I have been in a looooong reading slump and this is the first book that hooked me. The unveiling of this story, told through multiple times in the life of main character, Maggie, makes it a slow build. We learn these nuggets of information and then find out why chapters later. Maggie wasn’t always likeable, she is definitely flawed. However I was still rooting for her until the very end - event when she drove me crazy.

It was a little hard following the timeline via audiobook, but reading it didn’t have the same problem.

This wasn't my favorite book, but I still enjoyed it. I don't really know what made it rough for me to get through. I think it could possibly be the writing style. I'll definitely be reading another book from the author to give them another chance!

I enjoyed this book, and quickly was sucked in. Maggie recently turned 35 and had made previous marriage pacts. It was told from present and past points of views as the story came together of her history with both Asher and Garrett. I liked the side characters as well as it also explored friendship, and family dynamics.

Maybe Once, Maybe Twice explores what would happen if you made an “if we’re not married by 35, let’s marry each other” pact with two people… and they both showed up.

Maggie and Garrett have always had bad timing. Through flashbacks we see their friendship over the years as they clearly liked each other but never when they were both single and ready for a relationship.

We also see Maggie and her first love Asher as they fell in love under the stars at summer camp over a decade ago. Until their relationship, and Maggie’s heart, are broken.

I inhaled this book. I thought the transition from current time to flashbacks was seamless, and I really appreciate how Alison used the flashbacks to “show not tell” details from the past. Each of the flashbacks enhanced what was happening in the present, and I am such a fan of this narration style.

I definitely had my favorite in the love triangle but I enjoyed watching the story play out. I was hooked from the beginning and enjoyed the story more and more as it progressed.

The best part of the book was Maggie. She had confidence and vibrancy and joy despite all the messiness in her past and present circumstances. Maybe Once, Maybe Twice is about chasing your dreams and not settling for less than you deserve.

Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin for an eARC. All thoughts are my own.

Witty and cute, will keep you guessing until the end! This reminded me a bit of Sliding Doors, and it played on tropes from My Best Friend’s Wedding - but with a twist and two guys -and was a thoroughly enjoyable, romantic read. I loved seeing the relationships unfold on the page and didn’t feel like it was a typical love triangle scenario, which was a breath of fresh air. This is a great one for romance lovers who also want a bit more depth to their stories.

This is a beautiful story of love and life! I loved getting the chapters from Maggie's past so we could get the full picture of her relationships and how they grew and came to be. I enjoyed that there are potentially two love interests and it didn't feel like a love triangle at all. I found myself rooting for either choice for Maggie because both men were so well written. A well done and enjoyable romance!

Maybe Once, Maybe Twice by Alison Rose Greenberg shares the story of Maggie Vine. Maggie has not had an easy life and is afraid she will end up alone like her mom. She has two different guys promise they will marry her if she is not married by age 35.

This seems like a simple premise, but the story is so much more. The story moves back and forth through time from Maggie’s point of view. We only receive more information from her past on an as needed basis. I felt like I was trying to solve a mystery as I read the story. The mystery of Maggie’s life. There are many heartaches, laughter and learning along the way. I did enjoy the story and appreciated how the author created such an interesting and thoughtful character in Maggie. I recommend the story.

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

If I could give a 4.5 star rating, I would on the merits of Greenberg’s writing style alone. There was a musicality woven throughout that makes a lot of sense considering the content, and I found myself drawn to the dialogue and internal monologue I imagine others might find overblown or contrived. The relentless flashbacks between past and present were tiresome at times, but I wasn’t ever confused about the storyline or the characters involved. Did I love the end? Not particularly, but it tied up loose ends and resolved the main conflict of the novel. Again, my favorite part was Greenberg’s writing style and the imagery she was consistently able to evoke with her witty, well-placed metaphors and analogies. I’d actually read this novel again. :)

Maybe Once, Maybe Twice was such an unexpected emotional roller coaster of a novel. Alison Rose Greenburg ruined me with this one in the best way possible.
I listened to this one on audio as well as read along with the e-book copy I received. After reading Bad Luck Bridesmaid when it came out in January 2022, I fell in love with Greenburg’s writing, but still was left wholly unprepared for the amount of emotions this one stirred in me. I found myself crying at times, as Maggie’s conundrum of promising to marry two different men if they were not married by age 35 left me nostalgic and reminiscing while simultaneously wondering “What If?” about scenarios from my own life (despite being happily committed currently).
This book covers heavy topics with grace and emotional stability. I really appreciated the relationships between Maggie with Asher, Garrett and Summer. The amount of brutal honesty these friendships/situationships took on while addressing both light and tough topics was so appreciated and so raw.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media for the chance to listen to this one on audio, to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced e-copy, and to Alison Rose Greenburg for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me at 39%. While the story was lighthearted and had some colorful characters, the overall storyline and plot didn’t keep me interested enough to see it through. There was nothing particularly “bad” about this book per se, but there wasn’t a lot “good” either. For me personally, it didn’t have any of the redeeming traits I look for in a good romance novel: funny, banter, angst, swoons worthy leads, suspense. So for me, it just wasn’t worth it. I found it a bit difficult to connect to the MC and the two love interests, as they fell a bit flat for me. I also struggled a bit with the narrator as her tone and voice intonation was a bit dull. The most difficult thing about this book as the timeline as it jumped around a lot. The story is told in the present day as well as flashbacks from the past. As the past chapters don’t follow a chronological order, I found it hard to follow. Not for me, but may hit different for other romance readers.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Alison Rose Greenberg, and NetGalley for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

2.75 stars --

alison rose greenberg's novel 'maybe once, maybe twice' introduces us to maggie at age 35, struggling both to launch her music career and become a mother. when her ex garrett shows up at her birthday party, she thinks that maybe this one missing piece will click into place -- except he's engaged to someone else. but shortly after this, she bumps into asher, her first boyfriend from summer camp who became a famous actor. maggie made promises at different points in her life with both men that if they're single at 35, they would get together. who will she choose, and will it be the right decision?

based on premise alone, i wanted to like this book. however, the narrative style made it very tough to root for one man over the other, and i found myself disinterested in the overall plot. i listened to this on audio, and it was very challenging to follow the different jumps in the timeline from the present day to maggie's past. the ending felt anticlimactic, though i understand what the author was trying to do. ultimately, i think this is one you can skip in favour of other multi-timeline romcoms.

I received a DIGITAL Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved this book, more than I thought I would. So much of it felt real and I think that's what my favorite thing about it was. I loved the relationships in this book but Maggie and Summer's friendship was top tier.

I am not going to spoil anything by saying who she ends up with but I so happy that she ends up with who I wanted her to. My opinion on the book would have been vastly different if she had ended up with the other guy.

***** I have received and read an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for giving my honest feedback. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.*****

While romance is not my usual go to, I like to throw in a little something different after reading heavy materials.

When skimming through the romance options, the description for this book caught my attention and I had to request it immediately.

Greenberg's writing feels authentic- the characters are flawed in a genuine way, not just flawed for the sake of being flawed (like you find in many romance novels).

The idea of a marriage pact showing up and shaking up your life is always an interesting premise, To see that happen not just once but twice in the novel definitely makes for a refreshing take on the subject, especially when we get to find out how the previous relationships played out and how they affect our main character (Maggie) in the present day.

Overall, even though I'm still not a huge romance fan, I'll definitely be picking up any book that Greenberg puts out.

dnf

The premise of this book totally interested me when I read it but I have started the book several times now and something isn't working for me. I'm not sure if it's the characters or the writing but it's not holding my attention. I wanted nothing more than to love this book.

Finally, a romance with real world problems for women - infertility. The single mid-30's MC is feeling the societal pressures for childhood, only to be told its now or possibly never. Her fallback plan is a pack she made at thirty-five with two of her favorite men. Its says they'll marry her if they are still single. Well guess what she's single, and both men come back in her life.

A love triangle thats realistic and honest. The author provides context for each men by flashing back to times in the females life. It all slowly clicks into place, and you are torn "who" she needs until the very end. I've reread the conclusion, and song multiple times - its perfect!

Thank you St. Martins Press for the complimentary copy.

Someone that I follow on IG read this book and raved about it so when I saw an ARC was available, I jumped at the chance to read it. This book did NOT disappoint. Hollywood romance. Second chance romance. Finding yourself and your people. Solid friendships. Making it in the music industry. Women supporting women. A tad bit of a messy love triangle.

It was exactly the story I was hoping it would be.

Maggie sure did proposition not one, but TWO men to marry her when she turned 35. Like hey, if we are still single, let's just get married. Asher and Garrett are very different people, but I honestly found myself rooting for both of them. I don't want to spoil the story for anyone but the scenes in Trader Joe's gave me butterflies. The stories of first loves and first time experiences were so beautifully written. The way my heart hurt for each of these characters at different points of the story....I cried a couple of times.

Can we get a book about Summer? I adored her brutal honesty and I'd love to learn more about her character and what happened to her.

These characters are each messy. They are flawed, but they had a purpose for each other, at some point in their lives. I honestly had no idea which way the story was going to go, but I was really happy with the ending. Although, i'd like a little more about what their future looked like for each of them.

Check trigger warnings on this one as there are some deep issues discussed.

DNF pg 212/360

the main character annoyed me so much. also why is one of the love interests literally engaged??? ofc i'm not gonna be rooting for them lol. I was also confused a little at the beginning with all the jumping around in time, it was hard to tell her 30yo self apart from her 35yo self. the plot wasn't bad, but I just can't get over the fact that SHE LITERALLY KISSED GARRETT AT HIS ENGAGEMENT PARTY?!?!?!?!

✨ NetGalley ARC Book Review✨

Maybe Once, Maybe Twice by Alison Rose Greenberg
Rating: ⭐️⭐️.5 (rounded to 3 on Goodreads)

Trigger Warning: This book contains mentions of death, grief, and sexual assault/the aftermath.

Read if you like:
-second chance romance
-what if’s
-love triangle-ish
-musician/songwriter’s road to fame
-multiple & alternating timelines

Oof, I really wish I liked this one more than I did because this book really did have potential! I really loved getting to ride along Maggie’s journey to fame as a musician/songwriter. The author does a great job presenting the highs and the lows when in this type of business. I loved that the author incorporated their own songs and lyrics for Maggie as well which were tied into the book. With that said, I did think that there were some points of the book that weren’t necessary for the book in general which I think might be why it took me 9 days to finish it (I typically read a book in 2 to 3 days). I also had whiplash from the multiple and alternating timelines and it was difficult to keep track of them all. I have also decided that the love triangle trope is not for me. Actually, this book didn’t have a love triangle per se, but there were two different love interests and Maggie asked both of them to find her on her 35th birthday if they were both still single. On Goodreads, there a lot of different reviews and I am happy to have seen that others did really enjoy this one, it just wasn’t for me 😕

3 1/2 stars I give this book, it was good but it just wasn't enough

So we have Maggie, who has a lot going on with herself and clearly throughout her life.
So has a hard time with relationships but not in the ways you might think. For these answers you need to read the book bc it gets kinda crazy.
So the "flashback" parts, or Chapters I guess you could say are the interesting parts in this book. It goes back to certain places in her life and gives you more of the backstory there. Now I am always happy for more backstories in books bc I like to know it all but this was kinda hard to go back and forth with sometimes.
Some parts of the story were a bit slow for me also. I am just saying for me bc I know others will probably be ok with it and enjoy it.
Garret & Asher are 2 guys in her life who represent different parts of her (Maggie's life) and where she is in each area. At some point, because of promises that were made, she is going to have to choose the best guy for her and her ending. She is going to have to do some soul-searching and dig deep on this one.
This book and Maggie's life have a lot going on and it's a wild story.

I am glad to have read this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley. The above is my own opinion (review) that is honest and voluntary.

I love the twist to a plot line that we've all read and seen on the big screen before - "if we're still single by.... we'll get married". This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed her writing style - it made me laugh. This classic love triangle has gone all wrong for sure. I felt this scenario could totally be real life and I think that made reading about it more enjoyable.