In a Second

Friendship, RI, Book 3

By: Kate Canterbary

Narrated by: Savannah Peachwood, Alex Kydd

The last time Audrey Saunders saw Jude Bellessi, he begged her to ditch her wedding and run off with him. She said no. In her defense, she was already in the dress.

Years later—divorced and done with relationships—Audrey runs right into the one man she never managed to forget. Except Jude isn’t the rebellious bad boy she remembers. Now Jude's an aerospace engineer, a fiercely protective single dad…and, apparently, her fiancé. At least that’s the story he spun for his sick mother.

When Jude asks her to play along for the summer, Audrey knows better. She really does. But unfinished business is a powerful thing—and so is the pull of the boy who once held her whole heart. Besides, how much damage can one summer vacation with the biggest mistake of her life really do? Answer: epic. Catastrophe looks a lot like a motherinlaw in turbo weddingplanner mode, a preschooler who doesn’t miss a beat, and a suspiciously high number of hotel rooms with just one bed. So why does lying about forever feel like the first honest thing she's done in years?

Content Notes: This is a second-chance romance where during their years apart, both characters had relationships with other people. Additionally: divorce (main character), history of emotional abuse and abandonment by a previous romantic partner (main character, off-page), death of a previous romantic partner (off-page), chronic illness (main character: food intolerance, irritable bowel, inflammation), history of pregnancy loss, serious illness (parent: breast cancer in remission/NEAD, no on-page recurrence, very limited on-page discussion of treatment), toxic/narcissistic family system, discussion of custody agreements, experiences with selective mutism (secondary character).

©2025 Kate Canterbary (P)2026 Kate Canterbary

sweet, spicy love story

" He looks like the kind of guy who doesn't have a bed frame because he breaks them all without even trying."

This is single dad, second chance and we get to go back to the town of Friendship. I was so ready. But, this did have a big trope that I avoid, the roadtrip trope. I like to see how relationships build among the found family and friends. So since I knew that was a thing, I waited for the audiobook. I'm so glad I did. If anyone was going to get me to love a book like this its Kate Canterbary.

This was funny. Like laugh out loud funny, a bit of dark humor too. This was pretty angsty and full of sexual tension. And after reading this author a few times, I don't know why but the level of spice always surprises me(in a good way).

I love all the past characters popping up. Probably my favorite was little Jenny. Ahh so fun. Jamie, I feel so seen by her character as someone who is currently living with a father for medical stuff(and who had a sense of humor like hers). Oh, and we can't forget the guys at the wedding. So freaking funny. Oh, and Ruth. Love her and so excited for what's coming.


I loved Jude and Audrey's story. Jude and his son, ahhh so sweet. And Audrey finally getting a hea. I loved the molly scene, the baking show secret, the wedding, the dog... so much.

The narrators did a great job bringing the story to life. I liked the different voices they used for the side characters, it really felt like a whole extra person.

Overall, I loved it and will continue to read from this author.

MMC

Loved this fake engagement story. I think Jude may not be for everyone but he was actually so endearing to me. He would act all tough and stoic and then he would immediately follow that with some mushy comment in his mind about Audrey; showing how smitten he actually still was. I am so happy they made their way back to each other in this second chance romance.

Audrey and Jude

I adore Savannah Peachwood as a narrator... and I apologize sincerely, but Alex Kydd's voice isn't pleasing to my ear, although he does a great kid's voice.

There's an awful lot to love about In A Second. One - Jude fell in love with Audrey in High School and never stopped. Two - Jude as a bad boy, single dad, poor boy becomes more of a rich man. Three - And it's impossible not to love Audrey - although I wouldn't have put up with her parents as long as she did. Third thing to love about Jude - he gives her the emotional strength and support to take charge of her own life.

Her parents gave me the absolute ick.

But we got to go back to Friendship RI and see all of our favorite people there, that's another thing to love. I appreciated Kate Canterbary's approach to some of the hard issues addressed in this story. It just was the way it was and everyone knew the right way to navigate through. I would have LOVED to see a bonus scene at a future class reunion though...

I SO dearly want to re-read the entire Friendship series now but I also want to go back and re-read the Vital Signs series because spoiler - CAMEOS. But I want to do them in chronological story order so I have work to do.

Don't miss this - it's TOO good to leave on TBR.

Sweet Scale: 5/5
Spicy Scale: 3/5

A story of angst filled thirty year old characters who are struggling with childhood trauma.

Male voice artist was grating. There were inconsistencies throughout the book . Skip the audio version

Love conquers all.

In A Second is a painful and emotional love story. Jude and Audrey went through a lot to get to their HEA. The book is beautifully crafted, all the characters are lovable and funny. I enjoyed the story, it keeps me interested, laughing and swooning. I read while listening, I enjoyed the narrators soothing voices, they bring the story to my heart and mind.