A Good Chance is the second book in the Chance Series by Ali Vali (after One More Chance). I would highly suggest you read One More Chance first... If only so you know who all the characters are and why they were mentioned.
This is a good book and good story. I love the good guy bad guy with a little romance thrown in. Well written and well told. I recommend.

Great book, I loved the chemistry between the two. The buildup was nice. The characters really understood each other by the end and I really appreciate dynamics like those.

𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻.

This is the 2nd book of the Chance series, which cannot be read as a standalone, and my issues with it start with the blurb. The way the blurb is written gives the impression that Desi's sister, Rachel, and Harry's ex, Serena are the main characters in this second book, which is not the case. Rachel and Serena continue to be side characters alongside Harry and Desi and while I have nothing against them (I quite like them a lot, actually), I was also pretty interested in the other two women who seemed to get closer at the end of the first book though we get no details.

We don't get a lot of Rachel and Serena in the second book because of how Harry and Desi's story develops and I wish Ali Vali had devoted more effort towards developing their relationship because it was quite a mess. We are only told that they had their happy moments together but we don't get to see any of it at all. The two have issues with themselves and each other and they don't spend much time together because Serena often goes missing in action. And whenever she's around, Rachel deliberately gives her a hard time. Honestly, much as I would have liked to, it was hard to see how they can be a good match for each other.

I understand Harry and Desi's story. It's a continuation of the drama of the previous book but I don't really get the point of this side romance at all.

The book was a sequel, and I did not realise until reading (idiot me!) so it was hard to get into for me. However, the storyline was interesting, if repetitive. The writing was good, just not my cup of tea as I hadn't read the first!

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

This is the second book of a series. It can be read as a standalone. Be warned there is mention of domestic abuse as well as prison life, Angola being one of the most horrific prisons in the US. You will fall in love with some of the characters and hate others. Not much room for in between.

This book is a sequel and although it might be possible to read it without reading book #1, I did notice that I missed some background on the characters.

Desi and Harry are building their life together when Desi's abusive ex-husband escapes prison. Overall I liked how the writer built up the story and handled the twists but there was a bit too much of we are so lucky to be together at last for me. The story with the sister and the ex was also not developed enough for me to really care if they end up together or not but maybe that's adressed in the first book.

An ARC was provided to me via Netgalley in return of an honest review.

I enjoyed the book because I enjoy the author’s writing. What I did not get is why the Casey character was mentioned. I did not get it. I know it was in the same town and during the same era and there was an overlap of characters, but Casey? Really? It just did not make sense. I enjoyed the primary characters the overlap characters just did not make sense.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ali Vali brings us back Harry and Desi! For the fans of the couple, we get to take a look at what happens after "One More Chance" and the challenges the couple faces, now with more focus on Rachel and Serena's relationship. A great book for those who keep wondering what happens to their favorite characters after the "happily ever after".
As always, a great book by Ali Vali with great characters, story line, and moments filled with tenderness. It's a shame that the relationship between Rachel and Serena didn't get a book of its own, as it had great potential, but overall, it was a great book!

I have read the previous story of Harry Besantes and Desy. It was very memorable and hard to forget. So I was excited to read the next book in the series. While it was fun to catch up on how life continued for Harry and Desy. I did not like the story of Rachel and Serena. I could not pinpoint why, but those two just did not give of being in love vibes or having any chemistry.

Their whole relationship felt off and superficial. I didn't get the idea that any of them was really in love with each other. Serena didn't grow as a character. Rachel was just whiny the whole time and the fact that she led on the FBI agent wasn't that nice either. Rachel and Serena didn't come close at all to the level of Harry and Desy's relationship.

I expected more of the romance.

The conclusion of Byron Simoneaux was long overdue. I also didn't expect the plot twist about the lies Desy and Rachel believed their whole lives due to their father. And it was resolved a bit too easy in my opinion.

This read is a follow-up to One more chance. The reader is graced with Harriet "Harry" Basantes, orthopedic surgeon and Desiree "Desi" Thompson, talented pottery maker. Both women are embracing what is next in their lives. This is a grandiose love affair. At times you may feel the need to go the dentist with all the perfect awesomeness and sweetness. Then at other times, you may wish you were Desi or Harry. Then trouble strikes. The Simoneauxs "break" out of prison with plans to create havoc. Byron is intent on killing the three women who he blames for ruining his life. Yeah right.

Quite a bit of the story involves Rachel and her on again off again relationship with Serena and her son Butch. Will they or won't they make a commitment to each other. In general, this was an enjoyable read with interesting characters, some from the first book and some new ones that provided an interesting twist. There was also an appearance by a character from the Devil Series. Really enjoyed that addition.

Ali Vali

A Good Chance

Bold Strokes Books

Arc

NetGalley


The story picks up where the first book left off, Harry loves Desi with her whole heart. They are on their  way to the happy life they have always wanted , the family and feeling whole together at last.



There’s definitely some surprises I did not see coming, Harry’s family is so wonderful and loving towards Desi and Rachel.



There is a lot of family drama that keep the story entertaining and keeps you at the edge of your seat hoping and praying that Desi and Henry will have a happy ending that they so desperately deserved.



Then there is Rachel and Serena, their relationship was developed and moving right along until Serena disappeared on Rachel and cut off all contact.  I felt like Rachel stood her ground and made up her mind about what kind of relationship she deserved and wanted  from a partner.

Side note;  I was really happy that the author brought the parents more into the story. You’re able to see that the family from both sides,  constant gatherings  in love and want what’s best for the main characters in the story.

I was actually very happy that the author did a book to to follow up on the story. To actually close a chapter, a happy one,  for all of the characters involved.  I loved book one.


I really enjoyed the story. It is definitely about overcoming obstacles, fear and enduring  during some horrible experiences. The sympathy that the author showed for the main characters and others who had been involved in domestic violence, is really eye-opening to what’s going on to a lot of living in America.  She let you see the pain, trauma and fear that a person experiences when they have someone who is an abuser as their partner. She raised some important issues that needs to be discussed more.




I would like to Thank Bold strokes books and NetGalley for the Arc. 4 star . I highly recommend this book.

Being the 2nd in the series, I was really anticipating the story - loved the first book. I was not disappointed. Catching up with Harry and Desi again was wonderful. There is a lot of drama in this second book (not that the first was drama free), and we also get more of Desi's sister Rachel, do you kind of get two love stories for the price of one.

The book is fast paced, I had it read in one sitting because I just could not put it down. No spoilers but you do get a HEA ending-I am not sure if this will be the last book with Harry and Desi, but if it is I so enjoyed their story. Ms. Vali really knows how to bring romance and suspense together and once again has given us some wonderful characters that you keep thinking about long after you are done with the book.

This book was a very unusual read. There was a baby on the way, exes seeking revenge, a wedding...this book had it all!
The book centers on Harry (Harriet) and Desi. They have reunited after 16 years apart. Now, they have a baby on the way and an eventual wedding. Before the baby and wedding, Harry and Desi find out that Desi's ex has escaped from prison and is on the run with his father and brother. Desi knows that he will stop at nothing to get back at her for sending him to prison. So, Harry makes sure there is additional protection set up around the house. That probably would have prevented him from getting near them, but a storm sends a tree into their house, which leaves a large opening. Very suspenseful.
If you like suspense & romance, this is the book for you.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a continuation of Vali’s book One More Chance. Here we have Harry and Desi living together and expecting their first child and engaged to be married. Desi’s sister Rachel is living with them. Rachel has started dating assistant district attorney, Serena. Who was Harry’s old girlfriend and the mom of adorable little boy Butch.

Desi’s ex husband Byron, his brother Mike and their dad have all been sentenced to life in prison for trying to kill Rachel in the first book. Byron and his brother and dad break out of prison and head toward New Orleans to kill Rachel and Harry.

This book was not as good of a read as the first in this series in my view. Too much reputation of Harry and Desi’s feelings for each other for my taste. My favorite parts were in regards to the bad guys breaking out of prison and evading the cops. And Rachel and Serena had no chemistry together. Rachel was cruel and nasty to Serena and completely over the top blaming her for their relationship nearly falling apart.

In One More Chance, Vali wrote a very gritty and emotional book showing the very ugly side of domestic physical abuse. And the love and devotion between Harry and Desi. To me this sequel lacked that intensity and I was disappointed with this second book. Vali is a great writer and I look forward to her next story.

ARC received for a voluntary and honest review via the publisher and NetGalley.

This is the second book in the sequel. The progress Harry and Desi made was amazing. I enjoyed it and thought it was another great read written by Ali. Shelby appearing in the story made me smile. The only downside for me was the sister and Serenas relationship. I thought they had no chemistry. Regardless I recommend 4.5 stars.


Thank you, Bold Strokes Books, and NetGalley.

Wish I realized this was the 2nd book in a series (a bit of a duh/ face palm moment for me). After a chapter or so into it I was like 'am I supposed to know who these people are and their back stories?' Turns out the answer is YES.

I couldn't really get into it (see above, clearly getting into the storyline mid way through), the antagonist/villain was a bit too one-dimensional (maybe dude was 'more' in the first book?). I found myself speeding my way through the 'bad guys' part because I just didn't care.

I am now telling myself to 'don't request for books in a series that you haven't read before' and I would suggest for NetGalley to maybe very clearly indicate the book is from a series and it's NOT the first book and perhaps, provide access to previous books in the series so people can actually 'read the whole thing'.

I think my 'not great' feeling might be mostly coming from reading this book out of order.

I’m just going to say this up front: I didn’t finish reading A Good Chance by Ali Vali. I closed the ebook about halfway through and moved it to my Unfinished collection. Yet I can see how many readers might love this sequel to A Second Chance. It just wasn’t for me, and made me ponder what makes a great sequel.

A Good Chance continues the story of Harry and Desi, the central couple in A Second Chance, and the book summary states it also follows the story of Desi’s sister Rachel and her love interest Serena. Plus the big bad in the first book, Desi’s abusive ex-husband Byron, has escaped prison and is headed straight back to make everyone’s life hell again.

I was so frustrated by this book. Everything between Rachel and Serena takes place off-stage so I couldn’t feel any chemistry or reason why they were together. Harry is still so perfect and Byron still so evil that the story felt like a re-write of the same plot. There’s a new wrinkle when a family member reappears but even their story is written as a variation of the same theme.

If you loved Harry and Desi in the first book, you may love them again in this sequel and embrace more of the same. But A Good Chance helped me to understand that while I like reading more about favorite couples, I need sequels to offer significant plot changes or conflicts to be navigated by the original main characters. Or, I enjoy secondary characters stepping into the spotlight while the original main characters are tasty glimpses in the sequel’s story.

A Good Chance gave me neither of these things. The good news is that I sometimes dig into my Unfinished collection months or years later and start reading with fresh eyes and often finish the book in the end. But for sure I need time to forget how the plot of this sequel mirrors the first book in order for me to enjoy it.

This story is ok, but for me it gets a bit repetitive as the abusive husband gradually makes his way to confront his ex wife, and Serena and Rachel keep going over the same old ground. Sadly Harry started to grate a bit too. It’s not a bad book, indeed there is plenty to like in terms of recovery and respect, it just becomes a tad sermonising and lacks the menace it needs for a thriller. Having said that, I liked the redemption aspect of two of the male characters and it is atmospheric in places. It’s a sequel that you could read on its own, but it would make more sense if you read the first book - One More Chance.

I have been looking forward to reading A Good Chance by Ali Vali ever since I heard there would be a sequel to the first book in the “Chance” series. I pretty much adored everything about One More Chance, the first novel in the series. I fell in love with Desi, Harry, Rachel, and Serena in that first narrative, and became totally invested in their stories. Hearing that I could continue reading about their lives made me a very happy reader.

The second book starts off on the same day that the first book ends. Desi’s abusive ex, Byron along with his father and brother are in Angola Prison where they will hopefully stay for years to come. Desi and Harry are expecting a baby in a few weeks’ time and Harry has just asked Desi to marry her. Rachel and Serena are still in an on-again, off-again flirtatious relationship, though it seems to be more off again at the beginning of this tale. Overall, things are looking great for these ladies with the upcoming wedding and future parenthood…until they suddenly don’t.

Being totally enchanted with the first novel, I had no trouble immersing myself completely into this second one. Ms. Vali has a way of making her characters seem real. It’s very easy to fall in love with her heroines and hate the bad guys, and this is true for the characters in this narrative. If you have read any of the author’s other novels, you will quickly realize that this book is set in the same universe as several of her other books including the “Cain Casey” and “Calling the Dead” series. I really enjoyed seeing some of the characters from those other stories as well as some familiar places in New Orleans that Ms. Vali has introduced her readers to. The tale in this newest book is exciting, romantic, and at times terrifying. I thoroughly enjoyed reading more of Harry and Desi’s story.

A Good Chance is not a standalone novel. These two books tell one story and if you try to read the second one alone, you will miss out on too much. I recommend you get both novels and read them in order. They are both excellent and well worth getting and reading.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

What a great book! It was wonderful to revisit some characters from Ali’s other books. This book definitely had me on the edge of my seat a couple times. It was extremely enjoyable! I highly recommend it.