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If you didn’t like the first book by an author, would you be prepared to give a second chance with the next book?

If you didn’t like the first book by an author, would you be prepared to give a second chance with the next book?

Susan #questionnaire

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63 Answers

Beki

Defiantly! Xx

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Jan

Depends on why I did not like it – I have given writers a second crack though it does put me off at least for a while.

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Lesley

I agree with that. It would depend what I hadn’t liked about it.

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Jan

as a writer I know that we all have our less successful creations so its unfair to judge on one read (unless they are so dire that you know there is no hope 🙂 )

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Lesley

@Jan If it was a series it would depend very much in the characters. If they didn’t appeal to me I would be unlikely to continue.

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Jan

there is that also. Or you buy a book late in a series and realise you are missing something from previous books – though that is a problem all of its own

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Lesley

Also if there were such howling inaccuracies in the first that I wanted to hurl it against the world. Then I wouldn’t risk my blood pressure on a second one 🙂

1
Jan

yes – poor (or in some case apparent lack of) research drives me nuts

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Lesley

@Jan You see it in some bestsellers too. Don’t get me started about a certain book involving a female public transport passenger 😉

1
Jan

One well know author had a character in an Edwardian crime -her sleuth – catch her skirts in mistletoe on the woodland floor… aaaaaaaaaaaargh

1
Maggie

I watch what other people write on here – so if some of those who I feel think like me were to praise another of their books I may well give them a second chance.

1
Lesley

I’ve spotted horticultural mishaps before now 🙂

1
Lesley

One that springs to mind was sweeping up piles of fallen leaves in mid-summer. Really??

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Jan

continuity errors are easy to make – but bad fact checking does pull a reader up sharp.

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Pippa

Yes

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Carole

Probably not. I have so many TBR that I’d just move elsewhere. I would however keep an eye open on reviews for future books.

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Adrienne

Yes and sometimes first book is great and second one a let down

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Cheryl

No

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Sue

No, I’m the same as @Carole, have a massive TBR list, so won’t waste money persevering.

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Sharon

No I make my mind up on the first book.

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Suzanne

Yes, if the plot sounded great. ?

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SusanQuestion author

I tend not to bother with second chances. There are far too many new to me authors to try

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Yvonne

I agree with you @Susan.

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Lesley

I’m not big on second chances generally. But if, for example, I’d liked the writer’s literary style but not the subject matter, and the blurb of the next book appealed to me, I might give it a go.

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Linda

No

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Sheila

Of course depending if the content interests me

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Kevin

Nae

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Greta

Yes I definitely would.

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Anne

Yes, certainly

I didn’t like The Girl on the Train but loved Into The Water
Hated The Time Traveler’s Wife but adored Her Fearful Symmetry

Maybe not if it’s the start of a series; I didn’t get past the first Reacher Book, but will always give stand-alone authors another go

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Anne

@Loretta oh ?

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Jan

Loretta Brewer I tried the Water and could not get into that one either – some authors just don’t gel with some readers. Takes all sorts 🙂

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Jennifer

Yes

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Amanda

Maybe if I liked the characters. That’s how I felt about the Audrey harte series by Kate Kessler. I didn’t really care for the first one. But wanted to know more about the characters, book 2 was awesome, book 3 was meh and I started book 4 and it wasn’t my cup of tea. I like dark and disturbing details like the Helen fields series… it’s hard to find that kind of detail.

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Dave

Unlikely, though if I read a review of the second book by someone whose opinion I trusted which was positive, I might.

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Kristine

Probably, if I can get it from the library.

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June

No

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Linda

No

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Holly

Nope, one chance. Too many books to read.

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Lynda

probably not x

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Silvie

Maybe if it was on Kindle Unlimited to which I belong, but wouldn’t spend hard cash.

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Lin

Yes

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Claire

Don’t see why not! Everyone deserves a second chance!

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Abby

Yes, unless I really really dislike it!

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Dionisis

I am not sure I would give a second chance to an author who did not meet my expectations at his/her first book. Sorry..

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Linda

Yes.

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Craig

No chance

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Shell

Yes I wasn’t a fan of Behind Closed Doors by BA Paris but loved her second book

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SusanQuestion author

I enjoyed the first book but not so much the next 2

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Mike

NO

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Christine

No

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Llainy

Yup unless I hate the writing but even then I have given a second try xxx

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Kaisha

Definitely!

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Sean

For me it all depends. I mean generally not if it’s a series and the first book is not for me. Other series site wouldngivd it a go.

I only have disliked the first book in a series once and gave that series a second chance and liked the other books

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Mar

If a long time had passed and I’d forgotten the first one.

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Kathleenellen

Yes, though I might get second book from the library..

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Debra

It depends on what I didn’t like about the book. Some issues are bigger for me than others.

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Janis

It depends on the level of dislike… as in, sometimes I feel the first book is suffering “first book jitters” and the next one is often better – whether another stand-alone or part of a series. But if the second one is just as bad it takes a LOT for me to read any more by that author.

Also, if it’s a real stinker from the get go then no, I won’t give a second chance.

Interesting thing is when you have an author who writes different genres under different pen names. There is one whose Amish mysteries I adore, but her organic farm cosy slueth – yerch!

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EM

Generally speaking: no. There are simply too many other options in the marketplace from authors I love and new authors that show promise.

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Janis

In my reviews I have gradings about whether I would buy the book or not. It’s a yes, no, maybe or library. As in – yes I would. Heck no. Maybe… depends on if it’s jitters or not and no, but but if I say it in the library I might be tempted as it was okay enough to read… but not pay to own. LOL!

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A.j.

Yes, authors improve or change styles, we learn from our readers feedback ?

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Pamela

Without a doubt. And if I saw a bad review about a book by an author I’d read before and enjoyed, it wouldn’t stop me trying it for myself. One bad apple doesn’t necessarily spoil the whole harvest.

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Jo

Hmm-possibly- one or two instances where I might give them another go. Generally no- However- glad I read Jo Nesbo’s The Bat after I had read others of his and I wouldn’t have read the later ones which are far far better

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Carol

I have enjoyed them all ?

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