Published by October 7, 2025 on Harper
Age/Genres: Adult, Fiction
Rating:
Goodreads
What if you got to do everything in your life—twice? The heart of Mitch Albom’s newest novel is a stunning love story that dares to explore how our unchecked desires might mean losing what we’ve had all along.
When he is eight years old, Alfie Logan discovers the magical ability to get a second chance at everything. He can undo any moment and live it again. The one catch: he must accept the consequences of his second try—for better or worse.
He grows up correcting his mistakes and saving himself from adolescent embarrassments. He even takes foolishly dangerous risks, just to see what it’s like to come close to death, before tapping back to safety.
Eventually, Alfie turns his gift to his love life, studying his crushes and going back to make himself more appealing. In time, he falls deeply in love with Gianna, the woman he believes is the one. He seems to find contentment.
But as the years pass, Alfie’s eye begins to wander. Which is when he learns a lone caveat to his power: once he undoes a love, that person can never fall in love with him again. Knowing if he gives into to temptation, he will risk losing what he has with Gianna, Alfie makes a choice that changes his life forever.
The book begins many years later, after an ailing Alfie is arrested for allegedly cheating and winning millions at a casino roulette wheel. As a curious detective interrogates him, he slowly uncovers Alfie’s incredible story, and its most unlikely conclusion.
In Twice, America’s favorite storyteller, Mitch Albom, is at the top of his powers. A love story that is enchanting, probing, and clairvoyant in matters of the heart, Twice will make you think, weep, and overflow with love from beginning to end.
Was it a gift or a curse? He couldn't decide, but Alfie was able to live a life of second chances. If he wanted to take advantage of his "gift", he would utter the word "twice", tap a body part, and imagine the time he wanted to which he wanted to return.
After living many lives, his was near its end, and Alfie was looking forward to seeing what was next, but not before he had the opportunity to share his love story. I was extremely invested in the life that Alfie and Gianna were building together, and it's why some of the decisions Alfie made were so disappointing. But this was a story of second chances, and I was not quick to count him out. Things happened that made me happy, other things made me sad, but regardless, I found myself captivated by this tale.
I always give high marks to a book that evokes strong emotions from me, and I can admit that I shed tears several times as I read Twice, but it also made me think. If I could get a do-over, what would I do differently? If I knew how certain events would unfold, what choices would I make? I appreciated the way Alfie's story pushed me to reflect on my own life.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this emotional love story that highlighted the beauty and pitfalls of second chances and the choices we make while leaving me with much to ponder.
Published by Dream Press on November 25, 2025
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Rating:
Goodreads
Fake dating a hockey player for Christmas wasn’t on my bingo card.
Clare Johnson’s job is handling PR for the Dallas Stampede—not getting tangled up with one of the players. But when Mitchell Drake—charming forward, fan favorite, and very off-limits—asks her to pose as his girlfriend for one week in small-town Minnesota, she reluctantly agrees. What’s the worst that could happen?
Mitchell’s had six months to get over his very public broken engagement, and his family is done waiting. The last thing he needs is pitying smiles and whispered gossip. Clare is smart, sharp, and strong enough to hold her own with both fans and family—the perfect fake girlfriend.
But holiday lights and snowy nights have a way of blurring the line between pretend and real. Clare fits too easily into his world—bonding with his grandma, winning at pond hockey, and looking unfairly good in his flannel. The more time they spend together, the less fake it feels.
Full of small-town holiday magic, meddling relatives, and sizzling chemistry, Checking It Twice is a hockey romance about second chances and falling in love when you least expect it. Perfect for fans of fake dating, one-bed tension, forced proximity, and happily-ever-afters wrapped in Christmas lights.
Because sometimes the best gifts aren’t under the tree—they’re standing right in front of you.
Another wonderful and heartwarming holiday romance!
Mitchell was dreading going home for the holidays. Not because he didn't love his family, but because he hated the pity they bestowed on him following his broken engagement. In order to avoid that, he invites the team PR representative, Clare, home with him because he knows she would be the perfect fake, and maybe not so fake, girlfriend.
I am trash for warm and welcoming families like Mitchell's. Clare was going to spend the holidays alone, and it was balm to my soul that she accepted Mitchell's offer. The Drakes were a fantastic clan, and they fully embraced Clare as one of their own. It was very touching watching her heart melt and grow two sizes as these people showered her with the affection Clare always deserved.
I also loved Mitchell for Clare. He was sweet and caring, and there was a scene where he looked after Clare when she was unwell (that's my catnip!). There was also a lot of humor in this story that kept me in stitches. There was this one scene where I was uncontrollably giddy due to a certain three year old and his Superman ways. That kid was a trip!
Overall, I had a wonderful Christmas time with Mitchell and Clare and I LOVED cheering for them as they sought their HEA.
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