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The Second Chance Cinema
A magical theater atop a cobblestone path alters what a couple knows about themselves—and each other—in this scintillating debut brimming with nostalgia and life-affirming wonder.
At the end of a fog-covered alley, glitters a glamorous cinema. It’s nearly impossible to find. When Ellie and her fiancé, Drake, stumble upon it during a late-night walk, they’re shocked to discover what’s playing inside the red-velvet their formative memories.
Drake fears what the cinema might reveal, but eventually gives in when Ellie insists they return for more viewings. She’s haunted by a night from her past that she doesn’t fully remember. This is her opportunity to piece the story back together. But as the memories displayed on screen inch closer to the present, they realize they’re both keeping secrets from each other.
With their wedding on the horizon, Ellie and Drake must decide if seeing their pasts changes their plans for a future together. Filled with warmth, hope, and a dash of magic, The Second Chance Cinema is both an enchanting escape and a thought-provoking examination of how our memories shape who we are.
At the end of a fog-covered alley, glitters a glamorous cinema. It’s nearly impossible to find. When Ellie and her fiancé, Drake, stumble upon it during a late-night walk, they’re shocked to discover what’s playing inside the red-velvet their formative memories.
Drake fears what the cinema might reveal, but eventually gives in when Ellie insists they return for more viewings. She’s haunted by a night from her past that she doesn’t fully remember. This is her opportunity to piece the story back together. But as the memories displayed on screen inch closer to the present, they realize they’re both keeping secrets from each other.
With their wedding on the horizon, Ellie and Drake must decide if seeing their pasts changes their plans for a future together. Filled with warmth, hope, and a dash of magic, The Second Chance Cinema is both an enchanting escape and a thought-provoking examination of how our memories shape who we are.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 2025
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September 21, 2025
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The Book Review Crew Blog
3.5 Stars
For a debut novel, this wasn't a bad book. It's about an engaged couple, Ellie and Drake, who come across a hidden theatre that plays movies of their memories. While Ellie is curious about the chance to understand her past and a traumatic event she can't fully remember, Drake is concerned about secrets that might come to light. As they watch the story of their lives unfold, they are forced to confront their pasts, which may get in the way of their relationship. With the wedding near, they have to decide if sharing everything will strengthen their relationship or tear it apart.
I loved the unique premise of this one; it is wonderfully imaginative. The story is a heartfelt one that had me interested in what would happen next. I do have to admit that at times the book was a little slow-going. The idea of a magical movie house that plays the watchers' own memories was an excellent way of making the story poignant for both characters. This was a great way to show the essence of falling in love, memory, and one's own identity. I enjoyed how the author showed the harm secrets can cause and how emotionally revealing and reliving them can be. It just goes to show that dealing with the past, no matter how bad or hard it is, can make us stronger in ourselves and our relationships. Even though this is magical realism, the plot is mindful of real life and emotions. I enjoyed this one and would read more from this author, as this was magical for the most part.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The Book Review Crew Blog
3.5 Stars
For a debut novel, this wasn't a bad book. It's about an engaged couple, Ellie and Drake, who come across a hidden theatre that plays movies of their memories. While Ellie is curious about the chance to understand her past and a traumatic event she can't fully remember, Drake is concerned about secrets that might come to light. As they watch the story of their lives unfold, they are forced to confront their pasts, which may get in the way of their relationship. With the wedding near, they have to decide if sharing everything will strengthen their relationship or tear it apart.
I loved the unique premise of this one; it is wonderfully imaginative. The story is a heartfelt one that had me interested in what would happen next. I do have to admit that at times the book was a little slow-going. The idea of a magical movie house that plays the watchers' own memories was an excellent way of making the story poignant for both characters. This was a great way to show the essence of falling in love, memory, and one's own identity. I enjoyed how the author showed the harm secrets can cause and how emotionally revealing and reliving them can be. It just goes to show that dealing with the past, no matter how bad or hard it is, can make us stronger in ourselves and our relationships. Even though this is magical realism, the plot is mindful of real life and emotions. I enjoyed this one and would read more from this author, as this was magical for the most part.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
May 8, 2025
I loved the ideas of an established couple on the verge of getting married having a romance, contemporary fiction with a splash of magic in the form of a cinema that shows you a movie of your own life, and the concept that opposites attract can challenge you and make you grow in a relationship.
But ultimately I felt Ellie and Drake were just too different and kept too many things from each other for me to fall in love with their love story. That was the whole point of the magic movie theater, to blow open the veneer of a perfect relationship to push them into being more vulnerable with each other.
Drake was judgmental of Ellie's body count, and he was too comfortable and settled for her. He sucked Ellie into his comfort zone as well. Ellie, too, was shallow, ignorant of her economic privilege, and didn't trust Drake enough to open up to him about even basic secrets. I thought the portrayal of her grief was well done. But I didn't think they were right for each other.
They did open up to each other eventually, but I couldn't help but think they were going to keep ignoring their differences and it would doom them in the future.
So I was charmed by the idea of this cozy romance but it wasn't for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
But ultimately I felt Ellie and Drake were just too different and kept too many things from each other for me to fall in love with their love story. That was the whole point of the magic movie theater, to blow open the veneer of a perfect relationship to push them into being more vulnerable with each other.
Drake was judgmental of Ellie's body count, and he was too comfortable and settled for her. He sucked Ellie into his comfort zone as well. Ellie, too, was shallow, ignorant of her economic privilege, and didn't trust Drake enough to open up to him about even basic secrets. I thought the portrayal of her grief was well done. But I didn't think they were right for each other.
They did open up to each other eventually, but I couldn't help but think they were going to keep ignoring their differences and it would doom them in the future.
So I was charmed by the idea of this cozy romance but it wasn't for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 22, 2025
This was a book that was built around one very excellent line ("your first love is about finding yourself, your second love is about sharing the self you found with someone new"), but it was ultimately just so underwhelming. A little too much "telling instead of showing" and way too reliant on tension built through omission, two of my biggest pet peeves in writing.
And maybe I was expecting the book to go somewhere else after the strong prologue, but I too often found myself wondering why the main characters were even a couple to give a shit about whether or not they would make it.
And maybe I was expecting the book to go somewhere else after the strong prologue, but I too often found myself wondering why the main characters were even a couple to give a shit about whether or not they would make it.
April 10, 2025
*The Second Chance Cinema* by Thea Weiss is an absolute gem. I recently lost someone close to me, and Ellie’s story resonated so deeply—it felt like a balm for a grieving heart. Tears were definitely shed, but in the most cathartic way. The blend of nostalgia, healing, and hope is beautifully done. Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC—this one will stay with me for a long while.
September 15, 2025
A very fun, creative, and emotional story about the memories we hold. A contemporary magical realism romance for fans of Kate Robb and Ashley Poston. Will we still be lovable if they knew everything about us? And I mean, everything?
Ellie and Drake are about to be married when they come across a theatre that operates, seemingly, only for them. The theatre shows "The Story of Us" which is a collection of 10 weekly movies that show both of their lives as a film. Starting with them as babies, the movies progress over time showing the most memorable periods of their lives. They agree to continue to see the movies, week after week, and promise to not let anything they see change the way they feel for each other.
Of course, there are secrets, and reasons to be jealous and even angry. There are some memorable side characters, like the manager of the theatre, Natalie. When I first heard the premise for this book, I thought this would be kind of a nightmare. I think we all have episodes in our past that we would rather not remember. Something I was curious about while reading is- are we actually seeing what happened? Or are we seeing it as Drake and Ellie remember it? They say that when we remember something, we are technically remembering the last time that we were remembering it. So our memories are notoriously unreliable. Something to consider for this story.
I found the plot fascinating, the characters are good, particularly Ellie. Drake was less intriguing of a lead, but the magical elements made up for it. The prologue was intriguing and in the back of my mind, how it comes full circle in the epilogue is a neat twist.
This would be a great book to read for a book club, I think it would encourage great and deep conversations.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC. Book to be published October 7,2025
Ellie and Drake are about to be married when they come across a theatre that operates, seemingly, only for them. The theatre shows "The Story of Us" which is a collection of 10 weekly movies that show both of their lives as a film. Starting with them as babies, the movies progress over time showing the most memorable periods of their lives. They agree to continue to see the movies, week after week, and promise to not let anything they see change the way they feel for each other.
Of course, there are secrets, and reasons to be jealous and even angry. There are some memorable side characters, like the manager of the theatre, Natalie. When I first heard the premise for this book, I thought this would be kind of a nightmare. I think we all have episodes in our past that we would rather not remember. Something I was curious about while reading is- are we actually seeing what happened? Or are we seeing it as Drake and Ellie remember it? They say that when we remember something, we are technically remembering the last time that we were remembering it. So our memories are notoriously unreliable. Something to consider for this story.
I found the plot fascinating, the characters are good, particularly Ellie. Drake was less intriguing of a lead, but the magical elements made up for it. The prologue was intriguing and in the back of my mind, how it comes full circle in the epilogue is a neat twist.
This would be a great book to read for a book club, I think it would encourage great and deep conversations.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC. Book to be published October 7,2025
did-not-finish
October 5, 2025DNF at around 50%
I really tried to push through this book because the concept of it was so good. A theater where you could rewatch memories, there was so much potential! However, the main characters were unlikable, and it also didn’t even feel like they truly liked each other. The plot was also just too slow for me.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book!
I really tried to push through this book because the concept of it was so good. A theater where you could rewatch memories, there was so much potential! However, the main characters were unlikable, and it also didn’t even feel like they truly liked each other. The plot was also just too slow for me.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book!
October 11, 2025
3.5/4
3.5/5
Tysm to the publisher and author for the arc! And sorry it took me so long to write this review!
❥ What I liked
❥ This book had such a magical feeling, and I loved the plot concept
❥ Reading about their flashbacks was super intriguing.
❥ I loved the fmc’s job, it seemed super interesting.
❥ What I disliked
❥ The mmc’s name was Drake
❥ The romance just became doomed for me after the flashbacks.
3.5/5
Tysm to the publisher and author for the arc! And sorry it took me so long to write this review!
❥ What I liked
❥ This book had such a magical feeling, and I loved the plot concept
❥ Reading about their flashbacks was super intriguing.
❥ I loved the fmc’s job, it seemed super interesting.
❥ What I disliked
❥ The mmc’s name was Drake
❥ The romance just became doomed for me after the flashbacks.
October 11, 2025
I spent most of this book thinking that these two people should totally not be getting married because they simply cannot communicate. Why are they even a couple? They were somewhat unlikable and annoying for much of the story. I think the concept of the theater was promising but it didn’t all quite hold together for me. Like what is the second chance for these two? And then it all wraps up a little too conveniently. I thought maybe a struggling married couple might see their past in a new light and what their future could be and have a “second chance.” Perhaps that’s Lucas and Stephanie? That’s the book I wanted to read. In most cases, I try to pull a lesson even from the books I don’t entirely care for. This time - honest communication is critical!
September 23, 2025
Another book that wouldn't even have a story if the characters went to therapy and learned how to communicate like adults. Neither Ellie nor Drake was very likable, and it didn't seem like they even liked each other. They shouldn't be together, let alone getting married. The "Secret Scene" at the end was also so pointless. I'm left feeling mad that I even read this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC.
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC.
October 13, 2025
This is an interesting concept for a novel. Would you really want your significant other to know all your deepest, darkest secrets? Would you want to relive some of your worst moments as purely a spectator? The Ellie/Drake relationship has a lot of deception and needs some growth, but young love often does. Cute story.
September 12, 2025
This audiobook was pretty entertaining. I'm glad I went the audiobook route for this one. I started with the physical but quickly switched to audio. I enjoyed it. The narrator was great. . This is a cozy magical debut. Ellie and Drake are soon to be married and are out for a walk one Saturday night. They stumble upon a hidden movie theater and decide to check it out. Once the movie starts, they realize they are watching fragments of their own lives. At times before they even met each other. They then go back every Saturday night to continue watching memories of their pasts play on the big screen. This was quite an original romance. The characters are forced to face circumstances that they have struggled with. The romance and relationship aspect felt very authentic. This couple had such love for each other and you could just feel the emotions between them. An emotional and magical read, I'll definitely check out this author in the future
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
November 9, 2025
Memory has always fascinated me. I consider myself someone of below-average recall: my memories feel hazy, disordered, disappointing. The chance to revisit some of my memories with perfect fidelity on a big screen? Wow. The Second Chance Cinema is that rare novel with a perfect premise for me. Thea Weiss sets it up so neatly: a couple, engaged, stumbling on a mysterious movie theatre. Alas, the secrets they’ve kept are more banal than bombastic, and the story that results fails to live up to the promise of the premise. I received an eARC from NetGalley and Atria Books in exchange for a review.
Ellie and Drake are your typical, perhaps cookie-cutter couple (more on that in a moment). She writes articles about forgotten little places that need love; he manages construction projects. She has some trauma in her past she would rather not discuss; he has a secret too. Their wedding approaches when, one night, they find an old movie theatre that wasn’t there before, and it has a single midnight showing of “The Story of You.” Hoax? Hallucination? No, the reel is real: it’s playing back vignettes from their lives. They have ten tickets, ten showings. At first, they are hooked—but don’t want to discuss what they see. Then they realize that the memories the movie shows aren’t just the good times but also the bad, and neither wants to share those wounds with the other.
Look, I’m just going to tear the Band-Aid off right now: this book is boring.
As far as couples go, Ellie and Drake feel like a generic stand-in for … like … any upper-middle class couple in the United States. Weiss does her best to salt-and-pepper them with just enough to make them stand out as distinct characters. At the end of the day, however, neither of them feels like a real or interesting person. They feel like the characters you meet in a Hallmark rom-com, years after the meet-cute: they have exactly the substance needed for their story and not a single iota more. I couldn’t pick them out of a line-up if together they had mugged me.
Then there’s that other dimension: them being together. Their relationship is boring. First, they’re both super immature (which, to be fair to Weiss, is I think deliberate). They don’t want to talk to one another. This is, of course, the bread and butter of all stories involving relationship conflict, yet it felt particularly contrived and agonizing here.
They. Shouldn’t. Get. Married.
And I would like to be harsher on Drake because, you know, patriarchy. I’d love for it to be all his fault and to yell at Ellie, “Girl, run! Get out! Choose the bear!” Honestly, though, I think she’s also the problem. She chose not to deal.
But hey, maybe I am being too harsh. Maybe this cranky, cynical aromantic gal just hates romance and missed the point. That’s possible. Unfortunately, that doesn’t change the fact that the eponymous plot device is also boring.
First, I don’t think it lives up to its name. “Second chance”? In what way? The viewing is passive; they aren’t altering the past. Sure, there’s the lost and found, and there’s Drake’s whole … secret. I don’t know. It doesn’t quite fit.
Second, there is zero tension related to this theatre. I for sure thought there would be something connected to their limited number of tickets, some hiccup or plot point that would enhance the inevitable moment of tension when Ellie and Drake decide whether or not to make up. I was wrong. The Second Chance Cinema is entirely superfluous to the story that’s named after it. You could excise it from this story, have Ellie and Drake discover each other’s secrets some other, more mundane way, and you would have the same plot. What are you doing??
The stakes just aren’t high enough. Their secrets aren’t dramatic enough. Their missteps aren’t mature enough. Ellie and Drake, separately or together, are not interesting enough. The Second Chance Cinema squanders its first chance. So it goes.
Originally posted on Kara.Reviews.
Ellie and Drake are your typical, perhaps cookie-cutter couple (more on that in a moment). She writes articles about forgotten little places that need love; he manages construction projects. She has some trauma in her past she would rather not discuss; he has a secret too. Their wedding approaches when, one night, they find an old movie theatre that wasn’t there before, and it has a single midnight showing of “The Story of You.” Hoax? Hallucination? No, the reel is real: it’s playing back vignettes from their lives. They have ten tickets, ten showings. At first, they are hooked—but don’t want to discuss what they see. Then they realize that the memories the movie shows aren’t just the good times but also the bad, and neither wants to share those wounds with the other.
Look, I’m just going to tear the Band-Aid off right now: this book is boring.
As far as couples go, Ellie and Drake feel like a generic stand-in for … like … any upper-middle class couple in the United States. Weiss does her best to salt-and-pepper them with just enough to make them stand out as distinct characters. At the end of the day, however, neither of them feels like a real or interesting person. They feel like the characters you meet in a Hallmark rom-com, years after the meet-cute: they have exactly the substance needed for their story and not a single iota more. I couldn’t pick them out of a line-up if together they had mugged me.
Then there’s that other dimension: them being together. Their relationship is boring. First, they’re both super immature (which, to be fair to Weiss, is I think deliberate). They don’t want to talk to one another. This is, of course, the bread and butter of all stories involving relationship conflict, yet it felt particularly contrived and agonizing here.
They. Shouldn’t. Get. Married.
And I would like to be harsher on Drake because, you know, patriarchy. I’d love for it to be all his fault and to yell at Ellie, “Girl, run! Get out! Choose the bear!” Honestly, though, I think she’s also the problem. She chose not to deal.
But hey, maybe I am being too harsh. Maybe this cranky, cynical aromantic gal just hates romance and missed the point. That’s possible. Unfortunately, that doesn’t change the fact that the eponymous plot device is also boring.
First, I don’t think it lives up to its name. “Second chance”? In what way? The viewing is passive; they aren’t altering the past. Sure, there’s the lost and found, and there’s Drake’s whole … secret. I don’t know. It doesn’t quite fit.
Second, there is zero tension related to this theatre. I for sure thought there would be something connected to their limited number of tickets, some hiccup or plot point that would enhance the inevitable moment of tension when Ellie and Drake decide whether or not to make up. I was wrong. The Second Chance Cinema is entirely superfluous to the story that’s named after it. You could excise it from this story, have Ellie and Drake discover each other’s secrets some other, more mundane way, and you would have the same plot. What are you doing??
The stakes just aren’t high enough. Their secrets aren’t dramatic enough. Their missteps aren’t mature enough. Ellie and Drake, separately or together, are not interesting enough. The Second Chance Cinema squanders its first chance. So it goes.
Originally posted on Kara.Reviews.
November 8, 2025
A couple on the brink of getting married stumbles into a late night theater. They tell them that the movie playing is the story of you and that they only have 10 visits to enjoy this story. Then they walk in and view their childhood. It's snippets but it's amazing to see their parents young, the siblings as children, themselves as babies. It's magical and amazing and they can't figure out how that movie is on there but it only takes another week and they attend again, vowing to get through their 10 visits and see what this story holds.
This started as a very cute story. I loved their childhood. But, from there, the story gets a little sadder and a little more of a struggle. We go through the couple seeing some pretty rough things about each other, definitely not in their best moments, and it creates arguments, insecurities but forces communication. It was a very cute story, I enjoyed it!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
This started as a very cute story. I loved their childhood. But, from there, the story gets a little sadder and a little more of a struggle. We go through the couple seeing some pretty rough things about each other, definitely not in their best moments, and it creates arguments, insecurities but forces communication. It was a very cute story, I enjoyed it!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
August 14, 2025
I like the idea of a cinema that plays your own uncomfortable memories that you would prefer to forget, but the main couple here wasn’t quite charming or quirky enough to carry the story, so about 2.5 stars. There’s a fine line between relatable and uninteresting, and I don’t think this quite succeeded with the characters.
Ellie and Drake are engaged to be married, though Ellie is getting a little bored of their monotonous routine while Drake is a little disappointed with Ellie’s lack of enthusiasm for wedding planning. Late one night, they stumble upon a vintage cinema playing just one movie, The Story of You. They buy tickets and watch as the only audience members, and are shocked to discover the movie playing memories from their lives. Both curious and scared of what the movie will show, Drake and Ellie agree to return to the cinema, and slowly learn more about each other.
Even writing this blurb feels weird, because these people are getting married after dating for like three years and it feels like they’ve never really done the work to be vulnerable or get to really know each other. So why are they getting married? I couldn’t really tell you even after finishing. I personally think marriage is a bit overrated anyway, but this story plays it extremely straight (literally and figuratively) without questioning much.
The premise reminded me of the translated cozy-with-some-magic stories from Japan and Korea, but a big difference is those books have a rotating cast to explore their magical concept, showing many different perspectives and relationships, while this focused on just Drake and Ellie, and so it grew kind of stale eventually. They had some layers and secrets, were carrying guilt and wounds, but it’s pretty tame or unexplored. Ellie has guilt over what happened to her brother, but it’s one of those situations where it’s obviously not her fault and she just has to understand that, so her “woe is me” attitude just didn’t hit as hard for me, as there wasn’t much beyond that. It explains her fear of commitment, but I’m not sure what Drake did to break that streak, just because he felt pretty plain. I did find Drake’s hang-up more interesting, with his uncreative courtship routine, but also he just read as lacking awareness, and I did not understand why he couldn’t have explained a bit more to Ellie. His memories were slightly embarrassing, sure, but shouldn’t they be getting used to that vulnerability if they’re trying to build a life together? Again, it just adds to my questions of why they’re even together.
I could feel these characters were supposed to be relatable and likable, but they didn’t move me in any way. Ellie even did a bit of a scummy thing with one of her exes (writing about a tragedy she promised to keep private) that was never fully addressed, and I couldn’t come to like her after that. Drake was… boring and judgy. I get the development they and their relationship were supposed to go through, that they come out stronger once they’re more honest with each other, but the way everything ended (just one conversation essentially) didn’t quite feel enough for me to resolve the conflict or bring their character development full circle, especially after the final cinema visit. That ending didn’t feel fully earned.
The writing was not the best. It wasn’t actively bad, but I do think it could use some tightening, especially since the middle felt like it dragged. It was also mentioned that the author is a screenwriter and it kind of showed, as the prose sometimes felt a little clunky and full of action beats, and some of the dialogue read a bit awkward. There were some nice lines, but overall I didn’t enjoy the writing.
The ending felt very Hallmark Christmas movie/origin story for a fictional Chip and Joanna Gaines (there’s a show on home improvements so I’m not joking) and kind of drags my rating down. This is on the twee and saccharine side, but if you like that, as well as exploring a relationship between two very straight white people with some grief and complicated family dynamics thrown in, then you might enjoy this.
Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Ellie and Drake are engaged to be married, though Ellie is getting a little bored of their monotonous routine while Drake is a little disappointed with Ellie’s lack of enthusiasm for wedding planning. Late one night, they stumble upon a vintage cinema playing just one movie, The Story of You. They buy tickets and watch as the only audience members, and are shocked to discover the movie playing memories from their lives. Both curious and scared of what the movie will show, Drake and Ellie agree to return to the cinema, and slowly learn more about each other.
Even writing this blurb feels weird, because these people are getting married after dating for like three years and it feels like they’ve never really done the work to be vulnerable or get to really know each other. So why are they getting married? I couldn’t really tell you even after finishing. I personally think marriage is a bit overrated anyway, but this story plays it extremely straight (literally and figuratively) without questioning much.
The premise reminded me of the translated cozy-with-some-magic stories from Japan and Korea, but a big difference is those books have a rotating cast to explore their magical concept, showing many different perspectives and relationships, while this focused on just Drake and Ellie, and so it grew kind of stale eventually. They had some layers and secrets, were carrying guilt and wounds, but it’s pretty tame or unexplored. Ellie has guilt over what happened to her brother, but it’s one of those situations where it’s obviously not her fault and she just has to understand that, so her “woe is me” attitude just didn’t hit as hard for me, as there wasn’t much beyond that. It explains her fear of commitment, but I’m not sure what Drake did to break that streak, just because he felt pretty plain. I did find Drake’s hang-up more interesting, with his uncreative courtship routine, but also he just read as lacking awareness, and I did not understand why he couldn’t have explained a bit more to Ellie. His memories were slightly embarrassing, sure, but shouldn’t they be getting used to that vulnerability if they’re trying to build a life together? Again, it just adds to my questions of why they’re even together.
I could feel these characters were supposed to be relatable and likable, but they didn’t move me in any way. Ellie even did a bit of a scummy thing with one of her exes (writing about a tragedy she promised to keep private) that was never fully addressed, and I couldn’t come to like her after that. Drake was… boring and judgy. I get the development they and their relationship were supposed to go through, that they come out stronger once they’re more honest with each other, but the way everything ended (just one conversation essentially) didn’t quite feel enough for me to resolve the conflict or bring their character development full circle, especially after the final cinema visit. That ending didn’t feel fully earned.
The writing was not the best. It wasn’t actively bad, but I do think it could use some tightening, especially since the middle felt like it dragged. It was also mentioned that the author is a screenwriter and it kind of showed, as the prose sometimes felt a little clunky and full of action beats, and some of the dialogue read a bit awkward. There were some nice lines, but overall I didn’t enjoy the writing.
The ending felt very Hallmark Christmas movie/origin story for a fictional Chip and Joanna Gaines (there’s a show on home improvements so I’m not joking) and kind of drags my rating down. This is on the twee and saccharine side, but if you like that, as well as exploring a relationship between two very straight white people with some grief and complicated family dynamics thrown in, then you might enjoy this.
Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
October 31, 2025
“Life’s more interesting with an element of mystery, isn’t it?”
oh, this was rough…this book had such a cool and creative idea. I liked the magical realism part and the overall message. It felt emotional and meaningful at times, but that’s kind of where it stopped for me. ★★☆☆☆ [2/5]
So basically it’s about a couple, Ellie & Drake, who find a secret theater that plays movies made from their own memories. Ellie wants to understand her past and a trauma she can’t fully remember, while Drake is worried about what might come out.
The memory theater part was fun to read about, but the pacing was a bit slow and I couldn’t connect with Drake at all. The whole time I was secretly hoping a new love interest would appear. I don’t know what that says about me though … their chemistry just wasn’t there. I kept thinking they probably shouldn’t be getting married because they clearly don’t know how to communicate. They definitely need therapy after that whole cinema situation.
[S P O I L E R: I know the author kind of hints in the epilogue that they worked on things afterward, but I really wish we could have seen more of that.] So yeah, it was a creative story with a nice message about love, honesty, and second chances. I did not love it though…I wouldn’t read it again or really recommend it.
So basically it’s about a couple, Ellie & Drake, who find a secret theater that plays movies made from their own memories. Ellie wants to understand her past and a trauma she can’t fully remember, while Drake is worried about what might come out.
The memory theater part was fun to read about, but the pacing was a bit slow and I couldn’t connect with Drake at all. The whole time I was secretly hoping a new love interest would appear. I don’t know what that says about me though … their chemistry just wasn’t there. I kept thinking they probably shouldn’t be getting married because they clearly don’t know how to communicate. They definitely need therapy after that whole cinema situation.
[S P O I L E R: I know the author kind of hints in the epilogue that they worked on things afterward, but I really wish we could have seen more of that.] So yeah, it was a creative story with a nice message about love, honesty, and second chances. I did not love it though…I wouldn’t read it again or really recommend it.
September 24, 2025
Ellie and Drake are newly engaged.
The Second Chance Cinema is an absolutely wonderful read. I had expected a rather light and entertaining love story, but actually what I found had far greater depth and whilst it was enormously entertaining, it was totally mesmerising and fascinating too, with elements of human understanding that transcended my preconceptions.
The story is beautifully crafted. I adored the sense of America without it dominating the story. There are painterly descriptions that place the reader at the heart of the action but much of the story isn’t about place and action; it’s about feelings and emotions and this is what makes it so compelling.
The prose thrums with underlying tension as Ellie and Drake watch the stories of their lives playing out on the screen inside the mysterious and magical cinema. I loved too, the traditional structure of teh book with three acts bookended by opening credits with a secret scene at the end. It provides a firm backbone to a story that is quite fluid because Ellie and Drake discover that the past might not be quite as they remembered or have the same importance as they believed – a lesson any one of us could learn. Indeed, I could easily see The Second Chance Cinema as a fantastic television series or film itself.
Ellie and Drake are multi-faceted and intriguing characters and I found my allegiance vacillating between them as aspects of their lives were uncovered. The reader discovers so much about them as they return to the cinema for the midnight screenings of their lives, but I’d argue that the two discover even more about themselves and one other and its fascinating to see this play out. Their relationship with each other and with their friends and family is complicated, realistic and frequently emotional. I found myself swept up in their lives. However, it is their self-discovery, their sense of guilt and their humanity that makes The Second Chance Cinema such a brilliant read.
The Second Chance Cinema is a messy, realistic, love story but it’s also an utterly absorbing and emotional insight into who we are as people, how our past shapes our present and just how hard it is to let go in order to move on. I loved it. Oh, and if you simply want a diverting love story and wonder just whether there’s a happy ending for Ellie and Drake – well, you’ll just have to read the book – and I suggest you do!
The Second Chance Cinema is an absolutely wonderful read. I had expected a rather light and entertaining love story, but actually what I found had far greater depth and whilst it was enormously entertaining, it was totally mesmerising and fascinating too, with elements of human understanding that transcended my preconceptions.
The story is beautifully crafted. I adored the sense of America without it dominating the story. There are painterly descriptions that place the reader at the heart of the action but much of the story isn’t about place and action; it’s about feelings and emotions and this is what makes it so compelling.
The prose thrums with underlying tension as Ellie and Drake watch the stories of their lives playing out on the screen inside the mysterious and magical cinema. I loved too, the traditional structure of teh book with three acts bookended by opening credits with a secret scene at the end. It provides a firm backbone to a story that is quite fluid because Ellie and Drake discover that the past might not be quite as they remembered or have the same importance as they believed – a lesson any one of us could learn. Indeed, I could easily see The Second Chance Cinema as a fantastic television series or film itself.
Ellie and Drake are multi-faceted and intriguing characters and I found my allegiance vacillating between them as aspects of their lives were uncovered. The reader discovers so much about them as they return to the cinema for the midnight screenings of their lives, but I’d argue that the two discover even more about themselves and one other and its fascinating to see this play out. Their relationship with each other and with their friends and family is complicated, realistic and frequently emotional. I found myself swept up in their lives. However, it is their self-discovery, their sense of guilt and their humanity that makes The Second Chance Cinema such a brilliant read.
The Second Chance Cinema is a messy, realistic, love story but it’s also an utterly absorbing and emotional insight into who we are as people, how our past shapes our present and just how hard it is to let go in order to move on. I loved it. Oh, and if you simply want a diverting love story and wonder just whether there’s a happy ending for Ellie and Drake – well, you’ll just have to read the book – and I suggest you do!
November 25, 2025
A very pleasant read that enveloped me, surprisingly with emotional deepness.
A couple, going into an enchanted cinema that undresses their past with picturesque flair, pun intended. Through memories, cloaked in movies. The concept is marvelous.
Drake and Ellie, both digest each other’s secrets, traumas, and disturbances. You can feel the fragility of the love wearing thin with each chapter. Most importantly, this was utterly moving as it shows what love can do and how bad it can hurt.
🖤✍️.
A couple, going into an enchanted cinema that undresses their past with picturesque flair, pun intended. Through memories, cloaked in movies. The concept is marvelous.
Drake and Ellie, both digest each other’s secrets, traumas, and disturbances. You can feel the fragility of the love wearing thin with each chapter. Most importantly, this was utterly moving as it shows what love can do and how bad it can hurt.
🖤✍️.
December 5, 2025
"Excitement and dread walked hand in hand beside them as they prepared to enter the movie." (Ch 36)
Speculative Fiction / Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Romance | Second Chances
"RULE ONE: What happens at the cinema stays in the cinema...." (Ch 9)
Started off kind of like a Hallmark movie romance. Then it was like being swept off into a swirl and thrum of magic. Like golden tickets. There was a change, a vibration of whimsy, where you knew something was about to alter the path and direction of their lives — for better or for worse. Except it didn't go as expected. It was met with resistance and apprehension. Ellie and Drake had some reservations about watching the highlights of their lives up on the big screen. Who knew what kind of secrets and/or hidden things existed in their pasts that could pop up. Possibly, things that may make the other person see them differently, make them feel differently about them, and irrevocably erect a wedge in their seemingly sound relationship.
“somewhere out there could be a great thing. The best thing. And by going to all the same places again and again, you’re missing out.” (Ch 1)
Ellie, at least, goes through self-reflection and starts seeing her interactions with others a little differently. As if her eyes and perhaps her heart had had a chance to open. Revealing truths about herself, she never knew.
And how well do we really know our partners? Or even ourselves? Or how well do we actually recall things that happened in the past as they truly did?
“What matters to me are the moments we share alone, not the moments that other people experience.” (Ch 14)
This is a story about relationships, hard and soft facets of them, and of life. Facing the past and moving forward from it, facing fears and grief, believing in the worthiness of self and each other, and communication.
“I like to think that a first love is finding yourself in someone else . And a second love,” he said looking right at Ellie, “well, the second love is just sharing the self you found with somebody new. The real self, of course.” (Ch 29)
Some parts brought tears to my eyes. 🥺
If you had a chance to enter a movie theatre that would show you the pivotal highlights of your life — both the ugly and the beautiful — would you have the courage to watch it? And then, if so, how brave would you be to watch it with someone who holds an important position in your life at the present? 🤔
eARC courtesy of NetGalley | Simon & Schuster / Atria Books
Speculative Fiction / Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Romance | Second Chances
"RULE ONE: What happens at the cinema stays in the cinema...." (Ch 9)
Started off kind of like a Hallmark movie romance. Then it was like being swept off into a swirl and thrum of magic. Like golden tickets. There was a change, a vibration of whimsy, where you knew something was about to alter the path and direction of their lives — for better or for worse. Except it didn't go as expected. It was met with resistance and apprehension. Ellie and Drake had some reservations about watching the highlights of their lives up on the big screen. Who knew what kind of secrets and/or hidden things existed in their pasts that could pop up. Possibly, things that may make the other person see them differently, make them feel differently about them, and irrevocably erect a wedge in their seemingly sound relationship.
“somewhere out there could be a great thing. The best thing. And by going to all the same places again and again, you’re missing out.” (Ch 1)
Ellie, at least, goes through self-reflection and starts seeing her interactions with others a little differently. As if her eyes and perhaps her heart had had a chance to open. Revealing truths about herself, she never knew.
And how well do we really know our partners? Or even ourselves? Or how well do we actually recall things that happened in the past as they truly did?
“What matters to me are the moments we share alone, not the moments that other people experience.” (Ch 14)
This is a story about relationships, hard and soft facets of them, and of life. Facing the past and moving forward from it, facing fears and grief, believing in the worthiness of self and each other, and communication.
“I like to think that a first love is finding yourself in someone else . And a second love,” he said looking right at Ellie, “well, the second love is just sharing the self you found with somebody new. The real self, of course.” (Ch 29)
Some parts brought tears to my eyes. 🥺
If you had a chance to enter a movie theatre that would show you the pivotal highlights of your life — both the ugly and the beautiful — would you have the courage to watch it? And then, if so, how brave would you be to watch it with someone who holds an important position in your life at the present? 🤔
eARC courtesy of NetGalley | Simon & Schuster / Atria Books
December 3, 2025
At no point did I wish for this book to continue.
October 23, 2025
We are going to go with 3.5/5 for The Second Chance Cinema! And here's why...
Fun, magical premise — +1 star.
I mean, what would you do if you stumbled upon a cinema that only played movies of your own memories?! I’d absolutely want to watch.
Endearing characters — +1 star.
These characters grew on me, and I found myself fully invested in their stories. That’s always a sign of a good read.
Heartfelt life lessons — +1.5 stars.
I love when an author reminds us that real life can be just as magical if you know where to look. This book captured that perfectly.
Why not five stars?
The pacing was slow to start; it took until about halfway through for me to feel truly hooked.
Skip the audiobook.
I listened to the audio version and wish I hadn’t — the narration for Ellie didn’t fit her character at all. I suspect the physical copy would have been a much better experience.
Overall: A warm, imaginative story worth picking up — just maybe in print form!
Fun, magical premise — +1 star.
I mean, what would you do if you stumbled upon a cinema that only played movies of your own memories?! I’d absolutely want to watch.
Endearing characters — +1 star.
These characters grew on me, and I found myself fully invested in their stories. That’s always a sign of a good read.
Heartfelt life lessons — +1.5 stars.
I love when an author reminds us that real life can be just as magical if you know where to look. This book captured that perfectly.
Why not five stars?
The pacing was slow to start; it took until about halfway through for me to feel truly hooked.
Skip the audiobook.
I listened to the audio version and wish I hadn’t — the narration for Ellie didn’t fit her character at all. I suspect the physical copy would have been a much better experience.
Overall: A warm, imaginative story worth picking up — just maybe in print form!
December 18, 2025
1.75 stars
This book was bad. The writing was not good; too much telling not enough showing. Also both these people suck. They know nothing about each other, I don’t understand how they’re getting married. Why do they have so many secrets they’re keeping from each other? Plus everything they did or said was sooooo dumb and cringey. Parts of it would’ve made more sense if they had just started dating three months ago. Do not recommend.
This book was bad. The writing was not good; too much telling not enough showing. Also both these people suck. They know nothing about each other, I don’t understand how they’re getting married. Why do they have so many secrets they’re keeping from each other? Plus everything they did or said was sooooo dumb and cringey. Parts of it would’ve made more sense if they had just started dating three months ago. Do not recommend.
October 23, 2025
Maybe I wasn't in the right frame of mind for this book, but it all seemed just a bit much. A great storyline on a magical theater showing memories of the couples life, but it all seemed a bit long and a bit slow and just didn't invest in any of the characters.
October 22, 2025
Torn on this one. I was touched by the grief that Ellie felt with the sudden loss of Ben and was so sympathetic to the sibling bond broken. On the flip side, I hated the connection between Drake and Ellie. I think I was supposed to root for them, that the memories were supposed to give them depth and soften their ugly edges. But no, hate their connection. And though the author tied the ending up in a bow, I would have preferred a nuclear non-happily ever after ending myself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2025
I was so lucky to be given the opportunity to read and review this debut. In the vein of Ashley Poston, with magical realism mingling with romance, the titular Second Chance Cinema is a vintage movie theatre that appears to couples mysteriously and at random. What shows on the big screen is the story of their lives.
We follow Ellie, a writer who blogs about vintage places fallen on hard times, and Drake, a construction worker. But when they stumble upon a vintage cinema one night, and decide to attend the showing, they quickly realise that the movie that plays is no normal feature film. In The Story of You, Ellie and Drake watch their own memories, from birth to childhood to adulthood to, eventually, their own meetcute.
It probes a really intriguing question of ‘can we ever fundamentally know each other?’ Weiss explores reconciling with the fact that you can never know the ins and outs of another persons life before it intersected with your own, and how past experiences shape the people we become. Whether that’s something to be grateful for or to be mourned, and whether a persons past actions can determine how we love them.
Weiss skilfully conducts a post-mortem of a relationship that isn’t quite dead, but isn’t wholly alive either. Nostalgic, personal and painfully realistic, Weiss doesn’t shy away from writing her characters with flaws, which challenge the reader’s ability to like the characters at times. These unsavoury moments are essential to the story and to the progression of Drake and Ellie’s relationship, both with each other and themselves. Weiss helps us understand why the characters are the way that they are through their memories playing out on a film roll.
It was a really interesting look at what happens after The End of most traditional romances. I’d hesitate to call this book a romance, certainly not in the typical way. It’s more of a genre-blending tale of marriage, relationships, family and a love letter to the Golden Age of cinema.
We follow Ellie, a writer who blogs about vintage places fallen on hard times, and Drake, a construction worker. But when they stumble upon a vintage cinema one night, and decide to attend the showing, they quickly realise that the movie that plays is no normal feature film. In The Story of You, Ellie and Drake watch their own memories, from birth to childhood to adulthood to, eventually, their own meetcute.
It probes a really intriguing question of ‘can we ever fundamentally know each other?’ Weiss explores reconciling with the fact that you can never know the ins and outs of another persons life before it intersected with your own, and how past experiences shape the people we become. Whether that’s something to be grateful for or to be mourned, and whether a persons past actions can determine how we love them.
Weiss skilfully conducts a post-mortem of a relationship that isn’t quite dead, but isn’t wholly alive either. Nostalgic, personal and painfully realistic, Weiss doesn’t shy away from writing her characters with flaws, which challenge the reader’s ability to like the characters at times. These unsavoury moments are essential to the story and to the progression of Drake and Ellie’s relationship, both with each other and themselves. Weiss helps us understand why the characters are the way that they are through their memories playing out on a film roll.
It was a really interesting look at what happens after The End of most traditional romances. I’d hesitate to call this book a romance, certainly not in the typical way. It’s more of a genre-blending tale of marriage, relationships, family and a love letter to the Golden Age of cinema.
October 9, 2025
An interesting point of view on relationships and memories with a magical twist.
Memories are a funny thing; with time, they morph, and what you remember is only a portion of what really happened. What could happen if you could see these events again, as they were unfolding? Would it help with closure, would it add some guilt?
Ellie and Drake experienced it firsthand. And, beautifully, it helped them grow as a person, and solidify their union. It was beautiful to see.
TW for deathly car accident, grief
Many thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada for the advanced copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Memories are a funny thing; with time, they morph, and what you remember is only a portion of what really happened. What could happen if you could see these events again, as they were unfolding? Would it help with closure, would it add some guilt?
Ellie and Drake experienced it firsthand. And, beautifully, it helped them grow as a person, and solidify their union. It was beautiful to see.
TW for deathly car accident, grief
Many thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada for the advanced copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 7, 2025
A decent read! It was a cute, feel-good book. It lacked some depth and just felt predictable for me but I liked the idea of the plot.
November 16, 2025
Truly between a 4 and a 5, but I think I need to live with it longer to decide if it gets the round up.
Super cozy and sweet, and I got really invested in their story. I haven’t read a book that made me cry in a while, so good on this one lol.
Super cozy and sweet, and I got really invested in their story. I haven’t read a book that made me cry in a while, so good on this one lol.
December 12, 2025
This had a cool concept, but I got frustrated watching the characters make the same mistakes over and over and over again, right up until the book was almost over.
October 9, 2025
@Annika @Allison I think you guys would like this one!
October 31, 2025
Such a cool concept with so much potential but poor execution
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