It’s looking like 2026 is another great year for K. L. Walther with two back-to-back book releases! We loved her March release, We’re a Bad Idea, Right?, which also happened to be our first foray into her universe. Now, we’ve picked up her May release, The Summer of Second Chances.
The Summer of Second Chances takes us back to Martha’s Vineyard, where Olivia Lupo tries to retrace her grandmother’s footsteps. When she unexpectedly reunites with a boy from her past, Olivia must decide whether she can trust someone else with her heart.
With summer right on our doorsteps, now is the perfect time to dip your toes in the water. Get a taste of an incredible summer romance with K. L. Walther’s The Summer of Second Chances!
Book Overview: The Summer of Second Chances
Content warnings: mentions of family deaths, drinking
Summary: Olivia Lupo feels stuck. All her friends have gone on to their first year of college while she’s still at home with her family. There’s a good reason though, her beloved grandmother, Annie, has dementia, and Olivia can’t bear the thought of being so far from home when Annie needs her the most.
So when her stepmother asks the family to spend three weeks of the summer on Martha’s Vineyard, Olivia plans to say no…until she discovers an old box Annie filled with photos and memories from her own time there. Olivia decides to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps and spend some time on the island that Annie describes as magical.
When she arrives, she meets Connor, a boy from her past who really wants to be a part of her present… and future. Olivia’s never thought about forever with someone until meeting Connor…and it scares her. How can she make plans when all she wants to do is keep close to her grandmother before she’s gone forever? As she recreates the memories Annie made a lifetime ago, she has to decide if she’s finally willing to give someone her heart, just when she needs it the most.
Olivia’s Relatability
Not only does The Summer of Second Chances offer us a sweet romance, but it also shows the real challenges of having a family member with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Olivia’s grandmother Annie has dementia. Her health has been declining in recent years, especially after Pops’ death. Some visits to the senior home are better than others. Olivia must take extra care not to upset or confuse her. And she often plays the role of an aide, friend, or volunteer when Annie doesn’t remember who she is. It’s as relatable as it is heartbreaking. But Olivia chooses to be by her side, even if it means taking a gap year from college.
Exploring Martha’s Vineyard
When Olivia and her family set out to Martha’s Vineyard, we weren’t expecting to be swept away by the island so quickly. From the ferry transporting the fleet of cars to the Jaws Bridge, it truly felt like a whole new world. We loved seeing Olivia travel all across the island to revisit her grandmother’s beloved spots. She may have also been searching for Annie’s mystery man found in one of the photos. Annie had never mentioned a man in her stories other than her late husband. Olivia’s dad never even heard about Martha’s Vineyard from Annie. So it’s up to Olivia to get some answers.
One Big Family Reunion
Good news for K. L. Walther readers: The Summer of Second Chances brings back fan favorite characters across her universe! So we get a Carmichael family reunion in the novel as well as a K. L. Walther family reunion. Olivia’s step-mother Erica and her family hosts an annual three-week reunion. Dozens of family members staying in one house makes for great fun and only some drama. We don’t want to spoil the surprise, but you can probably guess who all makes an appearance. It’s set in Martha’s Vineyard, after all! (Here’s a big hint: think Maybe Meant to Be, along with its companion novels.)
K. L. Walther sweeps us away to her universe, and we never want to escape! From the island exploration to the guest appearances, The Summer of Second Chances has made us fallen in love with her writing yet again.
The Summer of Second Chances by K. L. Walther comes out May 5th, and you can order a copy of it here!
What do you think of K. L. Walther’s new summer romance? Are you ready to see what’s next in her universe with The Summer of Second Chances? Let us know on Twitter! You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram!
Want to hear some of our audiobook recommendations? Here’s the latest!
