Second chance romance? Yes! Single Dad? Sign me up! Trans representation? Discovering sexuality as an adult? Obsessed!

Eli came out as transgender after leaving his hometown and now in his late 30's he is back home for the holidays. Eli reconnects with his ex, Nick, who is straight (or so he thinks). I loved watching Eli & Nick explore how they have changed since highschool and the ways they have stayed the same. This book shows both healthy & unhealthy family relationships and the importance of found family especially for the LGBTQ+ community.

I wish we got a little more holiday magic & a little more banter between Eli & Nick without his daughter around (I feel like she carried a lot of the fun of the book)

The commentary on the political climate or Florida & having boomer parents who mean well, but don't always hit the mark was perfection. Sometimes in books I feel like the politics are hitting too hard where is feels like a lecture, but this did not have that issue at all. I really enjoyed this book overall and definitely recommend!

Thank you, Atria Books and NetGalley for the E-ARC of this book!

Looking for a “second chance” romance? How about one with LBGTQIA+ representation and DILFs?

Ok so first off, I would say this isn’t the type of book I normally read. with that being said, I couldn’t put this book down. The story had me wanting more. Being from Florida myself I thought it felt very authentic.

This book is well written. Characters are great, setting is… Florida. It’s kinda a Christmas book but not one that would feel out of place to read during any season.

Only thing I dislike was the cover. It makes it look.. i don’t want to say childish but Maybe cartoon-y? Doesn’t necessarily fit the vibe of the book. But honestly that’s just my opinion and it’s not something that would make me give this book a lower rating in my mind.

CW: alcoholism (recounted), car accident (recounted), death of a parent (recounted), divorce (recounted), transmisia, homomisia, racism

Closed Door Modifications: Chapter 18 (some parts), Chapter 26 (some parts)

I would like to thank Atria Books and NetGalley for inviting me to review a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Eli Ward is forced back to his hometown of New Port Stephen, Florida, for the holidays and ends up reconnecting with his high school ex, Nick Wu, in this unique take on the holiday romance subgenre.

This past spring, I read Alexander’s latest novel published, Chef’s Choice, where I fell in love with their writing style and cast of loveable characters. When I was invited to read an advanced copy of Second Chances in New Port Stephen, I was told that this book would be Alexander’s best. I didn’t know what to exactly expect with this book at first, but I now know that Second Chances in New Port Stephen is truly a delight to read for this holiday season.

Instead of tackling the common trope of holiday romances of getting into the holiday spirit or the true meaning of what the holidays mean, Alexander takes readers through themes of second chances, starting over, and the meaning of family, both blood and found. What Alexander does well in Second Chances in New Port Stephen is that they created this perfect blend of dramedy which leads to a great plot execution and a story readers want to get stuck in.

Another thing I really like about Second Chances in New Port Stephen is that Alexander is able to create a cast of interesting characters while also providing a solid character development for Eli and Nick. Throughout the book, you get to see a lot of growth in Nick and Eli over the course of the holidays, which really fleshes out their character development. Adding to that mix of quirky ensemble characters and a heart-warming second chance romance, Second Chances in New Port Stephen has everything it needs to be a stand-out to readers.

If you are looking for an unconventional, queer holiday romance featuring a second chance romance, you will want to be on the lookout for Second Chances in New Port Stephen.

In a chaotic Florida town, Alexander writes a swoon worthy second chance romance with a whole lot of heart and heartache. If you like your romances queer and love interests DILF-y, this one's for you! Just keep an eye on the content warnings- this one can be a little hard to read because of depictions of transphobia at times.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for this advanced copy.

TJ Alexander knew how to break my heart and mend it again. I love every representations in this book, and it was so good.

We love a book that explores identity! the Christmas vibes mixed with the Florida landscape was unique and fun. The characters had emotional depth and good banter. The representation along with discussions of real-world issues were very interesting and thought-provoking. However, I did not enjoy the miscommunication trope.

This is a second chance queer holiday romance. Eli who is a trans man spends the holidays in his hometown in Florida after becoming unemployed. Nick is the love interest that Eli dated back in high school. He stayed in the hometown since graduating high school where he works at a restaurant and is divorced with a five year old daughter.

What stood out to me:
- [ ] Really refreshing that the characters where in their forties
- [ ] Second chance romance aspect felt natural not forced
- [ ] Queer joy throughout with Eli’s trans identity as shown by his authenticity and confidence, his advocating to his family, and his interactions with Nick and Nick’s family

Why it wasn’t a five star:
- [ ] The romcom activities and scenes with Eli and Nick around town getting ready for the holidays were fine though not memorable
- [ ] Steam was okay
- [ ] Wasn’t as invested in them being together long term as I could’ve been

Would read more from this author and will recommend this as a new queer holiday romance this season.
Publishes December 5, 2023. This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Second Chances in New Port Stephen by TJ Alexander - My favorite queer romance of the year so far! A light-hearted & relatable, second-chance rom-com about a trans man who returns to his Florida hometown determined to rebuild his life after facing some major career setbacks. While exploring the protagonists quest for love in Florida and it's modern-day political climate, the author also delves into themes such as family acceptance & queer awakenings. Alexander's storytelling effortlessly blends humor and emotion, creating an atmosphere that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. This is my first book by the author but won't be my last. TAGS: fiction, romance, contemporary romance, LGBTQIA+, mm romance, trans, queer, holiday romance, christmas, florida *Thanks to NetGalley, the book's publisher & the book's author for providing a free eARC in exchange for my honest review #NetGalley #SecondChancesinNewPortStephen #TJAlexander

Florida is the last place Eli wants to be. Newly unemployed and nearing forty, he reluctantly sublets his New York City apartment and returns to his parent’s home. He’s hoping this is only temporary until he finds a new writing job. But when he runs into his childhood best friend, ex-boyfriend, and first love- Nick- things get complicated. Although they are immediately and strongly attracted to each other, they are hesitant due to the significant changes they have undergone since their last meeting: Nick is now a divorced father to a young child, and Eli has transitioned from his birth gender.

Now they must figure out whether their connection transcends the years and their different identities or if they are merely acting out of nostalgia. They must also decide if they can live a life together in a Florida that is inhospitable to LGBTQIA+ people.

Alexander has written a super steamy queer holiday romance that deals with serious topics, like substance abuse, identity exploration and family strife, while still managing to be uproariously funny and incredibly romantic. This contemporary romance is a must have for all libraries seeking to incorporate diversity into their collections, and for readers who relish a bit of angst and a lot of joy in their happily ever after.

Loved, loved, loved this book!

3.5 rounded up. I really enjoyed the setup of this one, and loved the way that TJ approached the situation overall. There were some great moments with both sides of the MC's families here, and I adored Eli's parents for trying their best. The relationship that Nick had with his ex-wife and daughter was also an interesting one, and it was nice to see healthy divorced family dynamics. Nick's dad was also a great addition, and I felt so much for Laurie as the small dose of unhealthy familial ties with Kay was well-depicted (and I'm glad it was just a pinch because I could not handle more right now 😂).

The chemistry and feelings between Nick and Eli were great, and it was really fun to see things from both POVs, and the mix of a bit of uncertainy, confusion, but attraction and love from both past and present really shined through. And I felt that there was a fine balance in this later in life romance where Nick and Eli were still also trying to navigate through life. Because it made them feel a bit more relatable, and nice to see them help each other in a comforting way as well. I also liked that there was some discourse on growing up in Florida, and how it touched a little bit on the difference between community and generalization, as well as the bit of Christmas cheer as well. The themes of parenthood was great too, with examples from both MCs' parents as well as Nick and Laurie wanting to do their best for Zoe.

The only thing that was frustrating to me was the miscommunication that was sprinkled throughout. Obviously it's confusing times as it's a second chance romance with totally different circumstances, but I feel like Eli was a little insensitive with a lot of his assumptions (to which I'm glad Nick stood up for himself), and the lack of communication in some parts, especially with the texts/phone calls when there were Major Things happening did upset me a bit. (Because seriously, why couldn't Eli just figure out his voicemail and just assumed that "if it was important, Nick would text?" ?? 😭). But I guess that's pretty realistic too, and in a way, it was nice to see both Eli and Nick get their own moments of clarity before coming together as a team.

I would totally read another book from TJ!

Second Chances in New Port Stephen is a new favorite and truly a delight. From the moment I picked it up, I couldn't put it down, and actually wound up reading it in one sitting.

As someone who is trans, myself, it frames a very realistic world for the current situation in Florida, as well as the reality of being a trans person a time in history when our safety and rights are on shaky ground. Second Chances doesn't gloss over any of this, but doesn't doomsday our situation either - opting to pull in and showcase opportunities of authentic, unabashed trans and queer joy; of unconditional acceptance; of healing trauma; of embracing new discoveries, even later in life.

Eli is a delight, and one of the greatest trans characters I've ever encountered. He isn't encumbered by his gender identity, but like every trans person, he deals with the day-to-day microaggressions and social faux pas that are often (for lack of choice) navigated with so much grace and patience. These experiences were plucked right out of my own mind and life. Yes, you can be a fully realized, fully out and proud trans character, and still get swept in a rip current of dysphoria and "gender angst" (for lack of a better way of putting it) when you least expect it - especially when encountered with your past. TJ Alexander walks this fine line splendidly and even seeks to repair the trauma Eli has experienced; for this reason alone, Second Chances is a must-read for trans people.

As someone who is also in my late 30s (the same as Eli and Nick), so much of this book personally resonated with me. Beyond just the queer and trans journey, I could completely relate to where they are in life - neither old nor young, emotionally mature but still growing and learning, planted firmly in adulthood but still stuck in seemingly quarter-life crisis situations. TJ Alexander writes it with so much nuance and authenticity that I was quite literally transported into a world - into a family - I didn't want to let go of.

The truth is, Eli and Nick could be my friends. So could several of the supporting characters, who are individual and rooted in the very real world TJ Alexander is framing, and in turn, feel like every day, normal people. Even one less savory character feels (unfortunately) settled in reality; or their own lack of reality, as it were. Nick's daughter Zoe, as well as Nick and Zoe's overall dynamic, is truly beautiful.

As for the two leads: Eli and Nick feel settled in, familiar, with a shared, unspoken history and natural chemistry. In the end, their reunion and ultimate coming together are well-earned and fought for and so rewarding as a reader.

This book also explores different types of queer identity, particularly genderqueerness and demisexuality/asexuality; mostly from the lens of older coming out experiences. As someone who experienced something very similar, it was gratifying and therapeutic as hell to see people like myself fully realized on a page, layered and likable and even someone to root for.

I read Second Chances in September, but would recommend this book at any time of year for anyone wanting a touch of Christmas or the holidays. This book almost feels incidentally set at Christmas, but could be enjoyed at any time of the year. This is a book I plan to return to time and time again, and purchase when it hits shelves.

The acknowledgment at the end of the book was equally wonderful, emotional, and well needed. I can only hope this time in history is a blip, but stories like these make it a bit easier.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5/5

I love a romance where one of the MCs is a parent. I love a delightful child and I love seeing the LI fall for a ready family. On top of it, I’m also in a position where every Christmas is warm and I’m close to the beach, so this was the perfect Holiday romcom for me.

The story is cute and low-stakes (there’s a lot of foreshadowing about how things will turn fine), which really helped me get into it despite my depression. And I feel like the representation of the trans character, being own-voices, was very well done. I wish the book was a little more self-aware about race, or just that anyone reminded Eli that people of color have it rough in Florida as well, but Eli is very much a self-centered MC, so I think is par for the course that he thinks that town is only hell for him.

3.75 ⭑

This was so cute! I loved how authentic and all-consuming Eli and Nick’s love felt. Their connection never died, even after more than 25 years apart. Their past made their present a tad angsty, but it also made it feel so comforting and nostalgic. Their memories may not fully match their present, but the love and connection between them surpassed anything they previously had.

Nick’s co-parenting relationship with his ex-wife was incredibly interesting, especially since she was so supportive in Nick’s journey to finding a label that accurately describes his sexuality. It was awesome that Nick had such a supportive group.

The miscommunication was not my favorite, especially since there were already angsty, high emotion moments kind of early in the book. I felt like not all of the miscommunication was necessary, and it made the last few chapters drag on a bit. Other than that, I thought this book was great.

At this point, any new TJ Alexander book is an auto-buy for me (yes, even if I've been privileged enough to get to read an advance copy) -- they create such relatable, lovable characters and put them into situations that keep me glued to the page until I've reached the end of the story, having cackled with joy and cried tears of various flavors. And like the previous two books TJ Alexander has graced us with, Second Chances in New Port Stephen is a damn delight. I skipped two work meetings and a gym session to gobble up chapter after chapter of Eli and Nick's story and then wept at their well-earned, well-deserved happy ending.

TJ, thank you for writing this beautiful book. I can't wait to grab my loved ones by the shirt collar and gently shake them while I holler about how they need to put this one on their TBR list immediately.

TJ Alexander always slays the trans romance books. I've loved all of the books that I've read from him,and this one is no different. It was just so cute. It was so hard to put down that I quite literally finished it in a day. Perfect holiday book but also all year since it takes place in Florida and they don't have seasons. Either way I really recommend it!

(4.5 Stars!)

I LOVED reading this book !

Eli, a trans man, returns to his hometown for Christmas and sparks fly with a former love.

Read For:
-Trans MMC
-Single Dad
-Second Chance Romance

I really enjoyed reading Nick and Eli's second chance! Truly the cutest story with so many laughs! I found the main characters to be endearing and funny. Their story felt relatable and understandable as they've both grown in the decades between their last romance but also each holds and deals with their own demons and insecurities that they're forced to work through.

I also found that the story itself was just so good! The side characters were endearing and so widely accepting and dependable. There are so many great moments throughout like recreating old family pictures, visiting a gay bar, and so many other shenanigans these characters get up to!

My only hang ups with this book were it was at times a bit wordy and also I missed Zoe at the end! I wanted her reaction to the epilogue! Otherwise, this book is a perfect holiday themed, second chance romance that will burrow into your heart.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-copy in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely loved this book! I’ve read tj’s other books & loved them and this one did not disappoint. I love the theme of it’s never to late to discover who you are. I loved the characters in this book especially nicks dad! I cannot wait for this book to be out in the world!

OMG, I absolutely loved this book and can't believe I haven't read the two prior books that TJ Alexander has written but I will correct that before the end of this year.
Second chances in New Port Stephen is about Eli, a trans guy, who goes back home to Florida for the holidays. As you can imagine, Florida is not the most welcoming state to trans people in the US right now and on top of that, you mix vacation with the family (such a stressful time) and to top things of he runs into Nick Wu, his high school boyfriend!
I loved how this book manage to talk about heavy topics with elegance and an other line of hope (ie Florida is restricting life saving hormone therapy for trans people, redefining your sexuality/gender later in life, etc). I loved Nick and Eli and how they slowly start re-conecting again and following back in love. This book made me cry, laugh and smile and I highly recommend it.

There are many things to love about this book! First, the protagonists are almost 40. I love that they are aging people who are finding love and making changes in theirs lives. Second, there is a trans man main character who is almost 40. The sense that he came to the place where he could be his gender in his 30s and be very settled in his skin. His characterization as such felt very real. Third, Nick is a great dad. The parenting and co-parenting with his ex was very beautifully handled. Lastly, this book is set in modern day Florida, a place infamous for its anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation right now. I feel like that was a brave choice and a good one. This book shows (which I'm sure is true in reality) that there are many people in Florida who do not support the current governor's war on - may I say? - everyone who is not white and cishet. I really enjoyed this story and will highly recommend it to readers who love LGBTQIA+ romance.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!

I’m trying to make an effort to read more books with trans main characters so I immediately picked this cute little romcom up. Eli is coming home for Christmas in his hometown in red Florida when he runs into his ex who is now a single dad.

Loved reading a book about someone in the Alphabet mafia in Florida- yes, we’re here, we’re queer, and we’re vocal about how extremist this state has become under certain, ahem, leadership.

I read a lot of mm but most of it is by straight white women and I need to do better about reading queer stories from queer people because the culture and references are FOOD.

So many things to love about this book: second chance, my current home state, trans mc, bipoc mc, winter holiday, mental illness rep, and queer awakening.

Okay I had bangxiety going into this third act but the slow burn does pay off!!! No penetration which I know is realistic because not every queer couple engages in penetration but I did miss that.

Overall, I loved it. I will definitely be putting TJ’s debut novel Chef’s Kiss onto my TBR.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
POV: Dual 3rd