I’d say this was a pretty decent read. Except for some weird behavior from the main character that is. Nell definitely wasn’t as good of a person as others thought. She did some nasty things at times in the book. The premise was fun though

What an absolute whirlwind!

If you knew the date you were going to die would you live your life like Nell too?

Would you write letters to loved ones, making big statements knowing you wouldn't be alive to live with the consequences?

What about if you did live passed that date, now what are you going to do?

I had so much fun reading this, Nell is such an exciting character and blows into everyone's lives like a force to be reckoned with. I'd like to think I'm friendly like Nell and make similar impacts on people's lives and outlooks in life.

I loved this so much!

What a beautiful ode to the one life you have. To the life you want to live. To the people you want in your life. To never being too old, too inexperienced, too scared or too anything to do what you want to do.

"Just promise me that you'll say hello to strangers."

A book can be good in many different forms. But one of them, and one that I like the most, is when a book is relatable and teaches you something about life. And oh, how was this perfect for it.

"It was the same reason she ever left anywhere she'd been for too long. She'd started to care about people and them about her."

Nell was told by a psychic at age eighteen that she was going to die in 20 years. She lived her life like she wanted to. To the fullest she was able to. But that also meant being scared of getting attached to people or them getting too attached to her. Because when the inevitable day comes, the hurt caused by her would be inevitable as well. So she travels alone. She does any reckless thing and anything without thinking it through.

"It was much harder to miss someone you never saw. For them and her."

And then... she does not die.

"She had got something.
She had a second chance."

This is the funny, emotional, and relatable story of Nell, her family, and the lovely people she left behind, met in the week of her long-expected death or while trying to live a life without an expiry date.

"Dou you want me to call you a cab?"
"That would be weird, my name is Nell."

This was the perfect 4.5 star book for me and an arc that caught me by surprise.

Second Chance was exactly the book that I needed in 2024. A book that called me out in some parts, taught me new things in others, and made me appreciate life on a new level.❤️

"So shall I book the two rooms then, or ..." He coughed. "The one?"

For anyone running away before it gets too serious.
For anyone ignoring problems instead of facing them.
For anyone being scared to love or being loved.
For anyone yearning to travel the world.
For anyone scared of taking the next step.
For anyone stuck somewhere.
For anyone who saw the title and went, I want that.
For anyone who is not perfect but is simply living their life the best they can.
For anyone needing a reminder that life is short but also long. Because it is never too late. And a decision from the past does not have to determine your whole life.

"Bye Tom."
"Ooo say it again."
"Bye Tom." (This is sooo cute in context 🥹)

Life can be short, but it can also be long. It can end tomorrow, next week, in 10 years, or in 80 years. But we only have one, however long it may be. This book is an entertaining reminder of such a devastating fact at times.

So here is to life and endless possibilities. ❤️🥂

Thank you, NetGalley, Avon Books UK and Charlotte Butterfield for the arc in exchange for an honest review. "The Second Chance" will be out in a couple of days on May 9th!

I thought this book was fine. The premise is pretty interesting, but I thought it was a bit pushy with the themes and didn't really connect well with the characters. It's a light read that really tries to impart a message, so if you like that, you will love this!

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book!

Ahh brilliant, heartwarming relatable in places and thoroughly entertaining read. I loved the concept of knowing exactly when you’re going to die and the way that everything would fixate around that fact. We’re all a bit obsessed by the concept of our own demise but there are also good things about that like remembering to live every moment to the full and not wasting opportunities. Our main character gives lots of food for thought, partially in her determination to have lots of experiences but also in her reticence to put down roots or become too grounded because of what she believes is to come. She’s a great reminder that you don’t always want to commit and that big life decisions aren’t always easy to make and you never quite know for sure if you’ve made the correct one but being nice to strangers is definitely a good option and feeling you’re doing the right thing is good for your conscience and karma. A really lovely read and some refreshing life lessons.

Thank you Avon Books UK for this really great read! I had so much fun diving into Nell's story, her humor and boldness, how she lived life to the fullest because she thought she didn't have a long life ahead... I was surprised by how much I wanted to fully know the details of the letters she wrote, waiting to find out what it was and how those letters would oddly enough become not the marker of the end of her life but the beginning of her really perhaps living. Isn't that such a cool idea? The writing is bold, upfront, and witty, refusing to take the idea of not living past 38 too seriously but also taking it very seriously in terms of how it becomes a symbol of accepting adulthood is actually going to happen, of becoming a reason to have to address the past in order to have a future.

Solid well developed secondary characters (Tom was my favorite I think) and deftly used humor, even with tough topics and a plot that works more than you might think it would... Charlotte Butterfield has a new fan in me!

What would you do if you were told the date of your death... and then woke up the morning after you were supposed to die, still alive, having got rid of all your worldly possessions and sent a last letter to five people?

That's Nell's predicament - half a lifetime of adventure and living in the moment (and not letting herself get close to people), but what happens now?

I loved the premise, and I'm so pleased that the execution did it justice. Nell's a flawed character and very relatable; it's lovely to see her journey and how she changes her views on life (as well as how she changes other people's lives). The minor characters are good, too - they're layered, which is good. The standout for me was Juno.

This book makes you think a lot about deep questions: how do you measure/judge the success of your life? How do you deal with relationships - family, friends and lovers? Add in the kindness of strangers, a comedian who really is funny (sharp and witty, rather than slapstick), putting yourself in other people's shoes to make sense of the world... it's a joy of a book. Worthy five stars.

Great premise and well written characters made this a very good read. Nell's lived large because she was sure of the day she would die but she didn't and now she's got to claim herself back from that attitude. And she's got to deal with the impact of the letters she sent. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's funny and thoughtful.

Wow! What a cool book! The concept of the book was super awesome - a woman thinks she’s going to die on a certain date, writes sure honest letters to those closest to her and then she doesn’t die.

Seeing her figure out how to pick up the pieces was so interesting and oftentimes very funny!

The only downside of the book for me was it was maybe 50 pages too long. A pretty significant character was added later on in the story and I wish they were brought in early.

Thank you NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved The Second Chance, it felt quite a unique story and I loved the main character. My only criticism is that Nell often treated both her love interests unfairly and unkindly and at times it was a little difficult to accept. It was definitely made up for by the lovely lady she met on the bus though!

This was a lovely, riotous read - lots of fun, and packed with some great characters. Nell is clearly torn as a free spirit finally pinned down by her non-death. She handles the circumstances as expected and it's fitting that her beloved Greg is no longer the free spirit he once was. The generosity Nell experiences from so many people is a sweet suggestion that we could all be more patient, accommodating and kinder to each other. Greg is a more fleshed out character than Tom, which is a little unfortunate as Tom is the better love interest. Juno is a terrific character and it's her relationship with Nell which is the most moving. A light and lovely read with enough comedy and family drama to pad out the romance nicely. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC 😊

What a beautiful romance story with great storyline and great characters. Really liked the writing style and the cover is beautiful will definitely read more from this author.

The Second Chqnce was an easy to read, humorous and heartwarming read that I enjoyed. Also quite thought-provoking, but with maybe 1 or 2 too many characters.

A super humorous story about Nell living her life as best she can knowing the exact day she is going to die. BUT she doesn’t die! I loved this book for the insightful way it delivered the story. I could not put it down.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Nell spent her life "knowing" the day she was going to die and lived her life to the fullest....until she wakes up, very much alive, the day after her "death-date."

Having given away or sold all of her life's possessions, it's time for Nell to start a new chapter of her life, one that she never thought she would see.

‘The Second Chance’ by Charlotte Butterfield tells the story of Nell, a woman who has lived half of her life in the absolute certainty that she will die at the tender age of thirty-eight thanks to a spookily accurate clairvoyant. As a result of this strange predicament, Nell has developed an unwavering passion for living life to the full, but as her supposed death date comes and goes she begins to question how happy her transient lifestyle and adventurous pursuits have really made her. Once Butterfield throws in some difficult family dynamics, two potential suitors and the most fabulous elderly lady ever, the reader is in for a life-affirming, character-driven journey..

I really enjoyed the hilarious opening scene, the subplot with the wonderful Juno and the unique premise. I also appreciated the message of valuing the people who care about you.

Unfortunately I never 100% warmed to the main character, possibly because I just didn’t find her very relatable. While I actually adored both love interests - caring and strait-laced old flame Greg and friendly comedian Tom - there was no real chemistry between either of them and Nell.

Overall, I’d give this one 3.5 stars and I think people who are looking for an interesting story with more comedy/drama than romance and an adventurous heroine should pick this one up and give it a go!

I received an advance Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher Avon Books UK via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Great premise but unfortunately the book itself falls flat. It was difficult to follow- all around just not a good read.

Thank you for my copy of this book to read and review.

I adored absolutely everything about this book. I thought the plot was intriguing and original, all of the characters were likable and relatable…I especially loved Juno, and I enjoyed the complicated triangle between Nell, her first love Greg & one-night stand Tom.

The book was well-written, humorous, uplifting and thought provoking. I was torn between racing through it and not wanting it to end.

Burnt out and needing to relax, lily escapes to the isles of Scilly.
Booked in at the last minute by her pa she finds herself in a half built retreat.
No WiFi and the stunning scenery work their magic.
Can love follow? Changing priorities and working schedules could leave room for so much more.

Loved his book. Nell has a glimpse into her future when she visits a fortune teller in Australia when she was travelling. She know exactly when she’s going to die. She books into a fancy hotel for her final journey. But things go wrong when she wakes up the next day.
Things are starting to unravel when she realises the letters she wrote will be delivered but she’s not dead.
Hilarious adventures continue as she tries to salvage relationships she destroyed when she sent the heartfelt letters to her friends and family..
Very well written with surprising adventures along her journey.