The best romantic fiction about "then and now" relationships and second chances at love

Why am I passionate about this?

My first published novels were light-hearted romances for teenagers, so when I started writing for adults, I couldn’t help exploring the youthful origins of my characters’ grown-up relationships. Then, it dawned on me that most of my favorite novels include an element of this, too. I love reading about couples who didn’t quite make things work as young people but rekindled their relationship later in life or those who have been together a long time and maybe need a refresher to remember what they ever saw in each other. These kinds of stories leave me feeling uplifted, cheerful, and hopeful, and I hope you’ll enjoy them too. Happy reading!


I wrote...

Happy For You

By Luci Beach,

Book cover of Happy For You

What is my book about?

My book is a romantic comedy novel at heart, though it does have some sad parts. It’s the story of Ciara, who is enrolled at birth into a British study of happiness, together with a group of people born on the same day, including the mysterious Max. Meeting at the ages of 7, 14, and 21, Ciara forms increasingly intense relationships… until it all falls tragically apart. Now 28, in the year of the next reunion, can Ciara come to terms with the past and finally find happiness?

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Happy Place

Luci Beach Why did I love this book?

I love all of Emily Henry's books–the characters feel so real, and the relationships develop beautifully. In this book, a couple who have broken up go on their usual annual stay with their group of friends in Maine, all the while pretending to be together for the sake of the others.

Everyone has viewed Harriet and Wyn as the perfect couple since they got together in college, so I couldn’t wait to discover what could possibly have gone wrong. It's also clear that their chemistry is still fizzing, and I was rooting for their reunion. It was full of passion and emotion. Gorgeous.

By Emily Henry,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Happy Place as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'At turns hilarious and wise, another knockout from the champ' Taylor Jenkins Reid, DAISY JONES AND THE SIX
'One of my favourite authors' Colleen Hoover, IT ENDS WITH US
'Smart, sunny, sexy and also a gorgeous story of female friendship' Beth O'Leary, THE FLATSHARE

-----

Two exes. One pact.
Could this holiday change everything?

Harriet and Wyn are the perfect couple - they go together like bread and butter, gin and tonic, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds.

Every year, they take a holiday from their lives to drink far too much wine with their favourite people in the world.

Except…


Book cover of Landline

Luci Beach Why did I love this book?

I'm a huge fan of contemporary romance, but I also love it when a little element of magical realism steps in to churn up the plot, and that's exactly what happens in this book.

Georgie and Neal love each other, but is that enough, or could their relationship be over? Then, through an old yellow landline telephone, Georgie connects to Neal in the past. Now she has a chance to change everything–or realize why she fell in love in the first place. I found this story memorable and moving, as well as loads of fun!

By Rainbow Rowell,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Landline as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble. That it's been in trouble for a long time. She still loves her husband, Neal, and he still loves her - but that almost seems besides the point now. Two days before they're supposed to visit Neal's family in Omaha for Christmas, Georgie tells him that she can't go. She's a TV writer, and something's come up on her show; she has to stay in Los Angeles. She knows that Neal will be upset with her - he is always a little upset with her - but she doesn't expect to him…


Book cover of Every Summer After

Luci Beach Why did I love this book?

If there’s one thing I especially love about ‘now and then’ fiction, it’s how I get to read about the characters meeting as teenagers, developing a friendship, growing, changing, and understanding each other more as the years progress. In this book, a summertime relationship blooms between Percy and Sam. They’re only 13 when they meet, but they quickly develop a deep friendship that eventually, despite some terrible mistakes and complications over the years, leads to happiness.

The story switches between past and present, tempting me with snippets of the irresistible attraction between the characters. Swoon!

By Carley Fortune,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Every Summer After as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'A radiant debut' EMILY HENRY

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

Six summers to fall in love. One moment to fall apart. A weekend to get it right.

They say you can never go home again, and for Persephone Fraser that has felt too true for the last decade, ever since she made the biggest mistake of her life. Instead of glittering summers on the lakeshore of her childhood, she spends them in a stylish apartment in the city, going out with friends, and keeping everyone a safe distance from her heart.

Until the day she gets a call that sends…


Book cover of Don't You Forget About Me

Luci Beach Why did I love this book?

Mhairi McFarlane is one of my favorite authors. I always enjoy the cast of realistic characters she creates and how we're shown the complicated inner thoughts of a series of thoughtful and fascinating heroines. In this book, Georgina's life is falling apart when she grabs her chance at a new job and meets with the guy she loved in school.

The story is full of intrigue, twists, and turns, and it's wonderful to see the way Georgina's friends help her come to terms with her past and gain confidence for the future.

By Mhairi McFarlane,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Don't You Forget About Me as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Preorder Mhairi's new novel YOU BELONG WITH ME - coming soon!

You always remember your first love. Don't you...?

'I loved it! So funny and warm. A delicious read' Marian Keyes

'Hilarious, warm and life affirming' Jenny Colgan

It began with four words.

'I love your laugh. x'

But that was twelve years ago. It really began the day Georgina was fired from The Worst Restaurant in Sheffield ( (c) Tripadvisor) and found The Worst Boyfriend in the World ( (c) Georgina's best friends) in bed with someone else.

So when her new boss, Lucas McCarthy, turns out to be…


Book cover of 1996

Luci Beach Why did I love this book?

I adore the premise of this book: a vitamin supplement you can take to plunge you right back into your actual youth. Talk about rejuvenating! In this story, Anna is a food blogger who discovers she can return in time to the year she turned 16.

Imagine being a teenager with the knowledge and experience of an adult. Who could resist tracking down their now-partner as a youngster? I'm glad Anna decided to go ahead, as I found the resulting storyline absolutely fascinating to read. This is the first in a series of '90s flashback' books set on Australia's east coast, and I loved every part of it.

By Kirsty McManus,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked 1996 as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A magical romantic comedy from bestselling author Kirsty McManus!

When food blogger Anna Matthews takes a vitamin supplement that thrusts her back in time to 1996—and into her sixteen year old body—she is naturally a little shocked. But after a hasty re-assimilation, she decides to take advantage of this amazing second chance to view her teenage years from a more mature perspective.

But with the effectiveness of each dose only lasting twelve hours, and any new actions initiated in the past having no effect on the future, Anna wonders whether taking it again would serve any purpose.

Of course, curiosity…


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A School for Unusual Girls

By Kathleen Baldwin,

Book cover of A School for Unusual Girls

Kathleen Baldwin Author Of Sanctuary for Seers: A Stranje House Novel

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Loves God Mother to Many Wilderness Adventurer History Enthusiast

Kathleen's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

A spy school for girls amidst Jane Austen’s high society.

Daughters of the Beau Monde who don’t fit London society’s strict mold are banished to Stranje House, where the headmistress trains these unusually gifted girls to enter the dangerous world of spies in the Napoleonic wars. #1 NYT bestselling author Meg Cabot calls this exciting historical series "completely original and totally engrossing."

A School for Unusual Girls

By Kathleen Baldwin,

What is this book about?

A School for Unusual Girls is the first captivating installment in the Stranje House series for young adults by award-winning author Kathleen Baldwin. #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot calls this romantic Regency adventure "completely original and totally engrossing."

It's 1814. Napoleon is exiled on Elba. Europe is in shambles. Britain is at war on four fronts. And Stranje House, a School for Unusual Girls, has become one of Regency England's dark little secrets. The daughters of the beau monde who don't fit high society's constrictive mold are banished to Stranje House to be reformed into marriageable young…


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