Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
What happens when you make a marriage pact with two different men, at two very different points in your life, and both of those men come back to cash in on that promise you made? Maybe Once, Maybe Twice by Alison Rose Greenberg tells that very story of Maggie Vine and the only two men she’s ever loved in her life – Asher Reyes (teenage boyfriend turned movie star heartthrob) and Garrett Scholl (unrequited love and Mr. Maybe after multiple missed opportunities). This book was both poignant and funny. The dual timelines and flashbacks tied the present day story together so well, that it really made you understand why Maggie was where she was in her life. There were definitely times I wanted to shake her because she wasn’t making a choice I would have made, but ultimately she did end up choosing the right guy – in my opinion. Lots of heartache and longing and a slow burn – which personally I’m a huge sucker for! The 90s music nostalgia was also very real in this book, and had me running to Spotify to listen to the songs that were mentioned throughout the book (Dave Matthews Band, Foo Fighters, Fall Out Boy…the list goes on and on). Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and definitely recommend you add it to your TBR.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided to me through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Alison Rose Greenberg and St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin for giving me the opportunity to read this book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided to me through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Alison Rose Greenberg and St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin for giving me the opportunity to read this book!
Wasn’t feeling it but may try again later.
emotional
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:
Complicated
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
At face value I expected this to be a fluffy romance but it ended up being kind of deep. There were actually three or four points in the story when I thought I had this book all figured out and then the author would add another layer to the narrative that would take me completely by surprise. It is rare that I read a book without reading the description or any reviews, but in this instance, it made for an intriguing experience. There was a big part of me that kept circling back to the idea that “if he wanted to he would,” but the storyline the author crafted did make the events feel believable, frustrating and tragic at times, but believable. This was a refreshing read that went beyond the standard romance tropes. I was initially a little put off by the last “will they won’t they” twist, but the more I think on it, the more I believe it was actually exactly what the story needed. This one is definitely worth the read! I’d recommend going into it as blind as possible if you still have the option.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
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:
Complicated
Overall I really enjoyed this! Sweeping, years-long romances with a love triangle AND a non-chronological timeline? YES! I had a hard time putting it down. Ultimately, I was happy with the ending, although for a lot of the book I was expecting that Maggie would come back down to earth and be with Garrett instead of Asher. But it’s cute and unexpected that they could be dreamers together, instead of settling for mundane lives with Garrett.
Maggie read a liiiittle bit like Wattpad pick-me at times, but otherwise I really liked her character arc and narration.
Maggie read a liiiittle bit like Wattpad pick-me at times, but otherwise I really liked her character arc and narration.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility
Minor: Suicide
hopeful
slow-paced
emotional
funny
reflective
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