Now, my understanding of second chance romances was exactly that – you tried once, it fell by the wayside and then later you meet again, pick up where you left off and ( as this is a story) you head off into the sunset together for your happy ever after.
In this story, the second chance is after a close friendship ended at high school, where she became your high school bully/tormentor, and then a chance meeting at a show when at college leads to a second chance of friendship and a relationship. It’s a sort of combined enemies to lovers second chance. And it works.
Reagan sees Allison (the nemesis) at a show and Allison arranges to meet her the following day for brunch. Reagan is not entirely sure that this is not another opportunity for Allison to show her up/make fun of her etc. But she goes along anyway.
It is very well written with the uncertainty and angst that showcases the previous relationship they had in high school. Allison is seen to be trying to do better.

You can tell it was written/set in 2013 – part of the weekend activity was watching a DVD?! No streaming services.
This story centres on the developing friendship/relationship between the 2 women. Allison seems confused. Or maybe not confused, but is unable to allow herself to kiss/have a relationship with a woman because of what her family would think.

There is a lot of angsty will they won’t they, when they try and navigate their friendship/relationship on weekend visits and when home for the holidays. Generally Allison does not manage things well.
It becomes apparent something has happened in Allison’s life that is causing this behaviour and inevitably this surfaces and allows Reagan to step in and help (without being asked).

There is an epilogue – which shows a happier version of their life.
This includes sex in the university library – while this is not to be recommended these days as they will have CCTV – it does beat the jump into marriage and children.

This reads like a hot mess – but the book itself is exceedingly good. It appears I like books with plenty of angst and uncertainty. I also seem to have acclimatised myself to reading about college students.
This is a book that I could happily read again.