Once and Again: A Magical Realism Romance
Once and Again: a Magical Realism romance by Rebecca Serle, explores family relationships and impossible choices. Is this new Spring Romance Book for you? Spoilers under protection!
Once and Again: A Spring Magical Realism Romance
Magical Realism Romance is Rebecca Serle’s lane. She’s written a half dozen of them, including Expiration Dates, which I reviewed. Plus a TV show!
once and again Had:
- A fascinating premise
- Intriguing characters
- A magical setting
- A charming minimalist cover.
- But to me, it felt a little short and unfinished!
- Publication date: March 10, 2026 by St. Atria Books. Thanks so much to them for the advance review copy.
On the positive side, I love Rebecca Serle’s writing in this book! She made Malibu feel like a Nancy Meyers rom com setting that I never wanted to leave.
I also thought the premise was fascinating: all the women in Lauren’s family are given a magical ticket that they can use to reverse time. It can only be used once. Serle sets up a nice contrast between Lauren, her happy-go-lucky mother Marcella, and her grandmother Sylvia.
Lauren and her husband Leo have a few challenges. His film set job takes him away from her for long periods of time and they are having fertility issues. When Stone, an old flame, turns up in town at a time when Lauren is feeling lonely and defeated, it starts her thinking about what might have been.
While I did enjoy this book, maybe even more than some of her others, I felt it needed more development, especially after Lauren used her ticket. Because it’s only 242 pages, it felt like a borderline novella.
There is a plot element in this book that is a no-no for many romance readers. Don’t read further if you don’t want a plot spoiler.
Highlight below to read the spoiler:
The book contains cheating. It felt a bit icky, when Marcella used her ticket to save her husband’s life, for Lauren to use it to undo her cheating. Yes, she did confess, but her rationale for cheating and using the ticket to hide it didn’t seem well-developed enough for me.
Once and Again is Perfect For:
Fans of philosophical novels, dreamy settings, and discussable premises!
My Master Post on New Spring Romances for 2026 has spice levels, romance levels, and more so be sure to check it out!
Did you read Once and Again? Tell me in comments!
I love Serle. I know I am in the minority. She really like to push the envelope and loves a certain element in her stories, but it’s the way she explores the fallout and all the emotions. I put her on my list of polarizing authors who work for me. I thought the premise was brilliant and really thought provoking – how would I use a do-over?? There could have been more at the end, but I was ok with it.
I am a little “eh” on magical realism and find her books either really work for me or don’t. Loved Expiration Dates and One Italian Summer, passionately disliked In Five Years. I LOVED the premise and the setting of this but it felt so unfinished to me. And short.