Maybe in Another Life

By: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

From the acclaimed author of Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo comes a breathtaking novel about a young woman whose fate hinges on the choice she makes after bumping into an old flame; in alternating chapters, we see two possible scenarios unfold—with stunningly different results

At the age of twenty-nine, Hannah Martin still has no idea what she wants to do with her life. She has lived in six different cities and held countless jobs since graduating college. On the heels of leaving another city, Hannah moves back to her hometown of Los Angeles and takes up residence with her best friend Gabby. Shortly after, Hannah goes out to a bar one night with Gabby and meets up with her high school boyfriend, Ethan.

Just after midnight, Gabby asks Hannah if she’s ready to go. A moment later, Ethan offers to give her a ride later if she wants to stay. Hannah hesitates. What happens if she leaves with Gabby? What happens if she leaves with Ethan?

In concurrent story lines, Hannah lives out the effects of each decision. Quickly, these parallel universes develop into radically different stories with large-scale consequences for Hannah, as well as the people around her. As the two alternate realities run their course, Maybe in Another Life raises questions about fate and true love: Is anything meant to be? Is there such a thing as a soul mate? Hannah believes there is. And, in both worlds, she’s found him.

Critic reviews

Praise for Taylor Jenkins Reid

‘Spellbinding’ Emily Giffin

‘Full of raw human emotion’ Beth O’Leary

‘An entirely fresh and new perspective on what can happen after the "happily ever after”’ Jen Lancaster

‘The very best of Classic Hollywood intrigue, a delicious twist and incisive commentary on the wages of stardom’ Anne Helen Petersen

‘I can't remember the last time I read a book that was so fun’ Dolly Alderton

‘The characters were beautifully layered and complex... captured my heart’ Reese Witherspoon

‘Everyone should read this’ Claudia Winkleman

‘Dramatic, salacious and oh-so-romantic’ Woman & Home

‘Wildy addictive’ PopSugar

‘Glamour, ambition and shocking secrets’ People

‘Earth-shaking… you will flip for this epic love story’ Cosmopolitan

‘Heartwrenching’ Us Weekly

‘Reid masterfully grabs hold of the heartstrings and doesn't let go’ Publishers Weekly

‘No one does life and love better’ InStyle

Liked but not loved

I’m a huge TJR fan, but this one was not my favorite. It kept me interested enough, but not lost in it, as I am used to being when reading her books. I would start with any other of her books.

Not a cerebral read

Very superficial in terms of character development. A light holiday read that didn’t satisfy my need for mental stimulation. Perhaps good for teenagers?

Lame

Maye I have passed the age to indulge romance, maybe the plot is dull itself. I haven’t finished the book, only at Chap 26 and nothing significant happened. Well a car accident happened. Anyways, so many details left untold, just alternative present without much to say about the past or future. I struggle through and have yet figured why it is viral.