I personally did not love this book. However, I would recommend this for people for who enjoy second chance romance, nautical settings, and sharks!
Hope and Adrian have been broken up for 3 years and now they're forced to work together. There is pining, there is angst, and the tension is palpable. This is very much a slow burn so if that's your jam, you'll love it.

An excellent summer romance set main in a caroline beach town. Two Shark researchers broke up three years ago. They have not talked since the breakup, but if Hope wants back into shark research world, she will have to work with Adrian for the summer. Can she handle being around her ex all summer?

It is an engaging story with a well developed characters. I was immidiately drawn in from the first page. Also I like the positive diction of sharks as there usually a creature that gets a bad rap and is seen as scary. I appperciate that Hope and a few other side characters were paving the way. They were showing that women could be succesful in this field. Of course women can be successful in any career they choose but I apperciate seeing it represented here.

Thanks for the ARC!!

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Second Tide’s the Charm by Chandra Blumberg is a dual first person-POV contemporary second-chance Black romance. When Hope is fired from her temporary job at her friend’s business, she starts looking to get back into her field of shark research. She finds a job with her friend, and Hope’s ex’s cousin, but doesn't realize the job will put her on a boat with Adrian, her ex. And she's not over him.

One of the things I really liked was that Hope and Adrian’s original relationship fell apart because they both stopped trying rather than a massive blow up or one kicking the other out. They drifted apart after Hope went to go help her friend, Zuri, after Zuri’s husband died and Hope wasn't quite ready to settle down with Adrian. The lack of closure really kept the door open for both Hope and Adrian to pursue something in the future and neither totally made peace with the situation even if both insisted nothing could happen again.

I think Adrian’s POV chapters might have been my favorite. I really related to how he moved around a lot as a kid because of his parents’ careers and his need for stability as a direct result of that. I could sense hints of possible anxiety as well. I did also really like Hope’s chapters and how she slowly opened up to Adrian about what happened while they were apart over the book.

I loved that this was a romance between shark researchers. I'm always down for a STEM romance and the marine biology angle was really fun while providing a work-related reason for all the close proximity. I wasn't expecting the social media aspect or for Adrian to be internet famous, but it didn't detract from the STEM aspects. Adrian’s videos are focused on teaching his viewers about sharks and correcting common misconceptions in a way that the layman can understand.

I would recommend this to readers of STEM romance, fans of contemporary Black romance looking for close proximity or a second-chance romance, and those looking for a romance that largely takes place on a boat.

Very cute second chance romance. I loved the main couple. The side characters were fun. The marine biology/shark content was awesome.

I could have done with a little more of a climactic event, but overall it was perfectly charming!

Thanks to Harlequin and Canary Street Press for providing an advanced digital copy for me to review!

the way that the romance writing formula was executed was too thinly veiled and made the characters clunky and hard to latch onto. i’m a little sad since everything about this book seemed up my alley. hoping the finished book is a more polished reality.

I love sharks. I love romance novels. I love second chance stories. I love this second chance romance novel about shark scientists/researchers.

Three years ago, Hope and Adrian’s six year relationship fizzled after Hope deleted her social media and long-distanced led to inaction. In the three years since, Adrian’s been building a following on his YouTube channel making educational shark content, and Hope’s been avoiding shark research at all costs. But when Hope finally decides she’s ready to chase her dreams again, she winds up back in a boat with Adrian, this time in front of millions of viewers. Can the two keep things strictly professional or will their history together rise to the surface?

Second Tide’s the Charm is a cute, closed door, second chance romance set in the world of shark research meets educational YouTube channel. In addition, to two characters that genuinely care about and want the best for one another, it was fun to learn a little more about shark science 🦈 My only slight critique would be that this story seemed to be more about Hope not only finding romance but overcoming her past and finding her way back to her career and because of that I think it would’ve made sense to just have her POV - at times Adrian’s arc seemed a bit less developed and like his POV didn’t add much. Overall, a fun summer time read!

Second Tide’s the Charm by Chandra Blumberg is set to publish on August 6, 2024. Thank you to Canary Street Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

THIS BOOK WAS SO DAMN CUTE. I have enjoyed Chandra Blumberg's other works and this is no different. Our MCs were long-term, long-distance partners as they both navigated academia. As a reader who has spent a lot of time in academia, this was so real, the fact that trying to make two academic careers works usually ends with someone having to give up their dream and their relationship just kind of...sputtered out. Fast forward a few years and Hope is looking to get back into "shark science" after taking a freshwater detour and ends up working with Adrian, who has parlayed a viral moment into a thriving science outreach social media channel. I loved how much Hope and Adrian's nerdery about sharks came through. As a weird kid who loved sharks and dinosaurs and other weird science things, getting people excited about what excites you, especially when its not conventional, is huge. The focus on science communication was wonderful, and especially done by two Black marine biologists. This is a fade to black romance and I felt that the tension was done immaculately. I loved it.

Pick this up on August 6th and pack it as your vacation beach read because you will zoom through this swoon worthy, closed door, second chance romance. I had such a great time reading this and genuinely rooted for these two to find their way back to one another. Absolutely adorable.

‘his kisses are a promise. we have time, his pace says. we have each other, my kisses reply.’

this was such a cute book!
from beginning to end i was giggling & kicking my feet. i found myself staying up later than usual just so that i could read another chapter, and another chapter after that. the characters of hope and adrian were so easy to love, their banter was cute, and i found myself getting invested in whether or not their story was going to end in the way that i hoped it would.
sharks are my absolute favorite and the topic of them being misunderstood, loved, and studied throughout the book made it that much more enjoyable as i haven’t read another romance book with that sort of subject intertwined.
the forced proximity on the water combined with the slow burn, second chance romance made this the perfect summer read and i am so glad that i was sent this book to review as I really did end up falling in love with it from the very first page. I can’t wait to get my very own physical copy so that i can annotate my favorite moments with adorable shark stickers and highlighters in shades of blue.🦈🪼🩵

(also, adrian reading books to children at the library in his free time? i will protect him from everything that is bad in the world.)

((thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for sending me an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.))

This was a lovely and intimate look at two MCs and their second chance romance. Their introspection into their own feelings and thoughts about their lives, their differences, and whether they could intertwine them again was so intricate and open.

I recommend this book to folks who like closed door romance and low stakes romance. It was a very cozy second chance love story.

I picked up the ARC from @netgalley, as this book was also featured in @annebogel's Summer Reading Guide. I was ready for a fun romance as a palate cleanser, especially with oceans on my brain.

However, this one didn’t quite hit all the marks for me. There was more angst than laughter. I love a good second-chance romance, and the chemistry between the protagonists was undeniable. But every special moment seemed to be followed by anxiety, making it hard for me to just enjoy it.

On the plus side, the fact that the characters are marine biologists who study sharks was fantastic! I loved seeing them blend science and social media, much like some of my favorite science influencers.

I think many readers will love this book. Anne Bogel recommended it for fans of “Love, Lists, and Fancy Ships” by Sarah Grunder Ruiz, and I agree with that comparison. I enjoyed that book and see the connection.

This book comes out on August 6th and would make a good vacation or armchair travel read.

Not much steam but lots of tension! Hope is stuck and her friend fires her from a job she knows she hates so that she can go back to doing what she loves, which is sharks. Always sharks. She has a job offer, but the catch is it is working for her ex boyfriend and the one that she never really got over. When she shows up on the first day and realizes that Adrian didn't know she was coming, she is beginning to rethink her choices.
Adrian has always loved Hope. He will always love her and when she shows up one day it is like he dreamed her into reality, but no. She is there for a job and expects they can just be friends when he knows she has his heart.
Adrian doesn't want to be the reason that Hope isn't doing what she loves so he lets her stay and work. As they do, they communicate more (thankfully) and try to be friends. But, you don't want to kiss your friends as bad as he wants to kiss Hope and you don't have feelings like this. Friends turns into something more and as bad as he wants it to be forever, both of them are scared. They used to be everything to each other, can they get there again?
I really enjoyed this light read! It is perfect for the beach or a fun read anytime.
Thanks to Harlequin, Netgalley and Chandra Blumberg for an early copy.

Need something light, fluffy, and a good pallet cleanser. This book is for you. always love a good second chance romance and this book didn’t disappoint.

One thing about Ms. Blumberg is she is going to write about educated black people falling in love! WE STAN!!!! I love romances that feature black love and black people in niche career paths. It was fun to read about sharks, marine biology, and two young professionals finding their way regarding love and their careers. The cover is absolutely darling and accurately portrays the vibe of the text inside. If you love a second chance romance trope, this book is definitely for you!!!
Thank you, NetGalley and Canary Street Press, for the arc!
Final Rating
3.50/5

Second Tide’s the Charm by Chandra Blumberg
Rating: 4
Vibe: Women in STEM
Format: ARC eBook

After an unplanned, extended break from the industry, Hope Evans’ options for studying sharks are limited. So limited, in fact, that she agrees to join a research team led by her ex-boyfriend, Adrian Hollis-Parker, just for a chance to get back out on the water. While once she thought she’d spend the rest of her life with Adrian, it’s been years now since their breakup. Surely, she is over him, and he must have moved on, too. They are perfectly capable of being professional for one short summer…right?

As someone who grew up fascinated by sharks and wanting to be a marine biologist, I was thrilled to come across this book. There was a good amount of easy-to-understand shark science sprinkled throughout the book, which I really enjoyed. I do think it is important to note that this book is more character- than plot-driven. In essence, lot of the story takes place in the characters’ heads. We have access to both Adrian and Hope’s point of views (via alternating chapters), and so much of the novel is focused on their individual development rather than plot points. Blumberg executed this extremely well. Each of the main characters had their own distinct voices, beliefs, and rationales. I felt like I understood their motivations intimately, and I never questions why they behaved the way they did because I spent so much time with their thoughts. An unfortunate side effect of a character development-focused story, however, is that the pacing can feel slow at times. While I thoroughly enjoyed this read, it didn’t give me that can’t-put-it-down feeling because I wasn’t desperate to know what happened next. Supporting characters Melissa and Gabe were just as delightful as the leads, and they all felt fully-fleshed out and unique. Though the book covered a large span of time, I rarely felt confused by the passing of time. Blumberg is a talented storyteller and I would definitely read another of her books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for granting me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a fun second-chance romance I enjoyed reading it. The fmc is a marine biologist who loves everything shark and ocean-related while the mmc is a popular photographer who shares videos showcasing his love for sharks, science, and other marine life. They come together after the fmc finds out that her summer job is working with the mmc to film shark/ocean content over the summer. The book navigates them being together after the previous breakup, the fmc career, and the attraction both characters still have for each other.

I loved how sweet the book was, I'm not always very into second-chance romance but I think this one was well written and was realistic with the chemistry and reasons why they broke up the first time. The romance was good and both characters were interesting and perfect for each other. I also liked the marine biologist and career issues that were woven into the story. This was a good read, loved the diversity and black romance. Thank you HTP for the arc.

I’ve always had a healthy fear of the ocean. This book really makes me appreciate the people that love it. Also the complexity of relationships that are long distance because of jobs. Communication really is key in like everything.

This book was such a refreshing breath of air and an absolute joy to read! With second chances, science, and sharks, it follows the story of Hope and Adrian, exes who unexpectedly end up working together over the summer to film and share science content. Adrian is completely taken aback when Hope walks back into his life, while Hope struggles to juggle her career dreams with the undeniable attraction she still feels for him.

The second chance romance is handled so sweetly, giving a heartfelt glimpse into how the characters grow and change over time. The marine biology backdrop added an exciting and unique twist, making the story both educational and engaging. Overall, it was a fun and captivating read that I thoroughly enjoyed!

this book was nothing short of adorable.

usually when I see second chance romance, I run the other way. there's a reason (usually a good one) the characters broke up, so why bother giving it a second go? but with Adrian and Hope, that was not the case. I was rooting for them from start to finish. their chemistry is perfect, and the two of them are so cute I want to wrap them up in a warm hug. such a fun beach read for the summer!