Best Second Chance Romance Books

The highest-rated books featuring second chance romance, ranked by readers. Browse 50 titles across Romance, Historical Fiction, Literature & Fiction.

Read more

Second chance romance zeroes in on that specific ache of loving someone you had to let go—and then finding yourself face-to-face with them years later. There's delicious tension in whether you've both changed enough to make it work this time, or whether you're chasing a ghost of what you once had. The emotional payoff comes from the characters doing the hard work of understanding what went wrong, who they've become, and whether that person standing in front of you is still your person.

You'll find this trope across contemporary romance, historical fiction, and literary romance. Expect reunions sparked by chance encounters, deliberate comebacks, or family obligations that force old flames into proximity. These books ask tough questions about timing, growth, and whether love can survive its own wreckage.

These are the highest-rated second chance romance books across Romance, Historical Fiction, Literature & Fiction, ranked by reader ratings from Goodreads and Audible.

  1. 1
    Voyager cover

    Voyager

    Outlander • Book 3

    by Diana Gabaldon

    ★ 4.78 BLT Score (332.7K ratings)
    ★ 4.39 Goodreads (332.7K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  2. 2
    The Last Letter cover

    The Last Letter

    by Rebecca Yarros

    ★ 4.78 BLT Score (538.1K ratings)
    ★ 4.49 Goodreads (538.1K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  3. 3
    The Things We Leave Unfinished cover

    The Things We Leave Unfinished

    by Rebecca Yarros

    ★ 4.64 BLT Score (459.3K ratings)
    ★ 4.31 Goodreads (459.3K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  4. 4
    Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure cover

    Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure

    Constable Evan Mystery

    by Rhys Bowen

    ★ 4.61 BLT Score (25.5K ratings)
    ★ 4.46 Goodreads (25.5K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  5. 5
    Still cover

    Still

    Grip • Book 2

    by Kennedy Ryan

    ★ 4.57 BLT Score (11.8K ratings)
    ★ 4.49 Goodreads (11.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  6. 6
    Bittersweet Melody cover

    Bittersweet Melody

    The Bittersweet Symphony Duet #2.5 • Book 2

    by Kate Stewart

    ★ 4.54 BLT Score (15.1K ratings)
    ★ 4.4 Goodreads (15.1K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  7. 7
    Every Summer After cover

    Every Summer After

    Barry’s Bay • Book 1

    by Carley Fortune

    ★ 4.51 BLT Score (884.1K ratings)
    ★ 4.17 Goodreads (884.1K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  8. 8
    Ask Me Again cover

    Ask Me Again

    Ask, Tell • Book 2

    by E.J. Noyes

    ★ 4.49 BLT Score (3.0K ratings)
    ★ 4.46 Goodreads (3.0K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  9. 9
    Persuasion cover

    Persuasion

    by Jane Austen, Deidre Shauna Lynch, James Kinsley

    ★ 4.49 BLT Score (786.9K ratings)
    ★ 4.15 Goodreads (786.9K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  10. 10
    Gold cover

    Gold

    by E.J. Noyes

    ★ 4.48 BLT Score (3.4K ratings)
    ★ 4.34 Goodreads (3.4K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  11. 11
    Asher cover

    Asher

    Ashes & Embers • Book 6

    by Carian Cole

    ★ 4.47 BLT Score (8.6K ratings)
    ★ 4.36 Goodreads (8.6K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  12. 12
    An Offer From a Gentleman cover

    An Offer From a Gentleman

    Bridgertons • Book 3

    by Julia Quinn

    ★ 4.46 BLT Score (428.8K ratings)
    ★ 3.94 Goodreads (428.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  13. 13
    Under Currents cover

    Under Currents

    by Nora Roberts

    ★ 4.45 BLT Score (47.0K ratings)
    ★ 4.13 Goodreads (47.0K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  14. 14
    The Liar cover

    The Liar

    by Nora Roberts

    ★ 4.40 BLT Score (53.7K ratings)
    ★ 4.08 Goodreads (53.7K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  15. 15
    Go Around cover

    Go Around

    by E.J. Noyes

    ★ 4.39 BLT Score (2.3K ratings)
    ★ 4.3 Goodreads (2.3K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  16. 16
    Juniper Hill cover

    Juniper Hill

    The Edens • Book 2

    by Devney Perry

    ★ 4.39 BLT Score (128.4K ratings)
    ★ 4.12 Goodreads (128.4K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  17. 17
    Long Way Gone cover

    Long Way Gone

    by Charles Martin

    ★ 4.38 BLT Score (20.2K ratings)
    ★ 4.38 Goodreads (20.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  18. 18
    Where the Sky Begins cover

    Where the Sky Begins

    Constable Evan Mystery

    by Rhys Bowen

    ★ 4.36 BLT Score (34.4K ratings)
    ★ 4.34 Goodreads (34.4K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  19. 19
    Thaddeus cover

    Thaddeus

    Gold Team • Book 2

    by Riley Edwards

    ★ 4.36 BLT Score (3.2K ratings)
    ★ 4.55 Goodreads (3.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  20. 20
    Wrecked Beginnings: Reckless Memories / Perfect Wreckage / Wrecked Palace cover

    Wrecked Beginnings: Reckless Memories / Perfect Wreckage / Wrecked Palace

    Wrecked #1-3 • Book 1

    by Catherine Cowles

    ★ 4.34 BLT Score (553 ratings)
    ★ 4.5 Goodreads (553)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  21. 21
    Ryker cover

    Ryker

    Cold Fury Hockey • Book 4

    by Sawyer Bennett

    ★ 4.33 BLT Score (13.7K ratings)
    ★ 4.2 Goodreads (13.7K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  22. 22
    Dangerous Games cover

    Dangerous Games

    Takeback • Book 3

    by Riley Edwards

    ★ 4.33 BLT Score (3.2K ratings)
    ★ 4.55 Goodreads (3.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  23. 23
    Filthy Truth cover

    Filthy Truth

    The Five Points' Mob Collection • Book 10

    by Serena Akeroyd

    ★ 4.32 BLT Score (2.8K ratings)
    ★ 4.54 Goodreads (2.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  24. 24
    Final Offer cover

    Final Offer

    Dreamland Billionaires • Book 3

    by Lauren Asher

    ★ 4.32 BLT Score (313.8K ratings)
    ★ 4.18 Goodreads (313.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  25. 25
    All Your Perfects cover

    All Your Perfects

    Hopeless • Book 3

    by Colleen Hoover

    ★ 4.32 BLT Score (711.6K ratings)
    ★ 3.99 Goodreads (711.6K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  26. 26
    You Loved Me Once cover

    You Loved Me Once

    by Corinne Michaels

    ★ 4.31 BLT Score (12.1K ratings)
    ★ 4.05 Goodreads (12.1K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  27. 27
    Filthy Lies cover

    Filthy Lies

    The Five Points' Mob Collection • Book 9

    by Serena Akeroyd

    ★ 4.30 BLT Score (3.0K ratings)
    ★ 4.46 Goodreads (3.0K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  28. 28
    Point of Retreat cover

    Point of Retreat

    Slammed • Book 2

    by Colleen Hoover

    ★ 4.29 BLT Score (296.9K ratings)
    ★ 4.1 Goodreads (296.9K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  29. 29
    Autumn Magic cover

    Autumn Magic

    Thorne Witches • Book 2

    by T.M. Cromer

    ★ 4.29 BLT Score (3.4K ratings)
    ★ 4.38 Goodreads (3.4K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  30. 30
    The Ex I'd Love to Hate cover

    The Ex I'd Love to Hate

    The Lasker Brothers • Book 3

    by Nadia Lee

    ★ 4.29 BLT Score (10.0K ratings)
    ★ 4.11 Goodreads (10.0K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  31. 31
    Losing Hope cover

    Losing Hope

    Hopeless • Book 2

    by Colleen Hoover

    ★ 4.29 BLT Score (275.9K ratings)
    ★ 4.09 Goodreads (275.9K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  32. 32
    Sandy cover

    Sandy

    Vested Interest • Book 7

    by Melanie Moreland

    ★ 4.28 BLT Score (2.0K ratings)
    ★ 4.3 Goodreads (2.0K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  33. 33
    Madame cover

    Madame

    Salacious Players Club • Book 6

    by Sara Cate

    ★ 4.27 BLT Score (46.0K ratings)
    ★ 4.15 Goodreads (46.0K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  34. 34
    Love & Honor cover

    Love & Honor

    Honor • Book 3

    by Radclyffe

    ★ 4.26 BLT Score (2.3K ratings)
    ★ 4.29 Goodreads (2.3K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  35. 35
    Loyalty cover

    Loyalty

    Halcyon Division • Book 3

    by E.J. Noyes

    ★ 4.26 BLT Score (508 ratings)
    ★ 4.52 Goodreads (508)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  36. 36
    The Best Man: Unfinished Business cover

    The Best Man: Unfinished Business

    The Best Man Series • Book 1

    by Malcolm D. Lee, Jayne Allen

    ★ 4.25 BLT Score (1.8K ratings)
    ★ 4.1 Goodreads (1.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  37. 37
    Off the Record cover

    Off the Record

    Off • Book 3

    by Sawyer Bennett

    ★ 4.24 BLT Score (8.4K ratings)
    ★ 4.08 Goodreads (8.4K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  38. 38
    Blind Love cover

    Blind Love

    Cowboys & Angels • Book 5

    by Kelly Elliott

    ★ 4.24 BLT Score (1.6K ratings)
    ★ 4.4 Goodreads (1.6K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  39. 39
    Ignite cover

    Ignite

    Heart of the Inferno • Book 2

    by Nicole Fanning

    ★ 4.24 BLT Score (1.6K ratings)
    ★ 4.29 Goodreads (1.6K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  40. 40
    Moonlit Magic cover

    Moonlit Magic

    Thorne Witches • Book 9

    by T.M. Cromer

    ★ 4.23 BLT Score (1.4K ratings)
    ★ 4.57 Goodreads (1.4K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  41. 41
    Again, Rachel cover

    Again, Rachel

    Walsh Family • Book 6

    by Marian Keyes

    ★ 4.23 BLT Score (30.9K ratings)
    ★ 4.28 Goodreads (30.9K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  42. 42
    Down Where My Love Lives cover

    Down Where My Love Lives

    Awakening #1-2 • Book 1

    by Charles Martin

    ★ 4.22 BLT Score (2.2K ratings)
    ★ 4.51 Goodreads (2.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  43. 43
    Cloverleigh Farms: The Collection cover

    Cloverleigh Farms: The Collection

    Cloverleigh Farms • Book 1

    by Melanie Harlow

    ★ 4.22 BLT Score (438 ratings)
    ★ 4.61 Goodreads (438)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  44. 44
    The Complete Sinful Men Collection cover

    The Complete Sinful Men Collection

    Sinful Men #1-5 • Book 1

    by Lauren Blakely

    ★ 4.22 BLT Score (478 ratings)
    ★ 4.29 Goodreads (478)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  45. 45
    Maybe Someday cover

    Maybe Someday

    Maybe • Book 1

    by Colleen Hoover

    ★ 4.21 BLT Score (667.2K ratings)
    ★ 3.96 Goodreads (667.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  46. 46
    Mayhem cover

    Mayhem

    Mayhem • Book 1

    by Jamie Shaw

    ★ 4.19 BLT Score (12.3K ratings)
    ★ 4.11 Goodreads (12.3K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  47. 47
    Game Changer cover

    Game Changer

    #UofJ • Book 2

    by Alley Ciz

    ★ 4.19 BLT Score (3.8K ratings)
    ★ 4.19 Goodreads (3.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  48. 48
    Forever Magic cover

    Forever Magic

    Thorne Witches • Book 7

    by T.M. Cromer

    ★ 4.18 BLT Score (1.7K ratings)
    ★ 4.54 Goodreads (1.7K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  49. 49
    Montana Danger cover

    Montana Danger

    Resting Warrior Ranch • Book 2

    by Josie Jade, Janie Crouch

    ★ 4.18 BLT Score (6.3K ratings)
    ★ 4.41 Goodreads (6.3K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  50. 50
    The Tumultuous Lives of Karl Strong cover

    The Tumultuous Lives of Karl Strong

    Middle Falls Time Travel • Book 18

    by Shawn Inmon

    ★ 4.17 BLT Score (778 ratings)
    ★ 4.66 Goodreads (778)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →

Browse Related Lists

Second Chance Romance Audiobooks Second Chance Romance Overview All Tropes

How We Rank Audiobooks

Rankings are driven by listener ratings and review counts from Audible and Goodreads. Books with high ratings across a large number of listeners rank higher — a 4.5 with 50,000 ratings says more than a 4.8 with 200.

Unlike most book lists, we weight audiobook-specific factors: narrator performance, production quality, and how well a story translates to audio. A great book with a poor narration isn't a great audiobook.

We don't accept paid placements or prioritize new releases. These rankings reflect what listeners actually enjoy, not what's being promoted.

Rankings update periodically as new ratings come in and new titles are added to the collection.

Read our full ranking methodology →