Second String

by M.C. Webb

One is lost, the other has the strength to save them both.

Jett is accustomed to living adrift. Always playing Second String in life, love, and career, Jett finds a place where he can see himself anchored for once.

Jesse is the lost war widow, unable or unwilling to take a chance until the idea of “chance” is all she has left.

When Jett is blindsided, the two collide in the game of love and loss.

The question is; can either learn to win, or risk losing it all once more?

Unknown Binding

About the author

M.C. Webb is a contemporary author of dark romance. First published in high school, the attention shy writer avoided publication for many years, opting to limit her work locally. Her now widely released bibliography includes the suspenseful "The Black Trilogy" a touch of second chance love in "Second String" and newest spellbinding novel "Breaking the Girl" out Valentines Day 2017. Born in Chatsworth Georgia, M.C. spent most of her childhood in the deep south until landing in the place she calls home today, Knoxville Tennessee. She loves interacting with readers and is a huge supporter of film, football, hockey and the blues.

Reviews

[Cathy Geha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jett, a backup quarterback released from his contract heads off alone, finds himself in Grady, Texas and soon is managing the Slop Chute bar. Co-owner of the bar, Jesse, is a veterinarian and young military widow still grieving for her husband and unable to move forward. The bar is flocked to by people in the military and caters to them. Jett settles in easily though Jesse is reluctant to have him involved or to become involved with him.

Jesse and her brother-in-law, Beaux, are both somewhat religious and Beaux says he feels Jett was sent for a reason…perhaps more than one reason…and also to put Beaux’s mind at ease before he has to deploy again.

The story is told in first person by Jett and Jesse altering viewpoints from chapter to chapter. I enjoyed the book but actually was drawn more to Beaux and Jett’s brother Walker than to Jett or Jesse even though they were not main characters. If you are looking for an easy to read fairly simple romance this might be the book for you.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book to read in exchange for my honest review.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yep, I loved it. I loved Jesse, a stubborn, loyal, Texas woman who is a widow of a soldier in a town known for their love of the military. Jett blunders into the small Texas town after being let go from his 2nd string NFL quarterback position. He doesn't love football like his brother (quarterback) or father (retired quarterback). He does connect to this town. He admires the local vet and part owner of the bar where he gets a job. Jesse clings tight to Jonny's memory because it's safe. She gets respect from town. Jett is attractive but she "fights" her attraction. This book is sweet and it picks up interest when Jett's brother, Walker shows up. There must be a book written about Walker!!!!! Jesse sees cocky and also something else in Walker. I love the cocky with something else too.

Anyway. There is a lot in this fairly short book. I like how you still feel satisfied when the book is short. I see where areas could of been fleshed out but overall you will love this charming couple and HEA.

Now write WALKER!!! My privilege to ARC from Netgalley for honest review.

[Lace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second String by M.C. Webb is a love story with an underlying theme of balancing dreams with reality. Jesse and Jett are both disillusioned with the hand life has dealt them. It is a hard journey but each come to realize they’re not failures because of something they can’t control and find themselves having to rise above the circumstances and learn to dream again.

Jesse , widow of a war hero, is a small town veterinarian with a strong loyalty to family, friends, and what she believes in.

Jett is the son of a pro quarterback who finds himself released from his contract before he can make a name for himself in pro football.

Their two worlds collide when Jett happens through the small Texas town and decides to stay for a bit. Both find themselves attracted to one another, but any relationship beyond friends is slow to develop.

This reads in 1POV with alternating POV by the main characters.

I would recommend this to any reader who is looking for a quick read and who likes inspirational type romances.

Thanks NetGalley and M.C. Webb for this review copy of Second String

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story about second chances and rediscovering your dreams.

Jett is part of a football dynasty, in which both his father and his older brother played or coached in the NFL, and he is expected to do the same. Unfortunately, his talent and interests are not in football, so when he is cut from the team, he begins to explore other opportunities.

Jesse is a small-town vet and widow, whose high school sweetheart and husband was killed in the military. Despite her brother-in-law's desire for her to get back out there and date, Jesse spends her time in her vet practice and tending the books of the bar she co-owns with her brother-in-law.

Jett and Jesse begin a slow romance, where Jett sweetly pursues Jesse and tenderly waits for her to come to grips with her loss and moving on. The events of the story are both comical and touching, as challenges and obstacles that are sometimes visible and sometimes a surprise occur.

This was an original and creative story with a tender romance. I would recommend Second String as a short but fulfilling romance.

[Ramisa (sentrancedbookworm) Chowdhury · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Independent Book Publishers for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Written from alternating POVs, Second String is a short yet satisfying love story of Jesse and Jette. Life has been tough for them both; one is a widow of the war hero and the pther is a quarterback who was deprived of his stardom right before he was going to go pro. Even though the reality has been nothing but cruel to them, they fight back with everything they have and dare to dream again.

Would recommend it to anybody looking for inspirational romances.

[Mainely Stories · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried just a little

It took me a little bit to become engaged in this story but I think that's because the author paints such a complete landscape with her words. Later I came to realize that that is the beauty of it. This is a coming-of-age book more than it is a sports book and it might also be considered a military book. Jett is a professional quarterback from a famous football family who was just cut from his team. The striking thing is that he doesn't really care all that much about it. He didn't really love football to begin with. His choices were driven by his family. Jett starts driving with no destination in mind to get away from it all especially from his father and brother and ends up in a small bar, called Slop Chute. ""It's a military thing"" Jett is told. The bar is jointly owned by Beaux and his sister-in-law Jesse, the wife of his deceased brother. Beaux is soon to be deployed and Jesse has more than she can handle as a practicing veterinarian and bar owner.
This is the story of Jett coming to better understand his relationship with his father and his brother. Jett has never really considered his own personal life goals. It is also the first time Jett has been attracted to a woman for something other than beauty. "" ...it had everything to do with the magnetic pull of my heart toward hers"". The author's descriptions of emotions are so compelling that you feel the emotions immediately. ""There isn't a situation that I can think of where I don't want her. There isn't a word profound enough for what it is I'm feeling and that realization makes me crazy.""
It is also the story of widow Jesse coming to understand that her husband Jonny has been dead five years and he's not coming back and that she has the potential to love someone else as much or more but differently.
The author brings us very beautiful love story with a little football, interesting veterans, a few social issues and lots of camaraderie in the setting of a military bar in rural Texas.
This was my very first read by this author but it won't be my last! A beautiful story!"

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. Jett is newly released from his position in the NFL and is aimlessly driving around, looking to escape the reality that is his being fired from the team. He stumbles upon a small town, and quickly makes friends with the co-owner and bartender Beaux, who suggests that he stay to help run the bar while he is deployed. The big roadblock is Jesse, the other owner, sister-in-law of Beaux, town Vet and still grieving widow. While Jesse is not thrilled to have Jett's help she gives in and thats where the attraction gets stronger.

However, Jesse is still married to her deceased husband in mind and spirit, and has a hard time getting close to anyone romantically, yet that doesn't stop Jesse and Jett from having a physical relationship. Throughout the book, the two have highs and lows, and struggle to be with each other without really being with each other. However, in the end the struggle to keep Jett emotionally far from her backfires, and Jesse falls in deeper than she expected. At the same time, in his effort to make their relationship work, there are other issues that appear. Whether they can stay together or drift apart is up to them.

I really did enjoy this book, and I couldn't put it down. It was an easy read, with lovable characters and realistic emotions that had me laugh and want to cry right along with them. It had a strong focus on respecting military, while at the same time provided a great insight to what happens when a famous person puts down roots in a small town. I can't wait to see what else this author has in store.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I expected, but a very memorable story
**I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for posting my honest review**

I started this book anticipating a sports romance and intrigued by the blurb promising a second string quarterback. I don't know that I would call this a true sports romance as there is very little sports discussion in the book, but it was an engaging story nonetheless. I found the characters had depth and were interesting. They were each battling their own demons and pasts, so putting them together increased the questions and tension. I did get frustrated with the heroine giving so many mixed signals, but it was never done in such a way that she became unlikable and there was a solid reason for her actions. I really liked the hero. He was so different from the typical alpha hero, and the way the author slowly revealed his character and self doubt was perfect. I also was intrigued by the secondary characters, and would definitely read more in the series. The pace was pretty fast with lots of side stories. However, it didn't feel rushed at all, but rather kept my interest peaked throughout the book. I liked that things were somewhat messy with both characters and within their romance at times. It made the story a bit different and kept the story relatable. There were a number of editing misses, but they didn't take away from the story. I really enjoyed the author's writing style, and will be looking for more of her books in the future.

[shannonbookishlife · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recived this book for review from netgally and the publisher in exchange for review. this has in no way affected my opinion

Yep, I loved it. I loved Jesse, a stubborn, loyal, Texas woman who is a widow of a soldier in a town known for their love of the military. Jett blunders into the small Texas town after being let go from his 2nd string NFL quarterback position. He doesn't love football like his brother (quarterback) or father (retired quarterback). He does connect to this town. He admires the local vet and part owner of the bar where he gets a job. Jesse clings tight to Jonny's memory because it's safe. She gets respect from town. Jett is attractive but she "fights" her attraction. This book is sweet and it picks up interest when Jett's brother, Walker shows up. There must be a book written about Walker!!!!! Jesse sees cocky and also something else in Walker. I love the cocky with something else too.

Anyway. There is a lot in this fairly short book. I like how you still feel satisfied when the book is short. I see where areas could of been fleshed out but overall you will love this charming couple and HEA.

[Kathryn Linke · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Second String is Jessie and Jett's story. It's a story of having a second chance to find love in a lifetime. The cover is slightly deceptive as it's not a sports romance.

Jessie found love at a young age, and lost is just as young. She helps to run the military bar her deceased husband's family owns and runs, and is also the town veterinarian. She keeps herself busy so that she doesn't have to deal with being alone. She is quite a complex and endearing character, although at times I found her to be a tad frustrating.

Jett has been let go from his role as a second string quarterback, whilst trying to escape his past and present, he stumbles upon his role as a bar manager in the bar owned by Jessie's family. They had an intense chemistry and when they succumb the love scenes are quite hot.

Second string is told from a dual point of view and from a first person perspective.

I really liked the secondary characters in this book, particularly Beaux, Jessie's brother in law and Walker Jett's brother, and hope they will have their story told in the future.

[Christi Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second String is an emotional journey through discovering yourself and learning to love. Jett is a backup quarterback just let go and Jesse is a widow lost in her grief. Lost, Jett ends up in a bar in small town in Texas. He just wants to drink and forget - forget being fired, forget the pressure put on him by his family and hide from their disappointment. Instead he meets Beau who offers him kindness, friendship and a job. And when Jett see Jesse from across the bar he jumps at Beau's offer. Jesse is a grieving widow and no one would be as good as her Jonny. But Jesse can't deny her reaction to Jett and so they, reluctantly, start their journey toward love and healing. This story has something for everyone - football, marines, cowboys, hot sex, some religious/spiritual explorations, and of course an HEA. I laughed, I cried, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I look forward to reading more by M.C. Webb.

I received this book for free from the author/publisher via NetGalley and I'm voluntarily giving an honest review.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jett has always been second best in everything. He has been cut from his second string on his NFL team. Needing to get away he drives til he comes upon a bar in a small town? Beaux is the owner of the bar and in the military and about to be deployed, he's worried about his sister in law Jesse doing to much so he asks Jett to manage the bar will he's gone. Jesse is a young grieving widow who lost her husband while he was deployed, she is living day to day. She is the local veterinarian and co-owner of the bar. The day she meets Jett she gets a funny feeling that she hasn't had in years and runs from him. The chemistry between them can't be denied, Jesse wants to sleep with him but feels she cheating on her husband and Jett wants Jesse to be his woman and he's not sure how he's supposed to fight a ghost. This is a fast paced, quick read that had me laughing and crying.

Received from Netgalley to review.

[Yvette89 · Rating 3 out of 5]

COPY RECEIVED COURTESY OF NETGALLEY FOR HONEST REVIEW
The story was ok but could have been better. The story touches on a few things that, if explored or detailed a little more, would have made the story a better. Jesse is a war widow. Her husband was killed and she is finding it hard to move on. She seems to keep everyone except her brother-in-law at arms length. Jett is a second string quarterback in the NFL. It's not because he wasn't good enough but because he just didn't put his heart in it. His father and brother are both NFL greats. They pressured him to continue the tradition. When he is let go by his last team, he stumbles across the small town where Jesse and her brother in law Beaux live. He is immediately attracted to Jesse, but she does not want to let him in. There are a few scene stealing moments that make you smile and laugh. I loved the epilogue.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

***ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***

Love a sports H. Love a widow storyline. Dislike a whiny, unsure, hiding my relationship with the H because I have to keep my deceased spouse's memory pure heroine. I completely understood the H's frustration and hurt with the h when she continually kept pushing him away in public yet reached for him over and over again privately. At some point pride and feelings matter and she kept crushing his feelings. And maybe I was slightly bothered by the fact the H kept letting her treat him like that. Where's the typical bad ass alpha male when you need one?

It wasn't a bad read - sexy H, chemistry - but sometimes the widow storyline crosses over into whining and let's move on already status.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jett is at a crossroads when he meets Jesse. When he accepts a job managing the bar she co-owns, he feels like he has found a home. Jett is falling for Jesse but he never comes in first, not with his family, not with his work in pro football, and now not with Jesse, who is still in love with her dead husband. Will he ever be able to convince here to give him a chance? This is a touching, well-written story with characters you care about. I really enjoyed this sweet romance.

I was provided with a free copy of this book by NetGalley.

[Lou-Lou Belle · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC Kindly provided by Netgalley for an honest review.

I enjoyed this story, but there were several elements which didn't quite reach me. The drama was a combination of several issues which have been rather overdone in romance novels lately, and I simply did not connect enough with the emotions in the story to feel attached to the characters.
I would consider this a relatively light hearted romance, even though I am certain it was not supposed to be.

[Melony Hobgood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jett has been second best his whole life. Second to his brother second on the field and now second to a ghost. He has to fight to get into Jesse's life.
Jesse's husband died at war years ago but she still hasn't let any one in till Jett and she makes him fight hard to get there.
The beginning of the book makes a little slow but the end makes up for it.

[Crissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a good second chance at love romance read with some steamy sex parts. I enjoyed not only the book a lot, but all of the characters within the story and the epilogue was perfect. I would love to read a follow up book about Walker and Beau. This is the first book I've read from this author and it definitely wont be my last.

[Suszet Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Wow this book was about Jesse learning to love after losing her husband and Jett finding himself. Well written, captivating at times I wanted to just smack Jesse, she had the perfect guy and was too scared to open her heart. I hated Walker ( Jett) brother then I loved him. This is my first time reading this author and it will definitely not be my last.

[Wyldrabbit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually don't go for sports themes, this one hit its mark with me. I loved the characters and I wanted to read about them way into the night.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

[poppy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant just wow i loved this book have not read anything by this author before cant wait for the rest avery sweet yet hot read recommended to all