Book Review: Maybe in Another Life

Maybe in Another Life

Taylor Jenkins Reid

Washington Square Press

342 pages

Hannah has just moved across the country. She is about to hit the big 3-0 and she has nothing to show for it. Her family left the U.S. when she was a teenager, leaving her behind, and ever since then she has been adrift. She has finally decided to move back to CA to stay with her best friend Gabby while she attempts to get her life back on track. To welcome her back in town, Gabby hosts a small get together at a local hangout. One of the guests is Ethan, Hannah’s former flame, first true love, and “the one that got away”. Hannah isn’t sure where she and Ethan stand, but as the night runs its course, old feelings start to surface.

As the evening draws to a close, Hannah is faced with a choice. Does she leave with Gabby or go home with Ethan? A seemingly innocuous choice, the decision has a much more serious impact.

Maybe in Another Life switches back and forth between two scenarios: Hannah’s life if she had left the bar with Ethan and Hannah’s life if she had left the bar with Gabby. It was interesting as hell to watch her two separate lives unfold. Her relationships with people were so different in her two lives, and although some of the same situations played out in both scenarios, the way they were handled and discovered varied greatly. It made for an interesting reading experience.

Maybe in Another Life started off as just another dose of chick lit for me, which had me nervous. I used to be a major fan of Sophie Kinsella as a young adult, but my tastes have changed over the year and I stay away from chick lit now. I am so glad I stuck with this one though because I quickly became intrigued with the story. I plan on reading everything by Taylor Jenkins Reid now, and especially look forward to her most recent book.

Disclosure: I borrowed this book from my local library.