About Books #107: A Dozen Second Chances

Sometimes, a book just hits the spot – whether it be the location it takes place in, the characters and the way they grow throughout the story, or something else entirely? A Dozen Second Chances basically had all of those.

I was offered an ARC by Book Sirens in exchange for a review. All opinions are strictly my own.

The story

Seventeen years ago, Eve Roberts had the wonderful life she’d always dreamed of: a degree in archaeology, a gorgeous boyfriend, and exciting plans to travel the world with him, working on digs. But when her sister Faye died, the life Eve knew ended too. Faye’s daughter Caitlyn came to live with Eve, her boyfriend left, and she quickly gave up on her dreams.

Now approaching her fortieth birthday, Eve faces the prospect of an empty nest as Caitlyn is leaving home. Caitlyn gives Eve a set of twelve ‘Be Kind to Yourself’ vouchers, telling her that she has to start living for herself again, and that she should fill one in every time she does something to treat herself.

With her very first voucher, Eve’s life will change its course. But with eleven more vouchers to go, can Eve learn to put herself first and follow the dreams she’s kept secret for so long? Because life is for living – and as she well knows, it’s too short to waste even a moment…

The opinion

C – characters A – atmosphere W – writing P – plot I – intrigue L – logic E – enjoyment	8 8 8 8 9 8 8
TOTAL SCORE	8,1

There are so many ways that this story could have been just a cliché. But Kate Field has that gift of completely captivating you, dragging you along archeological sites, school meetings and running and hiking the most beautiful scenery, never once wanting to stop reading.

More so than the setting and the atmosphere though, what really got me hooked on this story? The way the author unveiled not only to the reader, but to Eve as well what actually happened 20 years ago. The way someone’s personal interpretation of events can be so different to what actually happened? Something most everyone has some experience with.

More than that, though, I appreciated the set-up of her slow understanding of not just what happened, but also of how that influenced her understanding of who she was. Combine that with a great, sassy friend, a slow burn second chance at love and witty dialogue? And you end up with a pretty darn great read!

The rating: 4/5

If you want a book that will make you at times melancholic, a bit nostalgic, and most of all, that will make you feel for its main characters? Then A Dozen Second >Chances is just the read for you! (Goodreads)

-Saar