Quick Summary: A ghostly, hot and bothered, second chance romance

My Review: The Spirit of Second Chances by Synithia Williams is associated with the Heart & Soul miniseries.

About the Book: Years ago, when Wesley and Cierra were in high school, they both had strong feelings for each other. Unfortunately, a painful humiliation and a distorted misunderstanding broke them apart. An opportunistic friend of Wesley's swooped in to shoot his shot and won his girl.

When Wesley and Cierra's paths cross again, he is a successful paranormal investigator who just so happens to have a love for family and baking, and she is a divorcee who is also a single parent and business owner. Can they settle the issues of the past and embrace a new future together?

My Final Say: This book was multi-layered. It was about a couple who deserved a second chance, but it was also about family and community. In addition to the main storyline, I loved the mystery that was worked into the story. It presented a nice angle. Readers who like stories on finding success after struggles, stories on finding a forever love after a previous relationship stumble, stories on healing from the past, or stories about family life dilemmas and dynamics will like this book.

Rating: 3.75/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: Yes
Series: Yes
Status/Level: 🌶

Many thanks go to the author, to the publisher (HARLEQUIN), and to NetGalley for providing access to a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cierra Green and Wesley Livingston's second chance story was a great read. Cierra is divorced and now jointly raising her daughter with her ex-husband Troy. Cierra, Wesley and Troy all went to high school together and the story contains many twists and turns as the reader learns how high school misunderstandings continue to inform adult decisions. The story also continues the Livingston's work as paranormal investigators and what we learn about the brothers and their investigation of an estate Cierra is trying to sell is eye opening. The story weaves in the history of African-Americans and the descendants of former slave owners seamlessly. I highly recommend this book.

I really love Williams' categories thus far. She just really seems to get the way a category needs to be paced so that even though this book feels like such a slow burn of a second chance, it still has the opportunity and breathing room for the characters to SHINE. I really love this series as well and am so, so excited for the final book to come out. I also tried to convince the woman checking me out at Barnes & Noble to buy this one because a) have you seen that cover? and b) Williams is just really knocking it out of the park with this series.

There is a really irritating ex-husband in this book, but I liked the role he had to play. This book also doesn't shy away from tackling some of the really messed up things that happened in these old plantation homes that white families have tried to whitewash over to pretend that their reputations should be spotless. I really appreciated how well this was done and incorporated into this story. And the romance is absolutely precious, but also, where can I find a man who apologizes with homemade cinnamon rolls? Because, yes, please. You're forgiven.

I love this series! The ghost stories are honestly so intriguing, and I thought the relationship in this one was really well portrayed. Wesley is a real straight shooter, and Cierra is a little skittish and reactive, so they had a lot of moments where they came at each other the wrong way. And I loved reading about how they navigated those moments; it was so healthy! People have faults and do/say the wrong thing but should be allowed some grace! Perfection. Also the line "Ma'am, I would not apologize with store-bought cinnamon rolls," made me love Wesley forever and ever. The only man who could call me ma'am!

This is the second book in the Heart and Soul series and it follows middle brother Wesley. He's used to being the glue that keeps the family together. So with his eldest brother Dion off in Charlotte starting a new life and his younger brother Tyrone jet setting in anticipation of their tv debut, he's holding things down with the family house in Sunshine Beach.

Cierra is trying to build up her real estate career post divorce through her own agency but so far it's been a struggle. She's hoping the sale of the Dewalt Manor will bring her a big enough commission to keep her afloat. But first she needs to do something about the ghosts who continuously stopped any business ventures there.

Cierra reaches out to Wesley at the suggestion of a family friend and he agrees to help her deal with the manor's ghost problem in exchange for helping him prep his family home for sale. But old feelings resurfacing make it hard.

There was so much going on in this book. You have the second chance romance between Cierra and Wesley who haven't interacted since high school. But you also have Cierra trying to rebuild her career. And then you have Wesley dealing with his feelings about his brothers moving on with their lives while he feels trapped. Plus Cierra's ex husband is popping in and out causing drama. Then there's the mystery at the Dewalt manor involving the death of a former cook and a wrongful conviction.

As always Synithia William's characters have chemistry but also act like adults which I really appreciated. Love reading a a romance where the adults realize they need to actually communicate and work through their issues. And the bond between the Livingston brothers has me anxious for book 3.

I love second Chance romance The Spirit of Second Chances was a delightful read I fell in love with the character's Cierri and Wesley. I love the paranomal aspect, I was list in the story in a good way can't wait to read more from
Synithia Williams 5 star read.
I was provided an arc e-copy by the publisher Harlequin Intrigue and the author
Synithia Williams
So I can give a honest review thank you so much for sending me a copy.


Happy Reading
Lisa 📚

This is a Romance, and this is the second book in the Heart & Soul series. The two main characters in this book just took my heart, and their back stories were just heart touching. I really loved reading this book, and I loved seeing the two main characters open up to each other. Their romance was cute and sweet. I really enjoyed reading this book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Harlequin Special Edition) or author (Synithia Williams) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

The Spirit of Second Chances is the second book in the Heart & Soul series that features the three Livingston brothers who investigate paranormal activities in their spare time and have recently filmed a tv show. (Summoning Up Love is book 1)
Cierra Green is trying to re-establish her real estate career after her divorce and is given the opportunity to sell an infamous local property that may be haunted. She seeks the help of her high school crush, Wesley Livingston, to help her figure out what's happening at the home.
I really liked the character development of these two and the secondary plot line of the paranormal stuff was really interesting and timely. Cierra's struggles with her ex-husband and Wesley's middle child angst in dealing with his brothers helped to fully flesh out this story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It takes a skilled writer to take one of category romance's many bonkers premises and make it work in the sub-300 page window they have to work in, and boy does Synithia do it. This book is so tight and so well-crafted: Walker and Cierra are fully fleshed out with tons of motivation and personality traits outside of their romance, Cierra's daughter is more than a plot moppet, and there's GHOSTS! Honestly, I wanted more ghosts, but I almost always want more ghosts. What a great, quick read.

Good second chance romance between two people whose high school crushes on each other never went anywhere because of outside interference. Cierra is a recently divorced single mom trying to make a go of her real estate business. She leaps at the chance to sell the DeWalt property - and then finds out it may be haunted. Her only option is to contact Wesley, her high school crush and current co-host of a ghost hunter show, and ask for help.

Wesley is surprised to hear from Cierra. Though he and his brothers have had their dream come true with their television show, Wesley has a little trouble adjusting to the accompanying fame and change in circumstances. Older brother Dion <i>(Summoning Up Love)</i> has moved away to be with his girlfriend and his younger brother, Tyrone, is constantly on the road promoting the show. This leaves Wesley taking care of the family home by himself and feeling left behind.

A lot is going on in this book. First and foremost is the developing relationship between Wesley and Cierra. They get off to a rough start because of unresolved feelings over the end of their high school friendship. However, the attraction between their adult selves is undeniable, and I enjoyed seeing their relationship grow. Cierra is hesitant to get involved with Wesley as she is still recovering from her unhappy marriage and messy divorce. But in the course of solving the mystery behind the haunting, the time they spend together allows them to get to know each other again. Some sweet scenes include Wesley showing up at Cierra's house with home-baked treats and Wesley's care of her after her first experience with a ghost. There are some steamy scenes as the attraction builds between them. And there are rough spots when remarks by others stir up insecurities and make them doubt each other and themselves. I liked that their dark moment didn't last long and that common sense and communication made for a happy ending.

There are complicating issues for Wesley and Cierra. Wesley spent years serving as the peacemaker between his two brothers and feels unappreciated. A suggestion from a neighbor that Wesley sell the house since no one lives there any longer motivates Wesley to talk to Cierra about it. But it doesn't go well when he broaches the subject with Dion and Tyrone. However, it finally gives Wesley the chance to make his brothers understand how he feels, and the resulting scene does much to clear the air between them.

At the same time, Cierra is dealing with a PITA ex-husband. Even after three years, Troy still harps on how Cierra's reactions to his actions were unreasonable and that her place is back with him. He uses passive-aggressive methods to make his point, which frustrates Cierra. Troy is selfish, narcissistic, and manipulative, and I enjoyed seeing Cierra shut him down. A terrific scene late in the book is when Wesley calls Troy out on his attitude. Her years with Troy made Cierra reluctant to get involved with Wesley, but his caring and supportive attitude went a long way toward easing her fears.

A fascinating part of this book was the investigation into the haunting of the DeWalt manor. I got goosebumps when I read the description of Wesley and Cierra's experiences in the house's kitchen. I was intrigued by the heartbreaking information they uncovered and loved how it was handled. I especially enjoyed Cierra's solution about the sale of the house.

The supporting characters added extra depth to the story. Wesley's brothers came across as clueless and unthinking at the beginning, and it took Wesley losing his temper to open their eyes. But once that happened, the brothers' closeness was re-established and strengthened. I look forward to Tyrone's story. Cierra's mother loved her, but her constant support of Troy rather than Cierra ticked me off. Then for her to suddenly latch on to Wesley because of his "celebrity" status made her look shallow, topped off by her insinuations that Cierra was using him for her business. My favorite of the secondary characters was Cierra's daughter Aria. She was adorable, and I loved how she connected with Wesley immediately. Her "Hi, Mr. Wesley!" always made him feel good.

This is the 2nd book in the “Heart And Souls Series”. Synithia Williams gives her readers another of the Livingston brothers Wesley front and center with single mom realtor Cierra Green. Cierra and her daughter Aria are moving on from her ex-husband. After Cierra’s lets her know about a mansion for sell, Cierra needs the help of the Livingston brothers paranormal investigator expertise for a mansion she needs to sell. Cierra locates her high school crush Wesley and asks for help with the haunted mansion. The chemistry between the two is just as it was in high school. Wesley is dealing with brotherly issues while Cierra is dealing with ex-husband issues.

This is an awesome read, I enjoyed the camaraderie between Wesley and Cierra. So if you’re looking for your next summer read this is the book to choose.

Can Wesley help Cierra out with the haunted mansion, will Wesley and his brothers form a much better brotherly union, will Cierra’s ex-husband accept that he messed up and leave her alone, can Cierra and Wesley have a second chance at romance?

I received an ARC via Netgalley and HARLEQUIN - Romance (U.S. & Canada), Harlequin Special Edition and I am leaving my review voluntarily. Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Special Edition.

Synithia Williams’ The Spirit of Second Chances, Heart & Soul Book 2, focuses on the second chance romance between paranormal investigation show co-host and architect Wesley Livingston and Cierra Greene, single mom and realtor. They reconnect because of a haunted manor to be put up for sale. I was so excited to revisit the Livingston Brothers’ paranormal investigations. Book 2 is even better than the first book. Williams’ story behind the haunting is compelling, captivating, and a bit spooky. Wesley and Cierra’s relationship is intriguing as well. The plot/story for the novel is multi-layered, dealing with the haunting, Wesley and his relationship with his brother, Wesley and Cierra’s past and present relationship, and unresolved issues with Cierra’s ex-husband. Williams wonderfully balances and resolves all these story elements without affecting the novel’s pacing.

Williams draws readers in and keeps them invested from the first scene to the last with a creative story, vivid description, natural and lively dialogue, and detailed worldbuilding. Her well-developed characters are fascinating, likable, relatable, and fallible, quickly winning over your heart. Cierra’s an honorable, kindhearted, honest, and nurturing person. A peacemaker and problem solver, Wesley’s intelligent, reliable, responsible, diligent, empathetic, and trustworthy. I love Wesley and Cierra’s interactions. Unfortunately, they get off to a rocky start because Wesley and Cierra still harbor anger about their friendship breakup. However, Williams deftly develops Wesley and Cierra’s intense chemistry/attraction through funny, sweet, sexy, emotional, steamy, fiery, and tense interactions and banter. Cierra and Wesley are just as drawn to each other as they were in high school, possibly more. Cierra’s daughter Aria is adorable, and her interactions with Wesley are so sweet. Her ex, however, is a complete jerk whom I felt perfectly justified in blaming for any- and everything upon his introduction. Even haunting that manor just to spite Cierra, but alas.

Cierra strives to build a successful real estate business to support herself and her young daughter after a failed marriage/messy divorce. Unfortunately, a lucrative property she plans to put up for sale may be haunted. So, she hesitantly contacts her high school crush and chemistry lab partner, Wesley, for help. The Livingston Brothers are living their dreams, hosting a popular paranormal investigator show. But Wesley struggles to adapt to the sudden fame and separation from his brothers, which leaves Wesley back home taking care of things by himself.

Wesley and Cierra work together to solve the mystery behind the haunting while trying to ignore their broken friendship and unfinished business from high school. Suddenly, unresolved feelings resurface, complicating their uneasy alliance as they uncover deadly, long-hidden secrets.

Williams explores aspects of US Southern history with nuance and creativity, taking the Livingston Brothers’ paranormal investigations and the novel’s plot to the next level. The Spirit of Second Chances is a sexy, sweet, steamy second chance romance with a compelling mystery and paranormal twist. I can’t wait to see what Williams has in store for Tyrone’s book.

4 1/2 stars

Advanced review copy provided by Harlequin via Netgalley for review.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This is a fun second installment in the Heart and Soul series, Like book one, there are light paranormal elements, and they intersect well with the rest of the story. And the romance at the heart of it is super sweet. Cierra and Wesley have a sweet relationship that develops over the course of the book, even as they reckon with other issues, like her flaky ex and his relationship with his brothers. Those things, along with the lingering tension from his long-ago crush on her make for a satisfying read.

Synthia Williams is a new author to me, but I have loved Special Edition books for years, and The Spirit of Second Chances did not disappoint! After finishing this one, I have to go back and read the first.

Cierra is dealing with a lot. She's raising her daughter, Aria, as a single mom after her marriage failed due to her husband's dishonesty. Determined to go it alone, she refuses help when setting up her new realty business, but she's desperate for work. When her father recommends her as a realtor to sell a local mansion, Cierra jumps on it and goes out to visit the home. Only to be faced with a ghost story.

Wesley has been taking care of his childhood home for months since his brothers left him to live in different parts of the state. He has his condo and doesn't need the house, so when a neighbor suggests he sell it to get it off his hands, Wesley is all in.

Cierra needs help with the ghost in the manor if she's going to sell it. Luckily, she knows a paranormal investigator. The three brothers recently got a show investigating haunted places, and she almost went to prom with one of them. Wesley. Desperate for a solution, she hunts him down and asks for his help.

Cierra and Wesley come to an agreement. He will help her with the mansion if she helps him sell his house. What happens from there is the real crux of the story. From obstinate brothers to meddling mothers to manipulating ex's to angry ghosts, they have their work cut out for them if they're going to sell these houses and rediscover their feelings for each other.

If you love second chance romances that tug at the heartstrings in all the right ways, you'll devour The Spirit of Second Chances!

There's something about seeing the Harlequin logo that has me one-clicking, ready to indulge in a great romance. And this author definitely brought me that. This story really got to me.