Second First Date

Rowan & Neil #1.5

by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Graduation has come and gone, and there’s one major milestone Rowan and Neil haven’t yet hit in their relationship: going on a real date. Neil’s planned every detail, determined to give his girlfriend the ultimate romantic evening, although he’s secretly worried their connection may not spark the way it did on the last day of school—which, given how much he adores her, would be absolutely devastating. When the night turns out to be one disaster after another, they realize the date itself hardly matters. They’re still completely starry-eyed over each other, and with a little of Seattle’s natural magic, they have a whole summer to get it right.

Available exclusively on SimonTeen.

Genres: Romance, Young Adult, Contemporary, Novella, Short Stories, Contemporary Romance, Fiction

52 pages, ebook

First published May 7, 2024

About the author

Rachel Lynn Solomon is the New York Times bestselling author of The Ex Talk, Today Tonight Tomorrow, and other romantic comedies for teens and adults. Her books have been translated into more than fifteen languages and optioned for film. Originally from Seattle, she's currently navigating expat life with her husband in Amsterdam, where she can often be found exploring the city, collecting stationery, and working up the courage to knit her first sweater. Connect with her on Instagram @rlynn_solomon.

Reviews

[Lindsay (pawsomereads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really cute and I liked getting Neil’s POV! I love Rowan and Neil so much. They’re so sweet together and I can’t wait to read Past Present Future!

[adey౨ৎ {not too active}]

I LOVE THESE CHARACTERS MORE THAN I LOVE MYSELF, not rating it though because its a tad insane to give short story 5 stars 😭

[jasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

they're so cute 🤭🤭

[debs ༉‧₊˚. · Rating 4 out of 5]

╰┈➤ 3.75 stars

[clara bow (hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO CUTE OMG HOW DID I NOT KNOW THIS EXISTED UNTIL TODAY? OBSESSED.

[faith𝜗𝜚]

aw so cute i wish love was real

[Book.ishJulie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started Second First Date immediately after finishing Today Tonight Tomorrow because I just can't get enough of Rachel Lynn Solomon's writing!

This was the sweetest short story, and I loved how we get a further glimpse into Neil's heart with his perspective! I adore Rowan, and I'm beginning to suspect that her "thing" is getting drinks spilled on her; the grace she handles these situations with is second to none! Their second attempt at a first date had its issues, and it's clear these two are going to go the distance with how they pivoted around the obstacles!

Now off I go to start Past Present Future!

Thank you Simon Teen for the complimentary copy to read and review.

[C (bookedandstarred) · Rating 5 out of 5]

These two! I can never get enough of Neil and Rowan.

[jolie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

“Have you ever had one of those moments where everything changes in a single instant, and the world suddenly looks different afterward? Brighter, and better, and more vivid?”
Almost every time I’m with you.

it’s been almost 3 years since i read “today, tonight, tomorrow” so my memory on this series is fuzzy. this was so cute but it felt a bit rushed when they said “i love you” on the first date. ik they were enemies for 4 years and all but they still don’t know each other that well. also neil is so cute i loved reading his pov.

[Valeria · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOS CHICOS QUE SE ENAMORAN PRIMERO SON LO MÁS TIERNOOOOO.

Muero por leer a Rowan y Neil en la universidad en el siguiente libro🥺❤️‍🩹

SECOND FIRST DATE, se desarrolla después del final del primer libro.
Ambos están juntos oficialmente y están tratando de seguir con su PRESENTE.
Aquí narra Neil, así que fue muy bonito leer muchos de sus pensamientos y como es un delulu cuando se trata de Rowan y la manera en la que había planeado todo me parece graciosa.

De aquí, confirmo mi opinión que una de mis cosas favoritas de la historia es el mensaje de disfrutar los romances del presente, nuestros sueños antes de cumplirse y el trayecto.
No sabemos si RowanNeil, se casaran juntos o si vivirán felices comiendo perdices.
No obstante, sabemos que se quieren y que el presente es muy bonito.

Neil me recordaba mucho a Wes en esta parte y creo que sigo pensando que no hay nada más bonito que encontrar a una persona que entienda tu propio lenguaje del alma❤️‍🩹

[angelpompom · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty cute! I love that it was in Neil’s pov💕

[chiara · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️

I'm a rowan x neil stan what can I say! I saw this and was shocked since I didn't know a novella was coming out. it was so cute and wonderful and funny, i truly love these characters. so excited for june 4th!!!

[Alisa Chapple · Rating 5 out of 5]

they’re so in love it’s adorable

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second First Date
Rowan and Neil, Book 1.5

I Picked Up This Book Because: Looking for a short read.

Media Type: eBook
Source: Rivited/Simon Teen
Dates Read: 6/2/25 - 6/2/25
Rating: 4 Stars

The Story:

I haven’t read any part of this series but wanted something short to read. I definitely need to go back and read more about these characters cause this little disaster date was so cute.

[Gabrielle | gabrielle.reads.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

gimme all the snippets of Neil and Rowan pls!!! 💛 I’ve always wondered what the days following graduated looked like for these two and this short story was the sweetest insight to their second first date. Loved it!

[aanyaaaaah · Rating 4 out of 5]

they’re so cute!!

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was so cutsies I’m not ready for PPF

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet little short story for fans of this series!

[zjjjjjjjjrdgff · Rating 3 out of 5]

cutie patooties, I can't wait to read the sequel

[Liesl · Rating 4 out of 5]

So stinking cute. I loved how this was told from Neil's perspective as well as how even though the date doesn't go quite as planned, it doesn't matter one bit because Rowan and Neil are simply content being together. Serves as both a delightful grace note for Today Tonight Tomorrow and a nice appetizer for Past Present Future.

[kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way I immediately made an account on SimonTeen to read this. Rowan and Neil are one of my favourite couples and I couldn’t wait for the sequel since I adored the first book.

Neil being so down bad for Rowan? Please! We love a man when he’s absolutely obsessed. Rowan thinking about his yearbook message to her? I think about it all the time as well. It has one of the most romantic lines I've ever read.

And this book being so goddamn cute? I have high hopes for the sequel and will immediately be reading it.

[hannah! · Rating 5 out of 5]

AAAAAA I LOVE THEM SM

i can’t wait for ppf <3

[Kavya · Rating 4 out of 5]

super cute!!

[Olivia Andresen · Rating 5 out of 5]

short but nice

[morgan s · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

SO cute!

[Chiara Licandro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute little date and I love it

[Ruby Rae Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

They're so cute and I'm so single wtf

[jules · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - A cute little short story between the prequel and sequel! It was just a little too short and kind of predictable.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Missing Neil and Rowan☹️ this had PERFECT callbacks to the first book

[flr · Rating 4 out of 5]

hehehhehehehe my fav nerd couple