Two Seconds Too Late - Book Review

I loved Dani Pettrey's One Wrong Move, so I was excited to read the next book in the series, Two Seconds Too Late. For those who read One Wrong Move and remember Riley and Greyson, this book is about them! I caught glimpses of Greyson and Riley's chemistry in the previous book and it was fully revealed here. There were so many tropes that I love, including two of my favorites: friends-to-lovers, fake dating, forced proximity, opposites-attract, and age gap romance. Those who enjoyed the previous book and Under Fire by Lynn H. Blackburn will love Two Seconds Too Late.

Plot Summary

When Riley MacLeod's friend Kelly disappears from a couple's retreat at a luxury resort, she and private investigator Greyson Chadwick go undercover as a couple to discover what happened to her. Not only has Kelly disappeared with loads of money, it seems she and her unknown boyfriend, Jared, stole it and because of this, someone wants them dead. The couple has fled in the direction of Las Vegas, a place Riley never wants to set foot in again. As she works to discover the truth behind their actions, she also fights her feelings for Greyson, who only views her as a kid sister.

Greyson Chadwick tries to keep his love for Riley under wraps, but it's hard not to let his true feelings show during and after he and Riley are a "couple". Secrets from his past and present hold him back from pursuing a relationship with her. As they fight hard for a chance at love, they also race to find Kelly and Jared before it's too late ... and before someone tries to take their own lives as well.

Personal Thoughts

Riley was optimistic, free-spirited, and followed her instincts. Greyson was serious, straight-laced, and ruled by logic. Together, they created a power team and a couple worth cheering for. I loved all the ways they had to act like a couple, such as when they had to dance or interact a certain way when they were around others.

The case kept me on my toes. and I didn't know what to expect next. Even though we get Jared and Kelly's POVs, I didn't know what their plans were or why they were going through all this trouble until the last half to quarter of the book. There were so many twists and turns but in the end it all made sense. Also, extreme cliffhangers at the end! Not one, not two, but three bombs are dropped on us in the last few pages. I'm dying for the next book, because I have several questions 

Notes

This book is best for teenagers and adults.

Steam Level: 💋💋💋

This is the second book in the Jeopardy Falls series. The next story in the series is in the novella collection Whiteout, which comes out in February 2026.

Ramblings Inspired by the Book

Dani Pettrey infused two issues that are close to her heart in this story: depression and veteran suicide. As someone who battles with depression herself and the wife of a veteran, she is well acquainted with these realities and she wrote about them well. While I liked this unique thread in the novel, there was a more subtle vein that struck me as well.

Much like Christian and Andi, Riley and Greyson both had something in their past that haunted them and had the potential to hinder them in some way. However, Pettrey takes a different slant with this storyline. Riley battled with the memories of her last visit to Vegas and a situation a few months before the case in which she had to take a life in self-defense. Greyson carried the memories of the deaths of several people close to him, as well as his depression. Each of these situations brought its own set of fears. Riley was afraid to go to Vegas again. Greyson was scared to initiate a relationship with Riley because of his baggage and he didn't want her to be burdened by his depression if he should ever hit a low.

Both Greyson and Riley could've let their fears and worries control them. But if they had, Riley would have dropped the case and Greyson would never have a chance with Riley. Instead, though, they faced their fears and chose not to let it dictate their future; they gave the issue over to God and let Him be their Rock. This allowed them to solve the case and (finally) confess their feelings for each other. I'm naturally a worrier, so I've let my fears in the past control my actions. But Greyson and Riley's journey reminds me that while fear can be crippling, it can also be overcome through God's help. So many times in the Bible we're told not to fear. Could this be because God doesn't want us in fear's grip? That instead He wants us to lean on Him and push past the fear into the life He has planned for us?

For those of you who have read Two Seconds Too Late, what did you think of it? For those who have not read it, would you? Tell me in the comments below!