This book had it all - angst, pining, good pacing and a cool best friend. I liked it (even though it gave me anxiety) and I liked it until 20 pages before the end. I enjoyed it, but the momentum just died a sudden screeching death. I get it though, the MC needed to do her own thing, but I found the reasons behind that third act situation shallow and unbelievable.

This book all I can say is WOOOOWWWWWWWWW!!! I can so deeply compare to loving someone so long and it never happening and having to let go it is definitely a painful process and to see her end up with her high school sweetheart was so cute. when she was saying goodbye to Garrett, I cried I couldn't help myself. I laughed when she laughed this book as well really made me feel like I was the main character in the book. This is so well written, and I hope to see and second to this one so we can see what ends up happening more down the road. kind of sad I wasn't told what happen after Garret ended the engagement even though I definitely got scared she would run back like a butt head lol.

This book was freakin hilarious and so so sweet! I loved everything about this book and these characters so much.

“If we are still single when we’re 35, we’ll get married.” That’s the old saying and Maggie Vine made that vow with two different men at two different times in her life and they both showed up.

I loved the different POV’s throughout Maggie’s life. Getting the backstory with each of the men made me root for both of them! I loved and adored Asher. He was so freakin sweet and he absolutely loves Maggie and it shows. Garrett, bless his heart, he was so torn and just didn’t know what to do. I’m happy with how Maggie and his relationship turned out.

There were a lot of heavier topics throughout the story which I wasn’t expecting but honestly, I think it made me enjoy the story even more. I’m very excited to read more from this author in the future!

Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the e-arc! Pub date is October 3rd.

OMG, this book appealed to me on sooo many levels. The story line was amazing and had me guessing most of the way through about who Maggie, the main character, ends up with. AND I loved, loved, loved the music references through the book - brought me back to my teens and 20’s. I was really stoked to the author has a Spotify playlist to go with the book!

I wasn’t sure if I liked the jumping back and forth of Maggie’s ages at first. But as I read the book, I appreciated that style of writing for this story more and more. I loved all of the characters, Garret and Asher and her best friend too. It was nice to get to know them in this broken timeline.

If you’re a romcom fan, this boom is MUST! If you grew up in the late 90’s onward, you’ll appreciate the music references too. All in all I loved it!

We loved this romance and the emotional love triangle throughout this story. This book will take readers on a journey through the main character's life and will have you invested in what will happen from start to finish. We also loved all the musical themes and elements that the author added into this story.

3.5 stars ⭐️ [rounded up]

Thanks to NetGalley & St. Martins Press for the ARC!

Ths was the first book I've read by Alison Rose Greenberg and first and foremost, I really loved the writing in this book - I highlighted so many passages while reading. I will definitely be checking out her future releases!

I still feel a little torn on my rating but eventually I landed on 3.5 stars, primarily because I found myself really bothered by some of the characters actions and it took me out of the story a bit at times. I also felt the time jumps and different story lines could have been just a little bit smoother & easier to follow.

All that being said, the characters felt very raw and real and I appreciated how this story dealt with some difficult topics. I especially loved the dynamic between Maggie and her best friend, Summer. They have the type of friendship we all deserve: honest and unconditional. I also LOVED the inclusion and importance of music and lyrics throughout the story.

ARC Review
4.5
This book was so much more than a romance. It was beautifully written and honest, and it dealt with so many issues that women go through in their lives. Real problems, real mistakes, real mental illness... The romance made me giddy at times, and heartbroken at others, but Maggie’s growth was the real star of the book. It got to the point where I wasn’t on the same page as her in who I wanted her to “end up with”, but I found myself feeling content with it anyways because I just wanted whatever was going to make her happy. I went in for the love triangle and the unique plot line, but at the end I was just breathing a sigh of relief that the ending was happy for HER, regardless of the outcome. This book to me was very much between a women’s fiction and contemporary romance in the best ways. It was sexy and sad and reminiscent with the multiple timeline chapters exploring all of her past and present with both men, her best friend, and most importantly herself. I loved it!

What a lovely book! Loved the premise, setting, characters- all of it. You’ll laugh and cry. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advance reader copy, in exchange for an honest review. Maybe Once, Maybe Twice is about Maggie Vine, who’s life is turning out to be generally less than she hoped for; she’s wished for more but on her 35th birthday, both men that she’s made a marriage pact with many years ago show up and all of a sudden, she’s got lots of choices to make and is forced to consider what she really wants from love and life.

This book was a cute romance and I was initially very intrigued by the concept. It started off strong and I thought it was set up well but, I ultimately struggled a lot to continue on with this book. I struggled with all of the musical references and lyrics interspersed throughout the book, it just felt forced and broke the rhythm for me. I also struggled with the pace of the story, as some of it felt long and I had a tough time staying interested. Ultimately, I finished this book because I really wanted to see what happened. I thought the ending was good and I enjoyed seeing the character make strong, difficult choices, in order to put herself first. But, at the same time, I thought the ending just wrapped up quickly.

I think this would be a good beach read and could definitely see romance readers enjoying this one! But, ultimately, it just wasn’t for me.

This started off SO STRONG and just fizzled out. I loved so many parts of this but by the time I finished it just felt jumbled and rushed - with weird pacing, abandonment of a character who felt really strong at the beginning, and a very weirdly placed, slapstick scene that was a complete departure from the overall tone of the book.

“Maybe Once, Maybe Twice" presents an intriguing concept with mixed execution. While the novel does have its moments of brilliance, it falls short in several key areas, leaving readers with a mixed bag of emotions.

The central premise of the story is undeniably interesting. Greenberg takes a bold step by refusing to provide a clear resolution to the romantic dilemma faced by Maggie. Throughout the narrative, readers are left guessing, uncertain about who the protagonist will ultimately choose. Both romantic options are well-developed, and this ambiguity adds an air of unpredictability to the story.

However, this intriguing concept is marred by execution issues. The story occasionally feels worn out, as if it's treading familiar ground without adding a fresh perspective. The emotional conflicts, while relatable, can become tiresome, especially when the same theme is repeated between different characters.

One of the highlights of the book is the character of Summer, the protagonist's best friend. Her personal conflict and struggles add depth and authenticity to the narrative. It's genuinely heartbreaking to witness the challenges she faces in her life, and the inability to find resolution for her character's storyline leaves a lingering sense of sadness. However, the decision to introduce a similar conflict with Maggie and Asher feels repetitive, diluting the impact of both narratives. The repeated theme of the conflict surrounding children, or the lack thereof, tends to overshadow the narrative. It can come across as an insurmountable obstacle, which, for some readers, might feel a bit too heavy-handed.

The pacing of "Maybe Once, Maybe Twice" is a significant issue. While the book feels overly long, with stretches of the narrative where not much happens. At times, it seems as if the story is dragging on, causing readers to lose engagement. Conversely, the ending appears rushed, leaving many loose ends and unanswered questions. This imbalance in pacing leaves readers feeling unsatisfied, as if they've invested too much time for too little payoff.

Lastly, the excessive use of Taylor Swift references may prove distracting for some readers. While one reference can be clever and relatable, multiple mentions start to feel forced and even annoying. It's a case of "less is more" that the author could have benefited from.

The emotional depth of certain characters, particularly Summer, is a redeeming feature, but the unresolved conflicts and hurried ending leave readers with a sense of disappointment. While the book has its moments, it may not fully satisfy readers seeking a more polished and balanced narrative.

What happens when you make a marriage pact with two different men, at two very different points in your life, and both of those men come back to cash in on that promise you made? Maybe Once, Maybe Twice by Alison Rose Greenberg tells that very story of Maggie Vine and the only two men she’s ever loved in her life – Asher Reyes (teenage boyfriend turned movie star heartthrob) and Garrett Scholl (unrequited love and Mr. Maybe after multiple missed opportunities). This book was both poignant and funny. The dual timelines and flashbacks tied the present day story together so well, that it really made you understand why Maggie was where she was in her life. There were definitely times I wanted to shake her because she wasn’t making a choice I would have made, but ultimately she did end up choosing the right guy – in my opinion. Lots of heartache and longing and a slow burn – which personally I’m a huge sucker for! The 90s music nostalgia was also very real in this book, and had me running to Spotify to listen to the songs that were mentioned throughout the book (Dave Matthews Band, Foo Fighters, Fall Out Boy…the list goes on and on). Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and definitely recommend you add it to your TBR.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided to me through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Alison Rose Greenberg and St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin for giving me the opportunity to read this book!

I liked this story a lot! At first I wasn’t to sure if I’d vibe with it because of the different timelines but it actually worked out well. Similar to other reviews you want every character to get a happy ending but out of the guys you start to pick a front runner for sure. I think the amount of love shown by each character was great because it all looked different. There were similarities but nothing that made you as a reader get bored with what was happening in each relationship. I really love Maggie’s growth and her always going for her goals. It was fun book to read. This was definitely emotional and spicy but all together it worked out really nicely!

💁🏻‍♀️ Maybe Once Maybe Twice was a great read…𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘨𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥𝘭𝘺. The right person wrong time energy of this book ripped my heart out on more than one occasion. The chemistry and tension between Maggie and each of the male heroes was spicy, intense, and emotional. It wasn’t all heartbreak though, this book also had me grinning at the pages, and laughing out loud at hilarious moments I didn’t see coming(miniature horses may have been involved). If a book can make you feel that much, you know you’re going to remember it.

Although love triangles can be tricky to execute, Alison Rose Greenberg did an excellent job of making all 3 main characters likeable and interesting. On top of that, the side characters, particularly a couple of female friends were well done. I love women supporting women🫶🏼

The story is told from flash backs to her teen years, twenties and early thirties and also in present day where Maggie is thirty-five. I really enjoyed the way music was such a big part of Maggie’s story, and how she channeled her emotions through her lyrics.

The author tackles some heavy topics in the book and I appreciated the way she included and approached mental health.

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: I recommend this book to people who really like friends to lovers, love triangles and emotional rollercoasters. If you’re a fan of A Love Letter To Whiskey, read this book!

It is safe to say I’m a fan of Alison Rose Greenberg!

I loved Bad Luck Bridesmaid and I loved her new novel (out 10/3!) Maybe Once, Maybe Twice!

Maggie is now 35 but this book does some time jumping back to other ages and big life moments. We jump back to when she meets her first love, Asher, and when she meets Garrett. This book is Maggie’s story involving these two and it is told so well!

Maggie is a musician and you can tell it is her soul food. We get some lyrics of the songs she writes too and it’s powerful stuff! I kept wondering if the author is a musician as well!

This is an Atlanta area author (woohoo!) and there was an honorable mention of ATL in the story 🎉🎉🎉 I always love that since I’m in ATL.

if you like books that are NOT the annoying cutesy love stories but are about love- THIS IS IT!

Thank you to the publisher and author for this advanced copy.

This is the first book I’ve ever read by this author and I’m blown away!

Maybe once maybe twice is a book about a 35 yr old woman who finds her way through obstacles that are so relatable. ( to me) . From the heartbreak of her first love to finding out some important information about her health to putting her career back on track on track. When we meet Asher we immediately fall in love with him. His character build was the best one in the book imo or maybe they all were but I was super drawn to him because of his suffered trauma as a teenager. Maggie and Summers friendship is proof that opposites attract you just need a little communication.
This book will make you laugh, cry, get frustrated, and break your heart into a billion pieces all while bringing up the teen years for you and making you relive them. I didn’t want this to end. I wanted more page after page after page. I’ve only had one other book do that to me.

Can I say this is up there with the best book I’ve read this year ? Absolutely! Would I recommend this book to everyone ? Yes!


Thank you Alison Rose Greenberg for writing this incredible story, St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Another wonderful romance from Alison Rose Greenberg! Maybe once, maybe twice will take you on a journey through Maggie Vine's life. You'll feel for her and you'll be rooting for her in every stage of her life. Such a refreshing take on what it's like to have two loves of your life and the things that you sometimes have to sacrifice to be happy and successful. It was beautiful, emotional, and a story you'll be thinking about long after you read it.

I really did want to like this book as it had so much I love, musicians, the live music hustle, second chance and a marriage pact; a back up person to marry and be with if you haven’t found your soulmate. Combined with two men showing up on Maggie Vine’s 35th birthday I should be extolling this books virtues.

However I’m sorry to say I couldn’t get past chapter 9. I ended up skimming to the end to find out what happens and wow Goldberg touches on some really timely topics and issues, but the ending sucked for me and I should have realised it from the first chapter as it’s signposted. I definitely preferred Summer’s journey more. As for who she ends up with, the messiness of the person she doesn’t end up with was realistic but it was so crap that both of them didn’t communicate yet communicated with others fine (though, as I said I didn’t read this book). In some respects I wish they did finally end up together given the outcome with the other guy: since it was about wanting the same things.

Maybe I’ll try again, but I just found the flash backs excruciating which completely slowed down the pace and couldn’t hold my attention: what she does in the present day after both these guys clearly didn’t work out in the past.

I am giving this a three purely because I do think Alison Rose Goldberg is a talented writer who shouldn’t be unfairly penalised by this brutal star rating system because this wasn’t my jam. Sorry, it’s me not you. To those interested, do read it, just know it’s not a rom com, it will touch on some heavy subjects and there will be some heartbreaking moments.

I really wanted to keep reading this book and find out what happens to Maggie, such a strong and confident woman. I enjoy a love triangle and second (and third and fourth) chance romance. The sexual tension was definitely there. But I’m not a fan of a cheating trope. And parts of the writing bothered me- why do we need to know that Garrett is always wearing wingback shoes or what he and Asher smell like in every scene or that Summer has had a shit-eating grin on her face? Phrases and ideas felt overused. I also felt that everything tied up a little too nicely, given how much a mess Maggie’s life started out as.

This book. Oh my goodness this book gave me whiplash but in the best way. I’m just really glad it ended how it ended because if it went the other way we would’ve been looking at a very different review here.