Second Chances

by Jeff Erno

Harold Wainwright is dying. At seventy-nine, stricken with malignant cancer, the multi-billionaire insurance mogul realizes he has much to regret. In his youth he rejected his only true love and instead chose to advance his career and build his financial empire. Single-mindedly he focused upon achieving his own goals, looking out for number one, and acquiring a monetary fortune. Now he is alone, and all he has is his money…and his life is over.

Doctor Timothy Drayton has devoted his entire career to developing the technology to prolong human life. His entire focus has been upon creating a computer chip which can be implanted into the human brain, allowing human consciousness to be transferred from one human subject into the mind of another. Given optimum circumstances, he is confident that he can now preserve the consciousness of a dying patient into the mind of a donor subject with a surgically electronic implant.

Jesse Warren is eighteen years old, about to graduate from high school. He’s a track star, model student, and the typical all-American kid. One day while on his way to track practice, tragedy strikes, and Jesse is in a terrible accident, rendered comatose. When his family learns the horrifying news, they believe they’ve lost their son forever. Jesse Warren is pronounced “brain dead”.

When neurosurgeon and world-renowned brain specialist Dr. Timothy Drayton arrives, telling the Warren family that he has an advanced form of experimental treatment which can possibly save young Jesse and restore his consciousness, the Warrens are convinced that God has sent them a miracle. They are overjoyed the next morning when their son undergoes surgery and awakens as a new man. His memory loss, they are convinced, is amnesia due to his accident.

Jesse lives, and is given a second chance. Will his new life prove to be the impetus for significant change, or will the old Harold Wainwright emerge to make the same mistakes a second time around? Most of us are given but one chance to make the right choices, but imagine if… there were such things as Second Chances.

Genres: M M Romance, LGBT, Romance, Contemporary, Science Fiction

251 pages, Paperback

First published December 23, 2011

About the author

Jeff Erno currently lives in southern Michigan. He holds a bachelor's degree in business management and human resources. Jeff began writing stories in the late 1990's and initially posted them to a free online amateur website. The positive feedback he received from readers encouraged him to continue, and this eventually led to the publication of his first novel, Dumb Jock. Erno has subsequently published several other novels.

His greatest passion in life is writing, and he hopes to be able to continue sharing his work with readers worldwide.

Reviews

[Darien · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of my reviews and ramblings at PANTS OFF REVIEWS

This story has a very interesting concept. Imagine being given the opportunity to have a second chance at life. That’s what’s been offered to billionaire Harold Wainwright who is dying of cancer. The offer sounds too good to be true, but also too intriguing to pass up. Looking back at his life, he feels a lot of regret. Yes, he made a ton of money but money means nothing when you’re dead. He gave up his lover all for the pursuit of happiness. Pushed away those closer to him so that in his dying days, all he has is a house full of servants and an internal clock counting down the days until his last breath. So a second chance does sound good, but at what cost.

The Rebirthing Project was supposed to be about something good, giving those who deserved it a second chance at life. Not about peddling money from a rich A-hole billionaire, but Dr Drayton needs the money to continue his research. So he tosses pride out he window and offers the chance to Wainwright. Who would decline something so beautifully unbelievable, and with money being a no issue the deal is had good as done.

Young Jesse is at the top of his game, superstar at school and loved by all. Until he gets up close and personal with a truck which leaves him a completely brain dead, and the perfect donor for Harold Wainwright. The chance at a new life in a new body. Jesse forever gone and Harold now in his place inhabiting his body. For Jesse’s parents and friends all that will matter is that he awake and alive. Yet Jesse is gone, and his consciousness/soul replaced with that of Harold Wainwright.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved that the Harold now Jesse has to experience life anew. He was able to recognize the mistakes he made before, and made attempts to change it. Getting a second chance at love also sweetens the deal. There is so much contained within this novel, it would be crazy to give everything away, but there is a bit of mysterious intrigue going on and it makes the story come alive. The idea of being able to place someone’s consciousness into a new body is intriguing enough on its own. I think it was expressed well in the writing.

Jeff has a gift in writing about young lovers. The sweetness of the first time, yet he manages to mix in the heartache so effortlessly. I was surprised by Second Chances, and I fell in love with Jesse and Phillip (Jesse’s lover and best-friend) they were so sweet. This is quite unlike anything I have read of Mr Erno before and I can honestly say that I really like it. It still embodies all that we love about his writing.

I say... you give Second Chances a chance to capture your heart and fall in love. There is mystery, a cunning doctor and a bittersweet romance.


SideNote- That blurb is too freaking long!

[Jeff Erno]

Second Chances receives 5-star review from Man Oh Man Reviews http://manohmanreviews.blogspot.com/2...

Second Chances receives 4-star review from Pants Off Reviews http://pantsoffreviews.blogspot.com/2...

Glowing review by Amos Lassen http://reviewsbyamoslassen.com/?p=13254

Elisa Rolle gives Second Chances a 4-star review http://reviews-and-ramblings.dreamwid...

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stars: 2.5/5

Overall
This novel held more potential than was realized and I had some pretty large issues with it. Still, it wasn't painful to read and I didn't need to force myself to finish. It was easy going and had a very sweet romance. This is one where different readers will probably have very different feelings on the matter, and I can only offer my opinions.

Strengths
The story centered around an interesting concept of one man's mind/soul being placed into another's body. I had some difficulty understanding the doctor's motivations until later in the story, but I enjoyed seeing the challenges that New Jesse experienced as he tries to fit into Jesse's life while still retaining much of Harold's preferences. Although this plot contains some science fiction elements, it's not so far outside the realm of possibility that it could be considered straight sci-fi. Er, hardcore sci-fi.

The romance Jesse experiences is very sweet and pure, like young love, and I liked how those elements were handled, carefully rebuilding a friendship that one person doesn't remember while delving into a relationship. The romance is very tender but moves pretty quickly since they are young men in love. Hormones do that to you, I hear. You can't help but want them to get together.

Although I had some major issues with this book (as I list below), it was still a pretty good read. Although it's not something I'd probably pick up and read again, it's also not something I'd warn people against or fight against having to re-read.

Weaknesses
The writing was okay, but a little heavy handed and stiff at times. Also, the repetition of "second chance" annoyed me. Obviously it was the theme of the book, but it didn't need to be pointed out so often, even in times when it would naturally come up, I think alternative phrases would have helped. A minor niggle which I could have forgiven if it blended into the writing more. However, as I didn't find the writing to be as natural as previous Erno works, I was more easily distracted by minor word choices.

While I enjoyed the plot concept, I felt it was a little abused. Part of this relates to the author's repeated use of "second chance" as a theme--slightly more than a theme since it permeates every element of the book. By the final third of the novel I knew how everything was going to turn out, even if I didn't know the specifics. Obviously with romances the two main characters are generally going to end up together, but I feel even beyond that this ending was predictable. This could just be me, though, but if you're a reader who likes surprises and figures out endings, (and if predictability bothers you), then you may want to steer clear.

Regarding the ending: I feel there were some unresolved issues that didn't get addressed and needed to be.

Also, I was a little annoyed by how much Harold flung around money. Obviously he's used to being rich and I think he gets a just reward in the end, but books that inadvertently say that money solves everything--even when they are trying to say the opposite--get under my skin in the bad way.

Received this book for review.
Be sure to check out my other reviews on my blog.

[Madison Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leave it to Jeff Erno to get me so invested in his characters, I can not put the book down. I was hooked right from the start. After reading my last book that took me a WEEK to get through, I knew I needed to visit Jeff Erno's bookshelf, and this one did not disappoint. I read it all in one shot.

I love good sci-fi, and this story had some really interesting plot twists, complete with super-villain. It reminded me vaguely of the movie "The Island" starring Ewan McGregor (great, great sci-fi flick). I don't usually comment while I'm reading a book, but I had such intense reactions, I had to log in here and comment along the way.

I don't even know what I can say about the plot or even about the characters without giving too much away. It's just too good to spoil it for future readers. I can say that I absolutely loved Phillip. What a sweet, gentle soul. The intimate moments between Phillip and Jesse were so well written - believable, sexy, tender. But this book is so much more than a great romance. It's good sci-fi, too, and will leave you with considerable food for thought.

[Simsala · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 75 %

Interesting premise turned out to be a sugary sweet,unbearably preachy and predictable story!

Edited April,13th 2012
I didn`t give it a rating in January but someone asked for it now!

[CB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a different read and Jeff Erno pulls it off amazingly! A MC you love to hate, then end up rooting for. I don't know where authors come up with these ideas but I'm sure glad they do and this one provided hours of interesting scheming, plotting and charm. I've read it twice and it's going back on my to-be-read again shelf.

[Valentina Heart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Romance Reviews and can also be found there.

Jeff Erno is one of those authors who either knock me off my feet with their brilliance or just leave me unable to hold on to the story and simply get defeated by excessive sweetness. It's a sort of a trademark, because his characters always use sugary sentences and have a tendency for drama. Sometimes it works perfectly and sometimes it just doesn't.

This particular story had too many difficult topics shoved into one book and the author ended up struggling with balancing the romance with the serious issues. Harold is an old and bitter man who is dying. He's had a straight road to success without caring for others, actually going so far as despising any type of weakness and compassion. He made his way on the suffering of others and by denying them the help they needed. He was even proud of that fact.

In comes a doctor who needs funding for a project and gives Harold the opportunity the man just can't refuse. He tells him he can transfer Harold's consciousness into the body of a young man who had an accident and was brain dead. Harold of course accepts and is transferred into the body of young Jesse, resuming his life and trying not to do the same mistakes again.

There is much more to the story, from love to backstabbing, but the main core of it lies in the moral dilemmas and decisions people make in their lives were they often have a choice to make, whether they prefer the money or happiness. I have to say some aspects of it made me uncomfortable when it came to the ‘good' doctor, his decisions and plans left a bad taste in my mouth and made me question all the characters in the book. Others seemed completely illogical, not to mention rushed, especially at the end of the book and even the emotional high points couldn't pull the story out of the cluster of unthought through information.

I couldn't really come to terms with the old and bitter Harold becoming another copy of Jesse in such a short period of time. I kept expecting him to show his true face or at least some of it and once I finally accepted him as a changed man, or rather forgot he even was Harold, there was this flashback that just brought it all back and showed Harold as a cruel person even when he was Jesse's age. Not a good way to endear him to the readers.

Phillip and Jacob where the only two genuine and good characters I got to meet really well (it must be the gene pool) and I felt offended on their behalf. Both were used for others in more ways than one while there was nothing but goodness and acceptance in them. It made them really sweet but in comparison, everyone else was just deceitful and bad.

I would have liked to have met the original Jesse and he is the only one who would have fit with Phillip in my opinion. Even though that never happened, I still kept expecting Jesse to surface and for the whole experiment to fall through. Still not sure if I wouldn't have preferred it that way. Even so, Philip turned out not to be one of the brightest tools in the box by the end and I kind of resent the author for making him fall in my eyes. But now I'm touching the issue of that rushed ending and all the illogical stuff that concluded the story so I'll just stop here.

SECOND CHANCES is exactly what the title says, an opportunity. An unconventional one, impossible, but still just that and I admire the author for tackling such a difficult subject. He touched taboo topics and created characters who encountered challenges daily and were more than capable of breaking a reader's heart. I might not have loved this one as I did some of his other work but he remains an author worthy of attention and everyone should read at least one Jeff Erno book. (Just disregard the creepy cover, it really doesn't relate good to the story.)

[Elisa Rolle]

Like most of his previous novels (if not all), this new story by Jeff Erno is centred around young adult character on the edge of adulthood. But in a way this story is more mature, still about love, and still with the opposition in characters Jeff Erno likes, a young sweet man, a submissive, and a little adult in the making, a dominant. But this time, even if hinted, the submissive/dominant relationship is not the key of the story, but only a supporting element.

Harold and Jacob were two lover in the ’60. The time was not good for them to be in love, Harold had ambition that were not reconcilable with a gay lover, and so he broke up with Jacob. That was the huge mistake of his life, a mistake that now, 40 years later, is still regretting, even more after reading of Jacob’s death to AIDS years before. Then a man, a doctor, someone who tells him was Jacob’s friend, comes with an offer: if Harold is willing to give up all his money to the doctor, he will transfer Harold’s consciousness into the body of a young man, Jesse, a boy that is in vegetative coma and that has no chance to awaken. Harold is not killing Jesse, Jesse is already dead, Harold is only using his body, a little like if he was having a 100% transplant of all his organs other that the consciousness.

This is Harold’s second chance, and when he awakens in Jesse’s body, he discovers the boy was best friend with Philip, Jacob’s nephew and his spitting image. Not only that Philip is gay as it was his uncle, and he is in love with Jesse. Harold understands that is really his second chance and that this time he has all the right aces to be a good man and do the right thing, something he was not willing to do before.

It’s strange, but I was sad for Jesse; true, Harold is making “good use” of his body, and he is behaving in a right way, but Jesse, from what we learn, was really a good boy, someone that had all the right to fully live and love. While I was glad that Harold had his second chance, at the same time I was regretting the same chance was not given to Jesse. Harold is an adult, and he is living his life like an adult would do in the body of a teenager; more or less he is taking all the right decisions since he knows the consequences, and Jesse will never have the chance to wrong and make it better through experience. But, all right, I think that is the concept of the novel, and what it makes it interesting.

Philip is another of the cute and pretty boy by Jeff Erno; on comparison to other similar character, Philip is more pretty, he is someone who could have been a leader on his own way, but the illness (he has cancer in remission) made him a more subdue character, someone Jesse, the stronger of the two, has always protected. Philip loves Jesse, and how he could not? His is a little hero worship, Philip has not really known anything different, for him Jesse is the best he can achieve… actually he is lucky that is really like that, Philip is one of those lucky persons who will meet and love their soul mates forever and only.

There is a little less sex, or better the story is less centred around sex, than other novel by Jeff Erno, but in any case these two young men are sexually active. What is probably nice is that Harold is respecting Philip (and Jesse’s age) and he is not immediately moving their relationship on a physical level, he gives time to both of them to adjust, exactly how it would be right to do if you had 18 years old (but that not always 18 years old do!)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1603818766/?...

[Eden Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! I LOVED this story!

It's odd, but last week I attended a highly scientific talk on how the cells of our bodies are shaped by their environment, and that down to the molecular level, we are "us" and can affect those around us. I must admit that a good deal of the information went straight over my head, but the gist of it, in my opinion, was that our identity is more than our mere consiousness. That said, I may have seen the character of Harold/Jesse differently for, to me, Jesse was still there on a very basic level, and Harold's miraculous change of heart was not only a product of his remorse, but of Jesse's subconsious influence.

At first I was leery of a man near eighty and an eighteen-year-old, but then, like I mentioned above, I think Harold became more of Jesse than he realized. And I absolutely adore redemption tales, so this book warmed my heart. I must admit that I didn't see the twist coming, but I rested assured that the author would provide a happy ending.

I read for many reasons: escape, pleasure, to learn, etc., but I also enjoy, from a sociologist standpoint, getting deep into another's mind, figuring out what makes them tick. In that aspect, I was drawn to the character of Doctor Timothy Drayton. Recently I read an article about how, if we compromise our principles once, it's easier the next time we reach a moral dilemma, and if we don't stop ourselves, we get mired further and further in behavior we would once have abhorred. That's what happened to the doctor, someone who wanted only to help at first, now descended to unscrupulous madness. And Jacob. Sigh. I just wanted to hug the guy. I didn't quite understand how the transferance between him and Philip happened at the end, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment. It happened, I cried, I smiled, I put the book down, having stayed up too late (again) to reach the very satisfying conclusion.

The bottom line is this: Jeff Erno gave me complex characters that I truly cared about, and a highly interesting story that kept me turning the pages. It's fantasy, it's sci-fi, it's touchingly sweet, a bit of thriller at times, and, even if Harold may not have deserved a happy ending, Harold/Jesse did. And you know what? We only see how bad Harold is through his own eyes and Timothy's. Some folks are pretty hard on themselves, and Timothy's opinion was colored by jealousy, so maybe Harold did deserve his second chance after all.

[ManOhMan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Jamie: Well aside from the slightly creepy front cover, all I can say is, wow!

Having read Jeff Erno before and loved it, reviewing this was certainly a pleasure. Whilst not entirely complex in the writing, Erno tells a tale so well you're dying to get to the end to find out what happens.

As ever, there are some poignant and angsty moments. I think it was on page 9 I almost shed a tear along with a laugh. There was a very bittersweet flavour to this tale, and as I said whilst not overly complex the writing flows easily, and is unpretentious in every way.

The story was a wonderful tale, and a brilliant idea. It also raised some moral questions (not least within myself as the reader!) so if you are not prepared for a bit of soul searching, best not tempt fate!

Whilst a lot of names are mentioned in the blurb, the story is relatively easy -- in a sense -- to follow. The part that isn't easy, is watching the moral questions/dilemmas of cloning and regenesis unfold.

It is basically about the first couple, Harold and Jacob, who lost their chance. Then it is about Harold's second chance, and what he chooses to do with his second chance at life, and if he wants to share it with anybody. I won't say any more as I'll spoil it!

Very gripping, some amazing scenes (not least of all the love scenes) and I got everything I wanted from this story. It was one of those tales that made me want to go out and change the world when I put it down.

Job well done, Mr Erno.

A+

http://manohmanreviews.blogspot.com/2...

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read about a man who has regrets and is given a chance to fix it. Harold is old, rich, and dying. Nobody loves him, and the one that did, he pushed away. Now he's dying of cancer, wishing that Jacob, his one true love, was still here. When a doctor seems to have a miracle cure, Harold jumps at the chance, hoping to fix his past mistakes. The doctor says that his conciousness will be transferred to a brain-dead person. After his conciousness has been transferred he is no longer Harold, he is Jesse, an athletic teenage boy. Will Jesse find love? Will he fix his past mistakes??? Want to know? Then read it!

[Logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a huge Fan of Jeff's work...especially some of his earlier writing...it is full of steam and the kind of things that make you all Moist...lol...for lack of a better term. This one was super sugary, and really a cool way of looking into the future at something that could possibly happen...the story was def. interesting and the irony of the story was a good way of keeping the story going in the right direction, with just a bit of intrigue. It wasn't as strong as some of his other works I have read, but I will always be a fan of Mr. Erno and will always read your books!

Thanks for another good book!

[Moniqee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting concept of second chance. There are a few WTF instances but these are just immaterial coz to me, Second Chance has a nicely done worldly buildup and these perfectly flawed characters, Do take a plunge on this story, you won't regret it.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Phew! that was too much of a saccharine coated overdose of sweetness and innocence for me. The plot held a lot of promise, but the story didn’t live up to it. However, the ending was the one high spot of the book.
Three Stars

[Laura M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written book about someone who took his second chance at life and did something good with it. I like Jeff's stories because there are always a few twists and turns in the story line that I don't anticipate. A good read with a few emotional scenes and a nice hea.

[Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed second chances although I am not usually a fan of scifi/MM romance when mixed. I think the idea of having a second chance at life really captures the imagination and I and found myself rooting for the main character even though he really did not deserve it.

[Martijn Hartman-maatman · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one Jeff Erno book I didn't like that much. It was a good read and all, but the story just didn't capture me at all. It seemed a bit rushed and to much made up.

The whole idea is nice, but this is not the way to deal with it.

[Lynx · Rating 2 out of 5]

ciddi mantık hataları vardı, öyle ki kitabın sonunda doruğa ulaşınca okuma zevkim buhar oldu. kitaptaki tek ilgi çekici nokta yeni bedenine alışmaya çalışan karakterin alışma evresiydi - hatta sırf bu nedenle kitabın sonunda yazar iyice saçmalamasa 3 yıldızı verilebilirdi

[Brandon Shire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tragic, scary, and heart-warming all at the same time. Recommended.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful read. Hot guys, fun, heart-warming, adventure, suspense, young love, old love - what more could a reader ask for.

[Ryoma Gartre · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't like it, skipped to the end and down right hated it.