When Sheriff Luke Davis decided to marry his long lost love, Rachel, it left the mail-order brides his cousins had sent for adrift. Being honorable, the cousins, Mark and Garrett, encouraged by Luke, agreed to pay for the “almost” brides’ room and board at, ironically, Rachel’s boardinghouse until they decided what they wanted to do.

            Shannon O’Neil and Leah Bennett have good, but different, reasons for not heading back home. Besides, it seems like God’s will that they find themselves in Lookout, Texas. If only they could find some work.

            The cousins come up with a scheme to marry the would-be brides off by holding regular socials to introduce them to the bachelor population. Trouble is, Mark is starting to fall for Shannon, but he’s got a dark secret that he’s sure makes him unfit to be a husband to any woman.

            Leah is smitten with the town’s blacksmith and, it seems he with her. But when he brings home a surprise that reminds her all too well what she is running from, her feelings change—or do they?

            Second Chance Brides is an engaging follow-up to The Anonymous Bride. It’s great to see how everyone is faring as well as how persistence and determination pay off for the two second chance brides, though the multiplicity of story threads dilutes some of the emotional impact of each bride’s story. But with interesting characters, some intriguing twists and a feel good tone, this was an enjoyable read.