In Another Life

by Molly McCarthy

She’s a romance author with a secret: she has no romantic experience.

Rhiannon James’ anxiety makes dating excruciating. The angst that comes along with first dates keeps her from going on any, but it also keeps her from finding the one thing she’s always wanted—true love. After making a career out of writing romance novels, Rhia is on the hunt for her own happily ever after.

Inspired by a challenge from her therapist, Rhia decides to go on five first dates as a form of exposure therapy. Each date is increasingly disastrous, and her only saving grace is Cole—the hot bartender at Marty’s Tavern who laughs with her about how horrible her suitors are and saves her from the creeps.

When Cole suggests Rhia go on a first date with him, she agrees in order to fulfill her challenge. It turns out to be the best night of her life, but Cole is a flirtatious player, and Rhia doesn't believe he'd ever be looking for the kind of love that she is. She writes off the date as a one-time thing, but Cole isn't so quick to dismiss their connection. He’s determined to show Rhia how fun dating can be, and Rhia finds ways to help Cole battle his own demons.

Their blossoming relationship begs the question: can two people who are so different find fulfillment in a relationship? Or is it just something you imagine happening in another life?

This book contains strong language and sexual content. The following topics are mentioned in some capacity: anxiety, including panic attacks (on page); C-PTSD; poverty (in past); parental death (in past); house fire (in past); pyrophobia; unexpected pregnancy (not the MC); allusions to abortion and miscarriage.

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 20, 2025

About the author

Molly is an avid romance reader and writer living just outside Boston, MA. She can often be found typing away in a café, drinking a latte, and dreaming of happily ever afters. Keep up with Molly on Instagram @mollymccarthybooks.

Follow me on Bookbub (https://bit.ly/mollybookbub) and subscribe to my newsletter (https://bit.ly/mollynewsletter) for alerts about new releases sales!

Reviews

[Celina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky to receive an advance reader copy of In Another Life and ended up really enjoying it! The characters pulled me in right away and I loved how emotional yet easy the story was to read. A few parts dragged a little and others I wish went on a little longer, but overall it was heartfelt, engaging, and kept me turning the pages. Solid 4 stars. I’ll definitely be picking up more from Molly McCarthy.

[Holly Schwartz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one that’s VERY easy to love! I’ve been a fan of Molly’s for a while so I already had a good feeling about this one! And Rhia and Cole did not disappoint! They were sweet and their connection was instant and palpable. Even when Rhia’s anxiety was getting the best of her, she was able to be comfortable and safe with Cole! And they had SUCH a good time together!!

They both had a lot to work through, and I loved seeing them do just that. Even while Cole was unsure and hesitant to try to change things in fear of distrusting his status quo, seeing him TRY because he knew he needed to also a change!! Molly wrote it all so well. Along with Rhia’s anxiety and Cole’s trauma, I thought she did a really great of job of writing those experiences with a lot of love and care.

I ALSO love the found family! Between Rhia and Hannah and Caleb! And then Cole and Bailey and their little found family unit! It was VERY sweet!

I’ll forever read Molly’s books, they are a VERY nice place to be!!

[courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely adored this book! 🥰

i read this in one sitting (it was a perfect length in the sweet spot between 300 and 350 pages). i found myself relating heavily to rhiannon and her experience of anxiety. i appreciated that although really authentically touching on serious complex issues (ptsd, anxiety, panic attacks, etc) there was still so much light, banter and progress throughout. as someone who also struggles with mental health issues it was refreshing to see the FMC communicate her needs openly (something that she had been building for many years off page). but then there was the contrast of the MMC who was at the beginning of addressing his own anxiety and trauma so you got both sides of the coin which added important depth to the story.

love love loved the representation of therapy in both rhia’s success and admiration for her therapist and cole’s initial reluctance. plus them engaging in couples therapy to build their relationship and get ahead of any future issues was such an appreciated addition! i am a sucker for a friends to lovers vibe and really loved how their comfort with one another built steadily with time.

i am really looking forward to continuing with the series and learning more about the extended found family (another favourite trope of mine).

oh and standout highlight for me was “damn those SSRIs. little lifesaving losers” absolutely masterful, iykyk.

thank you to the author for sharing an advanced copy with me! 😌🌟

[Nicole Sapriken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This one had me feeling all the feels.
Two people, both with trauma and anxiety, helping each other through healing. Such a wonderful story.
This book shows that family is not always blood, and blood is not always family. Family is who cares for you and who you care for. Found family is the best family there is, and this book shines a massive spotlight on that.
This book also reminded me that therapy comes in many different forms, and is used in good times as well as low times.
I do love that the Rhia is a romance author and there are some smart little shots taken during the book (the “third act breakup being lazy writing” quip made me giggle hard!). And I also love that Cole manages to turn her run of exceptionally horrible first dates around.
All in all, Rhia and Cole are amazing characters who deserve happiness.
Spicy content always helps too 😉🌶️🌶️

[BookishBudgets · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly loved this book!

5 ✨️
🌶🌶🌶 / 5

Rhia is doing the work! Her therapist has advised her to get out there and meet new people, she's doing the dating app thing and invites her dates to a local bar called Marty's.

In the other corner, Cole is an experienced, playful, flirty bartender and chef hopeful at Marty's. He's invested in Rhia and her dating conundrums from the start.

I mostly enjoyed the communication between both main characters and the trust they put in eachother.

We have mentions of the following:

~ Anxiety
~ Panic attacts
~ Pyrophobia
~ Accidental pregnancy
~ Off page death of a parent
~ Alcohol consumption
~ Very light Dom/Sub relationship in bed
~ Anal play

Thank you Molly McCarthy for the ARC of "In Another Life".

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay I read this as part of Mollys ARC team. I devoured this is a matter of hours, literally could not put it down.

Rhiannon and Cole are so perfect, they’re complex, they’ve both got their issues but together they make sense. The way this whole thing was written is just perfect, the way the mental health issues are described, the panic attacks, the way Cole is able to help Rhia through it all and how she helps him through his issues. Let me tell you, EMDR and exposure therapy is absolutely not fun, but it’s so helpful and to see that written in such a healthy way is such a positive thing!

I can’t wait to see what happens with Bailey and Mac 🖤

[MBM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally! A romance author who isn’t afraid to broach the topic of mental health in her latest can’t-put-it-down novel, In Another Life! Amidst the usual spice and intrigue that keeps you turning pages is an honest and heartfelt nod to the struggles of Rhiannon, a young woman with anxiety. Bravo to Rhiannon for being a courageous example to all of us facing similar challenges! And thanks to author Molly McCarthy for a well-written novel that goes way beyond romance. Can’t wait to hear what’s next!

[Sofi Claros · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for a copy of the ARC of this book!
4⭐ and 4🌶️
I absolutely loved this book! It was more than I expected honestly, I expected a cute lil romance but ended up reading this amazing story about two people deeply flawed and damaged finding each other and learning from each other, falling in love (obviously) and becoming exactly what the other needed❤️
The side characters were also amazing, I'm so excited for Bailey and Mac's story! (I love the pregnancy trope, sue me)
I really enjoyed this and will absutely be finishing the series!

[Stephanie Chipner · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Another Life by Molly McCarthy is an emotional, tender, and beautifully spicy romance that hits all the right notes. The FMC—a sweet, slightly naive romance author battling trauma and anxiety—feels heartbreakingly real and easy to root for. And the caring, sexy bartender? Absolute perfection. Their chemistry sizzles, but it’s the emotional connection that makes this story unforgettable.

McCarthy handles healing and mental health with honesty and hope, giving us a heroine who finally gets her own spicy happily ever after. Loved every page!

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of spice.. if you like spice you’d like this book.

Rhianna has really bad anxiety with first dates. But she had help over coming it. And never knew she would over come her anxiety.

Cole has PTSD from his past but Rhianna helps him over come it or tries to at least.

You’ll like this book if you like spice, reading about other people’s mental health. The author did really well wish the book wish there was less spice but over all really well written.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got sucked into this story so fast and enjoyed the characters so much, I had a really hard time putting it down. I really enjoyed the way Rhiannons anxiety, panic attacks, and lack of experience were written as well as Coles past trauma and PTSD and how they were able to help each other through it all as their relationship grew. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to more from Molly McCarthy.

I can't wait to read about Mac and Bailey next!

[Themis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book so fast I wish I didn't get so excited and into it so I could have more time in that world. I was blushing and giggling and smiling so much throughout the whole book I couldn't put it down. I once again related to the characters and especially Rhiannon for most parts. I also loved the way Molly McCarthy handled all the sensitive matters with such care and respect. I wish I could read this again for the first time.

[Emily Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

* ARC Read*

I loved Rhia and Cole's story. This book was so real and had so many raw emotions. I loved the mental health aspect and how well this was portrayed throughout the book. Instead of ignoring red flags and just pushing menta health to the background like so many stories do, this addressed it head on in such a healthy way. I loved how well they supported each other. Wonderful read!

[Jessica St Hilaire · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Read!!

Wow,wow, wow!! This book was sooo delicious! It had just the right amount of plot, spice, drama, and begging*wink wink*. I haven’t read a book from the POV of the main character being an author since “Keep Me” and I loved every moment!

[Jenn Lockwood Editing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every page = Amazing!
Rhia’s and Cole’s backstories are so deep, and real, and honest. They are incredible characters, and when they are together…fireworks! The way they support and encourage each other is incredible.
This is, for sure, a must read! Move it to the top of your TBR!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s short. It’s cute.
I read it in less than a day.

Thank you Molly McCarthy for an eARC!

[Andrea Britton · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved!

A sweet and sexy romance. Rhiannon and Cole’s story is one emotional and heartwarming tale of two people finding their happily ever after.

[M.K. Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great read. There was incredible depth to the characters that felt so real. Their problems were hard to conquer and overcome and that made the joy at the end all the better. Love to see when both characters grow.

[Cara Woodham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy from Molly McCarthy, herself. This is my first Molly McCarthy book and I'm adding In Your Eyes to my TBR. I will also be looking for the next book in the series because I enjoyed brother best friend, unexpected pregnancy tropes. I enjoyed the characters of this book and the found family developed in this book. The tropes of this book are mental illness rep. in both the MMC and FMC and dating lessons. Cole is such a good instructor, he was checking in with Rhia from the moment she walked in the his bar. He is definitely a great book boyfriend. I like see Rhia and Cole be each other's person. I am ashamed to say that I feel like Rhia was a little pushy when it came to Cole working through his CPTSD, but found ways to make it interesting. I really enjoyed this book and will be looking for more from this author.