3 stars

While I really did enjoy the actual plot/storyline, the book was just overrun with food analogies. I won't repeat them here as there's too many to count and if you read any of the other reviews it seems like they all repeat the same handful of them, but it's a little overboard. I get that she's a pastry chef and it's probably how her brain works, but every time there was another one it really took me out of the story because there was an internal eye roll.

The love story with Jacob was really sweet. There wasn't a lot of angst and banter, but it was sweet. I mean, I thought it was super believable because he's been in love with his best friend's sister since the 2nd grade and she never noticed him because he was her little brother's best friend. I know I've been there.

It's actually not as much of a romance story as the cover would make you think it is. Seems more like Chick Lit for me. It's about Sadie realizing that sometimes the grass isn't always greener. Sometimes things work out the way they're supposed to work out for unforeseen reasons. Trusting in yourself and not second guessing things and just being happy with what you have in the moment and what is to come in the future.

THE SECOND CHANCE YEAR by Melissa Wiesner is a delightful blend of charm, wit, and just a touch of magic that kept me thoroughly engaged from start to finish. Sadie Thatcher's tumultuous life takes a surprising turn when a fortune teller grants her the opportunity to redo a disastrous year. The premise, though not entirely novel, unfolds uniquely, diverging from the typical time loop trope. Wiesner skillfully weaves quirky dialogue and fun scenes with more profound themes, seamlessly incorporating workplace harassment and sexism without overshadowing the romcom essence. The book's cover and romcom premise may suggest a light read, but Wiesner surprises with depth, portraying Sadie's flaws and growth in an endearing manner. It reminds readers that sometimes, where we are is precisely where we're meant to be. THE SECOND CHANCE YEAR is a sweet and thoughtful journey with compelling character development—a perfect balance of heart and humor.

Was unable to get the audio for this to work. I contacted the help line but they said nothing was wrong even though I couldn't download or listen. Don't want my feedback number to go down

Who wouldn’t love an opportunity to go back and redo certain things and change your future? Sadie is given the option and it’s refreshing to see that it is possible to be given the opportunity and not have everything be perfect. This was a cute story about learning to trust yourself and be happy with who you are. I was glad to see the focus on sexual harassment in hospitality, which is prevalent, and showing it for what it is, warts and all. I liked Sadie but didn’t feel any chemistry for her with any of the possible men, even Jacob, who is the love interest in the book. Overall, I enjoyed it and recommend for a quick read with a heavy emphasis on working in hospitality.

I really enjoyed this book. I found the characters very relatable. The whole "what if" troupe is something in which I can easily identify as a mid 40 year old wife and mother. The audio narration was great and added to the story. Now, this book has a romantic storyline but there is no spice. I found it similar to Kate Clayborn and Sophie Counsens. I would definitely recommend this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and The audio publisher for an audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Second Chance year was a fun listen. Groundhog day meets BIG in this magical realism story.
It's new year and Sadie has just lived through the worst year of her life. She got fired from her job as a pastry chef at a high end restaurant and her longterm financier boyfriend broke up with her and all because she's outspoken. To make matters worse she lost her apartment and has been moping on her brother's best-friends's apartment like some sort of charity case. If she could only re-live the past year she'd make sure she keeps her mouth shut and her life would be fixed!
At a new year's party she encounters someone who might just be able to grant her wish. When she wakes up the next morning Sadie isn't sure is she got everything she just wished for everything she didn't! As she tries to fix her wrongs she builds unexpected connections that might just mean more to her than fixing her past. Sometimes the wrong are just right after all.
This was a great story and narration with just the right touch of humour, drama and romance. If I had to criticise it would be it needed a touch of spice just a pinch.

This book is like a cup of hot chocolate on a chilly day while curling up to a good book - or a movie.
Think of Jennifer Crusie, Alexandra Potter, Meg Cabot or Sophie Kinsella.
The Second Chance Year is reminiscent of our beloved 2000s romantic comedies
It actually reminds me so much of 13 going 30
I love this book so much i listened to it in one sitting - enjoying every bit of book

The plot follows our girl Sadie who’s been invited to a New Year’s Eve party
After a bad year - losing her job, losing her boyfriend, losing her apartment - the last thing she wanted to do was go to a party but her friends wouldn’t allow her to wallow on her brother’s best friend’s couch
During the party, she was chased by a clown which prompted her to hide and ended up coming face to face with a fortune teller
Sadie jokingly asked if there was a way to re-do her awful year
Rather than laugh at her face, the fortune teller warned her getting to re-do her year wouldn’t be what she expected but Sadie insisted on it anyway
As she went home, she was surprised to see Jacob - her brother’s best friend who allowed her to live rent-free in his guest bedroom - was on the piano playing such a beautiful song
Then they shared a kiss
And then she woke up a year before - laying in a bed with her ex boyfriend, living in her old apartment and she still hold her job
Now that Sadie got her second chance, she was going to do everything in her power to get everything she wanted

I love the premise of this book
I love how she ended up finding a new family and a new purpose
I love Jacob, the sweet caring man who always showed up for her and who never expected her to be anything other than herself
This is a great book - or audiobook - to curl up in during the holiday season
Please give this book a try
It’s a five stars for me

Thank you Hackett Audio, Melissa Wiesner and NetGalley for providing me with this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

What a cute story with a strong message. I was able to enjoy this story via audiobook in which I thought the narrator did a phenomenal job, I literally started and finished in one day

I was a bit skeptical at first with the time loop story (I've read some very bad executed time loop books) but, I was very impressed with the way the story was told. Sadie’s character was easy to connect to and relate to.

I loved that her personal journey was the main focus and the romantic aspect was sprinkled around until it needed to be the spotlight towards the end. I do wish I got a bit more of JACOB because I just loved him so much but that’s the romantic reader in me.

I am ROMANCE/give me the SMUT girlie but honestly the book was great without it and I don’t say that often.

Overall, I think it is a great book for this holiday season or if you are in search for a good book to round out the end of the year!

Thank you for both my early digital and audiobook arc copies from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley

This was such a fun book! When everything seems to go terribly wrong for Sadie, she makes a wish with a fortune teller that gives her a chance to re-do her last very bad year.
It was romance, magic, a strong FMC, and a super lovable cast of characters. I also really loved the narrator for this audio version.

Love! Love! Love!

Sadie the cat lady!

You will fall in love with this magical holidayish romance.

Sadie thinks having a do over year will make things right....but will it?

Struggling and trying to be successful at work in eyes of her parents and the man she has been with for years seems to be her answer....but is it.

Jacob and a small eclectic cafe may be what Sadie realized she wasn't looking for, but everything she need...and more ❤

I really, really enjoyed this book so much.

This was such a wonderful happy book! I listened to the audiobook and I just itched to listen to more every time I had to stop listening. The slow burn was exquisite. Her writing had me swooning with their HUGS y’all! It’s the perfect rom-com for people who love: acquaintances to lovers, second chances, guy falling first, and cinnamon roll guys. I loved all the baking references, and any book that opens with someone referencing The Great British Bakeoff has my vote of awesome!!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC!

The Second Chance Year is a story about Sadie Thatcher who is having the worst year of her life in the 30 years that she has been alive. She has lost her job, her boyfriend and her apartment in a short amount of time. Her parents didn’t approve of her field of work and only seemed to be proud of her younger brother. (This whole scenario made me think of Monica and Ross Gellar haha!)
She is so down in the dumps that when she meets a fortune teller on New Years Eve, she wishes for a do over of the past year to prevent it all from happening.

This was such a great story. It’s like one of those Christmas movies that you watch while you’re wrapped up in a cozy blanket and drinking hot chocolate. It had a wonderful mix of magic, time travel, and romance. I loved that the author included relatable issues in the book like sexual harassment in the work place. Overall this was a 5 star read for me. It’s definitely one of those “everything happens for a reason” books.

——

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this amazing audiobook. I loved it so much! Helen Laser did a phenomenal job of portraying all of the characters through her narration in the book. I will definitely be searching for more of her audiobook recordings!!

This book was so, so cute!!

Sadie, the cat lady, had a really bad, no good year. Nothing went right. Job, boyfriend, apartment. They all went down the drain.

Sadie happens upon a fortune teller at a NYE party and makes a wish for a second chance, a do-over.

During her second chance year, Sadie realizes maybe those things that meant so much — the job and the boyfriend — may have been what she wished for, but not what she actually wanted or needed.

The book is so enjoyable! I just loved so many of the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, Melissa Wiesner, and Hachette Audio for the advanced listen of The Second Chance Year in exchange for my honest review. I highly recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rounded up from 4.5 stars

This was a nice take on the classic do-over plot. I enjoyed the parallels between her first year and the second chance year and the amount of growth the main character throughout.

While nothing surprised me throughout the book, I did enjoy the progression and the focus on friends, family, and finding your voice.

Definitely pick this up if you want a cozy and quick read. The narrator did a fantastic job conveying emotion throughout and had great pacing.

Thank you to Hachette Media, NetGalley, and the author for an ALC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Trigger warning: workplace sexual harrassment

If you enjoy second chance time travel, this is a book you’ll want to check out. The premise reminded me of Christina Lauren’s In a Holidaze.

Sadie and Jacob are so sweet throughout the story. Jacob is a love interest that I will remember, and I simply wish there was more of him!!

There is much more here though than a love story. What engaged me the most about the book was Sadie’s struggle between staying true to herself and forcing alternative decisions because she believes it’ll turn around her awful year.

I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook. Helen Laser does a wonderful job bringing to life Sadie’s contemplation and internal struggles throughout Sadie’s redo of the year.

Some content warnings include sexism, sexual harassment and assault.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for an advanced listen to the audiobook!

The Second Chance Year is the ideal rom com for the upcoming holiday break if you’re looking for something light and heartwarming to end the year. We begin the story with Sadie, a down on her luck pastry chef, wishing to re-do her particularly terrible year on New Year’s Eve. Good news for Sadie because, unlike for the rest of us, there’s magic at play. When Sadie uses her unexpected fresh start to attempt to undo all the things she thought went wrong, it goes exactly as you, the reader may already expect.

Will there be an almost unbearable amount of baking similes? Yes. Will you want to use magic to strangle her sometimes? Also, yes. Was this adorable and cute and simple and nice for those of us coming to the end of a challenging year? Yes!

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for this ALC!

I would recommend this novel to anyone in search of a cozy and warmhearted story this holiday season!
For the last couple days, I’ve had my headphones glued to my ears listening to The Second Chance Year. I washed dishes as I listened to Sadie and Kazumi go to the Carnival themed party that would give Sadie the opportunity to rewrite her “very bad year”. I built a Christmas puzzle on Thanksgiving Day as Sadie started to see Jacob as more than just her brother’s best friend. I drove from store to store on Black Friday as Sadie tried desperately to change the outcome of her life and find herself in the process.

Melissa Wiesner’s newest novel is perfect for the holidays. It evokes all the warmth of a Hallmark movie while still having characters with real depth. Sadie goes through real struggles that a lot of women will identify with regardless of age. I also loved that for once the male protagonist was the shy one and the female protagonist was the extroverted outspoken one! It was a refreshing change from a stereotype.

I find that often a female narrator of an audiobook can take me right out of the story. Hearing a woman make her voice as deep as possible as she narrates the male characters can feel forced. However, Helen Laser was such a talented narrator and kept me locked in the entire story. She already has a naturally deeper voice that gave Sadie a more sultry sound and lent itself well to narrating the male characters too. She also gave each character their own intonation and style of speaking that made it easy to distinguish between people. Helen Laser’s narration really brought the story to life and enhanced my experience with the story and I look forward to listening to more books that she has narrated.


Spice Level: Bell Pepper: Making out; Sex is implied but never talked about explicitly

Tropes: Wish Come True; Friends to Lovers; Brother’s Best Friend; Found Family; Time Travel

Who I would cast in the movie: Sadie Sink as Sadie and Dylan O’Brien as Jacob (pre buzz cut), Awkwafina as Kazumi

Triggers: Sexual Harassment/assault (mild but could be triggering); Misogyny in relationships and the workplace

The Second Chance Year is the perfect book. The characters from the leading lady to the small-town coffee shop owner are all absolute perfection.
When Sadie becomes down on her luck and meets a fortune teller who offers her one wish, When Sadie wishes to go back to do her last year over she never imagines it will happen. With a little luck and magic Sadie is granted her wish, but is it really wanted she wanted?
Full of some comedy, workplace drama, and love the reader is taken on Sadie's year as she does it again and we see if she will make the same mistakes or if she will prosper and come out on top.
Everything in this book was just perfect and I loved it all.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5

» Time Loop
» Brother’s Best Friend
» Second Chance Romance
» A Little Bit of Magic ✨

After the worst year of Sadie’s life, she would do anything for a second chance…she’d even seek the help of a fortune teller with “magic dust” if it would give her the chance to gain back everything she’s lost. However, second chances aren’t always what you wish for, and Sadie’s second chance year might be more complicated than she anticipated!

Overall, I thought this was a really cute time loop romance and I enjoyed the audiobook a lot! I liked Sadie and her outspoken nature and the friendships at the coffee shop were so cute, but the romance between Sadie and Jacob was probably the least intriguing part of the whole story! I must say, Sadie’s main personality trait was baking sweets and there might have been a few too many baking puns for me lol - “Confusion curls in my gut like a Swiss roll.” - surely this is a bit much 😂 As audiobooks go I would say it is worth the listen if you like time loop romances! Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC!

Have you ever wished you could have a do over?  Go back and change the outcome of your decisions?  If so, this is the book for you.

Sadie Thatcher lost her job, her boyfriend, and her apartment in her "Very Bad Year."" On New Year's Eve, she meets a fortune teller and wishes to go back a year to change things.  She wakes up the next day, but it is one year early. Sadie navigates her and tries to change the outcome of her decisions. She also discovers her attraction to her brothers best friend, Jacob. Along this journey, Sadie begins to understand the cost of changing your true self.

I was intrigued by the first chapter. We followed Sadie from her perspective to understand her thought process.  She was funny! While there was romance in the book, it was more about Sadie's journey.

The narrator, Helen Laser, did an exceptional job of bringing Sadie and the rest of the characters to life.

I would highly recommend this book. This book will be published on December 5, 2023. 

Thank you to @netgalley and @hatchetteaudio for the e-ARC.