3.61 AVERAGE

cahoongs's profile picture

cahoongs's review


don’t care + they’re both singers/musicians which is an ick to me sorry
challenging emotional reflective sad slow-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

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC.

"Maybe Once, Maybe Twice" by Alison Rose Greenberg is a novel that explores the complexities of love, second chances, and the pursuit of one's dreams. While the premise is intriguing, I found myself torn between giving it three or four stars because there were aspects I both liked and struggled with.

The character of Maggie Vine is relatable and well-developed. Her journey to find love and fulfill her dreams as a singer and mother is engaging, but it also left me with a sense of whiplash. The constant back-and-forth between her relationships with Asher and Garrett was dizzying at times. It felt like Maggie couldn't make up her mind, and this aspect of the story left me somewhat frustrated.

Additionally, the narrative's shifting timeline was a source of confusion for me. The transitions between different periods of Maggie's life were not executed smoothly, making it challenging to follow the storyline. It interrupted the flow of the narrative and made it difficult to connect with the characters on a deeper level.

On a positive note, Greenberg's writing style is engaging and filled with emotional depth. The exploration of Maggie's internal struggles and her pursuit of her passions is well-crafted. The themes of second chances and finding one's own way are poignant and relatable.

In conclusion, "Maybe Once, Maybe Twice" has its strengths, including a compelling protagonist and meaningful themes. However, the constant back-and-forth in Maggie's love life and the disjointed timeline detracted from my overall enjoyment of the book. While I appreciate the author's attempt to create tension through these elements, they left me feeling somewhat disconnected from the story. This is a novel that might resonate more with readers who enjoy intricate romantic entanglements and don't mind a non-linear narrative structure.

alisonrosestoner's review

4.0
emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced
lbevans23's profile picture

lbevans23's review

3.0
fast-paced

The ending of this book was atrocious. I was enjoying it until about midway through.

FWIW, she picked the right guy but the way it all happened was just icky.

I’d have much rather read a book about Summer.

macreader's review

2.5
lighthearted reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Loveable characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Cute, but I’m not the intended audience. Too much whining about how life is unfair and how everyone needs to do what’s best for themselves, never mind the consequences. I disliked the choices made by each major character.  Maggie never seems to mind being the other woman and that gave me the ick.


Content:
Has sex scenes that are open door and 3/5 graphic
hopeful slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

caltree's review

4.25
emotional funny hopeful fast-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

Enjoyed most of the book. Liked the ending but wish it was longer with more detail as to how it came about and the feelings of the characters. Plus maybe an epilogue? Also wish we got a final scene with Summer instead of just a quick update on her life. Felt like a lot of build up and then a rushed 2 chapter ending.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

DNF. The jumping around in the timeline and plot was not easy enough to follow for this Audiobook girlie