Over 60 of the Most Swoon-Worthy Second Chance Romance Books
On the hunt for the best second chance romance books? 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.
This page is divided into four sections:
- What is Second Chance Romance?
- My Top 3 Second Chance Romance Book Recommendations
- Books I have read and reviewed
- A list of books that I have read and highly recommend, but do not have reviews yet.
Be sure to check back or bookmark this page, as this list will continually be updated

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 J.M. 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.
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.
- All
- Contemporary Romance
- Dark
- Mafia
- Motorcycle Club
- New Adult
- Novella
- Rock Stars
- Romantic Comedy
- Romantic Suspense
- Sports

A Lie for a Lie by Helena Hunting – All In Book 1

A Thousand Letters by Staci Hart – Modern Persuasion Retelling

Appealed by Emma Chase – Full of Humor and Heart!

Beard Necessities by Penny Reid – The Bittersweet End of a Unique Series

Bittersweet by Sarina Bowen – Fall in Love with Vermont!

Calico by Callie Hart – Heartbreaking and Emotional

Drunk Dial by Penelope Ward – Review + Excerpt

Exrated by Stevie J Cole – My Review + an Excerpt

Fault Lines by Rebecca Shea – Angst, Secrets, and Lies

Fireworks by Sarina Bowen – Young Love Gets a Second Chance!

Ghosted by J.M. Darhower – Second-Chance Romance at It’s Best!

Heat Wave by Karina Halle – An Emotional and Fiery Love Story!

Hold You Against Me by Skye Warren – Forbidden Mafia Love

Lies and Lullabies by Sarina Bowen – Hush Note, Book 1

Loverboy by Sarina Bowen – The Company, Book 2

Mack Daddy by Penelope Ward – Star-Crossed Lovers Get a Second Chance!

Man Candy by Melanie Harlow – 1 Delicious Hate-to-Love Romance!

Maybe This Christmas by Susannah Nix – Holiday Novella Goodness!

Moonshot by Alessandra Torre – A Suspenseful Sports Romance!

Pucked Off by Helena Hunting (Pucked #5) – Review + Excerpt

Ramsay by Mia Sheridan – A Hero Obsessed with Revenge

Respect by Jay Crownover – Anti-hero with a Heart of Gold!

Ride Steady by Kristen Ashley – Beards, Bikers, and Babies!

Rookie Move by Sarina Bowen – Read My Review + an Excerpt!

RoomHate by Penelope Ward – Angsty Second Chances

Say You Still Love Me by K.A. Tucker – First Loves and Second Chances

Some Sort of Crazy by Melanie Harlow – Light and Fun with Just a Hint of Angst!

Some Sort of Happy by Melanie Harlow – Irresistibly Charming!

Some Sort of Love by Melanie Harlow – Sweet and Swoon-Worthy Single Dad!

Stepbrother Dearest by Penelope Ward – Forbidden Love with a Twist!

Sure Shot by Sarina Bowen – Sweet Second Chances

Sweet Cheeks by K. Bromberg – Sweet and Sexy Swoon!

Sweet Rivalry by K. Bromberg – My Review and an Excerpt

Ten by Ker Dukey – Review + Excerpt

The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams – Rescuing a Broken Marriage

The Fire Between High and Lo by Brittainy C Cherry – 2nd Book of the Elements Series

The Mother Road by Meghan Quinn – Review and Beauty Tips from Marley!

The Only One by Lauren Blakely – Bite-Sized and Satisfying!

The Player Next Door by KA Tucker – Fun & Flirty!

Vicious by LJ Shen – A Complex Hate-to-Love Story

Walk Through Fire by Kristen Ashley – An Emotional Punch to the Gut
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.

For You (The ‘Burg Series Book 1)

Fumbled (Playbook, The Book 2)

King of Hearts (Hearts Series Book 3)

Kyland

Love and Other Words

Otterly Scorched (Hometown Love Series #3)

Pipe Dreams (A Brooklyn Bruisers Novel Book 3)

Preston’s Honor

Raze: A Scarred Souls Novel

Repeat

Sacrifice: A Standalone Contemporary Romance

Seduction and Snacks (Chocolate Lovers #1)

Steadfast (True North Book 2)

That Forever Girl (Getting Lucky Book 2)

The Cad and the Co-Ed: Secret Baby Sports Romance (Rugby Book 3)

The Mistake (Off-Campus Book 2)

The Paper Swan

Tiebreaker (It Takes Two Series)

Twice in a Blue Moon
