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The Rest of My Lives: A Metaphysical Love Story
What if your soulmate was waiting in a different lifetime?
Emi Felice is a happily married mother of three. Things in her house are easy and sweet—and she means to keep them that way. But her perfect peace is shattered when, on her fortieth birthday, Emi runs into an old flame, and suddenly, she’s not sure of anything anymore.
Jesse Amato lives a coveted life. He is wealthy, unencumbered, and answers to no one. Yet even with all his freedom and success, secret thoughts of Emi have tormented him for years, ever since fate severed any chance at their young love. And Jesse is shook when their serendipitous meeting brings it all back to the surface.
Plagued by inescapable signs and synchronicities, Emi and Jesse discover there is more to their chance encounter than meets the eye. They have been pushed together by mysterious cosmic forces—forces that grant them the power to go back and rewrite history.
Will they embrace their destiny, even if it means losing everything?
Emi Felice is a happily married mother of three. Things in her house are easy and sweet—and she means to keep them that way. But her perfect peace is shattered when, on her fortieth birthday, Emi runs into an old flame, and suddenly, she’s not sure of anything anymore.
Jesse Amato lives a coveted life. He is wealthy, unencumbered, and answers to no one. Yet even with all his freedom and success, secret thoughts of Emi have tormented him for years, ever since fate severed any chance at their young love. And Jesse is shook when their serendipitous meeting brings it all back to the surface.
Plagued by inescapable signs and synchronicities, Emi and Jesse discover there is more to their chance encounter than meets the eye. They have been pushed together by mysterious cosmic forces—forces that grant them the power to go back and rewrite history.
Will they embrace their destiny, even if it means losing everything?
- GenresRomanceSecond Chance
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 13, 2025
7 people are currently reading
193 people want to read
About the author
Elle Nestico
1 book9 followersElle Nestico is a published novelist of Speculative Romance and Women's Fiction. Her stories are character-driven and relatable, while philosophizing about life, love, and the metaphysical.
When Elle isn't ruminating from behind her computer, you can find her carpool karaoke-ing with her plethora of mortified children, chasing after her family's obstinate golden retriever, laughing with girlfriends over absurdly expensive coffee, or binging the latest streaming shows with her better half.
When Elle isn't ruminating from behind her computer, you can find her carpool karaoke-ing with her plethora of mortified children, chasing after her family's obstinate golden retriever, laughing with girlfriends over absurdly expensive coffee, or binging the latest streaming shows with her better half.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 21, 2025
The Rest of My Lives by Elle Nestico completely drew me in. It’s a stunning, soul-level love story woven with cosmic threads that feel both epic and strangely familiar. The themes of destiny, karmic connection, and second chances are so compelling—but what truly caught me off guard was how relatable and even laugh-out-loud funny it is at times.
The story captures the beauty and messiness of deep relationships and complex family dynamics with such honesty, it really stuck with me. It’s emotional, thought-provoking, and beautifully written. I found myself thinking about it long after I turned the last page. If you’re into love stories that feel bigger than just one lifetime, this is absolutely worth the read.
The story captures the beauty and messiness of deep relationships and complex family dynamics with such honesty, it really stuck with me. It’s emotional, thought-provoking, and beautifully written. I found myself thinking about it long after I turned the last page. If you’re into love stories that feel bigger than just one lifetime, this is absolutely worth the read.
September 7, 2025
Emi Felice and, her former love, Jesse Amato discover that they have the opportunity to rewrite their past when cosmetic forces keep pulling them together, making them choose between destiny or their current lives!
“How have we never met before?” she wondered.
“I don’t know. It sounds like we’ve been circling each other in some way for years.”
I’m a strong believer in fate and soul mates, so this book sucked me in from the beginning. I’m also a sucker for a second chance romance. The angst between these two characters gives you just enough to keep hanging on to that thin thread of hope! Emi and Jesse’s journey is full of heartbreaking “what if’s” and “you’ll never know if you don’t try.”
Author, Elle Nestico, does a beautiful job at capturing raw emotion within her characters, and creates thought provoking situations. The writing is witty and beautiful!
⋆✴︎˚｡┈pre-read┈ ｡ﾟ✴︎⋆
Thank you so much to the author, Elle Nestico, for sending me a copy of her book! I’m so excited to get this started. Second chance romances are right up my alley💜
“How have we never met before?” she wondered.
“I don’t know. It sounds like we’ve been circling each other in some way for years.”
I’m a strong believer in fate and soul mates, so this book sucked me in from the beginning. I’m also a sucker for a second chance romance. The angst between these two characters gives you just enough to keep hanging on to that thin thread of hope! Emi and Jesse’s journey is full of heartbreaking “what if’s” and “you’ll never know if you don’t try.”
Author, Elle Nestico, does a beautiful job at capturing raw emotion within her characters, and creates thought provoking situations. The writing is witty and beautiful!
⋆✴︎˚｡┈pre-read┈ ｡ﾟ✴︎⋆
Thank you so much to the author, Elle Nestico, for sending me a copy of her book! I’m so excited to get this started. Second chance romances are right up my alley💜
November 23, 2025
The Rest of My Lives is an emotional experience with deep meaning and extensive description. The relationships are more vivid than the setting, and they are as beautiful as they are deeply flawed. As I read the speculative story of soulmates reincarnated across time, and Emi’s struggle to find her way in this life, I couldn’t help but think that what wasn’t spoken about but remained central to the story was that this woman was experiencing the same middle age confusion many of us do. Where am I in the timeline of my life? Am I happy with what I’ve built? Could I have done things another way? A better way? Would I be, could I be, happier than I am? Would I be willing to give up the best parts of this life for the chance at that other potential?
All of the themes explored here relate to what many people already struggle with as they come to grips with aging.
For me this was a deeply thoughtful story that left me feeling sad for all of the characters. I felt connected to them, and I feel like this was a story where someone would always lose. I struggled with this book, and am not sure my interpretation is what the author intended. I set it aside to come back to later and felt the same about it at the end.
I would recommend this book to fans of speculative fiction, and fans of stories where the romance is messy, the people are real in their moral grey-scale, and the emotions raw.
All of the themes explored here relate to what many people already struggle with as they come to grips with aging.
For me this was a deeply thoughtful story that left me feeling sad for all of the characters. I felt connected to them, and I feel like this was a story where someone would always lose. I struggled with this book, and am not sure my interpretation is what the author intended. I set it aside to come back to later and felt the same about it at the end.
I would recommend this book to fans of speculative fiction, and fans of stories where the romance is messy, the people are real in their moral grey-scale, and the emotions raw.
December 20, 2025
4.25 ⭐️
The Rest of My Lives is the type of book that is very thought-provoking and will have you thinking about it for days after finishing it! The Rest of My Lives is a book that will have you looking inward at your life and the choices you have made. What would you do if you had the ability to change the path you took? Would you stay in that same path or would rewrite it? The Rest of My Lives follows this dilemma and oh my, it’s sitting with my heart!
The Rest of My Lives is the type of book that is very thought-provoking and will have you thinking about it for days after finishing it! The Rest of My Lives is a book that will have you looking inward at your life and the choices you have made. What would you do if you had the ability to change the path you took? Would you stay in that same path or would rewrite it? The Rest of My Lives follows this dilemma and oh my, it’s sitting with my heart!
November 10, 2025
Elle Nestico delivered a profoundly emotional and conceptually intriguing romance that immediately made me wonder: if soulmates are real, what price do they have to pay to finally be together? This isn't just a simple love story, it’s a captivating deep dive into eternal sorrow, impossible choices, and the spiritual connection that survives time itself.
The whole time I was reading, I kept wondering how the author was going to handle this topic—how she would deliver it in a way that would fit for different people—and I honestly think she did it beautifully. I'm not usually that into all the spiritual topics that were intertwined within this book, but I found it so interesting and unique. It’s definitely not your typical romance book, and I absolutely loved it for that.
The central narrative follows two souls who are repeatedly drawn together, only to be torn apart across the vast expanse of various lifetimes. I loved how Nestico handled this enduring connection with extraordinary sensitivity, focusing on the profound, aching gravity of their bond. The pacing felt significant, mirroring the weight of centuries, but the payoff was a deeply felt connection. It truly feels like we are witnessing the culmination of countless heartbreaks and near-misses.
What made this book unforgettable was the genuine emotional turmoil Nestico creates. The devotion between the protagonists felt intensely real because we witness the history and the sacrifices they’ve made—not just in the current reality, but in the pervasive echoes of previous ones. This constant struggle against fate created such an electric, beautiful tension, making the moments they finally connected feel intensely poignant. I dont say this often, but I adored the ending of this book, immaculate!
If you crave sweeping, epic romances with high emotional stakes and something truly unique, please pick this up. If you love the idea of a love so powerful it defies the very boundaries of time, this beautifully written testament to enduring love should be your next read.
Thank you to the author Elle Nestico for the copy of this book. All thoughts are my own and independent of the copy received.
The whole time I was reading, I kept wondering how the author was going to handle this topic—how she would deliver it in a way that would fit for different people—and I honestly think she did it beautifully. I'm not usually that into all the spiritual topics that were intertwined within this book, but I found it so interesting and unique. It’s definitely not your typical romance book, and I absolutely loved it for that.
The central narrative follows two souls who are repeatedly drawn together, only to be torn apart across the vast expanse of various lifetimes. I loved how Nestico handled this enduring connection with extraordinary sensitivity, focusing on the profound, aching gravity of their bond. The pacing felt significant, mirroring the weight of centuries, but the payoff was a deeply felt connection. It truly feels like we are witnessing the culmination of countless heartbreaks and near-misses.
What made this book unforgettable was the genuine emotional turmoil Nestico creates. The devotion between the protagonists felt intensely real because we witness the history and the sacrifices they’ve made—not just in the current reality, but in the pervasive echoes of previous ones. This constant struggle against fate created such an electric, beautiful tension, making the moments they finally connected feel intensely poignant. I dont say this often, but I adored the ending of this book, immaculate!
If you crave sweeping, epic romances with high emotional stakes and something truly unique, please pick this up. If you love the idea of a love so powerful it defies the very boundaries of time, this beautifully written testament to enduring love should be your next read.
Thank you to the author Elle Nestico for the copy of this book. All thoughts are my own and independent of the copy received.
July 18, 2025
I am a strong believer in fate and faith. I have always held to the concept that whatever is meant to happen will occur - despite external forces or trying to create your own outcome. Because despite your efforts a higher being has a plan laid out - again, just my beliefs. Second chances when deserved are also something I am a proponent of.
My mom always taught me that you will get good if you give in good faith, and karma is a strong force. I was blown away by how many concepts I could connect with in this lovely story. It was so well constructed without hitting you on the head. It honestly had me an emotional mess at certain points because the way family was presented, the relationships that were woven and situations echoed in my true life and experiences. I have lost and I have loved and I know deep in my soul that I will meet my other loved and dearly missed souls in another world, time and place. I also know that this story drove this home for me and it was comforting seeing someone touch on this in such a beautiful way.
My mom always taught me that you will get good if you give in good faith, and karma is a strong force. I was blown away by how many concepts I could connect with in this lovely story. It was so well constructed without hitting you on the head. It honestly had me an emotional mess at certain points because the way family was presented, the relationships that were woven and situations echoed in my true life and experiences. I have lost and I have loved and I know deep in my soul that I will meet my other loved and dearly missed souls in another world, time and place. I also know that this story drove this home for me and it was comforting seeing someone touch on this in such a beautiful way.
November 4, 2025
This was absolutely not my case. It might be for you, if you're into reincarnations, fate and astrology and books like Our Infinite Fates or The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.
The entire midlife-crisis theme just absolutely wasn't my thing. I think I could've really liked it if it felt relatable, but this way, I was just incredibly bored.
Nevertheless, I really liked the ending!!
The entire midlife-crisis theme just absolutely wasn't my thing. I think I could've really liked it if it felt relatable, but this way, I was just incredibly bored.
Nevertheless, I really liked the ending!!
December 5, 2025
The rest of our lives by Elle Nestico is a story that transcends time, tugs at your heart and soul, and leaves wondering what if. This story packs such an unexpected emotional punch in the heart.
Emi Felice and, her former love, Jesse Amato discover that they have the opportunity to rewrite their past when cosmic forces keep pulling them together, making them choose between destiny or their current lives. The story further develops, exploring the concepts of fate and the notion of it’s "meant to be", being equally heartbreaking as it is hopeful.
The angst between these two characters gives you just enough of them to keep the hope for them alive throughout the heartbreaking “what if’s” and the “you’ll never know if you don’t try.”
I loved this book. From the moment I started reading it was incredibly hard to put down! While this is definitely a romance novel, it also highlighted love in friendships and family. All soulmates are not romantic soulmates, and that is evident in this read. Which is refreshing as much as it felt comforting.
I especially loved the focus on motherhood; how isolating it can be and how it’s easy to lose yourself in motherhood. As a mother myself, I think we have all been there at one point or another.
**QUICK MESSAGE TO ALL MOMS CURRENTLY LOST IN MOTHERHOOD**** - You will find you again! You will always get your pink back. Just breathe.
“How have we never met before?” she wondered.
“I don’t know. It sounds like we’ve been circling each other in some way for years.”
I recommend this to lovers of romance, fate, second chances, and to those who always ponder what if. It is under 300 pages so it is a great book to get you out of a slump and an in between book.
I was lucky to receive a gifted eARC from Elle Nestico and The Nerd Fam. These are my thoughts on the book.
Emi Felice and, her former love, Jesse Amato discover that they have the opportunity to rewrite their past when cosmic forces keep pulling them together, making them choose between destiny or their current lives. The story further develops, exploring the concepts of fate and the notion of it’s "meant to be", being equally heartbreaking as it is hopeful.
The angst between these two characters gives you just enough of them to keep the hope for them alive throughout the heartbreaking “what if’s” and the “you’ll never know if you don’t try.”
I loved this book. From the moment I started reading it was incredibly hard to put down! While this is definitely a romance novel, it also highlighted love in friendships and family. All soulmates are not romantic soulmates, and that is evident in this read. Which is refreshing as much as it felt comforting.
I especially loved the focus on motherhood; how isolating it can be and how it’s easy to lose yourself in motherhood. As a mother myself, I think we have all been there at one point or another.
**QUICK MESSAGE TO ALL MOMS CURRENTLY LOST IN MOTHERHOOD**** - You will find you again! You will always get your pink back. Just breathe.
“How have we never met before?” she wondered.
“I don’t know. It sounds like we’ve been circling each other in some way for years.”
I recommend this to lovers of romance, fate, second chances, and to those who always ponder what if. It is under 300 pages so it is a great book to get you out of a slump and an in between book.
I was lucky to receive a gifted eARC from Elle Nestico and The Nerd Fam. These are my thoughts on the book.
September 10, 2025
Have you ever felt like maybe you made the wrong choices in your life? Thought maybe you’d like a do over?
That’s what, recently 40yr old, Emi has been asking. She just can’t seem to shake memories of the past and of Jesse, the boy that it slipped away.
Suddenly Emi is having dreams of Jesse, but not Jesse of the past, 41 year old Jesse. What could they mean? What is happening to Emi? Why isn’t it, that even with a beautiful family, she just can’t shake Jesse from your mind and soul?
So I went into this read pretty blind and I’m so glad I did. It’s so well written, the way the author blends complex metaphysical concepts alongside the emotional relatability of a person in the middle of their life, it’s pure perfection.
I don’t want to reveal anything about the plot, but I want to highlight some things that Elle does incredibly well throughout this story.
She manages to juggle two potential love interests throughout the story while never character assassinating any of them!! It’s some Sweet Home Alabama level magic!
She deals with incredibly complex concepts and writes them with such ease that the understanding of the reader is never overly challenge or detracts from the overall storyline.
She gives such heart and joy to the whole character of Emi, she feels like a girl you could go into the pub with and over an ice cold White Claw, complain about the trials and tribulations of life and motherhood!
Also how she worked Terrible Towels (which as an Aussie, I had to google) so seamlessly throughout this story. What a gift!!
Thanks again for the opportunity to read this story Elle, it’s evident you were born to write. In this life and all the rest! ♥️
That’s what, recently 40yr old, Emi has been asking. She just can’t seem to shake memories of the past and of Jesse, the boy that it slipped away.
Suddenly Emi is having dreams of Jesse, but not Jesse of the past, 41 year old Jesse. What could they mean? What is happening to Emi? Why isn’t it, that even with a beautiful family, she just can’t shake Jesse from your mind and soul?
So I went into this read pretty blind and I’m so glad I did. It’s so well written, the way the author blends complex metaphysical concepts alongside the emotional relatability of a person in the middle of their life, it’s pure perfection.
I don’t want to reveal anything about the plot, but I want to highlight some things that Elle does incredibly well throughout this story.
She manages to juggle two potential love interests throughout the story while never character assassinating any of them!! It’s some Sweet Home Alabama level magic!
She deals with incredibly complex concepts and writes them with such ease that the understanding of the reader is never overly challenge or detracts from the overall storyline.
She gives such heart and joy to the whole character of Emi, she feels like a girl you could go into the pub with and over an ice cold White Claw, complain about the trials and tribulations of life and motherhood!
Also how she worked Terrible Towels (which as an Aussie, I had to google) so seamlessly throughout this story. What a gift!!
Thanks again for the opportunity to read this story Elle, it’s evident you were born to write. In this life and all the rest! ♥️
September 20, 2025
I was so lucky to receive this ARC.
On the outside Emi has it all. The beautiful home, the doting husband, and three kids. But as her 40th birthday arrives, she misses who she used to be. She doesn’t write anymore, she’s a mother full time, and she fears she’s lost her identity along the way. It doesn’t help that she keeps thinking she’s seeing a man from her past whose connection she’s never been able to forget. In her dreams, the face of strangers he continues to appear until he actually does. Emi has a spiritual journey that leads her to question destiny, our choices, and what she would do if given the opportunity to change it all.
This book was truly a delight. I’m a sucker for some magical elements in a very real story and this delivered. I loved the themes of karma, spirit guides, and complex relationships. The flashbacks had me laughing with all the subtle references of the time. The different paths had me feeling my feelings and the story overall was beautiful and satisfying.
I came for the beautiful cover and simply the mention of alternate timelines and stayed for the depth of the story. I had no idea the journey I would go on, but wow! It left me thinking and more importantly left me satisfied. The writing style was beautiful, relatable, and funny. I adored the magical elements and the real life references (my husband particularly enjoyed when I would relay the Steelers parts). While the love story is compelling, it was the strong female friendships, the relationship with her sister, and her children that hit the hardest for me. I loved it!
On the outside Emi has it all. The beautiful home, the doting husband, and three kids. But as her 40th birthday arrives, she misses who she used to be. She doesn’t write anymore, she’s a mother full time, and she fears she’s lost her identity along the way. It doesn’t help that she keeps thinking she’s seeing a man from her past whose connection she’s never been able to forget. In her dreams, the face of strangers he continues to appear until he actually does. Emi has a spiritual journey that leads her to question destiny, our choices, and what she would do if given the opportunity to change it all.
This book was truly a delight. I’m a sucker for some magical elements in a very real story and this delivered. I loved the themes of karma, spirit guides, and complex relationships. The flashbacks had me laughing with all the subtle references of the time. The different paths had me feeling my feelings and the story overall was beautiful and satisfying.
I came for the beautiful cover and simply the mention of alternate timelines and stayed for the depth of the story. I had no idea the journey I would go on, but wow! It left me thinking and more importantly left me satisfied. The writing style was beautiful, relatable, and funny. I adored the magical elements and the real life references (my husband particularly enjoyed when I would relay the Steelers parts). While the love story is compelling, it was the strong female friendships, the relationship with her sister, and her children that hit the hardest for me. I loved it!
November 23, 2025
Thank you to the Nerd Farm for the ARC.
Plot 3.75/5
Characters 3.5/5
Ending 4/5
Interest 3.5/5
Overall 3.5/5
-This story really was quite unique to read. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything like it. And in a way, it’s a really interesting plot but I do wish things were gone about differently. I guess I don’t like the aspect of a woman thinking about another man when she’s arrived, but other than that, it’s very interesting. Additionally, I also wish that we had gotten to a certain point of the book where we could see and know about the different lives earlier on to make things more interesting from the start because I didn’t particularly care about the actual "regular" life aspect.
-The characters also weren’t the conventional types that we see in every book, which was refreshing. And I liked some of them, but again, I didn’t like how Emi though of another man despite being happily married to Josh. Jesse also was a bit weird, being 40 and not being married or having kids is fine, but both of them still being hung up on some random person they’d met 20 years ago for a really short time was just odd to me. I would have rather them have a true connection in the past rather than whatever they didn’t really have.
-The ending was really where things turned up. Seeing how one decision can change someone’s life really reflects reality in a way. And seeing how each of their lives could have been with that one split second decision was great. I also really like how neither lives were perfect. Because it never is, there is always something wrong and that okay. I also had kind of guessed which life Emi chose but I wonder about Jesse.
Plot 3.75/5
Characters 3.5/5
Ending 4/5
Interest 3.5/5
Overall 3.5/5
-This story really was quite unique to read. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything like it. And in a way, it’s a really interesting plot but I do wish things were gone about differently. I guess I don’t like the aspect of a woman thinking about another man when she’s arrived, but other than that, it’s very interesting. Additionally, I also wish that we had gotten to a certain point of the book where we could see and know about the different lives earlier on to make things more interesting from the start because I didn’t particularly care about the actual "regular" life aspect.
-The characters also weren’t the conventional types that we see in every book, which was refreshing. And I liked some of them, but again, I didn’t like how Emi though of another man despite being happily married to Josh. Jesse also was a bit weird, being 40 and not being married or having kids is fine, but both of them still being hung up on some random person they’d met 20 years ago for a really short time was just odd to me. I would have rather them have a true connection in the past rather than whatever they didn’t really have.
-The ending was really where things turned up. Seeing how one decision can change someone’s life really reflects reality in a way. And seeing how each of their lives could have been with that one split second decision was great. I also really like how neither lives were perfect. Because it never is, there is always something wrong and that okay. I also had kind of guessed which life Emi chose but I wonder about Jesse.
November 23, 2025
4.5
Emi Felice seems to have it all: a loving marriage, three kids, and a life carefully built around comfort and stability. But on her fortieth birthday, a chance encounter with an old flame (Jesse Amato) upends everything she thought she knew about her heart. Jesse, successful, free, and untethered, has carried memories of Emi for years, and their reunion reignites a connection that feels impossible to ignore.
What makes this story so captivating is the way the author weaves time and fate into the romance. Emi and Jesse aren’t just navigating their present, they’re entangled across lifetimes, drawn together and torn apart in ways that feel both cosmic and inevitable. Nestico handles this beautifully, giving weight to every choice, every heartbreak, and every fleeting moment of connection.
I was completely invested in their journey, the emotional depth is staggering. Watching Emi and Jesse wrestle with fate, with sacrifice, and with the undeniable force of their bond made their eventual moments of connection feel electric and profoundly moving.
If you’re drawn to romances that are epic, emotionally charged, and unlike anything you’ve read before, this book is an absolute must. It’s a stunning meditation on love that endures beyond time, filled with tension, tenderness, and a heartbeat that lingers long after the final page.
Thank you so much to the author ador the gifted book♥️
Emi Felice seems to have it all: a loving marriage, three kids, and a life carefully built around comfort and stability. But on her fortieth birthday, a chance encounter with an old flame (Jesse Amato) upends everything she thought she knew about her heart. Jesse, successful, free, and untethered, has carried memories of Emi for years, and their reunion reignites a connection that feels impossible to ignore.
What makes this story so captivating is the way the author weaves time and fate into the romance. Emi and Jesse aren’t just navigating their present, they’re entangled across lifetimes, drawn together and torn apart in ways that feel both cosmic and inevitable. Nestico handles this beautifully, giving weight to every choice, every heartbreak, and every fleeting moment of connection.
I was completely invested in their journey, the emotional depth is staggering. Watching Emi and Jesse wrestle with fate, with sacrifice, and with the undeniable force of their bond made their eventual moments of connection feel electric and profoundly moving.
If you’re drawn to romances that are epic, emotionally charged, and unlike anything you’ve read before, this book is an absolute must. It’s a stunning meditation on love that endures beyond time, filled with tension, tenderness, and a heartbeat that lingers long after the final page.
Thank you so much to the author ador the gifted book♥️
November 8, 2025
Huge thank you to Elle Nestico for the gifted epub copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
The Rest Of My Lives follows the story of Emi and Jesse. Emi has just turned 40 years old, is a wife and mother who seems to have the best life has to offer but lately something just feels like it’s missing. Then she has a run in with Jesse, a blast from the past whom she can’t help but be curious about once again. This story was a beautiful metaphysical love story that begs the question…if you could have a do-over, would you take it?
I know I’m not the only one that believes in soulmates so when I heard that this book was about soulmates and finding the love of your life in a different time and figuring out what you can do to get the happiness that you deserve and strive for. This second chance romance story gives you the chance to figure out the what ifs when it comes to finding the one person you don’t want to let go of again. This story is very character driven which I absolutely loved and Elle did very well at making all of these characters respectable. She played into the “choose your own adventure” aspect and I love that she did. It leaves the characters and the readers with the burning question of do you follow your gut and take a chance or do you stay comfortable and hope you don’t wish you could have explored the “what ifs” when you had the chance.
The Rest Of My Lives follows the story of Emi and Jesse. Emi has just turned 40 years old, is a wife and mother who seems to have the best life has to offer but lately something just feels like it’s missing. Then she has a run in with Jesse, a blast from the past whom she can’t help but be curious about once again. This story was a beautiful metaphysical love story that begs the question…if you could have a do-over, would you take it?
I know I’m not the only one that believes in soulmates so when I heard that this book was about soulmates and finding the love of your life in a different time and figuring out what you can do to get the happiness that you deserve and strive for. This second chance romance story gives you the chance to figure out the what ifs when it comes to finding the one person you don’t want to let go of again. This story is very character driven which I absolutely loved and Elle did very well at making all of these characters respectable. She played into the “choose your own adventure” aspect and I love that she did. It leaves the characters and the readers with the burning question of do you follow your gut and take a chance or do you stay comfortable and hope you don’t wish you could have explored the “what ifs” when you had the chance.
August 19, 2025
The Rest of My Lives - book review
If you are into reincarnation, spirits, destiny, karma then this romance is for you.
⭐️ FMC 40 years olds
⭐️ Second chance
⭐️ Metaphysical / alternative reality
⭐️ Time travel
"I do wonder sometimes what life would be like without my family. Is that terrible?"
Its a question that many mums ask themselves when at the end of their tether. We fantasise about days without school runs or constant questions.
On her 40th birthday, married mum Emi runs into Jesse - the one that got away. When the Universe keeps sending her signals to explore this she gets a chance to see what her live would've been like if she'd opened a different door.
Things to love: escapism romance, sliding doors moment, older FMC, relatable, true soulmates
I rated this 3 stars as I struggled with how the sliding doors moment worked but that is a personal preference, and would not hinder me from recommending it to someone who is a fan of the metaphysical.
If you are into reincarnation, spirits, destiny, karma then this romance is for you.
⭐️ FMC 40 years olds
⭐️ Second chance
⭐️ Metaphysical / alternative reality
⭐️ Time travel
"I do wonder sometimes what life would be like without my family. Is that terrible?"
Its a question that many mums ask themselves when at the end of their tether. We fantasise about days without school runs or constant questions.
On her 40th birthday, married mum Emi runs into Jesse - the one that got away. When the Universe keeps sending her signals to explore this she gets a chance to see what her live would've been like if she'd opened a different door.
Things to love: escapism romance, sliding doors moment, older FMC, relatable, true soulmates
I rated this 3 stars as I struggled with how the sliding doors moment worked but that is a personal preference, and would not hinder me from recommending it to someone who is a fan of the metaphysical.
July 10, 2025
Book Review 📚✨
The Rest of My Lives by @author_elle_nestico
This book completely stole my heart—and made me laugh out loud more times than I could count. As a mom, so many moments felt so accurate, I had to pause and say, “Yep, that’s me.” Elle Nestico just gets it.
As a Steelers family, I loved all the references to the team! It made the story feel even more personal and grounded in real life.
What really stuck with me, though, was the message about soulmates—not just the romantic kind, but the deep, lasting bonds with friends, sisters, and the people who shape your soul across time. That hit me in the best way.
Huge thank you to @author_elle_nestico for sending me this book—I absolutely loved it. This is one of those stories I’ll think about often—funny, heartfelt, and full of truth. 🖤💛
The Rest of My Lives by @author_elle_nestico
This book completely stole my heart—and made me laugh out loud more times than I could count. As a mom, so many moments felt so accurate, I had to pause and say, “Yep, that’s me.” Elle Nestico just gets it.
As a Steelers family, I loved all the references to the team! It made the story feel even more personal and grounded in real life.
What really stuck with me, though, was the message about soulmates—not just the romantic kind, but the deep, lasting bonds with friends, sisters, and the people who shape your soul across time. That hit me in the best way.
Huge thank you to @author_elle_nestico for sending me this book—I absolutely loved it. This is one of those stories I’ll think about often—funny, heartfelt, and full of truth. 🖤💛
August 25, 2025
The Rest of my Lives is a story about love, destiny, and the power of choice.
We follow Emi, who has just turned 40, and seems to be living the picture perfect life. Until, she bumps into Jesse, the one boy from her past that she can’t seem to get out of her head. We follow her spiritual journey as she makes sense of what she has and what she truly wants out of her life.
I really enjoyed this book, and right from the start, I related to Emi and her struggles in motherhood and finding herself again. She was such a real and raw character, and I found myself rooting for her throughout the whole book.
This is such a character driven story, and Elle does such a great job balancing all the different types of relationships. Told in dual POV and dual timeline, we watch both characters navigate the (often difficult) decisions they make and the ripple effect of each one.
We follow Emi, who has just turned 40, and seems to be living the picture perfect life. Until, she bumps into Jesse, the one boy from her past that she can’t seem to get out of her head. We follow her spiritual journey as she makes sense of what she has and what she truly wants out of her life.
I really enjoyed this book, and right from the start, I related to Emi and her struggles in motherhood and finding herself again. She was such a real and raw character, and I found myself rooting for her throughout the whole book.
This is such a character driven story, and Elle does such a great job balancing all the different types of relationships. Told in dual POV and dual timeline, we watch both characters navigate the (often difficult) decisions they make and the ripple effect of each one.
June 26, 2025
I honestly loved this book so much - once I picked it up it was incredibly hard to put down! (And it’s a relatively short novel so this would be great to get you out of a reading slump!) While this is definitely a romance novel, what I really loved was that it focused on all types of love, including familial and friendship. All soulmates are not romantic soulmates, and that is showcased so well in this book.
The last thing I loved about this was the focus on motherhood, and how isolating it can be and how it’s easy to lose yourself in it. As someone who started this account to carve out a space for myself outside of motherhood and being a wife, this really hit home to me. 💖
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy!
The last thing I loved about this was the focus on motherhood, and how isolating it can be and how it’s easy to lose yourself in it. As someone who started this account to carve out a space for myself outside of motherhood and being a wife, this really hit home to me. 💖
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy!
October 25, 2025
This is the sweetest book I've read by far. I felt all feelings reading this. I was immediately drawn into the storyline and I was rooting for Jesse and Emi from the start.
My one issue was liking Emi. It took me a while to understand her and while I completely understand that we're each very complex human beings, sometimes I wanted Emi to make a confident decision on her own. However, I ultimately believe that Emi's character was written this way to present the true and difficult situations we experience in our lifetimes that lead us to be unsure, lack confidence, etc.
I have to admit I'm a bit bummed they didn't end up together in the current timeline, but the epilogue was very sweet and nostalgic as well.
My one issue was liking Emi. It took me a while to understand her and while I completely understand that we're each very complex human beings, sometimes I wanted Emi to make a confident decision on her own. However, I ultimately believe that Emi's character was written this way to present the true and difficult situations we experience in our lifetimes that lead us to be unsure, lack confidence, etc.
I have to admit I'm a bit bummed they didn't end up together in the current timeline, but the epilogue was very sweet and nostalgic as well.
November 3, 2025
This book is perfect for those who believe in second chances, destiny, and parallel universes.
Our FMC has just turned 40 and bumps into a man from her past. She can't seem to stop thinking about him and what might have been had she made different choices.
The man from her past has never settled down and begins to wonder if she was the one that got away. At one point in the story, they are given a life changing opportunity. One that could change everything.
I definitely found myself relating to this story in more ways than one. The characters felt genuine and real. Their struggles were believable, and I felt myself pulling for them.
This was my first read by this author. I can't wait to see what she puts out next.
Our FMC has just turned 40 and bumps into a man from her past. She can't seem to stop thinking about him and what might have been had she made different choices.
The man from her past has never settled down and begins to wonder if she was the one that got away. At one point in the story, they are given a life changing opportunity. One that could change everything.
I definitely found myself relating to this story in more ways than one. The characters felt genuine and real. Their struggles were believable, and I felt myself pulling for them.
This was my first read by this author. I can't wait to see what she puts out next.
November 8, 2025
There’s just something about stories that mess with fate and second chances that hit so good. This one totally had me thinking about all the what ifs in life like, what if things were just a little different? It’s emotional in that quiet, sneaky way but also funny and super real at times. Definitely not one of those heavy, dramatic reads more like something that just gets under your skin and stays there.
The characters felt real, like people you’d actually know messy, stubborn, but so easy to root for. And the writing just flows; it’s the kind of story you don’t even realize you’ve been sitting there reading for hours until you look up.
Kind of makes you want to sit in your feelings for a bit after.
The characters felt real, like people you’d actually know messy, stubborn, but so easy to root for. And the writing just flows; it’s the kind of story you don’t even realize you’ve been sitting there reading for hours until you look up.
Kind of makes you want to sit in your feelings for a bit after.
December 18, 2025
I read this because I believe it for some. This book had a few one liners that I highlighted because they rang true. But the immaturity, the codependent spoiled female friends, the annoyingly smug women, and the extreme wealth was annoying and painful to read.
I relate to the title of the book, as I do not recall past or future lives, I did have the life altering moment of meeting someone I knew before -- it was so wild that nearly 30 years later, he is still part of my heart and who I am, even though we do not have contact. I must have known him in a past life, for when I saw him, my heart leapt for joy.
I relate to the title of the book, as I do not recall past or future lives, I did have the life altering moment of meeting someone I knew before -- it was so wild that nearly 30 years later, he is still part of my heart and who I am, even though we do not have contact. I must have known him in a past life, for when I saw him, my heart leapt for joy.
September 6, 2025
I was so excited to read this book! It felt whimsical and nostalgic. Time frames alternate throughout the book. I was transported to reminiscing about college days and then pushed forward to present life a couple of decades later. I enjoyed the push and pull. The author asks us through the main character to consider how our past choices affect our current life while also entertaining the idea that one alternate decision could change everything. The story is introspective and down to earth with funny quips along the way.
November 10, 2025
this book was absolutely beautiful.
it was everything i hoped to read in this book.
i lol so much my husband was giving me looks. lol
the author did so well with the writing that i was able to feel like they were writing about me at times. being able to relate is so rare and this book did it for me. as a steelers fan i loved all the team references. the authors message about the soulmates... that hit my heart. i dont just have a soul mate in my husband but with my mother and best friend as well.
highly recommend this one
it was everything i hoped to read in this book.
i lol so much my husband was giving me looks. lol
the author did so well with the writing that i was able to feel like they were writing about me at times. being able to relate is so rare and this book did it for me. as a steelers fan i loved all the team references. the authors message about the soulmates... that hit my heart. i dont just have a soul mate in my husband but with my mother and best friend as well.
highly recommend this one
November 17, 2025
A story that transcends time, tugs at your soul, and makes you ponder all the what if’s… ‘The Rest of my Lives’ is a beautifully written story that packs an emotional punch you aren’t expecting.
It follows 2 people, drawn to each other, yet initially not understanding why.. the story develops further to explore the concepts of fate, and the notion of it’s ’meant to be’, whilst being equally heartbreaking as it is hopeful.
Congratulations Elle Nestico, and thank you and @thenerdfam for the opportunity to read your story.
It follows 2 people, drawn to each other, yet initially not understanding why.. the story develops further to explore the concepts of fate, and the notion of it’s ’meant to be’, whilst being equally heartbreaking as it is hopeful.
Congratulations Elle Nestico, and thank you and @thenerdfam for the opportunity to read your story.
May 20, 2025
Truly an interesting perspective on the could have, should have, would haves. This book made me feel as if the what ifs, dreams and alternate realities could really exist. My goodness, the paranormal aspect of being able to discuss past lives, time travel, interconnectedness, and righting the wrongs would be so interesting. I loved the ending. I can’t imagine what it must feel like to know the one soulmate you need was so close but not meant to be in that lifetime. I loved Emi’s decision. I would have made the right choice myself. I loved my own coincidence before I chose to start reading the book! My first order of business when I go to read a book is to pick one of my bookmarks that best describes how I’m feeling… how coincidental it was that I chose my Santorini bookmark and the book mentions Greece/Aegean sea! Such a beautiful story. Well written and emotionally engaging. Relatable for many of us women! Looking forward to reading more from Elle Nestico!
September 4, 2025
You make some plans and the universe laughs.
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2025
This isn’t your average second-chance romance—it’s a full-blown metaphysical rollercoaster with twin flame energy, cosmic nudges, and the kind of soul-level connection that has you questioning all of your relationships both past and present. Nestico’s writing is captivating and thought provoking. Her use of imagery throughout makes you not want to put the book down!
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2025
This isn’t your average second-chance romance—it’s a full-blown metaphysical rollercoaster with twin flame energy, cosmic nudges, and the kind of soul-level connection that has you questioning all of your relationships both past and present. Nestico’s writing is captivating and thought provoking. Her use of imagery throughout makes you not want to put the book down!
September 3, 2025
Captivating!!
This book completely pulled me in—it was the perfect mix of curiosity, raw emotion, and beautifully woven storytelling. The way everything built up and connected kept me fully immersed. I felt so much while reading it, and I absolutely loved it. Can’t wait for the next one!
This book completely pulled me in—it was the perfect mix of curiosity, raw emotion, and beautifully woven storytelling. The way everything built up and connected kept me fully immersed. I felt so much while reading it, and I absolutely loved it. Can’t wait for the next one!
September 4, 2025
Read this in 2 days!!
It’s a blend of romance, the universe and comedy.....all in one.
It’s also a page turner - as it is told in two perspectives in two different timeframes, clearly addictive. Def recommend.
Especially if you are in a reading rut you want to climb your way out of!!
It’s a blend of romance, the universe and comedy.....all in one.
It’s also a page turner - as it is told in two perspectives in two different timeframes, clearly addictive. Def recommend.
Especially if you are in a reading rut you want to climb your way out of!!
November 3, 2025
This read was so different than I expected, I really liked the time jumping it definitely helped move the story. The overall theme was very interesting and had me thinking. I enjoyed reading this so much!
November 4, 2025
A beautiful, fun and thoughtful book that will be particularly well appreciated by those who can enjoy a Millennial era flashback reference and by those who can’t help but wonder “what if” about their biggest life choices.
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