Emma and Dan meet cute on a tube in London in 2006. They move in together, have two children, Poppy and Miles, and later decide to marry. Every year, on the anniversary of their first date, they exchange heartfelt letters. This sounds romantic, and it is, but as time passes, Dan and Emma drift apart. A major issue is Emma's obsession with her career (she's a busy literary agent who is glued to her phone). In addition, although something is clearly going on with Miles and Poppy, they are reluctant to reveal what is bothering them; Emma brushes off Hattie, Dan's sister and Emma's best friend and staunch ally, when Hattie repeatedly suggests meeting for lunch; and Dan becomes increasingly upset when his wife continues to prioritize her job over her family.

In "Maybe Next Time," Cesca Major delves into her central characters' backstories, shows their strengths and weaknesses, and in an engaging homage to "Groundhog Day," forces the heroine to relive a torturous Monday, December 3rd, again and again. A desperate Emma tries to figure out how to escape from this depressing and frustrating loop that is threatening her sanity.

Major makes clever use of dialogue, text messages, and other correspondence to provide a window into how Emma and Dan change during their fifteen years together. The author effectively explores the consequences of placing the demands of work and other obligations ahead of our loved ones. Even if Emma belatedly learns her lesson, can she undo the damage that has already been done? "Maybe Next Time," with its engrossing plot, bittersweet humor, and vivid descriptive writing, should generate lively book club discussions.

What I loved about this book:

1. I love a Groundhog Day theme (and this one has a twist!)
2. Love the characters and their development. They were diverse, multi generational and interesting and the author did a good job in bringing them all individual voices!
3. The message in the book bears repeating: Slow down and smell the roses!!

What I wish was different:
1. The ending was so close to perfect in my mind but left a few questions unanswered....I wanted them tied up with a bow!!
2. Really thought Emma could have figured it out quicker and thus the book could have been a little shorter!!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow/HarperCollins for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Mondays are the worst, especially if you have to relive the day your husband dies on the anniversary of the day you first met over and over and over again.
Emma has a super hectic life; she has a wonderful husband and two children, works as a literary agent in London - where she constantly has authors, her boss, and editors messaging and calling her at all hours and has after-office duties that tend to consume most of her time, volunteers for a committee she should have quit a long time ago, and consoles and gives advice to random strangers on the internet. With her plate full and overwhelming need to not disappoint anyone, Emma has put certain aspects of her life on the back-burner, which she progressively realizes and tries to fix throughout the seemingly endless loop of the worst day of her life. While we follow Emma on this never-ending roller coaster of emotions and Mondays, we also get a glimpse of her life with Dan through letters he’s written throughout the years, one for every day of the anniversary of their meeting. Will the time loop ever end? Will Emma learn or do something that finally brings her a Tuesday?

I’ve always been intrigued by the time loop trope (one of my favorite X-Files episodes involves this trope, where someone dies repeatedly, coincidentally, on a Monday), so this book immediately piqued my interest. I’m very surprised that I haven’t seen much about this book on social media, because it is AMAZING!
The author was able to make me to feel the frantic and overwhelming life Emma had at the beginning of the novel, Dan’s immense love for Emma and their kids through his letters, and every different emotion that Emma experienced throughout the time loop. Emma’s varying choices each day to learn more, experience more, and to figure out a way to move past the repeating Monday were very interesting and, at times, super relatable. Her numerous Mondays included her getting arrested multiple times, going on shopping sprees, avoiding work altogether, having game nights with the kids, and watching every episode of Grey’s Anatomy. There was a point about midway through where it dragged, but it never felt redundant.
This novel was delightful, sad, funny, and insightful. I learned a lot of Britishisms, that it’s important to appreciate the little things, and to live your life to the fullest.

While I loved the concept of this one (I will never say no to a groundhog day trope), this book left me feeling rather frustrated. I was not pleased with the way anyone behaved. I can definitely see some readers being more understanding of the MCs choices and the journey of accepting the situation she's in or maybe relating to the way the husband was acting, it just wasn't for me!

I was enthralled by this story from the first page and felt every single emotion the main character went through. This story was beautifully written and this story will pull at your heartstrings in every way and you will love it!!!!!!!

"Maybe Next Time" is my first book by Cesca Major and I enjoyed it! 4⭐

Emma is a book agent living a high-stress, chaotic life in London trying to care for her kids, dog, house, and husband while working at an intense job. Her husband dies unexpectedly one night - and when Emma wakes up the next day, it's Monday all over again. She is stuck reliving the worst day of her life with no respite.

This book made me bawl like I haven't in a long time, and I always round up for books that make me cry. Emma was fairly unlikable to me at first and this book was definitely hard to read at times. I did warm up to her, though!

The pacing was a little odd for me in places, but it definitely picked up and I read the second half of it in one night. I both liked and didn't like the ending. It's hard to say much more without giving away large chunks of the plot, but I see what the author was trying to show or teach us and I got it.

⚠️ separation, miscarriages (off-screen), emotional abuse from a partner, recurring tragic death

Many readers of Maybe Next Time will see references to the film, Groundhog Day. Author Cesca Major plays with the Groundhog Day theme--live a day over and over again until you get it right. Many people will embrace this notion of second chances to fix what we screwed up in the past. Maybe Next Time gives the protagonist Emma the opportunity to relive a day and find a way to fix the pain she seems to be inflicting on others. I do not want to provide spoilers. Although Emma does eventually finds ways to fix her life, this is a book of great sadness. It is the journey that matters, as good novels often make clear.

Maybe Next Time is filled with do-overs that suggests it is possible to make parenting, marriage, and a career work well together. This is a novel that succeeds beyond the few Groundhog Day references. Major creates characters who are true, whose problems will be recognizable to readers. Maybe Next Time soon becomes so unique, so original, so real, that readers will soon forget what they think is the origin story of Groundhog Day. Major creates a novel that while difficult to get into, soon becomes a novel that calls to readers to keep reading. Once I got past an awkward beginning, I could not put down this book. I found that my ereader kept calling to me.

I want to thank the author and the publisher, Sourcebooks, for providing this ARC. My review is my own opinion. I am an avid reader, but also a critical reader. When a novel fails to embrace me and keep me reading, I say so. Maybe Next Time is not that kind of novel. At the end, I was sad to leave these characters behind. Thank you to NetGalley for listing this novel and for once again, introducing me to a new author.

I had mixed feelings about this book because I could relate to the stress-filled life of the main character Emma. Thank goodness I never had to keep reliving such a terrible day as she did. The lesson to be learned is that one person can't do it all and please everyone all of the time. Something has to give. Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the advance copy to read and review.

This is definitely going to be one of those books that is either hated or loved, based on the ending.

The first groundhog day, I was like "Ok...How much of this book will be filled with exactly the same words, sentences, text messages." The second groundhog day, I was like "Huh...This might be interesting." By the third groundhog day, I was definitely invested in the story.

My takeaway of this story is that most of us probably get sucked down in the murky day-to-day reactiveness of our lives. Fulfilling the needs of our bosses, our clients, our kids, our community - all the while letting the base of our marriages and familial relationships deteriorate. I found this story to have that quality of making the reader sit back and consider what things can be changed from one's own life and make it more meaningful.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #WilliamMorrowPublishers

Maybe Next Time by Cesca Major is the Perfect Blend of Women's Fiction and Magical Realism!

Emma is a successful literary agent who's always working, even when she's not. She lives and breathes her work. And when she's not working, she's offering her free time because she can't say no.

She's moving at warp speed on December 3rd, the anniversary of when Emma and her husband Dan first met. She doesn't notice that Dan seems dejected, her son Miles is unusually quiet, and her daughter Poppy is spending too much time in her bedroom with the door closed. She doesn't even notice the family dog Gus is 'out of sorts'.

In the evening of their anniversary, after Emma has had an incredibly bad day at work, after the children are in bed, and the evening has almost come to an end, Emma and Dan have a heated discussion. Dan rushes out of the house, with Gus in tow for his nightly walk. Shortly afterwards, Emma hears tires squeal and a loud crash...

Then it's December 3rd in Emma's world all over again. And again...

Maybe Next Time is a time-loop story about a strained relationship within a marriage. A marriage where both parties are deeply in love, with two young children, and so much at risk if everything doesn't magically straighten out. And there is more to this story, so much more.

It's a meatier, emotionally charged story and I had no clue how it could possibly work itself out. It's not a comedy, but there are light and happy moments for Emma in the same day she lives over and over again. It's mostly serious though and there are many lessons for her to take note of in her daily travels.

You might think the story would become repetitive, boring, and lose steam but that was not the case here. The author creatively put a slight spin and unique feel to each day even though it was the same one over and over again. It was an inspiring journey alongside Emma on her "time-loop" day and there's an interesting perspective that I didn't expect.

Maybe Next Time is an engaging story with great characters, tender moments, and a bitter-sweet ending. So, get the tissues ready, folks, because this one is going to make you ugly cry. It could have been an ending that was much worse, but in this case, I think it was almost perfect!

Are you curious yet?

I highly recommend and I'll be waiting for this authors next novel! 4.5 Magical Stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Cesca Major for an ARC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.

Maybe Next Time by Cesca Major is a rich and touching novel. Emma is married to Dan and they have two school age children. They had a wildly romantic courtship and marriage, with yearly love letters written to each other on their anniversary of falling in love. Now they have two children, Dan’s mother has died, and Emma is relentlessly absorbed in her job, all of which stress the stability of their marriage. Dan and the children feel ignored by Emma as she pursues her career goals. In a heated moment one evening, they argue and Dan goes out to walk with the dog—he is hit by a car and dies. The next morning Emma awakens and Dan is alive, and it is Monday, 12/3, all over again, and again, and again.
The meat of this story explores all of Emma’s emotions—her sadness, incredulity, anger, regret, and bargaining—in reaction to the tragedy. The reader watches Emma’s efforts to be more present for her family, and also hears Dan’s POV in his past yearly letters to her. The skillful descriptive writing and enjoyment of the characters’ narratives kept me absolutely absorbed in the story as their lives play out, year after year. The ending is stunning and worthy of the excellent arc of the story.
Cesca Major is an author with whom I am not familiar, so I was delighted to read and enjoy this deeply heartfelt novel of lovers, families, and second chances.
Highly recommend!!

Thanks you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my unbiased review.

What a heartbreaking but absolutely wonderful book. This was wonderfully written and such a good read.

This is one of those books that requires Kleenex! I loved everything about this book. It has a unique plot, and the characters are so well-developed. Thanks, NetGalley and Book Club Girl, for the early copy of this amazing book!

Thank you to NetGalley, Book Club Girl, Cesca Major and William Morrow Books for the opportunity to read and review Maybe Next Time by Cesca Major in advance of the release. A wonderful experience!

Chapter One kicks off with a letter written by Dan on the first anniversary of the day he and Emma met, December 3. The visual imagery is perfection, and I was laughing out loud; instantly hooked! Fast forward to December 3, 2021, Emma is the narrator and sharing her day which ends in tragedy. Eventually she falls asleep and wakes up on what is supposed to be December 4 and eventually realizes she is reliving December 3, again, and again and again and again. I was worried that a story rooted in repeating the same day could get repetitive, however as Emma relives the day, she decides to make smarter choices hoping to alleviate the tragic ending. She sees each day with different experiences allowing you to be engaged and interested in the outcome.

It is a satisfying read, reminding us to appreciate each moment we have, pay attention to those around us and especially the ones we love! It was thought-provoking and gave me pause to think about my own life and the understanding that each day is “A Gift”, Make the most of it!

I enjoyed Maybe Next Time a lot. It’s perhaps not completely original — it even references the movie Groundhogs’ Day at one point — but it’s a fast-paced read and well structured.

Emma, like many women, if spread to thin and spends much of her day dealing with needy clients, an out of touch boss and keeping up with her husband and two kids. Since they met 15 years before, Dan and Emma exchange letters on the anniversary of their first date. But life has gotten so hectic that Emma forgets this years letter.

Later that night, her husbands is killed in a car accident, but the next morning the day has reset and she’s back to living the same day over, and over and over. I’ve always found the challenge in this type of story the balance of what gets retread versus what gets adjusted as the character knows more about the day’s possibilities and what is about to happen. I think that is paced really well.

You begin with Emma confounded by the situation then she get angry and depressed and ultimately she tries to see the situation as a gift. It’s very much like following the five stages of grief.

It’s satisfying to see her finally lay into an obnoxious, misogynist author and get to know the cafe worker who she sees every day. She’s essentially given the chance to reprioritize her life but she’s still weighed down with the grief that she’s going to lose her husband.

Interwoven are the annual letters that Dan has written her, starting with the first one and moving towards the present. It’s there that we learn much about their life and family outside of the relived day. It’s where we get to learn who Dan is and adds to the loss we know Emma feels.

This is also a very cinematic book, I can absolutely see it being adapted. Plus, books about books are always a delight to read.

Did you ever desire a do-over? Do you find yourself obsessed with the wrong things and when something bad happens, it causes you to re-prioritize your focus? I find myself in these situations a lot, so if you are like me, you need to read "Maybe Next Time."

Emma, a London literary agent, is far too busy. She is focused on her work, promoting her clients, social media, committee meetings, and the list goes on and on. On Dec. 3, her "dateversary," the date her and her husband, Dan, first met, they should be celebrating. However, they get into a verbal argument and Dan storms out of the house to take the dog for a walk. Emma hears this horrible noise and finds out that Dan was struck by a car and killed.

Emma is completely devastated but when she wakes up the next morning, it is Dec. 3 all over again. As Emma continues to re-live this day over and over, she gains insights into her husband and children and many of the things she has missed as a result of her busyness. With each repeat of the day, she tries to live it differently with a strong desire to get it perfect, but many times, she fails miserably. However, the one thing she really wants to change, her husband's death, may be the most difficult challenge she has ever faced.

This story is about appreciating what you have, living in the moment and living life to the fullest. This book really spoke to me and provided a most timely reminder to focus on what is important. Unfortunately, we don't get do-overs, so we need to get it right the first time around.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

I received this book through BookClubGirl. I love to read books about alternate lifelines or do-overs or reliving days a la Groundhog Day. This was a very memorable addition (Dan's letter at the end) about how all the small decisions that we make affect our relationships and our happiness.

Publish date: March 7, 2023.
Rating: 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Emma is a wife, mom, and literary agent trying to juggle everything her life throws at her- but not having much success. On one of her and her husband’s “Dateversaries”, a December 3rd, they end up getting into an argument that left Dan storming out of the house. Emma couldn’t have known that in just a few minutes, her world would change in such a dramatic way. Forced to relive the same day over and over for months, Emma tries to change what is destined to happen without any success. This book left us on a cliffhanger, but one thing we do know for sure from reading this is that we need live each day like it’s our last. Loving and paying attention to those nearest to us. I loved this book and am so grateful to be able to read it! Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for allowing me to.

This is such a cool book, and I really loved it! I loved the characters, and I loved the way the story was developed!

has been an amazing reading month. The books I have been reading have been exactly what I have needed. I love when that happens. When a book fits right into your heart at the exact time you need it to. It’s so easy to get lost in the sauce with the stresses of daily life and sometimes it’s easy to forget to stop and remember what’s most important.

This incredibly beautiful story is gripping. It is messy and imperfect and I loved it. I NEEDED to know what happens. I could not stop thinking about Dan and Emma when I wasn’t with them and couldn’t wait to get back to spending time with them. I finished and couldn’t not find my wife fast enough and hugged her. You need to read this story. It will make you laugh, cry, and remind you of what a gift it is to hold your people close. Another book I highly recommend.

5 ⭐️

Thank you @netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for the early copy.

Out March 7th. Definitely make sure you get your hands on this one.

@cescamajorauthor you have written a story I will not forget 🫶🏻