Title: Twice in a Blue Moon
Author: Christina Lauren
Publisher: Gallery
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"Twice in a Blue Moon" by Christina Lauren

My Rationalization:

I found "Twice in a Blue Moon" quite some read that was about Sam and Tate. They met when he was 21 and Tate is 18. It was a cute romance however what will happen when a betrayal will come that will change their lives. What will happen when 14 years later these two will meet up again? Will Tate be able to forgive Sam for his betrayal? Will old feeling began to surface again for Sam and Tate? And with all of what will be going on who else is in the picture that will cause more problems for these two? This was definitely one story for me that left me wishing that we had been given an epilogue because there were several questions that needed to be answered.

All in all, by throwing this story into a 'Hollywood scandal with a father/daughter with issues I found 'Twice in a Blue Moon" an interesting read.

I received an ARC of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Ten years earlier- Tate and her mother had lived with her Nana since she was eight. They were way out of their comfort zone- Tate and Nana- in London. Nana owned a small town cafe and she was usually a good sport. But when she felt she didn’t get exactly what she paid for she became grumpy. They had went to London to celebrate Tate’s eighteenth birthday. They would be in London for two weeks. After settling in the hotel, they went on to a small pub- The Red Lion- to have a meal. Than a man named Luther invited them to eat at his table with himself and his grandson Sam Brandis. Sam made tate’s pulse seem to echo in her throat. She felt like she could stare at his face all night and still find something new in the morning. Only two weeks prior she ended a three year relationship with Jesse. The only boy she had ever found worthy of her affection. Boys were the last thing on Tate’s mind. London wasn’t suppose to be about boys but being in a place with museums, and history, and people who were raised in a city rather than a tiny damp redwood-lined river town. It was about doing every last thing Tate had ever dreamed of doing here. But it seemed that Sam didn’t get the message, he was still staring at Tate and holding her hand. Luther said they were celebrating Sam’s twenty first birthday which was three days ago. Tate met with Sam every night in the garden and they even got a day alone together and that afternoon Tate lost her virginity to Sam. She told Sam everything about her famous father Ian Butler who was a famous actor, leaving, having her mother take her away and living with her grandmother and keeping her secret. But she trusted Sam. Sam said he was falling in love with her and he would come see her when she was at college and take her to see her dad if she wanted to go. Then it all came out a day after she had last seen Sam and Luther. Sam had betrayed her and went to the newspaper and told everything and broke tate’s heart. Than tate found out she had a trust fund and now had a PR man named Marcus who worked for her and was paid by her trust fund. Now - 14 years later- Tate felt like a fraud that she didn’t actually know what she was doing, that she somehow got into acting on a technicality not because you earned it. She was acting in a film called Milkweed she would play the lead- Ellen Meyer- who had been a former civil rights activist and badass extraordinaire. Her father was doing a supporting role. A month in a half with Ian, and Tate had no idea if it would bring them closer together. Charlie had been Tate’s best friend for a long time now she did hair and makeup for the movie. Than Tate started toward the Community House to do the first read. Tate seen her father and was waving at her with some man next to him as she came closer she saw it was Sam the one who had betrayed her and broke her heart.
This was a good read and I enjoyed this a lot. I loved Sam and tate together and how they interacted. My heart hurt for tate when Sam betrayed her and broke her heart even though eventually she did find out why? Things went a little fast for Sam and Tate in London especially since she was generally cautious and had been raised to keep her secrets. I liked the plot of this book. I loved Tate’s relationship with her mother. I felt bad even after Tate was pushed into the limelight. But I didn’t really care for Tate’s father too much ego and what would be good for him and his disappointment with Tate all the time. I love the characters and the ins and out of this book and I recommend it.

Twice in a Blue Moon is another Christina Lauren gem!

My favorite thing about this book is that we get to watch Tate and Sam fall in love as kids in “real time” rather than thru one sided recollections and flashbacks. The back story was fully developed first and then we moved to the present where the two are reunited as very different people who still have this undeniable connection with one another.

I loved Charlie, Tyler, and Nick as Tate’s support on set and of course Emma and Nana at home. The story felt so organic without feeling overly predictable. My only complaints are that we never got to be in Sam’s head and it felt a little rushed at the ending...but then really good books often feel too short!

I received a complimentary review copy of this book but all opinions are my own.

Sam made a deliberate decision to do what he did to Tate in my mind. Why can’t he come out and ask Tate for help? I guess we won’t have a story. Their meeting again and the events surrounding it was surreal. The secondary story of Tate’s parents was interesting. Read like the story of one of our lead characters. Maybe they’ll get back together? Who knows.
I wasn’t as engrossed in this story as i used to be with all of CL novels though.

Tate Jones has spent most of her life living in a quiet little town with her mom and nana, and away from her famous actor dad. After graduating from high school, Tate's nana takes her to London for a two week vacation. While they are there, they meet Sam Brandis and his grandfather, Luther. While spending time with Sam, Tate is very drawn to him and starts sneaking away to spend alone time with him. Tate has fallen in love with Same and eventually confides all of her secrets to him. Of course this ends up blowing up in her face.

Fourteen years later, Tate is a famous actress and is going to star in a new movie that has a lot of Oscar buzz where she will also be working with her father for the first time. Imagine Tate's surprise when she sees Sam on the set. Even though he broke her heart, she is drawn to him. It will take a lot of conversations for these two to get to a better understanding of each other and over time it just might make them fall in all over again.

I just LOVED this story and could not put it down. I cannot even begin to imagine the type of life Tate has had to live. Even through it all, she has come out as such a strong and fragile character at the same time. I also just adored Sam. It was hard to stay mad at him after you hear what happened and why. Together these two just brought out the best in each other. I cannot say enough wonderful things about this book. Read it....you will not be sorry!

Christina Lauren are authors that I always look forward to. Twice in a Blue Moon is a great second chance romance that is touching and surprising. It's a story about Tate and Sam who meet years ago and had a quick, young romance. But when a betrayal happens it tears them apart and changes their lives.

Twice in a Blue Moon takes you on a journey of trusting and loving again between these characters. I have to say, this wasn't my favorite book from these authors, but as always, they are brilliant storytellers.

Tate Jones and Sam Brandis have a whirlwind, first-love relationship when they meet by chance while on vacation in London. But after a heavenly two weeks, Sam breaks her heart in the most devastating way. She is distraught—but eventually moves on with her life.

The story then picks up 14 years later. Tate is now a famous actress about to star in her biggest movie role yet. But when she arrives on set, she is introduced to the film’s writer who she is shocked to discover is…Sam.

Sam and Tate must then navigate this incredibly awkward situation and the plethora of unresolved feelings that it brings to the surface.

I am very picky about romance stories, but I really enjoyed this one. It’s smart, surprising, fun, and very hard to put down. Fans of Christina Lauren will absolutely adore it. It was, by far, my favorite Christina Lauren book yet!

Have you ever trusted someone with a secret of yours and then they betrayed you? What if that person was your first love?🌜

Tate Jones should be excited that she is in London. She is finally out of the small town of Guerneville were she lives with her mom and Nana Jude. But Tate is afraid Nana will just be hovering over her as usual in London. She’s eighteen and she’s rarely allowed out alone.

Nana and Tate meet fellow Americans, Luther Hill and his grandson Sam Brandis. The four start meeting for breakfast daily, but Sam and Tate begin to sneak away to be alone.

As Tate spends time with Sam, she wants so badly to be herself with him - her true self. She has had to hide her identity for almost ten years. Sam is so sweet and genuine that Tate pours out her story to him. She is the daughter of the world-famous movie star, Ian Butler. She and her mother have been hiding out since her father’s scandal. Just as Tate and Sam declare their love for one another, the paparazzi find Tate and the flood gates open. A story breaks and Tate is now the headline on every paper. Sam is nowhere to be found. Tate has to make a decision: does she want to continue living in the shadows or is it time to bask in fame’s glow?

Fourteen years later, and Tate is now a successful actress. She is about to do a new film with her famous dad. The relationship is still strained, but they make it look good for their careers. On set for filming, Tate is prepared for tension with her father, but she never could have imagined confronting the man who betrayed her. The writer of the film is Sam, her first love, the man she revealed everything to and then he exposed her. Tate will have to decide if she should trust him a second time. 🌚

This is a very clever book, and I love that you get to experience a dual love story throughout it.

Thank you to @Netgalley, @gallerybooks and @Christinalauren for this arc for review.

3-3.5 STARS!
I love Christina Lauren book... always have... always will. They are amazing storytellers, have written characters that I have loved completely and truly write unforgettable books.
While I enjoyed Twice in a Blue Moon—how the characters met in London, their instant chemistry and connection, I was left wanting more.
Sam hurts Tate in a way that alters her life completely... maybe for the better as she has always wanted to be an actress, following in the footsteps of her absent dad. When they reconnect 14 years later on the set of a new movie that Sam wrote, while I was hurt by how everything went down in London, I just kept waiting for that MORE.
I loved the close friendships, I loved her mom and Nana, Roberta and Luther's story, I even loved Sam and Tate as individuals but I wanted more time with them together than apart... I wanted more chemistry and touches in their adulthood than remembering them 14 years prior, I wanted to kick the father in the you know where for his shadiness and selfishness and not being able to age with grace... UGH!
Maybe if we got an epilogue to see how they turned out together would have satisfied me... I was just left wanting more of them.
Will I continue to read Christina Lauren? Of course! I can't wait to see what they have in store for us next!

This book wasn't what I expected but I loved every moment of it. This book starts in the past so the reader can see what happened between Sam and Tate before we get to the now. This book held me captivated. I felt the connection between Sam and Tate and I wanted their whirlwind romance to last. And I felt Tate's heartbreak. But, she did what she could to make the best of the circumstances. She finally got the role of a lifetime and is completely blindsided by Sam. Tate hasn't had an easy life and the mess she was left with was a struggle. But she was a strong woman and had a great support group around her. There were times I felt myself holding my breath waiting to see what was going to happen. But answers were what was most needed/helpful. This book was full of all the feels and was such a joy to read. I can't recommend this book enough!

This book was such an emotional read for me. I knew it was a second chance romance, and wondered how it was going to come about, but I should know that the duo of a Christina Lauren would have a great story! Many times second chance romances seems formulaic to me, but this one was not. Sam and Tate met as teenagers and fell in love. Tate was the daughter of a famous actor but had not been seen by the public in many years. Tate was betrayed by Sam,and when they meet again many years later, Tate is an actress and Sam is a screenwriter. There was definitely a “Hollywood” vibe about this book, but I am so glad that is was only the backdrop to this story and we could concentrate on the relationship between Tate and her father, and Tate and Sam. As always, and enjoyable read.

A fantastic new book from this amazing duo! I absolutely loved this one. In trademark fashion there is a bit of humor woven into an incredible love story. I loved Sam and Tate and seeing them get a second chance. Their story was unique and definitely an unforgettable one. Five stars and hats off to this amazing writing duo for another addictive novel!

Tate and Sam were traveling when they were younger in Europe with their families. They both meet and a connection sparks. After a betrayal that leaves Tate upset and after 14 years go past fate brings them face to face. Tate is an upcoming actress who is on the set of her big break when she finds out Sam will be working with her will she be able to stay? After confronting Sam with Tate be able to continue? Why does her feelings still spark when she sees him?
Can they make this project a hit?
This story seemed disconnected a bit for me. It did not seem like a typical story from Christina Lauren. I did enjoy it to a point it just did not excite me . I felt even a disconnect between the characters. I do enjoy reading books from this author but unfortunately this particular book was not for me

At the age of 18, Tate meets the boy of her dreams during a London vacation. They fall in love and she confides her secret life story to him, only for that secret to be told to the world.
14 years later, having been thrust into the limelight, Tate has become a very successful actress. She is starring in a new movie alongside her mega star of a father and the boy who stole her heart and her innocence just happens to be an integral part of this new film.
This was no cookie cutter romance novel. It was raw and messy and painful. Tate is tough and strong but still so vulnerable and full of insecurity. Sam, was in a sense, too perfect and that bit her in the ass, but you fall in love with him all the same. I very much enjoyed the movie making process that was described in the book. The reader is taken along during scene shoots and introduced to other actors and set crew. It really was a lot of fun to read!

Tate Jones and Sam Brandis meet and fall in love while on a two week vacation in London. He was her first lover and confidant and ultimately broke her heart. 14 years later Tate is an actress who shows up for a role of a lifetime and finds out the screenwriter is none other than Sam. This reconnection brings up all of her past hurts. Will they take advantage of this second chance?

OK, boy, this story was so much more than the brief synopsis above. Another huge plot point is the fact that Tate’s father is this huge actor and is cast in a supporting role in the movie. Tate has always wanted to have a better relationship with her father and her journey towards the discovery of who they both are is at times heartbreaking and is such a great sub plot to this novel! I really feel that without that additional conflict the story would have fallen a little flat. I’m always a sucker for daddy issues and boy, this daddy has issues!

I loved Sam right from the start and was just as heartbroken as Tate when their relationship couldn’t get past their first big conflict. However, it was Tate and her family/friends that held this story together. Her Nana and mom were awesome and her best friend Charlie was funny and ferocious.

I recently read Christina Lauren’s Unhoneymooners and that novel was hilarious and fun. This novel had more heart and depth. There was some humor from the cast of characters but there was a lot of emotional turmoil in Tate’s heart and it was that emotion that drew me in. I feel like this novel was different than their other books because of how adult the topics and the maturity of the characters. If you look for those heart tugging moments in the books you read then you need to pick this one up! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Twice in a Blue Moon is amazing. Christina Lauren take you through finding love young to the angst that follows and finally second chances. I loved this one so much. I really couldn't put it down. As you learn what happened that caused the pain Sam and Tate go through. From the very start you feel the pull and the love between Tate and Sam. You watch Tate grow and follow her dreams. I love how Tate and Sam get a second chance together. This one stole my heart from the start.

Christina Lauren can always be counted on to deliver great characters and an entertaining story. I enjoyed this very much.

A magnificent emotional roller coaster to ride. Sam is Tate’s first love and when he betrays her she is devastated. When they meet fourteen years later, she realizes that all she has believed is a facade. The story explores love in two different generations and ways. Sam loved the grandparents that raised him and they would do anything for each other. Tate is from a broken home and has to deal with a narcissistic father. The life they have led makes them do things differently in their lives. The characters are wonderful and add multiple layers to the story. Getting a chance to right a wrong and love again has never been told more beautifully.

Not the typical rom-com we have all come to expect and love from this duo author team but it is a contemporary second chance romance with some angst thrown in with all the witty banter from the secondary characters that kept me turning the pages way too late at night. Tate has just turned 18 and on a vacation in London with her Nana for two weeks before off to college when on their first night they met another duo from the states, a handsome young man and his grandfather. A whirlwind romance and Tate and Sam share secrets and, yep, firsts, and just when things are getting good the paparazzi shows up and soon her secrets are out and everyone knows she is the daughter of a movie star who has been in hiding for years. Fast forward 14 years and we find out Tate has settled into the career she has always wanted, acting, and now is going to star in a feature film with her dad in a supporting role and guess who is the screenwriter...that's right...Sam. Will they be able to get past this? Should they? Oh, the feels in this one. I could not turn the pages fast enough and found myself cursing having to stop and work. I definitely recommend this one!

**Received this ARC for review from the publisher via NetGalley**

This is a hard review to write because I am a HUUUGE Christina Lauren fan. I've read every one of their books and the Beautiful series, the Wild Season series, Josh & Hazel's Guide to Not Dating and The Unhoneymooners are some of my favorite books of all time.

Twice in a Blue Moon was a unique storyline, but was missing the usual CL magic. I felt like both the past and the ending needed more.
More connection, more details, and definitely more chemistry.

The past tells us how Tate and Sam met. It was an insta-love that spanned only two weeks. Tate felt such a connection to Sam that she told him some of her secrets, which came back to either haunt her or help her. You have to be the judge of it.

Fourteen years later, when they meet again, there is, of course, hostility on Tate's part. She not only has to deal with seeing Sam again but deal with her rocky relationship with her Dad, who is also an actor.

I wasn't overly crazy about any of the characters and thought Tate was slow on the uptake. I'm glad I read the book and will still always buy anything they write, but this book won't go on my re-read list.