thisis a poignant exploration of the complexities of love, identity, and the intricate web of choices that shape our lives. The novel centers on Ellie, a 49-year-old woman navigating the rocky terrain of her impending divorce from her husband, Jonah. As she grapples with the reactions of her family and her own doubts about her identity beyond being a wife and mother, the narrative unfolds in a way that feels both familiar and refreshingly original.

the author crafts a story that resonates deeply with those of us contemplating the paths our lives could take. Ellie's internal struggle and her reflections on the simplicity and beauty of everyday life provide a powerful counterpoint to the societal pressures to lead a grand, earth-shattering existence.

While I appreciated the depth of Ellie’s character and her relatable experiences, there were moments where her portrayal felt stereotypical—capturing the insecurities that many women face as they navigate family dynamics and personal aspirations. This realism elicited empathy but also some frustration; there were times I wanted to shake Ellie and encourage her to find her own voice.

The structure of the narrative, particularly how it weaves flashbacks into the present, occasionally felt a bit disjointed, requiring a reread to catch the transitions. However, once the story reached its pivotal turning points in the second part, I found myself completely absorbed. The emotional shifts were profound, transforming my understanding of Ellie and her journey.

Brown’s writing is evocative and insightful, tackling significant themes such as the duality of women’s roles in society and the struggles of self-worth that many face. The emotional weight of the story, paired with the exploration of second chances, makes *Some Other Time* a thought-provoking and heartfelt read.

It’s a must-read for anyone who has ever pondered the “what-ifs” of their own life. Highly recommended!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Some Other Time is a moving book based on relationships, the path not traveled, parental expectations, and is a book for anyone who ever wondered what their life would be like….if only.

49 year old Ellie and her husband Jonah have just announced their divorce to their only daughter, Maggie, and her parents, Bunny and Frank. No one wants to hear it. The family is less than enthusiastic about the split, which they feel is simply unnecessary. But Ellie can’t shake the idea that her life would be different without the trappings of her identity being wrapped up in her role as wife and mom.

Sliding Doors, Vanilla Sky, The Butterfly Effect; there have been many movies and books along this theme, so to have another version of this feel so creative, so real and so raw is pleasantly surprising. This book hits home that although you have several other possible lives; there is beauty in the simplicity of each one.

Ellie’s father Frank gets the pinnacle line: “sometimes, Ellie, I think your mother feels that people get all wrapped up in the notion that their life has to be so big, so earth shattering, that they forget how significant a simple and quiet life can be, too. How meaningful love and commitment are in such an unpredictable world.”

I loved Angela Brown’s first book, Olivia Strauss is running Out of Time, which is another contemporary women’s fiction book that introduces magical/fantasy elements in a pragmatic way. I love the way she develops characters through unexplained fantasy elements. It’s a great way to explore human nature while not having to play by the rules of our actual world.

Thanks to @netgalley and Little A for the ARC. Book to be published February 4, 2024.

#someothertime #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #booklover #arcreview #booktok #netgalley #bookrecommendations

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me engaged and it only took a few days to read. I think this is going to be a good book club option for several clubs. I plan recommending to my book friends and I look forward to reading more by this author.

Very readable book - couldn't put it down.

Would definitely recommend.

I did want there to be another, 3rd time, though, in which there had been a few other options taken along the way - but I think that's what the character is now going to be creating.

Long & Short of It: Very engaging. Well laid out. Positive ending. Wraps up well.
Author: I'd read again!
Romance: Heart-warming
Spice Level: 0/5 stars

This alternate timeline story is a topic/genre that I love. I was very excited to dive into this one! My initial reaction was that a lot of information and backstory for Ellie was scrunched into the Prologue in a way that didn't feel natural to me. On the bright side I never felt like something wasn't explained well! Angela Brown's style of writing is very informative with a lot of context, which allowed me to get the full picture at all times, sometimes in excess detail.

The story itself is very interesting and engaging. There are parts that are painful, and brought up emotions in me that had me empathizing with Ellie quite a lot in relation to her marriage and parenting struggles.

Ellie is a very hands-on mother, and a dutiful wife. The way she is portrayed though, through her own inner dialogue and sometimes other's reactions to her, felt very "stereotypical middle-aged mom/wife who doesn’t have confidence in herself". While this is unfortunately the reality for a lot of moms and wives (as it was for me in the past), it did make me feel annoyed with Ellie at times throughout the story, which is told from her perspective. I found myself responding to her out loud saying things like "you're being over dramatic!" or "well you're not helping the situation!" ...

I was hit right in the feels though, when Ellie was talking about the fact that women often can't catch a break no matter which way they go with their life choices; a woman doing too much outside of the home and being too successful can be seen as selfish, while staying home and being a mom and wife can be viewed as inadequate and weak.

I would say the main struggle I had while reading was how flashbacks and memories were woven into the present moment without a clear cue, making me reread the page thinking I missed the segue into the past.

BUT THEN...PART TWO TOOK A TURN! AND THEN PART THREE…. such a shift… a good shift… I was locked in and almost sad the book would be ending soon.

This story will resonate with so many readers, especially those who wonder "what if?" It's a heartfelt love story of second chances, missed opportunities, growth, and connection.

Ellie’s introspection and growth throughout this extraordinary week are deeply engaging. The blend of humor and heartfelt moments makes this story resonate on many levels, offering a refreshing perspective on love, regret, and second chances. If you enjoy untraditional love stories with a touch of magical realism and plenty of emotional depth, this book is a must-read.

This was a wonderful read. As a mother with older teens I could so relate to Ellie and the struggles of where your place is in the world. I loved Jonah and Ellie and how it was obvious they were making a huge mistake. What a sweet second chance romance.