Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

Second Chances in New Port Stephen by TJ Alexander

10 reviews

yourbookishbff's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

5.0

This was my first romance by TJ Alexander, and I absolutely loved it. I don't read as much contemporary romance these days, and I was honestly so relieved to have the comfort and familiarity of third-person POV (I struggle with the shift to first-person POV in contemporaries!). This centers main characters in their late thirties/nearing forty (!), with a trans main character returning to his ultra-conservative Floridian hometown during a career crisis and a newly single dad navigating life post-divorce with his four year-old. These two have a long history with one another, having grown up as inseparable childhood friends before becoming more in high school, and the nuanced balance between deep familiarity and rediscovery was so well done. Each is making significant assumptions about the other and what they want (relatable and realistic, sigh), and each is navigating particularly thorny personal and family conflicts on the side. I deeply appreciate how each character has an independent conflict to resolve before negotiating a relationship, and that even when they could veer into codependency, they ultimately lean on a larger network of support (fantastic parents, caring and supportive exes, great BFFs, and even new friends). This feels like a love letter to elder millennials and queer folks discovering themselves later in life (Nick!!), and I highly recommend.
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ghostmomxoxo's review against another edition

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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

3.0

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thealmightykatt's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

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callidoralblack's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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arlaubscher's review against another edition

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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

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imstephtacular's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

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finnelyslibrary's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

The trans and demi rep is SO GOOD. I really liked how Nick just saw Eli for who he is and there wasn't anything to 'get used to' his feelings simply were. I adored Nick's dad and usually don't like reading books with kids because I need a break aha, but it wasn't distracting in this book. Since one of the MC's is demi, the spice is after they've emotionally connected. I wanted Eli to google what demi-sexuality is so. Many. Times. But he had his own things to work through before being able to understand and be ready to truly feel loved by someone. So I get it and the frustration means I enjoyed the book and felt invested in the characters. As far as holiday books go, this one is more accurate to real life than a fluffy hallmark movie. Which isn't a bad thing, but just take note to the trigger warnings. 

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caseythereader's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful 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? No

5.0

Thanks to Atria Books for the free copy of this book.

 - I love absolutely everything about SECOND CHANCES IN NEW PORT STEPHEN. Queer exploration and discovery! Second chances! Funny and serious! Older main characters!
- I loved that Eli and Nick are almost 40 - they have lived whole lives before finding their way back to each other. I loved that they both discovered the queer parts of themselves "later" in life, and that it's treated as perfectly fine and normal.
- This book is so funny and tender, but it also doesn't brush away the reality of being a queer person in a state like Florida.
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uranaishi's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

3.75

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madscientistcat's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This book captured me right from the beginning with wonderful, laugh-out-loud humor and delightful characters! I loved both Chefs Kiss books, but this sweetly angsty second chance romance is definitely my new favorite from TJ Alexander! Older characters ("older", since they're still my age or younger lol) discovering their queerness later in life and making it work gives me life. There are so many wholesome and kind friends and family members that I spent much of the time smiling at how precious they all are.

And on a personal note, as a part of a queer-friendly local circle with a late-blooming trans friend in a horribly anti-trans state, I appreciated this story where the state is the enemy but there are plenty of warm and accepting people that live there. Queer and trans joy can exist everywhere <3


(This was a review of a free advanced review copy. Thanks to Atria, TJ Alexander, and NetGalley for that privilege!)
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