This was an enjoyable read. I was especially drawn to the cover art and the vivid descriptions of the theater. Its retro, mystical atmosphere was a highlight for me. I appreciated the creative premise, and there were a few plot twists that surprised me.
Ellie’s memories were varied and focused on key moments from her life. However, I found Drake’s memories less engaging. The side character in his flashbacks didn’t feel fully developed.
While I probably won’t revisit this book, I’m glad I read it once. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy stories about broken families getting a second chance, opposites-attract romances, and hobbies like thrifting or repurposing old things.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a free advance copy.

Thank you to NetGalley for the Arc in exchange for a review. Ellie and Drake are in the honeymoon phase. Ellie loves breathing new life into old things while Drake likes what is comfortable. Ellie, a writer is struggling to write her next great piece and is embarrassed to tell Drake given that her last one was about their love story two years earlier. One night, Drake and Ellie stumble across a midnight showing at a cinema in town they didn’t know existed. What they will see there will force them to reckon with their pasts, insecurities and their love for each other. This book was a strong 3.5 stars for me. This concept is an interesting one, reminiscent of “I’ll Take You There,” by Wally Lamb. I struggled with the pacing. While the story continued to progress it felt a little bit like reading a minute by minute description of each passing day. Overall, this book was heartwarming and thought provoking.

Ellie is engaged to Drake, but they both have secrets they have yet to tell the other about their past. Ellie avoids her family and Drake is a little too comfortable doing exactly what he knows. One night they run across a fancy theater hidden in an alley. They buy tickets, but they can only buy ten. They must go together and the show is only for them. The show starts and it's "the story of us", an actual story of them as babies. They leave and don't understand. Drake doesn't want to return but Ellie is compelled to return with Drake.

Cozy magical realism book with romance and a little bit of mystery. I really enjoyed this book it was easy to read and I liked both of the main characters and their different points of view. I want to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for the arc in exchange for an honest review. Rating this 3.5 stars.

I need to stop grabbing books based on covers and genres alone because the science fiction and fantasy genre is so wide that a lot of books in that genre simply aren’t going to be my taste and this is unfortunately one of those books.

If you are someone who enjoys slower books that are a little tiny bit more predictable and have some sadness and some depth to them then this might be for you. I made it to 45% before I had to put this book down because I was forcing myself through it a bit too much.

I think this is one of those books that is best enjoyed in physical form so that might be something to do with it.

This book just felt very slow to me and I just did not connect with it or have a lot of interest in what was going on however, I really enjoyed the writing style and I thought the plot itself was enjoyable. I just can tell this book is not going to be something that I personally connect with as a reader. I just think I wasn’t captivated or indulged enough to want to continue the story for the moment.

Thank you for this ARC! I appreciate the opportunity to leave honest feedback voluntarily.

Thank you to the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this in advance!

I think this book is perfect for people who have made choices in their romantic lives, career, etc. and wondered if they made the wrong choice, or how things could have been different if they had reacted differently. This book had a perfect blend of magical realism and found family, which I love in a story.

There was also some suspense because every time the characters went to the magical theater, they didn't know what they were going to see and how it was going to affect their lives.

I felt a tiny bit frustrated by the lack of communication in the two main characters that were planning a wedding together, and felt at times that it was what made the book drag a little for me. Everything had a purpose, but I couldn't help but wonder if they had one conversation that didn't end in someone walking away if it would have tightened it up a bit.

All in all, I really loved the concept for the book and found myself wondering what my movies would look like, and what memories I'd have to face again and how I'd handle it - a very cool thing to think about that I'll take with me.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

I thrive on cozy, magical realism/fantasy novels. So picking up The Second Chance Cinema was a no-brainer for me.

Ellie and Drake first meet at Finn’s, a dying bar that Drake frequents and Ellie chooses to write about in efforts to revitalize it. Right off the bat, you can see that these two are complete opposites and that their personalities would clash in the long run. Unsurprisingly, you are right.

Act 1 focuses more on Ellie’s perspective and, in my opinion, you can hear concerns of where her life with Drake is going now that they are engaged. A few comments here and there of the monotonous routine, it’s only natural that she would be drawn to this mysterious cinema while Drake seems to be complete avoidant. And with good reason.

Ellie and Drake are given a cosmic opportunity to watch The Story of You, a film they quickly learn is of their memories. You are on this journey of unpacking baggage that they both have kept from each other, and talk about messy!

Act 2 switches to focusing on Drake. You do see growth between the characters, like Ellie admitting avoidance in her own way when it comes to her family relationships, and Drake realizing why he felt that he couldn’t steer his life into the unknown. SPOILER: who actively tries to duplicate one relationship into another? Answer: Drake.

Regardless of growth, however, I was not rooting for them to stay together. There were too many interactions that didn’t sit right with me; it would have been more powerful/compelling if they had called of the engagement after learning about each other and themselves.

But I guess that defeats the purpose of The Second Chance Cinema.

My husband runs a movie theater so I was drawn to this book by title alone. I was lucky enough to received this as an ARC!

Finding a book where the main characters are an already established couple was a nice change of pace. This is a great blend of a contemporary romance with a touch of magic.

Some of the thing that I liked:
1: The great balance of black cat/golden retriever energy in Ellie & Drake
2: The healing for the past that is allowed to happened.
3: The main characters are flawed in their own way that helped me connect to them

Thing I didnt like:
1: Story was slow in the beginning
2: Some of the arguments are kinda cringy

10/10 Plot
9/10 Characters
10/10 Book length

Overall I would recommend this to anyone who needs a feel good, second chance love story!

Ellie is a writer that loves helping revive forgotten treasures. Drake works in construction, and even though their first meeting at Finn’s bar seems like just a happily ever after we get more from this. Ellie and Drake end up living together and engaged and in love, but there’s something missing in their lives, they love each other, they make sure to spend quality time together, they are honest with each other (right?). However, one night as they are out and about enjoying downtown, they find a theater, a gorgeous old theater, and an oddly titled film playing, entitled “The Story of You”. They can’t resist exploring this theater, and find themselves discovering parts of each other that they have not opened up about. Doubts creep in as ghosts of the past that have haunted them return front and center. Can Ellie and Drake get past this? Or is all of this a sign that they shouldn’t be together?

Ellie and Drake are endgame, and I will say I enjoy that as the reader you are confident that both of these people love each other tremendously, but have a lot that they have left unspoken which then creates the suspense and shock of not knowiing what can happen between them. I love the fact that this cinema is magical, and I like the change of pace with this book compared to the usual romance novels. We’re meeting these two while they are in a committed relationship, and as memories are revealed during movie showings, you’re left crying or with your jaw on the floor. They both have to navigate how they feel about what they’ve seen of their partner’s past. There’s an emphasis on that need for communication and opening up with your partner, and we see that both of them grow when it comes to understanding how important it is to be honest and open with the person you plan to marry. Although both Ellie and Drake have doubts about each other’s feelings for them, neither of them doubts their feelings for the other. I think this is a beautiful story about how you can give yourselves a second chance with each other when you focus on what matters and you grow from your past hurt.

The Second Chance Cinema is a heartwarming and quietly uplifting story. Thea Weiss crafts a thoughtful narrative that balances emotional depth with just the right amount of charm. The vintage cinema setting adds a cozy, nostalgic layer that makes the whole book feel like a comforting escape. While some moments unfold a bit predictably, the sincerity of the characters and their personal journeys make this a rewarding and feel-good read. A lovely reminder that it’s never too late to rewrite your own story! Thank you, NetGalley!

📚 The Second Chance Cinema by Thea Weiss
Published by Atria Books

In The Second Chance Cinema, author Thea Weiss offers a quiet, introspective novel about memory, identity, and healing. The story centers on Ellie, a writer, and her fiancé Drake, who stumble upon a mysterious, vintage-style cinema hidden away from the modern world. This isn’t a typical theater—it doesn’t show classic films but instead screens deeply personal memories from their lives. These moments surface without explanation, pulling the characters back into their pasts in unexpected and emotionally charged ways.

The novel unfolds through a gentle, chapter-by-chapter rhythm as the couple is shown not just the story of their relationship, but the formative relationships that shaped who they are: family ties, childhood wounds, sibling conflicts, lost friendships, and ex-lovers. The cinema itself becomes a central presence in the narrative—a moody, magical, almost sentient space that bridges past and present. Weiss’s writing is understated and warm, creating a world that feels timeless yet grounded in real emotional experiences.

I found the premise thoughtful and moving. While the book starts off quietly, it gradually builds depth as each memory shown on screen forces Ellie and Drake to confront lingering grief, unspoken resentments, and long-forgotten truths. I especially appreciated that the story wasn’t just about romance—it was about healing, personal growth, and the complicated bonds we carry with us from our earliest days. The tone reminded me of a Hallmark Channel film with a more reflective, literary edge. Readers who enjoy emotional, character-driven fiction with a touch of magical realism will likely connect with this slow-burning, contemplative read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing an advance copy.

This story beautifully explores the theme of letting go of the past to embrace a brighter future. I found the characters vividly relatable; their reactions to each other's memories felt genuine and true to life. At its core, the narrative delves into the idea of second chances and the impact they have on everyone's lives. The dynamic between the characters—with their distinct black cat and golden retriever personalities—was particularly intriguing. I appreciated how the story highlighted the potential downsides of these personality traits as well. By the end, it was heartwarming to see their journey culminate in a deeper understanding of why they work so well together. Overall, it was a compelling read that explored the deeper meaning off a second chance.

The premise of this book immediately intrigued me. Honestly, I'm not a big romance reader, standard tropes often feel overdone. But this book breaks away from the typical mold. At its core, it's about a couple planning their wedding who stumble upon a movie theater steeped in magical realism. This unique theater allows them to watch memories ones that are truly “screen-worthy.”

I appreciated the honesty in the storytelling and the way Ellie and Drake confronted the challenges they faced. The central question of whether they can accept the truth about each other and move forward with their wedding, or if it will tear them apart kept me invested throughout.

This debut author is definitely someone to watch. I look forward to seeing what they do next.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

ARC from NetGalley
Thank you to the author and publisher.
Publish Date: Oct 07 2025

Rating: 3/5

Initial thoughts:
I believe I understood the message this was trying to convey and it is a good one. However, this would likely have been a lower rating if not for the scenes about Ben. I could not get behind the main characters.

Plot:
Drake and Ellie seem to have an ideal relationship. Then they stumble upon a midnight cinema. What's playing isn't typical shows, it's playing their formative memories. As they gain a deeper knowledge of each other's past, their relationship begins to change. Will it continue or are the secrets too difficult to get past?

Praise:
- Concept
- Certain emotional moments stir appropriate emotions
- Imagery of cinema
- Secondary characters and relationships

Critiques:
- Lagged at times
- Traits of main characters removed the desire to root for them
- Predictable

Fav Quote:
“A first love is about finding yourself. A second love is about sharing the self you found with someone new.”

The promotional synopsis describes this as “scintillating.” Unfortunately, the novel did not come close to fulfilling that promise. The pacing, especially in the first third of the book, is slow and overall, plods along to the conclusion. I did not feel connected to the characters, experiencing them as lacking depth even in the face of their most distressing revelations.

The premise is what drew me to the book. I love magical realism and the idea of a cinema that explores its audience’s individual histories is intriguing. In the months leading up to their wedding, Ellie and Drake stumble across a movie theater that defies logic. It is open only one night a week and features ten different shows revealing their pasts starting in childhood and concluding with the present. It is a gorgeously restored cinema on the nights they attend and reverts to a decrepit state the other days. Each night has a theme that exposes noteworthy events and relationships that have shaped them into the individuals they have become – most of which is hidden from each other in the fear of being rejected and abandoned. The question is “Will these revelations bring them closer together or tear them apart?”

Overall, this book required patience and perseverance to get through. It is a passable read, but not one I can enthusiastically endorse as enjoyable or entertaining.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

I was really intrigued by the premise of this book. I loved the thought of magical realism mixed with romance. And I will say Thea Weiss did a great job with this story, especially for it being her first novel! I just feel like this fell a little flat for me.
The story didn’t truly pick up until about 30-40% into the book, so I found it really hard to want to pick up and continue this. Ellie and Drake felt a little flat at parts. But I did really enjoy that this showed the hard parts of romance, not just the good parts. I think if you can get past the pacing at the beginning, you will really like this.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-galley; all opinions in my review are 100% my own.

Rating is 4.5

A movie theater that can peak into your past with the person you came with. Ellie and Drake must figure out whether their pasts will alter their future of getting married
o enchanting and thought provoking way to how memory can shape the way of a person
o Drake fears what the past will show for his while Ellie is having trouble remembering something that occurred with her and she is trying to use the cinema for what did happen on that night since her memory was fuzzy.

He has turned out to be the total opposite of using her but, just a jerk because he has reused something that was meant to be sacred to someone else and given it to her after repeating the same words to someone else to her. And in that moment, that would have made me feel insecure because that alone let’s me know I am not the only one and who else did you tell that yo would love them forever. You dint even bother buying me a me ring you want to be reminded by your ex all the time even when you hold my hand. I think she should have made me get another rig but, I can see why she wanted to keep it, just because of the type of person she is. I like the way it ended with the bonus chapter and the next couple the cinema will embark on and the amount of tea that it will dish out for them is going to be insanely juicy to say the least.

I was really intrigued by the premise of this book. I love a blend of magical realism with a love story, but this just didn’t deliver. The characters are so flat, the pacing is so slow, and it was truly difficult to get through it. It read like a Hallmark movie script and I don’t think 3rd person narration works as it made the already flat characters more lifeless. Some lovely lines in the book, but overall I wouldn’t recommend this one.

Ellie has a knack for finding the secret treasures in this city. On the brink of closing doors she finds them (the lounges, bars, restaurants, boutiques, etc) and gives them new life through her writing. Drake is a regular at one of these bars in which they strike an immediate connection. Everything is good for both, except Ellie has fallen into routine. Upon attempting to break this routine she finds a vintage cinema, it only runs one show- The Story of You. Drake is unsure about this cinema, but Ellie needs to go. She needs to know what her mind refuses to remember. Will their relationship survive the untold stories of their lives? This novel has toyed with my emotions, feeling the pain of loss, the happiness in little moments, the joy and heartbreak of family, the jealousy of past relationships, the thrill in finding that special treasure, the guilt of omissions.

Let me start by saying WOW! This book completely captivated me from the very first page. The premise is intriguing: what if you had the opportunity to watch the most significant and influential moments of your life replayed like a movie? This thought-provoking idea is beautifully explored throughout the story, and I was totally on board for the journey it took me on.

As I read, I found myself reflecting deeply on what my own cinematic highlights would include—the moments that shaped who I am and connections I’ve built. It was a great (book-club worthy) exercise, imagining how incredible it would be to share these moments with my partner. The thought of reliving memories I can’t fully recall, or showing him experiences I wish I could, filled me with a sense of wonder and nostalgia.

The author’s use of descriptive language is mesmerizing. Every scene is painted vividly, transporting you right into the heart of the narrative. The storytelling feels magical and raw. This book is not just a read; it’s an experience that encourages introspection and connection. I wholeheartedly recommend it to my audience! It's a remarkable journey that will leave you feeling inspired and reflective.