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A review by litwithleigh
The Second Chance Year by Melissa Wiesner
3.0
Thank you Forever (Grand Central Pub) and NetGalley for the ARC. IYKYK my reviews are always honest.
Writing: bit on the blander side | Plot: cooliooooo | Ending: aww
SYNOPSIS
Sadie has had a Very Bad Year, so when she gets the opportunity at a redo she doesn't think twice. But can she turn it into a Very Good Year, or is fate set in stone?
MY OPINION
I'm balls deep (is 'clit deep' somehow grosser???) in time travel romances right now and enjoying them for the most part. This premise is BANGIN, so if it speaks to you, give it a whirl and form your own opinion. I think it would make a fantastic movie. Similar to [b:The Good Part|112976344|The Good Part|Sophie Cousens|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1685352418l/112976344._SX50_.jpg|135511344], I wouldn't call this a straight up romance. It's trending more chick lit to me—there's a significant amount spent on work and family dynamics. In fact, the alleged romance between Sadie and Jacob was the weakest and my least fave part.
I just didn't buy into their vibes. There was no banter, and they could barely have a conversation together, yet Jacob wanted wear her hair as a wig since they were kids???? And all the sudden Sadie was like he's kinda hot, because he was muscular... from playing piano???????????????? PLAYING PIANO??????????? Google 'famous pianist' and tell me one a scale from Arnold Schwarznegger to pine needle what the average body composition is like.
And let's talk about all these food-related similes. Or, more specifically, baking similes. I know homegirl bakes for a living, but this was giving ole Stacy Willingham (iykyk) a run for her money. The similes were so jarring, oftentimes I had to pause and reread to make sure I wasn't hallucinating, which took me out of the story's flow. See below:
"Something about that leaves me as hollow as a cannoli without any filling."
"Look, the last year of my life sucked like a straw in a milkshake." I guess this is better than saying a prostitute in a truck stop parking lot....
"...Spinning around in the darkness like cake batter in a KitchenAid?" Hope KitchenAid cut the cheque because that's silly
"... I ask, my voice like fluffy meringue." wtf does this even sound like????? I think about this at least once a day.
"Confusion curls in my gut like a Swiss roll." I mean.............
Ok last one: "But my dad's face is as hard as a burned loaf of bread, and my mom keeps sighing and shaking her head like I've brought pumpkin pie to a summer party." MA'AM. STEP AWAY FROM THE KEYBOARD!!!!!
Anyways, like I said, if the premise speaks to you, don't hesitate to pick it up. Especially if baking is your main personality trait.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: cool and fun premise, interesting look at if we can rewrite history or destiny is set in stone, the work/family issues were nicely incorporated
Cons: didn't feel the chemistry between Jacob and Sadie, about 30 too many baking puns/similes, Sadie could've told me she was 17 and I would've believed her, writing was a bit uninspired
___
Check out my YouTube and my TikTok
Writing: bit on the blander side | Plot: cooliooooo | Ending: aww
SYNOPSIS
Sadie has had a Very Bad Year, so when she gets the opportunity at a redo she doesn't think twice. But can she turn it into a Very Good Year, or is fate set in stone?
MY OPINION
I'm balls deep (is 'clit deep' somehow grosser???) in time travel romances right now and enjoying them for the most part. This premise is BANGIN, so if it speaks to you, give it a whirl and form your own opinion. I think it would make a fantastic movie. Similar to [b:The Good Part|112976344|The Good Part|Sophie Cousens|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1685352418l/112976344._SX50_.jpg|135511344], I wouldn't call this a straight up romance. It's trending more chick lit to me—there's a significant amount spent on work and family dynamics. In fact, the alleged romance between Sadie and Jacob was the weakest and my least fave part.
I just didn't buy into their vibes. There was no banter, and they could barely have a conversation together, yet Jacob wanted wear her hair as a wig since they were kids???? And all the sudden Sadie was like he's kinda hot, because he was muscular... from playing piano???????????????? PLAYING PIANO??????????? Google 'famous pianist' and tell me one a scale from Arnold Schwarznegger to pine needle what the average body composition is like.
And let's talk about all these food-related similes. Or, more specifically, baking similes. I know homegirl bakes for a living, but this was giving ole Stacy Willingham (iykyk) a run for her money. The similes were so jarring, oftentimes I had to pause and reread to make sure I wasn't hallucinating, which took me out of the story's flow. See below:
"Something about that leaves me as hollow as a cannoli without any filling."
"Look, the last year of my life sucked like a straw in a milkshake." I guess this is better than saying a prostitute in a truck stop parking lot....
"...Spinning around in the darkness like cake batter in a KitchenAid?" Hope KitchenAid cut the cheque because that's silly
"... I ask, my voice like fluffy meringue." wtf does this even sound like????? I think about this at least once a day.
"Confusion curls in my gut like a Swiss roll." I mean.............
Ok last one: "But my dad's face is as hard as a burned loaf of bread, and my mom keeps sighing and shaking her head like I've brought pumpkin pie to a summer party." MA'AM. STEP AWAY FROM THE KEYBOARD!!!!!
Anyways, like I said, if the premise speaks to you, don't hesitate to pick it up. Especially if baking is your main personality trait.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: cool and fun premise, interesting look at if we can rewrite history or destiny is set in stone, the work/family issues were nicely incorporated
Cons: didn't feel the chemistry between Jacob and Sadie, about 30 too many baking puns/similes, Sadie could've told me she was 17 and I would've believed her, writing was a bit uninspired
___
Check out my YouTube and my TikTok