Second Tide’s the Charm by Chandra Blumberg

e-Audio, 09:38:56
Narrated by: Keylor Leigh & Amir Abdullah
Release Date: August 6, 2024
Published by: Harlequin Audio
Read from: August 19-20, 2024
Stand-alone
Source: Audible
Content Warning: Bullying, Death, Sexual Content
For Readers Interested In: STEM (Marine Biology), Adult, Audible, Contemp Romance, Dual POV, Own Voices, Racial/Ethnic Diversity (Black, Black Romance), Realistic Fiction, Romance, Second Chance Romance

    Love puts you in uncharted waters. At first glance, Hope Evans just landed the perfect spending the summer on a shark research boat. Except as every marine biologist knows, it’s what’s going on beneath the surface that counts, and Hope’s new position comes with a big catch—the boat belongs to her ex-boyfriend, Adrian Hollis-Parker. For three years Hope’s been treading water, staying away from anything that reminds her of their past. It’s time to dive back into a job that could springboard her career—and maybe offer much-needed closure. Since their split, Adrian has risen to internet fame as a shark expert with the launch of his YouTube channel to dispel myths and educate viewers about sharks. But success rings hollow without Hope. Embracing this new career trajectory was a risk, but working in cramped quarters with the woman he never stopped loving? That has the potential to backfire in heartbreaking ways. Side by side, weathering storms of every kind, they’ll have to navigate the murky waters of past hurts…and hope it’s not too late to chart a new course…

*MY THOUGHTS*

I’m not gonna hold you, I’m not a huge fan of science, BUT I read Hazelwood’s and Easton’s STEM novels and I LOVE Sharks, so I went ahead and gave it a shot. And let me just tell you, I would have been upset if I HADN’T read this.

This was one of the cutest books I’ve read in a long time. I LOVED Hope’s character! She did annoy me that she didn’t seem to have a real reason to break up with Adrian, but I did understand everything else she did. I also really loved the passion she had for her job and the animals. And I know this is weird because they’re sharks, but they were all so cute! (That pregnant one?!) This was a very cool book that I didn’t know I needed.

Adrian I wasn’t such a fan of. He was very passionate about his work too, but he seemed to only be passionate about it. If you know what I mean. Like he said that he was hurt that she left and he seemed mad about it, but it wasn’t shown. I guess it was just him being hurt. But it took out some of the romance I think.

I also loved the STEM aspect to it. Again, I’m not a huge fan of the romance, but this was so cute. I loved to see the little shark facts. And let me tell you, EVERY BLACK SCIENTIST THAT DOES A STORYTIME AT THEIR LOCAL LIBRARY, I’M HERE FOR IT! (Looking at you Vincent! lol) That scene alone was enough for me. Seeing them realize that they should remember the kiddos to get more to go to those fields make me love them so much more!

Idk what this trend of STEM romances is all about, but I’m here for them all! A complete 180 degrees from my original thought of not liking science lol This is definitely a book I will be telling more and more people to read. It was a fun romance with light spice! I had such a fun time reading it. I hope y’all pick this up and read it too!

Overall, I give this