The Second Chance Bus Stop

by Ally Zetterberg

They say life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.

Edith has Alzheimer’s. The idea that she will someday forget her son, her life, even her self, plagues her constantly. So there is something important she must do before the disease robs her of her she has to find Sven, the love of her life she was supposed to meet on a bus bench twenty-seven years ago and run off with, but he never showed.

Her son, Blade, is struggling to keep an eye on her. His mother’s full-time caregiver, he resents the fact, if he’s being honest, that he gave up his career and most of his life to look after her. But what wouldn’t he do for his mother? Track down her decades-old flame so that she has a chance to finally understand why he never showed all those years ago, before her mind fails her? Sure, he can do that.

Sophia is fiercely working to keep her business afloat. Her uncle left his flower shop to her and her brothers after he died, but she seems to be the only one interested in keeping it running. She needs to land a big enough client to show her family that not only is the business worth saving but she’s the one to do it. So when an opportunity comes along that takes her all over Sweden, she can’t say no.

While Edith is desperately trying to hold on to her memories, she discovers friendship with a young woman who sits with her daily at the bus stop. While Blade is out looking for Sven, he learns to embrace his relationship with his mother more fully. While Sophia is fighting to keep her dream alive, she comes to terms with the way her parents treated her as a child and the therapies that were forced upon her in response to her autism diagnosis. Life is happening all around them, and much like with life, there’s so much good to be found in these pages.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Womens Fiction, Audiobook, Contemporary, Literary Fiction, Mental Health

352 pages, Paperback

First published August 19, 2025

Reviews

[TheConnieFox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel was a very deep, emotional read for me. I have an Uncle who suffers with dementia and it is very difficult for me to see him with this condition. This book is hopeful, sad, mysterious, romantic and comes with a dash of sense of humor! It is beautifully written and hard to put down. I loved the diverse characters in the story and how it was written in alternative perspectives. It has multigenerational characters, which kept me engaged. I found that all the characters in the story were lovable and it would be hard for me to pick a favorite one. The author did an excellent job with these characters and the depth that they all came with! This book is about second chances, memory, family, self worth, love and healing. Overall, I give this novel a 4.5, bumping it up to a 5 out of 5 stars rating!

“The Second Chance Bus Stop” centers around a woman named Edith, who is aging and has the early stage of Alzheimer’s. Edith is scared of losing all of her memories and wants closure before her memory completely fades away. She wants to track down Sven, someone that she was going to elope with twenty-seven years ago, but this person never showed up at the bus bench stop with her. Then we have her son, whose name is Blade. Blade is the caretaker of his Mom, Edith. Blade searches for Sven, for many reasons. He wants to help his mother out and wants to connect with his mother on a deeper level. We also have a woman named Sophia, who is a neurodivergent and works at a flower shop. Paths come together and this story takes turns you don’t see coming! This book is emotionally powerful and multi layered! It all came together nicely and it left me feeling satisfied.

I think fans of the author Fredrik Backman would really enjoy reading this book! Content warnings include dementia, emotional grief, neurodivergence and identity issues.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Ally Zetterberg and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for this ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review and feedback. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book is expected to be published on August 19, 2025!

[Heather Adores Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐
Genre ~ women's fiction
Setting ~ London & Sweden
Publication date ~ August 19, 2025
Est Page Count ~ 348 (p+ 71 chapters)
Audio length ~ 8 hours 29 minutes
Narrators ~ Heather Long, Joe Jameson, Pearl Hewitt
POV ~ multiple in the 1st & 3rd
Featuring ~ 3 parts, neurodivergent rep

Edith (64) has Alzheimer's and is certain she was stood up 27 years ago by a man named Sven. Every day she visits the bus stop hoping he'll be there, but he never shows up. She wants answers after all this time, before she completely loses her memories, so Blade (29), Edith's son, makes it his mission to find Sven for his momma. Off to Sweden he goes, while his best friend, Zara, steps in the help care for her while he is away.

He meets Sophia, a struggling flower shop owner, on his first day. After hearing his story she becomes invested and tags along on the road trip journey. Being neurodivergent she's often misunderstood, but not by Blade. He stands by her side and sticks up for her when necessary. The slow burn of their friendship into more was so nice.

We, also, hear from "An almost retired storage facility manager" with some intriguing information.

Overall, this was predictable, but that doesn’t take away from the lovely, sweet and heartbreaking journey. I’m so scared of getting Alzheimer’s, as I'm sure many people are. While I don't have first hand experience with it I do feel it was depicted well.

Narration notes:
🙌 for multiple! All did great.

Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ X

Pre reading notes:
Oh my gosh, I have a feeling this is going to yank at my heartstrings 💕

[Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

We meet two women and many quirky characters in this emotional read.
We meet Edith who has Alzheimer's and whose son is her caregiver. Edith wants to find the love of her life who left her at the bus stop.

Yes, she is at the bus stop every day looking for Sven. She has been waiting a long time and talks to other people as she sits on the bus stop bench. Many people think she’s homeless and do things for her.

We also meet Sophia who owns a flower shop and who is trying to find someone to spend time and her life with, but she has a lot of quirky things. She doesn't like to kiss and doesn’t trust anyone.

She actually meets Edith’s son Blade as he is in Sweden looking for Sven.

These three characters will pull at your heartstrings as you hope for the best for what each is looking for.

Those readers who enjoy Fredrik Backman will enjoy this book.

I do have to say it was a bit confusing, but a good read. 4/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the author's debut and I had high expectations for this sophomore novel but wow, it completely blew me away!! This is such a heartfelt story about love lost and found and the lengths some people go to make the ones they love happy (or miserable).

Told from alternating POVs the story follows Blade, the sole caregiver for his mom, Edith, who has dementia and is obsessed with finding the lost love of a mysterious Swedish man named 'Sven,' who promised to meet her at a bus stop but never showed up.

Unable to say no when his mother asks Blade to travel to Sweden and try to track the man down, he shows up there and meets Sophia, an autistic Swedish florist who makes a deal to help Blade in exchange for him driving her around to various locations for her floral design installations.

Full of heart and amazing autism, OCD and anxiety rep, this strangers to friends to lovers road trip romance was utterly relatable with characters I couldn't help rooting for. I so enjoyed Sophia learning how to set boundaries with her toxic family members and open herself up to the possibility of love with Blade. The parts told from Edith's POV provided excellent insights into aging and learning how to accept the loss of independence and memory as her Alzheimer's progresses.

Great on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Chloe Liese and books like To hell with it by Claire Frances. I can't wait to see what Ally Zetterberg writes next. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Ken Fredette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ally Zetterberg was floating along with both main characters, Blade, who was Edith's son, Sophia, who was Sven's niece, and Edith who was Blade's mom, an Zara who was a friend of Blade's and a lesbian. Each of them had chapters about how they came together and found out how Edith fell in love with Sven and left him at a bus stop. It didn't happen because of her first marriage with out the possible leaving for Sweden without his signature on the passport. Love killed with the first husbands non signature on passport. How ever Blade went to Sweden at the age of 29 to find Sven, but ended up finding his niece and traveling around Sweden looking for Sven. Love bloomed between each of the per sewers in the story. It ends with Blade and Edith moving to Sweden.

[Krissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and MIRA for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review

Edith is 64 and is living with dementia. A big constant in her life is waiting at a bus stop for her lost love of 30 years to show up. Her son Blade has given up his life to be her carer and can’t understand her need to wait for this man at a bus stop or if he is even a real person. He makes a deal with his mom, if he travels to Sweden to find her Sven and get closure and in return she will finally agree to go to a care home.

Sophia has struggled with being understood by her family her whole life, but her uncle always gave her the space to be herself. When he died and left her and her brothers the floral business with the caveat they can’t sell for 5 years, it was the life line she needed. It is approaching the deadline and she hasn’t been able to come up with the full amount to buy them out. She takes on a large multi city contract to help raise the money. It pushes her beyond her limits and she runs into Blade a few times. They both end up on a road trip across Sweden both finding answers and understanding.

This was so heartwarming and it really got me in my feelings. This is a story about being understood, closure, and a little sprinkle of fate. I loved reading each individual’s story and although some parts are sad overall this was a story about hope.

[Mireya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only popped into it by chance and loved it!! I highly recommend it if you like quirky characters who you enjoy getting to know (and love!) throughout the pages.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edith has Alzheimer’s. The idea that she will someday forget her son, her life, even her self, plagues her constantly. She knows that she has to be somewhere each day, she has to go to the bus stop and wait for Sven. He was the love of her life and they were supposed to meet there twenty-seven years ago to run away together. Her son Blade is his mother's full-time caregiver. When he leaves the house to go the gym to do something for himself, he gets a call. His mother was mistaken for a homeless person and picked up by the police. She has his information on her, so he was called. He thought she had stopped doing that, but now he realizes that he will have to put her in a home, where she can be cared for properly. When he broaches that with his mother, she is adamant that she doesn't need that, so they strike a bargain. If Blade goes to Sweden and finds Sven, she will move into a care home. He thinks it is an impossible task, but what wouldn’t he do for his mother? In Sweden, he meets Sophia quite by accident. She is working hard to keep her business afloat. Her uncle left his flower shop to her and her brothers after he died, but with the proviso that she gets to run it for 5 years before they decide if they want to sell it. She needs to show her family that the business is worth saving, and that she is the one to do it. Sophia has autism, which is why her family, specifically her parents, don't think she can do it. When she is offered a job to set up flowers at a variety of shows all over Sweden, she initially declined, but if she wants to show her family that she can make this business viable, she can’t say no. Once again, she runs into Blade, who is now driving around Sweden as well to find Sven in a rented camper van and he offers to help her out. Three people, three different situations.

This book was so good. I had no idea what to expect when I started reading it, but as the story unfolded, I fell in love with all three of the main characters. Edith could be frustrating at times, but it was because she didn't want to lose her memories and all she had left of her life. Blade was lucky to have Zara to care for her while he was away. Zara sees Edith in a different way and nurtures her friendships that she develops sitting each day at the bus stop. I so wanted her to reconnect with Sven. Blade is frustrated and at times resentful, but he loves his mother and will do whatever he can for her. His trip to Sweden may have been for his mother, but was exactly what he needed. I liked seeing him uncertain about what he was doing, but also loved watching his relationship with Sophia grow. He was such a caring person, understanding much of what Sophia was going through, but listening to her when he asked a question, and explaining carefully anything she asked him. Sophia broke my heart. She was fighting and giving the shop her all, to show her family she could keep it alive. It was the only place she felt at home and her love of plants that she got from her uncle was amazing. Sharing what it was like growing up, the therapies she was forced to endure ant the various activities and events that caused her to shut down parts of herself were so sad. I never thought of it in the way it was presented, but it made sense. Underneath all the personal stories, is the mystery of Sven. Who is he? Is he still alive? Will he want to see Edith again? Why didn't he show up that day? I don't want to ruin the story so will not say anymore about the plotline. As I read this book, my emotions were all over the place. There is humour, heartbreaking moments and true love and caring. This is a love story, not a romance, with themes of personal growth, second chances, family, friendship, health issues, and for me sharing what it is like to be a high functioning autistic adult and what they are capable of and how their idiosyncratic traits may develop and why. I definitely recommend this book.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Ally Zetterberg’s sensitive read, Edith, grappling with Alzheimer’s, implores her son Blade to find her lost love, Sven. Blade, who has been caring for his mother for the past few years, embarks on a journey to Sweden, determined to locate Sven. However, the task seems insurmountable, as it has been decades since her mother last saw her beloved.

Meanwhile, Sophie, struggling to keep her flower shop afloat, faces a daunting challenge. She inherited the shop from her uncle, but the condition of the business demands a specific profit margin. If it falls short, she will be forced to sell the shop and share the proceeds with her brothers. Despite her desire to share her uncle’s inheritance, Sophie holds deep sentimental value for the shop and goes to great lengths to ensure its survival. This includes taking job deliveries outside her local area.

Sophie’s latest delivery takes her far from her comfort zone, and her car breaks down. During her deliveries, she encounters the kind man Blade twice. When he notices her car trouble, he offers to take her along on his journey to find Sven. Interestingly, when Blade went to rent a vehicle for his own travel plans, he ended up with a much larger one than expected. This unexpected rental, coupled with the shared path they are taking, leads Blade to make the offer for Sophie to join him on his deliveries.

Sophie, a neurodivergent young woman, possesses a remarkable ability to sense people’s emotions. Despite Blade’s intimidating presence, she feels no fear and takes necessary precautions for her safety. This mutual trust and cautious approach pave the way for a blossoming friendship between Blade and Sophie. Their bond is built on trust, kindness, compassion, and much more.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book because I have three neurodivergent grandsons, one of whom is currently staying with me for the summer. Spending time with him has allowed me to deepen my understanding and appreciation for the incredible individuals on the spectrum. With each of my grandsons being unique, I have developed a profound and enduring love for those on the spectrum. My growing awareness has enabled me to appreciate their remarkable gifts and the invaluable contributions they make to society. I can envision all of “my boys” becoming wonderful adults, and I eagerly anticipate the future that awaits them.

Throughout the book, I couldn’t help but feel a strong desire to give Sophie a warm hug and shower her with all the kindness I could. I hope that other readers share this sense of caring for this wonderful character. In a similar vein, Blade and his mother’s story deeply touched me, particularly the chapters narrated by Edith and her temporary carer while Blade searched for Sven.

This book is simply amazing—utterly wonderful and well-written. The author’s remarkable ability to create real characters that feel tangible and compelling is something I will cherish forever. One of the things I truly admire about this book’s writing is how different readers will value its work, whether it’s Edith’s story or Sophie’s. While my connection was primarily with Sophie, my heart was broken more than once while reading about Edith’s gradual decline. Although this is my first book by Ally Zetterberg, my curiosity is certainly piqued, and I eagerly anticipate reading more of her work.

Many thanks to MIRA and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A social worker in London calls 29 year old Blade, who is his mother's caretaker. Edith has early dementia and things seem to be getting worse for her, which is why Blade torpedoed his own life to move back to London to take care of her. Blade goes to the bus stop on Horton street where he finds the social worker talking to his mom about Sven, the Swedish man Edith is meeting. His heart sank-she is again waiting for this man there as she has been doing every week, at the same time, for the last three years. Even though Blade has done a thorough search, he can't find any trace of this man, until they find a box of letters and pictures in the attic. A Swedish town is mentioned in one of her unsent letters-could this be a clue? To solve this mystery, Edith sends Blade to the town with a list of possible Svens, his friend will act as her caregiver in his place. His first stop will be at a flower shop that one of the Svens owned.
Sophia now is a partial owner of the flower shop, along with her older brothers. She works hard every day to be able to purchase it from them but it seems almost impossible to make that kind of money. Her uncle Sven was the only person who understood her, and was probably also on the autism spectrum. She had had a sad childhood-kids at school taunted and laughed at her, and her parents did everything to deny her personhood, and spent their time and money trying to make her "normal. But now that she is 23, she tries to break out of her lonely life and find a boyfriend (with the understanding that she won't kiss because of the bacteria exchange.) She's not having a lot of success. Since her uncle never left London, Blade immediately eliminates him.
It turns out that Blade has a camper to tour retirement homes in Sweden, and Sophia needs a van to take her flowers to several events around the countryside-and what could happen in just a week?
This was a charming and very thoughtful novel. Neither Blade nor Sophia are perfect but they learn to put up with each other as you follow their road trip, while back in London, Edith is finding friends and creating a community of strangers. Zetterberg fills her novel with humor, but at the same time, there is a sadness in her character's lives. Watching Edith cope with her illness, Sophia handling her trust issues, and Blade emerging from his three year caregiving duties lends a very positive and hopeful twist to a potentially challenging situation.

[Kimberly Gerving · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book review: The Second Chance Bus Stop by Ally Zetterberg.
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA and NetGalley for my ARC.

This novel is the kind that sneaks up on you—quietly at first, then all at once. The Second Chance Bus Stop unfolds like memory itself: fragmented, deeply emotional, sometimes funny, sometimes unbearably tender. It’s a story about love lost, love found, and the in-between places where people try to make sense of themselves and each other. Ally Zetterberg has written something quietly extraordinary here, a novel that doesn’t just ask for your attention—it earns it, slowly and deliberately, with characters who feel alive from the first page.

The heart of the story is Edith, a woman in the early stages of Alzheimer’s who knows her mind is slipping but refuses to let go of one final hope: to reconnect with Sven, the man she never stopped loving and the person she was supposed to run away with decades ago. There’s something both devastating and empowering about Edith’s clarity in the face of confusion—she knows what she wants before she forgets what she’s already lost. Sitting each day at a London bus stop, she’s not just waiting for a man—she’s waiting for memory, for time to give her just a little more space.

Her son, Blade, is her reluctant but loyal caregiver, a man whose own life has been hijacked by duty. He resents it, even as he knows he’d do it all again. The depiction of caregiving here is raw and authentic—Zetterberg doesn’t sugarcoat the exhaustion or the emotional toll. Blade isn’t a martyr, and that makes him feel real. When Edith asks him to go to Sweden to find Sven, he doesn’t want to. But he goes anyway, and in that reluctant journey begins a quiet unraveling of his own pain, and ultimately, a rebuilding.

Then there’s Sophia, the autistic florist in Sweden who’s trying to save her late uncle’s shop—and her sense of purpose along with it. Sophia is unlike any character I’ve seen in contemporary fiction. She’s sharp, funny, guarded, and beautifully complex. Zetterberg gives her the space to be whole, not defined solely by her diagnosis. Sophia’s struggles with social cues, sensory overload, and trust are portrayed with unflinching honesty, but so are her strengths—her creativity, her intelligence, and her resilience. She doesn’t need fixing; she needs to be seen. That Zetterberg understands this and writes it so naturally makes the novel feel like a quiet act of defiance against a world that too often demands conformity.

When Blade and Sophia’s lives intersect, the novel shifts into a road trip of sorts—two wounded people navigating the Swedish countryside in a camper van, both searching for something: a person, a future, a place where they might feel whole again. Their relationship unfolds slowly, marked by awkwardness, tension, small kindnesses, and a growing trust that feels earned. There’s romance here, but it’s never rushed, never cliché. It grows the way real connection does—in shared silences, in seeing and being seen, in the willingness to sit beside another person’s pain without trying to erase it.

Meanwhile, back in London, Edith finds unexpected community at the bus stop, where strangers become friends and moments of clarity come as gifts. Her chapters are laced with both humor and grief—one moment she’s witty and sharp, the next confused and scared. It’s heartbreaking and honest. Zetterberg handles Edith’s decline with immense care, allowing her dignity and agency even as the illness encroaches. These scenes never feel manipulative; instead, they’re achingly human.

The structure of the novel—told in alternating perspectives—allows each character’s story to breathe. There’s no rushing here, no artificial drama. The emotional impact comes from the accumulation of small, truthful moments. Zetterberg trusts her readers to sit in the quiet with her characters, and that trust pays off.

What surprised me most about this book was how hopeful it is. Yes, it deals with illness, lost time, and regret, but it also insists on the possibility of joy. Blade learns to forgive himself. Sophia learns to believe that she deserves love exactly as she is. Edith, even in her fading memory, finds peace in connection. There’s grief here, but it’s not the end of the story. There’s always another chapter, another chance.

Ally Zetterberg’s writing has been compared to Fredrik Backman, and the comparison holds. There’s the same emotional intelligence, the same careful pacing, the same ability to make you laugh on one page and cry on the next. But Zetterberg has her own voice—gentle but unflinching, warm but never sentimental. She writes like someone who knows people are complicated and beautiful in equal measure.

The Second Chance Bus Stop is a novel about timing, about the way life never moves exactly as we hope it will, but still offers us unexpected paths forward. It’s about caregiving and neurodivergence, about the power of community, about how even in decline there can be grace. I closed the book feeling not just satisfied, but changed. This one’s going to stay with me.

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a tender and emotional read, and had it just been about Edith and her son Blade, it would have been more than enough, but then Sophia is added to the mix, and it becomes something exceptional.

Edith is slowly losing her memories to Alzheimer’s, but she doesn’t want to forget her one true love, Sven. A man she was supposed to meet years ago at a bus stop. Blade is her full-time caregiver, and although he loves his mother with all his heart, he feels he has missed his chance to have a career, a family, and his chance at love. But he will grant his mother’s last wish to travel to Sweden to track down her long-lost love.

Enter Sophia. She is trying to run the flower shop in Sweden, which her beloved uncle left to her and her brothers. Lovely Sophia is autistic, and although extremely sharp and witty, she struggles with social cues and sensory stimuli. When Blade and Sophia have an encounter, which turns into a road trip through Sweden, it becomes the most beautiful depiction of two lonely, wounded people who needed someone to accept them for who they are.

The story is filled with awkwardness, brutal honesty, and compassion. It has humor and sadness, but it reminds us to love with abandon. Hearing all three characters’ points of view was affecting. Edith knew her mind and memories were fading. Blade was so loyal and kind, but the weight of being a caregiver is a heavy one. Sophia yearned to be seen and loved, not analyzed or put in a category.

I was so impressed with the writing; it felt natural, stirring so many emotions within me—truly a beautiful story.


🎧I loved sharing my time reading with the audiobook. Narrators Heather Long, Joe Jameson, and Pearl Hewitt brought these characters to life for me. With their accents and distinct voices, I felt like I got to know each one of them. It made the story all that much more emotional for me.

4.5 🌟

Thank you @htpbooks @MIRAbooks and @allyzetterbergauthor for the #gifted ebook via #NetGalley. Thank you @Harlequinaudio for the gifted audiobook via #NetGalley.

[jensbooknookclub · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁:

I really enjoyed the voice this book brought to two tough topics: the onset of early Alzheimer's and living with autism as an adult. Since this book is multi pov you get to see the characters firsthand pov giving you so much insight to daily life and struggles. Eye opening! That being said it was a bit heavy but that’s to be expected, I enjoyed the storyline and how all the pieces fit together in the end. A truly beautiful emotional journey.

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬:

Edith always wondered what happened to Sven. Even now years later she’s driven to go sit at the bus stop and wait for him to show up. She has Alzheimer's and she’s worried her son will forget it and more importantly she’ll forget herself. Even now things are begging to slip away.

Blade gave up his career and social life when his mom received the early onset Alzheimer's diagnosis. He loves his mom and would do anything for her but she’s becoming more than he can handle alone. He made a deal with her to help track down the mystery of Sven in Sweden if she agrees to consider going into a care home when he returns.

Sophia uncle left her his flower shop when he passed away, she has 5 years to buy her siblings out. She works hard but taking chances and diverting from her safe habits are difficult because she has Autism. So when an Englishman comes into her life unexpectedly she takes a risk. To save her shop she will be doing a series of events that are not local and he will help transport her there in his van.

For the next 10 days Sophia and Blade will take a road trip across Sweden. Both with their own agenda but unaware how interconnected they really are.

𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅:

* Strangers to Lovers
* Forced Proximity
* 10 Day Roadtrip Across Sweden
* Neurodivergent FMC
* MMC is Caregiver to Mother
* Searching for Answers
* Early Onset of Alzheimer's
* Traumatic Childhood
* Multi POV & Intertwined Storylines

🌻🇸🇪💙🇬🇧 🌻🇸🇪💙🇬🇧 🌻🇸🇪💙🇬🇧

https://www.instagram.com/p/DN6ii7QEi...

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ally Zetterberg’s The Second Chance Bus Stop is an uplifting, emotional and thought-provoking read perfect for book clubs.

After being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Edith is constantly plagued by worry. She is wracked by fears that she will forget the memories she cherishes, the son she loves and herself. However, Edith is a woman with a plan determined to fulfil her most dearest wish: to be reunited with Sven, the love of her life she was supposed to meet twenty-seven years ago on a bus bench to run away with. Edith has enlisted her son Blade’s help to find Sven. But Blade has got his own problems to contend with.

Caring for his mother is certainly taking its toll on Blade and despite of the weight of responsibility weighing heavily on his shoulders, finding Sven is just something else that he’s going to have to add to his list. But might this quest to find the love of his mother’s life lead him to appreciate what he has – and to cherish the relationship he has with his mother before it’s too late?

Sophia had been left her uncle’s flower shop alongside her brothers and she is determined to prove to her family that this business is worth saving. Will Sophia be successful and manage to turn the shop’s fortunes around? Or is she doomed to fail?

I didn’t know what to expect when I first picked up The Second Chance Bus Stop, but I am so glad that I took a chance on this book because it’s intelligent, astute, heartfelt, moving and so brilliantly written readers will want to recommend it to all their friends and family. Full of nuanced and compelling characters, laugh out loud humour and heart-wrenching pathos, The Second Chance Bus Stop is a hugely enjoyable page-turner by Ally Zetterberg that shouldn’t be missed.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Samantha (WLABB) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Edith was losing her memories, so she sent her son, Blade, on a mission to find the love of her life. His trip to Sweden brought Sophia, who needed a way to travel from market to market in order to raise the funds to buy her brothers out of the business, into his life. What seemed like a bad idea turned into a wonderful adventure which helped all parties involved come to terms with their past and make some decisions about their futures.

This was a lovely and feel-good story about second chances, love, family and friendship. It was about being yourself and finding your people, the people who won't try to change you. It's about building a "village" and seizing the path to happiness.

Edith's storyline was heartbreaking, naturally, but it was handled with so much care. Zetterberg didn't shy away from how difficult Alzheimer’s can be for everyone involved, but she also let Edith shine in her own way. She was a woman, a mother, a friend. She had a bright personality and a big heart, and it was obvious throughout this tale.

Blade had been a full-time caregiver for his mother for the past three years. He lost his job, life, and girlfriend due to this commitment, but only wanted what was best for his mother whom he loved dearly. This mission to find her Sven was eye-opening, showing him things he didn't know about his mother and himself.

It was kismet that he met Sophia, and I loved how they clicked with each other. Sophia was definitely someone you could root for. Being neurodivergent, she was often bullied and misunderstood. She was subjected to therapy that left scars, but Sophia found comfort in flowers and her shop. What was special about her and Blade was the way he accepted her, how he took cues from her, and genuinely liked her just as she was. Sophia's story arc was one that really touched me, and I suppose the second chance part applied to her family as much as to Edith's search for Sven.

I was wholly captivated by this tale and terribly invested in the outcome for everyone involved - Edith, Blade, Sophia, and all the people who made up their community. This was a sweet and tender story that emphasized community and memories, and it really touched my heart.

*ARC provided by publisher

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[Reeca Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edith has Alzheimer’s. The idea that she might someday forget her son, her life, even herself plagues her constantly. So there is something important she must do before the disease robs her of her memories: she has to find Sven, the love of her life whom she was supposed to meet on a bus stop bench twenty-seven years ago and run off with, but he never showed.

Oh! These characters are so great. I just loved Sophia and her quirkiness. Sophia is on the spectrum and no one in her family quite knows how to deal with her. But Blade…he is so kind and deferential towards her. It really brings you joy to experience their relationship.

And then there is Edith. I love how the author works this story around her memories…or lack there of!

This story will give you all the feels. It is truly a wonderful, heartwarming tale. And add in the mystery of Sven…and you have a pretty dang good read!

The narrators are; Heather Long; Joe Jameson; Pearl Hewitt. Talk about fantastic! I have said this before…I love a good tag team.

Need a heartwarming tale you will be thinking about for days to come…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

[Teresa Starrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This heartwarming (and sometimes heartbreaking) novel, told in various viewpoints, centers on Edith, who is wrestling with the effects of Alzheimer’s. Her son, Blade, has made the decision to become her full-time caregiver for as long as possible. Edith is consistently compelled to sit at a bus stop in town waiting and waiting. Blade agrees to seek out Edith’s long-lost love via a long winding trek while his best friend stays with her. Through Edith’s daily trips to town, it is evident she is important to many whose paths she crosses.

Sophia, a florist shop owner, is steeped in her routine. Yet, the future of her shop depends on her taking on a large client that requires travel around Sweden. She meets Blade and, through a series of events, they begin the journey together. Through these daily interactions, they begin to form a friendship and build trust. Zetterberg weaves together these likeable characters seamlessly and reminds the reader that love is everywhere- in big and small ways.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Alysha Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Second Chance Bus Stop by Ally Zetterberg
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

This book took my heart and didn’t let go. The Second Chance Bus Stop is wonderfully written, with engaging storytelling and a delightful sense of humor that balances beautifully with its deeper themes.

What truly sets this novel apart is its honest, compassionate portrayal of life with autism. It offers an eye-opening perspective that invites readers to better understand the challenges—and the beauty—of neurodivergent experiences. I found myself completely swept up in the story, finishing it in a single day.

Throughout the book, I kept thinking the author’s writing style felt familiar. It finally hit me—Ally Zetterberg’s voice is reminiscent of Fredrik Backman: heartfelt, insightful, and quietly powerful. Honestly, I don’t think the book’s description fully captures just how special this story is. An incredible read, and one I won’t soon forget.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my copy of this book — all thoughts in my review are my own.

[Shannon H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved The Second Chance Bus Stop even more than I thought I would going in. I expected a cozy, uplifting read, but what I got was so much more emotional and meaningful. Ally Zetterberg’s characters really hit home for me. Sophia’s portrayal as a neurodivergent woman was beautifully done: authentic, thoughtful, and so easy to connect with. It’s rare to see that kind of representation handled with such care, and it meant a lot to me. And Edith… wow. The depiction of Alzheimer’s through her story was powerful and honestly heartbreaking. I’ve had loved ones go through similar experiences, and Zetterberg captured that decline and the emotional toll in a way that felt incredibly real. This book was warm, funny, moving, and quietly profound. Definitely one that’ll stay with me for a long time. Highly recommend if you like heartfelt character-driven stories that don’t shy away from tough topics.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Diana_bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Second Chance Bus Stop was so much more than I was expecting it to be. The story revolves around Edith, who is suffering with dementia. Her son, Blade has lost so much trying to take care of her, it has been extremely exhausting. Edith fears losing her memories and she wants to find Sven, the man she was going to marry 27 years ago. Sven never showed up and Edith has wondered why. Blade wants her to forget this idea and enter a memory care facility. Through this journey, Blade is able to understand his mom on a deeper level. In his journey of trying to find him, he meets Sophia, a neurodivergent woman running a flower shop.

The relationship between Sophia and Blade was sweet and I enjoyed reading of their time through their road trip. It just came across as such a healing process. This is an extremely emotionally charged novel. I liked how all the characters connected at the end, but be aware that this is a bit on the heavier side. However, the characters are quirky in the best way possible.

Thank you to the publisher for my gifted ALC.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: The Second Chance Bus Stop  
Author: Ally Zetterberg      
Genre: Fiction   
Rating: 4 out of 5

At first, I wasn’t sure I’d like this, but I ended up enjoying it a lot. Sophia’s family was…really difficult to like. In her memories, they were pretty horrible to her, but I liked how eventually she was able to explain herself to them and they started trying to understand her behavior, even if they weren’t good at understanding. Sophie herself was a little hard to connect to, but I liked her sheer determination and courage.

Blade was a bit of a wet blanket to me. He seemed exceedingly passive and content to just drift along, buffeted by events and people around him without putting much actual effort out himself.

I have a family history of Alzheimer’s, so reading Edith’s point-of-view was really heartbreaking to me. That she knew she was losing bits of herself was just so sad to me, but I think the author captured it beautifully.

(Galley courtesy of Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA in exchange for an honest review.)

[Cassidy Glover · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautiful love story told through multiple POVs and across decades. At times it was slow but the character buildup was needed for the story to come full circle.

I was truly impressed by the author’s writing of an autistic character and I just KNEW she had to be neurodivergent herself to have written with such depth - and yep she is. It was unsettling and eye-opening to read how damaging ABA can be to a person. I have an autistic child and it brought comfort reading from Sophia’s POV and her character growth in recognizing her differences and that she can exist in the world as herself rather than hiding herself away to make other people more comfortable. Sophia’s story is that of hope.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the ARC!

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another beautiful book by Ally Zettenberg that tugged my heartstrings. Her writing is just divine, it’s sharp, witty (so many lines made me cackle) and poignant (oh lord I teared up).

Nobody writes people, community and connection like her. She just knows how to get to an emotional truth of her characters that all feel distinct and like real people. I was invested in all of their journeys - from Edith, a woman with dementia wrestling with her memories of a lost love; her son Blade who is struggling with giving up everything to be her carer sent on a mission to find Edith’s lost love; Blade’s best friend Zara; and Sophie, an autistic woman with a talent for floristry who carries the trauma of being bullied as a child and the horrific ABA therapy she was subjected to be more ‘normal’.

Pace-rise, I felt the first 20-40% dragged a bit for me, yet I understood that a slow reveal was vital and in keeping with the characters and story.

A poignant and heartfelt read with some very funny and witty moments.

Thanks to MIRA/Harlequin and NetGalley for the ARC.

[RubieReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved The Happiness Blueprint and was super excited to read a new novel by Ally Zetterberg.
The Second Chance Bus Stop is a charming, lighthearted romance that offers a delightful escape. With its easy-to-follow storyline and endearing characters, it’s the perfect choice for readers seeking a relaxing, feel-good read.
Zetterberg's novel is filled with charm, humor, and emotional depth. The characters’ journeys toward self-acceptance, healing, and, ultimately, love, are both realistic and uplifting.

Thank You Edelweiss and MIRA for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

[Megan Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devoured in one day—absolutely compulsive and relatable and tender and sweet and honest and everything all at once. Ally is one to watch!

My official blurb here:

With a moving voice that blooms tender words, Ally Zetterberg captures both the hope and heartbreak of the human condition in an honest, aching, and beautiful way. The Second Chance Bus Stop is a sweeping love story that spans decades and reminds readers that to be seen, exactly as we are, is to be known and loved. Perfect for fans of Fredrik Backman and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.

[Sandy Saucier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ally Zetterberg has created loveable,sympathetic characters in The Second Chance Bus Stop. Telling this story from the point of view of both an adult with autism and a single mother with early onset Alzheimer’s, is uniquely human.

How these characters come to connect is both plausible and unconventional. Edith and Sophia both have challenges which are often approached in writings with a distress that leaves little room for hope or humor. But this novel is full of love and strength.

For a full review see Novelsalive.com on after 8/18/2025

[Bri R.]

dnf @20%

okay my biggest issue with this book is the over explanation of the most mundane thing. “it’s laundry day. I can tell because I’m out of clean sweatpants. I pull open the curtains in the sitting room so I can see the world and it can see me” like why so many words for the most simple thing?? I felt like this book is trying to be deep but can’t quite reach the emotional depth for it. I just think this personally isn’t the book for me but I would recommend it to other!

[Katherine Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute perfection! I LOVE finding myself represented in characters who can explain how I feel better than myself. I loved everything about this book. The girl being literally trained as a child to “fit in” then growing up to meet a guy who teaches her she doesn’t have to change herself to be in a relationship, a guy (or anyone) who loves you will meet you where you are, because you’re worth being loved and I freaking love that. The whole “kissing” scene had me in tears 😭

[YeReadsAwhile · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about love lost and found, the beauty and challenges when caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, the amazing autism representation, the quirky and fun moments. If you love Fredrik Backman, you’ll enjoy reading this.

I was fully invested as to where Sven is and what happened to him for a long while. Totally captured my heart and a sure pageturner! You should grab a copy of this!

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and MIRA for this free eARC!

[Jenna Satterthwaite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tender and wise, Zetterberg's sophomore novel is a triumph, gently peeling apart the layers of grief and joy that make up our lived human experience. With a multigenerational cast, past and present collide in a beautiful and surprising twist that will bring tears even to the most tear-resistant eyes. Perfect for fans of Fredrik Backman.