Maybe Next Time
by Cesca Major
Pub Date 30 Mar 2023
Publisher: HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction, HarperCollins
Genre: General Fiction (Adult) | Romance | Women's Fiction

Emma and Dan meet on a train. Years ago now, they were a couple with children. Emma's a high-fluting workaholic in publishing. One day, a tragic event happens, and Dan is now dead. Alas, Emma wakes up on the best day to an alive Dan and repeats the day repeatedly, trying to change his fate. I enjoyed reading Dan's letters to Emma through this book. Although tedious at times due to the similarities of the days as she goes through them herself, you can see how Emma adjusts every time, and you also get snippets into those around them.
That was a slight twist that I didn't expect. Hattie, oh, why are you going through all this? This book made me cry and is a 4. 5/5 for me. It's brilliant and makes you reflect on yourself and your relationships and not take them for granted.

#NetGalley #bookstagram #bookreview #goodreads #booktok#bookclub #MaybeNextime

Emma lives in London with her husband and two children. She represents 21st century living in as much that she never has a moment to herself and has increasing demands on her time. More importantly she does not have time for her husband or children either. On the 3rd December after a particularly tough day she comes home without noticing her children are upset, her dog appears to be unwell and she has forgotten it is an important anniversary of the day she met her husband. Dan, her husband, has always attached a lot of importance to this date and they have marked it by sending each other a romantic letter. This year though because Emma is so stretched with work and other commitments she has forgotten and Dan is very unhappy, partly because she has forgotten, but also because she never seems to have any time for him or the children. Dan takes the dog for a walk and then tragedy strikes. When Emma wakes up the next morning, she has a Groundhog day and it is December 3rd all over again This happens the next day and the day after, a continual December 3rd. At first, she is frantic about the situation and doesn’t feel she can tell anyone about what is happening, but eventually she takes advantage of the situation and tries to learn from her mistakes to make up for lost time with her family. I enjoyed this book even if it did feel unbelievable. It is the sort of book that makes one think and relate it to ones own life and priorities. It is an unusual concept but the characters are believable and although the repetitive nature of the days events might become a bit stale the skill of the author prevents this from being the case and the book keeps the reader engrossed until the end. A very strong debut from Cesca Major. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me an ARC of this book.

A brilliant book! With a great cast of characters and a really unusual premise, I really enjoyed this. Highly recommended.

Such a great read. Emma and Dan's story is both beautiful and heartbreaking in equal measures. Beautifully written and a wonderful story that grips you from the beginning and is very moving. First book I've read by this author but will definitely not be the last .

what would happen if you could live the day again? what changes would you make? a love story where life gets in the way but what if you got chance to change this. a heartbreaking story

I loved how different this book was, and how much it made me think about how our actions sometimes can control the future - but alternatively there are some things that we are never able to control.

I really enjoyed this book and would love to read some that are the same style, and also by the same author in the future!

I have to start my review by saying I find Groundhog Day quite frustrating - watching Bill Murray live the same moments over and over again with only small changes just isn't for me.
However, this book is not that film and I really enjoyed reading it!!

This book is kept interesting as rather than following the same routine over and over, Emma makes major changes everytime she relives her day which keeps the story moving.
You are also only given snippets of other people's stories at first - it hooks you in as you slowly uncover what is going on in everyone else's lives, things that Emma hadn't noticed or had time to discover.

This is a heartbreaking but beautiful novel about a wife and mother who has become overwhelmed with her demanding career and is so focused on trying to keep everyone else happy that she has forgotten what is really important. It will take you on an emotional rollercoaster as Emma struggles to deal with reliving the same heartbreak day after day and as she embraces the opportunity to reconnect with her family.

Most importantly, this book is a great lesson that we should all take a moment to appreciate the gift of those we love around us!

I adored this book. The first two chapters had me in tears and was already hooked After reading the acknowledgements and how the story came about for the author, it was everything I was thinking when I read it!
The writing was so beautiful, and the letters within from Dan’s perspective we’re stunning.
I would highly recommend this book, it would make a great present to a friend who works long hours and doesn’t take care of themselves! There was so much imagery within this book that just made you feel everything and you could so feel how knackered Emma was! I would absolutely read more of Cesca Major’s writing, just stunning! Thanks Cesca for writing a beautiful story.

A unique and modern premise makes for a gripping and heartbreaking read. Maybe Next Time is an intelligent often funny exploration of relationships, and family amidst the pressures of being a career woman. It asks the question – what is important in life? And reminds me of a mash up of It’s a wonderful life, PS I Love You and Groundhog Day.
A fabulous love story that will break your heart.

Emma and Dan and a day that's on a constant loop. Groundhog day that has a little difference each time trying to perfect the day and stop him from dying.
I could feel the desperation and frustration from Emma as she tried to stop the inevitable happening each time.
A little repetitive but an enjoyable read nonetheless

Wow! I haven't cried reading a book for a long time. I fell in love with the characters Emma and Dan, the honesty and love they held for each other. Brilliant!

I enjoyed this book and flew through it. I did feel it got a little repetitive but, as it's groundhog Day, that's to be expected. I found Emma annoying at times, but overall found it a good read.

This one is Groundhog Day with a spin on it - her day always ends in heartache, no matter what. This took me a while to get sucked into this one, as found Emma a little hard to connect with as she’s trying so hard to please everyone. I loved how Dan’s anniversary letters reveal more and more about how he sees her, and their relationship, she got under my skin.

Emma’s pretty much the poster girl for every mum out there - always trying to be there for everyone, at every time, and she gradually spreads herself too thin. The mum guilt is heavy - all the time. But something’s got to give.

There’s so much going on in this story - it’s not just a Groundhog Day with a romance twist. There’s familial relationships, social media, peer pressure, bullying, friendships, work pressure, the pressure we put on ourselves, also how those tiny little interactions we have every day can have a huge impact on others’ lives.

I like how there’s a magical/mystical element to her situation, but no explanation. She and we just accept it as she goes through each day again, and again, and again. But boy does she go through some heartbreak!! I also really liked how once she’s decided her game plan, it’s not a quick fix and everything’s sorted at the end of that day. It still takes of lot of effort, hard work and to be honest more heartbreak.

Thanks to NetGalley, the team at Harper Collins UK and the author for the opportunity to read this review copy.

I can’t stop thinking about this book!!!!

Brief overview: Emma’s having a crap day! Super busy working mum who can’t seem to slow down, forgetting her anniversary & ending the day in the worst way imaginable. And REPEAT. Emma has to relive this day over and over (and over and over and over) again. Can she change the fatal outcome by altering the course of her day?

I kept finding myself wanting to pick this book back up. I loved everything from the characters, the storyline and the writing style. I laughed, I cried (that last letter broke me!) and I reflected. I love a book that can evoke such emotions all in one. I really related to the main character Emma and I was really routing for her to ‘find herself’. Her husband, Dan, is beautifully written. He’s witty and caring, encouraging and I was praying for a happy ending.

If you love a funny yet devastating, family orientated romance then this is definitely one for you. A modern take on Groundhog Day and a reminder to slow down and appreciate the smaller things I life

I absolutely loved reading this book!

Emma Jacobs is an extremely busy woman, juggling life and work, and trying to do it all.
Dan is her husband.
What must she endure to find the true meaning of love and life? Finding the right balance?

From the opening lines of this book I knew I was going to enjoy it.
I found myself laughing out loud, some parts were extremely funny, some parts so sad.
I found it thoughtful and thought provoking. It made me think about aspects of my own life, and I found myself examining mine.
I thought it was very well written.
I will remember this story, I could not put the book down.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK Publishers for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.

Even the greatest love stories end, but what if this one didn’t have to?

Emma just wants to keep everyone happy, her husband, children, work colleagues, charity committee even her dog but she can’t do it all. Forced to live the same day over and over again she realises even the smallest of changes could make a big difference but no matter how hard you try sometimes certain things are just meant to be.

I loved this book and raced through it. Clever concept and characters you really feel for. Thanks to @netgalley for the opportunity to read this brilliant book and good luck to the author on its release.

Publication Date - 30/03/2023

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#MaybeNextTime
#CescaMajor

This book is something of a reminder to be more present. To hold your loved ones close and never go to sleep on an argument. To never take anyone or anything for granted and to live each day like it's your last. It's a story about love and grief and everything in between.

I did enjoy the sentiment of the story, and I thought some of the glimpses into Dan and Emma's relationship were lovely. However, because this was mostly through the anniversary letters I never really felt connected to either character. The plot device of reliving the same day over and over again did become repetitive after a while too.I just had the constant niggle that the book needed a bit of oomph to get going. That being said, it's an enjoyable holiday read.

My thanks go to the publishers and NetGalley for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.

I LOVED this book! The description says it all but it is so much more.

Emma and Dan meet in a crowded tube carriage in 2006 and embark on life together. They travel around Australia before finding out they are pregnant with their first child, followed by a second child a few years later. Fast forward to 2021/2022, the stress of work, life and raising children is putting pressure on their relationship.

Emma forgets their Dateversary ... for the second year in a row because she's so wrapped up in her own world. She spends more time supporting people she's never even met than she does being present for her husband and children.

Then something happens and Emma begins reliving the same day over and over again for months. Eventually she spills the whole thing to a colleague who encourages her to look at this as a gift. This kick starts something in Emma and she makes an effort to know her family again and she doesn't always get it right but she knows she'll have another chance when time resets again.

I really enjoyed this book, Dan and Emma are so in love but they have issues in their relationship just like everyone else does. It shows the struggle people have on a daily basis trying to find the right work/life balance.

It is a sad story but its also heart-warming and relatable. I highly recommend this story to everyone!

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

This book made fell so many emotions. I bawled out at the ending. It had me sat on the edge from the very first page and had me hooked, and throughout my entire time reading had me gasping every now and the. I just couldn’t seem to put it down. Loved it!

The Groundhog Day narrative is one we see a lot in film, less so in books. After reading this, I can maybe see why - not having the visuals cues to show the same day makes for slightly repetitive reading. I enjoyed the idea, loved the letters that interject the story and reveal more about the central relationship, But I found Emma, the main character, a really frustrating one to spend time with and her approach to everything really grating.