5 Of Our Favorite Second Chance Romance Books, Ranked

While you're waiting for some of the most-anticipated romance novels of 2025 to release, there are plenty of backlist books worth checking out. Well-read romance readers know that tropes are a common way of reviewing and recommending books, with enemies-to-lovers and fake relationships being two of the common sub genres. Second chance romance is another popular plot element that sees characters meeting again after having some sort of romance in the past, though the exact parameters will vary depending on who you ask. 

In this type of romance, the protagonists typically part ways due to relationship issues or external circumstances, with these past obstacles often bleeding into the present. A common, but not required, element of second chance romances is a dual timeline, with some authors paralleling the main duo's past and present to add tension while fleshing out the conflict. With this in mind, here are our favorite second chance romance books to add to your TBR. 

First up on our list of second chance romance books is "Count Your Lucky Stars," a sapphic romance from Alexandria Bellefleur. This 2022 release centers around Margot Cooper and Olivia Grant, whose high school friendship briefly blossomed into something more before everything went wrong. After the estranged duo unexpectedly come face-to-face again years later, with Olivia being hired to plan the wedding of Margot's best friend, the two rediscover the heat they once experienced all those years ago. This is the third book in the "Written in the Stars" series, with Margot making appearances in earlier installments, but it can be read as a standalone novel.

"Count Your Lucky Stars" lands at number five on our list for being a fun, sapphic take on the second chance romance genre. With a 3.96 rating on Goodreads, users highlighted its light, comedic tone and spicy scenes as highlights, though some reviewers took issue with the use of the miscommunication trope. "I especially hate when the reason they didn't work out in the first place is a silly miscommunication issue," YouTuber GabbyReads wrote in her Goodreads review. "But this book had some really cute moments and it was the perfect conclusion to this really cute series, I'm not mad about it."

Given that we've ranked all of Emily Henry's iconic romcoms, it's no surprise that her 2024 release "Happy Place" lands a place on our list of favorite second chance romances. When their friends schedule one final cottage getaway to Maine, the coastal locale that's hosted their annual summer vacation for years, Harriet and Wyn resolve to put their differences aside and hide their break-up for the weeklong trip. The once perfect-for-each-other college sweethearts broke things off six months ago, but they don't want to ruin the magic for their now-scattered friend group. It will definitely be a challenge for surgical resident Harriet to pretend everything is fine, but it might also be an unexpected second chance at romance. 

As an avid Emily Henry reader, I can confidently say that her writing style and humor are standout elements of her books, with "Happy Place" being an excellent example of this. Henry is able to deftly weave a dual timeline of the relationship from Harriet's perspective, featuring fun banter and lighthearted hijinks, but also introspection and soul-searching with a dash of yearning. Still, while this is a solid entry on our list, earning its number four spot and maintaining an average rating of 3.97 on Goodreads, it's not as emotionally hard-hitting or unique as some of the other titles.

Next, "Before I Let Go" by award-winning author Kennedy Ryan is an emotional and heartfelt second chance romance definitely worth checking out. This 2022 release centers around Yasmen and Josiah Wade, a divorced couple who separated after tragedy struck their family. Though they've managed to create a new post-divorce life together, sharing a business and co-parenting their children, they feel inexplicably drawn to one another. While Yasmen and Josiah find that passion still exists between them, so does grief and trauma, things they must work through if they're truly going to give their romance a second chance.

"Before I Let Go" ranks as a standout on our list because it centers around a divorced couple, a dynamic not always represented in the genre, and features a shorter break-up gap than many other second chance romance entries. While this offers avid readers something a little different from the trope, it's also praised for its well-crafted characters and its exploration of the intersection of grief and love. This Kennedy Ryan title is recommended by Goodreads users and Booktubers alike, having a notable 4.35 rating on Goodreads and being recommended by creators like MinaReads, Chandler Ainsley, and Shawnaci Schroeder. "Before I Let Go" does contain discussion of potentially triggering topics related to death and grief, so we recommend checking out a list of trigger warnings, if necessary.

Ranking as number two on our list is "Seven Days in June" by Tia Williams, a contemporary romance that has long been boasted as a book community favorite. This 2021 release follows Eva Mercy and Shane Hall, authors who unexpectedly run into each other at a New York City book event. While it's clear that the two have an undeniable chemistry, they also have a little-known past, having spent a whirlwind week together over a decade ago. Their chance encounter uncovers old traumas, but it also offers them a chance at seven more days together.

While some entries on this list offer a fresh take on second chance romance, "Seven Years in June" is ranked number two for being an exemplary rendition of the trope, providing readers with all the yearning and romance expected from the genre. It's also been consistently recommended in the online book community, receiving praise from creators like Chandler Ainsley, MelReads, and Lexi AKA Supernova. "I think that this is one of, again, the most sweepingly, deeply romantic romances I've read, ever," Ainsley said in a romance recommendation video. "I love a good second chance romance. I used to hate them...but this was more of a case of right person, wrong time." It should be noted that "Seven Days in June" contains discussions and depictions of several potentially triggering topics, so readers are advised to consult a list of trigger warnings, if necessary.

"The Seven Year Slip" by Ashley Poston may be an unconventional pick, but it still manages to land the number one spot on our list. This 2023 release follows Clementine, a closed-off, work-focused publicist who's still reeling from the loss of her aunt when she moves into the New York City apartment that was left to her. There, where she experienced so many special childhood moments, she meets an aspiring chef with a zest for life who claims that Aunt Analea loaned him the place for the summer. While she could see a younger version of herself falling in love with a kind, bright-eyed man like Iwan, Clementine soon realizes that her aunt's stories about the apartment's magic weren't just tall tales, that it's actually transported her seven years into the past. 

I can personally recommend "The Seven Year Slip" for its unique take on the second chance romance trope. Poston deftly integrates magical realism into a heartwarming romance with character growth centered around grief and healing, providing fans of the romance trope with something new and unexpected. Noted as being relatable, funny, and poignant, Goodreads reviewers and book creators have also consistently vouched for it, with the title boasting a 4.20 average rating on Goodreads. "The Seven Year Slip" does contain discussions of potentially triggering topics related to grief and loss, so readers should consult a list of content warnings, if necessary.

These second chance romance books were selected using a combination of social media recommendations and Goodreads reviews, with only titles with an average rating of 3.75 and above being eligible. Once the entries were selected, we ranked them based on standout qualities and unique elements, highlighting books that offer a fresh take on the trope or exceeded genre expectations. Booktube recommendations, Goodread reviews, and my personal experience with some of the titles were also utilized.