I was very interested in this audiobook because there are very few second chance romances with two characters already married. I think they are hard to do. This book was just okay for me. I made it through but the pacing was kind of slow at times for me. I just didn't connect with Liz and Tobin as well as I would have liked. They just didn't feel like they were a married couple, therefore I didn't have a desire to root for them. I'm positive there are lots of readers who will love this story though. It just wasn't for me. The audiobook narrator did a fine job narrating. Big thanks to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for allowing me to listen and review this book.

I love second chance romances but this book had an interesting twist with its socially awkward main character, while I could relate to some aspects of their personality, it didn't completely win me over. The story had its moments especially in how the character navigated social situations. The narrator did a good job portraying the main character's emotions which helped keep me engaged despite my mixed feelings. The romance aspect was sweet and it was nice to see the character grow throughout the story. The plot was fairly straightforward with some predictable moments, but it still provided a pleasant escape. (3.5stars)

I did not expect this book--it was such a delight! A married couple who have hit some snags in their marriage as they are still figuring themselves out. So real. I loved that the book they used to work on their relationship was a book based on working on relationships through assignments using improv. This, boys and girls, was magic! It worked for these two to break down walls and it delivered extremely entertaining reading (or in this case, listening).

It was a joy to watch Liz realize so many things about herself and her husband, including the fact that she is on the autism spectrum. I have known adults who have realized all kinds of undiagnosed things about themselves and it is real. Just like understanding personal things about the people we associate with helps us see them differently--more clearly--we likewise can do the same with ourselves.

Many thanks to #netgalley and #MacmillanAudio for this ARC audiobook

Rules for Second Chances was a wonderful read. I loved the sheer emotion North was able to evoke alternating between comedic relief, heartbreak, and jaw dropping self revelations. North also did an amazing job with setting scenes. There were so many cinematic scenes that live rent free in my head, especially a certain mermaid scene, IYKYK. I also really appreciated the character development arc for the FMC, Liz. The relationship development was also incredibly well done between the FMC and MMC as they found their way back to each other and learned to work together rather than assuming what the other needs. I read this via audiobook, which was narrated by Gail Shalan. Shalan brought the story to life and made it thoroughly enjoyable. I would recommend checking out the audiobook for this story.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC of Rules for Second Chances by Maggie North. All opinions are my own.

I chose to read this book because the synopsis sounded cute. I haven’t read many romance books with the marriage in crisis trope, but the ones I have read, I enjoyed. Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me.

The idea of this book is unique and interesting, but the execution was not great for me. I ended up only reading 60% of this book and just couldn’t make myself finish it.

I think my biggest issue was the characters in this story.

Liz and Tobin had such a weird marriage. On one hand, they seemed to know certain things about each other that no one else knew. On the other hand, they often acted like they didn’t know each other at all. They didn’t feel like a married couple, so I had a hard time rooting for them. The chemistry just wasn’t there, and they didn’t really suit each other.

None of the other characters really stood out to me except Liz’s sister, which I really disliked. She was so mean to Liz all the time even though Liz did so many things for her.

Also, while I think the improv idea is unique, it ended up feeling very weird reading about it.

Side note: one thing that always pulls me out of a story and makes me angry is when characters are bad pet owners. I did not like how Liz and her family treated their cat and were so irresponsible with it.

The narrator for this story was fine, but the narration didn’t stand out to me. I was able to easily understand them while listening at 2x speed though.

Overall, I think some readers will really enjoy this story, but this book just wasn’t for me.

Rules for Second Chances is indeed a second chance romance. I will be honest and say that I had no idea what was going on for the entirety of the book and felt incredibly lost. I was unable to connect to any of the characters. I was initially so excited for autism representation as an autistic woman, but unfortunately that storyline fell flat for me and I was unable to relate to that as well. I could definitely see how others might like this book and I thought the ending was sweet!

This audiobook was narrated by Gail Shalan. The female voice was done so well but I am not a fan of how this narrator read the male voice.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Maggie North, and Macmillan Audio for providing this free ARC. This is my honest review! This publishes on June 25th.

I have posted my review on Goodreads, in my Facebook book club, and will post a Tiktok review within the week before it releases.

Absolutely spectacular narration. The characterization was done so wonderfully, and each character was voiced with carefully crafted emotion. The story itself was wonderful, as well. I appreciated how seamlessly the narration and story came together.

3.75 out of 5 stars

Thank you to #macaudio2024 and netgalley for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this audiobook! I feel like the angst was written really well. Both characters reflected on their behaviors and made positive changes to create a new relationship with one another. The FMC, Liz, didn't completely blame Tobin, the MMC, for her feelings and how her life got the way it did. She definitely blamed her own actions at times. Tobin also did a fair bit of growing himself.

Liz finally seeing Tobin and his struggles and realizing that things she thought were things he enjoyed actually weren't was a thoughtful edition to the story. I think that the couple learned to communicate via crazy improv scenarios made everything better and more lighthearted in an otherwise angsty story. I found myself laughing out loud at some of them ( the mermaid in particular).

The narrator was great! She definitely brought the story to life.

I didn't like some of the side characters, particularly Liz's sister. She seemed very of her sister’s feelings. Tobin's dad was also a rather annoying as well, overall, this was a great story of a second chance romance.

Closed door modifications: Chapter 10, 15, 16,19.

Marriage in trouble or second chance romance novels are not my favorite book because it usually always starts with them hurting because of the state of their relationship.
I did really enjoy this one despite this. It was really interesting to see them getting closer together again using lessons from improv. I never saw this take on relationship therapy before.
What I really loved was the autism representation in this story. The pacing of the book was really good and the steamy scenes really added to the story.
I do wish the story was told from both perspectives.
The narrator did a great job and I loved the little improve snippets at the beginning of the chapters.

The narrator was very good!

I wasn’t sure about this one at first but by the end I really liked it. I think going into it I thought this was a second chance romance but really it’s more marriage in trouble which is different and I liked more. Honestly, I was more invested in Liz (the MFC) and her relationship with others and at work than I did with her husband 😬 As a communication professor I was fascinated by the idea of improv as a way to get people to communicate, work on relationships and help neurodivergent people feel seen in conversations.

Liz is stuck. Stuck in her job, in her marriage and in her family. She believes no one sees her and she wants to be seen as she own person. She wants to “get magic” like her husband does in a room full of people. On her quest to find magic she separates from her husband, Tobin, who is obviously upset and asks her to work on their relationship by doing this improv relationship book together.

I’m feeling majorly conflicted about this book. What I expected: A lighthearted second chance romance. What I got: An angst filled story of self discovery with some romance thrown in. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy this book; it’s just that I feel like I got a cheddar biscuit when I ordered a jelly donut.

What I liked:
- A raw portrayal of an undiagnosed neurodivergent character who struggles to understand why she thinks and behaves the way she does.
- The chemistry between Liz and Tobin. He genuinely loves her for all the reasons she doesn’t love herself.
- Liz’s desire to establish herself as a person on her own right and not just as the invisible partner of a vibrant spouse.
- The unconventional use of improv to help Liz find herself and explore her relationship with Tobin.
- Found family who give Liz the support her own family, in-laws, and co-workers do not.
- McHuge ❤️
- Gail Shalan’s narration. She keep me engaged when it would have been easy to walk away.

What frustrated me:
- The constant, recurring miscommunication. It is a pet peeve.
- Liz’s initial treatment of her marriage making it seem insignificant.
- Side characters who are downright awful to Liz and Tobin. Made worse by the fact that they are family.
- The impression that an anecdotal diagnosis fixed Liz’s problems.

Overall, there was more to like than dislike about RULES FOR SECOND CHANCES. Cheddar biscuits are great. I just really had my heart set on a jelly donut.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to review an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

🎧 Audiobook Review! 🎧

Rules for Second Chances was kindly provided as an ARC by Netgalley and Macmillan Audio. Thank you for allowing me to read this book!

Release Date: 6/25/24

Y’all. I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book. To simplify, I want to break down what I liked and what I didn’t like.

What I liked:
-I like Liz’s journey overall, as she figures out why she feels the way she does. I think that is important.
-The overall setting of the book is beautiful.
-While this seems to be the reason Liz is frustrated, I really liked her marriage to Tobin. They actually do seem well matched.

What I didn’t like:
-The. Lack. Of. Communication. I just. No. I find it SO frustrating that, without so much as a, “We Need to Talk”, Liz just decides she wants a divorce. And I feel for Tobin in being blindsided. In marriage, and in life, you as a person can grow and change, and that’s ok. Tobin never said he wanted her to be exactly the same. He probably would have supported her desires, if only they discussed them.
-The improv group. While I agree that doing improv might be a good idea, having it include people you work with defeats the purpose, in my opinion.

This is one of those rare books that I am struggling on recommending. The reviews on Goodreads are mixed as well. For as many 5 star reviews, there are equal 2 star reviews. I did like the narration, though, so if you want to read it, check out the audiobook.

Maggie North's "Rules for Second Chances" is such a heartfelt dive into rediscovering love and oneself within a marriage that's hit a rough patch. It's refreshing to see a story that tackles serious themes like neurodivergence and self-growth with humor and love, especially using improv as a metaphor for life's twists and turns. It's rare to find a book that makes you laugh, think, and root for the characters all at once. Definitely a must-read if you're into stories that feel real and moving.

I’m so torn on this book. When I first started it, I felt SO seen by the main character (we even share the same first name!). By the third chapter though, I was so upset by her actions and the decisions she was making, I almost DNF’d (and I NEVER DNF!) However, because I was reading via audiobook and could multitask while listening, I decided to keep listening and just go about my daily business. I’m glad I did – I really enjoyed most of the book, despite a few head scratching moments. Overall, 3.5 stars, rounded to 4.

Here’s what I loved:
-I’m a sucker for a good second chance story and I love a main character who’s lost her way and needs to find herself again.
-The chemistry between Liz and Tobin is off the charts and I LOVED watching them heal their relationship. There are some really sweet, tender scenes between them that just make me grin and giggle.
-I’m so taken by the use of improv as a device to improve not only one’s confidence, leadership, and public speaking abilities, but also to heal relationships by looking at things with fresh eyes and a “yes and” mentality. It’s a really neat idea, it’s executed well, and I totally buy that it works.
-There are some absolutely hilarious scenes, especially the ones where the main characters are doing improv scenarios (the merman scene, anyone??).

What I struggled with:
-Mostly, Liz’s motivation and the way she treats her marriage. It’s actually so baffling to me that I might re-read the book to see if I missed something. I don’t understand how the emotions we get from her justify her actions toward her husband and their marriage. I could go on and on about this but it boils down to this: what she’s all in her head about and what she says she wants don’t seem like obstacles to working on her marriage and I’m unsure why she continues to push him away.

Comments on narration: Gail Shalan’s voice is perfect for Liz. She’s easy to listen to and performs with the right inflection and intonation. Her man voice gave me chills in the best way.

✨ALC Review✨

I’ll be honest- I knew almost immediately this book is not for me. The reasoning the FMC had for leaving her husband and NOT TELLING HIM WHY had me apoplectic.

About a quarter of the way through, it was easier for me to read. I’m thankful #gailshalan was narrating because I don’t think I would’ve kept listening without her compelling narration.

There were parts that I very much enjoyed though. Loved the improv circle stuff especially the friends she made. Adored Tobin’s efforts for their scenes.

Overall though, would I recommend this book? Not really. I didn’t enjoy this book enough to recommend.

I received an ALC from #netgalley and @macmillan.audio in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are mine alone.

#romance #contemporaryromance #secondchanceromance #netgalley

Maggie North's "Rules for Second Chances" takes us on an unconventional journey of self-discovery with our heroine, Liz Lewis. Set against the backdrop of a mountain resort town, this story tackles some heavy themes: toxic positivity, introversion in an extroverted world, and the daunting task of finding oneself within a crumbling marriage.

Liz's struggle is real and relatable. As an introvert myself, I felt her pain when she was mistaken for a server at her own birthday party. North does a great job highlighting the challenges introverts face, especially in a world that values outgoing personalities. The idea of Liz turning to improv comedy to build confidence is both bold and slightly cringeworthy—in the best way possible.

However, the story hit some rough patches for me. The toxic positivity in Liz's marriage to Tobin felt a bit heavy-handed at times. And while I appreciated the attempt to show growth, Tobin's transformation from part of the problem to Liz's improv buddy felt a bit too convenient.

On the bright side, the improv scenes were delightful. Watching Liz fumble and gradually find her footing was endearing. North also hints at a deeper issue with Liz's social awkwardness, which added an interesting layer.

Overall, "Rules for Second Chances" is a mixed bag. It has heart and tackles important issues but sometimes trips over its own ambition. It's worth a read, especially for introverts who've felt invisible, but it doesn't quite stick the landing.

I laughed out loud a few times and to me, that makes a great read! I loved the second chance romance and the lengths that the character went to find her happiness. I was genuinely rooting for the marriage of these two funny people! I also loved the consideration that the main character went through to find out what made her happy and where she could compromise in her marriage. The cat and the niece were great side characters!

It's been a little more than a week since I finished reading Rules for Second Chances and the further from it I get, the more I feel fondly toward it, but in the moment of reading the book, there were times where I just wanted to scream at the characters. Essentially, this book is a marriage in trouble story where Liz feels like she has truly become a background character in not only her life, but in her marriage. The sex is great, but she doesn't feel like her husband, Tobin, or the other people in her life really see her. So on the night of her birthday party, where she's mistaken for staff, she decides it's time to go. Only Tobin is not ready to give up on their marriage. Liz also has a lot going on in her work life and that's a large part of what this book focuses on, in that, based on some comments her boss makes, she winds up joining an improv comedy class and that sets the stage for a lot of fun shenanigans with Tobin as well.

What I really enjoyed about this book was how Liz got to learn about herself and watching her and Tobin take steps back toward one another. I also loved how she slowly starts to realize that maybe she is autistic. My frustration with this book is that both Tobin and Liz have kept so much bottled up for so long and they forgot how to communicate, but honestly, it's almost like they never knew how to do so because we don't see them falling in love really. I think a failure to communicate is 100% realistic for the breakdown of a marriage, but it can get really aggravating to read. That said, I listened to this book (thanks again, Netgalley for the audio review copy) and I never got so aggravated, I had to turn it off, so that's something! I really enjoyed listening to it and I will definitely read more from Maggie North in the future.

An original story. I have yet to read anything with this storyline.
Rules for second chances takes a peek at the life of an Neurodivergent Woman who suspects she is Autistic.
Married and in a rut she starts to pull apart her life.
The “Rule book” is supposed to help mend and create an everlasting bond.
Taking a second chance at her marriage and career . Most importantly, give yourself a second chance!!!
I listened to the audiobook version of this story. It was wildly entertaining and inspiring!

Story: 2-2.5 stars
Narration: 3 stars

I usually love second chance/marriage in trouble romances, but this one was a struggle for me. The book read primarily as women’s fiction, and I thought the HEA with the main character’s husband took a back seat to her personal development. Liz is gunning for a promotion at work so she takes an improv class to build her confidence and leadership skills. She decides to use the same strategies with her estranged husband. Honestly half the time I struggled to really know what was going on - some of the improv scenes were too long and dragged on so that it was hard to follow what was happening.

There is great bisexuality and autistic/neurodivergent representation in this book.

The audiobook is narrated by Gail Shalan who did a really great job with the voices. I definitely enjoyed the parts I listened to more than the parts I read with my eyeballs.

I voluntarily read and listened to gifted copies of this book. All opinions are my own.