The Second Chance Cinema - by Thea Weiss (Hardcover)

About the Book

"At the end of a cobblestone alley, shrouded by fog and empty storefronts, lies a glittering magical cinema, with 'The Story of You' presented on the marquee. Ellie and Drake, a newly engaged couple, stumble upon it while walking around their city late one night. Ellie, a dreamer who has made a career of writing about nearly forgotten businesses, is immediately intrigued. Tickets in hand, they make their way into the deserted red-velvet auditorium and to their great surprise, see projected before them memories from their respective pasts. Risk-averse Drake is reluctant when Ellie insists they return to the cinema, but he finally concedes. There's a moment she's haunted by from her past that she doesn't fully remember. If she could only watch what happened, then maybe she'd finally know she wasn't to blame. Meanwhile, Drake is concerned that Ellie will get the wrong idea about a past relationship from what she sees on the screen. As their memories inch closer to the day they met, they realize they both have been keeping secrets from each other"--

Book Synopsis

An engaged couple discovers a magical movie theater that challenges what they know about themselves--and each other--in this nostalgic and "utterly engrossing" (Margarita Montimore, USA TODAY bestselling author) debut that is perfect for fans of The Midnight Library and In Five Years.

At the end of a dark alley, a magical cinema glitters with The Story of You on the marquee. When Ellie and her fiancé, Drake, stumble upon it during a late-night walk, they're shocked to discover what's playing inside the red-velvet auditorium: their formative memories.

Uneasy about what the theater might reveal, Drake hesitates, but Ellie, haunted by a fractured night from her past she can't fully remember, insists they return. As their memories projected on the screen inch closer to the present, they realize they're both keeping secrets from each other.

With their wedding on the horizon, Ellie and Drake must decide if revisiting their pasts will alter their vision of a future together.

"Magical, cozy, and romantic" (Meg Shaffer, USA TODAY bestselling author), The Second Chance Cinema is both an enchanting escape and a thoughtful exploration of how memory shapes who we are--and who we choose to be.

Review Quotes

"Charming and clever, this intriguing debut is a must read!" --Evie Woods, bestselling author of The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris

"Delightful, heartfelt, and utterly engrossing, The Second Chance Cinema offers a magical glimpse into the perfectly imperfect aspects of love, commitment, and how to reclaim the past to find happiness in the present." --Margarita Montimore, USA Today bestselling author of Oona Out of Order

"Weiss's debut novel pulls back red velvet curtains to reveal an auditorium filled with nostalgia and a thought-provoking analysis of how the past shapes the present. This story seamlessly moves from past to present, dwelling upon the importance of love, grief, personal fears, and genuine acceptance. This tantalizing escape is more than a magical theater; it leads readers to consider the weight of past decisions and long-held secrets." --Library Journal (starred review)

Weiss, in her debut novel, shows the destructive power of secrets and the healing power of vulnerability and acceptance in relationships. Readers will root for Drake and Ellie in this sweet and charming story of second chances. --Lynnanne Pearson, Booklist

"First-rate debut from Weiss. Weiss supplements the accomplished plotting with realistic character work, focusing on how the couple is impacted by the film's revelations. This tugs at the heartstrings." --Publishers Weekly

"Funny, beautiful, and surreal." --Kirkus Reviews

"The Second Chance Cinema is a beguiling, bittersweet performance of love and memory, stitched together with velvet, celluloid, and wonder. A dazzling debut that invites you to sit back, press play, and reconsider everything you thought you knew." -Hayley Gelfuso, author of The Book of Lost Hours

"Magical, cozy, and romantic; The Second Chance Cinema gets two thumbs up!" --Meg Shaffer, USA Today Bestselling Author of The Lost Story

About the Author

Thea Weiss is a copywriter and screenwriter who previously contributed to the Twilight franchise. She lives in Denver with her husband, daughter, and dachshund--and loves going to the movies when she's not writing. She is the author of The Second Chance Cinema. Find out more at WrittenbyThea.com or follow her on Instagram @WrittenbyThea.