5 stars

Robbie Couch has done it again.

Dylan and River share perspectives in this layered YA contemporary, and this is fascinating because only one of these two best friends is alive in the novel's present day.

When readers meet River, he's driving past a horrible billboard featuring his deceased friend's face, some victim blaming, and a bizarre PSA. Losing a best friend, especially at such a young age, seems like a nightmare no matter what, but it's clear immediately that there are details in this scenario that make River's survival and life without Dylan even more horrifying than readers might at first guess.

Once the scene is set, the events move in a new direction that I had some reservations about at first but grew to find totally captivating. River becomes part of a study that is supposed to center on kids with social issues, among other characteristics. There's something fishy about this whole situation from the jump, but because I finished a docuseries about "therapy schools" for kids literally the day before I started this read, I think my impression of kids surrounded by secretive adults may have been even more negative than usual! That noted, there are still too many red flags to ignore. Something strange is afoot, and that reveal? Well. It's exceptional.

I enjoyed this read from cover to cover, but the ending is next level and enhanced my opinion of the book overall. Couch does a great job of unveiling some of the many complications connected to grief, guilt, and uncertainty, and while there's a lot of sadness at the center of this novel, it's not just a sad book. There's a lot of hope and growth here, too.

Every time this author has a new book out, I'm busy requesting it before I even look at the synopsis because I know I'm going to enjoy the writing, messaging, and noteworthy character development. This one really got me, and I can't wait to (1) recommend this to my students and (2) read whatever Couch puts out in the future.

But first, I need to go read that ending a few more times...

Thank you Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Another First Chance" by Robbie Couch is an emotional rollercoaster of a YA novel that tackles grief, friendship, and the complexities of moving on after loss. This book is absolutely beautiful, and before reading this book, I definitely recommend having a box of tissues next to you as well as a palate cleanser for when you’re done as this book may destroy you (in a good way), especially after the beautiful, heart-wrenching ending. I am going to continuously recommend this book for anyone who needs a book that will make them feel something, as I was definitely feeling a lot of things as I finished the last page.

From the very first beginning, Couch pulls you into the heart-wrenching journey of River, who is grappling with the devastating loss of his best friend, Dylan. The dual perspective, alternating between River's present-day struggles and Dylan's past experiences, adds depth to the story, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the characters' lives and emotions. I was sucked into the different perspectives immediately, and I found it difficult leaving the characters’ heads as I was so invested in their stories and the depth of their emotions.

Couch's writing shines as he delves into themes of grief, guilt, and the search for redemption. The central premise of the novel—a social experiment designed to help students struggling with social connections—adds an intriguing layer to the story. I have never read a book with this kind of concept before, and I absolutely love how this social experiment allowed for River to confront his own grief and the unresolved feelings he has for Dylan as he and his classmates navigate this social experiment. The characters are vividly drawn, each grappling with their own demons and insecurities, yet coming together to form a tight-knit group of friends who support each other through the darkest of times. The idea of togetherness that forms with this characters was absolutely beautiful, and I love how they supported one another throughout even when each character was dealing with their own struggles.

What truly sets "Another First Chance" apart is its ability to blend heart-wrenching emotion with moments of warmth, humor, and hope. While the book deals with heavy subject matter, Couch infuses the story with moments of genuine connection and joy, reminding you that even in the darkest of times, there is still light to be found. This was an absolutely inspiring message in the book and one that I will hold close to my heart long after I finish processing this book.

Overall, "Another First Chance" is a beautifully written and deeply affecting novel that will stay with you long after they turn the final page. Robbie Couch has once again proven himself to be a master storyteller, and this book is sure to resonate with lovers of YA literature.

I loved this book so much! I have read all of Robbie Crouch's books - each has been uniquely great. I think this book hits a deeper, sadder place than the others, but it is really sensitively addressed. I love that the author adds an element of something not quite a part of our current reality - it exponentially adds to the allure of the story - no spoilers though! I really loved all of the characters in this story, and especially the ensemble teen cast and how they related to one another and actively supported each other. It strikes me that adults don't come out looking very good in this story and that is an important insight as well. And for the record, the dual viewpoint chapters worked really well, and I feel that the author gave us, the readers, closure with that - again, no spoilers. I would highly recommend this to all readers, not just readers of teen fiction. It is a powerful story and left me with tears in my eyes - always a good thing.

Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

Why are there only five stars? There should be a million stars for this book. I adore Robbie Couch and have loved all his books, but this one is hands-down my favorite. Complex, relatable, believable characters struggling with grief and anger, confusion, and sorrow, paired with a weird social experiment? Perfection. I just wanted to hug River and Dylan, and my heart broke for both of them. This isn't the first book I've read where I've become ferociously attached to a main character who is already dead. Apparently, I don't learn from the emotional devastation that comes with that. All the characters in this book are so well written, and the story is wild and keeps you guessing. I truly laughed and cried and stayed up too late reading this book like some sort of reader cliche, but it was so worth it. I will add this to my favorite shelf and will absolutely read it again.

Thank you Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. Robbie Couch how dare you??!!! This book had me in tears!! River lost his best friend Dylan a year ago. Unfortunately he’s become a statistic, in their small town, for not texting and driving. River doesn’t want to remember him this way, Dylan was so much more than that. As a result he doesn’t really act the way people expect him to while grieving. When his school works will company called Affinity to do an experiment for people who struggle with social connections they highly encourage River to apply. He’ll never do it, that is until a classmate blackmails him into it. No one else knows what he’s done and if it gets out he will probably lose his college scholarship. He’s forced to spend a week in his empty school with classmates he never got to know. All except Mavis, Dylan’s ex-girlfriend and Rivers ex-best friend. They haven’t spoken since Dylan died, not after what River did. As they embark on the experience River, as much as he’d like not to, starts to make friends. Include Nash, his mentor’s hot athletic brother, who reminds him vaguely of someone. But is Affinity who they claim to be? Will River be able to handle the things he discovers about himself? And is Nash too good to be true? Can he reconnect with Mavis or will this whole thing just make everything worse? I absolutely loved this heartwarming and heart wrenching story! Told through Rivers perspective, with Dylan’s perspective on his last day mixed in! I loved reading from Dylan’s pov, he’s so sweet and caring! I also loved wonderful River, who’s trying to navigate loss while also holding on to all the good things about his best friend! I also love that the side stories of the other characters are brought in and my heart broke for all of them! I found the relationship between River and Dylan to be heartbreakingly beautiful and it gave me all the warm and fuzzies! Robbie is a must read for me and I can’t recommend this book enough, but be prepared to cry!!

This is, by far, Couch's most-mature and emotionally insightful book to date. It's a real pleasure to see his work grow and build. He's a real star on the rise. The story is incredibly touching and interestingly doesnt shy away from hard subjects. It's a pleasure to see a book in this genre treat its audience with respect. Can't wait to see where Couch's evolution takes him next.

a brief note before I begin. having read the first three novels from Robbie Couch, I jumped at the chance to read this one early. while I saw that this arc wasn't going to be available for the kindle only through the netgalley app, I figured I'd suck it up and figure out a way -- maybe just read it on my computer. Turns out that didn't work. so how much did I want to read this book? I read it on my iPhone. yes, I consumed this on the tiniest of screens because I had that much faith that Couch's writing was only getting better and that reading this one early would be worth it. and, not to toot my own horn, but I was right.

ok so yeah, another standout piece of speculative YA sci-fi from Robbie Couch. So much to like here, but especially how he develops his main character's inner turmoil. there's also a poetic tone to his work that has definitely been improving with each novel, and this new one has more than a couple lines that really sing.

and If you didn't get it from the opening note: I received a free arc of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I did not expect this book to have me crying so hard at the end, but here we are. This book follows River, who lost his best friend Dylan in a car accident at the start of summer. It’s a dual POV book, but told in Dylan’s POV from the past and River’s from the present. He signs up to participate in a study at school for kids who have trouble socially. There are spoilers below so tread carefully!

Things I loved about this book:
The dual POV was truly *chef’s kiss* perfection.
River was so so believable as a teen whose best friend died. I felt like I was on the journey with him as he came to terms with his grief and terrible loss. Not only that but *spoiler* when he still wants to see Dylan again even when he knows it’s not real?? I sobbed. SOBBED.
Dylan. He was just such a relatable character and I’m so sad he died. Him discovering his feelings. That perfect, perfect kiss. Him calling River. His final scene (real or not) and that letter!? I’m a mess.
I liked Nora.. at first…
The kids becoming friends during the experiment even as their perfect friends were created in their minds was so lovely.
Mavis coming to terms with her grief. I cried again.
When River realizes he was in love with Dylan and would do anything to see him again one more time.
When everyone tries to save River.
Waking up in the hospital to friends.
That final letter and that Mavis and River take the road trip!?

Seriously, loved this book so much. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Told in dual perspectives, It’s been a year since River’s lost his best friend, Dylan, in a car crash and he’s still grieving. Dylan’s girlfriend, Mavis, isn’t talking to him. The school is offering the Affinity Trials for those who are struggling socially, and they want 20 students to sign up. River and others sign up including Mavis. Everyone has to wear a disk on their temple and there are security guards. River wonders why? One night River thinks he sees Dylan. How is that possible? As someone has vivid dreams and someone else is inspired to draw, people are wondering are the disks messing with our brains? When River finds out he might have imagined something, he knows something is up. What is happening?

Books that deal with grief are often ones I shy away from for personal reasons, but the description on this book drew me in. The writing was really well done and immediately had me hooked to where I finished the book in two days. The story follows River a year after the death of his best friend, Dylan, in a car accident. He gets blackmailed into joining a social experiment hosted at his high school, which leads to a confrontation with his grief and loss of not just Dylan, but his other best friend Mavis as well.

The handling of the experiments was really interesting, I honestly wish we had gotten more from those moment! The reason the different participants had for participating was a mystery at first and I loved how the story showed you more about these characters and how grief can not only look different, but also the different types of losses one might experience. The conclusion feels earned after the emotional processes of the story.

I have so many thoughts that veer into spoiler territory, so I will just leave it at this: I could not put down this book and felt so many emotions at the revelations throughout the experiment.

I loved this book so much! I have read all of Robbie Crouch's books - each has been uniquely great. I think this book hits a deeper, sadder place than the others, but it is really sensitively addressed. I love that the author adds an element of something not quite a part of our current reality - it exponentially adds to the allure of the story - no spoilers though! I really loved all of the characters in this story, and especially the ensemble teen cast and how they related to one another and actively supported each other. It strikes me that adults don't come out looking very good in this story and that is an important insight as well. And for the record, the dual viewpoint chapters worked really well, and I feel that the author gave us, the readers, closure with that - again, no spoilers. I would highly recommend this to all readers, not just readers of teen fiction. It is a powerful story and left me with tears in my eyes - always a good thing.

Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book!