From Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author M. Robinson comes a second chance sports romance.
Blackmail isn’t the most romantic way to propose, but with the history between us … I had no choice.
Long story short--I broke her heart and pushed her away. Years later we reconnected, and this time she walked away.
Neither of us knew she was pregnant.
So when we had a second chance to be a real family, I led her to believe our marriage was fake— that one football season by my side was the only way to prevent another scandal for my career.
We were a publicist’s dream. I was football god and she was a world famous romance author.
M. Robinson is the Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling Author crowned as the “Queen of Angst” by readers around the world. Dive into her visionary world that will take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions and leave you wanting more. She writes everything from contemporary to suspense romance and is best known for her novel, El Diablo.
When M isn’t in the cave writing her next epic love story, you will find her shopping and living on a boat in Florida with her real life pirate, her lobster, her husband Bossman. Sipping on Starbucks and hanging out with their two dogs, a German shepherd mix and a gordito Wheaten Terrier reading a good book. Or spending time with her family, who she is extremely close with.
Above all, M loves her readers more than anything and loves to connect with them! She is on all social media platforms @authormrobinson but you will find her in her happy place the most. Her VIP Reader Group on Facebook or her second favorite happy place, Instagram.
"If I had learned one important lesson in all of this, it was how much love truly prevailed through anything." M. Robinson has been a great surprise for me since I read her first book. And while I loved the other 2 books in the series, this one has been my favorite by far. I absolutely adored Jax, and Sophie's my favorite heroine of Monica's so far too.
"I think my soul found yours from the second I saw you step out of that car." We were given a glimpse of what was coming for Jax in the previous book of the series. We already know Jax is a famous quarterback, the GOAT, and we know he sleeps around and has had his fair share of women. We also know there's a special woman, and this is the story of how they met and how they keep circling back to each other.
"My absolute favorite memory of you (...) is how you lit up my world with just a fucking smile." If there's one thing I love about Monica's heroes is how they can be huge protective, demanding, alpha assholes, but also have redeeming qualities that make you fall for them. Jax was all of that. His dirty mouth and flirty ways are a serious turn-on, and everything about him will make you go 'awww'. And trust me when I say the 'awww' moments happen more and more as you keep reading.
"Time, years, distance! It never changed!" Sophie is the one who got away. No, he hasn't been celibate since her, and neither has she. He's broken her heart in the past, and she got even with him. She's strong, and sassy, and she's not up for taking any of his shit anymore. However, the connection they share after all these years is too big for words, and there's a secret she's keeping from him that can change everything.
"I'll go to war for you now. No one is going to keep me from you." When a scandal breaks out in Jax's life, Sophie is the only one who can help him. It's a mess, and she knows she's risking her career, her lifestyle, and most of all, her heart by being close to him again. And, let's face it, he doesn't let up and he definitely doesn't make it easy for her to keep him away.
"If I told you I loved you, would you even believe me?" As with other M. Robinson books, we get parts of their story as flashbacks, and that's how we understand how complicated and messy their story is, and how it's filled with misunderstandings and so much love, as well as so much sweetness, angst, and hot moments. Because these two are fire together.
"After all these years. All the memories. I didn’t know… She was my endgame." This was a page-turner, and a wonderful second-chance, of two souls reaching out for each other. It wasn’t easy, and all the emotions really got to me. The fact that they could get over whatever life threw their way and make their way to each other, regardless, made it special. And now that I know what's coming next, I literally can't wait for book 4!
Even I was fooled: “I’m so sorry I didn’t fight for you then, but I’ll go to war for you now.” Who messes up mid-grovel? This hero does🙄 He was sooooo close.
I freaking adore Jax. Like hardcore. I loved him going into this book, but after seeing inside his heart and soul... This author has cemented that love and it isn't changing. I will 𝑁𝐸𝑉𝐸𝑅 forget him. This read was filled with banter, passion, dirty talkin' that will make you squirm, angst and tender moments that will have you feeling 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔!! I devoured this one!! He is one smooth alpha with all the right moves.
Jax's first and only love is football. Has and always will be. He hasn't become the G.O.A.T just for kicks. Despite the headlines, there was someone, once upon a time that allowed him to possibly want more than just football.
Now he is faced with a disaster that could tarnish his reputation - not all the different girls he is seen with, not the fact that he can't settle down - he wants a trade and is now considered a trader. So with the help of a friend who is the best of the best (hello Julian!) there is a way to spin the outrage to make him seen a better light.
Now, if only he can get the one who got away to sign up for the adventure. He will stop AT NOTHING to get her to agree. Even if he makes her hate him... again. He won't take no for answer. Buckle up, Baby... it's gonna be quite the ride!
"𝙄'𝙢 𝙜𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣"
Gahhh you guys! This book is what second chances are about! I loved everything about this!
Ummmm. what can I say about Second Chance Scandal?
I liked it better than the first installment, but as I was reading, especially the first say 30%, I was thinking "but I have read this story before".
And I had, in the first installment of the series Alpha CEO.
Baby that the father didn't know about, the woman back in his life, him manipulating and pretty much blackmailing the mum to do as he wanted or he would take her to court for full custody of said child.
Yeah, that is how Second Chance Scandal goes too.
Add in the crappy family, the secrets and not communicating, and it is a sense of deja vu.
I liked Jax and Sophie, but man I hated the way they were with each other . If you love each other, stop the frigging mind games, people!
I kept on reading as I did want to see how they finally make their way back to each other properly, but I did find many an eye roll moment and what the eff are you thinking moments.
If we do get more of this series, I hope we get a different MO (sorry M. Robinson!)
Be ready to swoon over Jax Colton as M. Robinson brings her latest alpha hero in full glory in Second Chance Scandal. Jax was hotness and naughty arrogance overload. And the woman who brought him down on his knees was no less fierce and admirable. Jax and Sophie's explosive second chance romance was emotional treat for every romance lover.
Jax Colton is considered the greatest of all time in NFL. When he decides to trade to Fort Worth after thirteen years in Miami, it makes negative headlines. His agent and publicist finds a solution. He has to get fake married. To Sophie Hayes. His young love. The woman who got away. The woman who still owns his heart. But he broke her heart and she doesn't want to do anything with him. Untill Jax finds out about the secret she has been keeping and she has to agree to his terms to save her successful career as a bestselling romance author and her dreams. Will she forgive Jax? Only time will tell. But Jax won't let her go so easily this time.
oh wow I am absolutely thoroughly madly in love with Jax. This man has a gorgeous body and a beautiful heart. He is deliciously alpha and possessive and protective but he a sweet charm too. He may live a playboy life but he just needed the right woman to settle down. Sophie is that woman. She has to fight for everything she has now and she wont stop fighting. She is smart and sassy and loving and kind. She didn't let her feelings for Jax overwhelm her and she made him work for every forgiveness. They have a complicated and long history. It's hard to move forward with so many heartbreaks and misunderstanding and secrets. But Jax was stubborn and persistent and he broke through the walls Sophie erected around her heart. This story goes back and forth in timeline so you get to experience the whole journey. From the sweet and flirty and anxious moments of their new love. To the angsty and deep moments. To the dirty sexy memories. The full experience. And that ending was so beautiful. They have created someone so special together and that creation was catalytic behind them finding the way back to each other . And you will love that little surprise too.
M. Robinson delivered the full range of emotions in Second Chance Scandal. Witty. Swoony. Steamy. Intense. Heartaching. And you cannot miss any of them.
I DEVOURED this book. The second I started reading I couldn’t put it down and before I knew it the story was over and I wanted more. I loved Jax and Sophie’s story.
Jax is the GOAT, but when the news of moving to a new team isn’t going well, he needs something to change the public’s view of him. Sophie is a single mom and a romance author. She works hard and does a great job of taking care of her son, Ben. Jax and Sophie also have a history together. Her mother worked for his family and they meet when they were teens, but things changed over the years and its been seven years since they have seen or heard from each other.
Jax and Sophie have no shortage of chemistry, even after seven years without speaking to each other. A whole lot of miscommunication and secrets forever changed the course of their relationship, yet once the truths start to come out and they actually take the time to speak about their history together things start to shift between them.
Jax was unexpected. There were things that made him seem uncaring and kind of a jerk, yet once the truth comes out and the way he is with Sophie shed a new light on him. I loved how hard he worked and how determined he was to prove to Sophie that he isn’t who she thinks he is and that she is the one for him.
If you’re looking for a second chance, fake relationship, surprise baby, sports romance this is one to check out.
I liked this one! The back and forth from past and present were a bit annoying and the angst a little contrived 😐 but I liked how she was blackmailed into a fake relationship with him and I liked that it was a football sports romance!
She's a maids daughter turned author who gets pregnant from one night that they're together. He sees her at a club and sees her dancing and it wad reeeeeeeee3eeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy implausible that he didn't know who she was at first 🤔🤔🤔🤷 c'mon now! You've known her foooooorrrrrrevvvvvveeeeerrrrrr! No one changes their looks that much in a few years or so. Speaking of years, the dates of when stuff happened were really confusing but I just went with it because its covid time. What is time right now anyway?!!!
Anyhoo.
Great JP hero and the h wasn't annoying. The little boy was barely around so they could eff each other and make him a sibling 😂🤷
“My absolute favorite memory of you was—” “I’ve heard eno—�� “Is how you lit up my world with just a fucking smile.”
I really enjoyed this book, mostly because of the swoonworthy things that Jax said. His personality was strong and charming. Sophie on the other hand annoyed me a lot. Her acting so self righteous was getting on my nerves tbh. Regardless, the book was entertaining and kept me hooked with the amount of drama.
I spent the whole book wanting to move past each scene. I hated Jax as the hero. I understand he’s meant to be “an alpha male” but half his actions toward Sophie seemed VERY r8pey and I felt uncomfortable.
I binged this whole book within 8 hours of starting it. I couldn't put it down! I wish I could read it for the first time again, already!
We get a bunch of tropes within this one book; ~Second Chance Romance ~First Love ~Fake Marriage ~Forced Proximity ~Secret Baby ~Sports Romance
Jax & Sophie became apart of each other's lives when Sophie's mother became the housekeeper for Jax's parents. They share a past together, but they both have a past before one another. Their lives are quickly intertwined & are about to get more complicated than they could have ever anticipated, many years down the road.
The chemistry between the both of them is there from the beginning & I absolutely loved it. They have so many cute moments & sooooo many spicy moments. Things happen & years go by where they aren't in each other's lives... until Jax has to become ''married'' to keep his image positive.
Jax isn’t letting Sophie get away this time. His love for her has always been legit & he refuses to lose her again.
There are so many scenes in this book that will be living in my head rent free.
Especially when Sophie is reading a romance novel & Jax gets her to read outloud, while he does to her what the book characters are doing. Heck yes, sir.
When Jax first finds out about his son Ben, who turns out to be one of Jax’s biggest fans. When they meet it’s the cutest thing ever & the relationship between them instantly starts to form!
I felt so many things, I laughed, I swooned, my heart ached... but luckily this was a HEA!
I'm having such a hard time writing this review because I don't want to spoil it. I hate spoiler reviews. Just trust me, you want to read this & you will want Jax Colton as your new book beau.
This whole series so far has been nothing but amazing, if you haven't started it yet, I highly recommend that you do!
OMG. When this author drops a bomb on her characters, she drops a BOMB. BOOM!
I loved Jax and Sophie. This was a second chance romance with ALL THE FEELS! I was a little worried because Jax was kind of a jerk in the last book. But getting his backstory, especially his time with Baby Sophie, softened my hard heart.
This is the third book in the Second Chance series, but you do not have to have read the previous books in the series to enjoy this one. It is fun when those characters we loved in the last books make a guest appearance though!
Jax is the alpha of all alphas. He is not taking no for an answer any longer and he is not letting anyone tell him what he can’t have - even Sophie herself. Their chemistry is on fire! Robinson is the queen of dirty talking alphas and she sets the bar even higher with Jax. But these two have such wild emotion between that even when they are attempting to push the other away, they just can’t do it.
Love that Jax is all in from the beginning, even as craziness ensues. Sophie is the only home that Jax has known, the only person who has shown him what love is. And now that he’s older, he knows how rare that is.
This was such a great story and I loved how we got to see how the characters grew and evolved over time with all the flashbacks. Totally recommend this whole series!
I received an advance copy from Wildfire Marketing and these are my honest opinions.
Second Chance Scandal was one of the sweetest romance novels I have ever read. Jax had me swooning every minute of his journey towards his one true love Baby Sophie. He never wavered from his goal and took the most outrages risk to ensure her compliance❤️❤️❤️.
“I can be the hero in your life, or I can be the villain. Either way, you’re forever my heroine.” -Jax
Both main characters were very endearing and authentic. I shed a few tears along the way as well. The storyline consumed me from the prologue right up until the beautiful ending which also ensured me one-clicking the next book coming out Second Chance Love. Once again, M. Robinson has proved that she is a powerhouse for second-chance romances along with many other tropes.
Overall Opinion : I liked this one as a one time contemporary read. The angst was good and I loved the grovel too! Although it was a bit dumb for me. You see, these main characters could have prevented a LOT OF pain and angst had they communicated with each other just once instead of letting things fester. Their misunderstanding seemed very dumb to me and they could have solved it all in seconds but nah , they had to be stubborn.
Monica writes some amazing romance but lately her books have been missing that spark El Diablo and Complicate Me had. I don't know what to say about this book so I guess I'll leave it to you all. The angst is good, it's a pretty straightforward book with no plot twists and a little bit of groveling which also I think was not needed had they communicated.
I'll recommend this one to all the contemporary romance loving people who love genres like single parent, hidden child, second chances and grovel!
Speechless. Just WOW! Holy Smokes. What an amazing Second Chance Romance. Jax and Sophie’s story is everything.
I found myself flipping those pages faster than what would be thought humanly possible. Robinson was just slaying the plot line with the amazing development to where I could not get enough. I loved how she flip flopped through the past tense and the now. It was easy to keep up with, and it had me teetering on the edge because of the unknown, and as time went on, it was like the light flipped on and I understood more and more and I became more and more entranced all due to the depth and understanding that this author used.
I adored the push and pull between Jax and Sophie. It made for some great tension that kept on building to the point that I knew there was going to be an epic explosion, and that epic explosion made for some fan-freaking-tastic steamy scenes. I love how this author is not afraid to use other words in the dictionary when describing the sexy scenes through her characters POV. It makes for a way better reading experience in my opinion because I then see it play out in the forefront of my mind like a movie.
Let me just say, Jax is one heck of an alpha that is going to be hard to beat after his displays in Second Chance Scandal. Shoo Wee, he is the guy that could get anyones panties wet with how he comes across. His bluntness in my opinion is his best quality along with his love language lol. Sophie on the other hand, is less outspoken. She’s quick to blush with someone’s forwardness, but the two together? ELECTRIC.
I definitely recommend Second Chance Scandal, and look forward to this authors future books.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book (given by the author)...
4.5 stars
This is Jax’s story, he is Kinley’s best friend.
I can’t even begin to explain how much I enjoyed this book. Jax and Sophie were so great together, but they had a lot of issues in both the past and present. Honestly, I can’t lie Sophie did get on my nerves when we first meet her, to me she was acting way too immature, but fortunately, she doesn’t stay that way and I really ended up loving her.
Jax, what I can say, he was a total alpha and as soon as he saw his Sophie again it was game over for him and poor Sophie didn’t stand a chance. I really loved how Jax didn’t give up, but I loved that Sophie didn’t just give in either.
Personally, I enjoyed that Sophie didn’t live a nun life while Jax was out there acting like a playboy; I mean that scene in Seattle was flipping brilliant.
I absolutely disliked Jax’s father and I wished he got kicked in his no-no place a couple more times.
Also, I did find it odd that Kinley was Jax’s absolute best friend, but we only see Kinley once in the beginning and she never even knew about Sophie or that she dated Jax for years.
I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for Caleb (Jax’s best friend) and Evie.
Monica has once again pulled us into her characters world and given us a story that you can't help but fall in love with. Jax and Sophie have a history, but he broke her young heart and moved on to become the biggest and most famous quarterback of all time. Now Jax wants to leave the team in Miami that help make him what he is and move back to Texas. Unfortunately, the press is tearing him apart and he needs to rebuild his playboy image. Sophie is a successful romance author that lives to take care of her son, stay out of the public eye by writing under a pen name and has casual discreet no strings attached relationships. She has been burned by a man that she thought was her forever in the past and she will not let that happen again. The last thing she needs is for her past to show up on her front door and find out all her secrets and then want to her to give everything up to be his fake bride. Now Jax the man of the hour needs a bride, but he never thought that his old love would come back into his life with so many secrets. Jax and Sophie have so much history and such wonderful chemistry, they are sassy, funny have great banter, are sizzling hot and oh yes Jax is supreme alpha A hole !! lol ~~Michele McMullen ~~
I was bullied into reading this book, so my review may reflect the bullying, lol...Okay, let me be clear M knows nothing about football. Jax didn't sound like a man that played football since the age of 5. So, I took a star away for that. Then in the very beginning Jax calling another man "ALPHA" , sounds like what a woman would think/say. I took a star away for that.. It's the 21st century and modern authors are still writing men bullying women with taking their children to get what what he wants, it's antiquated and HARLEQUIN owns that brand. I am so tired of reading books where woman have No power. The only bright spot in this book is the sex, it was hot as hell.
"Pick and choose a side, Sophie. I can be the hero in your life, or I can be the villain. Either way, you’re forever my heroine. Till death do us part, sweetheart."
4.5 stars!
If you have been following M. Robinson's Second Chance Series, you will recognize Jax Colton as Kinley's best friend from Second Chance Vow. I have been dying for his story and M. Robinson did not disappoint! Jax and Sophie's story is all consuming, angsty and emotional. From the moment I began reading I was completely captivated by them! Jax is one arrogant, confident sexy pro football player and is considered the greatest of all time in the NFL. After fifteen years with his current team, he is being traded to his hometown team, in Forth Worth. In efforts to get a handle on his public image his agent hires Autumn. They are concerned his fans will consider him to be a traitor for leaving his current team and she concocts a plan to find him a wife and do a flashy fake wedding story that his fans will eat up.
Enter Sophie. Sophie is Jax’s one and only true love and the one he let get away. He broke her heart in a devastating way so getting her to agree to this plan, he will have his work cut out for him! I am not going to lie, the way he goes about it at first made me want to strangle him. It’s kind of underhanded but it wouldn’t be an M. Robinson book without a ruthless, possessive, dirty talking, protective hero that will do and say whatever he needs to in a situation like this and I forgave him pretty quickly. The book is a page turner from start to finish. The angst and feels for these two as they reconnected was just phenomenal writing! M. Robinson had my heart in a vice grip but the journey is worth every raw, heartbreaking moment. Jax had his not so fine moments but then he had his tender, swoon-worthy ones that would melt my whole damn heart!
Sophie is one fierce, strong lady! I loved her in her younger years. How determined she could be with Jax to bend to her will and she grew up stronger than ever. She is a romance writer, that has remained anonymous and agreeing to marry Jax is going to thrust her into the limelight in a major way. Sophie is independent, but she is a protective mama bear and her son Ben remains her number one priority at all times. As the story flips from past to present I was completely riveted by their second chance love story. Their were heartbreaking moments, super steamy ones, moments of joy, pain and laughter and I loved it all.
I started it late evening and couldn’t put it down until I finished it the next morning.
The story of Jax and Sophie was just so easy to read. Jax was a successful quarterback, and Sophie was his college sweetheart, but also his best kept secret.
Their connection was apparent from the start and we got to see flashbacks throughout the book of their history intermingled with their modern day story.
I won’t go into too much detail to avoid spoilers, but I adored Jax. His dirty mouth, and alpha personality was just delicious. The way he loved and treated Sophie when they reconnected.. I was here for it. I understood her hesitation, so seeing him work for what they could have was just magic.
I was so intrigued to get the answers to this book, that I really couldn’t put it down and I’m so glad I didn’t! Loved it.
And that little sneak peek at book 4!! Ahhh! Can’t wait!
When ever I read a book by M.Robinson I know the Queen of Angst is going hit me with something good. I have anticipated this read since reading Second Chance Vow.
I absolutely loved Jax! He is officially added to my long list of book boyfriends! His such a great alpha male and the way he talks to Sophie is drool worthy!
Sophie is one strong FMC and I absolutely adored her as well! She had her faults but she had her reasons!
The banter, the push and pull, and the panty melting goodness is delivered! This book had me feeling my emotions and rooting from beginning to the end! I love how we get glimpses of previous characters as well as introducing to others!
I enjoy how much with every book you can tell M. Robinson shares a bit of herself.
I definitely can’t wait to read Second Chance Love
Why oh why must M. Robinson do me like that!? I loved Julian, then Christian… but Jax Colton is the mofo GOAT. He stole my heart without even trying. Omg! I went to bed and couldn’t stop even when my eyes were burning. Jax surprised me. I adore him! And Sophie… Love her!
Jax and his charming, dirty arse mouth made me swoon so effing hard. Like some panty-melting goodness that comes from his mouth and actions! Geez!! He made me combust. And how he is so determined to win Sophie’s heart and love. God, when he is in, the guy is all-in! He was the GOAT on and off the field!
If you love second chance romances this book and series is for you!! It sucks you right in. You forget about anyone and anything around you when reading Jax and Sophie’s story! Take all my stars for this outstanding read!
Okay let's be honest, we didn't think Monica could top Christian when it came to Alphas in this series. Okay, I didn't. Baby, I was proven wrong. Jax had me and Sophie by the back of the neck. His love and protection went beyond the, "in your face" protection. He risked his entire soul for her sake. That was just it for me. When the dominoes fell it was no holds barred euphoric orgasmic release of the soul.
So let's get to the talk as filthy as it was, the anal scene had to be what the TikTok was about. If not it should have been. Gritty, raw, arrogant love. That is what I will to describe Jax feelings for Baby Soph.
At first this book seemed to have many similarities with Alpha CEO/Second Chance Contract. Autumn even makes an appearance and states some understanding, referencing the similarities. However, there are definitely differences in the way the characters play out and the overall story line.
M.Robinson is queen of angst and drama and this book had plenty of both. I kept feeling so many emotions for both characters and wanted so badly to know the secrets they kept from each other.
This was a great story in the Second Chance series.
Jax & Sophie’s story had me hooked from beginning to end . I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough , I was desperate to see what came next .
Secrets ,that have a deep hurt , & keep the couple apart, stop Jax & Sophie reaching for their hea with other people, but then a wild suggestion, to save Jax’s reputation, is thrown out their.
Secrets always have a way of showing themselves. Can people forgive & forget? Can true love really conquer all ?
You can’t help and fall in love with both of them.
Jax is a football player who needs Autumn’s help after he makes the headlines for all the wrong reason. Autumn’s solution is Sophie.
Sophie is the daughter of their housekeeper and from the day she came to live with her mom when she was teenager she became Jax’s love of his life. After a lot of misunderstandings they split.
Many years later they are reunited and Jax will do everything to never let her go again and make her fall in love with him all over again.
This is a MUST second chance romance you need to read.
Gosh! I knew I would love this book before I even read it! Jax Colton is everything a girl dreams of! Jax and Sophie have this undeniable connection that no amount of time can tear them apart, they were made for each other! The banter that comes from these two is unbelievable! The dirty things that comes out of that God of a man Jax is :exhales: 🥵🔥 This series is out of this world! ❤️❤️❤️
I love this book . In this series this was my favorite one so far . Having to carry the burden around of secrets and then finding out the love of your life was carrying around the biggest one of all .. this love story plays out with secrets and angst and bossiness and pure sex…. Def a book I would read over and over again !
What can I say. I am always ready for a new M Robinson book and this one was no different. Jax and Sophie just captivated my heart and I could not get enough. I don't want to spoil it for anyone so grab a copy and read it. LOVED IT❤❤❤❤