It’s been thirteen years since Mars Darling first met West Emerson on a bench outside their writing class. What started out as a friendly rivalry turned into a best friendship and then, for a brief time, a romance. Now over a decade later, as Mars stands at their college campus as a once-esteemed YA fantasy author, ready to take on a book festival, she comes face to face with West—the muse behind her infamous trilogy’s heartthrob hero, the man who betrayed her in the worst way.
Mars is determined not to let her comeback tour be ruined by the fact that West is also at the festival as an author. But the longer they are on the campus that holds so many shared memories, the more time they have to untangle their past, and Mars starts to question if maybe it’s not only her writing career that deserves a second chance.
Told in two unfolding timelines—Mars and West’s frenzied college days where they grapple with their undeniable connection, and their tension-filled present of heartache and familiar yearning—this charming romance shows that while you can’t rewrite the past, it’s never too late to chase your happily ever after and get back the one that got away.
Release Date: Apr 7, 2026
Heat Level: Sensual
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley
Price: $10.99
Mars met Emerson on campus thirteen years ago. Both taking a writing class together, they quickly began a small rivalry that lasted briefly before turning into something else. Mars becomes a popular fantasy writer whose career has slowly tanked a bit after everything she has been through with Emerson. Her main character is based on him, and the last book she wrote didn’t do so well.
Mars is attending a book festival back at the place they initially met, hoping she can make a comeback. Emerson is at the book festival as well. He knows he messed up with her and wants to make amends. The more time they are together, Emerson hopes to show Mars how great a second chance would be.
I wanted to enjoy this one much more than I did. I don’t mind a second chance romance when executed properly. However, this was a very slow burn of a second chance romance. The author switches from past day to present day, allowing readers to get to know Mars and Emerson from start to finish. However, in both timelines, the story drags.
I became anxious to know what caused them to stop being friends and lovers. Why should we, the readers want Mars and Emerson to get back together? Once I learned what happened, I felt Mars just got over it, and all is well. Wow, after all this time? I think there should have been more conflict resolution.
Ultimately, this is not my favorite nor most memorable read. If you like second chance romances, then maybe give this a try.
~ Samantha
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