thebankofbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Medical content, Terminal illness, Death, and Pregnancy
myloveshine's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
3.5
Moderate: Death
allisonisbooked's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
Graphic: Death and Pregnancy
Moderate: Cancer
madeleineg04's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.0
Graphic: Cancer
Moderate: Death of parent and Death
jenncortes's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-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
Hit way too close to home
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
_readwithleo'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? No
4.0
Moderate: Pregnancy, Death, and Cancer
Minor: Infidelity
jessicastewart's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
TJR never fails to write a good book, this was a good page turner :) I loved how all of the characters are really well developed whilst having a lot of plot. I think the book has a really realistic outlook on love. The only thing I didn't like is on Ryan's birthday when they are talking about sex, I thought the character went too far.
Moderate: Cancer and Death
Minor: Pregnancy
amanda_reads13's review against another edition
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
Graphic: Pregnancy, Grief, and Death
rieriereads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
3.75
𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰.
𝙰𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙸 𝙳𝚘 by Taylor Jenkins Reid was such a fun, honest, and heartwarming read. The book follows Lauren and Ryan's marriage as it reaches its breaking point. After so many miscommunications and fights, they end up confessing that they don't love each other anymore. Not ready to give up on their marriage, they came up with a plan to break up for a year with no contact with each other.
At the very start, I was already hooked on TJR's storytelling. It was fun, easy to follow, and fast-paced. Although I found most parts predictable, they fortunately did not ruin my reading experience. I love how I easily navigated my way with Lauren and her dynamics with her family and friends. I love how they supported each other through both highs and lows.
I also really like seeing the different kinds of relationships, opinions, and advice all throughout the book. I didn't agree with some, but I loved how each character was different and had their own personality and perspective on a certain problem.
Aside from being predictable sometimes, what I also didn't love was how much was going on towards the ending. Events pile up on top of each other, which makes it difficult for me to focus. Should I be happy? Sad? Or just be bittersweet?
Overall, I really liked After I Do, and I would without a doubt recommend it. If you're looking for a good, fast-paced book that focuses on the aftermath of falling in love or are just looking for a fun read this August, you should try this out.
•••
My Rating System
5 🌟 - Life changing, a new favorite read
4 ⭐ - I loved it
3 ⭐ - I liked it
2 ⭐ - It was okay
1 ⭐ - I hated it but decided to not dnf
Graphic: Cancer and Death
Minor: Sexual content and Pregnancy
alysereadsbooks's review against another edition
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.
Moderate: Death and Pregnancy
Minor: Abandonment, Sexual content, and Cancer