I loved the ideas of an established couple on the verge of getting married having a romance, contemporary fiction with a splash of magic in the form of a cinema that shows you a movie of your own life, and the concept that opposites attract can challenge you and make you grow in a relationship.

But ultimately I felt Ellie and Drake were just too different and kept too many things from each other for me to fall in love with their love story. That was the whole point of the magic movie theater, to blow open the veneer of a perfect relationship to push them into being more vulnerable with each other.

Drake was judgmental of Ellie's body count, and he was too comfortable and settled for her. He sucked Ellie into his comfort zone as well. Ellie, too, was shallow, ignorant of her economic privilege, and didn't trust Drake enough to open up to him about even basic secrets. I thought the portrayal of her grief was well done. But I didn't think they were right for each other.

They did open up to each other eventually, but I couldn't help but think they were going to keep ignoring their differences and it would doom them in the future.

So I was charmed by the idea of this cozy romance but it wasn't for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Special thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book. I chose to review this book because of the theme of magical realism and the concept of walking into a theater and seeing your lives play before your eyes. While this did not quite have the magic of a Heather Webber book. it was a cozy romance that also navigated grief and had a touch of magic.

I quite enjoyed the concept of this book. Everyone comes to relationships with a history and baggage. In this novel, a couple gets to see each other’s baggage on the big screen. Will seeing baggage help them to better understand and love each other or will it destroy what they have?

Despite the fact that I found the protagonist Ellie absolutely insufferable (she comes VERY close to being a manic pixie dream girl), this is a gorgeous little book with an interesting premise and a lot of feeling.

I thought the concept for this book was very intriguing. Who wouldn’t want to be able to see in vivid detail, wonderful moments and memories that may have been forgotten or dimmed by time. But would you also want to see some of your worst moments the same way? Even more- would you want your significant other to see them? This is the situation Drake and Ellie find themselves in just months before their wedding, what they decide to do, and the consequences of those decisions.

This book is in the magical realism genre but I found much of the realism parts to feel sort of unrealistic as well. The protagonists feel like caricatures of people and seem like they try extra hard to be “quirky” and unusual. They seem to do things I don’t feel like real people in the same situation would do. The whole book feels kind of like a Hallmark Christmas movie and you just have to accept the saccharine feel that comes along with it.

I felt there were some pacing issues in the beginning of the book. The story did not pick up until about 30-40% of the way in and it felt like a slog to keep picking it up. After that point though it did improve and the tone did shift into some unexpected heavy content revolving around grief, guilt, and broken families.

The overall plot was predictable but again as with some Hallmark movies that is the case as well and some people enjoy that. This wasn’t my particular cup of tea but I do think that a lot of people will really enjoy this one and if you enjoy magical realism I’d definitely recommend to give it a try. I received an advance e-copy from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest opinion.

Thank you Thea Weiss and NetGalley for the advance copy of The Second Chance Cinema.

I was immediately drawn to this book because it was such an interesting premise. Would I want the story of my life recounted for me on the big screen? Events I may or may not remember?

I immediately feel in live with the two main characters, and especially the dichotomy between the two. A love story between Ellie, a free spirit with a love of seeking out and saving unique things, and Drake, a creature of habit. I am guilty of ordering the same dish every time I visit a restaurant, and want to always research and make plans. so I was definitely viewing this story from Drake's perspective.

No spoilers, but I'm just going to say that reliving your past can be hard. I definitely went through several tissues, and about halfway through. I had to set down the book for a little while, because my heart was so heavy.

is it worth it to relive and analyze all of these past events? Do you want your loved ones knowing all the sordid pieces of your history before you meet. Typically stories revolving around characters keeping secrets from each other. drive me crazy. but this book delves into exactly the reason why secret keeping can be so frustrating and problematic, which is refreshing..

The overarching theme of the book may seem onerous, the story is heartwarming and fun to read. I enjoy the characters, the settings, and how all the events spun together. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

*The Second Chance Cinema* by Thea Weiss is an absolute gem. I recently lost someone close to me, and Ellie’s story resonated so deeply—it felt like a balm for a grieving heart. Tears were definitely shed, but in the most cathartic way. The blend of nostalgia, healing, and hope is beautifully done. Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC—this one will stay with me for a long while.

A story with magical realism measurable to Ashley Poston, The Second Chance Cinema follows an engaged couple, and an enchanted cinema.

Ellie is a writer, specializing in bringing light to the ordinary, hidden treasures of the world with her writing. Drake, her fiancee, is a very ‘play it safe’ guy who works in construction.

One night, walking outside of their normal bounds, they stumble onto this beautiful vintage movie theater playing one film: The Story of You.
You guessed it. Ellie and Drake get to watch the story of their lives, from birth to meeting each other. What’s in between those opening and closing credits though… could make or break this upcoming marriage.

I thought this was a beautiful and unique book that had me completely invested in the future of this couple. Unexpectedly, as far as romance goes, this is more a story of the not-so-romantic parts of being in love. It’s a love story, and also a story of forgiving, friendship, family, and finding magic in the ordinary things!! Reading this makes you believe that it’s never too late for a new beginning!

Thank you Netgalley and HQStories for this arc!

For a first novel, the author Thea Weiss did an amazing job. The story had a magical element which made the book so intriguing. The attention to detail in the description of the cinema was amazing; I could picture it perfectly in my mind. The characters were believable. The story of The Second Chance Cinema will leave you in deep contemplation about your own life and whether your life is cinema worthy. Good job! I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a contemporary fiction with a twist of magic.

The Second Chance Cinema by Thea Weiss is a magical and thought-provoking debut novel set to be released on October 7, 2025. The story revolves around Ellie and her fiancé, Drake, who stumble upon a mysterious cinema that plays their formative memories. As they revisit their pasts, secrets come to light, challenging their relationship and their plans for the future. This enchanting tale blends nostalgia, self-discovery, and a touch of magic, offering a unique exploration of how our memories shape who we are. It's a heartfelt and imaginative read for those who enjoy stories with emotional depth and a sprinkle of wonder.

When Ellie and Drake stumble upon a magical cinema that shows them glimpses of their pasts, they have to decide what to do with the opportunity. Will it bring them closer together, or will unshared secrets drive them apart?

While the concept for the story was whimsical and enticing, it often felt jostling to read. Transitions within scenes or time skips that weren't apparent left me confused as I tried to follow along.

I also had a hard time rooting for either character since they seemed like cartoonish versions of real people, with Ellie being extremely closed off and secretive and Drake being naive and timid. I couldn't picture a world where these two would actually last a month of dating in the real world with such vastly different values and ideals.

I do love the concept of the book and was drawn in by the idea of a magical movie theater that glimpsed into the past.

Enjoyable magical realism. I loved the idea of watching your memories and how seeing them in a different light really changes your perspective. Original and cozy.

I absolutely loved this book! Such a sweet story that touched on the real aspects of loving someone as an adult. I loved the light touch of magic in a way that allowed me to suspend my disbelief while still feeling like the book was firmly planted in reality. Shocked that this was Weiss' debut, and very very excited to read more from her!
Thank you netgalley for the ARC!

I chose this book to review because I liked the premise - an affianced couple, Ellie and Drake, stumble on a theater that will replay 10 of their formative memories. Drake is more leery of seeing his past, but Ellie is desperate to remember a night from her past. That's a good enough hook for me!

Each character has much to like about them - Ellie has a knack for seeing value in overlooked things and then showing the public what they've been missing, and Drake is an easy-going man who longs for unique construction projects while stuck in a safe job selling cookie cutter homes in new developments. When the reader begins seeing their memories, it seems cute enough, but then reality hits - do you really want the person you are with now at the age and experience you are seeing the things that make you the present version of yourself?

On a personal enjoyment reading value, this book felt like being through a couple's relationship therapy session - it was uncomfortable, personal to those involved, and at points, I had to stop reading because their expectations (usually Ellie's) of how the other behaved were just so frustrating.

This could be a great book club read - there's some really interesting questions to explore raised throughout the book. Drake gets blasted by Ellie frequently for doing something that she can see he did in a prior long-term relationship - why wouldn't Drake use similar patterns that seemed to help his previous relationship with developing a new one? Thankfully we can't see every word that our partner has said in previous relationships, but it makes sense that favorite songs, restaurants, and jams don't change on an individual basis when a relationship ends.

Drake has a terrible time seeing how Ellie treated previous interactions with lovers - she's a massive commitment-phobe, and for some reason, a montage of her leaving countless hook-ups and ghosting people plays for one of her scenes. It's really rough on both of them - she's trying to be a better version of herself and commit to a relationship, but that undermines months of interactions in the book. It's really rough on their relationship. Ellie does finally come to the realization that her family relationships are core to why she has such a difficult time with commitment, and things wrap up rather nicely in the end with that.

This book sums up as 10 couples therapy sessions with the reader as the audience to these characters' pain. I can see this book as a win for the right kind of book club, but not for a feel-good read.

Many thanks to Atria Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

✨ARC Review✨

The Second Chance Cinema by Thea Weiss

If you are given the chance to relive memories that you want to forget, would you?

I did not know what to expect from this novel before reading it. I am so glad that I read it though because it was heartfelt, nostalgic, and made me hopeful.

Drake and Ellie are two souls who live in relative bliss and excitement for the next chapter in their lives. However, when the cinema showed them the bits about themselves that made them who they are, cracks start to form.

The author did such an amazing job letting Drake and Ellie evolve from when they started. The other characters around them, although they are not shown a lot, are still well written. You can feel their effect on the main characters.

This novel taught me lessons. One, do not be afraid to let those you love know the real you. Two, communication is a two way street. Three, aren’t living in the past.

I really recommend this book to everyone. It’s beautiful.

I was intrigued by the idea of this cinema and how it showed Ellie and Drake memories, starting back in childhood. However, I felt the story got bogged down in the details after the second showing and I soon lost interest, but I plowed my way through. Also, I was hoping for a different ending. I would have liked knowing that Ellie and Drake had used the cinema showings as a way to bring them closer together.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and publisher, for an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest review.

Ellie and Drake, a married couple, get to watch their lives before meeting each other in the big screen at a magic theater. Learn things about each others pasts and choose how to proceed with he new information. This was a very unique story and interesting read. The third person narration was a bit new to me but didn’t take away from the story.

While most stories follow the journey of two people falling in love, this one starts there and then moves forward to what comes next. In this case, there's an element of magic through the cinema as the couple explore their individual pasts and needs in an effort to grow together in a healthy way as they move toward marriage. The story was too slow for my taste, but had a good premise and ending.

Thea Weiss’s “The Second Chance Cinema” follows Drake and Ellie’s journey as they discover a secret cinema that holds a unique weekly screening, just for them. This captivating tale, infused with magical realism, presents a chance for them to relive their past and confront the impact it has had on their future.

As my first ARC through NetGalley, I was resolute in completing the book and providing an honest review. While the initial pace was somewhat slow, I gradually adjusted to the writing style, which frequently shifts between past and present. However, it was around the halfway point that I was truly captivated by the characters’ potential for resolution and their journey toward moving forward. The honesty with which they embraced their past traumas left a lasting impression on me, and I find myself contemplating its themes for weeks to come.

I want to express my gratitude to Atria Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, for providing this book for review consideration through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

A cozy romance with a bit of magic. Ellie and Drake stumble upon a theatre that appears in their town out of nowhere that plays memories from their past - including some secrets that they haven’t yet shared with each other that start to complicate their relationship. This was a very cute concept and a nice light read!