In Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel, Maybe in Another Life we meet Hannah Martin. Hannah has spent the last few of her 29 years traveling from city to city. She has worked in dead-end jobs in seven different cities. Hannah is flying to her hometown of Los Angeles, where her best friend, Gabby, and Gabby’s husband greet her. Hannah’s plan is to stay with Gabby and Mark until she gets a job and is able to get her own place. On her first evening in L.A. Gabby takes Hannah to a bar where Hannah meets up with her old boyfriend, Ethan. As the evening draws to a close, Gabby asks Hannah if she is ready to go home. Ethan offers to take her home later if she wants to stay. And here is where the story gets interesting. In alternating chapters, we see how Hannah’s life unfolds if she goes home with Gabby or if she leaves with Ethan.
The novel gives us a chance to see how Hannah’s life is dramatically altered with a simple decision. There are so many forks in the road in each lifetime. Each decision we make can change the path our life takes. Maybe in Another Life was a thought provoking and an enjoyable novel, which I highly recommend.
- Judith Zerulik
Publisher - Washington Square Press
Date of Publication - July 7, 2015