SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE

A woman reunites with her high school crush due to an accidental obituary.

Molly Dearborn and Karl Dean were high school friends who harbored crushes on each other. Nothing happened between them and then a big misunderstanding drove them apart, and they haven’t spoken in 22 years. Molly moved away and wound up married, while Karl stayed in their hometown of Harlot’s Bay, Maryland, and opened a bakery. Now Molly makes a living as an audiobook narrator for steamy monster erotica, not realizing that her old friend and crush is her biggest fan. He diligently listens to all of her work as a way of being close to her, which is an adorably sweet secret given his outwardly gruff demeanor. When Molly hears that Karl’s obituary has run in the hometown paper, she immediately flies back, only to find Karl very much alive and well. Dade’s romances are always a mix of exaggerated humor and body positivity, and this one is no different. Both main characters have major issues vocalizing their feelings, which is exactly what led them to cut contact after high school. With more than two decades apart and Karl still very much in love with Molly, you might expect things to have improved. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen—they’re still just as emotionally stunted as ever. Molly is guarded and slow to trust, while Karl is borderline monosyllabic. The characters’ chemistry feels described, rather than seen. Harlot’s Bay, previously seen in At First Spite (2024), is alive with quirky characters, and their shenanigans tend to take over the spotlight. Fans of the series will rejoice at returning to town, while readers starting here may be overwhelmed by the tweeness of it all.

A paper-thin conflict is partially saved by a chaotically cute cast and cozy setting.