Today for Fiction Friday I’m sharing my book recommendation for Becca Kinzer’s new Christian romcom, First Love, Second Draft.
Here’s the Book Description:
She’s a romance writer burned out on love. He’s her famous baseball star ex-husband. The last man she wants to be forced to work with is the one who broke her heart.
Rom-com writer Gracie Parker hasn’t written a bestseller since she and her husband, a major league baseball star, divorced five years ago. On thin ice with her publisher—and with a looming deadline—Gracie couldn’t have picked a worse time for a painful injury that has her flat on her back. At this point, she’d accept help from anybody . . . except her first love and ex-husband, Noah Parker.
The baseball season has just ended in massive disappointment for Noah. He’s facing the stark reality that he gave up everything for a career that’s let him down and that it might be too late to get back the one person he should’ve held on to. So when Gracie’s nephew calls, saying Gracie’s looking for a tenant for her next-door rental, it feels like it’s meant to be.
All Gracie cares about is turning in her manuscript on time, which is directly at odds with Noah’s attempts to win her back, even if she is slightly charmed by his kindness. But can people ever really change? Then Noah throws a curveball that could give Gracie the extension she needs, but it will mean working directly with Noah, something she’s not sure she can face. With no other choice, and everything on the line, Gracie must decide if it is too late for a second draft of their own love story.
Narelle’s Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading First Love, Second Draft, a delightful sports romantic comedy set in small town Illinois. Gracie is a romance author who split up with her professional baseball player ex-husband, Noah, five years ago. She’s living on five acres in the house where she has happy memories of her marriage.
Gracie is on a tight deadline to finish her contracted romance novel. The story isn’t progressing well and Gracie’s literary agent is concerned the editor will reject it. Gracie fractured her pelvis in an unusual riding accident and requires help to rehabilitate at home and finish her hot mess of a novel. Gracie is shocked when she discovers her nephew has arranged for Noah to rent the cottage on her property and assist her in recovering from her injuries.
Noah is forty years old and his baseball career with the Seattle Mariners is over. They dropped him from the team’s postseason lineup and Noah jumps at the opportunity to return to Illinois and win Gracie back.
Gracie is independent and struggles with impaired mobility from her injuries. She dislikes needing Noah’s help, which creates many LOL hilarious situations. The forced proximity means Gracie and Noah can’t avoid facing the issues that led to their marriage breaking down, including infertility issues.
I loved the charming romantic subplot and quirky cast of characters. I cheered for Noah and Gracie to remember why they loved each other and to put in the work to rebuild their broken relationship. The story includes grief, loss and forgiveness themes. I recommend First Love, Second Draft to contemporary romance readers who like second chances sports romcoms with depth that include a romantic subplot and relevant faith elements in the story.
Many thanks to Tyndale and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.