This book was not for me. I could not get into the story at all - DNF. It sounded interesting but wasn't flowing for me. I know that there are a lot of high ratings and the story just wasn't for me.

DNF: I got this book on a whim and I’ve really got to stop doing that. The synopsis sounded interesting but once I started it i realized it was not for me.
From Goodreads:

Liz Lewis has tried everything to be what people want, but she's always been labeled different in the boisterous world of wilderness expeditions. Her marriage to popular adventure guide Tobin Renner-Lewis is a sinkhole of toxic positivity where she's the only one saying no. When she gets mistaken for a server at her own thirtieth birthday party, Liz vows to stop playing a minor character in her own life. The (incredibly well-researched and scientific) plan? A crash course in confidence... via an improv comedy class. The catch? She's terrible at it, and the only person willing to practice with her is a certain extroverted wilderness guide who seems dead set on saving their marriage. But as Liz and Tobin get closer again, she's forced to confront all the reasons they didn't work the first time, along with her growing suspicion that her social awkwardness might mean something deeper. Liz must learn improv's most important lesson-"Yes, and"—or she'll have to choose between the love she always wanted and the dreams that got away.
Brimming with heart and heat, Rules for Second Chances explores the hardest relationship question of all: can true love happen twice ... With the same person?
I found myself getting viscerally angry while listening to this for no explicable reason. I have never had this reaction to a book before and when I realized my anger was starting to affect how I conducted myself around my family I knew I had to put this down and walk far, far away from it.
I felt like there wasn’t any motivation behind Liz’s actions and I was just as lost as Tobin was when Liz demanded a divorce. I didn’t get very far in, but I was far enough in that I knew I hated every character.
Even though this book wasn’t a good fit for me, I greatly appreciate the publisher emailing me a free copy of it. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the advanced copy. This hit the shelves on June 25th.

I was very intrigued to read this book being part of the neurodiverse community. I immediately had a connection to Liz. I loved the representation that is not often found in books. Even though stories with struggling marriages aren’t what gravitate towards, I did end up enjoying their story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this book. I have so many introverted people in my life that as someone who is not an introvert, have had to learn how adjust to their needs and not just plow forward with my own.

The main character Liz is an introvert and her husband is not. She basically blows up her marriage as she feels like he no longer sees her. She also feels unseen in her job, with her sister and mother-in-law.

I was proud of Liz for doing the hard work to try to come out of her shell and working on her marriage with her husband.

marriage in crisis is a really hard trope for me to love but this one was done really well. its a new take on the wallflower trope, liz is already in a relationship but she still struggles to be the lead in her own story. it was nice to see her grow to be a full person who lives her life to the fullest, it was also nice to see what happens when to opposite social types are in a relationship. i am a homebody so the "life of the party" would scare me in a relationship but this worked really well. like i said this isn't my favorite trope but the writing was sweet and i'm interested to see what other books this author has!

4.5 stars
This is a fun, entertaining read. Tobin and Liz are intriguing, complex, relatable, complicated, wounded, strong, interesting, entertaining, captivating characters. The path to their HEA is full of twists and turns and entertaining to read. I love how North, while not writing from Tobin’s POV manages to let the reader get to know Tobin and not solely the version of him the heroine or others have. It added that little bit extra to the reading experience for me. These two are fun to spend time with, even though their story take you on a roller coaster ride. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment. I found the story got more powerful the more I read – the more we get to know these characters and come to realizations as they do. The story is easy to read and get into.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a promising premise but falls short in execution. Liz’s journey toward reclaiming her identity through an improv class and the rekindling of her marriage to Tobin feels thin, with physical connection being the mode of connection, rather than working through their disagreements. Hard pass. The outdoor, mountain setting is charming, but not enough to keep me engaged.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was a bit mixed on this one. While I could relate to Maggie’s need to find herself, there were a lot of times I felt she was a bit too much.

I typically love second chance romances but this one was different. The whole improv bit wasn’t my favorite and was a bit cringeworthy at times.

Overall I think this one will sit different with each and every reader. While I don’t think it was for me, someone else might love the journey that Maggie and Tobin took in their journey back into a happy relationship.

It's really cute, but the narrator and the pace make it a little tough to get through. The heavier tropes weigh down the feeling of the book at times, but I think they fit well within the story.

The second-chance was adorable, Tobin and Liz were a great couple that I rooted for.

Full disclosure: I DNFed at 27%.

I was excited to read this book because it features some of my favorite themes: second chances combined with marriage in crisis, and neurodivergent representation. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The narrative was confusing and seemed all over the place. I felt no chemistry between the two main characters. The inclusion of improv skits only added to the awkwardness, coming off as cringey and detracting from the overall story.

That said, I might still give North another chance, as this is her debut. My thanks to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley and the author for my copy. All opinions are honest and my own.

I got a free copy of this thanks to @netgalley and @stmartinspress. This was a cute premise - a couple finds their way back to one another through improv! A unique idea. It was a good book, adorable in parts. My biggest complaint is what they name their child that made me want to scream. If you like second chance and silly scenarios, this could be up your alley.

•Second chance romance
•Slow burn
•Neurodivergent rep
•Mental health rep

This one was different. I wish the pace were a little quicker but overall I did enjoy it. 3.5 stars.

There were so many things I loved about this book. The combination of marriage in trouble, improv classes, backcountry exploration company, and neurodivergent main character made a uniquely entertaining and heartfelt read. The infused humor and relatability that I personally had to the FMC really pulled me in and made me root not just for the couple, but for her specifically. This is a book I will remember for a long time!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

"Rules for Second Chances" delicately explores the challenges of a marriage in trouble while offering profound insights into self-acceptance and personal growth. Maggie North skillfully portrays Liz’s realization of her neurodivergence, creating a deeply relatable experience for readers. The story beautifully emphasizes the importance of pushing past self-doubt and societal expectations to embrace one’s authentic self. North’s writing is sparkling and engaging, making Rules for Second Chances a delightful and thought-provoking read, with the promise of more great books from this author.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I have really conflicted feelings on this one. The writing itself was lovely, and I absolutely loved Tobin. But for most of the book I really couldn’t stand Liz. Her decisions made me crazy, and I hated the way that she treated Tobin. Their way back to each other was poignant and heartfelt, but most of the time I just couldn’t shake the feeling that he deserved better. It was hard for me to root for them.

Maggie North should be so proud of this book. I was amazed by the sensitive, truthful, tale of a marriage in crisis and Liz's triumphant taking of center stage. This is the kind of story my heart sometime doesn't have enough room for as its such a beautiful journey for the reader. Overwhelmingly enjoyed!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

my first by this author. Quick enjoyable read about second chances and finding one's self amongst the craziness of life etc. Couple of laugh out loud moments. I will definitely look for more from this author in the future.

I really really tried to enjoy this one but, for me, it felt dull, flat, awkward, and confusing. The storyline just didn’t draw me in and it felt like too much at times. While I love a good second chance romance, this one didn’t do it for me.

After a rough birthday and an end to a relationship, Liz decides she needs to start standing up for herself: to do this, she takes improv classes, and of course her ex is there. Can she get passed what happened before and find love again?

I enjoyed Rules for Second Chances by Maggie North. I liked the story of a marriage in trouble that the couple works on making things work.
Liz is different. She tries to fit in all the time, but it is very stressful and hard for her. She is married to Tobin, who is a very popular. This causes Liz to fall in the background and fade away.
I like the writing and how Liz and Tobin - who love each other -- work on getting back a relationship of love and marriage.

I loved how Liz was able to find a place to be and friends who accepted her as she is. Recommended