Review: Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren

TWICE IN A BLUE MOON
Christina Lauren
Publication date: October 22, 2019
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Format: eARC
Source: Gallery Books and NetGalley
3.5 Stars

GOODREADS  *  AMAZON

Sam Brandis was Tate Jones’s first: Her first love. Her first everything. Including her first heartbreak.

During a whirlwind two-week vacation abroad, Sam and Tate fell for each other in only the way that first loves do: sharing all of their hopes, dreams, and deepest secrets along the way. Sam was the first, and only, person that Tate—the long-lost daughter of one of the world’s biggest film stars—ever revealed her identity to. So when it became clear her trust was misplaced, her world shattered for good.

Fourteen years later, Tate, now an up-and-coming actress, only thinks about her first love every once in a blue moon. When she steps onto the set of her first big break, he’s the last person she expects to see. Yet here Sam is, the same charming, confident man she knew, but even more alluring than she remembered. Forced to confront the man who betrayed her, Tate must ask herself if it’s possible to do the wrong thing for the right reason… and whether “once in a lifetime” can come around twice.

M Y   T H O U G H T S

Christina Lauren has become an auto-buy author (duet) for me. I love their ability to develop characters that I connect with, stories I am invested in, and dialogue that rings true. I didn’t feel those attributes as strongly in Twice in a Blue Moon, but there were still aspects I enjoyed and appreciated.

The first third of the books takes place fourteen years in past. Tate, on a trip to London with her grandmother before starting college, meets Sam. The two connect quickly and Tate falls hard and fast, sharing things with Sam that are closely guarded secrets. When her trust is betrayed, she returns home to a life that has changed in an instant. No longer anonymous, Tate is thrust into the spotlight, eventually choosing to follow in her famous father’s footsteps and pursue an acting career. Years later, on the set of a movie that could catapult her career, she comes face to face with Sam and the past and present collide. Over a decade has passed but Tate finds all the old feelings are still there, but how can she possibly forgive and forget?

What worked for me:
I enjoyed the first portion of the book that focused and Tate and Sam together. The authors managed to make me feel that magical, exciting far-from-home feeling where anything seems possible, including a whirlwind romance. Tate and Sam were both such down-to earth, likable characters. I was shocked right along with Tate when her confidence was betrayed and was left wondering how Sam could do such a thing – and why? I loved that the chemistry between them was still alive and well years later and pulled hard for them to find their way back to each other… somehow. I especially appreciated Sam’s openness and willingness to put his heart on the line.

What left me wanting more:
The time spent on Tate working out her issues with her father began to feel repetitive and I found myself frustrated with her for continuing to allow him to push her buttons and leave her feeling so inadequate. Granted, I’ve never had such a toxic/complicated relationship with a parent, but Tate was not a child. I was a little annoyed that his approval was such a driving factor in her life as a woman now in her 30's. Beyond that, my main detraction is that overall it felt like not a lot happened. I don’t know if it was a pacing issue, my mood while reading, or something else, but at more than 350 pages the story seemed to amble along without a lot to move the story forward. Lastly, I really needed an epilogue. A glimpse into Tate’s future – both personally and professionally – would have done wonders in leaving me more satisfied.

3.5/5 STARS


Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. This does not impact my opinion of the book or the content of this review. I received no compensation and my review is voluntary.

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28 comments

  1. The cover alone is just gorgeous! I've been seeing duet authors a lot more frequently, and usually their work impresses.

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    1. I agree, Ethan, I really like the cover of this one. And this author duet almost always delivers a winner for me.

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  2. Every single review I've read has said the same thing about this one.

    the authors are hit or miss for me so I passed on this one.

    Karen @ For What It's worth

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    1. As much as I've loved some of their others, this one just wasn't my favorite. Maybe the next one! :)

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  3. Sorry this didn't work out for you. Christina Lauren is a writing duo who seems to write spot on books or ones which miss the mark. That seems to be what I get with each new book they release. It sucks this missed the mark but I can see the things which made it not work for you doing the same for me.

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    1. I guess not every single one they release can be a total winner. :)

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  4. I agree about the first part of the book. It was an utter delight. I thought the authors did a wonderful job capturing all those feelings of first love. I enjoyed this a bit more than you, but I think it's because the ending was so strong for me, and I loved how it came full circle like that.

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    1. I really did like the ending scene but I was so desperate for an epilogue.

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  5. Oooh glad to see a review of this one! I have it and would like to get to it at some point. I think that maybe the complicated father thing wouldn't bug me as much because I am in my 30s and way too reliant on my own parents hah. And I love that the characters seemed down to earth- and especially that there was chemistry! Great review!

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    1. I think as readers we bring our personal experiences into our reading and that has an effect of how we view the story. So some things that one reader is bothered by would be totally understandable to another. That's why I'm always hesitant to come out and say when specific elements didn't work for me. Because often it's just a personal thing. Someone else may relate 100%. Okay, done rambling now... LOL

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  6. This book sounds like something I could lose myself in and I love books with good chemistry. I AM a bit worried about the pacing. I just stopped reading a book because of it. And your 3.5 rating has me MEH as well. I think I'll skip for now, but maybe one day this book will find me ...

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    1. You might love this one but subconsciously I was probably comparing to it some of their their books and finding it a little lacking.

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  7. I've heard very similar things about this book from others and I have to admit to being a bit hesitant to give it a try. I think the first half sounds really good, but I do think I'd be a bit frustrated with the MC and her issues with her father if they feel repetitive.

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    1. I felt like she should have been passed trying so hard to seek her father's approval but some others may actually be able to understand that better.

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  8. Well Tanya this author in the past was not a hit for me even if I know that she (or they) is beloved by many. I am just sorry it was not better for you but I understand if her behavior feels repetitive that it can become frustrating!

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    1. Sometimes an author just doesn't click with a reader. I'm that way with a few authors (Maggie Steifvater, Jandy Nelson).

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  9. I've seen similar reactions. Sorry to hear it wasn't your favorite CL, but happy you at least enjoyed some parts. :)

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    1. Thanks Rachel. While it wasn't my favorite by them, it was still an enjoyable read.

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  10. The first part of the book was my favorite part as well.

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    1. Yep, them falling in love in the earlier part was so sweet.

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  11. I wonder if this one is a bit of a miss with readers because they're churning out so many books and perhaps readers aren't connecting to the characters the way they have in previous books. I love the concept but the lack of communication is maddening. I'm glad you were still able to enjoy this one Tanya despite those little issues. Lovely review!

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    1. I'm not sure. And I'm positive this one has its share of readers who love it. I did mostly enjoy it - it just wasn't my favorite from them.

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  12. I have so many CLO books I want to read but I've seen so many mixed opinions on this one that I'm not sure whether to bother... I'm glad that some of the book worked for you at least!

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    1. I really did enjoy it mostly, just wasn't my favorite of theirs. But I still love so many of their books!

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  13. I'm relatively new to Christina Lauren, so I'm excited to read more from them! This sounds kind of different from their previous books.

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    1. I really love Christina Lauren. Lately they've been known more for their rom-coms so this one is a little different for them.

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  14. This was my first Christina Lauren and I agree. Loved the first part and the second part was ... kind of uneventful. But I'll try another one - the one everyone loves about Josh and Hazel...

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    1. I'm bummed that I didn't enjoy this one more because I can usually count on Christina Lauren to deliver a story I love. Guess they can't all be winners. Josh & Hazel really was wonderful. :)

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