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Review: The Last Second Chance

The Last Second Chance The Last Second Chance by Lucy Score
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
“Because I realized I didn’t have to change everyone else in my life to make me happy. I just had to remember who I was.”

“Don’t ever let anyone make you feel less than, and that includes yourself”

“When you’re not honest about shit, shit comes back to bite you in the ass”

“But, my God, how do you forgive stupidity like that?”

And my favorite -
“Because they aren’t just a piece of you. They are a human being learning how to survive and thrive in this world. And if you clean up every mess and bandage every scrape and shield them from every hurt, you take that self-reliance away from them. And that is what turns children into good men and women.”

🌅They say you never really get over your first love, and Joey Greer knows that all too well. Once inseparable from her childhood best friend-turned-high school sweetheart, Jackson Pierce, Joey had her world turned upside down when Jax walked away without explanation. Eight years later, he’s back in their small town of Blue Moon, determined to prove that he’s not the same boy who left. But Joey, who has built a quiet life around her horses and her independence, isn’t quick to hand him her heart again.

This is a second-chance romance through and through, with all the angst, tension, and tenderness that trope promises. The sparks between Jax and Joey are instant, but Lucy Score doesn’t make the reunion easy. Joey demands more than apologies and gifts; she wants proof that Jax has truly grown up. And to Score’s credit, Jax isn’t written as a cardboard “bad boy” but as a flawed, sometimes frustrating man who must learn that it’s not just the groveling and big gestures, but most importantly, it is the honesty and listening that wins the woman back.

What makes this installment shine is the balance of grit and warmth. There are gut-punch moments as the past comes to light, but they’re offset by the humor of small-town gossip, meddling neighbors, and the endearing chaos of family life. The Pierce clan once again feels like a character in itself—nosy, loyal, and often hilarious. Even the animals (a dog named Meatball and the requisite unruly goat) add to the charm. 🐐💖🐕

That said, the pacing lags in the middle, with some filler that could have been trimmed, and a few conflicts (like Joey’s repeated anger over the same secret) feel dragged out. Joey is the main character and steals the scenes from the Pierce men. However, her stubbornness can be a bit tiresome (ironic that Joey is complaining about the stupidity of men 😂🤣let it go already). Still, by the time the emotional payoff arrives, complete with heartfelt letters and snowy porchlight kisses, the story lands with all the warmth of coming home.

If you love high school sweethearts, second chances, groveling heroes, small-town meddling, and found family, this one belongs on your list. Just don’t read it hungry, Lucy Score peppers her books with so much food talk you’ll be craving Joey’s recipes yourself. 🍪🍰🥧

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 stars)
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