Portobello Book Blog

I’m delighted to be helping to launch the blog tour for Cesca Major’s latest novel, Maybe Next Time. It’s publication day today so congratulations to Cesca. I hope you have a wonderful day and the book flies off the shelves! I think I’ve read almost all of this author’s books in her various pseudonyms and have unfailing enjoyed them. The Silent Hours is a particular favourite. I’ve been looking forward to reading this one for ages and I was not disappointed. I read this all in one day which should tell you all you need to know about the book. Simply wonderful!

About the book

Emma is having the worst day of her life. Frustrating. Chaotic. And the only person who could make it better is gone by the end of the day.

Yet even worse than all of that: Emma keeps waking up to the same day, over and over again.

But what if this is a sign things could be different? Can Emma change the heartbreaking end to this love story?

My Thoughts

Oh Emma! She’s so busy with work, constantly checking her phone for WhatsApp messages, emails and texts that she’s forgotten about what’s most important in her life – her husband and family. She’s someone that I think many women will identify with. She’s trying to do it all, working incredibly hard and worrying that she’s not getting anything right. At times I found her lack of attention to her family so frustrating and I think that’s because I see a bit of myself (and my phone) in Emma. It’s so easy to get caught up in all the pings, beeps and buzzes and miss what’s actually happening in front of you.

I adored Dan’s anniversary letters. They were so romantic and honest, letting us see just what a lovely man he is, as well as giving us insight into Dan and Emma’s lives over the years and how they have both changed. We clearly see that it hasn’t all been plain sailing and that their relationship, like many, has had its fair share of ups and downs.

The book has a Groundhog Day, what if type of storyline. I love this kind of thing, imagining what might have been, how things could have been different if you did just one little thing different. It makes you consider what would you personally do differently if you had the chance? Would it change things or would everything still turn out the same way? By reliving this day over and over, Emma learns so much about herself and others around her, things she hadn’t had time to notice before. She learns what really matters and what is important to her. My heart broke for her having to go through the same day again and again knowing how it would always end.

As a bit of an aside, I loved the little nod to the author’s alter egos as Emma recommended her books to another character! 😆

I adored this book from the beginning till the end and couldn’t put it down. It’s beautifully written, emotional, heart-stopping and utterly addictive. A triumph from Cesca Major which will have you reaching for the hankies. And the ending? Well, I’m not going to tell of course, but it’s just perfect!

My thanks to Anne Cater for the invitation to take part in the tour and to the publishers Harper Collins for my review copy from Netgalley. Maybe Next Time is available now in hardback, digital and audiobook formats.

About the Author

Cesca Major is a novelist and screenwriter. She runs writing retreats and coaching throughout the year, is a mentor for Black Girl Writers and has taught creative writing for Jericho Writers and Henley School of Art. She blogs and vlogs about the writing process on her social channels.

Cesca has written under pseudonyms in other genres and has been nominated for both the RNA’s Romantic Comedy Award and the CWA Gold Dagger Award.

She lives in Berkshire with her husband, son and twin girls.