I loved this new rom-com from TJ Alexander! They never miss on delivering loving and fun romances. Full of queer joy and love, a great read for any time of the year!

"Second Chances in Newport" by TJ Alexander is a captivating romance novel that sweeps readers away to the charming streets of Newport, where love, redemption, and unexpected connections reign supreme. Alexander crafts a heartfelt story that explores the power of forgiveness and the possibility of finding love when least expected. The characters are wonderfully developed, each with their own unique struggles and desires, making them feel like old friends by the end of the book. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Newport, the novel immerses readers in its vibrant atmosphere, evoking a sense of nostalgia and longing for a second chance at love. With its compelling storyline and engaging prose, "Second Chances in Newport" is a must-read for anyone who enjoys heartwarming romance with a touch of serendipity.

Second Chances in New Port Stephen is an LGBTQ romance (yes, a second chance romance!) built around the Christmas season in Florida.

Eli Ward has returned to his childhood home after losing his job as a TV comedy writer. But Eli was very different as a child; he’s now a man, having transitioned. He’s 40, unemployed, sober, and at loose ends. He hasn’t been home in many years and doesn’t really want to be there now. He bumps into his old high school boyfriend, Nick Wu, while out shopping for a Christmas gift, and thus begins to rekindle a friendship with Nick, which will turn into something more. Their journey of discovery, self-discovery, rediscovery is charming. I loved Eli’s funny boomer parents, who were accepting of him but also very clueless in many ways. Nick’s dad is great and his younger daughter Zoe is a cute little hoot. We don’t get to know Eli’s good friend and colleague Margo very much; I would have liked more scenes with her.

Having a son in the TV writing field made Eli’s precarious career situation feel very real. I also grinned at references to Florida’s governor and grumbled at the references to Florida’s extremist legislation. Florida is currently not a particularly comfortable place to be anything other than cisgender and heterosexual, unfortunately.

Content warning include: transphobia (mainly references to Florida legistlation), references to alcoholism (in the past), death of a parent (also in the past), racism, and a few rather spicy scenes.

I read this as part of the 2024 Trans Rights Readathon, but it had been sitting on my (virtual) shelf for a while, so I took the opportunity to finally read it, and I’m glad I did. I bounced between the ebook and the published audiobook. The narrators, Aden Hakimi and Feodor Chin, did a great job with the various voices and accents. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Book 1 for me for the 2024 Trans Rights Readathon. This year, I'll be making a donation to LGBT Youthline

Rounding up to five stars. Sometimes it's harder for me to write a review for a book when I really like it. This book wasn't perfect - there were a couple of little turns of phrase here and there that felt off and the pacing didn't always work for me - but ultimately, I can't think of much I would change. This is a low plot, high vibe book with clever and subtle humour that worked for me beginning to end. I laughed out loud a number of times. The characters are flawed but endearing and the connection between them was well done with so much underlying tenderness and care. I was really charmed reading this book and can't wait to pick up other books by the author.

I’m a huge TJ Alexander fan, and this book was exactly what I was expecting it to be.

Super sweet, a little spicy, and an overall adorable second chance/queer romance. Zoe was written as the world’s most lovable kid. And Nick’s dad was my favorite character in the book. He’s everything I aspire to be as a parent. The drama around Christmas is all-too-familiar, and I was losing my mind during the library scene!

Overall, a very fun read that was more fun than spicy (maybe 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ …a few open door scenes but nothing that made me think twice)

I would like to thank Atria/Emily Bestler Books and the author for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

“I’ve concluded I need to stop worrying so much about what the future holds. I want to be happy when I can be.”

Read if you like:
💕 Second chance romance
🎄 Holiday settings
🏳️‍⚧️ Trans and Demi rep
👨‍👩‍👦 Excellent parenting

Eli has returned to his hometown of New Port Stephen for the first time in years to spend the holidays with his parents. What he didn’t tell his parents is that his career is on the rocks and that he’s home to stay for the foreseeable future. Eli then runs into his ex for the first time post-transition. Nick is a divorced dad who’s still hot but as far as Eli knows, very straight.

I loved this book! If you are looking for a fantastic rom com for the upcoming Trans Rights Readathon this would be perfect. It’s funny with just enough drama to keep the story moving. While Eli is coming to terms with his career and being back where he grew up pre-transition, Nick is also exploring his feelings for Eli. My favorite part was seeing Nick be a parent (I took notes) and seeing Eli’s parents’ growth as well. I wished I had liked Eli more from the beginning but he definitely grew on me and I was cheering for him and Nick the whole time.

This is such a sweet romance. Living in Florida and understand the current political climate - I laughed out loud at a few of the comments made about our current governor. But also felt sad and angry about what I am sure are real conversations that real couples are having daily. I love love and this story is such a good portrayal of that while still being lighthearted and funny. I would say that I would read this author again but that is a given as I already have another book lined up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

TJ Alexander is one of my all time favorite authors and I was so excited to dive into Second Chances in New Port Stephen! A second chance holiday season romance?? 100% yes!

♥️ Romance
🦩 Florida
🏳️‍⚧️ Trans Representation
✌️Second Chances
❤️‍🩹 Healing
🫶 Lovable Characters
🏡 Hometown
🎄 Christmas
😹 Hilarious Banter

10/10 recommend Second Chances in New Port Stephen and every single book by TJ Alexander!!

Thank you so much to Atria Books for the gifted copy!

I absolutely loved this book! This being the first book I read by this Author TJ Alexander definitely made a great first impression. I am living for the LGBTQIA+ representation.

If you're seeking a heartwarming romance that embraces second chances, this novel is a delightful choice! In Second Chances in New Port Stephen, T.J. Alexander weaves a heartwarming tale of family, love, and rediscovery.

Meet Eli Ward, a trans man, who reluctantly returns to his stifling Florida hometown for Christmas. His career took an unexpected nosedive. Post-transition and sober, he now faces the challenge of surviving his boisterous yet well-intentioned family while concealing the nightmare his dreams have become.

Meet Nick Wu. Divorced and in his forties, he is juggling fatherhood, work, and the complexities of life. His reunion with Eli sparks a second chance at love, as they grapple with past memories, prejudice, and the possibility of a future together.

Alexander's writing is wholeheartedly honest, capturing the essence of being a transmasculine person in Florida. Yet, despite the weighty themes, the novel remains buoyant. This is a delightful holiday romp that never gets bogged down. The exploration of divorce, sobriety, and the power of forgiveness adds depth to this charming romance.

Second Chances in New Port Stephen is a delectable blend of nostalgia, laughter, and hope. Whether you're sipping cocoa by the fireplace or lounging on a sunny beach, this book is a perfect companion for the holiday season.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I feel like I haven’t a lot of romance novels with older trans characters. They always seem to be 20 or early 30 somethings. But it was so incredibly refreshing to read a book where both main characters are in their 40s.

Eli is returning back to his hometown of New Port Stephen, down on his luck career-wise. He’s post-transition and sober, and not at all wanting to face the people who he left behind years ago. But one of the people he runs into is his ex high school sweetheart, Nick. The two rekindle their friendship and well, we know how this story goes.

I found this book so charming and fun. I loved the relationship building between Eli and Nick, the wanting but not knowing if they were allowed to be wanting. I know they’re in their 40s, but it was like watching two high schoolers find themselves and fumble through it, which makes sense since they were high school sweethearts.

This story is one of exes who reunite after one has transitioned. It’s about finding your way back together when you knew each other so well decades earlier. It’s about how you can grow into yourself and end up being more of yourself than you ever thought possible. I loved this.

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

Thank you Atria for the gifted copy.

I really enjoyed this book! A trans male MC, an Asian queer/demi/questioning MC, lots of other rep, the cutest parents, an even cuter kid, second chance, kind of holiday read? What's not to love?

Eli (post transition) returns home for the holidays, and runs into his high school ex/former BFF, Nick. There's still lots of chemistry there, which is evident when they start hanging out. Nick is dealing with his own issues, and the closer him and Eli get, the more he starts questioning his sexuality. Eli is also dealing with job loss, possibly moving back in with his parents (in a house with his childhood photos plastered all over the walls). So that's a lot going on, right? Eli has a few tantrums, but his parents try to fix their mistakes by giving him the best photoshoot ever and trying to do better with understanding Eli's needs as a trans man.

Problem (For me) - Eli is 40...not mid 20s like he acts. He also has a mustache that was not my fav (I'm not a mustache fan).

Otherwise, I enjoyed the steam, the banter, Eli and Nick's parents and how supportive they are, all of the rep, and that it was a "holiday" book without being overly "holiday-ish".

I have a few more books by this author on my shelf, and I'll definitely be pulling them out in the near future!

Thank you to @netgalley and @atriabooks for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A second chance romance between former best friends, where one is gay transgender and the other is divorced. I loved the transformation that Eli’s family goes through as they learn to embrace him completely. I also enjoyed the rekindling of the romance with Nick as he explores his sexuality. My favorite was the total accepting of Eli and his and Nick’s relationship by Nick’s daughter and ex-wife.

This book made me happy, and I really enjoyed reading it. I am now planning to read the author’s backlist!

4 stars

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #stmartinspress #spotifyaudiobooks #netgalley #goodreads #ltbreaderteam #secondchancesinnewportstephen #tjalexander

4.5

Setting: Florida
Rep: gay trans protagonist; queer Taiwanese-American protagonist

This was really cute and I really believed in Eli and Nick's relationship, I loved their banter and their progress and Nick's discovery and exploration of his queerness. Great little book!

A second chance romance between two former besties. Eli spends the Christmas holidays with his family unbeknownst to them that he lost his job. Running into his ex boyfriend Nick rekindled feelings for both of them. I loved that Eli was trans and his family embraced him wholeheartedly. His mother was actually very sweet and supportive. Even if she missed a couple of points in the beginning. Nick was great in exploring his sexuality and his feelings. Overall, it was a cute romance!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for my review.

This was a good read - I really enjoyed this book. I'm so glad that I got the chance to read it early and will definitely be recommending it to multiple people who enjoy these types of novels. I enjoyed the characters and especially enjoyed the writing by this author. I'm excited to see what the author comes out with next as I'll definitely be reading it! Thank you to the publisher for my early copy of this book!

Second Chances in New Port Stephen
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: T.J. Alexander

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Atria and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: 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.

Against the backdrop of one weird Floridian Christmas, the two must decide whether to leave the past in the past…or move on together.

My Thoughts: I am a fan of Alexander’s works and have read the Chef’s Kiss series and loved them. This one is a standalone, along with another work being published later this year, Triple Sec. This story was wonderfully colorful, just like the cover, which by the way, drew me to this story. Eli is back in his hometown, post-transition, sober, and in between work, coming back a completely different person than when he left. He has disjointed feelings about his family and surviving the holidays will be a feat of their own. In high school, Eli was known as a young girl and dated Nick. Now Eli has transitioned into a man and when he runs into Nick, there is an attraction. Nick is divorced and sharing custody of his daughter with his ex wife. With the attraction, comes an intriguness on both sides and they spend some time together during the holidays. This follows the tropes of second chance romance, queer romance, and small town.

Trigger warnings: alcoholism, loss of a parent, and transphobia. These heavy subjects are touched on and are done with such grace with excellent representation. There is also a Demi representation in this story that I loved.

The story is narrated in a dual narration by both Eli and Nick, from their respective perspectives. I know when I pick up an Alexander book, it will contain an endearing, feel good story with diverse characters with excellent queer romance representation. Eli has completed their transition, but is reserved, having been exposed to negativity from being trans; they are caring, kind, and compassionate. Nick was swoon-perfection (well they both carry this trait), loyal to his daughter and her happiness, and takes responsibility seriously. I did not agree with some of Eli’s choices and behaviors but in the end, it had a HEA. I think Eli had the chip on his shoulder due to their issues with their career. The characters were well developed with depth, witty banter, chemistry, and intriguing. The MCs had some major growth throughout this storyline, as well. The supporting characters, especially Zoe (Nick’s daughter) really elevated the storyline. The author’s writing style was complex, swoony, steamy, creative, and kept me engaged throughout the story.

This was a sweet second chance queer romance that will warm your heart. I highly recommend picking up this story, and while you are at it, pick up the Chef’s Kiss series, you will not be disappointed (I have reviews available on both of those books as well). Consider me a TJ Alexander fan for life.

Thank you, Netgalley, the author, and Atria Books for the gifted e-book! ❤️ #gifted. My review is comprised of my honest thoughts.

Read this book if you like: Dual POV, second chances, LGBTQ representation and discovery

This wasn't bad, not great. It had a few issues for me. The characters do not read like they are 40. Eli is very unlikeable. I struggled with the romance. It was not very Christmassy either. You may love this.

Sinkhole.

IYKYK. 🤣

That’s it. That’s all I’m saying about this book. Other than it’s a 5 star read and a month later I still can’t stop thinking about it.

READ. 👏 THIS. 👏 BOOK.

Special thanks to @atriabooks for the ARC.