After I Do (by Taylor Jenkins Reid)
I rarely read the same author in near succession, but I found myself with two Taylor Jenkins Reid books on hold simultaneously: After I Do and Atmosphere. Since it had been a while since I last read a Reid book, I initially placed a hold on After I Do to rectify that. When I discovered she was publishing a new book, Atmosphere, I decided to place a hold for that as well. Naturally, I had no control over when I’d get my turn. To my surprise, my turn for Atmosphere came first. I’m a huge fan of Reid’s books, and I was thrilled to read After I Do in close succession.
After I Do is a unique story about marriage, or rather, it’s about an effort to stay married. It’s emotionally charged and tugged at my heartstrings throughout the entire narrative. Lauren and Ryan, a married couple, have been together for a long time, and their attitudes towards each other have changed, causing their love to fade. As the rift in their relationship deepens, they make an unconventional decision: they choose to separate for a year, with absolutely no contact between them. This is the only rule; everything else is open to them.
My emotions were on a rollercoaster ride throughout this book! It was heartwarming to witness Lauren and Ryan’s journey of love and the construction of their adult life together. However, it was heartbreaking to observe the disintegration of their marriage. I couldn’t fathom the reasons behind the deterioration of their relationship. Moreover, I observed a constant shift in my thoughts and feelings during that year of separation. I couldn’t make up my mind about what I wanted for them, and I was equally clueless about how they would navigate this challenging phase.
The story of Lauren and Ryan is fantastic, but I also genuinely enjoyed the supporting characters, including Lauren’s mom, grandma, sister, and brother. As Lauren embarked on her year of self-discovery, she also had to be there for her family. Each family member underwent their own life transformations, and it was wonderful to witness those as well.
I borrowed the audiobook of After I Do from my local library using Libby. Julia Whelan provided another excellent narration. The audiobook concludes with an interesting conversation between Taylor Jenkins Reid and Julia Whelan, which is definitely worth sticking around for after the book ends.
You’re welcome to read my review for Atmosphere. I’ve included a link below for your convenience.
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