Second Chances in New Port Stephen, TJ Alexander
Second Chances in New Port Stephen, TJ Alexander
List: $25.99 | Sale: $18.20
Club: $12.99

Second Chances in New Port Stephen

Author: TJ Alexander

Narrator: Aden Hakimi, Feodor Chin

Unabridged: 10 hr 52 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 12/05/2023


Synopsis

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.

About TJ Alexander

TJ Alexander, the critically acclaimed author of Second Chances in New Port Stephen, Chef’s Kiss, and Chef’s Choice, writes about queer love. Their latest novel is Triple Sec. Originally from Florida, they received their MA in writing and publishing from Emerson College in Boston. They live in New York City with their wife and various houseplants.


Reviews

Goodreads review by ~Nicole~ on December 30, 2023

At 10% in the book I was sure this would be a 5 stars read. Unfortunately with every Eli antics and tantrum the story was losing half a star. I loved EVERYTHING about this book, I loved the writing, I loved Eli’s parents, Nick and his father, Laurie and Zoe, Margo and Max, I loved that it had a tran......more

Goodreads review by Mai on March 31, 2025

While I didn't love CHEF'S CHOICE as much as its premise, I knew I just hadn't found the right TJ book for me. Until now. Eli is a trans man that works in New York as a writer. Or rather, he did, until someone very high up on the show got flamed for harassing the women on the crew. He flies home to F......more

Goodreads review by Marieke on October 27, 2023

This book is like the cover, colorful and joyful! A Christmas story readable all year long. But I’m sorry, Eli. I love John Lennon’s version of So This Is Christmas far more than Celine’s. I like you nonetheless. And of course Nick too! A second chances romance. Two almost forty-year-old men, one of......more

Goodreads review by Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader on December 16, 2023

If you have, by chance, missed out on T.J. Alexander’s rom coms, what are you waiting for? It all started with Chef’s Kiss, which knocked it out of the park, and Chef’s Choice, the follow-up, was just as endearing. The author is an amateur baker, and both books involve baking and tons of other fun a......more

Goodreads review by Ben on January 11, 2024

Small town, second chance romance, set during the holiday season. Had me in a chokehold. Eli Ward is back in his hometown, and staying with his parents for the holidays. Although it might not be just for the holidays as his career in NYC is a bit rocky at the moment. He's struggling with a feeling of......more


Quotes

"Aden Hakimi and Feodor Chin narrate this heartfelt second-chance romance about two 40-something men in small-town Florida. Hakimi portrays Eli, a trans man who returns to his much-disliked hometown for Christmas after a career implosion...Chin shines as Nick, Eli’s high school ex, now a divorced dad and restaurant manager. Chin’s smooth delivery is a pleasure; he excels at bringing Nick’s reflective internal monologues to life. He’s especially skilled at the dialogue of the many secondary characters, including Nick’s aging dad, young daughter, and infuriating ex-mother-in-law. This is a highly entertaining and satisfying holiday romance."