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Second Thoughts
It’s hard to forget a passionate love. Melissa spent four years hoping the memories of Sara would fade. When she met Bettina, life had been transformed and happiness seemed assured now their wedding plans were underway. Pity, Sara chose just this moment to show up and rekindle what Melissa had believed was ash.
Not only does Sara’s unexpected return throw plans into confusion, but a dark family secret is dragged along behind it. Melissa is stunned to see herself reappraising her long term future with Bettina and the plans they'd carefully made.
Not only does Sara’s unexpected return throw plans into confusion, but a dark family secret is dragged along behind it. Melissa is stunned to see herself reappraising her long term future with Bettina and the plans they'd carefully made.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 9, 2014
16 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Jade Winters
79 books214 followersWhile Jade Winters has been putting words together since she was a child, it wasn’t until 2010 that she became a serious writer. Today, as a full-time author, she has published four novels in the lesbian fiction genre as well as several short stories. Jade was born and educated in London where she studied journalism for three years at a London University. She is the youngest of 6 children born to a Nigerian father and English mother and blames her love of spicy food on her African heritage. Jade now makes her home in Dorset in the South of England with her partner and furry companions Zorro, Buttons and Zeus.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 18, 2015
3.5 rounded to 4.
Second Thoughts has many flaws. The plot lacks originality, and the story might be a bit "black and white", with stereotypical characters and sometimes unrealistic behaviors. But it's not too far-fetched either. Not enough to make me run for the hills... which I usually do when I read absurd stories. Admittedly, the family drama is a bit ridiculous and I don't really see the point of it. I don't think writers need several plot lines to make a book enjoyable. In this case, it's truer than ever: the focus could have easily been on the love story only, and it still would have been a good book. Actually, it would have been a better book, with all the writer's energy put into Mel and Sara.
Apart from that, really, I have to say I loved the story. I am a sucker for stories about true love, lost and recovered, and all that. So Second Thoughts is not very original and reminded me of a lot of fanfictions I've read in the past, but it's full of feelings. Without revealing too much of Sara and Mel's past, Jade Winters is able to convey their undying love for one another, and that's a hard thing to achieve.
Melissa is infuriating. She tries so hard to do the "right" thing, when she knows she's hopelessly in love with Sara still. Realistically, I understand that she's trying to save her soon-to-be marriage, but the romantic in me just can't understand why she fights it for so long. But, for the sake of entertainment and angst, I can understand it had to happen that way. However, I would have maybe liked some more fluffy moments at the end of the story between Sara and Mel. We spend the whole book waiting for them to get back together, and the ending is a bit disappointing, a bit "flat", a bit rushed too. In the end, we don't really get to see much of them as a couple. I would have loved a longer story, with more flashbacks from their past as a couple, and maybe a more explosive reunion and a more satisfying epilogue.
I could compare this book to a few of Melissa Brayden's, in the structure of it, the general feel of it as well. Although Winters is still a bit behind the romance genius, she has the potential to write really sweet stories.
I am quite difficult when it comes to romance, and I don't give high ratings easily. So if you're a romantic at heart, if you enjoy the idea of "the one", if you like light angst and emotions... give this one a go!
Second Thoughts has many flaws. The plot lacks originality, and the story might be a bit "black and white", with stereotypical characters and sometimes unrealistic behaviors. But it's not too far-fetched either. Not enough to make me run for the hills... which I usually do when I read absurd stories. Admittedly, the family drama is a bit ridiculous and I don't really see the point of it. I don't think writers need several plot lines to make a book enjoyable. In this case, it's truer than ever: the focus could have easily been on the love story only, and it still would have been a good book. Actually, it would have been a better book, with all the writer's energy put into Mel and Sara.
Apart from that, really, I have to say I loved the story. I am a sucker for stories about true love, lost and recovered, and all that. So Second Thoughts is not very original and reminded me of a lot of fanfictions I've read in the past, but it's full of feelings. Without revealing too much of Sara and Mel's past, Jade Winters is able to convey their undying love for one another, and that's a hard thing to achieve.
Melissa is infuriating. She tries so hard to do the "right" thing, when she knows she's hopelessly in love with Sara still. Realistically, I understand that she's trying to save her soon-to-be marriage, but the romantic in me just can't understand why she fights it for so long. But, for the sake of entertainment and angst, I can understand it had to happen that way. However, I would have maybe liked some more fluffy moments at the end of the story between Sara and Mel. We spend the whole book waiting for them to get back together, and the ending is a bit disappointing, a bit "flat", a bit rushed too. In the end, we don't really get to see much of them as a couple. I would have loved a longer story, with more flashbacks from their past as a couple, and maybe a more explosive reunion and a more satisfying epilogue.
I could compare this book to a few of Melissa Brayden's, in the structure of it, the general feel of it as well. Although Winters is still a bit behind the romance genius, she has the potential to write really sweet stories.
I am quite difficult when it comes to romance, and I don't give high ratings easily. So if you're a romantic at heart, if you enjoy the idea of "the one", if you like light angst and emotions... give this one a go!
December 27, 2014
Yet again I'm bemused at the reviews about a book. The heroine was stupid. She was badly treated and still didn't do anything about it. I hate vapid heroines. Everything was tidied up to quickly and too well. There was nothing realistic about any of this story. No one behaved like a real person. Bettina was controlling. Sara walked out without so much as a by-your-leave and then waltzes back in. A reason was never given for the dislike of Bettina by Melissa's friends. There was never a hard choice, Mel should have completely walked away from the whole messed up situation. Sara never suggested how she thought it could possibly work out for her and Melissa let alone why she should be worth a consideration. The whole story of Eli was ridiculous. What happened with Scott was bizarre and distasteful, especially at the wedding. The fact that everyone thought they could keep secrets and that no one else deserved the right to know was also distasteful. I can't recommend this book.
March 6, 2017
A hardly believable plot and a bunch of unlikable characters, including the protagonists.
November 2, 2014
When Melissa’s partner Sara, the love of her life walked away from her four years earlier to pursue her career in America, Melissa was devastated. It was only in the last six months that she’d been able to put the past mostly behind her and move on with her life. Melissa is now engaged to Bettina.
Unfortunately for Melissa, Sara shows up unexpectedly causing Melissa to have serious doubts and to question her love for Bettina. All the familiar feelings and desires come rushing back to her. What on earth can she do? She’s committed to marry Bettina now and can’t let her down.
Bettina is hiding a secret of her own. Which if revealed may cast further doubts in Melissa’s mind.
This is a time when Melissa should be ecstatically happy, her wedding is fast looming, as is the insemination date for impregnating Bettina. Instead, Melissa is profoundly unhappy and her life is disintegrating around her.
As well as Sara’s return, Melissa’s sister Eli discovers a deep, dark family secret which rears up to cast further anguish for them all. Will the pain never end?
Will Melissa marry Bettina? Or will Sara win her heart back again?
As with each new Jade Winters book, this has now become my firm favorite, at least until the next book. This romance with an unexpected twist, is well written and is a page turner from the very first sentence right through to the last. The story had me sitting on the edge of my seat feverishly ripping through the pages until I reached the end. The suspense was spellbinding and the intrigue intense.
Melissa had a hard choice to make. In her head, she knew what she should do, but what is she to do when her heart was telling her to do something different? This book had me actually rooting for one person and then changing my mind as the story progressed. I won’t add in any spoilers, that wouldn’t be right, but nothing is as it seems in this story, which is what made it such an emotionally charged book to read.
Usually there are two or maybe three main characters. But, I feel that almost all of these characters are main characters. All are multi-faceted and well written. They seamlessly interact with one another to progress the story along at a really nice pace. All play a huge part in the Melissa, Bettina, Sara love triangle and are essential to the plot.
One of the many things I love about Jade Winters books is that I can identify with the characters. They are real to me, everyday people we have as friends and acquaintances and I can lose myself totally in their stories. The settings are everyday settings, easy to visualize with Jade’s way of showing the reader instead of telling them.
From the first book I read of Jade’s and up to this last one, I can see how her writing has improved. Her storytelling has earned her the title of master storyteller on my list of excellent and worthy authors. Jade’s name is up there with some of the biggest names in lesbian fiction as a ‘must buy, must read’, for me. I eagerly await her next book.
Unfortunately for Melissa, Sara shows up unexpectedly causing Melissa to have serious doubts and to question her love for Bettina. All the familiar feelings and desires come rushing back to her. What on earth can she do? She’s committed to marry Bettina now and can’t let her down.
Bettina is hiding a secret of her own. Which if revealed may cast further doubts in Melissa’s mind.
This is a time when Melissa should be ecstatically happy, her wedding is fast looming, as is the insemination date for impregnating Bettina. Instead, Melissa is profoundly unhappy and her life is disintegrating around her.
As well as Sara’s return, Melissa’s sister Eli discovers a deep, dark family secret which rears up to cast further anguish for them all. Will the pain never end?
Will Melissa marry Bettina? Or will Sara win her heart back again?
As with each new Jade Winters book, this has now become my firm favorite, at least until the next book. This romance with an unexpected twist, is well written and is a page turner from the very first sentence right through to the last. The story had me sitting on the edge of my seat feverishly ripping through the pages until I reached the end. The suspense was spellbinding and the intrigue intense.
Melissa had a hard choice to make. In her head, she knew what she should do, but what is she to do when her heart was telling her to do something different? This book had me actually rooting for one person and then changing my mind as the story progressed. I won’t add in any spoilers, that wouldn’t be right, but nothing is as it seems in this story, which is what made it such an emotionally charged book to read.
Usually there are two or maybe three main characters. But, I feel that almost all of these characters are main characters. All are multi-faceted and well written. They seamlessly interact with one another to progress the story along at a really nice pace. All play a huge part in the Melissa, Bettina, Sara love triangle and are essential to the plot.
One of the many things I love about Jade Winters books is that I can identify with the characters. They are real to me, everyday people we have as friends and acquaintances and I can lose myself totally in their stories. The settings are everyday settings, easy to visualize with Jade’s way of showing the reader instead of telling them.
From the first book I read of Jade’s and up to this last one, I can see how her writing has improved. Her storytelling has earned her the title of master storyteller on my list of excellent and worthy authors. Jade’s name is up there with some of the biggest names in lesbian fiction as a ‘must buy, must read’, for me. I eagerly await her next book.
October 12, 2014
It keeps amazing me how easy it is to connect with either a storyline, or an emotion, or with certain thoughts in Jade Winters' books. Every single time her characters do something or say something or think something that reminds me of people in my life or of myself. It is not different with this book. I really appreciate how easy the author makes it for the reader - well, at least for me - to connect.
"Second Thoughts" is a very quick read. Melissa finds herself between two women she loves. With Bettina she is about to start a family, but when Sara comes back into her life she is reminded of what she's lost a few years ago when they parted. Now it's all about finding out what she actually wants from life and who she really wants in it. But Sara is not the only ghost from the past, who's suddenly surfaced. Melissa's older sister Eli finds out a devastating secret about their parents, who died in an accident a few years ago. And it affects both sisters' lives.
Each storyline is fast paced and a joy to read about. Like in all the other Winters' books the characters and the struggles they have to go through are real and credible, and the main characters very likeable. If you're in the mood for something romantic (with a dark twist), you really should give it a go!
By the way:
A while ago the author supported a fundraising for Stonewall by agreeing to name one of her characters in "Second Thoughts" after the winner of an auction. My friend Sue won the auction. She asked Jade to use her girlfriend Bettina's name for the book (how very romantic is that?). Jade could have named a waitress Bettina, or some other for the story unimportant character. Nobody would ever have expected her to give the name to a main character. But she did - and made some people very happy.
"Second Thoughts" is a very quick read. Melissa finds herself between two women she loves. With Bettina she is about to start a family, but when Sara comes back into her life she is reminded of what she's lost a few years ago when they parted. Now it's all about finding out what she actually wants from life and who she really wants in it. But Sara is not the only ghost from the past, who's suddenly surfaced. Melissa's older sister Eli finds out a devastating secret about their parents, who died in an accident a few years ago. And it affects both sisters' lives.
Each storyline is fast paced and a joy to read about. Like in all the other Winters' books the characters and the struggles they have to go through are real and credible, and the main characters very likeable. If you're in the mood for something romantic (with a dark twist), you really should give it a go!
By the way:
A while ago the author supported a fundraising for Stonewall by agreeing to name one of her characters in "Second Thoughts" after the winner of an auction. My friend Sue won the auction. She asked Jade to use her girlfriend Bettina's name for the book (how very romantic is that?). Jade could have named a waitress Bettina, or some other for the story unimportant character. Nobody would ever have expected her to give the name to a main character. But she did - and made some people very happy.
November 4, 2014
This is a book that tugs at your heart, you will easily related to the characters in the story even if you haven't experienced the same heartache with your first love.
At the start of the story, I didn't like Sara, primarily with how she left off with Melissa. More the story went on, the more I feel for her and I was heart broken at the scene when Melissa and Sara both broke down embracing each other and crying, knowing despite their love for each other, Sara is letting Melissa go, and Melissa is going to marry Bettina. I like the supporting cast of the book as well.
My only small problem with this book is on the sub plot over Scott and Eli. Yes, it was significant enough to bring Eli and Melissa together but personally I think the book is good enough even without this sub plot. All in all, I'll recommend this book.
At the start of the story, I didn't like Sara, primarily with how she left off with Melissa. More the story went on, the more I feel for her and I was heart broken at the scene when Melissa and Sara both broke down embracing each other and crying, knowing despite their love for each other, Sara is letting Melissa go, and Melissa is going to marry Bettina. I like the supporting cast of the book as well.
My only small problem with this book is on the sub plot over Scott and Eli. Yes, it was significant enough to bring Eli and Melissa together but personally I think the book is good enough even without this sub plot. All in all, I'll recommend this book.
July 10, 2021
Brilliant
I loved sharing Sara and Melissa’s journey. Profound feelings of loss, betrayal, and eventually a healing love and commitment to each other. Characters were well developed and relatable and the secondary characters were crucial to the plot. A very good read. I enthusiastically and unequivocally recommend this and any other works by this author. Thank you Peace
I loved sharing Sara and Melissa’s journey. Profound feelings of loss, betrayal, and eventually a healing love and commitment to each other. Characters were well developed and relatable and the secondary characters were crucial to the plot. A very good read. I enthusiastically and unequivocally recommend this and any other works by this author. Thank you Peace
June 23, 2017
I Really Liked It
First, the book was well written and edited. Second, the story was really interesting. I got really frustrated with two of the characters, and I do wish that Ms. Winters had fleshed out Gate's character a little more.
All in all, it's an enjoyable story that has no steamy sex scenes, so I would give it a PG-13 rating. ☺
First, the book was well written and edited. Second, the story was really interesting. I got really frustrated with two of the characters, and I do wish that Ms. Winters had fleshed out Gate's character a little more.
All in all, it's an enjoyable story that has no steamy sex scenes, so I would give it a PG-13 rating. ☺
May 27, 2018
TUMULTUOUS😱
This story had me so frustrated 😞. I was nearly ready to leave it unfinished. Because sadly this Melissa had been written like a spineless woman and that was just to aggravating. Thankfully it didn't go very much longer. And I was able too complete the book.
This story had me so frustrated 😞. I was nearly ready to leave it unfinished. Because sadly this Melissa had been written like a spineless woman and that was just to aggravating. Thankfully it didn't go very much longer. And I was able too complete the book.
October 12, 2014
This is another page turner. Do you decide to go with your head or your heart. Melissa has ambitions of marrying Bettina and have a family. This was fine until Sara turns up.
All the characters have their own stories and like the skillful author that Jade is your emotions are pulled one way and the other. This is a must for anyone who likes an emotional roller coaster this is the book for you. This story has touched me in many ways and it has plenty of subjects to talk discuss with your friends.
10/10
All the characters have their own stories and like the skillful author that Jade is your emotions are pulled one way and the other. This is a must for anyone who likes an emotional roller coaster this is the book for you. This story has touched me in many ways and it has plenty of subjects to talk discuss with your friends.
10/10
January 10, 2020
Another pretty decent book by Jade Winters. I'm going to need to re-read it again at some point because I read this on my Kobo Aura ereader and only got 3/4 the way through before the Kobo bit the dust and I didn't get to finish it. But I'm sure it's just as great as her other ones.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews