Second Helpings: A queer m/m second chance romance

by Dylan Morrison, Jordy Evan Hope (Narrator)

Warm, funny, and delectably swoony—a second-chance romance with found family, a chaotic deli dog named Pastrami, and all the comfort-food you could ever want.

Sam Adelson has spent over a decade pouring his heart into Silverman's Deli, the beloved Cleveland institution his family has run for seventy-five years. So when a scathing review tanks his business, Sam develops some strong feelings about the critic responsible. Fantasies involving expired clam juice may be involved.

Then Jake Thompson walks through the door—Sam's first love, the one who got away. Reconnecting after twelve years feels like coming home, and having Jake around makes even the chaos of saving the deli feel manageable. But Sam’s fought to move on from the disaster that tore them apart, and now pretending it never happened is becoming more impossible every day.

As Sam falls harder than he ever meant to, Jake's past begins to catch up with both of them. Some recipes are worth perfecting, even when the first attempt was a disaster—Sam just hopes this one doesn't blow up in his face...

Perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and TJ Klune. Second Helpings is a male x male contemporary romance,

- Second Chance Romance

- Surprise neighbors (Again)

- Slow Burn, mild spice + lots of sexy pining

- Cozy Vibes

- Grumpy Steady x Chaotic Anxious

- Forced Proximity

- Food as Love Language

- Found Family

- He's Fine (He's Not Fine)

What readers are saying about Dylan

'This book should absolutely be savoured, mouthful by delicious mouthful... the chemistry hit me hard, straight away. I am feral for both of them.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'This. Was. Adorable. I swooned for both of these two HARD! This is grumpy/sunshine delivered!' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I absolutely loved this!! The characters are amazing, so real and full of flaws and funny. They pulled me in headfirst and I dove in without regrets!' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Sweet, funny, heartwarming... The characters were so lovable and well developed and the story was SO well done.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I loved this book. It's funny, cute, and I fell in love with Ben and Pete the moment I met them.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'The characters were so beautifully drawn that I felt I knew them... humorous, really enjoyed it.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Romance, M M Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Queer, Second Chance, Fiction

Audible Audio

Published May 21, 2026

Reviews

[Meags · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

Honestly, this was not a bad read for a new-to-me author and a story featuring a trope I generally dislike and often avoid in my romance reading (AKA a second chance romance). But funnily enough, the second chanced element of this story was probably what worked best for me, if truth me told.

The story follows Sam and Jake, who were a thing briefly in high school, until one (or two) disastrous events—plus some truly HORRIBLE parenting choices—led to their separation for over a decade.

Now, both on the cusp of 30, Sam is desperately trying to keep his aunt’s beloved Cleveland deli open, after a scathing online review from a renowned critic left Sam and his staff scrambling to get customers in the door.

Re-enter Jake, who has just moved back to Cleveland, serendipitously moving into an apartment in the building next to Sam and his deli, where he’s seemingly trying to start life anew after a horrible break-up left him running from the West Coast.

Back in one another’s orbit, Sam and Jake find that effortless chemistry they once shared is still strong, although both men are dealing with a lot on their adulting plates, including, but not limited to, the emotional trauma both of them still carry from what transpired when they were teenagers.

Over the course of one summer, they grow closer once again, getting to know each other as adults, slowly letting down those emotional walls, falling in love (again), and helping each other forgive perceived hurts of the past.

All the while, with Jake’s help, Sam and his ragtag deli staff find new ways to boost the business and get feet through the door of the iconic eatery once again.

The use of flashbacks early in the story actually worked well for me, showing how Sam and Jake first met and what happened to them that led to their 12-year separation. I personally thought these scenes were the best written and most emotionally charged moments of the whole story, even resulting in my sudden burst into tears in the close of the final flashback.

But although I liked Sam a lot, and liked Jake well enough—having not experienced his POV, I felt less connected to him than Sam—I felt like more needed to happen in the present day scenes for me to truly fall for them as a re-established couple, as I didn’t feel they actually spent all that much time on page together before the very predictable third-act-drama rocked their new foundations.

On that note, it was very obvious from the beginning what the conflict would be going forward, and I knew, almost immediately upon starting this book, that I wouldn’t like the drama or how it played out because it involved deception/lies. (Other reviews hold way more detail on this).

Add to this, some of the finer details of Jake’s past and his previous relationship, and most especially his former job, read as both too vague and too preposterous to take seriously at times, which didn’t help matters in making the third-act-drama, and his past’s role in it, feel even remotely probable.

I also can’t express how much I hated the parents in this story (who were only present in the flashbacks, and whose relationships with their sons had no resolution in the future timeline, much to my chagrin), and how much I disliked the whole side arc with Sam’s younger triplet sisters, two of whom were so grossly unlikable and garnered WAY TOO MUCH page time for my liking.

There was clearly meant to be a found family vibe with this story, too, between Sam and his staff, which I just didn’t feel at all. Even two days after finishing the book, I couldn’t name you a single character in Sam’s work orbit, or tell you what they were like—they were too poorly drawn or just unmemorable/unappealing. Where a strong secondary cast can absolutely sell a story to me, this cast of characters left me majorly wanting, and it left an impact on my enjoyment by the time I was done.

However, I will state that I generally liked the quality and style of the writing, and there was something about Sam’s character that kept me locked in and interested in his life all the way through the story, despite my personal dislike/disinterest in practically all of the secondary characters and my unease with how the third-act-drama played out.

Overall, I’m still glad I discovered this story and took a chance on a new-to-me author. I might do my reader due diligence next time, regarding synopses and tropes, but I will still remain open to reading more from this author, if the mood and opportunity strikes.


***A special thanks to Storm Publishing and Dylan Morrison (via Netgalley) for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Shyames · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, cosy second-chance romance with a plethora of whimsical background characters.

Sam and Jake have a history between them from their high-school days, and we discover it piece by piece as selected chapters switch back to the past. It's a bit of a shame that we never get Jake's POV, only Sam's, but I guess the idea here is that Sam is the main character, so as such it works.

There's a lot the characters need to unpack to make things work, and how they get there is quite a journey. It was a joy, though, reading how they (especially Sam) grow into their emotional stability and approach conflict with the kind of maturity that doesn't come easily to anyone.

The plot twist was a bit obvious, but it works, so I'm not complaining. They spent a decade apart and somehow still manage to resolve things in the end, which is all that really counts.

It's an enjoyable, closed-door romance (so don't expect any spicy scenes here), and it works really well.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

2.75 stars

The first third of Second Helpings darts back and forth from high school to the modern day to show how James and Sam met, fell into friendship with one another and then lust, and the event that tore them apart, as well as the event that brought them back together. To be honest, I found the modern days more interesting, as Sam is dealing with the blow to his restaurant, including the lack of customers, having to deal with vendors and staff about money, and the struggle to find some way to keep his business from going under, all while knowing restaurants, no matter how old and established, rise and fall like dynasties.

My overall impression with the book is that it’s flat, fast, and featherlight. I say this as someone who far prefers character centric books, books where I can get invested in the character living through the events of the story.

Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.

[Caz · Rating 4 out of 5]

B- / 3.5 stars founded up.

Having enjoyed Dylan Morrison’s first couple of books ( Fall Into You and Recipe for Trouble ), I was pleased to see he had a new one coming out this month and eagerly grabbed a review copy. Second Helpings is a cute, second-chance romance between Sam and Jake, two guys who fell in love in high school but who went their separate ways after a series of unfortunate circumstances and bad decisions led to a traumatic incident. I enjoyed the story, although its not without weaknesses; the progress of the second-chance romance is told rather than shown, readers will see the crisis point coming a mile off and it’s resolved a bit too quickly and easily – but I really enjoyed Sam and his narrative voice, together with the strong supporting cast and chosen family vibes; those made the book for me.

Sam Adelson runs Silverman’s the much-loved family deli/restaurant in downtown Cleveland owned by his aunt Deb. Sam has lived with Deb for much of his life and knows this is a kind of ‘try out’ for when (if) she decides to hand the business over to him permanently, and he’s determined to make a go of it. He loves the work, the staff, the deli – and he’s very good at what he does. He’s built himself a good life; he’s healthy, has family and friends around him, a roof over his head and a dog he adores; it’s just that sometimes, he can’t help thinking about what might have been, back when he was young and in love for the first (and probably only) time – until it all came crashing down around his ears and his parents sent him to live with his aunt.

Still, things are going well. Silverman’s is part of the fabric of this part of town, business is generally good and they have a solid, loyal clientele – until a scathing review of their food and working practices appears in a well-known magazine and is splashed across its website and social channels. In the two months since it appeared, business has dropped off severely and Sam is worried. He’s doing everything he can to keep costs down while delivering the same service, but if this downturn continues, he’s going to have to start considering drastic measures, such as the lucrative offers he keeps receiving from a local restaurant group - ‘just in case’ he ever decides to sell.

Then Jake Thompson – Sam’s first... everything, and the person tied to some of Sam’s most painful memories - walks into the deli one day completely out of the blue. It turns out he’s just moved back to Cleveland after nearly a decade spent in LA, and has rented an apartment in the building directly behind the deli – an odd turn of fate, given that when they were younger, Jake had lived in the house that was directly behind Sam’s. The meeting is awkward but not unpleasant; they chat about nothing much for a little while, and after Jake leaves, Sam realises he’s almost giddy over the fact Jake had not only actually spoken to him (after everything) but that it had been like… well, not exactly like back when they were teens, but a far better conversation than Sam could have hoped for.

After this, Jake starts coming around more and friendship (re)blooms leading to a rekindling of their youthful romance – which, unfortunately, is still characterised by their inability to communicate properly. I liked them as a couple and they’re cute together, but a lot of the emotional side of the relationship development is missing – we get more insight into their thoughts and feelings when they fall in love as teens than we do the second time around; they go from friendship to kissing and sleeping together (not on the page – this is a kisses only book) quite quickly but there’s more telling than showing and not enough time spent on developing (or re-developing) an emotional connection. As with the author’s other books, the story is told from only one perspective (Sam’s) and I liked being in his head – his inner monologue is funny and self-deprecating – but I’d have liked to have learned more about Jake’s ‘missing years’; all we know is that he was in an abusive relationship with a celebrity who was older than him, but it’s mostly glossed over and I couldn’t help wanting to know more and thinking that knowing more might have helped to make certain aspects of his relationship with Sam more understandable.

The major conflict in the last section of the book leads to the inevitable third act break-up, and, as I said at the beginning of this review, it’s not hard to work out what it’s going to be. That said, it doesn’t actually make a lot of sense – without spoilers, there’s no real build up or reason as to why that person would do that thing or even that he was capable of doing that thing.

Or - actual spoiler:
- no indication that Jake was a writer of any stripe.

Despite those criticisms, I liked a lot about Second Helpings, which is why I’ve given it a tad above a middling grade (and honestly, am hovering between the B- and a B). The author does a great job with the setting and I liked the cosy, well-loved atmosphere of the deli; I liked the sub-plot featuring Sam’s sisters – triplets, two of whom are really close and the third, who doesn’t fit and struggles to be her own person – although I can’t help thinking that maybe that page time would have been better devoted to developing the romance. Sam and Jake’s backstory is told in a handful of flashback chapters and evokes sympathy for Sam’s desire to fit in (as a kid who has moved around a lot) rather than vilifying his choices. Are they dumb? Yes, probably. But he’s a teenager without a lot of parental support or understanding doing the best he can, and I was glad to see Jake become the only person who really sees Sam and understands why he acts as he does.

Second Helpings is a quick, easy read with a lot of warmth and humour, and it earns a qualified recommendation. I’d have liked a stronger focus on the romance, but was entertained by the rest of the story, and will definitely be picking up Dylan Morrison’s next book.

[Marcos “MSMDragon” · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Second Helpings. The characters were well written, the overall story was really good, and the second chance romance was sweet. I also enjoyed the third-act breakup drama! This was a quick, but very good read.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, I stumbled across this book from a Tumblr recommended post by the author, whose username was familiar to me from fandom circles. His latest m/m romance was available on NetGalley, the post said, and I have a NetGalley account, I said, and, listen. I am also a fanfiction writer, and I am currently working on my own original m/m romance. Let's see how the pros do it!

Second Helpings is a second-chance romance between Jake, a guy who's always about to do something but then doesn't get to do it, and Sam, an uber-demisexual who has only liked one guy ever. (Not precisely shade, as I've also been guilty of writing accidental demisexuals, but a thirty year old gay guy who has had sex before and enjoyed it and yet seems to never have really tried seeking it out since his teens...unusual, I'm just saying.) They get together through a series of trials and tribulations while being surrounded by a likable cast at a deli that reminds me of The Bear without the misery.

One thing I love about writing reviews is that I think deconstructing why I do or don't like something makes me a better writer. This is my excuse for complaining. Here are my complaints:

⭐️ Hearth, the magazine that published the negative review is listed as being roughly in the same class as The New Yorker and Harper's Bazaar. Those are very different magazines: the former a stalwart of American journalism and the latter a fashion magazine that last I looked was verging on catalog-y. They do not themselves share a class.
⭐️ Related: Jake's column was about eviscerating high-end restaurants. As the columnist, Jake's job would have been to visit these restaurants on the publication's dime, including all travel as there is no way he was only reviewing restaurants in the Los Angeles metro area. One month Jake brings them a review about a random small-time deli in Cleveland, Ohio that the magazine did not send him to review. And his editor was like...Okay, sounds great? We'll print it, no further questions? Bruh.
⭐️ So, Jake spent a decade in LA as, I guess, a kept boy/sugar baby to an older celeb? But one who couldn't control his own money? While he also simultaneously had a POPULAR OPINION COLUMN WITH NAME RECOGNITION IN A NEW YORKER-LEVEL NATIONAL PUBLICATION? How in the fuck did he get that job? Did I miss further details about his journalism career? Man, what the hell?
⭐️ And yet somehow, through circumstances we aggravatingly never get a clear picture of, all of this leads to him being back in Cleveland afterward so destitute that his appearance is about one missed meal away from full starving Dickensian orphan? WAIT, I JUST REALIZED IT WAS NEVER REALLY MENTIONED WHETHER HE STOPPED DOING THE COLUMN? WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT?????? That was a real job!!! In his big apology column it's mentioned that he'll never work for that magazine again, but this is all MONTHS later, presumably with multiple issues in between?? Oh my god
⭐️ I've read published novels before by writers who came up in fandom and always rolled my eyes when others called them "fanficcy". But, alright! This one has tells, holy shit! But see this is helpful, because it's made me more aware of what I want to avoid. Like italics overuse. Man, you get so used to seeing them tilting themselves all over AO3 but there's a reason they don't show up as much in published novels. It looks wack as hell on a page and also you shouldn't need to tell me what word to emphasize in a sentence that often.
⭐️ God, I know it can be hard to write characters that suck, especially when they're your POV character. But it was BONKERS how Sam low-key never did anything seriously wrong ever. So he told some stupid lies as a teenager, big deal. His house getting overrun by the worst classmates ever during a party was not the natural consequence of that, although the way he let everybody destroy the place was pretty pathetic. The accident that was the lynchpin upon which his guilt complex was staked? Girl, none of that was his fault either! He was preventing Jake from drunk-driving, he drove very carefully, and the other car hit HIM! His godawful parents then fob off Saint Sam to his aunt, where he's taken away from everyone he knows but decides to just nobly dedicate himself to the deli life running the family business while having no days off or personal needs ever. He's not even selfish with his OWN DOG. And then ultimately his alleged biggest flaw is that he won't ask for help? But then like he does and it's fine?? Dude.
⭐️ All of the above makes Jake, who does make huge fuck-up mistakes, look TERRIBLE by comparison. Considering Sam's paths diverging in a wood are life-partnering with either: Jake, the only guy he's ever liked whose choices have hurt him immeasurably, or the deli, where I guess he can fuck the white herring salad if he ever gets too hard up, I would not have blamed him had he chosen the latter.
⭐️ Especially because the romance, for at least the first half of the book, was not that compelling. They were just hooking up when they were teenagers, which happens real quick, but romance is never discussed, at least not in a timely fashion, so all we ever know is that they were having sex. When Jake re-enters his life, they settle quickly into a relationship so middle of the road friendly that Jake becomes almost equivalent to one of the members of the staff in terms of their connection with each other. I didn't think the romance was that compelling in the second half either, but at least Sam got to experience desire. What did they even like about each other?!
⭐️ At one point it seems to be suggested that Sam has always cooked for Jake, including frequently back in high school. What?! They weren't dating, but Sam, a teenage boy, was having his FWB over at his house and cooking for him with some regularity while living with his parents and also being parentified to look after his little sisters and also Jake had his own house to eat at this whole time? Maybe that was just awkward writing, but god it threw me.
⭐️ This one is just a personal thing that bugs me: I just find it unbelievably depressing when children keep going back to beg for scraps from their shitty parents. Neither Sam nor Jake should have ever bothered with their parents again, sorry. Especially in a narrative that leans so heavily on the found family. Fellas, please love yourselves.

Wow, there is a LOT of text behind that spoiler tag, so much that the three star I put in seems like it was overly generous. The thing is, this book was very readable! I finished it in two sittings and at no point did I ever really want to drop it, the experience of reading it was enjoyable. I don't want to sound mean, though that train has probably already left the station, but I understand why writers like this get big in fandom. There's a hell of a lot to be said for a very easily readable style with tropes that appeal to a wide audience. Anyway, three stars because I'd feel like a dick putting less, but also if you're able to turn your brain off and not think about the actual logistics of real life this is a good read!

My thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

[ivanareadsalot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Second Helpings was so cuuuute! Both MCs were precious, there was some plotty melodrama, and every character was a c h a r a c t e r…even Sam's dog, who I loved so soooo much!

Sam and Jake's return to love from a disastrous life-changing past made me squirm and cry for them both, while simultaneously raging against the adults who'd failed them.

But what stayed with me the most was the "youth-saving+sanctuary for black sheep" vibe that made Silverman's Deli feel like warmth, safety, and home. Sam's greatest inheritance was the artisanal skillset that'd been passed down through generations, which inevitably ended up shaping his body, heart, and mind when he'd needed a safe place to land.

And 17yo Sam needed Silverman's Deli in a way that IS STILL CHOKING ME UP AS I WRITE THIS REVIEW!

Listen, I know that this was fiction, but that fact did not stop how big my feelings were for Sam when he was a kid. Ultimately, Dylan Morrison did an outstanding job with all the characterizations, because of how BEAST-MODE ANGRY I was at Sam's parents.

Sam had all my sympathy and tears from page 1 all the way through to the end. His childhood vulnerability hit me hard, and fortunately Sam had Silverman's Deli AND an endgame auntie to help him through the worst of it.

I was emotionally dialled in from the beginning, and I think part of that had to do with the way Sam and Jake's backstory was revealed using a present-past, back and forth narrative style. This usually trips me out, but in this instance I found every chapter really impactful, especially since their teen years were attention-grabbing chest-kickers.

The past chapters burned me alive, and the present ones healed me. Alongside the bevy of characters, Morrison's evocative narrative style and tone also brought Cleveland's West 9th St + red brick wall deli aesthetic, a hankering for pastrami sandwiches AND Pastrami, the pierogi-loving emotional support doggo, alive for me! I love it when a book gives me nostalgia AND food cravings!

The plot was typical for restaurants staving off urban gentrification and shady real estate developers, but I was intrigued and locked in nonetheless! The story kicked off with a "Kiss of Death" article written by a prat to basically take down Silverman's Deli with lies about food quality. There was m a y b e a sentence or two about the Deli being an acquisition target, but most of the "business" tension came from Sam overseeing the deli alone, while suffering the backlash from the toxic review that had devastated the deli's usual "busy to bursting" traffic to basically nil. His anxiety had some new flavour to it though, as he was assuming the reins from his aunt in like an "ownership" pressure test until she got back into town. So the review was harmful on so many levels and it could not have come at a worse time for Sam…not that there would ever be a good time for a vicious, business-destroying take.

And thennnnnnnnn
Jake Thompson walks through the door
and he immediately gave the kind of "complicated high school ex drama"
I Could read forever.
Pastrami, as romantic and snacky as ever, rebuilt the bridge to their new beginning with his doggy charm and his nose for edible things in pockets.
Sam was understandably crashing out, but also heart eyes because Jake was never not a babe.
And Jake, predictably, proceeded to enchant everyone with his adorable, sunshiney, ballet dance teacher self.

S e a t e d

Give me more!

Jake and Sam, then and now, were lovable sweetlings with the kind of quirky chemistry, easy friendship, and refreshing romantic energy that was enjoyable to read! I could not stop smiling!

And Even though
It was obvious
What the twist was going to be,
I stayed present for how it all went down.
Because it was their moment
And not about me.

Overall, I loved how much Jake and Sam's emotional journey resonated with me. I love that I held my breath through all the hiccups and the heartaches, and that I craved the foooood, and Pastrami's soothing snuffles. I was pretty much a fan of everything this "high school sweethearts to happily ever after" romance served up. Except for Sam's parents, who I will be mad at forever.

Happy to have discovered Dylan Morrison through this endearing romance, and I'm looking forward to whatever comes next because Second Helpings was really lovely!

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was at once a sweet second-chance romance about two high school friends rekindling their friendship and budding romance, as well as a tale of juvenile decision-making, bad parenting, and almost unforgivable betrayal.

I liked Sam and Jake both well enough. They both made stupid choices when they were 17, and they both paid the price for those choices. I did want to crawl into the book and read both sets of parents the riot act for being terrible at parenting.

The story is told entirely in Sam's POV, in present time with flashbacks to past events that shaped Sam's and Jack's lives. I don't usually like that type of storytelling, but it worked for me in this case. I also quite liked the primary setting of the present in Sam's diner he inherited from his aunt who raised him into adulthood when his judgmental and incapable parents washed their hands off him. There is also a dog who's adorable and maybe a little spoiled.

Sam is sort of a Golden Retriever character. He worries about his employees and about keeping his inheritance intact, so much so that he won't change any of the old recipes for something new. He doesn't feel like the diner truly belongs to him despite what his aunt says, because surely he doesn't deserve it. He also worries about the big terrible thing that happened to him and Jake in high school, and how Jake surely hates him for it.

Jake's life hasn't been easy either. The events of that one night when they were 17 derailed his plans for the future just the same albeit in a different way. He's recently out of an emotionally and financially abusive relationship, trying to get back on his feet. He too seems a bit the Golden Retriever type, but it was clear that he was hiding something. He also seems to believe that Sam hates him for the big terrible thing that happened to him and Sam in high school.

As we are told, about 6 months before they meet again, Sam's diner received a scathing online food review from a famous restaurant/food critic who basically lied about ever having eaten at the diner. No one knows this critic's real name but everyone in town seems to have read the review and business at the diner has been severely down, causing Sam a lot of worry about losing the business he's, in his mind, running for his aunt.

It was quite obvious to me who that reclusive yet scathing critic really was. It didn't seem difficult to figure it out. And that's unfortunate, as the rest of the book from there turned into a waiting game to see when the truth would come out.

I didn't really understand the author's (or editor's) choice on the amount of time spent with Sam's triplet sisters who are college aged. Their relationship dynamics didn't really add anything much to this book, and I would have preferred the author spending more time on really showing the connection between Sam and Jake and giving that more screen time.

The writing itself is mostly good, albeit a bit uneven. Some of the scenes were described in vivid detail and made me feel as if I was in the middle of things, and some scenes were over-described and thus fell flat. Jake's relationship with the famous but abusive LA celebrity is mentioned but never delved into further, nor is it explained what Jake really did all those years, but his presumed skill set effectively includes managing and expanding social media accounts.

The inevitable break-up happens around 3/4 in, and it felt a relief to me to finally see what I had strongly suspected all along. How the secret restaurant critic's identity was revealed was a good choice on the author's part. Sam's reaction to the reveal was at once understandable and reasonable in its description, and I sympathized with him and the pain inflicted upon him.

The resolution of this break-up however left me wanting.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and I would read another book by this author.


** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. **

[Kyle King · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second Helpings by Dylan Morrison is a sweet story about two boys in high school who develop a romantic relationship, only to be torn apart by a tragic accident before reconnecting several years later. Sam is the owner of his family deli, which has been struggling to stay afloat after receiving an extremely negative review. In the midst of this workplace drama, Jake re-enters the picture, and after the two come up with a plan to revamp the deli’s image, old sparks begin to reignite as they pick up where they left off in high school.

Right off the bat, Morrison committed one of my personal least favorite author crimes. Almost immediately, we’re introduced to the main character and narrator, Sam, as well as what feels like every single employee who works at his diner. We barely have enough time to get to know Sam or form a mental picture of him before several other characters are thrown into the mix, each given just enough detail to exist but not enough for me to become invested in them. At the same time, I felt like some very simple things were overexplained in an attempt to paint a vivid picture of certain scenes, but unfortunately it didn’t always land. That being said, I do believe Morrison has the ability to create a beautifully descriptive world, as there is one scene where we get a detailed look at Jake’s ballet dancing, and it was genuinely beautiful.

One part of the story that I felt deserved more attention was Sam and Jake’s connection. As kids, we get to see glimpses of their bond and how it develops, but as adults, it feels like we go from friendship to their first kiss and night together, and then… that’s kind of it. There isn’t much emotional depth or spotlight on their feelings, which I think would have made their relationship feel more meaningful. We hear quite a bit about Jake’s famous ex-boyfriend from LA, but that part of the story is mostly skimmed over, and I think diving deeper into that history would have helped parts of his relationship with Sam make more sense. Also, when the deli needs an image revamp, Jake somehow takes the lead on social media management, content creation, branding, and marketing because… apparently dating a celebrity comes with transferable skills.

As with most romance novels, a third-act breakup felt inevitable, and this one came as no surprise. From the moment Jake was introduced, it felt painfully obvious that he was going to be the one responsible for the negative review of the deli. Not only was this reveal predictable, but it was resolved so quickly that it lacked any real severity or emotional weight. On top of that, the use of food puns during what was supposed to be an emotional moment felt like a strange choice. Instead, Morrison spends a lot of time developing background characters—particularly Sam’s triplet sisters—and a fair portion of the book is dedicated to their dynamics and drama. In my opinion, this wasn’t necessary to the overall story, and that page time could have been better spent developing Sam and Jake’s relationship or giving more depth to their breakup and eventual reconciliation.

Although a lot of my thoughts on Second Helpings may seem negative, there were definitely aspects of the book that I enjoyed. Sam and Jake were both likable characters, and I did think they had good chemistry. I also appreciated the representation of Jake living with a physical injury and using a cane, as that’s not something I come across often in the MM romance novels I read. I also enjoyed some of Morrison’s humor throughout the story. My main issues came down to the lack of detail when it came to world-building and relationship development. I do think Morrison is a talented author with the ability to create something truly special, and I’m definitely interested in reading more from this author in the future.

[Devanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book: Second Helpings
Author: Dylan Morrison

Genre: LGBTQIAP+; General Fiction; Romance
Setting: Based in Cleveland
POV: Sam’s POV (Main Character)


Overview:
Sam helps manage Silverman’s Deli; however, a bad review from a leading publication almost destroys the deli’s business and drives away customers. With no other choice, Sam tries to pick up the pieces of his family’s business before it is too late.

In the chaos, Sam’s first love and high school lover, Jake, moves back to Cleveland next door and offers to help Sam with any tasks he needs in order to see Silverman’s success.

With their shared past of trauma and their lives reconnecting once more, Sam and Jake are about to find out if both their relationship and the restaurant will survive.

Trope Alert:

I want to note before I start my review that the trope that I found to be interesting is “He’s Fine (He’s Not Fine). This trope is a lot of the story that you will read, and it resonates with me as a young adult because you find that there are times where you are okay while others you are far from okay. I have never seen this as a listed trope, but it really framed the story going in.

My Review:

This story made me cry more than I thought it would. From Jake and Sam’s past and the trauma that both endured to Sam’s anxiety over keeping Silverman’s afloat, I was rocked to my core and trying to keep myself together.

I cannot even begin to tell you how Morrison writes from a place of love and sensitivity for Jake, who is disabled and walks with a cane due to an injury. Morrison creates a story that shows Jake overcoming his disability, fighting for his dreams, and falling in love once more with Sam. I did cry in some scenes because I resonate with Jake as someone that is disabled and has similar mobility issues. Morrison writes Jake as not only someone who overcomes his mistakes but also uses his mobility issues to teach ballet, which is his lost dream that he was never able to see come to fruition.

As for Sam and the struggling deli, I was reminded of the show the Bear. All that Sam has is the deli and he has to keep it afloat due to his love for the business. I found that Sam’s desire to work to keep the deli open amongst every trial showed resilience, even if Sam was casted out by his family and felt alone after one too many mistakes as a teenager.

As for critique → I cannot give any because this story is now one of my top reads for 2026. I loved every minute of reading and finished it in 24 hours due to moving houses. If I had to give any further critique (though this is not true feedback, only desire), I would love to see an audiobook in the future of this story. It would really help to see the emotion of each character come to life.

I don’t want to let go of Sam or Jake after I finished the story. I’m sure you won’t either once you read it!

A special thank you to Dyland Morrison, Storm Publishing, and Netgalley for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sushmitha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks for the ARC, Netgalley!

I am really tempted not to review this book because I did not find very many redeeming parts about it. I hate leaving negative reviews especially before the book comes out.

Things I liked: the premise, the side characters, the background/set up, the descriptions.

Things I struggled with: I did not enjoy the writing style of the author, not sure if it’s because it’s an ARC or something else but this felt tedious to read. I found myself wanting to skip ahead to move the plot along. (Spoilers ahead) the two major plot points being resolved for no reason, the plot hinging on a decades long miscommunication, the two characters having no growth at all, the two characters who are not teenagers anymore, still acting with the emotional maturity of a teenager, and generally all the dialogue were not for me. I did not like the two MMCs. We learn nothing redeeming about Jake other than he helps out sometimes. I finished this book begrudgingly. I don’t think we get enough flashbacks to see how these characters really care about each other or their redeeming qualities.

Edit: after a few more minutes of reflection, there are more things I truly hated. The text was rambling, the inner monologue was just story narration adding nothing to current plot; some of the plots literally led nowhere —- why was Jake starving, what really happened in the previous toxic LA relationship, what happened to his job, how did his boss approve a column about a restaurant he had never been, and then approve the opposite opinion a few weeks later? What happened to all these parents? How were there not police charges involved with the accident? Why introduce all these side characters with so much detail IF THEY SERVE NO PURPOSE? I genuinely feel that this had almost no romance in it— they hooked up in highschool, without much preamble or explanation, seemed that they were just the only two gay guys each other knew, Jake does some horrendous shit and never apologizes, and then shows up ten years later, only to fuck things up more(?) and yet there is no romance again! And then they break up and get back together again without resolving anything??? Okay, rant done.

Sorry, but it’s a 1.5/5 for me, rounded up to 2, since I feel 1 stars are mean.

[Jerome Garnier · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC review courtesy of @gay.romance.reviews
⭐⭐⭐

🍽️✨ Second Helpings by Dylan Morrison is a cozy MM second chance romance packed with food, longing, and emotional history. After absolutely loving Recipe for Trouble, I was so excited to dive into this one. The story follows Sam and Jake as they reconnect while trying to untangle years of unresolved feelings, heartbreak, and the messy reality of moving forward while still clinging to the past. It definitely delivered on the warm, comforting vibes I was hoping for.

💛🥯 Sam and Jake were honestly the highlight for me. Their chemistry felt natural and believable, and I really enjoyed how different their personalities were while still fitting together so well. Sam’s emotional walls and Jake’s persistence created some genuinely sweet and heartfelt moments. I also loved the supporting cast and the found family atmosphere that Dylan Morrison writes so well. The characters felt easy to root for, even when they frustrated me.

📖🕰️ My biggest struggle was the structure of the book. The constant jumping between past and present pulled me out of the story more than once, and I actually had to reread a few chapters near the beginning to properly place everything in the timeline. I could see why the author chose to tell the story this way because it added depth to the relationship history, but for me it disrupted the pacing and made it harder to stay fully immersed. That said, the emotional payoff and character development were still satisfying, especially seeing how Sam and Jake slowly learned to communicate and confront the things they had buried for years.

🫶📚 Overall, this was still an enjoyable read with lovable characters, cozy romance vibes, and plenty of emotional moments. It did not hit quite as strongly for me as Recipe for Trouble, but I’ll definitely keep reading Dylan Morrison’s MM romances because the warmth and heart are always there.

[Meg Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to @netgalley, @stormbooks_co and Dylan Morrison for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Second Helpings is a warm, cosy second-chance romance that absolutely made me crave pierogi, deli sandwiches, and emotionally complicated men who desperately need to communicate better.

The story follows Sam, who is trying to keep his family deli afloat after a brutal review tanks business, when Jake — his first love and the person tied to some of the most painful memories of his past — suddenly walks back into his life after more than a decade apart. From there, the book balances awkward reunions, unresolved feelings, family drama, and slow-burn romance with a lot of humour and heart.

What really worked for me was the atmosphere. The deli feels lived-in and comforting, almost like its own character, and the supporting cast adds so much warmth to the story. Pastrami the dog was also an instant favourite. Morrison does a great job creating that found-family vibe where even the chaotic moments still feel comforting.

Sam and Jake’s chemistry was sweet and believable, especially in the quieter moments between them. I also liked the flashbacks to their teenage years, which slowly reveal what drove them apart and add emotional weight to their reunion. The book definitely leans more emotional than spicy, which suited the story well.

That said, I did feel the pacing dragged a little in places. There’s a lot of internal monologue and exposition, and at times I found myself skimming slightly to get back to the dialogue and character interactions. Some of Jake’s backstory also felt underdeveloped, and I would have loved a bit more depth surrounding his life before returning home.

Overall though, this was a really enjoyable queer romance full of warmth, nostalgia, humour, and comfort-food vibes. If you love second-chance romances, found family, lovable side characters, and stories centred around food and community, this is definitely worth picking up.

[Holley Desigio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of "Second Helpings" from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Sam Is a high school student who has moved around with his doctor parents and triplet sisters a lot. As a result, he learns to lie, exaggerate and play the game to try to fit in. Jake is a dancer who is mostly popular due to his parents money and influence. In high school. Jake is set on going to Julliard as a dancer, and spends most of his time perfecting his technique. Living right next to each other, these two form a bond, but not ready to acknowledge their attraction, a tragic and terrible situation happens. Years later, Sam is working at his Aunt's restaurant when Jake returns from LA, looking for a change. As they work to revitalize the restaurant after a bad review slows down business, old feelings come to the surface. But as more and more feelings redevelop, they have to address the trauma they both went through and how it has shaped and changed them. I really enjoyed the book, and think the characters are built really well. Both characters having issues with their parents is a bonding moment for them in the past, and I really enjoyed their banter as they worked on a media strategy for the restaurant. The other workers in the restaurant are clearly Sam's chosen family, and their bond of both bickering but supporting one another really stands out. I tend to struggle wit second chance romances, because usually there is a reason within the relationship why they broke up to begin with, but the time jump, and them being so young the first time around really set the tone for the fact that both of them changed and grew up in the time apart, and with most of the break up being precipitated by outside forces, I think this set up worked really well. If you enjoy cozy small town romances, this is a great one to start with! I did get a copy of it to re-read on my kindle.

[Dísir · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s a bad review from a premier food magazine that starts the downward slide of Sam Adelson’s very prized, very traditional family-run deli into looming administration. And despite Silverman’s deli being an immovable institution on a block of newly revamped shops, the retro-vibe and the unchanged menu serving equally old-timers can’t survive on nostalgia alone.

As though things aren’t complicated enough, a teenage hookup/friend hurtles back into his life after many, many years at the same time. One would think he’s all over it, but a life-changing incident that turned everything inside out back when Sam was seventeen has made it impossible to move on properly from there.

Jake Thompson on the other hand, now walks with a cane, and apparently, is just coming off a toxic relationship with a celebrity—he isn’t exactly in a good place, but neither is Sam really. The initial awkwardness doesn’t take long to dissipate as Jake and Sam learn each other again. Inevitably their brief but significant history is revealed in the tracking back and forth between past and present. Neither of them is quite done with making mistakes though, and that is the present-day conflict that carries the rest of the story to its climax and eventual conclusion.

But for a simple-ish and straightforward plot, the execution of it is anything but: it’s rambly, too filled with internal monologues and over-extended introspection that too often halt the action rather than contribute to its forward momentum. Some of it is gently amusing of course, in the rom-com bright and preppy way, but I can’t exactly get a handle on the both of them nonetheless. The writing style isn’t for me personally—everything felt too hyper and partially hysterical—and I ended up skimming too much just to try to get to the end.


*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley

[PJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Dylan Morrison's books and writing style. He has a unique voice and style (one that he consistently employs in all his book) and I've enjoyed his other books. AND I enjoyed this book too! Tremendously!

And yet, I do have a few thoughts about this book.

It's a wonderful story, a great setting (one of those lovely old restaurants everyone knows, in this case a Jewish deli in the heart of Cleveland), and two MC's yearning for each other.

The first third or so of the book alternates between present day and the teenage years of the MC's (for reasons that become clear when you read the story). I rooted for the MC's and enjoyed the book.

And yet, I also struggled with a few bits.

One major bump in the narrative road for me is that the third act bump in the road for our MC's? Is incredibly similar to the plot that was at the heart of Recipe For Trouble, Morrison's previous book. I mean, VERY similar. Surprise out-of-left-field betrayal of MC1 by MC2, for reasons no one sees coming. It worked well in Recipe For Trouble but I think it's less believable/effective in this book, partly because we really have absolutely no idea that Jake is a writer, or that he would have written the Kiss of Death review.

While the second chance in Recipe For Trouble made sense, I really struggled to understand why Sam made the decision he made in this book. Sam would have to crawl up a foot to even get to the level of doormat (a characteristic he shares with Ben in Recipe For Trouble) and the second chance offered in the pages of this book seemed to come quickly and in a way that felt very unearned as a reader, especially considering the huge amount of emotional effort Sam has done in their relationship, then and now.

I'd still recommend this book, though.

[Toni Gower · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so lucky to receive this ARC by Dylan Morrison. Thank you so much to netgalley and stormbooks_co for selecting me to review this copy!

This was such a fun LGBTQIA+ romance read that had me hooked from start to finish.

The story follows Sam, who runs his families deli while his Aunt Deb is away. Things don’t run very smoothly when a dreaded ‘kiss of death’ review is published about Silverman’s Deli, putting added pressure on Sam to keep the family business afloat. At its heart, the main storyline focuses on Sam’s personal growth as he tries to rescue his families deli.

I loved watching Sam’s character growth throughout this book. Seeing him gain confidence, ask for help, step outside of his comfort zone, and open himself up to love was incredibly satisfying. This second-chance romance also carried a darker history between Jake and Sam from their high school days. The past was revealed slowly over the chapters, which I found really engaging and kept me reading to uncover what had happened between them and what topic they were avoiding while rekindling their romance.

I loved Jake—he was flamboyant, confident, and brought out such a fun, lighter side of Sam. In turn, Sam grounded Jake, making him more level-headed, which made their dynamic feel balanced and believable.

One of my favourite parts of this book was the strong family feel among all the workers in the deli. Each worker had a distinct personality, making them memorable and adding so much warmth to the story. The deli itself created such a cosy atmosphere and made this a lovely comfort read.

Overall, I highly recommend this read! The character growth was brilliant, the second-chance romance trope was executed superbly, and the characters were incredibly lovable.

[Cass · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free e-arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

The story itself was pretty good. Seeing these two reconnect was heartwarming, and I was definitely rooting for them as they got together. The found family of the deli was also wonderful. I have never worked in an environment like that, and I wish I have because they genuinely cared about each other. Pastrami was also such a wonderful dog, and I desperately wish she had more page time. I am a sucker for fictional dogs with fun names.

However, what makes this book just okay instead of great is that Morrison does not appear to have done any research beyond food names. These aren't minor issues either, but some that should be common knowledge and take you out of the plot. For example, in the first few chapters he claims that finals are going on for Case Western Reserve in March. Not only does this not make sense for the majority of colleges, but a quick google search showed they wouldn't start until the very end of April at the earliest. Morrison also claims that Sam is a stickler for health code rules, and yet Pastrami (as much as I love her page time) is constantly breaking them by being behind the counter at the deli.

Even apart from the lack of research, the plot is a little bit too flexible at times. Things that should have been more important barely get page time, while things that have a big buildup end up kind of fizzling out.

While I did enjoy reading this book, in the end it feels rushed. I liked Jake and Sam, I liked seeing them get back together. I liked the atmosphere of the deli and how everyone interacted. I just think that all of this could have been improved if a little more time went into working on this book before it reached publication.

[Anisha Choudhury | A Literary Autopsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclosure: I received an Advance Review Copy (ARC) from NetGalley and Storm Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

In Second Helpings , Dylan Morrison delivers a contemporary romance that is as comforting as a warm bowl of matzo ball soup. Set against the backdrop of a legacy Cleveland deli, this story is a poignant exploration of second chances, the weight of family expectations, and the messy beauty of first loves.

The Narrative Impact:
Sam Adelson is the heart of this book, and my protective instincts for him were at an all-time high. Watching him pour his soul into Silverman’s while navigating a crisis—both professional and emotional—was deeply moving. Jake Thompson’s re-entry into his life after twelve years provides a high-tension slow burn that is filled with pining and the undeniable gravity of teenage history.

The Anatomy of the Support System:
While the parental figures in this story left me wanting to yell at people's faces, the extended support system provided a necessary steadying force. The cast surrounding the deli—Sam's sister Luce, Silverman's staff, the incredible trio of Aunt Deb, her wife Talya, and their best friend Joanie—are absolute standouts.
Deb, in particular, serves as the only adult who truly understands Sam’s quiet strength.
The "Grumpy Steady x Chaotic Anxious" dynamic between our leads is handled with sincerity, proving that even when the first attempt was a disaster, some recipes are worth the effort of perfecting.

The Verdict:
Despite the chaos and the trauma Jake brings back into Sam’s life, the HEA feels earned through a boatload of good food and genuine growth. It is a sweet, cozy, and vibrant story that reminds us that sometimes, coming home is the only way to move forward.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

Second Helpings is a second chance romance between Sam and Jake, who fell for each other in high school and then a horrifying event draws them apart for years, and happenstance brings them together again. Sam owns a deli and Jake moves back to where he grew up. Sam is a sweet, caring and giving person who throughout the book basically puts his needs last with nearly everything. Jake's personality was much harder to read, but, he has a background as a dancer and a bit of celebrity status via his ex.

So I am giving this book 4 stars because I did enjoy reading it and it was an easy read. It was captivating and drew me in and of course I love a good HEA. However, in reflection, I think there are a couple of things that could have been worked on. Jake's personality like I said was hard to capture. We never really get a good idea of why he is why he is, aside from some glimpses into his childhood. I also did not love the event that drew them apart in the first place. It seemed honestly too traumatic in an unnecessary way. I honestly got anxiety reading those parts of the book.

There is also some conflict in the 'current time' as well that I think was glazed over a bit much. If I was Sam, I am not sure I'd have the same reaction, and I think it's hard for the reader to see why because Jake is devoid of personality.

Lastly, this is so small, but I hated how the dog, Pastrami was all over the kitchen. No restaurant would do that, there would be dog hair everywhere! But, overall, I did actually enjoy the book and would consider reading more by this author.

[Elysha Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second Helpings is a second chance romance, following Sam, a deli owner whose restaurant is struggling after a scathing review. Enter Jake, his ex from high school who recently moved back to town. However these two have an emotional history.

This is a book that I really wanted to like more than I actually did.

Starting out with what I liked, I did like Sam He has an interesting back story from his initial time with Jake. I loved how it was also shown through flash backs! I loved Sam’s character development throughout the story as well. He was funny and endearing and you can see he’s trying his best to figure everything out.

I also loved the ensemble cast, especially all the deli employees. They were all super fun and added to the story! Pastrami the dog was also great. I also did love the disability rep with Jake.

I do wish the book had gone into more of Jake’s story. There were some gaps in his backstory (his time in LA), that I think would have fleshed out the story better with more background on him. I had a hard time trying to sympathize with him or understand his story when only seeing it from Sam’s POV.

There was some other plot holes and inconsistencies that took me out of the book at times as well (e.g. Sam being a stickler for food safety and yet having his dog behind the counter). I also won’t spoil anything but the twist in the book did not surprise me and I found the ending to hand wave a lot of previous parts.

Thank you to the NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Quilted.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the theme o this book. The story follows Sam Adelson who’s been running his family’s deli, Silverman’s for years and clearly pours everything he has into it. When a brutal review starts hurting the business, he’s already stressed and frustrated and then his past walks right back into his life. Jake, his first love the one who got away suddenly shows up after twelve years, and everything Sam thought he had under control starts to unravel.What I enjoyed most was the second chance romance. Sam and Jake have a lot of history, and you can feel that in every interaction. Their relationship isn’t just sweet it’s complicated and very real. There’s clearly something unresolved between them, and I liked how the story doesn’t just ignore that for the sake of romance. It actually leans into the messy parts of reconnecting with someone who once meant everything to you.The tone of the book was another highlight for me. It’s funny without trying too hard, and there are a lot of small, chaotic moments especially involving the deli and the dog, Pastrami that made it feel lively and genuine. At the same time, it still deals with deeper themes like moving on, facing the past, and figuring out what really matters.Overall, I thought this was a really enjoyable read. It’s heartfelt, a little dramatic, and full of personality. If you like second chance romances with humor and a strong sense of found family, this is definitely one I’d recommend.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC review
Rating: 3.5

This was a cute read, with themes of second chance, forgiveness, growth, grief, guilt. The book follows Sam Adelson who runs his family’s deli, they received a bad review which causes big problems for the deli but Sam doesn’t let this stop him from trying to keep the deli open. But one day, Jake who was Sam’s first love ends up at the deli they haven’t seen each other in 12 years, an incident took place when they was teenagers this caused a massive rift with both of there family’s with Sam taking the blame to protect Jake. Which causes Sam’s mum to drop him off with his aunt who owned the Deli, Jake got injured badly that night of the accident which caused him not to be able to continue his dance. But with all this happening they both thought that neither of them wanted to see or talk to each other again. But now they have final seen each other after all this time, it is awkward at first as there is a lot of unsaid things that took place that night of them both blaming them self for the way everything ended. Their relationship isn’t just sweet and amazing, it is complicated and real. This book actually leans into messy parts of reconnecting with someone, that means a lot to you. The way it was written was so good, and the found-family vibes with everyone at the deli, I loved. The only thing I wished we got was a duel pov book, so that we got Jake’s pov.

[Emerson Mullins · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up

I thought Jake and Sam were cute together, especially the fact that they were friends before anything more happened. I enjoyed the switch between past and present and how it gave more context to their previous relationship. I thought the suspense of finding out the reason for them not keeping contact was well constructed. However, I was a bit frustrated because it really seems like Sam’s wrongdoings were exaggerated; yes, there were certain issues that were due to his actions, but the main issue BETWEEN Sam and Jake which led to Sam moving away actually didn’t seem to be his fault (at least to my understanding).

Considering this is a second chance romance, I was excited for them to start up their relationship again. However, when that moment finally came, it fell flat to me; I would’ve liked more insight on them actually getting back together. Additionally, there wasn’t a lot of build up with them getting back together. There was so much inner monologue that I felt like the romantic aspect was put on the back burner (cooking pun intended). Yes, there were some mentions of little things here and there between Sam and Jake that contributed to their chemistry, but it’s like they all of a sudden said “yes, we’re back together”.

Lastly, I found myself skimming to get to the end of the book. Like I said, there was a lot of inner monologue and readdressing of items that were already touched upon.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Liv · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second Helpings follows two timelines, mostly in present day (that spans over about three months), with a few chapters sprinkled in between from twelve years ago when Sam and Jake first meet/were in school together. In the present, they haven’t seen each other in years until Jake happens upon Sam’s family’s deli, only to find out that they’re basically now living right next to each other. This also happens to come on a horrible time in Sam’s life, as the deli, one of the neighborhood’s last standing historical institutions, gets a horrible review that’s threatens to impact an already dwindling customer base.

There are allusions to something (or multiple somethings) happening in their past which led to them having not been in touch for years, but you don’t find out what actually happened until later in the book.

Overall, I thought this was really sweet. I love how Sam and Jake are both their own versions of awkward, especially in the first half, Dylan Morrison does a really good job of making it endearing and not cringey. There’s several laugh out loud moments that add to the book’s charm, and I must also say that Pastrami was definitely the MVP.

I absolutely loved the deli as a backdrop, because I really appreciate when there’s something you don’t typically see in romances. Restaurants and bakeries? Always. Convenience stores? Once in a while. But delis? Hardly ever, if at all! It was almost as if it was it’s own character.

[Spencer Toth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Second Helpings! Sam and Jake were a couple that just worked for me. I enjoyed the dual timeline of present and past chapters for the first half of the book, and the inciting incident that tore them apart back in high school was incredibly emotional. I do wish this wasn’t dragged out so long, though, as the reveal doesn’t come until nearly halfway through the book and it makes the rest of the book feel slightly rushed.

There is a late story twist that was quite unexpected but the resulting arc felt like it was abrupt and I wish we got more story after the resolution (though I am notoriously a sucker for longer books haha).

If you are looking for a high heat MM romance, this book is not that, but I enjoyed this book because it prioritized the plot and let it stand on its own. I’ve read too many books recently where copious sex scenes are added to try and distract from the lack of a plot, so this was refreshing 😅

All in all, Second Helpings is a satisfying read. I really enjoyed the restaurant setting, the cast of supporting characters (so many big personalities!), and the character growth of Sam in particular. I know I will likely reread it in the future.

I think Dylan Morrison is a promising author, and I look forward to reading his previous books and his next release, Comfort Read, which is coming out in October. Thumbs up!

[Tzia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sam runs his family diner, and he loves the place. He puts his heart and soul into it, every item on the menu made with love - the place is his life. A particularly scathing review of the place is published and the diners clientele disappear overnight. At the same time, Sam receives a blast from the past in the form of Jake - his High School sweetheart - who walks in having not seen or spoken to Sam in thirteen years. With all the drama and trauma of the past and present clouding things, will the pair make it back to one another?

This is very sweet and at points genuinely funny. It's a bit of a feel good book for the summer for anyone looking for some optimism and some light in the world. The characters are all very believable although I would have liked to see some development of a few of them - Joey, Eileen and Joanie in particular.

There's a dual timeline aspect as we see the modern day Sams story being told alongside the story of Sam and Jake's High School years and what happened the last time they saw one another for the first half of the book - but it reconciles well, it works and it provides context for the second half of the story. I'm not totally sure that the epilogue was needed but again it worked and it keeps the sweetness going for a little bit longer.

Really cute, a romance you can get behind and the perfect read for a sunny summer week.

- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review -

[Hillary · Rating 3 out of 5]

💜 Second Helpings ARC Review 💜

Thank you so much to Dylan Morrison and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Second Helpings is a contemporary queer romance. Deli owner Sam has just received a scathing review that tanks his business. When Sam’s first love walks through the door, old feelings start to pop up. Can they work together to save the deli? Or is their relationship doomed again?

This was a fun read. These characters had a lot of history to work through, but I enjoyed their journey. I did like the timeline jumps to the past so we could learn more about their history, while still enjoying their current story. Sam was a fun character and I appreciated his strength to keep his restaurant open. Jake was a wonderful character and I found myself wanting his PoV in this story. There seemed to be to many loose ends with his background that I felt could have been clearer

Overall this was a fun three star read. I enjoyed these characters and their second chance at romance. This book does have some potential triggers, so please check if you’re sensitive. This book was a bit of a slow burn but had some mild spice once they got there, so overall two flames for spice

If you’re a fan of queer romance with second chances, found family vibes, and super cute dog, then pick this one up!

[Zed · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up :)

Second Helpings is a beautiful little second-chance romance between what would have been high-school sweethearts. The book balances humour with emotion so well, Jake’s unique and quirky outlook on life throws Sam’s rigid perspective of how things SHOULD be off balance, which makes him more grounded in how things CAN be.

Their relationship in high school is mirrored in their adult life, both looking out for each other and building each other up to be their best. Jake's humour brings light to Sam’s moody outlook on life, which I really enjoyed. The spice is behind closed doors, or followed by a skip to the next day, which I think works well for this light-hearted romcom.

The cast of characters that work with Sam at the deli also bring humour and more positive emotions to Sam, which helps the book flow when Jake is not around. Pastrami is easily my favourite little character.

I feel like some side characters get pushed to the side a bit, or not explored enough, but it’s not a big issue of mine.

I liked the back and forth between chapters of their life in high school and slowly seeing how things played out over the course of the book. Finally getting to the last flashback chapter felt rewarding and emotional since we had already grown to love and root for these characters in the “now.”

[Cori Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely second chance romance, though I enjoyed it as a comfort read more than the plot making relatable sense.

It's a single POV story, and Sam is an entertaining character to be in the head of: he's devoted to his family-run deli, his small but dedicated staff, and his "are you sure Health & Hygiene would approve this" deli dog, Pastrami. He's gently humorous, and has done some hard work growing-up, which can't always be taken for granted in a twenty-something guy. And he was in love with Jake, Before Things Happened and they spent over a decade apart.

Note, this is closed door spice, and apparently I've read too many bonking books, because I'd forgotten books sometimes do that and was a bit surprised. Much as I liked Sam, I do wish we'd seen Jake's POV too, because a chunk of the plot revolves around some, to me, inexplicable actions; and while that is mostly revealed and processed, there are bits that still don't really add up, and I would very much have liked them to.

Still, this book is a (fairly) low stress good time, and recommended if that's what you're in the mood for.


Rating: 15/20
This review is based upon a complimentary advance reading copy provided by the publisher.