It's a cute story but would have been better with fewer twists and turns. Going more in depth with a few ideas would have been much better.

While this was an enjoyable read, and the second in a series that can stand on its own, the characters just didn't have the depth or development I look for in a novel.

A fun read about a princess trying to break the tropes, I just knew what was coming before it did. The leading man was enjoyable, and actually did grow, but it wasn't a surprise.

A good, sweet, light hearted read. But don't expect a whole lot from this novel.

I didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did, it was a sweet and interesting read that moved at a steady pace. My only complaints are that I feel like I never really got to know the characters and their real interest, and also Ursila is extremely repetitive. Otherwise a really good story that kept you guessing until the end.

cute cover, the story was just ok but I still enjoyed it enough to give it a 4

I had no idea this was the second in the series until I went to do the review. This book was elegantly written and a huge puzzle that fits well together at the end. I am curious on a few details but maybe they are answered in the first book. The story of the boy and the fox would be a good addition to this book, but other than that it was wonderful. I had a very hard time putting it down, which for me says a lot.

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.

Requesting this book from NetGalley was an impulse decision on my part because I didn’t read anything from the author and I’m only heard of about the first book in passing. But in my opinion with time travel romance you can’t go wrong.

Anyway when I started to read the book it scared me a bit because in the first chapter the main character came over as spoiled, naïve and a bit arrogant which are not my favorite traits in a lead, also her reactions felt so overdramatized by the writing that I doubted I will ever like the story. But I kept reading and gradually the plot just draw me in and even if there were a few things I didn’t like overall reading it was a spectacular experience.

The writing style is solid I can’t say anything negative about it. The world building is really interesting even if it’s just the basic fantasy setting with emperors, empresses, servants and invading nations because the author spiced it up with creating unique appearances for her characters. I mean the colorful hairs and such here; I loved this aspect about the book.
The plot is quite complex, eventful and exciting, full of twists I didn’t expect. Also really well balanced. It has a steady pace and even if it’s mainly focuses on the romance there is plenty action and intrigue in it to keep you on the edge of our seat. The thing is though I didn’t like how easily, without evidence and kind of out of the blue Ursila finds out the secrets and thinks of a solution of the problems because based on her personality it’s not believable.

Ursila as I mentioned earlier, first comes off as spoiled, naïve, arrogant and annoying so no matter how much I wanted to sympathize with her lonely, heartbroken and lead on self any time she started to speak this notion of mine flew out the windows.
And I really tried to like her because it’s obvious that she is brave and smart but at the same time she is the victim of her upbringing, but I just couldn’t. She is whiny; her mother coddled her, her whole life and she couldn’t see a conspiracy if it’s happened right before her eyes. So yes I struggled with her character the most in the book. Fortunately she develops a lot during the story and at the end she is not sp unbearable, because honestly her bitter, revenge driven self in the beginning is unlikable.

As for the other characters they don’t get as much attention or detail. It’s a shame really especially when it comes to Ezra because I think he could have been the best character in the book with a bit more attention. He is really smart, cunning, caring and a really good leader but everybody misunderstood him.

What bothered me a bit was how the servants were characterized, especially Ursilas. They acted out of character and it was distracting how daring and mouthy they were toward their emperor and empress. It threw me off a bit.

Second chance at love is a magical, lovely and quick read with suspense and romance. I would say a perfect summer read and I’m glad I got the opportunity to read it.

A beautifully written love story about getting a second chance to find the love that was right in front of you from the beginning. Amid all the twists and turns, she is able to really see what was right there all along. A definite page Turner you never know which way it's going till you get there. Loved it.

Reviewed by Lynn of the GothicMoms Review Team

This was a very beautiful book, I implore everyone to read it. I can't stop gushing about it.

4.5 for the super slight lags that made me want to pull my hair out as I read every word instead of skipping lines to get to the thick of it all like I wanted, but WOW. Now this was something.

When I first read this, I detested the MC's attitude and outlook on life, but I gave her a chance because after all, I wasn't exactly meeting her at a good time. The story swept me right in the middle of it all like an epic story, and though I would've appreciated a bit of a breather to better understand her and what was going on, I still enjoyed myself as I got closer to the end. It's like with every chapter, Ursila's character development bloomed a little more, until it was ending and I was crying and thinking about how much better she was as a whole. In the middle, it was a bit apparent what was going on, and a few characters were a little hard to get into- though I don't know if that was on purpose -but in the end, I'm quite blown away by what I read. Loved the writing and its flow, loved the complex characters. It's a book you must check out if you love everything I've mentioned because they're all that and so much more. It was like a plot twist within a plot twist. The romance in the beginning left me a little wanting, and thought some ideas were cute, but overall, I'm pretty sure I'll forever be fawning over this for its sneaky, intelligent plots and plans against the throne.