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.
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Eli Ward counted four MAGA flags on his parent's street, and those were just the ones he could see in the dark - CHAPTER 1
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(Simon & Schuster UK, 5 December 2023, e-book, 352 pages, borrowed from North Ayrshire Libraries via Borrowbox, Popsugar Reading Challenge, A Second Chance Romance)
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I really enjoyed Second Chances in New Port Stephen. I chose it because I was determined not to read a twee heterosexual second chance romance book for this reading category and this sounded like something I'd actually enjoy. Eli and Nick used to date back when Eli was a woman so things are awkward when they bump into each other again but it's clear the sparks are still there. Nick, who Eli always assumed was straight starts to question his sexuality because he's attracted to Eli. It's sweet how things develop between them and not at all twee. I was rooting for them to get together. I'd recommend this.
