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beastreader's review
3.0
I struggled to fully embrace the characters in this story. Yet, what Jackie and Lou were feeling with the outcome of Lou's choice is very relatable. I did not fault Lou for what he did. At points in our lives we reach crossroads. It is the "after" that helps to shape us on what we do with these choices.
Thus, I guess you could say that I did relate some towards Lou. I think when it came to Jackie; she was so shell shocked which I would have been as well in her place but that she was not willing to show as much emotion as Lou. Thus the reason I gravitated towards Lou.
The last third of the story is where it did all come together for me. It was a satisfying ending for both Jackie and Lou. I would read another book by this author.
Thus, I guess you could say that I did relate some towards Lou. I think when it came to Jackie; she was so shell shocked which I would have been as well in her place but that she was not willing to show as much emotion as Lou. Thus the reason I gravitated towards Lou.
The last third of the story is where it did all come together for me. It was a satisfying ending for both Jackie and Lou. I would read another book by this author.
ashleykritzer's review
4.0
Thank you to author Reyna Marder Gentin for gifting me a copy of her book “Both Are True,” which is out now!
This book is part legal drama, part romance. Judge Jackie Martin is a freshly appointed family court judge; at 40, she’s in love with her live-in boyfriend, Lou, and sees a future with him. But when Lou up and leaves, Jackie is left to figure out what she really wants.
I love ambitious female protagonists, and Judge Jackie fits the bill. I loved the courtroom scenes — I wanted to be an attorney after serving as one in my high school’s Teen Court program. The author herself is a former public defender, and I appreciated that as I read through the legal scenes.
About half of the book is devoted to Lou’s perspective, which I did not expect. I enjoyed the Jackie character far more than Lou and could have done with less of his side of the story.
This book is part legal drama, part romance. Judge Jackie Martin is a freshly appointed family court judge; at 40, she’s in love with her live-in boyfriend, Lou, and sees a future with him. But when Lou up and leaves, Jackie is left to figure out what she really wants.
I love ambitious female protagonists, and Judge Jackie fits the bill. I loved the courtroom scenes — I wanted to be an attorney after serving as one in my high school’s Teen Court program. The author herself is a former public defender, and I appreciated that as I read through the legal scenes.
About half of the book is devoted to Lou’s perspective, which I did not expect. I enjoyed the Jackie character far more than Lou and could have done with less of his side of the story.
rochelleweinstein's review
5.0
Reyna Marder Gentin writes compelling women's fiction with just the right blend of romance. BOTH ARE TRUE is the moving story of two lovers at a crossroads, and if you're anything like me, you'll be rooting on these perfectly flawed characters. Gentin captures the subtle nuances of relationships and what it means to open ourselves to others. Fans of legal thrillers will appreciate the courtroom drama, a testament to Gentin's years practicing law, and I, for one, appreciated the quick wit throughout. I'm a fan. Brava, Reyna!
leemaaafc's review
3.0
I received a digital review copy via NetGalley and want to provide my honest opinion. Thank you!
Both are True is a good read, albeit a little flat and underwhelming. I didn't appreciate the characters at all, they were too bitter and unrelatable. The characters were unique (in some sense) but were all unlikable because of their actions throughout the book, especially the judge.
It was well-written and easy to read because the writing was well-done, but the plot was unenjoyable.
Both are True is a good read, albeit a little flat and underwhelming. I didn't appreciate the characters at all, they were too bitter and unrelatable. The characters were unique (in some sense) but were all unlikable because of their actions throughout the book, especially the judge.
It was well-written and easy to read because the writing was well-done, but the plot was unenjoyable.
lillist's review
3.0
I have received a digital review copy via Netgalley and voluntarily provide my honest opinion. Thank you!
2.5 stars - Not a fan of the characters, who kind of ruin a premise with potential
Jackie has worked hard on her career and is a newly appointed judge in family court hoping to impress her supervisors. She is in a relationship with Lou, an aspiring but not terribly driven writer, who moved in with her. However, one day Lou has an epiphany regarding his writing ambitions and walks out on her out of the blue, determined to make some changes to his life. Jackie in return is left wondering about Lou's reasons and starting to question her life decisions.
I feel like this could have been a solid, entertaining reflection on the decisions we make in life and personal development, but it fell seriously flat due to unlikeable characters and a plot that I just could not relate to.
To begin with, I was not a fan of the premise. Just walking out of a relationship without talking to your partner and just leaving some measly note is so cowardly and low. Lou's decision is apparently being triggered by his reflections how most of his friends think that he is gay (which would be terrible, right?) and make fun of him as being a kept man (gasp!) - poor guy. This really did not make me sympathize with him whatsoever. And the way Jackie reacts by clinging to every straw of hope to "win" Lou back, to take him away from her rival, Lou's ex-wife. I'm sorry, but are we in 10th grade, or something? I really disagree that this is how healthy relationships should work.
Also, Jackie, despite working as a judge, displays an almost shocking lack of empathy in court. She also does something so incredible unprofessional and unethical in the second half of the book that I sort of could not believe it and found incredibly off-putting.
In addition, I disliked basically all secondary characters (with the exception of Lou's daughter Bryn), who were at least sometimes jerks or plain creepy. E.g. Lou's ex-wife Tara calls him fat for gaining all of 10 pounds after leaving Jackie. Jackie's sister spouts gems like "Men don't like to be with women who are smarter than they are, or out-earn them, or who have more prestigious jobs. It makes them feel inadequate and weak."
Oh, and let us not forget Mike, who works in court and who seriously tells Jackie, the judge, "I'm probably not supposed to say this - all that sexual harassment training they make us take - but you look terrific". Seriously?!
I was also reather annoyed by the general superficiality of basically everyone in this story. I guess this is just a world I didn't really enjoyed spending time in ...
In conclusion, I just did not connect to this story, but I can say that it was well written and easy to read.
2.5 stars - Not a fan of the characters, who kind of ruin a premise with potential
Jackie has worked hard on her career and is a newly appointed judge in family court hoping to impress her supervisors. She is in a relationship with Lou, an aspiring but not terribly driven writer, who moved in with her. However, one day Lou has an epiphany regarding his writing ambitions and walks out on her out of the blue, determined to make some changes to his life. Jackie in return is left wondering about Lou's reasons and starting to question her life decisions.
I feel like this could have been a solid, entertaining reflection on the decisions we make in life and personal development, but it fell seriously flat due to unlikeable characters and a plot that I just could not relate to.
To begin with, I was not a fan of the premise. Just walking out of a relationship without talking to your partner and just leaving some measly note is so cowardly and low. Lou's decision is apparently being triggered by his reflections how most of his friends think that he is gay (which would be terrible, right?) and make fun of him as being a kept man (gasp!) - poor guy. This really did not make me sympathize with him whatsoever. And the way Jackie reacts by clinging to every straw of hope to "win" Lou back, to take him away from her rival, Lou's ex-wife. I'm sorry, but are we in 10th grade, or something? I really disagree that this is how healthy relationships should work.
Also, Jackie, despite working as a judge, displays an almost shocking lack of empathy in court. She also does something so incredible unprofessional and unethical in the second half of the book that I sort of could not believe it and found incredibly off-putting.
In addition, I disliked basically all secondary characters (with the exception of Lou's daughter Bryn), who were at least sometimes jerks or plain creepy. E.g. Lou's ex-wife Tara calls him fat for gaining all of 10 pounds after leaving Jackie. Jackie's sister spouts gems like "Men don't like to be with women who are smarter than they are, or out-earn them, or who have more prestigious jobs. It makes them feel inadequate and weak."
Oh, and let us not forget Mike, who works in court and who seriously tells Jackie, the judge, "I'm probably not supposed to say this - all that sexual harassment training they make us take - but you look terrific". Seriously?!
I was also reather annoyed by the general superficiality of basically everyone in this story. I guess this is just a world I didn't really enjoyed spending time in ...
In conclusion, I just did not connect to this story, but I can say that it was well written and easy to read.
reader_mama's review
4.0
Jackie, a family court judge, comes home one day to find out that Lou, her live in boyfriend, has broken up with her on a note (think sex in the city, Jack Berger post it note saga, IYKYK). The book then follows both Jackie and Lou in alternating chapters about where their lives lead them post breakup.
This was such a unique book because the break up of Jackie and Lou happens right away, so readers don’t form an attachment to them as couple, but rather as individuals as they lead separate lives. Jackie had a very high pressure, successful career as a newly appointed judge, while Lou feels stuck in his career as a writer. It was interesting to read about how their jobs impacted their relationship with each other and their loved ones.
Of course, Jackie and Lou come face to face again, but not in love. My heart hurt a little for Jackie, but I also felt she deserved more than Lou could give her. I was pleased with how much personal growth she achieved by the end of the novel, and I was left thinking to myself “I hope she’s happy”
This was such a unique book because the break up of Jackie and Lou happens right away, so readers don’t form an attachment to them as couple, but rather as individuals as they lead separate lives. Jackie had a very high pressure, successful career as a newly appointed judge, while Lou feels stuck in his career as a writer. It was interesting to read about how their jobs impacted their relationship with each other and their loved ones.
Of course, Jackie and Lou come face to face again, but not in love. My heart hurt a little for Jackie, but I also felt she deserved more than Lou could give her. I was pleased with how much personal growth she achieved by the end of the novel, and I was left thinking to myself “I hope she’s happy”
bookish_heidi's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this book! It kept me turning pages and when I wasn't reading, I was pondering what I would do if I was in their situation
bookmarkedbybecky's review
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
Judge Jackie Martin’s job is to impose order on the most chaotic families in New York City. So how is she blindsided when the man she loves walks out on her?
I enjoyed a peek inside Family Court. Reyna Marder Gentin skillfully presents the difficulty these judges face in imposing justice over broken families. Jackie (our main character) lacks judicial experience and empathy over these cases and soon realizes this rigidity also leaks into her personal life as she reflects on why Lou left her. As Jackie struggles with the balance of humanity and legality, she realizes that she must open her heart and make choices that may change her life’s direction.
Reyna Marder Gentin explores women’s issues on career, family, and love. She expertly writes the difficulty in “having it all,” both professionally and personally. Women often struggle in balancing professional ambition and personal relationships. I enjoyed how the characters learn and reflect on their mistakes and, above all, seek love and forgiveness.
louisekf's review
4.0
Both Are True portrays two vulnerable New Yorkers at a crossroads: on one hand you have Jackie, a 39-year-old female inexperienced family court judge and Lou, a 43-year-old underemployed male accountant/writer. Their relationship comes to a sudden end when Lou feels constrained in life and walks out on Jackie. The story is told in alternating chapters, from either Jackie’s viewpoint or Lou’s.
I found the scenes in Jackie’s family courtroom to be very interesting and realistic. I didn’t really buy Lou’s relationship with his ex-wife after his split with Jackie, but his relationship - or lack thereof - with his ex-stepdaughter felt totally realistic.
There are vibrant descriptions of Manhattan and the joys and woes of living there - subways, coffee shops, Central Park, etc. The author draws a big contrast with her descriptions of the Westchester suburbs as very dull (but good for finding roads for long bike rides). I really enjoyed her description of how Lou felt after his first long bike ride in a long time, without padded shorts.
Another highlight for me was the existence of several Jewish characters who are comfortable with their heritage but not overly religious/observant.
A minor quibble: Jackie’s parents are in their 70s, but the author writes about them as if they were a generation older than that. She says her dad always listened to Sinatra, etc., whereas people that age probably listened to The Beatles and The Rolling Stones instead. (I’m in that general age range and it was my parents’ generation that listened to Sinatra, not mine.)
I’m not sure how to characterize this book, but I really enjoyed reading it. It’s not really a romance, so I guess you’d call it “women’s fiction,” a genre title I hate.
Thank you to NetGalley and Moonshine Cove Publishing for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I found the scenes in Jackie’s family courtroom to be very interesting and realistic. I didn’t really buy Lou’s relationship with his ex-wife after his split with Jackie, but his relationship - or lack thereof - with his ex-stepdaughter felt totally realistic.
There are vibrant descriptions of Manhattan and the joys and woes of living there - subways, coffee shops, Central Park, etc. The author draws a big contrast with her descriptions of the Westchester suburbs as very dull (but good for finding roads for long bike rides). I really enjoyed her description of how Lou felt after his first long bike ride in a long time, without padded shorts.
Another highlight for me was the existence of several Jewish characters who are comfortable with their heritage but not overly religious/observant.
A minor quibble: Jackie’s parents are in their 70s, but the author writes about them as if they were a generation older than that. She says her dad always listened to Sinatra, etc., whereas people that age probably listened to The Beatles and The Rolling Stones instead. (I’m in that general age range and it was my parents’ generation that listened to Sinatra, not mine.)
I’m not sure how to characterize this book, but I really enjoyed reading it. It’s not really a romance, so I guess you’d call it “women’s fiction,” a genre title I hate.
Thank you to NetGalley and Moonshine Cove Publishing for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
hfrimmer's review
5.0
Family court judge, Jackie Martin, is shocked when her live-in boyfriend, Lou, leaves unexpectedly, leaving behind a cursory note on the kitchen table. The break up rocks Jackie’s world, causing her to doubt her job, her attractiveness as a partner and even her self worth. Jackie throws herself into her job, but she keeps falling short of expectations. Though she is the appointed judge, she feels she herself is being criticized by her clerk, supervisor, amongst others, at every turn. If only she can find a way to win Lou back, she thinks, then all would be right with the world again.
When a member of Lou’s family ends up in her courtroom, Jackie is faced with the difficult choice between her career and her relationship. But maybe there’s a way to have both? If women can supposedly have it all, could there be a way for her to have her cake and eat it too?
I always enjoy a novel with a moral dilemma at its core. I love looking at the choices, weighing all of the evidence and deciding for myself which way the scale tips. I rooted for both Jackie and Lou, even though they both made a significant number of cringe worthy choices. I even found myself yelling at them on occasion, trying to prevent them from going down the wrong path. Both Are True is an engaging story about love, lost and found, and about finding yourself along the way. The characters are real, flawed and easy to root for, and I enjoyed this peek through the window into their emotional lives.
When a member of Lou’s family ends up in her courtroom, Jackie is faced with the difficult choice between her career and her relationship. But maybe there’s a way to have both? If women can supposedly have it all, could there be a way for her to have her cake and eat it too?
I always enjoy a novel with a moral dilemma at its core. I love looking at the choices, weighing all of the evidence and deciding for myself which way the scale tips. I rooted for both Jackie and Lou, even though they both made a significant number of cringe worthy choices. I even found myself yelling at them on occasion, trying to prevent them from going down the wrong path. Both Are True is an engaging story about love, lost and found, and about finding yourself along the way. The characters are real, flawed and easy to root for, and I enjoyed this peek through the window into their emotional lives.
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