Twenty Something Else

Author: Stephanie Mack
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 352
Release Date: June 9, 2026
Publisher: Tyndale Fiction

On the eve of her fortieth birthday, a woman wakes up from a pickleball accident with the unexpected chance to relive her twenties in this sparkling novel from a fresh, new voice.
Sutton Layne is almost-forty and fabulous, with a happy marriage, three beautiful children, and a successful interior design business. But there’s plenty of chaos behind the scenes of early midlife. Her preteen son is going off the rails, her husband is bailing on the party he was supposed to throw her, and that thriving business? If she can’t land her next big client, it might all come crashing down. Then a surprise DM from someone in her past sends her spiraling into what-ifs. What if she settled down too young? Walked away from her big break? Never had her great adventure?
Despite her simmering mini-crisis, Sutton can’t wait for the birthday luncheon and pickleball tournament her friends have planned in her honor. But when an accident on the court knocks her out cold, she wakes up somewhere else . . . and is offered the chance to do it all over again. She can revisit her twenties—out of order and on her own terms. And this time around, anything goes: cities, careers, friendships. Even love.
From star-studded Hollywood nights to the jungles of Nicaragua, from the heat of Coachella to the snowy summit of the Matterhorn, Sutton chases the life she fears she might have missed, with unexpected results.

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Reviewer: Tammy Lunsford

First of all, you have to understand that this is a fiction book. So, in the world of imagination (which is reading to escape is all about), time travel is possible. You must go into this book knowing that it is not real, but it was a lot of fun to go along with Sutton. I especially enjoyed the references to things that she knows about now, but did not know then. I found myself chuckling quite a few times, especially about phones.

Sutton Layne is about to turn 40 years old. She feels disconnected from her husband of many years. She is dealing with sulky teenage children, things are sagging and do not look quite like they did 20 years ago, and life in general is different. 

She finds herself wishing she could go back in time and do things differently, all while wondering what she would do differently. After a pickleball accident, she gets her wish to revisit herself in her younger years and try something new.

I think the author did a great job of telling a story that anyone over the age of 30 can relate to. Sometimes we get caught up in the what ifs and miss the blessings right in front of us, which is something that Sutton admittedly has done. Faith and God were a big part of the story, but this was handled in a way that is not preachy.  

All of the characters were delightful. Sutton learns that friendships are truly important, as well as family and faith.

The book was reflective and nostalgic as you go on Sutton’s journey back to the past. My suggestion is to suspend disbelief and enjoy a sweet story of realizing that sometimes you do not know what you have until it’s gone, and also learn that age is just a number.  

I received this complimentary ARC from Tyndale Publishers and NetGalley through Interviews & Reviews. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Reviewer: Mindy Houng

 “Daily devoted drops are what make love into an ocean.”

This is my first book by Stephanie Mack, and I am completely hooked. Sutton’s funny, self-deprecating, self-aware, dramatic first-person voice was the perfect vehicle for this poignant time-traveling journey. As a mom, wife, daughter, and professional, I understood Sutton at her core and deeply appreciated her struggles, hopes, dreams, and soul-stirring questions. As Sutton traveled through snippets of her twenties, I wondered with her what I would have done differently. I loved how Sutton was the same loyal, kind, wholesome, resilient, creative, effervescent person throughout the book. Her ability to forgive, improvise, and connect with people astounded me. 

I also loved the secondary characters I met along the way, especially Parker and Charlie. Her best friend Quinn was a solid rock Sutton needed through these time jumps. 

The busyness, the monotony, and pressures of everyday life can dull us to the blessings and dreams around us and I am incredibly thankful for this book and for Sutton’s reminder to keep working at our relationships and speak our gratitude daily while supporting and shooting for those dreams.

It’s a well-written women’s fiction that will have you thinking long after you’ve put the book down. 

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers via Interviews & Reviews and NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

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