Thank you Atria Books for sending me a copy of Second Chances in New Port Stephen by TJ Alexander! This was the perfect read for around the holidays. I really enjoyed this book, it was a second chance romance (if you didn’t already pick that up from the title), single dad trope, MM romance, with “older” characters (late 30s). Eli is a trans male who comes home to Florida because he lost his job in New York. He runs into his high school ex boyfriend and they reconnect. As they reconnect, they start to realize that maybe they never stopped loving each other, they had broken up in high school because they didn’t want to try a long distance relationship. The frustration from how clueless Nick and Eli were about their feelings for each other was adorable, but at some points just too much. Sometimes it felt like they were two high school students just starting a relationship, not two 39 year olds, one who is divorced with a daughter and the other who has been in many relationships and dating situations. The only thing I didn’t like, was the epilogue. I could have been happy imagining how their life panned out. The epilogue at the end of this book just didn’t seem to fit with the storyline. No spoilers here, but you will understand once you get there. Overall, I really liked this book, it was adorable and swoon worthy, with a couple spicy scenes! 4 stars!

I’ve loved everything written by TJ Alexander. This is such a great story with amazing trans rep. I don’t always love second chance romances but this was an interesting new take on an old trope. Eli and Nick were in love as teenagers, back before Eli went by Eli. Nick has always thought he was straight but when he reunites with his ex who is now an out trans man, he starts to question things. In other books with trans MCs, steamy scenes will graphically depict the cis characters but vaguely depict trans characters, like they just have black holes down there, like it’s too complicated or controversial to describe so they just don’t. This book paid equal tribute to both characters in a very respectful and loving way. Their romance was sweet and I really adored Nick’s daughter, Zoe.

Thank you to Atria for the eARC widget via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I absolutely recommend this read - overall it’s heartwarming and great for the holiday season, with a few spicy scenes. I started by listening to the audio but ended by reading the digital ARC because I wanted to get to the ending faster!
Second Chances in New Port Stephen was an unexpectedly fun read - the MCs are in their forties, one is a divorced dad with a precocious daughter, and the other is home for Christmas in Florida. There is a healthy balance of serious topics (alcoholism, the state of Florida, trans and queer issues) with a revisited high school romance, though a lot has changed since high school. The characters are (mostly) sweet. I appreciated how Eli’s parents and friends really tried to give him the space he needed, and I wish Eli had been a bit more cognizant of that, but it made for showing his character’s growth!

While this is Alexander's third romcom, it is my first by them. It definitely has some heavy topics, but they are told with a lot of care. I loved the humor and swoony moment between Eli and Nick.

I loved this book in a way that makes me fundamentally sad it's my first TJ Alexander book, because this was absolutely delightful. I get so personally attached to MCs that have great banter with each other, and Eli and Nick had that in spades. I both liked and was made uncomfortable by the backdrop of present-day Florida for the story, it added another layer to Eli's depression about being back there and being stuck. Really, there were a ton of potentially weighty topics that came up in this, but never felt too weighted down by them, and I would consider that a triumph, to keep the story rooted in the time place and circumstances it's being told in, but still letting it breathe and be light when it could. His parents were an interesting study in (one example of) what it's like to love a trans person through their transition, and what to do about the memories and the memorabilia of a life that has complicated layers for one of the people who lived through it. I felt so bad for them through many portions of the book because they were absolutely doing their best in every way, but they had no way to dodge the landmines that were Eli's complicated emotional reactions and outbursts.

This was so close to a 5 star for me, I think if I had the mental bandwidth to deal in half- and quarter-stars, it would be higher, but there were a few things that held me back from that.
1. This was very much Eli's story, to the detriment of Nick. And sometimes that's okay for a book to do, sometimes even with dual-POV stories, you can end up with a main character and a love interest instead of two main characters and that can really work for the story being told. But Nick had enough going on with his weirdly shaped family and coming out journey and midlife identity crisis that I don't think he was intended to take a backseat, but to me all of his struggles felt secondary
2. The miscommunication with the phone call... babes, loves of my life, why in the fuck are you so dumb.
3. Eli's interactions with his parents didn't read anywhere NEAR a 40 year old to me. I know there's a lot to be said for queer people experiencing age at different rates because childhoods got stunted with all the secrets they had to keep and the tension they had to bear, and there's also a lot to say for being back home after so many years away and falling back into old patterns, but it was just a little too jarring for me. Whenever Eli and Nick were together and talking about their old knees and ages (which was so many of their conversations lmao) it felt fake that they were that old because Eli just never read that to me.

These things in no way stopped this from being a book that really resonated with me, and that I'm going to spend a fair amount of time thinking about. I really hope it's enough motivation to finally pick up TJ's other books from the shelf and get around to them. TBRs are so hard y'all...

This is a well done second chance romance with a twist.
Eli is a trans guy who’s been working as a writer on a comedy TV show until it was recently cancelled. He reluctantly goes home to his parents in Florida at Christmas. His parents are understanding but their house still has pictures of him before his transition.

Eli knows he’s going to see his high school ex, Nick, who was his best friend growing up. Nick is divorced and has part custody of his charming daughter. When he and Eli meet again and start hanging out, it feels like old times. As they visit places they knew in high school, Nick realizes his feelings for his ex haven’t changed and he tries to work through this realization, especially when he finds that Eli feels the same way about him.

I liked how the author navigated the complicated emotions throughout the book, with his parents and with Nick. 4 stars.

This book made me smile like no other book has done this holiday season and I can’t recommend enough.

Thank you for @bookclubfavorites for the gifted copy!!

The book follows Eli, a trans man down on his luck returning home for the holidays and moving back in with his parents. A chance encounter has him face to face with his high school ex Nick, who’s now a father to a precocious little girl. Turns out the two have gone through a lot of changes since they last saw one another but the spark is still there.

I loved Eli and Nick so so much. There was so much care and understanding as their lives once again intersected. The second chances come now only with their rekindling but with Eli finding joy in being home with his parents. There’s a moment in this book between Eli and his parents that had me simultaneously laughing and crying it was so beautiful and I don’t want to spoil it!

The pair are approaching their 40s and I thought it was refreshing to see no matter the age, there’s still a lot of self discovery to do!!

*thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review*

Oh. My. God. This was EVERYTHING I was hoping for from TJ Alexander. I DEVOURED this. I loved everything about it. I have nothing bad to say about it. I love it all and want more of Eli and Nick <3

If you’re looking for a queer holiday romance that has a trans main character and is MM, I highly recommend Second Chances in New Port Stephen!!!!!!!

Trigger Warnings: transphobia, past death of a parent, racism, alcoholism, child custody battle, sex, alcohol, past fatal car accident, cursing, discussion of Florida’s politics, drunk boat driving (not main characters)

Representation: Transgender, Lesbian, Gay, Asian, Queer

Second Chances in New Port Stephen is a rom-com about family and second chances. A trans man returns to his Florida hometown for Christmas after his career goes up in flames, only to cross paths with his high school ex.

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. 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.

I love TJ Alexander's writing. This book is so sweet and the inclusion of various types of families really shines throughout. The love story is also great and I very much enjoyed our leads, as well as the chorus of supporting characters. Eli and Nick are such an adorable couple with their instant rapport, teasing, and banter. I loved how seamlessly they fall back into their old rapport. The obstacles they faced together are very realistic and the author handles them with care. I also loved how the author incorporates various LGBTQ+ terms and answers to questions that people may have about transgender people. Besides the romance, I really enjoyed the individual stories that both Eli and Nick had with their families and personal lives. Overall, this was another home-run from this author!

This was a beautiful story about a trans gay man coming back to his hometown for Christmas and also running into his childhood sweetheart. This is a love story with 40 year old main characters which is just lovely to read. All the side characters were great and I loved getting the dual POV.

Thank you to netgalley and Atria books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

To me, this book was like a warm hug. Loved the trans male MC. Loved the Christmas story set in a warm climate. Loved the second chance romance. Loved all of the representation. I ended up listening to the audiobook and it was done so well!

Eli has returned home to New Port Stephen as a new person. While he loves his family, they’re a lot to take in.

Just when he thinks things can’t get any more over the top, he bumps into his high school ex, Nick. Nick is not hotter than ever. Nick’s divorced and his world revolves around his daughter.

As the two start talking, they must decide if they want to leave the past in the past, or move on…together.

This book did such a great job highlighting some very sexually diverse characters. I think that the issues highlighted were done tactfully and well. I loved that this was set around the holidays, and some real family issues were touched on and it made it feel real. It was nice to see how the characters dealt with some very real issues surrounding homophobia and transphobia. I find it sad that we are still struggling with issues like this as a society in the current day and age. Nick and Eli were a special couple, and I loved their journey. The way they listened and grew together was fabulous and real. Because they were willing to grow together the romance blossomed and grew into something amazing. The side characters were great, but Zoe was my favorite. I always get a kick out of fun side characters that help the main characters shine.

This was my first book by this author, but I can’t believe it! Where have I been? I can’t wait to read more.

This book review was featured on my blog: speedreadstagram.com

I absolutely adored this book and hope you pick it up.

5 STARS!!!!!!!

I absolutely LOVED "Second Chances in New Port Stephens" by TJ Alexander!! The trans and demisexual representations are some of the best I have ever read. It's going to be hard to rival the queer joy on display in this book. I was so immensely happy and reading this. Eli and Nick are characters I won't soon forget. They both forged their way into my soul and heart. TJ Alexander did an incredible job bringing Eli and Nick's love story to life. Whereas other second-chance romances often feel too cliche, Eli and Nick's story offers equal parts nostalgia and rediscovery, which makes this story feel new and fresh. Eli and Nick both have a lot to learn about themselves, and they do it all while supporting each other. They tugged on my heartstrings, they made me laugh alongside them, they made me blush as they uncovered each other in more intimate ways, they made me sad for the discrimination they face, and they made me think about myself and my own life and my own journey. I openly wept multiple times while reading this book. The part with the pictures (IYKYK)? The part where Nick explains to his daughter Zoe who Eli is to him? I haven't read such touching dialogue in a long, long time. You MUST read this book. The banter is off-the-charts good. The story is layered, intricate, and emotional, with a touch of holiday dysfunction. There's not a ton of trauma here, it's just a touching, beautiful, heartfelt, cute, funny, important, brilliant book that I highly, highly recommend with my full heart and soul. TJ Alexander is and forever will be on my auto-buy authors list!

Thank you to NetGalley, TJ Alexander, Atria Books, and Emily Bestler Books for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

This was a perfect second chance romance! I am not always a fan of second chance romances, but the reasons why things didn't work out the first time around made for the second chance to be very believable. I loved both MCs even if Eli was sometimes a little bit annoying. It was in an endearing way. The side characters and setting also helped make this a thoroughly enjoyable read. I will definitely recommend this one.

I cannot recommend Second Changes in New Port Stephen enough! As a progressive living in a red state, the feeling and the atmosphere TJ Alexander created in this funny, heartwarming holiday book absolutely rang true. Sometimes it can feel lonely in these parts, but reading books like this can make you feel less alone. TJ Alexander created two wonderful, well-drawn characters in Eli and Nick that you really care about. I'm usually not one for second chance romances because I always feel like I'm playing "catch up" with the characters, but the trope was used very effectively to explore how Eli and Nick have changed as people over the years and how in some ways they had both stayed the same. I also loved that the characters were both pushing 40; not only because the 90s nostalgia was so fun, but how each character felt and approached this stage in life wrang true. 5 stars! Can't wait to read more from this author.

While this wasn't my favorite book of TJ's, it had the same page-turning quality I love so much about Chef's Choice and Chef's Kiss. The main characters felt fully developed. The only thing that kept this from being a 5 star read was that I found some elements to be a bit cheesy.

4.5 stars, but rounded to 5 for NetGalley

Second Chances in New Port Stephen was a fun, heartfelt holiday romance with lots of great characters and representation.

I really loved both Eli and Nick as our POV characters. Their internal world's and struggles were unique and interesting, plus they had great chemistry together.

There were many laugh-out-loud moments throughout the book, but also important discussions surrounding sexuality, identity, and trans rights (particularly in Florida right now).

My only minor issues with the story was that Zoe didn't quite feel like a 4 year-old kid to me (occasionally saying and doing things that felt older than her age). Also, Eli could be very immature when it came to his parents and going off on them for no reason and not apologizing until much later.

But otherwise, I really loved reading a romance with a trans MC and the spicy scenes were great. Definitely recommend this one for a queer Xmas read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced copy of this title. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.

✨ Review ✨ Second Chances in New Port Stephen by T.J. Alexander

Okay this book was a total Christmas-time delight. Set in the not-so-conventional holiday story land of Florida, Eli comes home again after decades away. He re-meets Nick, his high school boyfriend, from before he transitioned, and the two strike up a quick friendship again. Nick, recently divorced and with a young daughter Zoe, finds a new kind of fun and happiness in Eli that he's missed in recent years.

The book is a queer delight -- in how it tackles trans identity, what it's like to be queer and living in Florida, finding your queerness later in life, and so much more. And it does it all with thoughtfulness and respect and care.

I'd also say the book didn't feel overly heavy on the romance and at times felt more like a "coming-of-forties" book.

Favorite moments:
-Nick and Eli at New Port Stephen's new gay bar
-Eli and Zoe bonding over the manatee
-Eli's parents and Nick's dad and the work they put into understanding Eli
-the flamingo with the santa hat on the cover

I want more TJ Alexander!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)
Genre: m/m romance
Setting: Florida
Pub Date: December 5, 2023

Read this if you like:
⭕️ Christmas/holiday books that don't overdo the holiday
⭕️ excellent trans representation
⭕️ FL governor digs
⭕️ cuteness overload

Thanks to Atria, Simon & Schuster and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book! #BookClubFavorites

TJ Alexander has become one of my favorite authors this year. I was so excited for this book & I'm so happy I got a chance to read it early! Second Chances in New Port Stephen covers a large variety of deep and important topics like alcoholism, anti-transgender legislation, and miscommunication with family while still remaining a light-hearted rom com.

Eli moved away from his hometown in Florida to NYC. Since then Eli's transitioned and hasn't returned to his hometown until now. He's between jobs and is back at his parents' house for the holidays. Upon arriving, he runs into his first love, Nick, who now has a 6 year old daughter named Zoe. When the festivities with family get to be too much, Eli and Nick "run away" to the beach that they used to call theirs in high school. The more time they spend together, feelings start re-surfacing.

I was absolutely swooninggg when Nick explained what it means to be transgender to his daughter, Zoe. And her response was absolutely incredible! Moments like this between TJ Alexander's characters are the reason I love their writing style & books so much!

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria, and TJ Alexander for sending me an early copy!

Cute book. I liked the characters and the story was enjoyable. I need to check out more from this author.