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Second Chance Duet
A swoony, slow burn romance about a struggling composer whose big break comes at a cost—working side-by-side with her college nemesis.
Celia García has always had one goal: to compose film scores. But after a decade of advertising jingles, that dream couldn’t be further out of reach–until an old college friend presents her with a life-changing opportunity. A big-name director so desperately needs a composer for his TV debut that he’ll take a chance on someone new.
There’s only one catch. Celia has to work—and live—with her college nemesis, Oliver Barlowe.
Celia remembers Oliver as arrogant, rude, and entitled–the picture-perfect scion of Hollywood royalty. Soon, though, late nights and long days together reveal how much Oliver’s changed, sparking new feelings and the discovery that their rivalry wasn’t quite as mutual as she thought. But in an industry where she needs to work twice as hard to be seen as half as good, a romance with Oliver could end Celia’s career just as it’s starting
Celia García has always had one goal: to compose film scores. But after a decade of advertising jingles, that dream couldn’t be further out of reach–until an old college friend presents her with a life-changing opportunity. A big-name director so desperately needs a composer for his TV debut that he’ll take a chance on someone new.
There’s only one catch. Celia has to work—and live—with her college nemesis, Oliver Barlowe.
Celia remembers Oliver as arrogant, rude, and entitled–the picture-perfect scion of Hollywood royalty. Soon, though, late nights and long days together reveal how much Oliver’s changed, sparking new feelings and the discovery that their rivalry wasn’t quite as mutual as she thought. But in an industry where she needs to work twice as hard to be seen as half as good, a romance with Oliver could end Celia’s career just as it’s starting
384 pages, Paperback
Published March 10, 2026
About the author
Ana Holguin
2 books93 followersAna Holguin grew up in the American Southwest and eventually made her way to the other side of the Mississippi, where she landed in Chicago. She now lives and writes in the City of Broad Shoulders.
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆."... “𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔, 𝑪𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒂,”
AGHHH what is it about romance books that have music embedded into the love story? 😭🎶 I’m not talking about the typical rockstar romance. I’m talking about music notes, rhythm, composition, percussion… it made this book get to a whole new level that I enjoyed so much ✨🎼
We have Celia, a composer, who is tired of doing jingles and wants to dream bigger. When she finally has the opportunity to do so… she has to do it with her college rival that she hasn’t seen in over ten years. Oliver, the quiet and arrogant man with a famous father she met in college, is no more, and after they are forced to work together for a TV debut, she notices he is different aaaaand in a good way 👀 AYEEEE
Rivals to lovers you know why I love it?! Because there’s always a small degree of miscommunication within this trope. The whole “we rival each other in everything ” that gets converted into “I admired you, not hated you” is so delicious in this book. The best part?! They are in a secluded place to work together since they are on a deadline *forced proximity has entered the chat*🔥
What I also love about this book is the vulnerability that we see from Oliver. He explains why 10 years really changed him and his way of thinking. WHICH I LOVE! I truly believe how people can change as time passes. Not only that, but we also see growth from both of them, and to intertwine that with their slow burn was so beautiful to read and enjoy! 🥹✨
Both characters, Celia and Oliver, had so many moments throughout the book where I wanted to reach out and hug them. Celia with her insecurities and her upbringing were so powerful to see and compare with Oliver’s, which obviously, as a couple, made this even more intense!!!
Loved the book and would read more about this beautiful couple 🫶💫
tropes
🎼 rivals to lovers
🎼 forced proximity
🎼 slow burn
🎼 he falls first
🎼 "I never hated you"
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 ❀*･ I haven't read a book with rivals to lovers in a minute SO EXCITED Thank you Forever for my eARC
AGHHH what is it about romance books that have music embedded into the love story? 😭🎶 I’m not talking about the typical rockstar romance. I’m talking about music notes, rhythm, composition, percussion… it made this book get to a whole new level that I enjoyed so much ✨🎼
We have Celia, a composer, who is tired of doing jingles and wants to dream bigger. When she finally has the opportunity to do so… she has to do it with her college rival that she hasn’t seen in over ten years. Oliver, the quiet and arrogant man with a famous father she met in college, is no more, and after they are forced to work together for a TV debut, she notices he is different aaaaand in a good way 👀 AYEEEE
Rivals to lovers you know why I love it?! Because there’s always a small degree of miscommunication within this trope. The whole “we rival each other in everything ” that gets converted into “I admired you, not hated you” is so delicious in this book. The best part?! They are in a secluded place to work together since they are on a deadline *forced proximity has entered the chat*🔥
What I also love about this book is the vulnerability that we see from Oliver. He explains why 10 years really changed him and his way of thinking. WHICH I LOVE! I truly believe how people can change as time passes. Not only that, but we also see growth from both of them, and to intertwine that with their slow burn was so beautiful to read and enjoy! 🥹✨
Both characters, Celia and Oliver, had so many moments throughout the book where I wanted to reach out and hug them. Celia with her insecurities and her upbringing were so powerful to see and compare with Oliver’s, which obviously, as a couple, made this even more intense!!!
Loved the book and would read more about this beautiful couple 🫶💫
tropes
🎼 rivals to lovers
🎼 forced proximity
🎼 slow burn
🎼 he falls first
🎼 "I never hated you"
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 ❀*･ I haven't read a book with rivals to lovers in a minute SO EXCITED Thank you Forever for my eARC
March 10, 2026
I love when men are vulnerable and opens up throughout the book😌
March 15, 2026
┆ ⤿ 🎵 ⌗ started: march 11, finished: march 13
4 stars 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
⤿ review with some spoilers.
thank you hachette audio, netgalley, and ana holgiun for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
tropes: ⋆˚࿔
.ᐟ rivals to lovers
.ᐟ forced proximity
.ᐟ slow burn
.ᐟ yearning
summary/thoughts: ⋆˚࿔
celia garcía has always dreamed of composing film scores, but after years of writing advertising jingles, that dream feels further away than ever. when an unexpected opportunity finally comes her way, it could be the breakthrough she’s been waiting for. the only problem? she has to work, and live, with oliver barlowe, her college rival and the last person she expected to see again. as they spend long days and late nights working together on the project, old tensions resurface, but so do feelings neither of them fully left behind.
this was such a cute read! i loved learning about celia and oliver’s past and how their college rivalry shaped their dynamic in the present, it made their interactions even more fun to watch unfold. the forced proximity had me giggling so many times, and their slow-burn tension was so good. i also really enjoyed the music industry aspect of the story. i haven’t read many books centered around film score composing, so it felt like a really refreshing perspective. and oliver waiting 13 years for her??? the yearning!!! i love a man who is absolutely down bad.
── .✦ characters 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
celia garcía: ‧₊ ♪˚⊹
i really loved celia’s character. she felt very real and easy to root for throughout the story. i especially appreciated how the author explored her background, her family, and their experience as immigrants, and how proud she is of where she comes from. those moments added a really meaningful layer to her character and made her feel much more grounded and authentic.
i also liked how the book touched on her financial struggles and the reality of trying to build a career in such a competitive industry. seeing her work so hard for an opportunity and still doubt whether she truly belonged made her journey feel very relatable. overall, celia was a really strong and compelling main character, and i loved following her growth throughout the story.
oliver barlowe: ‧₊ ♪˚⊹
i really loved oliver’s character. his quiet personality and the way he mostly kept to himself made him so intriguing, and i liked that there was a softness to him underneath everything. he felt reserved in a way that made his emotions hit even harder once he started opening up.
i also absolutely loved that he was a man who actually talked about his feelings and, more importantly, yearned. the yearning in this book was so good, and knowing how long he had carried those feelings made his character even more emotional to read. there were moments where he felt so relatable in his sadness and vulnerability, and by the end i was genuinely crying for him. he was such a tender, aching character in the best way.
HE. WAITED. 13. YEARS!!!!
4 stars 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
⤿ review with some spoilers.
thank you hachette audio, netgalley, and ana holgiun for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
tropes: ⋆˚࿔
.ᐟ rivals to lovers
.ᐟ forced proximity
.ᐟ slow burn
.ᐟ yearning
summary/thoughts: ⋆˚࿔
celia garcía has always dreamed of composing film scores, but after years of writing advertising jingles, that dream feels further away than ever. when an unexpected opportunity finally comes her way, it could be the breakthrough she’s been waiting for. the only problem? she has to work, and live, with oliver barlowe, her college rival and the last person she expected to see again. as they spend long days and late nights working together on the project, old tensions resurface, but so do feelings neither of them fully left behind.
this was such a cute read! i loved learning about celia and oliver’s past and how their college rivalry shaped their dynamic in the present, it made their interactions even more fun to watch unfold. the forced proximity had me giggling so many times, and their slow-burn tension was so good. i also really enjoyed the music industry aspect of the story. i haven’t read many books centered around film score composing, so it felt like a really refreshing perspective. and oliver waiting 13 years for her??? the yearning!!! i love a man who is absolutely down bad.
── .✦ characters 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
celia garcía: ‧₊ ♪˚⊹
i really loved celia’s character. she felt very real and easy to root for throughout the story. i especially appreciated how the author explored her background, her family, and their experience as immigrants, and how proud she is of where she comes from. those moments added a really meaningful layer to her character and made her feel much more grounded and authentic.
i also liked how the book touched on her financial struggles and the reality of trying to build a career in such a competitive industry. seeing her work so hard for an opportunity and still doubt whether she truly belonged made her journey feel very relatable. overall, celia was a really strong and compelling main character, and i loved following her growth throughout the story.
oliver barlowe: ‧₊ ♪˚⊹
i really loved oliver’s character. his quiet personality and the way he mostly kept to himself made him so intriguing, and i liked that there was a softness to him underneath everything. he felt reserved in a way that made his emotions hit even harder once he started opening up.
i also absolutely loved that he was a man who actually talked about his feelings and, more importantly, yearned. the yearning in this book was so good, and knowing how long he had carried those feelings made his character even more emotional to read. there were moments where he felt so relatable in his sadness and vulnerability, and by the end i was genuinely crying for him. he was such a tender, aching character in the best way.
HE. WAITED. 13. YEARS!!!!
March 11, 2026
Second Chance Duet by Ana Holguin
Contemporary romance. Second Chance and forced proximity troupes. Dual timeline.
Celia Garcia graduated from Juilliard and has spent the subsequent ten years working on jingles and small time projects. Not enough to truly support her or her dreams. She gets a call from a director to work on the score for a new television show. The only caveat, she must work with her high school nemesis, Oliver Barlowe. She figures Oliver has had a successful career because of his famous father but that’s not the case. They agree to work together to create the music and for ease they also decide to live together in his summer home in Maine.
As they work together, they learn each other’s habits, likes and dislikes. Soon they are composing the music they need. But it’s not all smooth sailing. Can they finish the score before their relationship turns again?
🎧 I listened to an audiobook narrated by Jacqueline Sol. In order to hear and understand this fully, I had to slow down the playback considerably from my usual speed. Even at the slower pace, the recording sounded rushed and more like a reading or AI rather than an artistic performance. As I got used to the voice and tone, about a quarter way through, I heard some emotion and nuance but it’s subtle.
The ethnic family names, food and other references were very well done with a native sounding accent for the islands where Celia’s family originates from. Celia herself was born and raised in New York so easily transitions in and out of an accent.
An acceptable audiobook. Perhaps it was the time jumps with all the backstory that was more telling than action that didn’t grab me. Time jumps and television scenes are clearly labeled.
As Celia and Oliver work together, they grow closer. Oliver is at a disadvantage because of his upbringing while Celia has a tight relationship with her family. She’s able to talk things out and get support. When she finds out that he suggested her for the job, it turns her from antagonizing to grateful, allowing for them to move forward.
A lot of hard work, and a hard won romance.
Loved the epilogue. So much.
Beautiful romance. Celia pushes and wins.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Hachette Audio.
Contemporary romance. Second Chance and forced proximity troupes. Dual timeline.
Celia Garcia graduated from Juilliard and has spent the subsequent ten years working on jingles and small time projects. Not enough to truly support her or her dreams. She gets a call from a director to work on the score for a new television show. The only caveat, she must work with her high school nemesis, Oliver Barlowe. She figures Oliver has had a successful career because of his famous father but that’s not the case. They agree to work together to create the music and for ease they also decide to live together in his summer home in Maine.
As they work together, they learn each other’s habits, likes and dislikes. Soon they are composing the music they need. But it’s not all smooth sailing. Can they finish the score before their relationship turns again?
🎧 I listened to an audiobook narrated by Jacqueline Sol. In order to hear and understand this fully, I had to slow down the playback considerably from my usual speed. Even at the slower pace, the recording sounded rushed and more like a reading or AI rather than an artistic performance. As I got used to the voice and tone, about a quarter way through, I heard some emotion and nuance but it’s subtle.
The ethnic family names, food and other references were very well done with a native sounding accent for the islands where Celia’s family originates from. Celia herself was born and raised in New York so easily transitions in and out of an accent.
An acceptable audiobook. Perhaps it was the time jumps with all the backstory that was more telling than action that didn’t grab me. Time jumps and television scenes are clearly labeled.
As Celia and Oliver work together, they grow closer. Oliver is at a disadvantage because of his upbringing while Celia has a tight relationship with her family. She’s able to talk things out and get support. When she finds out that he suggested her for the job, it turns her from antagonizing to grateful, allowing for them to move forward.
A lot of hard work, and a hard won romance.
Loved the epilogue. So much.
Beautiful romance. Celia pushes and wins.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Hachette Audio.
March 12, 2026
4/5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for providing me with an ALC of this book in return for a voluntary and honest review!
I need to say that I really did love this book!! As a former music theory and production student, I loved the premise of this book being focussed on two Juilliard graduates. Celia and Oliver were rivals back in their school days, forever trying to beat each other out of top spots and opportunities and you know I LOVEEE rivals to lovers trope (especially when for one party it was less 'rivals' and more unspoken admiration from the get go!)
I loved how this book touched on the fact that even if you look like you have a perfect family that can set you up for life, sometimes that can still leave you feeling alone and detached from the world. It was done so delicately and my heart really goes out to Oliver and those with a family that might be like his!
Our FMC, Celia, also has classic eldest daughter syndrome (me too girl, i get it) so seeing her family really SEE her was really sweet to see!
Also tell me how this narrator voiced every character andd had insane chemistry with HERSELF?? Literally had me sat giggling sometimes LMAO
I will say, sometimes you can hear where audio cuts had been madde as there were instances where there was quite a bit of white noise in the background though. I have reaally sensitive hearing and get super bothered by stuff like that so it might not be noticeable to many - just a personal gripe i hadd!
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for providing me with an ALC of this book in return for a voluntary and honest review!
I need to say that I really did love this book!! As a former music theory and production student, I loved the premise of this book being focussed on two Juilliard graduates. Celia and Oliver were rivals back in their school days, forever trying to beat each other out of top spots and opportunities and you know I LOVEEE rivals to lovers trope (especially when for one party it was less 'rivals' and more unspoken admiration from the get go!)
I loved how this book touched on the fact that even if you look like you have a perfect family that can set you up for life, sometimes that can still leave you feeling alone and detached from the world. It was done so delicately and my heart really goes out to Oliver and those with a family that might be like his!
Our FMC, Celia, also has classic eldest daughter syndrome (me too girl, i get it) so seeing her family really SEE her was really sweet to see!
Also tell me how this narrator voiced every character andd had insane chemistry with HERSELF?? Literally had me sat giggling sometimes LMAO
I will say, sometimes you can hear where audio cuts had been madde as there were instances where there was quite a bit of white noise in the background though. I have reaally sensitive hearing and get super bothered by stuff like that so it might not be noticeable to many - just a personal gripe i hadd!
April 16, 2026
I have such a special place in my heart for music-themed romances, and Second Chance Duet is a sweeping, swoony standout. After reading a lot of heavy themes lately, this was the exact kind of sweet, easy-to-read story I needed. It follows Celia García, a Juilliard graduate and aspiring film composer who is struggling to find her footing in a tough industry that’s seriously competitive.
What made this story such a win for me was how relatable Celia is. She doesn’t have her life together in an overtly perfect girl-boss type of way. Her life struggles are messy and chaotic as she navigates the gap between her dreams and reality, taking on unfulfilling corporate gigs just to survive.
I love stories with BIPOC representation and I specifically loved how Celia stays true to her roots, with her mom’s side of the family being from Puerto Rico and her dad’s side from Cuba. I always love cozy family vibes in books, and I absolutely loved the vivid descriptions of her family’s restaurant in Washington Heights. You could almost see the movie-like images of live music and dancing at the restaurant in your mind. Plus, the banter with her sisters and parents throughout the book definitely made me laugh.
The story is a refreshing look at an artist finding her voice, and learning to be unapologetic about it, without losing her connection to her heritage. It touches on the frustrating old-school approaches of the industry, like when traditional music often associated with ballet is prioritized over fresh, creative work that incorporates her authentic culture and heritage.
The romance itself is a second-chance story that alternates between the present day and flashbacks to Juilliard. Celia is paired up with her old classmate Oliver Barlowe for a career-changing project that takes them to a lush, atmospheric cottage in Maine. Much like Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston, this book captures the magical, specialized bond of two musicians. Oliver is a total cinnamon roll MMC in every way possible, he's sweet, quiet, introverted, and incredibly devoted. Watching them peel back each other’s layers through their shared connection to music was beautiful.
This was my first book I've read by Ana Holguin, but I already want to read more! The audiobook narration by Jacqueline Sol was fantastic, and the story was incredibly easy to follow, even at increased speeds of 2.5x and above. It features a slow-burn pace that reminded me of books like People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry and The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston (one of my favorite books, ever!). It captures that same feeling of a long-standing history that takes a while to finally click into place. If you are looking for a music-themed romance with Latina representation, and a cinnamon roll MMC who is as sweet as he is talented, I highly recommend picking this one up.
Perfect if you love:
❤️ Music-themed romances
✨ BIPOC Representation: Latina FMC with roots in Washington Heights (Mom's side is from Puerto Rico/Dad's side is from Cuba)
❤️ Relatable, struggling to make ends meet storyline
🎹 Second-chance romance with a cinnamon roll MMC
✨ Atmospheric settings (NYC vibes + Maine cottages)
❤️ Realistic career difficulties and staying true to your heritage
✨ Rivals to lovers vibes
❤️ Dual timeline, with past flashbacks
🎧 Single audiobook narrator: Jacqueline Sol
❤️ If you loved books like:
🧡 People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
💛 The Seven Year Slip and Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston
❤️ Still Into You by Erin Connor
🧡 The Ex-Perimento by Maria J. Morillo
Thank you to the publisher, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy for review consideration. I am choosing to write this review voluntarily. These are my honest opinions.
What made this story such a win for me was how relatable Celia is. She doesn’t have her life together in an overtly perfect girl-boss type of way. Her life struggles are messy and chaotic as she navigates the gap between her dreams and reality, taking on unfulfilling corporate gigs just to survive.
I love stories with BIPOC representation and I specifically loved how Celia stays true to her roots, with her mom’s side of the family being from Puerto Rico and her dad’s side from Cuba. I always love cozy family vibes in books, and I absolutely loved the vivid descriptions of her family’s restaurant in Washington Heights. You could almost see the movie-like images of live music and dancing at the restaurant in your mind. Plus, the banter with her sisters and parents throughout the book definitely made me laugh.
The story is a refreshing look at an artist finding her voice, and learning to be unapologetic about it, without losing her connection to her heritage. It touches on the frustrating old-school approaches of the industry, like when traditional music often associated with ballet is prioritized over fresh, creative work that incorporates her authentic culture and heritage.
The romance itself is a second-chance story that alternates between the present day and flashbacks to Juilliard. Celia is paired up with her old classmate Oliver Barlowe for a career-changing project that takes them to a lush, atmospheric cottage in Maine. Much like Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston, this book captures the magical, specialized bond of two musicians. Oliver is a total cinnamon roll MMC in every way possible, he's sweet, quiet, introverted, and incredibly devoted. Watching them peel back each other’s layers through their shared connection to music was beautiful.
This was my first book I've read by Ana Holguin, but I already want to read more! The audiobook narration by Jacqueline Sol was fantastic, and the story was incredibly easy to follow, even at increased speeds of 2.5x and above. It features a slow-burn pace that reminded me of books like People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry and The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston (one of my favorite books, ever!). It captures that same feeling of a long-standing history that takes a while to finally click into place. If you are looking for a music-themed romance with Latina representation, and a cinnamon roll MMC who is as sweet as he is talented, I highly recommend picking this one up.
Perfect if you love:
❤️ Music-themed romances
✨ BIPOC Representation: Latina FMC with roots in Washington Heights (Mom's side is from Puerto Rico/Dad's side is from Cuba)
❤️ Relatable, struggling to make ends meet storyline
🎹 Second-chance romance with a cinnamon roll MMC
✨ Atmospheric settings (NYC vibes + Maine cottages)
❤️ Realistic career difficulties and staying true to your heritage
✨ Rivals to lovers vibes
❤️ Dual timeline, with past flashbacks
🎧 Single audiobook narrator: Jacqueline Sol
❤️ If you loved books like:
🧡 People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
💛 The Seven Year Slip and Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston
❤️ Still Into You by Erin Connor
🧡 The Ex-Perimento by Maria J. Morillo
Thank you to the publisher, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy for review consideration. I am choosing to write this review voluntarily. These are my honest opinions.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
second chance duet ꒱ 4 stars
⌗ 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥: mar 7, ‘26 ⌇ 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥: mar 8, ’26
review with very light spoilers
being a music major myself i really enjoyed every second of the flashbacks to when they were in college. i initially requested this book because of the plot, i was really intrigued as this aspect of the music industry is not really written about in fiction.
i had a lot of fun with the former rivals to lovers plot line, especially since it showed how much both characters changed since they were in college. the characters themselves were also super fun to read about.
the plot having them in maine and in practically forced proximity was such an integral part to the evolution of their relationship especially considering the change in behavior from oliver compared to the past. having them interact in that environment really gave them a chance to not be influenced by other people/things when it came to each other.
celia garcía, i absolutely loved the representation that she brought to the book. even though our experiences are different i felt like she still embodied many immigrants and children of immigrants. her dedication to her craft, regardless of how financially difficult it was for her, added a lot to the her character. i had a lot of respect for her dedication and passion for what she did.
oliver barlowe, he was practically the embodiment of character development. seeing how much of a difference with present and past oliver during the flashbacks was very interesting. i think staying at the maine house added a lot of context to his demeanor. i honestly really like the fact that he acknowledges that it was something that he need and has worked on and even apologized for how badly somethings came off as.
the relationship, while their relationship progression was on the slower side of thing i actually really liked that they formed a friendship first. i think them forming a friendship before they became romantically involved gave them a good foundation. i was not a mega big fan of the miscommunication that happened with them, i think it was resolved really well even though it was not my favorite part of the book.
overall, this book was great. i had a great time reading it and i really enjoyed all the musical aspects of it because that was one of the main reasons i wanted to give this book a chance. i was super proud of celía and how much she was able to accomplish by the end and the epilogue was also a great ending to the story.
── preread
i’m actually super excited to read this as i myself am a music major and while i know it won’t take place with them in uni, i am really looking forward to reference that i will probably totatally relate to lmao
ⓘ thank you ana holguín, forever publishing & netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review
⌗ 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥: mar 7, ‘26 ⌇ 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥: mar 8, ’26
review with very light spoilers
being a music major myself i really enjoyed every second of the flashbacks to when they were in college. i initially requested this book because of the plot, i was really intrigued as this aspect of the music industry is not really written about in fiction.
i had a lot of fun with the former rivals to lovers plot line, especially since it showed how much both characters changed since they were in college. the characters themselves were also super fun to read about.
the plot having them in maine and in practically forced proximity was such an integral part to the evolution of their relationship especially considering the change in behavior from oliver compared to the past. having them interact in that environment really gave them a chance to not be influenced by other people/things when it came to each other.
celia garcía, i absolutely loved the representation that she brought to the book. even though our experiences are different i felt like she still embodied many immigrants and children of immigrants. her dedication to her craft, regardless of how financially difficult it was for her, added a lot to the her character. i had a lot of respect for her dedication and passion for what she did.
oliver barlowe, he was practically the embodiment of character development. seeing how much of a difference with present and past oliver during the flashbacks was very interesting. i think staying at the maine house added a lot of context to his demeanor. i honestly really like the fact that he acknowledges that it was something that he need and has worked on and even apologized for how badly somethings came off as.
the relationship, while their relationship progression was on the slower side of thing i actually really liked that they formed a friendship first. i think them forming a friendship before they became romantically involved gave them a good foundation. i was not a mega big fan of the miscommunication that happened with them, i think it was resolved really well even though it was not my favorite part of the book.
overall, this book was great. i had a great time reading it and i really enjoyed all the musical aspects of it because that was one of the main reasons i wanted to give this book a chance. i was super proud of celía and how much she was able to accomplish by the end and the epilogue was also a great ending to the story.
── preread
i’m actually super excited to read this as i myself am a music major and while i know it won’t take place with them in uni, i am really looking forward to reference that i will probably totatally relate to lmao
ⓘ thank you ana holguín, forever publishing & netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review
they-told-me-to-read-it
December 16, 2025Excited to read another book by this author!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I almost DNF’d this book at 91%. It broke a cardinal rule of romance for me, but luckily Ana Holguin redeemed herself on that point, and I finished the book.
Celia García has been trying to break into the film and television industries since she graduated from Juilliard a little over 10 years ago. She’s been hustling, writing jingles for commercials and corporations, but that work is starting to dry up due to AI. When her best friend from college reaches out about an opportunity to compose for an upcoming prestige TV show, Celia is overjoyed—that is, until she finds out she’ll be forced to work with her college nemesis, Oliver Barlowe. Oliver is a nepobaby—the son of a famous film composer—and he drove Celia nuts in college by winning every competition, opportunity, and internship they both applied for. Now Celia will have to figure out how not only to work with Oliver, but also live with him in his family’s vacation home in Maine while they use his studio to work on the score. But as they spend time together, Celia realizes that she never really knew Oliver and that there is much more to both him and their dynamic than she thought.
I struggled with this book. I am a classical singer who went to an elite conservatory comparable to Juilliard and would have overlapped with Celia and Oliver by at least a couple of years. I am also a working singer in a major city, one of my best friends is a composer, and I dated a composer in college, so I know a little something about the content of this book. Almost every detail about the actual nuts and bolts of attending a conservatory or working as a musician was wrong. It might not seem like a big deal to most people, but it shows a fundamental flaw in the world building. I really wish authors and editors would leverage alpha and beta readers with actual musical experience to make sure the world is accurate before sending a book to press.
Where this book really fell down for me was the dual timeline. Almost all of the mistakes in the world-building were in the past timeline, so if that hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t have had such an issue with the book. Additionally, the conflict in the past timeline didn’t have any teeth. Students in the same major at a conservatory are forced to compete with each other, and there is definitely conflict. It’s why most of us were friends with people from other majors or other years (or other voice types, for the voice majors). Having lived that experience, I really didn’t see the big deal in their dynamic in college, and it wasn’t important enough to take up so much space on the page.
I also thought the male main character was severely underdeveloped. This book is heroine-only POV, so we see everything through her eyes, meaning Oliver’s character is only shown through her experience of him. I just didn’t think we got enough of his journey to make this romance make sense to me. During the act three breakup, I wanted to yeet this man into the sun because he seemed to expect Celia to give up a career opportunity for him despite the fact that they weren’t even in a relationship, and he’s a nepobaby who has no clue how hard it is for her to get in the door. I was really done with him and nearly put down the book at that point.
The only saving grace of this book was the community around Celia. I loved her relationship with her best friend from college, Rebecca, as well as her family. Her two sisters were delightful on the page, and I really liked their dynamic. I honestly would have probably enjoyed this book more if it had been women’s fiction with a romance subplot because Celia’s life was much more interesting to me than the romance plot.
Overall, I really didn’t like this one. I don’t think a non-musician would be bothered by all the inaccuracies, but the romance writing also felt flat, so I can’t recommend it. Two stars because I finished it.
Thanks to Forever for the complimentary ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Celia García has been trying to break into the film and television industries since she graduated from Juilliard a little over 10 years ago. She’s been hustling, writing jingles for commercials and corporations, but that work is starting to dry up due to AI. When her best friend from college reaches out about an opportunity to compose for an upcoming prestige TV show, Celia is overjoyed—that is, until she finds out she’ll be forced to work with her college nemesis, Oliver Barlowe. Oliver is a nepobaby—the son of a famous film composer—and he drove Celia nuts in college by winning every competition, opportunity, and internship they both applied for. Now Celia will have to figure out how not only to work with Oliver, but also live with him in his family’s vacation home in Maine while they use his studio to work on the score. But as they spend time together, Celia realizes that she never really knew Oliver and that there is much more to both him and their dynamic than she thought.
I struggled with this book. I am a classical singer who went to an elite conservatory comparable to Juilliard and would have overlapped with Celia and Oliver by at least a couple of years. I am also a working singer in a major city, one of my best friends is a composer, and I dated a composer in college, so I know a little something about the content of this book. Almost every detail about the actual nuts and bolts of attending a conservatory or working as a musician was wrong. It might not seem like a big deal to most people, but it shows a fundamental flaw in the world building. I really wish authors and editors would leverage alpha and beta readers with actual musical experience to make sure the world is accurate before sending a book to press.
Where this book really fell down for me was the dual timeline. Almost all of the mistakes in the world-building were in the past timeline, so if that hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t have had such an issue with the book. Additionally, the conflict in the past timeline didn’t have any teeth. Students in the same major at a conservatory are forced to compete with each other, and there is definitely conflict. It’s why most of us were friends with people from other majors or other years (or other voice types, for the voice majors). Having lived that experience, I really didn’t see the big deal in their dynamic in college, and it wasn’t important enough to take up so much space on the page.
I also thought the male main character was severely underdeveloped. This book is heroine-only POV, so we see everything through her eyes, meaning Oliver’s character is only shown through her experience of him. I just didn’t think we got enough of his journey to make this romance make sense to me. During the act three breakup, I wanted to yeet this man into the sun because he seemed to expect Celia to give up a career opportunity for him despite the fact that they weren’t even in a relationship, and he’s a nepobaby who has no clue how hard it is for her to get in the door. I was really done with him and nearly put down the book at that point.
The only saving grace of this book was the community around Celia. I loved her relationship with her best friend from college, Rebecca, as well as her family. Her two sisters were delightful on the page, and I really liked their dynamic. I honestly would have probably enjoyed this book more if it had been women’s fiction with a romance subplot because Celia’s life was much more interesting to me than the romance plot.
Overall, I really didn’t like this one. I don’t think a non-musician would be bothered by all the inaccuracies, but the romance writing also felt flat, so I can’t recommend it. Two stars because I finished it.
Thanks to Forever for the complimentary ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 11, 2026
The way I devoured this book! I absolutely loved it! I'm realizing that a second chance enemies to lovers romance is my probably my favorite combination of tropes. The FMC, Celia, was wonderful. I felt like I could relate to her and identify with her in a lot of ways. She is smart and capable but feels like she's behind professionally and not living up to the potential that she once had. She's working and striving in a world that is about connections and a wealthy world that she wasn't born into. I also love the Hispanic representation. The supporting characters in her friends and family were great and added a layer to who the FMC is as a person. I so appreciated the connection between Celia and the MMC, Oliver. I felt for Oliver in a lot of ways, and I really enjoyed seeing how Celia's view of Oliver changed over the course of the book.
The style of writing was fluid and easy to read while still holding my attention. I liked how there were flashbacks to their college experiences and excerpts from the show they were working on as well. Overall, it flowed really well and created a beautiful story.
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing), NetGalley, and the author, Ana Holguin, for the advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
The style of writing was fluid and easy to read while still holding my attention. I liked how there were flashbacks to their college experiences and excerpts from the show they were working on as well. Overall, it flowed really well and created a beautiful story.
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing), NetGalley, and the author, Ana Holguin, for the advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
March 12, 2026
3⭐️
Second Chance Duet is a sweet read that follow Celia, a Latina composer who get the chance of a lifetime to compose for an upcoming TV debut. There’s one catch though? She has to work with her school rival from Juilliard, Oliver. Oliver is a reserved, quiet, broody guy who grew up in a family that often neglected him. He is a character that you just want to give a hug too and I really loved that the author highlighted his time in therapy to work on himself.
Celia and Oliver had a really sweet relationship. There was banter, chemistry, and they worked really well together when they were composing. I also really loved Celia’s relationship with her family and how supportive they were of her and her dreams. If you like rivals turned friends to lovers, tension, and sweet family moments, I would recommend picking this one up!
Thank you Forever Publishing and NetGalley for the arc and Hachette Audio for the ALC in exchange for my review!
Second Chance Duet is a sweet read that follow Celia, a Latina composer who get the chance of a lifetime to compose for an upcoming TV debut. There’s one catch though? She has to work with her school rival from Juilliard, Oliver. Oliver is a reserved, quiet, broody guy who grew up in a family that often neglected him. He is a character that you just want to give a hug too and I really loved that the author highlighted his time in therapy to work on himself.
Celia and Oliver had a really sweet relationship. There was banter, chemistry, and they worked really well together when they were composing. I also really loved Celia’s relationship with her family and how supportive they were of her and her dreams. If you like rivals turned friends to lovers, tension, and sweet family moments, I would recommend picking this one up!
Thank you Forever Publishing and NetGalley for the arc and Hachette Audio for the ALC in exchange for my review!
March 15, 2026
I knew the “it’s been you for the last 10 years” was going to show up, but I wish we had actual evidence of that lol
December 6, 2025
My latest & greatest SIX star read !!!!!!
Ana Holguin has done it AGAIN!
She has a WAY of making you FEEL.
I laughed. I cried (at literally everything; whether it was actually emotional or simply bc Ana set the scene absolutely flawlessly)
I simply cannot describe how REAL these characters felt. Every detail of their personalities, inner-thoughts, actions, goals, dialogue— it was all so consistently ✨them✨ & unique in a way that felt… natural, & memorable.
⏰ dual timeline perfection, the entire story wasn’t hanging in the balance waiting to find out what happened “before”, but it set the stage for the characters development both individually & together.
💘 rivals to lovers that actual felt like they were rivals !!!!! A span of 13 YEARS, PEOPLE.
🥁 she’s so direct, & she’s a chicken nuggets + fries type of girl, & the family dynamics were absolutely heart-warming.
🎹 he’s so troubled, but also SO CARING & THOUGHTFUL. The man goes to THERAPY & is actively working out all his kinks.
👯♀️ just another note to say that the family!!!! in this book really stood out in a way that both stood out & fell seamlessly in line with the plot.
I’m so so proud of Ana with her second published novel & feel beyond blessed to have been able to read it early 🫶🏼
Ana Holguin has done it AGAIN!
She has a WAY of making you FEEL.
I laughed. I cried (at literally everything; whether it was actually emotional or simply bc Ana set the scene absolutely flawlessly)
I simply cannot describe how REAL these characters felt. Every detail of their personalities, inner-thoughts, actions, goals, dialogue— it was all so consistently ✨them✨ & unique in a way that felt… natural, & memorable.
⏰ dual timeline perfection, the entire story wasn’t hanging in the balance waiting to find out what happened “before”, but it set the stage for the characters development both individually & together.
💘 rivals to lovers that actual felt like they were rivals !!!!! A span of 13 YEARS, PEOPLE.
🥁 she’s so direct, & she’s a chicken nuggets + fries type of girl, & the family dynamics were absolutely heart-warming.
🎹 he’s so troubled, but also SO CARING & THOUGHTFUL. The man goes to THERAPY & is actively working out all his kinks.
👯♀️ just another note to say that the family!!!! in this book really stood out in a way that both stood out & fell seamlessly in line with the plot.
I’m so so proud of Ana with her second published novel & feel beyond blessed to have been able to read it early 🫶🏼
March 10, 2026
Another fantastic romance from Holguin! I loved this one as much as her debut. Oliver and Celia were so adorable and perfect together and I loved watching them fall in love. I don't always love flashbacks because they often don't move the story forward, but these were done so well to show us all the misunderstandings in the character's pasts and how they got to where they are in the present. I can't wait for book 3!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
March 30, 2026
This was a fun story, and I am so proud of Ana for having her second book published! I really loved the premise of a second chance romance with two former college academic rivals coming together years later to work on a professional project. Academic rivals and second chance are two of my favorite tropes PLUS I love Ana, so I was ready!!!
This took a little bit for me to get into it, but once I was about 40% in, I was locked and zooming! Ana did such a great job fleshing out Celia and Oliver’s characters, and I really grew attached to them. I REALLY disliked Oliver at first, which was clearly the point, but I truly love him after this book. He is so misunderstood and extremely closed off, but once you get to know him, he is incredibly kind and generous. Learning about his lonely childhood was so sad, but I have so much respect for the time he committed to therapy and becoming the best version of himself. A man in therapy for the win! Seriously. Oliver Barlowe is a truly wonderful character. My girl Celia is who she is and I love her down. Loud, bold, and effervescent, I adored her. This woman conquered every fear and obstacle and found the success she deserved! Celia and Oliver are very very different, which leads to some serious miscommunication at times, but once they learn how to read each other, their connection is so strong and vibrant. Plus, this man was down bad for 13 years. YEARS! I love a man who pines and gets the girl!!!! Their relationship is a blend of push and pull, gentle and chaotic, give and receive, and I love them so much!
Additionally, I loved the music + TV element. Mixed media was such a fun way to build out this story, and with two brilliant Juilliard grads? Absolutely. I really enjoyed the creative process as Celia and Oliver developed music for the show and that we got so many details about tempo and rhythm and sound.
This was such a fun read! Cannot wait for whatever is next from Ana!
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the ARC!
This took a little bit for me to get into it, but once I was about 40% in, I was locked and zooming! Ana did such a great job fleshing out Celia and Oliver’s characters, and I really grew attached to them. I REALLY disliked Oliver at first, which was clearly the point, but I truly love him after this book. He is so misunderstood and extremely closed off, but once you get to know him, he is incredibly kind and generous. Learning about his lonely childhood was so sad, but I have so much respect for the time he committed to therapy and becoming the best version of himself. A man in therapy for the win! Seriously. Oliver Barlowe is a truly wonderful character. My girl Celia is who she is and I love her down. Loud, bold, and effervescent, I adored her. This woman conquered every fear and obstacle and found the success she deserved! Celia and Oliver are very very different, which leads to some serious miscommunication at times, but once they learn how to read each other, their connection is so strong and vibrant. Plus, this man was down bad for 13 years. YEARS! I love a man who pines and gets the girl!!!! Their relationship is a blend of push and pull, gentle and chaotic, give and receive, and I love them so much!
Additionally, I loved the music + TV element. Mixed media was such a fun way to build out this story, and with two brilliant Juilliard grads? Absolutely. I really enjoyed the creative process as Celia and Oliver developed music for the show and that we got so many details about tempo and rhythm and sound.
This was such a fun read! Cannot wait for whatever is next from Ana!
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the ARC!
March 31, 2026
Second Chance Duet by Ana Holguin (March 10, 2026) Thank you @readforever and @hachette.audio for the gifted print, digital and audio copies!
Juliard grad Celia García’s career as a composer hasn’t taken off the way she had hoped in the decade post-graduation. She’s been living paycheck to paycheck working on ad jingles - and AI is threatening that. So when she gets a once in a lifetime opportunity to score a high profile television show, she has to say yes - even if her scoring partner will be Oliver Barlowe. He was her Juliard rival, the son of one of the world’s most renowned composers, and so incredibly arrogant. On an impossible deadline, they hunker down at Oliver’s family home in Maine to compose and while there, Celia begins to realize that she may have never truly understood Oliver at all.
The very niche “his second chance at a first chance, her enemies to lovers” trope is one of my favorites and this was a fun execution of it. There’s a lot of personal growth for both characters - but I particularly enjoyed how Holguin peeled back the layers on Oliver’s life. Their shared obsessive passion for music is the core of this book - it’s both what divides them and what ultimately brings them together. Overall, a cute read.
🎧 Audiobook Thoughts: Jacqueline Sol is a new-to-me narrator and I really enjoyed her solo performance - her voicing of Celia particularly sparkled. (8h 32m)
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
🎧 Audio performance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
🔥 Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Juliard grad Celia García’s career as a composer hasn’t taken off the way she had hoped in the decade post-graduation. She’s been living paycheck to paycheck working on ad jingles - and AI is threatening that. So when she gets a once in a lifetime opportunity to score a high profile television show, she has to say yes - even if her scoring partner will be Oliver Barlowe. He was her Juliard rival, the son of one of the world’s most renowned composers, and so incredibly arrogant. On an impossible deadline, they hunker down at Oliver’s family home in Maine to compose and while there, Celia begins to realize that she may have never truly understood Oliver at all.
The very niche “his second chance at a first chance, her enemies to lovers” trope is one of my favorites and this was a fun execution of it. There’s a lot of personal growth for both characters - but I particularly enjoyed how Holguin peeled back the layers on Oliver’s life. Their shared obsessive passion for music is the core of this book - it’s both what divides them and what ultimately brings them together. Overall, a cute read.
🎧 Audiobook Thoughts: Jacqueline Sol is a new-to-me narrator and I really enjoyed her solo performance - her voicing of Celia particularly sparkled. (8h 32m)
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
🎧 Audio performance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
🔥 Spice: 🌶️🌶️
March 13, 2026
I enjoyed this one! I really enjoyed the premise of two previous Juilliard classmates reconnecting to work together, I found it to be entertaining and it created some tension between the two main characters. My favorite part of this book was the author’s writing and storytelling. There’s something about her writing style that was so addicting and engaging for me that it guarantees I’ll read other books by her. I definitely enjoyed the Maine setting and the forced proximity of it all. Celia’s relationships with her sisters and the role they played in this story was also a huge plus for me.
The biggest thing that didn’t work for me was the romance, which was definitely a bummer since this is a romance book! I really felt like I never got to truly know Oliver; his character lacked so much for me. I thought the past chapters would help build the connection between Celia and Oliver but I unfortunately didn’t feel like it added anything to the story. Because of that, I just didn’t feel the connection between these two, so when the romance started happening, I was a little taken aback because I felt like the chemistry was really lacking. It didn’t feel like there was a lot of build up and it just kind of happened. So while this wasn’t a complete hit for me, it wasn’t a terrible miss either. There were aspects of this book that I truly enjoyed that definitely encourages me to read other work by this author. I’d still recommend it for people to try themselves. Thank you to the publisher for the arc in exchange for my review!!
The biggest thing that didn’t work for me was the romance, which was definitely a bummer since this is a romance book! I really felt like I never got to truly know Oliver; his character lacked so much for me. I thought the past chapters would help build the connection between Celia and Oliver but I unfortunately didn’t feel like it added anything to the story. Because of that, I just didn’t feel the connection between these two, so when the romance started happening, I was a little taken aback because I felt like the chemistry was really lacking. It didn’t feel like there was a lot of build up and it just kind of happened. So while this wasn’t a complete hit for me, it wasn’t a terrible miss either. There were aspects of this book that I truly enjoyed that definitely encourages me to read other work by this author. I’d still recommend it for people to try themselves. Thank you to the publisher for the arc in exchange for my review!!
March 10, 2026
Thank you to Forever for the E-ARC!
This is a sweet romance between two ex-rival composers who are hired to work on the same project together.
If you want a quick and soft romance, this is a really great choice! Celia and Oliver are enjoyable characters, who you'll connect with.
Celia is an older sister, my favorite part of the book was her relationship with her family. I loved the portrayal of sisters as well, they were so supportive and understanding of Celia and her career. It's truly heartwarming. I felt for her character and honestly, she was done dirty career-wise but loved seeing the growth towards the end, the epilogue made me smile.
As for Oliver, I think his character needed more development. He's a quiet guy and son of "Hollywood royalty" but I also would've liked to see more portrayal of him. While yes, we love a soft and mysterious guy, we also love seeing passion and motive and that just wasn't demonstrated for me especially given that he's a Juilliard student.
For a Rivalry romance, this book would be categorized on a very low scale. I personally wish there was more tension but I'm aware that's not everyone's cup of tea.
Overall, I think this was a pretty sweet romance but I wasn't awe-struck by any means. Definitely a solid fast read.
This is a sweet romance between two ex-rival composers who are hired to work on the same project together.
If you want a quick and soft romance, this is a really great choice! Celia and Oliver are enjoyable characters, who you'll connect with.
Celia is an older sister, my favorite part of the book was her relationship with her family. I loved the portrayal of sisters as well, they were so supportive and understanding of Celia and her career. It's truly heartwarming. I felt for her character and honestly, she was done dirty career-wise but loved seeing the growth towards the end, the epilogue made me smile.
As for Oliver, I think his character needed more development. He's a quiet guy and son of "Hollywood royalty" but I also would've liked to see more portrayal of him. While yes, we love a soft and mysterious guy, we also love seeing passion and motive and that just wasn't demonstrated for me especially given that he's a Juilliard student.
For a Rivalry romance, this book would be categorized on a very low scale. I personally wish there was more tension but I'm aware that's not everyone's cup of tea.
Overall, I think this was a pretty sweet romance but I wasn't awe-struck by any means. Definitely a solid fast read.
March 13, 2026
A rival to lovers romance who are working together to compose music for a project. This is crucial for Cecilia as she is struggling with her music career but is forced to work with Oliver.
The story is told set in Oliver's lavish home where there is a state of the art recording studio. It also has flashbacks to their time in college and their rivalry.
I wasn't that big fan of Cecilia and how she treated Oliver and a lot of assumptions were made. I am glad she redeemed herself as she learns more about him.
Oliver is so misunderstood and I felt bad for him. I do wish we got to see his POV which I do prefer in a romance.
Cecilia's family was a special touch to the story line. I love close and supportive they were of Cecilia's dreams.
Jacqueline Sol did a good job with the narration and had distinct voices for the characters.
Thank you @hachetteaudio for a copy of the audiobook.
The story is told set in Oliver's lavish home where there is a state of the art recording studio. It also has flashbacks to their time in college and their rivalry.
I wasn't that big fan of Cecilia and how she treated Oliver and a lot of assumptions were made. I am glad she redeemed herself as she learns more about him.
Oliver is so misunderstood and I felt bad for him. I do wish we got to see his POV which I do prefer in a romance.
Cecilia's family was a special touch to the story line. I love close and supportive they were of Cecilia's dreams.
Jacqueline Sol did a good job with the narration and had distinct voices for the characters.
Thank you @hachetteaudio for a copy of the audiobook.
March 25, 2026
*3.5 stars rounded up*
This was a cute story. We follow Celia, the eldest daughter of an immigrant family as she is forced to work with Oliver, nepo baby perfectionist living in his dad’s shadow.
- Rivals to Lovers
- He falls first
- Forced proximity
Celia has been struggling in her career, making jingles for ads, when she is offered her big break but with the condition that she works with Oliver, who she despised in college.
They go work in Oliver’s family’s vacation home in Maine to come up with the music composition for an upcoming TV show. At first they work on their own but find they work better together and end up falling for each other. Or rather, she falls for him since he’s always had a crush on her.
I liked seeing the reality of the financial struggles one goes through, especially when it comes to finding a job in the degree you have. Oliver is just a troubled soul who I wish I could hug and tell him he doesn’t need to beat himself up over every little thing. The family dynamic Celia and every other member of her family was probably my favorite thing. I loved them. I loved the different personalities and how they had her back and understood her.
I wanted a *bit* more depth from the main characters. I feel like we get a typical run through of popular tropes but not much to really help us connect with these characters. I felt the third act breakup coming from a mile away and I was pretty frustrated with how things played out, during and right after.
I think I would’ve enjoyed this a bit more if I had eyeballed it. I struggled to stay engaged with the tone of this narrator and wished for a bit more emotion in her voice.
~Thank you to Hatchette Audio, Forever, and Netgalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review~
This was a cute story. We follow Celia, the eldest daughter of an immigrant family as she is forced to work with Oliver, nepo baby perfectionist living in his dad’s shadow.
- Rivals to Lovers
- He falls first
- Forced proximity
Celia has been struggling in her career, making jingles for ads, when she is offered her big break but with the condition that she works with Oliver, who she despised in college.
They go work in Oliver’s family’s vacation home in Maine to come up with the music composition for an upcoming TV show. At first they work on their own but find they work better together and end up falling for each other. Or rather, she falls for him since he’s always had a crush on her.
I liked seeing the reality of the financial struggles one goes through, especially when it comes to finding a job in the degree you have. Oliver is just a troubled soul who I wish I could hug and tell him he doesn’t need to beat himself up over every little thing. The family dynamic Celia and every other member of her family was probably my favorite thing. I loved them. I loved the different personalities and how they had her back and understood her.
I wanted a *bit* more depth from the main characters. I feel like we get a typical run through of popular tropes but not much to really help us connect with these characters. I felt the third act breakup coming from a mile away and I was pretty frustrated with how things played out, during and right after.
I think I would’ve enjoyed this a bit more if I had eyeballed it. I struggled to stay engaged with the tone of this narrator and wished for a bit more emotion in her voice.
~Thank you to Hatchette Audio, Forever, and Netgalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review~
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2026
First, thank you to Forever Publishing for this gifted ARC and ALC! All these thoughts are my own.
The narrators really brought these characters to life and I loved it!
This was such a sweet and cozy read! Celia strong Latina composer gets roped into a chance of a life time with her Juilliard school rival. She of course couldn’t turn it down but it had her wondering if she would be able to work with Oliver after how things were at school.
Oliver was a quiet and broody guy, who was an only child with a family who really didn’t care. His story made me want to give him a big hug. Seeing how much he matured over the years through therapy was great!
The relationship between Celia and Oliver was just so sweet. They had the best chemistry and I couldn’t help but swoon every time they were together.
If you enjoy music rivals turned friends to lovers, tension, yearning, growth of the characters, and a strong family relationship then I definitely recommend this one!
The narrators really brought these characters to life and I loved it!
This was such a sweet and cozy read! Celia strong Latina composer gets roped into a chance of a life time with her Juilliard school rival. She of course couldn’t turn it down but it had her wondering if she would be able to work with Oliver after how things were at school.
Oliver was a quiet and broody guy, who was an only child with a family who really didn’t care. His story made me want to give him a big hug. Seeing how much he matured over the years through therapy was great!
The relationship between Celia and Oliver was just so sweet. They had the best chemistry and I couldn’t help but swoon every time they were together.
If you enjoy music rivals turned friends to lovers, tension, yearning, growth of the characters, and a strong family relationship then I definitely recommend this one!
March 13, 2026
The setup was so enticing, but the MMC gave me the ick.
I have a lot of respect for Celia. She was so resilient in an industry that will so easily chew you up. Her dedication and passion for music were palpable—she truly inspired the artist in me.
Oliver, on the other hand, was SO BLAND. I get that he’s supposed to be mysterious and misunderstood—a neglected prodigy needing to be loved—but the man completely lacks a personality. I would say his character development needed more work, but there wasn’t much of a character to begin with.
Apparently, their classmates thought they hated each other, but they barely interacted!! We don’t even get the first flashback until a third of the way into the book. Plus, it was so obviously one-sided; Oliver was super closed-off with everyone, and he gave no indication that Celia was different, whether that was positive or negative. I’m confused why the blurb would label Oliver as Celia’s “college nemesis” when I could probably count their interactions on one hand—I’m not even exaggerating, Celia included their last time speaking before each interaction, and she avoided that boy for no legitimate reason. Saying they have a “complicated history” is a stretch.
That said, their chemistry doesn’t get any better when they’re finally together. Yes, I mostly blame him for that because again, the man was mediocre outside of his musical skills. Speaking of which, I REALLY didn’t like how often she had to justify her need and want to focus on work. If a man acted the same way she did, they would praise him for his work ethic and dedication to his craft. Mind you, they weren’t even in an official relationship throughout that ordeal.
Celia approached their issues with maturity and compassion, but he threw a whole temper tantrum because girlie wanted to be respected in her field, and he wasn’t willing to be supportive—all we heard from him was “me, me, me.”
Then he had the audacity to try to guilt-trip her because he was too much of a coward to tell her how he felt! You CANNOT blame the other person for your 13 years of secret pining—they owe you NOTHING.
To top it off, SHE’S the one chasing after him in the end. I’m glad he was finally able to understand her point of view (thanks to the wisdom of his former nanny, of course), but the man did NOT do his part for their reconciliation.
In terms of the writing, there was a little too much unnecessary information and descriptions. Many passages often felt repetitive, and the sections from the “Lineage” show they were working on added nothing.
There were some parts that I enjoyed, including the AI hate, Celia and Oliver taking a moment to actually look at each other’s test results, and Celia’s family’s dynamic.
Overall, the concept was cute, but I think this author simply isn’t for me.
Thank you very much to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.
I have a lot of respect for Celia. She was so resilient in an industry that will so easily chew you up. Her dedication and passion for music were palpable—she truly inspired the artist in me.
Oliver, on the other hand, was SO BLAND. I get that he’s supposed to be mysterious and misunderstood—a neglected prodigy needing to be loved—but the man completely lacks a personality. I would say his character development needed more work, but there wasn’t much of a character to begin with.
Apparently, their classmates thought they hated each other, but they barely interacted!! We don’t even get the first flashback until a third of the way into the book. Plus, it was so obviously one-sided; Oliver was super closed-off with everyone, and he gave no indication that Celia was different, whether that was positive or negative. I’m confused why the blurb would label Oliver as Celia’s “college nemesis” when I could probably count their interactions on one hand—I’m not even exaggerating, Celia included their last time speaking before each interaction, and she avoided that boy for no legitimate reason. Saying they have a “complicated history” is a stretch.
That said, their chemistry doesn’t get any better when they’re finally together. Yes, I mostly blame him for that because again, the man was mediocre outside of his musical skills. Speaking of which, I REALLY didn’t like how often she had to justify her need and want to focus on work. If a man acted the same way she did, they would praise him for his work ethic and dedication to his craft. Mind you, they weren’t even in an official relationship throughout that ordeal.
Celia approached their issues with maturity and compassion, but he threw a whole temper tantrum because girlie wanted to be respected in her field, and he wasn’t willing to be supportive—all we heard from him was “me, me, me.”
Then he had the audacity to try to guilt-trip her because he was too much of a coward to tell her how he felt! You CANNOT blame the other person for your 13 years of secret pining—they owe you NOTHING.
To top it off, SHE’S the one chasing after him in the end. I’m glad he was finally able to understand her point of view (thanks to the wisdom of his former nanny, of course), but the man did NOT do his part for their reconciliation.
In terms of the writing, there was a little too much unnecessary information and descriptions. Many passages often felt repetitive, and the sections from the “Lineage” show they were working on added nothing.
There were some parts that I enjoyed, including the AI hate, Celia and Oliver taking a moment to actually look at each other’s test results, and Celia’s family’s dynamic.
Overall, the concept was cute, but I think this author simply isn’t for me.
Thank you very much to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.
March 20, 2026
***3.5/5 Stars***
Second Chance Duet was a rivals to lovers, cozy romance. With forced proximity and music laced throughout, it was a fun one to listen to! The two main characters felt like polar opposites, Olive was so shy and quiet, and Celia’s energy felt larger than life. But working together on a project they were both so excited about, and their love for music pulled them together. This was a story that slowly unwinds, and pulls you in. And the epilogue will leave you so happy! I enjoyed listening to this one!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
For more of my reviews, please visit:
Blog * Instagram * Facebook * Bloglovin * Feedly
Second Chance Duet was a rivals to lovers, cozy romance. With forced proximity and music laced throughout, it was a fun one to listen to! The two main characters felt like polar opposites, Olive was so shy and quiet, and Celia’s energy felt larger than life. But working together on a project they were both so excited about, and their love for music pulled them together. This was a story that slowly unwinds, and pulls you in. And the epilogue will leave you so happy! I enjoyed listening to this one!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
For more of my reviews, please visit:
Blog * Instagram * Facebook * Bloglovin * Feedly
February 17, 2026
Thank you so much to Forever for this ARC!
I will be honest, I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did. It wasn’t really even on my radar until I got an e-mail from Dana at Forever with the widget recommending it after I read Still Into You by Erin Connor (also fantastic!).
I am SO glad I read it though. What an absolutely beautiful story full of yearning! The tension, the rivalry, the pining, the flashbacks, EVERYTHING. And don’t get me started on Oliver… 😮💨 A man of few words, but when he does speak you can bet your bottom dollar I’m SAT & listening!!!! Their chemistry is so good, and the flashbacks come in at the perfect time to really give us the full picture.
Celia is also such a fantastic FMC. I love how the author really highlighted her struggle as a latina in a male-dominated field, and the juxtaposition of that with Oliver and his upbringing with his own struggles really just had me thinking about the fact that we really never know what anyone is going through behind the scenes.
Overall, this was a fantastic read. I definitely recommend you check it out when it is released on March 10th! 🎼
I will be honest, I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did. It wasn’t really even on my radar until I got an e-mail from Dana at Forever with the widget recommending it after I read Still Into You by Erin Connor (also fantastic!).
I am SO glad I read it though. What an absolutely beautiful story full of yearning! The tension, the rivalry, the pining, the flashbacks, EVERYTHING. And don’t get me started on Oliver… 😮💨 A man of few words, but when he does speak you can bet your bottom dollar I’m SAT & listening!!!! Their chemistry is so good, and the flashbacks come in at the perfect time to really give us the full picture.
Celia is also such a fantastic FMC. I love how the author really highlighted her struggle as a latina in a male-dominated field, and the juxtaposition of that with Oliver and his upbringing with his own struggles really just had me thinking about the fact that we really never know what anyone is going through behind the scenes.
Overall, this was a fantastic read. I definitely recommend you check it out when it is released on March 10th! 🎼
March 10, 2026
Thank you to Forever, Grand Central, and Hachette Audio for this advanced copy! You can pick up Second Chance Duet on March 10, 2026.
Ana Holguin strikes again with a delightful, captivating romance between two rival composers forced to work together on a TV soundtrack. Celia García, our FMC, graduated from Juilliard with dreams of working on epic soundtracks and compositions. But like so many of us who pursue the arts professionally, she's forced into the corporate hellscape in order to pay the bills. So how could she turn down the opportunity of a lifetime with an all-star director?
Things, of course, get infinitely more complicated for Celia when she learns she has to work with her old college rival, Oliver Barlowe, on the soundtrack (and live with him in his fancy Maine mansion).
I love how Ana plays around with themes concerning class and privilege, especially between a white man and a Latine woman. Oliver's father is also a famous composer, a fact Celia doesn't let him forget in the present or during the flashbacks we see of them at Juilliard. It takes several intimate conversations and vulnerable moments for Celia to learn how much Oliver wishes to separate himself from his father and be known for his own work (especially considering how his father and mother neglected him growing up). But he also acknowledges that life was much easier for him in ways Celia can't relate to, so there feels like a proper balance and understanding of the vastly different upbringings they went through.
Celia is surrounded by a loving, supportive family and friends who are always there to cheer her on and support her. I loved watching them rally behind her, even when she didn't have confidence in herself that she could work on this big-name soundtrack.
It was also fascinating to learn so much about the world behind TV and film soundtracks, both from a musical and industry perspective. Ana highlights how much networking and making connections are paramount to getting work in the film/TV industry, something her and Oliver don't always see eye to eye on (which added depth to their dynamic).
I do wish that there had been a bit less miscommunication in the flashbacks/earlier parts of this book. I fear I'm just becoming too used to seeing reserved, quiet MMCs mistaken for rude, arrogant men, starting them off on the wrong foot with the FMC for almost no reason. I understand that's to help us see more growth later, but it makes me itch for a bit more variety/depth in these interactions.
I also struggled a bit with the narrator, as several sentences seemed to blur together into what felt like one long paragraph when, in fact, we were shifting to a new paragraph. I couldn't tell if it was because I listened at a faster speed or because of the way she ended her sentences.
But overall, I enjoyed this one, and it was a super quick read! Def pick it up if you enjoy second chance rivals to lovers!
Ana Holguin strikes again with a delightful, captivating romance between two rival composers forced to work together on a TV soundtrack. Celia García, our FMC, graduated from Juilliard with dreams of working on epic soundtracks and compositions. But like so many of us who pursue the arts professionally, she's forced into the corporate hellscape in order to pay the bills. So how could she turn down the opportunity of a lifetime with an all-star director?
Things, of course, get infinitely more complicated for Celia when she learns she has to work with her old college rival, Oliver Barlowe, on the soundtrack (and live with him in his fancy Maine mansion).
I love how Ana plays around with themes concerning class and privilege, especially between a white man and a Latine woman. Oliver's father is also a famous composer, a fact Celia doesn't let him forget in the present or during the flashbacks we see of them at Juilliard. It takes several intimate conversations and vulnerable moments for Celia to learn how much Oliver wishes to separate himself from his father and be known for his own work (especially considering how his father and mother neglected him growing up). But he also acknowledges that life was much easier for him in ways Celia can't relate to, so there feels like a proper balance and understanding of the vastly different upbringings they went through.
Celia is surrounded by a loving, supportive family and friends who are always there to cheer her on and support her. I loved watching them rally behind her, even when she didn't have confidence in herself that she could work on this big-name soundtrack.
It was also fascinating to learn so much about the world behind TV and film soundtracks, both from a musical and industry perspective. Ana highlights how much networking and making connections are paramount to getting work in the film/TV industry, something her and Oliver don't always see eye to eye on (which added depth to their dynamic).
I do wish that there had been a bit less miscommunication in the flashbacks/earlier parts of this book. I fear I'm just becoming too used to seeing reserved, quiet MMCs mistaken for rude, arrogant men, starting them off on the wrong foot with the FMC for almost no reason. I understand that's to help us see more growth later, but it makes me itch for a bit more variety/depth in these interactions.
I also struggled a bit with the narrator, as several sentences seemed to blur together into what felt like one long paragraph when, in fact, we were shifting to a new paragraph. I couldn't tell if it was because I listened at a faster speed or because of the way she ended her sentences.
But overall, I enjoyed this one, and it was a super quick read! Def pick it up if you enjoy second chance rivals to lovers!
March 14, 2026
I really liked this book! Oliver and Celia were delightful and I looooved following them on their journey!
*I bounced between the ebook and the audiobook — but primarily I experienced this one via audiobook*
Oliver Barlowe was adorable. And frustrating! But once we peeled back the layers of what made Oliver it was easier for me to empathize with his struggles — but even still, his lack of communication was maddening at times. I really enjoyed getting glimpses of Celia’s family and would read entire stories about each member of her family - truly!!!
I appreciated the slow unfurling of the present timeline alongside the timeline of their past. This was a slow burn that felt perfectly right — not arduous or overly slow! I enjoyed the way film and tv scores played such a major role in the story when typically those can be easily overlooked. I felt the trauma of Oliver’s family was handled so well and felt authentic. I just really fell into the love story in these pages and I’m so so glad to have read this.
Jacqueline Sol narrated and I absolutely loved listening to her tell this story. Jacqueline was the perfect voice for Celia and I really, really loved the way she voiced Oliver. (Quieted & slowed down her speech - I just LOVED that!) She was animated and heartfelt and nailed every part of this narration. I hope to hear more audiobooks in her voice in the future!
I do want to note that I felt the ending wrapped up too quickly and the resolution felt unnecessarily rushed especially considering the pace of the rest of the book. I didn't like that and felt the characters (and readers) deserved a little more attention there.
Thank you to Ana Holguin for this book! Thank you to Hachette Audio and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the early advanced copies! All opinions are my own!
*I bounced between the ebook and the audiobook — but primarily I experienced this one via audiobook*
Oliver Barlowe was adorable. And frustrating! But once we peeled back the layers of what made Oliver it was easier for me to empathize with his struggles — but even still, his lack of communication was maddening at times. I really enjoyed getting glimpses of Celia’s family and would read entire stories about each member of her family - truly!!!
I appreciated the slow unfurling of the present timeline alongside the timeline of their past. This was a slow burn that felt perfectly right — not arduous or overly slow! I enjoyed the way film and tv scores played such a major role in the story when typically those can be easily overlooked. I felt the trauma of Oliver’s family was handled so well and felt authentic. I just really fell into the love story in these pages and I’m so so glad to have read this.
Jacqueline Sol narrated and I absolutely loved listening to her tell this story. Jacqueline was the perfect voice for Celia and I really, really loved the way she voiced Oliver. (Quieted & slowed down her speech - I just LOVED that!) She was animated and heartfelt and nailed every part of this narration. I hope to hear more audiobooks in her voice in the future!
I do want to note that I felt the ending wrapped up too quickly and the resolution felt unnecessarily rushed especially considering the pace of the rest of the book. I didn't like that and felt the characters (and readers) deserved a little more attention there.
Thank you to Ana Holguin for this book! Thank you to Hachette Audio and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the early advanced copies! All opinions are my own!
March 19, 2026
What a truly beautiful and heartfelt story. This book perfectly captures the magic of second chances and the quiet, complicated emotions that come with them. From the very beginning, it explores how easily first impressions can be misunderstood—and how those assumptions can shape relationships in ways we don’t even realize.
I absolutely loved the dynamic between the main characters. The tension of secretly pining for someone who believes you can’t stand them was done so well—it added such an emotional depth and longing that kept me completely invested. Watching their relationship evolve from awkward misunderstandings into something tender and genuine was incredibly satisfying.
The MMC was especially compelling. What others perceived as coldness or arrogance was actually rooted in anxiety and fear, which made his character feel so real and relatable. Seeing him slowly open up and allow himself to be vulnerable was one of the most rewarding parts of the story. And once the FMC finally sees him for who he truly is, it’s impossible not to fall right along with her.
I also really appreciated the deeper themes woven throughout the story—especially the pressure of trying to step out of a famous parent’s shadow and the desire to make immigrant parents proud as a first-generation American. Those elements added authenticity and emotional weight, making the story feel even more meaningful.
At its core, this is a romantic, swoony, and deeply touching read about friendship, growth, and love that’s been there all along—just waiting for the right moment. It’s the kind of book you can easily devour in one sitting and walk away from with a full heart.
I highly recommend this one!
#arc #netgalley #secondchanceduet
I absolutely loved the dynamic between the main characters. The tension of secretly pining for someone who believes you can’t stand them was done so well—it added such an emotional depth and longing that kept me completely invested. Watching their relationship evolve from awkward misunderstandings into something tender and genuine was incredibly satisfying.
The MMC was especially compelling. What others perceived as coldness or arrogance was actually rooted in anxiety and fear, which made his character feel so real and relatable. Seeing him slowly open up and allow himself to be vulnerable was one of the most rewarding parts of the story. And once the FMC finally sees him for who he truly is, it’s impossible not to fall right along with her.
I also really appreciated the deeper themes woven throughout the story—especially the pressure of trying to step out of a famous parent’s shadow and the desire to make immigrant parents proud as a first-generation American. Those elements added authenticity and emotional weight, making the story feel even more meaningful.
At its core, this is a romantic, swoony, and deeply touching read about friendship, growth, and love that’s been there all along—just waiting for the right moment. It’s the kind of book you can easily devour in one sitting and walk away from with a full heart.
I highly recommend this one!
#arc #netgalley #secondchanceduet
March 18, 2026
I loved this romance novel!
Second Chance Duet by Ana Holguin was such a sweet novel filled with great banter, deep compassion and understanding, and a fun look into the world of music composition! The novel follows the story of Celia and Oliver, former Julliard rivals, who are thrust together to work on a composition project for a new TV show. It was so wonderful to watch Celia and Oliver's relationship grow as they spent more time together. I loved the dual timeline because it really showed the depth of their character growth over the years! I really enjoyed all the peak behind the curtain moments when it came to the music and composition of a score. It definitely made me feel nostalgic to the days I played in an orchestra!
The audiobook was also fantastic! Jacqueline Sol did a wonderful job narrating the story. She had great voices for all the characters and her performance really made me feel like I was standing right there eavesdropping into their conversation! Jacqueline did a wonderful job narrating all the extra information between chapters, like the Garcia family group chats, various emails, and the TV scenes! It allowed the listener to still get that information and fun in a clear manner!
This was such a feel good romance novel! I definitely would recommend it to folks who want to read a book that is unique, fun, romantic, and feel good!
Thank you to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the ALC to review! This review reflects my own opinions.
Second Chance Duet by Ana Holguin was such a sweet novel filled with great banter, deep compassion and understanding, and a fun look into the world of music composition! The novel follows the story of Celia and Oliver, former Julliard rivals, who are thrust together to work on a composition project for a new TV show. It was so wonderful to watch Celia and Oliver's relationship grow as they spent more time together. I loved the dual timeline because it really showed the depth of their character growth over the years! I really enjoyed all the peak behind the curtain moments when it came to the music and composition of a score. It definitely made me feel nostalgic to the days I played in an orchestra!
The audiobook was also fantastic! Jacqueline Sol did a wonderful job narrating the story. She had great voices for all the characters and her performance really made me feel like I was standing right there eavesdropping into their conversation! Jacqueline did a wonderful job narrating all the extra information between chapters, like the Garcia family group chats, various emails, and the TV scenes! It allowed the listener to still get that information and fun in a clear manner!
This was such a feel good romance novel! I definitely would recommend it to folks who want to read a book that is unique, fun, romantic, and feel good!
Thank you to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the ALC to review! This review reflects my own opinions.
March 20, 2026
Second Chance Duet is such a cute, charming, feel‑good romance. I absolutely adored the main characters! I really loved following these two, their chemistry, their mistakes, and the way they slowly grow into the people they’re meant to be. The dual timeline adds a nice rhythm to the story and kept me engaged the whole way through.
The audiobook is easy to sink into, with good pacing that’s easy to follow.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance listening copy.
The audiobook is easy to sink into, with good pacing that’s easy to follow.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance listening copy.
May 11, 2026
Who doesn't need a rivals to lovers romance about two composers who have to work together to hopefully get their big break????
As a former music geek, this was such a beautiful and fun listen, I absolutely loved the tension and relationship growth between Celia and Oliver, and loved the story as an audiobook!!!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own!
As a former music geek, this was such a beautiful and fun listen, I absolutely loved the tension and relationship growth between Celia and Oliver, and loved the story as an audiobook!!!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own!
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