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This was just so… 💗. Loved these two characters. Eli coming home for the holidays not doing well with work and maybe staying there for good. Reconnecting with an old friend/ex who was also his first love. This connection started Nick, his ex, on a path of self discovery since he still feels for Eli though when they dated it was before Eli transitioned.
Loved Nick's ex wife helping him with some identities that might fit to help him start. But his ex's mom was very intolerant of queer people and immigrants. Which is hard to listen to since he's Asian which makes her grandchild half white and half Asian, she's intolerable. But there are those people out there especially around trans, queer and people of color. Love Nick's daughter Zoe. She's so sweet and connects well with Eli.
There are a bunch of obstacles in their way to being together. So many! Life, family, work, location, identity, etc.
Haven't read a romcom second chance romance from high school after transition and this one worked so well for me.

Thank you atriabooks for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

Second Chances in New Port Stephen is the sweetest holiday read; just enough Christmas vibes but unique, heartfelt, and delightfully Queer. I think this book nails the spirit of Christmas- connecting with your family. TJ Alexander gave us an endearing romance along with a powerful journey of healing and forgiveness.

Eli travels back to Florida to spend Christmas with his family where he runs into his former best friend and ex-boyfriend, single dad, Nick Wu. Nick doesn’t recognize Eli at first; Eli has transitioned since he last saw Nick. Even though Eli looks different, their shared history allows them to pick up where they left off.

Eli’s parents aren’t perfect, but they try hard. The scene where they re-create their family pictures was one of my favorites of all time- so cute. What a perfect way to show acceptance and unconditional support for Eli.

“I want you to expect it from now on, okay? Expect the effort.”

TJ Alexander perfectly captures toddlerhood in Zoe- she is full of hilarious one-liners and curiosity. Nick is a wonderful father, the gentlest parent. And overall, Nick is just the best. He is a little bit awkward, very kind, always blushing but certain in his growing feelings for Eli. His wiki searches, I die.

Tropes & Things
•Florida setting
•Queer awakening
•Dual POV
•Single Dad
•2nd chance
•Trans rep
•Supportive parents, parents who try
•Elder millennials (late 30’s)
•Complicated feelings with coming home
•Making a life for yourself

Read if you liked:
•We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian
•Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail by Ashley Herring Blake
•Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn

Thank you so much to Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the e-ARC; all thoughts are my own.

I had high hopes for this after some trusted rave reviews and loving Chef's Choice earlier this year, and Alexander delivered! Eli and Nick were both hilarious and charming in their own ways and I loved their chemistry.

Eli, a trans man, returns to his hometown New Port Stephen, Florida, for the holidays...err maybe for the longterm after losing his last writing job (but he can't tell his parents this, they'd be disappointed in him!). It's not long before he runs into his high school ex, Nick Wu, who handles his new name and pronouns well, but he's always been straight...

This is a beautiful story of Nick and Eli overcoming their insecurities (and occasional miscommunications) and learning to let old love reignite as they fall back into each other's lives. Nick was so strongly curious about his sexuality without being self judgmental or angsty about it--it was healing to read. Meanwhile, Eli is a bit grump who grapples with his insecurity about losing his job, failing to get another one, and returning home to land in his parents' safety net.

Read if you love:
- characters in their late 30s/early 40s
- a single dad with an exceptionally healthy coparenting situation with his ex
- an adorable daughter named Zoe
- trans rep, gay rep, queer & questioning rep
- lots of Florida shenanigans & jokes

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC.

Second Chances In New Port Stephen is a joyous queer holiday read that shows you can go home again, have a happy holiday with your family, and find love again in the process. Eli returns home for Christmas after his transition, but his parents don’t know that it might be a permanent move since he lost his job in NY. When Eli bumps into his long-time friend and recently divorced high school boyfriend Nick who he hasn’t seen since high school, they rekindle their friendship. They both wonder if it could be something more, but Eli always thought that Nick was straight. I loved Eli and Nick reuniting about their love and friendship, and the way Nick dealt with discovering his sexuality. If you want an enjoyable Christmas story, I highly recommend this book.

This is my third book by TJ Alexander. They’re one of my favorites for creating well-rounded, empathetic characters with beautiful love stories that acknowledge the challenges and rewards of living authentically. They don’t shy away from the awkward/sensitive conversations but also do them in a way that is so kind and respectful and sometimes hilarious. That alone sets them apart. Second Chances in New Port Stephens is another sweet love story with an enormous emotional journey raging under the surface. The holiday setting makes it perfect for right now, but it’s not a holiday romance in the traditional sense, so you can definitely enjoy it any time. If you like any of the small town, second chance, friends to lovers, single dad, queer awakening tropes, then this one is for you. It’s LOVELY! Thank you Atria Books and #NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for my honest review.

"𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘺 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴. 𝘐'𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘵. 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘱 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘮𝘦. 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦'𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦."

In addition to being a truly sweet second-chance romance, this book was actually also quite educational for me.

As a straight, white woman - I don't pretend to know what queer people go through on a daily basis, but I'm always willing to learn new things, and find ways to make people's lives even a little easier.

This book taught me a lot about being transgender, and also all about the process of figuring out who you truly are.

A big thank you to @atriabooks and @netgalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for this review!
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#bookstagram #booksta #books #booksbooksbooks #avidreader #ilovereading #thetwistedlibrarian #professionalbookworm #tjalexander #secondchancesinnewportstephen #whatsnikkireading #book92of2023 #secondchanceromance #transgender #questioningsexuality #learningwhoyouare #atriabooks #netgally

Thank you @BookClubFavorites #BookClubFavorites for the free book!

After losing his job, Eli is back to his hometown of New Port Stephen, Florida for the first time in years. He has not returned home since transitioning and becoming sober and his life could not be more different. One the first day of his trip, Eli runs into his first love/high school ex and the two immediately begin to reconnect in ways neither of them expected.

This is by far my favorite of TJ Alexander’s books (and I LOVED Chef’s Kiss so that is saying a lot). I am a sucker for a first loves reconnecting romance and this one was just perfection. It was the sweetest second chance romance and I adored Nick and Eli’s relationship and how it evolved. There was no big miscommunication or drama - their conflict was more about needing to understand themselves. I couldn’t help but root for them throughout the book - both as individuals and as a couple. I also adored both Eli and Nick’s families and how incredibly supportive they were. Zoe, Nick’s daughter, stole the show for the scene she was in and was the cutest character. This story had the perfect sprinkle of holiday spirit and made my heart feel all warm and fuzzy.

I loved how accepting Nick was of Eli’s transition and true self. I also appreciated how Eli’s family was trying to be better and more supportive. I loved the exploration of sexuality, identities, and what a relationship looks like. I can’t wait for TJ Alexander’s next book!

- I love absolutely everything about SECOND CHANCES IN NEW PORT STEPHEN. Queer exploration and discovery! Second chances! Funny and serious! Older main characters!
- I loved that Eli and Nick are almost 40 - they have lived whole lives before finding their way back to each other. I loved that they both discovered the queer parts of themselves "later" in life, and that it's treated as perfectly fine and normal.
- This book is so funny and tender, but it also doesn't brush away the reality of being a queer person in a state like Florida.

This was my first book by this author and I will absolutely read more from them in the future. While dealing with some seriously heavy subject matter, it does so with a levity that is needed in this world at this particular time (which makes sense since one of the main characters is a comedian). I've often wondered how families and friends deal with the unexpected realities for trans men and women, but it is not something I would ever ask outright. This story gave me the perfect view from the outside about the inner feelings of a trans person as well as those around them trying to accept and understand them and their feelings in the best way possible. Eli and Nick are proof that when you are meant to be, you are meant to me and that is all that really matters. The fear of what is going on currently in Florida is something I think about every day and I can't imagine how trans and queer people must feel on the regular in this country.

I've enjoyed both of TJ Alexander's books so far so I had high hopes for this one and it doesn't disappoint. This is a second chance small town romance with MCs quickly approaching 40.

Eli is a trans man and he's going home to his small town in Florida for the holidays, except it might be longer because his job fell through. He's got a lot of mixed feelings about being home and in a state so hateful towards trans people. One night he runs into his ex Nick, but Nick doesn't immediately recognize him.

Nick is certifiably straight if you ask Eli, but he's having his own questioning coming of age moment. He has a daughter and an ex wife and has stayed in New Port Stephen his whole life. He wasn't expecting Eli to come back into his life.

It's hard to write a fiction book with a comedian main character. For me that's where this book kind of lost me. I didn't think Eli was very funny ever and it didn't translate super well to the page. I really did like Eli's own inner monologues about how it felt to be back in Florida and around his family and especially about what a relationship with Nick would mean but I also was so aggravated by him at points. Just because you're gay does not mean you get to tell people that they're straight. You should know better! And this is definitely a case of these are just character traits of the main character and not a reflection on the author. Semi-likeable main characters are a thing and it was fine and I liked Eli most of the time but sometimes man, I was annoyed.

I really liked Nick though. I loved his relationship with his daughter and his ex-wife. I loved his queer questioning journey that he went on including researching and learning about demisexuality. I loved everything about him. It is way too common in books to have queer or questioning men absolutely be misogynistic assholes or have really terrible feelings about women or the women that they've been in relationships with and I can gladly say that does not happen here at all. Nick doesn't know what flavor of queer he is but he knows that he enjoyed his past relationships with both Eli and his ex-wife and is looking forward to a relationship with Eli so learning about which label fits him and if he wants a label was really nice.

Overall this book did drag a little bit for me. There were a couple really memorable moments but I think it's my least favorite of this author's books so far. It is still a great book and one I'll definitely recommend it. It does take place around the holiday time so it's a great one to read this time of year.

Trans gay MC, questioning maybe demisexual MC

Explicit content on page

This was a lovely second-chance queer romance, though it's certainly not all light and fluffy. I very much appreciate TJ Alexander's content warning at the beginning and the thorough plot synopsis. But for a mostly fun Florida-centered trans mlm holiday romance, you really can't go wrong wit this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! I am a huge fan of TJ’s books, and the concept for this one was beyond exciting for me. A gay trans guy and a second chance romance with his high school boyfriend who is figuring out his own sexuality as he nears 40 - what a totally unique concept, and seeing a book like this get published is just amazing. I didn’t feel a ton of chemistry between Nick and Eli - this book is more fluff than spice, for sure - but it’s also just awesome to see trans people have some representation as being worthy of love, sex, and respect by those who care about them. Couldn’t recommend this book more to queer + trans folks!

10/10 no notes. TJ Alexander is a must-read author for me, and this book once again knocked it out of the park. It's a perfect second-chance love story full of manatees, Florida Man jokes, tacky beachy Christmas decorations, and big feels. (TJ, if you're reading this, please write Max's book someday, thanks in advance.)

I think this is only the third book out of 600+ that I've given 5 stars. I love TJ Alexander's writing. This book was so sweet. Lots of family of origin stuff, with one family relationship strong all the way through, a second not great but the parents rose to be so much better, and a third so toxic that the adult child had to find a way to separate for their own health.

The love story was great and I so enjoyed the secondary characters.

Thank you, TJ Alexander for writing books that not only are sweet, but also make me feel seen and hopeful that us queer folk will make it.

TJ Alexander is a great author - I’ve read their three books now, and this one, Second Chances in New Port Stephen, is by far my favourite of theirs! I enjoyed the two Chef’s Kiss series, but this one - this is the true chef’s kiss!

There aren’t enough trans and non-binary characters or representation in romance, so having TJ Alexander and their books with personal experience and so much heart is a real treat. Eli and Nick’s story was so beautiful! I really loved Nick’s father who, when reintroduced to Eli, was so gracious and easygoing, and Nick’s daughter, who like many children, asked her child-like invasive question, understood and moved on to the next topic.

Nick and Eli dated in high school - but Eli was a different person. Eli has returned to New Port Stephen for Christmas (not something he enjoys doing after transitioning), and when the pair reunites, Nick realizes that even though he thought he was straight, he might actually still love Eli, and the new person he is - and struggles to understand his position as whether he is straight or somewhere in the LGBTQ spectrum.

I loved it, and if you enjoyed Alexander’s previous books, you’ll love this one even more than the others, like I did! Absolutely recommend this to all readers of romance, especially those who enjoy great, steamy ones, with confused LGBTQ characters and with fantastic side characters.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Atria Books (Emily Bestler Books), and this is my honest feedback.

4 stars

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

I loved this contemporary LGBTQIA romance set during the Christmas holidays in Florida. After getting fired from his tv writing job, Eli returns to his childhood home in New Port Stephen, FL for the holidays. As he navigates dealing with his family and feelings, he runs into his high school ex Nick. Nick is divorced with a precocious 4 year old daughter and is running the local restaurant. Sparks fly between the couple, which only serves to confuse them both because the last time they dated, Eli was a teenage girl. At almost 40, he finally feels at one with his mind and body, and wants to selfishly protect the peace he's found within himself, despite his attraction to Nick. For his part, Nick is surprised that his feelings for Eli are still there, even if Eli's exterior doesn't match up with Nick's memories.

I really enjoyed the positive message of acceptance that runs throughout the book. All of the characters, except one, are accepting of Eli despite living in a state that would rather see him prohibited from entering it. Sadly, this felt a bit inauthentic to me because even though I and my friends are allies, the greater world around us is not. But, since the author can write any kind of book they want, set in any interpretation of the world they want, I can appreciate they wrote one in a world they would like to see.

I liked the way the author sprinkled terms and answers to questions that a lot of people may have to learn more about transgenders' lives and physical transformation without it feeling like reading a clinical manual. I found myself looking up terms that I was not familiar with and discussing them with my friends, which helped us all learn more.

Eli and Nick were such an adorable couple. The instant rapport, teasing, and banter they seamlessly fell into after a long time apart showed the depth of their connection and shared history. It felt like cuddling up with a warm hot chocolate on a cold winter night. The obstacles they faced were realistic, even if the resolutions were a bit too clean and easy. As I previously commented above, it all felt a bit too smooth to give it authenticity. But, I didn't care because I loved the characters and story so much.

If you're looking for an uplifting, non-traditional holiday book, this is just the ticket. I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Atria Books/Emily Bestler Books. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to Atria for the eARC.
I really liked a lot of aspects in this book. Nick and Zoe won me over with their father/daughter relationship right away. I think his character development and arc was so well done. Nick not only looked out for himself but was also shown in a positive coparenting situation, which I appreciated. Eli was relatable in the feelings of going home to a hometown that doesn't feel like home anymore. I think the author captured the tumultuous emotions so perfectly through Eli's POV. But I did feel that Eli didn't feel his age. There was no communication happening, and it was brought up a lot that he did go to therapy, so I was expecting some better communication skills here. I do think this will be a good holiday read for anyone that likes lots of representation in their stories, loves a second chance romance, and enjoys small children in books.

Hmmm. So this is a tough one to rate. There's a lot to love here:

- A traditionally published novel featuring a trans MC (Eli)? Glorious!
- A BIPOC love interest (Nick)? Love it!
- The love interest’s mixed race daughter and a few of the challenges this family faces trying to integrate extended family with disparate backgrounds? We need to see more diversity in family units in books!
- Eli’s musings on gender? So relatable. For me, an agender person who falls under the wider trans umbrella.
- Nick’s exploration of his sexuality? Again, so, so relatable. For me, whose sexuality is complicated and can't fit in a box.
- Older characters, all the references to the 90s, and that nostalgia people my age sometimes have for a time and place that, in hindsight, we can clearly see was so messed up? Amazing!

And yet, despite all that, I didn't find this book 100% enjoyable. And why? Sadly, I think Eli is kind of a jerk, and I'm not sure that it was the author’s intention to make this character unlikeable. I think I took it personally, the way Eli shuts down Nick’s hints that he (Nick) is questioning his sexuality. I had that happen to me in the past with a friend who was deeply uncomfortable not with varying sexualities generally, but with my changing understanding of my own sexuality specifically. To be told again and again that you're not this thing that you know you are freakin' sucks. I know how it feels Nick, and I'm sorry.

And I hated, hated the way Nick - so eager, so earnest, so lovely, so sweet - was constantly hearing from Eli that he (Nick) is nothing more than a one night stand despite the fact that Nick clearly wanted more. And, yeah, blah blah blah miscommunication and blah blah blah Eli was protecting his own heart...Eli, you jerk, you don't even have to put yourself out there; just let Nick finish a freakin' sentence so he can tell you he loves you. Gah!

In the end, I think it's a 3 star romance but 5 stars for tackling so many topics that authors so often shy away from. So I'm gonna say, let's meet in the middle and call this a 4 star book.

Another great book with wonderful representation of transgendered characters from T.J. Alexander that gets a solid five stars from me!

Our main characters were each others' first loves when they grew up in the small town of New Port Stephen in, Florida. Now it is ten years later and Eli has transitioned since he left the small town where his parents still live. His career is in the toilet,he is newly sober, and he is back in Florida which is a whole other ballgame from NYC. First love Nick is still in town, is father to a young daughter, and still attracted to Eli which brings up all sorts of questions.

I immensely enjoy the wit and humor that Alexander incorporates into themes that are sobering and thoughtful. The characters are so lovable even with their flaws that I instantly want them to be my friends. Eli with his acerbic tongue and a chip on his shoulder that has been earned with his challenges in life, is so dry and embarrassed so adorably by his parents. Nick is so sweet and caring with his daughter, and so matter of fact and forthright with the people in his life, that he becomes the perfect straight man to Eli. The people in their lives are all quirky and relatable and brought me so much joy throughout the story as well.

I'm a cis gender white woman in middle age, and have quickly learned that I have lots to learn about people different than I, and I love the diversity that is getting to be more common in publishing and hope to see more of it! I laughed at this book, learned from it and ljust plain loved it!


Thank you to Atria Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book.