Review: Little Romance, Lots of Angst
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 01 13, 2014
*Warming: This review discusses both books in the Second Chances series and may provide some spoilers.The plot and the series: Cassie and Josh’s story picks up soon after where it left off in No Reverse. The plot continues to be heavy with every possible roadblock to their happiness thrown at them.  And while I appreciate that some drama makes a story interesting, this level of continued trials, tribulations, and set backs with very few romantic interludes makes Cassie and Josh’s love story feel like something on a daytime soap opera, although in that case the delays are necessary to fill the extensive show cycle of daily episodes. But this isn’t episodic television, it’s a book. Substantial story editing would be greatly beneficial.The plot all along has had potential, but it continues to be poorly executed. This story as a whole (both books) would be far more successful and satisfying to read if they had been combined into one with some of the over the top obstacles eliminated.Characters: Young Cassie and adult Cassie merge well together. Cassie remains fairly consistent throughout both books, but I found Josh’s characterization greatly disjointed. There was ‘small town devoted to Cassie high school Josh;’ ‘man whore betrayed by Cassie high school Josh;’ ‘man whore college Josh;’ ‘devoted to socialite Lenore Oxford snobby Josh;’ and finally ‘back with Cassie family oriented political intern Josh.’ Just far too many angles to the character that never made one distinct person. And for all the times in this book we are told how Josh would make a good politician, I’m not quite sure I could see it.  Both of their careers came off more as another obstacle in their life. Supporting characters from the first book make their return (thankfully most of them brief) and a slew of new supporting characters are thrown in. It’s clear that some characters were largely created for the possibility to spin off additional books/stories.Their relationship: At one point Cassie teases Josh that he’s like a girl. Well she might not be far off the mark. I can’t imagine what red blooded 24 year old guy would be so concerned about having their perfect “second first time” (when really at this point they would have had sex way more than twice with each other in their lifetime) that he would keep holding off. When the book indicated that it was already 3 months into their reconciliation and this MARRIED couple still hadn’t consummated the “new relationship,” I knew romance was not the center focus of this book. In fact, there are very few love scenes; they are not hot or steamy; and they are pretty short and PG.  Ditto for any sweet romantic scenes.The ending: The ending is abrupt and after all the ridiculous obstacles thrown at the couple, the adoption problems are quickly wrapped up making closure feel less than satisfying. It literally felt like Ms. Croslydon got to the last chapter, said "well I'm done writing; let's just sum up the rest of what happened in the epilogue." I honestly had to wonder if the author was opposed to “happiness” or simply didn’t know how to write it!The writing: Overall there are no major problems, but I wondered why the author chose to use past tense when the story is happening in the present.  Alternating first person POV that is clearly noted at the beginning of each chapter.Audience: If you like stories with lots of anguish and characters stressed with turmoil, this book is for you. However, if you feel there are enough depressing events in the world, which can be read simply by picking up a newspaper, and you prefer your books to be a relaxing escape, don’t waste your time here.