Staff Writer: Kathleen
Book Title by Author: Second Chances in New Port Stephen by TJ Alexander
Published Date: December 5, 2023
Number of pages: 352 pages
Format: E-book
Genre: Romance
Tags: Christmas, Contemporary, Spicy, LGBTQ+, Transgender Main Character, POC Main Character, Asian Main Character, LGBTQ+ Author
Cardigan rating: 4.5 out of 5
“This place can try to bury me all it wants. I’m not going to let it. Even if I end up here for my whole life, I’ll still be me. Life’s too short to be anything else.”
I am a very recent convert to romance, and I’m pretty particular- contemporary romance doesn’t usually check the box for me, and Christmas contemporary romance? Call me a Grinch all you want, but count me out. That said, I subscribe to TJ Alexander’s newsletter, and when I saw them mention that they had written one a couple years ago, you can bet all the money in your wallet I ran right to our digital librarian to request that we get it! There are certain authors that I’ll try anything from, and TJ Alexander is most definitely one of them.
The book opens with an author’s note warning about “heavy subject matter” like transphobic legislation, parental loss, discussion of racism, and alcoholism, but that it still has a happy ending, so I was immediately a little hesitant. I don’t require all my books to be fluffy, happy little distractions, but sometimes I can’t handle the world seeping in too much and that made it sound like it was going to be way too much. However, it really wasn’t- there is a little talk of a fictional politician trying to pass anti-transgender laws, one bigoted side character, one main character talks about being one of a handful of Asian kids growing up and losing his mother before the book, and the other main character is sober. And, of course, there’s a happy ending- this is a romance book, it’s part of the formula! While the subject matter Alexander warned of is present, they handle it lightly. This is an open door romance, but it doesn’t get spicy until the back third, and there are only two scenes, so if that's what you're looking for, you’ll be disappointed. If you’re in it for a fun holiday romance that just happens to have a little spice to it, then you’re in luck!
I’m not really into the “high school sweethearts” trope when it’s played straight, but, well, this book isn’t exactly playing anything straight. I mean, we’ve got a gay trans man for a main character- ain’t nothin’ straight about this book! But really, I love how you can see that there’s a history between Eli and Nick- there’s clearly affection there even though years have passed and the romantic relationship is long over. It felt real. I also adored Nick and his dad- his dad was just so sweet and supportive, and probably my favorite side character in the whole book.
I wasn’t into the whole lack of communication/miscommunication aspect that led to the conflict (can you tell I’m trying not to spoil the book?), but I’m also aware that miscommunication is a mainstay of the genre. Honestly, that’s part of why I didn’t read romance for so long and still don’t read much of it- miscommunication as a plot point drives me nuts. If y’all would just talk things out like the adults you are, everything would be fine! But our wonderful main character Eli acts closer to 19 than 39, so of course, talking isn’t an option. For you romance lovers, the conflict probably won’t be an issue for you- it’s pretty textbook. But for me, it was worth docking half a cardigan.
This Grinch would highly recommend you check Second Chances in New Port Stephen out if you’re in the mood for a little Christmas romance, whether that’s now in December or in July when you’re sweating your nose off!