Rules for Second Chances immediately got me with its striking cover. Liz Lewis is tired of being overlooked, of coming second to her charismatic husband, and in order to find her own magic, she decides she needs to be on her own. She goes after a promotion at work but needs a confidence boost and turns to the ultimate outside-her-comfort-zone hobby: improv. And her husband Tobin is determined to win her back. I feel like this book wanted to be a lot of things. It’s a coming-of-age type story for 30-year-old Liz, it’s a romance, it’s about growth. But I think the improv angle became too heavy a focus. It was part of how Tobin was trying to help them and it was how she was finding herself; it was just kind of too much. I felt like the romance took a heavy back burner here, and I’d categorize this more as women’s fiction than a romance. Liz was the star of this, and I think having it have all the split focus, the end felt rushed and a little unsatisfying. The banter with her friends and that growth though was wonderful, Tobin was so sweet, and watching Liz find her voice was a great journey. Her self-growth journey is really beautiful and I was really rooting for her! It’s well written and interesting, I just wish the focus was stronger

Maggie North's debut is a brutally honest, intimate, and beautiful second-chance love story. I felt Liz's character so intensely and all of her confusing emotions and internal battles felt so real. Watching her fall back in love with Tobin was magical. Can't wait for what she does next!

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first started the book but wow this was emotional and so good! Happy for Liz and her Tobin and both finding out more about themselves and really communicating! Loved this and I’ll be on the lookout for more from this author!

Maggie’s writing is absolutely beautiful! And I loved the uniqueness of the improv. I thought the complexity and interiority of Liz’s state of mind were well-done and made sense in the context of marriage. Overall, a really strong debut! I’ll definitely read more from this author.

What a unique read for a second chance romance/marriage in trouble! Maggie North's debut is captivating with it's original story and take on romance.

Read this for:
-Second chance
-Marriage in trouble
-Forced proximity
-Bi heroine
-Neurodivergent rep
-Workplace

Liz Lewis is tired of not being seen by anyone, including her own husband. She is ready to find her "magic" and decides that a promotion and the pitch contest at work is the way to get her magic back. In the midst of this decision, she also decides that her marriage needs some work.

Forced to step out of her comfort zone, Liz finds herself in an Improv class to improve her leadership skills. She also finds herself using improv to help her struggling marriage to her husband Tobin.

Liz goes through so many awakenings in this book. She really starts to learn about trusting herself, who she is, and how she can set boundaries. Her relationship with her boss, her sister, her husband, and even herself are all changed. This is not only a romance, but a story about finding oneself in the process of thinking you need to live up to some supposed standard of who you are supposed to be.

It's emotional to watch Liz struggle so much and as the reader you find yourself rooting for her to come out on the other side of all the things and ideas weighing her down. I enjoyed seeing all the growth she had in all areas of her life and her relationships. Not only was she able to make her marriage work, but she developed real friendships, and started to mend the issues with her sister.

Her journey to self discovery and finding out she was Autistic seemed so realistic. It wasn't something she knew her entire life but something she found out as an older adult and the layers peeling away to help her uncover that seemed so poignant.

Tobin was such a sweet man underneath all his charisma. That merman scene tho, IYKYK.... I really enjoyed seeing how he grew with his own issues with his Dad and Mom. They both went on a journey as a couple and came through on the other side changed for the better and together.

I would recommend reading this one when it comes out! I'm looking forward to what Maggie comes up with next. I'm really hoping its going to be the love story of McHuge and Stellar!

Thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

I absolutely loved this book! I could see so much of myself in Liz, all of the social anxiety and anti-social behavior. I was so happy that Tobin didn't just let her walk away, muddling through trying to figure out a way through their issues. The way the author took you through all the twists and turns of a marriage in trouble was done with such skill. I could not recommend this book more highly and look forward to more books from this first time author. Thank you NetGalley and Maggie North for an advanced copy. I will be purchasing this book when it is published and it will go in my to be re-read folder!!

I really like the second chance romance trope. I was do excited to find this one.

It was for me to get into the book. I wanted to like it but couldn’t get into it. I kept picking it up and putting it down. I didn’t love the writing style and the couple, Liz and Rubin, was hard to root for.

Second chance romance? Sign me up, I resonate with Liz so much, her struggles with meeting people, feeling like you’re being over looked, and trying so hard to fit into societal norms. I loved that through out the story it was her husband fighting for the second chance, when most of the time it’s always the women’s that is pushing for the last ditch effort. I loved the process of the couple reconnecting through out the story in a healthy way but really loved the growth and self actualization Liz had through out her journey.

The book cover is what first caught my attention. The synopsis was promising and I was very excited to read this book. I unfortunately had to dnf it. I was struggling with understanding with what was happening at times. There was too much jumping around. I couldn’t focus and had to re-read the page again. I like the love the couple have for each other. Tobin is a great guy and wished I could have read his POV.

Favorite quote: “But Tobin can read me, when he looks. And sometime in the past four weeks, he started looking again. And he started letting me see him, too.“

"Rules for Second Chances" is a beautifully crafted novel that explores the hardest relationship question of all: Can true love happen twice with the same person? Author Maggie North weaves a tale of vulnerability, growth, and second chances that will leave you rooting for Liz and Tobin.

In the boisterous world of wilderness expeditions, Liz Lewis has always felt like a minor character in her own life. Her marriage to popular adventure guide Tobin Renner-Lewis is drowning in toxic positivity, where she's the only one saying no. But when Liz gets mistaken for a server at her own thirtieth birthday party, she decides it's time to rewrite her story.

Enter improv comedy, it’s the crash course in confidence that Liz embarks upon. The catch? She's terrible at it, and the only person willing to practice with her is Tobin, the extroverted wilderness guide who seems dead set on saving their marriage. As they reconnect, Liz confronts the reasons their relationship didn't work the first time, all while battling her own social awkwardness.

The characters leap off the page, their quirks and struggles making them feel like old friends. Liz's journey from self-doubt to self-discovery is both achingly tender and hilariously relatable. And Tobin? Well, he's the kind of hero who'll make your heart skip a beat. Their chemistry crackles, and their banter is pure gold.

North's writing is a delightful blend of wit and warmth. She captures the essence of improv, aka the "Yes, and" philosophy, perfectly. As Liz learns to embrace life's unexpected twists, we're reminded that sometimes the best moments happen when we let go of our carefully scripted plans.

The Canadian wilderness serves as a breathtaking backdrop, adding an extra layer of magic to the story. North's descriptions transport you to misty forests, rugged trails, and starlit nights. It’s a sensory experience that lingers long after you've turned the last page. Trust me, I’m a Canadian.

"Rules for Second Chances" is more than a romance; it's a celebration of resilience, vulnerability, and the messy beauty of love. Whether you're a fan of contemporary romance or simply crave a heartwarming read, this book is a must-add to your TBR pile. Prepare to laugh, cry, and fall in love as Liz and Tobin navigate life's unexpected twists. North has crafted a gem that will stay with you, whispering its wisdom long after you've closed the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Heartfelt second chance story! I read this well into the night last night so by the time I was done I felt like maybe I was a little delirious and didn’t retain as much as I could have but I couldn’t put it down! This will be a re-read for me in the future!

2.65⭐️


Buena idea, pobre desarrollo.

Las escenas de cuando eran de novios fueron bonitas y se puede ver que todos sus problemas iniciaron cuando se casaron.

Durante 3 años Liz supo que su matrimonio estaba en crisis e intentó hablar muchas veces con su esposo para ir a terapia, pero él no la escuchó.


Tobin tiene mamitis, cuida más los sentimientos de su mamá que los de Liz.

Me sorprendió la cantidad de reseñas en donde sólo se critica a Liz, pero no mencionan todas las veces que Tobin la abandonó por estar con su mamá, y luego se preguntan porque Liz está tan insegura.

Liz no es santa y también contribuyó a que su matrimonio esté pasado una crisis, pero también fue consecuencia de los actos de su esposo, por ejemplo, si los papás de Tobin se peleaban, el se la pasaba compensando a su mamá, entonces si Liz quería hacer algo, pero la mamá quería lo contrario se hacía lo que la señora quería y con el paso del tiempo Liz dejó de dar su opinión y eso la fue carcomiendo hasta el punto de sentirse que no era valorada.


No se para que agregar más drama en la parte final y hacer que Torin se ofendiera porque Liz quisiera ser vista y tratada como una persona individual y no como la acompañante de su marido.

¿Qué fue esa tontería de que Marijke terminó ayudando a la amante de su esposo???


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for and honest review.

This one hit pretty close to home for me and I frequently avoided reading because of it. It was quite different having a story of two people already in a relationship and almost felt like it was a whole other subgenre of romance. I don't think I've experienced so many similarities to characters before so while the book was hard to read it also ended up having a bit of a self help effect on me. The characters were all interesting and I actually could have had more from the side characters which is something I never say. The Handbook quotes spattered throughout were honestly really motivating and helpful, I think having that detail was what helped me get out of my own sadness and see the light.

I love second chance romances but not this one :( Both the writing style and the MMC didn’t resonate with me. I will pick up the author’s future works, however.

I absolutely loved this book. I can't say enough good things about it and I'm even sure where to start! I have such an affinity for established relationships in trouble and I was hooked within the first couple of pages.

Liz and Tobin have been married for almost ten years but have stopped seeing each other for who they are. A separation and improv are the vehicles on which they work together to figure out if they can make their marriage work. For Liz, improv becomes the way in which she tries to become more brave and Likable outside the shadow of her social butterfly husband.

I cried my way through the last third of this book. It left me hopeful and happy and I couldn't help but root for these two separately and together.

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

I don’t typically pick up second chance as a rule because it’s hard to really nail the emotional aspect without making the separation too decisive to overcome. And I think Maggie North did a wonderful job when writing Liz’s journey of self discovery.

But I think that’s also my problem with the romance here: this is really about Liz and her journey, not so much her relationship with Tobin. I didn’t really feel any chemistry between them and I think I wanted more from the romance angle. Because I just didn’t find it a satisfying relationship dynamic.

I will say (and this is just personal preference!) that I strongly dislike mentions of TikTok or Booktok in my books because it feels so….well cringey sounds too harsh but I guess that’s the best way I know to put it? I could do without the TikTok references in my books permanently.

Altogether, this wasn’t *bad* or unenjoyable. I just don’t think it worked as a romance and would have done better as general fiction.

Thank you to SMP for an e-arc!

I don't think i've ever read a story like this before about a struggling married couple and to be honest it really resonated with me. Tobin and Liz, i loved how Liz set out to find herself and take charge in her own life and that she took an improv class. I'm not sure I would have the guts to do something like that!

Such a wonderful story very heartfelt and beyond a fluffy romantic book, Highly recommend!

Review witheld due to the SMP boycott. I will not be releasing a review until SMP makes a statement. Thank you.

I've fallen in love with this couple, and their commitment to the rules to salvage their marriage. Their role play was adorable, testing the boundaries of their comfort, forcing them to be open to each other. Rules for Second Chances is just that, its hope, healing and most of all love.

This second chance is an utterly unique love story.

North's prose are stunning. This book is emotional and an overall MUST READ!

Thank you, St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin

I really enjoyed the characters in this book but the storyline for their romance didn’t make a ton of sense to me. I didn’t really feel like a second chance romance, like she just left him for the sake of making this a second chance romance. There wasn’t really a conflict between them.