Second Chance Romance
Author: Olivia Dade
Reviewer: Jen
Rating: B
What I’m Talking About:
Olivia Dade is an auto-read author for me. I adore her characters and how she pens a romance. She doesn’t shy away from problematic situations and always delivers an HEA. In Second Chance Romance, the author brings together two lonely people who have pined for one another over twenty years.
As the second title in Dade’s Harlot’s Bay series, Second Chance Romance is filled with a familiar setting and characters. Karl is the grumpy baker who has a penchant for listening to erotic monster romance audiobooks, and now we know why. The narrator is none other than the one that got away, Molly freakin Dearborn.
Molly and her mom abruptly moved from Harlot’s Bay, MD, to Los Angeles two weeks before high school graduation, and after Karl’s misguided attempts at long-distance flirting, Molly cuts him off. They haven’t spoken in twenty years. All it takes is a hilarious mixup concerning Karl’s obituary, and Molly rushes back to Harlot’s Bay where Karl is determined to convince her to stay.
Despite their intense longing for one another and an unfulfilled itch that desperately needs a scratch, Karl knows if they jump into bed, Molly will leave and never come back. I appreciate his thoughtfulness, and the waiting serves to amp up the sexual tension and increases the intensity of their stolen glances and casual brushes. Karl works hard over the course of four weeks to convince her to stay forever. The problem is both Molly and Karl are people of few words and they both carry luggage regarding relationships. Even though they share stories, they struggle to communicate their feelings.
As their time together goes by, their relationship blossoms. However, simple communication continues to be a road block. He assumes since things are going well between them (sex, intimacy, conversation) that she understands his feelings and will want to stay. Meanwhile Molly won’t put her heart on the line (again) unless she knows he’s in it for real. Honestly, I got really frustrated with Karl because he wouldn’t just speak his mind and heart. I get that it is hard for him, but even when it’s make or break time, he folds. His best friends tell him multiple times what he has to do to win over Molly, but he flat out refuses.
I absolutely adore the nod to 80s and 90s teen romance films. It’s subtle humor that made me chuckle. The pair also has amazing chemistry and witty banter. They are fun together. Despite my misgivings towards Karl and his (in)actions, I love how the characters finally have their lightbulb moments. Their relationship is worth fighting for, and overall, I enjoyed getting to know this couple.
My Rating: B
Jen
About the Book:
Karl and Molly were never together. There was a time, right after high school, where it seemed like they might finally cross the line from friends to lovers…but instead, a foolish misunderstanding meant they never spoke again. Molly went to LA and got married. Karl stayed in Harlot’s Bay and bought a bakery.
The only connection the pair has shared over the years is painfully one-sided: Now divorced, Molly narrates monster romance audiobooks, and Karl is an ever-diligent listener, clinging to his only piece of the one that got away.
Still, Molly hasn’t totally left Harlot’s Bay behind. When she hears that Karl’s obituary has run in the local paper, unexpected grief prompts her to hop on the next flight to Maryland…where she finds Karl very much alive, the victim of nothing but an accidental obituary.
As the pair reunite, they finally hash out their missed connection. True, Molly isn’t quite ready to trust again, but Karl is determined to prove himself worthy of her faith and devotion. And as her remaining time in Harlot’s Bay ticks down, Molly, the habitual cynic, just might find that Karl, the cranky town curmudgeon, is impossible to leave behind a second time.
Release Date: November 25, 2025
Publisher: Avon
Series: Harlot’s Bay #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format(s): paperback (400 pages), e-book, audiobook
Book Source: Netgalley/Author