It’s been almost a year since I’ve seen her, the only woman that’s ever gotten under my skin, and made me wish I was a better man. More than just the washed up hockey player, turned sports journalist whose body is almost as scarred as his soul.Layla Harper made me hope again. But life has a warped sense of humor, and I wasn’t the only Bennett brother that fell for the girl with the caramel … caramel colored eyes.
The night I saw Travis with her I knew I’d lost, even before I had the chance to fight. Because one thing I never compete with my brother over is women. Even if the woman stole my breath, and my heart with one single kiss.
And damn, what a kiss it had been.
Now, she’s pregnant with my brother’s baby. A baby he wants nothing to do with. And he’s asked me to clean up his mess.
What he doesn’t know is that I’m in love with her, and I have no intention of offering her the deal he’s laid out. I have a deal of my own. One that will finally make her mine.
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Unique take on the surprise baby trope!
What happens when the drunken one-night-stand leads to a pregnancy, but the guy isn’t anywhere close to being daddy material? This poignant, heart-wrenching story answers that question by sending in the older brother, Carter, who met Layla a year before but they missed their connection and didn’t see each other again until after her mistake with his brother.
Carter has wanted Layla since their chance meeting, and he’s not going to let his brother’s questionable activities get in the way. He’s so tender, so sweet and supportive of Layla. He’s a true book boyfriend hero, and I instantly fell for him. Layla was still working through her own issues, but she instinctively knows that Carter can be everything she needs him to be. She never forgot him, either, and she knew that seeing him again was the second chance she needed.
There are no easy answers in this kind of a set up, and the author doesn’t take the easy way out. We get a fully-developed, deeply-abiding love story that is the foundation of all HEAs. It’s the first in an interconnected series, but it’s a complete standalone romance, and I highly recommend it.
The day he saved Layla from walking into traffic was the day Carter’s world changed. He knew something was different about her. He didnt get her name or number. He thought he would never see her again. A chance encounter at a bar was kismet. He accidentally gave her his old phone number. When he realized it, Layla already disappeared. When he returned year later, to his surprise, Layla was his brother, Travis , roomie. At 21 , Travis was still an irresponsible, spoiled, wild and still dependent on his brother. Many complications, and another chance for Carter and Layla, but not without, complications and trouble from Travis.
Addison Spear narration was very good.
audiobookobsessionreviewer
I struggled a bit writing this review because Second Draft is much more than the simple face value description – instant attraction/taboo relationship story without too much angst. It deals with some serious topics, and I wouldn’t call it a sports romance. I would recommend it to contemporary romance fans. I’m interested in listening to more of the series.
I listened to the Audible version. Addison Spear was a new narrator for me. I prefer that dual first person POV books have dual narrators, but she did a really great job bringing the story to life with her performance. She did more than just read the words. Her pace is a little faster than other narrators (in a good way), so she’s able to fit a lot of story into the shorter length audiobook.
#AudibookObsession
This was my first book by the author so I didn’t know what to expect but I am always open for trying something new. Layla and Carter met one day and had a connection, but due to unforseen circumstances never reconnected until Carter found Layla again one day…living with his brother in a house he owned. This got even more complicated after that when Travis, Carter’s brother, up and leaves when he decides having a baby with Layla is too much responsibility. HIs role in the story was complicated, maddening, and overall very sad.
Carter and Layla had great chemistry and a great connection. Carter made for a great hero in that he was willing to do anything to make things good for Layla and he seemed to really genuinely love her. Layla was a complicated character in that she had a difficulty past and upbringing, a very messy relationship with her parents and a fairly traumatic past in general.
I overall enjoyed the author’s writing style and the story. There were some parts of the story that could cause triggers for some people given the nature of the subject matter. I was engaged in the story line and very happy that after all of the sadness in Layla’s life she finally got her happily ever after.
Second Draft is a second chance encounter with a obstacle in the middle of it. An audiobook with a peerless narative.
My favourite pieces of this romance were:
I love that Layla is a reader, even in a bar, and an aspiring author
I love the references to popular indie authors
Dual pov which gives you all the right vibes
No extra filters
Epilogue dated in the future with
That being said, I have read other novels from C.M Seabrook and I absolutely loved them. However, I didn’t fall in love with the characters or narrative. I’m not sure, but the narator had put a little damper on it.
Narator Addison Spear speaks way to fast, rushing through the narrative making it difficult to keep up. She does slow down a bit after the first few chapters making it easier to listen. Her articulation was good, but she needs to practice slowing down.
It was a very good book
Great story especially between brothers and coming to a decision for what’s best in the end
Read: 6/13/18
Second Draft was the first book in CM Seabrook’s Men with Wood series. It was also the first book I’ve read by the author but it definitely won’t be my last.
Carter and Layla met under unusual circumstances but the sparks flew like crazy. Circumstances had them not seeing each other for a year then they had another chance meeting but by then everything had drastically changed. Layla was now pregnant with Carter’s brother’s child. This was where the story began. I normally wouldn’t like the premise of this type of story, but in this case, I loved it. It wasn’t your typical story. And I loved both Carter and Layla. They were perfect together, but the situation was anything but perfect.
Seabrook took us through the chemistry, the challenges, the friendship and more. There was also a bit of mystery behind Layla’s past. We knew there were issues and Seabrook slowly peeled back the layers as the story progressed. It was well written, well developed, multi-dimensional and complex.
In the end, it was emotional, heart felt, a daily struggle for overcoming life’s heart aches and a journey for healing, acceptance and love. There were a couple areas that I would have liked fleshed out a little more, but nothing crucial. Timing is everything and for me, it was the perfect book for what I was currently craving. I can’t wait to read the second book in the series, Second Shot.
Two people that felt that instant connection get a complicated shot at a second chance.
Well edited.
Carter and Layla crash into each other’s lives when he saves her from being run over by a car. Not too long after, Carter can’t believe his luck when he sees her in a bar. He steps in again to save her from unwanted attention. They have a connection, but she is afraid to even think of getting involved and he is set to go out of town for work the next day. He gives her his number, forgetting that he just changed to a new one. A year later, Carter comes back into town, only to find Layla living in his house with his brother. And, to top it off, Layla is pregnant with his brother’s child. Within 24 hours of Carter’s arrival, his brother has run out the door, leaving Carter to deal with things. Carter just wants to get to a place where he and Layla can have a real relationship. Layla is terrified because of secrets in her past. Will Layla ever open up and trust Carter with her heart? Will Carter get to be the man in Layla’s life, or will he have to step aside for his brother?
This is not my first book my Ms. Seabrook, and it certainly won’t be my last. She has a way of writing that makes the characters feel so real. The heart feels for all that Layla went through in her childhood. And Carter. Well, Carter is just such a wonderful, caring, loving man. And when the baby finally arrives. Nothing melts the heart more than a strong man melting for a tiny newborn. Enjoy!
I really enjoyed reading this. It was tragic but also amazing and romantic. I loved the possessive side of Carter. Made me love him even more for stepping up when he did not have to. I want a Carter for myself now. This book really makes you set the bar high for men like Carter and reality will always remind you that it is nearly impossible to find every time you have to pick yourself off the ground. Still worth the read though.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Extremely entertaining, captivating, and interesting read. I could not put it down. Wonderfully written with strong and intriguing characters. I want to read more from this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
“Life is chaos, and sometimes brutal. But hiding from happiness only guarantees you’ll never get it.” It all comes down to the choices one makes. Sometimes the choices are made freely and other times the choice is out of one’s own control. Layla was not paying attention to where she was going and was almost in an accident. If not for the quick thinking and flexibility of Carter, she would have been a goner. When he asks her to dinner for her to show her gratitude, she politely declines and leaves. Fast forward and they accidentally see each other at a bar and the pull towards each other is still there. However, Carter is leaving the next day to start his new life as a sport reporter and Layla has a secret that she is unwilling to share. Can Carter get Layla to open up and reveal what she is hiding? How will Carter react when he learns the truth? Ms. Seabrook is one of those authors that writes absorbing stories that evoke a wide range of emotions. There are elements in this storyline that the reader will not see coming and will flay his/her heart. I highly recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first book by C.M. Seabrook that I have read. I actually purchased it because of the cover and I liked the description. Was it worth it? YES!! It caught my attention right off the bat. I could not put it down once I started it. I loved the story!! I enjoyed the developing love between Layla and Carter. It was a beautiful yet emotional story.
Layla and Carter meet right before he leaves the area for a new job. He mistakenly gives her a wrong phone number and a year passes. When he returns things are upside down. Layla is living with his brother, Travis, and pregnant with his child. Travis is a total disgrace. He is spoiled and selfish. Carter takes over and things get tricky for Layla. She is, of course, cautious. Carter is someone you will love and push for happiness. He is all the things Layla needs but is afraid of taking. A sweet alpha male with a big heart. Loved Carter and Layla together. Loved their journey to happiness. The epilogue was great too.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
*squeals!!!!!
Didnt do much after finishing this book except happy sighs mixed with a few squeals.
I loved everything about this book.
I have zero complaints.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes a happy ending.
There are some trigger topics, but the sweetness makes up for it.
Happy reading!
Note: I have voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this title.
Rating 5 stars
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book was beautifully written with a well planned plot and very detailed characters that captured my heart from the very first page! Carter and Layla was a very likable, relatable and engaging couple who kept me totally captivated throughout the entire book!
Second Draft is a beautiful, heartfelt story of second chances with a hot, tattooed, swoonworthy hero and a strong (at times), heroine. Layla and Carter met a year before and made instant impressions upon each other. But, their chance slipped away when Carter gave her (unknowingly at the time) the wrong phone number. Now, a year later, they meet again when she’s living at his brother’s house (that Carter pays for because his brother, Travis, is an immature, irresponsible boy) and is pregnant. It would seem as if this new reunion is not their time, because, really? She’s pregnant? How could that possibly be their time, their second chance? Would Carter want to raise a baby who isn’t his? Well, don’t be too upset, because it most certainly is their time, because Carter is the most determined alpha ever, he knows he’s got a second chance and he’s not about to let her slip through his fingers again, regardless of the circumstances they find themselves in.
Second Draft takes you through every possible emotion: anger, sadness, joy, fear, and love. Layla and Carter fight like crazy to get to their HEA. CM Seabrook’s writing is on point, as always, and I think Second Draft is my favorite of her books by far. Melting Steel used to be my favorite, but Carter is even hotter, even more swoonworthy, even more alpha than Henry and this story has made even more of an impact on me than Keeley and Henry did. Thank you CM for giving us such a beautiful story!
I loved it could not put it down. Read in a few hours.
Everyone makes mistakes and sometimes that can have a HEA.