Over 60 of the Most Swoon-Worthy Second Chance Romance Books

On the hunt for the best second chance romance books? Second chance romance books provide some of the best happily ever afters in the romance world. Truthfully, I’m a bit of a hopeless romantic, so when it comes to characters getting a second chance at love, I’m a sucker for the swooniness of it all.

Whether it’s a couple who had a major falling out or friends whose stars never aligned, I love the idea of a couple having a second chance at getting it right. Their hard-fought happiness is so rewarding to read!

So, here’s a list of over 60 of my favorite second-chance romance novels and I hope they help you believe in love the second time around.

✨ Related: Want even more Romance Book Lists? Click here!

What Is Second Chance Romance?

Merriam-Webster defines a second chance as, “an opportunity to try something again after failing one time.” In the romance world, that translates into a couple who fail at a relationship, through their own actions or through forces outside of their control. Either way, they have a history with one another and time has now passed. How things were left between them in the past typically determines how much angst and tension will fill their story. One things for sure, though, when it comes to romance, you’re guaranteed a happily ever after!

My Top 3 Favorite Second Chance Romance Books

Second-chance romance is one of my favorite tropes, so I have a pretty big list of recommended reads. However, these are my top 3 favorite second chance novels that I think everyone should read!

1) Ghosted by JM Darhower

Kennedy and Jonathan meet in high school, but break up when he’s on the cusp of movie stardom. Now she’s a single mom raising his daughter, who has no idea that her father is her superhero idol.

Ghosted is beautifully written, plotted perfectly, and pours on the feelings and emotions. I couldn’t put it down and it is one of the best second-chance romances I have ever read. I loved it!

2) Bittersweet by Sarina Bowen

Audrey and Griffin have a short fling in college, but the timing wasn’t right for them to have more. Fast forward five years and Audrey is sent to Vermont to source produce for a farm-to-table concept and who does she run into? Griffin, of course.

The True North series by Sarina Bowen is one of my favorite worlds to revisit and I can’t recommend the entire series enough! Plus, I have a pretty big soft spot for Grumpy Griff, the farmer hero of Bittersweet.

3) Getting Schooled by Emma Chase

20 years have passed since Callie and Garrett were an item in high school, but when a family emergency brings her back home to New Jersey, sparks fly once again. Familiar surroundings remind Callie of all of the forgotten emotions where Garrett is concerned, and Garrett gets to know the woman who left two decades earlier.

I listened to the audiobook of this one (when it was an Audible Exclusive) and it was perfection! Narrated by Zachary Webber and Andi Arndt, the audiobook just amplifies the swoony sexy and the laugh out loud moments.

✨ Related: Check out my list of the best Slow Burn Romance Books. Click here!

The Best Second Chance Romance Books I Have Read and Reviewed

Click on the image to be taken to the spoiler-free review of the book and to get more information, including the synopsis and purchase links!

You can also narrow down your choices by using the checkboxes below to filter results by romance genre and by romance book trope.

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A Lie for a Lie by Helena Hunting-featured2

Second Chance Romance Books I Have Read and Highly Recommend

These are books that I read and loved, but don’t have a review on this site. Click on the cover to read the synopsis for the book, plus purchase links.