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alicesayshi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Fluffy, sweet and touching.
vikart's review
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I Give My Marriage a Year is a book about a husband and a wife who find their relationship troubled. Eventually, the wife, Lou decides to give her marriage a year by doing her best to fix their relationship in some somewhat absurd ways as the first month she starts with “sex”.
This book is extremely lacking in detail about pretty much anything that’s going on despite the fact that it let’s you feel how infuriatingly annoying both of the main characters can be. To fix her marriage, Lou decides to, initially, have intercourse with her partner every single day for a month instead of… Well, talking to him? Their lack of communication is deadly obvious from the very start of the book.
I think this was so bad for me as I vividly remember me going up to my partner and complaining so many times that he asked me why I am even finishing it about 3 times…
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy
Minor: Vomit, Abortion, and Death of parent
jol69's review against another edition
2.0
Unlikeable main protagonist, in fact most of the characters were unlikeable to some degree. Some aspects of Lou's gripes I understand. Overall this book was a let down.
melissa_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
I have mixed feelings about this one. Lately I've been looking for escapism in the novels I read, and this was definitely not an escape. It was viscerally real. The characters were well developed, and though I didn't 'like' them per se, the story was well told and very realistic. The narrative might be a little triggering for people that have had marriage problems; although I can't empathise its told so well you can really feel the pain!
CW:
CW:
Spoiler
infidelity, abortion (somewhat coerced), death of a parent (in the past), relationship turmoil, talk of divorceashe_13's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
gabrielle_erin's review against another edition
5.0
This book was simply STUNNING. I have never read such an accurate portrayal of what it is like to be in a long term relationship and have to put in the work to make it function. Many novels discuss the more digestible side of love, but it is not often we see a story wholly focused on the aftermath of when a marriage breaks down, and Wainwright does this so intricately and with such poise. A new favourite - and Australian too! Will absolutely be reading her next book.
julescooper's review against another edition
4.0
A nice light summer read. Particularly enjoyed the ending!
reemski's review against another edition
5.0
Devoured this. Probably at an age where marriages are ending and new lives are starting, so much familiar in this story.
sammy_3003's review against another edition
4.0
Lou and Josh are approaching a crossroads in their marriage. While Lou considers if it is all worth it, she sets herself a challenge each month to reinvest in the relationship. Will it be enough?
This is witty and down to earth tale that many people have experienced. With different chapters told in either Josh or Lou's point of view, the reader gets a better understanding of the issues as an outsider. The character development is told through the passage of time which is cleverly written.
This is witty and down to earth tale that many people have experienced. With different chapters told in either Josh or Lou's point of view, the reader gets a better understanding of the issues as an outsider. The character development is told through the passage of time which is cleverly written.