Genre: Historical, Regency, Georgian
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
Get It On Amazon
About The Book
Lord Blair wants a second chance at love with his long-lost lieutenant. Only one problem: Blair’s engaged to the man’s sister.
Disgusted with unfaithful lovers, Viscount Reid Blair decides once and for all, to forget the dark, anonymous officer who slipped in and out of his life five years ago. He will marry Lady Prudence. With her unquestioned beauty and surprising wit, she is guaranteed to make an entertaining wife.
Prudence’s brother, Lieutenant David Cavendish, has always been beyond discreet. Except for one torrid fortnight, years ago, when his passion for a certain viscount ignited their bed. But now he’s back from sea to save his sister from an ill-fated marriage. He’ll do anything to stop the wedding. Even seduce Lord Blair to prove the union will end in heartbreak.
His Second Chance a two-hour LGBTQ+ read and the first book in this steamy romance series which starts in Georgian England. If you like engaging characters and rich plots, you’ll love this page-turning book by award-winning author Stephanie Lake. Discover this must-read historical romance today!
The Review
The Viscount of Troubridge, Reid Blair, is devastated after another lover has left him. Lord Arsenware has run off without a word, and has gotten himself engaged – to a woman. Reid also still holds deeply buried feelings for the young Midshipman – David Smith – who also left him and never returned.
As he pours his heart out to his cousin Elizabeth, he tells her that he wants an heir and is going to marry a woman himself. Liz hatches a plan to prove to Reid that he has no interest whatsoever in women, and tries to make him see how unfair such a marriage would be to his bride. She knows that he would still always be looking for a man to fulfill his needs outside of the marriage.
First Lieutenant David Cavendish was aboard the HBMS Porcupine, awaiting Capt. Knowles decision. David needed to return home to stop the marriage of his sister, Prudence. He lied to Knowles, claiming that his father, the Earl of Berk, was dying. Knowles told David that he had been looking for a reason to put him off the ship anyhow, after a devastating event.
It’s now been five years since David returned home, and he’s ready to put an end to this ridiculous marriage to none other than Lord Blair. David has his own fears of being exposed. He’s suffered greatly at the abuse of his father and brothers. To prove he was a man, he left home at the age of twelve and joined the Navy. Whenever things get too chaotic, he suffers from panic attacks.
When Reid meets Prudence in Hyde Park, she tells him that her brother is coming. Reid is already falling in lust with the young rider, and can’t believe the man is his David. David asked to have a word in private, and their discussion leads to blows, which Reid seems to be teasingly happy about. David tries to stop Reid, but their feelings for each other can’t be denied.
Prudence is angered about Reid’s refusal of marriage. She makes a proposition to Reid and David, but will they agree to any of it? And if Prudence doesn’t get her way, will she expose them both to her family, and to others?
His Second Chance brings Lord Reid Blair and Lieutenant David (Smith) Cavendish back together again. The feeling between them are raw, but Reid seems to be enjoying the tension a little too much. David tries to fight the feelings he’s having, and carries a fear instilled in him by abuse. And of course, Reid’s cousin Elizabeth is back to add a little mischief, and has gotten her husband Vincent involved too.
Lake dives into historical London in 1784 with a lively story of a time that was dangerous for men who liked other men. These two men meet again after five long years, giving rise to jealousy, sibling disagreements, teasing fun, intimacy and love. There are also lots of surprises.
I highly recommend His Second Chance. If you haven’t already, read the prequel His Midshipman first. Each of the books in Lake’s “The Regent Lord” series is delightfully entertaining, and I can’t wait to read the next one, His Grey Lord.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
