Everyone deserves a second shot at love.Five years ago, my life was tragically upended when my wife and unborn son were killed by a drunk driver. People often quote that as the years move on, so will my grief. It hasn’t. Every breath I take without Jorgie feels like I’m betraying her, so shouldn’t even a second without her on my mind make it hard for me to breathe? For the past five years, that’s … breathe?
For the past five years, that’s exactly how I felt. . . until I glanced into a pair of pretty green eyes clouded with mistrust. For the quickest moment, she made me wish I could be the man I was before I lost everything. To know what it felt like to breathe without the heaviness on my chest. To smile without guilt. I would have given anything to become the man I once was just for the chance to ease the pain in pretty stranger’s eyes, and for her to see the man I was before I was broken.
My wife’s favorite saying was that you can’t fight fate, however, fate only brings people together, your heart chooses who gets to stay. But can a man without a heart help a stranger heal hers? Or will my grief break her more?
I guess only time will tell.
From the author who brought you the Perception and Enigma series comes the next heart-thumping story. Can Hawke find love after years of tragedy? Or will his grief be too great to set him free?
Warning: This book deals with emotional elements that may cause triggers for some readers. Although it is book ten in the Enigma Series, it can be read as a standalone.
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I loved this book! It had me drawn in from the first .It was really well written , it’s emotional rollercoaster.
I could feel what Hawke and Gemma were going through. Definitely you can’t fight the fate.
It was nice to read about characters from previous books. Really great series.
It’s very enjoyable and engaging.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the 10th book within this Enigma series and I liked it the most. Second Shot is Hawke’s story. It is a stand alone but, trust me, you want to read it in order and get the most out of it. This story is moving, emotional and just awesome. Hawke has been through so much. He lost everything and yet Gemma had a traumatic past as well. Well written, satisfying story. Absolutely recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Extremely entertaining, captivating and interesting sexy read. I could not put it down. Wonderfully written with strong, 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.
Second Shot is the tenth Enigma book by Shandi Boyes and I could not put it down until I finished the novel. It features the story of Carey Hawke, who lost his wife and unborn son in a car accident five years ago and remains in horrible grief, and Gemma Calderon-Levesque, a photographer who has also suffered a tragic past as well. While Hawke barely exists from day to day, Gemma is attempting to put herself out to find love again. Their romance is slow to develop as each character is dealing differently with their tragedy. I highly recommend this well written book with its heartfelt characters and emotional plot.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I thought this book was absolutely wonderful. I loved Hawke and Gemma’s story. It was heartbreaking and very sad to read at times but Wesley’s character brought some laughter and lightness to the heavy sadness. I also thought Hugo’s sons comments were hilarious.
The other component I really enjoyed about this book that is either nes for this author or one I hadn’t appreciated before were all the great quotes in this book. I enjoyed them a lot.
A super great book from Shandi Boyes!
I did enjoy this book and glad that both Gemma and Hawke find happiness again. I just bought that it needed a bit abruptly. Hawke’d issues were right upfront but Gemma’s wasn’t until the end of the book and then the introduction to Brandon left more questions.
Second Shot is one of those stories that could go on forever because you just can’t get enough of the characters! Hawke and Gemma. Oh they both have their own stories to tell but I think that Hawke has a bit more to handle. Gemma is the epitome of beautiful but she doesn’t always feel that way. Hawke and her have chemistry. Both have gone through unspeakable calamities and are just trying to get through those moments. This can be read as a standalone but it is so MUCH better when read in line with the series! I love the Enigma series!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Great story.
This is a great book that had me drawn in from the start. The characters were wonderful & you couldn’t help but feel for them both which at times got a bit emotional.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An emotional journey of two broken people
Second Shot is an emotional rollercoaster of a story that you need to have a full box of tissue with you before you start. The story of Carey Hawke is completely heartbreaking at times as are the emotional scars that Genna Calderon-Levesque carries. This is not a fast burn romance but instead takes time to build once these two take the first tentative steps towards each other. Both are dealing with loss, grief, hurt and while he is barely living she is attempting to start again.
This is a well written book that has an intricately woven story-line dealing with several potentially very emotionally heavy topics and characters that are broken. But what happens during the story as the author takes the reader on their journey, both individually and together, is emotional but well worth it.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are all my own.
I had a great time with this storyline it has a great flow. The characters are well developed and engaging from the chemistry they share to the twist and turns.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love reading this author, she is not afraid to tackle some serious and sensitive topics and always writes with grace. This book is no exception. My opinion, this is a book best read at home with a box of tissues, a cozy blanket and your favorite beverage. Hawke has found love and lost it when his wife and son were killed in an accident. It has been five years and he is still lost. Fate brings Gemma across his path who is equally lost. Can these two help one another be found? Can they find happiness and a second chance at love?
Amazing story. Enjoy!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book had me on an emotional roller coaster but I couldn’t put it down. I felt so much for Hawke and what he had been through but mostly because of his self-imposed exile. He had so much pain and guilt and I cried just reading about. Gemma had her own struggles and past and hurt and together they were just two broken souls. But sometimes that’s exactly what you need to heal. Going through their journey was heartbreaking and emotional and passionate and just raw.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4 1/2 Stars
As Hawke/Carey struggled with his traumatic loss of his newlywed wife an unborn son, Gemma had already been traumatized by her own brutal past.
While I liked these two very strong but broken characters, it was a bit frustrating as Hawke/Carey was resistant to his feelings to Gemma even though he knew she sparked something deep inside of him. Gemma on the otherhand was way more courageous and willing to put herself out there even though she had trauma of her own. I empathized with Hawke and his loss, but I didn’t like the way his loss had Gemma apologizing again and again when it was inadvertently brought up in their relationship. I guess I felt the pain of his rejection of Gemma time and time again while she was always willing to go to him first seemed a bit unfair.
The side dynamics with their friendships and mutual connections were handled well as this author has the talent to develop deep personal emotions with a few words.
The words of worldly wisdom full of life lessons were abundant and had my eyes rolling at times. Seemed like Gemma wasn’t the only one with multiple guru like phrases that kept popping up. As the storyline developed, all the characters seemed to inject their words of wisdom and while appreciated (some were keepers), the sheer number minimized their overall worth.
Another well written, meaty romance full of content and well thought out feels.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is another emotional read. Carey/Hawke lost everything important to him. After 5 years he still as broken as the day it all happened. Losing his wife and infant son almost destroyed him. He feels guilty a time he finds a little joy. Gemma also is broken. She is just starting to get her confidence and life in order. Her circle is small. When she meets Carey they both keep the secrets and enjoy a free night of fun and passion. Two strangers making memories for a lifetime. The story takes you slowly through their process of trying to move on. It respects the pain and grief of the past hurts both characters experienced. no instant love, no quick move to romance. A real journey that took months and still continues.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Hawke and Gemma will send you on an emotional journey though their story. It touches your heart and have you in their corners cheering them on. They have both been dealt trauma and are making their way through life. When they met at the church, there is a connection but can two individuals who are so broken from grief come together to build a life together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What a beautiful story involving Hawke and Gemma.
Facing reality when it comes to two broken hearts and piecing them back together.
Loved their chemistry, you could feel it while reading.
Another fantastic story in the Enigma series.
This a story of recovery, acceptance, and forgiveness and most of all, the ability to keep going against adversity. I laughed and cried reading Gemma and Hawke’s story of getting a second shot at life and love. Absolutely Wonderful reading. I loved how many of the different characters all came together in one story! I love Shandi Boyes world !!
I resisted reading this book for the longest time because I knew it would make me cry and indeed it did, but I am so glad that I did read it. It was not all sweetness and light but it was a compelling read and once I started it I had to finish it. It is full of compassion and understanding about 2 people who have undergone unimaginable events that have left lasting scars. Even though years have elapsed since those events it is not until Hawke and Gemma meet both that they start to heal.
This is a compassionate and lovely story that inspires hope and a belief in true love.