Every product on this page was carefully chosen. I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through a link. See my full disclosure.
If a relationship doesn’t work out the first time, there’s always a chance to get it right the second time. The second chance romance trope focuses on couples who separate—whether due to a missed opportunity, a broken relationship, or a twist of fate—only to find love with each other again. Typically, second chance romance books explore themes of forgiveness, self-discovery, and personal growth.
In this curated list, you’ll find exes who were once high school sweethearts (like in The Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred and Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren) as well as married couples (such as in Marriage Games by C.D. Reiss and Retrieval by Aly Martinez). If you’re searching for second chance romance books that will tug at your heartstrings, check out this amazing selection below. You’re sure to find a few that you’ll absolutely love.
More Second Chance Romance Book Lists
Ghosted by J.M. Darhower
This is the kind of emotional second chance romance that hurts—but in the best way. Years after walking out on her—and not realizing he left behind a daughter—A-list actor Jonathan Cunningham reappears in Kennedy’s life for a film shoot. She’s a single mom barely keeping things together. He’s a tabloid mess with a past full of regrets. What follows is a slow-burn love story about redemption, fatherhood, and fighting for the family you didn’t know you had.
Happy Place by Emily Henry
They were supposed to get married. Instead, they broke up—and now they’re pretending they didn’t. In this bittersweet second chance romance set at a dreamy vacation house, ex-fiancés Harriet and Wyn fake being a happy couple for one last week with their closest friends. If you’re into emotional slow burns, fake dating with real feelings, and aching tension between exes who clearly still love each other, Happy Place delivers all the longing and then some.
My Temptation by T.L. Swan
Juliet thought Henley was the one—until he ghosted after a perfect first date. Three years later, she’s finally moved on… only to find out her sexy new neighbor is him. Yep. That guy. This sizzling romance between ex-almosts is packed with enemies-to-lovers tension, forced proximity, and unresolved chemistry. If you’re craving a steamy second chance romance with banter, baggage, and a reformed jerk hero, you’ll devour My Temptation.
The Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred
This is the kind of small-town second chance romance that lingers with you long after the last page. Alix and Nick were childhood friends turned first loves—until tragedy, secrets, and small-town judgment tore them apart. Fifteen years later, just as Alix is trying to rebuild her life, Nick shows up again with one goal: not losing her twice. If you love heart-wrenching love stories about forgiveness, family drama, and the one that got away, The Sweet Gum Tree will break you in the best way.
The Opportunist by Tarryn Fisher
Looking for a twisty second chance romance with drama? This one’s messy, morally gray, and completely unputdownable. When Olivia runs into her ex Caleb years after their messy breakup, she’s stunned to realize he doesn’t remember her—literally. Thanks to amnesia, she gets the rare chance to start over with the man she once destroyed. But with a manipulative rival and her own shady secrets in the way, a happily-ever-after won’t come easy. This romance between exes is wild, unpredictable, and totally addictive.
Show Me Wonders by Riley Nash
If you’re in the mood for an emotional MM second chance romance with high-stakes angst, this one hits hard. Jackson and Oliver meet as strangers—trapped together in total darkness after a tunnel collapse. They bond in a life-or-death situation, but once rescued, they’re torn apart by real-world obstacles. When fate throws them together again, they’ll have to decide whether their connection was a fluke… or the start of something real. Think: forced proximity, gut-punch emotions, and a reunion you’ll root for.
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
Childhood best friends turned first loves… turned strangers. Love and Other Words is a gorgeously written second chance romance that weaves between past and present as Macy and Elliot reconnect after ten years of silence. Now adults with messy histories and unspoken regrets, they’re trying to figure out what went wrong—and if there’s still a way back. If you love friends-to-lovers romances with major slow burn, emotional healing, and all the nostalgia, this one’s a must-read.
Maestro by Auden Dar
Aurelia Ramirez Preston met her best friend while auditioning for a spot at the prestigious LaGuardia Arts high school. To the world, Chadwick David was the prodigal violinist and grandson of a world-renowned maestro. To Aurelia, Chad was everything: Her first friend, her first great love, and her first heartbreak.
Here is their tumultuous story.
Maestro is an unforgettable contemporary romance rife with emotion, relationship hurdles, and a romance like no other. Whether you are a fan of second-chance romance books or the friends-to-lovers trope, Auden Dar delivers all of that and more in Aurelia and Chad’s story.
Final Offer by Lauren Asher
If you love billionaire romances with heart, angst, and childhood sweethearts, Final Offer will wreck you—in the best way. Callahan Kane was Alana’s first love and biggest heartbreak, and now he’s back in their small town with an ultimatum: sell the house they once shared or forfeit his inheritance. Cue the forced proximity, unresolved tension, and a deeply emotional redemption arc. It’s a swoony, slow-burn second chance romance that delivers everything—grief, growth, and so many feels.
P.S. I Spook You by S.E. Harmon
Profiler Rain Christiansen sees dead people—which, understandably, tanked his FBI career. Sent back to his hometown to salvage his reputation, he finds himself working a cold case alongside his ex, Detective Danny McKenna. Oh, and the ghosts aren’t done with him yet. This paranormal second chance MM romance is spooky, hilarious, and surprisingly tender. If you’re into ghostly interference, unresolved romantic tension, and reluctant partners-to-lovers, this one’s a blast.
RoomHate by Penelope Ward
Amelia never expected to share a beach house with her childhood best friend turned sworn enemy…especially not after their explosive falling-out years ago. But when life falls apart and she needs a fresh start, fate throws Justin—and his stunning plus-one—right back into her orbit. Packed with angst, snarky banter, and sizzling enemies-to-lovers energy, RoomHate is a spicy second chance romance between ex-friends who have some serious unfinished business.
Swear on This Life by Renee Carlino
When Emiline picks up the hottest new book from a mysterious debut author, she’s shocked to discover it’s about her own traumatic childhood—and the boy who broke her heart. Turns out, her long-lost first love Jace is the author, and he’s telling their story. Talk about meta heartbreak. Swear on This Life is an intensely emotional second chance romance with a story-within-a-story twist, perfect for readers who love slow burns, writer heroes, and aching nostalgia.
Vicious by L.J. Shen
If you love your romance heroes morally gray and deliciously vengeful, meet Vicious. He made Emilia’s life hell in high school, then disappeared for a decade—only to return with power, money, and a very personal agenda. This second chance bully romance is messy, obsessive, and totally addictive, with enemies-to-lovers heat and a rich-boy-falls-hard dynamic that somehow makes you root for the villain. He’s toxic, and you’ll still fall for him.
Where There’s A Will by Jessie Walker
Will returns to the small town that broke his heart, still grieving, still lost—and the last person he expects to run into is Waylon, his childhood best friend and the boy he loved. Where There’s A Will is a gorgeously written, slow-burn MM second chance romance full of grief, tension, and quiet hope. If you’re into emotional gut punches, past love reemerging when it’s least convenient, and a seriously raw love story, this debut delivers.
All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover
Quinn and Graham had the perfect beginning…but years into their marriage, perfection has turned into pain. All Your Perfects is a heart-wrenching second chance romance that explores what happens after the happily ever after. Told in dual timelines, it captures the joy of falling in love and the devastation of slowly falling apart. It’s brutally honest, beautifully written, and one of Hoover’s most emotional books yet—perfect for readers who want a love story that hurts before it heals.
Appealed by Emma Chase
When childhood frenemies turned lawyers Kennedy and Brent face off in court, all bets are off. Years after he ditched her for the cool crowd, Kennedy’s all grown up and ready to make him sweat—professionally and otherwise. Appealed is a witty, banter-heavy second chance romance with a legal rom-com twist, giving you enemies to lovers vibes with a side of courtroom tension and unresolved childhood feelings. If you love flirty, fast-paced romance with whip-smart leads, this one’s for you.
Eleanor & Grey by Brittainy C. Cherry
Eleanor and Grey were high school sweethearts—the kind that share everything. Then life happened, and the sweet boy she loved turned into a man hardened by grief. When Eleanor becomes the nanny for his children years later, she barely recognizes him…but their connection is still there, buried under years of pain. Eleanor & Grey is a deeply emotional second chance romance between two people who were everything to each other once—and maybe could be again. Prepare for tears.
A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole
Rune and Poppy share a love so deep it feels eternal—starting with childhood friendship, a jar full of notes, and a thousand boy kisses. A Thousand Boy Kisses is one of the best sad second chance romance books that will absolutely wreck your heart in the best way. If you want a beautifully tragic story that’s guaranteed to have you ugly crying, this one’s for you.
Marriage Games by C.D. Reiss
When heiress Diana asks her husband Adam for a divorce, she unknowingly triggers a high-stakes game that will test everything they thought they knew about each other. Adam’s plan? A 30-day retreat to a remote cabin where he sheds the corporate mask to reveal the man beneath. Marriage Games is a steamy BDSM second chance romance full of tension, emotional breakthroughs, and sizzling exploration that could either save or shatter their marriage.
You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle
Naomi Westfield is about to marry Nicholas Rose, but she can’t stand the guy—and she’s determined to make him call off the wedding first. With snarky pranks flying and a battle of wills in full swing, this enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy delivers sharp, hilarious banter and a heroine who refuses to lose. If you want a fun, witty second chance romance with laugh-out-loud moments, You Deserve Each Other is a perfect pick.
Ruckus by L.J. Shen
Dean Cole can’t forget Rosie LeBlanc—the “little LeBlanc” he wronged in high school by dating her sister. Now, Dean’s back with a vengeance, and this time, Rosie’s the one he wants. Ruckus is a second chance romance full of intense emotions, high stakes, and the dark, edgy energy you expect from an L.J. Shen hothole hero. If you crave a raw, unfiltered love story with a complicated past, dive into Ruckus.
Retrieval by Aly Martinez
Elisabeth and Roman’s marriage fell apart under the weight of heartbreak, ending in divorce. Two years later, they meet again—divorced but not over each other. Forced to communicate differently this time, they must navigate old wounds and new challenges if they want a second chance at love. Retrieval is a heart-wrenching second chance romance that will tug at your heartstrings and explore how healing can come from the hardest places.
Bitter Heat by Mia Knight
After five years of silence, Jasmine Hennessy and her ex-husband James Roth are thrown back together by a chance encounter. Roth is determined to drag Jasmine back into his life to settle scores with those who ruined him years ago. If you want a dark, steamy, and angsty second chance romance packed with revenge and passion, Bitter Heat will keep you hooked.
Worth It by Linda Kage
Six years after a disastrous night tore Knox Parker and Felicity Bainbridge apart, fate throws them back together in the most unexpected way. Knox never stopped wanting Felicity—but he’s not ready to risk everything again. Worth It is a forbidden second chance romance between two people from very different worlds, perfect for readers who love slow-burn passion and complicated feelings.
The Day He Came Back by Penelope Ward
Raven never expected to work again at the mansion where she fell in love with Gavin Masterton—the boy born with a silver spoon. But when Gavin returns home and finds her as the new head housekeeper, old feelings resurface. The Day He Came Back is a slow-burn second chance romance filled with nostalgia, simmering tension, and a love that refuses to fade.
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
Lily Bloom escapes her small-town past and builds a new life in Boston, where she meets neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid—a man who challenges her heart and her boundaries. But when her first love, Atlas Corrigan, reappears, Lily’s world is turned upside down. It Ends With Us is a gut-wrenching, thought-provoking second chance romance that tackles love, pain, and resilience in a way that will stay with you long after the last page.
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Poppy, a spontaneous travel blogger, and Alex, a cautious bookworm, are total opposites who became best friends in college. Every summer for years, they take a vacation together—until their last trip ended things two years ago. Witty, steamy, and emotional, People We Meet on Vacation is a friends-to-lovers rom-com that’s perfect for fans of banter-filled second chance romance and the best kind of beach read.
Stepbrother Dearest by Penelope Ward
High school senior Greta never expected her new roommate to be her broody, arrogant stepbrother Elec—especially one she’s never met. Their explosive relationship only intensifies when they reconnect seven years later. If you love taboo step-sibling second chance bully romance with plenty of heat and tension, Stepbrother Dearest is a must-read.
Written with Regret by Aly Martinez
Caven Hunt’s world is turned upside down when he finds a newborn on his doorstep—and later discovers she’s his daughter. Four years on, the mother of his child shows up unexpectedly, sparking tension and a reckoning with their complicated past. Written with Regret is an unconventional second chance romance full of secrets, mistrust, and the slow rebuilding of trust and love.
Broken Knight by L.J. Shen
Knight Cole, the charming and protective golden boy, has always been Luna Rexroth’s shield since childhood, but when Luna leaves for college, she no longer needs saving. Quiet and gentle Luna has a painful past that silenced her voice, and now both must navigate their changing relationship. Broken Knight is a raw, angsty second chance romance packed with emotional depth and unforgettable characters.
Torn Apart by K Webster and Nikki Ash
In Torn Apart, four tangled lives collide in a steamy, messy web of attraction and new sexual dynamics: Ashton, the dean’s gay gamer son; Mia, his secretly-in-love best friend; arrogant hockey star Brayden; and ex-NHL coach Drew with a mysterious past. Their complicated relationships lead them down a path of vulnerability and self-discovery in this intense and addictive second chance romance.
Making Faces by Amy Harmon
Fern Taylor has always been invisible until she starts writing love letters for her friend to Ambrose Young, the town’s golden boy wrestler hiding scars from a tragic past. As Fern and Ambrose confront loss, forgiveness, and their own self-worth, Making Faces delivers a heartbreaking, beautifully raw story of love and healing that will stay with you long after the last page.
When Life Happened by Jewel E. Ann
After a wedding prank goes sideways, Parker Cruise moves into her grandfather’s farmhouse for a fresh start, only to have a hilariously awkward encounter with her smoking-hot but very married neighbor Gus Westman. When Life Happened is a wildly entertaining and unconventional second chance romance full of messy emotions, unexpected twists, and lots of heart.