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!

★★★★✩ 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.