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drops_everything_and_reads's review
5.0
I don't even know how to describe all the feelings I felt when reading this book. I wish I could go back and read it again for the first time; it's funny and sad and happy and thought-provoking.
Maggie North's writing is superb in this single POV relationship-in-crisis romance about Liz and Tobin, a couple at a crossroads when Liz decides she needs and wants to be seen for who she really is, and determines she can only do that on her own, moving out of her home and moving in with her sister and niece - just a few houses down the street. Liz takes improv classes, starts making new friends, starts to say and do "yes, and," even when Tobin asks Liz to try to work on their relationship.
There were scenes that had me laughing out loud, scenes I wanted to cry, scenes I wanted to reach into the pages and hug Liz. And there were scenes in which I felt so seen, where it felt like Maggie had reached deep into my life, my brain, my heart and pulled out some of my deepest vulnerabilities, difficult experiences, hopes and dreams and put them into words that I couldn't dare articulate myself.
It is a romance so we do have an HEA and it is so well earned. It's beautiful and true to the characters.
This book is definitely one of the best books I have ever read.
Huge thank you to Maggie North for providing me with an eARC of her debut book (all opinions are my own), and for being willing to become a friend. It is an honour and joy to know you and I'm so excited for you.
Maggie North's writing is superb in this single POV relationship-in-crisis romance about Liz and Tobin, a couple at a crossroads when Liz decides she needs and wants to be seen for who she really is, and determines she can only do that on her own, moving out of her home and moving in with her sister and niece - just a few houses down the street. Liz takes improv classes, starts making new friends, starts to say and do "yes, and," even when Tobin asks Liz to try to work on their relationship.
There were scenes that had me laughing out loud, scenes I wanted to cry, scenes I wanted to reach into the pages and hug Liz. And there were scenes in which I felt so seen, where it felt like Maggie had reached deep into my life, my brain, my heart and pulled out some of my deepest vulnerabilities, difficult experiences, hopes and dreams and put them into words that I couldn't dare articulate myself.
It is a romance so we do have an HEA and it is so well earned. It's beautiful and true to the characters.
This book is definitely one of the best books I have ever read.
Huge thank you to Maggie North for providing me with an eARC of her debut book (all opinions are my own), and for being willing to become a friend. It is an honour and joy to know you and I'm so excited for you.
estefaniacalo's review
2.0
Liz and Tobin relationship was cute but it ended up not working for me. I usually love the "second chance romance" trope but the conflict in this one seemed absurd to me. The writing style ended up making it harder for me to enjoy this one.
kspoonerfish's review against another edition
4.0
This is a marriage in trouble, second chance romance and I especially love how improv plays a big part in the story.
Liz feels like she has become invisible at home and at work. Her husband, Tobin throws her a party for her 30th birthday and she is dismayed when one of his friends mistake her for hired help at the party. She is an introvert and feels herself shrinking and getting quieter. She feels like Tobin has gotten so busy, he doesn’t see her for who she is. Both Tobin and Liz work for West by North a mountain and river guide service. Liz is ready to make changes in her life, both at work and at home. She tells Tobin she wants to separate and she goes to stay with her sister and her autistic niece.
At work, she asks her boss to consider her for a promotion. She wants to be a leader and develop some unique tour ideas. He tells her she’s a numbers person and good with spreadsheets and to stick with that. But he suggests if she wants to improve her people skills, she should try an improv class being offerred locally.
Tobin is a popular and outgoing wilderness guide and he isn’t ready to give up on their marriage. He tried to make an appointment for them to see a therapist but they couldn’t get in for months so he asks Liz to try a relationship repair manual called Rules for Rebooting Your Relationship with Improv. When Liz goes to improv class, she finds out she needs a partner and Tobin offers to do it. And so their journey begins – they are on their way to find happiness as well as their way back to each other with improv and it’s an emotional ride. I found myself rooting for Tobin and Liz.
The secondary characters weren’t as lovable. There were a few that were supportive of Liz but there were some members from both of their families that were unkind to Liz and that was hard to watch - there’s a lot of drama with their dysfunctional families. This made the story hard to read in places. I wondered how they would overcome it all. I don’t want to give anything away but it’s wonderful when we see how they come back together. I loved the epilogue. There’s also a special cat named Himbo. I gave this 3 and 1/2 stars and rounded up to 4.
I recommend this book to readers who enjoy second chance romance stories with drama and a couple that finds themselves again with the help of improv.
Liz feels like she has become invisible at home and at work. Her husband, Tobin throws her a party for her 30th birthday and she is dismayed when one of his friends mistake her for hired help at the party. She is an introvert and feels herself shrinking and getting quieter. She feels like Tobin has gotten so busy, he doesn’t see her for who she is. Both Tobin and Liz work for West by North a mountain and river guide service. Liz is ready to make changes in her life, both at work and at home. She tells Tobin she wants to separate and she goes to stay with her sister and her autistic niece.
At work, she asks her boss to consider her for a promotion. She wants to be a leader and develop some unique tour ideas. He tells her she’s a numbers person and good with spreadsheets and to stick with that. But he suggests if she wants to improve her people skills, she should try an improv class being offerred locally.
Tobin is a popular and outgoing wilderness guide and he isn’t ready to give up on their marriage. He tried to make an appointment for them to see a therapist but they couldn’t get in for months so he asks Liz to try a relationship repair manual called Rules for Rebooting Your Relationship with Improv. When Liz goes to improv class, she finds out she needs a partner and Tobin offers to do it. And so their journey begins – they are on their way to find happiness as well as their way back to each other with improv and it’s an emotional ride. I found myself rooting for Tobin and Liz.
The secondary characters weren’t as lovable. There were a few that were supportive of Liz but there were some members from both of their families that were unkind to Liz and that was hard to watch - there’s a lot of drama with their dysfunctional families. This made the story hard to read in places. I wondered how they would overcome it all. I don’t want to give anything away but it’s wonderful when we see how they come back together. I loved the epilogue. There’s also a special cat named Himbo. I gave this 3 and 1/2 stars and rounded up to 4.
I recommend this book to readers who enjoy second chance romance stories with drama and a couple that finds themselves again with the help of improv.
alltoowellread's review
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
em_mcd's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
danielljgp's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Liz is done with who she’s been. And change starts at home as she decides to separate from her husband. She seeks out improv to improve her social skills and level up her career, while using those same tools to work on her marriage.
A sweet second chance romance. At times, the writing was hard to follow; if you can go beyond the imperfect flow, you’ll be rewarded with a heartwarming story.
St. Martin’s Press provided a complimentary e-galley.
A sweet second chance romance. At times, the writing was hard to follow; if you can go beyond the imperfect flow, you’ll be rewarded with a heartwarming story.
St. Martin’s Press provided a complimentary e-galley.
minxreads's review
Pathetically boring. Wasn’t even worth the skim read. How tf did this book got picked up for the publication?
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