A STANDALONE, SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE“An amazingly written, heart-wrenching story of a man lost and the woman who helps him find himself—a second-chance romance unlike any other.” – Anna Zaires, New York Times bestselling authorIf a man tells you he’s no good for you, best heed the warning. I learned the hard way. I had Jake Basson’s baby. He left to chase his dream. Now he’s back, demanding a … back, demanding a second chance, but why should I give him anything after four years of nothing? No correspondence, no news. I finally have my life back on track. Jake has never been uncomplicated. He never follows the rules. I should’ve known he’d play dirty. He caught me once. I’m not going to let him catch me twice.
(Disclosure: This story contains cheating. HEA guaranteed.)
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Beautiful cover with a second chance romance filled with love, regret, angst, and emotion. Charmaine Pauls has written another unforgettable journey through Jake & Kristi. Although the author warns of cheating in her book, it still didn’t take away my interest to move forward and continue. The way the story evolved was just so consuming, which I love and enjoy about her words. There was so much anticipation to see how this couple will survive with so many mistakes made and be able to have a life they deserve thru the pain. I truly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to more by this author.
I’m a huge fan of Charmaine Pauls’s writing, and Catch Me Twice is no exception! It’s an amazingly written, heart-wrenching story of a man lost and the woman who helps him find himself—a second-chance romance unlike any other. I devoured it in one day, and I still can’t stop thinking about it! Just one caveat, though: there is a big screw-up by the hero early on, so if you’re sensitive to cheating, you may want to start with Charmaine’s other books and work up to this one. My personal faves are The Loan Shark duet (Dubious is book 1 and Consent is book 2) and Beauty in the Broken–both gorgeously written, epic dark stories. Either way, I highly recommend her books!
This story was definitely a rough ride it does touch on some tough situations but it’s definitely good for the journey Kristi and Jake had to take love is never easy. Kristi and Jake they so not have it but at the end it was so worth the ride they had to go through to get to their happy ever after.
4* Second Chance Love Stars
This was a very heartfelt story of finding love under difficult circumstances. We first meet Jake and Kristi when they are about to finish high school and have their paths mapped out for them until an unplanned hook-up in an alleyway one night produces an unplanned pregnancy. Unfortunately, Jake decides to chase his dream abroad and promises to look after Kristi and the baby financially and keep in touch but hopes and dreams are shattered along the way. Four years later Jake and Kristi meet again and they both have to try and navigate their love for one another and parenthood under stressful conditions.
I really related to Kristi and liked her very much. She was a very strong and selfless mother who did not let the cards that life had dealt her, destroy her. She did not wallow in self-pity. Jake was much more vulnerable, and self-doubted himself causing him to steep to levels that were destructive.
The chemistry between Kristi and Jake was super-hot and you felt the deep love between them.
I highly recommend this emotional story, which is about finding love, learning to forgive and trusting where your heart leads you.
The cover of the book is gorgeous and so inviting.
I was on tenterhooks here as this story contains an ultimate no-no in romance fiction of mine.
Completely out of my comfort zone but as this author is a firm favourite of mine and I have also read a previous book of hers that contained a trope that I usually avoid (OW/YM) and I ultimately loved it I decided to give this a chance to see if she could do the same with this and convert me to its cause well at least here anyway.
So yeh two things originally stood in my way here the spoiler I mentioned earlier and the fact this was a second chance romance which I don’t usually do either.
So forewarned is forearmed and all that and the author was very upfront here about what this story contained.
So this wasn’t as hard to read as I thought it would be I think mainly because the details themselves were not majorly expanded on and the emotional and feeling side of things were all for Kristi.
I’m trying to keep it, vague folks.
This made it easier to deal and even though I still wanted to throat punch certain individuals I was also able to feel a sense of empathy at the circumstances that had brought this all about.
So that old chestnut you don’t know what you had until it’s gone this book embodies that to an absolute tee and this story is an uphill battle of redemption and second chances.
This really was quite the emotional read all about forgiveness and new beginnings.
I also adored the dynamic between Jake and Kristi they were just so bloody explosive with amazing personal chemistry.
This was fabulously written and I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would.
A word to the hesitant the actuality of this was so much less scary than it at first seemed.
If you’re at all on the fence here with this take a chance as I did you might just surprise yourself.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of Catch Me Twice.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
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I felt undeniable heartache over a choice I didn’t make and couldn’t change. Cath Me Twice is going to frustrate you. It’s going to twist you up and make you angry. Empathetic readers like myself will consider castration as a viable means of anger therapy. Trust me, you would too. Unfortunately, Kristi has a more reasonable sense of justice even if she has lost all her bright eyed optimism.
Catch Me Twice is a second chance romance that does not cause swooning. No this romance is a long game after a devastating betrayal and utter abandonment. It’s not the hearts and rainbows kind of book and that’s why it makes my twisted heart soar. He deserved nothing but hate and he got anything but…
She deserves everything in life. FInally, she’s going to get it! I felt the raw edges of this book gave it a “realness” and in turn have it an almost savageness. A ravenous form of hope that claws it’s way through your back, ripping you to shreds, and then creeping into the hole of your chest cavity where it snuggles in to rest. Brutal and beautiful at the same time.
Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
Five surprising stars! This book will test your limits literally and figuratively.
As a reader and lover of dark romance, there are still some topics that are a big fat NO for me, like cheating. I usually avoid those books like a plague but Charmaine Pauls made me reconsider. I was quite curious about this book and I decided to give it a shot. You must be thinking that I was crazy for reading it because the topic is out of my comfort zone but there is something tempting and alluring about reading a book like this. I do really hate cheating but I also believe in redemption. Catch Me Twice has both sides of the coin. It’s complex and beautifully forbidden. The sentiments that evoked this book were powerful and overwhelming as hell. It was difficult for me to put it down. It hold me captive and made me forget the world around me. I didn’t know what hit me until I devoured the whole thing. It torn my soul. It broke my heart. It played with my mind. It pulled the right strings.
Charmaine is one of the most skilfully writers I have ever read and this time she surprised me with a book that was a swirl of emotions, penned in the most sinful way. It is a second chance romance with darkish tones that made it easier to deal with it. Despite the cheating, there is forgiveness and redemption. Though I still want to punch the male character so bad but even the bad ones deserve forgiveness and a second chance. This book took me to the limit!
Catch Me Twice isn’t an easy book. Beyond all its layers, there is a complex story that must be appreciated from the beginning to the end. I assure you that this book will test you but believe me that it would be worth it. The evolvement of the main characters is knotty and fiery. Kristi and Jake had dreams that were crushed. Both were very different. What they shared at the beginning was so consuming and ethereal, burning and fast. It was wild beauty. A tragic romance that attracts heartbreak, lust and passion.
Jake Basson is a complex guy, a real work in process. He is dark and handsome. It is like fire drives him, burning everything to ashes. He made mistakes and for those you won’t be able to stop for judging him. He has flaws and that flawed soul make him dangerous. Kristi Pretorius is quite naïve at the begging but life and fate will turn her into a strong woman.
The story of Kristi and Jake is written in two parts. The first part focuses on their youthful affair and to be honest it is the easy part to read. It is hot and it will set the lead of what will happen later on their lives. The second focuses on the bumpy road. Years later they will have to prove themselves. This is the part that will take you to the edge. Life won’t be easy for both of them and they won’t make it easier. To forgive and forget. To take a chance even if they didn’t deserve it. The feelings will strangle their hearts like a thorned and wild rosebush. In between all the drama around them, the dark lust and forbidden passion will set them on fire and lose control. They will learn new things about each other and clean all the dirt and nasty things that kept them separated.
“En Catch Me Twice, Charmaine Pauls teje un romance bellamente escrito lleno de sentimientos angustiosos, verdades desgarradoras, primer amor y lo que en mi opinión es un romance de segundas oportunidades llevado al extremo. Me hizo recordar que el amor lo puede todo y que a pesar de los engaños y traiciones sale triunfante en la forma de perdón y redención. Sin embargo, el duro realismo en esta historia de un amor joven que salió mal puede ser bastante inquietante. Los personajes principales emprenden un viaje realmente hermoso, sucio, lleno de angustia y muy desordenado que los lleva a través de un campo minado de desgarradores eventos de la vida que te harán nudos en el estómago.”
Charmaine Pauls’ Catch Me Twice is a stand-alone second chance romance. I will admittedly say that I don’t typically enjoy second chance romance novels and avoid them at all cost. But I would never miss an opportunity to read one of Charmaine Pauls’ novels since I know her writing is that good and she will deliver a fantastic narrative.
The novel follows Jake and Kristi, two young teens from polar opposite worlds. Jake comes from money while Kristi comes from the trailer park. This forbidden love trope has amazing written all over it!
When Kristi and Jake spend their first intimate evening together it sets them on a path that will fork and continue to separate this young couple. Idealism is taken over by realism and promises that were made are broken. Jake will need to earn his way back into the heart of Kristi if he wants to catch her twice. The problem? Is Jake too far gone in his path of self-destruction to ever win Kristi and his place with her back?
Kristi’s character is so lovable and I admire her convictions. As for Jake, I still feel like he should have suffered more, but I love Kristi so much, I just wanted the poor girl to catch a break in life.
C’est la vie … The heart wants what it wants.
Catch Me Twice is a beautifully written story about a young couple trying to hold on to the naïve notion of free love in a society that pulls them apart and continues to nurture insecurities about the possibility of a happily ever after.
Four Stars for Catch Me Twice
5 STARS for Catch Me Twice by Charmaine Pauls
ARC received from author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own & have not been influenced in any way.
You will only need to read a few Chapters of Jake’s & Kristi’s story to be well & truly caught ! I absolutely loved this second chance romance & here are just some of the many reasons why :
Great plot & plot development with some really unexpected twists thrown in …
Good girl / bad ( rich ) boy
Unexpected pregnancy
Strong female heroine
Hero you love to hate
Great secondary characters
Angst & tissues might be needed
HEA with a great epilogue
LEFT ME WANTING MORE – LOVED THESE CHARACTERS
The author is very specific about there being “cheating” in this book – this is something that would not have deterred me from reading as in typical fashion – this author writes this as a symptom of some of the many problems between the hero & heroine …
Kristy & Jake have always been attracted to each other but never acted on their attraction – to me this was a coming of age love story …. these two have so much to deal with regarding their relationship & yet true love wins…
I devoured this book in one sitting & I am just being selfish because long after reading THE END I just wanted more of Kristi & Jake.
Highly recommend this book & author !!!
4 Stars
Review by Lisa
Late Night Support Group
Up All Night With Books Blog
Being my first book by Charmaine Pauls, Catch Me Twice, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this story. So going in blind of the story, never even have read the synopsis, I was hooked from the start. This story is about first love, heartache/heartbreak, life, moving on and coming back around again of second chances.
Kristi and Jake have never been in the same social circles during their school years. But now that graduation is over and out enjoying time with friends, their paths cross. And what an explosion of chemistry and truths that are revealed. Things don’t always seem what they appear to be.
Taking a turn and Kristi finding out she is now pregnant with Jake’s child only complicate life more so than already. But letting Jake go to chase his dream is harder than Kristi leads on.
Jumping to the second half of the book and 4 years later. Kristi is ready to move on only to have Jake reappear back in life with one mission to complete. To win her back.
From here on out we are taken on a ride of ups and downs and all around of heartbreaking moments, truths, heartbreak and swoon-worthy moments.
My only hesitation about this story was that I felt at times the story was super rushed and then would slow down to a nice flowing pace then felt rushed again and so forth.
The wakeup call of his lifetime
—>>> As the son of one of the richest men in town, you would think that Jake Basson had the world at his feet. If anything, he had less than most, especially unconditional love and support from his parents, people who had a very cut-and-dried way of raising their son – no mercy and no quarter given, always on their terms. But strength of character is tested with these two when a development in their relationship sets them at a crossroads, and Jake has a chance to get free to pursue his dream. Kristi’s journey from girl to woman with a child is buffered by love and understanding from her mother, her greatest supporter, but Kristi’s heart breaks steadily each year she does not hear from Jake, until one day she is absolutely done waiting and sends Jake his final letter, which is the wakeup call he needs to come home. When he returns, his Kristi has changed, but the real costs and scars are revealed in the second half of the book, when all the darkness gets released cathartically but not without even more trials along the way. It was ugly, messy, heartbreaking, and real for the most part as Jake and Kristi attempt to move forward from the point of nothingness.
Hopefully, with an open mind, you will give this story a chance to be read before you strike it off your TBR list just based on its warning of infidelity; this author knows how to splay a character’s weaknesses and faults open to find the goldmine of goodness underneath, refined from erring as humans often do, to allow it shine the way it could have if only circumstances were different.
If cheating and OW drama aren’t your thing then this one is not for you. I personally love all the angst that goes along with it. Kristi was a strong heroine even though she waited waaaaay too long for Jake to stake his claim on her. But she didn’t let him back in without working his buns off for it. I think it would have made it a more interesting read had the author made Kristi’s replacement guy more on par with her age. Being as old as he was seemed like it made it too easy for Jake to worm his way back in. All in all, this was my first read by Ms. Pauls and I’ll be checking into more of her books.
This is one roller coaster of a ride throughout this story. It has so many ups and downs, happy and sad times throughout the story. It will have you laughing one minute and crying the next. I adored the characters and how well they were developed. You can feel their personalities as you read the story. At times you just want to smack both Jake and Kristi as they both can be stubborn. But, their chemistry is off the charts. It is extremely well written with beautifully developed characters that add so much to the story. It is a must read! I voluntarily review an advanced reader copy of this book.
I had a hard time rating this book. I hated parts and loved parts. The lack of communication between our couple drove me nuts, but how he fought back from the edge of destruction to win his family back was sweet and heart rending. And isn’t it a good book that makes you have a multitude of feelings?
This is a new author to me, and I thoroughly loved this book. This is an amazingly well written wonderfully put together plot that grabbed my attention from the get-go. This is a dark second chance romance that shows life and love in all its stages with all its flaws and battles. It doesn’t hold back on how people can really be, it’s a story that doesn’t play to the PC crowd that demands nothing that is overly sensitive and is what we call triggers. This is a story that lays it all out there and takes the reader on an emotional, intense journey through these characters and their love for each other. A must-read book.
This book is original, raw and real. It is angst and redemption personified. Set in South Africa ; although I have never been I could imagine the place due to the author’s descriptive writing.
Kristi is for the poor side of town. On a night out to celebrate she spends time with her crush Jake. Jake seems like he has it all from looking on the outside. They get together and seem to have a start at something until it is taken away. Jake leave South Africa to go to Dubai . He leaves with the promise for Kristi to wait for him which she gives. Four years go by between that promise and Jakes return home where Kristi remained. Four years of angst, hurt, self destruction and ‘ layers of dirt’
Jake works to redeem himself with Kristi for a second chance. What I loved about Jakes journey for redemption is that he did it with actions and words.
Amazing story that was to well written. I became invested in the book and characters on this journey.
Kristi and Jake’s story is emotionally heart wrenching but at the same time uplifting.
This woman, Kristi, is strong and unbelievably forgiving. After everything she has gone through, she still pushes Jake to strive for his dreams.
Jake on the other hand, after his horrible family life, is feeling his dreams crash in Dubai and starts on a path to self destruct. But then his friend makes him read Kristi’s last letter.
Charmaine Paul’s writes such complicated characters and weaves their story with finesse and grace.
•´ (¸.•`
~~ 4.5 SAVAGELY BEAUTIFUL STARS! ~~
“I ruined you. And I’m going to do it again.”
CATCH ME TWICE reeled me in hook, line and sinker!
I have been a fan of by Charmaine Pauls since devouring THE LOAN SHARK DUET, and while this book is a departure from her darker romances, I was all aquiver with excitement to dive in! I did appreciate that the author was upfront about the cheating trigger in the story, but I admire an author who takes risks and pushes the envelope, and I must say that despite the controversial subject matter, she truly did this story justice!!!! Plus, who can resist a second chance redemption romance featuring a DELICIOUSLY DOMINANT Alpha Male who will do anything—and EVERYTHING—to reclaim his one true love? Not me…that’s for sure!
THE PREMISE:
Kristi Pretorius has pined away for Jake Basson since first grade and when she gets a shot at fulfilling her schoolgirl fantasies with the ruggedly sexy bad boy on the final night of high school she seizes it! And my oh my is it a wild night of rough, filthy hot, forbidden passion that will be seared in both their memories forever. But betrayal and heartbreak and life altering consequences soon follows, shattering their dreams and ultimately setting them each on separate paths. As it turns out they cannot “play with fire without being burned.” But they reunite four years later and shocking truths will be revealed that will either set these two estranged lovers on the road to reconciliation or forever tear them asunder!
MY MUSINGS:
Once again, Charmaine Pauls penned a tantalizingly torrid, ALL-CONSUMING, utterly spellbinding love story that shattered my heart, healed my soul and made me truly rejoice! CATCH ME TWICE, which revolves around a roughhewn, privileged rich boy whose fate collides with a starry eyed, trailer park good girl in a moment of crazy, lust filled ecstasy only to find their worlds crashing and burning down around them was no syrupy sweet fairytale. But yowza did it leave a LASTING IMPRESSION!
The prose was pure splendor, the full throttle intensity of this angst-ridden novel was off the charts, the raw sensuality utterly electrifying and the feels? Omg! The feels PACKED A WALLOP! Ms. Pauls did not shy away from taboo topics in this book, but unapologetically embraced them head on, and for that I am totally in awe! This story held me in its thrall from beginning to end, and the manner in which she lovingly developed the main characters was truly phenomenal.
Jake is equal parts broody tortured soul, primal take charge alpha….and trouble with a capital T! The kind of boy that Kristi’s momma warned her about. And while he was not always the easiest hero to understand—or love—he sure set my pulse all aflutter! Ms. Pauls excels at concocting savagely sexy antiheroes who are driven to extremes in the name of love and Jake fit the bill and then some! He possessed a dark, predatory intensity and raw, potent masculinity that I found utterly intoxicating.
“He’s a mixture of sexual virility and wildness, way out of my league. Underneath the animalistic prowess flow darkness and hunger, but the most powerful undercurrent is pain.”
Jake’s a MAN ON A MISSION, and while his caveman antics were a bit….um….”questionable” at times, I felt his guilt, regret and sheer desperation to atone for his sins down to my morrow!
“All she’s suffered because of me, I’m going to make better.”
And Kristi, “with hair the color of ginger and eyes like a summer sky” was a breath of fresh air! This kind-natured, devoted single mom and small-town sweetheart has a wildness inside of her that could only be quenched by the one man who’d shattered her to smithereens. She’s had a difficult life yet is as scrappy as she is sweet and is a TRUE SURVIVOR! And I adore how beneath the wholesome good girl exterior lurks a wicked tigress with deviant sexual desires. She likes it rough and hard and can only find pleasure when it’s intermingled with a heady dose of darkness. Which Jake is ready and willing to provide for his beloved “Ginger.” Her heartbreak, resilience and wariness to trust again in the face of an agonizing betrayal were incredibly palpable, and I found myself cheering from the sidelines for her, hoping against hope that somehow her emotional walls would come tumbling down so she could achieve the happiness she truly deserved.
These characters are both wonderfully complex with incredible nuances, and the author does an incredible job of exploring these beautifully fractured, gorgeously flawed individuals with precision and insight. There’s no denying that both these MCs made some foolish, impulsive mistakes in their youth that would forever have a reverberating impact on their futures, but even in their lowest moments, the hope for reparation and redemption always burns impossibly bright. And as the story progresses and layer and after layer are slowly peeled away, you will fall even harder under their spell.
And HOLY SMOKES! To say that the chemistry between Jake and Kristi is combustible does not even begin to describe the sparks they generate. These two just smolder and sizzle in each and every scene they share together, and there is a breathtaking brutality to their carnal encounters that had me PANTING!
“His roughness makes my body heat, coming alive with a pulse that beats only for him….”
Ultimately, the journey these characters embark on together is riddled with pain and mayhem, heartache, desolation and despair, but there’s also hope and healing, joy and bliss too. And in my opinion, the path to love and forgiveness is one SO WORTH EMBARKING ON!
I also love how all of Charmaine Pauls’ novels are set in her native South African homeland which adds a rich cultural flavor to her books. And the secondary cast was exemplary too. Young Noah melted my heart and the heroine’s fiercely loyal and supportive mom, Gina, was absolutely amazing! Of course, as is with any good drama, there were some villains in the mix who stirred up all kinds of trouble for these two soulmates. Grrr!!!
As for the HEA? It was freaking perfect—gloriously romantic and utterly swoon worthy it had me choking back tears of joy! So, if you have a craving for a breathtakingly poignant, molten hot redemption story that’s strewn with potholes but guaranteed to leave you rapturous, then CATCH ME TWICE is a MUST READ!
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Catch Me Twice is my new favourite book from Charmaine Pauls..
“Where there’s a will, there’s always a way. I choose you. Every time.”
The book is set in two parts.
In the first part we meet Kristi and Jake. Kristi has been crushing on Jake for years not knowing that he has feelings for her too. Jake is leaving town soon to chase his dreams and after finding out he’s going to be a dad, he asks Kristi to wait for him.
Part two is set four years later. With Jake wanting to make things upto Kristi after giving her nothing but silence, as she tries to move on with her life and give herself a chance at a happy future.
Will Jake win her back? Or will there be too much heartbreak for that to happen?
I’ve loved every minute of reading this book. The first part was fast paced and steaming hot. The second part was more slow paced, but so full of emotions, angst, heartbreaking decisions, forgiveness but most of all hope for a second chance.
Sᴏᴍᴇᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴡᴇ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴏʀɢɪᴠᴇ ɴᴏᴛ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜᴇ ᴡᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ᴡʀᴏɴɢ ʙᴜᴛ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜᴏᴜᴛ ɪᴛ ɪᴛ ʀᴏʙ ᴜ ᴏ ᴏᴜʀ ʜᴀᴘᴘɪɴᴇ
Kristi falls in love with her teenage dream boy and falls pregnant right before he is to ship off to start his new life. She vows to wait but when that wait becomes too much and she tries to move on with her life he returns, and just like every other man, he tries to stake his claim on something that he believes is his. There is a strong sense of foreboding that things might not end well for Kristi and Jake.
Jake has done some pretty despicable things and some may not think his character irredeemable, and it’s pretty hard to see how Kristi could ever excuse his behaviour towards her and their son.
From start to finish, their story held me in it’s embrace waiting and wanting to see if Kristi would follow her heart or her head. The emotions emitted from her struggle and the hurt she endured poured from the pages into my stone cold heart and had me begging for her to find the courage to take that risk and just leap.
If you’re looking for a second chance romance, with grit and emotional turmoil, then THIS IS YOUR BOOK! Charmaine Pauls’ words are impeccable, and she takes you on a road of heartache and forgiveness.