Second Chances 101 by Donna K. Weaver

Today, I have the fifth  novella  in the from the Ripple Effect Romance Novella Series.  It is a series of 6 clean novellas by 6 different authors. 

“Like a pebble tossed into calm water, a simple act can ripple outward and have a far-reaching effect on those we meet, perhaps setting a life on a different course—one filled with excitement, adventure, and sometimes even love.”

Author: Donna Weaver
Publisher: HEA Publishing
Date of publication: May 2014

Thirty seven year old Francie Davis, a recent widow and empty nester, gets to attend college at last. She’s sure her luck has changed when she also lands a job on campus that will pay her tuition, as administrative assistant to a history professor. When her handsome new boss yells at her on the first day of work, Francie worries she will never be good enough.

For Professor Alex Diederik, life is going downhill fast. Not only is his bitter ex-wife trying to poison their only daughter against him, but now his one place of solace—his work environment—is being complicated by his attractive new administrative assistant. She drives home his feelings of failure as a husband and father, and Alex wonders if hiring her was the right thing to do.

Francie will have to put aside her hurt and insecurities or risk her dreams, while Alex must look outside himself if he’s to mend the breach with his daughter. And, perhaps, find someone who can help heal his pain.

As the novella series continues with Second Chances 101, we find ourselves with Francie, the owner of the box from the last novella, Lost and Found.  Her son is off to college and so is she.  She has lived for years being put down by her late husband and she has to work hard at believing in herself.  Alex also has an ex-wife that constantly makes him question himself and never feels good enough.  If two people were ever more right for each other, then it is these two.  

I enjoyed this one, however, I think it would have benefited from a longer story-line.  I felt like a lot of it was a bit rushed and would have liked to see more of Alex and Francie together to see them really fall in love.  I just wanted more!  Still, it is a sweet story about believing in yourself and giving yourself the right to start over.  

About the author:

Donna K. Weaver has always loved reading and creating stories, thus she’s been ever

entertained. An avid cruiser, she’s sailed the Pacific five times. Wife-mother-grandmother-Army veteran-karate black belt-Harry Potter nerd.

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