It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of author Blakely Bennett. I have the deepest respect for her writing. Not only do her words flow like beautiful music, her stories capture your attention and keep you enthralled for the duration of the novel. The characters she creates are often eerily familiar. Whether you recognize aspects of yourself in them, or other people you know, they come to life on the pages. And, I often find myself making mental notes to listen to the wisdom they impart through the experiences Ms. Bennett puts them through. Most importantly, and this is what sets her apart from other authors, she not only writes from the heart, she hands over a piece of her soul in every one of her stories. I hope everyone who reads The Second First Chance will recognize it as a gift from Ms. Bennett not to be taken lightly.

If you’ve read any of Ms. Bennett’s other books (I highly encourage you to do so!), you’ll know the subject matter of The Second First Chance is somewhat of a departure for her. The synopsis summarizes this story so well, I’d like to stay away from recapping or giving details. That would only serve to spoil the creative and clever way she weaves this story into a beautiful piece that will stay with you for days after you’ve finished reading. I must admit, I wasn’t quite sure how she was going to pull off having a character go back in time without all sorts of convoluted and complicated issues. But, pull it off she did!

After a prologue that had me sobbing, I wondered if I’d make it through the entire book without having a breakdown! The writing is so good you automatically put yourself in Jayden’s shoes. You have no choice but to feel her heartache and utter devastation. I felt every single emotion Jayden feels. I wanted to rant along with her, “This isn’t fair!”
Lest you think this book is a downer, let me assure you it most definitely is not. Once Jayden accepts her “second first chance” the pace changes. It’s not only creative, it’s so much fun you’ll love every bit of it. The things we take for granted today compared to what life was like in 1985 is written accurately and with loads of humor. The characters are well thought out, developed beautifully, and are absolutely believable.

Jayden has her “What the hell did I do?” moments throughout, but I love that she never gives up. She is determined to make the best of her decision, whether it turns out the way she wants it to or not. She’s a fighter, she’s smart, she’s fun, and she has the good sense to look around and fully appreciate things she took for granted the first time around.
I loved her BFF, Packy. A true friend, he’s hilarious and he gets her through the tough times, pointing out reason when she’s all muddled up. Travis, a professor who sets his sights on Jayden, gives her another perspective to consider. And then there’s Callahan, the man she lost too early and the reason she is back in the year 1984. Ms. Bennett has written him perfectly! His attraction to Jayden and the seemingly random familiar feelings he has, for no logical reason, had me misting up yet again. Ms. Bennett is one of the best at writing steamy and kinky. And even though these scenes are a bit tame compared to her usual, the connection between Jayden and Callahan is hot because it conveys their love and lust with aching familiarity.

I love stories about soul mates, their bond that carries over through time, and the struggles they must endure to be together. The Second First Chance is a beautifully written, emotionally satisfying, love story full of laughter and fun . Brava, Ms. Bennett!

Blakely Bennett Posts

I lay in bed wondering if I had crossed over into coo-cooville. I desperately needed to talk to Callahan. (If he were still alive,) he would know what to make of it all. If Toly was real, could I walk away from the life we built and start over? There was so much I could and would do differently.I could go back to the age of eighteen and hunt down Callahan, and we could start ten years earlier. I wouldn’t drop out of college after my first year, throwing away my parents gift of four years paid tuition, room, and board. I could pursue creative writing from the start instead of waiting tables for years as I paid my way to earn my teaching degree.

If I couldn’t convince Cally to love me straight away, I would have the opportunity to have more sexual experiences. He had so many more lovers than I did when we met that he felt like I had somehow missed out. However, having sex with another while still so deeply in love with Callahan might prove challenging.

I wondered if I could change my appearance, or if I would have to look the same as I did at eighteen. I was attractive enough, but if I could change a few things here and there… On the other hand, it would be amazing if Toly could hold off cellulite until I was, at least, sixty or make me one of those women who bounce back from pregnancy in a week and never look like they had a baby in the first place.

The only stumbling block—well two of them really—which stopped me from outright considering it: (my daughter) Ash lightly snoring beside me and whether or not my mind had fractured over the loss of Callahan and had decided to play trick or treat with me.

I slipped quietly out of bed and went downstairs to find some alcohol to help lull me into sleep. My racing mind would not shut up.

In the cabinet above the refrigerator, I found a bottle of Stolichnaya vodka. At the table, I poured an inch into a tumbler and knocked it back. The smell of cinnamon wafted over me just before Toly reappeared. “Back again, I see.” I poured another shot into the glass.

“We had not completed our conversation.” He bowed slightly. “My apologies for the abrupt departure.”

“Understood. Shannon would have swift kicked you had she met you on the street. Of course, my sanity is still in question. Whether I believe you or not is simply beside the point.”

“To answer your question, the only change I can make for you would be to retain your memory if you decide to go back. In addition, as soon as you make your choice, I will be gone. If you choose to remain here and now, I can wipe your memory of me.”

“So you can’t make me enjoy cleaning or have less of a sweet tooth?”

“No.”

“Wait a minute,” I bristled. “Do the collective of watchers or whatever you called them see everything I do? Even in my private alone time? Pick my nose? Touch my… Okay now, I’m an open-minded woman, but that’s just—” I was about to say fucked up but instead said, “Creepy.”

“Their purpose is not to judge or gawk, but to guide when necessary. The more closed off the occupier is, the less influence they have. You are considering eighteen for your insertion time,” he stated, taking a seat at the table.

“Would you care for a drink?” I asked, my southern politeness overriding the fear of my apparent lunacy.

“I have no requirement of sustenance and prefer you refrain until our conversation has concluded.”

“Fine,” I said, pushing the glass away from me. “Yes, eighteen makes the most sense to me or really is the most appealing. I’m not sure I have any sense left. I would love an extra ten years with Callahan, and retracing the same steps I’ve already covered seems like a dreadfully boring prospect. I was always the dreamer and the risk taker of the two of us. I know, knew, know Callahan so well and yet, in this crazy scenario, I have no idea what he’d advise. I do know he would take any opportunity for a longer life together. But I feel like I’m abandoning Ashley when she needs me the most. I get that she wouldn’t have been born yet, but she will still be real to me.”

He watched me intently and waited for me to continue.

“If I’m going to go full-blown into this delusion, let’s get down to business. Can I tell Callahan about all of this if I go?”

“Yes, but there are no guarantees he will believe you.”

“I’m certain he won’t initially, but I think I can get past that. And other people?”

“It would be ill-advised to share it with others, but there is no rule against it.”

“Can you send me back with a lot of money?”

“No. You’re financial situation will remain the same given the particular time you select. However, once in, you can manifest any changes you would like within the confines of natural law.”

“Can I go back to the very day I arrived at Florida State University after my folks drive away?”

“That can be done.”

“I know I already asked this, but please tell me again that I will definitely have Ashley if I go back.”

“If and/or when you get pregnant, she will be your first child.”

I forced out a breath and said, “Let’s do it, but first I want to kiss her goodbye.”