Annette Christie

more than i expected it to be - i appreciated that this was more about how to sustain a relationship than the beginning of one. that it was a reminder to work together and be together, even if most of your days are separate. it's more about what happens years later, after the happily ever after of getting together, and how to keep that future happy. the issues they had to work through were really, really big ones, but i think the message is the same regardless - communicate, stay open, work to be your best self with your partner.… (mehr)

I really enjoyed this book. If you loved watching the movie, Groundhog Day, then you might want to read this. Megan and Tom are about to be married, but the night before their wedding at the rehearsal dinner, things don't go as planned. The next morning both Megan and Tom wake up to the same day. They continue in this time loop many days. You would think that it would be repetitive, but it isn't. Megan's mom is kind of crazy, her soon to be in laws are intense and overbearing and to add to the mix, Megan's fling from college shows up as well.
This book was funny, the characters were flawed but likeable and the plot was addictive. I would definitely recommend this one! I received a complimentary copy from Goodreads Giveaway program in exchange for a review.… (mehr)

There are certain romance troupes where I proceed with a little caution because society/pop culture has created an ominous association. Amnesia stories falls into that category (thank you soap operas); and yet, Annette Christie somehow took this concept when creating For Twice in My Life, added in twists, turns, and clever misdirections (a reminder why one should never assume), creating a story so captivating, I was guessing and gasping until the very end.

For Twice In My Life isn't a book about second chances or redos. Yes, on the surface that is the premise but it dives much deeper. Through Layla, we witness how someone (when given a second chance) can overcorrect themselves to ensure the same "mistakes" are not made. Despite her growth, she chose to live in a world of subtext, battling perceived assumptions and inevitable disappointment. Through each second chance, she became the ideal and supportive girlfriend, the model employee, the responsible adult her family didn't think she could be, not realizing that the more engrossed she became with each transformation, the more she abandoned her core identity, what made Layla - well, Layla.

What I liked about this book: As this is the first book I have ever read by Annette Christie (her second novel), her talent for parallel writing is impeccable. When reading For Twice in My Life, you are unaware that you are reading two different stories - the one she is writing and the one you assume she is writing. For some writers who have attempted this strategy, they have created frustration with the reader because the author consistently hints at what is not being said, holding on to that pertinent information until the very end. Annette’s approach was to sprinkle breadcrumbs about Layla’s life throughout the story, keeping you emotionally invested in her character, while at the same time - placing red herrings into the subplot. The reader has no idea how much they have been left in the dark until Annette finally turns up the lights, unleashing conclusions so clever that my exact commentary as I was reading (with hand clasped over the mouth for the full shocked effect) was “Ohh...DID NOT see that coming!".

What I LOVE about this book: My favorite part about this book is that once you finish, once you know everything, you will find yourself “reliving” moments with fresh eyes, seeing the characters with a different perspective. For those who are analytical, your brain is elated. Even now, I find myself still reeling from the conclusion and commenting on certain characters and their actions.

What I am indifferent about but feel I should mention: This book comes at you from all angles - throwing a lot of information at you at once, some relevant in the moment, some necessary to understand a plot point later in the book. That, and the emotional undertones right out the gate, can be a little overwhelming for the unsuspecting reader but Annette does a great job in making sure to spoon feed you recaps, revealing a little more information each time.

Slow but engaging, For Twice in My Life breaks the barriers of what second chances are and what they could mean. We are all human and we make mistakes. Being given a second chance does not mean we need to abandon who we are as a person, we just need to incorporate that lesson into who we are becoming, holding onto our identity as we grow.… (mehr)

Spoilers be damned.

This was a strong No.

Megan and Tom were awful together.

I am all for the lies, betrayals, angst, secrets, misunderstandings, crazy rich family dynamics, second chance in re-discovering love but I do not condone cheating from the main characters whatsoever.

Meg slept with Leo—Tom's best friend from college and best man at the wedding—not once, but twice and had the audacity to throw it at Tom’s face.

I was not feeling that.

Alongside that, once Meg's cheatfest was revealed addition to Tom’s inability to inform his fiancé that he accepted a job offer and they will be moving to Missouri without her knowledge the day of their wedding rehearsals, I was done and over with this couple and I pretty much just ended up skimming to the last few pages to catch their ‘happily ever after’. Gag.

Obviously this ‘funny, romantic, and big-hearted debut novel’ missed the mark and there is a high, high chance I will not read from this author again.

… (mehr)