SECOND CHANCE
Jane Green
Plume
ISBN: 978-0-452-28944-4
June 2008 2008
Women's Fiction

As a young adult, Holly had a close circle of friends. Tom, Paul, Olivia and Saffron were the most important people in her life until she met her husband, Marcus. At age twenty-five, he was everything she thought she wanted. Now, twenty years later, she is beginning to have her doubts.

What could Holly think she's missing? After all, she has a gorgeous home complete with an au pair, and she can go to any upscale London shop and purchase whatever she wants. As for a career, she has a part-time job as an illustrator for a card company. She is trying to convince herself she didn't just "settle" when she married Marcus. However, Holly does seem to spend a lot time alone. As a divorce lawyer, Marcus works long hours and when he does come home, he rarely spends any time with the family.

When tragedy strikes as the result of a terrorist attack, Holly learns that Tom has died. His death serves as a catalyst for a reunion of friendship that is long overdue. Paul, Olivia and Saffron meet at Holly's home. After twenty long years, the four friends have a lot of catching up to do.

Saffron is a struggling actress with a difficult personal life. Olivia runs an animal shelter and is rebounding from a seven-year relationship. Paul and his wife, Anna have a successful business but they want a family life, which seems to elude them. All of them attend Tom's memorial service, none of them realizing how all of their lives will soon be permanently entwined.

If you are looking for Ms. Green's signature chick lit novel, this is not it. If you are a fan of women's fiction, you might enjoy this book. However, the author took a great premise and neglected to entertain her reader. There are no surprises. There are several interesting characters, however, they each deserve their own story instead of being "compacted" into this conventional storyline.

Reviewed By Charlene McConnell
Rating: 3