25 Best Second Chance Romance Books to Make You Believe in Happily-Ever-Afters

Discover the best second chance romance books worth reading in this book list that will make you believe in happily-ever-after again.

My favorite second chance romance books include childhood friends turned lovers reconnecting, high school sweethearts reuniting, and lovers torn apart for various reasons finally finding their way back to one another.

I guarantee that your heart will swoon reading these books AND that you’ll discover a new book boyfriend or two.

Happy reading…because life is better with a love story!

*Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

My Favorite Second Chance Romance Books:

Paradise
by Judith McNaught

A Classic, Second Chance Romance Book

Matthew Farrell is well known for his corporate takeovers, but he was once the boy from the opposite side of the tracks.

That didn’t stop, 18 year-old Meredith Bancroft from disappearing from the country club with Matt and finding a once in a lifetime connection.

Only the department store heiress ultimately betrayed him.

Now years later, Matt’s back and ready to exact some revenge on Meredith and the Bancroft empire, only to find that their past is mixed up in lies and deceit and their feelings returning with a vengeance.

Why I Love This Second Chance Romance: This is hands down one of the best romance novels of all time and one of the first that inspired my love for the genre.

I’ve reread it so many times and I love it even more each time.

It is the ultimate second chance romance book filled with young love, heartbreak, miscommunication and deceit that tore two lovers apart only for them to come face to face with their past years later.

I loved the tension in their reunion and the arrangement Matt forces on Meredith which finally enables the truth to come out.

I consider this the ultimate, classic, second chance romance book that every romance book lover should read!

Related: Best Snowed In Romance Books

Wicked Beautiful
by J.T. Geissinger

A Second Chance Romance Book With Revenge In Mind

Victoria Price is a self-help coach who travels the world empowering women and sharing her message that you don’t need a man.

She’s blocked off her own heart from ever falling in love again after her teenage heart was broken by Parker Maxwell – her first love.

When Victoria runs into Parker again, she is unrecognizable to him with a new look and new name yet the sparks still fly.

It’s the perfect set up for Victoria to enact revenge on the unsuspecting Parker but the more time she spends with him the more she’s reconsidering her plan.

Why I Love This Second Chance Romance: I love so many of Geissinger’s romance books because she’s not only a talented writer but pens amazing characters that I can’t help but fall for and wish I could meet in real life.

I loved how Victoria could go toe to toe with the best of them and never apologizes for her attitude. Yet beneath this tough exterior is a woman who’s spent years running from a hurt that she’s never truly healed from.

This was such a wonderful second chance romance book where love is found again after great heartbreak. I can’t recommend it enough.

Read it for the romance but also read it for the strong anthems for claiming your own power.

I loved the anecdotes Geissinger includes when Victoria is on stage to bring home a message of female empowerment which added another great element to this must-read book.

Beard Necessities
by Penny Reid

A Second Chance Romance Book Between Childhood Soulmates

Billy Winston and Claire McClure (aka Scarlet St. Claire) once found the deepest, soul-yearning love in a forest in the backwoods of Tennessee, but cruelty and circumstances drove them apart.

Secrecy and silence has kept them separated but Billy’s family has seen enough and is ready to step in and push these two together if it’s the last thing they do.

Shenanigans ensue on a family trip to Italy where Billy and Claire or forced together but it remains to be see if the forced proximity will bring them back together or tear them further apart.

Why I Love This Second Chance Romance: If ever there was a second chance romance book that I COULD NOT WAIT to get my hands on it was this one.

Beard Necessities is the seventh and final book in Reid’s Winston Brothers series and it was so worth the wait.

Billy and Claire’s story develops throughout the series and culminates in their origin story in book six, Beard With Me, before concluding in this beautiful second chance romance book.

I fell so hard for these two star-crossed lovers who sacrificed so much for others at the expense of their own love and happy-ever-after.

Their story was breaking my heart which only made their reunion in this second chance romance book all the sweeter.

Do yourself a favor and binge read the entire Winston Brothers series before reading this book. It’s so worth it.

Read my book review of Beard Necessities.

The Law of Moses
by Amy Harmon

A Heartbreaking, Second Chance Romance Book With Paranormal Elements

Georgia’s mother warned her to stay away from Moses. Moses was messed up. The boy known as the crack baby found abandoned by his mother.

Only Georgia saw him as someone beautiful, whom she couldn’t stay away from. Though maybe she should have and things could have turned out differently.

Why I Love This Second Chance Romance: Let’s get real. Second chance romance books can rip your heart out and Harmon does so in this tender, moving love story.

It’s hard to go into details without ruining the story or giving spoilers, but just be prepared to read this with a box of tissues beside you.

Georgia loved Moses who ultimately left her when tragedy hit.

When he returns, it’s clear that their past was never far from their minds but they have to survive the present to see if they indeed have a future.

I will say if you want a second chance romance book with a paranormal element to it, then this is your pick.

Relentless
by Skye Jordan

A Second Chance Romance Book Set in Hollywood

As a stunt double, Troy Jacobs is used to taking risks and the taking hard falls. Only once he fell hard for Giselle “Ellie” Diamond and got his heart broken, vowing to never trust again.

But when Ellie, now a country music star, lands on his movie set as the star of the film, old feelings return.

Ellie had to choose between love and her dreams long ago and she’ s paid the price. Reunited with Troy on set, it’s clear they still have feelings for one another but their problems are just as real.

Why I Love This Second Chance Romance: I loved this second chance romance book featuring a hot stunt double and famous singer.

This love story looks at whether love truly can be enough when it comes to finding happiness and whether or not love has to be sacrificed to follow one’s dreams.

This is a standalone read but I loved every one of Jordan’s stuntmen stories in the Renegades series!

Drive Me Wild
by Julie Kriss

A Second Chance Romance Book Between Secret Lovers

Emily and Luke were never meant to be. She is a cop’s daughter and he’s a boy from the wrong side of the tracks.

Yet at 18 they started up a wild, secret affair that lasted until she left for college and he hit the road to nowhere.

Eight years later, they’re both back in town with family on both sides of the law. They should stay far away from each other but they’ve never been good at resisting temptation.

Why I Love This Second Chance Romance: Who doesn’t love a story with a bad boy from the opposite side of the tracks?

Oh, the heat between Emily and Luke was off the charts as if no time had passed between them and I loved it.

Nothing can be as simple as a secret affair in a small town, however. I loved how they had to navigate their growing feelings for each other with the facts stacked against them.

This is a fantastic second chance romance that I highly recommend reading!

Off the Air
by L.H. Cosway

A Second Chance Romance Book Between Athletes

Leanne Simmons and Callum Davidson never had an easy relationship. From enemies to lovers and back to enemies, they’ve been on again/off again for years.

The two parkour athletes are now filming a reality TV show about their free running escapades and it remains to be seen if they will survive the month.

They’ve both signed a contract that they won’t have any romantic relations while filming or risk leaving the show but contracts were meant to be broken.

Why I Love This Second Chance Romance: Talk about a second chance romance book that makes you really earn that happy ending!

Oh, how I felt for Leanne and Callum who just couldn’t seem to get their act together and move on from the past.

There was definitely a lot of emotion between these two with the history they suffered and the constant hurt they felt watching the other person move on with someone else.

My heart broke for them and yet Cosway patched it right up by the end.

I also loved the unique look at the sport of parkour and what these athletes can do. It was a very cool angle to this second chance romance book that you’ll love.

Related: Best Reality TV Romance Books

Been There Done That
by Hope Ellis

A Second Chance Romance Book After a Disappearing Act

As if Zora Leffersbee didn’t have enough to worry about with her tenure job in jeopardy, funding for her employees uncertain and a fake engagement to manage, the boy who broke her heart when he disappeared suddenly is now back in town and in her office.

Nick is back, now a billionaire, and willing to do whatever it takes to win back Zora – if she’ll let him.

Why I Love This Second Chance Romance: I was totally swept away in this second chance romance where high school sweethearts are torn apart one night and never hear from each other again until many years later.

I loved how Ellis doesn’t shy away from an awkward reunion for her lovers or from sharing how they struggle to get back what they once had.

She also makes you think about whether good intentions can outweigh actions that cause so much hurt and whether forgiveness is worthy after such actions.

This was such a well-written book with an amazing cast of characters and a story that makes you think and feel.

It’s a must read second chance romance book and one of my most favorite billionaire romance novels as well.

Check out my review of Been There Done That.

Steadfast
by Sarina Bowen

A Second Chance Romance Book With an Ex-Con

Jude and Sophie were in love until one day it all came crashing down. Sent to prison when he drove his car into a tree, Jude never thought he’d return to Colebury, Vermont, and never thought he’d see Sophie again.

Being an ex-con and recovering addict is reason enough to steer clear of Sophie. The fact that she’s the police chief’s daughter is reason number three.

Only time will tell if she can learn to trust him again and if he can feel worthy of her love.

Why I Love This Second Chance Romance: Bowen hit me with all the heart feels with this one!

It’s a forbidden romance story wrapped up in a sweet second chance romance with a bit of “oh my goodness!” mixed in.

I have a sweet spot for romance books with ex-cons of this variety and was rooting for Jude and Sophie’s happy ending from the start.

This book will definitely tug on your heartstrings and it’s so worth it.

Hard to Handle
by K. Bromberg

A Sports, Second Chance Romance Book

Dekker Kincade will do anything to help save her family’s sport agency. Even if that means trying to sign, pro hockey star, Hunter Maddox, the only man who has ever broken her heart.

Hard to Handle is not only a wonderful second chance romance book, but I enjoyed it so much that it made my Best Romance Novels of 2020 list.  

Why I Love This Second Chance Romance: I loved the setup between sports agent and hockey star, but more importantly how both Hunter and Dekker had to learn to trust love and one another again.

I also enjoyed how this story was a second chance at love between adults who had a brief fling which ended when neither spoke up to say they wanted more. A must-read!

Check out my book review of Hard to Handle.

Related: Best Hockey Romance Books

Jilted
by Sawyer Bennett

A Second Chance Romance Book For First Loves

Eden Goodnight left her small town in Georgia to make it big in Los Angeles as a model and actress.

But after being publicly humiliated by her cheating fiancé she returns to her hometown to put the scandal behind her.

The only person sympathetic to her recent woes is Cooper Mayfield, the boy she left behind.

Cooper has no interest in Hollywood but he can’t resist falling back under Eden’s spell.

Will a life-changing role end their love a second time or can Cooper keep her for good this time?

Why I Love This Second Chance Romance: I really like second chance romance books where the “break up” was a result of one of the characters making the tough choice to pursue a dream at the expense of love.

It somehow makes the reunion and reconciliation all the sweeter for me when the other partner can recognize that they had to let the other go in order for them to eventually find their happiness together.

I also like alpha males who have no interest in the glitz of Hollywood and yet bend when it comes to the love of their life 😊

This is definitely a great second chance romance worth reading!

Love and Other Words
by Christina Lauren

A Second Chance Romance Book With Childhood Sweethearts

Macy Sorensen’s life is upended when she runs into Elliot Petropoulos—the first and only love of her life.

He was the boy she bonded over books with and who restored her heart after the loss of her mother only to go on and break it.

Elliot never understood Macy’s decade-long silence but when life gives them both a chance to uncover the truth about the past, they may also discover that they have a future after all.

Why I Love This Second Chance Romance: This is definitely one of my most favorite Christina Lauren books.

I loved the blend of present and past scenes where you get to see the close bond that Macy and Elliot once shared only to have it destroyed one night, leaving them strangers as adults.

Second chance romance books often include instances of misunderstandings and miscommunications that destroy young relationships and that is the case with this romance.

It’s a beautiful, emotional read worth adding to your TBR pile.

The Day He Came Back
by Penelope Ward

A Second Chance Romance Book With the Help’s Daughter

Raven never expected to meet the man of her dreams that summer, nor did she expect to fall for the son of the rich family she and her mother worked for.

Being the hired help didn’t stop their attraction but then it all came crashing down.

She never expected to see him again but ten years later everything once again changed the day he came back.   

Why I Love This Second Chance Romance: This second chance romance book has it all – young love, parental disapproval, tragic separation and a heartwarming reunion.

I especially loved the prologue which instantly hooked me, wanting me to quickly read to the point in the story that it dangled in front of me.

This is a great, feel good read that I highly recommend!

The Fire Between High and Lo
by Brittainy C. Cherry

An Opposites Attract, Second Chance Romance Book

Logan Silverstone and Alyssa Waters didn’t have anything in common if you were to look at them.

Yet under the surface they were more alike than they realized, struggling with neglect, but finding their soulmate in each other.

Though they had the highest of highs together, that didn’t stop the lowest of lows that broke them.

Why I Love This Second Chance Romance: Oh, cue the drama and the angst with this second chance romance book as only Brittainy C. Cherry can provide!

You can’t help but fall for these two souls who deserve more in life and who are lucky to have found friendship and more with each other.

But Cherry is never that kind with her readers’ hearts, making us ache before the happily-ever-after can be found! 😊

If you love second chance romance books that tug on your heart and give you all the feelings, then this is the one for you.

The Notebook
by Nicholas Sparks

A Classic Second Chance Romance Book

Noah and Allie met one summer that would forever be one that neither could forget.

Noah may have been from the wrong side of the tracks but that didn’t stop Allie from defying her parents and spending every moment with him.

But it was ultimately their differences and circumstances beyond their control that tore them a part.

Years later after returning home a soldier, Noah is determined to fulfill his promise to Allie to restore an old plantation he had once hoped to make their home.

When a newly engaged Allie sees Noah’s work in the paper, she goes to see the house herself and the boy she once loved.

Why I Love This Second Chance Romance: This second chance romance book has always stuck with me, both after reading it and watching the movie.

I love how the story is told in different timelines and has the most touching ending.

This is the story to read if you want to believe in the strength of love. It also made my best romance novels of all time list.

Related: Books That Will Make You Ugly Cry

That Forever Girl
by Meghan Quinn

A Small Town, Second Chance Romance Book

Best friends since sixth grade, Harper Sanders was supposed to be Rogan Knightly’s forever girl. Yet tragedy struck and forever never came.

Seven years later, Harper has returned to their hometown and they are not only fighting memories but Rogan’s supposed family curse.

Why I Love This Second Chance Romance: This was a really sweet second chance romance book that also gives you moments of hilarity that I’ve come to expect from Meghan Quinn.

I loved the banter between Rogan and his brothers showing what a meddlesome family he has but also the close-knit bond between them.

I also really enjoyed the flashbacks throughout the story because they flushed out the love, connection, and history between these two, making you really root for a reunion.

If you’re looking for a second chance romance book set in a small town that reunites childhood friends, this is the one to pick.

It Starts With Us
by Colleen Hoover

A Second Chance Romance Years in the Making

Lily and her ex-husband, Ryle, have just settled into a civil co-parenting rhythm when she suddenly bumps into her first love, Atlas, again. After nearly two years separated, she is elated that for once, time is on their side, and she immediately says yes when Atlas asks her on a date.

But her excitement is quickly hampered by the knowledge that, though they are no longer married, Ryle is still very much a part of her life, and Atlas Corrigan is the one man he will hate being in his ex-wife and daughter’s life.

Why I Love This Second Chance Romance: Colleen Hoover gives her fans a gift with this book which is the perfect ending to an epic, friends to lovers story that started with It Ends With Us. You can read this as a standalone but I’d definitely recommend reading It Ends With Us first.

Lily Bloom and Atlas Corrigan are two characters who endured so much in their youth and yet amidst those trying times, found each other and formed the rarest of connections that stay with you forever. To see their happily ever after come full circle was just the best!

Read my full book review of It Starts With Us.

Related: Best Romance Novels of 2022

Before I Let Go
by Kennedy Ryan

A Second Chance Romance Between Divorcees

Their love was supposed to last forever. But when life delivered blow after devastating blow, Yasmen and Josiah Wade found that love alone couldn’t solve or save everything, not even their marriage.

The past two years they have been co-parenting and running a thriving business together but when they decide to possibly start dating again they being wondering if they’re truly read  to let go of everything they once had.

Why I Love This Second Chance Romance: Ryan’s writing is exquisite in this second chance romance that really tugs on the heartstrings when you come to learn the reasons behind Yasmen and Josiah’s divorce. This was a beautiful love story of two soulmates finding their way back to one another after struggling with depression. It should not be missed!

Read my full book review of Before I Let Go.

Related: Best Black Romance Books

Happy Place
by Emily Henry

A Second Chance Romance After Faking It

Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple since they met in college—except, now—for reasons they’re still not discussing—they aren’t. They broke up five months ago. And still haven’t told their best friends.

So now they are faking it, while sharing a bedroom, celebrating one last summer in the Maine cottage with their friends where they have gathered for the last decade. After years of being in love, how hard can it be to fake it for one week in front of those who know you best?

Why I Love This Second Chance Romance: Emily Henry’s writing hooks you right from the start having you begging to know what could have possibly torn Wyn and Harry apart since it was so obvious how much they still loved one another.

Henry does a fantastic job of really exploring a relationship that lasted eight years until it didn’t but she also explores how relationships and friendships evolve from what they once were in college. Another great one from the popular author.

Read my full book review of Happy Place.

Seven Days in June
by Tia Williams

A Second Chance Romance Between Soulmates

When Eva Mercy, a single mother and bestselling erotica writer, and the enigmatic, award-winning novelist Shane Hall meet at a literary event in New York, sparks fly. But what no one knows is that fifteen years earlier, teenage Eva and Shane spent one week together, madly in love. While they may pretend to be strangers, they can’t deny their chemistry.

Over the next seven days, amidst a steamy Brooklyn summer, Eva and Shane reconnect. But Eva is wary of the man who broke her heart and wants Shane out of the city so her life can return to normal. Before he disappears, though, she needs a few questions answered.

Why I Love This Second Chance Romance: Tia Williams blew me away with her writing and character development in this second chance romance. I loved the use of flashbacks which really added to the story and also kept the current storyline flowing.

Even though they initially only spent seven days together, it was beautiful to see how they came to realize that they both have been secretly writing to each other in their books over the years – never having forgotten the other even as time went gone by. I highly recommend it.

Forget Me Not
by Julie Soto

A Second Chance Romance Found Amongst a Wedding

Ama Torres is an optimistic wedding planner who doesn’t believe in marriage and Elliot Bloom is a brooding florist who hates owning a flower shop. Once upon a time, they collaborated on events by day, and by night they became something more until Ama shattered Elliot’s heart and never spoke to him again.    

Now they’re working on an event that could make or break both of their careers—except neither of them has gotten over what happened two years ago.

Why I Love This Second Chance Romance: I had to read Soto’s debut novel in one sitting it was that good, making it one of the best romance novels of 2023. Though Elliot was a quiet grump, I loved his vulnerability and the hurt that he was trying to hide.

While I could appreciate Alma’s reluctance to believe in love, it was beautiful when these two found in with each other once again. A second chance romance not to be missed!

Read my full book review of Forget Me Not.

Related: Best Grumpy Sunshine Romance Books

Will They or Won’t They
Ava Wilder

A Second Chance Romance Found Between Hollywood Stars

As the stars of the hit paranormal TV show Intangible, Lilah Hunter and Shane McCarthy spent years pining for each other onscreen until Lilah ditched the show at the end of season five in hopes of becoming a movie star.

Now she’s back to film the much-hyped ninth and final season, in which Lilah and Shane’s characters will get together at last. But coming back means facing one of the biggest reasons she left: Shane.

Ever since their secret behind-the-scenes fling imploded at the end of season one, the two of them have despised each other. With their post-show careers on the line, they need to play nice which might just land them their own happy ending.

Why I Love This Second Chance Romance: I love authors who write the messy, vulnerable and real characters and that’s exactly what Wilder did in her sophomore novel.

There were times I just wanted to knock some sense into Shane and Lilah and say stop being your own worst enemies and yet I LOVED that they weren’t two perfect, Hollywood people.

But it was in the moments when we finally did see them let down their walls and show who they truly were that I could see hope that they’d find their way back to one another that made this one of the best second chance romance books.

Read my full book review of Will They or Won’t They.

The Plight Before Christmas
by Kate Stewart

A Second Chance Romance Found at the Holidays

Whitney Collins has had it rough the last month but she’s on her way to her grandparent’s cabin to spend the Christmas holiday with her family. She did not plan on also spending it with her ex whom her brother happens to bring along.

Now she’s stuck with Eli for the week, the man who broke her heart nearly two decades ago. Between memories that resurface and the way he’s looking at her, Whitney’s not sure her heart is going to survive the holiday.

Why I Love This Second Chance Romance:  Stewart never fails to make me FEEL for her characters. Whitney was not in a good place and wanted to protect her heart and Eli made a bold move crashing the Christmas of his ex.

But man, I loved the flashbacks to their college days and just when I wasn’t sure why Eli walked away- I was blown away again.

There are just so many little gems throughout this book that made it a super special second chance romance. Check it out for the moments that will have you laughing so hard and for the moments when you may bawl your eyes out.

This will be a holiday romance I reread every year!

Read my full book review of The Plight Before Christmas.

Related: Best Christmas Romance Books

Count Your Lucky Stars
by Alexandria Bellefleur

A Forced Proximity, Second Chance Romance

Margot Cooper doesn’t do relationships. But when she comes face-to-face with Olivia Grant—her childhood friend, her first love, she’s not so sure about that stance.

When a series of unfortunate events leaves Olivia without a place to stay, Margot offers up her spare room. As they spend time in close quarters, Margot starts to question her no-strings stance. But will history repeat itself or should she count her lucky stars that she gets a second chance with her first love?

Why I Love This Second Chance Romance: Holy smokes this book was HOT! It has been eleven years since these two childhood friends had seen each other but you wouldn’t know if from their chemistry.

Seriously, once Margot and Olivia succumbed to their attraction it was so on and Bellefleur did not hold back. I loved every minute of their reconnection.

Of course this book falls into that camp where you just want to shake the characters and say “just talk to one another” and all will be well. Alas. This is a great second chance brought together by forced proximity that I highly recommend.

Read my full book review of Count Your Lucky Stars.

Related: Best Lesbian Romance Books

Replay
by Amy Daws

A Hard-Fought Second Chance Romance

Not all players deserve a second chance… no matter how hot their first chance was but Santino Rossi is not going to take no for an answer.

Football club lawyer, Santino Rossi is on a mission to find someone he can settle down with and cure him of his former playboy ways. He just didn’t expect it to be Tilly Logan, the fiery, Scottish lass who didn’t bat an eye five years ago when he pulled her into a nightclub bathroom.

A lot has changed however since their wild days and Tilly doesn’t want a replay of past mistakes and reconnecting with Santino is playing with fire. But if they keep their relationship a secret, it could be worth the burn.

Why I Love This Second Chance Romance: For me, it’s hard not to love a great second chance romance when the characters are so deserving.

Santino and Tilly just seemed like such “real” characters who had some wild days in their twenties partying too hard, drinking too much and just looking for hookups. But life catches up with you and makes you grow up and Daws showed how these two could change without dimming the chemistry between them.

I absolutely loved their second chance romance story and think it’s one of the best.

Check out my book review of Replay.

Related: Best Stuck in an Elevator Books

What are Second Chance Romance Books?

Second chance romance books have a storyline in which former lovers reconnect after a break up or separation and finally find their happy ending.

Now these epic love stories don’t involve a reconciliation after a simple fight or a week’s separation. It can be years later that characters find love once again – together.

Why I Love Second Chance Romance Books

I adore second chance romance books because these are stories of love that is hard fought.

Characters could be childhood friends, high school sweethearts or just people whose timing wasn’t quite right the first time around but their connection is undeniable.

No matter the cause of separation or the amount of time a part, the happy endings in second chance romance books are so satisfying when two soulmates are reunited.

Plus, this special romance book category can show you that love CAN be found a second time.

Related Posts:

• Best Friends to Lovers Romance Books
• Best Enemies to Lovers Romance Books
• Books Where Love is Found After Cheating

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