Begin Again

This heartwarming novel from Acton (The Couple) walks the line between romance and women’s fiction, with just a hint of magic. Chronically indecisive Frankie McKenzie dies on the way home from a ditched date and finds herself in the Station, a purgatory-like realm where she’s introduced to her “guide,” Mabel, who shows Frankie the five times she came to a crossroads in her life and presents her with the opportunity to “find out what [her] life would look like if [she’d] made different choices.” What if she said yes to her ex-boyfriend Toby’s proposal? What if she moved to Mexico? What if she gave a different ex, Callum, another chance? What if she hadn’t ditched that job interview to become a magazine reporter? She’ll have a 24-hour view into the answers of each of these questions. Then, Mable promises, she can return to whichever life “will make [her] happiest.” As Frankie lives one day in each alternate timeline, she learns what—and who—is really important to her. Readers will draw meaningful lessons from Frankie’s adventures and be endeared to the quirky supporting cast. This is a page-turner. Agent: Hayley Steed, Madeleine Milburn Literary. (Apr.)