I read a couple of books by Taylor Jenkins Reid last year and really enjoyed them. After I Do was gifted to me in a secret book swap and fits the bill.

What it’s about?

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?

What I think:

This was an emotional read.

I found it very easy to get into and was quickly dragged into the story.

As Lauren and Ryan’s marriage falls apart, Lauren is forced to re-evaluate her life and goes on a journey of self-discovery.

They agree to spend a year apart, to not have any contact with each other and to see other people for they want to. If they are meant to be together then love will find a way.

Throughout her year, Lauren spends time getting to know who she is outside of a couple and considering the different ways relationships can work. Through her relationships with her family and friends she contemplates what love means and what she needs.

The book only gives us glimpses into Ryan’s thoughts through his emails and mainly focuses on Lauren.

I loved the journey that she went in and the relationships she has with her mother and sister in particular.

So far I have enjoyed every Taylor Jenkins Reid book I have read. I love her strong, complex female characters and narrative style. Will definitely be adding more her books to my 2024 reading list.