Book Review: Maybe In Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I picked up this book after seeing it in a recommended list on Oh Hello Again's website. Oh Hello Again is Seattle's newest independent bookstore, and they have a very unique way of shelving books- by topic rather than by author.

The book follows Hannah, 29 years old and stuck with no idea what to do with her life. Having tried many jobs, cities, and love interests over the years since graduating college, she finally lands on her best friend Gabby's doorstep. When the two go out on the town to celebrate, Hannah bumps into an old flame, high-school boyfriend Ethan, who asks Hannah to go home with him at the stroke of midnight. That's where things get really interesting. The book splits into two different, concurrent storylines, one where she follows Ethan, and another where she stays with Gabby.

In one storyline, she works out a romance with Ethan and goes through the trials and tribulations of finding a job she loves, meeting new friends, and adjusting to 'adult' life in a new city. In the other, she's injured in a horrific car accident that leaves her in the hospital for months but soon falls for the swoon-worthy nurse taking care of her.

At the end of the story, I was cheering for both versions of Hannah's life, but the real story is in the lines between the pages. This book is about the small, inconsequential decisions we make every day that have a huge impact on our lives. It's about what it's like being in your twenties and seeing your future stretch before you and having no idea what path to take. It's about how every action we take has consequences, and part of growing up is taking responsibility for them.

But most importantly, the book is about soul mates- just not romantic ones. While both versions of Hannah struggle to find love, her real soul mate is Gabby, who is always there for her and always will be, no matter what timeline and decisions Hannah makes.

In typical Taylor Jenkins Reid style, the book is also full of gorgeous prose, quotes, and life-changing perspectives. My ultimate favourite, which I feel like I should straight up get tattooed on my body by now, is:

"You can only forgive yourself for the mistakes in your past once you know you'll never

make them again."

Beautiful, sweet, heartwarming, and a book everyone in their twenties should read at least once.