3.5/5 ⭐

Starting with the things I liked about this book:
+ I absolutely loved the jumping between timelines, in my opinion this way of telling the story conveys the story in the best possible way. The tension is kept in and you get the right information at the right time each time. There are also some plottwists built in this way that really benefit the story.
+ The story is also pleasantly written and reads smoothly.
+ The song lyrics are also nicely written.
+ The narrator does a great job bringing the story to life. The Little part she sings was also excellent, for me this could have happened more often.

Sadly, there were also two things that diminished the story’s overall experience for me:
- The only thing that bothered me a bit throughout the story is that the main character is sometimes a bit indecisive. It takes quite a long time for her to make certain decisions. On the other hand, that is certainly a human thing.
- There was also 1 specific scene that I think would have been better left out. Namely Dolly's moment of fame. From an equestrian's perspective, this scene was as implausible as it gets. Agreed, it's a romcom, but how this scene develops is just completely absurd.

In conclusion: it’s an easy reading romcom, filled with lots of different story elements, told in a non-linear time-line that definitely does the story justice. The characters are likeable and you can easily empathise with them. I’d absolutely recommend it if you’re looking for an original, light story filled with music.

With audiobooks it makes it harder to skim over parts you can't handle and I knew it was coming and still it was really hard to hear. This was very emotional, and parts were amazing and beautiful but somewhere it also got too long. I didn't think the eggs/baby issues were important to the book as a whole. Complicated and lovely storyline, sometimes overly so. Man, I hated Garrett.

The story is of the journey of Maggie Vine life. The ups and downs, trying to reach her dreams of making it as a singer/songwriter. Finding love not once, but twice. First love, forever love and not being able to hold on to love. Maggie is definitely on an emotional roller coaster ride, with heartbreaks along the way. There will be a few tears, and will have you wondering if Maggie with ever find her HEA.
I divided reading and listening to the audiobook, both were great. The narrator was exactly as I pictured Maggie voice. I rounded it up to 4 stars, seemed to drag on a bit with the back and forth of young Maggie and present Maggie. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #MaybeOnceMaybeTwice

Wow. This book was an emotional rollercoaster. I couldn't stop reading this book as I went on the wild ride back and forth through time with Maggie Vine. From her 35th birthday, to her teens and back again we slowly come to understand the difficult choices Maggie made and why. You can't always agree with what she has done (talk to him already!!) but by the end you understand what stops her in her tracks. I enjoyed seeing Maggie grow into her own by the end of the book and seek out what she needs to make herself satisfied.

Two guys, both amazing on their own, and lots of roadblocks to Maggie's happiness, this was a good read overall. The timing on each topic, especially at the end felt a tab bit uneven, which is why I rated it a 4 instead of 5 - but I still highly recommend it. Great friendships, funny dialogue, heart-breakingly wonderful love interests. All the things you want in a romance.

From the moment I saw the cover and read the synopsis, I knew I wanted to read this book. A unique premise about a single mid-30s MC looking to have a child, and who once made a promise to marry at 35 with two separate people, who then come back into her life just as she turns 35? Count me in.

I listened to this on audio and wound up enjoying it. While I usually dislike love triangles, the author handled it in a very honest and realistic way. I did struggle to connect to the characters initially given the shifting timelines between the two relationships, both in the past and the present, but eventually, everything began to click in place.

ʀ ᴇ ᴀ ᴅ ɪ ғ ʏ ᴏ ᴜ ʟ ɪ ᴋ ᴇ :
• mid-30s MC
• love triangles
• messy emotional romances
• multiple shifting timelines
• hollywood romance

CW: Fertility treatments

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for the gifted copies in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book early! I'm so confused about how to rate it because I LOVED the premise, really liked the romances, and overall really enjoyed my time with it, but I also felt there was too much going on at times, the timeline jumps got messy and the steamy scenes felt unnecessary and out of place sooooo theres that. This book follows a woman named Maggie. She's turning 35 and is having a little bit of a midlife crisis. She wants kids, but hasn't settled down with a man and all the things she's been putting off until later seems to be coming to a head. She also has had 2 loves in her life-- Asher, a present day movie star who was her first boyfriend at age 14 and Garrett, a musician she was with in her early 20's but who is now engaged to someone else. Both men come back in to her life around her birthday and she has to decide which man she wants to pursue. The whole engagement pact thing was VERY background. This book was also a lot heavier and more serious than I anticipated. We got WAY more of her present day time with Asher than Garrett so the Garrett storyline felt underdeveloped by comparison. We jump around in time from when she was 14, 23, 30, 35, etc. and on audio it was really hard to follow. I liked her best friend, Summer, but her marriage dissolves in this book and it felt so quick and blunt. I get why she included it, but it gave the message that marriages are expendable and can end in a sentence. (I know thats a reality, it just felt weird). Finally, the end of the book in general felt very quick and unbelievable. That seems like a lot of complaints, but I really liked reading about these characters and their first love, second chance so I was still very entertained. Good book overall!

3.5⭐️s rounded down.
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape for access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I received it just before the pub date.
Maggie is 35 and unhappy with her lot in life - career stalling out, fertility window closing, and somehow still single. 35 is also her end-date for two very different "if we are still single when we're __yrs, we should get married" agreements - which she made with two very different men, at very different points in her life. The 35 “deadline” has passed, and Maggie has choices to make that will impact the rest of her life.
Brief thoughts I had while listening:
-It’s a love story mystery! Who will Maggie end up with?
-Maggie is a musician. This makes her better than other people (she’s a bit pretentious and gatekeeps a little - she has some “not like other girls” energy)
-This is a steamy/open door romance
-I like that the author dives into how the “get married at ___yrs” promise isn’t always a goofy, light-hearted thing; sometimes there’s hopeful optimism in the midst of hard circumstances
-I didn’t care for the ending. I try to avoid giving spoilers, so I won’t go into detail - but it fell flat for me.
Overall, a (mostly) enjoyable read.
The narrator did an excellent job. One issue I had with the audiobook format: the transitions between timelines weren’t clear, and I wouldn’t realize the timeline had jumped until I was confused at the change in tone/plot.

I loved the 90s music nostalgia & multiple music references. The story was interesting, I always enjoy “right person, wrong time” & don’t think I’ve seen it paired with a love triangle or marriage pact before. The dual timeline was slightly confusing via audio, but the narrator was great and I enjoyed it at 2.0x speed.

Book review time!

I really thought I was going to hate this one at first. It started out all bad timing between Garrett and Maggie Vine and then all of a sudden their was a childhood sweetheart showing up in the scene and Maggie was driving me nuts with the will they/won’t they. Meanwhile I was like you don’t need this shit go live your best life being a singer-songwriter. There is a another brief romance in the middle with someone she meets on tour and then they throw in some trauma and I was like ok where is this ship sailing….

That said I did come around in the end. I love that the FMC and one of the MMC talk about therapy and healing themselves first. I loved that Maggie was out there chasing her own dreams and didn’t let her attempts at love hold her back from that. I love that they showed alternate ways to have a family. She wanted to have children and her partner wasn’t ready and recognized that she had to do that for herself first and foremost. She was also an older FMC at 35 (it has flash backs starting at age 17 though) and talks about fertility issues and costs associated with those issues.

Also her friend Sarah is the best. She is going through her own relationship struggles with her wife (can they get their own book please!???!) I have said it before and I’ll say it again but having great fully fleshed out supporting characters in a romance novel is my fav. It wins me over everytime because I’ve read so many that anyone other than the main characters are just plot devices.

Oh and the pony scene had me dying of laughter. You’ll just have to read.

In the end I really enjoyed it even though we had a bumpy start. There are parts I feel like could have been edited better because it did feel like it had too much going on sometimes and I’ll admit I don’t think the cover works, but overall would still recommend.

It is out now! Thank you @netgalley @dreamscape_media for my ALC of Maybe Once Maybe Twice!
#maybeoncemaybetwice

You know that old saying “if we are still single when we’re 35, we should get married?” Well, Maggie Vine made that vow with two different people at two very different stages of her life.

And they both showed up.

I love a good "friends to lovers" story line and this has it twice :) And this book will cause the Team Garrett or Team Asher discussions.

I really like how the chapters are different years of her life and how they all blend into each other over the course of the book. When you question why earlier on, and then get the answer in another year of her life.

There is a trigger warning for a small part of the book, but it's written in a such a very gentle way, it was not difficult to read.

My favorite relationship in the story is that between Maggie and Summer. It's a true love and makes your heart smile.

For me, Maybe Once, Maybe Twice was as a five star read! Friends to lovers, second chance, celebrity, marriage pack, two love interests, and more! This book has it all and it does it well. Music lovers will also delight in the lyrical references.

Some things I loved:
- The celebrity romance. This is my favorite trope.
- The strong female lead. Maggie knows timing is everything and you shouldn't settle.
- The side stories. Maggie's bestie going through a divorce, infertility, and sexual misconduct in the workplace. All of these things are very serious, but they were handled in a way that really added to the story.
- Finding yourself. Sometimes people are messing and don't have their lives or careers together at 35. It is so very true and I was happy to see that reflected in the story.

I listened to the audio which was top notch and included the occasional singing of lyrics. Katherine Littrell does a great job with the pacing. Her voice has a lovely melodic quality too.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audio arc!

A cute women's fiction romance to a woman ready to settle down. There's two ex boyfriends that she has to work through her feelings with while she addresses where she is in life. A good read. My first read from Alison Greenberg but not my last.

This story dragged on. The love triangle was intense and I felt bad for the guys. They were so smitten with the main lead and she was lost. It had great lines and moments but I was feeling anxious for it to have a resolution.

"Maybe once, Maybe twice" by Alison Rose Greenberg is a rollercoaster of emotions, relationships, and timelines. The story centers around Maggie Vine, who finds herself facing two men on her thirty-fifth birthday, triggering a whirlwind of events.

Alison Rose Greenberg showcases her impressive writing style, blending witty banter and poignant moments. The chemistry between Maggie and her two love interests, Asher and Garrett, is palpable, and the exploration of different facets of love adds depth to the story.

However, I did find myself overwhelmed by the multiple storylines and frequent time jumps. The repetitiveness of experiences and the constant movement between different timelines made it challenging to keep track of the plot.

One of my disappointments came from the third act conflict, which felt unnecessary and made the ending feel rushed. Given the centrality of Maggie's choice between Asher and Garrett, I wished for more time dedicated to showcasing the final couple being together. The inclusion of numerous storylines, although enriching the background, made the plot feel cluttered and often I found myself lost.

Throughout the book, we witness Maggie's struggle to balance her music career aspirations and personal traumas. The incorporation of Maggie's song lyrics and music career challenges added an interesting layer to the narrative, and as a bonus, the inclusion of complete lyrics at the end was a thoughtful touch.

"Maybe once, Maybe twice" lands firmly in the middle of the road for me. It possesses engaging elements, but the constant time jumps could have been streamlined for a smoother reading experience. Nonetheless, I believe fans of Alison Rose Greenberg's work and those intrigued by intricate relationship dynamics will find enjoyment in this story.

4 1/2 Stars

This book pulled me in and didn't let go until I read the last word. It was a beautiful love story about a woman who finds herself at a crossroads when she turns thirty-five. Her life is tough enough already and then is further complicated when two of her former boyfriends show up to check in on her with their "if I'm thirty-five and not married..." pact. I just fell in love with the characters.

The main character, Maggie is relatable and someone you wish the best for. Even though her two previous love interests, Garrett and Asher are very different men, they both hold a special place in her heart. It's hard to figure out which one you want to see her end up with. There are positives and negatives about both of them. Overall, I'll say she didn't end up with the one I really thought she belonged with....but hey, I'm not the author of this book. Regardless, it was well done and a story that had me shedding tears at so many different points. Since it was told in multiple time lines, you got the history of how Maggie met and fell in love with each of these men. They truly did each hold a piece of her heart and it broke mine a little to know she'd miss out on something with one of them. I did feel the book was a little rushed with the wrap up at the end. Considering all the build up throughout the story, I expected a little more time for the resolution at the end. For this reason, I kept my rating to 4 1/2 stars.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The audiobook was beautifully done with spot on narration. I really enjoyed it and bounced between that and the ebook effortlessly. It enabled me to gobble up this book rapidly as I was hooked from the beginning.

Thank you to NetGalley for early copies of both the ebook and audiobook. I voluntarily chose to read/listen to each of them and write a review. The opinions contained within are my own.

This book was so messy. Not my cup of tea at all. I struggled with the alternating timelines. Maggie was very unlikeable. I wanted to like her but she just wasn’t the kind of person I’d want to be friends with.

The only part of the storyline that I liked was the multiple perspectives on having children.

Netgalley ARC Review💫

2023 Book 57

Maybe Once, Maybe Twice
By Alison Rose Greenberg
Narrated by Katherine Littrell
Pub Date: 10/03/23
My Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐

Maybe Once, Maybe Twice is a story about musician Maggie Vine as she navigates life chasing her dreams of making it in the music world, finding her right life partner, and her want to be a mom.

Throughout her life she has 2 great loves and makes a marriage pact with both of them. As she makes it to age 35, she is torn between these two men who both have a hold on her heart.

Will she end up with Asher, her first love who she reconnects with at age 35 or her best friend, Garret, who never got the timing right of their love? I went back and forth rooting for each guy to end up with Maggie.

This book features time line jumps, a lesbian smart-ass best friend, and hard choices.

Overall, a really great book

"Maybe Once, Maybe Twice" by Alison Rose Greenberg is a novel that explores the complexities of love, second chances, and the pursuit of one's dreams. While the premise is intriguing, I found myself torn between giving it three or four stars because there were aspects I both liked and struggled with.

The character of Maggie Vine is relatable and well-developed. Her journey to find love and fulfill her dreams as a singer and mother is engaging, but it also left me with a sense of whiplash. The constant back-and-forth between her relationships with Asher and Garrett was dizzying at times. It felt like Maggie couldn't make up her mind, and this aspect of the story left me somewhat frustrated.

Additionally, the narrative's shifting timeline was a source of confusion for me. The transitions between different periods of Maggie's life were not executed smoothly, making it challenging to follow the storyline. It interrupted the flow of the narrative and made it difficult to connect with the characters on a deeper level.

On a positive note, Greenberg's writing style is engaging and filled with emotional depth. The exploration of Maggie's internal struggles and her pursuit of her passions is well-crafted. The themes of second chances and finding one's own way are poignant and relatable.

In conclusion, "Maybe Once, Maybe Twice" has its strengths, including a compelling protagonist and meaningful themes. However, the constant back-and-forth in Maggie's love life and the disjointed timeline detracted from my overall enjoyment of the book. While I appreciate the author's attempt to create tension through these elements, they left me feeling somewhat disconnected from the story. This is a novel that might resonate more with readers who enjoy intricate romantic entanglements and don't mind a non-linear narrative structure.

💁🏻‍♀️ 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 will they or won’t they, 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 in 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.

*𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘰𝘳 𝘥𝘮 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸*

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!

🎧The audio was well done, the emotions were well conveyed. I recommend to anyone who enjoys or prefers audiobooks!!

Tʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ Sᴛ. Mᴀʀᴛɪɴ’s Pʀᴇss ᴀɴᴅ NᴇᴛGᴀʟʟᴇʏ ꜰᴏʀ ᴀɴ ARC ᴄᴏᴘʏ ɪɴ ᴇxᴄʜᴀɴɢᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ᴍʏ ʜᴏɴᴇsᴛ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ﹗

Wow I loved this , Maggie is 35 and made a marriage pact with two men who she’s loved. Asher & Garrett. Throughout the entire book I was going back and forth on who was better for Maggie & each time I came to a conclusion something threw me for a loop.

My only complaints - I wish we were able to hear more about Summer + her story. The huge gap in the timeline had me confused at some parts, it was jumping from 17 years old to 20 something to 30 back to 17. I wasn’t a huge fan of this. Also.. the ending ? I don’t know how I feel about that. This book had the romance but also had me feeling… meh? because I felt the ending was so abrupt.

Check TW before reading - this book touches on a few heavy topics.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review!