Janae Sanders' Second Time Around: A Novel

by LaQuette

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.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance, Contemporary, Adult, Audiobook

331 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 6, 2026

About the author

LaQuette 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.

Reviews

[Shawnaci Schroeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and it was sooooo good! It’s rare to read a book where characters are older with kids in high school or switching careers in adulthood but that was one of my fav parts about this book. This was a slower read, but not in a boring way just in a way that you really want to savor it. I could totally see this being a movie because the storyline outside of the romance kept me so invested!

[Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up

If you're looking for a romance with mature characters who have lived life and know what they want, but face external obstacles and are still working through some of their own trauma, this is the book for you.

Janae is a divorced mom to a teenager with a successful career. Adam is returning to his hometown to take a job as the interim superintendent of the school district, and when he reconnects with Janae there are sparks. They both had secretly had a thing for the other in high school, but things kept them away from each other.

But Adam has to cut the budget and the arts program that Janae's son relies on is on the chopping block. Meanwhile they both have issues with their parents to work through. This has excellent plus-size representation and has older characters who actually communicate as well as they can and work through their issues. It was great.

[⭒emmi⋆m ⭒ · Rating 4 out of 5]

#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.

[amarachireads]

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.

[✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰Janeane ✰ · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

we all need Adam Henderson

[Helen I. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story really centers on one powerful question: What would you do for your child? It follows a single mother who is doing everything she can to build a stable life and make sure her child has everything they need and more.

The main character was very easy to like. I appreciated how thoughtful she was about re-entering the dating world. When she considers reconnecting with someone from her past, she doesn’t immediately assume it will go badly, but she approaches it cautiously because she knows it could significantly change both her life and her child’s.

I also really liked the love interest once he entered the story. He was very clear about what he wanted with Janae. There was no confusion about his intentions, but he was still patient and respectful of her boundaries. What stood out most was his mindfulness of her role as a mother and his consideration for her child.

Another thing I appreciated was that the story didn’t rely on a dramatic third act breakup. Instead, the relationship developed in a natural, supportive way.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 in this interconnected series(oops I haven’t read 1) lolz

Buuuuut it didn’t mess up my reading experience.

I love me a toxic love story… but every once in awhile it is so nice to pick up a fluffy, cute, a bit steamy read like this one. The audiobook was done so well! It is a duet and has some of my favorite narrators-so all of that added to the story.

Following Janae, plus size badass, single mama and her not so love interest back from HS Adam.

They reconnect over some things going on in Janae’s son’s school and soon the truth is spilled about how they have always felt about each other.


Miscommunication is a trope that I know so many people hate(I do occasionally so I get it), but this is done so well. It doesn’t go on too long and when it’s resolved it’s such a great feeling! Of course Janae and Adam have their own things/baggage so we are watching them navigate that.

I will say if you’re not into spice-this doesn’t have much.

Great set up for the next book!

Thank you NetGalley and Spotify audiobooks for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

[suonnahbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Janae Sanders second time around by Laquette
audiobook ARC from Libro FM
-I get her hesitation after everything and having a son but god damn he sounds so fine , the sparks between them is undeniable it has me giddy, he sounds so fine
-I love how Janae work driven and caring mother but I feel like she should have more fun go get that man girl 🤪😂
-I love how they remember their past details it’s cute
-that man is YEARNING for her I love how he tries to find many ways to be with her , I get that she was protecting her heart in the past but let that love in there !!
-the male doing girl voice in the audiobook has me cringing ngl but still enjoyed
-I love how he’s clocking her about her independence it’s okay to be independent but also okay to let be taken cared of , I love seeing a black women being loved on 🫶🏾
-this was a beautiful romance
-rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

[AlexTRBG · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute low stakes romance that was a bit on the slower side. Janae and Adam’s relationship was really sweet at certain points. I loved how they finally got their time to be together after years of distance. And also how they overcame both their issues with their parents. But this did take me forever to finish. I just wish things moved faster between them

[Keesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Bel lvndrgms3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Frida · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

I went into Janae Sanders' Second Time Around without having read the first book in the series, but thankfully that wasn't a problem at all. I liked Janae and Adam almost immediately, but what got me invested was everything sitting underneath their second chance.

Because technically, they never even had a first one. 😂

They knew each other in high school and were both crushing on the other, but neither had the confidence nor emotional maturity to realise it was mutual. Janae saw Adam as the popular basketball star who dated thin, light-skinned girls who looked nothing like her and assumed she wasn't his type. Adam was fascinated by Janae, especially because she could challenge him intellectually, but was equally useless at doing anything about it. They made their assumptions, stayed in their respective lanes and eventually went on to live entirely separate lives.

Twenty years later, Adam is back in Monroe Hills, and I really liked that those twenty years actually matter.

Adam built a career first in basketball and later in education, eventually realising that his future didn't lie where his father had always decided it would. His relationship with his father was actually one of the most interesting parts of his character for me. Even with Adam well into his forties, his father still struggles to accept that his son might define success differently.

Adam knows the pattern. He's been to therapy. He knows he needs boundaries. He can practically identify what's happening while falling straight back into it, which felt painfully believable. Knowing why somebody can get inside your head doesn't automatically stop them from getting inside your head.

Janae has her own version of that. She's built a life she's rightfully proud of, earned her doctorate in nurse anaesthesia and is raising her teenage son James. She's also fought hard for the independence she has now. Her reluctance to let someone back into her life goes much deeper than simply having been through a divorce. She's learned what depending on the wrong person can cost her, and some of those old insecurities are still being reinforced by people who should be in her corner.

So when Adam comes along offering friendship, attraction, care and possibly something much more serious, her hesitation made complete sense to me.

I really liked how their relationship developed. They initially convince themselves they can keep things casual, and the physical attraction gives them an easy way to finally have what they denied themselves when they were younger without dealing with everything else attached to it.

Except Adam is emotionally invested almost immediately (despite telling us something contrary). He falls first, and once he falls, that man is GONE. I loved that about him.

Their relationship also felt refreshingly adult. Those teenage insecurities are still there, but twenty years of relationshidisappointments, and family expectations have added entirely new layers to them. Both have old wounds, learned behaviours and defence mechanisms that don't disappear just because they've found each other again.

The professional conflict between them worked surprisingly well for me too. Adam initially makes cuts to an arts programme that matters deeply to Janae's son, but what I liked most was that he actually listens when she challenges him. His own basketball scholarship opened doors his family otherwise couldn't have afforded, and once he understands that the arts can provide that same opportunity for other kids, he's willing to reconsider. He and Janae start working together to find another way.

Somewhere along the way, they start doing the same thing for each other.

That's where the romance worked best for me. They notice each other's patterns, challenge them and offer support in places where the other has spent years expecting criticism. Old wounds still get triggered, and sometimes Janae and Adam retreat straight back into familiar behaviours. Janae protects herself before someone else gets the chance to hurt her. Adam still absorbs far too much from his father and tries to deal with it alone. They mess up and occasionally frustrated me, but I could almost always understand where their reactions came from.

My only real issue was the pacing. The story lost some momentum in places, particularly because so much of it is character-driven and focused on conversations, family dynamics and working through those old patterns. A few stretches could have moved faster for me.

Still, I liked getting a romance between two people in their forties who have already lived. They've made mistakes, married the wrong people, gone to therapy, built careers, raised families and learned enough about themselves to recognise some of their baggage while still carrying plenty of it around.

Second chances hit differently when the characters have twenty years of life sitting between the first what if and the eventual what now?

*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ALC. Receiving the ALC did not influence my rating or review in any way or form.

[Priyank Jain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolutely loved the book. The premise instantly hooked me. The group of characters, the main duo and their friends were very well-written. The dialogues felt natural, pacing was great, and so was plot progression. This was a great romance novel, and with well-placed steamy scenes, it tickled all the right places. There was even a great development at halfway point which I love.

That being said, everything post 80% was bad. I don't know why author decided to go in that direction when there could be a multitude of better ways the story could have ended. This book could have ended on a great note, but it resorted to one of the most Cliched endings.

Also, in the first half, there were some things that were being repeated ad nauseum, namely the motivation of two characters. I get it, you both have your own things to focus on, but it doesn't need to be stated on every second page. Overall, great book, but could have been better.

(Also apparently it's a sequel. I picked it up thinking it was a standalone. @Goodreads, update the information, pretty please.)

[Kayla Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by LaQuette and I loved it!! The characters were so fleshed out and real and there were times that I wanted to shake Janae for jumping to conclusions while also completely relating to that trait of hers. The relationship between her and Adam was so good and they each had their own baggage and troubles, but they supported each other! And those spicy scenes!? 🔥🔥 I will be reading more from this author from now on! Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for my digital ARC!!

[Anita White · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Jacknthebooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Sarah Reinhart · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this quite boring. Unfortunately I didn’t really care if the characters got together in the end.

Also…how does this man who played for the Nets for a few seasons 20 years ago know Angel Reese?!

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Janae Sanders’ Second Time Around by LaQuette is a smart, emotionally grounded second chance at love romance. This contemporary romance centers on growth, learning that communication is key, and the realities of loving again after heartbreak.

Now divorced and wary of love, Janae is focused on what matters most. Her son, James. And her Savvy, Sexy, and Single Club besties. Romance? Hard pass. Until her high school crush walks back into her life at their twentieth reunion and reminds her what she buried.

Set in a small town where everyone thinks they know the truth, Janae Sanders’ Second Time Around thrives on perception versus reality. Secrets linger. Assumptions run deep. When Adam returns home as the new school superintendent, personal history collides with public decisions in a very real way.

Adam appears to have it all.
Career success. Authority. Confidence. LaQuette quickly peels back that image. Adam is struggling. He’s under pressure. Trying to manage school politics. And he’s navigating a toxic parent relationship with a father who wants to live through him rather than truly see him.

Janae faces a similar challenge with her mother.
These parent-child dynamics are messy. Emotional. And painfully realistic. What makes them powerful is intent. The lack of care isn’t the issue. Control is. LaQuette allows these relationships space to heal without forcing forgiveness or pretending boundaries are easy.

Forgiveness is a core theme here. It isn’t rushed. And it isn’t pretty. Janae and Adam are allowed to be angry. They are allowed to protect themselves. And they are allowed to redefine relationships on their own terms.

In this book, there are no lazy misunderstandings. No artificial drama. Instead, LaQuette leans into honest conversations that are not easy to come to fruition, uncomfortable truths, and growth that feels earned. When Janae discovers she’s been dating the enemy—the man responsible for cutting her son’s beloved arts program—the conflict lands hard and hits deep.Bookshelves

Janae’s friendships elevate the story.

These women are a FORCE. They support. Challenge. And cheer her on when it matters most. Strong heroines don’t stand alone, and Janae Saners’ Second Time Around proves why that representation matters.

Warm. Sexy. Emotionally layered. Janae Sanders’ Second Time Around is a contemporary Black romance about love after divorce, co-parenting with grace, healing old wounds, and choosing courage even when the past still aches. LaQuette delivers a second chance love story that feels grown, grounded, and deeply satisfying.

[anovelaccount (Kayla) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a refreshing romance with older characters, both living life post-divorce. Petition for more romance books with older protagonists because this was full of (mostly) mature decisions and willingness to learn and grow when mistakes were made.

For most of the book I LOVED Janae! She is so fierce, has no problem saying what’s on her mind, is a great single mom, AND she’s a doctor! Total boss lady. I liked that she was perfectly content being single but was able to open her heart to love when Adam came along like a blast from the past.

Adam was also a great MMC and absolutely obsessed with his lady. He was also so endearing whenever he interacted with her son and, eventually, her ex-husband. It was so cute seeing these two MCs banter about how they perceived each other in the past and realizing that their present feelings are simply mirroring how each felt when they were in high school—even though they were oblivious at the time.

I actually had no idea going in that this was the second book in a series of interconnected standalones, but it was made clear with frequent mentions of Janae’s friend, Vanessa’s, relationship and how this trio of friends (The Savvy, Sexy, Singles Club) helped her find her own HEA. LaQuette did a fab job feeding her readers details so I had no trouble reading this book on its own. I want to go back to the first book now, though!

My only struggle was that the third act breakup was silly and felt super forced—even out of character for how Janae acts. I DID like that her friends call her out and she is humble enough to accept the criticism and own up.

This was a steamy romance with fun, older (in their 40s) characters, and I really enjoyed reading it!

🎧I LOVED listening to this audio! Both narrators were absolutely perfect for their respective characters and I felt fully immersed in the story as I listened. Definitely a great choice to listen to this one!

[Bbecca_marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review 💜📖
thank you @youhadmeathea for the gifted copy!

Janae Sanders' Second Time Around
by Laquette

A divorced single mom gets a second chance with her high school sweetheart but this time, they’re on opposite sides of a battle.

Janae Sanders is focused on her son and her Savvy, Sexy, and Single Club, not romance. But when her former flame Adam Henderson reappears at their 20-year reunion, sparks reignite… right as the new school superintendent slashes her son’s beloved arts program. What Janae doesn’t realize? Adam is the superintendent.

When a school board showdown reveals they’ve been dating the enemy, Janae gives Adam an ultimatum: save the arts or lose her. Adam counters with one weekend at his cabin to work through the budget — and their unresolved chemistry. Now Janae has to decide if fighting for what she loves includes giving love a second chance.

💜 My thoughts:

Second chance romance, school board drama, and a cabin weekend? Absolutely YES. This was such a fast, addictive read that I genuinely didn’t want to put down. I’m a total sucker for second chances, and the chemistry between Janae and Adam did not disappoint. The tension, the history, the sparks…it was all so good. I didn’t even realize it was part of a series at first, but it works perfectly as a standalone. Although now I absolutely want to go back and read book one and I’m already hoping for book three! What really stood out to me was how real it felt. The single mom representation felt honest and grounded, and I appreciated that Janae’s ex wanted the best for her and their son. It gave the story so much emotional maturity. It was heartfelt, and full of grown up romance and proves second chances are worth the risk!

Happy reading 📖💜

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

(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.

[Akira · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!

[ari ⋆˚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

⋆˚࿔ 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. ( Janae's husband gaslit her and even tampered with her contraceptions just to get her pregnant, yet he's basically forgiven at the end of the book and treated as a friend who she can lean on??????) 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

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[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!

[Scheherazade · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!!

[Rae Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Ranisha Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!!!

[Ashley Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNFed one page before the end of the book. Not because I wanted to, but because the book I got was missing the last page. 😂 the book wasn’t bad, but the romance wasn’t quite my vibe.