Unfortunately, this book was not enjoyable for me. I really admire the attempt of the author to write a book about a couple giving their marriage a second chance, and I found the role of improv and McHuge’s book very unique. I think there are some really great parts, but there are just too many confusing bits. Liz's journey to determining she is autistic was a bit long-winded, and I found myself wondering why her sister, a nurse, would not have spoken up sooner. It was hard to reconcile all of the moving parts and characters, and sadly, it was a lacklustre read.

Second chance romance can be tricky to pull off successfully, but I liked the unique angle with the comedy class.

This book started a little slow for me but once we got into the meat of the story - I couldn't put it down. This is the first romance I read where the couple was already married and worked through their marital problems and I really enjoyed it.

This is a story of redemption, forgiveness, and love that will captivate you.

Maggie North a great job of creating characters that felt like old friends. The protagonist’s journey is raw and authentic, and her struggles and triumphs are portrayed with such depth that you can’t help but root for her at every turn. The supporting cast is equally memorable, adding layers of charm, humor, and tension to the story.

Themes of second chances and personal growth are explored with such sensitivity that they’ll linger in your mind long after you’ve turned the final page.

If you’re looking for a story that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on the beauty of starting over, Rules for Second Chances is a must-read. Maggie North has delivered a novel that is as heartwarming as it is unforgettable. Highly recommended!

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

While I enjoyed this book and appreciated the strong character development, I felt like it was missing something that would have made it truly stand out.

This story could be described as a second-chance romance, though it focuses on a married couple navigating their struggles rather than reuniting after a separation. The FMC is on the autism spectrum and relies heavily on her husband in social situations. She feels overlooked at work and unappreciated by her sister. In an effort to break out of her shell and advance her career, she takes an improv class. This journey of self-discovery not only helps her but also allows the couple to rediscover their connection and strengthen their relationship.

I had high hopes for this book but ultimately it fell flat for me. I found it hard to get in to even though I could relate to the characters.
The characters had growth, but i felt like their chemistry was off and underwhelming. I think this had potential and maybe I read it at the wrong time for me. I will gladly read more by this author and even give this book a "second chance".

Thank you for the opportunity to review this advanced reader's edition. Unfortunately, I will not be able to give it the time required to write a thorough review and will be unable to read it for this purpose.

This was. It my favorite to read this year. It was hard for me to get into . There was a lot of vaugness in the book about the characters .the improv part was something I could not get into and the end to me just didn’t work with the book. I almost did a DNF but I out time into and thought I would read it but I did skip some area to get to the end.

Rules for Second Chances is a solid debut with a distinctive narrative voice, but it struggles under the weight of too many plotlines and an overly tidy happy ending. Liz Lewis, a bubbly and chaotic narrator, brings humor and wit to the story, but her journey—spanning social awkwardness, repairing relationships, workplace challenges, and a host of dramatic events—feels rushed and emotionally shallow. While it had moments of hilarity and charm, the whirlwind pacing left little room for depth or connection. A pleasant, if somewhat chaotic, read that shows promise for the author’s future work. Three stars.

In Rules for Second Chances for Maggie North, there's distinctive narration, and it's a bit of a turn on the second-chance romance trope, as the characters are already married. It's an exploration of marriage and what happens after "I do."

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Although I liked this and it had great character development there was just something missing for me.
I guess you can call this a second chance romance, even though this is a couple who is still married yet are struggling. The FMC has autism and relies heavily on her husband in any social situation, she feels unseen at work, and unwanted by her sister. Taking an improv class to further her career and bring her out of her shell - her and her husband discover themselves once again.

I absolutely ADORED Rules For Second Chances. It's painfully raw and beautifully hopeful. It was everything I wanted and more.

This is a lovely re-romance? I’m not sure what the term is for second chance romance (maybe that’s it, oh well, too late now) novels. I really loved how the importance of communication was highlighted, and how to step outside the box of ‘normal’ communication. Also loved how North subtly made it clear that this was a novel set in Canada. (I understand why Stellar did what she did, I live in Alberta.)

I really loved the idea behind this book of finding yourself. This book really shows how couples can depend on each other too much and get into a routine where they lose who they are. I loved that Liz realized something about herself and wanted to change, though it is for the wrong reasons, staying in a company that has shown they don't value her, she learns a lot about herself and others along the way. She is able to fix relationships and learn how to open up more. There is such great character growth throughout, and a few good spicy scenes with Liz and her husband.

I adore this cover and the synopsis drew me in.

I liked the representation in this book and there was a lot of character growth. Their own personal journeys I enjoyed.

The romance didn't completely deliver for me sadly.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really felt like I finally found a book that's related to me and autism showcasing its great side instead of the consquences and negativity. Canada is so stunning, and I know this book has been out for a while but then I got to review so I am happy I got to read and review it. Writing about mental health or autism can be very tricky and awkward so of like the book and the characters itself. i appreciated the author's positivity instead of the stigma. Second chances trope is a even harder trope to get people to endure so kudos! Part of Liz's journey is realizing that some of her awkwardness and particularities are related to a potential autism diagnosis. Liz's niece, Eleanor, is also autistic. Liz's narrative voice was so funny and awkward I really loved her character. Tobin is just the sweetest I need someone like him. There was soooo much angst and emotion packed into these pages I felt like I was getting punched in the gut repeatedly. I will note for other readers that while this isn't closed door, the intimate scenes are limited and not super descriptive, so if you are looking for more of that in a romance, this is not the right book.
Thank you so much to the author, Netgalley, and the publisher!

Tobin is the sweetest sweetest man ever, he is so patient and reassuring to Liz it just made me smile. And Liz coming to terms with being neurodivergent was nice to see. It overall was a quick, sweet and easy read.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for access to an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/5 Stars

Liz Lewis is a quiet people pleaser, following her husband Tobin around for the past eight years, until she can't take it anymore. She gets mistaken for a waitress at her own thirtieth birthday party, and decides that she will no longer be meek and mild. She joins an improve class, in the hopes of gaining confidence and a promotion at work. In the hope to save their marriage, Tobin agrees to help her to practice improv and bet her social anxiety.

This was an okay second chance romance, but I don't think it was anything new or original. I did like the character growth Liz went through, becoming more confident in herself. I wish that we had gotten a few chapters from Tobin's POV, as it was hard to connect with his character. I thought that a lot of Liz and Tobin's relationship was focused on how hot she thought he was, we didn't quite get anything other then she wanted to be physical with him. I do think their scenes together were fun though.

An engaging story about Liz, a guide for a popular outdoors and wilderness adventure company. She is married to Tobin, the most popular guide in the company. She considers herself to be socially awkward because she is more of an introvert and a numbers person, and avoids the kind St. of gregariousness of which Tobin is a master. He is the “fun guy” and she finds herself in the shadows, even at her own party. She feels unseen by her employers even though she has great ideas to grow the company. Although they love each other, Liz and Tobin just aren’t working as a couple. For one last chance at saving the marriage, Liz ends up agreeing to take an improv comedy course. Through the assignments and the efforts of Tobin to also try to make it work, a lot of unexpected growth takes place. Liz’s illumination that she is neuro-atypical brings a lot of clarity. I thought the whole improv thing, while unique, was kind of dumb and distracting. However, it was an interesting and different twist, and a satisfactory conclusion

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Liz was not a typical MC, in the sense that she doesn't even feel like a supporting actress in her own life. Her wild hair to take improv classes and shake things up is the perfect thing for sharpening focus on what is really important and what is worth standing up for.

Rules for Second Chances by Maggie North 💙
Standalone

⭐️⭐️⭐️
Adult • Romance
NetGalley Review
352 pages

💙second chance romance
💙marriage in trouble
💙improv
💙rivals at work
💙autism rep

📍”I love you, Diz. Enough to let you go, if that’s what you need.”
“Don’t let me go, Tobe. Never let me go, okay?”

First let me say, this had one of most disliked tropes. I know. I know. I didn’t realize it when I was offered this ARC because I was swooning over the “second chance,” which is one of my favorite tropes. But, in all honesty, there’s only one book with marriage in trouble that I liked. They usually feel… flat to me. Soooooo, if you do like the marriage in trouble trope, please add a star or two to my rating.

Improv as a way to find yourself and fix your marriage is not something I would expect… but you know what, it was a breath of fresh hair. It was creative and fun and… funny. It helped balance the heaviness of the MCs struggles.