Second Chances

by Martina Reilly

Lizzie Walsh has moved to Dublin to start her life again - she has a great job as a fundraiser, a boyfriend she’s crazy about and friends she loves. Until, leaving work late one evening, she runs into the one person she just can’t run away from.

Lizzie was only a teenager when, ten years ago, her sister Megan drowned. A local boy, Joe, was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder. Now Joe is back, released from prison on good behaviour, and he, too, wants to put the past to rest. But Lizzie can’t stop thinking about the pain he’s caused her family - it doesn’t seem fair that he should be able to let go. Then, as Lizzie slowly gains his confidence, her own falters: Joe isn’t quite what she expected. Can she find the strength to let old wounds heal?

Genres: Romance, Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Hi. It’s Martina Reilly here, the artist formally known as Tina Reilly! And before that, I was teen writer, Martina Murphy.

Reviews

[Barbara Elsborg · Rating 1 out of 5]

So disappointed with this book and I've read several reviews where people love it so I guess it must just be me. The story is about revenge basically - how far would you go to get revenge on someone who'd killed your sister. The guy has been in prison for the crime and been let out. But that's not enough for the MC - who proceeds to infiltrate his life and do such HORRIBLE things to his pigeons it made me hate her. It's obvious from the start that the guy didn't do it. He says he didn't but for some unfathomable reason is still let out of prison. I thought the law was that you had to admit to your crime and come to terms with it before they let you out. He did serve 12 years which is longer maybe than it might have been but this was a major plot point for me that didn't ring true. The other plot issue was the use of mobiles and texting. When I was reading - I thought - no that wasn't happening when this was set, THEN the author adds a note on the last page saying - she knows that mobiles and texts weren't in widespread use but has included them so the story doesn't date. WHAT! That is outrageous. Should I have Charles as king in my next book because that will probably happen in the future. I suspect it was an issue pointed out after the book was published. But it spoilt it for me.
I liked Joe - he was a lovely guy - which made it even harder to accept that he'd just come out of prison for murder. But the whole premise of the book made me cringe. I didn't get any feelgood factor at the end. The vengeful MC didn't deserve the ending the book gave her.

[JenniferB · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good in parts, but revenge is a bit nasty and ending just seems to fizzle out (pages were missing??!)

[Kristyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I actually loved how the book started with a trial, and we're not even sure what led up to it aside from a murder. Fourteen years later, we are following Lizzie's life... Lizzie who lost her sister, Megan, all those years ago. It is clear that she believes that the man who killed her sister is Joe, an old friend of the family who is now getting out of jail. Lizzie decides to get revenge on Joe, but I have a feeling that Joe didn't kill her sister, and I feel horrible that he not only sat in jail as an innocent man for fourteen years, but that she's decided to make his life miserable now that he's out. I have my suspicions about who killed Megan, and I believe every reader has the same suspicions. The whole story line drags on, and I can't help but wonder why Joe doesn't even recognize Lizzie or remember that Megan had a sister named Lizzie. He never questions her and eventually starts to fall in love with her.

It is interesting to see how childhood experiences and events shape a person's life though, from personality to career.

I liked the ending because they had me believing something in the end that wasn't true. While I didn't predict the ending, the book was boring in general and I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would.

"You sometimes have to look at things from a different angle," Ellen said, "in order to fully understand" (page 260).

[Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Readable but not worth recommending. Got as a christmas pressie.

[Pat Brackenbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn't sure I was going to like this book took ages to get into but once I did couldn't put it down !

[Annelise · Rating 1 out of 5]

A good idea poorly executed. Dialogue that didn't ring true, characters that weren't believable, and a main character who I couldn't identify with at all. I understand she was angry and hurt but some of the things she did (hello, cruelty to animals) made me feel sick. I didn't feel she came around enough in the end to make me like her or sympathise with her at all.

And pigeons? I get the symbolism of homing pigeons but reading about old men and their racing birds, not to mention cleaning out the birds cages, just gross.

[Aileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lizzie Walsh has made a fresh start in Dublin she is a councillor, and
she has a boyfriend Tom.
Late one night she sees Joe Jones, he was last seen in the court room,
when he was found guilty of the murder of Lizzie’s sister, he has been
released early for good behaviour. She has tried to forget what
happened but has found it impossible, Lizzie has a plan is it
dangerous? And does she succeed?
I have read a few books by this Author, I couldn’t put it down, it was
easy to read and follow, it was funny and sad I would definitely
recommend.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had this book sent to from Irish relatives, they usually pick good books to read. This book I felt addicted too. I stayed up all night to read it. It was definitely a good read. I would recommend it.. it was a bit slow in the middle but very good all the same. I'd have liked Lizzie to fall for Joe I found that bit sad. She ruined his birds and his life already had been ruined. It seemed the only person who got chance to move on was Lizzie and her family. And not Joe who's family was in decline. Could have a better ending but that's Martina's baby and not mine. :3

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book - with a very interesting way of telling the story - diary entries which were threaded through with the present day narritive.
I found the characters so likable and was appalled when I started to fall a little in love with Joe.
Martina Reilly's males are always gorgeous, which is why I keep buying her books.
The story is full of suspense, with martina's trademark humour shining through.
Love, love, loved it.

[Cherry Bob*omb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up on the cheap, largely based on the Marian Keyes comparison on the cover. The story is okay, it's just that the main character is never particularly interesting, and though damaged, she never has the depth of a Keyes character. It's fairly predictable in the end, though I think it is one of those books that is supposed to be more about the journey than the destination.

It also contains far more information about pigeon racing than I ever wanted to know. Does anyone?

[Christine Byleveld · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lizzie, the main character, is annoying. For a person helping others with personal problems, she is a very self centered person. But then, she was only 14 when her sister died. So all the emotions of losing her, is that of a child. And like a child she takes revenge on Joe.
I am glad that Lizzie grows in character, learn some lessons, and become more likable in the end.
The book's title makes full circle - in the closing chapters everybody is getting second chances - and forgiveness.

[Monique · Rating 1 out of 5]

crap. i'm usually nice at giving review but srsly, i literally threw this book against the wall after the unbelievable author's note.

I was hoping *and wishing* that Lizzie would fall for joe and see that he's innocent. but nooooo! she goes out killing pigeons. ugh.

do yourselves a favor and read something else.

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a nice quick read. It is a story about sorrow, grief and revenge. I thought the characters were not very likeable, however they were relatable at points. I would recommend it as a leisurely read.

[Sally Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant best book I have read in a while really gets you thinking X

[Estelle]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12732566

[Gilden · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was very mediocre and I felt as if it just ended mid book! There was a lot that wasn't explained or wrapped up at the end.