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Like First Love, Again
When the one who got away comes back...Real estate broker Tori Cruz has spent years building a life of structure and control — keeping her heart, and her past, carefully locked away. But when Mia Falcon, her childhood best friend and secret first love, crashes back into her life after fourteen years apart, everything Tori thought she buried comes rushing back.
Mia didn’t mean to find Tori again. She definitely didn’t mean to want her. Divorcing, grieving, and lost, Mia only wanted help selling her mother’s house. She wasn’t prepared for feelings she never dared name to come rushing back — hotter, deeper, and far more dangerous than before.
Back together, and it’s like no time has passed. And when Mia realizes that home isn’t a place — it’s a person — she knows she can’t walk away again.
Old feelings resurface. New ones spark. And some loves? They never die. They wait.
A steamy, slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance full of heart, heat, and second chances.
Mentions of past loss including passing of a parent and early-term miscarriage
Mia didn’t mean to find Tori again. She definitely didn’t mean to want her. Divorcing, grieving, and lost, Mia only wanted help selling her mother’s house. She wasn’t prepared for feelings she never dared name to come rushing back — hotter, deeper, and far more dangerous than before.
Back together, and it’s like no time has passed. And when Mia realizes that home isn’t a place — it’s a person — she knows she can’t walk away again.
Old feelings resurface. New ones spark. And some loves? They never die. They wait.
A steamy, slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance full of heart, heat, and second chances.
Mentions of past loss including passing of a parent and early-term miscarriage
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2025
725 people are currently reading
3607 people want to read
About the author
J.J. Arias
33 books1,284 followersHello! And thank you for finding me!
I am an independent author writing about fictional lesbians of all varieties.
My writing journey began with fan faction, and as much as I LOVED being part of a community of super fans, I got tired of working with other people’s characters to tell my stories. I started asking myself: Why should we string together pieces of subtext when our community deserves well-developed main-text about LBGT people and those who love them! So, that is what I aim to deliver.
If you want to know a little more about me personally, J.J. Arias is my pen name. I do have a day job, and due to the industry I’m in, I can’t write under my given name. Although who knows, maybe one day I can write full-time and come out of the … office? I am a Scorpio woman (I know, I know, but I’m a nice one I PROMISE) happily married to a uniquely wonderful Cancer lady. Together we have several fur babies of the feline and canine varieties.
So, here I am, and I hope you enjoy my writing! I’m very open to thoughts, comments, critiques, and knock-knock jokes, so please feel free to message me with any of the above – or anything else you would like to say!
I am an independent author writing about fictional lesbians of all varieties.
My writing journey began with fan faction, and as much as I LOVED being part of a community of super fans, I got tired of working with other people’s characters to tell my stories. I started asking myself: Why should we string together pieces of subtext when our community deserves well-developed main-text about LBGT people and those who love them! So, that is what I aim to deliver.
If you want to know a little more about me personally, J.J. Arias is my pen name. I do have a day job, and due to the industry I’m in, I can’t write under my given name. Although who knows, maybe one day I can write full-time and come out of the … office? I am a Scorpio woman (I know, I know, but I’m a nice one I PROMISE) happily married to a uniquely wonderful Cancer lady. Together we have several fur babies of the feline and canine varieties.
So, here I am, and I hope you enjoy my writing! I’m very open to thoughts, comments, critiques, and knock-knock jokes, so please feel free to message me with any of the above – or anything else you would like to say!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews
June 14, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up because it was just so fun to read
If you’re looking for a best friends, second chance romance with excellent banter and amazing family dynamics you can’t do better than this book. It was just such a pleasant and entertaining story. Also bonus points for super hot steamy scenes at the end.
Overall, left me with a smile on my face. Gets my two thumbs up recommendation.
If you’re looking for a best friends, second chance romance with excellent banter and amazing family dynamics you can’t do better than this book. It was just such a pleasant and entertaining story. Also bonus points for super hot steamy scenes at the end.
Overall, left me with a smile on my face. Gets my two thumbs up recommendation.
June 9, 2025
J.J. Arias - why was that the first book I read by you? Oh my godness. I'm still blown away by it and definitely need some time to get over it.
Tori and Mia were inseparable in high school. Best friends. But Tori felt more for Mia and had only one way to escape this unrequited love: a complete detox. She burned all bridges, but now, over 10 years later, Mia suddenly stands before her and she is caught up in a maelstrom of her old feelings. Mia has lost her mother and asks Tori for help. But she also asks herself: what is it with Tori? Why does she always feel at home with her? Even after all these years.
First of all, how great is this cover? It fits the story so perfectly and I imagined Tori and Mia in the same way. Secondly, how insanely emotional was this “friends to lovers” love story written? My heart broke at a few points, yes, but it was worth it every time. It was an incredible journey of these women that felt so complete to me. It was so well thought out and didn't leave out any facet. At first, I thought the romance was lighthearted, but I was wrong. In a good way. There were an incredible depth and complexity to the story and Mia and Tori had such great character development. And all that in 300 pages, so really wow. Believe me, this is not just a simple love story between two women with great chemistry. No, it's so much more than about love. I can't even describe in words how much this story touched me. At some points I was rooting for Mia and Tori to finally find each other. Sometimes they drove me to the brink of despair because they just didn't dare. And then I was just incredibly sad about the things that happened to them. The time that they lost and that they can't get back. I cried with sadness and later cried with happiness.
This book really has everything a perfect love story needs. The slow burn was incredibly delicious! Endless different emotions. Incredible depth of character. A plot that makes you want to read the book in one go. And the spice.... Phew! I've rarely read such good intimate scenes. A masterpiece!
Get the book and read it! You will enjoy it in every way. I promise!
Tori and Mia were inseparable in high school. Best friends. But Tori felt more for Mia and had only one way to escape this unrequited love: a complete detox. She burned all bridges, but now, over 10 years later, Mia suddenly stands before her and she is caught up in a maelstrom of her old feelings. Mia has lost her mother and asks Tori for help. But she also asks herself: what is it with Tori? Why does she always feel at home with her? Even after all these years.
First of all, how great is this cover? It fits the story so perfectly and I imagined Tori and Mia in the same way. Secondly, how insanely emotional was this “friends to lovers” love story written? My heart broke at a few points, yes, but it was worth it every time. It was an incredible journey of these women that felt so complete to me. It was so well thought out and didn't leave out any facet. At first, I thought the romance was lighthearted, but I was wrong. In a good way. There were an incredible depth and complexity to the story and Mia and Tori had such great character development. And all that in 300 pages, so really wow. Believe me, this is not just a simple love story between two women with great chemistry. No, it's so much more than about love. I can't even describe in words how much this story touched me. At some points I was rooting for Mia and Tori to finally find each other. Sometimes they drove me to the brink of despair because they just didn't dare. And then I was just incredibly sad about the things that happened to them. The time that they lost and that they can't get back. I cried with sadness and later cried with happiness.
This book really has everything a perfect love story needs. The slow burn was incredibly delicious! Endless different emotions. Incredible depth of character. A plot that makes you want to read the book in one go. And the spice.... Phew! I've rarely read such good intimate scenes. A masterpiece!
Get the book and read it! You will enjoy it in every way. I promise!
June 5, 2025
It’s been a minute since I read one of JJ Arias’ books and I’ve had a book hangover from a very different type of book and this was my cure!
This friends to lovers, sort of second chance, definitely toaster over was really good. I, mean, c’mon, it’s JJ Arias. She always delivers. The pining and the pain from being apart was just delicious from Tori. Tori is THE book girlfriend. She never tries to “fix” Mia or push her to do something she doesn’t want. Mia, can seem like a lot, but as a character, she does a ton of growing and becoming who she really is over the course of the story.
The structure of the acts helps avoid some tropes that I despise in the third act. And the spice, damn. JJ brought it this time. For real….it has been brought. The scenes were really well written and totally smoking hot. Even when the two MCs were together, they were still pining for each other. Just delightful.
This friends to lovers, sort of second chance, definitely toaster over was really good. I, mean, c’mon, it’s JJ Arias. She always delivers. The pining and the pain from being apart was just delicious from Tori. Tori is THE book girlfriend. She never tries to “fix” Mia or push her to do something she doesn’t want. Mia, can seem like a lot, but as a character, she does a ton of growing and becoming who she really is over the course of the story.
The structure of the acts helps avoid some tropes that I despise in the third act. And the spice, damn. JJ brought it this time. For real….it has been brought. The scenes were really well written and totally smoking hot. Even when the two MCs were together, they were still pining for each other. Just delightful.
December 21, 2025
3.75 ⭐
J.J Arias always delivers!
J.J Arias always delivers!
June 22, 2025
Tori and Mia were so maddeningly adorable.
July 17, 2025
I felt so much for both of them, but especially for Mia. She got “dumped” without knowing why, and each time I read this trope, it makes me ache. But at the same time, Mia needed all this time apart, those losses to really realize what her feelings really were. In her shoes, I would have been so mad at Tori, but she is not. She is loving, persistent, and so adorable. But I did understand Tori a bit. Mia put her unconsciously through a simmering gay torture. When I read Arias's book, I can count on her for healthy communication and not unnecessary drama. She tackles the subject of Mia being a late bloomer so realistically and in a genuine way. I just wished Tori's character was developed on the same level as Mia's and wanted to see more of her.
Arias delivers another book with a perfect balance of spice and sweetness.
Arias delivers another book with a perfect balance of spice and sweetness.
January 15, 2026
This was an enjoyable read, but the setup was shaky as hell.
The whole crux of the second-chance romance hangs on the FMCs, Tori and Mia’s, great love-affair 15 years ago. A love-affair so critical to Tori, that she is still pining for her straight best friend Mia, all these years later. A love-affair so important to Mia, that as she looks back on it, she can see the clues that she was probably gay and in love with Tori too. A love-affair so amazing, that when Tori and Mia reconnect, the undeniable chemistry cannot now be denied, and must finally be acted upon!
Except that great love-affair was actually just an unrequited teenage crush.
Yeah. It was starting-to-understand-her-sexuality Tori, not revealing to her high school best friend Mia, that she had a crush on her in fear that it would change their all important friendship. Instead, Tori’s unrequited love for Mia is so devastating, she cuts off all contact with her best friend for 15 years in order to heal her heartbreak. Um, huh? Girl, if you were just going to ghost Mia immediately after high school for 15 years, why not admit your feelings? If your confession altered your friendship with Mia (she says it would not), isn’t that better than friggin’ blanking her? That’s beyond altering, it’s completely imploding the friendship.
So, dear reader, scrunch your toes and suspend your disbelief as hard as you can, so you can enjoy this book. Because once Tori and Mia reconnect and start to rebuild their built-on-quicksand friendship, the story is delightful. Arias tackles some big feelings and big issues, including losing a parent, miscarriage, and coming to grips with queer sexuality at an older age.
Oh, and the sapphic spice. It’s… damn. Arias avoids a 3AB* by simply making the last quarter of the book one long sex scene. That’s not a complaint, it’s ah… let’s call it a warning label; for good or bad, depending on your steam tolerance.
3.5 stars and cheers.
*Third-Act Breakup
The whole crux of the second-chance romance hangs on the FMCs, Tori and Mia’s, great love-affair 15 years ago. A love-affair so critical to Tori, that she is still pining for her straight best friend Mia, all these years later. A love-affair so important to Mia, that as she looks back on it, she can see the clues that she was probably gay and in love with Tori too. A love-affair so amazing, that when Tori and Mia reconnect, the undeniable chemistry cannot now be denied, and must finally be acted upon!
Except that great love-affair was actually just an unrequited teenage crush.
Yeah. It was starting-to-understand-her-sexuality Tori, not revealing to her high school best friend Mia, that she had a crush on her in fear that it would change their all important friendship. Instead, Tori’s unrequited love for Mia is so devastating, she cuts off all contact with her best friend for 15 years in order to heal her heartbreak. Um, huh? Girl, if you were just going to ghost Mia immediately after high school for 15 years, why not admit your feelings? If your confession altered your friendship with Mia (she says it would not), isn’t that better than friggin’ blanking her? That’s beyond altering, it’s completely imploding the friendship.
So, dear reader, scrunch your toes and suspend your disbelief as hard as you can, so you can enjoy this book. Because once Tori and Mia reconnect and start to rebuild their built-on-quicksand friendship, the story is delightful. Arias tackles some big feelings and big issues, including losing a parent, miscarriage, and coming to grips with queer sexuality at an older age.
Oh, and the sapphic spice. It’s… damn. Arias avoids a 3AB* by simply making the last quarter of the book one long sex scene. That’s not a complaint, it’s ah… let’s call it a warning label; for good or bad, depending on your steam tolerance.
3.5 stars and cheers.
*Third-Act Breakup
June 7, 2025
so real yet so dreamy
Was there ever any doubt? 5 stars for this incredible slow burn second chance story. What makes arias amazing is her capacity to write such real characters, that you can also escape in. The s scenes in this were so real yet so hot. 5 stars
Was there ever any doubt? 5 stars for this incredible slow burn second chance story. What makes arias amazing is her capacity to write such real characters, that you can also escape in. The s scenes in this were so real yet so hot. 5 stars
July 14, 2025
Tori and Mia’s story is a heartwarming and entertaining journey about two high school best friends who reunite after being separated for more than a decade. Their reunion is filled with moments that balance laughter and tears as they share stories about the ups and downs of friendship and life. The story captures the essence of nostalgia, as Tori and Mia reminisce about their teenage years while navigating the complexities of adulthood, including their careers and relationships.
If you are a fan of besties-to-lovers stories, with toaster oven in the mix, then look no further. ‘Like First Love, Again’ is a definite page-turner for me and I was captivated from the get-go.
If you are a fan of besties-to-lovers stories, with toaster oven in the mix, then look no further. ‘Like First Love, Again’ is a definite page-turner for me and I was captivated from the get-go.
November 16, 2025
Truly, incredible!! Honestly, JJ can do no wrong. This book was so so good! I literally couldn’t put it down. And Kingsley Rose’s narration!? Phenomenal! No notes. She’s incredible at bringing JJ’s worlds to life. It’s a whole performance, and the emotions 😭 honestly recommend this book so much and the audiobook. All of JJ Arias’s books. Read them all 😂
A moment for the spice…..can you be edged by a book!? 🥵🫠 the spice in this book definitely has my seal of approval! My goddess! 🔥🔥🔥
Written in third person with 2x POV’s. Narrated by Kingsley Rose. Second Chance, Grieving from loss, Opposites Attract, Toaster Oven (Coming Out), Secret Crush, Divorce, Starting Over. 6x Spicy Scenes (one is a continuation of another but I’m classing it as two separate scenes…you’ll see why 😈).
A moment for the spice…..can you be edged by a book!? 🥵🫠 the spice in this book definitely has my seal of approval! My goddess! 🔥🔥🔥
Written in third person with 2x POV’s. Narrated by Kingsley Rose. Second Chance, Grieving from loss, Opposites Attract, Toaster Oven (Coming Out), Secret Crush, Divorce, Starting Over. 6x Spicy Scenes (one is a continuation of another but I’m classing it as two separate scenes…you’ll see why 😈).
June 12, 2025
Another 5 ⭐️ romance by JJ Arias. As usual - well written, interesting characters, and a romance with plenty of heat. Loved it!
July 21, 2025
4/5
This is totally my trope. I love childhood friends to lovers so much 🙈
The characters were pretty good even though the story mostly revolve around the two mc
Its a fine story. A bit plain for my taste since it was mostly happy happy.
I wish itd have had a bit more of angst and yearning and they would have addressed more the fact Tori cut the friendship off
But, all in all, a really beautiful read if you want something light and enjoyable!
This is totally my trope. I love childhood friends to lovers so much 🙈
The characters were pretty good even though the story mostly revolve around the two mc
Its a fine story. A bit plain for my taste since it was mostly happy happy.
I wish itd have had a bit more of angst and yearning and they would have addressed more the fact Tori cut the friendship off
But, all in all, a really beautiful read if you want something light and enjoyable!
July 6, 2025
J.J. Arias
June 16, 2025
I’m a fan of Arias, but Mia’s character was too confusing for me. I didn’t understand her at all. She was filled with anxiety and questioned everything she did. But Tori was constantly telling her how smart and driven Mia was. I did like Tori and her feelings of angst for Mia’s unrequited love.
June 23, 2025
3,5 ⭐️
June 24, 2025
A little too insta love for me. I get that they are friends before, but I do feel like they kinda just get together and don’t really talk about it?
However, as a baby millennial( pretty sure I’m the cut off at 1995) there were so many things the characters did or said that had me cackling and reminiscing.
However, as a baby millennial( pretty sure I’m the cut off at 1995) there were so many things the characters did or said that had me cackling and reminiscing.
June 5, 2025
A drama free good time as usual. They were cute, but having read the majority of J.J. Arias' works, this isn't going on the list of my favourites.
June 28, 2025
2/5 DNF @60% - sapphic, contemporary, friends-to-lovers, second chance-ish. I’m sad that this one didn’t click for me! I’ve enjoyed most of the other works I’ve read from JJ Arias, but this one just didn’t grab me like the others have. Going in, I’m always a little hesitant to read friends-to-lovers tropes since they usually don’t score super high with me, but I was hopeful bc of the second chance aspect here. My main problem though was that I couldn’t stand Mia—she’s pretty much my nightmare opposite and her personality rubs me all the wrong ways… Also, I felt like she and some of the side characters were giving “peaked in high school” vibes with how much revolves around old high school acquaintances and topics, over a full decade later, but that’s just me. The book is well written and Tori is somewhat interesting, so those were pluses at least.
TL;DR: book will definitely be for some, but not for me.
TL;DR: book will definitely be for some, but not for me.
November 18, 2025
What a warm blanket of feels this was. Strangely nostalgic, transporting me back to first crushes and what ifs. Also, for being a 2nd chance get with my HS crush that’s a straight girl, romance (which honestly is a bit of a fantasy itself) it was very grounded. Said straight girl actually didn’t immediately jump into sex (you know, actually thought about it and had doubts like a real person)! Strong communication with level headed adults throughout and no 3rd act breakup. This is the true definition of a no angst romance and I’m here for it.
August 16, 2025
(rounded up from 4.5)
I love a good friends-to-lovers story, and this was a solid one. I loved the relationship Tori and Mia have from their high school days and slowly working through grief and comphet at thirty. Perhaps I would go as far as to say that this is my favourite J. J. Arias romance (so far?). Delightful, sweet, fairly spic,y but I don't mind that as long as the characters are interesting, fleshed-out and worth rooting for to end up together.
I love a good friends-to-lovers story, and this was a solid one. I loved the relationship Tori and Mia have from their high school days and slowly working through grief and comphet at thirty. Perhaps I would go as far as to say that this is my favourite J. J. Arias romance (so far?). Delightful, sweet, fairly spic,y but I don't mind that as long as the characters are interesting, fleshed-out and worth rooting for to end up together.
June 4, 2025
I don’t think its possible for JJ to miss.
June 10, 2025
Wish the book delved more into that 15 years apart. Could’ve been- should’ve been longer.
June 17, 2025
4.5 ✨
healthy communication? friends to lovers? NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP?! yeah this was wholesome and hot asf 💖☝🏻
healthy communication? friends to lovers? NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP?! yeah this was wholesome and hot asf 💖☝🏻
July 17, 2025
This was one of my favorite books I read in a while. Such cute characters and so much love🥹
June 10, 2025
stg idk how this has 4+ stars. some of yall be lying…
June 8, 2025
Son muchos los libros que quiero leer de J.J. Arias y poco lo que en realidad leo.
Y es que desde el comienzo tuve un tira y afloja con la pluma de la escritora, porque era mucho spicy (ojo, no es queja) y poco desarrollo de trama. Es así que sus libros me eran meh.
No obstante, con éste nuevo libro considero que hay muchas cosas que van mejor, sigue estando lo spicy, solo que ya no es lo más importante, la trama y el desarrollo de la historia mejoran muchísimo. Y la dinámica de las protagonistas me gusta, porque en verdad se entiende y se ve el crecimiento de forma real y no algo que por ser ficción te lo inventas y ya muy felices todos.
En ese sentido, me agrada los temas que toca y como se abordan, este es un libro que refleja muy bien, que cuando una persona esta rota, se necesita más que amor y buena voluntad para comenzar a sanar. Y por primera vez el final me parece correcto, porque esta acorde al resto, es un buen balance el qué se hace, ni todo se resuelve, ni todo finaliza.
Y oye, tiene una portada bellísima. El claro ejemplo qué lo menos bien hecho, suma.
Y es que desde el comienzo tuve un tira y afloja con la pluma de la escritora, porque era mucho spicy (ojo, no es queja) y poco desarrollo de trama. Es así que sus libros me eran meh.
No obstante, con éste nuevo libro considero que hay muchas cosas que van mejor, sigue estando lo spicy, solo que ya no es lo más importante, la trama y el desarrollo de la historia mejoran muchísimo. Y la dinámica de las protagonistas me gusta, porque en verdad se entiende y se ve el crecimiento de forma real y no algo que por ser ficción te lo inventas y ya muy felices todos.
En ese sentido, me agrada los temas que toca y como se abordan, este es un libro que refleja muy bien, que cuando una persona esta rota, se necesita más que amor y buena voluntad para comenzar a sanar. Y por primera vez el final me parece correcto, porque esta acorde al resto, es un buen balance el qué se hace, ni todo se resuelve, ni todo finaliza.
Y oye, tiene una portada bellísima. El claro ejemplo qué lo menos bien hecho, suma.
June 10, 2025
This was a very cute, low-angst read which I think was just what I needed. I loved the dynamic between Tori and Mia and how their personalities complimented each other with Tori being the steady and calm one, and Mia being full of chaotic energy. Funnily enough I was able to see parts of myself in both characters and I liked that they were equally relatable in a lot of ways. The slow burn was quite slow in this one but I still enjoyed the ride and all of the sweet moments between the MCs leading up to it. I also just love JJ Arias’s writing - it’s full of tender moments, emotional growth and a lot of humour, plus all of the Cuban references that usually appear in her novels (she actually incorporates them so well that I bought all the things to make cafecito at home and even tried finding pastelitos hahaa). Overall I enjoyed this novel and would recommend if you’re looking for something light with plenty of cute and funny moments :)
June 30, 2025
This was the perfect book to round out pride month. A sweet friends to lovers story with low angst and good heat. I enjoyed Mia, she was funny and loves hard but also interesting. I wanted more about Tori - she started as the main POV but then kind of fell by the wayside and I liked her. Content warning- miscarriage off the page. I thought the grief around that theme was handled well, though I didn’t quite buy it in the character’s backstory. I like JJ Arias’ writing and thought she captured friends to lovers well, but I wanted a little more tension.
Short summary: Tori can’t help but help her former bff when she returns to Miami to sell her late mother’s home. Though they haven’t spoken in a decade, all Tori’s secret feelings are still there…and she can keep them that way, because Mia is straight.
Short summary: Tori can’t help but help her former bff when she returns to Miami to sell her late mother’s home. Though they haven’t spoken in a decade, all Tori’s secret feelings are still there…and she can keep them that way, because Mia is straight.
June 8, 2025
What a beautifully powerful story! I was locked in from page 1, and I instantly fell in love with Tori. Who wouldn’t, right? But then Mia came in like a tidal wave and swept me away with her raw, unfiltered love. The self-doubt, the painful growth, and the angst totally captivated me, and I felt like I couldn’t look away even for a moment. The spice was hot as hell but constantly laced with that undercurrent of absolute love. Another absolute banger from JJ Arias.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews