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One True Loves

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"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.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, particularly the relatable protagonist Emma, who navigates complex emotional landscapes involving both Jesse and Sam.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging and accessible with a mix of relatable reflections on love, but it carries moments of cliché and a telling approach.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a woman faced with a heart-wrenching decision between her presumed dead husband and her new fiancé, exploring themes of love, loss, and personal growth.

Setting:

The setting transitions between California and Massachusetts, reflecting Emma's emotional journey and her ties to family, particularly through her parents' bookshop.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally quick, making for an engaging read, though critiques point out rushed moments and an unsatisfactory ending.
It is my father’s sixty-fourth birthday. He is wearing his favorite sweater, a hunter green cashmere one that my older sister, Marie, and I picked out for him two years ago. I think that’s why he love...

Notes:

The book centers around Emma, who faces a love triangle after her husband is presumed dead but then turns out to be alive.
Emma's husband Jesse goes missing on their first anniversary, leading her to move on with her life.
Emma reconnects with an old friend, Sam, and they become engaged, complicating her feelings when Jesse returns.
The story explores themes of love, loss, grief, self-discovery, and second chances.
Emma deals with the emotional turmoil of choosing between her first love and her new fiancé.
Readers appreciate how relatable and believable the characters are, particularly Emma's struggle.
The writing style is described as engaging but sometimes clichéd and cringe-worthy.
Many readers reported feeling torn between their affection for both male leads, Sam and Jesse.
The book has been praised for its emotional depth and the raw portrayal of grief and healing.
It has garnered a large following and is considered a contemporary romance favorite by Taylor Jenkins Reid fans.

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 (48)

Incredible (9)
Loved It (16)
Liked It (16)
It Was OK (5)
Did Not Like (1)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (111):

Read It (51)
Want To Read (52)
Not Interested (8)

4 comment(s)

It Was OK
6 days

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.

 
Incredible
2 months

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.

 
Incredible
2 months

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.

 
Incredible
3 months

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.

 

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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