Reviewed by Janie Kang
From the first page, Second Chances in New Port Stephen by T.J. Alexander draws you in, boldly and unapologetically, holding you in a lover’s deep embrace. More than your run-of-the-mill romance, it’s not afraid to explore important issues while also pulling you through the laughter, tears, and hope of rekindled love. T.J. Alexander’s craft of allowing the characters’ lives to unfold into a tapestry of story is nothing short of amazing. It’s as if the author peered into our lives and is simply illustrating our friends, family, and ourselves (how did you know I had an in-law like that?)
We get to meet Eli, a trans man visiting his family for the holidays in Florida. He’s a writer/comedian down on his luck. He runs into his first love, Nick, and the story unfolds from there, leading us through the rocky (and often hilarious) journey of reconciling the past while embracing an uncertain future. However, don’t let this light romp of queer love fool you. The book also has the intensity of a serious lover. The location of this story is intentional as it draws out the all-too-real contrasts between the triumphs and struggles for queer—particularly trans—rights while allowing ourselves to fall in love with the characters. The intersectionality of diversity was done in a nuanced and loving way. There were tender moments that made me choke up, moments when I wanted to smack certain characters in the face, then hilarious ones that made me laugh as if sharing an inside joke with a best friend. And of course, the steamy scenes were done in a fun, hot way that made me blush and melted my heart. I couldn’t ask for a better romance with authenticity, wit, and tenderness. I found myself purposefully slowing down my reading pace because I didn’t want the story to end. That being said, there were moments I wished certain loose ends were tied up, but then, isn’t life ambiguous like that? It did make me wish for a sequel. Well played, T.J. Alexander, well played (I may or may not be reading two more books by this author simultaneously).
Second Chances has a little bit of everything. It’s a story about rebirth, growth, letting go, as well as rediscovering what still matters. This book is a soothing balm, yet also dares you to fight for truth and happiness despite an uncertain world. Isn’t that a message we all need right now? So, what are you waiting for? Indulge and grab a copy. You won’t regret it.
Janie Kang (she/her pronouns) lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest of the U.S. She loves reading and writing stories in a kaleidoscope of genres.