Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE: Second Chance at First Love

SERIES: The Storm Boys Prequel 0.5

AUTHOR: N.R. Walker

PUBLISHER: BlueHeart Press

LENGTH: 102 pages

RELEASE DATE: May 23, 2023

BLURB:

Paul Morgan has been running his luxury camping tour business in Kakadu National Park for the last five years. Taking small groups glamping, hiking, climbing, and swimming. It’s been a busy five years, a hard five years, as he tried to forget the man he left behind.

Derek Grimes pushes people away—a self-preservation reflex. Because they can’t break his heart if he breaks theirs first, right? Five years on, lost and lonely, he tracks down the one and only love of his life. Maybe seeing how Paul had moved on will help Derek move on too . . .

Paul can’t believe it when a familiar name pops up on his client list, and Derek can’t believe how good Paul looks, or just how happy living his dream job has made him. The spark between them never waned, but five years on, they’ve learned a few things about themselves and what they want.

They could have everything they ever dreamed of—if they’re prepared to trust each other. Because a second chance at first love comes but once in a lifetime.

REVIEW:

Second Chance at First Love is the prequel novella to N.R. Walker’s new Storm Boys series. This sweet book is set in the beautiful, remote Kakadu National Park in the Top End of Australia.

Paul is a one-man tour operator leading way-off-the-beaten-path treks from his “glamping” site deep in the park. Guests enjoy challenging hikes, incredible sweeping vistas, refreshing dips in the billabongs, and nightly stargazing. Walker is a wonderful world builder and brings her narrative to life with her vivid imagery.

Paul moved to live in this isolated location and take up this endeavor after the painful breakup with his serious boyfriend, Derek. It suits him perfectly: he loves the extreme heat and “enjoys the lack of people”. (As a bona fide introvert, I’m totally stealing this phrase from Walker. I love the positive spin!) Paul can hardly believe it when he notices that Derek, whom he hasn’t seen in five years, has booked one of his tours. With few distractions, aside from three other colorful guests, Paul and Derek determine if they can repair their relationship and give it a second chance.

Derek is not on this trip by coincidence. He hasn’t moved on yet, still missing Paul every day, still as affected by him as if five years hadn’t passed. “I’ve never known peace except when I’m with you.” He’s cloaked in sadness but hopeful since the chemistry is still there between them. Paul didn’t know how to help Derek back then when Derek couldn’t admit he needed comfort dealing with his difficult childhood. Both men now agree they were reckless with their love and didn’t appreciate it enough. They were young and inexperienced in communicating their feelings and needs.

“I’d taken your love and decimated it. I’d ruined everything good in my life. Everything that was pure and worth anything. Until there was nothing left, just a massive black hole.”

I’m eager to see what else the series has in store. I love the setting. Walker certainly takes us all over the country with her novels. I learn so much about Australia through her books. There’s already one character – storm chaser Tully – being set up for his own romance. Paul and Derek are very likable characters; hopefully we’ll see more of them as they  settle into their new life together. We won’t have to wait long…the next book is being released in just two weeks. Yippee! I fully recommend this short, enjoyable read.

RATING:

BUY LINK:

Amazon