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Second Chances: A Romance Writers of America Collection
(Stark World #2.5 (One Night))
by
more…
Do you believe in second chances?
Romance Writers of America® brings together seventeen of today's hottest authors in an anthology of never-before-published tales that reveal true love always deserves a happy ending.
Follow New York Times best-selling authors J. Kenner and Christina Lauren back to reader-favorite worlds.
New York Times bestseller Alyssa Day sprinkles dj ...more
Romance Writers of America® brings together seventeen of today's hottest authors in an anthology of never-before-published tales that reveal true love always deserves a happy ending.
Follow New York Times best-selling authors J. Kenner and Christina Lauren back to reader-favorite worlds.
New York Times bestseller Alyssa Day sprinkles dj ...more
Kindle Edition, 399 pages
Published
September 12th 2017
by Romance Writers of America, Inc.
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Start your review of Second Chances: A Romance Writers of America Collection

Sep 05, 2017
Lacey (laceybooklovers)
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
adult,
arc,
blog-review,
contemporary-romance,
anthology,
second-chance-romance,
review-copy
Originally posted at Booklovers For Life
I love love love second chance romances, so this anthology chock-full of second chance romance stories was perfect for me. It was interesting to see so many different takes on this trope. And despite being short story length, they were all highly developed and well-written. If you love second chance romances too, I highly recommend picking this up!
It’s hard for me to review this with seventeen different stories, but I do want to mention few that stood out ...more
I love love love second chance romances, so this anthology chock-full of second chance romance stories was perfect for me. It was interesting to see so many different takes on this trope. And despite being short story length, they were all highly developed and well-written. If you love second chance romances too, I highly recommend picking this up!
It’s hard for me to review this with seventeen different stories, but I do want to mention few that stood out ...more

Second Chances is a Box Set of Novella Books from different Authors with about 399 pages. I love box sets like these that give you a taste of how the Authors write is a plus with me. In addition, I like Novella books when I am waiting or when I have a few minutes to kill...I am one of those people that once I start a book I cannot put a book down. I have read some of the authors in this set so I knew I would have a few go to books.
Thanks Authors for putting this box set together!
"My honest revi ...more
Thanks Authors for putting this box set together!
"My honest revi ...more

So admittedly, I only got this anthology for the novella by Christina Lauren. What? I'm an addict when it comes to their writing. If you're like me, you're going to be thrilled to be getting Levi's story. And if you're not familiar, Levi is Finn's younger brother from Sweet Filthy Boy.
There are a whole lot of authors packed into this anthology, and this worked out well for me because I got a taste of some authors I've been curious to try but haven't had the chance to yet.
Each story has the same ...more
There are a whole lot of authors packed into this anthology, and this worked out well for me because I got a taste of some authors I've been curious to try but haven't had the chance to yet.
Each story has the same ...more

I've always been a sucker for a good second chance romance, so when I saw that RWA was putting together an anthology titled, Second Chances, I jumped at the chance to read it! I actually didn't look at the author list until I was about to start reading it...and when I saw that the first story in the anthology was written by Christina Lauren, I was thrilled! :D
To be honest, I don't typically read anthologies all the way through, but with this one I did! I did it because I wanted to give the enti ...more
To be honest, I don't typically read anthologies all the way through, but with this one I did! I did it because I wanted to give the enti ...more

** ARC provided by the author for an honest review **
A second chance as defined by Merriam-Webster is an opportunity to try something again after failing one time. In the Romance Writers of America collection, Second Chances seventeen authors give their spin on second chance. These romantic short stories vary in age and genre, guaranteeing there is something for everyone.
The anthology starts off with a visit to the Roberts brothers from one of my favorites, Christina Lauren’s Wild Seasons series ...more
A second chance as defined by Merriam-Webster is an opportunity to try something again after failing one time. In the Romance Writers of America collection, Second Chances seventeen authors give their spin on second chance. These romantic short stories vary in age and genre, guaranteeing there is something for everyone.
The anthology starts off with a visit to the Roberts brothers from one of my favorites, Christina Lauren’s Wild Seasons series ...more

Reviewed for Romancing the Readers Blog: http://romancingthereaders.blogspot.c...
I really love anthologies. It's the perfect way of finding new authors or just enjoy a short story by a author you love. Because of all I just said I have to admit that I was very excited about reading Second Chances.
The fact that they are stories about second chance romances makes it easier dealing with how short the stories are. The characters already know each other so all that's left to do is fall in love...aga ...more
I really love anthologies. It's the perfect way of finding new authors or just enjoy a short story by a author you love. Because of all I just said I have to admit that I was very excited about reading Second Chances.
The fact that they are stories about second chance romances makes it easier dealing with how short the stories are. The characters already know each other so all that's left to do is fall in love...aga ...more

I'm a total sucker for 2nd chance romance- ESPECIALLY any story with high school 2nds chances, which was why I loved Kerri Carpenter's story so much. It hit all my buttons; nerdy computer geek, reunion story, friends-to-lovers. Total perfection!
...more


So, I have been really digging anthologies lately! I love getting short stories I can dive into and finish in one sitting and I love getting a peek into authors I might not have heard of or read before. In this case, those authors I have never read before were ALL of them except Liliana Hart and Tara Wyatt. Yep, I have never read J. Kenner or Christina Lauren. So, here is a perfect way for me to get a taste of LOTS of great new-to-me romance authors! Yay!
All the stories have 1 thing in com ...more

*This review is only for One night by J. Kenner. I am not into second chance romances and I don't think I will read the rest of the stories. *
One night is the latest addition to the Stark universe. It follows Penny and Blake two people who hooked up before and they went their different ways. Now they get their chance at love once again when Blake sees Penny at Damien's office. I liked the book and the characters. The story is stand alone and that makes it easy to read. I would have wanted to exp ...more
One night is the latest addition to the Stark universe. It follows Penny and Blake two people who hooked up before and they went their different ways. Now they get their chance at love once again when Blake sees Penny at Damien's office. I liked the book and the characters. The story is stand alone and that makes it easy to read. I would have wanted to exp ...more

Second Chances features 17 unforgettable and different stories about second chances. I love this trope so much and I got the opportunity to read One Night by J. Kenner. One Night is a sultry and erotic romance about love and taking chances. It is set in the Stark World and I seriously adore the Stark World because it gives so many goosebumps and sweeps me away from reality. J. Kenner is one of my go to authors and her writing is so descriptive that I find myself transported to the she creates. O
...more

Oh my goodness, if you are a fan of romance, the RWA Anthology on second chances is going to make you a very happy reader. I especially loved Kerri's Carpenter's sweet new adult story, Homecoming. It's entertaining from the very first lines in which we find out the hero's name is Ford and he and his bestie Lana Banana have definitely got more than meets the eyes going on with each other. I couldn't stop rooting for them and I think you'll fall in love just as quickly as I did. Happy reading and
...more


Sometimes you need a quick fix when reading, words you can inhale with lightning speed. You need a tale that is going to tempt you to read further but one that you can quickly gobble up in one sitting. You may need a test drive into new author territory before jumping behind the wheel or you may need more from your favorite author. Anotholgies like Second Chances by the Romance Writers of America are the perfect places to test drive authors' words before you thrust full throttle into their books ...more

Anything by J. Kenner is always a definite read for me. I'm a huge fan and it is just an additional plus when it is in the Stark world.
This one being Penny and Blake. Penny is a floater for Damien's company and today she is on his administrative desk. But in a previous world she knew Blake for one of the most beautiful, hot nights of her life. So when she gets a call that her Blake is in the building she all but freezes.
And then the elevator dings. Will this be a second chance?
I received this ...more
This one being Penny and Blake. Penny is a floater for Damien's company and today she is on his administrative desk. But in a previous world she knew Blake for one of the most beautiful, hot nights of her life. So when she gets a call that her Blake is in the building she all but freezes.
And then the elevator dings. Will this be a second chance?
I received this ...more

ARC provided by publisher and author in exchange for an honest review
Review of One Night by J. Kenner: 4.5 Second Times A Charm Stars!
One Night by J. Kenner is a sweet, sexy fast paced second chance romance of two people reuniting. Penny and Blake had a passionate one night stand after meeting each other when their flights were delayed due to a snow storm. Fast forward to several months later, these two reunites when Blake has to do business with the Stark Enterprise, where Penny happens to be t ...more
Review of One Night by J. Kenner: 4.5 Second Times A Charm Stars!
One Night by J. Kenner is a sweet, sexy fast paced second chance romance of two people reuniting. Penny and Blake had a passionate one night stand after meeting each other when their flights were delayed due to a snow storm. Fast forward to several months later, these two reunites when Blake has to do business with the Stark Enterprise, where Penny happens to be t ...more

Lovers of second-chance romances will fall in love with
Second Chances.
There is a story for everyone, from Contemporary to Young Adult to Paranormal to Historical to Romantic Suspense and anywhere in between. Some familiar faces from Christina Lauren’s Wild Seasons series and J. Kenner’s Stark world pop up, and from there, for me, there’s a whole host of authors for the sampling that I’ve never had the chance to read before which is always the best part of an anthology. And RWA did an amazi
...more

Sep 04, 2017
Sue "DavinciKittie" Brown-Moore
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
anthology,
short-story
Read the full review—including an exclusive Q&A with authors Alyssa Day & Brandi Willis Schreiber—on GraveTells: http://bit.ly/GTSecondChances
4.5/5 stars total
THE FAMILY TREE by BRANDI WILLIS SCHREIBER
The Family Tree is a lovely, touching story about second chances—not just in love but with family. The setting and the hero’s nationality (Scottish) cast a homey, romantic glow on the budding relationship between these two people who have suffered loss but yearn for a special someone to call th ...more

4.5/5 stars total
THE FAMILY TREE by BRANDI WILLIS SCHREIBER
The Family Tree is a lovely, touching story about second chances—not just in love but with family. The setting and the hero’s nationality (Scottish) cast a homey, romantic glow on the budding relationship between these two people who have suffered loss but yearn for a special someone to call th ...more

I am just loving an anthology lately! I am still reading through the excellent novellas contained within Second Chances but I wanted to highlight two of the best that I've read so far: One Night by J. Kenner and The Fisher Men by Christina Lauren.
In One Night, we meet Penny and Blake. They shared One Night of passion, but haven't seen each other since. Until Blake happens to show up for a meeting at Stark Enterprises. Their reconciliation begins with dinner and goes from there . . . One Night is ...more
In One Night, we meet Penny and Blake. They shared One Night of passion, but haven't seen each other since. Until Blake happens to show up for a meeting at Stark Enterprises. Their reconciliation begins with dinner and goes from there . . . One Night is ...more

One of my favorite tropes for romance short stories and novellas is the second chance. It makes it infinitely more believable for two people to find their HEA. It clears up the need for a first-meet and makes more room for a good story. This is a really nice mix of stories. I didn't love all of them but I didn't need to, this was more an introduction to the authors and I think that most of these stories probably nice captured the author's tone and writing style.
With sixteen stories, I'm not goin ...more
With sixteen stories, I'm not goin ...more

NOTE: My review covers ONE NIGHT by J. Kenner. I will tack on additional reviews as I read.
About the book: Release Date September 12, 2017
ONE NIGHT by J. Kenner is a Stark World short story found in the multi-authored SECOND CHANCES: A Romance Writers of America anthology.
Told from first person point of view (Penny) ONE NIGHT is a second chance short story focusing on the rekindling romance between our story line heroine and a one night stand-approximately eighteen months earlier- Blake Thornton ...more
About the book: Release Date September 12, 2017
ONE NIGHT by J. Kenner is a Stark World short story found in the multi-authored SECOND CHANCES: A Romance Writers of America anthology.
Told from first person point of view (Penny) ONE NIGHT is a second chance short story focusing on the rekindling romance between our story line heroine and a one night stand-approximately eighteen months earlier- Blake Thornton ...more

Second chance is one of my favorite tropes, and I adored all 17 of the short stories in Second Chances. The anthology is made up of a mix of age groups, from YA to adult (and there’s even a M/M romance, which I love), and each offered a different take on second chance love. From historical to contemporary, to paranormal and romantic suspense, there’s something for everyone in this approximately 400-page book.
I highly recommend this anthology. It’s the perfect way to get a taste for some wonderfu ...more
I highly recommend this anthology. It’s the perfect way to get a taste for some wonderfu ...more

Review of One Night by J. Kenner
I’m a sucker for second chance romances and I was given the opportunity to read One Night by J. Kenner. Although this story was very short, I thought it was incredibly well-crafted. It keeps you riveted from beginning to end. And icing on the cake, this story is set in the world of Stark International, with cameo appearances of Damien Stark, one of my favorite romance hero! Blake and Penny’s second chance story was intense, their chemistry was explosive and their ...more
I’m a sucker for second chance romances and I was given the opportunity to read One Night by J. Kenner. Although this story was very short, I thought it was incredibly well-crafted. It keeps you riveted from beginning to end. And icing on the cake, this story is set in the world of Stark International, with cameo appearances of Damien Stark, one of my favorite romance hero! Blake and Penny’s second chance story was intense, their chemistry was explosive and their ...more

One Night by J Kenner
Can you fall in love at first sight or in just a few hours? That is the pivotal question in this book and has both characters spinning even after several months when they are brought face to face once again. Another night and another chance but does that cement the feelings or make them stronger? I thoroughly enjoyed this tidbit and hope this glimpse is just the appetizer to a full length featuring these two. Definitely recommend this!
**Received this ARC for review**
Can you fall in love at first sight or in just a few hours? That is the pivotal question in this book and has both characters spinning even after several months when they are brought face to face once again. Another night and another chance but does that cement the feelings or make them stronger? I thoroughly enjoyed this tidbit and hope this glimpse is just the appetizer to a full length featuring these two. Definitely recommend this!
**Received this ARC for review**

First story I read was "The Family Tree" by Brandi Willis Schreiber, a wonderfully moving story about love, family, and friends being the family you choose. Ms. Schreiber is a new writer to watch.
...more

***Review for One Night by J. Kenner***
Can a true connection occur in one night?
Can a matter of hours create something worth risking everything for?
These are the questions J Kenner tries to answer in her newest short story set in the Stark World. And while readers only get a small glimpse into the chemistry between Penny and Blake, it's clear that what developed between them in one stolen night can only grow as long as they're both willing to take a risk on one another.
One Night is a short and ...more
Can a true connection occur in one night?
Can a matter of hours create something worth risking everything for?
These are the questions J Kenner tries to answer in her newest short story set in the Stark World. And while readers only get a small glimpse into the chemistry between Penny and Blake, it's clear that what developed between them in one stolen night can only grow as long as they're both willing to take a risk on one another.
One Night is a short and ...more

preface: my rating is based on the Christina Lauren story and not the entire collection of stories as that was the only one I read.
the Christina Lauren story was frankly a little pointless. I get that it's supposed to be short but there really wasn't a lot of character development and based on what we were given in the story.. the ending and how Levi and Emmy got together seem a little out of the blue and hard to understand to me at least. ...more
the Christina Lauren story was frankly a little pointless. I get that it's supposed to be short but there really wasn't a lot of character development and based on what we were given in the story.. the ending and how Levi and Emmy got together seem a little out of the blue and hard to understand to me at least. ...more

Absolutely romantic..5stars!
Review for One Night by J Kenner
Penny never expected to see Blake Thornton, again. Sure, she only counted 17 months and 23 days since their one, hot night together in a Chicago hotel while waiting for their flight. No, she’s not obsessed with him...just head-over-heels in love with the man. Penny doesn’t trust herself enough to believe in love at first sight, risking her heart, although she surrendered every bit of herself to him. Refusing Blake’s offer of forever, sh ...more
Review for One Night by J Kenner
Penny never expected to see Blake Thornton, again. Sure, she only counted 17 months and 23 days since their one, hot night together in a Chicago hotel while waiting for their flight. No, she’s not obsessed with him...just head-over-heels in love with the man. Penny doesn’t trust herself enough to believe in love at first sight, risking her heart, although she surrendered every bit of herself to him. Refusing Blake’s offer of forever, sh ...more
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J. Kenner (aka Julie Kenner) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal and #1 International bestselling author of over one hundred novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres.
Though known primarily for her award-winning and international bestselling erotic romances (including the Stark and Most Wanted series) that have reached as high as #2 on the New Y ...more
Though known primarily for her award-winning and international bestselling erotic romances (including the Stark and Most Wanted series) that have reached as high as #2 on the New Y ...more
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Stark World
(3 books)
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