So, I’ve read a few of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books in the past, and each time I’m left thinking, “Well, that was entertaining and thought-provoking.” But more than that, her books dive into the complexities of human nature, exploring the deep search for meaning in life—whether it’s about love, fame, identity, or those moments when we try to figure out who we really are. Maybe in Another Life is no exception. It’s a compelling mix of soul-searching, decisions, and wondering, “What the heck am I doing with my life?” if you’ve ever found yourself in that deep spiral of thoughts.
Let’s talk about the star of this story: Hannah Martin, a twenty-nine-year-old who might just be the most relatable character I’ve encountered in a long time. Hannah is, like many of us at some point, really trying to figure her shit out. She’s been to multiple cities, had jobs that are as forgettable as her romantic life, and, spoiler alert (not really): doesn’t have her life completely together. Who does, though, right?
After a particularly disastrous breakup (cue dramatic sigh here), Hannah returns to her hometown in LA, and guess what? Her best friend Gabby – who, by the way, took Hannah in when her parents moved away to focus on her sister’s totally amazing life opportunity – invites her out for a little pick-me-up at a bar. And that’s when she bumps into her high school boyfriend (uh, hello, awkward, right?). Now, Hannah has to make the big decision of what to do next. Should she let this serendipitous encounter unfold, or should she run screaming into the night like I would do in a similar situation?
Here’s where the twist happens: the book splits into two different paths based on the choices Hannah makes in that one crucial moment. You’ll start thinking you’re following one storyline, only to get a complete curveball, and then BAM, it’s all about what-ifs and could-have-beens. It was honestly so confusing at first (I was like, “Wait, how does this end?!”), but don’t worry, it all comes together. Spoiler-free zone here, folks! Just trust me when I say, it was a really good read.
The key takeaway for me? It’s the age-old truth: Our decisions, big or small, shape the paths we walk down. You might make a decision today that determines the rest of your life, and in Hannah’s case, those decisions truly lead her down two very different roads. This book really hones in on how even the smallest choice can set off a chain of events, whether it’s deciding to stay at a party for five extra minutes or picking up a phone call that changes everything.
One of the biggest things I could relate to in Maybe in Another Life (other than, you know, being perpetually indecisive about literally everything) is the struggle to make a firm choice. If you’ve ever spent three hours debating whether to get pizza or sushi (a decision that might haunt your night), then you’ll get why this really resonated with me. Hannah, like me, seems to be constantly changing her mind – and let’s just say that when you can’t even choose your lunch, making life-altering decisions is like, yikes.
At the heart of it all, though, this story is about those critical crossroads we all hit: Do we trust fate, or do we take control of our own destiny? Are our decisions purely by chance, or is there something greater at play? And the age-old question: Is there such a thing as a soul mate?
These are the deep questions that’ll follow you throughout this book – and maybe even after you finish it. You might find yourself looking at your own life with a little more clarity, or at least a little more acceptance of the fact that we’re all just doing the best we can with what we’ve got (and sometimes, it involves eating pizza at 2 a.m. to make up for your indecisiveness).
In conclusion, Maybe in Another Life is the kind of book that’ll make you laugh, cry, and possibly reconsider your life choices (but no pressure). You’ll find yourself thinking about your own decisions, maybe even after the final page, and pondering, “What if I had chosen differently?”
So, if you’re the kind of person who wonders about the roads not taken, the “what-ifs,” and the possibility of fate being a little more in your hands than you realized, then this book is definitely for you. It’s a reminder that even though we might not always know where we’re going, the journey is always worth it – even if you can’t make up your mind on where to get lunch.