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Once and Again
Not yet published
Expected 10 Mar 26
New York Times
bestselling author Rebecca Serle, the author behind “heartbreaking, redemptive, and authentic” (Jamie Ford, New York Times bestselling author) modern classic In Five Years, returns with an unforgettable tale of a family of women with an astonishing the ability to redo one moment in their lives.
The women of the Novak family were each born with a 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 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 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.
The women of the Novak family were each born with a 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 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 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.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 10, 2026
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About the author
Rebecca Serle
22 books11.8k 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 632 reviews
November 28, 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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November 5, 2025
⭐️ 4.25 ⭐️ Time is a funny thing, we don’t take it into consideration and most of the time we take it for granted. It’s given to us but we are not owed anything. Time is vast but it’s also limited. Sometimes it’s all we have and sometimes we need more or less of it. But what if you were given a golden ticket just once to redo a moment in your life, would you do it? I certainly would. Once and never again might be all we need to make things right.
Once and Again is a generational saga about 3 women (a grandmother, mother and daughter) who have a special gift to turn back time, just once in each of their lives. Each woman goes through their own struggles and the book explores many themes that will send you on an emotional rollercoaster while giving you a deeper understanding about how certain life events, decisions and the essence of time shape us.
The book explored many themes such as infertility, financial strain, partner resentment, death and cheating. Lauren is our main protagonist who has been struggling to conceive and after multiple failed infertility treatments, debt and mental exhaustion, she moves back into her parents beach house while her husband is cross country attempting to secure a steady job. Her return is what sets the events of the book in motion.
I loved how Serle explored relationships in her novel from all the angles and I think many people can relate to the mother-daughter relationship in this one. Lauren’s relationship with her mother is complicated and distant. They dance around each other, sometimes together, often stepping on each other’s toes and stepping away when things get tough. Serles’ accurate portrayal of “keeping things at a distance yet within reach” had the book carry a particular sadness that I couldn’t identify until closer to its end.
Lauren’s relationship with her husband Leo was very frustrating. While initially built on solid foundations, Leo often travels for work. With that, came the evasiveness that bothered me so much that it made me feel a range of emotions. From poor communication to never picking up the phone, I felt Laurens melancholy.
I have to say that Serle written very unlikable characters but because she’s given them so much emotional depth and strain, the reader is easily able to sympathize with the women and feel their struggles. I was able to feel Lauren’s struggles, the resentment between the lines and the ache of motherhood while understanding her desire for more than what she has.
I loved Serle’s take on motherhood, womanhood and all the problems that come with it. The women felt very real, relatable. I may not have agreed with their decisions or how they used this magic ticket, but I understand their why’s. I understood Lauren’s desperation, Marcella’s analytical personality and Sylvia’s eccentrism . Even Lauren’s father had a sense of spunk and spirited freedom to him that I so enjoyed.
I think we all deserve a do-over, a second chance, to make things right. This was a stunning and thought provoking book and my first my first by Rebecca Serle. I’m truly impressed how she packed so much in under a 300 page novel while being able to pull on all my emotional strings. The right blend of romance, women’s fiction and magic had me so invested from the very first chapter. I’ll be sure to read her previous books!
Big thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books Publisher and the author, Rebecca Serle for sending me this eARC!
Publication date: March 10, 2026
Once and Again is a generational saga about 3 women (a grandmother, mother and daughter) who have a special gift to turn back time, just once in each of their lives. Each woman goes through their own struggles and the book explores many themes that will send you on an emotional rollercoaster while giving you a deeper understanding about how certain life events, decisions and the essence of time shape us.
The book explored many themes such as infertility, financial strain, partner resentment, death and cheating. Lauren is our main protagonist who has been struggling to conceive and after multiple failed infertility treatments, debt and mental exhaustion, she moves back into her parents beach house while her husband is cross country attempting to secure a steady job. Her return is what sets the events of the book in motion.
I loved how Serle explored relationships in her novel from all the angles and I think many people can relate to the mother-daughter relationship in this one. Lauren’s relationship with her mother is complicated and distant. They dance around each other, sometimes together, often stepping on each other’s toes and stepping away when things get tough. Serles’ accurate portrayal of “keeping things at a distance yet within reach” had the book carry a particular sadness that I couldn’t identify until closer to its end.
Lauren’s relationship with her husband Leo was very frustrating. While initially built on solid foundations, Leo often travels for work. With that, came the evasiveness that bothered me so much that it made me feel a range of emotions. From poor communication to never picking up the phone, I felt Laurens melancholy.
I have to say that Serle written very unlikable characters but because she’s given them so much emotional depth and strain, the reader is easily able to sympathize with the women and feel their struggles. I was able to feel Lauren’s struggles, the resentment between the lines and the ache of motherhood while understanding her desire for more than what she has.
I loved Serle’s take on motherhood, womanhood and all the problems that come with it. The women felt very real, relatable. I may not have agreed with their decisions or how they used this magic ticket, but I understand their why’s. I understood Lauren’s desperation, Marcella’s analytical personality and Sylvia’s eccentrism . Even Lauren’s father had a sense of spunk and spirited freedom to him that I so enjoyed.
I think we all deserve a do-over, a second chance, to make things right. This was a stunning and thought provoking book and my first my first by Rebecca Serle. I’m truly impressed how she packed so much in under a 300 page novel while being able to pull on all my emotional strings. The right blend of romance, women’s fiction and magic had me so invested from the very first chapter. I’ll be sure to read her previous books!
Big thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books Publisher and the author, Rebecca Serle for sending me this eARC!
Publication date: March 10, 2026
October 31, 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 experience for me reading the arc imo.
Now for the story- it seemed like an extremely cool concept! Magic realism is right up my alley and the idea sounded very unique. 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 experience for me reading the arc imo.
Now for the story- it seemed like an extremely cool concept! Magic realism is right up my alley and the idea sounded very unique. 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. 🫤
October 19, 2025
Rebecca Serle has written two of my favorite books of all time, which are “In Five Years” and “Expiration Dates”. So when I received an early digital review copy of this book, I was jumping for joy! But, (here comes the but), I unfortunately didn’t love this book like I had thought or hoped I would.
This book mainly focuses on that of Lauren. Lauren, her mother Marcella, and her grandmother Sylvia, were all born with a special gift. The special gift that these women all share is that they can turn back time just once in their lives. Lauren knows what her mother used her gift for, and now Lauren hopes to use her special gift accordingly as well.
I’m not going to get into too much more about this book, because for one, I feel like I would be giving half the book away. I also feel like the synopsis gives a very lengthy description of the book as well.
I will say that I really enjoyed this book until just past the halfway point. After that, I began to lose interest and became a little bored. Maybe I was hoping for a different outcome, a different ending? I’m not sure. Either way, I’m left feeling a little underwhelmed and I don’t really have much to say about this one. I do think this book may appeal to others more than me though.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books, and the author for an ARC of this book in which I had the pleasure of reading, in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: March 10, 2026
This book mainly focuses on that of Lauren. Lauren, her mother Marcella, and her grandmother Sylvia, were all born with a special gift. The special gift that these women all share is that they can turn back time just once in their lives. Lauren knows what her mother used her gift for, and now Lauren hopes to use her special gift accordingly as well.
I’m not going to get into too much more about this book, because for one, I feel like I would be giving half the book away. I also feel like the synopsis gives a very lengthy description of the book as well.
I will say that I really enjoyed this book until just past the halfway point. After that, I began to lose interest and became a little bored. Maybe I was hoping for a different outcome, a different ending? I’m not sure. Either way, I’m left feeling a little underwhelmed and I don’t really have much to say about this one. I do think this book may appeal to others more than me though.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books, and the author for an ARC of this book in which I had the pleasure of reading, in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: March 10, 2026
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 23, 2025I am so excited for this one 💌.
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! **
November 7, 2025
Rebecca Serle’s Once and Again has a premise that hooked me right away. The Novak women each have a single chance in their lives to turn back time, and that idea alone carries a quiet sort of magic. The book centers on Lauren, who moves back to her childhood home in Malibu after her husband takes a job in New York. She’s surrounded by her parents, her complicated mother, and the boy she once loved, and the story slowly untangles what it means to live with choices that can’t be undone.
I liked the intimacy of the writing. Serle has a way of capturing small, familiar moments that feel personal: the awkward tension between family members, the comfort of returning to a childhood routine, the ache of seeing someone you never stopped wondering about. The Malibu setting feels alive, and I could picture every scene on the beach.
Still, I found myself losing interest about halfway through. The pacing dragged, and the emotional tension didn’t always feel earned. The time-turning aspect, which I thought would be central, ends up feeling more like a quiet metaphor than an active part of the story. By the end, I wanted a little more spark, a little more weight behind the “what if.”
It’s a thoughtful story about memory, regret, and second chances, but it didn’t quite move me the way I hoped it would. Readers who love reflective, slow-building stories might find more to hold onto here than I did.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review..
I liked the intimacy of the writing. Serle has a way of capturing small, familiar moments that feel personal: the awkward tension between family members, the comfort of returning to a childhood routine, the ache of seeing someone you never stopped wondering about. The Malibu setting feels alive, and I could picture every scene on the beach.
Still, I found myself losing interest about halfway through. The pacing dragged, and the emotional tension didn’t always feel earned. The time-turning aspect, which I thought would be central, ends up feeling more like a quiet metaphor than an active part of the story. By the end, I wanted a little more spark, a little more weight behind the “what if.”
It’s a thoughtful story about memory, regret, and second chances, but it didn’t quite move me the way I hoped it would. Readers who love reflective, slow-building stories might find more to hold onto here than I did.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review..
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.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I really enjoyed this book!! It did start slow, but the premise was interesting, so I stuck with it. It's about 3 generations of women who are gifted a ticket, essentially a do over. It really explored the ins and outs and also consequences of choices made. There is even a twist that was surprising. I definitely recommend!
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for my honest review.
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for my honest review.
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.
November 28, 2025
Would you turn back time knowing you only had one opportunity to do so? In Once and Again, the Novak women were gifted with a ticket that allows them to undo an event but only once. Told primarily from the point of view of Lauren, the novel explores how a do over can have the ultimate impact on your life.
Lauren has been married to Leo for 3 years and infertility is taking over her life. When her husband has a job opportunity in New York, she decides to return home to Malibu for the summer. Her mother, father and grandmother all live together at their home on the beach. Lauren has a rocky relationship with her mother but loves cooking with her grandmother and surfing with her dad. Lauren's ex-boyfriend is also back home and she ends up seeing him often as he is out surfing. As the story unfolds we learn about the complex relationship of all three women and the impact of their choices.
The premise of this novel was really intriguing. One ticket to take back any bad decision or bad event that happens in your life. It sounds like such a gift however it was interesting to see how it played out in this book. I did think that I had the book figured out at one point but I was completely wrong. There was a twist that I did not see coming. I didn't always love the characters and at times was a little frustrated with their actions or lack there of. I'm giving this one 4 stars though because it was such a great concept and I did enjoy the ending. The novel is also one that will stick with you. I think this book will be a great pick for any book clubs!
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
Lauren has been married to Leo for 3 years and infertility is taking over her life. When her husband has a job opportunity in New York, she decides to return home to Malibu for the summer. Her mother, father and grandmother all live together at their home on the beach. Lauren has a rocky relationship with her mother but loves cooking with her grandmother and surfing with her dad. Lauren's ex-boyfriend is also back home and she ends up seeing him often as he is out surfing. As the story unfolds we learn about the complex relationship of all three women and the impact of their choices.
The premise of this novel was really intriguing. One ticket to take back any bad decision or bad event that happens in your life. It sounds like such a gift however it was interesting to see how it played out in this book. I did think that I had the book figured out at one point but I was completely wrong. There was a twist that I did not see coming. I didn't always love the characters and at times was a little frustrated with their actions or lack there of. I'm giving this one 4 stars though because it was such a great concept and I did enjoy the ending. The novel is also one that will stick with you. I think this book will be a great pick for any book clubs!
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
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!
November 7, 2025
Please note that I read this book via NetGalley. This does not affect my rating or review.
Honestly not too much to say about this. It's typical Serle at this point. Magical realism with no explanation, a character does a major betrayal, the book eventually gets to an ending. I was more intrigued on the premise of this one (at a baby's birth in this family, a ticket appears that allows them to go back to a point in time and change things) but it just didn't work in the end. Maybe because so many of the characters we follow are still an enigma towards the end. I think the jumping around showing the different points of view from Lauren, Marcella, and Sylvia just didn't work. I really wish we could have explored the before and after of using the ticket more. The twist that gets tossed in there towards the end just made zero sense to even include and I just wish it had been skipped. I will say that the highlights was the description of surfing via Lauren's point of view. The descriptions made me feel like I was right there, but other than that, just a solid 3 star read.
Honestly not too much to say about this. It's typical Serle at this point. Magical realism with no explanation, a character does a major betrayal, the book eventually gets to an ending. I was more intrigued on the premise of this one (at a baby's birth in this family, a ticket appears that allows them to go back to a point in time and change things) but it just didn't work in the end. Maybe because so many of the characters we follow are still an enigma towards the end. I think the jumping around showing the different points of view from Lauren, Marcella, and Sylvia just didn't work. I really wish we could have explored the before and after of using the ticket more. The twist that gets tossed in there towards the end just made zero sense to even include and I just wish it had been skipped. I will say that the highlights was the description of surfing via Lauren's point of view. The descriptions made me feel like I was right there, but other than that, just a solid 3 star read.
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!
November 30, 2025
If you had the chance to do it all again, would you? If there was a specific and tragic event that you didn’t think you could get past and didn’t want to would you take it all back? Lauren has known for many years she has the ability to take something back. That she has a golden ticket to use to fix something she can’t live with. All the women in her family have been gifted with one at their birth. She’s grown up being told her mother used her own on her father after he died in an accident, she knows that you have only one chance to change your life and she’s seen how affected her mother has been since using hers.
Lauren is faced with an outcome she feels she must change and is comforted with her choice until her magic ticket is counted upon again and she must tell the person who needs it that it’s been spent and they must deal with the consequences of her actions.
To say I just loved this book would do it a disservice. Serle is a true master of the what ifs and her books run head long into the impossible questions of life. Her characters navigate life’s difficult situations with the addition of magical realism that is just so refreshing to read. Serle uses multiple points of view and multiple time periods to paint a picture of how difficult it would be have a magical tool to change your life. What if you did it wrong and had no way to change the outcome? What if you didn’t anticipate the entirety of the consequences your actions could take? Serle expertly navigates these themes both within the complexities of the family and the many challenges of everyday life.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Rebecca Serle you’ve done it again and I’ll be your forever fan.
Pick this book up if these appeal to you ..
Magical realism
A golden ticket to take something back
Impossible choices, unknown consequences
Multiple POV, family dynamics
Lauren is faced with an outcome she feels she must change and is comforted with her choice until her magic ticket is counted upon again and she must tell the person who needs it that it’s been spent and they must deal with the consequences of her actions.
To say I just loved this book would do it a disservice. Serle is a true master of the what ifs and her books run head long into the impossible questions of life. Her characters navigate life’s difficult situations with the addition of magical realism that is just so refreshing to read. Serle uses multiple points of view and multiple time periods to paint a picture of how difficult it would be have a magical tool to change your life. What if you did it wrong and had no way to change the outcome? What if you didn’t anticipate the entirety of the consequences your actions could take? Serle expertly navigates these themes both within the complexities of the family and the many challenges of everyday life.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Rebecca Serle you’ve done it again and I’ll be your forever fan.
Pick this book up if these appeal to you ..
Magical realism
A golden ticket to take something back
Impossible choices, unknown consequences
Multiple POV, family dynamics
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
Want to read
December 30, 2025In Five Years and Expiration Dates are two of my favorite books. When I say I am so excited to read this book, I absolutely cannot wait!!!!
THANK YOU, Atria Books, for sending me this ARC. Pub Date: Mar 10, 2026
As always, all thoughts are my own. 💕✨
THANK YOU, Atria Books, for sending me this ARC. Pub Date: Mar 10, 2026
As always, all thoughts are my own. 💕✨
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 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.
December 15, 2025
Many thanks to Atria books for an ARC!
This book would make an amazing movie!
I absolutely loved the concept of each generation of women in one family having the chance to modify one event in their lives in exchange for a magical silver ticket. The weight of choosing which event to do-over understandably causes much tension amongst the women and within the family.
The theme of this novel couldn’t be more clear: to live and love as if each moment is the last.
I especially love Rebecca Serle’s writing style in this story, with vivid descriptions of Malibu and the waves of life amidst the Pacific. Despite the various ups and downs of the women’s lives, there is a peace found in the pages of this novel. Still, the challenges and conflicts that come with mothering and loving fiercely are deeply felt. I definitely shed a tear or two with this novel. Yet, the ending was contrary to my wishes for the characters. Similar to how the characters would feel, wondering if they used their tickets justly, I felt a similar strain. While my feelings are mixed, the fullness of the characters and atmospheric writing garner my highest praise. I hope to see this on the screen someday!
Note: I do hope some of the time shifts will be marked with chapter headings upon publication, as these perspective changes made it difficult to orient oneself within the timeframes.
This book would make an amazing movie!
I absolutely loved the concept of each generation of women in one family having the chance to modify one event in their lives in exchange for a magical silver ticket. The weight of choosing which event to do-over understandably causes much tension amongst the women and within the family.
The theme of this novel couldn’t be more clear: to live and love as if each moment is the last.
I especially love Rebecca Serle’s writing style in this story, with vivid descriptions of Malibu and the waves of life amidst the Pacific. Despite the various ups and downs of the women’s lives, there is a peace found in the pages of this novel. Still, the challenges and conflicts that come with mothering and loving fiercely are deeply felt. I definitely shed a tear or two with this novel. Yet, the ending was contrary to my wishes for the characters. Similar to how the characters would feel, wondering if they used their tickets justly, I felt a similar strain. While my feelings are mixed, the fullness of the characters and atmospheric writing garner my highest praise. I hope to see this on the screen someday!
Note: I do hope some of the time shifts will be marked with chapter headings upon publication, as these perspective changes made it difficult to orient oneself within the timeframes.
Read
December 26, 2025NOPE- DNF
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.
November 13, 2025
Book Review
4 stars
What to expect in this book:
-Contemporary fiction
-Magical realism
-Family legacy
-Multiple POV
-Beautiful language/writing
Thoughts 💭
This is one of the more complicated book reviews I have written in a long time since there are some very heavy undertones of this book and there are parts that I truly hated but also loved completely. Let me say first that Rebecca Serle is one of my favorite authors ever. Her words and stories are like candy for me and I feel a veracity when I’m reading that I cannot stop. The Dinner List and One Italian Summer are my favorites from her. As usual, she delivers on the magical realism. Lauren Novak was given a gift at birth—a chance, once her lifetime, a ticket for one do-over. She and her mother and grandmother before her have been given this opportunity to turn back the clock. Lauren is living a wonderful life and unsure when she will use this gift, but things in her life are also complicated with infertility and struggles she never knew she would have. In this story of multiple generations, self-discovery, and hard fought life lesssons, Serle magically grabs readers and transports them to a place where we can get another chance.
I recently read Twice by Mitch Albom and this has a VERY similar plot line and concept, so I do believe that made it difficult for me to feel that this was as novel of an idea for me. But as always, I was swept into this story and found myself rooting for Lauren… until she made a choice that I felt like took me out of the story for the rest of the book. I do feel like the ending and the major twist at about the 70% mark also brought this back up from a 3 star to a 4. I can see how this book will not work for some readers and will really work for others.
As mentioned, there are some difficult topics mentioned, the greatest being infertility. There are also topics of death, cancer, heart failure. Please be cautious going into this if these are sensitive topics. Overall, I am grateful to have read this story and cannot wait to hear what others have to say. This publishes in March 2026.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the advanced
Copy!
4 stars
What to expect in this book:
-Contemporary fiction
-Magical realism
-Family legacy
-Multiple POV
-Beautiful language/writing
Thoughts 💭
This is one of the more complicated book reviews I have written in a long time since there are some very heavy undertones of this book and there are parts that I truly hated but also loved completely. Let me say first that Rebecca Serle is one of my favorite authors ever. Her words and stories are like candy for me and I feel a veracity when I’m reading that I cannot stop. The Dinner List and One Italian Summer are my favorites from her. As usual, she delivers on the magical realism. Lauren Novak was given a gift at birth—a chance, once her lifetime, a ticket for one do-over. She and her mother and grandmother before her have been given this opportunity to turn back the clock. Lauren is living a wonderful life and unsure when she will use this gift, but things in her life are also complicated with infertility and struggles she never knew she would have. In this story of multiple generations, self-discovery, and hard fought life lesssons, Serle magically grabs readers and transports them to a place where we can get another chance.
I recently read Twice by Mitch Albom and this has a VERY similar plot line and concept, so I do believe that made it difficult for me to feel that this was as novel of an idea for me. But as always, I was swept into this story and found myself rooting for Lauren… until she made a choice that I felt like took me out of the story for the rest of the book. I do feel like the ending and the major twist at about the 70% mark also brought this back up from a 3 star to a 4. I can see how this book will not work for some readers and will really work for others.
As mentioned, there are some difficult topics mentioned, the greatest being infertility. There are also topics of death, cancer, heart failure. Please be cautious going into this if these are sensitive topics. Overall, I am grateful to have read this story and cannot wait to hear what others have to say. This publishes in March 2026.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the advanced
Copy!
November 13, 2025
What would you do if you got one do-over in life? How would you choose to spend it?
Once and Again follows three generations of women who are all given the opportunity to turn back time just once. The relationship between grandma, mom, and daughter is beautifully dissected and taken apart and put back together. The things we choose to share, or don’t, affect everyone in our lives in one way or another and Rebecca Serle does a great job of showcasing this.
This book was very thought-provoking and unique premise, which I always enjoy! It explores a lot of tough topics like infertility and how our choices affect those of others. Love a sprinkle of magical realism as well.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this advanced copy in exchange for a honest review.
Once and Again follows three generations of women who are all given the opportunity to turn back time just once. The relationship between grandma, mom, and daughter is beautifully dissected and taken apart and put back together. The things we choose to share, or don’t, affect everyone in our lives in one way or another and Rebecca Serle does a great job of showcasing this.
This book was very thought-provoking and unique premise, which I always enjoy! It explores a lot of tough topics like infertility and how our choices affect those of others. Love a sprinkle of magical realism as well.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this advanced copy in exchange for a honest review.
December 23, 2025
Thank you so much to Atria Books & Net Galley for this e-ARC! I just got into Rebecca Serle this year so it was so exciting to get to read her latest release ahead of 2026. While all of her books have some time related magical realism concept, I thought this one still had an interesting premise. It generated some interesting themes and reflection for the reader on generational curses/cycles, choices we make, and how that all affects our lives. I also enjoyed the exploration of each of the mother-daughter relationships.
Once again, didn't connect to the characters (partly bc I am such an East Coast girl and all her books take place in or near LA). The plot pacing was also a bit off for me, and the last third of the book went by quicker. Overall, if you love more contemporary, women's fiction, magical realisml books with a hint of romance, then this is for you!
TW: infertility/pregnancy struggles
🌶️.5
Once again, didn't connect to the characters (partly bc I am such an East Coast girl and all her books take place in or near LA). The plot pacing was also a bit off for me, and the last third of the book went by quicker. Overall, if you love more contemporary, women's fiction, magical realisml books with a hint of romance, then this is for you!
TW: infertility/pregnancy struggles
🌶️.5
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