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Second Act Romance
Not yet published
Expected 20 Jan 26Two musical theater costars, separated by fate, reunite for a showmance to remember in a sizzling and banter-filled short story about second chances by #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Soto.
When food poisoning takes out the lead in their Valentine’s Day production of Oklahoma!, TV sensation Colby J. Turner swoops in to save the show. But for leading lady Bex Hardgrave, this last-minute casting is more drama than she bargained for. Eight years ago, their onstage chemistry sparked real-life fireworks—until a misunderstanding brought down the curtain on their budding romance. Now they’re sharing the spotlight again, and their old connection is threatening to steal the show. As showtime approaches, Bex and Colby will have to decide if their second-chance romance deserves its own standing ovation.
Julie Soto’s Second Act Romance is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute: Second Chances, stories for star-crossed lovers and hopeless romantics. They can be read or listened to in one sitting. Let’s do it again.
When food poisoning takes out the lead in their Valentine’s Day production of Oklahoma!, TV sensation Colby J. Turner swoops in to save the show. But for leading lady Bex Hardgrave, this last-minute casting is more drama than she bargained for. Eight years ago, their onstage chemistry sparked real-life fireworks—until a misunderstanding brought down the curtain on their budding romance. Now they’re sharing the spotlight again, and their old connection is threatening to steal the show. As showtime approaches, Bex and Colby will have to decide if their second-chance romance deserves its own standing ovation.
Julie Soto’s Second Act Romance is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute: Second Chances, stories for star-crossed lovers and hopeless romantics. They can be read or listened to in one sitting. Let’s do it again.
60 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 20, 2026
16 people are currently reading
1401 people want to read
About the author
Julie Soto
7 books7,124 followersJULIE SOTO is a USA Today bestselling author, playwright, and actress originally from Sacramento, CA. Her musical Generation Me won the 2017 New York Musical Festival’s Best Musical award, as well as Best Book for her script. She is a musical theater geek, fandom nerd, and the author of many spicy fan fictions. Julie now lives in Fort Bragg, CA, with her dog, Charlie. She is probably drinking coffee as you read this.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
January 11, 2026
3.75 ⭐
I really liked this, it was a fun novella!
I love Julie Soto and the way she writes, so in that aspect she did delivered once again, I just wish we got more..
After most of the cast for Oklahoma! gets food poisoning, Bex is one of the few left standing. They have no one to play the male lead Curly though, so TV star Colby J. Turner steps in, just in time for the show. Bex and C. J. already met once, eight years ago, playing those same characters.. They had a real connection, but due to some unfortunate circumstances, it never went anywhere. Will this be their second chance?
The setting was my favourite part. I don't know a lot about theater, but I really enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look we got here. It was very chaotic and exciting.
Colby and Bex had great chemistry and I did liked them together, but I wish we got more of them. With everything going on with the cast, the romance aspect of the story was really lacking..
I loved meeting all the characters, but with such a short story, it was a bit too much.. I would've loved this a lot more if it was a little longer.
The pace of the story was great and I did have fun, so it was still an enjoyable experience, it just didn't fully deliver on the romance.
*Thank you to Netgalley and to Amazon Original Stories for providing me with an ARC.*
I really liked this, it was a fun novella!
I love Julie Soto and the way she writes, so in that aspect she did delivered once again, I just wish we got more..
After most of the cast for Oklahoma! gets food poisoning, Bex is one of the few left standing. They have no one to play the male lead Curly though, so TV star Colby J. Turner steps in, just in time for the show. Bex and C. J. already met once, eight years ago, playing those same characters.. They had a real connection, but due to some unfortunate circumstances, it never went anywhere. Will this be their second chance?
The setting was my favourite part. I don't know a lot about theater, but I really enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look we got here. It was very chaotic and exciting.
Colby and Bex had great chemistry and I did liked them together, but I wish we got more of them. With everything going on with the cast, the romance aspect of the story was really lacking..
I loved meeting all the characters, but with such a short story, it was a bit too much.. I would've loved this a lot more if it was a little longer.
The pace of the story was great and I did have fun, so it was still an enjoyable experience, it just didn't fully deliver on the romance.
*Thank you to Netgalley and to Amazon Original Stories for providing me with an ARC.*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I read Julie Soto’s previous release almost a year ago, and I love her romances so much… This novella felt like a breath of fresh air!! Even though it’s only about 60 pages long, it gave me everything I needed—though of course, I wouldn’t say no to a full-length book🤭
I fell in love with Julie’s MMC all over again—she truly creates incredible male characters. The dialogue made me smile without even realizing it; they were just so sweet!
The novella is set in a theater, and it was so interesting to get a behind-the-scenes look!
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I fell in love with Julie’s MMC all over again—she truly creates incredible male characters. The dialogue made me smile without even realizing it; they were just so sweet!
The novella is set in a theater, and it was so interesting to get a behind-the-scenes look!
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really did not like this one. The story didn't make sense to me and didn't resonate. I didn't understand their romance or feel their chemistry.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2 ⭐️
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this as an arc!
Second act romance by Julie Soto follows Bex and C.J., the two of them met 8 years prior in a production of Oklahoma! and thanks to a shrimp taco incident meet again.
I liked the premise and the musical theatre setting but unfortunately there were way too many shrimp taco mentions and all the talk about food poisoning related stuff just wasn’t for me. At one point I just felt like I was getting a play by play of the medical conditions of every cast member.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this as an arc!
Second act romance by Julie Soto follows Bex and C.J., the two of them met 8 years prior in a production of Oklahoma! and thanks to a shrimp taco incident meet again.
I liked the premise and the musical theatre setting but unfortunately there were way too many shrimp taco mentions and all the talk about food poisoning related stuff just wasn’t for me. At one point I just felt like I was getting a play by play of the medical conditions of every cast member.
January 7, 2026
Theatre at its most uneventful
January 13, 2026
Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an early copy of this short story collection! 😊
This made my Broadway loving self extremely happy! A second chance romance all based around a touring production of the musical Oklahoma! I was SAT! 😁 I loved the chaoticness of a production in full “The show must go on mode” with a side of a second chance showmance with a Broadway pretty boy saving the day. This was a fun read for a Broadway fangirl like me and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t envision one of the real life Broadway pretty boys currently performing on Broadway playing the love interest in this book while I read. Also the range of different genres and stories this author is able to write?! 👏
This made my Broadway loving self extremely happy! A second chance romance all based around a touring production of the musical Oklahoma! I was SAT! 😁 I loved the chaoticness of a production in full “The show must go on mode” with a side of a second chance showmance with a Broadway pretty boy saving the day. This was a fun read for a Broadway fangirl like me and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t envision one of the real life Broadway pretty boys currently performing on Broadway playing the love interest in this book while I read. Also the range of different genres and stories this author is able to write?! 👏
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
At a touring production of Oklahoma, half the cast get sick from eating shrimp tacos. Bex plays Laurey one of the leads and CJ, this man she'd worked with before and had started to fall for previously is brought in to cover Curly, her love interest on the show.
I'm actually surprised to say that I really liked this novella. I was worried at first because toward the beginning I felt kind of bored. It was a lot of dropping of character names and practicalities to get the show up and running.
But once CJ was introduced and the show was actually happening, it got way more interesting and fun and I enjoyed the chemistry.
Thank you to Amazon and NetGalley for the ARC to honestly review.
I'm actually surprised to say that I really liked this novella. I was worried at first because toward the beginning I felt kind of bored. It was a lot of dropping of character names and practicalities to get the show up and running.
But once CJ was introduced and the show was actually happening, it got way more interesting and fun and I enjoyed the chemistry.
Thank you to Amazon and NetGalley for the ARC to honestly review.
January 15, 2026
romance: center stage
| romantic comedy | second chance romance | third person POV | star crossed lovers | theatre | reconnecting | suspense | arc| novella | netgalley |
This was an interesting story for someone who knows absolutely nothing about the theatre. I did enjoy this story; it had some humor, although it leaned into feeling suspenseful.
I always have a hard time transitioning from single or dual POV to third-person POV. However, I easily got into the groove of this story being in third-person POV. This story also had a really strange structure. There were no chapters, just page breaks. The formatting left something to be desired for me, personally.
Overall, a charming story with a funny yet interesting plot and setting. I love a good star-crossed lovers plot line, and this definitely had those vibes.
happy reading, friends xx
| romantic comedy | second chance romance | third person POV | star crossed lovers | theatre | reconnecting | suspense | arc| novella | netgalley |
This was an interesting story for someone who knows absolutely nothing about the theatre. I did enjoy this story; it had some humor, although it leaned into feeling suspenseful.
I always have a hard time transitioning from single or dual POV to third-person POV. However, I easily got into the groove of this story being in third-person POV. This story also had a really strange structure. There were no chapters, just page breaks. The formatting left something to be desired for me, personally.
Overall, a charming story with a funny yet interesting plot and setting. I love a good star-crossed lovers plot line, and this definitely had those vibes.
happy reading, friends xx
January 8, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, Amazon Original Stories and Julie Soto for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was cute. My one issue was there were a lot of characters involved - characters in the book and then characters in the play that actors played. It was a lot of names to try to keep track of- especially when I’m not familiar with the play itself. It wasn’t very important but it was slightly distracting when I wasn’t sure how relevant it would be.
If anyone has a brain that is very sensitive to suggestion….be warned, while food poisoning isn’t contagious through words, my body sure was tempted to tell me it was 🤣
This was cute. My one issue was there were a lot of characters involved - characters in the book and then characters in the play that actors played. It was a lot of names to try to keep track of- especially when I’m not familiar with the play itself. It wasn’t very important but it was slightly distracting when I wasn’t sure how relevant it would be.
If anyone has a brain that is very sensitive to suggestion….be warned, while food poisoning isn’t contagious through words, my body sure was tempted to tell me it was 🤣
Read
January 10, 2026An homage to theater kids
January 7, 2026
The Improbable Meet-Cute: Second Chances is a series compiled of six romantic novellas written by some of the genres most notable authors. Each love story distinctively stands out on their own with ease whilst staying true to the same cohesive narrative, guaranteeing that there’s something for every reader of the Romance genre to binge and enjoy.
🎭 Second Act Romance by Julie Soto (2 stars):
Sadly I didn’t connect with Second Act Romance as deeply as the first two stories despite the electric connection that is shared between the two main characters. For a short romance novella there seemed to be very little emphasis on the romance and more so on the explanation surrounding how a theatre production works and all of the necessary jargon for reader understanding. This would’ve been fine (and more fun to learn about) had the book been longer with more wiggle room in the word count… but ultimately I feel like I was missing opportunity to focus more on the characters as a budding couple as opposed to the build-up towards their current professional lives. I was in awe at the clear passion and enthusiasm that the author imbued into story surrounding the production, but in this circumstance it was unfortunately wasted on me with what I was expecting from the story as a whole. The magnetic final act was what pulled the entire story together for me as both Bex and ‘C.J’ save the production and finally get their chance at the romance that they missed out on eight years prior.
💌 Accidentally Yours by Christina Lauren (5 stars):
Accidentally Yours was a joyous experience from beginning to end that left me feeling giddy and wanting to kick my feet like a teenager. The magnetic connection and undeniable chemistry between Veronica and Jude felt explosive and instantaneous. I would’ve gladly read a full-length novel surrounding these two fun and witty characters that find themselves realising that sometimes fate intervenes and that their perfect match was existing within the same living quarters. This sweet novella was the perfect story to kickstart this series of original stories, and I’m looking forward to seeing what else awaits from the rest of the authors.
⏳ Time Will Tell by Hannah Bonam-Young (5 stars):
Time Will Tell was a beautifully crafted tale that divulged into the themes of grief and loss with apparent love and care. The way that Georgia and Callum connected through their loss and the way their bond was forged by the discovery of a secret love story that deserved to shine in the light decades prior made for a compelling (and ultimately bittersweet) story. The way that the characters manage to balance their grief with banter-filled dynamic left me grinning from one chapter to the next, and I absolutely loved getting to witness the strong bonds that both families share with one another. I adored every aspect of this journey as I once again find myself wishing that I could’ve experienced this concept as a full-length novel, whilst at the same time feeling nothing but satisfaction and joy in how this sweet novella concludes.
🪽 A Play for Love by Trilina Pucci (5 stars):
A Play for Love is easily my favourite novella within the series thus far as it has delivered on everything that I had been looking for from beginning to end. This was a giddy, feel-good story that felt both earnest and honest in its exploration between two people that missed their chance at love, and whom therefore made sure to take full advantage when their second chance opportunity arose. The witty dialogue and cheesy actions from side-characters left me grinning throughout the entirety of the story to the point that I probably looked insane. The sparks that ignited between Rory and Oliver was undeniable with their keenness to not waste another moment making me want swoon like a cartoon character with hearts in my eyes. Their chemistry felt limitless and their story played out in my mind like a movie.
❤️🔥 Death to Valentine’s Day by Catherine Cowles (4 stars):
As an avid fan and devout reader of all things Catherine Cowles, Death to Valentine’s Day was yet another strong release that delivered on the swoon-worthy romance paired with the anxiety-spiking high stakes that this author is known for. I will admit that I was a little concerned initially with this story being a novella as somebody who is familiar with the method and approach that Cowles takes to her storytelling. However I was immediately put at ease with the inclusion of the ‘ex boyfriend’s older brother’ inclusion which introduced a seamless and believable connection that I felt like I could grasp with my own two hands. The chemistry between Maia and Decker was undeniable from that very first kiss and I’m truly impressed at how intense their connection reflected through the pages. I am yet again put to shame with my inability to accurately guess the identity of the villain prior to its reveal, but ultimately it’s the not knowing that makes part of the reading experience for me. Catherine Cowles is a tried and true author of mine which is further proven through this fast-paced and unputdownable novella.
🪦 Valentine’s Slay by Navessa Allen (4 stars):
Valentine’s Slay was a fast and thrilling read that had me questioning the direction of the plot (in the best way) until the truth was swiftly unveiled. The opening of the story was an unforgettable introduction that I will be scarce to forget for a very long time with its ability to make me question whether I should be laughing or feeling concerned in response to the circumstances being presented. The connection between both main characters felt effortless from the very beginning and I adored the way that Noah strived to be the best support system for Emma after her harrowing and traumatic experience. The fact that he immediately stepped up and proved to be the perfect partner and her equal whilst expecting nothing in return was wonderful to see, and it doesn’t hurt that he’d been quietly yearning for her on the side since they were in high school. This was my first read by Navessa Allen and it will most definitely not be my last. Maybe it’s finally time that I find out about the hype surrounding Light’s Out after loving Valentine’s Slay.
🎭 Second Act Romance by Julie Soto (2 stars):
Sadly I didn’t connect with Second Act Romance as deeply as the first two stories despite the electric connection that is shared between the two main characters. For a short romance novella there seemed to be very little emphasis on the romance and more so on the explanation surrounding how a theatre production works and all of the necessary jargon for reader understanding. This would’ve been fine (and more fun to learn about) had the book been longer with more wiggle room in the word count… but ultimately I feel like I was missing opportunity to focus more on the characters as a budding couple as opposed to the build-up towards their current professional lives. I was in awe at the clear passion and enthusiasm that the author imbued into story surrounding the production, but in this circumstance it was unfortunately wasted on me with what I was expecting from the story as a whole. The magnetic final act was what pulled the entire story together for me as both Bex and ‘C.J’ save the production and finally get their chance at the romance that they missed out on eight years prior.
💌 Accidentally Yours by Christina Lauren (5 stars):
Accidentally Yours was a joyous experience from beginning to end that left me feeling giddy and wanting to kick my feet like a teenager. The magnetic connection and undeniable chemistry between Veronica and Jude felt explosive and instantaneous. I would’ve gladly read a full-length novel surrounding these two fun and witty characters that find themselves realising that sometimes fate intervenes and that their perfect match was existing within the same living quarters. This sweet novella was the perfect story to kickstart this series of original stories, and I’m looking forward to seeing what else awaits from the rest of the authors.
⏳ Time Will Tell by Hannah Bonam-Young (5 stars):
Time Will Tell was a beautifully crafted tale that divulged into the themes of grief and loss with apparent love and care. The way that Georgia and Callum connected through their loss and the way their bond was forged by the discovery of a secret love story that deserved to shine in the light decades prior made for a compelling (and ultimately bittersweet) story. The way that the characters manage to balance their grief with banter-filled dynamic left me grinning from one chapter to the next, and I absolutely loved getting to witness the strong bonds that both families share with one another. I adored every aspect of this journey as I once again find myself wishing that I could’ve experienced this concept as a full-length novel, whilst at the same time feeling nothing but satisfaction and joy in how this sweet novella concludes.
🪽 A Play for Love by Trilina Pucci (5 stars):
A Play for Love is easily my favourite novella within the series thus far as it has delivered on everything that I had been looking for from beginning to end. This was a giddy, feel-good story that felt both earnest and honest in its exploration between two people that missed their chance at love, and whom therefore made sure to take full advantage when their second chance opportunity arose. The witty dialogue and cheesy actions from side-characters left me grinning throughout the entirety of the story to the point that I probably looked insane. The sparks that ignited between Rory and Oliver was undeniable with their keenness to not waste another moment making me want swoon like a cartoon character with hearts in my eyes. Their chemistry felt limitless and their story played out in my mind like a movie.
❤️🔥 Death to Valentine’s Day by Catherine Cowles (4 stars):
As an avid fan and devout reader of all things Catherine Cowles, Death to Valentine’s Day was yet another strong release that delivered on the swoon-worthy romance paired with the anxiety-spiking high stakes that this author is known for. I will admit that I was a little concerned initially with this story being a novella as somebody who is familiar with the method and approach that Cowles takes to her storytelling. However I was immediately put at ease with the inclusion of the ‘ex boyfriend’s older brother’ inclusion which introduced a seamless and believable connection that I felt like I could grasp with my own two hands. The chemistry between Maia and Decker was undeniable from that very first kiss and I’m truly impressed at how intense their connection reflected through the pages. I am yet again put to shame with my inability to accurately guess the identity of the villain prior to its reveal, but ultimately it’s the not knowing that makes part of the reading experience for me. Catherine Cowles is a tried and true author of mine which is further proven through this fast-paced and unputdownable novella.
🪦 Valentine’s Slay by Navessa Allen (4 stars):
Valentine’s Slay was a fast and thrilling read that had me questioning the direction of the plot (in the best way) until the truth was swiftly unveiled. The opening of the story was an unforgettable introduction that I will be scarce to forget for a very long time with its ability to make me question whether I should be laughing or feeling concerned in response to the circumstances being presented. The connection between both main characters felt effortless from the very beginning and I adored the way that Noah strived to be the best support system for Emma after her harrowing and traumatic experience. The fact that he immediately stepped up and proved to be the perfect partner and her equal whilst expecting nothing in return was wonderful to see, and it doesn’t hurt that he’d been quietly yearning for her on the side since they were in high school. This was my first read by Navessa Allen and it will most definitely not be my last. Maybe it’s finally time that I find out about the hype surrounding Light’s Out after loving Valentine’s Slay.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Improbable Meet-Cute: Second Chances Collection from Amazon’s Original Stories is a must read novella series centered around Valentine’s Day, star crossed lovers and hopeless romantics.
Second Act Romance by Julie Soto 4/5 stars
Julie Soto gave me what A Play for Love didn’t. I was right there in Bex’s dream state thinking about how handsome Colby J. Turner was and their onstage chemistry. The shrimp tacos food poisoning was funny and also growing up in theater myself and the author everything felt authentic “The show must go on!” No matter what. I’ve never seen Oklahoma! but perhaps now I should!
Accidentally Yours by Christina Lauren 4/5 stars
Accidentally Yours was my favorite novella of the bunch. Having a nickname for your attractive neighbor in your apartment complex whom you’ve had fleeting interactions with but never knew his real name you already had a crush on! This was very well written and the pacing was spot on. Veronica bartering for a new computer and desk chair being a non-negotiable was hilarious. The witty banter was entertaining and I could have read 100 more pages before and after of these characters. I highly recommend checking out this novella.
Time Will Tell by Hannah Bonam-Young 3/5 stars
This novella felt like a whole string of very unlikely events in a row but was altogether a wholesome ride. What are the odds you connect across the globe and fall in love with a man who happens to be your grandmother’s ex-girlfriend secret relationships grandson? I always love the email communication back and forth, the structuring is super fun visually!
A Play for Love by Trilina Pucci 2/5 stars
This one unfortunately didn’t really work for me. I can grasp there was a spark in a set-up kiss from a college drama class, but then the situational circumstances seemed too out of reach. You referenced this boy as “Hot Guy”, is a little cringey for me. I didn’t think the characters were cute or funny. I wished I cared, but this one I just didn’t care.
Death to Valentine’s Day by Catherine Cowles 2/5 stars
I really loved the author’s writing style so I will be checking out her other novels. I’ve always have a knack for the ex-boyfriend’s brother trope. Decker’s character was fleshed out. Maia’s story was in some ways was understood but in others there were some holes in her words and actions. The setting was a little unsettling for me as well as the “bad guy” twist at the end did not make sense. There was nothing foreshadowing to suggest that the killer was who they were. I think this story’s concept would have done better as a full length novel than a novella.
Valentine's Slay by Navessa Allen 4/5 stars
This was my second Navessa Allen title and my preferences mesh very well with her writing style. You’re immediately hooked in to Noah’s perspective and sheer horror to learn an old crush of his whom he was currently finishing burying 6 feet under was buried alive! His care for her was honest and wholesome from the beginning. The bedroom scenes are very explicit which is Navessa’s bread and butter but the pacing is frankly completely believable to me. I enjoyed Noah’s POV and the cute epilogue chapter in Emma’s POV.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for the eARCs of this collection in exchange for my honest review. The covers are so cute and all are a quick, fun read around the holiday for any romance reader!
#TheImprobableMeetCuteSecondChancescollection #NetGalley
Second Act Romance by Julie Soto 4/5 stars
Julie Soto gave me what A Play for Love didn’t. I was right there in Bex’s dream state thinking about how handsome Colby J. Turner was and their onstage chemistry. The shrimp tacos food poisoning was funny and also growing up in theater myself and the author everything felt authentic “The show must go on!” No matter what. I’ve never seen Oklahoma! but perhaps now I should!
Accidentally Yours by Christina Lauren 4/5 stars
Accidentally Yours was my favorite novella of the bunch. Having a nickname for your attractive neighbor in your apartment complex whom you’ve had fleeting interactions with but never knew his real name you already had a crush on! This was very well written and the pacing was spot on. Veronica bartering for a new computer and desk chair being a non-negotiable was hilarious. The witty banter was entertaining and I could have read 100 more pages before and after of these characters. I highly recommend checking out this novella.
Time Will Tell by Hannah Bonam-Young 3/5 stars
This novella felt like a whole string of very unlikely events in a row but was altogether a wholesome ride. What are the odds you connect across the globe and fall in love with a man who happens to be your grandmother’s ex-girlfriend secret relationships grandson? I always love the email communication back and forth, the structuring is super fun visually!
A Play for Love by Trilina Pucci 2/5 stars
This one unfortunately didn’t really work for me. I can grasp there was a spark in a set-up kiss from a college drama class, but then the situational circumstances seemed too out of reach. You referenced this boy as “Hot Guy”, is a little cringey for me. I didn’t think the characters were cute or funny. I wished I cared, but this one I just didn’t care.
Death to Valentine’s Day by Catherine Cowles 2/5 stars
I really loved the author’s writing style so I will be checking out her other novels. I’ve always have a knack for the ex-boyfriend’s brother trope. Decker’s character was fleshed out. Maia’s story was in some ways was understood but in others there were some holes in her words and actions. The setting was a little unsettling for me as well as the “bad guy” twist at the end did not make sense. There was nothing foreshadowing to suggest that the killer was who they were. I think this story’s concept would have done better as a full length novel than a novella.
Valentine's Slay by Navessa Allen 4/5 stars
This was my second Navessa Allen title and my preferences mesh very well with her writing style. You’re immediately hooked in to Noah’s perspective and sheer horror to learn an old crush of his whom he was currently finishing burying 6 feet under was buried alive! His care for her was honest and wholesome from the beginning. The bedroom scenes are very explicit which is Navessa’s bread and butter but the pacing is frankly completely believable to me. I enjoyed Noah’s POV and the cute epilogue chapter in Emma’s POV.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for the eARCs of this collection in exchange for my honest review. The covers are so cute and all are a quick, fun read around the holiday for any romance reader!
#TheImprobableMeetCuteSecondChancescollection #NetGalley
January 14, 2026
Second Act Romance by Julie Soto was a fun, chaotic little novella that I wanted to love just a bit more.
When a production of Oklahoma! is thrown into total disarray after most of the cast gets food poisoning (theater kids, I’m so sorry), Bex is one of the few still standing. The problem? They’re suddenly missing their male lead. Enter Colby J. Turner - TV star, emergency replacement Curly, and the man Bex once shared undeniable chemistry with eight years ago when they played these same roles. Wrong timing, missed chances, unfinished feelings… and now they’re thrown back together in the most high-stress, behind-the-scenes setting imaginable.
The theater setting was easily my favorite part. I don’t know much about stage productions, but the chaos, jargon, and passion behind making a show happen were genuinely fascinating, and you can feel how much Julie Soto loves this world. That enthusiasm absolutely shines.
Bex and C.J. had great chemistry, and the second-chance romance had so much potential, I just kept wishing we got more. For a romance novella, the focus leaned heavily toward the mechanics of the production rather than the relationship itself. I loved meeting all the characters, but with such a short page count, it sometimes felt like the romance took a backseat when I wanted it to be front and center.
That said, the final act pulled everything together for me. Watching Bex and C.J. save the production and finally take their shot at the love they missed years ago was magnetic and satisfying; it just left me wishing the journey there had been a little longer.
Overall, I had fun, I flew through it, and I loved the concept. I just wanted this to be a fuller, more romance-forward story. Give me 50 more pages, and I would’ve been obsessed.
When a production of Oklahoma! is thrown into total disarray after most of the cast gets food poisoning (theater kids, I’m so sorry), Bex is one of the few still standing. The problem? They’re suddenly missing their male lead. Enter Colby J. Turner - TV star, emergency replacement Curly, and the man Bex once shared undeniable chemistry with eight years ago when they played these same roles. Wrong timing, missed chances, unfinished feelings… and now they’re thrown back together in the most high-stress, behind-the-scenes setting imaginable.
The theater setting was easily my favorite part. I don’t know much about stage productions, but the chaos, jargon, and passion behind making a show happen were genuinely fascinating, and you can feel how much Julie Soto loves this world. That enthusiasm absolutely shines.
Bex and C.J. had great chemistry, and the second-chance romance had so much potential, I just kept wishing we got more. For a romance novella, the focus leaned heavily toward the mechanics of the production rather than the relationship itself. I loved meeting all the characters, but with such a short page count, it sometimes felt like the romance took a backseat when I wanted it to be front and center.
That said, the final act pulled everything together for me. Watching Bex and C.J. save the production and finally take their shot at the love they missed years ago was magnetic and satisfying; it just left me wishing the journey there had been a little longer.
Overall, I had fun, I flew through it, and I loved the concept. I just wanted this to be a fuller, more romance-forward story. Give me 50 more pages, and I would’ve been obsessed.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
💝 Improbable Meet-Cute: Second Chances is pure Valentine’s Day love. Six short romances, six wildly different vibes, all rooted in fate, timing, and love getting a do-over.
📧 @christinalauren kicks things off with a laugh-out-loud modern meet-cute featuring a wrong Zoom call, flirty emails, and the realization that the perfect match might be closer than expected.
🇬🇧 @authorhannahby delivers a tender, time-spanning romance where a hidden love from the 1950s reshapes the present, proving some connections are simply meant to find their way back.
🎭 @juliesotowrites turns up the heat with theater-kid chemistry, sharp banter, and a swoony showmance as former costars reunite for a Valentine’s Day production, and a long-overdue second chance.
💘 @authortrilinapucci brings playful chaos and big rom-com energy, from a long-ago Romeo and Juliet kiss to an unforgettable reunion involving Cupid wings, gold shorts, and sizzling chemistry.
❄️ @catherinecowlesauthor blends romance and suspense in a snowy, closed-circle mystery where a masquerade ball, a murder, and falling for your ex’s brother raise the stakes fast.
🪦 @navessa.allen goes gloriously dark and steamy with a scream-from-the-grave meet-cute, a hot gravedigger, and a second-chance romance that’s equal parts unhinged, hilarious, and hot.
This is the perfect short story collection for readers who love fate, Valentine’sDay, and romance that refuses to stay buried. These stories release January 20. Thanks @netgalley for the ALCs.
CW: murder, death, blood, homophobia, death of a grandparent (discussed), emesis, medical content
📧 @christinalauren kicks things off with a laugh-out-loud modern meet-cute featuring a wrong Zoom call, flirty emails, and the realization that the perfect match might be closer than expected.
🇬🇧 @authorhannahby delivers a tender, time-spanning romance where a hidden love from the 1950s reshapes the present, proving some connections are simply meant to find their way back.
🎭 @juliesotowrites turns up the heat with theater-kid chemistry, sharp banter, and a swoony showmance as former costars reunite for a Valentine’s Day production, and a long-overdue second chance.
💘 @authortrilinapucci brings playful chaos and big rom-com energy, from a long-ago Romeo and Juliet kiss to an unforgettable reunion involving Cupid wings, gold shorts, and sizzling chemistry.
❄️ @catherinecowlesauthor blends romance and suspense in a snowy, closed-circle mystery where a masquerade ball, a murder, and falling for your ex’s brother raise the stakes fast.
🪦 @navessa.allen goes gloriously dark and steamy with a scream-from-the-grave meet-cute, a hot gravedigger, and a second-chance romance that’s equal parts unhinged, hilarious, and hot.
This is the perfect short story collection for readers who love fate, Valentine’sDay, and romance that refuses to stay buried. These stories release January 20. Thanks @netgalley for the ALCs.
CW: murder, death, blood, homophobia, death of a grandparent (discussed), emesis, medical content
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I have been in a deep psychosis over Heated Rivalry for over a month. Shane and Ilya have been all I am able to think or care about. I read 236 books in 2025 and yet, almost a week into 2026, had started and failed to finish 20+ books—until this one.
Leave it to Julie Soto to cure me. Her treatment plan?
💕 A love story that feels immediate in this specific 2hr 30 min runtime, yet spans 8 years, with past and present interwoven masterfully.
💃🏻 Yearning, banter, and a beautiful spotlit moment on stage I could not, would not spoil.
😮💨 Dialogue and one liners that had me cackling so hard I had to reach for my inhaler.
👒 Leads you intimately know in <50 pages. I’ve read 700 page books with characters less fleshed out than Bex and Christopher.
🎭 A theater story written in a way only a true theater kid could write it. Julie, release the full Broadway book, please. I know you have it and we NEED IT.
Second Act Romance was perfect. I would not have changed a word, even if I could have gobbled up so much more of it.
I don’t even like Oklahoma!—in fact, I distinctly disliked this exact touring production when I saw it a few years ago. And yet the magic of Julie Soto is that now I’m wondering if (read: pretty sure) I got it wrong and it’s actually amazing and I need to go see it again.
All the stars. Thank you Julie, for the perfect story to kick off my 2026.
Leave it to Julie Soto to cure me. Her treatment plan?
💕 A love story that feels immediate in this specific 2hr 30 min runtime, yet spans 8 years, with past and present interwoven masterfully.
💃🏻 Yearning, banter, and a beautiful spotlit moment on stage I could not, would not spoil.
😮💨 Dialogue and one liners that had me cackling so hard I had to reach for my inhaler.
👒 Leads you intimately know in <50 pages. I’ve read 700 page books with characters less fleshed out than Bex and Christopher.
🎭 A theater story written in a way only a true theater kid could write it. Julie, release the full Broadway book, please. I know you have it and we NEED IT.
Second Act Romance was perfect. I would not have changed a word, even if I could have gobbled up so much more of it.
I don’t even like Oklahoma!—in fact, I distinctly disliked this exact touring production when I saw it a few years ago. And yet the magic of Julie Soto is that now I’m wondering if (read: pretty sure) I got it wrong and it’s actually amazing and I need to go see it again.
All the stars. Thank you Julie, for the perfect story to kick off my 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you to Amazon Original Stories and Netgalley for the opportunity to read a free eARC in exchange for an honest review! JULIE SOTO IS A NATIONAL TREASURE! THIS is how you write a novella. There's not an ounce of smut and it didn't even need any to be perfect. This is the sweetest short story that's perfect for Valentine's Day. It will leave you giggling and swooning 💕
Second Act Romance follows two Broadway performers who get a second chance at love (get the title? 😏) after their cast of Oklahoma! gets food poisoning. So yes, there is a stomach bug with a lot of talk of vomiting, but nothing explicit on the page. This story is a love letter to theater and you can feel Julie's passion and knowledge for theater jump off the page. NO ONE writes tension and yearning like Julie. I would read a romance about paint drying if Julie wrote it!!!! Bonus points that you can read it in an hour. Like a little bite size dose of serotonin !!!
Make sure you check out this Amazon Original story (as well as the other authors!). It releases on 1/20/26. Thank you again for the opportunity to read this prior to publication!
Second Act Romance follows two Broadway performers who get a second chance at love (get the title? 😏) after their cast of Oklahoma! gets food poisoning. So yes, there is a stomach bug with a lot of talk of vomiting, but nothing explicit on the page. This story is a love letter to theater and you can feel Julie's passion and knowledge for theater jump off the page. NO ONE writes tension and yearning like Julie. I would read a romance about paint drying if Julie wrote it!!!! Bonus points that you can read it in an hour. Like a little bite size dose of serotonin !!!
Make sure you check out this Amazon Original story (as well as the other authors!). It releases on 1/20/26. Thank you again for the opportunity to read this prior to publication!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Accidentally Yours — Christina Lauren
I liked this one! Fern’s Zoom mishap was hilarious, and seeing her neighborly crush show up was so sweet. The duo can’t do wrong — they were perfect together. The story was fun, charming, and even though it was short, it made me smile the whole time.
Time Will Tell — Hannah Bonam‑Young
This was my favorite. They wrote emails and fell in love, discovering new things about each other before they even met up. I loved watching their connection grow slowly, learning about each other piece by piece. I was so excited for when they would finally meet in person.
Second Act Romance — Julie Soto
I adored this one! The theater setting was so sweet, and I felt like I was backstage with them, watching all the sparks fly. I was on the edge the most, cheering for them the whole time. The story was funny, heartwarming, and full of little moments that made me smile constantly.
A Play for Love — Trilina Pucci
I really liked this one. The college production and brunch setup felt cozy and charming. Watching the characters slowly realize their feelings was fun and romantic. The story made me feel warm and happy while reading.
Death to Valentine’s Day — Catherine Cowles
This one was elegant. The story mixed mystery and romance in a way I liked. I enjoyed following the events and seeing how the characters interacted throughout the story.
Valentine’s Slay — Navessa Allen
This was nice. I liked the playful suspense, and there were moments that made me smile. The story was fun, and the characters kept me engaged from start to finish.
I liked this one! Fern’s Zoom mishap was hilarious, and seeing her neighborly crush show up was so sweet. The duo can’t do wrong — they were perfect together. The story was fun, charming, and even though it was short, it made me smile the whole time.
Time Will Tell — Hannah Bonam‑Young
This was my favorite. They wrote emails and fell in love, discovering new things about each other before they even met up. I loved watching their connection grow slowly, learning about each other piece by piece. I was so excited for when they would finally meet in person.
Second Act Romance — Julie Soto
I adored this one! The theater setting was so sweet, and I felt like I was backstage with them, watching all the sparks fly. I was on the edge the most, cheering for them the whole time. The story was funny, heartwarming, and full of little moments that made me smile constantly.
A Play for Love — Trilina Pucci
I really liked this one. The college production and brunch setup felt cozy and charming. Watching the characters slowly realize their feelings was fun and romantic. The story made me feel warm and happy while reading.
Death to Valentine’s Day — Catherine Cowles
This one was elegant. The story mixed mystery and romance in a way I liked. I enjoyed following the events and seeing how the characters interacted throughout the story.
Valentine’s Slay — Navessa Allen
This was nice. I liked the playful suspense, and there were moments that made me smile. The story was fun, and the characters kept me engaged from start to finish.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for the Arc of this entire collection!
I hate to rate this so low, considering I loved the first two so much, but this was a very big miss for me.
The theater aspect was very heavy and the romance very low. It felt like majority of the story was explaining various theater terms and parts from Oklahoma so you could understand what was being talked about. I enjoy going to the theater a lot, but not behind the scenes.
I truly think that if this was longer, it could have been much better! There would have been more room for the romance aspect and the characters themselves to develop.
There were a lot of character names, a LOT. A few times I forgot who someone was and again, I think if the story was longer, the characters could have developed more and not been so one noted to be able to forget who was who.
The writing was really good, I do feel the need to point that out!
I’m not sure I’ll be able to stomach eating a fish taco for awhile, but I did like that aspect of the story. Food poisoning brought two former actors back on stage together after 8 years apart. It was a unique way to set the story up!
I hate to rate this so low, considering I loved the first two so much, but this was a very big miss for me.
The theater aspect was very heavy and the romance very low. It felt like majority of the story was explaining various theater terms and parts from Oklahoma so you could understand what was being talked about. I enjoy going to the theater a lot, but not behind the scenes.
I truly think that if this was longer, it could have been much better! There would have been more room for the romance aspect and the characters themselves to develop.
There were a lot of character names, a LOT. A few times I forgot who someone was and again, I think if the story was longer, the characters could have developed more and not been so one noted to be able to forget who was who.
The writing was really good, I do feel the need to point that out!
I’m not sure I’ll be able to stomach eating a fish taco for awhile, but I did like that aspect of the story. Food poisoning brought two former actors back on stage together after 8 years apart. It was a unique way to set the story up!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Second Act Romance is a missed connection/second chance novella that focuses on Bex and CJ. Bec is in a production of Oklahoma and when a good chunk of the cast is taken out by fish taco food poisoning, CJ comes in to take over a role. The story is told from Bex's POV and she is convinced CJ doesn't remember her from a brief meeting in the past, but is that true?
You can definitely tell that Julie comes from a theater background. The lore and intricacies of theater are all present. It is a novella, so we only get a glimpse of their relationship, but it is a fun time and has the Julie Soto wit you expect.
The audio production is done with a single narrator, which isn't generally my preference, but works since it is single POV and the narrator does a good job at differentiating characters. I'm generally someone who speeds up audio, but found that 1.75x was my sweet spot due to her speed and cadence.
Thanks to Brilliance Publishing/Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for an ALC of this audiobook for an honest review.
You can definitely tell that Julie comes from a theater background. The lore and intricacies of theater are all present. It is a novella, so we only get a glimpse of their relationship, but it is a fun time and has the Julie Soto wit you expect.
The audio production is done with a single narrator, which isn't generally my preference, but works since it is single POV and the narrator does a good job at differentiating characters. I'm generally someone who speeds up audio, but found that 1.75x was my sweet spot due to her speed and cadence.
Thanks to Brilliance Publishing/Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for an ALC of this audiobook for an honest review.
January 12, 2026
The Improbable Meet Cute: Second Chance Collection by Christina Lauren, Hannah Bonam-Young, Julie Soto, Trilina Pucci, Catherine Cowles, and Navessa Allen—Spoiler Free
This was such a fantastic grouping of novellas to read, all revolving around Valentine’s Day. I think they were all quick to draw you in, which is super important for such short stories, and all finished well. A couple of them I could have read full books about, but there’s something fun about just reading a quick novella and have it started and wrapped up.
These range from super sweet (reminiscent of You’ve Got Mail) to 💀 suspenseful romance for fans of the crime podcasts. I loved that while they weren’t connected at all in the character aspect, they all were about some sort of second chance and all had the characters mentioning something specific for that Valentine’s Day.
Overall, these were great and easy reads, perfect for someone who wants to enjoy a quick story (or listen).
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️🌶️ (only last two)
I was given an eARC to review by Netgalley, but all thoughts are my own.
This was such a fantastic grouping of novellas to read, all revolving around Valentine’s Day. I think they were all quick to draw you in, which is super important for such short stories, and all finished well. A couple of them I could have read full books about, but there’s something fun about just reading a quick novella and have it started and wrapped up.
These range from super sweet (reminiscent of You’ve Got Mail) to 💀 suspenseful romance for fans of the crime podcasts. I loved that while they weren’t connected at all in the character aspect, they all were about some sort of second chance and all had the characters mentioning something specific for that Valentine’s Day.
Overall, these were great and easy reads, perfect for someone who wants to enjoy a quick story (or listen).
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️🌶️ (only last two)
I was given an eARC to review by Netgalley, but all thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Second Act Romance-The Improbable Meet-Cute: Second Chances Series, #3 (novella)
Julie Soto-3.5/5 ⭐
Published 1/20/26, Read 1/10/26
Contemporary Romance, Adult Fic
TW: food poisoning
Summary: Bex and CJ worked together at Music Circus in 2018 where 8 years ago they were actors on a national touring company. They felt a spark with 1 kiss, but Bex disappeared. Now, the whole cast except Bex is sick after a night of shrimp tacos. CJ fills in as lead again and their chemistry is still magical.
Characters:
Rebecca Hardgrave "Bex"- 29, lead in Oklahoma!
Dana-Bex roommate
Colby J. Turner "CJ"-31, singer/actor on hit TV show Hart Hospital as Dr. Wes
My Thoughts: This was okay having missed the mark with all the unnecessary theater talk in the beginning. It was another sweet ending though with CJ as a king H.
🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Original Stories and Julie Soto for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.
Julie Soto-3.5/5 ⭐
Published 1/20/26, Read 1/10/26
Contemporary Romance, Adult Fic
TW: food poisoning
Summary: Bex and CJ worked together at Music Circus in 2018 where 8 years ago they were actors on a national touring company. They felt a spark with 1 kiss, but Bex disappeared. Now, the whole cast except Bex is sick after a night of shrimp tacos. CJ fills in as lead again and their chemistry is still magical.
Characters:
Rebecca Hardgrave "Bex"- 29, lead in Oklahoma!
Dana-Bex roommate
Colby J. Turner "CJ"-31, singer/actor on hit TV show Hart Hospital as Dr. Wes
My Thoughts: This was okay having missed the mark with all the unnecessary theater talk in the beginning. It was another sweet ending though with CJ as a king H.
🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Original Stories and Julie Soto for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.
January 12, 2026
Colby lands a last minute role in a tv show but finds out his ex Bex is the leading lady.
🎭Third person POV
❤️Oklahoma! play
🌮 Chemistry
🎭TV heartthrob MMC
❤️Shrimp tacos
🌮BTS theater peek
More emphasis on the theatre production and how it works behind the scenes instead of the romance. I wanted more of the romance. I think they had great chemistry but the romance was non-existent.
Part of The Improbable Meet-Cute: Second Chances collection. Overall, 3 stars. None of these were true second chance romances but they were cute. I loved the comet that’s present in all stories. Release date 1/20/26. Thank you to the authors and NetGalley for the ARC! Will be available on Kindle Unlimited.
Accidentally Yours by Christina Lauren 5⭐️
Time Will Tell by Hannah Bonam-Young 1⭐️
Second Act Romance by Julie Soto 2⭐️
A Play for Love by Trilina Pucci 3⭐️
Death to Valentine's Day by Catherine Cowles 3⭐️
Valentine's Slay by Navessa Allen 1⭐️
🎭Third person POV
❤️Oklahoma! play
🌮 Chemistry
🎭TV heartthrob MMC
❤️Shrimp tacos
🌮BTS theater peek
More emphasis on the theatre production and how it works behind the scenes instead of the romance. I wanted more of the romance. I think they had great chemistry but the romance was non-existent.
Part of The Improbable Meet-Cute: Second Chances collection. Overall, 3 stars. None of these were true second chance romances but they were cute. I loved the comet that’s present in all stories. Release date 1/20/26. Thank you to the authors and NetGalley for the ARC! Will be available on Kindle Unlimited.
Accidentally Yours by Christina Lauren 5⭐️
Time Will Tell by Hannah Bonam-Young 1⭐️
Second Act Romance by Julie Soto 2⭐️
A Play for Love by Trilina Pucci 3⭐️
Death to Valentine's Day by Catherine Cowles 3⭐️
Valentine's Slay by Navessa Allen 1⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When food poisoning takes out the lead, and most of the cast, of a Valentine’s Day production of Oklahoma!, the man who steps in to save the show is the last person Bex ever expected to see again: Colby J. Turner, the one who got away after their missed first connection. Except the sparks they once shared onstage never faded, and it turns out Bex isn’t the only one still daydreaming about that scorching chemistry—now that CJ has found his missing leading lady, he’s not about to waste this second chance.
Julie Soto’s writing is undeniably strong, and while the romance was incredibly swoony, I personally wanted more of it, especially for a novella, as there was a lot of focus on the play and side characters. That said, the way Soto weaves aching yearning into such a small story is genuinely impressive and beautifully done
Julie Soto’s writing is undeniably strong, and while the romance was incredibly swoony, I personally wanted more of it, especially for a novella, as there was a lot of focus on the play and side characters. That said, the way Soto weaves aching yearning into such a small story is genuinely impressive and beautifully done
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 round up to 4 stars
Second Act Romance definitely got me! It's a fun second chance-ish romance that made me laugh out loud the entire time.
Set against the chaotic backdrop of a musical theater production, the story follows former costars Bex and Colby, whose onstage chemistry once turned into something more (ish). When a case of food poisoning takes out the lead in their Valentine’s Day performance of Oklahoma!, Colby swoops in to save the show, forcing the two to reunite under the spotlight.
The theater chaos was hilarious. The banter and tension between Bee and Colby was very sweet. I loved that we got to see the beginning of their romance while also watching them navigate unresolved feelings from the past. This novella made me miss my theater-kid days in the best way.
Thank you netgalley for my ebook arc!
Second Act Romance definitely got me! It's a fun second chance-ish romance that made me laugh out loud the entire time.
Set against the chaotic backdrop of a musical theater production, the story follows former costars Bex and Colby, whose onstage chemistry once turned into something more (ish). When a case of food poisoning takes out the lead in their Valentine’s Day performance of Oklahoma!, Colby swoops in to save the show, forcing the two to reunite under the spotlight.
The theater chaos was hilarious. The banter and tension between Bee and Colby was very sweet. I loved that we got to see the beginning of their romance while also watching them navigate unresolved feelings from the past. This novella made me miss my theater-kid days in the best way.
Thank you netgalley for my ebook arc!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A sweet, short Valentine’s Day love story.
Did I like it? Yes - it’s cute and left me feeling good afterward. Were there some things that bothered me a little? Also yes.
First, I didn’t like that it’s one huge block of text without chapters, even though I completely understand why it was done that way. Second, there were way too many names introduced at once, and I could barely keep track of who was who. From that angle, it felt a bit chaotic. Third, the third-person POV just didn’t work for me here - it made the whole thing feel even more confusing in my head.
Still, aside from those three complaints, everything else was fine. I can recommend it, especially since it’s not very long.
Thank you Amazon Original Stories for an arc copy and a chance to read it before the release date.
Did I like it? Yes - it’s cute and left me feeling good afterward. Were there some things that bothered me a little? Also yes.
First, I didn’t like that it’s one huge block of text without chapters, even though I completely understand why it was done that way. Second, there were way too many names introduced at once, and I could barely keep track of who was who. From that angle, it felt a bit chaotic. Third, the third-person POV just didn’t work for me here - it made the whole thing feel even more confusing in my head.
Still, aside from those three complaints, everything else was fine. I can recommend it, especially since it’s not very long.
Thank you Amazon Original Stories for an arc copy and a chance to read it before the release date.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A big thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and all of the authors for the advanced copy of this collection. My thoughts are my own.
*Note- Reviews are submitted for each book individually, rather than the entire collection
The Improbable Meet-Cute: Second Chances Collection is such a cute set of short stories just in time to get you in the Valentine’s Day spirit! They were fast paced, with sweet characters and adorable plots that kept me engaged and entertained throughout the entire series.
Second Act Romance - Julie Soto 3⭐️-
Overall this one was cute but I had a really tough time getting into it. The beginning was fairly slow in my opinion and I felt myself wanting to skim the pages. Eventually the story picked up and I did start to feel more invested and was eager to see how things unfolded between the main characters.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing and Julie Soto for the e-ARC in exchange for honest review.
Oooooh, this one was so cute! I love a good second-chance romance and this one did not disappoint!
Set in the theater scene, where due to food poisoning, most of the cast of Oklahoma is unable to perform on Valentine's Day, the heartthrob star of the hottest medical drama goes back to his theater roots to fill in for ill cast members! And our lead characters actually performed these roles years ago but due to a miscommunication, never were able to exchange numbers, etc!
This sweet novella had me cheering to our characters and the whole cast of the show for pulling off this fear and proving that the show must always go on!
Oooooh, this one was so cute! I love a good second-chance romance and this one did not disappoint!
Set in the theater scene, where due to food poisoning, most of the cast of Oklahoma is unable to perform on Valentine's Day, the heartthrob star of the hottest medical drama goes back to his theater roots to fill in for ill cast members! And our lead characters actually performed these roles years ago but due to a miscommunication, never were able to exchange numbers, etc!
This sweet novella had me cheering to our characters and the whole cast of the show for pulling off this fear and proving that the show must always go on!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Second Act Romance is a missed connection/second chance novella that focuses on Bex and CJ. Bec is in a production of Oklahoma and when a good chunk of the cast is taken out by fish taco food poisoning, CJ comes in to take over a role. The story is told from Bex's POV and she is convinced CJ doesn't remember her from a brief meeting in the past, but is that true?
You can definitely tell that Julie comes from a theater background. The lore and intricacies of theater are all present. It is a novella, so we only get a glimpse of their relationship, but it is a fun time and has the Julie Soto wit you expect.
Thanks to Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for an eARC of this book for an honest review.
You can definitely tell that Julie comes from a theater background. The lore and intricacies of theater are all present. It is a novella, so we only get a glimpse of their relationship, but it is a fun time and has the Julie Soto wit you expect.
Thanks to Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for an eARC of this book for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This second-chance romance reunites two Broadway actors whose electric but fleeting connection eight years earlier was cut short by a missed name and missed timing. When a special Valentine’s Day performance is thrown into chaos, a now-famous TV star steps in to reprise the very role that first brought them together, reigniting both their onstage chemistry and unresolved feelings. With a palpable sense of shared history, strong emotional payoff, and a theatrical setting that heightens the stakes, this novella delivers swoony, heartfelt moments and stands out for its charming blend of spectacle, nostalgia, and emotional continuity.
4.5 stars
Thank you to Amazon and NetGalley for providing the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars
Thank you to Amazon and NetGalley for providing the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
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