The long awaited sequel to Shame's Ballad opens the very next day as 80s rock star Alexander Drake finds himself safe behind the walls of the Drake family estate in Charleston, South Carolina. Struggling to overcome the heroin habit re-inflicted upon him by his abusive stepfather, Alexander must also overcome his dependence on his controlling manager, Vivian Martin, who works the press to her advantage. His father, Alex, finally home with his family after twenty-five years of unjust imprisonment, has his own struggles to overcome. Alexander's childhood sweetheart, Roxanne Evans, the mother of his nine-year old son, Michael, must decide whether to allow the rock star into her life now that he has turned it upside down. As Second Verse begins, Alexander must be stronger than he imagines, braver than he's ever been, and willing to fight harder for what he's never had: a life without shame.