What is the second chance romance trope?

Second chance romance brings back people who loved each other once and lost it — through pride, family pressure, war or a mistake. The story is about whether they've grown enough to get it right this time, and it often has the most emotionally mature leads in romance.

Common variations

  • Exes reunited for a wedding or funeral
  • Lovers separated by war
  • Reincarnated lovers

What to watch out for

  • The original breakup being forgotten instead of resolved

Classic examples