Second First Impressions: A Novel

Written by Sally Thorne

Narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya

From the USA Today bestselling author of The Hating Game and 99 Percent Mine comes the clever, funny, and unforgettable story of a muscular, tattooed man hired as an assistant to two old women—under the watchful eye of a beautiful retirement home manager.

Dazzle (n): Brightness that blinds someone temporarily. 

Position Vacant: Two ancient old women residing at Providence Retirement Villa seek male assistant for casual exploitation and good-natured humiliation. Duties include boutique shopping, fast-food fetching, and sincerely rendered flattery. Good looks a bonus—but we aren’t picky. 

An advertisement has been placed (again!) by the wealthy and eccentric Parloni Sisters. The salary is generous and the employers are 90 years old, so how hard could the job be? Well, none have lasted longer than a week. Most boys leave in tears. 

Ruthie Midona will work in Providence’s front office, and be at the Parloni’s beck and call, forever. That’s sort of her life plan. If Ruthie can run the place in her almost-retired bosses’ absence, with no hijinks/hiccups, she has a shot at becoming the new manager. She might also be able to defend her safe little world from Prescott Development, the new buyer of the prime site. Maybe after all that, she can find a cute guy to date. All she needs to do is stay serious—and that’s what she does best. 

Until, one day, someone dazzling blows in to town. 

Teddy Prescott devotes his life to sleeping, tattooing, and avoiding seriousness. When Teddy needs a place to crash, he makes a deal with his developer dad. Teddy can stay in one of Providence’s on-site maintenance cottages—right next door to an unimpressed Ruthie—but only if he works there and starts to grow up.

Ruthie knows how this sweetly selfish rich boy can earn his keep—and be out of her hair in under a week. After all, there is a position vacant…

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Apr 13, 2021
• ISBN: 9780062912824

Sally Thorne

Sally Thorne is the USA Today-bestselling author of The Hating Game. She spends her days climbing into fictional worlds of her own creation. She lives in Canberra, Australia with her husband in a house filled with vintage toys, too many cushions, a haunted dollhouse and the world’s sweetest pug.

Reviews for Second First Impressions

[Raheemah Odus · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was okay. I still love The Hating Game the most.?

[Mary Kristine Gardiola Manahan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fast, easy read in true sally thorne fashion. Theres angst, family drama and a good amount of (overcoming) self loathing. Finished the audiobook in a day.

[geauxgetlit · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Have you ever felt you were born in the wrong era? Cute romcom about a girl in her early twenties working and living in a retirement community, who has become to dress and think like she is also the same age as the others in the community. Until the owners young hipster son moves in and notices her for more!

[Liliana C · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Wow what I looked forward to most was finishing this book! It was just not hitting the same, it was just not good on so many levels: the writing, the banter and the audio was just horrible. I mean I felt like I was listening to teenagers and I was like nope not for me.

[Lauren · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I adored this book! I love how Ruthie realizes that life isn’t defined by past (perceived) mistakes. She inspires me to get out of my own tortoise shell! Cute romance development too! Oh Teddy…❤️

[Rebekah · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely fell in love with the characters wonderful story and plot!!!!

[Taylor Miedema · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I went into this book completely blind. It is now definitely one of my top 10 books. It is a very sweet read and I will totally be reading it again. <3

[Crystal Rotich · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent inspiring story with some heartache, quirky characters that keep the story interesting and real life issues. Excellent drama and romance and characters really enjoyed this story hard to put down and the story pace was not rushed anf not slow

[Julia Vinyard · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

one of the worst romcoms i’ve ever read. actually one of the worst books i’ve ever read lmao.

[Edith Amoafoa-Smart · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ugh this was SUCH a sweet story. Cue enemies-to-lovers, redemption, sweet small communities and spunky old queer women. Just how I like my romance. This is my first from Sally Thorne and it won’t be my last.

[Assistant Forthelove · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book equally bugged me and interested me haha! In the end I left really liking it though :)

[olivia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

omg i loved this so much ! I think i liked this one more than the hating game :O

[Lynne Costin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved The Hating Game and now this book comes in as a close second. The relationships, the introspection and giving the guy real and deep feelings is refreshing. Also, it was really nice not hearing so much profanity. This story felt genuine instead of smutty. I hope to see more of this style from the author.

[Alyson Wolf · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

If you liked The Hating Game, you may not like this. I’m done with “broken bad boy” meets “broken good girl”. I expect more from a woman author.

[T. Rosado · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Unsurprisingly, there were some fabulously written scenes that will stick with me as the strongest moments in the book, but overall, there's not a lot I will hang on to. Twice Shy was a middle of the road read in nearly every way. I didn’t hate it and I didn’t love it. I wanted to connect and feel for these characters and I really had a hard time. Most of my "feels" were targeted at the cute baby rescue turtle that Teddy had accidentally stepped on. Don’t worry, he survived.

[Farida Elazab · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So sweet and cute defenitly revommend it i loved it

[Emilija Novaković · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I think that it was OK and cute. Really enjoyed the writing style, but I wasn't that much interested in the story.

[Monica Cornejo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the first book all year I’ve binge read and finished in one day. It was SO CUTE. Such a funny laugh out loud book with the sweetest romance in it.

Ahhh. I love Sally Thornes writing. Forever an auto buy now!!

[reks · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Plot controversies and the protagonist fussing over something that's not even a real problem. Tiresome.

[Elizabeth Mellen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was real cute and fun. I loved the side characters, especially the old lady duo, although I felt that Ruthie was soooo oblivious. I wasn't so sure about the ending, I HATED Ruthie's parents, because I know what that's like to go through. But I loved the email at the end!

[angiestahl-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Lots of readers seem to be smitten by this. Since I'd never read the author and felt a bit of fomo, I gave it a shot. Sorry fans, but I thought it was nothing more than a modernized Harlequin. Trite, shallow, predictable, and tried way, way too hard. Not a fan and can't muster up any sizzle from this fizzle.

[jynell-71874 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Do you ever wish you could have a second first impression?

First impressions are important and in those first few moments, we automatically make judgements. Ruthie isn't too fond of Teddy based on her first impression... Can he make a second first impression?

My favorite part of the entire book are the Parloni sisters. They are a hoot... Basically, they are old ladies who just want to have fun and they have a great sense of humor as they ask their assistant(s) to do some of the crazies things with no rhythm or reason. I hope to be like them when I'm old...

I have to admit though, they were the book's saving grace. I really didn't like Teddy and I felt like Ruthie's issues weren't well presented. I can't quite explain it... Maybe it was too obvious? As for Teddy, there were red flags everywhere and Ruthie ignores them. He's childish and clingy and ignores boundaries. He's selfish and he knows it.

The story overall though, was good. The plot was timed well and I didn't have any problems reading to the end. I think the story could have done better as a simple comedy and removed the romance part. Teddy just did nothing for me.

One gripe: the man on the cover is NOTHING like what Teddy is described as. A big part of the book are his tattoos and his long, black hair...

I'm gonna have to rate this as a 3. I like it, but it didn't excite me and I won't read it again. This isn't a steamy book and those that enjoy sweet romance might really enjoy this one. But, as always, if it sounds good to you - read it!

[shazjhb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sweet romance. Nice characters.

[fueledbycoffee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sally Thorne has done it again. Her writing is witty, swoony, and smart...and funny...slow burnish, and all the things. I've read her catalog and then some, back in the day. I thought about this book for days after I finished. Like a warm, favorite-silly-fuzzy socks, blanket for two kind of hug. I buy her books, blurb unseen, because her writing is that good. If light-hearted romance is your thing, you will love this (or any of Sally's books, really....)Thanks to William Morrow Publishing for this book. All reviews and opinions herein are my own.

[lady_lazarus · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Easy, yes, entertaining, yes, but still somewhat disappointing. Focusing on appearances annoys me. Ruthie fell in love immediately when seeing Teddy's hair. I would have liked to see the two finding more depths in each other DESPITE the looks. That's what the name of the book implied to me... Now it was the first impression that stuck until the end. Mentioning Teddy's hair throughout the book as Teddy's main characteristic ruined the character for me.

[whitreidtan · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

There's a perception that young people are out at the bars living their best lives, partying, and just the slightest bit self centered. This is, of course, not true of all twenty-somethings (and maybe not even for the majority of them). Some are quiet, introverted types who have settled into a staid and quiet life, like the heroine in Sally Thorne's Second First Impressions. But it also never hurts to inject just a little bit of spice and excitement into an otherwise predictable life.Ruthie works at a retirement community and she truly cares for the inhabitants of the place. She lives on the grounds and enjoys her job. She is hard working and conscientious. And when she tries to be a Good Samaritan at a local gas station, she is mistaken for an elderly woman, like the residents at Providence Retirement Villas. Filling in for her boss, who is on an extended vacation, Ruthie spends her days checking the locks, keeping things running, attending to the needs of quirky folks like the elderly, irascible, Parloni sisters, watching a Christian based tv show called Heaven Sent, and dodging her temp Melanie's desire to add some spunk to Ruthie's non-existent love life.Teddy Prescott is the son of the retirement village's new owner and is the man Ruthie rescued at the gas station. He is also the one who mistook her for one of her aged residents. Teddy has an appealing little boy lost vibe to him but he's also covered with tattoos and has luscious long hair that Ruthie wants to run her fingers through. He wants to open his own tattoo studio rather than go to work for the family company. He is definitely not a long term romantic prospect for Ruthie. She suggests Teddy as the newest assistant to the Parloni sisters and to her surprise, he actually enjoys it, lasting far longer than any of their previous "boys."This is a quick, light, and fluffy romance that ends up feeling more platonic than romantic. Teddy's hair must be impressive indeed because it is mentioned enough it should almost be its own character. There's supposed to be a clear dichotomy between the buttoned up, straight laced Ruthie, daughter of a reverend, and the long-haired, tattoo artist, love 'em and leave 'em Teddy that makes them a surprising pairing but somehow their relationship comes across as more friendship than sexy and unexpected. And Teddy was definitely more infantilized than he was a bad boy, despite his appearance. The secondary characters are quirky and generally fun, if sometimes over the top. The pacing of the book was steady until the end of the book when all of the plot lines and reveals wrapped up incredibly quickly. Family issues that had governed lives for decades were immediately solved and absolution handed out like lollipops. Over all an easy and enjoyable enough read for a couple of hours but not quite as satisfying as I wanted.

[narshkite · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sweet as sugar. Very PG, but it gave me the feels. 1000x better than Thorne's last book which I really disliked. This one had a strong Psych 101 undercurrent, but its romance not scholarship so I will allow it. Ruthie is practically agoraphobic and lives by checklists because her horrible preacher father made her that way by rejecting her and stealing her dreams as punishment for a single oversight while in high school. (view spoiler) Teddy took no responsibility had strings of short relationships and no desire to to commit to women or a job in a way that seems pretty standard for a person in their early 20's, but was seen as a ne'er-do-well by his rich family even though he was sweet and kind and charming. (view spoiler)The main characters were engaging, if a smidge dull, and there was charming repartee. I enjoyed the scads of quirky side characters. I was glad that in the end Ruthie did not completely clip Teddy's wings. The end resolution with Teddy's family was really badly written and in fact all the endings were super predictable. Still this was just the break I needed to take from the very acerbic Super Sad True Love Story (which has nothing whatsoever to do with love.)

[rmarcin-630843 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Ruthie works at a retirement home, but secretly wants to be a vet. She dresses like an older woman, although she is only 25. By chance, she meets Teddy, a long-haired, tattooed Adonis at a gas station, where he can’t find his wallet to pay. Later, he turns up at the retirement home for a job, and Ruthie finds that Teddy’s father owns the place.Although she tries to avoid it, she falls for Teddy. But knowing his reputation for wooing women and leaving them, she is cautious. It’s a romance, so you know what happens! Along the way, you meet other quirky characters, like the two elderly women who hire Teddy as their errand boy. Cute story, a lot of fluff, especially in the beginning.

[herenya_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Ruthie works and lives in an retirement village, and worries that she’s basically indistinguishable from an old person even though she’s only twenty-five. Her co-worker encourages her to try dating but warns her that her new neighbour, the son of the village’s owner, is a recipe for heartbreak.Thorne has a gift for vividly capturing the quirky personalities of two people and capturing the different ways in which they like each other -- they appreciate each other’s appearance, enjoy each other’s company and care about each other’s wellbeing. Moreover, even though this story is solely from Ruthie’s perspective, it’s obvious to the reader how much Teddy likes Ruthie -- and also convincing that Ruthie doesn’t recognise this so easily. (Her perspective is influenced by her doubts about her own desirability, and the knowledge that Teddy’s current situation is temporary.) I really enjoyed reading about their relationship. There were a few things in this story which I didn’t personally like, even though in hindsight I can recognise that they weren’t bad choices for Ruthie. Mixed feelings, I have them. But still, only about small-ish things.

[mzonderm · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

On the one hand, this is a standard romance novel. Boy meets girl and there is instant attraction, but things are complicated, a few hijinks ensue, and finally everything gets worked out and they all live happily ever after. That's all true, and it's a very sweet, fun read.But there's more going on here. Ruthie is very buttoned-up, and scared to leave her comfort zone. Teddy gives off louche, rich-kid vibe, and everyone tries to convince Ruthie that he's going to break her heart. Ruthie's not convinced though, and what Thorne does very well is give us a sense of the dichotomy between other people's perceptions of Teddy, and even his own actions, and the real Teddy, without ever shifting to Teddy's actual perspective, but through narrative descriptions of his body language.Second First Impressions is not your grandmother's romance novel. With robust characters and writing that avoids cliché, this is a romance for anyone who wants to good story.