Don’t you wonder about a review that begins with “although”? Although I wanted to love Rebecca Serle’s latest novel, Once and Again, and I finished it, I didn’t love it. In fact, the three female characters all fell flat for me. Although it was their story, it was the male characters that seemed to have deeper lives. There is a touch of magical realism to this story, but the magic ticket just seemed to hang over the characters.
The women of the Novak family had a secret magic ticket. They can use it once to turn back time. Lauren has known since she was fifteen that her mother, Marcella, used it to save her father’s life after a car accident. Marcella’s mother, Sylvia, is a free spirit who never told anyone how she used hers. Lauren has hers in case it’s needed.
While she and her husband have struggled through fertility treatments, they’re separated just when they argue about continuing. Leo is a Director of Photography, and he has a summer job on a film in New York. Lauren is going to return to her parents’ home in Malibu. She’s not home long when she runs into her high school. boyfriend. She and Stone dated for ten years before her moved away. He’s home, taking care of his dying stepmother. There are times, though, when he and Lauren end up at the ocean, surfing as they did as teens. As Lauren falls back into her old life, and it’s hard to reach Leo at work, she realizes life is about choices, and, with that silver ticket, Lauren can make a choice.
This was a difficult book to read as Serle switched from first person to third person off and on throughout the book. None of the women are sympathetic. Lauren is desperate to have a baby, despite Leo’s wishes. Her mother, Marcella, comes across as obsessed and concerned that everyone is safe. At almost ninety, Sylvia is still a free spirit. But, there’s no closeness between the women, and no depth. It’s hard to tell which of the women are speaking due to the constant changes in the voices. And, then the ending is abrupt.
The book might work if you can handle the changes in the voices and flat characters.
Rebecca Serle’s website is https://www.rebeccaserle.com/
Once and Again by Rebecca Serle. Atria Books, 2026. 256p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received a galley from the publisher through NetGalley, with no promise of a positive review.
LOL, I am going to write a not-so-good book for a short book that I am reading from Library Thing. It is only 50 pages long, and it is a little bit of humor (maybe?) and a lot of speculation. I wonder why I am spending time reading it! All I cab say, is that it happens.
Not every book passes muster!
You are so right, Carol. But, I’m always hopeful.
Thanks for the review, Lesa. I am listening to the audiobook since Julia Whelan , one of my favorite narrators, is reading it. Julia is doing a good job, but I agree with your review. I like the storyline, but I am not enjoying it as much as previous Rebecca Serles’ novel.
Well, then it isn’t just me. Thank you, Katherine. You wanted to like it, too, and even have a favorite narrator, and it isn’t what I expected. A former coworker said the same thing.
I usually enjoy Rebecca Serles’ novels, but not this one. I skimmed through it to find out what happened. Now I’m trying to remember why I didn’t just put it down.
Because it’s a Rebecca Serle’s novel, Kaye, and we wanted more.
yes
For what it’s worth, my daughter didn’t like this book either. Said it was choppy, strange, and really not good. She did finish it, but ended up wondering what it was even trying to say.
Ah ha! exactly!!!
Your daughter is right, Lindy.