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kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
3.5
Knowing this is TJR’s first novel makes me impressed by the quality of the writing and story-telling. Even in her debut, Reid is able to tell a story unlike others. She makes the mundane parts of life feel like something worth reading and the diabolical parts of life relatable. This book made me ugly cry several times. It was a good love story about found family and building a life that you’re proud of despite shitty circumstances.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
slimejules's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
iirissr's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
kvalenti's review
emotional
medium-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? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
buchherz_eva's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
lucyatoz's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Forever, Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid tells the story of the supernova relationship of Ben, a graphic designer, and Elsie, a librarian.
They meet by chance on New Years Day at a pizzeria after Elsie decides to go and collect hers rather than having it delivered and this meeting determines their lives for the next 6 months. They have a whirlwind romance and elope in May, without his Mum or her parents in attendance. Nine days after they marry, Ben dies after a collision with a car whilst cycling to the store to get Elsie her favourite cereal.
The narrative alternates between the before and the after, over a period of one year, tackling head on the grieving and healing of Elsie, with the support of her best friend Ana, and Susan, the mother in law she never met until after Ben's death.
I am not normally a fan of books which have duelling timelines but for this story it worked and I was able to follow it through.
I own a copy of this book and listened to it on Borrowbox. I read this for prompt "Be Mine, Valentine" for the 52 Book Club mini challenge February 2024.
They meet by chance on New Years Day at a pizzeria after Elsie decides to go and collect hers rather than having it delivered and this meeting determines their lives for the next 6 months. They have a whirlwind romance and elope in May, without his Mum or her parents in attendance. Nine days after they marry, Ben dies after a collision with a car whilst cycling to the store to get Elsie her favourite cereal.
The narrative alternates between the before and the after, over a period of one year, tackling head on the grieving and healing of Elsie, with the support of her best friend Ana, and Susan, the mother in law she never met until after Ben's death.
I am not normally a fan of books which have duelling timelines but for this story it worked and I was able to follow it through.
I own a copy of this book and listened to it on Borrowbox. I read this for prompt "Be Mine, Valentine" for the 52 Book Club mini challenge February 2024.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Car accident
Moderate: Cursing, Vomit, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent
thebankofbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Car accident, and Alcohol
kcontagious'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? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Car accident
whenskiesaregrey's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
This was my final book to read, to complete all of TJR's novels. I loved the palpability of the grief and true complexity of the characters' relationships! The intertwined timelines provided beautiful heart and context, as we get to know Elsie, Ben, and Susan. I believe TJR has a special power to portray human emotions and mundane quotidien life as a special, sacred part of who we are. While it isn't my favorite novel of hers, I still deeply appreciated it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
ktay36's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death