Second Chances by Jo Briggs - Book Tour, Book Review, Giveaway

Release date: June 27th 2013

Publisher: Daydream Books

Average Rating: 4.50

Purchase: Amazon

Layla Keyes is back in England. Much has changed in the five years since she moved to New York to pursue a modelling career - On the outside she appears independent, self-assured and enjoying running her own successful fashion label.

On the inside she is determined to take back what she lost five years ago when misunderstandings allowed a jealous third party to manipulate and interfere in destroying her relationship with Evan Carter.

Evan Carter has spent all that time pretending to not be affected by the loss of Layla from his life.

A twist of fate brings the two back together as they are forced to share a few days alone.

Can their love be rekindled despite the secrets they still have to confess to each other?

MY REVIEW -

Evan and Layla used to have an amazing relationship five years ago – but life happens, all of a sudden, the perfect relationship fell apart brought about by intense loss, and grief. Both didn’t have much of a choice but to let go.
  

Now, Layla is back on England after five years in New York pursuing a successful career in fashion. She might have everything life has to offer – but one thing. Unlike before, she’s finally determined to get back one thing she lost years ago. This time she wouldn’t allow a simple misunderstanding, even a deranged, manipulative ex to get into her way in getting Evan Carter, the love of her life back.
  

If there was anything Evan was good at, it was at pretending that he’s was okay without Layla. He should have not let her go when she asked to be freed, but it was for the best at that time. He had to respect her decision. For years, he had tried to get tidbits from friends about her – but now that she’s finally back in town, he would do everything to have that grab the second chance that life has offered him.
  

BUT then – no matter how badly they wanted it to be THAT easy, they knew they had to take things slow, talk things out, and reveal some secrets that had long been kept.  

I love the cover – it’s sexy, sultry and really attractive. I have always loved plots about second chances, and despite the fact that it has been used countless time by different authors – there is still something new, something hopeful about it.
  

The characters were not perfect, they made error in judgment, made some stupid decisions, and got involve with other people – which made them more real to me, but it didn’t make me love them less. Despite what happened in the past, they tried their best to move on. I especially loved the new Layla – when she finally decided that she wanted him back, she fought hard for him, and stood by his side whatever the circumstances where. She might have been good at running away in the past – but this time, she’s staying.
  

Jo Briggs wrote a great novel about what second chances really are – no more secret, lies, restoring trust and giving your whole self and risking your heart for the second time. They say love is sweeter the second time around, Evan and Layla managed to put all the hurt and bitterness aside and had given themselves a second chance in love.

 RATING:

★ARC Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.★

EXCERPT -

Evan

Evan could not stop the unhappy downturn of his mouth as the full implications of Layla moving to a different country washed over him. Now what was he going to do? The thought of seeing her every so often had been the one thing preventing him from falling to his knees and begging her not to leave. He had hoped in time to be able to draw her back into his life, but, now, with that opportunity gone, he faced the painful reality of Layla not being in his life at all.   

“Oh, I see. W-well, umm, good luck,” he stammered. 

Layla gave him a tight smile. “Thanks.” Her voice was light and casual, but he knew her well enough to know she was faking. “By the way, I appreciate the flowers.” Her understanding of why he’d bought lilies was written all over her face. 

Evan shrugged, trying to match her casualness. It was easier for both of them that way. “I bought them before... before I saw your note.” 

A flicker of guilt flashed across Layla’s eyes before she glanced away, and her cheeks coloured with embarrassment. Evan wanted to reach out and comfort her, but at the same time a swell of anger was rising up inside him, wanting her to feel guilty for leaving him. 

“I thought you might still appreciate them, better than I do, under the circumstances.” Looking down at the floor, Evan’s fingers grazed against the small, black box in his jacket pocket, which he’d bought on his trip away, with the intention of giving it to her upon his return. In all the confusion of finding her note and driving madly around several places, trying to find her, he had forgotten it. He struggled to compose himself once more before looking up again. As he did so, he caught Layla staring at him wistfully. 

“I’d better get going before the traffic gets too heavy,” he said, even as continued to stand in the same spot, rather than moving.  His legs refused to listen to his brain’s request to walk towards the door, seeming to deliberately choose another route instead. 

As Layla raised herself from the sofa, Evan finally managed to act, catching her unawares as he moved swiftly to stand in front of her. Raising his arms, he brought them to rest on either side of her waist before she had time to react. Pulling her close, his lips brushed against hers urgently before Evan released her from his grip with the words, “As much as this hurts, I know loving you means I have to let you go.” 

Layla didn’t get a chance to reply as Keely interrupted them by entering the room. 

“Keely, thank you for allowing me to descend upon your home uninvited, but I won’t intrude any longer,” Evan said, turning stiffly from Layla to focus on her friend. I have to get out of here, he thought, and his unreadable mask of emotions was back in place once more as he strode from the room. 

Keely followed him out into the hallway.  Despite his pretence not to hear, Evan was fully aware of Layla sobbing in the lounge.Outside in the driveway, it was a desolate man who got into the driver’s side of his car. 

Clutching the steering wheel so hard that his knuckles went white, Evan tried to compose himself. In frustration, he pulled out the object from his jacket that he’d been fiddling with earlier and hurled it across the car, with such force that it cracked against the passenger door before falling into the foot well. The outer box broke apart to reveal its contents: a double-banded, single solitaire diamond ring. The sight of the gem sparkling in the remains of its container cracked Evan’s composure altogether. Bringing both hands up to his face, he sobbed.

AUTHOR BIO -

As well as writing, Jo Briggs also enjoys reading; her favorite classics include Pride & Prejudice, Persuasion and Jane Eyre having studied English Literature before moving onto Art and Graphic Design. Current genre of choice on her iPad are angsty steamy romances. Particular favorites at the moment are by S.C Stephens, R K Lilley, Sylvia Day and Jodi Ellen Malpas. Jo is also a regular visitor to eBook readers anonymous to keep her addiction under control.

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