amanda_reads13's review
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Lauren and Ryan's marriage has come to a breaking point. They realize that they have fallen out of love with one another. They decide to take a year apart.
Lauren and Ryan are at their breaking point and cannot stand to be around each other. Every little thing leads to resentment and arguments. They do not communicate with each other at all. So all of these tiny issues lead to a huge blow up. This feels incredibly realistic. So many relationships blow up because of passive aggressive tendencies and lack of communication.
I would have loved to have seen a dual POV in this book and to have more of the book focus on their individual journeys as they make their way back to each other. We don't see much growth in the characrers. A bunch of things happen and they realize they love each other. That's great, but do they actually change? If so, how do they change?
The emails were cute, it was a way for them to keep tabs on each other without actally communicating. BUT I think it would have been better had they cut commutation completely and focused on self-growth rather than worrying and stressing about the other person. Without individual growth how will their relationship be any different this time?
Tropes: marriage in crisis
Lauren and Ryan are at their breaking point and cannot stand to be around each other. Every little thing leads to resentment and arguments. They do not communicate with each other at all. So all of these tiny issues lead to a huge blow up. This feels incredibly realistic. So many relationships blow up because of passive aggressive tendencies and lack of communication.
I would have loved to have seen a dual POV in this book and to have more of the book focus on their individual journeys as they make their way back to each other. We don't see much growth in the characrers. A bunch of things happen and they realize they love each other. That's great, but do they actually change? If so, how do they change?
The emails were cute, it was a way for them to keep tabs on each other without actally communicating. BUT I think it would have been better had they cut commutation completely and focused on self-growth rather than worrying and stressing about the other person. Without individual growth how will their relationship be any different this time?
Tropes: marriage in crisis
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Grief, and Death
alysereadsbooks's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I listened to the audiobook, it was okay. I liked the idea of the plot more than the execution and it just felt a little one dimensional, like something was missing from the characters or the plot.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Pregnancy
Minor: Abandonment, Sexual content, and Cancer
martapsalvado's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
TJR does it again. This was so much fun, I just wanted to read and read and read
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Alcohol, Abandonment, Infidelity, and Pregnancy
chloelj27's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Cancer, and Pregnancy
taylorbrooke's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
laurataylor's review
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Abandonment, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
ecrew's review
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Pregnancy, and Death
_bookstamandy_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Cancer
madelinedalton's review
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was an enjoyable and easy read, but it does not even come close to TJR’s historical fiction works. The writing lacks the sophistication, layering, and addictive style of her more recent novels. It doesn’t even feel like the same author to me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
alisonreadsitall's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Honestly, I think this is my favorite TJR read yet. (only book 2 for me lol)
While I didn’t love the idea of “taking a break” from your marriage, I did love all of the emotions this book made me feel. 😭😫🥰🤣🫠🥹 (I cried a lot.) I loved seeing some of the differences and nuances in relationships and how each character approached it. There was also a lot of growth in characters throughout the book, especially Charlie.
Rachel was the real star of the show. ⭐️ She gets a lot of flack because she’s still single. She wants a relationship, but doesn’t see it as a requirement for her happiness, and would rather pursue happiness in other ways. (I relate to her so maybe that’s why she was my favorite 🙃)
The ending was heartbreaking and yet, also fantastic.
While I didn’t love the idea of “taking a break” from your marriage, I did love all of the emotions this book made me feel. 😭😫🥰🤣🫠🥹 (I cried a lot.) I loved seeing some of the differences and nuances in relationships and how each character approached it. There was also a lot of growth in characters throughout the book, especially Charlie.
Rachel was the real star of the show. ⭐️ She gets a lot of flack because she’s still single. She wants a relationship, but doesn’t see it as a requirement for her happiness, and would rather pursue happiness in other ways. (I relate to her so maybe that’s why she was my favorite 🙃)
The ending was heartbreaking and yet, also fantastic.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Death, Pregnancy, and Cancer
Minor: Infidelity