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kelly_e's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Title: Second Chances in New Port Stephen
Author: T.J. Alexander
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: December 5, 2023
I received a complimentary eARC from Simon & Schuster Canada via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted
T H R E E • W O R D S
Funny • Nostalgic • Warm
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Eli Ward hasn’t been back to his suffocating hometown of New Port Stephen, Florida, in ages. Post-transition and sober, he’s a completely different person from the one who left years ago. But when a scandal threatens his career as a TV writer and comedian, he has no choice but to return home for the holidays. He can only hope he’ll survive his boisterous, loving, but often misguided family and hide the fact that his dream of comedy success has become a nightmare.
Just when he thinks this trip couldn’t get any worse, Eli bumps into his high school ex, Nick Wu, who’s somehow hotter than ever. Divorced and in his forties, Nick’s world revolves around his father, his daughter, and his job. But even a busy life can’t keep him from being intrigued by the reappearance of Eli.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Second Chances in New Port Stephen is the third book I've read from T.J. Alexander and they are an author I will continue to read for simple pleasure. Each of their books offers me something different and contain underrepresented characters. This one with a holiday twist.
Told from the POVs of Nick and Eli, this middle-aged, interracial, second-chance romance was an absolute delight. The character development is fantastic and the moments with Zoe were so sweet and wholesome. It was also encouraging to see the evolution of Eli's family from start to end.
Despite touching on the current anti-trans legislation and growing anti-trans sentiment in Florida, the author manages to keep the narrative lighthearted, even while tackling some serious topics. I greatly appreciated the honest exploration of sobriety as an ongoing process. There are also some hard (and necessary) conversations throughout the book.
Although it is set during the holiday period, it could easily be read at any point of the year. The festive season doesn't play a crucial role in the plot and its easy to forget it is even set during that timeframe.
Second Chances in New Port Stephen was such a refreshing way to kick of Pride month. The conversations in T.J. Alexander's books are relevant and informative, I always come away having learned something. I am looking forward to reading their latest release Triple Sec and whatever else they write in the future.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• second-chance romance
• queer romance
• mid-life romance
⚠️ CW: sexual content, transphobia, alcoholism, death, death of parent, car accident, anti-Asian racism, divorce, cursing, xenophobia, outing
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"I've concluded that I need to stop worrying so much about what the future holds. I want to be happy when I can be."
Author: T.J. Alexander
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: December 5, 2023
I received a complimentary eARC from Simon & Schuster Canada via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted
T H R E E • W O R D S
Funny • Nostalgic • Warm
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Eli Ward hasn’t been back to his suffocating hometown of New Port Stephen, Florida, in ages. Post-transition and sober, he’s a completely different person from the one who left years ago. But when a scandal threatens his career as a TV writer and comedian, he has no choice but to return home for the holidays. He can only hope he’ll survive his boisterous, loving, but often misguided family and hide the fact that his dream of comedy success has become a nightmare.
Just when he thinks this trip couldn’t get any worse, Eli bumps into his high school ex, Nick Wu, who’s somehow hotter than ever. Divorced and in his forties, Nick’s world revolves around his father, his daughter, and his job. But even a busy life can’t keep him from being intrigued by the reappearance of Eli.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Second Chances in New Port Stephen is the third book I've read from T.J. Alexander and they are an author I will continue to read for simple pleasure. Each of their books offers me something different and contain underrepresented characters. This one with a holiday twist.
Told from the POVs of Nick and Eli, this middle-aged, interracial, second-chance romance was an absolute delight. The character development is fantastic and the moments with Zoe were so sweet and wholesome. It was also encouraging to see the evolution of Eli's family from start to end.
Despite touching on the current anti-trans legislation and growing anti-trans sentiment in Florida, the author manages to keep the narrative lighthearted, even while tackling some serious topics. I greatly appreciated the honest exploration of sobriety as an ongoing process. There are also some hard (and necessary) conversations throughout the book.
Although it is set during the holiday period, it could easily be read at any point of the year. The festive season doesn't play a crucial role in the plot and its easy to forget it is even set during that timeframe.
Second Chances in New Port Stephen was such a refreshing way to kick of Pride month. The conversations in T.J. Alexander's books are relevant and informative, I always come away having learned something. I am looking forward to reading their latest release Triple Sec and whatever else they write in the future.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• second-chance romance
• queer romance
• mid-life romance
⚠️ CW: sexual content, transphobia, alcoholism, death, death of parent, car accident, anti-Asian racism, divorce, cursing, xenophobia, outing
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"I've concluded that I need to stop worrying so much about what the future holds. I want to be happy when I can be."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Racism, and Death of parent
Minor: Outing, Alcoholism, Car accident, Transphobia, and Xenophobia
anti-Asian racism, divorcejoensign's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexual content, and Transphobia
Minor: Death of parent, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Car accident
callidoralblack's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Car accident, and Addiction
the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Transphobia, Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
sarahmcg's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Loved this second chance romance with a twist; running into your ex-boyfriend post-transition? Let the fun begin!
There was so much tenderness, humor, wit, and pining in this book. Though there were nods to current politics in Florida (mostly surrounding the attacks on trans rights but other concerns as well), they did not add too much heaviness to the story, and were often part of Eli’s one-liners that brought some levity. Nick’s sincerity and politeness to a fault was so endearing.
Rep: trans and sober MMC, queer and Taiwanese MMC; the main characters are older (closer to 40), and one is a divorced dad to a 4 y/o
My only critique - I wish the communication issues that caused the 3rd act drama could have wrapped up a little quicker, because after all of that was resolved, the ending felt a bit rushed. But overall, I really enjoyed this read!
Luckily enough, I got to join in on a live q&a with the author as part of a book club and it added to my enjoyment of the story overall, and excited to read their other books too.
CW/TW: racism, transphobia, homophobia, loss of a parent (in past), alcoholism (mentioned); sexual content.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the free copy for review!
There was so much tenderness, humor, wit, and pining in this book. Though there were nods to current politics in Florida (mostly surrounding the attacks on trans rights but other concerns as well), they did not add too much heaviness to the story, and were often part of Eli’s one-liners that brought some levity. Nick’s sincerity and politeness to a fault was so endearing.
Rep: trans and sober MMC, queer and Taiwanese MMC; the main characters are older (closer to 40), and one is a divorced dad to a 4 y/o
My only critique - I wish the communication issues that caused the 3rd act drama could have wrapped up a little quicker, because after all of that was resolved, the ending felt a bit rushed. But overall, I really enjoyed this read!
Luckily enough, I got to join in on a live q&a with the author as part of a book club and it added to my enjoyment of the story overall, and excited to read their other books too.
CW/TW: racism, transphobia, homophobia, loss of a parent (in past), alcoholism (mentioned); sexual content.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the free copy for review!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Racism, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Minor: Alcoholism
arlaubscher's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Xenophobia, Racism, Death of parent, Homophobia, Alcohol, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Fatphobia
gncilluffo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
queer & trans joy in a book. It has tense moments (see the author’s CW) but overall funny and so relatable. A truly fun read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Death of parent, Racism, and Alcoholism
imstephtacular's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
Minor: Biphobia, Homophobia, Car accident, Transphobia, Bullying, Racism, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Violence, Grief, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Body shaming
finnelyslibrary's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
The trans and demi rep is SO GOOD. I really liked how Nick just saw Eli for who he is and there wasn't anything to 'get used to' his feelings simply were. I adored Nick's dad and usually don't like reading books with kids because I need a break aha, but it wasn't distracting in this book. Since one of the MC's is demi, the spice is after they've emotionally connected. I wanted Eli to google what demi-sexuality is so. Many. Times. But he had his own things to work through before being able to understand and be ready to truly feel loved by someone. So I get it and the frustration means I enjoyed the book and felt invested in the characters. As far as holiday books go, this one is more accurate to real life than a fluffy hallmark movie. Which isn't a bad thing, but just take note to the trigger warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Alcohol, Transphobia, and Racism
dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Closed Door Modifications: Chapter 18 (some parts), Chapter 26 (some parts)
I would like to thank Atria Books and NetGalley for inviting me to review a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Eli Ward is forced back to his hometown of New Port Stephen, Florida, for the holidays and ends up reconnecting with his high school ex, Nick Wu, in this unique take on the holiday romance subgenre.
This past spring, I read Alexander’s latest novel published, Chef’s Choice, where I fell in love with their writing style and cast of loveable characters. When I was invited to read an advanced copy of Second Chances in New Port Stephen, I was told that this book would be Alexander’s best. I didn’t know what to exactly expect with this book at first, but I now know that Second Chances in New Port Stephen is truly a delight to read for this holiday season.
Instead of tackling the common trope of holiday romances of getting into the holiday spirit or the true meaning of what the holidays mean, Alexander takes readers through themes of second chances, starting over, and the meaning of family, both blood and found. What Alexander does well in Second Chances in New Port Stephen is that they created this perfect blend of dramedy which leads to a great plot execution and a story readers want to get stuck in.
Another thing I really like about Second Chances in New Port Stephen is that Alexander is able to create a cast of interesting characters while also providing a solid character development for Eli and Nick. Throughout the book, you get to see a lot of growth in Nick and Eli over the course of the holidays, which really fleshes out their character development. Adding to that mix of quirky ensemble characters and a heart-warming second chance romance, Second Chances in New Port Stephen has everything it needs to be a stand-out to readers.
If you are looking for an unconventional, queer holiday romance featuring a second chance romance, you will want to be on the lookout for Second Chances in New Port Stephen.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Death of parent
Minor: Car accident, Alcoholism, Transphobia, and Homophobia