I don't know if the authors have moved to chick lit or what, but the books are not sexy like they used to be. I hated the character of the father and found it very unsatisfying that Tate never told him off. This book just fell flat for me overall.

Tate and Sam's story is complicated and nuanced in a way that makes you feel a part of it. You feel their connection and their pain and its rich a vibrant throughout. That being said, both characters are incredibly frustrating, not aware of their emotions, and unable to admit how their mistakes and how they really feel, much like real people. At times, that makes this book hard to read since happiness is so close to them and yet so far out of reach. In true Christina Lauren fashion, they have told a compelling romance in our world but outside of it and taken some of the best parts of us and shown us what forgiveness really looks like. It's uncomfortable and different for everyone.

A few time throughout this book I thought about the media and how it's influenced me and how I think about celebrities and how quick we are to consume the ready-made story delivered to us on a plate of ready-made drama and we just accept it easily without question.

Ultimately I didn't love Tate and Sam as much as some of CLo's other works. Overall, I felt like even though fourteen years had gone by none of the characters had really matured.

Christina Lauren did it again! I was beyond excited for their upcoming release after finishing The Unhoneymooners, and it became a top priority and an anticipated release for me, so I was so happy to read it (even though I tried my best to wait a bit more to pick it up), and even though it wasn’t my favorite by them, I still think it made it to my top #3 favorites.

Part of the reason why I loved this book so much was the plot of the story. I’m a sucker for anything that has to do with film making or music, and the majority of the story is focused in film making, so it appeared as if this book was written just for me. Though I would say it was more a character driven type of story and the movie elements were secondary, I still really enjoyed how it all played in the story.

But apart from having a very intriguing plot that was right up my alley, the strongest part were the characters. They felt so real and it was so easy to connect with our protagonist and related to her and what she was going through, and not only that but her inner monologues added such a depth and vulnerability to her arc that made her so real and stood out from other female characters I’ve read before.

I also adored her relationship with her manager and the side characters, and the friendships formed throughout the story. Marco (her manager) was such a supportive figure of hers, and I don’t know if it was done on purpose but I felt at times there was this difference between how he cared about her versus her actual dad, and how that worked throughout the novel.

Twice in a Blue Moon had such precious friendships. They weren’t whatsoever the main focus of the book, but they added something more to the plot, and I also love me a good female friendship and a bromance between co-workers, and that was something that I appreciated.

When it comes to the romance, I would say that even though I didn’t fall heads over heels over it, I didn’t hate it either. It was such an angsty relationship, and you could feel that resentment and her doubts over again, and I enjoyed how slow burning that romance was, but I guess I was expecting a bit more from it, and there was something missing. Still, I adored that last chapter and it made all that angst and heartbreak worth it.

Overall, I’m so happy to have read this book, and I’ll definitely re-read it in the future, because their books are so much fun and easy to read, and maybe after reading it for the first time my expectations won’t be as high as they were before.

4.25

I have read a few books by Christina Lauren now, and loved them!! So I was very excited to see this one on netgalley. I love a second chance romance. This one is about Tate, who is on a trip with her grandmother in London for her 18th birthday. They become friends with Sam and his grandfather, Vermont farmers, who are also on a vacation!

Tate and Sam are smitten right from the stsrt! They feel so connected! Tate tells her secrets to Sam but then is crushed, finding out she was betrayed by him. They do not see eachother again for 14 years.

When Sam appears in her life unexpectedly, I couldn't wait to see how things would play out for these two. Could Tate forgive Sam for his betrayal. What were his reasons behind it?

I loved the plot of this book. Lots of it took place on a movie set, which was very unique. I loved Sam and Tate's story. I wanted them to work. I enjoyed this book. It may not have been my favorite by this duo, as I love The Unhoneymooners so much. But I would definitely say pick this up if you are a Christina Lauren fan! It did not disappoint!

"Have you ever seen the stars from this exact place?"

Up until that line, I was in. Tate's character had my attention. Then Sam uttered that line from the grass under the London stars and I was gone. Swoon city. I loved literally everything about Twice in a Blue Moon ... except, maybe Ian. He served a purpose, but I wanted to punch him.

This was my first time reading a book by Christina Lauren, and I gotta say I am kicking my past self for not picking one up sooner. The writing is flawless, the storytelling is impeccable and the characters just felt real. Despite being set in London and a movie set—two places I've never been, I felt like I was there with Tate, Charlie, Sam, Nana and everyone.

I enjoyed this book, just not as much as I've adored other books by this author.

Fun and fast read, definite chemistry and you're rooting for the characters the entire book. Might have just not been the right book for me at the time.

I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys this author.

I've enjoyed a few Christina Lauren books recently so was excited to be given an ARC of this book to review.
My excitement was premature. There was so many things about this book I did not enjoy. If I had picked up the book to read on my own I would have put it down after 50% but I struggled through the entire book to give this review.

Tate and Sam were not believable characters for me. They were in London each traveling with a grandparent when they meet. Tate sneaks out after her grandmother goes to sleep to meet up with Sam. They meet in the garden of the hotel, talk and look at stars. They are 18 and 21 years old!! They act more like they are 13. After a week they have the opportunity to spend an afternoon on their own and wind up in bed. No relationship development. Hardly any character development. They were obviously physically attracted to each other but there was no connection on an emotional level. Sam leaks to the press that Tate is the lost love child of a famous actor, which Tate had confided to him. He then disappears leaving Tate reeling and having to deal with a whole new life.

Fourteen years later they run into each other on a set of a movie that Tate is starring in. Sam wrote the script. It is so blatantly about Sam's grandparents but Tate does not realize it right away. When she does it softens her heart toward Sam. Tate never shows the rage and sense of betrayal that anyone would feel. She gives Sam a chance to explain. He did it for the money. His grandfather was dying and this money allowed him to afford treatments and he lived another ten years. Sam tells her that he did not realize at the time how drastically Tate's life would change when her secret was revealed (really??). She forgives him, they fall in bed and are in love again. Sam says that he has always been in love with her and never got over it. Except that he was married for a few years.

These are the highlights or lowlights. I never connected with any of the characters. The story was choppy and very predictable. The basic storyline could be good but it would need to be rewritten.

Wendy'sThoughts's Reviews > Twice in a Blue Moon
Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren
Twice in a Blue Moon
by Christina Lauren (Goodreads Author)

17755575
Wendy'sThoughts's review
Jun 02, 2019 · edit

it was amazing
Recommended for: Christina Lauren Fans, Romance

5 Stay Up All Night Stars
* * * * * Spoiler Free
There are certain authors you change your day to day existence for...Every devoted reader knows from where I speak. When one of those precious authors drops a book, you will put everything aside, clear all the commitments, and figure out a way to be one with the book. Christina Lauren, this infamous writing duo under one name, is one of those authors for me.

The timing was perfect, I was recovering from a nasty cold and had no real obligations. I started Twice in a Blue Moon with only the blurb and proceeded to go without sleep. When I saw the 4 o'clock hour turn into 5 A.M. I had to take a little break. Upon awakening, doing what was necessary, I was back at it again until I finished. I would do it all over again...

This Book...

New Discovery...
First Love...
Lost Love...
Pain From Love and Betrayal...

Confrontations...
Reconnecting...
Doubting...
Knowing...
And Loving Again...

This Book...These Authors...Just a Wonder and Delight...

This book will be the subject of many many reviews and will more than likely be on favorites of 2019. This is not hype or agenda driven. This is told to you by a reader who feels what these writers puts down on paper. Take the time, clear your day and enjoy this ride.


A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.

Since joining NetGalley a few months ago, I have requested 3 Christina Lauren books and finally approved for Twice in a Blue Moon, due October 22. Their publisher may never approve me again, because I did not like this book.

Tate Jones, secret daughter of a famous actor, goes to London with her grandmother as a high school graduation present. While there she meets 21 year old Sam Brandis, who is travelling with his grandfather, for some reason. Tate and Sam fall in love, have sex, and then Sam sells her story to a newspaper. Fourteen years later, Tate has become an actress and is about to star in a movie with her father. On set, she discovers that the screenwriter is her first love and betrayer, Sam Brandis. 

Initially, I was leery of the whole premise, but the first part of the book with Tate and Sam falling in love in London, was engaging and I became invested in the young lovers. It fell apart in the second part of the book when Tate and Sam are thrown together again.

The biggest problem I had, and I had a few problems, was with Sam. Other than being a tortured cypher, his character growth completely stopped. All I could think as Tate became involved with him again was, why? Less than two weeks in London 14 years earlier doesn't seem like enough of a basis for an adult relationship. Tate barely talks to Sam, except to occasionally yell at him, so why is he so irresistible? Is being tall and her first lover good enough? We get to live inside Tate's head and she is charming. Sam is just there, on the periphery, and then suddenly they are in love again. I was utterly perplexed why Tate ends up with Sam.


It strains all credulity that a new screenwriter with no significant connections in Hollywood would have any say over casting. It seems improbable that Tate wouldn't have met with Sam as the screenwriter, especially a screenwriter with final casting approval, before arriving at the shooting location. Not enough time is spent of the relationship for me to feel like Tate and Sam get a Happily Ever After. This doesn't feel like a romance, at least not a well thought out romance.

I want to start by saying I love every single one of Christina Lauren’s past books. This was was so different from their norm. Not the usual witty banter or humor was present. It was an interesting love story and the writing was great, but this fell a little flat for me. Thank you to netgalley for the Arc.

I borderline hated this book. I love Christina Lauren so much but this book didn’t even sound like them. The writing was so choppy and weird and awful. Can not recommend this one, but I definitely recommend Love and Other Words by them. Now THAT is a gem of a book.

I've only ever read one Christina Lauren book, The Unhoneymooners. And I freakin' loved it. This book.... was not that. For starters, this is not a rom-com. It's a straight-up romance, and a pretty melodramatic one at that. There is none of the wit, or the the laugh out loud moments that I was so hoping for. Beyond that, I just didn't really buy any part of this? I enjoyed the first 1/3; the London setting it great, the characters felt really fleshed out, and the whirlwind romance definitely worked. The second part, though... there was a lot of potential but the characters felt flat, the plot was barely existent, the whole betrayal thing was some major bull, and it lost all the charm it had built in those first few pages. I just didn't really care for or like any of the characters in the second part, the romance was WAY too intense for no good reason, and the ending felt super abrupt and unearned. There are definitely people who will love this one, but it just sadly wasn't for me.

Tate and Sam are a match made in heaven! Christina Lauren does it again with Twice in a Blue Moon! I read this book in one sitting, I kept wanting more, and still do! All the different story lines going on and they tie them together wonderfully!

Beautifully written romance I couldn't put down - I kept sneaking in a few pages all through the day until i was done. Lauren writes so well - she is way beyond the average romance writer in every way, managing to really get into her characters and develop friendships and relationships between more than just the two main characters. So if you're looking for a book that isn't the usual boring template for what works, this is one you'll enjoy.

Wow. Another hit from the writing duo Christina Lauren. I read this in two sittings because I simply couldn't put it down. The vivid story telling, the highs the lows, I was glued to these pages. My heart was heavy, my heart was happy, I couldn't wait to see what happened next. Add this to your Fall must read list!

This book gets a rare 5 stars from me. A book must have something that I connect to personally, pulls at my emotions, or I take something away that leaves me thinking.

I’m a big fan of Christina Lauren and have been an avid follower of their works. This book is no exception. Sam and Tate meet when they’re teenagers, when love comes quick, defined by passion, and often left with the questions of “what if”. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, the identity of Tate, a well know actors daughter, gets leaked to the press and nothing is quite the same. Fast forward 14 years later and the two meet again. Their love story is reignited. Overall, I enjoyed this book. It is a quick read and you get the satisfaction of a happy ending. However, it did wrap up pretty quickly for me and I would have like a bit more with this story, maybe an epilogue? Those who are fans of their work won’t be disappointed.

This was a cute contemporary romance from the dynamic duo of Christina Lauren. The plot structure for this novel was different than in previous novels; the book started in the past and then halfway through fast forwarded to the present. The book was enjoyable but predictable. I'm not sure why but the characters were less relatable to me than they typically are in the authors' books. By far my favorite part was the sub-story of Sam's grandparents- I found myself wishing this was the primary story line. This was still an fun light-hearted read, just not as high on my list as some of their previous novels.

Trigger warnings: conversational coarse language, several fairly steamy love scenes, racism

Christina Lauren has done it again with Twice in a Blue Moon! If you’re familiar with my reading tastes, you’re aware that CL is one of my favorite authors, and they did not disappoint. While Twice in a Blue Moon isn’t my favorite book of theirs - I don’t want to fall into the trappings of comparison, but couldn’t help but think their novel Love and Other Words was a better second-chance romance - it was a solid romance. While I think I would have liked to see this told in alternating chapters of the two timelines, Tate and Sam’a story was angsts, endearing, at times heart breaking, and ultimately moving. We’ve got a great set of characters here who all stand out ( Marco, Trey, Charlie, Ian Butler, Tates mother (Emma) and her grandmother (Jude) and Nick) that support and flesh out the narrative. Ultimately, I did not have any problems with the plot, characters, or writing style, but rather with the structure of the novel.

How do these ladies do it!? Two novels in one year? They must never sleep. Twice in Blue Moon was a wonderful read and loved it! Nothing like a good second change romance story placed in Hollywood, two things I enjoy so much. We get great detail upfront about the relationship the first time and it makes the second half so satisfying.

You will enjoy this one!

I love everything Cristina Lauren writes and this was no exception! Although it was more serious than some of their other novels, I was quite invested in the characters and their lives. I think the only thing I would have enjoyed would have been the addition of an epilogue. I feel we were given so much truth and details of these individual characters, ot would have been cool to have it rounded out as a whole with after thoughts.
I loved Sam and Charlie. I enjoyed love spanning over years, commitments, families and sacrifices. Acting careers and privacy were very prevalent issues and I enjoyed the inside scoop on them! Broken hearts, forgiveness and true feel with your soul love brought me to the heart of this novel and I adored it!!