Second Chances in New Port Stephen

A Novel

De: TJ Alexander

Narrado por: Aden Hakimi, Feodor Chin

A trans man returns to his Florida hometown for Christmas after his career goes up in flames, only to cross paths with his high school ex in this charming rom-com about family and second chances from the author of the “delectable” (Time) Chef’s Kiss.

Eli Ward hasn’t been back to his suffocating hometown of New Port Stephen, Florida, in ages. Post-transition and sober, he’s a completely different person from the one who left years ago. But when a scandal threatens his career as a TV writer and comedian, he has no choice but to return home for the holidays. He can only hope he’ll survive his boisterous, loving, but often misguided family and hide the fact that his dream of comedy success has become a nightmare.

Just when he thinks this trip couldn’t get any worse, Eli bumps into his high school ex, Nick Wu, who’s somehow hotter than ever. Divorced and in his forties, Nick’s world revolves around his father, his daughter, and his job. But even a busy life can’t keep him from being intrigued by the reappearance of Eli.

Against the backdrop of one weird Floridian Christmas, the two must decide whether to leave the past in the past…or move on together.

©2023 TJ Alexander (P)2023 Simon & Schuster Audio

A tender slow burn with 40-something queer rep

My only complaints about this book are that the plot moppet doesn’t get on page scenes in the second half, and that the balance between “they have believable reasons not to talk” and “please effing TALK TO EACH OTHER” falls a tinge too far toward the latter.

Other than that, a beautiful book I saved to savor on vacation. I loved that the author put so much of the main characters navigating family relationships on page (made their reticence with each other more believable). I loved the trans-masc rep and the queer awakening and the way the complexities of those identities echoed past the primary romantic relationship. I loved the banter, the well-researched (as near as I could tell) career details, the way the titular place was so specific and flavorful. I could have done with more sizzle scenes, but what is there is top notch and you can just listen to them on repeat if needed, they hold up.

The let’s jog to impress each other but actually we’re both out of shape scene is iconic and fully awkward and believable in a way second chance romance rarely is. I’m so happy to have this in my holiday re-listen pile for next year.

Beautiful

Honestly this book was so good. I loved it. Tender, sweet, hot, from a perspective that I never have the opportunity to hear. Just so lovely.