What I loved about this one was that it was the story of Tobin and Liz finding their way back to each other. But more than that, it was the story of Liz figuring out who she was and what she wanted/needed. I also really dug how improv was uniquely woven into the story as a way for Tobin and Liz to connect. I love a romance that (literally) adds something different to the story, and this was that. Thanks to NetGalley for the look at this June 2024 release!

What a delight of a book! I love how honestly Canadian it is (as a fellow Canadian, I love to see this) and I absolutely loved the second chance romance sort of element that comes with Tobin and Liz's story. Watching Liz's growth throughout the course of the book had me rooting from her from page one, and I loved watching the evolution of her relationships, not just with Tobin but also with everyone else in her life.

Rules for Second Chances was a revelation! I never thought I enjoyed the marriage-in-trouble trope in romances, but I, in fact, love them. Particularly this one! Liz and Tobin were such likeable and warm characters. I found myself highlighting passages left and right. There was beautiful development with both characters, and the improv-as-therapy element was fantastically drawn. Romances with self-acceptance themes are like a warm hug, and this one went beyond my expectations. I would recommend this to any romance reader, it's simply the best.

This book blurb really caught my eye because the FMC is an introvert who felt walked on her whole life, but sadly it fell short of my expectations. I felt like there was a little too much going on all at the same time - all of the things that happen with Liz and Tobins relationship - both with them separately, but also together.

My main thing that I felt was the break in the make or break of the book was the improv story line - I got Liz’s reasoning behind but didn’t think the outcome of it made sense.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!
All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book because it didn't seem to fit the mold of so many books in this genre. It felt like a fresh take on it.

I think my original review for this was for the wrong netgalley book - I just finished reading this book and went back to write my review and saw it had already been written!? So I'm rectifying my mistake:

I LOVED this book. Tobin and Liz felt so real to me, as did their relationships and their pain. My heart ached for both of them as I watched them try to become who they each thought the other person needed them to be. The story was beautifully written and I'm dying for more from this author. If there isn't a sequel for Stellan and McHuge I'm rioting.

A marriage in trouble, Liz who is neurodivergent working for an outdoors adventure company. She wants to be heard within the company, but her idea for the marketing department is way off. I had wondered why she is pushing for an improv club. Maybe for a team get together for a night but not for a couple of days. But, anyways, Liz has had enough of Tobins out going ways and not really listening to her concerns especially for her birthday. She’s about of an introvert and he’s not. This was ok to read but I don’t know if I would recommend.

COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN!!! Maggie North absolutely KILLED it!!

Liz feels like people view her as the weak link--in her marriage, in her family, in her job. After being mistaken for a server at her own birthday party, Liz decides it's time for a change. She tells her husband, Tobin, she needs a break, then vows to become a new person. Step one? Signing up for improv comedy classes. Unfortunately, Tobin is the only person willing to be her improv partner.

Tobin and Liz must unpack all the things that went wrong the first time around and learn to give each other a second chance--and I was ALONG FOR THE RIDE. I was LOCKED IN. I was HYPERVENTILATING.

Increasingly niche list of things you can expect:
🤝 second chance romance
🏞️ outdoor exploration
🧑‍🏫 workplace competition
😂 improv classes
⛳️ golf lessons
🧜🏻‍♂️ mermaid costume

Second chances come in many forms and Liz took them by storm. Between figuring out her job situation and her re-falling in love with her husband, you are in for a wild ride with hilarious scenarios that are just the perfect in-between cringy and making you die laughing.

I am a killer for angsty romance and Maggie North's debut is full of it. I still don't know if I feel bad for Tobin because he deserved for Liz to tell him the blunt truth. My favorite thing about this book was probably that it wasn't just the romance between Liz and Tobin that was holding the book together, it was Liz finding herself in a way that made her happy. It felt very much like a Sarah Dessen book which is maybe why I love it so much. The focus wasn't always about romance and it was very realistic in that aspect.

I could start telling you my issues with the book, which would be the pace and the formatting, or I could tell you about the representation. North writes of an autistic character who doesn't know she is with an autistic niece and it is very real. You see it throughout the book and when she makes the connection, it is a heartbreaking but inspiring moment. As a reader, we don't often get to see the neuro-divergent representation in the book community and Rules for Second Chances does a wonderful representation. Honestly, I would recommend the book solely on this representation.

***Received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review***

A fabulous story about finding your way back to the beginning of your love story when you thought the magic was gone forever,
I absolutely adored this story about a couple finding its way forward after they've lost sight of what drew them together in the first place.
One of the most evocative, beautiful stories I've ever read about rescuing a marriage on the brink of implosion.
Full review to come on Bookbub,

I liked the writing enough but I just wasn't super interested in the characters or storyline. It's probably a me thing but I just kept putting ut down.

I applaud the author taking a chance on a h you don't typically find in romance.

3.25 stars. I feel like there’s a little too much going on in this book for the relationship to truly shine — there’s the relationship in crisis, a job pitch for a promotion, improv classes, family issues for both the the MMC and the FMC, and an autism diagnosis. The setting is great and well-done, so there’s a great sense of place, and I do like both MCs. My favorite parts were when they were actively working on their relationship and the friendships the FMC made in her improv classes as she came into her own. The emotional angst the FMC felt at her life was palpable as well, and made me cry. I would read this author again, and the book seemed to set up a different relationship for the future, so I’ll probably check that out.

A great spin on a second chance romance! It felt a little more Women’s fiction then a rom com but there were some laughs. Overall I enjoyed it!

*Thank yout to NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review*

3.75 Stars

In Rules for Second chance, thirty year old Liz, who's married to Toben, is tired of beeing overseen by everyone in favor of her husband with the 'magic'. The Magic being his ability to charm everyone, be well liked and easily draw attention to himself. She's convinced that nobody sees her for who she is, and decides to join an improv class and temporarily separate from Toben, all in favor of bettering herself.
So the book is mainly about Liz trying to change and be more like Toben, but it's also about them finding their way to each other again, dealing with dysfunctional family and making new friends.
It's not usually the type of book I read and that's why I wasn't really looking forward to it, but once I started I really liked it. I wasn't a fan of the sister, Amber, or the mother, and more than once Liz and Torben are push-overs, so even though by the end they both stand up for themselves more, I still wanted them to be more assertive. Also, the conflict was solved pretty quickly. The improv parts were truly weird, more than funny, but I guess that's just not my humor. All in all, a great premise that fizzled out a bit too quickly.

Rules For Second Chances is a cross between finding yourself fiction and second chance romance. Liz Lewis feels like no one SEES her or appreciates what she offers. Always pushed to the fringes of the crowd, she feels like no one likes her and she’s missing out on her dreams. Even though her husband is a bit of a dreamboat, she feels the distance growing between them as everyone loves Tobin and he is always rushing to save her but not actually hearing her. She wants friends. She wants the promotion at work. She wants the admiration for her intelligent ideas.. Improv helps Liz work on the parts of herself that she struggles with and just might save her marriage. Liz’s journey to finding herself and falling back in love with her husband is at times frustrating and Liz seems to make things harder than they should be. But the role playing in improv is often sweet and you cannot help but root for Liz as she makes friends and saves her marriage. The ending is quite satisfying and makes up for all the silent screaming I did at Liz in my head. My voluntary, unbiased, and non mandatory review is based upon a free review copy from NetGalley.

Liz and Tobin love each other but their marriage is in crisis. Liz moves out, and after a few weeks Tobin approaches her with a book written by a co-worker that uses improv scenarios to work through communication problems.

It sounds a little bit off the wall, but somehow the premise works. It took me a little bit to get into the characters and story, but once I did, I was all in. I was rooting for Liz and Tobin to resolve their problems, and got a few laughs at some of the scenarios. There are some great secondary characters as well.

This is not the usual second chance type novel, but it's very original and I loved it! Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

Wow this book! this book hit me right in the feels! I am a bit wary of second chances but I think this was done amazingly!
love the characters and the writing! the author did amazing capturing the feelings and making it all feel so real! I am seriously in love! I couldn't put it down and I read it in one sitting! beautiful story! 5 stars and definitely recommend if you are after an amazing second chance read!

I love second chances romances. However this one veered a bit too close to women’s fiction for my taste. Despite it, I enjoyed Liz’s POV and how she’s navigating a stagnating failure in her personal and professional life. I empathized with her feeling invisible in contrast to her vibrant, life-of-the-party husband. I do wish we got to see Tobin’s POV. The improv premise was interesting to read, but I wished we’d gotten more of Liz x Tobin vs Liz’s emotional journey.

This is not a book on improv, but it does involve several improv scenarios. At its core, the narrative is about Liz, who has settled and made herself fit as a square peg in the round hole of life. She is tired of not being seen and will finally do what it takes to alter that.

I really related to the character of Liz. I believe that we all want to fit in, be admired, not make waves. I truly enjoyed the interaction between Liz and Tobin as they worked through scenes in the Second Chance book. I rooted for them to find their way back to one another.

I wasn't sure what to expect, but I'm so pleased I had the opportunity to read this book. 4⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin's Griffin for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I had such high hopes, I love a good second chance romance, but unfortunately this one just did not do it for me. The whole plot just didn't work for me, the fact that the MMC decides to do something just when the threat of divorce comes.