Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this eCopy to review

The House of Second Chances is an absolute delight, it has a captivating plot, well-developed characters, and a very emotional journey.

The story follows Amy Wood, whose life takes a dramatic turn when she loses her job as an English Literature teacher and her long-time boyfriend in quick succession. Heartbroken and unemployed, Amy moves back to her parents' home in Bath. She soon finds herself working as an Estate Agent, a job she never imagined for herself. Her new role leads her to Rosemont Hall, a crumbling Georgian mansion with a rich history and many secrets.

Amy's connection to Rosemont Hall is immediate and profound. She believes that houses can have a special bond with people, and she feels a strong urge to find the perfect owner who will restore the mansion to its former glory. However, her journey is fraught with challenges, including unscrupulous developers who want to demolish the house and build a golf course in its place.

As Amy delves deeper into the history of Rosemont Hall, she uncovers intriguing secrets about its past owners. The mystery surrounding a portrait in the hall adds an extra layer of intrigue to the story. Amy's determination to save the mansion and her personal growth throughout the book are truly inspiring.

Westwood's writing is engaging and filled with warmth. The way she weaves classic literature references into the narrative adds depth to Amy's character and makes the story even more enjoyable. The book is a perfect blend of romance, mystery, and personal growth, making it a must-read for fans of feel-good fiction.

Overall, The House of Second Chances is a heart warming and uplifting tale about finding new beginnings and the power of perseverance.

I lovely story of moving on and second chances.
This story brought together the past and the present in a really nice way, using the house to bring everyone together.
The characters grow on you as the story progresses, as does the house and its history.
Maybe a little slow in places but all in all a nicely rounded story.
3.5 stars

Mmmmm, I really enjoyed the beginning of the book but it just became a bit far fetched in the middle of the story- not quite believable.

I so enjoyed The House Of Second Chances! The story starts with English Literature PhD Amy Wood, who has just started her dream treaching job, discovering that her long-term boyfriend is cheating on her with one of her colleagues. Sacked after her accidentally-thrown mobile phone hit said colleague, Amy is forced to move home to her parents. From this point, Amy sets off on a journey of self-discovery, learning that she can, in fact, sell real estate even when it’s dodgy and falling in love with the crumbling Rosemont Hall. Amy’s determination to save the building is the central theme in this story and I couldn’t help but side with her in her battle to prevent a golfing monstrosity becoming the new realtity for its estate. Along the way, there are some wonderful secondary characters including the hall’s indomitable housekeeer Maryanne. There is also an intriguing portrait that captivates Amy and the mystery of a missing Rembrandt to be solved. Oh, and Jack Faraday, one of the owners, who is keen to sell the building as quickly as possible and who Amy feels an immediate attachment to. Their enemies to lovers story is a secondary but important thread in this book but it adds warmth and engaged me right away. This book is charming, intriguing and definitely a page-turner. I loved it.

**The House of Second Chances** by Lauren Westwood*

Just a month ago, Amy Wood appeared to have it all: a charming flat in London, an affectionate boyfriend named Simon, and a fulfilling job as a teacher. However, in the blink of an eye, her life unravelled. Now, she finds herself heartbroken, residing in her parents’ quaint yet cramped bungalow, and employed at a modest estate agent in the picturesque city of Bath. Amidst this upheaval, Amy is presented with a unique opportunity to sell Rosemont Hall, an enchanting yet dilapidated Georgian mansion, marred by woodworm, dry rot, and an aura of mystery cloaked in secrets.

Having never experienced the writing of Lauren Westwood before, I wasn’t certain what to anticipate from this novel. To my delight, I was captivated from the very first page and found it impossible to put the book down. The author weaves a rich tapestry of characters, each bringing their own colour to the book, making the story of *The House of Second Chances* deeply engaging.

The story begins with Amy viewing a charming flat, envisioning it as a future home for herself and her longtime partner, Simon. However, her hopeful dreams are dashed when she discovers that Simon is there with another woman, who turns out to be a colleague of theirs. In a moment of flustered embarrassment, Amy accidentally hurls her cell phone, striking the other woman squarely on the nose. The situation spirals into chaos, leading Amy to bolt from the scene.

The following day, the repercussions of that moment unfold as Amy returns to work only to find herself unexpectedly unemployed. Faced with the stark reality of her situation, she has no choice but to return to her childhood home, a jarring contrast to her once independent life. Amy, a devoted lover of books, history, and old homes, is drawn to the romantic yet haunting allure of Rosemont Hall.

This novel is a delightful, easy read that offers a light and entertaining escape from reality. I relished the unfolding of Amy’s journey, filled with poignant moments and whimsical encounters, as she navigates the trials of heartbreak and self-discovery. Ultimately, *The House of Second Chances* is a heartwarming exploration of new beginnings amidst the backdrop of unexpected challenges.

'A page-turning historical mystery' is just what this book is and I loved it. Any Wood's perfect life has come to an end so she reinvents herself and finds a new lease on life, finding a new owner to buy and restore a very rundown mansion but the quest brings more than that and Amy will uncover secrets and so much more.

I love a good book about second chances and this one had it all. I delved in and didn't come up for air until I had finished. Loved every minute of it. So well written adn easy to read, Great characters and Amy appealed to me as she loves books, history and she showed her passion throughout. I highly recommend this book as it is delightful, interesting, entertaining and ever so enjoyable to read.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

The House of Second Chances was just that and that's what made the read satisfying. It was also intriquing. The secrets lent mystery and suspense to the story, keeping my curiosity simmering thoughout. I found Estate Agent Amy Wood to be a fun, yet serious and unique character. Through all odds against her, she attempts with varying success to match a house with prospective buyer.

With the particular crumbling estate she trys to protect is a mansion of great historical value - to her. She sleuths out and unfolds a secret of magnitude on several levels. Romance sugar coats it all peculiarly, I found.

In my opinion, anyone with a love of ancient historical properties needing restoration will be able to relate well with Amy and the narrative.

~ Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger ~

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by Net Galley and the publisher.

The House of second chances by Lauren Westwood, when we meet Amy Woods she’s viewing a flat as a potential home for her and her longtime boyfriend Simon. When she arrives there is a couple also viewing the flat and when she walks in she learns the other couple is a coworker and Amy’s boyfriend. After throwing her cell phone and hitting the other woman in the nose Amy takes off and when we see her again she’s living with her parents and unemployed. Soon she starts working at a real estate agency and was only supposed to be the secretary until one day she goes with her boss to view a crumbling mansion in where her boss sees a money grab in a disaster of a house Amy sees a fairytale and all it could be. Throughout the rest of the book Amy is under pressure to save this beautiful historical castle and she only has three months to do it and to make matters worse an unethical resort company has already made an offer to the owners. The owners live in America and have never seen the beautiful building, but when Amy does meet one of them it could change everything. I do want to say upfront unless you’re familiar with Jane Austen‘s books you may not like this book because for the first half there is a lot of comparison and talk of the novels. I did like Amy and I really liked this book but as another reviewer asked how can she sell houses without a license I know things may be different in Britain but surely they need schooling right? OK this is a great book almost a fairytale and almost a serious literary fiction but definitely entertaining I loved Amy I couldn’t stand her boss Bowen Knowles how pretentious not to mention her coworker who took her first sale from her. They also have some chapters written from the past having to do with the people that live there previous and I don’t want to give too much away because there’s lots to this book but I definitely enjoyed it not a historical part so much but the current day timeline I absolutely loved it. #NetGalley, #BoldwoodBooks, #LaurenWestwood, #TheHouseOfSecondChances,

The House of Second Chances previously published as Finding Home and part of the Secrets and Love Series is a beautiful tribute to the old manor homes in the UK. Teacher Amy Wood is looking for a new home with fiancé Simon when she finds out he’s cheating on her. She loses her job and flat in London and ends up moving to Bath to stay with her parents. She falls into a job at real estate agency and falls in love with Rosemont Hall. She’s determined to see it saved from developers who want to turn it into a golf course

Amy Wood is a very relatable main character- she loves books, history and old home. I enjoyed getting to know both her and Rosemont Hall. I loved learning of the history, the mysterious letters and family secrets. There were some very funny moments as Amy tried to navigate her new career and new romances. I found myself hooked as everything played out and I loved how it all came together in the end. Perfect for those who love stories where houses are a main character and fans of Rachel Burton. I’ll definitely be checking out Lauren’s backlist.

Contemporary novel with a historical mystery and a bit of romance thrown in. Not my cup of tea and not very believable.

A historical mystery plus romantic drama. I liked the beginning but the abrupt.shift in story took me by surprise and I lost interest in the main character.

Thanks to Lauren Westwood and her publisher An interesting book and storyline although it took me a while to get into it but persevere. Thanks also to NetGalley

The House of Second Chances by Lauren Westwood was such a welcomed surprise! I had never read her books before so was not sure what to expect. But I was greatly impressed and could not stop reading once I started. I never dreamed it would captivate me to the point that time seemed to evaporate. I was hooked from the first page! The plot and characters intrigued me for so many reasons. Books that have old houses as characters always inspire me. As their four walls have seen so many things happen over time. Yes, if the walls could speak the tales they would tell! Outside of this and the excellent writing style, I loved how some of my favourite classics, like Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice and Wuthering Heights were woven into the story’s fabric and perfectly utilised. How does the reading of these books and poems affect a person’s perception? Depends on how far fiction and fantasy can imbue and fuel hopes and dreams.

There is a wonderful cast of characters in The House of Second Chances. Amy Woods is someone I could relate to with her love of books, history, English Literature and stately old homes. Her view of the world was initially shaped by the classics she read. But how far does the romance and ideal outcomes of these favourite stories carry over into the real world? Can she be the heroine of her own tale and have a happy ending? Of course, but not without a rough journey, and obstacles to overcome (like in fiction). And does she have to lose everything she loves before she begins that road to fulfilment? Yes. First her life is turned up side when her long-time boyfriend betrays her. Then she loses her ideal job as an English Lit teacher due to a mishap. Now suddenly unemployed, she must leave her London dwelling. What can she do but head back home with a broken heart to live with her parents in Bath until she can heal and sort out a new path. It isn’t long before she is applying for another job but not one she would have imagined for herself. Yet a change might be just what she needs. How hard can working as a realtor be? Very. Here she must prove herself and deal with competition. But that does not stop her. She learns quickly the ins and outs of the profession with a bit of help from a kind colleague.

Amy believes ‘that there can be a strong connection between people and properties: a person can belong to a house just like a house belongs to a person.’ And when she encounters Rosemount Hall, she connects with it, feels it is special and wants to find a buyer who will restore it to its original glory. But there are many obstacles and false starts. And there is a developer who wants to build a golf course in its place. Amy has a fight on her hands and her journey is an intriguing one—especially as she digs into the history of the house and its former owners. There is a portrait in the hall that is quite a talking piece and as she begins to unravel its mystery, intriguing information comes to light. Plus letters, a gold lighter and an artist’s sketchbook help tell of the house’s past inhabitants—and a forbidden romance.

This is a fascinating story with a strong heroine matched by an enigmatic heir. I loved these two characters, along with others (but I won’t describe them or their parts as you need to read the book!). The ending is brilliant, well executed and satisfyingly appropriate. If I could give this novel more than five stars I would as it deserves all the praise. I am dying to read more of this series and anything else by Lauren Westwood. An absolute must-read for lovers of history, old houses and literature. Great read for springing into the new year!

Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC.

Quick read that took me through a couple of different reading-emotions. It started off with some snappy writing and phrasing leading up to Amy's reason for finding "the house of second chances"; the next chunk of the book veered into the slightly unrealistic where Amy moves home, gets hired in a very right-place/right-time scenario for a job which she knows nothing and has no skills for. While she was working as an estate agent, lots of conveniently coincidental things happen to land her in contact with Rosemont Hall. There were some odd red herrings to set up a small mystery related to a painting, interspersed with quotes from famous works and portions of 1950s letters between the unidentified H and A. This section dragged a bit for me. The final portion of the book picked up even though the meeting and subsequent love interest with the heir was a bit hokey, the plot picked up and moved faster and the revelation about the housekeeper fit in well. For some reason, it was disappointing that the book had been released in 2016 and this "advanced copy" was simply a reissue with a new title -- unsure why? 2.5 rounded up to 3.

This is an entertaining read. When Amy ends up working at a real estate agent, she comes across Rosemont House. Amy is a lover of old books and houses and is aghast that this house could be turned into a golf club and course. As she unravels the house's history, she finds out more than she could have imagined. This is a book about second chances and having a go, even when the chips are down. There is a gentle humour here as well, and it would make a great holiday read. Thanks to NetGalley for a chance to read and review this book.

I was not thrilled with this book. A young woman discovers her boyfriend with another woman (who she gets into a physical altercation with). As a result ,she looses her job and is forced to move home with her parents. Getting a job working in a real estate office, she sees a job listing for an old home that is in ruins. Of course, she falls in love with the house and wants to sell to someone who will restore it to its original beauty. What follows is a typical love story and a happy ending. A predictable story and one I will not be recommending.

This was a slow moving story and maybe a little too wordy at times. I’m a bit surprised that Amy could just start selling houses without a license.
She’s a bit too ditzy for me and annoyed me for most of the book.

What an amazing story! Weaving classic romantic classics into the story….fabulous!

We first meet Amy Woods looking to buy a flat with her boyfriend Simon only to find him there canoodling with another woman! Her life implodes and she has to move in with her parents starting over taking a job as a real estate agent. Not by choice

She takes a call for a rundown rotting truly historic home and the fun begins. It keeps you reading late into the night just to see what’s next.

I received a free copy of, The House of Second Chances, by Lauren Westwood, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Amy's perfect life has changed, she left London, and is living with her parents in Bath, no boyfriend, and working as an estate agent. I thought this was a nice read, nice characters and setting.

This book felt cobbled together to me. The story belonging to the house is convoluted and anticlimactic and the modern day romance is smarmy. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.