I really thought I would love this book, and I did like it, but I didn't love it as much as I hoped. I loved the addition of a side love story, but at times the book felt very chaotic and I wasn't sure who I was supposed to be reading as. It jumped around in characters so much that I was left a little confused. I was a huge fan of the MC's never wanting anyone else and that deep down they knew they would find one another again. They just had so much trauma and communicating to do to get there.

First Love, Second Draft is a second chance, enemies to lovers type of rom-com romance. Fans of those tropes and sports romances would like this. Lots of humor in Grace and Noah's story.

While I appreciate themes of redemption and personal growth, I realized that enemies-to-lovers (or in this case, exes-to-lovers) just isn't my favorite setup, so I think this one just wasn't for me personally and I unfortunately had to put this one down.

Noah wants to make amends, it obvious, but Gracie was just a bit too hateful with him, and that is a personal thing I am not a fan of in books so while I have loved Becca's other two books, this one just is one I put down because I knew the trope wouldn't be for me. I won't really mention my thoughts on my channel or goodreads, just to leave my bias out of the review process since it's one of those "not for me" tropes, as I have loved Dear Henry and Love in Tandem. This is truly just a trope thing for me so I realized I needed to DNF.

Although this book wasn’t a perfect fit for my personal tastes, I think others who enjoy clean, funny rom-coms, with an author FMC and a baseball player MMC, and these tropes, will find a lot to love here.

I wanted to absolutely love this one, especially since it had a little something to do with baseball! Unfortunately, I ended up dnfing this one 30% in. I was very confused about the characters and why there were so many!it felt like every chapter introduced more and was in someone else's pov and I guess I wasn't aware that would be happening based on the description. The main female character was not very likeable and was overly rude to her ex. I mean,I get it, he's your ex. But he was the one there to help her which she obviously needed but was just too stubborn and rude to get passed all that had happened between them. Super bummed about this one!

This book was seriously difficult to get through. I loved Mona and Gracie's dynamic and the premise of second chance love is usually a fun road to go down. But I found the plot immensely slow and more importantly neither Noah nor Gracie were particularly likeable. Since I don't have much positive feedback I will keep this review short but definitely missed the mark for a sports romance, second chance, exes to lovers romance.

Snappy dialogue and a small strand of the Christian faith in this rom-com between a couple that has been divorced for five years. I like how it delved into the deeper issues of life, love and faith - and second chances. Compelling protagonist.
3.5 stars of five - so highly rated from me.

Firstly, thank you NetGalley and Tyndall House Publishers for this arc.
Unfortunately I cannot say that I entirely enjoyed this book. This was two separate stories that shouldn’t have been pushed together. It got confusing and I lost interest because of all the jumping around. Now usually I’m the first to yell at you to read a second chance romance, but this time I’ll let it slide. This really saddens me to say because I was actually very excited to read this book. I didn’t find myself rooting for any character or relating to any either. I honestly hope that if you do read this book then you enjoy it, but it was sadly not for me.

Rating: 2.5

This book was one that I was really looking forward to reading however, I ended up dnf'ing around 50%. I had a really hard time connecting with any of the characters. I think the title, premise, and the cover will suck many readers in the story just felt a little bit chaotic to me with how many characters there were.

This book sadly wasn't for me. I think it's more of a new adult read. I was drawn to the writing/author element but just couldn't gel with any character. I think I'm just not the target audience. Not my cup of tea.

⚾📖 First Love, Second Draft by Becca Kinzer ✨💘

In this sweet and witty second-chance romance, a burned-out rom-com author and her baseball star ex-husband are thrown back into each other’s lives when a looming writing deadline, an injury, and a conveniently available rental next door force them to reconnect. Gracie Parker hasn’t had a hit since her divorce from Noah—and the last thing she wants is his help, especially from the man who once broke her heart. But as Noah confronts his regrets and gently tries to win her back, Gracie must decide if it’s too late for a second draft of their love story.

📚 Highlights

I’m a sucker for second-chance romances, so this one immediately caught my attention—especially with the idea of two exes working on a memoir together (though I wish that part had come into play sooner).

The parallel narrative between Matt & Rachel (Gracie’s nephew and his best friend) and Gracie & Noah’s present was an interesting storytelling choice. At first, I appreciated how it mirrored youthful love and the possibilities of “what could have been.” However, it occasionally pulled focus away from Gracie and Noah’s emotional arc.

What stood out most was the raw portrayal of marriage struggles. It didn’t shy away from the pain, frustration, and longing that can exist when both people are wrestling with unspoken hopes and past wounds.

💭 My Thoughts
The story opens strong, with Noah stepping up when Gracie needs help, showing just how much he still cares. As it progressed, I found myself frustrated with how emotionally closed off Gracie was, particularly in how she treated Noah. But by the end, I understood her better. Her deep longing for family, the hurt she carried, and how she processed grief made her feel more real, even if she was harder to connect with early on.

A few emotional moments near the end tug at the heart (no spoilers, but have tissues ready!). I wish those moments were more evenly paced; the ending felt a bit rushed after a slow build-up.

Still, I’m glad I stuck with it—the emotional payoff was worth it, and the themes of forgiveness, grace, and second chances were beautifully portrayed. It’s not a favorite for me, as the main characters weren’t as fully developed as I’d hoped, and I wanted to love it more. That said, fans of second-chance romance with multiple POVs might enjoy it!

Thanks to the author and publisher for the gifted copy. Opinions shared here are 100% my own.

💕 The Swoon Scale 💕
(This is how I rate my books. For more information, see my instagram pinned post @thewholesomeshelf.)


💍 Swoon-Worthy Sparks: 3/5

💬 Dialogue & Tension: 3/5

🦋 Emotional Impact: 3.5/5

📖 Re-Readability: 3/5

This book is a second-chance romance between formerly married Gracie and Noah. They are thrown together when Gracie is seriously injured and Noah rents out her apartment, hoping to win her back, He is put in the role of caretaker while she recuperates, and she is mortified to be dependent on him.

I liked seeing them remember what they loved about each other and gradually work out their problems. Of course, nothing is ever easy when it comes to love, so you have to read the book to see if they can make things work again.

The writing aspect of the story was fun too, since I am a writer. It seems like a lot of romance writers are doing books where the main character is a writer, and I wonder if readers who aren't writers can connect with that part of the story. I think I could, even if I weren't a writer, but I can't be sure.

I still love Dear Henry, Love Edith the best of Becca Kinzer's books, but I haven't read one yet that I didn't think was above average in every way and worth reading--and this one is no exception.

BOOK: FIRST LOVE, SECOND DRAFT
AUTHOR: BECCA KINZER
PUB DATE: APRIL 2025
👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏼👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏼
REVIEW- 2.8stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏼👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏼
This book was somehow easy to read, i found some part easy and others the opposite. At the end of the day, I can say that this was an okay book which unfortunately, was mid for me. I didn't like it and I didn't hate. There was two love stories between Grace and Noah & Rachel and Matt. Both romance were kinda bland. It was obvious how it would play out and there was no zing, no drama. The characters were good, okay people, but there was nothing interesting about them.
👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏼👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏼
However, I was still able to finish the book. I feel ambiguous about the book, but the characters and settings were okay

This was such an enjoyable second-chance romance! I usually don't love books where a husband and wife get back together, but maybe that's because other authors haven't written this trope as well as Becca Kinzer. She knocked it out of the park - and yes, that's a baseball reference because there is a bit of baseball in this book, which I loved. (A hero who is a pitcher? I will read it every time. One of my favorite movies is For the Love of the Game, and this book reminded me of everything I love about that movie.) The banter in the dialogue is spot-on throughout this novel, and every scene strikes a perfect balance between clever humor and emotional depth. There's also a subplot second-chance romance involving the heroine's nephew that is as adorable and sweet as the main love story. This was just all-around excellent, and I can't recommend it highly enough for your spring and summer TBR!

What a delightfully funny book- both entertaining and yet one which is packed thought provoking messages. First Love Second Draft is about second chances, redemption and hope. The main characters Gracie and Noah are in their 40’s which was really fun for a change rather than a younger age.
Grace holds a lot of bitterness after her divorce. And Noah is loaded with regrets over decisions he made which helped lead to their divorce. Grace ‘s journey in this book involved learning to let go of the past and accepting help from others rather than maintaining a stubborn independence. Noah needed to evaluate his priorities and determine what was most important in his life. I am not a big fan of contemporary fiction. Yet First Love Second Draft grabbed my attention in the first couple pages and made for a great read.
I received a copy of First Love Second Draft from NetGalley. All opinons expressed are my own.

I LOVE a good second chance romance and this one did not disappoint. Gracie is a romance writer struggling to make her deadline, and the last thing she needs is her ex-husband moving in next door distracting her and calling her “babe.” Noah is a baseball star who’s been booted from the roster, but he’s looking for a second chance to win Gracie’s heart before it’s too late. I loved the quirky situational humor, the side romance, and the main characters I couldn’t help but root for. I loved reading about a man fighting for his marriage, and I think that is what set it apart from other romances I’ve read. Reading about and rooting for characters with history just made my heart happy. If you’re looking for a sweet (just kisses) second chance romance, definitely give this a try. Added bonus if you’re a baseball fan ⚾️ Thank you to Netgalley and Tyndale House Publishers for the advanced review copy! All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars

Becca Kinzer has become a favorite author for when I want to swoon, laugh out loud, and cry a little too – all in the same book – and First Love, Second Draft definitely hits the spot! Or, perhaps I should say it hits a home run considering the fact that Gracie’s ex-husband Noah is a baseball star. And Kinzer really does knock it out of the park in this novel (no surprise), particularly when it comes to the snappy dialogue and banter. Not just between the romantic pairings – though the banter there is perfectly fabulous – but also between family and friends. The tight pace of the conversations and the quick comebacks kept me giggling from start to finish, and I confess I even snort-laughed a couple of times… and may have also out loud told Noah’s agent to ‘STOP TALKING” hahaha. If I started quoting my favorite passages, I’d be here all day. But I think for sure a majority of them would involve Gracie’s nephew Matt and his best friend/love interest Rachel (the grocery store scene!!). They are so adorably awkward and so endearing together.

There’s a lot more to First Love, Second Draft than just the hilarious dialogue though. Or the swoonilicious romances (more on the main one in a second). Becca Kinzer does a phenomenal job of balancing the lighthearted or chemistry-laden moments with the deeper, more emotional issues that they’re working through, without either temperament feeling out of place. The acute disappointments and loss, the flawed relationships, the themes of restoration and second chances all fit in almost tenderly with the zany scenarios and toe-curling kisses, like we’re getting a peek at this little slice of life and, really, we are. Perhaps none more so than with divorced exes Gracie and Noah and their forced proximity while Gracie recovers from a very painful injury. And yes, if you guessed that there’s all kinds of opportunity there for laugh-out-loud humor or delicious romantic tension, you would be right on both counts – and I loved every minute (even when I wanted to shake Gracie lol). But there is also beautiful room here for Kinzer to use their forced time together to open up some festering wounds, clear out the scar tissue and infection, and begin the work of truly healing what shattered between them. I loved every minute of that too (even when I wanted to shake Gracie lol).

Bottom Line: In First Love, Second Draft, author Becca Kinzer effortlessly combines yummy romance, laugh-out-loud hilarity, and poignant character growth to deliver a grand slam romcom with lots of heart. From Gracie’s ill-fated romcom drafts (that horse LOL) to Noah’s blatant flirting, the slapstick comedy, some fabulous kisses, and even little quirky bits like the FedEx driver, the mice, the ‘stealthy’ meeting at the diner, etc. there’s so much to smile about. I fell head over heels for the dialogue in this novel, and I was wholly invested in these characters, however purposely-flawed they may have been. In fact, there are no perfect people in this book, except maybe Gracie’s dad Buck who is pretty wonderful, and that means we’ve got several great layers to explore along with the more lighthearted aspects of the story. Another highly enjoyable read from Becca Kinzer – already eager for her next book!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

Let me start with this: as someone with toxic ex’s, the second-chance romance trope is not one I enjoy very often lol. For the sake of the story though, I prevailed. Gracie and Noah are a few years post-divorce and life is not going so great for either of them. She’s facing a looming deadline and he’s realizing that sometimes putting your dreams first isn’t always worth the consequences. We get a look into her begrudgingly accepting his help in her hours of need, and journeying down the “has he, hasn’t he changed” road. I enjoyed how much work went into their reconciliation story, and it wasn’t just insta-forgiveness for the sake of a hot fling. The personalities meshed really well and it’s definitely one of those situations where you can feel the chemistry and know their divorce wasn’t from a lack of love. Sports romances are my cup of tea and I love baseball, so I’m glad it was actually incorporated as opposed to just being a gimmick that got in the way of their love. Were there times I felt could’ve been cut down a bit? Yes. I still enjoyed it overall though and liked their happy ending. I’d give them a 3.75, rounding up to a 4 for any potential bias!

Laugh-out-loud plus Faith! 4.5 ⭐️

🌷This book had me laughing at 10% and it kept that going all the way through and yet it was filled with so much faith, grace, redemption and restoration!

🌷Noah and Gracie's story has a lot to overcome and they do it in a beautiful way not only rediscovering themselves, their relationship but also their faith.

🌷Matt and Rachel are the most prone to accidents ever making them hilarious while learning to trust that they can make it and won't turn into grass (you will get this , I promise 😉)

🌷There are a lot of heavy topics in this book ranging from Infertility, miscarriage, death of family members etc however everything is done with tact and the growth that comes from going through these challenges.

🌷Overall I would 100% recommend this book to anyone needed a 2 in one, faith theme, laugh out loud, chaotic, charming and teary story!

🌷My only suggestion is give yourself time to understand the writing style, there are 3 POVs (Matt,Noah and Gracie) and they jump around a lot.

🌷Spice: 0
🌷Language: 0

"Gracie. I say this with all the love in my heart, really I do, but you've been bitter for years. And now your stories all stink. You really need to get over it, whatever the it is."

As a writer, Gracie only has one more chance to get her next book right. She already has a failed marriage, but maybe that is the cause for writing romances with negative plots. She is certain she can figure out something. But her ex-husband is not in her plans.

When he hears that Gracie needs help, Noah knows that he finally has his second chance. He moves back into their former guest house with the hope of caring for her. After all, he still longs to be with her. Will proximity help their cause or drive a further wedge between them?

What I enjoyed about the book ...
Becca Kinzer knows how to write funny scenes. Every time I read one of her books, I laugh out loud often. The predicaments that she puts her characters in add to the storyline. Not all rom-coms are actually funny, but hers are.

The secondary plot with Gracie's nephew was sweet. At times, I liked their story line better. This should definitely be slated as two stories for one.

I really liked Gracie's dad. His wisdom and perspective added to the book. And his roommate was also funny. Parts of the ending I definitely did not expect. Faith was a part of the storyline.

My hesitations ...
The two main characters were SO stubborn. Their reasons for walking away were a bit trivial. They needed big doses of communication and honesty.

Gracie's sister was scary at times and hard to understand. A few of the plot lines felt a bit jagged and unconnected. Baseball is a part of the plot, but more the feelings about the game than the game itself. I think it mostly worked.

Overall, I would say this is a good book worth reading. I am so glad I was able to read an advanced copy through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Warning: this book may be hazardous to your health. It had me laughing so hard, I had a coughing fit…twice… in the first 15 pages! Hilarious banter by Gracie and everyone else. She is a pip!
Gracie is forced to accept help from her ex-husband Noah, when she injures herself. She no longer trusts him but he is persistent in wanting to take care of her. “So long as Noah remained in her life, there was no such thing as breathing easy.” But all is not laughs, this book deals with serious issues such as divorce and reconciliation and trusting God.
I really enjoyed this second chance times two story. Not only do Gracie and Noah creep towards a renewed romance, her nephew Matt pursues his best friend Rachel in hopes of moving out of the just friends spot. Both couples were such fun to watch.
I liked the references to old songs and bookish, authorly ones too since Gracie is an author. The peek into the baseball community was informative. I could not help but remember when I lived in St. Louis and experienced baseball fever during the run at the World Series by the Cardinals.
Now to go back and read the debut by Ms Kinzer. I expect I am in for more laughs.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Tyndale via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

I had to restart multiple times because the formatting is so bad to kindle. But overall it was an alright story. I definitely think that it starts off a little slow.