Second Chance by Jane Green is about four childhood friends reuniting after the loss of their good friend, Tom in a terrorist attack.

Holly is in a loveless marriage. Paul is happily married but unable to have children. Saffron is an actress hoping for one big break and having a secret love affair with a famous actor. And Olivia is single after her longtime lover leaves her.

I did not love this book but I did like it. The first half moves slow. I tend to like a little more spice in my books. It picked up halfway through and I found the last half much more exciting than the first.

I could relate with some of the struggles of the central character, Holly. Her life as a mother and wife had become mundane and predictable. She’s unable to find happiness in her loveless marriage. I know women like her so it was interesting to get in her head and understand how she found herself trapped in an unhappy marriage.

The plot of how Tom’s death changed their lives was interesting and I liked Jane Green’s message of love and friendship. What I didn’t like was the too serious tone and I wish she had focused more on Tom’s death and the effect it had on his wife and children.

Overall it was good read and I’m glad I gave the last half a second chance.