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Janae Sanders' Second Time Around: A Novel
Janae Sanders is a dedicated single mother who lives for her son, James. But when she runs into her secret HS crush, Adam, at her 20-year reunion, they spend the night making up for lost time, and she remembers the part of herself she’s forgotten since her divorce. Too bad the new superintendent of her son’s school district decides now is the best time to slash all the arts programs which serve as feeder programs into a prestigious and very expensive arts college. Instead of getting to know Adam like she wants, she’s rallying her fellow PTA members to get him and the district to change their minds.
Adam Henderson, the new superintendent–unbeknowst to Janae– has always had a thing for Janae Sanders. So, when he returns home after twenty years and a friend mentions she’s single, Adam jumps at the chance to reacquaint himself with the one who got away. As far as he’s concerned, their night together after their reunion is proof that the second time around is better than the first. But if he can’t get the head of the PTA off his back after cutting programs that were costing the district money, he may not have as much time to devote to rekindling his attraction to Janae as he planned.
When a school board meeting is called, and Janae and Adam discover they’ve been dating the enemy, Janae gives Adam two Restore the programs, or Lose her. Adam decides he likes a third option better, They can take the long upcoming weekend to get away at his family’s cabin, and figure out how to keep the arts program, plug the financial drain they’ve become on the school district, and still keep seeing each other at the same time.
Janae is ticked off enough to tell him where to get off, but when her Savvy, Sexy, and Single Club members remind her you catch more flies with honey, she wonders if Adam isn’t right. Maybe there is a way for them to both get what they want.
Adam Henderson, the new superintendent–unbeknowst to Janae– has always had a thing for Janae Sanders. So, when he returns home after twenty years and a friend mentions she’s single, Adam jumps at the chance to reacquaint himself with the one who got away. As far as he’s concerned, their night together after their reunion is proof that the second time around is better than the first. But if he can’t get the head of the PTA off his back after cutting programs that were costing the district money, he may not have as much time to devote to rekindling his attraction to Janae as he planned.
When a school board meeting is called, and Janae and Adam discover they’ve been dating the enemy, Janae gives Adam two Restore the programs, or Lose her. Adam decides he likes a third option better, They can take the long upcoming weekend to get away at his family’s cabin, and figure out how to keep the arts program, plug the financial drain they’ve become on the school district, and still keep seeing each other at the same time.
Janae is ticked off enough to tell him where to get off, but when her Savvy, Sexy, and Single Club members remind her you catch more flies with honey, she wonders if Adam isn’t right. Maybe there is a way for them to both get what they want.
331 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 6, 2026
15 people are currently reading
6466 people want to read
About the author
LaQuette
88 books573 followersLaQuette writes sexy, stylish, and sensational romance—the kind of sentimental-and-steamy stories that feel like Hallmark movies… if Hallmark suddenly ramped up the sexy and gave us the hawt love scenes we deserve. Expect big emotions, bold choices, and characters who strut through the pages like the book is their own personal runway.
A proud Brooklyn native, she crafts unapologetically bold, character-driven Black and interracial romances where Black women are joy-filled, desired, and absolutely treasured. These women know they belong on the page—and dare you to try telling them otherwise.
When this current Ph.D. student isn’t writing, reading, or studying, she’s probably trying on (or hunting down) her next must-have makeup find. And honestly? No one would be surprised if it’s yet another shade of red or pink lipstick. At this point, it’s basically a personality trait. Contact her at https://dot.cards/laquette.
A proud Brooklyn native, she crafts unapologetically bold, character-driven Black and interracial romances where Black women are joy-filled, desired, and absolutely treasured. These women know they belong on the page—and dare you to try telling them otherwise.
When this current Ph.D. student isn’t writing, reading, or studying, she’s probably trying on (or hunting down) her next must-have makeup find. And honestly? No one would be surprised if it’s yet another shade of red or pink lipstick. At this point, it’s basically a personality trait. Contact her at https://dot.cards/laquette.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
January 11, 2026
#gifted #smpearlyreader
✨| I enjoyed it! Hardworking single mom and ex-NBA player reconnect after life changes for them both. Second chance romance. Loved the maturity in healing. Steamy and undeniable chemistry.
✨| I enjoyed it! Hardworking single mom and ex-NBA player reconnect after life changes for them both. Second chance romance. Loved the maturity in healing. Steamy and undeniable chemistry.
December 3, 2025
3.5 stars
I haven't read the first book in this series about these small town friends, but that didn't affect my reading.
Janae, single mum, not looking for love, like or any type of relationship.
Adam, moving back into town after "making it big" - but I did feel that that "big" thing was really not a big thing to him. I felt that he was just still the small town guy, a big ol teddy bear.
I liked that as soon as he was back in town, Adam was all about Janae.
Janae, on the other hand, frustrated the heck out of me. Why me? Why now? He doesn't date people like me blah blah blah. Girl, he is all about you, and had the patience of a saint I tell ya.
She kept on harking back to things from when they were teenagers, and to me that got tiresome. It's been 20 years! Move on!
I think, as much as I liked the main characters, it was the seconarday characters/extended family that I liked the most.
I am keen to go back and read the first book, and look forward to the next friends story.
I haven't read the first book in this series about these small town friends, but that didn't affect my reading.
Janae, single mum, not looking for love, like or any type of relationship.
Adam, moving back into town after "making it big" - but I did feel that that "big" thing was really not a big thing to him. I felt that he was just still the small town guy, a big ol teddy bear.
I liked that as soon as he was back in town, Adam was all about Janae.
Janae, on the other hand, frustrated the heck out of me. Why me? Why now? He doesn't date people like me blah blah blah. Girl, he is all about you, and had the patience of a saint I tell ya.
She kept on harking back to things from when they were teenagers, and to me that got tiresome. It's been 20 years! Move on!
I think, as much as I liked the main characters, it was the seconarday characters/extended family that I liked the most.
I am keen to go back and read the first book, and look forward to the next friends story.
January 12, 2026
3.5 stars. This book is well written but the first half is too slow for my taste. Adam yearned for Janae for most of his life but didn't act on it. They are both back in their home town and he is determined to shoot his shot this time. Janae has lot going on but she is open to mostly open to being happy. Adam is thoughtful, intentional & sexy. Happy they got their HEA! Janae’s friend circle is everything!
Thank you to Net Galley for this ARC!
Thank you to Net Galley for this ARC!
January 10, 2026
I love it when the book I’ve been so excited for lives up to what I’d hope it’d be. LaQuette once again gives us a resilient woman to root for.
Single mom Janae’s fiercely independent, knows her own self worth, and is devoted to her teenage son. Adam, high school crush and former NBA player, is now back in town as the interim superintendent of the school. Now that he’s back in town he wants to reconnect with his best friends, and also finally pursue something with Janae. That’s if she lets him. She’s guarded and also protective of her son.
This being a later-in-life romance is part of the appeal for me. I like seeing how a character’s life perspective shapes them, and how they adapt to new situations. It’s exciting, and risky because there’s something to lose. LaQuette handles all that beautifully showcasing how both Janae and Adam have grown since high school, and that they’re ready for a second chance at romance, and to also find happiness within themselves. Adam’s an absolute dream, and Janae is awesome. They definitely have that chemistry; their flirting is fun, and yes, there’s spice!
I also enjoyed revisiting the friendships first established in 𝗩𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮 𝗝𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱’𝘀 𝗚𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗻. These women are solid. (Also I adore Vanessa, and crush hard on Michael. Yes, I know he’s fictional. Let me have this!)
This is a layered story giving the characters dimension and with that for me is hopeful, romantic, and inspiring. It was worth the wait!
Thanks to @youhadmeathea for my ARC & gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Single mom Janae’s fiercely independent, knows her own self worth, and is devoted to her teenage son. Adam, high school crush and former NBA player, is now back in town as the interim superintendent of the school. Now that he’s back in town he wants to reconnect with his best friends, and also finally pursue something with Janae. That’s if she lets him. She’s guarded and also protective of her son.
This being a later-in-life romance is part of the appeal for me. I like seeing how a character’s life perspective shapes them, and how they adapt to new situations. It’s exciting, and risky because there’s something to lose. LaQuette handles all that beautifully showcasing how both Janae and Adam have grown since high school, and that they’re ready for a second chance at romance, and to also find happiness within themselves. Adam’s an absolute dream, and Janae is awesome. They definitely have that chemistry; their flirting is fun, and yes, there’s spice!
I also enjoyed revisiting the friendships first established in 𝗩𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮 𝗝𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱’𝘀 𝗚𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗻. These women are solid. (Also I adore Vanessa, and crush hard on Michael. Yes, I know he’s fictional. Let me have this!)
This is a layered story giving the characters dimension and with that for me is hopeful, romantic, and inspiring. It was worth the wait!
Thanks to @youhadmeathea for my ARC & gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 12, 2026
3.5/5
This was a cute second-chance romance by another new-to-me author. I thought the book was very realistic in its portrayal of a divorced single mother who is striving to do everything to ensure that her son is cared for and has all he needs. She is not looking for love and is focused on her career, son, and avoiding her nagging mother. The mmc and the fmc were high school classmates, and they reconnected at the class reunion, which brought out all the emotions and feelings that were buried.
I thought this was an easy read that showed how characters, feelings, and love grow and mature over time. I really enjoyed the reunion aspect and the friend groups as well. I thought the family dynamics were realistic, and the romance was sweet, comforting, and stayed true to the characters. Overall, a good second-chance romance. Thanks to the publisher for this arc for an honest review.
This was a cute second-chance romance by another new-to-me author. I thought the book was very realistic in its portrayal of a divorced single mother who is striving to do everything to ensure that her son is cared for and has all he needs. She is not looking for love and is focused on her career, son, and avoiding her nagging mother. The mmc and the fmc were high school classmates, and they reconnected at the class reunion, which brought out all the emotions and feelings that were buried.
I thought this was an easy read that showed how characters, feelings, and love grow and mature over time. I really enjoyed the reunion aspect and the friend groups as well. I thought the family dynamics were realistic, and the romance was sweet, comforting, and stayed true to the characters. Overall, a good second-chance romance. Thanks to the publisher for this arc for an honest review.
January 1, 2026
I swear the deeper I get into this story the more I fell in love with the MC’s. I definitely enjoyed that besides the one hiccup of communication that Janae and Adam always communicated about what was bothering them. Also we get to see Vanessa return the favor to Janae 🥰. Definitely can’t wait for Cree and Derrick story
September 7, 2025
I enjoyed this story. Janae definitely fell into the strong black woman stereotype of being everything to and for everybody. I loved that Adam came in and was like, "Let me take care of you." I loved Janae's attitude and how she didn't allow anyone to disrespect her or those she loved.
Adam was such a teddy bear. I was glad when he finally stood up to his dad because that was one grumpy old man. These two being established and older was my favorite part of the story. I love reading about mature individuals finding love. With that being said, the miscommunication or whether lack of communication between these two was frustrating. Janae was so sure she was gonna get the short end of the stick that she didn't even let the man speak. Kudos to the friends group for making sure they got back together. This was my first read by this author, and I'm excited to not only go back and read book 1 but also for book 3 in Cree.
Adam was such a teddy bear. I was glad when he finally stood up to his dad because that was one grumpy old man. These two being established and older was my favorite part of the story. I love reading about mature individuals finding love. With that being said, the miscommunication or whether lack of communication between these two was frustrating. Janae was so sure she was gonna get the short end of the stick that she didn't even let the man speak. Kudos to the friends group for making sure they got back together. This was my first read by this author, and I'm excited to not only go back and read book 1 but also for book 3 in Cree.
January 12, 2026
(3.5⭐️) What I liked:Janae was a no nonsense, ambitious, independent woman. I love the way she loved on her friends & her son. And Adam was a top tier MMC. Patient. Attentive. Self aware. And I loved the friend group as a whole.
What I didn’t like: Janae took “independent Black woman” to an extreme. Like how are you even arguing with this man about why you can open your own doors?🫠She was super guarded & a lot of her actions in this book & even towards Adam were all rooted in trauma and I just really needed her to seek the help of a therapist. It made her feel unlikeable at times. The 3rd act break up was completely unnecessary, all because she felt she had to self protect instead of trusting Adam’s character. I also think it took Adam way too long to stand up to his father. But hey, family dynamics right?
What I related to: I could definitely relate to Janae as a mother and trying to navigate that balance between sacrificing for your kids while honoring your needs and desires as a woman. I also appreciated the author highlighting the post divorce struggle of not trusting yourself in future relationships because you “chose wrong last time”.
Overall it was an enjoyable (albeit a bit frustrating at times) read. This was my first read by this author. I’m looking forward to Cree & Derrick’s book and I may circle back to Vanessa & Michael’s story but I doubt it.
What I didn’t like: Janae took “independent Black woman” to an extreme. Like how are you even arguing with this man about why you can open your own doors?🫠She was super guarded & a lot of her actions in this book & even towards Adam were all rooted in trauma and I just really needed her to seek the help of a therapist. It made her feel unlikeable at times. The 3rd act break up was completely unnecessary, all because she felt she had to self protect instead of trusting Adam’s character. I also think it took Adam way too long to stand up to his father. But hey, family dynamics right?
What I related to: I could definitely relate to Janae as a mother and trying to navigate that balance between sacrificing for your kids while honoring your needs and desires as a woman. I also appreciated the author highlighting the post divorce struggle of not trusting yourself in future relationships because you “chose wrong last time”.
Overall it was an enjoyable (albeit a bit frustrating at times) read. This was my first read by this author. I’m looking forward to Cree & Derrick’s book and I may circle back to Vanessa & Michael’s story but I doubt it.
January 8, 2026
⋆˚࿔ Janae Sander's Second Time Around review 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
┆ ⤿ 3.75 stars!
As a black woman this was a fun read! I'm not really into second-chance romances usually but I felt like this didn't really fall into that category too much.
I really like how well developed Janae and Adam felt both together and individually. However, I felt the synopsis gives too much of the story away and any character with flaws that treated our characters bad were ALL forgiven. () I prefer if a character is bad depending on what they did they don't get a redemption arc.
I enjoyed that the couple felt like full fledged adults, after so many months of reading about 23-27 year olds it was refreshing to read about adults with real responsibilities. I want to go back and read the first book of the series with Vanessa.
｡ﾟ• ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈ ┈ ┈ ┈• ｡ﾟ
“I knew something good was waiting for me. I'm begging to think it might just be you.”
｡ﾟ• ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈ ┈ ┈ ┈• ｡ﾟ
⤿ follow me on instagram!
┆ ⤿ 3.75 stars!
As a black woman this was a fun read! I'm not really into second-chance romances usually but I felt like this didn't really fall into that category too much.
I really like how well developed Janae and Adam felt both together and individually. However, I felt the synopsis gives too much of the story away and any character with flaws that treated our characters bad were ALL forgiven. () I prefer if a character is bad depending on what they did they don't get a redemption arc.
I enjoyed that the couple felt like full fledged adults, after so many months of reading about 23-27 year olds it was refreshing to read about adults with real responsibilities. I want to go back and read the first book of the series with Vanessa.
｡ﾟ• ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈ ┈ ┈ ┈• ｡ﾟ
“I knew something good was waiting for me. I'm begging to think it might just be you.”
｡ﾟ• ┈ ┈ ┈ ┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈ ┈ ┈ ┈• ｡ﾟ
⤿ follow me on instagram!
January 6, 2026
I didn’t know this was book 2 in the series until Vanessa from the Savvy, Sexy, and Single club (and Michael) were mentioned from Vanessa Jared’s Got a Man.
I always get sad reading second chance romances, because of all the heartbreaks endured and lived experiences missed with one another, just to reunite and essentially have to re-familiarize yourself with a “stranger.”
Nonetheless, I loved that Janae and Adam were reacquainted after 20 years apart. This allowed both to mature, grow, and heal separately to be better for one another.
I loved the friend group (Janae, Adam, Vanessa, Michael, Cree and Derrick) and the support they provide one other to navigate through life — both good and bad experiences.
I can’t wait until the next installment, to learn more about Cree and Derrick, and to see if they finally give into their desires.
Received courtesy of NetGalley.
I always get sad reading second chance romances, because of all the heartbreaks endured and lived experiences missed with one another, just to reunite and essentially have to re-familiarize yourself with a “stranger.”
Nonetheless, I loved that Janae and Adam were reacquainted after 20 years apart. This allowed both to mature, grow, and heal separately to be better for one another.
I loved the friend group (Janae, Adam, Vanessa, Michael, Cree and Derrick) and the support they provide one other to navigate through life — both good and bad experiences.
I can’t wait until the next installment, to learn more about Cree and Derrick, and to see if they finally give into their desires.
Received courtesy of NetGalley.
August 16, 2025
3.5
Overall I enjoyed this, I find LaQuette’s writing incredibly reliable. I don’t think I enjoyed it as much as the first book but still pretty good! Something about Janae holding Adam to memories of him from high school, over 20 years prior, felt so odd to me but maybe normal for a small town. She would say things like “you never XYZ when we knew each other in high school, why now?” And I’d think “well that was decades ago!” Both characters have a little baggage and have been through a lot in their pasts but the book is very lighthearted and very low angst. I loved how Adam was immediately all about Janae but never pressured her. The “big conflict” isn’t much and is easily resolved and the road to the big resolution is very sweet even if it probably would have made my skin crawl IRL. Can’t wait to see the next friend get her man!
Overall I enjoyed this, I find LaQuette’s writing incredibly reliable. I don’t think I enjoyed it as much as the first book but still pretty good! Something about Janae holding Adam to memories of him from high school, over 20 years prior, felt so odd to me but maybe normal for a small town. She would say things like “you never XYZ when we knew each other in high school, why now?” And I’d think “well that was decades ago!” Both characters have a little baggage and have been through a lot in their pasts but the book is very lighthearted and very low angst. I loved how Adam was immediately all about Janae but never pressured her. The “big conflict” isn’t much and is easily resolved and the road to the big resolution is very sweet even if it probably would have made my skin crawl IRL. Can’t wait to see the next friend get her man!
January 5, 2026
Overall the story was great. Is it an original storyline? No. Does it mean it’s any less good? Absolutely not! Getting to jump back in with this group of friends and seeing how they support and love each other feels like you’re kicking with your own friends from back home.
While I usually enjoy a miscommunication troupe this one was rooted in factors outside the relationship and that made things even more frustrating in a good way.
I personally have a hard time when books are set too close to modern time so that did throw me off a little bit. However, the story is great and there is a guaranteed HEA!
3.5 stars!!
While I usually enjoy a miscommunication troupe this one was rooted in factors outside the relationship and that made things even more frustrating in a good way.
I personally have a hard time when books are set too close to modern time so that did throw me off a little bit. However, the story is great and there is a guaranteed HEA!
3.5 stars!!
January 4, 2026
A quick, easy, enjoyable first read of the year. It was nice reading about adults in their 40s and their interwoven relationships with one another.
I loved seeing a woman who stood up for herself and didn’t take anyone’s nonsense, as well as multiple men who made points to better themselves and grow.
Excited to read more from this author!
I loved seeing a woman who stood up for herself and didn’t take anyone’s nonsense, as well as multiple men who made points to better themselves and grow.
Excited to read more from this author!
December 20, 2025
This was my first read by the author and will not be my last. I will be reading more of her work in 2026. Now I need to circle the block and read the 1st book in the interconnected series.
This book made me cry twice. I love me a second chance romance!!! I highly recommend!!!
This book made me cry twice. I love me a second chance romance!!! I highly recommend!!!
September 29, 2025
Janae is not looking to get into a relationship.
After ending her sixteen year marriage, she’s finally free of her toxic, controlling ex-husband and is focusing on raising her teenage son and on her career. She’s even having some fun with help from the fabulous group of friends she met at the local community center divorce support group, the Savvy Sexy and Single Club.
But when her high school rival and old secret crush Adam arrives back in their small town, Janae can’t help but take notice. Adam, also recently divorced, is back home to take care of his father and doesn’t hide his feelings for Janae at all. He pursues Janae in a way he wasn’t able to in their younger days, working hard to earn her trust and her heart, culminating in a love that’s a second chance for them both.
With a boisterous cast of characters, relatable family drama, and multilayered stories featuring healing, this second chance, dual narration novel will appeal to fans of mature, steamy and emotionally satisfying romance centering Black Love.
This novel follows her previous book, Vanessa Jared's Got a Man, but is a fantastic standalone read.
Thank you to Netgalley andSt. Martin's Griffin for providing me with a complimentary advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
After ending her sixteen year marriage, she’s finally free of her toxic, controlling ex-husband and is focusing on raising her teenage son and on her career. She’s even having some fun with help from the fabulous group of friends she met at the local community center divorce support group, the Savvy Sexy and Single Club.
But when her high school rival and old secret crush Adam arrives back in their small town, Janae can’t help but take notice. Adam, also recently divorced, is back home to take care of his father and doesn’t hide his feelings for Janae at all. He pursues Janae in a way he wasn’t able to in their younger days, working hard to earn her trust and her heart, culminating in a love that’s a second chance for them both.
With a boisterous cast of characters, relatable family drama, and multilayered stories featuring healing, this second chance, dual narration novel will appeal to fans of mature, steamy and emotionally satisfying romance centering Black Love.
This novel follows her previous book, Vanessa Jared's Got a Man, but is a fantastic standalone read.
Thank you to Netgalley andSt. Martin's Griffin for providing me with a complimentary advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 9, 2025
This spicy romance was such a fun and easy read! The characters were wonderfully developed, and I felt like I truly got to know who they were, along with the life experiences that shaped them. Each one was lovable in their own way, leaving me wishing I could meet them in real life. As a fellow nurse anesthetist, I especially appreciated the accuracy in Janae’s career portrayal—it added a layer of authenticity that made the story even more enjoyable.
January 4, 2026
This was a quick, easy read and I really enjoyed spending time with characters in their 40s who actually communicate and talk things through. That alone made the relationship feel grounded and refreshing, even with the overall low stakes.
As the story went on, though, it started to feel a bit repetitive, and the number of parental figures and spouses with boundary issues began to pull focus and became more distracting than engaging for me.
Still, it was a pleasant, low stress read with some solid moments and an enjoyable way to pass the time.
Thank you to St Martins Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
As the story went on, though, it started to feel a bit repetitive, and the number of parental figures and spouses with boundary issues began to pull focus and became more distracting than engaging for me.
Still, it was a pleasant, low stress read with some solid moments and an enjoyable way to pass the time.
Thank you to St Martins Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 20, 2025
Janae Sanders’ Second Time Around is such a joy to read! From the very first page, I was drawn into Janae’s world—her devotion to her son James, her unshakeable bond with her besties in the Savvy, Sexy, and Single Club, and her witty, sarcastic inner voice that had me laughing out loud more than once. There’s something so relatable about her life as a mom trying to balance it all, while also figuring out if she’s ready to dip her toes back into the dating pool.
And then there’s Adam Henderson. Oh, Adam. The fact that he and Janae share history from college gives their romance this rich, layered feel that’s just so satisfying. Their chemistry is simmering from the start, and I loved watching them navigate the sparks, the old feelings, and all the real-life obstacles that pop up in their way. It’s not just a romance—it’s a story about reconnection, second chances, and the kind of love that catches you off guard but feels completely inevitable.
I also really appreciated the stakes beyond the romance. Janae’s fight to save James’s arts program added depth to the story, showing her passion, her advocacy for her community, and the lengths she’ll go to protect what matters. It grounded the romance in reality, making it feel like life is happening around them while their hearts figure things out.
The pacing is spot-on, mixing tender, swoony moments with hilarious banter and real-world challenges. The friendships, the nostalgia of revisiting old connections, and the chemistry between Janae and Adam all made this book impossible to put down.
Overall, Second Time Around is a delightful mix of heart, humour, and heat. If you love stories about second chances, enduring friendships, and romance that feels both earned and electrifying, this book is definitely worth your time.
And then there’s Adam Henderson. Oh, Adam. The fact that he and Janae share history from college gives their romance this rich, layered feel that’s just so satisfying. Their chemistry is simmering from the start, and I loved watching them navigate the sparks, the old feelings, and all the real-life obstacles that pop up in their way. It’s not just a romance—it’s a story about reconnection, second chances, and the kind of love that catches you off guard but feels completely inevitable.
I also really appreciated the stakes beyond the romance. Janae’s fight to save James’s arts program added depth to the story, showing her passion, her advocacy for her community, and the lengths she’ll go to protect what matters. It grounded the romance in reality, making it feel like life is happening around them while their hearts figure things out.
The pacing is spot-on, mixing tender, swoony moments with hilarious banter and real-world challenges. The friendships, the nostalgia of revisiting old connections, and the chemistry between Janae and Adam all made this book impossible to put down.
Overall, Second Time Around is a delightful mix of heart, humour, and heat. If you love stories about second chances, enduring friendships, and romance that feels both earned and electrifying, this book is definitely worth your time.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
There’s a very specific kind of exhaustion that only comes from being everything for everyone for years—and then being told, even indirectly, that you should keep doing it quietly. Janae Sanders’ Second Time Around understands that exhaustion intimately. It also understands the quiet, radical relief of someone looking at you and saying, without flinching: you don’t have to carry this alone anymore.
And for that alone, this book earns its place as the first review of the year.
This is a mature, emotionally grounded second-chance romance about two divorced adults who are deeply shaped by their pasts and still brave enough to reach for something new. It’s warm, occasionally frustrating, intentionally slow, and deeply rooted in Black community, friendship, and healing. Not perfect—but honest in a way that feels lived-in rather than polished.
🏷️ Tropes You’ll Find:
Second Chance Romance
Grown Folks Love
Small Town Black Romance
Divorced FMC / Divorced MMC
He Falls Hard (and Soft)
Friends-to-Lovers Energy (with History)
Found Family / Ride-or-Die Friend Group
🍯 Jam Flavor
Black Cherry Bourbon & Molasses
This jam hits slow and heavy, in the best way. It opens with black cherry—not candy-sweet, but dark, mature, almost wine-soaked. The kind of cherry that knows loss. That’s Janae. Sixteen years of marriage. Years of being everything to everyone. Swallowing disappointment and still showing up pressed, polished, and competent. There’s depth to her sweetness, but there’s weight there too.
Then comes the bourbon. Warm. Comforting. Slightly smoky. It doesn’t burn—it settles. That’s Adam in human form. He doesn’t rush her. He doesn’t posture. He just stays. He pours himself into the space she’s been holding alone and says, put it down, I got you. The bourbon note lingers, grounding and steady, like a man who finally learns how to stand up to his father and choose peace over pride.
Underneath it all is molasses—thick, slow-moving sweetness. This is second-chance love. It resists being rushed. It clings. And sometimes it sticks too much, which mirrors the one emotional hurdle here: communication that moves slower than the feelings themselves. Janae braces for disappointment before tasting the sweetness. The jam drags a little before it spreads, but when it does? Worth it.
This is a sit-down jam. Buttered toast, warm biscuits, eaten slowly at the kitchen table while life hums quietly around you.
Janae Sanders is freshly divorced after a sixteen-year marriage that took far more than it gave. She’s raising her teenage son, excelling in a demanding career, and holding her head high with the kind of composure that often gets mislabeled as “strength” when it’s really survival.
She’s not looking for love. She’s barely tolerating peace.
Meanwhile, Adam Henderson, her former high school rival, long-ago crush, and now newly divorced man, is back in their small town to care for a difficult, emotionally withholding father. Adam doesn’t tiptoe around his interest in Janae. He also doesn’t rush her. He just… shows up. Consistently (my word of the year 😉). Kindly. With intention.
And that alone sets the tone for what kind of romance this is.
Janae Sanders carries the kind of strength that doesn’t feel performative—it feels necessary. The kind that’s been practiced for years. She is competent, capable, deeply loving, and always on. The weight of being everything to everyone sits so naturally on her shoulders that it’s almost invisible… until you notice how rarely she rests. How quickly she braces for disappointment. How instinctively she assumes she’ll be the one left holding the short end of the stick.
What I loved most was that the story never treated this as a flaw in need of correction. Janae didn’t wake up like this. Sixteen years of marriage, emotional labor, control disguised as partnership—it all lives in her body. Her guardedness isn’t stubbornness; it’s muscle memory. Her hesitation isn’t fear of love; it’s fear of repeating a pattern she barely survived.
So when she jumps to conclusions, when she fills silence with worst-case scenarios before Adam even gets the chance to explain himself, it feels painfully recognizable. This is what healing looks like when you’re functional on the outside. When your life is together but your heart is still cautious. The story lets that tension exist without rushing her through it, and I appreciated that patience deeply.
And then there’s Adam Henderson.
Adam is the kind of romantic lead who understands that presence is louder than performance. He doesn’t bulldoze his way into Janae’s life or demand vulnerability on his timeline. He stays. He listens. He shows his interest plainly and repeatedly, without games or ego. There’s something incredibly soothing about the way he loves—steady, warm, intentional.
Watching Adam navigate his own growth, especially in relation to his father, adds a quiet depth to his character. Standing up to family patterns that have shaped you isn’t easy, especially when you’ve been taught that endurance equals virtue. Adam choosing peace—choosing Janae—feels earned. Not dramatic. Not flashy. Just real.
Their ages matter here. These aren’t people learning what love is for the first time. These are adults unlearning survival. The romance moves accordingly—slow, layered, built on history and awareness rather than novelty. Their connection isn’t about sparks out of nowhere; it’s about recognition. About seeing someone again with new eyes and realizing the timing finally makes sense.
The emotional tension between them isn’t fueled by chaos, but by assumption. By old wounds speaking louder than present reality. And while that tension lingers, it’s never empty. It’s doing character work. It’s showing how deeply both of them want this—and how carefully they’re stepping toward it.
One of the quiet standouts of the book is the Savvy, Sexy, and Single Club. This friend group feels lived-in and intentional. They don’t exist just to hype Janae up or push the plot forward. They hold her accountable. They support without coddling. They love her loudly enough to pull her back when she starts retreating into herself. Their presence reinforces one of the book’s most consistent themes: isolation is not strength. Community is.
The story is also beautifully grounded in the details of Janae’s life beyond romance. Her career, portrayed with care and accuracy, gives her identity texture. Her advocacy for her son’s arts program adds stakes that matter independently of Adam. Life doesn’t pause while love blooms—and this book understands that balance well.
Even the small-town setting contributes to the emotional weight. It isn’t just scenery. It’s memory. It’s history. It’s a place where past versions of yourself can still see you. Choices echo louder here. Growth is visible. Healing has witnesses.
By the time Janae and Adam find their way fully back to each other, it doesn’t feel like a dramatic victory—it feels like relief. Like exhaling. Like choosing softness without surrendering self.
This is a second-chance romance that believes love can be gentle and powerful. That healing doesn’t erase the past—it makes room around it. And that being cared for is not a failure of strength, but its reward.
📚For Fans Of
Vanessa Jared’s Got a Man by LaQuette
Romance featuring divorced, emotionally intelligent leads
Soft men who step up and stay
Stories about letting yourself be cared for
Black love rooted in community, maturity, and healing
Until the next swoon-worthy story… happy reading and happy romancing! 💕
And for that alone, this book earns its place as the first review of the year.
This is a mature, emotionally grounded second-chance romance about two divorced adults who are deeply shaped by their pasts and still brave enough to reach for something new. It’s warm, occasionally frustrating, intentionally slow, and deeply rooted in Black community, friendship, and healing. Not perfect—but honest in a way that feels lived-in rather than polished.
🏷️ Tropes You’ll Find:
Second Chance Romance
Grown Folks Love
Small Town Black Romance
Divorced FMC / Divorced MMC
He Falls Hard (and Soft)
Friends-to-Lovers Energy (with History)
Found Family / Ride-or-Die Friend Group
🍯 Jam Flavor
Black Cherry Bourbon & Molasses
This jam hits slow and heavy, in the best way. It opens with black cherry—not candy-sweet, but dark, mature, almost wine-soaked. The kind of cherry that knows loss. That’s Janae. Sixteen years of marriage. Years of being everything to everyone. Swallowing disappointment and still showing up pressed, polished, and competent. There’s depth to her sweetness, but there’s weight there too.
Then comes the bourbon. Warm. Comforting. Slightly smoky. It doesn’t burn—it settles. That’s Adam in human form. He doesn’t rush her. He doesn’t posture. He just stays. He pours himself into the space she’s been holding alone and says, put it down, I got you. The bourbon note lingers, grounding and steady, like a man who finally learns how to stand up to his father and choose peace over pride.
Underneath it all is molasses—thick, slow-moving sweetness. This is second-chance love. It resists being rushed. It clings. And sometimes it sticks too much, which mirrors the one emotional hurdle here: communication that moves slower than the feelings themselves. Janae braces for disappointment before tasting the sweetness. The jam drags a little before it spreads, but when it does? Worth it.
This is a sit-down jam. Buttered toast, warm biscuits, eaten slowly at the kitchen table while life hums quietly around you.
Janae Sanders is freshly divorced after a sixteen-year marriage that took far more than it gave. She’s raising her teenage son, excelling in a demanding career, and holding her head high with the kind of composure that often gets mislabeled as “strength” when it’s really survival.
She’s not looking for love. She’s barely tolerating peace.
Meanwhile, Adam Henderson, her former high school rival, long-ago crush, and now newly divorced man, is back in their small town to care for a difficult, emotionally withholding father. Adam doesn’t tiptoe around his interest in Janae. He also doesn’t rush her. He just… shows up. Consistently (my word of the year 😉). Kindly. With intention.
And that alone sets the tone for what kind of romance this is.
Janae Sanders carries the kind of strength that doesn’t feel performative—it feels necessary. The kind that’s been practiced for years. She is competent, capable, deeply loving, and always on. The weight of being everything to everyone sits so naturally on her shoulders that it’s almost invisible… until you notice how rarely she rests. How quickly she braces for disappointment. How instinctively she assumes she’ll be the one left holding the short end of the stick.
What I loved most was that the story never treated this as a flaw in need of correction. Janae didn’t wake up like this. Sixteen years of marriage, emotional labor, control disguised as partnership—it all lives in her body. Her guardedness isn’t stubbornness; it’s muscle memory. Her hesitation isn’t fear of love; it’s fear of repeating a pattern she barely survived.
So when she jumps to conclusions, when she fills silence with worst-case scenarios before Adam even gets the chance to explain himself, it feels painfully recognizable. This is what healing looks like when you’re functional on the outside. When your life is together but your heart is still cautious. The story lets that tension exist without rushing her through it, and I appreciated that patience deeply.
And then there’s Adam Henderson.
Adam is the kind of romantic lead who understands that presence is louder than performance. He doesn’t bulldoze his way into Janae’s life or demand vulnerability on his timeline. He stays. He listens. He shows his interest plainly and repeatedly, without games or ego. There’s something incredibly soothing about the way he loves—steady, warm, intentional.
Watching Adam navigate his own growth, especially in relation to his father, adds a quiet depth to his character. Standing up to family patterns that have shaped you isn’t easy, especially when you’ve been taught that endurance equals virtue. Adam choosing peace—choosing Janae—feels earned. Not dramatic. Not flashy. Just real.
Their ages matter here. These aren’t people learning what love is for the first time. These are adults unlearning survival. The romance moves accordingly—slow, layered, built on history and awareness rather than novelty. Their connection isn’t about sparks out of nowhere; it’s about recognition. About seeing someone again with new eyes and realizing the timing finally makes sense.
The emotional tension between them isn’t fueled by chaos, but by assumption. By old wounds speaking louder than present reality. And while that tension lingers, it’s never empty. It’s doing character work. It’s showing how deeply both of them want this—and how carefully they’re stepping toward it.
One of the quiet standouts of the book is the Savvy, Sexy, and Single Club. This friend group feels lived-in and intentional. They don’t exist just to hype Janae up or push the plot forward. They hold her accountable. They support without coddling. They love her loudly enough to pull her back when she starts retreating into herself. Their presence reinforces one of the book’s most consistent themes: isolation is not strength. Community is.
The story is also beautifully grounded in the details of Janae’s life beyond romance. Her career, portrayed with care and accuracy, gives her identity texture. Her advocacy for her son’s arts program adds stakes that matter independently of Adam. Life doesn’t pause while love blooms—and this book understands that balance well.
Even the small-town setting contributes to the emotional weight. It isn’t just scenery. It’s memory. It’s history. It’s a place where past versions of yourself can still see you. Choices echo louder here. Growth is visible. Healing has witnesses.
By the time Janae and Adam find their way fully back to each other, it doesn’t feel like a dramatic victory—it feels like relief. Like exhaling. Like choosing softness without surrendering self.
This is a second-chance romance that believes love can be gentle and powerful. That healing doesn’t erase the past—it makes room around it. And that being cared for is not a failure of strength, but its reward.
📚For Fans Of
Vanessa Jared’s Got a Man by LaQuette
Romance featuring divorced, emotionally intelligent leads
Soft men who step up and stay
Stories about letting yourself be cared for
Black love rooted in community, maturity, and healing
Until the next swoon-worthy story… happy reading and happy romancing! 💕
January 8, 2026
Janae Sanders' Second Time Around is a piquant and fervent read about Janae and Adam's second chance to kindle a long-overdue relationship. In this second-chance romance by LaQuette, Janae is left responsible for the trauma she experienced from continuous sexism and misogyny from her ex-husband and her divorce. Yet, this isn't the first time Janae has experienced belittlement and discrimination around her. In addition to her ex-husband, Janae grew up with injustice around her father, who echoed sexist standards among women, and her mother, who is still finding herself at an older age in navigating parenthood, but ultimately hurts Janae due to her unreachable beauty and standards affected by the patriarchy. The only thing in her life keeping her afloat is her sweet and caring son, James. Not long after, though, Janae finds another support system besides her son. Adam, her childhood crush.
Adam is returning to his hometown after his divorce, retiring from his professional basketball career, and concluding 20 years of teaching as a secondary education teacher by becoming the local interim superintendent. Returning home isn't all smooth and exciting, though. With conflicts from his father's constant control over Adam's career throughout his whole life and upheld patriarchal expectations around his and his mother's lives, Adam pushes through by enduring his elderly father's controlling and misogynistic characteristics by taking care of him throughout his recovery from an injured leg. Balancing his support for his father with the need to secure a more permanent position in the school district, Adam is tasked with cutting the arts program for students. Yet when he meets Janae face-to-face, who turns out to be the PTO president, ready to fight any obstacle that hurts her son's chance to apply to an arts school, Adam succumbs to Janae's insistence and helps her with fundraising options to save the arts program. With their clear attraction to each other, though, Janae and Adam's relationship quickly grew. Yet, with Janae's walls standing clearly to protect her well-being as a single mother, complications arose in their relationship.
As a first-time reader of LaQuette's work, I walked into this book knowing nothing about the characters and her writing. What I initially found enchanting in this book is LaQuette's emphasis on a deeply rooted societal issue: the constant battle against patriarchy, which affects women heavily and also men who grew up in households centered on toxic masculinity, as seen in Adam and James's experiences. There is such a heavy emphasis on Black women's independence and strength in this book that strongly advocates to dismantle the horrific experiences that many Black women face within their lives due to societal expectations and the continued misogyny and sexism happening within Black households. Within the story, I felt deep sympathy for Janae as she struggles to understand how to be treated well by those around her, despite her strong attempts to stand her ground and be strong, especially with a child who is about to head to college while balancing a love life and a career in healthcare. LaQuette's story also emphasizes how Janae's life has been affected by her divorce, both mentally and financially, including her drive to raise a successful young man like James. In many ways, I thoroughly liked LaQuette's focus on feminism in this book, including the importance of setting boundaries and asking for help from your community, friends, and professional behavioral/mental health specialists.
While I enjoyed and loved the story's central theme and message, some technicalities could use a bit more work. From the very start, I thought that the story felt a bit excessive with Janae and Adam's hunger for each other. I knew I was coming into this story with a bit of spice already, but I was not expecting the first 30% of the book to be intimately intense. I felt that this then beats the purpose of the cover, where it looks like Janae and Adam are yearning for one another. Instead, it made their relationship feel sexually driven based on physical attributes, even though the story kept emphasizing that they both weren't there for the sex. I also found it odd how the story is so feminist-based, yet Adam didn't officially ask Janae to be his girlfriend. It was kind of just an "assumed" thing, which was mentioned by the end of the story.
There were also many references in the book to popular culture that were not relatable to me as a reader. It often made me feel lost. In terms of the story's bones, for lack of a better word, I was a bit confused where the central conflict truly begins. Was it 30% into the story when Janae finds out that Adam is the superintendent who was essentially hired to kill off the arts program (which I feel would have been such a great idea to develop), or was it when they had a misunderstanding by 75% into the story (which feels a bit too late)?
I also found the type of narration lacking in flow. Instead of a third-person limited structure in which the primary focus shifts between characters halfway through the chapters, I feel it would have been better to stick to first-person narration with alternating narrators. I understand that LaQuette used a third-person limited narration to present both perspectives simultaneously. Still, sometimes it was difficult to tell right away whose perspective we were in at the beginning of the chapters/when the narration switched. Lastly, there were a lot of typos and punctuation errors in this book that threw me off a bit. Given that I have an advanced copy, I'm sure this is revised by publication day.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, primarily getting a window into the story of people who are divorced and are fighting to outgrow misogynistic and gendered expectations in Black households. I would highly recommend this to readers who are looking for more representation on sexism, misogyny, and a bit of mental health within non-White contexts. Personally, I don't think I was the target audience for this story, so please keep that in mind with my review :)
Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin for sending over a physical ARC of this book!
Adam is returning to his hometown after his divorce, retiring from his professional basketball career, and concluding 20 years of teaching as a secondary education teacher by becoming the local interim superintendent. Returning home isn't all smooth and exciting, though. With conflicts from his father's constant control over Adam's career throughout his whole life and upheld patriarchal expectations around his and his mother's lives, Adam pushes through by enduring his elderly father's controlling and misogynistic characteristics by taking care of him throughout his recovery from an injured leg. Balancing his support for his father with the need to secure a more permanent position in the school district, Adam is tasked with cutting the arts program for students. Yet when he meets Janae face-to-face, who turns out to be the PTO president, ready to fight any obstacle that hurts her son's chance to apply to an arts school, Adam succumbs to Janae's insistence and helps her with fundraising options to save the arts program. With their clear attraction to each other, though, Janae and Adam's relationship quickly grew. Yet, with Janae's walls standing clearly to protect her well-being as a single mother, complications arose in their relationship.
As a first-time reader of LaQuette's work, I walked into this book knowing nothing about the characters and her writing. What I initially found enchanting in this book is LaQuette's emphasis on a deeply rooted societal issue: the constant battle against patriarchy, which affects women heavily and also men who grew up in households centered on toxic masculinity, as seen in Adam and James's experiences. There is such a heavy emphasis on Black women's independence and strength in this book that strongly advocates to dismantle the horrific experiences that many Black women face within their lives due to societal expectations and the continued misogyny and sexism happening within Black households. Within the story, I felt deep sympathy for Janae as she struggles to understand how to be treated well by those around her, despite her strong attempts to stand her ground and be strong, especially with a child who is about to head to college while balancing a love life and a career in healthcare. LaQuette's story also emphasizes how Janae's life has been affected by her divorce, both mentally and financially, including her drive to raise a successful young man like James. In many ways, I thoroughly liked LaQuette's focus on feminism in this book, including the importance of setting boundaries and asking for help from your community, friends, and professional behavioral/mental health specialists.
While I enjoyed and loved the story's central theme and message, some technicalities could use a bit more work. From the very start, I thought that the story felt a bit excessive with Janae and Adam's hunger for each other. I knew I was coming into this story with a bit of spice already, but I was not expecting the first 30% of the book to be intimately intense. I felt that this then beats the purpose of the cover, where it looks like Janae and Adam are yearning for one another. Instead, it made their relationship feel sexually driven based on physical attributes, even though the story kept emphasizing that they both weren't there for the sex. I also found it odd how the story is so feminist-based, yet Adam didn't officially ask Janae to be his girlfriend. It was kind of just an "assumed" thing, which was mentioned by the end of the story.
There were also many references in the book to popular culture that were not relatable to me as a reader. It often made me feel lost. In terms of the story's bones, for lack of a better word, I was a bit confused where the central conflict truly begins. Was it 30% into the story when Janae finds out that Adam is the superintendent who was essentially hired to kill off the arts program (which I feel would have been such a great idea to develop), or was it when they had a misunderstanding by 75% into the story (which feels a bit too late)?
I also found the type of narration lacking in flow. Instead of a third-person limited structure in which the primary focus shifts between characters halfway through the chapters, I feel it would have been better to stick to first-person narration with alternating narrators. I understand that LaQuette used a third-person limited narration to present both perspectives simultaneously. Still, sometimes it was difficult to tell right away whose perspective we were in at the beginning of the chapters/when the narration switched. Lastly, there were a lot of typos and punctuation errors in this book that threw me off a bit. Given that I have an advanced copy, I'm sure this is revised by publication day.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, primarily getting a window into the story of people who are divorced and are fighting to outgrow misogynistic and gendered expectations in Black households. I would highly recommend this to readers who are looking for more representation on sexism, misogyny, and a bit of mental health within non-White contexts. Personally, I don't think I was the target audience for this story, so please keep that in mind with my review :)
Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin for sending over a physical ARC of this book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Janae Sanders' Second Time Around is a poignantly healing, romantic journey. It features two leads rising above toxicity that once pinned them down, forging independent paths following their hearts, and finding those hearts intertwining in love. It's a feel good read, one that will inspire you to take on the obstacles weighing you down.
Janae and Adam were high school competitors, vying for that top ranking spot. Outside of their fiery exchanges in class they stayed far away from each other. Not knowing how requited their silent crushes were. Now they are in their 40s, both divorced, both striving to forge new paths. Both realizing how the simmering chemistry they shared in class has come back in full force. If only they didn't stand on opposites sides when it comes to keeping the arts program in the high school where Adam is the interim superintendent and Janae head of PTA. Luckily a solution might be on hand, and it may even involve some sweet, sweet close proximity to figure it all out...
Firstly, let me just revel in seeing older leads in a romance. For me personally, it makes me engage and relate more in their stories. The stakes just feel higher because they are at the stage of their life where desires are known and chances are riskier...but maybe also more important to take. Janae isn't quite sure of the risk Adam poses when it comes to love. I understood her reluctance, given the toxicity of both her past marriage and how her mother raised her, I felt sympathy at her reluctance to consider anything long term with Adam. Which made her taking the chance one full of courage. Then there's Adam, oh Adam with his gorgeous patience. He could read how much Janae liked and desires him, but he was happy to go at her speed. To give her the time to truly trust in his fidelity and loyalty. This is a man who successfully dismantled the toxic masculinity his father exuded, who went against the grain and expectations. Even if it meant leaving a million-dollar earning career as a superstar behind, he embraces his true desires and it led him back home, to be an educator. He found himself, and he's willing to gladly wait for Janae to find herself too. That's a green flag man right there!
These are two terrific, inspiring leads, and for me that serves to elevate their chemistry. You see how they work for their individual aspirations and it makes you long to see them fight for the love burgeoning between them. Which they do, as they communicate healthily, in ways I feel aren't commonly seen in romances. There truly is communication. At times, I did feel things became a bit cyclical in the narrative, but I still just loved how we had leads who truly talked things out.
I also want to shout out the marvelously healthy friendship group! This is found family gold right there. On Janae's side, we have Cree and Vanessa, part of the Savvy, Sexy, and Single Club who hold one another up. Through them, Janae finds true strength, not in perpetuating stereotypes of what it means to be strong, but truly live in a way that allows strength in vulnerability and softness. Then we have Adam's crew, part of the overall shared friend group, who are also fantastic green flag men who are open to discussing the workings of the heart. Feelings aren't bottled up, they are explored! And friends encourage just that!
I really love how this book didn't just explore romance, it also allowed time for friendships, for exploring familial dynamics, and for uplifting personal choice as we set the course to the rest of our lives.
Thank you St. Martins Press and NetGalley for this complimentary eARC, I leave this honest review voluntarily.
Janae and Adam were high school competitors, vying for that top ranking spot. Outside of their fiery exchanges in class they stayed far away from each other. Not knowing how requited their silent crushes were. Now they are in their 40s, both divorced, both striving to forge new paths. Both realizing how the simmering chemistry they shared in class has come back in full force. If only they didn't stand on opposites sides when it comes to keeping the arts program in the high school where Adam is the interim superintendent and Janae head of PTA. Luckily a solution might be on hand, and it may even involve some sweet, sweet close proximity to figure it all out...
Firstly, let me just revel in seeing older leads in a romance. For me personally, it makes me engage and relate more in their stories. The stakes just feel higher because they are at the stage of their life where desires are known and chances are riskier...but maybe also more important to take. Janae isn't quite sure of the risk Adam poses when it comes to love. I understood her reluctance, given the toxicity of both her past marriage and how her mother raised her, I felt sympathy at her reluctance to consider anything long term with Adam. Which made her taking the chance one full of courage. Then there's Adam, oh Adam with his gorgeous patience. He could read how much Janae liked and desires him, but he was happy to go at her speed. To give her the time to truly trust in his fidelity and loyalty. This is a man who successfully dismantled the toxic masculinity his father exuded, who went against the grain and expectations. Even if it meant leaving a million-dollar earning career as a superstar behind, he embraces his true desires and it led him back home, to be an educator. He found himself, and he's willing to gladly wait for Janae to find herself too. That's a green flag man right there!
These are two terrific, inspiring leads, and for me that serves to elevate their chemistry. You see how they work for their individual aspirations and it makes you long to see them fight for the love burgeoning between them. Which they do, as they communicate healthily, in ways I feel aren't commonly seen in romances. There truly is communication. At times, I did feel things became a bit cyclical in the narrative, but I still just loved how we had leads who truly talked things out.
I also want to shout out the marvelously healthy friendship group! This is found family gold right there. On Janae's side, we have Cree and Vanessa, part of the Savvy, Sexy, and Single Club who hold one another up. Through them, Janae finds true strength, not in perpetuating stereotypes of what it means to be strong, but truly live in a way that allows strength in vulnerability and softness. Then we have Adam's crew, part of the overall shared friend group, who are also fantastic green flag men who are open to discussing the workings of the heart. Feelings aren't bottled up, they are explored! And friends encourage just that!
I really love how this book didn't just explore romance, it also allowed time for friendships, for exploring familial dynamics, and for uplifting personal choice as we set the course to the rest of our lives.
Thank you St. Martins Press and NetGalley for this complimentary eARC, I leave this honest review voluntarily.
October 6, 2025
I received a copy of this book for free in a Goodreads giveaway.
I did not go into this book expecting much more than a typical second-chance romance kind of thing, but it turned out to be so much more disappointing than I had even imagined. The plot is very predictable. Every problem somehow gets worked out. Every character's motivations are spelled out explicitly, leaving no room for subtlety or interpretation. It all builds to an unrealistically happy ending that you can also see coming from a mile away.
The main character is Janae Sanders, divorced mother of a teenage son. She works as a nurse anesthetist in a small town, and her two best friends are also unmarried women. Her old high school academic rival, Adam Henderson, moves back to town, and of course, there's an attraction between them. Meanwhile, Janae has to deal with the fact that the arts program, which her son James really enjoys, is getting its funding cut by the new interim superintendent. And of course, the new interim superintendent happens to be Adam, which Janae conveniently doesn't find out until after a relationship has started between them.
But that ends up being just a relatively small problem, just like every other problem that crops up in their relationship. It all gets resolved with some talking, no matter how big the problem is. Janae has trust issues because of her ex, Adam has issues with his father still trying to control his life, and so forth, but all of these are just dealt with and resolved. It's sometimes after a long, drawn-out fight, but they all get neatly sorted out by the end, and it seems far too convenient. The book just goes from one problem to the next, and they all get worked out because everyone in the book is so understanding, and Janae and Adam happen to each have two very supportive friends who know how to fix everything.
The writing style is also distracting. The author has the need to explain everyone's feelings and motivations, often in painstaking detail. It leaves nothing to the imagination, spelling out everything for the reader without letting them draw any conclusions on their own. There is no subtlety here, and it's basically all telling and no showing. There are no surprises because the author explains Janae and Adam's thought processes in detail, so there's not really any opportunity for a character to surprise the reader with anything they do.
I didn't have many expectations going into this book, and yet I was still disappointed. The plot is predictable and problems are solved unrealistically neatly. The romance is obviously going to go the way you would expect it to. The main characters' thoughts are spelled out in excruciating detail, with no subtlety and leaving nothing to the imagination. Janae and Adam have heartwarming close friendships, but why are they so similar? They both have two same-gendered friends, and they basically just pair off between the friend groups. There's some decently hot sex scenes, but if the rest of the book is going to be this boring, they needed to be spicier and way more explicit. It all builds up to a very predictable happy ending, where of course every disagreement that's cropped up has magically been resolved, and it's all so unrealistic and unsatisfying.
I did not go into this book expecting much more than a typical second-chance romance kind of thing, but it turned out to be so much more disappointing than I had even imagined. The plot is very predictable. Every problem somehow gets worked out. Every character's motivations are spelled out explicitly, leaving no room for subtlety or interpretation. It all builds to an unrealistically happy ending that you can also see coming from a mile away.
The main character is Janae Sanders, divorced mother of a teenage son. She works as a nurse anesthetist in a small town, and her two best friends are also unmarried women. Her old high school academic rival, Adam Henderson, moves back to town, and of course, there's an attraction between them. Meanwhile, Janae has to deal with the fact that the arts program, which her son James really enjoys, is getting its funding cut by the new interim superintendent. And of course, the new interim superintendent happens to be Adam, which Janae conveniently doesn't find out until after a relationship has started between them.
But that ends up being just a relatively small problem, just like every other problem that crops up in their relationship. It all gets resolved with some talking, no matter how big the problem is. Janae has trust issues because of her ex, Adam has issues with his father still trying to control his life, and so forth, but all of these are just dealt with and resolved. It's sometimes after a long, drawn-out fight, but they all get neatly sorted out by the end, and it seems far too convenient. The book just goes from one problem to the next, and they all get worked out because everyone in the book is so understanding, and Janae and Adam happen to each have two very supportive friends who know how to fix everything.
The writing style is also distracting. The author has the need to explain everyone's feelings and motivations, often in painstaking detail. It leaves nothing to the imagination, spelling out everything for the reader without letting them draw any conclusions on their own. There is no subtlety here, and it's basically all telling and no showing. There are no surprises because the author explains Janae and Adam's thought processes in detail, so there's not really any opportunity for a character to surprise the reader with anything they do.
I didn't have many expectations going into this book, and yet I was still disappointed. The plot is predictable and problems are solved unrealistically neatly. The romance is obviously going to go the way you would expect it to. The main characters' thoughts are spelled out in excruciating detail, with no subtlety and leaving nothing to the imagination. Janae and Adam have heartwarming close friendships, but why are they so similar? They both have two same-gendered friends, and they basically just pair off between the friend groups. There's some decently hot sex scenes, but if the rest of the book is going to be this boring, they needed to be spicier and way more explicit. It all builds up to a very predictable happy ending, where of course every disagreement that's cropped up has magically been resolved, and it's all so unrealistic and unsatisfying.
January 13, 2026
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Thank you St. Martin's Griffin/SMP Romance for a gifted copy. The below thoughts and honest review are my own.
Janae Sanders' is single and focusing on her teenage son, James. And as president of the PTA, she's about to show them who is boss after the new interim superintendent cuts several of the arts programs, including ones her son participates in. When her teenage crush, Adam Henderson returns to their hometown where Janae still resides sparks definitely fly and she starts to consider dating again, but wants to take it slow. Turns out Adam is the new interim superintendent and now the heat between them is not all pleasant. However, they're all adults and they decide to take a weekend away to work together to see how they can save money for the school and keep the arts programs, as well as see what romantic feelings are still there.
I loved that this was about a couple in their late 30s (maybe even early 40s?). You could just tell the communication was between two adults, even though there were still some tense moments and conflict (i.e., it wasn't boring!) it was so refreshing to see an author not rely on adult temper tantrums or miscommunication to move the plot along. The romance between Janae and Adam was so sweet - I loved watching them reconnect. Both characters have gone through their fair share of hardships (Janae is nurse anesthetist - love that! but has gone through a pretty awful previous relationship and divorce while Adam is an ex-NBA player turned educator and deals with a lot of backlash from his family, particularly his father) and I was so excited for them to experience lots of joy in this book! This book also features a great found family with the friend group (apparently this is an interconnected standalone, so I will definitely have to check out the previous book and keep an eye out for the next one). I think the only aspect that didn't really resonate with me was the second chance in this book. I usually eat up a second chance romance, but they barely crushed on each other/spoke to each other in high school and what was little was there was rekindled a little too quickly now 20+ years later to give me that emotional second chance feel. Overall though, an easy, heartwarming, enjoyable romance!
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Thank you St. Martin's Griffin/SMP Romance for a gifted copy. The below thoughts and honest review are my own.
Janae Sanders' is single and focusing on her teenage son, James. And as president of the PTA, she's about to show them who is boss after the new interim superintendent cuts several of the arts programs, including ones her son participates in. When her teenage crush, Adam Henderson returns to their hometown where Janae still resides sparks definitely fly and she starts to consider dating again, but wants to take it slow. Turns out Adam is the new interim superintendent and now the heat between them is not all pleasant. However, they're all adults and they decide to take a weekend away to work together to see how they can save money for the school and keep the arts programs, as well as see what romantic feelings are still there.
I loved that this was about a couple in their late 30s (maybe even early 40s?). You could just tell the communication was between two adults, even though there were still some tense moments and conflict (i.e., it wasn't boring!) it was so refreshing to see an author not rely on adult temper tantrums or miscommunication to move the plot along. The romance between Janae and Adam was so sweet - I loved watching them reconnect. Both characters have gone through their fair share of hardships (Janae is nurse anesthetist - love that! but has gone through a pretty awful previous relationship and divorce while Adam is an ex-NBA player turned educator and deals with a lot of backlash from his family, particularly his father) and I was so excited for them to experience lots of joy in this book! This book also features a great found family with the friend group (apparently this is an interconnected standalone, so I will definitely have to check out the previous book and keep an eye out for the next one). I think the only aspect that didn't really resonate with me was the second chance in this book. I usually eat up a second chance romance, but they barely crushed on each other/spoke to each other in high school and what was little was there was rekindled a little too quickly now 20+ years later to give me that emotional second chance feel. Overall though, an easy, heartwarming, enjoyable romance!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.25 / 5 Stars
I loved a lot of the concepts in the book but the writing style just wasn’t for me. But that is such a personal preference so this book might be for you!
You will probably like this book if you like:
💗 Second chance romances
💗 Plus size FMC and he loves it
💗 Main characters in their 40s
💗 They had unrequited crushes on each other in high school
💗 She never let’s anyone take care of her and he says, I’ll do it
I love romances where the main characters are older. I love romances with plus size main characters who are unabashedly themselves and the other main character is obsessed with it. I love romances where a main character has never had anyone take care of them and the other main character says, “watch me show you how special you really are.” I also love that we got a full page about how hot Shemar Moore is (because facts). So there were a lot of great tropes that I really love in this book.
And while I appreciate the efficiency, everything was written really directly. For example, Adam appeared in the first chapter and the next paragraph was the vast majority of his backstory (he played basketball in college and the NBA and they had gone to high school together). I personally prefer for that information to be revealed more slowly.
I appreciate that these are grown adults who know how to communicate, but that meant that there wasn’t a lot of tension because issues got resolved within a few chapters. For example, I thought the storyline that Adam was the new superintendent and had cut her son’s extracurricular program would be much more of an issue but it wasn’t. Janae doesn’t really want to go on a date with him? Solved in two-ish chapters. Again, I hate when characters are dealing with the same stuff for 75% of the book but I like something in between these two approaches.
And I don’t buy into the resolution with the parents. It was a lot of talk and not a lot of action to make me think that their parents’ toxic behavior would actually change.
If any of the tropes above appeal to you, you should check out the book.
Thank you St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for providing this eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: January 6, 2026
I loved a lot of the concepts in the book but the writing style just wasn’t for me. But that is such a personal preference so this book might be for you!
You will probably like this book if you like:
💗 Second chance romances
💗 Plus size FMC and he loves it
💗 Main characters in their 40s
💗 They had unrequited crushes on each other in high school
💗 She never let’s anyone take care of her and he says, I’ll do it
I love romances where the main characters are older. I love romances with plus size main characters who are unabashedly themselves and the other main character is obsessed with it. I love romances where a main character has never had anyone take care of them and the other main character says, “watch me show you how special you really are.” I also love that we got a full page about how hot Shemar Moore is (because facts). So there were a lot of great tropes that I really love in this book.
And while I appreciate the efficiency, everything was written really directly. For example, Adam appeared in the first chapter and the next paragraph was the vast majority of his backstory (he played basketball in college and the NBA and they had gone to high school together). I personally prefer for that information to be revealed more slowly.
I appreciate that these are grown adults who know how to communicate, but that meant that there wasn’t a lot of tension because issues got resolved within a few chapters. For example, I thought the storyline that Adam was the new superintendent and had cut her son’s extracurricular program would be much more of an issue but it wasn’t. Janae doesn’t really want to go on a date with him? Solved in two-ish chapters. Again, I hate when characters are dealing with the same stuff for 75% of the book but I like something in between these two approaches.
And I don’t buy into the resolution with the parents. It was a lot of talk and not a lot of action to make me think that their parents’ toxic behavior would actually change.
If any of the tropes above appeal to you, you should check out the book.
Thank you St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for providing this eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: January 6, 2026
January 7, 2026
Imagine your secret crush from high school moves back to town and suddenly shows interest in you. That's the situation for Janae, our main character in this book. Adam returns to town for a new job and, as soon as he sees Janae, he realizes he won't miss the chance to win her over now that they are grown. It's a good read overall, and it was my first by this author. I'm already interested in reading more of her work, especially the next book that features the last third of the singles club. Adam and Janae knew each other in high school and often competed against each other to see who was the smartest. But Janae avoided him because he was a jock. Meanwhile, Adam is pressured by his dad to pursue basketball and focuses so much on that that he never takes a chance on Janae. This is how we get the second chance, the romance aspect of the story. I enjoyed the spice in the book as well, and also the subplot of Adam being the new superintendent who cut the arts program, which directly impacted Janae's son. Also, this book is a dual point of view, so we get both character perspectives, which I loved. I like that they were both in their 40s, so they're mature and established characters. However, for them to be in their 40s, it was clear how they let their meddling parents get the best of them even though they are both grown. At least from my perspective, one thing I can say is that Janae comes across as not only fierce but tough, while we don’t see many flaws with Adam. Sometimes, I’m not a fan of too perfect male main characters. Janae has a lot of trauma from her mom and previous marriage, where her husband was very toxic to her and their son. Because of this she often seems to be in fight or flight mode. She has a one-track mind on her work and son. So she wont make the same mistakes. On the other hand, Adam applies pressure and does everything he can to make sure Janae knows he wants her this time. I will say, though, that the things that particularly frustrated me with her character, we see her grow from that and acknowledge those faults throughout the story, so it’s not like this is something that is never addressed, which I appreciate. Shoutout to their friends in this group who gave sound advice too. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with the ARC.
September 29, 2025
📚 Janae Sanders' Second Time Around by LaQuette
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
ARC Review
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Vibe: Black love, grown-folks healing, PTA protest with heart and heat
🧃 Tropes
Second Chance Romance
Single Mom
Enemies-to-Lovers
Black Love with Backbone
Community Sisterhood
Systemic Conflicts
Okay, so this book? I loved it. Like, really loved it. I don’t know anything about divorce personally, but I connected with Janae so deeply. She’s a mom trying to get herself together after everything fell apart, and she’s doing it while fighting for her son, her community, and her own sense of self. She’s not just surviving she’s showing up, speaking out, and refusing to shrink. And as someone who’s also on the PTA and sees how programs like arts and science get cut first, this hit me in the chest. It’s real. It’s raw. It’s necessary.
Then Adam walks in. He’s her old crush, and they’ve got history......but they’re not the same people anymore. They’ve grown. They’ve changed. And now they’re both fighting for the same thing, just from different angles. He’s the superintendent making hard decisions, and she’s the mom leading the charge to protect what matters. The tension is real, but the respect? Even better!
Also, can we talk about the Savvy, Sexy, and Single Club? Her friends are everything. They’re the kind of women who let you cry, vent, overshare, and still hype you up like you’re Beyoncé. That kind of sisterhood is rare, and it’s written with so much love and truth. I felt held just reading it.
This book is for every Black woman who’s ever had to choose between survival, love, or self-expression, and wondered if she could ever have it all. Janae shows us that we can. That we should. And that the right person won’t call us a handful they’ll hold out both hands and say, let me help you carry it.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
ARC Review
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Vibe: Black love, grown-folks healing, PTA protest with heart and heat
🧃 Tropes
Second Chance Romance
Single Mom
Enemies-to-Lovers
Black Love with Backbone
Community Sisterhood
Systemic Conflicts
Okay, so this book? I loved it. Like, really loved it. I don’t know anything about divorce personally, but I connected with Janae so deeply. She’s a mom trying to get herself together after everything fell apart, and she’s doing it while fighting for her son, her community, and her own sense of self. She’s not just surviving she’s showing up, speaking out, and refusing to shrink. And as someone who’s also on the PTA and sees how programs like arts and science get cut first, this hit me in the chest. It’s real. It’s raw. It’s necessary.
Then Adam walks in. He’s her old crush, and they’ve got history......but they’re not the same people anymore. They’ve grown. They’ve changed. And now they’re both fighting for the same thing, just from different angles. He’s the superintendent making hard decisions, and she’s the mom leading the charge to protect what matters. The tension is real, but the respect? Even better!
Also, can we talk about the Savvy, Sexy, and Single Club? Her friends are everything. They’re the kind of women who let you cry, vent, overshare, and still hype you up like you’re Beyoncé. That kind of sisterhood is rare, and it’s written with so much love and truth. I felt held just reading it.
This book is for every Black woman who’s ever had to choose between survival, love, or self-expression, and wondered if she could ever have it all. Janae shows us that we can. That we should. And that the right person won’t call us a handful they’ll hold out both hands and say, let me help you carry it.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 24, 2025
This isn’t just 5 stars.
This is ★★★★★★★★★★ with emotional interest and a bonus check.
I don’t know what gospel LaQuette tapped into to write this book, but this story is THAT GWORL.
This is grown, sexy, tender, complicated, emotionally intelligent romance with characters who feel realer than real. This book didn’t just entertain me — it slid into my chest, pressed on old scars, kissed them, and reminded me that love after brokenness can be soft and deliberate and deeply earned.
Adam and Janae?
These two are ADULTS with histories, responsibilities, wounds, and full lives. They aren’t 22-year-olds miscommunicating about brunch — they’re divorce survivors rebuilding, parenting, grieving dreams, confronting family trauma, and still choosing joy. Their chemistry wasn’t rushed; it was a slow unraveling of fear, trust, and possibility. It felt earned, and that made every moment hit twice as hard.
The writing is warm, soulful, and deeply human. I saw myself in these characters. I felt the ache of their pasts and the hope in their second chance. Janae Sanders writes with the kind of maturity and emotional precision that makes other contemporary romances feel childish by comparison. She brings nuance, depth, and authenticity to every chapter. I highlighted so many lines my Kindle thought I was malfunctioning.
This book didn’t fall short anywhere. Not the pacing. Not the character arcs. Not the romance. Not the tension. Not the emotional stakes. This is the kind of story you finish and immediately say:
“Who gave this woman permission to write something this GOOD?”
Second Time Around is hands down the new standard for grown-folks romance. It dethroned one of my top reads of the year — and trust me, that never happens. 2026 better come strong, because Janae Sanders is already sitting on the throne.
Easily a 10/5 stars. A new favorite. A masterpiece. That gworl.
I will absolutely be purchasing a physical copy on release day
This is ★★★★★★★★★★ with emotional interest and a bonus check.
I don’t know what gospel LaQuette tapped into to write this book, but this story is THAT GWORL.
This is grown, sexy, tender, complicated, emotionally intelligent romance with characters who feel realer than real. This book didn’t just entertain me — it slid into my chest, pressed on old scars, kissed them, and reminded me that love after brokenness can be soft and deliberate and deeply earned.
Adam and Janae?
These two are ADULTS with histories, responsibilities, wounds, and full lives. They aren’t 22-year-olds miscommunicating about brunch — they’re divorce survivors rebuilding, parenting, grieving dreams, confronting family trauma, and still choosing joy. Their chemistry wasn’t rushed; it was a slow unraveling of fear, trust, and possibility. It felt earned, and that made every moment hit twice as hard.
The writing is warm, soulful, and deeply human. I saw myself in these characters. I felt the ache of their pasts and the hope in their second chance. Janae Sanders writes with the kind of maturity and emotional precision that makes other contemporary romances feel childish by comparison. She brings nuance, depth, and authenticity to every chapter. I highlighted so many lines my Kindle thought I was malfunctioning.
This book didn’t fall short anywhere. Not the pacing. Not the character arcs. Not the romance. Not the tension. Not the emotional stakes. This is the kind of story you finish and immediately say:
“Who gave this woman permission to write something this GOOD?”
Second Time Around is hands down the new standard for grown-folks romance. It dethroned one of my top reads of the year — and trust me, that never happens. 2026 better come strong, because Janae Sanders is already sitting on the throne.
Easily a 10/5 stars. A new favorite. A masterpiece. That gworl.
I will absolutely be purchasing a physical copy on release day
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC from (NetGalley/St. Martin's Griffin) Author: LaQuette
Second Time Around was such a fun, spicy, and genuinely satisfying second-chance romance. It delivers the chemistry you want, but it also brings real emotional depth and life experience to the page, which made it incredibly easy to get invested in Janae and Adam’s story.
What really worked for me were the characters themselves. Janae and Adam feel fully formed, shaped by the years they spent apart and the lives they built in the meantime. Divorce, parenthood, career ambitions—all of it matters here, and I loved seeing how those experiences influenced who they are now and how they approach each other the second time around. Their history adds so much weight to every interaction.
The romance is absolutely there, but what elevates the story is everything happening alongside it. Janae’s fight for her community and her determination to save her son James’s arts program adds a grounded, meaningful layer to the plot. I really appreciated that the story doesn’t pause real-life responsibilities just because romance is back on the table. It made their reconnecting feel earned and realistic.
Adam completely won me over. He’s strong, devoted, emotionally mature, and refreshingly self-aware. He messes up, but he listens, apologizes, and actually follows through—while consistently treating Janae with respect. Their dynamic is messy, charged, and undeniably sexy, especially with that “dating the enemy” tension woven throughout.
This was my first time reading LaQuette, and I was so impressed. The story is empowering, heartfelt, and full of warmth, with a beautiful focus on growth, forgiveness, and the courage it takes to choose happiness again. An easy recommendation for anyone who loves mature, high-stakes romance—and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from the Savvy, Sexy, and Single Club series.
Second Time Around was such a fun, spicy, and genuinely satisfying second-chance romance. It delivers the chemistry you want, but it also brings real emotional depth and life experience to the page, which made it incredibly easy to get invested in Janae and Adam’s story.
What really worked for me were the characters themselves. Janae and Adam feel fully formed, shaped by the years they spent apart and the lives they built in the meantime. Divorce, parenthood, career ambitions—all of it matters here, and I loved seeing how those experiences influenced who they are now and how they approach each other the second time around. Their history adds so much weight to every interaction.
The romance is absolutely there, but what elevates the story is everything happening alongside it. Janae’s fight for her community and her determination to save her son James’s arts program adds a grounded, meaningful layer to the plot. I really appreciated that the story doesn’t pause real-life responsibilities just because romance is back on the table. It made their reconnecting feel earned and realistic.
Adam completely won me over. He’s strong, devoted, emotionally mature, and refreshingly self-aware. He messes up, but he listens, apologizes, and actually follows through—while consistently treating Janae with respect. Their dynamic is messy, charged, and undeniably sexy, especially with that “dating the enemy” tension woven throughout.
This was my first time reading LaQuette, and I was so impressed. The story is empowering, heartfelt, and full of warmth, with a beautiful focus on growth, forgiveness, and the courage it takes to choose happiness again. An easy recommendation for anyone who loves mature, high-stakes romance—and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from the Savvy, Sexy, and Single Club series.
January 23, 2026
I really enjoyed the story and getting to know Janae better. I liked that there was no time wasted in getting started between Janae and Adam reconnecting as their childhood attraction to one another resurges even after 20 years not seeing each other. But that high heat comes at a high cost. There’s a lot of heartache, pain and soul searching to overcome for a second chance at true happiness and reconciliation to happen (see content warnings).
I wish I had an ounce of confidence that Janae has because she is a powerhouse and superb mother. Janae has lived life on her own terms, not allowing anyone to define or devalue her. As much as she can’t deny the feelings she still has for Adam, nothing and no one will come between her taking care of her number one priority, her son (who is well deserving of his mom’s nickname for him, “son-shine.”.
Adam is an amazing person who also bears scars from an unfortunate childhood. He missed out on many things growing up because his dad wanted him to focus on basketball. Now that he’s back in his hometown, Adam is determined to put himself and his wants first – and what he wants is Janae, the one that got away.
I liked how Adam treated Janae like someone deserving of love, care, and support and how respectful he was of her boundaries (and vise versa). I appreciate the healthy, open and honest conversations they had about their pasts to help them get to know who they are at present.
I do think this story could have been shorter because there was some rehashing of things already said/thought about. Other than that, this was an entertaining romance. Both characters grew exponentially and I liked how things ended for them.
CW: discussions of past emotionally abusive relationships, toxic masculinity, and toxic femininity
Thanks again to St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for the e-ARC to read in exchange for an honest review!
I wish I had an ounce of confidence that Janae has because she is a powerhouse and superb mother. Janae has lived life on her own terms, not allowing anyone to define or devalue her. As much as she can’t deny the feelings she still has for Adam, nothing and no one will come between her taking care of her number one priority, her son (who is well deserving of his mom’s nickname for him, “son-shine.”.
Adam is an amazing person who also bears scars from an unfortunate childhood. He missed out on many things growing up because his dad wanted him to focus on basketball. Now that he’s back in his hometown, Adam is determined to put himself and his wants first – and what he wants is Janae, the one that got away.
I liked how Adam treated Janae like someone deserving of love, care, and support and how respectful he was of her boundaries (and vise versa). I appreciate the healthy, open and honest conversations they had about their pasts to help them get to know who they are at present.
I do think this story could have been shorter because there was some rehashing of things already said/thought about. Other than that, this was an entertaining romance. Both characters grew exponentially and I liked how things ended for them.
CW: discussions of past emotionally abusive relationships, toxic masculinity, and toxic femininity
Thanks again to St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for the e-ARC to read in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Is a way to find love by reminding yourself of what you had?
Janae Sanders has rebuilt her life and expends her energy taking care of her son knowing that her choices have been proven successful. She is confident, self-assured, and comfortable in her body with no regrets or second thoughts. Her career as a Nurse Anesthetist is thriving and all is calm waters until she sees Adam Henderson her high school crush and everything starts to do a little happy dance all around her. Adam has come back home after an amazing career in the NBA and is about to start teaching at their old high school with the hope of becoming the Superintendent. He is proud of what he has accomplished but knows that his adult responsibilities include helping his parents maneuver through their golden years. When Adam and Janae see each other again, Adam brushes aside his former shy self and decides he is going to pursue a relationship with Janae, however Janae is not sure after all this time and one failed marriage that she wants to rekindle a spark that never took to a flame.
In an unusual turn of events, it seems Adam as the new school superintendent which is a great position unless you cancel Janae’s sons after school activities and then Janae in her PTA President role is going to take you on and knock the sass out of your swager. Adam sees compromise for the situation and when the two of them are away from friends and family the feelings they have for one another slowly but surely come to the surface and express themselves in what could be a long-term love for each other and the building of a steady life.
After the hurdles are crossed and the barriers broken down what Adam and Janae discover is the one thing neither of them can deny, the past belongs in the taillights, and the future is what you make of it.
Janae Sanders has rebuilt her life and expends her energy taking care of her son knowing that her choices have been proven successful. She is confident, self-assured, and comfortable in her body with no regrets or second thoughts. Her career as a Nurse Anesthetist is thriving and all is calm waters until she sees Adam Henderson her high school crush and everything starts to do a little happy dance all around her. Adam has come back home after an amazing career in the NBA and is about to start teaching at their old high school with the hope of becoming the Superintendent. He is proud of what he has accomplished but knows that his adult responsibilities include helping his parents maneuver through their golden years. When Adam and Janae see each other again, Adam brushes aside his former shy self and decides he is going to pursue a relationship with Janae, however Janae is not sure after all this time and one failed marriage that she wants to rekindle a spark that never took to a flame.
In an unusual turn of events, it seems Adam as the new school superintendent which is a great position unless you cancel Janae’s sons after school activities and then Janae in her PTA President role is going to take you on and knock the sass out of your swager. Adam sees compromise for the situation and when the two of them are away from friends and family the feelings they have for one another slowly but surely come to the surface and express themselves in what could be a long-term love for each other and the building of a steady life.
After the hurdles are crossed and the barriers broken down what Adam and Janae discover is the one thing neither of them can deny, the past belongs in the taillights, and the future is what you make of it.
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