Five First Chances- A Novel by Sarah Jost
Product Details
Web ID: 16778549Not an HEA
I’m generally a fan of time travel stories, but this one fell flat. I’m not sure if it was the five different time jumps, the lack of explanation of why, or the completely unsatisfying ending (really, what was the point for that????). If you are expecting an HEA after all the time jumping, definitely pick another novel. 2.5 stars
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Bittersweet
Five First Chances was a intriguing time-loop novel with an original premise. What if you had the chance of a do-over of what you thought was the worst mistake of your life. What if it was not the worst mistake of your life. This is the dilema for Louise (Lou) as she navigates her somewhat sad life as a foreigner and teacher in England. She is originally from Switzerland, socially awkward and has a hard time making friends, oh and forget a love life. Lou is at the funeral of an acquaintance, when she receives a devastating text from her ex and inexplicably is given five chances for a do-over. Will she use those chances to reconnect with the one that got away, or will she find other chances more fulfilling? As she lives her chances over she finds her life going in directions she could never imagine, people that were on the peripheral of her life become important. Her relationships with friends and loved ones changes and Lou may just find the life she was always meant to live. This was a bittersweet novel, with an ending that is not quite what I expected, but I feel if could not have been any other way. I really enjoyed the journey Lou took and now I wonder, what would I do with Five First Chances? Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher Sourcebooks Landmark and the author for the chance to read and review this book.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
A Beautiful and Moving Novel!
This is a beautiful, heartbreaking story that is not only about starting over but about growing and making yourself a better person. I feel like I learned so much about myself from reading this and while I know I can't travel back in time I want to make the most out of each day that I have. Lou, on her quest to have a better life, deal with her anxiety, and find love, is destined to go back in time 5 times to a fixed point in her life. She is a native Swiss but moved to England to try teaching French. Her job is not going well, her only true friend and flatmate Yuki, has just moved out, and Lou feels like her life is going nowhere. One day, Yuki calls her and asks her to go to a funeral for a guy that she met briefly at Yuki's birthday party. At the memorial service afterwards Lou finds herself being transported back two years in the past. This pattern will continue until Lou can figure out who she is and what is the best possible life path. This book had me stuck to my couch as I had to find out what happened and who would be the right fit for Lou. I was also an emotional wreck. I had a connection with one of the characters and what he went through. This book had romance, a little bit of sci-fi and so much more. I really feel like I learned a little bit more about myself and want to try and live my best life every day. This is a must read for anyone who likes a good read and doesn't mind shedding a few tears.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Beautifully Heartbreaking
4 1/2 stars What would you do if you had multiple chances to "get it right?" I will start off by saying I'm usually not a fan of time loop stories but I took a chance with this one and it really paid off. The author did something beautiful here - - she didn't regurgitate the same day over and over. Each time the main character "went back," she learned and saw different things. Nothing stayed the same so it never felt redundant. And of course, there was the gradually evolving story line leading you to realize who the real love of Louise's life really was and it was beautiful. I'm not going to share too much in my review for fear of giving things away. I'll just say this was an emotional read where all the heartstrings were tugged over and over. You want to see Louise figure it out and in the end she does. It all works out the way it's supposed to. This really was a lovely way to write this story. Some good points were made along the way. I won't deny that I might have shed a tear or two but I've been on a roll with emotionally draining reads lately so I think this one hit me at just the right time to put me over the proverbial edge. That said, I loved every word of it. Simply lovely. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Poignant, pensive, and moving!
Five First Chances is a heart-wrenching, time-loop tale that takes you into the life of Lou while she’s attending the wake of a casual acquaintance, when grief-stricken family members, a handful of vague memories, and thoughts of what-if leave her contemplative, curious, and exceptionally emotional until fate magically intervenes leaving her reliving the same two years over and over again in order to change, grow, reshape friendships, and discover everlasting love. The writing is heartfelt and tender. The characters are strong, passionate, and endearing. And the plot is an absorbing, bittersweet tale of life, loss, family, friendship, kindness, honesty, acceptance, generosity, grief, romance, humour, introspection, and unconditional love. Overall, Five First Chances is a reflective, emotional, promising debut by Jost that does a remarkable job of reminding us just how important it is to appreciate all those little things in life, the moments, the sunsets, and the shared smiles, while also highlighting the sheer power of love.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Emotional Ride
This was a little slower for me. I almost put it down to DNF but I decided I really needed to keep going and I'm glad I did. It really pulls on your heartstrings. It's definitely a deep emotional book. I don't read a lot of very emotional book but I loved how this one was done. I would recommend this book. Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for allowing me to read this ARC in advanced for my honest opinion.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com