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booksbagsandbadideas's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
bloemr's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? Yes
4.75
indiekay's review against another edition
5.0
Holiday Romance Readathon 2023: 20
A lot of people I follow on my bookstagram have been posting their favourite reads of 2023 lists, and I've been wanting to join in on that trend, but was worried about doing that with a third of the month left, because what if I found a new favourite book?? It was unlikely, but it could happen.
And happen it did. I saw a friend's ARC review of this, and having loved Chef's Choice so much when I read it in November, I immediately went and found this audiobook and started on it.
I love everything about this book. The writing style, the humour, the characters, the setting, the angst. I am a sucker for books with trans main characters, and friends-to-lovers, and single parent romances, and characters that could potentially be on the ace-spectrum but fuck labels they're just queer, leave it at that. I also really enjoyed reading a story set around Christmas in a warmer client, because as a southern hemispherian, I can identify with that.
There were a lot of parts in this book that made me want to cry, and a lot of bits that made me wish I'd been reading the ebook or a paperback so I could annotate it. I'm just going to have to buy a paperback and reread it at some point.
A lot of people I follow on my bookstagram have been posting their favourite reads of 2023 lists, and I've been wanting to join in on that trend, but was worried about doing that with a third of the month left, because what if I found a new favourite book?? It was unlikely, but it could happen.
And happen it did. I saw a friend's ARC review of this, and having loved Chef's Choice so much when I read it in November, I immediately went and found this audiobook and started on it.
I love everything about this book. The writing style, the humour, the characters, the setting, the angst. I am a sucker for books with trans main characters, and friends-to-lovers, and single parent romances, and characters that could potentially be on the ace-spectrum but fuck labels they're just queer, leave it at that. I also really enjoyed reading a story set around Christmas in a warmer client, because as a southern hemispherian, I can identify with that.
There were a lot of parts in this book that made me want to cry, and a lot of bits that made me wish I'd been reading the ebook or a paperback so I could annotate it. I'm just going to have to buy a paperback and reread it at some point.
bookdragonkatie'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
4.25
annineamundsen's review
4.0
Very cute! Was excited that the MCs were in their late thirties, but then they mostly felt like teenagers tbh so that was annoying
CW: transphobia, previous death of a parent
CW: transphobia, previous death of a parent
pocket_operator's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
mannithebookworm's review
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jeeprn's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
5.0
edithslittlefreelibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
I listened to Second Chances in Newport Stephen as an audio book and I was enthralled from start to finish! Yes this was a romance, but it was so much more- with layers of identity, family, coming out, navigating oneself!
I enjoyed getting to Eli as he ventures back home after a stalled comedy and screen writing career- nervous to be venturing into his past he’s avoiding telling his parents that he’s home -for good- or at least, that’s how he’s feeling.
Eli has transitioned since his childhood but his childhood home and the surroundings haven’t transitioned. The photos are still of Eli presenting feminine reminding Eli of the discomfort and disconnect he experienced growing up. The laws in Florida aren’t welcoming- Eli knows this- and he feels like he’s a failure, merely trying to get by and having to come home to figure out next steps.
As Eli, the sober and designated booz runner for his family party, is tasked with going to the local liquor store he runs into Nick. Nick, Eli’s highschool sweetheart. Nick who he swears he broke up with, not the other way around, Nick who is still in Newport Stephen.
Eli says his to Nick and Nick plays along, pretending to recognize Eli while Eli fully knows that Nick likely does not in fact recogize him– but once he gets it– he gets it! Nick is happy to reconnect and Eli immediately finds himself having a little crush, one that anyone might have for a guy who’s good looking and still shares the vibrations of their younger years.
They exchange numbers and soon enough Nick is bringing Eli around- they’re revisiting their beach, Nick has given Eli a bik, and Eli has met Nick’s adorable daughter Zoe, who has better comedic timing than anyone Eli has ever met.
From there they naviage their rekindled romance- or, is that what it is? Each Nick and Eli have growing feelings, but talking about those feelings-oof, that’s HARD! They each have their won coping mechanisms and reasons for doubt- Eli sees Nick as the straightest dude he’s ever known and for Nick’s part his ex-wife is a gem is point out that sexual identity is a spectrum, which get’s Nick’s gears turning- could he… not be straight?
Oh Nick, you are 100% not straight and it was such a joy to watch you come to your own understanding of identity!
Throughout Nick and Eli rekindling their new romance we learn about Nicks past marriage and his ex mother in law who is an absolute dumpster fire and Nick’s Dad and Mother who passed away years ago.
We learn about Eli’s work in comedy and his best friend who’s pitching her new work in Hollywood which would give Eli another shot at the stardom he deserves. The humor and gentle navigating of what can be difficult topics was done with care, laughing alongside Eli and Nick, and rooting for them the whole way!
As a cis lesbian, I appreciated how the spiciness of this book was written, not having a trans experience personally or with a partner I was curious to see how the intimacy was written and I thought it was written beautifully giving both Eli and Nick authenticity in their experiences.
This is a fun read full of nuance, love, queer identity, and family!
4 geese
2.5 honkin’ peppers!