This was a cute and fun second chance sapphic romance. My favorite character happened to be a penguin which I did not see coming.

Worth Waiting For by Kristin Keppler is a second chance romance. Peyton Reilly has been emotionally unavailable since her high school girlfriend Hanna Choi unexpectedly broke up with her. Now almost a decade later Hanna takes a job at the aquarium that Peyton works at in their home town. Now Peyton has to figure out what kind of relationship she wants and can handle with Hanna.

Kristin Keppler is a strong writer. I didn’t realize this was the second in a series when I started reading it but I felt like this easily worked as a standalone book. I really enjoyed the side characters in this book some of whom are in the other book.
I liked how it switched between now and high school. This have a lot of perspective about the characters and how they got to where they are. I actually preferred the high school chapters. Those felt very relateable in terms of the feelings.

The part of the book that I struggled with was present Peyton and Hanna. There just wasn’t enourgh time spent on them getting to know each other now. It had been almost 10 years, people change. Also, Peyton was very indecisive about what she wanted, but also wouldn’t talk about it. This book could have used more communication.

Overall, it was a cute second chance romance but needed more self reflection from the main character.

Thank you Kristin Keppler, Bold Strokes Books, and NetGalley for the ARC.

This is EVERYTHING I want in a sapphic second-chance book!!

Firstly, thank you so much for the ARC, I was dying to read this and it was so worth the wait. I loved how quickly we dived into the story, and how we flashback to scenes of them meeting and falling in love during their school days as well as the present.

A perfect balance of banter, angst, feelings and chemistry. Devoured this in one day. Perfect for travel reading.

This was my first book by author Kristin Keppler and it won't be my last. She wrote a second chance romance that really resonated with me. A story of first love that overcame mistakes to be a last love ten years later. Thoroughly enjoyed!!!!

Thank you to Bold Strokes Books, Inc. | BSB genre and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

Nicely done second-chance romance novel. Quick and easy read for everyone who is craving a story about first love that you never got over, story about meeting again then you least expect it. A story about forgiveness. While the plot wasn't something new, it was still very enjoyable read. Sometimes the timeline jumps pulled me out of the story, but at the same time it showed how much the characters changed since high school and how much they've grown. Also, loved the setting. I'd recommend it to any sapphic romance reader, especially second-chance trope lovers.

Very enjoyable second chance romance. Peyton Reilly is a player. Her last real relationship and love was her high school girlfriend, Hanna Choi. Peyton has a masters degree in marine biology and works in her hometown aquarium in North Carolina. She is shocked when Hanna returns to town and is a new veterinarian resident at her work place. There are glances, jealousy and longing. Interwoven into the story are flashbacks to their high school year when they were together and their eventual parting.

This is a sequel or takes place in the same world as “One Last Summer” (July 2024). Both of the MC’s in that book make appearances in this and one is Peyton’s best friend. I’ve read and enjoyed that one but this is a stand alone novel and can be read on its own. The story is told from Peyton’s POV but eventually from conversations you get Hanna’s side. This reads a little like a YA novel because part of the story is set in high school. Also intimacy is mostly off the page. But these characters are likable with neither being a villain. And the friend group is nice although one continually oversteps. The epilogue is only several months later giving a happy for now ending, which again, feels more typical for a YA romance. But I was happy with it.

I liked the story and the setting. I enjoyed learning about penguins and sea turtles as well.

Thank you Net Galley and Bold Strokes Books for the free digital copy for an honest review!

I’m a sucker for a second chance romance and knew this book was right up my alley. From the very start I really enjoyed Peyton as our main female character. The same was said for Hanna. I found myself really invested in these two woman, learning about what caused them to split apart and slowly find their way back to one another. The tension between the pair had my heart doing that little squeeze. It was well worth going through the ups and downs, it only made me fond of the pair.

Not only did the author make two likable main characters they also made many likable side characters. Some I hope if anything we get a story on their romance. Alice and Emerson being one. I can be hopeful, yeah?

Overall Worth Waiting For was a very enjoyable book to sit down and read. Thank you again for allowing me to read this story about Peyton and Hanna!

Worth Waiting For by Kristin Keppler is a first-love, second-chance romance between a marine biologist at a North Carolina aquarium and the resident marine vet who reconnect after a devastating breakup in their senior year of high school.
Almost a decade later, the feelings are just as strong, the pain just as real, and the two must navigate how to once again be in each other's orbit.
I didn't immediately connect with the characters but was interested in where this would go, and by a quarter to a third way in, I was invested.
Dual timelines give us flashbacks to their first experience together, and the intimate scenes were closed-door, appropriate for their age. The present timeline had spicier open-door scenes, better suited for the adults they have become.
Mental health is a huge factor in their story. I like how we process the breakup and healing journey with Hanna and Peyton. They both have a strong found family support system that is integral to their growth. They both also have strained relationships with their families.
I love the interesting careers, the location, and the sweet marine animals. Also, kudos for deaf rep.
There were some time jumps that took me by surprise and pulled me out of the story for a moment to consider. Sometimes the characters seem immature for their age.
We get a happy ever after wrapped up with an epilogue.
It was a quick read for me and overall, I enjoyed it. I am giving it a 3.5 rounded up. I would definitely read more by this author.
#firstlove #secondchance #marinebiologist #marineveterinarian #NorthCarolina #aquarium #surfer #marinelife #mentalhealthrep #PhD #deafrep #foundfamily #HEA #epilogue #dualtimeline

This poignant novel is a captivating exploration of your first love. You experience all the emotions of love, hope, pain, and longing. The characters are well developed and is well paced so you are captivated from start to finish. Kristen has crafted a wonderful novel that is sure to resonate profoundly.

2.75 stars rounded up

This is a follow up to One Last Summer with several recurring characters. I didn't know that going into this, so maybe that hurt my perception of the story a bit.

The prologue had such a strong start. Marine researcher working at an aquarium where her high school love is now on staff - amazing premise. I loved the parts that included the animals (especially Huey the penguin and Gertie the turtle). I wanted more with the animals. Keppler is a strong writer, for sure. I adored the supportive friend group. The surfing aspects were cool.

Unfortunately, this story is the epitome of everything I dislike about miscommunication done poorly. Peyton was soooo annoying. For someone who was so mad about her heart being broken, I was expecting Hanna to have done something bad, so when the revelation FINALLY happened, I was like, "That was it?" And I do understand, it was high school and high emotions and all, but for Peyton to STILL be nursing a grudge about it nine years later, and then she basically shut down every attempt Hanna made to talk about anything meaningful... It was willful miscommunication and I hated that. Even by the end, it was like they hadn't learned ANYTHING from what had happened.

If you enjoy miscommunication about a surfing marine researcher and her high school ex, you'd probably like this.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read.

A sweet second chance romance with fully developed characters who are likeable and relatable. I enjoyed this book and look forward to read more from this author.

This is a sweet story, perfect for lovers of the second-chance trope, with two likeable main characters who are realistic and relatable. The narrative bounces between past and present, which I found slightly distracting but does provide background insight into both characters’ present actions. This would be a fun read for someone looking to reflect on high school / teenage years as an adult and gain perspective on teenage love. It was a solid read, with fun characters and some cameos from seemingly cute aquatic animals.

Thank you NetGalley, the author & publisher for allowing me to read an advanced reader copy of this book!

This book is a well done example of a second chance romance novel! One thing that I really loved about this book was that the thoughts & feelings of main character Peyton was worded in a way that felt relatable to the reader, even if they hadn’t had a similar experience of all consuming love at such a young age. I really enjoyed her character and she felt very down to earth and genuine. Our other main character, Hanna, was also well done and I loved seeing her open up at the end, but was slightly disappointed we didn’t get a view into her thoughts throughout the book. Their early relationship was very well portrayed and I often felt like I could visualise the characters together at that age. One thing I did struggle with was that it did feel slightly as if the book was just one big miscommunication trope on the whole, but overall, I felt that it was very cute & I enjoyed my time reading it.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

I very much enjoyed this book. The writing was great and the characters were well developed. I hope to read more from this author in the future.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC. Worth Waiting For by Kristin Keppler is a sweet and heartfelt romance that explores themes of patience, trust, and personal growth. The story follows two characters who must navigate their own challenges before finding love with each other. Keppler’s writing is engaging and relatable, with strong chemistry between the leads that keeps readers invested in their journey. The book is heartwarming, with moments of humor and emotional depth. Overall, Worth Waiting For is an enjoyable read for fans of slow-burn romances and character-driven stories.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.


Peyton and Hanna were high school sweethearts until graduation. Peyton hasn’t given her heart to anyone and enjoys having flings after flings she a marine biologist at her local town’s aquarium. Peyton is shock to see Hanna return after all theses years and starts to work at the aquarium as a resident vet. Peyton doesn’t want Hanna in her life but the feelings she tries to ignore keeps annoying her as she gets to know this Hanna who was under a lot of pressure from her parents in high school who didn’t really approve of Peyton but can they let go of the past to see a future. This is good second romance told from Peyton pov as some chapters is in the past as we see how they fall in love.

[2.5]
Peyton is a marine biologist at her local town’s aquarium, she’s living her carefree single life when Hanna, her high school love and the one who broke her heart, returns to town after 9 years and starts working at the aquarium alongside Peyton.

This is the second book in a series set in the same universe however, this book was easy to understand without reading the first book. It may be good to know that there are major recurring characters from the first book that may make this one easier to understand.

I was really hoping to love this second chance romance, but some things just made it miss the mark for me.
Towards the start of the book, it felt very YA and like the way the characters and their personalities were written, were more in line with someone high school aged instead of someone who is pushing 30. I enjoyed the friendships in this book, but it often took me out of the story when I would remember how old they were meant to be.
Often there was lots of retelling of events or conversations that had happened, that I think could have just been included as a scene instead.
There were sometimes time skips that I found took me out of the story, the earliest one I can think of is that the book started in May but by chapter 3 they were celebrating Christmas.

This was a cute second chance romance, it was easy to read, and I enjoyed the ending - however I do think there were some things overlooked in the creation of it.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review

“Worth Waiting For” by Kristin Keppler is a contemporary romance that follows Peyton, an aquarium worker. After nine years since their high school romance, Hanna shows up as the aquarium's newest employee. Kristin has been heartbroken since they broke up and sought relief through sex and surfing. Hanna seems successful with her new PhD in hand, a girlfriend, and success. So why is she here?

The book is a sweet romance that shows a second chance love story. Unlike other contemporary romance novels, “Worth Waiting For” is only from the perspective of Peyton. I enjoyed this as I felt the reader got to relearn Hanna at the same time as Peyton. Some chapters also flashback to their high school era, which shows how their relationship was back then compared to now. I didn’t expect the flashbacks, and they weren’t my favorite part of the book as I wanted to read about adult romance in an adult romance book, but I can see why the chapters were there.

I haven’t read any other books by Kristin Keppler, but this one establishes her as a great sapphic romance author. And after looking into her other books there is another romance novel set in the same world, featuring Peyton’s best friend in this one, called “One Last Summer.” I enjoyed “Worth Waiting For” and so I will be adding the other to my reading list.

I think “Worth Waiting For” is a perfect book to add to any sapphic reader, especially if you like the second chance trope and a little bit of spice along with a sweet romance.

Worth Waiting For is a super sweet second chance romance. Second chance romance is not my favorite trope, but I truly enjoyed reading Hanna and Peyton’s story.

Hanna and Peyton were high school girlfriends who broke up before graduation. Almost ten years later, Hanna returns to their town to work as a resident vet for the same aquarium Peyton works at. This story is told in Peyton’s POV and in dual timeline.

This was technically a spin off from One Last Summer where we get Peyton's story, but it can be read as a standalone, but I think it enriches the story if you read the other first.

Peyton had her heart broken almost ten years ago by her high school girlfriend and hasn't had a real relationship since, just a myriad of fling after fling. That is until Hanna came back to town and old feelings resurfaced.

I'm a sucker for second chance romances, but this one felt choppy and all over the place. I understood the then, back in high school and the now was present day, but during the present, time jumped quickly and sometimes I didn't know what time of year it was. It was an interesting story and I enjoyed it, but the ending felt rushed and tied up too quickly for all Peyton and Hanna had been through.

Overall, I'd recommend this for a light angst read, but it wasn't my favorite.