It’s their third #novel in less than two years, and still, “Second Chances in New Port Stephen” is signature #TJAlexander.

Humorous, full of heart, and with a hopeful holiday twist, "Second Chances In New Port Stephen has all the positive queer representation of the Chef’s Kiss series, once again giving a voice to underrepresented trans and questioning voices.

I always learn something new in every TJ Alexander book I read.

But beyond that, it’s just good storytelling that keeps me coming back to this author.

Both Eli and Nick are such strong characters, at once familiar and relatable, while still so vastly distinct from Simon and Ray and Luna and John-Pierre. And I fell in love them both.

So much so that I’m hoping this isn’t the last we get to see of ElNick. A couple name? Oh, cringe.

But I digress… read this book.

I am so unbelievably happy after reading this book. I adored these characters and I love reading about queer joy and celebrating it through these angels.

Every single event in this story is significant. It adds so much depth to the characters and describes another step in not only their queer journeys, but their emotional journeys too. So many big, healthy discussions happen in this book, involving queerness, self discovery and some politics. The author emphasizes the threat that is living in Florida while being trans, how at a moment's notice, Eli's healthcare could be taken away from him. It's heartbreaking but absolutely necessary to highlight such a heavy topic.

Eli and Nick are pure sunshine together. The laughter and uninhibited joy that they bring to each other's lives is so special. I could read about these two and their lives together forever. I loved these characters, I loved the enthusiastic support of every single side character, I loved how this story was written. The dialogue was flirty and witty and sarcastic and lovely. Most importantly, it was so real. I absolutely need to read more of this author's work because I loved every second of this book. Not only is it an amazing second chance romance, it's filled with exceptional character development too.

Thank you so much to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I can't wait for more people to read Eli and Nick's story.

This was one of my MOST anticipated holiday romances and it did not disappoint!! Solidly my favorite 'holigay' romance of 2023, this dual POV, interracial, second chance romance features a trans man and a demisexual Asian American divorced dad.

Returning to his small town Florida home after losing his job as a writer in New York, Eli is loathe to face his family and all the toxicity that comes from life in such an anti-trans state. What Eli isn't expecting is to run into his ex Nick or to so easily rekindle their friendship.

Things get confusing when Nick starts to question his identity, having his own queer awakening in his 40s. I loved how nuanced the author's characters always are. There are so many layers to Eli and Nick which makes them feel so real and relatable.

I also loved Eli's family in this story. While they weren't the best at the start (his mom kept all the old photos of Eli that really hurt him) by the end they really showed up (from restaging the old photos with present day Eli, to supporting his relationship with Nick and encouraging him in his acting career).

Great on audio narrated by Aden Hakimi and Feodor Chin, this is easily my new favorite by the author! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @simon.schuster for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!

Steam level: open door

I liked the story, it was interesting to see how politics issues in Florida were introduce in the story.
Eli and Nick, together they made a cute couple. Personally I liked Nick a bit more than Eli, the reason is that both are in their 40s but Eli is portrayed as less mature and insecure, probably because his transitioning happened in his 30s and still a very sensitive subject for him.