I usually enjoy Chandra's books but this one sorta bored me. I don;t now. I loved the STEM and cuteness over it, but something was missing. But it was light and fun

In the realm of contemporary literature, Chandra Blumberg's "Second Tide's The Charm" emerges as a captivating and poignant tale that unravels the complexities of love, second chances, and the healing power of the ocean. At its core, the novel explores the tumultuous journey of Hope Evans, a marine biologist, as she embarks on a summer research expedition aboard the vessel of her ex-lover, Adrian Hollis-Parker. From the outset, Blumberg masterfully sets the stage for a compelling narrative, introducing readers to Hope, a resilient and determined young woman grappling with the aftermath of a past relationship. Her decision to accept a position on Adrian's research boat is laden with conflicting emotions, as she grapples with the prospect of working in close quarters with the man who once held her heart. As Hope and Adrian navigate the uncharted waters of their newfound professional partnership, they are forced to confront their unresolved feelings and the lingering wounds of their past. Blumberg skillfully weaves together their perspectives, delving into the depths of their characters and motivations, allowing readers to empathize with their struggles and root for their potential reconciliation. Beyond the central love story, "Second Tide's The Charm" also shines a light on the fascinating world of marine biology and shark research. Blumberg's extensive knowledge of this field is evident in the vivid descriptions of underwater expeditions, the intricacies of shark behavior, and the importance of conservation efforts. The novel seamlessly blends scientific facts with fictional storytelling, creating a rich and immersive experience for readers. The backdrop of the ocean serves as a powerful metaphor throughout the narrative, mirroring the emotional journey of Hope and Adrian. The unpredictable nature of the sea parallels the uncertainty of their relationship, while the vastness and beauty of the underwater world reflects the potential for healing and renewal. In prose that is both lyrical and evocative, Blumberg captures the essence of longing, regret, and the enduring power of love. "Second Tide's The Charm" is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative nature of second chances. It is a story that will resonate with readers long after they turn the final page, leaving them with a profound sense of hope and the belief that love can indeed conquer all.

thank you so much to netgalley & the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review

i really really wanted to love this one. the idea was something new to me in romance books (marine biologists), and the cover and title instantly drew me in. unfortunately, it was a bit of a drag for me due to it being dialogue heavy. but, that is just my personal preference, and if you prefer heavy dialogue, i definitely would recommend this! it just wasn’t my cup of tea, but i’d be interested in trying this author out again in the future

I loved this book so much! It was cute, nerdy, and soo heartfelt! The characters were so captivating and personal growth of Hope, Adrian, and even his family, felt so realistic. Second Tides the Charm felt like home.

Slow Burn novels aren't normally my favorite sometimes I find myself struggling to stay interested with them. This book however had the perfect combination of interesting plot combined with Second Chance Romance, forced proximity and found family vibes that it kept me hooked.
The marine biologist turned internet influencer cinnamon roll male main character, Adrian, was absolutely adorable. The reasons behind Hope's departure from the relationship were understandable and relatable. I found myself cheering and rooting for them to rediscover their love for eachother very quickly. I enjoyed this book so much that I will have to purchase a physical copy to add to my shelves and reread.

This was one of my most anticipated books of the year and it did not disappoint. Bring on more books with MCs as zookeepers, aquarists, and wildlife biologists! This was a cute, closed-door, second chance romance between two shark researchers who never quite figured out how to make it all work. First of all, I loved how passionate both Adrian and Hope were about the sharks and how much they loved sharing their knowledge. This one had quite a few really funny moments and I had to laugh at some of the situations Hope got herself into. This would make the perfect summer read, especially if you love marine life like me! Thanks @netgalley and @harlequinbooks for my copy! This one comes out August 6 so make sure to add it to your tbr.

I’d like to thank NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Canary Street Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book had all the makings of a cute second chance romance but didn’t quite deliver. Two marine biologists both dedicated to their career with so much in common; perfect right?

The book failed to capture my attention. I oftentimes found myself bored with the storyline and it’s redundancy; making it difficult to finish.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for anyone's review.
Hope and Adrian's story has so much to make it great. I mean they're exes who didn't exactly breakup but did and now might have a second chance since they're all they can think of for the past 3 years. However, the book fails to pull me in despite the author's efforts to highlight every charcter individually and even more so, show Hope's quirky mannerisms. At best this book is 2.5 stars out of 5 and that's being generous because I felt like it could have done better.

"I know putting their all into each other and our family fulfills them, but I could never be content to subsist on love alone. Sooner or later, I'd have to compromise..." - Second Tide's the Charm

Usually second chance romances are my go-to read, but this book's cover and blurb were too interesting to pass up! As someone who grew up obsessed with shark and ocean documentaries, I found Hope's ambitions and interests to be very relatable. The fact that the author mentioned Dr. Eugenie Levy (as a librarian I am always recommending her biography as a STEM resource for girls!) just shows that she did her research and it made the scientist team of characters feel authentic. I appreciate when a contemporary romance book actually has authentic descriptions of the characters' jobs/interests.

Even though the novel's focus is on Hope and Adrian's relationship, the supporting characters are just as entertaining. Marissa in particular was a character who caught my attention. As an asexual woman myself, I appreciated that Marissa's disinterest in romantic relationships was respected by her friends in this book. And the fact that she still enjoyed matchmaking? That read as so believable to me. I love to hear about my friends' dating lives too, even though I personally have no interest in dating.

Overall this book not only had a well-developed, will-they-won't-they romantic storyline, but a found family vibe that felt safe and comforting. The plot is low stakes enough to be a comfort read, but the slow burn romance definitely isn't boring! The reader will come to admire Hope and Adrian as individuals, and root for them to find their way back to each other in the end.

So after seeing this cover and reading that there were sharks, I was totally sold on this book. Second chance romance is probably my least favorite trope, but I was willing to overlook that because again - SHARKS. There was a lot I loved about this book - it was clear that the author was well versed in the marine biology/shark research field and that was seamlessly woven into the book rather than feeling awkwardly shoved in. I appreciated the way the book lightly touched on the importance of representation in the field of shark science (I mean - women in STEM! crucial!), though I do wish it leaned a bit more into that because there was so much room for that conversation within the existing plot. It was still fabulous though. And I loved Marissa, Zuri, and Gabe as secondary characters - they really enhanced parts of the storyline.

One of the things I struggled with in the book was how dialogue heavy it was and how much miscommunication/pure lack of communication there was. There were parts where I was practically screaming at the book "just talk to each other already!!". Sometimes Adrian and Hope just got a little too stuck in their feels. Hence my 3.75 star rating (which for me is still high!).

This was still an absolutely fun read and filled my shark romance dreams. I would recommend for sure, especially if you like sharks, second chance romance, and fun conversations on science and influencer culture.

Thanks to NetGalley and Canary Street Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review

I received a copy of this for my honest review.

This is a story of second chances. Our FMC and MMc had been together 6 years, when her best friends husband died in a car crash. She gives up her boyfriend and career studying sharks to help her out - and their relationship instead of ending just ghosts. 3 years later she is ready to be back in her field of choice, but to do that she ends up on a summer job with her ex. The passion for sharks and each other is still there, but so is the hurt of not reaching out. Will they be able to work together, will they becomes friends or will the fire that never truly went out reignite?

A light, STEM romance about two marine biologists reconnecting after years apart. We follow Hope and Adrian and how they rediscover their love for each other whilst working together. Cute and easy to read, I recommend this if you like sharks and STEM romances with no spice as there was none in this novel.

I did find tit to be extremely dialogue heavy which bogged it down a wee bit and took me longer to read. 2.5 stars.

If you are a fan of second chance romance, this fits the bill. Hope and Adrian were together for almost 6 years when Hope went to help her friend Zuri after the tragic loss of her husband. They drifted apart and broke up. It wasn't a horrible breakup with lies and cheating, it was one with fear and lack of communication. They were both heartbroken. After 3 years, Hope needs to get her career back on track and reaches out to Adrian's cousin and ends up working with her and Adrian for the summer. Things are tense because he's different, but they're both still in love with each other. There's a lot of fighting their feelings and fear of the future here, but the HEA is achieved. There's also a lot of shark love here.
I received this ARC from Netgalley and this review is my own.

A second chance romance, but one where the couple didn’t have a horrible breakup. Yes, still heartbreaking, but it’s not like one person cheated or did something so horrible it would be hard to forgive them. This is the kind of second chance romance I love!

Really enjoyed all the nerdy shark facts since I’m quite nerdy myself. Hope and Adrian are super cute together and I loved the supportive secondary characters. Low spice for those who aren’t big on that!

Thanks to NetGalley and Canary Street Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for Second Tides the Charm to come out August 6, 2024.

“Second Tide’s the Charm” is a second chances romance by Chandra Blumberg. What attracted me to this book, must admit, was that cover - adorable artwork that really tells what this book is about. I really liked that the characters in this book were more mature (though I think the original breakup really needed someone to act like the adult and talk about a lack of communication) but also willing to try, on the second go round, to work on things that didn’t work out the first time. I really liked the shark facts and research information. I actually would’ve preferred a bit more about the sharks, but this is a romance book not a non-fiction book. If you’d like a light romance with two characters rediscovering each other, this book may be one to check out. I rounded this book up to 4 stars, but for me it was probably a 3.5 - solidly written and cute.

this was such a cute and fun book! i loved that it was about two marine biologists; it made for a really unique story. if you like forced proximity and second chance romances - do yourself a favor and read this book.

thank you to netgalley and HTP for the arc!!