Second Winter

By: Sophia Soames

Narrated by: Jaxon Jensen

Ten years ago, Ned Anderson made the biggest mistake of his life.

Now he’s been invited to go back to Sweden for his exchange-year high school reunion. It’s a chance to reunite with all the people he once considered friends, and the invite promises a charcuterie board, open bar, all that…crap.

The biggest mistake of his life was leaving, and if he went back…Does he even want to?

Teddy Backman has become exactly what everyone expected of him. He runs his farm the way his father once did. Gets up in the morning and gets things done. Tries to remember what’s next. Wonders why he feels so violently lonely when he’s surrounded by so many good things. The sun. The sky. The earth. The trees. All the trees.

He’s already deleted that email—the one inviting him to someone’s idea of a joke. There’s no one from back then he’s interested in talking to, let alone drinking or, God forbid, dancing with.

A high school reunion is Teddy’s idea of a nightmare, and he probably shouldn’t let anyone drag him along. He’ll only regret it.

But what’s the point of regret in the grander scale of things? It’s not like Ned Anderson’s going to turn up, is it? The guy who fled straight back to Arizona without even a last longing glance.

Second Winter is the story of something that was always there. A second chance at happiness in the last place you’d expect to find it. This book is a standalone contemporary M/M romance with a HEA, dealing with the death of a loved one and the grief that follows. Please listen with care if these topics could affect you.

©2024 Sophia Soames (P)2025 Sophia Soames

This story is both heartfelt and heartwarming

Swedish Death cleaning

New to me narrator Jaxon Jensen did a great job with the narration of Sophia Soames book. This is only the second book I've read/listened to by Sophia and I loved them both.

This story is both heartfelt and heartwarming it left me with all the feels. There wasn't one eye roll on my part throughout the whole book. Recent books that I've read or listened to have been causing me to have lots of eye rolls because they are so unbelievable.

I'm definitely putting this on my 'to listen again' list.

Dealing with the loss of a father, bullying, an encounter that changed their lives, Swedish death cleaning is an interesting concept, two lonely men, second chances, hurt/comfort, beautifully written, soulful

Second chance romance

Jason Jensen is a new to me narrator and did a good job bringing this book to life. A second chance at love romance for Teddy and Ned. I loved both characters. I also like the small town, hard working farmer setting with the Swedish culture references and the beautiful scenery. The letters written by Terry's father were a beautiful addition to the story. This story is so relatable and realistic. I really enjoyed this book.

Quietly beautiful and evocative book

Audiobook reread/updated review: Jaxon Jensen is the narrator for this book and he did a lovely job! I loved his Swedish accent as well as his American one. It was just a pleasure to listen to this book and have him bring out all the emotions from the characters. I also think his female voices were good. I can't wait to listen to him again. While I already loved this book the first time I read it, I enjoyed it even more as a listening experience.

This 2nd/3rd chance romance was lovely and much more emotional that I had expected the first time I read it. This next time around I was more prepared for everything and I loved it even more. I enjoyed that it was set in Sweden and that it was such a..quiet book. What do I mean by this? It's like a fresh snowfall: hushed, peaceful, beautiful, transformative. I first read this book almost 2 years ago and have read over a thousand books since then, but I remembered this one. It definitely stayed with me and I'm so happy to have been able to listen to it again.

Ned went to Sweden for his senior year of high school and that's where he meets Teddy...and leaves him there when Ned returns home to the States. 10 years later, it's time for a high school reunion and both boys end up attending, somewhat spontaneously, and they see each other again. Teddy was dealing with feelings of grief in the year after his father died (& well, this hit a little close to home for me) and is unsure about life there will look like for him now. Ned is undergoing a crisis, feeling like he lacks purpose and is unsure what to do with himself.

Each of the MCs find each other, but they also rediscover themselves. They make space for each other in beautiful, simple, forthright ways. "I didn’t know what to say to all that bullshit coming out of his mouth. I wasn’t a man of words. So I kissed him instead."

They sift and talk through their memories of how they were in high school, then they relearn how to be with each other as adults, without hiding or shame. It's such a beautiful read! Over and over, I cried. Over and over, I melted again. Their story really touched me and rereading it, especially in audio, just brings that emotion even more. By the end, I just enjoyed their joy. I will definitely reread this one again and again.

Definitely a bit of a different read for me and so very much worthwhile. I look forward to reading other books by this author in the future.

History Repeats Itself!

Can I just say that Teddy and Ned were both such simple and sweet guys and Jaxon Jensen's narration made this such a pleasant listen! He has such a gently yet upbeat voice full of hope for both of them. Ned and Teddy had an intimate experience together at graduation but then Ned left back to the states. Ned is now back for the 10-year reunion and low and behold the exact same intimate experience occurs and Ted leaves yet again. This time though feelings have really stuck hard for both of them. Loved the Swedish farm setting and the way these two pull back together. It was quietly romantic.

Good Story

While I did struggle with getting through this a bit at first, I did find myself enjoying the overall story. Jaxon Jensen is a new to me narrator and I did enjoy listening to him.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion