Many thanks to Hachette Audio, author Melissa Wiesner, and Netgalley for providing me the ALC.
Release Date: December 5, 2023

Sadie Thatcher is closing out an incredibly hard year in her life in which she lost her restaurant job, her relationship, and her comfortable apartment and life. She wishes for a do-over on New Year’s Eve and wakes up to January 1st…of the previous year! As Sadie relives a year of her life, she gets a new perspective on the choices she’s made and the bright possibilities ahead of her. One of them is her brother’s best friend Jacob.

- Single POV from Sadie
- Genre: I would say it leans more toward “women’s fiction” with a side of romance than full-on romance. Lighthearted and heartfelt but not rom-com.
- Solidly engaging narration by Helen Laser

The story and protagonist is super relatable, as we’ve all gone through disappointments and setbacks in life and/or regrets about how our actions have shaped present circumstances. It’s nice that the author didn’t go too hard on low-self esteem or wallowing. Sadie is sometimes aggravating but that's the whole point of the story: her growth.

Although Jacob as the love interest is brother’s best friend, there’s no anxiety surrounding that dynamic or the brother finding out. Instead, the conflict comes from within the pair’s gradually developing relationship and their communication. Jacob is a really good, caring guy from the start.

It’s perfect for a New Years beginning of year read, or for any time you need a pick-me-up about appreciating life, being yourself, and finding the silver linings in life!

This was such a cute read! I love books where a character relives a day or year, and I loved the premise of this book.

The thing that grated me the most, and which led me to give it four stars rather than five, were the constant food metaphors and similes. I get that she's a pastry chef, and I can appreciate a metaphor or simile every now and then, but there was probably one on every two pages. She once compared her voice to fluffy meringue, and that phrase fully pulled me out of the story because it was so disorienting and confusing. I found myself wondering how a voice was like a fluffy meringue rather than paying attention to the story.

However, the plot was cute, I loved Sadie and Jacob and I really enjoyed seeing the differences between how situations played out in her Very Bad Year versus when she was reliving it. Sadie had great character growth, and the secondary characters were fleshed out well.

And the book translated well as an audiobook! The narrator was good and the pacing was excellent.

Thanks to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Melissa Wiesner for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the chance to read this gorgeous second chance, brother's best friend, time loop story.

Sadie has had one of the worst years anyone could experience. She lost her job, her apartment, and her boyfriend thanks to her big mouth. So when she meets a fortune teller at a NYE party, Sadie jumps at the chance to redo the past year. She doesn't actually believe in magic, but finds herself making a wish only to open her eyes to the same exact year. Then Sadie makes the craziest mistake of kissing her brother's best friend, Jacob.

The next morning, Sadie discovers she's in her old apartment, with her old boyfriend, expected at her old place of work. She realizes that the fortune teller's potion actually did work, and she's getting a second chance at her awful year. However, Sadie soon discovers that the life she thought was perfect had many red flags. On top of all that, she keeps running into Jacob, which does not help her as she can't get that kiss out of her head. Sadie starts to wonder if a redo year was really what she wanted.

I absolutely adored and loved this book. I finished listening to the audiobook in 1 day because I just didn't want to stop reading this beautiful story. In addition to many tropes I love, brother's best friend, and second chance, Sadie also discovers herself during her second chance year. This story also covered many topics such as how women are treated in the restaurant industry and expectations from parents. Sadie was such a strong fighter towards the end of the book when she discovered the life she truly wanted to live.

The audiobook was a fantastic way to experience this story. Helen Laser did an excellent job bringing this story to life through the audio. Very distinct voices made it easy to know who was talking and I enjoyed the cadence with which she read. I highly suggest listening to the audiobook.

I did enjoy listening to this book in the moment, but when it ended I just kind of felt so so! It was giving cheesy Hallmark Movie vibes (where it’s okay and semi entertaining in the moment but in the end pretty forgettable. I really wanted to love the characters too but all of them were sort of unlikeable and/or also forgettable. If I were to recommend this book to someone I’d definitely recommend the audio though, as the narrator is pretty entertaining!

All in all kind of a flop for me but I’d definitely read from this author again because her writing style was nice!!

3.0⭐️

Special thanks to NetGalley, Forever, and Hachette Audio for the review ALC in exchange for my honest opinion

The Second Chance Year is the perfect December read! It’s such an enjoyable time travel, second chance, feel-good romance. The audiobook narration is fantastic and I binged it in a day. I was immediately invested in Sadie’s story, loved the cinnamon roll hero and Sadie’s relationship with her brother. I highly recommend this NYE tale to ring in the new year!

Sadie lost her job and her boyfriend because of “scenes” she caused, and makes a wish to go back and do over her terrible year. It works, of course, because there wouldn’t be a book otherwise, so we end up on NYD the year before. She’s back with her ex and at her job, but she knows everything that happened to her the year before so she has a chance to redo events that lead to her demise.

This book was full of misogyny, and characters who just mostly went along with it, which I can’t stand. Well, Sadie had apparently protested it the first year, which lead to the bad events, so to prevent them again, she has to be okay with it. Yuck. That really turned me off because it became evident what she thought she lost was not great to begin with.

Her parents were awful, and still at 30 she was so desperate to change them or when them over. Gross.

I think this book had a lot of potential but the ending became clear to me quite early on and I was just annoyed waiting for Sadie to finally stand up for herself and so all the things she eventually did. Glad it was short, I couldn’t have tolerated more of this.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC. The narrator was good.

This book caught me completely by surprise! The writing is so engaging and fast paced, It’s a completely charming and smart take on the “do over” idea, and the author created such a rich environment that I want to get a coffee at Higher Grounds. Helen Laser gave an authentic, nuanced narration - subtle differences, but each character really came alive.

I received a copy of this audiobook from Hachette publishing through NetGalley.

The Second Chance Year
By: Melissa Wiesner
Narrated By: Helen Laser
Review Score: 5 Stars

Boogie’s Bulletpoints
-Wiesner really pulls you into the New Year’s Eve party at the start of the book.

-I love the characters in this story. Everyone is intentional and adds to the story.

-It was so fun to see the year unfold, and how Sadie attempted to handle each situation differently than the last time.

-No spoilers, but there are some really great life lessons in this story.

-I loved the ending.

——

The Second Chance Year was kindly provided as an ARC by Netgalley and Hachette Audio. Thank you for allowing me to enjoy this wonderful book!

Release Date: 12/5/23

Y’all. I loved this book. I loved following Sadie’s journey as she tries to re-do her terrible year and make it better. I loved watching her realize that her life was not what she wanted, and trying to change it just made herself change, and not always for the better.

I loved each and every character, and what they brought to the story. It was so much fun to immerse myself in the story, and I was sad when it was done.

This is another Five Star Read for me! Check it out.


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What if you had the chance to go back and change your absolutely worst year? That’s exactly the opportunity Sadie is given after having her wish granted by a fortune teller on New Year’s Eve. Sadie, a talented pastry chef, wakes up on January 1st to discover that her worst year ever hasn’t happened yet: She hasn’t lost her job, her apartment, or her boyfriend - and she intends to change things to make sure she doesn’t.

What follows is a series of decisions and choices that leave Sadie wondering if she really wants to change the past. Perhaps her worst year ever is the path to better things. The Second Chance Year is a charming time loop story with just the right amount of magical realism. It’s easy to cheer for Sadie as she discovers who and what she truly wants in life.

This is a lighthearted story with some heavier undertones. I easily fell in love with Sadie and her eclectic supporting cast.

Thank you to Hachette Audio, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and NetGalley for the audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Sadie has had what can only be described as ‘a VERY bad year’. At least, that’s what she’s calling it. Thanks to her outspokenness and inability to hold her tongue, her boyfriend of 3 years has dumped her after she ‘made a scene’ at a work event, she’s lost her job as a pastry chef in an elite NY restaurant after standing up to her egotistical boss, and with no way to pay the rent she’s moved into the spare room in her brother’s best friend’s apartment, having barely exchanged more than a few sentences with him in recent years. She would do anything for a do-over, if only there was a way to turn back time. So, when her best friend manages to convince her to crawl off the sofa and come to a carnival themed NYE party, at which she encounters a fortune teller who offers her a chance to try again… Sadie never believes it could actually come true; until she wakes up in the morning, re-living the previous year.

Desperately trying to avoid making the same mistakes as the previous year, Sadie tries to mend her ways but finds that actually this might come at the cost of beginning to lose who she really is. This is not a book I expected to have many trigger warnings but there is a whole subplot that centres around sexual assault in the workplace so please be aware - but it meshes brilliantly into the centre storyline and brings a powerful undertone to the plot. This book is also brimming with the most delicious sounding cakes and desserts, so be warned - have snacks and a sweet treat at the ready or you will be left wanting!

I thought this was really well done, and as someone who is not usually much of a romance girly this had me feeling warm and fuzzy and very much invested in both the friendships, the romance and the life epiphanies alike.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Second Chance Year by Melissa Wiesner was magical sorry about second chances, about seeing what is in front of us and learning to trust ourselves! It was a truly cute book!
I loved it! I loved every single page, every single minute of this book! It was fun and easy, romantic, and in some parts poignantly sad but beautiful!

Sadie just survived the most horrible year and luckily for her, she receives a second chance. She can go back and fix all her mistakes. It sounds easier as it is. Soon Sadie understands that not everything is black or white! Will she manage to turn around things in the way she likes or she will end up in deeper trouble than the first time?

This is not a Christmas story but I would recommend it as an adorable holiday read!

I was lucky enough to have an e-book and audiobook and I enjoyed both versions so much!
The audiobook is narrated by Helen Laser and seriously you couldn't choose a more perfect narrator! She was excellent, it was like this book was written for her to read!

Thank you, NetGalley, Headline, Headline Eternal, and Hachette Audio for this unbelievable chance to enjoy this book from all angles!

This was a sugar sweet be careful what you wish for book.

Our FMC has what she continuously refers to as her worst year. She’s been sulking on the couch and her friend manages to pull her out of her funk to go to a New Year’s party where she meets a psychic who says she can grant her one wish. She doesn’t believe this but goes along with it anyway and asks for a redo on her worst year. Nothing happens she’s not surprised she goes on with her night which ends in her favor. For her to wake up the next day a year back in time.

Our FMC will have to battle between whether she wants to finish what happened the night before she went back in time or if she wants to take this year to fix the things that lead to it being her worst year.

I just want to state how impressed I am with the bakery puns and metaphors the author put in without it ever seeming to be to much. I love a good pun!!!

There are great moments of romance especially if you like the artsy, helpful, silent type.

I also loved the found family found with in these pages. I wanted a hug!

First and foremost, thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Forever Publishing for the review copy of this audiobook.

Have you ever had a terrible year? One thing after another? Wish you could have a do-over?
Sadie's life has fallen apart all thanks to her big mouth. Her boyfriend of 3 years has broken up with her. She lost her very high end job as a pastry chef. And, with no job, she lost her apartment and is now living rent free in her brother's best friend's apartment. At a carnival themed NYE party, a fortune teller offers her one wish and Sadie jumps at the chance to have a do over of her past year. Waking up the next morning, she never thought it would actually come true. Now she has the chance to redo certain situations that led up to the cause and effect of her 'terrible year'. But is it all it's cracked up to be?

This book was such a delight and everything I needed right now. I loved the characters and character development. Narration was great. I found it easy to relate to Sadie in so many ways and aspects of her life. I would definitely recommend this book.

I LOVE THE FRIENDS TO LOVERS TROPE!

Right out of the gate the author does a fantastic job setting up the romantic tension. It only takes a couple pages before you’re INVESTED!

The main character is relatable, quirky and juuuust problematic enough that each chapter is an emotional roller coaster. (In the best way!) The audiobook narrator does a fantastic job bringing Sadie’s character to life and making her feel like a real person.

As you read (or in my case, listen) you learn that Sadie is a baker specializing in pastries…and the way with words this author has when comparing human emotions to baked goods is *chefs kiss* might be a little corny to some people but I applaud the originality! Made me chuckle a little as I read.

Overall, this book has all the elements of a great romance with a PERFECT happily ever after end. I will definitely be recommending!!

This book is the warmest, coziest, most charming book I’ve read in a long time! It’s got heart, magic, humor. After Sadie’s life goes awry; losing her job, apartment and boyfriend all at once dubbing it her “awful year” she jumps at the chance for a redo. Living on her little brother’s best friend Jacobs couch isn’t the life she envisioned for herself. So when a fortune teller offers her a way to relive that year, with caution, Sadie who doubts magic obliges. When Sadie arrives back at Jacob’s the two share a New Year’s Eve midnight kiss, just for Sadie to magically wake up a year in the past. While redoing her “awful year” Sadie finally sees the signs that she was never the problem and starts to wonder if now she is for asking for a second chance.

I immediately fell in love with this book! The cultural references, the quick wit, the characters dynamics with each other. I love the way each emotion felt in the book is compared to some type of pastry making technique. But this book tackles a lot more than just love lost and dream jobs. It tackles work place harassment and the inequality women face in the world and how to stand up against it. It shows the importance of chosen family and finding your safe place in the world. It’s very rare I get this feeling from a book, like I’m right at home in the pages. I feel like I’m in these pages with my friends. I feel like I am eating pastries over americanos with them at higher grounds. This book gave me all the warm gooey feelings I needed right now! I couldn’t recommend it more.


Thank you Hachette Audio and netgalley for this audio arc in exchange for an honest review! And be on the look out for this book at your local book stores December 4!

What a delight of a book! I am so happy I was able to preview it before it came out. This is going to be a must read for the holiday season. We all have those things in life we wish we could do over. Why not go all the way back to the beginning of the year? That is what the character did in this book. But as we all know, sometimes going back in the past does not always turn out the way we want it to.

Thank you Netgalley for the audiobook of this book.

I enjoyed listening to The Second Chance Year by Melissa Wiesner. I found Sadie to be extremely likable - it was easy to root for her during her do-over year. The chemistry between her and Jacob was palpable - perhaps even more so as I was listening to the two of them yearn for each other. This is a delightful tale, perfect for readers who enjoy a bit of magic. The audiobook version of the story was well-produced and narrated.

What a delight!

I had fun listening to this audiobook. I think anyone who is a fan of Rebecca Searle and some magical realism will be very into this story. This second chance, friends-to-lovers, romance is light, but also has a lot of meaningful layers. I think Sadie learns a lot in her do-over year and readers will gain a lot of insight about the importance of being true to themselves as well.

I think the narration was wonderful. The narrator really brought Sadie to life and brought energy, emotion, and humor into the story. The delivery was very well done. I also think the production was seamless and well edited.

The Second Chance Year is a contemporary romance that features a woman named Sadie, who has had the worst year of her life. Her boyfriend of 3 years has broken up with her, she lost her very high end job as a pastry chef, and she is living rent free in her brother's best friends apartment. When she meets a fortune teller at a new years ever party, she is gifted a second chance at her very bad year. But will it be all she ever hoped and dreamed?

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook! It was so engaging that I ended up listening to more than half of it in one sitting, and I finished it within a week. Some of the things I loved were that it focused around music and baking, 2 of my favorite hobbies! That made it really interesting to listen to because I am very familiar with those activities.

Some things that readers may want to watch out for are the fact that there are scenes that involve sexual assault. I also didn't find it believable that Sadie could be a loudmouth in her past life, but then when her boss and restaurant client grope her, she has nothing to say. I just feel like if there was any time to be a loudmouth, that would be acceptable. I also didn't find it believable that 3 years into her relationship with Alex they barely seemed to see each other and didn't live together.

My favorite characters are Sadie, Kazumi, Jacob, and Owen. I also loved the characters that worked at higher grounds. Their friendships/romance was very sweet.

The audiobook narrator had a very sharp tone. At first it was jarring, but I got used to her voice after a little bit. I did have a bit of trouble figuring out when Sadie talking out loud and when I was listening to her thoughts. I still think she did a great job, all the narration was crisp/clear.

I would highly recommend this novel to people looking for a non-spicy romance. The characters were in their 30's so this would be great for adult reader in that walk of life. Thank you to netgalley and Hachette Audio for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

4/5 stars

Don't read this book if you are trying to avoid dessert. Not only is our main character Sadie a pastry chef, but the narrative is full of baking similes. I myself am a big fan of a delectable dessert, so I plunged ahead. After a disastrous year where she lost a job, boyfriend, and her apartment; Sadie is ready to try anything. Desperate enough to try the vodka shot potion given her by a fortune-teller at a NYE party. She wishes for a do-over and wakes up like that last year never happened. Now what will she do to avoid the mistakes of the past year? It is hard work! There is a good amount of déjà vu as you might imagine. I appreciated the variations that would pop up while the cast of characters remained constant. What if Sadie discovers that she really didn't want what she thought she did? Will it be too late? Includes a strong #metoo thread, an adorable rescue kitten named Giocuso, and the most adorable boyfriend ever.

Thank you to Hachette Audio, Forever(Grand Central Publishing), and NetGalley for both audio and digital ARCS. All opinions are my own.