Second Chances in New Port Stephen

September 18, 2023
This playful and sweet second-chance romance from Alexander (Chef’s Choice) sends trans comedian Eli Ward to his parents’ Florida home for Christmas—a visit he’s dreading both because of the state’s growing list of antitrans laws and because of his recent career implosion. An unexpected bright spot comes in the form of restaurant manager Nick Wu, Eli’s high school best friend and pretransition boyfriend, who’s still living in New Port Stephen to coparent his delightful four-year old, Zoe. When the men see each other again, attraction reignites—despite both of them believing Nick to be straight. The tone throughout is humorous, from Eli’s easy banter with Zoe to an expedition to Eli and Nick’s former high school that ends with their escape as it falls into a sinkhole, but Nick’s struggle to redefine his sexuality is given the weight it deserves. Meanwhile, both men deal with complex family dynamics: Alexander leaves most of the transphobia in the hands of Nick’s cartoonishly difficult ex-mother-in-law, giving Eli’s family only a vague cluelessness where gender is concerned that is ultimately redeemed through a delightful photo-shoot redo of childhood photos. Readers wishing for breezy, reassuring queer romance will take joy in Eli and Nick’s love. Agent: Larissa Melo Pienkowski, Jill Grinberg Literary.

November 1, 2023
An upbeat Christmas romance from the author of Chef's Choice (2023) and Chef's Kiss (2022). Out of work and out of money, TV writer Eli Ward heads home to Florida for the first time since transitioning. When his mom sends him out to buy more booze for a holiday party, Eli bumps into Nick Wu--his childhood best friend and high-school sweetheart. Nick is divorced, the father of a little girl, and as gorgeous as ever. What begins as an effort to revive their friendship turns into something...a lot more complicated. While the happily-ever-after is a given, these old flames face some challenges as they try to figure out if they have a future together. Surprisingly, Nick's sudden realization that he's not straight after all is not any kind of impediment. He accepts it without a struggle, and both his ex-wife and his father are equally at ease with this revelation. There's no reason why queer romances have to be more realistic than hetero romances, but this aspect of the novel feels especially fantastic juxtaposed with Alexander's occasional reminders that this story takes place in the "Don't Say Gay" state. Also, while misunderstandings and miscommunication are genre staples, they feel contrived here, especially since Eli and Nick insist over and over again that they know each other better than anyone else does--despite not having seen each other in more than 20 years. This book's most grating flaw, though, is the repeated assertion that both Eli and Nick are hilarious. They are not hilarious, and this is doubly problematic given that Eli is a comedy writer and standup comic. The only character who's actually funny is Eli's friend Margo (who bears a strong resemblance to the divine Bridget Everett of the HBO series Somebody Somewhere). Having said all this, it's only fair to mention that the sex scenes are pretty hot. Sweet, but frustrating.

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Starred review from November 1, 2023

Newly unemployed and nearing 40, Eli reluctantly sublets his New York City apartment and returns to his parent's home in Florida. He's hoping this move is only temporary until he finds a new writing job. But when he runs into Nick--his childhood best friend, ex-boyfriend, and first love--things get complicated. Although they are immediately and strongly attracted to each other, they are hesitant due to the significant changes they've undergone since their last meeting: Nick is now a divorced father to a young child, and Eli is now an out trans man. Now Eli and Nick must figure out whether their connection transcends the years or if they are merely acting out of nostalgia. They must also decide if they can live a life together in a Florida that is inhospitable to LGBTQIA+ people. Alexander (Chef's Choice) has written a super-steamy queer holiday romance that deals with serious topics, such as substance addiction, identity exploration, and family strife, while still managing to be uproariously funny and incredibly romantic. VERDICT This contemporary romance is a must-have for all libraries and for readers who relish a bit of angst and a lot of joy with their happily-ever-afters.--Migdalia Jimenez

Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 28, 2023
In Alexander's poignant novel about rebuilding your life for the better, Eli Ward has hit the lowest of low. A comedy writer whose television show was recently cancelled due to scandal, Eli is heading home to Florida for Christmas, where he has to stay with his parents until he can figure out what to do with his career. But Eli discovers going home is even more fraught than he expected. As a trans man back in the small town where he grew up, Eli is dealing the with ghosts of his past. Along the way he runs into his high-school boyfriend, Nick Wu, a divorced dad who's maybe not as straight as he previously believed. Alexander's thoughtful romp through small-town queer life with a side of Florida fun is well-written, engaging, and deeply heartfelt, Fans of Alexis Hall and Ashley Herring Blake will adore this book.

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