Back for Seconds

by Betty Corrello

Two cups of chaos, a dash of generational trauma, and a pinch of Christmas magic.

June Alfiero is just trying to survive her first Christmas post-divorce. If growing up the only daughter of Evergreen's boardwalk pizza king taught her anything, it's how to eat or be eaten.

She's done indulging family drama; she refuses to play games with her ex; and she definitely will not be falling for the viral vegan homecook she accidentally dragged on TikTok after one too many margaritas. 

But when June comes face-to-face with the Adonis himself, Joey Pagano is nothing like his digital footprint. He's patient. Earnest. Maddeningly kind. And navigating his own heartbreak.

The more time they spend together, sharing home-cooked meals and soft confessions,—the more June's hardened exterior begins to melt. 

Suddenly, her small Jersey Shore town is serving up more than bittersweet it's late-night kitchen experiments, flirty bickering, shared secrets, and the kind of steady companionship June had given up on. Joey doesn't shy away from her mess—he pulls up a chair, pours a glass of wine, and asks for seconds.

With every boardwalk stroll and cozy, flour-dusted moment, June feels something inside her unclench. Maybe healing doesn't have to be quiet. Maybe it can be loud, joyful, and a little chaotic—just like Evergreen at Christmas.

But bearing her soul to Joey means risking the kind of heartbreak she's barely recovered from.

Will June take a chance on the delicious magic growing between them—or close the door before Joey can knock again?

From Cosmopolitan's book imprint comes BACK FOR SECONDS, a sexy, sensory exploration of how food, sex, connection, and community can make even the darkest days shine bright with hope and love. It's about letting yourself be seen—mess and all.

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Holiday, Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

Expected publication October 6, 2026

About the author

Betty Corrello is an incredibly beautiful and normal woman. Despite her hardened exterior, she is biologically 95% marshmallow. She blames this on the abundance of water in her astrological chart. Her greatest passion is writing stories where opposites attract, but love is chosen. When she's not writing, she can be found fretting about niche historical events most have forgotten––or petting her very tiny dog. In addition to writing books, she previously performed stand-up and sit-down comedy all over the east coast. She calls herself a stand-up comedian to avoid bullying, but she is actually an improv nerd. She does not like The Harold. She is Italian and American and spent time growing up in both countries. She is a proud Philadelphian. Go Birds.

Reviews

[elise | bookingthroughlife]

oh my god this was perfect holiday magic!!!!!

i love betty corrello's sense of humor & her books never fail to make me laugh so hard i sound like a witch cackling in the woods. and this book delivers so many moments just like that!! highly entertaining and joy-filled. crazy, hilarious moments!! but there's also something so incredibly special in this book. . . it truly feels full of holiday magic✨

the magic of meeting THE perfect person for you at a random neighborhood party. a person that theoretically you should've crossed paths with so many times throughout your life, living in a small town and all, but somehow you never did. until that night. that moment when you both needed each other more than ever, when you're both at this point of your life of change and heartache. but then THIS person sees you for who you are and wants you more for it???? when they don't want you to quiet yourself or fit a particular image, they just want YOU 😭 and then you throw christmas into the mix of what is already an insanely beautiful romance??? that's holiday magic.

this book is so cute and sweet and full of yearning!!!!!! i love joey an insane amount. that man!!!! the way he loves and cares and cooks food?! hello!!! and i love how obsessed with june he is from the very beginning. i love how june and him cannot stay away from each other. ugh they’re perfect. this book is perfect.

genuinely one of my favorite christmas romance books. ever. hands down!!!

thank you so much Cosmo Reads for the gifted arc! this is my honest review.

[Lauren (lololovesthings)]

5 stars.

Betty Corrello is one of my favorite authors. She's constantly putting out hit after hit, and "Back for Seconds" is no exception. I LOVED this book. I laughed, I cried, I got in the Christmas mood. The way Betty combines wit, humor, New Jersey, bombastic characters, and grief or trauma about *something* is something to be studied. She is just so, so freaking funny. Her sense of humor is right up my alley. I absolutely adored June (FMC) and Joey (MMC). The two of them meet a few days before Christmas while at a family holiday party, but it turns out they *technically* know each other already. The night before, while drinking at home with a friend and mindlessly scrolling social media, June stitched a video with one of "JoeyDaVegan"'s shirtless cooking TikTok videos, laughing and giggling all the way to semi-viral status. Turns out, JoeyDaVegan lives in her hometown and is at the same party as her... and he is even more gorgeous in person. As the two get to know each other, they fight and flirt and bicker and talk and cook and be honest with each other and decorate and divulge and get r4unchy and eventually fall in love. They also try to process their mutual relationship troubles. June and her ex-husband got divorced after he cheated on her about a year prior, and Joey and his ex-long-term girlfriend recently broke up. They are both imperfect and messy and charming and sexy and wonderful characters. They are allowed to heal *and* be funny. They are allowed to be imperfect *and* search for meaning at an age when it feels like time is slipping away quicker than they know. I loved their chemistry with one another. It's honestly off-the-charts good. Their dynamic feels realistic, and these characters feel authentic and lived-in. This book is also surprisingly a great Christmas book despite the drama and trauma. I could not stop reading this book once I picked it up. It's wholly bingeable, perfectly paced, and hilarious. Check it out!

Thank you to NetGalley, Betty Corrello, and Cosmo Reads for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

[Carolyn]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I found this so incredibly charming. I love a complicated, messy heroine, and I found June so relatable and realistic. She was petty, and vain at times, and genuinely so funny and warm. She felt lived in in a way that I haven't encountered with a new release in what feels like a hot minute. The setting of Evergreen was also so charming, and the love that Corrello has for a South Jersey Italian American enclave was infectious. Despite Joey being a little flat for me, I don't begrudge the writing for that. Full acknowledgment that I am just not the girl for a cinnamon roll hero. The family dynamics were so great, and I just wish that we got more. Fully intending on deep diving Corrello's backlist, immediately.

[Leia]

I was so happy to revisit the Jersey Shore and meet another Betty Corrello strong female who is going through a season, and this is in a charming Christmas setting. June is loud and angry and full-bodied, recovering from a divorce with a man who diminished her and then cheated to escape. Joey is a trainer and aspiring chef recovering from a ten-year relationship that ended bitterly. They meet and spar and start a friendship with a slow burn, but Joey wants more. The side characters are Italian and Italian-Cuban family and eccentric friends that help them to all embrace where they are in their life stages.

What I loved about this novel was the time spent with June being indecisive and being so angry about her divorce. We know there's a romance ready to happen, but this was very realistic because June was not ready for romance. She is still recovering from a deep betrayal that continuously made her feel too large and undeserving of attention. There are parallels to her parent's marriage and her place in her family that draw out her psychology and lived experiences, which help us understand why this is so terrifying. She then begins to get louder and eat freely and start loving Joey, and it's beautiful. I'm very tired of romance books where the only barrier is trust, because it can be so two-dimensional. This is June analyzing her family dynamic and creating a drastic change to let Joey in. It felt very, very realistic with the shouting, the loud families weighing in, and the sibling dynamics.

And Joey - my fellow Cuban vegan, I can see you very clearly. His experience never feeling smart or successful enough and being a steady caretaker was layered on in each chapter, that we see how beautiful he is beyond that stallion head of hair. He's into her instantly, I'll grant that, but isn't that what happens (often) in real life? I loved reading about him and his family and am sad this is the last Evergreen book, because I need some Mimi bonus content and I really appreciate the themes of untangling your mess by the shore.

I really can't wait to hear this narrated by Joy Nash, who did the other Evergreen novels. I love Corrello's books and listening to the audio versions is sublime, because Nash really embodies these strong, messy female leads and her male voices are delicious. I highly recommend revisiting the back catalog of Evergreen through Nash's narration to see these brassy females get seriously loved.

Thank you to Betty Corrello, Cosmo Reads and NetGalley for the ARC to review early.

[Emily]

Back for Seconds is a fun, heartfelt read full of romance, food, and family.

June loves Christmas, but this year, post-divorce and dealing with family issues, she's just not feeling it. And then there's Joey, recently out of a long-term on-and-off relationship. The two have quite the meet-cute when he walks in to a party after she's roasted him online. Despite the awkwardness, a friendship forms and grows into something more.

I appreciate how real their growing relationship feels. They are coming into it with broken hearts and are cautious, but when there's a connection like theirs, it can't be denied. I loved the role Joey's grandma played helping them along and can relate to the grief he was feeling.

The only thing I would have liked to see but didn't is what happened with the family restaurant. I'm sure there would be growing pains, but it would be a huge success.

Thank you, Betty Corrello, Cosmo Reads, and NetGalley for the advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Leah Tang]

A very solid 4/5! I struggle a lot with my feelings around Christmas - I’m often the ba-hum-bug type 😅 and so, normally I don’t enjoy a holiday romance novel… BUT THIS WAS SO GOOD! And actually made me look forward to Christmas this year a little more❤️
I mainly just wish that the chapters could have been a little shorter. But would definitely recommend!

[Cassidy]

This book was a treat. It is full of sugar, spice, and Christmas magic. Life has knocked down both of the main characters. We see them trying to get back up, navigating their traumas while being obsessed with each other. There was a realness to the story I felt. It also made me hungry. I didn’t know it was part of a series. I want to go back and read the previous books and maybe one day there will be more.


I voluntarily read an early copy.

[Holly Schwartz]

This was fantastic!! It’s the perfect holiday romance!! And while it’s centered around Christmas and a little holiday magic it really feels like a perfect read for any time of year!! I loved everything about the cataracts and the setting and the writing!! I’ll have to go back and read Betty’s other books bc they’re all set in Evergreen and I’d love to be back!!

I LOVE JUNE AND JOEY!!! There really is something so special about the right person at the right time!!! They both had been through it!!! And maybe weren’t really looking for something right now?! But they found so much LOVE and friendship and FUN in each other and it was literally SO PERFECT! They were really able to SEE each other and be able to BE THEMSELVES for the first time in a relationship, and seeing them FLOURISH together!!! Made my heart SING!

Thanks to CosmoReads for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Kasee Baldwin]

ALL HAIL QUEEN BETTY

Betty Corrello’s books are so delectable and I want everyone to know!

A vegan chef (slash hottie social media star) and a recently divorced pizza-shop heiress have a sort of virtual meet-ugly when she stitches and mocks one of his shirtless cooking videos. When the two happen to meet in person at a holiday party, their connection is immediate. Through the Christmas season, they connect over food and festivity, and the result is a smart and sexy, thoughtful and deep romance that touches on meaningful topics expertly. I enjoyed this one so much, as I do all of Betty’s books! A definite must-read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Cosmo Reads for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. BACK FOR SECONDS is out 10/6/26.

[Jen Deezy]

4.5 ⭐

Betty Corrello writes just the most solidly wonderful easy beautiful romances - and this one is no different! What starts as a hilarious meet cute/argument turns into watching two people who are somewhat broken & working on healing themselves or finding out how to be their true authentic self in a relationship & falling in love along the way. It just feels like the most relatistic read while also being incredibly romantic in the most genuine real human way. I really enjoyed it and after really enjoying 32 Days in May as well, Betty Corrello is definitely added to my auto buy author list!

Huge thanks to Netgalley for this arc. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

[Ashley Taisacan]

3.5⭐
While the timeline caught me off guard—almost the entire story unfolds in under two weeks—this ended up being such a cute, fun read!

Despite dealing with heavy heartbreak, the main characters maintained a refreshing sense of youthfulness. I loved their playful banter and how comfortable they were being completely honest with one another. The chemistry between them was undeniable right from the start. I loved the overarching message that second chances aren't just about forgiving the past, but about giving yourself permission to fall in love again.

Thank you NetGalley & Cosmo Reads for this ARC!

[Courtney]

So much of this book, especially the scenes around Christmas celebrations at Joey's house felt like a warm hug. I could smell and feel the cozy and loving family vibe. It was very nostalgic and comforting, as was the spark between Joey and June! The chemistry was off the charts.

What's stopping me from recommending this to everyone this Christmas is that something just doesn't feel fully developed with this story. I don't think we needed the details of moms sex cruise, we didn't need to get the strange snippets of Mimi and... what was the point of the restaurant fight with Dad? It gives the feeling that the author was plotting out several potential ways for the story to go and left them all there without following through. There were just too many times of the story where I couldn't gauge the temperature of what was going on.

I loved the piece about Joey's grandma and that tie together (and the ring!!). It was probably my favorite detail and I was actually bummed when Joey revealed it to June and it sort of flopped. Those deeper moments slid in there too casually. They either should have played a bigger role in the overall story or shouldn't have been included at all.

Thank you to all involved for giving me an opportunity to read this early and help get me into the Christmas spirit!

[Ashleigh]

I felt like this started off strong, but then I had a hard time connecting with the main characters about 3/4 way through. I didn’t really buy into their falling into love fast. Overall I liked the FMC - I found her to be relatable. Maybe it was just the dynamic between her and the cinnamon roll MMC?
I enjoyed the dramatic family aspects, but the drama with her dad at the end really threw me off. It was kind of just thrown in there when it really could have been left out.

Ultimately I think this will be a good unconventional holiday read set in the Jersey Shore.

[Jen]

3.75 ⭐️

Ah, the frustration of a book that is good, but not quite good enough.

Maybe I came into this with expectations that were too high—after all, Corrello’s previous book was one of my favorites of last year. And while this novel is good, I couldn’t help but see all the ways it could have been better.



Things started out strong, and I found myself immediately lost in the story. While I’m not a big fan of insta-love, the connection between June and Joey was palpable right from the start. The relational conflict was believable, rooted in personal histories and old wounds rather than contrived obstacles. And Corrello did a great job, at least initially, of giving both characters the kind of depth and backstories that would warrant such reservations.



However, as the story progressed, I found myself frustrated. At a point when both the story and characters should have come into clearer focus, everything started to feel scattered and fuzzy. Both June and Joey have layers, but never felt fully realized. Whatever pieces of their characters—and the story as a result—were missing prevented everything from clicking together.



Here’s the rub: if this were a different author, would I be as critical? Possibly not. And I want to be clear that I did enjoy this book. I just wish the back half had matched the quality of the first.

Oh, and it’s worth mentioning that while this is a story that takes place during the holidays, I wouldn’t necessarily call it a holiday story. Christmas is more of a backdrop than part of the plot, which is totally fine with me but may fall short of expectations if you’re looking for a cozy holiday romance.



Thanks so much to NetGalley and Cosmo Reads for providing this advanced copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Alyssa Reads and Reads]

Back for Seconds is a charming, emotional romance where characters who each have been burned before find love. Betty Corrello’s small town story allows the characters to be vulnerable while readers root for them each step of the way.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

For the first time, newly divorced June Alfiero isn’t looking forward to the holidays. She cheers slightly when her video making fun of hottie internet chef JoeyDaVegan goes viral. But the next day, she actually meets Joey Pagano IRL and is utterly embarrassed. Joey takes it in stride, as he’s still getting over his finally over (for real this time) ten years long relationship. The pair has an instant bond, even as they both struggle with their emotional baggage. Can they help each other feel confident again while leaning into their mutual attraction?

I love the POV of this second chance romance, where both MCs have loved and been rejected by other people, and need to figure out how to be vulnerable again. They each still believe in love in general, but at the beginning of the story, they aren’t convinced it’s for them. June and Joey are both strong but damaged characters in their own right, and it’s wonderful to watch them lift each other up.

The tone of this book is great. The characters are allowed to be witty and funny while going through intensely emotional times in their lives. And, the offseason Jersey Shore setting makes this a delightful change from the usual small town romance setting.

I’m so glad I took a chance on a new-to-me author and read Back for Seconds. Betty Corrello’s characters and Jersey Shore setting come to life, and that’s all before the wonderful food descriptions. If you are looking for a character driven romance where things aren’t as perfect as a Hallmark holiday movie, read this book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Seershhhhh]

Thank you to NetGalley, Cosmo Reads, and Betty Corrello for offering an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.

Society, we’re still trying to figure out how to want the best for ourselves, how to make our wants and needs a priority. Of course, so many different circumstances can make a person doubt themselves or put themselves on the back burner, whether it’s something from childhood or an abusive relationship with a former partner.
I loved how Betty gave us an MMC who realised the importance of building people up, not tearing them down. I appreciated how much the story hammers home that the right person SEES you for you. They don’t want to change anything about you; they love you for exactly who you are.
It’s about being able to be vulnerable and knowing that feeling comfortable enough to be vulnerable with someone is special. The more you show them, the more they want you.

June, she’s definitely a really relatable character, and I felt like it was realistic. Sometimes a little bit petty, sometimes sweet and warm. She’s confident and building back up. It’s a sweet book, and Joey is a man who knows how to YEARN. From the beginning he’s looking out for June. He does things for her because he wants to, he wants her to feel cared about. It’s a funny book as well, author is funny. 

June was recently divorced, and Joey was in a relationship with someone for a decade. I think they met each other at the right time. Those experiences also helped them to shape how they wanted their relationship to be. They have good banter and chemistry, Joey falls first. It was also a very realistic portrayal of being hurt in the past, but trying to move on from it, allowing herself to be vulnerable again. 



[Jennifer]

What a lovely tribute to the loud, curvy women who have been told they are too much and shrink to blend in. And to the men who think they’re actually perfect the way they are, as long as they’re being themselves. And also to Nonnas who meddle from beyond the grave. I love it all.

June is recently divorced and isn’t looking forward to the holidays at all; she’s got some bad holiday memories, especially when it comes to relationships. At a neighborhood holiday party, who shows up at the door but a neighborhood boy who has become a sexy internet sensation, JoeydaVegan, who has recently broken up with his on again, off again, girlfriend of 10 years. June and Joey hit it off immediately but are both understandably hesitant to jump all the way in.

Back For Seconds does a great job a following characters in their 30s who are on their second round of potential long-term love. They bring their bad (or less than good) experiences to the tables and have to figure out how to move forward. June and Joey are really sweet about acknowledging their histories and trying to work through them together. They have pretty amazing chemistry — I’d gladly take June’s place!

The story does take place during the Christmas season, but I wouldn’t call it a holiday/Christmas romance. That just happens to be the starting point for reasons better understood when you read the book.

I loved these two — they’ve got banter, they’ve got chemistry, and they’ve got the awkwardness of two people who have been burned and are willing to give love another try.

Thanks so much to Cosmo Reads and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book!

[Michelle]

I typically don’t read Christmas books until after Thanksgiving, but I am so glad I didn’t wait on this one.

I loved June and Joey. June is still trying to find her footing after her divorce, while Joey is coming off a breakup with his decade-long girlfriend. June is outspoken when she needs to be, but otherwise she keeps people at a bit of a distance. Joey, though, somehow brings out the best in her. I loved watching her slowly let her guard down and realize that maybe she doesn’t have to handle everything on her own.

And then there’s her douchy ex. When he arrives in town, Joey really gets to show just how wonderful he is. He doesn’t try to “fix” June or tell her how she should feel. He simply shows up for her, and I absolutely loved that about him.

The relationship between June and Joey felt natural, with plenty of banter, chemistry, and those quieter moments that make you fall for a couple right along with them. I also really enjoyed the family dynamics and the small-town Christmas atmosphere. Evergreen felt like the kind of place where everyone knows everyone’s business. And somehow that makes the chaos even more fun. Even Joey’s late grandma gets in on the game.

This was a sweet, funny, emotional Christmas romance with two people who are both a little bruised by the past but willing to take a chance on something new. And yes, it definitely made me want to break my own “no Christmas books before Thanksgiving” rule.

I definitely recommend Back for Seconds if you’re looking for a cozy holiday romance with great chemistry, family drama, humor, and a hero who knows how to show up when it matters.

[Donna]

June & Joey ❤️

When long haired hottie Joey walks into the house where an all ladies event is taking place with his mother, he recognises June. She’s with her mother but there’s no mistaking the woman who was roasting his JoeyDeVegan topless vegan cooking posts the evening before.

June’s as drawn to personal trainer Joey’s sunshine personality as he’s intrigued by her smart sass and curves. What follows are constant, somewhat random interactions in the days leading to Christmas and New Year’s.

Joey’s recently split with his on and off girlfriend of ten years, bought his own cabin on land outside of the small NJ town of Evergreen. Recently divorced June owns the apartment in the house where Joey and his family lived with his late, beloved grandmother. The coincidences keep coming, until it’s impossible to deny the ties that bind them.

I adored reading Betty Corrello’s 32 Days in May and her debut Summertime Punchline, both also based in the same seaside New Jersey town. The relationship between Joey and June clicks into place so easily, neither feel like they can trust their own feelings. They’ve both been burnt in love, and scared to trust their emotions. This is insta-love but with a huge helping of scepticism. Our couple are caring, funny and the banter and honesty are off the charts engaging. Loved it 🥰

Read an eARC copy courtesy of Netgalley and the publisher
My rating 4.5/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫
Pub Date 6 Oct 2026

Connect with me: http://www.instagram.com/read.athon2021

[Kel]

Betty Corello has such a gift for creating characters who feel wonderfully human, and Back for Seconds was no exception.

I’ll admit the romance leaned a little insta-love for my usual taste, but the genuine care, tenderness, and yearning between June and Joey completely won me over. Their relationship felt built on kindness and emotional safety, and watching two people carrying so much heartbreak slowly let themselves be seen was incredibly refreshing. It was less about dramatic tension and more about finding comfort in someone who chooses you over and over again.

The supporting cast absolutely stole the show. Every nosy family member, eccentric town resident, and chaotic side character made Evergreen feel like a place that actually exists. They brought so much humor and warmth to the story that I found myself laughing just as often as I was swooning.

As a Jersey girl myself, this book hit an extra sweet spot. Even though Evergreen is fictional, it feels unmistakably rooted in the Jersey Shore. The boardwalk atmosphere, the Italian-American families, the town gossip, the food, and the fierce hometown pride all felt authentic and incredibly nostalgic. It captured the kind of small-town New Jersey charm that made me feel like I was right there alongside the characters.

If you’re looking for a cozy, food-filled romance packed with heart, healing, hilarious side characters, and a healthy dose of Jersey nostalgia, this one is definitely worth coming back for seconds

[Monica Beard]

I was heartbroken to read that Corello intends this to be her last book in her small Jersey Shore town of Evergreen (Go Birds!). While my beach may be the Delaware beaches, the nuances of small town shore towns and the Philly suburbs is very familiar to this Northern Delaware girl. We've heard a good bit in the books about the delicious Evergreen pizzeria Genie's, and this time we get to meet June, from the Genie's family, who is at a bit of a crossroads after divorcing her husband.

Joey is also at a crossroads after breaking up with his long term girlfriend. I know that if I describe the plot of this story, there isn't much that happens. They eat a lot of dinners (do not read this book hungry), they spend a lot of time talking and they are clearly on a path to inevitably have sex. But the beauty of this book is that it captures the time in your early 30s where you realise that a decade has passed in a blink of an eye and you're not quite sure if the path you're on was worth the energy.

The book does a good job of selling why these two people would be bound to each other - and the fact that they're not together right away does feel like only a matter of time. This is a sweet holiday romance for anyone going home for the holidays and willing to break some bad patterns. Thanks to Cosmo Reads for the early copy.

[Nicole Marie]

4.5 ⭐️ Back for Seconds was messy, warm, sexy, and surprisingly emotional in all the best ways. I really loved June as a heroine. She’s coming out of a divorce, dealing with complicated family dynamics, and trying to figure out who she is when she’s no longer living according to everyone else’s expectations.
Then there’s Joey. Patient, kind, emotionally available Joey. I loved how their relationship developed through food, conversation, attraction, and simply showing up for one another. Their chemistry was definitely there, but it was the softer moments and the way Joey made space for every complicated part of June that really sold me on them.
The Jersey Shore setting during Christmas was such a fun backdrop, and all the food descriptions had me wanting a plate nearby while I was reading. I also appreciated that the story didn’t make healing look neat or easy. June is a work in progress, and the romance doesn’t magically fix everything.
There were a few moments where the family drama and miscommunication frustrated me, keeping this just shy of five stars, but overall I had such a good time with this one.
Funny, heartfelt, deliciously messy, and full of chemistry. Back for Seconds gave me romance, food, family chaos, and a hero who knows sometimes loving someone means pulling up a chair and staying awhile.

[Emilie]

Back for Seconds was an okay read. There were plenty of things I liked about the book; however, the timeline made it hard for some things to feel fully developed. My favorite part of the book was June's character growth. I liked that she wasn't afraid to be vulnerable. It was refreshing to see her divorce not be swept under the rug and to hear how it affected her. I appreciated that the "messy" parts of life weren't glossed over. The story takes place around Christmas, and I thought Corrello did a great job of making the book feel cozy and Christmasy. With the majority of the book taking place over a few days, Joey and June's relationship developed very quickly. As a fan of slow burns, the instalust wasn't my favorite. I wish their relationship had more time to develop. I also found some of their internal thoughts about each other a little too familiar considering they had only known each other for a few days. There were a lot of plot points happening throughout the book. Although I liked getting the snippets from the mom's cruise, they felt a little unnecessary, as did the Mimi moments. The magical aspect with Joey's grandma threw me off a little at first, but I ended up liking it. I thought Corrello's writing was strong, and that she did a great job with the humor. I just wanted more from Joey and June's relationship. Thank you to NetGalley and Cosmo Reads for the ARC.

[Eden]

As someone who LOVED Corrello’s previous 2 novels set in Evergreen, I am super bummed that this story didn’t hit for me. The beginning was really funny and I loved their meet cute! I also loved seeing Del and Eddie again. ❤️ They are couple goals! But there were a few things that kept me from enjoying this book. First, there were too many characters that weren’t easy to distinguish from one another. It pulled me out of the story to have to go back and remember who certain characters were because they didn’t have clear identifiers. Second, the emotions of the characters didn’t make sense sometimes. We’d be making out, it would be great, and then June’d leave and wonder if she’d ever see Joey again...? Huh?? What about that interaction gave her that impression? There was one instance where she just started crying?? Like SOBBING. And I thought maybe he was misreading it and she was really laughing bc why on earth would she be crying...? But no. She was full on sobbing. Randomly (in my opinion). There were multiple instances where the progression of the characters’ emotions didn’t match what had happened in the story. This isn’t typical with Corrello’s writing, and I’m hoping some more editing has taken place between the e-arc and finished copies.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an e-arc for review.

[Kelly (eclectikollection) Abrams]

3.5

Thank you to Cosmo Reads and NetGalley for the early digital copy in exchange for an honest review!

Back for Seconds was a cute read with some genuinely funny moments, and I really enjoyed the dialogue. One of my favorite things was actually how June and Joey started out as friends. They already had that connection and understanding of each other before things turned romantic, and I loved seeing that friendship carry into their relationship.

June was also a relatable FMC, and I enjoyed getting her perspective, especially when it came to all of the messy family dynamics and drama. Unfortunately, somewhere around the last quarter, I started having a harder time connecting with the story and the characters. I knew June and Joey were eventually going to fall in love, but when it actually happened, the transition felt a little rushed and borderline insta-love to me.

I also felt like there were a few things that were setting up something bigger but never really went anywhere, while other moments felt like they were thrown in without much buildup.

Overall, I still enjoyed the humor, the dialogue, the friends to lovers aspect, and the family drama. And since this takes place around Christmas and New Year’s, I could definitely see this making a fun holiday read if you’re looking for something cute, cozy, and a little messy.

[Lisa Hemming]

June and Joey are a match made in heaven or at least in the quaint, small town of Evergreen, NJ, where gossip is rampant and the Christmas decorations are plentiful. As I was reading “Back for Seconds,” it felt as if I was with my extended Italian family and it made me so very happy. The description of the pink and sliver artificial Christmas tree reminded me of the blue and silver tree my Aunt would proudly display in her living room every year! What I wouldn’t give to be friends with June and Joey! I love her feisty and independent nature and the way Joey longingly gazed at June with hope and desire. They both came from big families who are the center of their lives. Naturally, they worry about their siblings, want them to be happy, but sometimes forget to put themselves first. The author’s heartfelt storyline invited me into June and Joey’s lives as if I was related to them in some way. I began to worry about their future, question their decisions and wonder how long it would take for them to finally fall in love. I truly believe I knew June and Joey from the moment their eyes met at the holiday party. Of course, June knew who he was immediately from his cooking videos, but little did June know that Joey recognized her, too. Their awkward meet-cute set the stage for long talks, delicious vegan meals and dreams they both hoped would come true. June and Joey both refused to let drama from their pasts interfere with the happiness they had found with each other. Joey was certain that June was his soulmate and would stop at nothing to win her heart, but could she ever trust herself to fall in love again?

[Jessi]

Thanks to NetGalley, I was able to get an advanced copy of this book.

I was SO excited for this one. I had the opportunity to meet Betty earlier this spring, and she talked about thir story with such love for the characters she had written, I absolutely could not wait to get my hands on a copy

And then I did.. And it just wasn't good. I don't know how or why but none of the story makes sense. You can't bee BOTH so scorned from love, questioning your worth, AND falling IN LOVE in 3 days....No one falls in love in 3 days. Especially someone who is WORRIED they moved too fast in their old relationship.

This just didn't have the magic I've come to love



And now zero stars for Betty. Apparently my review is only worth something if it's positive (and this one wasn't even mean. I just didn't like this book). Spoiler alert, bashing someone's appearance in a thread and IG story isn't the way to win people over. Yes I have blonde hair. And a masters degree. And I have read 100+ books a year. And have championed 32 Days in May (even just recommended it as a birthday gift). But you've lost me as a reader and I certainly will never recommend your writing again

Hope you're "really funny joke" was worth it.

[Rosieee]

Finished this ARC at the beach in Lewes this morning. That means just along the horizon is the Jersey shore, where Joey and June are frolicking around like the little cuties in love they are. Betty’s books have always meant so much to me as a Philly hearted, Jersey shore grown girl. Summertime Punchline I felt seen, known, and loved. 32 Days in May (which I forgot to bring for the photo shoot) made me smile, cry, and learn. Back for Seconds had me laughing out loud, waking up the whole house, kicking my feet, and taking one last trip down memory lane in this idyllic Jersey town.

Back for Seconds is a holiday story of two people who are each recently out of long term relationships (one of them a marriage.) They meet, they fall in love, they celebrate the holidays, and they just be stinkin cute. I loved this one so much and am sad to be saying goodbye to Evergreen for now. I’ll be back in a re-read. ✨

⏲️Vegan and shirtless food influencer AND personal trainer; newly single
📱Woman in STEM; recently divorced
🌊Jersey shore
🎄Christmas time
💕Help each other heal and find true love
🏠Complicated family dynamics
💜CP rep
✨Cultured holiday traditions

[Maria]

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for a honest review
Following tropes:
💋 Leavimg a Cheating Ex/ Finding new love
💋 Fake Dating leading to real relationship
💋 Family Drama ( lots of it )
💋 Insta Love
💋 Curvy Heroine
💋 Rom- Com
💋 Divorced heroine finding herself
If .the Jersey shore cast met the 2005 movie cast of Pizza my Heart you get Back for Seconds. June is a divorced woman who is the daughter of a pizza shop owner. After one too many glasses if wine she trash talks Joey's family's vegan restaurant on tiktok , catching his attention. They battle through cheating exes and family drama to appear as if they are together. Sometimes family and food ( and some internet attention) can bring people together.

Come for the laughter and sweet scenes plus stay for June and Joet both taking back their self esteem after their exes crushed their confidence. The book was well written, engaging and entertaining

My only complaint is the amount of time devoted to June's swarmy ex who broke her heart. Too many flash backs and time spent on their story ( in my opinion). Also the beef seemed one duded..she hadnt moved on but he had, rather then focusing on her healing her broken heart with Joey and not worrying about her exes new life.

[natalie]

This book has BUZZ. I don't typically gravitate toward a holiday romance, but I would follow Betty Corrello anywhere. I adored the messiness of these characters and their circumstances. It is so special to read about characters going through difficult circumstances and being brought closer together because of it. A difficult feat is accomplished in this book as these characters become incredibly important together in only a handful of days, but the emotions of the characters felt poignant and accessible in a way that really sold me on their connection. This story reminded me what it felt like to fall in love with my partner. It also made me SO HUNGRY. I loved the use of food as a metaphor for allowing yourself to gorge on all the messy, imperfect parts of life without shame. This story masters a balance of a cozy holiday vibes, incredible chemistry, and charming humor. A perfect read for messy woman who need a reminder to let themselves be loved. This is such wonderful representation of meeting someone where they are and loving them how they are. 5⭐️