We met Aubrey several books ago, when she and Ali (It Had to Be You) were dating the same jerkface. To put it mildly, Aubrey did not come off as a sympathetic character. I was interested to see how her story would play out, but I got a lot more than I bargained for. Once in a Lifetime is very close to perfect.
Very Brief Synopsis - Aubrey is having a drink when the aforementioned jerkface comes in to gloat about the tell-all book he has written, in which Aubrey gets page time. Aubrey throws her drink at Ted, aka jerkface, but hits Ben with it instead. In trying to get away from Ben, Aubrey ends up hiding at an AA meeting. The idea of making restitution for her past mistakes resonates with her. She wants to change. She wants to like the person she is becoming, but the hurt she has caused people weighs on her. She decides to try to make amends. In the meantime, Aubrey's uncle hires Ben to help her renovate the bookstore she is opening. Ben sees the list, but Aubrey refuses to share its meaning, which drives Ben kind of crazy. Aubrey, in general, also drives Ben kind of crazy.
So Aubrey seeks out those she has wronged in the past, with varying degrees of success. And really, that's what works about Once in a Lifetime. Not everyone welcomes Aubrey's apologies with open hearts. But she perseveres because she feels like it is the right thing to do. She learns along the way that maybe things happen for a reason, and sometimes it is hard to make amends. Aubrey also learns that her memories of her actions are sometimes missing the other person's point of view. This rang so true. We tend to be self-centered in our memories, never considering the wronged person may have a completely different take on the event.
Ben kind of figures out what she is doing and is supportive of her efforts. Since his wife died 5 years ago, Ben has held himself back from anything more than a one night stand. He and Aubrey throw enough heat to light up the sun, and commence to have a no strings affair. But suddenly, it feels like a little more than just sex. Unfortunately, one of the people on Aubrey's list is Ben...
I.Loved.This.Book. Everything worked. Aubrey's dysfunctional family dynamics, Ben's inability (or unwillingness) to attach, the reactions of the townsfolk...I loved how Aubrey and Ben connected emotionally, almost against their will. Neither was looking for anyone permanent, but they just couldn't quite help themselves...The conflict that came up between them was thought provoking and genuine.
On top of all of the story goodness, there are so many little nuggets of humor, and so many inside jokes to those of us familiar with the Lucky Harbor series. Seriously, I started this book while waiting in the dentist's office and got several annoyed looks from the other patients when I kept snickering helplessly.
Ali, Luke, Leah, Jack and, of course, Lucille, figure prominently in both the support and the funny.
Once in a Lifetime is by turns heart wrenching, thought provoking and gut bustingly funny. Aubrey is a tough girl with a heart of gold and Ben is a seriously-wounded-by-life-but-healing alpha hero. Ben with the twins just made my heart hurt. The book is about not being so afraid of what life may bring that you are afraid to live it; rather, reach out and grab whatever life you can while you can, because there are no guarantees.
Jill Shalvis is one of my all time favorite authors. I have read every work of hers I can find, and loved most of them. I have to say, Once in a Lifetime is my new favorite. It is outrageously good.
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Patricia Liabotis
love love loved this book!!!
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on February 19, 2014
