What’s better than a meet-cute? That’s easy – reading a tension-filled reunion, full of drama, backstory, sometimes falling apart, and sometimes falling in love. The whole time, you’re rooting for your favorite couple to be together (again). This is the kind of love story that pulls at your heart, rips you apart, and has you reading all night long. Here are some of my favorite second-chance romance recommendations if you’re ready for this rollercoaster of emotions.
10 Books to Read If You Love Second-Chance Romances
1. These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
If you’re a fan of forbidden romance, look no further than this Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai! The streets are rampant with chaos and violence between the Scarlet Gang and White Flowers, and something monstrous is brewing. The only way to save their city is for Juliette Cai, heir of the Scarlet Gang, to work together with Roma Montagov of the White Flowers, her ultimate enemy, first love, and first betrayal. The tension between these rivals is electrifying!
2. Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett
Are you ready for a best-friends-turn-enemies love story where they get stranded in the wilderness with only each other? In Jenn Bennett’s Starry Eyes, Zora and Lennon didn’t realize they’d both be going on the same end-of-summer camping trip, nor did they expect to get lost in the woods together! Good thing there’s plenty of unspoken history to hash out as they make their way back to safety. And is there something more between them, or is it just the magic of the twinkling stars?
3. P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han
There’s nothing better than a sweet sequel with our favorite OTP – Lara Jean Covey and Peter Kavinsky! In the first book (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before), Lara Jean and Peter were only pretending to date, that is until they actually fell for each other and resulted in them breaking up. Now they’re no longer pretending and things get real. Check out P.S. I Still Love You for the next phase of this dreamy duo’s relationship!
4. Misfit in Love by S.K. Ali
Fans of S.K. Ali’s Saints & Misfits can rejoice in reuniting with Janna and Nuah in this fun and frothy follow-up — and if you haven’t read the previous book, Misfit in Love can totally be read as a standalone love story! It’s summer vacation and Janna is finally ready to confess her love to Nuah, who’s coming home from college for semester break. She has it all planned out. But things take a turn when Janna meets not one but TWO dreamy newcomers! It’s wedding season and things are about to get complicated.
5. The Lady Rogue by Jenn Bennett
Jenn Bennett’s Lady Rogue is action, adventure, and romance wrapped into one atmospheric love story. Theodora is fierce and will stop at nothing to rescue her father from Vlad the Impaler (yes, we have some vampire-hunting!), even if it means teaming up with Huck Gallagher, the once-upon-a-time love of her life. Get ready for this breathless adventure as the two travel to Gothic villages and dark castles, relying on only each other to survive. It’s the will-they, won’t-they romance you’ve been waiting for!
6. Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt
If you’re in the mood for an enemies-to-lovers romance, check out Lauren Barnholdt’s Two-Way Street! Jordan and Courtney were totally in love. Then, Joran totally dumped Courtney. And it totally blows that they’re both going to be stuck on a cross-country road trip together. But there are two sides to every breakup and lots of secrets to uncover with miles together on the road.
7. We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Quinn was devastated when she confessed to her crush Tarek at the end of last summer and he left for college without giving her a response. Now, summer rolls around again and the two are forced together for a season of weddings as they help out with their families’ businesses (Quinn’s parents are wedding planners and Tarek’s own a catering company). Can Quinn survive an entire summer working side-by-side with Tarek when her feelings for him are still there and loud as ever? Why didn’t Tarek respond? Hang on tight for this lively romantic comedy!
8. The Geography of Lost Things by Jessica Brody
What’s better than having our two main protagonists stuck on the road together? In The Geography of Lost Things by Jessica Brody, Ali Collins and her ex-boyfriend Nico are going on a three-hundred-mile road trip to sell Ali’s late father’s 1968 Firebird convertible. There’s tension, history, and nothing but miles and time to (maybe) fall in love (again).
9. Virtually Yours by Sarvenaz Tash
Virtually Yours is a modern love triangle that’ll keep you guessing! Mariam Vakilian was devastated after her high school sweetheart broke up with her, but she’s finally ready to get back on the dating scene by trying out a new virtual reality dating service. But she’s not prepared when she matches with her ex, Caleb, AND Jeremy, her new best friend IRL. It’s about to get complicated…
10. Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson
Morgan Matson delivers a heart-wrenching love story with Second Chance Summer. After getting devastating news, Taylor Edwards and her family decide to spend one last summer all together in their old lake house. Enter Taylor’s former best friend, plus her first boyfriend, and it’s a summer full of second chances – with family, with friends, and maybe even with love.
