A review by hannahmichele5
Second Chances in New Port Stephen by TJ Alexander

emotional funny lighthearted reflective 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

5.0

I think second chance romances are probably the hardest to write and pull off but TJ did it perfectly, as I suspected they would. This was actually the THIRD book by TJ Alexander that I've read this year (they are publishing like 2 books a year currently I think?!?). TJ is now an auto-buy writer for me - I'll read their grocery list IDGAF.

Second Chances in New Port Stephen features Eli, a trans man, and Nick, both in their 4o's, who rekindle their young love when Eli comes home to Florida for the first time in 20 years for the holidays. This had all of the gentleness and kindness I have come to adore in TJ Alexander novels while also feeling fresh and festive. Every time I read another book by TJ I just feel this overwhelming sense of love and happiness and this one is no exception. 

I wanted to note, and this has also been noted in a lot of reviews that I have seen, that TJ does an incredible job of listing content warnings in their books and because of this I expected this book to be a lot darker than it was. I found all of the content to be quite mild and it seems like most other folks agree! Regardless, huge shoutout to TJ and their team for keeping their readers safe. 

Y'all go ahead and add this to your must-read books this holiday season! I can't wait for the world to meet Eli and Nick (and Zoe)!

Now, if I don't get an arc of TJ's next book (a poly romance titled TRIPLE SEC) that is set to come out next year, I think I will simply pass away.
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