Single Again

by Jac Franklin

Theo met the love his life in grade six. He just didn’t have the words to describe the way his life changed the moment Hazel walked into their home room. From then on they were inseparable, doing everything together. As puberty hit, Theo realised that the feelings he had for her went far beyond them just being friends. Unfortunately for him, the timings never worked out.

Eight years later, and Hazel has had enough of her cheating husband’s antics. They have a seven month old daughter but even that isn’t enough to keep her there. The issue she faces is that their house is owned by his parents.

With no other options, she takes her child and finds a pokey little one bed apartment on the outskirts of Nashville. It’s enough, and she can afford it with the income from her job as a graphic designer.

When she calls her landlord because of a leaky tap, she doesn’t expect for him to be her childhood best friend, Theo.

Now he has her back in his life, Theo will do what ever it takes to make sure she knows how much he loves her.

303 pages, Paperback

Published April 25, 2025

About the author

Jac Franklin was born and raised in Norwich but relocated to the Essex coast over a decade ago, for love. When she's not writing, she's listening to music. Her tastes are eclectic, and stem from her time at music college.

Jac's pen name comes from the initials of her real name, and Franklin is in tribute to her late grandmother who was truly one of a kind.

An avid reader, she grew up reading primarily fantasy books. Garth Nix, Terry Pratchett, Rick Riordan being some of her favourites. Nowadays she's a ferocious reader of spicy romance novels. She loves Amy Daws, Julia Quinn, Samantha Young and Melissa Foster, to name a few.

The first book in the Degrees of Separation, Coast to City, started as a dream that wouldn't go away until she wrote the story down. It took just twenty days to write the entire novel, but then the other characters started piping up, and so DoS was born.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this book is such a little diamond!!!!

We see Theo and Hazel becoming bff’s in the Sixth Grade, then the hormones come into play then they part ways……but why??????

Eight years later and circumstances bring these two together in the same town, but Hazel also comes with an extra one……

Theo (Rarara) will NOT let Hazel go agin and we watch/read how a man should treat a lady 🥵😜🤤

This is a must read now and to get your hearts ready for ‘extra’ book boyfriend you will inherit 😜

[Samantha Bosnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Single Again by Jac Franklin

#2nd chance romance
#single mom
#Friends to lovers

Did you have a love of your life at 6 years old? Become inseparable, did everything together, then all of a sudden puberty hit and its gone? Where did it go? What Happened?

In these pages you will read of a boy Theo, his perfect love story, he was 6 years old and one day Hazel came into his classroom, and he knew then. They were the best of friends, did everything together, as they grew up it seemed like there was a shift in the universe hit them. Puberty? They went their separate ways, not sure why, things just happen I suppose.

8 years later Hazel finally leaves her cheating husband with her daughter, she had to move out as his parents owned the house. She found a tiny apartment on the outskirts of Nashville that she can afford on her graphic design salary. She is going to make it. She is strong and finally taking care of her.

One day she had to call in the landlord to fix a leaky faucet, some things she could not do She couldn’t believe it when he walked in, her landlord, her best friend from childhood Theo stood in front of her. Once Theo realizes it’s her, his life flashes in front of him, and he has vowed to do what it takes to show her true love. And the way he connects with her daughter Evelyn, he wanted this in his life and is willing to go to the ends of the earth for Hazel.

Beautiful story of having that 2nd chance at love.

[Angie Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a sweet surprise. It has that childhood-best-friends-to-lovers vibe that always pulls me in, and Hazel and Theo's story had me smiling from the very beginning. Their friendship as kids was adorable, but the way they reconnect years later felt like fate stepping in with perfect timing.

Theo is just… a dream. He’s soft, steady, and completely gone for Hazel. And don’t even get me started on how cute he is with Evelyn. I loved how he never once hesitated to step up, and his quiet obsession with Hazel was everything. Hazel’s growth was another thing I really appreciated. She’s been through a lot, but she’s strong and determined to build something better for herself and her daughter. Watching her let her guard down and accept love again was so satisfying.

There were a few moments where I wanted to shake both of them and yell “just say how you feel already,” but when it finally happened, it was so worth it. That slow build of tension and unspoken history made their connection feel earned.

This was such a cozy, feel-good read with just the right amount of spice and a lot of heart. I’ll definitely be picking up more from this author. This one had all the second-chance charm I was hoping for!

Thank you to Sinfully Bookish PR for an ARC!

[Nikki Miskey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hazel and Theo were best friends growing up, after meeting in middle school. Secretly, Theo was in love with Hazel the whole time, but far too scared to tell her. Then, he finds out she's engaged to a man he hates, and Theo cuts her off for good. Eight years later, Hazel has a baby daughter and is going through a divorce when she meets Theo again. Can he overcome his fears and give into this second chance?

I loved this! Jac has a knack for writing smart, emotionally intelligent books that, while might have some misunderstandings don't let you down with the communication. I loved Hazel's strength and Theo's heart, and their relationship was heartwarming.

I recommend this book if you love second chances "its always been you" vibes between best friends, and a man who isn't afraid to step in and claim a kid as his own.

[Payton · Rating 5 out of 5]

so cute!

Do you ever read a book and yell at the characters to just tell each other how they feel??? This has that in spades. And when it finally comes out… it’s like a sigh of relief and I yelled FINALLY. But it was so good. They have so much chemistry and seem to pick up right where their friendship left off. Also just reading about how Theo was with Evelyn made my ovaries burst with joy. It was adorable. This book was just a chefs kiss in sweetness. Theo is wholeheartedly obsessed with Hazel in the most wholesome way and them finding each other after years apart just made me smile. If you want a sweet M/F friends to lovers story with a single mom who is trying to find her way again… I completely recommend this.

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve just finished my arc read of Single Again and it hit the spot!

This is my first book from Jac Franklin but I’m going to be sniffing around her backlog like a truffle pig. This book was the perfect pick me up read, the pacing was great and if you love friends to lovers, single mum and a southern gentleman whose been pining after one woman all his life, this is definitely the book for you 💕

[love,care and self - ashlea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the perfect fuzzy read, and just what my heart and head needed. These 2 childhood friends finally get the love they have been longing for. its a well written second chance romance with a single mum and a perfect southern gentleman.

Jac is great at weaving a beautiful love story and I can’t wait to see what she has up her sleeve next.

[Darian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book y’all! It had depth, not just spicy, but ifykyk: 🌶️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️, so if that is what you are looking for I’d definitely read this one. It made me buy her Knock Out book 📖 as well. 💜💜