27 Best Second Chance Romance Books to Read 

Explore the list of  best second-chance romance books in 2023

Whether you’re new to reading a second chance romance novel or already a fan of them you would absolutely love this list. 

Basically, these second-chance romance novels are all about love stories where the couples didn’t have a happy ending the first time they were together. These books show how they get a second chance at love and try to make it to a happy ending!

From Love and Other Words to The Bromance Book Club, find the best books to read. 

Love And Other Words by Christina Lauren

New York Times bestselling author Christina Lauren’s Love and Other Words is the second chance romance featuring two high school sweethearts.  

Macy Sorensen, a dedicated new pediatrics resident, is navigating a life plan that includes marrying an older, financially secure man.

However, her world is upended when she unexpectedly crosses paths with Elliot Petropoulos, her childhood best friend and the love of her life. 

Their story unfolds through alternating timelines, showing how they evolved from friends to much more during their teenage years. 

This contemporary romance is a beautiful story of friendship and first love. 

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Happy Place by Emily Henry 

In Emily Henry’s Happy Place, Harriet and Wyn used to be the best couple ever, but six months ago, something made their relationship fall apart. The tricky part? They didn’t tell their best friends about their breakup. Every year, their closest friends come together at a cute cottage in Maine. This lovely vacation is a special tradition, a week of friendship with lots of cheese, wine, seafood, and the calm ocean wind.

However, this year is different. The cottage is up for sale, and it’s their last chance to revel in this beloved haven. Determined not to shatter their friends’ hearts, Harriet

Emily Henry’s novel promises a sparkling and insightful journey. 

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The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams

In Lyssa Kay Adams’ book, The Bromance Book Club, Gavin Scott, a famous player for the Nashville Legends, faces a big problem in his marriage. He finds out that his wife, Thea, has not been honest about enjoying their intimate moments. This discovery makes their already troubled relationship even worse, and Thea wants a divorce.

But Gavin doesn’t want to give up on their marriage just yet. So he  finds help from an unlikely source: a secret romance book club made up of Nashville’s top alpha men

However, it won’t be easy, and Gavin must search within himself to find the hero he needs to rebuild the trust he’s lost.

Lyssa Kay Adams’ delightful and funny story explores love, friendship, and the unexpected lessons hidden in the pages of romance novels.

The Bromance Book Club is a heartwarming tale of redemption and second chances that will make you root for love to conquer all.

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You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle 

If you are looking for a funny and lighthearted contemporary second chance here is a good one! 

Sarah Hogle’s You Deserve Each Other is the story of  Naomi Westfield and Nicholas Rose. They may seem like a perfect couple at first, but under their polished surface is a troubled relationship. 

As their fancy wedding gets closer, Naomi is really fed up and can’t stand her seemingly perfect fiancé anymore.

Desperate to get out of this engagement, Naomi finds out something surprising: Nicholas has also been pretending to be happy. 

This discovery leads to a funny battle of wits, pranks, and emotional fights between the two former lovebirds. They compete to see who will cancel the wedding and bear the nonrefundable cost, turning their once-peaceful relationship into an all-out war.

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It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

Colleen Hoover’s immensely popular novel  It Ends with Us is the story of Lily Bloom. Now in Boston, she has come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up

Her world is completely changed when she meets Ryle, a brilliant but commitment-phobic neurosurgeon.

Despite Ryle’s reluctance, they start a passionate relationship. However, Lily’s past love, Atlas, resurfaces, jeopardizing her newfound happiness with Ryle.

This emotional rollercoaster explores the complexities of love, trust, and the lasting impact of past relationships. Read book review 

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Final Offer by Lauren Asher

In Lauren Asher’s Final Offer, Callahan Kane is the talk of the town, known as a wealthy troublemaker and former athlete struggling with addiction.

 His childhood best friend and former love, Lana Castillo, is the only one who truly knows him. 

Six years ago, he broke Lana’s heart and vowed never to return to Lake Wisteria. But a twist of fate in his grandfather’s will forces him to spend a summer at their family lake house, where Lana also resides and claims ownership. 

Lana’s perspective reveals her regret for falling in love with Callahan, who’s back to sell the house with her name on the deed. 

Final Offeris a billionaire romance that explores second chances and their complex history as childhood friends must confront their past for a chance at a future together.

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All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover

Colleen Hoover’s All Your Perfects is a captivating and thought-provoking exploration of the enduring strength of love and the resilience of the human heart.

Quinn and Graham’s perfect love is threatened by their imperfect marriage. 

The weight of their past is tearing them apart, threatening to destroy the love they once cherished.

Amidst the chaos, there’s a forgotten promise that holds the potential to either save their relationship or push it beyond the point of repair. 

All Your Perfects is a poignant and heart-wrenching page-turner that explores whether a love that began perfectly can withstand the trials and imperfections of a lifetime.

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The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling 

In The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling (a pen name for Rachel Hawkins), there’s a mix of romance and magic. 

Nine years ago, Vivienne used her magic to curse her mean ex-boyfriend, thinking it would just give him some bad luck. 

But when he returns to town, strange things start happening, like angry toys and a talking cat.

Vivi and Rhys have to stop these weird things from hurting their town. They have to work together even though they have a strong attraction to each other. 

The Ex Hex is a funny, romantic, and magical novel that would make the perfect fall read. Explore more fall reads. 

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Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

Tia William’s Seven Days in June is a gripping novel about two accomplished authors whose paths unexpectedly cross. 

Eva Mercy is a single mother and bestselling erotica writer, while Shane Hall is a reclusive award-winning author.

They meet at a literary event in New York City, sparking a connection that unearths their romance from two decades ago. Surprisingly, they’ve been secretly writing to each other in their books ever since.

During seven steamy days in a hot Brooklyn summer, Eva and Shane reconnect. However, Eva is torn between trusting the man who once broke her heart and taking control of her life. Before Shane disappears again, important questions need answers.

Seven Days in June explores Black life, modern motherhood, and the consequences of past choices.  Explore more books seven in the title. 

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Maybe This Christmas by Susannah Nix 

In Maybe This Christmas by Susannah Nix, Alexandra and Lucas share a magical first kiss on Christmas during high school. Life takes them in different directions as Alex goes to college and Lucas stays in their small beach town.

Their high school romance fades as they grow apart, and Lucas decides to let Alex go. But destiny brings them back together every Christmas when Alex returns home. They meet up, catch up, and reignite their connection.

This holiday romance is filled with hope as Alex and Lucas navigate life’s challenges, always reuniting on that special day.

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Been There Done That by Hope Ellis 

Zora Leffersbee’s once-perfect life is now anything but perfect. 

Her job at the University is in jeopardy, funding for her team is uncertain, and her faux-fiancé, Jackson James, is pushing her patience to its limits. 

Just when she thinks things can’t get more complicated, life throws her a curveball.

Enter Nick Rossi, a man from Zora’s past who’s now a powerful and influential figure. His return to Green Valley, despite his plans, hasn’t gone as expected, especially when it comes to the woman he’s always wanted.

Zora is determined to focus on her mission of righting the world’s wrongs, leaving no room for the man who once broke her heart. Nick, on the other hand, can’t help but want to protect Zora, even if his feelings remain unrequited.

Been There Done That is the first book in the Leffersbee series within the Green Valley World, a part of the Penny Reid Book Universe. 

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Kiss and Tell by Melanie Jacobson

Tabitha Winters, a celebrity chef living a glamorous life in New York City, finds herself facing her past when her best friends invite her to the reopening of their old summer camp.

Tabitha is confronted with memories of her first love, Sawyer Reed, and the heartbreak that ended their relationship. 

However, her return to Camp Oak Crest takes an unexpected turn when she starts to see glimpses of Sawyer. As she investigates further, Tabitha discovers that someone is playing an elaborate prank on her, and Sawyer is at the center of it all.

But there’s more to the story than meets the eye. It turns out that Sawyer is there to collect on a marriage pact they made as young, impulsive teenagers. He challenges Tabitha to give him a week to prove that their old magic still exists, even though they’ve been apart for a decade.

Set in the nostalgic backdrop of a summer camp, Kiss and Tell is a delightful and heartwarming story of rediscovering love and the power of second chances. 

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In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros

In In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros, Izzy Astor embarks on a routine flight home, not expecting much from the usual holiday travel chaos. 

However, her journey takes an unexpected turn when she discovers her seatmate, Nate Phelan, who is far from ordinary with his irresistible rugged charm. 

Their connection is immediate, and for Izzy, it feels like destiny.

Tragically, just ninety seconds after takeoff, their plane crashes into the Missouri River, altering the course of their lives forever. 

Nate pursues a military career, while Izzy finds her way into politics. Despite a few serendipitous encounters over the years, the timing never seems right for them to be together.

Their lives intersect once again in a high-stakes reunion in Afghanistan, where Nate is given the crucial task of protecting Izzy. 

He’s determined to keep her safe and win her heart, willing to do anything and everything to make it happen. 

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Return To Us by Corinne Michaels 

In Return to Us by Corinne Michaels, Jessica left her hometown and her love, Grayson, at eighteen. Fourteen years later, a car accident brings her back to Willow Creek Valley, where she finds Grayson as a single dad.

They work together at The Park Inn and start reconnecting. Seeing Grayson as a father reignites Jessica’s feelings for him. One look into his eyes takes her back to the past, one kiss changes everything, and one night together makes her believe they belong together.

Jessica has grown, shedding her fear of Grayson’s wealthy family and the desire to leave their small town. She envisions a new life with Grayson in Willow Creek Valley. But Grayson has trust issues and walls around his heart. Can Jessica convince him to give their first love a second chance?

Return to Us is the first book in the Willow Creek Valley series and another small town romance for book lovers. 

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Broken Miles by Claire Kingsley 

In Broken Miles by Claire Kingsley, we follow Roland Miles, a successful man who lost his first love, Zoe Sutton, when their marriage ended. Roland threw himself into work to cope.

Zoe’s life didn’t go as planned, and she’s now working at Roland’s family business. Four years after their divorce, she wonders if she can find happiness again.

Things change when Roland returns home to help with a land crisis. Amidst family drama, Zoe becomes a significant part of the picture. Roland didn’t come back for a second chance, but as they spend time together, he realizes what they lost and what they could have again.

Broken Miles explores the emotions of two people who hurt each other in the past. It’s a story of love’s complications, healing old wounds, second chances, and the enduring power of love.

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The Mistake by Elle Kennedy 

The Mistake by Elle Kennedy is a New York Times bestseller from the internationally bestselling author and TikTok sensation, Elle Kennedy. 

In this binge-worthy second- chance romance you’ll meet John Logan, a college hockey star who can have any girl he desires. 

Logan is a guy who parties a lot and has casual relationships, but deep down, he’s worried about his future after college.

Enter Grace Ivers, a freshman who crosses paths with Logan in a steamy encounter. 

However, a hasty misstep threatens to push her away. Determined to win her back, Logan resolves to spend his final year proving that he’s deserving of a second chance.

Grace isn’t the shy girl she used to be. Her freshman year didn’t go well, and now she’s more confident. She’s not interested in being just another fling for Logan or anyone else. If he wants her, he’ll have to work hard to earn her love, and she’s taking control of their romance.

In The Mistake by Elle Kennedy, you can expect lots of chemistry, humor, and heartfelt moments. It’s a rollercoaster of a love story filled with passion, determination, and a wild journey to finding love.

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The Road Trip by Beth O’Leary  

Next, we have a fun second-chance romance book that is the perfect audiobook for a road trip. 

Beth O’Leary’s The Road Trip takes you on an epic road trip through the stunning landscapes of Scotland, filled with twists, turns, and a heaping dose of romance.

Addie and her sister are excited about their road trip to a friend’s wedding in northern Scotland. 

However, things take an unexpected turn when their car is rear-ended by Addie’s ex, Dylan. 

With both parties heading to the same wedding and their car in bad shape, Addie reluctantly offers them a ride. 

As they embark on the journey together, the car becomes a pressure cooker of baggage, secrets, and unresolved emotions. The road trip forces Addie and Dylan to confront their complicated history.

Over the course of the three hundred miles, you’ll find yourself cheering for this unlikely quartet and wondering if this journey might help Addie and Dylan reevaluate their past and contemplate a future together. 

The Road Trip is a heartwarming and funny story about love, forgiveness, and life’s unexpected twists and turns.

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Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas 

Again the Magic tells the love story of Lady Aline Marsden and John McKenna, which goes against the strict rules of their society. Aline, born into privilege, falls deeply in love with McKenna, a man from a lower social class. 

Their love is strong and forbidden, and it endangers everything they hold dear.

When their secret love is discovered, their lives fall apart. 

McKenna is forced to leave, not knowing about Aline’s sacrifice to protect him. Years later, McKenna returns, seeking revenge against Aline, but their love is still alive. 

As they uncover each other’s secrets, they find a love that transcends societal rules and even fate.

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Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan

Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan is a heartwarming story set on Long Island.

 It follows Sam, engaged to Jack, who unexpectedly reunites with her first love, Wyatt, after 14 years. 

Sam spent her summers with Wyatt from age five to seventeen, but he broke her heart at seventeen. 

Now, as she plans her wedding with Jack, Sam returns to her family’s beach house and finds Wyatt back in her life. 

The book explores Sam’s feelings for Wyatt and her commitment to Jack, evoking the nostalgia of their past summers. 

Monaghan’s storytelling vividly brings out the emotions, making readers feel like they are on the sandy shores of Long Island. 

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The Best Thing by Mariana Zapata 

The Best Thing is a compelling tale of love, forgiveness, and the undeniable pull of the heart. This slow-burn romance will take you on an emotional journey through the complexities of relationships. 

Lenny DeMaio vows to move on from Jonah Collins, but Jonah has different plans, and in The Best ThingMariana Zapata skillfully explores the complexities of human connections and the enduring power of love.

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Love Her or Lose Her by Tessa Bailey

Tessa Bailey’s Love Her or Lose Her is a rollercoaster of love, growth, and second chances that’ll tug at your heartstrings.

Rosie and Dominic were once the epitome of love, high school sweethearts turned soulmates. However, life has taken its toll, and the man she fell in love with seems to have vanished. But Rosie isn’t ready to give up on their love just yet. With the encouragement of her friends, she decides to embark on a journey to rekindle the flames of their relationship.

Enter marriage boot camp – a wild idea that Rosie proposes to Dom. The idea of this stoic, ex-soldier husband engaging in touchy-feely therapy seems far-fetched. But to her surprise, he agrees, leading them on a hilarious and heartwarming journey of self-discovery and love rekindling.

Love Her or Lose Her is a touching and passionate tale of love and redemption, proving that even the most broken relationships can be mended with effort and understanding. 

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Coach by Devney Perry

Coach is a  sizzling and emotionally charged ride where the captivating romance unfolds in the rugged beauty of Montana.

 Sparks fly as football star turned single dad, Ford Ellis, reenters the life of our unforgettable protagonist, Millie.

For years, Millie has tried to erase Ford’s memory, but fate has other plans.

Her carefully constructed world crumbles when her boss hires Ford as the new head coach for the Treasure State Wildcats. Suddenly, she can’t avoid him anymore, and their worlds collide.

The book delves into the complexities of past and present, love and loss, and dreams that refuse to die. 

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A Lie for a Lie by Helena Hunting

A Lie for a Lie  by Helena Hunting is an absolute page-turner that combines romance, humor, and second chances in a delightful concoction. 

The story follows an NHL team captain in desperate need of a break from his demanding life. His quest for normalcy takes an unexpected turn when a stunning woman, Lainey, quite literally falls into his lap during a flight to Alaska. The catch? She has no clue about his celebrity status.

What follows is a whirlwind of passion and domestic bliss that’s as heartwarming as it is steamy. However, life takes an unexpected turn, and their connection is severed. A chance encounter a year later reunites them, but the weight of secrets and lies threatens to tear them apart.

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Forget Me Not by Julie Soto

In Forget Me Not Ama is a talented wedding planner who helps others tie the knot but is wary of marriage herself because of her mom’s history. 

Elliot, a grumpy florist, reluctantly owns a flower shop and still regrets a failed proposal to Ama.

Their paths cross again when Ama plans a celebrity wedding, and Elliot is the florist. The two brides see their chemistry and try to set them up, unaware of their history. With a meddling ex-boss and reality TV filming, Ama and Elliot’s hearts and livelihoods are on the line once more.

This hot romance is filled with wedding planning, rekindled romance, and the complexities of love, all set against the backdrop of a high-profile celebrity wedding.

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Whispers of You by Catherine Cowles

Catherine Cowles’ captivating novel Whispers of You is a swoony second chance novel where the main characters Wren and Holt are deeply in love until a tragic event shatters their lives

 Wren is left physically and emotionally wounded, and Holt returns changed by his own demons.

Holt seeks to make amends and win back what they lost, becoming a presence in Wren’s refuge town. Despite her defenses, Wren can’t resist him, craving a second chance. However, not everyone welcomes Holt’s return, and tragedy strikes again, endangering Wren’s life.

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Take This Regret by A.L. Jackson

In the book Take This Regret by A.L. Jackson and Amy Lichtenhan, Christian makes a big mistake by hurting Elizabeth. 

He’s focused on becoming a lawyer and leaves Elizabeth and their child behind. Elizabeth struggles to raise their daughter for five years while Christian regrets his decision.

Christian wants to be with his family again, but Elizabeth is scared he’ll hurt them again. When Christian comes back, Elizabeth has to decide if she can forgive him for what he did.

Take This Regret  is about giving second chances, forgiving the unforgivable, and whether love can come back after a long time of hurt. 

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I Hate You by Ilsa Madden-Mills

I Hate You is a second chance, enemies-to-lovers romance  between Blaze and Charisma, who have a rather complicated history. Although they don’t get along, they also can’t deny they’re attracted to each other.

Blaze used to be with Charisma, but he ended things and made her feel embarrassed at her own party. Charisma doesn’t want to give in to Blaze’s charm, even though he’s really popular.

As Blaze tries to win Charisma back, he has to decide between her and his player lifestyle. 

I Hate You promises a steamy and flirty love story packed with emotional depth, as Blaze tries to score the girl who has captured his heart, risking the biggest fumble of his life.

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