Such.a.good.book. What a premise - the FMC, Nell, is told she will die on a specific date by a psychic. So before that fateful day, she lives her best life....making the most of each day.....and before her 'death day' she writes some truths to be read after she dies....however she ends up not dying on that day! So the fallout begins.....

Death is a heavy subject but this book handled it so well....the dark humour made me lol many times....and I loved the characters in this book. Nell is the woman to be - living her best life!

The cover is simply brilliant.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for the opportunity to read The Second Chance by Charlotte Butterfield - what a delight!

Meet Nell, Tom, Greg, Polly, and Juno in this sweet, funny, thoughtful novel about second chances and how we face them.
Broken up into sections, the opening section is a funny one with Nell completely ready to die in a fancy hotel .... until she isn't. After that, things get a bit more serious, with frantic races to loved ones to get the letters she sent with her last words before they are opened. Naturally, that doesn't happen.
Nell is a loveable but avoidant type, eager to taste all the goodness in life but reluctant to taste it for too long, happy to get to know people but does a runner the second things look difficult. One great sentence in it is "I had made my peace with death but not with living," or something similar.
It drags a little in places, but overall, it's packed with sentiment and would make a fun TV movie.

The Second Chance by Charlotte Butterfield was such a unique and well written story!
This was truly a thought provoking and heartwarming read.
There was so much to unpack in these pages.
I was totally taken in and couldn’t wait to see how things would resolve.
An excellent book and this one is going on my “best of 2024” list.

Thank You NetGalley and Avon for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I recently had the pleasure of delving into this book, and I am beyond impressed with the mesmerizing world that the author has crafted. From start to finish, the intricate plot weaves a tapestry of suspense, emotion, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

One of the standout features of this book is undoubtedly its characters. Each one is meticulously developed, breathing life into the narrative with their unique personalities, motivations, and flaws. The protagonists are not just names on paper; they are relatable, complex individuals with whom readers can form a genuine connection. The antagonist, too, is not a mere foil but a multi-dimensional force that adds depth to the story. The author's ability to create such well-rounded characters is a testament to their storytelling prowess.

The plot unfolds seamlessly, drawing the reader into a richly layered narrative that expertly balances tension, drama, and moments of poignant reflection. The pacing is impeccable, maintaining a perfect rhythm that keeps the reader engaged without sacrificing the depth of the story. The author skillfully navigates through various plot arcs, interweaving them with finesse to create a cohesive and satisfying whole.

What sets this book apart is its ability to tackle profound themes while maintaining an accessible and engaging narrative. The book seamlessly combines suspense and emotional depth, making it a truly immersive experience. The author's prose is both elegant and evocative, painting vivid imagery that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

As I reached the conclusion, I found myself yearning for more from this talented author. Their ability to craft a gripping plot and bring characters to life is truly commendable. I eagerly anticipate future works and would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any reader who appreciates a masterfully told tale. If you're searching for a book that seamlessly blends captivating characters with a compelling plot, this is a shining example. I can't wait to explore more literary worlds crafted by this exceptional storyteller.

As a middle aged woman that has never lived her life to please herself the thought of doing just that is both scary and exhilarating. I’ve often wanted to tell people what it think about how they act or behave and never had the courage to do so. This woman loved knowing there was a tomorrow but only till a certain time. I loved it it was was with out fear. To hell with the consequences.

"The Second Chance" by Charlotte Butterfield is an absolutely remarkable and enlightening novel that truly resonated with me. From the very first page, I was captivated by Nell, the protagonist who has lived her entire life knowing her death date, thanks to a chilling prediction from a psychic twenty years ago.
Nell's extraordinary mindset and acceptance of her expiry date led her on a life filled with thrilling adventures, constant travel, and a steadfast refusal to commit or put down roots. She boldly chose fun over security, constantly seeking joy and excitement in every corner of the world.
As her predicted death date draws near, Nell decides to take a significant leap of honesty. With a courageous act of vulnerability, she posts five poignant letters: to her sister, parents, and past loves, revealing her deepest thoughts and feelings, fully aware that she won't be there to face the consequences. With her heart laid bare, Nell embarks on her final night, checking into a glamorous hotel, ready to embrace the inevitable.
But to Nell's astonishment, she unexpectedly wakes up alive, single and utterly broke the following day. Suddenly gifted with a second lease on life, Nell faces the daunting task of navigating this unforeseen opportunity. And to complicate matters further, everyone now knows the unfiltered truth about her innermost desires and emotions.
"The Second Chance" is a breathtaking and introspective journey that left me both enlightened and entertained. Nell's vibrant and colourful personality burst from the pages, charming me with her zest for life. This novel not only provided a refreshing and humorous narrative, but its thought-provoking themes also encouraged me to reflect upon my own life choices and decisions.
Charlotte Butterfield's engaging storytelling evoked a profound sense of positivity and inspiration. It urged me to ponder what I would do if I knew I was entirely safe from failure or harm. It shed new light on the importance of seizing every opportunity and embracing life to the fullest.
I can't praise "The Second Chance" enough - its remarkable premise, relatable characters, and unforgettable story held me spellbound until the very last page. I can only hope that this extraordinary novel will find its way to the big screen, where its brilliance can be shared with an even wider audience.

A pacy romp with a unique premise. What would you do if all your adult life you'd lived as you pleased because your date of death was preordained or so you thought? This is the story of what happens after you wake up completely fine after your supposed demise and have to pick up the pieces of a life you never expected to live. An enjoyable page turner.

Any book that can make you smile and even laugh out loud occasionally with the subject of death as a main story is a challenge that is done very well here. Nell is assured she will die on a specific date because a psychic predicted it so why not go all out in your living days to make the most of life and then just before the big day, why not write some home truths down to be read after your death. What could possibly go wrong?

I thoroughly enjoyed this for the wonderful story it is, but also because it made me reflect on my own life, highlighting the importance of making the most of every day but still leaving the need for a little future planning should everything not go to plan. The author addresses the dark humour in a lovely way that is both sad and humorous as you’d expect but in a well written way that was a pleasure to read. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

An enchanting journey through vividly imagined worlds and compelling characters. This fiction gem weaves a tapestry of emotions, adventure, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages. The author's masterful storytelling evokes a powerful connection, making this book an absolute delight to read. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a captivating escape into a richly crafted story!

Nell is convinced that she is going to die in her early forties, so has made no plans for her future and always lived in the present. However, when she wakes up in a hotel suite after her supposed date of death, she has to re-evaluate quickly...and also find the people she wrote letters to before lying down, some of them outlining a few disconcerting truths. She doesn't even have any clean pants.

Despite its strong setup, the story quickly slows down into a pleasant but conventional romance, with everything Nell needs pretty much falling into her lap. However, by this point I'd already fallen in love with the characters including Nell's business-minded ex-boyfriend, her potential new man, her golf-loving, philandering dad, and her disappointed mother and sister who have been waiting for her to come back, but aren't quite sure what to do with her once she does.

It could have had a little more substance to it, but overall this is a good, strong addition to the second chance/alternative life genre which paints Nell as a convincing human being, particularly at the beginning of the story, as she both revels in and learns to mend her self-centred ways.

It's incredibly difficult to write humorously, but let me tell you that I laughed out loud at protagonist, Nell, who does NOT die when she is predicted to. I mean, the premise alone lends itself to dark humour, but actually, the theme of death (or untimely death) is dealt with brilliantly well. There are shades of Bridget Jones as Nell, expecting to die on a particular date, sells all her worldly goods, hires an expensive and itchy over-the-top dress in which to be found, but remains alive. And broke. And homeless. It's a great storyline, well-written, and ripe for some kind of film adaptation. My grateful thanks to the publishers and to NetGalley for the ARC.

The Second Chance by Charlotte Butterfield is a novel that makes the reader ponder what they would do if they had a second chance at life.
We meet Nell on the eve of her death - or what she thinks is the eve of her death. Her date of death was predicted by a psychic and Nell has lived her life carefree, not bowing down to the rules of society, travelling, and not taking on responsibility.
However, Nell doesn't die, she simply goes to sleep and wakes up the next day. Nell then realises she has set wheels in motion that will have devastating consequences for all of the people close to her - her sister, mum, dad, her first love, and Tom a stand-up comedian she met when she sold him her bed.
What ensues is both humourous and very thought-provoking.
It's an enjoyable novel that leaves the reader fulfilled.

This isn’t my usual genre but from time to time , I like to read something more light hearted and while Nell is an adult, it’s a sort of coming of age for her mixed in with some moments that made me smile, some that were sad and a few that made me laugh It’s my first time reading one of this author’s books and I certainly wouldn’t hesitate in reading more of her books.

A real page turner. Funny and cleverly written. An engaging story which i read far to quickly.

My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

In Charlotte Butterfield's The Second Chance I laughed, fretted for Nell, and had so many uh oh moments.

Twenty years ago a psychic predicted Nell's death to the day and she has never forgotten it. As the fateful date approaches she decides to tell five people how she really feels: the good, the bad, and the ugly. She then goes to a hotel, checks in and prepares to die. Except, she doesn't die. When she wakes up the next morning, she realizes she hasn't a second chance and then remembers her confessions.

Ms. Butterfield addresses the whole "would we be honest and say what we mean if we knew we were going to die" question and then has our main character deal with the aftermath of that, laughs, tears and all.

I enjoyed this book so very much and related to Nell a bit too much. :D I'm going to definitely recommend this to my book club when it is released.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own. 4.5 stars!