I was enchanted from the very start with this one. Picture it: a foggy alley, a hidden cinema that hardly anyone can find, and on the screen – not the latest blockbuster, but your own memories. It’s a premise that gave me shivers before I’d even met Ellie and Drake properly.

What unfolds is part love story, part mystery, and part magical reflection on what it means to really know someone – and yourself. Ellie is drawn to the cinema because of a night in her past she can’t quite piece together, while Drake is terrified of what the screen might show. The tension between them – secrets pressed down, memories half-buried – makes every visit to that velvet-draped theatre both exciting and uneasy.

Thea Weiss writes with such warmth and sparkle, even when she’s exploring darker corners. The magic here isn’t flashy – it’s subtle, threaded through with heart and hope. And as Ellie and Drake’s wedding looms closer, you’re left asking: if you could truly revisit your past, would it bring you closer to the person you love, or push you further apart?

The Second Chance Cinema is a gorgeously imaginative, big-hearted read – the kind of story that leaves you both smiling and quietly reflective long after the credits roll.

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. The concept for this book was interesting and Weiss captured the imagination with her vivid descriptions. However, the lead characters fell flat for me. Their relationship didn't feel believable, and both of them were two-dimensional. Unfortunately, this lessened my enjoyment of the book, as I wasn't invested in them.

Really enjoyed it. New author for me.

Thanks for the opportunity to read & review it.
Will recommend to others.

Tag-lined as 'The Midnight Library' meets Ashley Poston, 'The Second Chance Cinema' follows a couple on the cusp of being married as they stumble across a magical theatre showing only one movie, 'The Story of You'. As they watch each other's secrets unfold on the big screen, it forces them both, and the reader, to ask, "Can you ever fundamentally know the person you've fallen in love with?".

This was such a fantastic romance with a twist, showing the story after "the end." Ellie and Drake are already in love and have the full-stop on their "love story" in sight with the date of their wedding moving ever closer. However, watching their past reveal before their eyes forces them both not only to ask how well they know each other, but how well they know themselves, as they address each other's questions about the secrets that the cinema has revealed.

I loved the journey between these characters! Seeing inside both their minds at different parts of the story really helped you to understand why they had hidden what they had from the other, but also that they were both fully not facing their past themselves. It was such a unique and memorable take on a romance, with the magically theatre twist to keep me hooked.

There was some really emotional self-examination for both Ellie and Drake in these pages, Ellie's especially made me cry (and I'm not ashamed to admit it). I loved how despite everything they see in the other's past, it helps to make them stronger.

The secret scene at the end was my favourite, though!

'The Second Chance Cinema' was a cute, cosy, and magical journey of what it truly means to be in love.

I loved the idea of a magical cinema giving people a chance to learn more about themselves and the truth of their lives, from the perspective of truth and not emotion. It’s going to be so cathartic to revisit some situations and realise that it wasn’t your fault.
However I’m not so sure about doing that with a partner, particularly a partner who seems so oddly matched as Ellie and Drake. They seemed destined to split, and I’m not sure if they were suited, they both lied about big things and he seemed so judgemental about her count. It also felt like Ellie was just Melinda 2.0 when she really deserved to be everything.

The second chance cinema is a deeply felt novel, one which asks if secrets are lies, if words uttered once before mean less, of if the actions of someone you do not know in their entirety can mean anything. As human and heart-breaking, as it is magical, this is one for Ashley Poston lovers who want a bit more angst in their romance.

Without spoiling the plot, I felt this was well written, but lacked some of the lighter whimsy I wanted. Weiss has a clear talent for setting scenes, and provides a strong sense of both character and atmosphere. Although very human in their imperfection, I did not find the main characters likable, which is very much a me problem... unfortunately I do think it impacted my reading.

3.5 stars, rounded up!

What a beautiful book! First of all the cover is actually gorgeous and then the story totally loves up to it! it was such a unique and different concept on our memories and how they shape us as individuals and partners. Beautiful love story and lessons sprinkled throughout: don’t miss this one

This was a very interesting read
I was expecting the usual romcom romance but this had so many deeper layers to it and I just adored how it all played out from the cinema what an idea!

Second Chance Cinema by Thea Weiss

📖: 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
🥵: 0/5

Second Chance Cinema is a really fascinating magical realism romance. It follows Ellie, an author who writes about different businesses and finds the heart in them, the exposure often saving the stores from closing, but who has failed to find any success in a couple of years, since she met her now fiancé Drake. Ths story is absolutely packed full of emotions, both with regard to Drake and Ellie's sometimes difficult relationship and their individual pasts.

Ellie is struggling to cope with the passing of her older brother, one of her good friends and role model for her need to find excitement in the small things. Her relationships with her parents have broken down almost entirely, and her lacklustre articles haven't given her that feeling since before she met Drake.

Drake is happy with his and Ellie's safe and predictable lot in life. When they find the cinema they begin relive parts of their own lives they perhaps don't want to, or that they want to keep quiet. Drake is strongly against continuing to visit cinema, but is forced to confront things he wished he didn't have to.

There were parts of this story that were definitely a little uncomfortable. I didn't always feel as though Drake and Ellie were right for each other. They had such contrasting instincts, with Ellie desperately searching for excitement and something new, and Drake determined to keep things comfortable. The introduction of Drake's ex certainly made things uncomfortable, and he undoubtedly made some bad decisions, but I think they both did throughout. It took until nearer the end for me to be convinced they should be together, but I honestly think this is a realistic portrayal of a relationship. It takes work, communication, honesty, and, in the end, the desire to still choose the other person even when times are tough.

This was not my usual read, but I really enjoyed it! Even if there were parts that weren't comfortable, and the emotions were high, I'd still recommend this story.

2 ⭐
Thank you to NetGalley UK and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for a review.
I went back and forth on what to rate this. I enjoyed the concept - the magical realism of a secret cinema that plays you your memories open a period of several weeks, a couple that hasn't been entirely open with each other learning each other's pasts.
The problem is that the protagonists are supposed to be in love and they don't like each other. I just didn't believe that they had enough tying them together and enough faith and trust in one another to stay together. There were parts that I enjoyed but ultimately not enough. Ultimately, I didn't find the story to have a satisfying conclusion. But maybe others may get something I didn't from it!

I'm going to be honest - when I got an advance copy of a book with no cover on Netgalley, I didn't have the highest hopes. I expected a three star read, something fun but not fantastic - but man I was wrong. I was completely blown away by The Second Chance Cinema. I'm not going to go into too many details, as going in blind is what made this book so stellar for me (and I recommend you do it too!), but just pleaseeee believe me when I urge you to pick up this book as soon as you can. There's magic, hope, and stacks of romance, in addition to all round whimsy. My only wish is that I could access the cinema myself.

I really enjoyed this book, it was such a fun and quick read that had the ability to make you smile yet still pull on your heartstrings. The characters were put together perfectly and I really found myself rooting for Ellie and Drake from start to finish. I loved them! I found some parts to be frustrating like some of their reasons for arguing or storming out, and their inability to actually talk to each-other for most of the novel. But overall, I was very content with the story.

The premise of this book was very interesting, and when I found this arc, I knew just had to read it! Ellie and Drake, a soon to be married couple, find a magical theatre whilst on a midnight stroll. After deciding to enter, they realise that each Saturday night, a movie of their memories plays on the big screen. Memories that both Ellie and Drake were unsure they wanted to relive, or share with their significant other. As we learn more about both characters and their back stories, we see how they have grown as people and how their past has shaped them.

This novel was great for accentuating how, even though our past is always a part of us, it does not determine who we are now. We grow, we change, we evolve. It also highlights the importance of communication and being open with those you love to prevent serious hardship. I highly recommend reading this novel!

Thank you to NetGallery and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

An interesting premise for a book, Ellie and Drake stumble upon an old cinema down a dark alley. It is a cinema with a difference because the only screening it shows is their own cinematic moments from the past; the highs and the lows. Each week the view pinnacle moments from each others pasts but can their relationship survive this test?

I absolutely loved Second Chance Cinema, it’s a beautifully layered story that dares to do something different, and completely pulls it off. Rather than following the well-trodden path of a budding romance, Thea Weiss refreshingly centers the story around an existing relationship, exploring what happens after the "happily ever after." This fresh angle gave the book so much emotional depth and authenticity, and I found myself incredibly invested in the characters' second shot at love.

One of the standout elements for me was the subtle yet powerful use of magical realism. The paranormal thread gentle, evocative, and never overbearing added a touch of wonder and whimsy that perfectly complemented the emotional heart of the story. It reminded me how love can feel like magic, especially when it's given a second chance to bloom.

Weiss has a gift for capturing complicated feelings like nostalgia, regret, hope and threading them through with humor and charm. The setting (a quirky old cinema) and the supernatural twist provided such a rich backdrop for the story’s emotional journey. If you're looking for a romance that’s not only swoon-worthy but also poignant and a little bit otherworldly, this one’s for you.

beforehand I really liked the concept of this story and did end up enjoying how it was written. However it didn’t pick up until around the 30-40% mark and ultimately I just didn’t like the couple together so it was hard rooting for them. I think they were completely different individuals who wanted different things, and I know through going to the cinema and seeing their past, they eventually opened up with each other, I just couldn’t see them working in the long run?

Although it was a cute and cosy read, one I think people will enjoy. It just didn’t work for me.

thank you NetGalley for the arc.

This is a slow tale, with two couples having their lives woven together, and yet somehow they are all individuals. It is a nostalgic look at the cinema and movies as it centres on Ruby’s inheritance of an independent cinema. The author is clearly a cinema buff as the book is scattered with reference to classic films. Luke is the other owner of the cinema and the book shows him changing and growing through the book and this is a delightful way to follow a character. Ruby is strong although I could have done with more of her background to help me appreciate her more. This book had glimpses of magic to it, mixed amongst the nostalgia and love of storytelling.

“magical theater atop a cobblestone path alters what a couple knows about themselves—and each other. When Ellie and her fiancé, Drake, stumble upon it during a late-night walk, they're shocked to discover what's playing inside the red-velvet their formative memories. Drake fears what the cinema might reveal, but eventually gives in when Ellie insists they return for more viewings. She's haunted by a night from her past that she doesn't fully remember., The Second Chance Cinema is both an enchanting escape and a thought-provoking examination of how our memories shape who we are.”

This book is a memorising mix of fantasy and literary fiction. This book completely drew me in from the start, I loved the two main characters, one free spirit and one creature of habit. Reliving your past can be hard, this definitely made me feel all the emotions

Lovely, moving and really special. The Second Chance Cinema is a hopeful story about love, loss and new beginnings. Elle and Drake are wonderful characters and I adored reading their story. Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Ellie meets Drake in a bar she wrote a article about and saved from closing. That is what she does finds places about to close and writes about them.
When she is out with Drake they find a cinema that plays only their lives at certain important points..
They are given tickets to return so only so many times. But once these are used they can't go back.
Each is worried about certain parts of their life the other will see.
I enjoyed this story a lot and wanted to see where it would lead.
It's an unusual storyline and it kept me readin

The Second Chance Cinema by Thea Weiss, @atriabooks @hqstories & a NetGalley review. Ellie & her Fiancé Drake come across a glamorous old cinema that only plays their past memories. However have Ellie and Drake been honest with each other & what will these memories highlight and can their relationship survive it. I went into reading this book completely blind, a new author I hadn’t heard of but had an email from @hqstories suggesting this might be something I would enjoy. To begin with I was very unsure about the book, it was a bit bland to begin with, hard to get into, maybe because I was a bit cautious as I wasn’t quite sure where the story was going or used to the authors style of writing. To begin with I found Drake especially to be a bit of a tedious and boring character, him and Ellie as people are polite opposites and haven’t obviously been completely honest with each other. Drake likes order and structure, like monster movie nights in the same day every week and eating at the same restaurants. Ellie is a little more spontaneous, finding pleasure in vintage things and at the beginning it seems she loses part of herself in this relationship with Drake. However the discovery of the old cinema showing the story of them both changes everything and even though they fight the discussions and emotions it brings, it changes their whole relationship and brings magic and wonder to an otherwise boring story. Although I struggled with this book at the beginning, it always intrigued me, I love the idea of the old cinema and that Ellie sees the beauty in old things and by the end of the book, Ellie & Drakes relationship turns full circle & they compliment one another. It’s a book that is evocative, that pulls you in, it’s a love story with bumps in the roads and although the cinema brings a bit of magic to the story, the story deals with real emotions such as grief, love and fear. By the end I was hooked to this story & was so pleased that the author tied up all the loose ends of Drake and Ellie’s story yet hinted at more to come from the little unassuming cinema! Highly recommend to all and it’s ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Look out for more from @writtenbythea 📚📚