A review by fencewalker
Second Chances in New Port Stephen by TJ Alexander
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.