Having met in college because her roommate was dating Will. Kyra found herself drawn to him. Only he came from money and she didn’t. Running into each other years later He asks her to a party at his parents. Kyra discovered that Will did notice her in college just never acted on it. Now she's not that same shy girl, she's a strong-willed woman with a life she loves. And Will could never fit into her life or her to his. Yet the physical attraction soon takes over. they find themselves both hoping there's a way to make this work. The steamy sex and the feelings there working through are getting jumbled together. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next one to come out. I love how you can relate to her characters. I read this book in one sitting so if you're looking to escape for a few hours this is the book for you.

The technical stuff: This story has a whole lot of on-page sex and some mild cussing (no f-bombs) so if copious amounts of open door sex will cause you to leave a bad review, use your own discretion before reading.

This book was very interesting to me. While it follows Ms. Herkness' usual “poor girl/rich man who lavishes her with extravagant experiences and can solve all of her problems” path, I really enjoyed the fact that Kyra resisted Will's attempts to use his money to solve her own personal issues. She wasn't afraid to let him help the Carver Center, but she resisted his attempts to solve her financial issues and I had so much respect for her for that. I also really liked that these two had a past that was equal so that even though their sex life started almost immediately after becoming reacquainted, they had a previous relationship so it wasn't insta-love.

I enjoyed the Carver Center story lines very much, and I was surprised at how invested in the kids and the dogs that I was as I read. I also really liked Will's sister Schuyler, and Will's father – seeing the way that this family loved each other, even while they were imperfect and dysfunctional, was excellent. (Mother Chase is the exception to this. She's just flat-out deplorable.) I would very much enjoy seeing Schuyler get her happily ever after.

Second Time Around by Nancy Herkness is book One in the Second Glances series. This is the story of Kyra Dixon and Will Chas.
Kyra and WIll met in college when Will was dating her roommate who would always cheat on him. So while Will waited for the roommate he got to know Kyra. Kyra was from a humble lifestyle while Will was on the richer end of life. When Kyra had to drop out of college to take care of her family she never thought to see Will again. But a few years later they happen to meet a a restaurant and picked up their friendship which started to lead to something more. But can these two different people find that they can make it work...difference and family interference?

This is the first time I'm reading Nancy Herkness. A fellow blogger that I follow reads her all the time and seems to really like her so I thought I'd give her a new try.

Second Time Around is the first book her new Second Glances series. What a wonderful series title. You know right away that these a meant to be second chances but it's said in such a elegant way Not a huge fan of second chance romance but this series title made me what to try it.

Right away I was able to get into the writing, which for me is a must. There's not worse then fighting the writing when you try a new author.

I really enjoyed the characters and liked how they both had a thing for each other in college but didn't really act on it. Instead they became good friends. Which even though their romantic road wasn't a easy one I think it helped with the foundation of it.

I am so glad that I gave her a chance. It's great to try new authors once in a while. You never know who new you'll meet.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance

Kyra is a hard working, honest woman who has had a rough go of things. She was an only child and had a mother who never quite understood her and a father who adored her. When tragedy strikes, she has to leave behind her dreams. But she never forgot her best friend from her dreaming days, Will. Despite the fact that he was dating her roommate, Will and Kyra formed such a bond – talking and quoting. She never forgot him.

Will has built an empire just to spite his father. He was walking the path his parents wanted for so long that when he finally broke free, he wanted to prove to his parents that he didn't need their input – that he would succeed without their guidance. Even with all of his success, Will still has this driving need to continuously prove his parents wrong. When he runs in to Kyra again, she awakens memories and desires in him that were long buried. Is he truly happy? Is being successful enough? When he sees how hard she works and why, it reminds him of the dreams he had while they were both in school.

This is a sweet second chance romance. Both characters have baggage that they need to work through and they also have a connection that goes beyond romantic. Their friendship is solid and because of that, they are able to build a connection again fairly quickly. Missteps happen and communication isn't perfect. Both will have to decide if their connection is more important than their dreams or if their connection will change their dreams.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the first full book in a new series – although the Second to None novella precedes it, and we get to meet Max and Emily again here. We also meet up with old friends from the Wager of Hearts series – which is fun if you have read them.

Kyra takes on the role of 'fake' girlfriend to her college crush Will, as he needs support at a family event, although all she can see is that he has made a success of his life since college. They certainly have an entertaining day, which inevitably leads to more. However, both of them are tied down by their pasts, and it really isn't clear how they can get past it. Kyra is convinced she is not worthy, and it is best if she ends it before it hurts even more – a logic which I have never found to work! And Will is floundering after a failed relationship, and the pressures levied by the expectation of his parents.

It is fun to see both places where Kyra works; the care that she takes with the after-school club youngsters and the persona she develops when a cocktail waitress. The links with Will's chosen business, also in catering, creates some links between them beyond the clear chemistry that they have. Inevitably there are some rocky patches, and really Will needs to stop thinking and feel more – but he gets there in the end, thankfully.

For a fun summer read, this would hit the spot. I am looking forward to seeing who features in the next novel.

4.5 Stars

Ten years ago, back in college, Kyra Dixon was in love with Will Chase. Unfortunately, Will was also her roommate's boyfriend, in addition to being way out of her league. Family and financial problems caused Kyra to drop out of college before she graduated, and she lost track of Will, along with losing her dream of ever becoming an editor. Those financial debts and student loans have led Kyra to New York, where she bartends at Stratus in the evening, while cooking at a local Care Center during the day in exchange for a small apartment.

One day, while treating herself to a quick lunch at her favorite restaurant, she finds herself next to Will, who immediately recognizes her. It turns out that Will has come up even further in the world, as he is the CEO and co-founder of the very successful chain of restaurants they're now lunching in. They share some small talk, and some memories, and Will gives Kyra his phone number, inviting her to call him, which she has no intention of doing. When Will needs a date to act as a buffer while he attends his parents' dreaded annual garden party, he tracks down Kyra at Stratus, and invites her along. She accepts, deciding that she can endure one foray into the world of billionaires and socialites, if it allows her just one day as Will's date.

The differences in their styles of living is blatantly obvious, as Will picks her up in a limo, which then takes them to a helicopter, which flies them to the party. (Have to avoid the traffic, you know.) The casual dresses worn by the women at the party no doubt cost more than Kyra makes in a month. Everyone is outwardly polite to Kyra, while Will becomes more and more tense with each encounter with his parents. When he learns his mother invited his ex-fiancée to the party against his wishes, he steals away with Kyra to the family boat.

On that sailboat, Kyra and Will have an intensely passionate encounter, one that fulfilled all of Kyra's longings from ten years earlier. She doesn't expect Will to continue their relationship, but he wants to see her again tomorrow. They begin a very steamy affair, which is characterized by amusing back and forth texts using quotes from poetry and literature, something they did back in their college days. I loved their developing relationship! For a billionaire, Will is very down-to-earth, and his treatment of Kyra is stellar. Though he takes for granted the luxuries he's used to, he never looks down on Kyra because of her working class background. He enjoys her company, her friendship, and their sexual relationship, and he lets her know it.

While Kyra is falling in love all over again, she's also very aware that she and Will are from two different worlds. She does have her pride, and when an attempt is made by Will to help her financially, she realizes how different they truly are. Kyra decides that their affair has to end before the damage to her heart is irreversible. When Will is unable to declare his love, Kyra knows that she made the right decision, painful though it is.

I'm predominantly a historical romance reader, but I really like Nancy Herkness' writing, which makes reading contemporaries a genuine pleasure. In SECOND TIME AROUND, Kyra and Will are such vivid and real characters, and their story flowed effortlessly. There is decidedly a hefty amount of steam (whew!) between this couple, yet some heartbreaking moments, too, as they work through the tangle of their emotions. The Care Center is full of lovable children and dogs, who are also guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings. I totally enjoyed and recommend SECOND TIME AROUND for fans of second chance romances, be they historical or contemporary.

I love when I start a book from a new to me author and everything just fades into the background and I fall into their story. This is what happened when I started reading SECOND TIME AROUND (Second Glances #1) by Nancy Herkness. This is a second chance contemporary romance with a plot that is not unique, but the characters are so realistic and relatable, they make you feel invested in their HEA and you just have to keep turning the pages.
Kyra Dixon is from a blue collar Pennsylvania family. Will Chase is from a blue blood Connecticut family. They meet in college while Will is dating Kyra’s suite mate. College life is a great equalizer for them and they become good friends, enjoying tossing famous quotes back and forth as a personal game. Kyra would love their relationship to be more, but he is not free and she always stays aware of their social differences. When Kyra’s father becomes ill, she returns to her small hometown and does not return to school.
Ten years later, Kyra is grabbing a bite at her favorite NYC café chain and runs into Will. Will has become the billionaire CEO of the chain and is as successful as Kyra knew he would be. Kyra is working days in the kitchen of a childhood community center and nights at a high class club to pay off debts left from her mother before her death. The sparks are still there and when Will asks Kyra to accompany him as his date to a family annual event she jumps at the chance.
Kyra falls hard for Will all over again, but always feels that their social and money differences make it a relationship with a time limit. Will starts to discover all over again the things that excite him and make him feel happy with Kyra always being honest and looking at his world in a different ways. Kyra loves Will, but is it enough to bridge their differences? Does Will know what he truly wants?
I loved Kyra and Will. I related personally with everything about Kyra. She especially shines in all her scenes at the center with the kids. That the center also had a canine program made it even better. Kyra is such a strong character and I was very happy with the way this author moved Will towards her, rather than having Kyra drop everything for a HEA with just his money. This author definitely has a way with realistic, in-depth characters. Besides the romance growing at a believable rate, there are well written sex scenes that are explicit, intense and smoking hot.
I highly recommend you clear some time, curl up in your favorite chair and fall in love with Kyra and Will just like I did. I am looking forward to reading many more romances from Ms. Herkness.

This is the first book in this series by this author. This is a quick moving story which is sweet with lots of hot and steamy scenes. The characters are amazing, you have a strong willed women mixed with an alpha male. This is also a second chance romance read. I can't wait to read more in this series and by this author in the future.



Highly recommended

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book

“Sometimes the second time around is better because you have a shared history.”

So, this ^ quote ^ perfectly sums up the reason why second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes. And guys, Second Time Around is an awesome addition to the genre.

Nancy Herkness has once again proved why she’s a go-to author for me. I love her billionaires—they’re a balanced mix dreamy fairytale (closing down a restaurant for a date) and grounded kindness (taking the time to name a rescue dog), and they always make me a little swoony.

William Peyton Chase III definitely made me swoony. Possibly more so than any of the Herkness men who’ve come before him. And as for this book . . . well, I can’t say it’s my favorite from this author only because all of the others are so damn good. But it’s up there. WAY up there. Everything about this book was on point—from the way Will and Kyra rekindled their friendship, to the way it grew into more, to the inclusion of the Carver Center and the adorable kids and dogs in their story, and the cameo from a past favorite of mine. Second Time Around was smartly written and not rushed; Ms. Herkness gave her characters voice for their concerns and time to work through them and, in doing so, made them all the more relatable and enjoyable.

Except relatable and enjoyable seem a little run-of-the-mill—albeit true—when it comes to describing this book. Perhaps ‘a feel good, sexy, funny, and unputdownable romance’ would be be a better way to describe a love story that gave me tingly feels and confirmed that seeking out second chance romances—and Nancy Herkness—is an excellent idea. Yes, I think that sounds more apt . . .

PS—Consider this my formal request for Schuyler to get her own book. I loved her small-but-important role in Will and Kyra’s story and would love to see more of her.

“When I see myself through your eyes, I look very different. I’m going to try to believe in that vision, because I want to be that person for you.”
“You’re already everything for me. I love you.”

~ FIVE Shaq STARS ~

Another hit for Nancy Herkness!
Kyra Dixon is working two jobs to pay off the debt her mother left before passing away. In the day time she works at a center for underprivileged kids, as the chef. At night she’s a bartender at a swanky club. Before heading to her night job, she grabs a bite at a food chain called Ceres. This is where Kyra runs into her college crush, Will Chase, and come to find out, he owns the chain. Reconnecting with Will is great, specially since he asks her to be his date at his parents Spring Fling. Kyra realizes she’ll be a fish out of water with the upper class Connecticut socialites, but nevertheless, she’s going to enjoy every moment spent with Will.
Will is thrilled running into Kyra again, now he can’t get her out of his mind and wants to spend all his free time with her. For Kyra this is too good to be true. She knows she doesn’t belong in his world. Falling in love all over again will hurt even more when he’s no longer by her side.
Can two people that are so much alike in personality and smarts, be able to overcome the difference in their social backgrounds. Their sexual chemistry is off the charts, but lust alone does not make a relationship.

4 - "We're doing it right this time." Stars!

I only discovered Nancy Herkness, after reading the prequel novella for this series Second to None late last year, and I really enjoyed the unique spin with the romance being played out around the K9 Angelz programme, based in a underprivileged kids center in Harlem.

"Have you ever met someone who reminds you that you once were a different person."

That novella introduced us to the center, the kids and the locale, Second Time Around gives us the centers cook; Kyra Dixons' story, a Cinderella style second chance romance with old acquaintance and now Billionaire Will Chase.

"I didn’t come to take advantage of our friendship… I came to renew it."

This is a couple that originally met during the carefree days of college, but a lot has changed for the both of them in the intervening decade, one has flourished in the business arena, and the other is floundering under a mountain of debt that is not of their own making.

"Entrust me with your secrets…"

Nothing hugely new or unusual the story-line itself, rich man falls for poor woman, and as you would expect the perceived the class-divide poses a problem, and the centre provides a decent secondary story-line to keep everything moving along nicely.

"I just want to love you as an equal. A simple exchange of emotions… But the equation doesn’t balance. It can’t."

I liked the authors low drama writing style in the opening novella, and Second time Around continues in much the same way, and although it’s there and warranted in the theme of the story, it’s not overblown or drawn out too much. Likeable characters, and decent sexy-times made for an all-round enjoyable read.

"The only person who believes you are less is you."

This is not my first book by this author, and I think she only gets better. So many contemporary romances are all sexy fluff with no depth - Herkness writes the sexy but within a foundation of actual plot. And a plot that’s actually interesting! Maybe not totally believable (so many hot, single billionaires), but that’s what makes it a modern fairy tale, right?

I found the heroine to be especially relatable here. The hero, too, now that I think on it. Both had upbringings and experiences with which I’m familiar, and it made me connect to them easily.

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

I've read several other titles by Ms. Herkness, and this one was delightful. Her writing is consistent and good. Our main characters reunited "meet-cute" was adorable, esp. when the staff overdid on her key ingredients that had been missing in Kyra's wrap. The characters had pretty easy banter throughout the story.

I did find Kyra's easy acceptance of her mother's debts and issues somewhat annoying. She was just too much of a doormat for that behavior. It was inconsistent with how she approached everything else in her life. I found myself rolling my eyes at each instance of the "I have to take care of it" response she had.

Overall, I enjoyed Kyra and Will's story. It was fun. Loved how we were able to check in with some previous characters too. I loved Will's sister, Schuyler. It would be fun to see her get her own HEA.

I enjoy second chance romance books and the cover photo was the perfect model for Will Chase. Will and Kyra were friends in college until Kyra had to drop out due to her parent's illness. They lost touch until they ran into each other at a cafe in New York. Kyra had a crush on Will, but he was dating her roommate and he was also out of her league in terms of money and background. Kyra works two jobs, one as a cook at a community center and the other as a waitress in a high-end bar to pay her bills. Will is the CEO of a company that owns, among other things, a chain of cafes.Will and Kyra rekindle their friendship and it soon turns to romance. There is a side story where Kyra develops a special dog food for a pit bill need Shaq who has a sensitive stomach. Will likes the idea and suggests that they market a line of high-quality dog food as one of his businesses. Ultimately. Kyra feels like Will and her and are too different to work out. Will is also hesitant to jump into loving another woman after he was burned by his ex-fiancee Petra. They break up, but not for long. The book ends with them getting back together and in the epilogue they are engaged.

I liked the book and was rooting for them to figure things out. I read the previous book with Emily and Max and felt like the do-gooder angle was a bit heavy. This followed into this book. The center is perfect. The kids are precocious. Dogs make everything better. People who don't like dogs are bad. I enjoy the author a lot and the books are well written, I guess I am just not the warm and fuzzy type.

Ms. Herkness writes fantastic stories!
This new series Second Glances is no exception!
Second Time Around is the first book in this series. It is the story of Will and Kyra. I enjoy a good second chance romance and this fits so well.
Will and Kyra are college friends from years ago that have a chance encounter. Their chemistry hasn't faded even after years have passed!
The words flowed wonderfully and they way that Ms. Herkness is able to articulate the struggle that Will has with his feelings towards Krya is fabulous!
I also enjoyed how past characters were intermixed with the story, it was nice to see what they were up to. It was like a family reunion of sorts.
This story is full of heart, heat and a happily ever after! Just what every good romance needs!
Thank you for your words and can't wait to see what you come out with next!

Adorable second chance romance!

This was such a beautiful and heartwarming story! Will and Kyra's story starts off at a rocky start in college, but circumstances intervene and they do not meet again until years later when their paths cross each other through mutual friends. They way they reunite and fall in love and its sweet how they come together. One of the drawbacks was that I felt there was too much sex and not enough plot development, but nonetheless a fun read!

This is a second change romance with college friends Will Chase and Kyra Dixon. Will dated Kyra's dorm-mate in college and she had a huge crush on him. Just as Will and his girlfriend break up, Kyra gets called home to help take care of her sick father and never makes it back to College. Years later they run into each other again when Kyra visits the restaurant owned by Will and his partner.

I love the direction the author has taken this series. I'm a sucker for kids and animals in romance books. I think they add a heartwarming aspect to the storyline. In Second Time Around, we get to see the center for underprivileged kids and the shelter dogs we were introduced to in Second To None.

Kyra works at the center as a chef and we get to see a lot of Emily and Max from the previous book as well. We also get to see Nathan Trainor, the hero from The CEO Buys In who just happens to be good friends with Will. I enjoy when an author can intermingle characters from other books. I always want more from the characters I've enjoyed in past books.

I'm looking forward to seeing who will be up next. ARC provided by NetGalley.

Kyra and Will met at college, and thoughKyra had a crush on him, nothing came of it since he was dating her roommate.
Now years later, they meet again and Will invites her as his date at his family’s annual garden party.
The attraction they had in college turns into something much stronger and they are susceptible to give in to the chemistry between them.
As Kyra starts falling in love with Will all over again, she can’t help but fear if Will, a blue blooded billionaire would want a future with a blue collar working girl like her.
I have enjoyed reading Wager of Hearts series by the author and was looking forward to Second time around. I liked like story but didn’t love it. The chemistry is hot. I found Kyra a little exasperating with her hang up at coming from a blue collar family. Having said that the writing and characters are good. I loved the kids and the K9 Angelz.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. (4.5 stars)

This is Will and Kyra’s story and set in the worlds of this new series (Second Glances), but also includes characters from Wager of the Hearts. Will and Kyra met when they were at college, and it would have been unlikely otherwise given the difference in their backgrounds. Will is old Connecticut money, and Kyra is from rural Pennsylvania where her dad worked as a mechanic.

They had a lot of fun together, and Kyra fell for Will, but then she had to leave college and go home to take care of two parents who would ultimately die. It’s years later now, and they meet again. Can they fall in love? Each of them brings baggage to the relationship, pasts that prevent them from connecting. Kyra’s are obviously grounded in their different background’s, Will’s are more complex.

I love everything that Nancy Herkness writes, she tells an incredibly good story. However, I will say I grappled some with Will’s issues. I thought I understood them at a surface level, but ultimately I don’t quite connect with him. I also wondered what work Petra and Farr were doing in service of the plot. They were interesting, but I thought it might go somewhere that it ultimately didn’t. So this isn’t my favourite of her books. But, its absolutely read worthy despite that. Particularly since you do wonder whether we’ll get more of the characters she introduces to us here later on in their own books.

I enjoy second chance romance, I enjoy cross-class romance, and I enjoy Nancy Herkness' stories. She typically creates complex characters who intrigue me and brings a depth of emotion to her stories that touches my heart. I also enjoy sex in the romances I read. It's a natural part of a relationship and adds both spice and emotion to the journey. However, when the sex scenes are so plentiful that it begins to feel less organic and more gratuitous, I begin to skim pages. And when the skimming begins before I even reach the halfway point of the book and continues until the end it pulls me out of the story and diminishes my enjoyment of it.

That's not to say this book doesn't have a lot going for it. It does. We continue to learn more about the Carver After-School Care Center in South Harlem that had a starring role in Second to None, as well as the children and rescue dogs who go there. If Diego, the soft-spoken teen who readers first met in the previous book doesn't steal your heart in this one, I don't know what will. And right there with him in the heart-stealing hall of fame is Shaq, a huge pitbull rescue with a heart of gold and a delicate tummy. I really enjoyed both Kyra's and Will's interactions with the kids at the center. I also enjoyed the quote game Kyra and Will began in college and immediately picked up again when they reconnected. I liked them and hoped they would find their happy ending but as the story progressed I wasn't as invested in that happy ending as I wanted to be. There's no doubting that these two have physical chemistry but I wanted to feel more of their emotional chemistry. More balance. More substance. I also wouldn't have minded seeing some of those pages that were devoted to their sexual exploits steered toward giving storylines involving both primary and secondary characters more depth.

So, while this is a well-written book it wasn't the best fit for me. But I'm still glad I read it and I'm still a fan. I'll be buying the next book in the series and hoping for a better balance.

3.5 stars