One True Loves: A Novel

I fell in love with Taylor Jenkins Reid's writing the first time I read her debut novel, Forever, Interrupted, and have since read every book she's written as soon as I can get my hands on them. Needless to say, I had her newest, One True Loves, pre-ordered and dove right in as soon as it was delivered. I was once again absolutely delighted with the complex, emotional story she presented, one that had me not only eager to see how the characters would react to the impossible-seeming situation but questioning how I would react given the same.

I think for me the best part of the story (save the interesting dilemma it presented) was the time taken to fully develop these characters. Without it, I don't think I would have cared as much about Emma's love story and, other than still being an entertaining story, it wouldn't have had the emotional impact on me it did (really as all her books do). As it is, Reid crafts these characters that are funny, flawed, emotive, and as relatable as they come. She then takes the time to really develop their relationships and experiences, making everything feel that much more understandable. Giving the reader a clear view into how Emma lived with and loved both men made it that much more complicated when trying to decide (or figure out) who she would end up with. I did, however, know who I wanted her to pick about half way through, and I somewhat surprised myself since it wasn't whom I initially thought I would have selected. I think that just speaks to how much she had me invested in each of their lives.

While this is heavily a story about a woman figuring out which of the two loves of her life she should end up with, that isn't all this story has to provide. There's a complicated relationship between Emma and her sister (which most people with siblings will be able to relate to), a look at how grief and hardship changes people, as well as the idea that you never quite know where your life might take you, which might include going back to the very places you try so hard to get away from. There are a number of interesting threads running through the story, giving plenty to enjoy and ponder as the story progresses and long after it's done.

I'm clearly a huge fan of this author and recommend her all the time. I'm always surprised at the complex situations she puts her characters in and the way they, somehow, find a logical and very satisfying conclusion. I laugh, I get a little misty, and I completely fall for her characters and their dilemmas every time. One True Loves and really all her books are perfect, especially for this time of year, and I can't recommend them enough if you want a thoughtful, satisfying read.

I am consistently impressed by this writer's plots and writing style - I am pleased to report that her newest creation, One True Loves, is her best novel yet. I totally loved it! Her other three books are marvelous, too, but One True Loves stands apart - I will be waiting patiently for her next book. You can never go wrong with Taylor Jenkins Reid!

5 Stars

I've had thoughts on reviewing this going through my head since I started it and it left me with a bit of a book-hangover ( okay, maybe that was due to the consumption of wine alternated by ice cream). It's a beautifully emotional read with such a unique premise and I knew it would be a tough read. I was anxious going into it and did something I have only done 1 or 2 other times, I looked at the end. UGH...stupid yes, but it was okay for me. It helped to calm me a bit and instead of focusing on clues and guessing, I could see it more as the journey it is.

The message of this book is simple with Reid pointing to it many times, you can't miss it. Being in love, loving someone as a partner is not always about who they are, it's about who you are with them. It's also a nod to the fact that people change, are changed by life events - and that people are messy, life is messy. There are a few BIG moments that left me with tears running down my face, BIG moments that are good and bad. We get to know Emma and her "budding" relationships with Sam (fiancé), Jesse (husband) and Marie (Emma's sister) through flashbacks and loved how this was plotted and sectioned out; the before and after moments of her life. How she got where she was. Did I agree with her "choice"...YES, although I don't think there really was one.

I read it in one evening (late into the night) and woke up early thinking about it. Some people are and will be twisted up with the triangle aspect (I was/am), with the fact that Emma is forced to figure out who she wants to be with. That is the plot driver and there's no avoiding the overall feel of it. Her writing, her prose and style is solid and makes the story line what it is and a definite 5 star read.

I Love this book!!! It truly kept me wondering who Emma was going to wind up with.. Her husband or fiancée. I love the turns in this book and i love how she ended up with!! My favorite Taylor Jenkins Reid Novel so far!!

I JUST finished reading my first book by Taylor Jenkins Reid, "One True Loves". Oh man, it ripped my heart out. I haven't had a book shatter me like that in a long time. Soo soo good. I'm officially a HUGE fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid!

Kept me interested and entertained! I just thought some parts were a little too phony/cheesy. Sam was way too good to be true. In the end, I felt like he was a doormat.

Also, that closure phone call from Jesse at the end- does that ever happen in real life?

I enjoyed the book, and it was unpredictable.You definitly have to wait to see who she chooses. Its a good romantic read, and I liked the style of the writer. I also enjoyed reading how she evolved into a totally different person.

Struggling with this read so badly very sorry to say.I'm at the 30 percent mark and I just can't keep going.This read is so impersonal, so detached lacking so much feeling, like I don't know these characters at all, yet the story just keeps going on with a casual non emotional flow. I have to think its the writing, the author just is giving us snippets of time, very here to there , skipping years at a time with no substance in the pages ,the writing is not engaging me to this couple at all,nor the other many characters in this book, maybe this is the author's style of writing,I've never read anything by this author before so maybe this is her way if so I'm not a fan!!!!!. The author goes into more detail about the main character buying a pair of jeans than starting a solid love story foundation with this couple. It goes from I think I like him at age 14, skip a few years I got arrested with him so now we're are a couple skip a few years they went off to college together, moved in with each other, skip more years now their engaged, get married skip a year he is lost at sea.It's the skipping from 14 to 25 years old that made me loose any connection that I had and believe me I didn't have much to lose because the author didn't set the relationship up, didn't give enough to believe their love story . The author didn't let you in their day to day lives to really bond with them and believe the loss and pain of the accident when it happens,I seriously felt nothing when her husband was presumed dead,that's not good because you want to feel, it's why I read, to feel ,this book just lacks so much on feels.Your just told the story, the emotions weren't there for me like I had hoped for .It went way too fast without giving me a true understanding of this couple together to even mourn him. I'm just not feeling much and that's what stinks and is the problem about this book. I really want to know these characters,bond with the story and it's just not being told right for me to feel invested.I'm never one to stop reading a book but I'm not feeling emotional invested or much emotions at all for that matter and that's the biggest problem, so it's not a hard decision to stop reading and that just bums me out,this book was not cheap ,debating on asking for a refund and I very rarely ever do that !.30 percent into a book you should be hooked,this book made me feel ,quite frankly nothing sorry to say.So disappointed really was wishing it was going to be a good read.: (((,needs emotional support and more history of the characters, you can't write a love story when your not explaining how the love started,it needed details ,never mind the jean shopping ,gosh just focus on explaining why we should be investing in this couple. And seriously your husband is presumed dead so you make a point months later to take back your maiden name, why would someone who loves her husband for nearly 10 years decide to not want his last name anymore months later,just not understanding or feeling any love.: (((, its a truly lacking read in my opinion ,seriously thinking about asking for my money back,I only gave it 2 stars instead of one because I didn't want to be so cruel to the author.

Struggling with this read so badly very sorry to say.I'm at the 30 percent mark and I just can't keep going.This read is so impersonal, so detached lacking so much feeling, like I don't know these characters at all, yet the story just keeps going on with a casual non emotional flow. I have to think its the writing, the author just is giving us snippets of time, very here to there , skipping years at a time with no substance in the pages ,the writing is not engaging me to this couple at all,nor the other many characters in this book, maybe this is the author's style of writing,I've never read anything by this author before so maybe this is her way if so I'm not a fan!!!!!. The author goes into more detail about the main character buying a pair of jeans than starting a solid love story foundation with this couple. It goes from I think I like him at age 14, skip a few years I got arrested with him so now we're are a couple skip a few years they went off to college together, moved in with each other, skip more years now their engaged, get married skip a year he is lost at sea.It's the skipping from 14 to 25 years old that made me loose any connection that I had and believe me I didn't have much to lose because the author didn't set the relationship up, didn't give enough to believe their love story . The author didn't let you in their day to day lives to really bond with them and believe the loss and pain of the accident when it happens,I seriously felt nothing when her husband was presumed dead,that's not good because you want to feel, it's why I read, to feel ,this book just lacks so much on feels.Your just told the story, the emotions weren't there for me like I had hoped for .It went way too fast without giving me a true understanding of this couple together to even mourn him. I'm just not feeling much and that's what stinks and is the problem about this book. I really want to know these characters,bond with the story and it's just not being told right for me to feel invested.I'm never one to stop reading a book but I'm not feeling emotional invested or much emotions at all for that matter and that's the biggest problem, so it's not a hard decision to stop reading and that just bums me out,this book was not cheap ,debating on asking for a refund and I very rarely ever do that !.30 percent into a book you should be hooked,this book made me feel ,quite frankly nothing sorry to say.So disappointed really was wishing it was going to be a good read.: (((,needs emotional support and more history of the characters, you can't write a love story when your not explaining how the love started,it needed details ,never mind the jean shopping ,gosh just focus on explaining why we should be investing in this couple. And seriously your husband is presumed dead so you make a point months later to take back your maiden name, why would someone who loves her husband for nearly 10 years decide to not want his last name anymore months later,just not understanding or feeling any love.: (((, its a truly lacking read in my opinion ,seriously thinking about asking for my money back,I only gave it 2 stars instead of one because I didn't want to be so cruel to the author.