One True Loves: A Novel

4.5/5--This was an absolute gut punch and I could not put it down. I flew through it and loved every second. I didn't care for many of the choices Emma made because someone always ends up devastated in love triangle-y books and it ends up devastating me too. I was pulling for the one that she didn't choose to stay with. But once I realized the rationale Emma was using to make her Big Decision (between Sam or Jesse), I understood why things had to play out the way they did. An impossible choice to have to make! I think this could have been outstanding as a duology or even one much longer book, just so everything didn't seem to happen so quickly. A lot of things happen in this book, but the book's length made it feel like everything happened in very rapid succession. Imagine if each of these scenes in Emma's life had sufficient page-space to be developed, so that our emotions as readers could develop too? I would like to think that Emma was less flippant and wishy-washy than she came across here, but the length of the book didn't give her enough space to have deeper thoughts or fully weigh out the consequences for her choices. Still, a brilliant story, and another one by TJR that really made me think.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has never let me down with any of her novels. Each one is written in an extremely easy to read style that ensures readers will fly through the pages; each one also happens to be laced with themes that are universal and thought-provoking. One True Loves is certainly no exception, as Reid seeks to present her own answer to one question: Is it possible to truly love more than one person? Now, I know my answer to this question, but I was eager to discover how Reid would endeavor to address it in this novel. And quite frankly, I thought she did a spectacular job. Writing about something this complicated requires a capable, confident hand, and that is precisely what Reid possesses. One True Loves tells the story of Emma Blair. In her twenties, she marries her high school sweetheart Jesse, and together, they make a life for themselves that involves all sorts of spontaneous adventures. It is on their first anniversary when Emma’s life changes forever – because Jesse goes missing on a trip for work. In an effort to regroup, Emma quits her job and moves back home where she begins working at her family’s bookstore. It is there she runs into an old friend, Sam, and she finds herself doing the impossible: falling in love a second time. But when Jesse is found alive, Emma now has to face an impossible choice. It sounds really dramatic, and yet, Reid handles the entire plot with a surprisingly light touch. Don’t get me wrong – there’s plenty of heartache and sorrow to go around, which is not surprising considering the plot. But, as with her other novels, Reid injects humor and joy into the tale, and that certainly balanced things out. It helps that Emma is a likable character, and I immediately felt a kinship with her. Her struggles were really hard to read about, her triumphs were easy to cheer for and I really found it easy to understand and relate to her. And I liked the secondary characters – adventurous Jesse, thoughtful Sam, Emma’s sweet family specifically – a whole lot too. But more than anything, I really appreciated Reid’s approach to the romance. Readers are treated to time with both of the men in Emma’s life – from the start of the romance to the state of these relationships in the face of the current conflict. I loved the perspective that this provided when considering how Emma should react, and it was incredible how Reid managed to also make me like both men (as individuals and for Emma) for different reasons. It was such a raw, honest portrayal of what such a situation could mean for everyone involved! I’m really impressed by how Reid navigated her story, and even more impressed by how she wrapped it all up in the end. (And no, I’m not giving you even a hint. Or telling how I felt in particular about these guys. You’ll need to read it for yourself, and then we can talk about it.) Reid continues to put out novels that are guaranteed to be reads that are impossible to put down, extremely compelling (in spite of the emotional turmoil) and extremely thoughtful explorations of some big, personal questions. I really admire her ability to get me to see so many different aspects of any given situation her characters find themselves in, and the way that she constantly challenges me to really think about things when I finish one of her stories. I’m definitely a fan of One True Loves, and will certainly say that it’s an excellent addition to the already published work from Reid. (And I’m very much looking forward to the next one, whatever it may be about!)

“I don’t think that true love means your only love. I think true love means loving truly. Loving purely. Loving wholly.” This is my first novel from Taylor Jenkins Reid and I’ll definitely be reading more of hers. This book surprised me, but in the best way possible. It starts off with Emma celebrating her dad’s birthday with her family and her fiancé when her husband calls. The way she wrote that first chapter immediately gets your attention. TJR is able to capture both of Emma’s relationships where you feel as if you're living in it. From her being enamored with Jesse, the moment they had while being detained, and the blissfulness of their marriage. They’re able to leave their hometown, travel for their careers, and have the life they have always wanted. Much to Emma’s dismay, Jesse agrees to go on a work trip on their first anniversary. His helicopter is found to have crashed and he is presumed dead. Emma’s grief is written so raw and real. She loses herself and questions on how to live her life without Jesse. Thankfully, she has an amazing family who support her. She decides to move back to her hometown and realises that she has to keep moving forward. Little by little is she able to create her own life when she unexpectedly runs into her friend, Sam. She has guilt in having feelings for Sam, but she pursues them. They proceed to have a wonderful relationship. The way Sam accepts and understands that she will always love Jesse, is so selfless. He is able to show her the beauty in the simple things in life, the very same things that she took for granted. Her relationship with Sam is the complete opposite with Jesse, but she couldn’t be happier. Sam proposes and she is looking forward to spending their lives together. Flash forward to the first chapter, Emma has to decide what her heart wants, Jesse or Sam. Time and grief have changed Emma and Jesse. The three of them have to navigate their new reality. This is not your traditional love triangle, you feel as if you're also torn between the two. This book redefines our interpretation of “true love”. I felt her sorrow, confusion, joy, and the love she has for both of them. I absolutely loved it and wish we could’ve seen more of their lives.

This trope can't get better than how Reid did it. Absolutely beautiful and touches all the right chords. The emotions portrayed are very honest and real. A must read for the romantic drama fans.💗 I promise if you ever read a Taylor Jenkins Reid book you'll end up reading all her works.

Libro travolgente, non riesci a smettere di leggere, in alcuni punti ho anche pianto! Veramente bello!

La película no la vi completa por que me aburrió, el libro es excelente! Muy rápido de leer, muy buena historia. Bastante recomendable

وصل بحاله جيده ———— تقييمي للروايه : 3.7⭐️ مراجعتي ( فيه حرق ) : أول مره اقرأ لتايلور جينكينز ريد و التجربة كانت لطيفة ، للأمانه كانت عندي توقعات اني راح احبها اكثر من كذا لكنها بشكل عام جيدة. من بعد الفصل الأول كنت جداً متحمسه اني اعرف وش اللي راح يصير لكن الجزئية اللي بعدها كانت كلها ذكريات من الماضي و ما كانت سيئه بشكل كبير لكن برضو ما كنت مستمتعه تماماً بالقصة ، هالشيء تغير لما جيسي و إيما اخيراً صاروا بعلاقه ، وقتها بدأت استلطفهم و حزنت على الحادثة ، و بصراحه اكثر جزء حبيته من الكتاب هو ماضي إيما و سام لما التقوا مره ثانيه بعد سنين "غالباً لأنه اكثر جزء رومانسي من الكتاب" بعد رجعة جيسي كنت متعاطفه معاه لكن راح اكون اكذب لو ما قلت انه كان ينرفزني في بعض تصرفاته ، و انفصاله مع إيما من احسن القرارات اللي اخذوها. للأمانه لما اقتربت من نهاية الكتاب نوعاً ما بدأ يقل حماسي و عشن كذا ما قدرت اندمج في مشاهد كبيره مثل رجعة إيما لسام أخيراً ، كنت متوقعه انه اكون عاطفيه او انه المشهد يكون رومانسي اكثر لكن حسيته جداً مختصر و من بعدها ما كان فيه اي مشهد لسام! انا اتفهم انه المغزى من القصة هي مشاعر إيما و مفهومها عن الحب الحقيقي لكن كونها قصة رومانسيه فطبيعي اني افترض وجود مشاهد رومانسيه اكثر. حبيت انه اللغة سهلة و فيه بعض الفقرات كتابتها رائعة لكن مو متأكده بخصوص مشاعري عن طريقة تايلور في سرد الأحداث. كانت فيه نقاط تحول كبيره في القصة و كانت مكتوبة بشكل سريع لدرجة انه كان يصعب علي اني استوعب مشاعري و برضو كان فيه نقاط مو مهمة كثير لكن حسيت بتمطيط فيها! بس بشكل عام اشوف كتابتها جيدة. الأرتباط مع الشخصيات كان نوعاً ما صعب و هاذي مشكلة ما أواجهها كثير بالعادة لكنها صارت معي بهذا الكتاب و اظن انه السبب هي طريقة السرد. رغم انه قصة الكتاب بشكل عام محزنة لكن ما بكيت إلا مره وحده وهي لما جيسي كان يحكي كيف قطع اصبعه. أكثر شخصية تعلقت فيها هي شخصية سام! احب شخصيته و احب لطافته و مشاعره العميقة لإيما. ما اعرف اش هو بالضبط اللي يعجبني في هالشيء لكن دائماً "دائماً" احب اشوف رجل ما يخجل انه يعبر عن مشاعره بالدموع! و هذا سبب آخر يخليني استلطفه و اهتم لمشاعره. درجة استمتاعي بالكتاب 7.5 من 10

I got bored when I was reading this book. I really tried to finish it but I couldn’t.😞😞😞