First Love, Second Chance

by Amanda Clark

Librarian Note: This edition's ISBN is in conflict with another's in the database - The Fire in the Diamond.

Tommy Black
After overcoming a wild, reckless youth, he's finally become a respected member of the community. And he owes it all to one female - his six-year-old daughter, Chipper. She means more to him than anyone - except maybe Julia Marshall. But ten years ago, he'd foolishly hurt Julia. Ten years ago, she left town and never came back. Now, circumstances have brought Julia home and Tommy's not about to blow his second chance.

Julia Marshall
Home is the last place on earth she wants to be. She's finally managed to put her unhappy childhood behind her and make a name for herself in New York. But no sooner has she arrived than Tommy Black, her first love, is on her doorstep, asking for a second chance. How can she ever forgive him? Holding out against Tommy isn't easy, though - especially when Chipper has already stolen her heart!

Genres: Romance

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 1995

About the author

Amanda was born in Colchester but now lives on the edge of the Lake District and the border of Scotland. She lives with her hubby of fourteen years and her youngest son. They have a mini zoo of animals to keep them busy, dogs, cats, ferrets and reptiles. When she isn't writing or spending time with her family she can be found curled up reading.

Reviews

[Naksed · Rating 1 out of 5]

TEN YEARS PRIOR:

Him: I love you

Her: I love you, too. Are you sure this isn't just some teenage high-school romance?

Him: I am sure. I love you.

Her: I love you too. You are the only one that I loved since, as you know, my adoptive parents have been abusive and neglectful, and the whole town shuns me as a loser. You are my only hope and I am a very impressionable 17 year old girl, you won't betray me right?

Him: Never! I will write to you every day and in a year, you can transfer your college to somewhere closer to me so we can be together forever. Cause I love you!

Her: I love you too! Let's make this last night together count.


TEN YEARS LATER:

Him: Oh hi! Since you're back in town and I have nothing better to do, let's just pick right off even though I never wrote to you like I promised, broke your heart, spent the last 10 years whoring around, and even fathered an adorable illegitimate daughter.

Her: Errr... I am not 100% sure if I should trust you...

Him: WHAT???!!! HOW DARE YOU QUESTION ME YOU DRIED-UP OLD PRUNE? What are you, a loser who keeps grudges for years instead of boldly taking life by both hands? If that's the kind of bitter, irrational, grudge-loving meanie you are, I want nothing to do with you.

Her: Okay, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'M SORRY, I LOVE YOU! DON'T GO, FORGIVE ME, I LOVE YOU!

Him: After due consideration, I have decided I am graceful enough to accept your belated apologies. For this, I will bestow on you THE GREATEST HONOR which is to uproot your entire life and stay in this old town of bad memories with me to become my devoted wife and mother to my adorable illegitimate daughter.

Her: Just for giggles and shit though, why did you never write me as promised, breaking my heart, then spend the past 10 years whoring around, and even fathered an adorable illegitimate daughter?

Him: For the simple reason that I was the noblest lord in all the land, unable to say nay to the plea by your witch of an abusive adoptive mother who cried some crocodile tears on my shoulder and asked me never to contact you again, so you would have a chance to have a college education without any male distractions. Naturally, I obeyed her unfailing logic and obvious unconditional love for you without any questions or concerns. As for my whoring around, I have repeatedly told you not to worry about it, because IN MY HEART, there was no one other than you, capeesh?

Her: Capeesh!

[Debbie DiFiore · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just could not get into this story. Chipper the Heros a daughter was the best part of the book. She went away when she was 17, he told her he wouldn't forget her and would write everyday but he didn't. After a year she married someone else, which was a mistake, and they quickly divorced. I never understood that part. He had a reason for not writing but it was lame. Then he started drinking and had sex with everyone he could until a daughter was dumped on his front porch. She goes back because her adoptive mother died and they meet again. He immediately wants her back but she is still hurt from him not writing or anything. It just wasn't good to me. She grew up on the sheep farm and she started doing it again and she was happy. She loved Chipper and was still in love with the ex and after much back and forth they get their HEA. Just didn't like the story and too many years apart. And a plodding story line. Questions left unanswered and just total blandness.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first romance novel I ever picked up. it came in a harlequin set that had. 4 books plus my first ever Diana Palmer novel. I was 11 at the time. and it started me on my love affair with books that's lasted my whole life. .22 years later I still have every book in that set. But my first book boyfriend will always be Tommy Black:)

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

We understand that the h didn't have the best of families growing up and that it was a dreary existence and she pins her hope too highly on the first guy she meets in her first party. But, then overblowing it 10 years later was a bit too much. The plot twists such as the flooding, secondary characters with some great romance save this book.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ughhh so good I was holding my breath wanting to know what happened between these two people and I fell in love with Tommy’s daughter chipper and I was angry because Julia just wanted to fight there love and come up with excuses but in the end it still keeps you on your toes and the outcome is all you could ever hope for

[Tom Johns · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this due to boredom back when it first came out and one of the women in my family was part of a book club mailing. Sad to admit, I loved it. I actually had a hard time putting it down. Its a book that has stuck in my memory all these years.