June 12, 2026 – My Sanctuary

Marriage And Trouble By Michelle McCraw

Marriage is anything but convenient.

As San Francisco’s top divorce attorney, Justine should know. She’s freed hundreds of couples from their shackles, so she knows better than to fall into that trap.

Until her grandmother hits a hot bicyclist with her car.

When everyone mistakes the victim, Pax, for her boyfriend, Justine does what any lawyer with a healthy fear of liability would do: she proposes a temporary marriage in exchange for a donation to Pax’s collapsing animal shelter. Not only is her grandmother protected, but her bosses have practically promised Justine the senior partner position she covets – if she’s married.

Six months of marriage, just until her promotion is secure, should be easy. But Pax, with his gorgeous face and to-swoon-for physique, is anything but easy to resist. Especially when the for-pretend kisses start to feel genuine and when he starts to throw around the phrase that makes her shiver – “my wife.”

Real feelings in a sham marriage are anything but convenient.

It’s never too late for second chances…

For the first time in her life, Lydia is taking a great big leap of faith. She’s moving to a small town on the west coast of Ireland to overhaul a large, long-abandoned residence named Chance House with her new husband.

But when things don’t go as planned, Lydia is reminded why she doesn’t take chances. Suddenly she’s facing a very different prospect: a half-finished ramshackle estate, an overgrown garden, dwindling funds, and some difficult choices to make.

Starting over feels impossible. Staying put feels harder still. But when the local community rallies around her and Lydia is unexpectedly reminded of the power of new beginnings, she realises she might just owe it to herself and them to take a second chance on Chance House . . .

About The Author

My Review

This book is about love, loss, and the fragile bravery it takes to begin again when life veers wildly off course. In Second Chances, Roisin Meaney crafts a heartfelt and hopeful story rooted in resilience and community on Ireland’s west coast.

Lydia, a Dublin yoga instructor, falls swiftly for Damien, a charismatic chef from a small seaside village. Swept up in romance and possibility, she leaves city life behind to build a future with him in Chance House, a derelict property brimming with promise. But when tragedy strikes, Lydia’s world shatters, leaving her to navigate overwhelming grief and uncertain dreams alone.

What follows is an emotional journey of reckoning and renewal. Meaney beautifully captures Lydia’s inner turmoil—her fear, exhaustion, and doubt—while also illuminating the quiet strength she draws from the warm, steadfast local community. The villagers’ compassion becomes a lifeline, reminding Lydia that even in devastation, hope can flicker.

Tender, authentic, and deeply human, this novel balances heartbreak with healing. It’s a moving tribute to ordinary lives transformed by extraordinary circumstances—and a gentle reminder that sometimes the most unexpected paths lead to new beginnings.

Small-Town Community

Second Chances at Life

Healing After Loss

My Rating