After a fortune teller gives Sadie Thatcher the opportunity to re-do her Very Bad Year and prevent her from losing her boyfriend and job, she soon learns perhaps it might not have been bad at all.
Especially when she can't stop thinking about that kiss with Jacob, her brother Owen's best friend and landlord, just before her year was wiped clean.

Melissa Wiesner uses the time-travel trope in a fresh way to explore sexism and misogyny. Sadie is forthright and outspoken, but uses her re-do to withold her opinions with her boyfriend's new finance douchebros colleagues and her verbally abusive boss. Playing by the rules may give her her boyfriend and job back, but at what cost to her happiness?

While the slow-burn romance with her brother's best friend, shy composer Jacob, was more of a secondary plot, it was nonetheless still enjoyable. I really liked that we had a gender reversal with the introverted nerdy character being the male, while the ballsy, outspoken character was the female. Jacob values her fully, having been the beneficiary of Sadie standing up to classmates bullying him and her brother when they were kids.

This book was thoroughly enjoyable, balancing serious themes but with a character journey that kept me glued to the page. There's been a real spate of time travel romances lately (Sophie Cousen's The Good Part and Kate Robb's This Spells Love), I'd definately recommend this one to add to the TBR pile.

Thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the ARC.

The Second Chance Year is a cute magical realism that's got a bit of everything: romance, family drama, women's fiction... check, check, check.  After having a horrible year, (her boyfriend of 3 years dumped her, she got fired, and lost her apartment all related to her telling people off) Sadie asks a fortune teller for a re-do while at a New Year's Eve party. While the fortune teller strongly advises against it, Sadie is insistent on it. After leaving she stumbles back to Jacob's (her brother's best friend) apartment who has graciously been letting her live there rent free! They have a magical first kiss out of nowhere and then he takes off. Her brain is left spinning! The next morning though she wakes back up in her old apartment, next to her ex-boyfriend Alex, and very late for work while discovering that she got her wish. For the next year, broken up into chapters by months, Sadie struggles with trying to not make the same mistakes again. She's also fighting the feelings she now feels for Jacob while still being with Alex. This book was a bit of a rollercoaster as Sadie tries to nagaivate life as the new Sadie, who is quiet, not one to raise a stink and certainly not one to call someone out. Being a sassy outspoken person myself, I struggled with her journey a bit because she wasn't being true to herself. BUT I think this was written this way intentionally. Sadie is on a journey and she's got to get there on her own terms. I loved the ending, the characters and the found family vibes in this. Ya'll know I'm a sucker for found family novels. While I've certainly wished I could rewind the clocks on a few conversations, I don't think I'd trade out a whole year, no matter how bad. If you're looking for a new magical realism book this might be just up your alley. I cruised through it in 2 days! Thank you Forever, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. Pub Day is December 5th.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Sadie was having a very-bad-horrible-terrible year. She lost her job, her boyfriend, her home - she was utterly adrift. Wallowing away on her brother's best friend's couch, she believed she had no one but her and her big mouth to blame. If only she had a second chance, she would do things differently.

I am sure you have already predicted that Sadie did get her second chance to relive that terrible year. With a wish and touch of magic, she found herself back at the beginning of where she believed it all went wrong.

There were lots of wonderful and fun moments to enjoy in this book, and also some that had my heart hurting for Sadie as she sucked it up and lost a lot of herself in the process. The beauty of this spin on a time-loop was the way Sadie saw things from her past with a new perspective. I liked how she realized that things were not that perfect and her actions weren't always wrong.

She was often admonished for having a sense of justice and acting on it by those close to her (boyfriend, parents). This time around she was going to hold her tongue, but this caused Sadie to lose some important parts of herself and some important people, too. Wiesner tackled sexism in a way that did not weigh down this delightful rom-com as well. It was thoughtful, but never too heavy.

Overall, this was a great use of a time-loop which allowed Sadie to grow tremendously. Her personal journey was made even better with a wonderful found family and a sweet romance that I was wholly onboard with. Though things seemed tough for Sadie, I never lost hope that the universe would make sure all went as it should.

3/5 ⭐

You start this book off with Sadie loosing her job, apartment, boyfriend, and essentially everything she thinks she has to offer. She is granted a wish for a do-over of the past year. Lets be honest, that idea alone sounds fantastic.. i don't know about you, but anytime a movie has that story line, its an instant watch for me.

This book is more so a light and fluffy read, but it does have some "darkish" topics.. mainly about a toxic work place, sexism in the work place, and suppressing her voice and beliefs.

Whats interesting with this book is that is that the book covers the whole year, every few chapters are a new month. I prefer it this way instead of the constant time jump like other books have had when involving "time travel".

The book to me feels rushed, most things feel irrelevant. But that could be due to the fact of trying to cover everything that seems to be important in such a short book. There is many things i wished would have been elaborated on more. Not to mention her family, i cant stand when books have the typical parents only like them when they have what they want, ie perfect job & perfect boyfriend.

Now after all i just said, the book is a solid book. Its be nice for anyone who likes the movie groundhogs day. It is a very slow burn with a light and charming romantic feel.

Thank you netgally for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Reading The Second Chance Year was such a pleasant surprise. I am a big fan of magical realism stories so I knew I had to read this one. In this story Sadie gets to repeat her very bad year, but soon realizes things aren’t as she imagined.
Sadie was a very likeable characters, that is why my heart broke for her and the way her parents treated her. Honestly, I read those parts with a huge knot in my throat, I was almost crying along with her.

**SPOILERS**
Jacob was such a sweet guy; he was amazing to Sadie. And sometimes it was frustrating that she really couldn’t tell he was always into her. But I’m glad Sadie took the opportunity to really get to know him.
I was beyond thrilled when they kissed for the first time. Both times.
**END OF SPOILERS**

For me, the story has everything: fun, drama and romance, all spun with interesting characters and plot, creating a really great read that I truly, and deeply enjoyed.

I have a review post for this book on in Instagram that is linked below. I thought it was a good read. It didn’t fit the typical rom com formula as it was more a character development story. I would have liked to see more on the romance side. However, I did enjoy this book, it was a cute, funny and quick read!

🥮🎶🗓️
The Second Chance Year
Author: Melissa Wiesner
Number of pages: 336

Single POV
Brother Best Friend
Second Chance Romance (kind of)

⭐️ - 3.5
🌶️ - No Spice

If you got a do over, would you take it? Get the guy back? Your job back? That’s exactly what Sadie gets, a redo of the past year to correct things where they went wrong, but what if they weren’t actually wrong?

This was a cute book! Sadie was sweet and funny. She had moments where I felt bad for her like with her parents or thinking she needed to change herself for others. Jacob has always just been her brother’s best friend. He’s also always been her hype man, admirer, and support system, she just didn’t see it.

I really enjoyed this book. I love that even with a do over, things will always end how they’re supposed to end. That the people or the job you thought you were right for, weren’t right for you. I had a great time reading this book and would recommend it!

Charming romance that doesn’t shy away from so hard topics. Love the main character’s strength, and the whimsy of being able to go back in time

3.5 stars

This was a light hearted and quick listen!

The sentiment of the story was great. The characters had their moments but overall were fabulous and I absolutely adored the ending.

Thanks to NetGalley, Hatchette Audio & St Martin's Press for advance copies in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely adored and devoured this book. I binged this in 24 hours it was that good. I think the concept of getting a chance at a re-do year is so interesting and made me contemplate if there is a year I would do over. I don’t think so… but Sadie is an amazing woman and the found family in this one was everything. Jacob is a sweetheart and the other side characters were great.

Not only did this have two of my favorite tropes in one, but the author kept my attention the entire time and the book was very well written. Melissa did a very good job of incorporating extremely tough topics such as sexism and sexual harassment in a tasteful way. I will definitely be picking up more books by this author!

I am obsessed with novels that play with time, time slips, or any kind of time travel - so The Second Chance Year immediately grabbed my attention. When Sadie has the opportunity on New Years Eve of a Very Bad Year to erase it all and redo it, she takes the chance, hoping to salvage her job, her relationship, and her whole life. The book moves month by month through the year, with Sadie trying to fix past mistakes and realizing that only leads to new different ones.

The book is a romance but the kind that is more focused on the growth of the main character Sadie. The sudden realization that she loves her brother's best friend Jacob was a little jarring, and I thought they lacked chemistry. But Sadie's friendships, her relationship with her parents and brother, and her beliefs about herself were truly the heart of the book, and easy to invest in. I loved the found family aspect at the coffee shop.

This book is great for readers who enjoy:
- food and the restaurant industry
- female main characters who stand up for themselves
- villain characters who are easy to root against
- heavier reads, that include societal issues like workplace harassment, bullying, and sexism

Play it again, Jacob! The way that I just loved this book... It's like a 2000's romcom where the movie ends in a glorious built-up kiss, rather than some of the steamier things we're used to now. And honestly? It was refreshing!

I loved the concept of this book - a redo of the worst year of your life in the hopes that you can make it better. But of course, we all know that living in the past won't change the future. I enjoyed the focus on community and friendship, as well as the dialog on sexual harassment. Sadie the Cat Lady is my absolute favorite hot mess pastry chef and I absolutely need RECIPES!! I'd recommend this to fans of 13 Going on 30 and Love Again, but definitely read this one with some sweet snacks.

*Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

Sadie has had a Very Bad Year. Her boyfriend broke up with her, she lost her job, and she has felt like a disappointment to her family. She’s living with her brother Owen’s best friend Jacob in his spare room, and she’s feeling lost and sad. She goes to a NYE party and meets a fortune teller. She makes a wish to do her year over. Oh and she kisses Jacob. The wish… it comes true. When she wakes up, she’s back at the beginning of the year with her ex, and she given the chance to re-do her year.

Oh my gosh, this book was SO cute! Jacob was adorable. A lovely and steady presence in Sadie’s life. Her brother Owen was so sweet. I love the found family she made at Higher Ground. Her parents were actually the worst.

I really enjoyed this one and found it hard to put down once I started. Sadie and Jacob’s love story was incredibly believable. I love magical realism when it’s done right, and this was done so right!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sadie is having a rough time - she's lost her boyfriend, her apartment, and her job in one fell swoop. Stumbling on an opportunity for a do-over, she jumps at the chance. As Sadie experiences her second chance year, she realizes that a do-over may not be the quick fix she thought it would be.

I tend to enjoy books with a time travel premise, and this one was nicely done. Initially, Sadie came across as a bit irritating, but she grew on me, and Jacob was such a cinnamon roll hero. I liked that the author explored some more substantial topics like family dynamics and expectations, workplace harassment, and personal development.

Thank you to Forever for gifting me with an ARC to review! All opinions are my own. I enjoyed it!

Sadie lost her job, her boyfriend, and her apartment, and after being convinced to go to a New Year’s Eve party, she wishes she could repeat the year. Later, she ends up kissing her brother’s best friend, who she now lives with. But when Sadie wakes up in the morning ,she’s in her old apartment with her ex, and her old boss is calling. Sadie realizes she has gone back to the start of her terrible year and has the chance to fix her mistakes. But does she want to?

This is such a fun premise, and I always enjoy stories where the MC repeats the past or has a second chance at something and learns about themselves and what they want in their present and future. That’s exactly what happens to Sadie as she lives her do-over year. I thought this was a romance, but it really focuses more on Sadie’s growth and change as she repeats the last year of her life. I enjoyed her character. She’s authentic and outspoken, and she learns so much about herself. I think a lot of people wish they could turn back the clock and fix mistakes in their past, and Sadie gets the chance. Of course, she comes to some major realizations about herself, her work demands and the sexism she faces, her romantic relationship, and her family. She also can’t stop thinking about Jacob.

Ahhh, Jacob is the best love interest! Sadie and Jacob have a fabulous love story, though this part of the story takes a backburner to Sadie’s growth. These opposites have a slow-burning romance filled with chemistry and fun banter, and their tender moments are so special. I love how she starts to see this sweet and loyal man who has been in her life for years in a totally different light.

I really enjoyed this read! There are a few parts that I wish were fleshed out a bit more, but overall it is a fun and charming read with some great, heartfelt and introspective moments. The story also tackles some heavier issues, like workplace harassment, sexism, and toxic family relationship, but they are relatable and presented realistically. Special thanks to Forever Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

Second Chance Year will 100% give you the warm fuzzies.

Sadie has had a Very Bad Year in which she got broken up with and fired within a short period. When the opportunity arises for a do over, she is skeptical that something like that could happen. Until she wakes up January 1 in her old apartment with her ex.

This was so heartwarming. Sadie is such a wonderful character and I feel like her arc of trying to minimize herself is something most women can relate to. I loved her outspoken attitude and inability to settle for anything other than the best.

There is also a very strong story here of equality in the workplace and that feeling of not being able to speak out. I thought the conversation Sadie had with her mother was so heartbreaking and real. There were quite a few touching, emotional moments that so relatable.

At the heart of it all, Second Chance Year is a story of authenticity and found family. Loved it!

Second chances aren’t always what you expect!

Sadie is one tough cookie who always stands up for what’s right for herself and others. She didn’t tolerate bullies when she was a kid and she certainly doesn’t tolerate them now as an adult. But sometimes her big mouth can get her into trouble. This year has been tough as she lost her job, apartment, and boyfriend. Fortunately, her brother’s best friend Jacob is letting her stay in his spare bedroom while she gets back up on her feet. But Sadie just keeps wishing she could have a do-over of her really bad year. And on New Year’s Eve, a fortune teller grants her just that. When she wakes up the next morning, it’s January 1 of the previous year.

Sadie does her best not to repeat what she thought were mistakes….but were they really? As times goes by, she begins to realize that maybe her old job and boyfriend aren’t quite as perfect as she thought. And she keeps running into Jacob too and just can’t get him out of her head.

This is a sparky rom com with a strong female lead who fights against bullying and sexism while trying to find herself….enjoy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever/Grand Central Publishing for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.

This book! I can't praise it enough, I have come to really love a time-slip trope, and this is one of my top picks.

Sadie had a very bad year, her relationship ended, and she lost her job and her beautiful flat.
When a fortune teller gives her a magical powder to make a wish for a do-over year, not everything goes according to plan.

She realises that things happen for a reason and that not everything should be done over.

There are a few Triggers, that the author mentions in a forward, and as a woman I now realise that so many actions and misdemeanours against us are dismissed and brushed aside because 'it's the way things are' 'he's just being funny/a man/ had a few drinks/ being a show off in front of his friends' etc. #metoo.

Jacob was such an amazing character and their story line was the sweetest thing ever😍.

I adore this author and will auto-read anything she writes.

The Second Chance Year was a delightfully sweet romantic comedy that is just perfect for the holiday season.

After a Very Bad Year which sees her single, out of a job, and crashing at her brother's best friends place, Sadie decides to make a wish at a New Year's Eve party. She wishes that she had another chance to do this past year over and fix all the mistakes she made that led to her current situation. To her utter surprise, it worked! She is back with her Wall Street investor boyfriend, still employed as a pastry chef at a popular restaurant, and back in her old apartment, Determined to make the best of this second chance year, she adjusts her behaviors to fix her perceived mistakes. Unfortunately, she begins to miss the time spent with Jacob, her brother's lifelong best friend and temporary roommate in her old life, and she definitely can't forget about the kiss they shared on New Year's Eve before everything in her life reset a year. Soon, Sadie starts to wonder if she really should have been more careful for what she wished for....

I really enjoyed this sweet romance. I like the second chance type trope, and this book was basically Sadie's second chance not only in her relationship, but also for her career. I liked how over the course of her second chance year, she began to notice that what she previously considered mistakes, were actually her own strengths, liker her willingness to speak up and defend others. Where she was always seeking approval from others, she learned over the second chance year to appreciate what makes her happy, regardless of others' opinions. And I think she started to see how those in her life, including her ex/current boyfriend Alex may not be "the one", and to recognize how Jacob might actually be a better match after all.

I also really enjoyed how this book explored issues of sexism and sexual harassment in the workplace. From Wall Street, to restaurant workers, to college professors, sexism is rampant and many of the characters in this book suffered from it, often in silence. Sadie herself was harassed and the author, I felt, did a good job portraying Sadie's feelings and reaction to the incident in a sensitive way, exploring how victims often internalize feelings of shame, or that they are at fault. The book did a good job showing that this type of behavior is not acceptable and Sadie is eventually able to speak up about this behavior and make positive changes in her own life and in the lives of others.

Overall, I felt this was a cute rom-com and a fun story. I read it in one sitting, so it is a quick read. I think it would be a perfect book to read over the holidays with the themes of New Years and making resolutions to do better.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an electronic advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

In this captivating narrative, the protagonist's journey through adversity and second chances is both poignant and inspiring. The depth of emotion evoked by the challenges she faces is masterfully portrayed, and the resilience displayed is nothing short of commendable.

The narrative skillfully avoids the cliché time-travel trope, opting for a realistic exploration of overcoming hardships. The reader is compelled to empathize with the character's struggles and celebrate their well-deserved success. The portrayal of the protagonist's triumph over adversity serves as a powerful reminder of the human spirit's capacity for resilience.

While the story successfully delves into the darker aspects of the character's past, a touch more romance could have added another layer of complexity. The existing romantic elements are well-crafted, yet a slightly deeper exploration of this aspect could have enhanced the overall emotional depth of the narrative.

In conclusion, the story is a testament to the author's skill in crafting a compelling tale of redemption. The character's journey is relatable, and the themes of second chances resonate strongly. A small infusion of additional romance would have elevated the narrative even further, but overall, it remains a gripping and thought-provoking read.