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Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Maybe in Another Life

by Taylor Jenkins Reid

  • Critics' Consensus (0):
  • Readers' Rating (35):
  • Published:
  • Jul 2015, 352 pages
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There are currently 35 reader reviews for Maybe in Another Life
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Shawna, (TX)

Enjoyable and Thought Provoking
The concurrent story lines make for a very interesting approach to the premise of one night, two possibilities. Written in a very engaging manner that keeps you reading, the book will be enjoyed by a wide variety of readers. Very enjoyable as a personal read, but will lend itself to a lively discussion about fate, choices, and the road not taken. My favorite line was one the author wrote for her husband (read the acknowledgments.)
Carol N. (Indian Springs Village, AL)

Maybe in Another Life...
"...I know there may be universes out there where I made different choices that led me somewhere else, led me to someone else. And my heart breaks for ever version of me that didn't end up with you." And cue the tears.

Usually I don't like the books that go back and forth from one story line to another in alternating chapters. I feel confused, trying to keep track of who said what, in what universe to whom and what secrets does which character know. But in this case, it really worked for me. I didn't want to like Hannah when I first met her, thinking her some kind of whiny slacker but she really grew on me as she grew through these very different life experiences. I adored her friend Gabby and their friendship. I don't have a friend like this in my life but I wish I did. I've been through a lot of health issues lately and I could feel Hannah's frustrations as I have felt those same ones. I wish the book had been a little longer to give us more insight into how the women coped together on their own but I did really enjoy the book. I think this would be a very good book for a book club to read as there would be a lot for them to discuss. I will be looking for more books by this author.
Power Reviewer
Mary Lou F. (Naples, FL)

Choices/chances
Very different style of writing. Two different choices to every action. Confusing at first but once you catch on, it makes for a very good read. I would like to read her other books to see how she handles situations.
Karen L. (Wilton, IA)

Couldn't put it down!
I loved this book! I want to read the rest of this authors books! It reminded me of another book I read Time of my Life by Allison Winn Scotch Which I also liked. This one was even better. This book would be good for book clubs and for anyone who ever thought about the effect their choices have on their life. Just one choice whether to stay with Ethan or go home with her friend took Hannah's life in two different directions. Some things stayed the same in both story lines which shows good character development. I cared about and liked most of the characters except Mark and Michael. I loved the friendship between Hannah and Gabby.
Lisa G. (Riverwoods, IL)

Maybe In Another Life
This was a very quick and enjoyable read, perfect for the summer. At 29 Hannah moves back to where she grew up after a traumatic break up with a married man to reevaluate her life, The author shows us two different paths that her life could have taken which are set forth in alternating chapters. As the threads of each life seem to unravel I found myself thinking that maybe the outcome of our decisions is what is ordained, how we get there is not. And if we have a soul mate are there different paths to finding that special person? For Hannah her quest made for a good read that book groups would enjoy.
Power Reviewer
Joan V. (Miller Place, NY)

Parallel lives?
I LOVED this book! Ms. Jenkins Reid captured my attention at the beginning and I read it in one big gulp. Two story lines are written about the main character "Hannah Martin." They revolve around her making two different choices on her first night in LA each one leads her down a different path, however they run parallel to each other. The chapters alternate between Hannah's life choices. Ms. Jenkins Reid weaves these stories very skillfully and allows them to overlap in some places making the story very credible. At times I was tempted to peek ahead and see what was going to happen, but I resisted that impulse and just read faster.

I think this would make a terrific book club choice; there are many points for discussion. Is there a parallel universe, who knows, but this book makes it something that is fun to think about. I want to read her other books and will definitely recommend this one to my friends.
Cathy M. (Milwaukee, WI)

Your Bashert
We've all come across a fork in the road. You choose one. Did you ever wonder what would have happened if you had taken the other path? Some people believe that the one you take is the right one. It is your "bashert", the Yiddish word for fate or destiny. The person you marry is the one you were supposed to marry, whether it's a good or bad marriage because it was preordained by G-d. Taylor Jenkins Reid explores the concept of fate. In two parallel stories the author writes about what would happen if you took both paths. While I found the theme of "fate" a bit overdone, I wondered what would happen to each Hannah in the next twist or turn of the story.
Daryl B. (Poolesville, MD)

Fun read
I was a bit skeptical about how I would like the two concurrent stories, but really enjoyed it. The author did a good job of keeping the two separate and I never felt confused as to which was which. It really makes you think about how differently one choice can determine the course of your life. The characters were mostly very believable with the exception of Hannah's family over in England. Who just abandons their daughter like that? I think my book club would enjoy it.

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