Second Tide’s the Charm is a light-hearted women’s fiction/romance with marine biology (STEM) content.

Second Tide’s the Charm by Chandra Blumberg

Genre/Categories/Setting: Women’s Contemporary Fiction, Romance, STEM, Marine Biology (sharks), Diverse Reads, Coastal U.S.

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

My Summary of Second Tide’s the Charm:

Welcome to my stop on the HTP Summer 2024 Blog Tour for Second Tide’s the Charm. Thanks #HarlequinTradePublishing @CanaryStreet @BookClubbish for a complimentary e ARC of #SecondTidesTheCharm upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Hope lands a perfect summer job on a shark research boat. Unknown to her, the boat belongs to her ex-boyfriend, Adrian. This job will rejuvenate Hope’s career, so she figures she can deal with the uncomfortable situation. Adrian has stayed on track with his career and has even launched a successful and educational YouTube channel about sharks. Even though the attraction is still strong, they are committed to the job and strive to work together.

My Thoughts:

STEM

For readers who enjoy women in science content…and especially marine biology and sharks…this is an interesting read! In fact, I found the shark content to be a compelling part of the story.

Tropes

Fun tropes include slow-burn romance, second-chance romance, and close proximity. We know in romance there will be a HEA (happily ever after) but getting there is full of twists and turns and ultimately satisfying. The initial breakup seemed realistic to me and I appreciate that the author didn’t rely on cheating or secret keeping or miscommunication and focused on the fallout from “this won’t work” fears. Because the drifting apart was one-sided, better communication (as opposed to no communication) definitely could have helped. Adrian was left in the dark which didn’t seem fair.

Career and Romance

One topic the author addresses well is “having it all”…. career + romance with possible long distance complications. Can two scientists committed to their work also find romance? Can two people be in a relationship and give the other person space and freedom to follow his/her dreams? The couple works out these issues in healthy ways.

Recommending Second Tide’s the Charm

Throw this one in your beach bag! I’m recommending Second Tide’s the Charm for readers who appreciate women’s fiction featuring smart and career driven women who strive to have it all. Fans of marine biology (sharks) will enjoy the story especially. I also think you’ll appreciate the diverse representation. Limited profanity and closed-door romance (some passionate kissing). I will definitely read more from this new-to-me author.

My Rating:   4 Stars

Meet the Author of Second Tide’s the Charm, Chandra Blumberg

Chandra Blumberg writes funny, heartwarming love stories about characters that feel real and relatable. When it comes to her writing process, getting to that happily ever after is half the fun.

Born and raised in Michigan, Chandra moved to the Chicago area after majoring in English at Michigan State University. When she’s not writing, she enjoys lifting heavy barbells at the gym, making a mess of the kitchen while baking alongside her four kids, and traveling with her family.

---

---

QOTD:

Is this STEM romance on your TBR?

---

---

Happy Reading Book Friends!

“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke

“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes

“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection! Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.”
~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text

---

---

Let’s Get Social!

Thank you for visiting and reading today! I’d be honored and thrilled if you choose to enjoy and follow along (see subscribe or follow option), promote, and/or share my blog. Every share helps us grow.

Find me at:
Twitter/X
Blue Sky
Instagram (Threads link in bio)
Goodreads and StoryGraph
Pinterest
Reading Ladies Book Club on Facebook

---

---