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A review by mishale1
Second Chances in New Port Stephen by TJ Alexander
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