Jeff Zentner, best known for his young adult novels, pens a slow-burn second chance romance between high school sweethearts whose lives spin out in two directions.

Colton Gentry is a country music star banished from the music scene due to a controversial statement he drunkenly made on the microphone, promptly canceled by the industry.

Returning home becomes fruitful when he stumbles upon his high school sweetheart's farm-to-table restaurant.

As Colton navigates sobriety and rejection, he finds a new life at the restaurant and a rekindled love affair with Luann.

Tune in to the Book Gang podcast, where we discuss Zentner's debut romance writing and the surprising influences in his life that helped shape his beautiful foodie romance novel.

Readers who love an angsty romance will find this novel delivers in emotional spades. 

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Pitched as HBO's Hacks meets Carley Fortune's Every Summer After, this love story brings a comedian back home to the Jersey Shore to confront all she lost ten years ago, including her old flame.

The author of this debut novel is also a stand-up comedian. Her comedic skills are on full display in this story, which features a dual timeline structure that promises readers a glimpse of the relationship in both past and present.

Release Date-  21 May 2024

After four years apart, Theo and Kit decide to use the European food and wine tour voucher, which they have yet to use together as the expiration date for their vacation investment looms. 

However, things get complicated when they are trapped together for three weeks.

The two decide to keep their floundering relationship fresh with a friendly wager on who can sleep with their hot Italian tour guide first. 

But will this competition reignite their love, or will it tear them apart? I can't wait to find out!

Release Date- 6 August 2024

Early readers profess this new Carley Fortune book to be her best book yet, and I can't wait to dig in. 

Lucy vacations at a beach house on Prince Edward Island, unaware that her irresistible fling, Felix, is her best friend's younger brother. 

Despite vowing to avoid each other, their chemistry reignites each year. 

Years later, Lucy returns to PEI to support her friend, Bridget, and she must finally confront her lingering feelings for Fleix, risking her heart and friendship.

Release Date- 7 May 2024

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My new favorite romance from Cochran delivered an unexpected second-chance romance twist that reminded me of The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle.

Rosemary & Logan were childhood best friends until an incident fractured this friendship and turned them into bitter rivals.

Now in their thirties and working as teachers at their alma mater, they are asked to help their beloved English teacher fulfill the road trip of a lifetime as he faces the final months of his life.

However, readers discover that Joe has a surprising reason for wanting to pull these two together, bringing them on a side excursion with an old flame.

Get ready for a stunning second-chance romance with some ties to a pivotal moment in LGBT History.

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My go-to recommendation from Hogle would be You Deserve Each Other, a hilarious romp of a book that is also a second-chance romance. But I wanted to offer some fresh recommendations for your summer, too, and Hogle's new book timed perfectly with today's list!

Readers should note that early reviews are split on this book regarding a plot twist detail, but you can be assured this one offers the witty banter you've come to expect from her other novels with a cozy, magical spin.

Romina Tempest runs a magical flower shop in the small town of Moonville, Ohio, where she helps people find love. She gave up on her own big romance eleven years ago, but at least she can bask in the promise of others.

But things get complicated when Romina discovers that Trevor's soon-to-be stepbrother is Alex, her high school sweetheart.

Fake dating shenanigans ensue, but she must decide whether to give Alex another chance or finally let go of the past.

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In this marriage of convenience romance, high school sweethearts get their second chance at love.

Violet is now a successful celebrity stylist who has navigated a public breakup with her ex-fiancé.

On a birthday trip to Vegas, she runs into her old high school sweetheart, Xavier, and the two impulsively tie the knot.

Yet, when their passion reignites, they realize their feelings are just as real as when they were teenagers.

If you loved Forest's The Neighbor Favor, this BIPOC romance might be your new favorite!

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Sage Flores returns to her hometown after eight years of avoiding her family's "gifts" since her younger sister's death.

Her special gift is that she can communicate with plants, which allows her to discover rare heritage specimens on the land.

Now working together, new feelings began to take hold between these high school sweethearts.

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Eva struggles to balance her writing career, chronic pain, and single motherhood in this steamy, open-door romance.

But her world is rocked when prize-winning author Shane Hall reenters her life, reigniting their past love affair in glorious detail.

In a legendary plot twist, these authors spent only one week together as teens, but those seven days left such an impact that they still include references to each other in their books 15 years later.

This emotional romance book chronicles their difficult childhoods and grown-up challenges as successful Black authors.

It gives readers a peek behind the curtain at the romance writing process and the creative challenges of creation. It is one of my all-time favorites.

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This childhood friends-to-lovers story is offered on audiobook and narrated by the legendary Julia Whelan.

Best known for her incredible reporting on NPR, Linda Holmes has drawn readers who don't typically gravitate toward cozy stories in this sophomore effort.

Laurie inherits her Great-Aunt Dot's house, prompting her to confront her past choices, including a decision to be unmarried and child-free.

As she navigates the complexities of the estate, she rekindles connections with old friends and flames.

Laurie's romance is a bit secondary to a fun caper involving an old wooden duck in her aunt's belongings, as readers discover a Nancy Drew-esque mystery within this curious chain of events.

But, readers should be aware that this novel offers a twist on the traditional rom-com ending. In this case, a happily ever after is undoubtedly in the eye of the beholder. 

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I'm new to the Christina Lauren fan club and only read this backlist gem last year, but it was so incredible that it made my Best Fiction Books of 2023 list.

It's a slow-burn second-chance romance story about Macy and Elliot, whose childhood friendship developed into a romantic relationship.

The book has a unique blend of heartwarming adolescent bookish elements reminiscent of Judy Blume's writing as they discover more about themselves and each other in a cozy little reading nook seemingly made for two.

I couldn't put this down.

I can't share a list without acknowledging this classic, which was Austen's last completed work before her death.

Anne Elliot and Captain Frederick Wentworth reunite years after being separated in this tale of yearning and longing.

As they navigate their emotions and society's complexities, the couple get a second chance at love in Regency England.

If you have Spotify Premium, you can choose from various audiobook narrator options, including Yolanda Kettle, Cynthia, Erivo, Rosalyn Landor, or PJ Roscoe to immerse yourself in this story. Be sure to try the sample before using your monthly credit to find a voice that matches your listening style.

This slow-burn small-town romance brings together Sandy and Hank, whose high school dreams of escaping their small town for artistic pursuits were put on hold when circumstances intervened.

Now, fifteen years later, they find themselves at a crossroads as their paths intersect again.

Sandy is thriving at her local business and must confront her lingering feelings for Hank when he returns home, both as a successful country singer and a single dad.

Readers who like a vibrant supporting cast of characters weren't disappointed with Kerry Winfrey's sweet townspeople who were reminiscent of Gilmore Girls.

It looks like the perfect book pairing for readers who loved Colton Gentry's Third Act.

Fortune's debut romance offers a captivating story set in Ontario's cottage country, following the evolving relationship of Percy and Sam over two decades.

The novel alternates between past and present, exploring their friendship from awkward teenage years to adulthood as they are reunited after years of being estranged.

I appreciated how Fortune's retelling of what could feel like a YA book feels so sophisticated and steamy. It's a grown-up coming-of-age story that any reader can immerse themselves in. 

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Who needs second chances when you can have three, four, or even a hundred? Time loop stories rarely work for me, but one of my favorites this year has been this romance that offered readers a quick 24-hour cycle to fall in love.

Jack finds himself stuck in a time loop that progresses only when Gemma falls for him. Unfortunately, she has no memory of any of their previous encounters.

When the story starts, we discover that this is loop 147, so thankfully, the repetitive nature that these stories traditionally explore are skipped, making the plot progress quickly.

Now, Jack has begun unlocking the key to the time loop and Gemma's heart. I loved every minute of this sweet story, including the nods to iconic rom-com films like When Harry Met Sally & Love Actually.

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If you have yet to dive into this delightful series, the first book delivers a fun second-chance romance and introduces you to a memorable book club concept.

A group of men form a book club to read romance novels to find new ways to connect with the women in their lives.

The first character to apply this romance knowledge is Gavin Scott, a man navigating a troubled marriage.

Readers will swoon over his shenanigans as he puts those romance book moments into practice.

Lana navigates a rough workplace dynamic when her high school ex-boyfriend, Seth, takes an assignment at her company.

But things escalate when Lana's boss pits the pair against each other in a competition. Assigned an article series, they must compete to win a highly coveted columnist spot.

But, their relationship history and undeniable chemistry make the competition challenging in more ways than one.

If a little rom-com film called How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days was your favorite, this novel will sit in your wheelhouse.

Yasmen and Josiah faced devastating emotional losses in their marriage, but both are now ready to find happiness again by beginning a new chapter of dating and first love.

But they can't deny their intense connection, which always draws them back to each other's orbit.

As the two begin a steamy, illicit affair, readers will have no choice but to root for this couple to find a more profound love the second time, especially as their backstory comes together for the reader.

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Jeff Zenter brought this Emily Henry story to our show as one of his favorite second-chance romances. 

This forced proximity romance has Harriet and Wyn hiding a secret breakup during a week-long vacation in Maine with their friend group. 

Emily Henry always brings a fresh perspective to all her love stories.

She offers readers an emotional escape as old sparks reignite slowly, bringing the reader to an emotional conclusion about why the two broke up in the first place. 

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Amy Lin's deeply meditative memoir offers a nonlinear perspective on the sudden loss of her husband, who passed away at the age of thirty-two when he heads out for a half-marathon.

Just ten days later, she begins to have abdominal pain that Amy attributes to weeping- feeling indescribable pain in her rib.

But what develops is a harrowing medical crisis that leaves her body in a weakened state as she navigates funeral planning while emerging from the ICU.

More than that, the novel offers an instruction manual on misconceptions about what is helpful or harmful to someone grieving.

Lin processes the loss in a contemplative way to understand the grieving brain, why grief doesn't fit abstract timeliness, and what we should say to those newly processing loss.

It was a joy to share an hour with Amy Lin on the Book Gang Podcast and discuss how to support the grieving without shying away from this universal experience.

You can listen in the player embedded at the top of the list.

Sloane Crosley experienced a traumatic loss when her apartment was burglarized, and she turned to her best friend, Russell Perreault, for support.

What she never expected was that Russell would suddenly be gone just a few days later when he took his own life, compounding her grief.

In this new memoir, she faces issues such as PTSD, guilt, and the complicated nature of grief itself.

With her characteristic humor and openness, Crosley challenges traditional beliefs about mourning and shares her personal experience of love and loss.

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Rob Delaney's raw and poignant memoir chronicles the devastating loss of his two-year-old son, Henry, to a brain tumor.

With unflinching honesty and moments of fierce humor, Delaney navigates the harrowing journey of Henry's illness, the profound impact of his grief, and the search for meaning in the aftermath of tragedy.

Rob Delaney's audiobook narration greatly enhanced this memoir for many readers. Readers should note the comedian, best known for his work on Catastrophe, uses lots of colorful language to tell their heartbreaking story.

Zauner was only in her twenties when she wrote this beautiful book, but she recounts a journey beyond her years as a storyteller.

She tenderly shares her moving journey of loss and self-discovery as she cares for her mother during her battle with cancer. 

What makes this memoir compelling is the honesty in portraying a complicated mother-daughter relationship in which the two find solace in Korean cuisine both during this journey and in its resolution.

The lush food descriptions enhance this story and are layered throughout the complexities Michelle faced as a Korean-American. 

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Greta Greene was two years old when a freak accident took her life. Sitting on a park bench with her grandmother, a brick crumbled from a windowsill overhead, knocking her unconscious. Her parents navigate the unimaginable.

Four years after her death, her father began documenting this journey through his poetic, heart-wrenching exploration.

But, the novel's second half takes surprising turns as the couple seeks comfort and answers through unlikely sources to their grief.

In Bloom's moving memoir, she candidly shares the heart-wrenching journey she and her husband Brian embarked on after his diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

With grace and courage, they confront the devastating reality of his illness and make the difficult decision to seek assistance from Dignitas in Switzerland.

Despite the weighty subject matter, Bloom's narrative offers readers comfort to those facing similar struggles.

Renkl's essay collection weaves observations on her backyard wildlife with more profound reflections on life, loss, and the passage of time. 

From childhood memories to the complexities of caregiving, Renkl's storytelling captures the beauty and fragility of our existence. 

This memoir is unique because it offers readers over two dozen full-page collages created by the author's brother to provide readers with an immersive reading experience.

You can peek at examples of Billy Renkl's illustrations on his website, where he blends the rural world into each image. 

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This stunning memoir explores the fragility of life and death through Paul's experiences as a neurosurgeon and a patient facing his own mortality.

Despite being diagnosed with cancer, Paul continued to work tirelessly in the operating room and put his own needs aside. His ability to do so is nothing short of miraculous, and his words reflect the poetic strength of a life well-lived.

His wife's closing to the book brings it all together in a beautiful and memorable way, reminding us that the most important thing we should strive for in life is to give and receive unconditional love.

In her memoir, Joan Didion writes about the year that followed the unexpected death of her husband, John Gregory Dunne, and the serious illness of their daughter.

Through stream of consciousness writing, Didion explores the depths of grief and how the mind copes with tragedy. This book has become a go-to read for many who are coping with loss.

Klebold painfully writes about her son Dylan and his involvement in the Columbine shooting in this memoir that we read as a book club.

A family similar to ours offered love and support to their son but became part of one of the biggest tragedies in history. In part, this was because his parents were unaware of their son's depression and mental health challenges.

While this was one of the most challenging books I have ever read, it reminds us that our job as parents is to keep our children's mental health in check just as we would their physical health.

This book changed my dialogue with my children in life-altering ways.

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Ethan Joella's novel was selected as a 2023 MomAdvice Book Club selection, and readers loved this cozy winter setting with three interconnected stories.

In this novel, each of the characters face loss but discover themselves and each other in their winter seasons of life.

Joella's masterful storytelling and keen eye for detail bring the characters and their small-town world to life, evoking a sense of warmth and familiarity that resonates with readers. 

Of course, they discover the beauty in their unexpected found family- my favorite kind of trope!

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This magical realism novel is narrated from the unique perspective of a dog named Lily, and explores the deep bond between her and her owner, Ted.

The two face unbelievable challenges together, and their relationship is put to the test in unexpected ways. To say more would rob you of a unique reading experience.

The story is filled with laughter, love, and moments of heartfelt connection, but also touches on the painful realities of losing a cherished pet.

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While the premise may sound bleak—a mother's suicide and its impact on her family—this backlist book unfolds in a way that is unexpectedly uplifting. 

Maddy's continued presence and influence on her family from beyond the grave add a unique and compelling layer to the narrative, offering insights and guidance as they navigate their grief and rebuild their lives. 

This 5-star read will be one you never forget.

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In this novel from Monica Wood, 104-year-old Ona develops an unexpected friendship with a young Scout who is fascinated by the Guinness Book of World Records. 

When tragedy strikes and the boy passes away, his father Quinn steps in to fulfill his son's obligations, leading him to discover the special bond between his son and Ona.

Through flashbacks to their conversations and a road trip adventure to help Ona achieve her own world record, the story renders touching moments and heartfelt revelations. 

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Isaac and Lorrie are neighbors bound by grief over the loss of their teenage sons, Daniel and Jonah.

When pregnant teenager Evangeline seeks refuge with Isaac, their lives become intertwined in unexpected ways, revealing secrets that connect them to their shared tragedy.

This domestic drama unfolds through multiple viewpoints and timelines, offering a rich and atmospheric exploration of loss amidst hope.

But, what I remember most about this novel is a story of Quaker faith, a religion I hadn't explored through a contemporary lens before.

Twelve-year-old Edward Adler is the lone survivor of a devastating plane crash. Taken in by his aunt and uncle, he struggles to navigate life without his family while grappling with the trauma of his experience.

With the support of his new friend Shay, Edward discovers a bag of letters addressed to him from the families of the crash victims, leading him on a journey of healing and self-discovery.

Through alternating perspectives, the novel provides insight into the passengers' final moments and the aftermath of the tragedy.

This novel was a 2022 MomAdvice Book Club Book that celebrated the power of literature and the healing magic of libraries. 

Mukesh, still mourning the loss of his beloved wife Naina, discovers solace within the pages of his wife's favorite novel.

This forgotten novel later leads him to the local library, where 17-year-old Aleisha works as a librarian. Aleisha isn't much of a reader, but she discovers a crumpled reading list on the library shelves as she struggles to make book recommendations for the widower.

This reading list benefits both their reading lives and brings an unexpected connection with other town residents that readers will delight in. 

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This short, haunting novel brings a mother's grief to life in such memorable detail that I haven't forgotten it. Set in Nigeria, Vivek's life is shrouded in mystery and tragedy.

Through a series of interconnected narratives and flashbacks, Emezi unravels his identity as a gender-nonconforming individual. The author handles this aspect of the narrative with such beauty and care in poetic detail.

But, as Vivek grapples with societal expectations and family pressures, readers discover the beauty and pain of his journey to embrace his true self.

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This novel made The Best Fiction Books of 2023 list as a backlist addition. I highly recommend it as an audiobook experience with narrator Bahni Turpin, whose narration enhanced this story beautifully. 

Gifty, a neuroscience Ph.D. candidate, is haunted by her brother Nana's tragic descent into heroin addiction.

As she navigates the clash between science and faith, Gifty's journey explores the complexities of her identity and her search for meaning.

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Ove has lost his wife and has decided to give up on his life.

However, when new neighbors move in next door and disrupt his daily routine, Ove gradually finds new purpose through their gentle interventions.

Through humor and tenderness, Backman explores themes of loss, loneliness, and the power of human connection to heal even the most broken hearts.

This novel has been a hit even with readers who don't gravitate towards romance novels.

After the loss of her husband to early-onset Alzheimer's, Kate struggles to balance single motherhood and her work life.

Stranded on a business trip with her boss, Hugh, due to bad weather, she confronts her grief and discovers clarity on her future for herself and her son.

Emma Grey, the author, is also a midlife widow, who wrote this novel after her personal experience with loss.

In this steamy second chance romance, Yasmen and Josiah face the challenges of co-parenting after ending their marriage upon the challenges of a significant parental loss. 

However, amidst navigating the dating world separately, they begin to renew their passion for each other.

Don't miss my Kennedy Ryan interview as we celebrate the second book in the Skyland series, This Could Be Us. 

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Lydia and Freddie were inseparable for over a decade, but Freddie unexpectedly dies in a car accident on Lydia's twenty-eighth birthday. 

Devastated, Lydia begins to take sleeping pills prescribed by her doctor and discovers an alternate reality where Freddie's life continues in her dreams. 

But, as Lydia begins the slow healing process of grieving, she rediscovers the bittersweet beauty in her real life with the help of Freddie's best friend and her sister.

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It is hard to choose which John Green book to feature, but I adore this novel about Miles "Pudge" Halter's experiences at Culver Creek Boarding School, where he befriends Alaska Young. 

Together, they engage in pranks and adventures, creating a deep bond. But, as the plot unfolds, Pudge wrestles with the complexities of friendship, love, and loss, ultimately undergoing a deep internal shift. 

John Green's writing offers a beautiful exploration of adolescence and the search for meaning in this novel.

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Zentner is no stranger to books about grief and his new adult debut novel, Colton Gentry's Third Act explores this same subject. I'm excited to host Jeff in conversation next week on the Book Gang podcast.

But, in this young adult novel, Carver loses his three best friends in a car accident caused by texting and driving.

The families investigate whether to press charges, and Carver is consumed with guilt and grief. 

He organizes a "Goodbye Day" to help the families find closure, but it doesn't go as planned.

Carver faces feelings of anger and blame for his role in the accident and must work through these difficult emotions with the help of his therapist.

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Jessie's mother has passed away, and the teenager is still grieving her loss. However, she now she finds herself unexpectedly moving to Los Angeles with her dad after he married a woman from his support group.

As she struggles to fit in at her new school, she's surprised to receive supportive emails from someone named SN.

Jessie wants to meet this mysterious person as their online relationship grows, bringing the reader to a beautiful conclusion.

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I wasn't expecting a book about grief in this sweet little YA rom-com, but this delivers some beautiful mother-daughter scenes as a teenage daughter navigates her senior milestones without her mom. 

As Liz delays some of her most exciting milestones, like prom dress shopping, the reader discovers she is still processing her grief as she finds an unlikely accomplice to complete her senior checklist. 

Check out our free printable Better Than the Movies Movie PDF Printable that gives you an immersive experience with a checklist of all the films featured in this sweet read that were among the shared favorites of Liz & her mother. 

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