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Second Act Romance
1 hour, 28 minutes
Two 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 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.
Two 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 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.
2 pages, Audible Audio
First published January 20, 2026
1737 people are currently reading
7427 people want to read
About the author
Julie Soto
7 books7,291 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 1,432 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.*
January 27, 2026
wtf, the writing in this book made me feel like if I didn’t know english 🧍🏻♀️ it was all over the place too
February 1, 2026
the theater kid in me ate this up 🫣 even if I ended up binging a show instead of finishing this novella series
January 26, 2026
I liked the reference to Grey's Anatomy, but that's about all that I liked about the short book. I did not feel any chemistry. It felt like the shrimp debacle was the only thing important in this book.
January 28, 2026
3 ⭐
Honestly, I was expecting a bit more romance instead of so much technical jargon about theater, but it wasn't bad at all; it was really cute.
Honestly, I was expecting a bit more romance instead of so much technical jargon about theater, but it wasn't bad at all; it was really cute.
January 22, 2026
Yeah.. this wasn’t for me. No chemistry in my opinion. Very boring. Lacking any exciting plot IMO. Maybe you have to be a theater person to enjoy? Idk.
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.
January 25, 2026
I’ve never read a Julie Soto book before, but I don’t think her writing style is for me. The story was all over the place and not very interesting. The author would introduce some background information, but it wouldn’t be important until a couple of paragraphs later. It made the book feel very jumbled and I hard time keeping up with what was going on. The romance was also non existent and we’re just given behind the scenes chaos of putting on a theatre production. And so, this one was a complete miss for me and I understand why it has the lowest rating of all the novellas in the series.
January 20, 2026
2.5⭐️ I’m not sure what is happening, but these novellas are just not working for me with the exception of one. Here, I could not connect to the characters, felt like there was way too much discussion of 🤮 + 💩, and felt completely disengaged from the story. The characters felt more two-dimensional and I did not buy their chemistry.
Thank you Brillaince Publishing for the advanced copy.
Thank you Brillaince Publishing for the advanced copy.
February 4, 2026
I swear to all things that are holy, if I never have to hear the name Colby J. Turner again, I’ll die a happy woman. Like we get it, his name is Colby J. Turner. The repetition was not needed. Neither was the fact that this one was a 60 page run on sentence. Also the narrator was like nails on the chalkboard. And to make matters worse it’s told in third person. Which just gives me the ick. The only positive about this one was the fact that I didn’t have to waste more than a car ride home from work to realize Julie Soto is not for me.
If you enjoyed this one good for you. But I should have DNF’d this one and I would have if it wouldn’t have caused an accident on the way home.
Also I never wanna hear fish tacos again 🤢🤮
If you enjoyed this one good for you. But I should have DNF’d this one and I would have if it wouldn’t have caused an accident on the way home.
Also I never wanna hear fish tacos again 🤢🤮
January 29, 2026
Two musical theater costars, separated by fate, reunite for a showmance to remember in a sizzling and banter-filled short story about second chances…
Valentine's Day production of Oklahoma!
Queue: food poisoning 🤢
Famous TV star, Colby J. Turner, steps in to save the show from utter chaos. However, leading lady, Bex Hardgrave, was not the least bit pleased. 8 years earlier, their on-stage chemistry spilled off-stage until a misunderstanding resulted in heartbreak 💔 Now, they are once again sharing the spotlight, old feelings simmering, threatening to steal the show. When they finally confront their undeniable connection, will their second-chance romance deserve a standing ovation?
Anyone who can convey such a strong plot in 60 pages deserves an applause from me 👏🏽 This was a fun and unique spin on a second-chance romance. The originality of this story was predominantly due to the theatre setting. I really enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look; chaos and all. However, the only complaint I have was the dwelling on 🤮 and 💩.
As romance goes, I definitely felt the sparks between Colby and Bex, but as always with short stories, I wish there was more…
"She got lost in his smile, his blue eyes never leaving her face. She forgot for a moment how many ensemble men they were missing, how the adrenaline had pushed her through it all, and how absolutely mad this day had been. Staring up at him in his costume with his dark hair curled loosely, Bex felt like she’d finally slipped back into a dream she’d been trying to remember for years." 💘
Overall, an enjoyable and entertaining read 💖👏🏽✨
3.75 🌟🌟🌟💫
Valentine's Day production of Oklahoma!
Queue: food poisoning 🤢
Famous TV star, Colby J. Turner, steps in to save the show from utter chaos. However, leading lady, Bex Hardgrave, was not the least bit pleased. 8 years earlier, their on-stage chemistry spilled off-stage until a misunderstanding resulted in heartbreak 💔 Now, they are once again sharing the spotlight, old feelings simmering, threatening to steal the show. When they finally confront their undeniable connection, will their second-chance romance deserve a standing ovation?
Anyone who can convey such a strong plot in 60 pages deserves an applause from me 👏🏽 This was a fun and unique spin on a second-chance romance. The originality of this story was predominantly due to the theatre setting. I really enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look; chaos and all. However, the only complaint I have was the dwelling on 🤮 and 💩.
As romance goes, I definitely felt the sparks between Colby and Bex, but as always with short stories, I wish there was more…
"She got lost in his smile, his blue eyes never leaving her face. She forgot for a moment how many ensemble men they were missing, how the adrenaline had pushed her through it all, and how absolutely mad this day had been. Staring up at him in his costume with his dark hair curled loosely, Bex felt like she’d finally slipped back into a dream she’d been trying to remember for years." 💘
Overall, an enjoyable and entertaining read 💖👏🏽✨
3.75 🌟🌟🌟💫
January 27, 2026
Thoughts
I really wanted to enjoy this as I love theatre based plot books but I feel like the author lost focus of the main plot and focused on the gagging and food poisoning, it felt too long for a 60 page read and if I'm honest I just couldn't care for the story anymore. This happens to yet again be my first reading experience by this author but this one won't count as "first impressions" with that being said I really need to do a TBR clear out lol
Plot Summary
When a Valentine’s Day theatre production is thrown into chaos, a famous TV star, Colby steps in at the last minute to save the show—much to the dismay of the leading lady, Bex Hardgrave. Years earlier, their undeniable chemistry spilled offstage and ended in heartbreak after a misunderstanding. Now reunited under the spotlight, old feelings resurface as opening night nears, forcing them to confront whether their unfinished story deserves an encore.
My Bookstagram
I really wanted to enjoy this as I love theatre based plot books but I feel like the author lost focus of the main plot and focused on the gagging and food poisoning, it felt too long for a 60 page read and if I'm honest I just couldn't care for the story anymore. This happens to yet again be my first reading experience by this author but this one won't count as "first impressions" with that being said I really need to do a TBR clear out lol
Plot Summary
When a Valentine’s Day theatre production is thrown into chaos, a famous TV star, Colby steps in at the last minute to save the show—much to the dismay of the leading lady, Bex Hardgrave. Years earlier, their undeniable chemistry spilled offstage and ended in heartbreak after a misunderstanding. Now reunited under the spotlight, old feelings resurface as opening night nears, forcing them to confront whether their unfinished story deserves an encore.
My Bookstagram
February 2, 2026
Too much theatrical essay, to less romance.
↠ 2.5 stars
Thanks to Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
↠ 2.5 stars
Thanks to Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
January 21, 2026
4⭐️
This was so cute! I loved the behind stage energy, with everyone trying to frantically pull together a full cast and change costumes in time. The show must go on, as they say. It's novella length but managed to feel like a full story
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was so cute! I loved the behind stage energy, with everyone trying to frantically pull together a full cast and change costumes in time. The show must go on, as they say. It's novella length but managed to feel like a full story
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 24, 2026
⁀➷ 2.5 ★ ´ˎ˗
i know it's often difficult to pack a lot into a novella without making things seemed rushed, but this book felt like literally nothing happened within it.
only notable part was how deadpan and funny the line: "he's an empath. he got sick when tony got sick." was.
i know it's often difficult to pack a lot into a novella without making things seemed rushed, but this book felt like literally nothing happened within it.
only notable part was how deadpan and funny the line: "he's an empath. he got sick when tony got sick." was.
February 4, 2026
ugh julie soto could write a book about watching paint dry, and i’d still eat it up
January 20, 2026
4.5⭐️
Second Act Romance was fun flirty and full of heart. I loved the musical theater setting and the easy chemistry between Bex and Colby. The banter was sharp and the second chance romance felt satisfying even with the short length. I really enjoyed Julie Soto's writing. This was a great, quick read.
Second Act Romance was fun flirty and full of heart. I loved the musical theater setting and the easy chemistry between Bex and Colby. The banter was sharp and the second chance romance felt satisfying even with the short length. I really enjoyed Julie Soto's writing. This was a great, quick read.
January 28, 2026
3.5 stars
January 23, 2026
If next to nothing romantic qualifies as a romance now, we’re in trouble
January 29, 2026
this was… okay
Maybe it was my mood…
Maybe it was that I’ve never seen/read Oklahoma!
Maybe it’s that I’m not well-versed in theater jargon
Maybe it was because it’s in third person 🫠, but I found myself getting way too distracted 🫣.
Bex (21/29) is the leading lady of Oklahoma! but most of the cast gets food poisoning, which means they need some rolls to be filled. Not to worry though because CJ (23/31) swoops in to see the day 👏🏻.
Eight years before, they had some tension-filled scenes when they would kiss (and make the audience laugh every time she grabbed his asssssss 🤣), but the lack of pictures and communication made it way too difficult for either of them to pursue anything else 😬.
Bex sees how successful CJ is, but that’s OK 🤷🏻♀️.
Will sparks fly when they’re in the same room again?
I liked:
—the banter 👏🏻
—the kisses that made the audience crack up 🤣
—the tension
—the one kiss their shared 🔥
I didn’t like/needed more of:
—🔥
—more than a HFN feeling (peep at my review for the book before this)
—less confusing terminology 🤣. My eyes were glazing over when certain things were said 🤣
—we find out that he’s been in relationship/flings since, but we don’t really know much about her 😑😒
Overall, this was cute ❤️, but it’s definitely not my favorite
Maybe it was my mood…
Maybe it was that I’ve never seen/read Oklahoma!
Maybe it’s that I’m not well-versed in theater jargon
Maybe it was because it’s in third person 🫠, but I found myself getting way too distracted 🫣.
Bex (21/29) is the leading lady of Oklahoma! but most of the cast gets food poisoning, which means they need some rolls to be filled. Not to worry though because CJ (23/31) swoops in to see the day 👏🏻.
Eight years before, they had some tension-filled scenes when they would kiss (and make the audience laugh every time she grabbed his asssssss 🤣), but the lack of pictures and communication made it way too difficult for either of them to pursue anything else 😬.
Bex sees how successful CJ is, but that’s OK 🤷🏻♀️.
Will sparks fly when they’re in the same room again?
I liked:
—the banter 👏🏻
—the kisses that made the audience crack up 🤣
—the tension
—the one kiss their shared 🔥
I didn’t like/needed more of:
—🔥
—more than a HFN feeling (peep at my review for the book before this)
—less confusing terminology 🤣. My eyes were glazing over when certain things were said 🤣
—we find out that he’s been in relationship/flings since, but we don’t really know much about her 😑😒
Overall, this was cute ❤️, but it’s definitely not my favorite
January 27, 2026
this novella had more characters than the number of pages. the whole romance was all over the place, and i don’t even know what happened, except that shrimp tacos and food poisoning were the main highlights of the story. the theatre dynamics should have been fun, but it was way too chaotic for me to understand what they were even performing. also, the characters just fell in love like that? nothing happened, but also something happened that made them obsessed with each other for eight years, and now they’re back and suddenly completely in love? wasted potential.
January 25, 2026
Story 4 stars. Narration 5 stars
This was a fun novella centered around a theater show when food poisoning strikes it. The main character doesn’t get sick, but the main character of the production has to be swapped out. Turns out the characters worked together many years before. This was a second chance story. I enjoyed it and really wished it was longer or had an epilogue.
This was a fun novella centered around a theater show when food poisoning strikes it. The main character doesn’t get sick, but the main character of the production has to be swapped out. Turns out the characters worked together many years before. This was a second chance story. I enjoyed it and really wished it was longer or had an epilogue.
January 29, 2026
Noises off!
Backstage chaos wow this took me back to the craziness of theater, the nerves and actually having fun through the everything going wrong. The romance was cute, but I actually liked everything else and romance a side- which was refreshing.
Backstage chaos wow this took me back to the craziness of theater, the nerves and actually having fun through the everything going wrong. The romance was cute, but I actually liked everything else and romance a side- which was refreshing.
February 2, 2026
literally all over the place 😭
January 22, 2026
⭐️⭐️
Mehhhhh! I found this boring from the get go. I couldn’t connect to the characters or the story. Definitely skip this one 😴😴
Mehhhhh! I found this boring from the get go. I couldn’t connect to the characters or the story. Definitely skip this one 😴😴
January 26, 2026
3.5 stars. I love Julie Soto's writing. I love her romances. This was great. A fun, sweet novella. If anything, I wanted more from this couple!
January 22, 2026
3.25 stars!
This one was cute! The less important parts dragged while the moments between the two main characters were speed up. 90% of this novella was either talking about scenes of the play or the health (or lack thereof) of the actors.
This one was cute! The less important parts dragged while the moments between the two main characters were speed up. 90% of this novella was either talking about scenes of the play or the health (or lack thereof) of the actors.
February 4, 2026
3.5
Don’t eat the shrimp tacos!
I honestly love anything to do with theater and this was a crazy short story, but I absolutely ate it up
Don’t eat the shrimp tacos!
I honestly love anything to do with theater and this was a crazy short story, but I absolutely ate it up
January 30, 2026
maybe if i was a theater girl i would’ve enjoyed this more?
January 25, 2026
This story was overwhelming. It’s literally just one very long chapter, with character names, song titles, and theatre lingo constantly being thrown at you. I think if you’re familiar with the musical Oklahoma! you might have better luck keeping up, since it’s very heavily focused on the production.
I did enjoy the chaos of the cast falling ill with food poisoning and the sudden arrival of TV actor Colby J. Turner (someone Bex shared on-stage chemistry with eight years ago) coming in to save the day. The story itself wasn’t bad, but I was completely dragged down by the overload of information.
(heat level: kisses only + language)
I did enjoy the chaos of the cast falling ill with food poisoning and the sudden arrival of TV actor Colby J. Turner (someone Bex shared on-stage chemistry with eight years ago) coming in to save the day. The story itself wasn’t bad, but I was completely dragged down by the overload of information.
(heat level: kisses only + language)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,432 reviews