I received an advanced copy of Second Chances in New Port Stephen from the publisher Atria via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What It’s About: Eli Ward hasn’t returned to his suffocating hometown of New Port Stephen since he’s transitioned, but facing threats to his career as a TV writer and a comedian, he needs to return home and figure out what’s next. He hopes he can survive his loving and well meaning but often misguided family while hiding his career challenges. Then Eli bumps into his high school ex, Nick Wu, who’s hotter than ever. Divorced and in his 40’s, Nick’s world revolves around his father, his daughter, and his job, but he finds himself intrigued by Eli.

What I Loved: I loved this book so much. There is so much to love. This book is just a wonderful. Nick Wu is just an amazing guy. He is respectful, openminded and a dreamboat. I loved watching Eli and Nick reconnect and their relationship was so special and unique, I just couldn’t wait for it to come together. I loved how the book explored the impact of anti-Trans laws on people and families, Alexander does not step away from recognizing that Florida is not a safe place for Eli, but he also doesn’t condemn all the people in Florida and shows that there can still be joy, the way he balances Florida as a terrifying place but also a place that has kind people who want better was impressive. I also loved the coparenting relationship and getting to see Nick’s relationships with his dad and kid. This book was exceptionally well done. It was truly one of my favorite books of the years.

What I Didn’t Like: If anything, the miscommunication trope, but really this book is close to perfect.

Who Should Read It: People who are looking for Christmas romance books that are not Hallmark-esqe. People looking for a good trans romance. People who love second chance romances.

Summary: A trans man returns home to Florida and reconnects with his first boyfriend.

DNF @ 26%

Thank you so much to Atria and Netgalley for providing an advanced copy of this. All thoughts and opinions are still my own.

I was so sad this book wasn't a win. I was highly anticipating a new queer holiday romance.

However I just didn't feel like this book had enough plot or strong enough characters to keep the story moving.

Our MC Eli is a hard character to like. He's dramatic and self-centered and often immature - despite being 40. And as a character driven reader, I need to connect to my characters or at least understand them. And I didn't feel like I got that in the first quarter of the book.

While this book wasn't for me, I have seen so many fantastic reviews for it. I think that there were a ton of amazing discussions and themes in this book, so if the premise intrigues you, definitely give it a try!

I'm frustrated because for the first 3 quarters of this book, I just absolutely loved it. The characters, the banter, the developments... but the last quarter just really annoyed me for some reason. And I can tell because it took me about 1.5 weeks to finish the last part.

The writing is easy to read and there's a lot of humour in this one!

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: December 5, 2023

A trans man returns to Florida for the holidays and runs into his now-divorced high school ex. I struggled to get into this at first because of Eli’s voice and general whininess (that continued throughout, I found him wildly immature), but I kept with it and it turned into a surprisingly charming and swoony romcom. Here for the trans rep—book world can always use more!

T.J. Alexander's "Second Chances in New Port Stephen" is a charming rom-com that takes readers on a heartwarming journey of family, second chances, and unexpected reunions. The narrative revolves around Eli Ward, a trans man who returns to his hometown after a career setback. He is entangled in the quirky chaos of his boisterous family and a reunion with his high school ex, Nick Wu.

While not without flaws, the novel manages to captivate with its strong character development. Eli and Nick, the central characters, are portrayed as interesting individuals, and their evolving dynamic is a highlight. The depiction of Eli's journey post-transition and sobriety adds depth to the narrative, exploring personal growth and resilience themes.

One notable strength lies in the well-developed side characters, particularly Zoe, Nick's daughter. Her adorable presence adds a delightful touch to the story, showcasing the author's character-building skills. The diverse cast contributes to a rich tapestry that enhances the reading experience.

However, the novel does have moments that might not resonate with every reader. The detailed “intimate” scenes feel somewhat out of place within the book's overall vibe. Some over-the-top interruptions, such as school-eating sinkholes and runaway boats, may be unnecessary and distracting.

Despite these minor drawbacks, "Second Chances in New Port Stephen" triumphs in exploring familial bonds and the potential for rekindling old flames. The novel successfully balances drama and fluff with a focus on character-driven storytelling. If you can overlook the explicit content, the well-crafted characters and engaging narrative make this book worthwhile.

This was my first TJ Alexander book, but it sure won't be my last. I really liked Eli and Nick and their loved ones, and I'm really happy for the way this all resolved for them.

This was easily one of my favorite romances of the year. If I had to describe it in 6 words, it would be: “Heartstopper for adults plus Florida man.” I recommend for any rom-com lovers, but also for people looking for more trans representation in books!

I think Nick and Eli being more middle-aged (~almost~ 40) made this book even better. I loved the mature and wholesome way they handled their blossoming relationship and Nick’s questioning of his sexuality. Nick is also a single/divorced father and his interactions with his daughter were so sweet. Overall, I thought communication was handled well and the characters were very supportive of each other, so I never rolled my eyes at anyone like I normally do when reading romance.

There are a lot of heartfelt moments, but this was also such a fun book!! Eli particularly is really funny (he’s a comedian, so it makes sense). All of the jokes about Florida had me cackling and I would definitely read this again as a comfort book.

TJ Alexander knocks it out of the park again. While I have loved all of their romances, as a late-in-coming-out trans person this one really hit home, but in a way that I think is broadly relatable and appealing.

Multiple moments in the novel felt like they elevated this to a rare category of romance novel for me, one that keeps to the format while simultaneously diving deep into incredible moments of revelation, honesty and soul-wrenching emotions.

Eli's relationship with Nick was at times tentative, sweet and also incredibly hot. TJ Alexander managed to capture something unique about revisiting people who were once so dear to you, but now neither of you are sure how much is the same versus how much has changed.

It was Eli's relationship with his well meaning parents, who's misses mattered as much as their successes, that really pulled feelings out of me as a reader that I was happy for, but surprised by. Especially against the backdrop of how caustic and terrible Florida has become for trans and queer people, having Eli come home and have significant misunderstandings on both sides with his parents for what he needs felt so real.

Easily one of my favorite romances of 2023, TJ Alexander continues to submit their place on not only my must-buy list, but also my "can I get it early please" and "will there be a special edition I can buy again" lists.

Literally screaming. I loved this story so much. It had so much heart and soul. Before this I wasn’t sure if I loved the second chance romance trope, but this converted me.

Unfortunately this one just didn't work for me. I think it was totally on me, though. I was hoping for a light, sweet rom com and this instantly felt very political. There is definitely nothing wrong with that, it just wasn't the right book for me at the time. I did like the characters and thought their relationship was sweet, but it took a little too long to get there, and many things also felt a little unrealistic. I would definitely be interested in reading more from this author in the future, though.

Second Chances in New Port Stephen by TJ Alexander. Pub Date: December 5, 2023. Rating: 4 stars. I have never read a book by this author, but this was a pleasant surprise and I will most definitely be reading more of their work! Set in Florida around Christmas time, this is the story of a second chance romance between high school sweethearts who have both lived separate lives to come together and reignite the spark that once was. Themes of LGBTQ+, identity, sexuality, romance, family and grief are all explored in this book. I really appreciated the author's attention to detail to describe LGBTQ+ and identity because I think these are important topics to talk about especially in today's climate. I really learned a lot about the transgender population and felt it added a lot of substance to the book. I had a tough time putting this book down and would recommend it wholeheartedly! Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review. #netgalley #secondchancesinnewportstephen

Absolutely one of my favorite reads of 2023 and a huge success with our book club. TJ somehow manages to take an experience that I’ve never had and root me so firmly in the story that I could relate so thoroughly to the main character. It was funny, it was heartfelt, it was beautiful, it was spot on. I loved the demi rep, too. I loved everything about this book and can’t wait for Triple Sec.

I really loved the premise of this book, second chance romances are a favorite. Also as a Queer person who lived in and recently moved out of Florida I appreciated the attention on the difficulties Queer and more specifically Trans people are going through.

The main character, Eli, felt a little immature. However, I did like Nick’s character and his journey, learning and exploring his sexuality.

Overall I enjoyed it.

This book is a joyous read! It is queer, fun, and incredibly sweet. Second Chances in New Port Stephen is a Christmas story that is readable at any time of the year!

As someone who doesn’t normally choose to read a second chance romance, this book has completely sold me on this trope. This story follows two men who are almost forty, one of them trans and the other a single dad. The side characters are wonderful, especially Zoe. She was hilarious and adorable.

Overall, this book was a funny, happy read. However, this book does touch on some heavy topics like alcoholism, loss of a parent, transphobic legislation, and many others. These topics aren’t to be taken lightly, but this book doesn’t necessarily flesh them out.

Overall, I LOVED this book. The representation in this book was great. The writing was amazing and will definitely have me looking into more books by TJ Alexander!

I ended up loving this one! I read it over the Christmas and New Year's break, which was perfect. It's a lighthearted second chance romance set during the holiday season. Eli Ward comes home to visit his parents in Florida for Christmas and beyond. He's lost his television writing job and is down on his luck. He is trans and runs into his high school love, who knew him to be a different person twenty years ago. Nick stayed in his home town and is now divorced with a young daughter.

They begin to hang out and realize they still have such a strong, innate connection. The story is told in both of their perspectives. Eli got on my nerves a bit. He seemed a bit immature and oblivious. He does grow in the novel though. Nick is wonderful! I loved his character. He's such a strong, stable force for good. His daughter was always a hoot as well. She reminded me of the kids in The Guncle. If you like that kind of writing style, this is for you! In addition to the two main characters, we get to know a wonderful ancillary cast in their parents, who are wise and so kind. This is the perfect read if you're looking for something light and heartwarming, especially around the holiday season.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

I love me a second chance romance and this one was great! I love the originality of Eli being trans and coming back home to see his ex boyfriend Nick, who then discovers his sexuality throughout the book. I ADORED Nick and his daughter Zoe. Eli annoyed me with his immaturity and this didn't feel like they were 40 years old. The ending was expected and bless them for leaving Florida lol

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

There’s something about a TJ Alexander book that hits every time. In this one, Eli and Nick are given a second chance at love, even though they’re arguably different people now. I loved how they both pushed the other to become a better person and find their main character energy.

This was my last holiday read this past year and it was my favorite. I loved the characters, the queer representation and the swoon worthy romance between Eli and Nick! It was such a charming read!

Read if you like:
- Small Beach Town Setting
- LGBTQ+ characters
- Second Chance Romance
- Single Dad Trope

Second Chances in New Port Stephen is a fun holiday romance where Eli and Nick meet up after many years and they have both changed a lot. This second chance romance has great heart and I love that it is set in Fla!

This is my favorite read of the holiday season by a mile. Full of heart, humor, and honest depictions of the adult queer experience, Second Chances in New Port Stephen is the perfect Christmas rom-com for anyone who doesn't look forward to going home for the holidays. We follow Eli, who is returning to his hometown in Florida for the first time post-transition, and Nick, his high school ex who is now a busy father who may have to reevaluate some things about his sexuality now that Eli has returned. This book is a second-chance romance, but it is also about finding your space in a world that doesn't want you to, and it's about how messy families are, and it's about coming out later in life. All of these things are done well and made me tear up, mainly in a happy way. Eli also goes on a journey with his career, and Nick goes on a complicated journey with fatherhood. I loved that Nick's journey with his sexuality and realizing he isn't straight really isn't that hard. He just sort of realized it. I also think that these two characters have a great and honest connection, and I believe that they should've been together. Finally, I truly laughed at this book. There are some very funny scenes in this. Overall, it was my perfect romance and one of the only second-chance love stories I have enjoyed.