Not only is this cover beautiful, the story is too.

It’s raw and touching. @mnorthauthor brings the characters’ feelings to life and you can’t help but root for them as the story continues.

I started this one evening and the next thing I knew it was over. I just had to keep listening. ♥️🎧

Special thanks to @macmillan.audio for the ALC.

From the outside, I thought I had a good chance to like this story - a marriage in crisis where the couple use a unique method to try and help them resolve their issues, a wilderness guide aspect, and a little self-discovery along the way (aka, lit fic elements, which I ADORE in romance).

Unfortunately, I found the "unique method" a little too out there - the scenarios the main couple picked for their improv got really odd at times - and the self-discovery to be a secondary element tacked on at the end.

I don't even know where to begin. This book was messy in my mind.

First of all, Liz and Tobin's original breakup (conflict? issue?) felt sudden and like a huge leap. If your shirt has a small stain in it, you usually try to remove the stain before tossing it out right? Well, Liz saw that their marriage might have some discoloration (not even a stain!) and decided to throw it out. That's how it felt to me, anyway. (And don't come at me - I understand that hopeless feelings can cause people to react irrationally. It was the rest of the story that made the beginning feel even weaker.)

Second of all, Liz had an idea in her head of what Tobin thought, felt, who he was, what he wanted, etc. Did she ever once ask him to clarify? No. Tobin didn't help in this regard, as he was pretty silent and could have taken the initiative to talk to Liz, but STILL. For the way that Liz thought about Tobin, admired him, and was still attracted to his better qualities, I was expecting her to be more understanding and seeking.

Third, the improv scenes got weird (mermaids, anyone?). Are y'all sure marriage counseling wouldn't have worked? Cause it would have been a whole lot less weird than where y'all ended up in improv.

And finally, the self-discovery aspect. The whole book, Liz's sister Amber is dancing around at telling Liz something, but she doesn't ever straight up tell her. When Amber slips and says it, Liz is taken aback and has this moment of grand discovery and wants to research, tell Tobin, etc. WHY COULDN'T AMBER JUST TELL HER. Why has no one helped Liz see this before now!? And sadly, we don't get to see much of Liz's thoughts on the matter because the book ends shortly after. I wish Liz could have had this revelation earlier in the story so that we could be with her as she wrestled with it and what it meant!

Honorary mention - everyone's family was AWFUL... until they weren't in the last chapter. It was so hard to read about any of Liz & Tobin's familial relationships.

In other words, not a book I enjoyed.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for the review copies. I alternated between the ebook & audiobook for this story.

I can definitely get on board with the premise of this story - entering her 30s, Liz has a decent job and decent marriage, but she’s unsatisfied in both and wants more for herself – to paraphrase The Holiday, she wants to be the leading lady in her own life. As her life spirals apart in an effort to rebuild it, she’s forced to confront some hard truths about her relationships and how she sees the world. Through improv and a relationship-self-help guidebook, she works with her husband on prompts to find out if their marriage is worth saving or if they should both cut and run.

There’s a lot of inner reflection that I found to be quite relatable as a 30-something married woman, which of course made this an emotionally challenging book to read. For the first half of the book, I couldn’t possibly see a way for Liz and Tobin to find a positive pathway forward as they seemed to be such opposites – we later learn they both had battles that made them a strong partnership together. I really appreciated Maggie’s inclusion of adult Autism self-diagnosis – it’s definitely something that I think deserves a louder conversation in society and it was handled with great care in this book. It took me a while to finish this book – at 10 hours, the book itself wasn’t long but I felt I needed more breaks because of how strong my emotional reactions were to the writing.

After Liz Lewis gets mistaken for a server at her own 30th birthday party, she decides to shake up her life. She moves out of the house she shares with her husband, asking for some time, and takes up an improv class to improve her chances of getting the promotion at work she wants. Can she apply improv’s greatest lesson – Yes, and… - to manifest the changes she wants?

I liked that this second chance romance showcased main characters who were already married and trying to decide whether/how to save their marriage. It showcased just how messy a relationship can be after the HEA where most romance books end. I also liked the friends Liz made in her improv class. Despite knowing this is a romance book, I was genuinely unsure whether Liz and Tobin would make things work or walk away from their marriage. I would consider it closer to a women’s fiction book than a romance. There was a lot going on in this book, and I think it would have worked better to cut one or two of the side stories to focus more on the remaining ones.

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC of this book.

Thank you Macmillan audiobook for the opportunity to listen to this novel, all thoughts are my own.

This story had so much promise and a lot of let down. I personally struggled with the pacing and plot of this story I soft DNFed it for 2 weeks before I picked it back up in hopes it would *maybe* get better.

Liz Lewis is the type of girl who just annoys me in stories, sorry but it is the truth. Her internal monologue was long and drawn out with repeating herself often, that I felt like screaming I GET IT ALREADY. And Tobin her second chance aka Husband just didn’t fit the role that was painted at the beginning.

I love second chance romances, but this wasn’t it for me.

This was my first second chance trope, where the couple had a falling out at the beginning of the book, and worked on their relationship throughout the story. I really enjoyed the premise of this book but I expected there to be more camping or outdoor activity since both characters worked for a wilderness guiding company.

Rules for Second Chances by Maggie North captivated me from the very first chapter with its heartfelt exploration of love, growth, and the complexities of relationships. Liz Lewis, navigates a tumultuous journey of self-discovery and second chances that had me hooked until the very end.

Maggie North skillfully weaves together a narrative that is both tender and poignant, delving deep into Liz's struggles within her marriage to Tobin Renner-Lewis. The backdrop of a mountain resort town adds a refreshing layer of atmosphere, contrasting Liz's introverted nature with the vibrant, adventurous world around her.

What truly sets this audiobook apart is its authenticity. Liz's journey from a woman overshadowed in her own life to one reclaiming her voice is compellingly portrayed. The addition of improv comedy as a catalyst for Liz's transformation is not only clever but also serves as a metaphor for the spontaneous nature of life itself. The characters are very well developed, each with their own quirks and complexities that add depth to the story.

The narration, handled masterfully by Gail Shalan, brings the characters to life with warmth and nuance. Her interpretation of Liz's journey—from moments of vulnerability to moments of triumph—captured the essence of each scene perfectly.

Rules for Second Chances is a gem of a book that tackles serious themes with grace and humor. Maggie North's writing is engaging, with witty dialogue and emotional resonance that kept me fully engaged throughout.
Thank you Macmillan Audio, Maggie North, and Netgalley for this ALC of Rules for Second Chances.

I had a hard time seeing the connection between the improv and the wilderness stuff. It was a like, not a love for me. The main character seemed very naive, and her love interest was kind of a jerk, and I didn’t really think worth getting back.

This was a cute second chance, small town romance. The narrator was very good, but I had to slow the listening speed to only 1.5 speed.

I enjoyed the story and the progression. I liked that we got to know Liz very well, but she also had moments that were beyond immature for her age. It was good that Tobin also did some soul searching, but would have been nice for this realization to be told earlier in the book.

Thank you for the audio copy, this is my honest opinion.

I absolutely loved this book. I think the characters were fantastic, and their growth throughout the novel was just what you’d hope to see.

This book did a great job showcasing the hard parts of marriage and growing up together, adjusting as we change over the years, and how you can learn to grow together if you allow yourself to.

Very well done. Second chance romance is a top favorite category of mine to read because there is always so much emotion, and this book delivered for sure!

I love a second chance romance and after reading the synopsis, I just had to read it. Honestly, I couldn't really connect with this book. Liz and Tobin were an ok couple, but this book was slow. There were a couple plot holes that I just couldn't get over. Overall, it was an ok read. The audiobook was very good. The narrator was a perfect voice for this book.

2.5⭐ rounded up

*Thank you partner @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio for the #gifted e-galley and audiobook in exchange for an honest review.*

I got to 36% in this audiobook and decided I cannot continue listing. This is a hard DNF for me. I appreciate the author representing neurodiversity but the book is sooooo negative for the first 36% for sure and it’s so so
Depressing. Like such a drag to listen too. I find no humor in the massive negative views of herself. It’s the constant down drag. Also the narrator’s voice for Tobin was so awful. So so so awful. He is described as being rugged and low voice but sounds like a high hippie. It’s terrible. Can’t do it. So sorry.

This book has such a unique concept!! I was a theater kid in high school so the improv elements were so fun! I am not a big second chance romance lover BUT I really fell in love with these characters! This had a lot of great representation as well! My only complaint is that at times it was a bit slow. Overall, I enjoyed it!

DNF at 9%. The tone of this story is not sitting well with me and the main character, Liz, makes me feel icky. Not something I want to continue to explore with precious reading time.

Plot: If someone is interested in comedy, improve, or theatre this plot might be entertaining to them. There were some moments that were somewhat profound where the author really conveyed issues in their relationship through the scenarios they were acting out, but these points either felt spoon fed to me or I didn’t get them at all. The ending is this book also felt very random.
Themes: Discovering who you are outside of your partner is important and it’s the goal that drove the main character. This book is also representative of neurodivergent individuals.
Characters: I felt terrible for Tobin in this book. Liz is inherently bad at relationships (see above), but it was frustrating hard she pushed him away when he was making an effort
Writing: Not bad but there wasn’t any urgency. This book felt like it drug on forever.
Audio: done well

Thank you Netgalley for the Advanced audio in exchange for an honest review.

I will say I didn't mind the narrator as much as a lot of the negative reviews, and I feel I'm usually very picky.

Plot: The plot was a hot mess I am sorry to say. TOO MANY THINGS happening. I couldn't really get connected to any piece.

Characters: I enjoyed the MFC, and I think the author did great with the neurodivergent struggles, that probably a lot of people can relate to. I didn't get connected to the MMC. I wanted to, but I think if I got his POV, it would have helped his personality and development more.

Romance: I wasn't sold on the two together. The spice was okay. And I didn't like the way the second chance romance was written in this one for me.

Liz Lewis lives in a world of spreadsheets. The company she works for coordinates tours of the mountains of British Columbia, but Liz is passed over, left inside, unseen. The rules of social interactions appear to be written in a foreign language - one that people like her coworkers or her husband, Tobin, seem to speak fluently. Liz reaches a breaking point at her 30th birthday party that seems to be celebrating anyone but her. Something has to change. With the company’s annual pitch competition on the horizon and a brochure for a “voluntary” improv group in hand, Liz is going to make people take notice. Even if it means the end of life as she knows it… and the end of her marriage.

Rules for Second Chances is an exploration into the difficulties that come with stepping outside of your comfort zone. And truly, readers of this book should prepare themselves for sitting in the discomfort of some scenes. As a member of an amateur improv troupe, I know how awkward it can get. One thing this book gets 100% right is how rewarding it can be when you lock into step with your partner(s) and the scene just goes… right. It’s not about being funny. It’s about being real. Maggie North clearly understands that. She also conveys how painful it is to be weird and fall flat in front of an audience. While that’s also a relatable experience, it’s not always pleasant to read.

The story explores the toxic relationships and thought patterns a lot of us fall into, many of which are shaped by a society that rewards extroverted, quick-thinkers. Dismissive in-laws who demand unrestricted access to their children's time, critical siblings who don’t apologize for the ways they cause hurt, partners who deflect marital issues in favor of presenting “perfection” to the outside world, and work environments that push down quieter voices… Liz encounters and has to push past all of these. While I applaud all the themes Maggie North explored through the book, the story might have felt more focused if she had eliminated one or two. The reader sees over time how Liz learns how to take up space, set up boundaries, and advocate for herself. The character arcs of the toxic people in her life are less visible (perhaps because there wasn’t enough room in the story for them), making the resolution of their plot lines feel more forced.

I received an audio-ARC of Rules for Second Chances; I can vouch that the audio production fully immerses the reader/listener in the story - good, bad, and ugly. The narrator, Gail Shalan, has a breathy timbre that highlights the self-consciousness Liz feels, putting you right there in the room with her. I do think she had an uphill battle with accents of the various characters in the Canadian resort town where the story took place - ranging from adding a bit of the Canadian longer “o” to navigating French-Canadian, Dutch, Norwegian, and Australian accents, to varying degrees of success.

The parts of the book I found the most enjoyable pertained to the camaraderie that Liz developed with the women in her life - her female coworkers and the ladies in her improv class. Seeing Liz learn the value of being vulnerable with these women, growing into a more courageous and open-hearted version of herself, is a treat. It was also a lovely surprise to see realistic bisexual representation from multiple characters, as well as some honest, loving depictions of neurodiversity. I want to read more books with characters like this.

All in all, if you’re looking for a sweet, inclusive story about a woman trying to find her place in the world, you enjoy and appreciate improv comedy, and your cringe tolerance is somewhat high, you’ll like this one.

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Maggie North, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin’s Griffin for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.**

3 Stars

This is a story about a woman deciding enough is enough and is starting to look out for herself. She starts by leaving her husband. Then they embark on a journey to start over and give their relationship a second chance. This was an ok book. The audiobook was a little hard to listen to because the main character was full of angst. I normally listen to books on a higher speed but his one I could not do that. Otherwise is was just ok for me.

Thank you to NetGally and Macmillan audio for the opportunity to listen to this book.

This was definitely not a light funny rom-com so if thats what you're looking for move on.

buttttttt if you're looking for a heavy self growth and second chance romance, than this is it!!

I honestly would consider this more of a self growth story. I loved how much the characters grew and watching every step of the way.

Second chance, romance is one of those tropes I usually stay away from, but after hearing some good recommendations, I jumped on board with Maggie North’s Rules for Second Chances and fell absolutely in love with this story!

Liz Lewis is struggling both personally and professionally as she tries to find her way within her own life. She’s a second cast character in her own life and wants to make herself feel like the main character again. One of the major obstacles she’s finding is her extravert husband, the all-around lovable Tobin. She’s not going to be able to fix herself if she’s stuck hiding in his shadow!

Taking big steps, she takes a break from their marriage and comes up with a detailed plan to earn the respect and recognition she deserves in their shared workplace. To find her inner courage, she enrolls in an improv class to help her step out of her comfort zone… coincidentally, Tobin also leans on improv in a bid to save their relationship, in the form of an improv based relationship reconnection guide!

I found Liz and Tobin’s struggles in the relationship and work realistic and relatable. These were characters I rooted for from day, one to not only find a way back to each other, but to find themselves as well. The improv guide the characters use to build their relationship back up is something I would love to get my hands on and use just to enforce my own relationship. It sounded like great advice, and something that you could really use to create stronger relationships.

Liz’s characters, an undiagnosed neurodivergent, and she discovers in the process of finding herself that this element of her being that makes her so individual is also what has isolated her for so long. I thought her discovering her journey in this regard was well done and very poignant.

I listened to an audiobook copy narrated by Gail Shalan and found that she was a perfect match the character of Liz, while also doing a great job with her voice work on the other characters. The story is written from a single point of view, and the loan female narrator fits well with the storytelling set up. From the narration in the story, I found myself not wanting to press pause!

Rules for Second Chances is Maggie North’s debut and It has firmly planted her on my authors to watch list!