The Summer of Second Chances, K.L. Walther [A Book Review]

March 3, 2026 2 Min Read 0

Growing up is something we all have to do, whether we want to or not. So many great stories originate from those turbulent times.

A touching beachside young adult romance for your summer reading list.

Book Cover of The Summer of Second Chances by K. L. Walther featuring an illustrated beach scene with a lighthouse in the distance and jeep parked on the sand with a couple walking off into the distance.

In full disclosure, I did not realize this was a young adult book when I picked it up. Technically it probably straddles the line between YA and New Adult with the character’s ages, but it certainly reads as closer to the YA end of the spectrum (especially considering anything labeled ‘New Adult’ is almost certainly a s*x party, ha).

Olivia’s grandmother’s health is declining, but she feels obligated to go on a family vacation with her step-mother’s family. Her grandmother is who she’s felt closest to in her family since her father remarried and she felt left behind. Despite predicting the whole thing to be torturous, she ends up having fun in unexpected ways, including a reconnection with someone she used to know.

There is a lot of family relationship healing, almost angsty reckonings in certain relationships. The romance was very tame and tender, and it wrapped up at the end in a sweetly satisfying way.

Overall, really good book, but if you’re a hardcore reader of spicier romances, this one will probably leave you wanting on that level. Those reading for complex family relationships and coming of age themes will find a lot more here to chew on.

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Details

Title::The Summer of Second Chances
Author:: K. L. Walther
Genre:: Young Adult Romance
Publisher:: SOURCEBOOKS Fire
Length:: 400 pages
Published:: May 5th, 2026
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars