I really enjoyed the last two thirds of this book. I enjoyed the mother/daughter storyline. It starts out as a difficult/strained relationship but turns out to be heartwarming. The book shows the ripple effect of small changes/decisions.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Ellie and Jonah are new ‘empty nesters’ and Ellie is struggling with the loneliness and estrangement from her daughter. She decides that her and Jonah’ abound divorce and he comes to terms with this.
What follows is an unravelling of time and reality.
Quite enjoyable and some aspects to
mull over.
Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication in exchange for an honest review

If you like It's A Wonderful Life, Quantum Leap, and Groundhog Day - then you will love Some Other Time! Who hasn't a time or two wondered how their life would be different IF ONLY. Each small action, reaction, and non-action in our lives sets us upon a path - sometimes not the path we want and others times exactly where we are supposed to be. The main character Ellie is struggling with her path in life - questioning her purpose and existence now that her daughter Maggie doesn't "need" her anymore. She is not even sure she loves her husband Jonah anymore. They decide to divorce, and the news isn't received well by the family including Ellie's parents. The reader and Ellie get to see what her life would have been like if she had traveled that path not taken. Ellie will see the impact her life has had on those around her and one small change can cause a seismic shift in the universe. I enjoy Angela Brown's style of writing, as I also read and loved her debut novel Olivia Strauss is Running Out of Time - wait, both novels are about "time" - is this to be a recurring theme? If so, I can see why because time is a concept that we all obsess about whether we are wasting it or wanting more. This is Brown's time as her writing just keeps getting more thoughtful, moving, and emotional.

This author is a good writer. There was so much specificity to the places, situations, and characters in this book. I just hated the main character. She was so immature and whiny. She created all her own problems, didn't think things through, and was surprised when things didn't work out. Jonah was a saint! I'm all for magical elements in stories and this one was interesting. But I don't know if the ending really landed for me (both heavy handed and too.easy like voilà everything worked out). Ashley Poston does this better, but if you like her you will probably be interested in this book.

I feel like Maggie's subplot was not as well crafted. Bunny was such a pip though. This book was a real mixed bag for me... maybe because I'm in my 40s and a mom and a therapist? I just couldn't get behind Ellie. But I could see this as a Netflix movie with Jennifer Garner or someone who could bring more depth to her character, but is still kinda quirky and doe-eyed.
2.5 stars. Thanks to Net Galley and little A for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little A for allowing me to read Some Other Time by Angela Brown, in exchange for my honest review.

This was a thought-provoking, heartfelt, and realistic sliding doors story.

What if? Life is about choices, and I enjoyed learning along with Ellie how her decisions led to the life she's living. This was a wonderful glimpse into "what if"!

Sometimes, we need to step back and look at where we are instead of where we've been.

I look forward to reading more by Angela Brown.

It took me some time to get into this book! But by the end I was so glad to read it. It was emotional and moving! It makes you think about all the ways life could turn out from just one different decision! 3.5 stars! I enjoyed this author and can’t wait to read more from her.

A bit confusing to be caught in the alternate realities of Ellie and Jonah as they time travel from the now to alternate futures. I enjoyed the book, especially the relationship between Ellie and her daughter. In truth, I was personally most involved in that conflict within the story. Any woman who has sent a child, especially a daughter, off to college will really be empathetic to Ellie and understand how this major change has impacted all her relationships.

Thank you Netgalley for this novel.

It took me a bit to get into this one because the first 30% or so was just so hopeless and sad, and I honestly did not buy the reason for this couple parting ways. It just didn’t seem like enough of a reason to throw in the towel, nor did it seem like they both even really wanted jt. But once the other “sliding doors” realities were introduced, I was in. I love that concept and love when it’s done well. This one was done pretty well, I just wish it hadn’t taken so long to get to them.

The emotional depth of this story was great, very realistic, lots of up and down. All the feels. Some very poignant moments that I could relate to.

My other complaint besides the rather long intro is the pacing of the dialogue. Someone would say something and we’d suddenly get a page and a half of backstory or flashback before finally having the responding dialogue, and a couple of times, I didn’t even remember what they were responding to. I actually skipped ahead to the response a couple of times (sorry, Angela Brown) and felt like I didn’t miss anything crucial.

Overall, a sweet book.

What would life be like if you made one different decision? That's exactly what Ellie finds out and how that one decision creates a huge ocean of ripple effects. Although this isn't a "thriller", I felt myself feeling nervous and anxious wondering what was going to happen. How was this going to end? Would Ellie come back to the present day and what actually is the present day for her? Angela Brown remarkably brings all of the characters together and gives us a look at what their lives are like and were like and could have been like. I fell in love with everyone and cried at the end...to bring such emotion to a reader is a beautiful thing and shows what a terrific writer Angela is.

Some Other Time, is written with such a perspective. I loved how Angela Brown dove into the what if scenario we all often think about. What if I chose another path? What if life went this way? Did it cause others to end up where they are as well? There were so many questions and often other answers to how and where Ellie Baker would be most happiest. It reminded me that most times we are right where we are supposed to be. Loved every minute of this delightful novel, full of relatable characters and minute decisions we often make that could possibly change the course of our lives. Angela Brown stepped up her game with this novel, BRAVO!

Thank you NetGalley and Little A for this advanced reader copy of Some Other Time.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

There were two or three things at the end of this book that I did enjoy, little twists, but overall unfortunately this wasn’t for me. I couldn’t connect with the main character at all and felt it was a bit slow and at some points repetitive.

Angela Brown’s second novel brought all the feels—Ellie’s struggle to figure out who she is after putting herself last for so many years is incredibly relatable. As a mother, I know how easily we can slip into mom mode and forget about our hopes, our goals, and ourselves. Even with the “easiest” of mothering experiences, it can be so tough to remember who you are, especially if you don’t have a career for much of those mothering years.

I found Jonah and Ellie’s story to be heartfelt and real, and I appreciated that this was somewhat of a “quieter” novel. What I mean is that there is no major bombshell announcement other than the divorce plan (no cheating, no huge diversion from what they had planned as a couple). No one is really to blame for where their marriage has ended up, but it’s up to Ellie and Jonah to decide where they want to go from here. And through some trick of the mind or actual magic, Ellie gets a chance to live a different version of her adult life.

I was drawn into this love story and choices and second chances from page one. If you loved “The Good Part” by Sophie Cousens, I absolutely recommend “Some Other Time.” I received an advance reader copy from NetGalley.

thisis a poignant exploration of the complexities of love, identity, and the intricate web of choices that shape our lives. The novel centers on Ellie, a 49-year-old woman navigating the rocky terrain of her impending divorce from her husband, Jonah. As she grapples with the reactions of her family and her own doubts about her identity beyond being a wife and mother, the narrative unfolds in a way that feels both familiar and refreshingly original.

the author crafts a story that resonates deeply with those of us contemplating the paths our lives could take. Ellie's internal struggle and her reflections on the simplicity and beauty of everyday life provide a powerful counterpoint to the societal pressures to lead a grand, earth-shattering existence.

While I appreciated the depth of Ellie’s character and her relatable experiences, there were moments where her portrayal felt stereotypical—capturing the insecurities that many women face as they navigate family dynamics and personal aspirations. This realism elicited empathy but also some frustration; there were times I wanted to shake Ellie and encourage her to find her own voice.

The structure of the narrative, particularly how it weaves flashbacks into the present, occasionally felt a bit disjointed, requiring a reread to catch the transitions. However, once the story reached its pivotal turning points in the second part, I found myself completely absorbed. The emotional shifts were profound, transforming my understanding of Ellie and her journey.

Brown’s writing is evocative and insightful, tackling significant themes such as the duality of women’s roles in society and the struggles of self-worth that many face. The emotional weight of the story, paired with the exploration of second chances, makes *Some Other Time* a thought-provoking and heartfelt read.

It’s a must-read for anyone who has ever pondered the “what-ifs” of their own life. Highly recommended!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Some Other Time is a moving book based on relationships, the path not traveled, parental expectations, and is a book for anyone who ever wondered what their life would be like….if only.

49 year old Ellie and her husband Jonah have just announced their divorce to their only daughter, Maggie, and her parents, Bunny and Frank. No one wants to hear it. The family is less than enthusiastic about the split, which they feel is simply unnecessary. But Ellie can’t shake the idea that her life would be different without the trappings of her identity being wrapped up in her role as wife and mom.

Sliding Doors, Vanilla Sky, The Butterfly Effect; there have been many movies and books along this theme, so to have another version of this feel so creative, so real and so raw is pleasantly surprising. This book hits home that although you have several other possible lives; there is beauty in the simplicity of each one.

Ellie’s father Frank gets the pinnacle line: “sometimes, Ellie, I think your mother feels that people get all wrapped up in the notion that their life has to be so big, so earth shattering, that they forget how significant a simple and quiet life can be, too. How meaningful love and commitment are in such an unpredictable world.”

I loved Angela Brown’s first book, Olivia Strauss is running Out of Time, which is another contemporary women’s fiction book that introduces magical/fantasy elements in a pragmatic way. I love the way she develops characters through unexplained fantasy elements. It’s a great way to explore human nature while not having to play by the rules of our actual world.

Thanks to @netgalley and Little A for the ARC. Book to be published February 4, 2024.

#someothertime #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #booklover #arcreview #booktok #netgalley #bookrecommendations

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me engaged and it only took a few days to read. I think this is going to be a good book club option for several clubs. I plan recommending to my book friends and I look forward to reading more by this author.

Very readable book - couldn't put it down.

Would definitely recommend.

I did want there to be another, 3rd time, though, in which there had been a few other options taken along the way - but I think that's what the character is now going to be creating.

Long & Short of It: Very engaging. Well laid out. Positive ending. Wraps up well.
Author: I'd read again!
Romance: Heart-warming
Spice Level: 0/5 stars

This alternate timeline story is a topic/genre that I love. I was very excited to dive into this one! My initial reaction was that a lot of information and backstory for Ellie was scrunched into the Prologue in a way that didn't feel natural to me. On the bright side I never felt like something wasn't explained well! Angela Brown's style of writing is very informative with a lot of context, which allowed me to get the full picture at all times, sometimes in excess detail.

The story itself is very interesting and engaging. There are parts that are painful, and brought up emotions in me that had me empathizing with Ellie quite a lot in relation to her marriage and parenting struggles.

Ellie is a very hands-on mother, and a dutiful wife. The way she is portrayed though, through her own inner dialogue and sometimes other's reactions to her, felt very "stereotypical middle-aged mom/wife who doesn’t have confidence in herself". While this is unfortunately the reality for a lot of moms and wives (as it was for me in the past), it did make me feel annoyed with Ellie at times throughout the story, which is told from her perspective. I found myself responding to her out loud saying things like "you're being over dramatic!" or "well you're not helping the situation!" ...

I was hit right in the feels though, when Ellie was talking about the fact that women often can't catch a break no matter which way they go with their life choices; a woman doing too much outside of the home and being too successful can be seen as selfish, while staying home and being a mom and wife can be viewed as inadequate and weak.

I would say the main struggle I had while reading was how flashbacks and memories were woven into the present moment without a clear cue, making me reread the page thinking I missed the segue into the past.

BUT THEN...PART TWO TOOK A TURN! AND THEN PART THREE…. such a shift… a good shift… I was locked in and almost sad the book would be ending soon.

This story will resonate with so many readers, especially those who wonder "what if?" It's a heartfelt love story of second chances, missed opportunities, growth, and connection.

Ellie’s introspection and growth throughout this extraordinary week are deeply engaging. The blend of humor and heartfelt moments makes this story resonate on many levels, offering a refreshing perspective on love, regret, and second chances. If you enjoy untraditional love stories with a touch of magical realism and plenty of emotional depth, this book is a must-read.

This was a wonderful read. As a mother with older teens I could so relate to Ellie and the struggles of where your place is in the world. I loved Jonah and Ellie and how it was obvious they were making a huge mistake. What a sweet second chance romance.