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kelly_e'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
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
kfmcf's review
emotional
funny
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
4.75
This book has sold me on TJ Alexander. The characters are so lovely and interesting and layered. This was incredible representation of a trans man as well as someone coming to terms with a change in sexuality later in life. Also BLESS for these characters being in their late 30s/early 40s and still learning about themselves.
Eli's flaws are so real and endearing. He's struggling but he's still got a cockiness (yes) and confidence that adds a charm. He's just who he is and that's not what is keeping him from achieving his goals. Nick is just a doll, I just love him and his whole journey. And the rep of having good co-parenting was chef's kiss (no pun intended for Alexander's other work, I swear). Finally, his daughter is a well-written child, for once. She may have been written slightly too old, but it wasn't infantilizing which grates me.
The only place this book really lost me was the pacing of the end. It all seemed to come together a bit too rapidly and the epilogue left more questions than answers for me. But that's so so small.
I'm sharing this book with everyone who enjoys queer lit and/or romance. One of my fav reads of 2023.
Eli's flaws are so real and endearing. He's struggling but he's still got a cockiness (yes) and confidence that adds a charm. He's just who he is and that's not what is keeping him from achieving his goals. Nick is just a doll, I just love him and his whole journey. And the rep of having good co-parenting was chef's kiss (no pun intended for Alexander's other work, I swear). Finally, his daughter is a well-written child, for once. She may have been written slightly too old, but it wasn't infantilizing which grates me.
The only place this book really lost me was the pacing of the end. It all seemed to come together a bit too rapidly and the epilogue left more questions than answers for me. But that's so so small.
I'm sharing this book with everyone who enjoys queer lit and/or romance. One of my fav reads of 2023.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Outing
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
mishale1's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I haven’t read this author before and mostly picked this up cause the storyline sounded cute, it got good reviews and it was set at Christmastime. I love Christmassy/holiday books and appreciate variety in the plots. So this unique spin on a second chance at a first love sounded good.
But I guess I was expecting something more Christmassy and I felt like it mainly just took place at this time of year rather than it being part of the storyline.
Eli doesn’t go home to visit his parents in Florida very often. He doesn’t feel comfortable in his hometown. His parents seem very loving and accepting but he feels unwelcome in his hometown, and he feels a little uncomfortable even in his parents’ home which is filled with pictures of Eli before he transitioned.
My favorite scene in the book actually follows Eli’s confrontation with his parents about the pictures. I thought it was very sweet and funny but I won’t spoil the scene.
I wasn’t always crazy about Eli. I felt like he was so hard on his parents who really seemed to be trying to do everything right.
Eli’s potential love interest, and highschool ex, Nick was very sweet.
I’m not sure what else to add. I know most of the reviews here are rave reviews and mine is a lower rating. But I guess it wasn’t what I was expecting and I didn’t love Eli as much as I should have.
But I guess I was expecting something more Christmassy and I felt like it mainly just took place at this time of year rather than it being part of the storyline.
Eli doesn’t go home to visit his parents in Florida very often. He doesn’t feel comfortable in his hometown. His parents seem very loving and accepting but he feels unwelcome in his hometown, and he feels a little uncomfortable even in his parents’ home which is filled with pictures of Eli before he transitioned.
My favorite scene in the book actually follows Eli’s confrontation with his parents about the pictures. I thought it was very sweet and funny but I won’t spoil the scene.
I wasn’t always crazy about Eli. I felt like he was so hard on his parents who really seemed to be trying to do everything right.
Eli’s potential love interest, and highschool ex, Nick was very sweet.
I’m not sure what else to add. I know most of the reviews here are rave reviews and mine is a lower rating. But I guess it wasn’t what I was expecting and I didn’t love Eli as much as I should have.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Transphobia
Moderate: Death of parent
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