[Review] Second First Impressions by Sally Thorne

Release date: April 13, 2021
Format: Hardcover

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Second First Impressions is a quiet, slow burn romance starring Ruthie, who everything thinks is too mature for her age, and Teddy, who everything thinks is way too immature. Yet appearances are far from the truth, and as Ruthie and Teddy get to know each other, they both realize that what’s buried beneath the surface makes them perfect for each other.

Ruthie has been working in the front office of a rich retirement center for the past six years. Neuroses aside, Ruthie is content with her role in life. Maybe not happy or living her dream, but definitely content. But then she runs into a tall, tattooed biker at the gas station, and that biker ends up forcibly working alongside her for several months. At first glance, Teddy is trouble. But under all those tattoos is a heart of gold who just needs someone to believe in him. And under all of Ruthie’s beige cardigans is a young woman who wants to learn how to live. Second First Impressions is a tale, at its heart, of second chances and first true loves with a slow burn between two characters who are more than meets the eye.

I thought Sally Thorne’s Second First Impressions was such a sweet romance. I loved Ruthie and Teddy as characters, especially as foils to each other. At first glance, Ruthie acted closer to her residents’ ages than her own, and routinely dressed accordingly. Teddy was a bad-ass on a bike, carefree and ignorant of any responsibility. But both characters became so much more as the story unfolded. This romance definitely doesn’t have much spice, opting for sweet and caring rather than hot and burning desire, but it worked for both characters and was exactly how Ruthie and Teddy should have gotten together. I really loved watching the two of them meet in the middle. Ruthie learned how to act her age and live life, Teddy grew up and took on adult responsibilities, and they both brought that out of the other by caring and believing in each other. It was a warm and gooey type of romance, and Ruthie and Teddy’s journey was very sweet to read. The main characters were heartfelt, and the supporting characters were oftentimes a charismatic hoot. Second First Impressions is definitely a small town, slow burn kind of romance, but it was sweet and a story I very much enjoyed.