After I Do by Taylor Jenkins ReidPublished by: Washington Square Press on July 1, 2014
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 352
Book Details
Rating: ★★★★★
From the author of Forever, Interrupted—hailed by Sarah Jio as “moving, gorgeous, and at times heart-wrenching”—comes a breathtaking new novel about modern marriage, the depth of family ties, and the year that one remarkable heroine spends exploring both.
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?
This is a love story about what happens when the love fades. It’s about staying in love, seizing love, forsaking love, and committing to love with everything you’ve got. And above all, After I Do is the story of a couple caught up in an old game—and searching for a new road to happily ever after.
WOW! WOW WOW WOW! After I Do has COMPLETELY blown me away! I can’t remember the last time I loved a book this much!! The last time I rated a book five stars was Five Ways to Fall and yes, that was a stellar book. But I feel like After I Do is just ten times better. Not only was After I Do PHENOMENAL, but it was so different! Five Ways to Fall was fabulous, but much of the same that I’ve already read. After I Do is something fresh, new, and full of SO MANY THOUGHTS AND FEELS!!
I started reading this book late at night, thinking I’d dig in and continue the next day. Well there was no stopping me! I read until like 3am because I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!! It just was not possible. I had to see how the story ended! What if they didn’t get back together? What if they did? And then when it finally ended, I latched onto my sleeping hubby and snuggled him like it was our last night on Earth.
Only 5% into After I Do, I knew I was going to love it. We get a glimpse into when Lauren and Ryan fell in love and Ryan charmed me INSTANTLY! Sometimes it takes me a while to warm up to a relationship, but not in After I Do! Those two were so effing cute together!
Then as the story sped up to current time, my love and excitement for Ryan and Lauren fell into sadness and near-tears. Their marriage is falling apart, they don’t think they love each other any more.. Oh god, it was SO HEARTBREAKING!! How can you go from so much love to so much resentment and anger? And I was so sad and conflicted along with Lauren. Would a year apart do them good? Would it help? Or is it just one step closer to divorce?
In their year apart we spend a lot of time with Lauren’s family, who’s just as interesting as Lauren and Ryan. I adored all the characters in this book; it’s hard not to spend hours raving about all of them! In fact, I feel like I could talk about this book for eons. It just made me feel SO MUCH! After I Do is definitely a must-read. Even if you’re not married, I highly recommend it. It’s just about what it takes to keep a relationship going, and there are so many highs and lows in this book. I was constantly smiling, laughing, near tears, or actually crying.
I’m just completely floored. I’ve read a lot of good books lately, and even a couple great ones. But After I Do is PHENOMENAL!
The Verdict
I picked this one up immediately when I saw your short review on Goodreads! 🙂
Ahhh I hope you love it!! 😀
WOW! Gotta read this gem, then! I love the cover, it’s beautiful 🙂
It is super simple, but it is kind of nice, isn’t it? 🙂
Just ordered it, I’m excited to read it. 🙂
I really hope you like it!! 😀
I did, actually. Thanks for the rec!
Sounds like an awesome book! I still have to finish a few books, but I’ll keep this one in mind 🙂
Woohoo!!
Wow, I would have never guessed. I have never even heard of this book before. But I love the unique concept.
I’d never heard of it either until Jamie mentioned it. And to be honest, the cover wouldn’t have made me pick it up. But after reading Jamie’s review I just got this huge overwhelming feeling of, I have to read that, and I’m so glad I did!
This is the second glowing review that I’ve seen for this book and I think this is a sign that I should pick it up soon. Great review!
Thank you!! I really hope you like it. 😀
Sounds like a blast! The storyline intrigued me, love can’t last for everyone. I hope this can compare to LB Simmons’ The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller. Have you read it? It’s really good! The concept of love in that book and After I Do kinda gives me the same feels.
I’m definitely gonna grab a copy soon.
I haven’t heard of that before! I’ll have to check it out—thanks! 😀
OMGosh! I just had this book in my hand this morning (I do a little shopping on my way to work to waste time periodically) and I just couldn’t decide so I ended up putting it back down and didn’t buy it. Now I see this. I’m going to go get it.
OHMYGOD, YOU MUST!!! Then you must report back and tell me how much you loved it!!
Thanks for your great review. I’ve just added this to my ‘To Read’ list.
I haven’t heard of this one before, but I’ll be looking for it now 🙂 Great review today!
I totally agree with you, this book was amazing! I’ve just recently bought her previous novel forever interrupted i’m hoping to dig into that one soon. Great review!
I totally loved this one as well for all the same reasons!
Ashley, I absolutely LOVED this book. I was captivated immediately from the first chapter. This book contains one of the saddest lines I’ve ever read. It ripped me apart.
I haven’t read (or heard of) this book, but I’m gobbling it up now! Sounds fantastic and I can see the potential for BIG emotions. Great review!
I really REALLY love books that explore all the aspects of a relationship in a mature way, and have well-written characters that go through their own little journeys of self-discovery. I may pick this one up if I see it. Great review, Ashley!
Just bought the book! Thanks Ash…been waiting for a review like this! <3
I am so glad to see you loved this one. I’ve been eyeing it up lately and keep wanting to buy a copy, but keep putting it down. Perhaps you just sold me this book? I’ll have to see if I have room in the budget this week.
Love your post about this book. I think it’s amazing when someone can write like you did about a book.
I really hope you like it!! 😀
This sounds amazing, totally adding this to my TBR!
New follower 🙂
Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings
I completely agree Ashley! This is one of the best books I have ever read! I ADORED it!!! I even gifted copies to some of my friends who are only occasional readers because I know EVERYONE will love this one! (And they did, LOL)
Great Review!