For Twice in My Life is a sweet romantic love triangle, a tame story you wouldn’t be scared to share with your mother or grandmother. Layla is recovering from a sudden break-up with her boyfriend Ian. His desire to part ways came out of nowhere and his explanation for the break-up was weak. To Layla’s surprise she is still Ian’s emergency contact; a fact she learns when she’s called to the hospital after Ian is run over riding his bicycle. Ian has a severe concussion and seems to have forgotten he broke up with Layla, putting her in an awkward position. Afraid of leaving Ian injured and alone Layla plays along and finds herself back in a relationship as the days pass and Ian’s memory does not return. When Ian’s brother Matt moves in with Ian and begins working with Layla, she finds herself in an awkward position when Matt reveals he knows the couple broke up before the accident.

I really enjoyed this book! It’s the first Annette Christie book I have read, but I will keep my eye out for more in the future.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was my first book by this author and while I did enjoy the premise and plot of this book, I had a harder time connecting with the characters. The plot is unique in which Layla gets a second chance in her relationship when her boyfriend Ian suffers a concussion and memory loss, therefore forgetting he has dumped her 2 weeks prior. Layla's character had some major insecurities and while I do relate to this, I found it hard to relate to a lot of the choices she made throughout the book. A love triangle was introduced when Ian's estranged brother, Matt, moves in with him, but again, I had a hard time connecting with the relationship between Matt and Layla and their connection seemed a little out of left field for me. I did enjoy the uniqueness of the plot, with so many romance books it can feel a little repetitive at times. Maybe these characters just weren't for me, but this will not stop me from trying out other books from this author!

As a romance gal who has read countless romance/romcom novels, I have extremely high standards. This book was not my cup of tea, starting right from the beginning with the main character’s choice to play some charade that was just plain wrong.
When Layla was unexpectedly dumped by her boyfriend, Ian, she was completely heartbroken. Days later, Ian was involved in a biking accident that left him concussed. Naturally, Layla was still Ian’s emergency contact so she rushed to the hospital seeing this accident as complete fate. That’s where the book lost me. When she arrived and Ian had no recollection of breaking up with her, she should have owned up to it and admitted that he was having a lapse in memory instead of being selfish.
Ian returned home and Layla told her family and friends that they were, in fact, back together again and to not mention anything about breaking up. I saw red flags everywhere with this situation, but who was I to judge.
Then we were introduced to Ian’s brother, Matt, who seemed like he was onto Layla’s lie from the very beginning. Matt was going to be moving in with Ian and working closely with Layla writing a show. The show you may ask? A show revealing people’s truths and lies and how those are impacting the lives they’re living.
And then the PLOT TWIST (which I loved). It turned out that after working so closely together on their project at work, Matt and Layla started to develop feelings for each other. I didn’t see that part coming at all and that was where I wish the author went a little more into depth. The plot was amazing but I felt like parts of the book were too long and other parts could have been more emphasized. I would have loved to see more added to the ending because WOW this was a good ending.

An enjoyable little romance but I would have liked to see more sparks between the two leads. Also I thought Layla’s family was incredibly unsupportive and would have liked to see a little more background on that.

I love the way that Annette Christie so skillfully straddles the line between women's fic and romance. She keeps you on your toes until the very last page, and For Twice In My Life did not disappoint.

I loved Layla from the beginning; her style, her taste in music, the complete chaos with which she conducted her life. But there was something simmering under the surface. A discontent that she wrestles with from the start of the book. She has strained relationships with her siblings, and just went through a breakup....and when she gets a call to come to the hospital -- as the emergency contact for her ex -- there's confusion as well.

What should be a fresh start for Layla and Ian, who seems to have no memory of their breakup, leaves Layla wrestling with the truth of their relationship and the complicated feelings as she and Ian grow in their new(?) relationship.

But then, Matt arrives on the scene. Tall, dark, handsome. Gets all of Layla's references and jokes. The opposite of his brother Ian. Matt appears standoffish and distant, but somehow he and Layla are able to be real with each other. They get to know each other, they work through their demons together. And, Matt knows the truth.

I loved the relationships between the characters -- the family dynamics for Ian's family and Layla's family. The way that each of the characters grew into who they were and found their place in their family. The way that Layla interacted with both Ian and Matt.

I never once questioned if we'd get a happily ever after. That's all I will say without spoilers. This one needs to be read and experienced for all that it is.

Layla is nursing a broken heart after Ian, her boyfriend of 2 years, suddenly breaks up with her. Two weeks later, she gets called to Ian’s side at the emergency room. He’s suffered a concussion, and doesn’t remember anything recent- including the fact they broke up. Conflicted about deceiving him but glad to have another chance at making their relationship work , Layla plays along. Things seem to be going well until she meets Ian’s angsty and artistic brother, Matt who she connects with on a deep level. Now she’s questioning her return to Ian. This sweet contemporary romance set in Seattle and the scenic San Juan Islands is a fresh take on second chances. Readers who enjoy quirky characters and novels with strong family dynamics will enjoy this offering.

Wow! When I read the plot I thought I was gonna read some heartfelt second chances romance or something mind bending like Tarryn Fisher’s Opportunist which also has amnesia concept with worst kind of ending!
But the book truly surprised with its focus on self worth, learning to love herself concept that overshadowed the main dysfunctional love story!
Can you imagine the boyfriend you truly loved dumps you without obvious reason and then suffers from memory loss that makes him forget the reason why you broke up! Layla high fives herself secretly because as a girl who is long time suffering from her own insecurities thinks she finally gets her second chance with Ian who may be the love of her life but she shouldn’t rush to ride into the sunset with her Memento lover because Ian’s brother Matt comes back to town and he has every intention to shake the new balance of Ian and Layla’s vulnerable relationship!

Layla’s extra insecurities and Ian’s selfishness gave me hard time to connect with them. I don’t want to give spoiler but I found the romance part that leads us to the ending was a little rushed, unreasonable, forced! I didn’t see the chemistry and mostly I didn’t get the answers I was expecting about Ian and Layla’s relationship dynamics!

I loved the previous book of the author a little more. It still kept my interest but I wish I could enjoy the love story and characters a little more. So I decided to give a solid three stars!

I’m still looking forward to read future works of the author. But unfortunately this book didn’t fit with my high expectations.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

I enjoyed this read! I thought the characters were well written and the story flowed nicely through the different parts of the book. There was some stuff with the play writing and managing the playhouse that seemed a little far-fetched to me, but that might have been done to help move the plot along. Overall it was a nice story about second (or third) chances, following your dreams, and being honest about love. It had some funny lines mixed in with all the drama that made me laugh, so that's a plus!

Layla is out of the blue dumped by long time boyfriend Ian - and all future plans/dreams Layla has have been crushed. When ex boyfriend Ian gets into an accident that shows signs of memory loss that makes him forget about said breakup. This gives Layla a second chance to reclaim the relationship they once shared.
As Layla and Ian settle in to figure out their new romance Ian’s brother moves in with him.

This is my first time reading a book by Annette Christie and I would recommend it to others!

Thank you to the publisher Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

If I had to break down my reading habits, I probably read about 80% rom coms so I was excited to be approved for another one. However, I wasn't sure on how I would feel about the amnesia inspired plot. I loathe anything with an amnesia trope. I find it frustrating, boring and just isn't my cup of tea. Annette Christie may have changed my mind though. Yes, the amnesia was used as a plot device, but it was well written by Annette.

What I loved:
-Second chance romance, but with a twist
-Seeing Layla's growth! I didn't really connect with her as a MC or even like her initially, but it was nice to see a change in her as the book progressed!
-This is a definite feel good story

What I didn't:
-I found the pace to be a little slow compared to what I normally read

Read if you liked:
- Forget Me Twice by Carina Taylor

I found For Twice in My Life to be an enjoyable rom com. I would recommend it for anyone looking for a feel good rom com, especially if they enjoy second chance romances.

Thank you NetFalley, Annette Christie and Little Brown and Company for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I think that there are some really strong parts of this novel, but I wanted the characters to be a touch more likable. Overall I enjoyed the story but felt as though the characters were more of a detriment to it than aiding in the story telling. I liked the plot overall and enjoyed the read.

**SPOILER ALERT**

At first glance of the blurb, this book sounded like it was a potentially over-used soap opera bit using amnesia as a crutch to (re)discover romance. While that storyline is well-worn in the world of soaps, I will admit Christie presented a somewhat different angle.
I definitely found this book interesting enough to plow through it in two days, but I deducted a star because I was incredibly frustrated with Layla throughout the entire book.
I get it: breakups are hard, especially when it seemingly comes from out of nowhere and the “victim” of the breakup, if you will, gets no closure. Girl, been there, done that, got the t-shirt. BUT her oft-bruised self esteem leads to so much deception and disappointment, I found it difficult to get on board with her.
The ending also didn’t feel very fulfilling to me. Sure, she finally realizes she and Ian weren’t the good fit they wanted each other to be, and the second breakup is far more amicable and mutual. They get the closure they BOTH needed. For Layla to realize that she’s fallen for Matt, however, felt too contrived and unsatisfactory. I felt no chemistry between the two; frankly, I still think Matt is an ass. I know it’s just a book, but I suspect if we look to these two a few years down the road, they will be in a constant state of bickering, and what now seems to Layla to be Matt’s adorable way of getting her to be honest with herself will eventually feel like she is unappreciated and maybe even being gas-lit.
Overall, a good read, but if Christie’s lead characters tend to be similar, I don’t think I’d read another book of hers.
Thanks to publisher Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for permitting me to read and review this ARC.

Exceptional....This was a feel good story! Everyone deserves a 2nd chance and that is just what Layla is given. Layla feels everything will work out just right, but is this the 2nd chance she wanted or was this the chance she needed. This story has some twists and turns with outcomes I did not expect. I think it was a great look into Layla, Ian, and Matt's relationships with each other and those around them. And the ending just put a huge smile on my face even if it may not be what anyone would expect. Great author and will absolutely read more from her!

For Twice In My Life
By Annette Christie
Pub Date: 21 Feb. 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Would you want a second chance at love with the same person? With your career? Your family? At first this book seems predictable however the story is quite engaging. The characters are interesting and likeable. There were times where I found the back story a bit repetitive but it came together in the end and made sense. There are funny and sad moments and times that make one believe there is hope things can work out. This, along with a spiteful feline LOL, kept me interested throughout. I would recommend this book.

There are certain romance troupes where I proceed with a little caution because society/pop culture has created an ominous association. Amnesia stories falls into that category (thank you soap operas); and yet, Annette Christie somehow took this concept when creating For Twice in My Life, added in twists, turns, and clever misdirections (a reminder why one should never assume), creating a story so captivating, I was guessing and gasping until the very end.

For Twice In My Life isn't a book about second chances or redos. Yes, on the surface that is the premise but it dives much deeper. Through Layla, we witness how someone (when given a second chance) can overcorrect themselves to ensure the same "mistakes" are not made. Despite her growth, she chose to live in a world of subtext, battling perceived assumptions and inevitable disappointment. Through each second chance, she became the ideal and supportive girlfriend, the model employee, the responsible adult her family didn't think she could be, not realizing that the more engrossed she became with each transformation, the more she abandoned her core identity, what made Layla - well, Layla.

What I liked about this book: As this is the first book I have ever read by Annette Christie (her second novel), her talent for parallel writing is impeccable. When reading For Twice in My Life, you are unaware that you are reading two different stories - the one she is writing and the one you assume she is writing. For some writers who have attempted this strategy, they have created frustration with the reader because the author consistently hints at what is not being said, holding on to that pertinent information until the very end. Annette’s approach was to sprinkle breadcrumbs about Layla’s life throughout the story, keeping you emotionally invested in her character, while at the same time - placing red herrings into the subplot. The reader has no idea how much they have been left in the dark until Annette finally turns up the lights, unleashing conclusions so clever that my exact commentary as I was reading (with hand clasped over the mouth for the full shocked effect) was “Ohh...DID NOT see that coming!".

What I LOVE about this book: My favorite part about this book is that once you finish, once you know everything, you will find yourself “reliving” moments with fresh eyes, seeing the characters with a different perspective. For those who are analytical, your brain is elated. Even now, I find myself still reeling from the conclusion and commenting on certain characters and their actions.

What I am indifferent about but feel I should mention: This book comes at you from all angles - throwing a lot of information at you at once, some relevant in the moment, some necessary to understand a plot point later in the book. That, and the emotional undertones right out the gate, can be a little overwhelming for the unsuspecting reader but Annette does a great job in making sure to spoon feed you recaps, revealing a little more information each time.

Slow yet engaging, For Twice in My Life breaks the barriers of what second chances are and what they could mean. We are all human and we make mistakes. Being given a second chance does not mean we need to abandon who we are as a person, we just need to incorporate that lesson into who we are becoming, holding onto our identity as we grow.

Thank you to NetGalley, Annette Christie, & Little, Brown and Company for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

So when I read the blurb for this book I was really excited! It sounded like such a classic romcom trope and I am always down for a second chance romance with a twist. However, this book just didn’t click for me. First, I am a really character driven reader, so if I do not connect with the characters it is hard for me to connect with the story overall. I found both Layla and Ian to be selfish and unlikeable throughout a majority of the story. I feel like Layla’s self-esteem issues were used as a crutch throughout the story and over-emphasized and I didn’t like that fact that Ian’s reasoning for the initial break-up wasn’t really ever explained (especially with what the “twist” ended up being at the end, because it made the initial break up almost seem pointless to me). This just really made me not invested in either of them as characters, and therefore not invested in the story. I also felt that Layla could be quite immature at times, which just rubbed me the wrong way. I felt like the ending was a bit rushed, and seemed to be resolved with no real consequences (after all of that Ian is really just like “Yep, I’m good with this.”? It just was hard for me to buy). And it felt like an abrupt end to the book. Also, the pacing throughout the story wasn’t my favorite. Some parts flowed really easily while other parts seemed to drag. However, I did enjoy certain parts of the book. Christie has a knack for humor in her writing. She effortlessly weaves dialogue and scenarios that had me cracking up out loud. I also loved the theatre references and the family healing moments.

When Layla’s ex-boyfriend is in an accident, she is called to the hospital as his emergency contact. When she arrives, Ian is concussed and has no recollection of the break up. As the two rekindle their romance, Ian’s brother moves in with him and Layla’s theatre is on the brink of disaster. This is a sweet romance with much of the same humor as Annette Christie’s “The Rehearsals.” Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to be an early reader in exchange for my review.

This was my first book read by Annette Christie but will not be my last! For Twice In My Life is a surprising, refreshing take on common romance tropes! Throughout the story, the main characters' lives and relationships take the forefront, providing a beautifully nuanced and honest look at the messy, confusing, ever-changing ways we view the world around us and the people in it. All characters go through huge growth in this novel and by the end, you'll be rooting for everyone's happy ending!

Ian broke up with Layla and she was devastated. Now two weeks later she gets a call from the hospital that Ian was involved in an accident and has lost some of his memory. Layla is his emergency contact, and he is expecting her to take care of him. She is thrilled to have a second chance, believing that he is good for her. Layla has a hard time being herself around her family and with some of her friends. With Ian she seems grounded. Ian invites his brother Matt to come stay with him. They have been estranged and Ian hopes to mend their relationship. When Matt is chosen to write Layla’s play for her theater company she works for things get complicated.
I really liked this book. The old stuffy Ian has changed and Layla’s reaction to her “new” boyfriend is fun. Everyone thinks Layla has it all together not realizing how much she struggles. I loved the support Layla’s mother gives her and the care and concern shown by Ian’s parents. This is a book about family, divorce, accepting yourself, and being brave enough to believe in yourself and make changes.

For a romcom obsessed reader this was the perfect balance of cutesy and entertaining. Really cute second chance romance [but not in the way you expect]. I loved the quirky characters [even Layla's jerk cat lol] and the story overall. It was refreshing and felt familiar at the same time - if this was a movie I would get in my comfy pjs, my favorite blanket and snacks to enjoy it on our next girls night.

You have Layla who gets dumped with no explanation by the love of her life - but after being heartbroken for two weeks the universe gave her a second chance to make things work. Her now ex was in an accident and turned up in the hospital with a case of amnesia and no memory of the breakup. She planned on using this to her advantage to get Ian to see what a huge mistake he made - if and when he remembered the breakup he would have fallen in love with her all over again and the lie wouldn't matter. Before she knew it some unexpected complications came up that made her plans a lot harder.

Over the course of her plans she learned so much about herself and her passion ignited in places she did not see coming. I cannot say how much I LOVED the way Layla's character went from this "broken" person, to someone who found a new passion for life in more than one aspect. Even if that went in a completely different direction than she was expecting. When characters have epiphanies like these, it gives my life and it was a huge part of the book that was really well done!

Recommend this if you want a fun, and quick read!

ARC was provided by NetGalley and Little, Brown & Company in exchange for an honest review.