Love this second chance lovers to enemies back to lovers romance!
Thr back and forth between present and past did take some getting use to. But I understand why the author did it when I got finished reading because that twist I didn't see coming.
4 out of 5 stars.

no way! thats what i did when i finished this book. because just wow. it was at first a solid book, then it took on its new swing and this gutter punched me with how i felt about it. because wow it takes it to a whole new level. somehow we care even more, somehow you care for the characters even more. and you are invested into what happened and where they will go. from the start these two had their banter, had their connection. when i learnt about their CONNECTION i was like daaaaaam these two need to get it together. but why weren't they? so my anxiety peeked thinking why weren't they because something major must have happened and then how would they ever get passed something that split 'that' kind of relationship. you see where my head was at people. i cared.
Natalie weaves such smiles through her book but also the depth that tugs at the heart.
its funny. but serious.
its lovable and tension building.
Mira is struggling when we meet her and i immediately wanted to scoop her up. she was a character i quickly rooted for. when she then has to work on a pretty epic chance in her career with the man that is her nemesis i felt so bad for her. and sparks fly between her and Preston. do they ever. but the wounds are their and they certainly have not healed with time.
i love learning Mira's story in the snippets of the past leading to now and how Natalie packs this in and slips it into the rest of the storytelling was really well done and added once again another layer to the book.
this book had all the sizzle you love from these books. but then it had another notch, another thing, another layer that makes it stand out and pop for you love of it.
i dont know how you do such an epic twist in a romcom but this one had it. i was almost emotional when it hit me.
five star for me and more if i could.

Take 2 by Natalie Acosta is a gripping rivals-to-lovers romance set on a stunning film shoot in southern France. Mira is struggling to move past her repeated losses—especially losing the Oscar for best screenplay to Preston Green, her nemesis. When she’s forced to work on Preston’s film, sparks—and tension—fly as old wounds and new feelings collide.

One of the most jaw-dropping twists in the story is the revelation that Preston Green is actually Ryan—Mira’s ex-husband. This adds a whole new level of emotional complexity and stakes to their relationship. Their history isn’t just professional rivalry; it’s deeply personal. Their past marriage colors every interaction, every argument, and every flirtatious moment with layers of unresolved pain, regret, and longing.

This twist made the story incredibly compelling. Watching Mira and Ryan/Preston navigate their tangled past, all while collaborating on a high-pressure film project, kept me hooked. The mix of witty banter, steamy chemistry, and emotional vulnerability felt genuine and raw.

The way Natalie Acosta weaves this revelation into the narrative enriches the rivals-to-lovers trope with real heart and depth. It’s not just about winning an award or beating the competition—it’s about forgiveness, second chances, and learning to trust love again.

If you love stories full of surprising twists, heartfelt moments, and sizzling romance, Take 2 is a must-read.

This book was… WOW. I’m honestly at a loss for words because this book was nothing short of incredible. From the first page to the last, it captivated me in a way that few stories ever do. The author’s ability to weave together two seemingly separate love stories—only to reveal they were one all along—was a masterclass in storytelling. The twist was handled with such subtlety and finesse that it took my breath away.

What really surprised me was how deeply this story moved me. I don’t usually gravitate toward second chance romances, but this one completely changed my mind. It was raw, emotional, and heartbreakingly beautiful. Somehow, it felt deeply relatable—like it reached into the quiet corners of real life and love and gently brought them into the light.

If you’re even remotely considering picking this one up, do it. This story will stay with me for a long, long time.

I loved the beginning of this story! I was hooked. But as soon as the flashbacks started thats when It got a little confusing to me. The blurbsays Its an enemies to lovers romance wich i love but i feel like they should be a bit information added as it seemed like two different love stories. Half way through the book it does start to make sense! But (for me) it was just a bit to long into the story. Especially with the twist at end too. I really wish i loved this but It wasnt for me. I will still give this author a chance in the future and read more stories or hers. Thank you Netgalley for providing me with this ARC❤️

This rivals-to-lovers story starts off with a deal you can’t resist. Two screenwriters spending a few weeks in France where their tension continues to rise. There is some history to be unraveled, and some trauma that Mira has to process to be able to accept Preston.

I felt that the flashbacks helped establish Mira’s and Ryan’s romance. It made me question why she was so avoidant of Preston, why Preston was obsessed enough with her after one night together to invite her to France with him, and what happened to Ryan for him to still be haunting her after five years.

The story was intriguing. The ending was satisfying.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

The entire opening of this book genuinely kept me on the edge of my seat, I was definitely confused for so long of the book, which really disappointed me because while it kept me reading, I felt it was very confusing at times and it’s not until way later in the story that things start to make sense. I definitely think maybe the structure could have had some change- the first few chapters I was just thinking like who is this character, what’s happening now?, how does this tie into this . Definitely parts throughout the story we could’ve just done without. It was hard to find motivation to continue to read the book because it was just drawn out and confusing. There was so many times I thought I wouldn’t be able to finish the book because the confusion for me had really tainted my view of the book.
I do like a good enemies to lovers trope, and a good HEA. The romance between the characters was perfect, you could feel the tension keep building between these two.
I just would have preferred maybe just some more structure, some things definitely could’ve been changed like providing more context earlier on, obviously not go and totally spoil the story, but keep you engaged the entire time, rather than reading but being frustrated at the same time.

I feel like this story could’ve worked much better as a straightforward rivals-to-lovers romance. The tension was already naturally there, especially with both characters in the same career—setting up the rivalry wouldn’t have been difficult.

The book had a lot of potential, but it didn’t quite deliver what I was expecting. The plot often left me confused—not because of twists, but because it felt disjointed, almost like the author started with one storyline and then tried to change it midway.

The romantic connection didn’t really land for me either. It felt like their relationship was built more on physical attraction and lust rather than any real emotional depth, making the romance feel rushed.

I also think the flashback scenes didn’t add much. I would’ve preferred if it was either a solid rivals-to-lovers or a clear second-chance romance—not both. Even leaning fully into one direction would’ve made the plot feel more cohesive and less confusing.

This book was an interesting read. Based off the description it was a rival to lovers against two film writers. But when you start reading you end up getting the film writers story and also a younger story of 2 people falling in love. I can say I was pretty confused for 50% of this book trying to make the connection between the 2 love stories. Once I realized the connection and the facts start getting laid out more it became a really cute love story unlike any others I've read. The twist towards the end was really cute and definitely not expected. I do believe the aspect of the second story being such a big part of this should be put somewhere in the description, so readers know what they're getting into.

I read this book SO fast, even in the midst of a bit of a slump & a busy weekend. I really loved the idea of two rival screenwriters and a different take on the Hollywood romance of it all. I was so invested in Mira & Preston’s story, but what really snagged me were the flashbacks placed every few chapters like a countdown to Mira’s present day. You really become invested in the characters even more because of these and the emotional connection they have is cemented in these chapters.

I loved the message in their love story, especially how it develops towards the end. I’m a sucker for second chance romances like this where it’s been years since the characters were together. My only wish is that we had a little more reluctance in the beginning before their “rivals w/ benefits” vacation fling started. Especially once you dive deeper into their history & the hurt that’s there. But I genuinely enjoyed this story so much & I can’t wait to read more contemporary adult romance from Natalie Acosta!

This was a great book! It is just what I wanted in a second chance romance! It is packed full of witty banter and so many sweet moments.

RomComs are rarely my go-to genre—I need a compelling plot to keep me invested, and Take 2 absolutely delivered. With a truly original storyline and two lead characters that grab your attention from the very beginning, this one completely surprised me in the best way.

Coming from an author known for heart-wrenching dystopian and fantasy novels, I wasn’t expecting such a fresh and unique take on romantic comedy—but that’s exactly what makes Take 2 stand out. It’s not your typical RomCom, and that’s part of the charm. I was hooked early and found myself flying through the pages, eager to see where the story would go.

Whether you're a die-hard romance fan or someone like me who dips in only occasionally, this one is absolutely worth the read.

In this book, Take 2 by Natalie Acosta, young and ambitious Bella has a dream of one day winning an Oscar for best screenplay. She meets her dream man, Ryan, a hot football player, way too early. Both of them have careers, but they also have a love to pursue. At some point they get married, but they are unable to balance their careers and love, so they eventually choose careers. To Bella's surprise, Ryan switches careers from football to movie writer like herself and even manages to beat her in winning the Oscar. The attraction between them lingers, and they don't know how to handle it anymore. Read Take 2 by Natalie Acosta to find out more.

The notable aspect of this book and what I liked most is the mystery between the two male characters appearing in the past and the present narration of the story; this will leave readers wondering who the main character is indeed. The author has managed to make the plot suspenseful using this aspect. I also like the humor in the book; James is quite a character.

I wasn't impressed by the high level of profanity; it might put some readers off. Also, both love and hate seem to be one-sided, which seems unfair to one character. Additionally, at some point, the past and present stories become a bit vague, but maybe the author is using this strategy to heighten suspense.

I rate this book, Take 2 by Natalie Acosta, 3 out of 5 stars.

I recommend it to readers who love thought-provoking stories that delve into the balance between love and career. It's a good inspirational read about love, career, and balance, which is the tricky part.

Opens strong, the hook was just the right amount of “hmm?? 👀” to keep me going. We follow two screenwriters, so that's something new!

The flashbacks were okay. They were a nice touch eventually but for most of the book I couldn't help but think: was all this really necessary? It’s not until about 80% in that everything finally clicks into place, and that’s a long time to keep your reader feeling like what they are reading might be a waste of their time.

I think this could’ve worked just as well as a straightforward rivals-to-lovers story set in the present. The tension was already there, we might just have to spend some time in setting up the rivalry (not a hard task considering they both have the same career).

For the romance itself, I have no complaints. Once things started unfolding, I was into it, it was cute and hot, Mira's snarkiness was 10/10. It absolutely carried the banter. Pacing-wise, that delay in payoff threw me off a bit. I just couldn't help but think 'but why?' while reading.

Firstly, thank you so much for the arc for this book!

This was such a heart warming, fun read. I honestly didn't want to put it down!

If you like second chance romances this one is for you. I love how indepth it is - some books don't go into enough depth with the main characters but i felt this one really did. It gave me chance to really connect and understand them more which makes reading 10x better.

I LOVED Mirabelle. She's gone through heartache and shes on her own journey trying to find her chance at love again. I just wanted her to find her peace from page one. I honestly loved her.

There was some really great laugh out loud moments in the book which i find really important in romances like this one. It's serious when needed but its also fun and quirky in parts. Theres a really good balance in the book which makes it flow so well.

I also really liked the authors writting style how she wrote about her past in depth as much as in the present. Adding on to what i mentioned earlier, it really gives you that connection with her.

I overall really enjoyed this book - i struggled to put it down. I felt all the emotions and when i had finished it i felt so good about it. 4.5 ⭐️

4.5 ⭐️

This is a tender, charming, and wonderfully funny novel that follows Mirabelle as she navigates the bumpy road of a second chance at love after heartbreak. From the very first page, I was drawn into her world, rooting for her as she tried to piece together a future while still carrying the scars of her past.

What made this book truly stand out for me was the way the author wove insights into Mirabelle’s past so seamlessly into the present storyline. Each flashback added a new layer of depth and helped me understand not just what she had lost, but who she had become because of it. These glimpses into her heartbreak made her journey feel authentic and deeply earned.

There were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, thanks to sharp dialogue and the kind of relatable chaos that often occurs in life. But amid the humor were also swoon-worthy scenes. The chemistry between Mirabelle and Preston was very real, and the romance unfolded in a natural way.

The cast of side characters were vibrant, quirky, and memorable in their own right. They didn’t just support Mirabelle’s story; they enriched it, offering warmth, wisdom, and the occasional comic relief.

If you're a fan of second-chance romances that balance emotional depth with wit and heart, this book is a must-read. It’s a gentle reminder that sometimes, love finds you again and that the second time can be even sweeter.

What a sweet, fun read! I really enjoyed the tension, the time flips between past and present, and the way the story unfolded at the end.

Thank you to the publisher, such a good read!

Life kind of got busy so it took me a while to finish reading this, but I finally did, and I enjoyed myself, though it confused me.

I'm not willing to spoil anything, so I'm going to be vague. The plot twist was interesting and made me care more about what I was reading, but in order for it to have the shock value that it had, it took away from the engagement in the story I'd feel if I'd known some things from the beginning. As it was, I struggled with caring about FMC's relationship with Preston for more than half of the book. Also, the sexual attraction is so high that it dims the emotional one, and I think the MMC is just a tiny little bit shitty for the things he did.

It was a good read in the end, and I'd love to read it again at some point with the knowledge I have after finishing, since I think that would be a cool experience too.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC!

I love a good enemies to lovers story, and Take 2 gave me everything I wanted. Mira and Preston have the kind of tension that practically sizzles off the page. Their dynamic is sharp, witty, and just the right amount of petty. Mira’s burnout and frustration felt real, and the forced getaway to a film set in the South of France was the perfect setup for chaos.

And of course, it had to be Preston’s movie. The guy she keeps losing to. The guy who pushes every one of her buttons. Watching them navigate the drama of filming while catching feelings they both try to deny had me fully invested. The setting, the banter, the slow unraveling of Mira’s walls it all worked.

If you’re into rivals with unresolved tension and a touch of vulnerability underneath all the snark, this book is a total win. I was smiling straight through to the last page.

This romcom was so cute. I love how it can show that people can fall in love and break apart then find each other again. I definitely recommend this story I couldn't put it down and loved both main characters and the side characters. Plus I want to attend the really fun Oscars parties the main character puts on.