After I Do: A Novel

"It's so confusing, isn't it? I mean, why fill our minds with everlasting love and then berate us for believing in it?"Ain't that the truth!I can see why After I Do might not appeal to everyone, but maybe that’s the point. After all, we’re sold this polished, one-size-fits-all version of love and marriage from the moment we're born. How we're supposed to act, what we're supposed to do, and when real life veers off that script - in fiction or reality - it causes discomfort, and people shut it down. The irony is that After I Do is about that discomfort, but I think some people miss that entirely.**Minor spoilers ahead**This was my fourth Taylor Jenkins Reid novel, and once again, she blew me away. I devoured this in a single day. It was so real - painfully real at times - and I couldn't put it down.Lauren and Ryan's marriage didn't fall apart because of a massive betrayal or an earthshattering event. It eroded in small ways: miscommunication, assumptions, unmet expectations. They clung to the picture of what things SHOULD be like, while failing to understand that reality almost never matches the picture, but that doesn't make it any less beautiful.“Isn’t it nice, once you’ve outgrown the idea of what life should be, and you just enjoy what it is?”That line? Perfection!I think Lauren and Ryan were very likable characters who BOTH did some very unlikable things, just like most people. They were REAL and I'll take that over idealized fictional fluff any day of the week. I guarantee that there isn't a reader who hasn't experienced similar issues, or at the very least, watched people they love endure them.Jenkins Reid beautifully challenged the idea that love has to follow a single, linear path. There is no perfect prescription - but, God, don't most of us believe there is? What if we chose our own path to happiness and fulfillment, not the societal standards we accept as the norm? Leslie found a way that worked for her. Rachel did, too. Mila is realistic about long-term love, especially when it involves parenting. Charlie comes into love unexpectedly, but I have a feeling those two are going to make it.As for Lauren & Ryan? There were times I wanted to bop each of them and say, "You know - communication and counseling would be much easier, guys!" Even Grandma Lois made it clear that there were far less painful ways for them to come to a resolution. But, sometimes heartache is needed to grow, to understand, and to fully appreciate. Ultimately, their unorthodox solution provided them with exactly what they needed.I adored this book. Even when I wanted to shake the characters, I was rooting for them. And beyond the romance, I loved how all forms of love were explored - friendship, family, even the love and devotion of a pet. Because love isn’t just one thing, it’s a tapestry. And each thread shapes who we are and how we show up in the relationships that matter most.There were moments that resonated with me so deeply that I could feel my heart racing. Once again, TJR strapped me into my seat and put me on an emotional rollercoaster that simply gutted me, but when the ride was over, I wanted to hug her and thank her for it.Damn, I simply loved this one!

“Look at the things we are capable of in the name of the people we love.” - After I Do.SYNOPSIS: When Lauren and Ryan’s marriage reaches the breaking point, they come up with an unconventional plan. They decide to take a year off in the hopes of finding a way to fall in love again. One year apart, and only one rule: they cannot contact each other. Aside from that, anything goes. Lauren embarks on a journey of self-discovery, quickly finding that her friends and family have their own ideas about the meaning of marriage. These influences, as well as her own healing process and the challenges of living apart from Ryan, begin to change Lauren’s ideas about monogamy and marriage. She starts to question: When you can have romance without loyalty and commitment without marriage, when love and lust are no longer tied together, what do you value? What are you willing to fight for? - After I Do.REVIEW: Since I have been back to reading lately, I have heard about this book from everyone saying how good and touching it is. And I totally agree. This book is hard, beautiful, and heartbreaking. While I have never been married, I have been in serious, long-term relationships so I could resonate with most of the stuff this book talked about. However, I imagine if you have been or are married, this will resonate with you even more and probably hit you harder. This book was an emotional read, but it brought up so many important topics and concepts. This is the first Taylor Jenkins Reid book I have read, and so far I love her writing!I loved the characters in this book and their relationships. In the book, we read from Lauren’s perspective and really get to know her emotionally. We also get to know her family, their family dynamics, and her relationships with them, which also enhances the themes in the book. Further, we see Lauren’s growth as well both personally and within her relationships. I also enjoyed Ryan’s character, although I felt we didn’t know as much about him, probably because we didn’t read from his perspective. The way the way the author wrote made me feel connected to, and care about the side-characters too.Overall, I rated this book a 4. I enjoyed it, however felt that I wished it went a little deeper into some areas and topics in the book. Maybe further emotional exploration or further content about the year the couple spent away from one another. I would recommend this to anyone who has been in a series relationship or is married as well. I think this was a touching book, and can be a great conversation starter about marriages, love, and relationships.