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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