My Grumpy Second Chance: A He Falls First Small Town Romance

by Katelyn Jasper

My ex just rolled back into town after ghosting me six years ago.

The same man who shattered my heart is now Willowbridge's golden boy veterinarian—and my boss wants me to interview him.

Nate Wilder still has those green eyes that used to see right into my soul.
Still has that cocky smirk.
Still makes my traitorous heart skip when he says my name.

I'm here for the story.
Not to remember how his hands felt tangled in my hair.
Not to notice the way he growls my name like a warning.

Then my editor drops another bomb—we're shooting a documentary together.

Weeks of forced proximity with the man who left without a goodbye.
The man who's now looking at me like I'm the one who got away.

He says he fell first.
He says he never stopped falling.
But I'm not that naive college girl anymore—and I won't fall for his pretty words twice.

The whole town's watching.
My heart's on the line.
And Nate Wilder isn't giving up without a fight.


Perfect for fans of grumpy/sunshine, he-falls-first, second-chance small-town romance with forced proximity, a pining MMC, and an FMC who's not making it easy.

Book 2 in The Willowbridge Series. Each book can be read as a standalone with its own happily ever after.

311 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 16, 2026

Reviews

[Jinane Abou Hassan zahran · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Grumpy Second Chance is everything I want from a rom-com second-chance contemporary romance and more! Honestly one of my best reads this year, if not the best. This book genuinely made me happy, with laugh-out-loud banter (that “Fifty Shades of Hay” lives rent-free in my mind), swoony tension, and a twist I knew was coming. Nate, golden boy veterinarian, is an absolute catch! Grumpy, devoted, and impossible not to love, while the journalist Harps’s doubts felt real, earned, and deeply relatable. I loved how the story focused on reconciliation first, then moved into the harder, more meaningful work of rebuilding a future together. The incredible friendships and small-town support system added so much warmth, heart, and fun. Eight years, one breakup, six years apart, and a thousand mistakes later, they still find their way back to each other; and what a journey it was! Honest, emotional, and deeply satisfying, this cozy, gossipy small-town romance is a beautiful reminder that love stronger than time and distance can truly win. Completely charming, heartfelt, and unforgettable. 💛

[Heather Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a digital ARC of this book. This is my first time reading this author, but it won’t be my last. This is book 2 in the series, which I didn’t know, and definitely contains spoilers to the first book. Which I will definitely go back and read. Harper and Nate were college sweethearts with their entire future planned until he disappeared without a warning, and no word. That was 6 years ago. Now he’s back in their small town trying to manipulate spending time with her through professional channels. The nerve. This roller coaster ride will have you flipping the pages. Obstacles and misunderstandings, small town people overly invested, and best friends there to talk sense into each of them. Light spice, laughter, tears and romance.