A book that makes you smile and think. At a young age a psychic predicts the date that Nell will die - ensuring from that time onwards she strives to live life to the fullest. Closer to the date Nell is open and honest towards those she loves. Problem is, the psychic got it wrong and now Nell must not only face her words spoken but also her actions taken. Will it be possible to seize this second chance at life?

So it begs the question - how would you live your life if you knew you only had a certain number of years left? Charlotte’s fun, clever and wise thoughts encourages readers to live life to the fullest with what they have here and now. It’s not always the big and expensive adventures but rather the smaller everyday things.


‘You made me realise that you have to take chances and be brave.’

A wonderfully light-hearted, thought-provoking and uplifting read, with some parallels to Matt Haig's Midnight Library.

Nell already knows the exact date she will die and is fully prepared.

Having visited a psychic as a teenager whilst on her gap year, she has made the most of her life since by travelling and making sure to end any serious relationships to avoid hurting anyone when she dies.

She has sold or donated all of her possessions, hired an exquisite dress and checked into a luxurious hotel, where she suspects the staff will be used to dealing with unusual problems for their wealthy clientele.

The one problem Nell hadn’t accounted for was that she might not die.

Leaving the hotel the following morning in her fabulous dress, Nell bumps into her ex-boyfriend on his way to a conference. They split up after receiving very different predictions from the psychic, with Greg being told he would live for decades longer than Nell. And in contrast to Nell, he has devoted the intervening years to pursuing a lucrative career and accruing a large nest-egg to see him through a lengthy retirement.

Now Nell needs to decide what she wants to do with the life she didn’t expect to have, and also urgently intercept the final confessional letters she sent to friends and family, which no longer seem such a good idea...

Sometimes you just need an uplifting story to remind you of all the good there is in the world and how things can change in an instance. 'The Second Chance' is a wonderfully exhilarating read, I've never met a character who embraces life more fully than Nell!

Whilst backpacking as teenagers, Nell and her boyfriend were told the dates of their deaths. Nell was told that she would live until she was 38 so set about making the most of every single day, travelling the world, making connections, moving from place to place in a bit to make her limited time count. When she comes to D-Day though, she doesn't die- and so has to face life anew. She's sent letters to family and friends telling them of her passing, so when she turns up very much Not Dead, there's a lot of explaining to do as well as some bridges to rebuild in her new life, starting from scratch.

Its fun light reading and I loved every page. More of this please!

We all love the idea of second chances but we also know how difficult it is sometimes. I found this an emotional read a times but really therapeutic too. Not sure this was what the author was expecting but yeah, loved it.

I've had a really hard year this year and reading hasn't been the solace it used to be but yesterday I finally picked up The Second Chance and it reminded me of all the reasons I'm a reader. It's beautiful, moving and life-affirming and I completely and utterly adored it! I loved Nell in all her messed up glory - her heart was always in the right place and I was with her every step of the way. I was hoping for her to figure things out and to be able to get her life to a place where she could feel happy and settled. I especially loved her relationship with Juno, it makes me smile to think about it. I know this book is going to be one of my favourites of this year and I'm going to buy myself a copy to re-read whenever I need a mood boost. This book is wonderful and I'm so very glad that I finally read it.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

This is a really great read, witty and thought provoking.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance copy of this book in exchange for my review.

First of all thank you for approving my request!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The authors writing style had me hooked throughout this book.

I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down.

A lovely story!! Well written and made me
Emotional at times. A nice read to curl up with on a cozy afternoon.

Would recommend to anyone.

This is the type of book that leaves a smile on your face right up until the final page. It's expertly crafted, and despite leading lady Nell making a few misguided choices early on, the story is heartwarming, reminding us that it's never too late to shape the life we desire. The Second Chance is a brilliant escape, filled with warmth, human insight, and humor. It completely captivated me, whisking me away from the challenges of daily life. This book has genuinely convinced me that we all need a bit more Nell in our lives!

The Second Chance by Charlotte Butterfield is a delightful and heartwarming story about life’s unexpected twists and the beauty of new beginnings. The novel follows the story of Nell, who thinks her time is up and has sent out 5 confessions to loved ones. When she wakes up the following day, Nell realises she needs to put things right and quickly!
Butterfield’s writing is witty and engaging, with a perfect balance of humour and heartfelt moments that draw you in from the start.
Nell is an endearing, if misguided, protagonist whose journey of self-discovery is both inspiring and uplifting. The vibrant supporting characters and the charming settings add an extra layer of warmth to the story, making it a truly enjoyable read.
This book is a perfect reminder that it’s never too late to start over. The Second Chance is a feel-good novel that will leave you with a smile and a renewed belief in the possibilities of life.

The Second Chance delivered plenty of laughs, particularly with some standout moments like Nell’s comical attempt to escape a hotel in a ballgown without settling the bill. Another highlight was a scene reminiscent of Mrs. Doubtfire that had me in stitches. Additionally, Juno’s boundless energy was infectious and added a delightful spark to the narrative.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "The Second Chance" and all opinions expressed are my own. This book would be a good summer beach read. I liked the overall idea of the story and it was a fast read. Entertaining.

The main character I just found annoying and really did not like her. It made it hard to want to read her story and see where it goes. I just kind of thought she was a terrible person like maybe its because she knows when she will die but thats not a good enough excuse to be a horrible human and awful to people.

Thoroughly enjoyed this, definitely a great beach read. Great characters and story, would definitely be recommending

THE SECOND CHANCE by Charlotte Butterfield is a fun story about Nell, a woman who has known since she was a teen that she would die in her late 30s - and she lived according to that knowledge: traveling, soaking up people and culture, avoiding long term roots and connections. When her death day arrives and passes, and Nell lives on, it throws her world upside down.

I enjoyed this story - loved the premise - and found some of the characters really delightful. There was a lot I struggled with, though, in terms of the writing and the plot, which would prevent me from whole-heartedly recommending it. Based on other reviews, I may be the odd one out here, so others may really enjoy this.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC, which I received in exchange for my honest review.

A summer beach read must! Nell, who was given her time of passing a long time ago had lived life with gusto. She has settled her affairs and is ready to surrender to fate. Life had other plans for her. Changing from a rolling stone into a pebble that causes ripples to everyone’s life she’s come across. Taking a page from her book, her friends and family sit up and take stock of their lives and alter them for the better. Full of chaos and laughs Nell’s story is a great one. Thank you to NetGalley for this free advanced copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily

I've just finished this book which I have read for my book club.
I throughly enjoyed reading Nell's story. I felt slightly sorry for both Greg and Tom at certain points but was happy with the outcome.
Charlotte has some really lovely characters in this book. Juno being the absolute star of the show. I could just imagine what she actually looked like. It was so well written.
Overall the book really did make you think about living in the here and now. Perfect summer read. Very heartwarming 💕

📚☀🌈
'Practice gratitude. Find your passions. Do conscious acts of kindness. Connect with the like-minded. Nurture relationships. Cultivate optimism.'

This book is filled to the brim with a cast of wonderfully eclectic characters. Nell is a glorious protagonist and was a pleasure to read. She is fiercely independent, vivacious, hilariously funny and very self deprecating. She is a whirlwind and brings chaos wherever she goes. Nell possesses a unique ability to have such a profound impact on every person she meets. It's almost as if she can reach inside people and harness the best of them.

Baffled when a bus driver refuses a cash payment, Nell encounters Juno. Juno is in her late eighties, dressed in unconventional attire and is as vibrant as she is outrageous. They're kindred spirits and bond instantly, as Juno recalls stories from her amazing life. Soon, Juno becomes disoriented and is unable to remember where she lives. At this point, Butterfields writing is so tender and poignant. This brings about the beginning of the most beautiful representation of intergenerational friendship that I've ever read.

This story charts Nell's journey of self discovery as she embarks on her second chance at life, a life she didn't think she would ever live to see. Packed full of humour, wisdom and emotion-this book reads like a love letter to life. We're guided through a thought provoking exploration of family, complex family dynamics, friendship, love, grief and starting again. We see first hand the affect our past has upon our present, and how fate can intervene to change everything.

This is a powerful and inspirational read. My heart was so full and I was left with a overwhelming feeling of hope. This book continues to have a lasting impact on me, I honestly believe everybody should own it. Whenever you're feeling down or a little lost, reach for Nell.She will hold your hand and make your heart soar.☀🌈

This book was hilarious and so clever. The kind of book where you have a smile on your face the whole time you're reading because it's all just kind of clicking- the premise, the characters, the dialogue, all of it just worked.