10 Must-Read 'What If' Books Exploring Parallel Universes and Second Chances
It’s an age-old question: What if you had done things differently? Just one moment or decision can change the entire course of your life. And while Robert Frost most famously addressed this in his poem, The Road Not Taken, countless writers have added their own fresh take on the effect of seemingly small choices. Indeed, the idea of a parallel universe, second chances, do-overs and the thought that your destined path can change at any time is appealing — especially as we get older.
Here, the editors at Woman’s World have compiled a list of our favorite ‘what if’ books. From various love interests and repeating the same day differently to alternate timelines and second chances at life, there’s a story that’s sure to capture your attention.
Discover parallel universes in these ‘what if’ books
‘Maybe in Another Life’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid
After a night out, Hannah can either get a ride home with her best friend or her ex-boyfriend. At this point, the author tells two stories: in one, Hannah goes home with Gabby; in the other, she goes with Ethan.
What readers are saying about this must-read ‘what if’ book: “I always keep a book in my car in case I get somewhere early,” says Patty Bontekoe, Woman’s World Executive Editor. “Having a read I can dip in and out of makes time fly. But this one backfired — I couldn’t put it down!” I loved seeing the major consequences of one seemingly minor decision and how some things are meant to be.”
‘The Memo’ by Rachel Dodes and Lauren Mechling
Jenny Green does not want to attend her college reunion. Once at the top of her class, her life now is not what she expected. Meanwhile, her college friends seem to be excelling at all things. Turns out, she missed the “memo.” When she gets the chance to rewrite her past with a blueprint for success, she’s thrilled. But what will this cost her?
What readers are saying about this must-read ‘what if’ book: “A friend described the premise of this book to me over brunch and I ran home to download it,” says Melissa D’Agnese, Woman’s World Senior Editor. “Bittersweet, witty, unique…this tale was a fun ride!”
‘In Five Years’ by Rebecca Serle
Dannie’s life is mapped out: She’s interviewing for a big job, and her boyfriend is about to propose. But one night, she falls asleep and dreams that she wakes up five years later — with a different man beside her. When she wakes up for real, she can’t shake it: Was it just a dream?
What readers are saying about this must-read ‘what if’ book: “This book was beautiful. When I heard about it, I originally thought it was a time loop plot but that was not the case. This book definitely brought along some reflection and some tears. I highly recommend this one, it was quick but incredibly impactful.”
‘Going Bicoastal’ by Dahlia Adler
In this young adult rom-com from bestselling author Dahlia Adler, a young girl learns there’s more than one way to get to happy-ever-after. Natalya Fox, or Tal, has 24 hours to decide on her summer plans: Will she spend the summer in NYC with her dad or travel to California to visit her estranged mom? She can’t bring herself to choose, so the story is told in alternating timelines, the first where she tries to fix things with her mom, explore the city, figure out her future and take a chance on the girl she’s always wanted, and the other where she does the same thing, but falls for a guy she never saw coming instead.
What readers are saying about this must-read ‘what if’ book: “Dahlia did the alternating cities plot so nicely and I was invested in both worlds. This was an absolutely fantastic book and it’s the perfect light read. Tal is truly one of my new favorite YA protagonists and I loved that each city brought out more facets of her personality.”
‘The Midnight Library’ by Matt Haig
Nora Seed finds herself in a library that contains an infinite number of books, each telling the story of her life as it could have been if she’d just made different decisions — and the librarian tells her she can go back and live in any one of them. Will she stick with the life she’s built, or make different decisions?
What readers are saying about this must-read ‘what if’ book: “The Midnight Library by Matt Haig is an extraordinary novel that resonated with me on a deeply personal level. Haig masterfully explores the infinite possibilities of our lives through the captivating story of Nora Seed, who finds herself in a magical library between life and death. Each book in the library represents a different life she could have lived, and Nora’s journey through them is both heart-wrenching and profoundly inspiring.”
Explore life-changing second chances in these novels
‘The Husbands’ by Holly Gramazio
Lauren returns home and is greeted by her doting husband, Michael. Except…Lauren is single and has no memory of meeting, let alone marrying, Michael. But there are photos of the couple saved in her phone, and yes, that is a framed wedding photo of them above the mantel. The bigger twist? Each time her husband goes into the attic, he’s replaced by a new man and a new life for her. Now, Lauren must decide when to stop switching husbands and start living her life.
What readers are saying about this must-read ‘what if’ book: “On a recent girls’ trip, my friend told me I would love this funny debut novel,” says Kate Arcell, Woman’s World Associate Editor.“Despite the outlandish plot, Lauren’s struggles — like trying to decide what path is right — were so relatable!
‘The Nine Lives of Rose Napolitano’ by Donna Freitas
Rose Napolitano is fighting with her husband about prenatal vitamins. When they got married, they agreed they didn’t want to have children, but suddenly her husband changed his mind. Rose can’t picture herself as a mother, so the fight ends and so does their marriage. However, with each of her nine lives, Rose fights with her husband multiple times but the reimagining is always different. What will be the consequences of her choices? And which path will Rose ultimately choose?
What readers are saying about this must-read ‘what if’ book: “The structure of this book is so engaging and kept me constantly on my toes. Each of the nine lives drew me in, and there was not a single one I didn’t enjoy. I found myself rooting for the main character no matter what she was doing or what was happening around her, because she was simply that likable.”
‘This Time Tomorrow’ by Emma Straub
This tender, thought-provoking story penned by bestselling author Emma Straub offers a clever new twist on traditional time travel tropes. When Alice wakes up on what is supposed to be her 40th birthday, she is back in 1996, reliving her 16th birthday in her 16-year-old body. When she sees her dad, he’s the lively 40-something from her childhood, not the ailing father she’s been caring for. With knowledge of the future, Alice now has to decide if there’s anything she could — or should — change about the past.
What readers are saying about this must-read ‘what if’ book: “I love the idea of time travel with all its potential snares. Straub’s excellent novel does not disappoint. Her settings are evocative, her characters real. Compulsive reading!”
‘The Good Part’ by Sophie Cousens
Memorable scenes, lovable characters and a bit of magic meld in this time-hopping saga. Lucy Young feels unappreciated at work, wondering when she’s going to have her moment to shine. So when stumbles upon a wishing machine after a terrible date, she puts in a coin and makes a wish: Please, let me skip to the good part of my life. When she wakes up the next morning, she has a husband, a great job and two perfect children. But she soon comes to realize trading her past for her future caused her to miss a huge chunk of her life. Now, she’ll have to decide if going back is worth leaving the good part behind.
What readers are saying about this must-read ‘what if’ book: “What would you do if you made a wish to skip to ‘the good part’ and you wake up in a future you weren’t ready for? That’s exactly what happens to the main character Lucy. I LOVED this book SO much! I loved all the characters and their development throughout the whole book. I’ve always been a huge fan of anything time-travel related and this one definitely did not disappoint. While this was a first Cousens’ book for me, I don’t think this will be my last.”
‘Begin Again’ by Helly Acton
Frankie Mckenzie thought she was happy staying in her comfort zone, but she’s unsettled and feels like her life is missing something. Unfortunately, before she can figure it out, she dies in a freak accident. Life isn’t over for her just yet though. Frankie is given a second chance to revisit key moments from her past to see if different choices will bring her the life she’s always wanted. Frankie finally gets to see what life would be like if she accepted a job interview or caught a different flight. Throughout the book, she constantly asks herself what would she change if she could begin again.
What readers are saying about this must-read ‘what if’ book: “The best part of this book is the realizations that Frankie comes to in each scenario. Life gives lemons always, but it’s what we do with them that can make or break us. I love so much when a book can both entertain and give insight into my personal life outlook. This is my first read from Helly, but won’t be my last!”
Original post: 10 Must-Read ‘What If’ Books Exploring Parallel Universes and Second Chances
Author: Courtney Shapiro
