Once and Again by Rebecca Serle is about a family of women who have the superpower of going back in time, but they can only use it once.
Let me tell you a little something about Rebecca Serle. Every book she writes has such a unique premise. I get sucked in with the summary of her books, and I can’t wait to read them. Of course, I felt this way about Once and Again. I couldn’t wait to read it, and I’m glad I did. This book is full of emotion and heart. I loved reading Lauren’s journey. I hope you enjoy this book review.
Don’t forget to follow my Bookstagram to stay updated on all my reading: https://www.instagram.com/kels.reading/
Disclaimer: In the name of full transparency, please be aware that this blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost to you).
Once and Again Overview
Title: Once and Again
Author: Rebecca Serle
Pages: 256 Pages
Publish Date: March 10th, 2026
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
My Star Rating: 4/5 stars! (I loved this book and would recommend it to everyone.)
Grab Your Copy Here: https://amzn.to/3Or5o11
Synopsis From Amazon
The women of the Novak family were each born with a gift: they can, just once, turn back time.
Lauren has known since she was fifteen that her mother Marcella saved Lauren’s father from a deadly car accident. Dave is alive and happy, and out on the Malibu waves. But ever since, Marcella, her power spent, has lived in fear of what she won’t be able to reverse. Her own mother, Sylvia, is her polar opposite: a free-spirited iconoclast with a glamorous past she only hints at. Lauren has spent her life between these two role models—and waiting for her own catastrophe to strike.
Then one summer, Lauren’s husband takes a job in New York and she moves back to Broad Beach Road, back into her childhood home on the shores of Malibu. Lauren looks forward to surfing with her dad again and perhaps repairing an unspoken fracture in her relationship with her mother. What she doesn’t expect is for the boy next to door to return home as well: Stone, Lauren’s first love, who broke her heart nearly a decade before.
As Lauren falls into familiar patterns, with her family and, more dangerously, Stone, she finds herself thinking about all the choices, large and small, that have brought her to this moment. And wondering, finally, if one of them should be undone.
My Review of Once and Again
First, thank you to Rebecca Serle, Atria Books, and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy of Once and Again. This was a truly unique story, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
There hasn’t been a Rebecca Serle book that I didn’t like. She always creates such unique premises for her books that immediately draw you in. Once and Again had me from the description. I wanted to know more about the women who could go back in time, but just once. This book will have you wondering if you could go back in time to change something, would you?
I loved how the family seemed to be really involved in each other’s lives. The grandma, Sylvia, lives with Lauren’s mom and dad. They even encouraged Lauren to stay with them for the summer while her husband was away. I just loved the togetherness of the family. Sylvia was my favorite character. I just loved her personality.
The only reason I didn’t give this book 5 stars is that it was hard to figure out who’s POV it was at times. So my advice is to really pay attention when you are reading.
This book is great for anyone who enjoys a good emotional book that will have you thinking about life, love, grief, whether the grass is greener on the other side, and why you would turn back time.
Related Books
- You & Me and You & Me And You & Me NetGalley Book Review
- The Seven O’clock Club by Amelia Ireland Book Review
- P.S. You’re The Worst by Chole Seager Book Review
- To Sicily With Love by Jennifer Probst NetGalley Book Review
Final Thoughts
Once and Again is a book that evokes strong emotions and prompts you to question whether you would go back in time to change one thing. If you have any questions about this book, or if you have thoughts on it, or if you liked this review, please let me know in the comments below. I love hearing from all of you.
Lastly, don’t forget to share this on your social media. I appreciate all the love and support.
Thanks for reading,
Kel
