In a Second by Kate Canterbary
Friendship, RI #3
Contemporary Romance
December 9, 2025- Self Published
ARC

Review by Angela

A holiday treat from Kate Canterbary is just what I needed. It’s been a rough year, so I think we all DESERVE a second chance, only-one bed, single parent, fake engagement, road trip shenanigans romance.

This is the third book in the Friendship, RI series and features Audrey, and her high school boyfriend and love of her life, Jude. When the book opens, she is marrying another man and when Jude appears, trying to understand and begging her to leave with him, she instead sends him away. This opening should give you a hint at EXACTLY how angsty this romance is.

They see each other again at a reunion and woo boy, the tension. Jude needs a favor, for Audrey to pose as his fiancé, just for a few days, and take a trip with him to Arizona where his mother is recovering from breast cancer. You see, when he thought his mother might pass, he lied and told her that he and Audrey were back together again and getting married, now she’s in remission, super excited and planning parties. The only thing left to do, obviously, is beg his ex to go on a trip with him to see her, posing as an engaged couple.

Look y’all, they are messy. There is so much angst, and anger and misunderstandings, regarding their past, and they just can’t TALK and get it all out there. Add in Jude’s custody battle, Audrey’s belief that he’s punishing her for the way they ended every time something happens, and some truly terrible parents and it’s no wonder they are so messy. There is an emphasis on loss and grief: their lost time together, Audrey’s health due to abuse and neglect in her marriage, and the circumstances surrounding why Jude is a single parent fighting for custody. It makes for a compelling, emotional story.

It’s not all yearning and tension though, it’s also so funny. I can’t tell you how many times I laughed out loud. It’s sexy. These two can’t keep their hands off each other, almost right from the moment they are back in each other’s orbit. They have a complicated past, and present if I’m being honest, with lots of secrets, and people determined to come between them, but their connection and love for each other remains.

As always, this author builds fabulous communities of friends and found families, and I was charmed by the addition of Percy and his brother Bagel. I loved seeing past characters and catching up with how their lives are progressing. This is one fabulous friend group. I think the next book just might feature one of Ryan’s sisters, I won’t tell you who, but I am excited.

Final grade- B+

Content notes: (From author’s website)

divorce (main character), history of emotional abuse and abandonment by a previous romantic partner (main character, off-page), death of a previous romantic partner (off-page), chronic illness (main character: food intolerance, irritable bowel, inflammation), history of pregnancy loss, serious illness (parent: breast cancer in remission/NEAD, no on-page recurrence, very limited on-page discussion of treatment), toxic/narcissistic family system, discussion of custody agreements, experiences with selective mutism (secondary character)