Title: Maybe In Another Life
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Published: July 7, 2015 by Washington Square Press
Pages: 352
Source: BookSparks Summer Reading Challenge
Rating: 4/5
Goodreads
At the age of twenty-nine, Hannah Martin still has no idea what she wants to do with her life. She has lived in six different cities and held countless meaningless jobs since graduating college. On the heels of leaving yet another city, Hannah moves back to her hometown of Los Angeles and takes up residence in her best friend Gabby’s guestroom. Shortly after getting back to town, Hannah goes out to a bar one night with Gabby and meets up with her high school boyfriend, Ethan.
Just after midnight, Gabby asks Hannah if she’s ready to go. A moment later, Ethan offers to give her a ride later if she wants to stay. Hannah hesitates. What happens if she leaves with Gabby? What happens if she leaves with Ethan?
In concurrent storylines, Hannah lives out the effects of each decision. Quickly, these parallel universes develop into radically different stories with large-scale consequences for Hannah, as well as the people around her. As the two alternate realities run their course, Maybe in Another Life raises questions about fate and true love: Is anything meant to be? How much in our life is determined by chance? And perhaps, most compellingly: Is there such a thing as a soul mate?
Hannah believes there is. And, in both worlds, she believes she’s found him.
My review:
I loved the concept of this novel. It's told in alternating chapters, based on one decision from one night in Hannah's life. The interesting aspect was that while Hannah's life was radically different, the author kept aspects in her friends and family's lives the same. The reader gets two versions of the same story, and while I did find one part of one of the endings a little implausible (the way that she met one of the guys at a later time was a bit of a stretch), it was really clever that both stories ended at the same event. Good writing kept this story interesting, even though we "relived" some of the same events in those around Hannah more than once. I honestly did not have a preference for which story I hoped was the one she ultimately would have picked.
A really engrossing read that gets the reader thinking about how a simple choice in our life can lead us down a completely different path. Do you believe in fate, or chance? Is there such a thing as a soul mate? Great questions that this book will have you pondering.
I received a copy of this book from BookSparks, as part of their Summer Reading Challenge. Click the link for info about all of the books selected.
What a fun concept and I'm glad that it played out so well. I've often wondered what would happen if I had made different choices or not been in the right place at the right time as I'm sure everyone else has. What fun to see it play out in fiction for someone else!
It really was a great concept and fun to see how differently things take shape once the decision is made.
This is second review I have seen that is positive about this book, fascinating idea. I believe our choices are there and they do charter our lives. Would be interesting to see if we went back and made different ones. As I think Wayne Dyer says "you are the sum of your choices".
I really thought the concept of the novel was very unique. I like to read something that is a bit different in its premise once in a while.
I loved this book and it really got me thinking about how different my life could've turned out had I made different choices. I thought about it so much that I incorporated some of those thoughts and feelings in to a blog post celebrating my daughter turning 11. Her birth being one of those points in my life that completely changed my path.
Glad to hear that you also enjoyed this book!
I remember reading your post about that, I think this book might interest you.