3.5 Stars Upgraded to 4 based on sustained improvement as the book progressed.

I almost gave up on this novel and labeled it a DNF. However, after struggling through a very slow start with an irritatingly self-centered protagonist, I found that the storyline picked up the pace and the afore-mentioned lead character redeemed herself. By the conclusion, I was glad I persevered.

Louise (Lou) flees to London after failing to complete her PhD and being dumped by her boyfriend for being too needy…but nothing seems to be going right. She has just lost her roommate, is in an unsatisfying teaching job, and has strained relationships with the family she left behind. Unexpectedly she finds herself returning to a point in time with the ability to make different decisions with different outcomes. Over four “repeats” of the initial experience, Lou learns more about herself, becomes more sensitive to the needs of others, and emerges as a true friend and loving partner.

The literary device of a time-loop is not new, but this one seems to be missing a bit of the “magic” usually associated with this phenomenon. What made this novel worthwhile was the transformation of the protagonist from a victim of her self-induced circumstances to an admirable woman willing to grow and expand into trusting herself and those she loves. Ultimately, Lou realizes that her love for the well being of others is greater than her fear of the future.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

4.5 stars

I was blown away by this book. I didn’t want it to end, but I was happy with the ending. (Well, happy and sad). There are so many wonderful things about Five First Chances, first off the writing, I can’t wait to read more by Sarah Jost. Second, the time loop aspect was very interesting and entertaining. I loved watching Louise grow throughout each time loop. She grew so much throughout this book and it made me like her even more every first chance she had. And Nick, it’s hard to find words to appreciate Nick’s character in this book. Just thinking about him pjs a smile on my face, I now know why Louise kept wanting a do over!

This book really had it all, a great story, likable characters and good writing. I can’t recommend it enough!

This is a beautiful, heartbreaking story that is not only about starting over but about growing and making yourself a better person. I feel like I learned so much about myself from reading this and while I know I can't travel back in time I want to make the most out of each day that I have.

Lou, on her quest to have a better life, deal with her anxiety, and find love, is destined to go back in time 5 times to a fixed point in her life. She is a native Swiss but moved to England to try teaching French. Her job is not going well, her only true friend and flatmate Yuki, has just moved out, and Lou feels like her life is going nowhere. One day, Yuki calls her and asks her to go to a funeral for a guy that she met briefly at Yuki's birthday party. At the memorial service afterwards Lou finds herself being transported back two years in the past. This pattern will continue until Lou can figure out who she is and what is the best possible life path.

This book had me stuck to my couch as I had to find out what happened and who would be the right fit for Lou. I was also an emotional wreck. I had a connection with one of the characters and what he went through. This book had romance, a little bit of sci-fi and so much more. I really feel like I learned a little bit more about myself and want to try and live my best life every day. This is a must read for anyone who likes a good read and doesn't mind shedding a few tears.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this advanced copy.

I'm a complete sucker for time travel/alternate reality stories, but that also means sometimes I'm disappointed when a book doesn't bring anything new or different to the table. Luckily, Five First Chances lived up to the promise I saw when I read the description, and I thought the way it ended was both satisfying and thought-provoking.

Thanks so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for the chance to read the ARC!

eARC Review
Pub. date: April 17/23
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Do you believe in time travel? Or wish it was real? In Five First Chances author Sarah Jost explores the possibility of changing the future by reliving it over and over again. Louise, a teacher/writer, finds herself in a time loop of the same two years. Providing her the opportunity to make right her relationships with Nick, the love of her life, her family and friends. She learns that doing things over does not always mean you will make them right. Still Louise experiences great love and loss regardless. Will she finally get it ‘right’?

This book surprised me. At first I found it difficult to get into, to follow exactly what was happening. Finally though I began to understand. I believe this was on purpose because my realization coincided with those of the characters. Slowly Louise and Nick began to remember happenings from other ‘times’. Taking Louise time to develop her best life, through trial and error, and with the love and guidance of Nick. This book is filled with tender moments and intense grief where the author drew the same feelings from the reader. This is a well written, engaging, story. I highly recommend it!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to review this early release ARC.

A time loop romance of second chances at love. Overall I liked the story but found the narrator to be slightly agitating.

I really adored this story! It was a bit of a slow burn for me but once you got into the middle it really picked up. I loved the romance between Lou and Nick and felt myself rooting for them the entire time!

BOOK REVIEW!
Five First Chances by Sarah Jost
Pub date: April 18, 2023

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Five First Chances in exchange for an honest review.

There have been many times in my life when I wished I could have a do over. A few times I even closed my eyes and thought if I squeezed them real tight maybe I could restart. Five First Chances is about what happens when that wish comes true.

The story appealed to me when I read the blurb, however it did not pull me in until about a hundred pages in. It was slow in the beginning and I didn’t particularly care for Louise (Lou), our main character. Then, like a switch being flicked, I was in. I loved how Lou grew and learned from her mistakes with every do over. I loved the romance of Lou and Nick returning to each other, their relationship changing and deepening with every chance. I just wish the first hundred pages hadn’t felt so tedious.

I am so glad I saw this book through because the payoff was so so good. The characters are fleshed out and real. The love is beautiful and heartbreaking. If you want one of those breathtaking, glorious cries, the end will give it to you.

A hard hitting tomance that i vouldnt but down. It was written perfectly and i was craving more. Honestly i loved every part of it. I had wipe my eyes a few times. I feel like it needed no improvement and this book was perfect

✨ FIVE FIRST CHANCES ✨

First, a moment for this cover. It is so pretty. 😍

The scoop:
Lou feels like she took the wrong paths in her life and is full of ‘what if’s.’ She finds herself going back into time, to a night two years before, where one small decision can change everything.

This happened to be my second “time loop” book in a row. While I enjoyed this story and I enjoyed the characters, it did begin to be repetitive. I began to skip over the beginning of the loop each time because I was not interested in reading the same thing again.

The story, though, was quite lovely and I felt like it taught a good lesson. I was definitely sobbing into my Kindle by the end of the book.

Read for:
🌟 Time loops
🌟 What if we can change the past? vibes
🌟 Relatable characters
🌟 Emotional messages
🌟 Meaning of love energy

Thank you to @netgalley and @bookmarked for this eARC!

I really loved the description of this book when I read it, and found that this book was charming and romantic. I also loved the premise.

Honestly don’t know what I expected. Continuous time loops are not my favorite. This book, however, sparked my interest. Qs you would expect their is a lot of character growth within the mc every time., but that is the point of the time loop trope. The fmc was not my favorite; I cannot stand a selfish mc. All in all it was a decent love story and showed the importance of time we have in life.

Lou feels like she's stuck in a rut of wondering "what if". After hearing that her ex-boyfriend (that she might not be completely over yet) has gotten engaged to someone else, she ends up in a time loop where she has the chance to make some changes to her life. But each time the loop resets, there's one common theme--Nick, a friend of a friend. Something seems to be pulling them together each time.

I've read a few time loop stories lately, and this one presents another unique take on the trope. The main character learns and grows from each repeat, and even though she felt a little selfish sometimes, she does feel a lot more developed by the end of the story. I like the idea of the romance, but didn't really feel anything between the characters. Outside of me being nitpicky, this is not a bad book, and it's definitely one I could recommend.


Thanks to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the e-ARC.

An interesting concept that allows the reader to follow the protagonist on her "what if?" journey. Everyone has questions about pivotal moments in their life and how they would have changed the future, and the author plays on these lingering thoughts. I found the protagonist to be self-centered, but she comes into her own and experiences personal growth through these 'trips back in time.' It's both a 'what if' and 'coming of age' story.

Lou got a chance to travel back in time to a night 2 years ago. She finds herself intersecting with one person again and again. Is he the right person?

I love time travel- what ifs stories. This is a good one. I love Lou. She is a great character. She's not always perfect but I love that she tries her best. A great story!

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.