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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
This is the first book that I have read by this author. Can't say that I will read another one after this.
....I am not sure how I feel about this book as a whole but....
Let me just start off by saying this book was long, repetitive and wordy.
I thought about DNFing this book about 3 times, but I powered through it.
I don't think the idea of this story was bad, but I felt like the execution was way too much and by the time I got to the 40% mark I was starting to realize how long the book really was. We could have done without at least 6 chapters of information that added nothing to the story...
I will say this was an easy read, meaning that I felt like the flow was there, but it always got ruined by unnecessary information.
When I hit chapter 18 I was almost flabbergasted because I could not figure out WHY we kept mentioning that it has been two decades! It is mentioned multiple times in EVERY chapter up until then. LIKE WHY????
As far as the characters...
Molly, I liked the idea that she was an audiobook narrator. Her character wasn't bad but not one that I felt like I could relate to, she was kind of just there... just living her best life
Karl, I get the whole grumpy thing, but he was just annoying. I did not get the vibe that he was a business owner and had his stuff together. He came off as someone who just graduated college, if that. I don't mind the cursing, but it was way over done, like every other sentence... BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD. Take a step back and give him more of a personality instead of someone who just gets mad or just curses all the time... I felt like it overshadowed his strengths.
I guess them as a couple works but by the time you get to the end of the book, well towards the end of it like chapter 26 and on, I just did not care about them at all.
Their "spicy" scenes drug on to the point that they were just boring.
Less is more.
Just to be clear I didn't hate the book. I felt if it was taken back a few steps it would have been a better read, but those are just my thoughts.
If you loved, I love that for you, not for me unfortunately.
....I am not sure how I feel about this book as a whole but....
Let me just start off by saying this book was long, repetitive and wordy.
I thought about DNFing this book about 3 times, but I powered through it.
I don't think the idea of this story was bad, but I felt like the execution was way too much and by the time I got to the 40% mark I was starting to realize how long the book really was. We could have done without at least 6 chapters of information that added nothing to the story...
I will say this was an easy read, meaning that I felt like the flow was there, but it always got ruined by unnecessary information.
When I hit chapter 18 I was almost flabbergasted because I could not figure out WHY we kept mentioning that it has been two decades! It is mentioned multiple times in EVERY chapter up until then. LIKE WHY????
As far as the characters...
Molly, I liked the idea that she was an audiobook narrator. Her character wasn't bad but not one that I felt like I could relate to, she was kind of just there... just living her best life
Karl, I get the whole grumpy thing, but he was just annoying. I did not get the vibe that he was a business owner and had his stuff together. He came off as someone who just graduated college, if that. I don't mind the cursing, but it was way over done, like every other sentence... BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD. Take a step back and give him more of a personality instead of someone who just gets mad or just curses all the time... I felt like it overshadowed his strengths.
I guess them as a couple works but by the time you get to the end of the book, well towards the end of it like chapter 26 and on, I just did not care about them at all.
Their "spicy" scenes drug on to the point that they were just boring.
Less is more.
Just to be clear I didn't hate the book. I felt if it was taken back a few steps it would have been a better read, but those are just my thoughts.
If you loved, I love that for you, not for me unfortunately.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Molly doesn't have any reason to trust Karl's intentions with her are lasting, every man in her life has always let her down. Karl finally has a second chance with the woman of his dreams and he's determined to get her to trust him. This is a sweet story of two nearly 40 years old people working through their baggage and insecurities to come together. I got a little bored in the beginning and ultimately think I would have liked this better as an audiobook. A good narrator can really bring a story to life. Still a great story and it starts to get fun and enjoyable around 40% in.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️
Second Chance Romance by Olivia Dade is out November 25, 2025. Pre-order your copy today.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️
Second Chance Romance by Olivia Dade is out November 25, 2025. Pre-order your copy today.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Friends from high school, Karl and Molly get a second chance to right the wrongs that kept them apart for 2 decades. On the positive side, I love that Olivia Dade hits all different notes when she writes plus size/fat lead characters. While a lot of romances rightly spend time exploring the complexities of body positivity both within the MC and those who come in contact with them, it was refreshing reading a romance where this body type just....was. Now, to the rest of the book, I found the writing style really odd. It read like a Classic Lit novel in language and structure. And while that's not necessarily a bad thing, it felt really disparate to me. I'm sure some readers will really love this aspect of the writing style, but I failed to connect with it. And on top of that, the chemistry between characters was more told than felt. But the spicy scenes were fantastic! Can't end a book review without discussing the spice. Overall I kind of liked it, kind of bored me. But mostly it was a good and cute book. I guess it is a good book that just didn't resonate with me, but I am certain a ton of other readers will love it.
***I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
***I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Second Chance Romance is a novel between two high school friends who almost became more but didn't quite get there before the FMC, Molly, abruptly moves across the country for college. Fast forward 20 years when Molly, hears that the MMC, Karl, has died so she flies back to her hometown to pay her respects for the friend she once had. To her surprise, it was all a misunderstanding and Karl is actually alive. With Molly back in his life, Karl feels like this is the opportune time to finally shoot his shot and make Molly his.
We don't get much background of their high school years so I didn't feel convinced about their 'almost romance' or even their friendship for that matter. So marketing this so boldly as a 'second chance romance' fell flat for me. Especially because when they reunite in their mid-to-late thirties, it seems like they are still in high school.
Aside from the abundance of cursing and hom!c!dal comments (which I didn't like) and the body and sex positivity (which I did like), this read quite juvenile. I understand and appreciate that it was hard for the two characters to communicate from both their past traumas but when they finally do air everything out, I didn't feel satisfied. Except for maybe one true conversation they had, I didn't feel any growth within their relationship. I enjoyed their personal growth with the side characters the most and wished that their romantic relationship was as fleshed out instead of random forced activities to push the plot along.
This entire novel felt more like the embodiment of the miscommunication trope rather than the second-chance, friends to lovers trope that they were clearly going for. There were many instances where their friends clearly tell them to just SAY HOW THEY FEEL and both MC's acknowledge, yes, that would solve a lot of problems, then proceed to not do it.... it was very frustrating.
I think Olivia Dade always hits it out of the park with the character personalities but it's hit or miss with the romance for me. If you want a hot romance with a super grumpy dude and a bada*s lady, with deeper themes this is a great choice. Unfortunately it was just not for me.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
Note: Though Second Chance Romance is a standalone novel, it is the second installment in the Harlot's Bay series. If you want the full story of Matthew and Athena (who are secondary characters here), read At First Spite prior to this one.
We don't get much background of their high school years so I didn't feel convinced about their 'almost romance' or even their friendship for that matter. So marketing this so boldly as a 'second chance romance' fell flat for me. Especially because when they reunite in their mid-to-late thirties, it seems like they are still in high school.
Aside from the abundance of cursing and hom!c!dal comments (which I didn't like) and the body and sex positivity (which I did like), this read quite juvenile. I understand and appreciate that it was hard for the two characters to communicate from both their past traumas but when they finally do air everything out, I didn't feel satisfied. Except for maybe one true conversation they had, I didn't feel any growth within their relationship. I enjoyed their personal growth with the side characters the most and wished that their romantic relationship was as fleshed out instead of random forced activities to push the plot along.
This entire novel felt more like the embodiment of the miscommunication trope rather than the second-chance, friends to lovers trope that they were clearly going for. There were many instances where their friends clearly tell them to just SAY HOW THEY FEEL and both MC's acknowledge, yes, that would solve a lot of problems, then proceed to not do it.... it was very frustrating.
I think Olivia Dade always hits it out of the park with the character personalities but it's hit or miss with the romance for me. If you want a hot romance with a super grumpy dude and a bada*s lady, with deeper themes this is a great choice. Unfortunately it was just not for me.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
Note: Though Second Chance Romance is a standalone novel, it is the second installment in the Harlot's Bay series. If you want the full story of Matthew and Athena (who are secondary characters here), read At First Spite prior to this one.
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:
Complicated
Thank you Olivia Dade and Avon Press for giving me the opportunity to review an ARC for this second installment in the Harlot’s Bay series.
Karl is the most lovable misanthrope I’ve ever encountered in a book, but it was hard not to fall in love with him from the start. Molly is a woman after my heart. Like her, I do not take being called a pedant as an insult. And Karl doesn’t call her that as an insult. Together, Karl and Molly are so hopelessly in love with one another, but because they’d both been burned by love and other circumstances, they put up barriers. And those barriers nearly keep them apart.
The story is both second chance and somewhat slow burn. There’s a great deal of angst, for sure. It’s told in third person omniscient point of view with a fairly simple plot. There’s are cultural references in the flowing plot, as well as the trope standard third act “break up.” One thing Dade is really good at is taking the reader on the emotional roller coaster. Just as the lovers are cresting the hill and everything is sunshine and roses, she throws an unexpected kicker in. This leaves the reader feeling as betrayed as her couple are.
One aspect I always enjoy in Dade’s novels is the way she resolves the 3rd act heartbreak, without resorting to cheap plot twists. Her characters, mostly plus size women, are believable and she doesn’t resort to stereotypes. Her inclusion of not only plus size people, but mental health, diversity, safe sex, and even consent issues is organic. She never preaches or makes those aspects her characters sole focus.
I loved this and was happy to run into characters from the first Harlot’s Bay novel, including the infamous Spite House. This was a fun, easy read with a lovely HEA, and a sweet as spun sugar epilogue. I strongly recommend this book when it is released.
Karl is the most lovable misanthrope I’ve ever encountered in a book, but it was hard not to fall in love with him from the start. Molly is a woman after my heart. Like her, I do not take being called a pedant as an insult. And Karl doesn’t call her that as an insult. Together, Karl and Molly are so hopelessly in love with one another, but because they’d both been burned by love and other circumstances, they put up barriers. And those barriers nearly keep them apart.
The story is both second chance and somewhat slow burn. There’s a great deal of angst, for sure. It’s told in third person omniscient point of view with a fairly simple plot. There’s are cultural references in the flowing plot, as well as the trope standard third act “break up.” One thing Dade is really good at is taking the reader on the emotional roller coaster. Just as the lovers are cresting the hill and everything is sunshine and roses, she throws an unexpected kicker in. This leaves the reader feeling as betrayed as her couple are.
One aspect I always enjoy in Dade’s novels is the way she resolves the 3rd act heartbreak, without resorting to cheap plot twists. Her characters, mostly plus size women, are believable and she doesn’t resort to stereotypes. Her inclusion of not only plus size people, but mental health, diversity, safe sex, and even consent issues is organic. She never preaches or makes those aspects her characters sole focus.
I loved this and was happy to run into characters from the first Harlot’s Bay novel, including the infamous Spite House. This was a fun, easy read with a lovely HEA, and a sweet as spun sugar epilogue. I strongly recommend this book when it is released.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
ARC Review
While Molly is pedantic and funny, she could have used therapy. She mentions how no one wants a reluctant lover which is totally true, however she is reluctant to share herself with anyone. Karl is truly a sweetheart with a tough outer shell and he is trying to protect himself the best way he can; by taking things slow. I wish we got more backstory to why he had to work so hard as a kid.
While I understand you gotta have conflict, this was low stakes to me. The writing was good and I definitely got sucked into the plot and world building.
You’d like this if you are a fan of second chance romcoms where the characters have quick wit and snappy comebacks.
Thank you Avon and HarperCollins for this ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I hope this helps readers find great works.
While Molly is pedantic and funny, she could have used therapy. She mentions how no one wants a reluctant lover which is totally true, however she is reluctant to share herself with anyone. Karl is truly a sweetheart with a tough outer shell and he is trying to protect himself the best way he can; by taking things slow. I wish we got more backstory to why he had to work so hard as a kid.
While I understand you gotta have conflict, this was low stakes to me. The writing was good and I definitely got sucked into the plot and world building.
You’d like this if you are a fan of second chance romcoms where the characters have quick wit and snappy comebacks.
Thank you Avon and HarperCollins for this ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I hope this helps readers find great works.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for this ARC!
I really enjoy Olivia Dade’s books and this was no exception, though it’s not my favorite of hers. I enjoyed getting to know Molly and Karl and particularly that Karl was plus sized as well. Karl’s grumbly nature was endearing initially but I would have liked that to change through the book as they communicated more. It changed some, but it began to feel repetitive. Similarly, Molly’s pedantry but was funny initially but it got old for me quickly.
Rating: 3.5
I really enjoy Olivia Dade’s books and this was no exception, though it’s not my favorite of hers. I enjoyed getting to know Molly and Karl and particularly that Karl was plus sized as well. Karl’s grumbly nature was endearing initially but I would have liked that to change through the book as they communicated more. It changed some, but it began to feel repetitive. Similarly, Molly’s pedantry but was funny initially but it got old for me quickly.
Rating: 3.5