A review by teatunesandtales
Twice in a Lifetime by Melissa Baron

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

😭😭😭💙💙💙😍😍😍😭😭😭

TW: mental illness, panic attacks/disorders, death, grief, suicide, suicide attempt, suicidal thoughts, cancer, death of a parent, car accident, and alcohol, to name several.

⏰💞💙 Timey-wimey romance set in St. Louis? Okay! My first finished book of the year was Twice in a Lifetime by Melissa Baron. This was a pretty quick read, but don't let the page count fool you. It's packed with so much emotion. This book equally encouraged me and wrecked me. 😭😍 Rating: 5⭐ 

As a result of all of the rollercoaster of emotion this book evokes, there is a considerable list of TW: mental illness, panic attacks/disorders, death, grief, suicide, suicide attempt, suicidal thoughts, cancer, death of a parent, car accident, and alcohol, to name several.

Isla wants a fresh start after her mother's death, so she leaves Chicago to start a new life in St. Louis. Making a life as a graphic designer living in a cute, little cottage outside of the city, Isla is trying to heal from loss when a text from the future turns her life upside down. The text is from her husband, Ewan. But... Plot twist ... Isla isn't even married! 😳 Once her shock wears off and determines Ewan isn't a creeper, she uncovers a plan spanning years to save not just her life but her sanity as well. 

I can't even describe the range of emotions I experienced while reading this book. So many healing moments for Isla, not just as she moves through her grief of the loss of her mother, but also discovering how to care for her own mental health. I was encouraged by the encouragement of her friends who taught her what loving herself truly meant. Yes, this was a love story, not just for Isla and Ewan, but also for Isla loving herself. 😭💙😭💙😭💙

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