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Once and Again
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6 days and 20:16:37
100 copies available
U.S. only
The women of the Novak family were each born with a gift: they can, just once, turn back time.
Lauren has known since she was fifteen that her mother Marcella saved Lauren’s father from a deadly car accident. Dave is alive and happy, and out on the Malibu waves. But ever since, Marcella, her power spent, has lived in fear of what she won’t be able to reverse. Her own mother, Sylvia, is her polar opposite: a free-spirited iconoclast with a glamorous past she only hints at. Lauren has spent her life between these two role models—and waiting for her own catastrophe to strike.
Then one summer, Lauren’s husband takes a job in New York and she moves back to Broad Beach Road, back into her childhood home on the shores of Malibu. Lauren looks forward to surfing with her dad again and perhaps repairing an unspoken fracture in her relationship with her mother. What she doesn’t expect is for the boy next to door to return home as well: Stone, Lauren’s first love, who broke her heart nearly a decade before.
As Lauren falls into familiar patterns, with her family and, more dangerously, Stone, she finds herself thinking about all the choices, large and small, that have brought her to this moment. And wondering, finally, if one of them should be undone.
Lauren has known since she was fifteen that her mother Marcella saved Lauren’s father from a deadly car accident. Dave is alive and happy, and out on the Malibu waves. But ever since, Marcella, her power spent, has lived in fear of what she won’t be able to reverse. Her own mother, Sylvia, is her polar opposite: a free-spirited iconoclast with a glamorous past she only hints at. Lauren has spent her life between these two role models—and waiting for her own catastrophe to strike.
Then one summer, Lauren’s husband takes a job in New York and she moves back to Broad Beach Road, back into her childhood home on the shores of Malibu. Lauren looks forward to surfing with her dad again and perhaps repairing an unspoken fracture in her relationship with her mother. What she doesn’t expect is for the boy next to door to return home as well: Stone, Lauren’s first love, who broke her heart nearly a decade before.
As Lauren falls into familiar patterns, with her family and, more dangerously, Stone, she finds herself thinking about all the choices, large and small, that have brought her to this moment. And wondering, finally, if one of them should be undone.
256 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 10, 2026
12871 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Serle
20 books11.6k followersRebecca Serle is the New York Times bestselling author of In Five Years, The Dinner List, and the young adult novels The Edge of Falling and When You Were Mine. Serle also developed the hit TV adaptation Famous in Love, based on her YA series of the same name. She is a graduate of USC and The New School and lives in Los Angeles. Find out more at RebeccaSerle.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
September 5, 2025
I have no bad feelings about this book—quite the opposite, I truly enjoyed it. At its heart, this is a story about three generations of women whose complex, sometimes problematic differences create distance between them. Their contrasting personalities and values prevent them from forming fully open and honest bonds, leaving them with carefully restrained, almost neutral relationships where big truths often remain unspoken. Beneath the surface, however, each woman carries a shared legacy: a secret, a gift, a burden, a punishment, and a reward, all bound to one magical object. Passed down through the family by a mysterious woman who once offered a free shoe repair in exchange, this “silver ticket” allows each woman only once in her lifetime to reverse time and change the past.
At ninety-three, Sylvia is a vibrant grandmother who refuses to fade quietly into old age. Adventurous, eccentric, and joyful, she still cooks delicious Mediterranean dishes, practices tai chi, and hosts lively parties for her friends—always with plenty of laughter and alcohol. Her daughter Marcella, on the other hand, is her opposite in almost every way: practical, analytical, tidy, and focused on creating a safe, stable environment for her family. Less maternal and more problem-solving in nature, Marcella has dedicated her life to caring for her husband Dave, who once died in a tragic accident. Desperate to keep him, she used her one chance with the silver ticket to rewrite time and bring him back. But that choice means her magic is now spent—and the cost of altering fate weighs heavily on her.
Meanwhile, Lauren—the third generation—faces her own struggles. Married to her cinematographer husband Leo, she has endured years of exhausting fertility treatments that have drained not only their savings but also their spirits. Their marriage is increasingly strained, especially as Leo hesitates to continue with more treatments. When Leo lands a potential job in New York, they decide to rent out their West Hollywood home on Airbnb, and Lauren temporarily moves into her family’s Malibu beach house. There, she discovers that her first love, Stone—her childhood sweetheart—is back in town. Their shared past, tied closely to her stepmother, resurfaces. Early morning surf sessions and long talks with Stone awaken old memories and force Lauren to confront the question she’s avoided for years: Did she make the right choice when she turned down his offer to build a simple family life together?
Now caught between her present struggles with infertility and a faltering marriage, and the haunting possibility of what might have been with Stone, Lauren wonders if she could rewrite her own story. After all, she holds the silver ticket. But will she use her one precious chance for a second shot at love—or for something else entirely?
Overall Impressions
The magical element could have been woven more deeply into the plot instead of being treated in such a restrained, almost philosophical way. Still, I appreciated how the author chose to highlight motherhood, womanhood, and the different ways love is experienced across generations. Those explorations felt rich and authentic. Personally, I’m not a big fan of love triangles, and I found the romance angle less compelling. If Leo had been written as more of a villain, the “second chance at love” message would have resonated more strongly. But the theme of fearing the loss of loved ones—something universal—was moving and effectively carried through to the end.
I also loved how the author showcased the beauty of Malibu, sprinkling in real places that made the setting vivid (Tony’s Tavern got a wonderful nod, though I can’t say the same for Paradise Cove Beach Café!).
While I didn’t love this book as much as the author’s previous works, I still found it to be a solid, heartfelt, and fast-paced read, full of beautiful and inspirational messages. I believe many readers will adore it, and I look forward to diving into the author’s future books with the hope that I’ll fall completely in love with them.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for sharing this women’s fiction novel with fantasy elements in exchange for my honest review.
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At ninety-three, Sylvia is a vibrant grandmother who refuses to fade quietly into old age. Adventurous, eccentric, and joyful, she still cooks delicious Mediterranean dishes, practices tai chi, and hosts lively parties for her friends—always with plenty of laughter and alcohol. Her daughter Marcella, on the other hand, is her opposite in almost every way: practical, analytical, tidy, and focused on creating a safe, stable environment for her family. Less maternal and more problem-solving in nature, Marcella has dedicated her life to caring for her husband Dave, who once died in a tragic accident. Desperate to keep him, she used her one chance with the silver ticket to rewrite time and bring him back. But that choice means her magic is now spent—and the cost of altering fate weighs heavily on her.
Meanwhile, Lauren—the third generation—faces her own struggles. Married to her cinematographer husband Leo, she has endured years of exhausting fertility treatments that have drained not only their savings but also their spirits. Their marriage is increasingly strained, especially as Leo hesitates to continue with more treatments. When Leo lands a potential job in New York, they decide to rent out their West Hollywood home on Airbnb, and Lauren temporarily moves into her family’s Malibu beach house. There, she discovers that her first love, Stone—her childhood sweetheart—is back in town. Their shared past, tied closely to her stepmother, resurfaces. Early morning surf sessions and long talks with Stone awaken old memories and force Lauren to confront the question she’s avoided for years: Did she make the right choice when she turned down his offer to build a simple family life together?
Now caught between her present struggles with infertility and a faltering marriage, and the haunting possibility of what might have been with Stone, Lauren wonders if she could rewrite her own story. After all, she holds the silver ticket. But will she use her one precious chance for a second shot at love—or for something else entirely?
Overall Impressions
The magical element could have been woven more deeply into the plot instead of being treated in such a restrained, almost philosophical way. Still, I appreciated how the author chose to highlight motherhood, womanhood, and the different ways love is experienced across generations. Those explorations felt rich and authentic. Personally, I’m not a big fan of love triangles, and I found the romance angle less compelling. If Leo had been written as more of a villain, the “second chance at love” message would have resonated more strongly. But the theme of fearing the loss of loved ones—something universal—was moving and effectively carried through to the end.
I also loved how the author showcased the beauty of Malibu, sprinkling in real places that made the setting vivid (Tony’s Tavern got a wonderful nod, though I can’t say the same for Paradise Cove Beach Café!).
While I didn’t love this book as much as the author’s previous works, I still found it to be a solid, heartfelt, and fast-paced read, full of beautiful and inspirational messages. I believe many readers will adore it, and I look forward to diving into the author’s future books with the hope that I’ll fall completely in love with them.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for sharing this women’s fiction novel with fantasy elements in exchange for my honest review.
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October 3, 2025
⁺˚⋆｡°✩ 𝟣.𝟩𝟧 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓇𝓈, 𝓇𝑜𝓊𝓃𝒹𝑒𝒹 𝓊𝓅 ✩°｡⋆˚⁺
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review
Ngl, I wanted to dnf this multiple times. The only reason I finished was because it was an arc and I wanted to be able to give my full honest review.
First and foremost - the layout and writing was so confusing. The past and present settings with multiple pov’s and no title header as to show whose pov I’m in.. I had no idea what was going on half the time. Please consider adding “then” and “now” chapter titles along with “Lauren” or whoever’s pov we are being shown.
⟢ I hope since it’s unpublished that this is something that can be fixed to give readers a better experience ༯
I found the writing to be very bullet point as well which I didn’t really like. It felt like information was just being dumped but the story wasn’t actually flowing.
⟢ Example: I like flowers. They are pretty. Roses are my favourite.
Get what I mean?
⟢ Again, something the author might plan to work on before publishing so take this with a grain of salt. Just was not an enjoyable reading experience for me reading the arc imo.
Now for the story- it seemed like an extremely cool concept for me! Magic realism is right up my alley and the idea sounded very unique to me. It also looked to touch on familial bonds, infertility and relationship struggles which was relatable to me.
Once and Again follows three generations of women. Every woman born into the family is granted one silver ticket. This ticket is a chance to go back in time. A second chance to rewrite history - a do over. But the catch is, once it’s used, it disappears. So you think you would use it wisely? Not our lovely fmc!
I’m not going to post spoilers here but OH MY GOSH. I was so frustrated how she used her ticket. This concept could have been executed so much better. And the ending? I wanted to throw the book I was so upset. I’m sure there’s some hidden deeper meaning behind everything. I really do appreciate what message the author was trying to convey but I just couldn’t get over the stupidity of it to even try and dig deeper.
I also can’t explain to you how much I dislike Lauren, the main character. Her actions and the decisions she made really bothered me personally. She was SO SELFISH.😳
I’m sorry but this book was just not for me. 🫤
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review
Ngl, I wanted to dnf this multiple times. The only reason I finished was because it was an arc and I wanted to be able to give my full honest review.
First and foremost - the layout and writing was so confusing. The past and present settings with multiple pov’s and no title header as to show whose pov I’m in.. I had no idea what was going on half the time. Please consider adding “then” and “now” chapter titles along with “Lauren” or whoever’s pov we are being shown.
⟢ I hope since it’s unpublished that this is something that can be fixed to give readers a better experience ༯
I found the writing to be very bullet point as well which I didn’t really like. It felt like information was just being dumped but the story wasn’t actually flowing.
⟢ Example: I like flowers. They are pretty. Roses are my favourite.
Get what I mean?
⟢ Again, something the author might plan to work on before publishing so take this with a grain of salt. Just was not an enjoyable reading experience for me reading the arc imo.
Now for the story- it seemed like an extremely cool concept for me! Magic realism is right up my alley and the idea sounded very unique to me. It also looked to touch on familial bonds, infertility and relationship struggles which was relatable to me.
Once and Again follows three generations of women. Every woman born into the family is granted one silver ticket. This ticket is a chance to go back in time. A second chance to rewrite history - a do over. But the catch is, once it’s used, it disappears. So you think you would use it wisely? Not our lovely fmc!
I’m not going to post spoilers here but OH MY GOSH. I was so frustrated how she used her ticket. This concept could have been executed so much better. And the ending? I wanted to throw the book I was so upset. I’m sure there’s some hidden deeper meaning behind everything. I really do appreciate what message the author was trying to convey but I just couldn’t get over the stupidity of it to even try and dig deeper.
I also can’t explain to you how much I dislike Lauren, the main character. Her actions and the decisions she made really bothered me personally. She was SO SELFISH.😳
I’m sorry but this book was just not for me. 🫤
September 27, 2025
This book was different than I had anticipated it to be. I thought it was going to lean more towards Laurens past love with Stone and them finding each other again. It was more of her family & how the women in it were given the opportunity to turn back time, just once.
Parts of the books were slow for me, others were frustrating, some sad. Overall, it was a bit of a roller coaster for me lol.
The ending wasn’t my favorite, at one point I dropped my kindle and said “WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS?”, and just sat there for a moment. I guess I didn’t really relate to the FMC so I found it hard to understand her actions.
Overall, I liked the idea of of this book, a ticket granting one redo. It’s a cool, unique idea for a book!
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
Release Date 🗓️:
March 10, 2026
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
🤍 I want to give a huuugeee thank you Netgalley, Rebecca Serle, & Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. 🤍
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
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Parts of the books were slow for me, others were frustrating, some sad. Overall, it was a bit of a roller coaster for me lol.
The ending wasn’t my favorite, at one point I dropped my kindle and said “WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS?”, and just sat there for a moment. I guess I didn’t really relate to the FMC so I found it hard to understand her actions.
Overall, I liked the idea of of this book, a ticket granting one redo. It’s a cool, unique idea for a book!
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
Release Date 🗓️:
March 10, 2026
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
🤍 I want to give a huuugeee thank you Netgalley, Rebecca Serle, & Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. 🤍
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
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October 8, 2025
Middle of the road. Writing was weak and the story was flat. I’m happy to say this book will be my last from this author. Just don’t think she’s for me.
*updated my review after sitting on it for a few days. Dropped it to 2 stars because I felt like the plot of her using her once in a lifetime chance to change history to delete her cheating infuriates me.
*updated my review after sitting on it for a few days. Dropped it to 2 stars because I felt like the plot of her using her once in a lifetime chance to change history to delete her cheating infuriates me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2025
The truth is, we all need and deserve a second chance, a do-over, every now and again.
What if you were born with a gift that allowed you, just once, to turn back time and enjoy a do-over?
That’s the premise of Rebecca Serle’s upcoming book.
I sat back in awe at how three generations of the Novak women —Sylvia, Marcella, and Lauren —came to terms with their messy lives. They discovered that, despite the best-laid plans, life was unpredictable and imperfect. I loved how Serle allows readers space to rediscover that it isn’t planning, perfection, or even isolation that will ensure success in life …it’s connection. Each woman’s ‘do over’ was a bridge back to what they’d lost … connection. You see, they were born with the gift of turning back time - once and again.
I appreciated the subtle nudge to discover what I allow to become the root of my happiness and the opportunity to reevaluate and refocus. We’re all imperfect, but we can make better choices - ones that don’t cause the journey to be uncomfortable. Not everything comes with a do-over opportunity, and we need to be reminded about choices and consequences every so often.
I was completely lost in a fantastic book and couldn’t set it down. I cared about all of the characters and easily slipped into the setting and observed the Novak family from afar. I believe this is Serle’s best book … ever!
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
What if you were born with a gift that allowed you, just once, to turn back time and enjoy a do-over?
That’s the premise of Rebecca Serle’s upcoming book.
I sat back in awe at how three generations of the Novak women —Sylvia, Marcella, and Lauren —came to terms with their messy lives. They discovered that, despite the best-laid plans, life was unpredictable and imperfect. I loved how Serle allows readers space to rediscover that it isn’t planning, perfection, or even isolation that will ensure success in life …it’s connection. Each woman’s ‘do over’ was a bridge back to what they’d lost … connection. You see, they were born with the gift of turning back time - once and again.
I appreciated the subtle nudge to discover what I allow to become the root of my happiness and the opportunity to reevaluate and refocus. We’re all imperfect, but we can make better choices - ones that don’t cause the journey to be uncomfortable. Not everything comes with a do-over opportunity, and we need to be reminded about choices and consequences every so often.
I was completely lost in a fantastic book and couldn’t set it down. I cared about all of the characters and easily slipped into the setting and observed the Novak family from afar. I believe this is Serle’s best book … ever!
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
September 21, 2025
this book navigates between three generations of women where they have the opportunity to go back in time to change things differently if they wanted.
it did feel a little whiplash while reading this to figure which timeline i’m in. also, it was a very slow build up in the beginning and it wasn’t until halfway that it had me turning pages quickly.
in addition, this book creates an emotional and nostalgia feel due to going back in the past and going through memories. i did like that aspect when reading it.
tw: infertility issues, mild cheating
thank you NetGalley & Atria Books for the digital ARC.
it did feel a little whiplash while reading this to figure which timeline i’m in. also, it was a very slow build up in the beginning and it wasn’t until halfway that it had me turning pages quickly.
in addition, this book creates an emotional and nostalgia feel due to going back in the past and going through memories. i did like that aspect when reading it.
tw: infertility issues, mild cheating
thank you NetGalley & Atria Books for the digital ARC.
Want to read
September 18, 2025If you could redo a moment in your life, would you do it?
Big thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books Publisher and the author, Rebecca Serle for sending me this eARC! 💛
Publication date: March 10, 2026
Big thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books Publisher and the author, Rebecca Serle for sending me this eARC! 💛
Publication date: March 10, 2026
August 26, 2025
I was super excited for this! My first ever Rebecca Serle book!
It was actually quite different from what I was expecting- but I am not disappointed! This entire story is like one huge plot twist and I love it.
*Full review to be posted closer to official publication date, as requested by the publisher!
It was actually quite different from what I was expecting- but I am not disappointed! This entire story is like one huge plot twist and I love it.
*Full review to be posted closer to official publication date, as requested by the publisher!
September 24, 2025
This was a sweet and thought-provoking story that nudges you to slow down and cherish every moment you have left!
I’ve read all of Serle’s books and always enjoy her warm, unique writing style, but I’ll be honest—this one wasn’t my absolute favorite. It starts off as more of a slow burn, but once I hit the halfway point, I really loved how the pacing picked up and carried me to the end.
The subtle suspense of how each ticket is/was used and the main twist kept me engaged, and the overall premise was both intriguing and refreshing. I certainly didn’t expect infertility and surfing to be two of the main threads woven through this story, but Serle made them work in an authentic way.
What really stood out to me was the portrait of three generations of women—messy, complicated, but so real—and getting to know them better with each page.
Overall, it’s a moving story with a unique mix of heart and surprise—one that stays with you long after you’ve closed the book!
** I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and publisher! **
I’ve read all of Serle’s books and always enjoy her warm, unique writing style, but I’ll be honest—this one wasn’t my absolute favorite. It starts off as more of a slow burn, but once I hit the halfway point, I really loved how the pacing picked up and carried me to the end.
The subtle suspense of how each ticket is/was used and the main twist kept me engaged, and the overall premise was both intriguing and refreshing. I certainly didn’t expect infertility and surfing to be two of the main threads woven through this story, but Serle made them work in an authentic way.
What really stood out to me was the portrait of three generations of women—messy, complicated, but so real—and getting to know them better with each page.
Overall, it’s a moving story with a unique mix of heart and surprise—one that stays with you long after you’ve closed the book!
** I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and publisher! **
September 28, 2025
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ There is something so sweet about a short magical story by Rebecca Serle! This one gave me that same feeling you get while watching About Time {one of my favorite movies} and I LOVED the concept— however what I will say is that although I love her how her books are always short and move quickly I feel like this book and storyline deserved SO much more! We could have really thrived with another 100 pages or so of really diving into each woman’s past and history with this “golden ticket”. I also reallllly hope the editors label the POV on each chapter for the final copy because that was SO confusing to figure out whose head I was in and what timeline it was. Overall I did enjoy my time reading this book and would recommend but this one did really leave me wanting more!
Thank you so much NetGalley for the ARC!
Thank you so much NetGalley for the ARC!
anticipated-books
October 17, 2025The universe: gives ARC to everyone but me.
Me: And I took that personally. 😭
Me: And I took that personally. 😭
September 14, 2025
As a long-time Rebecca Serle fan I have to admit that her magical realism stories almost always hit just right with me. So to say I was eagerly anticipating this newest from her would be an understatement.
Unfortunately, while I did enjoy this quick read and found it thought-provoking, entertaining and heartfelt, it wasn't my favorite of hers.
I would still recommend it for fans of intergenerational stories about strong Jewish women dealing with life challenges (infertility, single parenthood, chronic heart conditions, etc) and those who enjoy authors like Annabel Monaghan.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
CW: infertility, accidental pregnancy, congenital heart disease, death of a parent from cancer
Unfortunately, while I did enjoy this quick read and found it thought-provoking, entertaining and heartfelt, it wasn't my favorite of hers.
I would still recommend it for fans of intergenerational stories about strong Jewish women dealing with life challenges (infertility, single parenthood, chronic heart conditions, etc) and those who enjoy authors like Annabel Monaghan.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
CW: infertility, accidental pregnancy, congenital heart disease, death of a parent from cancer
September 22, 2025
Loved this book. I couldn’t put it down.
I love the magic that Rebecca Serle brings to her books.
Lauren has the gift to be able to do one event over in her life. The women her family were handed a silver ticket. The book tells the story of Lauren, Marcella, and Sylvia.
Such a good read!!!
I love the magic that Rebecca Serle brings to her books.
Lauren has the gift to be able to do one event over in her life. The women her family were handed a silver ticket. The book tells the story of Lauren, Marcella, and Sylvia.
Such a good read!!!
Want to read
September 25, 2025Shout out to NetGalley & Atria Books!
I’m so excited!!!
I’m so excited!!!
September 21, 2025
RATING: 2.75/5 STARS
So… ONCE AND AGAIN was not quite what I was expecting from Rebecca Serle. As with her previous magical realism books the premise was quite interesting, but the execution was lackluster in this one. There were just too many plot holes, and I could not wrap my head around the characters’ decisions or motivations. I couldn’t make much sense of the ending—there was not enough character development for it to be satisfying. Overall, Serle’s latest was a very quick read, with engaging writing, but I didn’t click with it.
So… ONCE AND AGAIN was not quite what I was expecting from Rebecca Serle. As with her previous magical realism books the premise was quite interesting, but the execution was lackluster in this one. There were just too many plot holes, and I could not wrap my head around the characters’ decisions or motivations. I couldn’t make much sense of the ending—there was not enough character development for it to be satisfying. Overall, Serle’s latest was a very quick read, with engaging writing, but I didn’t click with it.
October 9, 2025
This is an emotional and complex story of four generations of the Novak family. The women are each are gifted a silver ticket when they're born that can undo something that happened.
It is a delightful blend of magical realism and emotional storytelling. Rebecca's immersive and beautiful writing pulled me in from the beginning. I felt that I could feel the sand, smell the ocean, and taste the food.
This character-driven story is a journey of complicated family relationships, marital issues, the fear of loosing loved ones, and infertility. The characters and family dynamics are relatable, flawed, and loveable.
I did struggle with the main character. I didn't find her decisions agreeable. I'm also not a fan of second chance romance with the cheating trope. Thankfully, the book was redeemed and I ended up loving it in the end. It became a highly emotional read that I didn't want to put down.
I did find it frustrating that the different points of views for each chapter were not noted at the beginning of the chapter. In addition, the ending didn't align with the depth of the rest of the book.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. While it is not my favorite Rebecca Serle book, I enjoyed its depth, complexity, and how thought-provoking it is. This would make a great book club pick as there's a lot to discuss.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
It is a delightful blend of magical realism and emotional storytelling. Rebecca's immersive and beautiful writing pulled me in from the beginning. I felt that I could feel the sand, smell the ocean, and taste the food.
This character-driven story is a journey of complicated family relationships, marital issues, the fear of loosing loved ones, and infertility. The characters and family dynamics are relatable, flawed, and loveable.
I did struggle with the main character. I didn't find her decisions agreeable. I'm also not a fan of second chance romance with the cheating trope. Thankfully, the book was redeemed and I ended up loving it in the end. It became a highly emotional read that I didn't want to put down.
I did find it frustrating that the different points of views for each chapter were not noted at the beginning of the chapter. In addition, the ending didn't align with the depth of the rest of the book.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. While it is not my favorite Rebecca Serle book, I enjoyed its depth, complexity, and how thought-provoking it is. This would make a great book club pick as there's a lot to discuss.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 5, 2025
3.5 Stars.
A quiet but intriguing read.
The Novak family possesses the unique gift of being able to redo one moment in their lives, a power that blesses and curses them as they grapple with the complexities of family, love, and fate.
Leans very contemporary literary fiction. Shifting POVs. Complicated family relationships - Mothers & Daughters. Fertility journey. Marital issues.
Appreciated getting to know Lauren, her mom, Marcella, and her grandmother, Sylvia. I didn't feel especially connected to them, but I understood why they did the things they did and felt like their characterization was nuanced and done well.
Overall, it's a pretty low stakes but thoughtful, easy read. Not much happens until 70% in; otherwise, it is just this family existing and aging with a lot of flashbacks and context gained throughout.
It's almost boring? But as a atmospheric, laid back summer read at the beach, I think it works well.'
Thank you to the publisher for my advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.
A quiet but intriguing read.
The Novak family possesses the unique gift of being able to redo one moment in their lives, a power that blesses and curses them as they grapple with the complexities of family, love, and fate.
Leans very contemporary literary fiction. Shifting POVs. Complicated family relationships - Mothers & Daughters. Fertility journey. Marital issues.
Appreciated getting to know Lauren, her mom, Marcella, and her grandmother, Sylvia. I didn't feel especially connected to them, but I understood why they did the things they did and felt like their characterization was nuanced and done well.
Overall, it's a pretty low stakes but thoughtful, easy read. Not much happens until 70% in; otherwise, it is just this family existing and aging with a lot of flashbacks and context gained throughout.
It's almost boring? But as a atmospheric, laid back summer read at the beach, I think it works well.'
Thank you to the publisher for my advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.
October 6, 2025
Wow, what a story. Magical realism at its finest! It was just so original and it really kept me guessing the entire time as to what would happen. The whole thing was so well written.
I loved the 3 different point of views and the way they were executed and how they intertwined with one another. I also loved how all of the different stories were so well developed and mostly I really did like the ending. I feel like there was no better way to do it.
I really enjoyed this! Thank you so much to NetGalley and Atria books for the early copy of this book. I highly recommend it!!
I loved the 3 different point of views and the way they were executed and how they intertwined with one another. I also loved how all of the different stories were so well developed and mostly I really did like the ending. I feel like there was no better way to do it.
I really enjoyed this! Thank you so much to NetGalley and Atria books for the early copy of this book. I highly recommend it!!
October 9, 2025
Once and Again was one of those rare stories that felt both magical and deeply human. Rebecca Serle delivered a heartfelt, beautifully layered tale that pulled me in right from the start and left me feeling moved and hopeful by the end.
Once and Again followed three generations of Novak women who each get one magical chance in their lifetime to go back and change a single moment. Years ago, Lauren’s mom used her gift to save Lauren’s dad after a tragic accident and left Lauren to grow up in the shadow of that life-altering choice. Now grown Lauren moved back to her childhood home for the summer and found herself caught between old memories, a complicated family dynamic, and the return of her first love. All this forced her to wonder what she’d do if her own second chance ever came.
Rebecca Serle’s writing in Once and Again was warm and heartfelt with a touch of magic. Her style felt intimate and easy to read. It blended real-life emotions with a nostalgic, reflective tone that made the story feel personal and inviting.
When I compared Once and Again to Serle’s earlier novels I’ve read—In Five Years, Expiration Dates, and One Italian Summer—they all shared that signature magical-realism twist and her warm, reflective, conversational tone that focused on relationships and the characters’ inner lives. What set Once and Again apart was its deeper dive into generational dynamics, the weight of choices, and the lasting impact of family legacy. By weaving past and present together, Serle’s writing felt more layered and emotionally rich while it kept the heartfelt, accessible style that made all her stories so easy to sink into.
Overall, I liked how Once and Again engaged me with questions of regret, choice, fate, and whether we would—or should—use a second chance if we had one. I’d happily recommend Once and Again to anyone who loved the heartfelt, “what-if” premise of In Five Years or enjoys contemporary stories with a hint of magical realism woven through. It carries that same mix of warmth, emotion, and thought-provoking twists that make Serle’s novels so easy to connect with, while offering something fresh for longtime fans and new readers alike.
Thanks to Net Galley and Atria Books for this heartfelt advance copy in return for my honest feedback.
Once and Again followed three generations of Novak women who each get one magical chance in their lifetime to go back and change a single moment. Years ago, Lauren’s mom used her gift to save Lauren’s dad after a tragic accident and left Lauren to grow up in the shadow of that life-altering choice. Now grown Lauren moved back to her childhood home for the summer and found herself caught between old memories, a complicated family dynamic, and the return of her first love. All this forced her to wonder what she’d do if her own second chance ever came.
Rebecca Serle’s writing in Once and Again was warm and heartfelt with a touch of magic. Her style felt intimate and easy to read. It blended real-life emotions with a nostalgic, reflective tone that made the story feel personal and inviting.
When I compared Once and Again to Serle’s earlier novels I’ve read—In Five Years, Expiration Dates, and One Italian Summer—they all shared that signature magical-realism twist and her warm, reflective, conversational tone that focused on relationships and the characters’ inner lives. What set Once and Again apart was its deeper dive into generational dynamics, the weight of choices, and the lasting impact of family legacy. By weaving past and present together, Serle’s writing felt more layered and emotionally rich while it kept the heartfelt, accessible style that made all her stories so easy to sink into.
Overall, I liked how Once and Again engaged me with questions of regret, choice, fate, and whether we would—or should—use a second chance if we had one. I’d happily recommend Once and Again to anyone who loved the heartfelt, “what-if” premise of In Five Years or enjoys contemporary stories with a hint of magical realism woven through. It carries that same mix of warmth, emotion, and thought-provoking twists that make Serle’s novels so easy to connect with, while offering something fresh for longtime fans and new readers alike.
Thanks to Net Galley and Atria Books for this heartfelt advance copy in return for my honest feedback.
October 14, 2025
There's just something about books that contain a dose of magical realism that calls to me every time, and Rebecca Serle writes this theme so well. It's no surprise then that I was ecstatic to be gifted an ARC of Once and Again.
The storyline follows three generations of women who each receive a silver ticket upon birth that can be used only once to turn back time... one do-over of any moment, any decision of their individual choosing. This was a surprisingly tender and heartfelt read. I loved being immersed in the dynamics of these three generations of women. I didn't always agree with all the decisions they made, but seeing all the beauty and turbulence that comes from a life well lived through their perspectives was beautiful. Once and Again was full of heart, romance, second chances, and of course...a dash of magic. I thoroughly enjoyed this gem.
The storyline follows three generations of women who each receive a silver ticket upon birth that can be used only once to turn back time... one do-over of any moment, any decision of their individual choosing. This was a surprisingly tender and heartfelt read. I loved being immersed in the dynamics of these three generations of women. I didn't always agree with all the decisions they made, but seeing all the beauty and turbulence that comes from a life well lived through their perspectives was beautiful. Once and Again was full of heart, romance, second chances, and of course...a dash of magic. I thoroughly enjoyed this gem.
October 14, 2025
I loved this book.
Has anything ever happened in your life where you think “if I could just turn back time, this would all be different”?
This story is a multigenerational tale wrapped in the age old question of time, it’s importance, where is goes, and what we would do to change it.
I always love Serle’s writing. She knows how to create layered and complicated characters in such a short time. They are honest and not always pretty, but looking to grow. This story stays true to her strengths as a writer while also surprising me with characteristics I haven’t seen in her writing before.
If you love her, you will love this.
Unpopular opinion so far, but I loved the end. It was perfect, and proved that our POV truly grows the way we think she did.
Thank you so much netgalley and Atria books! I jumped up and down when I received this one, and it did not disappoint!
Has anything ever happened in your life where you think “if I could just turn back time, this would all be different”?
This story is a multigenerational tale wrapped in the age old question of time, it’s importance, where is goes, and what we would do to change it.
I always love Serle’s writing. She knows how to create layered and complicated characters in such a short time. They are honest and not always pretty, but looking to grow. This story stays true to her strengths as a writer while also surprising me with characteristics I haven’t seen in her writing before.
If you love her, you will love this.
Unpopular opinion so far, but I loved the end. It was perfect, and proved that our POV truly grows the way we think she did.
Thank you so much netgalley and Atria books! I jumped up and down when I received this one, and it did not disappoint!
September 22, 2025
Rebecca Serle did the thing again. She wrote about time in the most beautiful way imaginable. I’m writing this with tears in my eyes 🤍🌊
This book isn’t out until next year so I’ll hold on a full review but I’ll say this:
Once and Again is an incredibly moving story about family, fertility, and the blessing and curse of time. This one really hit home for me in a lot of ways. Dare I say this is my favorite RS novel?! I adored One Italian Summer but… this might be the new top.
This book isn’t out until next year so I’ll hold on a full review but I’ll say this:
Once and Again is an incredibly moving story about family, fertility, and the blessing and curse of time. This one really hit home for me in a lot of ways. Dare I say this is my favorite RS novel?! I adored One Italian Summer but… this might be the new top.
October 8, 2025
This story is about 3 generations of women and their very complex & real relationships with each other. From birth, they were all given a “silver ticket” that they could use just once in their lives to erase or change the outcome of any particular event of their choosing. Sylvia has always been secretive of how she used hers. Marcella used hers to save her husband from an accident, which then lead her to live her life very cautiously afterwards. And Lauren uses hers to erase one evening of bad choices which lead her to cheat on her husband. And then one night, when Marcella’s husband has a heart attack and the prognosis is not good, all hell breaks lose when Marcella realizes that Lauren had already used her ticket. A lot of unspoken things from the past come to a head, and it forces all 3 women to come to terms with how they have been living their lives because of these “silver tickets.” While this wasn’t one of my favorites of Rebecca Serle’s, I still enjoyed it.
Many thanks to NetGalley & Atria Books for the opportunity to read an advanced eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
Many thanks to NetGalley & Atria Books for the opportunity to read an advanced eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
September 14, 2025
I really enjoy Rebecca Serle’s books and the way she weaves magical realism into her stories without letting it overpower the narrative. I loved the premise here and the idea of each woman getting a do-over. The way Serle wrote about three generations and their relationships felt authentic, and I enjoyed getting to know each of the women.
That said, the heart of the book is supposed to be about Lauren finally choosing her do-over—something she’s been thinking about since she was fifteen. But she uses it on a one-night stand, only to turn around and tell her husband about it anyway? And then there’s the second do-over, which she spends on… a cake?! I understand we were meant to see her growth, particularly in managing her anxiety, but as a mother—and knowing her own history of dying at fifteen—I just couldn’t get past that ending.
That said, the heart of the book is supposed to be about Lauren finally choosing her do-over—something she’s been thinking about since she was fifteen. But she uses it on a one-night stand, only to turn around and tell her husband about it anyway? And then there’s the second do-over, which she spends on… a cake?! I understand we were meant to see her growth, particularly in managing her anxiety, but as a mother—and knowing her own history of dying at fifteen—I just couldn’t get past that ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2025
I will always compare Serle’s work to In Five Years as it is truly one of my top 10 books of all time. Expiration Dates was a huge miss for me.
But this one! This one got me! I wish there was a bit more of the magical realism element but I really liked the plot and the character development. The depiction of womanhood and motherhood was beautiful. Infertility is not a topic that’s written about in fiction a lot - and I feel like Serle did an incredible job being sensitive but real.
I’m excited for everyone to get to read this one!
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the digital ARC!
But this one! This one got me! I wish there was a bit more of the magical realism element but I really liked the plot and the character development. The depiction of womanhood and motherhood was beautiful. Infertility is not a topic that’s written about in fiction a lot - and I feel like Serle did an incredible job being sensitive but real.
I’m excited for everyone to get to read this one!
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the digital ARC!
September 21, 2025
I was lucky enough to get an e-arc of this book from net galley and Atria books. I love in 5 years, and so I had high expectations going into this one and I loved it! I didn’t put it down and finished it within a few hours. I love the slight magical aspects in a realistic world and the concept of the book itself really gets you thinking. If you could, wouldn’t you want a chance to change something once?
September 23, 2025
I absolutely loved the concept of this book. If you could rewind time, only once, would you and for what?
This was my third Rebecca Serle book and again I love her creativity and use of magical realism. The book addresses some big topics such as infertility, grief/trauma, and infidelity and I think Serle did a wonderful job handling them with care.
At first, I was frustrated with the chapters in Marcella’s POV but once I understood her real motivations I can acknowledge they helped add to the story. In the end I think I gravitated towards Sylvia’s approach to the tickets the most but it was interesting that all three women had very different experiences and thoughts on the gift/burden.
The story definitely took a turn I wasn’t expecting and I liked that! I did feel bad for both Stone and Leo though for different reasons 😂
I was disappointed by the ending. To me, it felt rushed for a story that was so fleshed out. It’ll be a 3.5⭐️ for me rounded up to a 4 for NetGalley and Goodreads! I will continue to look out for Serle’s future books!
Thank you so much NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!
This was my third Rebecca Serle book and again I love her creativity and use of magical realism. The book addresses some big topics such as infertility, grief/trauma, and infidelity and I think Serle did a wonderful job handling them with care.
At first, I was frustrated with the chapters in Marcella’s POV but once I understood her real motivations I can acknowledge they helped add to the story. In the end I think I gravitated towards Sylvia’s approach to the tickets the most but it was interesting that all three women had very different experiences and thoughts on the gift/burden.
The story definitely took a turn I wasn’t expecting and I liked that! I did feel bad for both Stone and Leo though for different reasons 😂
I was disappointed by the ending. To me, it felt rushed for a story that was so fleshed out. It’ll be a 3.5⭐️ for me rounded up to a 4 for NetGalley and Goodreads! I will continue to look out for Serle’s future books!
Thank you so much NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!
September 7, 2025
When every Novak woman is born she’s granted a golden ticket, one opportunity to change the past. How they spend it is up to them. Lauren is yet to figure it out. She has a wonderful family and husband but spending time in her hometown with the boy nextdoor has her questioning her choices.
This novel is truly interesting, is the ability to turn back time a curse or a blessing I guess it depends on how you see it. I relate to Lauren a lot, we’re overthinkers. There’s a valuable life lesson in there about that.
I enjoyed seeing all three generations of Novak women and the different ways of thinking and loving. The setting is gorgeous and the ending is beautiful.
It didn’t quite hit me the same way In five years did but I still enjoyed it.
Read this if you like
🩵Family bonds
✨Love triangle
😭Emotional reads
🤍Women’s fiction
This novel is truly interesting, is the ability to turn back time a curse or a blessing I guess it depends on how you see it. I relate to Lauren a lot, we’re overthinkers. There’s a valuable life lesson in there about that.
I enjoyed seeing all three generations of Novak women and the different ways of thinking and loving. The setting is gorgeous and the ending is beautiful.
It didn’t quite hit me the same way In five years did but I still enjoyed it.
Read this if you like
🩵Family bonds
✨Love triangle
😭Emotional reads
🤍Women’s fiction
September 23, 2025
Review
I have read books by the author before and with the summary of this one, I was very interested in reading it! Never been able to sleep with him being in the air? At 15 her dad died in a car crash? Damn that's so sad. Interesting detail to focus on, can she not have kids? A cat. The fact that I was right about the children part. This book is definitely heavy of the info dump part of things. I love that they explain the wreck better and why she doesn't remember it anymore. Digging into the past! Understanding it and how they came across this type of magic and the heavy meaning of it and what it does. Her dad and their relationship is so interesting, he seems like a great guy honestly. This book talks about the pandemic so I am believing that they go through the whole covid thing in this. Okay noted that some people don't know that anything has changed. They explained the tickets to her after the accident happened. The fact that this is what she uses to show that she became an adult. The mom's life and her relationship with her mother. Her relationship with her grandma and how her husband came along. Enter her ex. Wow something her mom didn't tell her. So much is happening and I'm getting very confused. Her dad and her seem very close, he seems to have been told about his wreck. I wonder what he thinks. Leo is there? That whole Airbnb conversation and the fact that he said that, poor girl. Woah the grandma just waited until the love of her life died to tell her about the silver ticket?!?! The fact that they aren't that close. The way it happens and her thoughts before that. Wait, huh? Does he still die? I'm confused. Her period and doesn't like animals?? Heated? She was a teacher and then this is them meeting Leo? They all seemed to mesh like it wasn't an issue. He writes books under a penname? She hit a good wave and saw her ex with his friends. I thought there was gonna be a relationship growing between them but they are actually friends. Them spending time together and how she thought she could save him and the whole family a lot of hurt by using her ticket to save Bonnie. The visit with Bonnie sounds so heartbreaking honestly. So much just happened wow. The transition between the baby to the adult from the moms eyes is very interesting. She protects Leo but never protected stone? Open heart surgery? The look into their engagement, wedding, and then trying for babies. The heartbreak and the distance between the two of them. It's their third wedding anniversary and he's not answering his phone?? And she's gone just like that.. oh God she's cheating on her husband with her ex while he is grieving his mother. She used her ticket to go back to the beginning of the summer and go with Leo to new York? Woah she chose to also giving up trying for a baby? The way that her choosing to use her ticket feels like a restart for everyone, even stone. Her dad's call. Her dad heart again. Stone calls? Her mom's point of view of the hospital. It's falling all into place, she's expecting her to still have her ticket, but she doesn't anymore. The fact that his mom is still going bad in this reality. She knows and now she has to tell her the truth.. oh she's pissed, but like the ticket wasn't hers, she could use it whenever. This chapter confused me, what is going on? What she died??? "It has all been a second chance" the bomb of that sentence, wow. So truly, she lied to her daughter and said that her husband was the one who died when it was really her that died and at younger time but how do you explain the depression at a different age?? Bobby must be the father of Marcella. He died? Everyone dies in this book. Her talks with sylvia. She still has hers and wants her to use it on her dad? Him telling her not to use it. She wouldnt have leo? Marcella and Sylvia talking as they should. Her conversation with stone. I wasnt sure how this was going to go if im honest. What is about to happen between leo and lauren? She told him. She has a son? They lost her? Her dad is still alive. She used the last ticket to rebake a cake? at least no one has one of these tickets anymore now. I wasnt sure how this was gonna end but it was emotional but needed.
Quotes: "He doesn't know about the accident, or the remaining silver ticket that sits locked away in Malibu. It is not his secret, it's ours."
"But the relief was not an ocean, could not renew itself. It was like a saturated rainstorm, and eventually, when it dried up, in its place sprung terror."
Rated it three out of five stars!
I have read books by the author before and with the summary of this one, I was very interested in reading it! Never been able to sleep with him being in the air? At 15 her dad died in a car crash? Damn that's so sad. Interesting detail to focus on, can she not have kids? A cat. The fact that I was right about the children part. This book is definitely heavy of the info dump part of things. I love that they explain the wreck better and why she doesn't remember it anymore. Digging into the past! Understanding it and how they came across this type of magic and the heavy meaning of it and what it does. Her dad and their relationship is so interesting, he seems like a great guy honestly. This book talks about the pandemic so I am believing that they go through the whole covid thing in this. Okay noted that some people don't know that anything has changed. They explained the tickets to her after the accident happened. The fact that this is what she uses to show that she became an adult. The mom's life and her relationship with her mother. Her relationship with her grandma and how her husband came along. Enter her ex. Wow something her mom didn't tell her. So much is happening and I'm getting very confused. Her dad and her seem very close, he seems to have been told about his wreck. I wonder what he thinks. Leo is there? That whole Airbnb conversation and the fact that he said that, poor girl. Woah the grandma just waited until the love of her life died to tell her about the silver ticket?!?! The fact that they aren't that close. The way it happens and her thoughts before that. Wait, huh? Does he still die? I'm confused. Her period and doesn't like animals?? Heated? She was a teacher and then this is them meeting Leo? They all seemed to mesh like it wasn't an issue. He writes books under a penname? She hit a good wave and saw her ex with his friends. I thought there was gonna be a relationship growing between them but they are actually friends. Them spending time together and how she thought she could save him and the whole family a lot of hurt by using her ticket to save Bonnie. The visit with Bonnie sounds so heartbreaking honestly. So much just happened wow. The transition between the baby to the adult from the moms eyes is very interesting. She protects Leo but never protected stone? Open heart surgery? The look into their engagement, wedding, and then trying for babies. The heartbreak and the distance between the two of them. It's their third wedding anniversary and he's not answering his phone?? And she's gone just like that.. oh God she's cheating on her husband with her ex while he is grieving his mother. She used her ticket to go back to the beginning of the summer and go with Leo to new York? Woah she chose to also giving up trying for a baby? The way that her choosing to use her ticket feels like a restart for everyone, even stone. Her dad's call. Her dad heart again. Stone calls? Her mom's point of view of the hospital. It's falling all into place, she's expecting her to still have her ticket, but she doesn't anymore. The fact that his mom is still going bad in this reality. She knows and now she has to tell her the truth.. oh she's pissed, but like the ticket wasn't hers, she could use it whenever. This chapter confused me, what is going on? What she died??? "It has all been a second chance" the bomb of that sentence, wow. So truly, she lied to her daughter and said that her husband was the one who died when it was really her that died and at younger time but how do you explain the depression at a different age?? Bobby must be the father of Marcella. He died? Everyone dies in this book. Her talks with sylvia. She still has hers and wants her to use it on her dad? Him telling her not to use it. She wouldnt have leo? Marcella and Sylvia talking as they should. Her conversation with stone. I wasnt sure how this was going to go if im honest. What is about to happen between leo and lauren? She told him. She has a son? They lost her? Her dad is still alive. She used the last ticket to rebake a cake? at least no one has one of these tickets anymore now. I wasnt sure how this was gonna end but it was emotional but needed.
Quotes: "He doesn't know about the accident, or the remaining silver ticket that sits locked away in Malibu. It is not his secret, it's ours."
"But the relief was not an ocean, could not renew itself. It was like a saturated rainstorm, and eventually, when it dried up, in its place sprung terror."
Rated it three out of five stars!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2025
3.5⭐️
A story about three generations of women who have the ability to redo one mistake- who possess a ticket to change a moment in their lives. Our main character is Lauren, the youngest women in her family. We also have povs from her mother Marcella and grandmother Sylvia- how they moved through the world, how they viewed life and how they treated their gift. Despite that magical realism at play here this is really more of a character driven story.
This was an interesting enough story that I wanted to finish the book and find out how everything ends, but honestly not enough that I genuinely enjoyed it. I just thought this would be a more thrilling story- we have literal time travel involved and yet it managed to be so bland. I thought the 'tickets' would be a much bigger act, instead of it just being something that our characters think about and talk about. It's really just Lauren living out the summer and us hearing all about how she relates to her different family members.
I would have rated this a little higher right up until the end- I had read a few reviews that mentioned (without spoilers) Lauren makes some wild choices. Some of those choices I understood and some had me shaking my head, but honestly what bothered me the most was how easily everything was wrapped up. Like way too perfect of an ending without us really seeing it get to that point
It also bothers me that this is being marketed as a romance book- it is not a romance novel. The romance in Lauren's life is such a small focus of this story, Leo and Stone are both barely on the page in comparison to her family. Having romance in a story and the story being a romance are not the same thing in my opinion. Like, the Lord of the Rings has a romance in it, doesn't make The Return of the King a romance novel.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A story about three generations of women who have the ability to redo one mistake- who possess a ticket to change a moment in their lives. Our main character is Lauren, the youngest women in her family. We also have povs from her mother Marcella and grandmother Sylvia- how they moved through the world, how they viewed life and how they treated their gift. Despite that magical realism at play here this is really more of a character driven story.
This was an interesting enough story that I wanted to finish the book and find out how everything ends, but honestly not enough that I genuinely enjoyed it. I just thought this would be a more thrilling story- we have literal time travel involved and yet it managed to be so bland. I thought the 'tickets' would be a much bigger act, instead of it just being something that our characters think about and talk about. It's really just Lauren living out the summer and us hearing all about how she relates to her different family members.
I would have rated this a little higher right up until the end- I had read a few reviews that mentioned (without spoilers) Lauren makes some wild choices. Some of those choices I understood and some had me shaking my head, but honestly what bothered me the most was how easily everything was wrapped up. Like way too perfect of an ending without us really seeing it get to that point
It also bothers me that this is being marketed as a romance book- it is not a romance novel. The romance in Lauren's life is such a small focus of this story, Leo and Stone are both barely on the page in comparison to her family. Having romance in a story and the story being a romance are not the same thing in my opinion. Like, the Lord of the Rings has a romance in it, doesn't make The Return of the King a romance novel.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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