All I Need by E. Salvador

All I Need by E. Salvador combined so many of my favorite tropes–this book has a single parent, an athlete, and yearning. It’s a second-chance romance done right. Lola and TJ meet in Miami while on vacation. They have a whirlwind love affair and don’t spoil their limited time together with complicated things like last names and phone numbers. However, a few weeks later, Lola wishes she had some way to find TJ again–she’s pregnant, and the baby is his.

The main body of the novel takes place a few years later, when Lola and TJ discover that they’re attending the same college. Lola tries to tell TJ that her kid is also his, but TJ refuses to believe her. Through time and working to trust each other, Lola and TJ are eventually able to fall back into love– a love burdened with real life, but also stronger and deeper than their previous connection.

I don’t usually love second-chance romances. A lot of my experience with this trope has been cheaters getting forgiven too easily. However, All I Need is a rare second-chance romance done right. There was no cheating, no major harm during their first meeting, just two people who were right for each other at the wrong time. The other aspect that makes this second-chance romance work is the pacing. TJ and Lola don’t just fall back into bed. They’re wary of each other, longing but untrusting. It’s only after they both make the choice to try again, to trust again, that they’re able to rekindle their love. 

I might check out a few more second-chance romances because of All I Need. Also, I’m super excited to read the next book in this series.

Thanks for reading with me,

Katie