I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was an interesting and unique take on a self help book with useful tips and advice.

A great self-help book, explaining what it takes to fully appreciate the one life you have.

Lots of interesting help available for anyone searching for meaning in their life.

Quirky part novel, part self-help book which is rather unusual but interesting and thought-provoking.

A lovely feel-good read. I even found myself noting down some of the ideas for future use...Interesting and different

A ‘curate’s egg’ of a novel

This isn’t a ‘bad’ book, but it really hasn’t decided if it is a novel or a self-help book.

The author is stated to be an expert in personal development and I can’t help but feel that she has invented this new discipline of Routinology and is testing the water before putting it to the academic community.

The idea is clever, but the characters are not convincing, and I found it ‘convenient’ that every time Camille went to Claude with a problem it was immediately resolved with very little effort. It is all a bit trite.

I know from experience that changing the way we think is a long and complicated business and there are no easy answers. If it was this easy we wouldn’t need therapists.

Having said all that the ethos of Routinology does come up with some worthwhile guidance, but as a novel, I think it fails.

Pashtpaws

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

Enjoyable short and quirky read. It is part novel and part self help book, and something I know I will refer back to in future.

Your Second Life Begins is more of a self-help fable than the novel I was expecting, which meant that I initially struggled with the writing style, and didn’t feel as if the characters were fleshed out enough. I also found Camille a little too whiny: she runs to Claude at every little setback. But then once he’s given her a nudge in the right direction, she overcomes all obstacles, fairly easily, with optimum outcomes.

Or so it seems. That might not be a fair assessment because she does put in time and effort to the assignments Claude sets her. It’s just that it feels glossed over thanks to how Your Second Life Begins is written. I’m also aware that Camille needs to progress through the tasks and challenges reasonably quickly to keep the reader engaged but the transformations that come about in Camille and her life still seem too good to be true. That’s the cynic in me, though… and I’ll get back to you once I’ve finished working through them myself!

Your Second Life Begins is a quick and easy, upbeat read: I read it in one short sitting. Raphaëlle Giordano has come up with some really interesting challenges for anyone who wonders if this is it, and if their life could be improved. She collects them together at the end of the book, too, which is a great reference tool if you want to try any of them out, and it means you don’t have to jot them down while reading but simply enjoy following Camille’s journey instead. And some of the ways in which Claude encourages Camille to get out of her comfort zone and make changes to her life are amusing and entertaining, even if you may have to find your own alternative and won’t be able to try them all at home.

So, yes, I had a couple of issues with this book but I’m grateful that it came along when it did. I took so much from it: Your Second Life Begins made me look at things differently (never a waste of time), think about where I am and what makes me happy. This offbeat adventure in happiness is an insightful read.

The idea of this book was good. I like the idea of a routinologist. This is a feel good story. It is an enjoyable short read that is thought provoking.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.