The Second Draft

by Carrie Byrd

An ice queen’s newfound passion for her best friend upends both their lives in this beautiful lesbian romance about the power of desire and discovery.

No one has ever melted uptight Anne Lowell’s icy exterior, not even the husband of thirty years she just divorced. Still, she has her dazzling best friend and neighbor, Sadie Rosenthal, to brighten her days, so she’s content. Really, she is.

But when Anne realizes that her feelings for warm-hearted Sadie might be more than just friendship, she’s no longer able to ignore the shattering truth she’s spent a lifetime repressing.

Anne’s choice is clear. She can keep her rigid existence, or she can find the courage to begin a daunting journey with Sadie—one that just might help them both find true happiness.

Genres: Lesbian, Friends To Lovers, Romance, LGBT, Slow Burn, Contemporary, Queer

342 pages, ebook

Published April 29, 2026

About the author

Carrie Byrd is a California native and college professor who lives just outside Philadelphia. She loves hiking and kayaking, burritos, video games, Old Hollywood, Eagles football and Phillies baseball, teaching poetry, talking a mile a minute, and traveling around the world with her wife.

An extrovert who thrives on a stage, Carrie once won first place by crowd vote for her improvised lip sync of “Jessie’s Girl” at a packed drag brunch. She considers it one of her life’s greatest accomplishments.

Carrie’s favorite word is thistle. It feels good to say out loud.

Reviews

[Unpopmary · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐

I went into this book feeling excited but also a little nervous, as I remembered struggling to connect with Byrd’s debut, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. But The Second Draft completely surprised me in the best way. From the very first pages, I felt pulled in, and I just knew this story was going to be meaningful—and how right I was.

One of the standout elements for me was the characters. I wasn’t expecting them to feel this layered and real. They didn’t just exist on the page. They lived. Even though the main characters come from very different backgrounds than mine, I never felt disconnected. If anything, I felt more invested because their emotions and struggles were written in such a genuine, human way.

Anne’s journey really stayed with me. She starts off emotionally guarded, hiding behind control and perfection, but slowly begins to unravel those walls. Watching her go from someone who avoids feeling to someone who allows herself to fully experience her emotions was incredibly powerful. Her growth felt messy, honest, and real, especially as she begins to prioritize her own happiness over expectations. I also appreciated how her unhealthy coping mechanisms were addressed and how her transformation wasn’t just external but deeply internal.

Her coming-out journey added another meaningful layer to the story. It explores what it means to unlearn shame and face internalized beliefs, especially when those ideas have been ingrained from such a young age. Anne’s path isn’t easy, but it’s honest. Seeing her slowly accept herself and share that truth with others felt incredibly impactful.

The family dynamics were another highlight. Watching Anne realize how her own behavior had shaped her daughters, and then actively choose to change, was such a touching aspect of the story. The effort she puts into being more open, more present, and more understanding made those relationships feel so real and hopeful.

And then there’s Sadie. I adored her. She’s warm, introspective, a little chaotic, and completely unapologetic about who she is. She’s incredibly easy to like, and her authenticity makes her all the more relatable. What I loved most, though, is that beneath her outward confidence lies someone deeply wounded. She carries doubts and fears, especially the fear of not being enough. That vulnerability added another layer to her character and made me love her even more.

The romance really drew me in as well. Sadie and Anne have been friends for years, and it isn’t until something threatens to pull them apart that Anne begins to recognize her feelings. I’ll admit I was surprised by how immersed I became in their love story, especially since it developed fairly quickly. It’s not exactly insta-love, since they already share four years of history, but it doesn’t follow the slow-burn pace I usually enjoy. Anne realizes her feelings relatively early on, and while she doesn't officially get together with Sadie until later, I would have liked a little more time for her emotional realization to unfold.

I also noticed that while the romance starts strong, it loses some momentum in the middle. Just as things were progressing nicely, the relationship took a bit of a backseat to Anne’s personal journey. I didn’t mind the shift overall, but I think maintaining that romantic momentum a little longer could have made their connection feel even more powerful.

Still, their connection was beautiful. Soft, supportive, and deeply emotional. Their chemistry was evident from the start and only grew stronger as the story progressed. I was quickly drawn into their dynamic. Despite being opposites, they fit together effortlessly. Even when they struggled, their bond never felt fragile. It just kept evolving. The longing between them was also beautifully portrayed. Even after acknowledging their feelings, you could still sense how deeply they yearned for each other. Their love felt all-encompassing, and it gave me all the emotions. I couldn’t help but root for them the entire time.

The writing itself felt very atmospheric. It was both sharp and gentle, balancing emotional intensity with quieter, reflective moments. Even when the pacing slowed, the emotional impact never disappeared. It lingered in a way that made the story feel even more intimate.

Overall, The Second Draft is a deeply emotional and introspective story about identity, growth, and learning to accept yourself. With complex characters, meaningful family dynamics, and a tender love story at its core, it’s the kind of book you carry with you even after it ends. Definitely one I’d recommend picking up.

A big thank you to the author for the eARC, I'm feeling very lucky to have read it early!

[Carrie Byrd]

Hello, readers! I deeply appreciate your interest in The Second Draft. If you decide to pick up a copy, I hope Anne and Sadie's story resonates with you.

The MCs in this book find tremendous joy and healing on their journey(s) of self-discovery, but The Second Draft also explores the very painful consequences of lifelong self-denial and unacknowledged emotional wounds. For a list of subject material that may be distressing to readers, please visit my website. (Heads up: the content warnings are also mild spoilers.)

Please take care of yourselves.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the characters a lot in this one, both Anne and Sadie and their children were fun to get to know. However, I do wish the romance had more time on page. I felt like just when things were moving forward between the two leads, they end up apart for a good portion of the book. Good story overall, but the romance took second stage to the coming out story, and that brought my enjoyment of the book down a fair amount. 3.5 ⭐️

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

5stars are not enough.
What an extraordinary journey.

[Stillbittersweet31 · Rating 4 out of 5]

So raw and achingly tender

[Pearl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely. I read it twice over the past days, and have just been wanting to let the experience settle a little.

I loved Anne and Sadie--I loved everyone in their extended social circle (shout out to my ADHD girly Claire and my man Manny from the airport parking lot) and the warm Californian world they exist in. Anne's self discovery is a break-neck dash into freedom. The woman is on a move. Sadie is specific, vulnerable and hot as shit.

I read the preview on Carrie's website at least half a dozen times before this came out. I followed the original work for years, and I'm joyful to see it in this new and improved form.

[Jess Bullock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I loved this book. I had high expectations after reading Carrie's debut last year and this one blew it out of the water. It was so witty and sweet and the spice was spicing. I'm not one for toaster ovens but I just loved this one all around.

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review.

I did my best to avoid any major spoilers and I think I’ve managed that.

Sadie has one of the best character introductions I’ve ever read. She’s vibrant and leaps off the page to show you exactly who she is and that person is an absolute delight.

One thing I just adore about Carrie is her prose and not just for her language use (which let’s be real is incredible). Carrie trusts her readers in ways I don’t always feel in a lot of contemporary books. She lets the reader connect the dots, introduces us to her characters and her settings in a way that’s not too rushed and not too slow. It’s as if she sits you down and says hey want to hear a great story bc I’d love to tell it to you and I find myself responding with an enthusiastic yes every time.

The way I ACHED both at and after Anne’s birthday. What a rollercoaster of shock, panic and confusion.

A coming out story with an older protagonist has always been a dream of mine and the way this book delivers the complexities of it happening at 60 are nothing short of breathtaking. There’s grief, joy, discovery and heartache and I teared up at each point.

Something I can’t stand in romances is when the relationship is a fix it for every problem. I fully appreciate this book for not going that direction. Anne’s revelation around her feelings and thus her identity is definitely a catalyst but it’s not just Sadie’s love and relationship that repairs things for Anne, it’s part of a much bigger picture and Anne living a fuller life.

The sex scenes were pitch perfect.

Truly the only fault I found with this story was that although James, Anne’s ex husband, had the chance to be three dimensional, Sadie’s does not. This ordinarily might not irritate me so much (and could definitely be chalked up to the story being told from Anne’s POV) but given Fred, Hal, and Talisha are the only named characters of color (that I can recall), it rubbed me the wrong way.

Overall, this is a great story and I’ve been recommending it to anyone that’ll listen.

[Gaby QT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sapphic Grace and Frankie???? I love it

[George B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly what I wanted for a late in life, 2 best friends revelation type book. It had me laughing, and gasping out load. One of the best reads all year.

[Avery Friend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Towards the end of The Second Draft, Sadie Rosenthal tells Anne Lowell, “The world needs poets, and the world needs poems. You’re the poem.” Sadie, the poet—literally (she’s a poet and professor) and figuratively (the point of view, the visionary, the lens through which Anne has come to see herself honestly for the first time)—has told Anne this much before: “Of course you hate poetry, beloved. You are poetry. And you don’t like yourself very much.”

When we meet her, Anne is a semi-reformed ice queen: sixty years old, freshly divorced from a man with whom she'd spent thirty years “[creating] a performance they’d agreed to call living”, and the distant mother of two daughters she has neither instinct nor interest in performing differently with. She sits on the appropriate boards, she’s the envy of event planners, her words default to the jugular, and she’s spent so long denying herself virtually every one of life’s pleasures that she doesn’t even realize she’s capable of desiring them.

Enter Sadie, Anne’s next-door neighbor at the start of her new life and before long, her best friend. Sadie is a “glitter bomb wrapped in a hurricane” who, over the past four years, has melted away at Anne’s icy edges in a way no one ever has before, simply by trying.

The Second Draft accomplishes a very great deal in a very short amount of time (much like poetry!). The bulk of the book spans just over a week that begins with Anne learning that Sadie is considering a cross-country move, a possibility so earth-shattering that Anne (who is definitely not a lesbian) is forced to confront her feelings for her best friend and what she wants moving forward. Which would be fine, if everyone could please stop acting like her conclusions mean that she’s in love with Sadie, and furthermore, quite possibly a lesbian—a lesbian whose best friend might love her back.

By the end of the book, Anne still doesn’t quite feel like she grasps poetry, and she’s still working on liking herself. She does, however, see herself through the poet’s lens—through Sadie’s eyes; old memories made new by a different angle; from the top of an observation deck she didn't know existed, overlooking a vast and beautiful expanse Anne never could have imagined. Which is to say: for the first time, she sees herself.

This is arguably the propulsion of the book: if poetry, and poets, cast a different and unexpected slant on something ordinary or cliche or unexamined, then this is what Sadie does to Anne’s entire life when she enters it. For the first time Anne is not only seen, but seen by someone who’s delighted by what they see, someone who wants more: wants to know what she thinks, what she loves, what she wants. And while it’s true that Anne is as generally reserved and uncomfortable in sincere speech and gesture as Sadie is expressive and open—full of “so much warmth that, on a complete whim, she could just toss armfuls of it in Anne’s direction, with plenty left over”, Anne marvels at one point—the writing itself is masterful in showing just how much Anne sees and feels even when she’s not conscious of it. Sadie is the writer, the wordsmith, full of poems and love letters and paragraphs that stop Anne (and the reader) in her tracks, but we’re in Anne’s head the entire book, and it's brilliantly rich in figurative language, metaphor, precise and perfect detail—no more than when she thinks of Sadie. She doesn’t always understand it (in fact, she asks many times and many people/entities to please just explain to her what her thoughts and feelings mean), but Carrie Byrd’s powerful, fresh, and kinetic prose allows the reader to see the version of Anne that Sadie does long before Anne herself can.

If Sadie is the external force that filters Anne through a different slant and forces her to examine what she wants for her life, then Anne’s sexuality is the internal reckoning that recolors her past, tears open the ground of her present, and opens the door to her future. Anne’s lesbianism and coming out journey—though triggered by her feelings for Sadie—is entirely her own, and offers one of the most emotionally resonant depictions of queerness (and lesbianism specifically) that I can imagine. Sixty years of repression and denial give way so quickly and completely, a cascade of revelations, possibilities, and grief that ripples out and recontextualizes every part of her life: her relationships with her children, her ex-husband, her body, food and alcohol, and a lifetime of memories and experiences that, for all their specificity, will be intimately familiar to most queer women. The story doesn’t shy away from the grief that comes with that: “For sixty years, Anne had breathed through a straw, and she was only now just realizing it.” At the same time, the joy and startling comfort of a community she’s only just now learning has always been hers are rendered with tremendous color, flavor, and an almost childlike sense of possibility.

While I could talk at length about any and all of these elements, a few other notes in brief:

- Sadie, my beloved, spends much of the book in the riptides of Anne’s emotional tsunami, but very much has her own journey; her own life and future are very much at stake here, and her fears, desires, and discoveries are no less developed. Not being in her head allows for details and parts of her history that she’s held close to land with incredible weight when revealed. In particular, there’s a scene in which she recounts the breakdown of her marriage that made me—a single woman who’s never been close to married, nor particularly wants to be—cry more than any scene in a book I can remember in the last few years.

- There’s incredible, laugh-out-loud humor in this book, with too many stand-out quotes to count. If you enjoyed that aspect of Byrd’s previous book, Loser of the Year, you’ll find similarly delightful specificity and brilliantly absurd dialogue; Anne's POV also offers so many moments of unwitting hilarity, even in intense and painful circumstances.

- The mother/child relationships between Anne and her daughters and Sadie and her son (and daughter-in-law, an underrated hero of this book) take up a relatively small amount of text but are rich both in dynamic and potential.

- The sex is hot as hell, all the more for being rooted in the realism of Anne and Sadie’s ages and experiences. It’s joyful and creative, a little self-conscious but also a little kinky, and it’s incredibly satisfying as a reader to see two post-menopausal women experiencing this kind of intense, overwhelming, and helpless desire—especially Anne, who for the first time is having sex she wants to be having.

- Have I mentioned the poetry of it all? I will again. One of Sadie’s poems is included in the book, and the opening line is going to haunt me for a long, long time.

The Second Draft is a love story—between Anne and Sadie, absolutely, but also between Anne and every part of herself that she’s hidden away so well; every feeling or desire or regret that she’s crushed into something small and hard enough to pretend doesn’t exist, even as they’ve torn at her insides for decades, trying to break free. It's made her harsh and cruel in many ways, with consequences to those around her, and we’re not given the chance to gloss over that just because she's changing for the better. Through most of the book, Anne isn't particularly kind to anyone except Sadie—she's working on it!—but the book itself is. The Second Draft is one of the kindest books I’ve ever read: an unflinching, fluorescent dissection of shame, grief, anger, regret, and atonement that doesn’t leave a cell unexamined but rinses each open wound clean with saltwater, balms each poorly-healed scar, and presses love and care into each painful, ugly, and exposed vulnerability.

This is the love that Sadie gives to Anne, that Anne haltingly begins to accept for herself, and that Anne is able to offer to Sadie in ways she didn’t know herself capable of. It’s also very, very much a love that I felt fiercely as a reader. For all that Anne and Sadie both are incredibly rich and specific characters, the viscerality of their emotional experiences never faltered; there were moments when I felt almost voyeuristic being inside of Anne’s head, and moments when I felt wildly exposed by the intensity and precision of Byrd’s writing. This is one reason that I’m recommending this book wholeheartedly to a number of friends who aren’t queer, romance readers, and/or otherwise folks I tend to recommend sapphic romances to: this is a book I want older and aging women to read, women who think or are told they’re too much or not enough, women whose desires and needs have been pushed aside or minimized, women who feel like they’re undeserving of anything less than everything. In short, this is a book I want a lot of people—particularly women—to read, because they deserve to be and feel seen.

The Second Draft never looks away.

[Jessica Jayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Absolute Masterpiece: Beautifully Queer, Spectacularly Real, and Utterly Breathtaking!

This book is quite literally art in literary form. Exquisite, stunning, breathtaking—honestly, pick any word from a thesaurus that means "perfect" and it would apply here. It is a masterpiece that belongs in a gallery somewhere.

While this book features a beautiful queer romance, for me, it is, at its heart, a love story in the truest sense. It isn’t just about the connection between two people; it’s about the vital, life-saving love we must have for ourselves. It highlights that brave, universal truth: that no matter your age, you can choose to stop, look around, and do the work to become the healthiest, happiest version of yourself. Watching Anne overhaul her life—not just discovering her sexuality but truly healing—reminded me that reclaiming your existence is a journey available to every single one of us. It explores the complexities of physical and mental health, and family—both blood relations and the family we choose—with a depth that is rarely seen. Many times, "ice-queen" or "grumpy/sunshine" tropes are linked to high-stakes careers or worlds we may never step foot in. This, however, feels all-encompassing. It doesn’t need high-speed car chases or natural disasters; the complexities of real life reflected through Anne’s eyes are cataclysmic enough.

The saying “from 0-60 in 0.2 seconds” has never applied to so much in so many different ways as evidenced in this book. The "friends-to-lovers" journey, or should I say whirlwind, between Anne and Sadie is utterly glorious. One of the absolute highlights is the hilarity of the human condition—the awkward, laugh-out-loud moments that balance out the deeper themes. Watching Anne go from being utterly unimpressed with sex to becoming insatiable once she accepts herself fully was a pure joy to read. It’s spicy, it’s ravenous, and handled with such a brilliant, light touch that you’ll find yourself chuckling and blushing in equal measure.

Carrie’s writing is so breathtakingly beautiful; it feels so right that Sadie is a poet because this book feels like poetry in motion that I savoured with every word. I found myself frequently backtracking just to soak in the vivid descriptive imagery and the unbelievable "humanness" of Anne and Sadie. They felt so real that I genuinely feel a sense of grief now that the book is over. Like all the best books, it felt as though it ended far too quickly, simply because I wasn't ready to leave these characters behind. I want so much more of Anne and Sadie’s world and those that left an impression. Especially Claire; she feels like a mini-Anne, but instead of the acid-soaked barbed wire, she hides behind her fabulous humour. She was utterly hilarious.

Quite simply, The Second Draft is a masterpiece—vibrant, funny, and profoundly human. It has that rare quality that reminds me of the classics; it’s a story about the human condition that stays with you long after the final page. An absolute must-read for everyone!

[ReadingwithCaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this story! Tender, beautiful, euphoric, earth shattering. You think life ends after fifty? Well hun, think again!

I received an advance copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Anne has done everything she was supposed to do. Married the man, had two children, made sure she was perfect in appearance and admired by her peers. Then her husband turns out to be gay and she is left at almost sixty with..what? An empty shell of what should have been a flawless life. Enter new neighbor Sadie. She is in almost everything the opposite of Anne: vibrant, flamboyant, loud and Sadie knows how to enjoy the little things in life. The two women become fast friends until Anne realizes her feelings for Sadie run much deeper.

I truly savored this book. With a really good book you just want to keep turning pages to see what will happen next. With this spectacular book I did that but then I would stop and go back to a scene I read before just so I could inhale the beautiful poetry of Byrd’s words, these characters and the feelings they evoked.

The difference between Anne and Sadie is like night and day. Byrd has a true talent in writing authentic and intricate characters. Anne made herself large on the outside but dulled every want and desire on the inside. Sadie indulges and slowly ads color into Anne’s boring existence.

The story is told from Anne’s perspective and her inner dialogue is perfect. She admires Sadie but to say it out loud? That’s not in the wheelhouse of possibilities. The way she struggles to give a simple compliment is painfully accurate. Sadie, on the other hand, is a poet by trade and by passion. I admire her ability to give words to her admiration of Anne. It speaks of a deep and endless love. A love built on seeing another person with all their pluses and minuses. All their intricate details combining into a whole human being and loving every little bit.

Jewish religion and traditions are very important to Sadie and they are an inherent part of her life. Hebrew sayings are weaved into her story and are translated both for Anne and us as readers. It warmed my heart to read about a kind form of religion where Sadie finds strength not punishment. It’s not a huge part of the story, but it is integral nonetheless.

The Second Draft is so many, many wonderful things. Another highlight for me is the natural way in which these characters experience intimacy. Yes they are ‘older’ and yes that brings with it certain challenges for a female body. That does not mean in any way, shape or form that spicy times cannot be had, and girl, Anne and Sadie light some exquisite fires!

I can go on and on about the beauty of this story, but I’ll leave you with this: WE NEED MORE STORIES WITH WOMEN OVER 50-60-70!!!! Life isn’t over after fifty. As Carrie Byrd shows us with The Second Draft and her creation of Anne: you can start living authentically at any age. Whatever that might look like for you. Now…go read it!

[M the avid reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Put this at the top of your reading pile; it's far better than any superlative can ever convey

This book is so extraordinarily good it's hard to express.  Any words I've come up with seem inadequate to the task.
Byrd's debut novel, Loser of the Year, had me eager and curious to see what she would write about next.  I dove into The Second Draft without reading the synopsis (I never do) or the warnings on her website (still haven't read them) so I had no idea what the story was about nor did I care; I let Byrd's fantastic storytelling pull me in and it didn't disappoint.  It's challenging to find words to describe just how amazing this book is, how much of a must read/put it on the top of your TBR pile it is, because even the most superlative words fall short of doing the writing justice. TSD is loaded with humor, drama, angst, romance, awe and wonder, with two 50+ main characters whose friendship alone is enviable.  Once other feelings awaken between them, it sets off a ripple effect that permeates Sadie and Anne's relationships with family members (as well as each other) and a cascade of other realizations needing to be acknowledged, confronted and addressed accordingly.   There's no airbrushing here over conflicts, fears, unhealthy choices, behaviors, and attitudes.  Emotions are raw and unfiltered, uncomfortable for both reader and story characters at times but also sweet, uplifting, hopeful and affirming.  Epiphanies and healing for the characters are both jagged and painful along the way, as is the resistance to face some or any of it.  Anne's personal discoveries are at times so devastating to read but make her victories, however small to the outsider looking in, all the more inspiring and cheer worthy.  It's impossible not to root for Sadie and Anne as they navigate their own peeling back the layers of the emotional onion, put in the work and be unapologetically true to themselves.  The family dynamics in this story are on point, be it between siblings or parent and child: humorous, complex, familiar and so very relatable.  If you love to read stories that give you all the feels, this one does and even provides feels that don't show up in most lesfic romance stories.  If you value top shelf writing this is a must read.  If you like tropes this is a must read.  If you want to read characters really go thru genuine emotional rollercoasters and bumper cars (the good the bad and the ugly) without skimming the surface, who are so beautifully human in their flaws as well as their strengths, this is a must read.  You'll  get all that and so much more in The Second Draft.  As Byrd continues to grow as a writer and master wordsmith I'm all the more eager and a little impatient to see and read what she publishes next and hope she never runs out of stories to tell.  I strongly recommend this book and her debut novel.

[sapphicliteratureirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚 ARC Review 📚 Thanks to the author for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Having absolutely loved Byrd's debut novel 'Loser of the Year', I was very excited to get into this!

From the outset, the author’s dedication to “late-blooming sapphics” sets the tone for a narrative that thoughtfully explores desire, courage, repression and, ultimately, self-discovery 💖🏳️‍🌈

It’s a journey that feels both deeply personal and widely relatable.
Byrd’s writing stands out for its distinctive descriptive style and nuanced characterisation. Anne, recently divorced, initially presents with an icy exterior, yet beneath that is a fiercely protective and quietly vulnerable woman. In contrast, Sadie, her neighbour and best friend, is warm, open, expressive and loving. The chemistry is unmistakable from their very first meeting.

What follows is an evolution from friendship into something more 🔥 Watching Anne fall in love and come to understand herself is beautifully tender and compelling.

There’s a particularly gripping sense of urgency as Anne realises she must act or risk losing Sadie, and that emotional tension carries us through the novel’s many highs and lows. The story doesn’t shy away from the complexities of coming out later in life. Instead, it embraces them, taking us from moments of heartbreak to scenes that genuinely made me laugh out loud. Even side characters like Claire and Brooke, add humour and warmth - Anne’s adult daughters provide a touching layer of support as she navigates self-discovery over a lifetime of self-denial 💝

There’s a lovely sense of thematic layering too, especially in the recurring motif of Anne allowing herself to “eat what she wants”, both literally and metaphorically - a powerful symbol of reclaiming her life.

And the romance itself is wonderfully written: intimate, heartfelt, and undeniably sexy 🔥🌶 bookending the story with a sense of joy and fulfilment.

As the title connotes - life, like writing, is a process of revision and growth. Ultimately, this is a deeply affecting and uplifting read: a second-chance love story that reminds us it is never too late to discover who you are, or to choose happiness ❤️

[Shannon Luchies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne is minding her own business when her neighbor Sadie visits to tell her she's blowing up a boulder blocking her driveway via dynamite. This is also the first time they met... so yes, Anne is just a bit thrown. Especially when out of the blue Sadie declares they're going to be friends.

Four years later they are close friends, and so Anne is shocked to hear Sadie might move for a New York job. She asks Sadie who admits that she's considering it, but she's realized there's a problem: she literally feels she can't live without Anne around.

Anne has a panic attack.

I love that Anne's daughters Claire and Brooke are both 'Duh. You're in love with her.' Love Claire here, the whole scene is hysterical.

Sadie and Anne talk, and she kind of proposes a Boston Marriage std thing, but Sadie admits she's sensually attracted to her. Anne then leans forward and kisses her. Which shocks Sadie, too.

The discussion of exes and such is awkward, as expected. Anne admits to herself that she may have never been attracted to men, just did what was expected.

'The Prickly Pear Motor Lodge' as the site of their first time is hilarious. Their fumbling then trying Google was sweet, then the sex scene.

Sadie suddenly says they need to slow down. She confesses she's worried she'll fall for Anne, who'll then leave her like her husband did. They fight.

Anne coming out to James, her ex, and his boyfriend Arthur is adorable. They talk, Anne goes to her car and checks her phone... Sadie went to hefrson, freaked out, he then called Brooke and Claire and they all called Anne. Oops.

Sadie and her ralk, agrees that Sadie should do the one week New York trip, while both deal with their stuff. Anne comes out to Brooke and Claire, Claire being the funniest.

Sadie returns on Mother's day to the slightly goofy party Anne and Brooke set up. Sadie brings flowers, then she and Anne traumatized the kids with a public display of affection.

Wrap up....

4.5 stars out of five. Really good mix of humor, romance and drama.

[Jessica Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loser of the Year is one of my favorite sapphic romances so I was really excited to be able to read Carrie Byrd’s sophomore novel, the Second Draft early. When the e-arc from the author arrived one early morning, I downloaded immediately and read the first couple chapters with my morning coffee. It immediately reminded me of one of my favorite shows, Grace & Frankie (but even gayer). I enjoyed the first meeting of Anne & Sadie becoming neighbors and while part of me wanting to keep reading as they got to know each other, I understand the significance of sharing their story after having known each other for a few years and you get the sense of how they’ve come to mean so much to each other. I also enjoyed the family dynamics of the story with their exes and children and the growth that came from understanding their past. Being a late in life lesbian myself after a husband, I could really resonate with Anne’s story especially even if I was half her age when it happened for me. I really liked the character growth especially for Anne and am so happy for Sadie and Anne - their love and care for each other is beautiful and I can imagine their lives getting more richer and fuller in the years to come. There aren’t enough books with older characters in the romance genre and I think they are important stories to tell especially the queer ones. I have come across many older women who have either come out at an old age or had to spend a lot of their life hiding who they are - and some don’t come out at all. This story is a testament that it’s never too late to be who you are and to love who you love.

Read if you like:
- Sapphic romances
- Friends to lovers
- late in life awakenings
- Steam with your romance
- liked the show Grace & Frankie
- like romances with older characters such as the books: Honey in the Marrow by Emily Waters and Margin of Error by Rachel Lacey

*Thank you to the author, Carrie Bryd for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review*

[Charlie Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, where to start?! This is an incredible book. I adore Byrd’s writing style, it’s wonderfully easy to read, full of depth, emotion, and creative zeal that knocks you upside the head, and drags you by the ear from anything else you’re thinking of doing, into her world. Into Sadie and Anne’s world.

This book read like a love letter to the ‘self’. Full of little ‘lightbulb’ moments of realisation and acceptance, solidifying and unifying the somewhat singular experience of becoming who you are meant to be. It was glorious.

Anne and Sadie become unlikely friends after meeting in their sixties, post divorce from their respective husbands. Feeling an instant connection, the story fasts forwards four years, showing how a friendship can help show you the best way to be yourself.

A late coming out story, the themes are handled so sensitively, without being overdone or over explained. Sadie, with her unique brand of self assurance, whilst at the same time, fragility, blends and contrasts so well with Anne. Her poised and conserved appearance only skin deep, when all is said and done.

Oh and the side characters, less side and more just added into the ensemble! They are hilarious and actually had me laughing out loud. The wit in this book is incredible.

There is something everyone can take from this; whether it’s more self awareness, coming out, or helping you realise different family connections. It’s inspirational reading and I felt absurdly encouraged to be more myself reading. So for that, Carrie Byrd, thank you for the courage.

Oh and did I mention the spice?! Holy Moly! It is… m’am I was not prepared. It is glorious!

Availabile on KU, I strongly encourage you to read this, you won’t be disappointed. You will be inspired!

[zagzig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is the first ice queen idiots-to-lovers romance I've read? and it works it really works

ice queen Anne learns her sunshine best friend Sadie might be taking a job on the other side of the country, and has a completely normal reaction. the opening act of the book is hilarious carnage as Anne careens between extreme emotional responses all while insisting she's heterosexual and this is platonic. things slow down and we start having feelings after that, and that was great as well even though I would have happily accepted an entire book of Anne assuring everyone she's not crazy she just has a brilliant idea for a legally binding platonic best friend arrangement where neither friend can move to New York without the other

Anne is a hilarious and sad lead. I appreciated the twist on the ice queen where Anne is never, ever icy towards the other romantic lead and it never plays a significant role in their romantic dynamic. instead, she's super mean to herself, her ex-husband, her daughters, and this random lady who hurt Sadie's feelings. there's a wonderful arc of Anne rebuilding her relationship with herself as well as her relationship with her family. Sadie has her stuff as well, my favourite thing about romances with older leads is all the baggage and emotional weight

very lovely, very funny, very emotional

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful and unique story, I loved Loser of the Year, but this book was next level good. Having MCs hitting 60 such a brave move, I am that age, so I know how rare it is since I keep on looking for exactly that. I know the author is younger than that, but I can say she is really knowing what she writes about. Just like in her previous book this is a book only written in the POV of one of the MCs, in this book the very complicated Anne. I would love to get the POV of Sadie someday soon, she is just such a perfect character, who can avoid falling for her.

Imagine realizing at 60 that you are in fact a lesbian, that your whole life has been a lie and you are in love with your best friend. That is such a revelation for Anne, and I loved to read about how she handled that. Sadie has been so loving friend the last four years, they are so different but work so well together. Anne has always kept her distance until one day when she finds out that Sadie has applied for a job to New York and may leave her. That would be impossible for Anne survive, she cannot live without her. Is that in fact romantic feelings she has for Sadie and are those feeling reciprocated.

The story from there is so good that I took a day off from work to finish the book, that is quite a high level of praise for this book.

[ASapphicLitReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am affectionately naming this as the gayest book that I’ve ever read! The denial and then the subsequent angst were so beautifully written and I almost wanted Anne to be in the dark about her feelings for a little while longer just so that I could remain in that headspace with her. I could have read like 20 more chapters of this story.

I love an ice queen who uses her powers for good which is exactly what Anne is. I feel like she’d burn the whole world for Sadie if she asked. And I feel like Sadie would save the world for Anne if she asked. It was so cute how they worked together in life with Sadie softening Anne’s sharp edges and Anne supporting whatever whim Sadie set her heart on.

My favorite thing about this book is that it’s not just a romance but also the story of Anne’s journey of self discovery. She learns who she is and who she wants to be and not just in terms of who she is with Sadie but who she wants to be for herself. I thought this was immaculately done.

Carrie Byrd’s writing is incredibly moving and I can’t to read whatever she writes next. I loved this book and I know that I will love it even more every time I reread it in the future. I’d recommend this book to anyone looking for an ice queen romance with a later in life coming out and a woman’s journey to become the best version of herself.

[Henriette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous bouquet of delicious writing
I can‘t rave enough about this new book by Carrie Byrd. It‘s an absolute delight to read. I had to highlight so many passages to reread and savor!
There is Sadie, wonderful, warm-hearted, a glitter-bomb of poetic existence and a poet herself. You got to love Sadie and her special sense of fashion. She adores Anne - Anne, her neighbor is ice-queen personified - living a regimented life as she thinks it should be: food, wardrobe, furniture, relations - everything utter perfection.
The moment and the journey when both and especially Anne realize that there might be more than best-friendship between them is told in breathtaking prose, with deep insights into both characters (and the society which shaped them): Several times I had tears in my eyes, I had to laugh out loud about the hilarious moments, my heart ached and my heart cheered Anne and Sadie on. Read.This.Book.
Off to re-read more of my favorite passages.

I received an ARC. The review is left voluntarily.

[Phoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, Carrie Byrd really DELIVERED with this one.

I won't spoil the plot here, but this is a good one. Tender, heartbreaking, passionate, hopeful and sad all at once. This story and these characters had me tearing up through most of the middle of the book. The older MCs (mid 50s and 60) were so refreshing to read-- women who had lived a lot of life but are also incredulously exploring new emotions and human experiences together. The characters being older lent a sense of urgency to the romance and sexual awakening aspects of this story.

Byrd's writing is amazing as expected if you read Loser of the Year, and she has also developed tremendously as a writer and storyteller since her debut novel. The plot is tight, the pacing spot on here, the characters well-drawn (including the supporting cast of their adult children and Anne's ex-husband and new partner!)

Really enjoyed this one and appreciate what it adds to the sapphic literature sphere.

More stories about later in life comings-outs, more older MCs, please!!

Read this one, you won't regret picking it up.

[MolaMolaAndCats · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I most appreciated about this book is that it didn’t treat its readers like idiots. It’s not that it was terribly subtle, but the jokes and cognitive dissonance were allowed to exist in their own right, without the narrator going “and everyone laughed.” It made it both significantly more funny and more thoughtful. It really felt like I was in Anne’s (slightly obtuse) head.

I thought the short timeline on the book was really well done, especially with such an unlikeable main character. It had such a clear view of exactly the story it wanted to tell. This was a story about a turning point in these characters’ lives and the glimpses of what the MC and her life was like were brief but carefully selected to show her growth.

I mentioned in my review of the author’s debut that I was excited to see what she was capable of next, and I’m very glad to see how much she improved between these two books. All the good parts stayed, especially the side characters, and the rough patches were smoothed into a more polished story that knew exactly what it wanted to say.

[Jennabeebs79 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Second Draft is a smart, emotional, and deeply relatable story about love, self-discovery, and second chances. From their first meeting, Anne and Sadie’s connection is undeniable, unfolding into a powerful romance filled with sharp dialogue and heartfelt insight. Both women are richly developed, with layered pasts and authentic struggles that make their growth feel real and meaningful.

As Anne confronts the life she’s built and the feelings she’s long suppressed, Sadie becomes a catalyst for change in ways that are both tender and transformative. Their chemistry is compelling, and their journey is as messy as it is rewarding. With vivid writing, honest emotion, and a strong sense of character, this story lingers long after the final page—exploring vulnerability, identity, and the courage it takes to embrace a once-in-a-lifetime love.

Check out my complete review at TheLesbianReview.com

[Miranda Glascock · Rating 4 out of 5]

wonderful

God this book was magnificent. I just finished and I already wish I could read it again for the first time. Sadie and Anne remind me of the women from the show Grace and Frankie.

We get Anne’s POV throughout the book but Sadie is a delight to read about through Anne’s eyes, they are opposites in so many ways. Anne has repressed herself in several areas in her life over her 60 years. This is definitely a late in life coming out story. Her unraveling is beautiful and painful at times, I laughed and cried throughout the book. The emotions, the character growth, self reflection, the rigidity of Anne’s self induced preservation throughout her life and finally discovering herself, (def some gay panic-she’s in love with Sadie). We get to tag along for her journey as she’s starting to live an authentic life and making healthy changes towards her own happiness and her future with Sadie.
3 🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Just… chefs kiss!

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was able to get a sneak peek of the first five chapters, several months before it was available to buy. I tried to be patient for the book, but it was very difficult.

I feel great affection for Anne, I also want to give her a “talking to” specifically about how she treats her children.
I’m glad she was able to realize what Sadie was trying to accomplish by going to New York.

I love Sadie. The way she wants to go slow and give Anne a chance to realize the changes that are happening and learn how to accept them.
I love Sadie’s love of life, regardless of how her husband treated her. I love her style, her “take me as I am” attitude.
I love the way she loves Anne’s children.

I’m not one to highlight passages, interesting bits, but I highlighted or commented on 20 or so things I found interesting or wanted to remember.

The Second Draft is a remarkable book I will reread several times.

[LilRip]

absolute MUST READ

If you’re looking for a book featuring mature later-in-life sapphics then this is one you should read. Carrie does a fantastic job of acknowledging the real life changes that happens as we mature and she addresses it with authenticity, humor and grace. She reminds us to be as gentle and forgiving to ourselves as we are to others. She reminds you that love is not found only in spoken words but in the unspoken acts and gestures performed throughout the day. And she reminds you that praise can be kinky AF. 😏

Honestly, if I could reread this for the first time, I’d jump right on it, because as a later in life sapphic myself, there were times I felt like Anne and questioned why my path led me the direction it did but this story is a perfect example of how every journey is unique and valid and no less worthy than anyone else’s.

[Fran Sappharc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fresh, funny and a wee bit confusing!
There is a lot of conversation in this book, and I needed to use my brain to keep up so glad I wasn’t reading tired.
Two mains over 50 is unusual….. Two late in life sapphics is unusual….. The plot is unusual…… And I am loving every unusual bit of this book.
Well, the first time for these ladies, together as two ladies, may be the most believable I have read. I have read many but none as well written as this!
The aftermath is also refreshingly realistic. I am loving this book and delighted it is a good length!
I have finished the book, finished reading it but I think fragments will stay with me for a long time, if I’m lucky, forever…… which I hope will be a long time.
This book is 5, rounded down to 5 because you can’t go higher!

[Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just gorgeous. The prose was beautiful, the characters were endearing, and the spice was blush-worthy while still remaining tasteful.
This is my first Carrie Byrd read, and I can safely say I will be consuming everything she writes from now on. I finished this book within 24hrs of its release and still can't stop thinking about it, to the point where I think I'm going to have to reread it already!
The story was emotional and captivating, even though, really, not much technically happens. The relationships between all the characters (Anne and her daughters, for example) were unique and complex, and played just as much a part in the story as the budding relationship between Anne and Sadie.
I can't recommend this book enough. I just didn't want it to end.