USA Today bestselling author Meghan Quinn delivers a smart and cheeky romance about love’s power to lift hearts . . . and curses.It was supposed to be an innocent night, celebrating my brother’s birthday. Nothing was supposed to go wrong. We’d vowed to be on our best behavior after all . . .But it only took one rowdy night with my brothers to flip my world upside down. One unlucky encounter … world upside down. One unlucky encounter saddled us with a family curse and the promise of doomed relationships. I laughed it off immediately. “Yeah, right,” I thought. “A love curse. Ha!”
Boy, was I wrong.
Word spreads quickly in a town like mine; rumors about that night soon made us the most eligible yet untouchable bachelors in Port Snow, Maine. As a subject of endless gossip and speculation, I could kiss my dating life goodbye.
It would have stayed that way if Ren Winters, the new girl in town, hadn’t crashed into my life. Brave, beautiful, and smart—her vivacious thirst for a fresh start has given me hope that maybe, just maybe, I can have one too.
Everyone wishes for that second chance . . . but could this really be mine?
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Right from the start, I was hooked!
Okay, so there was the whole awkward trip to New Orleans for his brother’s birthday, and the making enemies not friends with the palm reader, and picking up a BROKEN LOVE curse as a souvenir…but still, HOOKED! Seriously, the brothers have HEARTS OF GOLD, and the fact that they are easy on the eyes doesn’t hurt either. They have their hands in all the town business and businesses, but in a good way…they actually want to help make it a better place, improve upon the wonderfulness that already exists, and make it a place that everyone wants to call home. Seeing how the series will deal with the Knightly clan, the introductions to everyone was necessary, and really there are worse things than a town full of kind hearts and good looking guys! *smirk* Moving on….
Honestly, I really loved the characters, through and through! Griff was such a good guy, and seeing him do everything and anything to stay busy was heartwarming and breaking all at the same time, but if he was gonna keep his heart/feelings completely on lockdown, I couldn’t fathom the potential for a future with Ren in any fashion. Don’t worry folks, lockdown is not indefinite, but it does take some time to wear down! Speaking of Ren, she wears here heart on her sleeve. She’s strong, heck stronger than most think, but she wants to belong, to feel needed, to spread her proverbial wings and fly (chalk that up to a helicopter mom that means well) and unrequited love the levels of which she is experiencing (whether she’ll readily admit it or not) are not exactly on this side of the welcoming committee. Good think she’s not a quitter…good thing for BOTH of them…
Really and truly, I enjoyed this book from cover to cover. True, it had its steamy parts, and a bit of language scattered here and there (hence I’m saying ADULTS ONLY), but it was SO GOOD! I stand by my initial “claim” of Griffin for myself….boneheaded tendencies and all! Seriously the Knightly brothers are quite the package deal and despite Griff’s “issues”, he’s still a great guy with a heart of gold, totally deserving of the fabulousness that is Ren! To summarize, I this book!
*eARC received for review; opinions are my own
I picked this up thinking another second chance romance, I mean that is what the title says, but take notice the title is THAT SECOND CHANCE. This is not a second chance romance in the way that is usually seen in books. It is a book about a man, who was hurt by love, severely hurt by love, opening his heart for a second chance at love. A chance at love with a woman who is full of spunky, fun, and love if he can only learn to trust that love isn’t followed by bad things.
Together Ren and Griffin are so good together. The small town setting is perfect for the budding romance. The noisy, gossipy neighbors kept me giggling. The hometown café’s were perfect for their quaint meetings. The beautiful beach was just as Maine should be, with its rocky shores. Meghan Quinn made this book come alive as I read the words. I could picture the scenes, the characters, and the heat flowing between them.
I am a fan of Meghan Quinn, I love her books, her characters, and her settings. I look forward to more amazing books by her, Pick up any of her books and fall into their wonderful stories.
The book was good, not what I expected considering I had seen so many stars. Now please do not misunderstand and think I didn’t like, I did but maybe it was because I expected more that I felt like I didn’t get that. I was hoping for laughter and well it was more angsty than that, not saying that I didn’t laugh at times I did. I understand that Griffin had a hard time getting over his grief, I felt it and I guess I am just not a big fan on love stories where the main character can’t seem to get over his spouse. I feel like they haven’t moved on so they dont really fall in love with the other main character. I liked Ren, she was funny and a good person and deserved someone who would love them to distraction. Yes eventually Griffin couldn’t help himself and claimed he loved her I still felt like he should have done more grovelling she gave him to fast after he pushed her away..
Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions
WOW WOW WOW!!! This book BLEW me away! I have always been a fan of Meghan’s quirky romances but this is in a league of it’s own! The Virgin Romance novelist has always been my favorite book of hers (and I have read nearly all of them), but this one? I think it’s my new TOP favorite of all of her books. This is the type of book that leaves butterflies in your belly and a smile plastered to your face. This book has emotion, raw and unfiltered, and a whole lot of heart. It’s also memorable, sweet, and addicting- I simply couldn’t get enough of Griffin and Ren’s story and I didn’t want to stop reading. Based on all of this (I am truly fangirling right now) I would HIGHLY recommend That Second Chance to everyone!
Meghan Quinn has not only written a heartfelt and captivating story here, but the setting is absolutely perfect! I could practically feel the salt on my skin coming off the ocean and smell the lobster and seafood. Having grown up in Maine during the summer months I know exactly what Port Snow is like! A beautiful small town with gossipy residents and beautiful views. I felt like I was living within the pages. It really brings back all my memories of being in Maine (mainly in the area of Sabego lake).
One last thing that really thrilled me with this book is how Meghan sets us up for the next book- Rogan’s story. I cannot wait to see how he maneuvers with this “curse” hanging over his head and his high school sweetheart/ex fiance suddenly showing back up in his life. Oh boy, this is going to be soooo good!
That being said, if you enjoy books about sweet, small town love, family, friendships, and second chances when it comes to finding love again, I suggest grabbing a copy of this book. This is one of my top 5 favorite books of the year and I have a feeling I am going to going right back and reading it all over again because it gives off all those feels we romance readers crave in our novels. Even more, this may be Meghan’s best book yet (and for me, that’s saying a lot because I have love each and every one of her books to pieces).
OMG What a great start to a new series!
Meet Griffin, one of the Knightly brothers, one hotter than the other! Griffin is a volunteer firefighter as well as helps run his parents gift story in Port Snow Maine. When called in for a car accident he meets new comer Ren, who seems to have car disasters swarmed around her! The Knightly brothers think they were cursed 2 years ago by a palm reader in New Orleans, can Ren be safe from his curse? Or will he believe the curse will take her away from him.
Wow, I just love this first book in the new series! 5 solid stars for this one, grab it, enjoy the story!
I absolutely fell in love with the Knightly brothers and their little town. Griffin and Ren are sweet, funny and real. They have both had a rough few years. Griffin having lost his wife and Ren surviving a car accident . When Ren wants a fresh start and moves to a little coastal town in Maine it puts her on the Knightly brothers radar and the game begins . The family cannot stop themselves from trying to be stealth and meddle in their brother Griffin’s love life. Ren soon realizes that this little town is full of love and surprises . It pulls her in and makes her fell like home and Griffin may feel damaged but she may be just the push he needs to Live Again !! I loved this supporting cast and I cannot wait to see where Meghan takes us with the other brothers!
Loved it !!!
~~Michele McMullen ~
I have said it before and I will say it again, I love Meghan’s books!
That Second Chance is a book that has it all. Humor, heartache, love, loss and an awesome HEA! It is the perfect small town romance story. It made me want to pack a bag and move.
I fell in love with Griffin and Ren! They go together like Peanut butter & Jelly! Ren was infectious. I love her attitude towards life and her overall personality. Griffin was just…perfect. He will have your heart beating rapidly throughout this whole book.
Both Ren and Griffin are going through their own personal struggles when they meet but their chemistry was undeniable. That first kiss was EVERYTHING and had me blushing! No curse could stop their love and I will thank the Moose Gods for it!
I also loved the side characters. From Ren’s helicopter mother to Griffin’s siblings…Especially Griffin’s brothers! They were all incredible and helped make this story even stronger. I CAN NOT wait for the next book!! My curiosity is killing me for the rest of the brother’s stories!
So much YES to That Second Chance! I haven’t read many books by Meghan Quinn, but I know sooo many that absolutely love her work. I was pretty eager to get my hands on this one since I’m such a fan of Montlake Romances. And this one completely exceeded all of my expectations out of the park.
I’ve been gravitating towards small town romances this year and the many that I’ve read have captivated my heart completely. Griffin and Ren absolutely stole mine, instantly.
Griffin .. my poor heart! Just the immense guilt he has dealt with after the sudden death of his wife. And he was constantly using the curse as a clutch to never truly be happy again. And then Ren comes crashing into his life and everything between them was just instant.
I loved everything about these two. It was a bit of a slow burn and it all just felt exactly right for their relationship. With Griffin being a bit of a knight in shining armor and this easy and laid back friendship forms between the both of them.
Ren was a heroine that I simply adored with going through an ordeal where she wanted a new start following that. She was so brave to move away from everything that was familiar. But she adapted to her new life effortlessly! She had her moments, but overall, I loved her character.
To me, this story had just the right amount of everything that I look for in a cozy contemporary romance. I loved the family dynamics with the Knightly brothers and am so looking forward to some of their stories.
I can’t recommend this book enough, it was such a great start to Meghan’s new series!
**I RECEIVED A COMPLIMENTARY READER’S COPY FROM MONTLAKE ROMANCE IN CONSIDERATION FOR A REVIEW. THIS DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR CONTENT OF MY REVIEW**
Meghan Quinn
This is why I love Meghan Quinn’s books. She weaves these stories where you never know who you will run into. And it’s such a nice surprise when you do! I cannot wait to see where this series takes us. Port Snow might be my fave place yet!
Griffin, he was beyond swoony. Even his apprehensions made him more lovable. It was amazing to see him open his heart back up.
Ren, I love her. She’s funny, quirky and although she has her own set backs and walls up, she adapts. You can’t help but root for her the entire time.
Small town story with a huge heart!
This is the first book I’ve read by Meghan Quinn, and the story brought a good balance of humor, romance, angsty feelings and a fun loving family I look forward to reading about. This first title features Griffin Knightly, the eldest of 4 single brothers who were “cursed” by a palm reader several years ago during a drunken 21st birthday celebration for the youngest brother, Brig. Although the brothers are hesitant to believe in the black magic, all have been unlucky in love, and our Hero, Griffin, most tragically. They all live in a small, cute tourist town in Maine, called Port Snow, where Griffin and his older sister run their family’s successful bakery and sweets’ shop. Our heroine, Ren Winters, is in the process of moving to Port Snow when she encounters a moose which literally runs her off the road, introducing her to volunteer firefighter, Griffin, when he comes to her rescue.
The story is told from a dual point of view so the reader is privy to the attraction between these two, but each reluctant to taking that first step, for different reasons. I thought the author did a good job pacing how their friendship eventually grew into a relationship. The only reservation I had was how Griffin “overcame” his fear. Without revealing any spoilers, for a small town, there should have been plenty of opportunities for Griffin to uncover the truth behind his feelings, but then, our Hero might not have been available to meet the adorable Ren!
Each brother we meet, Rogan, Reid and the fun-loving Brig, seem to have ghosts/skeletons in their closet preventing them from finding their HEA. It looks like we might find out Rogan’s story next, and I look forward to uncovering why he’s so broody!
That Second Chance is the perfect story to kick off Meghan Quinn’s newest series getting Lucky. I absolutely adored this small town romance. It’s filled with fabulously quirky characters, scenic locations and lots of laughter. This slow-burn story will suck you right in and you’ll fall in love with everything about it!
Griffin and Ren have a hilarious meet-cute that pretty much sums up their relationship. No matter how hard Griffin tries to stay away from Ren, he can’t. These two gravitate towards one another and it’s impossible for them to fight. There is so much chemistry from the start and Quinn does a great job of building up the anticipation. I loved all of the Knightly brothers and cannot wait for their stories as well. Their relationships with one another are hilarious and natural. There was so much goodness in this story and I just loved everything about it. I can’t wait to read the next one! 5 stars
That Second Chance…..whoaaaa this book is EVERYTHING I dream of in a small town romance! IT’S MAGIC!! I’m enamored by Port Snow, more so that when we were first introduced to this charming town in Two Wedding Crashers. Even then, I knew we were in for a special treat should Meghan Quinn ever take us back. Not only has she taken us back, but she’s given us the GIFT of the Knightly brothers. Thank goodness for the volunteer firefighters because these brothers got me all kinds of HAWTTTT! Port Snow has so much readers, it’s almost sensory overload. From the cute shops, the endearing townfolk, to the town gossip, it’s a town that truly cares for each other. This small town romance is REMARKABLE!
Let’s dive in with Ren and Griffin. OMG from their meet cute, they are fantastic together. I mean, not just fantastic…but sizzling. There’s something that tingles in the air when they’re together. I feel it in every conversation, their witty banter is always on point. They have chemistry is spade, they can’t stay away. Scene after scene, they’re like fudge…so sweet, melt in your mouth cuteness and YOU CAN’T GET ENOUGH. One page is never enough. Piece by piece, Meghan has layered this story that creeps into you heart. It’s not a simple boy meets girl love story, their story is built with bricks, that only when the time is right, will come crumbling down. The journey for me was amazing. Ren and Griffin are fantastic characters that each have their own journeys of growth to be together completely. I LOVED EVERY PAGE.
I truly devoured this story, and it captured a piece of my heart in return. I loved the Knightly brothers whole heartedly. But Ren and Griffin….they are just the best! Don’t miss out on this fantastic small town second chance romance that will have you falling in love with Meghan Quinn and Port Snow.
In the book Two Wedding Crashers, we were given a glimpse of Port Snow and by the end of that book I knew I wanted more, especially about the family of brothers who were cursed to never find love. So when Meghan announced that she was going to write a book about those brothers, I got really excited.
Griffin, the eldest of the Knightly boys, truly believes that he will never find love. But then he meets Ren Winters, the school’s new Algebra teacher. The two meet in a very humorous way and a friendship is formed. Ren is starting over in a small town and could use a friend. Luckily for her, that friend is Griffin Knightly.
Ren and Griffin truly enjoyed just hanging out with each other, but their attraction was just too strong. I loved that their relationship started out as purely a friendship. His reluctance to start anything romantic causes frustration for her, but once she finds out why, she starts to understand him a little better.
This book is sweet, funny and such a delight to read. Griffin is perfect book boyfriend material and I LOVED HIM TO PIECES! And don’t even get me started on the rest of the Knightly brothers. I love them all and I can’t wait to read their stories!
I loved this book! So much so that I gave up on sleep and read into the early morning hours, with zero care being given to my beauty sleep. This book was so funny and had me giggling and swooning with the corniness that is the Knightly brothers.
Just like every Meghan Quinn book, this one was well written and the characters came alive on the pages. It was a little slow for me at the very beginning but as soon as Ren came into the picture, I was hooked.
Ren is new to town and her welcome to the town didn’t go as planned. With the help of a suicidal moose, she meets one of the towns firefighters and all around good guy that seemed absolutely perfect except for one thing… that curse that was put upon him and his brothers a few years ago. The townspeople had me rolling; I grew up in a small town and yes, people are exactly like that! The rumor mill was in full force and had me laughing at the crazy stories they came up with.
This is book one in a new series, a second chance at love story and I can’t wait for more of the Knightly brothers! Well done on another great read, Meghan Quinn! Go one-click this one if you are looking for a fun, easy read that will leave you with a smile on your face.
I love when the hero and heroine of a story meet for the first time in a unique way, not only is it different from a romance’s usual character introductions, but it also leaves a lasting impression on the main characters since not many people can say that their first encounter with their love interest was in such interesting circumstances. And when readers witness the situation that brings Ren Winters and Griffin Knightly into each other’s lives, it will definitely be used as a conversation starter for some time to come.
What’s also unique about Meghan Quinn’s new Getting Lucky series is the reason behind the Knightly brothers’ love curse and the subsequent bad luck they experience due to a rather raucous night of partying in New Orleans and one ticked off palm reader. As laughable and ludicrous as the curse may seem to readers and to most of the Knightly family, because Griffin aligns the curse with a tragic set of circumstances that occurred soon after, he lives and breathes it and worries about putting his heart on the line for fear of what might happen if he does, which means as drawn as he is to Ren and her quirky, beautiful self, the only person who can make him see that he makes his own luck is Griffin himself and that’s not easy to accomplish given his track record and is constant need to protect himself from a pain he never wants to feel again.
The Knightly brothers are definitely swoon worthy, and I’m so ready for the three other men to get their stories, but I’m glad that Meghan Quinn began with Griffin and Ren’s book; Griffin’s the oldest of the four brothers and he’s the one who seems to have the most to lose when it comes to women, so him working through his issues and Ren helping him as best she can is something that needed to happen in order to solidify the idea that people are responsible for their own fate, regardless of how easy it may be to blame something or someone else.
I love that Ren takes control of her life and wants to rely on herself instead of other people. She may have been sheltered and naive to the ways of the world, but she deserves a chance to prove she’s capable of taking care of herself and by moving away from her family, she does just that, and it just so happens to also put her in Griffin Knightly’s path, giving him the necessary push that he needs to take a chance on love again.
I really enjoy Meghan Quinn’s storytelling and the characters she creates because their imperfections are relatable and the paths that they take in life illustrate just how non-linear it is and how essential it is to roll with the punches in order to not only survive but to live fully. That Second Chance is a slow burn, contemporary romance set in the perfectly quaint town of Port Snow, Maine, and its townspeople are charming, likable, quirky, and humorous, which adds so much to a story line. I loved getting both Griffin and Ren’s perspectives as they make their fresh start, and the comical and witty exchanges between them illustrate just how compatible they are and that as long as they stay out of their own way, they’ll not only disprove the curse, but they’ll also find out exactly what they’re made of!
I can’t wait for Meghan Quinn to take me back to Port Snow!
4 Poison Apples
OK, first of all – that cover. So super yum! And an excellent muse for our grumpy-bear hero Griffin. It immediately drew me in and then the first chapter had me hooked.
More importantly, That Second Chance is a fantastic start to Quinn’s new small town romance series and I’m already jonesing for the other brothers’ stories. Ren is the new teacher in town, and Griffin is the town’s golden boy, heir to his family’s snack shop and volunteer firefighter. Love their slow build chemistry, almost friends first.
Great example of small town romance, with all the quirky characters and quaint locations. Plenty of chuckles and “aww” moments.
Absolutely recommend!
You can’t read this book and NOT fall in love with the entire Knightly family, as well as Port Snow. I love how everyone has an established role in the community and just seem to constantly pop up out of nowhere. This was definitely one I found myself laughing out loud at work while listening to the story.
This is the first book in the series and I’m already hooked. Right from the first page I was drawn into this books. The characters are great. I love the small town and it’s residents. I laughed quite often. The personalities of the characters is one of my favorite things about the book. Ren and Griffin are so adorable together. I just love them. Though with the family curse it’s going to take army to convince Griffin to take a chance on love again. The book has light, fun feel that has a ton of humor, but it also packs the feels. You can definitely feel the emotions from the characters. There were a couple times I got a little teary. This a book that will suck you in and not you until you’re finished with the book. I really can’t wait for more from this series.
I absolutely loved reading That Second Chance by Meghan Quinn. I fell hard for Griffin and his family. Griffin and his brothers were celebrating his brothers birthday when they run into some bad luck that follows them home. Shortly after Griffin is hit with a tragedy that turns his life upside down. A few years later, enter Ren.
Griffin was such a good guy with a big heart. He was sexy and charming and devoted and yet thought of himself as cursed. Ren survived a horrific accident; she wants a fresh start and ends up in Port Snow. A moose, two trees and a hot firefighter later and she has an unforgettable first day in town with crazy stories spreading through town. Ren was sweet, caring and full of life.
That Second Chance by Meghan Quinn was a great story with amazing characters. It was emotional, full of angst and steamy chemistry. I loved it and cannot wait to read the other books in the series.
4.5 stars. Happy reading!
THAT SECOND CHANCE by Meghan Quinn in her Getting Lucky series. This is the book 1 in her four book series that features the Knightly brothers and their search for true love after being cursed by a fortune teller in New Orleans, Louisiana 2 years prior.
In book 1- Ren and Griffin- Ren Winters is new to the town and is the new teacher. She has suffered horrible pain in her past and is just ready to put that behind her when her 1st day in town, a moose hits her car. Not what she expected but hey, she gets a sexy firefighter to rescue her.
Griffin Knightly is the oldest brother of the 4 Knightly brothers; he’s is the most reliable and responsible and is considered the hottest of the brothers but 2 years back , when the brothers came back from NOLA, something occurred that made people take steps back from the brothers and talk about them in unfavourable light. Griffin himself suffered a personal loss that made him take steps back and put shields up. He immediately delved into the family company, volunteer work- anything to keep him busy. That is until his path crosses with Ren Winters. He is the volunteer firefighter called out to rescue Ren who is scared to death.
Come to find out, Ren is the new neighbor who has moved in a few houses up from Griffin. There is instant connection and chemistry between them. Will Griffin fight this chemistry between him and Ren? Or will he allow the fears from his past get him the way of the present and of the future ?
This is a deliciously tempting read that is full of feels, romance, drama, angst, twists, turns, passion and love. I can’t wait for book 2 and more brothers’ stories to read.
My Rating: 4.5 stars ******