Magical realism with a plot twist of much needed reality...

Thank you HQ and NetGalley for giving me this ARC to review.

As their wedding year approaches, Ellie and Drake's relationship is plain sailing but secrets and regrets lay below the surface. Such skeletons that don't seem as though they'll be coming out the closet anytime soon. That is until Ellie and Drake stumble upon a glamorous cinemas promising a personal screening of 'The Story of You', a show and tell of both of their formative memories before they came to be as one. As both of their worst fears are played out on the big screen, Ellie and Drake's voyage to a happy and blissful marriage is thrown onto unstable shores and there is no telling whether they'll get onto safe land.

If you're feeling the withdrawals of Ashley Poston's imaginative plot lines, The Second Chance Cinema will give you the hit you need. With the illusion of so much stake being on the line, I was hooked from the start to see what was in store for Ellie and Drake's future when it was time for curtain call. The only thing I wished to have more of within The Second Chance Cinema was a deeper connection to the characters, to feel as though these characters were real in the outside world, but I am one reader who struggles with such connection. Yet what I loved most was the raw, gritty honesty behind the character's secrets... such skeletons, regrets, mistakes that we all have in our closets. This was really brought home by at time poignant and poetic writing that I highlighted and cherished whilst reading The Second Chance Cinema.

A cute journey into magical realism, this novel makes you think - what would you do if your past was played out in front of you to relive again? A really enjoyable read for fans of Ashley Poston.

Thank you to Netgalley and HQ of Harper Collins for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the kind of magical romance I want to read!

We follow the lives of newly engaged Ellie and Drake as they stumble upon a unique cinema with a special screening just for them. With magical realism that has you stepping into their memories, seeing the moments in their lives that made them who they are and how they got to where they are in the present, only to have a big impact on their future.

This book is the embodiment of the magic of being in love, dealing with loss, managing grief and how truly understanding yourself first can allow you to love.

A little escape into the magic of reality and romance, reminding us memories can be altered by our own perceptions.

I would totally recommend this for anyone who loves Ashley Poston, Sarah Adams and Abby Jiminez or just needs a cozy romance to snuggle up with.

A wonderful book about love, loss, grief, understanding yourself, acknowledging our imperfections and understanding what truly matters in life. It really resonated with me and moved me deeply. A truly beautiful book.

I’ve never read anything quite like this book before. It’s magical and captivating. I love how the characters are portrayed. I feel like with romance books, most of the characters are portrayed as this picture perfect people when in reality, everyone has their own faults and insecurities. I feel like the author did a very good job in conveying how realistic the characters are. Thank you for the chance to read an early copy of the book! I am very grateful!

Such a unique and different story that is more than just a romance. It is also an exploration of how our past shapes us and influences how we love and view relationships. The mystical realism mixed with the imperfectly perfect romance in this book was a breath of fresh air.

The story follows Ellie and her fiancé Drake, who one night stumble upon a mystical cinema which is showing their life story. This cinema curated both of their memories into short films that they can see and relive on the big screen. Both being curious, they choose to see what the cinema has in store for them. However, both Ellie and Drake have some past events and memories they would rather not remember and would rather not let each other know if they want to save their relationship and love. The shorter the movies they see, the more they realise that they need to decide whether they want the past to influence their current relationship and future life together.

I loved the mystical realism in this book. It was amazing. I also adored the deeper meaning of this book. That exploration of someone’s past and how it shapes and allows us to grow and make certain decisions. What was missing from me in this book was the chemistry between the two main characters, mainly because the book explores so much of their past, and their current relationship, especially how they fell in love, was left in the background. I also didn’t like them not communicating and not discussing what they saw in the cinema until the very end of the book. Just felt that this way, some of the topics like grief were not explored in depth.

Overall: Very unique romance book with a sprinkle of mystical realism and a deeper meaning of how the past influences our lives and futures, that was a breath of fresh air.

oh magical realism is so back !!!!! a magical movie theatre that plays out the story of your life? i’m SEATED! i’m so seated the movie theatre workers are scared and asking me to leave !!!! this was such a good and magical book. loved the setting, the feel of the movie theatre and learning about their lives through a movie!!! this book has everything you’d want in !!!! so so cool and sick. actually loved ellie’s character so much and think she should’ve married ME! would love going to the movies with her !!!! she’s so princess.



also… kinda need stephanie and lucas’ story now !!!!!

Second Chance Cinema by Thea Weiss is a beautifully written debut that blends nostalgia, love and magic in a deeply moving exploration of memory and healing. The story follows Ellie and her fiancé, Drake, as they stumble upon a mysterious cinema hidden in a fog-covered alley. What makes this cinema so magical is that it doesn’t just show movies—it plays their most formative memories. This is a place where the past and present collide, revealing moments from their lives that they may not have fully understood or remembered.

The concept of revisiting memories, both painful and beautiful, is what drew me into this story. Ellie, in particular, is haunted by a night from her past that she cannot fully recall, and the cinema offers her a chance to piece the puzzle together. I appreciated the delicate way the author explored the complexities of memory, as well as how the characters’ pasts begin to affect their present relationship. Ellie and Drake’s evolving relationship, filled with secrets and unresolved emotions, feels so real and relatable.

The magical realism in the book was enchanting without feeling overly fantastical. The idea that a cinema could allow them to witness their past moments felt both whimsical and poignant, especially as they grapple with the consequences of what they see on screen. The setting of the cinema itself was atmospheric and immersive, adding a layer of mystery and charm to the story.

What resonated with me the most was the way Second Chance Cinema approached the theme of love and grief. The narrative deftly illustrates how love, in its rawest form, can both break us and heal us. Ellie and Drake’s journey together is not just about discovering the truth about their past but also about accepting and understanding the people they have become as a result of it. The book reminded me that sometimes, confronting our memories and the secrets we keep can be the key to moving forward in life.

If you’re a fan of stories that are emotionally rich and thought-provoking, Second Chance Cinema is a captivating read. It’s a tale about forgiveness, growth and the impact of memories on who we are. If given the chance, I would gladly revisit my own memories, both the good and the bad, just as Ellie and Drake do—because in the end, it’s our memories that shape our future.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

This was such a fresh take on a romance novel! How often do we get to see what happens after the last page has been turned and the couple have professed their love?

I went through such a range of emotions reading this story, and found myself even reflecting on the parts of my life that have impacted the person I am today. At its core, this story reminds me that all the people I've met, and all the good, bad and ugly things that have happened in my life, might actually be shaping me into the person I'm supposed to be.

Our main characters, Ellie and Drake are far from faultless, and their lack of communication leads to a lot of difficulties in their relationship. The touch of magic from the second chance cinema, really just pushes them to be honest with one another.

The only thing I found myself missing was the delicious tension that comes from reading about a new couple falling for one another. It made the story lack a little bit of the excitement I was craving, but equally I feel that adding this would have overshadowed the beauty of the mundane, normal day-to-day life of Ellie and Drake.

All in all, I would call this a look at what happens AFTER happily ever after. Thea Weiss expertly adds a sprinkle of magic over an authentic, imperfectly perfect relationship.