It’s happened. I’ve finally rated a CLo book two stars (we won’t count BEAUTIFUL BASTARD in this tally because reasons).

I don’t really know where this trend of having a chunk, or even half, of a contemporary set in the past (aka making it YA) started but.. I don’t want it, or like it. Is this because these books now quality as women’s fiction? Unsure. That said, if you want to write a YA romance, go for it. Flashbacks, fine. But not full, long, chapters of it. It’s just not for me. Likewise, and in a related vein, second-chance romances aren’t my favourite. But I thought CLo could make it work for me. And sometimes it felt like it could’ve, like it was almost there but, overwhelmingly, it didn’t.

This story is about finding that one-true-love twice in a lifetime. And it’s also about twice the betrayals.

I didn’t like the hero because, let’s be honest, he only served a purpose to the plot and as result had no real personality besides muscles. I only liked the heroine when she was confronted with said hero after said betrayal, and after fourteen years of time passing, and let him have it. She stood up for herself, she addressed the elephant in the room, and I rooted for her (we were all rooting for you!). Every other time she was just.. fine, I guess. But her family was made up of mostly frustrating concepts, and while she did have one good friend, she didn’t get half as much page time as she deserved — and that’s probably because so much page time was given over to the script of the movie that took up the focus of the story. And the catalyst for getting these two leads back together.

There just wasn’t a lot to love here. Like many of CLo’s recent books, the heat factor is tame, they seem to only insert humour for every other release (so, this wasn’t one that was funny), and nothing about it left any kind of impression. The whole thing felt kinda basic, pretty muted, and just.. standard.

Like another recent release by another favourite author, I think I’m getting off this train. Or at least the ARC list. I’d much rather wait for reviews, and borrow from my library, then be posting early about my disappointment or not knowing if it’s even one I’ll want to read in the end.

Quick the heels of their previous book, The Unhoneymooners, writing duo Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings (aka Christina Lauren), are back with a new romance about second chances. I simply adored The Unhoneymooners - I loved its wit, charming romance and sassier love scenes.

Before starting this book, I knew that it would have a different feel. But even knowing that, this book didn't quite hit me like I had expected. I liked it but won't be getting all gushy about it. The tone has a subdued, sadder vibe to it with a distinctly YA feel for the first half as readers get to know a younger Sam and Tate and their Insta-Love. But I never quite bought in to their bond and found Tate hard to like and Sam's character not developed enough. That feeling transferred into the last half of the book when I struggled to feel the chemistry between them many years later.

There was also an opportunity in the plot that was surprisingly not resolved (for me at least). I had soooo wanted Tate to hold her own against someone who had wronged her in multiple ways, but nothing happened. No big 'stand up for herself and call him/her on it' kind of situation and that was a bit of a letdown.

Overall, this was a good, lighter read but makes me long for the authors' swoony and sassy romances with great tension. There are some sweet moments if readers are patient, but I found the plot predictable and it left me wanting just a bit more. While this wasn't a favourite of mine from this duo, I continue to look forward to their Rom-Com centred stories in the future.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Gallery Books for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a story of what could’ve been..literally. It started off like a YA story, which I actually enjoyed then became somewhat a women’s fiction. I needed more romance, more connection, more wooing the second time around but we got more family connection, acquaintances, friends. It was more, “Act, Drink, and Pretend To Be Merry.” Second chance is my favourite trope and I’m willing to overlook some stuff so trust me when I say I’m being generous here.

I needed Sam to grovel more, but he wasn’t given the opportunities. I needed more depth in their reconnection but alas. If we’d been given Sam’s POV, we could’ve had a different persepective. This story would’ve greatly benefited from an epilogue as well because the resolution wasn’t satisfactory for me in light of the number of years they’ve been apart.

I never do this breakdown but here’s a summary:

Plot- 4/5 Content-2.5/5 Characters- 4/5 Heat- 2/5

Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren is a beautifully written novel that showcases the true depth of this writing duo's talents.

I knew Twice in a Blue Moon would be something different when the editor's note said this novel was like "Jennifer Weiner meets Nora Roberts". It definitely feels more like a women's fiction novel than a rom-com, and that's not a bad thing. It just took some getting used to after coming off the high of The Unhoneymooners (one of my favourite reads of 2019 and new all-time favourite rom-coms!).

Fair warning: there are LOTS of spoilers in this review because I genuinely don't know how else to talk about this novel without revealing majority of what happens lol. Feel free to read on if you're okay with having plot points spoiled.

Twice in a Blue Moon begins with sheltered Tate Jones embarking on a summer vacation to London with her protective grandmother before setting off for college in the fall. It's during this vacation that Tate meets Sam Brandis who's on vacation with his grandfather. Tate is instantly attracted to Sam who's three years older than her and incredibly open about his life, something Tate, as the long-forgotten daughter of a famous movie star, has never had the luxury of being. Sam's openness inspires Tate to tell him the truth about her dad and from that moment on she begins falling in love with Sam. The two are inseparable and even steal moments away from their grandparents to embark on other firsts with each other.

Everything seems perfect until Tate goes down for breakfast one day and discovers Sam and his grandfather have checked out. Later that day, Tate and her grandmother are swarmed by photographers/reporters who discovered her true identity after a source close to Tate (read Sam) leaked her dad's identity to the Guardian. It's this Guardian article that forever changes the course of Tate's life.

Instead of going to college in the fall, Tate sets off on an acting career and even attempts to build a relationship with her father. Fourteen years after that fateful London vacation, Tate is reunited with Sam on the set of the first movie she's filming with her father. It's this reunion that makes Tate finally hit pause on her life and assess what happened during that vacation, whether she's happy with her life now, and how she feels about Sam's decision to break her trust.

About 34% of the novel is spent watching 18 year old Tate fall in love with Sam, which was surprising because I was expecting Christina Lauren to show Tate and Sam's relationship solely in flashbacks like most second chance romance novels. I think I prefer learning about past relationships in flashbacks, but I applaud the writing duo for trying something different with this trope.

I did struggle with some aspects of the novel, namely Tate's father and whether anyone could truly forgive Sam for what he did.

There's never any real resolution to Tate's relationship with her father, he's pretty terrible and I would have liked to have seen some growth in the way she approached that relationship. Even after he does something awful at the end, she doesn't write him off or even call him out so it still seems like she'll spend the rest of her life trying to win him over, or at the very least putting up with him to stay in the spotlight.

For me, what Sam did was unforgivable. I understand he felt it was his only choice to help someone he loved but I would never be able to forgive someone who took away my freedom, which is what Sam did by revealing Tate's true identity. Putting aside my own feelings on the issue, I didn't think there was enough time spent for Tate and Sam to genuinely rekindle their love. I realize they never truly stopped loving each other, but it's been 14 years and I think you need more than one argument and a few conversations to decide you really want to be together again.

I'm curious to see if future Christina Lauren novels will fall more on the women's fiction side or if the writing duo will continue to write the rom-coms they're beloved for.

I recommend Twice in a Blue Moon for fans of romances that are more on the women's fiction spectrum. This is not a rom-com but a very well written romance.

Thank you NetGalley, Gallery Books and Christina Lauren for the advance reader copy!

Three stars for the latest novel by Christina Lauren.

I’ve read a few of their books so far and this one is at the bottom of the list for me. I didn’t connect to the characters as much as I have in previous books, but this one is still a cute and quick read it you’re looking for a light romance!

Christina Lauren does it again. I've read everything they've written, and this one is just as good as their others! First love, second chances, lovable characters, and undeniable chemistry. This book reminded me of the depth in Love and Other Words, as opposed to the snark in The Unhoneymooners and Josh and Hazel.

We meet Tate and Sam when they are 21 and 18 and cross paths on a vacation in London. After a betrayal, they part without a word for 14 years. Tate has made a name for herself as an actress, and unbeknownst to her, she lands a role in a movie Sam wrote. I loved the Hollywood setting. It's such an interesting glimpse into the lifestyle of movie making.

Tate and Sam's relationship started out so beautifully, I loved them. Despite their young age, it didn't feel YA to me at all. Their reunion left much to be desired for me. They barely spoke for such a long chunk of the book, it left me wanting more. I wish we had more time with them! Sam seemed to lose his substance and personality in the latter half of the book. He seemed more of a minor character. (And there were a lot of minor characters to keep track of).

Regardless, I read this in 24 hours and am so sad that its over! Make sure to grab this book when it comes out on October 22, 2019.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you, Netgalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I have loved ever book I've read by this duo. So no surprise that I fell in love with this novel as well. This was not like their other books I read but it was definitely still enjoyable.

The characters in here were amazing and very well established. They were also extremely relatable. I fell in love with them instantly.

The plot was very interesting and kept me reading. There were some minor issues I had but nothing that ruined my enjoyment.

This book was a quick read that did not quite work for me in the end. The side characters, however, were delightful and I hope this author writes a book just for them!
The first part of the book was full of YA first love however the second chance part of the story was lacking for me.

I felt this back lacked having a strong male hero. Also the the second part was missing all the depth that second chance romances need

This is such a sweet romance and one that really read like a movie to me, I could see the whole thing playing out in my mind perfectly. The book stars Tate and starts out when she is 18 and on a trip to London with her Grandmother. There she meets a boy and falls head over heels in love, but then her breaks her heart in the worst possible way.

18 years later she is a successful movie star and she crosses paths yet again with the boy, now man, who broke her heart. Can you fall in love with the same person again, especially when your heart is still hurting?

I fell in love with this book almost immediately, Tate and Sam were both likable, relatable, and I was truly rooting for them throughout the book. I loved the pace of the book, as well as the inclusion of some of the movie scenes. This book isn't as sexual as some of the other romances out there, but it is one that definitely made me swoon.

4 1/2 Heart-breaking Stars!

When Tate turned 18, her grandmother took her to London for two weeks and during that two weeks, Tate found her first love. Sam was on a month long vacation in Europe with his grandfather ... the grandfather who raised him. Sam and Tate fall hard for each other and share their deepest secrets. But when Tate’s secrets are plastered all over the media and Sam is nowhere to be found, Tate feels the deep betrayal that will follow her always. Fourteen years later, Tate is a budding actress and on the set of her “big break”, she comes face to face with Sam and his betrayal comes right back to the surface.

This is the first book I have read from this author and it just broke my heart! I so wanted Sam to not have betrayed Tate, but that didn’t happen. I so wanted Tate’s dad to step up to the plate, but again that didn’t happen. I loved Tate because she went through so much and came out stronger for it. As for Sam ... I had a love-hate relationship because of all the things he did and didn’t do. Only a great story can invoke such feelings.

I received an early copy courtesy of Simon and Schuster Canada through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Every Christina Lauren book I pick up ... i don't move until it's done. TIABM was no different!

From the love story in london, to the chaos on set, Sam and Tate's story is one for the ages. The goal of a great book? Have the reader wanting more!

The beginning of Twice in a Blue Moon was amazing, I fell in love with the story of Tate and Sam and I couldn't wait to see where their story went. I got more of a YA vibe from the first few chapters but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Is it possible to fall in love with someone in less than 2 weeks, while on vacation? Not your typical love story but for Tate and Sam it was, until it wasn't. Fast-forward to their present life and that's where the story got alittle meh for me. I wish I could say I enjoyed this a lot more than I did but once we got to the present day my love for it started to go downhill alittle bit. I lost connection with the characters and didn't regain it again until closer to the end. I don't want to talk to much because I tend to spoil things by mistake. Long story short, I absolutely loved the beginning of the book, middle of the book held my attention but I didn't love it but the ending was exactly what I wanted!

Another excellent book by Christina Lauren! I loved how this one didn’t follow their usual formula for books. I don’t always enjoy books set on movie sets but I did like this one. Both Tate and Sam were interesting characters but I wish there had been more scenes with them when they were on the movie set. It felt to me like something was missing on how they got back together.

I loved this book! It was beautiful, sweet and filled with so many moments that made me want to keep reading. There were many times I caught myself with a smile just when things were going great for Tate and my heart went along for the roller coaster of emotions that followed. A second chance at love can always be a amazing story and the romantic magic that was created between Tate and Sam was no exception.
Christina Lauren, your newest book did not disappoint !
Thank you Netgalley and Gallery Books for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When Tate's grandmother takes her to Europe her one rule is 'don't tell anyone who you are'
Carrying the secret of her parentage throughout her life, Tate finally breaks and reveals her one secret to Sam Brandis, a boy she meets and falls head over heels with.

When her secret is exposed and her life is changed forever Tate must navigate thought the loss of trust and her new found fame.

This book was really cute.
You obviously know whats happening and whats going to happen, but it was still an enjoyable read.
A light and engaging read you can power through in an afternoon

Honestly, as you can tell I wasn’t a fan of this book. I couldn’t relate to the characters and often had to stop myself from reading faster to get it over with without fully taking in the story. My mind wondered a bit well I was reading this story because I wasn’t engaged in the story. It fell very flat for me. I almost feel as though the authors wanted to produce another book after the unhoneymooners and just through this together and sent it to the publishers.
I’ve now read 4 books by these authors and I’ve had 2 missing and 2 hits. I loved the unhoneymooners and my favourite half night stand but I didn’t like this book or dating you/hating you. Hopefully I will enjoy the rest of the books I have by them but this was a huge miss for me.

This is the second book that I have read by Christina Lauren and I loved it. I have definitely become a fan of theirs.

Twice in a Blue Moon had me hooked from the moment I started reading it. I loved the twists and turns of the story of Sam and Tate. Christina Lauren have outdone themselves with this romantic tale.

If you are looking for a nice, easy read that will pull at your romantic heartstrings, then this is the book for you. I have no doubt that you will fall in love with Sam and Tate.

Thank you to NetGalley, Christina Lauren and Simon & Schuster Canada for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

During a whirlwind romance while on a two week vacation in London, Tate and Sam fell for each other in only the way that first loves can do. They shared all their hopes, dreams and deepest secrets. Sam was the only person that Tate ever told who she really was and when she realizes that her trust was misplaced, her world was shattered for good. Now years later, Tate an famous actress only thinks about her love once in a blue moon, until she steps onto the set of her newest movie and there is Sam. Yet there is he, the same Sam she remembers and forced to confront the man who betrayed her, Tate must decide if it’s possible to do the right thing for the wrong reasons.

I am totally on a romcom binge and there are no better authors to read than Christina Lauren. I have become a huge fan and this book was definitely another must read from the duo! I could totally see every moment they spent together in London and the struggle it must have been for Tate to be outed the way she was. I was angry on her behalf and I loved how they figured out how to turn it all around. I love Tate’s family and friends and how everyone falls in love with her; she is definitely someone that you want to befriend. There are moments of love and hate for Sam in this novel, but I was still rooting for them to be together and I fell hard for this novel!

Out October 22nd!

I never thought I’d see the day where I didn’t love a CLo book, but today is that day. While fun and full of romantic tension as usual, this book felt like something big was missing
The real charm of CLo’s past books for me has always been their loveable and totally relatable main characters. And that was where this one went wrong -there’s nothing relatable about an award winning international superstar actress, not matter how much you try it’s just not something regular people can connect with. Personal managers, chauffeurs, PR romances etc are not typical experiences! I found it hard to connect with Tate and was pretty ambivalent about her overall. Combine that with a movie script that was supposed to be award worthy, but read as trying way too hard to be deep and came across as very juvenile/forced, this book just didn’t do it for me.
If you can go into this book with managed expectations then you may find it more enjoyable than I did. That being said, I will always pick up any new book from these two.

Twice in a Blue Moon is Christina Lauren’s latest book. We start off with Tate on a trip abroad with her Grandmother meeting Sam on a trip with his sick Grandfather. After a whirlwind romance of first love Tate is left broken-hearted.
Fast forward to a grown-up Tate, now a popular actress working on a film with her previously estranged and famous father, she unknowingly is working alongside Sam. Can she forgive him for breaking her heart and trust all those years ago?
This was an enjoyable read, but I have absolutely loved all Lauren’s other books, this one was lacking in some areas.