transportedlfl's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
fencewalker's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have previously read and enjoyed books by this author before, so I was really pleased to have a chance to read this one! This story follows Eli, a trans guy who has recently had a big upset at his job, visiting his parents in Florida for the first time in years over Christmas. There we meet (and Eli re-meets after 20 years) Nick, Eli's high school boyfriend and first love that has stayed in their hometown and now has a young daughter.
I'm not generally big on Christmas, second-chance romances, or books with kids, but I did like this one! The Christmas isn't too intense, which was perfect for me, but those looking for a super Christmassy read might be disappoint (but hey, it is Florida). I also like Zoe, Nick's daughter. She wasn't the main focus of the book, but I found her charming and realistic.
I hate to say it, but the book kind of loses me with Eli. I was excited to read about an older (Eli and Nick are almost 40) trans guy, especially a romance! But he just annoyed the hell out of me. At one point in the book he jokes that being 40 is like a gay 26, and he certainly acts juvenile with all of his interactions. He's rude to his parents, his friend Margo, and treats Nick terribly. I get that he's going through it, but he really lashes out in a way that just frustrated me. I wasn't really sure what Nick saw in him, really. I'll also just fully own up to being a hater of stand-up comedy, so having a main character that works in comedy was just like....hmm.
This is a nice enough book to spend an evening with, especially if you do like second-chance romances! I don't know if I would really call if a holiday romance though. Christmas is just kind of happening. Again, I liked that, but might disappoint some looking for a holiday romance.
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I'm not generally big on Christmas, second-chance romances, or books with kids, but I did like this one! The Christmas isn't too intense, which was perfect for me, but those looking for a super Christmassy read might be disappoint (but hey, it is Florida). I also like Zoe, Nick's daughter. She wasn't the main focus of the book, but I found her charming and realistic.
I hate to say it, but the book kind of loses me with Eli. I was excited to read about an older (Eli and Nick are almost 40) trans guy, especially a romance! But he just annoyed the hell out of me. At one point in the book he jokes that being 40 is like a gay 26, and he certainly acts juvenile with all of his interactions. He's rude to his parents, his friend Margo, and treats Nick terribly. I get that he's going through it, but he really lashes out in a way that just frustrated me. I wasn't really sure what Nick saw in him, really. I'll also just fully own up to being a hater of stand-up comedy, so having a main character that works in comedy was just like....hmm.
This is a nice enough book to spend an evening with, especially if you do like second-chance romances! I don't know if I would really call if a holiday romance though. Christmas is just kind of happening. Again, I liked that, but might disappoint some looking for a holiday romance.
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
sydneyd05's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
5.0
This was just so cute!! I love that Nick never really questioned what he was feeling, he just went with it. I do appreciate that he didn't rush to find a label. Nick just knew that he loved Eli and that was enough. I feel like they had a bit of miscommunication at the end but it was wrapped up perfectly, to me. I loved every second that the two of them spent with Zoe. I want a bonus chapter where they tell her that they are together.
I received an arc through netgalley.
I received an arc through netgalley.
cakt1991's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
TJ Alexander continues their winning streak of queer romance, this time with the queer holiday romcom, Second Chances in New Port Stephen. Writing queer fiction is a tough balancing act, both bringing one’s own perspective on present-day LGBTQ+ issues, while also providing hope for the better, and Alexander definitely does this. The book is set in Florida, and while there’s commentary on the bleak political climate in that state in particular, from the anti-trans legislation to book banning in the name of “protecting our kids,” it’s done with both sensitivity and a touch of humor. I’ll never forget reading the snide quips about the lack of improvement in the Florida school system or the description of the governor (who is not named in-text) as “a guy who looked like undercooked pizza dough and with a haircut to match.”
The two leads are great, and I liked that they were a bit older, being almost forty, and are dealing with the impact of the life experiences they’ve had, while also still struggling with starting over and figuring things out. Eli is perhaps the more fleshed out of the two, in my personal opinion, given he’s now forced back to his family home amid scandal threatening his tv writing and comedy career. While it was less of a plot point than I initially expected, his description of alcoholism and its impact on his life was also quite moving. And with his transition having occurred largely after he left town, there’s also a lot of family tensions he’s still dealing with, especially from his father, who doesn’t fully understand.
Nick is also pretty solid as a character too. While I can’t say his daughter Zoe blew me away, being one of the child characters I didn’t actually care for, I did respect his role as a single father, amid the other responsibilities he had on his plate.
These two have a pretty interesting dynamic, due to their past relationship. There’s clearly still a connection, and there isn’t any animosity. However, while the mutual attraction is there, neither is aware of what the other wants out of the relationship. While it was nice that they had each other to lean on when things got tough, I did want them to stop dancing around each other and make things clearer much earlier, although that’s kind of the only thing that the romantic side of the book had going for it, conflict-wise.
I also really liked the holiday vibes, with it starting right before Christmas, and concluding at New Year’s, with an epilogue set in the following year. It was also interesting to have it juxtaposed against that Florida setting, both for the politics that colors the narrative and because I feel like so many Christmas books are set in snowy places, so it’s cool to have one with more tropical vibes. And with the compressed timeline, it’s fairly fast-paced and light, making it simultaneously a great cozy holiday and beach read.
This was another enjoyable offering from TJ Alexander, and I’d recommend it to readers looking for lighthearted queer fiction to read during the holidays, or anytime of year.
a_stylish_bookworm's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Thank you @atriabooks @netgalley for this queer holiday romance. Eli is a trans that is back home to a small town in Florida and catches up with his first love, Nick, who is a divorced dad. I love the setting of Florida and references to the current state of affairs there. Seeing their friendships redevelop was great. I love that they were both at crossroads and seeing their growth journey. Eli's parents were so amazing and supportive and Nick's dad was great too.
amyreads1224's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
blovesbooks80's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
bookedinsideout's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book was a real mixed bag for me because there were some parts I loved so much, and then some parts I wanted more from.
What I loved:
- A second chance with a high school sweetheart after big changes in their lives
- Older main characters (turning 40), and still learning about themselves!
- The suggestion of demisexuality and combating asexual stereotypes
- Exploring an experience of being trans (and queer) in a conservative state and still finding pockets of communities sharing queer joy
- How this wasn’t just a story about Eli, or Eli and Nick, but about the relationship between Eli and his parents. Eli is dreading coming home to Florida for the first time since his transition (his parents usually visit him) and while his parents are pretty supportive, there are some communication issues and minor conflicts, but also an incredibly moving scene showing his parents have truly listened and are putting their child first
What I loved:
- A second chance with a high school sweetheart after big changes in their lives
- Older main characters (turning 40), and still learning about themselves!
- The suggestion of demisexuality and combating asexual stereotypes
- Exploring an experience of being trans (and queer) in a conservative state and still finding pockets of communities sharing queer joy
- How this wasn’t just a story about Eli, or Eli and Nick, but about the relationship between Eli and his parents. Eli is dreading coming home to Florida for the first time since his transition (his parents usually visit him) and while his parents are pretty supportive, there are some communication issues and minor conflicts, but also an incredibly moving scene showing his parents have truly listened and are putting their child first
“Oh my god, I’m sorry, I just didn’t expect all this,” he said, wiping at his wet eyes with his T-shirt sleeve.
“Oh, my baby… I want you to expect it from now on, okay? Expect the effort.”
What I didn’t love so much:
- I normally avoid stories with kids in them, but I really liked Zoe and was disappointed when her role disappeared towards the end of the book. Everything was going well until it was announced that her mother wanted to move with her to the other side of the country and that Nick would agree to it if he was looking out for Zoe’s best interests. I’m not a parent, but I didn’t really understand this (did they really have to leave the state for a nursing job? Wouldn’t it be best for Zoe to have both her parents who generally co-parent well to be within close proximity?), and the issue didn’t really get solved satisfactorily for me in the end, especially without the epilogue. This just added a lot of anxiety to my experience of the end of the book, which was disappointing after the first half.
- Eli, who I don’t expect to be a perfect person, continually brushing aside Nick questioning his sexuality (by constantly referring to just how straight he was) even when Nick was showing his interest in Eli… I wondered if it might be a protective mechanism for him (trying to convince himself Eli couldn’t possibly be interested in him), but the continual dismissal was rough, especially when I would think Eli would understand some of the nuances of sexuality
- It’s suggested to Nick that he might look into demisexuality and there is another mention of him doing some research, but the conversation kind of ends there. I respect that in the end he’s still exploring and lands on “queer,” but as an asexual person I’m a little greedy for explicit ace rep!
Overall I enjoyed most of this book, I would definitely recommend it, but there were some hanging threads I would have liked more exploration of at the same time. And selfishly, I didn’t want this extended family to be split up in different areas of the country!
An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
thisboricuareader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
I won a Goodreads giveaway of this book!
I have so much love for this book that it's hard to put into words. I loved the second chance romance aspect of this book, how Eli and Nick get to know each other again I liked the hot single dad and all the cute moments between Eli and Zoe.
This book did not disappoint when it came to giving me the Christmas spirit. I laughed out loud a couple of times and even cried at others. I do think it's very lighthearted Christmas book that also touches on a couple of hard subjects.
The book touches on a lot of subjects, talks about alcoholism, loss of a parent, how transphobic Florida is, and so on. They were a couple of situations of miscommunication, but I liked how they could always find their way back to each other and their friendship was so strong.
It's the only way I can stand a friends-to-lovers. If the relationship ruins the friendship, were they really friends?
I have so much love for this book that it's hard to put into words. I loved the second chance romance aspect of this book, how Eli and Nick get to know each other again I liked the hot single dad and all the cute moments between Eli and Zoe.
This book did not disappoint when it came to giving me the Christmas spirit. I laughed out loud a couple of times and even cried at others. I do think it's very lighthearted Christmas book that also touches on a couple of hard subjects.
The book touches on a lot of subjects, talks about alcoholism, loss of a parent, how transphobic Florida is, and so on. They were a couple of situations of miscommunication, but I liked how they could always find their way back to each other and their friendship was so strong.
It's the only way I can stand a friends-to-lovers. If the relationship ruins the friendship, were they really friends?