Title: After I Do
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
My Review: The novel begins with Lauren and Ryan at their breaking point. They have tried couples therapy, but nothing seems to be working. Lauren is feeling unfulfilled in her job as a freelance writer, and Ryan is feeling stuck in his job as a lawyer. They are also struggling with communication issues, and their once-loving relationship has become strained.
After a nasty fight, Lauren and Ryan agree that they will take a year-long break from their marriage instead of breaking up completely. During this time, they decided not to see each other or communicate in any way. They both hope that this time apart will help them determine if they still love each other and whether they want to stay married.
The year apart is not easy for either of them. Lauren struggles to find her place in the world and her purpose in life without Ryan. She also becomes more isolated and lonely as she spends more time alone. Meanwhile, Ryan finds himself drawn to a coworker and begins questioning his feelings for Lauren.
As a fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s recent books, I couldn’t help but notice that her writing style in After I Do feels different. Although Reid is an excellent writer, the tone and structure of this book deviate from her more recent works. Perhaps it’s because After I Do is written in the first person, or maybe it’s because it’s a contemporary novel rather than historical fiction (or what I like to call modern historical, where the story takes place in the last few decades rather than the last few centuries). Whatever the reason may be, it feels like a departure from her usual style – but this could also be an early work in the evolution of Reid’s writing.
One of the strengths of the book is its realistic portrayal of marriage. Reid does not shy away from showing the ups and downs of a long-term relationship, including the challenges and struggles that many couples face. This makes the story relatable and authentic.
I would recommend After I Do to readers who are interested in exploring the complexities of relationships, the challenges of marriage, and the journey of characters as they navigate through various life changes and decisions. It might particularly resonate with readers who enjoy character-driven stories and emotional narratives centered around adult relationships.
Similarities to Conceiving Hope: After I Do follows the story of Lauren and Ryan, a married couple who have fallen out of love and decided to take a year-long break from their marriage. As they spend time apart, they explore new relationships and reassess their assumptions about love, commitment, and the meaning of family. Similarly, in my book Conceiving Hope, Margo reassesses her assumptions about relationships and family as she navigates the aftermath of her divorce and tries to conceive a child through unconventional means.
After I Do tackles many thought-provoking themes, many of which are similar to that of Conceiving Hope. Both novels explore the complexities of modern relationships and the idea of starting over to find happiness. They also touch on themes of commitment, forgiveness, and the power of love to heal even the most broken of hearts.
Olive McMahon 