What do you think?
Rate this book
Second Chance With Tony: A paranormal gay coming out story
Part gay Coming-of-Age drama, part mystery novel, "Second Chance with Tony" is a heartfelt #ownvoices YA novel from up and coming first-time author Felix Kurt.
Meeting everybody’s expectations is hard, especially if you are a closeted high school football player in a small town in Indiana. Seventeen-year-old Tyler DeLuca, a high school junior, tries to stay out of everybody’s way so nobody finds out his hidden secret. He's gay. This has worked fine his entire life until he meets a mysterious boy he can’t stop thinking about. Things become even more complicated when he starts receiving strange handwritten notes. Then a song that feels like he's heard in another lifetime seems to follow him everywhere. And what does all of this have to do with the bizarre dreams he’s been having? Might some of the dreams come true?
A thrilling LGBTQ+ Coming-out novel for the fans of Becky Albertalli and Bill Konigsberg. Empowering themes covering anti-bullying, finding your confidence, and discovering your self-esteem.
Meeting everybody’s expectations is hard, especially if you are a closeted high school football player in a small town in Indiana. Seventeen-year-old Tyler DeLuca, a high school junior, tries to stay out of everybody’s way so nobody finds out his hidden secret. He's gay. This has worked fine his entire life until he meets a mysterious boy he can’t stop thinking about. Things become even more complicated when he starts receiving strange handwritten notes. Then a song that feels like he's heard in another lifetime seems to follow him everywhere. And what does all of this have to do with the bizarre dreams he’s been having? Might some of the dreams come true?
A thrilling LGBTQ+ Coming-out novel for the fans of Becky Albertalli and Bill Konigsberg. Empowering themes covering anti-bullying, finding your confidence, and discovering your self-esteem.
228 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 10, 2024
10 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Felix Kurt
2 books16 followersFelix Kurt is an avid reader of queer YA fiction. He never found a book that combined a coming of age story with mystery elements, so he decided to write one: "Second Chance With Tony." It was a bestseller on Amazon. The sequel is "Keeping Tyler Safe."
When not creating #ownvoices books for young adults, he enjoys traveling and making clothes.
He lives in Cologne, Germany.
When not creating #ownvoices books for young adults, he enjoys traveling and making clothes.
He lives in Cologne, Germany.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 21, 2024
DNF’d at 23%
Unfortch this just didn’t hit the mark. It definitely has potential and I think once Felix finds their voice a bit more, they’ll do great things!
Unfortch this just didn’t hit the mark. It definitely has potential and I think once Felix finds their voice a bit more, they’ll do great things!
June 15, 2024
This was a fun book to read! The spooky vibe was a pleasant surprise and made the book quite unique! I enjoyed the fact that there was more than just romance, we got some mystery, some humor, some horror, a little bit of everything. My only complaint is that it was a bit predictable but that definitely did not take away the enjoyment of the story or the many valuable insights it had to offer.
July 6, 2024
I was asked for an honest review of this book from the author himself, Felix Kurt.
This book kept me hooked from the first chapter and once the mysterious elements started, it kept me wanting to figure out what was going on.
This is YA, which I read a bit of, but it’s the mystery to this romance that made this stand out for me. I loved the 1950’s vibes embedded in this novel. You will get Riverdale vibes for that old school 50’s diner setting and the eerie elements in this. Side note, I need a playlist for this Felix!
I won’t give too much away but will say that if you enjoy a coming of age with romance and eerie elements you need to give this book a try.
I am amazed at what this writer can do in a language not his first language. Much praise to him and such dedication to this and can’t wait to read more from him.
Football, romance, YA, paranormal/eerie elements, family dynamics, friendship dynamics, and characters you really come to love. I have to give this 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ because it kept me engaged and wanting to go back and didn’t leave me disappointed but wanting more from these characters when finished.
Follow me on IG @His_Reading_Renaissance so we can discuss this more ! Have plenty need to talk about!
This book kept me hooked from the first chapter and once the mysterious elements started, it kept me wanting to figure out what was going on.
This is YA, which I read a bit of, but it’s the mystery to this romance that made this stand out for me. I loved the 1950’s vibes embedded in this novel. You will get Riverdale vibes for that old school 50’s diner setting and the eerie elements in this. Side note, I need a playlist for this Felix!
I won’t give too much away but will say that if you enjoy a coming of age with romance and eerie elements you need to give this book a try.
I am amazed at what this writer can do in a language not his first language. Much praise to him and such dedication to this and can’t wait to read more from him.
Football, romance, YA, paranormal/eerie elements, family dynamics, friendship dynamics, and characters you really come to love. I have to give this 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ because it kept me engaged and wanting to go back and didn’t leave me disappointed but wanting more from these characters when finished.
Follow me on IG @His_Reading_Renaissance so we can discuss this more ! Have plenty need to talk about!
May 25, 2024
Thank you to Felix for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review, which I’m happy to give right now.
Tyler DeLuca has it all. A talented football player with a scholarship this close to his hands, Tyler leads a promising future. But when he notices a handsome guy around his age watching him, as well as some interesting notes, Tyler knows he can’t shake these feelings he has away from him for much longer.
I really liked this book. Though not my usual genre, I have been dabbling in LGBTQ reads lately. This book was very cute but also raw in some aspects. The characters were all very realistic. I liked almost all of them (except certain homophobic ones of course). Tyler knowing his sexuality off the bat was very fresh and I liked seeing his relationship with Gabe blossom into something special.
This book was very quick to read. Anytime I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it. But thanks to the short chapters and cliffhangers at the end of each of them, I found SCWT hard to put down anyway. I enjoyed how realistic the coming out aspect was and that not everyone will be supportive. But maybe they’ll come around. Maybe they won’t.
One criticism I have is some of the dialogue felt stiff and unnatural. I have a hard time believing modern teenagers would use the word “abomination” casually, even if they’re religiously homophobic. Also, in the ending, everything just kind of happened and I felt sudden whiplash. But thankfully it seems we’ll be getting a sequel soon, which I will be reading.
Overall, I’d recommend giving this one a read. It’s a fast-paced book with likable characters and a heartwarming story about loving who you are and not what others want you to be.
Tyler DeLuca has it all. A talented football player with a scholarship this close to his hands, Tyler leads a promising future. But when he notices a handsome guy around his age watching him, as well as some interesting notes, Tyler knows he can’t shake these feelings he has away from him for much longer.
I really liked this book. Though not my usual genre, I have been dabbling in LGBTQ reads lately. This book was very cute but also raw in some aspects. The characters were all very realistic. I liked almost all of them (except certain homophobic ones of course). Tyler knowing his sexuality off the bat was very fresh and I liked seeing his relationship with Gabe blossom into something special.
This book was very quick to read. Anytime I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it. But thanks to the short chapters and cliffhangers at the end of each of them, I found SCWT hard to put down anyway. I enjoyed how realistic the coming out aspect was and that not everyone will be supportive. But maybe they’ll come around. Maybe they won’t.
One criticism I have is some of the dialogue felt stiff and unnatural. I have a hard time believing modern teenagers would use the word “abomination” casually, even if they’re religiously homophobic. Also, in the ending, everything just kind of happened and I felt sudden whiplash. But thankfully it seems we’ll be getting a sequel soon, which I will be reading.
Overall, I’d recommend giving this one a read. It’s a fast-paced book with likable characters and a heartwarming story about loving who you are and not what others want you to be.
May 31, 2024
this was every mid-2010s vaguely gay movie cliche stacked on top of every single Disney channel original movie plot. a circle of flat characters pointing at each other like that Spider-Man meme, surrounded by unoriginal storylines.
June 20, 2024
As soon as I started reading I was plunged into a world a la vampire diaries but queer. Would love to watch a series based on Tyler and Gabe. With some time I definitely figured out that the writer was not a native English speaker, and that the book was likely self published. The super sweet author's note at the end confirmed it. But if you can put your prejudices aside, you can enjoy this book. Not only is it brave to self publish, but to self publish in another language? Now that's someone who wants to write, and deserves to be read. The story is quintessentially YA - with its big feelings and themes of self-discovery carrying you throughout at lightning speed. I want to thank Felix for publishing this story, and sharing these characters with us.
May 15, 2024
✨ARC Review✨
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of Second Chance with Tony, a YA paranormal mystery. The themes of finding yourself, coming out, and being true to who you are were so authentic, that I teared up at moments. Tyler's coming out was beautifully done, especially in a conservative, religious family, and it struck a deep chord with me.
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of Second Chance with Tony, a YA paranormal mystery. The themes of finding yourself, coming out, and being true to who you are were so authentic, that I teared up at moments. Tyler's coming out was beautifully done, especially in a conservative, religious family, and it struck a deep chord with me.
July 1, 2024
I got my ARC copy of the book digitally in exchange for an honest review.
Off the bat, it was an easy and pleasurable read. When the author billed it as a YA story, you can definitely see the elements of it from the age of the characters, the setting, and the emotions that the author tries to bring out by way of his characters.
Like every other teen, Tyler is one that embodies it from his having to grapple about who he is and his place in society as a reflection of what he wants versus what is expected of him to do. We all went through the same thing and Tyler's case reflects that. What compounds his awakening is his realization that him being gay not only affects how he sees himself but also how he conducts himself in the real world, along with his friends and family.
I like how the author writes simply and makes every chapter a delight to begin as well as a race to finish so that you get to the next one. As one reviewer did say, while English may perhaps not be the author's primary language, it is still an accomplishment in itself to put his debut work out into the real world and that alone deserves our applause and congratulatory remarks. Get past that and you will have an enjoyable read and would easily categorize the book as something that sits along the established worlds of Riverdale, Vampire Diaries, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and other shows of the same ilk.
It is always a PLUS when a Creative sees their way to the finish line and releases what they have created.
Had I been a teen when I read this, I would've thanked the author immensely. Reading this now I still thank Felix for writing the character of Tyler's grandfather, Bruno. Here is a character that I wish every gay man had in their life when they were coming out. I know I would've been all the better for it if I had a grandfather like Bruno. While his journey to accepting the world around him is written in between the pages, his support and devotion, as well as acceptance of Tyler is one that all gay men and women need, during one's journey to self-acceptance.
The author has successfully brought me back to my days of my youth and I am interested to see what he does next in his follow-up book as revealed at the end. This book is recommended for readers who wish to suspend reality for a bit, as all books do, and go back to a time in their youth when they were questioning themselves, the world, and what was expected of them.
As an adult, the world still requires something, if not much, from us and we are no more different then than how we are now. These days gay men and women are lucky to have the support they have and in the book, Tyler is lucky to have Walt and Trish, the same way as I have my own in my life.
Whether it be Pride month or during any time of the year, give this book a try or recommend it to someone in the Community who needs it and is on the same journey as Tyler. They will thank you for it.
Off the bat, it was an easy and pleasurable read. When the author billed it as a YA story, you can definitely see the elements of it from the age of the characters, the setting, and the emotions that the author tries to bring out by way of his characters.
Like every other teen, Tyler is one that embodies it from his having to grapple about who he is and his place in society as a reflection of what he wants versus what is expected of him to do. We all went through the same thing and Tyler's case reflects that. What compounds his awakening is his realization that him being gay not only affects how he sees himself but also how he conducts himself in the real world, along with his friends and family.
I like how the author writes simply and makes every chapter a delight to begin as well as a race to finish so that you get to the next one. As one reviewer did say, while English may perhaps not be the author's primary language, it is still an accomplishment in itself to put his debut work out into the real world and that alone deserves our applause and congratulatory remarks. Get past that and you will have an enjoyable read and would easily categorize the book as something that sits along the established worlds of Riverdale, Vampire Diaries, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and other shows of the same ilk.
It is always a PLUS when a Creative sees their way to the finish line and releases what they have created.
Had I been a teen when I read this, I would've thanked the author immensely. Reading this now I still thank Felix for writing the character of Tyler's grandfather, Bruno. Here is a character that I wish every gay man had in their life when they were coming out. I know I would've been all the better for it if I had a grandfather like Bruno. While his journey to accepting the world around him is written in between the pages, his support and devotion, as well as acceptance of Tyler is one that all gay men and women need, during one's journey to self-acceptance.
The author has successfully brought me back to my days of my youth and I am interested to see what he does next in his follow-up book as revealed at the end. This book is recommended for readers who wish to suspend reality for a bit, as all books do, and go back to a time in their youth when they were questioning themselves, the world, and what was expected of them.
As an adult, the world still requires something, if not much, from us and we are no more different then than how we are now. These days gay men and women are lucky to have the support they have and in the book, Tyler is lucky to have Walt and Trish, the same way as I have my own in my life.
Whether it be Pride month or during any time of the year, give this book a try or recommend it to someone in the Community who needs it and is on the same journey as Tyler. They will thank you for it.
September 15, 2024
Felix Kurt reached out and sent me his book for an honest review, so that's what I'm bringing to the function.
Overall, I liked some elements of this and I think it's a decent debut. It's a bit cheesy in a 2000s kind of way, and it has supernatural elements that add a bit of interest to a basic coming-of-age story. It was easy to read and fun, except when homophobia made an appearance cause that's never great, but it's an (unfortunately) real part of the gay experience.
I agree with one reviewer who said that Felix still has to find his voice a bit more as a writer, though. While some of these characters' feelings and experiences are based on Felix's own, as he tells us in the acknowledgments, the writing lacks the depth I would expect from someone who has been in the shoes of the characters they write about or someone who has a better understanding than most. The writing just felt generic sometimes and there was a lot of telling instead of showing. So I hope Felix has more stories to tell so he can continue working on his craft, cause the potential is there.
This is also YA and while I like YA, it's not always for me because I can't always connect with the stories. That said, I think this is a good book for 15 to 17-year-olds. I can see young men finding themselves in these pages. Especially if they're still in the closet or if they've grown up in a religious setting that values hypermasculinity and enforces gender roles. I can also see young people finding empathy for their gay peers who are met with bullying for being who they are, so that's valuable.
Overall, I liked some elements of this and I think it's a decent debut. It's a bit cheesy in a 2000s kind of way, and it has supernatural elements that add a bit of interest to a basic coming-of-age story. It was easy to read and fun, except when homophobia made an appearance cause that's never great, but it's an (unfortunately) real part of the gay experience.
I agree with one reviewer who said that Felix still has to find his voice a bit more as a writer, though. While some of these characters' feelings and experiences are based on Felix's own, as he tells us in the acknowledgments, the writing lacks the depth I would expect from someone who has been in the shoes of the characters they write about or someone who has a better understanding than most. The writing just felt generic sometimes and there was a lot of telling instead of showing. So I hope Felix has more stories to tell so he can continue working on his craft, cause the potential is there.
This is also YA and while I like YA, it's not always for me because I can't always connect with the stories. That said, I think this is a good book for 15 to 17-year-olds. I can see young men finding themselves in these pages. Especially if they're still in the closet or if they've grown up in a religious setting that values hypermasculinity and enforces gender roles. I can also see young people finding empathy for their gay peers who are met with bullying for being who they are, so that's valuable.
May 18, 2024
I was lucky enough to receive this book as an ARC from the author.
Second Chance With Tony is a YA coming out story mixed with a supernatural mystery. The book follows Tyler, an American high school jock, as he meets the mysterious & nerdy Gabe, who he quickly falls in love with. As he tries to learn more about his crush, he is also trying to earn himself a football scholarship, and find a way to come out to those closest to him.
I enjoyed this book by first-time-author Felix Kurt, which gives a positive message on coming out, even if some people take time to accept you for who you are. The mystery was well written, and whilst I had sort of figured it out, some parts still came as a surprise once everything was revealed.
I didn’t totally relate to Tyler - as I have no interest in American football (or any sports) and I really enjoyed school and learning about history - but Gabe, Tyler’s grandad, and his best friend, Walt, were all characters I loved.
The book gave me ‘Love, Simon’ vibes, but as a supernatural mystery. And if you love gay YA books then you should read this story.
Second Chance With Tony is a YA coming out story mixed with a supernatural mystery. The book follows Tyler, an American high school jock, as he meets the mysterious & nerdy Gabe, who he quickly falls in love with. As he tries to learn more about his crush, he is also trying to earn himself a football scholarship, and find a way to come out to those closest to him.
I enjoyed this book by first-time-author Felix Kurt, which gives a positive message on coming out, even if some people take time to accept you for who you are. The mystery was well written, and whilst I had sort of figured it out, some parts still came as a surprise once everything was revealed.
I didn’t totally relate to Tyler - as I have no interest in American football (or any sports) and I really enjoyed school and learning about history - but Gabe, Tyler’s grandad, and his best friend, Walt, were all characters I loved.
The book gave me ‘Love, Simon’ vibes, but as a supernatural mystery. And if you love gay YA books then you should read this story.
July 10, 2025
I always enjoy books that defy easy characterization, and this debut by Felix Kurt was a delight.
A small-town YA story with paranormal vibes. And I’m always up for a good mystery, so this was a win-win for me.
There’s so much to like here: a 50’s diner, a mysterious stranger, a conflicted hero, football, and empowering message about being true to yourself. Tyler’s coming out isn’t easy, and you’ll find yourself angry at people who should know better.
Tyler and Gabe are lovely and Felix writes beautifully about the effervescence of first love and the battle of trying to find your voice.
And Tyler’s Grandpa Bruno, who holds the key to who Gabe is, is fantastic.
The connection between past and present slowly reveals itself, and it’s so well done.
There’s a moment late in the book I didn’t see coming and I loved it! The title gives away the second chance, but that’s only a small part of the story
If you’ve seen Felix n social media,he writes with the same joy he shares in his videos. I’m looking forward to what he comes up with next.
A small-town YA story with paranormal vibes. And I’m always up for a good mystery, so this was a win-win for me.
There’s so much to like here: a 50’s diner, a mysterious stranger, a conflicted hero, football, and empowering message about being true to yourself. Tyler’s coming out isn’t easy, and you’ll find yourself angry at people who should know better.
Tyler and Gabe are lovely and Felix writes beautifully about the effervescence of first love and the battle of trying to find your voice.
And Tyler’s Grandpa Bruno, who holds the key to who Gabe is, is fantastic.
The connection between past and present slowly reveals itself, and it’s so well done.
There’s a moment late in the book I didn’t see coming and I loved it! The title gives away the second chance, but that’s only a small part of the story
If you’ve seen Felix n social media,he writes with the same joy he shares in his videos. I’m looking forward to what he comes up with next.
May 23, 2024
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Meeting everybody’s expectations is hard, especially if you are a closeted high school football player in a small town in Indiana. This gripping novel follows 17-year-old Tyler DeLuca as he navigates the complexities of his identity in an environment that doesn't make it easy.
Tyler's journey from trying to stay unnoticed to confronting his feelings for a mysterious boy is heart-wrenching and inspiring. The tension escalates with the arrival of strange handwritten notes, a hauntingly familiar song, and bizarre dreams that blur the line between reality and premonition.
Felix masterfully blends the struggles of coming out with elements of mystery and supernatural, creating a story that's impossible to put down. Tyler's courage and vulnerability resonate deeply, making his story a must-read for anyone who loves heartfelt YA fiction
Meeting everybody’s expectations is hard, especially if you are a closeted high school football player in a small town in Indiana. This gripping novel follows 17-year-old Tyler DeLuca as he navigates the complexities of his identity in an environment that doesn't make it easy.
Tyler's journey from trying to stay unnoticed to confronting his feelings for a mysterious boy is heart-wrenching and inspiring. The tension escalates with the arrival of strange handwritten notes, a hauntingly familiar song, and bizarre dreams that blur the line between reality and premonition.
Felix masterfully blends the struggles of coming out with elements of mystery and supernatural, creating a story that's impossible to put down. Tyler's courage and vulnerability resonate deeply, making his story a must-read for anyone who loves heartfelt YA fiction
July 22, 2024
Unlike other YA novels that water down the hard realities many teens face when coming out, Kurt painstakingly describes a fictional world stuck in time. Ironically, set in a rural town called “Nowhere,” Kurt deftly weaves together the threads of two coming out stories from the past and present. His description of the homophobia, bullying, and social intolerance that Tony experiences in the 1950s painfully resonates with the present-day challenges Tyler faces from his family, teammates, and friends. When a handsome and enigmatic young Gabe suddenly appears out of thin air, Tyler slowly begins to realize that Fate has given him a second chance to claim the life taken from him and rekindle a love strong enough to transcend time. Kurt’s debut novel is a well-paced paranormal mystery that will keep you engaged and wanting more. I’m excited and anxious for more from this talented author!
August 7, 2024
First, I want to thank the author for sending me a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Now let's get into it...I enjoyed this. I cannot say I didn't. It was a low stake, easy read with something cute to it. I cannot say I enjoyed the "big twist." I felt the idea of Gabe being a vampire was introduced way too late into the story and felt like an easy way to explain how he was alive.
I did enjoy that we got an epilogue stating we were getting another book to help further go into the lore of this universe because I don't think this book would have been as successful without it. With that, I'm happy to have read this debut and I am excited to see where this author will go next!
Second Chance with Tony by Felix Kurt is out now!
Now let's get into it...I enjoyed this. I cannot say I didn't. It was a low stake, easy read with something cute to it. I cannot say I enjoyed the "big twist." I felt the idea of Gabe being a vampire was introduced way too late into the story and felt like an easy way to explain how he was alive.
I did enjoy that we got an epilogue stating we were getting another book to help further go into the lore of this universe because I don't think this book would have been as successful without it. With that, I'm happy to have read this debut and I am excited to see where this author will go next!
Second Chance with Tony by Felix Kurt is out now!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2024
I'm so happy to get a chance to read this beautiful story.
Gabe is really a sweetheart, mysterious but just... yum..
and their personalities is just so fit for each other.
I enjoy every moment I spent reading this.
and the bonus chapter...
GOSH
my heart flutters when Gabe suddenly said that romantic line. LiKE boi my heart leapt too!!
Also, the way this book written is just so perfect. this is my (honestly) first time reading a first pov with present tense and I LOVE IT!
too much that i didnt even notice the tenses, im just swooned!
Gabe is really a sweetheart, mysterious but just... yum..
and their personalities is just so fit for each other.
I enjoy every moment I spent reading this.
and the bonus chapter...
GOSH
my heart flutters when Gabe suddenly said that romantic line. LiKE boi my heart leapt too!!
Also, the way this book written is just so perfect. this is my (honestly) first time reading a first pov with present tense and I LOVE IT!
too much that i didnt even notice the tenses, im just swooned!
June 4, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It was very Riverdale meets Vampire Diaries and that’s a vibe teenage Rod loved so much back in the day.
This is a coming out story even though we´ve read a few of those over the years this book felt fresh in that sense, it’s still hard for a lot of people coming to terms with their sexuality and parents still have a hard time expressing their love to their kids, that felt pretty universal to me.
Gabe´s and Tyler´s relationship didn’t feel rush, it was slowly developing which really fits the coming out story. One of the highlights was Tyler´s relationship with his grandpa Bruno, older people have lived through so many things that sometimes they are the most accepting ones.
Theres a supernatural element to this story that I won’t spoil but i was fun trying to put the pieces together to figure out the mystery.
I’m really excited for what’s to come in this series and I expect great things from Kurt Felix after this debut.
This is a coming out story even though we´ve read a few of those over the years this book felt fresh in that sense, it’s still hard for a lot of people coming to terms with their sexuality and parents still have a hard time expressing their love to their kids, that felt pretty universal to me.
Gabe´s and Tyler´s relationship didn’t feel rush, it was slowly developing which really fits the coming out story. One of the highlights was Tyler´s relationship with his grandpa Bruno, older people have lived through so many things that sometimes they are the most accepting ones.
Theres a supernatural element to this story that I won’t spoil but i was fun trying to put the pieces together to figure out the mystery.
I’m really excited for what’s to come in this series and I expect great things from Kurt Felix after this debut.
October 26, 2024
I absolutely loved “Second Chance With Tony” by Felix Kurt because it captured my heart right from the start. The way Kurt brought Tyler’s struggles as a closeted football player to life was so raw and real. The mystery element kept me on the edge of my seat, but it was Tyler’s emotional journey that really stuck with me. His first love story felt so genuine, and watching him come to terms with his identity was both inspiring and heart-wrenching. It must read for everybody who enjoys YA.
May 16, 2024
Second Chance With Tony is a coming out/self-discovery story mixed with a paranormal mystery from the past with a lot of references to the 1950s.
Despite being a bit raw (could use better editing regarding pacing), it is charming and pokes yout curiosity until the end!
Thank you Felix Kurt for the ARC!
Despite being a bit raw (could use better editing regarding pacing), it is charming and pokes yout curiosity until the end!
Thank you Felix Kurt for the ARC!
May 20, 2024
What a debut! Thank you Felix Kurt!
Second change with Tony is a gay mystery novel. I was grabbed.
This was a light and enjoyable holiday read transporting you into a colorfully mixed YA novel.
I especially resonated with Tylors loving relationship with his grandfather Bruno. Nobody is to old to be an ally or change their mind.
I'm looking forward to Gabe's perspective on things! :)
XOXO
Second change with Tony is a gay mystery novel. I was grabbed.
This was a light and enjoyable holiday read transporting you into a colorfully mixed YA novel.
I especially resonated with Tylors loving relationship with his grandfather Bruno. Nobody is to old to be an ally or change their mind.
I'm looking forward to Gabe's perspective on things! :)
XOXO
June 2, 2024
It was a honor to be selected to be an ARC reader for your first book, thank you so much Felix! I truly loved Second Chance With Tony, I couldn’t put it down! I loved the story and the message behind it. I would 100% recommend reading this and I’m so happy to see so many more authors writing LGBTQ+ representation books.
June 10, 2024
Tyler isn’t out of the closet yet and there are reasons why that are pretty unfortunate. So when he meets Gabe, he finally feels as if someone is on his side. There may even be a little spark there. However, there’s something weird about Gabe. There just might be more to Gabe than what meets the eye.
What a sweet book!
What a sweet book!
September 11, 2025
This book is really sweet. 😊
Watching Tyler coming to terms with himself and learning about his own truth through his interactions with Gabe was sweet and I just want to reach out and hug him multiple times.
I enjoyed the historical aspect to it and some mystery lingering in the background. The ending actually did surprise me in a good way. I don’t really read a lot of paranormals so I may have caught on sooner if I did 😅
I cannot wait for the follow-up!
Watching Tyler coming to terms with himself and learning about his own truth through his interactions with Gabe was sweet and I just want to reach out and hug him multiple times.
I enjoyed the historical aspect to it and some mystery lingering in the background. The ending actually did surprise me in a good way. I don’t really read a lot of paranormals so I may have caught on sooner if I did 😅
I cannot wait for the follow-up!
May 23, 2024
A heartwarming story of acceptance and second chances, coming of age and embracing one’s identity. Through in a Fifties theme, catchy song, mysterious MC, thrills and chills and a fantastic twist this book is awesome. I loved it.
June 22, 2025
I found this book fun to read and I’d recommend it to those in their mid teens. Perfect for those looking for romance, paranormal, or a novel with sports.
Read
November 2, 2025A book filled with heart and tropes from movies. It’s a YA coming of age novel with mystery elements.
August 14, 2025
This is a fuzzy blanket of a book; it makes you feel all warm and cozy, or more honestly, it makes my 16-year-old Self feel all warm and cozy. This is one of those books that I needed when I was growing up, it exemplifies a quite a healthy relationship between the 2 main characters, Tyler and Gabe.
Tyler is a football player struggling to come out, he's the human embodiment of a cinnamon role and is inordinately calm, he's also a bit gullible and struggles with absorbing information. It's refreshing that he's not struggling with his sexuality; he's working with letting people know about it because he feels he plays in such a masculine sport, not to mention that he's doing his best to win a scholarship to a college that could mean his future, and he also has a VERY conservative set of parents that have VERY ignorant opinions about sexuality. On the positive side, Tyler has great friends and a beautiful relationship with his grandfather, and it's this relationship that really grounds Tyler amidst all his current problems.
He then meets Gabe at a party (isn't that how it always goes?), and Gabe keeps calling him "Tony". Mysterious! Gabe is inordinately intelligent, he's also quite at ease, and very comfortable and secure with himself, he also allows Tyler the time he needs to process his emotions, as well as space when asked. There is a very obvious reason why Gabe is more mature than your typical 17-year-old, but this doesn't distract from the story at all.
If you want to know more, you can watch my review on YouTube here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx4r3...
Tyler is a football player struggling to come out, he's the human embodiment of a cinnamon role and is inordinately calm, he's also a bit gullible and struggles with absorbing information. It's refreshing that he's not struggling with his sexuality; he's working with letting people know about it because he feels he plays in such a masculine sport, not to mention that he's doing his best to win a scholarship to a college that could mean his future, and he also has a VERY conservative set of parents that have VERY ignorant opinions about sexuality. On the positive side, Tyler has great friends and a beautiful relationship with his grandfather, and it's this relationship that really grounds Tyler amidst all his current problems.
He then meets Gabe at a party (isn't that how it always goes?), and Gabe keeps calling him "Tony". Mysterious! Gabe is inordinately intelligent, he's also quite at ease, and very comfortable and secure with himself, he also allows Tyler the time he needs to process his emotions, as well as space when asked. There is a very obvious reason why Gabe is more mature than your typical 17-year-old, but this doesn't distract from the story at all.
If you want to know more, you can watch my review on YouTube here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx4r3...
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews