This was definitely not for me, which sucks because I think it had so much going for it! I wish I had liked it more, but I just couldn’t connect with it

This story of a complicated marriage between two wounded, unusual people took some time to come together, but once it got going it packed an unexpectedly powerful punch.

Rules for Second Chances drew me in right away with Liz's delightful personality and voice. At the start, she feels invisible in her own life: overlooked at work, unappreciated in her marriage, and condescended to by her sister. After a disastrous 30th birthday party, Liz leaves her husband, Tobin, puts herself up for a possible promotion at work, and begins taking improv classes. These changes push her into a period of self-discovery and personal growth and, since neither she nor Tobin really want to end their marriage, relationship growth.

I loved Liz and Tobin's relationship, which was complex and shaded, neither all good nor all bad - like a marriage would be in real life. And the conceit of using improv techniques to address relationship problems was unique and led to both funny and powerful moments. But the story felt slow sometimes in this middle section; Liz and Tobin had no urgent reason to either improve their relationship or end it, and sometimes it seemed like Tobin's primary contribution to the marriage was sex appeal.

Fortunately, this lull didn't last long before the novel's subplots began to escalate and intertwine, and as their individual issues intensified I began to better see the strength and value of Tobin and Liz's marriage. I loved how Liz's story developed more layers as the story drew toward its conclusion; it felt like I was reading one part of the multifaceted saga of these characters' lives. In fact, although this is the author's first novel, there is definitely series potential here, and I would be delighted to see Maggie North bring her powerful writing and keen observation to the lives of Liz's family and friends.

3.5/This is a unique take on the second chance romance trope. It didn't entirely hook me, because I had trouble really buying some of the conflict. Lots of references to improv and ties to making relationships work that any theatre nerd might enjoy, though.

☝️Single POV
✌️Second Chance Romance
🖇️ Workplace romance (ish)
💔 3rd Act Breakup
🎭 Improv quotes and rules
❗Autism representation
🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ representation
Publishing June 24th!

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC.

As a fan of improv, wilderness travel, and love, I was quite excited to get access to this one. Rules for Second Chances uses improv as an allegory for romantic relationships, and I think many of us could learn a lot from the rules of improv in how we relate with our significant others. This is a solid 3.5-3.75 star read for me. I think the second half is much stronger than the first half, and I'm glad I pushed through. In the beginning, I found it hard to side with Liz after leaving such a wonderful partner - I think this book could've benefitted greatly from Tobin's point of view and whether or not this came as a complete surprise to him. By about halfway, I understood Liz a lot better and was fully on board with their crazy i8mprov journey and her journey to self-discovery. With the lack of Tobin's POV, this sits somewhere between women's fiction and romance, as it's much more about Liz. A solid debut from the author and I look forward to reading more in the future.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

Read if you like:
🥈 Second Chance Romances
💍 Marriage in Trouble
🏞️ Outdoors
🧠 Neurodivergent Characters
🐣 Breaking out of your Shell

I really enjoyed this book especially as someone who has lived safely in many aspects and struggled with friendships and putting myself out there, I saw myself and some of my struggles in many small ways through Liz.

Liz and her husband Tobin have had a passionate relationship but there is much more that needs to happen other than the passion in the bed, like communication and actual quality time together. For too long Liz has not communicated her needs and allowed herself to live in a shadow cast by her popular and outgoing husband, but now, her final straw has been pulled when she is mistaken as a sever by a guest at her own birthday party.

Rashly when Liz can’t take it anymore she tells Tobin they are done and she needs a break, and she isn’t sure for how long.

This begins the start of her road to discovering herself and what she wants as she tries to step outside her husband and coworker’s shadow.

When Liz is recommended to take an improv course by her supervisor when she discusses interest in more at work, she absolutely sucks and to make matters worse, she can’t find a partner until her husband she is separated from steps in willing to help.

This story is truly a love story to individuals that struggle and receive late diagnoses for a diagnosis on the neurodivergent spectrum as adults that always felt different and unseen though Liz as she experiments and explores to figure out what she wants and needs in life outside of trying to people please and fit in.

As someone who has struggled with feeling different and out of place, Liz’s journey really spoke to me and truly makes me hope I can figure out a formal assessment because though a diagnosis won’t change who I am, I think as with Liz, it will help me give myself grace and understand myself and my needs more.

Thank you so much to St Martin’s press for my ARC and Macmillan Audio for my ALC of this one in exchange for my honest review!

Liz is stuck in her marriage. There’s love with Tobin, but not LOVE, you know. It’s a mindless, almost roommate situation where he doesn’t really notice her anymore. Work is the same. Always wanting a promotion, Liz is tired of being looked over. When she leaves Tobin she is determined to be a sparklier version of herself and signs up for an improv class hoping it will give her the confidence she needs to make a difference in all aspects of her life. When the classes don’t quite go the way she wanted, Tobin steps in to help her, with the agreement that Liz will meet with him to work on saving their marriage.

————————

3⭐️ 2🌶️

The first half of this book felt kind of awkward and uncomfortable but maybe it’s supposed to? This is the author’s first novel, so even though it was just “ok” for me, I think it was a solid debut. Second chance is one of my favourite tropes and this was a fun take on it. I could really relate to some of what Liz felt about her relationship and work- feeling like she was not being seen, and wanting to take chances, be bold and different.

A lot of things clicked for me with her character once it was suggested that Liz might need an autism diagnosis.

I got angry at her at times for not meeting Tobin halfway but I was also angry at him for being so clueless. He really was a doormat but it was clear he loved Liz so much.

The mermaid scene was super cute.

Their family was toxic (with the exception of Eleanor). Tobin’s mom and Liz’s sister were awful. They kind of redeemed themselves in the end but I was glad that Liz was being tentative about repairing their relationships. I did love that his mom let Tobin’s father’s pregnant girlfriend move in with her 🤣.


Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. Unfortunately I did not finish Rules for Second Chances. I did find myself interested in the storyline. I could not relate to Liz at all. I also found myself confused with the writing style.

Rules for Second Chances tells the story of a marriage in trouble and the work done to save it. When Liz Lewis is mistaken for a server at her own 30th birthday party she knows it is time to make some changes. In addition to trying to get her boss to take her seriously, Liz thinks it is time to move on from a marriage that has gone stall. Her husband, Tobin, disagrees and convinces Liz to try and save the marriage with the help of a book his friend wrote.

This story is funny, and very heartfelt. The chaotic beginning echoes Liz's feelings of being desperate to make a change in her life. The book then beautifully settles into telling of the hard work that goes into saving a marriage that has gone off course. The side characters bring depth, and humor to the story,

Liz Lewis is turning 30 and she's made a promise to herself that she is going to get the Magic back. She wants to be seen not only in her work environment but in her home life. With the help of an improv group and a book by a friend, Liz is finding her footing. Tobin, Liz's husband is trying to figure out his own life. It isn't until Liz lashes out, that everything falls apart. It's confronting her past and who she is so that she can have the future with the one person who always saw her. Communication and no more secrets are the key to make their marriage work along with their tour business. HEA are never easy but so worth it!

WHAT A FREAKIN RIDE!!!?? and it’s a DEBUT?? (OUT 6/25) Someone’s got to be lying to me.

I highly recommend this book but I also recommend it with chocolate and tissues.

Wow I’m still trying to wrap my head around the journey I just went through especially when I COULD NOT put it down. I had to just plow through because of the EMOTIONS!!!

(Can you imagine someone said this book was lighthearted? I’m scared to know what they would count as emotional)

Tobin and Liz are just…UGH I want to wrap them in a hug. I realize this wasn’t the most coherent review but this is all I got after this book just emotionally destroyed me.

I’m always a sucker for marriage in crisis but Maggie North elevates the troupe to almost impossible heights.

The amount of food I wanted to consume watching Liz on her journey, I think I bit my nails down to the cuticle.

The way I wanted to jump into the book and just bash their heads together while hugging them.

Also, the improv was just icing on the cake, I encourage everyone just to try improv, it gives more than one might think.

P.S
THANK GOD FOR THE EPILOGUE, it felt like my suffering was worth it

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the ARC of this book.

I really love and appreciate books with neurodiverse characters. It's also important when those characters go on a journey to better understand themselves and their relationship to the world around them. Liz's journey really represents all of these things so well. She was a great narrator for her self-discovery story.

With all that being said, this book was really so confusing and chaotic! There's so much going on: repairing a failing marriage, work issues, work pitch competition, improv class, sibling tension, in-law/parent troubles, friendship connections and self-discovery journey. Like I said, so much. This book wasn't long enough to cover all of these topics and to cover them well.

One other issue, I never knew who was talking when Liz was messaging over text. I usually couldn't figure it out until well until the conversation and would have to go back and reread. That's very frustrating.

Another random thing - Liz's best friend all of a sudden had this random connection to a friend in her improv class. So random.

I really enjoy second chance romance, but this one was just a miss for me.

Unique and unexpected. Just a really touching story that stayed with me. Thought provoking. Thank you publisher and netgalley for this arc.

Liz Lewis has always been different, socially awkward and introverted, but she tries so hard to fit in. She loves her job as a wilderness guide until she gets demoted to operations and office work to make room for more outgoing guides. Everyone seems to avoid her until Tobin. He really sees her and soon they're in love and married. Now three years later, they've drifted apart and she feels like a shadow in her own life. She's finally had enough and leaves Tobin to try and find a better version of herself. But Tobin isn't willing to give her up. "Rules for Second Chances explores the hardest relationship question of all: can true love happen twice...with the same person?"
I'm a socially awkward introvert myself so I could relate to the main character Liz. I love how Tobin treats her through their improv scenarios. He has past trauma that he has to face himself, and of course all of their horrible family members to confront. I thought this was a sweet and funny second chance story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As FMC Liz turns thirty she realizes she playing a secondary character in her own life. Her marriage is falling apart and her people pleasing ways no longer serve her. She decides she needs to make some major changes and joins an improv class except she's no good at that either. Her husband also joins the class in an attempt to win her back. As she and Tobin rebuild their relationship, Liz questions whether their problems will cause them to fail again.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

I adore a second chance romances and really liked Liz and Tobin. Howver, I didn't feel the romance or the conflict resolution.

The neurodivergency was done extremely well : This book features neurodiverse characters living in a world that, much like our own, was not designed for them. I hope I’ve shown the beauty and power of neurodiversity while also acknowledging the reality of life as a person who may not be accorded the same respect, opportunities, accessible self-knowledge, and ease of moving through the world as other people.

Rules for Second Chances took me a bit to get into and quite a while to finish. I went into this book thinking it would be more of a second chances romance novel, which it is, but many times it would crossover to being more of a women's fiction novel. That's not necessarily a bad thing, however, I think my expectations going into this book definitely impacted my experience reading it. I also had a hard time connecting with and relating to Liz, the female main character. I just didn’t fully understand or grasp the way she thought or why she reacted to things the way she did etc. I experienced a lot of secondhand embarrassment, particularly with the improv. That being said, I liked the MMC, Toby, he is a caring, and patient guy. I felt for him in many parts of the book. The mermaid scene was the best part of the book. I think had I gone into this book with different expectations, it would have been a better reading experience. Overall, it was well-written and pretty well done for a debut novel.

Buckle up, this is not an ordinary second chances romance. It is so, so, so much more! The dialogue really brings the characters to life and connects the reader to the story making it even more engaging. The characters are so real, so flawed and so special that you can't help but become entranced with their story and want to keep reading to see if they will work things out or end up going their separate ways. I love the ultimate theme of the story of being seen by the ones you love vs seen by others. I also love the neurodivergent aspect of the story. It is incredible to see a main character with a neurodivergent personality in such a positive light. As an aunt to someone on the autism spectrum, it is wonderful to see it being spotlighted in a positive aspect rather than the quirky side character. Kudos to this author for weaving a compelling story with such a special twist! I can't wait to read more from this author and being a series addict, I do hope we see more from the characters in the story as there is definitely the possibility of other characters shining in their own stories!

I was was pleasantly surprised by this story. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it at first. but ended up really enjoying it.

“Maybe true love only happens once in a lifetime. But what if it happened again with the same person?”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

✨second chance
✨neurodiverse fmc
✨miscommunication

This was such a cute read! As someone with pretty severe social anxiety, there were so many relatable moments in this book. I think the writing was so well done and truly showed the inner thoughts of someone who struggles with anxiety and feeling out of place. At times, she has so many different thoughts running through her head, which may be confusing in another book, but was so real here.

I really loved liz! I am not autistic, so I can’t fully relate to her, but the social anxiety really spoke to me. I’m used to reading about the super charismatic, outgoing fmcs, so it was nice to see someone like me for a change. She was written so well and the character development was 🤌🤌🤌

“Failure whispered in my ear: I wasn't good enough, and everyone knew it but me.”

Tobin 🥹 my little sweetie pie! He was so friggin in love with Liz and had some of the cutest moments. I also related to him at times bc he’s such a people pleaser. It can get exhausting! I loved seeing his development and getting to know him throughout the book. He cares so friggin much 😭

Okay, normally I’m not huge on the miscommunication trope but it worked SO well here. It opened the door for so much development in their relationship and themselves. I loved seeing them learn to find themselves and find each other 🥹 they weren’t perfect and they hurt each other, but they never did it on purpose. I just think their relationship was so REAL. Sometimes I don’t want the perfect story! I want to see the good, bad, and ugly like real life. This was it ❤️

“It doesn't matter if the steps we take are small, as long as they're toward each other.“

This book isn't for me. I DNFd at 15%. The writing didn't flow for me and I was having trouble keeping track of what was going on. Iay try again in the future but for now it's not working for me.

I have read 97 books so far this year and this is my first DNF.