★★★★✩ 4 stars

Liz Lewis always feels overlooked and out of place. No one seems ever to see her efforts or talents because she's an introvert. Tobin Renner-Lewis, her husband, is seemingly the most extroverted and charismatic man ever to exist. Ever since Liz and Tobin got married, Liz felt as if their communication and passion disappeared. In a journey to find herself and what she truly wants, can Liz also fall in love for the second time?
Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for early access to the audiobook version of this!

➥things I liked
Rules for Second Chances was such an inspirational and enjoyable read, and I rarely felt bored or underwhelmed. Maggie North's writing made it so easy to connect with Liz and empathize with her as a person. I felt like her neurodivergent traits were described well and realistically (though I am not neurodivergent myself, so I can't say much on the topic). I loved watching Liz discover who she is and fix the mistakes she made in the past. The ending was so cute and felt perfectly paced. I also loved Tobin and how lovable he is but also how he was able to work through his trauma with his dad and learn to set boundaries. Another thing is I enjoyed how the author described the setting, and it just added to the whole vibe of the book. Reading about their improv adventures while hiking by the mountains, for example, is just such an amazing scene and has humor, romance, and picturesque.

ꨄthings I didn't like
I honestly don't have many complaints about this book, but I just didn't initially feel very emotionally connected with Tobin and Liz's relationship. I understand that is kind of the point, but the feeling lasted longer than I would have liked.

♫playlist
Let My Love Open the Door by Pete Townshend
So High School by Taylor Swift
Sunsetz by Cigarettes After Sex
exile by Taylor Swift and Bon Iver
Mess It Up by Gracie Abrams
ballad of a homeschooled girl by Olivia Rodrigo
making the bed by Olivia Rodrigo

In Rules For Second Chances, Liz needs to find herself and separates from her husband. And in trying to find confidence in who she is, she takes an improv class and she and her husband follow a guidebook for second chances, and all in, she really embraces her potential and learns to be happy with herself. And the backdrop is that she and her husband work for an outdoorsy wilderness kind of company.
This book was really sweet and frothy. One of these books that I really enjoyed reading but will sort of blur into other summer romcoms in my mind, if you know what I mean. I always love a good self-discovery book with feel good vibes and this served it up. The improv classmates added some levity and humor. Overall, just a heartwarming read.

I didn’t finish this one. I did like that there was autism representation, but I had a really hard time connecting with the characters which made it difficult in moving forward with the story.

Mixed feelings abound with this book.
At the outset, I found myself really resonating with the main character due to her introverted and socially awkward nature. Her experiences and struggles initially made me feel seen, as if the author had perfectly captured the essence of what it's like to navigate life with these traits.

However, as the story progressed, my initial empathy began to wane. The main character's inner monologue, which started off relatable, gradually morphed into a repetitive and somewhat grating "woe is me" attitude.

One of the significant drawbacks of the book is the lack of perspective from the male main character. This absence made the story feel flat and one-dimensional. His point of view could have provided a much-needed balance and depth, enriching the overall reading experience.

The late realization of the main character's autism also felt like an afterthought. This aspect of her identity, which could have added layers of complexity and richness to her character, was not explored in depth. Instead, it was briefly touched upon and then left hanging, which felt like a missed opportunity for deeper engagement and understanding.

This book is very much about self-discovery rather than just a marriage in crisis or second chance romance. Although I could empathize with the main character's desire to be seen and not overlooked, I found it challenging to root for her or understand her motivations, particularly regarding her desire for a divorce. Her actions & motivations for wanting a divorce, made it hard to fully connect with her journey.

Additionally, the pacing of the book felt uneven. The middle sections dragged, with the narrative & imrov scenes becoming slow and somewhat monotonous. Then, towards the end, there was a sudden rush of plot points, which made the conclusion feel hurried and somewhat disjointed.

Despite these criticisms, there were moments where the story was genuinely cute and heartwarming. The interactions between characters had their charming moments, especially the mermaid improv scene.

Thank you to the Macmillan Audio & author for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very enjoyable story - especially on audio.

Read this story if you enjoy:
✨Second chance romance
✨Neuro-diverse rep
✨Outdoor vibes
✨Improv comedy

There are so many lovely moments in this story. It’s not all sunshine and roses - but it really takes a look at what this FMC needs to do to really be herself and find her strength again. There were times when she frustrated me a little bit, but I could also see the journey she was on and I was invested in her character arc. I also felt for her as she tried to find her own way in a very male dominated career field. I thought the representation of quickly getting pigeon-holed into a role in a job was a very accurate portrayal of what happens all too often in work settings.

The romance aspect of this storyline felt secondary to the story of growth and self-focus that was prominent throughout the book. I loved the improv comedy angle. There's so much that can be learned from improv classes and applied to real life interactions. The angle of the relationship book was creative and made more sense with how these two characters came back together.

Overall, this was a great book to read on audio. Very well narrated and engaging throughout! Thank you to Macmillan audio and Netgalley for the ALC to read! All thoughts are my own.

"I didn't realize how much energy I was burning to make myself small. I'm burned out."

These lines got me. I had said these words about avoiding fights with someone but in the emotional Rules For Second Chances by brutally honest debut RomCom author Maggie North, Liz is avoiding everybody including herself.

Liz and Tobin are married and love each other but something has been off; especially for Liz. The very first chapter is heartbreaking as Liz is uncomfortable at her own birthday party, where she's mistaken for the waitress. She leaves the party unnoticed. It's her breaking point.

Tobin follows her and tries to talk to her but she's too upset to fully express what she is feeling; if she even understands it herself. It ends with her moving out.

Always socially awkward, introverted, Liz decides to find the "magic" that will make her a success at love, work and life...with an improv class! The main rule in improv is not to say "but, no" instead to say, "yes, and." I have to say this rule and the others are life changers.

Voice actress Gail Shalan gives the perfect balance between Liz's hectic anxiety ridden feelings, her anxious need to change, "This is my life and I'm playing a supporting role," and her exhaustion from being out of her comfort zone.

Her cinnamon roll hubby is not giving up. It seems he's willing to work out improv scenes with Liz. They are hilarious, loving and sweet together.

I prefer a dual POV in RomComs but this writer gives Tobin a spotlight at the end. It's a bit rushed as Liz has an awakening about being neurodivergent. I wish more time was spent with her and a professional exploring this revelation and Tobin's role in adjusting to it. Still the Rules For Second Chances are worth abiding in love and life.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from Macmillan Audio via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I went into this not liking it, it got a little better and then I just became disinterested in it. It’s not a bad story, it’s just not the story for me. Overall it was cute and if you want to read something with autism rep, this would be a good place to start. But in general it just kinda fell flat for me and was a struggle to get thru.

I've seen some mixed reviews on this one, but I have to say, as a special ed teacher, I love reading books about successful neurodivergent people and this one really delivered. I also really appreciate books that highlight how hard marriage can be sometimes. I feel like often, our stories get their HEA and that’s it, but sometimes marriage can be difficult and this book really leans into that. It also really leans into finding yourself outside of your relationships.

So hi, there was a lot about this one that I really liked. Liz is awkward and unsure of herself and her husband is the life of the party. She reaches a breaking point, knowing she wants more for herself. We follow as she enrolls in an improv comedy class and goes on to become a strong, independent woman who also knows love can support her without taking away her own light.

I’m a huge sucker for second chance romance, so this was an automatic grab for me. It’s out today and you should grab it!

This was just a miss all around. This one was first on my radar because I like a second chance, marriage in trouble vibe. But then I saw some early reviews and I kind of went into this one with lowered expectations because of those. And it still just wasn’t it. The story felt jumbled, I didn’t get why the heroine wanted a divorce, the hero was so sweet, the improv and rules was just not it. Just very meh overall.

I had an audio ALC from NetGalley, all thoughts in this review are my own.

The story revolves around Liz Lewis, a woman who is considered "different" in her wilderness expedition world and is stuck in a toxic marriage with popular guide Tobin Renner-Lewis. At her own 30th birthday party, she is mistaken for a server, which prompts her to join an improv class to gain confidence, despite her struggles. Tobin, who is determined to save their marriage, becomes her practice partner. As they rebuild their connection, Liz addresses their past issues and her social awkwardness, suspecting it might be more profound. This story has been praised for its heartfelt and layered storytelling and deals with serious issues like marriage crises and autism while maintaining a tender, romantic core. Gail Shalan's narration effectively captures Liz's stress and anxiety, making this audiobook an engaging listen.

I absolutely LOVED this story! I always love stories that involve women taking hold of their lives and this beautiful story about starting again, and falling in love with your spouse all over again was so wonderful! There is so much beautiful depth and heart and steam and I loved the celebration of neurodiversity as the character began to understand herself better. And the audiobook narration was fantastic!

I picked up the book and listened to the audiobook. I had a hard time following this second-chance romance between Liz and Tobin. I enjoyed the first half but got lost in the second half. I'm sure others will enjoy this "marriage-in-crisis" book, but it was not for me. I LOVED the cover and the premise, but I'm sad this book was a miss for me overall. I wanted to enjoy it.

I really enjoyed this story, the setting ,and the writing. I think at times the narration just felt a bit empty, and the male voices done by the narrator took me out of the story at times.

Lots to unpack in this book. Liz and Tobin are at a crossroads. They are so very different in many ways. Liz has always been shy, uncomfortable in most social situations and to most of those who know her, a bit different. Tobin is the one everyone gravitates towards. He is the center of whatever space he is in and liked by everyone he meets. She relies on him in so many ways until she realizes she has become invisible to most, treated poorly, underestimated, taken advantage of by many and has become a background player in her own life. She goes along until one day she realizes she has had enough. It’s a long and emotional road to her finding herself, making herself seen and heard and them finding their way back to each other with a lot of hard work, emotional conversations and honestly. I enjoyed this well narrated audiobook..

Super introverted and socially awkward Liz is tired of being overlooked by everyone in her life and she’s fed up with her husband both being a total pushover to everyone else in their lives and also not being a great communicator. It’s basically a co-dependent mess of terrible family members as Liz walks out of her birthday party held at her mother-in-law’s house (where someone has mistaken her for a server), next door to her own house, packs her stuff, and then goes three houses down to her childhood home where her single mother sister lives with a six-year old niece. Liz’s husband Tobin is the ultimate nice guy and life of the party and has his own issues of trying to be perfect so that people don’t leave him. Add on the fact that Liz is tired of being overlooked at work and somehow gets voluntold to take an improv class to help her social awkwardness. And then having no friends to practice her improv with, she ends up working with Tobin on various scenarios from a relationship self-help book that uses improv as a communication technique. This book is told from Liz’s point of view and you can definitely feel all the levels of anxiety she’s experiencing as she’s going through all of these uncomfortable situations. While this book was definitely emotional, I had a hard time relating to the lack of communication between Liz and Tobin, and both of their respective families are pretty much terrible and contributed to the downfall of their relationship. I was glad to see them work out their issues and communicate better, but they’d probably be better served moving away from their over-involved family members.

The initial start of this grabbed my attention immediately. But then, I am not sure where the disconnect began. I wouldn't say this is a rom-com in any capacity. It is more of a woman's fiction with romantic undertones. This really brings to light how we can outgrow things, especially relationships. Which is where the majority of this story goes and brushes on. Liz is confronted with a lot of personal issues that she is forced to face (her job, her marriage, her family). I related to her a lot in this aspect and I think if it was categorized as a more woman's fiction genre, it would grab a better audience. It wasn't a horrible book, but the romance part of it lacked a lot. It is more of the growth and development of ones life as they outgrow relationships.

**𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘** 𝑹𝒖𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒃𝒚 𝑴𝒂𝒈𝒈𝒊𝒆 𝑵𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉

Release Date: June 25, 2024

4.5⭐️3🌶

This book hit me right in my neurodivergent heart! Everything about Liz I can relate to. From her inability to connect with people at work and at home, to her constant self doubt and feeling like everyone is less-socially awkward than her.

Liz is in a stalled marriage that she doesn't know how to restart or get out of. She needs more communication with her husband, but they're in a rut of not talking. Liz is also trying to move up at work but she's been dubbed the "spreadsheet girl". So, her boss advises her to take an improv class to work on being more outgoing.

One of her husband's friends (one of the many) is the improv instructor and gives her husband his published and popular marriage therapy book that includes improv scenes. They decide to give his book a try to save their marriage.

I recommend this for all Colleen Hoover and Christina Lauren fans!

A big thank you to @netgalley for approving me for this ARC!

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Unfortunately, I had to DNF this book. I made it about 43% and I am so confused and just have no desire to continue picking up this book. I find myself doing other things instead of listening to this book. I have not connected with the characters and I have no idea what is going on. I don't understand the need for the improv and everything else going on in the book. This book just isn't for me.


Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for my gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

THIS. BOOK.

The author did an amazing job displaying neurodivergence in this story. Being a neurodivergent who’s married to another neurodivergent, there were some moments this just hit and I found myself tearing up at it so much. I loved the story line and the self-realization Liz found, and that she was able to grow into her own person by the end. (Did I consider taking up improv? The world may never know 🤷🏼‍♀️). It wasn’t quite the person-to-person romance I expected, but more of a story of falling in love with yourself despite what makes you different, and embracing that. Definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley, MacMillan Audio, and Maggie North for an audiobook ARC of this!

this book is exactly what i needed exactly when i didn't know i was going to need it. I'm so in utter shock at how the universe can hand you a book so utterly perfect for your life. i'm going thru something shockingly similar as the premise of this book (only without the cool handbook to follow), and its just so refreshing for there to be a book that helps you see that there is romance in fighting for love instead of throwing it away. I loved this book so much.