Reviewer: Annie
I received a review copy
Summary:
From the acclaimed author of Forever, Interrupted and After I Do comes a breathtaking new novel about a young woman whose fate hinges on the choice she makes after bumping into an old flame; in alternating chapters, we see two possible scenarios unfold—with stunningly different results.
At the age of twenty-nine, Hannah Martin still has no idea what she wants to do with her life. She has lived in six different cities and held countless meaningless jobs since graduating college. On the heels of leaving yet another city, Hannah moves back to her hometown of Los Angeles and takes up residence in her best friend Gabby’s guestroom. Shortly after getting back to town, Hannah goes out to a bar one night with Gabby and meets up with her high school boyfriend, Ethan.
Just after midnight, Gabby asks Hannah if she’s ready to go. A moment later, Ethan offers to give her a ride later if she wants to stay. Hannah hesitates. What happens if she leaves with Gabby? What happens if she leaves with Ethan?
In concurrent storylines, Hannah lives out the effects of each decision. Quickly, these parallel universes develop into radically different stories with large-scale consequences for Hannah, as well as the people around her. As the two alternate realities run their course, Maybe in Another Life raises questions about fate and true love: Is anything meant to be? How much in our life is determined by chance? And perhaps, most compellingly: Is there such a thing as a soul mate?
Hannah believes there is. And, in both worlds, she believes she’s found him.
Review:
Taylor Jenkins Reid writes another wonderful chick lit novel! Unique! Fun!
She writes about Hannah Martin being given two choices. Then, we are taken on the journey of each choice. It reminded me of when I was younger and there were books where you would “make a choice” and that “choice” would tell you to go to a specific page. I was always so enamored with these stories, so this story was super cool to me.
This story also resonated with me because I was also living the life of a gypsy, moving from one town to the next, taking new jobs…never ready to settle down, until I came back home. I always enjoy a story that hits home in some way.
Hannah graduated from college and moved and changed jobs for about a decade. At age 29, she decides to return home to Los Angeles and move in with her best friend, Gabby.
On Hannah’s first night home, she and Gabby go to a local bar to hang out with friends. She meets up with her High School boyfriend, Ethan. At the end of the night, she can either go home with Gabby or stay with Ethan and have him drive her home.
I loved that this story took us on a journey for each decision. Don’t we all look back and wonder “what if?” about certain choices? Would we all still be in the same place?
This was just so entertaining…I loved the characters and the magnitudes of each choice. I believe this book will be enjoyed by many.
5 Stars
