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About The Book

A trans man returns to his Florida hometown for Christmas after his career goes up in flames, only to cross paths with his high school ex in this charming rom-com about family and second chances from the author of the “delectable” (Time) Chef’s Kiss.

Eli Ward hasn’t been back to his suffocating hometown of New Port Stephen, Florida, in ages. Post-transition and sober, he’s a completely different person from the one who left years ago. But when a scandal threatens his career as a TV writer and comedian, he has no choice but to return home for the holidays. He can only hope he’ll survive his boisterous, loving, but often misguided family and hide the fact that his dream of comedy success has become a nightmare.

Just when he thinks this trip couldn’t get any worse, Eli bumps into his high school ex, Nick Wu, who’s somehow hotter than ever. Divorced and in his forties, Nick’s world revolves around his father, his daughter, and his job. But even a busy life can’t keep him from being intrigued by the reappearance of Eli.

Against the backdrop of one weird Floridian Christmas, the two must decide whether to leave the past in the past…or move on together.

About The Author

Photograph by Demi Y. Guo
TJ Alexander

TJ Alexander, the critically acclaimed author of Second Chances in New Port Stephen, Chef’s Kiss, and Chef’s Choice, writes about queer love. Their latest novel is Triple Sec. Originally from Florida, they received their MA in writing and publishing from Emerson College in Boston. They live in New York City with their wife and various houseplants.

About The Readers

Aden Hakimi

Feodor Chin

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio (December 5, 2023)
  • Runtime: 10 hours and 52 minutes
  • ISBN13: 9781797169491

Raves and Reviews

"Aden Hakimi and Feodor Chin narrate this heartfelt second-chance romance about two 40-something men in small-town Florida. Hakimi portrays Eli, a trans man who returns to his much-disliked hometown for Christmas after a career implosion...Chin shines as Nick, Eli’s high school ex, now a divorced dad and restaurant manager. Chin’s smooth delivery is a pleasure; he excels at bringing Nick’s reflective internal monologues to life. He’s especially skilled at the dialogue of the many secondary characters, including Nick’s aging dad, young daughter, and infuriating ex-mother-in-law. This is a highly entertaining and satisfying holiday romance."

– AudioFile Magazine

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