Back for Seconds - by Betty Corrello (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

From Cosmopolitan's Cosmo Reads imprint comes BACK FOR SECONDS, a sexy, sensory exploration of how food, sex, connection, and community can make even the darkest days shine bright with hope and love. It's about letting yourself be seen--mess and all.

Two cups of chaos, a dash of generational trauma, and a pinch of Christmas magic.

June Alfiero is just trying to survive her first Christmas post-divorce. If growing up the only daughter of Evergreen's boardwalk pizza king taught her anything, it's how to eat or be eaten.

She's done indulging family drama; she refuses to play games with her ex; and she definitely will not be falling for the viral vegan homecook she accidentally dragged on TikTok after one too many margaritas.

But when June comes face-to-face with the Adonis himself, Joey Pagano is nothing like his digital footprint. He's patient. Earnest. Maddeningly kind. And navigating his own heartbreak.

The more time they spend together, sharing home-cooked meals and soft confessions, the more June's hardened exterior begins to melt.

Suddenly, her small Jersey Shore town is serving up more than bittersweet nostalgia: it's late-night kitchen experiments, flirty bickering, shared secrets, and the kind of steady companionship June had given up on. Joey doesn't shy away from her mess--he pulls up a chair, pours a glass of wine, and asks for seconds.

With every boardwalk stroll and cozy, flour-dusted moment, June feels something inside her unclench. Maybe healing doesn't have to be quiet. Maybe it can be loud, joyful, and a little chaotic--just like Evergreen at Christmas.

But bearing her soul to Joey means risking the kind of heartbreak she's barely recovered from.

Will June take a chance on the delicious magic growing between them--or close the door before Joey can knock again?

Review Quotes

"Corrello's (32 Days in May) novel delivers with satisfying emotional payoffs, likable characters, and touches of humor." -- Library Journal

"Corrello (32 Days in May) spins an irresistible story of love and second chances...Corrello brings a lot of vibrancy and heart to the leads' protective Italian American families. Snarky prose, well-paced relationship development, and eventual red-hot love scenes make this a delight." -- Publishers Weekly

"A delicious feast full of sharp banter, heartfelt romance, and just the right amount of spice. Back for Seconds left me desperately wanting more. It is, as my nonna would say, "Buonissimo!" -- Kate Spencer, author of In a New York Minute

"Back for Seconds is a healing, chaotic, and completely addictive Christmas romance filled with sharp humor and plenty of heart... An utterly unforgettable read from the very first page." -- Letizia Lorini, USA Today bestselling author

"Back For Seconds is an absolute feast! Readers will root for Joey and June from the first tender, saucy bite of their love story. A mouthwatering romance for anyone who has nursed a broken heart during the holidays. This is the Christmas romcom I have needed all my life." -- Ella Dawson, author of But How Are You Really

"A chaotic, cozy romp about two heartbroken people falling in love over the holidays, with New Jersey as a supporting character to boot? Sign me up!" -- Iman Hariri-Kia author of Female Fantasy

"An emotionally rich, gorgeously written story of love and healing after heartbreak. Betty Corrello immaculately balances humor and vulnerability, crafting characters who are as deeply charming as they are relatable. June and Joey will melt your heart!" -- Ellie K. Wilde, author of Only in Your Dreams

"Betty Corrello's Back for Seconds is a Jersey delight, with characters that are brash, hilarious and utterly human. I adored Joey and June-- two deliciously sad sacks who'll grab you by the throat and make you root for them instantly, with writing that practically leaps off the page. You better not let Christmas go by without this one." -- Ali Rosen, USA Today bestselling author of The Slow Burn

"So clever, so hot, so tender, so refreshingly real. No one is doing it like Betty Corrello... This book feels like all the best parts of home." -- Rosie Danan, USA Today bestselling author

"This book is like a tasty holiday treat! Warm, sweet, a little spicy and hits the spot! With a hero who totally stole my heart!" -- #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blakely