Second Chance – Talk Nerdy Book Blog

When He’s An Alpha by Suzanne Wright

By Sarah

In 4-stars, Book Review

March 3, 2021

6 Min read

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Series: Olympus Pride*

Release Date: March 2, 2021

Synopsis

The golden rule of shallow flings is not to get attached, right? Well, Havana Ramos broke it. Big time. There’s just something about Tate Devereaux that pulls at her. Assertive, compelling, and self-assured, the Alpha cat shifter pushes every one of her best buttons. Like really, really hard. Having overheard an enlightening conversation, she knows he won’t give her more than a fling—something, to be fair, he’d told her well in advance. If she doesn’t want her heart to get bruised, it’s time to end what little they have. It’s not like he’ll care or anything. Except … it turns out that he does.

Newly-appointed Alpha Tate Devereaux is never bothered when women walk away. He can’t exactly blame them, given his distrustful cat’s habit of withdrawing from relationships. But when lone shifter Havana ends their fling, everything within Tate rebels against it—including his cat. Even as she and Tate work together to crush the threat looming over her, Havana holds him at arms’ length. But if she thinks she can end their fling with no real explanation and that he’ll just tip his hat and walk away, she’s forgotten one very important thing—there’s nothing easy about shaking off an Alpha.

Ending

HEA

Representation

• Heroine of colour
• Asian supporting character
• Bisexual side character

Possible Triggers: Yes

• Gun violence
• Human trafficking
• Reference to r@pe
• Blood and violence
• Murder of parents
• Torture

Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions

• No cheating
• Does have OM and OW drama
– Ex-friends-with-benefits of Heroine tries to win the Heroine back
– Ex-almost-imprinted-mate of Hero tries to win Hero back
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
– Hero doesn’t want a serious relationship so they break up for a bit
• No separation
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Format: Kindle Unlimited

Rating: 4/5 stars

*Each novel in the series is Standalone

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Poignant and Impassioned: My Saving Grace by Melanie Moreland

By Sarah

In 4-stars, ARC, Book Review

February 11, 2021

12 Min read

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Cover of "My Saving Grace" by Melanie Moreland

Series: ABC Corp*

Release Date: February 25, 2021

Synopsis

It’s time for the next generation of Vested Interest to find their Happily Ever Afters.

Grace VanRyan has her life mapped out. Law school, a career with ABC, and a bright future ahead of her.

Until Jaxson Richards steps into the picture. He’s everything she hasn’t planned for. Older, sexy, off-limits.

And her new boss.

When the passion between them explodes, will her life blow up along with it?

Ending

HEA

Representation

• Gay supporting character

Possible Triggers: Yes

• Sexual harassment
• Blackmail
• Child abuse and abandonment
• Reference to drug abuse and a child being a drug courier
• Near death experience in a gas like explosion

Safety Rating: Safe

• No cheating
• No OM drama
• Does kinda have OW drama
– The Hero is never with the OW but she sexually harasses him at work once on-page and becomes an issue later on in the MCs relationship.
• the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does have the Hero pushing the Heroine away
• No separation
– They work together but they do break up romantically for a few weeks
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Format: eARC

Rating: 4/5 stars

*Each novel in the series is Standalone

Note: I received My Saving Grace through Melanie Moreland’s team in exchange for an honest review.

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Pride & Joie: #MyNewLife, A Series by M.E. Carter

By Sarah

In 3-stars, Series Review

February 1, 2018

5 Min read

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Series: #My New Life

Release Date: December 22nd, 2017

Synopsis:

Joie Stevens put all her dreams on hold the day she became a mom. As a natural caretaker, it never bothered her. But now that her son is grown, she has some new goals in sight and nothing is going to get in her way.
Except maybe an attractive football coach. Who very literally gets in her way.

As assistant football coach for the Flinton State University Vikings, Jack Pride really has nothing to complain about. He has a job he loves and friends he enjoys. Certain he had his one true love in his late wife, the last thing on his mind is dating.

Until he runs into a beautiful non-traditional student. Who he very literally runs into.

This second chance romance reminds us love can be better the second time around. And that it’s not just players in the game…

Ending

 HFN

Representation

• Addresses ageism
• BIPOC side characters

Possible Triggers

• The Hero’s dead wife plays a big role in the Hero and Heroine’s relationships development.
• Hero’s wife died from cancer

Safety Rating: Safe

• No cheating
• No OM/OW (but the Hero’s dead wife does strongly influence the Hero and Heroine’s relationship)
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• Hero hasn’t dated (or slept) with anyone since his wife died from cancer 3 years ago
• Heroine has been single for 18 years and hasn’t been with anyone sexually for 10 years
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does Not have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 3.25/5 stars

Note: Initially published as a serial series.

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Unwanted, A Series by Natasha Anders

By Sarah

In 4-stars, Series Review

July 3, 2014

11 Min read

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About the Series

This whole series revolves around the genre Men You Hate to Love. At the beginning of each and every one of these novels these “heroes” are the antithesis to heroic. To be blunt they are assholes with a capital bastard.

But throughout each story, Anders contextualizes their behaviour. And, every time, these alpha-males come to realize how truly they messed up. So, the reader is rewarded with a big grovel!

All three novels are emotional, and with each nasty comment, mean dig that these women get, I can’t help but think why they wouldn’t just give up on their men and leave. But the Unwanted series really emphasizes you can’t help who you love, and if you love someone, you’re willing to work through the bad parts.

Each of the novels is incredibly extremely turbulent, emotional and involves a lot of cursing at your book or screen and possibly even throwing said book … oops. But, once these men start to realize the error of their ways, a beautiful, angsty romance is built.

If you love angst-filled romances, that make you feel powerful emotions (both positive and negatives), the Unwanted series is for you.

The review of the series includes reviews on each of the following books (listed in order of release):

Note: Each novel in the series is Standalone.

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A Girl By Any Other Name by MK Schiller

By Sarah

In 4-stars, Book Review

March 14, 2014

5 Min read

A

Series: Standalone

Release Date: January 17th, 2014

Synopsis:

Everyone tells him he needs to move on, but how can a man function without his heart?

Ten-year-old Caleb Tanner wants nothing to do with Sylvie Cranston, the annoying weird girl who moves next door to him and gets him in trouble for swearing. But at twelve, they become friends when he teaches her how to hook a fishing line and she shows him the value of a selfless act. At fourteen, he falls in love with her.

At sixteen, she dies.

Or so he’s told. But Cal never believes it. Sylvie has become part of his soul. He knows her like the study beating of his own heart. He’d know if she was dead. Cal looks for her, prays for her and finally, he just waits for her.

Nine years later, she walks into the community college English class Cal is teaching. Only this girl claims her name is Sophie Becker and she doesn’t know him. Cal knows better. He’s determined to get the girl he loves back – and protect her from the danger that took her away all those years ago.

Ending

 HEA

Representation

No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia

Possible Triggers

 • Hero’s father died when he was a child
• Heroine’s mother was murdered and has a turbulent relationship with her father
• Hero still dealing grieving with the death of his best friend (who died when she was 17).
• Hero suffered gunshot wounds when his BFF died
• Hero is also convinced his BFF is alive

Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions

• No cheating
• Does have OW drama (Hero has a friends-with-benefits situation going on)
• Does have a separation between the Hero and Heroine (Neither are celibate, but of course, Hero has a lot of ex-lovers, while the Heroine has only one.)
• Does have the Heroine pushing away
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4/5 stars

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