Second Chances in New Port Stephen

A Novel

By: TJ Alexander

Narrated by: Aden Hakimi, Feodor Chin

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.

Critic reviews

"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."

Beautiful

Honestly this book was so good. I loved it. Tender, sweet, hot, from a perspective that I never have the opportunity to hear. Just so lovely.

A tender slow burn with 40-something queer rep

My only complaints about this book are that the plot moppet doesn’t get on page scenes in the second half, and that the balance between “they have believable reasons not to talk” and “please effing TALK TO EACH OTHER” falls a tinge too far toward the latter.

Other than that, a beautiful book I saved to savor on vacation. I loved that the author put so much of the main characters navigating family relationships on page (made their reticence with each other more believable). I loved the trans-masc rep and the queer awakening and the way the complexities of those identities echoed past the primary romantic relationship. I loved the banter, the well-researched (as near as I could tell) career details, the way the titular place was so specific and flavorful. I could have done with more sizzle scenes, but what is there is top notch and you can just listen to them on repeat if needed, they hold up.

The let’s jog to impress each other but actually we’re both out of shape scene is iconic and fully awkward and believable in a way second chance romance rarely is. I’m so happy to have this in my holiday re-listen pile for next year.

Outstanding

Really amazing rep, great book, excellent writing. It’s a second chance romance about two guys nearing 40, but the author did a really good job of capturing how that age can feel really different as a qu33r person - especially as a qu33r (and specifically trans) person who didn’t understand their identity until adulthood. There were times this book felt like a young adult book, in a really good way that felt appropriate for this character and mapped well onto the trans rep. There were fights with parents and making peace with your hometown and a lot of growing into yourself. But it was also a very adult book (including spice) with adult problems and adult relationships and adult maturity. I applaud everyone in this book for the ability to think rationally, maturely, and communicate their thoughts appropriately.