For Twice In My Life

by Annette Christie

[The Romantic Comedy Book Club]

There are certain romance troupes where I proceed with a little caution because society/pop culture has created an ominous association. Amnesia stories falls into that category (thank you soap operas); and yet, Annette Christie somehow took this concept when creating For Twice in My Life, added in twists, turns, and clever misdirections (a reminder why one should never assume), creating a story so captivating, I was guessing and gasping until the very end.

For Twice In My Life isn't a book about second chances or redos. Yes, on the surface that is the premise but it dives much deeper. Through Layla, we witness how someone (when given a second chance) can overcorrect themselves to ensure the same "mistakes" are not made. Despite her growth, she chose to live in a world of subtext, battling perceived assumptions and inevitable disappointment. Through each second chance, she became the ideal and supportive girlfriend, the model employee, the responsible adult her family didn't think she could be, not realizing that the more engrossed she became with each transformation, the more she abandoned her core identity, what made Layla - well, Layla.

What I liked about this book: As this is the first book I have ever read by Annette Christie (her second novel), her talent for parallel writing is impeccable. When reading For Twice in My Life, you are unaware that you are reading two different stories - the one she is writing and the one you assume she is writing. For some writers who have attempted this strategy, they have created frustration with the reader because the author consistently hints at what is not being said, holding on to that pertinent information until the very end. Annette’s approach was to sprinkle breadcrumbs about Layla’s life throughout the story, keeping you emotionally invested in her character, while at the same time - placing red herrings into the subplot. The reader has no idea how much they have been left in the dark until Annette finally turns up the lights, unleashing conclusions so clever that my exact commentary as I was reading (with hand clasped over the mouth for the full shocked effect) was “Ohh...DID NOT see that coming!". 

What I LOVE about this book: My favorite part about this book is that once you finish, once you know everything, you will find yourself “reliving” moments with fresh eyes, seeing the characters with a different perspective. For those who are analytical, your brain is elated. Even now, I find myself still reeling from the conclusion and commenting on certain characters and their actions. 

What I am indifferent about but feel I should mention: This book comes at you from all angles - throwing a lot of information at you at once, some relevant in the moment, some necessary to understand a plot point later in the book. That, and the emotional undertones right out the gate, can be a little overwhelming for the unsuspecting reader but Annette does a great job in making sure to spoon feed you recaps, revealing a little more information each time.

Slow but engaging, For Twice in My Life breaks the barriers of what second chances are and what they could mean. We are all human and we make mistakes. Being given a second chance does not mean we need to abandon who we are as a person, we just need to incorporate that lesson into who we are becoming, holding onto our identity as we grow.