By Ella Braeme (Guest Blogger)
Sometimes the best chapters of our lives begin with "Once upon a time, I tried again."
Nine years ago, Becks Schwartz walked away from everything—her job, her city, and the man she thought she'd marry—after a betrayal that shattered her trust. Fast-forward to today, and she's a successful fire captain starting fresh in a new town, armed with hard-won wisdom and unshakable confidence. Her story, which I explore in my latest novel Rekindled Flame, mirrors what many of us face: the daunting but ultimately transformative art of the comeback.
Whether it's rebuilding after a career setback, healing from a broken relationship, or simply mustering the courage to try again after failure, second chances aren't just plot devices—they're essential life skills.
Why Second Chances Are Actually First Chances
Here's what I've learned from writing about second-chance romance and watching real people rebuild their lives: most "second chances" are actually first chances at getting it right.
When Becks reunites with Shawn in Elken Grove, they're not picking up where they left off—they're starting completely new. They're different people with different priorities and understanding of what healthy love looks like. Their first relationship was built on who they were at twenty-five; their second is built on who they became at thirty-five.
This applies beyond romance. That "second chance" at your career isn't about returning to your old job—it's about bringing your evolved skills to new opportunities. The friendship you're rebuilding isn't a restoration project—it's a fresh foundation built with better materials.
The Compound Interest of Personal Growth
Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of second chances is that all the work you've done on yourself pays dividends. Every therapy session, every book about communication, every difficult conversation you've navigated, every boundary you've learned to set—none of it is wasted.
When Becks faces professional sabotage in her new job, she doesn't crumble the way she might have years earlier. She draws on her accumulated strength and improved communication skills. The woman who once walked away rather than fight for what she wanted now stands her ground with confidence and strategy.
Your comeback gets to benefit from everything you've learned. Your resilience is stronger, your judgment is clearer, and your ability to navigate challenges is more sophisticated.
Starting Where You Are
The most daunting aspect of any comeback can be the gap between where you are and where you want to be. But every successful second chance starts with a simple decision: I'm willing to try again, starting from exactly where I am right now.
You don't need to have it all figured out. You don't need to be completely healed. You don't need guarantees. You just need to be willing to take the next right step, then the one after that.
Whether your comeback is about love, career, health, or dreams you thought you'd lost, remember: you're not the same person who faced that setback. You're stronger, wiser, and more equipped to handle whatever comes next.
The art of the comeback isn't about perfection—it's about persistence, wisdom, and the revolutionary act of believing you deserve another chance at happiness.
Sometimes the most beautiful chapters of our lives begin with the words "I decided to try again."
What's your comeback story going to be?
Blurb
When old flames reignite, sparks fly.
Volunteer firefighter Shawn Miller thought he had his life figured out in small-town Elken Grove. His print shop pays the bills while his real passion—fighting fires—keeps him connected to the community he loves.
Then his new Captain walks through the station doors: Rebecca "Becks" Schwartz, the woman who walked out of his life nine years ago. Now she's his superior officer, and someone in the department is determined to drive her away—or worse.
As danger closes in, Shawn must balance protecting Becks with respecting her authority. But when sparks fly hotter than ever between them, he realizes some flames aren't meant to be extinguished—they're meant to be stoked.
Get REKINDLED FLAME today and feel the heat of this slow-burn second chance romance!
Book Links
Universal Link: https://books2read.com/rekindled-flame
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FD87RMRW
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/236532005-rekindled-flame
Website: https://ellabraeme.com/2025/08/17/rekindled-flame-a-second-chance-firefighter-romance/
Book Details
Book 1 in the Burning Hearts series: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FD87RMRV
Publication Date: September 3, 2025
37,000 words / 137 pages
Available in Kindle Unlimited and as paperback
Perfect for fans of Susan Stoker and Zoe York.
Excerpt
Later, she couldn’t say who moved first. Only that somehow the space between them vanished, and his lips were on hers, or hers on his—a kiss born of shared danger, old memories, and new respect. His hands found her waist, steadying her as she leaned into him, allowing herself this one moment of abandon.
It was both familiar and entirely new. The Shawn she’d kissed nine years ago had been a young man, passionate but untested. This Shawn kissed her with a quiet assurance, a depth of emotion that made her knees weaken.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, reality came crashing back. She was his captain. Someone was targeting her. And their past remained largely unresolved.
“I shouldn’t have—” he started.
“We can’t—” she said simultaneously.
They stared at each other, mutual regret and longing creating an almost unbearable tension.
“This complicates things,” she whispered.
“It was already complicated,” he replied, running a hand through his hair in that familiar gesture she remembered from years ago.
Becks stepped back, creating necessary distance. “Someone sabotaged my turnouts, Shawn. That tear in my jacket—if we’d been called to a fire instead of an accident...”
“I know.” His expression darkened. “We’ll figure out who’s behind this.”
“And this—” she gestured between them, “—whatever this is, it has to wait.”
He nodded, though the reluctance was clear in his eyes. “I’ll follow you home, make sure you get there safely. After that... professional distance.”
“Professional distance,” she echoed, though the lingering taste of him made a mockery of the words.
As she drove home with Shawn’s truck visible in her rearview mirror, Becks touched her lips, still sensitive from his kiss. Whatever was developing between them would have to be shelved until the threat was neutralized and they’d properly addressed their complicated past.
She’d broken her cardinal rule tonight. The one she’d established after Charlotte: never let personal feelings cloud professional judgment. Never give anyone ammunition to suggest you got where you are through anything but merit. And never, ever, let a man make you feel like you need saving. Yet here she was, lips still tingling from kissing her volunteer firefighter, grateful for his protective presence behind her. Everything she’d sworn she’d never do again.
About the Author
Ella Braeme writes steamy small-town romance featuring protective heroes and strong heroines who find love in the mountains of Georgia. When she's not crafting stories about couples falling headlong into danger and love, she's in her garden with her hole-digging supervisor dog. Her quick, satisfying reads are perfect for readers who love their romance with heat, heart, and happily-ever-after.
Content Warnings
I believe every reader deserves to make informed choices about the books they read. While my stories always end with happily-ever-afters and are mostly comfort reads, some contain elements that may be difficult for certain readers. If any of these subjects bother you, I kindly ask you to pick another book.
This book contains scenes involving attempted murder, workplace sabotage, a vehicle accident with injury, temporary medical paralysis, and workplace discrimination. All scenes resolve positively with full recovery and justice served.
Connect with Ella
Instagram: https://instagram.com/ellawritesromance
Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/ellawritesromance
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22846173.Ella_Braeme
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ella-braeme
Sign-up to her emails and get a free novella https://ellabraeme.com/newsletter-signup.htm
Author Website: https://ellabraeme.com
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ella-Braeme/author/B0BKL79CSM
Also by Ella Braeme
Elken Grove Mountain Men series: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPL86ZSM/
Married in Windfall series: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBS76NN4
ARC reader signup
https://forms.gle/TLexgKCHLXFyVoo8A
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