Billionaire chemist Max Varela was ready to move to Chicago after selling his company until his past roared into his office, Emily Wade. She was one person he couldn't forget but couldn't pursue since she was his friend's wife. Until she showed up to his office and asking for his help.
After losing her husband, Emily poured all her energy and love to non profit organization. She was ready to expand her facilities until her loan fell through. She tried all her options and none looked promising, she decided to show up at Max's office, unannounced. She knew Max when he was a MIT student trying to launch his project and her husband was willing to help him out. Everything worked so well until Max visiting her family. She wondered what happened. Until now, he will be only hope for her to get her project going if he decided to help her out.
Max was forever in love with her ever since he saw her but he knew she was in happy marriage and he needed to move away. Ever since then, he only focused on work and expanding his company. Now she shows up in his office and tells him, she lost her husband. This could be second chance Max was waiting for. Max is willing to help out in anyway as long as he can keep seeing Emily happy.
Will Max and Emily find happily ever after? Max is suppose to move to Chicago to start a new project and Emily's everything is in New York.
It was happy second chance story. Good start to the series. I enjoyed it.
Thanks to Netgalley and Montlake Romance for ARC.

Wow! A lot was packed into this one-hundred and twenty-four page novella, SECOND TO NONE in the SECOND GLANCES SERIES, and I can’t wait for more! My interest was held from the first page to the last. The story had a lot of heartwarming and heartbreaking moments.

The pets were a nice addition to the story with the K-9 Angelz, who would become pets to the kids at the center, and Mario, the injured dog rescued by Diego and the first K-9 Angelz, playing a major role. The Carver Center is a wonderful after-school program for underprivileged kids, and Emily is a dynamo as the director. Her board isn’t too shabby either. When she and Max cross paths again, as she’s looking for help from his foundation after having already been turned down for a grant by the director, the sparks fly. From there the pair reminisce, catching up and getting more involved than expected, given they’ve known each other for a short time seven years before.

The characters had a lot of depth to them. Diego, one of the kids, broke my heart. How he could be as warm and loving as he is given his background was amazing. Emily’s daughter, Izzy, is a sweet and caring nine year old. There was a nice flow to the story with lots of Emily’s and Max’s history thrown in and some unexpected happily-ever-afters, not only the romantic kind. The epilogue was just what I needed. With so much packed into this novella, I can’t wait to read the full length books in the series.

Herkness is an author I’ve read before, previously having read the first two books in the WAGER OF HEARTS SERIES. Since I enjoyed them, I jumped at the chance to read this book when it was offered to me. I’ll be adding more of her books to my always growing TBR pile!

A RECOMMENDED READ!

Second to None was a nice read and good start to the Second Glances series. The story re-introduces two people who knew each other years earlier as friends.

Seven years ago, Emily Wade was married to the love of her life, had a toddler, and was enjoying life as a military wife. Her husband Jake was a US Marine Captain. He spent six months testing and working with Max Varela on a body armor for soldiers. The two spent a lot of time together, with Jake often inviting Max over for dinner. As a result, Max and Emily became friends. But once testing was complete, Max severed any and all ties with the couple.

Three years ago, Emily and her daughter Izzy’s lives were turned upside down, when Jake was killed during a mission. Emily relocated from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina to Harlem, New York. Since then, Emily has worked for the Carver Center as its director. The non-profit helps disadvantaged kids in South Harlem. The center wants to incorporate rescue dogs into its program, but funding for the project has been denied by Max’s charitable foundation. Hoping to capitalize on her past friendship, Emily meets with Max hoping he will reconsider.

As always, Nancy Herkness has written likeable characters, both main and secondary. She manages to bring passion and emotion to Second to None. I would suggest having a tissue handy. Overall, I enjoyed the story but not as much as her previous books. My biggest problem was that Emily had no problem having feelings for and sleeping with Max, who was friends with her deceased husband years before. At no time in the past did she have romantic feelings or thoughts about him. I would have liked to have seen her struggle with her attraction instead of just acting on it so quickly. Regardless, I’m looking forward to this series. I just hope when it comes to the dogs, I don’t end up crying ugly tears.

Nancy Herkness has a really easy, accessible writing style that helps with the fairy tale aspects of her stories. (Don’t we all want to fall in love with gorgeous billionaires?) This novella hits all the right notes, quickly, and is a great introduction to a new series.

I received a copy of this book from Montlake Romance through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

1.5 Stars

Not sure how I feel about this novella.

While on one hand I admired Max for not doing anything about his feelings for Emily while Jake was still alive, now that he has his second chance, I can’t quite believe that “getting” Emily to fall in love with him would happen that fast. I couldn’t help but wonder at Emily’s behavior too. Like whoa girl. But most of all, IMO, Jake’s ghost/presence loomed too large (he was “there” after the first time they had sex!).... so I don’t know if I buy into the love. Lust, yes, for sure (the sex scenes are so detailed!) but sorry, I wasn’t feeling the love between these two. It was all too neat and easy and fast. Sometimes, esp given the backgrounds of the MC’s, I want there to be some sort of angst and drama.

An enjoyable heartwarming novella of Emily and Max who were friends 7 years ago. It sets up a nice foundation for the series. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher.

This is a short novella to the series. I read this book in one sitting. This book will grab you from the first page and keep you reading till the end. This is a heart warming story of second chance love. Fantastic characters, you just fell in love with as you read. I can't wait to read more in this series and by this author.



Highly recommended

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book

This was such a sweet, quick read of a novella. Max and Emily are a great hero/heroine, and I enjoyed that they were not significantly overdramatic regarding the obstacles they faced. I am excited to dive into what will hopefully be a soon-to-arrive new series from Nancy Herkness!

It took me forever to finish this novella. Let's just say, it wasn't for me. The whole kids center was great! I think it was the hero who gave me misgivings about the book. He just came off nerdy and creepy. Diego was my favorite character!

I enjoyed the story because it was about second chances and a happily ever after. Emily was a good character full of enthusiasm and hope something I could relate to and Max was the prince all women are looking for

The hero Max has had a forbidden love for Emily for years, but due to her marriage and his friendship with Jake her husband, he became increasingly reticent in keeping in touch with them before finally cutting all ties. Fast forward to present day and Emily has been a widow for a few years with an adorable,little daughter and is in desperate straits for monetary assistance with her kids rescue center. Enter Max to the rescue and their friendship is rekindled with added benefits. But as with most romances, a wrench in the form of Max's secret, is thrown in the midst of their happiness. The ending had me applauding and whooping for joy at the way it all came together.👍🤗❤

I always love Herkness’s billionaires. They have all the money they could possibly need, gawking handsome, but find that money is never what completes the heart, the soul, the spirit. They are easy reads and leave you uplifted.

Max thought he was over Emily Wade, his friend’s wife. He’d stayed away seven years, built a company making him a billionaire. She suddenly reenters his world. He finds she’s even more attracted to her. She’s changed. He has, too. But that chemistry begins to sizzle again. What changed? Emily’s husband had been killed in action three years previous, enough time to dull the pain.

Emily is on a mission when she shows up in his office. She needs money to keep a worthy cause afloat. It didn’t sound very hopeful from Max’s side, but little does she know he cannot get her out of his mind, even though he’s in the middle of finishing a project before the end of the year. He seeks out her project and immediately sees the value of this center. He plot double the money down to make it work.

The story will warm your heart. Herkness writes with such poignancy, very often involving animals and children. She will not disappoint you in this novella. If you like hot passionate scenes, Emily and Max make up for lost time, but not before the hope of finding their second chance crashes over their heads. Ah, there's the rub.

Seven years ago he lusted for his friend’s wife, so much that he cut himself out of their lives from the guilt. So complete is his withdrawal that he didn’t know his friend died. Now they reconnect, and of course he’s a hunky millionaire. She wants money for her children’s services center to expand to dog therapy.
This novella is classified as an erotic love story—though the sex scenes lacked any real heat—but it was the other elements I enjoyed more. For instance, I would have preferred more of her great kid. What really annoys me, though, is that this romance wouldn’t have happened if he wasn’t rich.
It’s strange, because usually when I like the main characters, the story doesn’t matter as much. And I didn’t mind the story, but I still feel disappointed, partly because it was money and the death of her husband that allowed this to be a happily ever after.

This was a great story about moving forward after loss. Characters were captivating. Setting was excellent.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

Emily lost her husband to the war and is trying to keep things the same for herself and her daughter, Izzy.

Emily is trying to get her K-9 after school program off the ground. However, investors believe that while the program has merit, she is too much of a risk. She is desperate and goes to the one person who could help her – a friend who lost touch after he moved away.

Max is at the top of his field. He is successful and has so much money. What he doesn't have is Emily. He grew attached years ago when he was working with Emily's husband, Jake, and he ran away in order to maintain the relationship that he had formed with Jake and Emily.

Max and Emily reconnect, but work threatens to tear them apart again. How much sacrifice is Emily going to have to suffer and what will Max do when his relationship is jeopardized again?

Izzy is adorable and I love how resilient she is throughout the story.

This is a quick story about finding love again. I hope that we do get to see more into this story, as I felt that the ending was somewhat unfinished.


Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆
Though I liked it, I honestly found this story quite odd. First and foremost, it starts off with Emily looking for funding for a children's center to expand and be able to have dogs and a garden – to me, it just wasn't a big enough cause for half million dollars to need to be raised. Getting past that, when Emily goes to a man from her past for help, Max comes to take a tour of the children's center to decide about funding. Emily's personal funds are also tight and she reveals her 9-year-old is left home with a sitter while she's at work; I find it odd that working at a children's center she didn't bring her daughter to work with her to save money. Then she has one of the children living at the center because his parents kicked him out but she's able to text this kid; I don't see a parent having kicked their child out still paying for a phone.

Now, though I found the above things and a few other quirks inconsistent and a bit odd, I did still like the story and characters. Max is brilliant and generous and the perfect match for Emily's huge heart, I just love the two together. I'll be keeping an eye out for more from this series so I can see where the author takes it next.

This was a well written love story that holds you attention throughout the whole story.

Second to None is a sweet second chance of a sorts romance. 7 years ago Max and Emily were friends. Max and Emily's husband Jake worked on a new polymer that would become a lifesaving element in soldier safety. Max was the inventor and Jake was the Marine who worked with Max to test out the new armor infused with Max's polymer. Unbeknownst to Emily, Max had developed strong feelings for her, so when his time consulting with the Marines came to an end, he cut off his contact with his friends and he hadn't seen Emily or Jake again until the present when Emily bursts into his office with a request for his foundation to help her center with funding.

Max is instantly taken back to his time spent with Emily and Jake, and he's saddened to hear that Jake had passed while serving overseas, but he's overjoyed to know the object of his fascination was single now. When Emily and Max spend one steamy night together, I was tearing up a little because I knew it couldn't possibly be that easy, and it wasn't. Max was planning on moving to Chicago after he had sold his company, and Emily was dead set against long distance relationships. She couldn't uproot her daughter, Izzy, nor could she leave her beloved center and its children and animals in need. So what's a man to do? Go to Chicago without the woman he had just gotten back? Or stay and renege on the deal he had just made to sell his company?

The way things were wrapped up is sweet and seeing Max fall in love with not just Emily and Izzy, but a new special friend Emily brought into his life was just so sweet and adorable that I might have swooned a little. If you like your romances with sweet little girls, children and dogs in need, sexy inventors and strong heroines, 1 click Second to None today.

Second to none is a novella introducing the setting of Nancy Herkness’ new series titled Second Glances. The series gathers her two preferred themes: billionaire heroes and animals, here dogs.
The novella features Emily Wade, who comes and asks Max Varela, the hero, to intervene in her request for grant file for an association where she’s volunteer. The association is a refuge for disavantadged children.

Max and Emily already met when she was happily married. The hero fell madly in love with her and not accepting the promiscuity he severed all contacts. The heroine never understood his action, and we suspect she’ll learn it during the story. In any case now she’s a widow, dices are redistributed and our hero decides it’s time to take a chance. Because as much as he’s succeeded in putting aside his attraction for their years being separated, now he has a big crush for Emily again. However he hides an important information from her about his near future.

Second to none is a novella, so it’s short. The author used the format very well, getting to the heart of the matter and offering the reader a good evolution for the romance and a nice happy end.

I liked the heroine, the relations she has with her daughter and the association’s members as well as with the children registered there. I liked her determination to do anything in order not to disappoint the children she takes care of. I appreciated the decision she takes when the hero declares his projects. I found the reaction very credible.
The hero is perfect, as I like them. Nice, protective, without second thoughts. That’s why he decides to help her after having seen what the association was doing for these children. Max also has personal reasons for taking this decision.

The animals have an important place in the book, but they don’t take precedence over the love story. Once again Nancy Herkness succeeds in balancing both.

In spite of the story’s size, we have a beautiful love scene well written.

To conclude, a very lovely story I recommend.

4 - "Things are different now." Stars!

Nancy Herkness begins her new Second Glances series with an enjoyable second chance romance Seasonal novella.

The woman he’d been obsessed with… was no longer off limits.

Second to None was my first foray into this author’s writing, and I enjoyed the story she gave Max and Emily so much, that I one-clicked her entire Wager of Hearts series straight after finishing it.

Nothing particularly new or unusual about the story line with this couple, but it was well written and gave a good foundation for the K-9 Angelz programme for disadvantaged inner-city kids in South Harlem, which Emily sets up, with a large cash injection from Max, this also facilitates them reconnecting seven years after their last meeting, in which time Emily has also become a widower.

"It’s been seven years. I can wait until the right place and time."

It also sets up the characters, the Carver Centre, it's patrons and the locale really well, which is great because the rest of the series will develop around it as a group of rich (but lonely) bachelors finds themselves on the board of directors as well as finding love along the way.

Definitely worth a couple of hours of your time, if you are looking for easy going, well written, contemporary romance, with the right level between emotion and drama to keep it interesting.

Seven years ago, Max Varela was working on perfecting his design of protective body armor. Jake, a military man, worked with Max, and he and his squad tested the armor. During the process, Jake befriended Max, and often invited him home for dinner. The two men had great respect for each other and became friends, unfortunately, Max found himself becoming deeply attracted to Emily, Jake's wife. Although it was painful, when their work together was done, Max moved his business to New York, and severed all contact with Jake and Emily. In the intervening years, Max, has become extremely wealthy and successful. He's in the process of selling his company, moving to Chicago, and returning to his first love - research and inventing. To say the least, he is shocked when Emily Wade bursts into his office.

In the three years since her husband was killed while on a mission, Emily has tried her best to build a good life for her daughter, Izzy. She was lucky enough to inherit a house in New York, and has become director for a center in South Harlem which runs children's programs. An opportunity has come up for her to acquire an adjacent property for the center, which would allow them to expand to some wonderful new activities. Unfortunately, all of her funding options have failed, and she's down to the deadline. She knows of Max's success, and in desperation, Emily rushes past his assistant, and barges in to make a plea for her cause, based on their long ago friendship.

All of the old feelings come rushing back to Max as he invites Emily to sit and describe her situation. He had not heard of Jake's death, and feels bad about never even acknowledging it. He makes no promises to Emily, other than agreeing to look into the possibility of helping her. Yet, he rearranges his already full schedule in order to tour the center. Though his intention was helping Emily personally, he's also impressed with what she's accomplished. His very generous support overwhelms Emily, and she impulsively invites him to dinner, which then leads to an official first date.

Emily had a happy marriage, and she deeply grieved for her husband. Now she's ready to begin living again. Years ago, she was fond of Max, though she never saw him as more than a friend, but now, things are different. Max is such an endearing character. He has acquired poise, confidence, and polish, but none of the arrogance you might expect to find in a billionaire CEO. He treats Emily and her daughter with kindness and respect, and he's overly generous with the center. It also turns out that Max and Emily have an intensely hot chemistry together. Their affair is progressing beautifully, until Max mentions his pending company sale and his move to Chicago. Though Max has no intention of ending their relationship, (in fact, he's committed to commuting back to New York every weekend) Emily refuses to even consider this, and ends things.

SECOND TO NONE is a short, but very powerful and emotional novella. I love the person that Max was, and is now. He always acted honorably, he's generous, he's kind, and his vulnerability for someone in such a powerful position is very touching. I admire most of Emily's traits - her dedication to her daughter and to the center. I love that she was strong and ready to move on, yet I really hated her inflexibility in not even being willing to consider continuing her relationship with Max, though it would be a commuter relationship. There are many tender and poignant moments in this well written story, and I thoroughly enjoyed the happy resolution in SECOND TO NONE.

Second to None is the prequel introduction to the Second Glances series. This novella packs a serious story punch, so don’t let the size of the book fool you – you’re in for quite a story here.

Max and Emily’s story nicely sets up the foundation for the series and gives us a lovely, heartfelt romance as well. Once, years ago, Max fell in love with another man’s wife. Oh neither she or her husband knew that for Max is an honorable man. He cut contact with them after he finished the project they were working on, and kept his feelings to himself. Now years later Emily is a widow with a young daughter… and comes crashing into Max’s office asking for help. Maybe second chances do happen for the good guys, too.

I don’t believe it would take long for this romance to capture your attention. While Max does have a tendency to come off a bit cold at times, it’s not really surprising given his background. Where there is no coldness is his feelings for Emily and his growing affection for her daughter. Her cause is a good one, much needed and worth his help. Yet Max is making a huge move in a few weeks, just when the woman he loves has come back into his life.

Now choices have to be made. Emily cannot leave the foundation that she’s put her heart and soul into. Life and love are often not completely fair, but when the right decision is obvious you grab happiness and hold on tight.

I’m hooked on this series already and it’s only barely begun. I would definitely recommend Second to None and I cannot wait to find out what happens next.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*