This is a story about a woman who is left at the alter on her wedding day, and chooses to take charge of her life, so that she will never again fall prey to going along with another persons expectations of her. Three years later she is still shaken, not because she missed her fiancé, but because the event left her doubting her own ability to make competent life decisions. I so identified with the way a little encouragement at her workplace catapulted her to reveal the inspired and creative talent that she had always surpressed. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this story.....Lily’s character was vulnerable and had me cheering for a happy conclusion. Beautiful story, well written and memorable.

I did not like this book that much. The story felt a bit unbelievable to me and the characters were way too blah.

Unfortunately, I was slow in downloading this story and it was archived before I had the chance. I'm sure it is a wonderful read.

A really cute, easy read chic lit about a woman who, after being jilted at the altar and nearly losing her job, decides to try something new by making a bucket list and going at it both feet first. As an example she does a sky dive and a night in a haunted house! Both very funny!

Some very entertaining moments that made me smile. A great summer read that could easily be read over a weekend.

Would recommend to anyone who likes a heart warming, if not somewhat predictable book with likeable characters. My favourite being her mother who I really warmed to.

I would certainly read a book by this author again.

I was on struggle street trying to get through this novel - the characters were painful and i really expected much more spunk out of it all based on the description. Such a shame.

Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Starting on Lily’s wedding day which didn’t quite turn out as planned, Lily is working her way through life: existing, not living. She loves her job as the lifestyles and human interest reporter for the local paper, even if her boss is constantly putting her down and has turned their little office into a warzone – where people ‘barely’ work and the paper is more adverts than news. Readership has plummeted since the new boss, and it is obvious that the paper is in major trouble. An email announces the arrival of corporate bigwigs, and the boss simply walks out. Leaving Lily as the only person in the room who seems to care about the paper.

Despite all intentions that corporate had to close the paper immediately, they did bring in a consultant and set goals- increase readership by 22% in four weeks, add digital content and provide a newspaper that locals WANT to read, and the paper will survive. Lily is excited for the task, and the fact that the owner of the whole shebang complimented her writing and grasp of what the readers wanted. So, in a rather uneasy (at first) collaboration with Christopher, the consultant. He’s also aware that along with Lily, his hard work for the company in a prestigious internship program is also being tested – and he’s full of ideas and options.

Clever and funny with some moments of true trial with her mother, Lily is a solid character who needed the boost of confidence the changes at the paper, and her coworkers’ confidence in her all help her to ‘dream bigger’ and think on her feet. Taking chances and challenges in hand, the only hesitation for her is the connection she feels with Christopher. Feeling very organic and natural, with plenty of laughs and characters that sing from the pages, the story is an easy, fun and engaging read.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-avp/” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

I have immensely enjoyed reading this book. Its well written. Will definitely recommend. I am glad I was given access to this arc.

This is a good modern fiction romance story. It's different from the usual kind of love story and I found it very interesting and enjoyable.

For Once in My Life by Colleen Coleman is a really fun page turner! It has a lot of really good messages throughout. I was highlighting passages to share later and just amazed at how the character Christopher understood people today. His character was spot on in saying that people want to belong and really need community and that as of right now many of us are "nones"! I know Colleen Coleman also gets people too. This is an author I would really love to sit down and have tea with! She sounds intelligent and very wise.

Back to the story, I loved the whole book. It has all the emotions in one good story. This wasn't a love story or romance or anything specific. It was an adventure. It was fun. It was great and fresh. Loved it.

Colleen Coleman's For Once in My Life is all about 29-year-old bride-to-be Lily Buckley, a journalist in her hometown. However, life takes a different turn and Lily finds herself in the face of  new opportunities and a second chance at love.

I liked so many things about this hopeful, funny and uplifting book. Lily was just a brilliant protagonist. Her heart got broken in many ways and she retreated for a while. But, Lily was a fighter. She stepped out of her comfort zone at work and embarked on an exhilarating, uncertain and new journey learning to trust again.

Throughout the book, Lily overcame her fears and left the pain of the past behind. In the end, I really think she experienced a process of healing. Life was messy and unpredictable at times; instead of waiting for the next disaster, she eventually enjoyed the good moments, persisting through new problems with hope and pushing fear behind.

Chris, the leading guy, was great and had his own set of difficulties. I loved his enthusiasm and the way he encouraged Lily. Sweet and smart, Chris added a lovely touch to the book.

The book had a cast of characters with their own quirks too.

For Once in My Life had some very special moments that might bring a tear to your eye. I was rooting for Lily and wanted to find out more about the story after every chapter. The opening of the book had the right tone and drew me in.

Charming, full of life and romantic, For Once in My Life left a satisfying smile on my face.

-Received ARC from publisher.

This book sadly wasn’t good fit for me. I had heard good things about the author, but I had a hard time connecting to the story and liking the characters. I went into it thinking it would be a romantic comedy (as mentioned in there blurbs), but I didn’t think it was very funny. Definitely more chick-lit!

I am kicking myself for not reading this sooner. Well, you know what they say . . . better late than never. But one thing is for sure; Colleen Coleman has got a very devoted fan.
So what are the bits I loved? Absolutely everything -- the language, story, characters and the inspiration that emits from each and every page. Seriously, if you are on a writing slump, this book will surely guide you back to your desk. As Lily takes charge of her life and also her role as the new editor of the newspaper with each article, we feel that itch to transfer something to the paper along with her. Her columns are great by the way. They are funny, personal and evocative of the challenge she has gone through.
While Lily encounters her past demons with each challenge set as inspirations for her columns, it is hard not to be uplifted. In spite of all the misfortunes she has suffered, fate is finally offering her a chance. So pick it up guys, to know how she meets it head-on.

Lily's life is feeling a bit stagnant, it is three years since she was jilted at the altar for her best friend and she definitely doesn't want to move on in another relationship and risk that hurt again, but her work on the newspaper is also dull with nothing exciting to report on. Then Chris is brought in to help save the paper....... can Lily rise to the challenge of reporting on her own stunts...... and what about Chris himself can she dare to feel again!

Another enjoyable book by this author, there was plenty of laughter and I found the character of Lily really grew on me.......although at first I was thinking get on with it three years is plenty of time to get over it! Overall a good lighthearted read.

Fantastic uplifting book!

Don’t we all experience this special connection with certain characters. We feel what they feel, we cry with them, we laugh with them, we are scared with them,…

For me, Lily is one of those characters for sure. When Lily’s life comes crashing down, when her future disappears with simple ‘I can’t go ahead with this.’, you will feel incredibly shocked, upset and so so sad with her.

Years later, Lily’s life is kind of back on the track. She’s working in local papers and loves her job, even if it’s not a perfect job by anybody’s standards. This job will give her more than paycheck in the end of the month. It will give her chance to find her inner strenght again, it will push her boundaries, it will teach her how to live again and feel alive!

I adored this book. With its strong and interesting characters, great plot and just that warm fuzzy feeling reading such a wonderful and positive book (even if it didn’t always felt like it), I read it in one day and just couldn’t put it down. Thumbs up from me

I'm not a fan of this one. I never really got into the story. Lily gets left on her wedding day, for her best friend. While I understand that's devastating, 3 years is a long time to still be holding on to that. This book is touted as a rom-com, but I never really got "funny" out of it. I wasn't a big fan of Lily's mom either. Leaving your child so you can do what you want is completely selfish. Not sure that I would have much to do with her after that. The ending was good. This was a first for me from this author, but I would read her again.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.

I really enjoyed this book. It was brilliantly written with a great cast of characters and intriguing plot that kept me turning the pages. Perfect read to escape from day to day life. A great read.

Great book with a great storyline. Not what I was expecting at all so was a nice surprise. Easy to read and good characters in there too.

I was really looking foward to this one - I love a good writer as the MC, and bucket list aspect was a huge hook for me. And I did enjoy it. It was a nice read, a pleasant bit of escapism, a fun story. But it wasn't amazing. I can't quite put my finger on what was lacking, it just felt a little formulaic, a tad forced at times, without the engaging flow and personality I'd been hoping for.

I really enjoyed this book. Its heart warmung, funny, and inspiring. I am new to this author and was inpressed with her writing style, the characters were well developed and interesting. I will definitely be looking for more books by Colleen Coleman.

While I've only read one other book by Colleen Coleman, I feel like there's a definite theme with her writing, and that is that she has a knack for writing from the heart and making her stories very, very relatable. Don't get me wrong, I know every author writes from the heart, but Colleen has this way of making me feel like I can feel her feelings through the words written...that's a lot of feels! If you've read her books, let me know if you get this vibe too!

I want to start my review by elaborating slightly on what I said at the top of the page. There was something different about Lily. I read a lot of books with many, many wonderful leading ladies who are all unique and kick ass in their own way and while Lily was all of these things, she was different. I felt like she was actually real. Every emotion she felt, I felt too, but not like a small "oh yeah I get that" way. I genuinely felt it. When Lily takes on her first challenge for her new column, it's a terrifying activity (I don't want to spoil it, so I'll leave it at that) I kid you not, every fear she had and the way she handled it I could relate too. The sense of overwhelming dread and panic and feeling like you physically can't move, I've been there done that. Colleen wrote it so sensitively and with such care that it was quite therapeutic. Just knowing that these things do happen and you can get through them and nothing bad will happen was very reassuring. It created a bond with Lily that lasts throughout the book and to be honest will probably continue even now that I've finished the story. That there is the magic of books; feeling empowered and like you can face anything because you've just been through a roller-coaster ride of emotions with your new friends.

Each challenge had me thinking about my fears, as well as laughing out loud and feeling slightly spooked! The friendship between Lily and Christopher was perfect too. He was amazing and I loved him right away. A good guy - long live the good guys! He was written brilliantly as well.

From start to finish I was engaged in Lily's story. Her passion for her job was contagious, her loyalty to her Mum was admirable, and her sense of positivity and uplifting spirit was infectious. If you're in the mood for a feel-good read that will give you a boost of confidence and belief that YOU are capable of anything if you just believe in yourself and what you want, 'For Once in My Life' is the book for you.