I, of course, love the butterfly flutters of meet-cutes and seeing the potential between two strangers meeting each other for the first time. But there’s something also compelling about second chances, about forgiveness, about a shared history. A second chance romance is, after all, a type of redemption.
- You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle
Genre: Romance
Average Goodreads Rating: 3.95
Naomi Westfield has the perfect fiance. They never fight and she is…bored. She knows though that whoever cancels the engagement has to fund the nonrefundable wedding bill. When she finds out her fiance has also feigned contentment, there is a series of pranks and sabotage to get one to break up before the other. And now, of course, Naomi is starting to have fun with him again.
- Been There Done That by Hope Ellis
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Average Goodreads Rating: 3.81
Zora’s tenure at the university is in question, she’s lacking funding, and her faux-fiance’s unpredictability has her on edge. Then, Nick shows up. Nick is used to getting everything, so when he shows back in town and can’t win the girl he wants, he is frusturated. Zora doesn’t have time for the boy who broke his heart, while Nick wants to set his wrongs right.
- Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Average Goodreads Rating: 4.34
Macy has a secure life–she works hard as a new pediatrics resident while planning a wedding to an older, financially secure gentleman. Then, Elliot shows up. She used to love Elliot, after her mother died. He opened her, told her he loved her, then broke her. In alternating timelines, learn of Macy and Elliot’s love story, and if that flame can be rekindled.
- It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
Genre: New Adult Romance
Average Goodreads Rating: 4.42
Lily has worked hard to open her own business in Boston. When she meets her dream man, Ryle, it’s a dream come true. Ryle is stubborn with a soft spot for Lily. Though he has an aversion to relationships, Lily seems to be the exception…yet she can’t help but wonder why he’s like that. Her wondering leads to memories of her first love, who suddenly shows up, putting her dream life in jeopardy.
- The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai
Genre: Romance
Average Goodreads Rating: 3.66
A cynical dating app creator guards her own heart and love life. Though she did have one steamy night with former pro-football player, Samson. Then he just ghosts her. She thought she was over it, until he resurfaces and is in league with her business rival.
- The Ones Who Got Away by Roni Loren
Genre: New Adult Romance
Average Goodreads Rating: 3.93
It’s been twelve years since tragedy struck the senior class of Long Acre High School. Only a few students survived that fateful night—a group the media dubbed The Ones Who Got Away. Liv Arias returns to town for a documentary as does her old flame, Finn Dorsey.
- Swear On This Life by Renee Carlino
Genre: Chick Lit
Average Goodreads Rating: 4.15
As an adjunct writing professor who has stalled her own literary career, Emmiline isn’t thrilled to celebrate a young writer. Yet Emmiline is captivated by the story–one that mimicks her own love story in rural Ohio, meaning the mysterious writer could only be her first love. She wants to confront him, but can she?
Living For Literature 