitely looking forward to more in the series. I might even re-read the Wager series.

Rating 4.5

I love Nancy Herkness and her novels and the Second Glances series looks to be fantastic, at least if book 1 is any indication.

Will and Kyra knew each other in college, he was dating her roommate and they became friends, true friends. There was 1 night after Will broke up with the roommate that something almost happened, but Kyra having to leave school to take care of her father nothing came of it. Now years later in a chance meeting in a coffee shop in which Will owns a chain of (among other things) they are now finally able to explore their feelings, except Kyra is not from Will's rich world and is sure it will never work.

I loved Will and Kyra, they had a rapport that was so well written that I knew that they were friends all those years before, thats a testament to the writing of Nancy Herkness. The story is well paced with great dialog and characters throughout. Second Time Around is a mix of a second chance and Cinderella story that doesn't come across as sappy or forced which I loved. While Will and Kyra may seem like they come from different worlds on paper they have more in common than either realizes.

Overall I highly recommend Second Time Around - its a perfect summer read!