Who Would Like This Book:
If you love heartfelt romances with a twist, "One True Loves" is a must-read. Taylor Jenkins Reid delivers an emotional, thought-provoking story about loss, rediscovery, and second chances. The premise - choosing between a lost husband who returns and a new fiancé - offers a delicious moral dilemma that keeps you invested. Fans of contemporary fiction, coming-of-age journeys, or anyone who enjoys emotional page-turners (think Emily Henry or Colleen Hoover) will find themselves hooked. Plus, the New England setting and warm bookstore vibes add an extra layer of charm.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Readers who dislike love triangles or want strictly realistic plots might struggle with this one. Some found the premise a bit far-fetched and weren’t keen on the quick pacing of big emotional transitions. If you prefer stories with lots of action, or deep dives into career or non-romantic storylines, you might wish for more substance outside the central love story. The romance can occasionally lean into the cheesy or cliché - so if cringe-worthy declarations of love make you groan, be forewarned!
About:
"One True Loves" by Taylor Jenkins Reid tells the emotional story of Emma, who loses her husband Jesse in a helicopter crash, only to find out years later that he is alive. Emma had moved on with a new love, Sam, but now she is faced with a heart-wrenching choice between her past and present loves. The book explores themes of love, grief, growth, and self-discovery through Emma's journey of making a difficult decision between two true loves. Reid's writing style is described as raw, engaging, and emotional, with a fast-paced narrative that keeps readers hooked from the beginning.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Triggers may include themes of loss, grief, emotional distress, and the complexities of love triangles.
Has Romance?
The book is heavily focused on romance, exploring multiple relationships and emotional connections.
From The Publisher:
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Named a Best Book of Summer by Cosmopolitan * InStyle * Redbook * Us Weekly * PopSugar * Buzzfeed * Bustle * Brit+Co * Parade
"No one does life and love better." -InStyle
"Earth-shaking…you will flip for this epic love story." -Cosmopolitan
"Reid's heartwrenching tale asks if it's possible to have multiple soul mates." -Us Weekly
From the author of Maybe in Another Life-named a People Magazine pick-comes a breathtaking new love story about a woman unexpectedly forced to choose between the husband she has long thought dead and the fiancé who has finally brought her back to life.
In her twenties, Emma Blair marries her high school sweetheart, Jesse. They build a life for themselves, far away from the expectations of their parents and the people of their hometown in Massachusetts. They travel the world together, living life to the fullest and seizing every opportunity for adventure.
On their first wedding anniversary, Jesse is on a helicopter over the Pacific when it goes missing. Just like that, Jesse is gone forever.
Emma quits her job and moves home in an effort to put her life back together. Years later, now in her thirties, Emma runs into an old friend, Sam, and finds herself falling in love again. When Emma and Sam get engaged, it feels like Emma's second chance at happiness.
That is, until Jesse is found. He's alive, and he's been trying all these years to come home to her. With a husband and a fiancé, Emma has to now figure out who she is and what she wants, while trying to protect the ones she loves.
Who is her one true love? What does it mean to love truly?
Emma knows she has to listen to her heart. She's just not sure what it's saying.
Ratings (136)
Incredible (24) | |
Loved It (42) | |
Liked It (41) | |
It Was OK (19) | |
Did Not Like (7) | |
Hated It (3) |
Reader Stats (258):
Read It (141) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (94) | |
Did Not Finish (2) | |
Not Interested (20) |
9 comment(s)
New favorite author.
5 stars
TJR you did it again!!!! I was so encapsulated with this book I read it in one sitting, brilliant brilliant brilliant!
This book is a poignant exploration of the fluidity of life, love, and personal growth. Reid masterfully captures the unpredictability of human connections and how they evolve over time. Through the story of Emma, torn between her first love, Jesse, presumed dead and suddenly returned, and her fiancé, Sam, who embodies her new life, Reid illustrates the delicate balance between honoring the past and embracing the present. The narrative delves deep into the idea that love is not static; it grows and transforms as people change. With vivid prose and raw emotional depth, Reid reminds readers that life’s twists are not about choosing what’s right or wrong but about understanding who we are in every phase of our journey. This novel beautifully encapsulates how resilience and introspection can shape the way we love, letting readers reflect on their own paths of growth and rediscovery.
OH MY GOSH!!!
TJR is a go to author for me. When I need a pick me up book, a quick read, whatever- I go to whichever Reid book I haven’t read yet.
I made sure to not let this one get spoiled for me (that happened last time :( couldn’t rate as high) and let me tell you, THIS WAS AMAZING
if you could insert pictures, I would, but I was SOBBING. This was such a great written book, and I was constantly going back and forth on who I thought Emma was going to choose, and who I wanted her to choose.
all I have to say is, i’m team Jesse, how about you?
This was ok. Cringe at times and not sure about Emma. She seemed to want her cake and to eat it! However fast pace and just managed 3 stars.
Most of the reviews of this I've seen from people in friends with or follows, loves it. Many 4-5 stars and I don't know what I've missed. I'm pretty sure I read the same book but it just didn't hit me as hard. Didn't get attached to the characters, didn't really liked them that much and didn't really root for them. I want to enjoy Taylor Jenkins Reid, because I lived Evelyn Hugo. But her books seems to be very hit or miss for me.
One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a compelling novel about love, loss, and the difficult choices that arise from unexpected circumstances. The story follows Emma Blair, who marries her high school sweetheart, Jesse. Their life seems perfect until Jesse disappears in a helicopter crash and is presumed dead. Years later, Emma has rebuilt her life and found love again with Sam, only for Jesse to return, very much alive. The novel delves into Emma’s emotional turmoil as she grapples with two great loves and the person she has become in the wake of tragedy. Reid masterfully explores themes of grief, identity, and the evolution of love. The characters are well-developed, and the emotional stakes are high, making readers question what it means to move on and whether we can truly have more than one “true love.” The narrative’s honesty and depth make it a moving examination of love's complexities and the choices that define us.
COULD NOT PUT DOWN!!!!
This has instantly become one of my all time favorite books. I don’t think I will ever stop recommending this book to people.
SYNOPSIS:
Emma & Jesse meet in high school. They fall in love. They move to California together. They are together for about 10 years, and they are married for about a year of that. Jesse gets in a helicopter crash, and he’s presumed dead.
Three years later, Emma has finally moved forward with her life. She has moved back home to the east coast, and she’s fallen in love with someone else. She’s engaged. Suddenly, Jesse is found, and he returns.
Emma is torn between who she is more compatible with at the current point in her life.
MY THOUGHTS
I love Taylor Jenkin’s Reid writing style. This is the third book I’ve read by her, and she doesn’t disappoint.
This book is deep. It explores love, growth, grief, change, compatibility, and values.
Emma is a likable character. Although I wasn’t a fan of all of her decisions, she felt real to me. Her choices were human & understandable.
The writing is so beautiful. Although many plot points were far-fetched, TJR’s words are poetic & will touch on all your emotions.
TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another beautifully written book by TJR with deep themes.
What can you read after
One True Loves?
About the Author:
Taylor Jenkins Reid lives in Los Angeles and is the acclaimed author of Malibu Rising, Daisy Jones & the Six, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, One True Loves, Maybe in Another Life, After I Do, and Forever, Interrupted. To learn more, visit TaylorJenkinsReid.com.
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