The emotions in this book feel so true and authentic, it's like you're seeing real colors where all other books are crayon colors. 6 stars on a scale of 5, no question.

I was blown away by how many lines I was highlighting, feeling like they'd been plucked directly from my thoughts. And don't even get me started on the hero--so deeply sexy, so beautiful to watch but also that perfect combination of vulnerable and lovable and capable while also TRYING so hard for his woman...*fans self* And among other things you shouldn't get me started on is the mermaid sex scene. Just trust me on that one, folks, there's no describing it, but it'll make you laugh, cry, and have to dump ice water on your head. I promise you haven't read 10 sparkly merman improv sex scenes before.

This character and this world were utterly fully realized, down to the river guide culture I'm intimately familiar with and the grumpy cat. And yes, I do realize books with bisexual protags only finally started getting published in the last five minutes, but why is this the first time I've read a SHY bisexual heroine? I didn't even realize how often bi characters are portrayed as energetic, outgoing chaos machines until I saw the opposite.

The instant I finished the ebook of this, I bought a paperback to put on my "all time favorites" shelf and pre-ordered the sequel. I'm already so invested in McHuge & Stellar's story, just from a couple of precisely placed intriguing lines...oh and because huge, gentle improv coach with braids in his beard is somehow just as much my type as Tobin from this book with his tawny manbun, busted wrist, wounded eyes, and raft-rowing muscles that he uses to help absolutely everyone move.

I'll try and stop my gushing if you all promise to go buy a copy of this book right this very instant.

I tried to get into this a few times, but it just wasn’t my vibe. I have recommended it to several people who really loved it!

I might be an outlier here, but I just could not get into this book. This might be the first second chance romance book that I’ve read, which might be the reason why it didn’t really resonate with me, but I just found that I wasn’t having the best time reading the book. The main characters, while fully developed, felt like they truly had no chemistry at all and I’m shocked they were even married in the first place.The improv portion was also just too cringey for me. I appreciated the representation of neurodivergent people, but it felt a bit too on the nose at times. Ultimately, this book will likely be forgettable for me, but it might be a perfect book for you if you appreciate second chance romances with characters that are not your typical leading woman and man.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced reading copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

This book had a promising premise but ultimately the characters and storyline did not manage to hook after numerous attempts to engage with the story in multiple formats. Thank you for the opportunity to review.

While I liked the idea of the story, I was sort of bored with this one. I thought the autistic rep was well done, but the story got a little confusing reading from Liz's POV. I think also too much was happening all at once, so each deeper side plot was only one or two chapters and lacked depth.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this e-copy. Review live now on GoodReads and TheStoryGraph

Listen, the small mountain town vibes here were *chef's kiss* MWAH!!

Also, did not know this was a debut!!

ANYWAY, I do think the writing could have been better because it was a little choppy, but that did not do a disservice to the storyline. I enjoyed this second chance romance and I definitely chuckled quite a few times throughout. I thought Liz stood out throughout the whole book and had a lot of relatable elements.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

I experienced alll the feels while reading Rules For Second Chances. It’s filled with a lot of sweet moments and cringey moments but for the most part I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face while reading

I really didn't like this book and so I won't be publicly reviewing it. Sorry about that! I don't necessarily think there's anything wrong with it, I just didn't like it.

DNF. I was sent this book a few months after its release and I still have not picked it up months after that. I might read it at another time, but I am too busy with upcoming books to read one that came out so long ago that I got after its release.

This is such a beautiful love story. I was all for Liz and Tobin. I also liked how it took on heavy family dysfunctions and how to rebuild a marriage. It also centered attention on self acceptance and embracing a united partnership. My favorite part was definitely Liz and her self discovery. She found her voice and her worth.

5 stars from me!

Rules for Second Chances is a delightful and heartfelt historical romance that completely stole my heart! Maggie North delivers a charming story of second chances, unexpected love, and the courage to break free from societal expectations.

I adored the heroine’s journey—her wit, determination, and longing for something more made her incredibly relatable and easy to root for. The hero was just as wonderful, a perfect balance of reserved yet deeply caring, and watching their romance unfold was pure joy. The banter, the slow-burn tension, and the undeniable chemistry between them made every moment feel so rewarding.

Beyond the romance, I appreciated the deeper themes of growth, redemption, and forging one’s own path. The historical setting was rich and immersive, adding an extra layer of charm to the story.

Maggie North has crafted a beautiful, uplifting novel that left me smiling and completely satisfied. If you love sweet historical romances with engaging characters and a meaningful message, Rules for Second Chances is a must-read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

From debut author Maggie North comes a story about a marriage-in-crisis, but also about self-discovery. For those looking for a fun romance with deep themes, Rules for Second Chances is the romance book to add to your TBR!

What a wonderful debut novel! Part romance and part women’s fiction, this book packs a punch when it comes to humor and emotions, even if it is a bit lacking in the steam department.

While I did get frustrated in the beginning with some of Liz’s decisions and her reasonings behind trying to change herself, I ultimately grew to love her character growth and how she learned to be honest with those around her and herself.

I am also a sucker for a good marriage-in-crisis book so I definitely got a bit teary-eyed at the end of this book! The way that Liz and Tobin just loved each other and tried to support what the other one needed despite hitting a rough patch in their marriage was so heartwarming to read about.

I found the incorporation of improv into a version of couples counseling to be fascinating and thought that it was an interesting detail that made this book stand out from other marriage-in-crisis/second chance romance books I’ve read.

While I am not autistic, I really appreciated the autism rep in this book and the insight into what one person’s experiences pre-diagnosis was like. Seeing Liz try to embrace her quirks and differences and view her autism as an advantage in a neurotypical world was very inspiring to see.

If you’re looking for a debut book that has a lot of character development and autism rep, then I definitely recommend this one!

*I received an ARC from St. Martin’s Press in exchange for my honest opinion.

An enjoyable read with a heartwarming premise, though it didn’t fully capture my attention. The characters had potential, but some moments felt predictable. Still, it’s a solid choice if you’re looking for a light, feel-good story about growth and second chances.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy! I just couldn't get in the mood for this one, but I do love this author!

This book was really sweet. I love that it took my mind into the story. I would love to read more from this author!

i liked the second chance romance aspect of this but the way this is written was so confusing for me. i really felt so lost. I felt like the focus of the book came too late & the character's development & explanations came too late. i just felt like this had so much potential but was poorly executed.

I love a second chance romance. The self work and mental health have this book a unique twist. I related heavily to the social awkwardness and how it was portrayed

I have no problem with a character finding their way, but Liz felt incapable of even know which way she was facing. I love second chance romances but this just didn't deliver. I liked Liz for the most part but Tobin didn't really seem fully fleshed out. It took me a few tries to get through this and though I like the story, I just couldn't get attached to the characters.

This book was sentimental and sweet in all the right ways. I’m usually not the biggest second chance romance person but this one did kept me hooked and I didn’t find myself frustrated by the reason they broke up in the first place.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this story.

I had a really hard time getting into this book. It was hard to connect with the character right away. But, once the story got started, it was pretty good.