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It's Now or Never

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Can it ever be too late to chase your dreams? The witty, clever and heartbreaking new novel from the bestselling author.

When twins Annie and Lauren attend their sister Chelsea's fortieth birthday party at the Dorchester Hotel, they wonder why their lives are so totally different from their gorgeous, glamorous sister. Why is it that Chelsea's handsome husband is twirling her round the dance floor, with an expression of utter devotion on his face, while Annie's husband is away on a fishing trip and Lauren's boyfriend is at home with his wife and kids. Surely, they are doing something wrong here. The question is, is it too late for them to change...?

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

269 people are currently reading
1405 people want to read

About the author

Carole Matthews

75 books1,718 followers
Carole Matthews is an international bestselling author of hugely successful romantic comedy novels. Her unique sense of humour has won her legions of fans and critical acclaim all over the world.

A Minor Indiscretion and A Compromising Position both reached the Top 5 in the Sunday Times bestseller chart in the UK. You Drive Me Crazy reached number 8 in the original fiction charts. The novel Welcome To The Real World was shortlisted for RNA romantic novel of the year 2007.

In 2006 Carole co-edited - with writer Sarah Mlynowski - two new editions of the hugely popular Girls' Night In charity series called Girls' Night Out - one for the USA and one for Canada. All proceeds go to War Child.

Carole has presented on television and is a regular radio guest. When she’s not writing novels, television or film scripts she manages to find time to trek in the Himalayas, rollerblade in Central Park, take tea in China and snooze in her garden shed in Milton Keynes which is near London, England.

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5 stars
1,532 (40%)
4 stars
1,425 (37%)
3 stars
685 (17%)
2 stars
125 (3%)
1 star
44 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 191 reviews
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,556 reviews258 followers
December 10, 2023
Was ok, would be a good read if you're not holiday. Zero concentration required.

Two stars.
Profile Image for Agi.
1,677 reviews105 followers
November 8, 2012
For a long, long time this book was a very strong 3 stars for me. Why? Well, it was just too long. Too many "I'd like" and "What if's". Too much talking, too less action. But the last few chapters were actually not so bad and I thought, well, I really liked it:)
What I really like in Carole Matthews's book is that they are about people like we are. People who are normal, have the same problems, the same feelings and they are living down to earth, not only hoping that something would change, or that they can somehow pay their credit card, or that their children will stop being so spoiled, etc, no, they are like we are and they are finally taking their lives in their hands. And so often the books remind me on me, my family, and they show me that I am getting wrong at some point or the other. Here, reading this, I have learnt again - although I know this very well - that you must speak with your family, husband, children, and that you must fight for yourself.
And although Greg was soooo playing on my nerves with his fishing, I understand that one must have a hobby:) even if it is fishing:) Well, I have my dogs for example :) But I don't want that we have the same problems with my husband, so perhaps I'd better buy the sexy lingerie myself :))) Joking of course. Annie and Lauren were super duo, there was maybe a little too few about the third sister Chloe and her plot didn't suit to this book so much. Greg, as already told, was a little too boring with his fishing but finally found his second nature - better late than never :)
Profile Image for Susan.
86 reviews
October 18, 2025
It was okay if you like fishing. Which I do not. The constant references to the husband's fishing adventures were really boring so I skipped a page or two, or three, okay four. It also became quite predictable and not one I would really read again to be honest. I flicked through the last 2 chapters, not really reading it.
Profile Image for Leona.
1,771 reviews18 followers
November 30, 2016
I always enjoy a book by Carole Matthews. Her writing is smooth, her characters capture my interest and the issues are so real. Add in a bit of comic relief and you're guaranteed great entertainment. She's definitely a great storyteller.

I gave this one four stars, rather than my normal 5 stars for Carole Mathews books. Mostly due to Lauren. The whole adulterous situation left me cold and was overplayed. She was one character that did not deserve an HEA, but got it all the same.

I wonder if Chelsea gets her own book?
Profile Image for Nicola Clough.
879 reviews41 followers
June 8, 2019
This book was brilliant from the first page such an easy read and full of romance, families, friendships and finding out what you are missing from life. The characters are so brilliant and the story plot is so realistic and shows how you have to decide for yourself at the right time what you need from life. It's worth more than the five stars.
Annie and Lauren are twins and they have an older sister Chelsea and they attend her 40th birthday bash which is full of money and they wonder how their lives can be so different. Once they get home Annie has a husband who always goes fishing and leaves her and while she's at work a chance to walk some mountains takes her fancy but she has to raise her own money to pay for it and when her husband doesn't like the idea he takes her on holiday to the same place they go every year and she hates it and she realises she has to do this for her so starts trying to raise money. Lauren is living alone and trying to get time with her lover who is married and has children and she always puts his family down and Lauren is starting to get fed up can she see that the right person is under her nose all alone and can she move forward and be happy. Chelsea thought she had it all with plenty of money but things all go wrong and how will her sisters help her. When Annie thinks she's not going to make the trip of her lifetime she gets a surprise when work say they will fund it what will her husband say and how will they get through it can they be happy together or not.
Profile Image for Charlotte Goulding.
397 reviews6 followers
March 5, 2021
Felt very dated (was written 11 years ago) but enjoyable enough.

Twins who have got to the old (!!) age of 38, and are fed up with their lives. Seemed a little unbelievable and very predictable!
Profile Image for Leah.
1,650 reviews338 followers
February 8, 2010
At their older sister Chelsea’s flash fortieth birthday party, twin sisters Annie and Lauren wonder how their life has paled in comparison to their sisters. Why is it that Chelsea has a fantastic husband who caters to her every whim whereas Annie’s husband spends most of his time fishing and Lauren’s lover is married with two kids? There and then Annie and Lauren make a vow: this year everything will be different and they will follow their dreams. Annie’s dream is to walk the Inca trail in Peru whereas Lauren wants lover Jude to finally leave his wife for her. Can the sisters make their dreams come true or is it too little, too late?

Carole Matthews is definitely one of my favourite authors and I’ve read most of her books. Since 2006 Carole has an astonishing two books published per year and for me, that’s akin to heaven. As most authors generally only publish one book a year I feel spoiled being able to read two Carole Matthews books a year, I must say! I read Carole’s latest book That Loving Feeling back in August so when It’s Now or Never came through my letterbox this week I couldn’t wait to get started on it – hours later and I’ve finished it!

All of Carole Matthews’s latest books follow the same format: alternating first and third person narratives with short and snappy chapters guaranteed to keep the book flowing throughout. When I read my first Carole Matthews book that alternated the first/third person narrative I did find it difficult to get used to at first but now I find it gives a better view of events throughout her books and I just find it a fantastic way for a book to be written.

It’s Now Or Never is kind of similar to Carole’s last release That Loving Feeling. Annie and Greg’s (from It’s Now or Never) were very similar to Juliet and Rick (from That Loving Feeling): their marriage seems to be falling apart at their ears, their children don’t respect them at all. The two marriages really were eerily similar and it was like I was reading about Rick and Juliet again (which wasn’t a bad thing – I adored Rick and Juliet). Furthermore since the marriages were similar I found Annie and Greg just as likable. I could understand Annie’s frustration and reasons for wondering if her marriage was in tatters, but I also found it a little irritating at times because the dual narratives mean we get to see the scenes from everyone’s perspective. As well as the book being narrated by Annie, we also get Greg’s point of view. It means that everything Annie tells us about Greg – and some of it isn’t nice – can be countered when we move to Greg’s point of view and everything is explained. I respected the fact Greg was ’stuck in the mud’ and couldn’t understand Annie’s sudden desire to roam the world. From his point of view it does seem as though Annie is going mad although from Annie’s point of view it does seem relatively sane. It was very conflicting and I didn’t know who to sympathise with more. I liked them both immensely and did hope they would be able to sort out their differences.

Lauren, Annie’s twin sister, was a fantastic character. I looked forward to her all the chapters told from her perspective. Her storyline was a bit tired and something that appears in every single book I seem to be reading at the moment but for me, I enjoyed it. I can’t say I was a fan of Lauren being a mistress but she seemed incredibly sweet, if a little naive. As her lover Jude keeps letting her down, I thought it was fantastic that her friend Zak was there to help prop her up. I knew early on how Lauren’s storyline would end (it’s kind of hinted at really early on) but for me the question wasn’t if Lauren would ever figure out things about Jude and Zak but when it would happen.

When I first read the synopsis on Amazon I thought Chelsea, the twins’ older sister, may have been in the book a bit more – even have some chapters about her life – but she rarely makes appearances which was a bit disappointing. It seemed that Chelsea was going through some difficult times which weren’t properly resolved by the end of the book which was also disappointing. A lot is made about how different Chelsea’s life is compared to Annie and Lauren so it wouldn’t have added an interesting perspective to see how Chelsea’s life was seemingly falling apart around her ears.

Carole’s writing is, as always, fantastic. I find it very easy to get into her books and could read Carole all day long. I thoroughly enjoyed reading It’s Now or Never and apart from a few quibbles I did find it an absorbing read. There are a few chapters on fishing as Greg enjoys fishing and I thought I would have found those chapters boring but I didn’t, at all. I found them quite interesting – which really surprised me, I never had myself down for wanting to learn about fish. Some people may find them a bit dull but they really gave us insight into Greg’s mind, which was very clever. It’s Now or Never is a must-read and I hugely enjoyed reading the book. Right – when’s the next Carole Matthews book out?…
76 reviews
August 31, 2021
Absolutely loved it, and love the fact the chapters are small too.
Profile Image for Elina.
34 reviews25 followers
September 17, 2016
Ok. I never read chick lit.NEVER. Last time it was 2000 and that was 16 years ago. I bought the greek translation for 3 euros. I dont regret it. I dont regret it because it only cost 3 euros. The characters cliched. We get the picture from chapter one. They dont develop. Their actions make them look like they are developing but they are not. Point of view is very confusing. Too many details about fishing. Stupid internal monologues that you would expect that they should be dialogues. Actions incosistent with characters. The plot is cliche. Everything is cliche. There is no depth to the characters, not a single trait that makes them interesting. There is no way I can bond with a no brain 4o year old woman who suddenly decides she wants to be the opposite of what she is and finds fault with everyone but herself. I cannot bond with a stupid, shallow, self centered , with no hobbies woman that has a 5 year illicit relationship with her married boss. I cannot relate to the husband of the first lady who seems retarded. I cannot connect with the son of a bitch, stalker, egocentric two timing man. I cannot connect with the goodnighter friend of the girl with the affair in the hopes that this stupid bimpo will love him , and be with him . SELF RESPECT, self questioning, this does not exist in this book. The writing , I would say 15 year olds can do better. There is no structure. She tries to be funny. She does not achieve it.Why? Why would something like this deserve to be written. If I am 40 and at such a state, I would kill myselft for the sake of humanity. This would be interesting as a story, cathartic and offering hope to mankind. Honestly, how do they get published? sad losers, and at 40 they become enlightened. Enlightened my ass.No hope....
201 reviews
February 1, 2013
picked it up from a book fair because it was on sale.worth every penny.this is the perfect book for those of us who's feeling like they're STUCK in their life.
Profile Image for Ceri.
413 reviews15 followers
September 10, 2021
I really enjoyed most aspects of the book, I didn't expect it to enjoy it as much as I did! The start of the book you kind of like one sister more than the other, or I should say twin. Towards the end, I was actually rooting for the other sister a lot more.

So the book follows Annie and Lauren who has there getting on decide that they're not happy with the way their life is and the book is how they feel like they should change it. Annie set about going on a climbing with work and it's all that what happens after that!

The book is written in Lauren and Annie's perspectives. I like this as you get to see the both side and form your own opinions of them. There are a few parts that are from Greg's perspective, this is Annie's husband. He frustrated me 😂.

The end of the book did leave me a little bit flat. I still enjoyed it it's just I would have liked a bit more that's all.
Profile Image for Dark-Draco.
2,405 reviews46 followers
December 1, 2020
Not really my sort of thing, but I did give it a go. I started reading it, but quickly realised I didn't care enough about the main characters to continue reading ...
Profile Image for Alana Worthington.
53 reviews
April 18, 2021
If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would absolutely loved it, Fab Characters, short chapters which kept you wanting more 💖📗
66 reviews
April 6, 2024
Nice easy read. Relatable characters with a heart warming story, laugh out loud funny in places too.
Profile Image for Coral.
96 reviews
June 8, 2024
A nice story, with likeable characters but took a long time to get going.
Profile Image for Philippa Henfield.
9 reviews
May 7, 2025
I absolutely loved this book, easy to read and very realistic with regard to how relationships can end up after being together for a long period of time. I really enjoyed the plot twists
Profile Image for Georgia Griffiths.
14 reviews
May 6, 2025
It should not take you flying halfway across the world for your husband to stop being a prick
Profile Image for Tomi.
54 reviews12 followers
November 6, 2012
You know what... I am just going to talk about the ending. I did know that the silly-billy-goo-goo of a man- the lover, would suck up to his wife, while trying to get Lauren to get back to him. I also figured, that in his greed, he'd stalk Zak and Lauren all the way to Cotswold. Sick man... eating his cake while having it. Silly Lauren, like most women expecting what they cannot get.
I am also glad that Annie and her husband made up in the end. it took a while, almost too long for her husband to trail her down to South America.
I feel sorry for Chelsea... but then when you are rich and expect that the funds will continue to toll on forever, without a contingency plan, now that is just pure evil. whatever happened to saving for the rainy day????? Do wealthy people think that the sun will always shine forever, - with no storms, or rains, hurricanes and all...??? come off it....!!!!!!
Good read... but then I think Lauren switching to Zak really quickly is often called 'on the rebound'.. but I hope it works out well for them.
Profile Image for Kelly.
1,652 reviews47 followers
August 6, 2012
I didn't know if I would like this book but actually it wasn't a bad read. It was horribly predictable but lighthearted and a nice afternoon read.

I really disliked the fishing chapters, they drove me insane so I skipped them in the end.

Annie's story was frustrating because I wanted her husband to step up and considering in his chapters he claimed to love her, he was really harsh and unaccepting, not helped by the advice of his fishing buddy. Though I felt that Annie was far too snippy about his reaction which didn't help either.

Lauren was one of these characters that you want to reach in and shake to break the spell that Jude had over her. Her story was massively predicatable but still, happy ending!

I didn't like Jude, BC, Greg, Greg's friend or even Chelsea who emotionally blackmailed Annie into lending her the money she had worked hard for. Still, as I say, an okay read for an afternoon.
Profile Image for Liz Davis.
Author 10 books51 followers
February 18, 2012
Have you ever reached the do or die point in your life? Where something has to change or you'll go crazy?
Well, in a nutshell, that's what this novel is about.

Annie is stuck in a marriage with two kids, whose only idea of fun is racing from one party to the next and getting drunk, and a husband who is content as long as he has a fishing rod in his hand.

Annie's twin, Lauren wants what Annie has. A husband (minus the fishing rod). There's only one small problem. Correction, one big problem. The man she wants, her boyfriend of several years, has already filled another woman's "husbandy'' needs.

If you ever need that extra push toward your dreams, this book could be for you. It made me laugh, encouraged me to never stop reaching for the skies, and made me want to pack my bags and leave for Peru.
I'll say no more.
Profile Image for Jan.
583 reviews
September 19, 2015
Read Carole Matthews Facebook page and you can deduce instantly that she has a flair for words. I decided to read some of her earlier stuff and this was one of the books I picked up. It appealed to me because it was not about 20 somethings. Twins who decide as the onset of middle age approaches that there has to be something more to life. Each beset by a staleness longing for something more, this is the time to change things. Carole's wit and clever writing style brings it all to life in a way that holds a reader. Painting a picture of life without the rose coloured glasses and working through to a satisfactory conclusion. Carole is a true author, unlike some of the names brandished with that title. Well worth indulging yourself.
Profile Image for Madison.
121 reviews2 followers
March 22, 2021
My first thoughts of this book was that it was an enjoyable, quick read. However, it’s only near the end of the book that I felt the language used became a bit, unnecessary. From using the word “skank” AND using it to describe Amy Winehouse, to then calling her own daughter a prostitute to then having the words “shut up” in every sentence! None of the characters seemed to like each other either and there seemed to be a lot unresolved/drama created just to “tidy” up things or to make parts of the book make sense. I wouldn’t recommend
Profile Image for Nessa.
1,857 reviews70 followers
January 26, 2018
I absolutely love this author, as I always know that when a read one of Carole's books, I know that I'm in for a treat.

I loved getting to know all of the different characters and there own individual stories which you get to discover as you progress through the book.

If you haven't read a her books before, then I highly recommend that you do.
30 reviews1 follower
July 12, 2010
Great to see a Mum who had an ambition to do a certain thing, and went ahead and did it even though having no support from her husband or children until the very end. Sometimes us Mums just have to do what we want to do, even if others are against it!
Profile Image for Preet.
3,383 reviews233 followers
July 22, 2011
This book was a great quick read. It caught my attention right from the beginning and held it all the way through. Carole Matthews has done a great job with this book and made it very relevant. I'm looking forward to reading her next book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 191 reviews

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