Lovely Stephanie Butland has appeared here on Linda’s Book Bag several times (and even forgave me some years ago when I accidentally did a cover reveal for one of her books a week early – an error from which I’ve never quite recovered!) I love her books and with Stephanie’s latest out today, I simply had to invite her back to the blog to tell me all about it.
Let’s find out more:
Staying in with Stephanie Butland
Welcome back to Linda’s Book Bag Stephanie and thank you for agreeing to stay in with me.
Tell me, which of your books have you brought along to share this evening and why have you chosen it?
I’ve brought my new book, The Second Chance Book Club. Mainly because I cannot stop looking at its beautiful cover! Who needs TV when a book looks like this?
I couldn’t agree more. That is a beautiful cover. And it’s out today – congratulations. What can we expect from an evening in with The Second Chance Book Club?
I’ve been absolutely blown away by reader responses to this book. By the time a novel goes out into the world I’m not quite a wreck, but I’m certainly second-guessing myself and half way to convincing myself this is the worst thing I (and very possibly anyone else) have ever written. So early reviews mean the absolute world to me.
I think many authors feel that way. What have early reviews been like?
Here are a couple, from NetGalley:
This novel is filled with lovely surprises and little moments of possibility that kept me hooked until the very end. The Second Chance Book Club is simply beautiful, full of heart, and a reminder of the transformative power of compassion, family, and connection. I can’t recommend it highly enough!
And
If you like novels by Sarah Winman, Juliette Henderson and Clare Pooley, I think you will enjoy this sweeping story with dual POV about an orphan who gets found. While September is living her life and coming to terms with a family she never thought she would know, we have a dual timeline in the past which gives us the information on how she was lost. I found this particularly heartbreaking and just reignites my feeling of we really should live the life we want, and not worry so much about what ‘others’ say. Yes, it might be difficult because we need to be brave to step outside the lines of what others consider is good for you, but oh, our lives will be so much richer.
Those are fabulous responses. I’m so glad I have The Second Chance Book Club on my TBR. I have a feeling I’ll love it.
What else have you brought along and why have you brought it?
I’ve brought nachos, which are the best food in the universe (I will not be taking questions on this). We have guacamole, soured cream, salsa and cheese on the side: we don’t need to improve on perfection.
I’m certainly not going to argue!
I went to Portland, Oregon in June last year and discovered sour beer, which is light and often a bit fruity and just the best thing when it’s served freezing cold on a warm day. I’ve spent a good 15% of all waking moments since I got back thinking about it.
Sounds tasty. I’ll join you in a beer in a minute.
I’ve also brought my knitting. I rediscovered knitting when I had breast cancer in 2008, and it’s now such a part of my life that I honestly could not tell you the last time I went a day without knitting. I would bring some social knitting – something that doesn’t really need any attention at all, something I don’t even need to look at. So probably a plain sock. Knitting makes me a better listener, I think, and also means you might have the chance to eat some of the nachos.
Get clicking Stephanie – I’m more than happy to eat the nachos. Though I did start knitting a dragon just over a year ago when I had my foot operation and have only finished the body so maybe I’ll do a bit of that too.
Thanks so much for staying in with me on The Second Chance Book Club publication day. It sounds just my kind of read and I know from experience how wonderful your books are.
Thank you for a lovely evening!
My pleasure. Now, pour us a beer, grab your knitting needles and I’ll give readers a few more details about The Second Chance Book Club.
The Second Chance Book Club
Dear Ms Blythe
We are dealing with an estate of which you may be a beneficiary.
Please send any documents in your possession that relate to your birth and adoption.
September is at her wits’ end. There’s never enough money to support her boyfriend and herself. September has nothing to look forward to.
Then the letter comes. September has inherited a house from a great-aunt she never knew she had. It would make sense to sell it. But when sees the place – the orange gate, the garden, the tree, the bumblebee door knocker – she doesn’t want to let it go. Not yet. Then the members of the book club arrive, and she begins to discover the story of the family she didn’t know. And to make new friends.
September feels safe here. But money alone can’t bring contentment. September is just at the start of a journey full of surprises, shocks – and opportunities, if she’s brave enough . . .
Published by Headline today, 24th April 2025, The Second Chance Book Club is available for purchase through the publisher links here.
About Stephanie Butland
Stephanie Butland’s first two books were memoirs of her dance with cancer. She then turned to fiction. Her 8th and latest novel is The Second Chance Book Club. Her other novels include beloved bookshop tales Lost For Words and Found In A Bookshop.
Stephanie lives near the sea in the north-east of England, with her husband Alan and Harris the greyhound. She writes in a studio at the bottom of her garden. For fun, she reads, knits, bakes, walks, and goes to the cinema and theatre.
Stephanie loves to talk books and meet readers, and is an occasional performance poet.
For further information, visit Stephanie’s website, follow her on Twitter/X @under_blue_sky or find Stephanie on Instagram and Facebook.
English (US) · 