I have enjoyed other books by the author duo Christina Lauren, and I’ve had Twice in a Blue Moon on my bookshelf for a while. Recently, I’ve been opting for audiobooks because life has thrown me some curveballs, and I haven’t had much time to sit down with a physical book or my Kindle. Thankfully, Libby had the audiobook for this title. Erin Mallon, the narrator, did a fabulous job and definitely made the book enjoyable, even though I wasn’t thrilled with the direction the story took at the end.

The story is narrated solely from the perspective of the FMC, Tate. It begins when she is eighteen and on vacation in London with her grandmother. There, she meets Sam and his grandfather. Tate and Sam quickly grow close and fall for each other. However, when Tate reveals her true identity, Sam takes advantage of this information.

Fast forward fourteen years: Tate is now working with her father on a film and unexpectedly encounters Sam, who betrayed her and broke her heart all those years ago. As the story unfolds, secrets are revealed about Sam’s betrayal, and Tate discovers that the film she is acting in is deeply connected to Sam’s family’s past.

This book started amazingly, and I loved the instant connection and attraction that Tate and Sam felt while on vacation. However, when Sam betrayed her, I completely understood why Tate was so angry with him when they later reunited in life. He not only broke her heart, but he also betrayed her trust, and he really should have been groveling to win her back. While it was clear that he still had feelings for her and regretted what he did, if he truly cared, he would have addressed the situation with her before betraying her all those years ago. I really believe he should have made a greater effort to apologize during the ending. More groveling, perhaps. Lots of groveling, actually.

I had another issue with Tate’s father, who I felt was unnecessary to the story. He contributed to the conflict between Tate and Sam toward the end of the book, and I really didn’t like his character. He was not there for Tate during her childhood and treated her poorly. While they were working together on the film, he belittled her. Tate didn’t even need his guidance, as she was an amazing actress, and everyone around her kept telling her that.

I loved Tate’s character and seeing how she followed her dreams, even after what Sam did and how her father treated her. Her father didn’t deserve her. Tate truly shined in whatever she did. I’m happy that she ended up with Sam and got her happily ever after, but I think she should have made him work harder for her forgiveness.

Unfortunately, this isn’t my favorite book by the author duo. However, that doesn’t mean I won’t recommend it to other readers. I’ve actually passed my physical copy of the book to my college friend so she can read it. She might enjoy it much more than I did.

If you enjoy Second Chance Romance stories, then this book may be something you want to add to your TBR.

What to Expect:
💙Second Chance Romance
💙Forced Proximity
💙Celebrity Romance

Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren is a delightful and heartfelt read that perfectly blends romance, second chances, and personal growth. The story follows Tate and Sam, who meet while traveling and share an intense, brief romance. Years later, their paths cross again, and the tension, both romantic and emotional, makes for a captivating read. Christina Lauren’s writing is engaging, with well-developed characters and plenty of witty banter. The chemistry between Tate and Sam is undeniable, and the story explores themes of forgiveness, healing, and love in a refreshing way.

Twice in a Blue Moon offers a familiar trope: second-chance romance. However, while the premise of a whirlwind first love and subsequent betrayal has potential, the execution falls flat, leaving the reader with a sense of missed opportunity. The core issue lies in the narrative's reliance on telling rather than showing, a crucial flaw that significantly weakens the emotional impact of the story.

The initial setup, with Tate and Sam's intense brief romance, feels rushed and underdeveloped. Instead of experiencing their connection through vivid scenes and interactions, we are largely told about their deep bond. This shortcut prevents the reader from truly investing in their relationship, making Tate's eventual heartbreak feel less impactful. The "sharing all their hopes, dreams, and deepest secrets" element, vital to the story's foundation, is presented as a fait accompli rather than a gradual unfolding, leaving the reader disconnected from the emotional core of their young love.

The narrative jumps fourteen years, and again, the focus remains on telling rather than showing. We are informed of Tate's successful acting career and her lingering feelings for Sam, but we don't truly see her navigate the complexities of her life or grapple with the pain of her past. Similarly, Sam's motivations and his reasons for his past actions are explained rather than revealed through his behavior and interactions with Tate in the present. This lack of direct engagement with the characters' emotions and experiences creates a distance between the reader and the story, hindering any real emotional connection.

The reunion of Tate and Sam on set should be a pivotal moment, filled with tension and unresolved feelings. However, even this crucial encounter feels muted due to the narrative's continued reliance on exposition. Instead of witnessing the sparks fly and the old wounds resurface organically, we are told how Tate and Sam feel, rather than experiencing those feelings alongside them. This approach undermines the dramatic potential of the situation and prevents the reader from fully investing in their rekindled connection.

Ultimately, Twice in a Blue Moon suffers from a lack of immediacy. By constantly telling rather than showing, the authors create a narrative that feels detached and emotionally distant. While the concept of a second-chance romance is inherently appealing, the story's execution fails to deliver the emotional punch it promises. The missed opportunity to truly immerse the reader in Tate and Sam's journey leaves the novel feeling ultimately unsatisfying.

Twice in a Blue Moon is a good fit for those seeking an emotional and lighthearted romance about second chances, young love, and the complexities of Hollywood.

Tate first fell in love on a trip to London, where she met the mysterious Sam Brandis. They shared their deepest secrets and dreams every night in their hotel's garden. A whirlwind romance. Sam was the only person that Tate shared her biggest secret with , shes the daughter of one of Hollywood's biggest film stars. But their love story ended abruptly when Sam betrayed Tate, he revealed her secret and outed her to the world. It’s now fourteen years later, and Tate is a famous actress herself. She's currently on the set of her biggest project to date. The last person she's expects to see is Sam Brandis. But here he is. Tate is forced to confront what happened fourteen years ago--and how it has affected her all these years later.

I very much enjoyed this Christina Lauren novel even though it is different from their usual books. To me, this book read more like a women's fiction novel than a romance. It focused more on the female main character's growth and journey to become her on person and actress outside of her famous father's shadow. The romance was more secondary to the plot. Nevertheless, I would still recommend Twice in a Blue Moon to readers.

I'm a long-time fan of Christina Lauren. This is a solid read but not a favorite for me of their books. There is just something different about this one versus their other books. But, overall, I found this to be good. The young love, facing betrayal and coming into your own themes were good. I think what missed the mark for me is that the vibe wasn't quite as snappy and crisp as I'm used to. It felt less modern and lighthearted. It felt more old-fashioned or something. Again, liked it but didn't love it.

Tate fell in love with Sam when they met while on vacation abroad and they had a whirlwind romance that ended in heartbreak. Fourteen years later, Tate is an up-and-coming actress who's just been confronted with a painful past - Sam. Can Tate forgive what happened in the past? Is it possible to pick up where they left off?
Classic Christina Lauren. This was a delightful read that covers many emotions but still manages to be a breezy read.

Think- before you begin reading - who out in the world is your “home” and why? Then start turning the pages of this heart crafted story. There is a Nanci Griffith song, Once in a Very Blue Moon which played in my head as I read this story. I hoped as I read that it would be twice and love the theme of forgiveness. Christina Lauren’s books are right up there with Colleen Hoover for me!

I don’t think you can ever go wrong with a Christina Lauren book, and this one is no exception! Absolutely loved!

I love everything Christina Lauren writes. Add first love to the mix, a vacation, and a chance meeting, and I am just going to get sucked right on in. Loved every minute of it!

An wonderful story that will captivate your attention until the end! You’ll forget the world is going on around you as you immerse yourself in this story.

Such a fun and emotional premise: reunite with your first and not under the most favorable of circumstances. For those who think about what would happen if you ran into the one that got away.

Read in one sitting and may have cried a time or two. If you love contemporary romance and are a fan of Christina Lauren’s beautiful words, this is for you.

DNF. I think my mistake with this was picking it up right after The Unhoneymooners and it doesn't compare.

I love Christina Lauren! I will always read their books. I'm always excited to get an ARC of a new Christina Lauren book. Twice in a Blue Moon did not disappoint! If you love Christina Lauren, this is another good one.

BOOK REVIEW: Twice In A Blue Moon by Christina Lauren

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pages: 363
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sub-Genre: Second Chance At Love Romance
Location: London, England | Northern California

IF YOU LIKE THIS BOOK THEN TRY…
Book: The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
Movie: Crazy, Stupid, Love

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All my reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at www.thisismyeverybody.com

♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

Many of you know that I am a Christina Lauren fan and I have been for many years. I decided to binge several of their books thay I have and started with Twice Upon a Blue Moon.

This book was so adorable and had total romcom vibes! It begins with a young couple meeting in London and then flashes to them meeting up again many years later and one of them is now a movie star!

I loved the setting of a movie set, it was so much fun to read! I love our female MC Tate, she was creative, witty and showed so much growth! I did struggle with our male MC Sam a little bit. I don’t want to spoil anything, I will just say I don’t think I could have forgiven him easily.

This one was sweet, cute, fun with just a little angst and swoon thrown in. Not my favorite book of theirs but I did enjoy it.

Love this very cute and very sweet second chance romance. First love, betrayal, heartbreak, redemption and a bit of sexiness between.

I'm currently clearing out all of the books that were published in 2019-20 from my title feedback view!

You never forget your first love and all the feels that come with it. This book brought that whirlwind young love to life so beautifully and tugged on your heart strings. Not everyone gets a second chance but you’ll be rooting for Sam and state to rekindle that amazing first love the once fell into.