ARC Book Review: A Dozen Second Chances.

It’s official, I want to be an archaeologist – and it’s all thanks to Kate Field’s new book.

The way she writes about it in A Dozen Second Chances is more than just passionate, it’s exciting and infectious. I immediately wanted to jack in a 20 plus year career and head off to a dig – and if there was a dark curly-haired celebrity called Paddy in the next trench, I don’t think you’d hear me complaining.

This book starts off like you’re on a slow boat ride down a calm river and gradually builds until it feels like you flying down thundering rapids.

Here’s the blurb:

What are the chances that twelve little tokens could change a life?

Seventeen years ago, Eve Roberts had the wonderful life she’d always dreamed of: a degree in archaeology, a gorgeous boyfriend, and exciting plans to travel the world with him, working on digs. But when her sister Faye died, the life Eve knew ended too. Faye’s daughter Caitlyn came to live with Eve, her boyfriend left, and she quickly gave up on her dreams.

Now approaching her fortieth birthday, Eve faces the prospect of an empty nest as Caitlyn is leaving home. Caitlyn gives Eve a set of twelve ‘Be Kind to Yourself’ vouchers, telling her that she has to start living for herself again, and that she should fill one in every time she does something to treat herself.

With her very first voucher, Eve’s life will change its course. But with eleven more vouchers to go, can Eve learn to put herself first and follow the dreams she’s kept secret for so long? Because life is for living – and as she well knows, it’s too short to waste even a moment…

One of the things I really liked was that Eve is a slightly older heroine than I’m used to. Her being closer to my own age made me relate in ways I probably can’t to 26-year-olds any more. She felt real to me, as did the wonderful supporting cast of family and friends, who give the book its lovely warm feeling.

That’s not to say it’s without emotion and drama because there is plenty of that. The chemistry between Eve and Paddy is palpable from the start. You also know there is an undercurrent of something (or several somethings) going on but can never quite put your finger on what until it all comes out at the end.

Kate’s writing is always so easy to read but also engaging – there are sentences that made me stop in my tracks; either for their beautiful imagery or because they perfectly illustrate the moment.

Anyway, no more time for chat. I’m off to Google ‘becoming an archaeologist’. See you in the trenches!

Format: Kindle.

Price: £2.99 via Amazon.

My rating: Five stars.

With thanks to One More Chapter (Harper Collins UK) via NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.