REVIEW: Second to None by Nancy Herkness

Second to None by Nancy Herkness: Ever since Emily’s husband died, her focus has purely been on her daughter and the underfunded after-school care center for disadvantaged kids she works for. Intent on getting more funding, she barges into Max Varela’s life, a billionaire chemist whom she knew many years ago when he was just a Ph.D student.

Max fell in love with Emily when he first met her all those years ago, even though she was married with a young daughter. Now, though, he has the chance to win her heart. Both Emily and Max have to work past her husband’s death in order to be together, but even so hope for the future ignites in both.

Except Max just sold his company and is moving to another city in a few weeks. Emily couldn’t possibly uproot her daughter or leave behind her center, could she?

I definitely felt odd about the whole infatuation and husband aspect when I first began the story, but I quickly got over my reservations. These two were good together. Emily was the soft heart to Max’s classic billionaire romance toughness and, if not the most original story, Second to None was cute and sexy all the same.

It was also a perfect fit for a novella. The author did a good job of setting up context and romance within the short amount of space, which I very much appreciated. Overall, these two were properly amorous and the story moved quickly.

For those who love a short and sexy read, I recommend Second to None!
 

Book Info:

Publication: September 12, 2017 | Montlake Romance | Second Glances 0.5

Billionaire chemist Max Varela is selling his company and leaving New York for good when Emily Wade bursts into his office, desperate for his help in funding her program for disadvantaged kids and shelter dogs. Seven years ago, he fell in love with her when she was married to another man. To fight the unbidden attraction, he cut off all contact—but he’s never forgotten her.

Ever since her husband died, Emily has poured her heart and soul into the after-school care center. Seeing Max reawakens the pain of her loss, but it also brings unexpected hope for the future. As emotions thought long gone resurface, the two begin a passionate affair that seems destined for a fairy-tale ending.

That is, until Max reveals that he’s moving to Chicago in a matter of weeks and wants Emily to uproot her daughter and her life to come with him. If a second chance at love is possible, someone’s got to give.