I really enjoyed this! Ali Rosen writes deep characters and engaging storylines that feel both character and plot driven, which I like. There were some really great lines in this one! I definitely got twinges of that longing and yearning that I love. Like “Recipe For Second Chances,” “Alternate Endings” straddles that line between romance and women’s/lit fic—much like Emily Henry’s books. They feature prominent romantic storylines but are also heavily influenced by the personal growth of the main character(s).

The story follows Bea, a recent divorcee who shares a son named Bash with her ex, and Jack, her high school ex. After years of no communication (and bitterness on her part), they find themselves thrown into work together when Jack is hired by Bea’s eccentric boss. We follow Bea and Jack as they reacquaint themselves, quickly become “sex friends,” and over time, rekindle a deeper connection.

The story felt consistently paced overall, and I appreciated the growth displayed in Bea and Jack— both together and separately. I liked that Bea’s divorce wasn’t harped on excessively. It was a theme and was talked about, but the majority of the interactions we see with the ex wind up being neutral/positive so the growth felt genuine. It was clear that Bea was really trying to get out of her own way to be a better mom/friend/etc. The romance storyline was sweet. Bea and Jack had some good banter, but definitely took their sweet time learning to communicate. The story was spicy in the sense that they had a lot of sex, but the scenes weren’t really explicit on-page. I liked seeing their emotional connection deepen throughout the story. The small ways they started showing up for each other contributed to the believability of their arc.

The side characters were, for the most part, enjoyable. But I did find myself frustrated/annoyed with Bea’s boss, Brigid. She just came across to me as very insensitive, blasé, and manipulative. I understand that Bea appreciates a lot of that detachedness, but the ups and downs of that relationship as Bea clearly worked to be better herself, bothered me. I wish Brigid had softened up better, sooner.

Overall I really enjoyed this! Ali Rosen is quickly becoming an auto-read author for me and I enjoy recommending her to friends and followers.

I loved Ali Rosen’s last book and had great hop for Alternate Endings but it was very lackluster and missing the trademark Ali Rosen wit.

While I really enjoyed the characters, wittiness, and romance in Alternate Endings, I found myself wanting MORE (of all three but especially the romance) by the time I finished. This was a very sweet book, but ultimately I don't think Ali Rosen's writing is for me.

All I have to say is I am so glad that Ali Rosen is sharing more than recipes now with her second novel.

Alternate Endings is the story of Bea, newly divorced and navigating coparenting, while kicking butt at her career.

Bea is working her way up at the company, but it involves travel between NYC and Ireland. That puts stress on her schedule with her son, but she navigates this like a pro.

But then, she is introduced to the new CTO of the company - Jack. Well, he just so happens to be her ex from high school.

But Jack and Bea suddenly become intangled with more than work. Can Bea navigate love, parenting and a new role?

This book was FABULOUS. Ali writes characters with such growth and honesty.

Bea and Jack have flaws, but the story is so on point with people gaining second chances and pure growth. I adored all the secondary characters, I could read about Bash (Bea's son) all day!

Thank you Netgalley, Ali Rosen and publishers for the ARC in return for an honest review.

This is a really lovely non spicy RomCom. Set between New York and Co. Galway (Ireland) it follows Bea, a nearly (newly) divorcee in her personal and professional life. A story about second chances and vocalizing what you want.

As an Irish person (a Galwegian in fact) I'm really glad that the parts set in Ireland weren't twee and full of misconceptions or preconceived ideas about Irish people or Ireland.

I loved this. And I loved following Bea & Jack on their way to finding their love for each other after 20yrs.

A real feel good story.

Alternate Endings was a sweet, slow burn romance with plenty of heart and humor. The characters were a delight, and I'd be hard-pressed to choose a favorite from the main characters, friends, co-workers, and kid. I also loved that the female main character was mid-30s, divorced, with a kid, and a high-powered job. Parts of the book are set in Ireland, so reading this around St. Patrick's Day was really fun, especially since the author is also a chef and provides some yummy, on-theme recipes at the end. My only complaint is that I found the pacing a bit slow. Even so, this was my first novel by Ali Rosen, and it won't be my last!

Thank you to Montlake for gifting me with an ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

I didn't love this one. The writing felt underdeveloped and the plot was predictable and flat. I wish the author held tension for the characters for longer because we all knew they would ultimately end up together. It had potential, but just wasn't executed well.

I loved this book. Admittedly it took me a little bit to get into it but once I did, I couldn't find enough time to just sit and read. I am very much hoping for a sequel to see what happens next with all of these characters.

4.5 stars

**ARC provided by Netgalley for my honest review**

Alternate Endings is Ali Rosen's second novel and I really enjoyed it.

I don't read book blurbs and I requested this book because I enjoyed the author's first book, which I listened to and I'm so glad I was able to read an ARC.

Alternate Endings isn't your typical romance book and I say it in a good way. I loved the way Beatrice changed through the book and how she is learning to balance her personal life with her work life and give love a second chance.

The book deals with infertility issues that accorded while Bea was married and the way her marriage ended have a huge impact on her current relationship with Jack.

Bea and Jack have history from school and it didn't end on a good note but now that he is working with her and they are spending time in Ireland for work, they need to find a way to move on from the past.

The book had potential for unnecessary drama and I'm happy the author didn't go that route and what started as a no string attached sex between Bea and Jack while they are in Ireland becomes much more.

I really liked the secondary characters, Bea's friends helping and supporting her and also her former sister in law who lives with Bea and is still one of her best friends. Bea's son Bash was so funny and I loved reading about him.

Really liked this! It moved very quickly and I finished it in two days. I really enjoyed Bea’s and Jack’s story. Plus Bash was adorable. I do wish that there had been more flashbacks from their high school days, I didn’t feel like I got the whole picture on what all happened.

But overall, this is a great read for anyone looking for a fun romance.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

"Alternate Endings" offers a refreshing take on the complexities of love, second chances, and the unpredictability of life's twists and turns. Beatrice Leal's journey through divorce, co-parenting, and rediscovering herself amidst the chaos of her personal and professional life is both relatable and compelling.

Rosen skillfully weaves together Bea's emotional turmoil with the backdrop of Ireland's picturesque scenery, creating a vivid and immersive reading experience. As Bea grapples with her feelings for her ex-husband, the challenges of co-parenting, and the unexpected rekindling of romance with Jack Sander, readers are taken on a rollercoaster ride of emotions.

The character development in "Alternate Endings" is exceptional, with Bea's internal struggles and growth portrayed with depth and authenticity. Jack's return into her life adds layers of complexity and nostalgia, leading to a poignant exploration of forgiveness and the power of second chances.

What sets this novel apart is its exploration of different paths and potential outcomes. The title "Alternate Endings" aptly reflects the narrative's theme of choice and consequence, leaving readers pondering the infinite possibilities of love and happiness.

Overall, "Alternate Endings" is a compelling and thought-provoking read that will resonate with anyone who has ever questioned the nature of relationships and the pursuit of fulfillment. With its beautifully crafted prose and engaging storyline, it's a book that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.

Thank you to Ali Rosen and for the gifted digital copy of her gorgeous book, which is both a charming second-chance romance and a thoughtful story about the conflicting pressures put on women as parents, partners, and professionals.

At the pinnacle of her career and managing co-parenting with her ex-husband, Bea's life takes an unexpected turn when her boss announces a move to Ireland. This decision, requiring frequent travel, threatens Bea's delicate custody arrangement. In Ireland, she is confronted with a surprise: the new Chief Technology Officer is Jack Slater, her high school love, who broke her heart. Their relationship, initially frosty, thaws into a 'what happens in Ireland, stays in Ireland' co-workers-with-benefits arrangement. As their connection deepens, Bea discovers a newfound confidence, thanks to Jack's quiet support. This evolving relationship and the complex dynamics of Bea's friends and boss form the heart of the story, culminating in a poignant reflection on past events and a hopeful future.

This book is such an evolution for Bea - deciding she can choose how to respond to the challenges in front of her, ask for what she wants, own her successes, and solve her own problems. I love how she navigates coming to terms with the dissolution of her marriage, gains confidence in herself, and how Jack gives her the space and confidence to do those things. He doesn't swoop in to help her; he pushes her to help herself. In addition to Bea and Jack, Bea's friends and boss play critical roles in the story. Additionally, Bea and Jack revisit their different perspectives on what happened twenty years ago, and each sees those events through new eyes. By the end, I cared tremendously about these characters and reflected on my own conflicts of trying to be successful as a partner and mother while also being dedicated to a job I love.

What a nice and a well written second chance romance. I love how the plot goes and as an adult I love how relatable all the characters. Looking forward to reading more of the the books of Author Ali Rosen.

Thank you so much for this book. I so deeply enjoyed this story and the characters. Will definitely pick upore by this author in the future!

I LOVED this book! I went into it expecting a typical romcom type read but was pleasantly surprised to find something much more than that. Don’t get me wrong - there is tons of grin-your-face-off cheesy romance. However, I personally found there was a depth to Bea’s character that you don’t always get in a romance novel and that I loved exploring.

Career women in romance novels get such a bad rap. The importance they place on their job is always their “fatal flaw” - the thing they must overcome and bend on to become “lovable”. This is one of the rare novels I’ve read (and the only one that does it well) where the conflict between her career and her family is not her downfall, but instead a driving force. There’s a balance that needs to be found, but her unwillingness to compromise her core desire to stay in a career she is passionate about is not construed as a negative, but actually a positive. It was a super refreshing angle that made me want to read a million more novels by Ali Rosen.

Highly recommend this one to anyone who loves a romance novel but also wants a female protagonist who appreciates #girlboss energy. So grateful to have been given the chance to review an ARC!

Roses: Bash was the cutest kid character I have read lately. Bea was such a good lead character and I loved her journey in this story. She wasn’t on,y making gains in her job but she was also making gains in herself with figuring out how to speak for what she wants. She became a better version of herself towards the end. I didn't mind that the romance here was kind of a secondary plot to her growth but I loved when we got those romantic moments between her Jack. Jack was a good character and grew overtime with Bea to create a relationship that was fitting for the two of them. They both grew to understand each other and what each other needed to be their best selves. Bea’s friend group was really great and I enjoyed them so much.


Thorns: Jack was not as swoon inducing as I thought he would have been. He definitely had his moments but I was wanting a lot more from him. I thought the Lucas plot line could have been used more. I feel what I got from his time on page that I wish he just wasn’t involved in the story. He didn’t bring much to me as a reader besides being the ex husband. Beas overall development seemed to flatline through the book and then all of a sudden skyrocketed and then plateaued again. It just made the flow weird to me.

I've been coming to really enjoy well-written second chance romances. It's hard finding ones that guarantee you romantic feelings that grow organically, but are at least a little "Oh no, him again?! I hate him, but there's no denying that he still makes my heart race like it used to" without feeling like it's fated and the adults in the room don't see reason like the rest of us. Ali Rosen excels at the tiny parts of those conversations that Bea and Jack fall into. I'm not an extensive note taker, but I know it's great reading when it gives me more than 10+ annotations.

"Aww, you used your words instead of hoping I'd intuit what you were thinking." (Straight to my self-healing curmudgeon soul.

I feel for Bea and the 30's era imposter syndrome, but she really gets excellent specific support from everyone around her, including her definitely-smarter-than-everyone kid. My only lament is now really really wanting a space-themed party.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

I've never read a book that used the word obfuscate so often :)

What a lovely surprise to find adult characters who know how to communicate, who support each other without backstabbing, who form a loving community amongst each other. No third act breakup - hurray! I loved all of these characters. I loved how Jack pushed Bea out of her comfort zone. She showed so much growth throughout the story. I loved how Bea stood up for Jack when he needed it most. Bea's boss, Brigid, is a badass and I want to be her when I grow up. Bash was absolutely adorable and I kept picturing him as Young Sheldon. I really enjoyed the writing style and will definitely read her again. I'm still thinking about this one days later. I didn't want it to end.

4.5 stars rounded up (a bit of a slow start)

I finished this book in 1 day- I could not put it down. I really liked the characters and found their conflicts to be very relatable (although Bea was a little annoying at times). I don’t typically like second chance romances but this was 4 solid stars.

I was given an Advanced Reader Copy by NetGalley for an honest review.

Though this is not really the kind of book I usually read, I love it once in a while. It's so easy to read, it almost felt like a gab sess with friends. I had a blast!