Rating: 4/5
I received the eARC for my honest opinion.

I have become a sucker for second chance romances, but I do have to say that this felt a little bit short of being a second chance romance. It does have all the feelings, but it falls a bit flat for me, but that doesn’t take away from the great lessons you can learn from this book. I loved getting to know the characters more, and understanding why they act like they do, or how they handle situations differently. I liked that the readers would see how it is for socially awkward introverts, and to see how two opposites act/handle their relationship with each other and with each other. I found some characters easier to connect with but at the end I was able to say that I connected to both characters.

At first, I didn’t like/was not able to connect with Liz at the start, I found her bluntness and her move that she made for the relationship to be off putting. I didn’t like that, I felt as though she didn’t even give him a chance to talk about things before. Then I think about it from her POV, and I would like to be able to understand where she is coming from. I liked that the break wasn’t just about their relationship but also a chance for Liz to figure out who she was without Tobin. I loved that Tobin was understanding even though he didn’t know the whole situation and he knew that the outcome could lead to something that he didn’t want. When he asks if they can follow a book that was written by his friend, and the improv class teacher, she agrees because she is already doing improv to help her break out of her shell.

I do have to say that a few times I couldn’t stop laughing with the improv class and even the things that Liz and Tobin were trying. I am happy that I didn’t give up on this book and I continued to read it because I found a lot of great lessons learned; always be open and honest about your emotions, talk to each other even about the ugly things, learning to love yourself and having self-improvement, learning how to communicate, and family dysfunctions.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys realistic romcom, self-development, great rep on neurodivergent traits and with February being Neurodivergent rep month in the health world I think this was a great book to end January with.

I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin Press for the opportunity to review this book.

I thought this book started slow at first, but then it definitely picked up, and I ended up really enjoying it!
It was a really sweet second chance romance.
I really liked Liz but wasn't a huge fan of Tobin.
I just felt like he had a hard time accepting what Liz wanted for herself.
I really liked Liz!
I really liked that this book was based in Canada!
I liked all the side characters in this book, and I'm really looking forward to reading the next in the series!

The novel was good. It just had a slower pace than what I enjoy. I usually can devour a book in a couple of days. This one took me two weeks to complete. The ending was good. It just took its time to get there.

Rules for Second Chances by Maggie North is a heartwarming and witty exploration of love, self-discovery, and the complicated process of rebuilding a relationship. Liz Lewis has always been the quiet one, trying to meet the expectations of others, especially in her marriage to Tobin Renner-Lewis, a charismatic adventure guide. When Liz’s life reaches a tipping point—marked by a humiliating moment at her thirtieth birthday party—she decides to take control of her own story, starting with an unlikely step: an improv comedy class.

The novel’s charm lies in Liz’s journey of self-empowerment and the unexpected way she reconnects with Tobin. As she dives into the world of improv, she struggles with the spontaneity and uncertainty it requires, but finds herself reluctantly practicing with Tobin, who seems determined to help her—and perhaps their marriage—by diving headfirst into one absurd improv scene after another.

North skillfully blends humor with heartfelt emotion, creating a story that’s both funny and relatable. As Liz faces her past, she must grapple with the tough questions about her marriage: Can she ever truly reconnect with the man she married, or is the distance between them too vast to bridge? The novel’s pacing is perfect, offering a balance of laughter and reflection, with a message that true love requires more than just chemistry—it demands honesty, growth, and the willingness to embrace change.

Rules for Second Chances is a delightful and thoughtful read, perfect for anyone who has ever questioned what it takes to start over, whether in love or in life. North’s exploration of vulnerability, love, and self-acceptance is both charming and inspiring.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this new novel.

I expected a romance which I got but it was too messy for me. Confusing.

Liz feels stuck and decides to take an improv class that begins to help her re-evaluate her relationship and life.

Liz’s story unfolds beautifully, blending humor, heartache, and hope. Liz is portrayed with care and depth, making her an immensely relatable and compelling character.


Liz’s improv classmates and their antics provide countless laugh-out-loud moments and serve as a touching backdrop to her transformation. The improvisational exercises also double as an unconventional form of couples therapy for Liz and Tobin, bringing them together in surprising ways and revealing the complexity of their relationship.

This book is a heartwarming and hilarious romcom that doesn’t shy away from exploring the challenges of marriage and self-growth. It will have you laughing, cringing, swooning, and tearing up as Liz and Tobin work to repair what they’ve lost and rediscovers what truly matters. An absolute must-read!

Liz is tired of being overlooked and unseen. Now she isn't sure if her husband Tobin even really sees her anymore. She is tired of being in Tobin's shadow LIz decides to shake up her world. Improv might save her career and her marriage. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. I like how Liz learned to deal with putting herself, trying different ways, and being willing to fail. I especially liked how she had to see how she contributed to issues with work and Tobin.

I loved this romance book! It checked so many boxes for me – a neurodivergent MC, self discovery and growth alongside a love story, a theater connection! I was fully sucked in and it provided the perfect escape this week.

I was so excited to read this one. As a socially awkward introvert myself, I had hoped I would connect with Liz and fall in love with her journey. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case for me. I just never felt a connection to Liz or Tobin, so in turn, I wasn't invested in their reconnection. The improv was definitely a unique way to approach the story and I did appreciate that!

Rules for Second Chances fed my second chance romance soul. From the very beginning we can feel the distance between them. The ways they stop speaking the same language. All the ways they don't get each other anymore. I deeply empathized with Liz's feeling of being a secondary character. To feel like we're taking the back seat of our own life. With queer and autistic representation, Rules for Second Chances is a romance that I loved. If that scene from "Runaway Bride" where Julia Roberts has to figure out how she likes her eggs is your vibe, then go pick up Rules for Second Chances.

I love that this was set in the great outdoors. I also could relate to the characters. I am an introvert and my husband is the "fun" one, just like Liz and Tobin. Enjoyable second chance book. You won't be disappointed.

This book starts off a bit slow but watching Liz and Tobin grow as a couple and getting to know them felt like getting to know real people. The chemistry between these characters felt organic and there were moments in this book that made me truly emotional.

There was so much going on in here, it muddied the plot throughout at least a third of the book. With the improv classes, the relationship manual that is also somehow improv(?), the competitions at work, the autism rep, the complicated family dynamics… there’s just too much being juggled at once.

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

Sadly this was so disappointing. The premise had me hooked and I thought it was so new and different but from the beginning I was lost. Unfortunately I did a lot of skimming in hopes to finish it.

Picked this one based on the cover! This is a wonderfuly unique story that is unlike a typical love story. Liz feels invisible to her husband Tobin and struggles knowing who she really is. She using improve to help let down her barriers and learn more about Tobin.

This was such a unique read and i loved every minute of it--thanks so much for the digital copy!

This book totally took me by surprise!! My favorite aspect was the way the author described the setting in such beautiful detail. I need to visit immediately!

I have to learn how to DNF a book because the MC was absolutely insufferable. Tobin was a sweet baby angel and the whole book was about Liz wanting to leave him because he’s TOO good of a person. She wanted to “find herself”, but did it in a selfish, not admirable way. Honestly the stars I did give it were because the ending tied up nicely, and Yeti, the menace cat.

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.