-A brother who lives his life in the shadows of greatness-Kyle McKallister is the younger brother to one of the world’s most elusive and embattled celebrities. He has carved out a comfortable existence touring with his famous brother and living in the lap of luxury with no commitments or plans of his own, only a deep, haunting loyalty to his brother. But Kyle’s life is about to be shaken up when … shaken up when the opportunity comes to compete on a popular reality show.
-A sister who sets aside her dreams for the ones she loves-
Small town girl Kenzie Williams has come on the show for one thing only: to win. But when a disastrous start forces her to rely on an eclectic band of misfits, she finds herself immediately smitten with a handsome and mysterious cast mate.
-Pushed together by circumstance, two outcasts find love-
But life on the island is just a game. Can Kyle and Kenzie’s fragile spark survive the pressures of the real world?
Praise for The Theory of Second Best
“I loved the theme of the “other” brother – the one who ended up being a bystander to his brother’s tragedy – the one who walks away wounded even though he wasn’t the one injured – the one who ends up living as a bystander to his own life. This is a great story of healing and learning to live again.” – A.C.
“It was so wonderful to read a HEA story with normal people.” – Kelly
“The funny banter and innuendo during the adventure on the island was BRILLIANT! I listened at night, when I couldn’t sleep and nearly woke up the entire house laughing. I had to bury my face into a pillow lol.” – Sandra
“I was really skeptic about the whole reality show… but the story was very well written and I wanted more. Couldn’t put this book down.” – A. Fro
“I enjoyed both books in the series, however this one made me chuckle more often.” – Nate W.
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The is the second in the “cake” series and it’s a lot of fun. The two main characters meet as contestants on a “Survivor” type show. They form a bond, becoming friends and eventually lovers. Kyle is Jake’s younger brother and Jake was the hero in Cake. Kyle has trauma in his past, which he hides with his jokes and teasing. Kenzie is insecure but learns she is strong while toughing it out on the remote island. Kyle trusts her and opens up to her in ways that surprise him. The setting of the TV survivor program is a great backdrop for this touching and witty romance. The author has a unique voice.
Listened on audio: excellent writing, characters and narration. A slow-building story that drew me in from the start and that I didn’t want to end.
I enjoyed it and the characters, but after the awesomeness of the first book, I was a little disappointed.
Who would have suspected that the rock star’s brother would give him a run for the top spot in The Cake series!? Well. I’m not exactly sure he has for me but it’s a close match and Kyle certainly is not a consolation prize! Jill Bengtsson is an incredible author, one who honesty makes me for real laugh out loud to the point of snorting and pretty much crying!
This is an awesome read. The 2nd book in the Cake series; a story of Kyle McKalister; self-proclaimed bodyguard of his brother Jake – the rock star. Kyle wins a spot on a survivalist reality TV show. There he meets people who doesn’t know him as Jake’s brother, at least not right away. Kenzie; a teammate takes interest in him without knowing his connection to fame. They bond then she seriously pisses him off! Why? Can they/will they recover? Read the story. You’ll definitely enjoy it!
I really enjoyed this story about Kyle and Kenzie. Kyle always felt he was never truly seen because he was always in Jake’s shadow and Kenzie kinda lost herself in putting everything into helping care for her siblings and Dad. Joining the reality show is the first time either have done something alone, just for themselves. This story was a slow burn friends to lovers tale. I loved all of the island antics with the cast of the show. This had a highly emotional aspect which was really nailed by the narrators. I definitely did not have a dry eye towards the end listening to both Andi’s and Zach’s performances.
** audio book review **
I was so excited that Cake turned into a series. (If you haven’t read/listened to Cake go now) The second book in this series is about Kyle, Jake’s brother. I was already a fan of Kyle. He cracked me up. In The Theory Of Second Best, he joins a reality show where he has to survive on the island with others. This is a must read for Survivor fans! He meets Kenzie and they form an alliance and a friendship grows. For Kenzie it’s more. Kyle really isn’t sure how he feels. These two aren’t used to spotlight. Kyle is always just Jake’s, a musical superstar, brother and just a way for people to get to Jake. Kenzie has sacrificed what she wants in life to take care of her family. For the first time they are doing things for themselves. I will be honest I’ve never been much of a reality show fan but I would so watch their show. These narrators did a great job bringing them to life. I felt like I was watching this unfold actually. My favorite parts where the confessionals. This book had me swooning and laughing. Then it had my heart almost breaking. Don’t worry it has been put back together. That is all the detail you are getting from me! Go experience this book. I promise you’ll be as obsessed as I was. I found every chance I could to listen/read. I just love the McKallister family.
Second best!? More like it took the cake… I’m a dweeb.
This book follows the same timeframe as Cake – which I really enjoyed. I got to spend more time with that hilarious McKallister bunch as well as see how Jake’s tragedy affected them firsthand. They walked on eggshells around him, but without him around, we got to really see how they felt.
Suicide attempts were not an uncommon occurrence in our household. It has taken a comprehensive and proactive effort, on all our parts, to keep him alive.
As you may know, we are following Jake’s younger brother, Kyle McKallister, in this installment. He is a deeply wounded, confused man hiding behind sarcasm and witty sexual jokes. After following Jake around on tour, he doesn’t know who he is without Jake. He’s always been “Jake’s brother” to everybody around him. Even at home, his family is more concerned on how Jake acted on tour than what was going on with Kyle. It’s sad, really. So when an opportunity presented itself for Kyle to separate himself from Jake, he takes it. Reluctantly…
Kenzie Williams, similar to Kyle, isn’t really living her own life. After tragedy struck her household when she was eight, she was forced to step up to the plate and grow up quickly. She has been chained down to long and decides to do something for herself – for once in her life. When the directors of Marooned want her on the reality survivalist TV show, she was stunned. Nothing like this ever happens to a small town girl.
Kyle and Kenzie meet the most cringe-worthy hilarious way on Marooned.
She’d appeared so sweet and innocent with those big blue eyes and delicate ivory skin, but that was right before she morphed into Linda Blair from The Exorcist and spewed green vomit from her guts.
TV Confessional “So…THAT just happened.” – Kenzie
Later they get put in the “Dork Quad,” and they hit it off. What a interesting bunch they are… It’s difficult, however; they are there to compete against each other. The other contestants are noticing how close they are and they aren’t liking it…
I freaking LOVE this book. The writing structure was much better than the first book. (J. Bengtsson is killing it.) The characters no longer feel so young as they did in Cake. There were many times where I was literally laughing out loud. I enjoyed all the references – The Walking Dead, Friends, and Twilight… *chuckles*
TV Confessional “Imprinted? You know, when werewolves find the right person, they imprint on them. Twilight? No? Okay, nevermind.” – Kenzie Twilight forevvvvaa….
Oh, I should mention that this is a slow-burning sweet romance. Flirting, teasing, innocent touching is all the reader gets for the majority of the book. (Can you blame them, though? They had cameras in their face 24/7)
I highly recommend this book if you are a fan of young/new adult romances packed with witty banter. The next book should be out sometime this month, so it’s a perfect time to pick up these books. 🙂
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A cute, entertaining, but emotional journey to go on with Kenzie and Kyle. I am enjoying this series.
A truly wonderful sequel. A reality show story at it best. Putting people together on a deserted island was a genius way to make people really get to know themselves and each other.
Meeting Kyle in the first book did not do him justice. He is one of the best types of characters, he is hilarious, good natured, fun loving and secretly hiding from the world in the most public way possible. We knew he was loyal to his brother but it went so much deeper then that, and you see what really makes him tick. I love seeing him really mature and come into his own.
Kenzie is the sweetest thing. She is smart, funny and such a wonderful person. She sees the best in everyone and will do anything to make the people around her see the best in themselves. Her life was put on hold before she ever got a chance to live.
This is so funny. Seriously. One of the best
I am so in love with this series and its characters!
I couldn’t wait for Kyle’s book! It was everything I wanted…and then some.
Kyle is Jake’s brother, and I was VERY interested in him while reading book 1. He is witty, fun, and sexy and I would love to be on a reality show with him. Kenzie was absolutely adorable. She is a spunky, small-town girl who could hold her own. They were the perfect pair.
This story was so entertaining! I laughed out loud numerous times, yet there were also plenty of moments that pulled at my heartstrings. LOVED it!
OMG!!! I need a therapy session. The shrink isn’t going to know what hit him. I was reading through the story laughing my butt off. There were times I was rolling on the floor laughing so hard I thought I might wet myself.
And then BAM!!! The Awakening chapter tore me apart. I bawled like my dog had been hit by a car and was teetering between life and death. I was destroyed. My heart was crushed. I wasn’t sure if I would survive Kyle’s breakthrough.
I did not expect such an extensive roller coaster of emotions. Kudos to the author for being able to switch direction with the flip of a page. I cannot wait to start the next book and then go total fangirl over the author when I meet her in San Fran in February.
Great book, but be sure to read the first book, Cake, before reading this one! I loved both books!!! and you will too, guaranteed – just look at all of the adjectives used to describe it!
LOVE this book!! This author is definitely a one-click for me!
One of those books
Absolutely loved this book once you get past the first several chapters. I liked some of the build up but it seemed a little to much at times. After that though it was a great read. I laughed so hard once they were on the island and could really picture what was happening.
Make look at yourself
A great read regardless of the the frame of .indeed of the reader. Great story….well written.
Loved this book and the whole series about this family and the tragedy that has haunted each of them. Couldn’t put it down!
Great 2nd book in the series. We really get to understand why Kyle acts as he does, and reacts as he does- and how the tragedy affected them all