According to Wikipedia, "Chick lit" or "chick literature" is genre fiction, which "consists of heroine-centered narratives that focus on the trials and tribulations of their individual protagonists". Christina Lauren very much fit into this category. Since Love and Other Words they have focused on Women's fiction rather than the traditional romance of their early writing years of say, Beautiful Bastard, their highly reviewed sex heavy romance series. I have read and reviewed every book written by this duo and have been completely impressed with their growth as writers, so I was so very excited for this book to show up in NetGalley and was super stoked to begin reading it right away. But while the first section of the book was all the feels, the second half left me feeling flat.

The book starts out strong. We see a young Tate falling in love with all-American farmer boy Sam while both are on a trip to London with their respective grandparents. Tate is celebrating her birthday and high school graduation with her grandma. Sam is there with his (step)grandfather. They meet on their first day there and spend two glorious weeks getting to know each other, telling each other their deepest secrets, and experiencing some very believable first love (and first "firsts" for Tate). The excitement and emotion fairly leapt off the page. I couldn't put the book down and was completely devastated along with Tate when it all fell apart. (Not a spoiler as this was in the synopsis.)

After the betrayal there is a 14-yr time jump, and we see an adult Tate navigating the world of Hollywood while also navigating the landmine that is a relationship with her famous father, who are both gearing up to star in their first movie together. A jaded and wary Tate meets the writer of said movie script only to find out low and behold it is Sam, the long lost betrayer of innocence. This half of the book spends more time focused on the movie making itself and less on developing the relationship between a grown up Tate and a grown up Sam. (Although picturing a grownup Sam with a beard was H.O.T.) The scenes for the movie are great, and I wouldn't want to lose any of that. However, the rest of the relationships in this half felt all too easy. I needed more. More Charlie! More scenes with Sam and Tate. Definitely more confrontation between Tate and Sam. And way way more confrontation between Tate and Ian. The ending is rushed, and the conflict is slight, and that is my biggest beef with the second half. It just...ended. I think an epilogue 6-12 months down the road would have ended the book on a better note. The reader would have those last bit of pages to get the confrontation with Ian that was a long time coming, and to have the resolution with Sam that would make the book just a tad bit stronger. With this version as is, I feel like Tate comes across as a much weaker character than we are led to believe she is.

The book is marketed by the publisher as "romantic comedy." I did not find that to be the case, but it is still worth the read. Despite my negatives, this is a solid 3.5/4 stars. Was it my favorite CLo book? No. But was it still a good read? Absolutely. (Incidentally, my favorite CLo books is Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating, so if you haven't read it yet, go get it now!)

In the end, I am glad I read this book. I am, as always, thankful to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the chance to early read a book written by these talented ladies. The only downside being now I have to wait for the next one!

So this book was well-written and the characters felt real. Maybe that’s why it was so hard for me to accept a central betrayal that the plot hinges on, and that so many people in the story seem willing to overlook.

I have enjoyed everything else I’ve read by these authors, and I’ll probably love their next book, but this one wasn’t it for me.

OH MY GOD!!!! I am completely devastated with the ending of TWICE IN A BLUE MOON! I feel like it just ended so abruptly. Usually I don't start my reviews out this way, but I do not understand why this collab would do it. So to be honest, I almost put this one down many of times throughout the first 36 percent. I just couldn't get into it the way I usually do. But then the gates of heaven opened up, and I felt like I was at home. This is not the usual ' Christina Lauren ' book. It is deeper and a more compelling read. I was in aw of Tate and Sam as characters, and their overall story became such a raw phenomenon. Tate and Sam's story developed beautifully, and flowed so naturally. The emotions were heartfelt and realistic, the determination inspiring. Everything that was meant to happen happened, and then BOOM, the end. I wish there was more of an ending of how things ended up. Now I am left with a bunch of questions.

Tate is this day and age modern Audrey Hepburn. Being America's IT girl, everyone seems to think she has it all, when she is secretly wishing for more. To be accepted, and loved. She does have a backbone, but also a forgiving heart. She is witty and will banter with the best.

Sam, oh my gosh Sam. He is most definitely ONE IN A BLUE MOON. He is quite and reserved, but has the most touching heart that has ever graced the pages of a book. He is not afraid to admit when he is wrong, and does not try to strong arm anyone.

Is it possible to fall in love with your first love all over again?

I am huge fan of Christina Lauren. I have been fortunate to read all of their books. Twice in a Blue Moon did not disappoint me.

I loved Tate, I saw her as a grown up version of Suri Cruise. I loved that it involved two timelines one of first love and then the second chance romance.

I was annoyed at Tate's dad. He was such a narcissist. I am glad that Tate was able to see it for herself.

This book was angsty which was just what I was looking for. It did have some steam but not enough or what I am used to for a Christina Lauren. I hope in the future publications they are not as stingy with the steam.

I wished there was an epilogue where they address the scandal and what happens to their relationship a year from now. I felt the ending was a bit open ended for my taste.

A review for this book will be posted closer to publication date on What to Read Next Blog.

I really enjoyed this take on a second chance romance. Seeing the characters from a young age, then to experience their stories as they collided once again, gave this book a depth I wasn’t expecting. Christina Lauren is such a powerful writing duo & this novel proves it once again.

W-O-W!!

I loved this book! My only complaint, I WANT MORE!!!

I was invested from page one. The story gripped me. It had all the highs and lows of young love, and everything in between. The characters were great, the story flowed, and I fell in love with Sam. But there were points I wanted to punch him square in the face.

I'm not kidding though, I truly want more of this book. I have so many questions. I feel like everything was settled enough that assuming there won't be another book, all is well. However, I will be first in line if Christina Lauren ever decides to write a sequel!

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.