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bottlecapmagnet's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Abandonment, and Alcohol
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: Death, Grief, and Pregnancy
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: Death, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
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: Cancer, Death, Grief, and Pregnancy
Minor: Infidelity
saraellenme's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Toxic relationship, Grief, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Minor: Infidelity
cdoubet's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Addiction, Cursing, and Abandonment
morganperks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Ya know, I wasn’t feeling it at the beginning, but I trusted that TJR had a plan. She most definitely did and it was better than I could’ve imagined. Man, does she know how to tell a story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Grief
Moderate: Cancer and Death
Minor: Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
For anyone who has been married for more than a couple years, something about this book will touch your heart. I laughed, I cried. In some ways, I saw my own marriage splayed across pages. I love the way Reid brings a story to real life and makes them seem inseparable. I couldn’t put this one down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Grief, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Classism
meeklovestoread's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.25
Why was I crying when they had their first fight?!😭 This book had me tearing up too much. I'm really a sucker for young fluffy love. And I love when the two lovers especially the male are smitten with each other. It's so cute! I think TJR did a fantastic job of establishing the different elements of marriage. And that it's not just a one size fits all. I love the family aspect of this book and how it handles single motherhood and absent parents. The emotions it book brought out of me were incredible. What a lovely read. My only concern was that I don't think we got enough of Lauren and Ryan's relationship when they were in college. I found myself wanting more cute moments with them throughout the book. Also I also didn't like Lauren encouraging David to go back to his cheating ex wife. I know alot of people view cheating differently so maybe I'm tripping about it. But for me, cheating is an ultimate deal-breaker and shows how much the other person didn't have respect for the relationship. It's just unforgivable in my opinion. I get he was hurting but he was hurting because of her. I don't think I could love my partner the same if they cheated. But that's just me. If David truly feels he can't live without Ashley. Then to each their own I guess.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content and Pregnancy
mallory10100's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i loved this book so much, taylor jenkins reid you’ve done it again!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
i’ve officially read ALL of TJR’s books!!