This novel was high on my list of must-reads for 2026, and it was everything that I had hoped it would be.

The women in Lauren’s family have each been given one ticket that they can use to go back to a specific point in time for a do-over, a second chance. Is this a gift or a curse? It would be nice to have something that would allow you to correct a wrong, save someone you care about, or change the trajectory of your life, but it would also loom large. When is the right time to use it? You only have one shot to use it to the best of its potential. What if you used it and then something more critical happened and you were out of second chances? In a lot of ways, it would be a heavy burden to carry, however, it also might provide a safety net. I loved the concept of this novel. Not only was it a wonderful story, but it was thought-provoking as well.

Lauren, her mother Marcella, and her grandmother Sylvia all had their own issues that they had to deal with over the years. The mother-daughter relationships were an interesting and integral part of this story. I was pulled into their lives, their relationships, and completely captivated by each of them. Rebecca Serle did a phenomenal job with these characters. This story hurt. I felt it right in the pit of my stomach. The characters made mistakes, they were far from perfect, but there was something relatable about them.

Once and Again was what I look for in a novel. It had depth, plenty of emotion, an intriguing cast of characters, a unique story, and it even delivered a twist that I hadn’t expected (I love it when that happens). I will be highly recommending this novel to everyone!

*4.5 Stars