Started out a bit slowly and seemingly without a clear path, Rules for Second Chances picked up steam about 1/3 of the way through and began to really take shape. A book about self-discovery, the wilderness element was secondary to LIz’s awareness about her relationships and ultimately,, herself. Once Liz fully understood herself better, the plot unfolded further, leading to solid resolutions. Readers will find themselves rooting for Liz and her husband, while also enjoying the suggestions in the playbook!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and have written an objective review.

Maggie North released her debut novel, Rules for Second Chances, just over a year ago, and I’m glad I’ve finally read it. Liz is a socially anxious introvert who is just so tired of blending into the background. She wants to be seen, not stay in her husband Tobin’s shadow. She asks for a divorce, starts going after a promotion at the wilderness exhibitions business where they both work, and is looking to find her own magic. Putting herself way out of her comfort zone, she begins taking improv comedy classes. But the art of improv could also be what gets her and Tobin onto the same page. Can they rekindle their relationship amidst Liz’s journey of self-discovery?

What I Liked:
- Liz is a socially anxious introvert. I can totally relate to her on so many levels! I’ve never fully gotten over my shyness, and maybe Liz has the right idea when she starts taking improv classes. It sounds pretty scary… but I love the concept of “yes, and” and of learning to be more vulnerable. Liz no longer wants to be overlooked and dismissed; she wants to be seen the way her sunshine husband is. I really enjoyed her journey to getting her own magic, as she calls it.
- Improv scenarios to fix their relationship! Those improv classes are for Liz to get a promotion at work, but she and Tobin also start following along with the book written by the improv instructor. The book is designed to help couples (or polyamorous partnerships) in crisis. Tobin and Liz come up with scenarios inspired by what’s outlined in the book, acting as different characters to get closer to each other. What a fun yet boundary-pushing technique! I enjoyed this aspect of the novel so much.
- A different spin on the second chance romance. Though I’m not usually the biggest fan of second chance romances, I do like seeing a married couple get through a crisis together and find their way back to why they got married in the first place. That’s done so perfectly here. Liz and Tobin haven’t ever been cruel to each other at all; they just don’t understand each other. They have put up barriers and never let anyone in, not even each other. I loved seeing this broken couple mend their relationship while also finding their own self-confidence.

Final Thoughts
Rules for Second Chances is such a beautifully done book! It’s on the line between romance and women’s fiction, and it’s filled with so much heart as Liz finds herself, learns about her husband, and forges a way forward in their relationship. I’m excited to read more from Maggie North, and luckily, her new novel The Ripple Effect just came out last month!

I was really excited to read this book. It's not as common to find romance books about married couples and this one seemed like it would be incredibly relatable. Unfortunately, this was not a hit for me.

The conflict between the MCs didn't seem to work for me. It was a little silly. I also didn't necessary feel a strong connection between the two. Maybe it would have been more successful if we had been able to see things from Tobin's POV?

I liked the idea of making this a journey of self-discovery for Liz, but there was something about the character I didn't quite connect with. I don't know if it was the writing style or the plot.

Rating: 2.5

Second-chance romance + fake dating your ex-husband? Chaos. But oddly low-drama? The chemistry is there, though, so this hits the spot.

Ugggggh I am usually such a sucker for stories with marriages who are in trouble and find each other again. Like for real sign me up for all of those books.

This one I just had a trouble rooting for the characters. I wasn’t really invested in them and their story. I liked the mountain guide aspect of it though.

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

4.5 Stars Rounded Up
🎧 | 🇨🇦 Author

I absolutely adored this book, the mixed reviews really worried me and I had been putting this one off for so long but I am so happy I finally started it.
Liz and Tobin are really interesting and unique characters. The story circles around social anxiety, feeling not good enough or not quite right. The two main characters are going through a maybe separation when the main character Liz decides to try improv comedy in hopes to tame her social anxiety and get noticed at work for a promotion. I felt so seen in Liz's character and in a lot of her struggles. I really enjoyed the writing, the representation and also the narrator of this audiobook! Everything was great!

I don’t think book was for me. I didn’t did not connect with the characters or the content on this one. I would have liked to see things from Tobins POV to help understand the main character better. At times I found this book to be confusing to keep track of the story line. The self journey fell flat for me. I did not care for the writing style or transitions between scenes.

A feel-good second-chance romance with humor and heart. The characters were endearing, though the conflict felt a bit low-stakes at times. Still, the chemistry worked and the emotional beats landed. A cozy, hopeful read perfect for fans of feel-good love stories

This book was freaking incredible. I read it on a plane and was so gripped that after I got done bawling my eyes out and we landed, I told everyone sitting within a four-row radius all about how amazing it was and that they HAD to read it. It's just...so refreshing to see a book out there with relatable, mid-life characters tackling realistic problems. I felt SEEN by this book. Absolutely a gem of a read, and an easy 5 stars for me.

💔✨ Book Review: Rules for Second Chances by Maggie North ✨💔

A beautifully raw and hopeful story about love, forgiveness, and the messy road to a second chance. Maggie North’s novel perfectly captures the tension between holding on and letting go—and the courage it takes to try again.

What it’s about:
After a heartbreaking breakup, Claire and Adam are thrown back together by fate and circumstance. As old wounds resurface, they must navigate the tricky rules of forgiveness, trust, and whether some love is truly worth a second chance.

Tropes You’ll Love:
💞 Second chance romance
💔 Emotional baggage
🔥 Slow burn
👫 Reunited lovers
✨ Healing & growth

If you’re a fan of emotionally charged romance that pulls at your heartstrings, this book will stay with you long after the last page.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#RulesForSecondChances #MaggieNorth #SecondChanceRomance #EmotionalReads #SlowBurnRomance #Bookstagram #BookReview #RomanceReaders

I enjoyed this refreshing take on a marriage-in-trouble/second chance romance! It will resonate with anyone who suddenly looks up and realizes that their life isn’t what they thought it would be, and I loved how Liz takes matters into her own hands. I also appreciated that Liz and Tobin had to genuinely try to make their relationship work again; this isn’t a “fix it quick” kind of romance. While I wish we’d also gotten Tobin’s POV, being in Liz’s head added a level of depth that I wish more contemporaries would have. Four stars!

What a gem! I loved Liz's journey through improv to find her voice was both hilarious and deeply touching. The way North weaves in her estranged husband, Tobin, as her improv partner is pure genius – it creates such a unique and honest exploration of their relationship. I loved how the book tackled self-discovery making it far more than just a romance. It's a truly tender, funny, and empowering read that left me with a full heart. Definitely add this one to your TBR!

I had pretty high hopes for this. I’m not sure why, maybe its the pretty cover. I’m not usually a harsh reader, but wow, did the FMC (Liz) annoy me so much. I can’t even pinpoint why, but it made it hard to want to keep going. I did enjoy some parts of it, but not my fav. I most likely will pick up the second book, because surely, I will like It more.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to @netgalley & @stmartinspress for the digital copy.

I could talk about this book for days! I haven’t read very many romances tied to “the great outdoors” or improv comedy. I learned so much about what improv is all about and how it can build character. And that’s something this book has — fantastic character development!

I haven’t read many second chance romances where the couple is married and works through issues to stay married. It felt like a fresh view for me, and I felt hopeful for them all the way through.

Read for:
- Second chances
- lived experiences — neurodiversity, autism & social anxiety.
- LGBTQ+/bisexual representation.
- A book set in the Canadian wilderness — The author is Canadian.

While this novel is a standalone novel, I do think that readers who enjoyed this book will enjoy their return in the follow up novel, The Ripple Effect, by the same author.

Thank you to NetGalley, Maggie North, and St. Martin's Press for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I was not expecting how difficult it would be to read this book. It was hard for me to believe that this couple still belonged together. Their relationship felt toxic to me. This book wasn't for me.

I did not finish this book. I didn’t love the writing style. I like the concept I am just not sure this author is for me, willing to try again another time.

I liked this. It was more heartbreaking than I was expecting. I haven't read many estranged couple books but this one was handled very well. The personal growth these characters go through was very authentic and had me rooting for the FMC.

3.5 Stars
Thank you to the publisher for an eARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.
I liked this - I thought the beginning was absolutely heart wrenching. While the heroine frustrated me at points, making hypocritical decisions, ultimately she realizes her hypocrisy, and I think that’s an important lesson that we all ultimately learn.
I do think this had too many subplots, and the main plot suffered because of it: there was just too much going on. Regardless, I liked our hero and heroine as a couple, and I think their story was so sweet.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc of this book. All
Opinions are my own.

This was good! I enjoyed it. I read a lot of romance, but I always love new to me authors and this was one. I enjoyed the writing style and think this was super good! Definitely intrigued to read more.

Rules for Second Chances is a heartfelt second-chance romance about Liz, an introvert trying to rebuild her confidence—and her marriage—after a major birthday meltdown. When she signs up for an improv class to step out of her comfort zone, her estranged husband Tobin joins too, and sparks start to fly again.

It’s got great tropes like marriage in trouble, opposites attract, and personal growth, with a fresh twist thanks to the improv setting. A warm, reflective story about learning to speak up, take risks, and rediscover love.