
The Book:
Second Chances in New Port Stephen by TJ Alexander
Published: December 5, 2023 by Atria
Date read: December 10, 2023
The Characters:
Eli and Nick
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The Plot (from Goodreads):
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 Review:
I don’t always love the second-chance romance trope, but I do tend to love it when it’s childhood sweethearts who were just together at the wrong time. I adored our two MCs and how they figured out their feelings towards each other at this new stage in both their lives.
Although SCiNPS takes place when Eli heads home for the holidays (for the first time in decades), the Florida setting keeps this one from feeling too Christmasy. It’s full of sweet hometown nostalgia juxtaposed with lots of complicated feelings for Eli since his high school experience obviously wasn’t the greatest.
The side characters really shone in this book as well. I adored Nick’s daughter Zoe, Eli’s parents, and surprisingly, Nick’s ex-wife.
I’ve come to adore TJ Alexander and their truly lovable characters. I can’t wait to read whatever they write next! If you’re looking for something sunny to transition you out of cozy holiday reads, definitely add this book to your list.
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