A mother who gave up her child at birth longs for a lost relationship, but finds herself combining love for child with love for a new man in her life when she receives Destiny's contact information. Meanwhile the mother who loved Destiny from birth to adulthood is afraid to lose a relationship that's already floundering on the rocks of adulthood. Combining regular romance with serious questions of love, life and belonging, Destiny’s Second Chance invites readers into the world of this adult adopted child, the mother who gave birth to her, and the mother who loved her from birth to adulthood.

Destiny, the daughter in this triangle, might not be the only one getting a second chance as the novel progresses. The three flawed women at the center of the story all need to forgive themselves and others before they progress. And author Kate Vale makes the process compelling and believable as readers follow mother Bella’s first steps in reaching out and learning to trust again.

Bella’s romance is pleasing, enticing, and believable in this tale. The characters feel real, in their lives and their problems with life. And the story has an enjoyable depth, family drama combined with romance, combined with some serious snippets of good motherly advice. It’s an enjoyable mix.

Disclosure: I was given a free ecopy and I offer my honest review. ( )

When sixteen year old Bella gave up her baby, Destiny, for adoption her agreement with the adoptive parents was to send pictures and letters yearly to Bella, but after 5 years the letters stopped. Bella is now in her 30’s and she still wonders about what happened to Destiny. When Destiny’s adoptive father contacts Bella the mystery to why they stopped writing to her becomes clear. She wants to contact Destiny and she hopes she will be able to see her. At the same time, Bella who is a librarian is trying to help out a local bookstore owned by a grandfatherly man named Henry. Henry is in poor health, and his handsome nephew Gavin thinks the store is too much for him and he wants to close it because it is also losing money. Bella needs to convince Gavin to keep the store, but Gavin is a complication she doesn’t need right now. She feels stretched between her job, her need to see her daughter and her friendship with Henry.

I read this book because my mom was adopted, and I wanted to understand her feelings and those of her birth mom, whom she never found; and the feelings of her adoptive mother, my grandmother. Kate Vale touched on all those feelings, and I got the impression that my grandmother may have been more like Destiny’s adoptive mother. So for me personally this novel held some eye opening revelations. As I finished reading Destiny’s Second Chance I kept thinking it was really Bella’s second chance. I enjoyed reading it so I’m giving it 4 stars. My only caution to readers is that there is some sexual content. ( )