Book Review: Twice in a Lifetime by Melissa Baron

“She hated disappointing people or risking any sort of accusation or demand for a sensible reason to explain why she couldn’t do the thing. She even hated canceling appointments and inconveniencing her doctors. Her ears were so attuned to the slightest hint of exasperation, annoyance, or hesitation that she did anything to avoid how that emotionally translated. Her own mind exhausted her.”

Melissa Baron, Twice in a Lifetime

Review:

I’ve had this sitting on my bookshelf for a couple of years now and I figured I’d pick it up when I was in need of a lighthearted book… This is why we shouldn’t judge books by their covers. Although I didn’t get the fluffy romcom I assumed it would be, it wound up being a perfect, cathartic read. 

Isla has battled chronic anxiety her entire life, but the past year in particular has taken everything out of her. She continues trying to push through, but has pretty much given up on the hope of things changing in the future, because who could love somebody who’s scared all the time and can’t enjoy things? But a mysterious text from a man claiming to be her husband comes through. She thinks it’s a prank until he sends her a picture of them on their wedding day. 

The author does an incredible job capturing what it’s like to endure chronic anxiety. The discouragement. The sadness. The frustration. The terror. Although I would have liked it better explained, the time travel mechanism worked. I loved the journey that Isla had to go through and the love Ewan has for her. The last third had me on the edge of my seat.

Likes & Dislikes:

What I liked:

• The realistic depictions of what it’s like to live with an anxiety disorder.
• Great character growth.

What I didn’t like:

• Again, I would have preferred if the logistics of the time travel had been further explained, but the point still came across.

Afterthoughts:

I honestly haven’t enjoyed many of my Aardvark picks and I nearly unhauled this one, but I am so glad that I ended up keeping it and reading it.

Where to buy the book: