Customer Reviews

Second Time Around: A Novel

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Many of you have heard me talk about Beth Kendrick being my favorite chick lit author. I will literally trip over myself trying to get to Kendrick's novels - so this tells you how much I have enjoyed her work.

In my mind, Kendrick has written, in the past, great chick lit - so I had huge culture shock when I started reading Second Time Around - because it is NOT chick lit, at least not in the true way! - this book is a contemporary women's fiction novel and this posed a huge challenge to me - as I always wonder "what is the point of these types of stories as they never seem to have a point to me).

So, with this in mind, I opened the book and found an interesting premise - 5 BFF have been together since college and meet up once a year to talk about their lives. This year, they are once again together, but something is terribly wrong and this will affect the girls for the rest of their lives (don't want to give it away!).

As the novel progresses, we find the main characters confronted with the past and the choices they made - where they the right ones? Lots of discussions, tears and second thoughts as the girls try to figure out the meaning of life and where they fit it. They are simply trying to be happy! and Kendrick has found a clever and entertaining way of showing us the progression (and at times, the backward steps) that each woman goes through.

There is a lot of soul searching here and it is a great novel if you want to sit back and reflect on your own choices in life.

The writing is top notch as always - Kendrick always writes her stories beautifully and her characters are always deliciously fleshed out - buttttttttt I miss the chick lit aspect of her writing. While there is humor in Second Time Around, it is extremely toned down (considering the subject matter) and I miss the corny stuff that usually can happen in chick lit novels.

I am rating this book a 4 star because Kendrick is that good that she can keep me engaged - even in contemporary fiction (no mean feat let me tell you), but I am sad - I see Kendrick going to the "dark side" (in MY opinion) and leaving her "chick lit" roots behind (sigh!).

If you like a good contemporary fiction story, then you need to read Second Time Around. If you are looking for her chick lit stuff, try the NearlyWeds (you will see what I mean!).

This is a feel-good novel about a group of friends from college who are stuck in the wrong careers. One of them dies (though her death is not dwelt upon), and leaves an inheritance for each remaining friend to pursue her dreams. Although it may sound hokey, Kendrick keeps things light with humor and minor catastrophes. I liked seeing where the girls' new paths took them.

Ten years after graduating from Leighton College in New York, five friends hold a reunion, where they reminisce on old times. All former English majors, the women wonder what would have become of their lives if they had chosen a different major and profession. A professor, a bartender, a copyright, and an administrative assistant all get that second chance when the fifth member of the group passes away, leaving her four friends $1,000,000 to reinvent themselves.

Now, a novelist, an event planner, a pastry chef, and a bed and breakfast owner are finding the answers to their "what if" questions. They are finally following their dreams and desires, and are doing it together back in the town of their college. Finding their true callings amidst career struggles and love battles, the four friends grow closer to one another while honoring their friend's spirit and life along the way.

Second Time Around by Beth Kendrick is a heart-felt story on the value of friendship and finding a way to follow your heart. Each woman's story was interesting and colorful, and the way each character could tie in with one another was excellent. A unique subplot involving the deceased friend kept the mystery up throughout the novel, and the ending will make all readers satisfied.

I liked this book alot but felt the first half of it was extremely slow. I have always enjoyed the Beth Kendrick books but this was probably my least favorite. Her humor is never lost in her writing and the friendship's she builds are spectacular but I did find myself wanting it to pick up but I refused to put it down knowing that it would be a truly wonderful story in the end.

There's a lot of soul-searching and decision making between five long-time best friends who have made a pact to get together once a year on July 4th ever since college. Their ten year reunion was celebrated at Arden's vacation home...(a successful attorney) where they got caught up in a deep discussion on the subject, "What if?"

Arden dies within the following year and leaves each friend a boatload of money to rediscover themselves with and explore that question, "What if?"

I love this one, not only because it's an exciting, humorous, meaningful peek into these women's interesting lives but the camaraderie, the heart-felt quests, the chance to start over and follow the DREAM, and the opportunity to realize what is truly important in life.....A wonderful lesson in life that can't be touched on too often!!

This is my second novel by Beth Kendricks and was far superior to the first one I read, "Fashionably Late". I loved this book. It definitely made me want to read more by her. Anyone who went to college or has had a good group of friends should read this book. It is like a fun trip down memormy lane. Great book!

The five females became BFFs in college and get together every July Fourth weekend since. Their tenth gala is at successful attorney Arden's vacation home where each discusses what they would have done differently if they were able to start over.

Two months later, Arden is dead and her four compatriots (Jamie, Brooke, Caitlin, and Anna) inherit $250,000 each to begin anew only if they seek the dreams they mentioned would make them happy. One buys a broken down dorm with plans to convert it into a B&B; another strives to be a chef; a third starts a novel; and the fourth becomes an event planner. However, dreaming and going for the dream are not the same as each finds roadblocks and detours, but have one another and the memory of Arden to help them achieve their goals.

The women make this sister bonding contemporary a solid tale as each seems genuine although some of their problems feel forced as if each of the foursome has to have major tsuris to achieve their objective. Inspiring, fans will enjoy this fun character study as the women have a Second Time Around to go after what they failed to go after the first time.

Harriet Klausner

Ok. Let's see. I thought this was a very cute book. It was filled with happiness, sadness, love, hate, drama, scandal and, of course, sex. I only gave it 4 stars bc I didn't think there was anything superb about it, just chick-lit but it was still cute. The one problem I had was trying to keep all the girls (and their men) straight. I would definitely recommend.

This was certainly a well written, enjoyable read with likeable characters. My only complaint was that everything was wrapped up so nicely, and expectedly - like someone dusted magic powder throughout the B&B so all the girls could be blissfully and annoyingly happy. Just a bit too syrupy sweet for me.

I absolutely loved this book! I am more of a light reader and when I read it is to lose myself in a book, the characters and I typically don't read anything that is too dark or deep. If that describes you as well, you will love this book.

The characters were believable and I could easily relate to them. The book itself was well written and all together a fun read. I passed it on to my mom once I was done and she really enjoyed it as well.

I recommend this book especially if you are looking for something to read and lose yourself in. I think you'll love it!