Second chance romance novels and movies aren’t very loved because the consensus among most people (source: trust me, bro) is to let bygones be bygones. The rationale is that if a person isn’t present in another’s life, it’s usually for a good reason. But what if there was a world where the second time is the charm?
Second chance romance is a popular trope in books and movies that describes when two former love interests who were separated by misunderstanding, betrayal, heartbreak, or bad timing reconnect.
Second chance romance novels and movies are so popular among bibliophiles and cinephiles because they often address themes of forgiveness, shared history, “the one that got away”, or just the entertainment in watching two people dance around themselves.
To let go of a loved one who caused hurt is hard, because to get to the point of saying “I wish this person the best, but I do not want them in my life anymore. My heart will get the memo” is difficult. The quotes lied; the opposite of love isn’t hatred, but indifference that slowly sets in with the realisation that love wasn’t enough to get this person to care about how their actions and inaction affect others.
Now, imagine a person reaching the point where they have moved on with their lives, and the same agbaya that almost sent them to therapy is back again. It takes a lot of growth and maturity on both parts to put oneself back in a vulnerable situation, but when done right, it is one of the most beautiful connections.
There will always be a special connection to the people who know an individual well, especially intimately. It’s one of those that, no matter where life takes one, can be easily rekindled.
There’s always a hope, especially for the second chance romance novels and movie fans, to see that kind of awareness and want it to work out for the second time. In real life, former love interests get back together successfully (though many group chats would disagree), so viewers want to see that in their fiction.
They say there is no use crying over spilled milk, but some people shed rivers. Usually, a person would meet the perfect person, misbehave, then, after seeing nothing dey streets, return to repeatedly talk about and/or sabotage their current relationships in a bid to find the one they fumbled (Hint: It is usually the ‘logical’ gender).
Regardless of the chaos left behind, the second meet-cute is not misused. It is so adorable watching the previous faltering party grovel and mature in a bid to ensure that they don’t give their soulmate another reason to leave them.
Anyone who says they don’t like drama is being dishonest. It’s always interesting to watch chaos unfold when it doesn’t directly affect an individual. That is why so many people check trending topics, and why the Real Housewives has so many franchises.
As sad or annoying as a situation can be for a fictional couple, it’s a lot of fun to observe characters make obvious mistakes and ignore the loud pleas not to go a particular direction, then somehow end up in a happily ever after.
Redo romance is a plotline that easily falls into reading ticks like love triangles, toxic love, and endless back-and-forth, so when stories promote a healthy dynamic, they should be highlighted. As a result, the only movie worthy of making the cut is the iconic and legendary The Notebook!
The movie adaptation of The Notebook is the standard for any movie about a fresh start. The movie features Allie Hamilton and Noah Calhoun, two teenagers who fall in love over the summer. They separate due to parental pressure and self-esteem issues, but later reconnect. They stick by each other in sickness and in health, till death does them part.
Even when they met other people during their separation, they still thought of each other, and as soon as they met again, they didn’t let the past, pesky parents, or dementia and heart issues keep them away from each other.
The Notebook plays heavily into the theme of timeless love.
If The Notebook is the OG, then When I Think of You by Myah Ariel would be its Gen Z child. When I Think of You is a book about two love interests, Danny Prescott and Kaliya Wilson, who were college sweethearts and broke up due to a misunderstanding. Danny is a rich nepo baby who goes on to build a budding career in filmmaking, while Kaliya has to fight her way up the corporate ladder, but unfortunately for her, it’s putting up a good fight.
When they meet a few years later, he wonders (in privilege) what happened to his ambitious friend, and she looks at him like he has grown two heads. Eventually, they start working together, rekindle their romance, and separate again (this time for a good cause). Finally, when they meet again, they are finally the versions of themselves they need for success in their relationship, because, as they say, the third time’s the charm! Just a quick disclaimer, this book is in the adult contemporary genre, so it may not be entirely PG.
When I Think of You leans into the idea of evolving in the most beautiful way.
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers is a banger among the Christian girlies. It takes the story of Hosea and Gomer, and presents it in a sad interpretation of the Biblical account.
Angel is a beautiful woman who was sold into prostitution, and she meets a man, Michael Hosea, who says God asked him to marry her. He actively pursues convincing her he is the right one for her, and soon she accepts. However, she returns to her past job twice. The first time is involuntary, and the second time is voluntary due to feelings of inadequacy. Each time he gets her back, because love is redeeming.
Redeeming Love is based on the idea of forgiveness, love, healing, and acceptance.
Second chance romance novels and movies receive too much flak. Yes, there is questionable material, but there are quality ones as well, so maybe that should be the focus.
There is nothing like a one-size-fits-all approach to genuine connections, so when it happens either in fiction or real life, it’s worth celebrating. After all, not every story is about starting fresh; some are about starting over, wiser and better than before.
