Life's Second Journey

Anne Stone

Dec 2020 ·

About this ebook

Melanie Holmes lived the majority of her childhood in foster homes leaving her with anxiety that she fights even in adulthood. Working her way up from teller to bank vice president gave her confidence, purpose, and independence, everything she’s always wanted. Everything except a family—a real gather ’round the kitchen, spend holidays with, get on your nerves, never let you down kind of family. And while her work might keep her financially secure, position and prestige make for a lonely existence. When her job is threatened, Melanie’s world falls apart causing her anxiety to come back with a vengeance. But who do you turn to when you have no one?

Acquisitions VP, James Samuels wonders where his life is headed. He’s a workaholic and has just ended his engagement with his longtime fiancée. Lost and unsure, he hates to admit it, but he envies his sisters’ lives filled with love and children. James is less than pleased when he must work with the hard-nosed, aloof Melanie on a merger, but the more he learns about her, the more he realizes she’s not what she seems. 

Melanie’s befriended by James’ mother and slowly begins to realize what a true family is all about. James knows he wants her in his life; however, he has no idea how to show her he can be trusted. He believes she’s hiding something from him, but what? Can James persuade Melanie to let her guard down enough to trust in the possibility of love, and convince her to take a chance on them?

Life’s Second Journey is the fourth book in Anne Stone’s The Show Me series.  

Ratings and reviews

James was a bit of jerk at times with Melanie, but he didn't understand why she closed herself off, had panic attacks, and occasionally blew off the handle at work. Melanie didn't talk about the physical and emotional trauma she experienced growing up. She just shut down and tried to cope in her own ways. Her anxiety was so bad at times I wondered why she wasn't on medication to help her cope. I felt her pain in the book. James' family was so warm and welcoming, especially his mom Jackie even if she has to be in everyone's business. It was something Melanie had never experienced. Talking about going to craft fairs takes me back to when I would go with family and friends. I love handmade gifts. I enjoyed reading about James and Melanie's trips to CA. I've never been to San Francisco and Napa Valley, but I've always wanted to. I love fortune cookies even if the meanings don't always make sense to me either. It was nice to catch up on the lives of the characters in the previous books in this series, but it wasn't necessary to read them to follow along. This story focused mainly on James and Melanie and their turbulent, emotional, funny, and sweet romance.

Heartfelt story...This is my first "Show Me" experience. James & Melanie's story is heavy on the side of reality and character depth which makes them very relatable. I really like James, he's not perfect but he's very patient, compassionate, determined and romantic. Melanie seems to have wrapped herself in an impenetrable cocoon of loneliness to vend off her anxiety attacks. James & his family represent what her past unfortunately didn't allow her and their combined effort and support show her the difference. I enjoyed their story, it's very touching and informative. I would have liked for James' clean romantic side to be explored more but at the same time I don't think Melanie would have been as respective, true love preservers. I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I have come to love this series and this new story was just as wonderful. Melanie Holmes has overcome a great deal in her life. She’s come a long way from her life in the foster care system to her current title as VP for the local bank. She has everything she wants, except a family. While some might find her aloof, she really is just lonely. Avoiding getting hurt and anything that might trigger her anxieties. James Samuels, yes, the same Samuels family we have come to love from previous stories, is the VP of Acquisitions . Though successful in his professional life, his personal life has suffered. When he ends up working with Melanie on the merger, he discovers what you see is not whom she really is. The stresses of the merger and the possibility of losing the job Melanie treasures, brings back her anxiety. Something she has hidden from others. As the story continues, it truly is a chance of life’s second journey. Frequently what we thought was going to be our future changes for the best and the person that helps is the one we never knew would change our lives. I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.