Twenty Something Else by Stephanie Mack: Book Review

 **ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own. 

The Book

On the eve of her fortieth birthday, a woman wakes up from a pickleball accident with the unexpected chance to relive her twenties in this sparkling novel from a fresh, new voice.

Sutton Layne is almost-forty and fabulous, with a happy marriage, three beautiful children, and a successful interior design business. But there's plenty of chaos behind the scenes of early midlife. Her preteen son is going off the rails, her husband is bailing on the party he was supposed to throw her, and that thriving business? If she can't land her next big client, it might all come crashing down. Then a surprise DM from someone in her past sends her spiraling into what-ifs. What if she settled down too young? Walked away from her big break? Never had her great adventure?

Despite her simmering mini-crisis, Sutton can't wait for the birthday luncheon and pickleball tournament her friends have planned in her honor. But when an accident on the court knocks her out cold, she wakes up somewhere else . . . and is offered the chance to do it all over again. She can revisit her twenties—out of order and on her own terms. And this time around, anything goes: cities, careers, friendships. Even love.

From star-studded Hollywood nights to the jungles of Nicaragua, from the heat of Coachella to the snowy summit of the Matterhorn, Sutton chases the life she fears she might have missed, with unexpected results.

With a wink to the classic It's a Wonderful Life, Twenty Something Else is a witty, wistful journey through the dreams we outgrow, the life choices that shape us, and the surprising detours that can lead us home.

Clean and wholesome women's fiction with themes of second chances, identity, friendship, and love

Perfect for fans of Katherine Center, Kristy Woodson Harvey, and Courtney Walsh

Includes discussion questions for book clubs

The Author

Stephanie Mack is an author with a passion for storytelling—on the page, on the mic, and beyond. Her novels blend women's fiction and romantic elements with meaningful insights for readers navigating the complexities of modern life. Stephanie lives in Orange County, California, with her husband, three daughters, and beloved mini Bernedoodle.

Book Review

Simply put, this book was truly unlike anything I've read in a very long time, maybe ever. In some ways, this story brought to mind a reverse 13 Going on 30 or a modern take on It's a Wonderful Life, yet it was also completely unique as well. We meet Sutton as she's about to turn 40 and questioning the choices she's made in her life. After a pickleball accident, she finds herself presented with a unique opportunity: a chance to go back and relive her 20s, but with different choices made. As someone who is just a little younger than Sutton (38 going on 39 in a few months), I loved the nostalgia that this book made me feel with its mentions of the changes in technology, pop culture references and such. I didn't always agree with all of Sutton's choices as she traveled back to these moments, but I did enjoy going along for the journey. That being said, I could see where this one might not be everyone's cup of tea with its unique way of taking on time travel and the need to suspend some belief to really enjoy the story. Personally though, I really enjoyed this one. It was fun, yes, but it also had some great messages that I think will have many readers reflecting on their own lives and marriages. This is the first book I have read from this author, and I find myself looking forward to reading more. 

Twenty Something Else is a Chistian women's fiction novel with some romance. There are only kisses on the page, but there are discussions of intimacy both inside and outside of marriage (to include some mention of purity culture, which I thought was handled really well). 


You can purchase your copy here: https://amzn.to/4dQurW0